"You're working late again, Regina?" Emma spoke sternly into her phone. She'd just put her jacket on to meet Regina for dinner at some fancy restaurant in the city. Emma didn't really want to go to a fancy dinner, but she was looking forward to a nice evening with her fiancé.
The last few weeks had been rocky for the couple. Regina had been working late almost every day, and Emma... well, Emma had had enough.
"It's like I never see you anymore. For God's sake Regina, we fucking live together but you'd never even know it anymore!"
"Emma, please.. I'm sorry.. please try to understand where I'm coming from."
Regina tried to reason with her, "You used to work on the force, you know what it's like working these hours sometimes..."

Emma straightened her back, "Yeah, I remember.." she knew Regina had a point, but still..
"I guess I'll see you when I see you." Not waiting for a reply, Emma hung up.

Flopping down onto the sofa in the den, she let out her breath. "Looks like another night with the TV and leftovers.." Emma said to herself.
Taking the TV remote in her hand, she flipped through a few channels when she finally settled on a late night talk show. Barely paying it any attention, she stared at the TV, her mind quickly wandering off.

I know Regina's got a lot going on at work.. but.. we'd discussed this over and over again. She promised she'd make more time for US.

Emma checked her phone for the time.

9:35pm

With a loud yawn, Emma cracked her neck and stretched her muscles.

Whatever. It is what it is.

She stood up, turned off the television and made her way up the spiral staircase to the bedroom she and Regina shared.
Flopping down on the bed, Emma took out her phone again and began typing a text message to Beth Ann.

"Hey, did you eat yet?" She typed.

"Hey" Beth Ann replied, "Yea, hours ago.. I'm actually headed to bed... everything alright?"

Fidgeting with her ring, Emma hesitated before replying. "Yea... no, actually. I'm just.. I'm just so frustrated with Regina. Sure, there's a lot going on with the case she's working, but damn! It's like I see her less now than ever before!"

A few minutes ticked by before Beth Ann replied "I'm sorry Em.. I'm sure it'll be fine. You know I'm no fan of her honestly, but it's true, Regina's been really busy with work, you've said so before."

Emma sighed, not bothering to respond. She just really missed spending time with Regina. More than anything in the world.
Emma grabbed her phone again, trying to busy herself with a game.
Moments later, she remembered the weird message she got from Rita last week from Granny. Frantically searching through her laundry, Emma quickly pulled the paper from the pocket of her crumpled up jeans, opened it and read the message again.

I don't know... Emma thought to herself, Granny made it clear that this woman was bad news.. but, people have said the same about Regina in the past, and she's great.

Fuck it. She decided. Opening her phone, Emma sent Rita a short text.

"Hey."

Emma waited patiently, but no reply came.

It's just as well. She thought to herself, Silly to think she'd even respond I guess. Probably just fucking with me..

However, after twenty minutes went by, Emma was caught by surprise when her phone lit up.

"Hello. Who is this?" The text read.

"It's Emma. Emma Swan? From the winery. I got your number from Granny at the diner.. I don't mean to bother you.."

"You're no bother dear," Rita replied, "after all, why would I give you my number if I didn't want to hear from you?"

"Fair point." Emma replied.

"Now then, Emma.. is there something you need me to help you with?"

Pausing for only a moment, Emma replied, "I was wondering if you had any plans tonight? My night has unexpectedly opened up and thought maybe we could grab a drink or something."

"Of course," Rita replied, "Why don't you give me your address and I can drop by?"

Emma's heart raced and she began to sweat. She wanted to hang out with Rita, but she wasn't sure she wanted her to come by her house..

"Actually, why don't I come to you?" Emma answered, "I'd love for you to show me your new place.. you mentioned remodeling the old abandoned mansion on Blight Street when we bumped into eachother at the winery last week.."

"Alright then." Rita quipped, "I assume you already know how to get here then, if you're familiar with the mansion.."

Emma texted a thumbs up emoji, then replied, "See you soon."

Quickly, Emma rolled off the bed and grabbed her jacket.

Well, so much for another boring night..
She thought to herself. This outta be interesting.

**************

Emma took her time walking up the cobblestone walkway to the front steps of the mansion, trying to convince herself that this wasn't a mistake, and she wasn't nervous.
As she knocked and waited for the door to open, Emma frantically considered bailing last minute. However, before she could do so, the door swung open and she was greeted with what oddly felt like royalty.

"Ms Swan," Rita greeted her through red lips, "Please come in."

Unsure of herself, Emma stepped through the threshold. Her heart still raced for some reason. What the fuck.. she thought to herself, what the hell is wrong with me right now?

Emma's heart thudded in her chest. She almost forgot how much Rita looked like Regina. It shocked her the first time she set eyes on her, and it shocked her again.

"I'm so glad you sent me a text.." Rita continued. "I've been dying to get to know you, honestly."

"About that," Emma began, "Why are you so interested in me anyway? I mean, I don't even know you.."

"That's a silly question dear, why wouldn't I want to know you?" Rita countered.

Something about her seemed so calculated...

After a few minutes of silence, Emma addressed Rita again "Also, i uh, I've been thinking and um... I can't sit by and not address the fact that you look so familiar to me."

"Oh?" Rita asked, "how do you mean?"

"It's just that you.. you look almost exactly like my fiancé.. honestly it's quite uncanny."

"Oh?" Rita replied, an innocent look on her face as she did her very best to play dumb.

"Yea." Emma answered, "I feel like there's something you're not telling me.. something I should know.."

Rita swallowed hard. She knew she'd have to explain herself sooner or later, but it didn't make it any easier. Her plan had to go off without a hitch, otherwise all her hard work would be for nothing.

"Let's have a seat my dear, I'll explain."

Without hesitation Emma did as she was told.  Although she knew this situation was indeed odd, she couldn't help but feel a magnetic pull to this woman. She felt no hesitation about obeying her command.

"Your fiancé.." Rita began, "her name is Regina, yes?"

Emma thought her heart would stop.

"What the... how do you know that?"

Rita offered a sly smile, "Well, Ms Swan, Regina is my sister. Twin sister, to be exact."

Emma was completely thrown off her game. Of course it made sense.. how else could they look so alike.. but... why would Regina keep this from me?? What else don't I know?

"I don't understand.." Emma began, seemingly confused.

Moving closer to Emma, Rita explained, "It's no big deal, dear. We're only sisters..we barely grew up together so I'm not surprised Regina never mentioned me..."

Emma didn't really know what to think. What Rita was saying May be true, but it didn't help the fact that Regina held something like this back from her. For Emma, this was indeed a big deal. What else was Regina hiding from her?? Is this why she's been so distant?

"You seem like you need a drink Ms Swan," Rita exclaimed.
Emma's eyes darted at her "Please, don't call me that."
"Oh!" Rita said, "My apologies, I didn't mean to upset you.."
"It's fine," Emma answered, "it's just that Regina calls me that and.. it's just a little weird hearing you say that."

"Not a problem," Rita agreed with a wink, "I'm happy to call you whatever you like..."

Rita's voice sent shock waves over Emma's skin. There was something dangerously attractive about her.. It made her feel the way she felt about Regina..
Rita handed her a cold glass filled with clear liquid "There you go Emma, that should help."

"Thanks.. what is it?"

"Does it matter dear?" Rita asked smiling, "I promise it's not water."

Emma shrugged, downing the liquid in a single gulp, her face wrinkled in disgust as she swallowed. "Ugh, gin??"

"Does it not serve the purpose?" Rita asked.

"Point taken." Emma replied, "I'll take another."

Rita smiled, it's like taking candy from a baby.

After the glass was full again, Emma quickly sloshed it down, then took a seat at the nearby sofa. It wasn't long before she felt the alcohol wash over her, calming her nerves. Emma removed her jacket in order to sit more comfortably, the room feeling a bit warm now.

It wasn't long before Emma could feel the uncomfortable stare of Rita's eyes fall over her.
"Tell me, Emma, what's that scar on your shoulder just below your collarbone?"

Emma's body tensely pulled away from Rita's hand as it drew close.
"Oh, this?" Emma put her hand over the scar at the strap of her white tank top, "It's just a bullet wound.. I was shot in the line of duty a few years back."

"Oh!" Rita replied, feigning surprise, "In the line of duty?? You're a policewoman?"

"I uh, I used to be." Emma answered, not really wanting to talk about it.
"Actually, we discussed this when I first met you at the chateau, don't you remember?"

"Oh, yes! You're right, how silly of me to forget!" Rita continued, sensing Emma's disinterest in the conversation, "Well, I can now say that I've never in all my life seen anyone devour gin like that before." Rita exclaimed, staring at the empty glass in Emma's hand.

"What's the big deal? It's just gin." Emma replied, happy for the change in topic.

Rita clucked her tongue, "Big deal?? That is one hundred percent Japanese Watenshi Gin! Just one bottle of this gin sells for over three thousand dollars! And you just sucked it down like a sorority girl at a dive bar!"

"You mean people pay thousands of dollars for that?" Emma asked, furrowing her brow, "ugh, what a Rip off.."

My god, she is an animal! Rita thought to herself, an uneducated beautiful animal.

"So why are you here, Rita? Have you come to speak with Regina or something?"

"Well," Rita softened her tone, "I havnt quite decided just yet.. as I said before, Regina and I did not grow up together, and we've both lived completely different lives.. after all these years I don't even know if my sister even wants to know me."

"Don't think that way," Emma exclaimed, "I'm sure Regina would love to see you."

"After all these years, I don't know." Rita repeated, "I know this is a lot to ask but, do me a favor and please don't mention anything about me to Regina. Not until I've decided what I want to do.."

Emma thought for a moment then agreed.

"To be quite honest, Emma dear," Rita continued, sitting uncomfortably close to Emma now, "I don't even think Regina knows I'm.. alive."

"How do you mean..?"

"We were mere toddlers when we were separated.. babies even." Rita explained, "Our mother gave birth to us in a run down, abandoned warehouse in one of the poorest sections of Mexico. She was alone and scared."

"That's a lie" Emma demanded. "I've met Regina's parents. They're probably the wealthiest people I've ever met."

A sly smile quipped in the corners of Rita's lips, "Yes, you're right about that."
Emma was more confused than ever.

"In those days, if you found yourself in a predicament like our mother, you were better off dead." Rita continued, a certain sourness dripping from her words. "No husband, bastard children and penniless. In order to survive, our mother had to be rid of us. And that's exactly what she did. She disposed of us. We were left abandoned at the doorstep of a disgusting orphanage that was bursting at the seams with hungry mouths to feed."

Rita paused, taking the empty glass from Emma's hands. She filled it with gin and continued after first sipping the clear liquid.
Emma watched Rita's red lips stain the glass as she slowly pulled it away from her mouth. Suddenly, Emma found herself confused at what she was feeling.. disbelief and sorrow for Rita and Regina, but also slightly turned on by Rita's presence.

"The conditions of that place couldn't have been worse." Rita remembered, a scowl grew over her face. "There were days some of us didn't even eat."

"I don't understand," Emma questioned, "Regina always talked about a happy childhood -"
But Rita ran over Emma's words before they could escape her lips, "That's because my sister had a happy childhood!! She was quickly adopted by a couple of rich Americans. The story goes that they were unable to conceive children of their own, and had a lot of issues trying to adopt in the states. So they came to Mexico to test their luck!"

"But, why wouldn't they just adopt the both of you? Did they not know you were twins??" Emma asked.

"Oh, they knew," Rita explained, "turns out they never intended to have multiple children. So I was forced to live my life in filth and poverty. Once I was sixteen I was forced out of the orphanage and made to live on the streets like my mother."

"Regina never told me she was adopted." Emma said out loud to herself, "why would.."

"Why would she not tell you?" Rita asked, "That's a very good question, in fact I'm curious myself!"

A moment of silence passed between the two women before Rita continued, "My oh my... I wonder what else she hasn't told you.."

Feeling a bit relaxed from the gin, Emma let herself sink further into the comfort of the sofa.
"I'll be honest Rita, none of this makes any sense to me.. Regina has always been honest with me. Why would she lie to me?"

"I'm sorry Emma, I can't really answer that." Rita said sympathetically, "but, I've no reason to lie to you. As you said earlier, I barely know you."

Emma checked her phone. Not a word from Regina, which meant she wasn't home yet. It was nearly 11 at night.

Late nights at work, a sister she never mentioned, and a family that was all a sham? Was Regina living a double life??

Shaking Emma from her thoughts, she felt the warm palm of Rita's hand settle onto her thigh. She stared at Rita's beautifully manicured nails; blood red against the dark blue of Emma's pants. The heat of Rita's skin resonating through the tight denim sent sparks through her body. Quickly, Emma's eyes met Rita's, as Rita pulled her in to kiss. Suddenly it was as if Emma lost all control of her own body. She knew it wasn't right, but could somehow not stop herself from indulging in the sweet taste of Rita's supple red lips. It was like kissing Regina, only.. with a bit of danger involved somehow. That feeling of danger caused Emma to swell between her thighs, and she felt herself craving more of the danger Rita had to offer.
As their faces slowly parted, Emma stared deeply into Rita's beautiful Smokey eyes, grappling with herself.

"I think you should go now, Ms Swan, before you do something you might regret.."

"Uh, yea..." Emma replied without correcting her, quickly snapping back to reality. "Fuck.. um, yea I gotta go."

Rita stayed sitting on the sofa, her long tanned legs crossed over eachother as Emma shot up immediately and headed for the door.

As Emma opened the door, Rita lit a cigarette and replied, "We should continue this conversation another time."

"Yea..." Emma said slowly, "I don't think so." As she walked out of the mansion, closing the door behind her.