Chapter Text
Ashley
As soon as Emma met Ashley’s eyes, she knew it was over. She had sworn to Ashley that she would never go back, that she was done saving her mother from the problems she created. Emma had promised that nothing was more important to her than building a future with Ashley.
The blue eyed, curly haired blonde was there at the police station ready to bail her girlfriend out of jail, but first she wanted to talk to her. Emma tapped her fingers nervously as waited for Ashley to come sit at the visiting table. When she saw Ashley frown at the sight of her bandaged hands she quickly placed them in her lap and out of sight.
Ashley hadn’t run to her with a fierce hug like she did the first time Emma had gotten arrested. She hadn’t mourned at the sight of her girlfriend’s bruised face and split lip; no this time Ashley kept to herself and simply sat quietly across from Emma.
“I’m sorry,” was the first thing Emma said.
“I know you are. You’re always sorry.” There was no malice in Ashley’s statement, just disappointment.
Emma would have preferred the girl be mad at her. It broke her heart to see her love so despondent.
“Granny told me not to bail you out. She’s so angry with you for going back there.” Ashley told her. “She won’t help bail you out this time. I’ll have to use my tuition for next semester.”
"I had to go back.”
“She had a restraining order against you Emma, she didn’t want you there. She didn’t want to see you.”
“I was just driving by. I wasn’t, I didn’t have any intentions to see her or talk to her, I swear, but he was beating her in the front yard in broad daylight. What was I supposed to do? She’s my mother, Ashley.” Emma defended.
“You could have called the cops, Emma, you could have let them handle it.”
“She could have been dead by the time they got there.”
“You could have died too.That man outweighed you by a hundred pounds.”
“I beat him before.”
“And what did that get you? A beat up face, six months probation, and a broken heart. She took a restraining order out on you. She told the judge you barged into the house and instigated an argument that hadn’t yet turned physical.”
“She lied.”
“And yet you still can’t leave her be. She’s a horrible human being. She gave you up. She used you until your dad died and then she tossed you away.”
“She is still my mother.”
“She’s never been your mother, she was just a vessel, a human incubator, nothing more.”
Emma’s jaw clenched but she remained silent.
“I love you, Emma but I also know you. You don’t break promises, and you promised me I would never see you here again. That we would never go through this again.”
“Ashley-“ Emma tried to reach for her girlfriend’s hand but she pulled away.
“No, this is the last time.”
“It is, I swear, I’m done with her.” Emma told her.
“No, your issues run too deep when it comes to your mother. You need to deal with them. You need to do that without me. I don’t trust you, Emma. And I don’t have it in me to keep going through this with you.”
“Wait, Ash…” Emma started but Ashley put up her hand. “I did wait, I waited through four years of college. I supported you, and it was your turn to support me, but you couldn’t do it. And now I can’t do it. I’ll pay your bail, but I’m moving out of the apartment. Sean said I could stay with him until I can get a dorm room or something.”
“Sean? Didn’t you use to date him?”
“It doesn’t really matter, Emma. It’s over. I’m leaving you.”
She stood up and so did Emma. Emma reached for Ashley’s arm. “Please, don’t do this. I - I love you. I don’t want to be without you.”
“I’m sorry, Em.” Ashley pulled away and exited the visitation room.
Leaving Emma standing there looking after her.
After ringing the doorbell, Emma waited impatiently outside of the Page mansion, shifting from one foot to the other. When the door swung open Maleficent Page stood, leaning her shoulder against the door frame.
“Miss Swan, what a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?” The older blonde smirked.
“Is your offer still good?” Emma asked, referring to the offer Maleficent proposed to her when she was arrested.
“I can’t promise you what I did last time because you violated your probation and the restraining order. You may do a little time, not much.”
“I don’t care. I only ask that Ashley’s education is taken care of.”
“Does she know about what I proposed to you?” Mal asked.
“No, she doesn’t need to know. We’re not together anymore.” Emma informed her.
“I see, and you still wish to take care of her?”
“I promised her I would. I just want to keep my promise.”
“Alright, I’ll make sure her college education is paid for.” Maleficent agreed.
“Thanks,” Emma nodded, and turned to walk away.
“Oh, Emma, do you remember my conditions?”
The younger blonde turned around, “whenever, whatever, however you want me I’m yours.”
“Starting now.” Maleficent grabbed her by the sleeve of her jacket and pulled her inside.
Eight months in jail with a possibility of an early exit for good behavior, no probation once released, and all it cost Emma was a scratched up back, black and blue marks all over her pale skin, sore muscles and random acts of sexual servitude whenever Maleficent requested. Emma thought it was a small price to pay, she had no idea how their agreement would change her whole life.