the blonde just nods her head —— that’s her only response for now . she understands she can’t expect someone with such deep , deep wounds to suddenly fix them . but she truly believes that one day , every broken soul will find its own sort of peace , even if it takes time ; even if the memories of a painful tragedy will never leave . ❝ you will be . ❞ green hues lift towards the woman’s ocean ones , a small smile gracing the pink lips as she leans into the warmth that offers to soothe her cheek . gods , she could never truly imagine losing this woman . she reaches into an almost empty pocket , where she always keeps a lighter hidden for moments like these ; the small flame comes to life with a single effortless roll of her thumb , and watches as it illuminates caroline’s face . if only she could watch it light up the same way , but with happiness .
❝ that sounds … ❞ whatever she was a about to say becomes stuck somewhere in the back of her throat ; her voice betrays her . eat and drink ? how can she eat and drink and pretend that she doesn’t want to scream from the images haunting her memory ? ❝ i … i … excuse me , please . ❞ she hears herself say . and even though she is no longer paying attention to caroline’s face , the blonde knows it’s probably painted with confusion . she needs a minute . just one damn minute to collect herself . her touch is gentle as she helps caroline out of her lap , but the moment her legs are free to move , the younger woman flees out of the restaurant cart and into her compartment , ignoring everyone’s curious stares .
a look of confusion washed over the woman’s features; frowning a little, lips parted and blue eyes as big as tea plates. was she mad? no, caroline could never be mad at emma swan. worried, yes —- and just when she thought following after her would be the right thing to do, the sound of a door being slammed and then locked caused hubbard to jump a little, to stay where she was and bring the cigarette back up to painted lips for a long, generous drag. aged hands trembling, the porcelain complexion of her cheeks losing whatever color it had regained during the night that followed the events outside the orient express.
she knew her, all too well she did, and this was not the woman caroline had fallen in love with. something was wrong, very wrong indeed —- and she wouldn’t find peace until she figured out what it was.
stubbing the cigarette out on a crystal ashtray, she retrieved emma’s coat from the back of the chair she had previously occupied and rushed towards the door connecting both coaches. one hand brushing over the hardwood wall, delicately so, the black hem of caroline’s dress waving around silk pantyhose and toned legs. she understood the need to be alone, wanting to isolate one’s self from the entire world and simply — disappear for a while. however, the former actress would be damned if she did nothing to help.
heeled footsteps came to a stop, and she turned around to face emma’s closed compartment. nothing, caroline could hear nothing. white knuckles connected with the hardness of the door; one, two times before she opened her mouth to speak, loud enough for her lover to know she was out there. ❝ let me in, darling. please. ❞