Authors Notes: This is just an idea I had in my head to have a little fun with our two favorite girls. This is an alternative approach to how they met and how Regina came first to Storybrooke. All reviews (good or bad) are welcomed.

Chapter One: The Proposal

After working at the Carly's Caffeinated Cafe for over three years, Emma Swan could easily tell the difference between a customer with an easy coffee order and one with an order similar to a quadratic equation. The latter just walked in the door.

"Totally going to make my head hurt." She whined.

Her co-worker Tonya laughed. "No way dude. He's totally going to order black coffee with two sugars. He has a comb over, a cheap suit, and an actual suitcase...not a laptop bag."

Emma nodded and squinted with a closer look. "True...but he's holding a Sassy Salad bag. Those people can make salad a thousand ways. He could have gone to Subway if wanted something simple. I'm going with an Einstein order."

"Five bucks you're wrong."

"You're on."

Emma readied herself and smiled brightly at the short balding man.

"Welcome to Carly's Caffeinated Cafe...how may I help you?"

The man pushed his glasses up on his nose. "You're going to need to write this down." Emma choked back a giggle as Tonya stomped off.

"No need sir. I gotcha." One of her many talents was a photographic memory, which was ironic considering she was an art major with a concentration in photography. Well actually she was now a graduate student perusing a master's in photojournalism. Santa Clara University was just around the corner from the small shop. The meager salary and even more meager tips, helped supplement the income she was getting from her assistant teaching job.

"Ok..." He said doubtfully. "Double Tall, Nonfat, Half-Caf, Extra Hot Latte with Whipped Cream, Vanilla, Hazelnut, Almond, Raspberry, and Toffee Nut Syrup, Extra Foam, 2 packets of Sweet 'n' Low, 1 packet of Sugar, 1/2 pack of Equal, and Caramel Sauce..."

"Seriously?"

"I told you to write it down."

"No, I have it...making sure I'm not being punked." She playfully looked around for Ashton Kutcher. "Give me a minute." She gave him a ticket and went to work.

"Hey Tonya, instead of the five bucks, can you make this order?"

"No way, all I got was Double Tall..." Tonya put a new rack of blueberry scones out. "So have you solved your problem yet?"

Emma frowned. "Nope."

"But tomorrow's Thursday."

"Yes, I know that considering today is Wednesday." She went in search of a new bottle of hazelnut flavoring.

"Smart ass."

"I'm working on it!" Emma glanced up at the clock and saw that it was almost 9 am. Any minute now.

"You should just fess up."

"I've thought about...Shit" She spilled some of the Toffee Nut Syrup. "...that. But I still got one day."

Tonya handed her a towel. "That plan, Emma, is never going to work."

"Oh ye of little faith..." She tediously dumped all the sugar packets into the steaming coffee.

"I don't think you should be quoting the bible."

"Why's that?"

"Because the devil just walked in...or should I say Evil Queen."

Emma looked up and saw Regina Mills approaching the counter. Correction, Professor Regina Mills. She was one of the youngest professor's to have tenure at the university and definitely one of the most beautiful women Emma had ever seen. She strutted in with her dark perfectly layered hair bouncing above her shoulders. Her crimson lightweight trench coat hiding whatever fashionable assemble Emma was sure she was wearing underneath. Even above the chaos in the cafe, Emma almost thought she could hear the brunette's stilettos on the floor.

She had earned the nickname "Evil Queen" because of the near impossibility of passing her art history classes and her legendary snarkiness. Rumor has it she'd made more than a couple students cry and pass out from stress and anxiety. Despite all that, her classes had the longest waitlist. The gossip about her icy demeanor ran just as rampant as those about her sexual prowess. The woman was a walking urban legend. Her affairs were known for their brevity and discretion. Her family being major benefactors to the school most likely bought her much leniency as far as her teaching position. She was an heiress, due to inherit millions from her recently deceased father who owned a chain of luxury hotels. The money she made from the university, Emma figured was pocket change.

"I totally hate her." Tonya muttered. "She probably falls out of bed looking like that."

"I wouldn't doubt it." Emma said back absently.

"I'll take Einstein his coffee...she's all yours." Tonya took the cup out of Emma's hand and went off in search of whip cream.

"Professor Mills, Good morning." Emma said chipperly despite the butterflies in her stomach. The dark haired woman always set her on edge. Other than brief moments here in the café, they'd barely spoken since she'd taken her class. Well there had been the brief encounter at the faculty mixer earlier in the spring.

Regina whipped her head slightly, causing her bangs to move perfectly back in place. "Ms Swan." Regina Mills never forgot a face or a name. The blonde barista had taken her class three years ago and sat on the third row...two seats from the door. Unlike most of the imbeciles that graced her classes, this one had been a fairly decent student. A bit to chatty for her taste from time to time, but again an adequate student.

"Caramel Macchiato?"

A dark brow rose. Regina didn't order the same thing every trip.

Emma hunched. "Lucky guess." Way to seem stalkerish Emma! She didn't want to explain how over the years she'd basically been able to predict how Regina Mills would order. It depended on her mood and the weather. For instance it was winter time in Santa Clara, which meant around the 40's in the morning but later it would be the 60's. It wasn't raining but slightly cloudy and bit windy. Emma had noticed that she was carrying not only a purse this morning, but her briefcase as well. Which meant, it wasn't a to-go order. So she would be staying for a bit and may want a refill. And she hadn't snapped at her, she'd actually greeted her...nicely...or as nice as she'd ever seen her. Basically she hadn't sneered.

"Indeed." Regina commented with a bit of approval in her tone. Then without another word she paid, took her number, and proceeded to a booth near the back.

"So are you going to ask her?" Tonya whispered in Emma's ear from behind, causing the blonde to jump.

"I'm thinking..."

""BUCUUUUUUUCK!"

"Shut up! Plus you know her reputation; she may throw me through the glass window."

"Perhaps, but we only live once Emma. I don't think this crazy ass plan of yours will work but at least have the balls to try it."

"You just wanna see me get my ass kicked."

"And that too."

"Cover for me?"

"Sure, you got ten minutes."

Emma took a deep breathe, picked up the professor's order and walked slowly to the back of the café. As she figured, the brunette was grading assignments. She felt sorry for the owner of the current paper in Regina's hands. It oozed red ink like blood. The Evil Queen had murdered another student.

"Hi."

Regina looked up with a bit of surprise in her dark eyes. She was wearing reading glasses now. The red rimmed specs only seemed to elevate the aura of intimidation that radiated from her. Emma thought about abandoning it all and fleeing the scene. "Did I miss hearing my number called?"

"No, I just thought I would bring it myself." Emma placed the drink on the table. The blouse underneath Regina's jacket had been dark grey and looked to be silk. Emma figured it cost more than she'd make in the next two weeks.

"Thank you." She went back to her paperwork but still felt the presence beside her. "Is there something else Ms Swan? I didn't order company with this drink."

"I know, but I've been meaning to talk to you about something."

"Something? You're no longer in my class." Regina figured that would snip whatever this was in the bud. But when the usually too chatty girl didn't get up...

"No, I'm not." Emma started to rock back and forth on her heels a bit. "Ummm I took extra care with the caramel drizzle, one of my best designs yet."

The professor took her spoon and stirred the beverage. "I was going to drink it, not look at it." It was apparent to both women her patience was growing thin. "Was that all you wanted to talk about?"

"Actually..."

"Yes?"

"I want you to be my girlfriend."

Dark eyes widen. "Excuse me?"

"That didn't come out right." Emma said with a sigh as she buried her hands deeper into her pockets.

"Really?" Regina sat back in her chair. "Exactly what did you mean to say?"

The blonde chewed on her lip slightly. "What I meant was..." She hunched. "I want you to...um well be my girlfriend."

"Ms. Swan that's exactly the same thing you just said."

"I know." Emma slide into the booth across from her. Regina regarded her as if Emma had just smeared dirty hands down a clean white shirt. Just wrong and totally inappropriate.

"I'm not gay."

"Ok"

"Nor am I bi"

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Really? Not even a little..."

"Not even."

"But Jennifer Watson …"

"Lied." Regina finished for her.

"But what about Marcia McMoy?"

"Total misunderstanding."

Emma leaned in a bit as if about to tell a secret. "So it wasn't true about you and Hillary Banks? The impromptu fondue in your office…all the chocolate…"

What the hell are gag orders good for? I'm going to sue that…With a huff, Regina put up her hand to silence her. "I don't believe in labels. Just as much as I don't believe in talking about my personal life with someone that is not a part of it."

"Oh...ok. That's cool."

"Yet..."

"I'm asking you to be my girlfriend." Emma nodded but inwardly cringed at how bad this was going. What the hell am I thinking here. Tonya's right I should just fess up. "Professor Mills I know that this sounds like some cheap come on."

"Beyond cheap...and dare I say I a tad creepy." She folded her arms across her chest, wondering if perhaps she should have worn a turtle neck today instead. While she did dress to not only look good and entice others, snaring psychotic baristas was not her goal. Perhaps she had shown too much cleavage and enticed the poor girl. Or perhaps it was the skirt. Yes she should have chosen pants today...

"I'm not looking at your breasts." Emma said with a smirk, then frowned realizing the brunette's last choice of words. "And creepy, really?"

"What would you call it?"

"Bad preparation." Emma offered with a crooked smile. "You get hit on all the time, right?"

"Of course." The arrogance in her velvety voice wasn't missed.

"Then how is this creepy? Because I'm a woman?"

"I bought a coffee, and you asked to go steady, dear. That was a buy one get one free promotion I didn't ask for."

"Professor I really don't have time for the proper courting procedures..." Emma smiled. "…that a woman like you would surely deserve."

The compliment made Regina pause. It wasn't the most elaborate nor creative one she'd ever heard, but the girl made it sound almost poetic somehow. "So you're gay?"

"Yes, I am." Emma laughed a bit.

"What's so funny?"

"Who would have thought it took two years on Archie's couch to give me confidence enough to admit that so openly these days."

"Archie?"

"My town's therapist."

"So you're not only creepy, you're crazy too." Regina rolled her eyes, regretting her decision to not to take her order to go.

"Enough with the name calling." Emma frowned again.

"Enough of all this. In case you haven't noticed, you have crashed and burned." Regina retorted. "I'm not interested."

"Pretend."

"What?"

"I want you to pretend to be my girlfriend."

"This proposal isn't any better. In fact it's a little worse…a lot worse. I have a day job and it's not at 976-Babe."

"I know that." Emma groaned. "This is so not how I rehearse this in my head…but…well you make me nervous."

"They don't call me The Evil Queen because I give people warm fuzzies, dear."

Twins eyebrows shot up. "You know about that nickname?"

"Of course I do." She gave a sigh of boredom. "I'd have to be a deaf idiot not to." Dark eyes roamed over the younger woman's body. "Why do you need to pretend to have a girlfriend? You look normal enough to me and this Andy fellow seems to have helped you become one with your sexuality and this is college after all...girls are experimenting all the time."

"Archie, his name is Archie."

"Whatever."

"It's the Enchantment Harvest in Storybrooke this weekend."

"Storybrooke?"

"Yes, my hometown. In Maine."

"The town with one therapist?" Regina sighed wondering why she still indulging the barista at all. The only question she should be asking of her, was for her leave the booth. Yet there she sat listening.

"It's a small town." Emma shrugged. "Everyone comes home to celebrate. It's pretty cool actually. We all dress up like story book characters and do it up big. And occasionally they bring home someone their dating. My parents are all excited because they are expecting to meet the woman I've been seeing."

"And this woman is make believe?"

"No, you exist, but I may have stretched the truth about our relationship!"

Regina inhaled sharply. "You told someone in Mayberry…"

"Storybrooke." Emma corrected.

"…that you're sleeping with me!"

"I only said dating…" Regina gave her a knowing look. "Yes, but I guess that was implied."

"Why me?"

"Because you're you". Emma answered honestly. "Duh, you're Regina Freaking Mills. A walking fantasy. A girl can do much much worse than you."

"Yes. Yes you could." Regina jutted her chin a bit in the air but couldn't ignore the earnestness in the blonde's eyes and voice.

Then Emma eyed the macchiato. "It's getting cold, you know."

"I think I'll take it to go." Regina started to gather her belongings. "On second thought keep it."

Emma reached out and laid a hand on the brunette's. "Wait." Regina pulled back her hand slowly. "I'm not the lunatic that you probably think I am. I've got a small problem and you're the only that can help me solve it without hurting a lot of people."

"By pretending that we're in a relationship?"

"Yes. The festivities last about four days and...and by the end of it all we'll both have what we want. "

Regina closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "This is insane. I'm not going to Maine with you or even to the movies!"

"Just listen I don't have much time."

"Are you going to tell me you're dying or something else as tragic?"

Emma laughed. "No, but my break will be over soon and I'll have to go back to making coffee."

"Perhaps that would be best…"

"My best friend is getting married."

"William and Kate are having a baby." Emma's brows knitted with confusion. "Exactly Ms. Swan another bit of news I care nothing about.'

"Geez, you sure are making this hard."

"You're a stalker, I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to make things hard for you."

"I'm not a stalker!" Emma said a bit too loudly drawing a few stares. She looked over that the counter, Tonya was laughing. "I'm just a girl that made a stupid mistake and trying to rectify it the best way possible. People in Storybrooke tend to date and marry people from Storybrooke…"

"So you're inbreeds? That explains so much." Regina muttered.

Emma ignored her. "And when I came out, there weren't exactly a lot of options to carry on the tradition if you know what I mean. So my parents and basically everyone seem to always be worried about whether I'll meet someone and be well happily ever after."

"But you've dated people here I'm assuming." Again Regina wondered why would someone like the blonde need to make up a girlfriend. She was more than attractive enough and her blue..no greenish..no blue eyes were very pretty. Watch Regina it…she's a stalker remember…

"Oh, yeah sure." Emma answered, but a bit too quickly for Regina's liking.

"And none of these women are suitable to bring home."

"That would be a negative." Emma frowned. "So then my best friend Ruby got engaged to August and everyone was giving me these sad looks at the engagement party because I still hadn't brought anyone home. And I just got tired of it all and I kinda told people I was dating…"

"Me." Emma nodded. "I should sue you for defamation of character." Regina seethed. She picked up her macchiato and sipped it.

"Probably."

"Well tell everyone we broke up. That should be believable enough."

"I did!"

"Let me guess we made up." Emma could have sworn she almost saw the brunette smirk when she said it.

"Eventually."

"Why?"

"My little shit of a brother told everyone at the dinner table that I had made you up." And Emma could tell from the look in her parents eyes that perhaps they'd considered that theory as well.

"Perceptive little fellow."

"Too damn smart for his own good."

"Apparently that doesn't run in the family." Regina retorted.

"Hey I got 1500 on my SATs and my GRE scores were nothing to sneeze at."

"I demand a recount." Regina had heard just about enough, more than enough. While Emma Swan's predicament was mildly interesting at best there was no way in hell she would participate in such shenanigans. She rose to her feet. "All of this sounds like a personal problem. Yours and definitely not mine. Tell them we broke up and be done with it. I don't care. And don't approach me again in this manner. Girlfriend," She scuffed. "I haven't been someone's girlfriend since junior high. What are you twelve…" Then Regina paused. "Wait you said by the end of the weekend we'd both have what we wanted. What did you mean by that?"

"Oh, I did say that didn't I?"

"Yes you did. What could I possibly gain from this situation?"

"I was hoping you would do this out of the goodness of your heart."

"I'm the Evil Queen remember." She cocked her head to the side. "I don't have a heart."

"Sure you do." Emma stood up too and took a step forward. She inhaled a bit and was filled with the scent of Regina's perfume and realized this was the closest she'd ever been to the other woman. "That fire within you has to live somewhere, right?"

Normally Regina would take a step back if someone had invaded her personal space without her permission or initiative. But she stood there and let a few seconds tick by before they were interrupted by an incessant vibrating sound.

"You've got mail professor." Emma said with a slight smile. Regina blinked and looked at her flashing phone on the table. "It's the motivation I think you'll need to see things my way." Emma shrugged and walked back to the counter.

Regina snatched up her phone. There was an email from swan_lake1234.