A/N: Thanks so much for your kind reviews! I appreciate every single one! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time, the characters, or Madonna's song "Like A Prayer". I am merely using them for entertainment with no profit derived.

Leading up to the following Thursday, Emma left St. Francis each day before sunrise to check in at the courthouse right as it opened. By sweet-talking Roxy, the court clerk, Emma was able to get a jump on the competition and ensure she got the most lucrative jobs. She stayed busy in the field and tried for as many days as possible to avoid being back to St. Francis before lights out at 9:30.

Emma savored both the distraction the work offered her and the opportunity to escape the watchful eye of Father David and Sister Mary Margaret.

Seeing her son - Henry - it had changed something for her. For the first time she could remember, Emma felt a sense of purpose. She was determined to become the best version of herself so that she could work to earn a place in the boy's life.

Each day while she worked she thought of how she could begin a conversation with Henry. What could they possibly have in common? What did she know about children?

On Wednesday, she had planned a long stake-out of the tanning salon where her mark was meant to be getting his basecoat before fleeing to Venezuela's extradition-freedom. It was cut short when he decided to take a Frappuccino break midday and Emma was able to snag him outside of Starbucks with minimal hassle.

She found herself returning to St. Francis in the late afternoon to a frantically buzzing Sister Mary Margaret running around in a tizzy.

"Oh Emma! Thank the good lord you are here! I've never been so in need of your help."

Emma tentatively patted her arm in what she hoped was a calming gesture and said, "Err...yeah. Um...well, I'm here. What's up?"

"Regina just called and told me that the Mother Superior of her order, Sister Cora, is displeased by the pace we have set so far and she wants us to have a community supper tomorrow night to get the ball rolling."

"But I thought we were just going to finish the planning tomorrow."

"We were, we were, oh dear. Oh my word. I just don't know how we can possibly have a meal prepared for so many poor souls by tomorrow evening."

Emma felt irritated at the lack of notice but also by the way that Sister Mary Margaret seemed unable to problem-solve.

"This isn't that big of a deal, Sister. We just need to think what is easy to make and feeds a lot of people?"

"Oh my. I just don't know. What do you think, Emma?"

"Well, I think pasta is pretty easy. And it's warm and filling. We could make spaghetti and garlic bread or something."

"Emma, that's perfect! I'll call Regina right now and tell her that we'll bring the pasta there tomorrow evening."

"Wait, no. They have that whole huge kitchen, right? Why cook it here and cart it over if we can just make it there? That way we can also sit down and talk about the next steps."

"That is a wonderful idea! But won't it be a problem for you to miss work?"

Emma scratched the back of her neck awkwardly and said, "Nope, I uh...had a pretty good week. I can afford to miss a day."

"I'll just go call her now then and tell her to expect us around noon."

Emma nodded and watched as she paced the foyer talking animatedly into the headset about the divine inspiration Emma had received for tomorrow evening. Emma privately felt that spaghetti and garlic bread might be a bit of a bore for the Holy Spirit, but she stayed quiet.

She felt nervous excitement bubbling up at the thought that she would have more time to spend with Henry. He would be in school part of the day of course, but she would spend that time with Sister Mary Margaret and Regina.

Her tummy fluttered in an entirely different way when she thought of spending more time with Regina. Despite, or perhaps because of her safe sunny upbringing, Emma had always been attracted to that which is dark and dangerous. She felt that Regina represented both, though she could not put her finger on why.

Certainly she agreed with Sister Mary Margaret that when Henry had entered the room, Regina's appearance had changed dramatically. She was softer and more sincere with Henry.

Still, her behavior toward Sister Mary Margaret and Emma seemed calculating - almost cold. Emma was fascinated by the contradiction and eager to observe more, even if Regina thought her entirely beneath her notice.

Sister Mary Margaret beamed at Emma as she said, "We are so looking forward to it. We will see you tomorrow then. Good night, Regina."

Emma gave a smile back as she asked, "All good?"

"I think it will be splendid. Oh! By the way, I have something for you."

"For me?"

"Well, it's not really for you. It's for you to give to that boy - Henry, I think his name was?"

"Oh. What is it?"

Sister Mary Margaret led Emma into the library where Father David was sitting at his desk in the corner writing Sunday's homily. He looked up and smiled at her as they walked in.

"It's a book of fairy tales. I'm not sure if you remember from when you were little, but we used to read it together." Sister Mary Margaret reached a bookshelf covered with dusty old volumes and pulled out a battered, leather-bound volume.

"Once Upon a Time, right? Of course I remember." Emma smiled brightly as she reached for the book and flipped the pages remembering how much the stories had meant to her as a child.

She loved the stories of the characters that rose above their modest beginnings to rise into positions of leadership among the kingdoms like Cinderella - although she saw herself more as a knight than a princess. She had spent hours poring over the beautiful illustrations and allowing her mind to wander away to far-off kingdoms.

As she thumbed through it now she realized that Sister Mary Margaret had handed her exactly the gift she wanted to give her son. If he liked it, it would give them something to discuss.

If he loved it, perhaps he could escape the bleak confines of St. Ursula to mount extravagant adventures in his imagination.

Emma felt a humiliating rush of emotion clog her throat and burn behind her eyes as Father David and Sister Mary Margaret looked on with twin looks of adoration. Her ears were beet red as she cleared her throat and softly said, "Thank you."

"You don't mind giving it away to him?"

Emma kept her gaze on the book as she shook her head and gave a small smile, "I think it's perfect."

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True to her word, Emma sent a quick text to Roxy in the morning to ensure that when she showed up Friday the girl would still give her preferential treatment before she took a trip with Sister Mary Margaret to buy the ingredients for dinner.

They arrived at half-past eleven with Sister Mary Margaret's station wagon bursting with food. Emma privately felt that Sister Mary Margaret's estimate that there would be a hundred people at supper was likely generous, but she kept quiet and lugged the bags into the kitchen one load at a time.

It wasn't until all of the groceries were piled up on the counters and Emma was looking through the cabinets for a glass she could use for water that Regina walked in.

"Making ourselves at home, I see." She gave a disapproving tsk and walked over to Emma who was all too aware suddenly that she was sweaty and disheveled from hauling all the groceries in. She tried to slickly run her fingers through her hair a few times, but her left hand caught in a snarl and the tug brought tears to her eyes. Regina smirked and said, "Something I can help you find, dear?"

Blushing now, Emma cleared her throat and said, "Just a glass of water. Thanks."

Regina walked over and offered a tall glass to Emma, who made sure their fingers brushed when she took it. Their eyes met for a fragment of a second and Emma felt a rush throughout her body at the questioning look Regina gave her. She gave a small tentative smile that still managed to light up her face. Regina stared a moment longer before turning to Sister Mary Margaret leaving Emma to fill up her glass at the sink.

"Sister," Regina nodded politely, "Thank you for coming on short notice."

Sister Mary Margaret beamed at her, "It was entirely our pleasure, isn't that right, Emma?"

Emma merely shrugged and nodded as she set down her half-empty glass and began to unload the grocery bags.

"I'm afraid that we are unable to use the kitchen staff for this as they are contracted only to serve meals to the convent and Father Gold will require his dinner as usual. However, they have allowed us the use of the kitchen this afternoon to prepare. They have a roast in the oven already and will return to finish dinner preparation after we have moved down to the community room."

"Well then, I suppose we should get started", Sister Mary Margaret clapped her hands together in excitement and began to unload groceries beside Emma.

For a few minutes, Regina merely stayed on the other side of the room and observed them working until all of the ingredients had been unloaded and the perishable items put away.

Emma immediately dove into making meatballs - her favorite part of the process. She dumped the meat into a bowl and began dicing garlic to add.

When Emma looked up and saw Regina supervising she called out, "Hey lady, you plan to help at all?" She gave a mischievous quirk of her lips as she said it to show she was teasing and Regina was momentarily shocked to find that the lopsided grin made her stomach flip-flop.

"Oh, yes. Why don't I get started on the sauce?" She moved with determination over to the counter and began piling tomatoes, basil, garlic, and other ingredients.

Sister Mary Margaret looked around and said, "Oh no! I must have forgotten the pizzelle maker at St. Francis."

Emma sighed and held up her meat-covered hands and said, "Just let me clean up and I can run back."

"Oh no, don't be silly, Emma. You've already started and besides, you don't know where the pizzelle press is kept. I'll just head over and be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail."

Emma nodded and Sister Mary Margaret hurried out to the car. Emma glanced at Regina, who was staring with determination at the tomatoes she was chopping.

"So you're studying to be a nun?"

"Yes."

"What's that like?"

"Quiet. Usually," Regina glared at her briefly to make it clear she did not care for the disruption of her peace.

"Sure, I get that."

For a moment they cooked together in silence, both lost in their thoughts. Regina wanted to ask more about Emma but for some inexplicable reason, she felt nervous around the blonde. There was something about the bluntness with which Emma spoke and the fact that her emotions were so readily displayed in her expression that intrigued her. She had a sense that Emma was trying to figure her out and it made her uncomfortable.

Regina reminded herself that she was the most promising protégé in the convent - she had been a model student and she was now a model novitiate. There was no reason to be intimidated by this person. She glanced at Emma beneath her eyelashes and saw the blonde staring at her. She felt her cheeks coloring but held Emma's eyes as she lifted her chin.

"And you, Miss Swan? I assume you have a job."

Emma grinned at her and shrugged, "From time to time."

Regina frowned, "What does that mean?"

Emma chuckled, "I'm a bail bondsperson so I sort-of take jobs as they come up."

"I see." Regina's lip had curled up in a sneer now.

"What?" Emma's tone indicated she was offended.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, it just seems like you have a problem with my job."

"It's of absolutely no consequence to me if you choose not to find steady employment."

"Then why do you look like you just stepped in something smelly?"

"I just can't understand how you plan to accomplish something with your life when you have no stability - no structure."

Emma merely shrugged, unperturbed, "I guess that depends on what exactly you hope to accomplish with your life. My job allows me the freedom to move around as I wish. It pays well enough that if I decide to take time off - like today - I am almost always able to do so."

"Well, I believe that we are like trees. It is impossible to blossom without roots."

"Sister Mary Margaret and Father David were that for me. It's just that it's also impossible to blossom without the space to gather sunshine."

Regina looked curiously at Emma. "And your family?"

"I don't have any." It was obvious to Regina that the admission cost Emma something. For half a heartbeat she saw the kind of disappointment and shame that she sometimes saw in Henry cross Emma's face. It elicited a kind of compassion she would never have expected to feel for the blonde.

"Well, you are fortunate to have them, it would seem."

Emma smiled softly and nodded, "I really am. They took a chance on me and I'll always be grateful."

Sensing there was more to the statement, Regina prompted, "But..."

Emma stopped shaping meatballs onto a pan and turned to lean her hip against the counter as she looked Regina in the eye, "To be honest with you, I always wished to be seen and loved for all the parts of me. Even the...less than virtuous ones."

Regina stared at her for a long moment before she said, slightly breathily, "And have you ever found that?"

Emma smiled sadly. "I thought I did once." She turned back to the meatballs and after finishing the last few put them in the oven.

Regina wasn't sure how to respond so she focused her attention on stirring her sauce.

Sister Mary Margaret arrived a few minutes later after Emma and Regina had fallen into silently working together once again. She busied herself setting up the pizzelle maker on the table sniffing the air.

"Mmm. It smells wonderful in here."

Emma smiled at her but Regina was back to business.

"Why don't we talk through the next phase while the sauce simmers?"

"Oh, that's a wonderful idea! I brought the timetable and the schematics. Emma, could you please help me?"

Emma set about organizing the copious binders and they sat down to discuss their plans.

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Henry entered at 2:30 when his school day ended and found them around the table making plans. He smiled shyly before climbing up into the chair next to Regina. Emma's breath caught as she caught his eye but she returned his smile with equal bashfulness.

Regina leaned over to smooth his hair back and kiss his temple. "How was your day, Henry?"

"Pretty good. What are you making?"

"Spaghetti."

He looked up at her, "You're making dinner for us?" He looked hopefully to Emma and Regina, "Are they going to stay, too?" It was clear that an evening in new company had Henry very excited.

"It's not for us, sweetheart."

He frowned, "Well, who is it for?"

Sister Mary Margaret jumped in with extreme enthusiasm, "It's for the poor unfortunate people in the city who have no place to eat tonight."

He mulled this over for a moment, "Oh. Why don't they have a place to eat?"

Regina cupped his cheek, "There are many reasons, dear."

He considered this briefly and nodded, "Then it's really good they can eat here. Can I help?"

Regina smiled and stood, bringing over the lettuce she'd washed earlier from the sink. "Would you like to tear the lettuce for the salad?"

He nodded eagerly and started to reach out but Regina caught his hands. "Wash your hands, first."

He scurried off to wash his hands and Regina immediately resumed her previous briskness.

"Will you be able to manage the pasta, Miss Swan?"

Emma rolled her eyes, "I think I can handle some spaghetti."

Sister Mary Margaret leapt up. "And I will make the dough for the pizzele."

Henry returned a moment later and Regina tied an adult-size apron around him as he knelt on the kitchen chair. Emma's heart swelled at how adorable he was.

Regina sat beside him and added sliced tomatoes and cucumbers to the lettuce he was carefully shredding. His brow was furrowed in intense concentration and Emma was so caught up in watching him that she did not notice the water in front of her boiling over.

Unfortunately for her, Regina did notice. She jumped up and raced over to adjust the burner.

"Miss Swan," she growled, "I'll thank you to be a little more careful."

"It's just a little water, Regina. Relax, I'll clean it up."

"Just add the pasta and watch it carefully. Do you think you can manage that?" Regina snapped.

"I got it." Emma gave back with equal resentment.

Regina glared at her a moment longer before resuming her seat next to Henry who was looking at her hesitantly. Seeing his face Regina closed her eyes and flooded with regret that Henry had seen her lose her temper like that. She opened her eyes and gave him a small smile. He returned a lopsided grin that wasn't quite convincing.

Regina sighed as she started shredding carrots.

"Who wants to help make pizzelle?"

Henry raised his hand high.

"Come over here." Sister Mary Margaret indicated the table in the corner with her head and Henry ran over. Sister Mary Margaret held her hand up to keep him away from the table and said, "Now, Henry, this is a pizzelle iron and it is very hot. You must be careful not to touch it."

He nodded solemnly and carefully took one step closer. Sister Mary Margaret brushed a small amount of oil onto the machine and then carefully dolloped a scoop of the dough onto the surface and closed it. She waited thirty seconds or so and then opened it revealing a golden brown cookie. She placed the cookie on a piece of wax paper and smiled at Henry.

"Do you know what this is, Henry?"

"A pizza lee?"

Mary Margaret beamed. "This is a pizzela, Henry. It's a special kind of cookie that needs an extra special topping. Do you think you could help me put some powdered sugar on top?"

Henry nodded and came one step closer. Sister Mary Margaret held out the bowl of sugar with a small strainer and showed him how to sprinkle it over the top. She made another cookie and watched as he covered it in sugar when it was done. She nodded and smiled.

She looked up and noticed that Emma was staring at them again and allowing the water to boil over. Regina was still mixing the salad and had not noticed.

"That's perfect, Henry. Now, I'm going to have Emma come help you so I can go save the pasta." She whispered the last conspiratorially and Henry giggled.

Emma blushed when Sister Mary Margaret reached for her spoon and said quietly, "Go make cookies with Henry. I'll take care of this."

Emma looked at her gratefully and happily relinquished the stove to join her son in the corner. She gave him a shy smile and said, "Mind if I help?"

Henry smiled at her and shook his head.

"You seem awful quiet." Emma tried to keep the worry out of her voice. The boy seemed comfortable talking to Sister Mary Margaret but not to her.

Henry merely shrugged in response.

"Well, that's too bad. I was hoping maybe you knew a good joke. Do you know any jokes, Henry?"

He shook his head.

"No jokes? Huh. Well, what if I told you one?"

He nodded eagerly.

"Ok. Knock knock?"

He stared at her. She chuckled.

"You're supposed to say, 'Who's there?'"

"Who's there?" It was so soft and timid that Emma leaned closer to hear him.

"Interrupting cow."

"Interrupting cow –"

"Moo!"

He giggled as he sprinkled more sugar over the cookies. He looked up as Regina walked over to the stove top to add the meatballs to the sauce and prepare the garlic bread.

"Did you know, Henry that we have a lot in common?" Emma's heart was thudding in her chest.

He looked back at her and shook his head.

"Yeah, I grew up in a convent, too."

"You did?"

Emma nodded and said, "Sister Mary Margaret took care of me.

He looked at Regina again and said, "Regina takes care of me."

She watched him carefully but kept her voice casual as she asked, "Do you like it here?"

He pondered for a moment before nodding and saying, "There's a lot of rules. But Regina is really nice. I wish he was my mom sometimes."

Emma felt her heart break at how wistful he sounded. She swallowed a lump in her throat and says, "Here's the thing, Henry. Your mom is the person who tucks you in at night and takes care of you when you're sick. Regina is your mom. Just like, in every way that matters, Sister Mary Margaret is mine."

He nodded and sprinkled sugar on the last cookies. "I guess so."

"Hey, but since we are both convent kids, what would you say if I asked to be your friend?"

He beamed at her and nodded eagerly.

Emma smiled back and said. "I have something for you. Why don't you go sit at the table and I'll bring it over?"

He hurried to comply and Emma carefully unplugged the iron before crossing over to her jacket and the book underneath. She set it on the table in front of him.

"This was mine when I was a little kid and I loved it."

He carefully opened the cover and read the title page aloud, "Once Upon a Time."

"It might be a little tricky to read in some parts, but the pictures are awesome."

"Will you read it with me?"

"What's that?" Regina had moved behind them and her voice was controlled but Emma could feel irritation rolling off her.

"It's a book, Regina. Emma gave it to me."

"Did she." It wasn't a question.

Emma turned around sheepishly and said, "Yeah, um. It's just fairy tales. I thought he might like it."

Regina nodded toward the hallway and briskly walked away. Emma dragged her feet as she followed.

"Why would you bring a gift for my-" The word son was clearly on the tip of her tongue, "For Henry" she amended, "Without speaking to me first?"

"You're right. I should have. I just thought he would like it."

"What business is it of yours?" Regina's voice was low and dangerous.

"Regina, it's just a book. I didn't bring him booze and toy guns. Calm down."

"I'm asking you politely to stay out of it. Next time I won't be so courteous about it." She turned on heel and walked back into the kitchen.

Emma walked in a moment later looking somehow both sheepish and defiant. Sister Mary Margaret gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Well, we'd better take this down to the community room. It's almost time." Sister Mary Margaret began loading a cart with the food. Emma helped her while Regina took the salad bowl in one hand and Henry's hand in the other to proceed downstairs.

Henry looked over his shoulder at Emma as he left the room and he gave her a crooked grin.

Emma smiled back and kept smiling as she followed them into the elevator.

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Henry was in bed with the book across his lap when Regina came in to say goodnight. She sat beside him and said, "You really like the book?"

He nodded, "Emma wants to be my friend."

Regina pursed her lips and hummed.

Henry frowned, "You don't like her."

Regina sighed, "Henry, it's more complicated than that. I don't know her well enough to like or dislike her. My only goal is to protect you."

"Emma wouldn't hurt me. She's nice."

Regina studied him for a moment and said, "Perhaps."

Privately, she agreed that Emma seemed to genuinely care for the boy. It simply bothered Regina that she seemed to care for him so much when they had just met. And a small voice in her head piped in that she might also be slightly jealous that Henry seemed to like someone besides her. But then it wasn't fair to the boy to refuse him interaction with others because of the solitude she had chosen.

Regina sighed again and said, "Well, perhaps we'll just see how things go. She will be coming here for the service projects anyway."

Henry gave her a genuine smile and repeated, "Emma is nice. Maybe she could be your friend, too."

Regina stopped short of scoffing when she thought of the exchange they had while cooking.

"Perhaps," she nearly whispered before shaking herself and saying, "But for now, though, it's time for bed."

He nodded sleepily and allowed her to take the book from his lap and set it on the nightstand.

"Good night, Henry."

"Good night."