Fandom: OUAT/SWEN
Title: Here Always
Author: BookwormNerdity
Pairing: Red Swan (eventual Swan Queen)
Rating: M (Language, sexual content, alcohol and tobacco use)
Warning: To understand this fic you need to have watched ALL seasons of Once Upon A Time!

**Disclaimer** I do not own any of the plot ideas and characters from ABC'S Once Upon A Time!

A/N:This is my first fan-fiction ever, so please be gentle :) constructive feedback and writing tips are always appreciated.

Chapter 1:

It's been two years since Emma Swan broke Regina's curse in Storybrooke, Maine. Two long years since the epic rescue mission from Neverland and the nasty battle with Peter Pan. For Emma, the fighting and the constant feelings of having to look over her shoulder have come to a stop in these two short years. As Emma sat at her desk in the police station, she couldn't help but reminisce over the past years. It's been a long time coming, but Emma could not deny that she was finally happy. Everything in Storybrooke was finally back to normal. Regina still held her position as mayor and nobody dares run against her despite the fact that most of the town still hates her; Emma was still the sheriff and David, Frederick, and now Ruby were her deputies, Mary-Margaret was still a school teacher, though she no longer taught Henry since he was now 13 years old and in the 7th grade. Everything was picture perfect.

Emma leaned back in her chair and casually threw her feet up on the desk, once she'd finally finished the large pile of paperwork Regina so kindly brought over to her that morning. Just as she was about to catch what she hoped would be a thirty minute desk nap, the Sheriff heard the familiar clacking of heels coming down the hallway outside her office.

"Oh hell, here comes the devil." Ruby muttered as she gave Emma a sympathetic glance.

Since Saturdays were the deputies day off, the only person who should've been at the station was Emma, on Regina's strict orders. When Emma stopped by Granny's for breakfast that morning, Ruby had offered to stay and help Emma by dividing the load of paperwork amongst the two. The two women glanced at the office door and then back to one another as Emma set her feet on the floor and sat up straight in her chair. As Regina sauntered in, Ruby ducked her head away from the mayor's death glare, silently praying the woman would be quick about her tongue lashing and leave.

"Well what do we have here?" Regina asked bitterly as she stepped into the Sheriff's office.

"Is there something I can help you with Madame Mayor?" Emma asked, not bothering to mask her annoyance.

Regina stopped at Emma's desk placing both of her hands on her hips. "I'd just like to know why Ms. Lucas is here on her day off, doing what appears to be your work." Regina said, shooting Ruby an intense glare before turning her gaze back on Emma.

"Well, Ruby kindly offered to assist me this morning, so I allowed it." Emma answered already irritated by Regina's presence.

Regina scowled at the tone Emma was taking with her but softened a bit as she prepared to speak again. "I know this is a bit short notice, but I am here to invite you over for dinner." Regina felt a bit uncomfortable, the fear of rejection quickly washing over her as she let the last few words tumble out. "Henry has been wanting to see you." Regina watched Emma's facial expressions in anticipation.

Emma furrowed her brow, as she smoothed a hand through blonde curls. The Sheriff wasn't quite sure what Regina was up to, but she knew that this little invitation had nothing to do with their son. Regina and Emma made the decision a long time ago, that Henry would live with both of them. Monday through Wednesday was when Emma had him, and then Regina had him the rest of the week. Why would Henry be so anxious to see her? He lives with her half the time.

"Tell Henry that I am really sorry, but I'm very tired and may actually be skipping dinner tonight." Emma said, with a tone of finality.

Regina's eyes flashed with disappointment which was gone as quickly as it had come. Hard mask back in tact the Mayor said "Very well." and turned towards the door. As she made her way out of the Sheriff's office, Regina couldn't help the small tear that slipped down her right cheek. "how can she be so blind' Regina thought as she made her way out of the building.

"Well, that was weird." Emma muttered as she stood up to pull on her red leather jacket.

Ruby let out a sigh and sat up straight in her chair as she looked at Emma. "Ems, I think you just turned down a date." Ruby said with a chuckle.

Emma's face twisted in horror at Ruby's words. "Are you insane?!" Emma began. "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard you say Rubes." she said, fighting to control her laughter.

Emma pulled her cell phone from her pocket and quickly typed out a text message to her son.

Hey kid, I'm sorry but I had to say no to the dinner invite. Super tired today, but I'll see you Monday.

"Come on Rubes, you can crash at my place tonight." Emma said, walking over to the door.

Ruby bounced to her feet almost knocking over her well organized half of Emma's completed paperwork. The two women left the police station arm in arm, walking towards Ruby's Red Mustang convertible. As Ruby began the drive towards Emma's house, Emma's phone buzzed in her pocket. the text was from Henry.

What dinner invite?

Emma raised an eyebrow in confusion as she typed back.

Your mom came by the station to invite me to dinner tonight, she said you wanted to see me.

Henry's reply was lightening quick. Emma stared at the screen of her phone in disbelief as she read and re-read his message.

LOL! Nah, that's not true. Not that I don't wanna see you, but I never ask to see you when I have my time with her.

Ruby finally pulled into the driveway in front of Emma's house. Emma's parents, Mary-Margaret (Snow White) and David ( Prince Charming) had built a house near the beach, with the help of a few townsfolk, and that was their gift to Emma. It was a beautifully modeled three story home overlooking the ocean, and Emma lived in it all by herself except for the days she got to keep Henry. As Emma and Ruby exited the Mustang, Emma couldn't help but feel a nervousness at the pit of her stomach.

"Um..Rubes, I think maybe you were right." Emma said sheepishly as she unlocked the front door and held it open for Ruby.

"Right about what?" Ruby asked with a giggle. In Ruby's mind she was always right, no matter what anyone else said.

"I think I turned down a dinner date with Regina." Emma said with a loud sigh.

Ruby raised her eyebrows in surprise as she followed Emma into the kitchen. It was pretty obvious, at least to Ruby anyway, that Regina was in love with Emma. The way that she looks at Emma when Emma isn't paying attention was a dead giveaway. Also, the mayor would start little fights with Emma here and there just to get under Emma's skin. Regina was also gentle with Emma, always lightly placing a hand on her shoulder or back as she walks by. Emma herself however, was completely oblivious to Regina's feelings and actions.

"What makes you think I was right about that?" Ruby asked out of curiosity as she sat down at kitchen the island.

" Henry texted me saying he didn't ask Regina to invite me to dinner." Emma answered with a sigh.

Ruby let out a giggle before responding. "You do realize Regina is crazy, over the moon in love with you, right?" She said letting a few more giggles escape before composing herself.

"Rubes, I so don't want to go down that road, okay." Emma said as she opened the fridge and grabbed them both a beer. Emma plopped down in the stool next to Ruby before resting her head on the counter top.

"You mean you're aware?" Ruby asked, her tone colored with disbelief.

Emma let out a frustrated groan before taking a swig of her beer. 'yes I am well aware, it couldn't be more obvious." Emma answered.

Ruby sipped her own beer before lightly punching Emma in the arm. "You mean to tell me, you know how Regina feels but you're just ignoring it?!" Ruby asked unable to grasp the situation at hand.

Emma laughed at Ruby's facial expression. There was truly nothing more priceless than a frustrated werewolf. "I've known for a while now, and it isn't what you think at all." Emma began. "I could tell that after the stuff with Pan and after continuing on with magic lessons, that Regina had developed feelings but I refuse to go there." Emma finished, chancing a glance in Ruby's direction.

"Why Em?!" Ruby asked still not understanding the issue.

Emma let out a loud sigh. This was harder to explain than Emma had anticipated. "I care about Regina, but it just feels too weird ya know?" Emma finally said.

"Is it because of Henry?" Ruby asked.

"That, and the fact that she used to be my mom's stepmother slash arch-nemesis ." Emma said.

Ruby let out a laugh. Emma after all had a point, Snow and Charming would probably die if Emma and Regina took their relationship to that level. Also, Ruby kind of liked her and Emma's little "relationship" and she really didn't want that to end thanks to the Mayor.

"Well, as long as you're refusing to go down that road, I suppose there's no harm in our little arrangement?" Ruby purred in Emma's ear, a smile playing across red lips.

Emma felt butterflies accumulate in the pit of her stomach as Ruby's breath tickled her ear. She and her best friend had been carrying on a sexual relationship for the past six months and Emma couldn't help but wonder whether her and Ruby should just date each other already. Instead of bringing up that topic, Emma rose to her feet pulling Ruby up at the same time.

"No harm at all." Emma said as she pulled Ruby into a searing kiss.

The two women gripped each other tightly as they deepened their kiss, desperately clawing at one another's clothing. They broke their kiss once they felt the need to breathe. Emma's eyes darkened with pure desire as she spoke. "Race ya to the bedroom." she said as she turned swiftly on her heels and darted up the stairs. Ruby followed grabbing at Emma's jacket in an attempt to pull the other woman down.

Meanwhile, back at the mayoral manner, Regina sat by the fireplace in her study, sipping a glass of cider. She still didn't understand why Emma had turned her down before. Usually just mentioning Henry's name would get the Sheriff to do whatever she wanted. Regina wasn't sure why or how the love she felt for Emma came to be, she only knew that she had to have her. Against her better judgment, Regina decided to use her magic to see what Emma was really up to that night. The brunette grabbed a hand mirror from her purse and with a wave of her hand, a cloud of purple smoke appeared over the object before revealing Emma Swan in what looked to be her bedroom. Regina smiled at the sight of the blonde plopping down on her bed, grinning from ear to ear. That smile faded quickly once she spotted Ruby stripping down to her undergarments, and climbing onto the bed to do the same to Emma. Regina tried not to feel hurt as she watched the pair share in a passionate kiss while Ruby proceeded to undress the woman she loved. A few tears escaped down Regina's cheeks as she watched Emma have sex with Ruby. How dare that little wolf whore touch what is mine! Thought Regina as she waved a hand over the mirror, causing the image to disappear before dropping it back into her purse.