She sighs into her mug, the steam brushing against her face as she breathes in the caffeine. She feels trapped, as though in a trance. The events of the night continue to tread through her, visions and memories and questions she can't seem to shake. She had spent hours by the water this morning, and if not for her phone dying, she might still be there now.

A flash of red catches in the corner of her eye as a young waitress sets a plate down before her. Olivia sets her mug down, cradling its warmth as her brow furrows.

"I didn't order this."

"Oh, I know," the waitress says as she flashes her a smile, her bright red lipstick complimenting the whiteness of her teeth as brilliantly as the small apron over her short, red skirt. "You just look like you could use a treat after the night you had."

"How-"

"Thin walls." The waitress then leans against the counter, lowering her voice, "and I tried to get your attention when I passed you on my jog this morning, but you seemed to be in another world, lost in thought or something."

The sympathy in the waitress' eyes is a little unnerving, but Olivia simply nods, a soft "oh" and a mumbled "sorry" falling from her lips.

"It's on the house," the waitress says, waggling her eyebrows as she pushes the plate forward, her long red nails adding a musical tap against the porcelain as she withdraws her hand.

Olivia looks down at the offered slice of apple pie and then back up to the waitress. "Thank you," she says, forcing her lips into a small smile as she accepts the treat.

"No problem." The waitress perks up, and Olivia can't help but think that the young woman looks like a puppy being offered a treat. "Any friend of Emma's is a friend of mine - oh god, that's so corny. I'm Ruby, by the way."

"Olivia." She responds in kind, a slight twinkle in her dark eyes. "It's nice to meet you, Ruby."

A wolfish grin overtakes Ruby's face as she leans in a little closer.

"So," Ruby whispers conspiratorially, "I bet you could tell me some embarrassing stories about Emma."

"I'm sure I could, Ruby." Olivia chuckles, shaking her head. "But I doubt Emma would be okay with that."

Ruby pulls away slightly, sighing exaggeratedly. "Fine." She frowns for all but a moment before she perks up again, and Olivia finds herself imagining a light bulb brightening above Ruby's head. "Tell me about New York, then!"

"What do you want to know?" Olivia asks before taking a bite of apple pie. Somehow, the pie is even more delicious than it looks and Olivia closes her eyes involuntarily, savoring its flavor. "This is amazing," she hums as her eyes flutter open.

Ruby squeals excitedly in response, and Olivia can't remember the last time she's been around someone who seemed as genuinely happy as Ruby does. "Well, I want to know everything! Tell me about the Statue of Liberty and Times Square and the shopping and -"

"Ruby!" Granny's robust voice echoes through the diner.

Ruby huffs, all excitement fading as she turns her gaze toward Granny.

"What?" Ruby asks sourly.

"Quit your yammering and come help me in the back."

"Coming!" Ruby calls back, but the moment Granny disappears into the other room, she rolls her eyes and dramatically faceplants into the counter between herself and Olivia. Luckily, her red-streaked black hair just misses the food and Olivia finds herself laughing. The laughter feels foreign but good and Olivia starts to think that maybe Storybrooke isn't as awful as the day before had made it seem.

"Can you take me with you," Ruby groans, "when you go back to New York?"

"If Granny lets you, sure."

"I'm an adult," Ruby whines, "I don't need her permission."

As if on cue, Granny shouts, "Ruby!"

"I'm coming!" Ruby says, dragging herself up off the counter. She sighs as she fixes her hair and straightens her small apron. Olivia remains silent, taking another taste of apple pie in a feigned attempt at hiding her amusement. "Okay, fine," Ruby mumbles, "maybe I do need her permission." Ruby stares at Olivia enjoying her breakfast and jumps a little, grinning. "You could always kidnap me?"

"I'm not sure Granny is the type of person I want to mess with."

Ruby sets a hand on her hip and shakes her head, dejected.

"So much for being rescued by a badass New York Sergeant."

"Sorry." Olivia shrugs, sniggering.

Another dramatic sigh is Ruby's only response before she ambles off to help her grandmother.

Olivia glances around the diner before returning her attention to her breakfast. There are very few people in the diner this morning, but unlike the day before, the patrons seem to be keeping to themselves. She only manages a couple bites of pie and sips of lukewarm coffee before the bell above the entrance sounds. When she turns to look, Olivia finds a bright-eyed Henry at the door, followed closely by Storybrooke's perplexing mayor. Regina Mills. The woman who is somehow also Henry's mother. Before she can ponder the mystery any further, Henry waves at her, practically jumping in his excitement. Olivia returns the gesture with a soft smile and a wave. She nods politely toward Regina when she catches the woman staring. Regina stares blankly for a moment before pointedly shifting her gaze. Henry rises on the tips of his toes to tell Regina something, and Olivia takes it as her cue to turn away. Her coffee mug is nearly empty now, but Olivia raises it for a sip regardless. She grimaces at the bitterness of the sludgy remnants and sets her mug down with a sigh.

"Good morning, Aunt Liv!" Olivia looks up to find Henry beaming, backpack falling from his shoulder.

"Morning, Henry."

Henry hugs her briefly before dropping his bag to the ground with a thud and seating himself on the stool next to her.

"How did you like your first night in Storybrooke?"

"It's been... interesting."

"Yeah, well, it's Storybrooke." Henry raises a hand to the side of his mouth, as if to tell a secret, but fails to lower his voice when he adds, "You haven't seen anything yet. Trust me."

"I guess I'll need the Little Prince to show me around, then," Olivia says as she ruffles his hair, causing Henry to squint and grumble in pseudo annoyance. "As you can imagine, Emma's not the greatest tour gu-" Henry's wide, beaming smirk and narrowed eyes catch her off guard. Olivia tilts her head slightly, unable to stop her own smile from forming. "What?" she asks, bemused.

"You just called me 'Little Prince.'"

"Yeah, I did. It's not the first time... do you not like it anymore?" Olivia frowns, scanning him briefly before she nods. "You have gotten a bit taller since I last saw you. Maybe I should start calling you 'Tall Prince.'"

"No, it's not that - and please do not call me 'Tall Prince.' That's just weird." Olivia chuckles at the way his nose scrunches in disgust at the nickname. "It's just that," Henry continues to explain with a dramatic roll of his hazel eyes, "I guess it just hit me now. My mom calls me that, too."

"Really? I've never heard Emma-"

"No, my other mom."

"Oh."

Before either of them can comment any further, Ruby reappears with a toothy grin, setting down a large plate of waffles covered in whipped cream, strawberries, chocolate sauce, and maple syrup.

"Here you go, Henry!" Ruby says cheerfully. "Someone's getting spoiled today."

Olivia's eyes widen slightly but Henry's expression is absolutely comical. Olivia has never before seen such a perfect personification of a cartoon. If he were such a character, his eyes would be popping out of his skull and he would be several feet in the air from his excitement.

It takes the appearance of an equally sugary cup of hot cocoa with cinnamon for Henry to remember he's not alone.

"Thanks, Ruby!" he says before eagerly sipping his favourite drink.

Ruby tosses a wink in Henry's direction before she retrieves a pot of coffee and refills Olivia's mug. Just as Olivia offers her thanks, Henry slams his mug on the counter, drawing both women's attention.

"Oh, right!" Henry mumbles as he turns awkwardly in his chair.

Through the corner of her eye, Olivia can see the mayor lift a napkin to her lips, prompting Henry to reach behind him, grab a napkin off the counter and swipe the chocolate off his mouth. Regina nods in approval, stoic as ever as she taps the watch on her wrist.

"Speaking of your - of Regina, you sure she's okay with you sitting here with me?"

"Yup!" Henry swirls in his seat to face his beloved treat once more, his eyes darting between his breakfast and Olivia. "I asked."

Olivia glances past Henry to find Regina stirring her drink far too intently. The smirk that graces Olivia's face as she watches the woman feign innocence is involuntary, but satisfying. Regina lifts the spoon from the drink and clinks it against the edge of the cup. It's as she raises the spoon to her lips that she attempts to sneak a peek at her son. Regina startles slightly when Olivia catches her in the act, but it's Olivia who turns away, smirk still firmly in place, when the spoon finally meets the mayor's lips.

"Interesting," Ruby murmurs, shaking her head when Olivia looks at her inquisitively. "I'll leave you two to your breakfast, Granny's gonna have my head if I stand here any longer."

Henry grunts out a response through a large mouthful, raising a hand to wave sheepishly as Ruby starts to leave.

"See you later, Henry." Ruby giggles at his antics, but turns serious as she raises an accusing finger toward Olivia. "And you, don't think I'll forget our little chat. I still want details."

"Meet me tonight, if you like."

Ruby squeals in agreement and returns to her work with a little bounce in her step. Olivia may not know Ruby well, but she looks forward to a night of casual chatter. The bubbly waitress is exactly the distraction she needs from the thoughts that creep into the dark.

"So," Olivia pokes Henry's shoulder gently, "how are you liking school here?"

"It's good." Henry sighs, setting down his fork and swallowing his food. He rests his cheek in his palm, and looks up at her wistfully. "I miss my friends back in New York, though."

"I know it must be hard, starting over." Olivia smiles sadly, spreading her fingers over his shoulder, "but I hope you're still trying to make some new ones."

"I am. Well, old ones, I guess." Henry slumps forward, eyeing the waffles before him.

"Write any new stories lately?" She prods, squeezing his shoulder ever so gently. "I'm just dying for some new material from my favourite author."

As if with a flick of a switch, Henry straightens in his seat, beaming once more.

"I do! I have this one you'll really like, it's about a warrior fairy."

"A warrior fairy?"

"Well, it's more like... She's a former fairy turned warrior. I don't want to spoil it, but she's kind of based on you."

"Me, a fairy?"

"Uh huh, it'll make more sense when you read it. Here, just let me..."

Next thing she knows, Henry is leaning down awkwardly in his chair, a single hand gripping the counter to keep from falling. He fumbles with the zipper of his backpack and pulls out a sleek notebook with a victorious cheer before pulling himself back up. He sets the notebook between them on the counter and flips through the pages.

"There it is," he says as he begins to tear the pages from the book. Olivia cringes as he does so, but his fingers work expertly to remove the papers without causing any damage. "It's not really done yet, and I haven't decided on a title, but maybe you could make some notes like you usually do?"

"Sure," she says as he hands her the pages. "I'll get it back to you as soon as I've finished. Now eat your breakfast, I'm guessing by Regina's impatient looks that you have to run off to school soon."

"I don't think she expected you to notice her watching us."

"Well, someone should tell the mayor that subtlety is not her strong suit."

Henry laughs and closes his notebook, all hints of his earlier dismay gone as he digs into his meal once more.

A few minutes pass, and Henry manages to scarf down all his waffles and finish off his hot cocoa. Once he's finished, Henry retrieves a napkin to wipe his mouth and fingers.

"I have to go now," he says as he jumps off his seat and repacks his notebook in his bag.

"Have a good day at school, Henry."

"I will," he says, slinging his backpack over his shoulder, "if it means I can see you later, Aunt Liv."

"I'll be here for at least a week, we can spend as much time together as you like," she promises as she pulls him into a hug. "As long as Emma gives the okay - or Regina, I guess."

Henry laughs as they part.

"Oh! I almost forgot. I talked to my mom - Regina - last night." He shrugs, his head bowed as he shuffles his feet nervously. "She said I could invite you over for dinner tonight. So, will you come?"

"Regina agreed to that?" Olivia is more than a little surprised at the invitation, but Henry nods his affirmation.

"I told her about you, that you're family. She promised me she'd give you a chance."

After a long pause, Henry looks up, biting his lip. Olivia watches him silently. In the time that she's known him, Henry has never deliberately lied to her, but she knows how manipulative he can be. Olivia has witnessed him tricking Emma into getting what he wants several times, all in the name of his secret operations.

"I promise she's not as cold as she seems, she's just... really protective? Please, say you'll come?"

"Okay."

"Really?"

Olivia nods, though her suspicions remain, she understands why Emma so often succumbs to his whims. Henry is a hard kid to say no to.

"Awesome! I'll see you tonight. Bye, Aunt Liv!"

"Bye, Henry."

With a thin smile upon her lips, Olivia watches as he makes his way over to Regina, presumably to say goodbye. Although dinner is a perfect opportunity to find answers to the myriad of questions churning through her mind, she fears spending any additional time with the aloof mayor could only end badly.

Olivia takes a couple sips of her coffee as she waits for Henry to exit the diner. When at last he does, Olivia rises from her seat, leaving behind enough cash to cover both the coffee and the pie. While Ruby may have offered the treat free of charge, her years on the force have trained her not to accept such gifts.

With her head held high and a thumb curled comfortably in a belt loop on her jeans, Olivia strides over to Regina's table. She clears her throat to get the other woman's attention, though it's clear to Olivia that Regina is fully aware of her presence.

"Well," Regina mocks, "if it isn't New York's Finest."

"Regina."

At the use of her name, a strange expression flits across Regina's features, but with deft fingers, Regina recovers, sweeping a stray strand of hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear.

Olivia doesn't await invitation, taking the seat opposite Regina.

"I had an interesting conversation with Henry."

"Oh?"

Rather than continue, Olivia rests her elbows on the table, refusing to reveal anymore until Regina drops the act, if only enough to face her.

As anticipated, it works.

"Is there a reason for this frivolous news," Regina asks, setting down her fork and knife, giving Olivia her full attention, "or have you simply come over here to ruin my appetite?"

"Surprise visits are a regular part of my job, Regina," Olivia says, matching Regina's bored tone, "if you'd prefer that, then I can just leave now."

"Surprise visits? If this is a threat, sergeant, then I'll have you know -"

"I'm not here to threaten you, Regina," - and there's that peculiar expression once more, as though the sound of her own name is a foreign concept. "Henry invited me to dinner tonight at your place. I just wanted to check that he really asked you first."

"Are you calling my son a liar?" Regina drawls, raising an accusing eyebrow.

"Of course not," Olivia defends, a small smirk to her lips. "I just know Henry's prone to scheming."

"If he told you that he asked me," Regina says, slowly lifting her mug to take a sip, "then he did." And though the mayor speaks smoothly, there's a slight twitch to her brow as she drinks that tells Olivia she isn't being entirely truthful.

"I can come up with an excuse to cancel, if you want me to."

"Don't be ridiculous," Regina dismisses, setting down her mug and rolling her eyes. "It's just dinner. I'm sure the two of us can manage to be civil for an hour or two. Henry is expecting you to be there. And so you will."

"Okay." Olivia smiles, pressing her fingers against the table top as she rises from her seat. "Is there anything I should bring?"

"No, dear." Regina husks, her eyes trailing Olivia from head to toe. "Just yourself will do."

For a moment, Olivia simply stares at the other woman. There's something in her gaze that makes it difficult to speak, something in her voice that perplexes Olivia beyond comprehension. Eventually, she manages to nod in response, her smile falling into a straight line.

"Are there any allergies I should be aware of?" Regina asks, her eyes locking on Olivia's.

Olivia shakes her head slightly before dropping a soft "no."

"Good. Six o'clock sharp. Don't be late."

"Right." Olivia clears her throat and nods once more. "See you then."

Regina smirks as she lifts a forkful of pancake. Olivia moves to leave, but only manages a few steps before she's stopped midstride. At the sound of her name, Olivia spins to face Regina once more.

"And Miss Benson."

"Sergeant." Olivia corrects automatically.

Regina lifts her head as if unimpressed, her nonchalance betrayed only by the way her eyes sparkle with mischief.

"Dress appropriately."

"Would you expect any differently?" Olivia inquires, brow furrowed at the strange remark.

"One never knows." Regina sighs, waving her hand dismissively before returning her attention to her breakfast.

A/N: Words cannot express how sorry I am that it took me so long to update this story. I've received some incredible reviews, and I appreciate all the support, but between writer's block and real life, writing has been quite difficult. Rest assured that I have every intention of finishing this story, I haven't given up. I'm not sure when the next update will be, as I have some other stories I'd like to finish, but there will definitely be more. Thank you again for all the lovely comments, I hope you'll stick around as the story continues :)