As promised, more of this fic today!

Today you get nearly 2,000 words!

I'm actually kinda surprised at how well people seem to be taking to this fic, let's hope things stay interesting!

Just as an fyi, Mayor Mills in this case is Cora.

"Swan, you're on call with the Mayor's conference," her boss, Sidney Glass, called out as he walked into the room, glancing up from the sheet of paper he was reading.

"Seriously? It's freaking Sunday, I have no interest in going to visit the everlasting Mayor Mills just so she can once again announce to her devoted minions that she's running for Mayor. I swear the apocalypse could come and wipe out the majority of the population but that lady would survive."

Near her, August and Mulan snickered.

"I'm serious! She's like a cockroach," Emma added. After the break-up, her hatred towards Regina Mills had automatically transferred to a less than stellar relation with her ex's mother. They'd had a terse relation at first, she always had the feeling that Cora Mills did not like Emma, and after the fiasco, that terseness gave way to frigidness. Not that Emma minded; the less that she had to deal with the Mills family, the better. But as the head journalist and political correspondent for the Storybrooke Daily Mirror, she could hardly pretend the woman didn't exist.

"I know, Emma, but you still have to go."

"Oh come, let Booth take this one," Emma groaned.

"I do lifestyle, Swan, you're in charge of politics."

"With the drama that woman raises, she'd be more fit to fund a gossip column," Emma countered. "But fine. Let's get this over with."

At Town Hall, Emma went to the front to get a seat for an optimal recording location. Beside her, an elderly lady that Emma was sure was named Mrs. Quaker sat with a smile.

"Emma Swan! I haven't seen you in a while, how have you been?"

Emma flashed a polite smile, and said, "Keeping busy."

"So I've heard! Between your son and engagement, I'm sure you've had your hands full! But I'm sure you must be happy now hmm? Life is finally straightening itself out and things are looking up!" Mrs. Quaker responded.

She knew that Mrs. Quaker had no ill intents, but Emma had heard this schpiel hundreds of times. People didn't care about her promotion a few years ago to Head Journalist, but who she was marrying and starting a family with, that was paramount and 'so very relieving for you'. It was like the only thing people cared about was someone's ability to have children by being married. After a beat, she nodded and said, "Oh yes, definitely."

Thankfully, Mayor Mills walked out onto the podium right then, so Emma was spared from having to deal with more of that nauseating conversation. She prepped her recorder, and then poised her pencil over her notepad to take additional notes such as visual cues and important points.

"Good day everyone. Every four years for the past 32 years I've stood here to ask the wonderful citizens of Storybrooke" - Emma rolled her eyes. This woman knew how to lay it on thick for the masses - "to allow me to keep our beloved town in order by continuing to be the Mayor. I couldn't ask for better supporters who allow me to strive to make this the best town in Maine" - that was bull. Storybrooke was barely #4 in this year's list - "But I have decided this year to step down."

Emma paused in her notes. Hell must be getting a crazy ice storm right now.

"But, I couldn't leave without knowing that I could pass it on to someone's capable hands. And I have found the perfect candidate that I know will uphold my beliefs and focus on the same issues that I gave precedence to. So allow me to welcome your new candidate for Storybrooke Mayor, my daughter, Regina Mills!"

Emma's pencil lead broke on her notepad. If hell was frozen a few minutes ago, now it had to be going through an Ice Age. She looked up aghast and saw the gorgeous brunette that had broken her heart take to the podium. After 6 years, she still looked beautiful. Her hair was now much shorter, the tips floofing out above her shoulders. Her expression though, was not of the woman that Emma remembered. It was completely more reserved, and the smile she had on was exactly like her mother's: a politician's smile.

She felt the bile rise up from her throat. She thought that, after 6 years of never having to see her again, she had guaranteed that she wouldn't ever have to. But it was just wishful thinking. If Regina Mills became Mayor, Emma would pack up and bolt out of there.

Now, Emma didn't even pay attention to the rest of the presentation, and as soon as she heard the applause that signified the end of the conference, Emma put her stuff away in her messenger bag, stood up, and went to make her way out of here.

Regina let out a deep sigh of relief. The people here seemed happy and supportive of her candidature, but it was probably just because they were Cora's supporters. She looked out at the throng of people standing up, and her eyes caught on to one person who seemed to be trying to bolt out of there.

Her heart clutched as she recognized the figure. She looked so different, and if it was possible, even more gorgeous. Gone were the thick-rimmed glasses, and her hair was no longer in its usual ponytail, but rather fanned out. The leather jackets were still there, and Regina could only look forlornly at her ex. She was going to make this right, one way or another.

"You have two options," Emma started, slamming both of her hands on her boss' desk. Outside the office, Mulan and August were both staring wide-eyed. "Either you get someone else to cover this election, or I walk."

Over the years, Sidney had been a great friend to Emma. He had helped her after she had finished her journalism degree, patient with her as she tried to figure out how to juggle a career and a baby. So now, he didn't feel threatened when Emma had seemingly undermined his authority. "Did something happen?"

"Yeah someone happened. Freaking Regina Mills happened, and no way in hell am I going through the torture of having to deal with her again."

Sidney frowned. That would present a problem. "Well, how about I make it worth your while?"

Emma straightened, glancing at her boss curiously. "How do you mean?"

"Well, you know her better than anyone, so who better than you to make sure she doesn't get elected?" Sidney smirked.

"You mean you want me to stage a smear campaign against her? What about ethics and 'being impartial'?"

"And here I thought you'd jump at the opportunity for revenge. But anyway. You know as well as I do that the Mills empire has got to go. You also know quite well that if the prodigal daughter is elected, she'll only be a puppet, and will just parrot out her mother's orders. So who better than you to push her buttons and make sure that the empire falls?"

Emma pondered it for a bit. Oh what the hell, her boss' gleeful grin made a similar one appear on her face. "Deal. Let's go take down the Mills Empire."

"Wonderful. I'll schedule an interview with the Mills women. So start sharpening your blades."

"Oh I've been sharpening them for 6 years."

"Hey Rubes, get me a cup of your strongest drink, will you?" Emma said, slipping onto a stool.

Ruby frowned at her friend. "What happened to no more drinking alcohol?"

"I'm not. Just get me a strong coffee or something. Though today would drive anyone back to drinking."

"Why?" Ruby asked, prepping up the espresso machine.

Just then, the bell above the door rang, answering Ruby's question as well as making Emma groan and sink her head onto her crossed arms resting on the table. "Make it to go."

"Emma?" The silky voice that Emma had hoped to never hear again was now sounding beside her. How she wished she had the power of teleportation to get her out of here.

Instead she just raised her head from her arms and plastered a saccharine smile. "Regina Mills. Oh how I hoped I'd never see you again. Clearly it's not my lucky day."

Regina accepted the barb. She deserved it and a whole lot more. "I saw you at the conference."

"Yeah, the first clue to let me know that today would be a shitty day," Emma responded, mouth set into a firm line and a glare in place.

"We need to talk."

"'Talk'?" Emma asked, a bit too loud. The patrons of the diner glanced at them for a moment before shrugging and continuing with their business.

"Talk?" Emma repeated, a little bit lower. "The time for 'talk', Regina, was 6 years ago. You can't just come here, all these years later, after Mommy Mills summoned you, and hope I'll be all forgiving. So do me a favour, grab a cactus, shove it up yours, and go back to wherever you had holed up at, and leave me well alone."

Right at that moment, the Diner's door opened again, and Regina heard something that made her blood run cold.

"Mommy!"

"Hey kid! What are you doing here?" Emma's change was instantaneous. The biting tone she had been using on Regina was gone, replaced by a warm tone. She jumped down from the seat, picked Henry up and was flashing a bright grin.

"Neal was bringing me here for ice cream!"

Regina turned and saw a man trailing after the little boy. "Hey Emma."

Her stomach churned as she saw their lips connect.

"How about we go to Ingrid's for ice cream instead?" Emma asked.

The little boy couldn't be more excited. "Yeah! Ingrid makes the best ice creams!"

Ruby, who had stayed quiet and shocked at her friend's smackdown, grinned. "Hey Em, don't forget your coffee."

"Oh right! Thanks, Rubes, I'll talk to you later?" Emma was sure her friend wanted all the dirty details on what had just occurred, and flashed a smile as she approached the counter, Henry in tow.

"You better."

As Emma backed away, she momentarily made eye-contact with Regina, and seeing the look of shock and heartbreak in the brunette's eyes was enough to make this all worthwhile.

And that was this chapter!

A less than stellar meeting, wouldn't you say?

Also I'm really excited for the next chapter, I'm aiming to make it hilarious, and I hope I succeed!

Meanwhile I'll also be updating Welcome to Storybrooke!