Note: I know this update took forever. My apologies. Life once again got in the way but I will update more frequently. Please accept this extra long chapter as an apology.

I hope you enjoy.

We reached Bellview Elementary School right on schedule. Luckily for us, the traffic worked in our favor. Of course when we had police blocking off every intersection and keeping all other cars from going our direction, traffic rarely worked against us.

Those of us inside the Queen's carriage welcomed the speed of the trip. The mood inside her SUV was nearly as dark as its paint job. Tension made the small space we temporarily inhabited even more constrictive. To make matters worse, we spent the time trapped in the space in an awkward silence. It was as if an unwritten ban on small talk existed in the presence of the First Lady.

The oppressive unease loomed over us all, but no one else seemed to concern themselves with it. Maybe this was par for course. Another change I must accept. The First Lady certainly did not mind. She remained still as a stone, yet also relaxed as one as she avoided contact with everyone including mine.

At any other time, I would think she was avoiding us in anger, irritation or frustration. Those seem to be her prevalent moods these days. But today was different. She kept her distance from everyone else, not because she was annoyed or was in a reclusive mood. She was focused intensely on the speech was to give to a room full of six to thirteen year olds.

I thought it was pretty adorable. Her lips moved silently as her eyes fervently scanned the text on the electronic tablet in her hands. I stopped the smile pulling at my lips as I watched her. She was reading her speech for the third time. She was that nervous.

The First Lady was not a woman who wore her nerves on her sleeves, but little hints proved they were there. I knew it was hard to believe. If I shared with anyone how nervous the royal pain became when speaking publicly I doubted they would believe me.

She did it so eloquently. Who would believe that right before and right after every speech, or any moment on stage, she had to take a moment to herself to rein in her nerves. Not even those paid to watch over her, the men on the detail, knew the truth. She played it off as if it was a need to get away from the "commoners".

She fooled them all. If it were not for our past she would have fooled me. Because of our history, I knew why she read her speech over and over again. Not because she could not remember it. She did it because it helped ease her mind.

"Has something amused you, Miss Swan?"

All eyes, including hers, turned to me as she asked the question. Her left eyebrow perked as her gaze roamed over me. It was then I realized that smile, I had been battling to keep hidden, had revealed itself. It really was her fault, I thought. If she did not want my smile she should have tried to be less appealing. My smile grew more in defiance to her. Her frown grew in irritation. There she was. The First Lady… regal in every way. Giving in, I lost my smile.

"No ma'am." None of my frustration revealed itself in my voice thankfully. I was frustrated. Frustrated with this game of one-upmanship we seemed to be stuck playing. Frustrated that we have not really talked since I gotten back. Hell, I was frustrated just being in her presence knowing that the connection we once shared no longer seemed to exist. The First Lady appeared not to share my frustration. But appearances could be deceiving.

"Very well." She said. Her eyes returned to her speech. "For a moment there, I thought you had something to share. And as both you and I know, you are not a big fan of sharing."

She added a tint of venom to the last word, and I was not alone in catching it. The others quickly looked away from me, but I read the thoughts flittering through their minds on their faces. They had heard the rumors. By the expressions on their faces and the way they tried to avoid my gaze, they believe them.

I wondered if she knew what she was implying by her statement. Maybe it was supposed to hit like a double-edge sword. Hitting me intentionally with past memories but, just as intentionally, reinforcing a rumor that did not place her marriage in the brightest of lights. But when was the reality of her marriage ever really in a bright light? Perhaps I was overthinking her moves. But when it came to the First Lady, overthinking was the prevailing way to think.

I sighed. It was really nothing to concern myself over. Why I was thinking about it now made no sense. My train of thought was everywhere and needed focus. That was also her fault. I still was not use to being back in her presence I turned to my own electric tablet and went over the security plans for the school. This was my first day leading a detail. Nothing could go wrong. As we pulled up to the school, I secured my i.f.b. and my weapon, and reinforced my wall.

I could see her hands tremble slightly as she quickly stepped off of the stage. The noise of the standing ovation saturated the room. No one even tried to make a sound as it continued. What was the point? The sound of the children's cheers was deafening. It brought smiles to all of the First Lady's staff, especially Kathryn.

Still, the smile that was on the a First Lady's lips when she waved her momentary farewell to the children disappeared as she passed me and stepped backstage. I had stood just out of eyesight of the crowd as she spoke. Now I, along with Davis, immediately moved away from the curtains and to her side. We gave her just enough space for her to feel free to speak candidly, but stayed close enough where she knew she was covered.

We were making good time. One spot on the itinerary was crossed off, yet several more remained. Kathryn rushed to her side, passing along her phone and tablet. The blonde aide whispered in her ear. Though the words were quietly said, my best guess was she was giving her boss some well deserved praise. From the small smile that crossed the First Lady's face, she seemed to appreciate it.

Kathryn understood the First Lady like any good aide. In the years they had been together, she had keenly picked up on Madame Lockley' changing emotions. And right now,she could tell her boss needed her space. After a quick glance at her phone, she stepped away from the room. The First Lady moved decisively towards the small office the school had given her to make any last minute preparation.

The room was a small square. It looked more like an empty closet than an actual room. But it offered the First Lady space to herself.

She once told me the story of her first speaking engagement. It was back when she was simply Regina. It had been a simple introduction of her father, who was celebrating nearly a decade as Maine's middle of the road senior senator. She was barely touching her teens at the time and had prepared days in advance for the less than 30 seconds introduction.

It should have gone smoothly for her. But right before she stood to take her spot in the spotlight, her mother leaned into her ear and whispered a terrifying warning.

"These are the moments that make and break careers. Don't break your father's, dear. You know what it would do to him."

Regina remembered turning her gaze to her dad, whose focus was on the current speaker. He looked so happy. She would never want to take that away. She felt the entire weight of the world fall on her shoulder in that instance. And that weight had been there ever since then. It was why she still got nervous stepping in public. One speech can make you, she had told me in a haunted voice. And just as easily one speech could ruin you.

I was glad she still took the moment to compose herself. She needed it. Davis made a move to follow her, but I stopped him with a sharp shake of my head. His brow furrowed in confusion and anger he tried to hide. He was a failure with that as well. Since I needed to give no explanations for him to follow my order, I gave none. I nodded for him to stand at the outer door. While his eyes showed his standard grumpiness, he moved just as I silently ordered.

I, alone, took my place at the door of the office. My eyes remained front and center, but any good Secret Service agent knew the importance of peripheral vision. I saw her run both hands through her hair, a move to comfort instead of groom herself. She leaned against the desk, her eyes to the ceiling. I was curious about her thoughts. She seemed so trapped by them.

My focus on her broke as I felt movement to my side. Shifting directions, I saw a small, elderly woman entered the room. She carried a small tray with a single teacup. She smiled as I stepped in front of her. She already knew the protocol. Her smile shared her compliance. I surveyed the tray in her hand then nodded. With a small smile in return, I stepped to the side. Finding my spot at the door, I watched as she entered. Regina immediately sat up, irritation showing on her eyes.

"What is this?" She ordered.

The older lady lost her smile at the First Lady harsh voice. No one wants to irritate the president's wife after all. But she continued to make her way to the irritated woman. When she was just in front of her she presented her with the tray.

"We were told you would need this." She leaned forward moving the tray closer into the First Lady's space. The First Lady eyed it cautiously. The older lady tried again.

"It's just as requested. A small porcelain cup. Herbal full leaves. Steeped for five minutes. Oh!" She exclaimed as she reached into her apron's front pocket. "Stirred with a silver spoon."

She pulled out the silver spoon and handed it to the First Lady.

"I didn't order tea." Regina whispered confusingly as she took the item the woman gave her.

"Your security emailed us the order before you arrived. They wanted to give us time to find the exact items."

I felt her eyes on me, accusations looming in them. But my eyes stayed focused on the hallway ahead. She did not question who sent the order. No one else knew of her little trick for retaining calmness. She considered it a weakness that she needed one.

She had told me her secret in her most desperate of times. The fact I used it now most likely graded her nerves. I did not care. Tea was second only to a shoulder rub in settling her. I did not believe she would accept any hands on her shoulders at the moment. The tea would have to do.

She cleared her throat and stirred the tea with her silver spoon, before giving the woman before her a winning smile.

"Thank you."

The elderly woman curtsied. Yes, she actually curtsied before she stepped towards the door. She stopped when the First Lady raised her finger slightly.

"What about-"

"The tea has been made exactly to your preferences, Ma'am," the woman quickly answered, already guessing the First Lady's question. With that she took her leave.

I did my best to ignore the jump in my heartbeat as I watch her hold the cup close, just under her nose. Some things never changed. This was her routine before every cup. She breathed deeply, taking in the warm herbal scent. Her head tipped to the side, and one eyebrow shot up. I knew what she was thinking. This time my smile remained hidden.

She brought the tea to her lips, a sarcastic smirk still in place. This one was not forced. I doubt she even knew it was there. She took a small sip but it seemed to be enough. For I heard the simplest of sighs leave her lips. It was a sigh saved for the sweetest of pleasures.

"Perfection." She murmured as she took another sip and slowly walked to me. I steeled myself, never knowing what to expect from her. She leaned against the doorframe as she cradled the warm teacup against her.

"Isn't it funny, Miss Swan… the small details we can remember? Details we would otherwise consider insignificant."

She spoke wistfully, like she was thinking of a faraway time, a better time. She was not the First Lady that loathed me. Not now. She was the Regina I once knew. The Regina who at times got lost in the life she was living and yearned for a life she once led. Or at least she seemed to be. As always, I turned towards her like I was pure metal drawn to a magnet.

"Nothing I remember about you is insignificant. And I remember everything."

The words were out of my mouth, like a vow, before my eyes were even upon her. When I did look at her, she was looking away.

"Unfortunately so do I, Miss Swan."

Regret painted her smile. A hushed sorrow occupied the space between us. All I wanted to do was push it to the side, to clear it. But she seemed to sense my plans. She stiffened as she moved away from me and to the outer door where Davis stood watching us.

I moved to follow her, my body overtaking my common sense. Luckily I was saved by Kathryn's return. She entered the door seconds before the First Lady walked out of it, stopping her exit. Before I could readjust, we were on the move again.

Taking my place at her side, I tried to ignore the moment earlier that could have easily been more. It was better not to think of it. The First Lady did not need me to walk her down memory lane right now. She needed me to protect her, to serve her and the country as I had pledged. With footsteps never leaving her side and eyes focused on everyone and everything, that was what I did.

"Madame First Lady, I don't think this is the best move... to leave the majority of your detail outside the building."

At first I wasn't sure she heard my opposition. She had barely looked my way since the moment when we were backstage. I was about to reiterate my point when she turned swiftly in my direction.

"Miss Swan, I will not enter a room with more security than there are actual children inside of the room."

"There is a reason—" I started but she harshly interrupted with a shake of her head.

"This is nonsense really." She turned to Davis, looking him directly in the eye. "What do you think?"

The other secret service agents grew still. Everyone knew I was the lead agent. The fact she was asking for a second opinion was like a slap on the face. It pushed my men to challenge me.

"It does not matter what he thinks." I growled.

"It does to me." She threw dismissively at me, then looked once again to Davis. He kept perfect composure, but his eyes lit with an evil glint at my expense.

"Well, ma'am…" Davis said, faking a pause in speech as if he was uncomfortable with the position he was in. But he was loving every minute of it, the bastard.

"I think you should be all right with one or two agents by your side. There was no problem backstage."

The First Lady grinned at the reminder of her last win. No, this was not the first time I had argued that she needed to maintain her detail at all times.

"You are correct, Agent Davis. I'm glad we agree." She said , giving me a pointed look. She knew she had me on the ropes. She was the First Lady after all. "It's settled then."

"It's not settled." I argued, feeling the wind of defeat blowing hard.

"It's settled, Miss Swan," the First Lady replied. Her voice rang with finality. There was no point in arguing anymore. But I stepped in front of her, making sure I had her attention. She may have won this battle, but I'd be damn if she ignored me while I submitted.

"Fine. We will have a man posted on the outside of each possible entrance and exit. That includes the windows of this room."

"Miss Swan!" She exclaimed, but I did not give her room to interrupt.

"Davis and I will once again be at your side for the remainder of this trip." I turned to the other agents on the detail, and was happy to see their eyes already on me.

"I don't care that this is a classroom. I don't care that this is a small elementary school. I want this place as secure as the White House. IFBs should be on at all time and clear for directions, serious questions or alerts. If you think it is of interest, share it. Every person that makes it five feet from the First Lady should have three sets of eyes on them. The First Lady can relax her concerns. You cannot. Am I understood?" Nods from each man told me all I needed to know. A quick flick of my wrist and everyone took their place.

It felt good not to have my orders questioned. I smirked confidently at the First Lady.

"We are ready when you are, ma'am."

I saw trouble in her pause before she glanced at me.

"I was thinking... maybe you would like... Agent Davis should— "

"No." I said. The word was a knife cutting down any need to argue. She once again questioned my authority. But there was a limit. I was not stepping from lead. Her eyes widen as she looked at me. It looked as if she was finally understanding.

"Oh well." She shrugged as she turned to enter the science class. A group of elite mini mathematicians waited. Davis and I were at her side as always.

Where her nerves had consumed her earlier, in this small classroom she acted as if she was at home. Regina Mills was a master at one on ones and small crowds. The kids buzzed as she looked at each of their inventions. Some of them amazed me.

One girl had come up with a way to walk her dog on what looked like a big hamster wheel. Amazingly the dog stayed As she explained how the lift and tilt of the wheel directly effected her dog's enjoyment in his exercise. I just stared at her dog hanging onto a huge hamster wheel, smiling while walking himself.

As the time stretched on, she as always commanded the room. I stayed out of her way. I eventually decided to command the detail from the sidelines, letting Davis take my spot beside her. I hated it, but it seemed to put her more at ease. And that was more important.

It was not until I noticed movement to my side that I realized I was not alone on the sidelines. A small girl, no more than eight-years old, sat at the table next to mine, watching the same scene as I while she played with her own science project.

She watched as the First Lady stood in the classroom with the four gifted girls that were a part of their elite math team. She quizzed them, taking delight in their quick answers. Time flew by and before anyone realized the recess bell was ringing. As the children and media filed into an outer room for refreshments, the girl at the table to my side did not move.

Her inquisitive eyes were on the First Lady's. And The First Lady had finally noticed her. She waved away the rest of the media, promising she would join them in the next room. As they left, she approached the little girl. At first, I expected the girl to run. Isn't that what shy kids do. She was obviously shy. Why else would she be away from the crowd.

I stood stiff as the First Lady sat down with the little girl. I was back in my spot at her side. Davis immediately took his original position.

"Mind if I sit here?" the First Lady asked with a little girl shrugged and looked down at the project in her hand. It just looked like a bunch of sticks to me, but then I'm no math whiz. The First Lady looked down as well, also intrigued.

"What are you working on?"

"Nothing." It was a quick reply. And Regina chose to believe her. They sat in quiet as the little girl worked. Ever now and then the girl perked her head up to look ahead. It was whenever she heard the laughter of the group of girls playing in the other the room. By the fifth peek, Regina just had to ask.

"Are those your friends?"

"No." Came another quick reply.

"Why not?" She waited as the little girl thought about the question. Whatever decision she was struggling with the little girl made. She bowed her head and whispered conspiratorially.

"I gave Lissa a birthday card."

"That sounds very nice of you." The First Lady's reply was simple. It should not have made the little girl frown. But it did.

"It was stupid. It had hearts on it." The way the child whispered the last sentence caught both The First Lady's and my attention. Her voice was strained, filled with an unseen sadness. Hearts should never make a little girl sad. The First Lady lightened her tone, knowing she needed to tread lightly.

"Oh. And Lissa doesn't like hearts?"

"She tore it up in my face... In front of everybody." The girl's head bowed so close to her body I feared for her neck. She was like a star physically collapsing on herself. Regina's expression poured out sympathy and shared sorry with the girl. If only she would look up to receive it .

"I understand." Regina whispered back. The little girl scofedf, and Regina smiled at the small show of spirit.

"I do. Not everyone likes my gifts."

"But you are the First Lady. They have to like you."

Regina looked around the room to make sure they were alone. Only I and Davis were witness to the kind of sincerity few people saw from her. She leaned into the girl. Her body language portrayed they were about to share a secret.

"Can I tell you something you will tell no one else?" Regina asked. The little girl finally looked up and nodded.

"The men in black you see around me all the time. They call me the Evil Queen." Regina looked at the agents at her side. Davis stiffened in guilt. I shrugged. The little girl gazed at Regina with wide eyes.

"Really?"

"Yes. Not everyone likes me. There are some people who I really liked..." She paused. Her eyes fell on me again. The pain in her eyes surprised and confused me. It was not the place for an explanation, but I wanted one. Yet I said nothing. And she continued.

"Let us just say that I have experienced what you are experiencing. Not the exact circumstances, but it was similar. You give someone something you perceive to be a gift. And when it isn't well received, it hurts."

The little girl nodded fervidly in agreement. Regina looked at the girl with a soft smile.

"That's when you remind yourself... Why did you give her the card?"

"To say happy birthday." The girl answered it as if it was the easiest question she had ever heard. But Regina pushed.

"You could have just said it. Why give her the card?" The girl once again thought about it. When she had her answer, she shared.

"I wanted her to know I like her. I wanted to show her."

Regina gave her a brilliant grin.

"Yes. And you did. That's what matters. It doesn't stop the hurt of her rejection but…" She paused, then started again. "But doesn't it make you a little proud to know you were able to show someone you like them?"

"Proud? I didn't do nothing." The little girl rested her chin on her left palm.

"Nothing?! One of the hardest things in the world, harder than math... being First Lady...even being the president... Can be telling someone you like them. The thought alone can make you feel as if your mind is mash potatoes and your body is made of stone."

"Yeah!"

The little girl suddenly grew animated jumping up from her seat. "I was standing there holding it... and my hands wouldn't let it go. I was crushing it but I couldn't move. And I tried to talk two times."

"I believe you. Two times!" Regina mimicked the girl's shocked voice. "It took you only two tries and on the third one you did it. You did it in front of the entire class."

The little girl smiled as she nodded. Regina enjoyed the little girl's happiness.

"So you didn't make a... A friend today. you did do something hard. You did it. And you should be proud."

The child sat quietly for a moment. Then gave Regina a huge grin.

"I am."

"Good. I am as well."

The girl looked at Regina. For the first time she really looked at her. She seemed to appreciate her effort today.

"How come you are not president?" The girl asked in a way on a child could.

"Great. Now you sound like my mother." Regina rolled her eyes jokingly. The little girl laughed. "Miss Swan, can you get this lovely lady a beverage?"

I nodded and took the child by the shoulder as I lead her into the room with the other guests.

"Kid, you like punch?"

"I'm a kid, ain't I?"

I chuckled. The kid definitely had spirit. It did not seem like today would scar her. Before I could pour her a drink, an loud wailing filled the room. At first, I thought a prankster had pulled the fire alarm. Then I smelled smoke. Not enough to cause frantic. But enough to make me worry.

Apparently I was not the only one. Suddenly everyone made a beeline for the exit. Looking around I could not see any recognizable faces. My men looked lost in the reporters. I held on to the kids' hand and made my way back to the room where I left the First Lady. As I struggled with the crowd, I opened my mic.

"Any eyes on the Queen?" I screamed. "Alert! Who has eyes on the Queen?"

Several blind responses followed my question. My men voices flittered into my ear like an echo. All I heard was, "No eyes. No eyes." My blood chilled as I looked through the faces in the crowd hoping to see her. My ears perked as I listened through the mayhem hoping to hear her angry voice.

There was nothing. And as I finally made it through the doors of the room where I had left her, the emptiness of the space matched the emptiness I felt right at that moment. I was numb but only for a moment. Sudden fear hit me. I had lost the Queen. My God, I had lost her!