Yay, a new story! I hope you like it. I decided to try something a little different this time. I believe that what goes unsaid between Emma and Regina is just as important as, if not more important than, what is actually spoken. For this reason, I have decided to include their inner monologues. These monologues will be indicated in italics. Any text messages between characters will appear in bold. Let me know if anything is confusing and I will make necessary adjustments to future chapters. You are the reason I keep writing. Remember that ;)

Is this happening? Is Regina Mills really kissing me?

She had fantasized about this moment many times before, but she never believed that it would actually happen.

Is it possible that Regina feels the same way? Maybe she just had too much to drink. I shouldn't take advantage of her if that's the case. Holy shit! What are her hands doing underneath my shirt?! Okay, that's my bra; she just unhooked my bra. I'm pretty sure that wasn't a mistake. I need to get her attention before…

Emma hears herself gasp when Regina takes two handfuls of bare breasts. Damn, that was porno caliber!

She's actually feeling me up! This is so hot! Her hands…I always wanted to feel her hands on me. I should really get her attention.

Afraid she won't be able to speak without climaxing, Emma breathlessly asks, "Is this a good idea?"

"I don't care," Regina whispers as she removes Emma's shirt over her head, bra included. She immediately closes the minimal space between them once again.

Oh, please, yes, yes! I want this to happen, but I don't want to ruin all the progress we've made. She breaks their kiss and whispers, "Please tell me nothing will change between us." She can feel Regina's hot breath on her exposed neck, as the brunette woman whispers back, "Nothing will change between us."

Regina continues to kiss her way down Emma's bare chest.

Okay, I'm just gonna let this happen, Emma thinks to herself, as Regina takes an aching nipple into her mouth. "I'm really glad Henry is sleeping at my parents' tonight." Regina is so amazing.

Releasing a now saliva coated nipple, Regina responds, "Let's not talk about your parents right now." She begins to remove Emma's ridiculously tight jeans.

"Regina…" This is really happening.

"Nothing changes, Emma." She eliminates Emma's last remaining article of clothing.

Wow, we are really sober.

The next morning, Emma awakens to the sound of her phone ringing and the sun shining in her eyes. She looks at the caller ID. She is not awake enough for this.

"Hey, Dad."

The first thing she registers, she is naked. Secondly, she is not in her own bed. Thirdly, she is in Regina's bed. Lastly, Regina isn't there.

"Uh, yeah, I'm still coming in. I…I just slept through my alarm."

Oh, right. I remember now. I got laid!

"Okay. I'll see you soon."

Emma sets her phone back on the nightstand, next to her badge, and…her clothes?

How did my clothes get up here? I'm pretty sure the party started downstairs last night.

They are folded neatly, in a pile, with a note that reads:

Emma-

I had to go to work and didn't want to wake you. There are clean towels and a new toothbrush in the bathroom for you. There's also a pot of coffee downstairs, in the kitchen. I put it on at 7:25.

She looks at the digital alarm clock, displaying 7:54. Regina is so amazing.

She sends the first text to Regina. You okay?

She receives an immediate response. I'm fine. Are you okay?

Regina is so sweet. Emma replies. I just want to thank you for folding my clothes.

I forgot! She follows immediately with another text. Also, for the toothbrush and the coffee.

Regina responds. You're welcome.

I need to see her again. I'm going to take a chance. Could we meet later? For lunch?

She has to wait a couple of minutes before Regina's reply. I can't Emma, I'm swamped.

Maybe she's free for: Dinner?

She barely has to wait four seconds before receiving Regina's next message. Don't you have plans with the pirate?

Her heart sinks. Oh, yeah, I guess you're right. Why did she have to remind me?

She just wanted to live in the delusion a little bit longer, that neither of them is attached, and they are a normal couple. She receives another text.

Help yourself to anything in my fridge.

Why does she have to be so great?

As she pulls her yellow bug into the parking lot of the sheriff's station, Emma hopes that her father will just drop the issue of her staying out all night. She is a grown woman, after all. I really need to get my own place. The walk of shame is getting old.

Unfortunately for her, she is immediately greeted by an inquisitive father.

"You never came home last night," is the first thing David says.

"Uh, yeah Dad. Um…I didn't want to wake you and Mom by getting in so late."

"I noticed your car was parked at Regina's this morning."

Shit! He knows!

David continues the interrogation. "Were you there all night?"

She answers the question a little too enthusiastically. "Regina and I were up late, talking, last night. I had a little too much to drink. Regina didn't think it would be a good idea for me to drive home intoxicate, 'cause you really shouldn't do that. So she offered me one of her guest bedrooms instead." All in one breath. She gave that entire explanation all in one breath.

"I see." They are technically the same age, but somehow David still managed to master the judgmental father look.

"I was really drunk." She figures that explanation is sufficient.

"Then it's probably a good thing that you stayed at Regina's."

She breathes an obvious sigh of relief, "Yeah."

She had only been at work for less than three hours, but already her stomach was growling. After all, she didn't really eat breakfast at Regina's. She didn't even have any sugary cereal!

"Hey, Dad, I'm going to pick up some lunch. Do you want anything?"

"No thanks. You're mother packed my lunch this morning," David says holding up a paper bag, covered with sparkly butterfly stickers.

Wow, that's a lot of glitter. "Okay, cool. I'll be right back."

She decides that since it's a pleasant, sunny day outside she will just walk to Granny's. Plus, walking always helps clear her head. She really needs this time to process what happened last night and what it means for her and Regina. Suddenly, she is snapped out of her haze.

"Robin! Hey!" I slept with your girlfriend last night.

"Hello, Emma," clueless Robin, cheerfully greets.

"Hi, Roland!" He's an adorable child. Sometimes I think Regina's only with Robin because of his kid.

"Hi," Roland responds with his usual look of admiration toward the Sherriff.

"Where are you two headed?" I really don't care. I'm just trying to be pleasant, because I feel guilty for sleeping with your girlfriend last night.

"Granny's. We're meeting Regina for lunch."

"Oh." Fuck you. "Well, I should let you two get going then." She struggles to avoid eye-contact out of fear that Robin will see her breakdown.

Robin resumes hold of Roland's hand and bids Emma goodbye. "See you later, Emma."

That unexpected punch in the stomach leaves her with sudden urge to vomit. Luckily, the autopilot takes over. She waves and she's pretty sure she says "goodbye." There's no way she's getting food now.

Thoughts start racing through her brain as she quickly makes her way back to the station.

That's why she couldn't meet me for lunch. She made plans with Robin, her boyfriend. How could I let myself believe that she would ever have feelings for me? I'm so stupid!

Upon arriving at the station, she immediately gets into her car, buries her face in her hands, and proceeds to cry uncontrollably.

I knew it was too good to be true. Regina would never want to be with me. Not really. She must've been drunk last night. I'm so stupid! Still…it felt so real.

She is alarmed by a knock on her window. It's Leroy.

She rolls down the window. "Hey, Leroy," she greets, wiping away freshly shed tears from her eyes.

Concerned, Leroy asks, "Hey, sister. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Emma attempts to fake serenity. "Hey, are you going inside?"

"Yeah, your Dad needs my help with something," Leroy answers, pointing toward the station with his thumb.

"Could you tell him that I'm going home? I don't feel very well."

"Sure, I'll tell him." The concern never leaves the dwarf's face.

"Please don't tell him that I was crying," Emma earnestly implores.

"You weren't crying," Leroy very matter-of-factly states.

Relieved, Emma smiles and expresses her gratitude, "Thank you."

"No problem, sister. Hang in there." Leroy smiles warmly at the sheriff, as he bids her goodbye.

A few minutes later, after arriving home, Emma receives a text message from her concerned father.

Are you alright?

I'm fine. My stomach is just upset. I need to lie down for a bit.

Don't worry about coming back in. Leroy and I have it covered.

Thank you.

If you need anything, call me.

I will. Thanks, Dad.

Feel better. I love you.

She will never get tired of that. Her whole life she dreamed of having loving parents and, now, she finally has them. I love you too.

When Mary-Margaret arrives home from grocery shopping, she sees something that alarms her. What's Emma doing home so early? She is immediately worried.

Mary- Margaret can hear the hardly audible sound of her daughter crying, upstairs. She quietly climbs the short staircase to the loft, as the crying escalates. She reaches the landing and gently knocks on the only closed door. "Emma, honey?"

Emma takes a second to recover, before answering. "Mom?"

"Honey, can I come in?" The new mother is eager to comfort her long-lost child.

Hesitantly, Emma answers, "Yeah."

After entering the room, Mary- Margaret immediately takes a seat on the bed next to Emma who is lying on her side. Mary-Margaret gently rubs Emma's arm, as she asks, "Emma, what's wrong?"

The blonde woman doesn't meet her mother's eyes, as she lies, "Nothing. I'm fine."

Not buying it for a second, Mary-Margaret pushes the issue. "You're not fine. What happened?"

She answers honestly this time. "I don't want to talk about it."

Wishing desperately that she could get her daughter to talk, Mary-Margaret tries reminding Emma of their friendship. "Emma, I want you to know that I'm here for you. You can talk to me about anything."

"I know." Emma needs a friend right now. She wants to be able to talk to her mother. There is still that fear, that she won't be accepted, that holds her back. "I'm just…I can't."

Realizing that now is not the time to talk to Emma, Mary-Margaret stands to leave.

Emma suddenly becomes terrified of losing her recently discovered mother, because she pushed her away. She sits up, as she calls out, "Mom!"

Mary-Margaret turns immediately, with hope in her eyes. "Yes?"

Emma says, unable to stop the flood of tears, "I love you."

Mary-Margaret rushes over to embrace her treasured child. "Oh, Emma, I love you so much." They finally break the hug, having both exhausted themselves with this show of emotion. Mary-Margaret tenderly cups Emma's face in her hand and whispers, "Get some rest, honey."

########

Mother and son are currently occupied, cleaning up after dinner. Regina washes the dishes as Henry dries, this is their system. Only this night is different because of the awkward silence. Luckily, Henry is the first one to break it. Unsurely, he begins, "Mom? Can I talk to you?"

Regina is so grateful that her teenage son is letting her in. "Of course, sweetheart." She could tell that there was something on Henry's mind. Thankfully she didn't have to push him to talk to her. She knows that her sweet boy usually comes around, when he's ready. She hopes that will never change.

"Um…uh…" He's still unsure how to properly express his concern.

This causes his mother to grow apprehensive. She pauses washing the dish, in order to give her son the attention he clearly needs. "Henry, what's wrong?"

"It's Mom." He feels like he is betraying his blonde mother by sharing this worry with his brunette mother. On the other hand, he knows that his two mothers share an unquestionable bond. If anyone can help Emma, Henry believes, his mom can.

Immediately alarmed, Regina asks to make sure she heard correctly, "Emma?"

Henry continues, "I'm really worried about her."

"What's going on?" The concern never leaves Regina's face.

"I don't know what's wrong." Becoming emotional, Henry continues, "She cries all the time. She won't talk to anyone, not even Grandma or Grandpa. I just thought…maybe you could help her. I know she'd talk to you. She trusts you."

It becomes apparent to Regina that this was really bothering Henry. She desires nothing more, in this moment, than to calm her very emotional son. She embraces him and assures, "I'll talk to her, Henry. Everything's going to be alright, I promise."

"I love you, Mom." Henry allows himself to be comforted by his mother's loving embrace.

"I love you, Henry," Regina reciprocates as she begins to rock her son.

Later that night, Regina lies awake replaying the recent conversation with Henry. Her mind is filled with thoughts of Emma Swan. She realizes that worrying about this infuriating woman is going to keep her up all night. She makes a decision. I am just going to check on her. I won't be able to sleep unless I know that she's alright.

Are you alright?

It only takes a moment before Regina receives a response. I'm fine.

Nope. She's not getting out of talking to me that easily. Henry said you'd been crying.

Immediately she receives the next response. I'm fine, Regina.

She is clearly not fine. If I have to threaten her, I will. Let's try this first. Talk to me.

An unexpected reply arrives. Are we still friends?

Oh, Emma. Of course we're still friends. I was worried when I didn't hear from you for almost a week.

She has to wait several minutes before the next text. I've been busy.

Really, Swan? Regina decides to call Emma out on her bullshit. You've been avoiding me.

Several minutes pass. Maybe.

Regina is unable to identify the emotion that she is currently experiencing. Not knowing what, something motivates her to ask. Would you like to have dinner with me and Henry, tomorrow night?

It doesn't take long for her to receive Emma's response. I would love to.

Regina smiles to herself. She is completely unaware of her own deep feelings for this woman. What she is certain of is the relief she feels at Emma's willingness. Good.

Emma's next message follows through. What time should I be there?

What time do you get off work? I want to see you as soon as possible.

Usually, around five.

That works. Why don't you come over right after work?

Okay, I will.

If she only had a mirror, she would be able to see that she is still smiling and completely content. See you then.

See you then.

After that exchange, Regina has no further difficulty falling to sleep.

That evening, Emma makes the planned visit to Regina's. Her stomach is unsettled as usual. She wishes there was some way to untie the knot, in which it has successfully tied itself. Since there is no way to physically untie the knot, she attempts to talk herself down.

Okay, this is good…this is a good thing. We're just having dinner. We're friends. Regina is my friend, she's my best-friend. We are having dinner together, as friends. Don't blow this, Swan.

She is too preoccupied mentally preparing herself, to make the seemingly long trek up the driveway and onto the porch to finally ring the doorbell, to notice that Regina is already standing in her doorway watching the familiar yellow bug pull into her drive.

Emma gets out of her car and casually greets, "Hey," as if this was their routine.

Regina smiles warmly at the blond woman she has grown so fond of, as she watches her walk up the path to her porch. "Hey."

Emma stops briefly, she feels like she should say more; she has good reason to. "You look really pretty."

Regina is wearing a beige silk blouse with a spread collar, paired with a black camisole, a simple gold chain, black chandelier drop earrings, black slacks, and four inch black suede heels. Damn, this woman knows how to put together an outfit.

The brunette woman is evidently flattered. "Thank you." She blushes slightly, though she would absolutely deny this fact. "Come in," she suggests and gestures for Emma to enter the mansion.

"Dinner should be ready in about half an hour," she says as she begins walking toward the kitchen.

"Sounds great," Emma says, following Regina.

"Henry's upstairs doing homework." She turns to face the blonde woman before continuing, "I thought we could use this time to talk."

"Yeah," Emma sighs. She takes a seat on stool at the island, keeping Regina in her peripheral vision. She can see the poised woman standing with her back against the sink, her arms folded across her chest. There is a brief pause. Emma's body language makes it very clear that she is not going open up without a bit of prying.

Regina accepts the challenge. "How have you been?"

"I've been fine." Please don't accept that answer, Regina. The blonde woman occupies her attention by picking at her finger nails.

Nope. You are going to talk to me. "So, that explains the crying."

I love you so much. "I was just worried, Regina."

I knew it. "That we were no longer friends…because we had sex?"

The blonde woman nods, still avoiding eye-contact.

"Emma, I told you nothing would change between us. Nothing has changed between us." I wish she would look at me. Regina gently places her hand over Emma's restless fingers.

She loves me. Emma looks up and is met with warm brown eyes.

"I'm still your friend," she sincerely states.

The knot in her stomach miraculously loosens its hold. Relieved, Emma replies, "I'm glad you're still my friend." There is just a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "So, what's for dinner?"

Once she has reached the front door, Emma turns around to face Regina who has followed her into the foyer. "Thank you, Regina…for tonight."

"I'm really glad you came," Regina reciprocates, coyly taking a step toward the blonde.

"I had a really nice time." It's Emma's turn to step toward the older woman; her heart is racing.

"Maybe we could do this again sometime." Regina's eyes are glued to Emma's lips.

Emma knows her next move. She gently presses her lips to Regina's. She relishes their softness before sliding her tongue into Regina's receptive mouth. The two women instinctively wrap their arms around each other, they fit together so naturally.

"I love the way you kiss," Regina breathes when they break for air. She hears herself moan as Emma fluidly trails her lips to the side of her mouth and down to her neck. In the process, Emma accidentally (or, maybe not) grazes Regina's left breast over her silk shirt, nearly sending the brunette woman over the edge.

Fueled by Regina's constant moans, Emma encourages, "You're amazing, Regina."

"I don't know how I'll be able to sleep tonight," Regina breathlessly states.

"The next time I go to sleep, I want to be lying next to you," the blonde woman whispers against Regina's exposed collarbone.

At the realization of what Emma means, Regina slowly moves away from the inebriated blonde and closes herself off, crossing her arms in front of her and focusing her gaze on the floor.

"What's wrong?" Emma is extremely puzzled. She had been thoroughly enjoying sucking on Regina's neck and she was pretty sure that Regina was enjoying herself too, if the moans were any indication.

"Emma. We can't." She hides her eyes completely.

The stunned blonde responds the only way she knows how. "I should go." She makes a swift exit, determined not to cry in front of the woman who holds her heart.

Regina is suddenly cold.

She attempts to distract herself by doing the dishes that she had postponed for after Emma left. She had been enjoying their dinner conversation too much to bother.

After finishing the dishes, she pays a visit to her son's room.

"Henry," she says as she quietly knocks on his door.

She can hear, on the other side of the closed door, Henry jumping off his bed and rushing to answer the door. He opens it and greets her with a suspicious smile. "Hey, Mom."

"Hey. How's your homework coming?"

"I just finished it," Henry eagerly responds.

"I see," Regina says, taking in the sight of comic books strewn about Henry's bed. She smiles at her son and asks sincerely, "Did you have a nice time tonight?"

"I had a great time! I think we should do this more often."

It delights her to know that her son is so comfortable with the three of them being a family. Then he says something that she wasn't expecting. "I haven't seen Mom that happy in a long time."

Emma. I'm such a jerk. It pains her when she realizes that she is the reason for Emma losing her smile. She looked like a kicked puppy when she left the house tonight. She suddenly feels sick and she has to stop herself from bursting into tears in front of her son. She avoids eye contact as she says, "She did look happy, didn't she?"

Not noticing his mother's recent mood shift, Henry continues, "I'm really glad you two are friends."

Regina pulls it together and manages to meet her son's eye. She smiles tenderly, as she says "Well, I just came to say goodnight. I'm going to turn in early."

"'Night, Mom," he says hugging her.

She gently touches the side of his face as she says, "I love you, Henry."

"I love you too, Mom." He hugs her again, before closing the door.

After retiring to her room, she reaches for her phone on her nightstand. Hopefully, she types out: Are you alright?

After about a minute without receiving a response, she busies herself by getting ready for bed. She removes her blouse, leaving the camisole on, and proceeds to wash her face. She always wears too much make-up, so the removal process is a bit lengthy and involved.

She checks her phone. Why haven't I heard back? She's probably mad at me. She has every right to be. I was such a jerk to her. Please don't ignore me. Emma?

She waits another minute and then goes on to brush her teeth. After that part of the nightly ritual is complete, she returns to her phone. She is ignoring me. I wish I hadn't pushed her away tonight. At dinner, she looked like she was actually starting to feel better. Emma, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

She doesn't have to wait half a minute before her phone rings.

It's her! "Emma?"

"I'm an idiot."

Oh, no, sweetie. I'm the idiot. "Agreed. But, you're my idiot."

"I guess I misread your signals."

No, you didn't.

The blonde continues, "I thought..."

"I know." You were right.

"I just…" Regina can hear the blonde's composed voice crack. "I just missed you." She is crying now. "I missed you so much."

Now, Regna is in tears. Baby, don't cry. Please don't cry. "Emma…I had no idea." I missed you terribly.

"I'm sorry," Emma earnestly begs for Regina's forgiveness.

Nope. This is my fault. I need to fix this. "I need to see you."

The unexpected announcement takes Emma by surprise. "What?"

Now! "I need to see you, now."

"Regina, I can't just poof myself there."

No problem. "Then, I'll come to you."

In an instant, a puff of purple smoke appears in Emma's bedroom. The stunned blonde still has the cell phone in her hand, which she quickly discards on the bed and stands to greet Regina.

Even with the puffy, blood-shot, watery eyes, Emma is a vision in her pink and yellow striped underpants and white tank. And, what's even more glorious is the fact that she is not wearing a bra under that thin white material.

Regina rushes to embrace this gorgeous woman. She doesn't even care that her face is now wet from Emma's tears as they lock lips.

Nothing else matters in the whole world; they are the only two people who exist at this moment. The blonde woman had not known happiness for so long, she couldn't believe that this moment was real, nor did she care. If this is a dream, she muses, I would rather not wake. Regina only hopes that her kiss is able to communicate to the younger woman what she is not yet ready to admit to herself.

"Whoa," is the only word in the English language that Emma can seem to remember when they break for air. She is extremely lightheaded from the incredibly intense make-out session that just took place. Did I just have sex? That was…whoa.

"Yeah," responds a breathless and overjoyed brunette. If she only had a mirror, she would realize her own after-glow at this moment.

Emma can feel the ridiculously goofy grin that is spreading across her face, she begins to laugh.

Regina brightens even more when she sees this. Her smile is back! "I've missed your smile."

"Is that what's happening?"

Regina only laughs in response.

Emma continues, "It feels amazing."

"You're amazing." Okay, it's cheesy. But, Regina doesn't care. Emma likes cheese anyway.