Detective Mills was not exactly a bad cop. In fact, her record was surprisingly pristine. However, the young detective did have a bit of a secret life that she kept closely guarded. She wasn't particularly proud of it, but she wasn't exactly ashamed of it either. She simply knew it would jeopardize the career she had worked so hard for and would cause her to lose the respect of her peers. Even so, it was a life she still pursued.

After one particularly stressful day on the job, as she paced back and forth in her bedroom, having just slipped out of her uniform, she considered her options carefully. Of course, every time she made the choice to engage in this double life, she risked her career, but that night especially, she found herself unable to resist.

She dressed in a classy, but skin-tight skirt with a formal jacket and dabbed herself with a few drops of her nicest perfume before heading out, making sure to put in her finest pair of diamond earrings, whose brightness contrasted greatly with the darkness of her hair. It was well past one in the morning, so the city of Boston was mostly at rest, but the detective knew exactly where to go to find the night-owls.

Boston's little-known red-light district was not far from the detective's apartment downtown, so it was a short drive a few blocks away that brought the woman to her destination. It wasn't long before she found what she was looking for, in the form of a young blonde woman standing on the street corner, wearing nearly nothing. Her dress was as tight as the detective's, but far more revealing, and the bright red color flattered her pale skin tone.

As the detective pulled her Mercedes up to the curb, she rolled down the window.

"I'm not usually into blondes."

The other woman looked up and smirked, her eyes flickering with passion.

"I'm not picky," she responded, walking up to the car and leaning on the door where the window was open.

"How much?" the detective asked, leaning in.

"I charge the average, like any reasonable woman would."

"Something tells me you're worth a little more than that."

This caught the blonde off guard, and she hesitated a moment before putting her hand on the door handle. The detective unlocked it immediately, and as soon as the other woman heard the sound, she got in and sat in the passenger seat.

"Where to?"

"Anywhere you'd like, Princess."

The blonde rolled her eyes.

"Don't pretend to be all chivalrous," she laughed. "I'm sure you didn't unlock your car doors to wine and dine me."

"That doesn't mean you don't deserve respect."

Again, the blonde laughed and shook her head.

"God. You sound like a fucking cop."

The woman was nearly thrown into the dashboard as the car pulled over and came screeching to an abrupt halt. The detective's eyes were fixed on the woman beside her, their gaze deadly and serious.

"I suggest you shut your fucking mouth about things you don't understand and just do your fucking job."

"Jesus Christ. Hit a nerve, did I? I bet you really are a cop. You're probably wearing a fucking wire right now."

"Hey!" the detective shouted, grabbing the girl's arm. "Let me tell you something. If I were wearing a wire, I'd have already made the bust when you confirmed our little transaction. That being said, if you say one more goddam word about my being a fucking cop, I will drag your fucking ass to the station, where you'll be booked and processed. Not to mention, there, they'll make you spread your cheeks and they won't pay you. Now... Do we have an understanding?"

As shocked as the woman looked, she nodded her head, prompting the detective to let go of her arm, as she replied, "Yeah. Sure. I won't say anything else about it."

"To anyone."

"Yeah. To anyone."

The rest of the ride was silent as the detective drove them to a nearby hotel. Judging by the look on the young woman's face, it wasn't the type of place she was used to visiting.

"Ever been here before?" the detective asked slowly as she pulled into the parking garage.

"N-No," the woman stammered. "I can't say that I have. Most people... I mean..."

"I think you'll find that I'm not most people."

Though certainly skeptical, this brought a small smile to the woman's face that remained as they found a parking spot and exited the car.

"Alright. So here's how this is going to work. You're going to take this cash and go in and get a room. I'm going to go in separately and get one too, and then I'll meet you upstairs once I have my key. Alright?"

"Wow. You sure don't wanna be seen with a hooker, do ya?"

"I can't afford to, and that's nothing against you, my dear. It's just... Well... Let's just say that my lifestyle isn't exactly conducive to this kind of thing."

"That's alright, sweetie. Discretion is usually the name of the game."

"Especially in my case. Do you understand?"

"I do."

"Then let's go."

The blonde's interaction with the well-dressed gentleman at the front desk was rather uncomfortable, seeing as he looked exceptionally suspicious, given her excessively revealing outfit. Still, money is what talks, and she was able to secure a key to a room on the third floor. Fifteen minutes later, the detective walked in alone and gave the same request, though hers was not returned with questioning looks and concerned glances.

Upstairs, the young woman waited in the hallway with her arms crossed as she leaned against the door to the room that was hers for the night.

"Well?" she asked, upon seeing the detective appear in the hallway.

"Well what?"

"My room or yours?"

The brunette smiled and gestured to the door behind the other woman, and the two entered the room in silence.

After the blonde sat on the bed, saying nothing, the detective finally asked, "So, what's your name?"

"You first, pretty lady," the woman said with a cheeky grin.

"That's hilarious. Really, though. What's your name?"

"My name is whatever you want it to be tonight, baby."

"Oh, don't give me that bullshit. What's your real name?"

"And why would I tell you that?"

"Because," Detective Mills began, walking over and standing in front of the woman she'd employed for the night, "I'm a homicide detective, and if you don't, I'll find it out anyway."

The woman's eyes widened as she considered her choices carefully, but she decided on honesty.

"Emma," she said finally. "My name is Emma."

"That, my dear," the brunette said with a smile, "is a beautiful name."

"Alright. Now, come on. Tell me yours."

The detective shook her head, shaking her dark locks of hair around her shoulders.

"No, thank you."

"That's not fair."

"It's perfectly fair. If you knew my name you could ruin my career."

"I could just give them a physical description and they'd know exactly who you are. I guarantee there's no one as pretty as you on the police force anywhere in Massachusetts."

"I... That's..." the dark-haired woman stammered. "That's ridiculous."

"No, it's not. You're gorgeous. I've never worked for anyone like you before."

"Then tonight will be an adventure for both of us. As I said, I typically don't prefer blondes."

At first, the woman considered saying something snarky and possibly rude, but decided against it and chose instead to simply ask, "Why?"

"I had a bad experience with a blonde once and it's ruined them for me forever? Is that the sob story you want me to tell?" Sighing, the detective continued, "You're right, though. It's not fair, and you could easily give my description and identify me if you desired to do so. That being the case, I don't suppose it'll hurt to tell you, although I've never told any other... Well, you know. Actually, no one's ever guessed that I was a cop before."

"Really?" the woman asked in disbelief. "It was kind of obvious. Who else hates themselves enough to get dressed up for a hooker?" The detective's lips parted slowly as she stared at the blonde, not knowing how to respond, so the woman added, "So, what is the name of my ever-so-unique employer?"

"Regina," the brunette managed. "Regina Mills."

"Now that is a beautiful name," the young woman told her employer with a smile. "I love it. It suits you." After a pause, she added, "I've seen your name in the papers. You've solved a lot of cold cases in the few years you've been working for the force."

"It hasn't been that few. I'm not as young as you think."

"That doesn't matter," Emma told her. Then, she asked, "So what would you like to do? As I'm sure you're aware, the price depends on-"

"Price isn't an issue." Regina emptied her wallet onto the bed, exposing several hundred dollars in cash, saying, "You have to understand, Emma. This is my only hobby."

The woman laughed and shook her head.

"I seriously doubt that. Come on. There has to be something you love to do, other than fucking hookers on the weekends."

"Well... I like to read. But that's really it. Anyway, enough about me. Let's... Um..."

"You look kind of nervous. But you've done this before?"

Regina nodded.

"It's a rather unfortunate compulsion, I'm afraid."

"Then why are you so unsure of yourself? Most people kinda... you know. Dive right in. Not much talk. You, though... You're..."

"Listen, I just..."

"Look, it's okay. I don't know you. You don't know me. It can be awkward. But it doesn't have to be, alright? Why don't you let me relax you a little bit? Sit next to me?"

At first, Regina hesitated, but she sat down beside the woman on the bed, and was relatively surprised when she began to remove her jacket and proceeded to expertly rub her shoulders.

"That's... That's actually really nice."

"You're really tense. Your job must be tough."

"Let's not talk about my job right now, okay?" Regina snapped, her muscles tensing even more.

"Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I was just..."

"It's fine."

Eventually, the tension between them, and the tension between the detective's shoulder blades, dissipated. As this happened, the blonde began to slide her hands further down Regina's back, then slowly lifted her shirt, making sure to maintain contact with the woman's skin as she slid the garment up. Once it was removed, Emma noticed the goosebumps on the woman's arms and chest.

"It's... It's kind of cold in here," the brunette commented, seeing that the woman had noticed.

"That's okay," Emma whispered. "I'll warm you up."