Regina tugs at the ends of her newly shorts hair. She wonders what everyone will think of her new (old) hair. Mostly Emma.

She'd tried everything she could think of to get her attention. What happened to the heated exchanges? Anger that looked a lot like desire?

Since they'd become friends, it was great. But Regina missed the fire, the smoldering looks, the forbidden feeling. So she tried everything.

Recently though she'd found a picture from Miner's Day when Emma first came to town. Regina schmoozing as Mayor for PR and Emma in the background.

But background Emma was staring none too subtly at Regina tucking a lock of short hair behind her ear. Inspired, Regina headed to the salon.

Maybe Emma liked that sassy cut. Maybe seeing it again would remind her of how tense things used to be... tense in a good way. She sighed.

Regina wasn't used to begging for attention. But this was Emma. There was something different about wanting her attention. About wanting her.

And there was no denying it. Regina wanted her. So a hair cut was a small thing to get what she wanted. She took a deep breath and stepped in.

Family dinner at Granny's just like every Thursday night. The Charming's and little Neal, Henry and Emma. She waited for them to see her.

Snow gushed. David smiled. Henry thought it was cool. But Emma said nothing. They ordered. They ate. Still nothing and Regina's heart sank.

Maybe she didn't like it. Or worse, maybe she was reminded of he bad times rather than the sexual tension and hated it. This was a disaster.

As soon as humanly possible, Regina said goodnight and dashed out the door and down the walk. She had to get out of there.

She wondered if she should magic her hair back, but no. Then people would ask why and she couldn't say because Emma hates it. She'd just endure it.

Almost to the street and her Mercedes, she heard a voice behind her. "Regina?" She turned to see Emma bounding down the steps toward her.

Major deja vu. They'd done this before. Regina stood with her arms protectively wrapped around her middle. "Yes Emma? Did I leave my gloves?"

Emma toed the earth awkwardly, not looking up at Regina. "No, nothing like that. You just got away before I..." Her voice trailed off.

Regina bit her lip. "Before you what?" Finally soft green eyes looked up into chocolate brown. Porcelain cheeks pinked with embarrassment.

"Before I could say I really like your hair." Emma stepped closer and let her fingers drift up and touch the edge of dark, silken strands.

Regina's heart began to hammer in her chest. "Oh, do you?" Emma's fingers caught a lock and rubbed it gently between them. "Yeah. A lot."

"Oh." That was all Regina could think to say. Emma was closer still and still tugging lightly at her hair. The sensation was intoxicating.

"Yeah." Emma breathed, green eyes never wavering from frown. "A lot." Regina swallowed hard and let her eyes dip a moment to soft, pink lips.

Brown eyes drifted back up to green and suddenly Regina felt it. For the first time in a long time, there it was. Tension... passion... fire.

She tried to stifle a smile threatening to break the tension and stepped into Emma's personal space, her words spilling out across Emma's lips.

"I'm glad you like it... Emma." Without another word, she turned and headed to her car, an extra swish in her hips. She looked back at Emma and gave her sexiest smile. She purred across the distance, "Perhaps you can show me just how much 'a lot' is some time." Emma quietly gasped.

Driving away, Regina tugged at the ends of her newly short hair and sighed. She could hardly wait for Emma to run her hands through it. Soon.