I'm sorry for being late again :( Exams are just taking up all of my free time and not having a beta makes the process of updating that much longer. I hope you enjoy this chapter because things will get a bit angsty from now on. Also, this chapter was a bit rushed so I didn't quite manage to go fully through it to check for mistakes. Hope you don't hold it against me :) I appreciate all of your reviews and comments :) Enjoy.

Regina couldn't help but to feel proud of herself as she turned to glance at the already set table in the dining room. The woman had her best china on display, the still hot lasagna cooling off in the middle was probably her best yet. The almost nervous knock at her front door made the woman jump from her thoughts. Setting the apron aside the Mayor ran her hands a few times down her shirt and then her already immaculate dark locks before she made her way to let their guest in.

Regina opened the door to reveal Emma Swan who was nervously shifting from one foot to the other. The brunette couldn't determine if it was the cold from the outside or herself that were putting the blonde woman on edge. „Miss. Swan."

„Regina." The blonde smiled despite herself. She was feeling conflicted about seeing the woman so soon after their revealing conversation. The former queen stood aside to allow the other woman in. As soon as Emma fully stepped inside the mansion that feeling of dread overwhelmed her again. Planning to do something was one thing, actually doing it was quite another.

The blonde was still feeling unsure of this whole ordeal even if she did tell herself that enduring this week may mean coming out of it with a family. Emma didn't hear Regina until she felt the Mayor's hand reach her shoulder, causing the blonde to all but jerk away. If Regina was affected with the small outburst she certainly didn't show it. The woman simply offered her a crooked smile and extended her hand.

„Mind if I take your coat?"

Emma gave a slight nod before taking the said coat off and offering it to the Mayor with a grateful smile. „Thanks." Regina just shrugged and placed the garment neatly on the hanger before directing the blonde to the dining room. „Smells great in here. I hope you didn't go through much trouble over me."

„Trust me Miss. Swan, it was no trouble at all." The two women sat themselves, both shifting uncomfortably in their seats. The air grew thick and both women sat there silently until the sound of Regina's throat clearing echoed through the pale walls.

„I should go get Henry." The blonde merely nodded as she watched the woman leave.

Henry closed the door behind him silently. His mother couldn't know he'd gone to the basement and more than that, she absolutely could not know that they had someone hiding down there. „Henry?" The boy almost jumped out of his skin. He quickly composed himself and went in the direction of his mother's voice. „I'm here."

Regina smiled and gently ran her fingers through the boy's messy hair. „Emma's here. Did you wash your hands?" Henry just offered a slight nod and Regina smiled in approval. Emma was still fidgeting in her seat by the time the Mills duo joined her at the table. Henry ran to his biological mother and gave her a tight hug which was returned half heartedly.

„Emma are you feeling better?" The boy asked from his seat, having noticed the bandaged area on the blonde's forehead. „All's fine kid. Just a minor accident." Henry nodded, seemingly satisfied. Regina's brows furrowed as she served the lasagna. „I would advise you to be more careful dear. That death trap you call a car does not seem very functional."

„You can hardly blame the car for the crap weather Madam Mayor."

Regina paused slightly before flipping the slice of food atop of the blonde's plate with a loud slap.

„Enjoy that dear." Henry noticed the shift in the atmosphere immediately but decided against throwing any comments. He simply dug into his meal avoiding eye contact with the two women. „Thanks." Emma muttered under her breath as the brunette sat herself down. „Wine?" Regina offered after a moment and the blonde gave a slight nod. „Sure." The two eyed each other until the bounty hunter's glass was fillled with the appropriate amount of alcohol.

„Thank you." Emma nearly moaned at the taste of the brunette's lasagna. „This is delicious Regina."

The woman hardly looked up. „Thank you Miss. Swan." The blonde frowned at the sudden formality. „So kid, how's school?" Henry beamed at the question.

„I aced my math test."

Emma smiled at that. It was good to know that Henry was not only living in a nice house and that he had everything he wanted and needed but that the kid was working hard as well. The realisation somehow warmed the blonde's hert. Her main concern when giving up Henry was that he ended up in a nice home, unlike herself. Emma had nothing when she bounced from one stranger to another and even when she did, it never lasted long.

„That's good kid."

„So what do you guys have planned for later?"

„We can watch Avengers and play Mario Kart." All three snapped their heads up at the sound of the phone ringing and Emma observed the Mayor as the woman excused herself and disappeared in the hallway. „What's up with you and mom?" The boy asked his biological mother the moment the said woman was out of hearing range. Emma shrugged wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

„Nothing kid. All's good. "The boy saw through the obvious lie. „You always say everything's fine but I don't buy it this time." Emma frowned. „Listen Henry, there's bound to be some tension between us. This is all new for the both of us. It takes some time to adjust."

Henry nodded just in time his adoptive mother returned to the table. Emma noticed the Mayor was looking somewhat distressed and out of place. Her usually toned skin was unbecomingly pale. „You alright Regina?" The woman completely ignored the question with a not so silent clap of her hands and a fake smile plastered upon her face. „Does anyone care for dessert?"

Ruby didn't look up when she heard the bell above the dinner's door ring and she didn't turn when she felt someone hovering behind her back. „Ruby?" It was amusing, the woman thought. To hear the town's Sheriff sound so fragile, scared almost. „What?" She barked after a moment and Adria winced. „Either order some food or get the hell out of my way." Ruby pushed the woman back and made her way to the kitchen.

Adria sighed in frustrasion and sat herself behind the counter. She watched as the brunette returned with a tray of food and served the nearby table. When the woman returned to work behind the counter Adria was still ogling her. „Can I take your order Sheriff?"

Adria nearly slammed her head against the wooden surface. „I brought you these." Ruby glared at the bouquet of red roses the woman presented her. The waitress took them from the Sheriff's hand and threw them in the trash bin a moment later. „Your order, Sheriff?" Adria nearly looked frightened by the woman's behaviour.

„Um, I'll just have a light beer, thanks." The waitress slammed a bottle before the blonde a moment later. Not even bothering with opening the damn thing or offering a glass. „Thanks."

„Will that be all Sheriff?"

„Ruby please. Just tell me what I did wrong." Ruby looked at her, an almost bemused expression upon her face when the woman let out an almost cruel laugh.

„What you did wrong? Really? You blew me off God knows how many times because of Regina of all people and then, when I decide, against my better judgement may I add, to give you another chance you blow me off again!" The woman was absolutely fuming now and Adria had the decency to look half guilty. „I told you, she couldn't make it. Her friend ended up in hospital last night."

„That's just bullshit. It was strange enough that Regina wanted to go clubbing in the first place." Adria raised both of her hands in defense. „She said she would. Listen I'm really trying here. I'm not an idiot. I can see that you two will never exactly sit down and braid each other's hair but..."

„That's an understatement." Ruby huffed, her arms crossed.

„Yeah well, I just wanted you to at least try and understand each other. I care for the both of you but I can't say the same for you two."

Ruby's head snapped almost violently in the Sheriff's direction. „What's that supposed to mean?" Adria shrugged. „I like you Ruby. A lot and I'm really trying here but you just refuse to meet me halfway. You refuse to see how much I'm struggling with this, with you and I just have to wonder..."

„What?"

„If you care for me at all."

The waitress paused, her mouth hanging open but no words were coming out. Adria let out one last exhausted sigh before she reached for her pocket and left a few dollars on the counter, next to the still unopened bottle of beer.

„I'll see you around."

Emma could feel Regina's body fidgeting even when the woman sat next to her on the sofa and even as the film rolled, the blonde was restlessly staring at the brunette. Henry was completely engrossed with the movie, not caring for either one of his two mothers. As Emma resumed to steal glances of the other woman she noticed how her immaculate hair was out of order. Probably from the thousands of times her fingers ran through the now messy locks in the last few minutes.

Her face was unusually pale and the dark bags under her eyes were clearly visible, forcing Emma to wonder what that whole phone call was about. As the credits rolled neither women seemed to notice until Henry jumped up to take the movie out of the dvd device. „Did you like it?" Emma smiled and ruffled the boy's hair.

„I sure did kid."

„Who's your favourite hero?"

The blonde appeared to be deep in though for Henry's sake before she answered. „Thor's kinda cool. I like the red cape and all." The boy grimaced. Thor was not in his top five apparently. „Mom likes Iron Man, don't you mom?" The two of them turned to watch Regina who was still deep in thought. „Regina?" The woman's head snapped up at the sound of her name. She stood up and smiled at her son.

„Did you enjoy the movie dear?" Henry looked at his mother with confusion and gave a hesitant nod. Emma's brows furrowed in thought. Something was clearly off.

„Henry it's pass your bedtime, you should get ready for bed."

Her son noticed that his mother was distressed so he was not about to argue with the woman. With a simple nod of his head the boy ran towards Emma and gave her a tight hug. „Will I see you tomorrow?"

„Sure thing kid, I'll work it out with your mom." The boy smiled and waved his goodbye before he disappeared upstairs leaving the two women alone. The uncomfortable silence lasted a few moments before Emma decided to speak. „Regina I... Is everything alright?" Regina cleared her throat with a few hollow coughts, avoiding eye contact at all times. The woman offered the blonde a crooked smile. „Everything's fine Miss. Swan. Would you care for a nightcap?"

Emma still seemed a bit suspicious of the other woman's behaviour but decided to let it pass for now. "Sure."

The Mayor led them to what appeared to be the woman's home office. Emma sat down on the coutch and greedily accepted the glass of scotch the brunette offered. The latter joined her a moment later with her own glass. „You sure you're fine?" Regina sighed in frustration, a vein popping on the top of her forehead.

„Miss. Swan, must I endure this interrogation? Could you simply accept that I'm fine dear, nothing's wrong."

Emma raised her hands in defense. She wasn't used to Regina acting so cold towards her. Sure she expressed that she didn't want to be coddled by the Mayor but still, this was definitely not what she meant. „Did I do something to offend you, Regina?" Brown eyes met blue and for the first time since Emma met the woman she noticed how tired she looked. „Why would you ask that?"

„Well the Miss. Swan gives it away among other things." Emma took a sip of her drink as she eyed the brunette.

„I'm simply tired Emma. I have a lot of things on my mind."

„Such as?"

Regina nearly laughed at the question. The Mayor ogled the drink in her hand, her eyebrows slightly raised. „You, among other things." Emma froze, the flirtatious tone of the other woman didn't pass her unnnoticed. „We talked about this Regina. I..."

„What are you afraid of, Emma?"

Emma chuckled at the question. She was afraid of the fact that this woman was Henry's mother. She was afraid if she slept with the woman she would never leave because she would have yet another reason to stay. She was afraid of attachment. „Nothing. I already told you, I don't want to make an even more mess of things than they already are. You're Henry's mother."

„So are you."

„I'm not."

„You could be and that scares you."

Emma's patience was growing thin now. „You have no idea, you have no idea what Henry finding me means. You haven't a clue what it means for someone like me to have this dropped into her lap out of thin air." Regina's eyes turned downwards as her hand met Emma's and squeezed gently.

„Then tell me."

„Why should I tell you? You're nothing but a complete stranger."

The words hurt but Regina was not about to show that to the other woman. The Mayor knew that this was not Emma's fault. She was aware that the blonde remembered nothing about her former life and yet she couldn't help but to feel a form of resentment towards her. She loved the Emma she knew and this was not her. Regina had to ask herself how much fight she had left in her already tired and worn out body.

„I was hoping, since we share a son that you would be as kind as to tell me something more about you Emma. I did not mean to pry, I apologise."

Emma cleared her throat before she downed the scotch with one exaggerated gulp.

„Nothing to tell really. Before I came here I worked as a bail bonds person. I've been living in Boston for the past few years and now I'm here."

„That's a dangerous job, I truly hope that you'd find another since you have Henry to consider now."

„As I said before, I'm here for the week and once I return I intend to go back to what I do best. I can't afford switching jobs at the moment."

Regina all but glared at the other woman. She hated the thought that Emma could get hurt and it was beyond frustrating that the woman downright refused her suggestion. It worried the queen that Emma had such little concern about her own well being. The woman was beyond reckless and it was unsettling.

„Do as you wish dear. It was merely a suggestion."

„I think I will."

Regina suddenly stood up. „It's getting late." Emma got that as her cue to leave. The blonde stood up and placed the now empty glass on the table ahead. The two women made their way downstairs and Regina offered the blonde her coat. She silently watched the woman dress. „Well, thanks for the food and all, it was really delicious." Regina gave away a small smirk. „I'm glad you enjoyed it."

„Do you have something planned for tomorrow?"

„I'm afraid I'm all out of ideas."

„Henry's at school in the morning?"

Regina nodded in confirmation. „I'll pick you up at nine then? Gives us some time before we meet the kid." The brunette was sincerely surprised by Emma's suggestion. „That would be acceptable, yes." When the woman was gone Regina allowed herself to lean against the wooden frame. The woman was fast to retrieve her cell phone and dial the number she already knew by heart.

„Yes?"

„We have a probem."

The lights were out in the house when Henry left the comfort of his sheets. The small boy was careful not to make too much noise as he passed his mother's room. He silently made his way to the kitchen and took out a piece of the leftover lasagna. The boy then grabbed a glass of water and made his way to the basement. The stairs made a creaking noise below his feet and he winced. The small room was dark but the boy still managed to see something shift in the shadows.

He approached the figure sitting on the floor cautiously. „It's me." He could hear the shadow breathe a sigh of relief. „I brought you some food."

„Oh dear boy, thank you."

Henry watched the thin figure eat like an animal. The woman devoured the food like she didn't eat in days. „Do you feel better now?" Henry asked, offering a glass of water to the woman who took it almost greedily. „I do, thank you. I'm really grateful that you allowed me to hide here."

„It's ok. I'm happy to help." The woman's gaze travelled from her empty plate back to the boy, her lips rising upwards.

„Aren't you afraid that I might get you in trouble with your parents?It is truly noble that you're helping a poor woman like myself but I'm afraid they may not react as kindly as you upon finding a stranger invading their home." The boy shrugged almost impishly. „It's true, my mom wouldn't be happy about this. That's why we need to keep it a secret." The woman shook her head a few times. „I'm afraid I must leave tonight Henry. I do not wish to cause you any inconvenience." When the woman attempted to get up the boy grabbed her arm and seized her actions.

„It's safe here. No one would ever look for you down here." She offered the boy a grateful smile before returning to her previous position in the far off corner of the room. „I was hoping that you could tell me more of your story." Henry asked, his eyes cast shily downwards and the woman's lips curled up. She was without any real human contact for so long and this boy's presence simply warmed her heart. „Of course. What would you like to know Henry?"

„If you really are who you say you are, how did you get here? I mean I read books about you and none of them say anything about a curse. I'm a big fan of fairy tales you see." The woman clapped her hands together excitedly. „I can see that dear boy. Well it's a rather complicated story you see." Henry's brows furrowed in disappointment. „I'd really like to know." She paused at the boy's words, considering his request for a moment.

„Well Henry it happened a long time ago. You see, there was this woman back home and throughout the entire realm she was known as the Ice Queen. People said she was a woman whose heart grew cold until it became completely enveloped by ice,never to beat again."

Henry's ears perked and his eyes grew wide as he listened to the woman's tale.

„She was a vicious woman indeed my dear boy. Trust me when I say that only fortunate people have never had to endure meeting such a foul creature. This witch stole my daughter from me and destroyed her." Henry noticed the woman's eyes shine with something unfamiliar.

Vicious, almost bitter. „What do you mean destroyed?" The boy aksed curiously as he watched the woman take a deep breath.

„She tortured her, destroyed and changed her. The deranged witch had some personal vendetta against my family and was determined to make our lives miserable." Henry found himself growing angry as the story progressed. He felt rage and resentment building towards this so called witch even if he had never met her personally. „I'm sorry."

„I am too Henry and I 'm afraid that our suffering wasn't enough for the witch. She wanted to steal everyone's happy endings. She cursed the entire land and sent us to this wretched world where I have been held prisoner for years and my Charming was only a cell away."

Henry gasped. „All the fairy tale characters are here?" The woman gave a slight nod.

„I think so Henry. I have seen a few familiar faces on my way here but you must understand, I have been locked away for so long, I'm not really aware of what's going on in the outside world."

„But if nobody remembers who they are then how come you do?"

That was a good question indeed.

„I suspect that the queen wanted to make my suffering more severe than anyone elses. She told me that my daughter is alive and in town."

„What!? We must find her. I'll help reunite you with your family."

Snow White shook her head.

„If it were only that simple. I'm afraid my daughter doesn't know who I am. If my assumptions are correct she lost her memories like the rest of the town's residents."

„What about the Ice Queen? She has her memories as well?"

„I'm afraid so Henry."

The boy's brows furrowed in thought. He could help this woman. He could be the hero he always wanted to be. He could end up living a fairy tale.

„What's your daughter's name?"

Snow White smiled sadly as she looked at the small boy staring hopefully at her.

„Emma."

„What do you mean she got out?!"

„I'm not really sure how she did it but the staff informed me she attacked one of the doctors while being examined. She stabbed him with a needle or something and while the man was lying on the floor, paralyzed, she made a run for it."

Regina was absolutely fuming by now. Snow White was apparently free and lurking God knows where with her memories intact. If the woman bumped into Emma that would just end up being a complete disaster. The woman was feeling wary of her stay here as it is. „I don't care what you have to do Adria! Find her and when you do make sure she doesn't ever have the opportunity to open that yapping mouth of hers again!"

The Sheriff saw that Regina left no place for discussion so naturally the woman agreed without question. „As you wish."

Rising early was a foreign concept for Emma Swan. Nevertheless here she was, staring at herself in the mirror at eight in the morning, determined to please the Mayor with her punctuality for some, to her, unknown reason. Emma glared back at her naked form. From the dark bags under her eyes to her damp hair and sickly pale skin. The woman used her hands to straighten out the messy locks and cursed herself for the lack of makeup.

It's not like she really cared what Regina thought of her appearance. She didn't care what anyone thought of her actually. She was just passing by and she wouldn't stay enough to care if anyone formed any kind of opinion of her. Having that in mind, the woman proceeded to dress herself in another pair of her never ending stack of jeans and a plain black sweater.

When she slipped into her boots the woman grabbed her coat and covered her still damp hair with a fluffy black hat which, even for her standards, looked absolutely ridiculous. Again, she did not care. She did not care that she would probably catch a cold or that she was up at this ungodly hour and ready to meet the mother of her son with the amount of enthusiasm that she should probably not be displaying.

Regina was already by the door when she heard three faint knocks descend upon the wooden surface. With a silent intake of breath, her hand was already on the handle. Dark eyes widened upon the image of a very distressed looking Emma Swan who appeared to be fidgeting yet again. Or was she shivering? Was her hair wet? Regina didn't think twice before she grabbed the woman by her arm and all but dragged her inside.

Emma barely managed to say „hello" when she nearly tripped over her own feet, the small display caused by the brunette's strong pull. „Um, Regina?"

„No ums Miss. Swan." The woman was now dragging her upstairs and Emma was still wondering why she allowed the brunette to all but manhandle her. The two of them finally stopped when they entered, what appeared to be the Mayor's bathroom. Regina then forced her to sit on the edge of a rather luxurious bathtub before she proceeded to fumble around with various cabinets, not once turning to look at the very confused looking blonde.

„Tell me dear, do you wish to get sick or are you simply that ignorant?" Emma was suddenly feeling self conscious as she began to pull at her hat furiously. „I didn't want to be late, is all." The childlike voice the woman used managed to rid Regina only of half the anger she was feeling towards the blonde at that very moment.

„I'd rather you be late than sick Miss. Swan. Now come here."

Emma's eyes widened when the brunette's hand snatched the hat from her head and tossed it aside. The sound of the hair dryer in the background was almost menacing. It only got worse when the Mayor forced Emma's head down and ran her fingers through the woman's blonde curls while passing the area with the hair dryer until Emma's scalp started to boil.

The blonde was not sure how to react. The woman before her was treating her like a child and it was almost... comforting, even if it was beyond awkward. Emma gently placed the palm of her hand upon Regina's arm as to take the hair dryer from her but the woman wouldn't bulge. Emma, surprisingly allowed the gesture and remained silent until the Mayor was done. „There. That wasn't so hard, was it Miss. Swan?"

The blonde stood up and grabbed her hat from the floor before shoving it back upon her now, dry curls. „Thanks, I guess." Regina just gave her one of those half sincere, half smug smiles. „Anytime dear. Are we ready to go now or shall I help you with your makeup as well?"

Emma felt beyond mortified in that moment. She was absolutely sure no one would notice her failed attempt to cover up the dark bags under her eyes.

„Nope. I'm ready when you are." With a faint nod of her head, Regina led them out of the mansion.

„I must admit, this is a rather nice place Miss. Swan."

Emma took the two of them to a nice, small restaurant just near the town border. She was sick of going to the dinner even if they did serve the damn best hot chocolate she'd ever tasted. The people there were just too noisy for her liking. It's like the whole town went there just to listen to other people's stories or share gossip and she would take no part in that.

She just wanted a nice, quiet meal before they went to get Henry. The dinamic and relationship between herself and Regina was complicated enough on it's own. She didn't need people gawking at them. „I saw it on my way here, thought it was nice."

Regina hummed her response, still ogling the menu. „What'll it be Miss. Swan? I do hope something on the healthier side for a change." Emma shot her a playful look.

„Hmm, maybe. I am feeling rather brave today. What would you recommend Madam Mayor?"

Regina nearly laughed. She was surprised to see just how easy it became to converse with this, new version of her Emma, and even more thrilled that the woman seemed to finally grow at ease with her. „Chicken salad maybe?" Emma shot her eyebrows up and raised her hand to call the waiter. The young man was by their side in no time, ready to take their orders. Both agreed on salads with different dressings and water.

„I'm glad to see you're following my example for once."

Emma just smiled, deciding to let whatever comeback she had slip, just this once. The waiter returned a moment later with their orders and the two of them shared a few moments of silence as they ate. „I must admit Regina, this is actually not half bad." Emma grinned at the brunette's smug expression.

„Only shows that you should listen to me more often." The blonde decided against commenting, changing the topic instead. „So, how's Henry?"

„He's fine dear. In fact, he's beyond thrilled that you're here." Emma wasn't sure if she detected a hint of bitterness in the other woman's tone and felt a sudden urge to explain herself. „I'm sorry if my presence here is causing you some kind of inconvenience Regina. The offer still stands, you know. I'll just pack by bags at your command." Regina felt that pang of dread again. The feeling that Emma was eager to be anywhere but here, with her, was absolutely heart wrenching.

„Is it my imagination Miss. Swan or are you simply too eager to not be in my presence?" The woman's tone was deadly, causing Emma to visibly gulp and shudder all at once. „Not at all. It's just that... Like I said, I'm not expecting you to welcome me with open arms and I just wasn't expecting such a high level of tolerance to my stay here. If you're at all uncomfortable you should tell me."

The Mayor wasn't sure if she should feel grateful or annoyed that the woman who was in another life so crude with her was now basically walking on egg shells in her presence. „My dear, trust me when I say that you have nothing to worry about." Emma accepted the words half heartedly, still feeling a little uneasy around the brunette. „So tell me about yourself Regina. Your parents, work, anything." Regina didn't hesitate to answer.

„My parents are dead dear. I have no other siblings or family but Henry." Emma's eyes widened a bit at that. No wonder the woman was lonely.

„Regina, I'm sorry." Regina just dismissed her apologetic look with a snort. „Don't be dear, God knows I don't miss them. My father, maybe but my mother... She was a cruel woman Miss. Swan." The brunette almost spat the words out. It was clear to Emma that this woman had done something terrible to deserve this kind of treatment even after death. Nevertheless, Emma wasn't sure how to respond.

Being a foster kid she would end up with various different families and most of them were used to acts of cruelty. Her heart only ached that Regina went through something similar with her biological mother. The blonde grew up resenting children who actually had parents who looked after them. She hated that they had a safe haven when it was dark and a shoulder to lean on when it was hard.

She absolutely loathed that she had to fight each and every day to survive while most kids never actually had to care about pretty much anything because they had someone who would solve their problems and rid them of their insecurities. As she grew older, of course, she realised that even biological parents could be violent or abusive and even fathoming the idea that those two people whom Emma wished her entire life to meet could only end up being just that was nauseing.

The blonde had a strange urge to thank whoever was up there that Regina's mother was dead because she would probably hunt the hag down and murder her with her bare hands. Regina nearly jumped when the bounty hunter's fist connected with the wooden surface of the table before them. When Emma realised what she had done, she looked at the brunette apologetically. „I'm sorry." Regina's brows knitted firmly together. „Whatever for dear?"

„I... I won't ask what she did to you but trust me when I say Regina, you're better off."

The Mayor was almost grateful for those words as she, herself had repeated them more times than she would care to admit. She was certainly glad to be rid of her mother but the woman's memory haunted her to this day on. The brunette cleared her throat and gave a slight nod of appreciation to the other woman.

„Thank you Miss. Swan, I'm aware."

„Emma. Please, I don't ever want to hear you call me Miss. Swan again."

Emma was startled by her own behaviour. She couldn't help it. The fact that Regina was abused as a child, no matter how unsettling the thought, made Emma feel somewhat closer to her. „I'm sorry Emma, I'll keep that in mind."

„Thank you." There was a moment of awkward silence before the Mayor spoke again.

„I was meaning to ask you something Emma. Even before things got a bit out of hand."

The blonde raised an eyebrow. „Just a bit?" Regina laughed.

„Well, let's just say that the last few days were eventful." Emma snorted in a playful manner. „Spoken like a true politician." Regina's lips quirked slightly as she took a long sip of water. „My friend expressed her wish to meet you. She was wondering if you would be interested in a night out with herself, me and another woman from town." Emma considered the idea for a brief moment. „I could definitely use some booze."

„Emma!"

„That was a yes, Madam Mayor."

There was something almost vicious about the way Regina smiled at that very moment that Emma had to wonder if she made the right decision.

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