This takes place at the end of S3, after defeating Zelena. Emma and Hook don't fall into the time travel portal, there is no Elsa and for the first time they find themselves without villains or monsters to fight against.

CaptainSwan brotp and just this. Mentions of OutlawQueen, but just that. No kiss and definitely no sex so don't worry. Robin has only one line. Just like in the show.

I didn't have a beta for this story so all mistakes are mine and I'll be happy to correct those that you point out to me.


Regina stared at the town line as once more, Emma Swan overpass her. The difference is that now she was accompanied by Killian Jones and not Henry. For some reason unrelated to her Emma had left the boy in her care and was returning to NY. Regina felt her stomach twist with the scene, but she didn't quite understand why. She wanted to squeeze Emma's neck at the same time she wanted to beg for her to stay, and that second part made even less sense than the first one in her mind.

Henry was excited about the idea of having two places to go on vacation. "It's like children with divorced parents," he said the day Emma told Regina she was leaving. Even with his excitement, Regina could tell that something was wrong. His enthusiasm was only superficial. As if he knew the real reason why Emma was leaving, for there was a certain sadness in his gaze.

Before the car disappeared from view on the road the brunette was already hurrying to her Mercedes and sat there waiting for Henry to accompany her. She had promised the boy that they would go to Granny's for a milkshake and even if her only wish was to go home she would not break her promise. They entered and went straight to the table in the corner where they usually shared breakfast or lunch with Emma and the brunette felt her heart tighten with the memory. Emma had been gone for a few minutes, and yet Regina was missing her as if it had been Henry to leave. She nodded slightly as Snow slipped on the bench in front of her with little Neal in her lap as David parked the truck, but she didn't mind starting a conversation with the woman. Her thoughts returned to Emma without her permission and she kept trying to find out what the reason for the sudden departure was. Henry distracted himself by playing with Neal, and Regina let her gaze drift toward the door of the diner as if she were waiting for Emma to give up the idea and come back, coming in at any moment.

"Regina?" Robin touched her shoulder gently.

"What?" She sounded a little ruder than she wanted, but she didn't mind apologizing. Snow and Henry looked at her apprehensively and she returned a confused look to them.

"Your hands..." Robin said softly.

Regina looked down and saw sparks coming out of her fingers. Her eyes widened in a mixture of horror and surprise and she hurried off the table. She knew that this indicated that her magic was out of control, and before she accidentally wounded someone, she got up and left the diner almost bumping into David who was coming in at that very moment.

"Where are you going?" Snow's voice made her turn just before she opened the door.

"I need some air."

She doesn't know if the short haired brunette heard her or not, but it didn't matter to her at the moment.

Regina hurried to her car and headed off aimlessly through the streets of Storybrooke. Her thoughts tossed her mind like a hurricane and her magic to the point of getting out of control and she didn't know what was happening to her. Regina couldn't remember the last time she felt like this. When she found herself, she was standing in front of the town line again.

She got out of the car and sat on the hood, watching the road ahead without knowing for sure how long until she got up and walked to the edge of the old magic barrier. Since you wanted to, so be it, Miss Swan. Regina raised her hands and began to rebuild the barrier that protected the town, but this time the people of Storybrooke were not trapped in there. They could leave at any moment.

"Regina!" The mayor looked over her shoulder at the alarmed voice of Snow. "What are you doing?"

"What do I look like I'm doing?"

"Why are you holding us here again? What about Emma? What if she decides to come back?"

"I'm not holding anyone here." Regina turned to finish the spell. She was feeling the edge of exhaustion after the long day. "You are free to leave at any time you wish, your memories will be preserved, but to return to Storybrooke you will need me to let you in. We've had too much trouble with Greg and Tamara, I don't want to risk it again."

"So, this has nothing to do with Emma's departure?"

"Why would this have anything to do with her departure?" Regina raised a defiant eyebrow.

"Why didn't you do that when Emma and Henry came back? Why just now?"

Regina closed her hands to her sides and took a deep breath. She felt her magic twitching at the tips of her fingers and if Snow did not shut up, she had the slight impression she would not hesitate to throw a fireball at the princess if she didn't stop the questions, but before she lost her control Henry and Charming approached and the boy stopped at her side with a hand on her shoulder as if he knew she was at her limit. His soft touch relaxed her enough for the magic she felt at the tips of her fingers to stop and she took a deep breath before continuing.

"Because we were too busy with my dear sister out there wanting to turn everyone into flying monkeys and sacrifice your baby to produce a time portal." Regina answered in a low tone, but that left no doubt about her mood. She gave a brief glance at Henry and the boy understood her message by smiling faintly at her before Regina started to pull away from them toward the Mercedes again.

Once more she went aimlessly through the streets of the town. She did not want to go home, much less go back to the diner. She thought of Robin, but for some reason it made her queasy and then she decided to just keep driving. She turned on the sound of the car and noticed that Henry had tampered with the radio because it was not in his usual station. The music that echoed through the car's speakers was unfamiliar to her, but Regina caught herself tapping her fingers against the steering wheel softly.

''When the days are cold, and the cards all fold, and the saints we see are all made of gold''

Regina began to pay attention to the lyrics and her thoughts were lost once more as she plunged into the song.

''Look into my eyes. It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide, do not get too close It's dark inside''

When she realized, she was close to the stables. Regina remembered when Whale had brought Daniel back, and since then she had never stepped there. She remembered his words, 'So love again,' and the tears she'd been holding all day began to run free across her face. Regina sat in her car as her emotions took over and flowed through her body, making her shudder. Tears watered her uncontrollable face, her body trembling, and red sparks came from the tips of her fingers. After a while she finally began to calm down and decided she would go to the stables. With her hands still shaking, she took the steering wheel from the car and drove to the entrance to the stables.

The brunette took her time caressing and pouring clods of sugar to the horse before finally saddling him and riding the place as she hadn't done in a long time. Regina fired into the forest that surrounded the place and despite the cool day she felt her body on fire. She closed her eyes and held the reins tighter, leaning slightly against the animal and commanding him to move faster. When he obeyed her order, the brunette settled into his back and closed her eyes leaving the feel of the wind against her face embraced her as her heart beat fast in her chest. A mixture of adrenaline and freedom that Regina hadn't felt for many years. The faster they went, the freer she felt. The horse ran aimlessly, just as Regina felt at that moment and somehow, she felt connected to the animal. It was almost as if he could read her thoughts or feel what she was feeling. When they finally got tired of the race she ordered him to slow down the ride and led him to a lake, so he could take water and both rest before returning.

Regina took off her boots and sat on the grass smiling as she remembered a very different time when she was just a girl who planned to run away with her boyfriend and live in some village where her mother could not find them. They would have a quiet life and full of love, but before that could happen Snow White crossed paths and everything collapsed. Of course, nowadays she didn't blame her anymore - at least not all the time - for what had happened, and knew that her mother had set everything up so that such a meeting could take place between them and thus lead to Regina's marriage to the king. She grimaced when she remembered this and then forced herself to think about other things because she knew that if she went that way she would go into very dark thoughts. Thoughts that were forgotten long ago thanks to Henry and ironically, to Emma too. A thunder shook her out of her thoughts and she whistled for the horse to come to her and then they returned to the stables and managed to get there before the storm. Regina took some time caressing and brushing the animal's mane, and he snorted, satisfied with the attention he was receiving. The brunette patted his snout and kissed him before she left. Smiling and feeling a little lighter after the ride. So many things had happened in her life that she had almost forgotten how much riding was good for her. How it made her light and help put her thoughts in place.

Only when she parked the Mercedes at Mansion's garage did she remember to pick up her cell phone in her purse and sighed at the amount of messages and missed calls from Henry, Snow and Robin. She was too tired to drive again so she poofed to the loft solving at the last moment it would be better to appear outside. Regina knocked on the door, and then Snow opened it, looking at her curiously.

"Regina." The princess looked at her from top to bottom, her brow furrowed in concern. "It's everything alright?"

"I came to get Henry." Regina answered ignoring Snow's question. She peered into the loft unconsciously searching for Emma just to remind herself that she was no longer there.

"You disappeared pretty much all afternoon." Snow gave her space to look at her warily. She knew Regina well and knew something was wrong. It was almost as if something was out of place or missing the other brunette. "We're worried."

"I just needed to relax a bit. Where is my son?"

"He's finishing packing." Snow walked to the kitchen and checked the temperature of Little Neal's bottle, turning to Regina again. "Would you like a mug of coffee or something?"

"No." Her answer sounded harsher than she intended. She turned to face Snow and her gaze softened a little. "Thank you, Snow, but I just want to go home. The day was long and I'm exhausted."

The princess just nodded slowly, and no words needed to be said. She knew that in her own way, Regina was missing Emma and that she was confused by the sudden departure of the blonde.

It was not long before David and Henry came down with two large suitcases. They both looked at her apprehensively and she could see in her son's gaze that he was worried about her and holding back not to fill her with questions. Regina said goodbye to Snow and Charming and poofed back to the mansion with Henry. She knew he did not like her to use magic for trivial things, but contrary to what she thought she would find in his eyes she had seen only understanding in them.

"I'll take a shower." Regina turned to her son with a faint smile. "You can order pizza for dinner, but don't get used to it."

"Mom..."

"I'm just tired, Henry." She kissed his cheek and started up the steps toward her bedroom. She wasn't ready for the questions that might come. "The money's in my purse."

The boy watched his mother disappear down the stairs and then threw himself on the couch. He wasn't hungry now, but he knew the best thing to do was order the pizza. While waiting he sent a message to Emma asking her to tell him when she arrived in NY and while waiting for the pizza he was distracted by one of his comics.

Regina sighed as she entered the room and her clothes found the floor as she walked into the bathroom. Standing alone in her underwear the brunette filled the tub and murmured in approval as she felt the warm water making her body relax almost instantly. Sometime later she awoke, startled by Henry's voice calling her from the other side of the door. The water had already lost much of its initial temperature and Regina cursed low for it. She laughed bitterly as she remembered the last time she'd dozed in the tub and shook her head. The last time this had happened was the day they returned from Neverland. Regina got up and dried her body, putting her silk pajamas and went down to find Henry in the kitchen with a slice of pizza for each one. They ate in silence and the brunette could see that he was making a huge effort not to explode with questions at his strange behavior.

"Put the crockery in the dishwasher and let's go to sleep, okay? You have class tomorrow and I have a long day at the city hall." Regina laid a kiss on the top of his head and turned to leave the kitchen.

"Are you mad that Ma left?"

Regina turned with a raised eyebrow, and her eyes softened at Henry's expression. "Not exactly." She sighed. "I'm angry that she abandoned you."

"No mom!" Henry walked over to the brunette and hugged her. "Ma did not abandon me. She offered me to stay with you because she knows that you missed me during the year we were apart. She knows how much it hurt you." He smiled, holding her tight. "That's why she thought it would be good for me to be with you."

"And wasn't what you wanted?" Regina felt a tightness in her chest, for a moment fearing her son's response. If he told her that he'd rather be gone with Emma, it would break her, but she would understand, and at the same time her heart raced at the thought that Emma had given him up for her, and this time she knew exactly what she was doing.

"Of course, I wanted to. Ma didn't make me stay." Henry smiled at her and the way he smiled, the gleam in his eyes made her remember Emma and she felt a tightness in her throat. "I just thought that now that things were settling we could live as a family. Complex and with a family tree capable of confusing even the most intelligent of people, but still our family. I wanted her to be able to handle her problems without ever leaving."

"What problems?" That last part caught Regina's attention and she looked up at him with arched eyebrows and saw Henry cringing. He had said too much.

"Nothing." He shrugged. "Her... stuff"

Regina knew there was no point in insisting. He wouldn't say anything to her. At times like these she hated that he looked so much like her.

She just sighed and laid a kiss on his cheek before heading up to her room. It was still too early, and Regina knew that no matter how exhausted she was, she couldn't sleep now. Even more so after what Henry had said. What were the problems he had mentioned? When Emma announced that she was leaving Regina thought she was leaving so she could live with the one-handed pirate with no one to mess up, without having to fight monsters, crazy sisters, and other types of magical beings. Now, however, Regina wasn't so sure anymore.

After rolling in the sheets for hours she finally gave up and got up determined to go to the studio for a dose of anything to help her sleep. As she approached Henry's bedroom door she heard voices. The door was open, and she stopped the moment she heard Emma's voice. Had she come back? But how? How had she crossed the town barrier? How had Regina felt no change in magic? Regina took a deep breath and peered inside the room, finding Henry with his back to the door and his computer on. On the screen the image of Emma and Killian sitting on a couch talking to her son.

'Hey, kid.' Emma smiled at him. 'How is your mom? Still hating me?'

'I don't think she's hating you, but she's strange.' Henry said slowly as if choosing the words carefully. 'We went to Granny's after you were gone and she stood there in that distant air and her fingers let out sparks. It was almost as if she did not control her magic, so she ran out of there and disappeared all afternoon.'

Regina noticed Emma's expression harden and her gaze was pure concern.

'Is she all right, kid? Where has she been all afternoon?'

'I don't know.' Henry shrugged. 'You know how she is. It's no use asking. She will not tell me.'

'I know, kid. I know.' Emma sighed wearily. 'And where is she now?'

'Should be sleeping. She went up to her bedroom just after dinner and did not leave.' Henry leaned back in his chair and rested his face on his hand. 'She even let me buy pizza for dinner.'

Regina couldn't take her eyes off the computer screen, much less move away. Emma was wearing tank top and dark sweatshirt trousers and her hair was wet and stuck in a badly made coke. She had never seen the blonde like that before. She looked younger and Regina wondered if that was how Emma looked during her teenage years. Regina allowed herself to watch the blonde for a few more minutes taking her time to observe every detail of her. When Killian said something to Henry her attention finally came out of the blonde and she seemed to actually see him for the first time. He wore a black T-shirt and shorts and was not wearing the eyeliner. Regina watched him and just like Emma, he looked a good few years younger. She couldn't tell at what moment it happened, but her gaze met Emma's and instantly locked herself in hers. Even with the blonde on the other side of the screen Regina noticed her shoulders stiffen slightly and a storm formed in her gaze.

'Everything all right, luv?' Killian noticed the change in Emma's behavior and discreetly followed her gaze without Henry noticing. His gaze softened when he saw the queen standing at the door with the expression of a teenage girl taken by her parents and he smiled discreetly.

It seemed to rouse Emma from her thoughts and she shook her head slowly back to look at Henry.

'Yes.' Emma blinked a few times and went back to talking to Henry. The boy didn't seem to get upset at the change in the blonde's behavior and Regina wondered if he was used to it. If this sort of thing happened often.

A few minutes later they close the call and Emma's image disappeared from the screen. Only then Regina felt able to move again and went downstairs to the studio as fast as she could, trying not to make a sound so Henry did not realize that she had heard her conversation with Emma. Regina closed the door and took a bottle of cider serving a generous dose in her glass and didn't bother to taste the liquid, turning it at once. It had been less than twenty-four hours since Emma was gone, and it was already affecting Regina in such a way that she chose not to wonder what it would be like in a few months.

(…)

Emma was sitting on the couch and was still staring at the laptop screen in her lap as Killian came back from the kitchen with two bottles of beer handing one to her. He sat down next to her in silence and watched her for a few moments. They had bought some things from a convenience store near the apartment, and Emma thanked the beer, turning half the contents in one gulp.

"Swan!" Killian put his hand on her shoulder, looking worried. "You better take it easy, sailor."

"I can't make Skype calls with Henry anymore, not without knowing if she's home or not. I left Storybrooke for a reason... She was so beautiful in those pajamas and those brown eyes that are able to penetrate my soul and make my heart beat faster and-"

Killian laughed softly, and Emma looked at him with an arched eyebrow, but before she could say anything he pulled her into a hug and she let herself be hugged. 'It's good to have a friend around.' Emma laughed and released herself from his arms, gaining a confused look.

"If they knew there was nothing between us and that you were like me..."

"What do you mean, luv?" Killian folded his arms in front of his chest.

"You think I've never noticed how you look at Will?" Emma raised an eyebrow and took a step toward him. "You are like me. Thank you for doing this for me."

"After I met you, and Cora took me to Storybrooke and I saw how much she had changed I started thinking..." Killian sighed and sat back down on the couch taking his beer and drinking again as he thought about what to say next. "If she had changed after everything that happened in her life then maybe it was time for me to give up my revenge as well. Regina managed to cast the curse and although it worked well in many ways I know she felt like something was missing. That's why she adopted your boy and when she did she knew that everything would change. Of course, she didn't expect you to show up at her door and turn her life upside down, but even without noticing it changed."

"How well do you know Regina?" Emma tried to hide the sting of jealousy in her voice, but through Killian's smile she knew she had failed.

"What happened in the past is in the past, Swan." He set the beer on the table and looked at her seriously. "When we were going to Neverland to rescue your boy she asked if I really believed that villains didn't have happy endings and that has left me thinking ever since. For a moment I thought that you being the savior had an obligation to be my happy ending, but then I began to pay attention to the dynamics of the two of you, the way you look at each other, how you do magic together, and then it all made sense. No one would ever have a chance with you. Neal, neither me nor anyone else, no matter how ironic it may seem; the daughter of Snow White - her great enemy - is completely in love with the Evil Queen."

"She's not Evil Queen anymore." Emma rolled her eyes.

"I know." Killian sighed. "Though sometimes she still has an almost uncontrollable desire to tear my heart out. Especially when I'm near you."

Emma said nothing. She just looked away and returned to focus on her beer bottle giving another long sip.

"Are you sure that was the best decision, luv?"

The blonde looked at him in silence for a few moments, unable to escape the intensity of the blue eyes before her. Killian had been the only person with whom she had been able to talk about her feelings for Regina and contrary to what everyone thought, what happened between them was purely friendship. After she returned to Storybrooke and Neal's death and the way Emma practically faced the whole town to prove that Regina was innocent and had not released this new curse they ended up in the Rabbit Hole one night and after the fifth bottle of beer Emma confessed to the pirate what she felt for Regina. It was no surprise to him since he watched them in Neverland. The surprise came with what Emma said next: she would leave town because of these feelings.

"Certainly, I have not, but I couldn't stay there. I couldn't watch Regina with that... That... I know I fought for her to be happy and everything, but to see them together all the time and the happiness in her look was hurting me even more. And messing up her happiness is out of the question, so the best thing was to come away."

(…)

The weeks passed and little by little Emma went on with her life. She returned to work as a bail bondsman and had put Killian in the business. He was good at it. Almost as good as she. Almost.

She called Henry every day, and whenever she was sure Regina wasn't home, they would make calls via Skype. Emma would call Snow and David a couple of times a week and always give some excuse when they charged a visit. She had left the town a short time ago, and Emma wasn't ready to see Regina again. Especially with Robin at her side.

The weeks turned into months, and Emma and Killian managed to raise a fair amount of money and bought a larger apartment. Now each one had their own bedroom, and Killian was grateful for it because he couldn't sleep on Neal's old couch any more. The new apartment was close to Central Park and Emma used to exercise in the park every day.

One afternoon while talking to Henry over Skype, he told her that Robin and Regina had broken up and she thanked him for turning his back on the laptop at the moment. Emma didn't know if she wanted to kill him because she hurt Regina or felt relieved that they were not together anymore. Emma sighed at the thought that even so her situation with the brunette wouldn't change because she certainly thought she was with Killian. So, do her parents. Only Henry knew they had nothing but friendship, but Emma had not been able to tell him the real reason for her departure. He knew there was something wrong and she had to sort things out on her own, but Emma had said nothing more to him. How could she? Henry loved Robin. The thief was a kind of hero to him. Robin Hood, the honorable thief who stole from the rich to give to the poor. Emma noticed the upset tone in Henry's voice when he told her that Robin was gone, and she didn't know if it was because of the hero or because of Regina.

"And how is your mom with all this, kid? Has she been fed?" Emma tried to disguise the anxiety in her voice by turning once again to the dinner she was preparing.

"I think she's coping very well." Henry paused, as if thinking about how much he could tell Emma about the latest events in his other mother's life. "She told me she broke up with him, but she didn't tell me exactly why. She just said it wasn't working. Adults are so complicated."

Emma chuckled, trying not to raise hopes with what Henry had just told her. Regina had broke up with Robin, not the other way around. She felt her heart pounding with this new information and before she started to think too much about it she decided to change the focus of the conversation.

"How's school, kid?"

"The same." Henry shrugged. "Ma, are you coming to spend Christmas here?"

"Actually," Emma breathed, finally turning to the laptop screen. "I was thinking of telling you to come here." I'm sure you'll love Christmas here and-"

"Yaaasss!" Henry wouldn't let her finish speaking. He smiled broadly at the computer screen and in his little head was already planning what this holiday would be like.

The two of them talked for a few more minutes and Henry ended the call when he heard Regina's voice calling him downstairs.

(…)

Winter had come hard in NY and it was the time that Emma liked best. As a child she liked to sit at her window for hours with a book and read quietly as the snow fell outside. It always brought her a sense of peace that she couldn't explain. She finished filling out the case papers she was working on and went to Central Park to watch people skate. Emma searched for an empty seat near the lake and sat cross-legged. She let her thoughts wander to Storybrooke, more specifically to Regina. The longing she felt for the brunette was so much that it hurt in her chest as though she were missing a part of her, but Emma still couldn't find the courage to go and see her.

She watched the snow fall. Small flakes slowly descending from the sky and landing on her legs, on the bench, in the trees and all around. Emma reached out a hand and let some snowflakes fall on her palm, tickling as they touched her skin. She found herself wondering if Regina would fit into a life in a big city like NY if she'd like to skate in the winter, see the shows in Times Square on New Year's Eve, what would she say about the light fight, if she would like the snow or go to Central Park on a summer afternoon and have a picnic with her and Henry.

Emma remembered the months she'd lived here with Henry, not long ago. The trips to the park, his refuge at the fountain whenever he got upset about something, video game matches, the movies that they turned the night watching the weekends when he was not in finals season and all the programs they did together. Again, she felt her heart ache for longing, but it was a different longing. They were so close and so far at the same time. Skype calls were not enough.

(…)

Regina looked through her Mercedes's window as her thoughts drifted back to Emma. It had been almost a year since she'd left with Killian, and since then the blonde had not appeared in Storybrooke once. Not even to visit Henry or the two idiots. Regina felt a tightness in her chest and as much as she wanted it to be just for Henry, she knew it wasn't just that. Something had changed in her since the departure of the sheriff. It seemed like a piece of her was missing, in the town, in everything. It was a strange emptiness, and deep-down Regina knew only Emma could fill.

From the first night she'd seen her talking to Henry through the computer, Regina did not get it again., and something inside her said that Emma was avoiding her and that made the brunette even more frustrated. 'Just because she's living with the one-hand pirate doesn't mean we're not friends anymore.' Regina tried to say to herself, but every time she thought of Emma living with Killian Jones in NY she felt her heart ache. She did not understand why the blonde was avoiding her and it hurt. As if all those conflicting thoughts were not enough yet had the fact that she couldn't continue with Robin. She tried for months, but simply did not flow. Regina spent more time in the town hall than with the archer, and Robin was still very much attached to the customs of the Enchanted Forest, which made things even more difficult between them. After the breakup he returned with Roland and his man, and Regina felt a relief in her chest. At weekends she reserved to be with Henry and little by little their relationship grew. He taught her - or at least tried - to play video game, they started to watch together the movies that the boy liked the most and whenever Regina could she would buy a new HQ for him. She also took him to the stables, and they rode together at least once a month, and even their cohabitation with the Charming had improved - as long as they did not touch Emma's name in the presence of the brunette.

'Since she's avoiding me I'll do the same.' Regina snorted. All those months she'd been away Emma had talked to her a few times, and every time she did it, it was either a text message or an app that Henry had installed on her cell phone. At least for this app she could see Emma's face through the profile photo and to her relief she was always alone in these photos. Regina no longer knew how to feel about the blonde and that was driving her crazy. When she had to let go of Henry and send them both away because of Pan's curse something broke inside her. Regina thought she couldn't bear to stay away from them - yes, theirs. The pain she felt was such that she even buried her heart somewhere in the Enchanted Forest, but of course Snow had found her right now.

What are you doing?

So now you're following me?

We were worried, and it looks like we were right to be. What are you burying?

Nothing that concerns you.

Why does that make me think it does? What have you done? Is that a heart?

Go away.

It's your heart, isn't it?

I'm not having this conversation with you.

I know you miss Henry.

Not as much as I did when that was still beating in my chest.

But, Regina, this isn't the answer. No matter how much pain you may feel, you can't just bury it in the woods.

Watch me.

You won't feel better. You won't feel anything.

That's the point! Her voice rose, and she struggled against the tears that threatened to trickle down her face. I can't keep walking around, knowing that I'll never see Henry, that he doesn't even remember who I am.

Regina laughed bitterly as she remembered the conversation. That day she tried to convince not only Snow, but herself that the fault she was feeling was only Henry's, but deep down she knew she couldn't bear to spend the rest of her life away from her son and the unbearable idiot of his other mother. Emma had gained a place in her life and in her heart and she couldn't even tell how this happened if someone asked. She shook her head, accepting in silence what she would never say aloud for fear of hearing. She was missing Emma Swan. She clapped her hands against the wheel, frustrated that it was happening again.

Regina remained inside the Mercedes watching the rain fall hard as some music played low inside the vehicle and once again the song made her think of Emma.

I know people make promises all the time, then they turn right around and break them. When you cut your heart open with a knife now you're bleeding.

She closed her eyes and leaned her head on the steering wheel, letting the music fill the interior of the vehicle while Emma Swan's memories came flooding in her mind.

The night Emma arrived at Storybrooke bringing Henry back, the night she had saved her from the fire caused by Gold, the day she rescued Henry from the mine, when she broke Regina's curse, when she fell on the portal to save wrath, the days they spent at Neverland while trying to rescue Henry and how everything changed from there. The music seemed to make the memories grow louder and Regina felt her body warm. When she opened her eyes, her magic radiated from her uncontrolled hands. She got out of the car and stood in the rain, letting the water fall on her face, soaking her clothes and slowly she began to calm down.

"Mom!" Henry's frightened voice took her out of his state, and Regina thanked him for her magic already in control. "What happened? Are you okay? Why are you standing outside the car in this storm?"

"I-" Regina broke off, not knowing what to answer. She didn't want to worry him by saying that her magic was out of control, but she did not want to lie to him either. "I wasn't feeling very well. What are you doing in the storm?"

Henry smiled and shrugged, and that made Regina remember Emma. She shook her head and took Henry's hand by poofing them to the mansion.

"Go take a hot shower before you catch a cold, young man." Regina said as she opened the door to her room. "I'll do the same before you say anything."

He smiled contentedly and ran to his room.

Regina went straight to the bathroom and undressed her soaking clothes with the twist of her wrist turning the shower on immediately. She let the hot water fall on her body as her forehead remained against the wall and her thoughts racing in her mind. She needed to find a way to see Emma or she'd go crazy, but how? The few times they had talked she had not mentioned anything about visits and Regina couldn't just appear at her door in NY.

After finishing the bath, she went downstairs and went to prepare dinner.

"Mom?" Henry's uncertain tone caught her attention immediately. She knew that tone very well. He would ask her for something and did not know how Regina would react.

"Yes Dear?" She turned to him with a smile trying to appear calm, so he would not back down.

"Hmm..." He scratched his neck and bit his lower lip as he seemed to pick the words. "My grandpas are going to NY to spend a few days with Ma..."

"And they want to know if you can go with them, right?" Regina asked, feeling her heart beating fast. Of course, that day would come. Especially now that classes were over.

"In fact, they want you to go with us." Henry smiled awkwardly. He seemed to have something else to say, but he wasn't sure how to proceed. Regina waited until he felt comfortable to speak. "They... we... we think it will be good for you."

Regina looked at him with an arched eyebrow and tried to control the maddening beats of her heart. She was afraid of the direction this conversation might take. "And why do you think it will be good for me?"

"Well..." Again, he seemed to choose the words, and Regina did not know whether it was good or bad. "Since Ma left, you seemed to dive into work, and it got worse when Robin left. It might be good to spend a few days away. Air the mind."

"Henry, I don't have anyone to look after the town while we're gone. I can't just go with you and leave town without anyone."

"Belle could take care of things for a few days. Granny could help her if she had to. She understands to command places, does not she? Besides, I'm sure no one would be dumb to mess with her. No one would want to stand in the way of her arrows."

Regina sighed in defeat. They had already thought of everything. She had no doubt about it and she knew that for anything she could use as an excuse he would have a convincing answer.

"When do you intend to go?"

"A few days before Christmas." He punched the air and smiled. The kitchen seemed to brighten with his smile, and Regina knew she would never deny anything to her little prince.

"Does Emma already know that? Does she agree?"

"Grandma said that she would combine with Ma."

Regina shook her head, thinking it would be a disaster. For some reason, Regina felt that Snow wouldn't talk to Emma about this visit and she feared it was embarrassing, but the idea of seeing the blonde didn't let her think straight. Regina felt her heart clench at the thought that Emma might not like her presence there since for all these months she made no move to see her, but Henry's excitement about the trip soon distracted her from those thoughts.

(…)

Emma was sure she would go crazy over Killian and his obsession with Christmas and all about the date, but especially the decorations. He made a point of buying the largest possible tree, all kinds of ornaments, garlands, socks to hang in the fireplace, mistletoe, and a whole bunch of things. Emma laughed almost uncontrollably the day he arrived at the apartment wearing a red cap and a reindeer plush under his arm.

"I would never say that Killian Jones, the dreaded Captain Hook has a soft spot for stuffed animals." Emma scoffed when she finally managed to stop laughing. He just rolled his eyes at her and went to his room.

Emma sat down in front of the fireplace with a big cup of hot cocoa and got lost in thought. She had never had reason to celebrate Christmas before and even now she didn't feel like she had one. She was far from her family and the woman she loved. Emma found herself thinking that as a child she always wished she could have a Christmas like the ones she saw in movies, but of course that never happened. She had never lived the experience of Christmas as a family or with anyone who was important enough to make that date memorable. She looked around and smiled. Anyone who saw the apartment would swear that two teenagers lived there. In the background Emma had known that both, she, and Killian were just trying to have everything they didn't as kids.

(…)

It was only a few days before Christmas when the doorbell rang in the morning, making Emma look up at Killian with arched eyebrows. She certainly wasn't expecting visitors.

"I got it!" He got up quickly and ran to the door.

Emma was surprised by his attitude, but chose to ignore it for her own sake. Killian had been acting strange for the past few days, but every time she asked him he said that everything was fine and that probably that change was since it was his first Christmas at peace with him. She turned her attention to the game in front of her, but as soon as the door opened voices she knew very well filled the apartment causing her to pause the game and turn to the door. Emma froze in place as Regina's deep voice echoed through the apartment. With Henry and her parents Emma could handle very well, but with Regina? The two preys in the same place by how many days? She was lost.

Their gazes crossed, and she was lost in Regina's intense browns eyes. Slowly her gaze wandered to Henry and her parents beside him and before Emma could get back to him the boy was already running toward her and throwing himself into her lap. In the background she heard Regina berating him and smiled against his shoulder. They remained hugged for a few minutes just letting each other's longing to miss each other. When Henry finally released her, she got up and went to hug her parents. Emma thought Snow would suffocate her with the intensity of her embrace and laughed when Regina teased her that Emma wasn't one of her stuffed animals. When the short-haired brunette finally let go Emma looked at Regina and felt her cheeks burn. What should she do now? Should she hug her? A quick kiss on the cheek? A brief handshake? Before she could decide which of them to do Snow took her out of her thoughts by asking if everything was all right and telling how the trip had been.

"Hey, Regina." It was all Emma managed to say when she finally approached the brunette. Her palms were sweaty, and she felt her neck, ears, and cheeks warm, and she knew she was flushed. She just hoped Regina didn't misinterpret it.

"Hello, Miss Swan. How are you?" There was something in the tone of the brunette's voice that made her shudder. Something that Emma couldn't immediately identify and preferred to distance herself from her thoughts for the hour.

"Ma!" Henry came running to them and hugged the blonde around the waist. "Where's my room now?"

Emma felt as if all the blood had been drained from her body with that question. They had only two extra rooms which meant that Regina and she would have to share her bedroom or Emma would sleep in the living room, because she wouldn't let Regina sleep on the sofa at all. No, no, no. The expression of panic on her face was probably very evident as everyone looked at her with apprehension. Except for Killian, who was struggling not to burst into laughter. I'm going to kill this pirate. Emma thought as she put her best smile on her face and wrapped her arm around Henry's shoulders, leading him into his new room.

"So, kid?" Emma asked as she opened the door to the bedroom she had set up for him and knowing she had hit right upon seeing the smile on her son's face. He released her and ran into the room watching everything, touching everything.

"It's wonderful, Ma." Henry looked at the pictures above the headboard of his bed that formed a drawing of the X-Men.

When they returned to the room Emma took her parents to the room she had separated for them and let them settle in. When she returned Henry was sitting on the floor, on the thick rug and with the control of her video game in hand. Regina, for her part, was sitting next to him as if she were standing on a frozen lake that could crack at any moment.

"Regina, have a coffee, a water, a beer, I don't know...?" Emma scratched her neck, wondering what else she could offer.

"A coffee would be good." She smiled, and Emma realized she looked tired. Not just because the trip, but there was something else. She was already beginning to feel irritated that she couldn't read Regina's expressions as before and wondered if this was fault of the time they had been away. Maybe she's just upset about the end of their relationship. Maybe she didn't want to be here.

"Emma? Are you alright?" Regina asked softly, and Emma felt her heart heat up with the smile that the brunette offered her.

"Yes. I just- I'm sorry." Emma shook her head and went to the kitchen to prepare Regina's coffee.

"Luv, if you continue like this, everyone will soon notice." Killian had appeared at her side like a ghost, and even talking low he frightened her making her knock down the coffee.

"Jesus!" Emma turned to face him, and he was laughing. She slapped his arm and glimpsed Regina stiffening on the sofa.

"No, luv. It's just me." He leaned toward her and lowered the tone of his voice to a whisper. "Have you settled where the Queen goes to sleep?"

"In my room, of course. And I'm going to sleep in the living room before this dirty mind of your thinks anything." Emma added rolling her eyes.

"Me? I was not going to say anything." Killian grabbed a beer and turned to face her with an amused smile on his lips. "But I'm sure the Queen will love your 3D lamp and your Harry Potter blanket. Not to mention your Xena poster.

"And I'm sure my parents would love your room, Captain." Emma shoved him back into the living room, handing the cup of coffee to Regina.

"How can you live in this place? It's so cold in here." The brunette asked trying to ignore the wave of jealousy she was feeling because of the scene between Emma and the pirate in the kitchen although there was nothing much.

"It's not as cold as it sounds." Emma smiled as she sat on the rug with her legs crossed and facing her.

She watched the brunette for a moment, noticing slight changes in her appearance. Her hair was bigger and although she looked tired her look had a glow that made her look younger. Emma breathed a little more relief, noting that the initial shock of having her there was already fading, and she could feel slightly relaxed with the brunette's presence. Emma turned to see how Henry's performance was going with her game and was surprised to see that he was doing well.

"I didn't know you knew this game, kid." She turned on the rug and felt her hair twitch at the slightest contact of her arm with Regina's leg.

"Mom bought it for me some time ago." Henry answered without taking his eyes off the TV.

"And did you manage to teach her to play or are you playing alone?" Emma teased and felt a shiver run down her spine as Regina slapped the back of her neck.

"She plays well, but almost incinerated the tv the first time she lost." Henry's laughter filled the room, and immediately Emma turned to the brunette.

She looked at the boy with an expression that made it clear that he would be punished for it and Emma couldn't hold back the laughter.

It was not long before Snow and David joined them in the room and began a real interrogation of Emma's life. She looked for Killian with her eyes, asking for help in silence whenever Snow asked a question about them and no matter how much the pirate was doing well, Emma knew she needed to stop it before it was too late.

Emma stood up after a hint of Snow about her and Killian and went into the kitchen, pretending to check the dispensing so she could calm down. She took the time to check out what they had for dinner and groaned in frustration seeing that they didn't have enough for so many people and nothing that would fit into a real meal as Regina would say.

"Since we were not expecting visitors," Emma said, returning to the room, and drawing everyone's attention.

"Actually, I was." Killian said trying to appear guilty for not having warned, but his smile denounced that he wasn't really feeling like this. "Sorry, Swan. I must have forgotten to warn you."

He exchanged a quick look with Henry and it didn't go unnoticed by Emma or Regina. At that moment the blonde knew that they were up to something, but she still wasn't sure what. "We will talk later, Killian Jones.

"Uh huh. This isn't good."

"Since our beloved pirate here hasn't warned me of our visitors today, dinner will need to be improvised. We can go eat out or we can buy pizza.

"Ma that pizzeria... Henry started, and Emma was completely inclined to agree with him, but knew they needed Regina's approval so the boy turned to the brunette and offered his best puppy look knowing that she wouldn't resist.

"All right, Henry, but only today."

The next moment Emma was ordering and a few minutes later the pizzas were delivered. Regina remained silent for most of the dinner, just as Emma and the blonde didn't know what to think about it.

After dinner Henry insisted that they watch a movie together and after a few minutes of discussion between him and Emma they will eventually come to an agreement that would be The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring. After about thirty minutes of film Snow and Charming retired and it wasn't long before Killian did the same leaving only the three in the room. When the movie ended, Henry had already fallen asleep with his head on Emma's lap and his feet on Regina's lap. The blonde took him in her arms and carried him to his room and they put the boy on the bed.

"Emma, could you get some blankets and a pillow for me?" Regina asked as they left Henry's room.

"Pardon?" Emma looked at her in confusion, and the brunette gave her an intense look in reply.

"Blankets... you know... warm and comfortable that protect you from the cold." Regina rolled her eyes. "Or do you expect me to freeze while I sleep?"

"No." Emma laughed. "Sorry, but with everything that happened today I just forgot to show you your room."

"For those who were not expecting visitors, you are very well prepared." Regina teased as they walked to the last room down the hall.

"Actually, I'm not, but you can keep my room." Emma opened the door and entered feeling Regina just behind.

The brunette stood at the door, watching in silence. The room was spacious but still very cozy. There were a few pieces of clothing scattered across the bed, trousers thrown over the back of an armchair, boots in a corner, and some papers scattered across the desk. Regina's eyes widened as she saw the warrior's poster on the wall and when Emma opened her mouth to explain, she just raised her hand and asked her to remain still.

"Your room?" Regina looked confused, as if she were only now processing what Emma had said when she opened the door.

"Yeah. I'll sleep in the living room."

"I thought your room was the same as the pirate's." Regina closed the door behind her and took a step toward the blonde. "Unless... you're not together, are you?"

Regina was leaning against the door with her arms folded and a defiant smile played on her lips. Emma felt her core throb and fought a moan without being able to take her eyes from the brunette's lips. The way they were curled into a perfect smile that sent shivers all over her body and didn't let her think of anything but the urge to bump her lips against hers.

"Miss Swan?"

Emma swallowed, realizing that she had been caught staring at Regina's lips, but contrary to what she expected to find in the brunette's gaze, she seemed curious and an amused smile spread lazily across her lips.

"I... hm... no." Emma shook her head to get rid of the thoughts that were invading her mind at that moment. "We're not together, but I don't want to talk about it now."

"I understand." Regina sighed. "But I will not let you sleep in the living room. I can share the room with our son and you have yours."

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but our son's room has only one single bed."

"Then you have two options. Regina took a step toward the blonde and Emma felt her core throb. "Either we share the bed, or you get those blankets, so I can sleep on the couch."

"Regina..."

"Miss Swan, we are two grown women, we share a child and we have gone through enough things in our lives. We know each other enough and I do not see why we can't share a bed."

Emma could feel the brunette's breath on her neck and her eyes closed tightly to keep a moan from escaping her mouth. Their gazes caught on the moment Emma opened her eyes and they lingered in that silent conversation for a few minutes until the blonde finally gave in.

"The bathroom over there." Emma pointed to a door in the left corner of the room. "There are clean towels in the closet if you want to take a shower before bed and if you need more covers just ask."

"Thank you, Emma." The brunette smiled slowly away. "A bath will be very welcome after the long day we had."

Oh, Swan, you're so screwed. Sleep with Regina at your side after all these months without seeing her... Good luck with that! Emma shook her head at the thought and began to sort out the mess of the room while Regina was in the shower. When the brunette came back, she smiled when she saw Emma sitting in the armchair in front of the window. She stopped a few paces from her and enjoyed the sight for the first time. The snow, the buildings, the houses, the cars, and Central Park made a fine contrast to the lights of Christmas decorations on people's trees, poles, and houses. It was a breathtaking sight. She watched Emma for a few moments and it took a great deal of effort to contain the urge to touch her curls. The moonlight along with the colorful lights of the Christmas decorations that came through the window made a play of lights on Emma's face making her even more beautiful. Regina shook her head at the thought. Since when did she find Emma beautiful? Okay. From the first day she appeared at her door. She would be foolish if she denied how beautiful she was. The long blond strands, the intense green eyes, the dimples that were a charm to part and body... No. She would not go that way again.

"That's a pretty sight." Regina cleared her throat, attracting the blonde's attention, and desperately trying to get rid of the sensations that those thoughts had provoked in her body.

Emma turned startled and when her gaze fell on the brunette she couldn't help but lick her lips at the sight. Regina had damp hair and wore silk pajamas that matched her perfectly. Emma noticed the curls in Regina's hair and had to stop herself from touching them. Her eyes traveled slowly down the body of the brunette returning to her face and her lips. "Yeah, it's a pretty sight."

Regina felt her cheeks burning and she knew they were the color of a tomato. The desire was evident in Emma's look and words, but she didn't know what to do. She had stopped thinking about the blonde in a way that wasn't her friend and she was afraid to ruin what was between them and there was still Henry and the idiots and before she could decide what to do Emma was going through her and locking herself in the bathroom. She sighed deeply and slid down the covers as she waited for the other to come back.

When Emma finally returned to the bedroom Regina had already fallen asleep and she did her best to lie down and not wake the brunette.

"Good night, Regina." Emma whispered just before she surrendered to sleep.

(…)

When she awoke the next morning, she felt a weight on her body preventing her from moving. Her first instinct was panic, but when the faint scent of apples invaded her senses she began to calm herself by remembering the day before. Henry, her parents, Regina. Shit. Regina. She opened her eyes abruptly and noticed that the brunette was sleeping quietly snuggled in her arms. Her head rested on her chest and her arm was around her waist. Emma laughed inwardly at the situation. Countless times she dreamed and fantasized about this moment and in none of them did the situation come close to the reality of the moment. Unable to contain herself, she gently stroked Regina's cheek, fighting the urge to kiss the top of her head. When the brunette moved Emma seemed to return to herself, and she carefully left the bed before Regina woke and they would find themselves in an embarrassing situation.

She took a blanket and went into the living room. Everyone was still sleeping so Emma prepared her hot cocoa and went to sit on the porch and let herself be lost in thought as the town woke below her.

"Sleep well?" Killian's voice roused her from her thoughts and she turned to face him.

"I should throw you away. You know that, don't you?" Emma was no longer irritated, but still.

"And what would you do if I told you, luv?" Killian set his mug down on the coffee table and stared at her. "Swan, I know you well enough to know you'd find a way to stay away from them. Look on the bright side, Regina is no longer with Robin."

"Oh, of course. That changes everything, doesn't it? Now I can reach for her and say; Look, Regina, I love you. In fact, I love you for a while and that's why I came to NY. Because I couldn't deal with my feelings."

"Something like that, luv." Killian smiled and picked up his mug again.

"You must have hit your head. Is it lack of rum? If it is, I'll buy it for you." Emma got up irritably and left mumbling something he couldn't understand. Tell her how I feel. This asshole must have hit his head. Regina will never know how I feel. She's a Queen and I... well... it's just me. She deserves better. Emma was lost in thought with the mug in her hand and didn't notice Regina coming toward her. Only when their bodies collided, and she spilled the hot cocoa on her did Emma finally raise her gaze to meet Regina's curious gaze.

"I liked your pajamas." The brunette smiled measuring her from head to toe.

Emma raised her eyebrows in a startled look, but said nothing. She just nodded slightly and walked to the laundry room to put on her pajamas and the blanket to wash.

A short time later the Charming's appeared and David joined Emma to prepare breakfast and even with Regina complaining that 'this is not a healthy breakfast' she joined them to eat.

While Killian went with David and Snow to do some shopping for supper, Emma stayed in the apartment with Henry, Regina, and little Neal. As expected, Henry took over the video game leaving the two women alone. Emma sat on the floor with little Neal in her lap and Regina watched them in silence. Without realizing it a smile formed on her lips as Emma made faces and spoke with her younger brother making funny voices. Regina noticed that although she was playing with her brother Emma seemed tense and not totally comfortable and she wondered if it was because of her presence there or simply because she was holding the baby on her lap. When little Neal fell asleep Emma put him in the cradle Snow had brought and returned to the room joining Regina and Henry.

"Ma since now my nephew is sleeping what do you think of playing alternate games? You, Mom and me. Who loses gives way to the other."

"Only if you're ready to lose." Emma smiled, feeling the tension subside in her shoulders.

Regina rolled her eyes and sat down on the couch waiting for her turn.

The three of them alternated several games and the atmosphere became lighter thanks to Henry's idea. He told Emma about his school year and the moments out of school as well. He told her that Regina had taken him to the stables and taught him how to ride and how he was getting good at it.

"Ma, you should go with us to the stables when you go to Storybrooke, and so the three of us can go out riding for an afternoon."

"I don't know, Kid." Emma tried to disguise the nervousness in her voice, but as always, Regina noticed.

"You don't like riding, Miss Swan?"

Emma grinned mischievously at the thought of the answer she wanted to give Regina, and thought she would, if not for her son. The brunette stared at her, her eyebrows arched.

"I ride very well, Your Majesty." Emma answered in a low voice, taking advantage of Henry's distraction from the game again.

Regina swallowed with the double meaning of that response and felt her body shudder. She felt all the liquid in her body directed toward the middle of her legs and she struggled to suppress a moan with the images that came into her mind.

"So we should definitely do it any time." She replied after recomposing herself.

The tension that had formed this time was different and Emma thanked him when Henry pulled them out of their bubble by calling her saying it was her turn to play. She wasn't sure what had happened there, nor where the courage had come to respond in that way knowing that Regina would understand the double meaning of her answer. As she played Emma wondered what the brunette's intent was with that answer and it sent shivers down her body as she imagined some possibilities.

When Killian and the Charming's returned from shopping, Emma stood up and smiled, turning to Regina.

"Do you trust me?"

The brunette looked at her with an arched eyebrow, wondering what kind of question it would be, but simply nodded.

Seeing the slight nod of her head, Emma reached out to her in an unconscious gesture and felt her heart pounding as, without hesitation, Regina slid her hand into hers.

"Let's get dressed before we leave. I don't want Your Majesty to become ill during your visit to NY." Emma pulled her gently by the hand and helped her up.

They put on warmer clothes and then left so that Emma could take them for a little walk around the city showing Regina some of her favorite places.

Emma led them down 59th Street where she could see the various Christmas decorations that hung in store windows. They passed Macy's where the theme was a little boy wondering what Christmas would be like on other planets and Emma decided they would have to go back there at night to see the decorations and this time they would bring Henry and the others. They kept walking and Emma pointed to a window or another and commented on the shops and decorations. When they stopped in front of Saks Emma had to work hard not to burst into laughter at the sight of Regina's expression when she saw that fairy tale inspired their decor. She glared indignantly at the window as she watched Snow White's depiction.

"You did it on purpose, didn't you?" Regina turned to her with her eyes half closed, her hands on her hips.

"I swear I didn't know their theme this year was that." Emma laughed, her hands raised in surrender. "But they're wrong anyway."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You're much prettier than these queens they portray in all Snow White's tales." Emma felt her cheeks flush as she realized what she had said, but she wouldn't go back. She really meant it.

"So, you think I'm beautiful, Miss Swan?" Regina took a step toward the blonde with a smile that was both embarrassed and malicious and Emma felt her heart beating fast. How could someone be so sexy and so gentle at the same time? Only Regina could do that.

"Well... I..." Emma scratched the back of her neck, trying to formulate an answer that wouldn't spoil everything because of her clumsiness with words. "Only if I were blind not to notice your beauty, Your Majesty."

"Thank you... princess." Regina smiled and turned back to the window again, trying not to let Emma know what effect it had on her with her response.

Emma could barely order her thoughts during the ride. The glow in Regina's gaze at every new thing she saw and the smile that seemed to have taken over her lips made her unable to think of anything else. When she realized they were in front of the Rockefeller Center and Emma finally remembered the initial plan when invited the brunette for this tour.

"Remember when I asked if you trusted me?" She held out her hand to Regina again.

"Yes."

"Well... I want to take you to do something."

"You're not thinking about-" Regina tilted her head to the side to see the skating rink behind the blonde.

"Come on, Regina! It'll be fun." Emma made a lovely beak and the brunette had to try not to take it off with a kiss. Regina shook her head at the thought and looked at Emma again. "I promise I will not let you fall."

"Emma, I don't know..." Regina bit her lower lip.

The blonde took advantage of her hesitation and pulled her gently by the hand to the railing.

"Let's just watch first. If you still do not want to, then we'll leave."

After some long minutes watching people skate - some with grace and lightness, others getting off balance and falling most of the time - Regina finally gave in.

"If I fall and you laugh, Miss Swan..."

"I will not."

"I swear you'll regret it. Let's get on with it before I change my mind."

They went down the stairs and went to the counter to rent a pair of skates for each one and then they made uncertain steps to the lane.

"Emma, there's no way anyone's going to balance on that thing, and then slip around." Regina grunted as she gripped the guardrail.

"Is easy." Emma approached her uncertainly how to help her. Should she hold her hands? Would it be better to hold on to her waist? At last Emma decided that maybe she should show her what to do. "You need to slide one leg at a time, flexing your knees lightly."

The brunette turned to her with an irritated expression and Emma smiled encouragingly. A bit hesitant, she finally decided to put her hands on Regina's waist and turned her around.

"I'm going to help you." Emma grabbed her hands and began to slide slowly back. "Come with me."

Slowly Regina let go and let Emma lead the two down the rink in a dance of tentative steps and shy smiles among people who barely seemed to notice them. They were once again immersed in their private bubble, and Emma felt her heart calm down. With every smile, every touch. Every now and then Emma would let go of the brunette's hand and turn away, twirling, sliding with her hands clasped behind her back, sliding on her back among other things that eventually made Regina look at her with concern, but even then, she noticed that the brunette was more relaxed.

Emma was sliding with her back to the people and showing off to Regina once again when she couldn't avoid a collision and ended up going to the floor. On an impulse Regina slid up to her gracefully.

"Emma!" She paused beside the blonde and reached out to help her up. "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?"

"I'm fine, Regina." She accepted the hand and when she pushed herself to her feet, she slipped and with that, she pulled the brunette down. She felt Regina's body against hers and at that moment even the ice beneath her back didn't bother her. Her emeralds clung to the brown eyes and unconsciously Emma was holding onto her waist again. Their faces were close enough for the blonde to feel Regina's breath against her lips and her neck. Emma moistened her lips, but before she could do anything a couple stood by them asking if they were all right and helping them get up. Emma felt her cheeks burn with the thought that if the couple hadn't appeared at that moment she would probably have kissed Regina right there and apparently the brunette wasn't inclined to stop what was to come. Her heart was pounding madly in her chest and she tried to calm her thoughts before turning to face Regina again.

"I think we'd better get back home. It's starting to get dark and the temperature will drop even more." Emma smiled slightly. "And knowing my parents they're likely to send the police behind us."

"If it was other times, they'd probably tell the police officers I kidnapped you, or I'd ripped out your heart-"

"I wouldn't stop you from tearing it." Emma interrupted her. She felt uncomfortable with what the brunette was saying, but not for the fact that she could tear her heart out but for Regina still thinking about it. She had changed so much since they met, and Emma wouldn't let her think anything else that said otherwise.

Regina said nothing. She just began to slide uncertainly up the protection grid

toward the counter to return the skates and pick up the boots.

On the way back, Emma bought two hot dogs and convinced Regina to eat one saying it was the best in the world. The mood was still a little strange after what Emma had said, but she was willing to make the brunette relax again.

"How can a bread with mayonnaise and sausage be the best meal in the world?" Regina asked, taking the last bite of the snack.

"Oh, but it's not." Emma smiled. "No meal in the world compares to your lasagna or anything else you cook."

Regina raised an eyebrow at her and Emma smiled shyly.

"I just said this was the best hot dog in the world."

"You eat like a child."

Emma smiled and tried once more to suppress the urge to respond to her with something that had double meaning. She was risking too much and didn't want to ruin everything.

Arriving in the apartment Snow and David were preparing dinner while Henry and Killian took care of little Neal. The short-haired brunette smiled widely at the two of them coming in and began to fill them with questions about the day and where they had been, telling them how worried they were. The dinner went smoothly and because they were exhausted from the long day they had Emma and Regina ended up going to sleep before the others.

(…)

Emma cursed low seeing that the beer has ended. Apparently, her father and Killian hadn't bought enough the night before which meant she would have to go out and buy more now. She put on her boot and took the coat that was hanging behind the door and when she picked up the key Henry asked if she could bring him chocolate. Emma exchanged a quick look with Regina and the brunette nodded slightly.

"I'll go with you, so I guarantee you will not bring too many candies." Regina got up and Emma stick her tongue out to her. "You both eat as children and even though our son is still one, it is important to have a healthy diet."

While Regina went to the bedroom to get the purse Emma put the cap on and waited for her staying at the door.

"Mom." Henry called when Regina stopped beside the blonde. "If I ask for an ice cream, will I be abusing my luck?"

"Swan!" Killian called before they could respond. "You know the tradition." He smiled and waggled his eyebrows, then looked up. Emma followed his gaze and her eyes widened when she saw what he was talking about.

"Killian..."

Silently Regina followed their gaze and the corner of her lips curled into a smile as she saw the mistletoe above the door.

"I don't remember placing one here." Emma kept staring at the pirate, not daring to look at Regina.

"Emma be a Charming and don't leave Regina waiting." David smirked. "It's rude and she may think you-"

"I will not think of anything because I'll be too busy." Regina moistened her lips and her smile became even more amused. Emma finally looked at her and the brunette waited for some signal to indicate that she didn't want it as much as she did, and praying that she hadn't interpreted all the signs wrongly. "Enjoying this kiss."

Emma placed her hands-on Regina's waist and felt the heat of the brunette's body against her as she gently pulled her closer. The brunette's hands slid from her waist to her arms and rested on her shoulders, placing her even closer. Regina's gaze was one of surrender and anxiety and of lust.

When her lips were only inches away, Emma could feel Regina's hot breath in her mouth. Hearing her name so softly and at the same time with a poorly masked desire rolling over the inviting lips of the woman in front of her sent shivers down Emma's body and she closed the little distance between them, and their lips came together. At first contact she moaned low and wanted to deepen the kiss and her lips opened unconsciously, but the vibration of her mother almost made her withdraw. Before she could, however, she felt Regina's tongue asking for passage and this time the moan came from the brunette's eager lips. Emma gently squeezed her waist and when she felt their tongues sliding against each other for the first time she forgot everything around her and threw any precaution she had out the window and gently sucked on the other woman's tongue. Emma felt as if the whole world had stopped spinning, as if nothing else existed beyond them. The soft but urgent touch of Regina's lips pressed against hers. The way their tongues slipped in synchrony, Regina's hands playing with the hair on the back of her neck and the heat radiating from her body. Emma gently bit Regina's lower lip and the brunette moaned low against her mouth.

As they slowly parted, the emotions that crossed Regina's face reflected Emma's: lust, apprehension, hope, and then strong lust again.

"Wow!" Killian smiled and wiggled his eyebrows making a hi-five with Henry.

"Not even our first kiss was like that, Charming. Maybe you should learn something from our daughter." Snow barely managed to hide the happiness in her voice.

It woke them up and suddenly Emma felt very conscious of what had happened. She had kissed Regina before her parents and her son. Really kissed. An intense, desire-laden kiss at the same time that was smooth and much better than any kiss Emma had ever imagined.

Before anyone else could say anything, Emma ran out of the apartment and Regina exchanged a quick glance with the others before running after her, hearing the door close with a loud thud.

"Emma! Emma, wait!"

The blonde stopped in front of the elevator but didn't turn to face her. A little later she felt Regina's hand touching her shoulder uncertainly and she cursed low wondering what the brunette should be thinking because of her reaction. She closed her eyes tight and then turned to Regina and without saying anything pulled her to another kiss.

The elevator door opened, and they stumbled inside without interrupting the kiss. Emma held tightly at Regina's waist as the brunette slid her hands down her arms, squeezing them. Regina moaned against Emma's lips as she felt her back against the elevator wall and the blonde took the opportunity to bite Regina's lower lip slightly, leaving a trail of kisses and light bites down her jaw and neck.

"Why do we take so long to do this?" Regina gasped when Emma bit her pulse point.

"I can start listing the motifs if you want, but I'd rather keep kissing you." Emma answered breathlessly. Now that she was no longer in front of her parents, she felt freer to do what she wanted. The fact that Regina ran after her as soon as she stepped out of the apartment took a weight off Emma's chest and made her heart beat faster.

They let out a frustrated groan as the elevator reached the ground floor and quickly smoothed their clothes and hair as the door opened. Emma greeted the doorman and as they stepped out into the street she felt Regina's hand sliding against hers, smiling without saying anything.

The grocery store was a few yards from the building and Emma went to get the beer while Regina went for the ice creams.

"Three ice cream pots?" Emma asked with raised eyebrows. "Someone's in a great mood today."

"I just think this is a great way to reward our son for persuading me to come here."

"So, you didn't want to come?" Emma tried to keep her voice indifferent and in the same joking tone as before, but she knew it had failed when Regina turned and touched her face gently.

"I wanted to see you, but I thought maybe you didn't want to see me. Since you came here we've talked a few times and you've never mentioned anything about visits."

"Well..." Emma turned her back to the brunette, closing her eyes tightly, blinking her tears away. "You were with Robin and I didn't... forget it." You are right. I should have invited you to visit me. Sorry if at any point I made you feel uncomfortable."

"Emma." Regina put her hand on her shoulder and waited for her to turn. "Why did you come to NY?"

"I don't want to talk about it now, Regina." Emma sighed and finally turned to face her. "I don't think the corner grocery store is the best place to talk about it, but I promise we'll do it at the appropriate time."

The blonde leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her lips and headed for the cashier with Regina right behind. They picked up some more goodies and then went back to the apartment.

Snow, Henry, and Hook couldn't hide the excitement of seeing them exchanging passionate smiles as they entered through the door, and David, though more discreetly, smiled proudly at the scene before him. He always had a connection with Emma and knew that she felt something for the brunette and seeing the two together and how his girl smiled and her eyes glittered, filled his chest with joy.

"I see you brought more beer." Killian said drawing her attention.

"If you want beer go down and go buy yours. You finished mine last night and didn't buy any more."

"Actually," David grinned sheepishly. "It was me who took the most part."

Emma raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes as she heard Killian saying low 'point to Daddy Charming.'

The blonde grabbed a bottle of beer and put the rest in the fridge heading toward the room holding hands with Regina. They knew that Snow and Henry were struggling not to explode with a million questions, and they both thanked them for it. Emma settled down on the couch and Regina settled down next to her curling into her arms.

The rest of the day went smoothly with only a few teasing from Killian and few questions from Snow and Henry. As the night began to approach, Emma rose from the couch and stood in the middle of the room attracting everyone's attention.

"Yesterday while I was away with Regina we went through some places and I thought maybe you would like to go too." She turned to her parents and smiled. "Especially you who have never been out of the Enchanted Forest and Storybrooke."

"Oh, my love, don't take your mother to the store with Snow White's decoration." Regina teased, then realized that she had called Emma 'my love' in front of everyone and felt her cheeks flushing.

The blonde looked at her with an impossibly broad smile and her eyes brightened even more and Regina thought that if she was to have that reaction then she didn't care who would be present every time she called Emma 'my love'.

"Cool, Ma." Henry stood up quickly. "We're going to 59th?"

"That's it, kid."

The boy punched the air and ran to his room to change.

Emma held out a hand to Regina and helped her up from the couch, walking up to the room holding hands with her. "Mom, daddy, get warm because it's cold outside." She said over her shoulder.

They looked at each other, and Killian grinned at the two of them.

A short time later everyone was ready to go to Emma's night stroll. Before they left, Killian ran up to the tree and turned on the lights, smiling, satisfied with the way the room lit up.

"Henry, don't move away from us. Is too crowded here and you may end up losing yourself." Regina warned worriedly as they exited the subway and came upon the crowd that had taken advantage of Christmas Eve to appreciate the decorations and spectacles.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty." Killian smiled as he laid a hand on Henry's shoulder. "I'll take care of the boy. Enjoy the night." He smiled mischievously and guided the boy closer to his grandparents and away from his mothers, giving them room to enjoy some time together.

Emma's hand slid against the brunette's and she smiled mischievously guiding her through the crowd to look at the shop windows. Regina let herself be carried away by the decorations, noticing how beautiful it was at night, with its lights on, contrasting with the darkness of the already closed shops and the night sky.

They walked through the crowd when suddenly a coral caught Regina's attention and she went to them without thinking. They wore golden clothes and held candles and for some reason the melody of the song they sang made her remember a time far away where she still didn't know the taste of evil.

Regina found herself thinking about this time and how things might have been different if Daniel hadn't been killed by her mother, if she hadn't been forced to marry the King and all that came after. Regina felt her heart tighten and hurt in her chest. Everything that had happened in her life since Daniel's death had broken her and turned her into Evil Queen, but imagining a life where Henry might not have existed was even worse than thinking of everything that had happened. And there was Emma still. Her sweet and lighthearted Emma.

"What are you thinking?" Emma whispered, resting her face on the brunette's shoulder, pulling her thoughts away.

"How things would have been if my mother hadn't murdered Daniel. If your parents would have known each other..."

"And what conclusion did you reach?"

"That losing Daniel was devastating in a way that I will never recover." Regina turned to Emma as she felt her body tighten. "But a life without you or our son... You taught me to love again. To forgive. You helped me find a way that would take me back to a part of me that I had forgotten existed. That I had buried so deep that I thought I would never come to the surface."

"Thank you for telling me the truth of what you were thinking." Emma's expression softened, and she slowly relaxed into Regina's arms. Having the brunette open so sincerely was so much more than she thought she would someday.

Regina smiled, and her lips touched Emma's in a soft but meaningful kiss. They stayed that way for a while and then went back to looking at the shop windows before joining the others.

On the way back to the apartment they stopped at the pizzeria Emma and Henry so enjoyed, and after eating until they could hardly take it anymore they went home. Snow and David went straight into the bedroom with little Neal asleep in his father's arms.

"Good night, kid." Emma kissed Henry's cheek as Regina finished tucking the blanket beneath him.

"Night, Moms." He smiled lazily. Sleep was gaining ground, and Henry sighed contentedly as Regina kissed his forehead. "I'm happy for you both." He said before closing his eyes and falling asleep.

Regina smiled watching the boy for a few more seconds, fighting the tears that formed in her eyes with the simple phrase he said. Having Henry's support in whatever happened between her and Emma was the most important thing in her life. If he wasn't happy about it then there was no way it could work between her and Emma. The blonde seemed to read her thoughts and smiled at her, comforting her in silence. She held out her hand to Emma and them both left Henry's room.

The door to Emma's bedroom barely closed and Regina felt her back pressed against the wood, moaning low as the blonde's lips pressed against hers in an urgent kiss.


I hope you enjoyed. =)

Reviews are welcomed.

Let me know what you think, and what you expect to see in the second part of this story.

See you soon.