Happy holidays everyone! Taking a break from my WIPs to put out this little Christmas themed fic for the holidays. Not beta'd all the mistakes are mine, sorry. I'll fix it eventually. Until then, enjoy! More to come, with the hopes of finishing this before the new year. We'll see what happens.

Chapter 1

Regina Mills made her way through the swarm of people, "Killian," she said trying to get a man's attention to no such luck. She huffed and walked faster, "Killian," she said again as she caught up with him and grabbed his arm.

"What do you want, love?" the guy said as he blatantly checked her out.

Regina internally cringed as she held up the papers she was holding, "I need to talk to you about this article. "You were supposed to give me 350 words about the ice dance competition and this is 685 about one of the dancer's outfit."

"So?"

"So I can't send this on for publishing. This isn't what Fiona asked for." This guy was aggravating but she couldn't lose her cool, not when she was still on the path to becoming a journalist.

Killian shrugged, "Just clean it up, love, I'm heading off." He started to walk away only for Regina to walk right back up and cut him up.

"Clean it up?" She asked incredulously, "This isn't a clean up, Killian, it's a complete rewrite."

"Are you an executive editor now?" he asked haughtily, "Darling, just take care of it. I'm leaving," with that he stormed away.

Regina stared after him in disbelief, did he really think she was going to just clean up his mess? The audacity of that jerk. She walks back towards her cubicle with her two friends watching her walk of defeat.

"You're a junior editor, you don't need to be cleaning up his messes." Mal stated as Regina got closer. Malinda Draco was probably her best friend at the magazine. They'd been friends since college and both landed jobs at the magazine as interns their junior year. She watched her for a moment, "You're going to do it aren't you? Clean up his mess like you always do.

"It's my job, I have to," Regina said slouching into her seat.

"We're junior editors, not writers." Mal argued.

"How else am I going to become a proper journalist if I don't do what Fiona wants and make her look good?" she asked.

"You are a damn good writer and if Fiona can't see that she's a total idiot. You'll be a journalist in now time," August piped in. August had started the same day that Mal and Regina did and the three of them had been inseparable ever since.

Regina smirked a little, her friends knew how to pick her up. Before she could reply, though, her phone went off, "This is Regina," she said as she answered.

"Fiona wants to see you, now," her assistant told Regina.

Regina closed her eyes of course she does, "Tell her I'll be right there." She hung up the phone and looked over at her friends with an eye roll.

"The black fairy summons," she groaned picking up the pages she had printed earlier.

"Good luck," she heard from August and Mal as she walked off towards Fiona's office.

.::.

"You wanted to see me?" Regina said as she walked into the corner office of the floor. Behind the desk sat a very prim looking woman wearing all black. She smiled at Regina as she walked in, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Sit," she stated as she watched her.

"Is this about Killian's piece? I.." Regina started.

"No, no. Forget about that. What do you know about the prince of Sherwood?"

Regina frowned slightly, "The prince of Sherwood? Not much. Just that he likes to party and is next in line for the throne."

"Yes, that is true. But there is one more caveat, Sherwood has a one year retainer for the succession of the throne. With King Robert's passing last year, the retainer is coming to a close. Prince Robin is expected to either ascend to the throne or abdicate it by Christmas Eve." Fiona added.

"Okay," Regina responded, "What does this have to do with me?"

"Sherwood has a press conference set for the 18th, coronation on the 24th, and I need boots on the ground to catch the fireworks of whatever happens."

Regina's eyes widen, "Me? You want me to cover this story?"

"Yes, Regina." Fiona replied, "you are a very gifted writer and all my other usual writers are on vacation at the moment. So go home, pack, and get to Sherwood."

"Wait, am I.. am I supposed to be staying for the coronation?"

Fiona furrowed her brows a bit, "Obviously."

"So I'd be missing Christmas?"

"Well yes, but you will be compensated for your work of course. Go get me something good."

Regina nodded slightly and got up to leave, "Thank you, I won't let you down."

She walked out of the room and sighed, she didn't want to miss Christmas. Missing Christmas meant leaving her dad alone. Ever since her mother passed when she was a teenage it had just been the two of them. They would make her mom's favorite cookies and watch her favorite cheesy Christmas movies. They'd spend the day in with each other. She loved her dad and the thought of him alone on Christmas was troubling. She frowned as she grabbed her purse and coat and made her way out of the building and started walking down 8th.

She walked over to a diner, going in she went up to the counter, "Do you have my usual?"

"Burger, extra barbeque sauce, side of fries, and a shake. That'll be $5.48." Replied the guy behind the counter.

She smirked a little, "Put it on my tab."

"Tab? You think I give special treatment to you?"

"Yes, daddy, I certainly do," she shook her head slightly and leaned over to kiss her father on the cheek. Henry Mills, owned his own diner - Henry's Diner - and it was probably the only thing other than his little girl that he couldn't get enough of.

"How was work, princess?" he asked as he rounded the counter.

"It was good, I got a story assignment."

"Your own assignment? That's wonderful, sweetie!" he gave her a tight hug, "I knew you'd be able to get anywhere you wanted. What's the story?"

"They want me to cover the royal coronation in Sherwood."

"Regina, that's amazing. That could be the break you needed." He watched her for a second, "What's the matter? You don't seem too excited."

Regina shook her head, "It's a great opportunity, but I'd have to miss Christmas and I don't want to leave you alone."

"Peanut, I'm going to tell you the same thing your mother told me before I got this diner, you have to go after your dreams and just do the damn thing. Opportunities like this are not ones to miss out on." He tilted her chin up slightly, "I'll be fine, you don't have to worry about your old man."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. When do you leave for Sherwood?"

"Tuesday morning," Regina bit her lip, "I should probably start packing."

"Go get em, princess."

"Thanks, daddy. I'll tell you all about it when I get back." She kissed her father's cheek and grabbed her dinner before walking out and heading over to her apartment.

.::.

Regina arrived in Sherwood around 11:00AM local time and made her way out through customs and into the cold winter air. She walked through the crowd of reporters waiting for the Prince's arrival back into the country and made her way to the cab line to wait for a cab to take her to the inn she will be staying at during her stay in the country.

Her turn for a cab finally came and she waited as one of the airport staff members hailed one over for her. The cab came to a stop and she moved to place her suitcase into the trunk as some guy stormed into the cab and claimed it as his own.

"Hey, this is my cab!" she glared at the individual, "Wait in line."

"Sorry, I really need this," the guy said, he looked like he'd just spent months outdoors had a beard grown in and his hair was ruffled. He was wearing sunglasses and clearly in a rush.

"Tough. It's mine. Get out." She demanded.

"Sorry." The guy said again as he pulled the door closed and ordered the driver to take off.

"Selfish jerk!" Regina shouted. Unbelievable. The people in this country are real jackasses. She couldn't believe the nerve of that guy just waltzing in and stealing her cab. She crossed her arms clearly pissed.

Eventually she had gotten another cab, still bitter at the jerk who couldn't wait like everyone else, and made her way to the inn. After checking in she freshened up and got ready for the press conference that was set for 5:00PM that day.

Press from all over had gathered into Sherwood for this press conference. They would find out today if the prince had decided to accept or renounce the crown. Everyone wanted first dibs, some sort of unique angle, anything that would get their publication on the map.

Regina was even more nervous now. Not only was this a big deal, but this was her first solo story. This was all hers. This would put her on the map. She needed something good. She bit her lip as she made her way into the press room and took her seat. She pulled out her notepad and a pen and waited for the event to begin.

A half an hour went by and no prince. The press was starting to get a little restless when someone from the royal staff walked over to the moderator and whispered something into his ear. He nodded and turned towards the crowd.

"I'm sorry, we will not be having the press conference today. The prince is unavailable."

The crowd erupted into sounds of displeasure.

"Where is he? Why isn't he here?" "Does this mean he's renouncing the throne?" "Are we going to get to see the prince at the coronation?" Questions were spewed out from every direction. The moderator tried to keep the peace as much as possible.

Regina frowned when she heard the news and her nerves were even more on edge with the lack of any concrete information from the moderator. This wasn't good. No press conference meant no article. She needed something. She raised her hand, hoping to get a question in before they started to clear out.

"Yes, you with the red scarf?" the moderator said looking at her.

"Is the press conference going to be rescheduled?" she asked, plenty of other reports seconded her question.

"No, the press conference will not be rescheduled."

Regina bit her lip, shit, "Can we schedule an interview with the prince?" she piped in.

"The prince will not be holding interviews. I'm sorry, please make your way to the exit." With that the moderator stepped away as more sounds of disapproval arouse in the press room.

Regina sighed, what now? She gathered her things, discouraged, as she made her way out with the rest of the press to the awaiting town cars that would take everyone back to the inn. The car had filled up by the time she had gotten there, forcing her to wait for the next one. She glanced over to her right and saw some workers taking things into the palace.

Maybe I can find another angle to this story without a conference. She thought. She looked around and detoured from the rest of the group, slipping into the palace with the workers and finding one of the many halls.

"Wow," she said as she looked around. She dug out her phone and started to take pictures of the room and the artifacts. If anything she would have something she could use as visuals.

Before she could get very far, she ran into an older woman.

"Can I help you?" The lady asked.

"Oh ..uhm, I'm…" Regina stuttered.

"American," the lady filled in. "Are you the new American tutor for Princess Mary Margaret? Veronica Mason?"

Regina's eyes widened slightly and she felt herself nod yes, "Yes, I am." she added. Undercover new angle it is.

"I thought you weren't coming in until later, come on follow me. Where's your luggage?" the lady asked as she led her through a hallway.

"Oh at the inn," Regina replied as she walked behind her looking around.

"We'll send someone to get it. I'm surprised you got a room with all the press in town."

Regina laughed a little quickly making sure her press badge wasn't showing through, "That's alright, I can go get it later."

"Suit yourself, I'm Miss Eugene Scarlett by the way. Did your company give you the curriculum I sent over?"

"No, they must have forgot." Regina replied not knowing how else to play this.

"Figures," Miss Eugene scoffed, "You Americans can never do anything right. I'll get you a copy. Here's hoping you last longer than the last tutor."

"What happened with the last tutor?" Regina asked trying to keep up with the older woman. She was quicker than she had thought she'd be.

"Something about a mouse in the bed." She jipped as she led her into a room with another older woman and none other than the selfish jerk who had stolen her cab earlier that day.

Regina gasped as she saw who it was. Look of recognition registered into his face as well as he narrowed his eyes in confusion as to what she was doing here.

"Your highnesses," Miss Eugene addressed, "This is Veronica Mason, Princess Mary Margaret's new tutor. Miss Mason, this is Queen Ava, and Prince.."

Before she could finish the prince piped in, "Selfish Jerk," smirking at Regina, "Had I known you were coming here we could have shared a cab."

Regina paled significantly, "I.. I'm sorry.. I didn't know."

"Nothing to apologize for, milady. If anyone should apologize it should be me," he winked at her as his little sister walked into the room on crutches. The prince ran over to his little sister, picking her up and turning her around.

"Big brother!" she squealed in joy as she hugged her brother who she clearly adored.

"I missed you, squart." He said as he put her down.

"Robin," the Queen chastised, "how many times have I told you not to be rough with her."

"I'm not a porcelain doll, mother," the princess argued. She must have no older than 12, but she had a mind of her own that much was clear.

"The beard looks awful, Robin," the Queen added looking at her son.

"It does," Princess Mary Margaret added, "You look like hobo."

Prince Robin rolled his eyes, "I only grew it to prevent being recognized," he glanced back at Regina, "clearly it worked."

The princess finally saw Regina, "Who are you and what are you doing in my palace?"

"Princess Mary Margaret," Miss Eugene smiled at the young princess. "This is your new tutor."

"I'm Re.. Roni, uhm Veronica, but you can call me Roni, Mary Margaret."

The princess narrowed her eyes, "You're supposed to call me, your royal highness."

Regina stared at the little girl in shock, okay this is going to be harder than she initially thought. Luckily for her the Queen interrupted the princess, "Please try not to scare her away."

The princess smirked at Regina, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm not afraid of mice either," Regina added.

"Wonderful," Miss Eugene responded, "I'll show you to your room, Miss Mason if you follow me."

"RIght," Regina replied turning towards the royals, "Your highness, thank you." She attempted a curtsy as she was walking backwards and ran into a vase causing it to shatter on the floor. "Oh my god," Regina exclaimed, "I'm so sorry. I hope that wasn't expensive or…"

"It was 18th century marble," The Queen responded as she looked at her shattered vase on the floor. The prince next to her clearly trying to keep his amusement at the whole situation at bay but failing slightly as he watched Regina scurry out of the room.

.::.

Regina was standing alone in the room she would be occupying in the palace. She came here for a press conference and now found herself in the palace itself disguised as a tutor for the princess. Oh lord, she was either going to end up in a shit load of trouble or get a great story out of it. She dug out her phone and dialed her editor.

"Regina?" she heard her boss say on the line.

"Hey Fiona, listen slight issue."

"What?"

Regina bit her lip, "So the prince cancelled the press conference but I somehow ended up inside, undercover as a tutor for the princess. What do I do now?"

"You did what?" She asked.

"I don't know how it happened but maybe I can find a story…"

"That's brilliant, I knew picking you for this story was the right call." She praised.

Regina looked shocked for a second, "Thank you, but I can't go to prison for this right?"

"How would i know?" Fiona stated, "Get me something good. Tons of video, audio, pictures, whatever you can." And with that she hung up the phone.

Regina closed her eyes as she sat down on the bed. Well she was in this might as well make it work.