It was pitch black when Emma stepped into the Sheriff's office.

She had been asleep when her phone rang. Groaning, she had gotten out of bed. She recalled that since Henry was living with her on a near permanent basis; she kept her gun at the sheriff's station. It seemed like a good idea. Storybrooke was a sleepy little town so late night calls were rare.

As Emma entered the building; she heard indistinct mumbling coming from the bull pen. She leaned her head to the side, on guard, and crept forward. She had a pretty good idea who was breaking in, but it never hurt to be cautious.

She turned the corner, grabbing her keys, hoping the intruder would think she had a gun.

"Alright! Freeze!" She bellowed.

The figure stood up and turned around.

"Really Ms. Swan, keys?" a cultured voice drawled. It was a voice that Emma had heard not only in her nightmares, but also in some of her more, colorful dreams.

"Regina?" Emma asked, "What the hell are you doing here?"

"That Mrs. Swan is none of your concern," Regina said walking out of the small sheriff's office and into the larger space. She halted beside one of the desks Emma had claimed for her own.

"Yeah, I sorta think it is. You're lurking around in the dark, it's middle of the night, and you're kinda the evil queen. So, what gives?"

"Ms. Swan, I understand it is in your lineage to be curious to a fault; as I am sure you have a reason for coming to the station,though, let's simply drop the subject matter."

Emma wasn't about to let this go. Rolling her eyes, she strode around her desk, and made to grab the papers.

"MS. SWAN!" Regina cried. She had a tone that mingled exasperation with a warning.

Emma, as per usual, ignored this, and made another grab for the papers. She just missed them. Instead, her body jarred the desk; as she reached across it. A weeks worth of paperwork and assorted oddities scattered onto the floor. One of the things that fell was a large book on state ordinances. It landed on the distracted Queen's foot.

Regina's eye grew wide and her face grew pale. She uttered a weak swear, and thumped down into the chair behind the desk. She let out a long slow hiss.

Emma watched everything with wide eyes, and swallowed. She had broken Henry's other mother's toe! This was not good!

"Oh my god Regina I-I mean, I didn't mean to! I was just trying-"

"Save it Ms. Swan!" Regina hissed removing her shoe to assess the damage.

"I have gauze and stuff," Emma said.

She went to move towards Regina. The other woman threw out her hand, and flung Emma back several paces.

"Jesus! I was just trying to help." Emma said still prone on the ground; ego bruised and indignant. She was trying to be nice. You would think Regina would get that and be grateful.

"Of course," Regina said rolling her eyes. Aside from the slight damage to her shoe, there seemed to be nothing wrong. She would have a bruise tomorrow, and it hurt like hell now, but, thankfully, nothing was broken.

"What does that mean?" Emma said, as she stood and began to clean up the mess she made.

"You and your mother proverbial peas in a pod; always trying to help. Never realizing that your help is neither wanted nor needed. For someone who prides herself on being able to read people; you certainly don't take nonverbal clues very well do you, Ms. Swan?" Regina asked her voice was condescending.

Emma rolled her eyes.

"Yeah and I am sure you do," Emma murmured sounding like a sulking teen.

Regina's chuckle was dark.

"You have no idea," She nearly purred. Emma felt and her lower stomach tighten.

"Yeah well I don't know much about you do I? Except that you're the evil witch that tore my family to shreds, displaced an entire kingdom, and tried to kill my son!" Emma said her tone sardonic.

Regina drew herself up to a regal stance, her face was closed off, and her lips were a thin line of displeasure. She stood wincing as she tried to put pressure on her sore foot. She would dearly love to blast this insipid twit, but she was trying to be good for Henry's sake. She ignored the pain and walked slowly toward the exit.

Emma felt bad as soon as the words left her mouth. She wanted to say something to take them back. She knew that Regina had been trying to change. However, the woman goaded her so damn much. She felt responsible for Regina's heartbreak with Robin, and the guilt was mixed with anger; because she didn't feel like she could tell the brunette woman how she felt. Regina never gave her the chance. Emma noticed the woman favoring her damaged foot and moved towards her.

"Regina let me help you." Emma sighed, ready to put this whole thing behind her.

"I am fine Ms. Swan," Regina said, her foot hurt like hell. However, as she assessed, there were no broken bones or sprained muscles. She knew it would be fine. She figured the more she walked on it; the more the soreness would ease out of it.

"No, you're hurt." Emma insisted.

Once again Emma's feet betrayed her, and she stumbled into Regina, knocking her off balance. Regina staggered, and avoided Emma's desk by a few inches. She turned around, brown eyes glittering with anger

.

"Ms. Swan is it impossible for you to follow simple orders? Are you really that handicapped?" She snarled.

"I was just trying to help you!" Emma said.

"Help" Regina sneered, "That's your problem, you are always trying to help; rushing headlong into things with no discipline or control, not listening to those around you who may know better."

The contempt in Regina's voice stung Emma. She glared up at her.

"I can listen Madam Mayor, believe it or not," She said her eyes narrowed as she stood back up.

There was a long silence. Finally, Regina cocked her head. She looked at Emma, studying her.

"Care to prove that Ms. Swan?" She said crossing her arms.

"How?"

"Meet me back here after you get done with your civil duties, and I will explain," Regina said, leaving.

Emma wanted to call after her, and tell her were to stick her challenge. She remained silent. She was nothing if not curious, and this had caught her interest. Not to mention, she enjoyed the view she got as the mayor walked away. Emma gathered her stuff, got into the sheriff's car, and drove off into the night. She tried in vain to focus on the task ahead, and to keep her mind from wandering towards Regina's wager. She failed.