This was originally written as a one shot but it ended up too long and is now split into chapters. All of which are already written. Depending on the response I can either upload all in one go or upload a chapter each day. Let me know what you think! :)

Brief mention of CaptainSwan but nothing major.

Affection

Chapter 1

Letting out a deep sigh while bracing herself for the smothering that was due from both her parents, not to mention the concern from her son to whom she confided to on what she was planning to do, Emma twists the door handle and steps inside the small loft belonging to the Charmings.

Glancing across from the couch having clearly waited despite any excuses, Snow nudges her husband on the arm and stands. "Emma honey..are you okay?"

Frowning, the blonde raises an eyebrow before turning accusingly towards her sheepish looking son who appears from the stairs. "Henry..."

"They knew it was something to do with hook..grandma guilt tripped me!" The boy argues desperately while staring back in shame.

Waving a hand half heartedly towards him, the town's sheriff drops the matter, prompting the boy to make himself scarce at the conversation which is bound to happen as Mary Margaret steps forward in an attempt to embrace her daughter.

Flinching slightly as her eyes widen in panic, Emma holds her hand up. "I'm..okay..it was coming anyway..I'm fine really..I just want to get on with it.."

"Oh..okay..but I'm here, if you want to talk.." Deflating with a hurt expression, the short haired woman backs down then shares a look of worry with David.

"You know what, I'm just gonna head to work. .distraction and all that.." The blonde announces while making her way back to the door. "Can you let Henry know I'll be home for dinner or if he wants we can go granny's..maybe Regina could come..either way let him know.."

"Of course honey.."

Giving her parents an unconvincing smile to try and reassure them, the sheriff heads out and back to work.

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Racing through the front door and closing it with a slam, Henry Mills looks frantically through the lower floor rooms of the mansion. "Mom?!"

Having heard her son's panicked call from her study, the brunette mayor rises from her desk quickly and hurries out the door. Looking over in time to catch the boy poking his head through the kitchen, Regina walks up to him. "Henry? What's the matter? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Grabbing at Henry's arms to turn him towards her so she can inspect him, the former queen stares at him with fearful eyes at the prospect of something being wrong with her prince.

"Mom, I'm fine. It's ma, I'm worried about her and I was hoping you could maybe talk to her?" Henry asks while staring back at his brunette mother with sad eyes.

Sighing in relief that he is fine, Regina then frowns as she strokes his arm in a comforting manner. "Why are you worried about Emma? If somethings happened, it might be better to ask the pirate for help"

Shaking his head abruptly at the idea, the growing boy replies."No! No..that wouldn't be a good idea as its to do with him. Ma broke it off with him..but she seems sad and as usual, pushing people away.."

"That does tend to be a coping mechanism for her, but Henry, of course she is going to be sad. Whether we liked the pirate or not, Emma did and so it must have been tough to break up for whatever reason she had.."

Shrugging lightly, Henry sighs. "I just hope it wasn't because he cheated on her or hurt her in anyway..I knew she was going to do it. She told me because she wanted to make sure I'd be okay with it incase I saw him as a father figure"

Chuckling in disbelief, Regina wraps an arm around her son's shoulders to give him a squeeze. "Always putting others first and I'm sure she can handle her own..but if he did do anything to hurt her or cheat, he will be receiving another hook from me" the mayor glares as her expression turns dark at the thought, which does not go a miss by her son.

Appearing hopeful, the soon to be teen questions. "So...can you talk to her? Please? She did say something about dinner and if I wanted you could come?"

"Of course I will. What time shall I be there?"

"Six?"

Nodding, the mayor smiles reassuringly. "Six it is. I take it the whole situation is why your mother is currently at work on a Saturday? I keep receiving emails on reports that I've asked on"

"She said she would finish at 5 for dinner. I think she's just trying to forget what's happened.." Henry explains, sad for his mother.

Tilting her head to the side to kiss his temple, the brunette pulls him into a proper hug, squeezing him tightly. "I'll talk to her tonight Henry, she will be okay"

Hugging back, the boy smiles a little at the support. "Thanks mom"

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Standing on the dim lit porch belonging to a certain swan, Regina clears her throat to prepare herself for the possible argument that could come about over her questioning in regards to the blondes break up. Knocking quickly, the brunette scans the quiet street for any nosy gossips before turning back as the large wooden door is prised open.

"Regina?" Raising an eyebrow curiously, Emma then frowns before checking to see if anyone else is with her. "I know you have a tendency to be on time for everything but you're actually early. I told Henry that dinner wouldn't be ready until seven.."

Realising what their son has done, the mayor chuckles lightly. "It would appear he had other ideas..can we talk?"

Looking slightly uncertain, the blonde then steps aside hesitantly to allow the woman access into her home. "Okay...should I be worried?"

Stepping inside the house, Regina smiles at the rather scared look upon the sheriff's face as the door closes behind her. "No dear"

Still a little wary, Emma gestures towards the living room then stands awkwardly as the brunette places herself elegantly onto the couch. Trailing her eyes up to meet the blondes, the mayor purses her lips in wonder before sighing. "Sit down Emma"

"Here we go..." Muttering quietly, the blonde rolls her eyes as she sits down beside the smirking woman.

Composing herself in a more sympathetic manner, Regina shifts her body slightly to face Emma then speaks. "I heard about you and the pir-..Killian..and I wanted to make sure that you were okay. You have quite a few people concerned over your reaction towards it all, myself included"

Scoffing, the sheriff shakes her head. "You haven't seen me to make that judgment Regina"

Hearing the blondes defensive tone, the mayor bites her lip. "No..I haven't but I have been in contact with you. You've just broken up with a guy you've been seeing for the past few months, not to mention everyone kept saying how perfect you were together..but here you are blocking it out and working which I'm fully aware of as you have emailed me at least eighteen times this afternoon. You are never normally that dedicated to you're job or should I say paperwork?"

Glancing away embarrassed as the brunette as clearly seen through her like she always does, Emma confesses quickly. "We never even kissed.."

"I'm sorry?" Staring wide eyed, slightly taken back, the brunette waits patiently for the woman to continue.

"Why does everyone assume we were perfect when we never even kissed? Yes, we dated but..it was the chase he enjoyed.." Shaking her head in disbelief, the blonde looks to her lap as she begins fiddling with her hands. "Up until recently that is..then he did the unthinkable..he actually wanted more, a relationship and I'm just not..interested in all that, I can't put my trust in all that..he's just a friend.."

"A friend like me?" Regina questions with a doubt to her voice. "Someone who has done a lot of bad in their past who you are finding hard to trust?"

"He is nothing like you. You have come further than a lot of people would ever imagine and I'm proud to call you my friend, and I completely trust you" the sheriff states while expressing a serious look.

Leaning over to grab hold of the blondes trembling hand in thanks, the mayor smiles as the woman stills, not in her usual tensed way but in a relaxed way. "Me too..it's safe to say we have both come so far"

"Yeah..I just wish I could shake all of this off and catch a break you know? What is wrong with me?"

Picking up on Emma's voice attempting to break, Regina tugs gently at the hand she is holding and wraps her arms around her friend. "You'll be fine Emma. You're strong..don't push yourself so hard..just because you didn't want a relationship, doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you"

Sinking into the woman, the blonde clings to her back as she rests her chin against the brunette's shoulder, revelling in how much she feels safe sitting in her arms.

Backing away from the doorway having returned for dinner by his grandparents, Henry smiles to himself at the fact his blonde mother seems to finally be letting someone one in.

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Sliding into an occupied booth beside her son within granny's, Emma places her coffee mug down and smiles towards her parents. "Hey, you guys haven't ordered yet have you? Regina is going to meet us here"

"Oh, no we haven't.." Mary Margaret replies with a curious gaze. "Regina is having breakfast with us? Didn't you three have dinner last night? And the night before that?"

Scratching the back of her neck nervously, the blonde nods. "Well..yeah but what's the difference.."

Agreeing with his mother, Henry smiles. "It's all food.."

"Is that a problem?" The sheriff questions with a frown.

"No, no..no problem" the short haired woman holds her hands up with a smile.

"She's my friend, not to mention Henry's mother.."

"Emma honey you don't have to justify it to us"

"Your mother is right..it's good that you're out and spending time with friends" David concludes with a joint smile.

"Instead of wallowing over hook you mean.." The blonde remarks before lifting her coffee mug.

"Never wallow over a man Emma"

Lifting her gaze towards the brunette who has arrived, Emma offers a small smile as the woman slides into the last remaining seat beside her.

"I'm not..you know that. I just, it's the situation of it all. He's probably all moping around his boat drunk on his rum and all I keep getting from people is that 'we were so good together, why is it over?' It's frustrating" the sheriff explains while running a hand through her hair with a sigh.

"Then just don't listen to them. Walk away dear.." Reaching across hesitantly, more due to the fact that the woman's parents are sat opposite, Regina pats her arm before giving it a comforting squeeze.

Offering a smile of thanks, Emma looks towards the mayor grateful and completely oblivious to the curious stares that her parents are currently sharing.

Removing her hand to take it back, the mayor clears her throat at the awkward silence then signals for the waitress to come over so they can order. Also picking up on the awkwardness, the blonde looks down to her menu before lifting her head, wide eyed, at feeling a set of eyes on her. "What?"

"Oh nothing.." Snow replies rather too quickly with a smile.

Wrapping an arm around his wife shoulders and giving her forearm a rub, David joins in while trying to hide a smile. "Nothing at all.."

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As the dysfunctional family leave the diner once breakfast is finished, the sheriff grabs hold of her son by his neck playfully, looping her arm across him and grins at his smile as they exit the gate. Watching by the side of the pair, Regina at first smiles then chuckles at the childish behaviour that the mother and son seem to share while Mary Margaret and David trail on behind the trio.

Too invested in their 'play', Emma frowns as Henry comes to a halt in the street then follows his eye line towards the approaching pirate. Looking as the rugged man connects with her stare, the blonde sobers from her childlike state and stands speechless as Regina comes to her side for support but remains silent. Her parents also stop in their step and watch as the scene plays out.

"Hi.." Henry breaks the ice as Killian also comes to a stop before them.

"Henry.." Nodding his welcome while continuing to stare at the boy's mother, the pirate speaks again. "..Emma..."

Responding quietly in barely a whisper, the blonde looks down with guilt. "..hey.."

"Henry.." Gesturing towards her son, the brunette woman steps out of the tense circle. "Why don't we.."

"Don't leave on my behalf your majesty" Killian pipes up as he finally breaks contact with Emma. "Besides I have things to be getting on with..." Moving to walk around the group, the pirate stops at hearing his name being called.

"Killian..I'm sorry.." Sighing, Emma tries to shake off her guilt.

Shaking his head, Killian peers over his shoulder. "Nothing to be sorry for love..better it was said now before it was too late. I mean it wasn't like it was ever going to mean anything. It wasn't serious..or love for that matter.."

Frowning conflicted, the sheriff questions. "It wasn't? I thought you.."

"It wasn't personally Emma..yes it would have been nice to settle down but I think we both know we just settled for the sake of it. It would have been wrong for us, so don't feel guilty about it. Just be happy, that's all I want for you and the boy. You never know it might be right in front of you.." The pirate states with a subtle look towards the mayor who crinkles her brow at the suggestion.

Watching as the man moves to head on, the blonde bites her lip. "Goodbye Killian.."

As the man disappears from sight, Regina takes a breath in which she had been holding. "I need to get to work. Henry, you're bus will be here in a minute.."

Simply nodding, the boy gives his mother's a hug each before waving at his grandparents and heading down the street towards the bus stop.

"I think maybe you should take the morning off, I have the station covered" David informs as his touches his daughters shoulder.

Shrugging it off, the blonde shakes her head. "No. I'm fine..lets go"

Ignoring the response, the deputy bids goodbye to his wife. "Okay then"

As the pair walk down the street towards the station, Mary Margaret and Regina both watch curiously.

"She must really trust you"

Turning to face the short haired woman, the fellow brunette raises an eyebrow. "I'm sorry?"

"Emma. She must really trust you" Mary Margaret states again as she also turns to face the woman. "It's obvious..she can be herself with you"

"Mary Margaret, what are you talking about?"

"She doesn't flinch with you" the concerned mother explains sadly.

Looking even more confused, Regina replies."I..I don't get.."

"When you try and comfort her..she doesn't flinch..if David and I attempt to hug her or show her some sort of affection, she removes herself or jumps as if she is scared of getting burnt. With you, she doesn't do that. Like at breakfast, you took her arm and all she did was smile..and just now, David tried to touch her shoulder and she backed off"

"Oh..I guess I never really thought about it..or saw it. I..I apologise if I'm overstepping, I won't-"

Growing panicked, the short haired woman takes her arm. "No! Please do. It may be difficult Regina but at least we know she has someone. Like I said she must really trust you"

"She can always talk to me like I know I can talk to her. I care for her..not just as Henry's mother but as a friend" avoiding Mary Margaret's intimidating smile, the mayor looks down the street. "I need to get to work"

"Okay. See you later" continuing to smile as the brunette continues to avoid her stare, Mary Margaret then waves as the woman begins to head away from the diner and towards the town hall.

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Rising from her chair quickly, Emma reaches for her jacket and slips it over her shoulders. "It's 12, I'm heading for lunch and I'll quickly drop off those reports that Regina wanted...last week..."

Giving a chuckle, David rolls his eyes at how forgetful his daughter can be. "Okay. See you in an hour"

"See you then" turning out the office, the blonde heads down the corridor and out the main doors with a stack of files securely held under her arm. Walking up the steps of the town hall, Emma strolls inside and past the front desk, knowing that she needn't stop to ask permission as it was strictly mayor/sheriff business and pulls the office door open to met with a empty and packed up room. "..wha.."

"Oh sheriff! Are those the reports due?" Calling from behind the desk, having heard the office door open, the receptionist leans forward over the counter top. "I can take them for you, the mayor has gone home for the day"

Frowning in confusion, the sheriff backs up and heads over towards the desk, placing the stack of papers onto the surface. "Regina went home?"

"Yes. She was taken ill" accepting the files, the young woman explains as if everything is normal and with a slight shrug. "She was struggling all morning since about half 9"

"What?!" Eyes widening, Emma rushes towards the exit and hurries off down the street while pulling her phone out of her pocket and dialling the brunette's number, gaining no response. "Come on Regina..pick up..." Sighing in defeat due to the lack of answer, the blonde makes her way to Mifflin street and sprints up the porch steps to ring the doorbell.