Title: Just a little lovin'.

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I don't own them, but I do like to play with them from time to time.

Summary: Post 'The Millers Daughter' Emma finds herself worrying, and constantly fighting her feelings for Regina, until she realizes that the feeling is mutual.

The amber liquid sloshed along the ice cubes as Emma rotated the cold cup in her grasp. The music was just loud enough to block out the multiple conversations occurring between the patrons of Granny's. It was a considerably large get together for Granny's, but Ruby refused to celebrate her birthday anywhere else.

Emma's thoughts were all over the place. Regina was always in the forefront, since she had pretty much cut off contact with everyone, including Emma. She called occasionally to talk to Henry, but it was always a short conversation and then goodbyes were exchanged.

She downed her drink, and then reached for a bottle to pour one more. She found these days were much more comfortable when she spent the end of the nights in the bottom of the bottle. Emma found it difficult to remember a time when her mind wasn't so cluttered that the only way to clear it out was by drowning in whiskey until she couldn't feel her face.

"Hey! No sad faces on my birthday!" Ruby let out a loud squeal as she threw her arms around Emma's shoulders.

"Sorry, Ruby. It's just.. Been a long day." Emma took a quick gulp of her drink, relishing the burn.

"You're thinking about her, again. Regina. Aren't you?"

Emma's eyes were locked on a bottle across the bar; she refused to make eye contact. "When I was twelve, I had a foster mother that kept me for almost two years. She was really sweet, but she was also really sick. She passed away in her sleep less than a week before my fourteenth birthday. I found her, and I held her. The other foster kid called the ambulance. It was the last time I saw her."

I know I shouldn't, but I can't help but feel like I should go to her, and be there for her. It was her mother, Ruby." Emma finally made eye contact, and the unshed tears in Ruby's eyes began to fall.

"Go to her. Try. I'll cover for you." She squeezed Emma's hand.

"Really? You think I should."

"Yes. She may be the evil queen, but she's still a person."

Emma threw back the rest of her drink and tossed her red leather jacket around her shoulders before sliding her arms through the sleeves.

"Thanks, Ruby. I owe you one."

Slowly finding her balance, the blonde began her trek to the door. She had a long walk ahead of her, and she was sure it was going to be a really thoughtful walk.

Her boots brushed against the gravel of the road and the wheels of her head began to turn. What was she going to say? Was Regina even going to listen, or see her? Why was she constantly thinking of her?

Before she knew it, she had arrived at her destination, and her hesitant hand was drumming against the door. After about ten knocks, Regina opened the door.

"What do you want?" A snarl tugged at her red lips. Her black dress was hugging every curve, and giving a great view of one of her finest assets. Emma found her eyes drawn to the blush of anger crossing Regina's neck.

"I just... How are you?" Emma's words were only slightly slurred.

"Miss Swan, are you completely inebriated, or just stupid?"

"I had a few drinks, but I really want to know," she watched as Regina's expressions changed, "I know things are a mess, but you shouldn't go through this alone."

Regina's mask slipped right back into place, the fire in her eyes ignited before she stepped closer to Emma.

"I wouldn't be going through anything alone if it weren't for your mother. So, don't come to me and pretend like you care. Run home to my son, and your happy little family."

"He is my son, too! And I am not here to listen to your angry bullshit. I am here to tell you that I care!"

They were face to face and neither one was willing to back down.

"You don't care, you just want to pretend that you're a good person."

"Don't tell me how I feel. All you ever do is scream about how unfair everyone is, and how much you want your revenge. Do you ever think about how unfair it is that I always believe in you, and you always prove me wrong?" Emma had pushed her way into the mansion by this point.

"I keep trying to believe you can do the right thing, and then five seconds later, I'm being forced to hold a fucking knife to your throat."

Regina's eyes were beginning to gloss over as Emma's words sunk in.

"I've never wanted something as bad as I want you to prove that you're the person that Henry wants you to be, the person that I have seen you be. Regina, you're a damn fine mother, and I know you're better than what they think you are."

Tears slowly dropped from Regina's eyes and Emma took the chance to step forward and place her hand gently against the Regina's tear streaked face. She knew that it was crossing a line, but she didn't care.

"I can't. I am not that person." Regina let Emma comfort her, which greatly surprised both women.

"You can be, Regina. And I believe in you. We can make this happen, okay?" Emma's smile was bright, but it slowly faltered as her words registered in her head.

"We?" Regina slowly brought her head up, the anger returning. "There is no we, Miss Swan. Your family has done enough here. My mother is dead, and my son hates me. I have nothing -"

"You have me, Regina!"

Before Regina had a chance to respond, Emma rushed forward and her lips crashed together. It only took a second for both to react, slowly pushing against each other before reality struck and Regina shoved the blonde away.

"What do you think you're doing?" Regina released as she caught her breath, tears stinging her eyes.

Emma shook her head, as she stumbled back, a hand weaving trough her hair to rub at her scalp. "I'm sorry. I don't know.. I just.."

"You're unbelievable."

"Youre right. I don't know... I just. I look at you, and its all I want to do." Emma glanced up, and brown eyes locked with hers.

Emma took another step away, hoping that the other woman wouldn't lash out any further. "I'll let myself-" a hand wrapped around her wrist.

"What is it that you want to do, Miss Swan, when you look at me?" Regina's breathing had increased and she kept her right hand around Emma's wrist.

"Regina.. I don't want-"

"No. Tell me.. Emma." Regina let the last word roll off of her tongue. Eyes met again, and Emma understood that she wasn't the only one feeling these things.

"I think about.. How gorgeous you are, how long I've wanted to kiss you. I think about how much I want you to be happy, and how much I would love to be a part of that." She took a step closer to the brunette for the second time, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I think about the past, and how happy I am to have found Henry, and how happy I am that he has a wonderful mother that gave him an amazing life. Regina," Emma put a finger underneath her chin and forced her to look her in the eye," I want you."

The blonde gently pressed her lips forward, a much softer kiss than earlier. Regina accepted eagerly, allowing her lips to shift against Emma's as she let her hand slip down to weave her right fingers with Emma's, her left hand resting against her cheek. Regina gently opened her mouth, allowing her tongue to sneak past her plump lips., and massage pink lips before its companion joined the game. They continued to gently taste each other until the need for oxygen separated them.

Regina looked deep into Emma's eyes and took a deep breath, "Miss Swan, would you please come with me upstairs."