Well, I leave you with my first fanfic in the world of Once upon a time. I hope you enjoy it. I'm a fan of sticking to the canon of things and I like the idea of finding the little moments in which SwanQueen remains subtextually during the different seasons. Small moments and dialogues to which I will surely be making references. I place the story at the end of season 6, before the temporary ellipsis in which Henry leaves Storybrooke.

This is a short episode, but it's just the beginning of the story.

I hope you enjoy it. BTW, English is not my native language, so I also hope to be doing it well.

I will be publishing often.

EPISODE 1: BACK ON TRACK

It's certanly weird how life happens just by itself, as if you don't have control over it at all. One day you're alone blowing a candle in your Boston apartment, and the next day you go back to your nice house and give your husband a hello kiss. Your husband, the one you met when you were accidentally sent to the Enchanted Forest, that time when you were trying to save your now-best-friend when she still was your fierce enemy. We won't even talk about the amount of villains that were beaten and the whole set of adventures during the past years.

It was remarkable to say, that after defeating the Black Fairy, Storybrooke had been living in an absolute peace and harmony for the past six months or so.

"Did you miss me today at the station, luv?" Hook asked, adjusting the strap of one of his navigation trunks.

"I did. Although you wouldn't have liked to go through training with Pongo today. I'm not so sure about all of that Archie's idea of turning him into a police dog anymore." Emma sighed, showing him the nibbled sleeve of her jacket.

"I told you so," said Hook. He walked towards Emma and took her by the waist with one hand and a hook, "I'm going to miss you."

"Not as much as you miss the sea." Emma smiled. "It's only two weeks. Enjoy it. You know this town has many ways to ruin plans, so it's better to do what you want while you still can."

"You make it sound like this is just leisure. Remember this trip also has research purposes" Hook said, reminding his wife that the expedition also aimed to investigate further one of the caves that Captain Nemo had found lately on the maritime border of Storybrooke. "If what Captain Nemo thinks, it's true, we can know once and for all, that Makara is on this realm as well."

"You don't have to sell me the story once again." Emma laughed and rolled her eyes. "No beast is roaming the seas of Storybrooke. Just enjoy your vacation, Killian." She said kissing his cheek.

"We'll see about that." Hook said proudly. "Because, my lady, once I find it…"

At that moment, Emma's phone vibrated with a call that, given her expression, she was clearly waiting for. Hook threw a sigh and continued packing, gesturing Emma to answer.

"Hey, are you ready?" Emma looked at her watch, checking the time while hearing the other woman complaints "I'm sorry, your majesty. Ten minutes aren't a crime. I had a little trouble with Pongo and some wife-errands to run. Look, this is the plan. I'll pick you up in about twenty minutes. I have David's truck to help Killian with some stuff he has to take to his ship." Emma said muttering the next comment. "Uhm, no he hasn't left, we're actually dropping him in the port." There was silence on the other side of the line. Emma bit her lip and smiled once she got an affirmative answer. "Great. See you in a bit."

"Dropping me?" Hook teased. "In the old times women waited in the shore, crying while their men sailed away.

"I'm not the crying type." Emma joked and both smiled.

Hook started to load his luggage in David's truck and Emma placed a box of colorful and bright objects on the other side of the trunk. "It's going to be a great party, huh?"

"Well, it's been quite a journey for Rubes and Dorothy." Emma answered almost excited. They had all prepared a small party to welcome the couple, after they had decided to come back to Storybrooke.

A while later they both parked outside Regina's mansion. Hook beeped the horn about three times and Emma threw a death glare at him "Hey! Stop." To which Captain Jones only laughed heartily. He was actually in a very good mood, knowing he would be back in the ocean soon. Regina opened the door indignantly and hurried into David's truck.

"Anyone would think you'd have better manners now that you're supposed to be royalty." Regina said squeezing herself next to Emma in the front seat.

"Nah. Once a sailor, always a sailor…" Hook said between teeth.

"Most probably." Regina adjusted her perfect dress and look out of the window.

Emma sighed looking ahead. From a time here, it was safe to say that the relationship between the former Queen and Hook had improved. They could both be in the same meetings and have a very friendly relationship between them. They even joked from time to time. However this was mostly during big gatherings. Emma had noted how when it was about them three only, there was a very evident tension floating around. Emma wasn't stupid, she knew Hook was a little bit jealous of Regina, and Regina had always considered annoying his rude manners, so Emma's fate was, pretty much, to just remain in the middle of these awkward once in a while moments.

They arrived at the Port and Emma and Hook got out of the vehicle. Hook made then a quick signal and two of his sailors went to assist him immediately to unload the equipment. Regina also went down to avoid wrinkles in her dress. She approached Emma, who was looking at her husband and his men as they were going on and off the ship. "Are you all right?" Regina said.

"Me? Sure, I'd lie if I told you I'm already used to this new married life. I guess I spent too much time by myself." Emma shrugged. "So, I'm actually okay with having sometime alone."

Regina smiled as if that statement had given her a little peace of mind. She was glad that her friend used to take things in such a relaxed way. Even though she knew that Emma wouldn't be one of those women who forget the world once they get married, she was happy to confirm that fact day by day.

Emma's friendship was for Regina, one of the most invaluable things she possessed, because the blonde was one of those people who showed her affection and loyalty with actions, and in a way that nobody else had done for her before. Regina knew that her redemption had been possible only because of the Savior. As if that was not big enough, beyond saving her heart, Emma had saved her life more than once.

Regina watched Emma approach with her husband for their farewell. While it was true that she despised Killian Jones a little less than before, it can't yet be said that she was happy to see him with Emma. She simply thought that the blonde could have done much better. She was a princess; she was a strong, independent, beautiful, loving woman. Why on earth Captain Hook? Besides that, it seemed too obvious to her that Emma's happiness was overly measured since she was with him. She even dared to think she had seen more life in Emma's eyes in the few moments she got to see her with Neil.

Emma and Hook started speaking with closeness, gave each other a hug and kissed goodbye. Regina looked away immediatly to give them some privacy.

"Promise me that you will think about what I told you." Said the pirate, hopeful.

"About what?" Emma asked, distracted.

"Uhm, the baby thing?"

"Oh, yeah, that ... Yeah, right," Emma said giving her husband another hug, pushing him a few steps back. "We'll talk about that when you get back."

The former Queen gave a quick glance to the couple and returned to the interior of the truck. 'The baby thing'. She had felt her stomach sink. She breathed deeply. Sometimes, she was still assaulted by thoughts worthy of the Evil Queen, even though she knew for sure, it was not right at this point to feel so hurt and angry for someone else's happiness, especially Emma's. She closed her eyes trying to think about her own happy thoughts. She thought about Henry, when he was a beautiful baby and slept in her arms, when he took his first steps, when that same day he had embraced her lovingly before going to school.

The door of the vehicle opened and Emma got in, starting the engine immediately. After a couple of minutes of awkward silence the blonde spoke. "So… what?"

"So what, Miss Swan."

"Miss Swan? All right, what did I do?"

"Emma…" Regina said rolling her eyes.

"Killian isn't here anymore, you can relax now." Emma snorted.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Regina asked arching an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm not an idiot. I know you're not the happiest person when he's around."

"That is so not true!" Regina snapped.

"It's all right. I understand. A former pirate and Queen aren't exactly a match made in heaven." Emma said matter of factly.

Regina looked at Emma trying to make a point, and then she simply added "Former Queen."

"Nah. Queen. I'm sure I have that one right." The blonde answered sheepishly. And just like that Regina felt the little tension in her stomach became lighter.

Hours later in The Rabbit Hole, the meeting for Ruby and Dorothy was at its peak. Belle and Snow were talking with laughter, happy to have a baby-free time. Emma, was drinking a cold beer while Regina had opted for her classic Martini. Both chatted with Ruby, Dorothy and Zelena about Henry and his relationship with Violet.

"They've become so formal it's scary!" Emma said. "I mean, he takes her home EVERY DAY. And have dinner at home every Friday, either at my place or Regina's. With candles and home-made food."

"He is in love!" Regina smiled "And he is a Charming, what were you expecting."

"I'm a Charming and I weirdly get home-made food. I actually onle eat that when I have dinner at your house." Emma said, noticing the knowing look that Dorothy and Ruby were addressing to each other. Emma rolled her eyes and added "Geez, Gina, I never thought you'd be so calm and cool about Henry's love life."

"I just think we all should enjoy the good things in life while we have them. Life has taught me that." Regina said with sudden watery eyes, then she turned her look quickly away pretending she dropped something to the floor, and Emma, always to the rescue, raised her beer.

"To enjoying the good things in life!" The blonde exclaimed, followed by the pounding of others' glasses. Regina reassembled immediately and joined her glass to the toast, giving her friend an expressive look.

"So, Emma. How's the married life?" Ruby asked curious.

"Pretty much okay. It's quiet, it's… it's peaceful. Killian is a great companion. That's for sure." Emma said with a measured smile.

Ruby smiled with raised eyebrows. "Sounds cool."

Emma nodded a bit taken aback with the slightly sarcastic tone of the answer.

Zelena pursed her lips trying to suppress a smile and chose to divert the conversation. "Well, I cannot shut up anymore. I want to take this moment to give personal news. The following week I start a new job as the personal assistant of the Mayor!"

Regina sighed and rolled her eyes. "For which I must clarify that there is no nepotism involved. Zelena, in fact, proved to have excellent job skills. "

The other girls laughed lightly. Emma looked at Regina almost tenderly, seeing her worried about clarifying details that no one else would care to explain.

They spent a while chatting about trivial things that made them laugh out loud from time to time. At some point in the night Zelena and Ruby began to seem a little bit hammered, emitting small snorts between laughter as they animatedly asked for one more round of drinks. Emma had stopped drinking, realizing the night would most likely end in need of a designated driver. Anyway, she was now uneasy because she had noticed that Regina seemed distant, as if she tried too hard to seem interested in the conversations.

An unexpected thing came a little later, when Emma was comming back from the W.C. and someone took her by the hand and pulled her towards the other side of the bar. It was a very drunk Ruby. "Whoa. Hey, what's up, Rubes. You okay?"

"Oh, Emma. little, little Emma. Do you know I was supposed to be your godmother?" Ruby laughed, then continued before Emma said anything. "I have an honest question. A very honest question. How did you do it?"

"Uhm. How did I do what?" Emma said throwing a glance at her table, where everyone else were talking with each other.

I couldn't believe it when I knew that you really married Hook. I couldn't believe it. How could you? Is not right. No. It's not right. The whole thing with Regina was there!

Emma snorted and gave a little smile. "You're drunk Ruby, come on, let's go."

"No! I'm not stupid, I smell these things. It was very obvious, even for your mother, we talked about it like a million years ago."

Emma frowned and sighed, without knowing exactly what to do with that information at that moment. 'They talked about it?, they actually spent a time talking about it?' Had it been like her mother being worried about thinking she had feelings for Regina? "Look, Rubes. Let's not talk about this now. I mean, It doesn't make any sense. I'm happily married, remember?"

"Peacefully married…" Ruby laughed.

"Whatever. Come on."

They returned to the table and paid the bill almost immediatly. After that Emma dropped each of the girls at their places, leaving Regina last but not least.

Emma gave her a look as she drove "You seem off."

"Do I?" Regina answered looking out of the window.

Emma remained silent for a moment, she was never entirely sure when she was going too far with the former queen. It was as if sometimes she felt their good relationship hung on an invisible and fragile thread that she was terrified to break. Then on other occasions, Regina seemed so affable and relaxed that Emma could actually say any nonsense without repercussions. This moment, however, was the first type.

She finally parked outside the mayor's mansion. "You know you can talk to me, right?" Emma said.

Regina looked at the blonde and her eyes turned watery. "Emma. I can't stay here anymore. Sometimes I feel this isn't good for me." She looked down and after a brief pause she continued "I'm thinking I should go back to the Enchanted Forest."

And there, just at that moment, Emma felt as if her guts, blood and heart were going into a deep dark hole.