A/N – Complete rot your teeth fluff with a little angst woven in, but not much. To be posted over the next four days in full. Happy Holidays!

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Chapter Title

Superpowers

Summary

"If you love hard, don't apologize for your superpower."

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Regina reached across the silk sheets in the dark of the room feeling for her wife and then her eyes snapped open to truth. The emptiness that filled her hands and now her heart was the alarm she had woken up to for the last year and seven days. She sat up slowly sinking into the harsh reality of another day looming and began to untangle her limbs from the blankets.

Then she simply sat and hugged her knees as sun began peeking through the lone crack in the heavy drapes. Seven days into another year of loss since the accident and only seven away from another Christmas alone, then a few more to another New Year, and every holiday that now held no meaning.

Regina forced herself to begin moving then, out of bed and into a hot shower they used to share every morning. Even though she walked in a straight line, it felt like a circle. So many circles the hours and days fell into this pattern she was living. Regina started the water and then pressed the button on the I-Pod doc station. The same playlist always met her ears each morning. Her wife's favorite singer Dido echoed through the steamy room as she began preparing for her day. Precisely after ten minutes the shower turned off and Regina stepped out, running her hands through wet hair to finger tangles. Drying her curls with a round brush into a sleek bob that rested at her jaw line and carefully applied makeup came next.

She paid extra attention to her eyes. Leaning into the mirror and peering closely at the dark circles that had found a home there. The lack of sleep was beginning to wear on her and what sleep she did get most nights was never sound. Sighing she gently dabbed on more concealer. War paint her wife used to call it and her heart pinched as those words floated away. Before hitting the light Regina sprayed a hint of 'La Bouquet de la Mariee' on her wrists.

A gift she'd given Kathryn on their wedding day and the only form of finery her wife had indulged in. It was near empty, she was still searching to replace the exact edition of this perfume. Hints of almond, rose, and vanilla would help carry her through another day. Her scent a balm on the cold numbness Regina had come to get used to.

She went into her large walk in closet, completely ignoring the right side as she dressed. After the death she had left all her wife's things alone. A shrine her sister said and after six months she had finally let Zelena help her begin putting her wife's things away for safe keeping or as they had done with most things donated them. Kathryn had no family to speak of so everything was left to her.

After fastening her black designer ankle boots Regina turned and gave brief eyes to the empty shelves where hiking boots once rested alongside tennis shoes and the few pairs of simple heels that had been there. Cotton, flannel, and leather had hung above those shoes. The yang to her yin of silk and chiffon. They were—had been—the exact opposite of each other in taste and fashion, but together their differences only made them closer. For a faint moment Regina almost saw the woman she had slept alongside for five years bend to fetch a pair of invisible shoes from the bottom shelf. Blue eyes peered up at her under a thick fringe of blonde lashes. She smiled and then was gone again.

Regina shook her head to clear it. Turning off the light she left her ache in the dark as she descended from the third floor down the winding staircase of the Brownstone. Nestled in the Upper West Side of New York City and near Central Park, it was the exact opposite of what her mother would call chic. Homey and decorated in soft espresso woods, sage greens and creams, it was also private for being in the bustling city with its own entrance and a small gated yard in the back. Regina preferred private, especially lately.

With four floors and bedrooms to match it really was too big for just her. She'd thought of selling it a few months back, but the memories here still had too great a claim on her and as hard as they were to live with each day they were her strength and her weakness. In them and the brick walls keeping the world out Regina had found the comfort of solitude. Aside from the cleaning woman that came three times a week while she was at work she and her wife had hired together years ago and sometimes her sister, Regina allowed no one in her home. This was her respite away from the world and as rare as the time she spent in it was, what time she did she wanted to be on her own.

Kathryn had always said love was her superpower. A quiet strength Regina had that was all her own, but once given she gave all of herself with abandon. Now that power only gave her a sore heart where the other half had been ripped out.

Regina went around the great island in the middle of the kitchen to the coffee machine and picked up her cappuccino. Piping hot and right on time precisely at 6:50 it was ready and waiting for her thanks to the programmed timer. Ignoring the second black mug resting under the machine that would never be full again she leaned against the counter and sipped in the dim room.

The kitchen used to be her favorite place in the house. Where they would cook together and sip wine in the evenings over a shared dinner at the counter. They had entertained a lot in the past with their friends and her family, but none of that had happened for over a year. A piece of her missed the fullness of parties and gatherings they'd hosted, but even more so she missed the companionship of her other half.

The corner of her mouth turned up thinking about the way they has christened this room right when they had moved in. The way she gave an excited squeal at being lifted up in those strong hands to sit on the island and her wife began stripping her layers off one by one. They had made love on the counter and again in the many rooms that stretched between her and their bedroom. That had been a happy day.

Regina missed happy days.

Right at seven her phone buzzed and she left her partially finished mug in the sink. Going into the small foyer she donned her coat, sun glasses and purse. With one last look at the quiet tomb her home had become she forced her mask into place as the door opened revealing her driver waiting at the base, door open to a car that would swallow her up in the world of the living for the rest of the day.

An hour later Regina Mills exited the sleek black town car in the middle of downtown New York as dark as the sun glasses she didn't need in the crisp winter weather nipping at her cheeks. She ignored the driver tipping his hat as the door closed the door behind her. Sharp clicking of her Saint Laurent ankle boots against concrete cleared a pathway of people as she approached the double doors of Mills & Mills Publishing co. The double M insignia flashed in the light of the chandelier over head as the door men scurried to open both doors at her approach.

Clicking on marble toward the elevators she caught the first one open up to the top floor. In spite of the crowd waiting no one joined her for the ride up. And she preferred it that way. Regina began to delicately tug off her red leather gloves by the finger tips when the elevator dinged. The moment the doors opened she handed her gloves off her lead assistant.

"Good morning Mrs. Mills."

"Must we have this conversation every single morning?" Regina flashed cool eyes over Mary-Margaret Nolan as she shed her leather coat and silk scarf revealing an indigo pencil dress with small black buttons up the back and a sculpted collar. For as competent as the woman was at every other aspect of the job this simple thing was never correct. "I am to be referred to as simply Regina. I am not my Mother." Then in her mind. 'Nor am I a wife any longer.'

"Thank god for that. One devil around here is enough." A fluttery British accent cut the tension in the room as Zelena Mills spun around in Mary-Margaret's desk chair. She leaned back and propped her feet up on the desk with a smug grin.

Regina smirked. "That dear, is entirely debatable depending upon whom you ask." Known as the Evil Queen in publishing she was as shrewd with the scripts and business files that came across her desk for final approval as she was with the people who worked for her.

"This is the donation check I need you to sign." Mary-Margaret held up a clipboard somewhat timidly with a Montblanc pen, but straightened her spine under Regina's eye.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Regina asked finally easing her sunglasses down her nose to regard her sister as she signed the check, adding an extra zero to the original ten thousand when she saw it was for the Children's Hospital Charity gala. "I wasn't expecting you until this afternoon for the briefing on the Gold merger." It had been long time coming joining forces with that man and she wanted no detail in the multi-million dollar contract over looked. Robert Gold was a cunning man not to be under estimated. She walked into her office expecting her sister to follow.

"Lovely to see you too sis." Zelena rolled her eyes at the all business manner and got up to join Regina in the glass frosted office decorated in crisp black and white modern lines overlooking 52nd Street. The only color in the room aside from her sister's dress was a bowl of red apples on the coffee table nestled between two white leather chairs. Her moss colored eyes popped over her impish smile. As the company's head financial lawyer she was responsible for overseeing this shift for their family company her sister was more than stressed over. "And that is what we need to talk about—"

Regina turned sharply. "You have to be there." She couldn't do this on her own and as skilled as Zelena was at the job, her sister was also known for being somewhat flighty. When they had went their separate ways for collage, she to Columbia and her sister to a private one in England, that had been the longest they had ever been apart. Six years later Zelena had returned to New York with an accent that never went away. Zelena considered the accent posh, but Regina just thought it was over the top, but that was also just how her sister was.

"Don't get your knickers in a twist. I will still be there, but first I—"

A faint knock interrupted them as Mary-Margaret popped her head in. "Mrs. M…" Beginning and then under a sharp eye she corrected. "I—I mean Regina. There's someone waiting to see you."

"Ah, right on schedule!" Zelena clapped her hands once.

Regina continued moving about her office putting her purse away and skimming her morning agenda that was resting in the middle of her desk. It was considerably sparse compared to her usual schedule and she wondered over the lack of a note for the 8:00 hour of a meeting. "What appointment? Why is it not listed here?" Tapping the paper she looked down her nose at Mary-Margaret as the woman began to squirm. "You know I do not like unexpected additions to my schedule. Tell whomever it is to make an actual appointment."

"Cool the verbal fire balls GiGi." Zelena plucked an apple from the bowl well aware of the way her sister bristled under the childhood nickname. "She'll pee her pants if you keep on her at this rate. Just look at her—she's positively shaking like a leaf." Eying the white round rug on black marble near the door with meaning as she took a bite. It was no secret her sister went through assistants like a broker went through stocks. Mary-Margaret had lasted nearly three months and in spite of the sweet woman's lack of a spine she rather liked that cheery smile around this place.

Regina raised a single brow pursing her lips at her sister and tried to soften her next words to her assistant, but they came out clipped. "Fine. I'll make an adjustment." She detested unplanned meetings, preferring always to be ready and briefed for them. Order mattered greatly to her. She relied on it to keep her mind firmly rooted in the present when the past had a way of running off with her lately. "Who is it?"

Mary-Margaret gave a small smile under the wink from Zelena. "Her name is Emma Swan and she is very excited to meet you."

"Is this the interview for the assistant secretary position?" Regina asked. With the busy season for the end of the fiscal year rapidly approaching her primary office team needed the additional help. She always preferred to interview each team member herself. To weed out the weak for the strength of efficiency she expected in this business. Taking a seat in her chair she spun it around away from the eyes in the room as she gazed out the floor to ceiling windows finding solace in the open blue void of sky. "Send her in."

"But…" Mary-Margaret began and promptly shut up as Regina's right hand went up for silence.

"I said send her in."

Zelena shrugged at Mary and took another grinning bite of the apple. This was going to be amusing and she hoped a welcome change for her grieving sister. Ever since Kat's death just over a year ago Regina had been different. Aloof and cold. Preferring always to be alone. She missed her sister. One who told corny jokes when a little too much wine was had, one that used to smile easily and laugh at the simple things. The woman shrouded in darkness across the way was not her GiGi. The office door opened and her hope for some happiness for her sister walked in wearing a pair of well worn red converse.

From behind her desk Regina could hear rustling as the new occupant in the room sat down in the chair opposite her desk. She kept her eyes on the building below this one across the street. There was a tree garden on the roof she was fond of looking at. It reminded her of Central Park. Her eyes closed briefly in thinking. Of her. The way the wind blew that blonde hair from shining blue eyes. How when the sun hit that hair in just the right way streaks of wild strawberry appeared nestled in sunny tresses. How she missed—

"Excuse me Ma'am."

Regina's eyes popped open at the interruption. Her fingers steepled under her chin at the strangely high tenor and yet she did not turn around. More than being addressed as Mrs. Mills she detested Ma'am. "Regina is fine." She corrected coldly. "Tell me how many years of experience do you have that qualify you for this position?"

A pause and then. "Five and one-fourth."

Odd but interesting answer made one corner of her lips bow. "What skills do you possess?"

Another pause. "I can count to 100 by twos and sing my ABCs backwards. Wanna hear? Z Y X W…"

At this point her sister's snort echoed through her office and Regina rolled her eyes at that joke on her as she spun around with a sharp remark on her lips.

"V U T S—" Emma stopped reciting at the hand being held up across the desk. Staring for a moment she got on her knees on the chair and leaned over the desk to give the woman in blue a high five.

Zelena burst again at the shock on her sister's face. "You are absolutely perfect you little darling. Isn't she Mary-Margaret?" Winking again Zelena tossed the partially eaten apple in the trash and strode over. She much preferred the green to red ones. Leaning down she stuck out her hand to the spunky little blonde. "I'm Zelena Mills, but you may call me ZeeZee."

Emma smiled showing the single dimple in the left cheek. She liked nicknames and had a thing for them. "I'm Emma Swan but you can call me Emma." She liked this fire haired woman with bright eyes. She glanced back across the desk to the one who had wanted a high five from her. That woman was frowning at her, but there was something sad about those brown eyes that spoke to her little heart. "Hi." She waved. "Can I call you GiGi too?"

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Regina's jaw dropped. "How is this possible?" Gesturing to the closed frosted glass door at the figure sitting with Mary-Margaret on the other side.

Shrugging Zelena began to explain. "Let's just say you made a big donation..."

"I did?"

"Actually I did." Cora Mills entered through the adjoining door between her office and her daughter's.

Regina looked incredulously between them. "You two did this." Shaking her head with her hands on her hips. "Is this like a rent a child or something? How is that even legal?"

"Or something." Zelena began as their Mother shut the door and came to stand between them. "But it is a real program DSS is running again this year for foster children in group homes to experience what Christmas is like with a family."

If it was possible for her jaw to hit the floor it would have as Regina spun around away from her Mother back to her sister. Word family and the holiday too tender for her heart. Eyes wet. "If this is some kind of joke I swear—"

"It is not a joke Regina, now sit down before you give yourself an aneurism." Cora stated crisply and pointed back to the desk chair her daughter had vacated.

Obeying that tone Regina sat in a huff and crossed her arms and legs. "Well? Explain yourselves."

Zelena moved to perch on the edge of the desk to be closer to her sister. Knowing well that defensive pose Regina had. "We thought it would be nice for you to have someone other than yourself to focus on for the holidays. You used to talk about having a kid all the time before…" Trailing off as amber eyes misted to the point of near spilling. But none fell and were reeled back by a numbness that had all but stolen her sister away from her. Taking Regina's hand Zelena held, running her thumb along the back of cold white knuckles. That fist was too tight and she feared it would break soon unless something warm began to thaw her sister's heart. "She's yours from now until the day after Christmas and then you can make a decision to foster her or have her go back to the group home." Program was bloody brilliant actually, she thought. This was the second year the Department of Social Services was running it and with a careful prescreening process all of the children chosen to partake last year had found permanent homes. "It's like a trail to see if there's a bond. You know that thing you and Mother don't have?"

Regina's lips hinted upward at the joke, but only just. "Ha ha."

Sitting up some she gave a tolerant look. "Seriously though, how is it they would just hand off a child and to you two?"

"Not just a child, but the child you were matched with." Zelena explained. "I took the liberty of doing all the stuffy convoluted paperwork for you and the surveys. You two are a perfect match. Its positively cutting edge scientific or some poppycock shit like that."

Cora chimed in. "Zelena really." Then focusing on the quiet brooding in the room. "It will be good for you Regina. Besides you will need something to do with the next week off."

That made Regina stand right up from her chair, dropping her sister's hand. "Off? This is our busiest time of year and I never take time—"

It was Cora's turn to hold up her hand. "Enough Regina. It's been decided." Then softer as her daughter's eyes filled with ice and something else she'd seen too much there lately, pain. "Besides you have Emma to look after. She will keep you plenty busy I'm sure." Grinning slightly at the little blonde through the glass, rather fond of the idea of the girl already from what she had heard of the 'interview' through the connecting doorway.

Regina crossed her arms. When Mother got this way there was no changing that mind and arguing would only get her more time off that she didn't want. Time off meant time to think. Time in her home that didn't feel like a home anymore since Kathyrn's death. She shook her head, looking once more between her mother and sister. "What am I supposed to do with a five year old for a week?"

"Five and one-fourth GiGi." Zelena cut in. "Little mite seemed quite adamant over that part." Then serious as her sister gave her a slightly panic filled look. "Take her to a Broadway show or on one of those sickeningly sweet sleigh ride things with the jingle balls and horses in Central Park."

"Bells Zelena." Cora rolled her eyes at the brassy way her eldest daughter carried on.

"Bloody balls or whatever." Zelena nodded to the glass door where Emma waited on the other side. "But for today take her back to the Brownstone and get to know her."

Shifting in her heeled boots Regina took a deep breath. Stalling. "Isn't there some legal paperwork or something along those lines involved?" No one just gave someone a child, surveys or not. Her heart leapt in her throat at the idea of being responsible for one. She tended to adore children from a distance and did so through the various charities she donated to throughout the year. Now one was going to be staying with her for a week and an unplanned week at that.

In her home.

Zelena held up her hands. "Already taken care of. I have your Power of Attorney after all and with Mother's generous donation to DSS this year your background check and home inspection went off without a hitch."

Jaw dropped again. At the rate Regina would need a wire to keep it shut. "You had my home inspected without my knowing?" This whole thing just kept getting better and better. Leave it to Mother and Zelena to completely disregard her privacy. "You can't just—"

"But I did and it's done so roll with it for once in your life." Then Zelena nodded to the agenda book on a desk. "Mother and I have taken care of all your appointments for the next week and we are pushing the Gold merger back a week so you can attend." Not wanting her sister to worry or think they could make that move without her and she saw Regina lose some fight at the fact. "Trust me."

Regina said nothing. She did trust her sister. More than anyone, but…

Clapping her hands again Zelena grinned wickedly as Regina glared at her. "Oh don't turn green on me sis. Your face is a resting Grinch one lately." Spinning on her heel she approached the glass door. "Besides she's fucking adorable and feisty. She'll keep you on your toes and the week will fly by." Opening the door she called out into the hall. "Emma darling, come here."

Regina took a step forward to take one last stand. "Zelena don't. I simply cannot take her—" But paused at the girl standing in the doorway.

She took a moment to really look at the child. This Emma. Girl was dressed in a pair of jeans and a long sleeved yellow shirt. A brown coat in a size too small barely reached to the end of little wrists. Dirty sneakers with laces untied completed the ensemble. Then her eyes trailed back up to a crooked grin with a deep dimple and little hope filled green eyes beginning to fade framed by a tangle of blonde unruly curls. There was an impish wild sweetness there that made her heart flutter.

"You don't want me?" Emma asked, bluntly. She was used being turned down and as such she lifted her chin to try and keep it from wobbling. Something about this lady with the sad eyes made her feelings come out when normally she kept them hidden away.

"I—" Regina started and Zelena promptly cut her off.

"Of course she does darling." She stepped in and gave a glare to her softening sister. "She was just saying she cannot take you to a Broadway show without a grand outfit to go with the experience."

Emma began to bounce on her feet excited. "I've never been to a show like that before." Then she gave happy eyes to the brown ones that didn't seem so sad all of a sudden. "You will really take me?"

"Yes." Regina found herself saying and to more than a show. Those eyes made her want to keep saying yes to a lot of things. "We may certainly go to one if you'd like."

Emma took a few steps closer. "I saw on TV at the group home that Wicked was on someplace called Broadway here." Green eyes shined. "I love the wicked witch! She's one of my favorite villains, but in Wicked she's not a villain. Its supposta be about her real story." She liked stories and the hope of magic that came with them.

Smirking Cora looked fondly at Emma as Zelena cackled in perfect imitation of the OZ version. "Then you will fit right in. That one is known around here as such." Nodding to Zelena.

"Really?" Emma looked up at the tall redhead and dropped the backpack on her back at her feet. Digging through the broken back zipper pouch she pulled out a tiny paper notebook and stubby crayon. Holding both up. "Can I have your autograph please?"

Of course the crayon was adorably green, her favorite color and Zelena readily took it up and signed her nick name with a flourish. "There you are."

"Whoa! Cool, I can't wait to show my friends back at the group home next week."

Those words tugged a little at all the adult hearts in the room and the one feeling way too much at the moment spoke. "I guess we have some shopping to do for a show." Regina went to her desk for her purse while Emma said goodbye to her Mother and sister. Mary-Margaret entered with her coat and she put it on. As she approached the little blonde the child held out a hand in wait. Regina simply stared at it for a moment.

"Kids are supposta hold a grown-ups hand. It's a rule." Emma explained. She liked being helpful.

"She won't bite GiGi." Zelena mused and winked at Emma affectionately. "You're house trained too aren't you mite?"

Emma's brows scrunched under the question as Regina took her hand. "What's she mean?"

"Nothing important. Like the wicked witch of OZ that one blows a lot of hot air." Shaking her head Regina led Emma out of the office. This small hand in hers felt—

Ruby's voice echoed in a shriek down the hallway. "….Never put the drafts in order this way! The Evil Queen will have your head…."

The owner of the voice dimmed as they passed. Regina rolled her eyes at the head editor's comment. Ruby had a gift for words and was the best editor her company had had in a near decade. As much as that talented tongue was with sharp wit it was also one that kept her employees in check when she was not around. Term used to the young intern Ruby was chewing out was one she was well used to. Proud of even in her accomplishments.

She was one of the youngest CEOs at 36 in the publishing world and damn good at what she did. She had taken over for her Father three years ago after his death. Regina's heart gave a twinge thinking of him, but her mind was pulled to the present at the tug on her hand and the gasp from Emma. She looked down at the little girl, but did not stop moving until they got to the elevator. "What?"

"She called you Evil Queen." Hopping up to press the button to go down before a red glove could Emma smiled big as can be.

To infer the way the child had when her name had not been used made Regina's brow arch. This little one was smart. "That is the way around here. I take it as a compliment actually." Stepping into the elevator Regina watched the child carefully. "Does that make you think poorly of me?" For some reason that idea bothered her greatly." And she promptly shook her head at the idea that a five year old was shaking her resolve.

"Nope." Sure green eyes caught questioning brown ones.

"Why ever not?"

Emma shrugged one shoulder casually and answered just as easily. "Everyone knows villains have the most interesting stories."

The elevator dinged announcing the ground floor and Regina silently caught the doorman's eyes from across the way to summon her driver and car. "How did you acquire that conclusion?" She asked completely ignoring the way everyone was starting to stare at them. Head held high she slipped on her sun glasses to shade them out.

"Huh?"

The small grunt like sound gave Regina pause to rethink her question. Rephrasing in more child friendly terms she tried again. "What do you mean villains have the most interesting stories?" Making a mental note to remember to think before she spoke over the next several days as they approached the tall glass double doors leading outside. 'Several days—what has Zelena gotten me into?' She thought as they walked.

Emma began skipping to keep up with the fast pace of boots. "Cause they're like me, especially the girl ones." Bright eyes went big on the fancy black car that pulled up as she continued. "They are the Princess' no one saved."

The car door opened by her driver's hand and Regina felt Emma slip away from her to explore the inside of the car. Who was this strange child that liked villains and the idea of going to a compete stranger's house for a week? Then the unintended heaviness of the girl's words registered and her lips parted to speak, but nothing came out. A blonde curly head popped out of the back seat and again that hand shot out toward her. Swallowing feelings she couldn't name Regina let the little fingers curl around her own and tug her in the car.

The door closed after her and Regina buckled up and made sure Emma was fastened, wondering at how small the girl looked next to her. She gave directions to the driver to head to Saks as she settled in the back seat. Emma tried to sit still next to her but wiggled about. Child was an excited ball of energy and pointed to everything of interest out the window as they drove. Regina was a bit surprised the continuous stream of happy chatter didn't bother her in the least. Then a finger poked her shoulder.

"Why do you wear those? It's not sunny out." Emma asked, reaching for the sunglasses. Pulling them off the woman she held them up to her face and then tried them on. Her eyes drowned behind them.

Regina allowed the child to wear them a minute before gently removing them. "I like the dark." It was much more complicated than that, but she didn't feel like she could answer further at the moment. In truth they were a shield between her and the world. She felt safer, more in control hidden behind them. Had worn them every day since Kathryn's funeral they had become a part of the after that came with loss.

"Oh. I think they make you look like a super spy. Like you have super powers." Emma said and kicked her feet against the seat. "I have a super power."

Throat thick. "You do?"

"Uh-huh. I can always tell when someone is lying."

Strange power for a child to have and Regina wondered at its origin. "How did you get that power?"

"I've always had it since 'afore I was born." Emma insisted and sat up straighter as she saw Regina doing. Mimicking the folded hands on a lap too. Suddenly she wanted this lady to like her.

Adults liked manners and kids who didn't talk too much. Emma bit her lip. That rule she had already messed up. Then she remembered what her social worker said about this opp-er-tun-ity she had been picked for when dropping her off with ZeeZee. This was her one chance to have a family for Christmas. She wasn't sure what all that meant, but she liked the lady with sad eyes already and wanted to spend the holiday with her before going back.

"Emma?"

"Do you have a super power?" Asking because adults liked to feel important. The husky scoff in the seat next to her made some of the worry tension leave her shoulders.

Regina shook her head. "Not like that, but someone I used to know would argue that I do." Then quieter as blue eyes flashed in her mind's eye. "I am afraid I am rather boring. I don't have any powers like you do." Then reaching to tuck a curl behind Emma's ear so she could see those eyes better. "Now tell me. How did you come by yours?"

Wondering if she'd heard right. "You don't mind if I talk?" Getting a head shake Emma became animated. "My social worker Ms. Nelson says I have a motor mouth but I don't know how a motor is supposta fit in my mouth. I think it means I talk too much, but I can't help it when I get excited about stuff like the play we are going to. Are we really going shopping and to a play? I have never been to a play before so this will be an adventure!"

Laughter long suppressed filled the cabin earning a curious look in the rear view mirror from the driver. Regina felt a part of her soul loosen under Emma's unabashed chatter. "Yes dear. I have to look into tickets for tomorrow. Maybe we can do that in the evening with a sleigh ride in the park before hand." Her sister's agenda items didn't sound all bad. That would get them through a day of activities at least. Then she just had six more days including the rest of this one to figure out. Emma seemed delightful and easy going. Maybe this wouldn't be as hard as she thought.

"Wow!" Emma's mouth formed a perfect O at the idea. "And I thought today was awesome. Tomorrow is going to be epic!"

"Awesome?"

"Yeah." Emma agreed as the car slowed to a stop in front of a huge white building. "I got to ride in an elevator twice. Got an autograph from the wicked witch, and to ride in a car like the famous people on TV." She was used to subways, buses, and taxis or walking everywhere. This door to door stuff was a treat!

Regina remained quiet as her driver opened the back door and she got out. If those little things caused such happiness in this child what kind of life had this little girl had? She wondered over the girl's history as she led a chattering Emma into Saks department store. Zelena would know more and she wanted to call her sister then and there to get some answers. Emma tugging on her hand returned her mind to the present. Asking a sales rep where the children's department was they were directed to the third floor. The moment they stepped off the escalator Regina led the way to a rack of dresses on display.

Suddenly quiet Emma stood by her side as Regina thumbed the rack. "Do you see anything you would like to wear to the play tomorrow?"

Emma shrugged and bit her bottom lip.

Regina's brows furrowed wondering over the shyness all of a sudden. "Is something wrong?"

Blonde curls shook quickly.

"Emma I need you to tell me if something is wrong?" Softly Regina questioned and then a little finger beckoned her closer. Leaning down to be eye level, Regina waited. "Remember I don't have superpowers like you do. I need a little help here."

Considering that Emma tried. "I don't know how." Tight from pink lips.

"How to what?

Then blushing. "How to shop."

Oh. Oh. Regina felt her heart pull. "How about if we do it together? I'll hold up some clothes and you tell me if you like it or not."

Curls shook. "Not supposta do that." Emma explained giving wide eyes. "I don't wanna to get in trouble for being rude."

"Why would you be in trouble for telling me you don't like something?"

Emma rolled on the balls of her feet, shyly reaching a hand out to stroke the soft fabric of a green dress. "Cause you're supposta take what you get and not get upset." She recited what she had heard said at the foster home before the group home she'd just come from… or was it the one before that one? She had lost track over the years. "So I just take what I get."

"Have you ever gotten to pick before?" Regina asked and again that blonde head shook. Something more felt off and she pointed to the backpack Emma had yet to let go of. "Are your clothes for the week in there?"

A nod.

Not wanting to invade the child's space, but needing to know while they were here Regina asked one more question. "May I see?"

In answer Emma shrugged off the straps and fumbled with the zipper on the main compartment, opening it. Watching as Regina looked through it and the way red lips tightened and then smiled kindly at her. When it was clear the woman was finished Emma zipped it up and put it right back on. All her worldly possessions were in this bag and she wouldn't part with it for anything.

The two changes of clothes and a nightgown she was sure was too small for Emma along with a blanket was in that bag. Regina had looked at the tag on one of the t-shirts for a size to give her a starting point. Thumbing the rack again she held up a pink dress for Emma viewing. "Thumbs up or down?"

Little eyes narrowed in question, then understood. A slow smile bloomed across Emma's face hiding away the blush. She gave thumbs down. A red dress in the same cut was next and she gave thumbs up. Immediately taking a liking to the game. She could have choices, but not get in trouble for saying she didn't like something. This lady was a funny adult and not funny ha-ha like the cartoons on TV. Funny odd. Like her and she liked the idea very much.

Regina continued holding up a few more including a green silk one she thought perfectly matched Emma's eyes. She then moved onto more casual clothing. A sales rep came and took the load from her arms she began holding up jeans and sweaters, then overalls, and skirts and before she knew it they were on to coats and boots and underwear and socks then PJs before she led Emma to the dressing rooms hours later. Regina waited on a plush couch as Emma tried on a few things, but when it got to the dresses and more complicated buttons on items child clearly needed help. Girl managed most of the outfit and came out to be zipped or buttoned and to look in the full length mirror.

Over the next hour Emma had tried on a small wardrobe and an attentive sales rep that recognized Regina for who she was had begun ringing up the items and putting them in boxes. She handed her Amex black card and a hundred to the sales girl with instructions to ring her driver and have the boxes put in her car.

All the while Emma stood quiet watching. She had never seen so many clothes in one place before nor wore so many and brand new ones at that.

Regina saw that anxious little face, thinking she understood and knelt down. Taking a small hand she held it, running circles with her thumb on the back of little knuckles as her sister had so often done her when she felt similarly. "I think you needed a few more things to last you the week than two outfits. I hope you like—" Then two arms were around her neck choking and she gasped at the sudden and unexpected affection. Slowly she placed her hands on Emma's back. Fingers beginning to gently run through tangled curls. That reminded her they would need a few simple toiletry items for Emma that she hadn't seen in the back pack. She heard a rumbling then and pulled back.

Emma smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I'm kinda hungry?"

The apology and question of what should have been a statement was not lost on Regina. She smiled kindly and stood back up taking Emma's hand again. "How about we go out for lunch and then head back home?"

"To your house?"

And Regina realized her mistake. How easy it was to slip with that word and she pondered over it. "Yes, to my house." Taking out her cell phone she texted Mary-Margaret a list of pharmacy items she thought Emma might need and her thumb hovered over the screen taking a long look at the little girl toeing the floor in wait before her thumb flew over the screen adding a few more items from other shops to the list. Pressing send she put her phone away and smiled down at Emma, suddenly at a loss for what children ate. "Have you ever had sushi?"

Emma's face scrunched, but tried to remain polite. "Shoe-see?" Why would someone want to eat what they wore on their feet?

A no then. Thinking Regina began walking toward the escalator. She thought a back to when she and Zelena had been kids. Formal dinners with multiple courses flashed across her mind. That for sure was nowhere near Emma's reality of experience. Then she thought about Kathryn and why so suddenly she wondered about it as just the restaurant came to mind.

As they exited the building and began walking to the curb Emma timidly asked. "Can I have a cheeseburger?"

"A cheeseburger." Regina let the word sit in her mouth.

"Yeah!" Skipping again in excitement. "With fries and maybe a milkshake? A little one?" More willing to ask for what she wanted when it was more than clear her opinion was welcome.

"A cheeseburger it is." Regina confirmed.

The black car pulled up already loaded with the purchases. Emma smiled at the man who held open the door. She watched as Regina got in after giving instructions for the next stop and she began to follow, but paused. "Thank you Mister… Hey what's your name?" She squinted up at the blonde man in the black hat and suit. He looked so fancy, kinda like a prince.

"David." He offered an easy grin right back. "I'm Mary-Margaret's husband. I think you met her today."

Emma beamed. "I did. She's really nice." Then she looked at him closer liking the sparkle in his blue eyes. "I think I'll call you Charming." She waved at him and got in the car. Trying to do up her seatbelt, she struggled with the buckle and gladly let Regina help her as the door closed on them. "I like him." Pointing to the shaded screen sectioning the car off from the driver.

"Who?" Regina slipped her sun glasses off and regarded Emma curiously.

"Charming." Pointing to the driver.

Curious over more than the nickname from Emma. "You only just spoke with him. How do you know you like him?"

"It's part of my superpower." She pressed her face up against the class looking up at the tall buildings passing with awe. "I can tell good people by their eyes." Then she looked back over her shoulder. "That's how I knew it was okay to go with you."

Quiet Regina thought about that. "What did my eyes tell you?" Now asked she shifted in her seat, not so sure she wanted to know.

Emma tilted her head for a moment thinking. "That you're sad but you don't wanna be." Then she turned back to look out missing the way those brown eyes misted in her wake. Before she knew it they were stopping again and the door opened for them. She followed Regina who had put the sun glasses on again into a restaurant with a black tent over the door. A man, in what her best friend Jasmine would call a penguin suit, opened the door for them. She tugged on Regina's hand then. "Why does everyone open doors for you?"

Regina smiled down at Emma's sweet question as they easily stepped to the front of the waiting line and were shown to a quiet table near the window. She dined here frequently enough on a regular basis that there was always a prime table ready for her.

Child looked back at the line and then up again. "And how come we got cuts and no one got mad?" A chair was pulled out by a man in the same suit as the door guy and Emma plopped down on it. "Thank you Mister."

Regina smiled at how polite Emma was and before she could answer the girl's eyes went wide.

"Are you famous? Is that why you wear sunglasses?" Thinking it must have more to do with liking the dark.

Chuckling with a small nod to the waiter as she accepted a menu Regina gave her drink order and turned to Emma. "In a way, but not how you are thinking. Would you still like that milkshake?"

Grinning Emma wiggled to sit up. Showing her dimple and the gap in her bottom teeth she nodded. "Chocolate?"

The waiter looked at Regina and she nodded giving the rest of the order Emma had mentioned wanting before requesting her typical salmon and bok choy with lemon. But the way Emma looked at her made her pause. "Is something wrong?"

"I just thought you'd eat one too." Shrugging again.

A full beat passed before Regina took Emma's menu and bundled it with her own. Then slowly she slipped the sunglasses down and folded them. With a grin to Emma she spoke. "Make that two cheeseburgers and french fries. But I'll trade the milkshake for a small salad."

The waiter left then and Regina took the folded napkin and draped it across her lap, noting the way Emma was copying her. Then she returned to the question asked when the waiter had arrived. "I am well known in my business, but I am by no means a celebrity. My Mother and I run a publishing company for books."

"ZeeZee said that you run the whole show so I thought you might be on TV. I like stories. I bet you get to hear them all day at your job." That sounded wonderful. Emma used both hands to sip her water and frowned when she noticed the piece of yellow fruit floating in it. How'd that get there? And she plucked it out with her fingers to put on a napkin.

Regina hid her amusement behind a hand as she watched Emma puzzle over the fruit. Watching what were quickly becoming apparent to her as firsts was both heartwarming and entertaining, also a little sad and again she found herself wondering over Emma's past. "While we are waiting for our food will you tell me a little more about yourself?"

"But you know the 'portant stuff already." Emma assured sipping her water again. "Like my superpower and I can say my ABCs backwards."

"I do, but I want to know the other things too." A bread basket arrived and Regina noticed how Emma dove for it. One roll in each hand and little teeth took a bite of one and the other disappeared in the blink of an eye under the table. And had Regina blinked she would have missed the motion entirely and she pondered over it. A sly peek she managed while taking a drink showed a partially open backpack on the floor against Emma's chair. She didn't comment as Emma slipped the roll into the bag and began speaking.

"I like yellow and red. They are my favorite colors. I like grilled cheese 'cause it's the bestest to eat and cheese burgers and I know how to spell big words like Mississippi. See—M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i."

"That is a big word." Impressed Regina took a sip of sparkling water as Emma took two more rolls. One was eaten and the other made it from a plate into the backpack. "Do you like to read too?"

Emma shrugged and readily changed the subject. "What about you?"

Regina told a little more about her business and the things she enjoyed doing such as reading and walking in the park. Their food arrived and Regina picked up her fork and knife and began to cut a small bite of the cheeseburger as Emma's head shook across the table. "What?"

Making a point to lift her cheeseburger with both hands Emma wiggled her brows. "You gotta do it like this Gina." Trying the nickname she'd decided on for the woman. "It tastes better this way. Trust me!"

And Regina Mills the Evil Queen of publishing put down her fork and knife in one of New York's finest restaurants to pick up the burger with her hands. Delicately she held it with her thumbs and index fingers. "Like this?" If only Mother could see her now and she chuckled with the thought. 'All that money on etiquette lessons wasted…' Mother would say.

"Mmhhmm." Emma nodded. "Now take a big bite and you'll see."

Opening wide she took the biggest bite she could. Ketchup dripping down her chin and she grinned chewing.

Regina raised a brow, but followed suit with a much smaller bite. The rich flavors and creamy sauces mingled on her tongue with the crisp crunch of lettuce. It tasted amazing and even more amazed was she as the skinny little girl across from her ate the entire thing. Including the French fries and chocolate shake. When not a morsel was left Emma leaned forward in a chair. Little knees had long since come to kneel up on it and elbows rested on the table. Regina couldn't correct any of it though her Mother would have by now she was sure had roles been reversed.

Pointing to the French fries and half a burger left on a plate Emma then reached for one. "Are you gonna finish that?"

Chuckling Regina wiped her mouth and reached for a napkin to catch the ketchup that had found a home around Emma's. Wiping the child's face she shook her head and a few more fries found a home in a stuffed little stomach. Her phone buzzing caught her attention. She pulled it out of her purse just as a text from Zelena popped up.

Zelena: How's your crash course in parenthood going sis?

Regina rolled her eyes and typed: Going well considering there were no per-requisites to prepare me.

Zelena: You have always aced every class you ever took GiGi and this will be no different.

Regina: Your spinster vote of confidence is so reassuring.

Zelena: Mean. Seriously though the little mite is growing on you already, isn't she?

Regina: Don't call her that. It makes her sound like a pest when she is nothing of the kind.

Zelena: Little doll then. I can see your Mama Bear claws flexing between the pixilated lines. Oh, I meant to tell you I left a copy of her records on your desk at the Brownstone.

Regina pursed her lips: You went into my home again without my knowing?

Zelena: Just for a minute while you were no doubt buying out the store for Emma. You gave me a spare key GiGi.

Regina smirked. Her sister certainly knew her well: No. You took the extra key from the junk drawer without asking the last time I had you over.

Zelena: That immaculate drawer with the color coded compartments was a junk drawer? Honestly you make Martha Stewart look like a complete slob. Anyway Snow White had the items you wanted delivered.

Regina: Snow White?

Zelena: I meant goody-too-shoes Mary-Margaret. It's what Emma said her nick name was while you were busy recovering from your surprise getting ready to leave the office. Wee doll has a fantastic imagination. Ta-ta sis. Mother Dearest is calling…

Regina smiled and put away her phone. Emma had by this time finished off the remaining French fries and had slumped down in the chair across the way. Food coma had taken over and Regina gladly laid her card on a silver tray the waiter came by with. By the time it came back and she signed the child looked ready to pass out. Regina stood and went to pick up Emma's backpack. Her gesture made the girl jump up, but the child allowed her to carry the bag as the little hand slipped easily into hers. As they walked to the car waiting she thought maybe, just maybe she could get used to this feeling.

This feeling of warmth taking over her heart.

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A/N – Do you like it?

Chapter 2 of 4 tomorrow.