Chapter 1

Standing against the bed as she loops then pulls on Neal's tie before fixing it into place, Emma looks down at the man sat before her. "I really don't think I should be going with you.."

"Emma..."

"No Neal come on..hear me out. It's really not my sort of thing..besides I have nothing formal to wear" the blonde explains with a desperate plea to get out of going.

Placing his hands onto her hips, Neal then stands. "You think it's my thing either? Emma, it's business and in business, you don't get a choice on the matter besides I want you there and so does your father. We have an image to uphold after all and as for your dress, I had one ordered that is currently hanging on the banister"

Sighing in defeat, Emma looks down. "I know we have to do it for the company but..technically I'm not a part of it..only by name.."

"Only by name?" Throwing his arms in the air, Neal rubs one hand against his neck in frustration. "It's more than a name, we're married! You're my wife! And married couples support one another"

"I'm not disagreeing with you Neal but I have been supporting you for nearly 2 years now. When is it my turn?!" The blonde remarks with equal frustration.

Stepping forward, Neal shakes his head as he whispers close to her ear. "Don't be ungrateful..I have given you everything that money can buy"

Biting her lip while trying to stand her ground, Emma mutters quietly as she begins to lose her nerve. "I'm not complaining about that I just..I..." Looking into her husband's eyes, the blonde deflates. "..I'll go and get dressed.." Circling around Neal, Emma heads out of the room leaving him behind smiling in triumph.

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Glancing down upon herself at her deep red cocktail dress, sequinned bodice and sheer neckline, Emma passes her coat over to the cloakroom assistant then exhales nervously as she watches Neal smile over and hold his arm out. Looping her arm through, the blonde walks through into the main hall of the hotel while being guided by her husband towards a small group of people stood in a circle, making small talk while nursing their whiskeys and wine.

Greeting the group, Emma puts on a small smile and accepts their gestured handshakes of welcome then scans the room curiously while Neal begins to talk business.

"Sweetheart why don't you go and get us a drink? This could take a while as we have some business to discuss"

Nodding towards Neal, the blonde releases her arm from his hold and makes her way towards the bar, smiling at a few head nods along the way. Clearly there were a lot more people who knew of her than she did of them. Reaching the counter top, Emma waits briefly before being approached by a bartender for her order.

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Leaning against the counter at the corner of the bar, circling the rim of her wine glass with her finger, bored, Regina Mills sighs tiredly. Lifting her drink to down the last of its contents, the brunette pauses midway as she spots a certain blonde across the room. Raising an eyebrow at how fed up the other woman appears to be, the former Mayor chuckles to herself then beckons the bartender to come over. Whispering in his ear and gesturing to where the blonde was stood, Regina then nods as he repeats what has been said. Watching curiously as the bartender pours the two drink orders that Emma had requested, he then whispers across to the deflated blonde to inform her that they have been paid for by the brunette in corner. Following the man's eye line, the blonde meets the older woman's face and gives a coy smile before nodding in thanks.

Turning to head back to Neal, Emma cannot help but wonder as the why the brunette had paid for her drinks then carefully nudges her husband's elbow as she reaches the group and passes his drink over. Trying her hardest to concentrate on what is being said, the blonde slowly glances over to where Regina was sat only to find the stool empty.

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Returning from the ladies room, Emma approaches the now enlarged group of people sat upon high, expensive looking arm chairs. Glancing up from his position, Neal smiles. "There you are..we were just discussing the prospect of moving this party onwards to a more relaxed atmosphere"

Smiling back, the blonde questions although knowing the answer already. "Pub?"

"Yes"

"Neal, your Mrs is a woman after my own heart. She clearly dotes on you"

Chuckling at his business associate, Neal nods. "Something like that..shall we?" Gesturing towards the door as he stands, the man yanks on his tie, loosening it slightly then wraps his arm around his wife's back to guide her out as the group begins to disperse and leave.

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Pushing the pub door open with a slam, the group hurry inside and towards the bar to order their drinks. Walking in behind, Neal looks towards his wife who seems to be scanning the area for anything bad. "Honey, why don't you go home? This isn't your scene..."

Frowning at the fact he made her go to the hotel but yet he's allowing her to go home now, Emma opens her mouth to respond.

"I'll be home by 1" her husband assures her with a grin.

Sighing, the blonde goes to leave but pauses at catching a glimpse of a brunette in the corner. Trailing her eyes to the end of the pub and into a secluded booth, Emma raises an eyebrow at seeing the woman who had purchased her drinks. "Actually Neal..I'm gonna stay..."

Looking to his wife confused as to why she would want to stay, Neal then clears his throat. "Okay..I guess..would you mind getting the drinks?"

Biting her lip to prevent a smile, the blonde nods. "Of course honey.."

Trying to figure out if she was being sarcastic, Neal gapes his mouth open to reply but comes up with nothing. Leaving, the man turns and make his way over to his business friends.

Strolling up to the bar, Emma orders their drinks then drops her husband's off at their table. "I just spotted someone I know..i'll be back.."

Waving his hand not caring, which for the first time is to the blondes liking, Neal continues talking. Heading back to the bar, Emma accepts her final drink and makes her way up to the back booth before placing the drink down onto the table.

Lifting her gaze to the blonde, the brunette looks confused before raising an eyebrow at who is stood before her.

"Hi..."

Clearing her throat, the older woman smiles a little. "Hello..."

"I...er...I saw you and wanted to say..thank you for the drinks back at the hotel...it was a kind gesture..." Emma explains nervously as she rarely gets to talk to other people that is not known to her husband's business.

"Oh, it was nothing dear..I saw you and well, truth be told, you looked as bored as I did and so I just thought.." Realising how weird it sounds, the brunette looks to the table embarrassed.

Letting slip a chuckle, the blonde nods. "Yes...that is true..I was. Anyway thank you, I just wanted to repay the favour.."

"Of course. Well thank you.." The older woman responds returning her gaze and smiling.

Nodding in acknowledgement, Emma turns to leave.

"Would you like to join me?"

Pausing, the blonde peers over her shoulder hesitantly. "Yeah...sure.." Placing herself in the seat opposite, Emma smiles causing the brunette to smile once again in a coy manner.

A/N: cont?