A/N: I KNOW... I AM DOING IT AGAIN. I will go back to my other stories... but first...

Selections from an Old iPod

You don't know my Name ~ Alicia Keys

Baby, baby, baby
From the day I saw you
I really really want to catch your eye

First day on the job. I am proud of myself, even if Mother doesn't approve. Waitressing is not for the Mills'. But i needed money, and she used it to control me. I thought College would free me from her clutches, but the freedom I though Zelena had was just an illusion. So, I got a waitressing job close to campus, and work shifts to earn the money I require to live as a free adult should.

I began wiping down the counter. There was a lull in activity just after lunch. The bell over the doorway rung and I looked up to see a woman bundled against the cold. The scarf riding high on her cheeks. Blonde locks escaping from under her hat. She pulled gloves off her fine long fingers. Her short cropped nails perfectly manicured.

She walked toward the counter and sat right in front of me. Her green eyes glanced briefly in my direction and she smiled. She was beautiful. I found myself tongue tied as she asked for a hot cocoa. I nodded and headed to the kitchen to retrieve the order.

There's something special 'bout you
I must really like you
Cause not a lotta guys are worth my time

Emma, her credit card said. Emma Swan.

I smiled to myself when I learned her name. She was a truly graceful creature. Like her namesake. It didn't matter, I told myself it wasn't likely that I would ever see Emma again. There were millions of people in the city of New York.

She left after she drank her Cocoa, and never really glanced my way, as she was preoccupied with the texts on her phone.

Ooo baby, baby, baby
It's gettin kind of crazy
Cause you are takin over my mind

I went home that evening, yes tired to the bone. But with thoughts of her on my mind. Why? Mother waited for me to arrive. "Regina Dear, I have someone for you to meet."

It was an ambush I know, and may very well be the reason Emma emerged in my mind. My heart pounded because I knew mother was going to set me up again. With some prospect or another. The golden locks at the table were not ners. But none the less that woman was on my mind.

"Hello," I said to the man.

"Pleasure," the Man's accented english would have set me ablaze had the sound been coming from pink feminine lips. "Robin Locksley."

"Regina," I said out of politeness. "Pleasure to meet you." Robin could tell right away I was not interested.

Dinner was pleasant enough. Robin excused himself without an invitation to anything else. And mother stared daggers at me. I silently thanked God Robin was so perceptive and retreated to my room.

Minutes later Zelena knocked at my door. "Come in."

"You met someone." she said

I furrowed my brow. "I met a lot of people today Zee."

"So what is his name?" she asked.

What was she talking about? "Zee...I don't know what you are talking about."

"You look like when you met Daniel." Zelena said. "Word of advice, either grow some balls and go for what you want, or let go of this crush you are developing before Mother tells you he is not good enough."

I honestly didn't understand what she meant. Crush?

And it feels like oooooo
But you don't know my name
And I swear it feels like ooooo ooooo ooooo ooooo
You don't know my name
(round and round and round we go, will you ever know)

Crush.

"Fuck…" I breathe out.

"What's his name?" She asked gently. How does she know me better than I know myself? I know something that she doesn't though.

"Her name…" I whisper.

"WHAT?" Zelena shouts. Her jaw dropping and eyes bulging.

"Shhh… Zee!"

"Tell me everything!" So I did.

Oh baby baby baby
I see us on our first date
You're doin' everything that makes me smile

I was wrong of course. She comes into the diner almost every time I have a shift. She asks for the same things. She walks in with friends, Male friends, Girl friends. Portfolios in hand.

I serve her, and I fantasize that I was one of her friends. That her smiles are directed at me.

Once she came in with a Brunette. She led her into the diner, hand on the small of her back. Jealousy ran through me in a flash. She didn't come to the counter that day. That they she sat in a booth at the far corner with that leggy raven-haired Barbie.

It made me realize that while I was dreaming of her, and not approaching her because I was afraid of the rejection I could receive, I could have been with her all along.

And when we had our first kiss
It happened on a Thursday
Ooooo it set my soul on fire

I watched that relationship progress over the next few weeks. Then I would go home and close my eyes and dream that That girl was me. The words we would speak to each other. My mind calling out to my need for her to see me.

I would imagine our first kiss…

The lingering hot kisses of her soft pink lips.

Ooo baby baby baby
I can't wait for the first time
My imagination's runnin' wild

I lay in bed and imagine her breath brushing my neck. The kisses along the length of me. My hands search my nether regions and I imagine they are hers. All along imagining the words she would say as I fall into the oblivion of my climax.

It feels like ooooo
You don't know my name
And I swear it baby, it feels like oooo ooooo ooooo ooooo
You don't know my name
(round and round and round we go, will you ever know)

One Tuesday afternoon, I came in later than usual. Ruby was there and she had a grin on her face. I heard a commotion but I hadn't paid any attention to it. "Good afternoon Mrs. Lucas, Hey Ruby," I said as I got myself together for work.

"Regina, could you put this contest box on the counter. We are doing a raffle for a thanksgiving meal catered." Mrs. Lucas says.

"Yes Ma'am," I answered and began putting the box together.

"Your favorite spectator sport is on." Ruby said signaling at the commotion. "They walked in arguing."

I looked over and it was Emma and the brunette arguing. "Wow… what do you think that's about?"

"Beats me." Ruby said. "Ten bucks they break up."

"I am not taking that bet." I said and watched the demise of that relationship with a secret glee.

The brunette storms off. Leaving Emma behind to pay the tab.

It isn't long before she heads off.

"I'm sayin, he don't even know what he's doin' to me
Got me feelin' all crazy inside
I'm feelin like"
Owww! Ooooo Oooooo

She disappears for weeks. I give up on ever seeing Emma again.

I miss her. This yearning for her has got me all mixed up inside.

One evening, mother knocked at my door. "Regina,Robin is in to see you."

"Really?" I asked. "I thought he wasn't interested."

"Well luckily I have convinced him otherwise."

"No mother, Not lucky," I said. "I have no interest in him. I have no interest in any man."

"What are you saying Regina?" Mother asked incredulously. "Are you a Lesbian?"

I groaned. "Yes, " I admitted. Not that I know that I am. I just know that I want Emma. "I am, mother. And even if I weren't I want to pick my own partner. Zelena got to."

"Zelena is a lost cause." Mother snorted.

"You mean Zelena couldn't care less what you think." I retorted.

"I suppose, you wouldn't want my aid in finding an eligible woman?'

"Mother, why do you care?" I asked. Though I was a little surprised that the whole lesbian thing hadn't phased her.

"I just want to share in your life. Ever since you have become a teen ager, I am no longer a priority to you."

"So you control my life at every turn?"

Mother sighed. "Very well… I will tell Robin that you are no longer interested… in one condition," she offers as a peace offering.

"What's that?"

"I want to meet every single one of them. Please do not keep secrets from me."

"Alright mother." I said and she reached out and held me. "I met someone."

Doin more than I've ever done for anyone's attention
Take notice of what's in front of you
Cause did I mention you're 'bout to miss a good thing
And you'll never know how good it feels to have all of my affection
And you'll never get a chance to experience my lovin'
Cause my lovin' feels like ooooooo
You don't know my name
(round and round and round we go, will you ever know

Mother actually gave me some good advice. After she got over the shock of learning that I had been working all these months, she became a more reasonable human being.

She said I was used to just getting the attention I required. I was used to being pursued. All women are. She said that to catch another woman's attention, especially when you want that woman, is to be the aggressor.

She said that I had to do more, and make sure that she knows she is about to miss a good thing with me and that she should look at me. See me.

But she never came to the diner anymore. I hoped that maybe one day… so I began taking a little extra time every day… just in case.

And I swear it feels like oooo ooooo ooooo ooooo
You don't know my name
(round and round and round we go, will you ever know)
Ohhh

One Wednesday morning, I ran into the Diner late. Apologies slipped out of my mouth as I ran to get ready for work.

"Stop apologizing Regina, I got this." Ruby said holding onto the servings for my section. "Hey, your girl just walked in."

I looked up at the door whose bell was ringing. And in Walked Emma. With a light spring Jacket. I turned to look at my reflection on the stainless steel fridge then turned to walk toward the blonde.

I smiled pleasantly and said. "Good morning. Can I take your order?"

She didn't even look up at me. She talked to the menu. "Yeah just give me the special."

That was new… but my shoulders fell as I turned to put the order in for her. "Yes ma'am." I mumbled.

"Wait," She called out. I turned and our eyes met. Could this have been the first time? She paused. "I'll have a Hot Cocoa, please." she said.

I could feel a blush rising. I smiled, "Coming right up."

I served her, she ate her food she scribbled on a piece of paper to enter the contest and dropped it in before she walked out the door.

Will you ever know it, no no no no no

That was all. That was it. I sighed, and thought maybe if I could run into her outside of work… "Hey, Regina There is a campus party tonight, you should come." Ruby said.

"Rubes, you don't even go to Columbia." I said incredulously.

"Yet I am still better connected than you." she said and pulled me along. "Come on."

I did go, and guess who I saw. Emma. She was hanging out with a bunch of her friends whom I had seen come into the diner with her. "She is an art major." Ruby said.

I looked at her. "How did you know?"

"I can talk to the girl without getting tongue tied." Ruby said. "I would never have pegged you as a lez."

"Neither can she apparently." I mumbled.

Ruby laughed and left me to my own devices. Then I see Emma heading in my direction. A smile lit her face and for a moment I thought it was for me. Then she passed me and started to hang out with a group of baby dykes at the corner. I sighed and just headed home.

Will you ever know it?

But I don't head home. I go to the Diner. Mrs. Lucas was cleaning up. "Hey there girl, What are you doing here?"

"Mrs. Lucas, I need to look in the contest box."

"Whatever for?" She says sternly folding her arms over her chest.

"Please?" I asked

Mrs. Lucas has a soft spot for me. I know she does and my pleading works. She nods and looks away. I search the box and find Emma's paper. I write down the details, and put the paper back in the box.

I was through… No more subtle looks, and silence. When I got home, I sat on my bed and looked at the information in my hand. I deliberated for a long time whether I should call. But then I looked at the clock. Just after midnight. I picked up my phone as I remembered my mother's advice. "Be the Aggressor."

I sighed, "I'm gonna have to just go ahead and call this girl."

I dial the number and waited for an answer. When she did the background music was loud. She said, "Hold on…" and I began to hear the music in the background dissipate. "Hello?"

"Hello?" I said as my nerves began to peak. "Can I speak to - to Emma?"

"Speaking."

"Oh hey, how you doin?"

"Um… Okay?" She was confused,and intrigued by this stranger's voice on the phone. I knew, because she hadn't hung up on me yet.

I cleared my throat and began. "Uh, I feel kinda silly doin' this, But um, this is the waitress from the coffee house on 39th and Lennox. You know, the Latina?"

"Oh… Yeah." Emma said in the other end.

"Yeah, well I see you on Wednesdays all the time. You come in every Wednesday on your lunch break, I think, And you always order the special, with the hot chocolate."

"Great Cocoa at that Diner," she reiterates.

"Thanks, my manager is so cheap. Always saying we gotta use water," I continue trying to banter a little. Okay rambling… shut up Regina. "But I always use some milk and cream for you
Cause I think you're kinda sweet."

"I knew there was something different about the cocoa." she said. I could hear the smile in her voice.

"I love how you dress, you're so casual chic. Those tight jeans tucked into your boots. Your manicures are perfect, and your hair…" I continue rambling and catch myself. I catch myself as I hear a soft chuckle on the other end. "What is it exactly dat you do?"

"I am an Art TA at Columbia." she answers.

"Really?"

"I needed to do anything outside the family business before I got sucked in."

"Yeah, That's fascinating." I said deciding to forge ahead before I lost my nerve. I sat tensely on my bed considering my next words. Look Emma, I mean I don't wanna waste your time but... I don't usually do this, but I was wondering if maybe we could get together outside the restaurant one day. Cause I do look a lot different outside my work clothes. I mean we could just go across the street to the park right here…"

She said something but I couldn't understand. I wondered if it was my phone or her's so I moved. "Wait, hold up, my cell phone's breakin up, hold up." I walked over to my window. "Can you hear me now?"

"Yeah, what's your name?" She asked.

I smiled, "Regina."

"Regina?"

"Yeah," she said something else, but I think it's her phone breaking up this time. I pretend not to notice and say. "So, what day did you say?"

"Sure, We can hang out." She repeated. "How about Thursday?"

"Oh yeah, Thursday's perfect," I said and you couldn't remove the smile from my lips. I was going out with Emma, and I prayed it would be better than my wildest dreams.