A/N: this is my entry for Tumblr's Secret Santa (although it can be read by anyone)

Dear skepticpotato,

Hopefully, I managed to write something you like. I didn't stay entirely true to the canon storyline, but I didn't stray very far. Also, this is the very first story I have written for the eyes of anyone other than my own, so bare with me a little. I will be putting up chapters every day until the story's complete.

Merry Christmas!

P.S. a special thank you to my sister for being my beta reader.

"This was the best Thanksgiving dinner I've ever had," Kathryn said as she wiped her plate clean with her last piece of turkey before leaning back contently in her chair.
Regina smiled as she swallowed her own last bite.
"I would almost say my own kitchen staff back in the Enchanted Forrest could've learned a thing or two from you."

"Thank you, dear. I try."

They had technically been eating leftovers from the day before, though most of yesterday's food was turned into new dishes. Regina didn't do simply reheating. Besides, cooking had always been one of her favorite activities and she figured she might as well go all out, with the holidays and all.

The Charmings had invited Henry over to join them for their celebration of the holiday, and so Regina had opted to have Thanksgiving dinner a day early so she would still be able to enjoy it with her son. To be fair, Emma had invited her to come along too, but she had simply said she appreciated the gesture and declined.

She had been on good terms with the Charmings for quite some time now, but having to suffer through an entire dinner with these two idiots might have been a little much to ask. She hadn't felt particularly welcome, anyway. The history between them would be too much to ignore at a dining table in a small loft.

Emma had tried her best to persuade her, but she hadn't budged. She had used Kathryn as an excuse, explaining how the poor woman had no one but her. Emma hadn't suggested she'd bring Kathryn along. Even though it was left unspoken, both she and Regina knew why she hadn't. Having her father's ex-wife at the table, along with his current wife, wouldn't be a sure recipe for disaster.

"So, tomorrow…" Kathryn began.
"What about tomorrow?" Regina replied, feigning ignorance.
"Are you participating?" She looked over curiously as she asked this.
"I'd rather not," Regina answered curtly, not meeting her friend's eyes as she placed both her knife and fork on her empty plate to indicate her meal was over.
"Why not?"
"I don't have the time. It's almost Christmas, as you may recall, and there's a lot of festivities to plan and oversee. I will have to spend quite a few extra hours in the office to get everything to run smoothly."

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the complete truth either. It was the answer she had been giving over and over for the past few days. Every time Henry had asked her to participate in the Secret Santa, she had given the same excuse. She was able to tell he wasn't buying it, but he hadn't pushed her. The same couldn't be said for the woman across from her now. Sporting an expression of disbelief not unlike Henry's, Kathryn called her out on it.

"That's a lie, and you know it. You would never leave anything to the last minute, let alone the town's Christmas preparations! I'm sure you're ten steps ahead, like you always are. Which leaves you with plenty of spare time."

"I should hire you as my campaign leader, should there ever be a new election. I'm sure you could convince the entire town of my capability as mayor."
Kathryn let out a sigh. She should've known Regina wasn't going to tell her the real reason she wasn't participating in the town's Secret Santa, so she had to take a guess and hope the brunette would take the bait.

"You know," She started, "it might surprise you to know that not everyone in this town hates you. Combined with a little Christmas spirit, I'm sure you'd get something really nice. It's okay to participate a little. Put yourself out there, make some friends, it might be fun!"

"Or it might be catastrophic," Regina answered. "Gag gifts and insulting notes are not my definition of Christmas spirit, Kathryn. I highly doubt anyone would want to see my name on a slip of paper. I am better off not submitting. Everyone will be better off if I'm not submitting."

She tried very hard to sound like she didn't care about being excluded. It was an art she had mastered quite well over the years. She wasn't the Evil Queen anymore and she hadn't been in a very long time. It would probably be safe to say that most of the town's people were starting to believe she was a different person now as well, but tolerating and liking were two very different things. The list of people in the latter category was still very, very short.
"Running around town to find appropriate gifts for a random person I don't care for, doesn't sound very appealing either," The brunette added, her mask of indifference back in place.

"I don't think I will be able to convince you, so I will just give you a head's up. I will be participating, I will have fun and I will rub it in your face every chance I get, making you very sorry you didn't put your name in that bowl."

"I can't wait. I hope Mary Margaret draws you."