I own nothing but my mind. Couldn't get this out of my head and needed to write. Part 1 of 2. Maybe 3.. who knows.. Anyways! I hope you enjoy! :)

"My dear, do you have a date for this weekend?" Cora inquired, carelessly running her fingers across the island.

"I do not, mother." Regina tried to keep her voice to only a mildly aggravated tone while as her body stiffened.

"And why is that?" Her eyebrow raised slightly, knowing buttons were being pushed.

Her daughter wanted the conversation to be over. Many times they discussed her dating life, how she found someone only for it all to end the same. And in result, her mother took control and set her up on dates only for them to be completely heartless and utterly obnoxious. They were just baby donors with a handsome face and wealthy company. Thats what her mother wanted – for her to have a child and a family. A perfect family that could have everything they ever wanted.

"I do not wish to discuss this." Regina continued to stir the content in the pot without facing her mother. She wished she could just magically poof her way out of there.

"My beloved daughter," Cora now made her way to Regina and caressed her cheek before taking her finger and turning her face so that they made eye contact. "I just want you to be happy, you shouldn't have to be alone in this house. It's not healthy." Regina nearly showed her disagreement. She was perfectly fine on her own, she made it work, she took care of herself. Kicking her out of her mind, her mother talked again. "I'm going to find you a handsome man and he will be your date, yes?" She was now holding onto her daughter's face with both hands as the sauce boiled next to them. "You needn't worry about that. Just give your upmost focus on preparing yourself for the party, my love."

"Mother, I'm going to find a date."

"Regina-" Her mother was quite adamant on this now.

"No. I'm going to find someone. Don't pick out another man for me, I am fully capable of finding a suitable date." Regina pulled away, breaking contact and simply went back to stirring the sauce.

"Fine. I'll give you two days to find a man, if not, I'm picking out one, understood?"

She felt her mother turn to ice in an instant, she swallowed and only nodded in response.

Thankfully the timer went off and interrupted anything else Cora had to say about that subject. Regina pulled out the chicken from the oven and poured the sauce over the top adding a few more ingredients afterward.

"This smells delicious. I'll go set the table." And with that Cora was off, allowing the cook to settle in her bones and breathe for a moment in her mother's absence.

Regina made their plates and took them to the made table, the aroma ignited their senses as they were both eager to taste, their tummies growling in the process.

"Mm.. This is fit for a queen. Well done, my dear."

Regina's features started to beam at that compliment.

They both nonchalantly exchanged ideas for the party and usual business at the firm while they ate. It wasn't until Cora received a call that sent her back to her office for a urgent meeting. They said their goodbyes and Cora thanked her for the satisfying lunch. Regina was left to a clean a messy kitchen and deal with the stack of paperwork her mother brought with her earlier. As if that wasn't enough, she needed to find a date. And soon. She turned on music and blasted it so it could be heard all throughout the house. That was the only way she was going to clear her mind after that visit.

The street's a liar
I'm gonna lure you into the dark
My cold desire
To hear the boom, boom, boom of your heart

Regina felt the bass through the floor, she started to wash the dishes as she moved her hips and sang along.

"The danger is I'm dangerous
And I might just tear you apart
Oh, ah, oh"

She stomped her foot to the beat as her hips moved freely.

I'm gonna catch ya
I'm gonna get ya, get ya
Oh, ah, oh
I wanna taste the way that you bleed, oh
You're my kill of the night

A smirk spread across her face as her hair swayed, still washing the dishes and probably looking ridiculous but it wasn't like anyone was there to see. She felt powerful, although it wasn't like she conquered a castle but in that moment she felt content and strong on her own as all her stress was slipping away.

The dining room and kitchen were now restored to it's beauty. After a few more songs and a tired out from aimlessly dancing and shouting Regina, she decided to get down to business with a glass of wine and laptop in front of her.

"Time to make a dating profile."

Hours later after she made her profile on datesmate and received several hits but none of them felt right. Even after spiking up conversations with them. And the others had the audacity to ask for nudes, which, she then quickly blocked them. Felling disgruntled and hopeless, she couldn't let her mother find a date for her. Then she would end up with another disaster her mother would call a date. After refill of wine half gone she decided to take a risk and search . Her eyes were peeled for anything by this point, she wanted to get this over with so she could at least make a dent in the paperwork that wasn't even touched. Mentally scolding herself, she kept scrolling through the list.

"Let's narrow this down more. I don't need someone to take a video of my cat while.. they.." Her eyes squinted trying to decipher what she was reading. "..are in my bushes? What the hell is wrong with people?"

"Okay. No more males. Females it is, maybe I'll have better luck. Preferably late twenties, early thirties. 10-15$ an hour. New York city." Now it was loading for what seemed like forever.

"No, no, don't need a cat sitter, do not need a naked maid, dog sitter, no. Naked dog sitter? What is this site? This is useless." Regardless she kept scrolling.

"More wine. Yes, more wine is divine." She took another sip from her glass before placing herself back with her legs crossed on the couch.

Twenty minutes of scrolling later, she found one that may just work and it read:

"My name is Emma and I am a 28 year old single female looking for a bit of extra cash to fix my yellow bug I drive. I can play anywhere between the ages of 20-29 depending on my hair and/or outfit. I'm a bails bondsman and live in New York. If you'd like to have me as your strictly platonic date for events, but have me pretend to be in a very long or serious relationship (this is flexible, it depends on what you're looking for), I'm game no matter how difficult your family or friends are. If they are, if not then thats good too. I do like a challenge though ;)

I can do these things, at your request:

Openly hit on other guest while you act like you don't notice, start inquisitive conversations and pretend to be interested, discuss politics and/or religion, start an actual fight (physical and/or verbal) with a guest at the event, either inside or out for everyone to see, pretend to be really drunk as the evening goes on (I may actually be really drunk honestly..), but I can also pretend to be as well whilst being sober. I know the drill. I can propose to you in front of everyone, or if you want none of that I can just be your date and be on my best behavior. :)

I require at least 4 hours of pay upfront.

I hope to hear from you if you'd like my services."

– SaviorSwan28

Regina chuckled at the information. "People actually pay for people to start a fight with their guests? Hmm.. I suppose there's a few I would pay for.. No, no. Definitely not. I want to rip their hearts out myself. " She covered her face in embarrassment although she was alone. When she moved her hands she saw that there was a photo included, Regina clicked on it to load.

"Oh. Well, she's enchanting. How are her eyes so mesmerizing and green? Are those edited? I hope not. Hmm I think I found the one.. For the party this weekend."

She typed up a message, hoping she wasn't booked for this weekend that read:

"My name is Regina and I'd like to talk to you about your ad. You see, I need a date for this weekend. My mother is hosting a party in light of her client after his long trial that is now a free. There's a good amount of people coming and she refuses to let me go dateless, so if I am unable to find a date she will pick a man out for me. The very thought gives me a headache. All that would be required is that you be on your best behavior, Miss Emma. Payment upfront isn't an issue and I can purchase an outfit of your choosing since it's a high-end party. I'm able to have a car pick you up for this event if you wish to proceed. I do hope to hear from you soon. - Regina Mills"

"Alright, Saviorswan28 hopefully you see this message soon." And with that her message was sent. Regina turned on her notifications for that app and went to make a dent in her paperwork with a smile on her face without even realizing it.

She'd been working on those papers all night and it was nearing 1 am. Her phone still hadn't shown a notification from Emma. Every time it lit up she felt a moment of excitement although she didn't quite understand why. She was disappointed to find that none of them were from her. Yawning more and more, seeing the blonde wasn't going to answer she decided that maybe it was best she calls it a night. Organizing the paperwork, she took it to her desk and then she was on her way to the bathroom, her phone in her bra since she was pocketless and still in a dress despite being home.

When she made it to the bathroom she took off her earrings and started to wash off her makeup when her phone vibrated.

"Probably another email."

Then it vibrated again.

"Agh what do people wa- Oh." She cut herself off when she dried off her hands and pulled out her phone to see Emma replied.

"Hi, Regina. Seems rough, but no worries! The savior is here to save you from the your any dates your mother wants to prepare for you hahaha. Sorry, that was cheesy." Regina giggled at Emma's puerile message and looked at the next one. "Sounds sweet! If you'd like to call and discuss details with me heres my number," Regina nearly pressed it to call before even thinking about the time. "Apologies for the late respond, I just got home a few minutes ago. Feel free to call me whenever you're free though. I'll probably be up for a bit if you're still awake. :)"

There was an internal debate about whether she should call tonight or not. She went for it and oh she was surprised when the other line answered. Her voice sent shivers down her spine. Luckily she was able to pull herself together, she didn't want to be speechless while they were talking.

After awhile of discussing what they each expected from each other and how everything would play out, not to mention Emma's wits that Regina wouldn't admit she enjoyed, they connected quite well. They stayed on the phone talking about matters that had nothing to do with the event. If they kept it up they'd be able to convince people they were an actual couple that knew each other for years. After hearing their voices they both concurred to video chatting tomorrow when they found time before going shopping the next day. You'd say they grew fond of each other rather fast.

"So it's a date?"

"It's a date." You could hear Emma's smile through the line, Regina imagined it while they talked.

"Goodnight, Emma Swan."

"Goodnight, Regina. Text you tomorrow?" Emma bit her lip at the mention of texting her before they were going to video chat tomorrow. She didn't mean for it to slip although she was thinking it.

Regina was taken aback which left Emma to silence and internally yelling at herself.

"..Y'know it's fine we don't-"

"No. I'll text you tomorrow." There was sweetness in her voice that could be detected in the slightest, it easily scared Emma's pesky thoughts away in an instant.

"Alright, get some rest."

"You too, dear."

They both hung up, leaving them clutching their phones to their chest, laying on their bed with a smile on their faces unable to be written off.

"It's a date," Regina spoke softly before falling asleep happily.

Reviews are greatly appreciated. And if you wanna see something in the next chapter or anything just hit me up, yo hahaha :)

The song in this chapter is Kill of the Night by Gin Wigmore, btw.