First fic, be nice.

I don't own anything, etc etc.

Slightly AU, in that everything calmed down for 5 damn seconds after they got back from Neverland.

Chapter 1

Regina opened the door, her face impassive.

'Miss Swan,' she began, and then she saw the look on Emma's face.

'What is it?' she asked, letting the door swing open. 'Is it Henry?'

'No,' said Emma softly as she stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind her.

'Well then what...' Regina trailed off as Emma stepped towards her. Instinctively she stepped back, as Emma took another step, until Regina's back was resting lighting against the wall.

Emma raised her hand and carefully ran her fingers along Regina's cheek, tracing her jaw line. Regina flinched at the contact but didn't move. They stood there for a few moments, Emma's eyes searching for something in Regina's, Regina watching Emma cautiously. Slowly Emma leaned in closer, slowly enough for Regina to move away from her should she choose to, before she pressed her lips against Regina's. Regina froze for a second before she returned the kiss, carefully, slowly, as if she was remembering how. Regina's hands went to Emma's shoulders, as if to push her away but after putting the slightest amount of pressure against them, Regina's hands slid around to Emma's back, pulling her closer. As Emma snaked an arm around Regina's waist and threaded her spare hand through Regina's hair, Emma noticed that she was shaking slightly. She couldn't tell whether she was excited or terrified, just that her skin was buzzing with energy. Maybe it was both. It was the soft moan that vibrated from Regina's mouth, as Emma traced her tongue along Regina's bottom lip that caused Emma to jump back.

'Um... ok... yeah' she said, swallowing audibly. She stepped back, staring openly at Regina. Regina stared back, and did nothing when Emma wrenched open the door and bolted.

3 months earlier

Emma had no idea how she'd ended up watching a movie with Regina Mills. Henry had pleaded with her for a 'family' movie night and after reluctantly agreeing, Emma had almost kicked him as he'd fallen asleep halfway through. It wasn't that she hated Regina anymore, since Neverland the two of them had been on polite, if not quite friendly terms. They met once a week, usually under Henry's watchful and slightly nervous eye, for Regina to teach Emma magic. They managed to only snipe at each other slightly and no one set anyone else on fire. That was progress. But they weren't friends.

However after Regina had led Henry up to his room (she put him to bed when he was at her house), Regina had surprised her. Emma had been waiting politely at the foot of the stairs to say goodnight when Regina had come back down and headed towards the lounge room. Emma had started at the sudden return of Regina's rudeness when a voice floated back towards her.

'May as well see the end'.

So now she was sitting on the couch, nervously sipping apple cider while a slightly tipsy Regina criticised 'The Fantastic Four'.

'That's not how you do that' Regina exclaimed as the Invisible Woman faded out of sight, and 'that's not even possible' at the Human Torch.

'Well technically the Fantastic Four are superheroes, not witches' said Emma, amused. 'And what do you mean that's not possible, I've seen you with your fireballs.'

'Yes, and they take a lot of skill to control. You can't just engulf yourself in flame and expect not to burn to a crisp. Honestly Emma I hope you're not taking any of this utter rubbish on board, I don't want my hard work ruined' said Regina.

'Well it's good I have you to keep me on track then,' Emma replied.

Regina nodded, not one of her usual curt nods, but a more relaxed, pleased with herself sort of action as she turned back to the movie. Emma let herself relax back into the couch and watched Regina watch the movie. It was odd to see Regina at ease, to see her laugh, even if it was because she thought something was stupid. Emma couldn't tell if Regina had been different since Neverland, or if she was just seeing a side of her that Regina had previously kept hidden. Regina was relaxed in her home, comfortable. Even though Regina had been wearing an expression of dread that Emma had suspected was also on her face when she'd opened the door to her earlier this evening, Regina had been pleasant. Dinner hadn't even been that awkward, Regina and Emma had let Henry do most of the talking but they'd managed to fill in the gaps when Henry's mouth had been full.

'Pfft,' said Regina over the closing credits. 'Well it's disappointing that our son is impressed by that tripe.'

'It wasn't that bad,' said Emma as she stood up. 'Ok maybe it was,' she admitted as Regina had looked at her horrified. 'You should try X-Men' she suggested, pulling her jacket on.

'Stay,' Regina's voice rang out, seemingly startling them both. 'I mean, it's late, you may as well. You can join me and Henry for breakfast. You can open the milk or something.'

'Um, sure...' said Emma awkwardly, knowing that Henry would be thrilled, and kind of touched by how hard Regina was trying.

Regina showed her to the guest room, even though Emma knew where it was.

'Do you want something to sleep in?' asked Regina.

'Nah, I'll just sleep in my underwear' replied Emma. Regina's eyes flashed with something Emma couldn't place.

'Well goodnight then.'

'Goodnight,' Emma echoed.

Emma woke to Henry jumping on her bed.

'Ma! Get up, Mom says we can't start breakfast without you.'

'Why?' Emma grumbled, pulling a pillow over her head.

'I don't know,' said Henry as he shook her shoulder. 'Come on!'

'Fine,' she grumbled, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. She sat there for a moment, disoriented, while Henry sprinted from the room, satisfied that he'd succeeded in his task. Emma looked longingly back the pillows before pulling her jeans on and padding barefoot into the kitchen. Regina glanced up as she entered and smiled, a startlingly genuine smile that Emma couldn't help returning.

'Morning,' Emma managed as she took in Regina's appearance. Her hair, which she'd continued to let grow, brushed her shoulders in soft waves and her face, make up free, somehow looked younger. She was wearing a form fitting black t shirt, and although she reprimanded herself for noticing, Emma could tell she wasn't wearing a bra. But that wasn't what threw Emma.

'Miss Swan, what are you staring at?' Regina asked, with her trademark tone of mild exasperation.

'You're wearing track pants.' Emma said in disbelief.

Regina glanced down at herself. 'They're designer' she said with a shrug.

'Of course they are' thought Emma to herself.

'So what is it that you sent Henry to jump on me for?'

Regina smirked and handed Emma an unopened milk carton.

'Funny' Emma remarked dryly as she opened the carton and handed it back.

'I'm a surprisingly funny person' replied Regina.

Regina and Henry made pancakes as Emma was relegated to 'supervising' after completing her milk opening task. They were delicious, unsurprisingly. However as Emma folded herself into the bug to go to work she was surprised to realise that she'd just had fun hanging out with Regina Mills.