There was a place she goes to in her mind, for solace, for rest. She is her own worst enemy and there are times when she needs to restore the balance – to be free of her own judgement, disdain. There is a horror and fear at her own actions that needs to be forgiven, not once but thousands of times, with the result that she stays relatively sane, and more importantly able to care for her child.

There is a tightness of breath, an unnamed urgency to her thoughts, a strange tension that underlies her every move lately, that tells her she needs this time. The weight on her heart and her mind when she woke this morning sealed the deal.

So, she sits cross legged in her study, breathing deep and quiet, while her in mind she walks along a long golden path lined with apple trees. Sunlight filters through them, catching the gold in the brick at her feet and the golden highlights in the hair of the one who walks beside her.

In her study, Regina shakes her head to clear it. You don't need impertinent blondes in your sanctuary, sweetheart.

She closes her eyes, and resumes her walk. The sound of the leaves crunching underneath her feet makes her smile, as does the scent of apples in the air, the heat of the sun on her skin. She can feel herself getting stronger, steadier with each step, and with a wave of her hand stray leaves go skittering crazily along the path. She laughs out loud, in her mind, and the sound is clear and free.

"You don't think twice about it, in your head." Emma observes wryly from her post to Regina's left.

Regina stops. "You're not supposed to be here." The tone has a hint of imperiousness in it, but she has to admit she's not at her usual threatening best.

Emma tilts her head mockingly. "How do you propose to stop me?"

Regina opens her eyes. "Damn her." Meditation was not going to happen today. She still feels edgy, anxious, and she's terrified that Henry will pick up on it, with his sixth sense for her moods.

A knock on the door has her cursing again. You'd think they'd have learnt by now that pissing me off is a very bad idea.

She yanks the door open, intending to deliver a full-blown lecture at considerable volume, then stops, momentarily stymied.

Emma steps into the silence. "Coffee?" She is dressed in a hoodie and jeans to combat the autumn chill, and in her hands she carries two coffee cups.

The smell of caffeine carries on the cool air, and the scent is almost enough to throw her off course. Almost. She finds her voice, and manages to convey high suspicion, to her relief. "What are you doing here?"

Emma merely looks her up and down, then holds out one of the cups. "I'm going to repeat the question, nice and slow. Would. You. Like. A. Coffee?"

The gesture, and the fact that Emma appears to be everywhere she's not wanted today, has her grabbing the coffee cup, and gritting out a semi-polite thank you.

Emma casually leans against her porch railing, clearly signalling her intention not to leave. "You're welcome. I hear you got yourself banned for the next week from the diner. Care to comment?"

Regina is flustered, but not by any means stupid. "Who's asking?"

Emma shrugs. "Just me. The Sheriff hasn't received a complaint." Emma grins wickedly. "I just heard the gossip and came to find out if it was true."

It's Regina's turn to shrug, if only to hide the flush she can feel creeping up her neck. "Not true." She takes a casual sip of coffee.

Emma raises her cup in a salute. "Fair enough." Her eyes track to the cup in Regina's hand. "It's not Caramel Whip, I'm afraid."

Regina glares at her. Emma stares innocently back. One beat. Two. Regina breaks. "That woman is a menace to society, as well as a gossip-monger."

Emma placidly takes a sip of coffee. "Well, gee, if we wanted to be really strict on how we define a menace to society, perhaps we wouldn't be looking in Granny's direction…" She shoots a pointed look at Regina from under her lashes, and Regina snarls.

"I'm going to sue for defamation."

Emma grins. "No, you're not. Because then Granny can countersue for destruction of property."

Regina's mouth falls open. "I knocked over one cup of coffee stirrers on my way out! How is that destruction of property?"

Emma drains her cup, stands up. Something about the glint in her eye is inexplicably making Regina nervous. "So, you did throw down an epic rant at Granny about not having Caramel Whip in stock, and then storm out." She pauses. "Oh, sorry. At that point knocking over some coffee stirrers on your way out. Just the one cup."

Regina automatically looks for the loophole in the conversation, finds none. Grinds her teeth. "Yes."

Emma takes a step forward. Regina doesn't take one back, but the fact that she has the impulse to infuriates her. "So you made a false statement, Regina?"

Regina thinks quickly. Seizes on something to turn this whole thing around. "I thought I was talking to Emma, my friend, not Emma, the Sherriff."

Emma just smiles, and this time Regina knows that there's definitely trouble behind that smile. "Ah. We're friends, are we?"

"No." Regina glares, although she's fairly certain that this will have no effect whatsoever.

"You just said so."

"Under duress."

Emma laughs. "Yeah, that'll hold up in court."

Regina narrows her eyes. "Sure it will."

Emma rolls her eyes briefly heavenward before grabbing Regina's free hand and yanking her down the stairs.

She pulls back, only to be hauled forward with the strength she knows is there. Knows that when she's had occasion to test that strength it has always held firm. She gives up, and begins to walk alongside Emma. Emma drops her hand, but stays close.

So I can't run. This was better when she was just being a pain in the ass in my head. Regina sighs. "What are we doing?"

Emma sends her a sideling smirk. "We're going for a walk. Then when you take me to court you can tell them I kidnapped you while you were under duress. Friend."

She rolls her eyes. Yep. Much better in my head.

A/N: Just a little something I had in MY head. Where will they go? What will they do?