Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time.

A/N: Hey, everyone. This story is based after what happens on 4x01. English is not my first language so I'm sorry if you find any errors. Feel free to correct me, though. This is my first OUAT fic so I don't know if I should continue or not. Feedback is much appreciated. Hope you guys like it!

Chapter 1: Golden Tongue

Henry spent two minutes glaring at his mother's complicated expression that looked like she was forcing herself to think before asking what happened. "What are you thinking about?"

"How can I get things right with your mom." The blonde sighed. "She hates me."

Emma Swan and Regina Mills were at each others throats since Emma stepped foot in Storybrooke. That wasn't news for anyone. Recently, whoever, their relationship improved. That is, until Emma brought back from the dead past Regina's new boyfriend's wife. It was good while it lasted.

"No, she doesn't." Henry opened the fridge and grabbed his juice box. "She just needs some time."

It was easy for him to say, since Henry was the only person Regina allowed to see her. Or to come anywhere near her porch.

"What's the topic?" Snow White appeared on the kitchen with little Neal on her arms.

"Emma wants to make up with mom."

"I thought you spoke to her." Snow said, remembering their earlier conversation.

"I tried. She shut me out." Emma nervously grabbed her face with her hands. "All because of freaking Robin. Does that guy has a golden tongue or something?"

"Ugh, gross." Henry's face twisted in disgust as he left the kitchen.

"What's so important about this? You and Regina had never been best friends." Snow shrugged.

"I keep screwing her over. I'm just tired of feeling guilty." She continued. "She deserves more."

Snow let out a long sigh. "Then you have a challenge ahead of you. She still acknowledges my existence and I...you know." Snow grimaced at the memory. "You still have to fix everybody else's problems, savior. And maybe that will be good for her, maybe it's meant to be."

"Haha. So funny." Emma rolled her eyes at her mother. "You know what I should do? I should go to Regina's porch and beg her to kill me. That's such an intelligent idea. Don't you think, baby?" She laughed, playing with Neal's finger.

Snow jerked away and shot her daughter a glare, leaving the kitchen and Emma to think about what the hell would she do to earn Regina's forgiveness.

One week later, Emma still had nothing. Regina refused to talk to her and the blonde only knew she was alive because of Henry constantly paying her visits. Regina even enacted a spell that forbids anyone but Henry to come anywhere near her.

Besides, Storybrooke was not exactly summer camp, either. Emma had little time between dealing with her own personal issues and everyone else's while trying not to get killed by giant ice monsters - and greeting new people into town - to do anything at all. Incluiding avoiding Killian Jones at all costs.

The blonde was at Granny's eating her favorite bear claw with hot chocolate when her son showed up.

"Hey." The kid said, sliding his way into the booth.

"How's Regina?" Emma asked, taking her chocolate and handing it to Henry.

"I'm wonderful, thanks." He laughed and grabbed the mug. "She is okay. Sort of. At least that's what she keeps telling me every time I ask." Henry shrugged.

Henry knew she was not okay. In fact, the town knew. Regina wouldn't leave the house for nothing. She spent her days reading and drinking. Most of the time she poofed herself to the mausoleum.

Emma sighed.

"So, today there's this party at-" Henry started, chewing his lips.

"Did you do your homework?" Emma eyebrows went up.

"Yes." He nodded.

"You can." She patted him in the back.

Henry was always a responsible kid. He had good grades. He respected people. He even helped Emma deal with her life.

"Thanks, ma." He hugged her. "You're the best."

He separated himself from Emma and was ready to dart out when she called.

"Henry?" She quirked one brow. "What do I always tell you?"

"Don't do drugs. Or alcohol. Or pregnancy." The kid murmured, rolling his eyes.

"Atta boy." She smiled proudly watching as the door closed.

She glanced around and saw Ruby coming her way.

Ruby Lucas occupied the place of Emma's best friend since she discovered that her former best friend was her mother. Which had it's perks, for example, free coffee.

"I can't believe how fast he grew." Ruby said, refilling Emma's hot chocolate.

"Yeah." Emma smiled proudly.

"So, how are you with your Regina problem?" Ruby asked, sitting next to the blonde.

Emma sighed. "What am I supposed to do? Just wait for her to forgive me out of the kindness of her heart?"

"Maybe you should apologize." Ruby said as if it was obvious.

"I already did. Many times."

"Write your feelings down." Ruby said. "Properly. Not with the savior speech."

"What's that supposed to mean?" The blonde frowned.

Emma spent the next day trying to figure out how to properly apologize to Regina. She took a piece of paper and a pen. She would listen to Ruby's advice. Maybe writing her feelings down would do something.

Regina,

I'm sorry for ruining your happy ending. I'm sorry for messing up. Again.

Maybe he wasn't your happy ending?

Is this sounding like a poem? it's not.

Anyway, I've been feeling guilty lately. Mostly because of you. I don't want you to be sad. Or mad. Cause that would be bad. (Its not supposed to rhyme, either.)

And don't you think I'm pitying you, I'm not.

What I mean to say is, I'im not apologizing for saving someone else's life. I'm apologizing cause I hurt your feelings. And your supposed chance at happiness..

But maybe I didn't. Maybe it wasn't meant to be, you know? (Snow told me that.)

I haven't found mine too, and I try not to think about it. Maybe my destiny is to fix everyone else's. Including yours. (I'm making this about me, aren't I? Sorry.)

When things go wrong, maybe they're supposed to be better off that way. And the pain you're feeling now won't last. And you will owe me huge thanks in a few years.

But then again, there's always the possibility of me actually ruining your happy ending and making your life miserable. Being honest, I don't think that's the case. You don't need anyone in your life that doesn't wanna be there. Robin is a jerk. And you are so much more, you have no idea. Who wouldn't choose you?

I know I would. :)

Bye. P.s: I allowed Henry to attend a party yesterday.

- Emma

Emma carefully wrapped the paper and put it on a white envelope with Regina's name written on it. When it was done, she analyzed it and sighed.

"I'm never giving her this." The blonde said as she threw the letter in the trash next to her computer.

Just in time, someone knocked at the door. Her eyes went up to face one dark haired pirate at the other end.

It was Killian.

"Emma!" He said, barging in.

"Hey, you." Emma stood awkardly and stuffed her hands in her pockets. "What's up?"

"I wanted to see you, love." The pirate said, getting closer.

"You could have called."

Emma and Killian's relationship could only be described as complicated. Emma liked him, she just did not like like him. As much as she tried. And God, she did. Since their last kiss, Killian has been after her all the time. And Emma was avoiding him as much as possible.

"Did something happen?" Killian asked.

"Besides everything?" Emma shrugged.

"Is this about Regina again?" He sighed as he stepped closer.

"I don't wanna talk about it." Emma stepped away.

"I enjoy the silence." Killian went into full kiss position and leaned forward.

When Emma kissed Killian, it didn't break any curse. He wasn't Emma's true love. She didn't want to use him, which made her feel guilty. Part of her wished that he was her soul mate, so Emma could stop wondering whether she will end up alone or not. Also, he was a decent kisser.

Emma jerked away. "We need to stop."

"Why?" He frowned.

"I'm not your true love." The blonde sighed.

"And?" He arched his brow, still confused.

"And, she's somewhere out there!" Emma threw up both hands. "You can't keep wasting your time with me. You don't love me."

Killian jerked forward.

"You don't know about my feelings." He hissed, inches from Emma.

"Yeah, but I know about mine." The blonde shoved him away. "Please leave."

Emma watched as the pirate barged the door closed. She sighed loudly as she sat back in her chair and buried her face in her hands.

What if she didn't have a soul mate? A true love?

Before her thoughts could consume her any further, her phone buzzed and a text from Henry appeared on the screen.

ma! come to the library, i have a surprise. :)

She frowned as she questioned herself what was Henry doing. She typed back.

on my way.

"What's up, kid?" Emma said as she entered the library and found Henry waiting for her on the inside.

After Belle and Mr. Gold fixed up the library, it became popular. Plenty of children and adults went there. Belle was taking care of it now and it never looked better. Mr. Gold was often found there, too.

"So, I was studying and I came across this book." Henry explained, as he charged forward to one round table and grabbed a yellow book from the pile. "That's for you." He handed it to his mother.

Emma was expecting another fairy tale or comic book. But this was something else entirely. Instead, Henry gave Emma a book with the following title.

Apologies For Dummies

"What's this?" She laughed, eyeing the book.

"This is how you're going to get mom to forgive you." He grinned. "But you have to follow it."

"I'm not that desperate, kid." She handed Henry the book.

"Yes, you are." Henry handed it back to her. "You wanted to make it right? Follow the book." He pointed to the cover. "There's even a smiley face, see?"

"How are you so adult?" Emma narrowed her eyes at her son.

"You can thank me later." He patted Emma in the back. "I'll be home soon."

Emma gave him one chaste kiss to the cheek before he ran away from her.

The blonde made her way to the counter and was not surprised to see Belle there. "Belle!"

"Emma!" Belle smiled as she saw the blonde. "What are you doing here?"

"Henry made me grab this book." She handed it to the Aussie. "It's supposed to help me get things right with Regina or whatever."

Belle grabbed the book and read the title out loud. "Apologies For Dummies." She raised an eyebrow. "That's not the strangest thing someone ever booked, if you ask me."

"That's a relieve." Emma laughed. "Where's Gold?"

After Neal's death, Gold was all Belle. They did everything together. He even gave up his power because of her. Which made them perfect for each other.

"He's taking care of the paperwork for our new house." Belle said excitedly and showed Emma the ring on her index finger.

The shining, little diamond ring fit perfectly in Belle's delicate finger.

"Oh my God. Really?" Emma said, catching her hand. "That's wonderful."

"Thank you." Belle grinned. "Here's your book." She said, handing it to Emma. "Don't worry about giving it back, you can keep it as long as you need."

"Thanks, Belle." Emma let out a breath. "As far as Regina goes, I'll need it forever."