A/N: OUR LEADING LADIES ARE IN NEW YORK AND IT'S VERY LATE NOVEMBER/EARLY DECEMBER. THERE REALLY ISNT MUCH TO TELL.


Christmas in a Cup

Emma Swan stood with her back against the wall and played her saxophone. The case lay open at her feet with only a few crumpled dollar bills in it.

She smiled around her instrument as she saw a familiar face heading in her direction. As the familiar face passed she changed from a recognizable Kenny G piece into an original piece played directly form her heart. She saw the figure slow but they kept on walking.

The next few days happened the same way. She would be playing some sort of song almost half-heartedly but as the figure passed every morning, she would change into one of her more powerful, original pieces. She would then take the money from the case, go down to the little diner around the corner, and have a hot chocolate topped with cinnamon and a candy cane.

It was another week of the same routine, but suddenly it changed. The familiar face actually stopped and listened to that day's original piece. She waited until the blond finished.

"Good morning," the brunette said.

"Yes it is," Emma replied.

"Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Change from whatever you're playing to an original piece. It happens every time I walk by."

"Well—" Emma shifted from foot to foot, a light blush creeping up her neck.

"Well?" the unknown woman prompted.

Emma took a deep breath. "I think you are beautiful and you walk like you rule over the streets. I just play something that fits you. Beautiful, powerful, haunting, emotional."

"Are you saying that I evoke some sort of emotional response in you?"

The blond blushed.

"Well its most definitely something I've never felt, it just suits you."

"Hmm, well Miss—"

"Swan, Emma Swan."
"Well, Miss Swan, have a good day."

"You as well…"

She waited for a name to be given. The other woman started walking away.

"I didn't catch your name," she called after her.

"That's because I didn't give it, dear. Until tomorrow."

The next week came in the same way. Emma would play a moving piece while the woman stopped and listened. They would speak fro a moment and woman would be on her way.

It was the next Monday after a particularly powerful piece that Emma had finally earned the right to know the woman's name. The woman had stepped close, and wiped a tear from Emma's cheek and the musician found herself leaning into the touch.

"Regina."

"Huh?"

"Regina Mills. You've earned it."

The smile that Emma gave in response threatened to split her face in half. Regina found herself smiling back.

"Do you want to grab a coffee, Emma?"

"Yeah. S-Sure. Just let me—wait. You called me Emma." She bent to retrieve the crumpled bills and store her saxophone.

"That is your name, dear. Is it not?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Well yeah, but in the time that we've talked, you've only ever called me Miss Swan."

Regina blushed slightly.

"Well it was time for a change in pace. So, how about that coffee?"

"Oh, yeah. Okay. Are you sure you won't be late?"
"Dear, I am never late. I arrive precisely when I mean to."
"Understood. Let's go. Granny's is around the corner."
They walked close enough to each other to hear but not enough to touch. The distance was perfect, making the walk to Granny's not awkward.

They arrived at the diner. Emma held the door open and guided Regina in with her hand at the small of the other woman's back.

"Ems!" the waitress squealed as she saw a flash of red and a sea of golden curls.

"Hey Rubes." She flashed the waitress a smile as she went to the corner booth.

"I assume you come here often," Regina stated more than asked.

"Yep. Every day after I finish playing."

Ruby waltzed up to the table. "What can I get you ladies?"
"Hot chocolate with cinnamon, and don't forget the candy cane this time."

Regina raised an eyebrow at the cinnamon but order a black, hazelnut blend coffee.

After Ruby came back with the drinks, Regina as the first to speak. "Cinnamon? Really Miss Swan?"
"Don't knock it until you try it," she swirled the candy cane around and licked off the wiped cream, with a smirk on her face.

They talked until the last drop of coffee and hot chocolate was gone. Regina was severely disappointed.

"I'll be right back." The blond stood up and headed to the back towards the restrooms. Regina received a phone called that demanded her immediate presence back at the office. She took out a business card, a pen, and after writing a quick note, she placed it on the lid of the blonde's hot chocolate. Emma came back and her face fell. Regina was gone. She wasn't sad long, after seeing the note on her cup. She read the note.

"There was an emergency at the office. Call me when you're free. I had a great time."

Christmas came early and it came in a cup.


A/N2: I AM NOT REALLY HAPPY WITH HOW THIS ENDED. I HOPE YOU LIKED IT.