Day One: Swan Queen your favorite holiday movie. I've decided to use Kate Winslet's plot from "The Holiday".

Regina felt like the world's biggest fool. She had believed he had ended things with Zelena Greene and yet there he stood, proposing to her in front of the whole damn company. She wanted to cry, scream, all of the above.

Instead, she walked out of the company Christmas party and towards her car. She knew her mother would furious over that, but she didn't care. She couldn't stand to be there one minute more. It wasn't even as if she could explain it to her mother. As far as everyone at the publishing company knew, Jefferson and Zelena were still an item. He had told Regina that he and Zelena didn't want people speculating over the break up, so they were keeping it on the downlow. Besides, Cora had always warned her about dating colleagues.

The one thing she had been right about.

At the very least, no one had found out. No one would know of the one-sided affair. He could go on, marry Zelena, she would pretend like neither of them existed.

Returning to her house, she slid out of the uncomfortable dress Mother had insisted she wear, sliding into some sweats. Christmas was just 2 weeks away and she wanted to get the hell out of Storybrooke. Mother would be on business, she had no reason to stay in town. She didn't care where she went, she just had to go somewhere.

She remembered a site her friend, Mal, had mentioned using. Two people swapped houses, cars, etc. for vacation, rather than staying at a hotel. At the time, Regina thought it was sketchy, but she wanted to take the plunge.

She decided on somewhere warm. As much as she liked white Christmases as a child, this winter had been way too harsh, even for a New Englander. Perusing the website, she focused on the west coast. Eventually, she found a home in L.A, owned by a woman named Ariel. It was huge, much bigger than her cozy cottage. She was sure it wouldn't be a fair trade, but as it turned out, it was just what Ariel was looking for. She made movie trailers and wanted a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

The two agreed to swap that weekend. Regina got to work cleaning and packing. Come Friday, hopefully her break up would be a distant memory.

The house was more beautiful in person. Ariel was clearly a collector of nice things. Everything seemed to be light and comfortable, in contrast to her dark furniture back in Maine. She threw herself back on the big bed in the master suite, feeling the fluffy comforter beneath her. Yes, this was going to be great.

As she debated what she wanted to tackle first, there was a sudden knock on the door. Raising an eyebrow, she got out bed and headed down the spiral staircase. Upon opening the door, she found a tall blonde standing on the other side. Despite the Californian heat, she was in a red leather jacket and wearing skinny jeans. She looked surprised on seeing Regina.

"You're not Ariel," she said, lamely.

"No, I'm Regina. Ariel and I swapped houses for the next couple of weeks, for vacation."

"Oh."

"I'm Regina Mills."

"Emma Swan. I sort of work with Ariel."

"You make the trailers?"

"Not exactly, I'm a song writer, so I get free lanced by her occasionally." She held up a file. "I have possible artists for her to look at, but it can wait for after Christmas." She stood there awkwardly off Regina's nod. "Where do you come from?"

"Storybrooke, Maine."

Emma snorted. "You're shitting me, right?"

"Regina rolled her eyes. "I assure you, I'm not "shitting you"."

"It just sounds like something out of a fairytale."

"Sure as hell hasn't felt like it lately," she mumbled.

Emma frowned. "Sorry, my mom says I open mouth, insert foot. Look, I don't know if you've ever been to L.A…."

"I haven't."

"Great, then let me show you around." She paused. "Unless you have other plans?"

Regina slowly smiled. "I don't. Just let me get my purse."

Emma was true to her word and took Regina to the Griffith Observatory and some nearby spots. She also introduced her to one of her favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurants, completely secluded, with delicious food. After, they got coffees and took a walk through Griffith park. Regna really liked Emma. She was funny and thought quick on her feet. The only thing Regina could do without, was the rusty yellow bug they were driving around in.

"So, Regina Mills," Emma smirked. "What brings you to LA, alone, two weeks before Christmas?"

"Vacation."

"Oh come on. No one takes a last minute trip like this for no reason."

"Who said it was last minute?"

"Because as of Wednesday, Ariel said she was working through the holidays."

Regina sighed. "I met this guy at work. He was…nice enough, but dating a woman in marketing, Zelena. He told me he was ending it."

"Did he?"

"Apparently not, because after 6 months of me not thinking they were together, he proposed to her at our company Christmas party."

"Ouch."

"I feel like an idiot."

"You didn't know."

"Still…Zelena is the best, but she didn't deserve that."

"You didn't know. Even if you did, it was up to him to be faithful." She sighed. "Trust me."

"Speak from experience?"

"I found out last week that my girlfriend was cheating on me."

"Oh Emma…"

"I'm not even mad at the other woman. I'm just…tired of rejection."

"I'm with you there," Regina said, knocking her coffee cup against Emma's.

They spent practically every day over the next 2 weeks together. Emma showed her the places tourists often missed. They went out to eat or Regina would cook in Ariel's expansive kitchen. She knew she was falling for Emma, but underneath wondered what could come of it. After Christmas, she'd be going back to Maine. Long distance didn't work out, did it? Plus, she wasn't even sure if Emma felt the same way.

They spent Christmas Day together, since Emma's parents had left for a cruise. They ate sushi and watched A Christmas Story on a loop. Emma looked so good in her cozy Christmas sweatshirt, making the work of chopsticks appear like an art. They didn't say much as they ate and drank their wine, just listening to the constant "You're gonna shoot your eye out."

"So," Emma finally spoke up when it ended for the second time. "What are you doing New Years Eve?"

Regina frowned. "Oh, um, I'll be back in Maine."

"Oh." Emma paused. "So, if I took a plane out there, you'd be in Storybrooke?"

Regina softly smiled. "I would, but…"

"Regina, these past two weeks have been great. I've loved getting to know you. You're smart, funny, hot as hell. I know you just went through a breakup, so have I. You're not a rebound to me, though. I…I really like you and I don't know how this will work out, but I really want it to."

Regina's smile only grew. "I do too."

"So…New Years Eve?"

"It's a date."

Emma beamed and leaned in, kissing her. Regina savored it, their salty tongues touching each other. It had been a kiss coming for 2 weeks and just about the best Christmas gift they could've asked for.

Eventually, Emma pulled away, keeping her forehead touching Regina's. "Merry Christmas, Regina."

"Merry Christmas, Emma."