She had barely made it home on her own, but when she finally got there, nothing seemed like a good enough excuse for her to leave again. It wasn't like she had actually gotten what she wanted; Henry still sat just out of arm's reach, and the town she was trying to prove a point to still hated her. She had saved the lives of Snow White and their Savior - not for them, but for her own son - and still they turned their back on her. Regina didn't see the point in trying anymore.

The front door was unlocked, Regina's hand on the handle, when a voice sounded from behind her. "Regina."

The brunette winced; that voice would be the death of her one day. Slowly, she turned, eying Emma wearily; for someone who had just come out of a life threatening ordeal in another world, she sure looked strong and happy. It was irritating, and slightly unnerving. She was glad nothing had happened to Emma Swan, when it came down to it; the blonde was probably the only reason Regina wasn't dead. Though sometimes, Regina had to wonder if them killing her would just make things that much easier.

"I'm tired, Miss Swan," Regina said, even managing to save the crack about how she had absorbed a whole well full of fairy magic to save her ass. "What can I do for you?"

"I…just thought you might like to come have dinner at Granny's," Emma said slowly, looking a little put off by the exhaustion Regina radiated. Regina's brow lifted, and she didn't even bother to hide the surprised look on her face.

"You're inviting me?"

Now it was Emma's turn to look surprised. "Well…yeah," she said, glancing at the ground, then looking back at Regina. "You saved our lives. Why wouldn't I invite you?"

And there was that damning feeling again; that little flicker of hope in Regina that always managed to get crushed in one way or another. Somehow, though, this one didn't feel too threatened. Emma looked sincere, almost nervous over asking her, and Regina really did appreciate the effort. Even if it was coming from someone she was supposed to hate (but found herself thinking about far too often these days).

"I can't show up with nothing," Regina finally said. "Let me throw some food together, and I'd be happy to join you."

A small smile touched Emma's lips, one Regina found herself returning. "Okay," the blonde said. "See you in about twenty minutes?" Regina nodded, and Emma turned to leave, Regina looking at her back with a sense of awe she hadn't felt towards the woman before. Maybe redemption wouldn't be as hard as it had been so far.