A/N: This is Ballet Story. Of course, this is a SQ fanfiction. What do you except me to write? Just eat your Cheetos and enjoy it. By the way, I had my ballet times when I was little but now, I am still fantasized with it. No wonder why I am majoring in Theatre Arts. Winks. Now, I am shutting up.

Chapter 1

In Washington, DC, a brunette woman was once a graduate from George Washington University in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration and the political families raised her in the generation. She had attended in the galas, events and so on. In her life, she was acclaimed in her business administration in the politics and never failed her mother's expectations for everything related political science. By the force from her own mother, she was encouraged to become a senator in her hometown but in her heart, she always wanted to be a executive chef in her own restaurant and loved to cook homemade meals on her own. She almost never burned her meals for her family except her own mother. She was growing up in the politics and social media around her parents' status.

Now, she was a well-known politician, Regina Mills to the public, she held her degrees in Harvard Law in Undergraduate then George Washington for her graduate school. She accomplished as a lawyer and politician. In her life, she made few trustworthy friends back in college days, Kathryn Nolan and Graham Humbert; they knew the Mills family for the years because they met through their parents' galas. For Kathryn Nolan, her father was a lawyer and befriended with Regina's father while they were in their own law firm before one of them went for a senator position. To Graham, his mother was a good friend to both of their parents, helped them through their elections and was an assistant to Senator Mills.

For Regina, she never wanted everything from the beginning to the end on her career as a politician because of her mother. In times, she was pushed by her mother in the beginning to get her on the position in the law firm, school board and so on before reaching to the senator's position. She worked through her college years studying on the law, political studies and economic/finance. But, it was pointless for her to reach everything that she wanted for her own life without her mother's dream. She had always been wanted for becoming a chef since she was a young girl who was watching her chef in the kitchen and always been cooking since she was 7 years old but her mother kept her away from the kitchen from 8 to 18.

In 10 years of her childhood, she has been missed in the kitchen; she was sent away to the boarding school in the Europe until she got back to America for Harvard University in her undergraduate. So that's how she met Kathryn and Graham there. In her college days, she was forced to go home on every bi-weekend to be with her parents for the work events. She almost invited her friends but it was not allowed for her to do that until Kathryn and Graham knew her family through the events. They went along as long as they separated in their own ways until they got back to the college again.

After her graduate studies in political studies, she got a job in the law firm for temporary time until decided to move in a small town so she can stay away from the politics in her hometown. Senator Mills approved on her lifestyle and her mother won't. They argued every night until Regina decided to pack everything and moved into Kathryn's apartment for a while. The brunette woman searched for a position in the small towns until one night, she found a position as a Mayor and decided to email to the town council. She checked out on the website about Storybrooke, Maine. Regina researched on the town and wanted to see for herself. The brunette woman reserved her flight and car for one week to have an interview with the town council and stay there for a while. Before Regina left, she asked Kathryn to join her on the trip to Storybrooke but was rejected.

Finally, she left on her way to the Washington Dulles Airport, checked herself in and waited for 30 minutes to board on the plane. While waiting, she checked on the website again and observed through the shops. Until the 30 minutes was done, the boarding was starting to call people to go in the plane. Regina finally sat down in her window seat, read her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice and went in the air for one hour and 35 minutes on nonstop flight.

After her arrival in Portland, Maine, Regina walked to get her carry on and strode toward the rental car to get her car then found her black Mercedes and put her carry on in backseat. The brunette woman finally drove away on her way to Storybrooke, on the road, she saw the forest surrounding the streets and haven't find any sign until she was in her 15 miles away from the gas station and found a sign – Welcome to Storybrooke. She checked on the directions which she copied from the website and followed on the way to Granny's Bed and Breakfast.

In Storybrooke, the people were crowded on the Main Street, blocking the cars to go through on that street and had a block party. Regina found her parking spot near Granny's Bed and Breakfast, got out with her carry on then strode toward the building to have her suite. She entered the lobby, found the tall brunette woman sitting and reading on the Gossip Magazine and stood near the front desk then continued.

"Hello. I am here to check in."

"What's your name?" The brunette woman looked up from reading the magazine and said.

"Mills, Regina." She replied back, the brunette woman nodded and gathered her things and forgot the paperwork to sign it for her suite then continued.

"Oh, you're here for a week on your interview with our town council. So, ok give me your credit card and sign paperwork then you go with your suite key. I will be right back."

"Ok. Thank you. What's your name?" Regina responded and nodded.

"Why?" The brunette woman arched her eyebrow and crossed her arms on her chest. It made her feel uncomfortable but unsure about the customer.

"Because you never know if I got a position as Mayor." She laughed and said.

"True. My name is Ruby Lucas. So you can call me Red." The brunette woman smiled, knew that she already like her and continued.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Lucas." Regina shook her hand and stood regal.

"You too. So, please sign it." Ruby went back to the office to pick up on the paperwork then back to the front desk and handed it to her.

"Done. Thank you." She signed it, double checked if she missed anything then handed back to the front desk assistant.

"No problem, Please enjoy your stay and here is your suite key. Oh! Let me know if you need anything then come to Granny's Diner to see me." Ruby gathered paperwork, picked the suite key – Room 3 and handed her customer then smiled.

"Thank you again. See you then."

"Bye Ms. Mills!"

Regina nodded, left to her room 3 and entered the suite. She was tired on her trip, decided to take a shower then felt hungry and decided to get her dinner. She grabbed her room key and purse then strode out from her suite toward Granny's Diner in the corner. The brunette woman entered, found the diner to be 1970s diner, went to sit on the stool by the counter and waited for a waitress until she found Ruby as a waitress. She was confused by the appearance in the front desk and in the diner.

"Hello. Ms. Lucas, I don't know that you are working here."

"Oh! Ms. Mills! Yes, I am working as a waitress in part-time. I help my grandmother to run two establishments."

"It's nice of you to help her out. So, what's good in here?"

"Try a bacon burger with house cut fries." Ruby suggested. She had some thoughts about it and hesitantly nodded. The waitress nodded and asked again.

"What do you want for a drink?"

"Do you have apple cider?" She hopefully asked.

"Yes, we do." The waitress smiled and nodded.

"Then Apple Cider, please." Regina exclaimed when she found out that the diner have her favorite drink.

"Ok, your order is on way." Ruby grinned, wrote down on the pad then informed her and left toward the kitchen.

"Thank you Ms. Lucas." The brunette said in a little loud voice and made sure that the waitress heard her clearly.

"By the way, you can call me Red or Ruby if you like." She turned and spoke then winked then left again.

"Ok Ruby." The brunette muttered in an annoyed tone and rolled her eyes.

Regina liked the brunette waitress' friendly encounter, enjoyed her view in the diner and watched the patrons for a while until her food arrived and she ate in silence and drank her cider. For few hours in the diner, she had a nice conversation with Ruby about the town and gets to know her on her stay. Until, she felt tired and decided to go back to her suite to get sleep. She was looking forward to her interview tomorrow morning and checked on her phone from Kathryn and Graham then replied to them back. She finally got some sleep.

In Storybrooke morning, Regina woke up, realized that she had an interview in the afternoon with the town council. She was dressed in her best politician style, a black blazer, black pantsuit and red blouse with the black stilettos. The brunette checked on her appearance, satisfied with her looks then collected her purse and coat and strode out toward Granny's Diner for a breakfast. In her punctual times, she was great at doing her own business with the politics. Finally, she sat down on the stool and waited for her breakfast then spotted Ruby and waved her over.

"Good morning Ms. Mills! You look so fabulous today!" The waitress looked down and up while she walked toward her from cleaning on the booth table.

"Thank you, Ruby. What's good for breakfast?" Regina smiled widely and looked back on the menu then continued.

"Whatever is on menu." Ruby said and shrugged.

"Ok dear, what can I get? Spinach Omelet, toast with grape jam and two bacons. Please. Oh, is coffee good?" Regina spoke while Ruby wrote down on the pad and listened to her in a clear then heard her question and shook her head.

"No, Everyone loved hot chocolate but no coffee. It's very adequate. If you want a coffee then get more sugar." The brunette waitress said.

"Really? If I am a mayor then I will order Starbucks Coffee." Regina scrunched her nose and continued. The waitress smiled widely about Starbucks then spoke.

"Please do that! I love their coffee! Oh! What about the construction for Starbucks in here? I would love to work there."

"I will think about it." Regina winked and gestured toward the kitchen to get her breakfast. Ruby nodded on her way to the kitchen. Regina observed on the patrons in the morning, noticed the boy on 2 stools away and studied on him for a while. The boy was wearing a grey sweatpants, black light jacket, white shirt and red and black warm-up booties. He was eating a healthy breakfast and drink orange juice while he was reading a Marvel Comics. It made her smile because she saw the comic books and she was a big fan of Marvel Comics. Until, she got her breakfast from Ruby and ate in silence then looked back at the boy but he disappeared and she got confused. Finally, she finished her breakfast, decided to ask Ruby to take a tour around the town and waited for her to finish her work shift. The brunette woman turned and observed on the patrons while they went in and out in the diner.

The bell rang on the door, it revealed the blonde woman in her red sweatpants, and black leather jacket, black leotard and white/black warm up booties. She walked toward the counter next to her. Regina noticed the warm up booties and realized that it was similar to the boy's shoes then checked out on the blonde's figure until she finally heard the angelic tone toward her.

"Hello. Are you okay?" The blonde glanced over at the brunette who was checking out on her and smirked.

"Uh-huh." Regina was out of her zone and nodded.

"Ok, I never see you around here. So are you new to this town?"

"Yes, I am." Regina said.

"Welcome to Storybrooke then." The blonde smiled and found Ruby from the bathroom and spoke toward her. "Hello Ruby! I need some breakfast!"

"Hello! Ok, I got your breakfast right away." The brunette waitress walked faster back to the kitchen to get her breakfast then back to her spot and handed it.

"Thank you Ruby! It's been a busy day today. So see you then" The blonde smiled and winked at the brunette woman sitting on the stool.

"See you then." Ruby yelled at the blonde woman and laughed.

The blonde left the diner with ten dollars tip. Regina blinked several times while she was listening to their conversation. She looked at Ruby and asked about the blonde woman.

"Who is that?"

"Oh that's Emma Swan." The brunette waitress replied while she put her coat and stood behind the counter.

"Ok. Are you ready to go?" Regina nodded and smiled.

"Yep!" The brunette got up, put her coat on and walked out with Ruby. Their tour went smoothly while Ruby showed the buildings and shops all day until they arrived to the town hall. They hugged and parted their ways. Regina was nervous about her interview with the town council. She entered in the hallway until she met the secretary on the front desk.

"Hello. May I help you?"

"My name is Regina Mills, I am here for my interview with the town council." She said.

"Oh, you are here. Ok, I will inform them right away and please wait here." The secretary raised the eyebrows and dialed the phone then waited for pickup.

"Thank you." She stood and looked around in the town hall, was appealed with the pictures on the walls and studied on the years in Storybrooke on those frames. In few minutes, the secretary walked around to tap on the brunette's shoulder and informed her to go on way to the conference room in the hallway. She nodded and followed her along to the conference room. Finally, she arrived and entered in the conference room and found 5 people sitting in front of her. She took her coat off then decided to introduce herself.

"Hello, my name is Regina Mills."

"Welcome to Storybrooke, Ms. Mills. My name is David Nolan and I'm a sheriff." The blonde man in his sheriff uniform was sitting on the end from the left. She sat down and nodded then waited for four people to introduce and continued to have an interview.

"My name is Mary Margaret Blanchard, I'm a teacher at Storybrooke High School. It's nice to meet you, Ms. Mills." The pixie woman was sitting next to the sheriff and smiled at her. Regina smiled back then looked on third person.

"My name is Rupert Gold and I own Pawnshop. Welcome." The old man was sitting on the third chair and had a cane with him.

"My name is Belle French and I'm librarian and work on part time in the floral shop. Welcome to Storybrooke." The brunette woman was sitting on the fourth chair and looked friendly to her.

"My name is Marco Geppatto, I work in my woodshop." The bald old man in his overalls was sitting on the end of the right. Regina nodded and continued.

"Thank you for nice introductions and it's nice to meet you."

"Now, can we start with an interview?" Mr. Gold said. All nodded then stayed quiet while they read Regina's profile.

"Why are you interested in this position as a mayor?" Mary Margaret spoke.

"I'm interested into becoming a mayor because I have history with the politics. My father is Senator Mills in Washington, DC. His family is from the political family. So, I would like to move out from the big city and have a small town life. All I wanted to be a country girl in my own life. But I was raised in the city and always got tired of the city."

"Oh wait, Your father is Senator Henry Mills, who won the same-sex marriage plea?" Marco replied. She nodded and continued.

"Yes he did."

"Well, thank you to your father. He is a wonderful man." He said.

"Thank you. I will inform him with your compliment." She smiled.

"What do you plan after becoming the mayor?" David said.

"I plan to oversee the budget in finance to see how much we have for each department such as Sheriff's Department, School Board and so on. Then I will observe on the budget to spend on for two years plan ahead. I would like to meet people as I can to be familiar with their names and occupations." The brunette replied.

"That's great." Mary Margaret said.

"What are your strengths and weaknesses of being a mayor?" Belle said.

"My strengths are organizing, good communicator, honest and trustworthy. I feel that my greatest weakness is that I am very critical of my own work. I have always prided myself on producing excellent and error-free work. While this is beneficial to my job performance, it is possible to go to extremes." Regina spoke with her pride.

"Any questions?" Mr. Gold replied. They shook their head except Regina. They informed her on few weeks with their decision. She nodded and got up then shook their hands and left with her coat and purse. She was relieved with her interview and decided to call a day with her dinner in Granny's diner.

Regina arrived at Granny's Diner, strode toward her usual stool, studied on the menu until the boy came in with his medium duffel bag, called Ruby for his dinner and went to do his homework. She noticed the change of the attire but warm-up booties. Ruby came with his dinner then glanced over at the brunette woman who studied on him for a while and asked her for a dinner then went back with Regina's dinner. The boy knew someone watched him and spoke in uncomfortable manners.

"Can I help you?" Regina blinked several times, stuttered her words until Ruby brought her dinner. She looked back at him and continued.

"No. But I wonder why you wear those ridiculous shoes all day. That's all."

"This 'ridiculous shoes' is warm-up booties and it keep my feet reserved."

"Warm-up booties?"

"Go on the internet and you will find out. So what's your name? I never see you before in this town."

"My name is Regina Mills. So what's yours?"

"You will find out." He finished his dinner with ten dollars and collected homework and bag then left the diner.

"Damn that boy." She muttered under her breath and heard the laugh from the brunette waitress. The brunette woman rolled her eyes and flashed ten dollars on the counter then left toward her suite to get a sleep.

After her week in Storybrooke, she enjoyed the friendly environment and made few friends with Ruby, Mary Margaret and Belle while she was staying. The brunette woman arrived in Dulles Airport and left in the cab toward her place in Sterling, VA. She got home about 3pm, dropped everything and went to get her snack then got more sleep. She hoped that she got a job in Storybrooke and planned to move everything to her new townhouse that she loved since her stay at the town.

In few weeks later, Regina was thrilled about becoming a mayor in two weeks, told her friends about it and decided to celebrate together in the bar before she left Washington, DC for good. She packed everything in the boxes, made the calls with the townhouse in Storybrooke and her current apartment then decided to get a moving truck with two hired drivers. On her biggest day, she hugged her friends, got in her black Mercedes and drove away to Storybrooke for 10 hours with 2 hours breaks. Until, she arrived at her new place, commended the drivers to move the boxes in the living room and bedroom and finished for a day. She was prepared to have everything in the order for her first day in 10 days. She knew it was a right decision to live on her own and be a mayor of Storybrooke.

A/N: Next up: Henry and Regina bump on each other on their way.