The Nolan and the Colter families have been friends and business partners for years. Together the two families run the largest stables in Maine, Storybrooke Stables. The stables offer a wide variety of offerings, lessons of all kinds no matter what type of riding you wish to do. They have spaces for parties as well, weddings and birthdays parties are frequently celebrated on the property. They also, of course, offer boarding to area horse owners that don't have their own space to keep their horses. One of the biggest draws of Storybrooke Stables, however, are their trails. The trails surround the entire property and loop from high mountain cliffs all the way down to the sea. They are known for their gorgeous views. People come from all over the world to ride them. Emma Nolan grew up riding the trails, and she knew them probably better than anyone, including her parents. The only other person who might know them as well, if not a bit better, was her best friend, Daniel. He was the only child of the Colters, and she was the only child of the Nolans. They had been raised together, riding and working together at the stables, and even though Daniel was four years older than Emma, he always treated her as his equal.

"Emma, you're not ready for that jump! Go around, and I'll wait here for you." Daniel looked at his younger best friend as she contemplated the distance.

"You made it! If you can make it I can…." Emma was always so stubborn.

"Please, I'm four years older than you kid! Plus Strider has more experience than Tawny on these trails. I don't want you to get hurt." Really, Daniel just didn't want the wrath of their parents if she got hurt, yet again, trying to keep up with him.

"She can do it! Can't ya girl?" Emma patted her beloved horse on the neck and whispered further encouragement into her ear.

"Emma…" It was too late though, the young blonde girl's mind was made up. He watched as she turned Tawny around and made her way further back up the trail so she could get a running start. The gap over the creek wasn't so bad, but Emma was still learning how to handle her new young horse. Emma was just eight years old and trying to keep pace with a much more mature twelve-year-old Daniel. She always needed to prove herself to him. He just hoped the water level in the creek would be enough to cushion her inevitable fall. He watched as Emma came up to the creek bed and timed the jump perfectly. Tawny soared through the air flawlessly, and Daniel was impressed. There was only one problem, Emma didn't quite hold on tight enough as she soared through the air. As Tawny made landfall on the opposite side of the creek, Emma landed in the middle of the creek with a splash. Daniel rushed over to make sure she was okay and burst out laughing at the site of the young drenched girl. "Oh my goodness! Look at you!" She was perfectly fine, just very red-faced and covered in mud. "You look like a drowned cat! Or maybe a helpless duck? Ha! I know what you remind me of! That book! Come on my little Ugly Duckling…let's get you home and clean you up." Daniel helped her up out of the creek and patted her down with his sweatshirt the best he could. He didn't rub it into her face that he was right, he could see how embarrassed she was. "You just need to get your body set at the right time, and everything else was perfect. Tawny did amazing, and you should be proud." Emma just nodded at him as she made her way back to her horse. Daniel mounted back up on Strider and led them back towards the stables.

"How's my little Ugly Duckling this morning?" Daniel greeted Emma as he entered the stable to start the early morning stall cleanups.

Rolling her eyes at her best friend she continued raking hay. "You're never going to let that go, are you? That was like four years ago…"

"Of course I'm never gonna let it go! I wish I had a picture of you covered in that mud!" He loved giving her a hard time, and if Emma was honest, she loved every moment of it. Daniel was her world.

"Hey, you two!" Emma's father, David, made his way over to the pair as they continued their work. "I have a new family coming in today to tour the grounds, and I need you guys to show their daughter around. They're from Boston, and they have a lot of money that we could use right now... The young woman is champion equestrian from what I understand, so that's exciting!" Emma sighed, she hated showing rich kids around.

"No problem David!" Daniel loved David. He was more hands-on with the stables than his father was. His parents were more the minds behind keeping the stables in business, while Emma's parents were the hands that ran everything. His parents were surprised when Daniel had decided early on that he'd prefer to get his hands dirty on the grounds versus sitting in the office filling out paperwork.

"Can't Daniel handle it on his own? I wanted to take Tawny out this afternoon and get some trail time in..." Emma tried to give her father the best pout she could manage, but sadly it failed her.

"Nope, I want you getting more experience doing this sort of thing. It's good for you to interact with our customers. Besides you get trail time nearly every day with Tawny!" He smiled down at her and leaned over to kiss her forehead. Emma knew he was right, but it didn't mean she was happy about it.

"Fine, but if she's an awful person, I can't promise I'll be nice!" Emma huffed off to the next stall.

"I'll make sure the guest will be treated with respect David, no worries." Emma rolled her eyes hearing Daniel suck up to her dad.

"Thank you, Daniel, you are growing up to be a fine young man." David clasped his hand onto Daniel's shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. "I'll bring by our guest around 2, and please give her the VIP treatment." He smiled at the brown haired boy and made his way back to the offices.

As they waited for David to bring out the guest they'd be showing around, Emma and Daniel spent some quality time with their horses. Daniel's horse, Strider, was a stunning all black Thoroughbred. Emma's, Tawny, was a young golden Palomino. The duo was used to working hard, and they were rewarded with having lots of free time on the stable's grounds. Both of the families lived on the property. The Nolans had a smaller loft style home above the offices. They were never ones for anything too fancy, and they were happy and content being close to the horses and staff. The Colters, on the other hand, had a large mansion tucked back on the property away from everyone and everything. They never were ones to flaunt their wealth, but they did enjoy owning nice things.

"Do you think she'll be another stuck up rich girl? That last one was awful…what was her name again? Ivy? Ugh, the worst!" Emma looked over to Daniel as he brushed Strider.

"She wasn't that bad… Her mother was awful though, and I think that's why she was like that…" Emma was always impressed with how Daniel could see past how people presented themselves. She just went off of first impressions, while he sat back and observed, holding back judgment until he knew them better. He tried to explain it to her once, but she didn't have the time to invest in these people. She had places to go and things to do.

"Yeah, I guess we will see…" Emma didn't enjoy this part of the stables life. She understood they needed customers, but she didn't like having to pretend to be interested in them. She was just happy amongst the horses.

"Hey, guys. I'd like to introduce you both to Regina Mills." Emma and Daniel turned around together at the sound of David's voice.

Standing beside David was a young brunette girl, probably around Daniel's age from what Emma could guess… She was striking. Beautiful brown eyes, her skin was a lovely olive tone and flawless. Her hair was tied back in a french braid, but Emma knew it was probably amazing as well. She was dressed in expensive looking designer riding gear, which Emma was actually a bit envious of, the light blue riding jacket was adorable.

"Hey, I'm Emma." Emma stepped forward and offered her hand out to the brunette. As they shook hands, Emma couldn't help but get lost in the girl's beautiful brown eyes... "This is um, Daniel…" Emma looked to her side, but Daniel hadn't stepped forward with her. He was still standing back, seemingly frozen in place. His eyes were wide, and he looked like he had seen a ghost. "Umm, earth to Daniel? Are you just gonna stand there staring like an idiot or what?" Emma snapped her fingers at him a couple of times, and he finally shook his head and stepped forward.

"Oh, um, I'm sorry… Hi, I'm Daniel Colter. It's lovely to meet you." Emma rolled her eyes at her best friend as he reached out for Regina's hand with a goofy grin on his face. She watched as Regina reached out and took Daniel's hand in hers. Emma couldn't help but notice Regina had a goofy smile on her face as well.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well Mr. Colter." Emma startled at how mature Regina sounded, maybe she was older than she thought.

"Well okay, I leave Regina in both of your capable hands. Snow and I are going to show her parents around, so have her back around 4 for dinner okay? Have fun!" David made his way back to the offices, and they were left standing there awkwardly.

Daniel and Regina were still just staring at each other and Emma thought she might puke. "Okay… So are there any particular things you'd like to see?" Emma wanted to get this over with as fast as possible.

"Oh yes! I'd love to see your equestrian areas? That is what drew us to Storybrooke Stables, and I understand they are the best in New England?" Once again Emma couldn't believe how this girl talked.

"Yeah, they are, let's head over that way then." She headed in that direction and noticed Daniel and Regina didn't seem to be in a huge hurry as they followed. "So, Regina. Can I ask how old you are?" Emma was honestly curious, but she also was tired of the quiet as the two idiots just grinned shyly at each other.

"I'm going to be eighteen soon..." She bit her lip and glanced over at Daniel. "And how old are you? Umm, are you two?"

"I'm twelve..." She waited for Daniel to share his age, but he was still just smiling at Regina. "And this idiot just turned sixteen."

"Hey!" Emma laughed at finally getting Daniel to snap out of his blatant smitten state.

"Well, then we are all not very far apart from one another." She smiled. "I hope we can all become good friends!" Regina seemed very genuine, and Emma wasn't sure what to make of it, she had no reason not to trust the girl.

They continued on their way to the equestrian training areas. Emma and Daniel answered any little questions Regina asked along the way. Emma found herself actually liking Regina. She was very…sweet. She did not doubt at this point Daniel was crushing on the girl big time, she'd never seen him act quite like this before.

"Oh wow, it's beautiful." They all stood before the expanse of various equestrian courses Storybrooke Stables offered. Emma tried to get into it a few years prior but lacked the discipline it required. She preferred to ride the open trails, being wild and free.

"I hear you're a champion rider?" Daniel smiled at Regina shyly.

Regina blushed at the question. "Yes, I've been pretty lucky really."

"Well I'm sure it's more than just luck, it takes a lot of skill to do that, especially at a champion level." Daniel smiled over at Regina shyly again, and Emma felt a bit ill.

"I've been riding for as long as I can remember, my mother was also a champion rider."

"Was?" Emma wondered why she wasn't anymore.

"She had an accident a few years ago and sadly can't ride anymore, but she's my biggest cheerleader, other than daddy of course…" Emma just nodded at the story, feeling sorry for Regina's mother. She couldn't imagine not being able to ride ever again.

"So what brings you out here from Boston?" Emma and Regina both turned at the sound of Daniel's question.

"The stables we currently use are being converted in a few months into a hotel. The developer is advertising it as some sort of, close to Boston, getaway resort thing…it's such a shame. The area is beautiful, and it will soon be full of tourists who want to be cowboys for the day. Also, I'm going to be going to college here in Maine soon, and it'll be nice to be close to Rocinante." Regina got an adorable look on her face as she said the name.

"Oh, who's that?" Emma almost burst out laughing at the worried look on Daniel's face.

"My horse!" Regina bit her lip and smiled shyly over at Daniel like she could sense that he had been a tad jealous for a second.

"Like from Don Quixote?" Emma's mom had just had her read the story for homeschool, so the name was pretty fresh in her mind.

"Exactly! I'm impressed." The brunette smiled warmly at her, and Emma found herself blushing, but she wasn't sure why.

They continued their tour around the grounds, showing Regina all the fantastic things the stables had to offer. Daniel took over most of the talking and Regina seemed to be hanging on every word he said. Emma fell a bit back as they talked and she observed the two. The blonde could see they were pretty smitten with each other… Emma had seen Daniel all goo-goo over a girl before, but the way he looked at Regina was different. He was looking at her like she was the most precious thing on the planet. Emma still hadn't found herself falling for any boys yet, her mother kept telling her it would happen at any moment, but she just wasn't feeling it. They were all just so stupid. Girls on the other hand… Looking at the two people before her she switched her attention from Daniel to Regina. She was beautiful, Emma could see the appeal. She noted that Regina seemed just as fascinated with Daniel as he was with her… Listening to him talk and laughing at all his lame jokes. She found herself envious again, only this time it wasn't Regina she was envious of…no, this time it was Daniel….

"Hello, earth to Ugly Duckling, are you listening?!" Emma didn't have much time to process her new strange realization as Daniel snapped his fingers in front of her face. "There ya are, we need to get over to the dining hall." He gave her an odd look as she nodded at him, and then they headed over towards the dining hall. As they were walking, she noticed the two of them were actually holding hands now…

Dinner was lovely. Regina's parents were charming people. Emma found herself seated by Regina's father, Henry. Emma instantly took a liking to the man; he was adorable. He also talked to Emma like she was his peer, and not some random twelve-year-old girl. She was having so much fun talking horses with the man, that she didn't even really pay attention to what else was happening around the dinner table.

"Oh, really mother? For real?! Thank you so much!" Regina suddenly hopped out of her seat and wrapped her mother, Cora, in a tight hug.

Seeing the confusion on Emma's face Henry leaned over and whispered in her ear. "It seems my wife has given my daughter the good news." Emma glanced at the man questioningly. "Not only are we going to board our horses here, but we are also going to invest! We are now partners with your parents and the Colters! Cora is going to take over the equestrian side of things, and she's going to have Regina help her. I think that's why my little girl is so excited." Henry had such a happy, loving smile on his face that Emma didn't find herself surprised at the news of them having a new partnership with the Mills.

A clinking of a glass settled everyone down and drew everyone's attention to Emma's mom as smiled out at the group. Mary Margaret Nolan, better known as Snow for her uncanny resemblance to the fairytale princess, held her glass out. "I'd like to propose a toast! To new business partners, but also, new friends!" Everyone cheered and clinked their glasses.

Emma glanced over to Daniel to see how he was processing the news. He and Regina were just smiling at each other like a couple of idiots.

It had been three months since the Mills had become part of Storybrooke Stables. Daniel and Regina were an official couple now, and all the parents seemed to be rather thrilled by it. Emma had to admit the addition of the Mills had helped them out. Cora took complete control of the equestrian portion of the stables, and it made life on her parents much more manageable. Emma hadn't realized how much work they had been doing for so many years. They seemed happier, and that made Emma happy. With the added income coming in they were also able to hire extra help, and that let Emma have even more free time to ride. Every morning she'd wake up early and head out onto the trails. Sometimes Henry Mills would come out and ride with her, and he had become a significant figure in Emma's life very quickly. He was teaching her so much about horses and life in general. She felt so at ease with the man, and she found she could talk with him about things that she couldn't with anyone else.

"You look like something is bothering you, sweetheart? Care to share?" On this particular morning, Emma had been deep in thought and not her usual chatty self.

Emma looked over at the man with his kind eyes smiling at her and knew she'd probably tell him anything if he asked, so she blurted out what was bothering her. "I don't understand love."

Henry just burst out laughing. "I'm not sure anyone does dear, it's a very complicated subject."

"It's just… I see other girls my age, and they're all boy crazy, and I'm…well, me." Emma pouted and looked over at her riding companion who was smiling warmly at her.

"Not everyone figures these things out at the same time Emma. Sometimes it takes us a while to figure out what we're looking for…" Emma nodded as he talked. "You'll figure it all out with time; there is no rush. Just live in the moment, that other stuff, will work itself out eventually." Emma liked that. Live in the moment. She could do that.

"All right! I think everything is set for Regina's surprise party! This is going to be so much fun!" Emma rolled her eyes at her mother's enthusiasm. "You know what to do right, Emma?"

"Keep Regina distracted while the guests arrive, yes. But don't you think that's a better job for her…I dunno? Boyfriend?" Emma was so over this party already, and it hadn't even happened yet.

"Normally yes, but we're trying to make it appear like any normal Thursday, and on Thursdays, Daniel helps David with inventory. This will help keep her suspicions down." Emma laughed at the serious way her mom explained it. "Cora told her she could have the day off from teaching since it was her birthday, and Henry planted the suggestion of you showing her the trails she hasn't had a chance to explore yet. It's perfect! Plus, it'll give you two a chance to bond! I really think she and Daniel are going to be married someday." Emma watched as her mom got that annoying dreamy true love smile on her face, she was such a hopeless romantic.

"Ugh, fine! I'll have her back by 2." Emma stomped out of the loft and made her way over to saddle up Tawny.

When she reached the stable Regina was already there getting Rocinante ready. "Hey there Ugly Duckling! Are you ready to hang out together today?" Regina smiled over at her, and something in Emma snapped.

"No!"

Regina looked over at her confused. "Excuse me?"

"No, you don't get to call me that! Only Daniel gets to call me that!" Emma wasn't quite sure why it was bothering her so much, but she could feel her face was turning red in anger.

"Of course. I apologize. That was very forward of me…" Regina's eyes were extra wide, and she looked worried.

"Just… don't do it again, okay?" Emma didn't wait for a response, she just headed to Tawny and got back to work getting her ready.

The ride was a bit awkward at first, but Emma found herself pointing out interesting sights as they went…her love of the trails winning over her weird mood from earlier. She started getting more an more animated sharing stories with Regina about things she'd seen on various rides. They both shared a laugh over a story Emma told Regina about the first time she had taken Henry out with her...he had gotten so excited when he saw a moose, and he almost fell off his horse. They found a delicate balance of silence and storytelling as they went. It was in one of the silent moments that Regina decided to ask Emma a vital question.

"Emma, do you like me?"

Emma's head snapped over at Regina, and her mouth fell open. "What?!"

"It's just…well I… I really need you to like me, because you mean so much to Daniel…" Oh, Emma thought, of course… "You mean the world to him, and he is just so amazing... I've never really felt like this about anyone before. So I just wanted to make sure we're okay? I know it can be hard to share someone you're close to…"

"You don't think I'm jealous of you do you?" Emma stopped Tawny and looked Regina right in the eyes. "Because I'm not jealous…of you. I can promise you that." Emma swallowed down a lump in her throat.

Regina nodded nervously, and she actually looked a bit pale. "I just want us to be friends Emma."

It was at this moment Emma knew she had to bury any feelings she'd been having for Regina Mills that went beyond friendship. She could see it in the brunette's eyes, the girl was helplessly in love with Daniel, and Emma wouldn't ruin this for them. They both meant too much to her to come between that.

"I'd like that very much Regina, thank you." She gave Regina the brightest smile she could manage and was rewarded with one in return.

"Now we should probably get back for my surprise party!"

"You know about that?!" Emma looked at Regina stunned.

"Your mother is awful at keeping secrets!" Emma laughed at that; it was so accurate.