Emma's POV

I shoved the last bit of my breakfast down followed by a quick swig of coffee before heading for the door.

"Emma? Where are you going?" Mary Margaret called out from the kitchen.

"I'm going to see Henry. It's the Fourth of July, and dammit, I want to spend it with my family," I replied. I shrugged off the jacket before reaffirming my grip on the door handle. It was nice out, so the jacket I'd been wearing would probably be unnecessary.

"That's nice, great even, but what are you going to do if Regina wants to have him today too?" Mary pointed out. I released the door for the second time to turn around and look at Mary. She was trying to look out for me, and I understood that, but I really just wanted to go see Henry.

"She never wants me with him. Plus, I didn't really peg her as the holiday type. To her, today is probably just like any other," I replied. At that, I took hold of the door one more time, this time actually getting it open and out of it.

I considered taking the car to the diner, but it was a nice day, so I decided to walk. I passed a few people on the way and nodded politely at them, but didn't stop to talk. I really wasn't much of a social butterfly anyway, but I had a goal in mind and when that happened, there was no stopping me.

Yesterday I had talked to Henry and told him to meet me at the diner after breakfast so I could talk to him. Yeah, I know it was silly to go to a diner right after eating, but that way I gave Henry a chance to eat with his mom so she wouldn't get suspicious. Plus I thought of it as a nice gesture- you get him some, then I get him some. Sharing. But then again, sharing wasn't really a virtue the mayor seemed to be gifted with. Or maybe she actively chose not to.

When I got to the diner, I saw through the window that Henry was already there, sitting on one of the stools at the bar. I walked in and took a seat next to him. "Emma! I got her like, ages ago to wait for you," Henry greeted me with excitement.

Ruby, who was in the middle of giving Henry an ice-cold lemonade, scoffed. "Seriously? You got here five minutes ago and ordered a lemonade." Henry pouted at that.

"It had to have been at least six minutes," he countered. Ruby gave him a smile and ruffled his hair before leaving the two alone to go help the next customer.

"So what is it? Did something happen? Does it have anything to do with Operation Cobra? Is it my mom? Did she-?" Henry started firing off questions.

"Whoa, slow down, kid. It's nothing like that, I just wanted to spend some time with you; it's the Fourth of July, and that's a time for family," I answered all his questions in one. Henry visibly relaxed and even adopted a smile.

"Does that mean we're going to see Mary Margaret too? And David?" Henry inquired.

I tried not to laugh. Really and truly, the thought that the two of them could be my parents was ridiculous, but it was sweet of Henry to think of them. "Maybe later, but first I thought we could take a walk. Maybe pack a picnic for lunch. How's that sound?"

"That sounds great! Thanks, Emma," Henry responded with enthusiasm.

I smiled at him, taking in every once of his pure excitability, curiosity, and innocent nature. I knew from experience that kids could grow up so fast, too fast, and I wanted to savor the few moments I got with mine while they lasted. Hell, I wasn't supposed to have any of these moments, so each one was a damn gift. Not that I would tell Regina that.

As if on cue, Madam Mayor walked into the diner with a sneer on her face. It was a shame that she always walked around the town with an expression like she had a stick up her ass. I had a feeling she would look a lot better if she just smiled. There was a palpable change in the atmosphere upon her entrance. The volume turned to a hush, faces turned away, and there was a buzz in the air caused by general nervousness. No one wanted to get in her way, and it was clear as day.

"Henry. I was under the impression that you were going to work on your project today," Regina said, but her eyes flicked over to me as she spoke.

"Mom, I thought I didn't it have to have my room cleaned until next week. It's only Wednesday," Henry complained.

"Today is the perfect day to start it. You don't have anything better to do and procrastination is a nasty habit that I won't see you fall into," Regina explained. Again, her eyes would glance at me even as she spoke to her son. It angered me that Henry was being used in a power play against me.

"It's a holiday, Madam Mayor," I butted into the conversation, placing sarcastic emphasis on her ridiculous title. What mayor actually wants to be addressed that way? It was so pretentious. It's not like she was royalty.

Henry looked between the two of us, trying to understand. "As Henry's mother, it is my prerogative to decide what is and is not appropriate behavior on holiday occasions," Regina replied slowly.

"Well, can he at least stay to finish his lemonade?" I asked, desperate at this point. I wanted- needed- some time with him. I would have never thought that I would be fighting for him.

Regina gave me a long and lingering look up and down before gifting me with an answer. "Fine. I expect you home in no less than ten minutes." And with that, the mayor turned heel and exited the diner, thereby returning the atmosphere to normal.

"Alright, kid, drink up," I reminded Henry. He took a long sip as Emma watched, thinking about just how much she wanted to slap Regina. It would be wonderful, mostly just to take note of her facial expression afterward. Perhaps it would even leave a mark. That would just be…

Right. I'm here for Henry, not to fantasize about getting physical with Regina. Okay, that sounded wrong, even in my head. Focus. I did focus, and an idea came to me.

"I really wanted to spend the day with you, but I've got something even better," I informed Henry. The kid's whole demeanor seemed to brighten and his head perked up.

"What?" he asked eagerly.

"There's going to be some fireworks tonight at eight. We can watch them together," I replied. Henry gave me a grin and put down his emptied lemonade glass, embracing me in a tight hug. I was surprised, but I pat him on the back in response. When he released me, I saw his big grin before he stood up.

"I'll see you tonight!" he said before bouncing out the door of the diner. I smiled to no one but myself and shook my head, glad that I could see him looking so happy. He was a strong kid, even when his mom made him work on cleaning his room on a holiday and assigned him "projects" over the summer.

I sighed and put down some money for the lemonade. Henry, in his rush, had forgotten to ask for money, and Regina probably couldn't see past the fact that I was within twenty feet of her son. Sometimes I wonder if she's just being territorial. Like a bitch. Oh, that is kinda fitting when I think about it that way. She could anger me like no one else, and I'd dealt with some major scumbags with my profession- guys trying to cheat their wives out of money, parents getting loans to support their crack addictions, and worse. People would do a lot of reckless things whenever there was love or desperation involved, especially any sort of combination.

But Regina… she didn't have any reason to be desperate and she certainly wasn't in love that I could see, but she still did things I couldn't comprehend, like trying to keep me away from Henry and destroying his dreams. Maybe she made me so angry because I was used to reading people's intentions loud and clear but hers were so much more guarded. Unreadable. Infuriating.

I left the diner and trudged back home, partially in retreat, but with a slight smile at the thought that I might get a little victory tonight.

A/N: I will be switching the POV between Emma and Regina every other chapter most likely, though it may switch within the chapter at times. Please review to let me know what you think! There will be Swan Queen eventually.