I had come back from vacation to find this story deleted, much to my frustration and confusion. But I've returned without (hopefully) any more problems :D

Disclaimer: Any information I've learned about advertising companies has come from books, web research and/or TV shows. So I apologize for any false statements. :)

Two sentences into the conversation, Regina Mills was finding it extremely difficult to keep her thumb away from the END button on her phone. "I understand your concern, Miss Blanchard. But Henry won't fall, I assure you. He's as agile as a monkey." And just as mischievous. "Lure him down with something he likes. Tell him you have a comic book for him or something."

"Or something? So you want me to reward him for misbehaving?"

Regina sighs, "Look Miss Blanchard, I have an extremely busy schedule this morning. Can't you-"

"Scaling a twenty-foot tree is not in my job description. You're his mother, Ms. Mills, I need help. Where do you want me to go?"

Regina swallows her blasphemous suggestion. Replacing Henry's last three babysitters had been enough trouble. "Don't go anywhere. I'll come home as soon as I can."

"As long as I'm not responsible." The nanny sniffs, "I hope you have a tall ladder."

She didn't even own a step stool. "Everything is under control, Miss Blanchard. Please tell Henry I'm on my way. And if he allows sensibility to seep into his skull and climbs down, call me. Goodbye, Miss Blanchard."

Before the irritated nanny could toss back an errant remark, Regina's impatient thumb finally finds the END button.

Charming woman. Though she might have an impeccable resume and references, her uptight attitude was downright unappealing. Of course, Henry could stress the patience of a nun these days.

Running a hand through her silky hair, Regina reminds herself to stay calm. That is why she was put head of New York's largest advertising company. She was, after all, paid to keep cool in times of crisis. Compared to the tantrum she'd just endured from colleague and creative director, Killian Jones, Henry's little prank is nothing more than a mere insubordination.

Yeah right.

Briefly shutting her eyes, Regina wonders, not for the first time, how a seven-year-old boy could obtain such power over her. When you've worked with hundreds of employees with ease -more or less- it shouldn't be a problem to keep your overly active son tied down for a few hours.

Leaving the agency would be a great help, she thinks. All she needed was a few more weeks to have everything prepared and then she would make her move.

"Excuse me, Ms. Mills. Your nine o'clock appointment is here." Her secretary's voice floats from the intercom.

Appointment...?

Frowning, Regina presses down on a button. "I have a minor emergency at home, Ruby. It needs my immediate attention. Can you please cancel my appointment and clear my schedule after lunch?"

"But, umm, what about Miss Swan?"

Hmm. Ruby has never been one to question her instructions. Then again, there were few who do. "You'll just have to reschedule Miss Swan for another day." She begins to gather her things into her bag. "Friday at ten is good."

Swan…the name sounded oddly familiar. She scanned her memory. Oh. She was some junior copywriter from the creative department. She believed Killian had mentioned her a few times. She'd canceled on her once already, or was this the second time…?

A slice of guilt flashes through her. But Regina clears her head. Whether she had or not, the whole morning schedule was down the drain. When she doesn't have a seven-year-old dangling in a tree, she would elaborate on it.

Scooping up her purse and barely sipped coffee, Regina strides to the closed door, shifting both items to one hand. Before she could turn the knob, it twists violently and whooshes open, making the brunette stumble back, wincing when hot coffee splashes against her hand.

Wide-eyed, her secretary gasps. "Oh God, I am so sorry, Ms Mills!" She begins to wring her hands in distress. "Sh-she stormed in even though I told her you weren't available. I tried to block her way but…." She sighs deeply, brown eyes dimming. "I had no idea you were so close to the door."

"It's alright, Ruby. You were just doing your job. Do you mind taking this cup for me?" Skin still stinging, she passes over the almost empty cup to the curvy brunette.

As she quickly slides forward, Regina catches sight of a flash of gold and green over her head. She freezes, staring at the jungle green eyes watching her like a hawk. Her blonde hair seems to glow in the morning sun as she stares her down.

"If anyone should be apologizing, Ruby you certainly shouldn't be the one giving it."

The colorful eyes narrow at her statement, seeming to flash into a pool of blue and green.

Regina waits for a response, lifting an eyebrow at the stranger. Once it clearly appeared she wouldn't be receiving one, Regina steps around her fumbling secretary and extends a hand.

"Miss Swan, I presume?" She asks stiffly.

Tone matching the brunette's, she takes her hand. "Yeah, Emma Swan."

Her voice was lower than Regina expected, nothing like the high-pitched prep she'd had in mind.

"I'm the lowly copywriter who's worked here eight months on ads for C-list magazines, just waiting for a chance to join the Regal Hotels team." She releases her grip. "I'm the woman who found out no one is allowed to touch that account without your permission. And I am the one who you've blown off appointments four times in a row without so much as a explanation." Blue-green eyes flash. "But yet I'm the one who seems to owe an apology."

Regina blinks, never having experienced such rudeness; much less form someone in her lowly position.

But Emma wasn't done. "And you know what? I think that's utter bullshit. Just who the hell do you think you are, treating people like they're dirt!?"

Finally finding her voice, Regina straightens her pose. "If I am not mistaken, Miss Swan, I am your boss. I am not required to offer any explanation for my actions to anyone who doesn't pay my salary and you won't get anywhere in this company unless you remember that." Her voice hardens. "Nor will you be touching that account until you learn to curb your repulsive behavior."

The blondes gaze wavers then drops to the floor.

Regina releases a breath. Only she would have to endure a morning filled with not one, it seemed, but two unruly children. But she had to admit, the woman before her may have a repulsive personality but was certainly a sight to behold. Gaze cast down, green eyes peek up at her through long lashes. Regina prepares herself for an apology or perhaps even a few tears.

But never a grin.

"You're kidding, right?" She swallows down a laugh. "You cancel four appointments with me last minute and have the nerve to call my behavior repulsive!? Don't you think that's-" She pauses, sobering. "Do you do that a lot?"

Regina wondered the blondes IQ. "Do what?"

"That eyebrow thing." She gestures to the single perfectly sculpted arch still high on Regina's forehead. "Does it just automatically rise all the time or is this just for me?"

Regina, for the second time today, was caught off guard. She sighs inwardly at her bad luck.

Taking a deep breath, Regina focuses on the woman, "In answer to your first question, Miss Swan, I never kid. And I call your behavior not only repulsive, but down right foolish for someone in your position. Or have you forgotten somewhere in your childish rant who I am?"

Emma rolls her eyes. "Oh please. First I get a supervisor who needs to keep his hands to himself, then a boss you who turns out to be a…..a" Her gaze zooms in on the eyebrow for inspiration. "A castaway from the Starship Enterprise." Regina's eyebrow rises higher. "Sorry, Spock, to have disturbed your morning, but you know how emotional we humans get when treated like machines." With a whirl of blonde, she turns and walks out the door.

Of all the idiotic…

Regina follows her, trying to rein in her anger. "Wait a moment, Miss Swan, just what was so important for you to risk your job about?"

The blonde whirls abruptly, nearly causing a collision between the two. They quickly take a step back. "My job is at risk?" She sighs. "Oh well. Mr. Jones would be pissed at me once he finds out a talked with you anyway."

"Killian Jones doesn't want you speaking with me?"

Emma shrugs, knowing she had captured the brunette's attention. "Not at all. That's why it's been hell trying to a get an appointment. I've had to get it whenever he stepped out for a meeting but then you kept canceling…"

Regina pauses. No more than ten minutes ago she had been informed of Peter Gold's plans on relocating his accounts in Regal Hotels elsewhere; Killian had presented yet another round of outdated layouts for the incredibly important campaign. Regina had just ordered new layouts for three this afternoon, seeing as she has to do everything for everyone.

This fiery woman was, in her own words, nothing more than a lowly copywriter. But if their speaking with another got Killian's blood boiling, she might be worth some further investigation.

Regina sighs. "Miss Swan, I have a minor problem I need to attend to at home but you may accompany me and we'll have that meeting on the road." Not waiting for a reply, Regina starts down the hallway towards the elevator. Emma shoots her a glare before trailing after her. "You have twenty minutes of my undivided attention to state your case." She steps inside the elevator, waiting for the fuming blonde to join her. "I do hope you won't waste my time." She tosses out, smirking inwardly at the sight of the younger woman's fingers curling by her sides.

Regina was looking forward to showing Emma Swan the value of self-discipline in the near future.

The women head down to the underground parking lot towards Regina's prized 1990 Bentley. Emma's eyebrows rise when the lights flash on the shiny, black vehicle. Coming into work everyday she'd always envied whoever owed this beautiful car. Her Uncle had always loved cars; they use to drag in old, rusty trucks and clean them up until they ran like new again. It still was a hobby of hers, when she had the time.

Aside from the fact that the owner was a pompous bitch, Emma couldn't help but admire her taste in machinery.

"Nice ride." She grudgingly compliments, watching the brunette circle the vehicle.

Regina smirks. "Thank you. It was a present from my father."

Emma refrains from rolling her eyes as she slides into the passengers seat, of course it was. She bet 'Daddy' bought her lots of things. The car's engine rumbles smoothly as they pull out of the lot, a sound Emma and her Uncle would rejoice at after working in the blistering Georgia sun all day, they'd share a high-five then grab burgers from the local diner. All in a hard days work. But Regina Mills receives a sparkling new car without having to lift a perfectly manicured finger.

Emma risks a glance over at the woman, allowing her eyes to quickly sweep over her features. She was exactly what Emma had expected from the multiple rumors circling the office. Cold, stubborn and downright unfriendly. But not one of the many whispers about the woman had spoken of her beauty. She was extremely pretty, Emma could admit while her gaze travels down the woman's face and body, stopping on perfectly sculpted legs curving out from her tight pencil skirt. The brunette tosses dark hair from her eyes in concentration, a practiced move, as she moistens red lips.

Okay, so she was incredibly sexy.

But that doesn't overlook the fact that she's an uptight, antagonistic, spoiled brat. Emma just couldn't deal with those kinds of people; she'd had her fair share of them back home. They were one of the main reasons she needed to get the hell out of that town and after graduation she finally took the hint, not seeing any point in staying in a place she clearly wasn't wanted.

So she simply couldn't allow her mind to drift with unprofessional thoughts about her boss when she acted this way, no matter how inviting those plump lips looked.

Regina turns her head and their eyes lock. Biting back a smirk, her eyebrow lifts. "If I'd known this is how you'd spend your twenty minutes, Miss Swan, I would've just printed out a picture for you." A wicked grin flashes upon her lips at the blondes reddening face. "You have fifteen minutes remaining. I suggest you use them wisely."

Quickly turning her gaze away Emma makes a quick, painful decision. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed this woman. "I-would like to apologize for my behavior earlier. I don't usually barge into offices."

"Well don't I feel special that you'd make an exception." Regina's mouth twitches before sobering. "I'm gathering the impression that you are unhappy at Ad's On advertising company. You do realize that I hold no authority over your position?"

"Not exactly, Ms. Mills." Emma matches her tone perfectly, cocking an eyebrow. "You have made your point in showing me just how much power you have in this agency. And stop me if I'm wrong, but aren't my boss?" By the infuriated expression on the woman's face, Emma knew she had won this round.

"True enough. But why come to me for help? I'm not exactly known around here for my empathic personality."

Yeah, no shit. That was the understatement of the year; at least four employees have resigned in tears under Regina's rule, both male and female alike. As long as her marketing brilliance continued to bring in accounts like the Regal Hotels no one dared to challenge her.

"Here's the thing." The blonde begins, shifting her body to face her boss. "I have two choices. I can either scrape up what little money I have left to my name and start over or," She meets her boss's intense gaze. "I can put my trust in your sensibility and my Fate into your hands."

Her eyes flick down to the brunettes firm grip on the steering wheel, carefully caressing her thumbs over the leather.

"You're either utterly brave or stupid for coming to me, Miss Swan." Her thumbs continue to circle the leather tenderly, caressing it like an old lover. Emma's eyes widen. "Seeing as Kleenex is a standard accessory among my staff."

Tearing her eyes from the hands, Emma shakes her head clear. "What?"

"My reputation." Regina sighs, feeling as though she was speaking with a child. "Doesn't it bother you?"

"I haven't cried since I was ten. I highly doubt you'll be the one who changes that."

Regina pauses, slightly impressed. Emma's gaze doesn't waver, she knew what she could and couldn't handle. And a spoiled Daddy's Girl was definitely something she could. Besides, she'd faced much worst.

Emma releases a breath. "As a businesswoman, you would never want any part of your company wasting resources, would you?"

"You have my attention."

"Though it may sound conceited, I know just how talented I am and where I'd be most useful. And personally, I'd rather not waste this talent slugging around an unimaginative office surrounded by sexist men. If given the chance, I honestly believe I can contribute a lot to this company." She exhales deeply.

Regina blinks. "Continue."

"When Mr. Woods hired me, I was told there was going to be plenty of opportunity for advancement."

"Woods?" Regina frowns. "Didn't Killian hire you?"

Emma shakes her head. "One of my college professors knew Mr. Woods and arranged the meeting for me. I never talked to Killian until my first day on the job."

"Okay… So what did you expect, because you had connections you would automatically get a promotion?"

"Of course not! I'd planned to work from the bottom up like everyone else." She chews on her lower lip. "But here I am, eight months later, still a bottom feeder. There's a bunch of people who want the same thing I do; recognition. And for the past eight months I've been doing everything I possibly can to stand out from the crowd." She searches the widen brown eyes in front of her. "But just when will I get the recognition I deserve? There have been men with qualities just as good as mine who have received promotions while I'm still stuck stapling their copies. Don't you want to change that?"

Regina huffs out a breath, slowing the car to a stop in front of a gorgeous Victorian mansion painted cream white. "We're here." She slides wordlessly out the car and starts up the brick walkway.

Emma stares after her in awe, both furious about her lack of interest in her proposition and in wonder of the house before her. She follows the woman around to the back of the house, cutting past a large hedge scattered with blood red roses. The backyard was its own paradise, perfectly-trimmed grass stretched for miles, more hedges lining against the street. But no matter where you stood the winding apple tree in the middle of the yard would immediately capture your attention, even without the woman yelling up at the leaves.

"Henry! Come down, you can't stay up there forever!" The short-haired woman shouts up at the branches.

"No. I'm waiting until Mom comes!" A boy shouts back, though Emma couldn't see him through the thick leaves.

The woman sighs, turning away. Her tired green eyes brighten when she catches sight of the women standing in front of the gate. "Oh thank God you're here, Ms. Mills! I've tried everything you asked but he only wants you."

Regina sighs. "He knows I don't climb. I have no idea what's gotten into him lately." Regina hands over her purse to the woman, glancing at Emma, her face flushes. She had temporarily forgotten the woman was there. "Miss Blanchard, this is Miss Swan." She introduces stiffly before walking over to the tree.

Emma extends out a hand, smiling gently. "Hi, I'm Emma."

"Mary Margaret. Nice to meet you." The woman smiles kindly. "You work with Ms. Mills?"

Unfortunately. "Yeah, we were discussing a few problems in the office. What's going on here?"

Mary Margaret sighs wearily. "Regina's son, Henry, climbed up that tree an hour ago and refuses to come down. I love that boy but he's just so stubborn sometimes."

"Like mother like son." Emma mutters. Though this was news to her; Regina didn't seem like the motherly type. "Where's his Dad?"

"No clue, Regi-Ms. Mills adopted him when he was only weeks old. I haven't worked here very long, only a few months." She shrugs. "Since I've been here all Henry does is try and get her attention, but she's been so busy lately…"

Emma frowns. "I'm sure she could at least make time for her own kid." She watches the brunette look up at the tree, hands on her hips. "Excuse me…" She mumbles, walking away from the nanny. She comes to a stop a few paces behind Regina, gazing up at the tree where a small boy no older than seven or eight resides, swinging his legs.

"Henry Nathaniel Mills, come down right now!" Regina orders.

The boy shakes his brown-haired head. "No, you come up here." His large brown eyes turn sorrowful. "Can't we play?"

Regina hesitates a second, sighing. Her gaze flicks down to the grass. "I'm sorry, honey but I can't, I have a lot of work to do…" She felt awful for saying it; Henry was the one person in the world she would never wish harm on. And lately she was the only one causing it.

"I could help you with that." Emma mutters near her ear, causing the older woman to jump in fright.

Eyes wide, Regina removes her hand from over her chest. "What the hell are you doing here? I'm trying to have a private conversation with my son." Her eyes flash menacingly.

Emma doesn't back down, moving her gaze over to a wide-eyed Henry. "Hi, I'm Emma." She offers him a small smile while Regina glowers.

"Hi…" He looks between the two women. "Are you friends with my Mom?"

They freeze, casting brief glances at another. "Not exactly…We just met today." Emma explains. Officially, anyway.

"Oh. Are you going to stay?" His eyes shift between them.

Emma opens her mouth to reply but Regina beats her to it. "No, she's not." She cocks an eyebrow, silently challenging the blonde. "She's here for business. Now get down, Henry."

"Nope. Someone has to play with me first." He swings his legs off the branch childishly. Emma swallows down a chuckle at Regina's weary expression. Kid definitely has her stubbornness.

"I'll play with you." She slides out of her heels, wiggling her toes in the cool grass. Ignoring Regina's bewildered expression; Emma begins to nimbly climb up the tree, rolling her up her skirt as she ascends.

Regina watches Henry's face light up with a pang in her chest. She wished more than anything that she could find the time to play with her son, but between balancing all the plans she needs to make for her resignation from Ad's On, how she's going to break the news to her boss, and now the sudden whirl of precocious blonde storming into her life, Regina didn't see herself relaxing down for a game of catch anytime soon.

She watches as Emma climbs higher, expertly scaling past the thin branches. Her skirt lifts higher with each step, exposing the top of her thigh. Regina's eyebrows lift at the sight, who would've thought the woman would have such attractive legs? The blonde continues to scale the tree, oblivious to the dark eyes scrutinizing her every move.

"Miss Swan, unless you want my son to witness your death I suggest you climb back down." Regina halfheartedly barks, feeling her cheeks flush.

Emma ignores her, stopping on a branch one step down from Henry's. "So, Henry, what do you want to do first?" Emma smiles. She had always been good with kids, though she never wanted any of her own.

The boy's eyes shine brightly as they roll upward in thought. His tone grows more excited with each sentence, making Emma smile. The kid was cute, his big brown eyes were full of wonder, in contrast to his mothers, whose were full of malice.

Said eyes narrow as Regina watches them both climb carefully down the tree, searching the yard for mock danger. She huffs out a breath, knowing she couldn't tell them to stop. Henry's grin stretches wider than she had seen in the longest time, since she'd received her promotion at Ad's On, in fact. Another flash of guilt stabs at the brunette, she knew now more than ever she needed to break free from the company, start working her own hours.

Which brings her right back to the cheeky blonde flashing a dazzling smile as she chases her son around the yard. Regina frowns. She'll admit Miss Swan's proposition had intrigued her interest. The woman had brought up an excellent case, she knew many women in just as powerful positions as herself who still were treated as mere eye-candy by their male colleagues. Regina was sure she would be treated the same if so many of her employees weren't afraid of her.

Henry's delighted scream pulls her out of her thoughts. She tries and fails to hide her smile at the sight of the boy being scooped into Emma's arms, his laughter washing over them both. She's awfully good with children, Regina notes, wondering if the blonde had any of her own. With a shake of her head, she reminds herself that she could care less about Emma Swan's life; she was here to do business, not chat over tea and cookies.

"Cookies anyone?" Mary Margaret calls out, holding up a sliver platter.

Henry immediately slides out of Emma's arms to race for the snacks. Emma chuckles before starting after him. She glances at Regina, who clenches her jaw and averts her gaze. Frowning, Emma switches paths to her, bashfully pushing back golden locks from her flushed face.

"Hey." She greets, flashing a small smile. She needed to be on the brunette's good side if she wanted her to consider her offer. Besides, was it really her fault her kid wanted to play and she had kindly volunteered? If anything, the uptight woman should be thanking her.

Regina scoffs. "'Hey'? If you can recall, this is still a business meeting, not a play date."

Reminding herself to hold her tongue, Emma's smile tightens. "Right. Glad to know the offer is still on the table." She awkwardly hangs her arms at her sides, wishing she had pockets.

"It is. But not for long if you continue to waste your time over a snack break." Regina counters, crossing her arms beneath her breasts.

"Maybe I wouldn't have to if you had given your kid the time of day." Emma snaps, immediately regretting her words at the furious expression flitting over Regina's features.

The brunette grips Emma's wrists tightly, making sure to dig her nails into the blonde's skin as she pulls her through the backdoor. "Don't you dare tell me how to raise my son." She seethes. "I should let you walk back to the office and have you stapling papers till the day you retire." Dark eyes flash menacingly, a gesture that usually has her employees cowering and begging for forgiveness. But Emma had proved multiple times in the past few hours that she was not an ordinary employee.

So why was Regina surprised when green eyes flashed back?

"Look, Ms. Mills." She spits the title. "We both know I've made an interesting case and you want to listen." She snatches her wrist away, taking a step into her boss's space. "So I suggest you change your attitude before I do walk out of here, taking an opportunity for the both of us to leave this shitty company."

Regina blinks rapidly, processing what just occurred. "How did you know I wanted to leave the company?" Is all she can muster out.

Emma smirks, knowing she'd won this round. "You have son. That right there tells me a lot. And I don't see a ring on your finger, meaning you're a single mother." Her eyes flick down to Regina's left hand to double check.

Regina sniffs, slightly offended. "What makes you think I'm single? For all you know I could be in a relationship." They both knew this was far-fetched. Regina hadn't been on a date since Henry was a toddler.

Emma rolls her eyes, making her boss frown further. "Seriously, with your attitude? You're lucky you're hot or not a single person would glance your way." A blush forms across both of their cheeks.

Regina quickly covers her redden face with a smirk. "I'm…hot? Wow, Miss Swan you've really out done yourself. That's exactly the professional attitude I'm looking for." She chuckles.

Emma grins, unexpectedly finding herself enjoying the brunettes company. "Wouldn't you rather have a partner who tells the truth?"

"Partner?"

Realizing her slip, Emma chews on her lower lip. "Uh yeah…it's part of my proposition. If you're still interested." She suddenly finds herself feeling embarrassed in front of the woman.

Quirking an eyebrow, Regina's smirk widens. "I'm still intrigued, luckily for you." Casting a glance at Mary Margaret and Henry, who both were trying their best to look as though they weren't listening in, Regina gestures behind her. "If you're done eating cookies, would you accompany me into my office?"

Emma flashes the brunette an adorable smile. "I'd be happy to." She shoots nanny and child a grin as she follows Regina further inside the house.

The two exchanges a glance and shrug before returning back to their snacks.

Emma gazes around the pristine office in awe. "Impressive. You should just do all of your work from here. It beats that claustrophobic office any day."

Regina chuckles, sliding around her desk. "I had planned to, once I finally break away from the company." She takes a seat, gesturing the blonde to do the same. "Now Miss Swan, let's hear what you have to say."

Nervousness suddenly taking hold of her, Emma shifts in her seat. "As I said earlier, I'm sick of being treated as though I have no sense of purpose to offer this company and I'm sure many women feel the same." She begins, folding her hands into her lap. "So I've thought long and hard about this and…I've decided to branch off Ad's On and start my own advertising company. With you." Large green eyes meet brown in expectancy.

Regina didn't know what to say. Though she has heard some insane notions brought to her, this has to be one of the craziest. This woman, this copy writer, has come to her in all her blonde, toned-legged glory, with an amazing pitch but a suicidal approach.

"Miss Swan," She begins slowly, leaning forward in her chair. "You do realize if we did leave the agency and start our own, it might just crash and burn?"

Emma nods, sensing the brunette's hesitancy. "Of course I've thought about that. But you're Regina Mills, anyone would be lucky to have you beneath their company. I've seen you take any product and toss out an amazing advertisement in a matter of weeks." Green eyes shine as she leans toward the woman. "And it's not like we'd be starting from scratch, we'd already have a project ready to go."

Regina could hardly believe what she was hearing. "And just what would that be?" She had a feeling she should be terrified of the answer.

"The Regal Hotels account."

Yes, there it was, that feeling she'd had.

"Let me get this straight. You want to leave one of the best advertising companies in New York to open up your own, while working on the most expensive account we have?" It sounded crazier coming out of her own mouth. "And just how do think you'll obtain the rights to the Regal Hotels account?"

"With your help." Regina sighs, sitting back in her chair; of course she was the key. She was kind of disappointed; Emma has a lot of potential but these insane ideas will only get her into trouble. "You could set up a meeting with Gold so I can pitch my idea-"

Regina wearily lifts a hand, cutting the blonde off. "Miss Swan, I'm going to be perfectly honest with you. I was genuinely excited to hear your proposition, until you started spiting out nonsense." She rises from her chair, causing Emma to do the same. "You have great potential to make it far in this company, Miss Swan, but this idea- and I use the term loosely- of yours won't work." She shakes her head as she makes her way to the door.

Emma huffs out a breath, holding her place beside her chair. "Here's the thing, I've thought long and hard about this plan and I am confident it can work. There are just parts that are out of my ranking, such as getting Gold to switch accounts to our company. I know he's thinking of moving anyway. Regina, this is a perfect opportunity." They pause at the sudden transition of informality.

Regina pauses, slowly turning to meet a pleading stare. "Just how are you obtaining all this information?"

"Let's just say Killian is not a silent drunk."

Regina's eyebrows shoot up. She shouldn't be surprised, he's anything but annoyingly loud and handsy at the office Christmas parties. She ponders over the blondes' words, hardly believing she was actually considering this. "So let's say we do branch from Ad's On, create our own company. I arrange a meeting with Gold and," She folds her arms beneath her breasts, hoping she came off more authoritative than she felt. "From some kind of miracle; he agrees to move his account to us. What happens from there?"

"We find a building, open for business and once word the Regal Hotels account is at our office, things really shoot off." Emma shrugs, walking towards the woman. "Please just give me a chance, Regina, hear me out. It's not like I'll be in your hair for long."

Regina looks to her in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"After a year, once the business is at its best, I'm leaving New York."

"Why, if you're so sure the company will be successful?"

Emma dips her head. "I'm not meant to be here, it was the one place I could settle at the rate I was going. But once I gather enough money to move on, I'm gone." She shrugs, shuffling hair from her eyes. "I've never been very good at staying in one place for too long."

Regina flutters her lashes in mild shock. "You're whole point in doing this is to make a statement, to break free, and once you've accomplished that you're just…going to leave it all behind?" She couldn't wrap her head around it. Everyone likes success and even more so, seeing that success grow. What makes Emma Swan any different?

Emma watches as she gently closes the door back into its frame. She knew that look; she'd seen it too many times. It was the expression most people had as she was telling them she was leaving. Usually disbelief or shock, but very few times did anyone actually look like they gave a shit whether she left or not. She had a feeling Regina Mills wouldn't be any different.

She shrugs. "I would've thought that'd be best for you. Once I'm gone you'll have full ownership to the agency. All I want is my shot for recognition, once the year is up, I'm gone and we never have to speak again. I'll even have my lawyer draw up a contract." Blue-green eyes smolder. "So, do we have a deal?"

Regina blinks rapidly, utter bewilderment shooting through her veins. Never has she been backed into a corner like this. Never has anyone been bold enough to storm her office, making such outrageous offers. Never has she been more impressed with a person's integrity.

Curiosity and fear swelling within her chest, Regina lifts a hand. "We have a deal." They lock gazes and hands with various degrees of intensity. "Well, Miss Swan, let's see how much of you is all talk and how much is action." She mutters; quirking an eyebrow.

Emma smirks at the movement. "I guess we'll find out, won't we, partner?"