With only a day left of their vacation, barely even that, Emma Swan most definitely wasn't ready to go home. While she had anticipated being alone on her solo trip to Jamaica, Regina Mills had made sure that she was most definitely not alone.

They went dancing almost every night at a small bar in the village that took the taxi driver half an hour to get them to. The music was vibrant, the drinks were strong, and the atmosphere was unlike anything else Emma had ever experienced before in her life. Some nights they ended up in Regina's room, other nights they were in Emma's, but since that second night she was in Jamaica, she hadn't slept alone.

Their days had been spent on the beach and in the water. They talked about almost everything, getting to know one another more and more as the days passed by far too quickly. That morning, being their last morning together, Regina had ordered room service and they had breakfast in Regina's bed without a stitch on. It made for a very interesting experience for both of them when Regina grabbed the little jug of syrup and poured a line down the center of her chest. Emma had all too greedily licked her skin clean and it continued that way until there was no more syrup in the little jug and the trays were all but pushed to the floor as they fucked for hours until the maids knocked on the door, wanting to clean the room for the day.

Emma sighed as she laid on the blanket she and Regina were sharing, watching the gorgeous brunette in her little white bikini walk towards the water. Her skin glistened from the oil and sweat and she was eager for a dip in the water to cool off. Emma had encouraged her to go first and that she'd join her in a few minutes, but really all she wanted to do was watch her and soak in the very image of her in that white bikini that had first drawn Emma's eyes to her on the first day she was there on the little island under the hot Caribbean sun.

Emma reached blindly for the colourful stick neck to her and stuck it upright in the sand, smiling when the bartender came over a few minutes later with her preferred drink of choice, a sunset. She thanked him with a smile and reached for her floppy hat and pulled it on before taking a sip of the cold, alcoholic drink.

Regina's flight to Boston unfortunately was a different one than hers and Emma had made a private phone call to the airport early that morning unknown to Regina and tried to change her flight. The woman she spoke to said it was impossible as the flight was booked solid and there was no way to change her flight even if she splurged a little extra to get a seat in first class. She had tried not to let that bring her down because she wanted to enjoy the time she did have with Regina before they both left.

Emma still had a few hours left until she would have to board the bus that would take a group of them to the airport. She mostly finished her drink before Regina emerged from the water and made her way back over to their blanket. She sat down and ran her fingers through her wet hair before looking over at Emma with a smile dancing over her lips.

"The water is warm today."

"Like it is every day," Emma smiled. "I am going to miss this."

"It's certainly a nice change of pace from home," Regina nodded and she laid back, her eyes sliding shut as she settled on the blanket next to her.

I'm going to miss us, Emma thought, but knew better than to say it. She didn't want to come across as overly attached already since they'd only known each other for barely ten days.

"What time do you need to check out?"

"At three," Emma replied quietly and Regina turned to her and opened her eyes, frowning slightly. "I know."

"Are you all packed up?"

"Mostly, yeah."

"How about we head up to your room and make sure?" Regina asked with a teasing smile and Emma laughed. "This way too, we can say goodbye privately."

"Yeah."

Regina reached out and traced her fingers along the back of Emma's right hand lightly. "It's not going to be goodbye forever, darling."

"Really?"

"Of course not," Regina said quietly. "After we return home, I would love to continue to see you."

"I'd like that."

"Come," Regina said as she stood up from the blanket and reached for Emma's hand. She pulled Emma up to her feet and from the charged and hungry look in her eyes, Emma knew exactly how they were going to spend the last of her time there in Jamaica once they were back in her room.

It took Emma two tries with her key card to unlock the door to her room since Regina's hands were already roaming over her body and Regina's lips were kissing over her shoulder. The moment the door was unlocked and open, Regina turned her around and crushed their lips together as they backed up hurriedly into the room.

They were naked before they even reached the bed and while the past eight days had been full of heated passion, it felt different that time, different in ways Emma couldn't quite figure out. All she knew was that she was going to hold on to each passing minute and enjoy the last few hours with Regina Mills.

[X]

Emma waited outside the airport for Ruby to pick her up. She had slept most of the flight back from Jamaica, sleep being her only option just to keep her mind off of Regina Mills. There was an ache that settled into her heart, one she had promised herself she'd never go through again, yet it had happened and she'd been powerless in following her heart and Regina Mills into bed, over and over again.

Emma sighed heavily as she played with the handle on her luggage. It was growing late and despite it being a warm night in June, it sent a chill through her body and she already missed the heat she'd spent the last ten days enjoying. Regina's flight wouldn't land for another three hours and she was already contemplating calling Ruby and telling her not to come until later just so she could see Regina again.

"Emma!" Ruby called out as she pulled the car up next to her and she hopped out, rushing up to her and threw her arms around her excitedly. "Welcome home!"

"Thanks," Emma said with a forced smile and Ruby grabbed her luggage and tossed it in the trunk of her red Camaro. "Do you think we could stop somewhere and get something to eat?"

"What are you feeling like?"

"A nice and big, greasy burger."

"I know just the place," Ruby laughed and they got in the car. She cranked the volume on the radio as she navigated her way out of the airport and headed in the direction of their apartment. She made a quick detour to her grandmother's diner and parked out back instead of out on the street.

"I can't tell you how much I've missed the comforts of home," Emma said as they entered the diner through the back door. "It was beautiful down there, hot, but there's just nothing like Granny's burgers and fries."

"Maybe she oughta set up shop down in Jamaica," Ruby chuckled and they seated themselves in their usual booth. "God, look at you," Ruby sighed dramatically. "You're so tan!"

"Thanks."

"And you look happy," Ruby continued and she placed a hand on Emma's before she opened her eyes wide in shock. "No!"

"What?"

"Tell me you did not hook up with that woman you told me about!" Ruby exclaimed, albeit a little too loudly as a few other patrons turned to look at them. Emma flushed and lowered her eyes to her hands on the table. "Oh my god, Emma!"

"What?"

"You totally did, didn't you?"

"I didn't mean to!" Emma groaned and she buried her flushed face into her hands for a moment. "I swear, Ruby, I didn't mean to, but it just sort of happened."

"Who made the first move?" Ruby asked quietly as she leaned forward. "Did she?"

"Yes."

"Tell me everything," Ruby demanded just as Granny sauntered over to the table with two large glasses of Coke. "Gran, can we get our usual?"

"Of course," Granny nodded and she turned to Emma with a smile. "Welcome back, Emma."

"Thank you, Granny," she smiled up at the woman. "I've got you some gifts. I'll be sure to bring them around tomorrow after I've unpacked."

"Did you get me anything?" Ruby asked once Granny had walked away to take an order from the next table over. "Ems?"

"Of course I did!" Emma laughed and shook her head. "Rubes, I know you want to know everything that happened and I promise I'll tell you, but not right now."

"Did you at least get her number?"

Emma rolled her eyes incredulously. "Of course I did," she muttered under her breath. "How long do you think I should wait before I call her?"

"When does she get back?"

"In a couple of hours. She was on a later flight. I—I tried to change mine, but her flight was full coming back and—"

"Oh Emma," Ruby frowned as she reached out for her hands and squeezed tightly. "Please tell me you did not go and fall in love with this woman."

"Ruby, if you knew her, you'd see how impossible it'd be to not fall in love with her," Emma sighed and she shook her head. "What if it's different here? What if we start dating and it's just not the same? What if she decides that she doesn't want to see me again?"

"Em—"

"I did it again, didn't I? I set myself up for inevitable heartbreak."

"I don't know," Ruby said with a small shrug of her shoulders. "I truly hope not. Look, I'm happy you had a good time there with this woman, but I don't know if I can handle seeing you go through what you did with Lily the first time."

"She's nothing like Lily."

"Except for the fact that she's a brunette," Ruby teased. "So, tell me more about your trip. I want to know everything! Did you just spend the whole time on the beach and in her bed, or did you get to explore beyond her naked body?"

Emma reached across the table and playfully punched Ruby on her arm. "We went on an excursion the second day I was there. She had an extra ticket. We went zip-lining—"

"You went zip-lining?"

"Shut up, yes I did. She pushed me."

"What?" Ruby laughed as she fell back against the bench seat. "She pushed you?"

"It was fun," Emma chuckled and shook her head. "We were supposed to go to these waterfalls after, but a storm rolled in and we were taken back to the hotel instead. Regina, she invited me up to her room and well, that's when it happened. The first time, anyway."

"And?"

"And I'm not telling you everything, Rubes, but I will tell you that it was amazing. She's incredible. She—"

"She topped you, didn't she?"

Emma felt her cheeks burn hotter at the question and Ruby just laughed harder knowing the answer without it having to be said. By the time Granny returned with their food, Ruby was relentless in asking questions about Regina and made it impossible for Emma to think about anything else other than her.

By the time they got home, Emma was exhausted and all she wanted to do was change into a pair of comfortable pajamas and crawl into the comfort of her own bed. Ruby, however, had other ideas and persuaded her to share a bottle of wine on their balcony with her before they went to bed. Emma nursed her glass while Ruby pounded hers back and started asking about Regina again. Emma wasn't in the mood and she made it clear she was done talking about Regina for the time being.

It was well past midnight by the time Emma crawled into bed. She struggled with the decision of whether or not to send Regina a text, but in the end she decided against it and would just call her in the morning to see how her flight home had been and possibly make plans to meet up within the next couple of days. All Emma knew was she couldn't wait to see her again and she only hoped that she wouldn't have to wait much longer than a few days at most.

[X]

Ruby found her pacing the kitchen the next evening, pausing to check her cell she had charging on the kitchen counter every couple of steps. She had called Regina that morning and left her a message. Regina had yet to call her back and Emma was struggling not to call her again.

"She's just busy," Emma muttered as Ruby sat at the stool by the small breakfast bar and cracked open a can of beer for herself. "She's just busy, that's all it is, right?"

"She's a business woman, works for a finance company," Ruby replied and she frowned slightly at Emma. "I'm sure she's busy with work, Ems. She'll call."

"You're right. She's just busy with work. She'll call later."

"So, you have an interview tomorrow, don't you?"

"I do."

"For that indie newspaper?" Ruby asked and Emma nodded. "You'll get the job. I know you will."

"Thanks, Ruby, but it's not what I'm aiming for. The River isn't exactly the Boston Herald."

"No," Ruby said with a shake of her head. "But it's your foot in the door and it'll get you the experience you need."

Emma knew what Ruby was doing and she appreciated her for trying to take her mind off of Regina Mills. Emma began pacing once more and reached for her phone, checking to see if maybe she'd missed the call even though she had the volume right up. With a frown, she tossed her phone back down on the counter.

"Did you put the pictures on your laptop yet?" Ruby asked and Emma nodded. While there hadn't been too many, there were enough and there were even a few shots of Regina in her white bikini Emma had taken without her knowing.

They moved from the kitchen and into the living room. They sat next to each other on the old ratty couch and Emma grabbed her laptop off the coffee table. After she went through a dozen pictures, she clicked on one of Regina and Ruby just draped an arm over her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.

"She's beautiful, Ems."

"I know."

"Is she Latina? She looks like she's Latina."

"On her father's side," Emma replied, recalling the conversation she and Regina had about their families—and Emma's lack of one. "She doesn't know I took that picture," she said quietly and she clicked on the next one. "Or this one either."

"You're sure she's not some kind of a model or something?" Ruby asked and Emma rolled her eyes. "Damn, Ems, you were right, she is nothing like Lily at all. You really spent ten days with her?"

"Yes, Ruby."

"Damn!"

"She's totally out of my league, isn't she?"

"No," Ruby said with a shake of her head. "She's not. Come on let's go out for dinner. We can go see Granny and you can give her the gifts you bought her. She called me earlier asking me to bring you around. I think she just wants those shot glasses you picked up for her so she can proudly display them behind the counter."

"What if—"

"If she calls, I won't be offended if you go off to talk to her privately. Now come on, Ems! I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Emma grabbed her phone and unplugged it from the charger before hesitatingly grabbing the bag with Granny's gifts she'd brought back from her trip and followed Ruby out of their apartment. They walked to the diner and sat in their usual booth and for the next hour, Emma constantly checked her phone and annoyed Ruby to no end by zoning out halfway through her story about the guy she'd met while she'd been in Jamaica.

Emma barely touched her food either, much to Granny's dismay, but was quickly forgiven when she gave Granny her gifts. Sure enough, as soon as the six shot glasses were unwrapped, Granny placed them on the trinket shelf behind the counter and beamed as she gave her a thumbs up. Emma and Ruby just laughed and after Emma got a box to put her barely touched food in to take home with her, her cell beeped once and she nearly dropped it pulling it free from her pocket.

I am so sorry I haven't had a chance to call you back. I've been busy with work since returning home. I will call when I get the chance.

It was a text from Regina and while it was short and straight to the point, it was still something. It wasn't a phone call as she had hoped, but it was something and a text was better than nothing at all.

[X]

For the next two days, even with Emma now busy herself with her new job as junior editor at The River, she was distracted constantly, her phone barely leaving her side as she checked it constantly to see if Regina had texted or called her. There had been nothing since the text two nights ago and Emma was starting to worry that maybe Regina really did change her mind about wanting to continue seeing her once they were back in Boston.

Ruby had told her not to call her again or even text her. The ball was in Regina's court now and Emma had to be patient and wait for her to make the next move. It felt like torture waiting around to hear from her and as the days went on and Friday quickly approached, Emma caved and ignored Ruby's advice and sent Regina a text as she walked home from The River's office building.

Hi, I know you're probably busy with work, but I was wondering if you would like to have dinner this weekend with me?

Emma sent it and clutched on to her phone as she walked the three blocks back to her and Ruby's apartment. She felt like a knot had formed in her stomach and moved up to lodge itself in her throat when she hadn't heard anything back from Regina by the time she let herself in the empty apartment.

Emma paced in the kitchen for a solid hour before Ruby got home, armed with two bottles of wine and take-out from the Chinese food place down the street. It wasn't until she and Ruby had finished the take-out and a whole bottle of wine before her phone beeped once.

I'm unfortunately headed out of town on business this weekend. I'm sorry.

"She totally blew you off, didn't she?" Ruby asked as they sat on the balcony together. "Oh Ems, I'm sorry."

"It's happening again, isn't it?" Emma asked, her voice wavering as she tried to fight back her tears. "I never should've let myself fall in love with her. I'm probably just that vacation lover and now that we're back in Boston that's all I'll ever be. She doesn't want to talk to me. She doesn't want to see me."

"Maybe she really is busy with work, Em, and you're reading way to far into this whole avoidance thing. It's only been a week, barely even that."

"How could I be so stupid, Ruby?"

"You're not stupid," Ruby said as she reached out for her hand. "You fell in love with a gorgeous woman even after you promised you wouldn't. Don't," Ruby said as she held up her hand to stop Emma from trying to speak. "It's not a promise you meant to break. Love happens, Em."

"What if she doesn't feel the same way?"

"Then you move on. You move on because you are strong and someone out there deserves to know what it's like to have someone like you as theirs."

"You know it's not that easy. After Lily—"

"Lily was a mistake. You even said so after you caught her cheating on you with that tramp. Regina—Regina isn't like her," Ruby said and she sighed as she reached for the second bottle and opened it. "Maybe you need to stop thinking about Regina so much right now? It's pulling you apart inside, Ems, and I can't stand seeing you put yourself through this again."

"Tell me how to stop thinking about her, Ruby, because every time I try to I can't."

"Tell you what, we finish this bottle off and we'll go dancing, okay?"

"I don't know if I—"

"We'll go dancing, gets some gullible college boys to buy us a few drinks and I promise you that once the night is through that you won't be thinking about her at all."

It was just too bad Ruby hadn't been right because by the time she made it back to her bed just shy of four in the morning, Regina was all she could think about and Regina was all she ended up dreaming about once she had drunkenly cried herself to sleep.

[X]

Two weeks. Two weeks had passed since she had last heard from Regina, the text she'd sent about having to go out of town for business was the last she'd heard from her. Emma submerged herself in her new job, taking on extra hours just so she wouldn't have to return home to an empty apartment while Ruby was still at work herself. It had only been a handful of days since she had a complete emotional breakdown and Ruby had been the one that picked up the pieces, held her for hours, and talked to her.

"Miss Swan?" The senior editor said as he rapped his knuckles on the edge of her desk. "It's late. It's Friday. Go home."

"Mr. Andrews—"

"We'll worry about that piece on Monday, all right? Go home and enjoy your weekend, all right?" He said with a pointed look that warned her not to test him. While Norman Andrews was a nice enough guy, he was also very demanding.

"All right. Have a good weekend, Mr. Andrews."

"You as well," he smiled. "Oh and Miss Swan?" He said as she gathered her things up into her bag. "I have a new assignment for you I'd like for you to consider. I need a profile piece written up on some of the young and upcoming businesswomen in and around Boston. I have a list of names, but we only want to cover one each week."

"But I'm not—"

"A writer? Sure you are, I've seen your profile and read a few of the pieces you wrote while you were a junior. Just take the weekend and think about it, and let me know on Monday what your decision is, all right?"

"Okay."

Emma hurriedly put her laptop into her bag and slung the strap over her shoulder as she made her way through the cramped office to the stairs. The streets were busy with people heading home for the day and eager to start their weekend. All Emma wanted to do was spend the weekend in her pajamas since Ruby had made plans with a few work friends to head up the coast to spend the weekend in Portland, Maine. Emma had declined the invitation to tag along and she had already stocked the fridge with beer and wine and the TiVo was full of shows she needed to catch up on anyway.

Emma entered the empty apartment and left her bag and her phone beside the ratty old couch. She stripped out of her work clothes on the way to the bathroom and ran the water in the claw foot tub for a nice, hot bubble bath she'd been looking forward to all afternoon.

She grabbed her thin grey robe and wrapped it around her while the tub filled. She padded her way into the kitchen and grabbed a glass and a bottle of merlot out of the fridge before returning to the bathroom. She placed the bottle and the glass on the floor next to the tub and pulled her hair up into a loose bun on the top of her head before she slipped out of her robe and shut off the tap. Just as she settled into the tub after she poured herself a hefty helping of wine, she heard her ring tone playing.

It's only Ruby, she thought as she sipped her wine and leaned her head back against the edge of the tub and closed her eyes. It was a statement she replayed twice in the time she soaked in the bath each time her phone rang. When the water grew cold, she drained the tub and rinsed herself off, topping up her glass with the last of the wine before she wrapped her robe around her and made her way to her bedroom on slightly unsteady feet.

She pulled on a pair of red panties and a white tank, the apartment warm despite the AC in the window chugging at full blast. It had been hot all week and it was going to continue to be hot throughout the weekend and while Emma didn't mind the heat, it was serving to remind her far too much of her ten days in Jamaica that came to an end nearly three weeks ago.

Emma let down her hair and took her glass of wine with her, not bothering to put on any shorts as she walked out of her room. She downed her glass of wine as she entered the kitchen and reached for another bottle, choosing a dry white instead of another bottle of merlot.

She didn't bother to check her phone as she settled on the ratty old couch and reached for the TV remote. She flipped idly through the channels while sipping her wine slowly and when her phone beeped, she threw the remote down and fished it out of her bag.

Her mouth went dry when she saw that the three missed calls had not been from Ruby and neither was the text that had just been sent. Regina had been calling her, but hadn't left a message on her voice mail. Emma was tempted to open the text, but she decided against it, tossing her phone on the couch beside her before turning off the television and headed out onto the balcony.

It had been two weeks since she'd heard from Regina. Two freaking weeks. Why would she be calling now after nothing for the last two weeks? As much as Emma wanted to know what the text from her said, she knew it was better not to give in so easily despite the fact that her heart just ached for Regina Mills. Of course Emma could understand that Regina had a job to do and that it kept her busy, busy enough to go two weeks without contacting her, but that still wasn't any excuse and just thinking about it had Emma feeling extremely bitter.

By the time Emma forced herself to go back inside, she checked her phone to find two more texts and a voice mail from her. Emma scoffed and instead of reading the texts, she turned her phone off, dumped what was left in her glass of wine down the sink and headed to bed.

She would not just give in to Regina, not after two weeks and no matter what lame excuse she had decided on, it didn't matter. Emma was done and she wanted to focus on her new job, get her feet wet in the editing world, and move up the career ladder one step at a time, just as she had previously planned.

By the time Monday morning rolled around and Emma finally turned her phone back on, she was relieved and saddened to find there were no more missed calls or texts from Regina Mills. She pushed her from her mind as far as she could, dressed in her office gear—a white blouse she rolled up to the sleeves and a pair of freshly ironed slacks and heels she'd borrowed from Ruby's closet.

She had made her decision and after informing the senior editor that she was going to take on the story he wanted her to write, he gave her an address along with a date and time that he'd already set up for an interview. It was for the following day, but it hadn't said whom she'd be interviewing. She spent the last half of her day in the office reviewing questions with the senior editor for the interview the next morning.

Emma showed up at the large building the next morning with ten minutes to spare before the interview was scheduled to start. She dressed in a similar outfit from the day before only she had taken her time that morning doing her hair, pinning it back on the right side and her curls fabulously perfect. She even put on makeup and she never wore makeup, yet Ruby had been the one that convinced her she'd need to look a little more professional since it wasn't just another day in the office.

"May I help you?" The woman at the front desk asked as Emma approached.

"Yes, my name is Emma Swan. I'm the Junior Editor at The River newspaper. I have an appointment for nine-thirty this morning."

"Oh, of course," the receptionist said with a smile, typing something into her computer before turning to look up at her. "Ms. Mills' office is on the eleventh floor. Take a right and speak with her assistant. She'll be waiting for you just outside Ms. Mills' office."

"Th—thank you," Emma stammered as her mouth suddenly felt dry and her knees felt weak. Surely it was just a coincidence. How many Ms. Mills' could there be working in Boston alone? Emma made her way over to the elevator and pulled out her phone, calling Ruby immediately. "Rubes, it's her!"

"Who?" Ruby asked quietly. "Ems, you know I'm at work, right?"

"I think it's her anyway," Emma replied quickly and stepped into the elevator and hit the number eleven button. "The interview I'm doing this morning? I'm at a financial institute and when I checked in, the receptionist said Ms. Mills. I think it's her, Ruby! What the hell do I do now?"

"First off, you need to calm down. Maybe it's not her," Ruby replied calmly. "Secondly, you are there to do your job. It's not a social call, Emma."

"I know that!"

"And thirdly, remain professional at all times. Don't give in to personal topics such as the fact that she had totally fucking avoided you for two weeks!"

"Ruby, I don't think I can do this."

"Ems, do you honestly have a choice? You can't back out on this now."

Emma groaned quietly just as the elevator approached the eleventh floor. "I know. I'll call you later?"

"Yeah. Good luck."

"Thanks."

Emma tucked her phone back in her pocket and stepped off the elevator, immediately finding herself greeted by a blonde-haired woman who had a smile curled over her lips and a hand extended as she introduced.

"Kathryn Midas, Regina Mills' assistant," she said as Emma took her hand and felt as if the colour had dropped from her face completely. "Emma Swan, I assume?"

"Y—yes," Emma stammered.

"Wonderful. This way please. Regina is expecting you. I'm glad you're on time for your appointment. She absolutely loathes it when people show up late and waste her time. She's a very, very busy woman."

"I can imagine."

Kathryn led her down a maze of hallways before coming to a stop in front of a large wooden door that was closed. She raised her hand, knocked three times before she opened the door and motioned for Emma to enter.

"Can I get you anything? Coffee, tea, water?"

"Water would be great, thank you," Emma replied before she took a deep breath and turned to face the brunette who was seated behind a large mahogany desk. The first thing Emma noticed was the frown etched on her face. Regina was definitely not happy at all. "Hi," Emma said quietly, her voice barely coming out in an audible squeak.

"Take a seat, Miss Swan. We only have forty-five minutes and I have a rather extremely busy day ahead of me."

"Just like all the other days you've been busy?" Emma asked and she blushed, not having meant for those words to slip out like that and she took a seat in the single chair that had been placed in front of the mahogany desk. "Regina, I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"

"Let's get on with this, shall we?" Regina asked and cleared her throat as she reached for the black-rimmed glasses in front of her and slipped them on. "I trust you have prepared a list of questions for this interview, Miss Swan?" Upon Emma's nod, she fumbled inside her bag for the paper and slid it across her desk until Regina snatched it from her.

Emma pulled out her laptop and settled it on her lap, waiting for it to come out of sleep mode while Regina scanned over the questions. Emma idly chewed at her thumbnail while she tried not to seem obvious that she was watching Regina. All she had to do was close her eyes and she could just imagine her as the woman in the white bikini that she'd met on the beach in Jamaica. Regina's assistant cleared her throat as she placed a bottle of water on the desk in front of Emma and a hot mug of coffee in front of Regina.

"That'll be all, Miss Midas," Regina said as she dismissed her. "Please close the door on the way out and hold my calls until this interview is over, thank you."

Kathryn smiled and turned on her heels, exiting quickly to allow them to get to the interview. Emma reached for the water, her laptop nearly sliding off her lap in the process, but she recovered effortlessly without Regina noticing. Mostly.

The next half an hour was spent with Regina answering the relatively boring questions she and the senior editor had prepared and she typed away quickly on her laptop, trying to keep up whenever Regina spoke too fast and forgot to pause so she could get all the answers. Emma cursed silently at herself for not bringing a recorder as it would've been a lot easier and would have afforded her a chance to listen to Regina's voice later on, over and over again.

When the last question was answered, Regina sat back in her chair and sipped her coffee before removing her black-rimmed glasses. Her eyes were smouldering as she stared at Emma and Emma tried not to be pulled into Regina's intense gaze.

"Thank you for your time, Ms. Mills," Emma said as she slipped her laptop into her bag and rose from her chair. "Would you like a copy of the article before it goes to print?"

"That would be lovely," Regina replied and she rose from her chair, almost rushing to beat Emma before she got to the door. "Emma, I—"

"No," Emma said with a shake of her head. "I'm here because I am doing my job. I am not here to see you."

"Did you get my messages?"

"Have a good day, Regina," Emma said as she reached for the handle on the heavy wooden door. "I'll fax over a copy of the article to your assistant. I'll get the information from her on my out."

Emma couldn't even look back at Regina as she walked out of her office. She had to force herself to keep walking forward and she approached Kathryn's desk, feeling faint. After getting the fax number from her, Kathryn took her to the elevators through the maze of hallways, both of them silent as they walked down the carpeted hallway.

"Emma, I don't mean to overstep any boundaries, but Regina has been extremely busy since returning from her vacation. She tried to find time to call and when she was out of meetings, it was late and she—"

"I don't care," Emma said sullenly. "Besides, how do you know—"

"Outside of work, Regina is my best friend. She told me all about you, Emma. The only reason she agreed to this interview for The River is because she found out that you were the one that would be conducting it."

"I see," Emma replied as she jabbed the button beside the elevator. "She was really that busy for two weeks?"

"Yes," Kathryn replied with a small nod. "I kept trying to clear away some time, but with the frequent meetings with investors and the trip to New York City last week, she hasn't had a moment to spare. She—"

"I understand."

"Emma, she tried."

Emma clenched her jaw as she stared at Regina's blonde-haired assistant and best friend. "She didn't try hard enough," she said as the elevator doors opened and she stepped inside. "When the article is written, I'll fax over a copy. Have a wonderful day, Kathryn."

Emma held her stoic expression until the doors slid shut. She slumped up against the wall and willed the tears that suddenly sprang to her eyes not to fall. By the time the elevator reached the lobby, she had mostly composed herself and she strolled out of the building with long strides, her borrowed heels clacking loudly along the marble floor.

It wasn't until she'd walked two blocks before she found herself on a bench by a bus stop and unable to stop the tears as they slipped free. She called Ruby an hour later from the bathroom inside The River's office building and the tears just wouldn't stop as she told Ruby what had happened during the interview and afterwards. After Ruby managed to calm her down a little bit, they made plans to meet for lunch at Granny's at one.

Emma didn't want to go for lunch, she didn't want to go back and sit at her desk and write the article on Regina. She just wanted to go home and curl up in her bed and cry, because crying was always the way she nursed a broken heart…

[X]

It took her two days to write the article and once her senior editor approved, she faxed over a copy to Regina's assistant and called it an early day. The article had been difficult to write because of her feeling for Regina Mills, but she had trudged through it, determined to prove her worth out there in the real world and not just for another grade.

She hadn't heard from Regina at all, but it didn't surprise her in the least. The way she had acted after the interview, she'd be more surprised if she ever heard from Regina again. She had misread the entire situation and that's what had made her so upset after the interview. Of course Regina was a busy woman, she was at the start of her career and it was well on the path to making her one of the most successful women under thirty in Boston. Of course Regina was focused on her career, even if it had gotten to the point of not trying to get in touch with the woman she'd fallen into a whirlwind romance with while on vacation—a well deserved one at that from with how busy she always was.

Emma had ruined something because she was impatient and lonely. How stupid was she to think, to expect even, for things to pick right up where they'd left off back in Jamaica? She felt like a complete and utter idiot for ruining what felt like her last chance with Regina Mills.

Emma had changed the moment she had gotten home, into her favourite red panties and her softest white tank top. Ruby wouldn't be home until much later as she had a mystery date she was keeping tight-lipped about. Emma grabbed a cold beer from the fridge and headed out onto the balcony, bringing her phone with her so she could tease Ruby endlessly about her mystery date until she caved and at least gave her one little detail.

Halfway through writing a text to Ruby, a text from Regina came through and she hesitated for a moment before tapping the screen to open it.

The article was lovely, Emma. Thank you for writing such kind words. Your writing is beautiful, but then again I had no doubts about you when you spoke of your passion for writing during the many hours we spent together in Jamaica. I would love to see you soon, perhaps tonight if you aren't busy? Let me know, please. There are a few things I'd like to clear up between us and you hardly gave me the chance to the other day.

Emma gritted her jaw tightly, reading over the long text twice before returning to Ruby's text and she finished typing it off and sent it. She placed her phone on the patio table they had out on the small balcony and lifted her feet to the railing as she sipped her cold beer.

Emma wasn't sure what to say to Regina. She wanted to see her again, she truly did, but at that point she felt like she hardly deserved another chance with her. She nearly jumped when her phone beeped and she picked it up after a minute, her heart racing when she saw that Regina had text her again.

I understand you may be upset with me. I would like the chance to explain.

Emma frowned and she began typing quickly. She wasn't in the right frame of mind to deal with Regina, not after everything she'd gone through thinking that Regina had simply changed her mind and wanted nothing to do with her.

You were busy, I understand. There is nothing to explain. I'm glad you liked the article. I can send you a copy over once it goes to print next Monday.

She hit send before heading back inside to get herself another beer from the fridge. She barely had the bottle in her hand when her phone began to ring and Regina's name flashed across the screen. With a slight wince, she let it ring six times before she answered.

"Hi."

"Hi," Regina said quietly. "I do need to explain, Emma."

"No, you don't."

"I want to," she replied quickly. "Can you please let me explain?"

"Fine," Emma sighed as she leaned up against the counter and twisted off the cap of her beer, tossing it noisily onto the counter behind her. "I'm listening."

"My firm has been scrambling to take on a few very important accounts and the task of landing these accounts had been left up to me. I had no idea what kind of a workload I'd be returning to and the president of the firm has been riding my ass since the day after I returned to Boston to nail the accounts. I thought it would only take a few days at most, but then I was sent to New York City several times over the last couple of weeks. Not even while I travelled did I have a moment to call you. I was on the phone constantly, but Emma, I need you to understand that I have not stopped thinking about you since you left the hotel that afternoon."

Emma smiled a little hearing Regina's words. "You haven't?"

"No, Emma," Regina said softly. "I want to see you. I need to see you."

"Regina—"

"Please, Emma, I know how this might've seemed to you, that perhaps I didn't want to continue to pursue what started down in Jamaica, but that is not true."

"It's not?"

"No," Regina replied and she laughed a little. "Emma, I'm sure you're fairly aware by now that I am not a woman who simply goes on vacations and spends the entire time being rather intimate with a perfect stranger."

"I wish I could say the same thing."

"Emma," Regina continued and Emma could hear her exhale shakily. "I would like to see you tonight, please. If you are unwilling to meet me somewhere, I can come to you."

"Two weeks, Regina."

"I am so sorry, darling—"

"Two weeks," she murmured into the phone and felt the tears welling up in her eyes in spite of her weak efforts to keep her emotions in check. "You couldn't even text me? I wouldn't have cared if it you texted me or called me in the middle of the night, Regina. I thought—I thought you had changed your mind, that you didn't want—"

"I do, I do want you," Regina whispered softly. "Hadn't I made myself quite clear during those ten days we spent together?"

"I—"

"Emma, I was falling in love with you."

Emma's heart quite literally stopped for a moment before she shakily brought her bottle of beer up to her lips and took a sip. A sudden knock on the door made her jump and she heard Regina laugh quietly, only she didn't hear it just over the phone, she heard it coming from the door.

"Regina?"

"Emma, please open the door."

"How did you—"

"I have my ways, darling," Regina replied and Emma could almost see the smile that without a doubt had just curled over her lips in that moment. "Please, open the door. I need to see you."

"I'm not wearing any pants," Emma murmured and she heard Regina laugh again as she pulled her phone away from her ear and quickly made her way to the door. She unlocked it and pulled it open after she took a few deep breaths.

"Hello, Emma," Regina purred as she leaned up against the door frame and she was wearing a black trench coat despite the sun and the heat outside. "I have a slight confession to make as well."

"Oh yeah?"

Regina stepped forward with a salacious grin curling over her lips. "I'm not wearing any pants either."

"Regina…"

"I know I have no excuses," Regina said as she reached for the belt that cinched over her hips and pulled it free from the bow it was tied in. "I know being busy is no excuse, Emma, and I am truly sorry. If you'll let me, I want to make it up to you."

"Okay," Emma said as she licked over her dry lips and shut the door quickly, nearly slamming it shut as Regina unbuttoned her trench coat slowly. "H—how are you planning on doing that?"

"I may have been a bit presumptuous before I came over here, but, I do happen to know how much you loved to stare at me while we were out on the beach and I made a quick detour home to change into this," Regina said with a husky burr to her voice as she teasingly pulled open her trench coat to reveal the little white bikini she wore underneath.

"Fuck…"

"Was I a bit too presumptuous, Emma?"

"I—I—no," Emma stammered as Regina shrugged the coat off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. "Not at all."

"Good," Regina smiled as she reached out for her, grasping her by the front of her tank top and pulling her in. "I have missed you. So very much."

Regina crushed their lips together and Emma was absolutely powerless to stop her. Not that she wanted to, not really. She sank into the kiss, into Regina, and in that moment it felt as if they hadn't spent nearly three weeks apart. Regina's hands swept down her back and grasped at her ass, eliciting a pleasurable squeal of delight past her lips as they parted from the kiss.

"Regina," Emma started as Regina's fingers stroked along the edge of her red panties, teasing her fingertips and nails over her flesh. "I just—is it always going to be like this?"

"Like what?"

"You'll be so busy I won't see you for weeks?" Emma asked in a whisper, afraid already of not only what the answer would be but also afraid of sounding too clingy for the powerful, gorgeous woman in her arms. "I mean, I can go a few days without seeing you, but three weeks?"

Emma bit her bottom lip as Regina just simply stared at her for the longest moment. Regina just leaned in and kissed her, over and over again until she began to respond and their feet started moving as Emma blindly led Regina through the living room and towards her bedroom.

"Emma," Regina whispered as she stopped her just as she passed the threshold into her bedroom. "I cannot promise you much," she continued. "But I can promise you that it will most definitely never again be like it has been for the last three weeks. Work got in the way, but it won't always. I must confess something else as well."

Emma had her arms loosely draped over Regina's shoulders and she just nodded and stared deeply into her eyes, waiting for her to continue. A part of her just wanted to continue, to skip talking all together, but another part of her needed to hear everything Regina was willing to tell her.

"The last few days we were together, I started to grow a little afraid. No," Regina said with a sharp shake of her head. "I was afraid because I fell for you so quickly and that has never happened to me before. I was afraid if we picked up right where we left off just mere days after returning home, that maybe things would have fizzled out far too quickly between us. I was so wrong in making that assumption, Emma, I realize that now, and I honestly didn't realize that until you came to my office to do the interview for your newspaper and saw the way you looked at me and heard the way you spoke to me."

Regina's hands moved up to her hips and her right hand trailed up over her back, over her shoulder and to her face where she cupped her cheek gently. In the short time they'd spent together and all the intimate moments that they'd shared during their vacation in Jamaica, Emma had never seen Regina's emotions on such full display as she had in that very moment.

"Emma, I know I've already apologized for being such a cold-hearted bitch the very first moment we met. I regret that every single moment that has passed since then despite you so easily forgiving me for that and giving me a second chance. I am asking you now for another chance," Regina whispered and she shuddered as she inhaled sharply, her thumb gently tracing over her cheek as she shook her head and fought back her tears that built up in her eyes. "I am asking you for a third chance. I want you in my life, Emma, and I know I could've tried harder, but I—"

"Okay," Emma murmured softly as she moved until their lips were just a hairsbreadth apart. "Third time's the charm?"

"Emma—"

"Regina, it broke my fucking heart when I didn't hear from you for weeks," Emma said and she leaned back so she could fully look into Regina's watery eyes. "I thought it was it, that we were over before we truly had a chance to start. I thought maybe I was fooling myself for feeling the way I do about you just because of the amazing week we had together down in Jamaica. Regina, nobody has ever made me feel this way about you, not even her. When you suddenly just disappeared, it broke my fucking heart and I was trying to move on, I truly was. I was doing all right too, you know, until the other day when I walked into your office building and realized that I was interviewing you."

"Emma, I never meant to hurt you."

"Can I just—Regina, can I just talk for a minute here, please?"

"Okay, darling."

"I couldn't stop thinking about you either, no matter how hard I tried. I most definitely couldn't stop thinking about you wearing this either," she said with a throaty chuckle as she stepped back a little to sweep her eyes down Regina's bikini-clad body. "I didn't think I'd find anything down in Jamaica, other than too much sun and probably too much alcohol by the pool and on the beach."

"Darling, if it weren't for me, you most definitely would've gotten too much sun."

Emma couldn't help but laugh and she nuzzled her nose against Regina's, both of them swaying in one another's arms as the gravity of the moment weighed down on them heavily.

"You were a surprise and I—I wanted you from the moment I set my eyes on you for the very first time. I wanted you even though you were a complete bitch the first time we spoke and I wanted you when we bumped into each other at the bar. I think though, I realized for sure, was when we were having dinner that first night. I saw you looking at me too."

"You were stunning that night," Regina smiled. "Absolutely stunning."

"And here I thought you just wanted me because I'm hot."

"You are," she chuckled and with a quick shake of her head and a firm kiss to her lips, she continued. "But you are so much more than that, my love. The more we talked, the more you made me laugh, the more I saw this beautiful, genuine person in you and you became someone that seemed to just understand me without truly knowing me. I think that was a part of the reason why I withdrew once I returned home. I was afraid if you knew how much I worked, how much my work took of my time, that you would push me away, that you wouldn't want this, that you wouldn't want me."

"The first time," Emma said as she slowly backed her way up towards the bed and stopped when the backs of her legs hit the footboard. "You asked me if I wanted this, if I wanted you. I meant it then, Regina, and if you were to ask me again, my answer will remain the same even though you—"

"Broke your fucking heart because I reverted into being a goddamn coward," she finished with a snarky smile and Emma couldn't help but laugh. "I don't deserve you, Emma."

"I feel the exact same way."

"A pair we make, hmm?" Regina chuckled quietly. "What I am asking you, Emma, is for another chance. Can I have another chance with you?"

"Do you think I would've opened the door if my answer was no, Regina?"

"Maybe you would've put some pants on first if your answer was no," Regina chuckled dryly and Emma resisted the urge to reach down and slap her ass for that comment alone. Instead she reached up and slid a hand behind Regina's neck and pulled her in for a kiss, one that started of slow and quickly fuelled into wildly heated passion in a matter of seconds.

Emma's hands moved from Regina's shoulders to where her white bikini top tied at the back. She didn't hesitate as she had the very first time and she pulled it free from the bow and knot it was neatly tied into. She kissed her deeper as she let the top fall haphazardly to the floor and they barely broke apart even as Regina desperately tried to remove Emma's tank top. Emma spun Regina around, grasping a hold of her as they fell back onto the bed together and despite the impact being rather rough, neither let up, both kissing just as hungrily as before and unable to quite get enough.

Regina's bikini bottoms were the first to go and in their fight for control, Regina practically ripped the red panties off of Emma and wrapped her strong thighs around Emma's hips, pulling their bodies flush together as they never once parted from their heavily passionate kiss.

Their hands suddenly seemed to be everywhere at once, but Emma wasn't about to let Regina top her, not after failing to relinquish control over her for the time they'd been together in Jamaica.

"Emma…" Regina gasped as Emma suddenly grasped a hold of both of her wrists and pinned them against the mattress just above her head. "Emma, I need to touch you."

"And I need to fuck you," Emma growled hotly into her ear and she was rewarded by the most delicious sounding moan slipping past Regina's lips.

"Please."

"Do you remember that night," Emma whispered into her ear, rolling her hips down and grinding her cunt hard against Regina's, eliciting yet another delicious sounding moan past her lips. "Where I asked you if you'd ever let me fuck you with a strap-on?"

"Yes."

"I have something better," Emma murmured. "Can I?"

"Yes," Regina gasped. "Please."

Emma just stared down at her, both of them breathing heavily as she loosened her grip on Regina's wrists. Emma's heart was racing as she stared down into Regina's eyes. A part of her could hardly believe it was happening and that she was there, right then and there and in that moment. Emma traced her fingertips over Regina's lips, smiling down at her before she reached for her hand and intertwined their fingers gently.

"Have you ever—"

"Never," Emma cut her off swiftly. "You'd be the first."

"Not even with her?"

"You trying to ruin the mood here, babe?"

"Don't ever call me that."

Emma laughed dryly and kissed her hard. "Sorry, babe, I couldn't help it."

A hard slap across her ass ceased the laughter that nearly escaped past her lips and Emma casually wiggled her eyebrows as she stared down into Regina's eyes. A teasing smile curled over her lips and it was one she knew Regina simply could not resist. She was rewarded with a hungry, sloppy kiss that made her toes curl and her heart race wildly out of control.

They kissed languidly until Emma pulled back and lazily rolled over and reached out for the drawer on her bedside table. She kept her eyes on Regina, watching as Regina trailed a hand over her abdomen and between her legs, teasing both herself and Emma as she caressed a finger over her hard clit. She blindly pulled out the relatively unused red feeldoe she had purchased less than a year ago and had only ever used it on herself when her fingers just hadn't been enough.

"I think its safe to say that red is one of your favourites," Regina chuckled from beside her as her fingers slipped from between her own legs.

"Something like that."

Regina turned on her side and reached out to stroke her fingers along Emma's lower abdomen. Her eyes roamed over her body and Emma deftly licked over her dry lips as she slid the shorter, wider piece over her pussy and pushed it inside. She exhaled sharply as she allowed her body to adjust to the strange new sensation, it quickly going from feeling strange to feeling good.

Regina curiously trailed her hand over the base, her short manicured nails scratching over Emma's closely cropped hair. Regina moved to kiss her, but Emma stopped her and moved to lean over her body, the rubber appendage pressing against Regina's pubic bone.

Emma kissed her firmly over her lips, not allowing the kiss to linger as she moved her lips down Regina's jaw and along the column of her neck. She licked over warm, smooth skin, pulling back to swallow lightly at the slightly salty taste of Regina's skin against her lips and tongue. With a sly grin, Emma dipped her head down and wrapped her lips around a stiff nipple, her fingers moving to the other to tease the nub with her fingers. With a playful nip of her teeth against the sensitive flesh, she continued on her descent down Regina's body, her tongue swirling over her tiny navel one, twice, before she languidly dragged her tongue down in a line that led straight to the thin strip of hair between Regina's legs.

Emma licked along her folds as Regina spread her legs with ease. She teased her clit with the tip of her tongue before wetly mixing her saliva and Regina's wetness, spreading it over her cunt hurriedly, suddenly unable to wait much longer to fuck her in a way she had only fantasied about in her dreams.

She nipped at her inner thigh before kneeling between her legs. Her hands swept up and down Regina's inner thighs, her eyes glued to her glistening pussy spread before her, waiting and ready. Emma idly chewed her bottom lip as she took a hold of the red rubber appendage and guided the tip, teasing over Regina's pussy and clit until Regina moaned loudly and leaned up on her elbows with a look of wanton desire in her eyes.

"Emma," she murmured as she reached for the hand that was wrapped around the feeldoe. She pressed the tip into her hole and Emma could feel the slight resistance.

Emma's eyes flicked down to watch as she pressed further into Regina, watching inch by inch disappear inside of her slowly. Regina wrapped her legs around Emma's waist and pulled her the last few inches until she bottomed out and she fell forward, bracing her hands on either side of Regina as she kept her hips still.

Their lips met suddenly and they were kissing hard and deep and when Regina's legs eased from the strong hold she had Emma's hips in, Emma began to slide out, stopping about halfway before she thrust it back in slowly and deeply. Regina sucked on her bottom lip and moaned as Emma settled into that slow, deep pace, her hips jerking every time she felt the base hit Regina's cunt hard.

"Faster," Regina murmured against her lips and Emma leaned back, gripping on to Regina's thighs as she began to thrust harder, faster. Her fingers gripped tighter on to Regina's thighs, holding her spread open as the headboard started to bang against the wall in succession with her wild, erratic thrusts.

She could feel there was less resistance the harder she fucked Regina and she glanced down between their bodies, moaning at the sight of how wet the red rubber cock was. Emma lifted her right hand to her lips and licked over the pad of her thumb before placing it on Regina's throbbing, swollen clit, rubbing her until Regina's whole body tensed and her back arched as she threw her head back and screamed out Emma's name.

Emma didn't slow down as she continued to rub over Regina's clit, drawing out the orgasm she knew was right there. She was on edge herself, ready to come undone, but she held it back, not wanting to stop just yet. She could feel a few beads of sweat roll down her back and with one last hard and deep thrust, she fell forward as Regina grasped at her back and shoulders, both of their bodies shuddering as they came together explosively. Regina wrapped her legs around Emma's hips once more and Emma kissed over her shoulder and up along the side of her neck before claiming her lips in a passionate yet languid kiss.

"Fuck," Emma muttered against Regina's lips when she felt her hips began to shift. "Regina?"

"Keep going," she demanded huskily. "Keep fucking me, Emma."

Emma's brow scrunched slightly and she couldn't help but laugh. She knew that Regina was insatiable and her libido was a perfect match for her own. Emma took a moment just to catch her breath before she pushed herself back and gripped at Regina's thighs, forcing her legs from around her hips and pressed them hard against the mattress.

Emma thrust hard, pulling the red cock out of her almost to the curved tip before plunging it back hard and deep inside of her. The headboard hit the wall, though not as hard or fast as before and Emma could hear just how wet Regina was with every hard thrust.

Emma shifted on her knees and lifted Regina's left leg up, her foot falling on top of Emma's shoulder as she changed the angle and the pace, fucking her hard and deep. Emma leaned forward, leaning her weight against the back of Regina's leg as she grasped at the sheets and continued to pump her hips hard. Hearing just how wet Regina was already had her growing closer and closer to another orgasm, one she knew she wouldn't be able to hold back even if she tried. She pushed herself back on her knees, her body trembling as she watched Regina snake a hand between her own legs, her fingers erratically rubbing over her clit.

"Emma!" Regina cried out and Emma thrust harder, the headboard slamming against the wall louder and louder with every thrust.

Emma groaned as she let go of Regina's leg and reached forward to grasp a hold of the headboard, seeking out the leverage so she could fuck her harder. Regina shifted so she was closer to the headboard and she gripped on to Emma's hips, guiding her into a blindingly faster pace.

"Regina, I'm gonna—fuck—I'm gonna cum," Emma gasped and Regina's fingers dug into her hips. "Regina—"

"Don't stop," Regina moaned loudly, arching into Emma before slapping a hand hard against her ass. "Harder."

"Regina—"

"Oh my god!" Ruby shrieked and Emma suddenly stopped as she whipped her head to look over her shoulder at her roommate and best friend who was standing in the open doorway, the take-out bag from the Chinese food place already fallen to the floor.

"Ruby, get the hell out of here!" Emma yelled as she let go of the headboard and buried her face into Regina's neck. "God, I'm so sorry."

Regina laughed—laughed—and gently rubbed her hands over Emma's back as they both heard the bedroom door slam shut. "It's quite all right, darling," Regina whispered breathlessly. "Were you expecting her?"

"Not until later at least," Emma muttered and she leaned up on her elbows to look down into Regina's beautiful brown eyes. "I'm so sorry. God, this is completely embarrassing."

"Be as that may," Regina said and she slapped her ass again. "Don't stop."

Emma groaned and she squealed as Regina grabbed a hold of her and managed to roll them over. She grinned salaciously before she pushed herself back and rolled her hips, creating a whole host of new sensations as it shifted the plug inside of Emma and caused the base to rub deliciously over her clit.

"I believe it's time that I am on top, don't you think so, dear?" Regina asked in a dangerously low and husky voice and all Emma could do was nod her head and lick over her lips as she stared up at the goddess on top of her.

Even despite the fact she could hear Ruby giggling just past the closed bedroom door, Emma let herself drown in Regina completely.

[X]

A permanent blush settled over her cheeks as she and Regina sat on the ratty old couch together while Ruby perched herself on the edge of the arm chair. It had been another hour before they had emerged from Emma's bedroom and while Emma was clearly embarrassed over the fact that Ruby had caught them fucking wildly in her bed, Regina had a look of indifference settled on her face.

"You know, I did call you," Ruby said, breaking the awkward silence that filled the room. "My date fell through and I stopped to grab dinner. I swear if I knew Regina was here, I wouldn't have come home until much later."

"It's fine," Regina answered when Emma just used the chopsticks to push the rice and noodles over her plate. "It was quite the unfortunate timing, but as it stands, we're all adults here. I believe Emma is more embarrassed than you and I," she said with a light chuckle and she leaned over to kiss over Emma's flushed cheek. "Darling?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you all right?"

"Yep," she squeaked out and Ruby burst out laughing. Emma's head shot up and she glared at her best friend. "Let's just never talk about what you saw ever again, you got that, Rubes?"

"Fine!" Ruby laughed and she shook her head. "But let's be real for a minute here. It was really fucking hot the way you were just drilling into her like—hey!" Ruby squealed as Emma grabbed a noodle off her plate and flung it at her. "Fine, fine, we'll never talk about it again!"

"Good!"

"Darling?" Regina asked with a slight chuckle. "I'm afraid I cannot stay much longer," she said quietly and Emma frowned. "I have an early meeting in the morning that I absolutely cannot miss or be late for."

"I understand."

"Can I see you tomorrow?" She asked as her fingers moved to stroke at the back of her head lightly. "Say around five?"

"Okay."

"Shall I meet you here or at your office?"

"Uh," Emma paused as she idly chewed at her bottom lip. "The office. It's closer."

"Wonderful," Regina smiled. "I was hoping we could finally go out for dinner and then, if you have no other plans, I want to take you home to my place."

"Okay."

"I have a pool," she whispered into her ear. "Bathing suits optional."

Emma swallowed hard and they both stood up from the couch. Emma took Regina's nearly empty plate and placed it on the coffee table with hers before she walked her to the door. Regina tightened the belt of her trench coat around her waist and smiled as she leaned in to kiss her softly.

"I will see you tomorrow, darling?"

"At five," Emma smiled, leaning in for another kiss even though Ruby was watching their every move. "Good night, Regina."

"Good night, my love," Regina whispered and she slipped out the door and sauntered down the hallway towards the elevators, turning to blow a kiss with a wink back at Emma before she turned the corner.

"Good night, my love," Ruby teased as Emma slowly shut the door. "God, Ems, she's really smoking hot!"

"I know."

"You're really lucky, you know that right?"

"I know," Emma smiled and she plopped down heavily on the ratty old couch and groaned. "I'm really in trouble with her, aren't I?"

"In a good way," Ruby laughed and she headed for the kitchen. "Wine?"

"No," Emma said with a small shake of her head. "I'll pass, thanks."

Emma smiled as she closed her eyes, visions of Regina in the white bikini flooding her mind. Despite how hard it'd been in the last couple of weeks, despite the heartbreak she had felt for absolutely no reason, it had felt nothing short of amazing to be with Regina again. No matter what happened from there on out, she knew that they would find a way to be together, to make it work no matter what life tended to throw their way.

Emma didn't think that from the first moment she saw that gorgeous woman in the white bikini that things would lead to where they were now, but she was just grateful for the last minute vacation and the woman who inevitably had changed her entire life.