Gayle was sweating profusely, trying to get Emma to calm down and just say her lines, because even though Shakespeare was meant to be interpreted, she didn't really want Olivia and Cesario to have a fight scene. It wouldn't do, because Twelfth Night was supposed to be a comedy. If the main characters were punching each other in the face, it would add spice, sure, but she didn't want blood on the stage.

Every practice had been a tension filled event when it came to Regina Mills and Emma Swan. Gayle almost regretted casting them together, because the very air crackled with the apparent hatred these women had for each other. They didn't want to work together, and it had been like babysitting children who just didn't want to behave. They brought out the worst in each other, and Gayle had just about had enough.

"Emma!" She shouted. "When you push Regina away, try not to knock her into the wall. Do it with less force, please."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Isn't my character supposed to push her?"

"Yes, but not hard enough to make her fall."

"Fine." Emma sounded like a 5 year old getting scolded. This was a nightmare.

"From the top!" Gayle demanded.

To her credit, Regina slipped into character quite easily, donning a lovesick expression and boring holes into Emma's skull. Emma gulped and met her gaze, trying to remember that this was just acting.

Emma spoke first. "My duty, madam, and most humble service." She gave a bow, and Regina smirked at how appropriate it was. She was a queen, after all. It was nice to get some recognition for it in this world.

"What is your name?" Regina asked, determined to embody her character well.

"Cesario is your servant's name, fair princess."

"My servant, sir! 'Twas never merry world since lowly feigning was call'd compliment. You're servant to the Count Orsino, youth." Regina smiled, moving upstage, closer to Emma. Olivia was supposed to be madly in love with Cesario at this point.

"And he is yours, and his must needs be yours: Your servant's servant is your servant, madam." Emma found it hard to just say Madam without tacking on the word 'Mayor' at the end. It was also hard for her to stay in character with Regina staring at her like she wanted to rip her clothes off right on the stage.

"For him, I think not on him: for his thoughts, would they were blanks rather than fill'd with me!"

"Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts on his behalf."

Gayle Bernard was surprised at the progress Regina and Emma were making. They were about a quarter through the act and neither one had messed up their lines or threatened to kill each other. It was a new record for them both and she was proud. She knew they had yet to kiss, however, and she was scared to breach the subject. She was sure that was the last thing these two wanted to do…and yet…maybe there was something underneath their hatred. She refocused her attention-they were getting close to the end of the act.

"O! by your leave, I pray you, I bade you never speak again of him: But, would you undertake another suit, I had rather hear you to solicit that than music from the spheres."

"Dear lady,—"

"Give me leave, beseech you. I did send, after the last enchantment you did here, a ring in chase of you: so did I abuse myself, my servant, and, I fear me, you: Under your hard construction must I sit, To force that on you, in a shameful cunning, Which you knew none of yours: what might you think? Have you not set mine honour at the stake, And baited it with all th' unmuzzled thoughts that tyrannous heart can think? To one of your receiving Enough is shown; a cypress, not a bosom, hideth my heart. So, let me hear you speak."

"I pity you."

"That's a degree to love."

"No, not a grize; for 'tis a vulgar proof that very oft we pity enemies." Emma said these words, noticing how they were oddly relatable. Did Gayle plan this? Emma wondered.

"Why, then methinks 'tis time to smile again. O world! how apt the poor are to be proud. If one should be a prey, how much the better To fall before the lion than the wolf! The clock upbraids me with the waste of time. Be not afraid, good youth, I will not have you: And yet, when wit and youth is come to harvest, Your wife is like to reap a proper man: There lies your way, due west." Regina pointed, stepping back.

"Then westward-ho! Grace and good disposition attend your ladyship! You'll nothing, madam, to my lord by me?"

"Stay: I prithee, tell me what thou think'st of me."

"That you do think you are not what you are." Emma stepped back from Regina, as per Gayle's instructions.

"If I think so, I think the same of you." Regina stepped right back, giving a silent challenge.

"Then think you right: I am not what I am."

"I would you were as I would have you be!"

"Would it be better, madam, than I am? I wish it might, for now I am your fool."

"O! what a deal of scorn looks beautiful in the contempt and anger of his lip. A murderous guilt shows not itself more soon Than love that would seem hid; love's night is noon." Regina's voice was full of emotion, as she gripped Emma's clothing, holding her fast. "Cesario, by the roses of the spring, By maidhood, honour, truth, and everything, I love thee so, that, maugre all thy pride, Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide. Do not extort thy reasons from this clause, For that I woo, thou therefore hast no cause; But rather reason thus with reason fetter, Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better." Regina breathed, knowing this was the moment that she and Emma—Olivia and Cesario—were supposed to kiss. She decided to just get it over with, promising herself she would spend a half an hour rinsing her mouth out with mouthwash before she went to bed.

She grabbed Emma's head and pulled it close to her own, then nipped at her lips playfully. After three seconds she released her, stepping back and smirking at the dumbstruck look on Emma's face. It took a few seconds for Emma to remember her lines.

"By innocence I swear, and by my youth, I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth, And that no woman has; nor never none Shall mistress be of it, save I alone. And so adieu, good madam: never more Will I my master's tears to you deplore." Emma walked away.

"Yet come again, for thou perhaps mayst move that heart, which now abhors, to like his love."

Gayle stood up and clapped, relieved that the two enemies had managed to pull off acting together. "That was great, you two! Whatever you are doing, keep it up!" She gulped her water and went to help the actor playing Malvolio with his lines.

Emma frowned at Regina. "You didn't tell me you were going to kiss me."

Regina laughed, giving that perfected smirk that she knew Emma hated. "I think you know that I am full of surprises, Miss Swan."

Emma did not know how to process anyo of this. Her brain could only handle so much at a time. And if she was not mistaken, Regina was being kind of flirtatious.

Why though? Emma could not handle this right now. She had to go.

"Well, yeah. Um, see you next week!" Emma smiled, not knowing why. She REALLY needed to go, before she found herself enjoying this woman's company. She turned and walked out into the rain, not caring that she did not have an umbrella.

Regina followed her, rambling on about how she did not want to get sick to get out of the play. She had an umbrella, and walked Emma out to the parking lot. Emma let Regina help her, then clambered into her car and drove off. As Regina watched her, she thought about their kiss.

It was not as horrible as she thought it would be.