Wow. Thank you for the follows, favourites and reviews. They have fueled me to write several new chapters today that I hope to get up soon. I am publishing this chapter and the next today so I hope you all enjoy. :)

The next afternoon Regina dismissed her last class of the day and began wiping down the white board. It had been a good day where her pupils seemed more engaged and interactive. Her mind wandered to her 3rd period junior English class and felt a smile tug at her lips.

'Ms Mills?' A voice brought her back to earth and Regina turned to see Emma Swan standing patiently next to her.

'Sorry dear, I was miles away.' She put down the cloth she had been aimlessly holding and motioned to the chairs at her desk. 'How are you today Emma?'

'I'm good thanks. How are you?'

'Very well, thank you. How has your day been?'

'Full.' Regina smiled wider as she listened. 'I have been to every class and even tried my hardest not to call Mr Spencer an idiot during economics. I hate that guy, he's just so…slimy.' Emma shuddered and shook the man's leering smirk from her mind.

'I agree with you there.' Regina nodded and decided to move the conversation to a nicer topic. 'You did well in class today. I would like to spend this time going over a few key points you have missed and the essay I have set for the class.' She pulled out a printed sheet that she had outlined these points on and handed it to Emma.

The next fifteen minutes were spent with Regina explaining and Emma offering a question when it was needed. Emma's knowledge of Grimm's fairy tales impressed the brunette and she was more than surprised when the teen would use references from more than just the six tales they covered in class.

'You seem well acquainted with the Brothers Grimm.'

'The children's home I lived in when I was ten had some old books in the attic. I spent a lot of time up there and enjoyed reading the tales.'

'They certainly aren't stories I would expect a ten year old to read. Most find them a little to scary and prefer the animated versions.'

Emma shrugged and her eyes flicked away from the brunettes. 'I wasn't a normal ten year old.' It was a quiet statement, filled with a sadness that Regina found difficult to miss.

'When I was ten, I would sit under my apple tree and read for hours. Some days when I didn't have school, I would be out all day just reading.'

'What did you read?' Emma curiosity peaked at the personal admission and she watched carefully as her teacher thought back and smiled.

'Anything and everything. I loved to read. My father bought me Jane Eyre for my twelfth birthday and I remember reading it from cover to cover in a matter of days. After that he would buy me a book every time he came home from a business trip.' The brunette laughed lightly. 'My mother hated how my room soon looked like a library with the amount of books he bought me.'

Emma smiled at how happy the older woman looked. Her face seemed brighter and younger. Ms Mills was a beautiful woman but her features were usually so stoic and calm that it gave her a hardness that helped add to the moniker of the Evil Queen. It wasn't that she was overly harsh or mean, Regina Mills was simply a hard ass when it came to work. Essay upon essay were expected from her students and she would grade honestly on the effort each student put in, meaning few earned anything over a C.

'Jane Eyre is my favourite book.' Emma admitted with a beaming smile.

'You have excellent taste Miss Swan. It's mine also.' They shared similar smiles and Regina felt a connection forming between them. It was strange how in just two days, Emma Swan had become her favorite pupil. She felt she had found a kindred spirit and began to wish she could spend more time talking with the girl. An idea struck her. 'Do you have a job Emma?'

The change in topic caused her brow to furrow slightly. 'No. I have helped Ruby and Granny at the diner a few times but never anything regular.'

'Well if you so wish to leave Storybrooke once you have finished school, you're going to need money to do so. I was wondering if you would be willing to help me tidy up my garden. Unfortunately I have neglected it over the last few months and it has become a little wild. I am willing to pay you fairly for your work,' she paused, taking a moment to consider her next words. 'And I would like to get to know you a little better.'

Emma took a few seconds to process her teachers offer and felt a tug in her chest at the sincerity of the last statement. Regina Mills was the first person to call her out about her behaviour, the hard truth hitting home all to harshly and made her see she was hurting people she cared for. The idea of spending more time with the older woman seemed more enticing to her than the money itself and she quickly agreed.

'I think that would be great. Thank you.' The dazzling smile Regina gave her was payment enough in that moment. She watched as the brunette pulled a post it from her desk and wrote down her address.

'I was thinking you could come by on Saturday, about lunch time and we can get started. If you don't already have plans that is.'

'No plans. I usually just hang around the diner and get told off by Granny for distracting Ruby.'

'Well then, I think that you have served your time. If you have any questions about the essay, don't hesitate to ask.' She watched as Emma gathered her belongings and stood. 'Have a nice evening, Emma.'

'And you too Ms Mills. I'll see you in class tomorrow.' The blonde gave her a grin and a wave before disappearing out the door.

Regina sat staring at the open door for several minutes before finally packing up her things and making her way out of the now empty building. Tomorrow was Friday which meant that only one day stood between her and spending time with Emma. She fought hard to ignore the excitement that drummed in her chest and simply reasoned that it was nice to have someone who shared her own interests. She was helping Emma, offering her a chance to earn some money and perhaps someone to talk to about her future. At least that was what Regina Mills tried to convince herself on the car ride home.