A/N: To those who read "The First Step", I made more edits to this chapter than I originally thought I would (with the addition of new material towards the end), but the overall premise of the chapter is still the same. Hope you enjoy :)

Warning – Suggestive themes mentioned in this section.

Chapter One: The Night That Changed Everything

"Pilot" SQ Rewrite – Part 1

October 22, 2011

Another banner year.

That's what Emma Swan had told herself when she stared intently at the sparkling flame from the star-shaped candle poking from atop the cupcake she had bought. Twenty eight years old, all alone again. Happy birthday to me.

She had closed her eyes and made a wish. It was typical to make birthday wishes, so why not? She made the same wish she had made every year since she had learned of this whole wish making ritual. She hadn't expected it to come true. It never had any year. Why she bothered wishing for the same thing every year, she didn't know. She had lost hope long ago that it would come true. Still, something about the happy-go-lucky feelings that were supposed to come with a birthday always convinced her to make the wish.

Please don't let me be alone on my birthday. Let someone be here to celebrate with me. Anyone.

Ryan Marlow did not count. He was the asshole she had been required to track down and take out. The son of a bitch abandoned his family when they needed him most. Abandonment. Willingly. She hated that. The chase reminded her of her own life. She was abandoned on the side of a freeway. What parents did that to their child? Hell, she had been eighteen when she had her son and at least had the decency to give him up for adoption.

But she had settled for a closed adoption. He was allowed no contact with his birth mother. It was the nicest kind of abandonment that could be offered.

Emma never thought she would see her son again.

Surprises were called surprises for a reason, though.

The kid showed up at her apartment door right after she blew out the candle. Her wish had finally come true. By the time she was taking him back to the mayor's house (and what luck she had that he happened to be the mayor's kid), she was regretting she had ever made the wish in the first place. The kid was absolutely stubborn.

Personality like his mother.

She drove on to Mifflin and sure enough, the mayor's house was the biggest one on the block, just as the kid's shrink had told her. She had briefly met with him when she stopped with Henry in the middle of all the shops on Main Street. She pulled to a stop and shut the car off. 108 Mifflin Street. She let out a breath, hoping for the best.

"Home sweet home."

No response.

"Okay." She tapped her fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. "If you are going to make this difficult, so will I." She stepped out of the yellow Volkswagen and slammed the door behind her. She wasn't going to put up with this anymore. Tiredness was starting to sink in, and she still had to make the trip back to Boston. Yet the boy sitting in the passenger seat made no movements to get out of the car.

What a birthday.

They say be careful what you wish for.

She made a mental note to never make a birthday wish again.

"Come on, kid," she said, opening the door to crossed arms and a pout on his face.

"You can't make me."

"Sure I can. I'll use magic."

His face instantly lit up at the word "magic". He jumped out of the seat, looking up at her expectantly. "What can you do?" He didn't wait for her to answer. "See, this is proof that all the stories are true. You have magic because…"

Oh, the ten year old's imagination.

Emma knew this would get him out of the car. He was very fond of fairytales, trying to convince her all night that everyone in the town of Storybrooke, Maine was a character from those stories. A major part of her believed the town was not even named Storybrooke, despite the name written on the wooden sign that she had driven past earlier that evening. Who would honestly name a town "Storybrooke"? Maybe she would have to take that conversation up with the mayor.

"I'm just kidding. Magic isn't real."

"Yes it is!"

"Okay, kid. Let's go."

Emma turned away from him, marching past the hedges and up the pathway to the front door. She was done listening to this magic nonsense. He was only a kid, but she really felt he needed a dose of reality. He could not go on believing magic and fairytales existed. He had obviously been adamant enough to require therapy.

She shook her head. She was thinking too much about him, letting herself form connections with him. She couldn't let that happen.

"Please don't take me back there."

The genuine unhappiness in his voice killed her. That unhappiness was so familiar to her. Living in a home where you didn't feel you belonged. Ugh. So much for not allowing connections to form. She forced the words from her mouth. "I have to. I'm sure your parents are worried sick about you."

"I don't have parents," he protested. "Just a mom. And she's evil."

Emma stopped in her tracks, turning to look down at him. "Evil? A bit extreme, isn't it?"

"She is. She doesn't love me. She only pretends to."

"Kid…" She put her hands on her knees, leaning down slightly to get on his level. "I'm sure that's not true."

Just as she finished the sentence, she heard the door open and the anxious call of "Henry!" from the woman who was his adoptive mother. And that's when she knew.

Emma didn't believe the kid. The kid who was supposed to be her son. Henry. When she saw the woman who the boy claimed to be so evil and unloving pull him into the most compassionate hug, crying tears of joy that he had been returned home, she knew better. His mother cared about him and did love him. Henry was probably just upset. Maybe hit a rough patch and was adjusting.

"Are you okay? Where have you been? What happened?"

She watched as the brunette drowned him with questions, clearly fretful about his whereabouts and overall safety. Emma was simply some random stranger in the woman's eyes. She didn't think it was terrible at all that she was so distressed. Another sign of her being a caring mother.

Henry was uninterested with his mother's concern. "I found my real mom," he spat angrily, pulling away from her embrace and running inside the house.

Come on, kid. That was harsh. You've nearly given her a heart attack about running away, and you treat her this way? However, Emma didn't think she would be so different. She had run away from her foster homes numerous times. She didn't care at all about how her foster parents felt about her leaving. But this woman was different than the many foster parents she'd had in her lifetime. Her "superpower" (her ability to tell whether people were lying or not—she had told Henry that this skill of hers was her special superpower, her attempt to relate to him on a child's level) told her that the woman was not faking her concern and that she would have been absolutely heartbroken had her son not come back home.

It was evident that the woman had been hurt by the boy's words, and as she looked up to her from the spot where he had been standing, she could read the sadness in her eyes. The wounded look of rejection. It was an expression Emma had seen many times on her own face.

The brunette stumbled with her words when she finally locked eyes with her. "You're… You're Henry's birth mother?"

"Hi," was all she could manage to choke out. Sure, she felt uncomfortable by the awkward situation Henry had created. What was more uncomfortable was the woman's brown, intense eyes burning into her green ones. And how beautiful she looked despite the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.

The annoyance and fatigue she had felt from chasing Marlow and then being dragged to this town slowly began to fade away. In that moment, none of it mattered. Looking at the mayor, she felt a connection. Not the same kind she was beginning to feel with Henry. It was a connection that scared her, the type that she had felt for the boy's father when she was a teenager. One that meant a possible future, but a more likely fatal end.

Feelings.

She had feelings for this woman.

Maybe it had been the way she expressed her love for Henry. Maybe it was the gray dress that complimented her features so well. Maybe it was how she had looked longingly at her when she asked her if she was Henry's birth mother.

That look of rejection.

The two had only shared a few words, yet she felt she knew everything about her. Because in that one look of rejection, she could read the pain that she guessed she so desperately tried to hide. Pain that was rooted deep in her past.

The brunette continued to stare at her for a few seconds, as if she was also lost for words. She then let herself look her up and down, taking in her appearance she assumed. Emma shifted uneasily, nervous about the silence that hung above the two.

What is she thinking?

She's been looking at me for a while now.

Is there something wrong with my outfit?

Does she…? Does she maybe find me attractive?

She felt her head spinning. She couldn't stop thinking about how attractive the mayor was. Still, she highly doubted she felt the same about her. She was just making sure that the person who Henry insisted was his birth mother could be trusted. That was all. She put her hands in her jacket pockets, ready to turn on her heel and leave when she heard the woman clear her throat.

"How would you like a glass of the best apple cider you've ever tasted?"

Emma was shocked. She thought this would be a quick exchange. Expected a sincere thank you and end of conversation. She should leave. Reject the offer. Move on before Henry and this mysterious woman got to her. But Henry was so upset. She needed to make sure he would be okay. He was her son—well, at least she was pretty damn sure he was. And this woman… She was already attached to her. She wanted to know more about her.

The words left her mouth before she could stop herself. "Got anything stronger?"

The mayor smiled slightly and then motioned for her to come inside. "My name is Regina Mills, by the way," she said as she closed the door.

"Emma Swan."

"Mind if I check on Henry and make a quick call to the town sheriff before I get the drinks?"

"No, not at all."

Regina nodded over to a room to the right of her. "I'll meet you in my study. Please, make yourself at home."

"Thanks." She watched Regina walk up the stairs, letting her eyes linger over the woman's backside. She really did look good in that dress. She would love to see the mayor without…

Whoa.

She shook her head. She could not let herself think of Regina like that. She had just met her. "Emma, stop," she whispered, trying to push those fantasies out of her head. She took a deep breath and walked into the study.

She glanced around the dark wooded room, taking in its elaborateness. To the left of the door, there were two large bookcases filled top to bottom with books. Two couches lay on either side of a petite coffee table at the center of the room. Behind the couch facing her, there was a fireplace. On the mantle, a clock stood in the middle of two ornate candles. She found the picture of the bird hanging on the wall a few inches above the mantle to be an interesting choice. Not exactly her taste.

The woman definitely had a thing for presentation. The study made her small apartment look shabby. She was certain the rest of the house would live up to the same expectation. She took a seat on the couch nearest the fireplace and found herself unable to slouch back in it. She felt she had to sit properly to match the room's décor. So much for making yourself at home, Emma. The fire crackling in the fireplace was reassuring, though. Calmed her nerves a bit.

After ten minutes of staring attentively at the coffee table in front of her and imagining how to respond in the possible conversations that would ensue, she heard the mayor's footsteps outside the study. She stood up in response, feeling like she had to give her a proper greeting. She smiled awkwardly as Regina entered the room and closed the door behind her. The brunette returned the smile, placing a bottle and two empty glasses on the coffee table. She took a seat across from her. Emma sat back down.

"Sorry for the wait, Miss Swan."

"No problem. He okay?"

Regina shrugged. "I suppose for tonight. I didn't get much out of him, but he did apologize. He was pretty tired. Long day for him."

"Yeah, probably past the kid's bedtime."

"That's for sure. I'm just glad he's safe." She smiled at her again. "Thank you for bringing him home, Miss Swan. I'm sorry he dragged you out of your life."

"Really, it wasn't a big deal. I just wanted to make sure he got home safely."

Regina filled the glasses and handed one to her. "Big deal or not, I appreciate it."

Emma nodded as her way of saying thanks and took a drink. Silence fell upon the two again, and she searched her mind for something to say. There were so many things she could ask the woman, so many things she wanted to know about her, about Henry, but instead, she blurted out, "You have a nice study."

Regina swallowed the last of her drink and laughed sweetly. "Um, thanks. I find it's quite peaceful."

"Yeah, it definitely, uh, gives off that vibe." Emma downed the rest of the drink and placed the glass down on the coffee table. "Do you mind?" She pushed the glass towards the bottle, her signal that she wanted more. Mentally she kicked herself, suddenly worried that Regina may think she was an alcoholic. She relaxed a bit at the mayor's response.

"Of course not." She refilled both of the glasses. She then gave her the glass back, held up hers in the air, and said, "Cheers?"

Emma took the drink and gently hit the glass against Regina's. "Cheers."

They both took a drink and then looked anywhere but at each other. She had expected an interrogation from the brunette, asking her questions left and right to make sure that she could be trusted to not take Henry away. It definitely seemed like a logical explanation for why she had invited her in for drinks. Get a little tipsy, then start telling the life story. But Regina never asked her about her past. The two kept up the small talk instead, sipping the alcohol vigorously at the persistent, uncomfortable pauses.

Two hours later.

Things had definitely become much more relaxed.

Regina was now sitting next to Emma, laughing hysterically about a story she was recounting. It had taken little convincing after the numerous drinks they'd had. Regina was all too eager to join her.

Emma had given her an intense stare and patted the empty space next to her. "Come on, Regina. Sit next to me."

She had tried to play it cool. Hide her satisfaction. But there had been a glimmer in her eyes and a slight grin. "Alright, Miss Swan." She had walked tentatively over to the couch, sitting slowly next to her, crossing her immaculate legs, and placing her hands on her lap before letting her eyes linger to hers. The seductive tone in her voice as she breathed her last statement gave it all away. Regina Mills had been waiting for this invitation ever since walking into the study. "You have my full attention."

Emma had grinned stupidly, unable to contain her excitement for what the evening would lead to.

The two women had soon settled back on the couch, mocking the room's elegant atmosphere. Shoes were kicked off, and Emma had thrown her red leather jacket over the arm of the couch. Regina had even uncrossed her legs, choosing to forget about the so called proper manners for sitting when wearing a dress. Not that it mattered. Her black tights didn't allow for anything to be revealed.

Not that Emma had been looking.

Maybe.

Just a few seconds?

Her legs were just so perfect…

Damn, she was drunk.

So was the mayor. She didn't think the story she was telling was that funny. Hell, she was pretty certain it wasn't accurate. Or even true. Yet she was laughing, putting a hand up to tell her to give her a minute as she recovered. And then the unexpected happened.

Regina Mills snorted.

The brunette sat up suddenly, clasping a hand around her mouth. Her cheeks were bright red. Clearly, this was not a usual event for her.

The stupid grin returned to Emma's face. "Did you just snort?"

"Nnnooo." Regina slowly turned to look at her, embarrassment plastered all over her face. Her lips curled into a smile when she registered Emma's expression, and she giggled. "Of course that would be extremely unladylike of me."

"And me slouching back on your couch like this is any better?" Emma then sat up, looking into the woman's eyes. "It's cute."

Regina turned away, her gaze on her hands resting in her lap. Emma was surprised by her overall humiliation with the one little slip up, like she had been scowled numerous times as a child for the action. She reminded her of a queen with all of the properness the woman had displayed throughout the evening.

Oh boy. Now Henry was rubbing off on her.

A queen? Seriously?

Too many fairytales for the night.

Combined with too much to drink.

"Regina."

She didn't look at her.

Emma reached over to place a hand on top of Regina's hands. The brunette turned immediately back to her, seeming somewhat apprehensive, but she didn't move her hands away. "Don't be so embarrassed. Really, it's cute."

"Thanks." A quiet chuckle escaped her lips. "I guess."

"You know, I don't get why Henry thinks you're so evil. You seem like a very likeable person."

"You think so?" The brunette seemed surprised by the comment. It was like she had never heard anyone tell her she was likeable. The reaction intrigued Emma. Maybe it was the job title. Regina could have been perceived as "evil" because of being the mayor. The job had to be stressful, not allowing for many moments when she could let loose and be herself.

"Of course!"

"You have to understand. Ever since I became mayor, balancing things has been tricky. You have a job, I assume?"

Emma tensed. A bail bondsperson didn't come close to what the mayor did. She figured it would be better that she gave Regina as little information as possible about her own job, just in case that caused the woman to think of her differently. "Uh, I keep busy. Yeah."

"Imagine having another one on top of it. That's being a single mom. So I push for order. Am I strict? I suppose, but I do it for his own good. I want Henry to excel in life." She gave her a serious look. "I don't think that makes me evil, do you?"

"No. Kid's having a rough time. Happens. He's probably just adjusting to you becoming the mayor."

"I hope so," she said quietly.

Emma frowned. Regina was really not a terrible mother from what she had seen that night. She was giving Henry a life that Emma would have never been able to provide him, especially not at the age of eighteen, in jail, and all alone. Regina was a single parent, taking care of not only a child but also a town full of people. Henry should be appreciative to have someone who cared and loved him as much as she did. It was more than she ever had her entire life. "Regina, I'm really sorry he's acting this way. Maybe I can talk to him before I leave? I am so grateful that he has you in his life. I wanted to give him his best chance at life, and he definitely has that with you. It's more than I could have ever asked for."

Regina smiled briefly.

"Look, I'm sure he's just saying that because of the fairytale thing."

"What fairytale thing?"

Emma laughed a bit. "Oh, you know, his book. How he thinks everyone's a cartoon character from it. Like his shrink is Jiminy Cricket."

The brunette looked completely lost. "I'm sorry. I really have no idea what you're talking about."

Regina didn't know about Henry's book. That meant the kid was hiding it from her. But why? She had guessed that Henry was in therapy because of his obsession with the book. If the brunette didn't know about the book, then why did he have a shrink? And most importantly… Which fairytale character did Henry think Regina was?

"You know what? Never mind the last part I said. But you are surely not evil. No matter what Henry says."

When Regina turned back to look at her, she noticed her brown eyes were glistening. It was more than Henry calling her evil. It was the fact that he wasn't accepting of her as his mother. That hurt the most. It killed Emma. Yet Regina still found the strength to smile through that pain.

Just like Emma had found the strength to push through her life of abandonment. Put on a smile. Pretend your life didn't suck. She felt more connections start to form between her and the brunette.

"Thanks, Emma."

Emma. It was the first time that night she had called her by her first name.

Emma decided to do the best thing she could think of to comfort the mayor. She pulled her into a hug, which Regina welcomed wholeheartedly. She heard her sniffle. She was crying. Letting her guard down in front of a complete stranger. Maybe it was the alcohol, but something told Emma that it was genuine. Honest. It broke her heart. She rubbed her back gently. "I'm sorry he thinks that way of you. I really wish I could change it."

"It's okay," she replied quietly. "He'll grow out of it. Hopefully."

"No. It's not okay. If he should be mad at anyone, it's me. You have been there for him his whole life. I was the one who gave up on him."

"Oh, Emma. Don't think that of yourself."

Regina backed away from the hug, and she took Emma's hands in hers. She had evidently moved passed the slight uneasiness she felt earlier with holding hands. "Like you said. You wanted to give him his best chance at life. You gave him up because you cared about him. You cared enough to give him a life you felt would bring him happiness."

Emma smiled. "Thank you."

Regina nodded.

She wanted to say thank you in the best manner she felt was possible. She wasn't sure if it would be the right decision, but she really didn't care. Against what little judgment she had left from the alcohol, she leaned closer to Regina's face. She noticed her give her a questioning glance, but her brown eyes were yearning. The brunette knew very well what Emma wanted to do. She smiled slightly and gave her hands a gentle squeeze. Emma's heart skipped a beat. She was saying yes. That was her way of saying yes.

Regina's eyes followed Emma as she moved in. The first kiss was clumsy. Emma began to press her lips against the brunette's, and she was hesitant at first, but reciprocated nonetheless. The next time their lips met they were both willing. It was the softest, gentlest kiss Emma had ever shared with anyone. She loved it. The third time was even better. They hung on each other's lips for a few seconds, not wanting the moment to end.

She felt Regina's warm breath on her skin as she let out a sigh. Emma opened her eyes and watched her blink away one last tear. She was beaming, her eyes as bright as day. "Thank you."

Emma let go of her hands and placed a hand on her cheek, rubbing it with her thumb. She laughed kindly and glanced away briefly before looking up again. They stared at each other, brown eyes burning into green ones, for several minutes. Emma moved her gaze down to her pink lips and suddenly noticed a small scar above her upper lip. Regina saw her looking and reached up to take her hand. "I've had it since I was a little girl. Horseback riding accident. I fell off the saddle and hit the ground pretty hard."

"It's beautiful. Just like you."

Regina smiled. "And so are you."

And then the silence again. But this time, it was a welcoming silence. The two sat, hands intertwined, enjoying the peace the quietness brought. It was short lived, but Emma swore she could see a dozen emotions pass across the mayor's face during the time. What was she thinking? She could sense that something was bothering her. Something deep down under numerous walls that she had put up as her defense system to protect a broken heart.

Walls.

She had many of them, too.

A broken heart.

Tonight it was beating with more vigor than she ever remembered.

She knew Regina felt the same. In the last half hour, Regina had become an open book to her. She could read her because she was the mirror image of herself. She could envision Regina as a younger girl, upset, confused, frightened. Alone in a world where nothing made sense. And Emma was standing next to her. A few years younger than her. Emma was taking her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Regina's brown eyes were filled with tears, but they narrowed in such a way as if to say thank. Thank you for being here.

The brunette spoke up, bringing Emma back to the study.

"You know, this might sound crazy…"

Emma chuckled. "This whole night has been crazy. I think I can handle it."

"Well, I've… Um…" She looked away shyly. "I've really wanted to kiss you all night." Her eyes were twinkling when she looked back at her. "That's why I invited you in for drinks. I wanted to get to know you better."

"Really?"

Regina nodded. "Yeah. Crazy?"

"No, not at all. Because I've wanted to do the same all night, too." Emma glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantle, squinting her eyes to read the small print. 11:42pm. Her birthday was almost over. What an interesting birthday it had been. "It's still my birthday."

Regina smiled. "Well, happy birthday, dear!"

Dear. She let the word echo in her mind. She hoped Regina would call her that more often. "Thanks, Regina. It's definitely been the…" She smirked. "Craziest, but best birthday I've ever had."

"I'm glad I could spend it with you."

"Me too."

Their eyes searched each other's, blinking steadily, but both conveying a fiery message. Kiss me. Kiss me again. Their gazes came together, both looking down and fixed on each other's quivering lips. Slowly, they leaned forward, their breath already becoming uneven. Emma pulled her hands away from Regina's grasp, the woman's hands protesting at first, but eventually letting go. She rested a hand on Regina's arm, feeling her flinch a bit at the touch. In that one movement, she could sense the nervous energy in the woman. Broken hearts were pounding simultaneously, mending together and beating with such incredible force.

The first few times their lips united had been hard enough. This time was different. This was the next step. Walls were being knocked down, exposing them to their feelings, their desires. Inches closer to their hearts.

So close. They were so damn close. Regina's eyes were moving back and forth rapidly, pleading impatiently with her. Emma swallowed her own nerves and tilted her head slightly. Regina took this as a sign to be ready, and she let her eyes slowly close. Their lips made contact, sluggish and timid at first, but progressing to more frequent and aggressive. Emma brushed her fingertips across Regina's skin as her hand moved down her arm, and she could feel the brunette shiver at the movement.

Regina let out a breath, and she stopped for a minute, pulling back slightly. Emma was disappointed, hoping for more. She gathered her words, ready to say her name, when the brunette surprised her, lunging back at her and pressing her lips hard against hers. Emma delivered, but she quickly realized it wasn't what she wanted. She breathed unsteadily, anxious and excited at the same time. She wanted this as much as Regina did.

Emma threw her arms around Regina's neck and kissed her again, opening her mouth and letting her have access. Their tongues met, and they searched each other's mouths hungrily as they continued to kiss. Regina was moving closer to her, almost on her lap. Emma could feel herself falling backward, and her head landed gently on the pillow behind her. The nervousness that had accompanied the two before this moment faded away. They were ready to let go. They both wanted it.

A giggle escaped from the both of them as Emma looked up at Regina and the brunette down at her. They shared a quick peck before Emma fell back on to the couch, gazing into Regina's brown eyes. She suddenly detected a flash of gold light, and her gaze shifted to a brilliant metallic ring hanging from a necklace around Regina's neck. It was the first time that night she had noticed the precious item.

Regina caught her gaze and gave her a small smile. "You like?"

Emma nodded.

"It was given to me a long time ago." Her voice trailed off, lost in some distant memory she imagined was unfolding in the brunette's mind. She whispered her next words. "From someone meaningful."

More bonds. Tying together tightly like knots in a rope. Emma reached for her own necklace, hidden under her gray long sleeve, and held it up in front of her. "I understand. No matter what you do, no matter how long ago it happened, you just can't seem to let go."

"Exactly."

Emma let the necklace fall back on her chest, and the brunette's eyes followed it. Something about the swan pendant transfixed her, and she picked it up, holding it between her forefinger and thumb. She laughed. "A swan?"

"Yeah."

"For your last name?"

"I know, I know. It seems stupid, sure. That was my reaction when he…" She stopped herself when Regina frowned.

"Henry's father."

"Yeah." Emma took hold of her hand. "It was a long time ago, Regina. I haven't spoken to him in ten years."

"It's okay. This ring?" With her free hand, she held out the ring in front of her. "It was given to me by a former love. His name was Daniel."

"Neal." She hesitated, worried how the brunette would react to her question. "Have you ever…?"

Regina knew what she was implying. Have you ever kissed a girl? The brief moments of silence bothered Emma, and she realized that maybe she had gone too far. The brunette was rethinking what she was doing, what had led up to this, and was going to tell her to leave. It was a drunken mistake. She wasn't like herself.

Emma had never openly admitted it to anyone, but she did have a thing for women. She also had a thing for men. For her, a relationship was a relationship, whether it be with the opposite sex or the same sex. She had never dated another woman, but she had been attracted to a few. The problem was that she never knew if the other woman felt the same way, so she would always ignore her feelings, too afraid to ask and ruin whatever small connection she had formed with her. She would busy herself with her work instead, becoming numb and letting the feelings disintegrate to nothing. She sometimes wished she had done that with Neal. If only she had the hindsight at seventeen, when she first met him. She would have known better now. She had been in plenty of bad relationships in the last ten years. The minute she let her guard down, something would go wrong.

Yet here she was, doing it again with Regina.

When would she ever learn?

"No."

The answer scared her. Damn it. Regina was straight. Right? Shit. You screwed this one up, Emma. Hope you have a nice walk of shame as you leave.

But Regina made no signs of getting up from the couch and telling her to leave. The next question fumbled from her mouth. "Are you okay with it?"

"Yes, Emma. I'm okay with it. Are you?"

Emma's heart fluttered. She had a chance with her. It didn't bother Regina, being in a relationship with another woman. She replied with ease. "Yes."

The wide grin that appeared on Regina's face only made her heart pound more. Her eyes lit up, and she rubbed Emma's hand softly. The brunette looked so happy. The happiest she had been all night. Or maybe in a long time. Emma guessed it was the latter.

"I guess I've been saving it," Regina said shyly, "for a woman like you."

"Me too."

Regina let go of both the ring and her hand and then reached up to undo the clasp of her necklace. "Now…" She held out the necklace, looking down at her with a small smile. "Let's not have this get in the way." She placed it on the coffee table, then turned back to Emma, nodding at her own necklace. "Do you mind?"

"No. Go ahead."

Emma watched as the brunette took off her necklace, handling it with such care as she delicately laid it down next to her own. It was if she could feel the weight it carried, the power of the memories it contained. Almost like she knew how hurt Emma would be if anything happened to it, equating the loss with her own misery if the treasured ring hanging off of her silver chain happened to disappear. They both stared at the two necklaces, placed nicely next to each other.

It was silly, but something about a swan pendant and a gold ring together seemed right. Like finally finding two puzzles pieces that fit together. Like it was meant to be. To be what, Emma didn't know. She didn't like to think that far ahead. Thinking forward meant the future. The future meant something developing. Or falling apart.

Tonight. Just think about tonight, Emma.

She could do that. Just tonight with Regina. One good night. That was all. The mere definition of a one night stand.

But that wasn't all she wanted. She wanted more nights with Regina. She wanted to know who she was, her life. She wanted something with her. She knew all of this, but she was also afraid of her certainty.

Regina locked eyes with her, and all of her thoughts and fears melted away. Emma waited anxiously, her heart racing, anticipating what was to come. She had wanted to kiss the woman all night, but she didn't think she would get this lucky. At the start of the evening, she didn't even think she would step foot inside the house.

Regina lowered herself on to her, meeting Emma as she threw her arms around her neck and began to kiss her lips. Regina's hands fell on to her shoulders, but only briefly before she began to slide them down her torso to her thighs. Moments later, her hands drifted between her legs, rubbing along her inner thighs slowly. Emma moaned immediately at the touch, and she saw the brunette quickly smile as she continued the motion, repeating it several times before slipping one of her hands underneath her tank top and slightly downward. She moaned again the instant her fingertips reached her panties. She waited a few seconds, thinking Regina would go further, but she hesitated, bringing her hand back to the top of her jeans.

The brunette pulled back from her lips, whispering her name. "Emma…"

But Emma ignored her. She kissed her more furiously and ran her fingers through her hair instead, encouraging her to undo that button and zipper, urging her to slip a hand underneath her panties and do her thing. But Regina still seemed hesitant, and she only moved her hands up and down her inner thighs once more before leaning away, a little further from her than she had the last time.

"Emma."

No, no... She didn't want it to end. "Mhm?"

Regina wore a playful grin as she looked down at her. "I assume," she began, but Emma couldn't help herself. She kissed her again, and Regina accepted it, hanging on her lips before pulling back. "You'll be staying the night?"

Emma tried to find her voice, breathing heavily. "Yeah… I… I think so."

"I should probably show you where you'll be sleeping?"

Yes! "I'd like that."

Regina got up from the couch and then held out her hand to her. Emma gladly took it, beaming just as much as Regina was as she helped her to a standing position. Hand in hand, they took a quick look around the room.

The study was beginning to take more of a resemblance to her apartment. The once elegant room was now a mess of glasses, a nearly empty bottle of cider, two memorable necklaces, tossed off shoes, and her red leather jacket hanging off the side of the couch. It was the kind of mess that she would leave unattended after a long evening, which was something that occurred more frequently than she would have liked with her job. But this wasn't her house, and she had to think about Henry's reaction if he stumbled upon it the next day. She turned to Regina. "Should we…?"

The brunette shook her head. "Don't worry about it. Henry won't come in here."

Regina guided her to the door, turning off the lights on the way out and closing the door quietly behind them. She gave Emma a quick smile as she rushed over to the light switch in the foyer. The hall went black, and Emma noted the rest of the house was completely bathed in darkness. She felt the brunette take her hand again, and she gazed into her brown eyes. This was it. It was really happening. Emma hadn't done this in years. She had never been so open, so willing to let a stranger in.

Neal was the first.

Regina was the second.

She had sworn to herself that after Neal she would never let it go this far. Being emotionally connected with someone. Because all it meant was regret afterward.

But Regina was different. She knew she wouldn't regret this night, this whatever it turned into. Deep down, something told her that. She was holding on tightly to that something tonight.

It felt right.

That simple. It just did.

They had been walking up the stairs when Regina stopped, putting a finger to her lips and pointing down. "This one creaks," she whispered. "Be careful."

"Okay."

Together, they stepped over the stair and walked carefully, but swiftly to Regina's bedroom. Regina opened the door, signaling for Emma to go in first, and she glanced down the hallway one last time before closing the door and joining her at the base of the bed. She wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close to her body. Emma felt electrified, enjoying the closeness, wanting to feel what she had on couch, wanting even more. They met each other's lips, engaging in a brief moment of intimacy before Regina backed away. Emma tried for another kiss, but Regina put up her hand.

"Our clothes, dear."

There it was again. Dear. It sent a chill down her spine.

Emma watched Regina pull off her tights, exposing her bare legs to her. They were so perfect…

She caught the brunette's gaze, and she hurried to undress. She had just thrown her white tank top on the floor when Regina's hands fell on her exposed skin, a little ways above her waist. The touch was so gentle, but it made her shiver. She let out a nervous breath and studied Regina. A few seconds later, she took her hands away and turned around, glancing over her shoulder at Emma with a seductive smile. Her gaze went to the zipper. "Go ahead."

Emma slowly undid the zipper, her eyes following the whole way down the woman's back. She stepped back, watching Regina turn around and so casually shrug off the dress and kick it aside. There she was, Regina Mills in nothing but her bra and panties. Emma couldn't help herself from gawking at her, taking in everything.

"My turn?"

Emma snapped out of her daydream and followed Regina's gaze. She was still wearing her jeans. She looked up and nodded.

Regina unbuttoned the jeans and undid the zipper, pausing for a few seconds at the bottom. Emma let out a shaky breath. She was so damn close. She could feel herself getting worked up.

Regina moved her hand back to the top of her jeans, tugging playfully on one of the belt loops. Emma started to pull them off, Regina helping her as she did so. The jeans were quickly throw aside. They both turned back to each other, eyes roaming their nearly naked bodies.

"Like what you see?"

Emma nodded eagerly. "Very much. You?"

"Yes." Her eyes lingered from her to the bed and back again. "Now. Shall we get on with it, dear?"

Emma nodded and held on tightly to her hand as Regina brought her to the bed, gently pushing her downward on the sheets. Emma moved toward the center with Regina crawling on top of her. The brunette immediately pressed her lips against her neck, and she raised her head in response, allowing her to trace kisses down her neck to her collarbone. Even in this wonderful moment of ecstasy the woman was giving her, she could still detect it. Regina's movements were careful, and she could sense the same nervousness she had exhibited back on the couch. Emma completely understood. This was a big step for her, too.

"Regina…"

"Mhm?"

"You're… You're nervous." She let out a shaky breath as the brunette slowly moved to kissing her chest. "That's why…" She paused, losing her train of thought as she continued. She was soon ready to try again, get the full sentence out this time, when Regina came below her breasts, and the words got lost in her throat as she let out a moan. She wondered if maybe she was wrong, that Regina wasn't nervous at all and had only wanted to give her a taste of what she would be experiencing now before coming to the bedroom, but once she finally got out what she wanted to say, she knew that she had been right all along. "That's why you hesitated."

Regina stopped just as she finished her sentence and leaned back, looking down at her with concerned eyes.

It's that same look she had after we backed away from kissing the first time. There's so much hidden in her brown eyes that I can't interpret, but that pain is crystal clear to me. She's worried about the future, just like I am.

"It's okay. I'm nervous, too. And not just because I've never done this with another woman before." She paused, catching her breath. "I haven't let myself do this for years… I've been afraid to… Emotionally connecting myself with someone."

The brunette spoke in a whisper. "I haven't either."

"It's scary, you know? Because you don't know where it'll go… What it means for the future…"

"Yeah."

"But something is different about you, Regina. And I just know that something about us... Us being together? It just feels right to me."

Regina's eyes began to glisten, and she glanced away. Emma cupped her chin with her hand and gently turned her head back towards her. She wanted her to be looking at her when she said her next words, for her to know she really meant everything she was about to tell her.

"I want something with you, Regina. I want you."

A few tears rolled down her face. Emma frowned, worried that maybe she had been too deep, that it was too much for Regina to handle so soon after meeting her. She used her thumb to quickly wipe her tears away and then stroked her cheek, hoping to comfort her. "Don't cry. Please. I hate seeing you upset."

The brunette shook her head and smiled at her. "I'm not, Emma. I'm really, really happy." She reached up to take her hand and entwined her fingers with hers. "These are tears of joy, dear."

Emma relaxed at her response and smiled.

Regina gave her hand a light squeeze. "I want something with you, too."

And it was gone. That pain she had seen shine in the brunette's eyes numerous times that evening had completely disappeared. She had wondered earlier if sharing this evening with her had been one of the happiest moments Regina had experienced in a long time, and now, she knew it was. And no matter what happened later on between the two of them, she knew they would never forget this night. It was a night that had truly changed something in the both of them.

Emma was ready. Nervous still, but ready to move forward.

She nodded downward. "Go ahead, Regina."

Regina let go of her hand as she pulled it away, and she sat up slightly. She could tell Regina was still nervous as well, and she just stared at her for a few moments, like she wasn't certain if she should do what she wanted her to.

"It's okay."

The brunette nodded, and with shaky hands, she reached around Emma's back and unclasped her bra. Emma put out her arms, allowing Regina to take it off and throw it to the floor. Emma laid back down on the bed, and she blushed as Regina looked down at her now exposed breasts. After a few seconds, she gave a small nod downward again, and Regina understood, bringing her hands down to her panties. She glanced up at her, and Emma gave her an encouraging nod. She didn't hesitate after that, and her panties were soon tossed to the floor.

Emma let out an anxious breath as Regina lowered herself back on to her and started kissing along her neck again. She slowly worked her way downward, her hands traveling the entire scope of her body as she did so. Emma could feel herself grow warm, her skin on fire against Regina's touch. And then suddenly her fingers were inside her, and despite being unsure of herself earlier, Regina didn't disappoint. Emma reached for the bedsheets and gripped them tightly, arching her back and pushing forward slightly against her motions. Her senses of the outside world slipped away, replaced by the intense euphoria of the moment that was too short lived. She moaned as she came around, her legs going weak at the power of the release. Regina moved to the right of her, resting on her side as she waited for her to recover. She closed her eyes until her breathing had evened and then turned on her side to face Regina. The brunette brought her hand up to her face and caressed her cheek.

"That was amazing, Regina."

She smiled and pushed some of her blonde hair behind her ear. "My turn?"

Emma nodded and helped her take off the last of her garments like she had done for her. She was soon on top of her, kissing her everywhere, mimicking the brunette's movements as best as she could. She had been afraid she wouldn't be able to deliver as well as she had, but she could tell Regina was enjoying every minute of it. After she came around, she pulled Emma close to her, resting her forehead against her shoulder as she relaxed her breathing.

"Did I…? Did I do okay?"

"Yes, Emma. You did lovely."

And the brunette brought her into an embrace, holding on to her like that for a while before they moved under the covers.

Emma was thankful Regina had invited her inside for drinks.

And for her birthday wish. It was truly a banner year. She would surely never forget this birthday. Maybe she would make another birthday wish next year. The question, though… What would she wish for next year?

"Thank you."

Emma was now laying on her stomach, the covers thrown over her backside, and resting her head on her arms as she gazed tiredly up at Regina. The brunette was laying on her back, the covers pulled up over her chest. She smiled at the comment and looked down at her with mirrored fatigue. Emma could tell she was fighting to keep her eyes open.

"Happy birthday, Emma." Regina paused, caressing her forehead. Emma shivered. "And thank you."

They stared longingly at each other for several minutes, holding on to the memory of the night. The exhaustion soon won, and Emma curled up next to Regina, closing her eyes. She stayed awake for as long as she could, waiting for Regina to fall asleep, and listened to her breathing. It was soothing. Peaceful.

Twenty eight years old, no longer all alone.

Happy birthday to me.

So... Did you like it? Leave a review and let me know what you thought! :)