A/N: Hey you guys! It's been a while...I know. Lots of things going on. Here's chapter 2! Thanks for waiting!

Chapter 2

The next day Emma found herself in her hiding spot once again. She was early though, so the group hadn't started their class yet. Instead Emma watched how the brunette tought a choreography to group of kids, mostly young girls aged 12 to 15.

The sun hadn't set yet but it was cold nonetheless. Emma had brought a cup of hot cocoa to go with her and now had her fingers closed around it to warm them up.

Today in school she had seen Ruby and Belle, the two dancing here within the group. She had been almost about to talk to them about their dancing classes. It wasn't a secret they danced, so it wouldn't have seemed too weird if Emma had asked them. But the blonde didn't really know them at all. They were the same age, the same grade and all. But she wasn't their league. At least that's what she told herself.

Inside the brick building the brunette sat on the ground watching all her small students perform the choreography they'd just learned in groups of three. After every succesfull performance the kids would gather next to their teacher, hugging her and trying to sit as close to her as possible all the while watching the next group going their dance.

Emma felt lost. Not for any particular reason. She had felt this way ever since she could remember. It wasn't like she didn't feel loved. Her parents were doing her best, no doubt. And she had true friends...maybe not many but at least they were real friends. But this feeling of being on edge, of not being able to let her emotions out. She couldn't explain.

Emma took a sip of her cocoa and curled her toes inside her boots.

As time went on the kids left the class and the the older ones arrived one by one, Ruby and Belle among them. They did their warm ups and soon they were in the thick of working on a new choreography. Some elements similar to a few the blonde had seen the brunette practice the night before.

Time passed quickly and so the end was nearing. Emma had stood by the window and had not moved an inch since her arrival. The more it took her by surprise when the brunette moved to stand with her back to the large glass front to watch her students steps from another perspective. Emma accidentally dropped her half full cup of meanwhile cold liquid which spilled all over her backpack.

"Shit!" Cursing, she bent down to inspect the damage not realizing that this small misfortune had caused more noise than she had actually intended.

The brunette whirled around, startled from an unfamiliar noise outside, and her gaze caught a blonde girl, panic written over the pale face. They held eyecontact for what felt like two heartbeats, before the blonde grabbed her bag and rushed of to vanish in the dark.

Regina opened her mouth just to close it again in an instant. That was weird.

"Regina, you alright?" Ruby and the others had stopped while the music went on, everyone's eyes on their instructor.

"Yes...I'm fine, don't you worry. I'm sorry."

They started from the top for the last time for this night, then Regina sent them home.

That little incident with that blonde girl didn't leave her thoughts. Although it wasn't the first time somebody had watched them during their training session, that look on the blondes face was stuck in her mind. Almost fearful, like getting caught watching was a sin.

She remembered when she was a young girl. She'd always watch others dance. No matter where. Once there had been this couple in the streets. It was a hot summer night and they were dancing Tango Argentino like nobody was watching. At that time Regina had blushed, not remembering a single thing that had seemed so erotic and desperate at the same time.

Now she'd dance like this herself from time to time. The brunette sighed. Life was exausting somehow. And she felt bad for thinking this way, considering the fact that she – more or less – had almost always been on the bright side. She never had to suffer from hunger or never had to fear for not having a roof over her head.

That's what she told herself. One should always relativize.

Tonight she wouldn't stay longer. Her friend Kathryn had convinced her to go out for a glass or two.

Emma ran. She bumped into several people, muttering some apologies, but didn't look back. She feared that she couldn't go back there. Like ever. Probably the brunette thought she was some kind of weird stalker, ogling those girls.

When Emma slowed down, she hadn't even paid attention to where she was running. When she finally came to a halt, panting heavily, she dropped her bag and brushed her hand through her golden locks.

"Damn..." Emma muttered, feeling utterly stupid for running like a five-year-old who stole someone's candy. She didn't do anything wrong, but she felt...exposed. This had been her hiding spot. No-one was supposed to find her there. The brunette hadn't even said anything. Even so...

Could she go back? Maybe not tomorrow – she sould let a few days go by.

She checked her phone, not really in the mood to go home, but also knowing that she had to. Sooner or later. It wasn't that she didn't like being at home. No, she loved it. But she cherished her time alone.

But maybe she should actually stop at the library and take a book. To convince her mother that she had been there.

That she did and finally sat in the subway on her way home. Mary Margaret always told her to not use the metro this late and rather call so someone could pick her up. Sometimes she even did. But other times she just wanted peace and silence.

She tightened her scarf and let her gaze wander. There were always the most different and interesting people on the subway. Emma loved to watch them, making up little stories about how their life could possibly be.

Her head restet against the window, outside her surroundings were just a blurr of grey and black.

Regina leaned back in her chair, taking her wine glass with her as she listened to Kathryn telling her stories of the latest auditions at the school where she teached.

The blonde had offered Regina a teaching position more times than she could count on one hand but the brunette had always declined.

Although Regina loved teaching she couldn't stand the thought of being pressured by authorities. She had her own methods. Of course she was strict. But also caring and loving. Everyone had their own style of dancing, even when they all danced the same choreography. It was what made each one of her students unique. It was the same old story with all these professional dancers out there. They all run through the same hard education which makes them perfect in their technique, but leaves no personal touch. Sure, the education she provided in her groups was like pre-school for dancers. Eventually they would go to schools like The Julliard. She just hoped that they wouldn't forget what she tried to give them.

While Kathryn went on with the talking her eyes scanned the classy bar. The furniture was held in dark colors which gave the room a kind of cozy ambiente. The lights were dimmed, although not too much. Each table war illuminated by a single candle, which threw dancing shadows over the faces of the people, who were engrossed in private conversations, focused on eating and nursing their drinks. The wall behind the bar was mirrored and the shelves stocked with differently shaped bottles of expensive liquids.

Regina's eyes wandered over the the tables but her thoughts soon drifted back to the blonde girl on the roof next to the window of dancing hall. Why had that girl been out there in the cold? She clearly had been watching them and when she had gotten caught she had been terrified. Panic had been written all over that pretty face. She had looked like a deer caught in the headlights. It wasn't uncommon that people came by to just watch, but usually they came inside and just asked if it was alright. Mostly they were parents with their children who seemed to be interested in dancing and thought about joining the class.

"Regina, are you listening?" Katherine watched her with a raised eyebrow and took a sip from her glass of wine.

"Uhm...yes?" Regina replied, biting her lower lip to prevent herself from grinning.

"I'm sorry, it's just...It's been a weird day. What were you saying?"

"I was trying to convince you to apply for the vacant position as a dance instructor at our school. Again." The blonde sighed and gave Regina a little smile.

"It's paid better-"

"You know that money isn't an issue." Regina answered and gave her friend a pointed look. It was no secret that the Mills family was well off and that her father had always taken care of the fact that the brunette's income was secured. It was nothing she war particularly proud of. But it was what it was.

Katherine sighed and watched the blood red liquid swirl around in her glass.

"Do you even know what you want?" She finally asked, rolled her eyes and shot her friend an expecting look. It was a casual question. Therefore, it surprised and concerned her even more when Regina answered with a sigh:

"No. I don't think I do...not anymore."