Shorter Chapter today, sorry.

Also, I understand being annoyed at Regina these first few chapters but don't worry I have plans for her that I think you'll like.

Beginning Of September

"Do you want one?" Regina asks Emma.

The sudden sound breaks Emma out of her thoughts. "Huh?"

Regina chuckles. "Do you want a fry? You've been staring at my container for the last 5 minutes."

"Oh, uh, no, I'm good. Sorry, I zoned out." Emma feebly responds. It's technically the truth, however she had been intentionally staring at Regina's plate. Just not for the reason the other woman thinks.

The truth is Emma is starting to worry about Regina's eating habits. It's been over a week since they've dropped Henry off at school and she's seen Regina almost everyday. Every single time she's seen her, the other woman has been eating or drinking something. Emma probably wouldn't have even noticed considering most of the times they get together it's with the intention of eating (like today they're having lunch at the mayor's office.) Except not only is Regina eating more, she's eating much less nutritiously sound food.

It started with breakfast after their night together when the other woman ate three doughnuts. It's not that Regina is known for only eating rabbit food or anything, but yesterday Emma watched her order both fries and onion rings with her sandwich. This is clearly more than just some weird passing craving.

Emma eyes the woman's milkshake with distain. How do you bring something like this up in conversation?

"Are you doing okay Regina?" She tentatively asks.

"Yes? Why do you ask?" Regina says suspiciously.

"Well…" Emma decided to just jump right in. When had she ever been subtle? "I've just noticed that you've been eating pretty unhealthy lately."

"Coming from the stereotypical cop who eats doughnuts everyday." Regina responds defensively.

Emma brushes off the rebuttal. "Look," She sighs. "it's not that I don't think you should eat whatever you want. It's just not like you to eat this way and I was concerned enough about you to actually ask if you were okay even though I knew you would take it the wrong way." Emma says frustrated. Her own food has been pushed to the side.

There is silence for a moment before Regina gives a deep suffering sigh herself. "I have noticed. I think I'm stress eating?"

"Yeah?"

"Well I've never done it before. I'm use to focusing any stress into other-usually destructive-outlets." Regina explains.

Emma understands what she means. Regina has spent nearly all her life with a focus for her energy. Before it was her need for vengeance against Snow, then it became a need to protect her loved ones. With Snow on her side, Henry gone, and no big bad after the town, Regina needs another focus…another distraction.

"Do you want to talk about what's bothering you? Maybe it will help?" Emma suggests. Emma doesn't actually think Regina will talk to her about it though. They are close now. Have been for a long time. They just aren't the type of friends to constantly talk about their emotions in a deep and meaningful way. Ironically enough, Regina is much more likely to talk to Snow about her relationships and such than Emma. That's mostly because her mother likes to pry more than Emma, but still.

To Emma's surprise though Regina throws away her remaining food and begins speaking. Maybe their relationship has shifted since they've slept together?

"It's a lot of different things. As I'm sure you've assumed, it's mostly Henry leaving. I'm worried about him but also trying desperately not to smother him with phone calls and texts. My house just feels so empty and I find that I accidently end up cooking the same amount of food I would if there was still two people so of course I just eat both." She sighs. " Robin calls and the loneliness makes me think that I made a mistake by pushing him away. Then I remember just how claustrophobic I felt with him around which is why…" She trials off. She is most certainly not going to tell Emma about how her and Robin hadn't been intimate in six moths. It was entirely her choice even though she has been sexually frustrated the whole time. She just didn't desire Robin in that way. She also isn't going to tell Emma that she is still frustrated by being in such close proximity with the blonde everyday. Now that Regina knows what it's like to be with the Sheriff she can't stop thinking about it when they're together.

Emma waits for Regina to finish her sentence but when Regina finally speaks again she's moved on with her list of woes.

"Then there is your mother. Honestly, 10 years ago I would have reveled in the thought that I "defiled" her daughter." She uses finger air quotes and all "But now it's just strange because we're all friends…family even. Speaking of family, Zelena has been driving me up a wall lately! I don't know what you did to her in the 100 Acre Woods or wherever you were stuck but she is now somehow nicer and infinitely more annoying!" She throws her hands up in punctuation.

Emma comes around to Regina's side of the desk and takes her hand. She leads them over to the couch and they sit down.

"Are you regretting that you asked?" Regina says in a self-deprecating way.

"Of course not. I just don't know how to help." She answers truthfully. "Maybe there is a healthier outlet we can think of?" Emma suggests.

"Well I use to cook and bake during the curse when I was upset. Or yelled at people. Usually both." She says with a smirk. "Somehow I don't think either of those would be currently beneficial.

"No, probably not." Emma smiles back.

"You really don't have to help, dear." Regina informs her lightheartedly. "I appreciate you listening to me bitch though."

"Absolutely." Emma responds and Regina's face lights up. "And I know that there is probably nothing I can do to help, but I want to. So if you can think of anyway I can relieve some of your stress let me know."

"Anyway?" Regina asks with a smirk.

Emma doesn't like that face. She almost regrets her previous words after seeing it, except that she knows she meant them. She would do anything for Regina. The implication of that is something she has been avoiding thinking about since she thrust a dagger into a cloud of darkness for the other woman.

"What did you have in mind?" Emma asks.

This time when Regina leans over and kisses her, she's half-expecting it. Her response time is much quicker. And while this kiss is less frantic than their first, it's no less passionate.

Emma knows she should probably stop this. She should at least question Regina like last time.

Her heart prematurely aches...but she doesn't say a word.

Maybe she's just a glutton for punishment.