Chapter 2

After spending the majority of the day and early evening at Regina's to recuperate, Emma was finally persuaded by the woman herself to go home to her parents as she knew they would be worried. Giving as little of information as she could, the young woman took herself back up to bed once home to avoid any questions.

The following morning, the blonde managed to get herself up and out the loft before her parents woke, leaving a note pinned to the front door that she had gone to work. Having only recently moved to Storybrooke after finding her parents and all the magical details that came with, Emma managed to lock down a job with the local sheriff and loved her new job immensely. Sat at her desk, the blonde begins sorting through the reports handed over from the mayor's office.

"Emma when you are done with them can you take them back to the town hall please.."

Nodding at Graham, Emma frowns at seeing him rest against her desk and smile at her in an unusual way. "Sure.." Hearing a very distinct sound of heels making their way along the corridor, the young woman chuckles. "Or I could just hand them over to the mayor herself?"

Turning to see Regina appear in the doorway, the sheriff stands composing himself. "Mayor Mills.."

Having noticed his actions, the brunette purses her lips. "Hard at work I see Graham.."

"I..well..yes. I was just waiting for a call back.."

"Of course. I just came to see if Miss Swan is free for lunch?"

Scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, the Sheriff cringes. "She's already had her break and we were trying to get our work done for the weekend..there's this thing tonight at a rival club to the Rabbit Hole on the other side of town, the Flying Carpet"

Trying to mask her disappointment, the mayor nods. "Oh I see.."

Having walked through in time to hear most of the conversation as he now interns at the station given the amount of time he had spent there in the past anyway, Leroy sniggers. "That and he wants to ask Emma there.."

Raising an eyebrow curiously, Regina fixes her gaze onto the Sheriff in an intimidating way. "Really Sheriff? I didn't think you opposed to relationships within the work place?"

Shrugging slightly, Graham glares at the dwarf then turns back towards the surprised looking blonde who had remained quiet through the whole thing. "Now the cats out of the bag..what do you say?"

Biting her lip, Emma side glances Regina to see her staring at her for an answer while convinced she could spot a hint of jealousy. "I can't..I would have to drive as its on the other side of town and-"

"Then you can stay at mine? I live 5 minutes from the place.."

Gulping at the invitation, the blonde opens her mouth to respond but is cut of.

"I think that it sounds like a good plan Miss Swan. I, myself might check out this new establishment within my town..along with the area" the mayor explains with a smirk.

Eyes widening, the young woman then smiles at an idea. "Then you could drive me back? Or poof me back?"

"Oh no dear, I don't drink and poof..I will simple stay in a nearby inn.." Biting her lip to prevent a teasing smile, the former Queen turns back to the door. "I will see you all there at 8. Don't be late"

Slumping back in her chair, Emma cannot help but chuckle at Leroy's confused face as Graham continues to give him daggers.

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Arriving outside the Flying Carpet, Emma parks up her car and heads into the building while scanning the area for anyone else.

"There you are..I was beginning to think you wouldn't show.."

Turning towards Graham, the blonde smiles awkwardly. "I said I'd be here..is Regina here yet?"

Nodding towards the bar to show the mayor sat upon a stool in a short, deep purple dress with a cowl neck, the Sheriff gestures for them to go over once the brunette waves her drink at the pair with a smirk.

"Madam mayor, refill?"

Smiling at Graham, the former Queen replies. "Yes thank you Sheriff..oh and Emma dear try not to get yourself into a state otherwise I will have to take you back to my bed again"

Eyes widening, Emma gulps then looks up at Graham who also looks shocked. "Erm...yeah..I won't.."

Sliding down from her stool, the brunette tilts her head before questioning. "Shall we find us a table while Graham gets the drinks?"

"Sure.." Feeling the older woman's hand rest upon the small of her back to guide her through the crowd and towards the tables, the blonde bites her lip then sits down onto a chair at a corner table.

Sitting opposite, Regina leans over the table and takes hold of Emma's arm, looking serious. "How are you feeling today?..after yesterday.."

Taking a deep breath, the younger woman decides to be honest. "Not..great..but getting there.."

"Well whenever you are ready to start looking..just let me know okay?"

Giving a small smile, the blonde nods then looks up as Graham arrives with their drinks. "Leroy a no show?"

"He's probably already drunk and passed out somewhere.." The sheriff states before sitting beside Emma.

Noticing the closeness, Regina sits back feeling a little out of place then takes hold of her drink before rising from her seat. "I think I'm going to go look around..see how many people hate me on this part of town.."

Letting out a scared look at the fact the brunette is leaving, Emma then grabs her own drink and gulps some down as the former Queen strolls off into the crowd.

"So Emma..."

"Graham I-"

"I wanted to talk to you. It's about work..you've been interning for a little while now and I'm currently looking for a deputy, so what do you say?" The sheriff explains with a smile.

Dropping her mouth open not expecting this type of conversation, the young woman then chuckles in relief. "I..yes I am totally up for that!"

"Good. Welcome to your new post, Deputy Swan" holding his hand out, Graham laughs as they shake on it.

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Despite her reluctancy to leave the pair and the urge to go back, Regina walks around the club avoiding any dancing then makes her way back to the bar before perching herself on the opposite side, noticing that she could see the pair at their table. Sighing, the brunette rests her hand upon her chin and orders another drink. Ever since the day before, the former Queen has felt conflicted over her impending feelings towards the young blonde however, she could not act on them. How could she? Emma had confided in her with a secret that definitely beat her own from many years ago. A lost love is nothing compared to a lost child. Watching as the blonde grows increasingly distant towards the Sheriff, Regina contemplates on whether Emma was thinking over what they had spoke about as she too seemed conflicted. "Bartender? Can I borrow your phone please?"

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Hearing Graham talk on about how he became Sheriff, Emma stirs her drink with her straw slowly while feeling herself become more and more disconnected. She should be over the moon at a promotion but then it also made her feel guilty. She had finally got her life on track, she had her friends and family and yet her son was still out there somewhere.

"Oh sorry Emma, I'm going to have to go..there's been a disturbance" rising quickly at a message sent through to his phone, Graham gestures towards their drinks. "Get another drink from me and put it on the tab. I'll see you on Monday"

Watching the sheriff disappear and leave, Emma knocks the rest of her drink back and goes to stand to get another but stops as a replica of her drink is placed in front of her. Glancing up, the blonde smiles seeing Regina stood by the table.

"You look like you could do with another.."

"Thanks..yes I do. Graham just left.."

Nodding, the brunette sits down with her own drink and clasps her hands together on top of the table. "Yes I know."

Frowning, the blonde takes in the woman before her who is currently avoiding her gaze. "Regina?"

"I'm the disturbance..."

Covering a laugh with her hand, Emma clears her throat. "So Graham is going to.."

"A closed down building that has been locked tight for at least 5 years..in the middle of..nowhere" The former Queen explains with a guilty look before witnessing the blonde give a giggle and has to laugh herself. "I'm sorry..you just looked bored and..needed saving"

"Not exactly..Graham actually prompted me but then I got to thinking that I don't deserve all this. My life being sorted when he is out there by himself.."

"Then we will start looking tomorrow"

"How am I going to explain all this to my parents.."

Taking hold of Emma's hand, Regina smirks. "They are the last to judge dear.."

Gripping the brunette's hand in need of support, the blonde nods before reaching for her drink.

"Do you want to get out of here?"

Nodding again, Emma rises up not letting go of Regina's hand then follows the older woman out of the club. "Where is it that you're staying?"

"I actually got a house key. The place was never claimed and as mayor I have a key for everywhere so why not?" The former Queen states before looking ahead and letting slip a small smile as she feels the blonde interlock their fingers.

"We will drive back in the morning.." Leading the younger woman towards the house, the brunette opens the door. "Then you can meet me at my office and we will get to work on finding your boy"

Stepping inside, Emma barely gives the former Queen the chance of entering herself as she turns and wraps her arms quickly around the older woman in a tight hug as her feelings begin to overwhelm her. Hitching her breath on contact, Regina manages to carefully close the door before reciprocating and allowing her hand to rub the blondes back in small circles. "It's all going to be okay Emma"

Giving a small nod against the mayor, the younger woman then pulls back slowly, creating a couple of inches between their faces. "I don't think I'd be able to do it without you. You've helped me so much already, just being able to talk about him and share my past without being judged or looked down upon...I know that will probably come if I end up finding him because the whole town will know but for now it's nice knowing that I have some support"

Smiling softly, Regina hesitates for a moment to release Emma from her grasp but decides on the exact opposite by securing her hold more. "Even then, when that day does happen, you will still have my support.."

Smiling back slightly teary, the blonde then gazes up at the brunette before trailing her eyesight down to the older woman's lips. Picking up on what Emma is thinking, the mayor instinctively strokes the side of her face in reassurance then shifts her hand up to hold the back of the blondes head with her fingers combing through the young woman's locks. Leaning up to close the small gap, Emma presses her lips against the brunette's in a brief kiss then pulls back slightly to check that Regina is thinking the same. Smiling, the former Queen tugs the younger woman back and kisses her softly before ending the moment by nuzzling the blondes nose.

"I..didn't think..."

Frowning a little, the mayor strokes Emma's cheek again. "Didn't think what dear?"

"That you would feel..something..like I do" growing shy, the blonde glances to the floor. "I've had a crush on you since even before I knew of the curse and then when I heard warnings about you it made it harder because my feelings grew and the fact that we understand each other proves that. I never knew the person you were in your past and I don't care to know. I only care for the Regina I see in front of me just like you see me..not the screwed up eighteen year old who had a kid in jail.."

"There's more to a person than their past Emma.." Lifting Emma's chin, Regina gives a coy smile. "And I liked you too. Although I hadn't realised it until yesterday when I knew you trusted me like no one else would. Ever since you arrived in Storybrooke, before I knew of your parentage, there was something there and I didn't have a clue on what it was or how to act upon it and then when I saw you in the diner yesterday morning, all I wanted to do was hold you in my arms..when you left last night, I couldn't get you out of my head and then Graham was hitting on you and well I didn't like it.." Hearing the younger woman snigger, the mayor bites her lip. "But I guess I blew that out of proportion otherwise you would be with him right now instead of standing here with me"

Not knowing what else to say on the matter, Emma locks their lips together again in a deeper kiss. Kissing back, the former Queen guides her blindly back towards the staircase.

A/N: yes I added my own club and side of town. I do not own anything anything else Once!