Thank you all so much for the views, follows, favorites and reviews I am truly humbled! Since you are all so AWESOME here is chapter 2 super early! I will hopefully be able to upload a new chapter once a week if life/work doesn't get in the way. Now let's get to the fun part!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon A Time or their characters. I am just borrowing them for a bit!

Just as she turned on her heel to go Emma managed to run right into someone. While sputtering out an apology Emma's eyes started to roam up the fleshy blockade she go gracefully ran into. First thing she saw were the overpriced heels that were connected to sexy, shapely stocking clad legs, then came the dark blue designer dress that hugged delicious looking curves that made her face flush with desire. Finally her eyes landed on a strikingly familiar face that held a red painted smirk and deep brown expressive eyes that had one brow raised in amusement. All Emma could do was take a shallow breath and croak out…."Miss Mills?!"


Chapter 2

Recognition lit up Regina's eyes. All of a sudden it wasn't a beautiful blonde woman in a light blue tailored suit standing in front of her but a lanky thirteen year old girl in a plaid skirt and black rimmed glasses.

"Emma….Emma Swan?" said Regina with wonder in her voice.

"Um, hi?" replied Emma with shyness much like the first time she ever spoke to Miss Mills.

Emma didn't know what to say to the woman standing before her. Through the years she dreamed of this happening and what she would say, something like "How could you just leave?" or maybe she would just shout "Why!?" Whatever she thought about saying was gone once she saw that beautiful face.

"How have you been Emma?" asked Regina when she figured she wouldn't be getting anything more than a "hi" from her.

"Fine, how have you been Miss Mills?" Emma asked with sorrow lacing her voice.

"Emma, it's been over ten years since we have both been out of Cathedral High. I think it's safe to call me Regina." she whispered like she was sharing a secret.

A small smile passed across Emma's face. Regina always had a way of setting her nerves at ease.

"Well Regina, how have you been?"

"I've been great, as you can see my gallery is doing really well."

"Th-this is your gallery?" Emma stammered out in shock.

"Yes it is. I opened it with the inheritance my mother left me when she passed last year."

Emma knew Regina didn't have the best relationship with her mother from the long discussions they had after their classes but she could still see the sadness the passing caused her.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. It's OK really. I'm sure you remember that she wasn't the best mother but she was mine and I loved her." replied Regina with a sad smile.

Emma looks down shuffling her feet not really sure what to say next, Regina is the one to break the awkward silence again.

"So what brought you to my gallery tonight?"

"Oh, well I'm here with my co-workers, they like to have monthly socializing events to get our minds off the job."

"What is it that you do?" Regina asked with sincere curiosity not just trying to make small talk.

When Emma answered with "I'm a detective with the New York Police Department." pride had shown intensely on her face.

Emma really did love her job, her co-workers not so much. A lot of them were male chauvinist pigs but that didn't stop her from doing her work and doing it well. Being a detective made her feel like she was making a difference in this fucked up world.

"Wow Emma, I'm impressed but I always figured you would have become an artist. You had such immense talent."

"Yea well I kind of lost my passion for creating art quite a few years ago." Emma retorted while giving Regina a pointed look.

It was true Emma hadn't picked up a pencil or brush since the year Regina disappeared. Her muse and mentor went away and so did her love for making art.

Regina whispered an "I'm sorry" so low that Emma didn't hear it. She could tell by the look on Emma's face that she was the reason Emma didn't pursue her talents.

Trying to break the building tension and bring them back to a happier time Regina mentioned the painting that they were standing in front of.

"I see that the purple orchid caught your attention. When the artist brought it in I immediately thought of you. I still have your drawing you know. It's actually hanging in my office."

Emma's eyes widened in shock "You really kept it all this time?"

"Of course I did Emma I told you I would treasure it always. It's one of my most prized possessions even though you never did tell me the reason you drew it." said Regina voicing her annoyance.

All the tension left Emma's body as she let out a huge laugh.

"I was actually just thinking about that day and how you never managed to get the reason out of me no matter how many times you tried!"

Regina grunted at Emma's look of victory.

"Well don't you think it's been long enough? Can't you just tell me already?"

Emma grabbed her own chin and tapped it with her index finger to make it look like she was deep in thought.

"Hmmmm…I guess I could, but I think I'll make you wonder a little bit longer" Emma replied right before she busted out into a fit of giggles over Regina's clear frustration.

"Emma Swan! I see you are just as annoying as you were when you were a teenager!" Regina huffed out with a small smile to let Emma know she was kidding.

"It's one of my most endearing qualities, don't lie and say you didn't love that about me Miss Mills." Emma said smartly while batting her eyelashes.

Regina just shrugged with non-commitment while appraising Emma from head to toe.

If Emma didn't know better she would think Regina was checking her out with the way her eyes were roaming all over her body but she was not going to give herself that much hope.

Looking back up to Emma's face Regina licked her lips lightly before she spoke "So how long have you been living in New York?"

Right as Emma was about to reply August her fellow detective and one of the very few of her co-workers she actually liked interrupted.

"Hey Swan! We're ditching this joint and going to the bar. You coming?"

Just as August finished his question he noticed the beautiful woman standing by Emma and quickly added "Damn Swan is this your newest conquest? You sure know how to pick em!"

Emma just rolled her eyes at her friend. August really did have a loud mouth.

"No August, this is Regina Mills she is the owner of the gallery."

"Oh shit! I'm sorry ma'am." said August as he offered his hand to Regina for her to shake.

Regina offered August a polite smile as she shook his hand. "Not a problem dear. It's a pleasure to meet you August."

"Believe me the pleasure is all mine Regina. Well if Emma hasn't put the moves on you yet you should watch out because you are exactly her type…OWW!" August yelped when Emma jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow.

Regina raised her brow at Emma in curiosity "Is that so?"

All Emma could do was turn bright red and sputter out "I-I have no idea what this lunatic is talking about!"

August and Regina both guffawed at Emma's clear mortification.

Once August was able to catch his breath from laughing so hard he turned to Emma "Well like I said were heading to the bar and I think you both need to come."

He winked at the women who were looking at him like he had two heads and walked away.

Shaking her head Regina turned to Emma "I guess you have to go now?"

Emma looked at her questioningly "Aren't you coming?"

Regina looked into Emma's eyes and asked "Do you want me to go?"

She couldn't believe how vulnerable Regina looked just then; surely she couldn't be causing her to feel that way.

"Yes, I do."

The most breathtaking smile broke across Regina's face.

Emma smiled back with her gorgeous grin "Besides there's no way I'm passing up on the chance to see the posh Miss Mills with a couple of drinks in her!"

"Well maybe I can finally find out a few things from an intoxicated Swan, or at least get the dirt from August if you won't spill." replied Regina with a devilish smirk.

Emma didn't know how this night was going to go but she had a few questions for Regina and it wouldn't hurt to have a little liquid courage to help her get them out.

She was brought out by her thoughts by Regina lightly grabbing her upper arm "Let me just go grab my coat and tell my assistant to lock up once everyone is out. I'll meet you by the front door."

Emma only nodded not being able to process anything while Regina was touching her. Just as soon as the touch came it was gone. Regina sashayed towards the back of the gallery while Emma's feet were stuck to the floor.

"Get it together Swan! She used to be your teacher, you're still mad at her AND she's straight." Emma berated herself.

Taking in a long, calming breath while stuffing her hands in her pockets she made her way towards the door. Regina met up with her just moments later. As she held the door open for Regina she asked "So you think you're ready for this?"

Regina turned her head to look Emma in the eye and with a coy smile replied "Oh dear, you have no idea what I'm capable of."

They both walked the three blocks to the bar in companionable silence each stealing glances of the other. Once they arrived Emma opened the door for Regina and unconsciously placed her hand on her lower back to lead her in. Once she realized where her hand was she pulled it back like it was on fire. Emma needed to get control over herself because Regina was making her feel so many varying emotions. Regina looked at Emma with a small frown wondering why she had a pained look on her face just from touching her.

"Did you want to sit with the guys or do you want to get our own table?" Emma asked.

"If it's OK with you I would like for us to sit alone for a bit first so we can continue catching up."

Without waiting for a response Regina took a hold of Emma's hand and pulled her towards a table located at the back of the bar. Once they reached the table Regina released Emma's hand and hoped she didn't make her too uncomfortable, she just wanted to let her know it was OK. Emma was freaking out on the inside; she didn't know why such a simple touch affected her the way it had. Both broke out of their own thoughts to take off their coats and sit down just as the waitress made it to their table.

"What can I get you two?" asked the waitress.

"I'll just have a beer." said Emma.

"May I have a glass of cabernet please?" Regina asked with all the manners of a queen.

The waitress just nodded and started to walk off when Emma suddenly piped up with a last-minute order. "We'll also take two shots of Jameson."

When Emma turned back Regina had a questioning look on her face.

"What?" said Emma furrowing her brow in confusion.

"Jameson?"

"Yea it's Irish whiskey."

"I know what Jameson is dear but why did you order two shots?"

"Well I don't know about you Miss Mills but I have a feeling I'm going to need a little liquid courage for this conversation."

After a short wait the server came back and placed their drinks on the table. Emma scooted one of the shots towards Regina. She looked at it before rolling her eyes making a grab for it. She raised the glass to eye level and motioned for Emma to do the same. "Let's make a toast. To a good night with an old friend." said Regina before they both threw back the whisky wincing at the slight burn.

"So before August comes rushing over here to interrupt us again, how long have you been living in New York?" questioned Regina.

"I moved here about seven years ago after I graduated from Boston University. How long have you been in the city?"

"I came here right after I left Storybrooke, so almost twelve years."

Emma took a sip of her beer trying to contain her feelings over the subject of Regina leaving Storybrooke. She wasn't quite ready for that topic yet.

Sensing the change in Emma's mood Regina decided to throw a whammy at her to see if she could get Emma out of her own head.

Regina cleared her throat and spoke "So….you're gay?"

Emma who had just taken a sip of her beer started choking from the shock the question gave her.

Happy with herself for getting Emma's attention, Regina sat back with a grin and waited for Emma to respond.

Emma took a minute to stop coughing and gather her thoughts. With pink tinged cheeks she replied "Yes I am. Does that bother you?"

Regina couldn't contain her laughter "No dear why would it when I've known since pretty much the first day I met you?"

"What!? How could you have known when I didn't even realize it until I was half way through college?"

"Who knows maybe I just have really good gaydar. Maybe it was all the flannel shirts you wore on dress down days or that you always talked about how beautiful and perfect you thought Catherine Zeta Jones was in The Mask of Zorro."

They both started to laugh full heartedly at Regina's description of young Emma's stereotypical lesbian behavior.

Wiping tears from her eyes Emma said "Damn I can't believe it took me so long to realize, from your account I was about as gay as Ellen at a Melissa Etheridge concert! Maybe if you would have stayed you could've knocked some sense into me."

When Regina stopped laughing all of a sudden Emma realized what she just let fly out of her mouth. Regina looked as if she was holding back tears.

"Regina….I"

"No Emma I think it's time we stop ignoring the elephant in the room before it sits on us."

Emma took a huge gulp of her beer preparing herself for what was about to happen. Over ten years of hurt was about to be brought out and dealt with.

This was a story Regina hated to tell but she knew Emma deserved to know the truth. She knew she had to have caused her a great deal of pain leaving the way she did. They had a special bond not just as teacher and student but as friends. Regina had truly loved the girl. She hated that she had become just another person Emma had trusted but abandoned her in the end.

Wiping a stray tear from her cheek Regina started "Emma I'm so sorry that I left the way I did but I didn't have a choice. It is far past time you knew the reason why."


I know I'm a horrible person for the way I end my chapters but it's more fun this way! Thank you all again for your support of this story and taking time out of your day to read/follow/favorite/review. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up this weekend; I know it's going to be a doozy to write!