Emma had expected to be up all night, tossing and turning. But she hadn't, she was wiped out form the previous day and got a full night's sleep. Her alarm went off at eight, and was ready by nine. She'd never been one for getting up early, but she found herself feeling nervous to meet the Mayor.

She decided to go for a walk, and look around the town, it would also give her enough time to find the Mayor's office. She'd been wandering for around an hour, and decided it was quite a sweet place. Somewhere she could really call home, for a while. She wasn't used to staying in one place for a long time, but despite her job, something seemed to be drawing her in here.

'Hello.' Emma heard a soft voice from behind say. She turned to find a woman grinning at her, she had arms full of bags, and placed a few down, whilst Emma muttered a 'hey' back. 'I can see you're new around here, are you lost? You look lost.'

'I'm just looking around, I guess I am slightly lost though. Could you direct me to the town hall? I'm meeting the Mayor this morning; I'm Emma by the way.' Mary Margaret's smile seemed to falter, for a second. Then she grinned once more, and picked up her shopping again, looking as though she was about to spill the contents of the brown paper bags everywhere.

'It's on my way home, so if you'd like to follow me? And I'm Mary Margaret.' Emma then held out her arm to steady the woman, who thanked her graciously. 'Would you like me to take a few of the bags for you?' Before Mary Margaret could reply, Emma was already holding two of the bags.

'Thank you, Emma.' It felt as though they'd known each other for a lot longer than a few minutes, and on the way to the town hall, Emma was invited over to Mary Margaret's the following day, she was having some sort of get together.

She doesn't seem like the kind of person to be having a party... What the hell do I wear? She decided to ask Ruby when she got home. Emma couldn't help but ask herself when she became so social…

'You're staying at 'Granny's' right?' She nodded. 'Well, Ruby's coming also, so I'll let her know, and you can walk with her at around seven, there are quite a few people coming, so it'll be a great way for you to meet everyone.'

'Thank you. Are you sure you'll be okay with all these bags from here?' Mary Margaret nodded, holding the bags full. 'Thank you for the directions then, I'll see you tomorrow.' Emma began her way in to the town hall, and swore the heard a 'Good luck' muttered her way.

Emma wandered in to the town hall, alike to a lost puppy. She walked toward the first desk she could see. 'Um, excuse me. I'm looking for the mayor's office.' The woman looked up, and merely pointed to a door which was at the far end, it seemed to stand alone. The woman then looked back down to the work on her desk.

'Uh, thanks.' Emma muttered, walking toward the door. She noted that it was particularly empty; she'd expected quite a few people working here. She knocked on the door, and waited nervously for the Mayor's voice.

'Come in.' Emma let herself in, and looked over Regina. She was unexpectedly young. She had short black hair and wore a smirk. 'Miss Swan, please take a seat.' Her face was then void of emotion. Although she'd moved here for her job, it felt as though the whole move was leading up to this moment.

'So you're working for my father? Rather working for me. He's only in town for around one month a year. I wanted to meet you, and see the suitable candidate he seems to see in you. I've read through your CV, it all seems fine. You'll be working closely with the sheriff too. He'll be over to meet you soon.' Emma sat in silence, nodding.

'So… Miss Swan. Please, tell me about yourself?' Regina sighed and sat back in her chair, eyes boring in to Emma.

'Well, um. What do you, uh, what do you want to know?' Emma felt frazzled, she puts it down to the nervousness she felt about meeting this woman. She certainly wasn't what she expected, and wasn't how Ruby seemed to portray her.

'You certainly sound competent, Miss Swan.' Sarcasm drawled in her voice. 'Am I making you nervous?' She leant forward, eyes squinting at Emma. She almost thought the Mayor was flirting, but from the tone she took, it definitely wasn't flirting.

'Just tell me about your passion for the job you'll be undertaking? And your plans whilst you live here.' Regina was back to her non-caring attitude it seemed, still eying Emma curiously.

'Well, you've obviously seen the school's I went too, the college, my results, where I've worked. There's not much I can tell you honestly, I'm very committed to the job.' She paused for a second. 'I'm staying at 'Granny's' at the moment and well… I'm not quite sure after that. I'm hoping to find a flat.'

'Well don't you just sound so prepared, really thought this through.' Eyes met, Regina's taunting. It was almost like she wanted a reaction from Emma. 'Well, I'm guessing you must be good if my father hired you, and moved you all the way here.'

'Well, I'm hoping so. I'm very grateful of the job.' She was struggling for things to say. Regina countered, 'I bet you are.'

Emma opened her mouth, but was interrupted with a knock at the door. 'Come in.' Regina spoke, sounding clipped. She was obviously irritated. 'Sheriff, you're early.' A small grunt sounded from Graham as he entered the room.

'Yeah, well, I was just going to show Emma around the station and explain everything to her.' His thick Irish accent carrying through the office, and Emma found herself looking between the two, their eyes solidly locked. She felt like a pawn, in some sort of battle she didn't want to be involved in.

'Fine, we were practically done anyway. I expect to see you soon anyway, Miss Swan. Good day.' Emma stood, smiling at the mayor, who didn't return the gesture then left the office, following the sheriff.

'I'm the sheriff, Graham.' Emma introduced herself, insisting he call her by her first name and he lead them out of the town hall. 'Welcome to Storybrooke. It might seem quite small, but always very interesting I can assure you. Henry tells me that you're the new lawyer, and that you'll be working the law side at the station too. So I thought I'd show you around, and then tomorrow Henry will show you your office. You've had experience in my line of work I'm guessing.'

'Yes, of course. So I'm like your deputy, in a way?' This was certainly not what she'd expected, but definitely within her capabilities. For what she was getting paid- Something she still could not get over- She could handle anything Henry Mills threw at her. They reached the station within minutes; it really was a small town.

'Well… I wouldn't use that term exactly, but yes. You'll be working closely with the mayor to help her make legal decision, things like that. It's a big job you've taken on.' Emma couldn't help but hear the scepticism in his voice.

'I know, but I think I can handle it. Being personally mentored by someone like Mr Mills, living in a beautiful town like this, with an interesting job… I couldn't ask for anything more, could I?' Emma shot a smile the sheriff's way.

'Well, when you put it like that. Have you met many of the residents here?' He questioned, sitting at his desk. Emma took the seat in front of his desk, feeling at ease in his presence, something she was grateful for after her experience with Regina earlier.

'I'm staying at 'Granny's', so I've met Ruby. Then this morning, I met Mary Margaret, she invited me to her get together tomorrow.' At that, she heard the sheriff laugh.

'I think she's invited the whole town, I have no idea how everyone's going to fit in to her flat.' They both laughed, easily. But it was cut short with a skulking presence at the door.

'Sheriff, Miss Swan. I've just brought some files for you; you'll need to look over them.' It was said with such venom, and she practically threw the files at Emma. Silence filled the room, and Regina muttered a 'good day' as she left hurriedly.

Emma refrained from saying 'What's her problem?' yet Graham seemed to hear her and answered. 'I don't think she's been invited, she's not invited to a lot of things like that. She's always there when it's something official, but…' He trailed off, and Emma felt as though she'd intruded, like it was information she shouldn't know.

'Oh, okay. Well thank you anyway Sheriff, I should be leaving now. I'll see you tomorrow night, though.' He smiled and bowed his head. 'Let me know when you want me… To, uh, you know, help out.'

She almost ran out of there, as she felt herself going red. Why do I always manage to make a fool of myself? Sighing, she held the files close to her chest, and made her way back to 'Granny's'. She let herself in to her room, and began reading over the files. But despite her embarrassing mishap with Graham, it was Regina she couldn't get off her mind.

After about two hours of distracted work, her phone began ringing. She answered the unknown number with a slight frown. 'Hello…' She spoke, almost timidly. The thick Irish accent came through the phone, and she knew who it was without introduction.

'Hello, this is Sheriff Graham; Henry gave me your number. I was just wondering if you wanted to get some dinner tonight, at 'Granny's'?' He could obviously sense her hesitance. 'Just to get to know each other, Ruby could join us if you like.'

Releasing a breath Emma didn't realise she was holding, she replied 'that sounds lovely; I'll see you then Sheriff, around seven?' He grunted a 'yes' back in reply. 'Okay, good bye.' She put the phone down before hearing his reply, and her mind wandered back to the grouchy mayor.

She got up, and jogged down stairs to find Ruby. 'Ruby, hey. I was just wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me and Graham at seven?' Ruby looked thoughtful for a moment. 'Please, Rubes.' The nick name seemed to do it.

'Okay, Granny will be okay on her own for an hour.' Emma thanked her, and went back upstairs. She had to prepare for the meal. She changed her t-shirt and brushed her hair. She at least wanted to look like she'd made an effort, even if she hadn't.

Seven o'clock rolled around, and Emma couldn't really be bothered socializing. She'd barely done anything, and she still hadn't been to her office, yet she was particularly tired. Sighing, she got up and slipped her boots on. Making her way downstairs, she could hear a voice which sounded very much like the mayor. Great.

'He's just sat there. I'll be out soon, I'm just finishing up.' Nodding, she made her way over to Graham, smiling. She walked past Regina and Henry, who were sat dangerously close for Emma's liking.

They'd been talking for a while, about how great Storybrooke was or something to that effect. In all honesty, her eyes had been on the mayor all night. Ruby still hadn't come over, and she felt slightly uncomfortable now.

Regina's eyes were on her, but not in the friendliest sense. She was receiving looks which screamed jealousy. But she couldn't quite be sure why, or if it was jealousy. Her arms were outstretched, eyes locking with Regina she wasn't concentrating. She felt a clammy hand try to take hers, and also saw the mayor's eyes follow that hand.

Emma pulled away quickly, but the mayor was already looking elsewhere, now anywhere but her. 'Sorry,' they both said in unison. She looked back at Regina's table once again, but she was still looking away.

Graham finally noticed her disinterest in him, and piqued interest in Regina. 'Henry, Madame Mayor, would you like to join us.' Finally, their eyes locked again, and it sent an unknown feeling through her. She couldn't really understand why she was so happy at that.

Henry looked as though he was considering it. 'No, that's okay. We wouldn't want to intrude on your date.' It was said innocently, with a small smile. Emma could see through it. They both laughed lightly, uncomfortably.

'It's not a date.' Emma clarified. Graham nodded, looking slightly rejected. Emma noted that, and couldn't help but think he was a little presumptuous. I've known him all of five minutes and he tries to hold my hand, and take me on a date… I'm not that easy, thank you. Just because he's the Sheriff.

'Even so, sheriff, Miss Swan… We couldn't possibly. Anyway, I'll be off. I'll see you later, good night.' She left the restaurant quickly, leaving her purse on the counter beside her father who also missed it sitting there.

Emma, however noticed it just as soon as Regina had left, and stood. She excused herself from Graham for a moment. 'Mr Mills, the mayor seems to have left her purse. I'm just going to run and catch her up.' This was the perfect excuse to see the woman again, there was something about her… Something Emma couldn't quite place.

She ran out of the dinner quickly, and saw Regina half way down the street. She jogged down to her, and tapped her shoulder. 'You forgot your purse.' Irritated, the mayor turned to face the woman, who'd been in her thoughts all day, too.

'Thanks.' She ripped it from Emma's grip, and shoved it in her bag, then sighed and turned to walk away. 'Sorry to keep you from your date.' She muttered as she walked away. Once again, the lawyer caught up with her.

'Firstly, it's not a date. Secondly, what have I done to you? You have absolutely no reason to be so rude to me.' Once the words left her lips, she regretted them. Despite what she'd said being true, the mayor couldn't believe her audacity.

'Leave him alone.' For a second, Emma was confused, and then she realised what the Mayor meant. 'Leave Graham alone.' So that's where the jealousy is coming from…

'There's nothing going on, but I'm sorry. I didn't realise you two had a thing, or whatever.' Emma backed off Regina slightly, feeling strangely disappointed.

'We don't. We don't have a thing at all, it's just- Look it doesn't matter, just stay away from him.' She turned, and left Emma gawking, watching her leave. As her eyes following the Mayor's swaying hips, she realised she'd got it bad. She's got it bad for the town's mayor, who is, by the way, a complete bitch.