It was a cold Autumn Tuesday morning, Emma sat in her fluffy pjs in front of her laptop as her first assignment was sent over. In order to qualify to the next stage before acceptance the lecturer had requested that each applicant start a handwritten diary documenting their every thought and whim. The email ended saying a true writer is not afraid to expose themselves after all it's only words. Emma immediately went out to the local store and picked up a sufficient notebook and a few pens and got stuck into writing finding that she had so much to write already. Mid sentence Emma glanced up at the clock and jumped in realization that she would be late for her new job yet again. Emma quickly grabbed a pair of old tracksuit bottoms and a clean white tank top from the back of the clothes chair in her room. Hopping in one leg at a time as she jumped into the bathroom and brushed her teeth.

When Emma arrived at Regina's door out of breath again the Mayor merely waved her hand inviting her inside.

"Miss Swan... Would you care from some water you must have had a long walk."

Emma smiled politely.

"I'm sorry I'm late... again"

Regina walked into her kitchen and grabbed a fresh glass from the cubbard.

"Would you care for still or sparkling Miss Swan?

Emma couldn't help but notice that Regina was in a whole different mood today.

"Umm actually I'd love sparkling please if you got some Madame Mayor?

Regina smiled.

"But of course, I love the stuff ever since I was a little girl"

Regina poured the water and walked over to the blonde noting her attire.

"Here you are dear, I must say when I said you need some different attire I wasn't expecting this...

Emma slightly frowned as she noted a rip in her pants legs.

"I'm sorry Madame Mayor were you expecting a French Maid?

Regina had poured herself a glass and had taken a gulp which burst straight out of her mouth and onto Emma's face. Regina quickly grabbed the nearest towel and handed it to the blonde as she tried not to laugh.

"Oh forgive me Miss Swan... I'm not used to much humor these days"

Emma patted her face and smiled.

"Oh boy then you're gonna love having me around the place"

Regina met her gaze.

"I'm sure I will"

Emma looked around on the spot not sure what to say or do next.

"So I guess I should clean something huh?

Regina snapped out of her trance and smiled at the eager blonde.

"We shall get to that in a moment, firstly I'd like to give you the tour of our humble la bode so that if we are away for any reason you will know where everything is and goes etc, Robin is gone for the rest of the week he shall be back on Friday evening. It's our Ten Year anniversary"

Emma smiled a half smile.

"Wow ten years congratulations"

Regina returned the smile.

"Thank you Miss Swan, he left early this morning so I do admit I like having the place to myself sometimes... Oh by the way please don't worry about yesterday, I hope you don't mind that I kept what you told me between us, Robin is old fashioned and as much as I try I find that sometimes that behavior rubs off on me. I want to apologize again for my behavior yesterday I was having a bad morning and I guess I took it out on you I'm not normally like that... I didn't mean to upset you Miss Swan"

Regina turned to the blonde as they reached the top of the marble staircase. Emma met the panicked woman's stare with her warm eyes.

"Look... You were perfectly entitled to interview me for the position I'm just sorry I lied to you in the first place. But please don't treat me like some orphan Annie... cause I have done pretty well so far. I can pay bills and I got a little place to live... it's not much but it's home to me and look hey I got a new job so I'd say I'm okay..."

Regina's heart melted as she exhaled.

"I can see why you did... We kind of give off that high expectations vibe don't we?

Regina chuckled to herself.

"Miss Swan don't ever let anyone make you feel like the way I did yesterday. Do you understand me?

Emma nodded.

"I am so grateful to work for you Madame Mayor I really am. I'll do my very best because I want to be...

Regina smiled and finished her sentence.

"A writer dear"

Emma actually blushed. Regina was flattered as she lead the blonde down her corridor.

"I got my first assignment today actually... I have to keep a diary. I've never owned one before so it's a whole new sensation"

Regina looked at her as if she had lost an arm.

"Yes well we'll have to help you achieve that dream won't we dear? We haven't discussed salary yet, I'm afraid Robin handles the money these days so I'll have to have a talk over with him on Friday when he returns"

Emma paused on the spot.

"Oh Madame Mayor... that isn't necessary it's your anniversary please don't ruin it on my behalf"

Regina opened her bedroom door and Emma could help but gasp.

"Holy shi..."

Emma stopped herself and Regina laughed quietly as she pulled back her curtains and opened her balcony doors.

"Come Miss Swan. When I want some quiet time you'll find me out here if I'm not outside by my apple tree"

Emma inhaled the soft breeze that circled around her nose.

"Do you make apple pie?

Emma smirked.

Regina led them back into the room and began to strip her bed covers.

"Why yes I do, when I was Mayor I made it weekly for the town's bake sale..."

Emma smiled at Regina's enthusiasm when she spoke about her past role.

"Maybe I can try some sometime... Holy crap how many people sleeps in this bed?... and shouldn't I be doing that for you?

Regina dropped the sheets and giggled.

"Why Miss Swan just Robin and I... Yes I'll be sure to bake you a pie very soon indeed... I suppose you should take the sheets... I'm just so used to doing everything a particular way... I'm in a sort of routine..."

Regina trailed off as Emma picked up the sheets.

"Wow... I sleep in a single I'll bet it's like heaven"

Emma sighed and proceeded to walk away with the sheets.

"Where do you live dear?

Emma stopped and turned around.

"Umm I kinda don't wanna answer that the house might hear me and think I'm not good enough to be here"

Her voice echoed down the corridor and Emma stuck out her tongue. Regina raised her eyebrows in admiration as Emma walked down the stairs with the bed sheets.

Regina walked briskly after her as she saw she had found the washing machine.

"Emma wait... He doesn't like the softer in first...

Emma jumped on the spot splashing the softer into the machine and onto her tank.

"Ooops... I'm sorry"

Emma quickly put the softer back in it's place and noticed Regina quickly turning it to face the window. Her shoulders were raised and she seemed rather agitated that the sheets had now been covered with softener.

"Umm did I do something wrong Madame Mayor...?

Regina flicked her eyes to the blonde who was as flustered looking as she was and was now sporting a bright blue stain in the middle of her white tank top.

"No Miss Swan... I did, it was my fault for not showing you how to wash the sheets, it will be alright... I just need to rectify this myself... be a dear and give the kitchen a sweep please the brush is behind the hall door"

When Emma left she caught a glimpse of Regina collapsing to the ground. She slumped against the machine and held her head back. Emma felt absolutely awful. She had messed up so much it seemed on her first day.

When Emma entered the kitchen she could practically see herself in the floor tiles. Sweep what she thought but she did as she as told and waited patiently for the Mayor to emerge from the wash room. Emma began to get worried when Regina hadn't returned a half an hour later. Emma knew her place she would stay right here until she would get back. Emma began to snoop around the kitchen noting the immaculate shine on everything. She figured she could make her some tea to apologize when she spotted the teabags by the sink. When Regina still hadn't returned when she had made the tea Emma went to look for her and found her outside with a hand basin soaking the sheets and was hand washing them vigorously with a scrubbing brush. Regina slumped over the basin and jumped when Emma accidentally hit off the flower pot.

"Miss Swan... This doesn't concern you please go back inside and clean the kitchen please"

Regina looked so tired.

"I... I did... Not that it needed much cleaning I could see my ass in your over door"

Regina whipped her head around fully to face the blonde who was walking towards her.

"Here I made you some tea... You should come inside it's getting cold... Let me do that for you"

Regina took the mug in both hands and smiled gratefully at the blonde.

"That won't be necessary Miss Swan I'm nearly finished. Thank you for the tea I really appreciate it"

Emma did as she was told and returned to cleaning the kitchen.

Over the next few days Regina had taken the liberty of writing out cue cards around the house on each item that had to be cleaned or fixed or Ironed etc. Emma was in complete awe at the woman. She was like supergirl. Whenever she had a spare minute she found herself writing in her diary. Regina found herself enjoying the younger blonde's company.

It was Friday night and Robin had returned right on time. Regina had given Emma the day off in preparation for the her anniversary. Regina Mills stood in front of her bathroom mirror, her eyes inflamed from the flood of tears, She wiped away a falling one with her thumb and proceeded to do her make-up. She brushed her wavy brown hair and entered the bedroom.

There was roses on her bed and soft music playing in the background. Robin was sitting on the edge of the bed holding a rose. Regina smiled at the lovely gestures that surrounded her.

"Oh my god Robin you didn't have to do all this!

Robin stood up and handed his bride the rose. He kissed her hand softly.

"Happy Anniversary babe"

Robin pulled Regina into his body and kissed Regina on the lips.

Regina and Robin had been together sense her second stint at college, he was her best friend and It just seemed like going out was where they were headed. Marriage was the next logical step.

"I can't believe today we officially became man and wife. The years have flown by"

Beamed Regina who was changing the song on her ipod.

"Yep time flies when I have you Mrs Mills"

Robin's pleasant tone rapidly changed.

"Stop fidgeting with the damn music and come here"

Regina jumped as his tone startled her.

"I'm sorry babe, I... just wanted to play our song"

Regina did as she was told, she always obeyed Robin. He walked over and locked the door.

Regina awoke to find a note on Robin's pillow. It was her daily chore list. She would set her alarm meticulously every morning so she would get most of the list completed before he went to work. It was 5am. Robin was a very respected business man, he was away most days, but when he returned he made it known, Regina was grateful she had the regular distance from him, her work used to be her get away everyday. She would become the happy person she once was and wanted to be again when she was there. Being the Mayor had it's advantages she kept her personal life well hidden, but it wasn't good enough for Robin and he made her resign. Having Emma waddle into her life was the something Regina had been missing. She didn't need a maid. She needed a friend.