Including in a request from JhosyLepour: I would like to see Regina helping Emma, and I do not know, advising her to find something better?

Emma threw her jacket up onto the hook after she walked into the house. Regina's words were echoing through her brain. She couldn't believe she was even still thinking about it. Quickly shaking her head, she went into the living room where her father was sitting on the couch, watching T.V. She plopped down next to him and he smiled, holding out the bowl of popcorn in his hands. She accepted and popped a few kernels into her mouth.

"You lose my kid?" She asked, looking around the living room to find Henry nowhere in sight.

David chuckled. "He's taking a nap. Your mom left for her tutoring sessions."

"Oh."

"How was your interview?"

Emma was silent for a minute. She knew she couldn't tell her parents what was going down there. Her father would for sure call the authorities, he would say it was his duty. Her mother would probably try to forbid her from applying to another massage parlor ever again. She had to lie, something she hated doing to her father.

"It was alright. I'll hear back in a day or two." That was the easiest way to go about it. She'd just say she didn't get it or that Mal never called her. She glanced at him and he nodded, seemingly buying it.

"That's good. I've been thinking about getting a job myself."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Dad, you can't work anywhere. Your leg…"

"I'm fine," David waved her off, in spite of the cane that was sitting nearby.

"No, you're not. What would you even do?"

"I'll figure something out."

"Look, I'm going to find a job and I can help you and Mom out with the bills."

"You're our daughter, Emma. It's our job to take care of you, not the other way around."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Your daughter is 24 years old. She can help out."

"Emma…"

"Please Dad, just stop being stubborn. You're hurt enough as it is. I can't…" She stopped herself before she said "I can't lose anyone else."

David caught the pained look in her eyes and squeezed her hand, but she pulled away. "Hey, Em, I'm not going anywhere."

Emma thought about the day her mother called to let her know her father had gotten shot. It was just a few weeks after Neal died. She had returned to work and was trying to just move on with her life. That was the second phone call she received that changed everything. Her father had always assured her that his gun was locked away and safe when they were at home. And in her 24 years of life, he had never once been shot at. Storybrooke was a small town. There was crime, but nothing like that. One robbery gone wrong and she could've lost her father had his partner Graham not pushed him out of the way. She couldn't afford to make it back up to Maine, not after all the time she had to take off for the last tragedy in her life so she waited by the phone while he was in surgery, praying that he would be okay.

Emma and David always had a special bond when she was growing up. He would discipline her, but tended to be the lighter one. He spoiled her, snuck her cookies when she was in timeout. Whenever she fought with her mother, he would try to keep peacemaker. When she was younger, even if he had worked double shifts, he'd come home and get down on the floor, playing with her. At 18, she chose to leave town with Neal and he supported it. He just wanted her to be happy. Losing him was not an option. He had always done things for her, so after she lost her job, she knew that it was the opportunity to help him just as he had her all those times.

"I won't go looking for the job," David told her. "I promise. It was just me thinking out loud."

She nodded. "Yeah." Maybe she had overreacted with the job…maybe it was…

Stop. You can't help your family by doing it…what if you went to jail? What a big help that would be.

"I'm going to go check on Henry." Emma passed him the bowl back to him and kissed his cheek before heading up the stairs. She really had no intentions of risking waking up her sleeping toddler, instead she was going to fill out more job applications.

That night, long after Henry had gone to bed and her parents had settled in to watch whatever Lifetime movie was on, she decided to go out job hunting once again. She figured maybe the Rabbit Hole would at least be looking for someone to clean up. Her parents agreed to keep an ear out, so she headed off. Parking her bug out front, she headed inside, looking around at the packed place. Will stood behind the counter, cleaning out some bar glasses. She walked straight up, pushing her hair out of her face, putting on her best flirtatious smile.

"Hey Will," she said.

He looked up and smiled. "Emma, hey. How can I help you?"

"I was wondering if you guys were hiring?" Before he could go into the same spiel she had heard before, she leaned forward. "Look, I know I can't bartend, but I could clean. Help you out, hell you could teach me."

Will shook his head. "I'm sorry, Em. We just don't have it in the budget. We need to put all our money towards bartenders. We all pitch in around here and we need people that know what they're doing."

Emma bit her lip, not ready to back down. "Come on, I'm a fast learner…"

"Like I said, I'm sorry." Someone across the bar started whistling for his attention. "I gotta go see them. But stay, order a drink." He walked off and a sigh escaped her lips. So much for that.

As she got back in the bug, she realized she was low on gas. That trip out of town had taken a lot out of it. She drove down the street to the fill station and headed inside first, trying to see if they were hiring but of course they weren't. Once she was at the pump, she inserted her debit card, only to have it come back declined. She glared at the little screen, trying again as the rain started to fall. Once again, it did the same. She pulled out her credit card and that was declined as well. Searching through her purse, she found she had a five dollar bill in her wallet and nothing else.

Tears of frustration came to her eyes as she kicked the side of her car. She was broke, flat broke. At home, she had a 3-year-old son and a father that needed surgery. No one in her stupid town was hiring.

"It's not supposed to be like this," she muttered to herself, bitterly. "I didn't sign up for this!"

She got into her car, not even bothering to go inside to give her lowly money, slipping her head into her hands. It wasn't as if she expected to be a millionaire by that point in her life, but she definitely saw more than where she was. Her life in Tallahassee had been just fine. She and Neal had jobs, her parents were in Storybrooke doing just fine too. Then, like a domino effect, everything went to shit. How was she going to be able to help her family? Make sure Henry got everything he deserved? He didn't need the newest toys, but he needed a guarantee of a future. Neal and her had started a college fund, it wasn't very big, but it was there nonetheless. That was gone, as was her savings. Henry deserved better. They all did.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she started digging through her purse to find her phone. She'd have her mom come get her and pay for her gas, as much as she hated it. But before she could even locate the cell, she came across the napkin Regina had given her at lunch. Her eyes focused on the coffee stained phone number, her mind spinning.

I have to do this…for my family.

Finally locating her cell, she dialed the number and held it up to her ear. A few rings and soon, someone had answered. "Regina? It's me…yeah…listen, can you come get me? I'm uh, at the gas station…I just…I want you to tell me more about the parlor."

Regina had just about to turn in for the night, she was exhausted after her shift. Sean and Ashley were having some deep problems or something and he had requested an extra-long session to make up for it. But as soon as she changed into her sweats, her cell phone rang, it was Emma. Her voice sounded off, like she had been crying. As soon as she brought up the parlor, Regina didn't know whether she should be happy or not. Of course she would want Emma to work anywhere else, but if she really needed the money, then she was happy that she was going to get it.

Throwing on her jacket, she drove to the gas station. She spotted the slightly beat up yellow bug parked towards the rear and sent Emma a text, letting her know she had arrived and what her car looked like. She watched Emma get out and eye the Mercedes before getting into the passenger side. She seemed so relieved to be out of the cold, instantly reaching over to turn up the heat. When she caught Regina watching her, she pulled her hand back.

"Sorry."

Regina shook her head. "It's fine. You should warm up." She could see in the dim lighting of the gas station's exterior lights that Emma had indeed been crying. "Do you need gas money?"

"No…no. I couldn't ask that. I arranged with the guy running it that I'll have my mom bring me tomorrow. I just called you because I wanted to talk."

Regina was silent for a minute as she pulled out of the lot. "What I tell you…it can't leave us. If you decide to back out again, you can't tell anyone."

"I won't, I promise."

"What'd you tell your parents?"

"Just that I had to wait to hear back from Mal. I was just going to say that she turned me down."

Regina nodded, turning on her blinkers so she could make a right. "What changed your mind?"

Emma stared forward, watching the windshield wipers get rid of the rain on the window. "Reality, I guess."

"I'm not going to lie to you, it's not easy."

"I didn't expect it to be."

Regina pulled up in front of her apartment building, causing Emma to raise an eyebrow. Regina shot her the same look back.

"What?"

"Don't you live on Mifflin?"

"You knew where I lived growing up?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "It's the mayor's mansion, just common knowledge."

"I moved out a while ago."

Regina didn't seem to want to discuss it further, so Emma let it go, getting out of the car with her. The building wasn't too big, she recognized it as one of Gold's properties. Neal's father owned practically every building in town, he was one of the most vicious landlords. His legal last name was Cassidy, just like his son's had been, but he went by Gold because he found it to be more professional. Regina had gotten out an umbrella for the two of them and Emma huddled under it as they ran inside. Their arms were touching, their heads just inches apart. Regina had to remind herself why Emma was there, she wanted to talk about a job. Of all the times she wished that Emma Nolan was coming to her place…this was what it was for.

Be careful what you wish for, she thought bitterly. Once inside, she closed up the umbrella and lead Emma up a couple of flights of stairs. Putting her key in the lock, she opened the door and lead Emma inside. Her guest surveyed the apartment. It was small, but well put together. The living room was spotless and the kitchen didn't seem to have many dishes in the sink.

"Hot cider?" Regina asked, shrugging off her jacket as she made her way over to the tea kettle. That's when Emma realized she what she was wearing: simple grey sweat pants and a faded blue t-shirt. It was the second time that day she had seen her in a different light. "Emma?"

"Huh, oh yeah, I mean yes, please."

"You can take off your jacket," she said, watching her remove the red leather that had been wrapped around her. "Same as high school?"

"Excuse me?"

"You used to wear that jacket in high school."

"You remember that?"

Blush spread to Regina's cheeks, though it quickly faded. "It was just your trademark. Everyone knew about it…make yourself at home."

Emma lowered herself onto the couch and looked around the apartment. She realized that as nicely decorated as it was, there were no pictures. No friends, no family. That struck Emma as a little odd. She knew that Regina's parents were both dead and she could understand not wanting memories of them, but she also knew she had an older sister.

"How's Selena?" She asked.

Regina looked up, puzzled. "What?"

"Your sister, Selena."

"Zelena," Regina corrected. "And she's okay. I guess."

"You guess?"

"We're not exactly close."

Regina didn't offer up more information once again, which did make Emma a little frustrated. She knew they weren't really friends, but she was trying. If she was going to work at the parlor, she would need at least one friend. Then again, maybe Regina didn't want to be hers. Maybe all she did was recruitment for Mal and left it at that.

Once the cider was ready, Regina walked to the couch, sitting beside her. Emma took a sip of hers, cupping her hands around the warm mug. Typically, she'd prefer cocoa or coffee, but she wasn't about to kick a gift horse in the mouth. Plus, it tasted very good. The cinnamon apple taste wavered up into her nose as she took another sip.

"So, I guess I should just get right to it," Regina said.

Emma nodded, though she didn't lower her cup, as it was warming her up. "Please."

"We each get a fair share of the new clients. Regulars tend to have their favorites. For example, we get this one girl, Mulan, she always asks for Aurora," she explained. "That's another thing, we have a mix of male and female clients, is that okay?"

"Perfectly fine," Emma said with a nod.

Regina wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not. Kathryn was okay with performing acts with women, but she did it strictly for the money and considered herself straight. "Alright. We all use fake names, for our protection."

"What's yours?"

A smirk fell across Regina's face. "Depends. New customers, I'm Evie. But for some of my regs with certain fetishes…I'm "Your Majesty"." Emma snorted and she shot her a look. "What?"

"Your majesty? What are you, a princess?"

"A queen," Regina replied, purposefully trying to sip her cider as regally as possible, even putting her pinky out which made Emma laugh again.

"Alright…and how's the money situation?"

Regina lowered her mug onto the table, not even bothering with the coaster. "Mal charges the clients a flat rate for the services. One thing you need to know is that not everyone in there is looking for you to perform sexual acts. They just want a normal massage. Unless you're told that they want that stuff, don't even try." Emma nodded, prompting her to continue. "Mal does take a 10% cut of the flat rate. She's got her own clients, but prefers a light load, mostly her regulars. She's been doing it for years, so she can afford to do that. However, any tips you make are your own."

"How are the tips?"

Regina got up and walked over to her purse, pulling out her envelope from that day. Mal gave them their flat rate fees at the end of the week, so all the cash in the envelope were tips. She sat back down next to Emma and handed it over. Emma opened it and gasped, her eyes widening.

"This is for the week?"

"For the day."

"Holy shit," Emma mumbled, running her fingers over the bills. "Not what I would get back in Florida."

"These are from the people that want more than just your standard massage, mind you," Regina said, taking it back. "Sometimes, if the client is particularly wealthy, they'll buy you jewelry."

Emma was suddenly realizing just how the woman before her had been able to afford the Mercedes. "That's insane."

"It helps." Regina put the envelope down.

Emma stared at her for a minute, unsure of how to ask the next question. "Is it…is it weird doing these things with strangers?"

"Most of my clients are regulars," she admitted. "But…in the beginning it was. You get used to it." She could see the insecurity on Emma's face. "It's not for everyone and if you're unsure, you don't have to do it. Also, if anything makes you uncomfortable, Mal puts us girls on top. No person is allowed to make you do something you don't want to. No matter how much they offer."

Emma let out the breath she was holding. "That's good to know."

"We've never been caught or busted. Like I said, Mal's been doing this for a while. Even if a regular gets pissed, if they went to the cops, then they'd be bused too. Hell, some of the police officers actually are regulars." Emma cocked her head to the side. "You'd be surprised."

"What about…STDs? Pregnancy?" Emma asked.

"Condoms are mandatory. All the regulars know this, they're not allowed to complain, no matter how much they want to pay. I would recommend on going on strong birth control. Pills can fail, but I have the implant." Regina held out her arm. "It just goes in and I don't have to worry about it. Mal does routine STD screenings for all of this every 6 months. She's only ever had one girl get pregnant and that was because she didn't listen to us about the pills."

Emma nodded. It seemed pretty standard. "How long have you been doing this?"

"On and off for 8 years."

"Is it permanent for you?"

Regina bit down on her lip. "I hope not."

"I mean, I don't know your whole situation but if you get tips like that, surely you could save…"

"I didn't go to college," Regina interrupted. "I'm currently taking some online classes; I can finally afford it. Once I get my degree, I'm out." At least she hoped.

"I just don't understand," Emma set her mug down. "You were one of the richest people in Storybrooke. Why did you have to resort to this?" She waved her hand around the apartment. "Why do you live here of all places?"

Regina wanted to tell her, everything. She had only ever told Daniel her story and now he was a part of why she was still stuck there. But the fact of the matter was, Emma Nolan wasn't her friend. As much as she wished that she was. She needed a job and Regina knew of one she could have. She wasn't going to open her heart, only to get hurt again.

"It doesn't matter," she said, quietly.

"But…"

"You can't do this forever," Regina interrupted.

"What?"

"You, doing this at the parlor…you need to be actively seeking other employment while you're there. It's easy to get comfortable…to forget that you're not supposed to be there."

Emma nodded, she could see a look in Regina's eyes, one she couldn't place. Concern? Why did Regina care? "It's just until I can find something else. I just need to be able to help my parents and take care of my son."

"Right, I heard about your dad. Is it that bad?"

Emma shrugged. "He needs surgery and the insurance is barely covering it. They want to help me, but they really can't afford it on my mom's salary on top of everything they're going through."

Regina lightly smiled. She wanted to help her family, that was so important to her. As much as she didn't want to be attracted to Emma, she was and that was one of the reasons. "And your son? How old is he?"

"3." Emma reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone to show her the lock screen. Regina grinned at the toddler that was in the picture.

"Well he's a little cutie."

"Thanks."

"What's his name?"

"Henry."

Regina's eyebrow rose and she felt butterflies flutter in her stomach. "What?"

"Henry, Henry David."

"That was my father's name," she whispered.

"Oh." Emma had honestly forgotten the former mayor's name. Neal had selected it. When he was young and his father got hurt, he had to go live with relatives of his mother, the Darlings. They had been so great to him, especially the father. His name was Henry. "What a weird connection."

"I'd say."

The two sat in silence for a minute, the only sound that could be heard was the clock that hung on the wall. Emma picked up her cider, taking a sip.

"So…" Regina finally said. "Still interested?"

Emma let out a deep breath. A part of her wanted to run, just keep searching. But then her mind flashed to the gas station, not even being able to get a quarter tank. To her father wanting to get a job and the surgery they couldn't afford. To Henry and the life he deserved, the life she wanted to give him. At 21, when he was born, she and Neal had vowed to give him his best chance. Now, Neal was gone and it was up to her. She couldn't let her son down.

"I am. When can I start?"

"I told Mal you might change your mind, she said if you did, show up on Monday. 7:45 AM sharp."

"I'll be there."

Regina wanted to smile, but couldn't bring herself to. "I'll make sure you have clients."

"Thanks, Regina…for everything."

"Oh, I wouldn't thank me. Not yet. Would you like a ride home?"

Emma nodded. "That'd be great."

The ride to Emma's home was short and quiet, both unsure of what to say. Once the Mercedes pulled up in front of the quaint house, Regina looked over at Emma.

"See you Monday?" It was poised as more of a question than a fact.

"See you Monday," Emma confirmed.

"We could carpool? Given your gas situation."

Emma grinned. "I'll bring coffee."

"Excellent. I'll be here around 6:30 to fetch you."

Emma nodded and got out of the car, heading inside. Both of her parents were still in the same position, looking a little surprised to see her.

"Home so soon?" Mary Margaret asked.

"Yeah. I um…" Emma let out a deep breath. They could never know, not the truth anyway. "I got a job."

As always, let me know what you think, along with what you want to see! Feel free to leave prompts in the comments or submit them to my fanfiction Tumblr: justanoutlawfanfiction where I also answer questions and take prompts for other things. Until next time friends. =)