A/N Slight trigger warning in this chapter. Regina is remembering some of her past. References to some abuse.

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David looked up as Regina set his food in front of him. She gave a small smile but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Normally her smile lit up her whole face making her eyes sparkle. "Can I get you anything else." she asked casually.

"No thanks." he gave her his easy smile, wondering what it was that was bothering her.

She gave the tight smile again. "Ok, just holler if you need me."

He had started eating his meals at the counter so he would have the opportunity to talk to her more. Over the last few weeks they had formed somewhat of a friendship. David was constantly looking for reasons to spend time with her which is why he was back in again for lunch. Ruby had arrived for her shift which meant Regina would be getting off soon. He was hoping maybe he could coax her into a walk before Henry got home from school.

Regina picked up the next order in the window and took it out to the corner booth. Smiling as she set it down. She had not slept very well the night before. The nightmare had come last night. It seemed like every time she would get a handle on things and feel like she had some control over her life again her subconscious would kick in to remind her that she would never really be free of her old life. The nightmare was horrible, always the same and always as terrifying as the first time she had it. She always woke in a panic feeling unable to breathe and would then spend the rest of the day edgy.

When she made her way back to the counter David smiled at her. "Are you feeling ok today?"

She looked up at him at first defensively but when she saw the concern in his eyes she relaxed slightly and tried to smile. "Yes I'm fine. I just didn't sleep very well last night."

David started to say something but was interrupted when the door to the diner opened with a loud crash. His eyes had still been on Regina and she had nearly jumped two feet off the ground. Leroy came barreling into the diner obviously already drunk and sauntered up to the counter and sat down looking at Regina. "I'll have a whiskey." he said in a gruff voice.

Regina stood still not taking her eyes off Leroy and had trouble finding her voice. James had noticed that she had lost all color in her face and reached out to cover her hand with his. She jumped slightly again but didn't remove her hand.

Ruby, having had experience with Leroy's drunken displays had already gone to the back to get Granny who was usually the best one to handle him.

Granny came out of the kitchen and calmly patted Regina's arm. "You can go on back to your tables honey. I'll take care of this one."

Regina nodded and though she hadn't regained her color she turned to grab her next order from the window. Granny calmly explained to Leroy that they would not be serving him any more whiskey this afternoon, but she would be happy to bring him out something to eat. Graham walked in about that time having gotten a call from Leroy's brother Walter that he had left the house angry and drunk and had been on his way to Granny's.

"You can't tell me what I can and can't do. I will have a damn drink when I want a damn drink!" he looked back at Regina as she was walking past Granny and stood up. "I told you to get me a whiskey!" he slammed his hands on the counter as he said it.

She dropped the empty plates she was carrying making a loud crash and the color that had come to back to her face drained out again and she flinched as if expecting a blow. Granny turned at the sound and saw the look on Regina's face. Just as Graham took Leroy by the arm telling him it was time for him to sleep it off as he pulled him not to gently out of the diner.

Regina stood frozen for a minute trying to will herself to take a breath before she looked down to realize that she had dropped the plates onto the floor. "Oh…Granny…I…I'm sorry I didn't mean to…" She bent down and began quickly picking up pieces almost in a panic.

David had stood up when everything had happened but had never taken his eyes from her face. He had seen the panic and the way she had flinched and now watched as she was quickly trying to pick up the broken pieces not even noticing she was cutting herself.

Granny had crouched down and took Regina's hands in her own. "Regina it's ok, lets go on to the back for a minute."

Regina looked up at her with tears in her eyes. "I really didn't mean to break anything. I…I don't know what happened. I need to clean it up."

David had rounded the counter and placed a hand softly on her shoulder causing her to jerk again. "It's ok Regina, I'll get it. Go on back with Granny."

Granny still held her by the hands. "Come on honey lets go sit down in the back for a minute."

Regina got up to follow but then turned at the last minute. "No, what time is it? I need to get Henry. His bus will be here soon I need to get him."

"I'll get him Regina, he can come down to the shelter with me and help until you're ready to come get him." David told her.

"I…no he's my son, he needs me. He needs me to get him off the bus." Regina protested. She still hadn't gained back any of her color.

"Oh, now that boy just about begs everyday to go down and help David at the shelter, and we need to get those hands fixed up. Can't have you scaring your boy with blood all over your hands can we?" Granny said as she pulled Regina toward the back. "David you just tell him that I am keeping his mama a little later and she will be along for him shortly."

Regina paused again "Wait" she placed a hand on David's arm. "Operation Cobra."

"What?" David asked confused.

"It's Henry's safe word, it lets him know it's ok to go with you."

David nodded, "I'll take care of him Regina, let Granny see to your hands. Take your time." he said as she let Granny lead her to the back.

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Regina sat on the comfy couch in Granny's office as the older woman walked in the room. In one hand she held a cup of tea and in the other a first aid kit.

Regina cleared her throat. "Granny I'm so sorry about what happened in there. I'm don't know what got into me. I just panicked I guess."

Granny said nothing at first simply took one of Regina's hands into her own and began cleaning it with a swab from the first aid kit. She spoke as she was doctoring her hand. "I think you do know what got into you Regina." when the brunette raised her head to look at the older woman she saw only kindness in the eyes that looked back at her. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Regina looked back down saying nothing.

"You don't have to say anything, and I'm certainly not asking for an explanation. I just want you to know that the offer is there." she moved a hand to Regina's chin and lifted it so she would look at her. "And that you have nothing to apologize for."

Regina sighed as she looked down. She was so used to apologizing for everything in her life. It had always been required and expected. No matter what happened, no matter who did the hurting it was always her fault. "I have nightmares sometimes."

She said it so quietly Granny almost missed it.

Regina looked back up. "About my ex-husband" She took a deep breath. "I had one last night, they always leave me edgy."

Granny sat patiently listening while continuing to doctor the cuts on Regina's hands.

Regina took a deep breath. "I married him just over 12 years ago. He was quite a bit older then me, twice my age actually, but he was so sweet. He made me feel…wanted for the first time in my life. My father died when I was very young and my mother…well lets just say she's never really been pleased with me." Regina shook her head. "Anyway, when he proposed I said yes. My mother had been thrilled. Finally I had done something right. I was marrying a man with influence, power and of course money. On our wedding day I truly thought I was getting everything I ever hoped for. A husband who loved me, a family." she drifted off for a moment staring into space at the memory.

"It wasn't until about a month after the wedding that he hit me the first time. We had gone to a charity event and one of the benefactors had come over to our table and asked me to dance." Regina took a breath. "Leo had laughed and told me to go and have fun. When we got home he hit me. He said that I had been to flirty. That the man had only wanted to dance with me because I behaved like a…" she trailed of tears forming in her eyes. "He told me I was an embarrassment to him and I believed him."

"After three years and a particularly bad beating I finally worked up the courage to leave him. I had no where to go so I went to my mother. I told her what had happened. I had two broken ribs and was terrified of what would happen if Leo found me."

Granny had long since finished bandaging her hands and now just sat lightly holding them. "I take it he found you?"

Regina nodded. "My mother called him. She told me that I had to go back because Leo was the best I would get. He had money and power and I had no other prospects. I would be a fool to leave him. So I went back and I stayed."

Granny found herself struggling to suppress the anger that rose up inside her for this sweet woman sitting in front of her. A rage for the man who hurt her, but just as equally a rage for the woman who had sent her back to him. What kind of mother would turn her own child over to a monster?

She brought her hand to Regina's cheek and said fiercely. "But you got out."

Regina smiled a little. "On one of my many trips to the ER I met a woman who worked with a shelter. We became friends and she began talking to me about leaving and promised that she and others would offer me help. It took some convincing, but eventually I agreed. I was afraid for Henry. Leo's drinking was getting worse and even though he had never hit Henry before I was afraid he might. I had to get my baby out of there." Tears filled her eyes as she said it.

Granny took Regina's face in her hands. "You are such a wonderfully strong woman Regina Mills. I'm sure I have never met someone with so much courage." She wiped at Regina's tears with her thumbs. "And there is one thing I know for sure, that sweet boy of yours couldn't have asked for a better mother." when the younger woman let out a sob Granny moved to the couch beside her and pulled her into her arms.

Regina let herself lean onto Granny's shoulder as the older woman stroked her hair. No one had ever told her she was good at anything. She had worried for so long that she wasn't a good enough mother to Henry, that she was failing him somehow. Hearing from this woman who she had already come to respect in such a short time that she was a good mother was the exact thing she had needed at that moment. She allowed herself to cry while the woman held her vaguely wondering if anyone had ever done this for her before. She tried to remember a time when she had cried on someone's shoulder but couldn't bring one to mind. It felt nice. Like someone cared.

When her sobs quieted she pulled herself back and looked at Granny. "Thank you." She said it in a whisper.

Granny simply smiled at her and placed a quick motherly kiss to her forehead. "You are an incredible woman and an excellent mother. Don't you ever let anyone tell you otherwise."

Regina let out a breath "Speaking of being a mother I should probably go and pick up my son."

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When Regina walked into the shelter her nerves were humming. David had witnessed her panic attack earlier and she was afraid he was going to want an explanation of some kind.

"David? Henry?" she saw Henry's head pop out of a doorway down the hall.

"Mom!" Henry ran to her throwing his arms around her waist. "David let me feed the dogs all by myself! He said I did a really good job and that I can come help him more if I want to! Can I mom? Please?"

Regina chuckled. "I'll talk to David about it."

She looked up to find him standing in the doorway Henry had come from looking at her. She gave him a small smile. "Thank you for getting Henry off the bus."

He stood up straight and began to make his way towards her. "You're welcome." He had felt completely useless at the diner. Then when he had left he felt a rage build up in him for the person who had hurt this beautiful delicate woman. She should be cherished, she should be loved and treasured. She should be told everyday how wonderful she was.

Henry hadn't noticed but David could see the evidence of tears on her face. The only thing he wanted to do at that moment was pull her into his arms and promise her that no one would ever hurt her again. "Henry, I think Molly needs to go out. Why don't you take her out back?"

Thrilled to be given another job Henry ran to the back of the shelter calling for Molly as he went.

Here it was Regina thought, he was going to ask for an explanation to her behavior earlier that day. Instead he just walked directly in front of her and moved to take her hands in his own. "Looks like Granny got you all fixed up."

Regina nodded. "Yes, most of the cuts weren't that deep. Only a few needed bandages."

"Good. You have such delicate hands. I was a little worried." he brought her hands up closer to look at them. She blinked when he placed a light kiss on each of her palms before releasing them.

Still thrown by the gesture she attempted to speak. "David about what happened today…" she trailed off.

He just shook his head "We all have our off days."

She let out a breath. He wasn't asking for her to explain. She smiled a little. "Today was definitely one of mine."

"Feeling better now?" he asked casually.

"Yes much. Thank you." she said and smiled. "I should probably get Henry home. I'm sure he has homework to do."

David nodded "I promised Henry ice cream for helping me out today. Since it's getting late tonight, how about I take you both out tomorrow when Henry gets out of school?"

Regina nodded. "Sure that sounds nice."

"Ok, tomorrow then."

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Regina had looked better that morning, David thought to himself as he put the leash on Molly and made his way to the door. She had smiled at him and it lit up her eyes again. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since the day before. He had went home and taken out some of his frustration on Emma's punching bag in the basement. The thought of someone hurting her tore his heart in two.

He paused when he saw her waiting on the bench for the bus. She was looking at the town with almost a dreamy look to her eye and a small smile on her lips. "Beautiful view." he said quietly as approached her.

She glanced up at him. "It really is. This is such a wonderful town."

David grinned "I wasn't talking about the town."

Regina blushed before looking back down. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about the gentle kisses he had placed on her palms the night before and seeing him now caused her heart to pick up it's pace a little. "I want to thank you again for your help yesterday."

He sat down and faced her as she began to pet Molly. "It was no problem. Henry's a great kid and a good helper too. I meant what I said about him helping more. The kid really is no trouble."

"He enjoys working with you. He told me last night that he wants to be a vet now." she smiled over at David.

He felt an odd sense of pride that the kid liked him enough to want to be like him.

They both glanced up when Henry got off the bus and ran to his mom giving her a hug around the neck then turned to David. "Do I get to help in the shelter again today?" he bounced on his heels excitedly.

"Actually I had a slow day so everything at the shelter has been taken care of, but I am here to pay you for yesterday." Henry looked up from petting Molly. "I believe I owe you some ice cream."

The boy grinned ear to ear. "Could we go to the park after so I can play fetch with Molly?"

David smiled at him and then looked up at Regina. "How about we eat our ice cream on the way to the park?"

She smiled back at him. "Sounds perfect."

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The three of them had each enjoyed their ice cream while walking and chatting about their day. Now David and Regina stood watching Henry and Molly play together. Henry's laugh carried over the air as they both grinned at him.

She let out a sigh. "I really should get him a dog."

David let out a small chuckle. "Well the shelter has plenty up for adoption."

She shook her head. "I'm not sure our apartment would be the best place for a one, and then there is the matter of what I would do with that dog while I was working and Henry's in school."

"Well if you ever decide you want one, you know where to find me." he shot her a sideways glance as she continued to smile at her son. "Regina?" he waited a moment until she looked at him. "Would you go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

She froze, she hadn't been expecting that. "Um I don't know…" when he just continued to look at her she continued. "David I'm not really sure starting a relationship right now would be the best thing for me or Henry."

"I'm only asking for dinner Regina." he continued to look at her calmly hoping to sooth the deer in the headlights look from her eyes. He took one of her hands into his own. "I like you and I would like to take you out to a nice dinner and maybe make you laugh some because it's a really beautiful sound."

"David" she sighed as she looked into his unbelievably kind eyes. They were such a beautiful vivid blue. "You're a good man David. You deserve a woman who isn't so…" She huffed out a breath. "You deserve a woman much better then me."

David was thrown by this statement and brought the hand he was holding to his lips. "You have no idea what a treasure you are Regina Mills." She blushed deeply but said nothing. "I don't want to take another woman to dinner. I want to take you."

The kiss he placed to her hand sent shivers down her spine. "What about Henry?"

He let a small smile touch his lips. "Emma owes me a favor. They can spend tomorrow night trying to defeat each other in whatever is the latest video game." he brought his hand up to place a strand of hair behind her ear. "Come out with me Regina."

She let out a breath as her heart pounded at his gentle touch. "Ok."

He let out the breath he hadn't been aware he was holding. "I'll pick you up at seven?"

When she watched the smile come over his face she couldn't help but return one of her own. "Ok."

"Molly and I will walk you and Henry home." he smiled at her.

David felt almost giddy as they walked back to town. He wanted to touch her desperately but didn't want to scare her so he just walked casually beside her fighting the urge to take her hand into his. He didn't know what it was about this woman that made him feel like he was a teenager again.

She thought he would say goodbye when they arrived at the apartment building, but instead he held the door open for her and walked them up the stairs as well. When she unlocked the door Henry shot into apartment and immediately headed to the back.

She turned back to look a David. "Thank you for walking us home."

He grinned. "You're welcome." He leaned in close to her ear and whispered. "I'll see you tomorrow." He turned and placed a light kiss on her cheek.

She had trouble finding her voice so she nodded her agreement.

"See ya later Henry." he heard "Later David" from somewhere in the back of the apartment before turning to walk down the stairs smiling. He was going to dinner with the woman of his dreams tomorrow night.

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