Time moved slowly for Emma as she switched between watching the clock tick and watching Regina's powerful body slide effortlessly through the water, lap after lap. Emma was rather impressed with her stamina! Which then took her mind into the gutter. By 9pm the pool was beginning to get empty and by 9.30pm it was just Regina doing laps. Emma watched her for a bit longer before she decided to call out to her.

'It's 9.30. Everyone else has gone… we could get that coffee if you like?' Emma half shouted across the pool as Regina came up for air.

'Just one more lap!' Came the response. Emma grinned and made her way to the edge of the pool where Regina would come up. She kicked off her flip flops and sat on the edge of the pool dangling her legs in the pool. She watched as the swimming figure drew closer to her and suddenly felt nervous, Regina never actually agreed to coffee! This could be awkward! Her thoughts were interrupted however by the brunette popping out of the water by her feet and brushing the water out of my face. Emma grinned before she could stop herself. Regina returned it much to her delight.

'So where does good coffee around here then?' Regina asked smoothly. Emma's heart soared.

'There is a great place just up the road! Open till late too.'

'Excellent! Give me 20 minutes and we can go.' Regina moved to the side of Emma and pulled herself out the water. Emma tried hard not to gape at the sight of Regina's beautiful wet body, but obviously failed when she caught Regina smirking slightly and looking at her.

'Unless you'd rather stay here by yourself?' Regina threw over her shoulder as she headed for the changing rooms. Regina felt on top of the world, she had got her confidence back and even though the butterflies in her stomach were driving her crazy she was positive Emma had been checking her out. She hadn't felt giddy like this in a long time! Once in the changing room she reclaimed her belongings from the locker and headed for the shower. She hummed as the warm water and her apple scented shampoo washed away the nasty chlorine smell. Seeing no point in using a changing stall as no one else was at the pool she dropped her towel.

Emma had changed in the staff room and was trying and failing at being patient. She hovered outside the ladies changing room trying to decide what to do. She figured she was a woman too and there was no harm in waiting for her in there. She took a deep breath and walked through the door.

'Oh sweet Jesus…' Emma barely whispered out as she clapped eyes on Regina completely naked with a towel by her feet. Her jaw hit the floor and her brain seemed to stop all coherent thoughts.

Upon feeling a cold draft and someone muttering Regina turned startled to find Emma bug eyed and practically drooling at her. Regina had to admit Emma looked good in her skin tight jeans and low cut, sleeveless top, meaning she found herself staring for a second before realising she should probably cover up.

'Never heard of knocking?' Regina mocked, but it held little bite as she was rather flustered herself gathering her towel and belongings and heading to a stall.

'Shit.' Emma managed to get out. 'I'm so sorry… I didn't think you'd… I wasn't expecting… I'm so sorry… I'll go wait outside… Sorry.' With that Emma turned on her heel and raced out the doors till she was outside in the cool night air. Her breathing was out of control and her heart was racing. Her head couldn't shake the images of the brunette's body. She closed her eyes and lent against the wall desperate to empty her mind. She must have lost track of time mentally fighting herself because she suddenly became aware of a chuckle next to her.

'Do you still need a minute?' Regina chuckled again, watching the blonde's eye snap open and a deep blush settle on her cheeks.

'I'm so sorry Regina!' Emma blurted out, 'I didn't mean to…'

'See me naked?' Regina raised and eyebrow.

Emma swallowed. 'I was going to say, walk in on you… but yeah…' Regina was enjoying this too much and couldn't hide the smile on her face at the blonde's embarrassment. Emma saw the smile and felt herself ease a little. She isn't mad at me or slapping me, in fact she seems quite amused! With this knowledge Emma regained some confidence.

'Besides, women usually let me buy them coffee, or dinner before they strip!'

Regina's eyebrows shot up and her smile turned into a grin. 'Well. I think you owe me at least a coffee then!'

'I would have to agree!' Emma laughed.

The flirting continued on the way to the coffee shop and they concluded that Emma also owed Regina dinner, much to both of their delight. In fact they began to discuss what food they liked and which were their favourite restaurants. It so happened that they both loved Mexican food and Emma knew the chef in a Mexican restaurant across town. They exchanged numbers with the promise of another 'date' as they named it, involving Mexican food.

There conversation led them to Regina's job and she explained how she wanted desperately to be a singer but never pursued it and instead worked in an office. Regina surprised herself with how open she was being, not many people knew she loved to sing. Emma just seemed to pull out all her hopes and dreams and make them feel feasible. She also found herself laughing more then she had in a very long time and loving the sound of the blonde's laughter.

They were in the midst of another hit of giggles about how Emma had learnt to play the recorder with her nose when she was 8, when the young waiter awkwardly approached the table.

'I'm sorry ladies, but we close at midnight.' He politely nudged.

'Oh! What is the time?!' Regina questioned.

'It's 12.03 ma'am.' He replied as if to say 'Please leave!'

'Sorry kid!' Emma said and got up pulling a couple extra notes out her wallet and putting them on the table as an apology. He smiled and looked relieved as the made towards the exit.

'I completely lost track of time! I have to work in the morning!' Regina sighed as Emma open the door for her.

'I guess time does fly when you are having fun!' Emma winked.

' I guess it does.' Regina rolled her eyes but smiled. 'Can I give you a lift home? Do you drive?' Regina asked feeling a little silly, as she wasn't sure how the blonde got to work everyday.

'Oh. Urmm… I don't live far. I usually walk.' Emma rambled not really answering the question at all.

'Let me drive you.' Regina insisted and made towards the pool car park. Once in the car the close proximity of the two women made the tension rise. Emma found herself fighting off indecent thoughts as the images of Regina's body came flooding back to her, she fiddled with her top and tried to wipe her sweaty palms on her jeans casually.

Emma's nervousness was not lost on Regina, and she would have pointed it out if she weren't feeling like giant, bat-winged butterflies were doing an air display in her stomach. She focused on the road and gripped the steering wheel a little too hard.

'Regina?' Emma's voice snapped her out of her focus.

'Yes!?'

'I said turn left at that last junction.'

'Oh! I… I didn't hear you. I can turn around.'

'It's ok. Take the next one.' Emma looked at her with concern. 'Are you feeling alright?'

'Yes, I was just concentrating.'

'On an empty road?' Emma mocked.

'Yes. It's dark.' Regina knew it was a lame excuse but she hoped the blonde would drop it. There was a slightly awkward silence as Regina turned down the next junction.

'Just follow the road round and mine is on the right.' Emma instructed calmly.

'It's a fair walk to the pool.' Regina noted as she pulled up to the house Emma had pointed to.

'I guess. But I enjoy it.' Emma said happily. 'Thanks for the ride though.'

'I had a lovely night.' Regina said quietly, not really wanting the night to end at all.

'Me too. You should come swimming in the week more often.'

'I think I might!' They smiled at each other and their eye contact lingered.

'Well… I should let you get home. Since you have work tomorrow.' Emma stated although she made no attempt to open the door.

'Right.' Regina commented but also made no attempt to move.

'Regina?' Emma barely whispered.

'Yes?' Regina's voice was also a whisper.

'I would really like to kiss you…' Emma breathed out, her heart racing.

'Then why don't you?' They were facing each other now, eyes locked, gravitating towards each other. 'I mean I don't usually kiss on a first date… but you've already seen me naked, so…' Regina smiled as she lent forward letting the blonde come to her.

Emma wasted no time and closed the distance between them pressing her lips to the soft, red ones she had been admiring all night.

Regina felt her breath get lost somewhere in her chest and fireworks go off in her brain as the blonde's hand found its way into her hair and pulled her in for a deeper kiss. Regina responded with passion and felt Emma groan as she slid her tongue across her bottom lip asking for entry. Emma eagerly accepted and soon the two were moaning and panting as lips, tongues and teeth moved over necks and collarbones. Only finally coming apart when the need for air and the un-comfort of the car denied things to escalate further.

They pressed their foreheads together and tried to regain control. Hands finding the others and linking their fingers together.

'I would invite you in, but I don't think you'd get enough sleep before work tomorrow' Emma purred out, still a little out of breath. Regina just groaned and pulled her back in for a slower but no less passionate kiss.

'Another time. I really do have to go.'

They shared a few more less heated kisses before Emma finally said goodnight and got out the car. Regina waited for her to get in the front door before waving and driving home.