Emma squirmed in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. She did not like wearing dresses, and the fact that the woman sitting across from her and insisted—no, ordered—that she wear one had kind of pissed her off. She felt her bra strap slipping and pulled it up, picking up a spoon and checking her reflection. This action made Regina roll her eyes.

"Why did we have to go here?" Emma didn't want to sound like she was whining, but—oh well.

"Because, dear, you asked that I take you on a date. This is what a date with me looks like, so get used to it."

"But I wanted to take you out. I asked you! I wanted to go to a monster truck rally—"

Regina laughed at this. "And you honestly thought I would enjoy that?"

Emma squirmed again. "I don't know. But you're high if you think this" she gestured at the luxurious restaurant "is enjoyable for me."

"Well, it is nice to see you out of that hideous pleather thing you insist on wearing everywhere you go."

Emma frowned. This date was not going well. She just wished the waiter would hurry up and ask for their order. At least if Regina was stuffing food in her face, she wouldn't be able to talk. She wouldn't be able to torment Emma on how she breathed too loud, or how impatient she was, or how she put her elbows on the table—it was all Emma could do not to reach across the table and throttle the woman. When the waiter finally showed up, Emma asked for a bottle of wine. Regina was buying, so what was the harm?

Surprisingly, she and Regina spent lots of time talking. Most of it was arguing, sure, but still. It was different than a lot of first dates Emma had been on. The pressure of trying to impress the person was nonexistent in this case. Emma wasn't nervous, either. Even the anger and irritation she had been feeling started to wear off and she actually found herself enjoying Regina's company. She admired how much she loved Henry, and how evident it was. Regina had called the babysitter five times since they had sat down at their table.

"He's fine, Regina. You don't need to coddle him."

"The babysitter needs to make sure he does his homework. I was just seeing to it."

Emma smirked. "Have you met our son? He has his homework done before he even gets home at night."

Regina started at the phrase "our son," and Emma suddenly realized her slip. Before either of them could say anything, their waiter brought their food.

Emma had almost finished her oysters and clams when she looked up and started hacking on a clam she was chewing. Regina watched her in alarm, wondering if she should call a doctor or something. Emma just wheezed and pointed past Regina.

Kathryn and David were sitting at a table just across the room.

Regina turned back, cool and calm as ever, trying to assess the current situation with reason and composure, which was more than could be said for Emma, who was hyperventilating at this point. Regina did not understand how the blonde did her job. She worked as Sherriff, which was a high pressure job. The fact that she managed to crack so easily at the threat of being seen with the mayor in public was a little insulting.

"Miss Swan, if you keep doing that you'll attract the attention of everyone here. Calm down."

Emma looked at her as if she had grown a third eye. "Calm down? Seriously?"

"Yes, Miss Swan. I had no idea you found the idea of being seen with me so repulsive." Regina kept her tone cool, trying not to show the pain she was feeling.

"I—I don't…I just…I don't want our lives to be open books."

"This town is too small for us to have any anonymity whatsoever. You should know that by now." At this, Regina got up and walked over to Kathryn and David's table, signaling for Emma to follow. Emma winced and got up, wondering what the hell the mayor was doing.

Regina greeted the married couple, making sure that Emma was standing by her side. Emma was uncomfortable, which was expected. But something Regina did NOT appreciate was when Emma started babbling about how she and Regina were just having a business dinner. That made Regina angry, angrier than she expected. She asked for Kathryn and David to excuse them and practically dragged Emma back to their booth, pushing her into her seat with force.

"Miss Swan," Regina growled, "Why did you lie to them?"

"It is none of their business, Regina. Why do you care, anyway?"

That was a good question. Why did Regina care? Was it about her pride, or was it something deeper? Regina breathed, trying to figure out how to answer.

"I…I enjoyed this date, Miss Swan. However much you hated it, I liked it. I know you may despise me, and up until a couple of weeks ago, I despised you too. But things have changed, and I am not afraid to let people know that."

Emma leaned across the table. "'I'm not either. I guess I just wanted to know where you stand before I tell everyone." Emma smiled, and Regina found herself smiling too—she could no longer help it. The effect Emma had on her was undeniable.

"Do you want to go back over there and tell them the truth?" Emma nodded towards the Nolans.

Regina shook her head. "I can do it from here." Before Emma could react, Regina leaned across the table and kissed her.

Kathryn spat up the expensive tea she was consuming. "Regina and Emma are on a date?"

David snapped his head up. "What?

"So, how was your date?" Mary Margaret smiled, giving Emma a cup of cocoa. She was still getting used to the idea of Emma and Regina together, but seeing Emma this happy was worth the effort.

The sunshine was practically emanating off of the blonde. If Mary Margaret didn't consider Emma a friend—her best friend, really—she would be kind of jealous of how elated she was.

"It was good."

"Just good?"

"Okay, fine. It was fucking fantastic. Regina kissed me in public and it was so—what's wrong?"

The schoolteacher's face had contorted into a worried grimace. "Oh, nothing, just that the whole town is going to be talking about you and Regina for the next year."

Emma rolled her eyes and quickly found a chair to slump into. "Great."

Mary Margaret tried to backtrack. "You know, it may not be that bad, I tend to exaggerate. No one will care that much, that's not what I mean, it's just that it will be a little unexpected, you know, you two were enemies. It will take time for people to see how…um…crazy you are about each other."

Emma looked up. "You're still getting used to it, aren't you?"

The brunette nodded.

"Well, don't feel bad. You're not the only one; I'm not used to being this happy."

"Well, of all the things to get accustomed to, that's got to be the best."

THE END