The stained glass door to the Golds' pink house swung open, and Belle's bright smiling face greeted her from above a true massacre of a sweater.

"Regina, I'm so glad you made it!" she beamed, pulling the other woman into an unexpected hug.

It was true Regina was late. The choking incident earlier that had thrown off her schedule. The boy had been fine, but, just to be safe, they had decided to call 911 to come check him out and notify his parents. Regina and the paramedics stayed until the parents arrived to pick him up, and he was then handed over to them with instructions to follow up with a doctor.

By the time she got everything she needed to at the office done, she'd arrived at home much later than expected. For the potluck she'd originally planned to bake an apple pie or maybe lasagna, but instead had to settle for a simple artichoke dip with store bought crackers.

Even so, it was obvious she was arriving to a party already in full swing.

She looked around the room, noting that most of her employees had clearly already enjoyed quite a bit of Christmas cheer.

She didn't hold it against them, though. It was winter break, and this party was supposed to be about having fun.

Besides, seeing Mr. Gold standing in the middle a crowd of tipsy co-workers, and looking just pleased as punch by their presence was well worth it!

Regina smirked. She'd been floored when her assistant principal had volunteered to host this year's end-of-semester party, and seeing the expression on his face now that it was happening, she had no doubt that the decision had been entirely that of the diminutive Australian standing to her right.

"Here, I'll take that," Belle lifted the pie plate and crackers out of her hands, "Can I get you a drink?"

"Sure."

Regina scanned the room, but didn't see anyone she might potentially have an awkward conversation with.

"Rum told me you like apples."

"What?" Regina asked, "Oh um, yes, they're my favorite fruit."

"Well, it just so happens that we went apple-picking this fall and bought enough cider to stock the freezer all winter, so I made a big batch of my famous hot apple cider," Belle rambled as she led the way to the kitchen.

"Sounds delicious," she answered absentmindedly, taking one last glance around. Still no sign of Robin or Zelena. That was a relief. Of course, if she were completely honest, it was also a relief to know that didn't necessarily mean they were somewhere together.

That line of thinking made her entire being flutter with discomfort.

"So apple-picking, huh?" she asked, turning her attention back to her hostess. The image of Rumford Gold holding a ladder for his wife as she stood on tip-toe to pick apples was definitely amusing enough to distract her. She made a mental note to file that information away for future blackmail material.

* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *

It turned out that Belle's 'Famous Hot Apple Cider', in addition to normal apple cider, contained a substantial amount of Cavallo and apple pie moonshine. Apparently the bubbly librarian had more of an edge than she appeared to.

Regina sipped it extremely slowly, and, although she hadn't had enough to be drunk, blamed it for the moment when she found herself agreeing to judge a tacky Christmas sweater competition.

In fact, it probably had more to do with the fact that it was shortly after she and Zelena spotted each other from across the room. The red-head had simply narrowed her eyes at her younger sister before turning away.

With a sigh and a few grumbles about how frosty things were looking to be at the family Christmas dinner this year, Regina knocked back the last of her mug.

Over-spiked or not, the drink did warm her up nicely.

Yes, she needed something warm.

At least, that was the excuse she used for why she suddenly decided to retreat to the kitchen for a refill of a cocktail that she'd, moments ago, been drinking sparingly. It had absolutely nothing to do with having heard a familiar British accent in the crowd.

"Hey," a voice behind her startled Regina out of her thoughts so abruptly she dropped the ladle into the cider pot with a splash.

Mary-Margaret looked equally startled, "Are you alright?"

"Fine!" Regina huffed, storming back into the living-room.

"Okay. Are you sure about that?"

She didn't answer, hoping it would deter the other woman, but, as usual her silence didn't.

"I saw Zelena earlier," Mary-Margaret commented, "Should we worried about love triangle drama brewing?"

Regina whipped her head around, "What?!"

"Just seems like she's pretty all over Wash considering she was talking about going out with Robin earlier today."

"Oh," she shrugged, "Wash and Zelena are always on again, off again, and apparently she was exaggerating when she said she and Locksley went on a date."

"Really?" Mary-Margaret shook her head and whispered, "Why didn't I guess that?"

Regina smirked warily, "Maybe you expected your colleague to be more emotionally mature than the Kindergartners she teaches."

Normally she wouldn't bad mouth family, or employees, to each other, but she and Mary-Margaret had been best friends since they were both student teachers, so she could voice her frustrations freely.

Mary-Margaret laughed, "Well, that, and I figured it was only matter of time before he asked you out."

Regina's expression fell, "Why on Earth would you say something so ridiculous?"

Her friend studied her for a moment before her eyes widened, "Oh my God! He did, didn't he?"

"I don't know what you're talking about-"

The short haired brunette laughed, "Is that why you called him 'Locksley' just now?"

"Mary-Margaret-"

"I knew I was right! You'd never be this rattled if you didn't really like him."

Regina glared, but the other woman continued excitedly, "So did you say 'yes'?"

"Keep your voice down! And, of course not!"

"What? Why?"

"He's my employee," Regina stated the obvious.

"So?"

"So, it's inappropriate."

"Since when has that stopped anyone at this school?"

Regina didn't answer

"I mean, no offense Regina, but between the Assistant Principal marrying the 24 year old librarian, the custodian who fell for a nun," Mary-Margaret held up her engagement ring, "the home-wreaking whore who stole her fellow teacher's fiancé, and then that same teacher eloping with the soccer coach six weeks later...the two of you would barely make it to the top five most scandalous couples."

"We aren't a couple."

"That's what I'm saying. Maybe you should change that," the 5th grade teacher singsonged.

Before she could answer Belle came over to retrieve Regina for her judging duties.

She had to admit her staff had managed to come up with a positively retina burning selection of ugly Christmas sweaters.

Mary-Margaret and her seven buddies from the custodial staff had pitched together to each do their own take on one of Santa's reindeer. The cafeteria head, known to everyone simply as 'Granny', somehow managed to find some assorted cookie cardigan. One of her PE teachers had made her own entry with a Christmas in Taiwan theme that was actually quite becoming.

In the end, however, Regina declared that she had to award victory to their hostess whose sweater was so busy there probably wasn't a single holiday sugar plum not represented on it.

As her competitors cheered their congratulations and dragged Belle off for a drink, Regina shook her head and downed another swig of apple cider.

"Rough judging duties?" a voice asked from behind her.

Regina coughed, bringing her fingers to her lips, "Mr. Locksley. I didn't see you there."

"Sorry," he answered.

He moved to stand next to her crossing his arms. She noticed that he also had changed out of his work clothes into jeans and a dark red Henley that looked so sexy it should be a crime.

Regina blinked at the thought, glancing into her mug. How much of this stuff had she had?

"Listen, Regina, I wanted you know that I meant what I said earlier."

She glanced up at him, "Hm?"

"Including the part about not wanting to do anything to make you uncomfortable," he continued, "So, while I also meant what I said about discussing...things, if you don't wish to do that I understand."

Regina hesitated, "Um...thank you, I'll have to consider that."

She could see the disappointment in his eyes, but he continued to smile as he nodded, "I see. Well, it was nice seeing you, Principal Mills. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," she answered.

With a sideways smile he stepped away into the crowd leaving Regina holding her cup of cider that suddenly tasted a lot less sweet than before.

She shifted on her feet, turning as she felt the presence of someone behind her. Her assistant principal was standing behind her leaning heavily on his cane with an irritatingly knowing expression that Regina was all too familiar with.

"Gold," she sighed.

"Regina," he acknowledged, stepping up next to her, "That was a very nice thing you did for my wife."

Regina scoffed, "I doubt Belle considers winning a tacky Christmas sweater competition one of her top achievements."

"Oh, I'd say not," he agreed, "But it is the little things that make her happy."

"Hmm." she shrugged.

"You know, Regina, I'm aware that the time has long past when you considered me a mentor," Gold began, making Regina roll her eyes at his proselytizing, "However, if I may give you a little unsolicited advice, often times the only thing standing in the way of our happiness is ourselves."

"Very insightful, Gold. Did you read that in a fortune cookie?" she asked dryly.

He chuckled, lips curling into a sneer.

"Suit yourself then," he shrugged, limping away.

Regina tapped her fingers against the rim of her cup. Taking a deep breath, she set it down on an end table, and began pushing her way through the crowd.

"Regina! Good to see you!" someone stopped her.

She smiled politely, "John, good to see you too. Where's Robin?"

"Uh..." John thought it over, "...said he was heading home."

"Thanks."

She continued her way to the door, and pushed it open.

Was she actually doing this?

Yes...yes, she was!

"Robin!" she called.

He stopped, key just short of the door to his car.

"Regina?" he asked, "Is something wrong?"

She stopped in front of him turning her gaze up to meet his eyes.

"I just..." she began, but decided actions spoke louder than words. Gripping his shirt, she pulled him to her into a kiss.

They broke away after a minute, him staring at her breathlessly, "What was that?"

"I thought it over," Regina explained.

He considered for a minute before smiling boldly.

"Ah. Well, I think I like the conclusion you reached," he answered, cupping the sides of her head and pulling her back in to meet her lips.

Regina smiled into the kiss. Finally, this holiday was looking to be a happy one after all.

THE END

A/N: Please leave feedback. Anything is appreciated!