Emma sat uncomfortably still, frowning at the paperwork she was doing. She was half way through the stack on desk and it seemed to get worse and worse. She was exhausted and clearly sick but refused to admit it. Every time she felt herself about think about it, she shook her head. Regina was not going to be right today. Or even tomorrow. Never.

Then she heard the click of heels coming down the hall. Of course Regina was behind them. It was becoming a habit to see her at the station at least once a day, although she wasn't really complaining about getting to see the beautiful woman so much. It wasn't even surprising anymore. Although they both annoyed each other on purpose anyway.

"Good morning Miss Swan." Regina said walking into view and sitting down across from the Sheriff.

"Emma," the blonde groaned. Regina sighed. Does it really matter? She thought. "And yes it does matter, Regina."

"Yes, I know...you're obviously not a morning person," Regina said as she crossed her legs and relaxed in what was now proclaimed her chair.

"I don't see how you are. This is terrible."

"It's 9:30," Regina stated aridly.

"Exactly." Emma began shuffling through the papers on her desk.

"Busy?"

"Yeah a little bit. A lot of traffic violations."

Regina nodded in understanding. She saw the stress plastered on Emma's face and when the phone rang she nearly flipped her desk over. Emma pushed her hair out of her face and looked up at Regina, "Will you excuse me a moment?"

"Of course." Emma got up and reluctantly went to answer the phone. Regina looked on her desk and saw the medical file peeking out from under the unfinished work. She turned back to Emma and then stood up to take the file from her desk.

"...yes I understand that but being the Savior does not mean I'm getting cats out of trees. That's a job for the fire department." Regina was inwardly amused but her smirk dropped away as she heard Emma slam the phone back onto the receiver. She watched the blonde walk back to her desk and tiredly drop into her chair. Her sigh of frustration turned into a cough causing her to once again avoid eye contact with Regina.

"You're sick," Regina scolded.

"Regina, not today. I have a lot of work to do."

"Go home Emma."

"You're not my boss."

"Actually I am," Regina said stepping forward and leaning in against the desk, "You're an idiot, Emma. You don't listen." Emma glared at her as she rolled her wrist in her lap. Regina wasn't about to see that and complain about it too. "Give me your badge." Emma's glare immediately forced itself into almost fear. She reached for it and looked down at it in her lap and then looked up at the brunette. Regina reached out to take it.

"You're firing me?" Emma asked in a shaky voice as she dropped it into her hand. "Regina?"

The brunette was paying no attention to the concerned look on her face until she looked at the sick sheriff. The rigidness in her shoulders fell away. She was sure when Emma asked about being fired she was joking. She put the badge on the desk, "No, Emma. I'm putting you on leave." The blonde slacked in her chair. It was silly thought that Regina would fire her for not voluntarily taking a sick day.

"I don't have a replacement."

"Yes, you do."

"Who? David is not deputy anymore."

"You're looking at her," Regina said clipping the badge to her belt. Emma squinted in confusion.

"You? You want to be Mayor and Sheriff today?"

"Well, like I said you're an idiot."

"Stop calling me that."

"If you take a day off I'll maybe think about stopping." Emma eyed the thermos Regina had been clutching since she got there and then looked back at her. She could be a sheriff for the day she thought. What's the worst that can happen? Oh, right. It's Regina.

"I can't. There's too much to do. Leroy is drunk and probably going to hurt somebody-"

"Let me stop you right there," Regina said smugly. Emma leaned back in her chair. With the snap of her fingers, Leroy suddenly appeared in one of the cell's engulfed in purple smoke behind her. He was disoriented and holding a bat. Emma frowned just as Regina turned around and walked closer to the cell. "Give me the bat now Dwarf."

"I ain't givin' you shit lady," he spat in a drunken daze. "You're not the Sheriff."

"Today she is," Emma said propping her feet up on the desk. Leroy tilted his head to the side to look at Emma for confirmation on her words. He sighed in disgust as she nodded.

"Bat," Regina demanded again. He reached through the bars and tossed it. It was no problem for her to catch it and then walk over and drop it onto Emma's desk. "Am I qualified now?"

"You still have to do the paperwork."

An evil smile appeared on Regina's face, "I hope you don't think I'm not capable of a little writing unlike you?" The paperwork Emma mentioned appeared on her desk in more purple smoke. Emma removed her feet and picked up the papers. All finished. "Am I qualified?"

"Uh..." Emma frowned through the papers. "This is cheating but...yeah. Seems so."

"Good," Regina said. She handed Emma the thermos and a handkerchief. Emma slowly took both just before she sneezed. "Have a good day." Emma wiped her nose with the handkerchief and sniffled. She stood up from her chair and just stood there a moment really unsure she should let this arrangement go forward. Regina walked over to her and began pulling her towards the entrance, "Go home."

"Alright, I'm going," Emma said walking towards the door on her own, but she started walking backwards to look at the mayor following her, "Okay look Regina. There's a lot of shit to do. There's 43 traffic violations for this week and you have to finish it to meet your own damn deadline..."

"Got it," Regina said flatly.

"And then you're going to get maybe two phone calls from people in your neighborhood asking about cats in trees. Tell them to call the fucking fire department. It'll be the most fun they've had all month."

"I understand all of that just go home."

Emma stopped just short of the door racking her brain for anything else. "I know this is a joint thing but maybe you should go see the kid again and try to get her name or maybe just talk to her. I know you said she passed out from the pain when you changing her bandages but maybe give her another incentive."

"Emma this is going to take time."

"She's attracted to your personality."

"Where would you get that idea?"

"Henry. Updates remember?"

"Right," Regina said folding her arms. "What part of my personality is she attracted to exactly?"

"The aggressive, prickly part...and the magic part too."

"I'll see. I might have a lot to do today." Emma nodded and turned to walk out the door but not before saying, "She feels safe with you, Regina. Your visits mean something to her." Before Regina could deny or reject it Emma disappeared out the door.

Regina thought about it for a moment. She wasn't seeing it before but Emma was right. Henry was right too. Recalling the times in the hospital it became obvious all of a sudden that the mystery girl was only calm and benevolent with her presence. Probably the first in a long time that someone preferred her presence. Her being as opposed to Emma's. She frowned but only in understanding. It was a long time ago but she remembered the feeling of being scared. She could only imagine what it's like to be scared and stuck in a place with unfamiliar people. Although she fully comprehended her feelings she couldn't grasp her judgment of character. Me over Emma Swan? She thought. Maybe she is crazy.

Regina left an unconscious Leroy in the cell and made her way to the library. Belle spent her days here engulfing herself in books to avoid the thought of Mr. Gold's exile. She hesitated at the door before walking inside. It was completely empty, except for Belle standing there in Regina's view. She didn't seem to notice her.

Regina cleared her throat, "Am I interrupting?"

"Oh, my," Belle started. "I'm sorry I didn't see you there. How are you?"

"I'm fine. And yourself?"

"Bored with these books. I've read them a million times."

"I know the feeling. But your vast knowledge of these pages is just what I need."

"Oh?" Belle questioned sitting down the book in her hands.

"Yes, I believe you may have a book here that might be of interest."

"Well, I can certainly help you with that. What exactly are you looking for?"

"As you know there's a Jane Doe in the hospital and she's quite hostile around everyone except me. Henry and Emma believe it's because of my magic so..."

"You want something maybe in...Elfish? "

"If you can manage anything."

"I think I have a few things," Belle said with a smile, "Give me one moment."

Before Regina had a chance to stand there in silence and get consumed in her thoughts her phone started to ring in her pocket. Second official police business of the day obviously. She had the calls to the station forwarded to her cellphone. She sighed and then answered as politely as she could, "Sheriff."

"Regina?" Snow questioned. "Uh...where's Emma?"

"I'm filling in for her. She's sick and you should probably know that."

"I knew she was sick, that's why I was calling. So, she's home?"

"Yes, I sent her home."

"Oh, well thank you for that. It would've taken an army to get her to take a sick day."

"Something like that."

"If you don't mind me asking...how is your patient doing?"

"Still terrified."

"I heard you were doing a good job with her. That's really nice of you Regina." Regina could see the bright and annoying smile on Snow's face. She rolled her eyes, "Snow I don't want a speech about this."

"Whatever you like Sheriff." Regina closed her eyes in relief. "Well I won't keep you. Thanks again Regina."

Regina shoved the phone back in her pocket before Belle came back. She was carrying more books than Regina expected her to find. She met Belle at the table. She picked up one right off the top, "Incantation books?"

"I'm sorry. I could've sworn I saw a few books in Elfish that weren't incantations," Belle said going through the stack of books. Then she pinched the bridge of her nose, "I'm sorry Regina."

"No, it's fine Belle. I'm sure she won't mind as long as I don't turn her into foot stool."

"Are you sure?"

"Very. She doesn't talk. I doubt she has a preference."

"I'm glad I could be of assistance. You don't want to keep your little friend waiting," she said with another smile. Belle's didn't seem to annoy her like Snow's did. Maybe it was because she actually felt sorry for locking Belle up and as for Snow...well she was getting there. Slowly.

"Thank you for this. I'll have them back soon," Regina said grabbing three books from the stack and heading out the door. She was nearly run over by a fast moving Ruby dashing through the door. The brunette stopped and quickly aided Regina in not stumbling over.

"I'm sorry, Regina...or Sheriff?" Ruby said catching the gold flash from her belt. "Fired Emma already?"

"It would seem that our dear savior has been taken down by a cold," Regina said. She glanced at Ruby and then at Belle with a raised eyebrow and continued out the door. Although she didn't give it a second thought, it was a little suspicious. They were always together but their business was not her concern. She walked to her car and got in, placing the books on the passenger's seat. Then the phone rang again. This time it wasn't anybody she wasn't dreading having to speak with.

"Emma, it is not the end of the day yet," Regina scolded.

"Oh, I know," the blonde said sounding very congested and stuffy. "I was just checking to make sure you haven't put everyone in jail."

"I think you underestimate just how much of my time that would take. There's no need to check on me Emma. You need to be resting."

"Yeah, I know. I know."

"Yet you're not doing what I asked. Typical Emma Swan. Seeing as you're already ignoring me...have you looked at the medical file?"

"No, I kinda don't want to."

"Well, Henry wants to have you over for dinner soon so if you're not completely drunk on whatever cough syrup you've been drinking tomorrow, you're invited to dinner. We can do more researching then."

"Sounds great." Emma attempted to hold it in but couldn't and sneezed very dryly causing her nose to burn.

"Bless you."

"Thanks. I have to go now the room is spinning...I think I'm going to throw up." Emma gave Regina no time to say anything before the line disconnected. There was absolutely the possibility of worrying whether she was okay or not, but the way the blonde sounded only amused Regina more than anything. A sick Emma was not that much of a bother and neither was being Sheriff or someone's friend. It was certainly much more satisfying than being the mayor if she was being honest.

"Ruby what are you doing here?" Belle admonished with a frown dented in her forehead. Ruby leaned against the front door and locked it before walking away from it.

"I'm here for a book obviously," Ruby teased standing across the table from her. Belle rolled her eyes. "I'm here to see you of course."

Belle gathered the leftover books and began to put them back. Ruby followed behind her determinedly. Belle put away all of three books before she could no longer resist the eyes staring at her, "You shouldn't be here. Don't you have work to do?"

"I'm off today and you know that. How come you can visit me at work but when I come here it's a mortal sin?"

"In case you didn't notice, Regina was here."

Ruby frowned, "Yeah I saw her. I nearly steam rolled her. So what?" Belle just shook her head and moved on with putting books away.

Concern was tattooed on her face. Ruby watched her with her thumbs in her back pockets. She smiled at the nervous brunette, "Regina isn't the town gossiper, and she couldn't care less about anyone. Especially, us peasants. She's the mayor for God sakes...and now apparently the Sheriff too. She'll be more likely to put us in jail."

"Don't underestimate her kindness. She's been quite pleasant the past couple of days. Maybe a bit disturbed but she's a nice person it seems."

"Meaning?" Ruby questioned sitting on the table.

"She does have someone she cares for, I believe." Belle continued to put away the books.

"Yeah, Henry."

"No. I believe she's made a friend out of the town's new resident."

"What makes you think that?" Ruby asked picking up a book and flipping the pages, obviously uninterested in it.

"She was just in here for books to read to her."

"You do know she made a promise to Henry, right? She'll make rainbows and blow butterfly kisses if Henry asked. So, I say that means nothing."

Belle frowned and snatched the book from her hands and placed it in an empty space on the closest shelf. She stopped and sighed with her hands on her hips. Then she looked up at Ruby, "Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong. Who knows?"

"Exactly, who knows? Now back to us. Which, by the way, is more important than the Mayor/Sheriff making friends."

"What about us?" Belle snapped looking at the brunette in front of her seeming almost furious. "We see each other. There's nothing to talk about Ruby." Belle was turning red and getting upset over nothing. And boy was her accent very firm and intense as she yelled, but Ruby just smile at her. "What?! What could you possibly be smiling about right now?!"

"You're cute when you get mad," she said.

Belle just sighed in immense annoyance, "You're unbelievable." She started to leave Ruby there but got stuck by the wide eyed brunette who caught her between her outstretched legs and pulled her close. Belle's front was pressed against the edge of the table and Ruby's legs were crossed around her. She turned away from Ruby's stare and puffed. Then she looked back and into the woman's eyes and became instantly frustrated, "Stop looking at me with those puppy dog eyes."

"I can't help it," Ruby started gesturing to herself, "I was a puppy once."

"As adorable as that prospect is, you were a person too. Stop forgetting that."

"I don't forget," Ruby claimed wrapping her arms around Belle's waist. "I just like you to remind me."

Belle scoffed, "Unbelievable," all the while she still put her arms around Ruby's neck. Their foreheads fell together and they breathed each other's air pleasantly.

"Why are you so tense? Is it about Gold?" Ruby asked.

"No. It's not. I'm happy about this. Us," Belle said. "I'm just...worried."

"About what?"

"Regina-"

"Does not give two shits about us or anybody else," Ruby finished. "She is not someone to be worried about. Although I am a little worried that you want to keep this a secret so badly."

"No, Ruby. I am not ashamed of us but I want to have you to myself before I let the world know," Belle said confidently. Then she placed a soft, loving kiss on her nose. "I love you."

"I love you too. So we have nothing to worry about, right?" Belle wanted to say yes but she still didn't know how she felt about Regina. Ruby was hopeful she could let it go and that was quickly replaced by disappointment.

"But she knows!" Belle exclaimed waving a hand in the air. Ruby rolled her eyes pushing her wild gesture aside and smacked her hand to the back of Belle's neck and pulled her into a deep kiss, finding that was the only way to get her to shut her up and stop worrying about nothing. As much as Belle wanted to pull away and continue arguing, there was just a grasp Ruby had on her that she never wanted to pull away from. So she sunk into it exchanging flavorful French kisses making her more than proud of her last name.

Ruby pulled back, "Let her know. She'll live."

"Yes, I believe she will," Belle agreed and pushed Ruby back on the table and stole late morning kisses from her lovely brunette as her legs stayed wrapped around her waist.

I've latched onto RedBeauty romance and now I have two romances (Possibly three ;)) on my hands so. Thank Withgirl for most RedBeauty scenes from here on out. Still thanking anotherOUATwriter for so being great. Reading your reviews gives me motivation and I'm glad you're all still reading. You're amazing! Hope you like. And as always REVIEW ME! :)