I'm finally back. I will not bother you with the excuses. All I can say is that the next chapter won't take this long to update. Enjoy.

Regina and Snow were sitting in the Mayor's office, which technically still belonged to Regina. They had reached an agreement months ago, and now were co-mayors. Snow knew next to nothing about ruling a modern town. All the paperwork made it much, much more difficult. And David was more a man of action. Therefore, Regina grudgingly agreed to help so Snow wouldn't destroy the town she had built. That's how Regina put it, anyway. But Snow knew Regina cared about the town and the people more than she let on. Today, they were to see the model for a new park (previous being destroyed by all the curses and 'family feuds'). It was Regina's idea, partly dating from the time during the first curse.

"Mr. Madden is here." Regina's assistant announced. She was a perky blonde, in her early 20s. The only one brave enough to take the job. Had the others only knew. Yes, Regina was a demanding boss, prone to occasional outbursts but also fair and respectful. Anyhow, they worked well together.

"Who? Get in here." Regina hissed. She started going through the papers as Snow and the girl stood there, confused. When she found what she was looking for she tossed it at Snow, "Jefferson?! You hired Jefferson?"

"I didn't… Not yet. We still have to see the model." she didn't understand what the big deal was. Snow was willing to put aside the fact that he had kidnapped her and as far as she knew Regina had no major conflicts with him.

"We're hiring someone else and that's final."

Snow sighed. This wasn't the first time Regina had trouble sharing, but this time choice was pretty much limited, "We're not. He is only one who has the qualifications."

"No, there is the one who…"

"Turned into a monkey, then killed."

"What about…"

"She is back to being a milkmaid."

Regina fell silent and Snow turned to the girl, "Tell Mr. Madden we are ready for him."

Whereas Regina might have been prepared for the encounter, Jefferson obviously wasn't. He stumbled a bit when he saw both of them, probably because he had the meeting arranged with Snow. Quickly, he recovered and took a seat.

"Mr. Madden." Snow began with a strained smile. It was strange seeing the man. Chills went down her spine when she remembered that night, "First of, thank you for coming."

He said nothing just smiled politely.

"Before we…um…let's go over your CV." she searched for it in the mess of papers. Regina did nothing to help, "Aha! It says here you have a degree in architecture and a course in exterior design."

"Yes." Jefferson cleared his throat," Courtesy of Madam Mayor here." he glanced at her.

"Sadly, a sense of humor was not provided." Regina answered in a casual manner, but Snow saw she was far from casual. And, she suspected, Jefferson was the same.

"Oook." she jumped in, hoping to defuse the tension, "Enough with the credentials. Have you done anything recently?"

"Yes. And I brought the designs of that too…with the CV." that got Snow searching for them. She felt embarrassed a bit, she did not prepare well for the meeting. She should have just told him to drop off the file with her assistant. In her defense, she had thought Regina would participate as well, "I got Storybrooke mapped out. As well as the designs of the house currently being built."

"I see." Snow commented while looking them over. They were really good. This might not be a disaster after all, "Truly lovely."

She passed them to Regina who just skimmed over them and tossed them aside with a humph.

Jefferson rolled his eyes. He took a file from his bag and handed it to Snow. "This is what I had in mind for the park. You will see there are a couple of different ideas to choose from"

What Snow saw really amazed her. She recognized one of the drawings as the one of the Enchanted Forest. The others she didn't. They must have been inspired by some other realms. Regina skimmed through them as well. However, her gaze lingered on one of the drawings. It looked like a castle of sorts. Regina looked over at Jefferson, but Snow couldn't decipher the meaning behind it. The oppressive silence ensued and she felt stuck in the middle of something extremely complicated. But what? She did remember Jefferson from Storybrooke. But there was something familiar about him. If only she could figure out what. "Well, Mr. Madden." Snow stood up, saying the words a bit louder to get their attention, "We appreciate you coming. Expect our call."

"That is, if we decide you're the man for the job." Regina added, not bothering to get up.

Jefferson shook Snow's hand and said. "Of course. It was a pleasure. I'd like to thank you by the way."

"Me? For what?"

"For taking care of Grace in the Enchanted Forest. Not everybody would send soldiers to escort one child to the castle."

Snow had no idea what he was talking about. "I didn't…" a far from gentle nudge and a threatening look from Regina stopped her, "…um…I did my duty?"

"I am grateful either way." he smiled and left the office.

"What was that all about?!"

"Nothing. You were dragging the conversation out."

Snow narrowed her eyes. "What was he talking about? We both know we didn't have soldiers to send all over the kingdom, just messengers."

"He was in Wonderland then, he doesn't know what he's talking about."

Snow sighed and helped Regina sort out the papers. But she couldn't let Jefferson's words rest. She remembered when Grace had arrived to the castle, her being one of the first. She had come with her parents escorted by a couple of men Snow had recognized as Regina's black knights. She still remembered it vividly because the council had had a heated discussion on what to do with them. In time however they'd proved loyal…to Regina who was on their side so it all worked out. Which brought her to conclusion that it was Regina who had sent them for Grace. That left her wondering what was so special about Jefferson. "What is the deal with you two?" she asked casually.

"I met him in my early days as the queen."

"Oh. I don't think I've heard that story."

"There are many you have not heard. We're done for the day. Let's go."

Snow really tried hard to place him. Though, in those days she had usually traveled with father. Regina had spent days alone in the palace. And there had never been people around her, especially not young men. Regina had preferred solitude. Actually, now that she thought of it, she did remember something. She had burst into Regina's chambers once upon returning from her journey. She'd seen a man, not a nobleman for he would have known how to greet her properly, sprawled on the sofa. He'd stood up reluctantly, said something to Regina, she couldn't remember what, and bid them goodbye. Snow thought him smug and Regina had been unnerved by him. Or so she had thought. Snow had caught glimpses of him couple of more times since then, remembering his strange hat, "Was he your…"

"Don't you finish that sentence." Regina snapped at her as they were exiting the building. Then she muttered, "But nobody would blame me if I had one."

Snow never pondered much on Regina's marriage to father. He was a good and king, surely a good husband. She rarely thought of those years in general. She remembered them through the eyes of a child, and refused to analyze them as an adult. It was a mistake, she knew. Maybe one day she would be brave enough to try. After all, her parents turned out not to be as perfect as she thought. Snow pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind. For now, she knew Regina and Jefferson didn't get along, to put it mildly. But it was time for a truce. If Snow learned anything from being a teacher it was how to deal with stubborn children. In this case, it was clear – make them work together. This project was Regina's idea to begin with and Snow had other things to focus on. No, this time she would not meddle… much. She would let them sort out whatever they need to by themselves.