For my birthday I'm posting a new chapter because you guys deserve a present too haha I hope you enjoy it!

What do you wear to a non-date with Emma Swan? It wasn't a date, right? It didn't seem like one when we planned it but as soon as she left I became confused about the entire morning so far. I now had only a half and hour to shower, put on make-up, decide what I was going to wear, and decide where we were going to eat.

I efficiently used the shower time to think but what really held me up was the outfit. I had work clothes and exercise clothes and very little else in between. I don't usually casually hang out with other people. I knew heels were unfortunately out because my ankle couldn't handle it.

In the end I decided on a sleeveless-collered blouse and jeans. I almost changed into something nicer but that was right when the doorbell rang. It turns out my choice was a good one too because when I opened the door the goddess in front of me was wearing jeans and a plain white tank top. Her hair was loose and wavy. Possibly still damp. I wanted to reach out and touch it to see for myself but that woud be entirely inappropriate.

"Ready to go?" Emma asks as a greeting.

"Yes." Regina gives a small smile and grabs her purse before heading out and locking the door.

"I figured I would drive since you probably didn't get a chance to ice or wrap your ankle." Emma says and leads her to a perfectly restored, yellow, 70s Volkswagen beetle.

To be honest Regina had forgotten about her injuries in her Emma-riddled brain. Even now she was more focused on the car than any precieved pain.

"This is your car?"

"I don't think I like the tone of that question." Emma teases.

"I suppose I'm just surprised. Maybe I assumed you would have a car that could go faster?" Regina says even as she gets into the passenger seat.

"Don't doubt it's abilities. I restored this myself."

"Impressive."

"I guess." Emma says and once again shrugs off any compliments. "So where am I driving to?"

"I was thinking I could show you my restaurant. I can direct you there."

"Sounds good to me!"

Once they turned onto the main highway silence fell over the car.

I had one of those moments sitting in that car where you just think: 'Is this really happening?' 'Is this my life?' Because whatever you are doing is so far from what you thought you would ever be doing that your mind now has to play catch up.

It's Regina who finally breaks the silence to give her a direction though. But once the airways are open Emma jumps on the opportunity for conversation.

"You've said that you don't know many people, and that you just bought this restaurant, so I'm assuming that you just moved here?"

"Look at you Detective Swan, putting the evidence together."

"I do like cop shows."

"Yes I just moved here about 2 moths ago."

"Where did you live before?"

"I've always lived in New York. Except when I went to college I suppose. Then I was in New Hampshire. I managed restaurants in Manhattan for the last five years but I officially lived in Brooklyn." Regina rambles, not use to talking about herself.

"Wow, that is quite a lifestyle change. What brought that on?" Emma looks over to her quickly.

Regina sighs.

"You don't have to tell me." Emma assures her.

"No no, it's okay. If you make a left up here the restaurant will immediately be on your right though so how about we wait until be get inside for story time."

Emma nods her head in agreement and follows the directions given.

Emma soon pulls up to the unimpressive square building.

"Daytona Steakhouse." Emma reads the sign out front. "That's a...generic name." She settles on saying.

Regina laughs at Emma's attempt at being diplomatic. "You can just say it. It's a terrible name. That one of the first changes I'm making."

Emma looks relieved that Regina was not only not offended but realizes how terrible it is.

"What are you thinking about naming it?"

"I haven't decided yet. I was thinking maybe 'Mills Steakhouse.'

"Mills?"

"My last name."

"Oh!" Emma says with understanding as they walk through the front door. "Conceited much?" She jokes.

"Like you wouldn't name your restaurant 'Swan's Steaks' or something of the like."

"True. But you have to admit that the double S sounds awesome."

Regina rolls her eyes but smiles as they walk up to the hostess stand where her head waitress Ruby is now standing and watching the women with amusement. She seems a little taken-aback watching her normally stoic boss so happy.

"Hey, Boss Lady. What can I do for you."

"Hello Ruby. We're here for lunch. This is my friend, Miss Swan." She felt rude not introducing the two women.

"Emma" The blonde corrects.

"Emma Swan?" Ruby questions. "Why do I know that name- Oh! You're new on Jones' team this year."

Regina and Emma are both surprised that she knows who the blonde is. "Yeah?"

"Granny is obsessed with Nascar." Ruby explains. "She was just reading me an article this morning about the new people this year. A woman mechanic is still rare enough to stand out in my mind. I'll have to tell her you're here. On second thought, maybe I won't, she'll probably barrage you with questions."

"Maybe if Emma is pleased with her cooking she'll allow herself to be subjected to questioning." Regina smirks.

Ruby smiles "Well it's nice to meet you" she says and grabs menus before leading them to their table.

"So Granny cooks here?" Emma asks for clarification once they sit down in the booth.

Our knees bumped together and I swear my hear stopped, which is completely ridiculous considering the fact that I was on her back not 2 hours ago. An innocent touch shouldn't have this affect.

"Yes. She is Ruby's grandmother but insists everyone here call her that."

"That's sweet. And I don't actually mind them questioning me. It's a little strange since I've never been recognized for anything before but I don't think it's likely to happen again so I might as well milk this little bit of fame." She shrugs.

"I'm glad to hear that because regardless of what Ruby said I am certain the entire restaurant knows that you are here by now. She's quite the gossip."

"Really? And how do you know this? Do you happen to gossip with her like two old biddies."

"Like what? And no, I don't really know most of the staff that well yet. She just happens to be the most vocal of the group. Customers seem to love how friendly she is though."

"I suppose we'll see because here she comes." Emma says and looks over the top of her menu at the leggy brunette who is making her way to their table.

I still can't figure out if Emma was checking Ruby out at the time. Her eyes did seem to roam over the other woman's (almost not work appropriate) attire. I also can't figure out why the thought of her doing so made me angry. I had throughly convinced myself by that time that this wasn't a date so there was no reason for this hostility. I tried to swallow it down quickly though.

"Have you two decided?" She asks.

Emma looks to Regina and nods her head to indicate that she should order first. Regina avoids eye contact.

"Yes, I'll have an iced tea and the chicken salad."

"I'll have a root beer and a cheeseburger. Medium-well. Thanks."

"Okay I'll be right back with that."

"Are you okay?" Emma asks once Ruby disappears into the back.

"Yes, of course." Regina takes a deep breath. "So who's team are you on? Ruby said Jones?"

"Yes, Killian Jones."

"I'm afraid to admit that I know little about the sport. It doesn't seem to be as popular up north."

"He's actually a pretty good driver. He believes that he's god's gift to humanity in every way- so not the most humble guy in the world-but I can at least see why he has an ego when it comes to driving."

"How did you get a job with him?"

"I've actually known him almost as long as I've been in the business so they offered me the job when their last general mechanic left the team. It would have been stupid of me to turn it down."

"That makes it sound like you wanted to though?"

"No I wanted the job, but I had been trying to get onto the pit crew with my left team at the time. I always thought it would be so much more exciting. I knew the likelihood of getting the position was slim but I still feel like there was a lost possibility there."

"Why were the odds slim?"

"You heard Ruby saying a woman on the team at all was rare, right? Well being on the pit crew is almost unheard of. It's a purely physical reason. Most women just physically aren't strong enough. My argument is that just because they usually aren't doesn't mean they can't be but I think we still have a while until that kind of thinking becomes accepted."

I loved the way her eyes lit up as she was becoming passionate about the subject.

"How did you get into the industry in the first place?" Regina asks as their food is set before them. From what Regina has heard it's mostly people's parents or other relatives that get them into the sport and Emma mentioned growing up in foster care...

"That is a long story." She says with a shy smiles and bites into her food. "This is really good she says evasively once she swallows.

"I would say thank you but I didn't really have anything to do with it." Regina says as she eats her own lunch.

"I can see what you mean about great food but poor atmosphere. No offense." The blonde comments as she looks around the 70s decor of the dark restaurant.

"None taken. At least it's clean." Regina responds. "I already have the plans of what I'm going to do in here."

"Like what?"

"I suppose you'll just have to come back and see it once it's finished."

"Oh, I plan to." Emma grins.