"How long have you owned your own gym…I mean fitness center?" Regina reclined in Emma's Audi and stretched her legs.

"Just over 3 months; I co-own it with my ex, actually," Emma said casually as the car inched along in traffic. "It's my baby though."

Regina looked out the window, processing that information. She had assumed Emma was single because most people in a relationship never shut up about it, but she wasn't comfortable asking questions she wouldn't like answering herself. Regina had been single for far too long, but she tried to keep herself busy enough that she wouldn't notice that she was starting to feel lonely.

Besides, her first marriage when she was still a teenager was a dirty little secret that the public didn't know about. It was stifling though, keeping the secret forever that she had been married to a much, much older and extremely wealthy and well-known man. The marriage had been a very hush-hush affair orchestrated entirely by Regina's mother and motivated solely by money and power. It seemed that everything came down to money and power…at least in Regina's world.

She'd never been good enough at holding onto it.

Even when it seemed she had a firm grasp and everything was just within her reach, it would all slip away. She had to expend tireless effort constantly to keep herself young looking, relevant, working, no matter what the personal cost. When Regina's husband died under mysterious circumstances only months into the sordid marriage, Regina became a young widow, but her mother didn't think it would becoming for her career.

To this day, she still had terrible pangs of guilt and felt positively evil for not caring enough that her husband had passed. She never felt any way about the man, and truthfully had spent so little time with him that he barely more than a stranger to her. Inevitably, memories of his calloused hands and how rough he treated her when she did have his (unwanted) attentions. Is it any wonder she didn't feel bad when he was gone? In some ways, it was a blessing.

She tore herself from her train of thoughts before she could fall too far down the rabbit hole, and thought about Emma, her ex and just what kind of person did her personal trainer fancy?

"How does that work?" Regina pressed gingerly for a follow up response. "I mean, sharing custody of your baby must be hard."

Emma kept her eyes focused on the road, not showing any overt emotion, "Eh, Lily doesn't seem to want much to do with it…at least, not until it starts to become more profitable, then I'm sure she'll turn into a money-hungry dragon."

Bingo, Regina thought, Emma's ex was of the fairer sex.

"Oh," Regina was dying to ask more about this fire-breathing ex-girlfriend, but she refrained, worried that it would become awkward and Emma would clam up entirely. It wasn't wise to talk relationships with anyone. Regina certainly wouldn't be sharing her own messy life story, not anytime soon anyway.

"Yeah, it was a really bad break up… I'm just glad it's done and over with and the lawyers were only a little involved. You know how sometimes people are bad for you, but you keep coming back to them or stay with them for far too long?"

Regina knew all too well. "Yes, hoping that things will get better, but they never do. And the more entangled you get the worse it is and harder to…untangle."

"Exactly!" Emma turned her head and slyly peered at Regina. "You get it."

"It's a common problem, Emma. I'm hardly the first person to share that experience."

They spent the rest of the drive in silence, each woman lost in her own thoughts. Regina was beginning to think that coming over to Emma's was a bad idea. She felt fine now, and there was really no reason to spend the day with her personal trainer. There was a small voice in the back of her mind telling her over and over that Emma was not her friend and she should stop trying to 'hang out' with her trainer.

The problem was that Regina rarely met anyone who she felt was on her same level, and Emma, being an up and coming celebrity in her own right, didn't give her grief or seem to want anything from her (apart from making sure she was healthy.) Still, it didn't feel real and she knew that the relationship was merely a business transaction for Emma. That's why she only seemed invested in her well-being.

Her house was nice—not as nice or big or new as Regina's was—but it was neat and clean, and had that young, edgy minimalist décor that was all the rage. Regina commented as Emma led her on a short tour.

"Okay, you need to get into bed and I'll make you a proper meal," Emma insisted standing behind her to spot Regina as she ascended the staircase as if at any second she would faint and fall backwards.

"I..you want me to get in your bed?" Regina stopped and turned around completely out of sorts at the mere thought of hopping into bed with Emma. "I don't want to sleep…I'm not…I'm totally…not tired."

Emma paused and looked at Regina with a guilty expression, and she had the distinct feeling that Emma had been checking out her backside. She raised an eyebrow, and Emma's cheeks turned red in embarrassment.

"Hey, do you feel like watching some TV? I have a really comfortable couch, come here," she abruptly ran back down the stairs and Regina followed her amused. Of course, Emma was into women.

Lily obviously wasn't a guy, and it may be a stereotype but the gay population in Los Angeles was far higher than most other places. But then again, Regina had the type of ass that both men and women couldn't help but check her out.

Regina had been warned by many of her advisers that would be unwise to 'come out' in any way. It was better to remain mysterious regarding her sexuality, but proclaiming she was straight or gay would alienate certain factions of her fan base.

She kept her private life as private as she possibly could, and never confirmed (or denied) who she was dating. She supposed if she happened to get into a serious relationship and fall in love that would change, but there were no prospects on the horizon so it wasn't an issue at the moment.

Emma pulled a blanket off the back of her loveseat and unfolded it, she fluffed a throw pillow for her to rest against and she sat down. The loveseat was the only furniture in the living room aside from a glass coffee table and a big flat screen TV that hung on the wall. Emma spread the blanket over her and started to fiddle with the TV controls. She passed the remote over to Regina.

"Dr. Oz should be on in like five minutes, not to sound vain, but it's a rerun and I'm on the episode," Emma beamed with pride.

"The joys of daytime television," Regina deadpanned, amused that Emma was so aware of her TV appearance even as a rerun. She missed those days where she would call her entire family to watch her on a show even if she was only an extra, or playing a corpse getting autopsied in a crime drama.

Now that she had several dozen TV roles and many movies on her IMDB profile over the course of a decade in the business she didn't bother her family to watch anymore. The novelty had long ago worn off; sometimes she fantasized about quitting acting altogether and going to work on ranch in a remote area of Wyoming. At least the air would be fresh and not full of smog.

"What did you talk about on Dr. Oz?" Regina genuinely curious what Emma was promoting.

"Um, this one I think it was a juice cleanse segment. I showed people how to mask the taste of kale in a smoothie and common dangerous mistakes people make while trying to do a cleanse."

"Safety first," Regina smiled and pulled the blanket up around her. Emma's house felt comfortable, and if she were at home she'd be researching her character or working on memorizing her lines for the movie, but here she could easily give herself permission to be unproductive.

"What would you like to eat? Beet juice?" Emma laughed, "Just kidding, I'll make you something hearty and filling."

"Anything is fine, don't go to any trouble for me," Regina called after Emma as she went into the kitchen. This was nice, Regina loved attention, and although she hadn't meant to black out in the hot tub, Emma seemed like a puppy—so willing to please her. It was really helping to take her mind off of Gold and what was looming ahead.

She also wanted to ask about Maleficent starting training with Emma, and if Gold had put her up to it, or if Mal had found out somehow that Regina was training so she just had to get in on it too. It was party of their annoying competitive rivalry. But if Maleficent thought for one second she was going to take Regina's part in The Governess, she was sorely mistaken.

Regina's attention was drawn back to the television as Dr. Oz promoted his show segments and Emma's image flashed briefly on the screen. She looked gorgeous in full TV makeup and her smile was intoxicating. She could see why Emma was a perfect choice to be the next 'Jillian Michaels', she had a warm personality along with a rocking body. She had the power to appeal to every demographic.

Something delicious was cooking in the kitchen and the tantalizing smell was wafting into the living room. Out of curiosity, Regina left the couch and went to find out what Emma was making. She took a moment to study the framed photos lining Emma's mantel. Most of them were her wearing various medals and holding a volleyball. Just as she was about to turn the corner and head into the kitchen Emma called for her, "Hey, how much spice do you like?"

Regina smirked and took her cue to enter the other room, "how much spice do you have?"

"Ha, okay, I'll turn it up a notch," Emma was happily cooking in front of the stove. Tomato sauce was bubbling in a pan and pasta was boiling in a pot. She added a pinch of red pepper flakes and gave the sauce a stir. Slipping in a clean spoon, she motioned Regina over and held the spoon covered in sauce up to her lips.

"Blow first, it's hot," Emma encouraged while she met Regina's eyes. She blew on the spoon as instructed and then wrapped her lips around it, tasting the rich and well-seasoned marinara with a hum of appreciation.

"Very good," Regina licked her lips. Emma was making a habit of hand feeding her. She wondered what she would offer next?

"I'll say," Emma stared at Regina, her cheeks pink and her eyes dark. Regina knew that look, and it made her feel good for a fleeting moment. She chuckled inwardly. "So, it should only be another few minutes until we eat. The tomatoes are fresh and organic and its whole-wheat pasta, so it's not entirely indulgent, but I thought you would enjoy some penne…oh, and I made this really yummy sausage."

Regina decided then and there that she really loved watching Emma cook- she got so excited and exuberant over whole wheat pasta, and it was endearing.

"Do you need any help? Perhaps I could stir that pasta before it boils over?" Regina pointed at the neglected pot and Emma reacted, stirring until the boil over had calmed down.

"Go back to the living room and rest, you're distracting me," Emma shooed her away politely. Regina listened, and headed back to Doctor Oz just in time for the infamous juice cleanse segment. She settled in, and curled her feet up under her, relaxing on Emma's loveseat as she watched her get introduced. Eloquently, she explained that most juice cleanses are a fad, but not to fall prey to doing an unhealthy one in the hopes of losing a lot of weight through calorie restriction.

The main goal of a proper juice cleanse is to reset your body and get high doses of vitamins and minerals through juicing whole fruits and vegetables. She acknowledged there wasn't much fiber intake during a cleanse and it shouldn't be done for any longer than a period of seven days or so.

On a big table in front of her there was a myriad of different colored fruits and veggies both in their whole state and juiced. Emma took some audience questions and explained the right mix of juices to help with certain health issues. At the end of the segment she and Dr. Oz tasted one of her recipes, "tastes delicious" she said as the doctor tossed to the commercial break. Regina could see why Emma was so proud of her appearances.

"So, you can eat on my couch, but promise you won't slob it up, okay?" Emma waltzed in carrying two steaming bowls of yummy pasta. Regina's mouth watered and she finally felt hungry.

"I'm told I'm a delicate eater," Regina responded sarcastically, but was grateful to accept the napkin that Emma handed her along with her bowl. "Looks good, and I have to say, you killed it on Dr. Oz. I learned more than I ever needed to know about juice cleanses."

"Awesome! I'm glad you liked it. I think I'm going to include some of the juices in my book. I'd really love to get your opinion on my outline sometime… eat up, I made a ton of food so there's plenty if you want seconds."

Regina gratefully ate in peace. Whenever she went out to a restaurant or even at the catering table on the set of a show or movie she always felt so self-conscious if anyone watched her eat. It probably went back to those damned life-ruining chocolate chip cookies, but Regina was watching Emma eat now, and the woman had no such hang up.

She was thoroughly enjoying her food, and eating with a speed and gusto like Regina had never seen before. "Do you always eat so… fast?"

"Hmm? Old habit, hard to break," Emma explained before taking another huge forkful of pasta. "I really love food. If I hadn't been an athlete and gotten so into fitness, I probably would have become a chef. Being a trainer is perfect, I get to cook and work out—and help other people too. How does it taste?"

"Delicious," Regina said with sincerity. It was nice to share a meal with someone who wasn't judging her for what she ate.

"Glad to hear it. And just so you don't worry, I'm not going to put you on a juice diet. If you're working out at the level I plan to make you work out, it would be way too few calories, and I don't plan on ever letting you black out again."

Regina felt ashamed every time Emma mentioned the incident earlier. She had lied about eating, and then had to admit that she hadn't. And she knew Emma was about to get deep into why that had happened.

"Regina, can I ask you a serious question?"

"No, but fine…since you made me lunch, I suppose I can answer," she swallowed nervously.

"Do you not know how to cook?"

That wasn't quite what Regina had expected Emma to ask, but she pursed her lips and answered honestly, "I know how to cook most things. I don't really have to cook for myself very often, but I can if need be."

"Oh, because I was starting to think maybe you didn't know how to put all those ingredients together for the meal plan I made, but I figured you like at least know how to make oatmeal, right?" Emma was asking a second question—one which Regina had not agreed to, but now she had to answer.

"I can make oatmeal, Emma. A child can make oatmeal," Regina rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"That's good, but then I'm back to wondering why you didn't make some then? I mean what was the last thing you ate before you came to work out and when?"

"I said I'd answer one question, and you just asked three."

"Wow, what a diva. You're really keeping count?"

"That's four now."

"No, that wasn't a question—that was just a statement. See listen, "You're really keeping count—statement. I didn't heighten the pitch on the last word."

"Are we really going to argue about this?"

"I'm sorry I didn't agree to answer any of your questions, ma'am," Emma sat her empty bowl down on the coffee table and Regina mimicked the action. She was about to get defensive, but then she noticed the twinkle in Emma's eye.

'You're making fun of me- and that is a statement, not a question."

"No—you're being ridiculous," Emma didn't have time to finish her rude sentence because Regina had grabbed the throw pillow against her side and whacked Emma with it. "A pillow fight?" She clamped her hand over her mouth, realizing she'd just asked another question.

In retaliation, Emma wrenched the pillow that she was being repeatedly hit with out of Regina's hands and whacked her back.

"Ow, no fair, you're really strong."

"That doesn't hurt, shut up," Emma laughed and got on her knees trying to keep control of the pillow that Regina had grabbed ahold of in attempt to pull it back. They kept wrestling over the pillow, playing tug-o-war until Emma got creative and lunged forward trapping the pillow under chest, and no matter how Regina tried to get ahold of it, she couldn't manage to pry it loose.

All she did eventually manage to do was crawl on top of Emma and straddle her back to keep her pinned down on the couch.

"Let me up," Emma whined as she kicked her feet useless against the edge of the loveseat.

"Or what?" Regina asked, pushing down her shoulders.

"I'm being nice right now, but if I wanted to I could buck your ass off me in a heartbeat."

"Try it," it was rather risky to dare someone of Emma's temperament to do something she was clearly physically capable of, but this was too much fun.

With that, she suddenly felt Emma surge underneath her energetically, and suddenly she felt like she was airborne and headed to land on her head and break her neck over the coffee table, but half a second later, Emma grabbed her thighs and flipped down safely onto her back.

She was now laying on the loveseat, with Emma's full body weight pressing down on her. Emma leaned down so her face was right over Regina's. She kept struggling against her uselessly, and in fact, she didn't mind this twist of events one bit.

"I didn't know you liked to wrestle… maybe I'll add it to your next workout. It's a helluva calorie burner," Emma waggled her eyebrows and smirked. "Now, answer my question or I'm not getting off."