Killian ran up to Emma and wrapped his arms around her as soon as the curtain came down on the stage. "See, I told you it would be great," he said, kissing the top of her head as he picked her up and spun her around.

Emma smiled as a few tears slipped out from her eyes, despite her best effort to suppress them. "I know, you were right."

He pulled back a little bit and looked at her, stunned. "I'm sorry, can you say that again?"

She shoved him back and rolled her eyes. "Seriously, that went really well. I can't wait to do it again tomorrow." Together, they followed the rest of the dancers off stage and back toward the dressing rooms. "And I can't believe we sold out. I didn't expect that."

"Good things are happening to us, Swan. Just wait. This is only the beginning. Now, are you going to join us tonight to celebrate?"

Emma hesitated. She knew she should go out with her dancers and Killian, but she also really wanted to see Regina again and to thank her for her thoughtful gift. "Maybe for a quick drink. I do have someplace I need to be in a bit."

Killian smiled. "Good. Go get changed and I'll meet you in the lobby. We should greet some of our audience and potential donors before we leave." Emma nodded as she disappeared into the dressing room to get ready.


Regina was trying to relax and enjoy Zelena's slightly flat rendition of "Defying Gravity," but she kept glancing at the door, silently willing a certain blonde to walk through it.

"Regina…?"

"I'm sorry, what did you say, Belle?" She looked up at the redhead, who had sat down next to her at the table.

"I asked what you're going to sing," Belle said, gesturing to the binder full of song options that was sitting open in front of Regina.

"Oh, I haven't decided on anything yet, though probably just my usual." Regina started to flip through the binder again and quickly filled out the song request form before getting up. "I'm going to go get a drink and put my song in the queue. Can I get you anything?" Belle shook her head.

She returned to the table with her gin and tonic just as Zelena was coming back from the stage. "How was it?" Zelena asked as she took a seat next to Belle and across from Regina.

"You were great, Zee," Belle said, giving her friend a small high-five. Regina nodded in agreement as she sipped her drink.

Almost immediately, Regina was called to the stage. With her drink in one hand, she picked up the microphone and prepared as the first few chords of "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes began to play over the sound system. It was barely 9:00, so the karaoke lounge was only just starting to build a crowd, which helped calm Regina's nerves. She loved singing, but it had been awhile since she performed for anyone other than herself in the car. She was relieved that there wasn't a huge audience yet.

Regina quickly got swept up into her performance, belting out the lyrics as the bar sang along with her. About halfway through the song, a glint of blonde coming in from the door in the corner of the room caught her eye. She watched Emma as she looked around and then smiled at Regina when she saw her on stage.

Emma walked over and grabbed a seat at the bar, leaning her back against the counter as she watched Regina finish her song. From the moment Emma sat down, Regina rarely broke their eye contact, only doing so long enough to play to the room before settling back on the blonde. Emma was very captivated with what she heard – she had no idea Regina could sing like that. Not to mention, she looked the part. Emma took the opportunity to study Regina as she performed on stage. She was wearing black stiletto pumps, black distressed skinny jeans and a loose burgundy racerback tank with a simple quartz-like gemstone pendent necklace. As Regina turned her body to sing to the audience on one side of the stage, Emma could see a bit of her black lace bra peeking out the side of her top. Regina somehow managed to strike the perfect balance of feminine, sexy, and badass rockstar. Emma suddenly felt under-dressed in her dark denim and black v-neck tee, but when she left home for the theater and grabbed a change of clothes, she wasn't exactly planning on going out with anyone other than Killian for a quick post-show beer.

As soon as Regina finished, the room enthusiastically applauded and she headed over to the bar. "I'm glad you could make it," she said as she flagged down the bartender.

"Thank you for inviting me. You were great up there, by the way. Excellent choice."

"Thanks. I figured you can't go wrong with Linda Perry. Can I get you a drink?"

"Oh, sure. A vodka soda would be great. And thank you for the flowers and chocolate. That was very thoughtful and a complete surprise."

Regina smiled and ordered their drinks, placing her hand briefly on Emma's forearm that was resting on the bar. "You're very welcome. How did the performance go?"

"Oh, it went really well. We had a sold out show, which was unexpected."

"Emma, that's wonderful. Congratulations!" Regina said, genuinely excited for Emma as she pulled her into a quick hug. Emma barely had time to reciprocate before the bartender handed them their drinks. Regina grabbed hers and motioned for Emma to stand up. "Come, I'll introduce you to everyone." She was led to the back the room, where the Frozen Mirror cast had taken over several tables and a black leather L-shaped sofa in the corner. Regina quickly introduced Emma to her friends before taking her seat at the table and signaling Emma to grab the stool next to hers. "So, I take it Killian couldn't make it?"

Emma shook her head. "He's still out with some of our dancers for a late dinner. He said he might try to stop by later."

"Have you eaten? We called in a huge order of pizza a while ago so you're welcome to help yourself when they get here."

"I'm always up for pizza." Emma watched as Belle was called to the stage and began singing a Taylor Swift song, the name of which Emma couldn't quite remember off the top of her head. "This place is great," she commented. "I've lived in the area for years but I never knew this was here."

Regina smiled. "Yeah, David and Mary Margaret stumbled upon it at Comic-Con a few years ago when we were in town. They came for the salsa dancing nightclub upstairs, but then accidentally ended up down here when they were looking for the bathrooms. We're all big karaoke fans, so we always end up here whenever we're in Portland. It's not well advertised, so it's a little hidden gem. We can hang out without people bothering us, and it's far enough away from the convention center that most attendees wouldn't come here anyway."

Emma nodded. "Okay, I have to ask…" she paused looking at Regina, who stared back at her with an eyebrow raised as she sipped on her straw. "How did you know where my show was and about my company? How do you know who Killian is?"

Regina laughed. "Ahh, yes. Well, your friends came to the autograph signing yesterday. Ruby said she wanted to get her friend Emma Swan an autograph and she mentioned that you were at the Portland Arts Center rehearsing for your show. Once I knew that, Google was quite helpful and led me to your company's website."

Emma smiled. "Well, that's some remarkable cyber-sleuthing on your part. I take it that's how you found my Instagram account, too?"

Regina nodded, slightly embarrassed. She considered lying and just saying that she saw the photo in her own notifications, but she decided to be honest. She assumed she was already sounding a little sketchy, so there was no harm in going one step further. "Yep. The website linked to your company's Instagram account, and from there it was easy to find yours since you were tagged in almost everything. I have to say, I'm really impressed by your work. I watched a few of the rehearsal and performance videos you guys posted. I danced for a while when I was growing up, so I love seeing what different companies do. You're really talented." Regina found Emma's hand under the table and gave it a quick squeeze before letting go.

"Thank you, Regina. That means a lot."

Changing the subject to fill the momentarily awkward silence that clung in the air, Regina asked Emma if she was going to sing, but when Emma hesitated she said, "Come on, you have to."

Emma laughed and looked through the binder of songs that still sat open on their table in front of Regina, leaning closer to get a better look. Their shoulders brushed as they hovered over the song book, flipping through the pages and trying not to react to their close proximity. "I have no idea what I would even sing," Emma said. "I haven't sung on stage since my middle school production of 'Our Town.'"

Regina looked surprised at that revelation. "Really?"

"Really. So, if I sing something you have to promise not to judge me." Emma narrowed her eyes at Regina and held up a finger in warning.

Regina lightly slapped Emma's finger away and rolled her eyes. "Okay, I promise."


Emma finally worked up the courage to get on stage, and Regina was completely blown away by her version of "I'm the Only One" by Melissa Etheridge. "Okay, are you fucking kidding me? You made it sound like you weren't sure you could carry a tune, but then you go up there and do that?" Regina mock-scolded her when Emma returned to their table. "If you ever need a new career, I think you found it."

"Regina's right, Emma," Zelena chimed in. "You were amazing."

Emma blushed. "Thanks. It's been awhile. I had forgotten how much I love it."

Regina smiled and lightly placed her hand on Emma's thigh, gently squeezing it. "Come on, they just delivered the pizza." They made their way over to the sofa in the corner, where five large pizza boxes had been set down on the coffee table. Belle and Graham shifted over, making room for Emma and Regina to sit down on the far end of the sofa as they each grabbed a slice.

Zelena joined them moments later, returning with a tray of shot glasses and setting them down on the table. "Alright guys, drink up," she said, passing a shot to Emma and Regina before handing a glass to the others on the couch and leading them in a toast. "To friends, pizza, drinking, and charging our tab to Robert Gold. Cheers!" They laughed as they clinked their shot glasses before tossing them back.

"Who's Robert Gold?" Emma asked Regina, putting her empty shot glass back on the tray and taking a bite of her pizza.

"One of the creators and producers of our show," Regina said. "He's a brilliant man, but kind of an asshole at times. I have no doubt that Zelena will somehow manipulate him into paying the tab we're racking up right now."

Emma nodded. "So, are you going to sing again? I only caught the tail end of yours, so it only seems fair to make you get up there again."

Regina smirked. "Perhaps. Go grab the book and let's see." Emma happily got up and retrieved it, sitting back down on the sofa and handing it to Regina. Regina had shifted in her seat slightly, moving closer to Emma and placing the open book in her lap. "Any requests?"

Emma subconsciously pressed into Regina's side as she reached over to flip back a few pages and pointed to a song title. "This one."

Regina turned her head to look at Emma and saw her smiling. "Alright. I'll do it, on one condition." Emma raised her eyebrows and tilted her head slightly in question. "Sing it with me."

"Seriously?"

"Mmhmm. It's kind of a duet anyway. We'll make it work."

Emma didn't need to be asked twice. "Okay."

"Good. I'll go put it in the queue." Regina stood up and walked over to the DJ booth, just as Killian texted Emma to say that he just walked in.

"I'll be right back. Save my spot," Emma quickly excused herself as Regina sat back down. She met Killian at the bar, and after he grabbed a beer she led him back where they were sitting. Emma told him to pull up a chair as she sat back down on the couch next to Regina. She quickly introduced him to most of the group, except for Belle and Zelena who were up on stage doing their best Lady Gaga and Beyoncé impressions, rather unsuccessfully.

"It's nice to meet you, Killian, I'm glad you could join us," Regina said as he sat down.

"Thank you for extending the invitation."

"You should know, though, that there are rules. Everyone here must sing. No exceptions," she said, tossing the song book to him.

"Careful what you wish for, love. This entire bar might just fall in love with me if I do," he winked.

Regina laughed and then turned to Emma, "Is he always like this?"

"Yes. He's insufferable, isn't he?"

"Meh, he seems okay," she said, still laughing.

"Swan, are you singing?" Killian interrupted Emma's thoughts.

"She already did a solo," Regina started, "but I talked her into doing a duet in a bit."

"Yeah, you missed out on my big debut, dude," Emma teased.

"What are you two singing? Something raunchy, I hope?"

Emma sent him a glare. "You'll just have to wait and see."

A few minutes later, Zelena and Belle returned to the group while Mary Margaret and David prepared to go up for their duet. "Emma, who's your friend?" Zelena asked as she came over.

"Oh, this is Killian. Killian, this is Zelena and that's Belle," she said.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Zelena asked. At that question, Regina turned to look at Emma and then over to Killian. She knew he was her dance and business partner, but she never thought that he and Emma might be a couple. If she was being honest, prior to that night she had assumed he was gay, but after meeting him and seeing how flirtatious he was, she realized her assumption was off-base.

Emma snorted as she sipped her drink, trying not to choke. "Oh, God no."

"Wow, Swan, could you try to say that with a little more disgust in your voice?" Killian asked, feigning offense.

"Killian is like my brother," she added. Emma thought she heard Regina exhale a little louder than usual next to her, but she couldn't be sure.

"Oh, so are you single then, Killian?" Zelena asked. She sat down on the coffee table next to his chair, crossing her legs and leaning forward to rest her chin on her hand, revealing more of her cleavage.

"Indeed I am," he said, turning slightly in his chair to face her.

"Oh good God," Regina sighed as she leaned back against the sofa while Emma bit her lip to hold back a laugh.

Emma copied Regina's actions, sinking back into the couch and resting her head against the wall behind her. "Is Zelena single?" Emma quietly asked Regina, as she nodded toward the pair who were now openly flirting, Zelena's hand resting on Killian's knee.

"As of about 10 days ago, yes," Regina answered, staring at her on-screen sister who had never mastered the art of subtlety.

"Well, it will be interesting to see this play out."

Regina looked over at Emma. "Should I be worried about her?"

"Oh, no, not at all. He's harmless…a giant flirt, but harmless. He can actually be quite the gentleman, but he likes to put on a show, too."

"Typical performer, eh?" Regina joked, lightly nudging Emma with her shoulder.

"You would know," she retorted, smirking.

"C'mon, let's get another drink before we have to go up there again," Regina said, grabbing Emma's right wrist and pulling her off the couch to lead her over to the bar.


Before they knew it, Regina and Emma were on stage and halfway through "Total Eclipse of the Heart." They alternated between being completely serious and dramatic and cracking up. Emma extended a hand to Regina and then led her around the small stage in a series of turns before Regina pulled Emma into her for something vaguely resembling a slow waltz when the song slowed down for the final verse. Despite their antics, they sounded great together. They finished the song and Regina gave her a small side hug before heading off stage.

"Nice job, Swan, but you two have nothing on me," Killian said as he took the mic from Emma and took his place on the stage. She laughed as she and Regina went back to their seats, collapsing into the cushions next to where Zelena and Belle were now sitting.

As soon as the first few notes of the song started, Emma laughed. "Oh, of course," she said to no one in particular.

"What?" Regina asked looking over at her.

"Just wait for it." Sure enough, moments later Killian started belting out George Michael's "I Want Your Sex," purposefully making eye contact with every woman in the audience and pantomiming the lyrics.

"You know, that's actually a little bit creepy," Regina commented as she watched Killian stare down Zelena as he sang the chorus.

"Hmm…you do realize that you rarely broke eye contact with me during your first song?" Emma accused Regina with a flirtatious grin.

"I beg to differ. I noticed that you came in and I wanted to acknowledge your presence. I wasn't eye-fucking everyone in the bar," she said.

"No, you were just eye-fucking one person," Zelena whispered into Regina's ear. "You might want to be a bit more cautious about that, my dear."

"Funny."

"Hey, I'm just trying to look out for you. Gold didn't seem too happy with you yesterday when he noticed your doting husband wasn't here. Where is dear sweet Robbie, by the way?"

"Preparing for a major event in Montréal," Regina said quickly, almost too rehearsed. Zelena just shrugged before looking back at Killian on stage. He made a "come hither" motion with his finger, and Zelena went up on stage with him as he finished.

When his song was over, Killian and Zelena made their way back to rejoin the others in the corner. "I think I have you beat, Swan," he said. "The people love me."

Emma rolled her eyes. "That was certainly something, Killian."

"Zelena, may I buy you another drink, love?" He asked, playing up his charming accent and offering her his hand.

"I won't say no to that," she placed her hand in his as he bent down to quickly kiss her knuckles before leading her to the bar.

"Well, I'm guessing she won't be going back to the hotel alone," Regina said, watching as her friend followed Killian over to the bar.

"Probably not. But, she could do a lot worse," Emma added. She looked down at her watch. "Damn it, it's already after midnight. I should get going."

"Oh, okay. I didn't realize it was that late," Regina said.

"I didn't either. I need to get some rest though since I have one more show to get through tomorrow. I'm still on an adrenaline high from tonight's show, but I'm sure I'll need to crash soon."

"Of course, I'll walk you out." Regina stood up as Emma quickly said goodbye to the rest of the group, stopping to hug Killian as they passed by each other. Regina led Emma through the front door of the lounge and into the secluded hallway, stopping just before the stairs the led to the salsa club and the outside.

"Thank you, Regina, for inviting us tonight. I had a lot of fun and it was great to see you again and meet everyone," Emma said, hoping that she wasn't rambling. Their conversation had been so easy all night, but suddenly she was very aware that they were alone and that Regina was someone she watched on TV each week, and she was therefore very nervous.

Regina just smiled. "I'm glad you were able to come…I don't think any of them would have agreed to sing Bonnie Tyler with me. Plus, I'm sure Zelena is thrilled that you convinced Killian to come out."

"Yeah…I hope that doesn't end badly."

Regina laughed. "I'm sure it'll be fine. Zelena's a big girl; she can handle herself. I'd be more concerned about Killian, if I were you. She might eat him alive."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about," she said, flicking her eyes back toward the lounge door. "Alright, well, I should head out."

"Do you need to call a cab to get back to the theater or anything?" Regina asked, subconsciously wanting to prolong their time together.

"My car's outside. I ended up driving over since I wasn't sure how late I'd be staying."

"Oh, perfect," she said, for lack of anything else to say. "Well, thank you for coming by tonight. Drive safe and have a great show tomorrow." Regina opened her arms and pulled Emma into a hug, which was happily reciprocated as Emma wrapped her arms around the shorter woman. As they started to pull away Regina decided to give her a quick and innocent kiss on the cheek, figuring she could blame it on being around Europeans all the time if Emma questioned it. Emma blushed, but said nothing.

"Thanks. Enjoy the rest of the Con," Emma said as she fully dropped her hands from where they were still lingering on Regina's forearms and turned to walk up the steps.

"Emma, wait a second."

She turned around. "Yeah?"

"Let me see your phone." Emma looked at her with a curious expression on her face, but quickly unlocked her phone and handed it to Regina. Regina took out her own and did the same, before expertly navigating through Emma's phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Relax, nothing shady. Hang on." Regina held her own phone above Emma's, appearing to take a photo of something, and then handed the phone back to a very confused Emma. "I just added you on Snapchat. Now we can message each other, if you want. I would have just given you my number, but there are some people who would kill me if they found out I did."

Emma smiled as she put her phone back in her purse. "Well, we can't have that. And thanks. I may take you up on that. Goodnight, Regina."

"Goodnight, Emma." Regina watched as Emma walked up the stairs and through the exit before Regina turned around to back into the karaoke lounge. Almost immediately she felt her phone, which was still in her hand, vibrate. She looked down and saw Emma Swan has sent a snap pop up on her screen. She opened the app and smiled as she read the short message: Hi :)


A/N: Happy Once day! Now that Regina and Emma have met in person again, things will pick up. There are still three days left of Comic-Con in this universe, so there's a lot more to come.