Safe, that's the word. Boring also seemed very fitting. Since Dorothy's injury to the head, she and Mulan weren't allowed to leave the Sheriff's station without Emma accompanying them. They took turns answering the phone while the other joined the sheriff in the field.

Regina had made it slightly more interesting for the new deputies by bringing every film that even slightly pertained to the residents she could get her hands on into the Sheriff's office for them to watch. Dorothy greatly preferred this to reading about the people in computer database. Though the films were far-fetched, the Storybrooke database was very misleading.

"Can she actually do that?" Dorothy asked Regina as they stared the large animated dragon in Sleeping Beauty.

"That and so much more," she smirked as she handed her the bag of the popcorn.

"No, thank you," Dorothy waved it away. "Those horrible little things get stuck in my teeth Why anyone would ever think that is a proper way to eat corn is beyond me. Is she a good witch or a bad witch?"

"Neither really," Regina truthfully answered "I think she's trying to be good now that Lilly's here."

"I see."

"The part where Philip slays her is absolutely untrue," Regina confidently added. "The only person who got close was Emma and even then Maleficent had another form after the dragon."

There it was, Dorothy wondered how long it would take. It had only been ten minutes since her name came from Regina's mouth. The Sheriff and her relation to the character on the screen seemed the most relevant bit of information Regina had to share.

"Emma, seems to have accomplished enough heroic feats to last a lifetime," Dorothy added after noticing that Regina seemed to be waiting for a response. She pondered asking Regina in that moment why she and Emma weren't involved but her thoughts were derailed.

"Ow, fuck, easy," Emma and Mulan crossed the threshold. Emma was walking on one leg. Dorothy's eyes went straight to the deep maroon color that was dripping from her shirt.

"Emma?" panic flooded the mayor's eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Not exactly," climbing onto the table as she answered. She exhaled slowly as she laid down. "I tried to heal myself on the street but- "

"The pain made it too difficult to focus," Regina nodded. "Relax, let me take a look."

"What happened out there?" Dorothy looked to Mulan.

"Some child came out of nowhere. They ambushed us and shot Emma with this strange weapon."

Emma's shirt was pulled up to her chest by Regina. She scanned the blonde's stomach running over it softly with the her finger tips. There was nothing other than a large welt. "Uh," Emma winced. "It was a paintball gun. My foot is what needs healing. The little assholes backed me into a bear trap and ran away."

"Right, of course," she averted eye contact with the blonde as she moved towards the injured ankle. Several small read cuts encircled the horrendously swollen leg. She gently rolled Emma's pant cuff up to her knee and closed her eyes. Gentle purple clouds surrounded the leg and when they dissipated all indication the injury had occurred was gone. "Better?"

"Yes, thank you," She spun to the side of the table opposite Regina and pulled down her shirt. "What the hell has gotten into the kids in this town?"

"The leg would have healed on it's own," Mulan adamantly protested. " Why use magic at all? Doesn't magic always come with a price?"

"Because it's faster," Regina scoffed. "Besides I'd rather not listen to this one whine for weeks about how slow the healing takes. The price the Emma pays is now she owes me a favor."

Regina's answer was lost on Mulan who had already turned her attention to the screen. "You watched Sleeping Beauty without me," she frowned slightly. "I guess it's not like I don't know that story."

"So, What's next?" Dorothy asked they had already watched quite a few but they had steered away from the titles that involved either of the new deputies. "I'm more than curious about this Lollipop Guild that Killian spoke of the other night."

"That film does you absolutely no justice, my dear," Regina laughed. "Besides Red would be displeased if I let you watch it without her."

"Maybe, we could do an group screening. I know Henry would love it," excitement lit up Emma's face. "At Granny's, do you think you could arrange it?"

"That sounds fun," Dorothy smiled. "Not tonight of course. But some time."

"Why not tonight?" She looked to everyone who was staring at her.

"Emma," playfully Regina scolded. "Did you forget your own mother's birthday celebration?"


"Yes, please," Ruby spoke into her cell phone. "Delivered to the Rabbit Hole by 7:30. " She had been barking orders at various delivery companies all afternoon. She was so determined to make Snow's Birthday a hit that she almost missed Dorothy's arrival home. "Hey," Arms wrapped tightly around the Deputy's neck and their lips met.

"You look," Dorothy pulled back from the embrace to get a better view. The strapless black dress clung to her body perfectly and stopped at midthigh. "Amazing. And the shoes are fantastic." Dorothy noted the red heels.

"Thank you," Ruby grinned as her lips pressed into Dorothy's ear. "They match what's underneath the dress." Dorothy bit her lower lip. "To bad we have so much to do before Snow's party." She said with a playful pout.

"You're right, it is too bad," Dorothy stepped toward Ruby, whose knees touched the foot of the bed. Dorothy kissed Ruby's jaw, slowly moving her way down to the collar bone. Her tongue flicked, lips pecked gently across Ruby's collar bone. Teeth met skin, in an inciting and delicate nibble. She pulled back, slowly meeting Ruby's lips. "We can continue this later. I know how much you'd hate to mess up your hair."

"Well then you'll just have to be on the bottom," She took Dorothy by the collar of her buttoned shirt and switched their positions. Dorothy was sitting on the edge of the bed with Ruby straddling her lap.

Ruby's hips rolled against Dorothy's lap, slowly at first. Hands reached and unbuttoned buttons, revealing Dorothy's bra and firm stomach. "Lay back," the command was quiet, barely more than a whisper, and Dorothy silently obeyed.

Ruby lifted Dorothy's fingers to her lips, sucking each digit while holding eye contact. Her mouth traveled with purpose from hands down to Dorothy's bra covered chest. She unhooked the bra and removed it slowly. She remained still for a moment taking in the view.

"How do you do that?" Dorothy asked her voice soft and low. "You look at me as if it's the first time, every time."

Ruby leaned forward and met Dorothy's lips with her own. "I plan to memorize your body, Kansas." Her hand trailed down breast and back up again as Ruby's head made her way down. "Every mark, every shadow, One day will be engrained in my memory."

"Why do you need me in your memory when you can have me every night?" Dorothy kissed her firmly which caused Ruby to smile uncontrollably.

She was formulating a response when there was a knock at the door. "Shit," Ruby grumbled.

"We were so quiet there's no way Granny heard us." Dorothy sat up, grabbed her clothing and darted to the bathroom. Ruby continued to let Dorothy believe that Granny couldn't hear every single thing that happened in this room if she wanted. Ruby could only hope she wasn't listening.

There was another knock at the door. Ruby tried her best to smooth over her hair before she opened the door. "Hey, I hoping I'm not interrupting," She heard Mulan's voice from the other side of the door. "I just had a few questions about tonight."

She opened the door with a smile. "Of course you were interrupting," Ruby huffed slightly. "But it's too late to go back now."

"Right, sorry," Mulan rocked back on her feet and took a deep breath. "About this party tonight… when you said you were inviting everyone. Did you mean-"

"Philip and Aurora," Ruby's arched an eyebrow. "Snow requested that it be a ladies only night so that she could leave Neal with David. So no Philip."

"But Aurora," Mulan sighed. "There's a chance she wouldn't even come, right?"

"Have you spoke with her?"

"Aside from a awkward thank you for the clothes?" Mulan shook her head. "No. It's not like I can walk up to her and say, 'Hey remember me I was going to tell you I was in love with you but then bailed when you said your were pregnant with your True Love's child."

"She didn't even know you when True Love's Kiss woke her," Ruby chastised. "Am I wrong? She laid eyes on you for the first time afterward."

"And yet she's somehow still had his able baby," Mulan waved her hands.

"Snow said to me before I woke Dorothy that Love is scary," Ruby placed on arm on Mulan's shoulder. "And it's so true. I think sometimes people do what's safe because opening yourself up to heartbreak so much harder. Stop playing it safe."


Cries filled Regina's bedroom as she put on her shoes. "I don't see why you have to go back out tonight," Robin held the infant in his arms. "I was hoping we could spend some time together as a family."

"We spend time together as a family every night," Regina exhaled avoiding eye contact with him. "It's Snow's Birthday, literally it occurs once a year. Besides Henry is with David tonight. Zelena's coming by later because it's her night with the baby."

"You come home so late if at all," Robin voice started to raise. "I only see you when you aren't spending time with Henry and Emma."

"Please, don't start this now," Regina said as she left the bedroom and Robin followed quickly behind. "Henry's relationship with Emma is important to me. It's important that there's a balance. That he sees us as a cohesive unit"

"What about Roland and the baby?" Robin asked. "Does it not matter how they see you? See us?"

"They're so young," Regina answered as she slipped on her overcoat. "Henry only has a few years left at home. I want to make the most of the time with my son."

"Then maybe you should spend less time at the Sheriff's station," Robin angrily should at her. "God knows what you're really doing there. I mean other than waiting for the next incredibly stupid heroic mission Emma's going to drag you on."

When I opened the position at the Sheriff's station, I had hoped you'd apply," Regina shouted back. "But no, you're still hung up on your former reputation to actually make something for yourself in this town?"

"Do you have any idea what the Merry Men would say if I were working for the Sheriff?" His voice was high and shrill. "Forget, just go."

"I was anyway," Regina snappishly added on the way out the door.

"Fine," he muttered under his breath as the door slammed.


She had completely forgotten her mother's birthday and spent the entire night looking for a suitable gift. Finally she got a hold of Marco who was able to craft her a small wood bird and even paint it in under an hour. The downside being that Emma had to wait for the paint to dry to give it to her.

It was almost ten o'clock when Emma arrived to the Rabbit Hole. The bar was packed with nearly every woman in town. Emma didn't know whether to be impressed or terrified of Ruby's ability to pull people together so fast. Her mother was sitting at the bar laughing and drinking with Regina.

"Emma, I'm so glad you're here," her mother sloppily hugged her. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to show."

"You know I'd never miss your birthday," Emma smiled.

"Except for of course the 28 she missed during the curse," Regina interjected. "But that's not her fault is it?"

Emma answered Regina's comment with a sideways glance. "I got this for you," She handed Snow the blue and yellow bird.

"It's beautiful, Emma," tears formed in her mother's eyes. Snow was sentimental by nature but when you add alcohol it only amplifies. "Thank you."

"You just picked that out didn't you," Regina took another sip of scotch.

"I see you've found a new drinking buddy," Emma joked when she took a seat at the bar.

"Worried you're being replaced?" The rhetorical went unanswered as Regina waved the bartender who set two shot glasses and a half empty bottle in front of Emma. "You've got bit of catching up to do."

"This place is packed," Emma slammed the shot back and poured another. She looked for the hostess and found her predictably tongue-locked with Dorothy in the middle of the dance floor. " Jesus, have they been like that all night?" Emma gestured toward them as she took her second shot of the night.

"Mostly," Regina said as she sloppily poured another shot. "There was a brief moment where your mother took a body shot off of Red's-"

"What? She did not..."

"No," Regina laughed. "The wolf offered but your mother politely declined. The look on Dorothy's face was priceless." Snow never made it back to them. Emma watched as her mother got herself another drink and went to chat with Ashley.

"Can I ask you," Regina leaned toward Emma and their knees bumped against one anothers. "Your parents, are they as happy as they seem to be?"

"What?" Emma shrugged. "How would I know?"

"Does your mother ever complain about Charming?"

"Not really," Emma wondering exactly she was going with these questions. "Though I'm not sure if she were mad at him she would tell me about it."

"I just spent the better part of an hour spilling my guts about how annoying Robin is and she had nothing to add," Regina's words slurred slightly before she took another shot.

"How many of those have you had?"

"A few," Regina said with a challenging stare. "Don't worry, Sheriff, I won't drive." Emma waved the bartender down and ordered Regina a glass of water. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?" Emma looked up at her.

"Try to take care of me."

There was a moment of silence that passed. "Perhaps, I can commiserate better than my mother. What's bothering you about Robin?"

"You mean other than the fact that he's raising a baby with my sister," She took a gulp of water. "And that he refuses to get an actual job. What else could there be?"

"Hooks wants to have a baby," Emma said as she took a shot.

"With you?" The color faded from Regina's face. She had seven shots but suddenly felt sick. The thought that in the near future Emma could have a child other than Henry pulled her out of the fog that she was in. She felt suddenly very sober, except for the rising bile in the back of her throat.

"I figured that was sort of implied," Emma hand rubbed the back of her neck. "He's been pretty persistent on trying frequently."

" I see," Regina sat more upright and tilted away from Emma. "So we can expect another infant in the town any day now? "

"Here's the thing, I haven't stopped taking my birth control. When I can I make excuse to be gone just so he won't have a chance to try," Emma answered. "I'm an awful person ."

"You're not an awful person, Just a complete moron." Her eyes met Emma. "If you don't want a child with the one handed wonder, simply tell him. "

"It's not that simple," her head hung low.

"It really is," Regina hated that she felt the urge to comfort Emma then. She thought about placing her arm around the blonde's shoulder but settled for placing it on top of Emma's hand. "Why don't you want to have Hook's child?"

"I figured you already knew," Emma said as Regina's heart sank. "Henry of course, I've barely been a mom to him. Besides, Killian's nowhere near ready to parent. He thinks Henry should be walking around carrying a sword."

"Why are you two just sitting here," Ruby came up from behind them before Regina could remind Emma that Henry having a weapon was horrible idea. "The least you could do is dance with us. I think at some point you might have to carry your mother home. " She glanced back to Snow who was flailing her arms in the air next to Dorothy. The girl from Oz barely moved her feet.

"What do you say Emma?" Regina drawled out the second syllable a bit playfully. "Should we join the party?"

"If you insist, your majesty," She smiled and followed them out on the dance floor.


They closed the bar down and were nearly forcefully ejected from the Rabbit Hole. "I can not believe I wound up being the most sober of us tonight," Ruby said as Snow, Dorothy, Emma and Regina all piled into her truck. Dorothy was partially in Ruby's lap as she drove out of the parking lot.

"You're the hottest," Dorothy stroked the side of her face with one finger.

"You're not as sexy when you're drunk," Ruby quipped.

"Take it back," Snow shouted from the far side of the vehicle.. "Your True Love's always sexy."

"Shut up," Emma and Regina said at the same time.

"I guess I'll drop Regina off first since it's the furthest from the inn."

"I don't want to go home tonight," Regina confessed. "I'll just rent a room at the inn. You can put it on my tab."

"You mean the one you never pay," Ruby glared at her in the rear view mirror.

"Why don't you come stay at the loft?" Snow cheerfully suggested. "The boys are at Emma's house tonight. There will be plenty of room."

"Are you sure?" Regina asked, While Emma's eyes struggled to look anywhere but Regina's.

Snow squeaked, "It'll be the Step-mother, daughter, granddaughter sleepover that I never got to have."

"Wait," Dorothy burst into laughter. "How have I not put this together before. Regina's your Grandmother?"

"No she's not," Emma argued. "I mean I don't see her that way."

"Well, I would hope not," Dorothy continued laughing."This town is so absurd."

"Well this is it," Ruby said as she pulled up outside the loft. "Have a good night."

"We will," Snow waved goodbye as they drove off.

"Well that should be interesting," Dorothy said as she slid off of Ruby's lap.