A/N: I had to.

Disclaimer in the previous chapters.

"I do apologise for being late to this date, considering the fact that this town is a bit on edge at the moment."

The latest in this dating fiasco is Mayor Regina Mills, who, surprisingly, was a dear friend of Penelope's during her days as a vigilante hacker. The blonde had been reconnecting with all her contacts when she was the Black Queen and somehow managed to hook the linguist up with a date while doing so.

Blake could already tell that this woman pulled through from a dark past, but she doesn't pry. She senses a cold, demanding tone dripping in the mayor's voice but can fish out the regret, melancholy, and hollowness hiding underneath.

There's also determination. A very dedicated one.

"You don't have to worry anymore, Mayor Mills," the linguist reassures, setting the half-empty mug of coffee on its coaster. "You are present, and that's all that matters now."

The raven-haired woman manages a small, warm smile as she takes the seat across from the FBI Agent. It's definitely a practice she is not used to doing, the smile, but Blake does grin back in appreciation for the effort. She has only arrived in Storybrooke a couple hours before and has already been warned by a selective few civillians of the ruthless, cold mayor they have.

Could be a misunderstanding. Maybe she's like that because of a mishap, disastrous moment, in the past. Turning new leaves is really a difficult task to manage.

It could be love. The whole issue.

God, will you keep your mind to yourself?

"I've heard quite a bit about you, Dr. Blake." It's an opening. She's starting the conversation. My God, she's analysing me. No, shit, stop! No profiling! No! "A fascinating history you have, I must say."

"People tend to describe it as that when they want to avoid the words 'depressing' or just plain miserable."

Oh my God, you are the worst on this.

But the mayor simply nods. "I admire your honesty, Dr. Blake. Not most people have the courage to face the facts and voice them out loud." The waitress, Ruby, hands over a cup of coffee and nods when Regina gives gratitude for the service.

"Well," Blake replies, "I'm not most people." She's giddyish on the inside when she finally uses Emily's line for a smooth transition.

Regina's soft grin cracks through her stern face. "Indeed so, Dr. Blake." She purses her lips on the mug and sips the burning hot liquid with a sense of satisfaction as it runs down her throat. "So, I gather that my dear friend Penelope Garcia works with you in the BAU? As a profiler?"

Blake internally smacks herself. Screw profiling tendencies!

"Oh, please, don't punish yourself!" The noirette mayor's voice sounds vile, but the intent is more conscious and caring. "Honestly. I'm a lost cause, and I don't like to admit it. But I've done my share of shit in the past. I can't be cold to you when you've just been worrying about me." She sighs. "I've seen those eyes, Dr. Blake. Penelope Garcia invented it."

There's relief inside the linguist's mind, but guilt still clashes within.

"I should be sorry for that," she speaks after her hesitation dies down a bit, "God, I feel like a stalker. I can feel every spec of dirt on my skin."

Somehow, she thinks about Emily. Ponders deeply about the younger Interpol Agent that had stole her attention and unintentionally has her wrapped around her finger. How (stupidly) in love she is.

This isn't right. Not when Regina is struggling and needs the comfort someone else now.

I need help, oh my God.

"You know, for such a respected and brilliant profiler that you are, you're terribly pitiful when it comes to hiding your own endearment to someone else." It's like Regina snatched her own conscience's words and made a small pep talk of it. "I'm more disappointed that dear Penelope hasn't noticed. Even the dwarfs in this town could see how lovesick you are."

That brings a light chuckle out of the linguist.

"Everyone I've dated since I slid my ring off gathered." She shrugs, making a 'tsk' sound with her tongue. "She probably knows, but she just doesn't know who. I think that's the problem."

Regina cocks a brow, which practically screams 'BULLSHIT!' Blake resists the urge to scoff, not ready to ruin such a moment like this.

"Do not run away from these feelings, Dr. Blake," she demands, her imperative tone coming to light. The linguist almost feels ridiculed. "Penelope matched you with me for a reason. It's the why that I haven't figured till now."

"Are you—?"

"Yes, but that's not the point here. You have a chance with her, I know it. You know it."

"Ma'am—"

"Regina, please."

"Regina, I have no idea what went on through your life, and I have a suspicion that it was difficult, but this isn't just about my life. It's different." A sigh of defeat as she chides in herself again for snapping at the woman. "It's also about her."

"Then tell me about her."

Blake's dark eyes meet with a similar set from Regina's. In that moment, the linguist comes undone.

"She doesn't know it but she has a huge impact on everyone she cares about. She's a profiler, like me, and she worked for the BAU before she went back to England and I became her replacement. Before I met her, I would always hear these stories of this badass, amazingly talented, courageous dark-haired woman that never failed to bring out a smile in anyone. And then one of the agents in our team was kidnapped."

She pauses, taking in a deep breath. "We couldn't do much within our reach, so our boss called her, and she didn't hesitate to break any internation laws concerning this and flew back to Virginia to aid the team. The agent was rescued, and to celebrate, we went out. She and I managed to break through the ice, and we exchanged numbers before she left."

"And so you and her bonded with a long distance relationship." Blake nods at the other woman's conclusion.

"Very much so."

Regina looks down at her coffee mug; the beverage has long since chilled due to the cold weather and the atrocious heating system the diner has. She grimaces, yet she tentatively brings the drink to her mouth and downs it with one final gulp. She had forgotten the caffiene as she listened carefully to Blake's emotions pouring out of her mouth.

"She's quite similar, like me, right? A dark past but unlike becoming a icy-cold bitch to shield the pain, she closes herself with protective walls and dismisses her past whenever someone wants to pry her open a bit."

It definitely burns when she deliberately deadpans the truth out. Blake's pride is easily shattered, though she does not admit it.

"Dr. Blake, if I know myself, then I definitely know that I won't make the first move," Regina states, crossing her legs. "Talking from personal experience, she's probably falling in love with you. If not already head over heels for you. Penelope's on vacation, so I assume that you are too. Go get on a plane to England and tell. Then maybe kiss or go out to dinner. My business is only to tell you that you need to get your act together."

"Will do." Blake excuses herself from the seat. "And Regina?"

"Yes?"

"Only my students and acquaintances know me as Dr. Blake. I am Alex to you if I'm going to call you by Regina."

When she leaves, there's a soft smile on Regina's face that only occurs when her son is around.

"Penelope Garcia, you fine genius."

This is a really bad idea.

No, goddammit, Blake, stop being a pussy and call her!

Holy shit, I am really that much of mess right now, aren't I?

YOU STUPID FUCK, JUST CALL EMILY ALREADY AND TELL HER!

Blake scares herself with that last thought as she sprays out the tap water inside her mouth. Note to self: don't mentally attack yourself while drinking or eating something. Her eyes are set on her phone, which keeps buzzing notifications from Garcia and JJ, who are curious on how it went down with Regina.

She decides to stay in Storybrooke for the night when a snowstorm hits the town, practically immobilising vehicles and preventing anyone from roaming throughout unless they wanted to be admitted to the hospital with severe frostbite. Regina offers her a guest room over at her house, but she settles with the cozy Inn next to the Diner, since she does enjoy Ruby and Widow Lucas' company. But as sweet as they are, the linguist admits to herself that she only stayed with them so she could work out some issues boiling within them.

It eventually does.

Suddenly, a call from Emily gets Blake grabbing her phone and answering on the first ring. When she puts the noirette on speaker, she could hear laughing on the other end.

"Blaaaaaaaaaaake..."

The linguist almost feels sorry for the woman. She's calling her at 4 in the morning and is certainly hammered from her slurred speech. Still, Blake is amused.

"Wello hello, Agent Prentiss, how can I help ya?" She couldn't but bring out a snicker under her breath.

"Girrrrl, I am soooooooooooooo drunk!"

"I can deduce so."

More laughter. This time, another woman joins in.

Blake is taken back, almost alarmed, by this. No, you're not going to be jealous!

"Oh, oh, how was yourrr daaaaate??"

The lump in the linguist's throat clears. "She was, uhm, great. I just we're better off as friends instead." For fuck's sake, what the hell are you doing??

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh, that's toooo baaaaad. She would've liiiked yooouuu in bedddd."

Wait, what?

She snorts. "Oooops. Fuck. I'm juuuuuuuust spilling shiiiiit froooom my heeeeeaaad nooooooow. That's whaaaat haaappens when you're druuuuuuuunk."

"Okay, Emily, you need to go home now," Blake responds, her tone hinting demand and envy.

"Fiiiiiine, mom. I'll haaaave Vaaalerie bring me back to my flaaaaaaaaat."

Valerie. Definitely a woman.

Blake shrugs the thought off. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, hun, when you're having a killer headache and taking painkillers while emptying your stomach."

"Meeeeeeanieeeee!"

The line goes dead, and Blake smacks her face with her palm. Really? You had to be a fucking bitch to her when you were absolutely ready to confess your feelings right there?

Oh, you're kidding me, right. She was drunk.

That's still not the right behaviour to act like! It was immature!

On the right side, she did slide in the fact that you're good in bed. Hmm?

She didn't tell you about Valerie till now. Who knows, she could've been dating her for months behind your back!

Behind your back??? You aren't dating her! A year ago, she only knew you through slight mentions from Garcia!

For crying out loud, Blake, you're talking to yourself again!

But that bed comment was kind of suspicious.

I'm really bad at this. I hate myself. I wish I didn't marry James. I just.

She's in love with you, dammit.

No.

Oh, I crave hell.

"I'm in love with you, Emily Prentiss, and I'm going through living hell because of this. And I hate you because you make me feel like this, goddammit!"

Tears fall from her reddened eyes.

"God, I love you, Emily Prentiss. I'm coming for you."

A/N: Hello, this is almost done. (sorry if I got Regina a bit OOC, but Garcia has an influence on everyone and so must she!)