David had taken to going to the Rabbit Hole for a couple of drinks before going home small bachelor apartment he'd taken after Jim moved into the Nolan house and Snow had told him she wanted to take a break. The job at the Sheriff's office was a bit more stressful than the animal shelter as people adjusted to having two lives in their heads and remembering all the old grudges.

Emma didn't seem to understand how violent Enchanted Forest society could be and seemed more disturbed by the number of domestic disturbances. Regina's curse had put more than a few enemies right next door to each other.

Or in the same bed.

It was a clear night and he was driving a bit faster than he should when he rounded the curve and saw the mayor's Mercedes in his lane coming straight at him. Before he swerved he could swear he saw the crazy bitch smiling behind the wheel. He lost control of the truck and ran off the road hitting a tree and his head on the on the wheel.

Regina had stopped her car without arboreal help and with a calm deliberation got out from behind the driver's seat and assessed the damage with a smile. She pulled David from the cab and left him in the ditch, tossing an empty whiskey bottle on the floor for good measure before coming back to the fallen Prince Charming. She pulled him up and one whiff of his breath made her shake her head in disgust... "Next time I might not even bother with the empties."

Still she forced a bottle into his mouth and in his semi conscious state he drank about a third of it before she dropped him in the ditch, sprinkled more alcohol n his clothes and dropped the bottle next to him. A wave of her hand took away any memory he had of the drive and she smiled, "Sleep tight Prince Charming, I'm sure someone will find you before morning."

Regina got back into her car drove on into town. The light in the Pawn Shop was open, and she could see Rumple still working at the counter with a fine jewelers lope. She walked into the shop without a greeting and he looked up, "I see someone is in trouble this evening, staying up late and ruining lives."

"As are you I see," Regina responded cheerfully. "I want something from you."

"I'm sure you do, but I'm not sure I have anything that would be all that useful in your new hobbies."

She ignored the bait, he could no longer see the future and he was fishing for information, "My affairs are mine and yours are yours Gold. As long as we don't get in each other's way there is no reason not to be civil."

"Except for Belle." And the shift in his expression and the darkness in his eyes told her to tread carefully.

"I'm sure you are pampering her and driving her away at the same time but my concern is not your kept woman but rather something I'd like to purchase."

"What makes you think you can afford anything I might have for sale?"

Regina raised an eyebrow, "Because you prefer to make deals than not. Now... do you have anything that would have belonged to Maleficent's child?"

He smiled broadly and, "Well dearie, that is an interesting request." From under the counter he pulled a small box decorated with horns and opened it to reveal a small broken baby's rattle. Regina smiled. "Perfect."

Rumple closed the box and pulled it away from her. "The price."

She rolled her eyes, "Could you at least leave the theatrical haggling to someone who doesn't know you so well Rumple?"

"What are you doing with the noble little Charming marriage. It's not just about sex."

Regina chuckled, "Information is always the highest price you charge. Alright." She folded her arms, "True love is powerful magic, a bond nearly unbreakable."

He nodded, "Nearly."

"Breaking a true love bond grants powerful dark magic and weakens the magic of anything formed from that original true love bond."

Rumple grinned slowly, "You can't eliminate the Savior's power by destroying her parents."

"I can't," she grudgingly agreed, "But I've learned not to underestimate Emma Swan and I'll take any advantage I can get. Besides, everyone needs a hobby."

She held out her hand and he nodded, handing over the broken silver rattle.

"A pleasure doing business with you, Rumple. For once."

She slipped the dragon claw into her pocket and headed home to her big empty house. As she pulled into the drive way she saw Snow sitting on her porch looking... distraught. Which was really her state most of the time these days. She raised an eyebrow as she walked up to the door, "Are we camping out all night or would you like to come in?"

"Regina... I ... what happened the other day. In the library."

"If I'm going to listen to you talk about how it can't ever happen again I think I'd like a drink, come in?"

Regina was casual about it, wanting to make sure that the Princess couldn't pretend that this relationship had been forced. It had been of manipulated of course, but that was another thing.

Snow nervously stood in the doorway to Regina's study and mayor handed her a glass of expensive scotch, not the rot gut that Charming was currently steeping in along a back road.

"I ... didn't come here to say it couldn't happen again."

Regina raised an eyebrow.

"I've never felt like that before."

"I'm sure even the incompetent you married has gotten you off before Snow, or..." Regina asked with false concern, "Has he not?"

"No.. Yes... " She shook her head...

"Drink dear, it won't make your head clearer but at least your confusion will be more amusing."

"I keep thinking about you touching me like that," she admitted with some shame.

"That would be the point dear," Regina said sardonically.

"I ... want that feeling again."

"You heard what I told you."

Snow set her glass down, empty Regina had noticed. "I want to know what it means to you."

"You want to know what kneeling means?" She laughed, "Snow you understand power better than that."

Snow inhaled, "Tell me what you are after."

"Today, a good night's sleep. Alone," she added. She wasn't going to allow Snow to think that this would happen on any of her terms, including when she decides to show up at Regina's door.

"What do you want me to do?"

Regina smiled, and stroked the back of her finger along Snow's face. "I want you to break my dear. I want you to do what you should have done in the Enchanted Forest. I want you to get on your knees and admit that I am your Queen." She leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Time to stop playing hero my dear, I know exactly what you are. And pure isn't it."

She nodded to the door. "Now get the hell out of my house."

Snow looked at Regina with a mix of horror and awe, before finding her own way out. Once she was gone Regina smiled.

It had been a productive evening.