A/N:a little fluff, well a lot, while still being important to the story. Not seen in the present(this chapter). reviews suggested :) enjoy this chapter. Mistakes are my own. I don't own any characters.

A little over 2 years ago..

Smokey Gray clouds form over StoryBrooke causing a kind of gloom that followed everyone around. It followed the kids to school, and the adults to work, causing everyone to feel sad and worrisome.

Emma's phone beeps..

'Meet Sydney at granny's diner in 15 minutes, he will explain further. Remember your sons life is on the line Savior.'

She flips her phone closed, throws on her blue jacket, grabs her keys and heads for the door.

"Mom!" Calls Henry from the living room.

"Yeah, kid?"

"My mom just texted me, she wants me to come over there later, can I go?"

"Sure, Henry. That's fine."

"Are you going to work in that weather?"

"Yeah, I have to provide for us."

"But, it's not safe out there."

You have no idea. She thinks but replies "I'll be fine, I'll just come home early, how does that sound?"

"Uh, I guess that's fine. Do I have to go to school?"

"No way, you stay here. Lock the doors and windows and stay away from them. Don't answer them for anyone alright kid?"

"What's going on?"

"Just do it Henry, promise me you won't open them." she said with seriousness on her face.

"Okay, I won't mom, I promise."

"Good, I have to go. Love you."

"Love you too. Be safe."

"I will. You too." And with that she walks out the door and gets into her yellow bug and drives towards the diner.

Emma arrives at granny's, takes a deep breath and walks in.

"Emma, the usual double shot espresso?"

She smiles and says "No, not today, but thank you. I will have a hot chocolate though."

"Coming right up, nasty weather we are having this morning, what's up with the clouds?" Granny asked.

"Not sure, but hopefully it'll clear soon." She says sitting at the counter.

"Ms. Swan" Sydney says from the booth behind her.

Ignoring him, she says to granny "on second thought can you make me some eggs over easy, it's going to be a long day."

"Yes, of course."

She then gets up and walks over to Sydney's booth. "You might want to be more discreet Mr Glass."

"Of course. But this is important."

"I do not trust you or gold, so let's not sit here and pretend we are friends. Do you have what I need?"

"You don't have to talk to me in that tone swan, but yes I do. Regina usually comes in here after work Monday's and Thursday's. When she comes in here, she usually comes alone. But we both know that she doesn't need back up. She usually orders coffee and beef stroganoff. I need you to slip this into her coffee. It's black just like she takes her coffee so it shouldn't be to hard. Virtually tasteless, so she won't notice."

"She must've really did a number on you if you are willing to kill her without an ounce of remorse Sydney."

"She is only getting her just desserts. Oh and if you don't mind, I told granny that you'll be paying for my breakfast. If you'll excuse me." He says purposely bumping into her and dropping the vial into her jacket pocket.

"One more thing Sydney. You never said a time."

"Around 6 or 7. It's always a sitting game with Regina. You'll see."

"Right." She says shoving her hand in her pocket and grimacing.

"Emma your eggs are ready dear." Called granny's sweet voice.

"I'll take them to go, suddenly I'm not so hungry. Thank you though."

"Sure. Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, it's fine. The weather and things, it's kind of getting to me."

"Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me." Granny says with a laugh.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you. I'll see you later on."

"Be safe Emma. It's ruthless out there."

"I will."

Emma grabs her bag of food and walks to her car, gets in and drives to the station.

Text beep

'Follow the plan, and I'll leave your son alone. You have my word.'

'Okay.' She types back, fear creeping up her spine. She'd never intentionally killed anyone before. Sure, Regina has been a pain in her neck since she's met her, but was she really willing to take her life? Was having Henry to herself worth more blood spilled?

Emma argued back and forth with herself for over an hour, until her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey, I'm sure Henry asked, but I was wondering if I could have him tonight? I know you have him during the week, but this weather and all. Can I have him for the night? I'll drop him at school tomorrow and you can have him after." Regina's voice asked through the receiver.

Emma's stomach clenched. This was the perfect opportunity to have a reason to meet with her at the diner. It was now or never.

"Yeah, sure. I don't mind. What time would you like me to drop him off at your house?"

"Can you bring him to granny's diner tonight around 6:30? I'd appreciate it a lot."

"Sure, Regina. Keep him safe."

"I always keep him safe. Thank you. See you later."

"Wait, one more thing Regina."

"Yes?"

"Can I eat with you guys tonight, I don't want to be alone."

"Uh, I guess Emma. Don't be late."

"Alright. Thanks." Her heart sinks as she ends the call.

The morning passes to noon, noon passes to evening, and at 5 she's in her car headed home to pick up Henry.

"Hey kid, where are you?"

"I'm up here, mom." He calls from upstairs.

"You ready to go?"

"Just about, mom said you were eating with us tonight, so I thought I'd put on something nice." He said walking down stairs in some black jeans and a button down.

"Don't you look handsome." Emma's says kissing his cheek.

"Aren't you going to change?"

"No, there isn't much time."

"Mom, we have an hour. Please?" He asked with his innocent smile.

"Fine kid, but I don't think there's anything wrong with what I have on." She mutters taking the stairs two at a time trying to calm her nerves.

She descends the stairs twenty minutes later in light blue skinny jeans, a purple long sleeve low dip V-neck, and three inch purple heels.

She does a once over in the hallway cheval mirror, and says "Well?"

"Mom, your hair?"

She shakes her hair out and does a quick French braided messy bun. "Kid, that's the best you're gonna get."

"You look great. Now we are ready to go."

"Okay, let me grab my purse and I'll be ready. Check your back pack, make sure you have everything." She yells shooting back up the stairs.

Grabbing her purse, and checking to see that the potion was tucked safely in it, she closed her bedroom door and takes a deep breath.

"Mom, let's go, it's already 6, and you know the queen hates when we are late!" He yells from the bottom of the stairs.

"She hates a lot of things kid." Emma jokes trying to lighten her mood. She grabs the keys and ushers Henry out the door.

They arrive at the diner at 6:28 and get a booth in the back. Fifteen minutes later Regina shows up.

"You told me not to be late, but yet it's 6:43 Regina."

"No, I told you not to be late, I didn't say I would show up at that time, Ms Swan."

"At least one of us is practical." Emma says rolling her eyes.

"Anyways, Henry I missed you dear." Regina says pulling him into a hug. "And you're looking nice, I might add."

"Thanks, you look nice yourself, did you wear that to work?"

"No, that's why I'm late. I decided to stop home and change clothes since Emma wanted to crash our dinner tonight."

"I'm just glad you have an excuse." Emma taunts.

"You actually look decent tonight Emma, who knew you owned anything outside of that wretched jacket." Regina jokes.

"I'll take that as a compliment, even though I'm sure it was meant as an insult. You look nice yourself. Who knew you didn't always look like a prude."

"Mom, mom. Stop. Let's eat. I'm hungry." Henry jumps in.

"What do you have a taste for?" Regina asked.

"I'm not sure, probably a hamburger and fries."

"Do you eat anything else?" Emma jokes.

"Not really." Henry laughs.

"What'll you have Ms Swan?"

"Probably the same thing as Henry."

"Then I guess I'll have the same. Why not?"

"Cool." Henry smiles and goes to put their orders in.

Ruby walks up and offers them coffee. They both accept graciously. Henry returns with a soda.

Emma phone buzzes in her pocket. She takes it out and reads the text. 'Let me know when it's done. -Sydney'

She looks at Henry and then to Regina.

"Something wrong mom?"

"Um, no. Just a text from my parents saying to be nice." She quickly thinks and spurts aloud.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you I told them we were hanging out tonight."

"Yeah, you did kid." She said through a relieved breath.

"I'm sure their not pleased with you hanging out with me tonight. In fact I do have something for you to tell your parents Emma."

Emma raised an eyebrow.

"Tell your parents that they aren't my priority anymore. I have bigger things to worry about."

"Bigger things to worry about?" Emma questions.

"Don't worry about that, just let your parents know."

"Okay. I guess. Not that you would've succeeded in taking them down."

"If that's what you think." She says rolling her eyes.

"Look the foods ready, mom can you come with me to get the plates?" Henry questions staring at Regina.

"Of course Henry."

Emma's heart starts pounding. She reaches into her purse and latches onto the small vial. She looks towards the counter at Henry smiling and laughing with his mom. She grips the vials really tightly whispering "Just do it Emma, for Henry. For your parents. Just do it." She looks up again and catches the sparkle in Regina's eyes. "I-I can't do this!" She says louder than she means.

Regina, Henry, and granny look at her with questioning faces.

"Sorry, I, I have to go." She says getting up to leave.

"Mom, what's wrong? You've been acting strange today."

"Nothing, I, I'm fine. This was fun. Good night Henry. Regina this was nic–"

"Emma, typical of you to ruin this night. Only I won't let you. You can take out 30 minutes to have a decent meal with your kid and I. Now, sit back down and we will pretend you didn't just almost make a fool of yourself."

Emma stares at her for a second, about to dispute, but thinking about what she was just about to do, she obliged.

Henry and Regina come back with the plates and set them on the table. They eat in silence for a few minutes.

"So, how's Robin?" Emma asked to lighten the mood.

"Ancient history."

"Oh. Sorry..."

"I'm not. How's killian?"

"We broke up last week. The stress of my job and such."

"Mom, he didn't deserve you. He only cares about himself."

"Yeah, but it's cool."

"I'm sure one day someone will put up with your absurd ways Ms Swan, you just need someone that will keep you on your toes."

"Again, I'm not sure if you're giving me a compliment or an insult. But thanks. I think." Emma says with a crooked smile.

"You're welcome." Regina says laughing.

Phone buzz.

"Sorry, I have to take this." Emma says excusing herself.

"What Sydney?!"

"Is it done?"

"No, it's not. And I'm not going to do it. Tell Gold that if he wants to kill her to do it himself. And if he tries to harm Henry, I will kill him with my bare hands." And with that she hangs up and walks back over to the table.

"Who was that mom?"

"Uh, nobody."

"Killian?" Regina inquires.

"Yeah." She jumps at the opportunity.

"Everything okay?"

"Everything is fine. Anybody up for desert?"

"My, my, you sure can eat swan, I'm full."

"Henry?"

"I'll have a piece of granny's special blueberry pie."

"Well if it's blueberry, I'll have a slice to take home." Regina adds.

"Okay, I'll go get three slices and pick up the tab, since I did kind of cause a scene."

"Kind of?" Regina jokes.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be right back with the pie." Emma retorts.

"Mom, admit it, you had fun." Henry says staring into her eyes.

"It wasn't an overall disaster."

"And you sort of had fun."

"I sort of had fun." She says, scrunching up her face.

"I knew it." He smiles.

She smiles back and ruffles his hair.