Chapter 7

Hello, all. Just wanted to thank you for continuing to review this story, it really helps motivate me!

Emma raises her eyebrow at the three women in front of her, "You want to take Regina out? Like just her?"

Ruby nods her head, Zelena stands there with a scowl on her face thinking about how much she doesn't actually want to do this, she just wants to find out information.

And Tink speaks up, "Yes, we...we feel bad about how we treated her at the bar. Just looking out for you Emma, you know? So we thought we could make it up to her."

Emma doesn't like the sound of this, it was nice but Regina said so herself, she wasn't a people person. "I don't know guys…"

"Oh come on!" Ruby says. "It will be fun! Why do you sound so unsure about it?"

"Because she isn't big on the whole 'hang out with a bunch of new people' thing. I don't know if she'll be up for it. And I can understand Ruby wanting to do this and even Tink but you?" She points to Zelena, "You want to do this? I've known you for a good bit of time, Zelena, you don't do things just to be nice." Emma crosses her arms and eyes Zelena suspiciously.

It's true. Zelena does things that will only benefit herself. She has no interest in wasting her time on being nice to people who, in her opinion, aren't worthy.

She scoffs, "What, you think I have some other motive? If it wasn't for the small regret within me from how I treated her the other night, I wouldn't have been interested in this whole thing."

"As far as I'm concerned, you don't regret anything." Emma throws back at her.

Zelena was trying not to lose her chill, her jaw tightens as she says, "Look, if she's going to be in your life, I'm bound to run into her again. I'm just trying to make it so that things won't be awkward. Which would happen if only Tink and Ruby showed up and I didn't."

She has a point, and Emma wouldn't want Regina to feel awkward around them. She eventually wants her friends to be Regina's friends. Or at least be able to be civilized around each other.

She shrugs, "I guess I could ask her."

Tink shakes her head, "No, we want it to be a surprise." Because they are pretty sure Regina will say no if she knew otherwise.

Emma's mouth opens then closes. Then it opens again, "Fine." There's no harm done if Regina spends an evening with them right? The most she would probably do is get annoyed with Emma for not asking her about it but she would probably get over it. Hopefully.

"Yay! Okay so here's what you gotta do." Ruby explains to her the plan which only consists of texting Regina to meet her at the bowling alley on Saturday night and then not actually show up. And then rest of that night will be unknown to Emma, that is of course until Regina scolds her for it. Emma feels her phone vibrate.

R: I haven't been bowling in ages, but I bet I'd still beat you.

Emma feels a little sad that she won't actually be there, she already misses the brunette even though she just saw her two days ago.

"Ugh guys, I like bowling too you know." She frowns at them and Zelena rolls her eyes.

Ruby smiles sympathetically and Tink laughs at Emma's pout. "Awe honey we know but we can't have Regina hiding behind you and using you as a shield."

"I can help her open up, I swear." Emma cringed a how childlike she sounded but she couldn't help herself. She needed to be with Regina again and soon.

Ruby and Tink look to Zelena whose lips are pursed. Then she speaks, "Oh alright, come. You big baby."

Emma laughs and pats Zelena's arm, "I knew deep down inside you liked me."

Zelena rolls her eyes once more, "In your dreams, Swan. I was simply trying to put an end to your childlike whining."

"Shut up!" The four women all laugh and eventually Emma leaves the park and goes to Granny's to eat before work.

"So is it going to be okay if Emma's there? I feel like she won't like us breathing down Regina's neck when we practically interrogate her." Ruby says.

Zelena shrugs, "Nahh, I think her being there will keep us from going overboard you know?"

Tink nods, "She has a point. Well then it's settled, can't wait!" They all say their goodbyes and part ways.

| Saturday 8:30 pm |

Emma opens her door to a cheerful Belle and greets her with a hug, "Hey, thank you so much for coming today, I know it's not your typical work day so I will give you a little extra money for that."

"Nonsense, you don't have to do that at all Emma!" Belle smiles and walks through the door.

"Belle!" Henry runs out of nowhere and rams into Belle's legs.

"Hey little man! We are going to have an awesome movie night tonight. I brought three movies and tons of popcorn and candy." She rubs his head.

Henry pulls back with wide eyes, "Kit-kats?"

"Of course!" Belle pulls them out of her bag to show him.

"Yay!" He jumps up and down.

Emma smiles at the interaction between the two of them. She couldn't have found someone better to watch Henry when she couldn't herself.

Emma says, "Did you bring your overnight things to stay tonight?" Her voice full of concern.

"Mhmm. It's in my car."

Emma sighs with relief, "Alright, then I am good to go. You guys have fun! Love you Henry!" She gives them both quick hugs and heads to her car.

XXX

Emma arrives at the bowling alley a few minutes before nine. When she walks in, Regina is waiting on a bench for her that sits across the counter. Of course she's already here. Emma smiles at Regina's huge need of being early everywhere she goes.

She told the others to come at around 9:10 so she could inform Regina that they were coming. When she nears the bench, Regina sees her and stands up with a smile. "Hey!"

"Hi." Regina says shyly before wrapping her arms around Emma's strong back, wanting to stay there all night. Emma's arms wrap around her tight, as if letting her go could hurt her. Regina felt so warm and safe in Emma's arms which was pretty comical considering she was the monster in this situation. Emma was the one that should want to feel safe.

They finally let go and head to the counter to pay for a lane and get their shoes.

They make there way over to the lane on the far left of the bowling alley and put their shoes on. "Ready to get your ass kicked?" Regina says with an evil smile.

"Pff. Please, you think that's going to happen but I will be doing the kicking thank you very much." Emma holds her nose high in the air.

Regina pokes her repeatedly on the shoulder, "I'll believe it when I see it."

Emma chuckles and pushes her hand out of the way. Then she remembers that they won't be alone tonight. Damn. Regina starts typing their names into the system.

"Uhh, Regina?"

Regina turns her head from the keyboard, "Hmm?"

Emma rubs her hands together, "There's more people coming."

"Who?" She asks curiously.

"Tink, Ruby, and Zelena. It was their idea actually...they felt bad about the bar thing and how they were being kind of weird and because they were just looking out for me...not that they need to even-"

Regina stops Emma's babbling by grabbing her anxious hands, "Hey why are you so nervous?"

Emma sighs, "I just know it's not really your thing and I didn't want to upset you. I care about you a lot Regina...and honestly I would love it if you were friends with my other friends." Her cheeks get red with what she just admitted.

Regina feels...a couple things right now. For one, she feels so happy that Emma cares about her enough to actually want to share other aspects of her life with her. But she also feels guilty. She initially wanted to kill everyone besides Emma. But those are people that the blonde cares about, could she possibly do that to her? Especially after what Emma just told her?

I guess the results of tonight will determine that.

She gives her a reassuring smile, "I care about you too, Emma. And I'd be happy to give your friends another chance."

And she did want to, for Emma's sake. Also, it couldn't hurt since she could maybe get some more info out of them. Although honestly, she just wants to have fun tonight.

Emma's eyes light up with life, "Oh thank god. That's good to hear because they just walked in." They both give the three women a wave and add their names to the scoreboard while they purchase their shoes.

XXX

The night started with light conversation and with making fun of how bad Tink bowled.

She glares at them, "Stop! Do you see how small I am, I can't get good power!"

Emma and the others laugh, "Do you see Regina? She is pretty tiny too yet her ball flies down that lane. So I don't want to hear your excuses!"

Tink sticks her tongue out at Emma.

Regina is enjoying herself, which of course she never doubted. She was trying to hold her insane strength back but there's only so much she can do. She's just hoping she doesn't put a hole in the lane…

Emma goes up to bowl her last turn of this game and Zelena decides it's time to dig, "So Regina, you're new in town which doesn't happen often here in Storybrooke. Where are you from anyways?"

"I'm from New York. Ithaca, New York to be exact." Which was the truth, it's where she was born and raised. And it's where the accident happened. But she tries not to think about that right now.

Ruby's eyes go wide, "Ooo cool, I've always wanted to go to New York!"

Before Regina can respond, Emma calls her name. "You're up! And you may have been a few points ahead of me as of our last turn, but I just got a spare so take that!"

"Oh it's on." Regina looks at her with fierce eyes. She picks up her bowling ball and takes her sweet time walking up to the front of the lane, swaying her hips slightly which causes Emma to swallow hard. Such a tease.

Regina brings her hand back so swiftly, like it's a feather in her hand instead of a 12-pound ball. Then she swings it forward, the ball flies down the lane at just the right spot, giving her a strike. She does a little jump, "Woo!"

Emma glares at her, "Damnit!"

Regina swirls her finger in the air in a circular motion, "Turn around, Miss Swan."

Emma looks at her, confused, "What, why?" She turns around anyways.

Regina gives her a light kick on her butt, "Because I just kicked your ass!"

Emma mouth hangs open as the other three women chuckle at the scene they just witnessed. Zelena says, "Ha-ha Swan. That's what you get for being so cocky."

"Yeah yeah yeah, whatever! This was my practice round, next round I am owning all of you."

"We'll see about that." Regina challenges.

The night ended with Regina winning two games and Emma winning one. Tink was last in all of them while Ruby was fourth and Zelena was third. It was a great night for them all.

Unfortunately, they didn't get much information from Regina. Nothing that they could really work with. They found out that she was from New York, that she moves around a lot, that she lives alone, and that she came here temporarily because of the infamous nature of Storybrooke. All in all, she just seemed like an ordinary woman. But there had to be a reason for the scent thing.

Zelena and Tink walk on the sidewalk away from the bowling alley.

"She has to be alone, without Emma. And maybe we should use some sort of persuasion spell? Oh or maybe one that makes someone speak the truth. That has to be a real thing, right?" Zelena questions.

"I hope so, it would be a lot easier. Ruby got her number before she left so at least we can ask her ourselves this time." Tink says.

"Oh great. I'm going to go through my attic and see if I can find my old spell books. Then we can try this again. But damn, I'm tired as hell so I'm going to head home. Bye, Tink!"

"Bye, Z." She blows her a kiss.

Zelena gives her a wave and makes sure no one's around at this time of night before poofing back to her house.

Tink rolls her eyes at Zelena's riskiness and then walks to her car.

Emma and Regina offered to clean up their spot so they just now walk out of the bowling alley. Regina tucks her hair behind her ear, "So...I beat you."

"That you did, I should have never doubted you." Emma smiles at her.

"So what's my prize?" Regina asks as she bites her bottom lip.

Emma stares at her lips for a moment before saying, "Isn't the fact that you shattered my ego enough?"

Regina laughs and looks up in thought, "Mmmm, nope. I want something I'll remember, so what can you offer, Miss Swan?"

"Huh, I'll-I'll think of something."

Regina smirks, "I'm sure you will."

Emma blushes and asks, "So where are you parked?"

"Oh I...walked here."

"You did? Do you want a ride back to your house?"

Regina feels a slight panic, "No, no that's quite alright, I enjoy walking anyways. But thank you."

Emma feels a bit disappointed, she didn't want to say goodbye yet, "Of course, well goodnight Regina."

"Goodnight." They hug each other and head off in opposite directions. But Emma stops just two steps in and calls out her name.

Regina turns around, "Yes?"

So, she wants something memorable huh? Emma thinks before closing the gap between them and bringing her lips to the brunette's. Regina's arms automatically grab onto Emma's waist. She softly moans into Emma's mouth. This sensation felt incredible.

Emma cups Regina's face with her hands. The heat and energy that coursed through her was insane, she felt electrified. Her hands were tingling and her heart was racing. Their lips moved perfectly together, as if it was meant to be. She pulls away so she doesn't get ahead of herself, "What that memorable enough?" She asks, slightly breathless.

Regina tries to catch her own breath, from the kiss and from being taken by such a pleasant surprise. She was absolutely speechless.

She just grins and nods her head, a blush on her face. Emma whispers, "Goodnight." She walks away before Regina can even process what to say or do next. She walks back to the cave feeling as if she was floating.

My cuties! Gosh I love them, why can't it be real?!