Chapter 6

Leon Black sat in the dusty garage, flipping through a magazine with the radio serving as background noise. He sighed, giving up and dumping the magazine on the pile of the rest of the unwanted papers and reached into his mini fridge for a can of beer. It was only eleven in the morning but who fucking cares, he thought. Even in the days of the curse, people seldom came to the garage. His boss, Michael Tillman, even considered shutting it down at some point.

But after the Sheriff had found Michael's alleged biological children (which he initially denied to be his), he had started spending more time with the two kids. And after the curse broke and everyone gained back their memories, the two kids, Hansel and Gretel, were indeed his and he almost never goes the garage anymore, leaving it to Leon to manage it.

Today however, there was a customer.

"Hi, is this the auto shop?"

Leon surveyed the man who stepped in. He was a tall brunet with a strong physical build, but with sky blue eyes that looked like they conceal something.

"Yeah, whaddya want?" Leon answered gruffly.

"There's been some problem with my vehicle," The man replied, pointing to a small automobile parked outside the garage. "The engine keeps sputtering."

Leon said nothing, just walked forward with his beer in hand and went to examine the engine.

"Isn't it a bit too early for alcohol?" The man raised an eyebrow.

Slamming down his beer on the hood of the car, Leon turned towards the man. "Isn't it a bit too nosy of you to give a shit about other people's business?"

The man laughed and put his hands up in defense. "Sorry man, just trying to strike a conversation."

"Well don't." Leon bit back, turning back to his examination of the engine. "Drive the car in. My tools are inside."

Watching as the man got in and started the car, there was indeed sputtering as the man maneuvered the jerky vehicle into the garage.

"So what's the problem?" The man asked as he got out of the car.

"Malfunctioning battery," Leon replied. "I'll have to check it for ya."

The man nodded, moving away to allow the petite man to work on his vehicle.

After a few moments of silence, Leon broke it. "So are ya new in town? Haven't seen you before."

"You can say that," the man replied. "My name is Daemon Sparks."

"Leon."

"So Leon, how long have you been here?" The man answered, reaching into the mini fridge and helping himself to a can of beer.

"Yeah, make yourself at home," Leon muttered, bending over the ignition system of the car before answering the Daemon guy. "Long enough."

"So you know what you're doing right?"

Leon narrowed his eyes and glared at the grinning man. "What you doubting me, man? Well if you're so smart do shit yourself."

"Hey hey hey!" Daemon hurried and stopped him from walking away. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I'm just worried. This car is my only way of transport."

Leon pulled his arm out of the other guy's grip. "Yea well, think before you spit next time. I've had enough of people treating me as if I were their fucking dog."

Fuck this, he thought bitterly as he worked on the spark plug wires, thinking back about his time in the Enchanted Forest.

Diablo…

He can almost hear that sultry voice purr his name, stroking his sleek black feathers. He remembered thinking how good it felt to be Maleficent's favoured pet, to be better and at a higher position than all those dumb goons who think they can please their Queen better than he does.

"Idiots!"

He remembered crowing along with delight as Maleficent lost her temper at their ineptitude of failing to carrying out what she asked them to do. But all that changed when Maleficent found a new interest in her menagerie of unicorns and left him be. From then on, he was only treated as nothing more but a servant: secondary, and useful in a useless way.

He was gleeful though, after the curse broke and he remembered to look for his Queen. When he found out that she had been slayed in dragon form by the same Saviour who broke the curse, he had mixed feelings. On one hand, he mourned for the death of the only woman who ever held a special place in his heart. On the other, he was satisfied that he had been avenged. Now, he just felt numb.

"It's done." He said, slamming down the hood of the car. "That'll be a hundred and fifty. We only accept cash, by the way."

Leon watched as the man took out his wallet and placed three hundred dollar bills on the table, smiling up at him. "Consider the rest as tips."

Leon eyed him suspiciously. "I wasn't exactly the nicest person to you today. I ain't accepting money for something else."

Daemon dropped his grin and walked to Leon, standing a good head and a half taller than him. The air stung with trepidation as Leon stared up at the guy, suddenly regretting his earlier hostility.

Daemon then bent down so that he was low enough for his breath to hit the other guy's face, flashing a mirthless grin. "You're right, Mr Black. I need a favour from you. A favour you can't refuse."

Almost more than a week had passed since their bodies had swapped and honestly, Emma was enjoying every bit of it. She had dressed up in the former Mayor's power suits and strutted around town, shocking people with her paroxysms of laughter. Then she had went to the library and proceeded to borrow erotic material, discussing with a flustered Belle about the genres of eroticism.

She had even got kicked out of Granny's by Granny herself the day before. Well technically it started with her visiting Ruby while she was on break and then making a bet with her that she can piggyback the tall brunette with Regina's petite physical build (not that she was going to admit that she examines the woman's guns secretly in the bathroom). Even though it was embarrassing to be thrown out on the street giggling like a small kid and Granny shouting after her, at least she won a week's free supply of coffee and bear claws.

People did eventually find out about how the Sheriff and ex-Mayor had an unfortunate case of body swap, which much to Emma's chagrin dissolved all the fun, and proceeded to knowingly greet her with "Sheriff" even though she had Regina's face.

Of course, Regina found out about every one of these incidents and took her own revenge. You see, since Regina was stuck in the Charming household, she had busied herself with whipping up new recipes for her son (but in order to do this, she had to do so for the other Charmings which she didn't mind in expense of her son).

Although Snow usually picked through her food with skepticism (but later still admitted it was great) and Charming just ate in silent content, Emma and Henry were usually the ones who asked for second helpings. Now she would do anything for Henry and cooked what she liked, but when it came to Emma, it didn't matter if she magicked the food to make it tasteless for her, or saltier (which she watched in blatant delight as Emma's face changed once her tongue touched the spoon). After that, Emma never asked for seconds anymore.

Regina hated to admit it but she had morphed into a routine in the Charming household. Every morning, she would wake up to Snow's less-than-savoury blueberry pancakes and walk Henry to school with Emma. Then Emma would go to the station to investigate more about the fissures (but recently and thankfully, they had disappeared just as sudden as they appeared) while she went to grocery shop for real food (instead of the frozen ones stocked up in the Charmings' fridge) before going back to her own house to tidy up because God forbid dust to settle in her home. Then she would head over to Henry's school to pick him up only to find the irritating blonde (technically now a brunette but that she's still a blonde at soul) already grinning up at her and waiting.

Then they'd hate over to Granny's for an ice cream or some iced latte (in her case) before heading back.

Regina eyed Emma suspiciously as the other woman squirmed in her seat as they sat today at their usual booth, waiting for Ruby to come with their ice cream.

"What did you do this time, Ms Swan?" Regina immediately hissed when their son went to the washroom.

"Wh-what? Nothing!" Emma chuckled nervously. "Seriously Regina, take a chill pill."

Her eyes widened though and Emma quickly ducked under the table, causing Regina to give a yelp of surprise as the other woman grabbed her legs and hid behind them.

"Ms Swan!"

"Ms Mills?" Granny asked, still a bit doubtful of whether she was acknowledging the right person.

"Yes Eugenia," Regina sighed, attempting to kick her legs free from the other woman's hold on them. "I'm sure the news has spread around town."

Granny nodded, placing her and Emma's ice creams down on the table and Henry's sundae to his place opposite them in the booth. Then she cleared her throat. "Sheriff, I know you're under there."

There was a moment's hesitation, then Emma crawled out from under the table none to gracefully (much to Regina's embarrassment because after all, it is her body) and grinned sheepishly at the elder woman.

Granny narrowed her eyes at her. "No more antics I hope, Sheriff."

Emma saluted and nodded firmly. "Affirmative."

When Granny finally left them, she heaved a sigh of relief and slumped against the seat of the booth.

"I'd hate to know what you've done to Granny." Regina started, already expecting the worst.

Emma took a deep breath then said it all out in one breath. "IsortofgotkickedoutofGranny'syesterdaybecauseIpig gybackedRubyandwesortofknockedthingsover."

"WHAT?"

"Mom! You ordered ice cream? That's a first!"

Emma breathed out through her mouth, saved by Henry as he got back from the washroom and slid back into the booth sitting opposite his mothers.

"Well, I was in a good mood before, but not anymore." Regina replied as she glared at Emma.

Henry expectantly looked toward his birth mother and gave him a look that he obviously got from his adopted mother.

"Emmaaaaaaaa," he whined. "What did you do this time?"

"Nothing too serious, kid." Emma winked and Henry broke into a smile, digging into his sundae.

The rest of the afternoon passed without incident as the trio made their way back home.

That night just as Regina was preparing for bed, a soft knock sounded from the bedroom door. She opened it to see herself dressed in Emma's tank top and boy shorts and she arched an eyebrow. "It being the ninth night, I know what I should expect in concern of your sleepwear but somehow I still find myself surprised whenever I see my body dressed in such… pedestrian clothes."

Emma assessed her own body in silk pajamas and replied "I'm no different myself."

Regina rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here, Ms Swan? It's late and I need my sleep."

"So do I," Emma said as she pushed past Regina, dragging her blanket and pillow along with her. "The couch's not comfy and I miss my bed. Besides you've had this room for a week, it's my turn."

Regina remained at the doorway and folded her arms. "If you think I'm actually going to move to the couch, you're solely mistaken."

Emma ignored her, fixing her pillow beside Regina's and settling comfortably in the bed. "Oh God," she moaned. "This is the sex. I've never felt so comfortable in my life."

"Can that even sound the least bit appropriate," Regina said as she closed the bedroom door and made her way over, standing at the foot of the bed. "Get out of the bed, Ms Swan."

"No can do, honey boo." Emma smirked, already having rolled over on her side and closed her eyes.

There was a still moment, then Emma felt the bed dip behind her and her eyes shot open. "What are you doing?"

"Why Ms Swan," Regina drawled, reaching over her side to turn the bedside lamp off. "Since you insist of staying in this room and that I'm not leaving it either, we'll just have to make do."

Emma froze as she felt the older woman shift behind her, her heartbeat starting to race.

"I trust you'll keep to your side of the bed?"

Emma gulped, controlling her pulse before daring to speak. "Wouldn't dream of leaving it."

"Good."

And with that, the two women descended into silence and eventually, slumber.

"Mom," Henry burst into Regina's room. "Have you seen my -"

He stopped in his tracks as he looked at the sight before him. On the bed snuggled closely beneath the covers, were his mothers. Regina had her back toward Emma and Emma had an arm sprawled over Regina's waist, pulling her closer. What was funny was that his adopted mother had a hand over Emma's as well, as if clutching her protectively in sleep.

"Kid, it's too early," Emma mumbled into blonde tresses. "Go back to bed."

"Emma? What are you doing in my mom's bed?"

It took four seconds before his mothers realized their compromising position.

"Oh shit!" Emma scrambled away from Regina. "Regina I'm so sorry, I was unconscious by sleep you know that!"

Regina stretched and yawned lazily, while Emma looked on with wide eyes, waiting for the inevitable. But surprisingly, it did not come.

"You need to work on your boundaries Ms Swan," was all Regina said before she turned to her son. "Henry, if you're looking for your socks I've put them in your second drawer."

Henry looked from nature to nurture before flashing a grin at Emma and thanking his mother then rushing off.

Regina got up and stalked past Emma, with the latter immediately following her tracks.

"So you're not pissed?" Emma probed.

"Why would I be?"

Because we fucking cuddled and I thought that was something Regina Mills does not do? "Because I... crossed my boundary?"

Regina stopped and gazed at Emma before breaking eye contact and replying. "No." Then she disappeared in the bathroom, leaving a very confused (and relieved) Emma in her wake.

One inside, Regina stared hard in the mirror into hazel eyes. The same eyes that looked at her with determination when Emma rescued her from the fire, the same eyes that made a promise and gave assurance at the mines to bring Henry back safely, the same eyes that gazed upon her with a look no one has ever looked at her with. A look that she haven't yet deciphered.

Slowly, she traced the face that she had been calling hers the past 9 days and wondered what it was like to touch it with her own hands. She remembered the first day she emerged downstairs with braided hair. Emma had took one look at her and gaped.

"What?" Regina had asked self-consciously. It had been years since she had long hair and even longer since she had them in braids and she thought she had lost her touch.

"I look beautiful," Emma blushed then laughed, realizing how that sounded. "I mean, I never put my hair in braids and I have never seen myself look like that before. You know, I'm going to hire you as my hairdresser when we get our own bodies back."

For some reason, that remark had ignited something in Regina and although she said nothing, it was certain her heart fluttered.

No, Regina thought as she turned away from the mirror and stepped into the shower. I can't indulge in something that is not there. And never will be.

Mr Gold took his first sip of coffee before the he heard the bell to his shop chime. Annoyed, he stood up and prepared to lash out at whoever had come in because clearly, he had put up the 'closed' sign not five minutes ago. Making his way out to the front of the shop, he frowned at the figure standing before him.

"If you did not notice, the shop is closed."

"Mr Gold, right?" Daemon flashed his grin at him.

Mr Gold narrowed his eyes, an uneasy feeling washing over him. Why did this person seem so familiar? "Do I know you?"

"Nope." Daemon said, inspecting the various items in the shop. "But I have something you want. No wait, let me correct that. Something you need."

Daemon took the box he had been holding and set it on the glass mantel, opening it. "Look inside," he gestured, watching Mr Gold's every move as he peered in.

"The globe…" Mr Gold trailed off disbelievingly, attempting to touch it.

But Daemon swiftly snatched the box back, narrowing his eyes. "I don't think so."

"Who do you work for?" Mr Gold snarled. "And what do you want?"

"You don't need to know the former," the younger man replied. "But I'll tell you what I want. And if you want this," he held up the box. "It's at best you co-operate."

"You're not from around here, aren't you?" Mr Gold asked, examining the younger man.

Daemon said nothing, only smirked and shook his head. "The longer of my time you waste is the longer of your time I waste."

Mr Gold stared hard at Daemon. "Speak."

And speak Daemon did.

A/N: Thank you for everyone who read, favourited, followed and reviewed this story! I know this update is quite soon but I've got time on my hands today so why not? Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and all mistakes are mine!