A/N: I know I've been a bad author! I enjoy typing using google docs, and after finally completing a new SQ story (Three Times the Charm - thanks to all who read it and left reviews, put it in favorites and alerts too), I still got the muse to update. So here I am.

THE LION TATTOO

Seven

After my impromptu visit to Regina three days ago, I decided to make myself scarce. I mean, why would I not make that decision? I made a fool of myself. What the hell has gotten into me that day, making that stupid list and making my way on her study to what? Make a joker out of me? I blame Henry!

Alright, I know it was petty of me to blame the kid, but it was his damn date schedules that made me all gaga about his mother. I think I had that notebook stuck with me for three days… no, erase that, it is still stuck with me until now. Why? Why not? That damn notebook will be the death of me! Imagine my son actually making date schedule for her mother? Aren't sons supposed to be whiny and picky when their mom started dating? But no, Henry proves once again that he isn't like most kids we know, he scheduled his mother's date weekly! Am I angry? YES!

Because I really don't get what all those women want from Regina. They never were interested before, so why now? So I parked myself on my chair in the station, notebook open in front of me… my eyes scanning the schedule, probably for the nth time when I was distracted by no other than my son.

"Have you finally memorized mom's schedule ma?" He asked grinning at me. I just glared at him and watched him raise both his arms in surrender, "I'm not your enemy here ma, as a matter of fact I've been helping you."

"By making a date schedule? Which by the way is going to start this coming Monday… oh and rotational schedule too huh? What's next Henry, are you going to start making sleep schedule for your mom? Plan which of those women shares your mother's bed every other day?"

A frown find Henry's face, "Are you really that jealous of them? And no, there's no way I'm helping mom plan who she's going to have sex with and when!"

"What the hell Henry! You're mom is not going to have sex with any of them… where the hell have you been learning those things?"

"I'm thirteen ma, and we have sex ed class… with the goose." He said grimacing in disgust

"Still, you're not supposed to meddle in your mother's… mother's…"

"Affair?"

I frowned, "There's no affair!"

He laughed at me, that kid of mine laugh at me! After nine months of excruciating experience and laborious night, he dared laugh at me! "Oh ma, you are so in denial! Of course mom is trying to have an affair, that's why she's entertaining those women! Besides, if you didn't get Marian into Storybrooke, you'd only have Robin as competition, and he may not be that hard to fight against!"

"Ahhh," I sneered, "So you are angry at me for making your mom cry, and this -" I said making a gesture at the notebook, "Is an elaborate plot to get back at me, by what? Making me look stupid in front of your mom until I start getting crazy?"

He stepped back a little, "Hey, it wasn't me who told you to make a list and act like a teen age with a crush in front of my mom, that was all you!"

"I hate you," I growled.

I watched him smile at me, "You do realize ma, that there are four women vying for her attention, and mom would be choosing only one, and that they can only see mom once a week? Every other day, rotational remember?"

My ears perked, my boy has a plan? Of course he does, when didn't he have a plan? "Alright I'm all ears." Henry grinned. Damn, I knew it will cost me. "Alright, state your deal RUMPLE," I said feigning an irritated growl. My son truly has more evil blood in him than I thought.

"There's a new game that came out of Mario yesterday…"

"Deal!"

He did that rumple-like giggle again and I rolled my eyes. My son could be the actor when he really puts his mind into it. "Here is the thing…"

-0-

So Henry decided to re open Operation Rider, this time though, it has nothing to do with the henna tattoo, in my head, that part of this unusual event is not close. I know for a fact that the tattoo these women had Marco put on them was why they all suddenly went gaga over the dark haired beauty.

Yes, I admit it, Regina is a very beautiful and sensuous woman, and add that scar on her lip… the appeal is overflowing! Any man or woman would have to be blind not to see it. So maybe the henna used was clean, an enchantment perhaps? Or maybe Robin has something to do with it? He had his tattoo enchanted so that anyone who copied it would make them feel the same way as he did… so does that mean he still harbors feelings for Regina? Fuck him, he had chosen his family and if it was his way of still be in Regina's life at the same time, he is in for a surprise.

No one fucks up Regina's life… not anymore.

Going back to the operation, Henry is sure a clever boy. He actually made sure that each woman would only get to spend a date night with Regina. For the first week, Ruby has the first dib, she'll be meeting with Regina on Monday, followed by Elsa on Wednesday, Friday would be Tinkerbelle's night, and Mulan will have Sunday. The next week, Elsa will start on Monday while Ruby gets Sunday and so on and so forth. So that leaves Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays free…

And damn if he isn't right, I could be the go betweens without them knowing. Sly Henry. Plus, who says about nothing dire happening during their date nights?

-0-

I know people who had worked with me here in Storybrooke tells me about how poor I am when it comes to stealth. The truth is, how the heck can you be real stealthy in a place where magic, wolf and warrior senses are real? I mean, its not as if I learned all those from being a bail bonds person in the non magical world. But if I truly put my mind into it, I could be really stealthy.

So Monday date night puts that theory into a test.

So it happens, and I thank all the gods that Ruby decided to go all romantic on the first night she's having Regina all to herself. Complete with her Granny's basket, her red cape and probably a bag full of god knows what slung on her back, she took Regina to the park.

And she actually decked it with lights in white, yellow and red color. Wide striped blanket on the ground and manages to create a romantic set up without making a mess. And she was able to make Regina actually sit on that blanket despite her A-cut skirt. So, with the wolf and the queen not actually noticing me means my stealth is working just perfectly… either that or they are too engrossed with each other to notice my presence.

Anyway, they exchanged stories (maybe), they laughed, but from where I stand, Regina's were kind of stiff. Well, she maybe pretending to have a good time, for someone dubbed as the Evil Queen, her not wanting to hurt the wolf's feelings is sure not in the evil category. But I could see Ruby really into it, her laugh was wide, her eyes twinkles.

By the power of grey skull… has Ruby really fallen for Regina? That can't be! No, Ruby is just being Ruby, she had been that gay ever since I've met her. There's no way she's going to fall hard for Regina.

This sneaking thing does not bode well.

-0-

The next day, I found myself in the diner early than my regular time. I have a big cup of hot choco, and forgone the cinnamon this time. I am not in the mood for it. The door's bell dinged and in came Ruby. Wide smile in place, jeans, red coat with fur line on the wide collar. She stopped by the booth I was in and placed a hand on my arm.

"That's quite a large serving early in the morning sheriff, and without cinnamon, problem in Storybrooke?" she asked smiling as if she had discovered the secret to returning to Enchanted Forest once again.

"Not really," I grumbled and turned my focus on my mug. I could have said, yes Ruby, there is a problem in Storybrooke and its about a mutt trying to seduce my queen! but then that won't bode well for me isn't it? So all I can do is keep my ire to myself and bite my tongue.

"Are you sure, because you look like hell has come to earth," she teased as per our usual, but I'm not in a teasing mood.

"Just shove it Ruby!" I growled and returned to drinking my cup of chocolate. I would have gone off to the station but I promised Henry that I'm taking him to school today instead of him riding the school bus.

Ruby stepped back with both arms raised, "Whoa, what's stuck up your ass? You don't smell drunk!" she said but she just left me on my own, walked passed me whistling. I guess she really had a great night with Regina and nothing's going to spoil her good luck. I harrumphed…

Wait… she is so cheerful, did she… oh my god, no… did she slept with her? I turned to the kitchen trying to eye the dark haired wolf to no avail. My neck was straining trying to get her attention and come near me so I could gauge if she did or not when I was distracted by a coughing sound behind me.

"You're going to have stiff neck with the way you're ogling Ms. Lucas." My eyes widened and I thought I gave myself a whiplash with how fast I turned my head to the source.

"Re- Regina!" and my outburst caught the waitress' attention.

"Sheriff Swan...!"

"Emma! You've called me Emma before." I said frowning, "And hey, you're early, where's Henry?"

"First, I did call you Emma before you run out on me five days ago and suddenly went MIA. As for Henry, he is coming, he just got stuck speaking with Jefferson's daughter."

"Oh,"

"Sorry about that…"

"Anyway, I need a large cup of coffee, there's going to be a council meeting on budgets this morning and I need all the boost I can get. And good thing I finally get to see you, I need to remind you that you will be included in this budget meeting." I watched her eye my large cup of cocoa, "I guess you're getting your own fill of boost." she smirked, I smiled - goofily may I say.

"Oh, I'll be there… I'm just taking Henry to school."

"He informed me, and another thing Sheriff, our son wanted all of us to have dinner tonight at my house. he specifically requested lasagne and I'm making it. Are you able to come or should I tell our son that his birth mother is…"

"I'll come, six on the dot?"

I could melt from that smile of hers, "Yes, six on the dot." When she took her focus on me, Ruby caught it and she smiled at her when she hurriedly handed Regina a large cup of coffee.

"Put it on…"

"It's okay Regina, I…"

"Put it in my tab then!" I said interrupting the two, grinned at them when they looked at me as if I've grown another head on my shoulder. "What? I'm in a good mood."

"You sucked earlier!" Ruby frowned at me and then crossed her arms over her miniscule breast.

"Yeah, but budget meetings makes my day bright and sunny!" I replied and happily turned, "I'll go get Henry." I said raising the to go chocolate cup I pre ordered earlier. "I can't make him late to school and I don't want to be late in this exciting meeting!" I never knew what their reaction to that 'cause I almost sprinted out of the diner.

Me and my big mouth.

And thumping heart.

-0-

The budget meeting as I assumed was a drag. All the sectors of Storybrooke were represented and everyone is clamoring for additional budgets which Regina and my mother explained that they can't give at the moment. Storybrooke needs more income generating business, but we are in a standstill since we are supposed to be non existent.

There were more explanations given and then more whining from the people so I do what I do best, I tuned the meeting out and focused on what i'm going to bring later to the mansion. She said she's making lasagne, so what kind… I should bring a wine that would match, I mean, I may not be raised sophisticated, but I still know something about dining. So I have no choice but to text Henry, which I did.

The kid promised me that his mother makes either vegetable or mushroom lasagne and I hid a smile. I so happen to be keeping a Roussillon red. Perhaps it's time to break the seal. Now, what to wear…

My attention was caught by Regina looking at me with one raised brow. Oh yes, I remember, budget meetings supposed to make my day bright and sunny. So keep the charade!

As I've said, me and my big mouth.

-0-

I was almost sprinting towards the mansion. My damn bug broke down just at the wrong time. And I did wear something more casual. I took out my suit for tonight, a suit I've worn once in Boston when I got my very first civilian award from the BPD. I had it kept in the deep space of my closet after and I have to run to the dry cleaners for an express dry clean. And then my car went wonky on me, how am I supposed to check on it with me on a suit?

I was slightly panting as I pressed the doorbell, and as I wait, I run my free hand to my hair and stopped when the door opened hurriedly and stood before me was Henry. His mouth was open wide, he was probably going to shout at me for being late… duh, unanticipated car problem could make someone late! But instead of the reprimand, he started laughing.

"Henry, who's there?" Regina's voice echoes through the foyer and my son still wouldn't stop laughing.

"What the hell is so funny kid?" I asked frowning.

"You… you're in a suit… Ma… you…"

"What?"

Whatever he was about to say was interrupted by his mother opening the door wide and then her eyes landed on me. Fuck, did I made a fool of myself again?

And then she smiled wide, "You do clean yourself well Emma," and she called me Emma! A thousand watt smile probably crept on my face. She turned her focus on our son, "Stop laughing at your mother Henry, go prepare the table." she said smiling.

"She actually has a suit?" Henry said and then laughed once again.

Regina turned to me, "Forgive our son, I recall he got that attitude from his birth mother." Nothing will doused the giddy feeling I have, not even Henry's antics. I nodded and handed her the wine I was carrying. "And a Roussillon red, you do know your wine." she said, "Good thing I made us vegetable lasagne huh?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I was keeping it, I thought I'd break the seal, should go well with your lasagne."

"Indeed it does, why don't you come in?"

And come in I did.

-0-

An hour later, and despite the uncomfortable feeling of wearing my suit, I had the best dinner in my entire stay in Storybrooke. Great dish, great son… great hostess.

Phase one of Operation Rider - pass!

TBC