A/N- this was hands down my favorite chapter so far to write so hopefully you all will like it too!


Regina was saved by the bell as Mary Margaret pounded her gavel once more, announcing the end of the PTO meeting. The brunette hadn't absorbed a single bit of information, but she was pretty sure that she had gotten signed on to at least three different committees.


As soon as was socially acceptable, Regina stood and tried to exit the row, but found herself blocked by Emma.

"Can I help you?" Regina asked, annoyed. She was already pulling her coat on to make a quick exit.

"No, but I think I can help you."

"Excuse me?" The administrator wasn't quite sure what she was more annoyed with at this point, the blonde preventing her from leaving, her coat sleeve which had apparently folded in on itself so she couldn't pull it on easily, or Mary Margaret gesturing for the brunette to come over and talk with her.

"Let me, help you." Emma said, enunciating each word carefully.

For the second time that night, and third time that week, Regina found her personal space interrupted by the deputy sheriff. This time, though, the brunette was determined to hold her ground as she remained stock still and Emma reached around her. The younger woman seamlessly took hold of the stubborn jacket sleeve, and fixed it, holding the material steady at the shoulder so Regina could slip her arm through.

"Most people tend to say thank you after someone does them a favor." Emma smirked at Regina's speechless stare.

"I'm not most people."

Emma couldn't help but scan an appraising gaze up and down the brunette, "That much is obvious."

Regina ignored the obvious come on and scooted around the blonde to where Mary Margaret was impatiently waiting.

"Mrs. Blanchard, what can I do for you?"

The younger brunette looked down at the clipboard she was resting on her hip, "Because we need administrative support, you will now be assisting with the canned food drive, the movie night under the stars, and both field days."

"I'm sorry, movie night under the stars? What is this, a high school prom?"

Mary Margaret's eyes hardened, though coming from the bubbly teacher, it was hardly a difference, "It's out on the soccer field at night, so it's under the stars."

"Of course." Regina said, her eyes lifted to over the small teacher's shoulder where she saw Emma standing with some of the gazelle women from earlier.

She didn't know why, but it gave her a sick feeling.

"- so we'll begin work immediately on the canned food drive and we'll all take shifts throughout the next week." Mary Margaret finished.

Regina scowled as she realized that she had missed most of what the midget had been saying, but she caught that she would be collecting cans. More importantly, her scowl deepened as she saw one of the gazelles reach out and put a hand on Emma's shoulder.

The brunette wasn't typically the jealous type (especially not of people she hardly knew) but now watching the contact, and the way Emma made the women laugh, she couldn't help the slight clenching of her fists.

"Regina?" The teacher repeated.

'Damn it. I must have missed another question.' Regina thought, "Yes, that sounds like a good idea." She said, hoping that it was the appropriate response.

And she was rewarded by a smile from Mary Margaret. Then to her horror, the teacher whirled around, "Emma, can you come here for a second?"

"Yeah, M&M?" The blonde asked once she was standing with them.

Regina considered the nickname, so the two knew each other?

"Would you be able to meet next week so we can get going on the canned food drive?"

"Of course."

"Great. Regina, you'll be there too?"

"I'll see if I can make time for it." Regina replied dismissively, already walking away from the women with the intention of getting home and pouring herself a healthy glass of cider as soon as she could.

She made it out the door and was just setting off across the parking lot when a figure in a red jacket jogged to catch up to her.

"What do you need, Ms. Swan?" Regina sighed in annoyance, not stopping her determined walk.

"Well it's late and it's dark so I just figured you shouldn't be walking across the parking lot alone."

At that explanation, Regina stopped, turning on her heel to regard the blonde. They were standing under a street light which was quite nearly washing out Emma's pale complexion, but she still somehow looked flawless. Regina decided that it was about time she went on the offensive, "That's quite chivalrous, but I think your services are more needed by individuals who aren't myself."

Emma scoffed, "You mean the welcoming committee? They're a little too Stepford Wives for my liking."

Regina raised an eyebrow, secretly a little surprised by the sheriff's reference. Not wishing to draw out Emma's small victory, the brunette turned and continued on her way to her Benz in the back of the parking lot. She expected Emma to follow, and sure enough the low shuffle of Emma's boots on the pavement echoed after her heels.

They didn't say anything further until they reached the black car and Regina was pulling her keys out from her purse, "Thank you for accompanying me, Ms. Swan." Regina said, dismissing the blonde.

Emma either didn't realize that was her cue to leave, or she just ignored it, "You can call me Emma."

"Yes, well thank you, Emma."

The blonde flashed a quick dimpled smile while Regina unlocked her car.

"Is there something else?" Regina asked, opening her car door and looking to end the exchange on her terms.

"Yeah, do you want go out with me? Like on a date?"

The concise language threw Regina off. It reminded her so much of Danielle and her straightforward attitude, that her heart physically ached. She must have gotten lost in the memory because Emma was asking again, "Regina?"

"No." The brunette said, sliding down into the driver's seat.

"Excuse me?" Emma stooped down, putting one hand on the door, and the other on the frame of the car so Regina couldn't shut it on her, "Are you playing hard to get or something?"

The administrator rolled her eyes as if talking with Emma were a great annoyance, "Ms. Swan," She began, internally smirking at the way Emma's face fell the slightest bit at the use of her last name, "I'm not some immature twenty something, I don't 'go out' with people, and I don't play games."

Emma's eyes took on a determined glint, "I don't play games either."

The brunette took a moment, searching out a sincerity in Emma's gaze that she never found in Danielle's, "Alright, I'll go on a date with you."

"Really?" Emma asked in surprise.

"Yes, really. Now get off my car before you smudge it with your finger prints."


A/N- what do you think? I figured it was about time for Regina to come into her own :). Thank you all for your awesome reviews, they're really encouraging, and also for sticking with this story for a full week!

Also, dc- 4me, you're right Emma is a deputy, I must have just made a slip last chapter, thanks for keeping me honest ;)

Love, Ms. Informed