Disclaimer in Chapter 1

Chapter 7

"Regina, what are you doing here?" Emma states.

"Well it is nice to see you too Miss Swan," Regina replies lifting her eyebrow.

"I believe I have an appointment with you," Regina says internally delighted with the reaction she is drawing from the blonde.

"With me?" Emma questions looking at her calendar to see if a Regina is down for an appointment.

"I don't seem to have a Regina down here," Emma says disappointed as any minute that reporter is going to knock on her door and Regina will be gone again.

"Oh, maybe a David Nolan, to do an interview," Regina supplied. And then the penny dropped for Emma. Regina said she had gotten a job as a writer for a newspaper in Boston.

"You're doing my interview?" Emma says. Regina smiles and nods.

"Cool," Emma says, "really cool." As her gaze settles onto the brunette and she smile. Regina returns the smile when the door of Emma's office swings open.

"You know Swan I have been thinking you are getting too demanding and like a diva," Killian says and then stops when he sees that Emma is not on her own.

"Killian, this is the reporter from the Boston Globe," Emma says fuming that he said that but even more so because she wants to make a good impression on her.

"Hello, Killian Jones, I own this company," Killian says immediately turning on the charm. While thinking to himself why did this reporter come looking for Emma first when he owns the company? Someone was going to get in trouble for not telling him she was here. They made him look like a fool.

"Regina Mills, it is nice to meet you," Regina replies shaking his hand. She glances at Emma and notices a change in her demeanour. Emma is on the defensive.

"I thought you would come looking for me?" Killian says, "since I am the owner of the company." His eyes lock on Emma's sending her a message which doesn't get lost on Regina.

"Sorry, I was handed the file this morning from my boss who had to take another story," Regina says.

"What so I have been fobbed off onto what some temp?" Killian says with an air of disgust.

"I assure Mr. Jones I am no temp and I am very good at my job," Regina says locking eyes with him. She will not have some egotistical guy come in here and discredit her before she has even started.

"I will reserve judgment on that. Swan we will finish this later," he says as he departs.

"Regina I am sorry about him," Emma says disheartened. Had she been so blind as to how Killian was. Regina shakes her head.

"it is not your fault," Regina says. There is slightly an awkward silence.

"Listen how do you fancy getting out of here to do this somewhere else? My treat for an early lunch?" Emma asks, her heart is beating so fast that she thinks the brunette is going to hear it. Regina ponders the request but only because she doesn't want to appear so eager.

"Sure thing," she calmly says as she gathers her bag back up to leave. Emma just as quickly grabs her jacket, laptop and bag to leave also. She wants to get out of there before Killian comes back. Emma presses the button for the elevator and when it arrives, she allows Regina to enter first.

"I know a little place a couple blocks over that is quiet," Emma says casually. Regina smiles.

"Sounds perfect, I do have a lot of questions for you," Regina says.

"Oh, ya the questions," Emma says as she realises, she forgot the whole interview part. Regina laughs, she really loves this cute side that the blonde has. She really is so relaxed in Emma's company. This has never really happened her before.

"How's Henry?" Emma asks as they wait for the lift to reach the bottom.

"He is great. Dropped him at his new day-care this morning. Was a bit worried that he wouldn't be ok but so far so good," she replies, it touches her heart that Emma asked about Henry.

"And how is your little one Alex, if I remember correctly?" Regina asks.

"She is good. I am leaving early to spend the day with her. I have been travelling a lot lately, so I want to spend some time with her," Emma responds her heart squeezing a bit as she thinks about her little girl and how hurt she has been lately. As Emma is lost in thought of her little girl, she doesn't realise that the lift is opened. Regina has stepped out and turns to see where Emma is. Emma is still standing in the lift.

"Emma are you coming?" Regina says, this shakes the blonde from her thoughts. She dashes from the lift as the door was about to close.

"Sorry Regina," Emma says. Regina notices the look in Emma's eyes.

"Are you ok? Do you not want to do this?" Regina asks. Emma is touched by the genuine concern in Regina.

"Yes, I do want to do this. Alex was just a bit upset and I was thinking about her," Emma says knowing Regina needed an honest answer right now.

"Emma if you need to reschedule, I understand," Regina says placing a hand on Emma's arm.

"It's ok. She is in playgroup for another hour, so I have time," Emma says again touched by Regina's concern.

Regina nods and they head off walking towards the place Emma had been talking about. They land at a retro café called Gussies. Regina loves the décor. It is super trendy right now. She loves the old-style tables.

"This place is amazing," Regina exclaims as Emma holds the door for her to go through.

"Ya, my friend August owns it. I love coming here. It is so laid back," Emma says as she shows Regina to a booth in the back of the place.

"Hey Swanny," a guy calls as he comes back into the café carrying plates of food "be right with you."

"That's August," Emma says as she and Regina take their seats. Regina looks up at the scruffy man.

"Hey Emma, good to see you," he says as he comes over to them. Emma stands up to hug him.

"Good to see you too Auggie," Emma replies.

"August this is Regina Mills she is a reporter with the Boston Globe," Emma introduces the pair.

"Nice to meet you," Regina says.

"If I had known Swan was bringing such a beautiful lady around, I would've tidied myself up," August says as he shakes Regina's outstretched hand.

"Ya right Auggie," Emma says, "she is not doing a review of the place or anything."

"Well then, here are your menus," August says, "I will be back for your orders."

Regina looks at the menu. She is impressed with the variety of food on here. She fancies the smoked salmon salad with a chili dressing. Emma is humming as she reads the menu. Finally, she places it down and looks at Regina.

"How is Boston treating you?" Emma asks as they wait for August to return.

"I haven't really had a chance to do much. We are still waiting for our house which should be ready on Wednesday. Other than that Henry and I just relaxed at the hotel yesterday," Regina says.

"Well I wouldn't mind showing you around," Emma says rather timidly. Normally she is a bit more forward with women but with Regina she is being a bit cautious. Regina smiles at the offer.

"That would be lovely, but it might not happen until we get moved in," Regina responds. Emma nods in response.

"Where did you buy a house?" Emma asks.

"Back Bay," Regina says.

"Oh, that is not far from me. We are in Beacon Hill," Emma says with a smile.

"If you need some help moving in, I am available," Emma says just trying to find anyway to spend time with Regina.

"Oh, Emma I couldn't ask that of you," Regina says though she really would enjoy watching the blonde's muscles in action once more.

"It would be my pleasure," Emma replies.

"Offering you pleasure already, our Em is a fast mover," August says as he returns to their table for their order. Emma's cheeks go dark red.

"August!" she exclaims. Regina just laughs. She really likes August.

"What!" August says with a smirk knowing exactly what he said.

"One of these days August Booth," Emma threatens.

"You won't do anything. You would miss me too much," August replies "now Regina what can I get you?"

"I would like the smoked salmon salad and a sparkling water please August," Regina says.

"I will have the tuna melt please, with fries," Emma says still glaring at her friend.

"Anything to drink with that?" August says still smirking.

"I will take a root beer," Emma says. She would love to slap that smug look off his face so bad right now.

August takes their menus and struts off to the kitchen. Emma stares after him and he just waves over and blows her a kiss when he notices her. Regina just laughs at his antics.

"How do you two know each other?" Regina asks still laughing at the bearded man.

"We meet when we were both in the system," Emma says. Regina stalls for a second.

"You were in foster care?" Regina asks.

"Yes. I was dropped at a hospital when I was a day old. No trace of who left me there," Emma says easily. She has come to terms with her past in most parts.

"Wow Emma you become more and more impressive the more I speak to you," Regina says in awe of the woman across from her.

"So, I am impressive?" Emma says with a flirty smile. Regina blushes slightly.

"Now ladies your drinks," August says saving Regina slightly from having to make a response.

"Thanks August," Emma says her eyes on Regina who is taking a drink to try and stem the blush that has come up on her cheeks. August rolls his eyes at his friend. Always the same with the beautiful brunettes but he did hope this one treated Emma better than the last one.

"Do you mind if we do some of the questions for the story?" Regina asks as a saving grace for her.

"Sure thing," Emma says.

"So where did you study?" Regina asks.

"I studied at Cornell in New York," Emma says.

"Wow, that's impressive," Regina says.

"I got a full scholarship," Emma says.

"Emma before we go much further can I just ask how much of your back story do you want in this?" Regina says. She feels this is such an interesting story. A foster child who got a scholarship to becoming one of the most sought-after architects in Boston. And Regina wanted to right that story.

"I thought I was a small part of the article. I thought this was about the firm?" Emma questions.

"Well reading the brief I was given by my boss it was supposed to be an interview with you and some stuff then about the firm that you work for," Regina says going back over the notes from David in case she missed something given her run in with Killian earlier.

"I am not sure that is such a good idea with how Killian is at the moment," Emma huffs out.

"Yes, I could feel the tension. You can tell me to mind my own business but is everything ok there?" Regina asks concerned from the change there was in Emma earlier when Killian had stormed into her office clearly marking his territory.

"I had asked for my hours to go back to what was in my contract this morning and he didn't like it. Basically, Alex has been upset because I am travelling so much. I was only supposed to travel at most once a month, but he has me going all over the place. Alex was very upset at the weekend. I guess I hadn't noticed how much it was affecting her, so I decided she needs to be put first. Killian wasn't happy," Emma huffs out.

"Sorry Regina you don't need to be hearing all this and please don't put any of this in the article," Emma says realising what she may have admitted to a journalist writing a story about the firm.

"Hey, don't worry about that we are off the record right now, but Emma asking for what is in your contract shouldn't get a response like that. From my research so far, I have heard you are what makes that firm what it is. Everyone wants you its not about Killian's firm," Regina says.

"You have an impressive portfolio and that is all you! Not Killian. He may have given you a start, but you have made his company. And I am not trying to blow up your ego," Regina continues.

"Well said Miss Mills," August says from beside them where he has come over with their food. Emma turns and glares at her friend. Regina gives a bit of a start not realising he was there either.

"Thanks August," Emma says as he backs away with his hands up in defence.

"Sorry Emma if I over stepped. I guess I have been reading about you this morning and looking at your designs. You have designed 80% of the stuff that has come from his firm. Without you there is very little work from Kilian's firm," Regina stumbles through.

"Wow really. I didn't even realise," Emma says astounding at the facts that Regina has placed in front of her. Regina lets Emma sit for a moment with what has been said. They eat in silence for a few moments. Eventually Emma speaks.

"Do you want to finish your questions?" Emma asks.

"Sure," Regina says as she plucks her notebook from beside her and places her recorder on the table. She asks the questions on her notebook and after 20 minutes there are finished. Emma had also answered questions about the firm so Regina was hoping she could avoid having to talk to Killian again. As they were just finishing Emma's phone rings and she sees it is Killian. Rolling her eyes, she answers.

"Hello Killian," Emma says.

"Where the hell are you gone? Did you blow off that reporter? That won't look good for me," Killian says. Regina even though she is trying not to listen can't help but hear the obnoxious man as he is being so loud.

"No Killian. I didn't blow her off. I did the interview," Emma responds choosing not to tell Killian she was still with Regina and that she had taken Regina for lunch.

"Well, where are you?" he snarls.

"I am taking the rest of the day because I am going to collect Alex from school. I worked all day Saturday which is a day I am supposed to have off, so I am taking the rest of the day to make up for it. I will speak with you tomorrow Killian," Emma says as she hangs up the phone. He rings back immediately, and she blocks the call. She puts her hands on her head and huffs out a big breath. Regina slides into the booths beside her and runs her hands in a circle on Emma's back to help soothe her.

"He doesn't deserve to have you working for his firm," Regina says. Emma turns her head and they are so close that if Emma leaned just a little bit, she could kiss this goddess of a woman that has appeared in her life. They lock eyes for a moment. Emma eyes look to the brunette's luscious lips and back quickly, but Regina saw it. Regina sneaks a look at Emma's lips but likewise the blonde caught the action too.

"Regina, I would really like your number?" Emma whispers into the space between them afraid that if she spoke too loudly, she would burst this bubble.

"I would like that," Regina just as softly.