Emma changed her clothes for what she guessed was a personal record of nine times before settling on an outfit for her first date with Sara. After going back and forth – she wondered what Sara did on her free time because scheduling it wasn't easy – they were now going on their first official date. They had gotten together casually, lunches mostly, but this was time Emma could really call it a date.

And she was nervous.

It had been a while since she had been on a date with a woman, but that wasn't why she was so nervous. Sara was unlike most people she had ever met. She had this side of her – the one that clearly loved working with horses and being around kids, then there was this other side that was serious and cultured.

She was also flirty and some times silly, both which Emma enjoyed.

It was almost enough for Emma to ignore the warning bells in her head because there was another part to Sara that Emma was troubled by – the secretive part.

Sara was a master at not answering a question directly. For instance, Emma still had no idea where the other woman lived. When she asked her once, Sara said she was staying with a friend and hadn't really settled on a place. Emma knew she wasn't being truthful. Then Emma went to surprise her at the stables one night when she was supposed to be working but she wasn't there.

She didn't know why Sara would feel the need to lie to her. Sara once said she had trouble trusting people, and Emma was almost willing to chalk it up to that because she really liked the other woman. She must like her, seeing as she even told Regina about her. She had dropped Henry off on a Sunday night and it was dinner time. She was surprised when Regina invited her in, saying she had made more than she and Henry could want. Henry excitedly accepted the invite for her and the next thing she knew she was sitting at Regina's table having dinner. Regina had made lasagna and it was so amazing, Emma had two pieces. Afterward, she sat there talking with Regina while she was doing dishes.

"How did you meet her?" Regina asked.

"At a bar on one of my rare times out with Ruby. Some guy was hitting on her and she wasn't having any of it so I stepped in."

"Playing the role of savior even in a bar?"

"Hardly. Plus she didn't really need my help. She isn't the kind of woman who let's people get the upper hand on her."

"I take it since you said she works at the stables that she is the friend you were inquiring about getting a job for?" Regina asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Um, actually, all I knew about her after meeting her was that she worked at the stables, so I was trying to find out more about her. I mean I've found people with less to go on. I didn't really want to wait until I randomly ran into on the street, which is a good thing because I have never randomly run into her in this town."

"You are lucky you are sheriff. She might have turned you in for stalking."

"Look at you trying to make a joke."

"Only at your expense."

Emma was smiling just thinking about it. Regina seemed more relaxed lately, more likely to smile or just engage in small talk. It suited her, Emma thought. A knock on the door brought her out of her musings and she cursed out loud. It had to be Sara and she wasn't ready yet. A quick look at the time showed Sara was punctual as always.

She ran to the door and opened it.

"Wow."

"Is it too much?" Sara asked.

"It's just wow," Emma said taking in the sight of her. Sara was wearing a black skirt, matching heels that showed off her toned legs, and a short-sleeved, low cut red blouse that Emma wanted to reach out and touch.

"Can I come in?"

'"Oh, yes," Emma said moving out of the way. She wondered when, or if, Sara would ever stop making her feel like she was some sort of klutz with her words and actions. "Um make yourself at home. I need to finish up."

Emma went to her room so Sara took the time to look around the place. She hadn't been in there before but she had to admit the place seemed like Emma. The TV and vide game system for her and Henry were obviously more money than the couch and chair. The kitchen was clean but she needed to put away her dishes that had long since dried. There was a half-empty glass of water on an end table – no coaster.

Sara picked up a framed photo. It was of Emma and Henry in New York. They were both smiling broadly and Sara realized Henry had the same type of smile as Emma. She had never noticed before.

She was also nervous for this date, although she was doing a better job than Emma at hiding it. She had changed clothes over and over – having bought new clothes to wear. She didn't want to wear a skirt or shirt that were already hers, already Regina's. She wanted something new for Emma.

Based on Emma's reaction she had chosen well and that made her happy.

Emma finally came out, having changed outfits again. They walked out of the apartment and Emma locked up, taking Sara's hand in hers to walk out. They drove to a small Italian restaurant on the edge of the city proper to eat.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question about the Enchanted Forest?" Emma asked part way through the meal, where she had lasagna that wasn't as good as Regina's.

"I don't mind at all."

"It's kind of personal so feel free not to answer, but I was wondering if being gay or bi or whatever was as big of an issue there as it can be here. I mean when I came out to my parents, they were ok with it but I sort of figured that was because they are my parents so they tend to be ok with things because I am there daughter."

"I would say it's not a contentious but that may be because here you have TV and other media that everyone has access to. Back home you don't so it may be a bigger issue there if people could communicate better if that makes any sense."

"It does. I forget how different the two worlds are sometimes because everyone here was given memories to fit in. Was it hard for you to come out?"

Sara put down her fork and looked at Emma. "When I had my first real kiss it was with a girl. When my mother found out, not only she did essentially force this girl's family away from where we lived she made it abundantly clear what would happen to me if she ever caught me engaging in such activity ever again. My mother, she could be … controlling."

"I noticed before that you've talked about your dad but never mention your mom."

"My relationship with her was never what it should have been. You are lucky to have parents who are understanding."

"I am sorry you had to grow up like that," Emma said.

"I'm sorry you didn't get the chance to grow up with your parents."

Emma was surprised by the heartfelt apology that she paused a moment before shrugging, "it wasn't your fault," she smiled. "What say we talk about more pleasant things?"

Instead of going to a movie like they had planned, Emma suggested they go for a walk after dinner.

Sara raised an eyebrow, "you don't have to make excuses to hold my hand sheriff, you have my permission."

The way she raised her eyebrow struck Emma in that moment and she suddenly thought of Regina. Shaking off the feeling she took Sara's hand to walk.

They returned later to Emma's place where they sat on the couch talking for about 10 minutes before Emma leaned in and kissed her. It was slow, the barest brush of the lips at first until Sara leaned into it. Once she did Emma increased both her speed and pressure.

Sara woke to the sight of Emma asleep next her and she smiled at the dead-to-the-world blonde. They were both still naked from their activities from the night before. She reluctantly slipped from the bed to go the bathroom. Catching the sight of herself in the mirror she cursed. Her magic had worn off over night. She was Regina again.

She was thankful for waking first because she could only imagine the shock Emma would have had if she had woken next to Regina. She was about to put the Sara persona back into place when she stopped. She thought about Emma lying out there in bed.

She was being completely unfair and selfish. She knew this before the date. She had sworn she would just go on the date and after that she would either tell Emma the truth. But she hadn't planned on having sex with Emma either.

Why do I fuck things up so badly, she thought.

Regina turned back into Sara. She returned to the bedroom, found her clothes and dressed. She stared down at the still sleeping form of Emma, kissed her gently on the forehead.

"I'm sorry," she said and then she left.