Chapter Seven


What did that mean? Emma groaned with her head tipped back. What did she mean?

"I do know that you're on my side."

The comment had plagued her thoughts throughout the entirety of the weekend.

And how exactly had Regina said it again? Was it, I do know, or was it; I do know?

And what was it that had led her to have such a thought in the first place? What had she done to show Regina that was true?

Emma had spent every free minute over the course of her Saturday and Sunday retracing their every word. She painstaking traced through every conversation. Each free moment, Emma traveled to that apartment in her mind. Regina had appeared more at ease in her home, that was certain. She had still been her same, meticulous self, sure, but there had been a sense of enjoyment in their banter; and it was different from the interactions they'd had before.

Regina liked teasing Emma. That went without saying. She enjoyed watching Emma fumble with her words, and she had found particular interest in watching Emma grow embarrassed after her one-night-stand with Ruby was uncovered.

She grew red at the thought alone.

And one memory stuck out more than the others, Emma recalled. When Ruby winked at her during their goodbyes, Regina had been all too quick to pull her away. Emma had to consider that this was just a part of who Regina was. She needed control. Perhaps she felt she had a stronger claim on Emma; as her social worker and voice for the courts. Or maybe, what she was actually seeing, was a hint of jealousy from Madame Mills?

Emma's stomach began to churn uncomfortably, but with what? She didn't know.

The notion that she could cause Regina to be jealous was certainly flattering. To be so well regarded by such a beautiful and powerful woman; anyone would like that. But there was no indication that this is what that was. For all Emma knew, Regina could have sensed her sexuality during their first office visit, and now that it was out in the air, she could be using it to her advantage. Teasing and being, what some might say was, flirtatious, could have been just another power play for Miss. Mills.

Regardless, all this idle assessment had made for a terrible weekend, and worse than that, it had set Emma up for an even more terrible Monday.

Monday's were often her slow days. Emma saw very few clients. She scheduled most of her hours in-house as a means to prepare paperwork for the rest of the week. Yet, on this day, the mundane task of paperwork wasn't stimulating enough to calm her mind. Emma found her thoughts drifting in and out of waves of anxious thought.

She was left to wonder if she'd ever been this distracted by another client before?

There'd been cases, certainly; ones that made her so sick she'd lie awake at night in tears. There'd also been clients Emma loved, and ones that she almost openly hated. But part of her job was having the ability to leave her day behind. After her first few months as an intern, she'd grown quite good at doing just that. But this case, this was a whole different kind of situation.

This affliction with Regina had stemmed from somewhere else. Emma's gut predicted that she might know how. There were entirely too many ethical conflicts within this relationship. For starters, she was living with, and befriend by, Regina's assistant. That put ethics right out on the street corner from day one. Secondly, Emma had only worked her charismatic charm on her boss in the first place, because Graham had begged her to do so.

"I need someone on the inside of this case for me." He had pleaded, and despite Emma's many rejections, she had still found herself agreeing. After all he'd done for her over the years, she owed him this much.

And now, following all of the secrets she had already piled on, Emma discovered that she'd also been intimate with the woman's nanny.

"Her nanny, for christ's sake." Emma soundlessly moaned.

But what was she to do now? If Emma confronted her boss about her relationship with Graham, it would be Regina who would take the hit. The state attorney might infer that it had been all Regina's idea in the first place. Where her worth was concerned, that wouldn't be hard to believe. Then, Regina would be in more of a conflict than she was already sitting in. They'd accuse her of perjury or extortion. She could definitely land in jail.

But worse yet, if Emma told Regina... She shivered at the thought.

If she told Regina, not only would Emma be condemning her relationship with Graham for life, but she would have also created an enemy out of one of the wealthiest women in New York. A woman with many contacts. A woman who could shatter Emma's career and licensure for life!

Oh, this is a pickle alright.

A knock at the door caused Emma to drop her pen. It bounced to the floor and rolled into hiding under the desk.

"It's, uh, it's open!" She called, with her back to the entrance.

Emma had dropped to her hands and knees and was mindlessly searching the carpet for her lost pen. The darkness of the underside of her desk made it almost impossible for her to see. She remained in that position, with her rear raised into the air, for a full minute before returning to her feet. When Emma did, she really wished she hadn't. In fact, remaining under the desk would have been a pleasure, compared to the embarrassment of being caught in such a position by the one person she did not want to see.

"Hello to you, too." Came the woman's voice, cutting thick like honey through the air.

Emma could only blink. "Miss. Mills," She balked. "I'm sorry, I must have lost track of time. Is it seven already?"

"On the nose," Regina held her stare. "But I can give you a minute to collect yourself if need be."

Immediately concerned with her appearance, Emma fluffed her blonde waves into hiding behind her ears. "That um, won't be necessary. Please, have a seat."

Regina did what was requested of her. She crossed to the black leather couch and lowered herself onto the center cushion. Emma's eyes boggled at the sight. It was odd, she considered, that Regina would chose to sit on the couch today, instead of directly across from her on the other side of the room, like she had before. Regina wanted to be closer to her.

Emma shivered again.

Pen in hand, she returned to the chaise lounge. Emma crossed a leg over her knee for protection, and placed the clipboard against her thigh. Very slowly, Emma raised her eyes to Regina.

The first thing she noticed about her, was Regina's dressed down appearance. She was wearing tight black leggings and a loose fitted tee. Her shiny black hair was pulled into a casual pony. It suited her well, Emma thought. She could see more of the woman's face. Regina's heels had also been replaced by black trainers. Perhaps that was why Emma hadn't heard her coming...

The final change in Regina, in addition to the new seat and casual dress, was the expression of ease upon her olive face. She didn't appear in a hurry to leave, or act as if bothered by having to be here, at all.

"Shall we begin?" Emma finally asked, hoping that her lingering eyes had not been caught.

They had. Regina's growing smirk told tale of that much.

"You tell me," She responded. Her feet laced behind the ankle, and Regina straightened her back into the couch.

"Today I was hoping to learn a little more about your relationships," Regina's brow arched. "-the unromantic ones." Emma added. "Your friends and family; anyone close to you."

A wrinkle of stress creased between Regina's eyes. Her hands flattened against her pants, and she allowed her gaze to circle down towards her knees. "Well, I am afraid I don't have very many of either."

Emma turned her head to the side. "There's no one besides Henry that you care about?"

"No, that's not necessarily true."

Emma flipped to the section of lawyers comments in her note pad. There were a series of witness and character statements given by a good number of people.

"What about those who testified on your behalf? Can you tell me about any of them?"

She stiffened instantly. "I know what it looks like." Regina's tone was sharp, but she appeared less angered than she did, uncharacteristically, ashamed. "All of those personal contacts are employers; including Ruby, who I hired after Henry's birth."

Emma raised forward against her chair. "And this information bothers you because..." She lead.

"I figured it best to acknowledge any assumptions you might have already made."
"I hadn't made any. I was only curious as to why you seem bothered by it yourself?"

Regina raised her eyes. They were dark with something unreadable, and Emma found herself staring hard in an attempt to understand it. "I am not bothered by it, Miss. Swan. My concern was that you might not understand why it doesn't."

"Would you liked to share that with me, then?" Emma's hands clasped over her knee as she straightened into the chair.

"I could do that," Regina nodded. "But only if you share what you think about it after I do."

Emma's eyes lowered. "I could do that." She nodded.

"Very well," Regina applauded faintly, and she began with her defense. "As I've told you, I like to work. With someone as successful as myself, that shouldn't come as a surprise to you, really. Growing up, my mother tailored me for the business world. I went to prestigious schools. I learned to play many instruments 'for fun'" She quoted. "-and I wasn't allowed time to socialize recreationally. Outside of Ruby, who I met at college, most of the relationships I made were with people like me. We were all raised by families who only conversed for a greater purpose; be it a business deal, or expensive sale. Knowing that, I wasn't provided with all the best opportunities for casual affairs."

What I have learned in this world, though, despite the constant requirement for social engagements, was that business relationships, they make for the best business, no one expects more than what is required. You do your job, you get your answer, and the rest becomes irrelevant. Over time, I found I preferred it that way. Is it healthy?" Regina's palms turned to the air. "Probably not. But the reality is, it's all I know."

They were silent for a time. Emma found herself idly nodding as she collected her thoughts. "And you want to know what I think about this?"

Regina tipped her brow.

"My opinion?" Emma inquired, and Regina nodded in command. "I'm not entirely sure I have an opinion." Emma began. "I think you've done some heavy assessment of yourself, and that is always a good thing. I'm just not certain it's as simple as you make it seem."

"Meaning?" Regina's interest spiked.

"Meaning, and this is my assumption; I agree that you enjoy having these cut and dry relationships with coworkers. I think it makes your job easier, but I can't believe you would have been concerned with what I think, if the idea of having genuine friendships wasn't something that you might be interest in."

Her chin raised in contemplation. "Well, that's certainly an idea." Regina hummed. "So, what's next then?"

Emma shrugged. It was so like Regina to pull away just as they were scratching the surface of something goo. "I don't know. You brought up your mother. Is there anything worth discussing there, or about your family in general?"

A steady smirk pulled at Regina's lips. "My mother is my family." She stated plainly. "I have no siblings and my father died when I was young."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Emma visibly softened.

"Don't be; I never knew him." Regina directed. "I'm fairly certain my mother had him killed for all his worth."

Emma's eyes widened. "That's quite a big accusation, Regina."

"If you knew my mother, you'd understand how close to the truth that claim probably is."
"Do you see her often, your mother?"

Emma was met with the roll of Regina's eyes. "Not if it can be helped." She teased.

"Does she live around here?"

Her lips curled into a toothless grin, and her eyes shown bright with humor. "Your guess is as good as mine, Miss. Swan. Cora Mills has a tendency to move like wind, from one great thing to the next. Last I'd heard, it was Morocco. I discovered that bit of information from a postage stamp when she caught ear of my arrest. She sent me the name of a family lawyer and a check to help cover the cost."

Emma contemplated her silently. When it came to taking notes on their discussions, Emma was never certain it would do well to write things down. Emma was afraid any disturbance in their conversation would cause Regina to return to silence. So, rather than risk the momentum, Emma let the woman have her full regard.

"I never cashed it, in case you were wondering."

Emma's brows pulled to her hairline at the sound. "I imagine you can cover your own legal expenses." She smirked, and it surprised her to see Regina mimic her stare.

"I can," Her brow heightened. "Though the reality is, spending my mother's money has never brought me much joy."

The comment struck Emma as odd, but she wouldn't say that aloud. Instead, she turned her thoughts. "How do you feel about purchasing things for Henry, then?"

Regina smirked. "Nice segway, Miss. Swan."

With a small stretch and a breath, Regina readjusted against the couch. She let her hands fall to the side, and her shoulders relaxed into the cushions.

"I suppose I like Henry to have a mix of both; the needs and the wants. Too much of what one desires, and they lose their sights on what's *really* important." Emma happily nodded in agreement. "I don't want to spoil Henry, but I also don't want him to feel his desires have been neglected. He knows that he'll get toys and games on his birthdays. They're usually more on par with things that he's been wanting of a more significant worth. But on the less important of occasions, like when he's done well in school, I like to take him out to celebrate his progress."

Emma smiled. "That sounds more than fair to me."

"He's not a particularly complicated child, by any means. He doesn't often want for things in excess, and he's usually very appreciative of the gifts that he does receive."

"And when he receives these gifts, do you play with them together?"

Regina's stare hardened. "I beg your pardon?"

"Do you play with Henry?" Emma's legs uncrossed and her feet flattened agains the door. "When Henry get's a new toy or game, do you ever try playing with it together?"

Her lips pursed tight against her teeth. "That is more of Ruby's wheelhouse. Do I look like someone who can play video games and build castles, Miss. Swan?"

Emma ignored the question. "What do you do together, then?"

Regina's eyes were still sharp. "We read." She noted plainly. "Henry likes for me to read to him, and that has always been something I've never been afraid to spoil him with."

"Spoil him with books?" Emma considered.

Regina's head tipped into a short nod. "We like to go through all of the fantasy series. Anything involving magic is a shared favorite of ours."

Emma found herself smiling again. "Magic books are my favorite, too."

After a long moment, Regina was mirroring Emma's expression. She held the smile for a brief second, before quickly turning away.

"I have a homework assignment," Emma announced with a wave of thought. "Before next week, you have a homework assignment."

"Homework?" Regina deadpanned. She appeared less than amused.

"It's a standard therapy tactic."

She didn't move, and her expression didn't falter. "What is it, then?" Regina asked.

Emma's enjoyment was clear as day on her fair-skinned face. "Before next week, I want you to commit to at least one video game with Henry, and it must his choice."

"You're not serious." Regina baited.

"I'm afraid I am."

Any further commentary was stilled as Emma raised from her chair. She slid her clipboard to the coffee table and crossed her arms in authoritative display.

"Until next week," Emma concluded, but Regina's eyes curled up as she stood.

"About that..." She hummed. "It's probably best to tell you now while I am here, but Henry's after school program is cancelled for this week. The school is holding parent-teacher conferences, and the student's are on half days."

"That's fine," Emma shrugged. "Henry can meet for his appointment here, or-" She stopped and flattened her eyes. The way that Regina was looking at her said it all. "-or I could...go to him?"

Regina ignored the woman's discomfort. "Great, would you do that?" She stated it as more of a command than a request. "That would make meeting his teacher's conference much easier for me."

Regina pulled her purse over her shoulder and crossed to the door. "Henry will be home by two o'clock. I'll let Ruby know you'll be by at three for his appointment."

And with that, Regina swiftly departed the office. Per usual, Emma was left with the same uneasy feeling that their sessions always caused her.