Chapter 7

The day of their date arrived. Emma had a lot of nervous energy to burn which made it hard for her to sit still. This made work next to impossible. She tried occupying her time by playing darts but the nervous buzz of energy streaking throughout her body threw off her aim.

"So much for being the daughter of Snow White," she mused to herself. She gave that up in favor of searching the internet. She found some amusing cat videos on You Tube that occupied some of her time. After that, she patrolled the town...twice. Still it was only 11am. Inspiration struck! She'd do the paper work Regina always hounded her about. That would surely eat up a significant chunk of time. And it did. She was so engrossed in the tedious work that she didn't see the delivery man standing in the doorway of her office. She nearly pulled her gun on the man after he cleared his throat to get her attention.

"Dammit Lucius, you could've been shot!" She exclaimed in fright taking her hand away from her side arm.

"Sorry Sheriff," he apologized, "I've been calling out for you. I was beginning to think that you weren't here."

"Oh my bad, I was just caught up. What's that?" she asked noticing the four foot by two foot white rectangular box he was holding in his hands. He handed it over to her, and she took it with thanks. She gave it a light shake before opening it. On top of a layer of pink tissue paper lay a note in neat script that said, "Wear Me." She pushed the tissue paper aside to reveal a pair of black two inch heels with an ankle strap. She pulled them out to inspect them closer.

"Omigod," she shouted jumping up and down in excitement. She then saw the garment that was still in the box. She pulled it out to reveal a black dress. Holding it up by the hanger against her body, she saw that the right side of the dress stopped mid-thigh while the left side of the dress tapered off until it reached her mid-calf. The dress tied behind her neck, as well as around the middle of her back. There was a two inch hot pink ruffle along the border of the dress. It was amazing, and it was her exact size. Both were. She was starting to think that she underestimated Hook all this time. She was so excited that she had to share her joy with someone.

"Regina,"she thought while carefully placing everything back in the box so she could make her way to the Mayor's office. She grabbed her paper work to use as an excuse to see the Mayor. She dashed across the street to the Mayor's office her body humming with excitement. Blowing off Regina's secretary, she barged into the Mayor's office.

"Regina," she said breathlessly.

"Swan," Hook said standing up in alarm, "Are you alright." Emma nodded closing the door. She walked over to the empty chairs across from Regina's desk. The box was sitting on her lap.

"I've got a date with Killian tonight," she reminded her friend.

"Hardly a cause for alarm dear, you've been on a number of dates with the man," Hook said trying his best to seem disinterested.

"I know, I know," Emma said quickly, "But today, this came for me." She handed over the box to her friend. She watched as Hook opened the box knowing that if anyone could appreciate fine fashion, it would be the impeccable Mayor. Hook looked at the items not sure what the big fuss was.

"They are Jimmy Choo's," Emma squealed like a little girl.

"Jimmy's shoes?" Hook asked shaking his head clearly not understanding.

"Regina, what is wrong with you?" Emma posed in disbelief. Her spider senses started to tingle.
"Oh you said Jimmy Choo's, I simply misheard you Emma that's all," Hook replied dismissively. Hook pretended to inspect the dress figuring that would be what Regina would do.

"Very nice," Hook said appreciatively.

"Rigghhht," Emma agreed, "I don't even know where he is taking me!"

"Well Captain Hook seems to be stepping up his game," said the Mayor, "Why not enjoy the journey, dear?"

"It's just different is all. I am not used to it." Emma admitted.

"You have no idea," Hook muttered under his breath.

"Did you say something Regina?"

"Oh just that I hope you have a wonderful time dear. You deserve to be spoiled and pampered by your suitor so just relax," Hook suggested.

"Oh crap!" Emma exclaimed looking at the time, "I better go!" Emma dashed out of the Mayor's office.

"See you tomorrow," she yelled from down the hall not bothering to wait for a response from the Mayor. Once Hook was sure Emma was long gone, he pulled his phone out of his pocket dialing Regina's number.

"Where are you taking Emma on our date tonight?" He rudely demanded.

"Good day to you too, Killian," Regina responded drolly.

"Hello Regina," Hook amended his greeting.

"Now what can I do for you Killian?" Regina asked with mock sweetness dripping from her tone.

"Where are you taking Emma tonight? I saw the dress and the heels," he said.

"Did she like them?" Regina asked breathlessly.

"Yeah she liked them. She oohed and ahhed over a man named Choo. Women." he grumbled. Regina's insides did a giddy flip flop at the thought of Emma liking the outfit she picked out for her.

"I can't wait to see her in that dress," she thought, "Wait, what?"

"Did you hear me Regina?" Hook questioned.

"Oh I beg your pardon Hook, we seem to have a bad connection," she lied.

"Can you hear me now?" Hook asked again.

"Yes dear now what were you saying?"'

"The date, I was asking about your plans for the bloody date!" He said losing his patience.

"Emma always wanted to learn how to salsa, so I am taking her to a dance studio in Portland for a private lesson," she informed him.

"Salsa? Isn't that something you eat?" he asked dumbly.

"Yes moron but it is also a style of dancing!" Regina schooled the clueless pirate.

"And Emma likes this salsa thing?" he asked.

"Honestly Hook, do you know nothing about the woman you've been dating? She is totally obsessed with Dancing With the Stars. I can't get her to shut up about it!" she said in exasperation.

"Hey I know things too," he retorted suggestively.

"And I am beginning to as well," Regina thought snidely referring back to the kiss she shared with Emma earlier.

"Of course you do," Regina placated, "But maybe if you took the time to get to know her more on a different level, you would've gotten to know her on THAT level much quicker."

"Do you even know her favorite color?" Regina continued as a way to fill the silence coming from the other end of the line.

"No but I'm supposing you do," Hook answered

"Of course I do because I am her friend moron!" You need to get past your sexual attraction and look underneath the woman to discover exactly what it is about her that makes her so darn attractive!" Regina told Hook.

"So I can use you to learn how to just be her friend," Hook said thinking out loud.

"Sure why not, knock yourself out." Regina agreed.

"But you are making me look bad!" Hook whined.

"Quit being an ass. I am doing nothing of the sort. In fact, I think you'll find I am actually making you look good," she said confidently. Hook let that information sink into his brain like falling into quick sand, slowly. Regina was right. This could only benefit him in the long run.

"Oh by the way Captain," Regina said as an after thought, "Emma always comes by for lunch after one of your little dates."

"Really?" He asked clearly surprised, "Why does she do that?"

"Torture, girl talk? What do I care? It is all the same to me but I suggest you use this time to learn more about Emma," She suggested, "Be supportive, listen to her, ask questions, and offer her advice if she asks for it. But do it with snark," Regina cautioned "Or else she will most certainly become suspicious."

"Right then, girl talk. I got this!" Hook said confidently, "Oh Regina I forgot to mention that I spoke with Tinkerbell about our situation."

"And?" she replied impatiently.

"Much the same as when we tried to tell Emma," he said sadly.

"It appears that our little secret is meant to be just that," she said woefully.

"Yes well, at least you have my date to get to," he said cheerfully, "Now don't do anything I wouldn't do." She could hear Hook laughing at her so she pushed the button severing the phone call.

"Moron," she cursed aloud before dropping the phone on her bed. Regina couldn't waste time on matters of frivolity. She had a date to prepare for! One that, for the first time in her life, she was actually looking forward to.