Regina sat across from the interviewer, all made up and put on the spot. At least it wasn't going to be live. That was what she'd been told. It wouldn't be the first time she'd been lied to about that, however.

"I can't help but notice this is the first interview you've accepted since the divorce. Why is that?"

Of course this would be awkward for her. Why had she thought otherwise? "I simply needed time to readjust and now I have." Understatement. "I've also been busy filming Once Upon A Time."

"Filming but not promoting."

"Yes, well, like I said – readjustment time."

"Perhaps you have realized talk is starting to circulate about an unknown blonde that has appeared in your life?"

Great, now Emma had been pushed into the limelight. "Yes," Regina acknowledged. "Well, people can talk all they'd like. She's a good friend whom I've met recently."

"Not a celebrity, though."

"No, not a celebrity. It's nice to know someone unattached to the drama of the business."

"Some are speculating you're on the rebound."

Regina couldn't help it, she snorted. For Heaven's sake. "Well I'll put an end to that rumor right now. I may be supportive, but I'm not gay. So if I were on the rebound, it wouldn't be with her."

"No one named any names." They were clearly amused by the response.

"Oh, well, it was a natural assumption what with the timing," Regina attempted to correct her mistake.

"Most of the speculation is about Colin O'Donoghue, actually."

Regina laughed. "Colin? As in Once's Captain Hook?"

"There are pictures floating around from the set where the two of you look pretty cozy."

"We're only friends. He's a great guy and I'll admit a real catch, but he's not my type. So ladies can feel free to go wild and seek his attention, for I do not hold it." If there was a list of her possible rebounds, Colin would actually come after Emma. That was a thought Regina filed away for later.

"How do you feel about Graham's current relationship?"

"I hardly think how I feel matters anymore. We divorced, we're out of each other's lives, save for that parental bond that will always be between us for having Henry. Even if I do hold sole custody, nothing will change the fact that he remains Henry's father."

"So you're alright with it?"

"I don't have an opinion one way or the other," Regina lied.

"How is Henry coping with the split?"

"As well as any ten year old can, I suppose. It hasn't drastically changed his life. He still maintains contact with his father and his social and scholastic lives are just the same as they were before."

"Is there any possibility of seeing his face gracing the screen years down the line?"

"It is very possible. He frequently expresses desires to become an actor, and if that is what he wants, then I will support him in his endeavors wholeheartedly."

"He is already in the limelight by proxy. I'm sure the fame wouldn't be too much for him to handle."

"I agree, he's very strong. It takes a lot to break him."

"Sounds just like his mother."

Regina's smile was slightly tighter than it needed to be. "Thank you."

"Do you think you'll ever marry again?"

"It's really too early to say. Right now I don't think it would be a good idea but maybe in time that will change. I could easily become attached to someone again. I suppose only time will tell."

"No chance of you and Graham getting back together?"

"Below zero chance of that. Some things don't deserve a second chance."

"What if you two end up working together?"

"Then I will do my best to be civil and leave it at that. Maybe, just maybe we could be friends again, but I'd never be able to let him any closer than that again." The interview was starting to feel really long. Regina wasn't sure if it was because it was the first one she had in a while, or because a lot of the questions were embarrassing and awkward, but she couldn't wait for it to be over with.

"Are there any upcoming projects in store for you?"

"No. I try not to do movies when I'm working on television, and I never do more than one television show at once. I do like getting my sleep in, even if it's only a couple hours a night. Right now my focus is on Once, and I have hope that the ratings will be good enough once the third season airs that we will be allowed a fourth season."

"Well, I think that just about covers it. Thank you for your time, Regina."

Regina had never felt so relieved. "You're welcome."

She was free to leave, but there was likely to be a crowd of paparazzi just outside the building. Regina didn't care much, it was only to be expected; it wasn't the first time and it certainly wouldn't be the last. She'd just push through and threaten to run them over with her car if they crowded her. If they got in her way that was their own fault. She wouldn't have them following her.

She unclipped the little microphone from her shirt and one of the techies took it back from her. She stayed as long as was polite and then booked it out of there. Just like she thought, paparazzi awaited her. As she shoved her way through she stated,

"If you want answers so badly you should watch the interview when it airs. They probably asked the same questions." It didn't seem to do much. She had to manhandle a few people so she could get to her car. Some of them had taken it upon themselves to lean against it and that just wasn't right. "Seriously, guys, I have better things to do than stand around posing for your pictures and answering your questions." The last person she shoved out of the way ended up falling onto the ground, camera shattering to pieces. Regina felt a small amount of guilt before yanking her car door open and sliding into the safety it offered.

As some took the time to help their fallen comrade to their feet, Regina used the opportunity to peel out and speed away. Some chased her car for a few paces before tiring out and realizing the actress had the upper hand this time. Regina let out a long sigh. There was no telling how many pictures had been taken of her or where they would end up. She could only hope nothing about them looked or whatever would be written sounded damaging. She had enough drama in her life at the moment; she didn't need jabs at her career.

"That was an interesting interview," Emma stated a couple hours after it had aired.

"You saw that, huh?" Regina didn't know why she hadn't been expecting Emma to comment on it when they got together that day. She knew it was more likely than not that she would watch it.

"Yeah; people are noticing us together, huh?"

"Apparently so."

"I'm surprised it was enough for it to be mentioned in an interview."

"Yeah, well, paparazzi have eyes and ears everywhere. They're sneaky like that."

"That rebound thing was odd. To me it sounded like they were implying what you thought they were implying and then they just pulled something else out of their ass to hold the power card over you. It was almost like they wanted to embarrass you just for the hell of it."

"Wouldn't be the first time." Regina wasn't about to reveal that it had worked. She certainly wouldn't reveal the thought that had occurred to her; she kept that locked in its box at the back of her mind. Now was not the time to examine it. "Wouldn't be the first person it's happened to."

"I'm sorry your first interview in a while had to be so…weird and awkward."

Regina laughed. "Thank you, but really it's my own fault. I could've just said no."

"If it wasn't this one it probably would've been another one," Emma reminded her.

"You're probably right." Regina shook her head and ran a hand through her hair. "I used to love interviews, now they're starting to get annoying."

"At least it doesn't show." And it didn't. Emma had watched plenty of Regina's earlier interviews and despite not knowing her then and knowing her now, she came across the same way. Poised, elegant, and ready to take what was thrown at her. "Though my little superpower did go off when you lied. I'm sure no one else caught it, though."

"It was dangerous territory." Regina knew exactly what Emma was hinting at. "Also really personal territory. I chose to take the safer route; I really don't need more drama in my life."

"Understandable. Completely. Sometimes lies are the better option."

"I try not to, but Henry watches these. If there's any possibility that that woman winds up being Henry's step-mother, it would be better for him not to hear my feelings about her on television." It was a horrid thought that she severely hoped didn't become a reality, but Henry was more important and she would maintain his innocence to the best of her ability for as long as possible.

"That's amazing. Really, your maternal side is impressive. I don't think I could hold someone else above my own feelings all the time like you do." And that, perhaps, was the reason why none of Emma's relationships had lasted very long.

"Well, when you first hold your child in your arms, suddenly nothing else is as important. The love for them comes unconditionally and you know that you'll do anything for them, even at your own expense. They become your entire world. The saying really is true, that you don't know how much your mother loves you until you become one yourself."

Emma inwardly winced. She had no one to love her like that. There was no unconditional love for her. No one who promised to adopt her had and she was on her own ever since she was sixteen years old. "I never really had a mother," she admitted.

"Oh." That had been unexpected. "Well, I'm sure if you ever become one yourself, you'll feel the same way."

Emma couldn't be thankful enough that Regina hadn't dwelled in that little fact. She had been caught off guard, yes, but she didn't pity and gush over her. She processed it and moved on. For that, the most ridiculous smile appeared on her face.

"What's that look for?"

"You're not like everyone else. You didn't make a big deal about it. Thank you."

Regina smiled. "You're welcome. You can thank my people sense for that. You did once say it was good. That includes decent people reading skills."

Emma laughed. "Yes, it is good. I wish others had theirs as good as yours." She remembered something then. "I like what you wrote on my picture, by the way."

Regina had written

To Emma,

Thank you for being such an amazing friend. You're my favorite, truly.

Regina Mills

"Good."

"You were pretty mysterious about it, what with telling me to wait until I was home to read it. I still can't figure out why you did that."

Regina shrugged. "I just didn't want you to give it back if it embarrassed you."

"It didn't. Quite the opposite, actually. It made me smile so wide my face hurt. I felt like I was teacher's pet or something."

"Well, that's good."

"Seriously, all my guesses didn't come anywhere near that. I knew it wouldn't be just a generic autograph, but I didn't think you were the type to play favorites."

"Well, you're one of a kind, unique in so many ways. I thought it would be obvious, really, but when I noticed it wasn't I decided to surprise you."

"And it was a most welcome surprise. I'm thinking about framing it."

"Aww, really?"

Emma nodded.

"See, that's why you're my favorite."

They both laughed.

"Even though I'm pretty sure that's something a lot of fans do," Emma replied. "With whatever can be framed, that is," she clarified. "I think it would be strange if someone managed to frame an autographed boxset."

"Yes, that would be an interesting feat," Regina agreed.

Henry popped out seemingly out of nowhere. "Hey Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you play video games?" Henry was practically bouncing on his feet.

"Uh…kinda."

"Cool!"