***Gotta admit, I agonized over this. It was brutal! But I'm satisfied with where I left it. Hope you will be too. Enjoy! 8D***

CHAPTER 8

Once again Regina woke up to find the bed beside her empty. She heaved a deep sigh. It was starting to feel like Emma was avoiding her. She shook her head to clear out her negative thoughts as she pushed her hair back over her shoulders. She rolled over and stared at nothing as she tried to get her bearings.

The events of the last couple of weeks came flooding back to her mind. She had seen – that. Snow and Leopold. And unfortunately she couldn't not know what she knew.

Her eyes were instantly drawn to the photo that had always given her a feeling of unease. After what she'd seen the entire situation took on a whole new demented feel to it. Why bother giving Emma a picture and telling her that it was her Dad at all? She just didn't understand it.

She had always thought that it was weird that Snow was so young. Emma had told her that she had been 14 when she'd given birth to her. And at barely 32 she had a rounded baby face that still made it hard to believe she'd birthed a child. She barely looked much older than Emma herself.

Unwilling to deal with the situation at hand, Regina forced herself out of bed. She didn't want to drive herself crazy dwelling on something that was beyond her control. And she definitely had no plans on telling Emma any of what she had seen. It would do nothing but devastate her. And she just didn't feel it was her place since all she had were suspicions and no concrete evidence.

She went through her bag and collected her toiletries before making her way to the bathroom for her morning shower. She allowed the rainfall shower to soothe away any of her muddled thoughts for the time being. Afterward she quickly finished her morning routine and dressed. Then she went in search of her girlfriend.

She had no idea where Emma was but if she knew her as well as she did it only took one guess. Sure enough she walked into the kitchen to find Emma sitting on a stool in front of a heaping plate of food.

Emma gave her an open mouthed grin as she held up her fork and gave her a wink, "Tiana made grillades and cheese grits!" She popped the bite into her mouth before closing her eyes and moaning aloud.

Regina rolled her eyes as she took a seat beside her on the next stool over. She leaned over and gave her a kiss on her cheek. Emma's cheeks became a rosy pink as she gave Regina a shy, adoring smile.

Tiana smiled at the young couple as she put a plate of grillades in front of Regina. She laid some silverware and a napkin down for her before turning to the fruit salad and spooning her up a dish. She was glad that Emma had found someone who made her happy.

Tiana had been employed with the family since before Emma was born. She had taken the job to help finance her dream of opening a restaurant of her own. When she'd first started working there her original job had been to be nanny/housekeeper to Snow. She would've never been able to foresee that just a few years later, she'd also end up being nanny to Snow's daughter.

Back then Snow had been a sad and lonely 10 year old. She had just lost her Mother and was having some difficulty adjusting to life without her. She and her Mother had been so close and Snow had been so lost without her that Leopold had thought having someone close to her own age to look after her would be a good idea.

The two had gotten along well and Snow was such a delightful child to look after that it didn't even feel like work at all. Despite their barely 6 year age difference Tiana had quickly grown to love the child as if she were her own. The fact that she had also lost her own Mother at a young age had helped her to bond with her fast.

In the beginning everything had been great. Snow was kind and easy to care for. She offered and asked for affection easily. She was a lovely child.

Then a darkness started to come over Snow. She became rebellious and uncontrollable. She began to act like the spoiled little princess Tiana had been scared she'd meet when she'd first met her. She lied, ran away repeatedly, and had even been brought home by the police more than a few times.

Tiana had been thrown. She'd loved this child from the start and didn't understand how such a change could come over anyone. It hurt to watch her try so hard to destroy herself. And then it happened.

She had been the first person to accidentally discover Snow's pregnancy. It had happened during the last time that the police had driven Snow home after finding her at the local train station. Tiana had wanted to talk with her but she knew that she needed some space first.

She retreated to the kitchen and made a fresh batch of her famous caramel beignets that Snow loved so much along with a cup of peppermint tea. Instead of having her come downstairs she'd decided to run it up to her room. Her hands had been full and she'd had to balance the tray with one hand and her knee as she freed up a hand and opened the door. Snow had been in the process of changing out of one of the oversized outfits she had taken to wearing lately and into another. When Tiana saw her she'd stood in the doorway gaping at the size of Snow's distended belly.

She had noticed the weight gain of course. Snow had looked like she'd gained about 30 pounds in the past few months. But she'd contributed it to her increased appetite since she'd started eating practically nonstop. Maybe even a bout of depression. But she had never imagined this.

The two of them had stood in horror staring at one another before Snow gathered herself together. She'd yelled at Tiana to stay out of her room and her life before slamming the door in her face. She'd had no idea how long she'd stood on the other side of that door before her brain was able to process again.

She'd gone to Leopold and confronted him about the situation. He'd sworn his ignorance over the matter but assured her that he would handle it. A few months later, Emma was born and Tiana was given the choice to become her nanny or leave.

She had been tempted then to walk off with her savings and leave the insanity of the job behind. But Emma had been so tiny and helpless. And Snow had made it clear she wanted nothing at all to do with her. She refused to hold her or even be in the same room with her at all. After staring at that beautiful helpless little bundle desperately looking back up at her Tiana knew she didn't have it in her to leave.

So she'd stayed with the family and raised Emma from a tiny babe. It had broken her heart when Snow and Leopold decided to send her to boarding school. But she had known that with the family that she had that it was probably in her best interest.

Despite the love that she heaped on Emma when she could, she had still watched her struggle to find her own way. She just couldn't understand that she wasn't to blame for her Mother's failure to love her. It was something that no child should ever have to deal with. Over the years, Emma had cried so many tears about it into the blanket she'd knitted for her as a baby that it was nothing more than a stiff white square with a blue ribbon around it.

Now Emma was on the brink of becoming a woman. And Tiana had never seen her laugh, smile, or blush so much before in her entire life. She felt a peace steal over her at the realization that Emma would be just fine.

"So - ," Emma shoved the last of her grits and grillades in her mouth. "I thought we'd spend the day hanging around the pool." She held up her arm and grimaced down at it, "I could definitely use more color."

She ran her hand up and down her belly while thrusting it forward, "and then after my food baby digests we can see who can run laps the fastest," she grinned at her girlfriend.

Regina rolled her eyes and gave her a shrug. She didn't care what they did as long as they were able to spend time together.

She had planned for them to spend the past couple of weeks of vacation wrapped in one another's arms. But it seemed Emma had different plans. They'd spend the day together having a good time and Regina would think – tonight's the night! But after chatting with Tiana and before making their way up to bed, Emma would disappear. She'd say that she was going to spend some time talking with her Grandfather every night after he got back from his office in town. Then Regina would spend the night a nervous wreck waiting for Emma to come upstairs. Her nerves would eventually get the best of her and she'd fall into an exhausted sleep before Emma even made it back to the room.

Tonight would be the last chance they'd have for this kind of uninterrupted time together. And she was determined that this would be the night the two of them consummated their love.

This fit easily into her plans. A lazy day around the pool would be just the foreplay they needed. She and Kathryn had searched the stores high and low until they found a bikini that would be sure to send Emma's blood pressure soaring.

"I'm gonna go up and get changed," Emma rose and turned to walk away before looking up and catching Tiana's eye. She gave her a bashful smile before picking up her plate and silverware and putting them away in the dishwasher. "I'll meet you outside," she told Regina after a quick peck on her cheek.

Emma ran upstairs and dug around her drawer for a swimsuit. She grabbed the first two pieces she could get her hands on not caring what they looked like and quickly threw them on. She grabbed a towel, sunglasses, and some sunscreen then slid her feet into a pair of flip flops. She ran back downstairs as fast as she could.

She had tried her best to make sure that Regina understood that their being there didn't mean she was trying to pressure her into anything. She'd developed a routine that had been working so far. She got up extra early and went through her morning routine before Regina even began to stir in the mornings. And she spent her nights talking with her grandfather until she could barely keep a coherent thought together before making her way up to bed so that Regina wouldn't feel any discomfort from sharing a bed with her.

She had promised her Mother to return her daughter to her perfectly intact and that was precisely what she'd planned to do. The woman was nicknamed the Queen of Hearts because she seemed to love nothing more than crushing the students' hearts and driving them to tears. She terrified her and there was no way she was going to cross her.

She had just reached the bottom stair when she ran into her Mother and a smarmy looking guy with a prosthetic hand. He leered at her and Emma instantly felt an intense dislike to him.

"Emma, I'd like you to meet my new assistant, Killian," Snow preened as she grinned over at him.

Emma's brow furrowed as she had no idea how to take this. Her Mother had never cared about her opinion on anything and there really wasn't much that Emma knew about her personal life. Still, it was weird thinking of her Mother as a flesh and blood woman with needs. But the way she ran her hand along her assistant's arm made it clear that it wasn't just work he was assisting her with.

She pasted on a polite smile as she put her hand out to meet his good one, "nice to meet you."

Killian practically fell over himself as he settled back with his hips jutted forward. He gripped Emma's hand in his tightly and practically ogled her as he grinned before bringing her hand up to his lips, "the pleasure is all mine love."

Emma kept her face straight to hide the sick feeling she got from him sliming over her hand. She quickly took back her hand and slyly wiped it on her towel as she folded her arms across her. She silently cursed herself for not throwing on a cover up before racing downstairs but she had wanted to give Regina space before she went up and changed. The way he was grinning and gawking at her made her want to puke. He wasn't even trying to hide his repulsive behavior.

Snow looked her daughter up and down with distaste written across her face as she watched Killian's reaction to her daughter. "Well, Emma needs to go now. I'm sure her girlfriend is wondering where she is." Snow spat out as she glared at her daughter.

Emma flushed as she reeled from her Mother's rebuke before taking the hint and rushing through the living room and out the sliding glass doors. She had no idea how or why the smallest comments from her Mother affected her so but at least she'd mastered being able to cover up her hurt feelings. You'd think after all these years she'd be more used to it. Though Tiana and her Grandfather did their best to make up for it she still always felt like that lost little girl inside of her that wanted nothing more than her Mother to see and love her for who she was.

"See you soon love," Killian called after her.

Emma didn't even bother to answer him as she quickly made her way out to the pool. She rolled her shoulders and tried her best to shrug off the incident as she made her way over to one of the lounge chairs that surrounded the pool. She went over to the juice bar where the stereo system stood and hooked her phone up to it. She got some music playing before she went back to the lounge chairs and took off her flip flops. She plopped herself down and began to rub sunscreen over her body as she waited for her girlfriend to catch up to her.

Snow, meanwhile, sneered at the buffoon by her side. She had picked him out of all of the candidates to be her personal assistant and he didn't even have the good sense not to swoon after her daughter in her face. "My Father is waiting you witless wonder," she snapped at him as she walked into the den leaving him to follow behind her with a stupefied expression on his face.

She knocked at the door to his study then turned the handle. Her father knew they were coming so there was no need for formalities or niceties. She confidently strode into the room ignoring her father's look of annoyance at being disturbed by her, "Father, I'd like you to meet my new assistant, Killian Jones."

Her father sighed before pasting on an affable expression. His eyes fell upon Killian's prosthetic hand and he started to frown but he caught himself and covered up his reaction quickly. He rose and held his hand out to him, "ahh! The up and newcomer I hear. My daughter tells me that you're a hard worker."

Killian's glee that the old man even bothered to take notice of him could barely be concealed. He practically ran over and pumped the old man's hand, "it's great to meet you sir. Anything you need – night or day - I'm at your full disposal."

The Charming family ran a number of profitable businesses. Leopold had been dubbed the King of the White Kingdom after taking over a failed business from his own father and turning it into a success. Now the family fortune was rumored to be in the hundreds of millions. With this job being promoted to the Assistant to the daughter he'd been grooming to take over after him, Killian could easily see himself being set for life.

The scraping sound of the glass doors in the next room opening drew their attention from one another. Leopold's study overlooked the outdoor swimming pool. Through the floor to ceiling windows that outlined that side of the house they had a perfect view of Emma putting sunscreen on and Regina walking over to join her.

Snow stood between the two imbeciles who had stupidity written across their faces. Killian looked like a lovelorn schoolboy as he stared at Emma and her Father looked like a predator who'd just eyed an easy prey as he stared at Regina. Again a flash of jealousy and anger went through her. "Well – we won't keep you any longer from your - ,' she looked out the windows and then back at the flushed faces of the two oversexed idiots who stood before her making it clear to them that they weren't fooling anyone, With another look out the window she spat out, "work." Again she turned and left the study before anyone could say anything leaving Killian to follow her.

"It was nice to meet you sir," he waved with his good hand as he hurried to follow Snow.

Leopold turned his attention back to the windows. His eyes remained riveted out the window as he stared at the two girls who were completely oblivious to his attentions.

SQ

Regina had finished her breakfast while making small talk with Tiana. The woman had an easygoing affable nature and she made Regina feel comfortable around her. They had gotten along well in the short time that they had gotten to know one another. They had even swapped coveted secret family recipes after Tiana found out that Regina was an accomplished cook.

She had just finished her meal when Tiana leaned forward against the counter, "I'm really glad that Emma has you. You've been great for her."

Regina was touched, "thank you. But I'm the one who's pretty lucky to have her. I think she's been pretty great for me."

Tiana's eyes sparkled with mirth, "You've brought out a side of her that I haven't seen before. And for that you will always be welcome at my table," she nodded at her as she took her empty plate. "You'd better hurry up now chil'. Your vacation's almost over. You'd better make it count."

With a wave and a smile, Regina left the kitchen and made her way up to the room she shared with Emma. Tiana had no idea how prophetic her words were since making it count was precisely what she had in mind. She changed into a red two piece that she had bought just for this occasion. She planned to use their last day together as foreplay for what was to happen that night.

She grabbed a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, flip flops, and threw on a cover up before making her way out to pool. As she opened the glass doors leading outside, she heard the strains of Emma's favorite reggaeton duo, Wisin y Yandel, beating away. Though Emma couldn't speak Spanish she had taken to Regina's culture quickly and now she played reggaeton all the time.

"Fancy meeting you here," Emma called from one of the lounge chairs that sat beside the pool. She was sitting up putting sunscreen on herself. She wore a black bikini top with red bikini bottoms. Regina found it hard to tear her eyes away from her.

After drinking in the sight of Emma in a bikini she shrugged off her lust induced daze. This wasn't about her. She had already made up her mind that Emma was it for her. She was in love. And she wanted to share everything with her. And that included the love that she had for her on a more primal level. She knew Emma was attracted to her. But the right now was about getting Emma in the mood so that they were both on the same level.

She put a swing in step and swung her hips extra hard. She smirked as she pretended not to notice Emma's eyes glued to her body. She gave an exaggerated bend from her hips as she leaned over and placed her things on the lounge chair next to Emma's before daintily sitting down and slowly crossing her legs. She slowly pulled her coverup and shoes off and watched with glee as Emma tried really hard to avert her head even though her eyes kept sliding back over to her anyway.

"Here," she rose and sat beside Emma grabbing the sunscreen from her hands. "Let me do that," she held out her hand for the sunscreen.

Emma swallowed thickly as her breathing sped up and her blinking became slow and exaggerated. She stared into the beautiful brown orbs that she'd fallen in love with before Regina had even known she existed as she tried to come up with an excuse for what she knew was going to be nothing but a bad idea. It was already hard enough for her to function around Regina. Her rubbing oil into her body would just make her - . No! She refused to allow her mind to go there. When her mind remained muddled and she couldn't come up with a reason to say no, she began to stumble and fumble with the sunscreen as she tried to hand it over.

Regina chuckled as Emma fumbled with the bottle before handing it to her with a flushed face and a mumbled, "sorry." She placed her hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her forward. When Emma followed her lead and turned her body fully forward, she squirted a dollop of sunscreen into her hands. She relished the shiver she felt go through Emma's body as she gently began to run her hands up and down her toned body.

Despite Emma's 'I give no f-ks' attitude when it came to school, she excelled in almost all of the school sports. She and her roommate Mulan were either captains or co-captains of almost every single one the school had to offer. She wore the results of it on her body well.

Her unruly mess of hair was thrown up in a messy bun that left her slim, strong shoulders exposed. Her hands were slightly calloused but Regina loved the feel of them when they held hands. Her arms, abs, back, and legs were strong and sculpted. She was soft yet firm in all the right places. Regina had to work hard to control her breathing as she allowed her hands to roam free over her girlfriend's amazing body.

Emma was also finding it hard to control her breathing. And – well – almost everything else. She prided herself on the discipline that it took to maintain her place as a sports legend of the school. But Regina pulling off the dress that she used as a wrap and sitting there in a tiny red bikini was really doing things to her.

The bikini was tinier than anything even she'd ever owned. The red complimented her olive skin tone perfectly. The top was held in place by thin spaghetti straps that ran up Regina's narrow shoulders and put her cleavage on display. The bottoms were held together on the sides by thin strips of fabric that clung to her narrow hips like a second skin. She tried searching her mind for a quick joke to break the tension that was in the air but it was really hard for her concentrate with her girlfriend's gorgeous body on full display. The only things she could think of were all of the things she wanted to do to her right now.

"There," Regina patted her back before turning away. Emma almost wept with relief at the release from the strain that the tension of holding herself in check took. "Now you can do me," she ignored the shock on Emma's face and reached around her to hand her the sunscreen bottle. She turned her back and used the hair tie around her wrist to move her hair out of the way.

Emma stared at Regina's exposed back and shoulders dumbly. She pulled herself together and with a large gulp, she poured the lotion into her hand and began to gingerly rub it in.

"You don't have to be so gentle," Regina chuckled. "I'm not made of glass. I promise I won't break."

Emma rolled her eyes as she silently warred with herself to stop acting like a teen boy with a hard on. She loved Regina and owed her more respect than that. She barked out a small laugh and began rubbing in the sunscreen with harder and faster strokes.

At first Regina was a little nervous. They made out quite a bit. They had even moved up to heavy petting. But Emma was always the perfect lady. She never pushed her into anything. She always let her take the lead. She found herself sighing as Emma's touch began to fill her with a warmth that was starting to make her toes curl. A throbbing began deep within her core and it took every ounce of her willpower not to throw Emma down and have her way with her then and there.

Emma gave a sharp intake of breath as she felt Regina's body becoming limp. She had begun leaning farther back into Emma's touch until she was practically on her lap. When Regina slowly turned around to look up at her, she was certain her heart would explode out of her chest. All she could feel was a rush in her head as every thought she had flew out of it.

Regina gave Emma a naughty smile that made her eyes crinkle. It was in that moment right before their eyes met that Emma knew she was done for.

After turning her body toward her fully, Regina lazily reached up to place first one arm and then the other on Emma's shoulders. She pulled herself up on bended knees that rested between Emma's thighs. She watched Emma's lust blown eyes half close as she slowly inched forward and fused their lips together.

Emma moaned from the physical contact. She knew she should do the right thing and put a stop to this before things got too far. But she had spent the past few months ignoring her needs. Now – this close – she couldn't deny them anymore.

Regina took the opportunity of Emma's mouth parting on a moan to deepen their kiss. Her tongue invaded the warm, wet space beyond as Emma sucked on the protruding muscle. She pushed herself against Emma until they were both in a reclining position. Emma's hands came around her waist and her hands grasped her shoulders as the two melded their bodies closer together.

Emma's mind and body were both on fire. Her hips bucked upwards involuntarily searching for friction to relieve the pressure that was building up even as she tried to get a grasp on the situation. When Regina released her mouth so that they could both get a breath in she managed to gain enough control to pull away, "Wait! We can't! I mean – I didn't bring you here to - ," she gestured down at both of their bodies.

Regina shook her head and chuckled before she took the hand Emma was using to try and push her away and pinned her wrist above her head instead. She stared down into her girlfriend's beautiful green eyes that had turned a dark moss color as her excitement climbed, "I know!" She reached for her other wrist and pinned it on the other side of her head, "but this is what I want," she husked in a voice dripping with pure sex. Emma's hips again involuntarily bucked against her girlfriend's thigh. She bent her head and dropped a soft kiss onto thin pale lips before meeting and holding her eyes, "It's why I came here. I'm ready."

Emma gasped surprised. Regina's hips began to slowly rock against her – sending her pulse into hyperdrive. She knew she should stop but she couldn't. Her body wanted this just as much as she did. Still, someone had to keep their head here, "You sure? I mean – you don't have to. I don't mind waiting. I'm - ," Emma cut off as Regina dipped her head and ran her tongue along her jawline. Another moan escaped her lips and her body became flooded with wetness.

Regina traced Emma's jaw with her tongue before grabbing ahold of those delectable lips again. Her hand reached down between them as she cupped Emma's breast and squeezed lightly, "I'm sure," she whispered against her mouth.

Emma easily slipped her wrists free as she brought them down to Regina's hips, "okay," she grinned. "But uh - ," she looked toward the house, "I think we should go inside, ya know?"

Regina giggled which in turn made Emma do the same. The two took a moment to compose themselves. She slid off of Emma's body and sat up on the lounge chair as they both tried to control their heavy breathing. She looked toward the house, "Give me 20 minutes," she rose and turned toward the house. "Not a second before!" she raised a finger in warning before she quickly sauntered away.

Emma stared after her girlfriend. God she loved that woman! She sat up a little unsteadily as she tried to compose herself. She wanted Regina so badly she was shaking. She began gathering their things together. She wrapped the sunscreen and their sunglasses inside of her towel and placed Regina's cover up on top of it. She walked over to the juice bar and set them down as she began to scroll through her phone for something to do to pass the time.

WK

Snow had led Killian through the living room and into the den next door before she rounded on him after leaving her Father's office. "You ungrateful bastard! After all I've done for you!"

Killian was stunned. He had no idea what he had done – except well – be a man, "I – I - I'm sorry," he stammered. "I meant no disrespect!" he held up both his hands in submission.

"How dare you!? I brought you here to help you! And you repay me by acting like an oversexed teenager! I could've helped make your career. But now – I promise that I will end you!" she snarled at him.

Killian was at a loss. He was a man. And her daughter was – well. Obviously the boss' daughter would be off-limits to one such as him. Though he never had a problem collecting notches on his bedposts the female of the species still had a way of throwing him for a loop.

He would be able to understand better if they were dating. But she had just offered him this job promotion a week after he'd started off as a clerk in the mailroom. He had jumped at the opportunity as anyone with half a brain would. She had been making advances on him the entire time. He'd noticed she'd gotten possessive of him but still – she was his boss. And he wasn't attracted to her.

Though her advances were unwanted and unwarranted he'd allowed her behavior to go unchecked because he desperately needed and wanted this job. He'd come from nothing. Now Snow was offering him the keys to the kingdom. He'd had to worse things than being led on by a woman to get by before. He could endure her for however long he needed to in order to continue his climb up the career ladder.

He could tell she was steaming. Still he was sure he could turn this around. He walked over to Snow and lowered his voice until it came out as a husk. He lifted her hand in his and locked her gaze with his eyes before slowly bringing her hand up to his lips. It was a seduction that had always worked for him in the past. And if her heaving bosom was any indication, it was working for him now, "Love, I swear to you, there will never be any before or above you. On my honor," he drawled slowly as he placed her hand over his chest.

Again the sliding glass doors opening and closing pulled both their gazes out through the open doorway before a blur of red and black flew past. Then Leopold showed up. Snow looked at her Father curiously as his study door opened and he stood in the doorway. From the opposite direction she could make out Emma's girlfriend making her way towards the stairs. Her face hardened with disgust. Killian looked between Father and daughter as he tried to figure out what was going on.

Leopold hadn't even noticed the couple as he watched Emma's girlfriend made her way upstairs with hungry eyes. The tiny bikini she was wearing left nothing to the imagination and her hips swung seductively as she continued upstairs with no awareness of the show she was putting on nor her audience down below. As if in a trance, he began to make his way up the stairs behind her.

Snow walked out into the open living room with her eyes glued to her Father. She knew that look. She was unfortunately usually at the other end of it. She glanced out the doors and saw her daughter making herself a drink at the juice bar oblivious to what was going on inside the house just as she always had been.

Snow shook her head with revulsion. If she didn't have the scars to prove it she never would've guessed she was even her daughter. She turned back toward the stairs as she watched first Regina make her way to the room that she shared with her daughter. Then her Father began to follow her at a slower pace.

Dread pooled in Snow's belly as she knew without question what was about to happen. Killian's betrayal was for the moment forgotten as she turned to him and began to do what she'd been doing for her Father since she was a young girl. Cleaning up his messes.

"Get Emma," she commanded as she began to make her way to the stairs. "Tell her that she has to go with you to pick something up from town. Do NOT take no for an answer. Make sure you stay gone for at least an hour," she instructed before she began to walk upstairs.

Kilian had no idea what was going on. But from the tone of her voice, he wasn't going to question her now. Nor was he going to turn down an opportunity to spend time alone with her daughter. With a bounce in his step, he headed out toward the pool.

ES

Curiously, Emma turned toward the glass doors as she heard them open. She'd thought she was supposed to meet Regina upstairs. When she saw her Mother's assistant instead, her lips began to tug down instead of up.

Killian noticed the change in demeanor but didn't let it bother him at all. He fancied himself an attractive lad and he'd never had any problem getting a woman before. Still, this one was special. Just watching her standing there made him want to give up his wicked ways and settle down, "we meet again love."

Emma rolled her eyes before turning back toward the drink she'd just poured herself to calm her nerves. She had no interest in some slimy one handed loser when she had a goddess upstairs waiting on her. Instead of answering, she looked at the time on the phone and counted 2 minutes were down and she had 18 more to go before joining her Queen.

Killian wasn't the least put out by her slight, "Your Mum says there's something in town that she needs. She insisted you come along."

Two lines appeared between Emma's eyes as she frowned at him. Her Mother didn't send her for errands. In fact, she didn't seem to have any use for Emma at all, "Well, I'm not dressed right now so I guess that's on you," she pointedly turned the stool she was sitting on around and began to tap away at her phone.

Killian walked over to the lounge chairs she and Regina had been on earlier and grabbed Regina's wrap. "No worries love. This should only take a few minutes," he walked over and handed Emma the coverup.

Regina's cover up was basically a flowy wrap around dress. It was light but it also covered everything beneath. Emma grabbed it from her Mother's gross boyfriend mostly because she didn't want his hands on anything that belonged to her. She threw it on because it was better than standing in front of him wearing nothing but a bikini, "I have more important plans."

Killian reached out and grabbed her hand, "we'll be back in a jiffy love." He pulled her behind him as he rounded the house. The last thing he saw before leaving the glass windows behind was Snow standing on the stairwell staring upward.

Emma followed unsure of what to say. She didn't want to go. She wanted to be with her Regina. But her hand was locked in a vice grip as she was practically dragged along behind her Mother's assistant.

Regina was expecting her upstairs in 16 minutes. She bit her lip as she did a quick calculation in her head. If they were running into town that would take them 45 minutes one way at least. But her Mother had to have sent him out there to get her which meant it was important to her in some way.

She still didn't want to go but she guessed a quick errand for her Mother couldn't hurt. They still had all day and all night to be together. And this douche was definitely a turn-off. That would give her some added time to cool off before the she met her love upstairs.

They quickly made their way to Killian's convertible. With a flourishing bow, he opened the door and she threw one last look behind her at the house. She quickly tapped out a text to Regina telling her that she was running an errand and would be right back. Then she slid into the empty seat and waited for this torture to be over.