"Who's back to her team?" I heard August's voice yell through the loud music when we entered our favorite smoky bar. I found my friends standing by the bar, raising their shots. Elsa, August, Ruby and Graham all looked a bit drunk already. Elsa's pale
face was all red this time, and both Graham and Booth had some weird spark in their eyes.

I just smiled, walking in alongside Regina, and August grabbed my waist, throwing me in the air, causing Regina and I both to giggle.

"Okay, okay big boy I presume you're drunk." I laughed and looked at Regina to see how's she doing. This is the first time she came back to this bar since her husband passed away and I wanted to make sure she's comfortable.

After the hearing I wanted to thank her somehow for her help, because she did most of the work really. If her presence wasn't enough to start with, she had a chance to stand up and speak, they couldn't really deny she's right, so they left me with a warning.

She looked around, examining the bar slowly. Maybe searching for changes, new faces.

"Hey Regina!" They greeted her with a hug, and Graham and Elsa gave us 1-1 shot.

"Cheers for Emma!" Ruby yelled, but I put up my hand.

"Hey wait!" I stopped them before they could throw their drinks down their throats. "To Regina! She's the hero of the day!" I smiled at her softly and she returned my smile. Her smile showed happiness, but you could see through it, a smile that still
showed the pain which surrounded her whole being when she was around us.

"To Regina!" They cheered.

"Drinks are on Emma!" Graham yelled and I pushed his arm and smirked at him, then looked back at Regina who smiled widely at the situation. I bet she missed these idiots.

"Fine drinks are on me." I said, and led the way to the back of the bar.

We sat down at our usual table, and ordered our next round, while everyone settled. Regina decided to sit between Elsa and I, while Graham, Booth and Ruby sat in front of us.

"So where's Henry?" Graham inquired, looking at Regina. I could see he had enough drinks already cause his eyes where a bit glassy and he spoke way to slow.

"He's staying with his grandparents for a week. Summer holiday can be a pain in the ass if you don't have a babysitter." She explained.

"Well, we are happy to see him at the Fire House sometimes, I'm sure Harrison's kids would be happy to play around with someone their age. No offense Emma." Graham said followed by a chuckle, and in the exact same moment a girl covered his eyes from back.
She has a distinctive appearance, with her long, flowing, bright red hair, sparking green eyes, and smokey makeup. She was truly one of the most beautiful girls I've seen lately.

"Hey Baby." she said, and gave a kiss on his cheek.

"Oh hey Ariel." He smiled at her widely. "Guys, this is Ariel my girlfriend, and Ariel, this is August, Ruby, Emma, Regina and Elsa." He said Elsa's name so slow I felt my heart pounding in my ears.

Poor Els...

"Hey everyone, Dr. Mills." She nodded at Regina with a slight smile. I guess they know each other from the hospital.

"Miss Blaese." Regina greeted her coldly. Well at least I know I wasn't the only one she kept away.

"You know each other?" Graham asked her, while she sat in his lap. I shifted in my seat to see how's Elsa doing. She didn't even try to look at those lovebirds.

"Yes she was my mentor for like a month." Ariel splitted the words between her teeth like she was cursing, and Regina chuckled drily.

Thankfully no one asked anything cause that probably wouldn't end well.

"So, how long have you guys been together?" Elsa asked looking up from her phone which she had placed on the table probably only for distraction.

"Uhm, how long babe?" Graham looked up at Ariel. Something is off Graham is the one who remembers every little detail, there's no way he doesn't remember.

"It's been 5 months Love." Arial smiled brightly. She truly looked happy, and in love. She didn't even seemed like a bitch I imagined her to be. Maybe I just made up my mind against her, to help Elsa cope with everything. Either way, I hate this situation,
and I definitely hate Graham for putting Elsa through this.

"That's so lovely." Elsa replied, but she couldn't hide how disappointed she is from me. I could feel it how her voice trembled.

Regina looked at me, reading my face like a book. I should take classes from 'how to hide your feelings' or something, cause she could definitely see I'm worried about something.

"So Regina. Did you leave those bastards alive or just one to deliver the message?" Ruby asked, turning everyone's attention to Regina. Ruby always know when to interrupt and change the topic.

"What are you talking about?" Regina laughed. "I'm a gentle soul. I just made them see how uneducated they are." She shrugged.

"Oh you do that very good. Making people think you're the only one who can manage a surgery." Ariel says, and I could feel the air getting hot around us.

"I'm good at my job Miss Blaese. And as a mentor I have to prepare you. It's not about my ego but helping you get better in your job. You didn't like to work with me, fine. Some would kill for me to mentor them." Regina replied calmly. I could feel she's
holding back the beast. Although I kind of wished she wouldn't hold it back. There was something attractive about her when she talked right from her heart. Her body language changed as well. She straightened,held her chin up, and she was never afraid
to look anyone in the eye. She could kill with those big brown eyes.

Ariel on the other hand, avoided eye contact and turned to Graham.

"So any interesting firefighting story for today?" She asked and we all gasped for air.

"We have a rule here, we don't talk about work." Elsa informed her coldly.

"That's right." Booth and I agreed.

"We have that rule at home. I don't want to go to sleep with the idea of him rushing into a burning house. It's just scares me to death." Ariel said, looking right into Regina's eyes and Regina shifted in her seat. She does this on purpose. She
is a bitch after all... I feel like I'm so focused on Regina beside me in this situation I could feel what she feels. She turned pale, and pushed her back against the back-rest. Ariel wants Regina out of here, but I won't let that happen. She deserves
to be appreciated and respected in this fellowship, and I won't let a sneaky little red haired girl scare her off.

"Well I'm very glad we have the same rules then." I said coldly, addressing my message to the red head.

"Is that Regina Mills? Or am I just dreaming?" Harrison almost screamed as he and some older firefighters walked in, and came to say hi.

Oh this is not in a good time. This must be so uncomfortable for her. I should have listened to myself and taken her out for a dinner or to another bar, there's just too many memories here. But she insisted to come here after I called Booth and he said
they are all waiting for me here.

"Heey." Regina's face turns into a smile for my surprise, and hugs them tight.

"We missed you here Regina. I'm so glad I can see that pretty face of yours smile again. Let me invite you for a drink. Oh and Emma, you too darling." He smiled, and gave a kiss on the top of my head.

"It's quite cute how you play with his kids and he treats you like his daughter." Ruby covered her mouth, trying to hide her laugh.

"So funny Rubes. But I'm pretty sure I've seen you and Elsa play with them too, but I'm definitely their favorite." I wink and Regina chuckles softly before sipping from her whiskey.

"What?" I whisper.

"Looks like you're very good with children. Not just mine, but three other loves you. Impressive." She said, and I shrugged.

"Again, I'm full of surprises." I smiled.

"That you are Miss Swan. That you are." She said grinned, and finished her drink.

"So, this is like the first time you're back since..." Ariel inquiered. I had enough of this girl.

Everyone remained quiet, and Regina closed her eyes.

"Did I ask something wrong?" She asked, addressing the question to Graham.

"Babe, I think you should go." He said softly, stroking her back. "I'll see you at home."

"I have every right to be here." She stated, not moving from Graham's lap.

"It's for the best if you go. I won't stay long." Graham said, pushing her off his lap.

"No, wait. It's getting late, I should head home anyway. It was nice seeing you all again." Regina said, and stood up from our table.

"What Regina no! Stay please." Booth said, and gave an angry glare to Ariel.

"No it's fine. I worked a lot lately and I need a long sleep." She said, and placed a hand on Elsa's shoulder to sign her to let her out. "I'll see you soon." She said, and walked away. She said goodbye to the others who with time settled at the bar while
walking out. I looked after her, and weight my options up. I either go after her and talk, or stay and I won't hear from her for another two weeks.

I throw my whiskey down my throat angrily, and stood up too.

"See you tomorrow." I groaned, kissed Elsa's cheek as I passed her, and rushed after Regina.

I found her standing ten meters away from the entrance, holding her phone to her ear. I walked closer I took a look at her for a second, I heard she's probably talking to a cab dispatcher. I walked up to her, grabbed her phone and shifted it to my ear,
which caused her jump a bit in surprise then she looked away staring at the dark horizon.

"No need for a cab thank you." I said simply, and ended the call.

"You can't make me go back." She said dryly, and after she took back her phone she crossed her arms.

"Good, I don't want to go back either." I shrugged, and started to walk down the street.

She didn't follow me on the first five meter, but soon I heard her shoes's clicking sound against the pavement.

"So canceled my cab. What now?" She asked annoyedly, when she finally catched up with me.

"We are going to have proper street food, then go to a random bar and have another 4-5 drinks then go home and spend the night sitting on the balcony and talking." I said simply like we already agreed on a plan.

"What makes you think I'd ever go home with you?" She asked and rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't sure if you will get stuck with the streetfood or coming home with me." I chuckled.

"Kinda both." She replied, but kept walking with me. Something makes me think she actually wants me around, and it helps me going.

"Come on Gina." I smiled at her, and stopped, grabbing her lower arm. "I know the best kebab place ever, and I can guarantee you'd have fun tonight with me.

"Do. Not. Ever. Call. Me. Gina." She warned, and I could see the fire in her eyes.

"Okay. Sorry." I said, and put my hand up in defense.

"Look Emma I get what you're trying to do." She stated calmly.

"Trying to become your friend." I stated.

"No." She chuckled. "You're trying to get into my panties , and it won't ever happen." She stated.

"Gosh you're so full of yourself." I gasped.

"So why make friends with an egocentric bitch?" She asked, and started to walk again, but I stopped her.

"I swear Regina you're getting me crazy. You are so fucking complicated." I groaned once again, and I could see I lighted fire in her eyes again.

"Then you might just want to stay out of my life." She suggested sarcastically. Typical Regina style.

"I want to be your friend. I swear. Just a friend." I say, and stare at her ragefull eyes for a few second. She doesn't say a word to me. "Regina please." I begged.

"I don't need a friend from pity." She stated. "Why do you even care?" She asked.

"It's not pity Regina." I said. "I wan't to become your friend because I respect you, and you're actually fun to be with. And I know you care too. Otherwise you wouldn't have apologized or stand up for me on the hearing."

"Oh I don't care dear." She laughed dryly. "I did what every decent doctor would do for a coworker."

"You're not honest." I state and she still doesn't say a word to me. "I'll call you a cab and you won't hear from me again, if that's what you really want." I stated, and let go of her arm.

"I can call my own cab." She said, and walked away. Again, I did everything to keep her around and she pushed me away.

I turned back and found Elsa leaning on the wall of the bar.

"Am I an idiot for trying?" I asked more from myself then from her. "Regina won't ever change she will keep pulling me close then pushing me away." I gasped for air. "That what she does and I fell for her tricks again. I keep humiliating myself, and the
thing is I still don't want to give up." I said quietly.

"Then don't." Elsa says softly, and looks after Regina's clear off figure.

"I... Don't know what to do." I admit. "She won't talk to me tonight that's for sure."

"How do you know?" She asked.

"I... I don't." I say. Elsa smiles softly, and hugs me.

"Go after her Em."She whispers.

"You alright?" I asked and she nod against my shoulder. "That Ariel bitch should burn." I laughed, when I heard Elsa giggle.

"I miss you Emma." She admits. "But now you have your girl to run after." She states, and pushes me away from the hug.

"I miss you too Els. And she's not my girl." I add, while starting to walk after her.

"Sure she's not." Elsa chuckled, and waved goodbye.

"Let's find Regina." I whisper to myself.