Title: (Just Like) Starting Over

Rating: T for language, might be bumped later for language and/or sexiness

Disclaimer: I have no rights to any persons real or imagined, no television shows, no books, basically nothing. You want to sue me the best thing I have is a bed, but try to take that and I'll cut a bitch, it's super comfy.

Summary: AU Remma, Regina/Emma, Swan Queen, whatever you want to call it. Regina is a high society HBIC, Emma is a street-smart cop. This is what happens when I watch Once Upon a Time then go to sleep listening to Uptown Girl.

Word Count: This chapter: 400; Total: 5774

Notes: I can't get the idea of Remma out of my head; you will all be subjected to more of it. And frequently.

Also, I'm trying to build my own AU canon here so bear with me. Mary is Emma's pseudo-mother but James (yes he will be James, not David or John) did NOT come part and parcel with Mary. There will be Henry, but certainly not when Emma's 18. I think that's it.


Melanie Blake and Regina Mills. They were best frenemies before the word was even invented. They snarked back and forth, competed in everything; but nobody else was allowed to insult either of them, or risk their combined wrath.

So of course, there was nobody else Regina would have wanted as her maid of honor.

"Ante up, let me see it," Mel commanded, gesturing for her friend's hand the moment Regina sat down.

The brunette frowned at her long-time friend before extending her hand. "I don't know what's got you so curious."

"Regina, the other hand, the one with the rock. Let me see." Melanie gave up the pretense of being polite and leaned over the table to grab Regina's left hand.

With a sigh Regina moved closer to the table, in an effort to keep her shoulder in its socket. "I know it's small, but Emma insisted on paying for the whole thing herself,so - "

"It's beautiful." Regina looked at Melanie with a doubtful expression. That was probably the first genuine compliment that one of them had given the other. "But did you say 'Emma?' I thought we got over the lesbian flings after college," the blonde teased, releasing her friend's hand.

"Did you smack your pretty, little head on the pavement? You almost sounded nice." Regina shot her own barb back at the socialite with a disinterested expression.

It was like a game, or a dance. One they both knew well. And the next move was a false, tinkling laugh from the blonde. "How else am I supposed to get in your good graces and meet your less-than-charming fiancé?"

"I assure you, you won't." This time the brunette was serious. Putting the two blondes together in the same room could be a disaster beyond comprehension. Either that or they would get along famously; Emma always did surprise her like that.

"But Reggie - "

"No buts, Mel Mel."

In the end the blondes did meet before the wedding, and got along or argued as they wanted.

"So, what do you think?" Regina asked, admiring herself in the mirror.

"Beautiful," was the only word her father could muster as he dabbed at his eyes.

"You look beautiful." Regina's eyes snapped up to catch her friend's eye. The flattery sounded genuine. "But stop fishing for compliments, I'm going to outshine you and you know it." Now that was Melanie.