Time to lock up, Regina told herself.
She always stayed late on the days when Henry went to after-school club. Today had turned into one of the rare days when she would be home really late. Henry would be preparing to bed when she arrived, the babysitter she hired would have picked him up, made sure his homework was completed and taken over the little parenting tasks she enjoyed.
During the long drive home she kept glancing at the clock, trying to reassure herself that Henry would still be awake so she could kiss him goodnight and tuck him in. Of course, he hadn't let her do those things for the last year but she still hoped that one day he would forget and she would have one more chance to be his mom.
There were lights still on in the house. More than the babysitter knew she liked. Regina's eyes swept the street outside for signs of something else wrong, and quickly entered the mansion. Hearing the familiar sound of Henry laughing, though it had been a while since he laughed in her presence, her breathing slowed and she pulled herself back from complete panic. Following the sound, she traced him upstairs to his room where his door was open and another voice was speaking to him.
"Henry, it's getting late," she called out before stepping into the room, expecting to see the babysitter telling him the same thing. "Miss Swan?"
"Hey Regina, sorry…"
"It's my fault mom," Henry interrupted before she could tell Emma off, "I invited her over. She didn't know you weren't here and I didn't tell her.
"Then his babysitter had a phone call about a family emergency… so I offered to look after Henry. I hope that was okay, she only left about ten minutes ago."
Regina hated the way Henry tried to defend Emma. He used to want to protect her, but now she was the enemy and Emma the damsel-in-distress. As Regina looked at Emma, she realised the blonde was genuinely apologetic. The absence of a desire to attack felt strange. She should want to order Emma from the house, threaten that she never see Henry again after breaking the rules they'd agreed upon.
"It's fine. Henry you have five minutes to brush your teeth and get into bed. I don't want to come up and find you reading by torchlight again. Understood?"
"Yes mom," he mumbled, defiantly giving Emma a hug goodbye in front of her.
Regina quickly turned and left the room, so she wouldn't hear him tell his birth mother that he loved her. She was pouring herself a glass of apple cider when Emma entered her study a few minutes later.
"I'm really sorry Regina, I honestly thought…"
"What? That I'd invited you here? If that was the case, I would use my phone and speak to you directly."
"It won't happen again."
"Drink?" Regina offered, glad for the excuse to turn away.
"Anything other than cider? I think the last batch was a little strong for me."
Regina smiled as she glanced back at Emma, "if you're sure, I think I have some wine."
Leading Emma into the kitchen and pouring her a glass of wine, Regina studied her visitor, recalling the events of the previous night.
"It won't be long until I've paid the garage bill," Emma began, trying to start with a topic the mayor would appreciate.
"Then you can get back to your life. I suppose the larger cities have more entertaining places than the Rabbit Hole to spend your evenings?"
"Actually, the bar was nice. I like the feeling that everyone knew everyone else and it was so relaxed in there, as though they had all the time in the world to just hang out and shoot pool."
Regina allowed a small smile to cross her face at the innocent words, "and your friends? They must miss you."
"Actually I've only got one really good friend and he's off travelling so he probably doesn't even know I've gone."
"Hmm…" Regina glanced at the clock, "I should check on Henry. Would you like another glass of wine?"
"Okay," Emma surprised herself by agreeing so quickly.
Regina left her with the bottle, indicating that she should help herself to as much as she wished and went upstairs. Returning a few minutes later, she was pleased to see Emma's glass half full and the bottle only slightly reduced.
"That was fast, is he asleep already?" Emma asked.
"No, but I have removed the temptation of his torch."
"Thank you for the drink," Emma placed the glass on the counter, watching Regina raise hers and down it in two seconds.
"I should be thanking you, Miss Swan."
"What for?"
"For your wonderful sewing skills."
Emma's attention was drawn to where Regina now pointed to her blouse, the gap at the top seemed so much lower than in her office to Emma now. She tried to pull her eyes away, but Regina's hand remained stroking the soft material. Her mouth dry, Emma bit her lips and looked up as Regina stepped closer.
"I was happy to help," she managed to whisper.
"You saved me from a potentially embarrassing situation."
"I'm sure you'd do the same."
Regina merely hmm'd in reply and tucked some hair behind her left ear, "perhaps there's something I can do to show my appreciation."
"Uh…" Emma left her mouth open as Regina moved towards her again.
"A small gift."
Regina reached over and lifted a bottle of her homemade cider from the side. Her arm brushed against Emma's shoulder, but she didn't appear to notice. She smiled as she stepped back and held out the bottle to the blonde.
"I made it myself, and it can be a little strong so I don't advise drinking it before you drive."
Emma suddenly felt as though her limbs were made of lead. She couldn't move. Her heart sank as she looked at the bottle, then back at Regina.
"In some cultures it is considered rude to refuse a gift," Regina prompted.
Somehow Emma managed to choke a few words out, "thank you."
Regina placed the bottle down beside Emma's glass. She stared at the blonde for a moment, as if weighing her next decision. It would be foolish to misread the situation, and matters were already so complicated, she knew.
"I never make the right decisions," Regina whispered to herself, before grabbing a fistful of the front of Emma's top and pulling the younger woman in for a kiss.
It took Emma a second to get over her surprise but she was soon leaning into the kiss, moving her hands to Regina's waist. Everything felt right, like they instinctively knew what move the other would make next. As Emma took a step towards Regina, the mayor mirrored her with a step backwards. The moved until Regina's back hit the wall and she broke away with a sharp intake of breath. Stalling Regina's chance to speak, Emma placed a finger to the mayor's lips and smiled.
"Don't over-think this."
Regina frowned, but Emma's finger pressed against her lips remained in place.
"I like you, Regina. Maybe you don't feel the same way I do, or maybe you just don't want to admit it yet, but to me that kiss was amazing… Can you pretend, just for a second, that we're simply two strangers who've met at a bar and tell me how you really feel … as if none of the other stuff exists…"
"..but it does," Regina whispered regretfully as she released Emma's top.
"But if it didn't?"
"I have Henry, I have a town to run, and a relationship with you - whether serious or a fling - would only complicate things."
"I've got one week until I pay off the car and Dr Whale will agreed to let me drive again. I don't want to leave with any regrets."
A week? Regina was surprised. Time had flown so quickly. It seemed like only a day or two since Emma had arrived in town.
"There's so much in my life I didn't get to do, or say, and I don't want to add this to my list. I know you want me to leave, but I'm just asking for one chance – one week. If you still want me to go I will, but for the next six or seven days can we just…try this. When I kiss you it's like nothing I've ever felt before, it's like… magic."
"Really? Magic? Do you also see fireworks, or hear music?"
"I'm being serious. Do you really not feel the same way?"
Regina paused. What could be the harm?
"One week, and then you'll still leave? No matter what?"
Emma placed a hand over her heart, "unless you ask me to stay. I promise."