I'm dedicating this chapter to Once Upon A Time. They had a great finale, and I'll forever be grateful to the show, no matter how wacky it could be at times.

Hope you enjoy the update, sorry it's on the shorter side.

"Come one Swan, you can't stare at this board forever," Detective Hatter said handing her a cup of coffee. "It's been weeks, and we have no leads." Pictures of Michale before and after his dead covered the bard, along with the autopsy report, and ballistics.

"That's what's bothering me. We have all of the facts, and we know who our victim is. We have the cause of death, and the location. We were then fed lies as to who our killer was…" Captain Jackson had told Regina over the phone he had connections in the city. He was going use these connections to to get Michael's death swept under the rug as easily as possible. Unfortunately the NYPD wasn't easily swayed to look the other way, or take a weak explanation for a gruesome homicide. It he hadn't been a solider, and it had just been a simple bullet to the head, sure they wouldn't waste their time slaving over this case. But, he was a soldier, and there were signs of torture. "Why is our guy getting away with this?" Detective Swan was already frustrated with having to push the Holloman case aside.

They had been working other cases through out, and the majority of those had been successful, so they were staying busy. Detective Swan and her team had an excellent case record, and now having two, seemingly impossible cases on there desk … well, she was going a little crazy.

The security cameras at the warehouse were busted, and the ones in the surrounding area weren't able to get a clear image. They were either too far away, old, or pointed the wrong way. They had seen a car, and possibly a figure moving about outside the warehouse, but they didn't have a way of identifying them whatsoever.

"We'll catch a break in time," Nolan said hanging up his desk phone. "Right now, we've got a body on the upper east side. Shall we?"

.x.

Three weeks. Six flights from the capital to New York. Six sessions with the Secretary. She had him forgetting all about Chantel in no time, but he still hadn't opened up the necessary amount to fulfill the mission. He didn't treat her badly, although he could get a little rough on occasion. She was surviving, as always, and she was grateful he usually preferred her to be in control. She generally enjoyed being in control, but it could be tiring after a while.

Regina called Mary once she'd landed, and told her she was coming over, and to leave the door unlocked. As soon as Regina came through the door she threw her things down, and immediately pulled Mary in for a heated kiss. Mary was slightly taken by surprise, but she wasn't complaining. Regina pulled away with a smile causing Mary to laugh. "Well it's good to see you too."

"I've just missed you is all," Regina said. "And I want you," she said taking her hand and leading her to the bedroom.

"Right now?" Mary asked looking at her watch. It was six o'clock.

"Right now." Regina attempted to drag her into the bedroom, but Mary held her ground.

"As much as I'd love too, I was hoping we could grab dinner… first? I promise I'll make it worth your while," she smiled.

Regina pursed her lips, but there was a smirk hiding underneath. "What did you have in mind?"

"I know you have a pretty wide pallet, and classier than this, but there is this great pizza place around the corner. In my opinion, best in the city."

Regina chuckled. "I like pizza as much as the next guy. And if this place is as good as you say it is, I'd be delighted."

Regina was pleasantly surprised to find that the restaurant held up to Mary's praise. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been at a simple pizzeria, drinking soda, and laughing as if she were young. Maybe she couldn't remember, because it had never happened. They walked arm and arm back to the apartment. Regina actually felt herself smiling. Her thoughts were running wild with the case, but Mary was successfully putting her at ease for a few seconds every now and then. "Thank you for tonight, I really needed it."

"It was just pizza," Mary teased.

"I know," she smiled. "But it's been a long time since I've had such a simple night. It was nice."

"I'm glad, but," Mary walked in front of her and started walking backwards. "Our night is far from over."

.x.

Mary woke up to the room feeling a little colder than usual. She rolled over and saw Regina out on the balcony. She had left the doors open just enough for the wind to drift in. Mary rolled out of bed, and grabbed one of the blankets on the bed. She wrapped it around her shoulders, and joined Regina outside. Regina was in only underwear and a large t-shirt, how she wasn't cold, Mary didn't know. She was leaning against the railing looking over the sleepless city. What Mary wasn't expecting to see was a cigarette dangling in the hand that was draped over the side. "I didn't know you smoked."

It was clear that Regina hadn't heard her approach by the way she jumped. She turned around, and it took a second for her brain to catch up with what Mary said. "I don't." Regina immediately flashed back to her and Mal on the balcony in Paris, smoking Mal's expensive cigarettes; which only made her want to smoke even more.

Mary's skeptic eyes darted to the smoke floating up from her hand. "Well yes," she corrected. "I am right now, but I don't usually. A bad habit I picked up some odd years ago. I usually only do it when I'm stressed, or around others who are doing it. I know I need to stop, but…"

"Don't worry, I'm not judging. But, no one else is smoking, so that must mean something's bothering you?" Regina looked down, and then out at the city again with a breathy laugh. Gave herself away too easily. "You don't have to talk about it." Mary could sense she was somewhat uncomfortable with the question.

"No, it's fine. I've just got a lot on my mind concerning work. It's… proving to be more taxing, much earlier than I anticipated. I'm only three weeks in. I'm getting the job done efficiently, but my stamina is waning. Losing my touch," she said with a weak smirk.

"Don't say that. You've got a lot on your plate right now, and I'm sure the back and forth traveling doesn't help. But hey, try to think on the bright side. You're training and recruiting soldiers to serve their country, and I think that's amazing."

"You know, I don't think I've ever met someone as optimistic as you."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all." Usually Regina would say it was. Optimistic people were quite vexing with their positive attitude and ignorance. However, she didn't feel that way about Mary. "It's refreshing."

Mary smiled, "I'm glad." She leaned forward like she was going to kiss her, but at the last second snatched the cigarette from her hand. Mary walked backwards into the bedroom, and with a cheeky grin took a drag of the cigarette. After exhaling she put it out on the doorframe and made sure to drop it outside. Regina stood there with her eyebrows raised, and mouth slightly agape. "What?" Mary asked innocently. "Come back inside. There are other ways to relieve stress."

An hour later they lay silently in bed. Regina had finally be able to clear her mind for a moment, and was relishing in its peace.

"Have you ever been with a man before?"

Regina stiffened. "What?" she asked more shakily than intended. It wasn't like Mary knew about Cardwell, but it had her on edge.

"Intimately I mean."

Regina was able to settle a little knowing this was just Mary being curious about her past affairs. "I have." When she's had to. "But I prefer the touch of a woman if that's what your wondering."

"It was."

"Why do you ask?"

"No reason really. Just been thinking."

"About?" Regina contunde to inquire.

"How when I'm with you everything feels so right. That when you're gone, I miss you like crazy. No man has ever made me feel this way before.

Regina felt a pain in her heart. Cardwell, her own sick games… what was she doing to this woman, to her own conscious? She had more of a conscious than she original believed. "I'm glad you're finding yourself, and that I'm the one to help you do it."

"I can't imagine it being anyone else."