HELLO ALL MY BEAUTIFUL READERS!

Firstly, let me apologize for how long it's been since my last update. Life has been completely bloody mental these last few months and unfortunately I've had 0 time to write. Unfortunately, I've got a lot of stuff on my plate atm so updates may be few and far between, and this will probably be the last update for a little while, but I want to keep writing this fic until I feel it's finished, and I'm not abandoning it! Please stick with me and I promise I'll try my hardest to squeeze in some writing time whenever I can, so I can give you lovely people SQ goodness!

7pm

"I know this is probably the last thing you want to hear right now, but they've brought the book deadline forward" Regina stated. The four of them groaned loudly.

"Seriously?" August whined. Regina shot him a death stare and he quickly averted his gaze down to his shoes.

"I'm sorry that this doesn't fit in with your busy schedules, but there's nothing I can do about it. And may I remind you that this is what you signed up for." Regina snapped. Emma stared up at her, she looked tired, irritated. Emma felt a pang of sympathy towards the brunette, she was obviously incredibly stressed and seriously lacking sleep.

"I need you all to be on call. Whenever I need you, you come. Late nights, early mornings, we keep working until this book is finished. Am I making myself clear?" She asked, glancing around the room, daring anyone to question her. The four of them nodded solemnly.

"Good." She continued. "Let's begin."

They were there until 11pm, talking, discussing, frantically working to try and get the book together. Regina looked more and more tired as their meeting went on. Emma stole glances at her every so often. They hadn't spoken since their encounter at the bar, and Emma was happy to keep it that way. Or was she? Though she was still bitter over Regina's rejection, she was finding it difficult to resist the feeling of wanting to comfort the Professor, make sure she was okay. She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place, she didn't want to overstep now that Regina had made her intentions clear, but at the same time she cared deeply for the brunette, and though she was still humiliated over all that had happened between them, she still wanted to reach out to her, be there for her. They had built a friendship, after all, and Regina herself had said that she was glad of the fact. Her mind wandered back to their last encounter at the bar. Regina had looked like she had wanted to say something in that brief moment they shared before Emma left. She looked like she wanted to say something on more than one occasion, but was holding back. Emma sighed, pondering over how this situation was going to play out. Could things go back to the way they were after all that had happened? Somehow Emma doubted it. Though she didn't want their relationship to take a step back, she didn't see how they could push forward. It felt like they were sidestepping around the inevitable conclusion; that they wanted each other. That was what Emma kept coming back to. She could feel it, even if the Professor denied it. She felt it in every look, every word. But no matter how much she felt it, she couldn't ignore their conversation. Regina had told her that they needed to keep things between them professional, and no matter how much Emma doubted that was what she really wanted, she had to respect her decision.

11pm

"Okay, I think I've kept you all long enough. You may go." Regina resigned, sitting at her desk. She removed her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose. August, Neal and Mulan gathered up their things and began to shuffle out of the office, yawning as they went. Mulan turned back to look at Emma, who was still sat going over some papers.

"You coming?" She asked.

"In a sec, go on without me."

"Okay." Mulan shrugged. Emma looked over at Regina, who's head was in her hands, unaware of Emma's presence, she let out a long sigh. Emma stepped towards her desk.

"Professor?" Emma called. Regina's head shot up. "Are you okay?" Emma asked hesitantly. Regina stared at her for a moment.

"Not really, Ms Swan." She admitted.

"I… Is there anything I can do?" Emma offered. Regina glanced up at her with a small smile.

"A spa day would be nice." She joked.

"I've been told I'm pretty good at giving massages." She replied with a grin. The professor frowned at her.

"That was a joke." The professor's face softened.

"It seems I've lost my sense of humour." Regina smiled sadly.

"That's alright, you didn't have much of one to begin with." Emma joked, attempting to cheer the older woman up. Regina cocked an eyebrow at the blonde, her lips tugging upwards into their usual smirk.

"I wouldn't push me right now, Ms. Swan. One false move and you might end up like Mr. Hood." Regina warned, but she did so in a way that told Emma she was't being serious.

"I think you need me a little bit more than I need you, right now." Emma quirked. Regina snorted.

"I can't argue with that." She resigned. Emma paused to stare at Regina for a moment.

"We've got this, okay?" She said calmly. Regina looked up at her hesitantly.

"I'm not so sure." She said sadly.

"Regina." Emma started, sitting opposite the Professor. "You are easily the strongest, smartest, most scarily determined person I've ever met. I have no doubt that you're going to get this book finished and that it's going to be awesome. Please trust me when I say that it's going to be fine, because it's going to be fine." She said adamantly. Regina smiled. "Besides, I've totally got your back. You need anything, just call me, and I'll be there. No matter what." Emma smiled. Regina looked at her with genuine warmth and gratitude. Emma felt her knees go weak at the sight of the brunette's chocolate gaze melting into her.

"Thank you, Emma." She said quietly.

"No problem." She nodded. "But, right now I think you need some sleep, and I definitely need some sleep. So please, just leave it for tonight and go home?" Emma asked, though it sounded more like she was telling.

"You're right, I do desperately need to sleep." She resigned, gathering up her things and putting them in her briefcase. She paused for a moment to glance up at Emma.

"Thank you, Emma. For somehow always making me feel better." She smiled gratefully.

"Any time." Emma smiled back, before grabbing her backpack and heading for the door. "Goodnight, Regina." She called over her shoulder.

"Goodnight, Emma." Regina responded, watching her walk out the door. God dammit. She thought. This is not going to be easy.

5.45pm

Knock. Knock. Knock. Emma glanced at the door from her desk, she really didn't have time for visitors, she was so swamped with work. She sighed. Closing the lid of her laptop she got up and opened the door.

"Dude, what the hell?" Came the voice of an irritated looking Ruby.

"What?" Emma asked confusedly.

"You were supposed to meet me in the library 45 minutes ago." She replied, folding her arms.

"Oh, shit." Emma groaned. She had completely forgotten about their tutoring session. "I'm so sorry Ruby, I totally spaced."

"You haven't called or texted since Saturday. You didn't even ask how my date with Neal went!" She cried, barging past Emma into her room and flopping on the bed.

"I know, I'm sorry Rubes. I've just had a lot going on. The book deadline has been moved forward so I'm working my ass off day and night for Professor Mills." Emma explained. "I haven't had time to stop and think about anything. I've barely had a moment to myself. Please don't be mad." Emma pouted. Ruby huffed and unfolded her arms.

"Fine, I guess you're forgiven." She resigned. "But haven't you ever heard the expression bros before hoes?"

"I hardly think that applies in this situation, Rubes."

"It does when you're ditching me for the hot professor."

"Well, the hot professor has made it abundantly clear that she wants to keep things between us professional, so…"

"Dude, what happened?" Ruby sat up, suddenly all ears. Emma sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"Not much. She asked me to stay behind after our Monday meeting and told me that while she values our friendship we have to keep things strictly professional from here on out."

"Oh, come on. You didn't seriously buy that, did you?" Ruby scoffed.

"What do you mean?"

"She's scared, Em. She only said all of that because she's scared of what might happen if you two fuck, not because she doesn't want to fuck you. Wow, you know, you are terrible at reading people's feelings."

"Well, I mean, Jesus. Why can't people just be upfront about how they feel? I'm not a god damn mind reader!" Emma cried.

"Because that's not the way it works in girl world. Seriously, Em. It's like talking to a guy with you sometimes."

"Whatever. But Rubes, you know this isn't just about sex, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, this isn't just about me wanting to have sex with Regina."

"Well, then what is it about?" Ruby asked. Emma paused. She hadn't really thought about it. She knew whatever this thing was between her and Regina, it wasn't just about sex. It was more than that. "Oh my god. You are totally into her aren't you? You like her. Like seriously like her." Ruby said, bewildered.

"I. Well. I mean. I want her. But not just that part of her. I want her. All of her." Emma stumbled, trying to make coherent sense of her feelings. Ruby's mouth fell open.

"Holy shit. I thought this was just about sex but now I see it. You want a relationship with Professor Mills. Like an actual, real, adult, consensual, mutual relationship."

"No I don't... I don't know... Is that bad?" Emma asked.

"It makes this way more complicated! I can't believe I didn't pick up on this." Ruby exclaimed, shaking her head.

"Ruby, I know you think you're good at this stuff, but you're not Derren Brown."

"The crazy thing is, I think this might be about more than just sex for her too." Ruby continued, ignoring Emma's comment.

"What do you mean?" Emma asked, intrigued.

"Well, I thought she turned you down because she's worried about a sexual harassment lawsuit. But I think it's about way more than that. She turned you down because she feels the same way and it scares her. I mean, having sex with a student is one thing, but having feelings that could lead to a full blown relationship? That's a whole new ball game." Ruby explained, bewildered by the thought of her discovery.

"I don't know... She seemed pretty adamant that this was never going to happen so... You really think she's into me?" Emma asked, skeptically.

"Well I've never seen you two together, so I can't know for sure. But from what you've told me, and from the way I see her looking at you in class sometimes, that is my professional opinion."

"She looks at me in class?" Emma asked, disbelievingly.

"She's super subtle about it, it's only because I'm never paying attention to the work that I've noticed it before. But she cares about you, Emma. I can tell."

"Jesus, Ruby this is all way too fucking complicated. I can't deal with all these emotions and the feelings and the not knowing for sure but feeling like I know. Christ. Forget it. Go on, tell me about your date with Neal."

"Oh, no no. Believe me we will get on to that, but I'm not done with you yet. You have some serious explaining to do."

"'I've already explained everything I possibly could?"

"Not about Professor Mills. Belle?" She questioned.

"Oh, Ruby I really don't want to talk about that right now."

"Not an option. You seriously had sex with her?"

"It's complicated."

"Sounds pretty straightforward to me. You either did or you didn't." Emma glared at Ruby.

"It's not as simple as that, it's… I don't even know what it is. It's a fucking mess."

"Yeah, I got that part."

"She told me she doesn't want to be around me any more."

"Won't that be kind of difficult when she lives across the hall?"

"Don't be an asshole Ruby, you know what I mean." Emma snapped.

"Okay, jeez. I was only trying to lighten the mood." Ruby replied defensively.

"Sorry, I just. Everything is just a total fucking disaster at the moment. My school work, everything with Regina, and now Belle. I keep getting myself into these shitty situations that I have no idea how to get out of." She sighed. Ruby scooted closer and wrapped a protective arm around Emma.

"Look, I know things seem shitty right now, but it won't last forever. Soon the book will be done and I'm sure you'll sort things out with Belle. That girl is way too in love with you to let you go."

"She's not in love with me." Emma grumbled.

"Are you serious? You can't honestly be that blind."

"She is not in love with me." Emma repeated.

"Emma. She is completely and utterly in love with you. I knew it ever since that party when you guys kissed. I saw it on her face the other day in your room. Why do you think she's reacted the way she has? Why do you think she's continuing that sham of a relationship with Nolan? Because she's in love with you and she knows she can't have you, so she's trying to put up a wall between you, distance herself from you. She thinks by ignoring you exist, and trying to move on with someone else, the feelings will go away." Ruby explained. Emma stared at her open mouthed.

"Oh Jesus Christ, what have I done?" Emma groaned, her head falling into her hands.

"Well, you probably shouldn't have slept with her." Ruby offered.

"Thanks, Ruby." Emma said, her voice muffled by her hands.

"Any time." Ruby replied, rubbing Emma's back.

"Seriously, what do I do?"

"There's not a lot you can do. If you try to force your way into her life it's only going to make things worse. She needs time to get over you. You need to give her space. If you really care for her, that's all you can do."

"But what if she ends up resenting me? I can't deal with that Ruby, she's my best friend."

"Emma, as much as it sucks to hear, you've made your bed. Now you have to suck it up and deal with the consequences. Do I think she'll get over it? Yeah, I honestly do. But I also know that these things take time. You just have to be patient. Wait for her to make the first move. And she will, eventually."

"Okay. Yeah, I guess you're right. I know you're right. Thank you, for helping me to sort out my messed up head. I'm really lucky to have you as a friend, Rubes." Emma smiled, Ruby smiled back.

"Yeah, you are. Anyway, on to me."

7pm

"Okay, I'm here, I've brought coffee, let's do this." Emma stated as she strode into Regina's office. The Professor had emailed her that morning asking if she could help her with an evening cram session. They were all working tirelessly around the clock to get the book together, and tonight was no exception. Mulan, August and Neal all had big exams to study for, so tonight it was just Emma and Regina. Both women were rather nervous about being alone together, but they had so much work to do that the underlying tension between them had barely been acknowledged over the past week. They were both pushing it to the back of their minds and focusing all their energy on the work.

"Amazing. Thank you." Regina smiled, reaching out for the cardboard coffee cup. The two women sipped their coffee and peered at each other. Emma bit her lip nervously and cleared her throat.

"So, what do you want me to do today?" She asked. Regina walked over to her desk, talking as she went.

"Okay, so I want to start arranging the chapters. I've printed out a bunch of chapter headings, and the sections of the book that we've written so far. Could you lay them all out on the floor and start organising them? Just so I have a clear idea of what's going where and if it all fits."

"Not a problem. I was really good at puzzles when I was a kid, so this should be super easy." Emma grinned, taking the papers from Regina and settling herself onto the floor.

"Glad to hear it, Ms. Swan." Regina smiled.

10pm

Regina watched as Emma arranged the papers into their subsequent sections, her brow furrowed in concentration. One half of her blonde hair was tucked behind her ear and the other half fell over the left side of her face, hiding her exquisite green eyes from view. Regina's eyes trailed down Emma's body. Sitting at her desk Regina could see down Emma's blouse, the first few buttons were undone. As Emma leaned over the papers, Regina's eyes fixed on the lacy black bra she was wearing. She began absentmindedly trailing her fingertips across her chest, imagining what Emma looked like in black lingerie. She bit her lip at the thought.

"Ugh I need a drink." Emma said suddenly, pulling Regina out of her daydream. The professor shook her head and blinked. Emma stretched out her arms and glanced up at the Professor, who looked slightly flustered.

"You okay, Professor?" She asked.

"Yes I'm fine, just tired." She managed, silently berating herself for having such inappropriate thoughts about the female student sat two feet away from her.

"Please tell me you have some alcohol hidden in a drawer somewhere?" Emma groaned.

"Ms. Swan. I am not a bartender and you are a) Underage and b) My student. I cannot give you alcohol." Regina stated.

"Oh come on, Regina. Don't you ever do anything you're not supposed to?" Emma smiled with a raised brow. Regina stared at her for a moment, aware of the meaning behind her words. She sighed and opened the bottom drawer of her desk, pulling out a bottle of apple cider and two glasses. Emma's eyes lit up and she sprung up to sit opposite the Professor.

"I knew you had a rebellious side." She grinned. Regina offered her a bemused smile, pouring a glass for each of them. She went to hand Emma her glass and paused.

"This stays between us."

"I'll add it to our long list of secrets." Emma winked, reaching for the glass. She took a long sip, the alcohol immediately warming her stomach. She smiled and leant back in her chair.

"Damn. This is good." She said, staring at her glass. "When I was in London, I drank a ridiculous amount of cider, but this might actually be the best I've ever had."

"I make it myself." Regina smiled, putting the bottle back in the drawer.

"Seriously?" Emma asked incredulously.

"From the apple tree in my back yard."

"Is there anything you can't do?" Emma replied with a small smile.

"Finish this book, apparently." Regina sighed.

"You will. I have no doubt. Alcohol helps." She grinned, taking another sip.

"I bet you took advantage of the lower legal drinking age in London." Regina smirked.

"I certainly had a lot of fun. Probably a little too much fun." Emma grinned

"And now you're stuck here with me. I bet you wish you were back in London right now."

"Not really." Emma smiled coyly. The two women stared at each other for a moment. The feelings both of them were trying to push down began to rise to the surface. Regina stood up suddenly.

"Could you show me what you've done so far?" Regina asked, walking over to the papers on the floor and kneeling down.

"Oh, yeah. Sure." Emma said, downing the rest of her glass and placing it on Regina's desk before she stood up and followed her. She kneeled down beside the brunette and began pointing out different sections and explaining why she'd placed them where she had. Regina was trying her hardest to focus on what the blonde was saying, but her eyes kept glancing up at Emma's face, watching her as she spoke, her strong jawline accentuated with each word. A lock of hair fell forward from behind her ear. Regina had to resist the urge to reach out and tuck it back, she could feel her fingers twitching.

"Do you agree?" Emma asked, looking up at Regina, pulling her out of her daydream.

"Hm?"

"The influence Da Vinci had on the Costa exhibit at the MoMa? I think that should go in abstract section, to fill it out a little more. Do you agree?" Emma repeated, looking at Regina expectantly.

"Oh, uh. Yes. I think that's a good idea." Regina agreed.

"Are you okay, Regina? You seem a little distracted."

"Sorry, I think I'm just a little tired." Regina answered, trying to snap herself out of it.

"Shall we call it a night? I can come back tomorrow after class and we can go over it all together?" Emma offered. Regina ran a hand through her hair, she was asking a lot of the blonde, she knew she had work from other classes to get done. But she wanted to see Emma again, to spend time with her. She felt better knowing she was there, calmer somehow.

"I feel terrible asking, I know you have work from other classes to do." Regina sighed.

"I'll manage." Emma smiled, shrugging slightly. Regina smiled back.

"You have no idea how grateful I am for all your help, truly Emma. I don't know how I will ever be able to make it up to you." She said sincerely.

"I'm sure I'll think of something." Emma replied, her tone insinuating, a playful smile crossing her pink lips. Regina stared into the enchanting sea green of Emma's eyes, the warmth of their colour drawing her in deeper until she felt like she was drowning, the surface fading into the distance as she was pulled deeper and deeper. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated slightly as Emma realised what Regina wanted, what Regina craved so undeniably in this moment and in moments before, and what Emma was helpless to resist. There was nothing now to stop Regina from inching forward, no worry of being caught, no bar full of people, there was only her and Emma, which both terrified and thrilled her at the same time. She watched as green eyes searched her face for any indication that this wasn't what she wanted, waiting for even the slightest hesitation, but in this moment, there was nothing but the wanton anticipation of what was to happen next. Regina drank in blonde hair, wide green eyes and soft pink lips as Emma's eyes trailed over soft brunette tresses, dark chocolate eyes and full crimson lips. Emma inched her face forward, the gap between them growing ever smaller until Regina could feel Emma's warm breath on her lips, the lips she wanted to desperately to feel against hers. Her breaths grew shallower as her eyes flickered from Emma's mouth to her eyes and back down again, the butterflies in her stomach danced wildly as the last few inches between them disappeared. And then it happened. Their lips brushed softly, tentatively, unsure of themselves. Regina felt a hunger deep in her belly and pressed forward, capturing Emma's lips with her own, as a hand reached up her cheek. Emma allowed her lips to melt into Regina's as her hand found it's way into Regina's soft hair, pulling gently. Regina moaned into Emma's mouth, the sound causing a rush of heat to flood to Emma's core. Her tongue swiped along Regina's bottom lip, seeking entrance, which the brunette quickly granted, their tongues swirled together and the kiss grew more heated. Regina's fingers found themselves intwined in Emma's long blonde curls, puling a few locks towards her, trying to draw Emma even closer. Emma moaned at the feeling of Regina's fingers pulling at her hair, as her own hands wandered down Regina's back, and under her blouse, drawing circles on her smooth skin. Regina's breath hitched at the contact, her fingers tightening in Emma's hair, causing another moan to erupt at her throat. Regina's thighs clenched at the sound, heat and electricity coursing through her at every touch of Emma's fingertips. A kiss had never made her feel this way before, she wanted to feel Emma everywhere, she craved her touch, and Emma wanted so desperately to oblige, to feel every inch of Regina's soft skin, to take her, taste her. They were so absorbed in their desire for each other that they didn't hear the knock at the door.

"Regina, are you still here?" The two women sprang apart as the doorknob turned. Regina smoothed down her hair and skirt and glanced up at the door.

"Dean Gold." She managed, her face burning red. She kept her eyes focused straight ahead, not daring to chance a glance at Emma, who was busying herself with the papers on the floor in front of them. "How can I help you?" She continued, making her way to her feet. The dean eyed her curiously before continuing.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." He said with a raised brow.

"Not at all. Emma and I were just going over some things for my book." She said a little shakily.

"Would you like me to give the two of you a moment, Dean Gold?" Emma offered.

"Yes please, Ms. Swan." He replied. Emma stood up and let herself out of Regina's office, Regina eyes followed her back as she walked out the door. Once it clicked into place she turned to Dean Gold with her best attempt at a smile.

"So, what brings you here so late, Dean Gold?"

"Professor Wallace has pneumonia. I need his classes covered for the next few weeks. Professor Thomas has agreed to take his Wednesday classes, Hanforth is covering his Thursdays and I need someone to cover his Fridays."

"Dean Gold, Fridays are my only days off to work on the book, they've moved the deadline forward and I'm trying to get everything done but I'm drowning. I'm barely staying on top of everything as it is, can't you ask Amelia?" She begged.

"I have but Professor Stanton has three young infants to care for and her husband works Fridays. I'm sorry Professor Mills but I'm out of options here. My hands are tied."

"Christ." Regina groaned, rubbing her forehead.

"I'll email you his class times tomorrow morning. Goodnight, Regina."

"Goodnight." Regina replied defeatedly, leaning onto her desk and running a hand through her hair. There was no way she'd be able to get the book finished on time if she had to pick up extra classes on a Friday. Emma let herself back into the office after the Dean made his way out. The look on Regina's face told her that whatever the Dean had to say wasn't good.

"Are you alright, Regina?" Emma asked carefully.

"Not really, Miss Swan." Regina sighed, looking up at her.

"What happened?"

"Wallace is out sick and I have to cover his Friday classes." She replied, pulling the bottle of apple cider out of her her desk drawer and pouring herself another generous glass.

"Shit." Emma stated, knowing that Fridays were her only day to work on the book.

"Shit doesn't even begin to cover it." Regina said sarcastically, taking a few large gulps. She put down the glass and eyed Emma, who was watching her tentatively, as if she wanted to say something but was holding back. They stared at each other for a few moments before Regina spoke quietly.

"I think you should go now."

Hurt flashed across Emma's face before she nodded solemnly and began to gather her things. Once all her things were put away she headed for the door. Regina watched as her hand extended to the handle, then paused. The blonde turned around slowly.

"Look, I know you think you have to face all this stuff on your own, but you don't. I'm here for you Regina. In any way you need me to be." She said simply. Regina's heart couldn't help but warm a little and she let a small smile tug at her lips.

"I know. Goodnight, Emma."

"Goodnight, Regina." Emma smiled, letting herself out.

MAKE ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF PLEASE GUYS.