The room was so full; people were spilling out into the hallway. They craned their heads to see the Storybrooke royalty. The people on the dais had made choices that had thrown their lives into disarray time and time again. The crowd was mixed in their feelings, but all were pleased to be included, some for the first time.

Regina's eyes met Leanne's across the room. The older brunette rolled her eyes in solidarity and Regina felt a measure of comfort knowing she wasn't unsupported. Regina moved to the pulpit with confidence, but without the condescension of the Evil Queen. These people didn't need to be intimidated and it was embarrassing in hindsight that she had acted so arrogantly.

"Good afternoon, everyone and thank you all for coming today."

"No, thank you! I'm getting sick of going to sleep in one place and waking up in another," someone yelled from the audience to scattered laughs and applause. She wondered if Snow and Charming were blushing behind her.

She smiled at them. "I'm happy to, but I have to ask you to save your commentary and questions for after. There will be a time for questions and if you don't get the chance, I will be dining at Granny's after and would be happy to speak with anyone. You deserve to be involved in the town's affairs. We aren't in the Enchanted forest anymore and according to the papers I found in the mayor's office, the Regina of this world, agrees democracy should be respected. She has drawn up documents taking on the burden of her… our sister's destruction. I believe the owner of a Miata will be quite pleased." The dwarves cheered and the audience chuckled.

"As you all probably know from the press release and gossip, I am from an alternate Storybrooke. In my world, 6 years have passed since Pan arrived in Storybrooke. He did not get the chance to cast his curse and Storybrooke returned to a mostly normal state of affairs. I hope to use my experience to help set this town on the right path so that when Regina returns, she will be able to help you to the best of her abilities."

"And what if we don't want you ruling over us?"

"Impeachment is certainly an option, but that involves the state government. The governor must grant the impeachment."

"You won't step down?"

"Ask me my reasons after the event and I would be happy to speak with you about them, but for now I'd like to continue with the agenda. We have a lot to discuss and I know we could easily spend the entire meeting discussing that alone." She smiled. "And we did once upon a time, but now isn't the time for that. I am Regina, but when she returns she may chose differently in regards to being your mayor. I doubt she will after seeing the work she has put in to prepare the town for its return to a normal functioning town. She wants to help you. I've begun to meet and talk with the different members of the community to discuss the important things we all care about. Education, safety, law, and housing are currently the most troubling." She began talking and her charisma sucked the townspeople in. They leaned back and listened to her proposals. Some even took notes.

Eventually, she finished her speech. The question and answer session was brief and policy focused. The council had agreed that it was in their benefit to keep it short for fear it would turn into personal attacks. Archie had vetted the questions before hand and it went surprisingly smooth.

After her last question, the crowded town hall reluctantly came to order again at the promise of the famed Savior's speech. The people hovering by the door pushed against their neighbors to get a better view of their somewhat Savior. Regina, on the other hand, had a fantastic view of the Savior, namely her tight jean covered ass. It was a welcome distraction after suffering through the town's questions.

As Emma began speaking to the town, Regina found herself immensely distracted by her view and couldn't help her wandering eyes. The speech was a combination of all the things they had talked about, mixed with Emma's disrespectful flavor. The tight dark jeans Emma wore were so tight they left little to the imagination as they hugged her curves. After waking from yet another lurid dream about Emma this morning, her imagination had been in hyper drive. Knowing what was under those jeans didn't help at all. Her bottom lip suffered from her frustration.

She was startled from her debauched revelry by the vibration of her phone. She pulled it out in confusion and with a bit of curiosity. Anyone who would text her was in attendance.

Eyes up your majesty. Your gay is showing. lit up her screen. Her eyes darted to Ruby with a glare. Her cheeks flared with red at having been so obvious especially in front of a crowd. Ruby smiled innocently back at her before glancing down at her lap. A few seconds later her phone vibrated in her lap again.

Granny just said and I quote, "Regina used to be much more subtle about her staring. Guess those five years really made her lose her touch." Regina's blush deepened and she prayed the town was paying more attention to the Sheriff than their Queen.

Hormones. She sent to Ruby.

She quickly followed with, and tight tight Savior jeans.

After a few moments, Regina heard a snort from Ruby's and got the pleasure of seeing Granny swat at her for being rude. Ruby's snort seemed to derail Emma for a moment and Regina wondered if it had come at an inopportune time. She really should be paying attention, she thought, trying desperately to keep her eyes on the back of Emma's head.

Ruby mumbled out an apology and held up her phone with a promise to turn it off. Emma gave her a weak smile before glancing back at the council behind her. She spotted the phone on Regina's lap and raised an eyebrow at the confirmation of her suspicions. Regina shrugged innocently and Emma turned back to her audience, feeling sure Regina and Ruby were poking fun at her. She cleared her throat and rushed to the end of her speech feeling like a teenager made fun of by the cool kids. Emma could feel Regina's eyes burning into her. Perhaps if she realized where they were looking she would have felt differently because try as she might, Regina couldn't help her wandering eyes.

When she finished, the crowd clapped politely and Archie stepped forward to moderate again. Emma shot a look towards Snow, avoiding Regina's eyes. Her heart lightened at the blatant and glowing approval she saw on her mother's face. Her smile faded when she combined her mother's approval with her high school scenario and she felt even more like a nerd, but as she turned to the crowd, it felt better than being the orphan that no one wanted.

As Archie began directing questions her way, she felt glad Regina had suggested this structure. It kept the louder voices at bay because no one wanted to speak over the conscience. Whether they believed Archie as such, they still had their cursed memories of the little cricket pushing toward the good decision and no one wanted to be the one who shouted out against the symbolic voice of reason. It helped that the crowd managed to do its own crowd control. Regina's earlier insistence that their concerns would be addressed actually seemed to hold weight with the crowd. The questions came rapidly and Emma understood why Regina and her parents refused to stand with her. The people wanted to hear her and not the royalty they knew.

The questions were better than what Regina led her to expect. A middle-aged man stepped in front of the mic. His heavy posture suggested a hard life and a question that Emma wasn't sure she wanted to answer.

He ignored Emma and turned to Regina first. "I know you have no recollection of this, your Majesty, but you arrived at my village shortly after an attack by your sister. You saved my daughter's life even after myself and others sneered at your assistance. At the time, I was bitter and angry to find myself unable to protect my family. I wish to apologize and thank you." Regina remained impassive and she gave him a small nod. "Thank you, your majesty." He looked back at the crowd spotting his young daughter. "My daughter is worth more than spite and I think your son has taught you as much." Regina smiled at him and nodded again.

"Regardless of my gratitude and my understanding of parenthood, I remember what it was like under your reign. It worries me to see you in power again." He sighed.

"With great power comes great responsibility," Henry threw in. The town laughed. "Spider-man…"

"And Roosevelt," muttered Regina.

"Sheriff Swan. How could you stop her if she decided to just take control again?"

The story and question threw Emma for a loop. Regina could see she was struggling to formulate an appropriate response, but knew she couldn't step in.

"Henry would be enough to stop her," Emma said.

"And if it wasn't? What if something happens to the boy?"

"Nothing will happen to him. It's not just her protecting him."

"As a parent, I understand believing that, but it's not realistic. Her enemies will go after him and they won't stop just because he's your son." Emma growled. "They've gone after him before." Regina looked toward Snow with pleading eyes. Snow met her eyes and stood.

"The only way Regina would ever go against this town for an attack on Henry would be if you stood aside and let someone hurt him. Is there really anyone in this town that would stand aside and let someone harm my grandson just to hurt the Queen?" Snow asked. "Regina has hurt many of you, but would you really let an innocent boy suffer in her place?" The audience looked ashamed. "The Evil Queen didn't have to answer to you before. She did whatever she wanted. You have a say now more than you ever had before. Regina proposed the extra oversight committee and I can't be the only one who remembers the time when Emma went against Regina over her weird extra house that turned out to be a new playground." The crowd laughed and Emma blushed remembering the embarrassment. "Emma is the Savior. Do you really doubt Emma won't stand in her way for years to come?"

Regina laughed quietly, trying to hide her amusement. Even sleeping in her bed hadn't stopped Emma from challenging her and she knew she wouldn't have it any other way. Life without Emma and Henry had been empty and cold. The challenges they brought gave her life and she wouldn't give that up for the world. She found Henry in the crowd and he gave her a cheeky wink. The talk of his eminent death didn't seem to put him off at all. The truest believer clearly believed in his mothers and seemed content believing in them. It was hard to keep a grin off her face. She shot him a discreet wink and he grinned wildly.

After Snow's intervention, the questions moved away from Regina and towards upholding the law in a town that had magic.

SQSQSQSQ

Most of the crowd moved to the exit, but a portion lingered with their questions. Regina was cornered by a contingent of parents interested in how the schools would deal with the feuds of the old land. Snow met her eyes across the way and they shared a sympathetic look. After a half an hour, Regina managed to maneuver toward the door. Snow linked her arm with hers and used Regina as an excuse to escape, promising the town they would both make their way to Granny's.

The Evil Queen walking amicably with Snow White drew attention, but even the fearless knew they should give them space. They smiled at each other realizing the absurdity of the moment. They turned away and started walking.

"I've been thinking," Snow started.

"Always a dangerous thing."

Snow ignored her. "If I take the maternity leave, I'm just going to be hopelessly bored. With school in session most of the board is going to be unavailable during the work day."

"Your point?" she asked, being contrary for the fun of it. She knew what Snow was going to ask her. With the absurdity of their situation, she hadn't been sure Snow would even ask. In her world, they had months of interactions before this became something to consider. Perhaps their year in the Enchanted Forest hadn't been as tense as she imagined. It must have counted for something if Snow White was making this gesture. She hoped it was based off her other self and not some weird interest in her world.

"Do you think I could help you with the education reform for a few hours a day? I know having a baby in your office isn't ideal, but…"

"That's fine. I was going to suggest it myself. You and Dan… Neal provided a welcome service to Storybrooke during your maternity leave and I'd be happy to accept your help now. I can't guarantee your job security when the other mayor returns home, but I'd be happy to have you in the interim."

"It must be weird for you that he's named Neal," Snow said.

Regina sighed. "I'm just glad it isn't Leopold knowing how much you loved your father."

"Charming thought it would be embarrassing and some things came out that made the idea distasteful."

"Distasteful?"

"My father wasn't the best."

"He loved you."

"Love can blind you," Snow said, kneading her hands against her abdomen. "You're his godmother, aren't you?"

"In my world, yes," She sighed. "But I'd rather you not offer the same courtesy just because I told you it was so in another world. My world is very different."

"You keep saying that."

"It doesn't make it any less true."

"And if I still want you to be his godmother?"

"Then you will wait until the other Regina is home and offer it to her."

"Fair enough. Will she accept?"

"He's a little scoundrel. I'm sure by now he's done enough to cause irreparable damage to her psyche." Snow's eyes widened dramatically. "Enough so she wouldn't be about to say no to your proposition," Regina finished with a wink. "Just know her criticisms of your parenting aren't meant to be harsh. She cares and she's not good at that yet. I'm still bad at it now."

They looked up at the diner they had arrived at a few minutes prior and turned to each other. "I'll keep that in mind. Are you ready?" Snow asked.

"As I'll ever be," Regina replied as she took a step toward the packed diner and looked back at Snow. The short-haired brunette smiled at her and followed her.

SQSQSQSQ

Dinner at the diner proved to be a good choice. Standing in front of the whole town to ask your question had proven daunting for some of them and they were happy to have the opportunity to get an informal chance to ask their questions. Not everyone was ready to make a one on one appointment with the Evil Queen. With Eugenia glaring from the counter, no one was willing to pick a fight so the atmosphere remained positive.

Eventually, Regina and Snow found themselves at a table with other members of the school board discussing issues related to the school systems. Occasionally, someone would grab Regina's attention and pull her toward a different issue. They had created signup sheets for different discussions and sessions. A few people signed up at the town hall, but the sheets at Granny's were filling up much quicker than the town hall ones did.

Emma was surrounded by people and looked vaguely uncomfortable. Regina was about to signal her over when Hook grabbed her arm. She watched as he gave an excuse to the people Emma was talking to and pulled her away ignoring the scowls shot his way. Emma noticed and gave them apologetic looks. He was trying to rescue her, but Regina knew he was going about it all wrong. Someone at the table called her name and she turned back to the table.

Hook pulled Emma towards the door, but she stopped him. "What are you doing?"

"I thought we could steal a moment together," he said, giving her a salacious look.

"Seriously? I'm busy right now."

"You looked like you could use some rescuing."

"I told you before that I'm the only one who rescues me."

"Swan," he said patronizingly and she felt her eye twitch. She pushed the door opened and he followed. There was no one around and she turned on him.

"I may not like it all the time, but talking to those people is my job and they need me right now."

"I was trying to help."

"With a booty call?"

"I thought I could help you relax," he said with a smirk.

Emma sighed. "You just made them hate you a little more. You know that, right?"

He shrugged. "Your opinion is the only one that matters to me."

"That's exactly the problem, Killian."

"What do you mean?"

"I need to go back inside. We'll talk about this later."

"Swan," he said grabbing her arm.

She shrugged his hand off. "Now isn't the time."

"I thought you were done running."

"I am done running. That means I need to stop running from the responsibility that I have to these people. I'm their Sheriff and I need to act like it. You are distracting me from my job."

"That was never my intention."

"You were trying to be sweet. I get that, but right now…" Emma sighed. "Why don't we get lunch on Monday and we can talk then."

"Monday?"

"Getting the town back to what it was requires some work so yes Monday. I have a lot of deputy applications to go through and seminars to deal with."

"Fine," he said and looked away. "You know where to find me." Hook strutted down the walkway in front of Granny's as Emma watched him solemnly. He paused at the gateway like he was surprised she hadn't chased him. His ego kept him going though and she resented it just a little bit as he rounded the corner.

Emma spun around and stomped back into the diner. She pushed past everyone and found herself in the back room with a startled Ruby. A spoon dangled from her mouth and she stared at Emma with wide eyes. Granny called for her and she dashed away.

Emma leaned against the table spotting Ruby's phone sitting on the counter. She picked it up, hoping Ruby had a lock on her phone to stop her from invading her privacy. This was Storybrooke though and Ruby's texts to Regina popped right up.

Her jaw dropped as she realized the implications of the texts. There had been no weird mean girls moment. Regina had been staring at her ass and Ruby had called her out on it. She hit the power button and dropped the phone as Ruby burst back in.

"They are looking for you," Ruby said, grabbing her phone and tucking it into her apron.

"I'll be right out. I just needed a minute."

Ruby smiled. "I get that, but they need you Emma."

"I know. I'll be out in a minute." Ruby shrugged and hurried out. Emma fell against the wall. Everything felt so confusing. Regina had been looking at her ass. Ruby popped back in.

"I have orders. Now." She grabbed Emma's arm and pulled her out into the diner. Ruby gave her a little shove into the dining room. Concerned citizens immediately enveloped her. They were really pleased she had come back and she felt better about blowing off Killian.

She was back to fielding questions when Regina met her eye and signaled her over to their table. Emma smiled. She told the people that the Queen required her presence with an eye roll. They laughed and gave her the freedom to join Regina. As she walked over to Regina's table, her thoughts mulled over the text messages she read and she couldn't help grinning stupidly. Regina thought she was hot. The woman gave her a fond look as she sat and pulled her gracefully into the conversation. Emma couldn't help it. She wanted to keep the Regina that looked at her like this. Just a few more days, she told herself.