A/N: Hope you find this chapter enjoyable! Also, first time posting from my phone so hoping this works. Anyway.. reviews always helpful. Thanks to all my readers. Love you lots!

Chapter 10

Hearing the chime signaling someone had entered the diner, Granny came from the back to see. "Ah, Emma. What can I get the sheriff of Storybrooke?" The elder woman asked with a smile, though it soon faded seeing the look on the blonde's face as she took a seat at the counter.

Emma let out a sigh as she sat down. "Can I get a beer? Actually make that two." She placed her arms on the counter in front of her then dropped her head down as her forehead came to rest on them.

Granny cocked her head and gave the sheriff a quizzical look. "Drinking this early in the day? That doesn't bode well. Things with Regina turning out that bad?" She took the towel off her shoulder and wiped off the counter in front of the younger woman.

Emma lifted her head just enough to rest her chin on her arm. "No, we're fine… I think." She scrunched her brow in thought. "Pretty sure anyway."

The elder woman gave a quick nod and a small twitch of a smile made a brief appearance at the corner of her lips. "Well good. You're good for her. And don't let her forget that." She narrowed her eyes and pointed at the blonde before snatching up her towel and throwing it back over her shoulder while giving a wink.

Granny's stern yet lighthearted ways earned a small chuckle from the younger woman as she slowly eased back to sit up properly. "I'll try to remember that." Emma commented while reaching out to play with the salt shaker in front of her.

"So… if it's not about you and Regina, then do you mind tellin' this old lady what it is that's got you in this state you're in?"

Emma released the air she was holding in as she spun the salt shaker around on the counter, absentmindedly. "Mary Margaret found out about me and Regina from Killian this morning, thanks to his drunken ass."

"Ah… I see." Granny simply stated and leaned against the counter. "What? Did your mother take it bad?" She questioned when the blonde still hadn't continued her explanation.

Emma shook her head as she looked up at the elder woman. "No. Which to be honest, kind of surprised me. I mean while I was a little surprised about the whole not upset thing with it being a woman, I was more worried her reaction that it's Regina of all people. She's a little worried but…"

Granny snuffed and started to move off to get the blonde's drink she ordered. "Well I'm not surprised. I don't see why your mother would be upset. After all her and Red back in the Enchanted Forest…"

The younger woman's eyebrows shot towards her hairline as her jaw went in the complete opposite direction, dropping in an almost comical fashion at Granny's admission of knowing her mother's less known and not so innocent escapades in the past with her best friend. "Wait, what?! You know about that?" Emma finally able to vocalize her shock.

"Of course." Granny stated as she finished filling the glass and turned to walk back toward the blonde. "Ruby may think she keeps things from me, and I play along well enough. But I know more about that girl than she thinks I do. I am her Granny after all." She gave a small wink to the sheriff as she set the drink in front of her.

Emma picked up the glass, planning to take a much needed generous swig of the amber liquid, when the door to the diner opened, sending the bell chiming off once again. "Well, I see the sheriff's hard at work." Regina commented as she crossed the threshold of the establishment. Emma paused, her glass midway to her lips when she heard that all too familiar voice. She chanced a quick sip of her beer before turning toward the brunette. "And here I thought you were going back to work after your little talk with your mother." Looking at the choice of beverage in the blonde's hand, Regina quirked her brow and took it from the woman's hand, setting it down on the counter.

Emma felt like she was a child about to get reprimanded. "I was but…" She started to say as she turned in her seat a bit more to face the other woman.

"I'll leave you two to sort this out. I got new stock in that needs putting away." Granny gave the two women a look before excusing herself to the back room.

Both women watched as the older woman disappeared behind the swinging door, Regina being the first to speak once she was gone. "Well, so much for a cup of coffee." She turned her attention back to the blonde sitting before her. "So… care to tell me what happened that made you choose to laze around and drink instead of going to work. The least you could have done was come home to discuss it." She folded her arms and waited for a proper answer.

"Look, Regina. I'm a grown woman. I…" Emma was about to explain what was going on but the brunette's last words soon hit her. Realizing the woman's slip, if it was one, Emma paused her thought as she slowly began to smile.

Regina quirked her brow at the blonde's odd behavior and abrupt change in demeanor. "What?" The younger woman's smile just continued to grow. "Miss Swan, would you kindly spit out what has you suddenly grinning like a mischievous Cheshire?"

Emma dared to reach out and placed her hands on the smaller woman's hips and pulled the brunette towards her causing the woman to stumble a little into her. "You said home."

Regina remained quiet as she played the words back in her head and cursed herself at the slip. "Yes, well… I simply meant the manor. And since it is my home, I clearly may refer to it as such." She stated, trying to cover her slip the best she could, given the circumstances.

"Mmm… but, it also implies it is mine." Emma smirked and pulled the woman even closer, wrapping her arms around the brunette's waist. "Is there something you wish to tell me, Ms Mills?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Regina slowly moved out of the embrace she found herself in. "Of course not." She furrowed her brow before lowering her gaze. "However, now that the subject has come up, you may need a place to stay after your mother disowns you for your incessant attraction to me." She stated, wrapping her own arms around herself more and looking anywhere but at the blonde.

Emma simply chuckled and pulled the woman back into the embrace, locking her arms around her a little tighter this time to make escape slightly more difficult. Though she knew Regina could poof herself if she so chose. "You know you're adorable when you're trying so hard to cover up the fact that you totally let it slip that you want me." She smirked in a smug fashion.

Regina scoffed and finally looked at the blonde. "I did nothing of the sort. All I said is you should have come home to talk. I said nothing about wanting…" She stopped and narrowed her eyes. "You tricked me."

The blonde just grinned again, proud of herself. "Blame it on Freud." She leaned in and closed the gap between them, placing a gentle kiss upon the smaller woman's lips. Regina slowly relaxed against the the blonde's soft, sweet lips, her arms falling as she let her hands come to rest on the blonde's thighs. "See? Now was that so hard to admit?" Emma asked as the kiss ended.

Regina's eyes fluttered open as she locked gazes with the blonde. "I admitted nothing." She answered, a flicker of a smile dancing at the corner of her mouth.

Emma let out a light laugh and was about to move back in to kiss the brunette once more, but was interrupted when she heard a throat clear as Granny came through the door from the back. Emma let go as Regina stepped back from her, both sporting a light blush upon their cheeks.

"This is the diner, not the bed and breakfast." Granny commented as she walked over and set an extra box of napkins down under the counter for the lunch rush. She gave a quick wink to Emma before walking back to grab more things.

"What was that about?" Regina commented.

"What was what?" Emma asked back, hopping off the stool and grabbing her beer. She walked over to one of the booths toward the back as Regina followed suit. "Is this one okay?" The blonde questioned, not waiting for an answer as she slid into one side of the booth.

Regina scrunched her brow and gave the blonde a puzzling look before nodding and taking a seat. "I meant, what was that wink about?"

"Probably just a reminder of what she told me." Emma grabbed one of the menus and started to browse it. "Basically that I'm good for you and not to let you forget it."

"Is that so?" Regina reached out and pulled down the menu so the blonde would look at her. "You're supposed to be good for me, hmm?" The brunette had to chuckle as she saw the twinkle in Emma's eyes when she looked up from the menu at her. Regina let the menu go and sat back as the two of them continued to gaze into each others eyes with lighthearted mischief and hint of love.

"Alright you two, do I need to get you a room?" Granny grumbled as she took her pencil and pad. Emma knew the elder woman was simply jabbing her but Regina didn't seem to find the humor in it and gave the woman a side glare. "Oh glare at me all you want, you know you don't scare this old woman." That caused the slightest upward twitch of the brunette's lip as she turned her attention back to the menu in front of her. "Now what can I get you for lunch?"

"Grilled cheese, please." Emma answered first, sliding the menu back in the holder.

Regina continued glancing over the items before finally making her own choice. "I think I'll have the burger today. Well done, extra lettuce and tomato." She put her menu back. Noticing the silence, she looked up to find her blonde companion staring back at her. "What?"

Granny shook her head at the two women as they exchanged lighthearted pokes at each others eating habits. Regina was definitely a different person nowadays and no matter what people said, the elder woman still credited Emma for the most of it. She chuckled as she took the empty beer glass and turned to go get the lunches started.

"Oh, wait!" Emma called out, noticing Granny walking away. The woman stopped and turned in wait. "Can I get some onion rings? Extra crispy?" Granny nodded and turned to continue, going around the counter to head to the back.

"You do realize kissing is off limits if you order those things." Regina commented as she busied herself fixing the condiments at the table.

Emma's eyes widened at the threat, as it were, and quickly conceded her choice. "Nevermind!" The brunette smirked and chuckled. "Meanie." Emma stuck her tongue out.

"I never said you couldn't get them, dear. I just made you aware of what you'd be giving up if you were to make that choice." Regina leaned over the table to continue with a purred whisper. "Kissing me comes with a price, Miss Swan."

Emma moved swiftly before the brunette could move away and kissed her. "A price I am more than happy to pay." She stated with a small smile as they separated.

"So since you never answered my question from earlier, and by how I found you wallowing in drink, I am assuming the talk with Mary Margaret didn't go over so well?" Regina inquired as she sat back, picking up their conversation from before.

The blonde's face fell a little at the irritating subject matter that seemed to be the topic that she was not going to escape for the remainder of the day. She really did wish to forget the conversation she had with her mother, or at least certain details of it, but apparently that was not going to happen anytime soon. Couldn't she at least get a few drinks in first? "The talk went alright in most things. She's fine with us. Just turned extremely awkward before it ended, which I'd kind of like to forget." Emma mumbled the last bit and really wished Granny would hurry up with her other beer.

"Oh?" Regina cocked her head in interest.

Emma remained silent, the moment seeming like an eternity to her until she blurted out, "Did you know Ruby slept with my mom?"

The brunette's brow rose in surprise at the newly acquired information. She took a moment to let it swirl in her mind before one of her signature evil smirks slowly emerged. "Well isn't that interesting. Snow isn't so snow white after all. Though now I certainly understand the beer." A low chuckle bubbled up from her throat. "But if you would have come back to the manor I could have at least offered you something a bit stronger, dear."

"Maybe, but I kind of wanted to drown out this knowledge and if I went back there you would make me talk." Emma grumbled. Ugh where is that beer?

"Yet here we are. Talking." Regina stated but then leaned forward and reached out, taking her finger to lift the blonde's chin so she would look at her. "But had you come back I could have also distracted you with other things, sheriff."

Emma swallowed, her mouth going dry. "Well I do still need a distraction." She flicked her tongue out to lick her bottom lip as a smile slowly spread across her face. "But I was with you all night and you didn't do anything but your best interpretation of a koala."

Regina narrowed her eyes as she released her hold on the blonde's chin and sat back, casting a glare at the woman across the table. The brunette's reaction caused Emma to laugh, reaching out to try and take Regina's hand in her own as apology but the smaller woman was having none of it and took her hand away.

"Aww come on, Regina. I was joking. Besides, you're cute as my koala." Emma stated, trying to hold back her laugh.

"I am not cute, Miss Swan."

"You see it your way, I'll see it mine." Emma commented just as Granny walked up with her beer and a water for Regina. The elder woman placed the drinks down and informed them that their meals would be ready soon before disappearing once again. "Next time I'll just have to take a picture as proof." Emma smirked at the woman across the booth and picked up her beer to take a sip.

"You're infuriating."

"As if you're not?" Emma retorted back with a snort and a wink over her beer glass. The brunette's lips twitched as she fought back a smile. Emma scrunched her nose playfully, grinning with a gleam in her eye as she took a sip of her drink then set it back down.

Granny soon returned with their plates, placing them down in front of each then wiped her hands off on her apron. "Mmm… this looks delicious. Thanks." Emma gave the old woman a big smile. The elder woman gave a nod of appreciation before she went to take care of another table.

Regina removed the top bun of her hamburger and proceeded to adjust the toppings to her liking when she noticed a hand reaching on to her plate to take one of her fries. She quickly slapped Emma's hand away.

"What? You wouldn't let me get my onion rings. Least you could do is share your fries." The blonde gave the smaller woman a hurt puppy look. Regina picked up one of her fries and and threw it at her, which Emma quickly caught before it fell and popped it in her mouth with a grin. "Aww see I knew you could be romantic, sharing your food with me." She teased, causing the brunette to just shake her head and chuckle as she went back to fixing her burger.