Emma unlocked the front door and bolted up the stairs to plug her phone into its charger. Then she ran back down, grabbed some food from the cupboard and checked for a note from her parents.

Emma,

We've got a dinner meeting, there's money for pizza, don't forget your homework. Love you. Dad

"Dammit," Emma grumbled as she read the message on the fridge. "I could have stayed with him." She pouted. Then she grinned, deciding that there was always next time. Pulling open a packet of salt and vinegar chips, she started to crunch her way through them as she headed back up the stairs to her room.

She turned on her phone and waited for it to wake up, apologising to it for letting it go flat, and she had her computer on as well. All she needed was her music - iPod into the dock - and she was ready to do her homework.

Or, you know, procrastinate.

The first message to come through was from Regina, demanding to know how the maths session had gone.

It was quickly followed by five more, getting increasingly more ridiculous. Emma hardly had a chance to reply before each came through, and she knew that her best friend would be furious that she had let her phone battery run down. She was in the midst of tapping out a reply when Neal sent a text.

Ems, you home? I need help.

Emma quickly finished her reply to Regina

Step one MadSwan complete. Step one CaptainSwan complete. You're falling behind

Then she replied to Neal

Come over. I'm ordering pizza.

She logged on line, made the order for the pizza, knowing what Neal would demand for his choice, and then sat back and waited.

Almost on cue, Regina rang.

"WHAT THE HELL?"

Emma giggled.

"Hey Regina, how are you?"

"Fuck that Emma, what do you mean CaptainSwan as well?"

Emma resumed eating her chips and then proceeded to explain all that had happened, from the maths session and admitting to Mr Chapelier about his voice turning her on, through to Killian taking her out for coffee and the make out session in the rain. By the end of it Regina was in shock.

"I don't believe it." She kept saying. "How the hell…?" She snorted. "I can't get more than a smile from one of my targets and you've made moves on three of them? Damn girl!"

"We need to come up with a plan for you and Mr Humbert." Emma tipped the bag of chips up, swallowing the last of the crumbs. Regina was umming and ahhing though and Emma frowned at her best friend, even though she couldn't see it. "Reggie, don't worry. OutlawQueen is totally the end game. You'll be Roland's new mummy. But don't you want to have a bit of fun before you settle down as the future Mrs Locksley?"

Regina groaned.

"Fuck off Swan!" She grumbled, but Emma knew she was grinning. "Ok, fine fine," she sighed as if it was the most troubling thing she'd had to suffer through. "How am I going to get to work on the Queen's Guard?"

Apparently Mr Humbert had been a soldier back in Northern Ireland before he turned to teaching, and as soon as the girls had heard that they had been desperate to find a picture of him in a uniform. No luck yet, but they lived in hope.

"Maybe you can ask him to show you his … rifle!" Emma teased, and she was sure she could HEAR Regina rolling her eyes. But before Regina could respond, Emma heard the doorbell, and then Neal walked in, calling out to him. "Oh I've got to go. Neal's here."

"What? Booty call?" Regina teased, and Emma groaned.

"No, although after the day I've had I'm not sure I'd knock it back. I mean, damn! Frustration much?" She chuckled. "Nah, he said he needed help with something so I told him to come around."

"Booty call, I bet!" Regina was smirking, and Emma just rolled her eyes.

"We're just friends Reggie."

"Sure sure." Regina didn't sound convinced. "I'm your friend Emma. You don't have sex with me."

"I could if you wanted me to!" Emma teased, and then gave an evil laugh when she heard Regina's splutter of shock. Then she went on. "And anyway, it's not like it happens all that often."

"But it DOES happen!" Regina reminded her. "When was the last time?"

Emma blushed as she heard Neal call out to her again.

"Two weeks ago, at Lana's party."

"Oh yeah, that's right."

"In my defence, it WAS a boring party!" Then she covered the phone to call out to Neal. "I'm in my room. Come on up!" She heard Regina make some filthy comment and she groaned. "Shut it Mills, or I'll tell Mother Dearest what you're really doing on Friday night!"

"You're a bitch!" Regina growled, and Emma just laughed, promising to talk to her again tomorrow. Hanging up the phone, she grinned as Neal walked into her room, and she honestly considered Regina's suggestion.

But no. They had split up. So what if they occasionally got together again? It didn't mean anything. And usually they were drunk. No, he was her best guy friend, and she could do this, just hang out with him. They didn't have to do anything.

Just because she was feeling incredibly frustrated due to three very attractive teachers did not mean she had to bend over for her ex.

"Hey Cassidy. So what's up? What do you need my help with?"

Neal flopped down on her bed, sighing loudly.

"Maths. Do you understand anything about algebra?"

Oh shit! Emma was sooo screwed!