I know I was supposed to update around Halloween, but somethings just came up. So, I really apologize for how late I've actually come to publish this chapter.

Hope everyone had a great holidays, and new years! :) I appreciate all the reviews, follows, and favorites I received along with all the people who read as well—you guys are the reason why I write, so how could I not? Much Thanks to fiend89, Rayne Arianna Maranochi whose pun made me laugh though it was silly, and of course Janeb10, as well as Zelda's Hero, Arosein1992, Hime no Kowai Shumi and apples-a-day. Also, welcome new readers, hope the story is to your liking. If you're posting reviews via annonymous, please leave some sort of way I can get back to you as well! :)

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

p.s: If you're trying to post your story via Apple software, then maybe you should try chrome on a windows because that seemed to work better for me, :3

A/N: I do not own ONCE or any of its characters; to be safe, all recognized material is probably not mine, but I must assure you that the plot does belong to me entirely.


Chapter Nine: The Point of No Return


"… No one has to know what we do,

Her hands are in my hairnothing lasts forever.

But this is getting good now…"


"Get him!" one of the taller teens yelled.

Henry scurried away, swinging his backpack to one side of the long corridor; his legs working as fast as they could as the older boys ran after him in an attempt to catch up.

His bangs stuck to his forehead in a sweaty mess as he rushed down the English hallway; barely containing a frightened scream as he reached the entrance to the library and directed himself right over to the restroom, located by the fantasy section of the quiet sanctuary.

But just his luck, the door seemed stuck as there was someone already occupying the one room bathroom; cussing in a high pitch voice, his tone way too boyish yet, he yelped as a hand wrapped itself around the back of his neck before pulling him away harshly.

The boy struggled, but couldn't voice any of it before he was thrown back into the hallway, his back slamming against a locker loud enough to cause a commotion, but as always…no one was ever around when kids were being bullied at school.

Two sets of arms held him there as he stared at them, trying to control the fear in his eyes.

"Bring it here," Peter barked before one of his cronies stepped forward, Henry's backpack in his hand, "Is this what you spend the majority of your time doing?" the teen sneered as he tore open the bag, and swung it upside down; all its belongings falling to the floor in a heap.

The only thing the teen picked up, though, was the boy's sketch book; shifting it from hand to hand in evident amusement as he raised a perfectly cynical eyebrow.

"Drawing up fairytale stories again?" he chuckled as he skimmed through the pages before shutting it abruptly, and slapping Henry across the face with it; sudden pain, and red blemishes bursting through the young boy's face from the hard leather's impact. Peter cooed mockingly when he began to notice the welled up tears in Henry's eyes, "You gonna start crying like a little girl?"

The older boys started laughing around him as they patted Peter Green on the back.

"Now who is this beauty?" Peter wolf whistled as he came across a specific sketch in the book, "Creeping on older girls, you freak?" he asked as he tore the page off and crumpled it up; the creases on Emma's face tearing at his heart painfully.

"Stop, no!" Henry screamed as he witnessed the action, and all his hard work disappear when Green spit on it, "Please."

"Look Peter! The little girl is begging," one kid cackled out.

"So he seems to be doing so," the teen smirked before coming closer to the brunette boy, and giving him one last glimpse at the leather bound sketchbook before going on a rampage and ripping out all the pages, and tearing them up madly.

"You jerk! Stop it," Henry screamed before trying to launch at him, and the boys let him go just so they could see how Peter punched him on the side of his young face after carelessly tossing what was left of the notebook to the side.

"You think you're so tough, huh, Mills? But you never will be," Peter told him with a grin as he pulled him up by his shaggy looking hair, and pressed his cheek against the lockers, "You lack something a growing boy needs in order to become a proper man in life, and that's a daddy…Mommy won't always be around to save you, baby," the teen threw before letting go, and stepping back.


"You just don't get it, Kat," Regina groaned beside her best confidant as they laid atop the bed in the master bedroom; legs dangling down the side of the mattress as they stared up at the ceiling while they talked.

"Oh," Kathryn sang out with a chuckle, "Believe me, I do. I do get it; you fail to realize that I know you better than anyone else in the world," the blonde supplemented with a smile as she patted her friend's arm.

"I want her so badly, and I mean badly," she admitted as her arm came to rest across her closed eyes, and her teeth bit down on her lower lip with fervor, almost tearing through the soft flesh, "And the fact that she wants to takes things slower, makes me want to have her even more."

"Ayy, Gin, but you knew that," Kat began, "And I warned you as well, señorita; you said it didn't matter, that sex wasn't what you sought after, cariño," the blonde pointed out as she poked the brunette with her index finger.

"I know what I said, and I meant it," the brunette ground out with a glare once she had uncovered her eyes, "But, it's like her innocence enthralls me, and pulls on me in the most…ridiculous ways that I just don't believe myself to be in control anymore."

"That's rather normal though, isn't it? I mean, to the extent of my knowledge, and I know, I'm your truest friend," at this she batted her eye lashes at Regina, who scowled further, "You've never gone to bed with a…virgin?"

The brunette groaned exaggeratedly once the words had left her best friend's mouth, and Kathryn couldn't help but giggle at the usually stern lawyer's childish and flustered state.

"Emma, she's different," Regina assured as she buried her face against Kat's arm, and sighed, "She shouldn't be like the other people I've involved myself with; she deserves the best, and sometimes I find myself wondering whether or not I'm that for her," she murmured in a tired voice.

"Hey, don't say that. I know this'll sound cliché or whatever, but you're awesome, Gin! You really are, and you shouldn't hammer yourself down like that," her friend encouraged, having none of her doubts and soft insecurities, "I mean, she didn't run away when you molested her thigh, did she?" Kathryn tried to be funny, but Regina slapped at her arm, "Ouch! I'm trying to help, Gin."

"You are one of the biggest idiots I know," the brunette muttered as she began getting up from the bed, set on discontinuing her self wallowing, "But, frankly, more right you couldn't be…" Hopefully, she thought to herself as she reached for her phone.


Emma stared up at the building housing the Aurum PI Lounge with her mouth slightly agape.

She was starting to question the green button up she had decided to wear since it might have been a bit too tight for her liking, but Ruby had promised she looked more than just a tad professional and that is what she was essentially aiming for. Because…lets face it, Ms. French might have been impressed with her collection of artwork, but…she was sure to boot her out onto the curve once she shot a glance down into her meager resume.

It was safe to say that Emma hadn't ever really had a job; she hadn't uttered a word in years before weeks ago.

Nobody in their right mind would have ever hired a mute, ever, she thought to herself as her fingers danced around the small, healing slit at the top of her head, nor an insane woman who still suffers from childhood flashbacks.

Huffing out a breath, she shook herself off.

Sure, the only things she had ever done had been babysit some of the kids around her complex, and volunteer at the senior home downtown (where she was only forced to utter directions and other simple commands, but nothing more). But that didn't mean she was incapable of other things, right? More along the lines of something she loved to do…?

Just as she was about to reach for one of the large, black wooden doors, her ringtone went off, and she dove her hand into her messenger bag; a shy smile slipping onto her lips as she answered.

"Regina," she greeted with a grin as she sidestepped the entry way, and went to lean against one of the light posts as people stumbled around her.

"Mirror, mirror, on the wallwho is the fairest of them all?" the brunette joked over the phone; her voice sounding regal, yet cooly alluring.

"Regina Mills," Emma murmured as she chewed on her thumb thoughtfully, a blush swarming her cheeks.

"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of one stunningly, breathtaking Emma Swan," the lawyer responded with self pride, and the blonde was more than sure that the older woman was smirking wickedly.

"Lawyer Mills, you are way too kind."

"Not at all, darling," Regina insisted, and the quiet artist could hear soft giggling in the background before the brunette made hushing noises, "You'll have to excuse Kathryn, dear; her romantic life is quite lacking at the moment…"

"Well, she was all David could talk about when I got home," Emma admitted quietly as she glanced down to the watch Mary Margaret had lent her; she still had about fifteen minutes until twelve, "My brother, not so subtly might I add, found your friend rather attractive…as well as her charm," she could hear Regina's throaty chuckle at that.

"David was his charming self as well," the brunette told her, "What has you occupied?" she asked a little hesitantly.

Emma bit her lip, her smile now wiped from her pink lips.

She still hadn't told the other woman about the job interview, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to tell her yet; not until she had gotten the job if they were to hire her in the least anyway.

"Emma?" the blonde could hear the quiet confusion in the brunette's tone.

She scratched at her throat with one hand as she tried to clear it, "I'm here," she mumbled, and hoped not to sound too dumb or inattentive.

"Are you busy, dear?"

"Ah," she searched for words in an attempt to not sound as if she was making excuses.

But Regina noticed the signs abruptly, and frowned.

"I'm in the city," Emma finally said, just as the horn of a taxi went off, "I'm meeting with someone in a little bit," she explained; omitting the who, and the where.

The brunette at the other end of the line felt a little at ease as the honesty of Emma's words weighed in; though, she could somehow tell the blonde was hiding something from her.

"Who are you meeting up with, might I ask? If I'm not overstepping my bounds," Regina asked her, and hoped not to sound too demanding; she didn't want to act the role of the jealous girlfriend.

"A friend of Alice," the blonde supplied too quickly, and Kathryn's eyebrows skyrocketed into her hairline as she heard the blonde's answer; the brunette's frown deepened, "She sort of told her I was good with art, and so the lady kinda wants to meet and go over some ideas she has; she's wanting to add some new paintings to her…basement," she finished awkwardly, and almost slapped herself on the forehead when she realized the stupidity of that statement…the fucking base—nope, she did slap herself on the forehead.

The basement? Kathryn mouthed to Regina who waved her off with a scowl.

"Do you want me to accompany you?" the lawyer asked instead, "Kat and I decided to stay home today; we needed a tiny break from the office, but I could most definitely come with you if you'd like. I wouldn't mind, darling."

"No, no; it's okay, Regina," Emma rushed to say, "I'm already here, anyway. I'll just text you when I'm done, yeah? Maybe we could do something later on today!" she blurted as she began walking over to the building's entrance again; she felt bad for brushing off the lovely woman like that, but she just didn't want to raise anybody's hopes up.

Regina wanted to object to the blonde's refusal, but she did her best to remain composed; she didn't like the way she felt right now. There was an inkling within her that was screaming to her that Emma was lying, and apparently Kathryn noticed as well.

"Very well then, dear. Just text me after you get done," she began steadily; stilling her emotions as her tone became hopeful, "We need to talk about Jersey; remember Cassandra's exhibition?"

Cassandra? Emma wondered before the name hit her; the woman at the museum, the brunette's friend.

"Yes! Your friend the curator…we'll talk about it later, okay? I have to go now, Regina. I'll call you!"

"Emma" but the fidgety blonde had already hung up on her.

"Woah, what the hell is going up with her? Seriously, Gin…the basement?"

"I've never heard her sound that way before," Regina murmured as her index traced the naked line of her upper lip, "She seemed a little off, didn't she?"

"A little? More like a whole lot!"

"Emma wasn't like this yesterday; everything was all right even this morning," the brunette fussed as she turned to look at her friend, "Perhaps she's changed her mind since then? Maybe…the way I acted yesterday was too inappropriate—too soon for her, and I've finally scared her away…"

"Regina! So you let your hands wander a bit too high, so what?" Kat exclaimed with a raised eyebrow, "God, you guys are dating; I'm still surprised you haven't brought her home yet. You need to stop with all the insecurities, okay? They'll get you nowhere," she told her friend as she reached over, and laid her hand atop hers to give it a squeeze.

"Then why would she lie? I know I've only known Emma for a couple of weeks, but she isn't like that…" she tried to reassure herself, "She's kind, honest…timid, nervous at her best, but I've seen it in her eyes, and she's never lied before; innocence practically radiates off of her—"


As soon as she walked through the large, dark wooden doors, Emma felt the air being knocked out of her lungs as she caught sight of the place from the inside.

The lounge seemed split into two styles; towards the right side of the building the atmosphere of the place seemed a lot more light, in contrast to the other side where literally things seemed rather darker. The blonde liked the division though; being an artist herself, and understanding the need for the heavy contrast, she thought it was pretty neat.

Just as she was stepping towards the receptionist, where a young man was looking down into his cellphone (probably playing some video game), the young woman recognized a voice to her right; turning around she was met with the amused eyes of Belle French.

"I'm glad you were able to make it, Emma," she beamed at the blonde as she approached her, and dared grace her with a friendly hug.

Emma couldn't help but smile back as she patted the woman on the back, before directing her eyes to the Australian woman's attire. The blonde sighed relieved at realizing her choice of clothing had been right on point.

"Come along; Mr. Gold will see you now, it didn't take long for me to convince Riley you'd be perfect for the remaining position," Belle gushed away in hushed tones as she ushered the quiet blonde over to the darker side of the building before taking the small stairs up to the second floor, and over to another set of wooden doors; handles colored in vintage gold.

Riley?

She caught the auburn haired woman's gaze before she reached for the door, and felt a reassuring hand slide onto her shoulder.

"Just be yourself, and you'll definitely be fine, mate," Ms. French reassured her once more, before shoving her softly and disappearing down the stairs again.

Emma knocked on the door, soft hits upon the wood, and shortly a voice in the form of a Scottish accent called her in. Taking a deep breath, and willing her nerves away with a shake, she pushed through the door and slightly stared agape; not having been exactly sure of what she had been expecting.

The office walls were all black bricks, the window sills yet again colored that same shade of vintage gold as the door handles; there was a gold leather couch pushed against one of the walls big enough to fit three people.

The golden haired woman had been too busy looking all around the room, that she had failed to notice the young man perched atop the desk in the center of the room. An immaculate charcoal colored suit seemed to be painted onto his tall, lean frame; shoulder length brown hair stylishly fell down to his shoulders, framing his face in the most suitable manner. Along his lips sat a weird kind of smirk, as he waited for Emma to finally notice him.

"Ms. Swan, is it?" he asked when the girl settled her eyes on him; red spreading onto her cheeks at being caught staring for way too long.

"Yes," the young artist answered as she swallowed down the knot in her throat.

"I'm Riley Gold. Have a seat, please," he smiled widely, and Emma thought he couldn't be older than thirty as a lively yet peculiar glimmer settled onto his chocolate eyes, "Belle French has brought to my attention that you've proven to have an affinity with the arts of illustration," he began, and Emma gulped once more before nodding twice, then shaking her head from side to side.

The man cocked his head to the side as he looked to her; his arms settled atop his old looking, yet expensive desk as he considered the woman before him.

"I have some examples of my work, " if it can even be considered that, Emma thought to herself, "I've never actually illustrated, but I've had experience with realistic portraits, and other styles," she explained, thinking back to the sketches and water colors she'd done of people she'd once known in her life.

Riley Gold nodded, and extended an arm out to her, "Might we take a look then?"


Kathryn and Regina sat parked inside the blonde's car as they waited for Henry to be let out of school; which would be in about ten minutes, if the boy didn't have any after school activities.

"You said yes, right?"

She'd been quick to agree to come over when Ruby had called her. She'd frowned at the new number once it had popped up on her screen, but thinking that it was maybe one of her clients, she had answered the call quickly. She had chuckled as she'd heard the other brunette's voice boom through the speaker; the waitress speaking in a happy tone as she invited her to come over because they planned to congratulate Emma on her first work interview.

"You know I did; you were present when I answered, dear," Gin was quick to answer as she blew some stubborn strands of hair away from her face, and threw a sideway glance toward her friend, "And you're coming with me. You heard Emma! David has apparently expressed some sort of liking for you, dear. Perhaps some time around other adults would do you good?" she poked the blonde in the ribs teasingly.

"Ha ha," Kathryn expressed sardonically as she rolled her eyes, a gesture she had long ago caught on from her brunette best friend, "Besides, I love hanging with my Henry; he's always been faithful to me," the blonde teased back, and Regina chuckled at the statement.

Henry and Kat had always been quite inseparable; their bond too strong to actually break any ties between them.

"Henry will also be tagging along, so you'll always have him around if nothing sparks between you and Mr. Swan," Regina murmured as she looked down into her phone; for some reason she was expecting a text from Emma, but none had come yet.

"Stop fretting," her friend warned with a knowing smirk as she caught her, "Things will be fine…"

"It was a simple job interview, Kat. Why didn't she tell me?"

"Like her friend Ruby Lucas said, she was just scared; maybe she just didn't want to get anyone's hopes up; especially hers," Kathryn explained with a shrug before unlocking the car when she noticed the kids stumbling out the doors of the school.

She frowned as something caught her eye, and nudged Regina before nodding towards the east entrance of the school.

Henry was approaching the Audi, head a little down, and his hood up and hiding his face.

The little boy climbed into the back seat of the white car, and buckled up without saying a single word.

Both women turned to look at him, but he had yet to pick up his head; chin resting on his chest.

"Hen," Kathryn called as she peered now through the rearview mirror while she exited her parking space, "Everything all right?" This was peculiar of the boy; he was usually happy, and smiling, his upturned lips full of joy and boyish excitement.

"What's the matter, darling?" Regina demanded as she reached behind her to lay a hand on the brunette boy's knee, "Bad day?"

"Yeah," he muttered before glancing out the window, his hood obscuring part of his face, and effectively shying it away from prying eyes.

Kathryn tapped her finger against the space between Regina and herself just to catch the brunette's attention, before she motioned with her forefinger to the hood with a raised eyebrow; Gin understood what she meant before nodding curtly, and facing her son once more.

"What's with the hood, man?" Kathryn ventured curiously, "Why can't we see your precious face today? Has puberty hit you already?"

Henry licked his bottom lip with a frown before he shook his head thrice, and pressed his lips together forcefully as if trying to smile.

Regina'd had enough of her child's secrecy before she finally snapped; a glimmer that he knew well clouding her brown eyes.

"Take the damn thing off, Henry," she told him sternly as her eyes narrowed.

"Mom, I'm just cold," he tried to say, but his brunette mother knew better.

"Off, now," she demanded once more, and Henry knew yet again that there was no point in arguing anymore.

With a groan, he pushed the hood of his jacket down and turned completely so his mother could see.

"What happened to you?" Regina cried as she spotted the dark bruise on the edge of his cheek; deadly purple and creeping all the way down from the hollow of his eye to the corner of his brow. His mother couldn't help but launch forward to trace her finger against the damage.

"It's nothing…"

"Hen, that isn't nothing,"

"Are those useless teachers not attentive? We bloody pay them to take care of our children, and this is what happens?" Gin sneered, and if her son hadn't caught that her anger was towards someone else, he would have been scared, "How long since this has been going on?" she fussed, and Henry rolled his eyes; a better choice than crying like the little girl he'd been accused of being by Green and his gang.

"They're just stupid guys, mom!" Henry huffed before he turned to look out the window again, chin now resting on his hand, "Peter just likes to pick on me—"

"This is further more than picking on, Henry," she tried explaining, "Just look at your face! I will be making sure the school gets a nice phone call when we get home, or better yet Kat, just stop the car…" she trailed angrily as she unbuckled her seatbelt; intent on getting out of the car.

"No, you can't do that," he cried this time, and both women tried hard to understand him,; his mother stopping in her tracks, "They'll think I'm even more weak for having my mother come to my defense!" and this time his tears streamed down his cheeks like a raging storm, "I don't need your help, ma'!"

"Your face proves otherwise, kid," Kathryn told him pointedly, "And what is it, two against one?"

"That's not the point," he defended, his pride evidently hurt as his face went red, "I have to do this, I have to take everything they give me…I'm supposed to be the man of this family!" he began, his finger jamming into his chest with emphasis, "If I can't even protect myself…then how am I supposed to protect you guys, huh? Protect you and Emma?" he exclaimed as he shut his eyes with force, and leant his head down; hands flying up to wipe at the tears falling out of the corners of his eyelashes, "I need to be strong, mom; I need to prove to them that I am strong."

And those words, those mere words, shattered Regina's heart to no end; every piece of her beating heart crumbling within her chest at her beautiful boy's evident pain, but she needed to show strength for him; so, she refused to shed any tears in front of him, though Kathryn knew she was close for she reached over to comfortingly lay a hand on the woman's arm.

"Sweetheart, Henry," she called softly as her fingers pried away smaller hands from his little face, "There will come the time when you will have to take care of me, baby, but right now…it isn't it. I'm the one that needs to be taking care of you," she told him gently, his green eyes staring up into hers, "You're the child, you don't need to be worrying about being strong for anyone right now—Henry, don't you realize you've been strong all along, and that's why those boys are trying to break you?" Regina insisted, attempting to show the boy the truth.

"You hold so much strength, Henry Mills, that sometimes I just wonder where the hell you've inherited it from…because it definitely wasn't from me; you're a brave boy, but sometimes you need to understand that some battles can't be fought alone—I've learned that,and you're going to have to learn that as well; otherwise, those kids are going to keep tramping all over you."


"How would you like a tour of the building, Ms. Swan? I'd be honored to personally show you around," the Scottish man offered, as he went to get up from his chair, and circled his desk to where a cane rested against the edge before he leant on it.

"I'd love to, sir," she tried not to stare at him because it would have been rude, but a part of her was curious as of why he needed the cane's assistance since he was still a young enough man.

"Then, come along; we'll make it quick as I am sure we both have other priorities for the day, and then we might come back to discuss some further business. What do you say?" he asked in confirmation as he cocked his head to the side, both hands atop his cane as he waited for her answer.

"Lead the way, Mr. Gold," she smiled as she grabbed her bag, and draped it across her shoulder.

"Excellent, we can start with the publishing section. I'm sure you've already been acquainted with my wife, Belle French," he explained as they left the office and made their way over to the elevator.

Wife? Emma frowned as she tried to hide her surprise before her eyes came back up to seek further information from the man before her.

"Did she not tell you?" Riley Gold wondered as he leant forward, an amused grin on his lips, "My, my, what a surprise for you, dearie. The company is basically composed by Belle, being the head of the publishing department and all that is the hiring process; as well as my brother and of course, myself."

"I have to admit, that I really don't know much about the company," she confessed as her cheeks grew orangey.

"We're quite indie, so I would see why," he told her with a chuckle as they left the elevator and passed by the receptionist guy before entering a well lit hallway, and directing themselves toward some deep red colored doors.

"Anyway, this is the illustration department," he explained nonchalantly as they stepped inside a large rectangular room; there were two offices on each side of the room, and one last one at the end towards the center, "Right now, I'll be introducing you to the head, and that would be my brother."

She followed after him, at a slower pace, not wanting to seem like she was trying to race him or anything; Mr. Gold knocked thrice on the door before he motioned for her to come along and stepped through.

"Riley! I still have those sketch drafts that I need to submit to Belle, but I'll have them by—" Emma couldn't help but stare at the man as she came to face him entirely, her mouth slightly agape when the man smiled at her quite openly; Riley Gold frowning as he took in their expressions.

"You!" she stuttered, and the man had the nerve to chuckle.

"Yeah, Bae here," he extended his hand out to her, and the gesture came out a little awkward.

"This is Emma Swan, dearie," Riley explained to his brother, a fun glint in his eyes as he gestured to the blonde artist, "I was just showing her around; Ms. Swan, though I think he needs no introduction as you seem to already know him…this is my brother, Baelfire Gold."

"Emma then," Bailey greeted as he shook her hand just as Belle came rushing in.

"Riley, darling, I'm ready for her whenever you are," she beamed as she stood next to the three of them, some files in her arms and a weird sort of quill resting behind her ear.

"I've yet to show her your department, but I believe this will be enough for today," he told his younger wife with an eye roll, and the Australian girl delivered a playful slap to his arm, "As I am sure you've noticed, we do not have large numbers of employees crowding our halls; we only have three departments (including my own), and they all have their heads," at this he obviously pointed to their company, " in addition to three more workers in each department."

"You would only need to worry about your deadlines, and the people that work with you and those are Tallie Jade, who is in charge of the photographical aspect of our illustrations, and Anna Fossen who handles digital conversions before submitting them to Bae 'ver here," he huffed before a smile slithered onto his lips, simple and a bit kind, "So, you would be accountable for the actual art, Ms. Swan; would you actually be interested in a position here?"

And the way he asked her was so simple that Emma thought that she didn't really understand the question at first, but when she saw Belle flash her a gentle smile and nod to her encouragingly, the blonde blinked before she also nodded.

"I would be glad to join the team, Mr. Gold."

"Then welcome to Aurum PI, Emma Swan."


Regina was sitting on her bed sifting through the torn pages from Henry's sketchpad, spikes of despair pining into her heart, when her nine year old boy suddenly appeared at her bedroom door.

He had tried to pick up every single drawing they'd destroyed, she concluded; desperation filling through his veins as he inspected how much damage they had truly taken from the mean teen that'd beat him.

There was a silence agreement between them both, and that was that they wouldn't talk about the book, or his obliterated works.

"Come here my little prince," she gently beckoned him as she held on tight to her tears, forcing them back down. Henry didn't hesitate on making his way over to his mother once he noticed what lay atop the mattress, and the look on her face.

She sighed when he settled into her lap, and rested his head against the hollow of her neck; his wet hair tickling her chin as his lanky arms circled her shoulders.

"You're sure you still want to go to Emma's?"

"Definitely," his answer was quick as he moved to sit down next to her, shaking his shaggy hair to brush off his earlier mood, as if he was a grown man that needed to act like nothing was really wrong, before offering Regina the bruise salve so she could apply it on his face.

She promptly took it from him, a glimmer of a sad smile on her lips as she loosened the lid and dipped her fingers within the jar; gently spreading the salve over his cheek bone and below his eye where the black and blue smeared all over. The brunette inspected the damage further before leaning over, and placing a kiss against his hairline.

"Henry, I love you so much. I'm so sorry this has happened to you." she breathed out as she wiped her fingers, and pulled her son closer to her; his head coming to lean on her shoulder as her arms entangled themselves around his tiny waist.

"I love you too, mom," he began quietly, "And I know you want to help me, but sometimes I have to do things on my own; even if I am still a kid."

And though she didn't want to agree with him, she found herself nodding her head in the affirmative as a tear slid down the bridge of her nose.

He was growing up so fast, and she could greatly see that in the way he spoke, and how he attempted to act way too strong for his young age.

The brunette boy cleared his throat as he noticed his mother was crying, though quietly and almost silently, and he felt even worse than before. But moving upwards and kissing her gently on the cheek, he looked her right in the eyes without any fear.

"Don't worry too much about me," he told her with a soft chuckle in hope of lighting up the air, "I'm your son after all."

And with that, he got off the bed and started to walk out of the room as she made quick work of cleaning her face with the back of her hand.

"And mom, what you said in the car," Henry began as he stopped by the door, and turned to his brunette mother once more, "You were wrong," the boy told her, "You stood up to grandma, and have done so, so, so many times," smiling at her he finished, "You are stronger than anyone else I know," and with a tilt of his small head, his smile grew wider as he wandered down the hallway, and into his room to finish getting ready.


She hadn't texted Regina yet, but she had promised herself she would do it right after taking a shower, and ridding herself of the tight clothes she was wearing.

The green button up, though it was soft, and warm against her skin, was kind of suffocating her.

Resting her head against her driver's seat, she sighed; her fingers slipping into her blonde curls, and pulling them back in the process as she shut her eyes.

"Who could've known, huh?" she whispered to nobody in particular as it was only her who sat inside the yellow bug.

Turning off the engine, the dome lights switched on as she opened the door and finally stepped out; grabbing her bag and checking her phone.

As she glanced to check on the time, a weird sensation that someone was watching her settled into her chest, and she felt her senses awaking, and rushing into alert.

The blonde's skin was crawling, and there was a slight itching at her collarbone as she gripped her bag closer to her as if it could provide some sort of protection or momentarily shelter.

Her jaw sat tight, and her lips pressed into a fine line as she let her eyes frantically search around the complex for any signs of danger to her. But though she didn't see anyone, or anything out of the ordinary, the feeling refused to go away as she began walking over to the main entrance of her apartment building in quick strides; not wanting to loose her composure.

And because it was parked too far away and it was too dark out, Emma missed the navy colored truck parked at the corner of her block, and the person inside it that had never stopped watching her since she'd arrived minutes before.


"Em!"

Before she'd even crossed the threshold into the small living room, the young man was already swinging her around in his arms excitedly as she giggled into his shoulder; a huge grin on her lips as he laughed as well, the tension from before leaving her being.

Finally setting her down, Cyrus smiled liked a Cheshire cat as he looked down to her.

"Well, tell! How'd it go?" he demanded eagerly, and Regina didn't know how she felt about the man and how he was holding Emma…

She knew they were just friends, high school classmates; she'd met Cyrus before, and knew not to let her feelings get the best of her! But that didn't mean her possessive nature wouldn't peek through, nor that her small insecurities wouldn't make themselves shown.

The brunette just sat with Henry at her side as she waited for the blonde to finally notice her; fingers anxiously digging into her thighs as she looked down into her lap. The little boy beside her was conversing animatedly with the silly, leggy brunette; whose intent was to entertain him, and if you were to judge by the boyish bursts of laughter, you'd say she was succeeding. And that, was definitely a great thing considering the day's events.

Kathryn was standing with David in the kitchen. It seemed coming along had been a good idea after all. She was helping the man cut up some veggies, though, if you squinted you'd see the way in which they snuck chips away from a bag together and flirted when they thought no one was looking.

There were three people missing, and with a weird sense of comfort, she found herself pleased that Mary Margaret, Killian and Lieutenant Humbert were yet to arrive.

She knew she would have to endure a couple of hours with the blonde's two best friends, and her brother; though she hadn't really thought the entire gang would be there again (though evidently they weren't all there yet)—Regina was coming to the conclusion that they all basically lived at the Swan Residence!

The place was small enough already in her eyes, but to have them all there… what a crowded nightmare it must be twenty-four seven.

Gentle fingers drummed on one of her shoulders, and she found herself looking over it. Eyes swirling up, she met Emma's hazel ones; which were unable to conceal their mirth at the brunette's slight jumpiness.

"Did I scare you? I didn't mean to," the blonde told her with a twinkle in her eyes, and Regina found herself smiling at the younger woman.

A soft snort, and a tilt of her head, and Emma was full on grinning at her.

"It takes more than a slight tap on my shoulder to frighten me, Ms. Swan," the brunette assured her as she nodded for the quiet woman to come join her on the sofa.

"Hey Emma!" Henry greeted as he slid closer to the other side to offer her the space beside his mother.

The artist gave him a friendly wave before she finally sat, and Regina's lips met her cheek bone. Spotting the bruise on his face, she didn't know whether to address it or not.

"So, how was it?" the little boy inquired; beating his mom to the question, it seemed and cutting off any thoughts of her asking what had happened to him, as he beamed up at her.

"Did you get it?" her brother asked from the kitchen as he turned to them, and smiled; the older blonde beside him nodding to Emma in greeting as they made eye contact.

"Dear?" Regina called softly as everyone's answers were met with silence.

Emma's eyes kept moving around the room, meeting everyone's curious orbs before going to the next pair; biting her lip, she shut her eyes as a tiny smirk appeared on her lips.

"Spill it already, babe!" Ruby demanded grumpily.

"I got the job," she breathed barely audible, but the room had gone so quiet that all of them heard her.

She felt them tackling her before she even saw them coming. Henry had to jump up, and away from the sofa before he got squished by the scrawny brunette's body, and both Cyrus and David's manly forms.

Regina sat surprised as the blonde took all their combined weight with girlish giggles, and red stained cheeks as they all huddled up.

"I knew they wouldn't hesitate to hire you!" Red exclaimed as she ruffled the girl's hair, mindful not to disturb the still healing area, "They'd be crazy not to, blondie."

"I'm proud of you, Emma," David said as he delivered a kiss to her forehead, then got up.

"Go Emma!" Henry yelled out of nowhere in one of those superhero voices as he high fived with Cyrus; already seeming familiar with the Swans and their little clan.

Once Ruby finally got off the blonde, just as there was a knock on the door, Regina glided closer to the blonde, and offered her a secretive crooked smile.

"Congratulations are in order," she thought maybe she would kiss Emma, but she wasn't sure if the blonde would be opposed to it in front of her brother, "This will be a good thing, Emma," her hand slid towards the blonde's fingers, but stopped as she heard a soft voice, Scottish accent peeking through.

"What did we miss?"

And just like that, she withdrew her hands, and snapped her eyes up to find herself staring at Graham. Apparently, Mary Margaret had arrived since she could hear the woman's chipper voice coming from the dining area as she introduced herself to Henry, and Killian's silly rant from across the kitchen.

Emma apparently felt the brunette go rigid beside her because she laid her small hand on her knee as the messy looking lieutenant took a seat in front of them.

"Hi, Graham," Emma murmured as Regina tangled their fingers together; the man's eyes trailing down to stare at the entwined hands.

"Hello Em," he greeted as he tore open a carton of Smirnoff, and offered both of them a bottle; Regina accepting shortly after Emma. One wouldn't harm her, nor influence her driving; she had Henry to think about.

Speaking of the boy, her eyes searched for him as she opened the crystal bottle, and she smiled knowingly when she spotted him at the small kitchen counter surrounded by Kat and David as they all shared food. The blonde captain kept throwing grapes, basketball style, into the nine year old's mouth and cheering victoriously as he 'dunked' them consecutively; Kathryn at one side laughing at them as she indulged in chips and a can of what seemed to be cheap beer.

"How was work?" the blonde asked as she took a light sip from her drink; scrunching her nose up at the unfamiliar taste, and looking momentarily at Regina who raised her perfectly sculpted eyebrow when she saw her reaction.

Emma bit her lip again before deciding to rest her head against the other woman's shoulder. The brunette automatically slipping her arm around her waist as she took a short swig from her Smirnoff.

Graham licked his lips as his eyes unfocused for a second before he answered.

"Station's been rather calm recently," he began gently, finishing his bottle in a gulp and grabbed for another, "Last week it was a mess though."

Regina and Emma found themselves humming in response to the man.

"I bet Halloween for you guys each year proves to be a little hectic," the lawyer threw in, "My son usually spends it with me and Kathryn, and we just watch movies," Regina explained as she drank delicately.

"Really? Henry doesn't trick or treat at all?" Emma asked bewildered as she looked up to face the brunette.

"We used to go when he was smaller; now, some years he wants to go, and other years he just doesn't," the brunette shrugged as she finished her Smirnoff, and eyed Emma's pointedly, though there was humor in her warm eyes.

Em rolled her eyes, and took another sip; her face making that silly face again before Regina chuckled at her; Graham forgotten as they looked at each other and got lost in their own little world.

With a grunt, the lieutenant got up and walked away leaving them alone.

"Emma, you're not a drinker, are you?" Regina inquired smugly as her fingers caressed the hot skin exposed at the blonde's side where her shirt had ridden up.

The quiet blonde pursed her lips, and stuck her tongue out at the brunette; the woman's tickling touch causing her stomach to slightly flutter.

"I'm a beginner," she admitted, "I never drank before my twenty-first birthday, really," her greenish eyes flicked to the side abruptly as Regina gave her all the attention. Swallowing thickly, she continued, "I guess I'd seen what alcohol did to people, and I just didn't want to venture those waters so early…"

The lawyer hummed again as she moved to face her companion; gently dislocating Emma from her shoulder, but maintaining her hand on the soft flesh of her waist.

"Do you drink often, Regina?" the blonde murmured quietly as she glanced up into the older woman's face.

"Not quite," the brunette woman answered, "Only socially, and lord knows that's once in a blue moon," Regina chuckled lightly while she kept her eyes on Emma's as the young artist smiled up at her endearingly.

It was the blonde's turn to hum, and Regina figured it was because she was satisfied with the answer she had received. She'd learned a new thing from Emma Swan, and it was that she wasn't very fond of alcohol nor its side effects; and that…was entirely fine with her. Regina herself had been witness to what such substances in excess could do to a person, and she'd sworn never to become that way.

"Regina?" she heard Emma's voice and glanced to the blonde; finding her staring at her with a gentle glimmer in her eyes, "I wanted to tell you about the interview," she began, but the brunette cut her off with a shake of her head and a charming smile as she leant forward to bring her mouth against Emma's rosy cheek in a chaste kiss.

"Don't ever feel afraid of telling me anything, Emma," Regina breathed against her heated skin, and the hairs at the back of the blonde's neck stood up from the chills that coursed through her spine at the brunette's soothing tone.

The blonde artist was about to turn her head, just in order to capture the brunette's lips in a gratifying kiss, but as she began to close the space between them, someone cleared their throat behind them. Yet, they didn't jump apart or ceased holding each other; they minded only enough time to spare a glance at whomever had interrupted their obvious little moment.

They were met with mischievous green eyes, and a wolfish grin that made Emma just lean her head on Regina's shoulder; her viridian gaze on Ruby just as her best friend kneeled by the back of the couch, and invaded their personal space.

"I'll go back into that kitchen soon enough, I promise," she said sheepishly as she looked to both of them, "Mary Margaret's finishing up with dinner, so maybe you want to go freshen up, huh babe?" Red smirked as she cocked her head towards the blonde's bedroom.

With a wink, the lanky waitress was gone, and Emma sat there trying to figure out just what exactly her friend had subtly meant, if subtle was even a way of putting it; she didn't stink, did she? The way her nose wrinkled as she lifted the neck of her button up to sniff herself had her brunette companion holding in her laughter. Perhaps Emma hadn't gotten it, but Regina…she had gotten the hint loud and clear, and heat fluttered within her at the implication; the blonde's innocence yet again stirring something deep inside of her belly.

"You're welcome to wait here while I go, and get changed," Emma told her quietly, a frown upon her brows as she got up, "I'd like to wear something more comfortable," she laughed as she grabbed her bag.

Regina stood up right behind her, her delicate hand reaching between them to grasp onto the strap of the blonde's messenger bag before placing it on her own shoulder.

A blush settled on Emma's cheeks as she realized what the lawyer wanted…

"But I guess, you're welcome to accompany me as well," she murmured with a smile, and the brunette wasn't sure if she could hold herself back anymore; she hadn't yet tasted Emma's lips today, and it was driving her insane.

But Em's fingers on her collar bone retained her; with a head gesture, they were moving in the direction of the blonde's bedroom, Regina never hesitating to follow behind.

The room was dark when they stepped in, but that didn't face the brunette who as soon as Emma had closed the door, had carefully dropped the bag to the floor just so she could take the timid blonde into her arms in a strong embrace.

Their mouths found each other in the darkness of the silent room; one of Regina's hands burying itself in golden strands, mindful of the cut, before she decidedly pulled on the tie, and let the wild curls cascade down Emma's back, her other hand idly settling on her waist. The blonde's fingers felt cool against the back of the brunette's neck, a place Emma used to balance herself while she pressed against Regina.

The lawyer, too enthralled to think straight from the softness of the blonde's pink lips and how warm they were compared to hers, moaned into the woman's mouth before she began walking them backwards in hopes of stumbling into the corner of the bed.

Once the back of her knees hit the mattress, Regina sunk down to it; her arms wrapping around Emma's middle as she pulled the quiet girl further into her, bringing her to stand right between her legs.

The blonde's nose brushed deliciously against hers for a second before they broke apart in need of air; Emma's breathing a little hyped as she circled her arms around Regina's shoulder, and laid a kiss to the woman's hairline.

Before the blonde could regain her breath once more, the brunette tilted her head right back up, and claimed the woman's lips; this time with much more desperation than the first.

Regina had recently found herself addicted to Emma's sweet mouth, and how smooth it felt against hers, that her need to declare ownership of them was greater than her want and earlier wishes of going steady with the young artist. Gently sucking Emma's bottom lip into her mouth, an act that had a choked moan escaping the confines of the quiet woman's throat, Regina slid her tongue past warm, parted lips; taking the time to trace the contours of the girl's teeth before finally dipping, teasingly seeking out Emma's own when the gorgeously shy blonde whimpered, a barely contained plead that hit the brunette's eardrums like dulcet music.

Though she had waited quite a while to finally taste the depths of Emma's mouth, to Regina the wait had been more than worth it; the way the blonde's tongue tentatively sought hers out awakened something deeper within the brunette as she explored every centimeter of her mouth; something she would never come to forget.

Drowning a feral groan, Regina slowly let her herself fall back against the cotton sheets of the bed, the contrast in temperature between the ordinary comforter and Emma's body evident when the artist shyly came down with her; clearly scared of placing all of her weight on the brunette. But Regina clearly didn't mind for she tugged on the loop holes of the blonde's dark, fitted trousers and pressed their bodies flushed together.

As the brunette's hand travelled up Emma's back, fingers tracing the lines of her spine, Regina came to realize that the woman in her arms was actually shaking; whether from fear of a new step, or of excitement, she wasn't sure, but she sealed their kiss with tender affection before she released the blonde's lips and leant her forehead up against Emma's.

The blonde's own hands were tracing the greatly defined lines of Regina's collarbones, her eyes tightly shut as the meeting of lips ended momentarily, and she braced herself for the brunette's upcoming questions.

But when none came, Emma let her eyes flutter back open and a timid smile spread to her mouth before reaching her eyes when she noticed the look of complete adoration that was adorning Regina's face.

"There is no such better taste than that of your lips," the brunette murmured as she let her hands wander back down to the small of Emma's back, where her fingers lazily traced the area before they slid beneath the silky material of the blonde's button up.

"You can't be serious," Em chuckled softly as her arms timidly came up around Regina's shoulders, an adorable look in her eyes as pink tinged her cheeks, "Surely there must be other tastes in life that you prefer."

The brunette shook her head with a wicked smile as her index finger travelled up the blonde's side before firmly gripping her waist with the other hand, and quickly maneuvering them so now she was the one on top.

A soft gasp escaped through Emma's lips when the lawyer settled atop her quite comfortably, and leant down to press her lips against the deep hollow of her neck—

"I was told to warn you guys of my presence first," said a voice at the other side of the door once the knocking had stopped, and Emma took that opportunity to roll away from the brunette, "Though I would have really preferred to see whatever you gals where up to," Killian expressed as a last thought while he remained outside of the bedroom.

Regina rolled her eyes at the man's words before sitting up, and turning just in time to see the fine curve of Emma's back as she threw on a black camisole.

Quietly making her way over to her, she turned the artist around and pushed her gently up against the small closet door before attaching their lips together in a sweet kiss; her hands framing Emma's cheeks while the blonde's came to lay atop her hips.

"I've yet to get an answer, so I must assume that either…you didn't hear me, or you are already dressed," and before the women knew it, the door to the room was opening, yet Regina refused to move from the girl, "Now, that is incredibly hot."

"Killian!"

"So, you were getting dressed, or changed whichever," he joked as he covered his eyes, "But, I still agree that it was hot…"

"Killian, get out!" Emma hissed as Regina just chuckled against her neck; the serious lawyer now just a teasing, and playful woman.

There were barks of laughter emanating from the hallway, and they instantly knew all of this had been Ruby Lucas' doing as they saw the leggy brunette by the door when Hook walked out.

"Turn around, please," the blonde asked of Regina as she gave her a last peck on the nose and pushed her away softly.

Regina smirked, the fingers of her right hand caressing the soft skin of Emma's cheek before stepping completely away and once again taking her seat at the edge of the bed; her back respectfully facing the blonde.

"No peeking, Regina," Emma told her, and she sounded rather fragile as the words left the confines of her mouth.

The brunette lawyer chuckled, a husky and throaty sound that tugged warmly at the artist's navel, but not because she found Emma funny, only because she found the act tender and innocent.

"I won't," the older woman said as she covered her eyes with her left hand, even though she was facing away from the timid blonde, "I promise," she murmured lastly.

The brunette never noticed when the blonde turned to check on her out of curiosity; something tearing on her heart when she saw the way the brunette had respected her wishes for privacy even with her in the room.

"Almost done?"

Emma grinned as she made quick work of pulling on her skinny jeans without noticing the figure at the entrance of her room; sneaking glances through the slightly ajar door.

Mary Margaret had been on her way to tell them dinner was all ready, but as she'd seen Emma ask for a bit of privacy while she changed, she'd wanted to make sure Regina Mills wouldn't take advantage of the opportunity to actually catch of glance of the blonde woman's purity.

So, as she drowned a gasp against the palm of her hand and stepped away, quietly shutting the door, the pixie woman realized that perhaps the older woman did not hold any dark motives towards Emma.

That maybe, just perhaps, she really did care about her blonde friend.


Thanks for reading; please review if anything's on your mind, or just because you'd like to drop a line. 'Till next time, dear readers!