RA/N: Again, sorry about how long it takes me to post each chapter. Writers block mixed with every other problem in my life makes stories harder to get done. Thank you all for sticking with it and I hope you like it.

It's been a while since Emma had seen Regina. Regina had been released from the hospital last week and life was returning to normal. Emma was always watching from a distance. Keeping tabs and leaving small notes behind her for Regina to find. Emma would leave a photograph of a place where they visited with a heart around it and hoped that Regina knew it was from her. She never signed it with her name, but she would leave them every few days. In Regina's helmet, Regina's breakfast, a file, or just leaving it on her desk. Emma had to return back to Boston soon. She needed to get back to her life. Emily has enjoyed her time back in the town she grew up in. She would chase the swans around the pond and make some friends to get ice cream with and just loving being home. Emma was doing everything she could to give Regina space because that's really what they need. She didn't want to leave, but knew that trying to go to Regina right after the accident could end in catastrophe for both of them.

Regina had been stubborn about leaving the hospital. She was always fighting to get released and didn't care how. She did manage to stay until she was discharged without killing anyone. She did not like being restricted in movement. Henry would visit all the time, but Emma never made any sign that something was going on between them. When she was released, she desperately wanted to get back to racing, but was under orders not to go anywhere near a car while she recovered. This resulted in much more screaming on her part. She would have to wait a very long time until she could even use her limbs to drive. She kept seeing all these notes and pictures left in her stuff. She asked Henry about it and he didn't know what was going on. Each note was a sweet compliment and each picture was someplace different. She did piece together that it was Emma. Emma was the only person who would say those things and would have pictures from around the world. They were all incredibly sweet.

Regina,
Your smile is nothing compared to you passionate heart. You are the truest and most caring person I have ever met. You love with your whole heart and that makes you much stronger. Enjoy your week.

Regina,
There is nothing more beautiful than seeing you with Henry. You love him with everything you have and your smile shows the amount of love you have for him. There is nothing more amazing than your interactions. I can't wait to see him turn into a glorious young man with a stunning mother. Have a wonderful day.

She always was looking for these notes because she was very curious about Emma's intentions. Neither of them actually spoke to one another, but Regina had hope that Emma would confess her feelings, giving her an excuse to kiss Emma senseless.

A year passed this way. Emma would leave a note for Regina to find and Regina would hope that Emma would reveal herself. Emily had got back into the grove of being in a small town. Henry was eager to finish school. Cora was having an amazing run as mayor. Regina was back into racing, winning each time with ease of course. Emma was working as an assistant to Cora. Because of Emma's experience, Cora used that knowledge to her benefit. Everything was calm and beautiful. Nothing major was happening and life was just fine.

Emma would be sitting with Cora discussing the budget or something like that, when Regina would call. Cora would excuse herself and Emma would continue to stare mindlessly at the report. This would happen every Wednesday at 3. Cora would leave for 20 minutes and return to work. Emma never knew what the conversations were about and never pushed to know. Cora would give Emma a weird look each time that went unnoticed.

Each call was Regina asking about her mother's day and what was happening. She would then continue on how her race practice was going and then 'slyly' suggest something about Emma. Cora knew all about Emma and Regina's silent wooing process. She didn't say anything because they have been dancing around this for too long and it was fucking time they did something about it. It wasn't her place to push them because then they won't be together for the right reasons and one of them needs to step up already. She would tell Regina that Emma was fine and that they were finishing something. She would then continue to talk and gauge Regina's reaction. Sometimes she would tell Regina what Emma wore that day and would hear Regina give a faint gasp. This was her form of amusement, so she would milk it. What better way to have some fun then to make judgements at your daughter's expense? The call would end with sweet goodbyes and work would resume.

Regina was trying everything she could to take her mind off of Emma. It got harder every time a new note would show up. They were all stored in her 'Emma box' hidden in the back of her closet. She was running out of space with everything from the past year. She really wanted to say something, but she didn't know if Emma would like her because a lot has happened in a year. She has gotten stronger both physically and mentally; she is more dedicated to racing now more than ever; Henry has grown so much. So much has changed in her life, so there really is no way for her to say that everything will be okay. It wasn't even okay in the beginning, so there is a gray area of confusion.

Today, Emma is heading to Granny's for lunch. Emily is at school and it seems to be going well. Emma finally has a break from all the paperwork she has been given. She now knows how her assistant felt when she was mayor. Maybe I should send her a thank you basket. She was having a burger and fries when Regina walks in. Regina was just racing, so she is a little sweaty and out of breath. She's still in her race suit with her helmet in her arms, so she looks like such a badass at this moment. Also super sexy. Emma is trying not to stare, but she literally can't take her eyes of this woman.

Regina just entered Granny's for lunch because she has been racing all day and needs some food. She was going for pasta, but decided to go for a burger. She just needed something to eat. She felt someone checking her out. It's not one of those creepy feelings, but it's that feeling you get when you know someone is giving you a look over. She starts to look around the diner and her eyes stop on the culprit. Of course. It just had to be Emma with her beautiful, emerald eyes. They locked eyes, but neither made any indication that they planned on moving. Regina made the first move and went to sit in Emma's booth.

"Surprise to see you here. I haven't seen you around."

"Nice to see you, too. Working as the mayor's assistant is much more work than being mayor is."

"Well, who do you think has to do all the paperwork."

They both laughed about that. It's true. Assistants have a lot to do for their bosses and there is no one they can shirk their responsibilities to.

"Emma, how are you? How's Emily?"

"I'm alright. I've done a lot over the time we've been apart. A lot has changed. Emily loves being back home. How are you and Henry?"

"Henry's grown so much. I still can't believe that he used to be my little boy. I'm back at racing, so I feel a lot better."

Ruby then walked over with Regina's food. It was the same as Emma's. They usually don't share the same taste in food. Emma decided to steal some of Regina's fries because why not.

"Hey! Those are mine. You already had yours."

"Exactly. I don't have any left."

"God, you are such a child."

"True, but only with you."

"Why did you stay in Storybrooke? I thought you had a life in Boston."

"I did. I felt like Emily would feel better being back home."

"Then why leave in the first place?"

"Regina, are we really going to talk about this now?"

"Yes. Yes, we are. Why, Emma? Why after all this time?!"

"BECAUSE I NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU! I have been trying to get over you, but I can't move on."

"Then why not do this before?"

"You thought I used to date on of my teachers. We have just been friends. She has known me for such a long time that she is like family. I am still in contact with another one of my teachers. We're all friends."

"I don't see why you wouldn't date."

"This is the same debate we had all those years ago. Nothing has happened and nothing will happen. The kids obviously want to remain friends with each other. They have been pushing us, same as your parents. I don't see what the problem is. We aren't the same people as we were, so why not do this now?"

"How can you suggest that? Just pick up from where we left off as if nothing happened."

"I'm saying that we should get to know each other. With actual dates. I want to know who you are now. I know you still want to be with me, but are too afraid of everything that could go wrong. Please don't turn this into Murphy's Law and just take a chance with me."

Regina was silent for a long time. She didn't know how to respond. Of course she wanted to be with Emma. There was no question about it. She didn't know why she was still fighting it.

"Okay. Let's start over. Tomorrow. Right now, we both need to get back to work. I hope mother isn't too horrible to you."

"Nothing I can't handle. Thank you, Regina. For giving us another shot."

"I want this to work out. We will talk more later. Bye, Em."

"Bye, Regina."

Emma went back to Town Hall with a spring in her step. Yes, it sounds cliché, but it's the only phrase that would match how happy she is. Years of pining and a year of wooing has finally paid off. She is getting a date with the woman she has been waiting for. Emily's going to be happy, but also might kill her if she messes this up again. She wasn't even annoyed when her stack of paperwork doubled over her lunch break. She just got to work and did more than she ever did. Cora seemed to see this and the smile that wouldn't leave Emma's face. She knew she would have to make sure they stay together if this is how Emma is when she is happy.

Regina finished lunch and went back to the track. She didn't need to practice, but it helped her clear her mind. She was getting lost in the ideas about Emma. There was nothing that would make her ruin this again. Even with all her insecurities. She needed something good to happen in her life and Henry needed another parental figure. He may almost be an adult, but he has always wanted two parents. He grew very close with Emma and he was never this close to any of her other partners before. She was going to make sure that nothing went wrong this time.

Emma ended up texting Regina about a date and it seemed to get a bit out of hand.

Hey, Beautiful. I was hoping Friday at 8 works. I know it is probably the most cliché time for a date, but we need to start somewhere. Maybe a movie?

Did you call me beautiful? La La Land looked good. I never got a chance since it came out.

I heard it was great. Lots of awards. Can you blame me for thinking you're hot? Those race suits you wear make you look badass.

From beautiful to hot. Is there something that I should know?

Well, I do remember that me did a bit of touching before. I can still feel your touch against my back. Gripping me tightly.

Emma. Do not put those thoughts back into my mind.

Why not? Are you getting all hot and bothered?

Yes

Sorry. I'll stop. I won't promise it won't come back up because your lips still linger in my mind.

What did I just say?

Right. Okay. I will pick you up at your home before I we head to the movies. Please wear something at least moderately comfortable.

I'm probably going to wear that leather dress that you seemed to admire on me so much before hand. I will wear flats, so do mot wear heels or I will personally throw those away. I do not want to be that much shorter than you.

Do not put that image in my head. I might be tempted to go to your house right now. I promise no heels. I don't want to strain my neck to kiss you. Night, 'Gina.

So there will be kissing involved? Goodnight, Em.

It was going to be an eventful Friday night if this is how their texts were going.