A/N: Sorry it's taken so long for a new chapter, but I've just gotten back into writing. I'm revising the first 11 chapters at the moment as I'm not at all happy with how they are but the general storyline will still be the same!

Chapter 12:

Regina's morning began the way it always had. With the exception of the besotted grin plastered on her face throughout her usual mundane morning routine. Her evening with her favourite blonde was amazing and had her in a positive mood since. She was fighting the urge to text Emma thanking her for the wonderful night, but more importantly asking her to do something together again soon. She knew she wouldn't be able to fight the urge all day, but she at least wanted to put it off until after seeing her at lunch, she didn't want to seem desperate. Despite her newly adopted positive outlook, Regina couldn't shake the feeling that Emma only wanted to be friends with her. She tried to convince herself that she would be okay with friendship, but deep down she knew it would break her heart. She hadn't felt this way about anyone in a long time.

Her thoughts continued to circle the endearing blonde as she sat at her desk trying to prepare her work for the busy day ahead. She hadn't long been in her office when her assistant knocked on the clear glass door and walked in, before being granted permission.

"Good morning, miss Mills." Chirpy words fell from a widely grinning mouth as a steaming latte was placed on the large wooden desk that sat between the two women.

"Good morning, miss French, thank you for the coffee." The brunette replied, flashing a genuine smile at her young assistant.

"You're very cheery today," Belle said, "Is there anything you need from me before I go back to my work?" Regina took a deep breathe to steady her nerves, Emma's words of trying to make friends at work plays in her mind and her smile grows wider.

"What you could do is, give me your opinion. I'm sure you have a bit more experience with, um, relationships than I do." Belle looked stunned by Regina's tone and request, although they had been talking more often and more personally recently she never thought Regina would be asking for her help. She hesitantly sat down on the edge of the seat opposite her boss, she leant forward slightly and placed her hands on her knees, preparing to abruptly leave if the situation went south.

"I have some time, if you're sure?" Belle said, mentally preparing to now be greeted with Regina's typical sarcastic remarks, of course, who needs to do the job they're paid for, let's just gab like we're down at the social.

"I think, I think that I'd like to open up a bit more to you. If that's okay? You seem like a not entirely terrible person, so I think this could work out, and you already know that I had a, um, date last night."

"Not entirely terrible is probably the nicest thing you've ever said to me." Belle let out a small chuckle to disguise the sincerity of her words. "So, this date tell me everything, was I right about everyone bailing?"

"Indeed, she didn't even tell me until I arrived at their flat." Regina began, "I had high hopes from that point on. I think they may have friend-zoned me just before I left. To be honest, I don't even know if she like wome… Me. If they like me."

"Surely, you're just reading too much into this, maybe he's just nervous and isn't sure if you like him. You really should just be honest and upfront about your feelings, otherwise you may end up hurt." Belle replied.

"I know, I know. I just don't want to risk losing them, I've never met someone that can make me laugh this much." Regina sighed and looked into her lap. "Besides the potential friend-zone, the night was pretty amazing. I can't just let her go."

"Her? As in a woman?" Belle seemed shocked by the revelation.

"Um… yes a woman. I've been seeing a woman." Regina looked at her assistant, hoping she would not have to try and defend herself against a bigoted person once again. "Not for the first time. I am bisexual."

"Oh, my bad for assuming it was a guy. You should've corrected me, I feel so embarrassed." Belle's cheeks flushed.

"It's quite alright, I haven't told many people. You weren't to know." Regina assured.

"Okay so now I need more details! What did you eat, what did you do, what did you talk about? Tell me everything!" Belle let out a gentle gasp as she realised how forward and demanding she was being. "If you don't mind, of course." Regina rolled her eyes at the younger woman before she began spilling every detail.

"Well, I made my infamous lasagne and received high praise for it. 'The best lasagne in the world' I do believe I'm quoting correctly." Regina allowed a fond smile to grace her face as she spoke, "We drank some wine, she even convinced me to try a beer which was awful. We watched my favourite cheesy rom-com, which she owned on DVD but claimed it belonged to her flatmate. Personally, I don't buy it. We spoke about everything, from out childhoods to our favourite music. I really couldn't fault the night, nor the company."

"Lasagne and wine?" Belle could practically feel the cogs turning in her brain. Surely Regina isn't Emma's no-date lady. "I hope it was Syrah, that matches perfectly with lasagne." Belle began fishing for proof.

"Of course, I am a woman of class after all. I didn't realise you were into wine." Regina questioned.

"I'm not really, I just know a few bits and pieces about pairing. When are you two next hanging out? If you do another film night you have to get her to watch Love, Rosie. It's one of my favourites and it's so hard to dislike."

"That's the film we watched last night, but thanks for the suggestion." Regina was oblivious to what was going on in Belle's head as images of things in her flat last night scattered around her brain, the DVD case by the TV, the delicious lasagne from Emma's not-date who is a woman, the empty bottle of Syrah and three beer bottles. Emma's not-date Is Regina. Regina really likes Emma, but Emma acts like she isn't sure despite her obvious her feelings are. Belle had a devilish grin on her face as she began formulating a plan to get the two clueless women together. "Belle? Are you okay? You looked a tad zoned out just then."

"Oh, sorry. Yeah, I'm good. So good, like the goodest. That's not a word, I mean the best. I'm gonna go get some work done, I'll leave you alone to get your work done too and we can chit chat tomorrow or something you know just whenever you have an update, because I'm here. For you. Whenever you have one. An update that is. Okay bye." Belle jumped out of her chair and legged it towards her desk where she began phase one of Operation Love Birds, leaving a baffled Regina behind.

Belle had been typing up notes on how her Operation needed to play out, including a Plan B and a rough Plan C all morning. Phase one of any good operation is of course planning. She didn't want to be too obvious with either woman as she knows that despite the turn in her relationship with Regina, it is very likely she would hate Belle interfering and she had already learned the hard way that Emma doesn't appreciate any love life meddling. This had to be a stealth operation, Emma needed to offer up Regina's name to her and Belle needed to convince Emma that what she felt was indeed like-liking Regina. Before it was too late, and Regina gives up on trying to date Emma. She decided that tonight she would sit Emma down and have a heart to heart with her. Just as she finished her rough notes for Plan C, Regina exited her office on her way to her lunch break.

"Miss Mills," Belle began as she stood from her chair, "Would you mind grabbing me some lunch from your usual place again? I am completely swamped again."

"Of course, croissant and a latte again, miss French?" Regina asked.

"Yes please." As Regina turned to walk away Belle realised she had the perfect opportunity to begin Operation Love Birds, "What is the name of that coffee shop you've been going to?"

"The Coffee Cabin." Regina replied over her shoulder as she strolled out of the office. Perfect Belle thought.