A/N: Thank you all for your amazing feedback. I really love this chapter, and I hope you do too.

"Henry! Let's go! Miss Swan is waiting for us already."

Henry barrelled out of his room, out of breath. He'd been busy talking to Ava about his mom and Miss Swan, trying to get her opinion on if what had happened earlier was, indeed, flirting. She seemed to agree with him that it might be that they were flirting, but she also said it kind of sounded like they were just friends. He'd have to do a little more observing tonight.

"I'm ready!" He announced, throwing on his coat and grabbing a scarf.

"It is December, Henry. Put on your hat and your mittens. And bring your ski pants. You'll probably want to play in the snow with Ava."

He did as he was told, looking at his mom when he'd finished gathering his clothes.

"How come you aren't wearing your gloves?"

"I wear my gloves for driving, but Miss Swan will be driving this evening."

Before he could protest that it was still going to be cold, his mother shooed him out the door. He instantly spotted the familiar blonde, who was leaning against her car.

"Hey, kid," she announced, adjusting her beanie. "Ready to see the train?"

He met his teacher halfway up the driveway, surprising her by throwing his arms around her waist. He really liked her, and he was glad that she was accompanying them. Henry always found his friends when the yearly Christmas train passed through Storybrooke (not much happened in this town, so when something did, everyone tended to go), and he had begun to feel guilty leaving his mom when he got old enough to realise she was left alone after he went off. It was nice to know that this year Emma would be with his mom.

"Yep!" he finally said, pulling away and looking back at his mom, who had since locked the door and was making her way over.

"Miss Swan."

"Emma," Emma corrected, rolling her eyes. "Enough of the Miss Swan."

Regina grinned, like she knew it bugged the other woman to be called by her last name (she did, of course).

"Ready?" Regina asked.

"As I'll ever be," Emma responded. "Let's go."

They drove together in silence, Henry looking out the window with a wide grin. He couldn't wait to find Ava and Thomas, though he hoped Nicholas would stay far away. He liked Ava a lot and he didn't understand why her twin was such a jerk. He's just angry about my mom leaving us. Henry could hear her explanation in his head, but it didn't make it any better. He remembered asking her, And you're not? She had said that she was, but that she wasn't close to her mom like Nick had been. She had always been closer to her father, had preferred him over their absentee mother. But Nick, well, he'd always had a special attachment to their mother. She'd been gone nearly two years now, and he was still very angry about it. Henry felt bad for him, but he still didn't like him very much. It didn't excuse him being such a jerk to him.

"You're awfully quiet back there, kid. What're you thinking about?"

Henry hesitated for a moment, wondering how honest he should be. He liked talking to his mom, but he wasn't really in the mood to delve deep into conversation or to talk about his emotions. It was easier to talk to Emma, who just spoke bluntly about stuff. He wouldn't mind talking to her about this, but he wasn't sure how much he wanted to talk about it to his mom.

"Henry?"

He finally spoke up at the sound of his mother's voice.

"Just thinking about Ava's mom leaving them."

Regina's heart jumped in her throat, her immediate concern that her son was thinking about his birth mother. It was a closed adoption, she knew nothing about the woman who birthed Henry (nor did she want to), and given how badly her son had reacted to the news of his adoption, she wasn't overly eager to discuss anything about it right now.

"What're you thinkin'?" Emma asked.

"That I guess it makes sense Nick is so mad at everybody because it's pretty crappy his mom left like that. But I don't like him though even though I feel bad for him."

Regina's heart fell back into place, her heartbeat slowing considerably that she'd been mistaken in her son's thoughts.

"Don't have to like someone to feel bad for them. Not saying it's an excuse that he treats you like shit cause his mom left, but it helps to know why, doesn't it?"

Henry nodded from the back.

"Yeah."

It did help knowing why Nicholas targeted him the way that he did. At least he knew why, but it still sucked.

"You need therapy when you're abandoned like that 'cause it messes with your head. And if he's not in therapy, well, he isn't learning how to deal with his hurt and his pain. He might be acting like a jerk, angry all the time, but he has to be pretty sad his mom left him, doesn't he?" Emma asked, looking up in the rear view mirror at her young passenger.

Henry nodded again.

"I guess so," he answered softly. He stayed quiet for a few minutes, silence reigning over the vehicle before he spoke up again. "Maybe you could talk to him? You helped me and maybe you could help him too, you know, since you know what it's like to be abandoned and stuff."

"Henry!" Regina chastised, horrified that he'd say such a thing.

"It's okay," Emma cut in, before Regina could further reprimand him. "It's okay to say things to me that are honest, as long as he's not trying to be a jerk about it. You're not trying to be rude or hurtful, are you Henry?"

His eyes widened as he vehemently shook his head. Maybe he should have said it more delicately then, with his mom around. Emma had told him it was okay to just be honest with her, but maybe he shouldn't have been so honest.

"No. Never. I was just telling the truth."

"Then it's fine," Emma said, pulling onto the main street in Storybrooke and parking the car. "No harm done, kid," she reassured him, seeing his troubled expression. "Sometimes saying things like that would hurt someone else, so maybe don't be so blunt with other people. But with me, it's okay as long as you're not trying to be mean."

"I'm not. I promise."

"Then no harm, no foul, bud. Go find your friends."

Henry looked up at his mom.

"Is it okay?"

"Yes," Regina answered, though she wasn't sure she agreed with Emma's words about it being 'fine' to be so blunt with her. "But stay within my line of vision."

"Okay."

He hopped out of the vehicle and ran up the street, saying hi to the people he met as he searched for his friends.

Regina stepped out of the vehicle, still troubled by what she had just heard.

"Hey, it's cool," Emma insisted when she got out of the car, seeing the look on Regina's face.

"I don't like the way he spoke to you."

Emma approached her, looking her in the eyes.

"I told Henry that he doesn't have to worry about what he says with me. I want him to be honest all the time, even if, yeah, sometimes it comes out a little blunt. But he's just a kid and they're not always the best at expressing themselves delicately. It's more important for him to tell me what's on his mind than watching what he's saying to me."

"There's a balance. He needs to know to be careful of others' feelings."

"He doesn't talk to other people the way he talks to me." Emma paused, frowning. "That sorta implies he's being rude but he's not. I just mean, he opens up to me and just says what he thinks rather than thinks about what he says. He's not allowed to be disrespectful or hurtful on purpose, but I don't think he ever would be anyway. Kid keeps too much to himself so I want him to know he can just say what he thinks."

"Does he come to you often?"

"Often enough," Emma said with a shrug.

Regina stayed quiet. It was nice to know her son had someone he trusted to open up to, someone she was beginning to trust as well. But it bothered her to know her son was going to someone other than herself when he had a problem. Once upon a time, she was the only person in whom he confided.

"Hey," Emma said softly, seeing Regina's troubled expression. "Kids sometimes need someone other than their parents to talk to. He's not doing drugs or anything like that, promise. He's just trying to work out the world around him and sometimes needs a little help."

"I should be the one helping him."

"You are, by being his mom and loving him unconditionally. He knows you're always there, and that is the most important thing in a kid's life."

Regina's expression softened then, but she was still a little upset.

"Come on. I'll buy you some toothpaste ice cream."

Regina cracked then, fighting a smile.

"It's not toothpaste."

"So when is this train supposed to arrive?"

"Around 8."

"It's only 7:15. Why the hell did we come so early?" Emma complained.

"Because Henry enjoys spending time with his friends."

"And what do you do while he does that?"

"I supervise."

"Boring," Emma commented. "Wanna play I Spy?"

Regina shot her a look.

"It is a wonder you are not part of the classes I teach. You are nothing but an overgrown child."

"I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me," Emma whispered in awe, holding her hand to her heart as she blinked rapidly. "It's gonna make me cry."

Regina rolled her eyes as she smirked.

"Idiot."

Emma looked up, her smile dropping.

"Uh-oh. I Spy a scary dragon lady headed this way."

Regina looked up just in time to spot her mother headed straight towards them. Her heart jumped in her throat. She was not expecting her mother here, otherwise she'd have changed into something more appropriate. She'd have redone her make-up, which was half smudged off after a full day at school. She'd have put up her hair. Oh God. Her hair, which was thrown up in a lazy bun and surely looked a mess. Why was her mother here? She didn't even live in Storybrooke! Why was she coming to see the Storybrooke train?

Regina turned away, ripping her hair out of her elastic and frantically trying to tie it back. Emma, who noticed her friend's anxious movements, stepped around to face her.

"Regina?"

"Not now," she snapped, turning away from Emma's suddenly hurt expression, finishing what was likely an atrocious attempt at a ponytail. "Why didn't I change before we came here?"

"Regina, darling. Stop fiddling with that elastic and say hello to your mother. Your hair is a lost cause anyway."

Emma watched as Regina took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders and turning around. She had a false smile firmly in place, taking a step forward and dutifully kissing her mother's cheek.

"Hello, mother."

"Regina, you look… comfortable. Did you not have a moment to change after babysitting today?" Cora's voice lowered. "The entire town is here."

Regina lifted her chin, refusing to allow her mother to frighten her with the tone that used to bring her to her knees. Her mother's voice still made her heart thump wildly in her chest, but Regina refused to let it show.

"It's nice to see you as well, mother." She then turned to the familiar face of her father, her smile warming significantly. "Hi, daddy. What are you doing here?"

"Henry invited us to come and see the train," Henry Senior explained.

"Yes. How lovely of our grandson to invite us to this event and not our own daughter. Regina, darling, have you forgotten your manners?" Cora asked, pointedly looking at Emma.

Regina took another breath.

"Mother, daddy, you remember Emma?"

"Emma?" Cora said, tone betraying her disapproval. "You're on a first name basis? Is that any such way to treat your colleagues? I did not raise you to be so disrespectful."

Emma, whose temporary hurt at Regina's earlier tone had been quickly replaced with anger at the way this woman treated her daughter, finally stepped in.

"Well, it would be pretty awkward if we worked together and were so formal. I'm sure you understand a good rapport between teachers is incredibly beneficial to students."

Emma forced a smile, but inside she was seething. Jesus Christ, what the hell was wrong with this woman? She wanted nothing more than to tell Cora off for making Regina feel as uncomfortable as she was. Emma could feel the tension radiating off of Regina, could see the way she had squared her shoulders and was working her jaw, so Emma took a step towards her, hoping with her presence Regina feel more comfortable. Emma didn't say much as her colleague spoke with her parents, instead taking the opportunity to observe Regina with them, to take in through body language what she couldn't through words.

Emma could read people, had learnt to in order to survive in the system. She'd had to observe body language, facial expressions, tones, movements, in order to gauge someone's intentions, in order to know whether she should run and hide for cover (lest she get beaten) or if she was safe to stay put. She'd had to make quick judgements as well, had had to figure out sometimes within minutes of stepping into a home whether or not this would be a place where she'd be hiding under tables, under beds, behind closet doors or if she'd have the relative idea of safety. It had served her well in life, and Emma had used those skills on one Cora Mills.

Within seconds of meeting Regina's mother last time, she knew that the woman was cruel. Emma had sensed it in her presence, had seen it in her cold, empty eyes, in the way her mouth held itself in a near constant sneer. She could see it now in the way that she carried herself. She watched the way Cora's mouth turned up in what was almost a pleased smile as she looked her daughter (who had crossed her arms before herself and was most definitely in a defensive pose), berating her for her attire once more.

Emma was on edge. She saw past the false smiles, the light tone, the seemingly innocent gestures. She knew what kind of woman Cora Mills was, and it made Emma's protective instincts flare up. Emma had kept quiet for their first encounter, not feeling it was her place to take on Regina's mother given how rocky her relationship was with Regina. But now, now they were friends (she was pretty sure they were friends) and she felt a need to protect Regina from the woman who called herself her mother. But, she wasn't sure her protection would be welcome or well received. Maybe Regina would become angry at her for speaking up, feeling she could handle her mother herself, or maybe Emma would make things worse.

Emma was at war within herself, wanting to defend Regina but worried the woman wouldn't want her to (or that she'd make things worse). Maybe for now she'd stay quiet and just listen, and step in if it looked like Regina were being backed into a corner.

"Emma?" Regina snapped, pulling the woman from her thoughts.

"Sorry, what?"

"Mother asked you how you were settling in?"

"Oh. I'm fine," Emma said, keeping her answer brief.

Henry was due to arrive any minute with their ice creams anyway. (When he had caught wind that Regina and Emma were thinking of getting ice cream, he had immediately offered to go get them). At least once Emma had gotten ahold of her treat, she'd be better able to keep her mouth shut. Regina was still edgy, still short with her, and as much as Emma would love to tell off her mother, she wasn't sure it was her place. She didn't want to make things more difficult for Regina after all. So Emma looked towards the ice cream shop, hoping Henry would come soon. Emma wasn't sure if she'd be able to keep quiet for much longer, but she'd at least try. Unless the dragon woman got out of hand.

"Regina, darling. How are your toddlers doing?"

Emma watched as Regina gritted her teeth, jaw slackening before she responded.

"They're not toddlers, mother. They're school aged children and they're doing quite well."

"Regina's a great teacher," Emma cut in, taking advantage of the safe topic to add to the conversation. "The kids love her. She's one of the best I've ever seen."

Regina was warmed by Emma's words, but her lips soon lost their smile.

"I'm sure she is, though her talents are wasted. Regina excelled in school. She could have become a valuable, contributing member of society. Instead, she's teaching drooling infants the alphabet."

Emma ignored the insulting tone, instead focusing on Cora's words.

"Which is kind of the most valuable thing a kid can learn if you think about it. Without the alphabet, you can't read, and if you can't read, you can't write. And well, if you can't do either of those then you might as just resign yourself to never getting anywhere in life. Plus, she's teaching them in Spanish too, so the kids are getting even more opportunities with that second language. They're lucky to have Regina to give them a good learning foundation."

Cora scoffed.

"Let us not even begin to discuss that worthless language. English is the only language one needs to know in this country."

Emma bit hard on her tongue, only refraining from responding because of the way Regina was currently looking at her. Emma knew that look, knew she was telling her to just let it go, so Emma backed off. Only because her friend wanted her to though.

Emma was luckily saved from biting her tongue clean in half by Henry, who came running over with two ice creams in his hands.

"There you are," Emma finally said, removing her gloves and shoving them in her pocket.

"Sorry. Long line," he explained, handing his mother and his teacher their ice creams. He then turned to his grandparents. "Hi grandma, hi grandpa. I'm glad you came."

"Thank you for inviting us, Henry," Cora said.

"No problem. Um, is it okay if I go see my friends? They invited me over to build a castle in the snow with them."

Cora smiled down at her grandson, patting his cheek.

"Go see your friends, my love."

"Thanks!" Henry responded, eagerly running towards his friends.

Emma took a long lick of her ice cream after watching the exchange, looking over at Regina, who held her ice cream like it was diseased. She held it away from her body, looking almost panicked.

Emma frowned. After that shit show with her mother, she'd have assumed Regina would have dove right into the frozen treat. Emma sure as hell needed the dessert to calm herself down (so maybe she was a sugar addict, but there were worse things in life), so she went at it with gusto. She licked at her ice cream until she could feel the sugar rushing through her veins, finally pausing long enough to ask Regina if she was going to eat her own.

"Oh, darling, please do not tell me you will be consuming those empty calories. You know how sugar sticks to your thighs."

Emma's eyes widened significantly, her jaw snapping shut as she inhaled deeply. She looked over at Regina, who swallowed hard and looked down and then away.

"Don't start," Henry Sr. spoke, though his voice was timid at best. "We agreed not to discuss Regina's weight again."

Emma's eyes shot back to Regina's parents. Again?! Were these types of comments a regular occurrence? Is that why Regina ate so little? Because her mom would target her weight? Emma's fury ignited within her, eyes narrowing dangerously. Don't bitch slap her, don't bitch slap her.

"Henry, you know it's the truth," Cora snapped. "She'll never find a husband if she insists on consuming these types of foods."

"I don't want a husband, mother."

"Please, darling. Not this again. Of course you want a husband. You want a father for Henry. And you won't find one if you continue to indulge the way that you clearly have been. Did you not tell me you were following that Paleo diet the dietician encouraged you to adopt?" Cora then made the mistake of turning to Emma, who was holding her ice cream so hard she had cracked the cone, the frozen dessert dripping from her palm onto the snow beneath her feet. "You know I mean her no harm. I'm her mother and I simply want what's best for her. You must understand."

"Yeah, no," Emma said angrily, throwing her ice cream into the garbage and wiping her hand on the flimsy napkin it came with. It got most of the liquid off of her fingers, but the rest clung to her hand uncomfortably. Emma hardly noticed though, nearly shaking with rage. She was barely keeping it in, focusing on using the last bits of clean napkin to wipe her palm. She didn't say anything more because if she did, she'd snap.

"You don't understand that I want what is best for my child? I do, you know. And I understand that a man likes a woman to look a certain way, and Regina, well, it is clear she indulges herself far too often-"

"Okay! We're done," Emma snapped, eyes filled with rage as she slammed her napkin in the garbage (as hard as one can slam a napkin). Emma couldn't hold back anymore now that she'd started, and so she turned to Cora, letting out everything she'd been holding in. "You're sick, lady. You have fucking issues and apparently you're blind because your daughter is God damn gorgeous. She's perfect exactly how she is, and whether she eats one, two, ten, or a hundred fucking ice creams, she'll still look perfect. Cause she's more than just her looks, even though they're plenty!

"Regina's brilliant, an awesome teacher, and she doesn't teach toddlers. She teaches school aged kids. But even if she did teach toddlers, that would be nothing to be ashamed of! I can't handle another second with you putting her down for being anything other than the amazing woman that she is, so I'm gonna leave now."

Emma looked at Regina then, taking a deep breath in order to soften her voice.

"I'm sorry if that was out of line. I don't wanna make things worse between you guys, but I can't stand here and pretend like what she's saying isn't complete bullshit and pissing me right the fuck off. You're beautiful and you're brilliant. And I'm gonna go over and see Henry for a little while to calm down. I hope you join us soon."

Emma stormed off, taking deep breaths of the cool night air in order to calm down. God damn that woman was a piece of fucking work. How she'd love to just punch her right in her stupid, fake, (probably plastic-surgery'd) face.

Emma desperately wished she had a cigarette (she didn't smoke, had never smoked, but apparently cigarettes calmed you down?), marching over quickly until she finally joined Henry and Ava, who were busy playing in the snow. They'd found a large patch of untouched snow, illuminated by the lights from the streets and nearby buildings. Emma smiled then, slowing to a walk and looking down at their make-shift fort.

"What are you guys doing?"

"Building a snow house. Wanna join?" Henry asked. "I'm making the couch and Ava is building a table. You can make the tv if you want?"

"Oh man. Definitely gonna need a tv if I'm gonna be moving into this house," Emma announced.

Regina watched Emma storm off, a little stunned at the way she'd so vehemently defended her. Normally, people were afraid to go up against Cora Mills, but Emma, well, she'd told her off without even blinking.

"Your friend is ill-mannered."

"No, mother," Regina argued, looking back at her before tossing her ice cream in the garbage (her stomach protested violently at the idea of consuming it). "You were ill-mannered. Emma simply defended me."

Cora looked her daughter up and down, her eyes dropping significantly to Regina's lap.

"She's new to this town, isn't she?"

"You know that she is."

"So, she doesn't know about your little secret, does she?"

Regina's blood ran cold. Her mother's tone was even, but Regina heard the threat behind it.

"Mother, don't you dare-"

"No, Regina, don't you dare speak against me. You know what will happen if you dare try to cross me."

Henry Sr. finally stepped in, placing himself in front of his daughter.

"Cora, I believe it's time to go now."

"How dare you-"

"Daddy's right," Regina said, feeling braver now that her father had stepped in. "It is time to leave. I'm going to join my friend and my son. I'll see you later."

Without even sparing them a second glance, Regina turned around. She could feel tears building, but she blinked them away, refusing to let them surface. She was scared now, worried, for she knew the kind of power her mother had. She was vindictive, and cruel, and she always got revenge on those who crossed her. And Regina, speaking up just now and then leaving without saying goodbye, well. She had crossed her. Not to mention the way that Emma had spoken up against her.

Regina's stomach clenched, her arms coming up to wrap tightly around her middle. She forced herself to walk forward, towards her son. She tried hard to push away the terror she felt at what her mother might do in retaliation for what had just occurred.

Emma looked up when she caught movement right in front of her, a small smile breaking out when she noticed familiar boots before her. She then looked all the way up, beyond the tight black pants and grey coat, past the burgundy scarf, and into familiar brown eyes.

"Hey."

"Hello. Will you walk with me for a moment?"

Emma, suddenly feeling as though she were in trouble, nodded at her.

"Sorry guys, no tv," Emma said apologetically, turning to the kids.

Her response was twin 'awws', causing the adults to chuckle. Emma stood then, noticing the lack of ice cream in Regina's hand, stomach plummeting at the thought that her mother's words had gotten to her.

They walked in silence, not venturing too far from Henry, just far enough from the crowd that they wouldn't be overheard.

"Listen, I'm sorry about losing it back there. I shouldn't have-"

"No. Please don't apologise. I'm not upset with you. I'm upset with her." And terrified, and worried, and dreading her vengeance. Regina sighed, looking up at the stars before looking back at her son. "She's… a difficult woman, who always has something to criticise. Especially about me. As far back as I can remember, I've always done something wrong in her eyes. I've always been wrong. I'm too fat, too dark. My hair is too curly, I have an accent when I speak English, I slouch too much when I sit. I'm not intelligent enough, my grades could be higher. I didn't clean my room correctly. I don't have enough friends." Regina glanced at Emma then before looking away. "I've always been wrong. So I spent my younger years trying to please her. I still try to sometimes, because she's my mother. And I want her to have a relationship with Henry because he adores his grandparents, and as far as I know, they've been nothing but kind to him. I have managed to stave off most of her comments by simply dressing the way that pleases her when I know I'm going to see her. I've managed to survive her attacks by keeping my guard up when I know she is around or when I'm going to see her. But it is in these moments where I don't expect her that she… sinks her teeth in."

"And takes a huge fucking bite."

Regina gave a small smile, though she didn't find humour in the comment.

"Yes."

She had felt unbelievably exposed tonight, not armed like she usually was with her perfect hair, flawless make up, flattering outfits, commanding heels. She wore a veritable suit of armour when she knew she was going to face her mother, but tonight, tonight she hadn't expected her, and so she'd been laid bare for her mother to rip apart.

"You know that she's wrong, right?" Emma said suddenly, earnestly. "She's wrong about what she said."

Regina gave an empty laugh.

"About what?"

"All of it," Emma insisted. "That you'll never find a husband. That your make-up doesn't look good or your hair or whatever else she said. About your weight. That one pisses me the most off because you're underweight if anything. You don't indulge and the one day that you finally do have an ice cream, she ruins it for you."

"How do you know that she did? Perhaps I ate it on my way here."

"Did you?" Emma asked skeptically. She nodded when Regina shook her head. "I didn't think so. You won't have trouble finding a husband, Regina. No man is gonna look at you and think, 'Yeah, no thanks'. Unless he's gay. But even the gay ones would look at you and think damn. And they'd commend you on your sense of style too."

Regina let out a soft laugh.

"You know I mean it, right? No man would reject you, Regina."

She said it so insistently that Regina sighed, shaking her head.

"I don't want a man, Emma. I wasn't lying when I said I did not want a husband. It is… a rather serious source of contention between my mother and me."

"That you don't want a husband?"

"That I'm a lesbian," Regina admitted, looking up at Emma.

Emma, who was too stunned to say anything, stood silently for several seconds just staring at the woman before her. She finally uttered the only thing her brain could come up with.

"You're a lesbian?"

"Yes. Just another thing wrong with me, I suppose. In her eyes, at least."

"Well," Emma stuttered out, her mind finally starting to work again, "you're in good company. Cause there's something wrong with me too then."

Emma looked over, grinning conspiratorially.

"Oh yes?" Regina asked, smile forming on her lips.

Henry may have let it slip that Emma likes girls too, but she had been waiting for confirmation from the woman herself. After having been the source of gossip for so long, Regina was careful with second-hand information.

Emma nodded.

"Didn't you suspect? The short nails, horrible fashion sense, the gym teacher. Come on, Regina. How many more stereotypes do I have to fill?"

"Do you have a dog?" Regina asked teasingly.

Emma laughed loudly.

"Nah. No dogs. I prefer pussy-" Emma gave a lengthy pause before adding, "cats."

Regina rolled her eyes.

"How crude."

Emma continued smiling, glancing over at Regina, who caught her eye and smiled herself.

"So you too, huh?"

"Did you never suspect, Miss Swan?"

"Eh, I figured it was just wishful thinking. Not too many lesbians I know who paint their nails, wear make-up every day, wear dresses, and just look all-around as feminine as you do."

"Lipstick lesbians do exist, you know."

"Yeah, I do. Just never figured I'd be lucky enough to meet one. I just thought they were like unicorns or fairies, you know? Some say they exist. Some think they exist. But they're these magical creatures I was never really sure were real."

Regina snorted, wrapping her arms tighter around herself as she began walking further away from the crowd. Emma followed, watching her as she moved. The knowledge that Regina was a lesbian suddenly intrigued her, making her belly flutter with excitement. She liked Regina, enjoyed her company, and the thought that she was a lesbian too, well, it was exciting.

"I would have thought someone would have told you by now, about… my preferences," Regina said, pulling Emma from her thoughts.

"Contrary to popular belief, Regina, I don't really talk about you to anyone other than Henry. And he hasn't said anything. Not about your sexuality anyway."

"What has he said?"

Emma shrugged.

"That some shitty rumours went around about you and sometimes they still come up. I know there's something I'm missing between you and Mary Margaret. Or you and like, everybody else in this town. There's a story here I'm missing. And I can tell by the way that you're all tense right now that you don't really wanna talk about this, but maybe you wanna know what I know?"

Regina looked up, surprised that Emma had seemingly read her mind.

"You can ask, Regina. Don't pussyfoot. Like I told Henry, if you wanna know something, just ask. I don't know anything about whatever happened here with you. I don't know what went down. All I know is that something happened, rumours got spread, and it had to be something big because you left. I don't know anything more because I haven't asked.

"Rumours a lot of time are just shit that people make up to be cruel. And I frankly don't wanna know what other people are saying. If you decide one day you wanna talk about it, and tell me what happened to drive you out of this town, and tell me if there's any truth to whatever rumours people had spread, then I'll wait for you to tell me. Until then, I'm gonna stay in the dark until you're comfortable with talking to me about it."

Regina stopped walking, holding herself tight as she looked down at the ground and then up again at Emma.

"I don't trust very easily, Emma."

"I got that a long time ago. I know you've been through a lot of shit. And I know you've survived on your own for a long time. I get that and I respect it. I'm not asking you to force yourself to do anything you're not comfortable with."

"What are you asking for then?"

"Your friendship, Regina. It's all I ever wanted from you. I won't lie and say I'm not interested in you because I am. I think… you may have caught onto that." Emma gave a short, embarrassed laugh at Regina's smirk. "I'm not subtle, I know. Honestly never figured anything would come of it, cause I thought you were straight. And now, well, maybe there could be more in the future, if you feel interested or if you grow to trust me. But for now, I really do just want to be your friend. And maybe, as you get to know me better, and get to trusting me, maybe you'll decide you'd like something more as well. But if you don't, that's okay too. For now, I just want to be your friend, okay?"

Regina looked at her, searching her eyes. She could see nothing but warmth and sincerity in them. It had been so long since she'd had a friend. Since she'd trusted someone. She was terrified and she felt incredibly exposed, vulnerable. But when Emma held out her hand and smiled at her, Regina slowly, tentatively, slipped her hand into Emma's.