When Regina wakes, there is sunlight streaming into the room and a warmth at her back. Confusion sets in for a brief moment until she realises that the only person who could be behind her is Ruby. She's not yet used to the feeling of another body in her bed. Graham rarely spent the whole night, and Henry has long since outgrown the need to sleep in his mother's bed to save him from the monsters.

Regina's sleep is generally light, her body always on alert, waiting for something unpleasant to happen. That's what the night brought for the ten years of her marriage and somehow, even after more than thirty years, it still plagues her. The sensation of a body next to her own, in such close proximity, makes it feel like the walls are closing in. She adjusts herself in Ruby's arms, trying not to fidget too much. While she clearly wanted to be held last night, this morning Ruby's embrace feels slightly constricting, smothering.

She turns in Ruby's arms, needing to see her face. She settles almost instantly when she catches sight of the strong cheekbones, the uncreased brow, the full lips. Regina lets out a breath, unable to resist the temptation to run a finger along Ruby's eyebrow, down her jaw. It's unusual to see Ruby so still. Her body is usually in some state of movement. Her face is always animated, her feelings clear to see. But in sleep, she's still. Regina leans in and presses a kiss to the side of Ruby's lips. Before she can move away, Ruby turns enough to kiss her back.

"You okay?" Ruby murmurs against her lips, rubbing a hand up and down Regina's back.

Regina nods, allowing the soothing movement and moving in closer. The last of the tension seems to fade away as she's coaxed back into the present. "Yes. I am."

"How did you sleep?"

"I have no idea," Regina says, realising the truth of it. "I was dead to the world." The morning air has a chill to it and she snuggles further into Ruby's warm body. Regina's tiredness of the previous evening means they both fell asleep in their clothes.

"Sorry," Ruby says, letting go of Regina to lean down and pull a blanket up and over both of them. She pulls Regina back against her. "I forget sometimes that not everybody's blood runs as hot as mine."

"S'fine," Regina tells her, eyes closing again as the blanket and Ruby cocoon her. "I was perfectly warm."

"Do you feel like facing the world today?" Ruby asks, stroking Regina's hair.

"I should probably show them I'm not dead," Regina concedes. "Not that they'd mind."

"More people would mind than you think," Ruby mumbles, pressing a kiss to her forehead, making her smile. "And didn't we agree on no more negative talk?"

"I believe the deal was no further discussion of suicide missions," Regina says, with a yawn. She reluctantly withdraws from Ruby's arms and props herself up on an elbow. "I suppose we could breakfast with the rabble. I could put on a little show to assure them that the Wicked Witch didn't get the better of me."

Ruby rolls onto her back, stretching her arms above her head. Regina watches the muscles in her arms and shoulders work, placing a hand on her belly to feel the abdominals stretch.

"What kind of a show?" Ruby asks, tilting her head and linking her fingers with Regina's.

"Oh, I don't know. I'll improvise," Regina says. "I'll throw a little magic around. Remind them that I'm the only one of you who has anything like enough power to go up against her."

"Not too much magic, though, right?" Ruby asks. "Don't wear yourself out again."

"My energy was sapped because she was so strong," Regina says. "This morning will be a breeze."

Using their joined hands, Ruby tugs Regina down into a kiss. It's short and sweet and when it ends, Ruby looks at her seriously. "It's great that you want to show everybody you can take care of them, Regina," she says. "But you've got to look after yourself too. Remember that."

"Yes, dear," Regina says with a small roll of her eyes. She's surprised at how happy it makes her feel that someone has taken the time to think of her wellbeing. There's a light smack to her hand.

"Don't roll your eyes at me," Ruby chides. "It was horrible to see you like that. I thought you- … I thought she had-..." Ruby bites her bottom lip and looks away.

Regina is immediately guiding her face gently to look up at her, and she realises that it doesn't matter that nobody else would care if she were dead or not. It matters that Ruby cares. "I'm perfectly okay, Ruby," she says when green eyes finally meet her own. It's true; aside from feeling a little lethargic, she's one hundred percent.

"Just… Don't overdo it," Ruby murmurs, leaning up to press a quick kiss to Regina's lips. "That's all I'm asking."

Regina grins and there's a sparkle in her eyes. "You've obviously never seen me put on a show before."

Ruby's lips thin into a stern line and she shakes her head. For the briefest of moments, Regina sees a flash of Granny in her. She thinks Ruby probably wouldn't take that as a compliment, so she keeps it to herself.

"So, do you need any help for this show?" Ruby asks. "Is it like a magic show? Do you need a glamorous assistant? You're welcome to cut me in half or make me disappear."

"Where would be the enjoyment in that?" Regina asks, pushing herself into a seated position, feeling her bones protest a little. She looks back over her shoulder with a smirk. "I like to keep you around and in one piece."

Ruby follows Regina's movements, getting to her knees on the bed and slinking up behind her. She wraps her arms around Regina's torso, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck. "The feeling's mutual, Your Majesty," she murmurs against it.

An unexpected shudder runs through Regina at the contact, arousal pooling in her abdomen from nowhere as she's hyper aware of Ruby's breasts pressed against her back, through their clothing. Their heated kissing session of the previous evening was cut woefully short, and Regina's not sure she's going to last much longer without kissing Ruby all over. She pats Ruby's hands. "I don't need an assistant," she says. "But you are welcome to stand behind me and be glamorous if that would please you." She leans back against Ruby.

Ruby shakes her head. "No."

"No?" Regina frowns. That wasn't the answer she was expecting.

"I'll stand beside you and be glamorous," Ruby corrects.

Regina bites her lip, her eyes stinging a little from tears that have suddenly appeared. "Even better," she manages to say.

"Good." Ruby presses a firm kiss against her cheek. "Now, we need to get changed. I'm guessing you'll want to be in something a little more intimidating when you make your grand entrance?"

Regina looks down at her simple clothing. She plucks at the loose shirt. "Yes. I think the Evil Queen needs to make an appearance, don't you?"

"Nope," Ruby says.

"Are you just going to disagree with everything I say?" Regina huffs, playfully.

"You are going to make an appearance," Ruby says. "You'll just be borrowing a dress from the Evil Queen's wardrobe." She tugs on the collar of Regina's shirt. "Something...terrifying yet sexy. You have stuff like that."

"Yes," Regina agrees with a soft chuckle. "I have 'stuff' like that."

"Okay then," Ruby bounces on the bed, launching herself to her feet. "I'll go get dressed too and then we can go downstairs together." She sighs. "We really need some kind of secret passage to my room or something. It sucks that my room is so far away from yours."

"It does," Regina laments. "I really am feeling fine," she begins, carefully. "I can 'poof' you there, as you say."

Ruby's already shaking her head before Regina can finish with her offer. "It's okay. I'm superfast, right? I was just whining." She approaches Regina, still seated on the bed, and crouches down in front of her. "No unnecessary magic. Remember?" She places a hand on Regina's knee. "I can handle the walk of shame," she adds with a wink.

Regina raises an eyebrow. "We haven't done anything to be ashamed of yet," she says.

Laughing, Ruby stretches up and kisses Regina hard on the lips. "That's not what everyone else will be thinking," she murmurs against them. She kisses her again. "And, even when we do do stuff, there will be nothing to be ashamed of."

Regina stands up, pulling Ruby with her and wrapping her arms around her waist, looking up into her eyes and seeing nothing but truth there. She smiles. "Good. I'm glad." She lowers her eyes to the wrinkled fabric of Ruby's shirt, bringing a hand up to smooth it over her chest. "Thank you," she says, quietly. "For bringing me back yesterday. I...don't think I was very grateful to you." She flushes slightly when she thinks of chastising Ruby for letting everyone see her.

"Don't mention it," Ruby says, with a kiss to her forehead. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat. But try to make sure I don't have to, okay?"

"I'll try," Regina promises. "But it's good to know I have you there." She tugs on Ruby's collar, pulling her into a kiss. "Now go," she mumbles against her lips. "Before I decide to forgo breakfast altogether and hold you prisoner here."

"Tempting," Ruby replies with a smirk, but steps away, keeping hold of Regina's hand until she's too far away and their fingers lose contact. "Maybe later."

"I'll hold you to that," Regina says with a smile.

Feeling powerful, if somewhat uncomfortable, in full 'Evil Queen' regalia, Regina makes the trip to Ruby's room. She's opted for black leather pants and a matching vest, and a tight red velvet coat. The ensemble is topped off with a wide brimmed hat, which is possibly overkill for breakfast, but she wants to make an impression. She's adjusting her coat, thinking perhaps it's a little tighter than the last time she wore it, when the door flies open before she's had a chance to knock.

"Whoa…" Ruby breathes as she blatantly rakes her eyes over Regina's body.

Raising an eyebrow, Regina steps into the room, and Ruby immediately takes a step back to let her in. "Oh good," she says. "That's the reaction I was hoping for." Her eyes drift down Ruby's body and back up. She's back in her skirts and bodice, her cloak fastened around her neck. "You look nice." Glancing down at her own outfit, she smirks. "We match."

Ruby looks down at herself. "Should I lose the cloak?"

Regina shakes her head. "No," she says. "The cloak stays...Red." She tilts her head, a thought appearing in the back of her mind. "I've just realised I don't know your real name."

"Well, that's weird. Your curse sure did," Ruby says, smiling bashfully.

"Your name is Ruby?" Regina asks, eyebrows raised.

"Yep," Ruby confirms. "But I made everyone call me 'Red', because I hated it."

"Well, 'Red' is certainly an apt description of you at the moment," Regina comments, brushing her knuckles over cheeks warmed by blood. She smiles. "Why did you hate it?"

Ruby returns Regina's smile but it lacks the sparkle. It makes Regina frown a little in response. "I dunno. I was kind of a raggedy little kid. I was always covered in dirt and my knees never had any skin on them. A ruby is a jewel. It's something fancy, something people with money have. I'm just a simple village girl." She shrugs. "Red suited me. It's not fancy or flashy. It's just nice and simple."

Shaking her head, Regina sighs. "Well, perhaps the curse found the Ruby in you. Because you shine brighter than any jewel I've ever seen."

"Stop it," Ruby says, pushing Regina away, though her smile has lost its sad edge. She bites her lip. "I like the name now. I learned a lot about myself when I was Ruby, so I decided to keep it." She lifts an eyebrow. "Kinda spooky that your curse knew my name, though."

"There were many odd facets to that curse," Regina admits. "I wasn't in control of what happened to people, despite what many may think." She gestures to Ruby. "I have no idea, for example, why you ended up staying with your grandmother when other families were kept apart."

"Maybe it knew that was a curse in itself," Ruby says.

Regina allows a small chuckle. "Perhaps." She reaches out to take Ruby's hand with her own and plays with her fingers.

"Even though it took a curse for us to get there, I don't think I'd have changed anything about my life in Storybrooke."

Regina tilts her head in confusion. "Nothing?"

"Nothing," she confirms. She pulls on Regina's hand, tugging her closer. "Not all of us led 'fairy tale princess' lives here in the Enchanted Forest. Some of us had a lot of shit we'd rather forget. I liked being Ruby. Ruby had no baggage."

Regina smiles ruefully. She doesn't think she's know anyone to be grateful for the curse. Knowing Ruby's past, and what she went through though, she supposes she shouldn't be too surprised. "While I'm sorry for taking away your memories, I'm...glad that you got to live without the bad ones for a while," Regina says.

"You didn't get that luxury, huh?" Ruby asks, linking her hands behind Regina's back. "That must've been awful."

"It was a very lonely existence," Regina admits, looking down. She shrugs. "But I was used to that."

Ruby tips her chin up. "Well, you better get unused to it," the wolf girl says, resolutely.

Regina smiles. "We're going to be late for breakfast," she says, deciding that's quite enough emotional talk for one morning.

Taking a minute to study Regina's face, Ruby finally nods. "A fashionably late entrance always makes a statement." She grins. "Of course, you'd know that better than most."

"I assume you're referring to your friend's wedding," Regina asks, allowing herself to be pulled along the hallway to the stairs. "That most certainly made a statement, wouldn't you say?"

A few people pass them in the hallways. No comments are made but a few stop in their tracks and stare at the impressive spectacle they make.

"Oh yeah, definitely memorable," Ruby agrees. "Kinda rude to threaten the bride on her wedding day, but, you know, whatever."

"For all the good those threats did," Regina complains. "She's still here. Still practically attached to my hip."

"Mmhmm," Ruby says. "And one of these days, you're gonna stop denying you like it that way."

Regina opens her mouth to disagree, but they've arrived at the doors of the dining room and Ruby brings them both to a halt. She turns to Regina with a grin. "Ready to show 'em what you've got?"

"Always, dear," Regina says, returning the grin, her eyes flickering purple. "And, if I faint, please catch me and remove me from the room as subtly as possible," she adds, with a wink.

Without waiting for Ruby to offer a reply, she holds up her hands and the doors fly open. Strutting in, she's gratified to see that all activity in the hall has ground to a halt. She surveys the crowd with a bored expression. "What are you all looking at?" she asks. "Do I have something in my teeth?"

Mary Margaret rushes forward, as if to embrace her, but seemingly thinks better of it. She watches the other woman take in her outfit, her reaction similar to Ruby's. "Regina! You're looking...much better."

Regina scoffs. "Did you expect otherwise?"

Mary Margaret looks to Ruby who, Regina is pleased to note, seems to be as awestruck as everybody else. "Well…itwas a little worrying," Mary Margaret admits. "To say the least."

"For you, maybe," a mumble is heard.

Regina's eyes flick to the source of the voice. It's one of the dwarves; she never bothered to learn to tell them apart. Leroy, she knows from his numerous trips to jail in Storybrooke. The others are interchangeable. Whichever one it is, he tries to hold her gaze, but very quickly falters and looks away, almost cowering. The edge of her mouth quirks; she's still got it.

Returning her attention to the rest of the crowd, she allows them a moment to gape. "Listen up," she commands, using her most regal tone. "We are facing an enemy of unprecedented power. Yesterday, Ruby and I got a taste of how that power can manifest itself. And we learned from it." She lets her eyes move from person to person. "We will continue to learn and we will defeat her. Together." She locks eyes with Mary Margaret, who looks like Regina just handed her a pot of gold.

Ruby steps up to stand beside Regina, as promised. "Does anyone have a problem with this?" she asks, her voice clear and strong as it echoes around the large room.

"Yeah. I do." Leroy stands up. Regina notes that he addresses Ruby, rather than her. "We all saw her yesterday," he says, flicking his thumb in Regina's direction. "That other witch pretty much did her in. And since the green one got away and ain't lying dead at our feet, I'm gonna guess she's fine. How can we possibly believe that she has the power to save us all?"

"Because she's not just facing Regina," Ruby almost growls. "She's facing all of us. One of her against dozens of us. I don't know about you guys, but I like those odds."

Regina smiles. "Precisely," she says. "Together you eluded me for years. Now, with my power…" She points to Ruby. "...her strength…" She nods to Charming. "...his bravery…" She raises an eyebrow at Granny. "...her wisdom…" Her eyes land on Snow. "...her heart…" And finally she looks back at Leroy. "And your...whatever it is you do, we will take her on and we will win."

Lifting a hand, a broomstick appears and flies between Leroy's legs, lifting him into the air and flying him around the hall. He screeches and grips the wooden handle for dear life. Conjuring up a ball of fire, Regina gently blows it in his direction. His eyes close as it draws near, but all that happens is that the broom disintegrates, falling in brightly coloured droplets to the table below, where the droplets transform into platters of food. Leroy is gently deposited back on his feet. Regina raises an eyebrow in challenge. "Now, eat, Leroy. And get ready to play your part."

Ruby's grin is so wide Regina can almost feel warmth radiating from it. Mary Margaret reaches for the nearest goblet and raises it into the air. "I'll drink to that," she announces.

Regina watches as others follow Mary Margaret's lead, lifting their glasses. There are some dissenters, of course, but the majority of the crowd seem to be on board. Even Leroy reluctantly picks up his tankard, raises it slightly, and then gulps down its contents. Regina offers Mary Margaret a nod of thanks. "I'm famished," she announces. "Let's not have this feast get cold." She takes her seat at the head of the table, glad to be off her feet; she should really have tried the magic thing in private before doing it in public. While it didn't weaken her anything like it did the day before, she feels the effect and is glad of the rest.

Ruby and Mary Margaret take their seats as well; Ruby to the right of Regina, and Mary Margaret to the right of Ruby. The rest of the table starts to tuck into the food and chatter springs up again. Ruby leans closer to her, attempting to catch her eye. "Are you okay?" she asks in a murmur.

"Fine, dear," she says, filling her plate with bacon and sausages. She takes a bite to avoid further questioning, sending a smile Ruby's way for good measure.

"You didn't come down to dinner last night," Mary Margaret comments, filling her own plate. For once, Regina is glad of the inane interjection because it cuts off Ruby's queries about her health. "I was going to come check on you but I thought you might be, uh...busy." Her grin is wide and wicked.

Dear God, is this what she's been reduced to? Fending off questions about her non-existent sex-life over breakfast with her ex-stepdaughter?

"Do I ask you about the stuff you get up to in your bedroom?" Ruby asks, looking mildly annoyed, but also amused.

"I tell you ev-"

"But do I ask?" Ruby interrupts.

Mary Margaret pouts before taking a large bite out of a sausage and chewing moodily. While it could be diverting to tease her, there's something that compels Regina to put the record straight.

"We weren't doing whatever it is you're insinuating," she says, causing Mary Margaret's eyes to widen.

"No?"

"Regina," Ruby warns. "Don't encourage her."

"Hush, you," Mary Margaret tells her friend, bumping their shoulders together.

"I'm not encouraging anyone," Regina protests. "But if you don't tell her there's nothing to tell, she'll continue to pester both of us for details. Best to nip it in the bud now."

"Nothing to-" Mary Margaret frowns, looking between both women. "So...you haven't…"

"This is none of your business," Ruby tells her, before scowling at Regina. "See what you've started?"

"No, you're right," Mary Margaret says. "It's none of my business what you do. Or don't do." The smile on her face, however, does not look like the smile of someone who has just been chastised. It looks like the smile of someone with a secret. Regina can't help but feel slightly uncomfortable at that thought.

"So, anyway," Ruby begins, and Regina breathes a sigh of relief at the signal that the subject is about to change. "I think it went well. Most people took a drink when Mary Margaret did, so that's something, right?."

"Did your grandmother?" Regina asks, meeting Ruby's eyes.

"I didn't look," Ruby says, glancing down the table to where Granny is seated with Marco. "She hasn't said anything sarcastic yet, so that's a good sign," she concludes, turning back with a hopeful smile.

Mary Margaret hums. "Don't count your chickens…"

Regina looks over in time to see Mary Margaret nod to where Granny is making her way over. She leans back in her chair, preparing for a confrontation. The Lucas matriarch stops between Ruby and Regina's chairs, her gaze falling first on the Queen.

"Pretty impressive speech there, Regina."

"Thank you," Regina says, eyeing Granny, warily. "I've always had a way with words."

Granny nods. "You may have everyone else believing it, but do you? We all saw you yesterday."

"Granny!" Ruby scolds.

Regina puts a hand on Ruby's arm. "It's okay," she tells her, quietly, before turning back to Granny. The old woman could have challenged her openly and discredited her in front of everyone, but she didn't. She nods. "You're right," she says. "I did have doubts. Some rather large doubts, about my own abilities to defeat her." She glances at Ruby. "But, after some persuasion, and the realisation that I'm not facing her alone...well, I've reassessed my opinion."

"That doesn't answer my question," Granny counters, giving Regina a pointed stare that makes her feel about nine years old. "Do you believe we can defeat her?"

Regina lifts her head, meeting Granny's stare. She nods. "I believe what I said," she says. "That, as a group, we can defeat her. She has weaknesses, everyone has weaknesses." Again, her eyes stray to Ruby for a brief glance. "Part of my problem was thinking I had none."

Granny nods along at Regina's words and reaches forward for a goblet. "Then I will drink to that." She raises the goblet and drinks from it.

Regina stands up and picks up her own drink, holding it out and clinking it against Granny's, taking a drink and watching the older woman over the rim. It does no harm to have a show of solidarity. She licks her lips. "We're in agreement, then?" Perhaps they've found some common ground. They share a weakness, after all.

Granny shrugs. "For now." And she saunters away.

"Well, that's progress," Mary Margaret says, as Regina takes her seat once more. "Right, Regina?"

"It's something," Regina agrees, watching Granny's retreat. She has a lot of respect for the woman. While Leroy might make his little snide comments, and others might whisper and glare, Granny's the only one who has the courage of her convictions. Not unlike another Lucas. She smiles as her eyes land on Ruby. "You're definitely her granddaughter."

Ruby pouts at the comparison. "What do you mean?"

"Well, your bravery, stubbornness and conviction didn't come from nowhere, did they?" Regina asks, her eyes dipping to Ruby's lips and her adorable pout.

Ruby cocks her head to the side and Regina bites her tongue to prevent a comment about a puppy escaping. "Oh," Ruby says simply before picking at the food on her plate. Regina will take that as agreement.

"For now," Mary Margaret begins, "It's a small win. And the more people you can find some common ground with, Regina, the better."

Regina's smile fades. "You want me to actively speak to…" She takes in the room. "...them?" The thought is abhorrent. She's not good at smalltalk with people who hate her. She's more likely to turn someone into something if she's forced to spend time with them against her will.

"Maybe just let yourself be seen," Ruby suggests. "Sit with them, eat with them, drink with them…"

Regina sighs. "Fine," she says, drawing the word out, like a petulant teenager. "You can parade me around like a showpony if you must. But I cannot promise to be sweetness and light all the time." She spares Mary Margaret a glance. "It's just not natural."

Both women roll their eyes. "Maybe not to you… yet," Mary Margaret returns.

"Baby steps." Ruby points to Regina's plate. "Eat up. You need your strength."

"Bossy," Regina says, under her breath.

Ruby snarls at Regina softly.

"You two are the cutest thing ever," Mary Margaret exclaims.

Regina sends her best glare in her direction, but even she can tell it lacks bite. And as soon as her eyes shift to Ruby, the glare disappears altogether.

The rest of breakfast passes uneventfully and Regina feels relatively content by the time she's walking into the hallway with Ruby by her side. The hearty breakfast provided the sustenance she needed to feel more like herself, and the fatigue from her earlier use of magic has given way to a buzz of energy under her skin. She grasps Ruby's arm and pulls her to the side, smiling up at her. Ruby returns the grin, but with a question in her eyes.

"Everything okay?" she asks, quietly.

"Perfectly," Regina tells her. "I was just thinking we should go upstairs."

"Upst-" Regina doesn't give her time to finish before she takes them both to her bedroom, accompanied by the usual puff of smoke.

Ruby's eyes widen slightly, but she no longer loses her balance on these trips. Regina throws her hat onto the bed, and slips a hand behind Ruby's neck pulling her into a firm kiss. Her other hand slides under Ruby's cloak, pressing their bodies together. Ruby's assessment of the situation was correct; it does feel wonderful not to have to fight against this desire any longer.

Far too soon, Ruby brings a hand up to cup her cheek, gently pushing her back. Frowning slightly, Regina, tries to move with her, but Ruby uses her superior height to her advantage and Regina can't reach her lips.

"What is it?" Regina asks. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Ruby rushes to say. "Nothing's wrong. It's not...it's just-" The younger woman lets out a frustrated sigh and shakes her head, her eyes dropping.

Regina's stomach churns in apprehension; whatever this conversation is about it doesn't look like it's going to be pleasant. "Do you...do you not want to…" she trails off, unsure of how to continue.

"Yes!" Ruby says, immediately, her eyes meeting Regina's and showing the truth in her words. "God, yes, I want to. I've wanted to for weeks. Months." She offers Regina a lopsided smile. "Probably years."

Regina smiles a little at the admission. "Well then," she begins. "What's stopping us?" Again, Ruby's eyes dip, but Regina doesn't allow it, tipping Ruby's chin back up and holding it gently. "What is it?"

The muscle in Ruby's jaw works and she assumes she's trying to find the right words. When she finally speaks, it's a whisper. "I scared you yesterday."

"You what?" Regina shakes her head, trying to think what Ruby could be referring to. "No, Ruby, you-"

"I scared you," Ruby repeats. "I was trying to comfort you, and I made you frightened. And I should have known that you...that your past-" Ruby's voice hitches and Regina's hand slides up to stroke her cheek.

"Shhhhh," she soothes. "I explained why that happened. I was half-asleep and I-"

"It doesn't matter," Ruby says, shaking her head. The movement dislodges a tear that had been caught her in her eyelashes and it runs over Regina's hand. "I never want you to feel that way again and I...I don't want us to rush this. I want us to get to know each other, to know what we like, what we enjoy...I want you to be comfortable."

As Ruby is speaking, Regina watches her face and the depth of feeling there renders her almost speechless. In her long life, nobody has ever taken the time to care how she feels in bed. Her marriage bed carries nothing but painful, terrifying memories. Everything since has been about exerting power or manipulating co-operation. Sex has been a means to an end. And now, this precious girl is looking at her and telling her it can be another way. That it should be another way. She shakes her head and closes her eyes to try and stem the flow of tears she can feel building.

"Regina?" Ruby's voice is cautious and soft. "I'm sorry. I know we've been flirting and kidding around with this and I shouldn't ha-"

Regina presses a finger to Ruby's lips, sniffing and shaking her head. "Don't apologise," she tells her. "No-one has ever…" The lump in her throat throbs painfully and she swallows, finally giving up on speech and leaning her head on Ruby's shoulder, wrapping both arms around her waist as tightly as she can. She feels the sigh of relief that leaves Ruby's chest a second before arms encircle her shoulders and lips press against her temple.

"So, let me romance you a little, huh?" Ruby murmurs.

Lifting her head from its resting place, Regina brings their lips together in a gentle kiss. "I think you've been lying to me," she says. "I think you're much better with 'the mushy stuff' than you've been letting on."

Ruby laughs and kisses her again. "Yeah, you got me," she says, bumping her nose against Regina's. "I'm a closet expert at mushy stuff."

"Maybe I'll learn from you, oh wise one," Regina says, running her thumb over Ruby's lips before sobering. "Thank you."

"For what?" Ruby asks, tilting her head to the side.

How does she even begin to find an answer to that question that captures everything she wants to say? She smiles. "For being you."

"Awww, shucks," Ruby says with a roll of her eyes, but the flush on her cheeks gives her away. "You're learning already."

"I've always been a quick study," Regina agrees, pulling Ruby into another kiss.

They kiss for long, leisurely minutes. It's not fuelled by passion, nor fear, nor relief. It's simply a desire to be close, to breathe the same air and brush skin to skin and know that the other person wants the same thing. No hidden agendas. No power struggles. Just two equal partners who want to be together because they enjoy one another's company.

The only other time in her life she can remember feeling this way was with Daniel. Where there were no expectations placed on her to be anything other than herself. Perhaps with Ruby, Regina's been finding herself again. Not the Queen, or the Mayor, or the Mother or the Villain.

Just Regina.