A/N: Hey guys, back with another chapter. Hope you guys aren't too disappointed with who it was that Emma actually went searching for at the end of the last chapter! Like always thanks to my beta reader Katie, who puts up with my crazy ideas and catches all my mistakes! Remember to leave me a review and let me know what you thought of this chapter, all of your reviews really make my day!
One Week Later
Emma Swan stood proud and confident, admiring herself in the full-length mirror. A lot had changed in the last week. Most importantly, Emma finally told all those demons that had been nagging her to get lost, and today, she was finally returning to work. Armed with her red leather jacket, Sheriff's badge and gun, Emma was starting to feel like herself. The news of Emma returning to work had caught Regina off guard, and the brunette still wasn't fully on board with the idea. In addition to her decision to return to work, Emma was also working through another life-changing development – that of being suddenly on board with Henry's crazy plan to get Regina and Ruby to break up. It all started one week ago when Emma rushed into the mansion.
(Flashback, One Week Earlier)
"There you are!" Emma was out of breath but knew that she had to speak before she lost her nerve. "I need to talk to you."
"Is everything okay Ma?" The boy jumped up from his lying position and sat at the end of his bed.
"You were right, I didn't want to admit it...but I can't sit back anymore." Emma paced the boys room, afraid to actually say what she was thinking and feeling out loud.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Henry's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. Emma froze, carefully selecting her next words.
"Yes Henry...let's get my true love back." For the first time since her accident, there was no hint of confusion laced in the blonde's voice. Emma was so sure of herself, as well as the actions that were about to unfold. "Where do we start?"
(End of Flashback)
Emma smiled worriedly as she thought about her plans. This wasn't who she was or who she wanted to be, but she knew that she had to act before it was too late, and she lost Regina forever.
"Good morning!" Emma put her chipper voice on as she entered the kitchen to join Henry and Regina for breakfast.
"Sheriff, you're oddly happy this morning." Regina frowned at the blonde.
"You excited to get back to work Ma?" Henry smirked as he watched phase one of their plan start to pan out.
"I'm super excited kid! I'm only starting on the small things today, but it's exciting nonetheless." Emma hugged the boy before pouring herself a tall glass of apple juice.
"Henry, why don't you go and wash up before school? I need to have a word with your mother for a second." Regina smiled at the boy, before shooting daggers at the blonde.
"Sure thing…" Henry muttered before sprinting off to get in one last mission on Mario before school.
"Everything okay Madam Mayor?" Emma played dumb.
"This isn't a joke Emma!" Regina whispered forcefully. "This is your life we are talking about! What if it happens again? What if you get hurt again?" Regina's eyes began to water, forcing Emma to reach out and touch the woman's hand.
"I'm going to be okay Regina. I'll only be doing light stuff, like chasing Pongo and bailing Grumpy out of fights...it's practically child's play." Emma squeezed the older woman's hand, forcing Regina's eyes to meet hers. "I promise you Regina, I'm going to be perfectly fine." Emma's other hand moved up to wipe away a stray tear. She then cupped the brunette's face, feeling Regina give into Emma's embrace for a short while.
"I'm making a roast tonight, you better not be late." Regina resorted back to her usual Mayor self, as she dried her eyes and moved away from the blonde.
"Of course, your Highness." Emma gave Regina a small bow, before practically skipping over to retrieve her lunch.
"Em, a little help here honey?" David shouted as he struggled to bring in an extremely drunk Leroy, who was being his usual difficult self.
"I got him." Emma quickly moved to grab the small man's other arm that had escaped from David's hold. "I'm so glad that you were the first of my regulars today." Emma smirked as she locked the door to the jail cell. "I never thought I'd say this, but I actually missed seeing your face every day." Emma finished before taking her seat once again.
"I thought that your brain was all screwed up, sister? Didn't think you'd remember little old me." Leroy slurred as he fell back onto the small cell bed.
"Watch it Leroy, that's my daughter you're talking about. Besides, Emma still has some of her initial memories." David spoke up before Emma even had a chance to open her mouth.
"Thanks Dad, but I don't think that he is going to remember any of this when he wakes up later." Emma tilted her head towards the down passed out man in the jail.
"I think you're right sweetheart…have I told you how good it is to have to back?" David grinned, before hugging his daughter for the hundredth time that day.
"Thank for meeting me, I didn't know who else to talk to." Regina spoke sweetly as Snow walked into living room for the mansion.
"It's been a while since we've had a chance to catch up, and you know that I'll always be there to talk about anything." Snow replied as she lowered herself into the armchair.
"Tea?" Regina offered, receiving a nod in reply from the younger woman. "Careful, it's quite hot dear."
"Now, what is it that's been bothering you Regina? Is everything okay with Ruby?" Snow asked, hopeful that Regina had asked her over her to talk about her feelings from Emma, but she could put up with hearing the ins and outs of Regina's relationship with Ruby if need be.
"They're good…great actually." Regina paused, unsure if she wanted to tell Snow about what had really been going on in her head for the past few weeks, but she decided against and instead stuck to the main reason why she had asked her to come over. "I asked you to come around here today to talk about Emma actually…I'm worried about her returning back to work so soon." Regina admitted, receiving an equally worried look from Snow in return.
"I agree, but both David and Emma ensure me that she will only be doing paperwork and little things around the station until she gets back to 100%. I think that Emma just wanted to try and regain some of her independence, that's all." Snow reached her hand over and gently stoked Regina's knee lovingly.
"What if she gets confused and end's up god knows where? She sometimes gets lost on her way to the bathroom." Regina mumbles, knowing that Emma wouldn't be happy with her sharing this information with her Mother.
"I'm sure she will be fine Regina. Want to know what I think is really going on here?" Snow asked rhetorically, knowing that she was going to tell Regina weather she wanted to hear it or not.
"I don't really have a choice, do I?" Regina replied, with a playful eye roll.
"I think that you have gotten so used to having Emma here, that you are worried that if she goes back to work, she is one step closer to moving out again." Snow suggested, making Regina's eyes widen in surprise.
"That's absurd…I mean, it has been nice having an extra set of hands around here, but we both know Emma isn't the easiest person to live with at the best of times." Regina fought back, but she knew that the smaller woman was right. Snow was about to respond when there was a loud knock at the door. "Excuse me." Regina moved quickly to answer the door, to find a parcel left on the doorstep with Emma's name on the label. The parcel in question was wrapped loosely in brown paper, letting curiosity get the better of her, Regina took a small peek inside only to find a beautiful necklace with two large colored stones entwined into an apple shape.
"Is everything okay Regina?" Snow froze at the sight of the beautiful necklace in Regina's hand. "That's gorgeous Regina…did you order that?" Snow questioned, as she lifted the necklace up for a closer look.
"Not me…Emma's name was on the front." Regina mumbled, shocked by the gift that she assumed was for her.
"Such pretty stones, what's the significance?" Snow wonders out loud, before handing the necklace back to Regina.
"They're mine and Henry's birthstones…" Regina mumbled, before quickly wrapping the necklace back up again.
"It's things like this that makes putting up with all her mess worth it, isn't it?" Snow smiled knowingly, as Regina held the package up to her heart.
"I guess you're right…this time." Regina smirked, before placing the package on the side table for Emma to retrieve when she came home.
"Hello? Anybody home?" Ruby bellowed as she entered the Sheriff's station with her hands filled with a box of doughnuts and two coffee takeaway cups from Granny's.
"I'll be with you in just one…" Emma shouted from her place from behind the filing cabinet, where she was searching for the messing dart that missed the dart board completely and lodged itself somewhere behind. "Got ya! How can I help…Oh! Ruby, hey." Emma's eyes widened in surprise as she came face to face with the young brunette, and a tray of baked goods.
"Regina mentioned that it was your first day back, so I thought I'd come over and drop these off." Ruby motioned to the cups and box in her arms, before setting them down on Hook's small desk. "Granny packed all your favorites. We've got bear claws, strawberry with sprinkles and apple cinnamon surprise…oh, and one Swan special." Ruby explained before passing the cup of hot chocolate to Emma.
"Thanks Ruby…" Emma mumbled before taking a sip of the hot liquid. "And tell Granny thanks as well…" The air between the two women was heavy and awkward, as they both sipped on their drinks.
"So…how has the first day been so far?" Ruby asked, after a few minutes had passed.
"Pretty boring, David has been doing most of the work, while I have been correcting his paperwork and sucking at darts. But it's better than being stuck at the mansion all day and I've been able to get a head start on planning Regina's birthday party…which reminds me, any suggestions? Henry said he talked to you and you said that Granny was cool with catering?" Emma swiftly moved the conversation to the party as quickly as she could, she needed to know what Ruby was planning so she could easily one-up the younger woman.
"Yeah Granny is down, she just needs numbers and as far as suggestions go…I've got nothing. I don't even know what to get her. What do you get a woman who seems to have everything?" Ruby joked while taking a seat next to Emma's desk. "And… I just realized that you're the wrong person I should be asking for advice. I mean who goes to their girlfriend's ex-wife for advice?" Ruby laughed nervously, as she failed to notice the smirk that was forming on the blonde's face.
"I don't mind, really. I'm happy to share some of my limited knowledge with you if you'd like." Emma offered before taking a large bite out of her bear claw.
"Really? I can use all the help I can get! I was going to wait until the next time Henry came into the Diner, but I suppose that you're the next best thing." Ruby chuckled nervously as she finished her coffee.
"When it comes to birthdays, Regina likes something practical, something that she's going to be able to use all year round. Also she doesn't like when you make a fuss, she'd be happier if we actually forgot all about it, but she only celebrates it because of Henry." Emma lied, hoping that Ruby would buy into it.
"Are you sure? I was thinking more along the lines of jewelry?" Ruby questioned, skeptical to what the older woman was saying.
"Trust me Rubes. I want you and Regina to be happy, why would I lead you astray?" Emma turned on the charm, but could already feel the knots forming in her stomach. She hated doing this to the younger woman, but at the same time she knew that it had to be done.
"I guess you're right…thanks Emma!" Ruby stood happily, before pulling the older woman in for a tight hug.
"Anytime…" Emma mumbled, feeling bad for what she had just done.
"Ma! It came!" Henry whispered to Emma as he greeted her at the door.
"Did you put it away?" Emma whispered back, as she kicked off her work boots and hung up her leather jacket.
"It's in my room, want me to go and get it?" Henry was practically bouncing with excitement, it had been his idea for Emma to purchase the necklace for Regina's birthday, he had even taken it upon himself to design it himself.
"After dinner, kid… Don't want your Mom to see it, do we?" Emma ruffled the teen's hair, before draping her arm over his shoulder and leading him into kitchen.
"Emma! How was the first day back?" Regina asked cheerfully as she began to cut the roast beef.
"Same old, same old…I'm glad to be home though. Here - let me do this, you sit down." Emma winked, before taking the carving knife and fork from the brunette, who looked on in confusion, before turning on her heel to sit on a nearby bar stool and watch the blonde, while nursing her glass of wine.
Emma couldn't stop thinking about Ruby throughout dinner. She knew that this was for the best, but she wasn't this person - she followed the rules, played fair and this… This just seemed like cheating to her. That feeling only worsened when Henry showed her the necklace. It was truly the perfect present and Emma knew that Regina would love it wholeheartedly. All of this led to Emma's current situation, as she was currently on her way to pay Ruby a visit and set things straight.
"Hey Em, Emma Special?" Ruby asked as soon as the blonde walked into Diner.
"No thanks Rubes, I actually came over to give you something." Emma pulled out a small parcel wrapped up in crumpled brown paper. "I talked to Henry when I got home about Regina's birthday and it seems that I may have gotten a little confused earlier when I was talking to you, as a way of saying sorry, I want you to have this…" Emma carefully unwrapped the parcel, revelling the necklace she had purchased for Regina.
"Em that's beautiful…"
"Give it to Regina for her birthday. It's her and Henry's birthstones…the kid ordered it for me in case I forgot, but I want you to have it." Emma explained, only regretting her decision slightly.
"Emma I can't take this! You or Henry should be the one to give her this." Ruby tried to hand the necklace back, but Emma quickly refused and stood.
"Ruby, I want you to have it. Regina is going to love it." Emma smiled before swiftly exiting the Diner.