Disclaimer: see Chapter 1

"By this time tomorrow, I'll be dining on airport food," Regina said casually.

Emma looked up. "What? Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm having dinner with my publisher." Regina put down her fork. "He's flying out to Sydney tomorrow, the 8th."

David put down his glass. "Today is the 8th."

I know, David, I know. Regina shook her head. "No, tomorrow is the 8th. Friday the 8th."

"No, Regina," Emma said slowly. "Today is Friday. Tomorrow is my charity bazaar. We talked about it this morning, remember?"

"This is terrible." Regina put on a shocked face. "He has a contract waiting for me to sign. I have got to see him."

Emma dabbed her lips with her napkin. "What time is his flight?"

"11pm, from Newark."

"You can make it," David said.

Emma jumped up. "I'll drive you in."

Regina stood and stopped Emma with a shake of her head. "No, please finish your dinner," she said. "I'll grab a cab." She walked to the door of the dining room. "I'm so sorry. This is terrible."

As soon as she was outside, she called Myka. "Hey there, Myka."

"So ... what excuse did you come up with? Dinner with your publisher again?" Myka had heard that excuse several times when Regina had run off to be with Emma.

Regina chuckled. "Well, it's a pretty good excuse you have to admit." She paused. "I take it Helena called you not too long ago?"

"Oh, yeah," Myka replied. "I'm supposed to be on my way over there right now to make a huge scene."

"Please don't." Regina got into a cab.

"Well," Myka drawled. "Don't forget you're my wife, and I should tell Ms. Swan right now."

"Wouldn't you rather meet me at the Paradise Roof in 20 minutes for a nice dinner and some good conversation?" Regina asked with a laugh. "I'll explain everything to you."

"See you there."

O O O

Helena sat at her desk when Pete came in. "Yeah?"

"Here's the headline proof on the Swan story." He handed over the front page mock-up.

"Nice," Helena said. "'Emma Swan Steals Wife'. Elegant, magnificent. I like it." She put it down and looked at Pete. "We'll write in the gory details when we hear from Myka." She checked the clock on the wall. "I wonder what's keeping her? It's after midnight already. We can't wait much longer ... we have to go to print soon."

Pete shrugged. "The old man's probably trying to bribe her."

Helena's eyes lit up. "That would make a great subhead: 'Rich father tries to bribe wronged wife'."

Pete smiled. "I wonder where Mills is now."

Helena snorted. "She probably ducked to China or Africa or something. It's what she does ... she ru-" She stopped as the door opened, revealing Myka and Regina, arms linked.

"Hello, Helena," Myka said in greeting.

"Where have you been?" Helena didn't like how close Myka was standing to Regina.

"Dancing." Myka shrugged and smiled at Regina.

"What did you say?"

"Dancing," Regina repeated slowly. "You know that thi-"

"You mean you didn't go to the Nolans'?" Helena interrupted, jumping up and glaring at Myka. "You didn't-"

"No," Myka answered. "We decided against it."

Helena stormed around her desk and came straight for Regina. "You sneaky-"

Regina stood her ground. "Self-control, Helena. Very important for a woman in your position."

Helena growled, but took a few steps back. She grabbed the proof from her desk and pressed it into Pete's hands. "Here. Throw this out. Go on." As soon as Pete had left, Helena looked between Myka and Regina with confusion in her eyes. "Now what have you got to say for yourselves?"

"Oh, don't shout, Helena," Myka said, moving even closer to Regina. "We're not used to it."

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Helena leaned against her desk. She was confused and angry, and she had to take several deep breaths so she didn't strangle Regina immediately.

"You'd better tell her, Regina." Myka patted Regina's arm. "Her blood pressure ..."

Regina nodded understandingly. "Yes, perhaps you're right." Regina turned to Helena. "What would you say if I told you that I had almost persuaded Ms. Swan to drop the case?"

Helena snorted. "I'd say you were a dirty, double-dealing liar, and I'd be right."

Myka stepped in front of Regina. "I won't stand here and listen to you being insulted." She glared at Helena. "Come on, Regina." She took Regina by the arm and pulled her towards the door.

"Is that so?" Helena asked. She was bordering on furious now. "Wait. Listen to me. Not four hours ago, I heard your two-timing Juliet over here whispering sweet nothings into the ears of Emma Swan. What do you think of that?"

To Helena's confusion, Myka just nodded. "Regina told me all about it. That's technique, H.G. You wouldn't understand it."

Helena threw up her arms in surrender and turned to Regina. "Why didn't you tell me you were seeing Emma Swan?" Her voice sounded almost resigned.

"Sure, and have you spoil all my good work," Regina replied dryly. "Just as you did tonight, barging in just as I'd about convinced her to drop the case."

"We didn't need any charity from her," Helena protested. "All Myka had to do was bust into the house!"

"And have you smear our names all over your paper?" Myka asked. "You're just hunting for a great headline."

Regina saw Helena bristle at the comment and decided to step in. Maybe Myka was taking this a little too far. "Believe me, this way is better and cleaner," she said sincerely. "Tomorrow evening, Emma and her father are giving a huge charity party at their estate in Connecticut. I'll be there."

Helena looked at Myka and raised a questioning eyebrow.

Myka replied by smiling at Regina. "Go right ahead, Regina. I trust you." Helena rolled her eyes in frustration.

"And I'll get her to drop this case, once and for all," Regina continued. "That is, unless you decide to barge in again."

"Yes," Myka added. "You need to be a little more subtle, H.G."

"How do I know that you can get the Swan to drop the case?"

"You'll have to take my word for that, I'm afraid."

"That's good enough for me," Myka added.

Helena rolled her eyes and went around her desk. "Maybe you're right. Maybe this is the best way." This smelled to the high heavens.

"That's much better," Regina said with a smile.

"Yeah, I'm sorry I overreacted." Helena put on a conciliatory face. Not a single bit. I should never have hired you for this job.

Myka smiled. "This is much better. After all, I want you two to be good friends." She turned and walked out. "Come on, Regina. Good night, H.G."

"Good night," Regina added over her shoulder as Myka dragged her out the door.

"Yeah," Helena said under breath. "Good night."

Regina and Myka held it together until they were in the elevator before grinning at each other. "You think it worked?" Regina asked.

"Of course it did," Myka replied. "Did you see her face?"

O O O

Helena was fuming. How dare that woman? How the hell dare she?

Pete saw the storm clouds over Helena's head. "What's up, boss?"

Helena looked up. "That low-down, conniving evil bitch," she said in a low voice. "Making Myka believe she's in love with her." She slammed her fist on the desk. "Making Myka fall in love with her. She won't get away with it. I won't let her."

"Can you stop her?"

"I'm going to wash up the Swan case and Regina Mills right with it." Helena's mouth twitched in an evil smile. "Myka may be eating out of her hand now, but before I get through, she'll be biting it with a vengeance."

She called in a runner. "Here." She handed over a freshly-printed piece of paper. "Tell Douglas to print up one copy of the morning edition, and to put that item at the head of the society column."

"One copy?" the young runner asked.

"That's what I said."

"Man, our circulation is certainly falling off."

O O O

Late Saturday afternoon, Myka was having a pedicure at the hotel beauty shop, while Regina was getting ready for her date with Emma at her charity bazaar.

The pedicurist left Myka for a moment, both feet in a refreshing peppermint and strawberry foot bath. "I'll be right back."

Myka nodded and went back to her novel.

"Mykes!" Helena's voice suddenly sounded in the beauty parlor.

"What are you doing here?" Myka asked suspiciously. Helena was in too good a mood for this to be a coincidental visit.

"I just had to see you," Helena replied with a huge grin and kissed Myka's cheek. "I got fantastic news." She waved the newspaper in her hand.

"It'd better be good for you to burst in on me like this."

"It's about Regina," Helena said. "Looks like I certainly had her all wrong. Your wife is a wonder." She couldn't sound more sarcastic if she tried.

Neither of them noticed the two very curious women watching and listening closely, nudging each other excitedly.

Myka eyed her curiously. "Congratulations," she drawled. "When did you crawl out of your hole?"

"Yeah, I never should have doubted her," Helena replied. "She just called me a minute ago."

Myka doubted that, given that she had been with Regina most of the day and the other woman had never mentioned a plan to call Helena.

"She told me she's getting Emma to drop the suit tonight," Helena explained. "Then off she goes on an around-the-world cruise ending up at the altar hitched to an ten-figure fortune. What a woman!" She smiled.

Myka didn't even have to pretend to be confused. "What are you talking about?"

Helena just continued. "You know she's got Swan and her father right in the palm of her hand." She looked at the folded newspaper she had brought with her and read the column she had put in:

"It seems the charity bazaar at the Nolan estate on Long Island tonight is something in the way of a farewell party. David Nolan and his attractive daughter, Emma Swan, are sailing for a four-months, around-the-world cruise. Accompanying them will be the Swan's current favorite, Regina Mills. Do we hear wedding bells?"

Helena looked up. "How do you like that?"

Myka held out her hand. "Let me see the paper."

Helena handed it over with a huge grin. "I have to run. Just thought you'd like to hear the good news." With that she walked out as quickly as she could.

Myka checked the article in the paper. She just knew there was something weird going on here. She was certain that Regina would have told her something of this magnitude. "Somebody get me a towel and my shoes!" she demanded loudly. "Hello, I need to get out of here!"

Outside the hotel, Helena called Pete. She was pretty certain that Myka would storm the Nolan estate after receiving the fake news. "Have a photographer at the Nolan's charity bazaar at nine tonight. There's gonna be fireworks there."

O O O

The entire grounds of the Nolans' estate looked like a fun fair. This charity bazaar had been a pet project of Emma's mother when she had still been alive, and after her death Emma had taken over. She had always loved everything about it – the fun, the fair food, and doing good while having a great night – and neither she nor her father had any qualms about charging more than a thousand dollars just to get inside. It was the main event of the summer season and the whole East Coast elite came to Greenwich, CT to enjoy the festivities.

There were games and food stalls everywhere, but Regina enjoyed the look of delight on Emma's face much more than the actual fair. It definitely was the strangest fair she'd ever been to, with every single person there dressed in their finest evening wear. All the men were in tuxedos, and so were some of the women, Regina noticed, while most of the women wore the latest in evening couture. Emma looked gorgeous in a long green dress, while Regina had once again opted for black.

"Step this way for a great game of skill," a man in a tuxedo said as they were passing by. "Throw a dart and win a beautiful prize," he continued. "Only 10 dollars a dart, and cheap at half the price."

Regina's eyes widened at the price, but before she could say anything Emma had already dragged along. Well, it's for a good cause.

"Woo lady luck at the wheel of chance," another man shouted. "Pick the winning number and win a priceless prize for the lady."

Regina just laughed as Emma continued to pull her over to one of the food stalls. It looked like her lover was desperate for some funnel cakes. Regina just grinned and followed.

"Come one, come all," Emma yelled in childish delight. "I love the bazaar." She took Regina's hand and laced their fingers. "Thank you for coming, it means a lot."

Regina gave her a soft smile. "It's not like you left me much of a choice, you blackmailer."

"Well, you didn't leave a choice but to leave you no choice." Emma shrugged and ordered them funnel cakes.

O O O

"Where's Emma? I must see Emma."

David took a deep breath before turning to Mrs. Burns-Norvell. "I'm sure she is somewhere around here." He wasn't in any hurry to subject his daughter and Regina to the two dreadful women.

"I'm so anxious to tell her about Ms. Mills' wife," Mrs. Burns-Norvell continued, ignoring him completely.

David looked up sharply. "Ms. Mills' wife?"

"Yeah," the younger Burns-Norvell added eagerly.

"You know Ms. Mills, that fish woman on the boat?" Mrs. Burns-Norvell explained. "We met her wife."

"A most amazing creature," Barbara Burns-Norvell said. "So many curls."

"That's nonsense," David said, shaking his head. "Regina's not married."

"We never dreamed she was married," Barbara stated. "She didn't look married, and she certainly didn't act married."

"The married ones never do," Mrs. Burns-Norvell said with a dismissive gesture.

David wondered what he had missed on the boat. In his memory, he and Regina had spent most of the trip talking about fishing. He frowned. This didn't seem right. He had trusted Regina with his daughter after the trip, had even encouraged Emma to give her a chance, and now this? If what the Burns-Norvell said was true, he'd skin Regina alive. But it couldn't be true. "I'm sure there's a mistake."

"No, there isn't," Mrs. Burns-Norvell replied curtly and rather shrilly. "We saw her this afternoon coming out of the Grand Plaza. We called her, both of us, but she was getting into a town car."

David looked around and saw that several guests had stopped to listen in on their conversation. He took both women's arms and gently pulled them to a more secluded spot. "Let's have a drink."

"I had to run half a block, trying to make her see me," Barbara whined as David led them to a table.

"But she'd gone," her mother continued. "So we went into the hotel to leave a message. The clerk asked if we wished to speak to her wife." She accepted a glass of champagne from the waiter. "I said, "Naturally" and he said that she was in the beauty parlor." She took a sip. "We saw her. She was sitting with some other woman and they were talking about her wife, Ms. Regina Mills."

"But before we could speak to her, she rushed past us," Barbara finished their story.

David grimaced. That didn't sound good at all. He just hoped he got to Emma before the two hyenas with him did. He knew he had to be the one to break these news to Emma. Gently.

"Look, there's Emma and Ms. Mills now." Barbara pointed to a photo booth in the distance, where the two were posing for a photos with their heads sticking out over the top of some cheesy 1920s musclemen cut-outs.

"All ready. Hold still, please," the photographer called.

"Why, honey, what big muscles you have," Regina said dryly, with only a slight eye-roll. She was constantly patting herself on the back for enduring all of this with a smile. Mostly.

"The better to hit you with, babe," Emma replied sweetly.

David couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could see even from this distance that Emma was happy. She hadn't smiled liked that in years. He saw his opportunity, and turned to the Burns-Norvells. "You wait here. I'll get them. We'll make a party of it." Yeah, right. He called over the waiter. "Paul, champagne cocktails for five, please. I'll be right back."

Regina was a couple of steps behind Emma when David caught up to them as they were walking away from the photo booth. "Emma, I have to talk to you," David said urgently.

"What is it, Dad?"

"I can't talk to you here," David said as he took Emma by the arm and tried to pull her away.

Emma turned towards Regina who was just being accosted by a small group of teenagers selling all sorts of things for a few dollars and had yet to notice Emma's absence from her side. "But Regina ..."

"You'll find her later." He pulled Emma to a part of the backyard that was left mostly private.

Regina bought a few trinkets that she thought Emma would enjoy and sent the teenagers on their way. "Emma?" She looked around when she realized that she was alone. "I think I've been robbed."

She shrugged and wandered off in search of her girlfriend.