AN: I liiiiivvvveeeee! *stretches dramatically as I crawl out of the rock I have been hiding under* OMG I am SOOOOO sorry it's taken this long - let me tell you, the last 3 weeks? Have been VERY interesting on my end. I decided to get out of breeding horses, so I put my stallion up for sale.. sold him rather quickly but then had to deal with all the paperwork, shipping information and blah blah blah.. then had a issue from a client in regards to breeding... tried to resolve that without any luck.. had some minor dentist work that ended up taking more time to heal.. planned a baby shower... hosted said baby shower, and now finally things are calming down again.

I really wanted to include Ruby and Kat's date in this chapter, but with the way the last scene ended I wanted to leave it so... maybe, if you agree, the next chapter can be a stand alone between these two ladies and their first date? *waggles eyebrows*

Anyways.. without further a due... your chapter *bows*

Reviews welcome and appreciated! Let me know by a show of hands who is still an active reader!

*Note* Chapter is mostly unedited.. I ran through it as I was writing and glanced at it a few moments ago but it's *checks time*... 10 minutes to 2 am so... brain is OUTTA HERE! :P

Chapter 21

"I love you."

'Wait, what?! What the actual fuck Swan!' Emma mentally berated herself as she sat looking her lover in the eyes, taking in the brunette's sharp intake of breath and widened eyes as the words settled between them. Emma sat there frozen, unable to move and it felt like all the moisture had evaporated from the air as her mouth went dry as the Sahara. 'Oh my God, oh my God, why the fuck did you say that?! WHY THE FUCK DID YOU SAY THAT!' Because it was the truth. Because it had been the reason she'd avoided seeing Regina all week, because she didn't want to let those words fall off her tongue too quickly. And now it looked like she ruined everything, because at the minutes ticked by… the older woman remained silent. Soon, the silence became deafening and Emma couldn't take it any longer. She backed away from Regina, sliding off the feeldoe hastily as she all but tumbled out of the bed.

The movement seemed to snap Regina from her thoughts, as she blinked and quickly removed the dildo and followed Emma out of the bed. "Emma.." Regina called to her softly.

Emma didn't respond as she opened the drawer to her dresser to grab a pair of underwear and a bra. She could've just magicked on some clothes, but a small part of her wanted to face the reality that she had spoken too soon. To face her punishment head on Undergarments on she pulled on a pair of jeans and grabbed the nearest shirt - a maroon v-neck tee - and slid it over her head. She was aware of the woman standing at the end of the bed watching her but ignored her as she tried to compose herself for the conversation that was inevitably coming.

"Emma Swan, stop. Look at me." Regina called again in a voice so soft and gentle it pulled at something inside the blonde. Emma halted her attempt at tying a leather bracelet on her wrist and turned around, face forced into a stoic expression. The brunette was standing at the foot of the bed - completely naked, her chocolate eyes swimming with unshed tears. "Did you mean that?"

Emma was taken aback by the question, brow pulling together in confusion. "Why, because I go around telling everyone that I love them?" she said a little more defensively than intended. At Regina's wounded expression, Emma let her gaze drop to the floor, feeling foolish for her remark.

It was becoming clear that Regina was more in shock at the blonde's admission than horrified. The more Emma thought about it, the more she thought that the Sorceress probably hadn't heard those words from anyone besides Henry in a long time. Certainly not from a lover since… well, Daniel. That realization caused the blonde to raise her gaze to see watery brown eyes staring at a spot on the carpet, a few tears having fallen onto olive cheeks. Her own jade green now soft and open, Emma moved forward to reassure the older woman.

Taking both of Regina's hands in her own, the blonde ducked her head an inch to force brown orbs to meet hers. "Regina Mills… I promise you with everything I am that I meant it. I love you." the blonde declared, wrapping the brunette's hands around her own waist so she could cup the other woman's cheek and use her thumb to wipe away a few stray tears. Bumping their foreheads together, Emma repeated the words in a whisper. "I love you."

Regina let out a sound somewhere between a sob and a laugh before letting go of Emma's waist in order to engulf the younger woman in a hug. The brunette snuggled into Emma's neck and slowly began placing chaste kisses over the skin of the blonde's neck and collarbone, leaving a trail of fire in her wake. "I love you too."

Emma cocked her head to the side so Regina could continue her loving assault while she let out a loud sigh. "That's a relief. Way to leave a girl hanging." she quipped in an attempt to relieve some of the emotional tension in the room. Neither of them were the best with emotions and sarcasm was always a great exit strategy from difficult situations.

Her neck vibrated with Regina's laughter as the brunette pulled back to look at Emma with a playful glare. "Coming from the person who blurted the words out after orgasaming. Seriously Emma, you have the worst timing."

Emma smirked and kissed the end of the brunette's nose. "Call it one of my Charming qualities."

Regina snorted as she turned around and started to collect her undergarments. "Well, I think your Charming genes are causing you more trouble than they're worth, dear."

"Agreed." Emma said as she also turned and started fiddling with the leather bracelet she'd been putting on before. Tying it securely, she played with the little swan charm that dangled at the end of it and smiled softly. It had been a birthday gift from Henry last year. Turning back to the brunette, Emma asked, "So... what made you come here in the first place this morning?"

Regina paused her attempt at clasping a necklace around her neck and arched an eyebrow at the blonde. "I actually came here to confront you about why you've been avoiding me."

Emma cocked her head to the side and smirked mischievously, "Well, that's an interesting way of confronting someone. I sure hope you don't make that a habit with everyone."

A rich, deep laugh erupted from the older woman and Emma silently congratulated herself for being able to make Regina laugh. The blonde walked over to stand behind Regina and took the ends of the necklace as the brunette playfully replied, "I make no promises."

Rolling her eyes, Emma smacked her lover lightly on the ass and chuckled. "Go get your dress that you left in my dinning room Miss Mills."

Later that day, Emma walked into the diner with her phone pressed to her ear as Henry excitedly chatted with her about their plans for Regina's birthday. "Henry, your mom wouldn't get on a surfboard if her life depended on it."

"Oh c'mon ma! You could totes get her to take a lesson!"

"Did you seriously just say 'totes'?"

"Maybe."

"You need to spend more time with Shay, you're starting to talk like a girl Hen." Emma teased, waving at Granny and walking towards the back of the restaurant where Ruby was joining her for lunch.

"Shut up." Henry chastised over the phone and Emm swore she could see him rolling her eyes. "So, surf lesson?" he asked again, still hopeful.

Emma let out a half groan/half laugh as she sat down in front of her friend who was smiling sweetly at her in greeting. "Henry. Listen very carefully." she paused for effect, "No!"

"Fiinnneee." Henry said grumpily, the teenager in him poking out from behind the curtain for a moment.

The blonde chuckled at his behavior. "Ok, glad we are in agreement. I'll see you tonight for dinner, I gotta go."

"K, bye."

Putting her phone down on the table, she smiled at her best friend. "Hey, stranger. How goes it?"

Ruby smirked slyly and leaned in towards the middle of the table. "I have some news for you."

Knowing that Ruby had a certain knack for gossip, Emma leaned in to meet her friend half-way. She didn't really care all that much, but sometimes it was nice to forget her own life for awhile. Which she suspected was the reason why the young wolf was always full of news. That and she had wolf hearing. And worked in a diner. "Oh? Who about this time? Leroy again?"

"Noooopppeee. It's about me." Ruby said mysteriously as Ashley set their food in front of them. Emma looked down to see her usual grilled cheese and onion rings and gave them a predatory glare before picking up an onion ring, swiping it in some ranch and biting into it.

After the blonde waitress left, green eyes lifted to meet the glimmering deep blue of Ruby Lucas. "Well? Spill already!"

"I have a date." Ruby squeaked before biting into her medium rare steak burger. Emma raised an eyebrow for her friend to continue, and once Ruby swallowed she said, "Tonight. With a girl."

This did peak Emma's interest, she wasn't aware that Ruby played for both teams. Not that she was surprised really, she swore she caught the brunette making googly eyes at Belle a few times in the past. Still, she fixed her face in appropriate amounts of shocked and surprise before answering. "Really?! Who's the lucky girl?"

"Actually…" Ruby said as she toyed with a french fry, apparently shy now as she answered. "it's Kat."

Kat? Emma's brow shot to her forehead as she processed that for a second. "Kat? Reeaally…" she said with an unbelieving smile, "That's exciting Rubes. Where are you guys going?"

"Petit Louis." Ruby answered excitedly, mentioning the name of Storybrooke's newly opened fine dining restaurant. "It'll be my first time there since they opened."

"Well I hope you have a great time, you'll have to call me or something and let me know how it goes." The blonde said sincerely, taking another bite of her cheesy goodness. Grilled cheeses were heaven on earth, she was certain. 'The only thing that tastes better is Re- wait, stop. Mind out of the gutter, Swan.' she scolded herself, hiding a smile while she chewed.

"Totally." Ruby promised, popping a couple more french fries in her mouth. "So, what is new with you and your lady lover? I noticed you haven't spent as much time together this past week… are you guys alright?"

Emma couldn't hide the enormous smile that took over her face as she thought about that morning's confession and how it had gone. Ruby arched a thin eyebrow at her expectantly, sensing a new development in the blonde's relationship. "I told her that I love her this morning."

Ruby's dark blue orbs widened comically and red lips parted in shock. "Really? And I am judging by the huge dorky smile on your face that she said it back?" Emma just nodded enthusiastically as she bit into the second half of her sandwich. "Oh my God! Emma this is so exciting! And here I am going on about a silly little date.." the brunette said, seeming to toss the importance of her news out the window in lieu of her friend's.

"Your date isn't silly Ruby, it's just as important and I am so happy for you. You deserve some happiness of your own." Emma stated lightly, finishing off her grilled cheese and picking at her remaining onion rings.

"Thank you for saying that, not a lot of people really bother to notice that even though I used to get around a lot before the curse.. I haven't had a actual relationship since then. Not saying that what Kat and I have going is the start to a relationship-" Ruby had started rambling and Emma's face broke into a lopsided smile as she held her hand up to silently let the brunette know to slow down, "- sorry, but yeah. It's just good to hear the encouragement. I am really excited.. and even more nervous."

"Don't be nervous.. you're already friends with her, what can be so hard about going to the next level?"

"Um. Exactly that. How to make the transition." The slender woman stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Emma smirked mischievously as she said in a low quiet voice while leaning across the table towards her friend. "If Kat is interested in you romantically, I can assure you that she'll take the lead if you fall short." That elicited a bark of laughter from Ruby, which caused the blonde to snicker.

"Yeah, so I have discovered. She's quite the predator. Singles out her prey, stalks it, then takes what she wants from it." Ruby ticked off each point on her fingers and both women broke out into another round of giggles.

After they quieted, Ruby took a sip from her soda and then leaned back in the chair. "So, anything else new?" she baited the sheriff.

"Mm, yes. I am having a party tomorrow night - nothing big, just a few of us girls to celebrate the fact that I am finally in a place of my own again. I wanted to invite you, and extend that to Kat if tonight goes well. Party starts at 8:00, drinks and light snacks to be provided. I want to do a karaoke/lip sync battle… so be prepared for that. Also, I just bought Cards Against Humanity." Emma wiggled her eyebrows at the last bit, grinning when Ruby's eyes went wide.

"OH MY GOD! I have always wanted to play that!" The brunette squealed excitedly, stomping her feet for added effect. "I will definitely be there - and Kat too, because even if tonight doesn't go well she is still my friend. Do you want me to bring anything?"

"Not at the moment, but I can text you if I need anything." Emma said after a moment of thought. She was so happy that she now had a group of friends that she could invite over for things like this. When she was on her own, back before Henry, she didn't have anyone. It was a good feeling. She felt her phone vibrate on the table, telling her it was time to go to City Hall to have a Council meeting regarding Taro. "Welp, I am off to see the Mayor about what we're going to do with our troubled pubescent criminal."

Ruby's brow shot upwards at the admission and she gave Emma a sincere look. "Go easy on him, I know he has done some stupid shit, but Kat really cares about him."

"I'll do my best Rubes. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" the blonde assured, getting up and starting the walk over to City Hall.

"For sure girlie! Wouldn't miss it for the world!" The brunette called out as Emma made her way out of the diner.

Hours later, Regina was kneeling in her backyard while glaring at the ant hills near the base of her home. She had discovered the little pests while gardening a few hours earlier and had immediately took a trip to the store to pick up something to get rid of them. Regina Mills did not tolerate filthy pests on her property, no matter if they were outside or not. Opening the box beside her, she pulled out her artillery - Spectricide Ant Shield Garden Stakes. A wicked smirk made an appearance on red-painted lips as she saw the slogan underneath that read: "Kills the Queen, destroys the colony." 'Oh, the irony', she mused to herself.

Taking out the ant stakes, she started applying them around the ant hills that she could see, per the directions. When she was satisfied the area outside of the mansion was appropriately addressed, she stood back and looked at her handy work. Sure, she could've used magic to fire-fry their little incessant bodies, but she wanted to do this the non-magical way. After all, it wasn't like she had anything better to do all night. Emma and Henry were at the loft spending some one-on-one time, so the sorceress was on her own. She noticed a few ants running away from a nearby stake and chuckled out loud. "That's it you filthy vermin, flee this property." she paused for a quick second as a familiar sentence crossed her mind, then lowered her voice three octaves as she set the words free. "I will destroy your happiness, if it's the last thing I do." the former Evil Queen vowed wickedly for the second time in her life, giving the creatures a poisoning glare before breaking out in a hearty chuckle, highly amused with the private joke she'd just made to herself.

A snort came from somewhere behind her, and her head whipped around to see the source. There, sitting at the base of her boxwood bush, sat a very familiar black cat with ice blue eyes.

Chocolate eyes narrowed suspiciously as she watched the animal pad its way towards her before shifting back into the raven-haired woman she knew. "You have an interesting sense of humor, your Majesty." the woman proclaimed, a sly smirk in place as she came to stop a few feet away. "It's highly amusing to me."

"I'll be sure to bill you for my entertainment services." The former-Queen deadpanned with a irritated huff. Regina hadn't expected to be spied on, and she wasn't pleased. "What can I do for you, Skyla?" she bit angrily.

The taller woman's eyes flashed with mild panic before quickly turning over to agitation. "That isn't my name here." Kat rumbled quietly, taking a step towards the Mayor and invading the other woman's personal space. "And I would appreciate if you could refrain from using it. My identity is my business… and unless you'd like me to to start waving yours around town you'll keep that name and my secret to yourself."

Regina flicked an eyebrow as she stood her ground under the gaze of the tall woman. The brunette had never been one to be easily intimidated. Switching tactics, the older woman flashed her best predatory smile, eyes gleaming with sexual intent. "Is that a threat, shifter?" the sorceress purred, and running a fingernail flirtatiously along the open flesh of Kat's collarbone above her Halestorm t-shirt. Her goal was to rial the younger woman into leaving, her only thought being Kat was here for either sex or to discuss the terms of the meeting she'd held at City Hall regarding Taro. Neither of which she welcomed. She felt the shifter's chest begin to rumble in a low snarl, but before the taller woman could respond the back door opened to reveal her son.

"Mom have you seen-" Henry froze on the last step as he watched the two women jump back out of each other's personal space.

Regina stood there in a moment of panic before she collected herself and schooled her features. "Have I seen your what, dear?" she asked, keeping her voice as level as she could. She knew what her son had walked in on looked horrible, but she hadn't been doing anything inappropriate with the shifter.

"Wait, what were you two doing?" Henry asked accusingly, eyes narrowed threateningly as he glared at his adoptive mother.

"Nothing, dear." Regina answered honestly.

Beside her, Kat snorted in an attempt to hide her laughter at the new predicament the royal found herself in. "Well, I can see that this is about to get awkward. Excuse me, Mayor Mills, Henry." Nodding to each of them, she walked towards the stairs that lead into the mansion. Smirking as she met adolescent green eyes she couldn't resist adding, "No worries, I'm quite familiar with the place, I can show myself out." and as she passed the boy she gave him a knowing wink, chuckling at the glare she received in return.

Outside, Henry had turned his angry emerald eyes back on the Mayor. Coming off the last step he seethed, "You've got to be kidding me mom! How can you do that to Emma? You guys just got together! I can't believe you'd go and cheat on her!"

Regina was taken aback by her son's verbal attack, but quickly narrowed her eyes in her best "do not test me" glare. "Henry. Daniel. Mills. I would think very carefully on how you speak to me in the next five minutes or you may find yourself with a very lonely existence for the next couple of weeks." she threatened. She had never grounded Henry before, but she was very close to doing so if he wouldn't let her explain herself.

"Whatever mom, I saw you. You were this close," he made the measurement between his thumb and forefinger as a demonstration, "and you had your hand on her chest. If that isn't cheating I don't know what is!" The boy continued angrily, coming to a stop where Kat had been moments before. "Did you kiss her? Was that what was going on before I came out here?" he spat at her, an unfamiliar anger rolling off of him as he continued his stare down with his adoptive mother.

Regina bit the inside of her bottom lip, causing her jaw to jut out a bit as she broke the staring contest with the boy and looked at the ground. She started counting to ten, trying to calm her own anger before she did something she would later regret. Henry's anger was much like his blonde mother's: blind but with good intentions. He was merely trying to protect Emma's feelings.. although that did very little to calm her since she wasn't doing anything wrong. Once she reached ten, brown eyes raised to meet burning emerald. "Henry," she started in a calm, cool tone. "Not everything you see is what it appears to be-"

Her son cut her off, "Stop. You're just making up an excuse. I know what I saw. And I saw you with your hands all over that woman like, like a you're some slut!"

The sound of a skin hitting skin rang through the air, and Regina briefly wondered where it had came from until she realized the sound came from her own hand. Hitting her son. Brown eyes widened as the realization hit her, and she quickly looked at Henry to find him still glaring at her, his face reddening on his right cheek from where he'd been struck.

"Regina? What's going on out here?"

Brown eyes lifted over Henry's shoulder to see the Savior standing in the doorway, looking between the mother-son duo with wide, green eyes. 'Great. Fucking great.' the older woman thought to herself as she closed her eyes slowly in defeat at the situation she was now in.

"Mom's cheating on you." Henry declared without looking away from the brunette.

Emma stared at the back of her son's head in disbelief, letting the words sink in. When she had stopped by so Henry could grab his Assassin's Creed game, she hadn't expected it to take so long for him to find it. She had been sitting patiently in the Mazda for several minutes, playing on her phone and checking Facebook, when she looked up to see Kat Simmons leaving the mansion. Curiosity on the rise, Emma had gotten out of the car to go investigate. When she saw the back door open and heard Henry yelling, she had been drawn to the scene just in time to see Regina smack their son across his face. The sight had stunned her then, because she knew Regina wasn't a violent parent. Firm yes, but she would never strike Henry. At least, she didn't think she would. Until now. Add that to her son's declaration that Regina was cheating on her and the blonde woman was a flurry of confused emotions. What was she supposed to say to that? What had Henry seen? Why would Regina hit him?

Her first reaction was hurt and anger, the need to lash out at the older woman bubbling just below the surface as she repeated her son's words over in her mind. She swallowed her anger and looked over Henry's shoulder. Regina was staring at her with pleading brown eyes begging for the chance to explain and the sight made her heart clench. Regina cheating on her just didn't make sense. It just wasn't a possibility. They had just told each other they loved one another that morning, there was no way Regina would go gallivanting off with Kat Simmons the same day. Besides, the blonde now knew of Kat's budding relationship with Ruby and had attended the City Hall meeting regarding Taro Denairus' sentence. Seeing Kat at the mansion wasn't out of the realm of possibilities if the tall woman was there on the teenagers behalf. Emma let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and addressed her little family. "Inside, both of you. Now."

The two brunettes moved to obey, Henry looking ahead of him angrily as he thudded past while Regina lowered her gaze in defeat of the situation. Emma reached out and caught the brunette's arm as she went by and gave her a simple wink when vulnerable brown eyes lifted to meet her. Relief washed over the Mayor's features as she nodded in silent understanding and continued into the living room where Henry was headed.

When they both were seated, Emma made her way to the mantle of the fireplace and turned to address them with stern features. "Alright. I want to know what the hell just went on outside that lead to the events I walked in on, but firstly," she looked pointedly towards her girlfriend, "I want to know why you struck Henry."

Regina was staring at her hands which were crossed in front of her, so when she spoke it was to her knees. "He called me an inappropriate name and I reacted without thinking." The older woman looked to her son, who was staring at a statue of a horse with determination. "Henry, I am truly sorry for how I reacted, but you cannot speak to me that way - no matter what the circumstance is."

The brunette boy turned piercing green eyes on his adoptive mother and sneered in such a Regina-like manner, Emma was actually taken aback by it. "I saw you mom. You had your hand on that woman's chest and you looked like you were about to kiss her."

"Well, news flash but looks can be deceiving Henry." Regina interrupted, looking frustrated and on the edge of anger again. She ran her hands through her dark hair before settling for fidgeting with the bracelet she was wearing.

"I know what I saw." He declared, but much quieter as if he was starting to doubt himself.

Emma looked from one to the other, mind reeling with several questions. Then one seemed more important than the rest and she asked, "What did you call your mother Henry?"

A moment passed, and Henry remained quiet as he stared blankly at his intertwined hands on his lap like he was wishing with all his might he could teleport himself out of the room. Emma repeated her question again, her voice increasing in its demand and the boy slammed his eyes shut and whispered something unintelligible to the blonde. She flicked an eyebrow cockily at him, her own anger rising knowing if he was unwilling to tell her that it must have been a truly horrible thing to call Regina. Emma asked him to speak up, stepping in front of him and adopting a stance she'd seen David use a million times. Legs spread apart slightly, arms crossed with her right eyebrow still cocked as she stared her son down. Henry lifted green eyes to hers in challenge as the muscles in his jaw jumped and twitched, swallowing back his fear. "I called her a slut."

Emma's eyes flashed dangerously, nostrils flaring as she held herself back from slapping him just as Regina had. "What?" she snarled venomously.

How dare he?! Who did he think he was?! No one speaks to a woman like that! Especially his own goddamn mother! Grabbing Henry but the collar of his shirt, she roughly pulled the teenager to his feet and shoved him in front of her as she walked towards the stairs that lead to the second floor. "Ooohh kid," the sheriff laughed darkly, "you have dug yourself a glorious hole tonight. Get your stupid ass up to your room before your cheek isn't the only thing that's sore. And I do hope you enjoy the view, because it's all you're seeing for awhile you ungrateful little shit." she added as she started climbing the stairs behind him, hand still firmly clenched around the collar of his shirt.

Once at the top of the stairs, she gave him a heavy push, sending him running a few steps towards his room in order to catch his balance. He turned around to look at her, all anger vacant from his expression as wide eyes watched her wearily. The blonde must've looked terrifying in her son's eyes, because he quickly backed into his doorway and slammed the door shut without complaint. Emma stood there for a moment, breathing in and out slowly in an attempt to calm herself down. It didn't work. Shaking her head, she talked herself out of magically locking his window and door and headed back downstairs.

Regina was waiting for her in the foyer, arms crossed insecurely in front of her like a shield. When their eyes locked, brown eyes widened slightly, before a small smile broke out. "Feeling a little energized are we?" she asked dryly. Emma gave her a confused look, in which the brunette answered by nodding her head towards the mirror on the wall.

The blonde approached the mirror to see what Regina was referring to and was taken aback to see her eyes glowing with a faint white light - actually glowing - in her reflection. No wonder the kid looked so freaked out. "My eyes are glowing." Emma stated obviously. "Why are my eyes glowing?" she deadpanned, looking over at her girlfriend with a confused expression.

That actually earned her a tiny smile from the other woman, who still stood by the door. "You're emotions are tied to your magic, when you have an surge of emotion - such as anger - your magic surges as well. You'll need to find a release for it before it gets out of control."

The Savior nodded and walked back into the living room, easily lighting a fireball and sending it into the fireplace which startled to life instantly. Emma turned around and rested an arm against the mantle. Regina walked back into the room but didn't sit down, opting for standing just inside the doorway with her arms crossed.

"You're getting good at that." the brunette praised softly, a half smile forming along red lips that made Emma's stomach flip. Could anyone be more adorable than this woman right now? Emma doubted it. Still, the blonde kept her expression neutral. "Why was Kat here Regina?" she asked bluntly, diving right back into the matter at hand. The blonde was exhausted, and really wanted this all to be over. She knew Regina wasn't a cheater, but the question still burned within her, begging to be answered.

The brunette sighed and walked to one of the sofas and sat down, patting the spot next to her in invitation. Emma sat down next to her, one leg underneath her while the other bounced on the floor as she watched the brunette. "I'm - I'm not sure... " was the older woman's response. When Emma tilted her head, signalling Regina to elaborate, the brunette complied. "We didn't get that far, she was spying on me which I didn't take to kindly. I may have made a couple of jabs just to get a rise out of her, but when she… started getting a little more violent, I switched tactics and decided that I would… flirt my way out of the situation." Regina finished with a shrug.

"What.. exactly did you do to 'flirt your way out of the situation?'" Emma asked, a slight bitterness leaking it's way out of her mouth as she thought of Regina flirting with anyone - for any purpose.

"When she got into my face, I ran my fingernail along her collarbone and asked her if she was threatening me." The brunette explained, mimicking the action on her own collarbone.

The blonde raised an eyebrow and continued with the next thought that came to mind, "Why was she threatening you?"

"It's a long story." Regina said simply. "I will of course tell you, but first, would you like a drink?" Emma nodded and Regina waved her hand across the coffee table, summoning up a beer and a martini. Emma went for the beer, while her counterpart took a sip from the martini. "It all started back in the Enchanted Forest…" the brunette began, and Emma settled into the sofa to listen as Regina told her a tale of a magical being called a shifter, and how the Evil Queen had enlisted the most talented shifter in the realm to her service. The blonde learned shortly after that, that Kat had been that shifter and had been one of Regina's most trusted spies. Along with being in Regina's service as a spy, Emma learned that Kat had served Regina in the bedroom on nights Graham was absent or when the Queen merely craved a woman's touch over a man's. She also learned that being a shifter was not only rare, it was shunned. That she could understand, when someone can shift into multiple forms who wouldn't be leery?

When the brunette finished with the events that lead up to Henry's appearance earlier that evening, Emma was finished with her beer and half way through her second (which Regina had summoned part way through the story). She let out a sigh and raised the neck of the bottle to her lips and took a healthy swig. When she swallowed she asked, "So, Kat was your personal spy, and what, fuck buddy at the time?" Regina nodded. "Ok, so when did things take a physical turn for you guys in Storybrooke?"

"The day you walked in on us was the first time being intimate since before the Dark Curse."

Emma nodded, satisfied with the information. "Alright. Well, I think that is enough for the night. I don't know about you, but I am exhausted."

Regina hummed her agreement and flicked her wrist to get rid of the drinks as Emma rose and extinguished the flames in the fireplace. Afterwards, the turned off the lights and journeyed into the foyer.

"Emma?"

The blonde turned around, raising her brow in question.

"You know I would never cheat on you, don't you?"

Emma smiled softly, walking back to envelope the slender frame in an embrace. "I know. Henry's just a kid, he doesn't understand what he saw, I get that. But he had no right accusing you of cheating or calling you… well, you know what, just based on what he thought he saw."

Regina nodded against the blondes shoulder, "We'll talk to him tomorrow."

"Mmhmm. But now, it's time for bed. Savior says so." Emma quipped, pressing a tender kiss to the side of Regina's temple as she pulled away and started climbing the stairs towards the master bedroom.

"Emma?" The blonde smirked as she stopped and looked over her shoulder at the uncertain face below. Regina ran a hand through her tousled hair,then awkwardly looked at the ground. "Emma… I'm not in the mood tonight.." the older woman stated shyly.

Emma smiled devilishly at the cute figure below. "Oh? And is it a requirement to sleep with you every night I stay? Because honestly babe, I'm literally exhausted. So exhausted in fact, I don't even want to go home to sleep." and with that, she gave Regina a wink and continued up the stairs. A moment later she heard the brunette follow and smiled again. A night where she could just hold her girlfriend, forget about the outside world and all of her problems really sounded like a dream come true.

Twenty minutes later, after nightly routines and a borrowed pair of pajamas from Regina, both women were snuggled under the heavy duvet and drifting quickly to sleep.