AN:

Here is a long chapter, to tied you all over for my not having updated in three days, sorry for that.

Todays topic, ending of their horseback riding date, bikini clad Regina, and a fire.

Enjoy!

…

Emma had been enjoying the horseback riding, after she had gotten over her initial fear of the horse. She allowed Regina's warmth to comfort her, leaning against the brunette who had no complaint of they being so close to one another.

"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Regina said, as she got down from the horse, a smile on her face – one that Emma liked to see.

Emma shrugged. "It was all right, I don't think I'll ever be getting on another horse again but I guess, when in good company it's alright," she said, grinning at Regina. "Why don't we…" Emma had stopped speaking as she looked at her phone and frowned.

"What's wrong?" Regina asked.

"Apparently my roommates got into it, and I am needed at the diner. Granny doesn't want Ruby working. It's just like them to be so selfish," Emma growled, giving Granny a see you in fifteen, response.

Emma took notice of Regina's expression, she did not wear the beautiful smile she once wore, when she had gotten off of the horse. Now she held a look of disappointment.

"I'm sorry," Emma said.

Regina shrugged. "That's alright, can't spend all of my time with you, can I," she said, beginning to walk in direction of Emma's bug. Emma wanted to choke Ruby.

…

"Don't speak to me," Emma hissed, as she stalked past Ruby –who exited the diner with a look of shame on her face.

"Em, I'm sorry," Ruby said, but Emma did not hear her nor did she want to as she entered the diner and went to work.

"What happened?" Emma asked Elsa.

Elsa gave a shrug. "I don't know. One minute I was telling her if she and Belle were going to go at it again tonight, to let me know and the next she was yelling at me. Granny, didn't want her to work and so that's where you came in. I'm sorry Em," Elsa said.

Emma rolled her eyes, "We need to do something about those two. Especially if we want to get any sleep. I am voting for tying them in a closet," she said.

Elsa nodded, wiping down the counter, "I am all for that," she said, "where were you anyway?"

"Horseback riding."

Emma worked her shift, thinking all thoughts of Regina and the way she had let her down. She recalled her saddened expression, and that had caused Emma to feel more than sad, and upset at her roommates. By the time she made it home, there was no talking to her as she collapsed on her bed and fell into a deep slumber, clothes and all.

"Fire!"

Emma sprang up from her bed, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, heart pounding in her chest.

"Fire!" Ruby shouted, thrusting open Emma's bedroom door, "we have to go, now."

Emma nodded, throwing on a pair of pants, and making it out to the hall –where all the other neighbors were making their way to the staircase.

"Regina," Emma said, backing away from the staircase and heading back towards her apartment, banging on Regina's door. Regina opened in minutes, looking at her in confusion but Emma said nothing as she yanked her out of the apartment and down the stairs of the building. All members of the building watched from a distance as the firefighters went in and doused the flames.

"Emma?" Regina said, as Emma pulled off her sweater and put it in on Regina, having noticed she had dragged her out in only her pajamas and slippers.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't think you would have had time to have put on clothes," Emma said. "And I'm sorry for earlier, I didn't mean to cause you to feel bad."

Regina nodded, snuggling in the warm sweater Emma had put over her shoulders.

"It's fine. I was a bit disappointed," Regina said.

Emma sighed, "Yeah, there will be no more disturbances when you and I are out. Elsa and I are going to deal with Ruby and Belle, they need to sort through their issues once and for all, if not I'll have to move out."

Regina frowned, "You would move?" she asked.

Emma smirked, "Yeah, why? Would you miss me?"

A blush coated that of Regina's cheeks as she looked at Emma, "Yes, I would."

"All clear!" shouted the building's superintendent, causing both women to startle as they followed the masses into their building. Neither one said anything more on the subject as they went their separate ways for the night.

…

"Do you think its wise that we go to the pool, when the building almost burned down?" Elsa asked, standing in her bathing suit as Emma searched for her towel.

"Nah, it wasn't our fault, and luckily the fire was mostly contained Whale's apartment," Emma said, yanking her towel out of her closet. "I'll meet you downstairs, I'm going to check on Regina."

Elsa nodded, grabbing Ruby on the way out, Belle wouldn't be joining them once again Emma noted as she went next door to Regina's and knocked. In seconds had Regina opened.

"Are you ready?" Emma asked.

Regina arched a brow, "You do know I do not need to be escorted down to the pool area, it being in the building and all," she said, smirking at Emma.

"Just wanted to make sure that you were not backing out," Emma said, with a shrug.

"You are beginning to know me quite well," Regina sassed, folding her arms against her chest, "but lucky you checked because I don't feel…I don't know Emma, I don't want to go."

Emma vigorously shook her head, "Oh no, you're going, I got on a beast just for you."

"But Emma, my scars. No one has seen them, other than me. I don't want the others staring at me," Regina said, "they may have faded some, but they are nothing pretty."

Emma frowned, she had forgotten all about her scars. She should have known better than to suggest they go to the pool, and have Regina do something that is out of her comfort zone. Stepping forward, Emma tilted Regina's chin up at her.

"Listen, you're the most beautiful woman I know. Your scars, I've seen just the one but I can guarantee you, no one is going to judge you. And if they say something, they have me to deal with. Trust me," Emma said, staring into pools of chocolate brown eyes, that searched hers for reassurance.

Regina sighed. "Fine. Let's go."

"And if you feel uncomfortable we can go," Emma said, walking with Regina to the hall. They met with the other two down in the pool, Emma took off her shorts and tank top, standing in only her blue bikini, as she joined Ruby in the pool.

"Where's Regina?" Emma asked, having lost sight of her, when she had pulled off her tank top.

Ruby pointed, "There she goes, and oh my god is she hot," she said.

Emma looked at Regina who stood clad in a black bikini, her scars were noticeable but very subtle and only if one dared to stare at her –would they see them.

"Close your mouth," Ruby said, "chlorine is not good for your system."

Emma couldn't help it, Regina was gorgeous, olive skin glowing, curves in all the right places. Regina dipped herself in the pool, testing the water first with her toe before coming in entirely.

"See something you like?" Regina asked, in low tone of voice.

Emma shivered, "Uh, yeah, maybe," she stuttered, making sure to keep a distance from Regina, she didn't know what would happen if she stood close enough to her. "This is the last item on the list, right? That means you will now tell me that secret item."

Regina laughed, shaking her head. "Oh no Em-ma, it's not the last item. And come closer why so far away," she said.

Emma groaned, knowing that Regina was playing a very dangerous game with her. Emma slinked over, slowly, but keeping an inch between them.

"Wait, what else is on the list?" Emma asked.

"A picnic," Regina said.

Emma's frustration had been growing, she wanted to know that damn secret item and there Regina stood, telling her they had to go on a picnic in order for her to learn of the mystery item.

"Fine, you want a picnic, I will give you one," Emma said, feeling another leg rubbing up against her leg. She watched as Regina grinned, baring all teeth.

"Hey you two, why are you over here, all alone," Ruby asked, interrupting Regina from getting any closer to Emma, and causing Emma to glare at her.

"You have perfect timing Ruby, just perfect timing!" she shouted, swimming away from the pair frustratingly and hearing Regina laugh behind her.

…

"You know, you're not all innocent as you prove," Emma said, as they walked in the hallway back to their apartment.

"Oh really, and why would you say that?" Regina husked.

They stood before each other, just inches from closing in the small space between them.

"Because, unless that was someone else's leg I felt in the pool…"

"Emma!"

Both Regina and Emma startled apart from one another, as David had opened the door. Emma had not realized they stood in front of his apartment, in the background could she see Mary-Margret approaching and profusely apologizing.

"Forgive me Emma, I had not known it was suppose to be a secret," she said.

Both Regina and Emma looked at the woman in confusion, not understanding what was happening.

"Uh, David, what's going on?" Emma asked.

David sighed, "What I've been trying to tell you since the beginning of the week. Blanchard's been watching your friend, he knows she's here…"

Preview, Next Chapter.

"I spoke with Henry, your uh dad, and he's assured me that there is a place, no one will find you," Emma said.

Regina nodded, she had not spoken since they had spoken to David and he told them everything.

"I want you to come with me."

AN:

LET'S PLAY A GUESSING GAME: What do you think is Regina's secret item on her list?

Hmm, what did Mary-Margret say?

And uh-oh Regina has to go?

Forgive me for taking so long to update, I am trying to find myself another freelancing job (Fingers Crossed), so that writing takes up much of my time.

As always let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading :)