AN:

Hey guys, you awesome people. Little warning, I may have let this chapter get away from me, so it may be a bit long.

Today's topics: Turn on's, Hot people, Creatures and White Lies.

Enjoy!

…

"Well Miss Swan, it seems you're out of luck. There is only one room left, and I asked if he knew the bar you described and he said how unfortunate we are that it has just closed down for good, last week," Regina said, having walked away from the front desk of the hotel they would be staying in.

Emma shook her head, she couldn't believe it. She had had David look into all of Neal's hotspots, and one particular bar came up but it happened to be shut down. That place had been their best chance at finding the idiot.

"I don't see how I'm out of luck sharing a room with you?" Emma asked, not seeing the downside at all to that, especially not with the way Regina had spoken in the car. She was looking forward to sharing a room with her, even if it meant that nothing happened.

Regina said nothing but followed the bellhop to their floor. She waited all until he was out of the door before turning to face Emma –who stared at the one bed in the center. She noted how Emma's eyes glistened and darkened several times over.

"Because dear, I kick," Regina said, passing Emma by and setting down her bag.

Emma tried but could not help in bursting out in laughter. Regina had just made a joke. This wasn't the typically uptight Regina she knew back home but a more relaxed one. And she was not going to lie, she enjoyed seeing the many different layers of Regina, they were by far entertaining.

"Regina, had I known you had a sense of humor, I would have taken you out of town long ago. Next time we have to bring Henry along though. Maybe show him around the city," Emma said.

Regina remained quiet. It had not been the first time she's heard Emma speak so far into their early relationship. Though with Emma, it does not feel as though they've only just gotten together.

Emma realized what she had said and quickly changed the subject, pulling out a list of all the places Neal visits. They had to hit up all those places in hopes of finding him. And since they all ready had one crossed off their list, matters well continue towards the next one.

"Are you sure you want to start tonight? I mean we could just stay in for the first night and head out tomorrow," Emma said, switching topics.

Regina shook her head. "Nope. We don't have much time, it's best to start tonight. Get it over and done with," she said.

Emma nodded, "Alright. I'll just uh leave you to change, I'll change in the bathroom then."

Though she didn't get why they were changing anything, all they were doing was going to a bar. It probably wasn't even a nice bar, not with his standards –Emma thought.

When Emma emerged only that of five minutes from the bathroom, she couldn't get her jaw off the floor, as Regina stood in dark skinny jeans, low cut navy blouse and her heels were beside her, not yet having been put on. Emma inwardly groaned and wondered why couldn't they just stay in.

"Are you alright, dear?" Regina asked.

Emma nodded, not being able to put the necessary words to her mouth.

"Are you sure, are you nervous? You shouldn't be. Maybe tonight we'll luck out as you say and get him," Regina said, not following why Emma had gone ten shades of red in the face.

"Regina, are you not aware of how hot you are?" Emma blurted out.

For a moment Regina said nothing, eyes wide at the blondes words.

"Well, I try not to pay attention to such an aspect. Don't want to seem all bigheaded and all," she said with a smirk. But yes, Regina did note that she was attractive and at times it stunned people as it did Emma just now.

"Forget that. You are a marvel."

Emma began to stalk forward towards her with all intention of pinning her down or against the wall, whichever should take. Only Regina moved in time for Emma to miss entirely and grab her purse, heading for the door.

"Come on, before it is too late and we miss him," she said, trying not to act as though she had not been seconds from saying screw it and letting Emma have her way with her. But at the moment her son's life was at risk for an unknown reason, they get answers to that then she can think about all extra activities later.

"Not fair," Emma muttered, following Regina out the door. She had been so close.

…

The bar was noisy but it was anything from the trashy hole in the wall, Emma had thought it would be. In fact, she was impressed at how many suites she saw at the bar and it's fancy decorum. She didn't think it was even a place for Neal to hang out in.

"Guess it's happy hour," Regina mused, finding a seat at the bar.

Emma only nodded, keeping her eyes all over the place. Maybe this is his regular pickpocketing place, Emma thought looking around. Regina took in Emma's expression, gently she laid her hand a top hers, giving it a reassured squeeze.

"It's going to be alright. David said he comes here a lot. We'll find him," she said.

Emma nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

Regina chuckled, wondering when would she ever grow tired of hearing that –while she finally spotted a bartender. Quickly she flagged her down, ordering two apple martinis –when she heard Emma gasp and tense quickly.

"What? Did you find him?" Regina asked.

Emma shook her head, her eyes were on the bartender right in front of her.

"That's Lily," Emma said, watching the girl behind the counter, having hinted the star birthmark. Regina couldn't believe how lucky they were to have already found someone.

"Are you not…"

"No, if she's here that means he's here. We can't give away who we are just yet. Don't want to frighten him," Emma said, looking around.

Regina said no more, sipping her martini and waiting for Emma's word. By glass two had they still not found Neal and was Regina wondering if she should be drinking at all –when Emma swiveled her head in the opposite direction so quickly, Regina could have sworn she'd gotten whiplash and thought maybe she shouldn't have drank while waiting.

"Come on," Emma said, getting up from the bar. Regina followed just as she heard the bartender Lily call out, they hadn't paid for their drinks but Emma wasn't paying attention to that, her target stood in front of her by the door. Emma thought about what she should do, grab him, punch him first, or wait and then punch him after. Either way, she had to decide quickly as they were all ready in front of each other.

"Neal."

Regina watched as Neal took one look at Emma and made a run for it, all the while Lily had rounded the bar and stood coming straight towards them. Emma on her heels went after Neal, Regina –wishing she had not worn heels, ran after Emma, following her down an alley.

Alley's of all places, Emma thought as she heard the clacking of Regina's heels behind her, but kept her attention on her target. It gave her a vague sense of her early bounty hunting days before Ruth thought it better she joined the force and then later became detective.

With all her force, did she manage to tackle Neal down, scratching her hands in the process against the concrete ground. Regina came up behind them –impressed at what she had just witnessed and not to mention, slightly turned on.

"Emma, are you alright?" Regina asked, helping her up off the ground and checking her hands, they were bleeding slightly. "We have to get this patched up."

Emma shook her head, "Later," she said, snatching her hands away from Regina, they did hurt that she could not deny.

"Detective, I do not believe you knew how to tackle someone," Regina said.

Emma caught the hint of her chocolate brown eyes darkening. She couldn't believe that had been what turned Regina on and now of all times. "That was impressive."

"Thank you. And later, alone, we will discuss all you don't know about me," Emma whispered, turning to face Neal as he rose from the ground.

"Emma, what the hell," he grunted.

"Me? I think I should be asking you the questions, seeing as I was told you were dead," Emma said.

Neal gave her a confused expression. "Oh!" he said, "No, that was just something I told my father to uh, you know what why don't we and you…who is she?"

Regina rolled her eyes, so far she wasn't liking this Neal creature and to make matters all the more worthwhile it seemed Lily had finally caught up with them. Looking between the two women, she ran to Neal's side.

"Are you alright? What happened, who are these two?" she asked.

Emma rolled her eyes, all the while she could feel Regina's hand in hers, intertwining their fingers. She let her know that for once she wasn't alone. She was with her.

"Uh, Lil, Emma, Emma –you remember Lily," Neal said.

"Emma, Emma Swan," Lily said.

Emma couldn't believe the two. "Yeah, the Emma Swan that you two screwed over. How are you two still together?"

Neal uncomfortably scratched his neck. "Uh, this is…well that is my, uh, my bar," he said, pointing at the sign –where both Regina and her read the blinking lights of Cassidy bar.

How convenient Emma thought.

"We can go talk inside," Neal said.

"Yes, I think that would be best. It would give us some answers," Regina said, speaking for the first time.

"Who are you?" Lily asked.

Regina pursed her lips, looking the pair over.

"She's my…"

"I'm her wife. Any issues?" Regina said.

Emma widened her eyes, wondering if they maybe shouldn't have let her drink but with the serious and deathly glare she gave off, Regina was not feeling not influence of alcohol, she was purely Regina and didn't appreciate the pair that stood in front of her. A little white lie wasn't going to hurt anyone.

AN:

What do you guys think, I don't think Regina's white lie will hurt anyone.

Don't be afraid to let me know your thoughts.

Thanks for reading :)