Regina returned home to an empty house as Henry was with Emma for the evening. She had texted Emma when she left Heather's home to let her know that things went great and she was headed home. Emma had called her almost immediately and asked her if she wanted to come over. Regina declined, pointing out that she was tired and Emma ended up telling her over the phone about her conversation with Snow that afternoon.

"I feel like a weight is off my shoulders," Emma said.

"I am glad to hear that," Regina responded. "I am a little surprised Snow came around so quickly after your last talk but it's really great news."

"What about you, you said things went good with Heather. Did you get your questions answered?"

"I did."

"And?"

"And what?"

"How did Cora find out about the two of you?"

"Heather's younger sister Melissa apparently saw us and told Heather's mother who in turn told my mother. My mother then sent them away, but they went to live on the land that my father helped them secure and Heather eventually got married to a neighboring lord. He died not long into their marriage and she never had any kids, but I got the sense she really loved him."

"Sounds like you found out what you needed to find out."

"I did. And Heather would like to be friends with me now. Don't worry, I gave her the it can only be a friendship speech and she understands that. I think being here in Storybrooke will be good for her. It will be nice to get to know her all over again after all this time."

"Well I am happy it turned out ok. I guess I should get off the phone, you are probably almost home."

"Just pulling in."

"Good night."

"Good night."

Regina didn't bother turning on lights when she returned home. She was tired and went straight to her room. After taking a shower, she changed clothes and got in the bed to sleep.

Four days later

When she heard the smoke alarm, Emma rushed into the kitchen to see Regina waving a dish towel over an obviously burnt roast in the oven. Emma got a chair and stood on it to turn the smoke alarm off as she heard curse words she was sure had never escaped Regina's mouth before come out.

"Hey, it's ok," Emma said. "I will order us some pizza. It's not the end of the world."

"I can't remember the last time I butchered a meal like this," Regina said, a look of concern on her face. She was still looking at the burnt meat just shaking her head. "Could this day get any worse?"

Emma thought Regina looked stressed and she wasn't sure that it was just because of the roast. First Regina was late getting home, having been caught up at work she said because she had to do a recount on some inventory items that she had miscounted earlier that day. Then on the way home she ran out of gas in her car because she had simply forgotten to stop at the gas station on her way to work despite knowing she needed to.

And now this.

Emma put a hand on Regina's forearm, only to have Regina move away from her as she sought out some oven mitts to be able to dispose of the ruined meal.

"I will go order some pizza," Emma said. "Do you have a preference?"

"What ever you and Henry want. I am not even hungry," Regina said again letting her eyes wander to the burnt roast. She rubbed her forehead and the bridge of her nose.

"Headache?" Emma asked.

"A small one, not a migraine," she said. "I am going to clean up this mess and then turn in if you don't mind."

"Are you sure? It's not very late and you should eat something."

"I just want this day to be over."

"Ok. I will make sure Henry eats and what not and then I will be up to bed."

Regina sighed, "Don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you shouldn't spend the night."

"How am I supposed to take that, if not the wrong way?"

"I am sorry," Regina said approaching her. "I don't even know why I suggested that."

"We all have bad days," Emma said wrapping her arms around her. "It's ok."

"Forgive me?"

"Of course," Emma said kissing her. "Here let me help you clean up first and then I will order the pizza. If you are feeling up to eating when it gets here great, if not, cold pizza for breakfast is always a good option."

They cleaned up and Emma ordered the pizza. Regina still went upstairs though saying she wanted to turn in for the night as her headache was getting a little worse. She didn't bother with a shower, merely changed clothes and slipped under the covers. She wasn't exactly tired though – she just knew she didn't want to be downstairs with Emma and Henry right now.

She had been having trouble concentrating all day long, actually for the last couple of days. It was like her mind was elsewhere, but even she didn't know how to account for it. She had texted Heather earlier that day and told her how she was feeling. Heather had invited her over, but since she had plans with Emma she told her no, although the idea of going to Heather's for a stress free evening was appealing to her. She told Heather she would see about carving out some time in the next few days to spend some time with her.

She realized she had told Tink the same thing but hadn't managed to see her either, although Tink apparently had been spending more of her free time with Ruby. They weren't ready to say they were doing anything more than friendship, Tink had told her, but at the same time both women had agreed there was something there more than friendship.

Regina knew she should be happy for Tink but somehow it didn't seem that important to Regina right now.

She was still awake when she heard Emma coming up the stairs. She turned on her side and closed her eyes. She didn't feel like having a discussion or anything with Emma and she hoped Emma would think she was sleeping.

Emma entered the room and Regina could sense Emma had moved closer to the bed and was looking at her. She kept her eyes closed, willing the woman to just leave her alone. A moment later she felt Emma's hand on her shoulder.

"Regina?"

Damn it, Regina thought as she opened her eyes.

"Hey, I am going to take off," Emma said. "Let me know how you are feeling in the morning ok?"

"I will," Regina said.

Emma leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead. "Feel better."

"Thanks."

Emma left the room and Regina immediately felt guilty. Why had she wanted Emma to go away like that, she wondered. She chalked it up to her bad day and settled down on the bed to actually go to sleep.

Two days later

Regina knocked with urgency at Heather's door. She had to knock a second time before the door opened.

"Gina, come in," Heather smiled.

Regina entered, having to pass by Heather to do so. As she did she caught a whiff of what smelt like a spring time rain. It reminded her running around outside as a small child in the rain. She would run around and her father would try to catch her. Her mother of course disapproved of such things, but when she wasn't around her father and her would always play.

"Are you ok?" Heather asked as Regina had stopped almost immediately upon entering.

"Um, yeah, no actually."

"Let's go sit and you can tell me which it is, yes or no." She linked arms with Regina and led her into the main room, sitting on the couch with her. Something in the back of Regina's mind flickered when they came in contact, but as soon as the thought was there it seemed to disappear and she realized Heather was speaking to her.

"What did you say?"

Heather laughed. "I said you see a little out of sorts."

"Yes I have been these last few days and I am not sure why."

Heather put a hand on Regina's leg and again Regina felt like she was missing some important thought. "Would you like a glass of wine? We could have a drink and you could tell me what has you so flustered."

"That would be great."

Heather left the room and returned with two wine glasses – handing one to Regina who took a drink.

"Now what's the matter?" Heather asked taking her seat.

"That's the problem; I don't know what is the matter. I feel completely out of sorts this week and I can't explain it. I keep forgetting things, or just lose track of time completely. I can't seem to relax and my sleep has been practically non-existent."

"I am sorry to hear that," Heather said touching her leg again. "What can I do to help?"

"I don't know," Regina shrugged. She took another drink of the wine.

"Tell me, how are things with Emma?"

"Ok. I haven't seen her a lot this week and the one night she was over was the day I told you about where everything kept going wrong. I was in a weird mood that night and didn't really want her company. She seemed to sense that and she eventually left, but as soon as she did, I felt bad. She didn't deserve for me to make her feel bad because my day wasn't going great. I made it up to her the next day by bringing her some lunch while she was on duty. I got the lunch from Granny's as I wasn't feeling so secure in the kitchen after burning dinner. We had a nice laugh about it. Emma has this way of making me take things a little less serious. It's one of the things I love about her."

Heather forced a smile. "I am glad it all turned out alright for you. To tell you the truth, I thought maybe I would be seeing you a little sooner than this. Haven't you missed me at all since you were last here?"

Regina gave her a confused look. "I told you I have been busy. But if it makes you feel any better, the way I have been feeling these last few days, I really wanted to be able to talk to you about it. I don't know why, but since we are going to be friends now I thought why not tell Heather about it."

"I hope you know I am at your disposal anytime you need me," Heather said.

"I appreciate that. I am really happy that we decided to be friends."

"Me too," Heather said.

Heather entered Mr. Gold's shop the next day.

"Hi can I help you?" Belle asked.

"Is Mr. Gold in?"

"He's in the back. Let me go get him."

Heather glanced around the shop after Belle went into the back. She hadn't wanted to come here at all, but she felt like she didn't have a choice. A few moments later Gold came out. "How can I help you?"

"You probably don't remember me …"

"I do," Gold said motioning for her to come to the other end of the counter away from Belle. "I don't forget people I make deals with."

"Good, that will keep me from having to explain myself. What you gave me as part of our deal doesn't work."

Gold seemed to consider her for several seconds before speaking, "Have you been holding on to it all this time?"

"Yes," she said. "The person it was intended for came here with the first wave of the curse, I didn't."

"Oh," Gold said smiling. "And because this person isn't fawning all over you, I take it that you think there is something wrong with the product I gave you."

"Yes. You never said anything about an expiration date."

"And you didn't ask if there was one either. But rest assured, what I gave you, even after all of this time would still work."

"Well it isn't. She's … you said it would make the person addicted to me, that they would feel the need to be around me and that isn't happening."

"You really should be careful with that particular potion as I believe I warned you before. Are you using it as I suggested?"

"Yes. She's already inhaled it; I am wearing it like perfume. I thought it was working at first because she really liked the scent of it, but then I didn't see her again for like a week. You said the person wouldn't be able to go three days without resisting the urge to seek out that scent."

"She should have done so then. Curious," he said thoughtfully.

"Now do you see why I am here? It's clearly not working."

"Who is this person you have used it on?"

"No," Heather said. "As I said all those years ago, it's none of your business and it shouldn't matter who it is if the potion is legitimate."

"The potion is legitimate and no one here should be able to resist its affects unless …" he trailed off, giving her a more apprised look as if finally coming to the conclusion he should pay attention to her.

"Unless what?"

"You said this person came over here in the first wave. Emma Swan did not and she would be somewhat resistant to its affects due to her inborn magical ability. Those born with magic tend to have a slight immunity to magic. It's not that much of an immunity actually, it just means sometimes it takes things, like for instance that potion, a few more doses to get into their system and begin working. So your answer is that the potion works, you just need to make sure Regina is given more doses of the smell in the beginning. In other words don't wait a week between dosing her or her natural immunity will fight it off during that time."

Heather crossed her arms. "Are you going to tell her what I have done?"

"Why would I do that, dearie?" Gold said. "This should be fun to watch."