Saturday came around a lot faster than Regina realised. Before she knew what was happening, she was walking next to Emma and on her way to the diner for Granny's part. Emma had stayed the night before, arriving with the present wrapped and ready to go, assuring her that she still had time to make a decision.

"I didn't get her a present." Regina reminded her as they turned a corner, almost there.

Emma handed her a small item from the bag she was carrying.

"What's this?"

"Present for Granny. I'm your PA, it's my job to anticipate these things."

"You brought something for me to give to her?"

"I knew you'd come. Don't worry, it's just a simple gift, nothing too extravagant."

Regina held the door open for Emma to enter the diner. There was no time to say anything further about it now. It looked as though half the town had come for the party, with only standing room left.

"There's Ruby!" Emma said, starting to move in that direction.

"I'll get us something to drink." Regina told her, diverting to the bar.

She stood next to Archie as she waited to be served. It was only slightly better than the other gap next to Leroy. For some reason the gap remained there even when more people wandered over for a drink.

"After you." Archie deferred the barman to Regina and smiled at her.

She wasn't sure if he did these things because she was the mayor or because she was a woman and he had held onto his past-life nature. He always offered to hold doors open for her and once tried to share his umbrella. There was no way she would stand under that thing. She had seen him use that opening line to strike up a conversation with Leroy and within minutes had him admitting that getting drunk all the time wasn't the best way to keep his job.

"I can wait." She told him coolly.

Archie shrugged. "Two beers please."

She ordered her drinks once he was served and watched him walk over to Marco. Of course they were sitting together. The booth still had room for two more people. She saw Emma notice it and watched Archie waving in her direction.

Please no, she thought to herself, we'll find somewhere else.

She saw Sydney walk in. He came over to the bar, keeping a respectful distance from her. Perfect.

"Why don't you go and sit with Dr. Hopper and Marco." She told him, passing over one of the drinks she had ordered and signalling to the barman that she now required another.

He looked down at the drink now in hand, confused. "What…"

"You'll enjoy their company. Go on. Quickly now."

He turned to do as she asked, making it to the seats before Emma. Regina smiled and collected the new drink from the barman, handing over some money. She walked over to Emma, noting that the presents had gone to the table set up at the end of the diner.

"Here you go." She said, passing over one of the glasses.

"Thanks."

They were knocked together when someone walked past and bumped into Emma. No-one would dare do the same to Regina, but she had to turn to allow Ruby past a few seconds later.

"It's a little crowded in here." Regina noted.

"I guess Granny is really popular." Emma turned to Ruby who came to join them. "How long has the diner been here?"

"As long as I can remember." Ruby replied automatically.

Regina tried not to laugh. "When does the birthday lady arrive?"

"Any minute. I gave her gift vouchers for the beauty salon as her present and had Mary Margaret accompany her."

"How long do you think she'll put up with the pampering?"

Ruby glanced over Emma shoulder. "I would have lost a bet on it." She clapped her hands together to get everyone's attention. "Here she comes. I'll go and get the cake."

As the crowd swelled around them, Regina smoothly moved out of the way to let them greet Granny first. The older woman looked amazed that so many people were in her diner and blushed a little as everyone came forward to wish her a happy birthday. Ruby appeared with the cake and put it up on the bar where everyone could see it.

"Who baked this?" Granny asked with a smile for her granddaughter.

"Don't worry, its homemade but I had a little help from Mary Margaret." Ruby laughed, pointing out her co-conspirator. "And see, just a few candles so no-one has to know how old you are this year."

"Thank you." Granny closed her eyes and blew out the candles.

Everyone cheered and Ruby handed her a knife so that she could begin cutting the cake. Emma spotted Regina and moved towards her, leaning against the counter so they stood next to each other.

"Hey, why are you hiding over here?"

"I'm not hiding."

"I never thought of you as the wallflower type."

Regina cleared her throat. "I'm not."

She just didn't want to spend time in Snow White's company more than she had to. The little traitor was taking centre stage, standing by Granny and helping to pass out the slices of cake. She looked happy. Everyone looked happy. There had to be a flaw in the curse somewhere.

"Damn, you really don't enjoy these things do you?"

"It's not my idea of fun, no, but it could be worse." Then, eager to change the subject and avoid asking how much longer Emma wanted to stay: "Would you like me to get you a slice of cake?"

"I'll get it. Leroy looks ready to start a fight the way he's not getting any closer to the front of the queue."

Regina was a little relieved. "Let me hold your drink then."

"Thanks." Emma passed over the glass and headed off towards the bar.

"Enjoying the party?" Sydney asked once Emma had left, sidling over to take the empty space.

Regina shrugged non-committally. "Is it a big story for the paper, this party?"

"It could be a feel good fluff piece, but not something I'd personally write. Granny is a big part of Storybrooke, perhaps if she was reaching a milestone year…"

"Which of course you've researched…"

"Of course."

"So what are you doing here?"

"Wishing her a happy birthday, the same as everyone else."

"I didn't realise that you were so close."

"She… she helped me through a difficult period of my life a while back… she listened to me and gave me someone to talk to, after refusing to sell me anymore alcohol once I'd reached my limit."

"The sign of a good bartender." Regina sounded sarcastic.

"No, it was more than that. She really seemed to care." He looked into her eyes as he spoke. "Something I needed."

It wasn't a subject Regina wanted brought up. She had given him a useful job in the town, why did he always want more from her. It didn't matter how often she told him, in this world or the last, he still hoped she could care about him. Why didn't he understand?

She saw Emma coming back towards her with two plates and stepped away from Sydney. "Good day, Mr Glass."

"You know, I don't think I've ever seen you at one of these social events in the town before."

Regina checked Emma's status and saw she was delayed talking to someone. "Everyone knows Granny. I just wanted to wish her many happy returns."

"Yet you moved away from her when she arrived, it's curious…"

"Enough." She reached out and grabbed Sydney's arm, her nails digging into his coat.

Her body shielded her actions from the rest of the room. She glared at him, letting him see her full hatred. He reached for her, but she stepped out his way, releasing her own grip on him. She didn't want him touching her.

Her back connected with two plates of cake behind her and she winced as she felt the contents pressed into her coat.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!"

At Emma's voice she took a deep breath. Sydney slipped away as she turned to face Emma and she tried to smile. Emma looked horrified at what had happened.

"How bad is it?" Regina asked.

"I'll take it straight to the dry cleaners and get it cleaned." Emma promised.

Regina slipped the coat off and held it out. "It was my fault, I wasn't looking where I was going."

"I was rushing over… is it ruined?"

She took a serviette from Emma and wiped chunks of cake back onto the plates. Those closest, who had witnessed it, were still watching them. Regina smiled at them to let them know everything was fine and hoping they would go back to their own conversations.

"It's just cake, it'll wash off."

"Regina, I'm so sorry…I'm such a klutz sometimes…"

"It wasn't your fault." Regina repeated, giving up on the coat. "I'll just take the coat home. It won't take more than a few minutes with some warm water to wash it off."

"Okay, I'll come with you."

"You should stay and enjoy the party."

"No, if you're going…"

"I think I can manage on my own. They'll miss you…"

Emma shook her head. "Give me two seconds to say bye to Ruby."

"It's too early for you to leave, she'll want to know why…"

"But…"

"No, stay." Regina allowed her hand to brush against Emma's for a few seconds as she put the serviette on a plate. "I'll see you later, okay?"

Emma nodded. "Of course."

"Enjoy the party."

"I'll try."

Regina laughed and folded her coat over her arm, turning to leave. The exit was blocked by Mary Margaret, forcing Regina to stop for a moment.

"Leaving so soon?" Mary Margaret asked, concern in her voice, then she noticed the coat in the mayors arms. "Oh dear, what happened?"

"Just a little accident with some cake." She took a step forward, but the younger woman didn't move.

"If you need any help getting it out, I know…"

"It's fine. Excuse me." Regina reached for the door and Mary Margaret was forced to move away.