Toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup, nightgown, passport, moneyHave I forgotten anything?

Regina frowned a little as she stuffed yet another blazer into her suitcase. Am I bringing too much clothes? Too little? I'm pretty sure Laura would appreciate that, but I would like to bring enough clothes…

Regina packed an extra pair of shoes. Just to make sure she had something she could actually walk in. The heels on the extra pair of shoes weren't as outrageous as the one she normally donned.

She found it hard to believe that it was actually tomorrow. Tomorrow she would drive to Boston, meet Laura and then they would continue to the airport and fly to Paris.

Where did the time go? Regina wondered as she checked whether she could lift the suitcase or not. Luckily, she could. How did the weeks fly by that fast?

Physically, she was prepared for the trip. She had everything she needed. It was her mental state that had trouble keeping up.

Laura wrote the first message to me eight and a half month ago, and now we're going to Paris together.

Regina shook her head. Now who would have thought that? It wasn't the first time Regina had considered whether she had actually gone mad. Talk about spontaneity.

She was actually a little nervous. It was silly, but she was.

This wasn't Laura's apartment or Storybrooke. This was Paris. Europe. I've never been in Europe before. No, she had been in New York and Boston, and that was it. I'm not even used to travelling. Isn't travelling supposed to be some huge step for couples? What if I fuck something up between Laura and I? I'm good at that. What's the guidelines for travelling together? God, I've never even had a normal relationship.

That was true. She had no idea what normal couples did and didn't do. Because she never had a real relationship before. At least not in the traditional fashion. She wasn't used to dating and reaching relationship milestones. Robin was the closest thing she'd had to a proper relationship, and even with him things hadn't exactly been normal. Their time together had been too short for them to reach any milestones.

What if I do something stupid? What if we get into a fight and Laura gives up on me? Then I'll be screwed and alone in one of the biggest cities in the worl…

Regina interrupted her train of distorted thoughts and scoffed. That was ridiculous. Of course she and Laura wouldn't get into a fight. No. They were gonna have a lovely time in Paris.

If that's the case, then why the hell am I nervous?

Regina was quick to find an explanation for that. Because this was all so completely new. Both Laura and the idea of travelling so far away.

Regina closed the suitcase. She would pack the rest of her belongings tomorrow. If she got up early, she could easily manage.

Now she just had to distract herself until it was time to go. But how? I'm already nervous. And walking around in the empty mansion and count the seconds would probably only make her more nervous.

By some miracle, her distraction arrived in the shape of a text from Snow, asking if Regina wanted to come over to her and David's place tonight and have dinner with them.

Regina immediately texted back and said that yes, she would love to come over for dinner.

So far, so good. Now she was going to be too occupied to think of the upcoming trip tonight. Oh yes? And what about later when you're supposed to sleep? What are you gonna think of then?

Regina scoffed again. She already had an answer for that too. Laura, obviously. She was going to think about Laura. In every way possible until she was too exhausted to actually think.

Regina turned her back on the suitcase and left the bedroom. She had time for a bit of paperwork before heading over to The Charming's. It was better to take care of the paperwork now. That way she wouldn't have that to worry about when she got back home from Paris.

I'm handling things, Regina thought firmly. She was totally in control of things. On top of them, as Laura would say. In charge. Plus, Regina Mills didn't get nervous about anything.

It's just a little holiday. Nothing to it. Just seven days away from Storybrooke. Seven days with Laura. That could make her heart thrum for entirely different reasons. Seven days with Laura was definitely a luxury. No goodbyes or having to get back on the road before nightfall.

If there was something Regina was looking forward to, it was to wake up next to Laura for seven days.

Maybe that thought was enough to cure her anxiety.

For a solid few hours, Regina did a magnificent job at distracting herself with paperwork, then she left the office, bought a bottle of wine and headed over to the Charming's.

Snow White appeared in the door before Regina even pressed the doorbell.

"Regina, hi. Come in," the princess smiled.

"Thank you. I brought wine," Regina said and handed Snow the bottle.

"That was nice of you," Snow beamed and then admonished: "But you shouldn't have."

"Nonsense," Regina said and dismissed her words.

"Come in, come in," the princess said briskly and ushered Regina into the living room.

To Regina's surprise, Emma, Killian and Zelena with Robyn were all seated in the living room.

"Oh." Regina said. "And here I thought it was only me."

"Nope," Emma grinned. "Mom called and invited all of us to the party."

Regina frowned a little. "Which party exactly?"

"Yours," Emma shrugged. "It's called a proper send off."

"Wait a minute," Regina said and felt tempted to roll her eyes. "Are you saying your mother is hosting a going away party because I'm going on vacation for seven days?"

"Yes," Zelena smirked. "Bon Voyage and all that."

Regina shook her head in disbelief. "I think Snow White and I need to have a serious talk about overdoing certain things."

"I'm sure you do," David grinned as he returned from the kitchen with several glasses and the bottle of wine. "But not tonight. Tonight we're celebrating."

"Celebrating that I'm leaving?" Regina teased as she accepted the glass of wine. "I knew you couldn't wait to be rid of me."

That was when Snow came back from the kitchen with her own glass of wine. She clicked her tongue at Regina's statement and said: "You didn't think we'd let you sneak off to Paris without a proper goodbye, did you?"

"It's only seven days," Regina protested vaguely. But nobody paid attention to her, and after toasting, Snow announced that the food was ready.

They were half way through dinner, and Regina was just starting to find Snow's sentiment sweet instead of annoying, when their chatter was interrupted by a distinct "Blong" sound coming from Regina's phone.

"I think someone is trying to get a hold of you," Killian nonchalantly commented.

"I'm well aware, but we're in the middle of dinner. Haven't your wife taught you how rude it is to text in the middle of dinner?" Regina shot back and elicited a chuckle from Emma.

"It could be something important?" Snow said.

"I don't think so," Regina shrugged. It hardly ever was. Her and Laura's conversation always started out sweet and playful and gradually turned more and more R-rated.

Regina waited until the had finished the dinner and were sitting in the living room before she whipped her phone out of her pocket.

[Regina has logged in]

Laura: hey Ms. Witch. All set for tomorrow?

Regina: Yes, I think so. Are you?

Laura: Yep. And I've just checked the forecast. We're gonna have seven days of pure sunshine.

Regina: That sounds good. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Laura: It's safe to say the feeling is mutual.

Regina: How fortunate.

Laura: Can I call you, or are you in the middle of something?

Regina: My family decided to surprise me with a so-called "Bon Voyage"-dinner. Whatever that is. Is there something on your mind, dear?

Laura: No, I just… Wanted to hear your voice.

Regina: That's very sweet.

Laura: But I guess I'll get plenty of opportunity for that tomorrow, won't I?

Regina: Oh, yes. I promise to be a right chatterbox tomorrow if that's what you desire.

Laura: I think you already know what I desire :P

Regina: Careful. I think you're heading toward the gutter again.

Laura: I hope you haven't packed too much clothes. All I'm sayin'.

Regina: And here I was hoping you'd show me the Eiffel Tower...

Laura: Of course I'll show you the Eiffel Tower. And take plenty of pictures of you too.

Regina: Must you?

Laura: Yes, absolutely. I promised my sister.

Regina: Maybe I ought to meet that sister of yours sometimes.

Laura: She'd love that.

"R'Gina!"

Regina looked up from her online conversation when Neal came over to her. He had been out, playing with a school friend, but now he was home again, and he was grinning broadly.

"Hey there, little man," Regina smiled and ruffled his hair.

"What are you doing?" he asked curiously.

"I'm talking to Laura, dear," Regina answered patiently.

"Is she coming to Storybrooke again? She was a nice lady." the child said innocently.

"Of course she is," Regina assured and quickly texted Laura what Neal just said.

Laura found it both sweet and hilarious. It wasn't often anybody called her a lady.

Honest to god, Regina didn't get a full night's sleep, and she was relived when it was finally time to get out of bed. She had jolted awake every two hours, dead certain that she had overslept.

So, she was relieved when she finally could slam her suitcase closed and carry it downstairs. After a quick breakfast and two cups of coffee, she "snuck" out of the mansion.

Storybrooke was quiet. Deserted. It would appear that she could sneak off anyway. She climbed into the Mercedes and as she started the engine she sent a quick text to Zelena, informing her that she would be driving off now. And then she warned Zelena not to blow up Storybrooke while she was gone and help Snow out if she got a problem in her new role of deputy mayor.

Zelena promised to do so and wished Regina a good trip.

Regina chuckled as she neared the town line. Just four hours until she would see Laura again. For some reason, she didn't feel quite as nervous as yesterday. everything was gonna be fine. Better than fine. She and Laura were gonna have a wonderful time in Paris, Regina was sure of that.

For once, Regina didn't bother to switch on the radio. She knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate on the song playing. Her mind was swirling around Laura, around Paris, around sunny cafés and the Eiffel Tower. And Laura.

I'm besotted, Regina dully acknowledged. But maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. Maybe she was fully entitled to be besotted.

And maybe she was more than just besotted. Perhaps her feelings for Laura could be described with one, very dangerous word. But Regina decided not to grant that the mental space right now. One thing at the time. First Paris. Then all the serious stuff.

Regina squeezed the wheel a little tighter. If she allowed herself to think about that right now, there was a mighty fine chance she would run the car off the road and end up in some ditch. And that would be pretty unfortunate.

Exactly four hours later, Regina pulled up in front of Laura's store. Laura was sitting on the bench out front with her suitcase by her feet. She grinned broadly when Regina got out of the car.

"Finally," she said and rose from the bench.

"Did you miss me?" Regina teased lightly.

Laura answered by simply flinging her arms around Regina's neck and kissing her soundly.

Regina responded to the kiss and wrapped her arms around Laura's waist. Public space be damned.

Laura snickered a little as she pulled back. "I was just about to ask if you wanted to come upstairs, but obviously you don't…"

"Not today at least," Regina laughed. "I think it would be better to head for the airport instead."

Laura smiled broadly as they got into the Mercedes.

"Paris here we come," Regina said with more confidence than she had felt yesterday. "Do you have your passport ready, dear?"

"Oui," Laura quipped.

"And everything you need for the competition?"

"Mhmm. Including a guest card for you," Laura said and squeezed Regina's knee slightly. "My plus one. Maybe you can work your magic and charm the judges for me?"

Regina chuckled as she started the engine once more. "No magic outside Storybrooke, dear." She sweetly reminded Laura. "And believe me, you don't need me to charm anyone. You're plenty charming on your own."

Laura grinned at her. "I've looked forward to this."

"Me, too." Regina said as they hit the main road and headed towards the Airport.

"My friends couldn't believe I was travelling with you already," Laura continued and grinned a little. "Called it a whirlwind romance."

"We chatted for ages before we actually met in person," Regina defended.

"Almost four months," Laura sniggered. "I don't think that's forever, Regina."

"Okay, so things have been going a little fast," Regina admitted. "But do you mind it?"

"Are you kidding?" Laura scoffed. "I happen to love fast things,"

Love. Regina's stomach curled, and she was grateful she was forced to look at the road. She meant like, didn't she? It was just a slip, wasn't it?

Laura hummed absentmindedly and seemed completely unaffected by the little dangerous word she just uttered, and Regina quickly convinced herself that it had just been a slip. Laura hadn't meant anything by it. It had just been a casual remark. Nothing more.

When they finally made it to the airport, things seemed to happen in top speed. Like someone had pressed "fast forward". Regina felt like she had only just checked in and sat down in the waiting area when their flight to Charles de Gaulle airport was announced. She followed Laura to the gate, waited along with the other passengers. A stewardess appeared and gave them permission to board.

Regina followed Laura into the plane and felt as some sort of zombie as they sat down on the seats the stewardess pointed them to.

"Everything okay?" Laura asked and squeezed Regina's hand lightly. "You look a bit out of it."

Regina nodded slightly. "I'm nervous," she admitted half-heartedly. "I've never…" she shook her head and grimaced. "Never mind. It's silly."

"You've never been on a plane before?" Laura asked gently.

Regina shook her head. "As I said, it's silly."

"No, it's not," Laura scoffed. "It's okay to be nervous. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No, it's fine," Regina said.

"You don't want me to get you a drink?" Laura quipped.

Regina laughed. "I think I'll manage without the drink," she leaned forward and looked out of the window as the plane took off. However incredible it sounded, they were actually on their way to Paris now.

Regina turned her head slightly and smiled at Laura.

To Be Continued….