A/N: A lot of readers (if I can call them that) are still making complaints about Regina and her choice to sacrifice. I ask kindly that you please keep quiet and simply stop reading if this story is too ridiculous for you. Complaining about how this isn't a good story isn't going to make it any better. And it frankly, only gives me a headache. To my real and faithful readers who haven't given up on me and this story, this chapter goes out to you! 3 I only hope you continue to like and fully enjoy it. You guys are what have made me not give up on this story. And there has been plenty of times where I've thought about it, truthfully. But it will be finished and as you will see from the ending of this chapter, our ladies destinies are soon to be crossed! ;)

Ruby looked over by the front door of the bar, "Where's your friend? Emma here has been really excited to meet her." She grinned over to the blonde as Emma only rolled her eyes. Hating the idea of being set up with a friend.

Dating was far from her mind. Despite the time that had passed.

"She should be here any minute. She just got held back at work." Belle smiled, looking over at the blonde, "So what do you do, Emma? Ruby here hasn't shut up about you since we met."

"Nothing special, really." Emma shrugged.

"Oh, stop!" Ruby waved her off, looking over at Belle, "She's a writer."

"Hardly." Emma argued.

"And a very good one."

"Really?" Belle smiled at the blonde, "I don't believe I've read anything of yours yet. What have you written?"

Emma shook her head, her tone sad. She wasn't trying to be rude, she just wasn't feeling this night.

"There she is!" Belle ran towards her friend to meet her by the entrance.

Ruby leaned into Emma, "Em, cheer up. It's been six years-"

"I know how long it's been, Ruby." Emma met her gaze, looking back down at the bowl of peanuts in front of her, "I just didn't think she'd ever move away."

"Well," She paused, trying to find the right words, seeing that even after six years, Emma had been struggling with getting over Regina. Not that she was really trying to. "Maybe it's better that way." She continued as Emma's eyes looked up at her, "I'm not trying to rain on your parade here, Em, but would you really want to talk to her if she walked into this bar right now and said, 'Emma, I'm sorry. I made a six year mistake, but I never stopped loving you. Please, forgive me?'

Emma remained silent for a moment. It was true, over the course of six years, she grew angry about this entire situation. Because there was still something there for the brunette that stole her heart years ago. A small fire that if tended to, would surface up again.

But just as she was about to answer, Ruby spoke with a change of conversation, "Here comes Belle with her friend. Just… be nice? Please. I know it's hard, but try to have fun tonight. Have a drink. It's on me." Ruby smiled as she took Belle's hand, her eyes meeting with the new friend.

"What are you having?" Asked the bartender as he looked down at Emma.

"Just a beer for now. Thank you." She spoke softly, hearing Ruby's voice behind her.

"This is my friend Emma."

"Rambo?" The girl called out, as Emma turned around in her seat at the sound of the new voice that had joined them. She smiled at the sight of the blonde, "It is you."

"Wait, you two know each other?" Ruby asked.

"It was years ago. I was on vacation in Germany and I had an issue with an ex. Rambo here came in and saved me like a true savior."

"Em, how come you never told me that?" Ruby nudged her arm, her smirk full on just as Belle's was.

"It wasn't a big deal. I'm sure you would have done the same." Said Emma, taking a much needed drink of her beer.

"It was to me. I never forgot all about my savior." She smiled, her eyes on Emma, "You should have seen her. It was a pretty heroic move." The blonde looked different, much older. If she were to guess, she would be twenty-seven by now.

The jukebox played throughout the bar, and as soon as the first song started, Belle was quick to take Ruby by the hand, leading her towards the center of the bar where there was plenty of room to dance in.

"Come on! I love this song." Said Belle, giving Ruby no choice but to please her girlfriend in a dance. Not that she minded. She loved to dance.

Their new companion took that opportunity to take a seat next to the blonde, her smile never leaving her. "They're pretty cute together, huh?"

Emma looked over her shoulder at Ruby and Belle dancing, turning quickly back around, placing the bottle near her lips as she answered, "Yeah, Belle seems good for her."

"So, Rambo has a name, huh? Emma?" She asked, and at the blonde's nod she extended her hand towards her, "I'm Lily. Lily Page, and please, don't make any jokes," She rolled her eyes, "I've heard them all."

Emma looked down at Lily's hand, shaking it out of courtesy, "Lucky for you, I'm all out of jokes."

"I'll settle for a drink." Lily winked playfully, enjoying the blonde's company even if she wasn't the light of the party.

Emma couldn't help but notice the brunette's smile and happy state of mood. It reminded her so much of herself years ago. "What's your poison?" She asked.

Lily shrugged, removing her jacket as she laid it out on the seat next to her, "A beer is fine for now, thank you."

Emma raised her hand, signaling the bartender as he nodded, quickly providing the brunette with a beer as he placed it in front of her.

"Thank you." Lily smiled at the man, taking a sip of her beer, savoring the liquor as it stimulated her taste buds and ran right down her throat. "Mmm…" Her eyes closed, "God, I've been dying for a drink all night." She looked over at Emma as she was giving her a weird look, a look which made her smile, "Sorry. Long day at work."

"Do I want to know what you do?" Asked Emma, taking another drink of her beer.

"I'm a cop. Detective, actually." Lily chuckled at the surprised look the blonde gave her, "I know. I know what you're thinking. How could I possibly be a cop if, when you met me, I had my face bruised up, right?"

"That thought did cross my mind." Emma nodded, finishing the rest of her beer, soon ordering another.

"Well, that was years ago. I was in a really bad place in my life, as you well saw." She rolled her eyes, not proud of that moment in her life, "But, luckily after that trip I got out of it and decided that it was the best decision I could have made. I found my strength in life and just went for what I wanted."

Emma nodded, raising her bottle towards Lily, "Good for you. You look different than what I remember."

"You look different too," Lily chuckled, "Although, I do remember you being more… happier. Now, you just look…"

Emma's eyes met with hers as she waited for her answer.

"Vulnerable." Her voice was soft, "Maybe a little sad."

"Just a little?" Emma's brow raised, that being something new anyone had ever told her.

Lily smiled, "Well… a smile certainly wouldn't kill you." She took a drink of her beer, her eyes focused on Emma. The woman did look different, still a good different. Older than she remembered her to be. "I have to say, when Belle told me she had a friend to introduce me to, I never imagined it would be you."

"Disappointed?" Asked Emma.

Lily's brow raised, "Do I look disappointed to you?"

Emma chuckled, "Give it time."

"You know, I do remember you being a little more optimistic before." Lily chuckled, "I mean, come on. You were a soldier, who might I add disarmed a gun single handedly, which was pretty impressive. You can't be all that bad, Rambo." Her eyes looked her over, "I'm certainly enjoying the company."

It was then, Emma let out a small laugh, bringing her beer to her lips as she took a drink.

"Did I miss something? What's the joke?"

Emma looked over at Lily, "You're the first one to say that to me in a long time. I haven't been much for company lately. Half of a town would disagree with you."

Lily's brow raised, "Half a town? Hm." She paused, "Well I'll gladly prove them wrong any day."

Emma's brows furrowed as she looked over Lily. Did she really have this much faith in her to be a fun person all over again? She had to wonder. She remembered when she was optimistic about the future, about people. And as she looked into Lily's eyes, she couldn't help but remember herself, the way she was with Regina. She turned her attention back to her beer, drinking the last drop.

The soft guitar sounds and voice Hozier's Cherry Wine began to play throughout the bar, straight out of the jukebox.

Lily glanced over at Belle and Ruby who's bodies remained entertwined with one another in a dance so slow, she envied them. She turned to look at the blonde next to her, a cheeky twinkle in her eye as a smirk formed on her lips.

That caught Emma's attention as she could feel her eyes burning a hole right through her, "What?"

"So you rescue women in distress like a white knight on a horse, after fighting battles that weren't your own like John Rambo." She paused, glancing over at her friend as she danced with her girlfriend, "But can she dance?"

Emma turned to look at Lily with a questioning gaze, shaking her head, "Sorry. I haven't danced for years, I'm afraid, my leg wouldn't be up for it."

"War injury?" Asked Lily.

The blonde nodded, "I almost lost it."

Lily nodded, standing up from the stool as Emma followed her every move, "Well, lucky for you, it's a slow song." She took the blonde's hand, not giving her a chance to protest against dancing as she walked her towards the center of the bar.

The only sound Emma made was that of a soft grunt as her leg was definitely feeling the running she had done on it earlier.

"Relax, I'll go easy on you. I promise." Lily smiled, her hand resting on the blonde's shoulder, while the other remained linked with Emma's own hand. "It's just a dance, Emma," She whispered, her eyes locking into the blonde's green ones as she could feel her body tense up at her contact, "Not a marriage proposal."

Emma looked over at Ruby, noticing she was too distracted with Belle to even notice her in this dancing situation. She nodded as her other hand rested on the woman's hips. Her hand shook at the contact because it had been a long time since she's had this type of contact with anyone. Let alone dance with anyone.

Her body soon relaxed enough to follow Lily's slow steps as they swayed to the song.

Lily's eyes were locked on the soldier's, taking in their dance, even if Emma's eyes weren't always focused on her. "I hope your girlfriend won't mind us dancing. I remember the last time you told me you were seeing someone."

"That was then." Emma's voice was low, her jaw clenching at the memory.

"Oh? Is she the reason why you're such a serious person now?" Lily asked, keeping up with their swaying as her hand left the blonde's, while it traveled over her shoulder as she could feel her wanting to pull away, "Hold up, Rambo. We aren't done dancing yet." Her arms tightened around Emma's neck. "We don't have to talk about anything you don't want to. I'm sorry I asked."

Emma's eyes looked into Lily's green ones, her voice still as low as she could feel her body starting to relax again, her free hand resting on the other side of the brunette's hips.

"I thought of you, you know," Lily's voice was as soft as Emma's now, "No one ever stuck up for me like you did back in Germany. No one that cared anyway."

"What makes you think I did?" Asked Emma.

Lily's eyes locked on the blonde's again, a small smile tugging at her lips, "You wouldn't of gotten involved if you didn't."

"Maybe I was trying to be nice."

The brunette chuckled, "Call it whatever you want. Point is, I always wondered if I would ever see you again. To thank you properly."

Emma froze as the next thing she felt were the woman's lips make contact with her own. They remained there for a while, until Lily backed away, remaining close to the blonde's body.

"I'm sorry. Was that wrong?" Asked Lily as she was unable to decipher the look in Emma's eyes. "I can be very direct, I know. I don't mean to freak you out, I just… I couldn't kiss you then, given the circumstances and call me crazy, but I regretted not to." She sighed, "And as direct as I am, now that we are both not seeing anyone. I was thinking that maybe I could finally thank you?"

Was she really offering to sleep with her? She certainly had that lustful look in her eyes. Emma had to admit, Lily was quite attractive, sure. Who wouldn't want to sleep with her? God knew she could use some bodily contact. What could it hurt, really? Lily was the one offering after all.

"Just so you know…" Emma replied, in all honesty, "I don't do relationships anymore."

Lily chuckled, "What a relief. Neither do I. So, I guess this works out well for the both of us." She paused, "So, why don't we stick around for a while longer and have more drinks, enjoy each other's company and we'll take it from there. If anything does happen between us, we can always blame it on the alcohol."

Drinks did happen. Emma found herself enjoying the brunette's company after they exchanged a few more words over shots. She discovered that with a few drinks in her, Lily could become rather flirtatious. Which she quite enjoyed, once alcohol took over her system.

And even if her brain thought about a certain brunette, once Lily offered for her to go back to her place for more fun. Emma was all for it.

After all. It had been six years. Six long years without any type of physical contact of any type. Six long years of unsatisfied scratching that itch of loneliness she would sometimes feel.

I mean, honestly, what was wrong with a one night stand? And who was she turn down such an offer from an incredibly attractive woman like Lily?

Bodies crashed inside the brunette's apartment. Both women groaned into their shared, heated kiss as their bodies hit the wall near the entrance. Lily's hands slipped off the blonde's leather jacket, allowing it to pool on the floor.

Lily parted from their kiss, looking into Emma's green eyes, her breath panting, "You don't think I'm too fast, do you?"

"Fast or slow, I like the direction you're going." Emma's voice was low and filled with lust.

Lily smirked, her lips nearing the blonde's again as they danced in this seductive kiss. She turned their bodies over, slamming Emma against the wall causing her to release a grunt, while Lily's tongue, teeth and lips worshiped her neck. All while her hands worked on her jeans. Happy to find a soaked sex before her as her hand slipped within the entrance of unbuttoned jeans.

Emma couldn't help but release a moan as the woman's fingers entered her, followed by a hard pinch of her teeth biting down on her most sensitive spot.

Lily moaned with pleasure and satisfaction after obtaining the reaction she most wanted.

That was the seal on this one night stand.

The blonde's hands didn't waste anymore time in traveling down the brunette's sides, hips, all the way down to cup her butt cheeks. Lily released a soft groan as the next thing she felt was how Emma's hands squeezed, raising her up as their bodies turned while she was slammed against the same wall. Hard.

Something Lily didn't mind one bit, as she bit the blonde's bottom lip, pulling it with the edge of her teeth. Her eyes falling on a small red pearl that rested finely on the blonde's lip. "Sorry. I guess it's been a while." She whispered.

Emma licked at her bottom lip, as the metallic taste of blood only stimulated her senses. Quickly, she moved towards the bedroom, her body falling right on Lily's. Lips crashing onto hers in a lustful kiss, while the other woman's hand worked on undoing her jeans.

This wasn't meant to be loving. It wasn't meant to be gentle, for either of them.

And it wasn't. All those years, all that time dealing with pain, heartache and anger came out for both women. Sex was their only way of communicating what they felt, what they carried throughout the years.

And that was okay. As long as no feelings were involved.

Claps and cheers were heard all through the house in New York, as Henry celebrated his sixth birthday. He had blown out his candles with everyone gathered around him. Robin stood before him, taking pictures. A smile on his face.

"It's crazy how big he's gotten over the years." Said Kathryn, leaning into the brunette. Watching her smile grow over her son. Having Henry finally gave Regina some peace and tranquility in all this mess of a situation. But she knew, from the look in her eyes that Emma still lingered in her memory and heart.

A knock was heard at the door, to which Regina walked over to answer. A smiling redhead greeted her on the other side of the door as she held a gift in her hands.

"May I help you?" Asked Regina.

"I hope I'm not too late. I'm here to see the birthday boy."

Regina smiled, reaching for the gift, which was pulled away from her.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to give it to him myself." The redhead smiled. Her smile only growing at the sight of Robin as he stood behind Regina. "Robin. I hope I'm not too late to wish Henry a happy birthday."

"Not at all," Robin smiled, pulling open the door, "Come right in. He's right over there. We're just getting ready to cut the cake."

Regina caught Robin by the arm, not having seen the woman before, "Who is that woman?"

"She's the wife of one of my colleagues. She's seen Henry from the pictures in my office. I invited her." He made his way past the brunette, gathering around the crowd as Henry opened up his new present excitedly.

Regina stood next to Kathryn as both women's eyes remained on the redhead as they watched him closely with Henry. She was very affectionate with the boy, more than anyone should be. Almost as if he were her own child.

"Do you know who that is?" Regina asked Kathryn, to which the blonde shook her head.

"No idea," Her eyes focused on her interaction with Robin, "Robin seems to know her well, it seems. Don't you think?"

Once the party was over. Robin and Regina were left to clean up the entire mess that's typically left after a successful gathering.

"You seemed overly friendly with that woman tonight. You treat all your colleagues wives the same way?" The brunette asked, washing the dishes that were used for the cake. While Robin walked around the kitchen, throwing empty cups and napkins into a trash bag. Along with torn up wrapping paper.

He chuckled, tossing a couple of empty cups into the trash bag, "After six years of being together, now you're going to tell me you are jealous?"

Regina chuckled, dropping the plates as they clattered onto the sink as she faced the man, "I have yet to see the day I get jealous over you, Robin. I just don't like being lied to. Especially not in front of Henry."

His brows shot up to meet his hairline, "You're one to talk. You lied to Emma convincingly enough, making her think we had an affair. All those years ago," he chuckled, getting back to throwing trash into the bag.

Regina's lip curled up as she walked up to the man, delivering a hard slap across his face. Which Robin stared her down after with anger written all over his eyes. "Don't you dare throw that in my face. Ever. You have no right."

"You have no right in telling me who I can and can not see either. Not when we haven't been together for years." Robin spoke through clenched teeth.

"Are you admitting you have something with that woman?" Regina's brow raised, "I wonder how she would take the news of you being into blackmail and rapist for six years."

Robin held up a finger towards the woman's face in warning. She could practically see words on the tip of his tongue that couldn't make their way out. He simply dropped the bag, his jaw clenching before the brunette, "I haven't touched you for six years. You should be thrilled about that. Unlike you, Zelena gives me what you never did. I got what I needed from you, which is Henry. We aren't married, so I don't see the problem in looking for affection elsewhere."

"Frankly, Robin. I could care less who you sleep with, or what you do with your life. But I do ask that you respect Henry and not bring her into this house again. Or I swear to you, I will take him with me and you will never see him again."

Robin closed the distance between them, ready to say something in reply but was interrupted as soon as Henry walked into the kitchen with a stuffed animal of a dog in hand. Causing both Robin and the brunette to look over to his small figure.

"Henry, what are you doing out of bed?" Asked Regina, to which Henry looked at his mother with a pout and worried eyes that he would get in trouble.

"I had an accident."

The brunette looked down at the spot on his pajama pants as she walked over to the small boy, kneeling before him as she brushed his bangs away from his face. Which were getting longer each time she saw them. "Oh, sweetheart, that's alright. It's just an accident. Everyone has accidents." She smiled, which made Henry smile a little. "Come on. Let's go up to your room and get you all cleaned up so we can get you into bed. You can sleep with me tonight."

Once Henry was clean and tucked into his mother's bed, Regina leaned down to kiss him on the cheek, smiling down at him as she always did. "That's much better, hm?" She smiled again as Henry nodded.

"Is daddy mad?" He asked in a soft voice, his tiny arms holding onto his stuffed dog.

Regina shook her head, not wanting to alarm him with their troubles. Not when he was still a small boy, "No. He's just stressed, that's all. That's the life of a doctor."

"You a doctor too."

Regina chuckled, "Yes, I am. But I don't have the amount of stress your dad does. Everyone is different." She leaned in to place another kiss on the boy's forehead this time, "Go to sleep now, Henry. I need to go finish cleaning downstairs and then I'll be back up in here with you."

Henry nodded, snuggling into the gigantic bed as he held his stuffed animal closer to his tiny body.

"Mama?" Regina turned to look at her son as she headed towards the door, waiting for him to ask his question next. "You think I can get a doggy?"

The brunette chuckled, "We'll talk about that tomorrow while we are at the park, alright?" She smiled again as Henry simply nodded, closing his eyes, allowing sleep to take over.

It was around five in the morning when Emma's phone chimed. The screen illuminating the room a bit as her eyes opened up slowly. Her head throbbing from the obvious hangover. Along with her leg as it began to feel the strain she had placed on it. She hissed softly from both the spinning sensation as well as the pain in her leg. Her eyes looking over at Lily's naked body that slept next to her. She groaned as she rubbed at her eyes, reaching for her phone to see an email from a publishing company. Her thumb clicked clicked on the email as she read it to herself.

Dear Ms. Swan,

We are happy to inform you that Mrs. Victoria Belfrey has received and looked over your manuscript as a writer for HarperCollins Publishers. She would love a meeting with you to discuss further details on your first book deal. A plane ticket and hotel room will be covered as part of the company's expenses. Details of your flight have been attached. We hope to see you here first thing tomorrow morning.

Sincerely,

The HarperCollins Publishers Team, N.Y.

A/N: For those of you cheering for Lily and Emma to become a thing. I'm sorry to disappoint you but it will NOT happen. This is a SQ endgame story after all.