Regina glanced up at the rearview mirror. Though she'd pulled the lipstick out of her purse, her makeup looked exactly as it had when she'd left twenty minutes ago. Sighing, she slipped it back into her bag and reached for her phone instead. She was still 10 minutes early.
This was ridiculous. She felt ridiculous, and not an insignificant amount of nerves. Shifting uneasily in her seat, Regina watched the front entrance of Granny's listening for the bell above the door. It seemed somehow louder and more startling than usual.
Resting her hands on the steering wheel, she took a deep breath and tried to quell the roil in her stomach and the pain her chest that kept whispering that this was a bad idea. It had been a constant thought, niggling in the back of her mind since Emma had brought it up a week ago. And when she'd seen the text this morning reminding her of time and place, she didn't feel excited. She felt like all she really wanted to do was lock herself inside and drink and cry. Because wasn't this too soon after Robin?
But it was only because of Robin that Emma had suggested it.
"A blind date?" Regina asked. She should have known something was going on. Emma had knocked far too softly on the door to her office, and her smile was too bright, too forced.
"Yeah it will be fun! I'll get it all set up!"
Her hands were shoved into the back pockets of her jeans, probably because she was nervous and wanted to keep her hands from fidgeting. She should be nervous though. Regina didn't know where she got the idea, but it was a terrible one, and the answer should have been obvious.
"Miss Swan, I know you feel guilty for what happened with Robin, but-"
Emma interjected too quickly.
"This doesn't have anything to do with that."
"Really?"
Regina leaned back in her desk chair and rose an eyebrow. And as predictable as ever, Emma's face suddenly grew sheepish.
"Well, maybe a little."
Of course it did. Regina knew. Emma's guilt had hung heavy between them since she and her hook handed buffoon of a beau had brought Marian back from the past.
But it had been months since Robin left, taken his family for a fresh start in New York. And while Regina ached at the thought of what could have been, she knew it could never have lasted anyway. Happy endings, true love, those were things for other people to have. Not her. Certainly not The Evil Queen.
Still, coming to slow terms with Robin's departure was a far cry from agreeing to Emma's well intentioned but poorly conceived idea of a blind date. That was something else entirely.
Yet, something in Regina stirred at the thought. Part of her just wanted Emma to stop blaming herself. Even if it was her fault, she didn't carry it well and instead of coping with her own heartache Regina found herself helping sooth the savior and reassuring her that she hadn't done anything wrong. After all, Regina had been the one to kill Marian in the first place. But another part of her, quieter and less sure, wanted to try again for happiness.
So, surprising them both Regina had nodded in cautious agreement.
"Just make me one promise," she said, warning in her voice "Tell me it's not with your father."
It was no secret that the Charmings had ended their marriage. While Regina had heard that they were having issues, learning that David had moved out a few months ago still came as a shock. It seemed messy love lives were going around.
But even under better circumstances Regina didn't relish the idea of seeing David 'socially.' And the fact that she even felt the need to explicitly say so made her cringe.
Emma only laughed though, like Regina was joking. She hadn't been, not really, but she was reassured by Emma dismissing it out of hand.
"I promise it's not going to be with David."
Regina nodded again, this time leaning forward. Now that she'd agreed, her mind was spinning with all the ways this could go badly, would go badly. But it seemed that Emma knew her too well. Because just as she was about to rescind her earlier agreement the sheriff quickly added;
"Ok great! I'll get it all figured out. You just be at Granny's this Friday at 7. Back booth. Killian and I will watch Henry."
And with that she was out the door and down the steps before Regina could say anything else.
So here she sat, Friday night. She checked her phone again - 6:55, a few minutes before a date with some mysterious suitor.
While it was a relief to know she wasn't going to walk in and see someone else's prince charming, she worried she should have tried to impart Emma with at least some idea of her taste. After all, there were many people in Storybrooke that would have made a much worse date than David Nolan. Whale for instance. Though Regina had mostly forgiven him for his role in helping Rumpelstiltskin manipulate her, he was still a lech. Some parts of the curse, it seemed, didn't vanish with true love's kiss.
But while Regina certainly had a list of those who would make poor company for lack of interest or abundance of history, there were others who might make for a welcome evening.
Jefferson came to mind. Though they had a past, and a not altogether pleasant one, there had always been chemistry between them. And they shared parenthood. Regina often saw him picking up his daughter, Grace, from school. Surely he would understand more than anyone how children change you.
Even Archie could be a possibility. He had been there for her and for Henry at their most difficult moments. Though at one time, Regina would never have been able to see them together, she couldn't dismiss that despite all the harm she had caused he still advocated for her and believed in her capacity for good. And maybe that was all a relationship needed, trust and support.
The bell above the door chimed, and Regina turned to see who it was. But it was only Leroy and the other dwarfs leaving - speaking of names that should be crossed off the list.
But as she looked again at the diner, she wondered if it could be Red. There was a draw there. It had mostly gone unacknowledged, excepting a few moments years ago. Even so, Regina knew that she and Red had more in common than they'd ever openly talked about. It could act as the basis for something more if they both wanted it.
Looking down again at her phone, it was only 6:56. But if she didn't go in now it was more likely that she would slam the keys into the ignition and drive home. So, checking her reflection one more time, Regina opened the door and got out.
As she walked into Granny's she kept her back straight and head high. The posture of a queen, sure to show none of the nervousness she felt. But glancing around the diner she saw that the back booth was empty.
Although she didn't show it, she was disappointed. Getting here first felt like a disadvantage. Whoever she was supposed to be meeting would know her before she knew them. Of course, she could also take a temporary seat at the counter and switch to the booth once it became clearer who would be joining her…
But as tempting as that was, Regina wouldn't be cowed into hiding or secrecy by anyone, even if her date ended up being closer to Emma's taste than her own. She still wasn't sure how anyone could be that attracted to guyliner and the smell of ocean beat leather.
Sliding into the back booth, she sat facing the front entrance. And fighting the temptation to split her attention between the door and the clock ticking away above it, she opened one of the menus already at the table.
It certainly wasn't going to be a gourmet dinner. Granny's Emma? Really? Storybrooke did have other restaurants. Then again this was the only one that served grilled cheese, so she doubted the sheriff even knew the others. And as Regina continued scanning the menu, each item greasier than the last, she listened for the bell above the door.
When it finally did chime, she looked up only to see Snow White walk inside.
Her eyes immediately landed on Regina, as they always seemed to. Even when she was young, Regina would sometimes feel her skin start to tingle just to turn and see Snow White staring at her. It didn't matter if it was just the two of them seated across the vast royal dining table or in a crowded ballroom.
But just as she had when Snow was young, Regina ignored it and went back to reading the menu.
To her irritation though, Snow walked right up to her.
"Regina?"
Closing the menu, Regina looked up at her making little effort to disguise her irritation. She didn't even stop her eyes flitting back to the door watching for whoever else might still come through it.
"Not now, Snow. I'm waiting for someone."
But Snow didn't move. She just gripped a little tighter at the straps of her purse.
"Seven o'clock back booth?" she asked.
Regina's attention snapped back at that. Even if the bell above the door had rung in that moment, she had stopped listening for it. Her eyes narrowed.
"Yes?"
Snow nodded and a tight smile flashed over her face.
"I think I might be your someone."
And then, of course, she noticed that under her coat Snow was wearing dress. It wasn't like her usual tasteless Sunday school wear either. It was form fitting and a dark red that played off the paleness of her skin. Pieces started to slide together in Regina's mind.
"No. Oh no. Your daughter is in for a very unpleasant phone call."
She started to stand, gathering her coat and bag, but Snow stood at the end of the bench preventing her from sliding out.
"Regina, just wait" Her voice was too soft and patient for what was happening. Regina stood as much as she could, glaring at Snow across the short distance between them.
"Wait? Please don't tell me you knew about this."
Snow's brow creased and her lips pursed into a frown. She shook her head, glancing away from Regina as she did.
"No, I didn't."
Regina nodded and tried again to push past her to leave. But Snow caught her shoulders and firmly lead her back into the booth. Damn her bandit strength.
"But-"
"But what?" Regina snapped.
Their eyes met, and Snow's hands on her shoulders eased. But Regina didn't try and force her way out. They just looked at each other for a moment as the red faded from Regina's vision and pink worked its way onto Snow's cheeks.
"But it could be fun" She said at last. There was no obvious excitement or hesitation in her voice. Her eyes though were bright green, and although they wavered a little at first they seemed to grow more determined the longer Regina looked at her.
Fun.
When had anything between them ever been fun? For years fun was the farthest thing from what they had. Fun lost out to hate and anger and vengeance, and later to grief and regret and heartache.
But so much of that seemed so long ago. And despite everything they were still a part of each other's lives. Maybe because of Emma. Maybe because of Henry. Maybe because Snow refused to give up on her. Maybe because Regina, in her own way, just couldn't let Snow go.
After all, they had Neverland and the missing year, and even the time since when it felt at moments like they were becoming, if not friends, something like it.
"Come on, stay. It will be my treat."
Snow was still standing at the end of the bench. Her hands had fallen from Regina's shoulders and the tight smile from moments earlier had grown softer and more sincere - less stunted by the awkwardness of her daughter setting her up with her former enemy.
Regina wondered briefly if Archie had enough time in the day to deal with all the issues people in Storybrooke probably needed therapy for. And that wasn't even counting the trauma from curses and monsters and blood thirsty witches.
But looking at Snow now, Regina hesitated.
"I don't need you to pay for my dinner, Snow."
And because it wasn't as harsh as it should have been Snow smiled and said;
"Great! Then you can treat me."
With that she slid into the seat across from Regina and started reading the menu.
Regina could have left then. She almost did, the hesitation fluctuating between a desire to leave and write an easy if unexpected end to their story, or stay and see what twists might still be in store. But as she wavered, she caught Snow peeking up at her from over the top of the menu. And as their eyes met, just briefly, Regina sat back down, setting her coat and bag beside her.
So there they were, 7pm, back booth.
At first, they didn't really talk. Half started questions and awkward interruptions slipped into familiar but well worn topics - Henry, Emma, Storybrooke. Even as the conversation built, it came slowly and cautiously. Both were too aware of their history.
Though, truthfully it didn't feel like there was a need to hide anything, disguise their less palatable parts. Both of them knew each other's darkness already. It even seemed that their history, despite all the pain and mess it entailed, helped them really see each other - even if that too was changing moment by moment.
Because there had always been a spark between them, usually igniting into wars and curses and ways to hurt each other. And while that was still there in some ways - both trying to avoid old hurts and stumbling into them regardless - the sparks were also lighting up in a way they hadn't ever before.
Electric.
So as the night went on conversation came easier. They talked, really talked, in a way they never had.
And Regina found Snow surprisingly easy to talk with. She was smart and sharp and funny. She even laughed at Regina's less than polite comments and sardonic jokes - something that usually felt rarer than pixie dust.
It was unexpected how comfortable things felt. They laughed and joked. They ate lasagna that wasn't near as good as Regina's, and Snow had been the one to say so. They even drank the cheap red wine Granny kept in stock, and it didn't seem to bother either of them. And once, without really thinking about it, Regina reached across the table to briefly cover Snow's hand with her own.
It was fun.
"You know, I almost didn't agree to this" Regina said, taking another sip of wine.
"I'm surprised you did" Snow replied, laughing. Regina smiled a little at the sound.
"I know. I think Emma was too. I was surprised she even had the gall to ask. It was only because-" She suddenly stopped herself. A moment of dread swept over her, and she wanted to slide her hands back under the table, over to her purse, so she could grab her keys and run.
But Snow, the one who had always run - run into the woods, run from Regina, run towards her prince and her hero's earned happy ending - kept them both where they were. And with a soft but serious voice she said;
"Because of Robin?"
Regina blinked and lifted her head, looking at the lights above the table to keep the stinging in her eyes at bay. Taking a deep breath she looked back at Snow, who was wearing an almost painfully sincere expression. It was infuriating…mostly because Regina was ready to break apart at the sight of it.
"He was supposed to be my true love. I mean…I knew it wouldn't last, but still I hoped that just because villains don't get happy endings that maybe…"
She trailed off. She didn't want to talk about this, not really, not with Snow. The wine wasn't even strong enough for her pass this off as a half drunk moment of misplaced judgement. Still, as she was about to try regardless, Snow spoke instead - brows knit and a sad smile on her face.
"True love's not all it's cracked up to be. David and I had it, and it wasn't enough."
Then, reaching across the table, she took Regina's hand. It was careful but sure, palm pressed against knuckles, fingers curling lightly.
"Besides, villains may not get happy endings back you still might."
And like her hand in Regina's, her voice was careful and sure, full of the hope that Snow White was known for.
But the lunacy of Snow White saying that to her of all people, made Regina want to tilt her head back and laugh in the face of whatever fate had brought them to this moment. Instead, all that came was a tight stinging breath as she turned to look out the window to her right.
The sun had set and she could see their reflection in the glass. They didn't look like a bandit princess and an evil queen. Not anymore.
And as Regina looked at the window, she didn't pull her hand from Snow's. She might even have, just for a moment, squeezed them a little closer together.
The rest of the night was quieter - still unexpectedly comfortable, but filled with fewer jokes and less laughter. Instead a tentative vulnerability and openness settled around them. And both Snow and Regina eased into it, unwilling to jeopardize this new feeling by saying something that might risk tilting what felt a fragile place back into the violence and antagonism that was all too familiar.
But as dinner drew to a close - wine bottle emptied, bill paid, coats slipped back on, and purses gathered - they stood and left together. The bell above the door chimed as they stepped outside.
In front of Granny's, Regina lingered. Though she'd arrived already eager to go home, now the thought of her house, empty and echoing, was hardly inviting.
But Snow was lingering too.
Though Snow only lived a couple blocks away, and Regina would probably poof her and her car home instead of driving, they both hovered on the sidewalk.
"I know neither of us have done much dating," Snow said finally, her voice light and wavering "But I'm given to understand that a kiss at the end of date is conventional."
Her cheeks were pink, and her eyes were wide and dark green, and she really did look lovely in that dress. Regina blinked.
"Well we've never been conventional, dear."
But even as she said it, she felt a flutter in her stomach. And even though they were standing right in front of Granny's, even though they were both dealing with failed relationships, even though this was Snow White and Regina was Regina, even though Snow's face had stared to shift, ready to wave off the moment - Regina leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek, warm and soft and over in a moment as she felt a flash of embarrassment and pulled back.
Swallowing, Regina started to process what she'd just done. But Snow was smiling.
"I didn't actually think you'd do it"
"Neither did I" Regina said. She could hear a waver of vulnerability in her voice.
But then she saw Snow's eyes soften - a little more than what she wanted, a little more than what she could take tonight. So, offering a tight smile she turned and walked toward her car.
Sliding the key into the lock she opened the door to get in. Before she did though she felt a flash of something wash over her, courage maybe. Or maybe it was that quiet part inside her suddenly welling up in search of happiness. But either way, she turned back to see Snow still standing where she'd been a moment before. And with a tone lower and more provocative than she'd dared since Robin, she said;
"Maybe next time it will be a proper kiss."
Snow's smile was clear and bright.
"Are you asking me out for a second date?" she asked, voice sweet and teasing.
Regina laughed, actually laughed. And before she got into the car and magicked herself home, she matched Snow's smile with one of her own.
"Only if you don't let Emma plan it."
Maybe tonight hadn't been such an awful idea after all.