Chapter 1

The door opens widely. She strides in as she always does like she owns the room; the power exuding off her. She always finds it funny as she does not feel as powerful as she portrays. She is quiet a people person and very approachable. All she wanted in this world was to use her career to help others and make their lives better. Then there they were. Those Veridian eyes! The ones she hated to remember but couldn't bear to forget. The ones that had been dotted throughout her life like the stars spotted the skies above. Then there was that blonde hair. Those princess curls still falling in an unruly manner like she had always loved them. The stature was fuller now womanlier than she remembered. She could not take her eyes off her.

"Emma", the name crossed her lips before she had given her lips permission to open.

FLASHBACK

She clutched her mothers' hand tightly which received a gently comforting squeeze n return. Her mother was always encouraging her. She was a shy child who always favoured staying around her mother and father than playing with other children. This first day of school is overwhelming her. She clutches her lunch bag in her hand as she wills the tears to stay where they are and not fall. She doesn't want to cry in front of them. Doesn't want to show any weakness. Her mother gently guides her to the chair with her name on it. She sits but is hunching and keeping herself to herself.

"Hi", she hears from beside her. She slowly turns her head to see curious green eyes staring back. A shy but somehow confident and cheeky smile and blonde hair in two plates down either side of her head. The blond girl tilts her head to the side watching this new girl that has sat at her table. She concludes in her head rather quickly that she likes this shy little brunette.

"I'm Emma. What's your name?" says the cheeky blonde

Her mother tries to encourage a response as she bends down beside her and gently speaks in her ear.

"It's ok sweetheart. You can talk to her mi amora" her mother gently encourages.

"Re- Regina" she quivers out while trying not to let the break in her voice out.

"You don't have to be scared. I can protect you. I am very strong and very brave" the little blonde girl says as she beams up at her proud mother beside her, who is absolutely beaming.

And never was a truer word spoken. Emma was always there for her from that day forward. Until she wasn't, until she was gone, disappeared…..

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Mayor Mills you are very welcome to our little after school program. I hope you will enjoy your visit to us today. I think we better get going it was made clear to us you had limited time on your schedule to see us due to the demands of your campaign" Emma says as her eyes wander over Regina's shoulder to the blonde standing behind her.

It is robotically said. Almost like it was written for her to say. A small smile adorns her face that does not make her eyes sparkle. Not like any of the many thousands that Regina had been on the end of through the years.

"Lead the way", Regina says in a barely audible voice. Again, trying to keep that break in her voice away just like the first day they had met. This is not the Emma she remembers. The warm lovable person that she knew from her past. The little girl that protected her as they grew up.

"Follow me. We are a small after school club here working with mostly foster children. We have been working for about seven years. The children come here after their school has finished. We help with homework. We offer help to them with any learning difficulties they may have. We also have counselling services provided for them to by the wonderful Doctor Archie Hopper. He is wonderful with the children and we have seen them grow in leaps and bounds after having sessions with Archie. Ah just in time Archie this is Mayor Mills from Storybrooke, Mayor Mills this is our in-house counsellor Archie Hopper", Emma reams off as she has rehearsed it so many times in her head. She has been trying to do this with the least emotion possible as she tries to get this done swiftly and get Regina out of here. And why did she have to look that good? That was not helping Emma at all. She can smell her perfume. The perfume that comforted her for so many years. The one that made her smile.

"In here is our kitchen. We have very nutritional meals available for the children. Cooked by our wonderful in house cook Eugenie or as we like to call her "Granny", Emma smiles as Granny emerges from the big fridge carrying a basket of vegetables to prepare.

"Ah Mayor Mills it is a pleasure to meet you. I hope you know you already have my vote for the senate no need to campaign me" she says as she points to the badge on her cardigan of saying vote Mills.

"We sisters have to stick together", Granny finishes with a laugh.

"Why thank you Granny", Regina responds with a wide smile. Not the beaming smile Emma thinks to herself.

Emma smiles too but again no sparkle as Regina chances a glance at her. As their eyes meet Emma quickly diverts her gaze again landing on the blonde over Regina's shoulder. Regina begins to think that this is more that a coincidence that this keeps happening. Regina turns her head and looks at her campaign manager Mal Belfries. Mal's eyes are narrowed as she stares at Emma. When Mal realises Regina is looking the gaze softens and she nods and smiles at Regina as Emma takes steps to continue the tour.

She misses those eyes. They visit her dreams regularly, and while she misses them, they do bring her a sense of comfort when she sees them in her dreams. She has so many questions for Emma. She wishes that the tour was over and that she could have some alone time with Emma.

Authors Note - Ok, so going to give this another go and see can my writing skills improve. Have taken this story down and am re writing and fixing any mistakes I made. I hope you enjoy it and reviews to help me out are greatly accepted.