Emma stood in front of the big imposing white mansion at 108 Mifflin St. She took a deep breath before walking the long way to the door. She had put on her red leather jacket, her armor, the one piece of cloth she owns that brought her some sense of security. She needs it today. She needs all the help she could get tonight. How did we get here? Emma thought. Because behind that big white God damn imposing door stood the only person, she ever loved. The only women she knew it could break her. In the end, she was the one who broke her. Please forgive me. I love you. I will fix this. Walking the long pathway to the women's door Emma felt her chest getting tighter. She needed to fix this, she needed to get her back. She loved her too much to let her go without a fight.

It took every single bit of courage in her body to bring her to ring the doorbell. As crazy as it sounds, not knowing something has its advantages. You can always just wonder what it could be, make up your own happy ending.

"Emma!" Regina said.

"Hi," Emma said back.

"What do you want?" -Regina asked harshly.

"Regina, please, just let me explain!" Emma begged.

"I can't do this right now Emma. I have a date! She will be here any minute, you have to leave."

"You have what? Tell her to back the hell off!"

"And why exactly should I do that Miss Swan"

"Regina…."

"Leave, NOW!"

Emma stood there looking at her. Really looking at her. My God the women truly were beautiful. And Emma felt angry at herself. How the hell could she be so fucking stupid? How could she possibly make her go through this hell? She looked into Regina's eyes and saw them watering. At that moment she knew Regina still had feelings for her. She still had a chance and she was going to take it.

"Do you love me?" Emma asked.

"What?" Regina asked back.

"Do you love me, Regina?" Emma asked again.

"Of course I do. But that doesn't change anything. You and I… It's over Emma. I don't trust you anymore"

"Don't say that, Regina "

"Please, Emma you have to go. She is going to be here any minute now. Please, just leave"

"I'm going to get you back, Regina"

Emma said and turn around to leave. She walked towards her bug thinking about what Regina said. She still loves her. And that is all that matters for now. She got inside her bug and drove away with a smile forming on her lips for the first time in months.

One year earlier…

"Emma, are you almost done? I'd like to get there before the year actually ends you know"

"Jesus Elsa, you do realize that it isn't New Year until midnight right? It's like ten-thirty right now, just chill"

"Oh, and how exactly do you suppose we get there in time for the globe countdown? Or are you just going to puff us there with all your magic princess?"

"You do realize that you are the one with the name of a Princess here, right?"

"That's got nothing to do with the animation. It happens to be a very popular name in Sweden."

"Whatever you say, Princess" Emma said winking at her.

"Emma, come on, it's not just about getting there you know? We still need to find somebody to kiss before midnight to bring us luck for the new year"

"Yeah, or herpes"

"Eww. Come on! I'm sure there will be a nice girl there for you to kiss and make all of your dreams come true."

"Yeah, I'm sure I'm going to meet my true love by kissing a complete stranger on a New year in New York"

"Yeah, exactly! Can we please go now?

"Yep! I'm ready. Let's go."

Emma hated New York. Especially this time of the year. The city was just too crowded. And there were all the lights and the fake smiles and all the people gathering around pretending to love their friends and family. Family, Emma thought. That was a strange concept to her. Growing up as an orphan really does a number on you. Emma didn't believe in love. Not really. Not that true love kind that you read in fairy tales. Nope. That's was a load of crap. She walked with Elsa towards Times Square. Luckily their Hotel room wasn't too far from it. It would be impossible to catch a Taxi there. And expansive. That was a city that overcharged for everything. While they were walking she couldn't help bumping into other people. God, she was glad she moved out of that city. It was nice and all when she was young, but now, she couldn't be happier with her quiet life in Storybrooke.

"Emma, come on! We're almost there!" Elsa said.

"That we are," Emma said with a laugh.

Elsa was eager. This was her first New Year's eve in New York. She was talking about it for months. Ever since Emma agreed to come with her. Emma couldn't say no to her. The girl was just too nice. Best roommate she ever had. Also, she gave her free gelatos every time Emma went to the ice cream shop where she works. Which was all the time between rounds. They kept walking and barely made it on time. There were only five minutes left for the new year and Elsa was flirting with everyone around to get her good luck kiss at midnight. She actually believes that kind of crap. Emma kept looking around the sea of people when her eyes landed on a brunette woman. She was the most beautiful woman Emma had ever seen in her life. Emma couldn't stop looking at her. She felt her heart racing. She kept looking and notice that the woman looked back at her. Their eyes met and she flashed Emma a smile. And dear God, if Emma was lost before now she was far beyond the return. She had to talk to her. Elsa was right. She found who she wanted to kiss at midnight.

Emma saw Elsa talking to a guy and decided to walk over to the brunette women. She bumped into another thousand people trying to get to her. God, she hoped that stupid ball would stay up long enough for her to talk to the brunette. She didn't look like she belongs there. She was dressed so elegantly. But then again, this was New York. It shouldn't surprise her. After bumping and get bum into a few more people Emma stood right next to the woman.

"You know, a girl like you, shouldn't be in a place like this all by herself. Way too many creeps"

"And who says I'm here alone?"

"Well, so far, I haven't seen anyone jumping to your defense. Which is actually the most unbelievable part of it"

"That's because Katheryn went to get us some drinks…Whatever this drinking selling place is"

"Oh! Is Katheryn your girlfriend?"

"Well dear, she's a girl who is my friend."

"So, not your girlfriend!"

The people around them started to scream and cheer. The silver ball was coming down. Then, in unison, they all started to count down for the New Year.

Ten…

Nine…

Eight…

"You know its bad luck to get into a new year without kissing someone," Emma said

"Is that so, dear? "

Seven…

Six…

Five…

"Yeah, I mean, people say that. My best friend believes in that. Who am I to go against popular beliefs? "

"Well, I don't know you, dear. "

Four…

Three…

Two…

" I strongly believe in this one," Emma said

"Do you?"

"Yes!"

One.

And Emma kissed her. She put her gloved covered hands on the woman's cheek and kissed her. When their lips touched Emma felt the women's body go rigid and she wondered if she had done the wrong thing. She should have asked her first. She shouldn't just kiss her. Emma was about to let it go of her and apologize for kissing without her consent when she felt the woman kiss her back. She opened her mouth a bit to aloud Emma's tongue to enter hers and God, Emma felt like she was in heaven. For a moment she forgot everything around her. The noises, the people, even Elsa, it all faded away. There were just her and the nameless brunette at that moment. And Emma didn't want that to stop. Never. She tasted like apples and cinnamon and surprisingly, alcohol.

Eventually, the need for air made Emma broke apart from her. That little bubble was broken and all the surroundings came back, all at once. Reluctantly pulled away from the woman. She smiled looking at her. Her lipstick was a bit smudge and Emma felt oddly proud of herself. She did that. The woman smiled back at her. God, how could a human being look this beautiful? Maybe, Elsa was right. Maybe a crowded Times Square in New Year was exactly where Emma was going to find her true love.

"I'm Emma" She introduced herself.

"Regina"