A/N: Just a short chapter today. I'm preparing to move back from Asia to the UK after 5 years abroad so I've got a lot to do. There will probably be only weekly chapters for a while now, sorry!

Ten o'clock on a Monday morning had been chosen as Regina's regular meeting with Belle. In fact, the week before she had met several times with the psychologist, starting to open up about what had happened which drove her to Swan's Shelter and what her plans for the future were.

As she walked down the hallway to meet the woman that Monday, however, Regina realised that she and Emma hadn't discussed whether or not their relationship was something she had to keep secret from Belle. Emma had already mentioned not wanting her staff to know but did that include Regina's own therapist? How was Regina supposed to talk about how she felt, her hopes for the future, if she couldn't talk about Emma?

Because, in just two short days, her future had suddenly filled with the blonde. The turnaround from Friday night was dramatic. There were still moments of doubt and self-hatred which Regina had to deal with but for the most part, with soft touches and gentle words and a look in her eyes the brunette couldn't describe, Emma was making sure Regina knew that whatever between them wasn't just a fling.

But did that mean Emma was ok with her employee knowing about their blossoming relationship? Or dating, as they had established last night. Regina cursed herself for not clarifying with Emma how she wanted to play this, but she was out of time as she found herself outside Belle's office door, knuckles rapping on closed wood.

"Regina, come on in," Belle smiled as she opened the door and greeted her next appointment. "How was your weekend?"

"Great, thank you," Regina said, taking her usual seat. "How was yours?"

"It was lovely, thank you for asking," Belle replied, a well-trained eye taking in the change in the woman before her. The woman was radiating happiness. "What did you get up to?"

"What? Nothing," Regina said, suddenly defensive, the smile on her lips fading.

Belle cocked her head. "You just stayed in the shelter?"

"Um, yes," Regina nodded, feeling her cheeks already begin to tinge red. How was she going to keep this up for an hour? Sooner or later, she was going to let the secret slip. "Henry and I stayed here both days."

"Ok," Belle said slowly. "And how is Henry? Was he good about returning to school today?"

"He couldn't wait," Regina explained, grateful for the change of subject. "He's been talking about school all weekend. His friendship with Roland has been a lifesaver. He's so happy, considering everything that's happened and all the change he's gone through. I've told him we'll look for an apartment nearby so he can continue to study there."

"An apartment? Already?"

Regina shrugged. "Well, I've got to get on with life some time, right? I would like to start looking at jobs this week and then see if I can get myself a few interviews. How do I go about doing that, by the way? I don't want to connect Henry's iPad to the internet in case Leo tracks its location and I don't have a cellphone or computer. I don't even have a CV."

"Speak with Emma. She usually helps the women find suitable jobs and she has several connections to local businesses. How are things going with Emma, by the way?"

"Why?"

Once again, Belle's internal radar picked up on the defensive tone. "Because last week when we talked you mentioned the past the two of you shared and how you were concerned about her being your first point of contact here. Is that still the case or are you feeling more comfortable with the arrangement?"

"Oh, yeah, no I'm fine now. Thanks," Regina mumbled. Yeah, there is no way I'm going to be able to keep this quiet, the brunette thought to herself. The next time I see Emma, I'm going to ask her if I can tell Belle about us. And kiss her. I'll kiss Emma and then ask if I can talk to Belle about our relationship. In that order. Kisses come first. Soft lips, fingers tangled in blonde hair, bodies pressed -

"Regina?"

Her name snapped the brunette back into the room, eyes refocusing on the woman who was looking curiously at her. "What?"

"Are you ok?"

"Yes," Regina replied quickly. "Just, um, thinking about jobs."

"Well, the fact that you're looking towards the future is a great sign. I'll leave it to Emma to help you get set up with a resumé and everything. For now, can we go back to what we were talking about last week? You were telling me how your marriage to Leo came about and what it was which signaled, for you, the change in your ex-husband's behavior and his attitude towards both you and Henry."

Regina took a deep breath and nodded, recommencing the story she had begun to divulge to Belle, wondering as she did so when she would tell Emma all the sordid details of what had happened in her marriage.

Soft piano music filtered quietly from the laptop as the blonde worked, tapping a pen against her lip as she reviewed the sheet in front of her. It was a Monday afternoon ritual; checking her personal banking to make sure she could account for all expenditures. Sipping her coffee, Emma moved down the list, recalling the iced coffee she had bought herself the previous Wednesday on the way to a meeting with one of the shelter's former guests. That accounted for three dollars seventy-five cents. And what about that eleven-dollar charge? Oh yes, that was the paperback book she'd ordered online.

A shuffling from behind her announced Ruby's arrival.

"Morning," the redhead yawned, circling the coffee table, wrapped in a duvet shroud and plopping herself onto the couch beside Emma. The nightshift had been slow and the five hour nap had been enough to recharge her. "Are you a millionaire yet?"

"No," Emma replied, closing the laptop lid. She trusted Ruby with her life but she still disliked being overt about her financial situation. It wasn't like she was rich; her salary from the shelter was modest. But she was frugal and an excellent saver. Over the years, she'd built herself quite the little nest egg. Thanks to New York property prices, however, she was stuck renting for now.

"What are you doing today?" Ruby asked, easing her feet onto the table and snuggling backwards as she grabbed the remote off the arm of the seat and flicked on the television.

"The usual," Emma replied. "Chores. You?"

"I'll do a food shop later. Any requests for dinner tonight?"

With a jolt, Emma remembered she had agreed to meet with Regina at the shelter that evening. Their first 'date', in a way.

"Oh, um, about that."

The television was muted and Ruby turned slowly to her friend. "You're bailing? Again?"

"Sorry," Emma offered, knowing that while Ruby wasn't as rigid in her weekly planning as she was, the fact that the blonde was cancelling for the second week in a row didn't go unnoticed.

"Are you eating at the shelter again?"

"Yeah," Emma nodded.

"With Regina?" Ruby asked. Another nod. Emma braced herself for the onslaught of confusing questions. "Are you dating?"

Or just the one, simple question, Emma mused as she raised her eyes to meet Ruby's. "Yes."

Ruby said nothing, her gaze scanning Emma's face, trying to read her friend. While Emma struggled to read emotions on others, Ruby considered Emma herself to be an open book. The woman always wore her heart on her sleeves. Although she could see that the blonde was a little uncomfortable and on edge, Ruby also thought back to the way her friend had appeared ever since Regina had arrived at the shelter.

Well, it had been a rollercoaster, she wouldn't deny that. But over the past week, as the initial shock of Regina's reappearance had worn off and Emma had started addressing the past she shared with the shelter's new guest, there had been a fundamental change in Emma. Not only was the woman appearing to step out of her comfort zone more readily but Emma was also, quite simply, happier.

"Take care of each other," Ruby said before unmuting the television and navigating her way to Netflix to continue the latest show she was binging.

Emma, gobsmacked at how quick the conversation was over, stuttered for a moment.

"That's it?"

"What more do you want me to say?" Ruby asked, not looking away from the screen.

"Um, well, I don't know but I figured you'd have more of an opinion."

"Do you want me to have an opinion?"

Emma frowned. "What? Of course I do. You're my best friend. I want to know what you think about this. I mean, you're the only person who knows and to be honest, I would quite like your perspective."

The television went silent again and Ruby turned back to Emma. "Do you want my opinion as your friend or your staff member?"

"Friend," Emma decided. She didn't want to know what Ruby thought in her capacity as a counsellor at the shelter. Not yet.

"Ok, then as your friend, I can see that Regina makes you happy. I don't understand it, given everything you've told me about what happened but -"

"That was in high school," Emma interrupted.

Ruby raised her eyebrows and Emma apologised quickly for speaking over her friend. The redhead continued. "I don't understand it, but it is clear to me that something has changed in you; in a good way. I'm guessing those changes stem from Regina. If you can deal with whatever is in your past and if she is treating you the way you deserve, then I'm happy for you. It's been too long since I've seen you show any interest in someone and I know you get lonely. So, yeah, I'm happy for you Emma. Just, as I said, take care of each other."

"That last statement sounds like you're speaking as someone who works in Swan's Shelter," Emma pointed out.

"I am," Ruby sighed. "Look, I don't know the details, but I was there the night she turned up with her kid. She's a battered woman, Emma. She ran away from her husband ten days ago and now she's jumping into your bed?"

"Woah, we've not jumped in any beds," Emma defended. That was a strange phrase she had struggled to understand. What did jumping on beds have to do with sex? She'd never jumped on a bed in a sexual situation. The English language was bizarre.

"You know what I mean," Ruby sighed. "It's fast, ok? I just don't want you to get hurt if this turns out to be a rebound for her but also I don't want you to end up hurting her if it turns out whatever's going on only happened because Regina's in a vulnerable space."

At that, Emma's eyes darkened. "You think I'm taking advantage of her?" The insinuation made her heart clench.

"No," Ruby said quickly. "But I still think Regina's position needs to be taken into account. Less than two weeks ago she was living with a man two states away. Now she's dating you? It's a lot. Big changes, you know? For both of you. And Henry."

"He doesn't know."

"Good. Keep it that way. And don't spread it around the shelter either."

"We weren't planning to," Emma replied. "We're taking things slow."

"Ok, well, then I guess we'll see how things go."

Emma nodded slowly. "So, are you ok with this?"

"It's your life, Emma. I'm not going to tell you what to do or what not to do. I'm here for you, always, you know that. And if we ignore that little incident the day Regina showed up, I think overall I've seen a positive change in you. If she makes you happy, then I'm happy for you."

Emma couldn't stop the smile spreading over her face. "She does, Rubes. She really does. She makes me feel … I can't even describe it. It's like my tummy is bubbling when I see her and I get excited when I know I'm going to see her and I can't concentrate properly. I know we've got issues in our past and I'm not forgiving her for what happened when we were teenagers. It's inexcusable but she wasn't entirely to blame and she has said sorry. A lot." Ruby looked unconvinced but allowed Emma to continue. "I never thought I would feel like this about Regina. Even after that kiss when we were teenagers, I didn't really understand what it was that we shared. But this is real, Rubes. This is something I've never experienced before."

"Not even with Lily?" Even though Emma's past relationship had been over for months, Ruby still missed her friend's ex. She'd liked Lily even if she didn't like the way the woman had hurt Emma with her admittance that she didn't see a future for the two of them. At least she was honest. Was Regina being honest, with herself or Emma?

Emma shook her head. "No one. Well, maybe I did feel it back in Maine that night, just for a moment before, well, before everything went wrong. I can't help it, Ruby. I know it doesn't make sense and I shouldn't feel for Regina what I do after everything we've been through. But I'm crazy about her. And you know I hate using that word so it must be true. Can … can you understand that?"

"No, but I can accept it," Ruby offered with a gentle smile. "You're right, it does sound crazy and I don't understand what you two share. But I trust your judgement. And, as I said, you seem happy. Are you happy, Emma?"

"Very," Emma nodded fervently.

"Good, because I'm going to make you feel super bad about standing me up for the second week in a row just to hang out with your girlfriend," Ruby smirked, grabbing a couch cushion from behind her and swinging it into Emma's face.

The blonde squealed as she was propelled backwards into the couch but emerged laughing, relief washing over her as she realised that at least Ruby, her closest friend, was on her side. Settling down side by side on the couch, Ruby resumed Netflix and the two of them wiled away the hours until the late afternoon just hanging out and enjoying their day off.

A/N: sorry there's no SwanQueen but we need our two ladies to have their support system.