A/N: Happy Sunday peeps!

"Mom, I'm not tired," Henry pouted as his mother tucked the duvet up under his chin.

"It's almost seven and it's a school night," Regina countered.

"But I'm not tired," Henry insisted.

Regina ignored his claim, knowing full well that her son would be asleep only a few minutes after closing his eyes. Henry had always been a good sleeper. And, more importantly, she had some dinner prep to begin, so he needed to be in bed. Henry had requested cheese on toast for dinner and Regina obliged, but that now meant she had to create something for her and Emma to enjoy. She had been shopping that afternoon on the way to collect Henry from school to buy the ingredients she needed.

"Can I have another story?" Henry asked, changing tact.

"Sure," Regina agreed. "But just a quick one. I have some things I need to do tonight."

Less than five minutes later and that no-so-tired boy was breathing deeply, leaning into his mother's side. Regina extricated herself carefully, placed the half-read book on the bedside table and tiptoed from the room, flicking the light off as she passed.

There were two other women preparing food in the kitchen when Regina arrived. She had spoken to neither of them during her time in the shelter and didn't feel like striking up conversation now. So she politely said hello before getting out the items she required and setting to work.

"Wow, are you hungry?"

Regina looked up to see Kathryn leaning on the far side of the breakfast bar, upon which she had set up her chopping board.

"Pardon?"

"You look like you're cooking for two. Is Henry not in bed?"

"Oh, yes, he is," Regina said, surveying the amount of food before her. "I'm cooking dinner for Emma."

"Emma as in Emma Swan?"

"Do you know another Emma?"

"Well, yes, but you don't know her," Kathryn justified. "Anyway, why are you cooking dinner for your counsellor?"

More questions about her relationship with Emma. Unlike Belle, Regina knew for a fact the blonde didn't want any of the women finding out about their budding romance. But she also disliked lying to anyone, particularly the only woman she could really consider to be her friend.

"Emma and I knew each other before," Regina admitted at last.

"Before?"

"We went to high school together. I didn't know it was her shelter when I arrived but it appears we've found ourselves back in one another's lives after over a decade. We're just catching up, I suppose."

"You went to school with Emma?"

Regina nodded. "Up in Maine. Emma was only there for two years."

"What was she like as a teenager?"

"Emma?"

"Yeah!" Kathryn smiled. "I'm always interested in what people I know as adults were like when they were kids. So, what was she like? Were you two friends?"

"No, we weren't friends," Regina said shortly.

"Ooh, enemies?" Kathryn asked, eyes glittering at the prospect of gossip.

"Something like that," Regina muttered.

Kathryn slid onto the barstool opposite Regina and leaned her elbows on the counter, expectantly. But when no more information was divulged, she pressed. "And?"

"And it was a long time ago," Regina sighed. "We're moving past it."

"From enemies to having dinner together?" Kathryn frowned.

"Perhaps you could say we're making amends. Getting over our past and focusing on our future. I mean, my future." Regina didn't want to give Kathryn any more information than she already had which might lead to speculation.

"Huh, weird," Kathryn replied. "So, I got called into school by Amy's teacher today."

Relieved at the sudden subject change, Regina listened to Kathryn explain how her eldest daughter had punched another child in the face and then defended her actions by claiming that her parents used to hit each other so it was allowed. As the story unfolded, Regina moved to the stove to begin cooking the dish.

"Have we fucked up our kids forever by staying with these dick men?" Kathryn asked as she finished recounting the conversation she had had with Amy's teacher.

"Temporarily, perhaps," Regina said, stirring the pot as she spoke. "The exposure to an unhealthy relationship can't have been beneficial but at least they're all safe now. We'll just have to make sure they know that what they saw between their mom and dad isn't normal and isn't acceptable. They're still young, maybe they'll even forget some of the things they've seen or heard."

Kathryn nodded. It was probably true, particularly for her youngest who was likely to not remember any of this experience. "So, I took my dad up on his offer," Kathryn revealed.

"Of the house?"

"Yeah, he's found a property out in Suffolk County. We didn't want to move back to Brooklyn and this seemed like the best alternative. I'm going down to view it tomorrow after the girls are at school. Well, I guess Amy will have to come with me now since she's been suspended."

"Suspended? She's nine."

"She gave another kid a bloody nose. And there was a lot of blood, according to Amy. She's not allowed back until next week."

"Wow, harsh," Regina mused.

"She's gotta learn, I suppose. Anyway, the photos of this house look amazing so I suspect we will end up saying yes. If I wasn't so confident, I would leave her here. I don't want to get their hopes up for nothing."

"I can keep an eye on her if you want," Regina offered, turning the heat down beneath the pot and glancing at the clock. Emma should be arriving in five minutes.

"Thanks," Kathryn smiled. "I may take you up on that."

"Any time," Regina replied. "You'd do the same."

"True," Kathryn said. "What are you cooking by the way? It smells amazing."

"Risotto," Regina said. "Nothing special."

"Well, it's making me hungry so I'm going to grab a piece of bread and leave you to your date."

The wooden spoon clattered to the floor. Regina gaped at her friend. "What? This isn't a date!"

"Kidding," Kathryn laughed, oblivious to the reaction she had drawn from the brunette. "Anyway, I've got to look over this property spec my dad sent over. See you later."

With that, Kathryn reached for a bag containing half a loaf of bread, pulled out two slices and waltzed over to the couch. After a moment, Regina reached down and picked up the spoon, washing it under the tap before returning it to the slowly bubbling risotto.

"What are we eating?"

Regina jumped and spun around to find Emma standing right behind her in the otherwise empty kitchen. "Jeez, you scared me."

"Sorry," Emma said quickly, stepping back and out of Regina's personal space. "I thought you heard me approaxh."

"No, it's fine," Regina assured, seeing the guilt on Emma's features as the blonde realised how her actions may have been construed by a woman who had been in an abusive relationship.

"Are you ok?" Emma asked, still concerned.

"Yeah, fine. Sorry, I'm not usually so jumpy. I just had a weird conversation with Kathryn."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, but she was asking about us."

"Did you tell her anything?"

Regina shook her head. "No, you asked me not to. I told her we knew each other from high school. It was the only way I could explain how I was cooking dinner for you. It's risotto, by the way."

"So, you didn't say anything more?" Emma asked.

"No."

"I told Ruby."

"Told her what?"

"Everything," Emma admitted. "I'm sorry. I know we said we were going to keep this quiet, but she seemed to already know considering this is the second Monday I've bailed on her. She could tell there was something going on."

"It's fine, Emma. You don't have to justify telling your best friend. But can we move this to your office or something? I guess we shouldn't be having this sort of conversation where we could be overheard."

"Sure, can I help you plate up?"

"No, I've got it," Regina said, quickly pulling two plates she had already got out of the cupboard towards her and heaping the servings onto them. With a sprinkle of parmesan added to each, she was ready. Emma, in the meantime, had gathered two glasses of sparkling water to them. In lieu of wine, it was either that or some sickly sweet juice pouches which had been left on the fridge. "Ready?"

"Let's go," Emma nodded.

The two women made their way out of the common area and towards Emma's office. Kathryn watched them go, munching on a slice of bread, papers open in front of her on the coffee table. The shelter itself was quiet. Another woman had left that morning and there were numerous vacant rooms. It always made Emma feel optimistic when their numbers were low, as it perhaps the amount of domestic abuse situations were decreasing. But humanity always managed to let her down and she knew the spaces would be full sooner or later.

She stepped back to allow Regina to pass first into her office.

"Can we use your desk as a table?" Regina asked, placing both plates on the surface.

"Of course," Emma nodded. "Not too formal for you?"

Regina cocked her head. "Sort of, but I think I've got a way to fix that."

Emma's eyes widened as Regina stepped towards her and, without hesitation, pulled her into an embrace. The blonde struggled to keep the two drinks upright in her hands as Regina's tongue invaded her mouth.

"I've missed you," Regina sighed when the short, hot kiss ended. "I've been thinking about doing that all day."

"Hold that thought," Emma said, quickly dumping the glasses on her desk before turning back to Regina. "Right, where were we?"

Emma gently placed her hands on Regina's hips, drawing the woman closer. "Hi," she said, breath ghosting over Regina's lips.

They kissed again, a little softer this time. Regina's fingers threaded themselves through Emma's hair which tumbled down her back. It was a way to anchor herself, to remind herself that this was all real. That Emma was really there. That she was really free.

"Hi yourself," Regina said as she broke away, a little breathless.

Emma grinned and placed another chaste kiss to Regina's lips, the sweet gesture turning passionate again as Regina refused to allow her to pull back. But then Emma's stomach grumbled and the moment ended at last.

"Sorry," she smirked, shrugging her shoulders. "I usually eat earlier in the evening."

"Sit, enjoy," Regina offered, gesturing to the barely steaming piles of food. "I hope you like zucchini and mushrooms."

"Love them," Emma nodded. "But I am fussy. Just so you know."

"Ok, what don't you like?" Regina asked. "I'll try to avoid them for any future dishes."

"It's a long list. Um, squid, cucumbers, parsnips, duck, blue cheese, oranges, truffles, pumpkin, garlic -"

"There's no garlic in this although the recipe does call for it," Regina interrupted. "I, well, I suppose I made an assumption."

"What assumption?"

Regina blushed. "That we'd be kissing. I think I was proved right."

"What does garlic have to do with kissing?" Emma asked.

"Oh, people say it makes your breath smell and your mouth taste funny."

"Does it? I mean, I don't like it anyway, but doesn't all food do that unless you brush your teeth?"

"I suppose to an extent, but garlic is strong and rather unpleasant even if both parties like garlic. So, I elected to remove it from this recipe."

"Good call," Emma smiled. "That way I don't have to eat it and you won't taste bad when I kiss you."

The bluntness was still new for Emma. Or at least an adjustment. She had known the blonde was straight to the point, as she had been as a teenager. But it was new, and strangely refreshing to be dating someone who was so open about what they wanted and what they were thinking. Perhaps if everyone was more like Emma, relationships in general would enjoy better communication and be healthier.

"So, you told Ruby?"

"Well, she guessed. When I said I wasn't able to come to dinner, she asked if I was having dinner with you. I didn't want to lie so I admitted that I was. She then asked if we were dating. Again, I wasn't going to lie."

"What did she say?" Regina hadn't seen much of Ruby lately. She was a little nervous about how the redhead may react given that she knew their history including what had happened back in Maine. She really didn't want Emma's best friend to dislike her.

"Not much, at first. She didn't say anything until I asked for her opinion."

"And her opinion was?"

"As expected. She doesn't get it. We both know this doesn't make sense, right? But she did seem to accept my choice. She said I looked happy. She said she wants me to be happy and she'll support me in any way she can. But she did tell me to keep it quiet at the shelter, as we'd already planned."

Regina nodded. "Yeah, about that. Kathryn made some weird comment about our dinner being a date just before you arrived."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. I denied it and she left. But she's not the only one who's going to start wondering what's going on. I mean, the two of us are eating dinner in your office right now. I fear we're not going to be able to keep this quiet for long if we want to keep spending time together."

Emma sighed and put her fork down on the side of her half-eaten plate. She knew Regina was right, but she also didn't know how to go about identifying a solution. She wanted to keep seeing Regina, but she also knew it was important for her career and the other women that their relationship didn't become public knowledge just yet.

"Leave it with me," Emma said. "I'll see what I can come up with."

"I also have a question."

"Go ahead," Emma nodded.

"It's about Belle. I mean, I met with her today as usual and she asked what I did over the weekend and I couldn't really tell her. I know she's your employee and I know you don't want people to know about us but if I'm going to be talking about what my future looks like and where I plan to go from here, I think I'm going to have to tell her about us. Are you ok with that?"

"I have to be, don't I?"

Regina frowned at the statement, disliking the slightly abrupt tone in which it was delivered as well as the meaning behind the words. "No, we can discuss this together. Although I will remind you that you didn't speak with me before telling Ruby about us."

Emma bristled at the accusation, more because the truth hurt than because she disagreed with the brunette. "Yeah, ok, fine. I'll give you that."

"It's not about giving me something. I didn't mean to go all righteous on you. I hardly think I'm in a position to do that. Honestly, I'm happy you told Ruby. It's important to have someone to talk to but, well, it's just that I don't have anyone. I don't have friends down here, aside from Kathryn whom I'm not planning to tell. So I wanted to ask your permission before discussing our relationship with one of your staff members."

"While I didn't ask you before telling Ruby?" The blonde was becoming indignant now, both defensive of her own actions and irritated at the allegation.

"No, that's not what I'm saying. Emma, please, let's not fight. I'm honestly fine about the fact that you told Ruby. I just wanted to speak with you before talking to Belle because she is one of your team."

"Ruby's my best friend."

"I know."

"I needed to tell her."

"I know that too," Regina assured.

"It helps to talk to someone."

"It does."

"That's what you want? With Belle? Someone to talk to?"

Regina nodded. "This has been really confusing for both of us, Emma. At least if I have someone who isn't you to talk with about this, perhaps our situation may start to make a little more sense."

"We don't make sense?"

"On paper, no," Regina reasoned. "But in here," her hand drifted up to rest over her heart, "yes."

Emma felt her anger and confusion melt away as she looked into the genuine, soft smile on the woman's face. "You want to talk to Belle about us? You think it would help?"

"Yes," Regina replied.

"Ok," Emma said after a moment's hesitation. "But can I come to the appointment too? Just for the first five minutes or so. We can tell her together. Give her the details and then I'll leave the two of you to talk. And you know all her meetings are confidential, right? I will never read any of her notes and she won't tell me anything that is discussed between you."

"I know," Regina nodded. "And yes, that sounds perfect. Thank you."

"You're welcome. And I am sorry I didn't talk to you before telling Ruby. I didn't plan to tell her. She just came right out with the question."

"It's ok," Regina replied. "I'm not angry. I'm glad you've got someone."

"And you will too, with Belle."

Regina nodded. "So, how do you like the risotto?" she asked, gesturing to Emma's empty plate.

"Delicious," she smiled. "You're a great cook."

"Thank you," Regina said, glad the woman had enjoyed her food. "I cooked a lot in Maine."

The unspoken words that the woman's husband had expected her to prepare all of the meals hung over the desk. Much as Emma's training was screaming at her to pursue a line of questions regarding Leo, the part of her responsible for being on a date with Regina overrode that urge.

"Well, it was lovely. Thank you, I really appreciate the effort. Maybe one day I'll cook for you too. Although, I'll warn you now, I'm not very good."

"It's the thought that counts," Regina grinned, images of her and Henry sat around a table with Emma flashing into her mind.

"If thoughts count, then I'm the best girlfriend ever. I've been able to think of nothing but you all day."

Regina froze. It took Emma a moment to register what she had said and the way Regina had reacted to the label she had automatically applied to herself. Emma hadn't dated anyone for a long time; she was used to being in relationships.

"I shouldn't have said that," she muttered. "Sorry." Green eyes dropped to the desk, her fork pushing a stray grain of rice around the plate.

"Emma, I … it's too soon."

"I know. I'm sorry," Emma said. "I didn't mean it."

"I'm technically still married," Regina pressed on. "And I've never had a girlfriend before."

"Does that bother you? The fact that people will now assume you're a lesbian?" Straight to the point as always. Even if Regina considered herself to be bisexual, in Emma's experience, the general public preferred to categorise people as straight or gay, depending on their partner at the time. Bisexuality was all but ignored.

"I ... yes," Regina admitted. "I've never accepted that side of myself. I've spent years pushing down my attraction to women. Hell, you know how I treated you in high school. I hate those memories but not just because of what I did to you. I hated myself then. I knew I was attracted to women and as a teenager I couldn't accept that. It was easier to lash out at people like you who were strong enough and open enough to accept who they were rather than to confront my true self. That's why I've only ever dated men. They were what I wanted to want. It was what my family expected me to want."

"They don't know?"

"About the fact that I'm attracted to women? No," Regina replied. "I never told them. To be honest, there wasn't much to tell. While I've found other women attractive over the years, it's nothing compared to how I feel for you, Emma. Seeing you again, experiencing what we have again, it's almost forced me to accept what I truly want. I've been playing straight all my life. Everyone I've ever known has assumed I was straight because they've never had any reason to think otherwise. I guess now they will."

"Are you ok with that? I know coming out can be a challenge and it sounds like this is a long time in the works."

"One day at a time, ok? Or maybe one person at a time. We'll tell Belle, Ruby knows already. Bit by bit. But I do need you to know that I am accepting who I am. I accept how I feel for you, Emma. It's taken me fourteen years and god knows both our lives have been affected by my inability to accept what I know are perfectly natural feelings. But I'm getting there. Do you know why?"

"Tell me," Emma said, reaching across the table and taking Regina's hands in her own, noting the raw skin on the sides of her fingernails as she did so.

"Because anything that makes me feel as good as the connection we share, can't be wrong."

A/N: Just another quick reminder that I won't be posting Wednesday chapters for a while as I prepare to move my life thousands of miles across the world.