A/N: Happy Sunday! This chapter in NSFW – because I miss writing SwanQueen smut!

Slowly, day by day, life started to get back to normal. Or at least the new normal which Regina had come to accept since. Living in the shelter, applying for jobs she knew she was overqualified for, picking Henry up from school, dinner with Emma. That was her life, for now. And for the most part, she was happy. Blissfully happy. She felt safe at the shelter. She wanted a job. Henry was happy at school. And she was in love with Emma Swan.

But there were other elements of her life which lingered, inconclusive. Her ex-husband; still in hospital recovering from surgery and a subsequent infection he had picked up. The looming trial which she knew was coming. Her future. What was she going to do? The jobs she was applying for weren't going to pay for accommodation in New York. What would happen with her and Emma? Would their relationship continue to thrive when she was no longer in the shelter? And how would Henry deal with all this change? A father going to prison. A mother now in a relationship with a woman. That woman coming into his life as some sort of authority-parental hybrid.

"Regina?"

"What?" She looked up at the sound of her name, noticing that Emma was peering at her, forehead knitted in confusion.

"You zoned out. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry," Regina said, patting Emma's hands which lay rested on the counter between them. "What were you saying?"

"I was saying that Ruby is coming back to work tomorrow. I wanted to know if you needed to talk about it."

"Tomorrow?" Regina asked. "No, that's fine. I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Because it looked like you stopped listening and went somewhere else just then. What were you thinking about?"

"Um, life? Us? This place?" Regina shrugged, pulling her hands away and returning to the task of cooking which Emma had found her mid-way through when she had come to talk to her after clocking off for the evening. Whenever Emma was working a day shift, she always ate dinner with Regina after work. It was a new tradition.

"Were you thinking good things?" Emma asked. From the look on Regina's face, they weren't entirely happy thoughts.

"Lots of things," Regina replied. "I got another rejection letter today from a job and it made me think about what was going to happen when I do get one. I'll have to move out of here sooner or later and then I have to restart my life, effectively. It's a lot to process, a lot to consider."

"We can help you with that. And there's no rush to move out, you know that."

"Emma, the shelter is full. I heard you telling Belle that you need to start the building of the additional facilities soon because you're at capacity. I'm taking up space. Henry and I are safe now. Leo can't get to us."

"Oh, that reminds me. Leo was up in court today."

"What? Why didn't you tell me? I thought he was still in hospital."

"I didn't know," Emma replied, defensive at the accusatory tone. "One of the cops called me to let me know. He's been remanded without bail so there's no way he's getting out. The trial date is set for a few weeks from now. I've got to go in next week to go over my statement."

"Do I have to go?" Her gut twisted at the thought of seeing Leo again.

Emma shook her head. "Not at the moment. But I'll speak to the lawyer next week and find out more. Do you want to speak in court?"

"No but I will if it helps the case. I'll do what's needed to make sure Leo goes away for what he did to you."

"Ok, I'll tell the lawyer that. And going back to your earlier comment, you and Henry are welcome here as long as you want to stay."

Regina put down the wooden spoon she was using to stir the sauce which was bubbling lazily over a low heat. "I know but when I do get a job, I'll start looking for somewhere anyway. There are other women who need this place more than I do."

The blonde wasn't going to argue that point. It was true. Regina and Henry were safe now. But that didn't mean Emma was going to kick them out. She liked having her girlfriend at the shelter just because it meant they saw each other almost every day. Unbeknownst to Regina, Emma had also been wondering how their relationship dynamic would change once that regularity fell away. But now wasn't the time to bring that up.

"How many job applications have you got to complete?"

"I'm halfway through a couple. Sent one today. There are a few more bookmarked. I'm sure I'll get something eventually but it's disheartening. Plus, it feels strange applying to jobs which I know I can do in my sleep but not get them."

"We discussed this; your resume is weak because you've not worked since you graduated college. But you have a college degree from BCU and you're a highly intelligent woman. You'll find something, I promise. But you're going to have to start at the bottom, that's all. As soon as they see your potential, you'll get put into a better position, I'm sure."

"Maybe, but it's still disheartening to be told you're not qualified enough to be a receptionist. It's literally just answering a phone."

"It's a little more than that but I understand why you're upset. Can I try to make you feel happier? Or at least think about something else?"

"Go on," Regina nodded.

"So, Ruby is working tomorrow's night shift. Ella's going to be on shift as well. Ruby won't be working alone for three months. But, that means I won't be working and the apartment will be empty. I was wondering if you and Henry wanted to come and have dinner and then stay the night. It's a Saturday so he doesn't have to be up early for school the next day."

"Stay the night?"

There was a slight nod, quickly followed by a frown. Was that not ok? Emma assumed the only reason she and Regina hadn't been intimate since their first night together, almost two weeks earlier, was because of the events which had happened and a lack of opportunity, not because Regina no longer wanted to explore that aspect of their relationship.

"Unless you don't want to," Emma offered.

"No, I do," Regina said at once. "I do, seriously. You have no idea how much I want that. But what about Henry?"

"He can sleep in Ruby's bed. I've already asked her."

"And she's ok with that?"

"Yeah, she's fine with it. And not just because she's still trying to get into my good books. She wants me to be happy with you and she knows we don't get much time together. So, are you interested? I know I said I'd take you out on a proper date but I've been so busy here, covering Ruby's regular shifts and dealing with the new guests that I know we've not got around to it. Would this be a good alternative?"

Regina grinned. "Absolutely. Let me speak with Henry and make sure he's ok with it. But I'm sure he'll be very happy to hear he's going for a sleepover with the great Emma Swan."

"Well, at my house. Not in my bed. You'll be in my bed, Henry will be in Ruby's. And Ruby will be at work."

Regina chuckled. "Agreed. Henry will not be in your bed. It'll be a sleepover in different rooms. Don't worry, no one is stopping me from experiencing what it's like to spend a full night with you."

Without words, the two women leaned from either side of the breakfast bar, lips meeting softly. It would have lasted longer except Regina suddenly remembered the sauce she had been stirring needed attention and someone tapped Emma on the shoulder.

"Hey," she said, cheeks a little flushed at having been caught kissing her girlfriend in the middle of the common area. Everyone knew about their relationship, of course. But they tended to be a little more discrete.

"Sorry to interrupt. Can I have a word?" Kathryn asked, winking at Regina.

"Of course. Is everything ok?"

"Fine," Kathryn nodded. "I just need to run by some things with you about this house my father is buying for us. Legal stuff, you know. Restraining orders and what my rights are when it comes to stopping my dickhead ex coming onto the property."

"Sure," Emma agreed, even though her shift had technically finished. "Regina, can you come and get me when dinner's ready?"

"Yep, it'll be about twenty minutes."

"Great, thanks," Emma said, sliding from the stool.

"God, you two are such an old married couple already," Kathryn laughed.

"We're not old and we're not married," Emma frowned. "That statement makes no sense."

Leaving Kathryn to explain the nuances of her gentle insult, Regina turned her attention to the salad she had been preparing as the two blondes left the kitchen, already wondering what meal Emma would cook for her and Henry on Saturday night; their second date. With her son in tow. But still, it was an evening she was very much looking forward to.

Ruby, on the other hand, was not looking forward to Saturday. She was nervous. She hadn't felt nervous walking down to the shelter since her first day. And even then, she was strolling alongside her best friend, her boss. But this time she was walking into a building where Emma was currently working and where Emma's girlfriend lived. The same woman whose abusive husband had turned up, two weeks ago, and tried to kidnap her, taking Emma hostage in the process. Because of a mistake Ruby made.

Her footsteps felt heavy, as if she was wading through thick mud, as she walked down the sidewalk towards the shelter. On any other occasion, she would take the time to admire the golden evening sunlight which streamed down, summer well and truly having arrived. But not today. Today she was too focused on what awaited her. She had to face Regina. She had to apologise. She wanted to apologise: she knew she needed to. But it still made her sick to her stomach to think of how that conversation may go.

And then she was there. Standing outside of the door. Her fingers poised for a moment, as if she wasn't sure she was even going to enter. But the cool grip of the key brought her back to earth and she forced the sliver of metal into the lock, letting herself into the building.

"Hi Ruby."

Shit, the redhead thought. She's right here, leaning against the reception desk in a tight striped dress. And so is Henry, sitting on a chair playing on an iPad. The iPad. Was this some sort of sick joke? Unbeknownst to Ruby, the police had dropped the iPad off earlier that afternoon and Henry was enjoying being reunited with the device and refused to be drawn away from it. Nevertheless, its presence was unfortunate given how Ruby felt. The door slammed behind her and she jumped a little before moving further into the room. "Hi Regina. How are you?"

"I'm doing well thank you. I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother."

"Thanks," Ruby replied shortly. Since the funeral the previous weekend, the profound grief she had felt had been replaced by new sensations: a dull, muted pain, and loneliness.

"Emma said the funeral was beautiful," Regina offered when the woman before her said nothing more.

"It was. Ruby planned a beautiful funeral. It gave me several ideas for my own. I've written them down, haven't I, Regina?" Emma said, strolling out of her office and joining the conversation.

Regina couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Yes, dear. You've told me all about what you want at your funeral which we've both agreed is not allowed to happen for at least seventy years."

"And I said to you, I don't think I want to live until I'm one hundred and two. That's really old. What if I can't walk or cook for myself and all that? I don't think that's much of a life, do you?"

Ruby slid around the back of the reception desk while this absurd conversation carried on and shrugged off her jacket, hanging it on the back of her chair before taking her seat. "Anything I need to know?" she asked Emma.

"Nothing specific, but we've got some new guests. Ella will get you up to speed. She's in the kitchen making some dinner."

Ruby nodded. She didn't say anything. Didn't argue about the fact that she didn't need a babysitter. Because judging by her actions from two weeks ago, she did need someone monitoring her and making sure she didn't fuck up.

"Regina, can I have a word?" Ruby asked, suddenly standing up.

"Of course," Regina nodded, glancing sideways at Emma. She had known this was coming. She knew Ruby wanted to apologise.

"You can use the meeting room if you want some privacy," Emma offered. "I'll finish off the review of those building contracts. Come and find me when you're done."

Although she wasn't going to say anything to Regina that she hadn't already said to Emma, Ruby led the brunette into the meeting room, leaving the door ajar behind them.

"Um, sit down, I guess," Ruby said, gesturing to the comfy chairs which were pushed into the corner of the room. Regina did so but said nothing. It was Ruby who had asked to speak with her, so she was going to wait for her to take the lead. Which, after a few seconds, she did. "I guess I just want to say sorry for my part in what happened two weeks ago."

"I don't blame you, Ruby," Regina said softly, seeing how nervous the other woman was. "Not any more. When I first found out I was very angry but it's not your fault Leo did what he did. That was his decision; it had nothing to do with you."

"Emma told me you'd come to that conclusion. But I still feel awful. If I hadn't given Henry the Wi-Fi password, your husband would never have found out where you were. I am the reason he turned up here, even if it's not on me that he chose to carry a gun and threaten Emma's life."

"You made a mistake," Regina shrugged. "But I always knew Leo was going to find us eventually. He was looking and the iPad just happened to be the first clue. But if it hadn't been that, it would have been something else. He's not the sort of man to just let his wife and son walk out of his life. Perhaps you did me a favour in a strange way. At least now I know where he is and I know he can't hurt me or Henry."

Ruby listened to the rational words but she still struggled to believe them. She still blamed herself. And she knew Emma did too, to an extent. "Well, thank you for that but I do still want you to know that I'm sorry. I'll never be able to make it up to you, nor Emma."

"You're letting my six year old son sleep in your bed tonight," Regina pointed out. "I'd say that was repayment of some kind."

"Whenever you want to stay over at our place, you and Henry, you're welcome," Ruby said at once. "I've seen how happy you make Emma, despite your history. If she can get over your past, it must be because being with you is worth it. I respect that. And I respect Emma for that decision. I also respect her decision to put me on probation after what I did. I just need you to know that I'm always going to be sorry for my mistake that day and I'm never going to do it again."

Regina nodded slowly. "I know, Ruby. Stop beating yourself up about it. Mistakes happen."

"This was a pretty fucking massive mistake."

A wry smile appeared on plump lips. "True, but everything worked out as it should."

"Your husband is going to jail," Ruby pointed out.

"Well, I sort of consider that working out. I've been speaking a lot to Belle these past two weeks and frankly, Leo deserved to go to prison for the way he treated me in Maine. He's not going to be found guilty of those crimes so if he can be put away for what he did to Emma, I'm happy with that. He can't hurt me or Henry or anyone else while he's inside. We'll finally be able to start a new life without looking over our shoulders every five minutes to see if he's found us."

"Does this new life include Emma?" Ruby asked. It was something she had been thinking about over the past two weeks, alone in the apartment she shared with the blonde. Their living arrangements were always going to come to an end when either one of them met a significant other. She had thought Emma and Lily were going to move in together a few months before they broke up but it never happened. With Regina, however, Ruby got the sense that this time might be different, even if the relationship was less than two months old. There was just something about the two of them together which made her believe this was Emma's person, her happy ending.

"I hope so," Regina replied, grinning shyly. "Has she said anything to you about me?"

"Only good things," Ruby assured. "She loves you so much, Regina. And Henry. You two make her very happy."

"She makes us happy too."

Ruby smiled widely. "Then get out of here and get started with your romantic evening. I hope you have a great time."

It was strange, Emma noted, as she walked into the living room later that evening to find Henry and Regina sat side by side on her couch, chatting about his latest history project in school. She couldn't recall ever having a child in her apartment before. It changed the atmosphere. In a good way. She smiled as she handed Regina a topped up glass of wine and took her seat beside the brunette, just as Henry tried and failed to stifle a yawn.

"Bedtime, I think," Regina said. "Do you want to find your toothbrush in your bag and brush your teeth? Can you remember where the bathroom is?"

Henry nodded and without arguing, slid off the couch to do as he was told. Regina turned to Emma and placed a hand on her stomach. "I'm stuffed," she chuckled. "That was delicious."

"I'm glad you liked it," Emma replied. "But I hope you're not too full to have sex."

Regina's eyes widened slightly at the blunt statement. She was still getting used to how direct Emma was. What she was thinking tended to come out of her mouth without much censorship. Refreshingly honest but sometimes it caught Regina off guard. That said, she couldn't deny that she too had been thinking about the fact that this date would mark their second opportunity to be intimate with one another. It had been an almost all-consuming thought for much of the day, if she was honest.

"No, I'm not too full," Regina said, her voice dropping in such a way that Emma's core tingled in anticipation. "But we can't move onto that portion of the evening until I put my son to bed."

Before rising from the couch, she leaned over and placed a soft, lingering kiss to the corner of Emma's mouth. A promise of more to come. Smiling to herself, Emma settled back on the couch and picked up the book she was reading as a way to occupy herself while Regina was busy.

She was barely two pages further along when Regina reappeared. "Henry would like you to read him his bedtime story," Regina explained when Emma asked if there was a problem.

"Me?"

Regina nodded. "Is that ok? You don't have to."

"No, I'll do it," Emma said, placing her bookmark neatly in between the pages and standing up. She'd read a number of children bedtime stories at the shelter. Some of her fondest memories of her childhood were when Mary Margaret or David read to her. She loved the feeling of being tucked up in bed, delving between the pages with an adult and being spirited away on a little adventure.

Henry looked tiny in the middle of Ruby's large double bed. His face split into a wide smile when Emma appeared and he thrust the book out towards her. She took it and settled herself on the edge of the bed, making sure Henry could see the words and the pictures too. Regina leaned on the door jamb and watched as the blonde began to read.

Before she reached the end of the book, Henry's eyes had slipped closed, his body slumped awkwardly against the pillow. Regina made her way over to her son and shifted him gently down the mattress and pulled the duvet more fully over his body. "Goodnight, my little prince," Regina whispered, placing a kiss to his forehead. The boy didn't stir.

"Goodnight Henry," Emma said, rising from the bed and retreating with Regina.

"You're great with him," the brunette remarked as they pulled the door to and made their way back to the living room.

"He's a great kid. I enjoy spending time with him."

"He thinks you're great too, by the way. He doesn't ask just anyone to read him a bedtime story."

"I'm honoured," Emma said, sitting down on the couch and reaching for Regina's hand. "And now I'd like to honour you."

Regina smirked, her body coiling in anticipation despite the food baby she was still nursing. She allowed herself to be guided so she was sat, straddling Emma's lap, her already short dress riding higher as her knees planted either side of Emma's thighs. The blonde's arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer as Regina dipped her head to meet the pale, upturned lips.

Their first kiss was tender but both women felt a fire deep within them. While the past two weeks had seen their relationship go public, the soft touches and PG kisses they had been exchanging weren't enough. It was still early days, still at that time in a relationship where a simple kiss lights a fire which can't be extinguished without multiple orgasms, without each person collapsing back on the pillows, too weak and too satiated to take more pleasure. And yet, for two weeks, Emma and Regina had been denied that; their passion and desire restricted by circumstance. Until tonight.

Emma's hands slid down to clasp Regina's ass, fingernails digging into soft flesh as the warmth of her skin seeped through the thin material. Regina's teeth grazed Emma's lips, her hands already tangled in thick blonde curls, pulling their mouths impossibly closer.

"Bedroom," Regina muttered. Henry might be fine with her relationship with Emma but that didn't mean they needed to scar the boy with an indecent display. With reluctance, she pulled away and climbed off Emma, holding out her hand to the slightly dishevelled looking woman. Fingers intertwined, they made their way through to Emma's room where the door was pushed closed behind them.

They didn't need words. Both women knew what they wanted and what the other one wanted. Emma pulled Regina closer again, recommencing with another soft kiss which quickly escalated. Soon fingers were fumbling zippers, buttons, fabric. They undressed one another with their mouths still fused together, clothes discarded without a care as they stumbled, now naked, towards Emma's perfectly made bed.

Regina let out a little groan as Emma landed on top of her. The food baby, despite their passion, was very much still present. Emma mumbled an apology against her neck as she continued to lave kisses while rolling off the brunette to lie beside her instead. Regina tilted her head back slightly, improving Emma's access. Hot lips and tongue skittered across her skin, trailing down towards her clavicle. Here Emma paused, sucking tenderly on the thin skin, drawing a soft gasp from Regina. But she didn't want to mark her, at least not in such a visible place, so she continued downwards, heading for the taut nipples which jutted out from Regina's breasts.

Without preamble, her lips closed around one bud, fingers seeking out the other to gently tweak and tug, forcing them to harden even further. "God," Regina groaned as she felt her core clench again. She needed Emma. Emma knew that. With lips sealed around one nipple, her hand slid from the other tortured nub and down the smooth plane of Regina's stomach. The brunette squirmed slightly as those questing fingers passed over the stretch marks which, she believed, marred her skin. Emma didn't notice or if she did, she put the shiver down to sexual anticipation rather than discomfort. But soon her hand was sliding lower, fingers passing over the neatly cropped hair and cupping the waiting core below.

Regina gasped. Emma moaned. The damp heat radiating against her fingers made Emma clench her own thighs together. She released Regina's nipple and looked up to see Regina's brown eyes gazing at her through the dim light of her room. "Are you ok?" Emma asked, still mindful that this was only their second time together and Regina's sexual experiences over the past decade were not positive.

"Do I feel ok?" Regina asked, rocking her hips up slightly so Emma's fingers came into closer contact with wet folds.

"You feel ready," Emma nodded. "I just want to make sure."

"I'm ready," Regina assured her, fingers stroking some wayward hairs from Emma's face.

Emma smiled and pressed a kiss to Regina's lips just as her fingers parted her other, wetter lips. She hissed in delight as she felt the copious arousal already pooling between the brunette's legs. The tip of one finger slid easily up and down a few times before she dragged it higher, feeling out that sensitive bundle of nerves at the top. Regina's hips bucked when she found it. She pressed a little harder, circled it twice, and retreated. Regina moaned, willing Emma to come back, but a moment later she let out a shuddering sigh of relief as Emma slid a solitary finger shallowly into her core.

She stilled, waiting, allowing Regina time to adjust to the penetration. Small as her finger was, Emma didn't want to go too fast, too soon for her girlfriend. Regina's eyes were closed, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her core clenched around the slender digit. "Emma," she breathed out, eyes fluttering open to see the blonde laying on her side, waiting for permission. "Move. More."

Emma dropped a kiss to Regina's shoulder and obliged, pumping her fingers in and out of the hot slickness before adding a second, Regina's body opening willingly to accommodate her. She bucked her hips as she felt Emma's long fingers reaching deep inside her, her hand bumping her clit at the same time.

The clenching muscles around Emma's fingers told the blonde her girlfriend was already close. She moved steadily, slowly, wanting to build Regina up and not rush her climax. She wanted to draw it out, take her time, revel in the feeling of being inside the beautiful woman whose body was trembling beside her own. She set up a rhythm, making sure her hand pressed against the protruding nerve bundle each time she pumped inside, releasing the pressure as she pulled out.

It was a dizzying climb. Regina was already so turned on that had Emma focused immediately upon her clit, she would have climaxed fast. As it was, the blonde built her up with remarkable patience, waiting for Regina's body to be so on edge that there was nowhere else to go but over the top. As the muscles clamped around her fingers, harder than ever, Emma's thumb pressed down on Regina's clit, rubbing quick, hard circles as she read Regina's body perfectly.

A short cry echoed off the walls, Regina's back arching off the bed as she came. Emma kept pumping, her own sex tingling as she felt the hot wetness building around her fingers, buried deep without Regina's core. She continued her ministrations until the brunette's body suddenly relaxed, flopping back to the mattress. Spent, for now.

Gently, she pulled her fingers free. Remembering Regina's hang up about her own taste, Emma made a point of locking eyes with the exhausted woman as she licked the juices from her fingers. Regina groaned, her eyes darkening. Food baby and orgasmic exhaustion forgotten, she rolled over, forcing Emma onto her back and quickly straddled the surprised blonde who raised an eyebrow.

"You're so sexy," Regina murmured, looking down the toned body below her. She realised in that moment that the angle wasn't the most flattering for her of physique. Leo had told her as much. She was never on top when they were in bed. Emma frowned at the self-doubt on Regina's features, unable to identify the expression.

"Hey, where did you go?" she asked, reaching up to cup Regina's cheek.

"Nowhere," Regina said, forcing a smile and shuffling backwards but Emma caught her, following the woman by sitting up and bringing Regina's torso tight against her own.

"You're sexy too. Beautiful, stunning. You have no idea how gorgeous you are," Emma whispered against parted lips.

Regina's body twitched in her arms. If Regina had no idea of her looks, Emma had no idea how much Regina needed to hear those words. She wrapped her own arms tight around Emma's neck, hugging her close. "Thank you," she murmured, words muffled in Emma's hair.

The hug went on for a while. Despite Emma's desperation for release, she didn't want to push Regina. And Regina needed a moment. She needed to believe Emma's words, needed to reassure herself that she was desired, desirable. Eventually, she pulled back and gave Emma a sound kiss as thanks. The swipe of a tongue against Regina's lips reminded both women what they were in the middle of and Emma slowly lowered herself back to the mattress, pulling Regina with her.

The brunette recommenced her journey, less concerned now with how her breasts hung lower than Emma's would have, how her stomach too looked a little less than perfect with gravity working against her. It didn't matter. Emma didn't care. What did matter and what Regina cared about was making Emma feel good.

She threw herself into that task as soon as she settled between the blonde's eagerly spread thighs. Emma's fingers raked against her scalp as her tongue began its torment. Unlike Emma, Regina didn't want to take her time. She wanted to feel the blonde crest against her, needed to taste her want, her desirability. She licked firmly, suckled Emma's clit, dipped her tongue into her hot centre and repeated. The hips beneath her bucked, her name was spilled from Emma's lips and the fingers in her hair tightened until, moments later, Emma came.

Regina remained where she was, lapping up the blonde's pleasure and prolonging the orgasm until Emma shifted her hips away, overstimulated to the point of discomfort. Regina crawled back up the bed and lay beside her girlfriend whereby Emma rolled over and threw her arm over Regina's waist.

"You're great at that," she mumbled against lips which tasted of her own essence.

"Thank you," Regina replied. "You're great at it too."

"Is that your way of asking me to reciprocate?" Emma asked.

"No, just a statement. But I'm not going to stop you doing that if you feel so inclined."

Emma laughed. "Oh, I feel very inclined. Give me a moment to catch my breath."

"We've got all night," Regina reminded her. "There's no rush."

"We've got more than tonight," Emma said, kissing Regina tenderly. "We've got forever."

A/N: Oh wow, that got super sappy. I hope the gratuitous smut made up for it!