posting note: This week's update is short, so I'm going to post Chapter 6 in a few minutes. ~ LZ

Chapter 5

Regina insisted on going to City Hall for a few hours. "I can work."

Emma checked in at the Sheriff's station and then went across the street to Granny's for lunch.

"Hi, Em," Ruby greeted as she stepped up to the counter.

"Two lunches to go," Emma said, putting a foot up on the kick bar. Things were not permanently settled with Regina yet, but she was beginning to see the shape of it. She smiled, thinking about holding Regina's hand while the woman had her blood drawn. Even if she hadn't been able to watch, she had been there.

"Two? Who's your lunch date? Henry's still in school."

"I'm taking Regina hers at City Hall. Just left her there doing some work."

"Her usual then?"

"Yeah." She cocked her head. "What is Regina's usual?" she asked.

"Chicken Salad. Vinaigrette dressing."

"Okay."

"Is it budget time? Is that why the Sheriff's working with the Mayor?"

"Regina and I are working on a project," Emma replied vaguely. Again, it would come out eventually, but she felt it was important that Regina decide when and where.

"Okay, so Regina's getting a salad. What'll you have, Em?"

"Grilled cheese. And a tomato soup," Emma replied. "Warm up from the inside."

"Gotcha. It'll be right out. Fill up your To-Go cups at the fountain."

Emma took the two large paper cups over to the drink fountain and quickly programmed herself a cherry cola. "Hmmm," she hesitated as she considered what Regina would want to drink. If her stomach was going to be difficult for a while, maybe no sugar at all, or maybe… "Just text her," she muttered to herself, pulling out her phone and pulling up the woman from her contact list. "What to drink with chicken salad?"

Regina texted back a moment later. "I have apple cider here."

Working a hunch though, Emma filled the second cup with ginger ale. It had settled her stomach more than a few times during her pregnancy.

Ruby called her over. "Em, order's up."

"Thanks, Rubes. See you later."

Collecting the bags, and tucking the drinks in a cardboard carrier, Emma left quickly, walking past one of the dwarfs coming in for his lunch break. She thought the bald short man might be Walter, aka Sleepy, but she only exchanged a look with him before the moment was past.

Regina finally felt settled, back in her element amid the petty bureaucrats at City Hall. She told Jeremy, her personal assistant, to call George, formerly King George, and currently Storybrooke's attorney, to prepare a report about all the city business conducted in her absence. "I want it tonight," she stated firmly.

"Yes, Madam Mayor." Jeremy smiled, not even looking up from the typing he was doing on a report in triplicate that was due to the comptroller in the morning. "I'm glad Henry's safe," he added, just before Regina reached the threshold of her inner office.

Pausing on the door frame, Regina turned back. This time Jeremy looked up, catching her smile. "Yes. Would you please alert me twenty minutes before school is out. I would like to pick him up today."

"Of course, ma'am."

Regina had just settled behind her desk when she heard Jeremy's chair move and then the man's voice. "The mayor is not to be disturbed."

"I brought her lunch. I think I'll be welcome," Emma replied.

As if on cue, Regina's stomach rumbled. She walked to the office door and opened it just as Emma reached it. "Sheriff Swan, thank you. Come in." Jeremy's jaw dropped, then snapped shut. "Hold my calls," Regina said.

"Yes, ma'am."

Regina turned to see Emma smiling at her, a knowing smirk on her lips. "Give me that." She snatched the bag the blonde held out and opened it to… "No," she murmured as she felt her stomach turn at the scent of chicken and what smelled like rancid oil. She thrust the bag at Emma and ran for the private toilet in the far corner of the office. "No, no," she muttered.

Emma caught the door before it slammed shut to hide her shame. Regina's eyes watered while she lost what little breakfast she had into the toilet. Her throat burned. Without thought she took the water cup Emma handed her and then pressed into the woman's arms. There were distant thoughts that this wasn't appropriate, that they weren't this close, but in the immediate now, she simply released her tensions into the strong, firm, warm body holding her close. She inhaled slow, shaky breaths. Emma handed her some tissue.

She wiped her mouth and pulled back. "I'm -" A green gaze held hers in silence. Emma gave a minute shake of her head. "Thank you."

Gentle, strong hands guided her onto the closed toilet. Dimly she heard the lever pull and the toilet flush. Regina sipped at the cup of water, focusing on calming her pounding pulse which was doing its part to start what would likely be a world-class migraine.

"When you've been sick before, what's settled your stomach?" Emma asked.

Regina tried to remember. She was so seldom ill. But she did remember what helped settle Henry when he had the stomach flu at six. "Some ginger ale?" she thought aloud. "It worked with Henry."

"I'll be right back." Emma left the bathroom, and it seemed a rush of cold air took her place. Regina shivered.

When the blonde returned, Regina found a paper cup thrust out to her. "From Granny's," Emma said. "I had a hunch."

Regina took the paper cup in both hands and inhaled over the straw, catching the scent of ginger fizz. She was not one to drink sodas, but as the first sip slipped across her tongue and down her throat, she sighed in relief.

"It's so sugary," she complained, but she continued to sip, feeling better and better after each swallow.

"There's diet versions. I can pick up liters of it at the store," Emma suggested.

Regina hesitated when the end of the cup was accompanied by slurping sounds. She put it away from her mouth and onto the narrow bathroom counter.

Emma collected it. "Better?"

Pressing her hand over her stomach, Regina assessed her body's response to the drink and nodded. "Yes, I think so."

"All right."

Standing, Regina said, "I need to get back out there. George is due any minute."

"You want me to run interference for you, I will," Emma said. "Take the time you need."

"George won't take kindly to being diverted."

"Well, he's just gonna hafta deal," Emma said firmly. She closed the door, leaving Regina alone in the small space.

Regina rinsed her mouth with water from the sink, and splashed cool water from the faucet against her face and throat. Patting her skin dry, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her face was visibly flushed and, as she watched, her hands shook holding the towel. She closed her eyes, inhaled and exhaled to a slow count of ten. When she caught her reflection again, her color had improved and her hands were once again steady.

Out in her office, she could hear George barrel through people in his typical fashion. Emma's voice was calm as she stated Regina would be out shortly. "Sit down," the Sheriff said.

Regina could picture George's affronted expression at the sharp direction. While Emma's lack of respect for authority had rankled Regina for the last year, hearing that sharp tone being used on her behalf, against someone as officious as George, made her smile. However, she shouldn't allow things to escalate. She opened the bathroom door, took a small breath and tested her equillibrium. Finally she stepped fully out. "George, thank you for coming."

"Regina," he said, not standing on ceremony. "So, the Neverland matter is concluded?"

"Yes, Henry's home safe where he belongs."

"I understand you allied with the Charmings while there."

"A necessity," she stated in an appropriately grave tone. She cast a glance toward Emma, hoping the blonde didn't feel the need to say anything. "That will be all, Sheriff."

"Yeah, I'll... be back after my rounds, Re - Madam Mayor." Emma turned back at the door. "Six o'clock?"

"I'm collecting Henry from school at three," Regina replied, hoping Emma would understand the unspoken invitation to join them. She glanced toward George. "This will be a short meeting," she told the man pointedly.

"Of course," George quickly replied.

Emma cast one last glance from George to Regina before stepping out and closing the office door behind her.

"Now then, George," Regina said. "Tell me everything."

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