This is based off my own prompt lol. This is completely AU as the only thing I'm really keeping are some names and maybe character traits. Not sure how long or how good it will be, but here we go.

Read~Enjoy~Review

Chapter 1

Regina Mills paced back and forth on the stage in front of her nine dancers. She was the manager of a very upscale 'dancers' club in a small town in Maine. Her mother had bought this club while going through her own midlife crisis after Henry decided to move to Japan with a woman younger than his youngest daughter. Cora had tried to make it a male strip club, but she found that men didn't make as much money as women did. Women dancers got money from both men and women and let's face it; women are much more beautiful to look at. Regina took over the management of the club when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and turned it into the high class, money making business it was now. It was not some trashy place with blow jobs going on in the back – though for the right person, right amount of money, and a signed disclosure agreement, arrangements could be made - and Regina was proud of that. She was not, however, proud of her girls right now.

"I am not impressed with you all right now. I need ten girls! Ten! I had ten and the next thing I know she leaves because of how you all treated her!" She couldn't explain the rush she got from pacing in front of the line of bikini clad women, knowing she was their boss. "This is not high school or some pageant where you're competing. This is your job and my damn business." She stopped in front of the tallest one and turned to her. "You will work extra shifts until I get Mandy replaced. Do not argue, Ruby, or you will be fired. I've had enough of you scaring away my girls."

"Mandy was terrible anyway." Zelena stated, rolling her eyes.

"Just because you are my sister does not mean I won't fire you!" Regina spat, going over to her. "I'm tired of you women acting like children!" She paced again. "Now, I suggest if any of you knows anyone wanting a job, who's at least a little attractive, and is a good worker to bring her in for an interview. I'll be holding interviews tomorrow morning from nine until one. You will all be here with the choreographer working on your so-called moves." They all groaned, and Regina snapped around. "Do you or do you not like making upwards of $2,000 a night from tips alone?" Shuffling, they all nodded. "That won't continue if you don't work for it. Now, go get ready." Regina took out a list. "Kenzie, Sadie, Emily and Gia, you four start out behind the bar with Graham and Neal. Ruby, Lilly, and Ashley, you three will start on stage and Zelena and Lacey, you two will be walking around making sure everyone is happy." That was also code for giving lap dances, but they didn't mind.

Regina then went to the bouncer. "Leroy, I need you to actually do your job tonight. No more letting someone in without an ID simply because they wink at you. It's my license on the line. One more time and you're fired." She then went upstairs to her office, sighing as she sat down.

"I know that was rough, but you did good, Gina." Mal said, watching the club from the high, one sided mirrored windows. "Those girls need to get their acts together and if they get me out there, then they're in big trouble." Mal Dracon was The Queen's Club's assistant manager and while she was in a position lower than Regina, she was the one with the iron fist. "You care about them too much."

"Not now, Mal." Regina said, sighing. She pushed a button and Jennifer came in. "Please get me a glass of ice water."

"Yes, boss." The woman left and Regina rubbed her temples.

"It's not like we have an overflowing stack of applications."

"I've got six girls lined up to come in tomorrow for interviews." Mal said, sitting in a chair across from Regina's desk.

"Thank you, Jen." Regina said, taking her water. She then sat back. "Great, so six bimbo's will be here sticking their tits in my face."

"It's not like we get girls with degrees wanting to dance, Regina. We just need a pretty face and a nice body."

"I know, but the girls you bring in are usually ditzy, blonde, and annoying."

"We need more blondes. We have all brunettes and one dirty blonde. Guys like blondes."

"You like blondes." Regina pointed out.

"Sue me." Mal said with a smirk.

"Lilly, isn't your roommate looking for a job?" Ruby asked as she worked on her make up. "She's cute; bring her in tomorrow."

"Emma?" Lilly laughed. "Emma is the last person who'd want to work here. She grew up in foster care and had bad experiences with men. She'd hate dancing for them."

"Maybe, but if you tell her that she's in control and not them, maybe she'd change her mind."

"I doubt it, but I'll try."

Eight hours later Lilly walked out with $2,550 from tips and a smile on her face. She took the bus to her apartment and smiled when she came inside seeing Emma still up. "Morning." She called, putting her keys on the table. "I have to be back into work in six hours." She groaned, plopping on the sofa."

"Nine? Why? The club isn't even open tomorrow." Emma asked, handing Lilly a bowl of popcorn.

"Choreographer is coming to work with us."

"Ugh. Sorry. I know how much you hate her."

"Grace. You'd think with a name like that she'd be nice. She's a total bitch. But…her moves do make us more money." She looked sideways at Emma. "The club is hiring."

"Lilly. No." Emma said.

"Emma just…come on look how much money I made just today." She said, taking out the wad of cash. "You won't have to panhandle to pay rent. You can still look for another job and just dance for a while."

"Naked. Dance naked. In front of dirty men."

"And some beautiful women. Emma, the best thing is that they can't touch you unless you allow it. You're in control. You decide what does and doesn't happen to you. Plus, I'd get commission and I'd split it with you. $500.00 each."

Emma chewed on her lip as she thought. Emma was a 21 year old blonde who had recently been fired from her waitress job after slapping a customer who touched her ass. She was an orphan who grew up going from home to home and was determined to make something of herself. Unfortunately, it was taking longer to save enough money for school than she planned. Lilly had asked her once before about dancing at the club and Emma declined it without even thinking. Seeing all the money Lilly was making, she had a harder time not thinking about it now. "I could pay for online courses if I was making that kind of money. But you said all the girls there are bitches. You know me, I can't hold back."

"They'll be nice to you because you're my friend. The only ones you have to watch yourself around are Mal and Regina; the managers." Lilly gave a pouty face. "Please, Emma? It would be so fun to work with you."

Emma sighed. "Fine. I'll go in for an interview."

Lilly squealed and threw her arms around Emma, hugging her. "Great! They start at nine. Come early; it looks better. Come in with me."

"Lills, I don't know how to work a pole or anything."

"It's okay. You start behind the bar. You don't make the drinks, you just take orders and give them and smile and flirt. While that's going on at night, during the day, you get training with us. Don't worry, Regina won't put you out there until you're ready."

The next morning, Emma grabbed her and Lilly coffee before they headed off to the club. "I'm nervous." Emma admitted.

"Don't be. Just smile, be nice, and answer questions honestly."

Emma nodded and was lost in her own thoughts as they made their way to the club. Once there, she threw her cup away and went in with Lilly. Lilly grinned and winked at Ruby. "Hey girls, this is Emma. She's here to apply for the job. She's my best friend, so be nice."

Ruby looked Emma up and down, though it was hard to tell what she looked like with her jacket on, she figured she would do. "You dance?"

"In my room." Emma said, looking around. She had an idea of what the place would look like, but it wasn't this. This was high class and Emma could tell that not just anyone got in; which made her feel better. "Where's Regina?"

"In her palace." Gia said, glancing up at the windows. "Her and Mal are probably watching us."

"If that's true, we should probably be stretching." Lilly said, taking her jacket off. All the 'girls' were wearing workout clothes and they all started stretching. "Emma, you can wait at the bar. I'm sure Regina will be down soon and you can start on an application." She looked at Graham who was doing inventory. "Can you please get Emma an application?"

He did and Emma gave a nod of thanks. She then slipped her jacket off and sat down to fill it out.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" Graham asked. "Coffee? Tea? I can't do alcohol yet."

"Just an ice water would be great. Thank you."

Regina shook her head as she watched the blonde take her coat off and sit at the bar. "Really, Mal? You're so predictable."

"What?" Mal asked, coming over and looking out. "Who is that beauty?"

"She's not one of yours?"

"No. If I'd have met her, I'd have hired her myself. She's exactly what we need."

"You can't tell that from up here."

"She's blonde with long legs. That's perfect."

Regina rolled her eyes and left the office, going downstairs. "Girls! I expect you all to be respectful and on your best behaviors with Grace. Grace, they're all yours." She watched them get started and then went to the bar, putting a smile on her face. "Hello. I'm Regina Mills. Can I help you with something?"

Emma looked up and swallowed. "I um…Lilly told me you were hiring."

"Ah, you know Lilly?"

"Yes. She's my roommate. I'm Emma Swan." She held out her hand and Regina shook it.

"Well, let's see what we've got here." Regina said, taking Emma's application.

The two talked for a bit and Regina found that while Emma was annoyingly sweet and told terrible jokes, there was something about her she liked. "Now, usually I'd call you back for this next part, but seeing as no one else is here to interview and we're already to this point, how about you get on stage and show me what you've got?"

"What…now?" Emma asked, her cheeks flushing.

"No time like the present, sweets." Came a voice from behind Emma. "You can keep your clothes on…for now."

"Mal, this is Emma Swan. Emma, this is Mal, my assistant manager. Look, I see that you're new to this. I don't expect fancy pole work or anything like that, but just basic dancing." She looked over to the girls. "Lilly! Come here!"

Lilly came over and wiped her brow with her towel. "Yes, boss?"

"Take Emma on stage. Get her into it."

Lilly looked at Emma and then nodded. "Come on, Ems." The two went on stage and Regina nodded to Graham who started some music. She and Mal folded their arms as they watched from the bar. Emma took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "You can do this Emma, just feel the music." Lilly whispered. "Come on, club time." She gave Emma a look and grinned. The two would go clubbing now and then and would take over the dance floor.

Emma nodded and got into the beat of the music. She watched Lilly for a bit before joining in, her hips gyrating and her arms over her head. She and Lilly danced well together and men would drool watching them.

"They're good together." Mal said.

"Yes, but they can't always be together. Though…maybe we should look at partner dancing. I could see people enjoying this if they were scantily clad."

Mal grinned. "I'd enjoy that."

"Very good, but now by yourself please." Regina called.

Emma froze for just a beat, but then kept going, just imagining Lilly was still there. She didn't know that everyone had stopped what they were doing and were watching. Grace looked at Regina and gestured for permission before going over to Emma. "That's very good, but let's try this." She said and gave her some tips. Emma caught on quickly and very soon, she was doing moves she'd never done and Grace was smiling. Actually smiling. Regina didn't think she'd ever seen Grace smile at any of her girls before. The woman turned to Regina. "She's fabulous. She listens and does what I tell her."

Regina smiled. "Thank you. Emma, you may come back down here, we have business to discuss."

"I can't believe I got the job! I thought she'd have other interviews." Emma said as she and Ruby walked home.

"She did, but she dismissed them. She liked you, Emma, really liked you. Let's go celebrate."

Because the two were so tired, celebrating meant a nice lunch and then home to laze and watch movies.

Emma's first week was rough. It was weird wearing barely anything and flirting with customers while behind the bar at night and learning moves during the day. She surprised herself with her strength when she had pole dancing practice and noticed some of the girls looked at her with jealousy. She didn't like that at all. She also didn't like the bitchy, snide remarks some would give, but she did her best to ignore them. She focused on the money. Sure, she wasn't making as much as Lilly, but she couldn't complain.

"What do you think of her?" Regina asked, watching as Emma was practicing her new pole moves.

"Emma? She's a sweetheart." Mal said coming over to the window. "She's also getting her own fans already. The other girls are jealous and the customers want to fuck her. She's perfect."

Regina had a small smile on her face as she watched the blonde. "I wouldn't mind fucking her myself, if I could just get her to shut up. Gods she talks so much and her jokes are not at all funny. She annoys the shit out of me, but…"

"But she's hot. Give her a chance, Regina; she's just getting her footing still." She turned to her boss. "I also wouldn't recommend fucking her. She's your employee."

"Like you're one to talk? I know for a fact that you and Sadie have your own little thing going on."

"Maybe. But the difference is, if I had to, I could still fire her. If you got involved with Emma, you'd treat her different and that's not good for business. You also have that jealous streak so you wouldn't let her do her actual job. Just don't even think about it, Regina. We don't want a repeat of Allison."

Regina sighed. "Right. Well, I guess I just focus on how annoying she is then."

***A/N: I have no idea where this story is going except that it's SQ endgame. Any ideas are welcome!