A/N: Thanks again for the reviews. I have taken on board your suggestions and hope this chapter delivers. :-)

Regina slept in a little longer, well she tried at least. She couldn't cry or be angry or blame Emma for wanting to leave. It wasn't her she loved. She was drunk and reacting to a bad situation and God knows, Regina had done the very same thing on more occasions than she cared to admit. She shouldn't have taken advantage of the situation but she couldn't even feel guilty about it. Emma had wanted it too. Emma had come to her. She gave her an out and she didn't take it. She shuddered remembering how the blonde's body had felt against hers. It was better than she'd ever imagined it would be. A bitter sweet victory. Now she had tasted the savior's delectable forbidden fruit, she wasn't sure one bite would ever be enough.

Regina finally rose from the bed when she heard her phone vibrating on the night stand and answered it reluctantly.

"Good morning, Ruby."

"Actually, it's afternoon but I just woke up too so I guess, good morning!"

Ruby heard Regina sigh heavily down the receiver.
"How's your head today?"

Regina sassed, "my head is fine thank you, although I do appear to have a rather large bruise on my shin."

"Oh man, I'm so sorry about that! Forgive me?" Ruby gritted her teeth.

"What do you want, Ruby?"

"I just wanted to see if you were ok. Snow has been bugging me for all the gory details and I haven't said anything but it's kinda killing me not being able to talk about, you know what. Have you spoken to Emma?" Ruby was nothing if not confident in her prying.

"I am not having this conversation with you Ruby."

"Oh come on Regina! I know you probably just think I want to gossip, and I'll admit this is the most interesting thing I've had to talk about in a while, but I really do care about her. And you. I just want you to know that I am here for you if you need to talk. I do know a bit about this kinda thing, you know, being gay and stuff."

Regina stood firm. "There's nothing to talk about. She's gone back to Hook, presumably, and I'm fine with that. It is what it is. It was just a drunken fling and I'm not talking about this with you!"

Ruby's ears had pricked up. "What do you mean, she's gone back to Hook? Oh my God! You totally screwed her last night, didn't you?"

Regina reddened realising the slip she had made. "Ruby...that is not what I.."

"You so did! I'm coming over! We need to make a plan!"

"Mrs Lucas-Gale! I have no idea, and nor do I care why you are suddenly under the impression that you and I are going to sit around braiding each other's hair, discussing my sex life like some giddy teenagers in an after school special! I can assure you, that is never going to happen!" Regina was shocked at Ruby's boldness. She was still Mayor after all. There were some lines you just didn't cross with her.

"Okay Madame Mayor. Have it your way! Jees, I thought we were past formalities by now. Good luck with that!" Ruby hung up.

Regina groaned, dropped back against the pillows and threw her phone out of reach. She hadn't meant to be so stand offish with the younger woman but she had meant what she said. She was fine, or at least, she would be once this hangover passed.

###

"You can't be serious Emma? You really want to go ahead with this farce? And you expect me to just be satisfied with what exactly? A half-arsed promise of, oh, maybe I won't die and you'll do for now!" Hook was furious. This wasn't the reaction he had expected and he felt hurt that Emma hadn't been in the slightest jealous.

"You don't get to make demands on me Hook! Not after what you did."

"After what I did? What about what you did love? I have absolutely no feelings for Tink. You, on the other hand didn't even blink before jumping straight into that evil bitches bed! She's just been waiting for the opportunity and now the Queen got what she wanted, she kicks you out for the dogs to fight over the scraps!"

"That is not what happened!" Emma was disgusted by what he just said.

"Then tell me, Swan! And be honest. What is it that you want from me?"

Emma began to cry hopelessly. "I just want you to be there Hook. I need it to be you. I need you to be the strong, heartless pirate that gets to sail off into the sunset when everything falls apart."

Hook stood, his breathing labored trying to control his temper. He spoke sternly. "If that's what you wish, then so be it." Before he left he added, "I may be the pirate Swan, but you are truly heartless."