A/N: Thanks to the couple of you who reviewed the last chapter! I really appreciate your comments! I don't have chapter 4 started yet, but let me know what you thought of this one and I'll try to get the next one written soon. Thanks for giving this story a shot!


As the flight progressed Emma drank through her coffee, much more at ease than when she had first boarded. She liked Regina a lot but she didn't want to bother her too much because Emma knew personally how annoying it was to have your neighbour constantly trying to talk to you when all you wanted to do was relax and watch a movie. Not that Regina is watching a movie...

Every once in a while when she knew Regina's head was turned towards Henry, Emma would sneak a look at her. Everything about her was perfect: her bone structure, her complexion, her hair, her eyes, her voice... Emma's heart softened as she watched Henry and Regina flipping through their vacation photos on the iPad.

Just then Henry looked up and his eyes met hers across Regina. His face lit up. "Do you want to see too?" He asked.

Regina turned towards Emma and once again Emma felt her heart flutter as their eyes met. What is it about this woman? Emma knew she needed to keep her distance, she would only end up getting hurt once she confirmed that Regina had a husband or boyfriend or some other form of partner. Regina was a mom. Not to mention that she was the most amazing woman in the world – if Emma wasn't being too premature in granting Regina that status without knowing anything about her. Of course Regina would have someone else in her life. Someone she and Henry were probably returning too as soon as this flight landed in Boston.

"Yeah for sure," Emma replied kindly to Henry, despite her embarrassment over allowing herself to be caught looking.

Henry passed the iPad to Regina who held it so they could all see. Emma noticed the way she held it slightly more towards her than towards Henry, likely because Henry could see the photos any time. As Regina swiped through the pictures Henry narrated each quick detail about them. They were just your average Disney trip photos but Emma loved seeing them. The smile on her face was genuine, rather than that fake smile she often wore when people wanted to show her hundreds of photos of their new pet chicken or something along those lines. One picture is fine but who needs hundreds of the same damn chicken?

Henry and Regina's photos though... Emma could look at these for days. Emma saw pictures of the mother and son in front of the giant Mickey Mouse Ferris wheel, in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle... she saw pictures of Henry with the characters, a few of Regina with the characters too... Emma couldn't stop smiling in response to how happy they both looked. Maybe Regina was right and it was the theme park's Christmas spirit rubbing off on them, or maybe they were just so happy because they were together.

They had finished looking through the photos by the time the food and drink carts came around. Emma wanted another coffee but she was already pretty caffeined up and so she just took a water and a little pack of cookies. Regina purchased a meal for Henry, who had complained of being hungry, and then took just an apple juice for herself. When Regina ever so slightly leaned in front of Emma to take the items from the flight attendant Emma's senses were flooded by Regina's perfume once more. It wasn't overpowering by any means, it was just, outstanding.

Henry had taken out a menu booklet and was reading through the options. Before the flight attendant could walk away he asked, "you have hot chocolate?! I just noticed."

"We sure do," the flight attendant, whose name was Chris, replied happily. "Would you like one?"

Henry looked to his mother first, who gave a him an affectionate smile and a small nod of her head.

"Yes please!" He responded.

"Could I have one too?" Emma asked, jumping on that. Hot cocoa was her jam. Or her bread and butter. Either way, she loved it.

"Of course," Chris replied, "shall we make that three?" He asked Regina.

"Oh no, I'm fine thank you." She replied graciously.

"Okay, I'll have those ready for you in a few minutes and someone will bring them out to you.

"Thanks." Emma grinned.


The hot cocoas arrived soon after and Emma had now drank her way through a Venti Pike Place, the orange-carrot-mango juice from Starbucks and a cup of water. She had eaten her pumpkin bread and her pack of cookies along with another few snacks that Chris had brought to them discreetly as a little extra treat, while Regina had wisely only consumed her one Tall coffee. Regina had also purchased a Pike Place at Starbucks, and Emma found this to be much more significant than it probably was. They drank the same coffee, big deal. So did about a hundred thousand other people, but Emma found herself wanting to connect with this woman in any way possible.

Emma held her cup of cocoa in between both hands, allowing the warmth to run through her as she contentedly closed her eyes.

"So you said you've spent Christmas all over the world," Regina's voice asked. "What places have you seen so far?"

Emma opened her eyes again. "Well... the last two years I was actually on the same kind of schedule, so I spent both years in England, but in different parts. Last year I was in Bath and the year before I was in London."

Regina's eyes softened, "that sounds nice. What was it like?"

"Well London was great. There were Christmas decorations everywhere. The city was completely lit up, it was so beautiful. The shopping was amazing too... it was nice but it was busy. And then last year I had a two day layover in London and I visited Bath just for something different. It was nice as well, a little bit calmer then London I guess but not really. It had a more rustic feel if that's possible since everything in England is you know, so old. But there were lots of Christmas markets, the food was great, there was ice skating which... I didn't actually do because I was by myself and that's kind of no fun. There was a Christmas carousel which was beautiful but which I also didn't do." Emma shrugged. "I don't know... I love being able to see all these different places but at the same time it would have been nice to spend Christmas with someone. To have traditions you know?"

"I understand," Regina replied with a tender glance towards her son, who was busy watching a movie. "Christmas just wasn't... Christmas until Henry came along."

No mention of a significant other... Emma thought to herself. That was when she glanced towards Regina's hands. She hoped she wasn't being too obvious. No ring. "Is it... just the two of you?" She asked in a somewhat high voice as she tried to be nonchalant.

She was relieved when Regina did not seem bothered by the question. In fact Regina's eyes glistened in a way that had Emma feeling all gooey inside. "Yes it's just me and Henry." She replied quietly.

Emma didn't know how to respond to that. The way Regina was looking at her right now was going to make her heart explode. She didn't even think Regina was aware of the effect she was having on her. Regina, unlike Emma, was acting like a normal person. It was Emma who was reading too much into every tiny eyelash flutter.

"How about you?" Regina asked. "Do you have anyone back in California?"

"Me? No. No, not for a long time."

"Just not interested in a relationship?" Regina asked gently in a way that could have seemed too personal or nosy coming from someone else, but which from Regina came off as completely amiable and non-judgy.

"It's not that," Emma responded. "I just haven't found the right person you know?"

Regina's lips pressed together as she hummed her agreement. "Yes I think I do know."


Oh my god oh my god oh my god.

Emma's mind was reeling as she stared at her reflection in the mirror of the tiny bathroom she had locked herself in.

She was reading too far into things, she had to be. There was no way Regina had meant what Emma wanted her to mean. It was just a simple, innocent little sentence... but it was the way the brunette had looked at her. Emma had always been an avid disbeliever of anyone who claimed 'love at first sight', but the woman in 5B was definitely giving Emma a run for her money. No. Emma did not think she was in love with this woman, she had only just met her for lord's sake... but Emma did think that perhaps her feelings for Regina could grow into something more if they were given the chance.

Oh my god. Oh my goood. Emma fretted. What was happening? She had never felt like this about anyone before, but what was she supposed to do? As soon as this plane landed in Boston Emma would likely never see Regina again. She didn't want to ask for contact information, what if it ruined everything? What if Regina wasn't looking for a relationship? What if she wasn't looking for a relationship with another woman? Emma didn't want to ruin the memory of this day by having Regina graciously crush her heart.

"Shit." Emma whispered to herself.

The plane shook a bit and she habitually put her hand out to steady herself.

Turbulence. Nothing to worry about. All the same, she heard the little ding that indicated the seatbelt sign had just turned back on and she knew she should get back to her seat. Not because she was afraid of the turbulence but because she was well aware of how annoying it was for flight attendants to have to ask people to stay in their seats and have no one listen.

Emma took in a deep, calming breath. She couldn't stay forever locked in this airplane-closet-bathroom. She had to go back to her seat. She had to sit next to Regina for the remaining three-and-a-half or so hours of this flight and be normal, and maybe – if she was feeling brave – be a bit charming.

Emma released her breath, not feeling much calmer, and then gave the Emma in the mirror an encouraging nod.

"You can do this." She whispered.

She slid the lock on the door just as the plane shook with another healthy round of turbulence, this time a little stronger than before. She reached for the door to keep herself steady but since it had already slid open she fell right through and into the hallway. AND... into another person. Not just any person either.

"Oh!" Regina exclaimed, as Emma nearly took them both down.

Emma's arms instinctively wrapped around Regina's thin frame to keep her from falling. "Sorry! Oh my god sorry. Shit, are you okay?" Emma asked as she stumbled around, holding onto Regina for dear life while also trying to hold Regina upright.

"I'm fine," the brunette responded a little breathlessly, although her eyes still showed signs of surprise. They were both frozen now, finally having regained their shared balance. They were staring into each other's eyes in shock for a few moments, both breathing a little heavily.

"Um," Emma swallowed in embarrassment, "sorry." She repeated, finally releasing her grip on the other woman's waist. It was only then that she realized Regina's arms were also around her shoulders.

Oh. My. God.

Regina quickly let go and took a step back. "Sorry." She said, looking away.

"It wasn't your fault." Emma replied, completely mortified with herself. Maybe it was better to never see Regina once today was over after all. Emma seemed to be destined to make a fool of herself in front of this perfect, perfect human.

"I shouldn't have been standing so close to the door." Regina reasoned.

"I–" Emma tried to reply.

"Ladies I'm afraid the seatbelt sign is on, would you please return to your seats?" One of Chris's flight attendant colleagues asked.

"Would it be okay if I just used the restroom first?" Regina asked, a slight blush to her cheeks from the events of a few seconds prior.

"Could you wait until the turbulence eases up a bit? The seatbelt sign is on." The flight attendant repeated.

Regina gave a small sigh. "Of course."

"No hey wait," Emma placed a hand on Regina's arm as the brunette went to turn away. "She would have had time if I hadn't taken like, an hour in there." Emma said to the flight attendant. "Just let her use it quickly. Please?"

The flight attendant went to respond, looking flustered, but Regina shook her head. "It's not an emergency." She responded graciously. "I only came back here so I wouldn't have to bother you to get up later on. Although Henry will likely have to use the bathroom at some point, I can just go then."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Just then, the second bathroom door which was located on the other side of the tiny hallway opened and the flight attendant stepped backward to allow for more room while Emma and Regina moved towards the seats. The other passenger – a mother carrying a baby in her arms – mumbled her apologies as she edged past Emma and Regina to return to her own seat.

"Ladies," the flight attendant urged again.

"We'll go sit down." Regina placed a gentle hand on Emma's back to persuade her to move. The two carefully walked back down the aisle to their row, every so often grabbing a hold of the backs of the seats beside them to keep steady whenever the plane bumped and shook. Emma reached their row first and so she stood back a little to allow Regina to enter first. Regina however, stopped and looked up into Emma's eyes, studying her for a few moments.

"Wh–?" Emma began to ask, but then Regina reached up and gently brushed a few strands of hair away from Emma's eyes.

"Thank you for catching me." Regina said softly.

"Uh–" Emma replied, taken aback. "–yeah. Yeah of course, no problem."

Regina gave a single nod, dropping her gaze away from Emma's before returning to her seat and buckling up. Emma didn't quite know how to react as she took her own seat a few seconds later. Both women sat side-by-side, not looking at each other, but each with a soft smile on their face and an enamoured twinkle in their eyes.


A/N: Thanks for reading, please leave a review and let me know what you thought. Take care! xx