Dawn had been in a few relationships. One guy had refused to speak with her after she admitted she had never listened to his new album. Another boyfriend agreed to go on lots of dates and showed up to a grand total of one. Two weeks had passed since her date with Eugene and not a single ridiculously red flag popped up. He was fun, he seemed to like her, and he didn't look too bad either. With all that was going on in her life, having someone in her corner was a breath of fresh air.

Today that assistance was going to be needed more than ever. Another new resident had come to Storybrooke, Emma Swan. Dawn figured some hipster must have written a blog about the town, because more people had moved in this month than in the last ten years she'd lived there. For whatever reason her arrival had been the match in a pot of gasoline that she didn't know existed. Regina had been breathing down her neck trying to get her out of Storybrooke. Today they were going to have a professional discussion about the nature of private businesses. The only problem was that she had insisted they have their meeting in a public place.

In their office, Dawn could clearly say that she didn't give a rip about who she thought she be allowed in her building (more politely of course). However, at Granny's every Tom, Dick, and Harry would be able to see her wax poetic about how she wanted the woman trying to steal her son gone. Luckily she had a secret weapon.

" So blondie, are we going with the old hack and slash route? Or something more subtle, like the mongoose?"

Dawn laughed as they locked arms and went into the diner. Predictably, there was a crowd of people there. Even Jimmy had crawled out of the woodwork to gulp down some pie.

" Just be prepared to back me up on anything." she whispered. Regina snapped to face her. Eugene flinched backwards as she gave her best impression of a Cheshire cat.

" Hi Dawn, nice night isn't it?"

" Yes ."

" Care for a drink?"

" No, let's cut to the chase. If Ms. Swan comes to my building and asks for a room, I have every right to offer her what I have."

" Listen, I don't want this to be a thing-" She leaned back in her chair.

" - Well it sort of is. You see, sticking your nose in someone else's business automatically makes it a thing. That's doubled if it involves mayoral authority" Eugene added. Dawn motioned for him to tone it down a bit, while still flashing him a quick smile.

A look of mock surprise came over Regina. " Who said anything about forcing you? All I want is to make sure my son isn't corrupted by a woman who was in jail most of her life." She dropped the condescending tone for a moment to add, "That's including while she was pregnant with him by the way."

" She's still his biological mother. Henry's definitely the kind of kid who could benefit from having some more family." Dawn mentally face palmed the second that left her mouth. Like a bug in a flytrap, she'd been ensnared. She'd lured her in with a debate on parenthood. For the next half hour they'd debate on Emma and Henry instead of what they came here for. The worst part was that it was working. Every time she was about to bring up something business related, she started on some new factoid. No matter what she was saying, it seemed more appealing than having to tell someone that yet again her business was screwing someone over. She'd been counting on Eugene to divert the conversation back, but her tricks were working even more on him. Apparently he had quite the penchant for arguments.

By then almost everyone had trickled out. The couples had curled into their apartments for a night of scrolling through netflix before falling asleep to "Chopped". Students working on reports had long since finished or given up in a fit of rage. The only ones left were the ones too drunk and pitiful to throw out.

" Well, this has been a lovely chat, Dawn. It was nice to formally meet Eugene too!" Now she was writing up a check. In seconds she'd be gone. If this visit was ever mentioned again, she'd claim they both agreed to not rent a room to Emma.

" No." she said. Before she had time to plan out what she was going to say the words tumbled out of her mind. " I came here to tell you that you can't tell me what to do, and you haven't gotten that yet. But hopefully you have now."

A surge of pride warmed her. It was one of those things you thought about doing at three in the morning while regretting life choices. It wasn't something you just did, but she did. Was she going to be one of those people who just did what they wanted? Was she actually going to make something go her way for once?

Regina's lips curled up into a predatory smile. " Oh?" The words weren't filled with fury or shock as she had anticipated. Instead they were almost pleased with the outcome. " And what makes you think I can't make you?"

Eugene furrowed his brow and opened his mouth, but Regina cut him off. " Dawn, if I wanted to have your place shut down and leave everyone associated with it on the streets I could. Instead, I'm letting you choose to work with me. The question isn't why I think I control you, the question is why you think I can't."

Stuttering, Dawn prepared another retort. She wasn't just giving up! She was going to win for once! But the moment she had a response ready, she realized the ugly truth. Regina was right. She couldn't afford to win. She couldn't even afford to fight.

Once again, Eugene looked as if he was preparing the tongue lashing of the century. Before she dragged someone else into her fight, she responded.

" Of course." The words were hardly audible. All the confidence that had suddenly blossomed had wilted even faster. Some of the remaining patrons looked on with pity, but said nothing. The diner seemed all too silent as she walked out.