Emma couldn't stop thinking about what Regina had said about Robin and her being "complicated". Had they known each other back in the Forbidden Forest? They hadn't recognized each other the first time they met, so Emma doubted that. What was their connection? She had to get Regina to tell her.

Unfortunately for Emma, Regina had started going out of her way to avoid the Sherif. She could not, however, avoid their weekly meetings, and Emma planned to take full advantage. She strode in at her usual time, and planted herself firmly in front of Regina. They had not seen each other since the bar.

"Hello Emma," Regina said politely. "Anything new to report?"

Emma was taken aback by Regina's politeness. She sensed a trick.

"Um, well, the newcomers have decided to stay. I don't think they'll be a problem but I think finding housing and that stuff would fall under the mayor's department, right?"

"Yes," said Regina. "I''l take care of it,"

"So, how goes it? With Robin?" Emma kinda blurted out with all the subtlety of a mac truck. Regina raised a delicate eyebrow. "It goes just fine Sherif" she said. Emma noted the formality, but pushed ahead anyway, "Did you know him? From before?" she said.

"I did not," said Regina. Emma was shocked Regina was actually answering questions, albeit, shortly.

"So are you seeing him then?"

Regina 'd finally had enough of Emma's inquisition. "That's enough. It's none of your business,"

Emma was not so easily deterred. "You've been avoiding me ?"

"I have not been avoiding you, why would I?"

"To avoid this very conversation," Emma shot back.

"And, what exactly is the point of this conversation Emma? We're not friends, we're coparents. What I do in my personal life has nothing to do with you."

Emma winced. "You're going to act like nothing has happened between us?"

"You're the one who wanted that to be a one time thing Emma! I'm not yours!" Regina was yelling now.

"What?" Emma yelped. "I thought that's what you wanted?"

"Funny, I don't remember you asking me what I wanted," she stood up, glowering at Emma.

"Well, tell me then! What do you want?"

"Not you."

That was a lie of course. Regina did want Emma. Very much. Too much. She couldn't shake the image of tears welling up in Emma's eyes after she'd said that. She clearly hurt the blonde. It had been her intent, at least in the moment. She'd wanted to hurt Emma, let her feel the way she felt when she woke up that fateful morning to find that Emma had left her alone. But now she wished she could take it back. Turns out, hurting people just wasn't as fun as it used to be. She wished she could take it back, make it up to Emma in some way but the blonde hadn't returned any of her texts. The longer Emma ignored her, the more alone she felt, even when she was with Robin. She didn't understand, he was supposed to be her true love. But it didn't feel like that. If Robin was her true love, then why couldn't she stop thinking about Emma?

After work on a Monday, Regina found herself at the Mad Hatter. She plopped on a stool and ordered her usual.

"Why so glum?" asked Tink "Is there trouble in paradise?"

Regina sighed. "There is no paradise, Tink."

Tink paused. "What do you mean?"

"With Robin. It doesn't feel like paradise, or a honeymoon or whatever. Shouldn't this feel different?"

"Hmm, maybe it's changed?"

"Maybe, what's changed?"

"Your true love, the magic. Maybe it's someone else?"

"That can happen?"

"Of course Regina. So much has happened since Robin was supposed to be your true love. It could be someone else completely. Or, no one at all."