hello...don't hate me :)

...Storybrooke

David sat in his usual booth in the corner of Granny's diner, sipping on her strong coffee as he tried to prepare himself for the day ahead. He rubbed his eyes tiredly after another poor nights sleep on the stylish but uncomfortable couch in the Mayor's mansion. If they were going to keep arguing like they were he was going to have to make his nest in one of the empty guest bedrooms. It's not like anyone wanted to visit, anyways.

His wife may be the Mayor of the town but she was not a beloved one. In fact, her spiteful nature and sharp tongue had alienated most everyone around them. Being town sheriff meant people had to trust and confide in him if he was going to do his job in keeping the town safe, but his wife's personality did not aid in that. In fact, it didn't aid in much. He couldn't remember a time when they'd been truly happy. Hell, he couldn't even remember the last time he'd had sex.

His attention was drawn from swirling the remainder of coffee in his cup to the diner door by the bells that signaled it's use. His lips curled into a faint smile when he saw a brunette not looking much older than 25, dressed in equestrian pants and boots and a button up shirt. She had striking features - dark eyes, perfectly shaped nose and brows, full lips that were painted red and what looked like long hair that was in a french braid down her back. His eyes traveled then to a much smaller, sleepy brunette on the woman's hip. The little girl slumped over her mothers shoulder, dressed in her school clothes with a tiny backpack on and neat but curly pony tale, the same shade as her mother's dark locks. David grinned as he related to the grumpy pout the small girl gave when her mother put her down to take a few menus from Granny at the counter.

"Just let me know when you're ready and I'll put the order right in," Granny smiled and nodded at the woman with uncharacteristic friendliness before leaning over the counter to look at the child, "And I'll bring your hot chocolate right over."

The tiny brunette gave a smile that matched her mother's and a sleepy nod before taking her mother's hand and pulling her over towards the boothes lining the wall.

"Thank you Ms. Lucas," The beautiful brunette nodded to the woman with a smile before letting her daughter lead her to the table of her choosing.

To his surprise the girls eyes flitted towards him, spotting him in the corner booth before slipping into the table directly in front of his. He blinked a little when they made eye contact, struck by the sense of familiarity he felt at the brief glance. He looked up to see her mother give a friendly smile in his direction before returning her attention to her daughter as she helped her in the booth. The woman was just as breathtaking up close.

He looked back to his coffee when he realized he was watching the charming mother daughter duo, afraid he'd already stared too long and seemed strange. He tried to occupy his mind but couldn't help to overhear their conversation. The girl complained about having to go to school and her mother reassured her that she'd love it, mentioning that Dorothy was going to be her teacher, but at school she had to call her Miss Gale. The little girl mimicked the Miss Gale part as her mother said it, letting David know it wasn't the first time her mother had had this conversation with her.

David found himself smiling as he finished his coffee and eavesdropped on the conversation. When the chatter dwindled briefly between them he got the feeling he was being watched and looked up to see the little girl had turned around in the booth to peep over at him. The child had big, inquisitive blue eyes that were clearly analyzing him and he found himself grinning back at her bold stare.

"My name is Violet, what's yours?" She asked with a confidence he was sure she'd inherited from the woman behind her, who happened to look up instantly when she realized her daughter was bothering a stranger.

"David, nice to meet you," He smiled and gave a nod before he glanced up at her mother who looked rather apologetic.

"I'm sorry, she's not usually this social in the morning," She smiled with a soft laugh before gently scolding Violet to not bother him. The girl huffed and twirled around to plop down on her bottom with a show of theatrics that made her mother raise a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"It's fine, I'm not usually a morning person either," He gave another smile to the little girl who slowly craned her neck around to look at him once more with a curious gaze. "Are you two new to town?"

"Actually no," The mother smiled weakly, her eyes giving her away despite her otherwise pleasant demeanor and he instantly wondered what her story was, "We just recently moved from the outskirts into the loft apartment near the clock tower on 8th street."

"Oh, I know the place," David nodded, internally frowning as he'd been on a domestic call to that apartment's prior inhabitants and knew how dilapidated the building was, "It's in a good location," He added with a smile, focusing on a positive instead.

"We're making it home," She nodded before smiling confidently at her mini-me, "Before I guess we didn't get out that much, but that's going to change now."

"I hope so, the fall festival will be soon you won't want to miss that," David smiled before raising an eyebrow at the child who was still watching him, "There's pumpkin carving."

"Mommy can we go?!" Pleading blue eyes shifted from him to the woman across from him instantly after his statement.

"As long as I'm not working late," The woman nodded with a smile to her daughter and David instantly wished he hadn't hyped the girl up for something they may not be able to attend.

"Anyways, welcome to town," David smiled as he picked up his bill and stood from the booth, "I'm David Nolan, by the way."

"You have a gun," The girl stood on her knees in the booth instantly when she spotted his badge, "Are you the police?"

"I'm sheriff," He nodded with a smile, "So if you two ever need anything please let me know."

"Regina Mills," The woman nodded with a smile. "Thank you, we really appreciate it."

"See you around," David smiled and reluctantly pulled himself away, feeling strange for how drawn to them he felt. He turned and walked over to the register where Granny was, glancing over to see Regina and her daughter chattering away again, "How come I've never seen her before?" He frowned curiously at Granny who obviously seemed to know about the woman.

"She's Daniel Colter's widow," Granny nodded quietly, taking his bill from him to ring up, "Well, they never quite made it to the alter before his accident. He owned the stable just outside of town, had the heart attack."

"I think I remember hearing about that," David frowned slightly and shook his head, having faint memories of hearing of the shock of someone so young and seemingly healthy passing of heart problems. Stories like that spread quickly in a small town. "I guess I just don't remember seeing her around before."

"Shes not from around here and rarely came to town, especially after he passed. It's just been her and her little girl. She found out she was with child shortly after the funeral," Granny looked over at them with a furrowed brow, "Ruby is real close friends with her," She added with a glance at David, explaining how she knew so much.

"I heard her mention Ruby," He nodded and handed over some cash for his bill, "I was just curious. It's not everyday you see someone new in town," He smiled and shrugged it off, not wanting to seem overly interested, "See you, Granny."

Regina sighed as she pulled her car down the gravel road that led to the stables, feeling the weight of her shoulders getting a little lighter at the knowledge she'd soon be on horseback. The pressure to make Daniel's vision for their business weighed heavily on her but she liked to think she was managing it well for doing it by herself. Aside from the financial burden and tricky business regulations, she loved working with horses and what went into it. She smiled when she saw Emma rounding the corner as she made her way out of the barn, happy to see she'd have some company for her morning chores around the place.

Emma was in the local foster program and had been suspended from the first half of her senior year of high school for stealing. As part of her punishment, the foster program required her to apply to job shadow someone in the town in an attempt for her to learn some responsibility during her time out of school. The girl had been turned down by nearly every business in the area before she'd applied to work here and Regina couldn't say she was impressed by her attitude during the interview, but she saw something in the girl's spirit she liked and decided to give her a shot. Besides, it wasn't as if there were people lining up to work here for free.

They became fast friends over the months Emma had worked there and she'd slowly gained the girls trust, mothering her any moment she would allow it. Regina knew deep down that the girl just needed someone who cared for her enough to get past her wall, but her past had made her hard to reach. Little by little, she knew she was chipping away at the teenager's tough exterior.

"You're here early," Regina smiled as she got out of her car and made her way over to the buidling, helping Emma hang up the saddle she was getting ready to oil as she struggled to get it on the stand, "Bad mood?" She raised an eyebrow at the girl when she jerked the rag from the tack on the wall. "Oh I see, we're doing the no talking thing today."

Emma groaned slightly and rolled her eyes, seeming to know Regina wouldn't quit until she spoke up, "I just got into a fight with my foster parents, that's all," She shrugged and focused her gaze on cleaning the saddle, putting some leather oil from the tin can onto the rag.

"Want to talk about it?" Regina glanced at her before making her way over to hang her jacket up on the coat hook just inside of the stables, her mood improving instantly at the smell of hay and horses.

"No," Emma muttered, "How did Violet do on her first day of school?" She asked and Regina smiled at Emma's thoughtfulness to ask. She could tell the blonde had developed a soft spot for her daughter and vice versa. The two of them were nearly insperable when Violet was at the stables with them. While most people would consider Emma a bad influence for a little girl, Regina quite liked the indpendent and strong willed nature Violet seemed to soak up from the teenager.

"She fussed all morning," Regina laughed to herself and shook her head, "So I took her to the diner for pancakes. It helps though that her teacher is Ruby's girlfriend, Dorothy. You've met her before, right?"

"Yeah they've stopped by before," Emma nodded, not looking up from her task, "So Violet didn't cry or anything?"

"No, she warmed up quickly, by the time I left she'd forgotten about me," Regina sighed and tried not to dwell on it too much, knowing she'd end up crying if she did. It wasn't easy to admit that her baby was old enough to go to school, let alone that she was actually okay with Regina leaving her there. They'd been together since the moment the doctor put Violet in her arms and it was hard for her to let her grow up sometimes.

"I doubt that, you're a good mom, I'm sure she misses you," Emma replied, complimenting her in her own nonchalant way, "You got any lessons scheduled for today?"

"Not until this afternoon," Regina raised an eyebrow with a mischevious smile over at the girl, "Want to go for a ride?" She smiled, knowing Emma had taken to riding quite naturally and was dying to put her relatively new skills to use any moment she could.

"I thought you'd never ask."

"This place actually has some charm," Ruby raised an eyebrow, sitting on the stool at the counter in Regina's loft apartment watching her clean up after dinner as they shared a bottle of wine. "I gotta admit I was a little skeptical at first."

"Yes well it was either sell the farmhouse and put the money towards saving the stables or own a house and have no way to make a living so-" Regina shrugged with a frown, looking up from drying the cutting board in her hands.

"You know you and Violet always have a place with me and Dorothy..." Ruby raised an eyebrow, instantly seeing Regina roll her eyes.

"We're fine, okay? We've got a new place and she's in school and we're happy," Regina said almost convincingly.

"Regina you've lived like a recluse for almost five years," She frowned, trying to explain herself before her friend shut down completely like she often did when she didn't want to discuss something, "If it wasn't for your kid keeping you going-"

"I'm fine," Regina grit out looking up at Ruby warningly.

"Outside of me and Violet who do you see?" Ruby raised an eyebrow, "That teenager at the stables and that's it."

"Her name is Emma and you've met her enough to know that," Regina rolled her eyes and continued putting dishes away.

"Whatever, you know what I mean," Ruby grabbed the wine bottle and topped off both of their glasses, "You haven't been with anybody since Daniel-"

"Ruby," Regina dropped a dish in the sink especially hard and looked back at her, "I told you I have no interest in that anymore."

"Everybody is interested in that," Her friend deadpanned and scoffed, "I'm just saying you should get out there more. You're an amazing mom and I know your world revolves around your kid but you deserve some happiness, too."

"Violet and running the stables does make me happy," Regina softened, remembering her patience as she reminded herself Ruby was just looking after her. She didn't have anyone else who was worried about her happiness like Ruby did. "Stop worrying about me. I'm fine."

"You lost your fiancé and have to raise a kid on your own with no family," Ruby shook her head, "Not to mention that pain in the ass Mayor who has it out for you and decided to suddenly enforce ridiculous business regulations that nearly sank you-"

"But it didn't," Regina closed her eyes briefly and groaned at the reminder of the dreadful woman.

"Only because you sold your house and put the money towards the stables! I still say we egg her car," Ruby crossed her arms with her juvenile comment, making Regina laugh. "The bitch shouldn't get away with bullying people like that."

"It's in the past, she was just doing her job anyways," Regina frowned and shook her head, trying to ignore her gut feeling that told her the Mayor took pleasure in coming after her.

"Aunt Ruby!" Violet clamored down the loft steps then and Regina silently thanked her daughter for her taking the heat off of her. She smiled at the way Violet gripped the railing with one hand and toted the fairytale book she'd found when they moved in under her free arm as she navigated the steps that she was still a little too small for. "Will you read me to my nighttime story?" She asked when she jumped down the last step and looked up at her.

"Of course I will kid," Ruby smiled and stood up from the counter, scooping Violet up from the floor and onto her hip, "Tell Mom goodnight," She carried her around the counter to Regina.

"Goodnight sweetie," Regina smiled and pressed a kiss to her daughter's forehead before watching her chatter to Ruby as she carried her up to her bedroom in the loft area.

She'd made Violets bedroom area in the loft in order to give her as much of an actual room as she could, sacrificing her own privacy by putting her bed on the first floor. It didn't matter that much seeing as she and Violet were the only ones that slept there; she didn't have a partner or a reason to need privacy. The apartment was cozy but it was big enough for she and her daughter and she was determined to make it work.

She had realized recently that she had been living like a recluse since Daniel had passed. It almost seemed like it had always just been she and Violet, it was strange how she couldn't clearly remember their life before. It was as if they'd been living in a daze and she was just beginning to realize time was passing her by, yet her past seemed like so many years ago, like her memories weren't her own. She tried not to dwell on it too much, had written it off as grief taking it's toll on her, and vowed to start doing things differently for her daughter's sake. Violet deserved the most normal life she could give her.

David made his way into the cold, dark mansion on Mifflin Street, feeling anything but at home as he took off his coat and hung it up near the front door. His badge came off next, unpinning it from his belt before unhooking his gun holster and laying it on the side table. He kicked off his boots with a sigh and walked towards the kitchen, silently hoping for his sanity's sake that his wife was working late tonight. He didn't have the energy for an argument and his head already ached a little.

He opened the fridge to gaze in, not really analyzing its content before shutting the door again in disinterest. His appetite just wasn't there, but he knew if he didn't eat he'd most likely wake up in the middle of the night starving. He sighed and reached up to open one of the cabinets to see if there was anything quick to fix but that was a bust, too.

The sight of the hot chocolate box made him smile a little as it reminded him of the mother and daughter he'd met at the diner today. For some reason they had lingered in the back of his mind, though he couldn't pinpoint why. It was almost as if they were familiar to him which struck him as odd considering he'd never seen them before. Then again it was probably just a side effect of the loneliness in his life. He always thought he'd have a big family by this point or at least a few kids of his own. However, that had never fit into Zelena's career plans. It was probably for the best, for she'd turned into someone he barely recognized and was the farthest thing from maternal he could think of. He could barely remember the time he actually liked her, mainly relying on photographs and fuzzy memories to recall them ever being happy.

He shook his head at his own trailing thoughts and grabbed a beer from the fridge, giving up on his quest for food to make his way into the living room. Falling onto the couch he leaned his head against the back cushion and his mind was brought back to the brunette's smile. It had been a while since he'd really even noticed a woman, let alone been that attracted to one.

"I don't care what you have to do Sidney just make it happen!" Zelena's shrill voice seemed to echo in the foyer, followed by the slam of the front door. He inwardly groaned, turning his head a little to see her storming in. The energy in the house grew colder and darker almost instantly and he felt anxiety growing in his chest in response. "The house never should've sold in the first place, you were supposed to intervene-"

He rolled his eyes and wondered what she was meddling in now, taking a sip of his beer as she ended the call and slammed her phone down. She looked up and eyed him, appearing to just notice he was there as she tossed her Mercedes keys on the side table.

"Rough day at the office?" He raised an eyebrow, not really caring to know about her day but asking out of habit. Anything to break the awkward silence.

"You could say that," Her lip twitched and he could tell she was particularly angry about something. "Everyone in this town is incompetent."

"So I've heard," David muttered and reached out for the television remote, "Why are you bothering yourself with real estate now?" He asked, having heard her mention a house on the phone.

"There was a house on the outskirts of town that I had my eye on," Zelena grit out as she threw her briefcase onto a nearby chair, "I was set to make a bid on it on behalf of the town but it sold under a private listing."

"What would the town want with a house?" David raised an eyebrow, seeing her pinched face and knowing she must've had a rather ornate scheme planned.

"I had plans for the property," She snapped as if he'd accused her of something, looming in the doorway, "A park, with a new playground. The one near the beach is much too unsafe."

"You're trying to tell me you're concern is with the kids if Storybrooke?" He scoffed and looked at the television when it turned on.

"My concern is getting sued by their parents when one of those snotty kids falls and breaks an arm on that shoddy, rotten playhouse," She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"Find another piece of property?" David frowned and looked at her as if to ask why it was such a big deal, which only served to piss her off more.

"Because I wanted that one-" Zelena snapped, "The owner was desperate to sell, I could've gotten it dirt cheap," She groveled and David could tell there was more to it than she was letting on.

"How do you know?" He frowned, becoming suspicious. His wife would never outright incriminate herself to him but he knew she was capable of underhanded and questionably legal things to get what she wanted. "Whose property was it?"

"The Colter farm," Zelena eyed him and he could tell by the way she stiffened that she wasn't going to give away anything more. She'd caught onto the fact that he knew she was up to something. It was clear that she thought him to be stupid but she was always careful enough to never give any true details. "I have work to do-" She added, turning to storm towards her office.

David was too caught off guard by his recognition of the name to ask her anymore questions before she had disappeared. He frowned to himself and thought of the mysterious Regina Mills and how Granny had said she was Daniel Colter's almost-widow. Zelena's statement repeated in his mind and he wondered why it was that Regina had been desperate to sell her home and move into a tiny loft apartment with her daughter. More-so, how did his wife know about it?