Better late than never, right? Sorry for the incredibly long pause on this.

It was no more than four days after the catastrophic night where Regina had witnessed her being vulnerable. Emma had been doing her best to get her façade back up and going. It seemed like the best strategy was to just pretend the night didn't happen at all. Perhaps Regina would forget too. Or at least just never mention it again.

Emma was feeling a bit conflicted about the whole situation. For one she wanted to be left to herself and not have anyone interfere with her questionable life decisions. On the other hand, a part of her longed after being seen and busted for what she was doing. It was like a tiny part of her wanted someone to help her out of this mess. The other part over her usually shut down the part of her thinking in these ways. Today was not an exception.

The last two days Emma had gone to work at reasonable times and tried her best to seem normal. It seemed to work on David at least. He didn't look as worried as he had been lately, and Emma silently congratulated herself on her effort. When she went to lunch she made sure to always be seen by someone, and made a big deal out of ordering and seemingly eating all of her food. She also managed to have dinner with Henry most days. Even he seemed to think his mother was back to normal.

It was therefore with great pride Emma walked into the office this day. Naturally she hadn't been eating anything else than the little amounts she managed to get down when she was with someone at lunch or having dinner with Henry. Nothing made her feel better than what she felt right now. In control of the situation. Emma sat down at her desk and pulled out her cup of coffee. Just plain black of course.

The day went on as good as it could be and before she knew it, Emma was heading towards the diner to get lunch. She felt a slight panic rising inside of her as she had not yet found anyone to witness her eating lunch. David was not in today.

"Emma, hi", Emma turned around to see who had called her name.

"Archie. Hi. Anything I can help you with?"

Archie smiled.. was it nervously? He sure seemed a bit off, but Emma couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

"Eh, actually no. But I understand I might be able to help you",

Emma felt like what she imagined being shot in the stomach must feel like. She eyed him suspiciously and did some quick thinking.

"I'm sorry Archie, but I don't really see how a psychiatrist would be able to assist a sheriff? I'll make sure to remember it if I ever should need your skillset though". She thought it would be better to play clueless for now and see where the conversation was going.

"No, I think you misunderstand. Not Swan the sheriff, but Emma the woman. A little bird told me you are.. How should I put this?" Archie lowered his voice a bit and looked around to make sure no one was present, "Struggling and could use my professional input".

Emma could feel the anger starting to build from the pit of her stomach, but she had to control it for now.

"Whatever you may think you have heard is clearly wrong. I am perfectly fine and absolutely not in need of your help", she turned away from him and was about to walk away when he grabbed her wrist.

"Even if you are in denial right now Emma, just know that I am here when you are ready to process what you are going through. And remember that you have people around you who loves you and just want what's best for you". Emma wrenched herself from his grip and started walking away without saying a thing or even looking at him.

This must be as uncomfortable as she had felt since the morning she realized what she had told Regina. Regina, of course. Who else could it be that sent Archie after her like she was some kind of crazy person on the loose. Emma changed direction from the diner to Regina's office.

"Regina!" Emma strode straight into the older woman's office without knocking or asking permission. Regina looked up from some papers she was reading to see Emma standing in front of her desk, slightly out of breath and obviously pissed about something.

"What can I help you with, Emma?" Regina looked like she had no idea why Emma suddenly appeared in her office, clearly angry for some reason.

"Oh, you know very well what you have done. Archie, Regina, really? Archie?!"

"Yes, Emma, Archie. If you're not going to talk to me or anyone else for that matter I figured Archie could be a good candidate." Emma had expected Regina to flat out deny that she had sent Archie after her and was too confused to come up with a reply quickly enough.

"He won't tell anyone what you're saying. Of course, I wouldn't do that either, but he is actually prevented to do so by the law. And seeing as he is professional I think he could help you in ways I or anyone else that cares about you but don't have the knowledge he has can".

Emma just stood there, trying to process the information. Regina hadn't been fooled by her carefully executed plan. She had seen right through her and after Emma had tried to hurt Regina so bad she wouldn't come back, Regina had gone to greater lengths to try and help her.

"I don't need to talk to anyone. Yes, I will admit I've had a little rough patch but I am fine now. I promise". Emma had spoken on autopilot. She didn't understand how, but every time someone offered help or to make her life a little better she managed to produce the same lie. And people usually believed her and left her alone.

Regina sighed, followed by taking a deep breath. Like she was steadying herself to say something uncomfortable.

"As much as I want to believe you, I can see that you are not fine Emma. You may have the rest of this town fooled, but not me. I just want to help you. I lie awake at night thinking about you. Why you refuse help, why you are doing this. I just wish you would accept that people care about you – that I care about you".

Regina could practically see Emma starting to freak out and she knew she would just storm off if given the opportunity to do so. She sat a bit straighter and mentally prepared herself for the next bit. Before Emma had a chance to say anything or go anywhere Regina continued,

"David is taking over your duties as sheriff and Mary Margaret will be taking care of Henry. You are coming with me on a well-deserved vacation".

Emma scoffed, "Very funny Regina. You can't force me to come on vacation with you. Not happening".

"That's right I can't force you. But I am the mayor and I can make you unemployed. I will also prevent you from seeing Henry at all if you don't do this". Regina hated making ultimatums like this. She knew it would make Emma furious but at the moment she couldn't see any other way. She just hoped Emma would be able to see why she did this and forgive her in the future.

If it was one thing Emma hated more than anything in this world it was feeling like she was forced to do something. But as angry as it made her, how bad could it be? A couple of days at the most, and she would just have to do some real good acting to convince Regina she was fine. Yes, she could do that.

"Fine, I'll go with you".