Hey everyone! Thanks for reading the last chapter. I hope you'll like this new one and please don't hesitate to leave me some reviews whether you do or not - I'd love to know what you guys think.

"Tell me, Regina, what are your plans for your impromptu holiday?"

Regina had actually spent most of the flight thinking about this very question. She was not the kind of person to spend 2 weeks of her life wandering a city aimlessly and letting the wind blow her in whatever direction it would choose. Oh, no! She may have been forced to leave her well-organized routine behind, but she was not forced to live in complete chaos - There would be a plan and it would be perfect!

Which is why she was so surprised when she heard herself respond to the young woman that she had no idea what she was going to do and might need to do some research first thing tomorrow.

Emma's reply, however, came as an even bigger surprise. She invited Regina to accompany her and the brunette from before - who had just emerged from the back door carrying another box - to the Met.

"Oh I wouldn't want to intrude on your time as a couple" Regina had blurted out. But when they both laughed and explained they were only old friends, Regina surprised herself a third time in under a minute and accepted the invitation. They suggested meeting at 9 by the pillars close to the central arch and Regina excused herself, heading back to her room in a state of shock.

The next morning Regina was pacing in her room, pondering whether she should actually go. Was there any chance that the beautiful barmaid had truly wanted to invite her or did she just take pity on Regina? Most likely she was probably hoping that the mayor would never turn up, so she could enjoy her day with her friend, right? But on the off chance, she had genuinely meant it, if Regina stood her up, she would probably never speak with her again. A prospect that was not appealing to Regina at all.

Steeling herself, Regina made up her mind and decided that if it was obvious the invitation had been more of a polite gesture on Emma's part, she would simply make up an urgent phone call and move on to the second item on her New York to-do list - because as it turned out the Met had been the first.

A half-hour later Regina arrived in front of the Met, with 10 minutes to spare and a growling stomach - she had been so worked up that morning that she completely forgot to have breakfast. She scanned the crowd around the main arches and, not seeing either Emma or her friend, turned her attention to the food trucks and carts along the street. She quickly ruled out the hot dog and pretzel stands - food fit only for obese people and teenagers - and finally approached the truck that boasted to have "the best organic juices in town". That should be healthy enough she thought as she ordered a Mixed Berry smoothie and a whole-wheat sandwich with avocado, tomato and mozzarella.

After having paid, she turned back towards the main arches of the museum and, disappointed, realized that both young women were still missing. She was about to walk up the steps to wait by the appointed pillars when a mane of blond hair caught her eye. Her heart skipped a beat when the woman turned her head, and she saw that it was indeed Emma.

The blonde had evidently made a different choice of meal as she was walking up towards the entrance holding two huge pretzels covered in mustard, ketchup and fried onions. She proceeded to bite a giant mouthful off one of them and looked delighted. Somehow Regina found that extremely endearing and it's as she was smiling dreamily at that scene that Emma looked up and saw her. Pretending like she had just noticed the young blonde herself, Regina waved awkwardly nearly dropping her sandwich then blushed and wondered why in the hell she was acting like a 16-year-old.

Emma grinned as she joined the brunette. "Hey! I'm so glad you came. How are you? Did you get a good night's rest?"

"Yes, I did. Thank you. Is your friend already inside?"

The blonde laughed "No, I'm pretty sure Ruby is the least punctual person on Earth. I haven't even received her "sorry I'm running a bit late" text yet. And that usually means you'll have to wait another half hour at least. I had planned to tell her to be here at 8 but since I told you 9 she wasn't gonna buy it."

"Oh, but won't her pretzel get cold?" Regina asked.

"Oh no, those are actually both for me. I didn't have breakfast before coming here."

"I see, sorry I just assumed, but of course it's completely understandable since you haven't eaten."

The blonde grinned, "It's ok, I know this stuff is complete junk. I'll let you judge me on that one miss avocado and kale." She winked

Regina laughed, "First of all, there's no kale in here - even though it would make a great addition to any meal - and second of all I won't be mocked by someone who has mustard on her cheek."

Emma laughed and wiped it off with the back of her hand, "Fair enough!"

They spent the next 20 minutes or so finishing their respective breakfasts while they teased each other on their food choices. Then, as Emma threw out Regina's empty cup and their dirty napkins, her phone rang out.

"Sorry, it's Ruby", she told Regina before picking up. "Y'hello? Are you almost on your way?" Regina looked on as the blonde laughed and then rolled her eyes. "Really Ruby? You said that last week! ... Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Is she ok? Do you need anything? ... Thank god! ... Oh no, of course you have to stay with her I really get it. But are you sure you don't need a hand? ... Ok. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Oh no, don't worry I'm not alone, I'm with Regina." For a second Regina thought she could see the blonde blushing "Yeah yeah... Alright! I'll let you get back to your grandma then and give her kiss from me."

Emma hung up the phone and turned to Regina, "Ruby's grandma fell down the stairs and broke her leg, so she won't be coming in the end."