Author's Notes:

Special Thanks to ale_nena for contributing ideas and the beautiful cover art. Available on Twitter at n0m_de_plum

Setting: Misthaven non-magical modern AU. The society and political system will be based on a combination of modern countries, with a probable bias toward the American system as I am an American. However, all characters are fictional and resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidence.

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Cora thumbed through her phone as the car approached the front gate of the country club. Looking out the window, Henry sighed wistfully.

Glancing up at her husband, she asked, "Problem, Henry?"

"Oh, nothing," he shrugged, twirling his hat in his hands.

She studied him for a moment, but quickly turned her attention back to her phone, "I assume you'll be playing golf?"

"I suppose," he answered.

His wife, sighed, setting her phone down again, "Henry, what is with you?"

"Well it's just that we spend every weekend here," he said, "I suppose it's feeling a bit repetitive."

"Repetitive?" she asked.

"Well," he shrugged his shoulders, "It's a lovely day. Maybe we could go do something together?"

"Like what?"

"We could go into the city and have lunch?" he suggested.

"I'm supposed to meet Faye Gorman for lunch," Cora told him, "She was just elected chair of the People's Party."

"Maybe we could do something after?"

Cora sighed, "We're going to have a lot to talk about it, it'll probably take all afternoon."

"Oh," Henry frowned, giving up on the idea of convincing her to spend the day together.

"It would be nice if you could join us this afternoon, though," she told him, "I'm sure she'd like the gesture of meeting with both of us personally. What do you think about 4 o'clock in the tea room?"

"Alright," he agreed, not able to keep the disappointment out of his voice.

"Please try to shower before then," she said, putting her phone away in her handbag as Drake pulled the car into the valet lane, "It's warm today. I don't want you showing up all sweaty."

He sighed, putting on his hat as he got out of the car, "Yes, Dear."

After Drake escorted the two of them into the club house, they parted ways with Cora once again reminding him to meet her and Ms. Gorman for tea at 4.

Watching is wife walk away toward their private sitting room, Henry looked around the club house. It wasn't very busy for a weekend. He didn't immediately see anyone he knew.

"Sir?" Drake asked.

"Yes, Drake?" Henry startled.

"Is everything alright?" he security chief asked with respectful discretion.

If he'd answered honestly, his response would have been 'no'. He'd been feeling restless all morning, and now, in the face of his wife's indifference, was almost downright melancholy. He was usually quite content and happy, so it was a feeling he wasn't used to and made him want to skip the golf course and go right to the bar.

They'd planned to be there all day, though, so he knew if he was to kill that much time golf was the best way to do so.

"Yes, of course," he finally answered, "Come on. I was thinking I'd do 18 holes today."

"Yes sir," Drake answered dutifly, following him toward the men's locker room.

After changing into his golf clothes and slinging his golf bag over his shoulder, Henry exited the locker room and made his way around to the back of the club. Drake was waiting by the door with a cart, which he immediately jumped from to take Henry's golf bag.

Once his clubs were safely stored on the back, Henry climbed into the cart and nodded to Drake to take off.

He watched the trees going by at a slow pace. It was a warm day, but a few of the leaves were slowly starting to change color. That brought a smile to his face as he pictured the brilliant colors that would soon paint the landscape, and crinkling leaves blowing in crisp autumn wind.

Taking a deep breath as the pulled up to the course, Henry stepped from the cart, selected a driver, and went over to the teeing ground.

The course was as sparsely populated as the clubhouse had been. Apparently everyone else had selected to take part in other activities that day as well.

Trying not to start feeling sorry for himself again, Henry leaned over to set his tee and ball next to the only other person on the course. The young woman was already setting up her shot. Swinging back with perfect form, her tee went flying as she hit the ball which soared perfectly straight. Shielding his eyes, he watched the ball traverse the fairway, landing right at the edge of the green.

"Oh!" he laughed, "Excellent shot!"

Turning to him, she smiled politely, "Thank you."

The young woman walked over to where she'd left her golf bag to put away the driver, and lift it onto her back. As Henry set up his shot, he couldn't help but look back at her curiously. He didn't recognize her and he knew most of the club members.

"I'm sorry," he finally said, "I don't believe I've seen you around before. Are you new to the area?"

"No," she answered, "I just haven't been by in a long time. I've been living in the Federal District for the last 15 years."

"Really?" he asked in surprise. From the way she carried herself, it was obvious this woman was well to do which made it even more puzzling that he didn't recognize her. He knew almost all of the elites in both Unity City and the Federal District.

Finally, deciding to indulge his curiosity, he said, "Well allow me to introduce myself. Henry Mills."

The woman laughed again, accepting his proffered handshake, "Yes, Mr. Mills. I remember you."

"Remember me?" he asked.

"We've met before," she told him setting her golf bag back down, "I think it was here but it's been a long time."

"Forgive me," Henry said, "I'm afraid I don't remember that."

"Well I was a lot younger then," she acknowledged, "You probably remember my father. Alexander Midas?"

He blinked in surprise. He, of course, knew Midas very well and it had, indeed, been over 15 years since he won his first Senate race and moved to the Federal District. Thinking back even harder he did remember Midas' daughter. A blonde girl about Regina's age.

"Oh by the Gods!" he exclaimed in surprise, "You're Midas' daughter? I haven't seen you since you were about...16!"

She smiled indulgently in response.

"Abigal, right?"

"Well…" she hesitated, "...I go by Kathryn now."

"Oh yes, I'm sorry about your mother."

"Thank you," she nodded sadly, before straightening, "I'm sorry. I'm keeping you."

"Oh, not at all," Henry answered, watching as she lifted her golf bag.

"It was good to see you again, Mr. Mills," she waved as she walked away from the teeing area, visibly slowed by the weight of her bag.

"Ah...Ms. Midas?" he called, after her, "Are you alone?"

"Yes," she answered cautiously.

"Would you care to join me?" he gestured toward the golf cart, "You won't have to carry that heavy bag."

"Oh...well that's very kind of you, thank you," Kathryn Midas finally answered. Having overheard the conversation, Drake stepped from the cart to take her golf bag and store it on the back alongside Henry's.

Smiling at him gratefully, Henry turned his attention back to teeing off. Lining up his shot, he swung, and sliced his ball into the rough.

He let out a frustrated and somewhat embarrassed huff, but Ms. Midas simply turned discretely toward the golf cart. He followed, putting away his driver, and sat down next to her.

"So what brings you back to Unity City?" he asked while Drake drove them down the course.

"I just started as a junior associate at my father's old law firm," she answered.

"Oh, you're a lawyer now?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"How are you liking being back, Ms. Midas?"

"Kathryn, please," she said, "And it's...alright."

"Just alright?"

"Well…" she hesitated, "...I'm just not sure if corporate law is what I want to do. I did my clerkships in firms like this and my father thinks there's a good future in it but…"

"But?" he prompted.

She shook her head as the cart came to a stop, "Nothing, I shouldn't be talking about this."

Giving her a moment of space, Henry stepped off the cart and got out a club to shoot his ball out of the rough.

This time he manage to drive straight and his ball landed near the green close to Kathryn's.

Getting back into the cart, he told her gently, "I don't mind."

She shifted, picking at the hem of her shorts, "It's just that...he's expecting I'll run for his seat some day."

"And you don't want that?" he guessed, knowing that Cora had similar expectations of Regina.

"Actually, I wouldn't mind," she told him, "However, we're supposed to be the People's Party. Surely some sort of activism or even government work would be more in line with what our values are supposed to be than protecting multinational corporations?"

Henry chuckled, "Ah...another idealist of your generation."

"Oh please, Mr. Miss!" she teased, "As if you weren't an idealist of yours?"

"Me?" he joked as the two exited the cart.

"Yes," she said carrying her putter over to her ball, "You started a charitable foundation! Sound pretty idealistic to me."

Henry laughed as she putted out the hole, "Well I suppose you caught me."

She smirked standing back while he putted as well. Once he finally sunk his ball they both retrieved theirs and went back to the cart.

"Don't get me wrong," she told him, "I really admire what you've built with the Mills Foundation. You help people."

"Well there's a lot of opportunities in the nonprofit sector," Henry answered, "Especially for someone with legal training. Your earning potential, of course, is much less than a private firm-"

Kathryn laughed, "My family certainly doesn't need to worry about that!"

It was true. The Midas family fortunate went back even longer than his, his ancestor having made money in the Northern Region gold rush nearly two centuries ago.

"What I really like is the kind of work you do overseas," she went on, "After all, Misthaven bills itself as a model for the world. We should at least try to live up to that!"

He looked at her, studying her in surprise.

Sensing his contemplation, she turned to meet his eyes, "What?"

"Nothing," he shook his head, "I just...I'm getting a sense of deja vu. I can recall having this same conversation with my father...a hundred years ago."

They paused to make their first shot on the second hole.

"You built your life around that idea," she said back at the cart, "You're living up to it."

He shrugged, "It's an ongoing mission. What sort of projects are you interested in?"

She thought it over, "Well I really like what you've been doing with urban housing in Maldonia."

"Oh yes," he nodded, "That can be a tricky situation. We try to help build low income housing, but we have to be careful not to step on the toes of the Maldonian government who are heavily influenced by real estate interests. It can be a tricky situation legally…"

They continued their conversation, with Kathryn asking relevant questions throughout.

Finally, parked the cart at the back of the clubhouse to let them off.

Kathryn laughed at a shared joke between them as the picked of her golf bag, "Thanks so much for telling me about the foundation Henry. You've given me a lot of think about."

"If you're interested in charitable work, I'd encourage you to consider it. Life really is too short to not go after what makes you happy," he told her.

"Well…" she hesitated, "...I'll give it some thought."

Before Henry could answer, he looked up and was surprised to find himself looking into his wife's eyes.

"Cora," he said, "What are you doing here?"

She crossed her arms, "Faye has a flight to catch later this evening."

Suddenly remembering, he checked his watch. It was 15 minutes to 5:00.

"Oh no," he groaned, "I'm so sorry. I lost track of time."

"So I see," she answered coldly.

"Ah, you remember Kathryn Midas?" he hastily introduced them.

"Midas?" Cora asked, calming momentarily.

"Yes, it's good to see you again Mrs. Mills," Kathryn greeted her, "My father speaks very highly of you."

"Well thank you, Dear. Please give him my regards?"

"Of course," Kathryn answered.

Satisfied, Cora nodded and turned her attention back to her husband, "Henry?"

"Yes! Of course! Kathryn, thank you the game. Perhaps we could play again next weekend?"

"I'd love that," she told him, "You can tell me more about the Foundation."

Cora cleared her throat, glaring at Henry to move it along. After a quick goodbye, he left his golf bag with Drake and followed Cora upstairs to the tea room.

Along the way she looked him up and down disapprovingly, reminding him that he hadn't had time to change back into his suit.

"Cora, I'm sorry-" he started.

"Save it!" she told him, "Just come up with something nice to say to Faye."

He sighed, following her quietly.

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Cora groaned as the masseur hit a particularly tight knot in her neck.

"Mmm," Mal moaned from the next table over, "How grateful are you that I suggested this?"

She sighed, laying her face back down into the opening on the table, "These past few weeks have stressful."

"Hm?" Mal made an vague inquiring noise.

"Oh it's just all the trouble with Regina and Henry travelling," she complained, "Thankfully the fundraising season is over!"

Mal made a pleasured noise, giving away that she'd only been half listening. Cora barely cared, though.

"How did it go in Arendelle?" Mal asked, changing the subject.

"Oh quite well. I expect our partners will have record profits. That's what my accountant says we can expect."

"Mmm," Mal moaned again as their massages finished. Cora pushed herself off the table, wrapping a towel around her.

Mal, meanwhile, lazily pushed herself up on one arm, watching their massage therapists leaving the room.

"I like that new guy they hired," the blonde said lustily.

Glancing over, Cora rolled her eyes, "Don't you ever take a break?"

"Not if I can help it," Mallory answered with a smile, pushing herself off her own table.

Cora stretched her arms above her head, "I do appreciate you suggesting this, though. It was a good idea."

"Well, let's not be in a hurry to end it!" Mal motioned with her head, "Let's go to the sauna next."

Nodding in agreement, Cora led the way to the steam room and they both lounged on the teak benches.

"So, how's Lily?"

"Hm?" Mal questioned as she put her feet up, "Oh, she's fine."

"Is she still dating that woman with the band?" Cora sniffed.

"I'm not sure, honestly."

"Hm," she responded, "Well hopefully she came to her senses before they got serious!"

Mal hummed absently.

Cora looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "You really weren't concerned about that at all?"

Mal shrugged, "I'm sure if Lily were dating someone seriously she'd tell me."

"I just shudder to think about who her next choice will be!" after another noncommittal response from Mal, she went on, "Weren't she and the son of that tech billionaire close when they were in secondary school?"

"I don't know," Mal answered, "Why?"

"Perhaps she should look him up?"

"Oh, I don't know," the blond said, "Lily hasn't mentioned dating a man since she was in college."

"Has she sworn them off entirely?" Cora asked, "You said she was bisexual."

"That's what she told me."

"Well…maybe she just needs a little push."

Glancing over at her, Mal said, "Why, exactly, are you so interested, Cora? Are you worried about Lily or about your own daughter?"

Cora rolled her eyes, "Regina hasn't dated anyone seriously since that governor's aide."

"They were serious?" Mal asked.

"Not really," Cora admitted ruefully, "She kept saying their relationship wasn't going anywhere! I tried telling her that if she wanted to move it along she'd have to work her way into it! After all, if we waited around for men to make decisions we'd never get anywhere!"

"Regina's a beautiful girl," Mal shrugged, "I'm sure she'll have no problem finding someone."

"Yes, but who? That's what I'm worried about!"

"Why?"

"The last person she was serious about was the son of the vet here at the club!" Cora told her, "And, from what I understand, the young man followed in his mother's footsteps. You know the father was never in the picture?"

"Neither was Lily's," Mal pointed out, "...or Zelena's."

"Precisely!" Cora said, "Zelena's married, thank the Gods, but a single daughter?"

"What are you worried about? That Regina will get pregnant?"

"She knows better than that!" Cora countered, "However, a single daughter going into an election...the paparazzi will assume there's something scandalous there and start sniffing around."

"But if there's nothing for them to find, what's there to worry about?"

"Since when does the press let that get in the way of a good story?"

"Fair point," Mal acknowledged.

Letting the subject drop, Cora leaned back against the marble wall, trying to relax.

"Oh!" Mal suddenly remembered, "I forgot to tell you. Lady Tremaine is back!"

Looking over at her Cora asked, "You're kidding?"

Mal tapped the side of her nose, sharing a laugh with Cora as the sauna door suddenly opened and a slim figure stepped through the steam.

"Roberta," Mal greeted, "We were just talking about you."

"Were you?" Roberta Tremaine asked, her voice as haunty as it had ever been.

"I wasn't aware you'd moved back to Unity City," Cora said, "I thought you preferred the Federal District?"

"Oh, I do," Tremaine answered, "There's just so much more going on there. You know how it is? One can never really leave politics...oh, except you Cora. You're the rare exception! I admire that about you. Being able to leave it all behind and just enjoy life!"

"Hm, is that what you heard?" Cora asked.

The other woman pointedly didn't answer, taking a seat across the room. Resisting the urge to set the hag straight about her having left politics, Cora took a few deep breaths.

"How is your family?" she finally changed the subject.

"Oh, very well thank you. My girls are doing quite well in Unity City."

"Yes. Zelena and your eldest seemed quite friendly for a while."

"Yes," Tremaine answered, "What about your husband and his daughter?"

Biting the inside of her cheek, Cora answered, "All of my family is quite well."

"Hm, yes," Tremaine smiled, "Your husband looked quite well."

"You saw my husband?" Cora asked.

"In the dining room. He looked like he was having a nice time indeed. Though I wasn't quite sure who is companion was?"

"Companion?"

"Yes, a lovely young woman. She had blonde hair, though, and I remember that your daughter had red hair and his dark. Unless yours dyed hers?"

"Zelena is living in the Federal District."

"Oh," Tremaine said, "Well perhaps it someone he knows from work."

"Most likely," Cora said, firmly shutting down the conversation.

The three women sat in the sauna for about ten more minutes, though Cora found she was no longer able to relax.

Finally, she and Mal bid goodbye to Tremaine and made their way back to the locker room. Mal went to take a shower, while Cora opened her locker and started getting her clothes back on. After straightening her dress she pinned her hair up and redid her makeup.

Once she was done, she looked in the mirror for a few moments before shoving herself away from the sink.

"Mal?" she called toward the showers, "I'm going home. I'll see you later."

"Right!" Mall yelled back, "See you later!"

Slinging her handbag over her shoulder, she left the locker room and walked through the clubhouse toward the dining room.

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"Of course, she was completely unimpressed with my opening line," Henry laughed self-deprecatingly.

Kathryn threw her head back, laughing along with him before saying sadly, "That's so romantic."

Looking at her, Henry asked,"Is something bothering you?"

"No," Kathryn shook her head, "I'm fine."

"Really?" Henry pushed, "You seem a bit sad."

"No, Henry," she answered, "Don't worry about it. I'm fine."

He looked at her slyly, asking, "Who's the young man?"

She glanced up in surprise, "Excuse me?"

He simply looked at her expectantly. She stared back for a few minutes before finally sighing and asking, "Is it that obvious?"

He didn't answered.

"You know the new golf pro?"

"Oh, yes Frederick," Henry nodded, eyes widening when he caught her meaning, "You and Frederick?"

"Why do you think I've beaten you at golf every weekend this month?"

He laughed, "What's the problem?"

"Well my dad wouldn't be happy if he knew!"

"I'm a father, Kathryn, and I can tell you something for certain, all I want is for my girls to be happy," Henry said, "I'm sure your father would feel the same."

Before she could answer, a shadow fell over their table. Henry looked up and found his wife standing over them.

"Cora," he smiled, "Finished at the spa?"

"Yes," she said shortly.

"You remember Kathryn Midas?"

"Indeed."

"Good to see you again, Mrs. Mills."

Ignoring the younger woman, she turned to her husband, "Shouldn't we be going, Henry? It's getting late."

He glanced at his watch, "It's barely 6?"

The hard look on her face answered for her.

"Ah!" he pretended to suddenly remember, "Yes, of course we have that...appointment."

Cora was quiet as they waited for beside Kronk for Miguel to pull up the car. The ride back to the estate was equally quiet and when they finally got inside, Cora waited until Kronk and Miguel boarded the elevator before turning to her husband.

"What was that about, Cora?" he asked, "Did something happen?"

"Did something happen?" she repeated.

"Yes!" he asked, "Why did you want to leave the club so quickly?"

She chuckled, "Because I'd seen enough of you making a fool of yourself!"

"I beg your pardon?" he asked, wondering what she could be talking about.

"Let me make this clear for you, Henry. I don't care what you do with your little girlfriend, but you'd better not embarrass me!" she hissed, "I am getting ready for a Presidential run in less than two years. If you ruin that for me with some sex scandal, I swear I will kill you!"

"Cora what are you talking about?!" he asked incredulously.

She simply turned away from him and hit the button to call for the elevator again.

"You can't mean Kathryn Midas?" he finally caught on.

She didn't respond.

"By the Gods, how could you think that?! She's Regina's age!" he asked, looking at her in horror.

The elevator doors dinged open and Cora stepped inside. Looking hard into his eyes, she said, "Just keep it discrete...and find somewhere else to sleep tonight!"

Henry watched, mouth open in shock as the doors slid closed behind her.

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Regina lay on her stomach in the middle of her bed, kicking her feet lazily as she watched Robin get his suit back on.

Her parents were dining at the club that night so they'd spent all afternoon making love and then slept well into the evening. Now, at nearly 10 PM, he'd finally torn himself away to sneak back down to the staff quarters.

Smiling to herself, Regina pushed herself up from her bed. Breasts swaying as she stepped toward him, she asked, "Do I get a goodbye kiss?"

He smiled, pulling her into his arms. She kissed him deeply, pushing her tongue past his lips in a way that made him moan and turn to jelly.

Finally, when she pulled away, she whispered huskily, "Goodnight, Locksley."

He nodded dumbly, making his way through her sitting room on with floaty steps. He opened the door and was about to step out into the hallway when he noticed, with alarm, that the door to the room directly across from hers was open, light falling into the hallway, and he could make out Henry Mills' form inside.

The older man turned at the sound of the opening door.

Robin barely had time to jump back into Regina's suite and shut the door behind him. He quickly made his way back to her bedroom and hissed, "Your father's outside!"

"What?" Regina asked from where she'd settled into bed.

"Your father's outside!"

As if on cue, a knock came from the sitting room followed by Henry's voice calling, "Regina."

Jumping up, Regina pulled on her robe and ran to answer the door.

Opening it she said, "Daddy, hi. What are you doing here?"

"Well...I was just in the guest room. Your mother isn't feeling well."

She caught his meaning, "I see."

"Did you open the door just now?" Henry asked.

"Oh! Yes," she answered, "I was thinking of going to get some warm milk from the kitchen but then changed my mind."

"Oh," Henry said, "Well come on. I'll make you some."

"Daddy that's really not necessarily," she told him.

"Nonsense," he argued, "Warm milk sounds nice."

She tried to think of an excuse but then realized that this was actually perfect. If they went down to the kitchen it'd allow Robin to sneak out.

"Alright," she finally agreed, following Henry to the elevator.

In the kitchen, he poured some milk into a pan on the small stove and added a few drops of vanilla.

As she watched her father, she could see the tension in his movements.

"So…what happened with Mother?"

"Nothing," he brushed off the question.

"Daddy," she pushed, "I'm not a child. You can talk to me."

"I just…" he began sighing heavily, "...I get so tired sometimes."

She didn't know what that meant, but she'd never heard him talk like this before. Stepping forward, she took his hand.

"Daddy, what happened?"

He looked at her for a moment, but the shook his head, "Nothing. Forget about it."