A/N: So the previous chapter was posted a day early because I completely lost track of time/days etc with travel and jetlag. Anyway, sorry! I hope the content made sense … I should probably read back over it as I was clearly not coherent when I published it! This chapter has been written whilst I am fully awake and caffeinated!

Stepping back through the door from the underground garage into the main house that afternoon, Regina was unsurprised to see both her parents waiting for her. Of course, usually Henry was in the office at that time but after what had happened, both Mills wanted to be there to greet their daughter after her first day back at school.

"Well?" Cora asked. "How was it?"

"Fine," Regina replied, dropping her car keys into the bowl on the side table and heading towards the stairs.

"Fine? Is that all you want to say to us?"

Regina paused at her father's tone. Did he know? Had Tink told him about their morning in court? More than that, had the lawyer told her father about what she had witnessed between his daughter and Emma?

"There's not much more to say," Regina said, turning slowly on the spot. "School was fine. People asked questions. I answered some of them. Tomorrow will be easier."

Playing obtuse was the best choice, she decided. But even as she spoke in a calm, level voice, her heart was pounding against her chest. What would happen if her parents did find out? She was sure they would be upset; not because of Emma's gender but more because of the blonde's recent criminal activities.

"Ok, well, if you're sure you're still ok to keep going. No one would blame you if you wanted to take a couple of days or even weeks off," Cora offered.

"No, Mom, I'm fine, thanks. I just want things to go back to normal. Um, I've got homework so." She jabbed her thumb up the stairs as if to indicate that she was going to leave. When neither parent said anything, she recommenced her ascension of the sweeping staircase.

Once inside her bedroom, Regina dropped her satchel to the floor and pulled out her cell phone. She had a message from Daniel asking if she wanted to meet one night that week. Flopping onto her bed, she tossed the cell aside and closed her eyes. She needed to meet up with him, to break up with him. Except they weren't officially together, so was it really a break up? Either way, Daniel needed to know that he and Regina were never going to become anything more than friends.

She liked Daniel, she really did. And the two of them had had fun over the past few months. He was sweet and funny and caring and chivalrous. Her parents loved him because of his impeccable manners and boyish charm, even though he had shot up to reach well over six feet now. And, of course, his bloodline. Regina knew her parents were not overly snobbish when it came to lineage but they were undeniably pleased when she had shown an interest in Daniel. On paper, perhaps, they were the perfect match.

Unlike Emma. On paper, she and Emma were chalk and cheese. They had nothing in common, were unable to relate to the lifestyle and experiences of the other and their lives were clearly set on different trajectories. But somehow, for some reason, when the two of them were together, none of that mattered. Their differences were forgotten when they saw one another. Even now, lying on her bed and trying to process her thoughts and feelings, Regina felt her body tingle at the memory of Emma.

Fingers drifted to her lips. She ignored the sutures which were holding the split skin together and recalled the memory of Emma's mouth pressed against hers. She couldn't help but smile as she remembered the gentle movement, the tentative exploration, the feel of Emma's arms wrapped around her body, her core thrumming with need.

She sat up, knowing what she needed to do. Reaching for her cell, she navigated to her contacts and called Daniel. There was no point delaying the inevitable.

After her meeting with Ruby, Emma had been served a surprisingly tasty meal in the counsellor's office while the final paperwork was completed before she was admitted into the main part of the building. She was also issued with some clothes. It had been a pleasant surprise to learn she wasn't going to have to wear an orange jump suit. Instead, Emma was allowed to choose from a range of clothes, none of them new but none of they too ragged. She selected a couple of pairs of denim shorts, a few t-shirts and a pullover. Ruby had assured her she would get warmer clothes issued in the winter. She was also provided with a pair of pyjamas and given a pack of new underwear along with some soft trainers. It wasn't much but it was something.

The tour of the juvenile detention centre took little over thirty minutes. Emma and the young girl who had been in the truck were shown around together by Ruby. The youngster, whose name was Kelly, had red eyes and a puffy face. Emma tried to offer her a reassuring smile but in reality she was just as nervous. Ruby, however, seemed so upbeat and positive that as they fell into step beside her, some of that worry and fear began to diminish.

In addition to the anticipated dining hall, bathrooms and library, the building also had a well-equipped games room, tv room and several study halls. Lesson schedules were taped to a large noticeboard and seemed to be numerous and varied in their scope. The outside space was not as bleak as Emma had feared. True, it was fenced it but there was a basketball court as well as a large grassy field and an asphalt area dotted with picnic benches. As they walked across the yard, the youngsters already there watched them with vague interest. Emma avoided eye contact.

"And this is your bunk, Kelly," Ruby said, stopping outside an open door and pointing inside. The young girl hesitated, clutching the clothes and toiletries they had been issued with to her chest. "Go on, it's fine. Your bunkmate is in class now but she'll be back soon. You've got a couple of hours before dinner so just hang out and get to know one another ok? Any questions, ask to speak with your counsellor."

Kelly nodded to show she understood and finally stepped inside the room. Ruby smiled at Emma and gestured for her to follow. "And you're in here," she said, stopping just a few doors down. "Oh, MM should be back by now."

"Who's MM?" Emma asked, peering inside the modest room.

"Your bunkmate," Ruby said. "She's scheduled to have free time at the moment. Perhaps she's outside."

"So when we've got 'free time' we can just walk around?"

"Yup," Ruby nodded. "This isn't a prison, Emma. We try to give everyone here a little freedom as well as helping you learn how to take responsibility for yourselves. You get to choose how you spend your free time but we're here to help you make the right choices."

"The right choices?"

"As in, we'd rather you went outside and played basketball instead of hiding in the bathroom and making hooch."

Despite herself, Emma laughed. Ruby grinned. "Ok, I get your point."

"Great. So, any questions?"

Emma shook her head. She was sure Storybrooke was going to take some getting used to but so far she seemed to understand where she was and what was expected of her.

"Ok, well, if you need anything, just come and see me. My door is always open."

"Thanks," Emma said.

She knew it was the lanky redhead's job but she appreciated the warm welcome she had received. Knowing there was someone she could turn to for help, support, guidance, whose job it was to provide those things was something she had been offered in the past but never truly experienced. Social workers were always flitting in and out of Emma's life as she jumped around the foster system but no one had ever truly been there for her, had never put her needs first. The first person who had supported her, had been there for her was Neal. She shuddered at the memory.

"You ok?"

Emma looked up into the concerned face of her counsellor. "Huh?"

"You're crying," Ruby pointed out gently, handing Emma a tissue.

The blonde hadn't even realised. She felt a surge of anger at herself for displaying weakness. She took the tissue and wiped the traitorous tears from her face. "Sorry," she muttered as she stuffed the tissue into her pocket.

"Don't apologise," Ruby said quietly. "You've been through a lot the last few days. We'll talk about it in time, when you're ready. For now, why don't you lie down and get some rest?"

At those words, a wave of exhaustion overcame Emma and she nodded. Walking into the cell, she put her newly assigned clothes on the top bunk, deducing the pyjamas on the pillow of the one beneath implied it was taken. Kicking off her shoes, she climbed up the ladder at the end and crawled towards the head of the bed. Fresh sheets were folded neatly beside the pillow, but she didn't have the energy to make the bed in that moment. She lay down and rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling a few feet above her head. This was it; her home for the next ten months until she turned eighteen and was moved to a 'real' prison.

"Oh, you're here already."

Emma sat bolt upright at the voice and turned, eyes wide, towards the doorway where a skinny teenage now stood. She had black hair, cut into a pixie crop and was wearing a cute floral summer dress. Were it not for where they both were, the girl looked like she could be returning from a morning in the park with her friends.

"Um, yeah, I am. Hi."

"Hi," the girl replied, moving into the room and extending her hand up towards Emma. "I'm Mary Margaret but everyone calls me MM."

Emma shook the proffered hand slowly. "I'm Emma."

"Hey Emma," MM said with a wide smile. "Welcome to Storybrooke."

"Thanks," the blonde said, still a little suspicious at the display of apparent niceness.

"How long are you in for?" the girl continued, toeing off her shoes and placing them neatly beside her bed.

"Not sure yet," Emma replied. "I've not been sentenced."

"Ah, that sucks," MM said, moving to the small desk and chair set on the far side of the room and sitting down. "I've only got another six months and I'm outta here."

"How long have you been here?"

"Six months so I'm halfway through my sentence."

"And um, what … I mean, why …"

"Why am I in here?" MM offered. Emma blushed and nodded. "Shoplifting."

"You can go to prison for shoplifting?" Emma frowned. She and Neal had been prolific shoplifters during their time on the street but had never been caught. She had no idea the crime came with a prison sentence.

"Well, sometimes," MM grinned. "Let's just say it wasn't the first time I'd been caught. The judge seemed to think this was the only thing which was going to deter me. In fact, he called me a bandit."

That made more sense, Emma supposed, noting as she did so the hint of pride in the girl's voice at her judge-appointed nickname. Still, a year in juvenile detention for shoplifting seemed harsh. And, in comparison, Emma's sentence seemed light. Not for the first time, she got the feeling her punishment was too lenient for the crime she had committed. Thanks to Regina. The irony was not lost on her.

"So, why are you here?"

"Kidnapping," Emma replied shortly, not wanting to go into details.

MM seemed to get the hint as she didn't ask anything more. Instead, she turned to the desk and pulled out some paper and a pen before promptly beginning writing something. Emma watched the girl for a while before lying back down on her bunk. Well, at least she was sharing a room with someone who appeared to be friendly, she mused. She got the impression that friendliness could get annoying but she decided not to complain. Surely friendly was better than hostile.

"Regina." The call was accompanied by a knock on the closed bedroom door. "Dinner time."

"Coming," the brunette replied, saving the document she was working on and closing her laptop lid.

She opened her door to find her mother hovering in the hallway. "Hey," Regina offered. "What's on the menu?"

"Lasagne," Cora smiled. She had specifically requested her daughter's favourite dish, hoping that it would bring a smile to her injured lip. "How's the homework coming?"

"Nearly finished," Regina lied. In truth, she had only just started. The phone call with Daniel arranging when and where to meet him had distracted her. She had spent most of the time she had been in her room trying to work out what to say to him. She didn't want to mention Emma, but she wanted to be honest with him about why she wanted to end things.

The two Mills women walked downstairs together to the dining room. Regina didn't say anything more. She was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to engage in conversation and she didn't want to invite questions. Her father was already seated at the table, waiting for the two most important ladies in his life.

"Good evening, Princess," he said as his daughter sat down.

"Evening, Daddy," Regina smiled. "Did you have a good day at the office?"

"I worked from home today," Henry said as their food was served to each of them.

Regina frowned at that statement. "Because of me?"

"I work from home every now and then," Henry shrugged.

The brunette tried to remember the last time her father had worked from home. She couldn't recall a time she had returned from school before to find her father in the house, much less waiting for her in the hallway.

"I'm fine, Daddy," Regina said quietly. "You don't need to worry about me."

"Parents worry about their children, darling," Cora said. "We've always worried about you; it's natural. So after what happened last week, perhaps indulge us in worrying a little more than usual."

Regina said nothing. There was no reply to that. Instead, she tucked into the steaming plate of lasagne, the familiar smell suddenly reminding her that she was ravenous.

"That's why we've hired a security agent for you."

Regina choked on the mouthful she had taken at those words from her father. Spluttering, she reached for a glass of water and then wiped her face before turning to the man who was looking inscrutably at her.

"What?" she asked, throat a little hoarse.

"A security agent," Henry repeated. "He'll be with you at all times from now on, at a discrete distance, of course."

"Why?"

"With all the money we've spent on your education, I think you are capable of deducing the answer to that question, Regina," Henry replied. "Anyway, it's not like he impeded your movement today, am I right?"

"Today?" The blood in Regina's veins ran cold. Someone employed by her father had been following her all day? If that was true, her parents knew about –

"Yes, he saw you go into the court. I assume you were there to see Emma?"

Regina gawped at her father who seemed utterly calm. A glance at her mother, however, told Regina which of her parents was less comfortable with her movements that morning.

"I just wanted to see her," she said eventually.

"We know. Tink told us."

"She … she told you?" Regina's mind was racing. How much had Tink told her parents? Surely if they knew about the kiss they wouldn't be seemingly so calm about this revelation. No, something told Regina that particular secret was safe.

"Of course. We pay her, not you, remember? And while your mother and I don't exactly understand why you insist on supporting this young woman, neither of us were surprised to learn you went to court today. We're just hoping that now Emma's legal issues are sorted, you'll get back to concentrating on your studies. I don't want you skipping any more school because of this girl, ok?"

"Yes, Daddy, sorry," Regina muttered, hardly daring to say anything in case she got herself into trouble.

The conversation lapsed into silence and all three Mills resumed eating their lasagne. All of them, however, were thinking about a green-eyed blonde. Those thoughts, predictably, were alarmingly varied from contempt to curiosity to something confusing yet all-consuming which didn't yet have a name.

"Are you coming for dinner?" MM asked.

"Huh?" Emma asked, jolting awake and sitting up, trying to remember where she was.

"Long day?" her new bunkmate asked.

"Yeah," Emma nodded, yawning and rubbing her face.

"Come on, let's get some food. Then you can sleep properly. These beds aren't great but they sure beat those damn benches in holding, right?"

Emma nodded her agreement to that as she climbed awkwardly down the ladder and jumped to the floor. "Um, can I leave my stuff?"

"Of course," MM nodded, pulling on her shoes as Emma did the same. "No one wants your clothes. This isn't prison. If we want new clothes, we can just go and ask our counsellors. Who did you get?"

"Ruby."

"Me too. She's chill."

The redhead was chill, Emma supposed. She hadn't given much thought to the adults she would be encountering in juvie but Ruby did appear to be a helpful, friendly and supportive figure. Perhaps, for the first time in her life, Emma would have a positive role model.

As they entered the dining hall, Emma got an impression for the first time of how many young people were being held in Storybrooke. The sight and noise reminded her of a school canteen with groups of girls talking and laughing together at long tables throughout the room. There were perhaps one hundred youngsters in there but Emma knew there were several different wings, separated by age and gender.

"This way," MM said, leading Emma towards the end of a line which snaked towards the food counter. "The grub here is ok actually. Breakfast is a bit boring cos it's always the same but they do something different for dinner every night of the week."

"Who cooks it?"

"The kitchen staff," MM replied.

"Not us?"

"Nah, they seem not to trust kids who have committed crimes with knives and flames," MM laughed. "Why, do you like cooking?"

"Not really," Emma replied. "I was just wondering if that was a work detail."

"We're kids, Emma," the pixie haired woman reminded her. "This isn't adult prison. We don't have work details. We have class and loads of free time. Think of it as an extended summer camp."

"I never went to summer camp."

"Yeah, me neither but you can imagine it, right? Compared to real prison, this is a walk in the park. Enjoy it while you can."

"How did you know I'd be leaving here?" Emma asked, eyes narrowed slightly.

MM shrugged. "I guessed. I mean, you've gotta be seventeen, right?" Emma nodded. "And kidnapping isn't exactly a slap on the wrist crime. Figured you'd be going away for a few years and once you age out of here, you'll be moved to a proper prison."

"Oh, right." Emma swallowed as she was once again confronted with her bleak future.

"Hey, I'm sorry. It'll be ok. I'm sure it's not as bad as it sounds."

The woman was perceptive, Emma realised. Not only had she deduced Emma's legal circumstances but she had noticed that her words had sent a chill through the blonde. What would happen in ten months? What would the rest of her sentence look like? Regina's face popped, unbidden, into her mind. Would Regina keep her word? Would Regina really come and visit? Emma raised her hand to her lips and rubbed her fingers softly over the flesh, remembering the memory from that morning. MM looked at her new bunkmate curiously for a moment before stepping forwards and collecting her dinner of lasagne.

A/N: I moved Emma's birthday because I wanted her to be in juvie for as long as possible. Artistic licence!