Uncharacteristically Regina slept past 9am, in fact, Regina didn't wake until 11:30am. When Regina opened her eyes, she realised she was alone in the bedroom, Emma was nowhere to be seen or heard. Of course, Regina's mind jumped to worst case scenario, so after calming her thoughts Regina rose from the bed and made her way out to the living area.

"Good morning, sleepy," Emma greeted from the breakfast bar.

"Morning," Regina returned and she went in search of coffee.

"Next to the stove," Emma directed, knowing exactly what Regina was looking for.

"Thanks," Regina smiled as she poured herself a cup. "Why are you up so early?"

"So early?" Emma chuckled. "It's almost noon,"

"Are you serious?" Regina shot a glare at Emma and then to the clock mounted on the wall. "How did I sleep that long?"

Emma shrugged. "You were tired?" She offered with question in her tone.

Regina nodded, coffee cup on lips and mumbled. "I guess so," Regina knew for a fact that she was tired, she was up half the night in disarray but even so, her body clock normally woke her up before 9am without fail.

"I was thinking I could show you around today before going out tonight," Emma mentioned as she rose from her seat and put her cup in the sink.

"I'd love that," Regina smiled, she would love a local -or ex local- to show her around New York, especially since she had never been this far south on the eastern seaboard.

Emma did show Regina around that day. Emma showed her the ins and outs of the city, the small quaint galleries that tourists wouldn't know to look for, the best shopping strips and of course the best places to find real New York styled food. Regina loved every last bit of it, she had quickly fallen in love with New York.

Emma, in a moment of pure excitement, dragged Regina into one her favourite places in the city. Emma hadn't had the intention of visiting that little old dive bar but since they were walking past it Emma couldn't help herself.

"Emma," Regina glared at Emma once she had let go of Regina's hand. "Why are we in a dive bar at 3 in the afternoon?"

Emma smiled, this place always felt like home. "Oh, come on, it's one of the best karaoke bars in town." Emma grinned, hoping Regina wouldn't walk out.

Regina shook her head. "I'm sure it is, but at 3pm?"

"Yes, all the time." Emma nodded. "This place is one of my favourite in the city."

"Really?" Regina smiled, she liked that Emma was willing to share such a place with her.

"Yes," Emma wiggled in excitement. "One song, please?" Emma begged. It would feel wrong to leave without singing her go-to.

Regina looked around the gloomy bar, there was a reasonable crowd for this time of the afternoon. "Buy me a shot and we can do one song." Regina cautioned.

"Deal," Emma smiled with glee as she made her way over to the bar.

After downing a tequila shot each Emma signed them up for a mystery song. Originally Regina had protested the whole mystery song idea but Emma seemed so excited about it, and so, Regina had regrettably agreed to get up on stage without knowing the song beforehand.

After watching a few other patrons sing their songs, Emma pulled Regina to the stage. Ready to sing a classic- Emma's go-to karaoke song.

Emma began to thrust her hips as soon as the music started, which warranted an eye roll from Regina. It was Emma's turn to sing first, and she was more than enthusiastic to start singing. "I got chills, they're multiplying. And I'm losing control!"

Oh, how Regina was hating Emma right now. Of course, she would choose this song- of all damn songs. Regina almost laughed, the lyrics were more than relatable, in fact, they were currently Regina's personal theme song. At first Regina sung quietly, not at all enthused. But, after watching Emma sing so freely and happily Regina decided to let loose, and it had been completely worthwhile.

By the end of the song, the two were dancing together and singing at the top of the lungs. Singing as though they were the headline act at Maddison Square Garden. It hadn't been the tequila, it was the sheer enjoyment that the two got from being together, letting loose.

"You are the one I want, Oh, Oh, Ooh. The one I need. Oh, yes indeed." The two finished off with a dramatic pose and all.

After watching Emma put the microphones away, Regina grabbed the blonde's hand and pulled her out of the bar. Singing in front of a crowd had been an incredible rush, but Regina had also been desperate to get out of there once the song ended- she would be happy to never see any of those patrons ever again.

"Emma," Regina took a deep breath, her thoughts still catching up with her.

"An amazing rush, right?" Emma smiled knowingly.

Regina nodded, that's exactly what it was- well, and that fact that she was still holding the blonde's hand.

"Come on, we have so much more to do." Emma smiled at Regina before she started walking- still holding Regina's hand… not that Regina minded one bit.

The two did, in fact, get much more done that day. They were back at their hotel just after six, both hungry and ready for an extravagant dinner- which is exactly what they got. Regina was sure to order two coffees, she needed much more energy if she was going to be staying out all night. Emma had complimented the wonderful idea and followed Regina's bright thinking. They weren't in their 20s anymore.

After a filling and laughter filled dinner the two made their way back up to their room to get ready for the night ahead.

"We could just stay in a sleep," Emma offered as she opened the door to their room.

Regina laughed, "I would love too."

Emma nodded. "Good, good." She looked to Regina. "Means I don't have to fix this," She gestured to her face.

Regina rolled her eyes. "It's a great face," and with that Regina wondered off into the bedroom.

While laying out her dress on the bed Regina could hear faint music growing louder and louder with each beat.

Take your clothes and rip 'em, rip 'em off

And then Emma was standing- rather swaying- in the doorway. Regina watched Emma closely, she had a drink in each hand, shoes off and her pants unzipped. All part of her preparation for the night Regina hoped, because if it was anything else she was sure she would collapse.

Last night I woke the fuck up
I realized I need you here, as desperate as that sounds

Emma mouthed the words as she stepped towards Regina and offered her a drink- Though, Regina declined.

And then Emma began to sing. "And all we do is fake our feelings. I'm so scared to put myself so out there. Time is running out, yeah. Need to let you know that, Last night I woke the fuck up. I realized I need you here, as desperate as that sounds"

Regina could feel how fast her heart was beating. She knew it was just a song, but god damn, the look in Emma's eyes screamed something else. The song finished on a soft note and before Regina would let herself do anything stupid she rushed from the bedroom and escaped to the solace of the bathroom.

Regina braced herself against the sink, her breathing laboured and her throat tightening with each second. It was more than ridiculous to think that Emma meant anything by that song, or the song she had chosen at karaoke- yes, it was completely coincidental and Regina was just projecting. And yet, here she was, knuckles white as she gripped the bathroom sink and her heart about to leap from her throat.

"Regina?" Called a soft voice from the other side of the door. "Are you okay?"

Regina took a deep breath, knowing it would be worse if she didn't respond. "Yes, I'm fine." She didn't even believe herself, so why would Emma.

"Are you sure, what do you need?" Emma replied softly.

Regina looked up into the mirror and saw how pale her- normally rather olive- skin looked. "Just got a head rush." Regina replied, hoping Emma would take that answer and leave.

"Okay, well, if you need anything I'll be out here getting ready." Emma responded sweetly.

Regina didn't respond, she wasn't even sure if she could. Instead, she stood in the bathroom staring at her reflection. How did she let herself get this desperate? Regina had wanted to kiss Emma so badly in that moment that she had been mere seconds from doing so. Regina wanted Emma and it was becoming extremely had to ignore her desire, more to the point, it was coming more difficult to stop herself from reaching out and actually touching Emma.

Enough time had pasted that Regina had grown bored of her own reflection. Though, leaving the bathroom was not yet something she wanted to do, so, Regina began on her make-up. It was a long time before Regina exited the bathroom. The bedroom now empty, the only trace of Emma was clothes strewn across the bed. Regina dressed herself, found the perfect heels and headed out towards the kitchen in hopes of finding Emma.

"Hey," Emma said softly as she turned her head to awkwardly face Regina. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Regina smiled back.

Emma stood from her seat on the couch and turned towards Regina. "You look beautiful," Emma complimented sincerely as she looked Regina up and down; A short black dress covered in a lace slip that fell longer than the dress.

Regina looked down at herself and blushed. "Thank you," She smiled. "And you," Regina trailed off and mouthed a dramatic wow. Emma was wearing the first outfit that Regina had picked out, a white shirt and high waisted black pants.

"Ready to go then?" Emma asked as she began towards the door.