Thank you so much for the kind feedback. New chapter is here! Let me know your thoughts about this one


"So Emma took that guy's drink, looks at him – in a badass way and say's: What ya gonna do about me? First, they vote for me and I won and now your woman wants me, cause she's sick of your misogynistic ass." Ruby grinned proudly, while Mary and David stared wide-eyed at her.

"My, Emma does sound badass." Mary whispered, her eyes flickering to the blonde, who stood by some school kids, signing their backpacks.

"She is," Ruby took a big bite of her sandwich, as she noticed Regina entering the diner. "Well, until a beautiful woman appears, then Emma is basically a teenage boy on hormones."

David and Mary craned their heads, as they watched Emma.

The blonde bit her lower lip, never taking her eyes off the brunette, as she signed the last backpack, returning it to the kid.

"Oh Jesus, of all people it's Regina." Mary sighed, shaking her head slowly.

"She's a piece of work, right?" Ruby said, "Is she married or taken by any chance?"

"No, not married. However, rumored to be dating Robin, he is a sports teacher at Storybrooke High. Although some of us think, he started the rumors himself." David explained slowly, chuckling as he thought of Robin's attempts to woo Regina.

Ruby furrowed her brow, while she chewed, "He does sound rather lame."

"He is not a bad guy, just not – interesting enough?" Mary shrugged, leaning closer to her husband.

Regina leaned against the counter, checking her phone as she deliberately tried to ignore Emma's presence.

The little bell on the door jingled, a blonde woman entered the diner. She slowly walked past Emma, checking the blonde rapper out.

Emma's eyebrows rose, staring at the young woman.

Which Regina noticed, as she gaped at the rapper. Quietly huffing, the brunette looked back at her phone.

"This is Ashley, she's a flirt." David quietly explained to Ruby, pointing his thumb toward the blonde woman.

Ruby laughed, shaking her head in amusement, "I noticed, and so did Regina."

Three sets of eyes watched the mayor intently, as she tried to ignore Emma, but her eyes betrayed her.

"Something went down between them." Ruby suddenly said. "I know Emma like – no one else. She's never been that tentative around Regina."

As if on cue, the blonde turned towards her friend, clearly sensing something. She felt watched.

"Oh, look she makes a move!" David whispered in excitement.

"Madame Mayor, good to see you."

Regina's eyes rose and she stared silently at Emma.

Emma knew some of Regina's games by now and so she stepped a little bit closer.

"You know, your phone would be much more interesting with my number in it."

The brunette snorted at this, rolling her eyes she shook her head, "Smooth, Swan."

"I know right," Emma grinned, leaning against the counter, "So, you want my number ooor…"

"I do not know why I would want your number?" Regina countered, raising her chin slightly.

"Well, for one it could be useful and two, well... I won't be forever in Storybrooke and imagine you'd miss me and no way to reach out."

Regina wanted to snort again, but Emma's green, honest eyes caught her off guard and so she thrusted her phone into Emma's hand without another word.

"Wow, she's good." David stated in amazement, his eyes set on the two women.

"Her game is top notch." Ruby whispered proudly, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Plus, this is Regina – she's not some random, easy woman." Mary added her forehead crinkling.

After saving her number into Regina's phone, she handed it back, "Text or call me, so I have yours too."

"I will, when I have time – see you around, Miss Swan." Regina took her takeout bag, as she left the diner.


"Kathryn, I need your help."

The blonde looked quizzically at her friend, as she sat down, "Something happened?"

"Not really, I am just – confused?" The brunette chewed on her lower lip, while her shoulders sagged slightly.

Kathryn nodded slowly, regarding her friend for a little while, "Has this something to do with a certain rapper?"

Regina huffed, pinching the bridge of her nose, "She is insufferable."

Kathryn chuckled, as she watched her friend squirm and shift on the other side of the couch.

"Sooo..."

Regina sighed, squeezing her eyes shut, "The other night, at this jamming session, I somehow thought that Emma would kiss me." When Kathryn gasped, the brunette shot her a dark look.

"Worst part is that I would've liked it? I met her this morning, at Granny's and she was so charming. She conned me into saving her number."

Kathryn laughed at this, shaking her head slightly; she held her hand up, "Regina, conning is not the appropriate word for this. It is called flirting. Is she gay?"

Regina furrowed her brow, thinking about her friend's words, "I don't know?"

Kathryn's eyes went wide, holding her hand up once again. "I mean, considering how she's been hitting on you, I would say it is a safe bet. But still, we need to find out."

"I will not ask!" Regina exclaimed immediately while her hands grabbed the couch cushion.

Kathryn rolled her eyes in return, "Of course not, we are better than this!" She looked around and spotted Henry's tablet on the side table.

"Okay, we are going to google her." The blonde grinned in excitement, as she sat down next to Regina.

The brunette leaned closer to Kathryn, while she typed Emma's name into the search bar. "Let's add 'love interest'"

Various articles popped up and they went through several, most of them fake, gossip pages.

"Hmm...Uh, this looks promising!" She clicked on the link and a few pictures came up – definitely shot by paparazzo.

Tilting her head slightly, Regina looked at them and squinted, "They look – cozy."

Emma had her arms wrapped around a slender, dark haired woman while they walked down the streets in NYC.

Kathryn scrolled further down, as she stopped at the next picture – the woman nuzzled Emma's neck.

"Shit, I think that is her girlfriend? Hold on, the article is almost one year old. A lot could've changed." Kathryn mumbled as she looked for further information.

Regina gritted her teeth, while she looked through the pictures. If Emma thought she could use her, as some romp on the road, she was highly mistaken.

"I'm going to set her ass on fire." The brunette growled, clenching her hands into fists.

Kathryn placed the tablet on the coffee table and wrapped one arm around Regina's shoulders, "Listen, relax…Those pictures are old, we do not know for sure if they are still dating, okay?"

After some silent moments, Regina cleared her throat.

"I'm actually not into women."

Kathryn sighed quietly, as she slowly looked at her best friend, "Have you ever tried it?"

Regina shook her head no, while she looked down to her fidgeting hands. "I was never attracted to women, so the possibility never came up."

"I love Frederick with all my heart, but sex with a woman is – wow." Kathryn stated bluntly, smiling as she watched Regina blush.

"Kat, I know way too much about your college time, I was there too."

"Truth, but you were always busy studying and all that stuff, so you might have missed out some important, life changing stuff."

The doorbell rang and startled both women. Regina's eyes darted to the clock, and she furrowed her brow in confusion. Henry was still in school, and he had a key.

She rose from the couch and made her way to the front door, opening it she saw her mother.

"Mother what a surprise." Regina hugged Cora tightly, as they entered the mansion.

"It is, I had to end my vacation earlier and thought I'd stop by. Oh hello Kathryn." She smiled at Regina's friend, who had just entered the hallway.

"Cora, it is great seeing you!" Kathryn smiled, as she pulled on her jacket, "Regina, I'm off…Call me later, we still need to discuss this – thing."

Regina rolled her eyes, but nodded as she opened the front door again.

"Henry is still in school, I assume?" Cora asked, after they entered the living room.

"That is correct; he will have basketball practice after. He is going to be really happy seeing you." Regina smiled, as she poured two glasses of water.

After Regina's father had died, Cora buried herself in work and took over the law firm in Boston. Regina's sister, Zelena, joined her shortly after.

"Mother, I…would like to ask you something, if you don't mind." Regina started, after they have finished their talk about Zelena, Henry and the firm in Boston.

"Of course, I don't mind. What is bothering you?" Cora asked, smiling encouragingly at her daughter.

"You loved father very much, he was your true love, and you met at a very young age. But, has there ever been a time – where you wanted to – experience different things?"

Cora's eyebrows rose and she looked in surprise at Regina, "Well, I experienced a lot – even though I was with your father."

Regina bit her lip, as she looked down at her hands, "Have you ever been attracted to women?"

Cora swallowed visibly, as she looked even more surprised than before.

"No…not that I recall, I mean...Women are magnificent human beings. Regina, is something troubling you?"

"No, not really…I'm just confused, you know what? Forget I asked this is making no sense at all." Regina huffed, as she quickly got off the couch and rushed out of the room.

Cora sighed quietly, as she chuckled – following her daughter.


Late at night, Emma laid on her bed, pen, and notepad in her hands as she wrote. Every now and then, her mind would wander off – to a certain brunette. She inspired Emma and it scared her to some extent.

It meant, that Regina had gone way more under her skin than she initially thought. Sure, the brunette was a sensual, intelligent and attractive woman. But Emma, had never expected that she would have such an impact in such short time.

She sighed quietly, closing her eyes the blonde turned on her back. August had warned her and Ruby too, but she had to run head first into it.

But into what?

Nothing had happened, except for some teasing and flirting. In addition to that, she was way out of Regina's league.

That woman was a Mayor! Sophisticated, well educated, and filthy rich. Emma swallowed, trying to ignore the feeling of dread in her stomach. Her vibrating phone pulled her out of the depressing thoughts and she searched for it between the sheets.

Now you got my number, too.

Emma furrowed her brow, when it hit her – this was Regina.

Sudden butterflies fluttered in her stomach and she had to take a deep breath, or her chest would burst.

Thank you! I'm looking forward to our texting adventures *winking*

It took several minutes, when another text arrived.

Tell me, Miss Swan. How does one like you, balance and handle a relationship?

Emma was extremely confused by that question. Licking her lips, she started typing.

It can be difficult, but not impossible. Also really depends on your partner too. Why do you ask?

Just curious.

Emma rolled her eyes at that.

Kathryn mentioned that you are dating someone

Emma choked when she read the message and she was more confused than before. Suddenly she realized Kathryn must have dug up some old pictures of her and Lily.

Oh my, if she is talking about those old Paparazzi pictures, they are really old. I'm not seeing anyone.

She grinned, her stomach doing somersaults.

Speaking of which; you and that teacher, huh?

This time it took almost an hour and Emma thought she had blown it.

How do you – Mary Margaret, of course. Robin and I are amicable, that is it. Not that it is any of your business.

How long will you be in town?

Emma bit her lower lip, mentally going through her timeline.

I think another week and then we are back on the road again. Another three weeks and after that I'm working on a new project. Geez, now I filled you in.

My mother is in town and she would like to meet you, since apparently everyone knows who you are.

Emma made a strangled noise, as she read the message. Her fucking mother?

Okay, keep calm, Swan. The woman is probably just curious. This is about your public persona and not about your attraction to her daughter.

For a moment she thought about inviting Regina's mother to her concert, but then again – this was Mrs. Mills and if she was anything like her daughter, she'd probably hate it.

Of course, sure. Just tell me when and where. We have a last practice tomorrow around noon, but after that, I am free.

7 PM, sharp. My place. Bring your manners.

Emma swallowed as she stared at the message. Shit.

She bolted from her bed, rushing out of the room.

"RUBY!"