It was only four in the afternoon and Emma's eyes were staring into the bottom of empty glass number three.

Fortunately for her, her pity party wasn't in the comfort of her own home, nor was she alone. A common mistake made by many. The advice she'd give anyone who asked if you're going to drown your sorrows with alcohol, do so in good company. While the pub was nearly empty, Emma sat alongside her best friend with a cloud of nostalgia surrounding them.

"I've just never felt so happy in all my life. How could I have gone this long without feeling like this? I never felt like this with Lily." Emma said as she sipped from her glass.

"Maybe that's because Lily was just a girlfriend. She wasn't the one you were meant for." August said as if it was evident.

Emma nodded. That was probably the case. "Yeah, I bet that's it."

"Was she a screamer?" August asked with the most wicked grin imaginable.

While Emma would usually screech, slap his arm even, she smiled to herself instead. "No, she wasn't. She was, perfect."

And just like that, Emma's mind took her back to Regina's body shaking beneath her. There was nothing more beautiful in the world to Emma than the soft whimpers that escaped Regina's panting lips. It was unforgettable, the look in her dark obsidian orbs as they locked with her own eyes when they came together. It was breathtaking.

"God you're so love-drunk. What am I going to do with you, you're so weak." August laughingly said as he saw his friend lost in her memories.

"I'm not weak. Don't call me that." Emma said with an eye roll. "I miss her so much already and it's been five hours, that's a lot of time," Emma said, chugging the last of her drink.

"So maybe you should see about going to Maine soon."

Emma nodded. "That's an idea worth entertaining. I have a ton of vacation time saved up that needs to be used before the turn of the year."

She raised the empty tumbler to the bartender behind the bar and motioned for another round.

"You know what gets me? Like, how come I was so lucky to find her? Like she's fucking gorgeous. Inside and out. How does someone like her even exist. She's got everything I ever wanted and more."

"And only yours for a monthly rate of $9.99, a great bundle deal found nowhere else," August said in a salesman's pitch voice you'd likely hear on the radio or TV for a service like Comcast. "But seriously, it is a wonder how all the stars perfectly aligned for you both. It happened so fast. I never expected that. You said she was logging in that night you met to delete her profile right?" August added.

The bartender sat two new glasses of whiskey on the bar in front of them. The amber liquid sparked against the rocks from the low lighting of the bar.

Emma picked up the glass and took a swig. She was determined to use the alcohol as a source to numb the void Regina left in her heart the moment she stepped through the airport doors.

"Yup, she got a bunch of messages that were off-putting." Emma burped. She fanned the air around them ignoring the look on August's face. "I miss her so much. This just sucks. Like she's here for two seconds and then next she's gone. Like I feel like a mess right now because it's so hard not having her here." Emma watched as August slowly sipped his own drink as she rambled. "What's a girl like me to do? I feel like shit and oh my god, like my heart hurts. I'm such a freakin' mess." Emma's drunken haze caused her sentences to start to run together.

"You're borderline drunk right now, so that's an accurate statement."

"I can't tell you enough, how amazing everything was. I, she just was so in tune with my emotions and needs. Everything was just how I imagined, but better."

Emma saw August shift in his seat. Maybe she was going overboard with all of her lovesick feelings?

"So you've said. When will she be home?"

Taking it down a notch, Emma looked at her phone and noted the time. "Probably walking through the front door in a few minutes."

"You should see how she feels about you coming up there. She's probably going through withdraws too." August guided Emma back to the topic of her going to Maine.

"You make me sound like an addict."

August shook his head. "That's because you are. You're addicted to Regina SoFine Mills."

Emma smiled in a haze of memories again ignoring the fact that her best friend just called her girlfriend, SoFine.

It was true, Regina did feel like a drug to her, but the best kind that's good for the soul. Not the 'life-altering-needs-rehab' kind. It was ridiculous to think of Regina as a drug, but that said, it was a damn good comparison. Her entire body felt an itch she couldn't kick, even with the now four glasses of whiskey she consumed.

"I feel like our first time was everything I wanted, you know, but I wonder if it's all how she wanted it to go."

"What do you mean?"

Emma took another sip of her drink and scratched her head. "I mean, it was slow."

August laughed. "Oh my god, let me guess, it was vanilla?"

That's all it took for Emma to slip out of her reverie, or love-drunken stupor. She playfully smacked the back of his head. "You're lucky I didn't hit you harder to make that dandruff fall from your head like snow. In case you were wondering, Head and Shoulders called, they want you as their next spokesperson."

"Well, someone's a bit snarky. I was just saying it as vanilla, none of that Fifty Shades of Grey kind of kinky sex."

"Ew no. Definitely not. I honestly have no idea why I tell you these things."

"Did you cry?" August asked trying to have a serious face for once. He sipped some of his own whiskey as he listened to Emma's response.

While she was close to tears at one point, she'd never admit that now and surely not to August of all people. He'd hold it over her head until the day she was six feet under the Floridian lush green grass. "No you fucktard, I didn't cry. It just was an intensely sensitive and emotional first time."

Apparently, no matter how adult you do become, having a serious conversation about sex is sometimes impossible. August burst out into laughter. In fact, he laughed so hard that whiskey shot from his nose and out onto the bar's counter.

"You know, I bet that burned real bad," Emma said, smugly. "And I don't feel bad for you at all." She said crossing her arms. As she watched, her friend scrunched his face in pain. "I remember one time when you made milk shoot from my nose. It hurt like a bitch, so I bet you feel like someone lit a match and shoved it up that cute nose of yours."

"Oh man." He pinched his face in pain. "That's a sensation I never want to feel again." He shook his face.

"If you're so worried." He paused to wipe his nose with a cocktail size napkin before he began his sentence again, "If you're so worried, then why don't you kick it up a notch next time. Maybe even have some fun over the phone till you see her next. You don't have to always have sex like that. Maybe you'll be comfortable enough to make it...kinky."

"Do you think that me wanting to go see her is clingy?" Emma changed the subject. It wasn't her avoiding 'kicking it up a notch' it was more like her mind was pinging off into different directions. She was literally scattered brained, most likely induced by the alcohol.

"Emma, lesbians are the clingiest humans alive. Why else do they call it U-hauling on the second date?"

"I'm not U-hauling. I just want to know if it's clingy."

"She's seen you here how many times now? Three?"

"Yeah, if you count the second time," Emma said, wincing at the memory.

August nodded. "The way I see it, it's totally natural for you to want to go see her. To see how her life is up in, uh, the mercury-busting frigid temperatures of Maine. You only get a glimpse of who she is when she's here. If you go to see her, you can get a taste of what her life is like."

Emma sipped her drink. She wanted to hop on a plane right now to go to Maine if she could, screw the cold. There were alternatives to stay warm. She wasn't ready for Regina to leave this last time. That said, they didn't have any immediate plans to see each other in the near future. That frightened Emma and while it caused a flare of worry to spark, she knew all she wanted was to fly to Regina this time around.

Her phone buzzed on the bar counter top and she looked at the new message. A smile eclipsed across her face. A text from Regina always had that silly effect on her.

I just made it home. I'm exhausted. Going to take a quick nap, after can we video?

Emma smiled and texted back a quick response.

Sleep well beautiful. I will be available when you're up.

It didn't take long for a kissing face emoji to be sent back in response. Emma blushed and sent one back in return.

"Can you get a room. You're making those gooey heart eyes at your phone and I just can't even sit back and watch this." August stood and slapped a few bills down on the bar.

"Shut up, don't be jealous that I've got something good going here. So what if I have gooey heart eyes?"

August laughed. "In time, perhaps I will be as lucky as you are."

"How about we set up a dating site for you too?" Emma said as she stood from her barstool.

"I think you've had a wee bit too much to drink there, Emma. How about I see you home?"

"Don't act like I'm an invalid. You're totally trying to deter the conversation. I'm not stupid. I'll just have to create a profile for you on your behalf. Don't worry, I'll make sure to make you a real solid bio. I think the first thing will say, 'Closet fan of Disney movies, novelty collector, and fashion guru."

"You wouldn't dare." His mouth gaped open. His step faltered a little as he made way to the entrance to the pub.

"Don't test me." Emma stared back at him unwilling to look away following his footsteps. She knew his quirks, things that his one night stands would never know. August had a pretty masculine persona, but that was a facade. Behind which, the man he really was was quite charming. He enjoyed children's movies, collected the weirdest things, and loved to stay in style.

He wasn't an average dude by any means. Emma would classify him as the 'guy next door' who has a problem sleeping around.

August clinched his jaw, "I told you I will give it a shot if you and Regina work out."

"Have you not listened to me at all?" She asked as they made their way back to her apartment.

"Oh, I have. I think that you need a little more proof that you guys are working out before I test the online dating world."

"What kind of proof?" She said a little confused.

"Oh you know, just either a ring or you two living together. I think either or is acceptable really."

He said as if what he just put out there was a totally normal response.

Emma spun around. "A ring, really? We just had sex. I haven't even been to Maine. That could be next year, or never."

"That's what you say. But from my extensive knowledge of lesbianism, I think it will be far sooner than you like to admit."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Once they made it up the driveway to her apartment, she stopped at the door. "I'll text you later and let you know what she says about me going to Maine. You okay to drive?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I had way less than you. I think for every two drinks you had, I had one."

"That bad, really?" Emma laughed at herself. The tingle in her chest and mind made her more mentally aware of her current state.

"You may have been drinking it like it was the best water you ever had."

"That's not awkward." Emma rolled her eyes at herself.

"Don't sweat it, we've all become drunk in the middle of the day before. It happens. If I had just had to put my heartthrob on a plane home, I'd likely be in an equal or worse state myself."

"I think I'm going to go eat some leftovers, Netflix, and chill till she's up. I'll talk to her and let you know if I book any flights or anything."

"Sounds good." August said and turned to walk to his car. "Have some phone sex tonight, might help the loneliness."

Emma's face turned red. "You're in my front yard and couldn't help yourself could you?"

"Nah, not really. Your face is too priceless." And with that Emma watched as he shut the door to his car, laughing to himself at her embarrassment. Of course, leave it to August to plant a seed of something in the back of her mind.

Emma walked into her home for the first time since Regina had left. The sheets on her bed were still twisted from their last night together. In the sink sat a lipstick stained mug from that morning and a wine glass from the evening before. Emma closed her eyes and hummed in appreciation at the memory of them being together on the couch sharing stories back and forth about their lives.

It was Regina who reminded Emma of the massage oils. The same massage oils that on a whim, Emma had purchased trying to remain undercover on her last case. They took the rest of the evening into the bedroom, where Emma put the oils to use. The oils led to an intense make-out session, one that deepened and led to much more.

But like she told August, it was very slow. Emma was still very timid and, much like on Thanksgiving, it was passionate lovemaking. Emma was still getting to know Regina's body and was learning the different things, like where and how she liked to be touched.

That said, they made their last time count just before four in the morning when Regina rolled out of her bed. Emma got up with her, made some coffee for them, before getting dressed herself. The drive to the airport was one in silence. Emma's fingers were intertwined with Regina's and every so often she'd squeeze her hand affectionately. Perhaps it was silent because just like Emma, Regina was biting back the words she wanted to say back. Emma would never know, but when their final moments did happen, all Emma wanted to do was hold her in her arms forever, kissing her soft lips that she knew she'd miss in the wake of her absence.

It was harder than she imagined, to let Regina go. Which is why her ever so loyal friend joined her at a bar to drown her sorrows.

Perhaps Maine was the next step they needed to take. Emma needed to be a part of Regina's life, just how Regina had become a significant piece of her own

Hours had long passed before Regina finally did wake up from her nap. The weekend's festivities had taken a toll on her, along with the travel and hectic work schedule.

"So I was thinking..." Emma said as she relaxed back into the pillows on her bed. "We haven't exactly set a date for when we'll see each other next. So I was wondering if I could come up to Maine to visit you? I, uhm, really miss you already and, I know this sounds corny and August calls it U-hauling, but I have vacation days I haven't used yet and I want to see you soon. I think I just rambled on and now you know how nervous I am, oh god. Way to play it cool, Emma."

On the other end of the screen, Regina sat in her own bed. Her make-up had long been washed away, her hair in a ponytail, and cute black glasses perched on her nose. She laughed at how nervous Emma was over asking to visit her. Emma knew some found her constant state of awkwardness to be endearing, but it wasn't endearing to her. Not even in the slightest.

Regina cleared her throat, "I love the idea of you visiting me. When do you have in mind?"

Emma's face was burning now. One would think that now since she's dated Regina for a few weeks and had sex with her that this wouldn't be as awkward, but it was. "That's the thing I have a lot of vacation days that I can use. So I'm really flexible, I guess it just amounts to what your schedule is like and if you'll be willing to put up with me for longer than a weekend."

Regina smirked. "Let me open up my calendar. I'm pretty sure I can move some things around and fit you in."

Emma watched as Regina picked up her phone and pensively studied the device. After a few moments, Regina said, "So I actually have this weekend open. I can move a few meetings around and we can have a few days together. After that, I have meetings back to back each day until Christmas Eve." Regina told Emma. "But, I do have two weeks vacation that I can take from that point on."

"So this weekend and then basically Christmas till the New Year?"

"Yes." Regina said taking off her glasses. "Do you think you could come up here twice? I have some plans with my family for the holidays, which you are welcome to join. I would love that in fact. My parents would love to meet you. They've only met two of my exes before."

Emma felt her heart speed up, the pressure was on. Christmas and New Years with Regina sounded like Heaven on Earth. Meeting the parents, however, was unnerving.

"What kind of plans do you have with them? Are you sure I wouldn't be intruding?"

"It's the annual skiing trip I've mentioned before. We aren't very big on gifts, so instead we book a lodge in the mountains and spend some quality time together for a few won't be intruding at all. I'm happy that you mentioned visiting."

"Okay, great it sounds really fun and I'm sure you parents are great too. Are they nice? Do you think they'll like me? I can't ski." Emma told Regina in a rush.

"I'll teach you, it's not that hard." Regina smiled warmly at Emma through the webcam.

"But I don't wanna die by hitting a tree or something. That's how Sonny died, isn't it?"

Regina laughed. "Yes, but there's more safety these days. You'll be in a helmet and I'll be there to help you. They also teach lessons on the basics that I can enroll you in."

Emma smiled. "So does this mean we are spending Christmas together?"

"I think it does." Regina smiled back, warmly. "I couldn't ask for a better Christmas gift."

Emma blushed. "I wouldn't go as far as calling me a Christmas gift."

"I'm pretty sure you flying up here and being here constitutes you as a Christmas gift."

Emma grinned. "You're impossible. So how big is this said cabin? Can we still have some alone time?"

"When I say cabin, I mean it's rather large. We'll have enough privacy to carry on with our own time."

"In that case, I need to look up flights and book before the prices jump up. Do you have a preferred airline, I haven't flown much before."

"Delta is nice, I also fly Virgin when I get a chance. Why don't you let me have my assistant do all the research and have him email you options? I really hate trying to compare sites and times.

It's too time-consuming and I'd rather spend time with you now."

"Okay, do you think you can have him send me stuff tomorrow for me to look at and book?"

"I'll make sure he sends you options before noon." Regina smiled.

Emma nodded. "So what do you want to do this weekend?"

Emma could barely wipe the smile off her face. The thought of being with Regina this weekend was uplifting, for a lack of better words. She'd spent all day in a bar with her best friend sulking over what had already happened. Now she got to look forward to making new memories.

"Well, I can give you a tour of the town. There's not much to it, it's rather tiny." Regina answered.

"I can also arrange dinner with my friend Kat?"

"I don't think you've told me about your friend Kat before?" Emma's features were twisted into a pinched wince.

"I did when we first started talking, she's one of my oldest friends. I don't see her often. Kat is usually flying between here and Paris for work. She runs a pharmaceutical company. Though, this weekend she's in town for a few days. She's hard to pin down at times. I also may have failed to mention her before because she's also my ex. You know the relationship I ended six months ago." Regina said, trying to trigger Emma's memory.

Emma didn't know how to respond. She had never really asked much about Regina's prior relationships. She honestly didn't want to know.

"Oh?" Emma managed to say. She was trying to stay calm, but she knew she wore her emotions on her sleeve. "How long were you two, you know, a thing?"

Emma was sure Regina was picking up on how awkward she felt.

"Two years. We met in college, she was actually my best friend."

Two years. How could Regina just forget to ever mention she was in a relationship for two years with her now a friend that she was going to meet?

Emma gritted her teeth and tried to ignore the intimate feeling of jealousy aching in her bones.

"Whoa, that's a… long time."

Emma watched as Regina bit her lip in hesitancy. "We were more like friends than anything else. I don't want you to worry, which is kind of why I want you to meet her."

"Okay." Emma said, squirming. The nerves tumbling about in her stomach felt like a dingy caught in a squall. Her eye's concentrated on the sheets, still twisted on her bed. Regina's ex bothered her more than she wanted to admit.

"Emma." She heard her name. "Listen to me, I've never had anything like what we have with anyone else before. She's nothing like you and you'll see for yourself that we weren't meant to be together. We're just friends. I wasn't trying to upset you. I just want for you two to meet. She's a part of my life just as are you."

"I get that. I just don't like the idea of seeing you with someone else that you've been with before. Makes me feel-" Emma was cut off.

"Jealous?" Regina asked.

"Yeah." Emma said, now locking eyes with Regina.

"Jealously is a good sign, it means that you value what we have together."

"I do, more than you know." Emma said as she felt a lump in her throat. "I've missed you so much today. I day-drank at a bar with August and the entire time I was nursing my drink I was replaying the weekend in my head. I just don't want it to be a memory. I hate that you have an ex, who's there, and I'm here, a thousand miles away. It's beyond unfair. And I know life isn't fair, it just sucks."

Regina nodded, "Maybe when you're here we should talk about next steps and set some goals. I think that will help us get through these long stretches of time without each other. It would give us something to look forward to. And, you know you never have anything to worry about. I'm fully committed to you. Kat being here means nothing. She's just a friend now. We got into a relationship, which we should never have done. It was messy and the best thing I have done for myself is allow my assistant to make me a dating profile." Regina stated. "If he hadn't, I wouldn't have you."

Emma took in a deep breath and asked, "How do you feel about us deleting our FindLove accounts? We could download Skype instead so we don't have to go through their app for videoing?"

"I would love to delete the account. I think it's safe to say we won't be needing it anymore. Tomorrow, I'll have my assistant set me up a Skype account." Regina smiled at Emma reassuringly.

"If it means anything, I'm really excited to come up there and see where you live. I think the idea of being exposed that piece of your life would make it easier for me. I miss you so much and I don't have anything to latch onto, you know. I have no idea what your town looks like, your home, or your office. I have a hard time placing what your life is like there, well, besides busy. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I would like to meet your friend Kat and anyone else you'd like for me to meet. I want to be a part of your life, just as much as you're a part of mine."

"Well, I guess we're lucky that you have so much vacation time, aren't we?" Regina said with a twinkle of excitement in her eye.

"Yeah, I guess we are." Emma said.

As if Regina knew about her previous conversation with August, she asked, "So, now that's covered, I was wondering how do you feel about phone sex?"

Just like that, Emma was like a deer in the headlights and Regina's words like an eighteen-wheeler barreling at her.