A/N: I would like to start out with a GREAT BIG THANK YOU! Thank you soooo much for all of the positive reviews and messages! I really enjoyed reading them and they really made my day! :D Also, I've read a few requests to write in Regina's POV and I had figured that, after what had happened, it would be appropriate to get inside of her head for a chapter! I did a little switching some time in there to Emma, but it goes back to Regina. I don't know how good this will be. I've been a little too used to writing in Emma's POV now, so I hoped this works out and that you enjoy it!

Thank you, and please post a review to tell me what your thoughts are!

Regina Mills had watched as the blonde hopped out of her car, a large smile gracing her lips. What they had just done was quite controversial, both towards the outside world and in her own mind. She hadn't known what had compelled her to kiss the younger woman, but now that it was all over and the moment was gone, she was starting to panic.

She had just kissed one of her students.

She had kissed Emma.

The moral part of her told her that this was all wrong. She really shouldn't have done that. She shouldn't have accepted that kiss as if it were a normal thing. Something like this could really get the brunette into trouble if someone were to find out. She was thanking her lucky stars that it was that time of night when most people were home.

The more emotional part of Regina's brain had been on an elated cloud. She knew what was going to happen from the time Emma turned towards her to the closing space between them. They were going to kiss. And she honestly did not see anything wrong with it- or at least at the time.

Regina had kissed Emma, thinking it was a wise decision at the time to give into the feelings swirling within her like a tornado. All sense had left upon tasting the blonde's lips, which were slightly salty from what she assumed had been the potato chips from earlier. It was quite a magical feeling, or so the brunette thought, because she literally saw stars. She could only wonder if Emma had the same feeling, or if it were only another unrequited emotion.

The brunette teacher had found herself slowly falling for Emma. It was strange for her at first, having such feelings and thoughts towards her student. She hadn't even realized what was happening at the time. Sure, she had grown to care for the blonde in a way she started to consider her as a friend of sorts, but she never managed to consider that it would be anything different aside from that. It wasn't until Emma spoke of Graham did she recognize her true feelings. She had felt jealous at the time and it had deeply confused her. The idea of Emma having a boyfriend just sent her heart sinking to her feet. Thinking about it now, she must have seemed a little too concerned about that particular fact upon asking Emma the question. Never again assume, she told herself.

Even after Emma had confirmed that he was just a friend to her, Regina had set her feelings aside and ignored them. She couldn't act upon those emotions, even if she was quite certain that the blonde had it in for her. She wasn't blind nor stupid. She saw the way Emma immediately averted her gaze every time the brunette looked up. Sometimes she could feel those emerald eyes boring into her from afar and knew that she was under the ever watchful gaze of the blonde teenager. The thought had sent shivers coursing through her body. It was, yes, so very wrong, she thought. But the blonde had reawakened something inside of her that she thought would remain dormant for the rest of her life. She never thought she would be feeling so much for another person, and to find her where Cora had sent her to not find such a happiness. It was a miracle to be had, but also a forbidden one. It was an impossibility for the two to be together and for more reasons than just one.

That was why Regina had remained quiet and subtle upon her quiet shows of affection towards the blonde. She knew that she had been doing a good job at keeping herself quiet about the feelings that roared inside of her like a wild forest fire. Emma hadn't shown any signs nor had she taken the plunge into assuming the touching had been something far less professional than a teacher and a student. That was, until the water had gotten murky earlier that day. Everything had been coming down all at once on top of the brunette as she had overheard the blonde's argument with those two boys in her class. She had defended her, and that was something that the teacher had never had the honor to experience. Everyone else had always looked away while others had virtually bullied her, both directly and indirectly. But, then there was Emma. She who had stood up to the boys trash talking Regina when they thought she hadn't been listening. They must have assumed that everyone hated her, seeing as to how they didn't mind speaking such words whilst setting next to classmates.

But what Emma had done had made Regina fall into a much deeper pit of emotion. She had already seen many sides of the blonde, both mature and immature, both kind and aggressive, and then there was that protective part of her that the brunette could not breeze over. The young woman as a whole was everything that Regina had ever hoped for in a significant other. Of course, the age difference was not something that she was so fond of. That's one of the things that had terrified her the most, aside from Emma being her student (although, that was a constant reminder that nagged deep in her gut). She knew that the blonde was only seventeen years old, albeit not far away from the legal age. Her birthday was only a week away, for she had only known since Emma had told her in a prior conversation. But it was still an age difference of twenty years. Of course, she had heard of the saying that love knows no boundaries… But Regina just couldn't help that nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was agonizing and she felt nearly nauseous when she thought of the cold, hard facts.

That kiss, though, had taken those cold, hard facts and made them warm and fuzzy. All of her worries had ebbed away, and in that moment, she knew what she had to do. She wanted Emma. But she couldn't have her.

At least, not until graduation day.

That thought had sent another rock to the bottom of her stomach, weighing her down with harsh reality. Emma was her student, even though she was much, much more mature and insightful than her fellow classmates. Every time the English teacher had talked with Emma, whenever or wherever they may be, she felt as if she were talking to someone her own age. The blonde did appear much older than her years when she got into deep conversation, but at other times, Regina saw the younger part of the girl that she really was. And that scared her.

Regina was a grown woman lusting after her teenage student. If that wasn't absurd enough, she might even think she was falling in love with the girl.

Love?

Regina had caught her thoughts right there and seized them. That was quite absurd indeed. She wasn't falling into love with Emma Swan. Sure, she liked her, and as smaller child would say, she like liked her. But not love, no. Emma may understand the needs Regina had, and yes, that did make the brunette's heart flutter with gratitude at times, and so did that smile that could easily reach the blonde's eyes when she flashed it for the teacher. As did the blonde's voice every time she had wished Regina a good day. Even on the very first day, that had caused her to smile. No one had ever returned the favor to her before.

And those words that she had said to Regina just before she had left lunch earlier that day. Those words were never spoken to her before. Emma was the first person to care enough about her dignity and her feelings. Everyone else assumed that she was a heartless bitch. She'd even heard people call her something along the lines of The Evil Queen. And with Lord only knows what type of rumors were floating around, they made her less approachable. But it was Emma who had stepped out of that current and shown Regina that there were still good people in this world. Selfless people.

Upon hearing those words, Regina couldn't stop the usual barrier that held her emotions in place. She would have been sure that they would have flooded the entire classroom if not were they intangible. Emma's reaction, though, told the brunette that she hadn't hid her emotions well enough this time. She had to have seen that simple little break flicker heavily in her eyes, for she had run quickly from the room.
And it was just the reason why. But, Emma had thought it to be something entirely different. Or perhaps she had danced around the subject at hand. Perhaps she didn't want to believe that her teacher was actually falling for her. At least those had been Regina's thoughts upon her departure until she had run into Emma at the library. Once the blonde had opened up- and Regina figured that had been quite hard because she suffered the same problems- the teacher had seen her in an entirely different light. Of course, Emma had informed Regina of her past before. She had written characters that resembled her life in the creative prompts for class. But actually opening up and expressing her fears melted Regina's heart because, yes, she was the only one to hear of them and she had been trusted enough with this information. In that very moment, and the ones following, they had connected on a much deeper level. They understood one another in ways others wouldn't dare to compare. It was those similarities, interests, and past fears that had lead up to the moment in Regina's Benz.

That, and the way that Emma's eyes seemed to have absolutely shimmered like emerald gems in the dim light of the street lamp as they caught sight of the brunette. She knew that Emma had felt something. Exactly what, the teacher wasn't sure of, but she felt something similar. Like something had been missing. And that something would have closed off the day.

A kiss.

Strange, yes, but it was absolutely perfect. It had made Regina feel like a teenager once again. She felt flushed with anxiety and her heart rate rose to a remarkable level. She had for sure thought that it would pop out of her chest at the very thought of meeting Emma's lips with her own. The way that the blonde had leaned forward as if so subtly, although it hadn't been, made the moment far more intense. Her palms had become slightly clammy as her nerves had seemed to skyrocket, because it was going to happen.

Regina had found herself, as well, leaning towards the blonde as if there had been a force pulling them together. There was no turning back once their lips were those few inches apart. The air surrounding them had become so thick that Regina had thought she would suffocate if nothing were to advance. And that had caused the smallest of noises to rise from her throat, which she was quite certain that the blonde had heard.

But that hadn't mattered because at that moment, both had surged forward to claim the other's lips. Regina had been quite tentative at first, having an inner battle with herself. The brunette hadn't quite noticed that Emma had also went for the kiss, which had left the English teacher fearful as to how the blonde would react. Every fear had left her body once she had felt those soft lips move against her own.

To sound cliche, she felt as if she were in heaven. It was absolute bliss. Emma's lips were so very inviting and seemed so very familiar. It had felt just so right. Everything in those few moments had felt as if it were rehearsed for many years prior because plump, red lips moved so familiarly sweet against thin, pale ones as if they were old lovers.

Regina had to remind herself that that wasn't the case and that this very kiss was frowned upon by most of society. If not for the age difference, it was for the professional relationship that they had at school. The harsh reality struck the brunette even then, but she had brushed it off in fear that the kiss would be destroyed from those very thoughts.

The brunette teacher, upon reluctantly pulling away with every bit of strength she had, could not get her mind off that very kiss, even as she crawled into bed several hours later. She could not forget the way Emma's blonde locks were like strands of silk between her slender fingers. How she wish she could play with those golden tendrils everyday and slip her fingers through the silky sea. Nothing would ever compare, she had concluded, tossing onto her side and dancing her fingers over the top of her pillow dressed in the finest fabric.

She felt so silly thinking of Emma so late into the night. Regina had a need to check her appearance to make sure she hadn't reverted back into a seventeen-year-old once again because she sure as hell felt like a goddamn teenager. It was quite strange that Emma could do this to her. That she could make her fall so deep into the everlasting pool of emotion. Regina had found herself falling hard and fast for blonde teenager and that was just frightening.

It was frightening because she didn't trust herself. She didn't trust that she would be fully capable of giving Emma all of what she deserved. To be horribly honest, she wasn't quite sure Emma would be able to provide to her fullest potential. The two of them were both abused by love, albeit in different ways. They were both unsure if they would be capable of it, loving and being loved. Regina had only ever truly loved one person in her life and that had been her own mother- in which case she wasn't sure her mother truly loved her as much as she could. Or at least she had never shown it.

But there was no comparing Emma with her mother. Emma was a completely different story and Regina just was not in love with her. It wasn't love. This was just… emotion. That's all Regina allowed herself to believe, at least. Perhaps that's all this had been. Kissing Emma was only a way to show the blonde how much she had actually understood and appreciated her, nothing more. They had connected, but who had said it was on an emotional level? It had been more psychological under Regina's pretenses, since they had shared information that had never been told to another soul. They were each other's listening ears, for they had no one to express their emotionally damaging pasts to.

The brunette teacher continued to berate herself with such information, trying to ignore the sinking in her heart as she forced herself to come to terms that they were nothing but ears for one another. Of course, it sounded like such a feeble excuse as she tried to dance around the more serious part of their relationship, but it had put a slight ease to Regina's mind. Only slightly. That gnawing in her stomach wouldn't ebb and the heard that had now permanently planted itself into the pit of that very organ completely set her mind on edge again.

Because there was a question. There was something that had continued to worry her, since her plan wasn't exactly representing foolproof. If their ever blooming relationship had turned into a romantic one, was it worth the risk of Regina's job and other consequences that she would consequentially suffer? As much as Regina had wanted to answer that question no, she just could not.

Emma was worth the risk and so much more. The blonde had wormed her way into Regina's heart and rooted herself into the older woman's life. She was the only one to have ever bothered to worry about Regina in any way. She had been the only one to see passed the mask that the teacher had thrown on daily. Emma had even gone out of her way to make Regina smile one way or another, especially after having a bad day. And the way that she had entrusted the teacher with such confessions, such as the ones in the library, had been another act that guided Regina towards the riskier side of things.

Emma was more than just a friend for her, she thought as she brought a pillow tightly into her arms, hugging it against her chest. And she was definitely worth the risk. But how they should go about things was an entirely different story and the brunette knew she had to have this discussion with the blonde during their lunch tomorrow. They would need to abstain from affectionate gestures to avoid risk and Emma needed to know that if she didn't already. But that was discussion for tomorrow. Regina really needed to sleep or else she'd be functioning like the dead in the morning.

Regina was sitting behind her desk, whisky colored eyes surveying the classroom full of students who were currently quietly working on a test she had passed out. It was in the middle of first period class and all ending thoughts from last night had slowly melted into full-blown panic. Upon arriving at the high school and coming to terms with reality of what had happened, she felt guilty and nerve-wracked. She felt as if she couldn't even look at her students without thinking about that kiss with Emma last night. The thoughts that came to mind weren't pleasant, nor repulsive, but complete masses of panicked voices rushing through her mind like an auditorium full of chattering kids.

Kids that I kissed.

Because she just could not get that single thought from quieting down. And she was pretty goddamn sure that her students thought she was about to get sick when she nearly stumbled over her own feet and paled upon realizing that.

Regina would have vowed to avoid Emma like the plague if she could, but the fact that the blonde was one of her students had ruled that option out. And her mind soon began to reel over the fact that that very blonde would be in this very room in approximately two and a half hours. Her mind began to race once again, trying to recall what she had thought last night before falling asleep. She needed to logically think this through, because she couldn't skip around this forever. Emma deserved better than some half-assed attempt to make things seem peachy keen when they really weren't. They needed to talk about what they had done, but for some reason, that had made Regina's stomach do somersaults. She wouldn't even know how to start such a conversation. Plus, her ever doubtful mind had come up with the idea that Emma might not even want to talk about it. She might even regret kissing Regina in the first place, especially after she would have gloated at the fact that she had gotten what she wanted. But, of course, that was Regina's own warped mind. She was her own bully and she didn't believe in happy endings because they never showed the slightest bit of interest towards her.

She was startled out of her thoughts when a pair of feet shuffled up to her desk. Well, startled was a term used loosely. Regina had quite literally jumped in her seat, eyes wide as she looked up to the student that wore an identical expression, their test in hand.

"Sorry," the student mumbled, handing the brunette the small pack of papers.

"It's quite alright, dear. Thank you." Regina's bewildered stare soon began to dissipate, although her frantically beating hard pounded against her chest as several profanities ran through her mind. These damned students could be so quiet at times. That was why she usually preferred picking tests up from their desks, or at least having them bring the paper to the podium. She must have been too distracted to inform the students to do just that, so they must have assumed to bring the tests to her. Regina would have to remember to tell the next two English classes to do just that.

It wasn't too long until first period had ended. Then second had come and gone as Regina had distracted herself with tests to correct. Third had gone without a cinch, since her mind had to focus on teaching the creative writing class for most of the period without room for other thoughts besides fine grammatical points. Come fourth period, her anxiety was back. Emma had now sauntered into the room, with an emotionless expression. Her insecurity got the better of her and she figured that Emma really had gotten what she wanted and was satisfied- or maybe not so. It was for the better, anyways, that they wouldn't dwell on such a thing. Regina's conscience was telling her that it was just wrong to have done it in the first place. The brunette could only halfheartedly agree, because the rest was focused on the good aspect that would come. But she really did have to think logically about this entire situation. Emma was her student. A student that was very much a minor. But not in a week. It was forbidden for teachers and students to have such romantically inclined relationships. But she's only another human, as are you, that can feel love and compassion. Their ages were quite large in gap. But love knows no boundaries.

What was she going to do?

Every thought she had had been counteracted with another, which had left the teacher with a major migraine and a class full of expectant students whose not-so-eager eyes were focused on her as she stood at the front of the room. Her eyes zeroed in on a certain blonde in the back with smiling green eyes. Even though her visage had remained stoic, Regina couldn't help her screaming heart. She really had it in deep and there was no way of pulling back without getting hurt. This was going to be a long period.

After the lesson was finished and the homework handed out, Regina had replaced herself in front of her desk to continue correcting the tests from second period. She was halfway through the stack when she heard a soft noise coming from beside her.

Emma.

Regina looked up from the paper, gazing at the blonde through the top of her glasses. Emma was nonchalantly playing with her pencil with eyes focused in front of her, but the smile on her face had given her away. The brunette sighed internally and attracted her attention towards the tests once again, trying hard to ignore the piercing pain in her skull.

Then she heard it again. This time it was a slightly louder cough cough.

Regina's head snapped up to glare at the side of the blonde's head, only to be met with a pair of sparkling green eyes and an airy smile. Her breath had escaped her then and she remained motionless. How the hell could Emma do that to her? She had literally stolen the breath right from Regina's lungs. And here she thought that that had been just a cheesy cliche.

"Get back to work," she mouthed to the blonde before glancing back down to the tests that were in front of her. Regina heard a soft groan, which she couldn't help but to smile at and it had only widened upon lifting her gaze up to where the blonde seemed to have obliged, and reluctantly so.

They had played that game for the remainder of the class period, where Emma would make a certain noise to disrupt the teacher from her concentrated work, then Regina would look up to see the blonde nonchalantly, once again, playing with her pencil as if she hadn't done it on purpose. But when Regina would have looked up quicker, she would see Emma smiling like a petulant child, looking quite pleased with herself.

When the bell had finally sounded and Emma moved her chair over to Regina as soon as the last student had left, she gave the brunette an entirely different grin. This was one quite similar to the one that she had flashed last night, beaming and easily reaching her eyes. That was another that had taken Regina's breath and had earned an identical grin from her.

"Hi," the blonde greeted lamely.

"Hi," Regina chuckled, playing with the pen that she still had held in her hand. She hadn't felt as nervous as she had this morning about having to talk with Emma. There was something about the blonde that had brought a calm aura to Regina with her presence, which had no doubt confused the teacher.

"How was your day?"

"I've had better." She smiled sadly at the expression that had found its way upon Emma's face. "I've had a migraine," Regina quickly mended.

"You haven't taken anything for it?" Emma frowned.

The teacher shook her head and set the pen down, turning her body to face the blonde teenager. "I don't have any medication with me. Now, Emma," she reached forward to grab her hands, cupping them lightly in her her own. "We really do need to talk… about last night."

"Yeah…" Emma's smile was quickly wiped from her face.

"As you do know, that was quite an inappropriate thing to do and I could easily get fired from my job for it." Regina quirked a brow. That wasn't exactly how she had wanted to start the conversation, but it really did need to be laid out there.

"I know." The blonde resembled a kicked puppy with her head low and a frown creasing her face. "I'm sorry… That I- That I did that. I couldn't con-"
"It's not all your fault, if at all." Regina reassured, giving Emma's hands a gentle squeeze. "I could have stopped it, but I hadn't. Do not put the blame on yourself. I won't let you do that."
"You could get fired because of me!" Her voice was rather distressed, guilt etching her features.

But Regina shook her head. She wasn't about to let Emma fret over her and take the blame if something bad were to happen. It was best to resolve things now, and hopefully that would be an easy task.

"I could, but they do not have to know, Emma." The brunette brought their hands closer to her, trying her best at a soothing look. "You have to keep what we did a secret, do you understand?" She silently nodded. "Good."

"I promise. It'll only be between you and- and me." The blonde's green gaze drifted down to their hands, then had soon shot back up to meet curious brown orbs. "What do we do?"

"What do you mean, dear?" Regina was quite afraid she knew what Emma was insinuating, and her fears were spoken upon the blonde's next words.

"We kissed. It has to account for something, right? What did… does it mean?" There were unspoken words in those doe-eyes and Regina could echo the same thoughts.

Were your feelings playing the same part as mine?

"I… I don't know, Emma." Regina closed her eyes, exhaling a deep sigh. "Coincidences like this are frowned upon in society."

"I know, but… I do know that. I want to know how… know why." Emma bit her lip. Right now would be the perfect time to express her feelings towards her teacher and only hope that they were reciprocated. So she blurted with a vague, "I like you."

Emma couldn't begin to explain the emotion that Regina was expressing. Her lips were parted as if she were surprised, but her eyes had contradicted her visage with a deep knowing.

"I know, Emma." she said, her voice husky.

"Have I really been that obvious?" Her ego deflated.

"No," the English teacher was quick to respond. "But it was quite obvious after yo-... we had kissed."

The blonde nodded slowly, her emerald eyes focused on their hands again. Ms. Mills had never let go. "What... what about you? Do you-..." the words died on her tongue. She felt as if she couldn't say them. It felt rather silly to be asking her teacher if she had liked Emma back. Insane, even.

The brunette hesitated for a moment, her eyes darkening in thought. It had terrified Emma, because how if Ms. Mills hadn't liked her back? How if she had just gone with the flow at the time? They had connected in some emotional way last night at the library, and even more so beforehand.

"Emma, I…" The teacher looked down to their hands before tentatively caressing the top of the blonde's hand with her thumb. "I do like you, too. But, I… I don't see how this is going to work."

Those words had made Emma's heart leap into her throat. Ms. Mills did like her back, after all! Although, her feet had found ground after realizing what else the brunette had said. Of course, Emma fully understood her words. She had never completely thought them through, though, since she had never imagined them to come this far.

"I know," she finally muttered somberly. "I don't know why I even chose to subject myself to this. I already knew that there was no good to come of this. I mean… I didn't even believe for a second that you were gay. And… really, I don't know."

"Are you gay, Emma?"

"Yes." The blonde shrugged nonchalantly. "I know that I had failed to tell you, but… I didn't know if that really mattered then, and I didn't want to freak you out. I know that there are some people that… that they tend to back away from people like me. They're scared, I assume, that we would hit on them."

"I know, dear." The brunette teacher bit her lip, her eyes lightly closing. "I've had that trouble when I was younger. I was so scared to admit my true self to anyone, including my own mother. But when I did… Let's just say my friends were never really my friends. They only enjoyed the lavish items I had in my home."

"People are assholes." Emma muttered, daring to give Regina's hand a tender squeeze. "One of my foster parents sent me back after I had confided in them. They were highly religious, and I didn't exactly think that it had mattered at the time. But I was dead wrong. I've learned to keep it to myself. Belle, Ruby, and Graham are the only other ones that know, and they're perfectly fine with it."

"They are, indeed... assholes." the brunette teacher nodded in agreement, a slight smirk on her lips from using the profanity aloud, although she could very well think of much stronger names to call them. "You are very lucky that you have friends who accept you, Emma."

"I know I am." Emma nodded, but then paused her movements. "Uh… May I ask you a question?"

"It seems as if you already had, my dear." Ms. Mills gave the blonde a wry smile, which in return, had earned her a playful glare. "Go ahead, Emma. Ask me anything."

"You mentioned your mother, did you ever tell her that you're a lesbian?" It was an honest question, but the slight flinch and pained look in the older woman's eyes made Emma want to take it back. "You don't have to ans-"

"It's fine, Emma." The brunette sighed and brought one of her hands up to rub the bridge of her nose, the other still holding tightly onto Emma's hands. "And, yes, I did tell her. She wasn't at all pleased with the fact. It wasn't even for the fact that I prefer women, no. She wanted me to have children and that of my very own so the family name would pass on, since I am an only child." Regina tried to mask the sudden emotion that had choked her up. "Of course, I had wanted children myself. But only when I found the woman that I wanted to have them with. Do you know what she told me when I said that to her?"

When Emma shook her head quietly, the brunette continued. "She told me that I should marry a wealthy man and get pregnant, then divorce him and take the money and the baby. That's when I had decided to leave home and go to college. Remember when I had told you that I acquired a job in journalism and tried to submit my writings?"

"Yes."

"When that failed and I had lost my job, I had no money. My mother had disowned me for leaving her. But as soon as she caught wind that I had no job nor any money, she appeared with smiles and hugs. I was getting out of college by then and she said that she had found me the most perfect job. I had willingly accepted of course, excited that there was a slim chance that she had found one that had dealt with my personal interest."
"What was it?" Emma quietly asked, frowning when she had noticed the brunette teacher's shimmering eyes. She squeezed her hand in hopes to comfort her.

"It was this job. Here in the small and lovely town called Storybrooke. Let me tell you, I have nothing against this town, but I had grown to dislike it all because of my mother." Regina chuckled coldly. "She told me that it would help me, being in this isolated town. There was no temptation and being a teacher, I just could not influence these kids with my, quote unquote, 'homosexuality'. I, of course, had to oblige and remain dormant so my mother would never find out or else I would be out of luck."

"What about now? Us? Aren't you worried?" The blonde frowned.

That's when Regina slowly shook her head, sorrow clouding her eyes. "My mother doesn't even call me anymore." Despite Regina's hatred for her mother, she just could not help but to love her dearly. And when her mother had stopped calling her every night like she had used to, the brunette felt a great loss because all that she had ever wanted was to make her proud. That was the reason why she stayed and abided Cora. She wanted to please her. But she must have done something wrong in order for the ignorance that she was receiving.

"And besides, I've earned enough money to keep on stable ground for a while. They pay teachers quite well in this town since there are not many willing to teach." She blinked back a few tears before returning her hand to the others that were now on her lap.

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't be, dear. It's better off if she doesn't contact me. She only wants something when she does." Like if I had found a man yet. It's been over a decade, she added silently in her head.

Emma gave a silent nod, her eyes had not glued themselves to the four hands bundled together on the brunette's lap. When she did speak, it was a very soft whisper.

"You haven't answered my question."

"What question was that, dear?" Regina had donned a puzzled expression.

"I suppose you have, slightly… But it's not… I want to know what you think is the best for us. Should… Never mind, you know?"

"Emma, honey." The brunette furrowed her brows, catching onto what Emma had been trying to say. The teen looked as if she had wanted to hit herself and Regina knew that feeling all too well. "I understand what you're asking me, yes? We have kissed. Once. And that cannot be spoken of. I know your question and the answer that you want. What about us, since we have now confided our feelings towards each other? I still do not know the answer to that. But…" Regina nibbled on her lower lip. She was in an internal debate about whether or not she should even say the next line that has run across her mind. Logically, she knew that she should just walk away and not continue any sort of romantic relationship with Emma. But, emotionally, she wanted to take that step forward.

"Why don't we talk about it over dinner tonight?" The words were out of her mouth before she knew it, spilling like verbal diarrhea before she could even lay an attempt to stop it. "At Granny's after school, perhaps?"

"I don't know about Granny's…" Emma mumbled. "Ruby's there and I really don't want her saying anything."

"How about that lovely little sidewalk cafe?" She honestly did not know why she was digging herself into a deeper hole. It would only be harder to get out if she were to be in peril.

"That sounds like a plan." The blonde now wore a smile that stretch wide across her thin, pale lips. "Wait. It can't be directly after…"

"Why not?"

"Detention." Emma grumbled disdainfully. "It runs for about an hour. I can meet you there at about a quarter to five?"

"I'll wait for you here, dear. I planned on taking you anyways." Regina flashed her a radiant grin with pearly white teeth contrasting against blood red lips.

"Thanks," the blonde smiled in return.

"You might not want to do that just yet." The English teacher moved her hand up to cup Emma's cheek, giving it a light caress. The blonde had nuzzled the hand, moving into it with, what Regina had swore, was a very faint purr.

"Do you like that?" her voice dropped to a whisper, and her voice with the added husk had only made it that much more sexy.

"I do… No one's ever touched me like that before." Emma let her dazzling green gaze land on Regina's, her head tilted slightly into the cupped hand. "Except for Mary Margaret, but she's a really affectionate person."

"Good. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable." Regina flipped one of the seventeen-year-old's hands over and laced olive with pale. "Tell me if you ever do, alright?"

"Are we… really going to do this?" Emma asked tentatively, her eyes sliding down to their now laced hands. A slow smile spread across her lips from the sight.

"I'm not sure, dear. We'll discuss it over dinner when we have more time to spare." The brunette leaned forward slightly and whispered, her head jerking towards the far corner from the teacher's desk. "And there are cameras."

"Should we not being doing this?"

"Probably not." Regina bit her lip and looked over to the clock above the door. "You'll be having to go soon, dear."

"Fuck! I mean shit! No.. damn… crap!" Emma used her free hand to fumble with her backpack to pull out a paper bag. "Lunch!"

"It's quite alright, dear." The brunette chuckled richly, watching with amused eyes as the blonde struggled to pull a Styrofoam container out with one hand.

"Here. I think it's nachos or something. It smelled really good."

"Thank you, so very much, Emma." The teacher licked her lips, chocolate orbs focused on the container of food. "I do believe that Mr. Glass allows students to eat in his class, and if not, I will see to it that he will allow you."

"Really?"

"Of course! You do need to eat and I know that you cannot afford to miss that class." One of her perfectly sculpted brows propped up.

"What? Have you been stalking my grades or something? Can you even do that?" And now Emma was bewildered, her green eyes as wide as saucers.

"I looked once while I was entering in your grade for the last writing assignment. So no, dear, I am not a stalker." The brunette shook her head, an amused smile on her plump lips. "Now, you've got to get going. The bell is about to ring and I doubt that you want to be late."

"Eh," Emma shrugged and looked at their hands, giving Regina's a gentle squeeze before she stood, although she had never let go. "I wish you could come with me, because it sucks and Belle isn't here today."

"I'm sorry, dear. But I must stay here and… plan." She giggled softly and brought their hands up to her face, tentatively pressing her lips to Emma's hand. "Have a good rest of the day, Emma, and I shall see you after your insubordination."

"Yeah… Insubordination. Way to make it sound less shitty." Emma's cheeks, though, were fused bright pink. "But, uh, have a fun time with your 'planning' and enjoy lunch."

"Thank you, Emma." Regina tilted her head up to gaze at the blonde, a sated smile on her lips.

The blonde had nodded and turned to start walking away, but she was pulled back by the hand she still had a tight grasp onto. She laughed and finally untangled their fingers, nervously sliding them through her hair. "Sorry."

"It's quite alright, dear." The teacher shook her head and watched as the impish girl had finally left the room, which had now left Regina alone with her thoughts… and a delicious lunch.

She opened the container and took the plastic fork taped to the top so she could stab at the soggy chips of what appeared to be very cheesy nachos. Her thoughts wandered as she began eating. She didn't exactly know what was going on or what would happen to her relationship with Emma. They seemed to be moving forward, or o that's exactly what Regina had started doing. She didn't seem to be entirely conscious whilst doing it. Hopefully things would get cleared up over dinner later.

Dinner.

Regina had virtually asked Emma out on a date without even realizing it. She was only digging herself deeper into this hole that she had started. She hoped that she hadn't done it for nothing because it'll be one hell of a thing to get out of.