The night was dragging by and besides a few warm smiles from Emma there was little to keep Regina motivated. Her feet were aching as much as her back and even though she continued to steal glances at the clock, time refused to go any faster.

"Hey, you want to get out of here early tonight babe?" Bobby asked as she started to brew another pot of coffee.

Regina raised her eyebrows, "Really?"

"Yeah there is no sense in two of you sticking around for four lousy customers, why don't you take the night off."

"You know, I am not going to argue," Regina smiled and undid the apron from around her waist. "See ya tomorrow night." Regina walked around the counter and headed towards Emma's booth and smiled when she noticed the blonde was already aware of her presence.

"Did you get off early?"

"I did! And it's after eleven so Henry is already sleeping…wanna go do something?" Regina smirked as she pulled out her cell to send Zelena a text.

"Of course! What do you have in mind?"

"I was hoping you would take care of that. You are the young hip one after all." Regina laughed.

"Oh gee thanks put all of the pressure on me." Emma stood up and grabbed her coat and book from the booth.

"I don't care what we do. I'm just excited to be off of work and with you!" Regina winked. "Okay, let me go grab my things and I will meet you out front." She turned on her heals and headed towards the back and Emma smiled as she watched her walk away before going into a panic at the realization that she had to come up with something, and fast, to make the most of the night.

"So, where are you taking me?" Regina smiled as she climbed into the front seat of the car.

"It's a surprise."

"Oh really? Should I stop by the apartment and change?" Regina laughed remembering that she was in her waitress uniform.

"Nah, there won't be anybody you need to worry about impressing there."

"Well you will be there right?"

"Um….well….yeah…"

"Okay, well, I always worry about impressing you," Regina stated boldly.

Emma gulped and looked over at the woman out of the corner of her eye, "Oh, well, you shouldn't."

"Really?" Regina questioned with a hint of confusion in her voice. "Why is that?"

"I mean, you shouldn't worry, I find everything about you captivating." Emma said softly.

Regina felt her cheeks blush. "Well thank you dear."

The rest of the car ride was quiet except for the hum of the tires on the highway and the radio playing softly in the background. They both had things they wanted to say to each other but neither knew quite how or where to start. It had been weeks since the incident with Scott and they had seen each other every day since. Emma would stay over on Regina's nights off. They would watch movies, play with Henry, and have dinner with Zelena. When Regina was working Emma was at the diner. She would study, read, and enjoy every second of her once an hour ten minute conversations with the waitress in between other customers. The women were occasionally flirtatious, constantly made each other laugh, and were always there for each other but they had yet to kiss again or even discuss the kiss they had shared before. They had agreed to just let things be and see what happens and that is exactly what they have been doing. There was one problem with that plan however, both of them thought about it constantly.

Emma pulled into a parking lot overlooking a beach with a beautiful lighthouse on the edge of the ocean. "So I know it's still super cold out but since all of the snow has melted I thought it might be nice to bring you here."

"Aw Emma it's beautiful! I've never been here before," Regina smiled as she unbuckled her seatbelt and began to get out of the car.

"We can sit in the car if you want; I know how cold you get!"

"Are you kidding? You can't come to the beach and not sit on the beach!" Regina smiled and grabbed Emma's hand. "Come on; let's go sit by the water!" Regina practically shrieked and Emma giggled at how adorable the other woman was.

The women walked hand in hand through the sand until they were almost to the water and Regina sat down with Emma beside her. "Oh my god it is so peaceful here."

"I know." Emma smiled over at the beauty whose hair was blowing gently in the night air. "Regina, hopefully I don't regret this, but can I ask why you said you are always worried about impressing me?"

"Because I care what you think about me." Regina replied without hesitation.

"You should know what I think about you…"

"Well, I guess I don't ever want it to go away, you know while I try to figure everything out."

"Go away? Are you kidding?" Emma laughed and shook her head. "You really don't know do you?"

"What?" Regina looked at the blonde puzzled.

"My god Regina, it's you! You are the most amazing woman I have ever met. The way I feel about you could never just go away…and I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable but it's the truth…"

"No, it doesn't make me uncomfortable at all…" Regina looked out over the ocean and took in a deep breath trying to make sense of what her heart and mind were both telling her.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Regina turned and made eye contact with Emma.

"When you kissed me…did you feel…anything?"

Regina bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes. She began recalling that night that she has thought about every day since. "Yes, Emma, yes I did." Regina said turning away to face the ocean once again.

"And when you look at me are you attracted to me?" Regina remained fixated on the gentle waves of the water. "Regina, look at me…" with shaky hands Emma reached out softly and turned Regina's face towards her own.

Regina's heart was racing as her eyes took in the familiar sight of the woman that she never grew tired of seeing. "Yes…" she whispered. "Emma…I…I don't know what it is but you just do things to me…lovely…new…yet, terrifying things to me. Even the smallest graze of your hand just sends shivers down my spine…I just…I…"

Emma leaned in and captured Regina's lips with her own. She found her fingers lost in luxurious hair and pulled the woman in close to her. Regina didn't fight it and instead cupped Emma's face with her hands and parted her lips letting Emma know that she was letting her guard down. Instead of battling for dominance tongues gently collided with the other and both women moaned into the feeling of being fully embraced by the other for the first time.