Emma walked into the teachers' lounge as she began calling Regina. She had promised her she would call as soon as her lunch started. Regina had to be at work at 1 and Emma's break began at noon. She knew that they would only have a few minutes to talk but the blonde was eager to hear her voice. They spent a few moments together this morning but Regina was still groggy and Emma was rushed as she didn't have her normal things with her.

"Hello beautiful," Regina's husky voice came through the receiver and sent chills down Emma's back.

"Hello," Emma replied smiling, "how is your day so far?"

"It would be better if you were here with me. How is yours?"

"Same. Not too bad though. I spoke with Mrs. Lucas about your participation in the fundraiser and she is over the moon! She is very appreciative that you are doing this for us and she couldn't believe that you are doing it free of charge."

"I'm delighted to."

"I almost let it slip too."

"What?"

"About us…." Emma said as she grabbed a granola bar out of the vending machine and sat down at a table by the window.

"Oh, and that would be a bad thing?"

"No, definitely not. It's just ya know it's Ruby's grandmother and I just would be worried about how she might take it. I don't want her to ever feel like I am replacing her or something."

Regina felt like an ass that she had forgotten briefly Mrs. Lucas was Ruby's grandmother.

"Oh, Emma, I'm sorry. Yeah, that is a difficult one. By all means, please take your time, don't tell her until the time feels right for you."

"Hey Gina, can I borrow some of your blush?" Emma heard a voice call out in the background.

"Oh, you have company?" Emma asked trying not to sound jealous that someone else was able to be there with her and she was stuck at work.

"Yeah, it's Belle, she stopped by to catch up and begged me to fill her in about you. We are going to ride in to work together."

"That's cool. Do you want me to let you go?"

"Heaven's no! I just started talking to you! If you hear rustling around though it's because I am trying to finish getting ready we have to leave here in about twenty minutes."

Emma smiled. "Okay, so what did you tell her about me?"

Regina smiled into the phone as she handed Belle some blush and shooed her out of the bathroom and shut the door. She sat the phone on the counter and pressed the speaker button.

"I told her how wonderful you are, how perfect you are for me, and how well we clicked right off the bat. Oh, and she looked at the pictures of us."

"Oh really…so what is her verdict?"

"She thinks you are hot babe! So hot in fact that I think I should keep my eye on her when you two meet so she doesn't try to steal you away from me!" Regina laughed.

"Ha! Fat chance! There isn't a woman alive that could steal me away from you."

"Well you haven't met Belle yet. She has her ways."

"Nah, there is nobody like you love."

"There you go again being all charming…"

Emma laughed. "You're funny. So how long do you work tonight?"

"I usually don't get home until close to 11 on Monday nights."

"Eh, that's late. That is way past my bedtime on a school night." Emma laughed.

"Yeah, I figured as much."

"But you are more than welcome to come by after work if you would like…ya know…since I do live so close. I mean…it would be easier for you if you are tired…"

"Sounds wonderful," Regina said cutting off the rambling blonde.

"Okay, perfect, just text me when you are on your way."

"I will. So what are your plans when you get off work today?"

"Well, probably heading to the gym for a bit and then meeting up with Killian. I told him we could grab a drink and catch up."

"The gym eh? Thanks for putting that mental image in my head."

Emma laughed, "You are quite welcome."

"Tease." Regina snickered as she finished placing the last bobby pin in the bun in her hair.

Emma looked up and saw a few teachers entering the lounge and glanced over at the clock. "Okay well I should let you finish up and I will see you later. Try and have a good day at work okay?"

"Okay hun, I can't wait to see you!" Regina surprised herself with her sappiness.

"And I simply cannot wait to see you too! Bye…" Emma smiled and hung up the phone.

"Who was that?" Emma looked up to see Ashley slip into the chair next to her.

"Oh, um, a friend," Emma replied as she looked around the room to make sure nobody else was listening.

"A Friend huh? A friend you simply cannot wait to see huh?"

"Geez eaves drop much?"

"Sorry Em," Ashley laughed as she opened her container and began pouring dressing over her salad. "You weren't exactly whispering."

Emma ignored her friend and began staring out of the window as she fiddled with her granola bar wrapper.

"So you're not going to tell me huh? And here I thought we were friends."

"Ash…come on…"

"What?"

"I just…I don't want to make a big deal out of it…and I don't want it getting around…"

"Okay first of all, who said I was going to make a big deal out of it? I'm the one who has been encouraging you to get out there and date for like a year now! And second if you don't want me to tell anyone then I won't!"

Emma looked at her friend and sighed.

"Em, seriously, you know I loved you and Ruby. You guys were…are…some of my closest friends…but she wanted you to move on and live your life. If you are happy she will be happy for you."

Emma smiled she really did want to gush to someone so badly. "Okay…but you seriously cannot tell anyone else here. Gossip spreads around this place quicker than wildfire and I really don't want Julie to find out yet."

"Wow, you must be really serious about this one."

Emma took a deep breath, "I am…very much so..."

"Okay then, spill it, please!"