Thanks so much for the support of this story. I'm leaving the rumple story a little open ended for a reason- this chapter will complete it, but there may be a few one shots in the future (after I finish some other stories) if you all want. let me know :)

Much love,

HG

The evening had turned out to be more enjoyable than Regina imagined it would be. She'd been horrible to James all day and he'd called her a pouty bitch on more than one occasion. To which she'd responded with a heated glare and threatened to kick him out of the house. He'd stayed with her that week on and off, finding little reasons to come back in the evenings and spend them with her.

She couldn't say that she absolutely hated having his company. James turned out to hold rather intellectual conversation when he wasn't being a smug bastard and she found he enjoyed cooking. They'd spend the evenings bantering or bickering casually as they moved about the kitchen, trying to boss one another around on whatever recipe they were making.

It had been a welcome distraction, if she were being honest, but she'd never admit that to Charming's evil twin. Henry hadn't come back to her home yet and she'd grown a little worried that things may have changed permanently between them, so having James around had helped her refrain from sitting and brooding over it like she would've if she were left alone.

She'd practically been shaking at the idea of being trapped in that loft apartment with the Charming family, the Savior and her son when they arrived at the decrepit building. James had, in his own way, prompted her to put on her big girl panties and take it head on. When they walked into the apartment it was cozy, smelling of comfort food and full of happy chatter. Her shoulders had visibly sagged with relief when she realized she'd walked in like she was prepared for battle, only to be greeted with smiles. She felt a pang of guilt and disappointment with herself at how she'd pushed these people away. Pushed her family away.

Since they'd arrived there had been dinner, then Killian had pulled James near the record player, both of them sneaking sips of rum from his flask. They'd made fast friends, undoubtedly bonding over their love for leather and liquor, but Regina merely felt her lips tug into a hint of a smile as she watched them and rolled her eyes. He'd glance around the room every now and then until he clocked her, giving her a half smirk before turning back to his conversation with Killian. She felt a warmness creeping up inside of her at the knowledge she had someone to share those kinds of glances with again. And then immediate anxiety that this was quickly becoming too real with him.

"You okay?" Henry's voice tore her from her daydream, his body weight bouncing her as he plopped down on the small sofa beside her. Charming and Snow worked on dishes, Emma making sure everyone had a drink. She'd brought a glass of wine to the Mayor with a nod of her head and a mutter, but had actively avoided her since. But at least their son wasn't.

"I'm fine, why would you ask?" She smiled warmly at the boy who'd since surpassed her in height, reaching out to take his hand into hers.

"You're kind of quiet after dinner, I dunno," He smiled and gave a small shrug, leaning in towards her though his height prevented him from resting his head on her shoulder like he used to, "Emma's kinda being weird, too."

"We've all been through a lot lately," She reasoned with a glance towards the blonde who was looking their way before quickly averting her gaze towards her little brother, "I kinda tried to wipe her out with a curse and she kinda tried to kill me," Regina smiled weakly, "Things just take a minute to get back to normal sometimes."

"I get it," Henry nodded with a glance down at their hands, "I'm just glad you're back, Mom."

"Me too," She felt tears prickle her eyes as she leaned in to touch the sides of their heads together, "Henry...have you been avoiding coming over?" She pulled back to look at him more seriously, the doubt eating away at her until she could no longer hold it in.

"Maybe a little," He admitted sheepishly with a shrug and a glance towards James, "I didn't know if you wanted me there and..uh...I didn't want to...ruin things between..you and..uh..."

Regina watched her son skirt around the subject of she and James awkwardly, undoubtedly doing so since she had such a strong reaction against anyone claiming they were a couple. She sighed, biting down on her lip, "Listen to me. That is your home. You should've been there all along. I've been so selfish, Henry. I just thought...you'd be better off without me. I felt so dark after Robin I...I was afraid of what might happen...and I didn't want you to witness it."

"I know, Mom, I've already forgiven you for that," He looked at her seriously, "And I'm not using James as an excuse as to why I feel awkward coming over. I just wanted to give you your space. For 11 years it was just you and me. You didn't get a chance to date or do anything for yourself without a kid around. And now we have family," He nods towards the Charmings who bustled around the kitchen and Emma laughing with Neal, Killian and James in animated conversation at the record player, "You can have some time to yourself. You don't have to worry about me so much because I've got all these people worrying about me, too."

"Like I'd ever stop worrying about you, Henry," She smiled weakly and shook her head, amazed at the wisdom her teenage son carried, "I love you so much. More than anyone. You know that, right?"

"Yeah," He gave her a sheepish grin before wrapping his arms around her.

"So you'll start alternating weeks between me and Emma again, right?" She asked him hopefully, pressing her lips to his temple in a gentle kiss before pulling back to look at him.

"Yeah, of course," Henry nodded with a smile, eyes shifting towards James again, "Will he be there?"

"Absolutely not," Regina shook her head with wide eyes, "I wouldn't subject you to something as inappropriate as having a man over while you're there."

"Mom," He rolled his eyes with a laugh that was a little deeper than she remembered, reminding him how he was changing into a man before her own eyes, "I'm not a little kid. I get it. Besides, Hook and Emma are shacking up together. And, I like James from what I've seen of him. He saved you and looked after you."

"I guess he's not that bad," She sighed as she stole a quick glance towards him, seeing him almost sense her stare as he looked over his shoulder and gave them a smile, "But I don't want you to get the wrong idea, Henry. I jumped in too fast with Robin, I think, and I don't want to make that same mistake again. It's not just me I need to consider. I know you miss Robin, too. And if it weren't for me bringing him into your life you wouldn't have experienced that loss."

"Will you stop blaming yourself for everything that happens?" Her son quirked his brow and her lips parted in surprise, "It's not your fault you ended up with Robin. That was fate. And it's not your fault how it ended. He made the choice to stay with his daughter in the Underworld..." He bit his lip, tone softening at the sensitive subject, "I'm not saying this to hurt you, Mom...but when we were doing Operation Mongoose to get him back I saw how hard you fought for him...yet he was moving on with someone else..." The words stung her despite how gently he said them, "You deserve better than that."

"Thank you, Henry," She managed to squeak out when she found her voice, quickly swiping at the tear that rolled down her cheek. It was the validation that she'd needed to hear. It was things she'd thought herself over and over, while chastising herself for being too hard on Robin. It was what James had thrown in her face when they were trapped in jail. Yet hearing it from her teenage son somehow made it okay for her to feel betrayed by Robin and grieve him at the same time. She was only human and she had the truest believer sitting in front of her telling her so. Believing in her.

"You haven't come this far to hold yourself back from what could be your happy ending," He smiled at her seriously and she gave a silent nod, unable to speak up for fear of letting out a sob.

"Hey kid," Emma broke up their moment then, coming over with a tumbler of whiskey in her hand, "Trevor's mom just called, they're outside waiting."

"Bowling alley," Henry glanced back at Regina with a smile and a shrug, "I'll see you Thursday, mom. Love you."

"Love you," She replied, watching him bounce up to go meet up with his friends, earning a hair ruffling from Emma who had to stand on her tiptoes to do it.

"Be careful!" Regina found she and Emma calling out to him in unison as he bounded towards the door.

Her eyes found Emma's as the blonde looked at her with a half smile and a shrug, sitting down where Henry had been but not as close, "So uh, looks like James and Killian have hit it off."

"I do hope Killian doesn't convince James to start wearing eyeliner," Regina tilted her chin up in an attempt at a joke, hearing the blonde give an unceremonious snort beside her. One thing she liked about Emma is that they dealt with uncomfortable situations the same way by using dry humor to deflect whatever it was they were avoiding. It wasn't healthy, but it worked.

"I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable with them hanging out unsupervised," Emma raised an eyebrow as she took a sip of her whiskey, watching as the two men nodded their head to a '80s hair band vinyl Hook had put on.

"That's definitely not happening," Regina agreed with a cross of her arms and a smirk towards the other mother of her son, "So, Sheriff Swan, are you going to tell me what's eating you alive?"

"What are you talking about? You're the one over here brooding," Emma countered her with a stubborn expression. It was always a battle of the wills when they would try to get each other to talk about something first, neither of them used to being the one to give in. Regina was in no mood for beating around the bush, though, the few glasses of wine she had making her a bit impulsive.

"You've been off ever since I started coming back around," She frowned, "You don't have to feel guilty for almost killing me. You did it to save Henry, I would've done the same."

"Yeah, well," She scoffed, biting her lip in stubborn Swan-like fashion as she stared into space and toed her boot against the coffee table, "It's not just the fact I almost killed you. It's the fact I got you into this fucking mess in the first place. I cost you your soulmate. I almost sent you back to a dark place again."

"It wasn't you," Regina grit out and rolled her eyes, stifling down the vindictive and petty part of her that wanted to scream it was. But deep down she knew that Emma and Killian were not to blame. Regina had followed them all down to the Underworld willingly to help out. Robin had made his own bed when it came to having a baby he had to worry about. It was a harsh thought, but true. "I went willingly. Robin chose to stay for his daughter. I just had to..work through it."

"Yeah well next time you're working through something, don't push us away," She felt Swan's eyes on her then, boring holes into the side of her face when she glanced down at the wine glass in her hands, "Henry fucking missed you like crazy. That wasn't fair to him. That wasn't fair to the rest of us who you disappeared from, either."

Regina scoffed crassly and met Emma's stare, "You saying you missed me, Sheriff Swan?"

"I'm saying we all did, Madam Mayor," Emma mocked the use of their former titles for one another, "Don't pull that recluse shit on us again. Got it?"

"So mate," Killian grinned mischievously at James after the two of them and David stepped out on the fire escape for a cigar. Snow, Emma and Regina were still inside, James noticing that the Mayor's cheeks were rosy tinted from the wine and she was talking a bit more openly to the other women now. She seemed to be having a decent time, so he allowed himself to partake.

"What?" James glanced back and forth between David and Killian, perking an eyebrow. His idiot brother seemed just as unaware of what Killian was about to ask as he was, but then again his twin always looked a bit clueless.

"You gonna tell us what's going on between you and Madam Mayor?" Hook nudged Charming in the ribs, causing him to laugh, "Your twin and I have been running bets."

"Sorry to disappoint you," James chuckled a little, taking a drag of his cigarette, "That's between me and Madam Mayor."

"So there is something going on," David perked an eyebrow, exchanging a grin with the pirate. James liked Killian so far, but they'd run into problems if he insisted on goading him with the help of his idiot brother.

"Didn't say that," He shrugged and leaned against the railing, laughing it off. It wasn't unusual for guys to get into much more graphic conversations after a drink or two, but he knew Regina was deathly private and he didn't want to betray her trust.

"Ah, come on," Hook tilted the flask back before hissing through his teeth as he swallowed the rum, "Well David, I guess it's up to you to give us the details. After all, you got some experience with the Evil Queen."

"Man, that was between us!" David's mouth dropped and he looked at Killian with a dumbfounded expression.

"What?" James could barely manage to hide the clipped tone of his voice, fury bubbling within him instantly at the idea of Regina having been with his brother. He wasn't usually the jealous type over women, he never had been before, but she was the one good thing in his life that his brother hadn't had first. Or so he thought.

"You're the one who stayed at the Evil Queen's castle," David shifted the attention back to Killian accusingly as he threw up his hands.

"Wait, you and Regina?" James frowned deeply at Killian, "What the hell?"

"No mate, nothing happened between your girl and I," Killian grinned smugly, proud of the teasing he'd done, "Business only. But your brother here did spend a romantic evening with the Mayor before the curse was broken."

"You-" James' eyes narrowed at David, seeing his twin look at him in an attempt to put on a straight face. David has clearly had a few beers too many, his inability to remain stoic when he laughed with Killian sending James to a near boiling point.

"Oh yeah-" Killian nudged David in the ribs as the other man mumbled for him to shut up between chuckles, "Say, has she made the lasagna for you, yet? That's her move, innit David?"

James felt his fists clenching dangerously, jaw clenched, anger quickly rising to the surface at the thought of his brother with Regina and the way the two men were cackling about it. He swallowed the growl threatening to spill out, telling himself he couldn't lose his cool and undo all of the progress he and Regina had made together and with her family. Until...

"Yeah, her lasagna is amazingggg..."

"What in the hell?" Emma's jaw dropped and eyes widened at the grown men tumbling back into the loft apartment from the balcony. David fell and rolled into a run, James landing on his feet and lunging forward. Their faces mirrored the same thunderous expressions, slightly flushed from alcohol and exertion.

Regina gaped at David taking off through the apartment yelling, James on his heels with a snarl of fury as he reached to grab him but missed when Charming leapt forward. Killian stumbled through the window from the fire escape behind them, red faced with laughter as he clutched his stomach and watched the men.

"David?! James?!" Snow stood, using her most authoritative teacher tone on the men who paid her no mind.

"I didn't- let me explain!" Charming called out, jumping over the footstool as they lapped the apartment. Vases and chairs were being knocked over, furniture being shoved and rugs overturned.

"Explain what?! Liar!" James huffed taking a leap from the footstool to clear space, tackling Charming from behind as they rolled to the floor in a heavy thud. Both of the men groaned but continued to roll around in a pathetic, tired wrestle.

"James what are you doing?!" Regina yelled, the three women sharing wide eyed glances.

"Hook-" Emma narrowed her eyes at her trouble causing boyfriend, "-what did you do? Break this shit up!"

"Me-I didn't do anything!" His mouth dropped in mock innocence as the men rolled fighting, knocking chairs astray in the dining room with fists and legs swinging.

"I didn't do anything!" Charming yelled, angry now at James and fighting back at his twin's grip on his collar.

"Didn't do what?" Regina looked at Hook, seeing him shrug and feign innocence.

"Break it up!" Snow was yelling now, coming over to the two men who had tired themselves out, James pinning his brother down who put up hands in surrender.

"What's wrong with you?!" Regina stomped towards them, gripping his arm and jerking him up. He looked at her with a flushed face, bloodied lip and a torn shirt, breathing heavily.

James looked back at his brother who threw his hands up and yelled "I swear!" towards him while Snow fussed over his already swelling eye. He swallowed his rage before glancing back at Regina reluctantly, "Nothing."

"That was not nothing!" She exclaimed with angry eyes, "My son could have still been here! That is not the behavior I want him witnessing from his grandfather and great uncle!"

"Yeah no shit," Emma saddled up beside Regina with a glare towards Hook, "Now do you three wanna sit in time out like the children you're acting like or do you wanna cough up why you're being idiots?"

James remained tight lipped, Regina able to tell he was holding back for some reason. Charming simply pouted from where he sat in a kitchen chair, Snow fussing over his wounded eye. All eyes turned to Killian then, watching him as he turned a slight shade of crimson.

"I uh, may have told James about David and Regina's romantic evening before the curse broke," His unhooked hand crept up over the back of his neck, one of his eyebrows perking sheepishly.

"What?" Emma's mouth fell again in shock as her eyes flitted towards the Mayor. Charming and Snow stood awkwardly, James staring hard at Regina with an unreadable expression.

"Nothing happened!" Charming said towards James with an earnest expression, "I helped her with her car. We had dinner, that was it."

Regina felt embarrassment and anger tinge her cheeks red as her glaring eyes scanned the room, clocking on James. Fury bubbled within her that his outburst was the reason her embarrassing come on to David was made public knowledge, "That still doesn't explain you chasing him around like an idiot."

"Regina-," Snow said gently as if she knew what was going through her head.

"You know damn well why I chased him around this fucking room-" James grit back at her, speaking low towards. He stepped up to her, staring her down with a challenging expression. She knew she was pushing him to the limit and that if she rejected him again it would probably be too much. He was waiting for her decision, waiting to see if she was going to denounce what was going on between them again.

The self destructive streak in her was on fire from her rage and embarrassment, demanding release. She didn't want to hurt him, that wasn't her intention, but her humiliation at being so publicly displayed urged her to lash out, "No, I don't! You have no claim to me!"

A flicker of hurt flashed in James' eyes before his expression hardened, "Thank god for that."

She felt the awkward silence as everyone in the room stared at her and James, seeing Snow's disappointed gaze from the corner of her eye. Her heart pounded and ached at the same time and the apartment suddenly felt a third of it's already small size. The urge to run away from it all overcame her once more and she gave them all one hardened glance before waving her arms and disappearing in a cloud of purple smoke.

Regina sat on the floor of her vault, back leaned against the cold stone wall. She'd discarded her heeled boots, materializing a bottle of wine and a glass with her magic. Half of it was gone now as she sulked, letting her head rest against the wall and considering what she'd done. James hadn't tried to find her or even call her and she hated that the fact bothered her. The look on his face when she snapped at him in front of everyone earlier replayed in her mind over and over, making her grit her teeth at her own stupid temper.

Irritation bubbled back to the surface when she heard her vault being opened and a familiar lilted voice called her name from above. She ignored it, gulping down a few more swigs of her bitter wine and hoping the idiot would go away. She was in no mood for a speech from the hope commission right now.

"I thought you'd be down here," Snow gave that timid smile she normally did when she was upset, though she still approached. As she always did.

"What do you want, Snow?" Regina drawled out with an irritated tone, avoiding her gaze as she refilled her wine goblet with a flick of her wrist.

"Are you really going to sit down here and feel sorry for yourself?" The younger woman asked to goad her as she crouched down, sitting across from her.

She found herself shooting a glare at her former step-daughter, ready to snap at her until she saw the knowing look in her gaze. That stupid woman always seemed to be able to look through her and know what she was feeling, despite how hard she tried to cover it. They had too much history to not know how the other worked.

"If you've come here to lecture me, let me warn you I am not in the mood," Regina snarled, throwing a look of disgust towards Snow.

"I came here to talk to you, I thought you may need a friend," Snow shrugged casually, shaking her head with a faint smile at the Queen's abrasive nature, "What was that, back there?"

"What was what?" She snapped, "James acted like a childish fool and I let him know his behavior was not acceptable."

"You took your anxiety over your relationship out on him because you felt like you were put on display," Snow sighed, "That's what you always do when you feel like someone has backed you into a corner. You start pushing people away, being as nasty as you can until they prove you right and walk away. Why is it still so unbelievable to you that someone could love you? That you may still be able to have your happy ending?"

"I've had my chance at a happy ending," She laughed bitterly, "And look what happened. I drug Robin into my mess and now he's lost his life because of it. Roland is an orphan. That's all because he loved me. And my happy ending is not going to be found with the man who took Robin's life."

"First of all, James didn't do that, Hades did," Snow began, troubling her bottom lip while she found the right words, "And secondly, you're not responsible for what happened to Robin. He had his own free will. He made the choice to go to New York with who he thought was Marian, he made the choice to try to move on, which got him into the situation with Zelena. You tried your hardest to save him on multiple occasions, Regina. From a mess he created because he didn't try to fight for you..."

Regina swallowed hard at the knot forming in her throat, teeth clenching together, "Why should he have? I'm the Evil Queen. Do you know how close I was to going dark again? To self-destruct and lose every ounce of redemption I'd gained since the curse broke? I'll always have that dark part inside of me. I didn't deserve Robin."

"Listen to me, Regina," Snow said in a firm tone that caused her to look up in surprise. The princess usually never spoke to her in such a way and Regina saw a fiery hint of anger in her eyes that shocked her further, "You didn't deserve Robin-" Regina's heart dropped, "-You deserve someone who fights for you and accepts that dark part of you. Someone who gets that and knows how to handle you. And despite what you think, you do deserve to be happy and have someone...you've come so far."

She battled the tears welling in her eyes, forcing herself to glare back at Snow White though she knew her step-daughter was well aware it was just an attempt to deflect appearing vulnerable. Her voice was raspy and weak when she finally spoke, "But what if I can't be happy? What if my heart is too damaged?"

"What do you mean?" Snow's head cocked to the side in confusion, studying the older brunette, "Regina..." She prodded her when she hesitated.

"My heart it...it feels," She averted her gaze towards the floor, feeling a tear fall down over her cheek, "It doesn't feel as heavy...it's like there's a pressure that's missing, ever since James put it back in my chest...I've read before that being injured while separated from your heart can cause permanent damage. Can lessen how well you can feel your heart even when it's back in..."

"Your heart isn't as heavy?" Snow spoke softly, "And you think that means it's damaged?"

"Well what else could it be?!" She threw up her hands in frustration, looking back at the hopeless optimist before her.

The Princess eyed her with gentle eyes before asking, "Did you ever consider that maybe the heaviness has been lifted a little because you...have someone around that truly understands it and cares for you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Regina muttered though realization made her stomach flop. Was Snow right? She still felt her love for Henry with her entire being. She still felt a love for the Charmings and Emma that she'd never admit. If her heart was damaged and not working properly, she wouldn't be feeling those strong emotions.

"Yes, I think you do..." Snow prodded again and Regina flashed her a glance of irritation at the incessant nudging. Insufferable, optimistic, wise idiot.

James stared into his glass of whiskey as he sat at the bar at Granny's. He'd stormed out after Regina left, walking to 108 Mifflin Street and barging in, prepared to have it out with her once and for all. He found after blowing through all of the rooms that she wasn't there and by the time he'd realized she must be in her vault, his pride had gotten the best of him and he refused to go find her.

She'd more than told him where he stood with her tonight and he should listen. Since when did he pine over women? He didn't have feelings for women. He didn't fall in love. They were a fun time and replaceable. But she was so much more. And nobody can replace Regina.

A scowl marred his features at the knowledge of how he felt for her. He'd been avoiding it and ignoring it for weeks. It had been nice playing house and that is what he'd continually told himself he was doing. He didn't actually care about Regina. He simply understood her and was helping out one of his own kind. But since when did villains help each other?

He hated that there was no talking himself out of it. Like an idiot he'd allowed himself to fall for the Evil Queen. There was something about seeing her in the throws of passion, losing herself in pleasure. There was something about being inside of her home and seeing the human, motherly side of her. There was something about seeing her injured and vulnerable, needing someone to care about her. He'd seen who she was under all of the layers she put on to keep people out and he hadn't been able to stop himself from wanting more.

"Thought I'd find you here," Charming's voice pulled him from his thoughts as he sat down on the stool beside him.

James found himself rolling his eyes, though the bruise appearing on his brother's eye when he looked at him gave him some satisfaction, "What do you want?"

"To talk," David muttered, seeing Granny come over to the counter and look over her glasses for his order, "A bag of frozen peas, please," He grumbled, throwing a glare towards James.

"I don't want to talk," He grit out, taking another swig of his whiskey and ignoring his brother.

"Me neither, but Snow sent me to straighten things out," David admitted, nodding at Granny when she brought out the frozen peas before groaning when he pressed them against his swelling eyes.

"You always let her wear the pants?" He scoffed, throwing a glance at the man who looked just as irritated as he felt.

"Says the guy who's been playing Regina's housewife for weeks," His brother retorted, reaching forward for the beer Granny brought him. He hadn't even had to order, the old wolf sensing that there was a tense conversation in the works. She'd finally started serving James since their family dinner earlier this week, granting him another chance since the hero David had decided he was worthy.

"Fuck off."

"Dish it out but you can't take it, huh?"

"Did you just come here to fight? Because I'd be glad to go back outside and finish what we started earlier," James growled and looked at him, seeing David let out a breath and press his lips together in submission.

"No, I just wanted to tell you that nothing happened between me and Regina," David began.

"Why would I care if it did or not?"

"I think it's clear you do, James."

"Does it matter now?"

"Yeah, because it's time to put your pride aside," Charming leveled seriously.

James boiled now. Wasn't that what he'd been doing for weeks? Ignoring Regina's temper tantrums and her attempts at pushing him away. Being there regardless of how much she fought him on it, "I can put up with a lot. I've put up with more from her in the past few weeks than I ever have anybody. I understand she's angry and confused. But I draw the line at what happened tonight."

"I get it, she rejected you in front of everyone and that's never easy," David set his beer down on the counter, "But that's just what she does. Trust me, I've known Regina for years. Whenever she's scared of something, she brings out the claws and uses them on whatever is threatening her. And tonight, your feelings for each other were put on display and it scared the shit out of her."

"What if that's not it? What if she just really doesn't feel the same way?" James shrugged as if he didn't care, downing the rest of his tumbler, "Maybe she's still not over Robin."

"If that was the case then she'd have done a lot worse tonight than disappear in a puff of smoke," David shook his head, "That evening we uh..had dinner before the curse broke. I helped her with her groceries when her car broke down and...when we got to her house she found a note from Henry saying he wouldn't be home. She looked so lonely I couldn't just leave, so we had dinner."

"Why are you telling me this?" James grit through his teeth and threw him a glare, "I don't need the details."

"Listen for a minute, would you?" David rolled his eyes, "Anyways...we had a really good time. We talked about a lot and..she ended up trying to kiss me...but it wasn't because she was into me," He frowned, "She just wanted someone. She was lonely and looking for affection. So I politely rejected her and it stung, I could tell. To be honest, if she'd just wanted to hook up I can't say I wouldn't have back then when I didn't know who Snow was...but, there was just a sadness in her eyes I couldn't ignore. She wanted it for the wrong reasons."

"How noble of you," James replied without looking at him, feeling his heart ache. He just wanted to hold that stubborn ass woman and never let her go. But she was like a wild animal and would only let it happen on her own terms.

"What I'm saying is don't give up," David slapped a ten dollar bill on the counter as he stood from the barstool, "Despite what she says, she does want someone. The harder she pushes you away, the more feelings she has for you."

"Stubborn bastard," Regina muttered, pacing her kitchen the next morning. James had never shown up, even though she'd been up half of the night expecting him. She'd been horrible to him for weeks and he's always come back for more. Had she pushed him too far last night?

Why did she even care? She should break Snow's neck for filling her head full of garbage last night. Her stubborn pride was becoming more and more difficult to hang onto as her former step-daughter's words replayed in her head. How could Un-Charming's evil twin really be her happy ending? Then again, how could she really be anybody's happy ending? It made sense that they could understand each other...but could they really make each other happy?

Her heart ached at the thought of the look on his face when she'd snapped at him in front of everyone. She'd felt that same humiliation when she went to New York to rescue Robin, only for him to make her look crazy, like she was simply some obsessive, jealous ex-girlfriend. How did she even get herself deep enough in this to care about James' feelings?

She let out a growl of frustration as she caved, reaching for her car keys off of the counter. If he wasn't going to come to her then she'd go find him. She'd worry about her goddamn pride later. Storming through the foyer she shrugged on her jacket with a huff, ready to give him a piece of her mind. Not that she really had the right to, but admitting she wanted to see him and make sure he hadn't given up on her wasn't an option. She'd rather argue with him instead.

A yelp escaped her as she went to reach for the front door handle, seeing it swing open suddenly, looking up with wide eyes to see the subject of her thoughts standing on her doormat. He wore a deep frown, accenting his black leather jacket and disheveled hair. His eyes looked a little tired and glossy, as if he'd been up as long as she had last night.

"Where are you going?" He barked at her with a stern expression. She looked exquisitely put together, cobalt blue fitted dress and hair perfectly styled. It irked him that she seemed so unfazed by what had happened the night before. Did she really have no remorse? Even if she didn't love him, she could at least have a little more respect for the person who nursed her cranky ass back to health.

"None of your business!" She growled back, her eyes shifting from surprised to angry, warm brown embers glowing.

He watched the way she bit her bottom lip and glared at him, tilting her chin and averting her eyes, "You were coming to find me, weren't you?" He smirked and stepped through the doorway, making her take a step back.

"No!" She grit through her teeth, snarling at him as he shoved the door shut behind him.

"Liar," He challenged her, stepping towards her again and effectively making her walk backwards.

"Where have you been?" Regina found herself asking before she could stop herself, angry with him for not showing up.

"Well, I went to Granny's last night for a drink and Tink was there-" James lied, seeing her eyes blaze with fury.

"Tink is my friend!" She yelled bringing a hand up in front of him, throwing him back against the door with a thud, "Of all people you-"

"Aha!" James smirked, straining for breath as she held him pinned against the door, "You do have feelings for me! You're jealous!"

She let him down from the choke-hold, closing the distance between them, "I don't know why! You're sarcastic and a smart ass!" She was yelling now, their faces inches apart, baring her teeth, "You have questionable morals! You're petty and pouty!"

"Pot, meet kettle," He said through clenched teeth, smiling fiercely back at her, "You're the biggest bitch I know! You're cold and distant, but for some reason I keep coming back for more!"

"I hate you," She hissed at him. I love you.

"I hate you," He glared back vehemently. I love you, too.

"God, you piss me off," James reached up to grab the back of her neck, jerking her to him and kissing her hard as their bodies crashed together. Every fiber of being was on fire for her. The way she snarled at him, the fire in her eyes, the way the sexual tension between them made her body rigid. Hearing her growl into his mouth before slipping her tongue into his made him snap, spinning them around and slamming her back against the front door.

"Get used to it," She moaned into his mouth, letting her head fall back against the door when he lifted her up from the floor after jerking her jacket off. Her hands went to his head, carding into his hair as his lips found her neck in hot, wet kisses. His hands were strong and confident as they pushed up the fitted dress, both of them giving into what they desired, physically and emotionally.

"With pleasure," He sucked on her neck as he ripped the lace of her panties, hearing her moan. Her hands came between them, nimble fingers undoing the belt buckle of his jeans. Groans escaped them when he sank inside of her within seconds, filling her completely, their bodies pressed together.

Regina's hands gripped the back of his hair tightly when he started to thrust, crying out with each movement of his that hit her deeply. His hips rocked into hers, her legs clinging around his waist, "I'm going to try," She murmured near his ear before pressing her lips into his hair, moaning loudly.

"I'm not going anywhere," He groaned back into her skin, threading his fingers through hers and pinning her hand against the door above her head. She gasped and cried out when she moved her hips to pull him into her deeper, abdomen clenching and lighting fire to the heat coiled deep in her belly.

It was different this time. Still raw and intense but with an added element of emotion that they'd never let surface during sex before. The need to be one fueled their movements into near desperation, claiming each other with each growl and thrust and whimper. James lifted his face from her neck after bruising the skin, pressing his forehead to Regina's as they both panted with jerky movements.

"I'm going-oh god-James-ah!" She gasped, chest heaving as she dug her nails into his neck and rolled her hips up to him, "Harder-more-baby, please!" She cried out when he started to take her with force, sounds tumbling out of her freely.

"Come on, Regina," He murmured, locking eyes with her as he took her deeply, "Show me you're mine," He growled with a deep thrust as her body tightened and tensed in preparation.

She looked back at him with a desperate intensity, lips parting in heavy breaths before her eyes clamped shut and she screamed out, body convulsing between him and the door. He groaned loudly and pinned her harder as he thrust himself to the hilt, feeling her writhing and shaking underneath him as she drenched them both in her orgasm. Her fingers nearly pulled his hair from his head as she gripped on to him, riding the tremors of her orgasm out with a cry when he sank inside of her one last time, letting himself go.

And she was his.

One year later...

"What?" James smirked a little as Regina hesitated outside of Granny's. It reminded him much of a moment they'd had about a year ago when she was nervous to go in for fear she wouldn't be accepted back into the family. He was happy to know her brief moment of collection now was for a different reason all together.

"Just," She smiled and glanced down, biting her lip in a way that made him pull her against him by the waist, "Nothing..."

"Hm," He smirked and leaned down to kiss her once before pressing his forehead to hers, "Nobody has to know. Right? Not unless we want them to." She smelled delicious, like the perfume he bought her last month for her birthday.

"You're right," Regina threaded her fingers through his before pulling back, leading him by the hand. Being brave was so much easier with someone in her corner.

"Finally! I'm starving," Henry grinned, waving them down to where the rest of them were. Granny's diner buzzed with the usual Sunday dinner crowd, none of them paying too much attention to Regina and James' presence anymore.

"Hey guys," David smiled beside a beaming Snow before looking back to his menu. Killian nodded from his seat beside Emma, arm stretched behind her on the chair.

"Welcome back," Emma eyed James and Regina curiously, "Nice weekend?"

"Yeah, it was fine," Regina shrugged coyly, quickly looking down towards her menu after they'd both taken a seat and shrugged off their jackets.

"I'm thinking pancakes, what about you?" James murmured, effectively avoiding the curious looks they were getting as he leaned in towards Regina.

Henry merely grinned from behind his own menu, watching James and Regina awkwardly pretend to be distracted. Snow and David shared a glance before Emma shrugged and decided to speak up again, "So, where'd ya go?"

"Uh, the city," James glanced up from his menu, offering a casual smile and a shrug.

"What did you guys go there for?" Snow asked and Regina could practically feel the inquiring gaze before she even looked up.

"Just...to get away," Regina raised an eyebrow, glancing around at all of them, "What is with you all? Is it so hard to believe that we'd want a break from you nosy people?" She glanced at Henry then, giving him a warm smile, "Not you, honey."

"I know," Henry smiled smugly, sharing a knowing glance with James.

"Regina..." Emma nudged Snow's arm with a gaping mouth and nodded in the direction of Regina's menu, "What the hell is that?"

"What is what?" Regina tilted her menu towards her to look at the back of it before realizing. Goddamnit, she'd left the ring on her finger.

She looked back at them with wide eyes, biting her bottom lip as she quickly turned to James beside her. The table grew silent, curious eyes all pointed towards them expectantly before Henry broke the silence, "They got married!"

"What?" Snow nearly cried and covered her mouth as the rest of the table erupted in gasps and chuckles.

"Congrats!" David laughed out loud with a smile, reaching out to slap his brother's arm who shifted with an uncertain smile.

"Aye, I saw that one coming," Killian smirked and raised an eyebrow at the two of them.

Emma half smiled as she shook her head in utter surprise, "Why didn't you tell anyone? We could've thrown you a wedding!"

"Because a pirate themed wedding isn't really our style," James let out a laugh, reaching for Regina's hand under the table and giving it a reassuring squeeze. He smiled when he looked back to her, seeing the tension leave her and relief fill her eyes.

Getting married had been something private for the both of them. They didn't want a big affair like Emma and Killian had. They didn't need Snow sniveling and ruining the exchange of their vows with her blubbering. James didn't need David to be his best man. They simply wanted to promise themselves to each other without the prying eyes. Their love was deep and vulnerable, neither one of them wanting to share what was so intensely theirs.

"Wait, kid, how did you know?" Emma mocked a pout as she looked to their teenage son.

"James asked my permission to marry her," Henry smiled with a shrug of his shoulders, "I said yes."

Regina and James shared a warm smile at each other that the rest of them didn't miss. They had planned on keeping it to themselves for a while, to revel in it without being under a microscope to the rest of their family. Emma, Hook, and the Charmings only wanted the best for them, but like any family, they could be overbearing. Still, Regina found herself surprised that she felt no anxiety or regret about them finding out.

"I can't believe you'd get married without telling us!" Snow pouted, crossing her arms and trying to keep herself from smiling, "Damn it, Regina. You would've made a beautiful bride!"

"She was," James replied, his eyes never leaving Regina as he winked at her and she grinned.

That was all the convincing it took for Snow, who broke into a wide, watery smile. The rest of them laughed at her as she nearly started blubbering at the thought alone, "Well, this calls for a celebration!" She demanded, dabbing at her eyes.

"Oh god, no," Regina groaned with a laugh and eyed her husband who merely smirked back at her with an eye roll.

"Just please, no poems or sailor songs this time," James smirked, causing Regina to laugh at the jab at Emma and Killian's wedding. It was foolish how a snarky little comment like that could make her heart thump faster, but she loved that he enjoyed teasing the family as much as she did. She had someone to share her dry sense of humor with. Someone who would always take her side. Someone who understood her completely. Someone who had a dark side of his own that played well with hers. Someone with unwavering loyalty. Someone of her own.

"Who would've thought that me locking you two up would've worked out so well for the both of you," David smirked before teasing, "You're welcome."

James merely rolled his eyes and glanced at his wife, finding her smiling back at him the same way. There was such love reflected in her eyes that he felt the connection they shared down to his core. They could communicate entirely by their eyes alone, for he knew she was sharing the same playful annoyance he felt at the teasing, though neither of them could deny their jail-time hadn't worked out well for them in the end. He simply smirked as he looked back up his brother, squeezing Regina's hand gently, "This may be the one time I have to agree with you."