A/n: I unfortunately do not own Once Upon a Time or any of the characters/likenesses. I do, however, own this story, and I really hope you guys enjoy it! (I'm BACK SORRY)

XX

Regina tossed and turned viciously, attacking the sheets with fervor. She groaned, quietly at first, quickly growing into a scream that she barely managed to stifle as she shot straight out of bed, knocking over a lamp in the process. Panting rapidly, the brunette shivered in fear; this was so unlike her, to have nightmares, but she couldn't seem to help it anymore. She closed her eyes and the events played through her mind on fast forward; every awful thing that had happened to her over the past week, culminating in the almost loss of someone she was quickly growing to love.

That thought gave Regina pause, and she scoffed almost involuntarily.

Love, Regina? Seriously? What is wrong with you these days?

Still, disregarding her inner monologue, she definitely cared about the blonde, there was no doubt about it. Nobody had ever made Regina feel the way Emma did, which was cliché, true, but Regina couldn't help but smile at the thought.

She glanced at the clock; one fifteen in the morning. She gingerly picked up the lamp she had knocked off of the nightstand in her terror and inspected it for damage. Thankfully, it was intact, and she placed it back in it's rightful place as a sharp knock on the door caused her to knock it off once more. This time, however, she was not as lucky and the lamp shattered instantly.

"Son of a bitch!"

Almost instantly the knock on the door grew more frantic. Regina quickly grabbed a shard of the ceramic lamp and quickly made her way to the door.

"Who is it?"

"Miss Mills, it's me!"

Regina recognized the breathless blonde's voice immediately and sighed, unlocking the door. Emma Swan nearly mowed her down in her effort to get inside of the room and Regina quickly closed it behind her, locking it again.

"Miss Mills, is everything ok?!"

Emma was nearly shouting and Regina quickly clamped a hand shut over her mouth.

"Yes, Miss Swan, everything is absolutely wonderful. Mind telling me why exactly you are in my temporary living quarters at one thirty in the morning?!"

The exasperation in her voice was evident, and Emma nearly winced as Regina withdrew her hand from the blonde's mouth.

"I uh..Ruby called me and said you were disturbing the neighboring rooms because you were screaming or something like that? So I got here as soon as I could.."

Regina's features immediately softened, and the concern in Emma's face and voice made Regina's heart swell. She gave Emma a once over and raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her tone light and airy.

"Nice clothing, Miss Swan."

Emma looked down at her boxers and tank and noticed with horror that she wasn't wearing a bra. Instantly scarlet, she zipped up her hoody and motioned to Regina.

"I could say the same, Miss Mills."

Regina mimicked Emma, looking down at her own extremely skimpy lingerie and burning a bright red before clearing her throat and swiftly moving towards the bathroom to grab a robe. Emma looked away, for she had always been a classy dame, or at least she told herself that to get over the fact that she wasn't sure she could control herself around the gorgeous brunette.

Regina reentered the room, slightly more dressed this time and grabbed a broom and a dustpan. Emma immediately snatched them from her and started cleaning up the mess Regina had made. The brunette gently perched herself atop her bed and noticed a twig in the blonde's hair, gently pulling it out.

"Miss Swan, what is this?"

Emma gave an embarrassed shrug.

"Well, I told you Ruby called me? So I kind of jumped out the window so I wouldn't wake my parents up and ran here?"

The look Regina gave her then sent a shiver up her spine; it was a mixture of adoration and something Emma couldn't quite place, and she had the decency to finish cleaning the mess up and deposit the debris while Regina composed herself. Emma sat beside Regina and gave her a knowing look; Regina relented and allowed her head to rest gently on Emma's shoulder as the blonde wrapped an arm around her. Regardless of their close proximity, Regina had to strain to hear Emma's gentle voice.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I... I really do not know, Miss Swan..."

Emma nodded, completely understanding, and moved to get up

"Are you leaving?"

The hurt in Regina's voice nearly broke Emma's heart and she moved her head violently.

"Hell, no."

"Language, Miss Swan."

"Heck, no."

Regina gave Emma a puzzled look but the blonde simply moved to the other side of the bed, pulling her shoes off and climbing in. She opened her arms and Regina took the hint almost instantly, only hesitating for a brief moment before she moved into the blonde's arms. The sigh of content was mutual, and Emma smiled lovingly at Regina, placing a gentle kiss on the brunette's eyelids.

"Go to sleep, Miss Mills."

Her command had, however, fallen on deaf ears, as Regina's breathing had already slowed and she softly snored.

XX

Regina awoke several hours later and stretched happily. She hadn't slept so well in a while; in fact, it seemed that the only way she could truly sleep anymore was to have Emma by her side. She quickly noticed, however, that she was alone, and her heart sunk. She couldn't say why she was so disappointed that Emma was no longer with her, but she completely understood the blonde's need to get home prior to her parents' discovery that she was missing. Regina opened her eyes, first peering at the clock on the wall; nine fifteen, she had slept in. Normally this would cause the teacher distress, but she had slept so well that she really didn't mind. A quiet buzz from the nightstand alerted her that she had received a text message, piquing her attention. Grabbing the phone, she noticed several text messages, all from the same number, which she immediately saved into her contacts.

Emma: I'm leaving now. If you need anything, call me; I promise I'll be right there.

Emma: I miss you already. ):

Emma: I'll see you tomorrow. I hope.

Emma: Nope, I'll definitely see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.

Emma: I'm home now. Still miss you. Left you a present.

Regina looked around, curious for the 'present' Emma had left her; it was then that she noticed that she could smell her. Confused, Regina lifted her head and found Emma's hoodie bunched up underneath her head. She grinned like a schoolgirl and quickly sat up, slipping her robe off and pulling the hoodie on. It was slightly oversized, but perfectly, comfortably so, and Regina hugged herself tightly.

"You're acting like a love sick child, Regina."

Regina smiled deviously at the mirror; clearly Emma was interested, and that excited Regina to no end. She quickly brushed her hair and applied a small amount of makeup, namely mascara and the brightest, reddest lipstick she had. She grabbed her phone off of the nightstand and quickly texted Emma.

Regina: Are you awake, Miss Swan?

Emma's reply was instantaneous, and Regina wondered briefly if the blonde had been sitting around waiting for a text back all morning.

Emma: Yes, ma'am. Did you sleep well? Did you enjoy my present?

Regina: I slept very well, Miss Swan, and I greatly appreciate the 'present', although I presume you are going to want it back eventually?

Emma: I mean, I love that hoodie, so you can have it.

Regina smiled stupidly down at the phone and made a decision right there to do something she couldn't take back. She quickly responded, before she could lose her nerve.

Regina: I have a present for you, too, Miss Swan.

Emma: Oh, yeah? What's that?

Regina: This is for you, and you only.

Regina's lips curved wickedly and she posed carefully, ensuring that Emma could very easily see her cleavage spilling forth from the hoodie. Deciding she was happy with the picture, she hesitated. What if she were caught? What would happen? Normally Regina was so cautious; what had happened to change that about her?

Emma. Emma is what happened.

Regina: [sent picture]

XX

Emma groaned, her face losing color and her temperature rising dangerously. She stared at the picture Regina had sent her and seriously considered going to see her. Her eyes were drawn everywhere all at once; unsure of what to focus on, Emma shook her head to clear her thoughts, and replied the only way she knew how.

Emma: Fuck.

Regina: Gladly.

Emma grinned and stared up at the calendar haphazardly tacked to her wall. Her birthday was just a few days away, and she ached everywhere for Regina Mills. She shifted her legs, clenching her thighs together and nearly moaned. She wanted her former teacher so badly, but she knew she'd have to wait, and she simply decided a freezing cold shower was in order. Still, she looked once more at the picture and considered how lucky she was, how perfectly amazing her life was in Storybrooke, Maine.

XX

Regina was bored. She wasn't sure how it had happened; one minute she was happily continuing on with preparations for the conference; she had several presentations lined up, and although she had been ready for months one could never be entirely too prepared. However, her legs itched to walk around and this is how she found herself sitting at the bar at Granny's diner happily chatting to Ruby. Ruby had noticed a change in Regina Mills over the last several weeks, and it was something she had decided she really enjoyed. Her former english teacher seemed so vibrant, and although she never beamed the way she did at Emma (Ruby had noticed, of course), her smile was still altogether warm and inviting.

"I would like to thank you for everything, Miss Lucas. I apologize for breaking the lamp last night."

Ruby just shrugged. The lamp was ugly, anyway, and she had been trying for years to get her grandmother to throw it away; however, that would mean replacing it, and although the Lucas women did not struggle, that still meant money would have to be budgeted out for a new lamp, and Granny always said 'if it ain't broke don't fix it.'

"No worries, Miss Mills. Accidents happen, ya know?"

"Indeed they do, Miss Lucas, but I will pay to replace it."

Ruby didn't even have time to protest as her eyes were drawn to Emma's bright yellow bug pulling into the parking lot. Regina noticed the faintest hint of jealousy before the shadows passed from Ruby's face as the blonde began honking.

"Back in ten, Granny!"

The Lucas elder simply grumbled but smiled regardless; she knew better than to try and keep her granddaughter from her friends, so she took Ruby's place at the bar as she ran off to greet her friend.

"Miss Lucas, a question, if I may?"

Granny gave Regina an odd expression. It was true that the woman had never been rude to her, but she wasn't sure the woman had ever tried to have a conversation with her, either. Granny's noncommittal grunt assured Regina it would be okay for her to continue on, but Regina still proceeded with caution. She had made several mental notes over the past few weeks to do something spectacularly nice for both Granny and Ruby, but wasn't sure what; however, seeing her former student's eyes temporarily glazed with a twinge of jealousy had given her an idea.

"Well, I heard from someone that your granddaughter is saving up to buy herself a car."

Granny merely nodded, a hint of sadness at the knowledge that she couldn't afford to help her granddaughter.

"Does she have anything particular in mind? I am simply curious as to how close to her goal she is, and how long she has been saving, if I may."

Granny seemed to think for a second about the question, deciding that if she didn't answer her honestly, Regina Mills would definitely find out another way. The teacher had deep pockets stemming from both sides of her bloodline and as such knew many important people. It was because of this Granny relented, although she was sure that Regina had something up her sleeve.

"She's been saving for about four years, and I'm pretty sure she's got a car picked out. The one she wants is fifteen thousand, I think? And I think she's got ten saved up, if I remember correctly. I'd pay her more if I could, but.."

Granny's voice trailed off quietly, and Regina quickly changed the subject.

"Did you hear about the lamp incident?"

Granny sighed yet again.

"Yeah, and I'm not mad. Will just have to get a new one when I can."

Regina paused, and began pulling out her checkbook. She had several accounts simply sitting around and she wasn't ever really sure what to do with all the money that she had saved and been given.

"Nonsense. I am going to write you a check, and I would appreciate if you would deposit it at your earliest convenience. This should cover the lamp."

Regina sat the check face down on the diner and placed a twenty dollar bill on top of it.

"And this is for my coffee. Have a wonderful day, Miss Lucas."

With that, Regina swiftly turned around and waltzed out the door, the merry jingle exiting her departure. Granny's curious side took over and she lifted the check, nearly choking at the amount. She looked up to see Regina smiling at her from outside, and quickly waved at the woman in thanks. She knew arguing would be both pointless and tactless, so she merely folded the check up and tucked it in the till, to be deposited later.

XX
"Miss Swan, do you have some free time? I may need your help with something."

Emma's mind fogged at the sultry voice, and Ruby giggled before giving her best friend a quick hug.

"See you later, Ems!"

Emma nodded sheepishly, waving goodbye to Ruby and Granny Lucas before turning to Regina.

"I always have time for you, Miss Mills. What exactly did you have in mind?"

XX

Twenty minutes later saw Emma climbing into the passenger's seat of Regina's car, panting slightly.

"I got it, Miss Mills."

Emma handed Regina the card and the woman grinned wickedly.

"Excellent, dear. Stay right here, I will just be a moment."

Emma nodded her head slightly. She wasn't sure what Regina was up to, but she trusted her completely, and she knew the brunette wouldn't do anything to hurt her best friend. Still, she wondered why Regina had asked her to steal Ruby's bank card? Her thoughts were quickly halted by the sight of Regina's backside as she swayed gently to her own rhythm and entered the bank. Emma's mouth became quite dry, which seemed to happen often nowadays, and she sighed.

Damn, she's perfect.

Regina returned moments later and gracefully climbed into her car, handing Emma the bank card. She made the quick trip to Granny's diner and turned to the blonde.

"Ok, Miss Swan, now you have to sneak it back to her."

Emma smiled gleefully, exiting the car and entering the diner. She missed the look on Regina's face, the way her eyes covered every inch of Emma's skin, glued to her and mesmerized by her. A few minutes later, she returned and slid into the car.

"Mission accomplished!"

"My, dear, that was quite a bit easier than I had expected."

Emma shrugged nonchalantly.

"Eh, it wasn't a big deal. Granny's got Ruby sufficiently distracted."

"Oh? How so, Miss Swan?"

"Well, she's crying. Something about finally being able to pay off the mortgage to the Bed and Breakfast? She's, like, happy and hysterical. Hapsterical, really."

Regina's look of amusement did not go unnoticed.

"That is not a word, Miss Swan. However, I am very happy to hear that Granny Lucas is so happy."

A sudden thought struck Emma, and she turned, mystified, to Regina.

"Miss Mills, what..what did you do?"

It was Regina's turn to shrug nonchalantly, and she simply smiled.

"I simply paid for the lamp that was broken, my dear."

XX

Emma spun around lazily in her chair. She was certain she had important things to do, but at this moment she was unsure of what they were. A quick ding from her cell phone alerted her to a message, and she smiled widely at the goofy picture of her best friend.

Ruby: Emma.

Ruby: EMMA.

Emma: Jesus, what?

Ruby: WHAT DID YOUR GIRLFRIEND DO.

Emma: Whatever do you mean?

Emma: And she's not my girlfriend.

Emma: Well not yet but that's not my point.

Ruby: EMMA.

Ruby: [sent picture]

Emma gasped audibly at the picture Ruby had sent her. It was a screenshot of her bank account balance; every night, she would deposit the tips she had made into the account, saving up for her dream car. This evening was different, however; when Ruby got the receipt showing her balance, she nearly fell over. Surely, the five figures were a mistake; she had immediately called the bank and upon transfer to a customer service representative demanded to know what had happened. Her representative had then assured her that a pending transaction had been approved and that the money would be available the next day, and had exasperatedly explained to Ruby that it was not a mistake, as the individual who had deposited the money had specifically used Ruby's bank card. The representative then spent nearly twenty minutes patiently explaining to Ruby that no, she could not give her the account information of the individual who issued the payout, as they specifically asked to remain anonymous. But in the back of her head, Ruby knew exactly who it was; still, she could not fathom it. While Regina Mills had always been an excellent tipper, and clearly came from a wealthier background, depositing so much money into Ruby's account, 'anonymously', was en entirely new thing, and Ruby was simply unsure of how to react.

Ruby: ? !

Emma sighed once more and quickly dialed Regina's number. After a few short rings, a slightly harassed Regina Mills answered the phone, out of breath.

"Yes, Miss Swan? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Emma smirked into the phone.

"Why so out of breath, Miss Mills?"

Regina merely scoffed.

"I'm hanging up now, dear."

"No wait, don't hang up! Ruby texted me freaking out, so I'm supposed to call and ask you exactly what the hell-"

"Language, Miss Swan."

"-heck you did, so that she'll stop harassing me?"

Emma could hear the smile in Regina's voice, and her heart melted at the brunette's reply.

"I simply returned the favor, Miss Swan."

A few minutes later saw Emma and Regina whispering goodbyes to one another, neither eager to hang up. Emma still had to deal with Ruby, however, as the continuing vibrations of her phone alluded to her friend's impatience.

Emma: Rubes, chill. She said she was returning the favor, because you take such good care of both of us.

Ruby: )': IF YOU DON'T MARRY HER EMMA SWAN I JUST MIGHT.

Emma's laughter was unparalleled, and she finally curled up into bed, thanking the universe for how excellently things were going.

XX