Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: I'm back! Classes have ended and I've found my flow with this story again! Hopefully this was the only time when I'll have to put this story on hiatus but I really feel as though I'm now heading in the right direction with the story I would like to tell. Thanks to all of you who have been supportive thus far, and I hope you enjoy what's to come.

Unbeta'd, all mistakes are my own.

Chapter Three

When the trio first had entered the diner, the patrons couldn't help but sit and stare with mouths agape at the sight of their Savior with the Evil Queen herself. Some people had looked upon the trio with contempt, some with fear and others with confusion; it sure was a sight to see. The two women were known enemies; not only because of the curse but also because of their past.

Henry had been oblivious to the tension that filled the small diner and ran ahead, shouting for Ruby in order to get a head start on the chocolate malt he'd managed to convince Regina to let him have.

Regina had held her head high and in true mayor fashion - strutted her way to a booth in the back of the diner. Emma noticed how her shoulders fell slightly after she had seated herself and couldn't help but frown slightly when she noticed the brunette's back faced the rest of the people dining. Emma had noticed in the months she'd known the brunette, that without even knowing it, Regina silently assessed every situation and took the most powerful position. This usually consisted of Regina facing the crowd, knowing a way out and knowing everything that was going on around her. She'd never been one to turn her back to her foes in case they were to attack. This trait was what made the brunette seem on edge most of the time.

Emma followed the brunette and plopped down across from the woman, concern covering her features. "Hey, you alright?"

"Quite Miss Swan," Regina stated matter-of-factly, not meeting the woman's eyes but instead fiddling with her menu. "It's nothing I'm not used to."

Emma frowned, "That may be true but it still doesn't mean it doesn't bug you. I can tell."

Regina glared over the top of her menu at the blonde, "Just because we have been spending a little bit of time together in order for me to see Henry does not mean that you now know me Miss Swan. So, if you'd be so kind as to shut your mouth, I'd greatly appreciate it."

"Wow," Emma chuckled disdainfully, "Seriously?"

Regina groaned and sat her menu down onto the table top with an eye roll which caught a few glances from concerned customers. "What are you complaining about now Sheriff?"

Emma leaned forward angrily and hissed across the table. "I think its bullshit that you can be all chummy with me behind closed doors only minutes ago but the moment we step outside your comfort zone and you feel threatened; you regress back into the role of conniving bitch. It's really annoying."

"How dare you!" Regina seethed quietly, also leaning in, nose inches away from Emma's, "How would you like it if everyone was staring at you, breathing down your neck in hopes that someday you would just drop dead? It's not a great feeling to have Sheriff!"

Emma opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by Henry running across the diner in hopes to interrupt and stop their argument before it got any more out of hand.

"Guys!" Henry shouted as he slid in beside Emma, "Can you guys please stop? People are can hear you and are starting to stare."

The women at least had the decency to look scorned and Emma quickly excused herself in order to get away from the situation and calm down. Regina rolled her eyes when she noticed Ruby followed Emma towards the back of the restaurant where the bathroom was located but said nothing of it. The entire diner had at least seen their interaction and Regina had no doubt Ruby had heard it all with wolf hearing. That pleased Regina about as much as a grass stain did but alas, she conceded that there was nothing she could do to take it back or reverse time and do it over.

Henry simply sat with a frown upon his face while Regina brought her fingers to her temples as a headache threatened to bloom behind her eyes. A tense silence surrounded the table as the two brunettes both sat lost in their thoughts, both angry and hurt.

"Henry? Are you alright?" Regina asked her son when she noticed the frown up on his face.

"I just don't understand why you and Emma can't get along." The boy snapped angrily, "Why can't you just give her a chance for once? You always think she's out to get you and you two always end up fighting! I just want you two to be friends so you won't be so sad all the time Mom but every time we spend time with you, you push her away! Why do you have to do that?"

Regina couldn't help the tears that filled her eyes with Henry shouting at her, "I-I'm sorry Henry. I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with-"

Henry crossed his arms, still angry. "I know that mom, but she's trying. She really wants to help you and maybe even be your friend and you won't even give her a chance!"

Regina wiped the tears that had snuck their way down her cheeks. If this would have happened even a month before, the ex-mayor would have quickly pulled her son out of the diner and scolded him for hours. This whole situation was, quite honestly very humiliating for the brunette but she took a shaky breath and tried to reason with her son completely ignoring the curious stares. "Don't you know I am trying Henry? I am really trying to be better. It's just… it's hard."

Henry's anger dissipated slightly when he heard his mother's voice catch as the tears welled up even more so in her eyes.

"You couldn't possibly know how hard this is for me Henry," Regina cried quietly as she pleaded with her son, tears running down her cheeks freely now. "And I pray you never have to feel the pain I feel on a daily basis but please, I beg you, try to remember that I am trying. I am trying for you Henry - no one but you."

Henry's anger had dissipated but his annoyance however, had not. It was still present in his tone as he continued, "I know you're trying mom, Emma does too. That's why we keep trying to spend time with you; she just wants to help you mom. We both do. We've talked about it a few times and she feels bad for – she doesn't hate you. It's just really frustrating to watch you guys fight all the time."

"I know she doesn't hate me Henry," Regina sighed sadly as she tried desperately to consider his point of view and not snap at back him, "But sometimes I just…"

"It's okay Regina," Emma interrupted as she slipped in beside her son, having heard most of the conversation and had quickly become very disappointed in her son and herself. Ruby had helped her calm down considerably, letting the blonde vent her anger towards the brunette and giving her some pointers in which to hopefully help her quell her anger. "I should've known better. I know that you're a very private person and I shouldn't have pushed you like I did. It's not fair to you and I'm sorry."

Regina smiled sadly at the blonde's consideration to her feelings. It wasn't often that her feelings were taken into consideration by anyone and it was a nice feeling. "I accept you apology Emma, and in return I offer my own apology. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

Emma grinned widely at the brunette, which in response elicited a shy smile from the woman across from her, "It's cool - I'm kind of used to it by now."

Henry laughed out loud and Regina rolled her eyes but didn't dismiss the smile that graced her lips as the tension between the two women immediately dissipated. Emma then turned to Henry, with 'the look' covering her features as she look into the green orbs that were like mirror images of her own. He knew that look, and he hated it.

"Listen kid," Emma started as Henry gulped. He hated being scolded by Regina, but even more so by Emma. Emma was the easier going of the two and when she was mad he knew that he'd really messed up. "If I ever catch you talking to your mom like that again, you're not going to like the consequences. I understand you were just trying to stick up for me, but that was unacceptable. She is your mother and it won't fly with me, ever. Understood?"

Henry nodded guiltily as he turned to Regina once again. This time his face was covered with an apologetic look instead of anger. "I'm sorry mom. Emma's right, that wasn't very nice of me."

Regina had simply sat at listened while Emma scolded Henry. She was quite impressed at how the blonde woman handled the situation. Emma had come quite far in the parenting department over the past few months as far as she was concerned and for that, Regina was grateful. She was grateful that Emma was a trustworthy partner to raising her son, despite the strange circumstances and she was grateful that the blonde was handling the situation a lot better than she would her. She'd probably never willingly admit that fact but she could accept it as her own personal and private truth.

Regina smiled softly at Henry's apology and reached across the table and placed her palm upon his cheek. "I accept your apology. I'm also sorry for making quite a scene with Emma and embarrassing you."

Henry smiled, "I accept yours too."

"Good." Regina smiled brightly to her son. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

As per what was becoming their norm, the trio decided to take a walk after they'd finished their meals. Emma paid for supper, much to Regina's surprise and the three headed towards the diner's door. Regina and Henry were walking behind Emma lost in their own little world, laughing quietly about something Henry had said and didn't notice the diner's door opening or Emma coming to an abrupt halt. Regina ran right into the back of the Sheriff.

"Miss Swan!" Regina scolded as she stumbled, "What in the-"

"Regina?"

Regina's jaw dropped in complete and utter shock as she gazed upon the person standing in the doorway - a million thoughts flying through her mind. Emma's arms instinctively spread out protectively in front of the two brunettes in hopes to keep them safe should anything bad happen. This person's presence was highly unwelcome and even more so unexpected and unbeknownst to anyone but Henry who was looking at her; the former Queen had begun to have a full blown panic attack.

"Mom?" Henry asked quietly as he watched the woman pale, "Are you okay? Who is that?"

"Cora." Emma seethed angrily as the woman looked around the diner, taking in the strange surroundings.

"Regina," Cora stated again acknowledging Emma with nothing but an eye roll. "Something's happened and we desperately need to talk."

"Mom!" Henry shouted in fear, causing the blonde to turn around quickly completely disregarding Cora.

"Mayor Mills!" Ruby shouted, running towards the woman she passed out, fell into the table beside her and smacked her head upon the corner.