AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am deeply sorry for such a late update. For the sake of the story moving forward there is a time jump in this chapter. Also, Sapphira has two legs, and Emma is no longer living with her parents. Regina and Emma share custody of Henry and their arrangement is that they each get Henry one week.

Ch. 3

Present Time Storybrooke

It's been about a month since they got back from rescuing Henry. No, it wasn't easy to get through Pan and the lost boys. The secret to Neverland was belief. The hardest part of the whole adventure was to get through their own dark sides and believe in each other while having to rely in one another. Since belief comes from within, they had to figure out their own "center" and use that to their advantages. Emma was a lost girl. As sad as that was it provided her with a big strength—independence. Knowing this allowed her to open herself up, mentally and also romantically. Before going back to Storybrooke, Emma asked the rest of the crew of the "Avengers" if Sapphira could come back with them. At first everyone, especially Regina, refused. Then slowly, and perhaps thanks to Henry, they agreed. Henry had a keen to accept magical/story characters. "How cool would it be to hang out with a mermaid?" Henry asked all of them. After all they've been through how could they deny this, his, request?

Something more than friendship transpired between Emma and Sapphira. Back in Storybrooke, the mermaid's long beautiful blue fin transformed into two long pale legs. This world wasn't meant for such creatures. Emma suspected that Gold had something to do with Sapphira being able to walk. She didn't dwell on it that much though because she was just happy to see how happy Sapphira really was. While Emma was happy, no one else found this relationship to be working. It seemed like the more people disapproved, and to be honest yes almost everyone disapproved of their relationship, the more Emma wanted to be with Sapphira. Why? No one knew.

"You guys don't know her like I do!" Emma stated.

"Oh really? Because you know her so well." Hook spitted with sarcasm.

"You just want to get in my pants. That's why you don't approve."

"Actually no, love. I worry, and distrust that treacherous snag. I really care about you and that young lad."

"Don't bring Henry into this."

"Emma, he has a point. If she hurts you, you won't be the only one affected." Snow defended.

Emma had had enough of it. She had heard the same discussion one too many times. In fact it seemed like the conversation occurred at least twice a week ever since their return from Neverland. Therefore she hung out less with her parents. Actually she barely hung out with the residents of Storybrooke anymore. Her time was divided between Henry, Sapphira, and the occasional time she had with everyone who wanted to chew her out; oh and how could she forget the dear Mayor, and her damn paperwork.

Emma just wanted some peace and quiet so she decided to go have some coffee and donuts, talk about stereotypes. "Hey Ems!" So much for peace and quiet.

"Hiii Ruby." Emma dragged out the "hi" as a means to sound annoyed and to demonstrate she just wanted to be left alone.

"Well someone is not in the greatest of moods; I guess I'll just leave you alone then."

"No wait, I'm sorry Rubes." Emma sighed. After all Ruby hadn't been as mean as everyone else, "I'm just… tired.

"Tired of everyone telling me what to do, I finally found someone who I want to spend my time with and what do they tell me?" The blonde asked rhetorically.

"Oh! This is about Sapphira? How are you two doing anyways?"

"Besides everyone telling me I should break up with her, I think we are doing fine."

"I haven't seen you two out here in awhile."

"Hm, well she's learning how to cook. We've been out hiking a couple of times as well, she likes walking but she also misses swimming so she's been out by the beach. And truth be told, we are getting tired of hearing all the gossips and murmurs around town."

"Understandable. Anyways, you came here for a reason. What can I get you Emma?"

~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~

Sapphira and Emma sat on the couch watching Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger's Tide. They had spent at least one day a week watching Disney movies to criticize all the inaccuracy.

"Well at least that mermaid isn't so bad, right?" Asked Emma.

"I suppose some mermaids are vicious," Sapphira remarked. Noticing how Emma raised her eyebrow. "Yes, most of them are OK? But look, at the end they fell in love. Besides she was actually never bad," she leaned closer to Emma until her mouth was a breath away from Emma's

"Just like me," Sapphira whispered before closing the distance. Emma kissed her back, with a slow yet passionate pace. Sapphira swung her leg on top of Emma, straddling her. The kiss turned into a hot make out session, both of them grinding merciless into each other. Emma groaned when she felt a hand fondling her breast. Just as she was about to return the favor her phone starts ringing. The imperial march resonating in the living room, and that could only mean one person.

"Don't answer it," Sapphira told the blonde.

"I won't…," she responded. A kiss later the blonde thought better, "no wait. I have to." As she tried to reach her phone she gently shoved the mermaid off of her. Sapphira sighed, clearly disappointed and angry.

"Sheriff Swan. What do you need Regina?" not even bothering to wait to see who it was. "Oh, Henry! Is everything okay? Why are you using your mom's phone?

"OK. I'll be right over. No, I'm not busy. I'd love to have dinner with you and your mom. Yep, It'll be fun. OK. See you there kid." Emma ended the call and turn to see her girlfriend. Sapphira looked ready to kill someone. The blonde ignored the glare and announced, "That was Henry, Regina and him are inviting me over for dinner. So, I'll see you later?"

They both walked towards the door, Emma leaned in to kiss her girlfriend. Sapphira showed her displeasure by biting Emma's lower lip. She was sure she drew some blood but didn't bother to ask Emma if she was alright. "OW!" Emma took a step back to inspect her lip under the light and Sapphira closed the door on her face.

"Jesus fucking Christ." Sapphira heard Emma outside their apartment.

~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~

Emma parked her yellow bug outside the mansion. She checked herself in the mirror. Emma fixed her hair, her smudged eyeliner, and her fucking busted lip. Was that really necessary? What had caused Sapphira's outrage? She'll ask later. For now her main priority was Henry—and Regina,she thought. Emma hadn't noticed that Regina observed her from the kitchen's window.

Inside the Mansion

"Henry, have you set the table yet? Miss Swan won't be long now."

"Yeah mom!" Henry yelled from the other room.

Emma looks a bit uneasy.

"Want me to help you with the pie mom? You look distracted." Henry asked as he made his way into the kitchen.

If Henry would have taken two seconds longer, Regina would have possibly cut herself with the knife she was holding. Looking down at the pie she responded, "No dear, I'm fine. Thank you for asking. Can you take out the juice and set it on the table?" Regina finished cutting the pie into pieces and left it on the island ready for dessert. She took off her apron and walked towards the door. Emma knocked and a second later was greeted by Regina's immaculate self.

"Hi"

Regina noticed Emma's busted lip, disgust filled her but she schooled her features and gave the biggest smile she could afford, "Hello Miss Swan. Nice of you to join us, please come in."

Regina opened the door wider and moved to the side waiting for Emma to walk in. As she walked in Emma noticed, is Regina checking out my butt? "Thanks for the invite—"

"Emma!" Henry ran towards his biological mom. He crashed into her, wrapping his tiny arms around her waist.

"Henry!"

"Alright children, shall we move this party to the dining room" Even if she wanted to scold Emma and Henry, her voice sounding nothing but playful, betraying her 'real' intention. Regina had stopped denying how much she truly enjoyed their dinners as a family.

Thankfully dinner went well, as well as possible anyways. Some death glares thrown in there whenever Emma would discuss Sapphira, or whenever Regina would blatantly insult pretty much anyone in Storybrooke.

"Would anyone care for some pie?" asked Regina. Henry and Emma were deep in conversation. Regina heard something about playing softball every Sunday morning. They both immediately stopped their conversation and nodded quite enthusiastically. In that moment, Regina was reminded of how alike mother and son were.

In mere seconds the whole pie was gone. "Goodness Regina, that was delicious!" Emma expressed.

"Yeah, mom. Possibly the best yet."

The reviews made her blush. "I am glad you both liked it. Henry why don't you say good night to your mother and go get ready for bed?"

"Wait, can't I just play some video games with Emma before I go to bed?" After seeing Regina's glare he didn't ask again instead he went to hug his mother and ran upstairs, " 'Night Emma."

"Don't forget to brush your teeth."

Sensing it was time to go Emma added, "No seriously Regina, dinner was great. Thank you."

"It was no trouble at all, Henry wanted you here." Who was she kidding? Of course, Regina also wanted her there. Regina hated the amount of time the blonde would spend with that tramp mermaid.

Regina got up and went to the cabinet; she opened the doors and hesitated. "Wine, or something stronger, whiskey maybe?"

"Uh—I think whiskey would be perfect, thanks."

Regina grabbed two tumblers.

They both made their way into Regina's study. Once both inside Regina set down her tumbler on a fancy drink coaster she had for the coffee table and Emma let her body drop rather ungracefully on the lover's seat.

"Is everything alright dear?" Regina's eyes zeroed in on the busted lip.

Emma followed her gaze and realized what Regina was really asking. "My lip you mean? Yeah everything is fine, I-uhh—well actually, what happened was," Did she really want to tell Regina the truth? After mere seconds Regina raised her eyebrow still expecting an answer, "so Sapphira got mad at me and—"

"Did she hit you?" Regina interrupted, "Emma if she did, I can have her arrested. I will tell your father to lock up that sneazy—"

"No. NO! That is not what I mean at all, Jesus, let me speak. Wait, did you just call me Emma?"

"I," the brunette stammered, "I, well answer the question already."

"Anyways, she wasn't all too happy I sort of, kind of, left her alone on date night."

"That is still no reason for you to have a bleeding lip, Miss Swan." Regina attempted to glare at the blonde, but she still cannot shake the feeling of worry over Emma Swan. How dare that mermaid hurt the mother of her child?

"Why Miss Mills are you worried about me? That's so sweet of you," Emma said as she wiggled her eyebrows.

The words slipped her mouth before Regina could stop herself, "Of course I am!" At the immediate reaction from Regina, Emma couldn't help the gigantic grin that now decorated her face. Regina wanted to get rid of that smirk. In the end she couldn't help my smile cheekily at Emma.

Emma rose from her spot. She turned to the coffee table next to the sofa to place her empty tumbler. As soon as she left it, she took a step forward and never noticed that Regina also stood up with her. They both collided into each other.

"What the?" Both females almost fell on top of the lover's seat. Emma's strength took over and they both just grabbed onto each other before an incident could occur.

"I am so sorry."

"No, I am terribly sorry Miss Swan. It is my fault." Both of them were so close to each other, they could feel the shallow breaths of one another. It would just take mere centimeters and they would both be kissing.

Is Regina leaning in? Wait, no. This can't happen. Emma stepped to the side, her arms lingering on Regina's.

"I have to go now, Regina." She let go of the brunette turned around and walked towards the door.

Regina let out a shaky breath, "Wait, Em—Miss Swan. Would you care for some coffee tomorrow morning?"

Emma turned around. She tucked her hair behind her ear before smiling, "Yeah sure. That seems nice."

"Until tomorrow then."

"See ya."

Regina could still feel the butterflies, as she eased herself onto her bed. As she stepped into dream land, the smile that adorned her face never left.

~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~

Regina had waited 15 minutes already. She walked in at Granny's at 8am exactly, knowing that Emma's coffee break started at exactly 8:05. Regina sat in her usual booth and waited. The blonde was nowhere to be seen, so she asked Ruby Lucas for a vanilla latte with two pumps of sugar.

8:30 Regina sent a text. "Miss Swan where are you? You were supposed to meet me for coffee?" No reply.

8:45 "Miss Swan I am leaving. Do not even bother to show up."

9:00 Regina was about to send another text message asking the sheriff if she was 'ok', but decided to go find out instead.

Two cups of coffee later and Regina left. She didn't bother to take her car instead she walked to the Sheriff's station.

"Miss Sw—David?"

"Good morning Regina. What can I do for you?" asked David, as he kicked both his feet of the desk.

Regina took a moment to compose herself, she stretched out the front of her black leather jacket before asking, "Where is your daughter?"

"Emma didn't show up today. She called me early and asked if I could take her morning shift. Why is something wrong?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact there is. The sheriff was supposed to meet me at Granny's for some coffee and she didn't show up," Regina sounded concerned. There was no anger laced behind her words, but rather filled with worry and a hint of disappointment.

"I can try calling her and see if everything is fine," David grabbed his phone. Regina could hear Emma's voicemail, "She didn't answer her cell. I'm sure she is fine. Maybe she is just having some private time with Sapphira."

Regina almost gagged at the implication. David saw her discomfort, "But maybe we should just check on her. You know, Regina, I really don't like Sapphira either."

"I don't trust that rotten fish at all."

Regina drove her Mercedes, and David took the sheriff's crown vic to Emma's apartment.

As they approached the blonde's apartment, Regina and David discussed if it were best to just break down the door and go in.

Inside Emma's Apartment

"Wh—what happened?" asked a very grouchy and sleepy Emma. She attempted to wipe away the signs of the heavy sleep in her eyes.

"Good morning sleeping beauty. Apparently you had a late night last night," Sapphira replied in an overly sweet tone, with a clear hint of sarcasm.

"Oh shit! What time is it? I was supposed to meet…"

*knock knock*

Sapphira opened the door before Emma had time to even move. A very angry Regina steped in and demanded, "Where is Emma?"

"Sapphira, where is Emma?" a not-so-calmed David asked as well.

"I am right here. What is going on?"

David and Regina were about to reply, but Sapphira intercepted ready with an explanation, "Emma, sweetie. There's something I gotta tell ya," the tone she used disgusted both David and Regina, what the hell is that accent. Sapphira's voice once again overly sweet, "Since you got home late last night, I wanted to give you some time to rest and I wanted to spend time with you this morning, so I called David and sort-of-used-your-voice-to-call-in-sick-pretending -I-was-you." The last part was barely understandable.

"You what?"

"That wasn't Emma?" David asked, clearly concerned and too confused to ask for any further explanations.

"Where is my phone, Sapphira?"

David and Regina just sat in the sidelines witnessing Emma and Sapphira have a very loud argument. Apparently Sapphira had learned a neat trick from a Sea Witch on how to imitate someone's voice. Emma knew that there was something else going on. There's no way I slept that much, but Emma didn't want to think about it any further. She felt drugged, confused, and incredibly betrayed.

"I'm leaving!"

"No wait, Emma please don't go. Please babe, just think about it."

"Don't call me babe, and I don't want to think about it. How could you? What is wrong with you?" Emma grabbed her keys. David and Regina made their way to the door.

Once outside David and Regina felt safe to breathe again. "Emma, I'll drive you to Mary Margaret's," David started to offer just as he got a call. "This can wait," signaling to his phone, "I'll take you home first."

"No, David. It's fine; you go do our work since clearly I had no choice but to stay at home today,"

"Miss Swan, I can take you. It's obvious that you are in no state to drive."

"Thank you, Regina. I still feel very groggy."

David left with the crown vic with flashing lights and the siren on. Emma and Regina took their time getting inside the Mercedes Benz. Once inside Regina had no idea what to say, and Emma was too exhausted to even gather up the strength to talk.

Well this is just lovely, thought Emma. Regina hadn't even made it to the corner when she noticed that the blonde was once again in a deep slumber.

Hope you liked it! Please review.

H