A/N: I know there's some build-up in the first chapter and this one, but I hope you'll stick with it, it's going to get a little wacky. As always, much gratitude must be expressed for my phenomenal beta-reader lupwned. But also MUCH LOVE to you readers! I was overwhelmed by the follows, favorites, and reviews! Thank you so much and please continue to read and review!

Disclaimer: Of course, I own nothing, I just like to play.

The following Sunday evening, Emma and Henry knocked on the door at Charming and Snow's place for "Family Dinner Night". They had settled on the tradition when Emma had moved out and although they still all saw each other nearly every day, all felt it was important to continue the gathering. Snow opened the door beaming at them and gave both hugs before returning to the kitchen, where she and Charming were preparing pot roast. Emma and Henry immediately fell into their usual task of setting the table together.

"Ok, kid. Just remember, Operation Stallion is strictly need-to-know and for right now, they definitely are not in that category."

"Of course, Emma. We just need to ask whether they know who's participating and about the dress issue."

"Right. I'll handle the dress if you'll take the gossip. You seem to have a knack for knowing that stuff anyway."

"Well, I do spend a lot of time talking to Ruby."

Emma thought to herself that she would have to have a word with Ruby about what she shared with Henry. She also realized in this moment that Ruby herself might be a good source of "intel" for Operation Stallion. She cringed internally as she realized she was beginning to think of this ridiculous plan by Henry's even more ridiculous name. She was pulled out of her thoughts as Snow and Charming came into the Dining Room bearing serving dishes full of salad, pot roast, and bread.

"Everything smells amazing, Mom." Even after a year of knowing her roommate's familial relationship to her, she still felt uncomfortable expressing it. Still, she was really anxious to see whether Snow could help her with her dress and she knew that the simple act of calling her "Mom" made her happy.

Indeed, Snow beamed at her as she replied, "Thank you, Sweetheart. Is everyone washed up?" Henry and Emma both nodded as they sat down and began piling food on their plates.

"So Henry, how has school been?" asked Charming as he took a roll and passed the bread basket along.

Henry shrugged. "It's ok. We had to do a book report the other day and I got an A on mine."

"That's wonderful! What book did you choose to write about?"

"Percy Jackson. It's about a boy who doesn't know he's a God. It totally made sense to me because it's just like everyone here not knowing who they really are."

"And Emma, how are things at the station? I know what Charming tells me of course, but I'd love to hear about how you think things are going in the town. Are things still calm?"

"Yeah. Things are fine. Not a lot of excitement recently." Emma had a tendency at these dinners to speak in brief sentences between devouring her food. Since Henry had come to live with her she had begun to cook some basic recipes for them, but she still could not hold a candle to her mother's culinary prowess.

Charming and Snow exchanged a look before Charming nodded and Snow beamed, reaching for his hand and turning back to Emma and Henry.

"Well, we went to see the doctor today and we learned the sex of the baby."

"You did?" squeaked Henry "That's so cool. Is it a boy? It's a boy, right?"

"Yes! It's a boy!"

Emma and Henry both jumped up and ran around the table to hug the ecstatic couple. When Emma had first learned that her parents were having another child, she had felt a moment of heartache at the thought of how fortunate that child would be to be able to be with them, an experience she had spent her childhood wishing for. But as her relationship with Henry grew she realized that if her childhood had not been as it was, she may have never had Henry and that would have been the worst curse imaginable.

When they all resumed their seats, Henry decided that it was time to get the ball rolling on Operation Stallion and casually asked "So, have you heard all about the fundraising dinner?"

"Of course, the whole town is talking about it. Especially with the bachelorette auction and everything," said Charming.

"We wondered whether you had any plans to participate, Emma."

Emma tried to play it cool by stating "I thought I might. I figured it would be best for the sheriff's office to support the effort."

Charming and Snow exchanged another look before Charming said, visibly uncomfortable, "Well, and maybe you'll actually make a connection to someone. You know, if the right person were to bid, maybe it would be nice."

Snow picked up the thread here saying "So, what do you plan to wear for the dinner? It will be formal and you have to have a dress."

"That's what I told her Grandma. And I said maybe you could help her since you know about making dresses and stuff."

"Thanks, Henry, I'll take it from here. Um…Yeah, basically what he said. I don't have a big budget for a dress or anything, so I thought maybe if you had some time you could help me figure something out."

"Of course! I'd love to. I always imagined helping you to get ready for your first ball and this will be kind-of like that." Snow's eyes were looking suspiciously shiny.

"Yeah, well, that's the thing. I don't want to look to princess-y. No puffed sleeves or huge bows or anything. I still want to look like me, just…you know, dressy me."

"Well why don't I come over tomorrow evening and look at the dresses you already have to get some ideas and then we'll work together to come up with a design."

"Ok, that sounds good. But why don't I bring them over here, if you're willing to share your leftovers, of course," Emma said sheepishly.

"So Grandma, have you heard about who else might be participating?"

"Well, I know that Ruby and Belle are both participating, because we had lunch yesterday and they were very excited about it. Ruby said that Granny is participating," Snow giggled at this and the others joined her in giggles. "Leroy mentioned that Nova is planning to participate, which he seemed very excited about. He also mentioned that he had talked to Abigail and both she and Regina are planning to participate."

Charming scoffed, "I know Regina has to keep up appearances and I know that she's reforming, but I still don't see who's going to bid…"

Emma's ears began to redden as he said this, but to her surprise, it was Snow who cut him off saying, "Charming, I think you might be surprised. She is still a beautiful woman and she's always been considered desirable even at the height of her evil, but now she is truly trying to reform. I bet she gets quite a few bids." She shot a surreptitious glance at her daughter as she said this.

Snow had observed the way her daughter defended the mayor time and again. Although it was hard for her to understand at first, she was proud of her daughter and determined to see her find her happy ending. She had a feeling before Emma even seemed to consciously understand her need to protect her son's mother that her happy ending might just involve the mayor. Watching the gratitude that washed over Emma's face as she spoke now, she sensed that Emma was well aware of her feelings now. She privately determined that this dress was going to be a knockout.

As everyone finished up their meal and brought the dishes into the kitchen, Snow grasped Emma's arm and said gently "We'll take care of the dishes tonight. You had better get Henry over to Regina's before the weather gets any colder."

"Right, well, if you're sure. I will make sure to return the favor tomorrow night when I come over. Thanks again for dinner Mom and for your help with my dress."

"You don't have to thank me, Sweetheart. That's what moms are for". She pulled Emma in giving her a kiss on the cheek before nudging her toward her father.

"Thanks, Dad. I'll see you tomorrow at the station. And congratulations you guys, I can't wait to meet my brother." Emma said giving him a quick one-armed hug.

"And my uncle!" Henry exclaimed as he hugged his Grandparents in turn before hurrying to get his coat and hat on.

The three adults laughed at the way things had turned out, but it was with genuine mirth.

SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ

Despite the short distance, Emma decided to drive Henry to Regina's since the weather was taking a turn toward being extremely cold. As they climbed into the car, Henry turned to her with a broad grin and said "Operation Stallion phase one complete. The dress is taken care of now, and we didn't even have to touch our budget yet."

"Well, I'm sure we'll have to buy the materials, but you're right, that will still probably be considerably less expensive than buying a dress. And I don't know if I'd say that Phase One is totally complete. I imagine I'll have to sit through fittings and crazy design meetings and…ugh. I really hate dresses. Oh well."

"Right, but still…now we have to think about Phase Two."

"Ok, so what's Phase Two?"

"Gathering intel on our target. We need to figure out if she knows whether anyone else is planning to bid. She might have already set up who she wants to win the auction. Plus, we need to figure out what she would want to do on a date so that when you win it can be perfect."

Emma had never considered that Regina, who had her hand in everything that happened in the town, might have determined who would be bidding on her. She thought once again that she was fortunate to have such an insightful son; particularly since he knew the object of her affections better than anyone.

As she pulled up into the mansion's driveway, she shared another smile with her son and said, "Ok, Henry. We'll commence Phase Two. But please be subtle. I mean if she catches on the whole Operation will be compromised and you know how suspicious she is."

"Duh. Listen, if anyone can get this intel from her it's me. She has a soft spot for me and she'll overlook stuff. Besides, I'm great at undercover missions. Operation Cobra was awesome."

Emma chuckled and said "Touché. Ok, kid well let's get this show on the road, I guess."

They both got out of the car and walked up to the door together. Henry pulled out his key to open the door but before he could twist it, the door opened and Regina stepped out.

"Come inside, Henry, it's freezing out here. Good evening, Miss Swan. I trust things went well?"

"Things were great, Madame Mayor. And how are you?"

"I am perfectly well. It is far too cold for small talk out here. Is there anything else or shall we both get on with our evenings?"

"No, nothing else. I mean, that is…Henry's all finished with his homework. I thought you might want to be able to spend some time with him tonight. I know that on Sunday nights you like to have game night."

Regina looked surprised but simply said, "Well, thank you for that, Miss Swan. I hope you'll have a pleasant evening and since tomorrow is your day to pick up Henry from school, I will expect him home for dinner by 6:00."

"Of course, Madame Mayor. Good night!" Emma gave a warm smile before turning to walk back to her car.

As she opened the door to get in, she saw that Regina had already gone inside and closed the door, but a glance at the window revealed Henry who gave her a thumbs-up and a wink before he turned and ran into the interior of the house. She chuckled and shook her head climbing into her bug and buckling her seat belt. As she pulled out and started toward home she felt her nervousness grow at the thought of what Henry would share with her tomorrow. As much as she thought this plan was ridiculous, it seemed like her only hope to get Regina alone.