AN: Hey! I'd just like to open this chapter with a quote

"To be honest, you're too good for Hook." -Regina Mills (*happy dance*)

Happy reading!

Chapter 8:

Emma could heard the sound on eager footsteps in the hall. They were so unmistakably Henry's. She checked the clock, Henry would have just been picked up from school. Emma was so glad she had been able to get Ruby to pick Henry up.

The little boy ran into the room right to his mother's side, "Hi Mom! Auntie Ruby told me you were shot."

The eager curious face he wore made Emma laugh. She ruffled his hair and answered back, "You bet it kid. And I've got the scars to prove it." She pulled her gown to the side to reveal the bullet wound on her back. Henry stared in awe. HIs mother was his hero and she was so proud to know it.

Across the hall Regina had come by for another one of her casual checkups on Emma. She stood behind the nurse's station and observed the little family. They were adorable, she simply couldn't stop staring. She had absentmindedly picked up a file and was flipping the pages without as much as a glace. Emma noticed her and gave her a small smile.

Henry immediately turned around to see what his mother was smiling at. When he saw who it was he broke into a wide smile and waved at her eagerly. Regina smiled back she thought about going into the room to say hi but her pager went off and she had to rush off to the pediatric wing. She had forgotten about the random file she had been holding. So she had to return red faced and put it back before rushing off once again to the surgery.

Inside Emma's room the excitement level had increased significantly. Henry was bouncing up and down asking too many questions for Emma to answer.

"Is Dr. Mills your doctor? Is she the one that saved you? I thought she was a kid doctor? Why did she leave? Is she coming back? Does this mean operation wombat is back on?"

Emma just laughed and shook her head at the kid, "She works here kid. So sometimes she walks by, that's all." Ruby eyed her suspiciously and Emma added in a more serious tone, "That's all."

Ruby wasn't convinced. She walked closer to Emma's bed, reaching into her purse she pulled out a five dollar bill and held it out for Henry. "Henry, how about you go get a bag of Cheetos for your mom from the vending machine?"

Henry eagerly rose, took the money and exited the room. The instant he was out of the room Ruby turned to Emma, "So that's the mysterious Dr. Mills."

Instead of actually answering Ruby, Emma just nodded and asked her own question, "Where's Mary Margaret? Did she not pick Henry up with you?"

"Yeah, she did, she's with David," Ruby brushed off the question and tried to direct the conversation back to the doctor they'd just seen, "She's really hot, like REALLY hot. Emma-"

Emma interrupted her, not wanting to hear what Ruby would say next, "Wow so she and David are really getting serious huh?"

Her attempt was futile. All she got was an annoyed look from Ruby and then the brunette continued all the same, "When are you going to ask her out again?"

Before Emma could try and change the subject Ruby gave her a stern look that clearly said don't you dare even try again. Emma was not one to try and oppose Ruby so she finally caved, "She hasn't been closer than that nurse's station."

"Well then you need to go to that nurse's station." Ruby piped.

Emma let out a sigh, "I suppose I could try and find her on my way out."

"That's the spirit Swan!" Emma laughed at Ruby's enthusiasm.

"You just want me to have a plus one for the wedding so the seating arrangement works out better," Emma quipped at her friend.

Ruby shrugged unashamed, "Maybe I do, but are you really going to complain?"

At this point Henry returned to the room with the bag of Cheetos. He held them out for Emma, "Here you go mom."

She didn't even get the chance to raise her arm because Ruby swooped in and snagged the bag, "Sorry kiddo they were actually for me," she quickly opened the bag and ate one.

Emma tried to stifle a yawn. She was enjoying the company too much but Ruby noticed it.

"Hey Henry how about we head back home and give your mom some rest." Ruby looked down at Henry truly hoping for some cooperating. He was generally a good kid and this time wasn't an exception.

Henry quickly gave his mom a hug and asked, "When are you going to be coming home?"

"I'll be back soon. Don't give Ruby and Mary Margaret any trouble while I'm gone, kid."

"I never do." He smiled brightly up at her. Emma ruffled his hair once more, whispered, "I know kid," and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Then he and Ruby said goodbye and Emma was once again alone in her room.

But she hadn't been lying about being home soon. A few hours later the resident came in with her discharge papers. Emma texted Ruby for a ride, changed into her 'street' clothes, and waited. She was interrupted during her game of candy crush when the door to her room opened. Regina smiled and whispered a "Hi" as she entered.

Emma's face broke out into a smile, "What brings you here?" She asked.

"I heard you were being released." Regina answered timidly.

Emma nodded. Her phone buzzed on the counter. She reached over and said, "I guess that's my ride," she paused for a moment thinking about it and then decided to take the plunge, "About the whole Henry and ...umm ...asking you out ...ahhh... Thing." Emma scratched the back of her neck like she always did when she was nervous.

"Yes, what of it?" Regina answered coyly. She had a great view of Emma's bicep and was starting have difficulties paying attention.

After a moment of silence, Emma's voice brought her back from the trance. "Can I give it a second go?" Emma looked up at Regina with the sweetest smile. It took all Regina's willpower to not completely melt on the spot.

"Don't need to bring your child in this time?" Or maybe you're the child in the play this time, Regina laughed to herself. She stepped closer towards the blonde.

"I think he was messing with my game." Emma made the movement to sit up. She used the side of the bed for support but winced when a sharp pain shot through her right arm. She tried to shrug it off and used her left arm but Regina was already at her side.

She shook her head playfully at Emma's joke and placed her arm around the blonde for support, "If anything he was a step up."

Emma smiled down at Regina, she loved the way her arm felt around her waist. "So what do you say this time? How about dinner?"

Regina nodded as the pink blush spread across her cheeks. Emma smiled at the woman in front of her. They were so close to each other, just looking into one another's eyes. The beautiful moment was broken when Ruby entered the room yelling, "Hey Em, the Lucas bus is leaving in-" She stopped talking when she noticed how Regina and Emma had sprung apart. She raised her eyebrows and let out a simple, "oh."

When neither of the woman provided an explanation Ruby just said, "I'll just wait for you in the car," and left the room.

Once they were left alone there was a slight awkward pause where neither woman knew what to say or do. It was Regina who finally broke the silence. She pulled out her prescription paper and said, "I suppose I should give you my number so you can call me about this date we're going to be having." She wrote down her number and ripped out the prescription paper. She held it out for Emma who took it gladly.

"Of course, thank you," Emma answered as both the woman made their way to the door, "I guess I'll see you then."

"Right, see you then."

Both women waited a moment longer before heading their separate ways down the hall. Regina returned to the pediatric wing. She was in the middle of looking of a case file when her pocket buzzed. She pulled out her phone and immediately smiled; there was a new message from an unknown number.

Hey, it's Emma