The next day Emma asked her parents if they wanted to have Henry overnight. When she asked them why, she told them she would be working on a case all night and it was her night with Henry, but she didn't want to back out on Regina in case she had plans already. Snow agreed and Emma asked Henry if he was agreeable. He was, indeed, being excited to practice his swordsmanship with his grandpa. Emma grabbed two coffees and another warm apple scone and headed to Regina's office, figuring that it wouldn't hurt to keep with her new tradition of feeding the brunette before asking questions.

When she got there, Regina's secretary told the mayor that Emma was here to see her, and she was allowed in. She opened the door to the office and saw the brunette sitting there, trying to keep a smirk off her mouth. She raised her eyebrows at the drink tray and bag from Granny's and Emma just smiled.

"I figured you could go for some coffee and another warm apple scone."

"I see. I haven't forgotten how to feed myself, Miss Swan."

"I didn't think you had, you couldn't possibly be incapable of something as menial as that. I just wanted to ask you more about yourself and I figured it goes better if I'm treating you to something as well. Oh, I also have a gift for you."

"Another gift, Miss Swan? Why is that?"

"Because I thought you'd like it."

"I see. Feel free to sit, dear," she said, waving her hand toward the seat across from hers in front of her desk. Emma walked over and handed Regina the bag with the scone and pulled a wrapped gift out of a leather satchel she had slung over her shoulder. She pulled each coffee out and tossed the tray in the garbage. Once she handed the gift over to Regina, the brunette's eyebrows raised and she chuckled lightly.

"What's so funny?" Emma asked, smiling.

"Superhero wrapping paper?"

"Yeah, well, I got it for Henry's Christmas gifts and I didn't have any other kind, so I just used it for your gift too. The only kind Snow had was pink with images of Disney's versions of Snow White and Belle and Aurora on it, I didn't figure you'd want me to use that."

"No, superhero paper is just fine."

"Aren't you going to open it?"

"If you insist," Regina replied, smirking at the blonde. She slid one finger under the folded part of the paper and pulled the tape away, and soon the paper fell from the gift. "You bought me a copy of It's a Wonderful Life? I told you I hadn't seen it."

"Yeah, but it's so good that I know you'll love it when we watch it tonight."

"Excuse me?"

"If it's ok with you, anyway. Snow said she'll watch Henry tonight so I have the night off and you have the night off and I thought we could enjoy the movie together."

"What is the meaning of this, Miss Swan?"

"I just wanted to introduce you to a brilliant movie, and I'd like to watch it with you. I like to see how people react to movies I love."

"Very well. Would you like to have dinner with me as well?"

"That would be great, Regina, thanks. What time should I be there?"

"Six. Do not be late, Miss Swan."

"Emma."

"Very well. Do not be late, Emma."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Emma replied, smiling widely and brightly. She headed to the door; before she opened it she turned back around to look at Regina. "Oh, before I go, do you like chocolate?"

"Everyone likes chocolate, Emma."

"What kind of chocolate do you like?" Emma knew she wasn't being very smooth and that Regina had surely caught on to why she was asking questions, but apparently Regina was going to humor her anyway.

"I like dark chocolate. Like I like my partners, bittersweet and delicious." Regina punctuated her response with one raised eyebrow and a sexy smirk. She enjoyed teasing Emma, and knew, by the shocked look on Emma's face, she had truly surprised her. Emma just nodded, swallowing the saliva that had pooled in her mouth in her slightly aroused state and turned to leave the office.

Emma went back to the office for a while, but someone called in a missing cat so she had to leave and search for it. She was slightly grateful for that because she got her shirt caught in the tree bark she had climbed to get the cat and her shirt ripped. The reason she was thankful was that it gave her an excuse to go home and change into something and grab nicer clothes without Snow noticing something being off. She changed into black skinny jeans and a light blue button up shirt with a low neckline. She buttoned all the buttons, telling herself to remember to unbutton a couple before she knocked on Regina's door. She hugged Henry good night and kissed him on the head before bidding them a fun evening and left.

She arrived five minutes early to Regina's after having stopped at the store and buying overly expensive chocolate. She left it in the car in case she had a sweet tooth later but intended to give it to Regina the next morning. She didn't want to have to go to the store early after being out tonight, in case she was out late. She hoped, while waiting for Regina to open the door, that tonight would go well and that maybe Regina would open up to her.

Regina opened the door and Emma's jaw dropped. The brunette was wearing a simple white blouse with a black pencil skirt that was very tight around her hips and bottom. It was so similar to things she had seen Regina in a thousand times but this time there was no blazer and maybe one too many buttons undone, matching how Emma had improved her top before getting out of her car. Regina cleared her throat and opened the door wider, inviting Emma in. The blonde closed her mouth and stepped inside, sliding her coat off her shoulders.

"You look really nice, Regina."

"Thank you, dear. Dinner should be ready in a moment. I can take your coat if you'd like to head into the kitchen." Emma nodded and walked away while Regina hung Emma's jacket in the front closet, stopping to inhale the smell that was so much Emma before doing so. Regina had felt her cheeks warm when the blonde complimented her on her appearance. She had wanted to respond that Emma, too, looked beautiful, but found herself choking on the words before they could escape her throat.

She headed into the kitchen in time for the timer on the stove to beep. She pulled out the lasagna and reset the timer for the dessert and set another pan into the oven. She dished up the lasagna onto two different plates and set them on the island. Regina pulled two wine glasses out of the cupboard and asked Emma if red wine was ok. Emma nodded and the brunette poured. Handing Emma one glass and motioning for her to follow, Regina walked around the island and took a seat at one of the bar chairs. She waited for Emma to take the first bite before tasting it herself.

"Regina, I will seriously never get over how amazingly delicious your lasagna is. It's seriously the best I have ever had."

"Has your mother ever made it for you?"

"Actually, yes. After the party last year when we got back from the Enchanted Forest I told her that your lasagna was delicious and she should try some. She refused but since then has made it several times, trying to make it better than yours. Winning is important to her, even if she doesn't act like it."

"And mine is still better?"

"Do you care? I mean, it is, I already said that, but does it really matter?"

"I like winning, too, Miss Swan."

"Tell me more about yourself, Regina. Something I don't know. Or tell me something from Henry's childhood. I want to know everything I've missed."

"We used to play battleship a lot. He cheated a lot, too, but it never bothered me. He has a competitive spirit."

"He does, yes. I think he gets that from both of us."

"Indeed."

"You haven't played in a long time?"

"No. I asked him once, after he got the book from Mary Margaret, if he wanted to play. He told me he didn't want to play games with an evil queen and he stomped the two parts to pieces."

"Wow. He has quite the temper, sometimes."

"Yes, that one has to be genetics because I never acted like that in front of him."

"Guilty. I have a sort of bad temper, sometimes."

"I've noticed, my dear."

"I like when you say that."

"Dear? I say it to many people."

"I know, but I like when you say my dear, almost like you're calling me yours."

Regina studied Emma, unsure of how to take the confession. She would be naïve to think that the blonde didn't care for her in a way that was beyond being Henry's other mom. She didn't want to admit to herself that she cared for the blonde in a manner that would have Snow and Charming back to their thoughts of taking her down, but she couldn't stop herself from thinking it when the blonde was busy saying things like that. She shook her head quickly, trying to empty those thoughts, but looked up to see beautiful green eyes staring at her as though they wanted something from her.

Emma studied Regina, her eyes searching chocolate ones for an answer. She placed her hand on Regina's shoulder and leaned in slowly, wanting to bring her lips to the full, red ones in front of her. When she was mere inches away the stove timer started beeping loudly and the two women jumped away from each other. Regina stood to take the brownies out of the oven and Emma watched her backside, wanting to walk up behind her and pull it against herself.

"That smells delicious, Regina."

"Thank you, dear. They're peanut butter brownies, homemade of course. Henry always begs me to make them, so I figure you would enjoy them."

"I'm sure I will."

Regina offered her more wine, but Emma asked for cider instead. Regina took the same and they headed into the den to watch the movie with their drinks and their brownies. Emma moaned over hers and snuck into the kitchen to grab one more for each of them. She untucked the front of her shirt letting it lay over her belt buckle and sat back down on the couch next to Regina, closer than necessary, but it felt good being in close proximity.

The movie finished and Regina had tears on her face. Emma smiled and moved her hand to wipe the tracks that the brunette's tears had left on her smooth face. Regina smiled at Emma and rolled her eyes at herself for her tears.

"Did you like it?" Emma asked.

"It was beautiful, Emma, thank you for the gift."

"My pleasure. I'm really glad I got to enjoy it with you. It's really not fair, you're even beautiful when you cry."

Regina chuckled and finished wiping her face. She moved to stand and Emma put her hand on the brunette's arm.

"I want to talk a while, can we do that?" Emma asked, her voice open and her face held a look of vulnerability.

"That would be lovely, dear."

"So tell me about horses. I don't know anything about them."

"Horses are wonderful creatures. I loved riding them. I've missed it, actually. I had a beautiful horse that Daniel taught me to ride, and I used ride bareback, but my mother didn't like it."

"What color horse is your favorite."

"Palomino."

"I don't know what that means."

"Blonde. Palomino horses are blonde horses."

"Oh. What's your favorite movie?"

"I basically like anything by John Hughes. He was a great filmmaker, his films were light and fluffy and nice to watch in such a dark time of life."

"Awesome. Have you watched Home Alone?"

"Of course. It terrifies me because I see Henry being so much like that."

"Yeah, that kid could pull that off, he's bright enough. He gets that from you."

The women talked all night, they even put Home Alone on to play in the background. Emma didn't realize how long they talked until she woke up the next morning with Regina's head on her shoulder, her own head against the back of the couch. She whispered the other woman's name, not wanting to startle her, but wanting to wake her up before they both needed to be to work. When the sound of her name registered with her, Regina lifted her head from the blonde's shoulder and looked around, surprised that she had fallen asleep somewhere besides her bed.

"Good morning," Emma whispered, smiling.

"Good morning, Emma."

"I've gotta get going, but I wanted to see you smile before I headed to work."

"Thanks for last night, Emma. It was really sweet."

"I had a nice time, too. And hey, don't eat breakfast this morning."

"Ok?"

"Traditions. I'll see you around 9:30." The blonde stood and headed out to grab her coat and leave.

She stopped at Granny's, grabbed their coffees and Regina's warm apple scone. This time, when she arrived at Regina's office the secretary told her that she was expected and she headed in. Regina smiled warmly at her and stood to greet her. Emma set down the tray with the coffees as Regina pulled the pastry bag from her hand. The sheriff set a deep purple gift bag that was covered in printed snowflakes on the desk in front of Regina's chair, then turned to the mayor and wrapped her arms around her shoulders, pulling her in for a hug. Regina hesitated, but put her arms around Emma's waist, patting her gently on her back. When Emma pulled away she sat in the seat that had become her usual spot and took a sip of her coffee.

"Your gift this morning will go really well with your breakfast."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, you should open it," Emma said, smiling broadly at the beauty in front of her. Regina smiled back at her, opening the gift bag and pulling out an assortment of dark chocolates and truffles. Regina blushed and rolled her eyes.

"Really, Emma, chocolate is not for breakfast."

"What are you talking about? It has calcium, and caffeine! Of course its great for breakfast, and it goes perfectly with coffee."

"Whatever you say, dear."

"Oh, I have a gift for you for tomorrow, but I think I should come over tonight to give it to you. I don't think you'll want it brought to work, it's sort of big and not really something you want to have in an office."

Regina looked at her, confused and slightly amused. "Why are you giving me so many gifts?"

"Because I want to. I think you've probably gone too long without being given anything and I want to give you so much, I want to make up for so much."

"You don't owe me anything, though, dear."

"I owe you so much. You raised Henry amazingly well, and I want to give you so much to thank you for that, and to show you how much you mean to me."

"For raising Henry."

"And because you're you and I'm me, and you're important to me, for more than Henry."

Regina smiled, tears threatening to fill her eyes. Emma walked around the desk and took Regina's hands after spinning her chair so she was facing her. Emma pulled Regina from her seat and wrapped her arms around the tiny waist of the woman in front of her, squeezing until Regina wrapped her arms around Emma's shoulders. Before pulling all the way away, Emma kissed Regina on the cheek and smiled. She left Regina alone to her thoughts, excited for the evening to come so she could give Regina her next gift.


Let me know how you guys like it and if I should keep going! Reviews are like coffee and whiskey to me, delicious and must haves!