Hi guys :} Thank you for reading. I don't own anything related to ONCE. BTW Regina's boobs in the enchanted forest this season are awe inspiring. OK that's all. SRRy/NoT SRRy. 3


*EMMA's POV*

Something about her eyes made me uneasy. She stared at my arm for a longer amount of time then I thought she would. "What is it now?" I asked, rolling my sleeve down as to bring her attention back. "Are you alright? Or do you have something against tattoos in general?" When she opened her mouth to reply I waved her off. Wanting to dispel any snide remarks or truths in response to my question. "No no! It's okay don't finish that thought. How about you accompany me to the diner?"

Regina eyed me intently. "…to the diner? What on earth for?" Her wariness made me chuckle.

"…Well, I sent Henry ahead to procure us some hot beverages. If you want, you can come with me?" I gave her my best smile, and wiggled my eyebrows at her. I mostly wanted this day to be over, so I held out my hand to her expectantly. Maybe, just maybe she's not as made of stone as she appears.

I was right. Regina smirked at my eyebrow tricks, and took my hand gracefully. My inner charming taking over, and a bit of her inner queen showing too. We walked a little ways without saying anything. Something about being with her made me feel warmer. A little less alone.

"I'm sorry about Neal. I didn't know him too well, but Henry spoke highly of him." Regina stole glances at me as she spoke, but I was having a hard time keeping eye contact. I feared I might shed more tears, so I kept my gaze forward. "Is…your mother alright? I got your message to put together a protection spell for their apartment."

"Yeah, she's alright. David's staying home tonight on call, so he can keep a watchful eye on her. Maybe we can get together about the spell thing tomorrow, and Neal, he was a better man than I ever had the chance to give him credit for. When Henry gets his memories back he's going to be crushed." The ache in my chest throbbed slightly.

I wiped my face off, and sighed exaggeratedly. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry about you finding your true love. He seems like a real… man." Regina laughed. A real laugh. I think I caught her off guard. "Yes, I suppose he is a little more rugged then I like. A lot more really. He shot an arrow at me. At my head. He thought I was the Wicked Witch." My eyes widened "What? Well it's a good thing he missed." She smiled at me "Technically he wouldn't have missed, but I caught his arrow."

I rolled my eyes, and nudged her lightly with my shoulder. "Off course, I forgot you can do anything."

We strolled right up to Granny's, and I opened the door for us. Henry was seated at the bar with two cups of deliciousness. "Hey, Ma! Oh! Hello, mayor Mills." Regina regarded him with a kind smile, but I could see the hurt in her brown eyes. "Good afternoon, Henry, and please, call me Regina? No need to be so formal all the time." She looked at me, and I gave her a sincere smile to let her know I understood this was hard for her.

We sat there a while talking about nothing in particular. Regina had ordered a coffee, and I found myself enjoying the way she closed her eyes when taking a sip. It was like every time she drank it melted away some tension in her shoulders, and she was savoring every moment.

The diner was actually pretty busy for a Tuesday. I looked amongst the faces for anyone I didn't recognize, but the majority were regular patrons. The dwarves, who were always either there, or the Rabbit Hole. Belle, who must have retreated here after finding out about the Neal being Rumple thing. She received a kind hand of support from Ruby on her shoulder. The sight of them made me happy. Everyone needs someone like that.

Henry opened the door as we left the Diner. Regina scuffed her heel at the ground. "Okay, so I guess I'll talk to you in the morning then?.." Henry looked from Regina to me with knitted eye brows "Why?" He asked. There was a shared glance between the two of us.

"Uhhm… because she's going to help me arrange Neal's funeral." I don't know why that was the first thing I thought of. It was sad. Too sad of an ending to the good night we had. I felt even worse when Henry's face fell. "Oh. Okay."

"I'll call you, okay?" I said.

Regina nodded, and promptly turned to walk away. I felt bad. Like in the pit of my stomach I knew I should have walked her home, but I had an emotionally distressed teenager that probably needed some alone time.
I stepped forward, and called out. "let me know if you get home alright?"

Regina turned slightly to smile at me. Not one of her political smiles. This one was small, and genuine. "I will Miss Swan. Thank you."

SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ

Henry was in bed fast asleep when Regina's text came through.

Got home just fine. I invited someone over to keep me company.

Thank you for the evening with Henry. I've missed him.

-R

She invited someone over? Who?

I texted her back quickly. Ready to get to bed myself.

Alright, let me know if anything happens. And you're welcome. He will

Appreciate all this when he gets his memories back.

-E

I put my phone on the nightstand. Nothing was ever normal in this town. A few days ago I was helping Henry with his homework, and planning our trip to see Captain America. now I'm the Savior. We are all hunting a Wicked Witch, no one has any memory of the last year, and my son isn't having any of my bullshit. I have to find some way to get him his memories back, and on top of all that, I think I might be jealous. you know, b'cause I have time for that, and all. Dammit.


This felt like a filler chapter for the next chapter I already have written. I hope it was alright for you guys :)