Hi guys! This chapter is a little longer than usual. I hope that is okay! Also note that the new characters in this chapter are not meant to be anyone from OUAT. They're just made up. Let me know what you think and I hope you enjoy! -hopelesslyhopeful7211

"That turned out well," Emma hops next to Regina as if she is a human energizer bunny as they exit the restaurant.

"Yes, dear. It actually did," Regina flashes a quick grin, but her face falls soon after. Has she already forgotten about explaining to me what happened last night? Or is she intentionally keeping things from me?

The blonde is oblivious to the brunette's off expression. She nuzzles against Regina as they walk back to the Benz, "So, where to now?"

Regina snaps out of her distant mood, "Oh. Now that you mention it, I'm actually not sure"

"I could try to sneak you in to the dorm for the night," Emma grins mischievously.

"As much as I'd love to see you get you reprimanded, I do not think that is a very bright idea," the brunette glares at the other woman.

"Come on, live a little! I can sign you in easy and then you just have to make sure not to be seen," Emma explains her plan, puppy dog eyes in full force, "Plus they care more about busting male guests anyway. They probably won't say anything about you. Their ignorance is our bliss," she flashes her best charming smile, her green eyes shine bright.

Regina unlocks the doors of the Benz and the two women get in.

"Then why didn't we stay there the other night?" Regina's eyes form into a questioning squint.

"Well it is against the rules, but today I say fuck the rules," the blonde shrugs expressing her rebel side.

Regina continues to squint at the blonde as she contemplates this. Well I don't really know if I have anywhere else to stay tonight, so I may as well. I've been trying to avoid it, but I need to get some new clothes from the apartment.

Regina's chocolate brown eyes soften, "Okay, fine, but we have to stop by my old apartment to grab some new clothes"

Emma puts her hand in the brunette's intertwining their fingers, "Deal"

Regina starts the engine and they drive off towards her old apartment.


"We have the opportunity to choose from multiple exhibits…" the president of the museum board presents options of different exhibits to the major donors. He moves wildly between photographs and paintings from multiple artist submissions.

Cora sits in the meeting, but her mind wanders elsewhere. If I really love my daughter then I would not try to ruin her happiness. The words of Emma echo. Hmm, maybe she is correct. I need to stick to my original theory. She deserves happiness. I was only distracted by being angered in such a way. I prematurely threatened possessions when I just need to present her with another option for happiness.

"We will now hold a vote," the president's words snap Cora out of her thoughts.

She quickly makes her vote and exits the conference room. The older woman's head bobs around as she looks for a specific person. Finally she sees the man she is looking for and goes to greet him.

She taps his shoulder, "Andrew, how have you been?"

The man turns around. He is a little over six feet tall with sandy brown hair and just a hint of scruff along his jawline. His eyes are piercing blue. He appears to be around 25 years old and wears a nicely pressed shirt and tie.

He smiles and sticks out his hand to Cora, "Hi, Ms. Mills. I'm well. How about yourself?" he asks politely.

Cora shakes his hand, "I just got out of a meeting with your father. Do you remember my daughter, Regina?"

Andrew tilts his head and looks up as he racks his brain before recognizing the name, "Oh, yes. She works at the services desk, correct?"

"Yes, that is correct. You know she is about to graduate college soon and is very interested in looking into new relationships. She's very beautiful, don't you agree?" she hints trying to sell her daughter's traits to the man.

Andrew becomes uncomfortable and stumbles his words, "Um, yes, of course she is"

"Fabulous, so it's a date," she states rather than questions.

Andrew cheeks redden, "Okay, Miss Mills," he agrees not wanting to offend Regina's mother. He also considers the status Ms. Mills has at the museum and knows that she works closely with his father. She can inform him of any issues which could cause trouble.

"That's great news. I'll let you know when and where," she turns and walks away smiling. That was easy enough. He and Regina will be a good match.


Regina's heart beats fast as she unlocks her old apartment's door. She tenses up at what she may find as she opens the door for her and Emma. Mother probably has already moved out half of the apartment and is going to put it on the market soon. Emma places a supporting hand on the brunette's back sensing her nervousness, but when they walk in they see there is no reason to be concerned.

The gorgeous apartment remains intact. She sees that the mess of water and flowers from the other day has even been cleaned. There seems to be nothing out of place.

"Oh," Regina is pleasantly surprised as she wanders around the rooms leaving Emma standing in the living room alone.

Emma speaks up, "Maybe you don't have to move out after all"

The brunette strides back into the large living room area and stands just a couple of feet in front of Emma, "I'm not staying here. If nothing else comes out of this situation, I have learned that I need to grow up and become my own woman. I shouldn't depend on my mother for everything," she pulls the other woman into a hug, "Starting with renting that space with you," she kisses blonde hair on top of her head.

After a moment, Regina pulls back. Her demeanor seems conflicted.

Emma frowns, "Is everything okay?"

The brunette hesitates, but then starts, "Emma, why didn't you tell me everything about last night? I trust you so much already. It scares me that you may be keeping something from me"

Emma is caught off guard, but green eyes lock sincerely with brown ones, "I just couldn't find the right time and then when you didn't mention it again…I just don't want to upset you. I'm sorry. I don't want to lose your trust"

Regina takes Emma's hand, "It's okay. You can tell me now. So what happened?"

Emma takes in a large breath and then exhales, "Well your mother came into the restaurant and asked to speak to me in private, so she dragged me into the rest room. She said that I'm not good enough for you and I'm probably just trying to take your money. I told her that I would never do that and that I love you, but she didn't believe me. She said that if I truly love you then I would leave because she would make things worse for you. Then I got angry and called her a bad mom for threatening to take away your happiness," Emma winces at her confession, "that's when she hit me and asked to call you"

Regina lets go of Emma's hand. She places one hand on her hip and the other rubs her temple, "Oh"

The blonde jaw drops quickly surprised by the reaction, but she recovers, "What are you thinking?"

The brunette's hands drop to her side, "I just feel like perhaps you both were in the wrong. She should have never hit you or made assumptions about you or threatened us, but also you shouldn't have called her a bad mother without truly getting to know her"

"I'm so sorry, Regina. I was embarrassed and I was afraid that you wouldn't like me anymore if you found out what I said to her," Emma's eyes meet the other woman's, but then she looks down in shame.

"Emma, it's okay. She was absolutely more wrong in the situation. You don't have to hide things to make yourself look better. Just be honest with me and I will always try to be understanding. I love you," the brunette pulls Emma into a long kiss. Emma grabs the other woman's waist causing her to lean in closer. Their bodies press into each other.

Emma breaks the kiss and smiles brightly, "I love you too and I promise to be completely honest from now on"

"Let me go grab some clothes really quick. I'm ready to go crash your dorm," Regina bounces away giving the blonde a wink.


"Okay, just fill this out," the young woman working the guest check-in desk at Emma's dorm gestures to a sign in sheet and hands Regina a pen.

Regina fills out the form and they head over to the elevator. Emma puts in her ID card and they soon reach Emma's floor.

Emma's heart races as a feeling of nervousness fills her body. There's nothing to be worried about, Swan. Regina says that she loves me and that means that she won't care about how much of a dump this place is. She still can't shake the feeling regardless of her logical thoughts.

She unlocks the door and they step inside. The blonde holds her breath and analyzes Regina as she looks around her small room. No signs of disgust. That's good. Phew. She lets out her breath.

"So that was easy enough to get in," Regina smirks.

"Yeah, that's the easy part. Now you have to just make sure to stay out of sight," Emma's bright green eyes glance over the other woman's body. She takes the brunette's hips in her hands and they press against each other as they begin to kiss.

They break briefly as Emma admits, "I was a little nervous for you to come here"

"You didn't seem nervous earlier," Regina counters.

"I know, but I want to tell you the truth. I'm scared that you might abandon me when you see things like this," Emma looks down at her feet.

Regina playfully slaps the blonde's head, "Emma Swan, how many times do I have to tell you that I love you and I choose you before you get it through your thick skull?"

Emma grins, "I know. I'm sorry, Gina. I'm just kind of used to abandonment," her face falls again at the last statement.

Regina holds Emma's face gently and kisses her nose, "I promise that I am nothing like those families that abandoned you, dear. They have no idea what they missed out on. We are our own family"

Regina hugs Emma tightly, "So, do you have any good movies, dear?"

"You know it!" Emma leads them to the couch.


During the movie Emma struggles to keep her eyes open. She dozes off on Regina's shoulder several times. I guess her energizer bunny batteries do run out. Regina giggles to herself. She rests her head on the blonde's while putting her arms around her.

Someone begins banging on Emma's door and Regina jumps startled

"Swan!" an authoritative female voice yells.

Regina quickly shakes Emma in an attempt to wake her up and eventually succeeds.

"Gina? What is it?" Emma asks in a sleepy haze.

"Someone is at the door. What do I do?" Regina's eyes dart across Emma's face in worry.

Emma quickly wakes up now, "Uh, shit! Go in the restroom and wait until the RA leaves," the blondes instructs.

Regina quickly rushes into the restroom and closes the door behind her. She frantically looks around and decides to jump in the shower. She closes the shower curtain in an effort to hide more effectively.

Emma opens the door to speak to her RA, "I'm so sorry. I dozed off"

The RA ignores her excuse, "Swan, it says that you still have a visitor. You need to tell her to it's time to leave"

"Oh," Emma puts on her best shocked face, "She already left. Did she not sign out?"

"No, no, no. You aren't going to pull this shit with me. Do I have to come in there?" the RA sighs and crosses her arms in frustration.

"Fine, come on in. I'm telling the truth," Emma challenges attempting to call the RA's bluff. She's not fucking coming in here.

The RA glares at the blonde before rolling her eyes and saying, "Fine. If you say so," she leaves and Emma closes the door behind her.

The blonde pumps her fist in the air and laughs, "Yes!" She strides over to the restroom door and opens it, "Gina, you can come out now"

The brunette pops her head out from behind the shower curtain with an adorable grin on her face, "Is the coast clear?"

"Yes. You're too damn cute," Emma announces with a brilliant smile on her face.