Hey guys! I just wanted to take a second to thank all of you for viewing/following/reviewing it really brightens up my day and makes me so happy! It really makes me want to jump back on my laptop and keep writing! You guys are just awesome! I've tried PMing most of you and if I haven't gotten to you I apologize!

Also, there's one more chapter left in Act One: Fall and then we'll be moving on over to Act 2: Winter! Please be patient as I try to lay out the scences/flashbacks as realistic and well told as you guys deserve! Thanks for being awesome and staying with me! I still promise recent updates! I'm pretty sure i'll have the last chapter in this Act by the end of the night so keep checking! Much love!

At lunch, Regina had gotten a call from her long life friend, Mal. She asked Regina to lunch since she was in town, Mal moved away to Boston a few years ago for her job, luckily that job also brings her back Regina's way sometimes out of the year. Regina loved seeing her, it was like a breath of fresh air to escape all the bitterness that surrounded her. It was Mal's idea in the first place to go see the counselor, not after she had lost her daughter, but after she lost Emma. Mal wanted to catch up with Gina on everything, so they agreed to meet at Granny Diner, a home-style restaurant not too far from Regina's school.

Regina entered the diner, and as the bell rang that was upon the door, she saw a familiar blonde look her way. With a fashionable hat and red lipstick, there sat Maleficent. Regina walked over to her and tapped on her shoulder to let the woman know she had arrived. Mal put her drink down, immediately stood up and pulled the brunette into an embrace that reminded her everything would be okay.

Regina had a sister, if that's what you want to call her, but no one gave true to the meaning sister like Mal did. She had been there through all of the pain, the love, the loss of Regina's life ever since college. She wouldn't trade her for anything and she missed her terribly ever since she had left.

"Sit! Sit! Tell me darling how have you been?"

Regina pulled a chair out and took a seat beside her friend on the opposite side of the table, "I'm good, seeing a therapist now."

"Really? You finally took my advice. Wow, I'll mark my calendar." Mal smirked at her as she took another swig of her drink.

"Very funny, I don't even know if it's helping, I'm sure he's getting tired of me by now."

"Why would he? What do you two talk about?"

"You know, just things, my life and all it's wonderful glory."

"Mhmm, things like Emma?"

Regina sighed, "She's come up."

"Have you heard from her? At all?"

"No, not for 20 years, God, it doesn't even feel that long to me."

"Geez, it has for me, I'm waiting for the day you two get back together."

"You know that's probably not going to happen right?"

"Ah yes, all love is weakness I know darling, but you two had something no one could come close to. The tenderness of your love was indescribable."

"Yeah, until I broke her heart we were great"

"Stop being so narcissistic, you did what you had to do at the time, you know that."

"I know I just…can't get over not knowing."

"Not knowing what dear?"

"Everything. How she's doing, if she ever did was she wanted to do, if she ever reached her dreams, if she's actually doing okay, what we could've been, and-"

"And if she's thinking about you?" Mal finished for her.

Regina just answered with a smile and looked down at the table.

"You know calling is a two way street, you could always call her,' Mal suggested.

"Right and what would I say, 'Hey Emma, remember me the girl who stomped on your heart and let you go like an idiot' I can only imagine how well that would go over."

"You know, you're really sassy when you're not getting laid."

"MAL!"

"What it's true! Besides, you wouldn't say it like that, and you didn't purposely stomp on her heart, you had to let her go so she would go make a life for herself. You know that."

"I just hope she does. When we…broke up…I don't think I ever told her why. I mean I'm sure I gave her some vague excuse back then, but I can't for the life of me wonder if I actually told her the truth. That girl has had so much rejection in her life, and I finally got her walls down, she trusted me and I abused it; not even actually intending to."

"I'm sure she knows that love."

"I don't know. I hope so."

Just as they were talking a waitress came over and handed them both menus, while asking Regina what she would like to drink. The brunette politely asked for water, while earning a nod from the waitress.

"So, I'm sure you didn't come all this way to find out nothing has changed," Regina smiled as the waitress had returned with her drink, "What are you in town for this time?"

"Business as usual darling. Nothing out of the ordinary, and if it makes you feel any better, I'm not getting laid either."

They both fill the diner with laughter and just shook their heads. The waitress returned asking for their order. As the girls requested their food, they handed their menus back and continued talking.

"What about Robin? Any word from him?"

"Ha, no. I mean he has an adult kid now, with my sister. It's just a hell of a situation with him. I divorced him to get away from him, but now him and Zelena are co-parenting and it's just very weird."

"Have you met her?"

"Who? Their daughter? No. I haven't even spoke to my sister since she had her. Even then, she's the one who called me."

"That's Jerry Springer shit there, but I'm seriously proud of the way you've handled things."

"At least someone is, I don't know if we had been in love, maybe then I would've deeply cared. Like, it hurt when I found out, but it was nothing like losing Emma, I felt like I couldn't breathe, I couldn't eat or sleep or exist it felt like."

"I was really rooting for you two. But it's never too late, you never know when the two of you will cross paths again."

"Maybe, but that's a long shot, and even then, I'm sure she hates me."

"Just kiss her senselessly, can't argue with someone when your mouth is busy."

"Geez, you really do need to get laid."

They laughed again and their food was being brought to their table. They raised their glasses and said cheers before eating the lunch before them. Regina laughed almost all during their lunch; it was something she had forgotten she could do. At the end, the girls said their goodbyes, hugged and promised to call or at least message from time to time, and Regina made her way back to the school.

Regina had come back home that night, not knowing what to expect. She had felt something inside her when Emma touched her earlier. Something she had never felt before, it was want, desire; it was need. She shook those thoughts out of her head when she entered her home though, she couldn't act on those thoughts. It was inappropriate and she was married. She took off her jacket and hung it on the coat rack right behind the door.

As she walked through her house again she smelt the faintest smell of food. She continued on towards the kitchen and found Emma there, cooking what looked like spaghetti. Regina leaned against the arch of the doorway connecting the kitchen and living room and just smiled up at the blonde.

"Oh hey, you're home. So, I hope you like spaghetti, I know it's really cheesy; like lady and the tramp cheesy, but my cooking skills aren't as perfected as my sarcasm is." Emma smiled and kept stirring the meal on the stove.

"You know, I could really get used to every time I come into the kitchen, there's food prepared."

"Just say the word Gina, I would cook for you every day."

Regina just nodded in a simple way, but giving a look of hesitation, as she knew what the blonde was implying, but she couldn't respond the way she wanted to.

Changing the subject, Emma started telling Regina of all the groceries she had bought and that she had even run into her brothers while at the store. She told them that she was going to be leaving there soon and they were extremely accepting, with the promise they could come stay there every once in a while.

They had eaten their dinner when Emma insisted it was perfect and continued sitting at the table. Emma had tried her hardest to get the brunette to laugh or even make eye contact with her after what had happened, but Regina would turn her lips up in what seemed as a forced smile, only a handful of times. This wasn't her. This wasn't Regina. So Emma picked up their plates to go wash them, and told Regina to go ahead to the couch. Regina insisted on taking a shower first, so by the time she was done and descending down the stairs in her silk pajamas, Emma had finished with the dishes and prepared a movie with popcorn.

On the coffee table, Regina noticed an ice cream tub of Rocky Road with two spoons in it. She looked towards Emma who was now sitting on the couch with a pillow in her lap, patting it, encouraging Regina to lay her head down.

She hesitated, but only for a few seconds before giving in and laying her head on the pillow located in the blonde's lap. She stretched out her body on the remainder of the couch while Emma began rubbing her hand down the arm of the older woman..

Regina began to sob and when Emma heard it, she paused the movie and began to stroke her hair. Pushing it away from her face as she whispered, "I'm here now, it's all going to be okay I promise."

When she said this, Regina reached over and grabbed the blonde's right hand with her left and just held it. Neither one of them moving or saying anything. Not in a lustful way, not to advance to something else, they were just two people who cared for one another tonight.

Emma continued to stroke Regina's hair until she heard the sobs soften and felt her relax and close her eyes. When Emma thought she was asleep, she started tracing patterns on her back, tiny "I love you" across the slender woman's body. When the movie was over, she eased out from under the brunette's head and stood up. She easily grabbed Regina's right arm and placed it around her neck, placed her own left arm around Regina's back while lifting her legs with her right arm. She carried her up the stairs, and placed her in her own bed. She pulled back the covers and wrapped them over Regina's sleeping form. While tucking her in, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Staying there for a moment just to watch the peaceful woman sleep. It was mesmerizing. When she closed the door behind her, Regina immediately opened her eyes, she had been awake the entire time just feeling the love Emma put in her actions. She had to admit she was surprised when the blonde picked her up, and not only had not dropped her, but there was no quivering in her muscles as she carried her up the staircase. She didn't know when Emma had decided to eat some spinach and pull a Popeye, but it was one of the most genuine acts of kindness she had ever received. It's moments like these that made Regina question her own life, questioning if she had ever felt like this with anyone, knowing she hadn't. Regina let out a breathy, "I love you too," before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.

It had been a long day. Regina and Emma had spent all day looking and seeing apartments. Not a simple task when you're on a minimum wage budget like Emma. She had recently gotten a job at the local grocery store, she wasn't a people person and wish she could have gotten a more introverted job, but it paid the bills, and she was finally ready to put her name on a lease.

They both finally settled on one, Regina insisted it was Emma's decision, but the blonde wanted to choose a place that fit to both of them, just in case, something more was to happen between them. Emma secretly wished for it to, knowing it was wrong but not caring at this point because she could hardly hide how she feels now.

Her new apartment was a quaint one but still sweet. Emma was thrilled because she had never had her own home before, she felt like she was so grown up and responsible. Regina hated that she had to grow up quickly, wished that she could've helped her more in some way, she wanted to protect Emma's innocence and bring peace to her life, and as much as she tried, she didn't know if she succeeded at all. The apartment had two bedrooms, a beautiful spread out kitchen, two bathrooms, and an open concept living room. It was perfect.

Finally they got around to signing the lease and the realtor was going over what the entire contract entailed. Emma nodding, but occasionally glancing over to Regina for confirmation that it was good. She wasn't ignorant, but she had never done this before and so thankful Regina was there to make it easier on her.

Once all that was settled, the keys were Emma's. She almost immediately handed one to Regina, not even intentionally, but almost as if it were second nature to share everything with her. She made up the excuse of needing a responsible person have one in case she loses hers, but at the end of the day, she wanted Regina to know she was welcome there any time.

They both returned to Regina's car, closing their doors and starting the vehicle up. Regina could see the joy in Emma's eyes while leaving her brand new apartment, knowing this was going to be her new home. They formed a plan: Regina was going to take Emma back to her house so she could get her car and go to her foster parent's while Regina went to the store and bought groceries for her.

Emma was so nervous having to face those people again, but she knew she had to get her stuff. She recently turned 18 so there's no way they could technically tell her no, but still she was afraid of what they would/could do. Regina insisted on going with her, but Emma politely refused the offer, explaining it was her battle and she would fight it. Regina reluctantly nodded, understanding where the blonde was coming from, and understanding Emma refused to put her in danger; which is coincidently the same thing Regina would've done.

While they were driving, Regina received a call from Robin explaining he would not be home for Thanksgiving. The excuse he gave was business, but she was sure he was spending it with her sister, and she so desperately wanted to confront him then, and call him out on his bullshit. She almost did too, when Emma placed her hand over Regina's and mouthed the words, "not worth it." Emma was right, so Regina just claimed to understand and hung up.

After a while of silence, and neither one of them moving their hands from their positions, Emma finally let it be known that she would be alone on Thanksgiving as well, and humbly asked the brunette if she wanted to join her. Of course the brunette accepted, and they began going over the food list when they pulled up into Regina's drive way.

As they exited the vehicle, they walked up to the sidewalk that made its way to Regina's front door. They stood in front of each other and agreed to meet up at Emma's new place in a couple of hours. They hugged each other and told the other one to stay safe. Regina watched as Emma got into the yellow bug and began driving away.

"Finally, what makes you want to be a teacher? This doesn't necessarily have to do with the hiring process; I just like to hear the answers"

"I didn't know I wanted to be. I thought I was perfectly fine being a legal assistant or a bounty hunter for the rest of my life. Then my kid told me when he graduated high school that I had taught him everything and he wouldn't have wanted another teacher. That really put things in perspective for me. It showed me just how much I loved kids and if I could save them from making any of the mistakes I did as a kid, my job would feel complete. I obviously can't just be a life coach or poof myself into the shoulder angel, but if they could feel comfortable around me and trust me, then I could hopefully lead them in the right direction."

"Very good answer Ms. Swan, but why criminal justice?"

"It was something that just called to me. I was never good with big words which was probably the hardest part of being a legal assistant. However I loved getting justice for people that deserved it. Life can well frankly be a bitch sometimes, with help of people of course, so any time I saw someone get a good ending, and I was part of it, it made all of it worth while."

"Congratulations Ms. Swan. I must say I'm very proud of who you have become. I know it must not have been easy being a single mother, raising a good boy, and putting yourself through school."

"Thank you sir, and it definitely was not the easiest task of my life, but it was one of the most rewarding."

"Well, I'd say so. The job is yours if you wish to have it. I think it is splendid the idea of one of our very own coming back to teach here at Storybrooke Prep."

"Are you serious? Oh my gosh this is amazing! Thank you so much!"

"No problem dearie. You kind of remind me of Regina."

"Regina?"

"Ah, you probably know her more as Mrs. Mills."
"I know who she is," more than you probably do, she thought, "but how do I remind you of her?"

"Just strong willed, refusing to give up, I see the same drive in you that I saw in her."

"Yes I do remember her being remotely stubborn as a matter of fact." Emma spoke with such venom in her words as she said that, luckily Mr. Gold just brushed it off and lightly chuckled.

"Yes well I'm sure you can inform her of that when you see her."

"I sure will," she began, "Wait-when I what?"

"When you see her dearie, you'll be just across the hall from each other. Why is that a problem?"

"No, of course not. Why would it be?" Emma smiled back, while internally screaming. She should have known, she should've guessed that Ruby had lied to her about Regina. She didn't know why she would, but she guessed it had something to do with the hopeless romantic in her. She would remember to confront her about that later, perhaps while she was hiding from Mrs. Mills. Damn that Red!

"Ah, very well. Why don't you take a tour of the place while I put your file away and then I'll show you where you'll be teaching?"

"Sure, sounds good!"

Emma stood from her seat, turned, and faced the door. She flipped her hair and brushed all the pretend dust and lint off of her clothes, as though she had someone to impress. She finally opened the door and began her journey down the school's halls. She wasn't going to do it. She wasn't going to do what she wanted to do and go seek out the woman who had left her broken hearted. She wasn't going to go to classroom and look at everything that changed. She wasn't going to torture herself by walking in the door and having all the memories being brought back to her. She wasn't going to ruin this day, the day she actually accomplished what she had wanted, by breaking her heart in pieces again. She worked very hard to put all that behind her. She did her damnest to move on and do what needed to be done. She was a mother now. Regina never saw that side of her. She wondered if Regina ever got the chance again. No, she wasn't going to do this. She wasn't going to waste her time wondering about her. She wasn't, so why was she at Regina's classroom door and why was she about to open it and step inside?

20 years. It had been 20 years and nothing had changed, that's what she thought as she entered her former lover's classroom. Her room was still in the same spot. Classroom posters and borders all looked the same way it did many moons ago. She couldn't believe that after all this time she was still here. Of course the thought of Regina staying after all this time had occurred to her, but she didn't actually believe it. She thought she would've moved on, maybe become the lawyer she always wanted to be. She thought of so many things, but the thought of the woman who broke her heart still being here, was not one that she expected. The old Emma started putting things in her mind. Suggestions of running away like she always had, walking out the door and move far far away, her and her son. She didn't care about the job that much to put them both through this misery again. If Regina had somehow managed to work through their break up and stayed, Emma didn't want to be the one that blew it to hell. She wanted Regina safe and happy; she wouldn't be the reason for her tears. Not again.

As she stood there in her red leather jacket, about to legit go with a coin toss to decide her fate, she heard the door open. The sounds, the smell, the overall feeling of this moment had her senses overflowing. It not necessarily felt different or weird, it felt almost like a flashback; bringing her back to those many days of just waiting for that beautiful woman to bless her with her presence and always been blown away when she saw her. It felt like a memory being brought back to life. She couldn't think, couldn't speak; all she could do was stand there. Facing the window that was set in front of the sidewalk, she watched as so many students, like herself years ago, were walking with back packs and books headed to their next class. Full of life and excitement, they ready to take on their next adventure. It's a shame, she thought. The young naïve scholars didn't know life was cruel yet.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" Emma froze. This would be the moment that changed everything. This would bring back the emotions and the nights of love making with someone that wasn't hers. This moment would break them both. She contemplating running, it didn't matter where as long as there was an exit sign. She thought about turning and being full of rage, questioning why she was still there. But deep inside her she knew she couldn't do anything but turn around and face this woman, the very same woman that had held her heart and crushed it. So that's what she did. As she slowly turned herself around, she made sure to look Regina in the eyes. As she did, she saw the look of utter shock and regret cloud her face. The curiosity had fled her eyes, what remained was confusion, maybe not about who she was, she remembered her, she looked more confused on what to do now that Emma Swan was there.

"Emma?"