"Am I still under house arrest, or whatever the hell this is called?"

"That depends."

"On?" Emma chuckled to herself, shaking her head. She'd finished showering and dressing. Lily planned on showering after Emma left, opting for putting on her clothes at least.

"I'm kidding. There's nothing I can do to stop you. After all, you said your mother asked you to stay for the week, are you going to?"

"Yeah. I figure why not."

"Do you want me to drop you off at wherever she's at?"

"Sure."

"You good to go then?" Lily nodded. The shower could wait, and the feeling the sheriff left her with wasn't something she wanted to wash away so soon. The drive was almost identical to their earlier one, but without the awkward tension of anger. It was quiet as Emma drove her through town. When they finally arrived, Emma stopped just out of view of the house.

As Lily was about to get out of the car Emma took her hand, fingers between each others. She was about to say something, but Emma motioned towards her phone, muttering something she didn't hear. Holding the hand, she waited.

David had been texting Emma throughout the night and morning, more break-ins. The best news so far was that they had a witness. She kept texting for a while, which Lily didn't mind. Free time with Emma, who could complain? Putting the phone down, Emma turned to see her idly looking out the window.

"Another two burglaries last night. You didn't sneak out did you?"

"You'd make a terrible cop if you thought that."

"Sheriff." Emma's corrected.

"Still a smartass."

Reaching over, Emma slid her fingers across her cheek. Closing the distance, Emma kissed her. Passionately.

Stopping before she couldn't stop herself, Emma returned to sitting in her seat. Trying to regain her breath, Lily was a little dazed.

"Let me guess, needed something to think about the rest of the day?"

"Mm. I'm sure she's waiting for you." Lily left a peck on her cheek.

"Are you going to come by again tonight?"

"Don't know. I get to spend the evening with the kid." Lily wasn't sure she was going to ask about what she meant, so she didn't.

"You should. It gets lonely in there, I don't want to have to put my mind to work, thinking about that kiss and this morning." Emma felt a pang of pleasure shoot through her core. Lily leaving couldn't have happened any sooner. She watched as she walked to the door, only driving away once inside.

Hours passed while talking to each other. Maleficent wanted to know everything about Lily, about her past. What it was like growing up. Every detail. At first Lily wasn't keen on opening up, but much like a snowball, she soon grew to the idea of talking. Whenever they talked it felt therapeutic. And Maleficent actually cared, which was a surprise. In all of the years Lily spent on her own, Emma was the only person she had known that felt the same way. Just before Lily was about to leave at the end of the day, her mother gave her a gift. Something she had held onto for years, and wanted her to have since before she was born- a small, dragons claw that clutched a ball. Lily didn't understand the gift at first, but then Maleficent told her about how it was in their family for generations.

The sun was setting, and Maleficent drove Lily along the forest, heading back towards the town. She didn't know her way around, but her mother knew that. Not having to focus on the road also gave her time to think.

Having been there for only two days, life was better than the last ten years. Not a thing had gone wrong, even with being accused of burglary. She wasn't sure exactly why, but she felt safe, like her walls could come down. Slowly.

Emma took Henry to Grannies for hot chocolate after school, where they were going to meet up with Regina. Emma had hoped that Lily would show up, that by then she would be done with visiting Maleficent, whom went by Mal. Ruby hadn't seen her in the restaurant, but wasn't looking. Not thinking twice about it, the three drove to Regina's house for dinner.

"I'm going to need you to watch Henry while I'm in New York bringing Robin back here."

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow. The sooner the better. I had meant to tell you yesterday, but I was busy."

"Can't he stay with his grandparents?"

"Don't you guys live together?" Regina rolled her eyes. Swan wasn't thinking straight. "Do you want me to drop him off or do you want to pick him up?"

"I guess I'll swing by and get him."

"Good. I won't be here, hopefully I'll leave after he goes to school." Regina nodded contently. She was full of burdens involving Robin, the last thing she needed to worry about was Henry. Emma always protected the boy, so she didn't worry too much. In an emotional state, though, everything becomes a worry, another anxiety.

Emma went upstairs to say goodbye, before nodding at Regina whom was busy bustling around her room, readying the last of her things.

"Leaving now. Hope you can get it all sorted out up there."

"Yes." Regina dismissed her.

It felt too early to drive and visit Lily, but that was all Emma could think about doing. Not because of the incredible sex they had had that morning, but something she couldn't place with words. She felt like she had a crush, which she did. The whole world focused on Lily, and how amazing and perfect she was. Flaws of the past were quickly overlooked, replaced with perfection. Before she had noticed that she was in the middle of a day dream, her dad caught her grinning to herself euphorically.

"What's his name?" David prodded her shoulder. "Is it that Killian guy who's been hanging around?"

"Huh?" The bliss and happiness faded, cheeks turning embarrassed as she began listening to her dad.

"I asked what his name is. The guy you're ogling over in your head. Unless it's this piece of crap." He pointed behind his shoulder at one of the dwarves he had arrested.

"No one, dad. I just had a good day."

"Bull. No one grins as stupidly as that without thinking of their mister perfect."

"You know I don't believe in true love like you and mom do. I spent the day with Henry." Emma admitted this time and time again, this time to convince herself she wasn't in love with Lily. Loving her couldn't be that bad, but what they had definitely wasn't love in two days.

Giving her a few more minutes, David lowered his voice. "You're doing it again."

"Stop."

"It is Killian." He was guessing. Emma and Killian spent a lot of time together, maybe he was finally putting two and two together.

"He's gay."

"Oh. Alright. That makes sense, most sailors are." Both laughed, but Emma still tried to ignore him, and to tune out her thoughts. The harder she thought to suppress Lily from her mind, the more she appeared until finally Emma had enough.

"You got the rest of this finished? I'm going to go for a walk."

"Mmm, yeah. Be safe."

"Always am." She called out as she walked down the hallway.

Fresh air was amazing, why walk when she could enjoy the night out, have the wind rush through her hair. The drive to and from the diner wasn't that far, maybe Lily was there.

Halfway there, she saw someone sitting on a bench for the bus. No one ever sat there anymore, because as long as she could remember the buses weren't in commission. As she got closer, she slowed down. Thankfully the light changed to red, giving her a reason to stop. Looking closely, it wasn't anyone she recognized. Then again, they had their head turned away. When the lift changed, she still watched, taking off slowly. The person sitting looked up, then back down. It was Lily. Pulling over, Emma parked in front of her. What the hell was she doing out here?

"Lily?"

"Jesus. Emma. You freaking startled me."

"What are you doing out here?"

"I thought I wasn't under house arrest anymore? I hate being locked away, wanted to get some air."

"I get that."

"Yeah." Emma leaned against the bench.

"Brings back memories, being at one of these." She referred to when they were teenagers, the last time they had seen each other before going their separate ways.

"I was sitting and you were standing."

Lily smiled, instinctively reaching up and touching the necklace she asked Emma to get her all of those years ago.

"You still have it?"

"You made me it. Makes me think of you.. A reminder of what I fucked up."

"Lil.."

"No, it's fine." She stared up at the sky, trying not to get emotional. Sitting down and wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Emma pulled her closer.

"I wish I hadn't left. Hurting you... I was hurt."

"Emma, please don't.."

"I was wrong too."

Their foreheads met, eyes closed. Emma knew these words had to come out, to clear the air. Lily deserved more than she had ever gotten. Even if apologizing was all Emma could give her, she was going to try. However, lily interrupted the apology; her lips pressed to Emma's, drawing her in for a shaky kiss.

"Lets go for a drive." Emma breathed, not quite leaving the lips on hers.

"Please, yes."