Sitting at the counter in her kitchen, Regina gulped down her coffee numbly. She truly hadn't realised the depths of Emma's feelings for her and hearing them had shocked her to her core.
If it was anyone else but Snow's daughter, but this was the Saviour. The one born to break the Dark Curse. Why, in any realm, would she have feelings for the Evil Queen? Could she even have feelings for her?
But leaving the pirate? That had to mean something right? If there was one thing that anyone in town was sure of it was that Killian would always follow Emma around like a lost puppy.
Regina shook her head, an amused yet bitter grin flickering across her face. A person would have to be very foolish to throw that level of devotion away for a maybe.
Although she couldn't lie, every time she saw Killian draped over the Sheriff something that could only be described as jealousy had swept over her. But, Emma had made it very clear in the past that there was to be nothing between herself and Regina.
She was shocked out of her thoughts by a thunderous banging on her front door. Impatiently she stormed over to open it, ready to give hell to whoever thought it was a good idea to try and break down her door. However, for the second time that day, she just froze in surprise.
Emma Swan stood at the front door holding a bunch of beautiful red roses, for a moment Regina was unable to even think.
"How would you like to go on a date with me Friday night?"
Scowling she grabbed the door to slam it, couldn't Emma just leave her alone? She had no desire to participate in this little game any more.
Regina was surprised once more when Emma's foot caught her door before it could slam closed, "Regina I mean it. Please."
It was clear from her tone that no would not be an acceptable answer.
"Miss Swan-"
"Emma. I just asked you on a date, you can use my name.
There was a long pause before Regina finally nodded, "Fine. Emma. Do you really think this is a good idea? I don't know what's been going through your head today but I assure you that if your just looking for someone to-"
"Regina stop," A furious expression crossed the Queen's face as Emma cut her off again. "Look I know that you think that this doesn't really mean anything to me. But I've already thought of that. On Friday I'm going to pick you up at 7 and then we're going to go to Granny's. We're going to meet OUR son and we're going to have a family meal together. Because you are family Regina and even if you refuse to explore what's between us that isn't going to change."
For the first time since Emma had came to Storybrooke, Regina's face was an open book and Emma watched as so many conflicting emotions ran through her mind.
"Look Regina, don't answer me right now. I'm going to go now and I'm not going to come back here till Friday. I've meant everything I've said, and if Hook came to me Saturday I'd turn him away no matter how this Friday goes. Just think it over."
Astonished, Regina could only watched as Emma turned around and walked back to her car. As the yellow bug disappeared round the corner Regina stepped back inside and closed the door, leaning against it heavily.
Three times Emma had turned up on her doorstep in one day and each time she was left more emotionally drained than the last.
Conflicted she made her way back over to her kitchen counter and pulled out a pen and paper.
"Reasons to date Emma Swan." She wrote at the top. Thinking carefully she rapidly put together a list of the reasons she could imagine a future with Emma.
"We share a son. Henry would never have to choose between his two mothers. It'll annoy Snow. She's beautiful. She's always got my back. She accepts me as who I am, flaws and all."
With a frown she added another heading, "Reasons not to date Emma Swan."
"The red leather jacket. If we broke up how would Henry feel?"
Looking at the con's lists even she could admit that they were weak, more excuses to give in to fear than anything else. What could one date hurt? And it wasn't even a proper date, date. It was a meal with their shared son.
Gazing at the first list again she carefully added another point in shaky handwriting, "I think I might be falling in love with the Saviour."
Sitting back she looked over it before shaking her head, "A piece of paper isn't going to decide my future, I've already had enough with that damn storybook of Henry's messing up my life. If Emma proves she meant what she said and shows up then...I should at least go for a meal with her and Henry."
Crumpling up the sheet of paper she tossed it into the bin as she walked though to her study to get on with some work.
Ruby heard Emma before she saw her, near falling through the door in her haste to find Ruby. With a grin she ducked through the kitchen doorway to greet her excitable friend.
"I took your advice!" Emma laughed, grinning from ear to ear. "I asked her to go out on a meal with me AND Henry."
Ruby laughed along with her, "That's a great idea Em! It's a perfect way to show you care about her. With you and Henry staying with your parents she hasn't seen him anywhere near as much as she'd like."
"I know right?" Emma beamed, "I've got a date with Regina!" She started to sing as she did a happy dance by the bar.
"Know all you need to do is find the perfect thing to wear."
Emma groaned, "I know, it has to be perfect. I really want this to go well."
And on the other side of town, Regina Mills was thinking the exact same thing.