When Emma returned to the room, Regina was gone. A little confused, she made her bed and sat down on it, waiting patiently for the girl to return.

When the brunette returned, her hair was soaked. Clearly, she'd followed Emma's lead and slipped into another one of the stalls for a shower.

"Daaamn," Emma said loudly. "Love a girl soaking wet."

"Oh, my God. Shut up," Regina laughed, rolling her eyes as she sat down at her desk and started to brush her hair.

Emma just grinned and watched while the girl got ready for the day. Unlike Regina, she was ready in five minutes, after throwing her hair in a ponytail. When Regina turned around, she was surprised to find Emma wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses.

"Wow," she breathed, unintentionally staring. "You look…"

"Stupid, I know. I ran out of contacts."

"No… You look…"

"What?"

"Adorable."

"Oh, shut up."

"No, really... They look really good on you."

"Whatever, Mills. Let's go get some chow. I'm starving."

Rolling her eyes, Regina finished putting on her eyeliner, grabbed her purse, then stood up and made her way to the door. Emma followed her out, locking the door behind her. Half way to the dining hall, the blonde bumped her friends shoulder and looked at her with a sly smile.

"What?" Regina asked, squinting in confusion.

"You look extra super cute today."

"Shut it, Swan."

Still grinning, Emma took the girl's hand and held it the rest of the way. Once they were sitting down, Emma ate quickly, her hunger overriding any manners she may have had before that morning.

"You eat like a wolf," Regina commented with a laugh. "It's cute."

"You're cute."

"Stop it!"

"Eat your breakfast, punk."

Again, Regina rolled her eyes and lifted a forkful of eggs past her lips.

"So…" Emma started, after she'd cleared her plate.

"So what?"

"It's Saturday."

"And?"

"And we should do something."

"Like what?"

"Can I… Do you want to go bowling?"

Regina blinked, confused by the offer. It sounded an awful lot like a date.

"I, um… Sure."

"You don't have to say yes if you don't want to. I was just-"

"No, I want to. I could really use a break. I, uh… Don't really know how to bowl though. I've never been."

"Wait, what? You've never gone bowling?!"

"Um… No…"

"Well, I'm gonna have to teach you a thing or two! I'm awesome at bowling!"

"I bet," Regina laughed. "What aren't you awesome at? You're especially good at being modest."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

Grinning, Emma stood and grabbed both of their plates, then made her way to the tray return.

"Alright. It's not that hard. You just have to learn the technique," Emma told Regina, standing directly behind her. "Hold the ball just like that. Perfect. Now…"

With a gentle touch, Emma pulled the brunette's arm back and pushed it forward.

"Work up a little swing. Look where you want the ball to go and focus on that spot. Right down the middle of the isle."

Feeling Emma's body close behind her, Regina felt herself grow warm. Not to mention, she was scared to make a fool of herself in front of her friend.

"Okay. Go ahead," the blonde said with a smile, stepping back.

Regina felt the wave of heat leave her body and sighed with relief as her muscles relaxed. Unfortunately, though, she was immediately distracted by Emma's smile, and as her heart raced, her nerves got the better of her, and the ball ended up in the gutter, which earned a laugh from Emma.

"It's alright, babe. Next turn."

Of course, Emma knocked over every pin on her turn. The next time Regina tried, she was determined to ignore the beautiful blonde nearby. Luckily, she succeeded at this and knocked down most of the pins. The blonde clapped and smiled brightly as she watched Regina walk back over to her.

"Good job, darlin'!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around the brunette and lifting her off the floor.

"Whoa!" Regina laughed. "Put me down!"

Grinning, Emma did as she was told and placed a quick kiss on the girl's cheek before grabbing her own ball and stepping up to the lane.

After the first game was over – Emma obviously won but congratulated her friend on her improvement – the blonde went over to the bar and ordered them each a beer.

"What?" Regina asked dumbly, staring at the plastic cup full of caramel colored liquid.

"It's for you. It's beer."

"I don't… I'm not much of a-"

"You don't have to. I just figured I'd get you one just in case. Have you ever even had beer before?"

"Well… Not… Not really."

"Not really, or no?"

"N-No."

"Try it. Most girls don't like it, but maybe you will."

"Most girls don't like it. Why would I?"

"I dunno. I like it. Just take a sip. If you don't like it, I'll drink it."

"But you already have one."

"I can have two," Emma chuckled. "Won't kill anyone to get a light buzz goin'."

"Um… Alright. Maybe just a sip…"

So Emma lifted the cup to Regina's lips, rather than handing her the cup to hold for herself. The brunette took a sip, then scrunched her face up in disgust.

"Wow, that's bitter," Regina coughed.

"Just wait 'til you try whiskey."

"Uh… I don't think that'll be happening any time soon."

"I'll go order you a strawberry daiquiri. You'll like that one, I promise."

"I'm really okay. You don't have to-"

"Be right back!"

When Emma returned, she was holding a large glass full of frozen red liquid, topped with whipped cream.

"Alright," she announced. "Try this."

"Swan, I really-"

"Just try it. If you don't like it, I'll drink that too."

"Yeah, right."

"You think I can't stomach three drinks?"

"No, I just… Is that a good idea?"

"Try the damn drink, Mills."

Biting her lip before taking a sip from the straw, Regina tried the drink. To her surprise, her lips curled into a smile as the sweetness touched her tongue.

"Wow," she said, eyes widening. "That's awesome."

"Knew you'd like that one at least." When Regina sat down at the table and continued to drink from the glass, Emma added, "Alright. Pound it back. We're gonna do this next round tipsy."

"I think it's a better idea to pace myself."

"Nah. Pacing is for pussies. Chug!"

Unable to stifle the laugh, Regina took another sip of the drink.

"That's it, girly. Knock it back."

Being a lightweight and not having had any real experiences with alcohol, the one drink served to give Regina a buzz, and before she'd even finished it, Emma had already downed both her beers and was feeling the sensation as well.

"Let's do this," the blonde giggled. "You're still gonna lose though."

But the alcohol took away from Emma's focus and relaxed Regina at the same time, so it turned out that Regina was the one to win the next game.

"What the fuck!" Emma cried, kicking the floor. "No fair!"

"No fair? I beat you fair and square."

"I was tipsy!"

"So was I!"

With another wide grin, Emma pulled Regina close by the hips and draped her arms over the girl's shoulders and wrapped them around her neck.

"Good job, darlin'. Proud of you."

"Thank you… I try."

Although her natural instinct was to pull away, something about the buzz of the alcohol kept Emma's body close to Regina's as she leaned in and pressed their foreheads together. Again, the brunette felt warmth flood through her.

"Swan…"

"Yes, Mills?"

There was a pause before Regina suddenly said, "Nothing," and broke away.

A little confused by the sudden cold shoulder treatment, Emma blinked a few times before grabbing her jacket and gathering the rest of their things.

Once they were back at the dorm, Emma cracked open a bottle of beer and took a few sips as she watched Regina wander over to her bed.

"You okay?" she finally asked, noticing that Regina wasn't looking at her.

"Mhmm."

"Have a beer."

"Uh… No thanks. One sip was enough for a lifetime, I think."

"No, this one's different. It's raspberry. You might actually like this one. Still a little bitter but sweet too. Just try it."

Once again, Regina found herself pleasantly surprised by the flavor on her tongue and offered a small smile.

"Not bad, actually."

"Here," the blonde offered, holding out another one. "Twist off top."

When she tried to open the bottle, though, she found that the cap was on a little too tight and that attempting to twist it hurt the palm of her hand.

"I got it," Emma said with a smile, taking the bottle back and twisting off the cap almost instantly before passing it back.

Of course, after they'd both finished their bottles, they were far less than sober.

"Come here," Emma said playfully, patting the spot next to where she was sitting on the bed.

"Huh?"

"C'mere. Sit with me."

"It's late. We should sleep. I'm kinda… drowsy..."

"Just come here."

Regina couldn't resist the girl's warm smile, so she sat down next to her as she let out a yawn.

"Lay down with me."

"Swan. I have my own bed. I should probably sleep in it."

"Why? You love sleeping with me. I keep you warm."

"Hey, shut up. I…"

Emma wrapped her arms around Regina from behind and pulled her backwards until they were both laying horizontally on the bed.

"You get to be little spoon," Emma told her, squeezing her arms around the girl's waist.

"What if I want to be the big spoon?" Regina asked slyly, her words slurring together slightly.

"Tough titty. Now relax."

She wanted to protest, just to be playful, but when Emma ran her fingers through her hair, Regina melted into the mattress and leaned her back against the girl's chest.

"There. Little spoon's not so bad, is it?"

After a pause, Regina told her, "I don't want to spoon."

"You really like laying on top of me, huh?"

Blushing slightly, Regina said nothing, but Emma pulled back on her shoulder to signal her to roll over, which she did without hesitation. The blonde smiled as the girl's body melted into place above her and they met each other's gaze.

"What you smirkin' at, punk?" Regina asked with a grin, earning a laugh from her companion.

"Your pretty face."

This rendered Regina silent as she stared into Emma's eyes.

After a few minutes of quiet, the brunette blurted out a quiet, "You're beautiful."

Emma quickly shook her head, but Regina reached up and turned her chin until they were looking at each other again.

"I mean it," she said.

"Don't tease me."

Raising an eyebrow, Regina offered a coy reply, asking, "Why not?"

"Because it… Don't."

As her heart began to race, Emma felt the familiar sensation of being in an alcohol-induced fog and found herself wondering if Regina was feeling similarly. As the girl reached up and cupped her face in her hands, a tingling sensation shot down her spine.

"But I like it when you blush."

"I'm not blushing!"

"You are, a bit."

"Shut up, Mills!"

"Why don't you make me, Swan?"

"I'm about to wipe that fucking grin right off your pretty face!"

"Oh yeah? How?"

"I'm gonna… Well…"

But Emma trailed off as a wave of passion flashed in Regina's eyes, catching her off guard.

"Didn't think so."

Scowling, the blonde started to roll away, but Regina caught her by the hips and pulled her closer instead.

"Hey!" Emma cried, wiggling in the girl's arms.

"Shh. Come here."

When Regina stroked Emma's cheek with her thumb, the girl shivered and allowed herself to ease back into a closer position.

"I really care about you," the brunette told her candidly, the alcohol clearly lowering her inhibitions.

"I… I care about you too. A lot."

"You are such a wonderful girl."

"Mills. Knock it off."

"No."

"Listen. You're a little drunk, and I-"

"So?"

"What do you mean 'so?'"

"Being tipsy doesn't make it any less true."

"Sure it does."

With a sigh, Regina rested her head on Emma's shoulder.

"You're so comfortable."

"Good. I'm glad."

"I'm really glad I met you."

"What's making you say that?"

"Just being here with you. Feeling your arms around me."

"Well, that was a little corny," Emma giggled.

"Shut up, Swan."

"I'm just playing, love. It's okay."

Emma smiled and slipped her hand beneath the hem of Regina's shirt, rubbing gentle circles on her back.

"That feels good."

"Good."

After a while, just as she felt herself falling asleep, the brunette sat up. Emma opened her eyes when she felt the girl move away.

"What is it?" she asked, looking concerned.

"Nothing. I just wanted to look at you."

Feeling her stomach flip, Emma looked into her companion's eyes and waited for her to speak again. This didn't happen, so she reached up and stroked her thumb over Regina's cheek. To the blonde's shock and surprise, the girl leaned in and pressed their foreheads together. Muscles involuntarily flexing, Emma gave her waist a small squeeze.

"Emma."

Hearing her first name pass Regina's lips for the first time, Emma immediately turned red and felt her stomach heave again. She loved the way it sounded, coming from her. Swallowing hard, she found herself unable to speak, but she didn't break the gaze. Eventually, Regina reached up and wiped her thumb over Emma's lips, making the girl's breath hitch in her chest.

"What are you doing?" she breathed.

Yes, Regina had said she might be curious, and they'd certainly gotten used to being very close physically over the time that they'd known each other – probably a little closer than friends should get – but this was different. Regina was touching her lips now, and their hips and foreheads were pressed together.

"I don't know," Regina confessed. "But I don't know how to stop."

Still, she froze for the moment, waiting for Emma's response. When it didn't come, but she felt the girl's hands start to shake as they pressed gently into her lower back, Regina finally leaned in to close the last inch of space between them. At first, Emma felt her heart explode as the sensation of her companion's petal-soft lips pressed against hers, but when Regina continued the kiss, she finally mustered the courage to reciprocate. It lasted a long while, until Emma reached behind the girl's neck – just like in Regina's dream – to pull her closer. Remembering the look of embarrassment on the brunette's face as she'd recounted the way Emma had used her tongue in the dream, Emma slowly slid her tongue along Regina's bottom lip. Just like in the girl's fantasy, this earned a soft moan.

Every time Emma made any move to break away, Regina leaned in and pressed their lips together again.

"Regina," Emma finally breathed.

"Don't stop."

So Emma continued the kiss until their hands were wandering and they were both out of breath.

"What?" Regina asked anxiously, as Emma bit her lip and stared up at her.

"N-Nothing… I just… You're… You're tipsy, and… and I don't want to take advantage of you. I just… I don't…"

"You don't want this? I mean, I know I'm nothing special – I'm nothing like your other girls – but… I just thought… I guess I was getting mixed signals. I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you into something you didn't want to do."

The brunette pulled away quickly and stared to roll away, but her companion gripped her hips and held her still.

"I didn't say that."

"Well, what is it then?"

"I just told you. I don't want to take advantage of you when you're tipsy and-"

"It's not the alcohol that's making me lose control. It's you."

"What?"

"It's the way you've been looking at me. Touching me. Holding me. Teasing me. I just can't hold back anymore. I know this doesn't mean anything to you, but-"

"Wait. Mills. Regina," Emma emphasized the girl's first name to get her attention. "It does mean something. To be honest… It… It means everything. I've never felt like this before. I've never wanted someone the way I want you. I've never wanted to wake up next to someone the way I want to wake up next to you. I don't want to sleep alone anymore. With you, it's not… It's not lust. It's…"

"What?"

"I…"

"Emma?"

Again, Emma shivered when she heard her own name pass Regina's lips, but she managed to reply, "I can't. I can't say it. It's stupid."

Regina looked a little confused at first, then surprised. Then, she cupped the girl's chin and looked into her eyes, saying, "Tell me."

"You're really gonna make me say it?"

"Yes."

"It's not lust. It's love, okay? Jesus."

By this point, Emma's face was entirely red, and her heart was racing as embarrassment flooded her.

"What?" Regina gawked, staring at her companion in shock.

"I love you, okay? Fuck. I'm sorry. I know that's crazy. I know it is. I just-"

"Wait…"

"What?"

"I love you too, Emma."

The blonde's eyes went wide when she heard the words, and her heart nearly stopped at the sound. Instead of speaking, Regina leaned in and kissed her lips again, this time slowly and with more care and tenderness. Emma pressed her hands flat against the small of the girl's back to hold her closer and returned the kiss, her eyes falling closed.