***Author's Note: Please don't hate me for this chapter for there is more of the the Killan and Emma "relationship" than there is of Regina and Emma. Keep reading though because I have some really good things planned for this story. As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read Where We Belong and let me know your thoughts if you care to share them.***

Once Emma receives her new alcohol permit a few weeks later, she stops by the bar to show Regina and ends up staying for a few hours shadowing Killian while Regina decides to work on some things in her office in the back. Killian shows Emma how to use the operating system for orders which she thinks is pretty straightforward. Emma thinks that for the most part, it should not be too difficult to pick up. And when Killian finishes his shift and leaves for the day, Regina tells Emma that she can go over the menu with her if she wants to stay. Emma agrees thinking that it will be even easier than all the computer stuff but somehow, it ends up being more overwhelming than she expects. Regina leaves Emma to study the daily specials while she tends to the customers and when she asks how it is going later that evening, Emma shrugs as she answers nervously. "I don't know but think that I should be okay. There's just a lot to remember. I guess I'm a bit rustier than I thought."

Regina, however, believes that Emma will be just fine. "I'm sure that you'll remember more than you think. I'm confident that once you get started, you'll find that it'll be like riding a bike." Then Regina offers to feed her, and Emma never turns down food, before telling her to come in for her first shift on Thursday and then sending her on her way.

When Emma shows up that Thursday night she is in tight jeans, a plain black tank top, and with her hair in two braided buns. This stuns both Killian and Regina and when Killian makes a hilarious remark about how she's "obviously ready to make those tips", it earns him a hard smack in the arm. Regina catches herself staring at Emma's tone arms and quickly turns herself around pretending to clean the countertop so that she can hide her face, which she is sure is turning red. Emma does not seem to notice as she is too busy trying to hide her own embarrassment after Killian's comment.

In order to change the subject, Emma tells them that she needs to study the menu some more before it starts to get busy so she walks over to where the menus are kept and grabs one. She takes down a few more notes on a pad of paper that she pulls from her back pocket and mentally goes over everything that she has learned. Emma asks Regina a few more questions regarding the Thursday specials and by the time the bar begins to fill up, she is pumped and ready to go.

To no one's surprise except for her own, Emma is indeed great at the job. It really helps that her first night of work is one of the bar's busiest nights and that Karaoke Night is once again a huge hit. While she manages to evade Killian's many attempts at tricking her into singing a cheesy love ballad with him, she is easily roped into singing an old country hit with an adorable older couple.

Regina is happy to see that Emma walking around and chatting with the guests when there was no one up at the bar that needs her help and she notices that it does not take her very long to get to know most of the regular Thursday night crowd. It stays busy enough that before any of them realize it, it is time for last call.

It is just after two in the morning when they have finally gotten everyone out of the bar. Regina tells them that she is going to take out the trash and then go around to the front to grab the sign so that she can lock up. Before she makes it out through the back door, she is calling to Emma. "Hey Emma, you can take off if you need to. Didn't you say that you work an early shift tomorrow? Killian and I can finish up with closing."

Emma has already finished cleaning off the tables and wiping the bar down and even though she knows that she has to be up super early, she is still on a high from the rush of all the socializing she has done tonight. "I'll be fine. I want to help finish up if it means that we get it done faster and can all get out of here together."

Emma does not hear an answer from Regina and realizes that the brunette is probably already outside in the back alley. Moments later, Emma's suspicions are confirmed when the other woman is coming in through the front door with the sign from the sidewalk. Emma rushes over to grab it from Regina so that she can have her hands free for locking the door and is met with a grateful smile. "Emma, take off, we can finish up."

Emma shrugs. "It's not a problem. We're almost done anyway. Where do you want to me to put this thing?"

Regina tells Emma that she can just lean it up against wall beneath the mirror cabinet and when Emma has trouble with it, Regina shows her the trick to keeping it upright. Once they finish, Emma turns to walk back over to the bar and notices that Killian has poured out and lined up three shots of amber liquid and is now waiting for them.

Emma chuckles. "Killian, what the hell are you doing?"

He just smiles at them. " You had a really good first run tonight and I think that we should celebrate."

"Emma has to work in the morning and I swear that you are always looking for an excuse to drink after your shift." Regina says as she walks over to where they are standing.

He smiles at Regina. "Well, I've already poured them. We can't let them go to waste, can we? So if Emma doesn't take this one then you have to take both of these." He pushes two of the shots towards Regina and turns back towards the blonde. "Now Emma, you wouldn't do that to Regina, right?"

Emma laughs again. "Of course, not. Are you trying to get me fired after my first night? I'm in." She reaches over, picks up one of the glasses and holds it up.

Regina looks at her. She is more than a little amused that Emma is always playing along with Killian's silly antics. She wonders if Killian would ever consider a romantic relationship with Emma because she has a feeling that maybe they could be quite good together. Regina looks closely at Emma and studies her face. Well, she is most certainly Killian's type, she thinks. Blonde, green-eyed, and not to mention just as beautiful if not more so than Elle is. Regina's staring makes Emma raise a brow at her in question and it breaks Regina out of reverie. Regina sighs and shakes her head in defeat. "Alright, fine." She picks up the shot glass and holds hers up as well which makes Emma smile happily.

"Excellent!" Killian says as he raises the third shot. "To Emma."

"To Emma." Regina repeats unable to contain the smile that is now on her face.

Emma shakes her head still smiling. "No. To new friends. Cheers."

They clink their glasses and shoot their drinks before turning out all the lights in the bar, locking up, and all going their separate ways.

Weeks later Emma is sitting at the bar after her shift and she is chatting with Regina who is just beginning hers. Regina knows that Killian is on his way to the bar to scoop Emma up so that they could check out a few condos and apartments that she might be interested in. Emma has been diligently looking around for potential living arrangements since she started at the bar but has been very frustrated with how expensive most of the places that she likes are. "I don't really think that I will be about to afford anything in this area. If I do find something, I feel like it will be too tiny for me."

Regina is listening as she is putting away some clean glasses from the morning. "Well, it isn't like you have a ton of furniture, Emma. I'm sure that even if you find a tiny place, it will work out for now. Do you seriously even want to live in downtown Seattle? It will be cheaper to live outside of the city, you know."

Emma knows this, of course, but she really has her heart set on living close to work. "Most of the jobs I am doing are in downtown and obviously, something within walking distance to this place would be fantastic."

Regina frowns. "That sounds nice and all but I really would rather you not walk home from here especially after a closing shift."

Emma just rolls her eyes. In the short time that she has known Regina, she finds that the woman is extremely protective of the people that she cares about. It is flattering, really, that Regina would think about something like her having to walk home by herself at two in the morning when it has not even once crossed Emma's own mind at all. Emma leans up on the counter and flashes her most vibrant smile. "Regina, we can renegotiate those things if I am lucky enough to find a place that close, okay?"

Regina just smiles and shakes her head. She thinks back to her own experience. It took her a very long time to find a place that she liked that was also affordable. After her split with Danielle, she desperately needed a place that she could call her own again and it was very difficult to find anything that was within her budget, so she understands why Emma is so concerned. She thinks that Emma should probably lower her expectations but if there is one thing she has learned about Emma in the last few weeks, it is that the blonde's stubbornness almost surpasses her own. It is not likely that anyone will be able to talk Emma out of something she has already decided on. "Well, if there is anyone out there that can help you find your dream place, I have to say that Killian is your guy. I don't know how many connections he has in this city but he always seems to know someone who knows someone else that can get him a good deal somewhere."

"Yeah, he told me that he found you the condo that you're in now and that it's super cute, right?"

"Yes, he did. Not exactly sure how he did it though because it was like winning the lottery with that place."

It's gotta be that charm that he has oozing out of him constantly." Emma exaggerates that last part while trying to keep a straight face but is not able to. She starts laughing which causes Regina to laugh as well.

When they hear the door open, Emma turns to see that that it's Killian. She turns back to Regina and says just loudly enough so that Killian can hear her as well, "speaking of our devilishly charming friend…" Then she winks at Regina making the brunette smile widely at her and Emma thinks to herself that Regina's smile is just about the prettiest think that she has ever seen.

"It's alright ladies, I get that all the time. I can't help it that my name is constantly on every woman's lips." Killian says as he's wiggling his eyebrows at them. He takes the seat next to Emma. "So, are we in a hurry or can I grab a pint?"

"Killian! We can come back afterwards and I'll buy you all the beer that you can drink. Let's just get this over with."

He jumps off of his seat and reaches out his hand to Emma. "Fine, fine. Let's get a move on then, shall we?"

"YES!" Emma is on her feet now as well and slaps down on Killian's hand, grabbing ahold of his arm instead.

Regina watches them curiously and sees what looks to be a blossoming relationship between Emma and Killian. She cannot explain it but it makes her heart feel a pinch. She finds that she is longing for something similar but has to remind herself that it has not been long enough and that she is nowhere close to being ready to let anyone in again. So, rather than dwell on the feeling, she shakes it off. "Good luck, you two. If I don't see you later tonight, I'm sure I'll hear all about it later in the week."

Killian turns back to Regina with a smirk. "Of course we'll be back tonight, Love. Emma already said that she is buying."

Emma shakes her head before she forces him out of the bar, "we'll definitely see you later, Regina! I'll need something strong after hanging out with this cheeseball all afternoon."

The first three places that they go to see are a bust and Emma is starting to feel discouraged. As they are walking towards the fourth and last place that Killian had on their list of potentials she can no longer hide her unhappiness. "I can't believe this. I'm going to have to live out in the boonies or on the street."

Killian laughs at how dramatic she is being. "Oh, I won't let either of those things happen, Love. I have a pretty good feeling about this last place. It's a one bedroom that's just a little above your budget but there is a balcony, cute European-style kitchenette, and a good-sized bathroom. I think that you will love it."

"I really can't afford a little bit above my budget! I mean, I thought all the places in New York were freaking overly expensive but this is just ridiculous. How can you charge so much for a place that doesn't even have air conditioning?"

Killian walks closer to Emma and hangs his arm around her shoulders. "Emma, just take a breath will you? Calm yourself. We're going to find you a place to live and we'll find it today. Trust me, you'll love this apartment."

Emma hates the apartment. The building looks completely run down and there is, in fact, a balcony but it overlooks an alleyway where a group of the homeless population have made it their permanent campsite. She would not consider it even if it was well under what she is wanting to pay for a place let alone for the rent amount they are actually asking for it. "Killian, I don't think I can handle anymore disappointment today. We should just call it a day and head back to the bar."

Killian frowns but does not argue with her. When they get back to the bar, Regina can see from Emma's expression that the apartment hunting did not go as planned. When Killian heads to the men's room, Emma just slumps into a seat at the bar with her head down and does not speak at all. Regina puts a Makers neat in front of her and when this finally gets her attention, Emma looks up and manages a small smile. It makes Regina happy when she sees Emma smiling again. "Hey there."

"Hi." Emma says meekly.

"I take it you didn't find anything that you liked."

Emma sighs and takes a drink. "Not by a longshot. It was really bad."

Regina actually really hates sharing her space. And she reminds herself that she does not really know Emma all that well. But at the same time, seeing the blonde so upset really tugs at her heartstrings and before she can help it, the words have already slipped out. "My place is not very big but if you need a place to crash, you should know that you're more than welcome to stay with me until you can find a place of your own."

This makes Emma beam. "Regina, that is really nice." But as she is really considering the offer she thinks that maybe having your boss as her roommate is not the brightest idea. Besides, she does not actually know Regina all that well and just the thought of living with the other woman makes her pulse race and her stomach queasy. She catches herself beginning to overthink the whole situation and what she is feeling, so she quickly pushes those thoughts away and adds, "But I just think that I really need a place of my own and I would really hate to put you out."

Regina is about to respond when Killian swings the chair next to Emma around so that he could climb into it. Killian asks her for a beer and she nods as she walks away to pour one. She thinks about her response to Emma's previous statement and starts to speak again but is interrupted when Killian starts to speak.

"You know, we can always make another list of potential homes and try again next week."

Emma sighs but is looking down at her glass. "Yeah, I guess that's my only option right now."

Killian nudges her in the shoulder to get her to look up at him. "And I was just thinking that in the meantime, you can just stay with me so you don't have to continue living at that hotel. I'm a pretty tidy guy and I have a spare bedroom. I think that I'll actually make an alright flatmate."

This makes Emma perk up, "Really? You wouldn't mind?"

Killian is happy to see that this lifts her spirits. "Not in the least, Love."

Regina overhears this conversation and is slightly hurt that Emma takes Killian up on his offer so easily when just a minute ago, she seems so hesitant to take hers. Regina sets Killian's beer down, more forceful than she normally does, causing some of the beer to splash onto the table.

Emma notices the spill and reaches for the rag that they keep behind the bar to wipe it up however, she does not really notice Regina's sudden change in mood. Emma turns towards their bartender with a wide smile, "Regina, it looks like Killian saved you from having to take me in because he says that I can crash with him until I find my own place." As she says this, her phone dings notifying her that she has an email and she is checks it to see that it is a list of jobs from the agency for the following week.

Killian turns and his eyes meets Regina's. He smiles cheerfully, grabs his beer and takes a large drink before turning back to look at Emma who is still looking down at her phone. By the way he is looking at her, Regina is now certain that her previous speculations may be correct. Killian is falling for the blonde. This saddens her unexpectedly and she is unsure why. More than anything, she wants Killian to be happy but right now she finds that she is feeling a mix of emotions that she cannot seem to place nor suppress.

When Emma looks up from her phone, her elation is still very much visible on her face. "Whew. I really feel like I can relax a little now. I really didn't want to stay at that hotel for another month."

Regina forces herself to smile at the blonde. "Well, I'm glad that it all worked out." Then Regina walks around to the other side of the bar to check on a few of the occupied tables in the dining area, but primarily just to give herself some space from Killian and Emma. She spends the rest of the evening internally sulking without much conversation with the pair which goes unnoticed by them because they are too busy making the arrangements for Emma's move. When the they are finally finished, they close their tab and say goodnight to Regina. And after Regina closes the bar that night, she goes home, curls up on the sofa with a glass of wine, and begins reflecting on all the things that she has promised herself she would never think about again.

All of the pain that Regina had thought was long gone is all resurfacing tonight and she is more upset at herself than anything for allowing it to once again consume her every thought. She hates to believe that seeing Killian so happy is the cause of her feeling this way but then again, she has to admit to herself that she is incredibly envious of the man. She could see in his face tonight the appearance of a man full of the joy and enthusiasm that she wonders if she will ever feel again. In the last six months, Regina has not been a stranger to throwing herself a pity party but she knows that right now this is not what she needs. Because it is no longer sadness and depression that she is feeling and in truth, it has not been that in quite some time. No, right now, she is just very angry. Livid because Danielle really made a mess of things and yet, she is not the one having to suffer for it. How is she able to just walk away without once looking back at all the devastation that she has left behind? Moreover, how is she able to live with herself and those decisions that she has made when the result is that she has taken a once confident, smart, and beautiful woman and transformed her into someone who is now barely a shell of her former self. Regina balls her hands up into fists as angry tears are forming and falling down her face. For the first time in a while, she lets herself feel completely heartbroken again. When Regina feels her chest start to constrict making it difficult for her to breathe, it only causes her to cry harder and louder. Eventually, exhaustion overtakes her mind and body and she falls asleep right there in her living room. And when Regina wakes in the morning on the sofa, still in her clothes from the night before, she can still feel the haze from the wine and the weariness from all of the crying.