Chapter 2

Troubled green eyes followed rivulets of water as they made erratic tracks down the thick glass.

The rain, when it hit, had taken her by complete surprise.

She'd been in her office trying to ignore the beautiful spring day that was clearly shining through the windows. It's blue sky and white clouds mocked her as she sat working on reports that needed to be finished by the end of the week. The station was dead silent except for the ticking of the clock in the main room and the scratch of pen against paper.

An indeterminable amount of time later she heard heavy boots hitting the linoleum floor of the hallway heading her direction. She gladly welcomed whatever distraction this person was about to provide her and pulled her eyes from the report she was working on to see one of the volunteer deputies walking in. Her smile of greeting grew as he explained that there had been a 'minor' disagreement between he and his wife and he had come to put in a few hours until it was safe for him to return home.

Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, she quickly organized the papers strewn across her desk into something resembling order before shrugging on her ever present red leather jacket. She threw instructions over her shoulder for the deputy to call if anything major happened, which it wouldn't, before stepping out into the glorious day. She stopped a few moments to just bask in the sunlight. Winter had been over for a few weeks now, but she could still feel the chill of it all the way to her bones.

It was a rare thing for her to get an afternoon off and she didn't plan to waste it indoors. So she set off at a lazy pace towards the heart of the small town she now considered home. She greeted other townsfolk as they passed by, stopping for a minute here and there if someone had a question or concern. The rest of her time was spent peaking into the various restaurants and stores that lined the street. Judging by the amount of people out and about, it was obvious that she wasn't the only one who wanted to take advantage of the good weather.

As she crossed Main Street, a cloud passed in front of the sun taking away the harsh brightness that reflected off of every surface. She blinked her eyes in relief a few times, but that relief was short lived as large drops of water began to fall down around her. Blonde curly hair soon hung limply around her face and she could feel a thin trail of water running down her spine.

She ran for cover under the nearest awning never seeing the other person walking out of the door. The body she bumped into was warm, soft, and decidedly feminine. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end as an electric charge shot through her entire being. She knew who it was before she even heard her voice.

"Do watch where you are going, Ms. Swan," came the irritated response from the brunette as she took a step back from the soaking wet blonde.

"My deepest apologies, Madame Mayor," she said with as much sarcasm as she could muster despite her still humming body.

An awkward silence fell between them as the rain continued to pour around them cutting off any hope of escape . Regina stared at the blonde, mask firmly in place, while Emma looked at everything but the brunette. They were both very familiar with the tension that had existed between them since their first meeting. This was different though. Their normally harsh banter had recently changed to something resembling flirting, though they would deny it if anyone dared ask, and neither was quite sure what to make of it yet.

"Were you headed home, Ms. Swan?" asked the brunette, trying to sound casual. Small talk really wasn't her forte.

Green eyes slowly tracked their way up from the sidewalk over black stilettos and long legs incased in dark grey slacks. A black silk shirt covered the flat stomach she knew lay hidden there and accented firm, round breasts. The top two buttons were undone allowing her the barest glimpse of tantalizing flesh. She felt heat spread over her face and hoped it wasn't as visible as she feared. That hope died a quick death when she finally looked into mischievous brown eyes. Regina Mills could say a lot with just the quirk of an eyebrow and this one told her that her perusal had not gone unnoticed.

"I'm sorry. What was the question again?" she asked trying to bring her mind back to the present and not let it wander off to all the naughty places it wanted to go.

"I asked," she began with a slight eye roll, "if you were on your way home."

"Ah, well I honestly hadn't planned on it, but I guess now I don't really have much choice," she responded indicating her soaked jeans and drenched hair.

"Good," was all the dark haired woman said before linking one arm through the blonde's and covering them with a large umbrella that Emma hadn't realized she was holding.

She didn't even bother to protest since it she knew it would be pointless. Besides, she was enjoying the warmth coming from the body pressed so closely to her side. When the breeze blew just right, a faint scent of apples would tickle her nose. She knew that no matter where life took her she would forever associate apples with the beautiful mayor.

Neither woman spoke a word as they walked the few blocks to the apartment Emma shared with Mary Margaret. None were needed. The silence was no longer awkward and both women seemed content to just enjoy being in the presence of the other.

The spring shower had gradually lost it's intensity as they made the short journey and by the time they reached the front of Emma's building it was barely sprinkling. The two women separated as the mayor closed her umbrella and Emma dug her keys out of her jacket pocket. She wasn't ready for the older woman to leave just yet but couldn't come up with the words to invite her in. It was probably for the best anyways. Mary Margaret was home by now and putting those two in close quarters was always asking for trouble.

"Thank you for walking me home, Madame Mayor. It wasn't necessary, but I... just... thanks."

She wanted to say more, but the words just wouldn't come. Dark eyes told her that the other woman understood what she meant even if she wasn't so sure herself.

"Think nothing of it. Good day, Ms. Swan," the brunette said quietly before turning to head back down the street.

"Emma," the blonde corrected as she grabbed a soft hand in her own slightly callused one spinning the Mayor back around to face her.

Deep brown eyes snapped to the hand gently holding hers before flicking up to meet soft green intently looking back. Emma pulled gently until the other woman was only a few inches away. Her free hand wrapped around a trim waist to rest on the small of the older woman's back as the other ran its way up a toned arm. Long fingers brushed over a rapidly beating pulse point before trailing their way over soft skin and into short brown hair.

"My name is Emma," she repeated.

Eyes remained locked as she stepped forward slightly. She felt more than heard the brunette's breath catch as their bodies made full contact. She had to bite her lip to hold back the moan of appreciation that threatened to escape as her heart rate sped up to match the one she could clearly feel beating against her chest. She slowly pushed the other woman backwards until they came to rest against the brick wall; effectively hiding them in the shadows and away from prying eyes.

Emma paused for a moment to enjoy the slightly flushed features of the woman before her. Tan cheeks were tinged pink, chocolate brown eyes were wide with desire and maybe a little trepidation, and full red lips were parted slightly to draw in some much needed air. A flash of pink caught her eye as the brunette's tongue ran quickly over her bottom lip. In that instant, the small amount of resolve she had to hold back broke completely.

She leaned in slowly, giving the mayor a chance to stop her. When she saw no signs of protest, she closed what little distance remained between them and brought their lips together in a soft, gentle kiss. It wasn't their first, or even their second kiss, but it was the first that hadn't been fueled by anger.

She broke away for a moment before catching soft lips in a firmer embrace. There was no nervousness or uncertainty in this kiss. A shiver traveled down her spine as strong hands made their way under her jacket to clutch at the back of her black tank top. She wrapped her arm tighter around the other woman bringing them impossibly closer as her other hand drew abstract patterns across the back of a delicate neck.

She ran the tip of her tongue across the lips pressed against her own silently asking for permission to deepen the kiss. Lips parted instantly and she eagerly explored the warm recesses now available to her. Warm tongues danced together stoking the flame burning inside her into full blown inferno. A soft moan reached her ears over the sound of pounding hearts and panting breaths. She wasn't sure who it had come from, but it brought her back to reality and the fact that the Sheriff and the Mayor were making out in public. She couldn't resist one last kiss before pulling back quickly, leaving a slightly disheveled and panting mayor still leaning against the wall.

"Good bye, Regina," she said with a wicked smile and a quick wink as she slipped through the door before the brunette had a chance to respond.

Emma Swan pushed away the memory as she stood propped against the stone edge of the window, arms crossed tightly over her chest, staring out into the courtyard. Dark gray clouds rolled sluggishly across the sky casting everything in a muted, surreal light and a thick mist had settled in obscuring everything past the palace gate. The weather suited her mood perfectly.

She'd woken up in Happily Ever After nearly a week ago and was beginning to feel restless, uneasy, and worst of all, useless. Her Real World skills as Sheriff and bounty hunter didn't really translate to the world she now found herself. She'd probably just end up making things worse or get herself killed in the process. Plus, she couldn't leave Henry behind. The kid had become rather clingy within the last week, which was understandable. One mother was already missing; he didn't need the second one to disappear as well. She had very little experience in reassuring distraught children and his worry was just adding to her own.

Luckily, most of his day was taken up by the various lessons Snow had set up for him, she had been his teacher at one point after all, and much of his free time was spent playing with some of the servants' children. Emma had expressed her doubts at this development, but Snow had soothed her worries saying that Henry was more than welcome to play with any of the other boys or girls that lived in and around the castle. Of course that could all change once they learned just who she and Henry were. She'd never really paid attention in history, but she vaguely recalled that royals did not mingle with commoners. Maybe that just wasn't an issue here, though she was certain Regina would have been abhorred.

A small sigh escaped as her thoughts, yet again, settled on the one person she was trying to actively not think about. The whole week had passed and there was still no sign of the brunette, not even a letter, and Emma's concern was growing steadily with each passing day. It was true that they had no way of knowing just where the older woman had reemerged, but Emma knew Regina was much more powerful in this world and pursued everything with a single-minded determination. This meant that the brunette should have been there by now, or at least Emma thought so.

The sound of a large wood door opening pulled her from her thoughts. She turned her head slightly and watched as the sandy haired man made his way towards the ornate desk located in the middle of the rather large library she had hidden herself away in. James was dressed casually in a white long sleeved shirt covered by a high collared, dark leather jerkin that matched his leather pants and boots. She could tell by the way his hair was plastered to his head and the slight squeak of his boots as he walked that he had just come from outside.

He was clearly intent on finding something among the stack of papers and books scattered across the wooden surface of the desk. She let her worries fade away for the moment as a mischievous smirk crossed her lips. She had not stepped a single foot outside at all today so her soft soled boots were perfectly dry. They made absolutely no noise as she made her way towards the taller man who currently had his back to her.

"Anything I can help you find?" she asked a little louder than necessary.

Papers flew as the blond man turned quickly, blue eyes wide in surprise. Emma couldn't hold it in any longer. Both hands covered her mouth trying to quiet the laughter that had her bent over double and gasping for air.

"Gods, Emma. You scared the life out of me!"

"I'm sorry," she forced out as her laughter finally started to fade. "The opportunity was just too good to pass up."

"Well, seeing as how I'm so nice and all, I'm willing to forgive you this once," he said holding up his index finger for emphasis. He retrieved the fallen papers from the floor before returning to his search. "So how are you settling in so far?"

"Good. Great, actually."

"Uh huh." Clearly it sounded as weak to him as it did to her. "How are you really?" he asked. Concern was clearly written across his face and Emma knew that he genuinely cared about her well being.

"Fine," she said rolling her eyes. "I'm just a little restless. I'm not used to all this sitting around."

"Well, have you thought about what you'd like to do?"

"What can I do?" she asked with a shrug of her shoulders. "I don't know the territory or what kinds of creatures live in this world and I can't leave Henry. I'm not sure there really is anything for me to do."

"You don't necessarily have to find work, Emma. You and Henry are more than welcome to stay here indefinitely, but if boredom is the problem you can always take out one of the horses, though I wouldn't recommend it in this weather, or you could speak with the weapons master. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to learn how to wield a sword."

"Hmm… good point," she responded distractedly. She wasn't too keen on the horse idea, but she had to agree that some weapons training would distract her if nothing else.

"There's more isn't there?"

"Huh?"

"There is something else bothering you. I can see it in your eyes."

Oh, he is good.

"Honestly? I'm kind of nervous that we haven't heard from Re… er, the Evil Queen yet. We've been back for over a week and I keep expecting her to show up at any minute."

"Ah, you're worried she'll come to take Henry away." He didn't give her a chance to speak before continuing. "There's really no cause to worry. For one, I don't think she really ever loved him or that she is actually capable of loving someone other than herself." She literally had to bite her tongue to keep from tearing into him. She realized no one else knew Regina the way she did and now was not the time to try and change their minds. When they finally found her, then she would prove to them how wrong they were. "Secondly, we have sent out spies to her most likely locations and we are expecting reports any day now."

"Isn't it strange that they haven't returned yet, though?"

"Not really," he said with a dismissive shrug. "Her realm is nearly a five day journey by horse and you have to cross the Wilderness first. It is a perilous journey. Only one person can make it through there undisturbed and so far she has been unwilling to share her secret." She was sure the smile he shot her was supposed to be reassuring, but it just wasn't working for her.

"Ha!" he suddenly exclaimed. Apparently he'd finally found the paper he was looking for. He made his way from behind the desk and started towards the door, but stopped just short of the threshold and turned back towards her.

"Everything will be fine, Emma. You'll see. Try not to let these worries bother you too much, but if you have any more concerns you are more than welcome to come to Snow or me. We are happy to help in any way we can."

A small, grateful smile crossed her lips. "Thanks, Charming. I'll be sure to remember that."

He didn't roll his eyes at the nick name, but the blonde could tell he wanted to. What could she say? Snow was a bad influence and besides, it fit him perfectly. He just shook his head with a gentle laugh as he walked through the large double doors and down the hallway.

The dark mood she'd been in earlier had only intensified after her chat with Charming and it followed her well into dinner. Luckily, Henry's excited rambling of all he had learned and all the fun stuff he had done with his new friends that day covered her silence. She just made sure to nod at the right moments and smile whenever excited green eyes turned her way, but she'd never be able to repeat anything he'd said.

The love and laughter that surrounded the occupants of the table was nearly tangible in its strength, but she'd never felt so isolated before. The weight of that isolation settled in her chest, slowly crushing the air from her lungs. So she waited, picking at her dinner, until she thought she could escape without raising suspicion. When she felt that a reasonable amount of time had passed she made her excuses before fleeing the dinning room. It wasn't as graceful as she'd hoped and she missed the concerned looks that followed her hasty departure.

She wandered aimlessly through the castle corridors trying to organize the chaos that filled her mind. She'd already resigned herself to wait for Regina, even though missed the slightly older woman more she thought possible, but until she had something to go on there was nothing more she could do. Her problem now centered on what she'd found earlier and what to do with it.

All the possible outcomes and their repercussions played out in front of her. Ultimately, though, she didn't have much of a choice. It had to be done. Mind made up, she spun on her heels and wound her way through the maze of twists and turns that lead to her room. She dropped to her knees as she reached the side of her bed and felt around until her fingers landed on what she was looking for. Strong hands clutched it tightly to her chest as she made her way back through the door. The staccato beat tapped out by her boots spoke of a confidence that she just did not feel.

A/N: Sorry for the slight delay. This chapter was a little hard for me. I didn't quite know what I wanted to do with it. Plus friends, family, and almost getting blown away by a tornado kinda distracted me. The next chapter should practically write itself, though. So I should be right back on track. As always, let me know what you think. You guys have given me some really great reviews and I want to thank you all for that. They make my day!