Author's note: Hey! Thank you guys so much for supporting my story and for all the reviews! They are always brilliant and soooooooo! Amazing! You all make me want to keep writing this fic! And let me tell you…it's working! Anyway here is the next chapter!

Chapter 17

Golden rays peeked at the horizon. Swirls of lilac and burnt orange encompassed its powerful shine, manifesting the beginning of a brand new day. Its vibrant beams shone delightfully on pale skin. Emma groaned lightly at the sun's intrusion. She felt a warm body pressed gently into her side, still with her eyes closed, a smile graced her features before she allowed her eyes to flutter open; only to gasp in awe at the sight before her.

Regina's head lay on her chest with an almost possessive hold around her waist. The thought of being Regina's made her smile glimmer in the early sunlight. The events from last night flooded her mind; she was surprised that they had gotten some shuteye. Emma chuckled lightly as she remembered calling Regina 'insatiable' considering there were multiple rounds of heated yet tender pleasuring. Emma's arm was wrapped around the brunette's back; she lightly caressed the exposed skin. The blonde allowed herself to gaze at the rather placid brunette for a few moments, drinking in her beauty and soft features Emma placed a light kiss on her head. She let out a soft sigh before allowing sleep to consume her once more.

…

With a tired yawn and a missing shirt Adam knocked lightly on the door, "Emma, Regina breakfast is downstairs in half an hour. Be there or be…square?" He called out with a slightly confused expression before prancing off to wake up the other guests.

"Fucking leprechauns need to mind their own business…bloody kleptomaniacs." Emma groaned in annoyance strengthening her tight on the brunette's body, pressing their bodies impossibly closer.

"No, I don't need to breath or anything…" Regina grumbled sarcastically into Emma's shoulder, before shifting in the embrace. It had come to her attention that Emma was still in a deep slumber.

"Hey. Hey, leprechaun, what's the world like from down there?" Emma laughed lightly, still unconscious.

Regina rolled her eyes but couldn't contain the grin that spread across her face at the blonde's infamous talking during her sleep. She tactically removed herself from the embrace and instantly missed the warmth. She tiredly checked the time and noticed it was now 8 am. Breakfast would be ready She thought. With that Regina proceeded to get move into the bathroom and take a shower. The recent memories of last night caused a genuine smile to appear upon her face as the warm water caressed her skin. They had spent a wonderful night together and if she were to be honest with herself, she felt uneasy that today was the day Emma had to go to another client in Boston. The fact that she felt uneasy about the sensitive situation unsettled her even more.

…

It wasn't long until Emma woke up and realised Regina was no longer in the bed. A sinking feeling began to set in, however, only a moment later she spotted the woman who was fully dressed, closely watching her from the sofa off to the side; a smirk plastered across her face. The feeling instantly subsided.

"Yes, because watching me sleep isn't creepy at all…" Emma drawled out, her voice tainted with sarcasm. A smile reached her eyes as she sat up cross-legged with the light sheet wrapped firmly around her body, covering her chest.

"Sleeping?" Regina scoffed. "You were practically having an argument in your sleep with a leprechaun?" She chuckled in disbelief even though she witnessed the sight herself.

Emma shook her head, "Those little bastards are self-conniving, evil, and sick- twisted mini people who can only find clothes in the toddler section." She stated.

Regina smirked, "Now I know where Henry get his vivid imagination from. It was quite entertaining, if I must say."

Emma bowed her head slightly, "It was all my pleasure, your majesty."

The brunette rolled her eyes and Emma chuckled in response before a peaceful silence overcame the pair. The blonde twiddled her thumbs and raised her head only to catch Regina's gaze.

"Come here." Emma ordered playfully, with her index finger motioning the movement.

Although slightly reluctant, Regina carefully moved off the sofa and sauntered over to the blonde with an extra sway to her hips. Emma grinned at the movement and when the brunette was on the bed Emma pulled her into a tight lip-lock. Regina moaned into the kiss and gently pushed the blonde down, now effectively straddling her. Emma weaved her fingers through soft brown locks while Regina cupped her face with one hand and steadied herself with the other. Their lips moved in sync, it was not heated but simply full of underlying passion for one another. Emma made a move to pull down the zip on the brunette's grey dress, however, was ultimately stopped by the Mayor who smirked into the kiss before detaching her lips from the blonde's.

"And you called me insatiable?" Regina hovered over her lips in a suggestive manner.

Emma gave a breathy chuckle, "You so are! And maybe I am…a little." She winked before placing a chaste kiss on soft red plump lips.

Regina smiled, "Come on, we have to go down for breakfast." She proceeded to move off the blonde who whined at the action.

"I don't want breakfast…" Emma trailed.

Regina stood next to the bed with her arms folded, "Really now?" She quirked a sceptical eyebrow and seem very unconvinced.

Emma faltered slightly, "Okay…maybe I do want breakfast." She muttered sheepishly.

The Mayor found the sight quite endearing much to her surprise. 'Yes, well a shower is required first, dear."

Emma grumbled in response.

…

After Emma had a shower and dressed appropriately in her usual attire: white tank top, blue skinny jeans and her famous red leather jacket, the pair made their way downstairs for breakfast before everybody departed ways to their own towns. Emma almost drooled at the sight of the various foods available. There were a variety of fruits, as well as pancakes, omelettes, bacon and eggs, muffins, bagels and the usual toast and cereals such as coco pops and fruit loops.

Regina noticed the blonde's blatant staring at the food and rolled her eyes. Typical. "Do control yourself, dear." She held out a plate to the blonde, which she gratefully accepted.

Emma pointed at the long rectangular table, "This is orgasmic."

The Mayor nearly dropped her plate at the unusual statement, "I beg your pardon?" She inquired; alternatively she thought not knowing the meaning behind the blonde's words was more acceptable. "Actually, never mind. I do not wish to know." She began to dish some fresh fruit onto her plate.

Emma smirked mischievously, "Suit yourself, Madame Mayor." She also began to fill her plate with food. After last nights energy expenditure she needed all the energy she could muster for her last client; she was not looking forward to it.

Once they finished loading their plate the pair made their way outside to find the other Mayors all seated in the eight-seater rectangular table. At the sighting of Emma and Regina, Adam along with the other male Mayors made animal like noises at the pair.

"Here they are everyone! I wonder what took them so long…"Adam wiggled his eyebrows suggestively while Emma and Regina went a light shade of red at being caught out. They both took their seats at the table and noticed everyone was heavily hung-over.

"Yeah they were at it like rabbits…from what I heard." Quinn moaned while rubbing her forehead in an attempt to ease the pounding in her head.

"Sorry about that…" Emma apologised shyly.

Across from Emma was Kyrah who sported a dark pair of ray bans – probably covering her dark bags and red-rimmed eyes. From what Emma recalled from last night the brunette was practically inebriated and off her head. She currently watched the Mayor grab the jug of syrup and drown her pancakes in the sugary topping.

Emma smirked, "Would you like some pancakes with that syrup?" She chuckled.

Kyrah slammed the jar on the table and pointed a wobbly finger at the blonde. "Not one word, blondie. Not a single sound." She grumbled from the pain throbbing in her head. "Not only did I manage not to sleep because of you too playing hooky but I also face planted the floor this morning." Kyrah moaned while pushing around the pancakes with her fork. She made a disgruntled face, "And the pace that you two…" She directed her fork back and forth between Emma and Regina before continuing, "Were going at it, is like that of a Kenyan marathon runner." She managed to shove a piece of pancake in her mouth.

Emma noticed that Regina was engaged in a conversation with Quinn and decided to confess to Kyrah. "In all honesty it was all Regina." She murmured with a growing smirk. "She's never been a quiet one."

Kyrah chuckled before her eyes caught a sparkling object residing on Emma's ring finger. Her eyes widened, "Oh my god! You found the ring?! Where was it?" She exclaimed in surprise but cringed momentarily at the throbbing in her head.

Emma cleared her throat, "Well we were right…It was in the fruit punch…" She trailed.

The brunette frowned, "I don't understand, we checked there and found nothing." She held her fork up in the air to accentuate her point.

"Yeah it wasn't there then because it was in someone's drink."

"WHO'S?"

"Mine." Regina interrupted with a faux smile. The brunette was still unsure about the other infamous Mayor and her intentions towards Emma, despite how innocent they may have appeared. She narrowed her eyes at the shocked woman in front of her before cautiously relaxing her facial features.

Kyrah's jaw had basically hit the ground, "Are you serious?" She almost whispered under Regina's intense gaze, averting her line of sight to Emma who she witnessed gulp.

Emma nodded, "Yep. But I made up for it last night, didn't I? Honey." She teased the woman next to her who was still sending daggers towards Kyrah. Regina's attention shifted almost instantaneously at the insinuating remark. She cleared her throat and arched an eyebrow at the question.

"Not even close, honey." With that Regina picked up her empty plate and waltzed back inside- obviously finished with her breakfast.

"Someone's in the dog house tonight…" Kyrah chimed in an unusually high-pitched voice.

Emma rolled her eyes; "I'm always in the dog house…" She grumbled.

…

Emma meticulously studied her form in front of the enormous mirror. She spotted the light bags under her eyes, despite the fact that a healthy amount of black eyeliner was applied. Long golden tresses ran like ivory down her shoulders, she gave a loud sigh at her own reflection. The black tight-fitting dress hugged her curves in all the right places with the accompanying straps secured on her shoulders. Emma almost grimaced at her own appearance, although she appeared more than decent it was mainly for her final customer- which set her off even more. The blonde sighed heavily before slipping her arms through her red leather jacket, with that she walked out of the bathroom only to find Regina's gaze on her.

"Hey." Emma broke the unnerving silence.

Regina simply nodded at the greeting as she sat in a Mayor-like posture on the bed. "What time will you be back? Because next week-"

Emma interrupted her, "Tonight. I will be back, tonight." She admitted softly while taking a few steps closer to the brunette.

The Mayor stood abruptly; clearing her throat she nodded in response. "Well then…have fun." She spat almost bitterly, and attempted to disguise the underlying jealously towards the situation.

Emma tilted her head, "You know I'd rather be with you and Henry. I haven't seen him in a while with work and…other stuff." She confessed with a solemn expression etching across her features, conveying her sincerity.

Regina averted her gaze to the cream coloured carpet for a few moments before allowing her posture to relax slightly at the admission. She felt it quite difficult to suppress the ache in her heart as a result of the feelings that she had developed towards the blonde over the past few weeks. She couldn't deny the fact that Emma was growing on her; she had become accustomed to her unique ways throughout this whole façade. That's what it was and is…right? A sham? Regina had once stared at her ceiling for a whole night in an attempt to convince herself that the notion of her and Emma together was absurd.

The Mayor remained silent. Moments passed and neither of the women had uttered a single word. Regina's austere posture stayed in tact, her lips parted, "Henry and I have dinner at around 7." She declared noncommittally, essentially dismissing the idea she was subtly proposing.

A beaming grin broke out across Emma's face, "Exactly what are you proposing, Madame Mayor?" She moved over to Regina, now in her personal space.

Regina raised her chin defiantly, "I'm not proposing anything, dear." She felt her heart double in speed at their close proximity. "We're having lasagne. It's Henry's favourite." She murmured not long after, her eyes unintentionally locking with Emma's.

"Great. I'm sure you're a wonderful cook." Emma gave her a warm and sincere smile. The expression was nearly foreign to the brunette, however, discovered that it pulled the strings on her heart.

Regina tilted her head, mirth surfacing in her eyes, "Wouldn't you like to know?" She leaned in closer to the blonde. She unfolded her arms and trailed her fingers down the length of Emma's jacket, her eyes following the trail. "I don't tolerate tardiness, Miss Swan." She spoke quietly but her tone remained firm, leaving no room for argument.

Emma's grin only widened, "I promise I won't be late." She accepted the silent offer.

The Mayor playfully scoffed at the response, a smile brimming the edge of her lips.

"I have to go." Emma whispered apologetically.

Regina nodded, "Of course." She responded quickly, taking a step back from the blonde. She crossed her arms over her chest once again and Emma immediately recognised the defensive movement.

"Regina…" Emma almost whined, she took a step closer to the brunette- closing the distance.

The Mayor shook her head, "Go, otherwise you'll be late. Then you will be late tonight and I will be very unimpressed." She offered Emma a tight smile at her last few words in an effort to reassure the blonde that she was fine.

Emma slowly nodded, "Okay…" She breathed out. The blonde moved towards the sofa to retrieve her backpack before adamantly moving back over to Regina. Emma delicately placed her lips against her temple, letting it linger for a few moments before reluctantly making her way out of the room. "I'll see you soon." She spoke at the door, offering the brunette a small smile before making her way out of Adam's mansion.

Regina sighed; a sudden overwhelming feeling consumed her. She felt lightheaded and let her legs collapse, gracefully landing on the bed she stared aimlessly at the spinning fan. What am I doing? Love is weakness. This is absurd. This can't happen. Regina let the dominant thoughts encircle her mind. It was all becoming too much, it was almost surreal.

…

Present

Red dramatically ran a hand across her forehead, "Please, Emma. Don't leave. I can't live without you." She moved towards her lover, the intensity of their gaze resulted in an eruption of laughter from the group of women.

Belle held a hand to her chest, "Regina, you know I can't do that. I would love to wake up with you in my arms at sunrise. My love, your beauty blinds me." She overdramatically gets down on her knees and gazes at the chuckling brunette. "You shine like the light from the sun."

Emma gasped, "She so quoted that line from the Lizzie McGuire movie."

Red, distressed had ushered for her beloved to come to her feet. "My dear, what can I do to make you stay? I'll do anything." She emphasised, surprised that she had kept up the act. Red slid her arms over Belle's shoulders and reeled her in closer.

Belle snaked her arms around the slim waist, tugging her closer but looked on saddened, "Well there is one thing that you can do that'll make me stay…" She trailed, her eyes purposefully diverting from the pair before her.

"What is it, Emma? Anything! I'll do anything." She urgently responded.

Belle shook her head against the idea, "No, I'm asking way too much."

Red ran her fingers through Belle's hair and smoothed her cheek with her thumb, "Please, dear. Just tell me." She had to bite her lip from giggling.

The younger woman looked on unsure, "Well, I'd really love it if you could…make me lasagne." She burst out into a fit of laughter along with the small audience before them, however, they quickly snapped back into character.

"Oh, my dear, I would be honoured to cook you lasagne everyday for the rest of your life if it will make you stay." Red felt her body vibrate as she attempted to contain her laughter. "But on one condition…" She trailed solemnly.

Belle nodded, "What is it?"

"Will you marry me? Red asked shyly with a small smile.

"Oh of course I'll marry you. Lets have 100 children and live happily ever after." With that Belle crushed her lips against Red's only to find herself melting into the kiss. The applause from the audience caused the pair to part their ways, both of them slightly flushed with shy smiles. They grabbed each other's hand and curtsied in front of the group who cheered at the wonderful performance.

"That wasn't overly dramatic at all." Regina commented sarcastically with a growing smile.

"That was fucking hilarious!" Granny laughed ecstatically.

Snow gleamed, "I'm going to be a grandmother to 100 children!"

Emma's eyes widened, "Whoa slow down their pussycat." She smiled.

Snow rolled her eyes, "Emma, you know I'm just kidding."

"I sometimes don't know, mom." She chuckled.

"Hey, where's Kyrah? I haven't seen her in a while…" Red perked up after the chattering between the women in the group had died down. It was only moments later when they all heard the sound of glass breaking just outside the lounge room.

Emma sighed, "Well…looks like she's here." She chuckled at the sight of the brunette who was grinning like a chesire cat. Blue had to cover her mouth with her hand as her body erupted in laughter.

Emma and Regina had decided to inform Kyrah of Storybrooke and Fairy Tale Land. The pair had become very close to the brunette in the last two years and had both decided to welcome her into their very unique lifestyle. She had quit as Mayor of Portland and was offered a job by Emma as Deputy, which she was only too happy to accept.

Kyrah bowed, "Your majesty, I do hope that you had no intentions of keeping that very swag looking vase just over there." She pointed haphazardly, her level of alcohol consumption was heavily evident due to her rather slurred speech.

Regina chuckled at the woman, "No, dear, I did not."

Kyrah smiled while stumbling over to the group and unceremoniously throwing herself onto the sofa. "Good. But if you do, you can have a piece of it…or pieces." She later offered.

"No, thank you, dear."

Kathryn gleamed excitedly, "So did you guys become a couple then? What happened next?" She enquired eagerly, the other women were also irking Emma and Regina on to continue with the rollercoaster of a story.

Emma grimaced slightly and glanced at Regina who only raised an eyebrow. The brunette spoke up first, "We at the time were very casual and Emma ran into an old friend…didn't you honey?" She firmly focused her attention back onto the blonde; who received the "Ooooooo's" from the ladies who were now very intrigued on the matter that took place after Emma left Adam's mansion to head back to Boston.

The Sheriff rubbed the back of her neck, "Well this next part put a bit of a dent or was a bit of a set back in our slowly developing relationship…what happened was…"

…

Past

Emma sighed in frustration as she exited her vehicle and quickly made her way down the street in busy Boston.

"This city will never change." She muttered under her breath, she approached the tall skyscraper building that she had passed on numerous occasions. There was only one thing on her mind. Regina.

The emerald pair spotted the back of the man she had assumed was her client since the company had arranged for the pair to meet at a certain place; to make things simple and easy. With a loud sigh, she embedded her hands in the depths of her pockets before quickly darting towards him. Let's get this over with.

She approached the man, "Hi, I'm-" Emma's eyes widened as the man turned around at her voice. His eyes were just as wide from shock.

"Emma." His voice wavered slightly.

"Neal."

Author's note: Now…people Neal is not going to be a major part in this story cuz I hate him in the show, meh. I basically put him in to test Emma/Regina's relationship not in terms of infidelity and all that but trust primarily and other aspects. I hope that's ok! If it's not them…don't let me know ;) Oh and please review, if you wish ;)