Story Title: On Probation

Chapter Four: A Different Kind of Beginning

Emma did nothing but stare at her cellphone. After fifteen minutes of contemplating whether or not she should call the hostile brunette back, the blonde gave up and found herself looking aimlessly at the electronic device. Millions of questions came to surface, but only one stood out to her in a big neon sign; What the hell could Regina Mills possibly want? Surely, the former Evil Queen wouldn't call without wanting something. Why else would she even bother to dial Emma's number?

Not for sex, obviously. Even though that would make you happy.

Ugh, what the fuck?! Why are my hormones suddenly thinking for me?!

Because we're better than you and we know what you want, Swan.

SHUT UP.

"Mom?" Henry said, peeking through his mother's door. The eleven year old was wearing a black sleeveless shirt and Toy Story pajama pants. Emma got rid of all of her sexual thoughts (that she mentally decided to sort and scowl at later), then turned her full attention towards her son.

"Yeah kid?"

"Breakfast is ready, wanna come downstairs?"

The blonde honestly wanted to recline the offer, but the glint in her sons eyes forbidded her from saying no. She stood up, quickly tied her curls into a messy bun, then put a hand on Henry's shoulder as they began to descend the stairs.

Staying in bed all day and torturing her thoughts with a certain raven-haired beauty was not enjoyable for Emma at all, but it's what she caught herself doing most of the time now. This wasn't a first for the savior, having thought about the brunette plenty of times before in such a way and since the very day the women of authority practically spat on her existence, but why, after every single vile thing she found out about her once the curse was broken, did she still think about Regina Mills a.k.a The Evil Queen?

That, in this very moment of Emma Swan's disheveled life, was the main problem.

"Hey, Henry, don't you have a dinner date with Regina today?"

"Yeah, why? Do I have to cancel, because she'll be really upset if I do." The boy implied, not wishing to displease his mother.

"No kid, you don't."

With an idea in mind, Emma couldn't help but smile as she sat with her dysfunctional family and began eating her plate of food.

Regina double checked her appearance in the mirror then added a bit more spray to her fluffed up hair. She wore a sleeveless burgundy V-neck with a black pencil skirt and black heels. Her tan legs were dauntlessly out, exposing it's admirable appearance. She made sure to keep her make-up to a minimal, keeping in mind that the only person she wanted to impress was her son and no one else and kept her flashy jewelry away. The last thing she wanted to do was attract any attention towards herself, something she had been avoiding since the curse had been broken.

Deciding she looked decent enough and it was finally time to leave so she could pick up her son, Regina's doorbell rang loudly throughout the vacant house. Seeing no car parked outside of her home, Regina descended the stairs to check and see who it was.

To her surprise it was Henry.

And Emma.

Regina's features went from calm to furious as she shot lazers into the other woman's face with her light brown eyes.

"What are you doing here? I thought I said-"

"I know what you said, Regina. But I decided to drop Henry off myself."

Finding her pulse again, Regina's face softened.

"Well, I appreciate it Ms. Swan, but I am fully capable of-"

"And I wanted to let you know that I'm coming along." Emma interrupted once more, a small smile plastered on her face. Henry mentally began to pray that the current situation transpiring before him wouldn't end up as bad as he envisioned earlier and watched his mother's closely. He had argued with Emma the entire day, trying to convince her that this was an extremely bad idea and Regina would not like it at all. The way his adoptive mother practically growled at Emma, he knew he was right.

"Excuse me? What balls did you suddenly grow? I never invited you."

"Of course you didn't, which is why I invited myself."

Walking past her, Emma fearlessly entered the house and began to examine it's beautiful features. She was already accustomed to it's radiant look, but continued to take it all in anyway. Henry stood in front of Regina, afraid that she'd lash out on her intruder.

"Oh?"

"Hope you don't mind." Emma added, giving the fuming woman a sweet smile. Regina's body became tense as her hands unconsiously formed tight fists.

"You hope I don't mind? Ha!" Regina retorted, her short laugh full of sarcasm. "You inconsiderate imbecile! This dinner was supposed to be for me and Henry. Not you!" Regina lashed out, her voice dark and dangerous.

Fuck. Why is she so hot when she's pissed off?

Emma, now is not the time, focus!

"Jeez, can't you be civil for once? It's just a dinner-"

"Mom, can I talk to you?" Henry interrupted, seeing that this was going nowhere and Regina was about to practically raise hell if he didn't stop this current scene from escalating.

Regina looked down at Henry, her eyes in full blaze, then realized he was afraid.

And she was the one who had scared him.

"I am not done with you, Ms. Swan." Regina called before following her son out. Regina entered the kitchen with Henry then waited for him to speak.

"Look, I know you hate Emma, I get it. But please, just this once, can you two try to get along?"

"Henry it's not that simple…"

"Please mom?" Henry begged, his eyes becoming big and glossy. The mother sighed then kneeled down to Henry's height. She grasped both his shoulders and tried her best to control her anger while speaking to him.

"That, my love, is not possible. Me and Emma do not get along for many reasons, reasons that are not easy to forget. You must understand-"

"I do, but please. Just let it go for one night. It'll never happen again. I promise." Henry tried once more. Since he couldn't talk Emma out of intruding on this dinner, he could at least try and console with Regina. He had hope in his adoptive mother and silently wished that she'd pull through for him.

Althought the promise wasn't as satisfying as ripping Emma's head off, Regina decided to suck it up and comply to her sons wishes. She knew she had no other choice in this moment and dealing with the irritating blonde for one evening was much better than losing this new bond she had with Henry.

What have you got to lose, Regina? This is a new time in your life, a different kind of beginning. Besides, you kind of, sort of, find her… alluring.

Regina grimaced at her small confession then snapped back into reality.

"Fine. Just for one night, nothing more. Understood? And if she happens to try and belittle me, there will be consequences."

"She won't! Thanks mom, you're the best." Henry claimed, giving his mother an extremely tight hug.

Regina had decided in that moment that she would never get tired of her sons warm embrace as she sighed contently. When Henry finally let go, she gave him a small smile and was pleased to get one in return. Seconds later Emma practically barged in and interrupted the scene.

"So are we leaving now or what? I'm starving."

"I am too! Come on mom, let's go." Henry urged, pulling a reluctant Regina along.

"I am killing you after tonight. Brace yourself, Swan." Regina whispered into the blonde's ear. It sent shivers throughout Emma's body and the latter desperately tried to cover it up.

"Is that a threat or a sexual reference?" Emma teased in a faint whisper, smirking at the slightly shocked brunette before grabbing Henry's free hand and walking on the opposite side of him.

As she talked to the boy, Emma sneaked a glance at the ex-mayor and was surprised to find a ghost of a smile on her blemish-free face.

Score one for Emma!

Please let me know what you think! Constructive criticism is welcome =)