Tuesday passed similarly to Monday, except that Regina planned for the hangover induced by Henry's use of magic. She stretched her magical muscles in the morning, taking Henry with her as she went around town filling potholes and re-shingling the roofs of the public buildings. She even fixed up the convent out of affection for Astrid, who continued to volunteer there after resigning her habit. Then, they picked up lunch for a picnic in David's office at the Sheriff's station.

David smiled as they entered, even as he waited for Sebastian, ever the bureaucrat, to blow a gasket at the inappropriateness of family visits during the workday, even though it was David's lunch hour. But Regina swooped in with her stunning smile and subtle charm and asked about his new cross-referencing system, complimenting his thoroughness. Before Sebastian knew what had hit him, he realized that it had been his idea that Regina and Henry stop by, not just today, but as many days as they were available! After all, appropriate breaks during the day kept everyone productive. David and Henry shared a laughing glance. The poor former crab never had a chance.

"That was positively indecent," David's accused her teasingly.

"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean," Regina replied.

"You seduced that poor man into condoning a behavior he disapproves of—and in front of your son, no less," David pretended to be appalled, even as he looked at her with genuine admiration.

"I did no such thing," Regina denied, but her wink to Henry had him in a fit of giggles and soon all three of them were laughing together.

Henry looked from his grandfather's face to his mother's face and back again and rolled his eyes. If Operation Boomerang needed anyone to be sneaky, it was going to have to be him. Because they weren't hiding nearly as much as they thought they were. Grown-ups.

Lunch at the Sheriff's office, with Sebastian mollified, was a jovial affair. Unlike the rest of town, where David and Henry received alternating suspicious and sympathetic looks while Regina was treated with hate and fear, the people working in the government building gave them little notice. The curse had placed those sympathetic, or at least indifferent, to Regina in positions of power, so the environment was at least neutral rather than hostile. And, with the three of them together and enjoying each other's company, the atmosphere was light, bright, and sparkling.

"What's today's magic lesson, Mistress?" David asked Regina.

She arched an eyebrow at his new title for her and playfully responded, "That's for Henry to discover later."

"Mom!" Henry exclaimed. "Can't I at least get a hint?"

Regina pretended to consider his request carefully, enjoying her son's suspense as she hesitated, "I suppose so. What do you think the point of yesterday's lesson was?"

"To get out of the magic rope," Henry replied quickly.

Regina smiled at his fast and literal answer, "That was the specific task, yes, but what do you think the more general goal was? What were we trying to learn, to make you better at?"

David and Regina smiled at each other, a moment of shared understanding as they watching Henry ponder his mom's question. "To figure stuff out with magic."

"Excellent, Henry," Regina replied. Her son was so smart. "First, we were trying to remind you that you have access to magic, so you remember to use it if you need it. And," she emphasized the 'Don't become a magic addict' talk they'd had on Sunday, "Only if you need it. Secondly, it was to explore your magic, get a sense for how it feels. Also, as a bonus, you got to use your resourcefulness. That rubber band comparison was really clever, dear."

Henry beamed with pride. Even when he'd thought his mom was the Evil Queen, he'd always thought she was the smartest person he knew.

"What's today's theme?" David asked.

"Precision," Regina said.

"Sounds tough, Henry," David said semi-seriously. "I'm glad it's you and not me."

"I'll be able to do it," Henry said confidently.

"I know you will, kiddo," David replied, ruffling his hair.

After they'd packed up the remains of lunch, Henry went to visit Sebastian in his temporary office, determined to be as charming as his mother. He was the grandson of Prince Charming after all, being charming was his birthright.

Seizing the opportunity to speak with David alone, Regina asked, "Is there any chance you can leave early today? Maybe bring some paperwork home to do tonight?"

"Can't wait to see me?" David teased.

"Hardly," Regina responded with a slight smirk. When had she moved so close to him? She felt him take her hands in her own, gently cradling her injured palm. "Living together has made you bolder, Charming," she observed.

"Maybe it has just increased my awareness of what I'm missing," he replied honestly.

Regina willed her cheeks not to blush with only moderate success. She'd spent years perfecting a cool, unflappable demeanor, but a little kindness from this man and she's utterly flapped. Horrifying.

"You haven't answered my question," Regina chided.

"I suppose I could do that," David smiled. "I would love to spend more time with you and Henry, especially since you're intent on kicking me out once Emma and Snow are back." He stepped even closer to her, brushing his lips to her forehead, "Which I'd like to go on record as saying is stupid."

"I believe the record already reflects those sentiments from you," Regina said, trying not to sound breathless. "But let's not have this fight again today," she pushed him away slightly so she could look into his face. "And the time would just be with Henry. I was hoping that, after our magic lesson, you could drop by the house and take him to the animal shelter for a couple hours."

"Why don't you come with us?" David asked, looping his arms around her back lightly. He was a bit surprised she was allowing the liberties, but he wasn't going to question it.

"I want the time to prepare for Thursday's spell," Regina said.

"Why do I get the feeling you're not telling me something?" David asked.

"Probably because I'm always not telling you something," Regina responded with an unapologetic smirk.

David laughed at her unexpectedly honest reply, and said, "Fine. I'll let you off the hook for now." He placed a kiss to her temple and stepped away. "Call me when you need me."

Regina nodded her agreement and left his office, trying not to dwell on how easy it would be to hear those caring words from the prince on a regular basis.

Regina concentrated on stirring her coffee. Ten seconds before her hand began shaking. This afternoon's personal best. She knew she should find Granny before the dinner rush started, but she was just so tired. And talking to Granny would make everything seem real, absolute, irrevocable.

Maybe just one more cup of coffee first.