Chapter Two: Envy.

The couples in the restaurant disgusted him. Rationally he knew they didn't do it on purpose, the longing glances at one another, the smiles, touches and kisses. He knew they weren't trying to rub it in his face that he was alone, but they were just the same. Every time.

He wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the fact his grandson Henry was having a birthday party, originally he'd refused to go but after Regina, Emma and Snow White all called demanding he show, he had relented.

He was debating sneaking out when Regina slid into the booth across from him, she slid a drink towards him.

"What's this?"

"It's a drink."

"I can see that, of what?" He examined the amber colored liquid.

"Brandy."

"Where on earth did you get that?" He took a drink.

"I brought it from home," She stated.

"You smuggled Brandy into your sons birthday party?" He smiled, "I'm impressed."

"Yeah? Well, there was no way I was dealing with the charming charmings sober."

"Yes, they do tend to be a little cliché'. Don't they?"

"More than a little." She rolled her eyes and took another drink.

They sat together in a comfortable silence that only years of being together could provide. Finally she took a deep breath and spoke.

"Look, I know it's hard. Watching them get the happy endings."

"We're villains we don't get happy endings," He said.

She rolled her eyes at him, she'd heard that same line from him enough that it was permanently burned into her brain. The probably was she didn't believe it and she knew him well enough to know he didn't either.

"That's crap and you know it, you're hurting and I understand that. Nobody here understands better than I do. The woman you love left you and you're living in a town full of people who are living happily ever after, those thoughts will drive you crazy."

"I have no idea what you're talking about dearie."

"Yes, you do. You're jealous and green is a color best left for Zelena."

"I'm sure whatever is afflicting me it's not jealousy, it will pass."

"Robin left me," She blurted suddenly.

"Fool," He muttered under his breath.

"So I know what being envious looks like, I see it everyday when I look in the mirror only I'm brave enough to admit that I'm jealous."

"You have nothing to be jealous of."

"I'm jealous of maid Marian, of what it must be like to have someone. Someone devoted to you and your every desire, someone who will risk everything for you and does anything you wish. Someone who always has your back," She said.

"Alright fine I'll admit it, I'm jealous. I'm jealous that while I slaved away doing all their biddings, making all those deals in the end they get what they want and I get nothing. I get pushed to the side and stared at from across the street, I get to watch them be happy because of the things I gave them."

"You made me happy, for awhile anyway."

"Yes, and what did it get me?"

"You owned this town, more than I did as mayor. For awhile you had everything, even Belle."

He stood, preparing to leave and she stared up at him.

"You're leaving."

"Yes, give my best to Henry. Tell him I didn't feel well."

"He'll be crushed you left."

"He won't notice I'm gone."

"You're his grandfather, of course he'll notice. This pity party is getting ridiculous."

"Pity? I've never asked for pity and I certainly don't expect any."

"Then stop moping around wallowing in jealousy, it's pathetic."

She stood to leave and before she could walk away he grabbed her arm preventing her retreat. His grip was firm enough she knew not to fight him but not hard enough to hurt.

"Let me go," She said.

"You created this entire town because of your envy for Snow White, and yet you want to lecture me?"

"I'm not lecturing you, I'm telling you to get over it. I have to live with Snow White and her charming brood everyday. I have to share my son with them, and you're just jealous of your wife leaving. You're the dark one, you're better than this. You taught me not to care about anyone or anything but my own needs, I suggest you do the same."

She shrugged his hand off of her and stormed away, he watched her go. He'd be lying if he said Regina didn't get under his skin when she stood up to him. She was one of the few people who would tell him exactly what she thought without holding back, they had their ups and downs but in the end she had his back and he had hers. Walking out of the diner he took her advice to heart, she was right. Envying these people was foolish and wasteful, she spent most her life envying them and now was forced to be civil. He could at least stop being jealous of them for not being single.