Hello once again! Happy Valentine's day everyone!

So we're continuing with this fic, and continue it off from where we left it with Emma and Regina.

I'm so happy to see that everyone loved the dance scene! I hope everyone enjoys this chapter!

"So, you're not mad at me?" Emma asked as they broke apart.

Regina shook her head. "No, I know you are faultless in this scheme."

Emma bit her lip. "But I promised you that we wouldn't rob you, and-"

"You couldn't have known that they would do what they did. It's not your fault, Emma," Regina assured her. It was new territory for Regina. Many years ago, she would have ripped out Emma's heart before trying to hear her side of the story, not believing that Emma might be innocent. Even today she doesn't often be so merciful, but she knew Emma, and believed her.

"I suppose, but still, I'm sorry." Emma punctuated her apology with a kiss, one that was very well received, as Regina brought her hands once more to Emma's cheeks, keeping their mouths connected for a few seconds longer.

Once they parted again, Regina asked, "You didn't answer me earlier, have you eaten dinner?"

When Emma shook her head no, Regina took Emma's hands and led her to the second chair by the cozy table filled with food. "Then I insist you join me. If you have time of course?"

She quickly thought to the rest of the troupe who were probably waiting to see if she returned safe and sound, plus the fact that she still had to lecture two immature teens. If she started eating dinner here with her lover, she might not leave for a while, and her friends were capable of storming in to come and collect her. She explained that to Regina, and she was completely understanding.

"Will I get to see you soon?"

Emma nodded vigorously. "Yes, how about I come visit you the day after tomorrow?"

"It sounds perfect." They shared a few more kisses before Emma started to make her way, but not before snagging a scrumptious-looking bun that was resting on a shiny silver platter.

"One for the road," she explained with a smirk and a shrug. Regina let out a chuckle.

"Oh and Emma?" The blonde turned around, and made a questioning hum. "Despite everything, your troupe will still receive a glowing praise from me."

"Really?"

Regina merely nodded, and received a vibrant grin from Emma, who then rushed to give her a hug, and she returned it with a chuckle. They kissed again before Emma went to leave.

By the time that Emma reached the circus once again, she had worked herself up into a rage. She entered the tent, and saw that the rest of the troupe was doing a fine job of chewing Neal and Greg out while she was away.

"Emma!" The first to notice her presence was Red, who had apparently arrived earlier to see how things had gone, and to bring them dinner. "They told me what happened, are you okay?"

She flashed Red a meaningful look, silently trying to convey that she was with her lover, why wouldn't she be fine? "Yeah, I'm good. But you two," she sidestepped her aunt to walk to the two defective members of her troupe, "are not. What were you thinking?!"

"The bitch deserves it! We're thieves, and she's the Evil Queen!"

Emma fought the urge to punch Greg right then and there. Red's hand on her shoulder and present company forced her to rethink her automatic defense to her lover, especially considering that she was her parents' mortal enemy. But that didn't mean she still couldn't chew them out for it. "I don't care who she is. If I say that we aren't here to rob anyone, then you don't rob anyone! Especially not the reigning monarch that we were trying to please!"

"Why does it even matter? She was going to find fault with us anyway! So why not just throw caution to the wind?" Neal roared, petulantly glaring at Emma.

"Actually," Emma started, crossing her arms in front of her with a smug grin, "the Queen loved our performance so much, she's going to give us a 'glowing praise'. Her words, not mine."

The rest of the troupe lit up with that revelation, Mulan going to thump Emma on the back for the job well done, while Thomas spun Ella around in joyful glee.

"Still!" The boys' ship was sinking fast, but they were going to fight to the bitter end.

Emma was not taking it though. "No; no 'but's, 'still's or 'maybe's. You guys screwed things up, and disobeyed orders. It's time you guys learned your lessons once and for all. Things could've seriously gone wrong with your foolhardiness, and it's by a stroke of luck we didn't end up in trouble. So start packing up, and don't even think about sneaking out. We're leaving tomorrow morning at first light, I want to make good travel time."

They quickly ate dinner and then got to work, bringing down the large tent first before getting started on the smaller ones. They went to sleep late at night, and true to Emma's schedule, they were up at first light, along with some market owners who were cooking fresh produce for their wares.

Throughout the entire ride, Neal was the very image of a petulant child. He said almost nothing, and the words he did say were minced and curt. Greg was a bit more social, but he was stuttering, indicating he was nervous. An understandable notion for a guy in deep shit like he was.

Red had decided to accompany them back, claiming she needed to stretch her legs, but it really was that she didn't trust the two miscreants to not bolt away at the first opportunity. Everyone knew of her status as a werewolf meant that she shouldn't be crossed. She was also worried for Emma. It was great that she had found love, but her choice in partner was certainly not ideal. Although she had already promised Emma that she'd keep her secret, there was a catch to it that she let Emma know, as a fair warning: should things complicate, Red would tell her parents. Deep down, she didn't trust Regina. She wouldn't put it past the Evil Queen to be aware of who Emma was, and be using this as a misplaced method of revenge.

But at the same time, something told her that Emma wouldn't be so easily fooled. She hoped she was right about this. She didn't want Emma to be hurt.

As they crossed the archway and entered Storybrooke, it seemed that everyone had been anxious for their return. Red, who had been sitting beside Emma while she drove one of their caravans, saw the Charmings sigh in relief as they saw their daughter safe and sound, and approached their wagon.

"Red! What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story..."

Emma decided to add more at seeing the confused faces her parents had. "Greg and Neal sort of disobeyed orders."

Her parents blanched. "The Evil Queen...she-?"

"We're all fine," Emma rushed to clarify. "How about we put everything away and then we'll talk, okay?"

A few hours later, Emma, along with Red and her parents, were seated around the table at the Charmings' house.

"And she just let you go?" Snow asked, after Emma had finished retelling the entire story. She couldn't seem to wrap her head around the idea that Emma had been in the same room as her mortal enemy, and had lived to tell the tale.

"Yeah, she even offered me dinner." Emma decided that it probably wasn't best to point out that Regina offered it between kisses. That would really not fly over well with them.

David asked, "And she said she'd still praise you? Even though Greg and Neal used the opportunity to steal?"

Emma nodded. "Mulan's convinced that it was due to the fairy-dust."

"Or," Snow began, voice growing thick with trepidation, "she knows exactly who you are, and this is all a trap."

Of course this would all come back to a trap. In her parents' eyes, Regina would never change.

A few days later, Emma was, as promised, heading to Regina's castle. She was early, so she arrived to an empty room. Lowering her hood, Emma crossed the threshold and went to sit by the fireplace, grabbing a nearby book, thumbing through it to see if it was any good. She looked up as she heard voices and footsteps growing increasingly louder. Realizing that those were too many footfalls for one person, she deduced that in the best case scenario, Regina was being accompanied, which meant that she had to make herself scarce.

Putting the book down exactly where she found it, Emma quickly found the darkest corner, near where the tall wardrobe rested, and backed into it. Emma's outfit was magic, which was also how she had gained her pseudonym. When her hood was raised, it allowed her the ability to seemingly disappear should she find a corner or area which lacked sufficient light. She didn't know how it worked, but it did.

The door slammed open, and Regina stormed inside, accompanied by a mousy-looking older gentleman with dark skin.

"Your Majesty, I'm not trying to undermine your authority, I'm just wondering if it was such a wise idea to praise the Enchanting Circus despite their two faulty members, which thereby proves that they are lawless thieves and-"

"Enough!" Regina thundered, whipping around to face the man, interrupting him with her command. "For someone who insists he is not undermining my authority, you certainly have a funny way of showing it, Sidney. I decide what I want to do, and you have no right to voice your opinions out of turn. Hence why I am Queen, and you are not. Now leave me, and I do not wish to be bothered at all tonight, am I clear?"

"Crystal, your Majesty. A thousand apologies once more." The man bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him. Emma saw Regina visibly sag, as if she had been keeping her strong posture for appearance's sake - which Emma surmised was probably the case.

She quietly made her way out of her hiding spot, but before she could open her mouth or take a few steps forward, Regina spoke, "You are aware that I can still sense your presence in this room, correct?"

"I was merely trying to avoid your companion, not you," Emma responded with a smile, walking forward towards her lover, lowering her hood.

Regina surged forward to pull Emma towards her for a heated kiss. Emma readily parted her lips to allow Regina's tongue to caress her own. Regina began trying to remove Emma's quiver and belt, but when she stumbled, Emma quickly took over, and breaking for only a few short moments - which they needed anyway to catch their breath - they managed to get rid of Emma's equipment. With a hand to Emma's chest, she prevented Emma from latching their lips together once again. Adding a bit of force to the hand Regina pushed her lover towards her bed, until the back of her knees made contact with the mattress. With one final push, Emma fell on top of the bed, and Regina climbed in after her in her hands and knees, so she was on top of Emma.

Giving her a predatorial smirk, Regina's hands began wandering, claiming Emma's lips once more.

Later that night, they were both lying comfortably under the covers in Regina's bed, Emma on her back, with Regina on her side by Emma's right, her head resting on Emma's shoulder, an arm and leg gently caressing the toned body beneath her, while a warm and comforting arm kept her close.

"You don't have to go anywhere?" Regina asked quietly. She didn't want Emma to leave, she was very comfortable staying like this. "Your friend...Red, she won't ask questions?"

"Nope," Emma sighed, deciding it was best to tell Regina the truth, or at least, part of it. "She knows who you are, by the way." Regina lifted her head, and looked at her lover with something akin to panic. Not that Regina would ever admit it, but she'd be damned if one of Snow's old friends would destroy this for her. Emma noticed Regina's distress, and with her left hand, she cupped Regina's cheek, and pulled her into a soft kiss. "Hey, I made her promise to not tell anyone. She might not be your biggest fan, but she's willing to be supportive, for me. You needn't worry."

Regina sighed, and said, "I'm sorry, I've just had a bit of history with Red. She was Snow White's friend," - Emma managed to hold off on flinching at the harsh tone that Regina spoke of her mother - "and I can't help but worry. Worry that somehow Snow will find out about you and try to ruin this for me."

Emma kissed her again. "I'm not going anywhere. And no one will ruin this. If anyone tries, they'll have to go through me."

"My brave thief," Regina teased.

The blonde didn't miss a beat as she teased in return, "Only for you, my Queen."

Regina gave a soft smile before lying back down with her head in the crook of Emma's neck.

After waiting a few minutes in silence, Emma asked, "So, you're still on the search for Snow White then?"

"Not particularly. I might trace down a lead now and then, but it's not the searching I used to do a decade ago, as I'm sure you remember. After she abdicated the throne I decided to let her live in exile. But I've heard rumours that she's got an entire village of supporters, and I don't believe they spend their time braiding each other's hair and singing songs merrily. I'm worried she's up to something and that the ever righteous princess Snow White has had enough living as a peasant, and wants to claim her 'rightful place' as a monarch here." Regina's sigh was indicative of all that she'd been through.

Emma bit her lip. She was pretty sure her mother had no intention of trying to reclaim the throne, but she couldn't think of any way to tell Regina that - and thereby ease her worries - without giving away who she was, and how she could know about Snow's plans. She quickly thought up of a half-truth. "I'm sure that's not the case. I would've heard talks otherwise. You know, from one fellow thief to another, there is no such thing as enough gossip."

"You're certain?" Regina looked up again, hope in her eyes.

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure I'd find out quickly enough if it was the case."

The relief in Regina's face made Emma smile.

They were once again resting when Emma remembered some of Regina's words that struck her. "Regina?"

The Queen made a hum, raising her head to once again look at her lover. "Yes?"

Emma hoped that Regina wouldn't be too horrified by this new information. "I-I'm cursed."

There was no fear or recoil of disgust in Regina's eyes. Instead she was looking intently and searching into Emma's eyes. "How so?"

"When I was five, this teen had decided to take a baby running through the forest. Obviously I chased him for it, scared for the baby's safety. At one point, the boy ended up rolling down a hill, though thankfully he kept the baby safe. I went down after him, and took the child, stubbornly deciding to walk away, without really checking to see where I was going. He had warned me that I was going to wrong way, but I didn't listen. Next thing I knew, I ended up in front of this senile warlock's house. He had mistaken me for an old enemy, and struck me. I shielded the baby from most of it by turning away, but I still got hit."

Regina was furious. Furious at the warlock that had dared to hurt her lover like this. In a tense voice, she asked, "What was the curse?"

"Regina, this happened 3 years ago. It was an aging curse. Overnight I grew from 5 to 25. The little boy, who was merely a toddler, turned 5. I've been growing normally since then, and I have all the cognition and skills a normal adult should have. But I thought you should know, since earlier you mentioned things from 10 years ago, I really don't remember because I wasn't born yet. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

Emma had looked away at this point, but was surprised when Regina hooked a finger under her chin, and turned her face back to facing her. Without a word, Regina leant forward to claim her lips in a soft kiss. When they parted, Regina said, "You have nothing to apologize for. Thank you for telling me."

"You're not...I don't know, horrified to find out you've been essentially courting a person who has only been living for 8 years?"

Regina chuckled. "As you said, you have all the cognition of an adult. Yes, I do see some playfulness in you, but it's an endearing trait. I don't love you any less for this."

Emma gave Regina a small peck on the lips. "I love you too."

She hadn't even realized that she'd admitted she loved Emma, but she wouldn't dare retract it. She meant it with every fibre of her being. "What happened to the child? The boy?"

"Well his name is Henry. He's adorable, and he's a growing boy who feels he has to look handsome for the ladies," Regina chuckled at that, "and we've been pretty close since the curse, he's unequivocally decided that I'm his mom, and I'm slowly trying to adapt into that. I'd have settled for way older sister, but I guess I do protect him like a parent does."

Regina frowned. "He doesn't have parents?"

Emma shook his head. "No, poor child was abandoned on the side of the road when he was only a few months old. One of the village's people found him, and nursed him back to health. You should meet him one day, I'm sure he'd love you."

"I'd love to meet him," Regina responded with a soft smile.

That's where I'm leaving the chapter!

Some background on what happened with Emma, and more on Regina. I was going to leave the next arc for a point further on in the story, but I think it makes sense to start it now. I'm sure a good number of you know which arc it's going to be, so yeah!

What do I have coming up in terms of other fics, a new chapter of Equals, and then I'll be finishing Welcome to Storybrooke!

As always, I love hearing what you thought about the chapter, so please leave a review!