The tall figure jumped in ready for any unplanned battle. Since he'd already given himself away by shouting Emma's name he figured he'd come through the hedges: the element of surprise. Sadly, stealth was never one of Prince Charming's better known traits. Making noise rivalling Pongo chasing squirrels, his feet finally landed firmly on the ground as he came face to face with the Queen. David's hand shot straight ahead to point at the woman but his battle cry died on the tip of his tongue when he saw Regina standing in front of her tree, eyes wide and mouth slightly open.

David had heard his daughter's name from his enemy's mouth and immediately rushed in to help her from whatever she was being subjected to. But seeing Regina so... off-guard he momentarily forgot what he was doing there.

"Uh, Regina?" David inquired as he slowly slid his hand to his hair when the silence seemed to stretch on.

His voice managed to shake Regina out of her oblivion, her eyes finding David's making her mouth shut.

David could feel the discomfort radiating off the brunette, "David. How can I help you?"

"I - I was out and - I heard -", David was tripping over her words, "Are you... ok?" The discomfort sure was infectious.

Regina cleared her throat before taking a step. But David felt it weird because Regina kept her upper body rigid like it was in a cast. She halted and exhaled.

"Can I help you?" Regina iterated this time with a better sense of control.

"Uh, I heard you say Emma's name. Do - Is she... here?"

Regina's face hardened, like the mere audacity David possessed to ask such a question angered her.

"Your daughter?"

"Yes, Emma." David explained lamely, "Is she here?"

'Yes.'

'She is here.'

'And I am going to kill her the moment you leave.'

"Why would your daughter be here", Regina gritted out in disgust, moving her arms to cross them but halfway deciding to pocket them.

"I - ", David wiped his face, this was ridiculous. He took a long breath to get some courage, "Regina" he started again, his voice a tone deeper, "I heard you call out Emma's name. Now tell me where she is."

Emma could hear her father's voice in the distance but she wasn't paying much attention to the words. Because of the elephant in the room. Two, two elephants. To be fair Emma tried to aim for Regina's head when her hands failed to hang onto the fruit. She thought it'd be ok, like that rat chef movie she and Henry had watched together. But what she hadn't expected was for Regina to look up precisely the moment her hand slipped off the fruit.

Thank God Regina usually pops open a few buttons one of whose holes Emma's hands had found, otherwise she would have been on the ground.

But instead, she was inside.

Regina's shirt.

Crouched between two… Lalalalalalalala Emma closed her eyes using both her hands and started repeating gibberish to stop thinking about where she was. Wait is that lace- no Swan, fuck - lalalalalalalalalalalalala.

Outside Regina couldn't believe the accusatory tone the shepherd had directed towards her. There was something so terribly annoying about David standing there, wearing that damn holster like he was some God's gift to the federal law system that really made Regina's hands itch. Keeping the magic at bay she lifted her chin in defiance.

"How dare you - ", she took a big step but halted mid-way when she heard a small yelp.

She looked down in reflex but checked herself midway. Naturally, David followed her line of sight and when he looked up again his blue ones met with angry brown.

"My eyes are up here David." Oh, Regina was furious. Why was the father daughter duo so interested in her assets?

David's eyes widened, "What no-no, I wasn't -" Sweat trickled his brows as he shook his head fervently.

Emma peeked in through her fingers as she could make out his father's silhouette from between the gap of the second and third button. Hearing Regina's voice laced with disgust Emma couldn't stop laughing, quickly covering her mouth to muffle the sound.

Regina could... feel the blonde laughing and that was the last thing in the ever-growing list of stuff Emma could get away with.

"Stop! Stop right now!" she shouted to cease Emma's movement, in turn making a very confused David recoil in horror.

"I - what?" What the hell is wrong with Regina?

Regina's face twisted in anger as she barked, "I think it's best you leave David."

Oh? David snapped, "What? Regina I am not going anywhere till you answer me why you were shouting Emma's name."

"I wasn't shouting Emma", Regina spat back, "I was shouting Ma, as in my mother who was killed by your wife. Or have you forgotten that so soon." That's it, idiocy is contagious. Even he wouldn't believe that.

David grunted in frustration and stepped forward making Regina take a step back, "David!"

"What the hell is going on here?" a third voice cut through the air making both heads turn towards the entrance.

Red was standing near the gate, her fists clenched and her nostrils flaring. Surprisingly the anger flashing in those big eyes was directed at David.

David, who had stopped mid-stride towards Regina, was very confused being the object of her ire, until he looked from Red to Regina. Regina had her one arm lightly draped across chest, like she was protecting herself from David. Oh Christ, this did not look good.

"David, step away from Regina."

"But- but -", oh David could have cried, "This is not what it looks like."

"I heard her yell Stop like a block away so you better do what I say David before I make you." Red said with a hint of growl.

David's eyes pleaded Regina's to say something, anything that didn't make him come out as the pervert but Regina was now looking away, eyes on her tree and then in a move that made David's stomach clench, she actually clutched the top of her shirt. 'Christ', thought David.

Regina had just wanted to make sure Ruby wouldn't get a whiff of Emma but Ruby's mind was too busy wheeling at the small action. 'Oh David, what will I tell Snow?'

As for David, moisture veiled those piercing blue eyes, making him blink fast to make them disappear; the sheer helplessness he felt at the moment was crushing; he didn't feel like Prince Charming then.

He rushed to get away from Regina and towards Ruby, and only managed to trip twice in his haste. He kept explaining under his breath what he'd heard but Red's hand was on his arm and she was steering him out and none too lightly. Regina waited for those hushed voices to die down. As soon as the two heads disappeared Regina snatched the real pervert out and boy, was Emma lucky Regina's magic doesn't work on the blonde.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

Regina had held Emma's jacket by her index and thumb finger making Emma kick her legs in air as though riding a bicycle, in an attempt to get away from those dark murderous eyes.

"I-I-I-I-"

Noise similar to earlier alerted them that they were still not clear of visitors. Regina hastily put Emma inside her pocket and just in time because lo, arrived Red.

"So, uh, David's not going to be bothering you soon."

"That's… nice?"

"Though I'm pretty sure he was choking back a sob. He takes honour very seriously you know. Prince Charming and stuff. It might have been a misunderstanding?" Red's voice went hopeful by the end as she fiddled with her thumbs.

"Well whatever the case maybe, I was not comfortable with him around. So... thank you." Regina scoffed internally, like she'd need saving from Little Bo Peep when she had magic surging through her veins. She just hoped with the thanks Red would leave but the woman just kept looking at her, like she wanted to say something.

Red shuffled slightly before she smiled, "You know we haven't really seen you around. Are you getting your coffee elsewhere now?"

Regina raised her eyebrow up now, 'Is she actually attempting small talk?'

Red just laughed awkwardly before adding, "No, just Henry keeps talking about you."

"What?"

"Henry, you know the little kid with the backpack." Red even brought up her hand to signify his height which she promptly slammed back to the side of her body when she saw the Regina's eyes widening in anger.

"Joking. It was a joke."

"Of course, another jab at my sense of humour." Regina said under her breath.

Red looked around confused, "What?"

"Have we ever joked Miss Lucas?"

"Oh", Red nodded, "It's best I leave then."

"The very best."

Regina's hands instinctively went to her pockets, forgetting Emma was inside the same. Emma saw her fingers find the crumpled piece of paper she'd not paid attention to as she was trying hard to listen in on the conversation outside. Regina's thumb caressed it as Emma sensed motion, probably her carrier making a move to leave the garden.

"Goodbye Miss Lucas."

"Bye." Emma heard the faint goodbye followed by the opening of the back door.

Regina's hands left the pocket again this time Emma unfolded the paper. When she saw what it was she couldn't help but sigh, "Oh Regina."

Regina's hands entered the pocket once again but this time Emma touched her finger. She felt Regina jump; she must have forgotten that she was in there Emma thought. Regina tentatively pulled her out, placing her on the kitchen counter.

"That was..." Emma pressed her lips in a thin line, "interesting", she nodded, happy with the word, "interesting!"

"That would be underselling it." Regina's hands massaged her temple lightly.

"So, now we know what could go wrong if we do go outside."

"Remind me to never agree to your stupid whims again." She wagged her finger at Emma, before she curled her fingers into a fist, "And what was that? You thought it was funny going inside -"

Emma hurriedly cut Regina off, "But it must have been fun watching David fluster." there was no way she was talking to Regina about her time inside the shirt, repress repress!

Regina stiffened, "You find it funny that your mother's best friend thought your father was trying to take advantage of his grandson's mother."

Emma's nose crinkled over Regina's choice of words. Regina laughed at Emma's expression before she could respond.

"Actually you're right, it was pretty funny. He is high on the moral front. I mean he actually had the gall to say no to me once."

Emma choked on air, "What… the... fuck?"

"Oh daddy dearest didn't mention that?"

"Jeez Regina, fuck were you thinking?"

Regina managed to look slightly guilty, "I know, the idiot thing gets in the way but he isn't that bad-looking."

Emma nodded slightly, "Yea but still-" her head snapped up, "No wait, that's not what I meant."

Regina laughed again before sitting down, "I think I'm done for the day. Mind if I don't cook? I'll just... magic what you want?"

"Oh sure, I don't mind room service." Emma winked making Regina shake her head.

"Ok, let's go up. Do you mind the pocket?"

"No no, not at all."

Emma smiled as she climbed into the seam.

"No- Not this one. I'll just, why don't you just use the other one."

Emma smiled at Regina, noticing the sudden hesitance, "I- I saw it, it's a very pretty picture Regina."

Regina sighed thinking back to the day the picture had been taken, "It was our first miner's day fair together. Henry, well he'd asked me to be his date." She gave her a tight-lipped smile but her eyes misted over. Emma felt her heart break at the admission. She opened her mouth, but then closed it again. What she was about to ask was what her mind had already confirmed. Regina always kept this picture in her coat pocket to calm herself, Emma could now recall watching Regina with her hands in pocket every time she was frustrated or panicking.

There were still so many things that needed a fixing. Till when could she ignore them? As she looked up she didn't even think twice before whispering, "We'll get there Regina, I promise."

Regina looked down as if she'd heard the barely audible whisper and gave her a small smile.

Regina turned, and turned again. She turned on her night lamp and searched for her phone.

12:30 am.

Her eyes went from her phone to the house on her dressing table. The fairly big house. She never thought she'd miss her castle but the house would have not looked quite out-of-place in her old room as it looked here, crushing her table. She thought of moving it to the floor when another laugh arose and Regina tightened her hold on the phone.

I just need a small TV, she had said, I will never ever ask for anything ever again. Regina groaned as she removed the covers.

Emma paused what she was watching when she heard a loud knock reverberating through the house. She skipped to the door knowing who it was and just as expected opened it to find Regina on the other side.

"Miss Swan, do you know what time it is?"

"Well I started watching at 8:30 and I've been through 4 episodes", Emma counted on her hand, "so I'm guessing 12:30-ish."

"Well yes", Regina paused as she looked mildly impressed by Emma's ability to perform simple mathematics, "that is correct."

"Was that all, mind if I go back then." Emma gestured behind her with her thumb.

"Oh sure, sorry for bothering you."

"Not at all, goodnight Regina."

Regina turned back and took a step before pausing, 'Why that little...'

Another knock made Emma pause her show and this time she stomped her way to the door.

"Dammit Regina it's 12:31 now. I am trying to watch something."

"Oh this is rich, I am trying to sleep, and you aren't letting me."

"Oh, you want me to turn it down, fine!"

"Good." Regina tuned on her heel.

"Or..." Emma whirled slightly on her left heel.

Regina turned back, "Yes?"

Emma leaned sideways on the door frame, "Why don't you watch with me?"

"No."

Emma rolled her eyes at the swiftness of the answer, "I mean you're already up."

"Thanks to you."

"Yes fine, sorry, I'll turn it down."

"You better." Regina waved her off dismissively as she turned back.

Emma turned to close the door but stalled when she saw Regina just standing there.

"We can watch something you like."

Regina jumped at her voice but slowly turned around.

'Hook, line and sinker', Emma thought, 'reel it in Swan.'

Emma rested her head on the door frame and gave Regina her best disarming smile, "Please Regina."

Regina sighed like it physically pained her to acquiesce to Emma's request, "Ok fine, maybe you'll learn something about quality television then."

Emma smirked as Regina went past her to their living room. She noted the untouched bucket sitting in the middle of the table, "You didn't like the fried chicken?"

Emma saw the bucket and bit her tongue, her hand reaching behind her neck, "I-I-I think I need time before I start eating food that's appropriate to my size."

Regina chuckled at the blush on Emma's face and waved her hand, changing the titles on the television.

"The twilight zone?"

Regina's eyes twinkled as she sat down on the armchair.

"Old school madam mayor. Now all we need is a -" Emma ended the statement with a laugh as a bottle of wine along with two glasses adorned the centre of the table.

"Nightcap." Regina shrugged.

"Indeed." Emma grinned.

They both turned to the television, enjoying Rod Serling's voice booming through the room.

TBC

Next Time: Morning after and 'Mushroom surprise'

...

A/N:

I want to thank each and every one of you for all the lovely thoughts and words. I am so grateful because they help a self-doubting author like me keep posting every week.

...

Sorry David. (kudos to mysterio-lady for guessing right)

You see Emma is not like others, others only want to get in Regina's pants. Emma sets higher goals.

Plus, I think I mentioned using my phone as a measurement standard, so I did try the shirt thing to see if David could have spotted Emma. (I think tiny!Emma was definitely more comfortable than my phone)

Twilight zone? I was watching that pig-doc episode this weekend, so yeah. I wish someone would write SQ stuck in T-Zone.

xx