Emma's first half week of work went well. Everyone at the Sherriff's office liked her and she took to the job like a duck to water. It was a quiet town so there was very little crime and Emma was grateful to be able to bring Henry up somewhere like that.

Henry loved every second of his new school and had made lots of new friends by the end of Friday. His enthusiasm and energy made him a positive target for his peers. People wanted to be near him and everyone helped out to make sure he was fine at school. He didn't need much help and was largely independent; it was mainly to orientate him around the school.

Emma had found a small house to rent and they were going to move in at the weekend. It was ideal for them both. Only a ten minute walk to the school and work was a five minute drive from the school. The blonde had to pinch herself that this was really happening. It all seemed too good to be true, like they were in some sort of fairytale.

Ruby had the weekend off as it was Cora's weekend at the mansion, so she offered to help with the move. There wasn't exactly anything to move but she was allowed to decorate and this was the first place she had ever had where she could. The house was fully furnished as well, so that took a lot of pressure off Emma. Part of her was also relieved because if for some reason Killian ever found them she wouldn't have to take much again. She really did want to put down roots in this area, she could see Henry thriving here.

She was still getting nightmares and lived off only minimal sleep. However she could just about deal with them since Henry was so happy and settled. Emma was so preoccupied with work and Henry she barely had time to deal with the past. But she preferred it that way as she didn't want to have to deal with the abuse, low self esteem and self harming.

...

A month went by in a flash and mother and son were soon in a routine that worked. Emma worked nine to five as the deputy Sherriff. Emma would drop him off at school then go to work. He would attend the after school club until four pm and take the school bus back to Granny's and do his homework there under the watchful eyes of Ruby, Granny and the regulars. They all loved the bubbly little boy and found it refreshing to have a new energy in the town.

Likewise the town adored the new deputy Sherriff who always took the time to introduce herself to new people and say hello to others on the street. Emma enjoyed the job apart from the abundance of paperwork that needed to do at times. Most evenings Ruby came round after being at Regina's and the two adults would chat and watch tv. Half the time Emma invited her to stay over so Ruby had unofficially become Emma's roommate. They grew closer and although Emma wouldn't tell her much about her recent past, she did tell her briefly about growing up in foster care and Henry was the only family she had.

In turn Ruby told Emma stories about growing up with Regina and Kathryn once she moved to Storybrooke when she was ten. She revealed that both her parents were murdered and that was why she moved here to live with Granny. However she did not reveal more in regards to that as it was still painful to discuss most of the time. She talked about their time in Boarding school and how Granny was actually Regina's nanny until she was eight and was sent to boarding school. Granny worked part time as a nanny for Regina during holidays when she came back home. Her parents loved Granny so much they gave her a loan to start the Diner. Ruby explained that Kathryn and Regina are both 34 and Ruby is 30 but even so they took Ruby under her wing and gave her invaluable support in dealing with the trauma of losing her parents. Ruby refrained from talking about how Regina was doing now as she didn't want Regina to find out and ruin her currently fragile relationship. Regina's refusal to communicate with Ruby was extremely painful for the younger woman.

...

The same four weeks did not treat Regina with the same kindness. Her mood lowered and she refused to communicate at all with Ruby. She was unfairly taking her sadness and frustration out on her friend. Her mind kept wandering to the kindness of Henry and the beauty of Emma. This in turn made her obsess over the perceived failings in her life such as not having a child. She truly believed she would never have one now that she had missed her chance while she had been with Robin. She barely ate and looked after herself even less than before. Regina felt she had no future and was struggling to deal with her dark thoughts. Regina barely left her bed and she felt her pain increase due to the decline in her mental health.

Before Robin; Regina and Ruby had around a two year long friends with benefits arrangement. Now, Regina believed that Ruby would never ever look at her the same way again. She knew she made her sick and Ruby only stuck around because she felt sorry for her.

Kathryn, Ruby, Granny and her parents were getting more and more concerned as time went on. They were begging her to eat more but Regina ate the bare minimum. She felt like giving up again but since all her medication was locked away after her attempt a year ago, she had no access to tablets, sharps or alcohol.

...

Emma was panicking as David called in sick with a vomiting bug. He was supposed to do the twilight shift until ten pm but she was needed to cover. Ruby could look after Henry at the Diner until she had to leave for Regina's but she asked Kathryn if she could stay longer with Regina. Unfortunately she was going to a concert in the next City with her boyfriend. Granny would be working until ten as well so Emma didn't want Henry to be up that late or be left at the B & B on her own. Emma didn't want to leave Henry with anyone else and no one could cover the shift.

Ruby bit her lip before texting Regina, even though she had ignored every other text for the last months.

Gina, Emma is stuck and has no one to look after Henry while she covers a shift. Please can I bring him with me, he won't be any fuss and will be asleep by 9pm. I promise to not let him bother you if you want to be on your own and I won't let Emma in when she picks him up. He has missed you and Noodle though, he always asks about you both. Love you, Red.

...

Regina was in the living room with Kathryn as she received the text. Anxiety rose in her chest at the thought of people coming into the house. She gave the phone to Kathryn so she could read it.

"Yeah Red asked me to stay on tonight which I would have but I have that concert tonight." Kathryn explained softly and gave her phone back to the woman. Kathryn slowly rubbed her arm as she noticed the anxiety.

"You don't have to if you don't want to, Gina."

Regina looked down at the message again and re read it a few more times.

Henry was a sweet boy and Noodle absolutely adored him. Maybe his enthusiasm would help me feel something other than pain for once. I have nothing to lose, I can't feel any worse.

She felt a slight flutter in her stomach at the thought of seeing Emma again. She knew she would only be making herself feel worse after but part of her did want to see Emma.

...

Okay. He can come with you. She can come in to collect him if she wants.

Ruby sighed in relief once she received that text, knowing just how stressed Emma was getting over this and immediately rang the blonde.

"Hi Red."

"Hey Emma, it's all sorted. Gina has agreed I can bring him with me tonight."

"Oh thank you so much Red. You have no idea how much of a relief that is. Please thank her a million times for me."

Ruby chuckled at that, "I will do. I have to say though I'm pretty surprised but I'm glad."

"Well I'm extremely grateful for her. I will pick you and him up just after ten."

"Okay babe, I hope the rest of your shift goes well. And you better remember to eat."

"I will mum." She laughed and shook her head. "See you tonight."

Emma hung up and let out a long, relieved sigh.

...

Regina touched her hair and realised just how greasy it was. Bringing her tee shirt up to her nose, she winced as she noticed how bad she was smelling as well. She took her phone and wrote on it.

"When have I last had a bath?" The last few weeks had merged and had no real sense of time.

"It has been two weeks." Kathryn told her gently not wanting to do anything to put her off getting a wash.

"Really?" she typed in shock. "Well Henry is coming round with Ruby. I should probably have a bath."

"I will get it running right away. Lavender and Epsom salts?" Kathryn asked as she stood up and put the wheelchair next to Regina.

Regina nodded before slowly and carefully getting into her wheelchair. Regina was feeling weaker than usual since she had barely been doing any physio exercises.

"Did you decide to let Ruby bring Henry?" Kathryn asked and Regina gave a nod. "Good, I know from Frederick, who is his PE teacher, that he talks about you and Noodle a lot."

Regina looked at her in astonishment. "Yup. He thinks Noodle is the best animal on the planet and he wants to help you to be happy." Kathryn revealed with a warm smile.

Regina didn't know what to think about that new piece of information so she wheeled herself to the lift and made her way to the bathroom. The blonde however did notice the very faint hint of a smile before Regina turned away.