A/N: I wanted to say thank you to everyone that responded to the story and my previous question. An extra special thank you to Shrimp Mayo for the lovely reviews and fiend89 for the suggestions!

Chapter 5

It was already 2:30 am and Emma saw no sleep in sight. The apology at the beach went extremely well but she wasn't ready to jump into a relationship, especially considering that she was already in one. She hadn't seen Killian since she slammed the door in his face. There were rumors swirling around that he was practically glued to a bar stool at the Rabbit Hole. It was unsurprising, as everyone knew of Hook's affinity for rum. Quasimodo mentioned in passing that the pirate seemed sullen, which wasn't shocking. The woman he sold his ship for was sailing in a different direction and Emma didn't even have the mindset to feel bad for him. What kind of idiot sells a life long possession for a woman he barely knows? Apparently, the Enchanted Forest kind.

But Killian wasn't what kept her up at night. Like always, even before realizing that she cared much more than she thought, Regina was keeping her awake. This time it wasn't anger but… a crush?

When she first arrived in Storybrooke and laid eyes on the brunette, she was instantly attracted. Who wouldn't be? But now, thinking back, Emma was startled to realize that this care she felt towards the brunette had been building for a long time. When Regina was down in the mine, attempting to thwart Greg and Tamara, the panic Emma felt at losing her was unusual considering that the two women weren't even friends. When Regina told her that stopping the device would take all her strength, Emma's body ceased to function for several beats and her hands shook of their own accord. It was as if her body sensed the love but her mind blocked it out. As if her brain was protecting her soul because the two women were toxic together then. Now, though, they were friends and they hugged and held hands and… Oh my God, they had been unconsciously dating!

They would go to dinner without Henry at fancy restaurants, wearing their best outfits as if wanting to impress. Emma wrote a goddamn dress once! They sat in the candlelight and talked about everything and anything. They were a 'couple' without even realizing it. Emma felt her commitment issues rise from her gut, strangling her windpipe. Those 'dates' were the happiest moments of her life. She felt free to be herself around the other woman and her heart felt light under Regina's amused gaze. She loved Regina. Emma's breathing became shallow and she was sure that the walls were closing in on her.

After Neal, she vowed to never allow anyone but her son to wrestle his or her way into her heart but Regina had done it without even trying, without Emma noticing. She couldn't do this. She couldn't continue feeling this way. The uncertainty of where she stood scared her. She'd never felt this way about anyone, not even Neal. She couldn't let the wolf take her chance with Regina away. But before she declared her love from the rooftops and burst into a choreographed dance number, she had to make things right. She wasn't going to 'steal' Regina; she was going to woo her.

Ruby watched as Henry attempted to successfully skateboard across the concrete basketball court without bursting any major organs. The boy was covered in scratches and scabs from past failed attempts. It was comical to watch an overtly clumsy boy try to balance on a wooden board but watching Regina watch the boy was even better. The woman had her bottom lip between her teeth, wiggling the flesh back and forth.

"Careful!" The older woman shrieked when Henry tripped and landed on his already shredded palms, "Lord. He's not going to have skin by the time this is over."

"I'm surprised you, the ten time world champion mama bear, let him do this." Ruby stated, a wide grin puffing her cheeks. Regina rolled her eyes.

"He's fourteen. I've lost all control," Ruby chuckled, patting Regina's thigh lovingly. Regina smirked, "And even if I refused, Emma would bring him behind my back."

Ruby paused as her smile diminished slightly, "Speaking of the savior, what did she say to you that made you hug her so vehemently?"

"Ruby," Regina warned in a stern tone, "Don't be jealous."

"I'm gathering intel for future reference. So I can sweet talk you into my arms and such."

Regina chortled, "She apologized for being, and I quote, 'an ass'."

"Good because she was a major, and I quote, 'ass'." Regina couldn't help the laugh that burst from her lungs causing several park-goers to smile in her direction. The older woman had gained respect from most citizens. In fact, many of them stopped her on the street to thank her for her bravery. She came to hear of several people that came out because they believed that if the mayor could do it, so could they. It warmed the queen and, for once, she felt something akin to affection for her constituents and they seemed to reciprocate. It definitely put a spring in her step.

Regina turned her wide eyes on the woman next to her, "Pup, has anyone ever told you how wonderful you are?"

"Several, but your opinion is the only one that matters." Ruby kissed Regina's temple. Man, Ruby was crushing hard. That made the next sentence even harder to swallow.

"Gina?" Regina hummed, "She knows now."

"Hmm?" Regina was focused her son, who was taking a break and a sip of his Gatorade.

"Emma. She figured out how she feels about you." Regina sighed dramatically before turning her gaze to the wolf, her expression exacerbated.

"Pup, I already told you that Emma is never going to love me so can we just drop this subject. Please."

"Gina, I care for you, okay? All I want is for you to be happy and you love her. If she loves you back, there is no way I can allow myself to step in between that."

"In between what?" Regina questioned sardonically.

"A true love pairing," Ruby exclaimed, watching Regina's expression turn to disbelief, "Here me out, okay? Fate has brought you two together in crazy, mysterious ways. Your lives have been intertwined since your inception. It's creepy but true. And you and Emma's story, it's beginning to resemble Charming and Snow's."

Regina gaped at the younger brunette before scoffing, "Do you not want to be with me?"

"What? Gina, I—"

"Then stop!" Regina shouted sternly, "Why are you pushing Emma and I together?"

Ruby felt tears gather at the corner of her eyes, "Because I care about you. Before this relationship, we were good friends and I see this unstoppable love in your eyes when you look at her. You don't look at me like that."

"Ruby, my feelings for her have been building for a long time—"

"But not for me!" Ruby whispered, "You could have built love for me over the years but you didn't. Honestly, I understand, okay? If I were given a chance to be with Peter again, I would run to the ends of the earth to chase it. And it's not that my feelings for you aren't real, they are. But the love that you have for her and that I have for Peter, it can't be replicated by sheer want. You and I can wish and pray and hope but we can't build that connection, that… that feeling of being whole that we get when they're around. That can't built, it's just a fact of the universe."

Regina felt tears roll down her cheek, dropping off her chin and splashing onto her coat, "But Pup, we can't have that. It's not in the cards for us. Peter is gone and Emma… is in love with Killian."

"Oh, Gina, no." Ruby shook her head fervently. Emma did not love Killian Jones. Ruby opened her mouth to rebuttal again when Regina lifted a hand to stop any further commentary.

"And if Peter is gone and Emma is unreachable, are we suppose to wallow in despair, destined to be alone forever?"

"No, sweetness. We keep searching for our new other half. I can't help but think that one day, I'll meet someone that completes me again because I've been, not broken, but severely bent for a long time."

"And it's not me?" Regina whispered, her voice cracking from emotion.

"Sweetness, you have no idea how much I wish I could say you were but we both know the truth, even if you don't want to see it."

Ruby lifted her lithe hand to slowly wipe away tears from Regina's face. She sighed. It was the right thing to do even though it hurt both of them at that moment. Yes, they were extremely happy together but they could bring each other happiness as friends. And yes, they were attracted to each other but that was skin deep. And of course, she cared for the former queen and could see a future together but that future contained misery if they both deflected the truth and attempted to move forward when the knew it could never work. Regina would eventually resent her.

"We'll still have lunch and go to the beach and gossip. I'll run to you whenever you need me because you're my best friend, more so than Snow ever was, and being friends with you will bring the same happiness we have been feeling as a couple."

"Promise, Pup?" Regina sniffled. Ruby grinned, reaching for her hand and rubbing her thumb across the back in a consoling motion.

"You couldn't get rid of me even if you tried," Regina grinned demurely and Ruby leaned in conspiratorially, "Let's hold off on telling anyone about our breakup."

"Why?" Regina scrunched her brows.

"We have to get Emma's head out of her ass," Ruby smirked, "and I need to light a fire under said ass!"

A/N: So, someone asked for some more insight into Emma's state of mind and your wish is my command. And awwww Red Queen romance is over (Don't kill the author) but don't worry. Their friendship is going to be just as cute. Also, yes, Emma was an ass. She was confused and angry and she had no idea why. Love makes you do crazy stuff, especially when you have no freaking idea about what's going on. I am hoping to redeem her. Plus, Regina's not going to just give in either. I guess you'll just have to wait and see… Please Review! As you can see, I really do take what you say into consideration :)