I apologise for the delay in posting this chapter lovely people. A horrid intrusion known as "Work" decided to interrupt my flow.

Regina had successfully avoided all human interaction for three days. She felt childish, hiding away in her own house, but she wasn't ready to face anyone yet.

Not even Henry.

He'd tried to be understanding as she'd explained that she needed time and space in order to recover. He'd listened solemnly and then made her promise to let him know as soon as she felt well enough to see him.

When she'd sworn she would he'd dived at her – hugging her tightly around the middle as if afraid that she'd dissolve into the wind if he let her go. She'd hugged back gratefully, her heart giving a pleasant surge at his eagerness to spend time with her.

Emma had simply nodded, her eyes filled with a knowing look. It was a look that spoke of their unexpected and thus far unacknowledged connection. Regina had found herself having to swallow the urge to berate the woman for wearing such a presumptuous expression.

The blonde had saved her life and for that Regina was thankful. But it didn't give her to right to look at Regina with such..such… She struggled to think of exactly the right word. Compassion? Comprehension?

Acceptance.

That was it. It had been a look that said "I know who you are and I accept all of it."

It was precisely this sort of exchange that Regina had been trying to avoid when she'd locked herself in her bedroom and attempted to shut out the world.

One part of her – the old Regina – found Emma's gaze aggravating and misplaced. It took liberties and assumed a level of familiarity that they didn't and could never share.

Another part, the one that was trying to be a good mother and earn her son's affection found it comforting. It promised a future of respect between the two women who needed to get along for Henry's sake.

And the newest part of her – the one that had only been awakened as she'd stared into the magic of the Saviour – was absolutely terrified. Regina had felt the very foundation of who she was reach out to embrace the bright, cleansing light that was Emma and instead of pulling away, as Regina had expected she would, Emma had reached back.

What had followed was an experience unlike any Regina had ever lived through. Their magical cores had locked to form one being, in a union so intimate that the brunette found herself blushing at the mere recollection.

Until she knew what it all meant and had decided how she wanted to proceed, Regina felt her only option was to retreat into the safety of solitude. While painful, being alone was something she knew how to handle – a surface upon which her feet could find solid ground.

Still, she missed Henry terribly. And, amazingly, she got the feeling that he was genuinely missing her as well. So, after three days of tossing the strange encounter with Emma over and over in her mind with no hint of an answer in sight, Regina was venturing outside the Mifflin Street house in search of her son.

She'd agonised over what to wear and had spent a good half hour tugging at her hair – another hour doing and redoing her make up. It was ridiculous, what did Henry care what she looked like? When have he ever even noticed?

Maybe you're not dressing up for him then.

The thought whispered itself to her in a sly and smug tone that she found irksome. She dismissed it immediately, refusing to enter into debates like that. Even against herself.

The sooner she was out of this house the better, she reasoned. Perhaps being around people would banish these ridiculous notions.

It was almost midday by the time she strode out her front door, the sun casting a mild glow over the sleepy Maine streets. She headed towards the centre of town, towards Granny's. If there was one thing in this world that Regina could count on it was Henry's stomach.

As she got closer to the main road, Regina wondered idly if it was safe for her to be out in public like this. After all, the townspeople had proven that just because their Sherriff had pardoned her didn't mean they would.

They would know by now that she had magic though, surely that would be enough to keep them away.

The notion was one that she'd intended to tell herself for reassurance; a reminder that magic meant she was safe. Instead all she saw were the frightened faces of the villagers she had once ruled over. She didn't want people to be afraid of her, not any more. Not even if that was the only thing that kept them from slipping a noose around her neck.

Before she could plunge any further into dismal thoughts the cool, logical part of Regina's brain asserted itself – scolding her more sentimental side for dwelling on things that no aspect of her had any control over. It was impossible to change the heart or mind of anyone but herself.

As she rounded the corner onto the street that housed the town's only diner, she caught sight of a familiar yellow eye sore. She smiled before she could stop herself, before the Mayor and mother within her could start listing all the safety hazards of Emma's Swans dilapidated vehicle.

It was a horrible car but somehow it was so Emma, so representative of her brashness and boldness. Of her jumbled and disorganised way.

She came to a stop in front of Granny's and glanced through the window, trying to spot Henry. Her eyes found him immediately – sitting on a stool at the front counter in the midst of an enthusiastic conversation with Ruby. Emma was beside him, watching the scene with a soft fondness.

Regina meant to go in but she found herself rooted to the spot. She used to feel so many things when she'd happen upon Emma and Henry together. Anger, betrayal, isolation. She searched for those feelings now but could find no trace of them. In their place was a curious yearning. She pictured Henry looking up to see her approaching. He'd leap out of his seat to greet her, dragging her over to sit next to him. Then, as soon as they were seated, he'd launch into some outrageously far-fetched tale, talking at a hundred miles an hour.

She'd exchange amused glances with Emma over his head as he talked and when he finally caught them doing it, Henry would scrunch up his face and complain loudly that no one took him seriously.

It was a tame imagining as far as fantasies go but it made Regina feel ashamed, as though she didn't have the right to want the things she found herself wanting.

As if tuned into the frequency of her inner dialogue, Emma looked up then, catching sight of Regina through the window.

She inclined her head slightly in greeting and leant down to whisper in Henry's ear. His response was comical. He spun about quickly, his head whipping towards the window so violently that he almost toppled off his chair. The next second he was airborne, his body launching from the counter stool and towards the door.

Regina barely had time to prepare herself for him before he was barrelling out the diner door and into her arms.

"Mom! You're here!"

The force with which he grabbed her made Regina wince slightly, her body still recovering from the curses effects. She hid the pain though; a hug from Henry was worth every twinge.

"Henry! It's so good to see you. I missed you!"

"I missed you too," he said, his voice muffled against her coat. "I didn't think you'd be gone so long. Are you feeling better?"

She leaned down and pressed a kiss to the crown of his head.

"Much," she admitted, surprised and pleased to find she actually meant it.

"You should come inside and have lunch with us then!" Henry suggested excitedly "Emma and I were just about to order."

Regina pulled back from his embrace and straight away felt the loss of his warmth in her arms.

"I don't know Henry…" she trailed off.

"No one's mad at you if that's what you're worried about." He paused. "Well," he conceded "I guess some of them still are. But no one's going to bother you. They know all about what happened with you and Emma. She told them."

"What!?" Regina couldn't keep herself from exploding. An image of those nosy dwarves discussing the deeply personal and private experience the two women had shared was enough to make her skin crawl. How could Emma have shared this information so flippantly?

"Henry's right," came Emma's voice. Regina looked up to find the blonde watching them both from the door way. "I told them about how you absorbed the death curse to save Mary Margaret and I. About how when I got in trouble trying to rescue you, you used your hocus pocus skills to save us both. People were impressed Regina. I'm not saying that you're going start winning any popularity contests or anything but you've earned some breathing room in the 'people want to storm your house with pitchforks' stakes."

She was still wearing that maddening look of total understanding.

"I see," said Regina slowly. "And how impressed would they all be if you'd mentioned that I helped cast that curse in the first place. Or that you almost died while undertaking your rescue attempt?"

Her words didn't hold the bite they once would have – the harsh tone she'd employed whenever she'd wanted to antagonise the Saviour.

Emma recognised the subtle changed and smiled because of it.

"You know me," she said breezily. "I'm not big on details."

"Do I?" asked Regina seriously. "Know you?"

Emma's eyes widened slightly at the directness of the question.

"You tell me," she said, hardly believing that the closed off woman had brought the subject up so soon.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Both women started at Henry's question, pulled from some deep reverie that only the two of them had been occupying. As though only just now remembering her son's presence, Regina felt a betraying blush colouring her features and was relieved to see the same hue registering on Emma's face.

"Nothing kid," assured Emma quickly. "Listen, why don't you go in and grab us a table."

"For three?" he asked, looking hopefully at Regina.

"For three," she assented.

"Awesome! Do guys want me to order for you?"

Regina's nose turned up a little, both at being called a 'guy' by her son and by the thought of what Henry would think was a suitable lunch for her. She wasn't sure her stomach could handle fries and a cheeseburger right now.

"Why don't you just order for yourself sweetheart," she suggested gently. "Emma and I can order when we come in."

"Okay!"

With that he raced inside, heading for his favourite booth on the far side of the diner. Regina laughed softly, Henry's presence proving that it still had the power to ease her troubled mind.

She felt eyes on her and turned to find Emma inspecting her intently.

"What?" she asked, trying not to sound defensive.

"You called me Emma."

Regina didn't know whether to roll her eyes or check the blonde for a head injury.

"That's your name isn't it?"

"Yeah it's just….no more Miss Swan huh?"

"I think we've gone quite far past that don't you?"

Again, Emma was surprised at Regina's candour. She'd anticipated weeks of needling just for them to get to the point where Regina would acknowledge what had happened between them. Instead this was the second time she'd brought it up in the space of a single conversation.

"About that…" Emma started.

"I'm rather hungry," came Regina's swift interruption. "Would you mind if we went inside now?"

That's more like it, thought Emma.

She could see the plea on Regina's face, the fear she felt at the idea of having the conversation they both knew they'd eventually have to have.

Still, Emma was optimistic. Regina wasn't saying never. She was just saying, not yet.

Knowing that this was not a discussion that could be rushed, Emma decided to honour Regina's request.

"Sure," she said, holding the door open for Regina. "After you."

As Regina walked past Emma's outstretched arm they brushed gently against one another and the spark they felt was enough to cause a shiver to run though each of them.

They froze, their breath quickening and their gazes seeking out the others face. They slipped into another of the reveries and suddenly everyone else seemed very far away.

Emma was about to say something when the world decided to intrude again.

"Are you guys coming? I'm starving!"

When they pulled apart Regina's wasn't sure if she was relieved or disappointed at Henry's interruption. As she walked to the table Henry had chosen for them, acutely aware of Emma's presence at her back, she found the answer was both.

Gosh Henry, way to ruin the moment. Let's see if our ladies can get some alone time in the next chapter.