Hey guys I got another chapter for you and I'd like to thank you for the wonderful comments! Reading them just makes my days better and I hope you're enjoying the story still.

Oh, also this is a slow burn SQ. I would have put it in the summery but only so many characters to be used and then I forgot to put it in chapter 1. So I promise it will be SQ but we've all got to burn to get there.

With the matters of punishment settled Regina rubbed at her temples trying to keep the ache away as walked towards the dining hall to have dinner with her father. It had been only yesterday that they sat down to a meal together but all conversation was dry and boring. Hopefully this nights would be more colorful.

"Hello darling girl," her father greeted with a warm smile as she entered the room with nothing less than the grace of a queen.

Hugging him Regina felt all the better than she had earlier after dealing with the Knight. Who does she think she is? To come into my kingdom, my palace, and act as if she knows better than I. Shaking the thoughts from her head the brunette took the seat at the head of the table happily ready to eat for it had been a long day indeed.

"How are you fairing this evening father?" she asked placing the cloth napkin on her lap.

Smiling Henry saw a change in his daughter and he could tell it was the blonde woman, Emma, that had done this so. And though neither of them could stand each other now he had faith that there was room for friendship and maybe more between them. However that was a long way to go. For now he was happily ready to move his pawns into place, "I have been well dear but since the attack and my personal guards death then I have been secluded to your beautiful palace and though it is my home I feel the need to ride once more."

Sharing a small glimpse of a smile Regina nodded. It was true she hadn't let her father out of her sight since the attack and only because she wanted him safe, but he was right. He was and always would be a man who loved the outside and all that came with it, "I can start looking for a bodyguard right away if you like."

"No, no, that's alright," he waved her off which had her confused, "I already have someone in mind."

"Oh?" amber eyes questioned, "Who?"

"Ser Swan."

Sweat stung her eyes and teeth felt as if they would break. It had been a few good hours since she'd been banished back to the dungeon and with nothing to do but exercise the blonde went through her regimen of tasks. One hundred pushups, one hundred fifty sit ups, two hundred squats and lunges, and now three hundred and fifty pull ups. By this point many would be worried about passing out from sheer exhaustion but she has so much pent up energy that wasn't likely to happen.

With each rise and fall of her body Emma reveled in the thoughts of her father's death. My punishment was worth it. The look on Snow's face made sure of that. She still felt the blood warm and sticky that had covered her body and the rush of it all was a high she couldn't explain. It was only when Killian appeared with a tray of food that she dropped to her feet studying the man on the other side of the bars.

"'Ello love," he smiled, "I see you're right back where you began."

Smirking at the one handed captain Swan grabbed for the tray but he held it back from reach, "Gimme the food dammit!"

"Fine, but you listen to me got it?"

Nodding an affirmative he handed the food over, "The Queen was lenient with you today."

"I'd hate to see the opposite then," she couldn't help but snort in amusement of thinking that what she'd endured was easy going considering who she worked for.

Clasping his hand and hook behind him the captain simply studied her before speaking more, "I would highly advise against it, but what you do is your choice," he watched as she moved away and plopped herself on the cot digging into her food, "Now what I've come to discuss is the schedule the Queen has put you on."

"'aht 'edual?" she questioned over a full mouth.

Pacing in front of her cell Killian looked at her, "Her father has requested you be his bodyguard for the time being until she can find someone more suitable for the position."

the bite of bread Emma stared at him in contemplation, "I don't think that's wise. Last time I saw her father he was about to be killed or at least captured. Why'd he want me?"

"I do not know…" he sighed, "But whatever the Queen wants she gets. Now you'll be starting tomorrow if he wants to leave the castle grounds for any reason find me so I may accompany you."

Leaning back against the cold wall food now forgotten considering the conversation the Knight nodded, "Because I'm strictly bound to the palace I know, I know."

"Good, now rest up I'll be here to let you out in the morning."

Emma was dressed to impress, well more like dressed to kill if need be. She stood tall as the Queen inspected her from head to toe. Her black drakeskin armor clung tight to pale skin and made her golden mane shine against the dark leather. Two blades sheathed at her back, two daggers in her belt, throwing knives in her boots and a hidden blade on her greaves. In one word she looked absolutely terrifying.

"And you will do as is expected of you are we clear?"

"Yes Your Majesty," the blonde was able to spit through gritted teeth even as the Evil Queen made her mark burn and subdue the magic that wanted to lash out against its aggressor, "You've made things positively clear. Now may I attend to my post or do you require anything more of me?"

"No dear, that is all," Regina spoke nonchalantly waving the blonde off to go find her father.

Rubbing at her arm where it still burned with fire Emma sighed. Accepting her punishment had been easy enough but having to play caretaker to a man who did nothing but ride horses and venture out into the towns and cities of the kingdom was like asking her to babysit a child. It's more of a glorified babysitter than an actual Knight's job. Or that's how she saw it anyway.

Walking into the tea room where the man currently was Emma tried not to disturb him as he looked at the chessboard before him but even as he moved his pawn the older man spoke, "I'm glad my daughter kept her word."

Confused by his openness the blonde was weary of her position on what to say, "Um, well, I guess she did," she finally replied to which he chuckled.

Looking at her fully now his own brown pools much like those of the Queen's seemed to tear her apart, but gently and carefully as if the pieces were going to be stitched back together. It was unnerving and calming at the same time. Shifting on her feet nervously emerald eyes flit about the room.

"Please, have a seat," Henry motioned to the chair across from him, "I promise I don't bite."

The small tilt in her lip was the only acknowledgment of thanks and amusement as she walked over to the chair and sitting down stiffly, "Thank you Lord Mills."

Moving the black knight forward the man looked pointedly at her, "Now there'll be none of that."

"None of what sir?" she asked not quite understanding.

"That," he waved his hand at her only for Emma to raise a brow in question, "Relax around me. I am not here to report you to my daughter and please call me Henry. It's the least you can do after saving my life."

Eyes wide at how she'd been addressed the blonde wasn't so sure anymore. From the small interaction if any she had previously with the man she didn't expect him to be so...relaxed, "Ah, okay…" she crossed her legs and fully leaned back in the chair while resting her hands in her lap not sure what else to say or do.

"I know I thanked you for saving me but let me say it again, thank you."

"Welcome," she smiled now watching as he waited patiently looking at her until she finally got the idea, "Oh, you want me to play? Okay, uhmmm…" looking at his pieces then hers Emma moved her pawn forward assuredly before placing it back where it was then grabbed her knight and moved him first.

Watching the young woman consider her every move on the board Henry saw the flickering of eyes that studied his as well. When she moved her knight he moved a pawn and the game continued in silence. It was slightly uncomfortable and awkward no doubt for the blonde but hopefully that would change with time. It was however the way she considered the board like a war, a battle to be won that had him intrigued further. None of his other guards challenged him. They'd always lose for fear of being reprimanded. She however just did without thought.

"Tell me Ser Swan, why did you leave the White Kingdom?" he broke the silence with the straight forward question.

Rolling the head of the pawn she'd captured between her fingers viridian eyes studied the object with a contemplating look where her lips thinned into a mourning line and eyes lost its spark, "I was unhappy."

Sensing more to the story but not wanting to push Henry moved his own piece across the board, "If you ever need to talk I am here."

Giving a small smile the knight made her final move taking the queen with her knight, "And your Queen is mine."

"That she is, that she is," Henry smiled, "But there are still pieces at play even if the power has been taken."

"True, but sometimes," Emma met his eyes, "You get to the heart of the matter once power is taken."

"Too true Ser Swan, too true."

Laughing Emma shook her head, "If I'm allowed to call you Henry then at least call me Emma."

"Okay, Emma," his smile reached his wise eyes before standing from the chair, "It is time for some tea I think."

Nodding in acceptance the knight rose from her seat and followed him to the kitchens where she and Henry received their tea and snacks to go with them. Expecting to leave the kitchen Emma was confused when the man sat down at the counter and he silently nodded to the seat beside him. Okay if he's Regina's dad then how did she get like the way she is now? Was the only question she could think of to sum up her experience with him so far.

"So…" she trailed off not sure how to put her question before turning her upper body to look at him, "What's the real story between you know who and Regina."

The whole kitchen stopped dead, eyes bored into the blonde's skull, mouths were agape, and the silence was deafening. It was as if she'd just cursed them all. It was Henry's laugh that shattered the still silence, "Oh Emma, you should see the look on your face."

Shrugging Emma sighed, "I just don't know why if I say her name it seems like I just placed the wrath of her Majesty on all of them."

Patting the woman's shoulder the elder gave out one last laugh, "Ah my dear girl, I am the only one allowed to call her by her name unless you're her friend or bedmate for the night."

"Oh, so me calling Regina, Regina is a no no."

"Only when she's around. If you're with me feel free to call her by her name. Not many people are brave enough to do so," the sadness in his eyes was evident by the etched frown on her face, "As for the story it is not mine to tell."

Nodding the two fell back into a more comfortable silence than they had started off with earlier in the day. If hanging out with this guy is my job for the next few weeks I think I could get used to this, she smiled happily drinking her tea.

So how are you liking the interactions between Henry and Emma, there won't be some for a while, but if you like it there will be more later. Also next chapter will be more Red and Granny getting situated in the castle.

Also I'm living for those comments. Whoever the hundredth is I will either do a SQ oneshot of your choice or add a character to the story that helps get Emma and Regina together.