Hey guys, I'm astounded by the number of people who read this! Thank you to everyone who took the time to review, because of you guys there's an update! Now I do have grammar problems etc, so I would love to have a beta. If anyone's interested? I'm not too happy with this one, I do hope they were in character, if not just tell me! Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

II: Striking back where it hurts

Regina's head snapped up as she heard the faint knock on the door. She straightened her papers and stood up, the chair screeching against the floor before she walked towards the door, her high heels echoing against the tiled floors. Her eyebrows knitted in a frown, she wasn't expecting anyone. She straightened the ends of her pencil and fluffed up her hair before she opened the door. Her eyes widened at David's presence.

"May I come in?"

Regina smiled, gesturing to her house. "Of course."

She led him back to the sitting room and sat down on the arm chair, crossing her leg over the other. "Mr Nolan, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

David took a deep breath before he exhaled. "Regina, I came here to apologise. I don't know what came over me last night, but it was wrong, I was unfair to Catherine. I-I don't know why I did it, but-"

"No," Regina said as she stood up, pursing her lips. "I should be the one to apologise. There was no denying that my actions were inappropriate, I was just caught up in the moment." She lowered her eyes, swallowing. "Henry was out and I was lonely. No doubt Kathryn's sudden return and your feelings towards Ms Blanchet left you in a confused state, and I shouldn't have taken advantage of that." She paused, and looked back up at him, smiling. "But I do hope that we can still be friends."

She held out her hand. David blinked before accepting her handshake, his head bowing slightly.

"Of course. I would love that."

Regina released his hand and sat back down. "So, how is everything with Kathryn? I do hope that she wasn't too upset."

"No," David replied. " Fortunately Emma kept to her word and did not mention last night."

Didshenow? Regina thought, her smile now strained. She would soon fix that. Regina suddenly noticed the rose that was in his hand.

" Going out tonight dear?"

" Yes, I was actually on my way to the Dinerbefore I stopped by."

" To meet Kathryn?" She asked, arching an eyebrow.

David's voice caught in his throat as he replied: " Yes, of course."

Regina's smile widened, if there was one thing she could do, it was to sense a lie. She stood up and gestured towards the door. " Well, I better not keep you then."

She watched him leave before her smile diminished, her eyes now narrowed in a murdering glare. Snow didn't know, yes, she should have assumed that Emma wouldn't have the heart to tell her. And now the wretched girl was meeting him tonight, and she'd be damned if last night's efforts went to waste. Quickly she marched up the staircase to her office, reaching for her mobile phone.

" Sydney," she said, her lips curling in a vindictive smile. " I need you to do something for me."

David stopped in his tracks before he turned around and frowned. This was the second time tonight that he had heard the light footsteps in the background, and no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, the nagging feeling would not stop pestering him. His instincts were telling him that something wasn't right. But he couldn't afford to stop anymore, he was already late after his spontaneous stop at the Mayor's house, but he knew he needed to apologise.

David continued to walk as his thoughts drifted to the Mayor. He couldn't figure the answers to his actions last night. What had possessed him? Yes, though he knew last night was wrong and could not erase the guilt that was consuming him, he did not regret it. Perhaps he- conflicted with his feelings between Catherine and Mary- like Regina, was lonely that night? Or like her, he was simply caught up in the moment? The image of Regina flashed through his mind again: sitting on the bench...chest heaving...hair tousled...legs crossed over the other seductively...her tongue moistening her lips...the ends of her dress, dangerously being pulled up...Nolan shook his head furiously, eradicating the image.

A glass bottle suddenly hurtled through the air, missing him by inches it collided into the brick wall. David startled and turned around to find the culprit, meeting a drunk, elderly man with two beer bottles. His eyes widened.

"Who are you-"

He was cut off when he saw the man, quickly bolting towards him. Quickly David ran off, narrowly missing another blow of the bottle. David whirled around and raised his fist into the air before it collided into the man's jaw. The drunken man tumbled back and regaining his balance, he charged after David again. David raised his fist for another before the man grabbed hold of it, punching him in the nose before ruthlessly striking the beer bottle into this chest. Glass shattered everywhere, raining down in a pool beneath David. David stumbled back and fell, groaning in pain. The man bent down and gave him a toothy grin before he departed.

Regina gasped as she slammed her car door, rushing over to David, her face creased with concern.

" David, what the hell happened!"

Quickly she helped the trembling man up. Her eyes widened when she noticed his shirt, now bloodied from the cuts that were no doubt gashed down his chest, and the glass, bits of it had torn through his shirt and now dug into his skin.

" We need to get you inside," she whispered, placing his arm around her shoulder before she helped him into her car.

David shook his head weakly, still cringing with the stinging pain. " I'm late and she's expecting me-"

" She can wait" Regina said firmly before she slammed the car door shut.

Then David frowned at the realisation of her sudden appearance. "Why are you here? And who was that man?"

Regina didn't even bother to do up her seatbelt as she started up the engine. " Most likely some drunk from the tavern across the road. And I was going to pick Henry up, but clearly that can wait."

Even Regina was proud of her sudden cunning, deceitful act. She knew she had to think of a plan for Snow to subtly find out about last night, and what better way than to have her catch David in the act? Sydney was more than willing to help her find someone for the nasty job, and after it was over, well, Snow's poor heart would be shattered.

Regina kicked the door open as she heaved David inside, his arm around her shoulder and his head lent against hers.

" Regina, I'm fine, really. You should've just taken me home."

Regina ignored his comment as she laid him down on the couch, her features furrowing with concern. Quickly she dashed to the kitchen and grabbed the first aid kid, before returning. She opened the kit and examined the various bottles inside.

" Really Regina," David said weakly. Mary Margaret was waiting for him at Granny's Diner, and he wanted more than anything just to that radiant smile, to feel her lips against his, to hear her gentle laughter...Then a sudden thought struck him. What if she thought that he had stood her up? No, he needed to be there. More importantly, he had imposed on the Mayor long enough, and did not want to take up anymore of her time. He tried to sit up before Regina stopped him, laying him down again.

" David, I told you. You're not leaving until I get rid of this glass. Do you honestly believe that anyone, let alone Kathryn, would want to see you in this state?"

David didn't reply: she was right. Regina gave him a weak smile before she went back to work, rummaging through the various ointments, creams and bandages. Regina finally found the antiseptic cream. She kneeled down on the couch and positioned herself between his legs before she began the task of undoing his buttons. She stopped when she saw his uncomfortable expression.

" I hope you don't mind the...intimacy...but this glass really needs to come out."

David nodded.

Regina's hands went back to work. She opened his shirt when she was done and gasped, bitting her lip at the markings. She saw David tense at her reaction.

" Is it that bad?"

Regina forced a small smile on her lips as she reached for the tweezers. " Nothing I can't fix. Now, this may sting a little."

Regina took a deep breath before she pulled the first piece of glass out, her eyes softening as David winced. Quickly she reached for the wet cloth and ran it over the cut, wiping away the dried blood. Regina's breath caught in her throat as her heart quickened at the sight of his bare skin. She tried to not let it show on her cheeks as she gently rubbed the cream down his robust chest. But she was mesmerised by it. Honestly, she thought, it was ridiculous. She was blushing like a young school girl, yet just last night they had practically made out on her kitchen bench. Regina tried to forget about the awkward intimacy as she got back to work. Immediately she thought of Daniel, and the nights she'd spend with him, laying on top of him as she'd trace patterns down his chest under the starry night. The promises they'd share together. She blinked, trying to squash the memory out, at least for now. She couldn't think of that, not when she was so close to her revenge.

David watched her work: her lips were pursed in concentration and her eyes never leaved his chest as her hands worked over his skin. Yes, he was stunned that she would go to that much trouble just to help him, even though he didn't know her that well, even though she knew that his closest friends loathed her. He gritted his teeth and grimaced as another shard was pulled out.

" Regina," he spoke out suddenly. " Why are you helping me?"

Regina stopped and frowned, turning towards him. " I thought that was obvious dear." When he only frowned she sighed, placing the cloth to the side. " David, I know Ms Swan thinks poorly of me. At times she has implied that I am incompetent and that I intend on hurting her and the ones she loves. My son has often referred to me as an 'Evil Queen'." Regina paused as her eyes saddened. "But I do hope that you don't believe these assumptions. I may be a strict parent, but I assure you, I am no 'Evil Queen'."

David was amazed at what she had shared with him. " I'm sorry," he whispered. " No, of course I don't believe that."

Regina radiated a kind smile, " I'm glad to hear that. Anyway dear, I'm just returning last night's favour."

Regina went back to work. Occasionally she and David would talk and laugh, sharing stories about their daily lives. Regina would tell him about the long and strenuous council meetings and debates she was forced to attend, and though David didn't have much to talk about, he would often add in an amusing , witty comment. At this, Regina would let out that light, carefree laugh that seemed to linger for a moment or two. They always made him smile. Over the past two nights he really felt like he was seeing Regina in a different light.

Suddenly Regina paused as her eyes travelled to the last, lethal shard of glass that was deep in his skin. It was the biggest one, at least an inch long, and because of this she had decided to take that one out last. She glanced back up at him, seeing his smile immediately diminish at her worried expression.

" What is it?"

Regina bit her lip as she stared back at it. "This one is going to hurt a lot. Now, I'm going to try to pull this out in the most painless way possible, but can you trust me?"

David raised his eyebrows. " Trust you?"

Regina gave him a smile and nodded.

" Of course," he replied with a slight smile, After all, she had helped him this far, and they were friends. He just wondered how she was going to do this in the 'most painless way possible'.

Slowly Regina took a deep breath before exhaling, placing her hands on the sides of the couch to maintain her balance before she bent down to his level, so that she could feel his hot breath against her jaw and hear the wild thumps of his heart. The last thing she saw was the perplex expression that briefly passed his eyes before she pressed her lips against his. The kiss was soft and tender as she slowly tasted him, the strong taste of peppermint now coating her lips. To her astonishment she felt David returning the kiss, gently sucking and biting her lower lip as she moaned in his mouth. It was now or never. Quickly she reached for the tweezers near the sofa as she felt his tongue begin to explore her mouth, gently entwining through hers. Without wasting another second she yanked the glass out. She felt David let out a painful groan in her mouth as the glass came out, right before a piercing shriek rang out.

Regina broke away, heart thumping, chest heaving as she tried her best to hide her flushes face. She grabbed the cloth and wiped away blood that was seeping out. She knew that the scream was from Snow, and no doubt about it, she saw everything. Regina grabbed the cotton wool that she had pre-soaked with the anti-septic cream and dabbed it on his bloodied cut, sticking it onto his cut with the band aid. She breathed a relieved sigh when it was done. Though Regina wasn't facing Snow, she could already imagine her teary eyes, her shocked expression, her broken heart…

" Ms Blanchard," she began, turning towards the crestfallen, pale woman. " I know what this looks like but I assure you-"

Mary cut her off with another cry as she covered her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief. She could barely believe that she had just seen David kissing the Mayor. She clutched onto her chest as she tried not to fall, the tears fighting behind her eyes.

" Oh my god," she cried again, her voice quivering as her breathing increased."When you never came tonight I went out looking and I-I was told that you were seriously injured and you were taken here…and now I see you with her and-" Her voice caught in her throat as she struggled to fight the tears.

Quickly David sat up, repressing a painful groan as his eyes pleaded with her. " No Mary, we were not doing anything. Regina was just helping-"

" WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"

Emma stormed into the room, her eyes wide with disbelief as she took in the scene. A flushed Regina kneeled before a shirtless David whose lip was again, smudged with the crimson lipstick.

" David, I kept your promise!" She shut her eyes as she took a shaking breath. "I didn't tell Mary, yet again you-"

" Wait, you knew that this happened before?" Mary's cold words cut off Emma's, her defeated eyes questioning hers.

Emma swallowed, bitting her lip. " Yes, Marry," she whispered, her eyes saddening in remorse. " David begged me to not tell you, and I thought that last night was a once off thing and that this wouldn't happen again."

But Mary was shaking her head, her arms now folded as as she lowered her eyes in disbelief. " I can't believe you'd never tell me this Emma, I thought we were friends."

Giving her friend a final questioning look she hurriedly exited the room. Quickly David jumped off the couch as he fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, racing after her.

Regina sat up against the sofa and crossed her leg over the other, a small smile playing on her lips. So what if Emma didn't tell Mary, she found out in the end, as Regina planned. It really had been rather amusing, sitting back and watching the scene unfold before her very eyes. It really was going all too well. Regina stared at Emma, who seemed to be frozen as she watched her heartbroken friend leave the house with David after her.

" Is something the matter Ms Swan?" She asked pleasantly, raising an eyebrow.

" You really are a bitch," Emma whispered as she slowly turned to Regina, her eyes blazing with hatred.

Regina let out a light laugh at her comment. " Really dear, I was just helping him."

Emma shook her head as she folded her arms. " You can't bear for anyone to have happiness when you don't have any, can you?"

Regina raised her eyebrows, folding her hands together. " Ms Swan, I was driving over to your house to pick up my son when I found David, seriously injured on the side of the road. I took him home and I mended his cuts and wounds. Please tell me, what crime did I commit?"

Emma just shook her head, deciding to ignore the comment. Then an idea struck: she raised her head. " And how do you know that I'll remain silent with this? You seduced him last night and no matter what happened tonight, I know you were behind it all and I know that your intentions were anything but good, you don't care about helping him." She paused as she slowly thought, a small smile growing on her lips. "And a big topic like this, David cheating on his wife with Storybrooke's Mayor, well, who wouldn't want to read it? It would surely capture Storybrooke's attention."

Regina let out a cruel laugh that didn't meet her eyes. "Ms Swan, do you honestly believe that anyone would believe you? It is your word against mine. Even so, I don't see any evidence supporting your accusations. And don't forget dear, Mary kissed David that night as well. How would the town's people react if that news slipped out?"

Emma's arms began to tremble as anger surged through her body, her eyes narrowed in a loathing glare. " You won't get away with this. Mary loves David and so does he; I don't know how you managed to seduce him but you will not get away with this."

Regina licked her lips as she stood up. " I believe I already have. Ms Swan, this is mytown. So don't think that you can come in here and change that." She paused before she said in a deadly tone: "You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Emma's eyes rounded at her response: completely taken back. Regina smiled as she slowly but dangerously whispered: "Now get out of my house."

Emma glared at her, repressing the urge to punch the woman in the face. She had to go, there was no point in staying around, but she would win, for once she had to. She stormed out of the room, but not before knocking over the vase on the nearby table before she slammed the door.

Regina smiled to herself before she sat down when she felt a heavy feeling at the back of her mind, pestering her and causing her to frown. David has returned the kissed when she had kissed him, yes the kiss she gave him was intentional, obviously she used his pain as an excuse for it. Yet he had returned it. But why? The lust potion would have surely worn off by now. Regina frowned...surely he didn't...

A glimmer of silver winked in the light, catching her eye and breaking her thoughts. She turned, and saw to her delight that David's house keys were lying on the carpet. It must've fallen from his pockets when she had laid him on the couch, and he had forgotten about them. Well, she thought triumphantly. No doubt that he would be back to collect them.

Thanks for reading guys! If you want an update please review, because they are the fuel for my writing! and I'd still love a Beta!