Hey guys! As always, a big thank you to my lovely reviews, you guys are seriously amazing and because if you I've updated Anyway, I apologise for any occness, but I really struggled this time with keeping them in character. With this cheaper, I wanted to explore the effect loosing love had on Regina and the hatred and anger that consumes her once more, which explains the almost pointless first part of the fic. Anyway this is a long one so should hopefully keep you guys going for a while. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

XIII: Understanding

Regina Mills arched a perfect eyebrow as she stared at the middle-aged, chubby businessmen with her cold eyes. The man flinched under the Mayor's scrutiny as her reached for a handkerchief in his breast pocket, blowing his nose. Regina placed her hand on her hips impatiently as she cast a glance towards the clock (it was midday), and repressed a frustrated sigh.

" Well Mr. Evanston, I'm waiting, the library."

Mr. Evanston quickly nodded, his fingers fumbling nervously with the handkerchief as he placed it back before he gestured to the table where his model sat, concealed by a towel.

" Madam Mayor," he said in a shaking voice as he gave her a small bow. " Introducing Storybrook's new library."

He pinched the end of the cloth and flung it open, revealing a classy, modern library. Regina eyed the model with a glassy stare, her eyes hardening before she snapped back at him.

" What is this?" she asked dangerously.

Mr. Evanston's face fell. " You're not happy with it?"

" Do I like happy to you?" she snapped, casting another look at the replica of the library. " I specifically asked for a two-story, sophisticated library, and I get cheap, small and distasteful."

Mr. Evanston shook his head as he nervously looked at the model again. " I-I don't understand, this was what the blueprints-"

" I don't want to hear your excuses," Regina cut him off, her eyes penetrating into his. " Just fix it."

Regina snatched her handbag from the table, knocking over the construction as she went but didn't bother to look behind. She had other business to attend to.

…

Regina pursed her lips in front of the mirror as she reapplied another layer of her crimson lipstick as she tried to repress the nagging feeling at the back of her mind. Perhaps she had been too harsh with him. But she had every right to; Regina was Mayor and had the responsibility of doing her duty for the citizens. And if that job included ensuring that Mr. Evanston would do his job properly in order for the peoples' money to go to good use, then that's what she'd do.

Indeed, everyone had noticed Regina's shifting behavior over the past few weeks. Regina's new tolerance towards the people had diminished, and in its place emerged her old cold, spiteful demeanor. She had threatened Archie the other day, snapped at Sidney, got into a heated argument with Emma and generally acted cold and nasty towards the people again. Though it seemed the only time Regina ever smiled was when she was with Henry.

There relationship hadn't progressed over the past weeks, but it hadn't worsened either. Though Henry still insisted on spending most of his time with Emma, he continued to spend his nights with his mother where she'd help with his homework before they'd curl up in front of the television with a home cooked meal.

A soft smile touched Regina's lips as her son's face drifted into her mind, though he always made her happy, he couldn't feel the void inside of her that had been consuming her for the past week. Regina swallowed, squeezing her eyes tightly before any faint memory of David came back.

She had six missed calls and ten missed messages from him, but still Regina held strong and didn't reply. No, her mother was right about something, she was always right. Love was weakness, and Regina fell as love's biggest victim. Day after day her heart was heavy, and night after night the tears brought no end. The only relief Regina felt everyday was when she was with her son, and slowly he would heal her, she knew it, little by little. No…she didn't need David. Regina stared determinedly at the mirror, squashing out his mental image that threatened to appear. No, I don't need him. Maybe if she continued to tell herself that, she'd grow to believe it.

Her phone suddenly buzzed alive, capturing her attention, Regina reached for it and accepted the call.

" Hey mom."

A smile graced her lips at her son's voice, her heart melting at her reference as his mother, which was-to Regina's joy- what Henry had been calling her over the past days.

" Hey Henry," a small frown furrowed her eyebrows as she checked the screen again. " The number's anonymous."

She could sense Henry tense. " Uh yeah, I'm with Emma now. She came by the arcade and took Nick and I out for ice cream."

" Oh," Regina replied softly, her voice deflating.

She had been hoping to pick Henry up in a few hours to take him out somewhere special to celebrate his success, (his boat had come first place in the class race yesterday, and unfortunately Regina was too busy to properly take him out).

" But I was hoping," Henry quickly continued. " That we could go to the lake after in an hour when we're done, so you could see my boat. I brought it with me."

A smile spread across her face, her heart lifting again. " Of coarse Henry, I'd love to. Oh and if you're at the park keep your jacket on, it's chilly."

" Yeah, okay," he replied, and Regina could imagine his eyes rolling across at her smothering words. " Well I've gotta go, but I'll see you in an hour. Bye."

" Bye dear," Regina said softly before hanging up.

Regina placed the phone on the glass table, happy that she would be seeing her son in an hour. But right now she had to make an errand to the post, she had some nasty files to deliver. Another sigh pushed past her lips as she reached for the letters before a glint of silver caught the corner of her eye, Regina turned to the mysterious object, her eyes widening when she saw the silver chain and broken locket. Quickly she kicked the piece of jewel under the gap of the closet door, though she wanted to stamp on the jewel and smash it to pieces, she felt like it was a crime to destroy something so beautiful.

Her chest tightened as the memories broke through the stone walls of her mind, her neck tingling as she remembered his cool fingers skimming her skin as he connected the locket around her. Would she ever rid the memories of him? Regina shook her head, eradicating the memory. No, she had to, and she would. Though it would take time, but she would move on. Somehow.

A faint knock on the door alerted Regina's attention and she placed the papers pack down, walking over to the door with a small frown. She swung it open, her eyes widening as her blood froze with horror and shock. He stared bleakly at her, his hands tucked in the pockets of his tattered jeans.

" Hey."

"Leave. Now," she cut him off, her eyes hardened in an icy glare.

David's face creased at the sharpness of her voice before he tried again. " Regina, please just-"

Regina slammed the door, silencing his pleas. She lent back against the wall, taking a deep breath. Why the hell did he insist on making her life difficult? She was slowly and gradually healing from her heartbreak, yet he was here again.

David swung the door open and walked in. Regina moved away from the wall to face him.

" Regina," he quickly spoke before she had a chance. " You haven't replied to my calls or messages, so this was the only way I could speak to you. Because I need to talk to you."

Regina stifled a bitter laugh, barely believing him. " Talk to me?"

She couldn't believe that he still had the nerve to speak to her and explain his actions. Regina shook her head; refusing to be near him she turned on her heel and briskly walked off, her heels aggressively hitting the floor. " Please, just go."

David quickly hurried after her, furious that she was again avoiding him. " Regina, just listen to me for one moment!"

Regina made her way to the storeroom, her body needing alcohol in the moment's crisis. She ignored David's heavy footsteps following her as she reached for a bottle of chardonnay. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to face him. Her eyes flared in anger at his actions, snatching her arm away.

" David, I understand, you've clearly made your decision. Now leave."

Regina went to step passed him before David quickly slammed the door shut. He held his stance, staring determinedly into her eyes. " No, and I'm not leaving until we speak."

Regina shut her eyes, a frustrated sigh pushed passed lips. " So you planning on keeping me in my wine storage until you do so?"

" As long as it takes."

Regina put the wine back down and placed an impatient hand on her hips as she raised her eyebrows. " Fine then, explain."

" I just…" David suddenly found himself lost for words as he stared at Regina, who was doing her best to hold her intimidating stance. He sighed, looking back up at her. " I just don't want out relationship to end like this."

Whatever Regina was expecting to hear, it wasn't this. " What?"

David struggled as he tried to pull his words together, giving her a sheepish shrug. " I-I just don't want us to continue on…like this, avoiding each other for weeks until we crash at the supermarket a week later to then pretend like we're total strangers."

Regina stared incredulously at him. " You honestly believed that this would end otherwise? David, you kissed her in front of me," she shut her eyes, the painful memory causing her eyes to moist. "What did you think would happen? We'd shake hands and be friends?"

David opened his mouth to respond before he closed it, speechless. Because the truth was yes, he had hoped that they could make up and keep in contact. David felt ridiculous; did he seriously think that friendship with Regina would be possible?

" I'm sorry," he suddenly whispered, his eyes saddening. " The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you, and when I saw your eyes last night…you have no idea how much I wanted to take your pain away." To just see you smile once more…his thoughts trailed off.

Regina's eyes rounded at his touching words, he truly sounded like the man she fell in love with. Oh god Regina you can't do this now, she told herself firmly. Her fingers rubbed her temple as she shut her eyes, shaking her head.

"David, you can't tell me this now, I can't deal with this now."

Because although Regina had tried to ignore it, destroy it, forget about it, the truth had been in front of her eyes the whole time. She couldn't destroy the love she had for him. She took a deep breath and exhaled before she met David's concerned gaze, her face falling before she said softly,

" David, please just leave."

And David knew that he had to this time. It had been pointless coming here, because he now realized his actual reasons for desperately wanting to see her. He missed her. Everyday this past week his heart ached for her. Though it had been a terrible mistake, because there was no changing the past.

David nodded and reached for the doorknob, he hesitated, opening his mouth before he decided against it and pushed the door. It didn't open. A frown creased his featured as he pushed the door again, but it still wouldn't budge.

" What's wrong?" Regina asked, watching him.

David kept on pushing before he sighed, as the realization sunk in. When he slammed the hinges must have locked so the door was jammed. Regina's eyes widened as she read his fallen expression, realizing their predicament. She pushed passed him, grasping the handle she pushed at it, sighing when it didn't budge.

Regina shut her eyes as she lent back against the wall. " I don't believe it," she muttered under her breath.

The last thing she wanted was to be trapped with him. David rummaged through his pockets, sighing when he didn't find his phone. Regina glanced at his watch from the corner of her eye as she sank to the ground.

" Well, I'm supposed to pick Henry up in an hour. So I'm sure he'll realize something's wrong once I don't show up, so no doubt Ms. Swan will soon come to investigate." To snoop most likely, Regina added in her mind.

She just had to wait an hour, though she didn't fancy Emma 'rescuing' them from their situation.

David swore under his breath when he realized something. Regina raised a questioning eyebrow.

" Mary was expecting me in an hour."

David regretted his words the second they slipped out. Regina's eyes shot towards him in a hardened glare.

" Well, I'm sorry this situation isn't to your liking," she said, venom lacing her voice.

David's eyes creased in regret. " No Regina, she just wanted me to help-"

" David," she cut him off, reaching for the wine again as she unscrewed the lid. " Can we please just…not."

Regina pressed her fingers to her temple as she took a sip of wine, she couldn't bear to hear the girl's name. David shut his mouth, deciding that it was best to remain silent. He slid down against the wall next to her, his legs drawn up and his hands on his jeans.

It was a bad idea to show up at her house, he knew it all along. But the need to see her once more over powered him, because this week without her was slowly killing him. He missed her cute smile that lit up her features to her glimmering eyes, her silky voice that would linger in his ears and melt his heart, her luscious lips on his, her soft caresses and even those god damn high heels that she always wore. He missed her and over the past week a void was growing inside of him, consumed with the desire and longing for her. Yet he couldn't abandon Mary Margaret.

Guilt rose inside of him, filling his chest with a cruel coldness as the other night drifted back to him. He shouldn't have returned the kiss, he should have just left as soon as he saw Regina, he should have told her sooner…but he didn't. Regina's face from that night drifted back to him: her blinking, disbelieving, moist eyes, her face creased with hopelessness, reflecting the pain that tore and shattered her heart. He wanted to take her pain away, and David would gladly feel her pain and more to make her smile again.

" I'm so sorry Regina," he suddenly whispered, turning towards her.

Regina blinked back at him, surprised at his sincere words. She sighed, taking another gulp of the wine. " I know, but we can't change the past. Perhaps I shouldn't have exploded at you earlier, but…David you should have just told me, rather than have me find out like that. Surely you understand the hurt I felt last night."

" I know," he whispered, his eyes drifting off into the distance. And he would give anything to take back his mistake.

A glittering, silver object winked, catching the corner of his eye. David frowned and reached for the object, the cold chain skimming his fingers as his thumb ran over a chipped heart. David's eyes widened when he realized it was the locket he gave her. His eyes searched the dusty titles and found the other crystal piece, he picked it up. Regina watched him, a lump forming in her throat as she watched his face fall.

" The locket," he whispered, staring at the broken jewel.

" You broke my heart that night," Regina responded softly, not knowing what else to say.

David nodded, his hand falling back against his knee, the jewel hanging in his closed hand. He understood. Did he really believe that Regina would still wear the locket after he broke his promise?

But it seemed like a crime to leave the precious stone shattered in two. David's eyes spotted a bottle of PVC glue on the mahogany chair at the corner of the storeroom, where Regina had obviously intended on fixing one of its broken legs. David reached for the glue and squeezed the bottle onto the heart, tracing a trail of white glue across the side of the heart. He then placed the glue back and connected the two hearts together before he placed the locket back on the shelf, allowing it to dry.

Regina gave him an odd stare as she watched him.

" It seemed like a crime to leave something so beautiful broken," David explained, though it seemed ridiculous.

The silence lingered in the air as the two sat, lost in their thoughts as they stared at the heart.

" Did you mean it?" Regina suddenly broke the silence.

David's eyebrows furrowed in a frown. " Mean it?"

Regina swallowed as her teeth grazed her lower lip, knowing that it would be best to remain silent but she needed to know. " That night when you gave me the locket; to be true, to stand by me through the good times and the bad but to always," Regina paused, trying to steady her shaking voice. " To always love me. At the time, did you mean it?"

David's eyes widened at her words, and as he stared into her dark orbs he saw her pain. " Of coarse," he said softly, suddenly feeling the need to hold her, to take her pain away. His hand reached for hers as his fingers laced through hers.

Regina's eyes widened at his touch, wanting to pull away, but instead she left it there, staring hopelessly at him.

David knew from her hurt eyes that she wasn't convinced. " Regina, I meant it then and I still do now. You're incredible, beautiful, intelligent, you have the most adorable laugh and the sweetest apple scent, and though they're extremely impractical, you never fail to make my heart drop when I see you in your high heels."

Regina found her eyes loosing themselves in his as she struggled to stay strong. She couldn't fall for him again when she knew he was with Mary Margaret and this would only hurt her more. But her heart was melting like a dripping candle as a small smile graced her lips at his touching words, the desire stirring inside.

" And," David continued, releasing her hand as his eyes saddened. " It kills me to know how much I'm hurting you, but you have to know I meant it that night," David hesitated. " And I still do. Because if I've realized anything over the past few weeks, it's that I can't change the way I feel. Especially towards you."

Regina's eyes were mesmerized on his as her heart thundered against her chest like doves yearning to escape. She felt as if she was living in a vivid dream, her surroundings were a blur as his words resonated through her mind. I can't change the way I feel. Balancing on her hands and knees Regina leant in, her breath brushing against his jaw before her lips caressed his.

And as she felt his lips responding to hers in a soft kiss the realisation of what she was doing hit her. They couldn't do this again, she couldn't go through this again, because she'd only get hurt. Her eyes snapped open as she quickly pulled back.

" Oh god," she muttered as she shut her eyes, standing up. Her fingers threaded through the side of her hair as she paced to the other side of the storeroom.

David cringed as he watched her, wanting to hit himself for his stupid actions.

" We can't do this anymore," Regina said, turning towards him. " It's clear that neither of us can erase our feelings nor can we can control them. And we can't continue," she paused, gesturing to her sides. "This."

" I know, Regina believe me when I say that I want to be with you more than anything in the world," David responded, standing up. "But I can't leave my child."

Regina's face fell as she repressed a sigh. " But…maybe you don't have to," she said softly, as her eyes rounded as the realisation struck her.

How could she not have seen this before? It seemed to obvious now, a clear answer to their dilemma.

" Surely," she said slowly, her head piecing the answer together. "Ms. Blanchard would allow you to remain in the child's life, even if you weren't with her?"

David stood up, slowly catching onto what she meant. " You mean that if I ended our relationship, I would still be able to see my child?"

Regina slowly nodded as she reflected the thought. " I highly doubt that Ms. Blanchard would restrict you from seeing your child, it is after all yours too. Legal procedures wouldn't allow it too."

David's face slowly lit as the realization dawned on them." Then there's nothing stopping us from being together."

Their eyes connected and before they knew it Regina found herself in his arms as their lips crashed together. David's hands travelled from her waist and up her back until they found her soft hair, his fingers entwining through the glossy locks. Regina's hands cupped the sides of his face as her lips hungrily sucked his, begging for entrance. David responded feverishly, tearing through her wine drenched lips he bit deep into his forbidden fruit, his tongue slipping inside and dancing with hers.

And through the intoxicating, wine saturated kiss he tasted apples. Her sweet, yet acidic apple taste coated his tongue and left him yearning for more: her taste that he loved so much.

The familiar warmth rushed through Regina, rising to her heart and filling the void that had been consuming her the past week. Regina breathlessly broke the kiss for air, her wide, lustrous eyes on his. David's heart pounded as he devoured the enticing site, from her slender legs, to her every curve, to her luscious, tousled hair and her blood red lips deliciously smudged with lipstick…and he only wanted her more. David repressed a groan as Regina's lips pulled into a small smirk as his wandering eyes. God he missed her.

David's pushed her up against the wall as his lips captured hers in a passionate kiss. Regina's fingers instinctively went to his shirt and unbuttoned them, impatiently sliding it off his strong shoulders, her finger savoring his touch. Regina's breath caught in her throat as her eyes drank in his broad shoulders and down to his chest, her fingers tracing the lines that outlined his muscles. Her fingers found his belt, finishing the difficult task of removing his clothes, David hastily kicking them off. Regina gasped in his mouth as David cupped her waist and brought her legs around his waist, quickly she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Suddenly Regina was sliding from his arms and falling (not so gently) onto the chair. David's lips possessed hers again, kneading into hers as he his hands pulled up the ends of her dress dress, resting on her waist. David straddled her hips and pushed into her, causing an erotic moan to escape her lips as she threw her head back against the chair. Regina wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him in closer, her heel digging into his lower back as her legs begged for his touch.

David's hot breath skimmed her jaw before he brushed his lips against her skin, trailing down to her tilted neck where he sucked on her collarbone, causing another moan to escape her lips. He brought his lips back to hers in a heated kiss.

" God I've missed you Regina," he muttered in her wet lips.

Regina groaned in response, arching her back to meet his thrusts. A sudden bang resounded through the wall, and Regina's eyes snapped open, immediately fearing that Emma was here. She broke the kiss, her chest rising and falling with her heavy pants.

" Did you hear something?"

A moan rose in her throat as she felt his lips on her neck, trailing down to her chest. " David," she protested weakly. " I'm serious, did you hear-"

The door swung open and their heads snapped up, their eyes widening at the sight.

" Oh my god!"

David immediately jumped off Regina as she quickly pulled down her dress, her cheeks tainted a rosy red. David struggled with his clothing as his eyes pleaded.

" Mary Margaret, please I-"

"Don't you dare speak to me." Mary Margaret turned away; she couldn't bear to see the sight. " When you didn't show up I was worried then Archie said he saw you at the Mayor's house but-" Her voice broke off in a sob, biting her lip to repress the tears.

Mary Margaret shook her head and hurried off, a sorrowing sob escaping her lips. David met Regina's cringing eyes and she walked towards him, her lips pulled in a sad smile. Her fingers buttoned the rest of his shirt, her fingers lingering on his material.

" You better go after her dear, and explain."

David nodded, guilt and despair reflecting in his eyes. Regina bit her lip, knowing that he didn't deserve to hurt again, god knows he's been through enough pain. She took a step towards him and brushed her lips against his, her lips tempting him as she teasingly nibbled and sucked his lower lip. She slowly drew back, a mischievous smile creeping on her lips, delighted at the arousal that grew in his eyes, replacing his pain.

" Call me when it's over, I'll be waiting" Regina said, a slight purr in her voice as she released his shirt.

David wanted nothing more than to bring his lips back to Regina's and take her right there, but knew he had explaining to do. A small smile touched his lips as he stared at his dark beauty.

" And then I'll finally have the pleasure of calling you my girlfriend," he said, his eyebrows rising playfully.

Regina laughed. " I look forward to it."

She watched him leave the room, hoping that Mary Margaret would understand, but knowing the naive girl Regina's chances were slim. Even so, a smile graced her lips, because her prince charming would finally be hers and they could finally begin their new life together. And Regina Mills couldn't wait.

Is it normal to be fangirling over your own fic? Cause I spent the past 5 minutes screaming at their complete and utter cuteness. Ahem, anyway, thanks for reading guys! Please tell me what you think. Too cliché? Cheesy? Ooc? Gosh I'm awful at writing these intimate scenes. But anyway, there's plenty more to come, cause I've still got some more drama in stall. And as always I'll try and maintain the un-predictableness. Thanks again!

Lydia :-)