Regina was distracted when she walked into the diner. It'd been three days since she'd seen Emma, which was strange. It wasn't that she wanted to see her, but Emma had a way of being around when she least expected it. So, when she heard Emma's laughter coming from the counter, she froze and looked up. The diner was relatively empty, still too early for some people, but Regina was confused. Ruby was leaning on the counter, far too close for it to be anything but playful. She was whispering in Emma's ear. It was a complete turnaround from the last time the two of them were together. Regina arched an eyebrow when Ruby noticed her, and Ruby smirked, standing up straight.

"Good morning, Madam Mayor."

"Wolf."

Ruby narrowed her eyes and asked, "Do you want your usual order, your Majesty?"

"Sure. If you aren't too busy gossiping with local law enforcement," Regina drawled.

Ruby rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen. Regina anticipated some kind of comment from Emma, hopefully, an apology, but nothing came. Emma sat at the counter with a cup of coffee and her phone in hand. Regina frowned, not out of anger but curiosity, and she sat down beside her. She didn't feel ignored, but she did feel like Emma wouldn't speak until Regina spoke to her first.

"Good morning, Sheriff."

Emma lifted her head and gave Regina a genuine smile.

"Good morning, your Majesty."

Regina grimaced and said, "I know what I said, but you do not have to call me that."

"Okay. Also, I should apologize for my actions the other day. It was highly inappropriate, and I assure you it will not happen again."

Regina blinked once, twice, and she said, "Thank you?"

"You're welcome. Do you have a busy day ahead of you?"

"Not that I know of," Regina answered carefully.

"Would you like to have lunch with me?"

Regina's heart stuttered in her chest, and she asked, "You want to have lunch with me?"

"I want to buy you lunch to start my insanely long process of being a better person toward you."

Regina felt like she was in the Twilight Zone and took a moment to process her thoughts. Ruby returned with two bags, and she put one in front of Emma.

"Oh, thanks, Rubes."

"No problem. Coming back for lunch?" Ruby asked.

Regina glared at her niece, but she fixed her face when Emma turned to her expectantly. Clearing her throat, Regina found she didn't have a reason not to say yes, so she nodded. Emma's smile was blinding as she gathered her food and stood from the counter.

"I'll meet you here at one, and if you're busy, we can reschedule. Deal?"

"Okay," Regina said.

"Cool. Bye Granny!"

Granny waved a spatula in response, and Emma walked out of the diner. Once she was gone, Regina turned to Ruby and smacked her on the shoulder.

"What the hell was that?" she hissed.

"That, my dear Aunt, was Emma Swan."

"I have no time for your games, Ruby Lucas."

"No, I meant, that was Emma Swan. An entirely different person from Emma Charming."

"What changed?"

"Emma spoke with Gold, and then she and I spoke a few nights ago."

"What did Rumple tell her?" Regina asked, frowning.

"The truth." Ruby propped her chin on the counter. "I think I understand her actions a little more. I'm not saying she was right, but I'm saying you should go into this lunch with an open mind. Emma's had a pretty rough going with parental figures. She's had it rough with families in general, but your crush on her makes sense. She's not too bad once you know the real her."

Ruby's smile was teasing, and Regina snatched her food.

"I hate you."

"Love you too."

Regina glared at Ruby and stormed out of the diner. She came back briefly and apologized to Granny, and Granny waved her off. Ruby snickered and prepared for the breakfast crowd. It wasn't until Regina got back to her office did she realize she had a "date" with Emma in less than six hours. Regina's stomach rolled with butterflies and anxiety. The last thing she needed was her stupid infatuation making things difficult for her. But no matter how hard she tried not to think about it, Regina couldn't wipe the smile from her face.

Emma chewed on her lip as she sat in a booth. Regina sat in front of her, looking every bit as put together as Emma expected, and Emma's nerves were shot.

"Why did you invite me to lunch, Emma?"

The way Regina said her name made Emma blurt out something a little too close to the truth-

"I like you."

Regina's face turned red, and Emma panicked.

"Wait, I mean, I like you as a person. Not like a crush or anything. I mean, of course, I think you're attractive. You're so attractive, but wow. Okay, hold on." Emma took a deep breath and released it. "I made an awful mistake in assuming I knew everything about you based on what Snow and David told me. I shouldn't have jumped on the hate train when you never gave me a reason to hate you."

"I did try to kill you."

"True, but I deserved it."

"No one deserves to be poisoned by an apple turnover," Regina said wryly.

"My point is I missed out on getting to know you as Regina, not the Evil Queen. I was hoping for a second chance?"

"I haven't made this easy on you either, Emma. At first, I was afraid that you would break the curse. And you did, but then I was afraid because you came in and dismantled everything that I'd built in a matter of years. You weren't even trying, but that's who you are. You're a bull in a porcelain shop."

"I think you mean China shop."

"Both are easy to break."

Emma laughed and inclined her head in agreement. Her smile faded, and she plucked at her shirt.

"I wasn't going to tell you this, but you should know I was preparing to leave town," she said.

Regina's face fell enough for Emma to know how big of a mistake that would've been, but then her mask was back.

"What changed your mind?"

"Ruby found me, and we talked. In the end, she reminded me that I spent twenty-eight years without them. I am who I am. I'm not a princess, and I don't have the patience or personality for royal behavior. If anything, I would've been the one scrapping with the guards."

"Why do you sound like someone from the 1950s?"

"I watched Grease a lot when I was a kid. It kind of shaped who I am as a person, and I need to get back to who I am. My first step is being honest about myself, and if Snow and David don't like it, then they'll have to deal.."

Regina hummed and said, "It will take me a minute to trust you, but I find Emma Swan is more tolerable than Emma Charming."

"What's with that nickname? How many people call me that?"

"To your face?" At Emma's expression, Regina chuckled and said, "Just me, Ruby, and Killian."

"Killian? Since when are you two close? Snow said-

"You should never believe anything your mother has ever told you about me."

Ruby slid over to their booth with her notebook and smiled.

"Good afternoon, ladies. Sorry about the wait. What can I get you?"

"Chicken Caesar salad with a glass of lemon water, please," Regina said.

"You know you're going to turn into a chicken one day eating that all of the time?"

"Ruby."

"Okay, okay. Don't come clucking to me when it happens," Ruby joked. "What about you, Emma?"

Emma's first instinct was to order a salad, but she wanted a burger.

"Can I have a bacon cheeseburger, please? With extra mayo?"

"Sure! Want fries or a salad?"

"Can I have cheese fries and a root beer float?"

"Absolutely."

Emma chuckled as Ruby ran off to put in the orders, and she blushed when she caught Regina staring at her.

"What?"

"The last time I saw you in here, you were picking at a salad and drinking water."

"Snow mentioned I was putting on weight."

"How ridiculous." Regina glanced down and brushed something off her jacket. "I think you look perfect the way you are," she said.

Emma had been called beautiful, pretty, and attractive before by men and women alike. But Regina's words stirred something in her, and Emma blushed harder.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Later that evening, Ruby looked up when the bell rang.

"Whoa, Em. You look like shit," she said.

"Thanks."

Emma grunted and sat down at the counter. Ruby leaned across the top and rubbed her back. It was nearly closing time, a few stragglers finishing up milkshakes and burgers, but Ruby wasn't concerned. At least, not about them. Her worry was on Emma. From the gossip and the rumors, Emma had a day from hell. It seemed like everything non-magical that could go wrong in Storybrooke went wrong. Everyone knew that Emma spent the day running from one side of the town to the other, and Ruby was pissed to learn that David took a half-day to spend time with Snow. Regina had been stuck in meetings and couldn't take time off to assist Emma with the things that didn't need law enforcement. Ruby couldn't get an hour away from the diner to check on her, and Killian was stuck cleaning out the warehouse across town as some sort of community service. It seemed like the entire town was on their behavior. Emma, as the Sheriff, had to deal with everyone alone. Ruby took a deep breath, ready to comfort her friend, but she paused and scrunched her nose.

"Uh, Em, why do you smell like-?"

"Pongo peed on me," she explained tiredly. "And instead of going to the loft to shower and change, I had to meet the principal because students have egged a teacher's cars during the lunch break."

Ruby had the feeling that was only the beginning, and she swallowed her response. Emma knocked her knuckles against the counter almost absentmindedly.

"And after that lovely meeting, I came back to the station to find Snow and David having sex in the break room. They didn't even see me. I mean, it's not like I don't have a signed and written affidavit that vows that David took the afternoon off because Snow wasn't feeling well. But I guess the Princess of the White Kingdom can't go a whole day without sticking her husband's nightstick down her throat. Unfortunately, they didn't start in the break room, but rather in my office. And once I was able to sift through the paperwork that got knocked over by Snow's enthusiasm, I got called to the other side of town. Eric thought it would be fun to call Ariel glorified fish food during an argument. Ariel decided to hit him with a frying pan when he screamed about how he should've stayed in his country with a woman who knew how to use every part of her body. And yes, that means what you think it means. I had to arrest Ariel and take Eric to the hospital for thirty stitches. He is currently staying with Naveen and Tiana. But to top it all off, David found out from Sebastian that I'd arrested Ariel, and he called to tell me I needed to release her! Why? Because Princesses don't get arrested! Goddamnit!"

Emma slammed her fists against the counter, and Ruby smiled politely at the couple in the corner when they looked up from the outburst. With her attention diverted, Ruby missed Emma's eyes turning solid white before going back to green.

"I am so close to walking off the dock with weights tied to my ankles. This town is fucking insane."

Ruby glanced back at Emma, but she didn't know how to comfort her. Storybrooke was chaotic for a small town, but it was full of fairytale creatures from a different realm. Ruby had no idea Emma got the brunt of it as the Sheriff. Then again, Emma was not only the Sheriff but the Savior and had to pull double duty whenever the situation required it. Especially if her father was playing hooky with his wife. Ruby's heart ached for her friend.

"What can I do?" she asked.

"I shouldn't have come here. These boots are done for. The smell has soaked into the leather."

"Em-

"I'm fine. It's fine. All I need is a beer, my bed, and an uninterrupted night of cartoons wearing nothing but my boxers," Emma joked weakly. "I'll be okay by the morning."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Thanks for listening," Emma said, groaning as she stood.

"Call me later?"

Emma waved to show she heard before she half-limped from the diner. Ruby shifted as she watched her go, and she frowned at the feeling settling in her chest. Something wasn't right. Emma didn't just smell like Pongo. There was another smell there that made the hair on the back of Ruby's neck stand up. Someone touched her shoulder, and she looked at Granny. The older woman had a similar look on her face, and she sighed.

"Tell Regina that what happened to Kieran and Bella is happening to Emma. She'll know."

"Hey, Em. What happened to you calling me later?"

Emma didn't respond when Ruby sat down. They were back at the docks on the same bench, but Ruby frowned when she noticed what Emma was wearing. Emma had on a thin long-sleeved undershirt and some gym shorts, and she was barefoot. Ruby's alarms started going off.

"Em?"

"I got into a fight with Snow."

"What happened?"

"It started with lingerie, believe it or not."

"Lingerie?" Ruby repeated.

"When I got home, my goal was to shower, get a beer, and relax. But once I'm in the loft, Snow starts talking and talking and talking. I'm not listening until she says the word lingerie. She then full-on sprints to the closet and pulls out a red shopping bag. She bought us matching lavender teddies with frills along the edges. I was mortified, but she was so excited to share the experience with me. She wanted us to put them. I knew I needed at least three beers to get through the conversation. Not only have I never worn a teddy in my life, but lavender? With frills? It was a lot to process. So I went to the cooler where I normally keep my beer, but it was empty. Which was weird considering I'd purchased a twenty-four-pack of Guinness last night. I asked Snow what happened to it. Do you know what she said? She told me that she poured them down the sink because it's inappropriate for a Princess to drink beer."

Emma's voice had progressively gotten flatter and colder, and she was startled when Emma jumped up and started pacing.

"I told her that I'd drank in front of her before, but she said that I was still too 'otherworldly' to know better. But now that I've been here long enough to see how things worked, I could be guided back on the path meant for me. I was so furious, but I let it go. I could always drink at Killian's or sneak a shot or two at Granny's, right?"

Ruby's mouth opened to respond, but Emma moved on to the next topic.

"I tell her I need a shower, and I go upstairs. I opened my door and found every single last thing I owned missing. Everything. All of my books, clothes, shoes, and hats were replaced with things that I never in my life would've purchased. The half-day that David asked for was a trap! He and Snow took all of my things and put them in boxes before donating them. They threw out every single pair of jeans, my tank tops, muscle shirts, graphic tees, and my hoodies. Snow then replaced it all with dresses, skirts, heels, and items that she'd been collecting ever since the curse broke! My boxers? Gone. Instead, I now own an ungodly amount of thongs!"

Ruby felt her wolf whimpering and squirming under her skin. She shifted on the bench to get it to calm down, but it got worse when Emma went still.

"But do you want to know what pissed me off?" Emma said. "Snow got rid of my jacket."

Ruby was about to ask which jacket when it hit her – the red leather one. Emma's eyes started glowing, and Ruby stiffened. When Emma looked toward the docks, Ruby took out her phone. She shot off a quick text to the group chat she had with Regina and Killian.

"That jacket was my armor. It made me feel safe, and it was mine. But Snow threw it away just like she did to me when I was an infant. My entire life became nothing at that moment. Everything I worked for, things I saved up for and purchased for myself, was gone. I have nothing left to call mine other than the clothes on my back because I left my gym bag in my car. My parents told me I wasn't good enough to my face and that they couldn't wait to fix me. Everyone always wants to fix me! I'm not fucking broken!"

Ruby hunched in on herself and glanced around, hoping to see Killian or Regina.

"Snow babbled on and on and on about how I would look so much better for Neal. She explained how as a Princess I needed to be the epitome of femininity. Did you hear that? Me. The epitome of femininity. I told her I didn't want to be feminine or look pretty for any man, let alone Neal. But she kept talking like I hadn't said anything, and I got so frustrated!"

Ruby jerked back when Emma shouted, her voice echoing down the street.

"I told her the truth that I hadn't even come to terms with myself, but I thought my mother would understand. I thought she would stop and hear me. I just want someone to hear me. And I thought the woman who spent so long trying to get me to be hers would be that person for me. But she laughed at me. She told me I was confused." Emma dropped down to her knees and started crying. "I've been playing the Savior, the Sheriff, and working my ass off to make them happy. I've given up everything to be their daughter, but what's the point if they only love me if I'm a certain way? What's the point of being here if they won't accept me? I've gone through hell for so long, hoping that when I found my family they would want me. But they don't. Why doesn't anyone ever want me?"

Ruby stood slowly when Emma's body started shaking. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, but she couldn't look at the message. All her focus was on Emma. Ruby had never seen her friend so hurt, and the atmosphere was thick with Emma's emotions.

"No one ever loves me for me. They're always trying to change me and fix me," Emma said.

Ruby was relieved when she spotted Regina and Killian running down the street, but her relief was short-lived as Emma's magic went haywire. Ruby's eyes stung from the sudden wind hitting her in the face, and she moved back. Killian slowed as he got closer, his hands raised as he fought the wind, but Regina didn't stop. It was like she wasn't affected, and she ran right to Emma. She got down and wrapped her arms around her, and Emma tried to buck her off. But Regina held firm and started whispering into Emma's ear.

Ruby couldn't hear what was being said, even with her enhanced hearing. Killian was forced to move even more when Emma's magic grew. Emma's eyes were so bright and angry, and Ruby fell to her knees. Killian fell shortly after, grabbing at his throat, and the water started crashing against the docks. Regina continued to speak to Emma, and Ruby was scared that Regina wouldn't calm her down. But something Regina said got through to her. Everything went deathly silent, and Ruby heard the end of what Regina was saying.

"Please come back to me, please. I can't do this without you, Emma. I need you."

Emma's eyes dimmed to their regular color, and she muttered Regina's name before she went limp. Ruby gasped as the air was returned to her lungs, and she coughed as she caught her breath. The wind died down, and Killian panted as he stumbled to his feet. Regina looked at Ruby. Her face was twisted in exhaustion, and she sighed.

"Meet me at the mansion," she said.

Those were her only words before Emma and Regina disappeared.

Regina covered Emma with the duvet and brushed her hair from her face. She heard the front door open and paused.

"It's just us!" Ruby shouted up the stairs.

Regina relaxed and double-checked everything. She made sure she left a water bottle, a trash can just in case, and the extra blanket. Regina reluctantly walked out. She kept the door cracked and made her way downstairs. Killian untied his boots and left them by the door, and Regina stepped to the side as he ran to put his things in his room.

"Jeez, when was the last time you were here?" Ruby asked, standing in the hallway with a bag.

"Not since I moved out," Regina said, going to the kitchen. "I forgot there's nothing to eat."

"We figured as much. Stopped by the boat before coming here."

"The only thing at the boat was liquor and chocolate-covered peanuts."

"Funny because all I have is a bag full of scotch and chocolate-covered peanuts."

Regina rolled her eyes hard and went into the kitchen, Ruby on her heels.

"Do you want a single or a double?"

"Triple," Regina said, sitting behind the island.

Ruby took out the bottle and poured three drinks, all with the same amount, and she passed the first one to Regina.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

"No biggie. Are you okay?"

"I was prepared after your warning, but I didn't think it would happen so soon."

"How is she?"

"She's asleep."

The conversation paused when Killian came around the corner in shorts and an old t-shirt. He went over to the last drink on the counter and took a long sip before settling back and looking between the two of them.

"So. Are we going to talk about it or…"

"We can start with Ruby telling us how it happened in the first place," Regina said.

"I'm not sure if you heard the rumors about today, but Emma was all over town. Everything seemed to go wrong, and she was the only person on duty."

"Where was David?" Regina asked. "I saw him on the schedule."

"He took a half-day, which comes into play much later."

"What do you mean?"

"Emma stopped by the dinner after her shift, and I could tell something was off. She seemed on edge, but she swore she was just tired. But first, Pongo peed on her, and she wasn't able to change because she had a meeting at the school. Something about students egging the teacher's cars. Then, Emma went back to the station and found Snow and David having sex in the break room. She said they didn't see her, but Emma was upset because David said he needed the half-day for a personal emergency. He told her Snow wasn't feeling well, but, uh, Emma made a comment I'm not willing to repeat about it."

"Why?"

"Because it was gross, and I'd rather not think about Snow White on her knees."

"Fair enough. Please continue."

"Emma then got called to Ariel and Eric's house. The former underwater Princess and her beloved got into an argument after Eric called Ariel glorified fish food. Ariel hit him with a frying pan, and Emma took him to the hospital to get stitches. Emma also arrested Ariel, but David called Emma to tell her to let Ariel go because Princesses don't-

"-get arrested," Regina finished. "Many of the former monarchs want me to change the laws to ensure they aren't arrested or charged with crimes they deem harmless to society."

"Ariel gave Eric thirty stitches," Killian said in disbelief. "That's very harmful to society. And I ran into Naveen at the grocery store. He says Ariel and Eric started fighting after the curse broke. Ariel is still too ocean-obsessed for his taste, but I think it's more than that."

"Agreed. And Emma did mention that Eric said he wished he'd stayed in his own country with a woman who knew how to use her body," Ruby said. "But I'm more surprised that Tiana isn't on Ariel's side."

"Why would she?" Regina snorted. "Tiana doesn't get along with the Princesses. I think the only one she talks to is Pocahontas."

"Where is Pocahontas, by the way?" Ruby asked.

"She and John got a divorce, and John owns the main house. She lives in her cabin. I was supposed to have dinner with her next weekend, but we'll see." Regina took a sip of her tea and gestured at Ruby. "Continue," she said.

"Emma left the diner angry, and that's when Granny gave me that warning. Anyway, she got to the loft, and she said that's when things went from bad to worse. Emma got home, and Snow bombarded her with questions. Then she pulled out a bag of lingerie she got for Emma and herself."

Regina held up her hand and said, "Please tell me you aren't about to say what I think you're about to say."

"Were you thinking Snow bought her and Emma matching lavender, frilly teddies? Then yes, I am."

"Teddies?" Killian repeated. "Like bears?"

"No, honey." Ruby pulled out her phone and typed something into it. Then she turned the screen to Killian, who leaned down and scratched the back of his neck.

"Is that normal for this world?" he asked.

Ruby shook her head no, and she said, "Yeah, Emma wasn't in the mood for it. So she went to her cooler because she said she couldn't have the lingerie conversation sober. When she found it empty, Snow told Emma that she poured out her beer because-

"Princesses don't drink alcohol," Regina sighed, rubbing her temples. "I know that from the Sip and Stroke Tiana tried to put together that every Princess minus Kathryn and Pocahontas objected to."

"Wait, Snow dumped out Emma's beer? Her Guinness?" Killian asked.

Ruby nodded, and Killian sighed.

"Damn. That's her favorite beer," he said. "Her first foster father drank it all the time. She wanted to be like him, so when she was able to get her first drink, she ordered it and never stopped."

"It gets worse," Ruby said.

"How could it possibly get worse?" Regina asked.

"In addition to dumping Emma's beer, Snow emptied her closet."

"What do you mean by emptied?"

"Snow threw away every article of clothing Emma owned and replaced it with more feminine things. Emma's words, not mine." Ruby glanced meaningfully at Regina and added, "She also got rid of the jacket."

Regina leaned on the island and bowed her head, tucking her chin to her chest. She took several deep breaths while she reigned in her emotions. Emma walked on a tightrope at all times, regardless of who she was with. So if Snow got rid of everything Emma owned, things Regina was sure Emma purchased with her money or shipped from Boston, then it was a slap in the face.

"Um, so Granny said this happened with Kieran and Bella too?" Ruby asked, breaking the silence.

"Yes. When Charlie died, Isabella was too young to understand what was happening to her. Hers came out in bursts like the stable almost burning down, Snow White's dress sleeve catching fire during dinner, or the trees around the castle attacking people if they got too close."

"Oh, like the snakes in the garden whenever Snow White came out to play?" Ruby asked.

"Right," Regina snorted. "Isabella knew Snow White was involved, so she focused her attention on her, but she wasn't consciously aware of her actions. I managed to keep it at bay, and we never spoke about her abilities until she was older." Regina absentmindedly touched her hip. "Losing Liana triggered them both, and that was when things got hard. However, it wasn't Isabella I was concerned with. Kieran had iced over her room so many times that I had to leave Isabella in there to thaw everything out before the handmaidens entered. Kieran levitated things for hours on end, like books, swords, and pieces of stone, and some people had the unfortunate pleasure of being in the wrong place at the wrong time when they fell."

Regina traced symbols into the island as long-buried memories rushed to the forefront of her mind.

"Isabella and Kieran could run the world if they wanted to. I wouldn't be surprised if they're out there somewhere bringing men and women to their knees. Regardless, Emma's magic is too unstable. She needs to heal physically, emotionally, and mentally."

"What can we do to help?" Ruby asked.

"Keep her away from stressors."

"How do you plan on doing that?"

"Emma will be asleep for the rest of the night and well into the morning," Regina said. "Killian, I'm afraid my move onto your boat might be put on hold. She'll feel better if she were here, and I'll feel better if I were here with her."

"I'll be more than happy to stay in the room until Swan's back to herself," Killian said.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm not going to let you go through anything alone. Plus, Swan's my friend too."

"Guess we're having a big ole sleepover," Ruby said.

"Ruby."

"If Killian's staying, I'm staying."

"Do I have a choice in this?" Regina asked, exasperated.

"No," Ruby and Killian said.

"But you know Snow and David are going to be looking for Emma," Killian added.

"Let them."