Wow! You are all amazing! I so glad you like my story and I am so grateful for all of the reviews, favorites, and alerts! And thank you for all the warm welcomes to the Evil Charming ship :) It's good to be here lol. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy and please review!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.

Monday morning Regina was in such a good mood that when she entered Granny's diner with Henry in tow and he ran over to see Emma she didn't even flinch. She even smiled at Ruby when she brought her her coffee, causing the younger woman's mouth to drop open in shock before quickly reciprocating. As Regina turned to leave David entered the small diner and the smile that graced his lips upon seeing her almost made Regina believe that he was still her James.

"Good morning, Regina."

"Morning, David," Regina returned with a sincere smile. "How are you?"

"Good, really good actually. I managed to get a job."

"Already? I'm impressed. Where will you be working?"

"The animal shelter," David replied with a wide smile. "Not great pay, but it's enough to live off of and I think I'm going to be happy there."

"You always did love animals," Regina murmured nostalgically.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said, you must love animals."

"I do, I think," David chuckled and Regina gave him an understanding smile.

"Still can't remember anything?" She asked with a tilt of her head.

"No, unfortunately," His smile dimmed slightly and she touched his forearm softly.

"I'm sure your memories will come back soon. And don't blame yourself for not remembering. You will when you're ready."

"How did you know I was blaming myself?" David asked with a shake of his head and a smile. Regina returned the smile and fought to keep the sadness from her eyes. Because I know you, she wanted to reply. Instead she shrugged her shoulders.

"Good guess."

"Why is she being so nice to him?" Henry asked shooting his brunette mother a suspicious look from his seat across from Emma.

"Your mom doesn't have to be mean to everyone, Henry," Emma teased, wondering how to ask him about the book changing without setting him off.

"Name one person she isn't mean to."

"You."

"That's different," The boy replied with a frown. "She doesn't want me figuring out her curse." Emma sighed and wanted to assure him that his mother loved him, but decided since he had already mentioned the curse now was as good a time as any to tell him about last night.

"Yea, about that," She grabbed the book from beside her and placed it on the table.

"Why did you bring that here?" Henry scolded, comically shifting his little body to shield it. "She might see it," He hissed. Emma glanced over at Regina and saw her laying a hand on David's forearm with a soft understanding look in her eyes.

"Relax, she's definitely not paying any attention to us. Look," She demanded, opening the book to the new pages and then showing him the blank ones.

"What happened to it?" Henry asked a confused frown pulling at his lips.

"So, there were other stories in here before, right?"

"Yea, and this one wasn't in there. What's it about?" He asked his eyes scanning the words quickly.

"Your mom and David. Or James in the book," Emma replied. She was still trying to understand what she had read last night. The Regina in the book had been so kind, thoughtful, and... not evil. How did a young woman like that become like the present Regina? What had to happen to a person to change them so drastically?

"That's not right," Henry whined, bringing Emma's attention back to him and the book splayed out in front of them. "He's Snow White's true love. She must have found the book and she changed it somehow."

"Why would she change it?" Emma asked trying not to roll her eyes. Her heart started hammering inside her chest wildly as she began to entertain the notion that this curse actually existed.

"To confuse us so we won't break her curse. Why are you so pale?"

"Why am I so?" This time she did roll her eyes. "Henry, I just found out that we live in a town of fairytale creatures and your mom is the Evil Queen!"

"I told you," Henry replied with a smirk that he had clearly learned from his other mother. As much as Henry fought against Regina sometimes he looked so much like her it was scary.

"Holy shit. Books don't just rewrite themselves," Emma whined, slamming the book closed.

"Henry, it's time for school," Regina called, not leaving her spot next to David. Henry slid from the booth, dragging his backpack with him.

"Bye, Emma. Remember you're picking me up after school."

"Yea, see ya later, kid," Emma replied offering him a little wave. She glanced back at Regina and David and tried to not make it obvious that she was watching them.

"Goodbye, David. I hope you enjoy your first day at work," Regina told him with a smile which David returned.

"Thank you, Regina. I hope you have a good day as well."

"Those don't exist in the mayor's office, dear," Regina teased causing him to laugh softly.

"Hi, I'm Henry," Henry stuck out his hand like his mother had taught him and David shook it.

"David Nolan."

"Is it true you don't have any memories?" The boy asked curiously.

"Henry!" Regina scolded.

"No, it's ok," David assured her with a smile. He looked back at Henry. "Yea, kid that's true, but I'm still pretty lucky. I wouldn't be alive to have no memories if your mom hadn't found me. She's pretty great," David told him in a stage whisper. Regina smiled and fought the color rising to her cheeks.

"Whatever," Henry replied clearly not impressed. "I'll wait outside. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Nolan." With that he left the diner. David looked at Regina and caught the devastated and hurt look that flashed across her face before what looked to be a carefully constructed mask slid in place.

"Hey, he's just a kid," David put a hand on her shoulder and she gave him a tight smile. "He's gotta prove his independence by pulling away."

"I should get him to school," Regina took a step towards the door, but David's hand tightened slightly on her shoulder.

"Regina, wait. Do they at least let you have a lunch break at the mayor's office?"

"Most days," Regina replied with a smile.

"Do you think you might get one today?" David felt himself start to blush as he stumbled over his words. What was wrong with him?

"I think there's a strong possibility. What's with the sudden interest in the mayor's office's scheduling?"

"I was hoping you'd let me take you out for lunch," There you did it. "And by take you out I mean to Granny's. I do work at an animal shelter after all."

Regina wanted to, Gods did she want to, but as much as she hated Gold he was right. Was she ready to let James back in? Even if he didn't know who they were to each other and even if he didn't know who she was and what she had done, it was still dangerous. "I don't know, David-"

"Please, as a thank you for saving my life."

"Alright," She never had been able to resist him when he smiled like that. "Does 1 o'clock work?"

"That's perfect. I'll see you then," David and Regina both smiled and stared into each other's eyes. David felt a sense of safety and warmth wash over him and he felt peaceful. He didn't feel the crushing weight of his missing memories and he didn't feel the fear of his unknown future.

"Mom!" Henry called, causing them both to jump slightly and causing Regina to take a step back. She headed for the door and looked over her shoulder when she reached it.

"See you at one."

David watched her go and found himself anxious for the morning to pass quickly. He ordered his coffee from Ruby and sat down at the counter to wait. Emma decided it was a good time to introduce herself and she sat down next to him.

"Hey, Sheriff Emma Swan. You're David Nolan, right?"

"Yea, I am. Does everyone know who I am?"

"Small town," Emma replied. "I'm pretty new to it myself. Arrived a few months ago and I think it took about 2 days before everyone knew who I was. Especially with how many times the Mayor and I get into screaming matches in public."

"Shouldn't the Sheriff and Mayor get along?" David asked with a smile to cover the anger and protectiveness he felt for Regina at Emma's admission.

"We're pretty civil when it comes to town stuff. I'm Henry's birth mom. We don't always agree on how to handle him," Understatement of the century, Emma thought. "So anyway, I figured it was my duty as Sheriff to just say hi and let you know if you need anything I'm here."

"I appreciate that."

"Well, have a good day," Emma said as Ruby brought David his coffee. David smiled and headed towards the door.

"You too," he replied before leaving. Emma watched him go and then returned to her booth and the book. She opened it and saw more had appeared since she and Henry had been looking at it. Slightly, ok a lot, freaked out, she found where she had left off and began to read...

"Did you really think I would just let you ride off into the sunset?" Leopold asked from his seat on his throne. Regina stood in the center of the room silently with a guard on either side of her. They had caught up with her not long after she had parted with James. She might have made it to freedom if she hadn't stayed with him last night, but she couldn't find it in herself to regret her decision. "Regina?"

"Why shouldn't you?"

"Because you are my wife!" Leopold growled, slamming his hand on the arm of his throne in anger. He took a calming breath and stood up to walk closer to her. His facial features softened, but that did nothing to comfort her. "I don't want you to think I'm a horrible man, Regina," Regina looked down as her eyes filled with hateful tears. "If I could, I would let you go, but it's too late for either of us to back out of this marriage."

"I will never love you and you will never love me," Regina glared into his eyes as she fought back tears. One slipped down her cheek and even though she had been taught tears were a sign of weakness she let it fall. "Please don't condemn me to this life!" She pleaded desperately. To his credit, Leopold truly looked guilty, but the emotion was not strong enough to sway him.

"Snow loves you, that will have to be enough. Perhaps, you and I will have children of our own soon and then they will love you as well."

Regina felt sick at the thought of having sex with him again. She had hoped their wedding night would be the only time she would ever have to lay trapped beneath her naked husband. "If you think I'm going to lay with you again-"

"You are my wife and my queen," Leopold insisted his voice turning cold. "You'll do what's expected of you and the people expect us to produce an heir."

Emma stopped reading and pushed her cocoa away suddenly feeling sick to her stomach. She couldn't imagine how Regina had felt trapped in a marriage, in a castle that she never wanted. And not only had Regina been forced to marry someone old enough to be her father, but she had had to sleep with him too? These definitely weren't the fairytales she had read as a little girl. She actually felt a wave of sadness for Regina, something she never thought she'd feel. Taking a deep breath, she picked the book back up and found where she'd stopped reading and began again...

Leopold turned to his guards. "Take her to her chambers. She is not permitted to leave until I tell you otherwise and no one is allowed entrance to her room with the exception of myself and Snow-"

"My father-"

"No one except for myself or Snow," Leopold said firmly. Regina felt more tears slip down her cheeks and her chest heaved with painful breaths at the thought of her imprisonment. He glanced back at her and then turned away to return to his throne. "Snow has missed you. I'll send her to your chambers to keep you company before dinner. Tell her you aren't feeling well and that's why she couldn't see you last night and why you won't be allowed to leave the palace for a few days."

She wanted to scream and fight until they dragged her bruised and bloodied body through the castle. She wanted Snow to catch them and understand exactly what she had condemned her beloved stepmother to. Warm blue eyes filled her mind and she remembered how safe she felt in James's arms the previous night. If she played the good little wife she might gain enough freedom to see him again. She didn't know how she was so sure that they would meet again, but she knew it deep within her heart. So she merely nodded and let the guards lead her towards the door. "Yes, my King."

The King's voice stopped them at the door and Regina couldn't help the surge of hate she felt swell within her at his words. "I truly am sorry for this, Regina, but you are going to have to accept that this is your life now. It will be easier for everyone once you have."

Regina remained silent, but she promised herself that she would never accept that this was all her life would be until death. Never.

James entered the throne room after being summoned as soon as he had arrived back at the palace. He knew he should be nervous of King George's anger, but all he could think about was brown eyes and the feel of Regina wrapped in his arms the night before.

"Where have you been?" George asked his voice clipped.

"Bandits overtook our carriage. They killed the men and took the horses," James explained. He crossed the room to look out the window. It had a view of the forest and the King's road. The road he believed he was about to become very familiar with.

"You still should have been back by now," James heard the dangerous edge in the King's voice, but he couldn't bring himself to care.

"I was injured and there was this woman-"

"A woman?"

"I met her on the journey. She stayed with me," James couldn't help the soft look that crossed his features as his remembered the previous night. It had been one of the best of his life.

"Forget her," George snarled breaking James from his thoughts. James clenched his jaw in anger and held his tongue as he left the room. He couldn't forget her. Her beauty, her smile, her laugh, it would all be burned into his memory for the rest of his life. She had touched his soul and left a permanent mark on it. He had to see her again.

"That's it? Come on," Emma muttered when she realized that was the end of the new writing in the book.

"Everything alright, Em?" Mary Margaret asked suddenly appearing in the seat across from her.

"Um, yea, I gotta go. See you tonight," Emma placed money on the table and rushed out of the diner. She felt bad for being so rude to her friend, but if she had stayed she might have given Snow White a piece of her mind. And that wouldn't be fair to Mary Margaret. Emma groaned. "Why me?"

Regina heard someone knock on her office door and she called for them to enter. David appeared then and she glanced at the clock.

"Punctual," She teased with a small smile. "I like that in a man."

"I'll keep that in mind," David replied with a smile of his own. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, let's go," Regina replied as he helped her into his jacket. They arrived at Granny's in a few minutes and were seated almost instantly. Ruby took their drink orders and handed them menus before disappearing.

"Do you have any recommendations?" David asked as he scanned his menu.

"Henry really enjoys the chicken fingers," Regina replied causing them to share a laugh. "I've heard Granny makes a very nice burger."

David smiled at her and put down his menu. "Burger it is."

The pair remained at Granny's long after they had finished lunch just talking. David had just finished telling her about a particularly mean cat at the shelter and they were both laughing when the bell above the door jingled and Regina felt a chill creep up her spine. That could only mean one thing.

"Well, well isn't this a surprise?" Gold purred coming to stand in front of their table with a smirk on his lips that Regina wanted to smack off. "Don't usually stray too far from the office, do you Madame Mayor?"

"Gold," Regina sneered in greeting. She should have known he would be keeping an eye on her and David's interactions. He had come to make sure his pet was behaving, Regina thought as anger swelled within her. On the outside she was cold and emotionless. Just like he had taught her.

"Mr. Gold," The man told David, shaking his hand. "I run a pawn shop just down the way and own most of the real estate in town. If you ever need a new place I'm the man you come to."

"David Nolan," David replied feeling an uneasiness settle into his gut. He didn't know this man, but for some reason his instincts were telling him he wanted Gold as far away from Regina as possible. He glanced at her and the masked anger and fear in her eyes was enough to confirm his distrust and dislike of the pawn shop owner.

"Ah, yes," Gold drawled, shooting a nasty look in Regina's direction that had David clenching his hands into fists under the table. "The man our heroic mayor found by the bridge."

"What do you want, Gold?" Regina snapped.

"Oh nothing special. I just saw you sitting here and thought I should remind you of the little chat we had yesterday," His voice lowered dangerously, but Regina just glared back.

"Consider me reminded."

Gold studied her for a moment more with that possessive look in his eyes that Regina hated so much and then he stepped back with a fake smile. It was a 'the cat who caught the canary' kind of smile that had Regina suppressing a shiver. "Enjoy, your lunch," He finally said before heading over to the table Belle was holding for them. David watched him go and then turned back to Regina.

"Well, he's..."

"An ass?" Regina offered. David smirked.

"I was gonna say creepy, but you know him better than I do," His tone was light, but his stomach was still churning with worry. The look Regina suddenly gave him didn't help.

"Promise me you'll stay away from him."

"Is he dangerous?"

"Yes," Regina replied with no hesitation. David's fear for the brunette across from him grew. He had seen how Mr. Gold looked at Regina, like he owned her, and it made David want to rip his head off.

"Regina-"

"Please, just promise me," Regina pleaded, terrified of what Gold might do to him to keep the curse intact.

"Alright, I promise. Although he did just say he owns most of the property in town," David commented trying to ease some of the tension. Regina smiled and shook her head.

"Not all of it. If you ever make enough money to afford an actual place chasing after mean cats at the animal shelter-"

"Ouch," David teased, placing a hand to his heart in mock offense Regina smiled at his antics.

"Come see me, not him, ok?"

David reached across the table and took her hand in his. "I promise."

Emma crawled into bed after an exhausting afternoon of Operation Cobra planning with Henry. The boy was convinced that his mother was somehow changing the book. Emma wasn't so sure. As far as Emma knew, Regina wasn't supposed to have magic in this world so how could she change the book? And why had it started to change the night Regina found James...David. She glanced at the book on the end of her bed and pulled it towards her. She opened it and found herself illogically excited to see that more had been added since she had read it at Granny's. How did whoever or whatever was adding the stories decide when to reveal more? It seemed random, but Emma decided to start paying attention to possible patterns. Settling into a comfortable position she flipped to the newest page and began to read...

The morning after returning to the palace, James made his way to the spot on the road where he had knocked Regina off her horse. A part of him hoped she had gained her freedom, but another part of him knew she hadn't. And while he was sorry and angry that she had to be trapped in a marriage she didn't want he was also hopeful that that meant they could see each other again. So, he waited until the sun began to set, but there was no sign of Regina or Rocinante.

Disappointed, but not ready to give up James made his way to their spot on the King's road the next morning, and the next, and the next. The end of the week quickly arrived with no sign of Regina. James decided he would go today, but if she wasn't there he would start going only a few times a week instead of everyday. His steps were slow with the anticipation of the long day alone and his heart was heavy with sadness. He was beginning to believe that he would never see the beautiful Regina again. As he got closer to his destination he began to feel a warmth in his heart that had only been present the night he and Regina had spent wrapped in each other's embrace under the stars. Quickening his steps he rounded the last bend and his heart nearly burst. Just down the road he could see a familiar mare munching on grass beside her familiar owner.

"You're here!" He exclaimed unable to keep the excitement from his voice or face. He jogged the rest of the way to her and she met him halfway, falling into his waiting arms. He held her tightly and he felt her body sink into his embrace. After a few moments they pulled away enough to look into each other's eyes. They were both smiling brightly.

"I don't know how, but I knew you'd be here and I had to see you," Regina's hands came up to cup his face and he pressed a soft kiss to both palms. He was sorry that she hadn't been able to get away, but he also couldn't help the happiness that swelled inside of him.

"Did he punish you for running away?" James glanced over her form looking for injuries, but found nothing.

"This is the first day I've been allowed to leave my chambers," Regina admitted sadly leaning back into his embrace so her head was resting over his beating heart.

"Did he hurt you?" James asked worried and angry. He knew just because he couldn't see any obvious signs of injuries didn't mean there weren't any.

"I'm alright," She assured him pulling back to look at him. "Was King George upset about your absence?" He knew she was changing the subject, but let it go. He didn't want to push her.

"A little. I told him what happened and about how you helped me. I didn't tell him who you were," He assured her at her terrified expression. "He told me to forget about you, but I couldn't even if I wanted to," James admitted softly.

"I don't want to forget about you either, but the Kings-"

"They may be able to force us into lives we never wished for, but they cannot take this from us. I won't let them," Regina smiled and James cupped her face gently. He felt his heart flutter when she leaned into the touch.

"And what is this?" She asked quietly. James smiled and placed a kiss to her forehead.

"Friendship."

Emma placed the book down with a heavy sigh. Every time something else was added to the book the more questions she had. Maybe Regina was changing the book somehow, because the Regina in the stories was definitely nothing like the woman Emma knew. Then again, when Regina looked at Henry, or more recently David, she could see glimpses of her. Which was another reason Emma was inclined to believe the words appearing on the blank pages were in fact true. The way Regina looked at David in the diner, you couldn't fake that. And even if Henry's comment was rude, Regina really wasn't very nice to too many people. And yet, she was to David, a man she supposedly had never met before. It didn't make any sense.

"You're not gonna give me anything else tonight, are ya?" Emma asked the book lying across her lap. "Great, first Evil Queens and fairytales are real and now I'm talking to a book that writes itself. Which by the way, is kinda annoying. Can't you just tell me the whole story?" Emma certainly didn't expect the book to answer her, but she had hoped it might reveal a little more. When nothing happened, she closed the book and turned out her light. She fell asleep relatively quickly and dreamt of horses, tall beautiful trees, and sunshine.

Regina was locking up her office when she saw James across the street looking lost. He had a map in one hand, but it didn't seem to be doing him any good.

"You always did have a terrible sense of direction," Regina chuckled to herself as she approached him. "David!"

David looked up from his map and smiled brightly when he saw Regina crossing the street to get to him. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since their lunch earlier that day. There was something about her that captivated him. He had woken up in a world where he had no memories and no friends or family. And then their was Regina with her beautiful smile and kind words.

"Hey, Regina. What are you still doing at work so late?"

"The hours of a mayor aren't exactly 9-5. Are you looking for something?" she asked glancing at his map.

"Yea, I was hoping to see where you found me actually. I thought it might at least jog my memories of why I was alone in the woods. I just can't seem to read this map very well."

"Just keep following Main St until you reach the woods and then head east. You'll come to a small stream and if you follow that away from town you'll find the bridge in no time," Regina offered with a nervous smile. "Do you think it's wise to go so late at night?" Truthfully, she had wanted to go back there as well to see if she could detect any traces of the magic that had brought him here. Gold had been even more cryptic in his answers than usual and that either meant he was lying and he was behind it, which would mean he had his magic, or he had no idea how James was suddenly here. Neither option was very reassuring.

"It was late when you found me. It's silly I know," David smiled.

"Not if you believe in it," Regina told him returning the smile before turning to head to her car.

"Regina, wait! I...uh...I had a really good time at lunch today."

"Me too," Regina replied.

David nodded with a nervous smile. "Granny has quite the establishment."

"Indeed she does. I'm at Granny's every morning for coffee before I bring Henry to school."

"I'll see you tomorrow then," David told her with an excited smile. Regina felt butterflies erupt in her stomach as she smiled back.

"Be careful out there, David."

"I will," David assured her before jogging off in the direction she told him would lead him to the woods. Regina watched him go and then headed back towards her car. She slid into the front seat, but didn't turn the car on. What was she doing? As much as she wished she could start over with James if she opened her heart to him her curse would break. Everyone would get their memories back and then she would lose Henry, James, and probably her life. On the other hand, there was no way she would be able to stay away from him completely with him so close. So, she would spend time with him and keep emotions like love out of it. They could be friends. Just friends. Regina groaned and let her head fall onto the steering wheel gently.

Easier said than done.

Emma slammed her hand against the alarm clock that was rudely screaming at her from her nightstand and rubbed her eyes. She quickly went through her routine of coffee, shower, and more coffee. Once she was ready to go, she pulled her boots on to head into Granny's before work. She glanced at the book at her feet and pulled it into her lap. She opened it to the last page and saw another story had been written as she slept.

"How the hell are you doing this? And why? Great, I'm yelling at a book," Emma muttered. She shoved the book away from her and moved to grab her red leather jacket. "I don't need to read the stupid book. Who cares what happened to Regina to make her a bitch? I certainly don't. Great, now I'm talking to myself," Emma left the room and had made it about halfway down the stairs before she was racing back to her room. It might help with Operation Cobra, Emma decided as she reopened the book. Had nothing to do with her curiosity. Absolutely nothing...

Another week went by and James and Regina were able to meet on the King's road almost everyday. They would meet early in the morning after attending breakfast at their respective palaces and then they would spend the rest of the day just being together. Sometimes they explored the forest and sometimes they would find a shady spot and lay together on the ground gazing at the white fluffy clouds above them and talking about everything and anything. When the sun began to set they would sadly part ways and return to their kingdoms. It was a dangerous game, but neither King had noticed their absences during the day. That or they just didn't care. As long as Regina made sure to spend her evenings after dinner with Snow the young girl was content which made Leopold content.

The previous evening after they had parted ways James had gotten lost and stumbled across the most beautiful place he had ever seen and he was anxious to share it with Regina. So when she arrived the next morning they left Rocinante to roam and James began leading Regina towards their destination excitedly.

"James, where are we going?" Regina asked after they had been walking for several minutes. The childlike excitement in his eyes was contagious.

"It's a surprise. I found it on my way back to the palace yesterday. We're almost there. Wait," He stopped and turned to face her with a twinkle of mischief sparkling in his blue eyes. "Close your eyes."

"Whatever for?" Regina asked laughing.

"I want to be able to watch your face light up when you see it." Regina gave him a playfully suspicious look and then closed her eyes. "Take my hand." She felt his hands slip into her own and then he began leading her forward. After a few more moments they stopped. "Ok, open your eyes," He told her without releasing her hands. When she opened her eyes she gasped. They had emerged from the dense forest and were now in a clearing that had a small crystal clear lake at the foot of breathtaking waterfall that tumbled over smooth rock.

"Oh, James. It's beautiful."

"It reminded me of you." James replied. Regina blushed and looked away in embarrassment. "Why do you do that?" James asked with a gentle smile. "Surely, I'm not the first person to ever tell you you're beautiful."

"No one has ever said it like you do," Regina admitted. Well, no one but Daniel. Just another way James reminded her of her murdered first love. At first she had been afraid her feelings for James stemmed from his similarities with Daniel, but over the last week she had learned that the two men had many differences as well. She realized she cared for James because of who he was not because of who he reminded her of. Regina shook her head to clear her mind. "When people comment on my beauty they usually have one of two things in their eyes; lust or jealously."

"And what do you see in my eyes?" James asked as he unconsciously leaned closer to her. Regina felt her body do the same. She reached up to cup his face as she stared into his eyes. She brought her lips to his in a gentle kiss which he reciprocated instantly. The kiss deepened and Regina felt her body melt into his. After a few moments she pulled away and her gaze returned to stare into his eyes.

"Gentleness and honesty."

A wide smile broke out on James's face. "You have quite the way with words, m'lady." Regina giggled and James pulled her into his arms. She sunk into his embrace, leaning her head over his heart to listen to his heartbeat. She felt so safe in his arms. A bright blanket caught her attention and she noticed he had set up a small picnic near the edge of the lake. When he saw where she was looking, he pulled back. "Shall we eat?"

After lunch the two had laid back on the blanket barefoot with James on his back and Regina on her side. Her head was on his chest and he had one arm wrapped around her protectively. Regina smiled as she listened to the comforting noise of his beating heart.

"How long until you need to get back?" He asked a tinge of sadness in his voice. Usually they both needed to be back at their palaces for dinner, but sometimes Leopold or George would both end up in another arrangement prolonging the two young lover's time together.

"My step daughter has her lessons until just before dinner. I promised her we would take a walk in the garden once she was done," Regina replied, her tone taking on the same hint of anger it always did when she spoke of the Princess. James wondered why that was, but he didn't push her about it. "I wish I never had to leave you," Regina admitted, burying her face in the crook of his neck. James's heart ached and his arm tightened around her. They were both silent for a few moments when James decided he needed to cheer her up.

"Let's go swimming." He suggested causing Regina to chuckle.

"What?"

"In this heat you'll dry off before you get back to the palace and it'll be fun," He teased her.

"Fun?" Regina pulled back so they could look at each other. Her eyebrows raised in mock disbelief and she fought the smile that was tugging at the corners of her lips. "Haven't you heard, James? Royals don't get to have fun."

"When it's just the two of us we aren't royals," James argued causing Regina to lose the battle against her smile. "We're just James and Regina."

Regina stared at him with an unreadable expression on her face and then leaned down to press their lips together. James kissed her back passionately enjoying the feel of her soft lips on his own. After a few minutes, when they both needed air, Regina pulled away. "Now who has a way with words?" She teased. Suddenly she was jumping up and running towards the lake. "Last one in is an ogre!"

"Hey!" James called laughing as he ran after her. Once they were both in Regina started a splashing fight. James reveled in the playful shrieks of her laughter as he knew it was rare that she was allowed to let go like this. It made him inexplicably happy that he was the person she could be so free with. "Alright, you win," He told her after several minutes.

Regina smirked and swam closer to him. "And what do I get for winning?" James smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist as their lips met once again...

Emma closed the book and shook her head sadly. "What happened to you, Regina?"

So, while reading this I realized I am essentially having Emma experience the joy and stress that comes with reading fanfiction (Only she doesn't have to pretend the better story is actually true). Anyway, please let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!