"You're early." I walked in and Regina was behind the register.

"I try to make a good impression on the first day."

"Well hopefully this good impression will last and you'll be early every day. Now pull your hair back and let's get to work." I followed her to the back room where coffee was brewing. "And yes, coffee will be made and can be consumed on the clock." I chuckled as I slid out of my jacket. As I turned from hanging it on the back of the door, Regina threw me an apron. "You'll need it."

"Thanks." I always had trouble tying things behind my back. That's the reason I never wore one at home. Regina laughed and came to my rescue.

"Turn around." I shivered as she tied the apron. Her fingers brushed my lower back and electricity shot through me. I prayed she didn't realize it. "Alright, here's the recipe for the apple pies and here's your work station. I'll do the apple turnovers." I started cutting up the apples like I did yesterday and putting them in the bowl. As I mixed the ingredients, I could feel Regina watching me from the corner of her eye.

"So do you want me to make the crust also or do you want to do that?" I didn't realize Regina had pulled her hair back until I looked up. She looked adorable with her hair pulled back in a small ponytail.

"Since the crust can rip easily when fixing it into the pan I'll do it. Let's trade places and you finish mixing this while I do that." We switched places and she made the crust. Lunch came and so did the rush. That lasted until about two. People bought pies, turnovers, cider, cookbooks, everything really. I can see how Regina's able to close early on Fridays and be closed during the weekends. Closing time came fast and it was time to flip the sign. "Good job swan. You're a better cook then you thought." I stopped. How'd she know my last name?

"How did you…."

"Your debit card and job application had your first and last name on them." Oh yeah. I guess the dreams and flashes have seeped into my subconscious and made me think she knew me already. "What was that look?"

"What look?" I hung up my apron and slid on my jacket.

"The look you've been giving me every once in awhile when you think I'm not looking." Fuck. She's noticed. She took a few quick steps towards me. "Is there something you're not telling me Miss. Swan?"

Regina, Henry, and I were in a hospital and she was holding Henry's hand. She walked past me and said, "Enjoy my shirt. Because that's all you're getting."

"No. I'm not hiding anything. I'll be here bright and early tomorrow." I turned and walked through the front door. The whole time I could feel Regina's eyes on me.

XXX

"Regina wait," she turned as I walked out the door of a diner. "Archie made a cake. You don't want to stay and have a piece?"

"I'm fine, thank you." We stood there and even though she was in a trench coat I could see Regina shivering. I didn't want her to go. I wanted her to stay.

"Okay." I turned and started back inside. I didn't know what else to say.

"Thank you." Her voice was timid and I turned back.

"You just said that."

"F-for inviting me." It was now that I saw sadness in her eyes. More than normal it seemed.

"Henry wanted it." There was a sparkle in her dark eyes when she heard that. And a small smile crossed her lips. "I'm glad you guys got to spend some time together."

"Me too." We stood feet apart and I could smell her perfume. Joy radiated off of her when she found out it was Henry who wanted her there. "I'd like to see him more. Maybe you'd consider letting him stay over sometime. It's just; Henry's room is just waiting for him." Her voice stayed timid and she put her hands in the pockets of her coat.

"I'm not sure that's best." Something changed in her.

"Because you know what's best for him in the five minutes you've spent with him. Talk to David, at least he took care of him while you were away and like I did for the ten years you were away the first time." Her voice was harsh and hurt.

"Thanks for coming." I was hurt. Very hurt.

"No, wait. I'm sorry." I gave her my attention again. She sighed and looked at the ground a moment. She looked up and took her hands from her pockets. "Emma…I'm sorry. For snapping at you. I shouldn't have done that. Will you accept my apology?"

I woke up the next morning and took Henry to school. I was confused beyond words. The dreams and flashes became stronger; more intense then the last. When I got to work Regina was unlocking the door. When she turned around, she was wearing the same outfit as in my dream. "Moring Emma." I just stood there; frozen in my footsteps. "Are you alright dear?"

"Do…do we know each other?" Her hands dropped from the door and she turned to face me. My legs walked towards her and I had no control.

"What do you mean?" I stopped when I was a foot away from her.

"You seem so familiar to me. You seem…it feels like we've known each other for years not just days." Regina was quiet. She didn't flinch or move.

"As far as I know, we've only known one another for a few days." She was lying. I could always tell when people were lying. Her eyes told me she was. Why was she keeping the truth from me? "Ready to get to work?" I nodded and followed her in. We went about our day normally but there was an awkwardness looming between us. We didn't talk much. I had to take something to my car before we cleaned up. When I walked back there was a man standing over Regina. She was on the floor in front of the counter.

"Give me the money or I'll fill you with led." He had a gun and I crept up on him quickly with no noise.

"You try that and I'll kill you first." I held the sharp edge of my switch blade to his jugular. "Now hand me the gun slowly and I'll let you go. I'd rather not clean your blood from the wooden floor I just waxed." Regina watched up at me. A mix of horror and relief in her eyes.

"Alright. Alright. Here," the man slowly handed me the gun. Right as I grabbed it he blocked the knife away from his throat, turned, and kicked me in the stomach. I hit the floor with a thud and slid. He jumped the register but before he opened the register, I shot him. It wasn't a fatal shot but it hurt enough to have him on the floor.

"Don't move or the next will be in your chest." I walked towards Regina and held out my hand. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah." I handed her my phone to call the cops and an ambulance. They came quickly and took him to the hospital. The cops took our statements and left. Regina was still shaken up. My phone rang and it was Henry.

"Hey kiddo." He heard about the shooting. "Yeah we're fine. I'll be a little late though. We have to clean up here. There's leftovers in the fridge that you can warm up. Alright, love you too."

"Old habits die hard…" Regina mumbled and ran her fingers through her dark hair.

"What?" I could see that she was still shaken up. "What do you mean old habits?"

"Nothing. Never mind." She stood straight and started to load the dishwasher. "You can head home if you'd like. I'll be fine."

"No." She turned towards me with an eyebrow raised. "I'm not leaving you here alone after that. You've been acting strange all day. And I want to know why." I walked towards her.

"You're the one who came up to me this morning swearing we knew each other for years." Regina placed her hands on her hips. We were quiet. "Maybe hiring you was a bad idea." My heart dropped.

"I'm sorry." We were both hyped up on adrenaline and not thinking straight. Or so I hoped. I sighed and turned to walk away.

"Emma, you're not fired. Get back here." She sighed. When I didn't stop she threw the dishtowel at my head.

"What the hell?" I turned and picked up the towel. She stood there, still with her hands on her hips, this time though, she had a smirk on her face. I'm not sure why, but she looked incredibly sexy.

"You didn't listen to me. I had to get your attention somehow." She folded her arms but there was something in her eyes. I couldn't place it.

"So you throw a dishtowel at me. Out of everything else you could've done? You chose a dishtowel."

"What would you have rather me done, Miss. Swan?" Her voice was low and a sexy purr. I don't know what came over me, but I walked up to her quickly and laced my fingers in her hair. Next thing I knew, my lips were on hers. Pictures of us, Henry, a town and everyone in it flashed through my brain like a movie.

dun dun duuuunnnn Hope you guys liked the chapter! :)