She was still conflicted, wondering how she could've fallen in love with a woman so... cold. It didn't seem like she had any sort of moral values. Then again, she had seen the pain and fear in Regina's eyes. The emotions were always there, even when they were glazed over with lust. Why they was there, Emma never knew. So Emma would turn away so she wouldn't see what was right in front of her. She was too ignorant to acknowledge the hurt. She was afraid that if she went digging, she might not like what she would uncover. And if she screwed this up, there would be nowhere she could run from the mayor. She still had Henry to stay for. Why does Regina have to be so goddamn different? Emma thought. Or maybe they weren't as different as Emma wished to believe. They had both sheltered themselves from the outside world, both refused to let anyone in. Until now. Emma had let Regina in, but she wasn't sure about vice versa.

"She's worth it," Emma mumbled to herself, having exited Granny's and drove off in the patrol car.

After last night's events, Emma was disgusted with herself for her cowardice. Determined to make it right, she decided that she would try to tell her again tonight. But before she could confess to the brunette about her feelings, she needed to know her a little more. Emma barely knew anything of the mayor's past, and she wanted to know everything about her. Steeling her discomfort, she parked in front of the mayor's house and stepped out. Emma quietly open and shut the front door, aware that Henry was home, and she didn't want him to know she was here. She was still wondering how to break the news to him. Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Regina's bright smile directed her way.

"And what do I owe the pleasure of your sudden appearance?" Regina joked, kissing Emma deeply, but remembered that her son was in the same building, "We should probably tone it down if we don't want Henry walking in on us." Emma nodded, taking Regina's hand in her own.

"Can we... can we talk?" Emma asked, butterflies dancing in her stomach. Regina gave her a quizzical look.

"Of course. But can you make it quick? I have a little boy to drop off and a date with the town's sheriff," Regina purred, smiling suggestively at Emma. The blonde frowned.

"No, this is serious, Regina. I wanna talk to you," Emma replied. The smile fell from Regina's face and her brow furrowed.

"Oh," she said, "Then I guess we should sit down." She led Emma over to the couch and they settled.

"What's this about, Emma?" Regina questioned, searching the blonde's face for a sign.

"Tell me about yourself," Emma stated.

"Excuse me?" Regina asked in amusement.

"Tell me about yourself."

"Um. Okay. What would you like to know?"

"Have you always lived in Storybrooke? What made you want to adopt a child? How did you become mayor?" Emma asked eagerly.

"Pace yourself, Emma. That's a lot of questions..." Regina laughed nervously. As much as she enjoyed Emma's company, she couldn't let her know what was hidden in plain sight. She didn't need to know the dark secret of their little town, "Um. Let's see...

"Yes, I've always lived in Storybrooke. I was born and raised here."

"What 'bout college?"

"I didn't go to college."

"You didn't go to college? But you're so... formal and educated," Emma gasped.

"Ha! I suppose so. To your second question, I guess I was lonely. And I perfectly capable of taking care of myself, so why not take care of someone else? I wanted a child of my own," Regina said.

"That makes sense, I guess."

"To your third question, um. Many years ago, I had a boyfriend, who was the mayor. And um. He died while on a hiking trip in northern Maine. So, I kind of inherited his position. It was so long ago, I don't remember much of the election," Regina smiled weakly, hating that she had to lie. Emma raised an eyebrow, sensing that the mayor was lying.

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Emma asked, the look of nervousness in Regina's eyes confirming her suspicions.

"You're the one who wanted to know..." Regina said, hoping Emma wouldn't continue to ask questions.

"Yeah, but I wanted to know the truth, not this bullshit you're telling me. I wanted to know... you..."

"I am telling you the truth!"

"Don't lie to me, I can see it. All of it's not real."

"But Emma..."

"Why won't you just tell me?" Emma roared, jumping off the couch. Neither woman noticed the softly creaking floorboards above them as Henry emerged from his room, frightened by the loud conversation.

"I think it's time for you to leave," Regina said bitterly, poison laced in her voice, her mask slipping over her face.

"No. Not until you tell me why you're lying. Why you can't tell me about yourself. Why you're hiding from not only me, but the world," Emma demanded. Tears welled up in Regina's eyes.

"I can't," she replied simply.

"Why not!" Emma screamed, eyes wide and hands motioning wildly. Regina choked.

"Why can't you just understand!" Regina begged in an exasperated tone. Henry watched in fascination at the scene unfolding in front of him.

"Because I want to know you! I care about you!" Emma yelled at her, her eyes getting watery as well. Henry's jaw dropped open. Emma cared about the Evil Queen? Why? He leaned in closer, observing with anticipation. He needed to know.

"Emma, please," Regina whispered, a fragile look on her face, "I can't." Emma's face twisted in anger and hurt.

"Oh my god! I can't believe I thought... I just can't believe you. I thought were letting me in. You know, for a while, you had me believing that you actually cared about me, too. You just played me," Emma gave a small laugh at her own stupidity. Regina opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. "Well, take a bow, Regina Mills. Your performance was extremely convincing." Emma clapped sarcastically before using her sleeve to wipe her eyes shamelessly.

"You've won. You've got your town. You've got your power. You've got Henry. You've gotten your way. I'm done, Regina. We're done," Emma stated, hands on hips and the tears flowing. She turned and began to walk to the front door.

"You're leaving me, aren't you?" Regina asked, her voice cracking. Emma stopped, but didn't turn around, afraid it would change her mind.

"Yes. There's nothing for me here anymore," Emma announced. Regina swallowed the emotion building up inside of her. She wouldn't cry. Isn't this what she had wanted from the beginning? Emma Swan out of the way?

"What about Henry?" Regina managed feebly.

"He has a mother and a good life. He's in therapy. He'll be fine," Emma said, not entirely convincing herself. Henry held his breath. His mom didn't want him. Emma was going to leave him with the Evil Queen. It's like she didn't love him. Emma's words and Henry's thoughts brought tears trickling down the young boy's cheeks. His heart broke, and he thought that it felt just as painful as when his mother ripped hearts out of human chests.

"What about me?" Regina whispered. Emma gave a harsh cackle.

"You? I never had you. You played pretend."