CHAPTER 11

"How about a patrol?" Graham lifted his eyebrows before sliding his eyes over to Henry.

Emma immediately took the hint and jumped up. "Right. I'll get right on that boss," she gave him a mock salute as she headed towards the door.

"I'll go with you," Henry tried following her. But Graham clamped his hand down on his shoulder.

"No you won't. You have homework to do. And then an appointment with Dr. Hopper," Graham reminded him.

Henry tried shrugging off his hand, "I'll do it later." He tried twisting from underneath his hand but Graham just grabbed him with his other hand and held onto him firmly.

"No. You'll do it now," he pushed Henry towards an empty desk he used while he was there.

Henry scowled over at him but Graham just ignored him.

Emma got out of there as fast as possible. She felt a little bummed out. She thought she should have more feelings involved when it came to Henry. But the only things he tended to inspire in her were fear and anxiety.

Dealing with Luka was so much easier. Why couldn't Henry be more like her?

RQ

"Emma!" Luka squealed happily before wrapping her arms around her. She and Regina had just left the diner and were on their way home. Luka had homework and also liked to work on her latest dance routine. Regina needed to get dinner started.

Emma grinned down at the kid while rubbing her back. "Hey kid," she looked up at her Mom. "Good afternoon Madam Mayor," she looked at Regina with laughter bubbling up in her throat.

Regina looked at her shocked. She stood with her mouth ajar before getting control of herself. "Miss Swan. I see you've found some gainful employment pretty quickly," Regina drawled as she glared across at the Sheriff's station.

Emma fingered the badge on her jeans. She blushed slightly, "Yeah. Never thought I'd be working on this side of the law before. I'm usually on the other side of it."

"Oh?" Regina raised her eyebrow at her.

Emma remembered that Regina was now technically her boss. Which left her in a weird predicament. She had no idea the proper etiquette involved in dating a Mayor when you were technically her subordinate. "Yeah," she answered uneasily.

"You're coming over to dinner right? Aunt Zee said you can't eat that diner food the entire time you're here," Luka invited.

Emma looked up at Regina with her best puppy dog eyes. "If that's okay with your Mom?"

Luka just waved her hand at her dismissively. "Sure. She likes you. I can tell."

"Really?" Regina and Emma asked in unison.

"Yeah Mom. The two of you are always staring at one another all googly-eyed. It's embarrassing," Luka put her backpack on more securely and started to make her way over to the car.

Emma grinned triumphantly over at Regina.

Regina cleared her throat nervously and lowered her head. She followed Luka over to the car, "Dinner's at 6:30 Miss Swan. Please don't be late."

After the car drove off, Emma did a little cheer on the sidewalk. Now she'd gotten confirmation that it wasn't just her. And she wasn't some crazy stalker who'd moved to a new town, taken a job, just so that she could pursue a woman she barely knew. Emma had never considered herself lucky before. But things were definitely looking up in her life.

She was so happy she forgot about stopping for a bear claw. Instead she headed back to the station. Then immediately regretted it after she was met with a shout of "Emma! You're back!" from Henry.

Emma groaned. Yeah, this was more in line with the type of luck she tended to have.

MF

Zee and Graham greeted one another at the station which was their custom. After a brief kiss hello Zelena raised her eyebrows over at Henry and Emma in a corner, "I see it worked out well for you. Not sure how well it's working out for Emma."

Graham had been looking for a deputy for a while. So Zelena had sent Emma over after hearing about her background as a bounty hunter. Zelena knew it was a perfect fit. It also meant her stubborn sister couldn't just avoid Emma forever as Zelena knew that was what she was planning to do.

"Yeah," Graham grimaced in Henry's direction. "She only just got back though. And now we're leaving so - ." Graham turned to Henry, "It's time to go Henry. You too Deputy Swan," he smiled over at Emma before throwing his arms around his wife.

Henry scowled but gathered his things anyway. He'd been trying to talk to Emma but she'd only been shining him on. Even though he was a kid, he knew when people weren't listening. But he had to keep trying. Heroes never believed at first. And it was his job to get her to understand she was the savior. So he'd keep trying. No matter how much the Evil Queen tried to do to stop him. Because he was a good guy too. And good guys don't give up.

"Are you going to be here tomorrow Emma?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure kid. I work here now," Emma answered clearly agitated. She wasn't ready to tell him that she was coming over for dinner. Hopefully she could slip in like she had yesterday.

"Good," Henry nodded. "We've got more to talk about. You know," Henry lowered his voice, "for the mission."

Emma smiled at him uneasily. She gathered her things and followed Graham and Zelena. They waved their goodbyes as they parted and went in their separate directions.

RQ

"We're home!" Zelena called as she opened the door.

Henry noted that his Aunt had a key to the house. That had to mean that his Uncle did also. He stored it away for future use.

Regina came out of the kitchen followed by Luka. "Hi Henry," she continued wiping her hands on her apron as she stared her sister down not really paying much attention to him.

Henry scowled and pushed past her. He and Luka glared at one another. He continued on upstairs. But instead of going to his room, he took a seat at the top of the staircase and watched his enemies. He needed to find out what their plans were in trying to keep the Savior from breaking the curse. The Savior, his Mom, he thought to himself smiling.

"Aunt Z and Uncle G," Luka leapt into her Uncle's arms. She leaned out of his arms and kissed her Aunt hello.

Graham and Zelena shifted under Regina's intense scrutiny. They felt like children caught red handed at something. They just couldn't tell what they were in trouble for this time.

"I saw Miss Swan today," Regina started. She balled her fists up on her hips. Graham and Zelena exchanged worried glances, "Wearing a badge. Anyone care to tell me how that happened?"

"Well," Graham shifted his weight nervously.

Zelena held up her hand to him. She grabbed Regina's shoulders and steered her back to the kitchen.

Graham looked up glad he'd just dodged a bullet. His eyes met Henry staring down at them from the top of the stairs. "You need something Henry?"

Henry sneered at him then scrambled to his feet. He went into his room and slammed the door.

MF

"Look Regina, now don't get upset," Zelena tried placating her little sister.

"Don't tell me not to get upset about all your wheeling and dealing behind my back. I know exactly what you're up to. And it's not going to work," Regina shook her large wooden spoon at her sister before turning and stirring the sauce she was making.

"Which would be?" Zelena challenged. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot waiting.

Regina cut her eyes to her before checking the oven. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. And don't play dumb. It holds no appeal for either one of us."

Zelena sniffed the air. "Is that lamb?" They all loved lamb but her sister rarely made it. She usually only did for special occasions.

Regina reddened as her hand shook nervously in plating the vegetables.

Then the doorbell rang. Zelena looked over at her sister. She smirked at her flaming red face, "I wonder who that could be," she drawled.

"Emma," they heard Luka squeal happily.

Zelena laughed at her sister obvious discomfort.

"Luka invited her," Regina mumbled. She pulled the lamb out of the oven so that it could rest. "That doesn't mean this conversation is over."

MF

After another successful meal that went off well, save for the awkwardness involving Henry, the family again retired to the living room.

Henry had made sure that he'd commandeered space beside Emma. But there was never an opportunity for the two of them to talk. Again he tried enticing her upstairs, "You want to see my room now?"

"I – don't think that's a good idea," Emma said.

"Why?" Henry turned and glared at his Mom. "It's okay. She won't do anything to you while you're here."

"Get upstairs Henry," Regina told him.

"I'm talking to my real Mom," Henry's glare turned into a full blown sneer.

"I didn't ask what you were doing. I said get upstairs and you can start getting ready for bed. Now!" Regina concentrated on keeping her voice even despite the way she was feeling inside.

"I'm just - ," Henry wanted to protest but after looking around knew it was futile. He stomped out of the room and up the stairs. They heard him slam his door shut.

The room seemed to collectively let out a breath.

Emma had been sitting with her face averted not wanting to be dragged into any of this hot mess. Now she relaxed and sat back. She smiled over at Luka. "So how're things with you kid," she slung her arm around her shoulders.

"Good. I have a competition coming up on Saturday. You want to come?" Luka asked eagerly.

"Luka," Regina interjected, "I'm sure Miss Swan has other things to do. We seemed to have taken up enough of her time as it is. What with this new job and all," Regina addressed this last part to her sister and brother-in-law. They both had the good sense to smile sheepishly.

Emma shrugged and grinned at Regina impishly, "I've got nothing else to do." She looked down at Luka at her side, "I'd love to come." Luka smiled and hugged her. Emma looked over her head pointedly at Regina, "How could I ever pass up a chance to spend time with you?"

Regina blushed and Graham and Zelena shared a knowing smile.

"Well," Zelena rose, "We really must be on our way."

Luka rose and gave her Aunt and Uncle hugs and kisses. Then she ran up to her room to get ready for bed.

Emma rose reluctantly too. She wanted to stay but wasn't sure she could stay awake after that heavy meal. She turned to Regina. She smiled into her eyes, "I should go too. Dinner was great by the way. Thanks for having me."

The two continued staring at one another. Regina's breath hitched as she fought for the willpower to look away from Emma's intense gaze that was filled with so much longing.

"Just wait until tomorrow night," Zelena interjected ignoring her sister's protest. "By the time my sister's done feeding you, you'll be the size of a house."

Regina frowned at her sister's blatant matchmaking despite Regina already letting her know she wasn't interested.

She followed the trio to the door. Emma was the last to walk out. Right before she did, she impulsively leaned over and gave Regina a peck on the cheek. Then she hurried out to her car. She got inside and waved at a still stunned Regina looking after her. She chuckled as Regina quickly shut the door. She wondered if these dinners would count as dates. She argued both sides as she drove back to the inn.

Regina, for her part, shut the door quickly. She grabbed her keys and quickly locked the door. She leaned her head against it heavily as she groaned.

She turned out the lights here and there as she made her way upstairs.