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A/N – Credit to Shadowsinthedark for the idea of the specific awkward Snow/teen Emma encounter in this chapter. Thanks!

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The next morning Emma turned over in silk sheets, mouth dry yawned as she cracked an eye to the dim room. Cool morning made her shiver and she pulled the thick duvet up close under chin, stretching once as the night before rushed rudely in. Hands shot to her face, rubbing sleep away and pulled back staring at adult palms she didn't yet recognize, then wrists incased in yellow PJ cuffs on a shirt that had grown with her over night. Turning over, wide eyes rested on Keeper slumbering softly across the bed. Teeth worried a bottom lip as green filled.

At her most vulnerable last night, though but a shadow of the former haunted child she had been the first time she'd grown up. Emma was slowly losing the last little bits of that scared untrusting little girl. All because of the woman she had allowed into her heart and of the heart beside her she belonged to in so many beautiful yet complex ways. Brunette stirred and a warm hand found hers, squeezing a sweet hello.

Amber opened soft and inviting. "Good morning my girl."

"G'mornin." Small and quiet, unsure of the last words she had heard before good dreams had stolen this reality from her for sleep.

Regina eased up taking green in for what they were, flattening pillow against the headboard and sitting up into it. Beckoning once, Emma rushed at her. Fingers combed blonde tresses quickly calming tangled thoughts of the past and present under them. "What demons are bothering you baby?"

Emma blinked as dew fell from green leafs. Fisting silk that wasn't sheets as her little mind struggled to let go for the shift into her adult body. Cross over between versions of her happened sometimes, though not often, in the first few minutes of waking after a shift night. "Am I still Mama, even now?"

"Especially now… Remember back to when you broke into my lock box when Ruby was watching you and I had my council meeting back in our other life?"

Sniffing hard. "Yeah. It was the first time I…" Mind let go finally as adult one came into focus. "I mean little me trusted you there. But what does that have to do with anything?" Fully present now, she summoned initial heart charm from her room and clipped it on, settling back into her spot as fingers played with a birthstone necklace.

Lips met a warm brow, soothing. "That moment when you were standing in front of me, tears streaking down your face so full of want and need, I knew you were mine."

Emma nested in, soaking in that assurance returning with some of her own. "I was already yours though Gina."

Lifting a chin up fondly. "Exactly, you were. It doesn't matter what side of you is present. You are mine."

"What are we now, then?" Searching amber for an answer needed. "We have never named it." A thumb, smoothed circles on her cheek as red kissed again murmuring one word that said it all.

"Happy."

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The bitter winter of Maine continued to chill the small down as the second week of January came to a close. The last three days as an adult had passed quickly and even included a breakfast date with Snow. Though the Princess had been on her best behavior, Emma sensed something off with the woman, but couldn't place it. After the busy week she was looking forward to the weekend plans she had.

It was Sunday late morning and the first day Emma had awoken from shifting to her teenage form. Early morning had been filled with another shopping trip to get her some regular clothes for when she was this size. The topic about paying her Keeper back for items purchased had been discussed, as Queen promised it would be at the girls insistence on their first shopping date for bras. After some back and forth Emma had finally agreed to let Regina take care of her needs financially when she was this age and six. They had a different arrangement between them as adults that still worked and neither felt the need to make adjustments there. That topic also came along with a talk on money management and the discussion they were currently having as they ate lunch in the diner.

Emma shoved a sweet potato fry in ranch then her mouth and chewed as she tried not to roll her eyes. "I don't need an allowance. I have a bank account with my own money I can tap when I want stuff."

"Correction, your adult side has a bank account. You do not." Taking a bite of kale salad, Regina studied the sullen blonde.

Picking at the remains of a club sandwich. "I could though, if we open an account and just move money over?"

"We talked about that yesterday, Emma. That money, while yours, is not yours. You need to learn money management skills just like your little side does." Reminding of their new agreement. "I was thinking every other time you are this age you can earn an allowance. Fifteen dollars should be a sufficient amount to allow you some personal freedom for things you want or for fun without having to ask me for it. That's not to say I won't give you some for certain things should you ask."

Emma mulled that over. She was impulsive at this age and having free rein over debit and credit card accounts would be way too tempting. Sighing, she nodded her understanding. "So since I'm meeting Justina at the arcade after this, does that mean I can have my allowance today for games?"

"You may if that is what you want to spend it on. I will give it to you when I drop you off." Eyes turned to the red head passing. "Ruby, may we have our check please?"

"Sure thing." A black billfold made it to the table as the waitress moved to take the empty salad plate. "My shift is nearly over, are we still on for 1:00?"

"We are. I should be back from dropping Emma off by then."

Emma looked between the adults quizzically and pushed her nearly empty plate aside allowing Ruby to take it away. When the wolf was out of ear shot she leaned over the table top. "Hold up. You two are hanging out?" Brow wrinkling as a flicker of jealousy caught green wick in eye aflame. "Without me?"

Regina tucked two twenties in the front pocket by the receipt. "Ruby and I have a few things to discuss and I thought since you and Justina already had plans it would be a good time."

"Oh." Sitting back. "So you're just talking? It's not for fun."

Curious. "Would that make a difference?"

Shrugging. "Maybe." Rolling eyes when dark ones assessed. "It's weird is all. We all usually hang out together."

"So if I wanted to," air quotes, "hang out with you and Justina at the arcade that would be just fine with you?"

Blushing. "No cause that's not the same thing."

"I see." Standing and beckoning for Emma to follow to the car. The girl was quiet until they were settled in the front seat.

"See what?" Emma buckled up as the car was started.

"That you seem to think it is alright for you to have friends and go off with them without me, but that for me to do the same is not." She wasn't sure where this was coming from, but the logic was not sitting well with her.

Fidgeting. "But Ruby is our friend. Justina is my friend. It's different."

"It is and it is not, Emma, especially when you are this age." Turning down Main Street. "Sometimes I enjoy spending time with other people. I deserve time with friends, just as you do."

"Yeah I know, but that's not what I'm saying. It should be all of us though or you and me." Slouching.

Confusion was replaced with concern evident in her tone as Regina realized it was jealousy speaking. "Baby we have talked about this. Sometimes it will be just us like this morning and sometimes, like now, it won't."

"But it should be Mama…" Curls shaking. "It's not fair that little me got you all to herself in a perfect world for ten months and I only get you a third of the time here and not even all that time."

"No it is not fair. I agree with you sweet girl, and while our reality is not entirely within our control, we still have choices." At the stop sign she rested a hand on a bouncing knee and squeezed reassuringly.

"Then my choice is to go with you guys."

Pulling into park in front of the arcade, Regina turned in her seat. "I love spending time with just us, like this morning and with our friends, all together. While I respect your feelings, coming with Ruby and I is not an option right now. You already have plans with Justina, ones you have been happily chatting about all morning. I'm sure she would be disappointed if you canceled last minute, especially for this reason."

Pouting. "I don't want to cancel with her, but I don't want you and Ruby hanging out without me." Arms crossed as the side of a boot rubbed the floor. Her head was starting to hurt and she felt seriously jumbled inside, more so than normal and she didn't have a clue why. Angry, Emma's fist pounded her thigh hard, an old habit returning when frustration was too much.

"Emma." Pale fist was caught before it made a second hit.

"You're being unfair." Starting to open the car door, she stopped when that hand, her anchor, didn't let go. "What?"

"Do not 'what' me young lady. We are not done speaking. Shut the door please and change your tone."

Slamming harder than necessary, Emma winced as the sound made her pause. She gave an apologetic look when her Keeper's eyes flashed warning. "Sorry."

Calm. "Take a deep breath for me…" Waiting, then softer. "How am I being unfair?"

"You just are."

"I thinking being unfair would be having you cancel your plans and taking you home so you could sit in your room the rest of the afternoon. Being fair would be sitting here talking about your feelings so we can come to an understanding, which I believe is more productive." The girl did well with examples and non examples when emotions were high and this one Emma seemed to be slowly absorbing.

"Okay, you're not being unfair. It's just how I feel right now."

"And you may have your feelings. I am not trying to change them, just understand where they are coming from."

"I'm sorry for slamming the door and giving you attitude. I don't know where it's coming from. I just feel weird today and I can't explain it right now." Movement outside her window caught her eye and she pointed to Justina across the walkway. "Can I go please?"

Reaching into her wallet, Regina handed Emma the promised money. "You may. I'll be back to pick you up at 4:00. We will talk more this evening."

Emma stuffed the bills in her pocket. "Thanks." She opened the door and got out, heart tugging she ducked back inside the car with a trying smile. "And Mama, I do hope you and Ruby have fun. Love you."

"Thank you baby. I love you too."

Closing the door more appropriately Emma gave a wave and went to join her friend in front of the arcade. Fist bumping, the two girls went inside. Teen happily lost herself in vintage pac-man, pin-ball machines, and air hockey for the next two hours. Winning the best game of three, Justina gave her a high five before pausing to answer a text.

"Awww, really." Quick fingers flew over the screen as Emma looked on concerned.

"What's wrong?"

"My Mom needs me home to watch my little sister. She got a last minute appointment she can't move. I gotta go." Chocolate eyes offered apologies.

"S'ok. I'll see you at school tomorrow." Bummed, but understanding Emma shrugged. "I have a few quarter's left so I'm just gonna hang here."

"Sorry Em, I'll see you."

Watching her friend leave with a deep sigh, Emma turned to try and find a machine she hadn't played yet when she felt it. "Oh dear god, please don't…" Running to the bathroom into a stall confirmed her speculation. 'No wonder I was so grumpy this morning.' She thought and leaned against the wall fishing her final two quarters out of her pocket. 'George Washington to the rescue.' Exiting the stall she found the wall machine for pads and tampons and pushed the quarters into the slot, groaning when it jammed. "Seriously!?" Smacking the machine in frustration did nothing but hurt her hand.

Emma ripped her jacket off, then her sweater and tied it around her waist before putting back on her coat over her cami. Remembering she hadn't used all her money on video games, she checked her back pocket and pulled out a five. Plan B was the pharmacy across the street. She pulled up her hood to hide her appearance and quick footed out of the arcade and to the crosswalk, hoping the entire time that she did not run into anyone she knew.

With a deep breath she entered, nodding to Doc who did a double take as he gave a robotic greeting. She scanned half the aisles before finding the one she needed and after looking both ways to make sure no one was watching she grabbed the first package of pads on the shelf, only desire to hurry out of there. Blushing furiously, she tucked them under her jacket. 'God this is gonna suck.'

Standing on tip toes she spotted Doc ringing up a customer across the way. As soon as the lady was out the door Emma made a mad dash toward the register to pay before anyone other than the dwarf saw her. Bad luck had her slamming right into the person she least expected to see. Emma grunted as the wind was knocked out of her and landed hard on her knees. Nearly fainting when the package of pads she had tucked away spun to a stop in the middle of the floor.

"Oh Emma! Are you alright?" Snow offered a hand to her daughter.

Emma gaped like a fish out of water. Green darted between the floor and the Princess wishing the earth would open up and swallow her if not the package of pads between them.

Snow followed those wide eyes and looked down, bending to pick up the package she had seen drop from under a jacket, not even registering what she was holding, just the girl's shocked horror. "Were you…"

"We are not having this conversation." Emma reached to snatch the package back as Doc came around the register.

The dwarf crossed his arms. "Hey you have to pay for that."

Something gave Snow pause. "Emma, stealing is not okay. You know that." Surely at this age Emma had a moral compass, but she wondered if this was some version of teen rebellion. Remembering New Years Eve at the mansion, Emma's dishonesty at her expense.

"I was going to pay." Defensive at the insinuation, Emma pulled the wrinkled bill out, she slapped it on the counter and held out her hand expectantly to Snow.

"That is not enough for that item." Doc shook his head following Snow's lead, as he and brothers always did.

"Why were you hiding it if you were going to pay Emma?"

It was a simple question that had Emma burning with embarrassment. The last thing she wanted to do was to argue her logic and feelings while she was currently bleeding through her underwear. Especially when Snow was looking at her with a mix of surprise and upset. Frustrated and with heat building behind eyes as words became harder she threw up her hands.

"Fine." Grabbing her money back and starting toward the door. "I'll go somewhere else."

Doc stepped in her way. "We need to sort this out."

"He's right Emma." Snow countered. "Stealing is a big deal and not something that can just be let go of."

"I wasn't though." Tears brimmed at not being believed.

Snow stepped closer and rested a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Then why were you hiding the package and running for the door?"

"I wasn't running to the door." Emma pulled away sharply, anger bubbling against humiliation. "Why do you care? You're not my Mom!"

Bristling and turning to Doc to hide her hurt. "I'll call Regina. Emma lives with her, so she will help us sort this out." She whipped out her cell phone and got the Mayor on the third ring.

Slumping back against the counter as Snow talked, Emma sank to the floor with her arms crossed, wondering how she was going to get out of this mess. She readily ignored Snow's further attempts to talk to her and the continued questions, she refused to answer. While she understood her actions said one thing, her intent had been entirely different. Not being believed when she was being honest yanked at all the misplaced accusations that had been thrown her way in the past. She didn't always make the best choices and she was a lot of things, but not a thief. Thoughts broke apart several minutes later as a husky voice calling her name drew green eyes up and she went to stand as heels approached from the door, but before she could open her mouth Snow started.

"Regina she's having a hard time being honest about her actions." Crossing her arms. While she disagreed with Regina on a lot of things, Emma couldn't be left running around getting trouble without being held accountable in some way.

The Queen lifted a brow at the Princess and found Emma looking anywhere but where she needed green eyes to be. "Is that what happened Emma?"

"Doesn't matter." Sniffing and balling hands into fists.

"It most certainly does."

"No, it doesn't! No one here seems to give two shi—"

"Mind your language and tone please." Firm with warning. Regina wanted no reason to put her girl in check in front of Snow least the teen's emotions spiral. Giving Emma a moment to calm down, she turned to Doc. "What was she supposedly stealing?" A chubby finger pointed to the counter. Seeing the item, the Queen softened considerably and gently pulled the girl with wet eyes several yards away off to the side.

Red, angry and sniffling. "If you're gonna tell me off can you at least wait until we get to the car?"

Regina lifted a quivering chin. "There will be no telling off sweet girl. Take a deep breath for me and then another…" Waiting a few moments as Emma obeyed before opening her purse and handing over a black zipped pouch. With a wrist flick she added a clean pair of underwear to it with what she already had prepped and had for weeks since their talk. "Inside you will find what you need. Go to the restroom and take care of yourself. Join us when you are done."

Blinking as grateful tears fell. Cracking. "Mama, I wasn't …"

Drawing Emma into a hug. "We'll get it all sorted out in a few minutes baby. Go on." As Emma retreated to the back of the store she went back to the counter and eyed the scowling pair. "Emma needs a moment. Until then—"

Snow huffed. "Regina you can't just give into her whenever she has a tantrum."

Russet flashed. "That was a far cry from a tantrum. Use your eyes Snow. She's thirteen, in a pharmacy with a pack of pads and questioning adults. She's embarrassed." Sighing and shaking her head. "I'm sure she can explain and that she was not stealing."

Finally registering what the package was, Snow stammered. "I-I asked her and she refused to say anything." The Princess, hurt still over the girl's earlier comment flushed. "But if you insist on taking this role with her—"

"Stop right there." Holding up a hand, Queen paused the room. "Just the other day you said I was too firm with her, now you are acting like I let her run the show. While either situation is none of your business, Emma is my responsibility and I take that with the utmost seriousness, including her discipline when it is warranted, which now it is not as you will see." At a door closing from behind she glanced over her shoulder to see Emma approaching. She took back the black bag into her purse and wrapped an arm around the pink cheeked girl. "Go ahead and tell us what happened please."

Toeing the checkered linoleum Emma struggled to start. "I needed…" Pointing to the counter and growing red again. "And I didn't want anyone to see me with them, so I was keeping it hidden until I got to the counter. I ran into Snow and fell and those dropped." Hugging herself and leaning further into the Queen. "I had money to pay. It wasn't enough, but I didn't know when I grabbed the package. I just wanted to get in and out quickly before someone saw me." Looking between the adults, gaining confidence. "I wasn't gonna steal."

Regina dropped her arm to rub Emma's back. "Thank you for explaining."

"I tried earlier and to give money but…" Mouth pinching with a glare to Snow and Doc.

"Mmmhhmm." Dark eyes flicked in annoyance to guilty pair that they were even having this conversation at Emma's expense as she extracted a ten from her wallet and handed it to Doc before taking the pack from the counter and putting it in her purse. "Problem solved."

"Thank you." Doc gave Emma a sheepish look. "I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions."

"S'ok. I get it." Mumbling with a nod. She understood how her actions had looked and in truth she didn't blame him or even Snow, too much, for going there. She was more upset at not being heard or believed. Irritated, cramps started to set in and she just wanted to go home.

"Snow?" The Queen raised both brows expectantly.

"I'm sorry too Emma. It just looked like something different and I was reacting instead of listening to you." She felt terrible, yet something deep inside stirred again, causing her to narrow eyes at the Queen.

Tight lipped the teen nodded, then begged with eyes to her Mama to leave right this very minute.

"The car is out front sweet girl." Regina handed Emma her keys. "I'll be there in a minute." When the teen was out of ear shot she adjusted her purse and gave her attention to the Princess. "She's very sensitive at this age and if you want to continue making progress with her, you need to take a step back and start approaching these situations from a different perspective—"

"As her friend, you mean." Taking a step closer as Gold flakes never there before rose in iris'. "I am not trying to parent her, but I won't stand by and let you go overboard or dismiss what she needs. You promised me you were doing your best and the other day didn't look like it. Gold said you made her cry in his shop and then the other day at school you… Wait, where are you going?"

Regina paused near the door and turned back around. "I am not going to stand here in the middle of the pharmacy debating parenting skills or Emma's needs with you. Obviously you did not think about anything I said in that cafeteria and after all the years we have spent fighting in the past I am more than done with that part of my life. I do not appreciate you trying to paint me as something I am not." Heart hurting she crossed her arms, civil at best. A deep breath brought back the calm she needed. She knew exactly where Snow was getting fuel and tried to hold onto the fact that Gold's words had taken root in the pixie haired head.

Pursing lips, but wilting. "I'm not saying you're a villain anymore or that you're going back to old ways." Hand to forehead. "I get that she is a consenting adult and you guys have this relationship, but it is hard for me to get past the idea of you… you know, especially when she is an adult." Sighing. "Would you have if she, this side of her, had been stealing?"

Jaw squaring. "That would depend entirely on the context and her choices within the situation. Again, something that is between her and I."

Fuming. "Hitting her isn't going to solve anything!"

Patience spent, Regina snapped. "Stop it. We have all had this conversation already. Yes, I discipline Emma when she needs it and we don't need your permission or judgement on how we choose to live our life. And before you go aiming another arrow at me I suggest you go take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself why Emma ran from you years ago to begin with." As the woman went white at the memory, Regina immediately regretted her tone. Looking away to ground emotions, she tried again. "I don't want to fight with you and I'm sorry I said that. It was not my place."

Snow studied her shoes. "It's alright, your right and I deserved that." She'd never forgiven herself for the night she slapped Emma.

"I'm just frustrated that we keep spinning on this same wheel." They needed to be more than civil with each other to help Emma. With Gold's words beginning to drive a wedge she knew she needed to be careful with her own.

Nodding once Snow finally gave veiled eyes to the Queen. "Don't make me regret what I asked you to promise me on New Year's Eve Regina because right now I'm starting too." With that finality and Gold dust swirling, she left in a huff, pushing past a royal shoulder.

Gritting teeth and cursing in mind, Regina spun on her heel to follow. Upset was lost however as Emma gave her wet eyes through the frosted car window. Taking a moment to let the cold take away the heat of her temper she joined the blonde in the Benz.

"Why was she all hissy cat?" Breaking the silence, Emma wondered and pointed to Snow stalking down the block.

"I said something I should not have that hurt her feelings." Adjusting the heat setting and shifting gears into drive.

Surprised. "What'd you say?"

Debating on giving details, but needing to be honest. "In short, to take a look in the mirror before she accuses me of harming you." She barely caught Emma's hand going for the passenger door as the other pressed the lock button.

"Let me out." Emma demanded and tried the door again, stopping only when the parking break went up and a hand found her arm. "She can't just accuse you of that and walk away!"

"Emma, it's done for now. She's too upset to listen anymore and quite frankly, so am I. Her and I will try talking another time." The Princess was insufferable at times, but as long as Snow stayed within the boundaries Emma and her had defined she was more than willing to work through disagreements with Snow. If that line was crossed, the promise she'd made in the loft to Snow after Emma's trigger would be kept.

Slumping back in her seat, the teen mumbled. "Probably didn't help that I was kinda rude before you got there."

"Oh?"

"I was mad when she didn't believe me and I asked her why she cared cause she's not my mom." Looking over. "Then she called you."

With the missing puzzle piece to explain the hurt in Snow's tone she sighed and removed the parking break. "Sounds like we both need to take a step back and think on our words today once we get home."

"Am I in trouble?" Wondering at firmly pressed red lips.

"No baby." Assuring as she rolled into traffic. "I am upset with myself."

Confused. "But you didn't do anything wrong."

"I did for me. I knew exactly what to say to shut her down and while it needed to be said in some capacity, my approach was inappropriate." Regina wasn't afraid to show Emma her flaws or to own up when she had acted against her own standards. She was the girl's model right now and she was grateful at least Emma hadn't witnessed her mishap.

Both remained quiet in thought until they got home. As they were putting away their things Regina looked over Emma's somber stance. "I have an idea."

"What's that?" Hugging her stomach as another wave of cramps set in.

"How would you like to use my Jacuzzi tub for a hot bath? I have some bath bombs you may pick from under the sink. We can order in some Chinese and indulge in Rocky Road with a movie later."

Emma moved in for a much needed hug, melting into the Queen. "That sounds really good." Inhaling the calm scent of vanilla apple clinging to clothes. "Instead of a movie though, will you read to me?"

"Yes, baby." Planting a kiss. "Go relax and I'll come get you when the food get's here."

Starting for the stairs, Emma paused at the base. "Do we have to talk about earlier and the store?"

Considering the question since recent events. "Do you need to?"

"Not really. I was just emotional this morning and I get why now. I'm annoyed at Snow, but I don't need to go there again today." That was a raw nerve that didn't need further scrubbing.

"Then we may table that conversation for later, if you are sure."

Bright smile. "Thanks Mama."

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A/N – More drama coming.

Next time – Emma deals with an old fear. Regina keeps a promise. A final line is crossed and Snow learns a hard lesson.