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A/N – Happy Saturday!

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"Mama?"

"Yes, baby?" Regina turned from the stove where she was stirring chicken soup and set the dripping spoon on the rest plate. Wiping her hands on the front of an apron her jaw dropped when she realized what was in Emma's small fist.

"What's this?" Emma shook the little bottle full of clear fluid she'd found on the desk of the Study, paper to draw with in her other hand.

Swallowing thickly, Regina vanished the vial she'd forgotten to put away in the lateness of last night to the safety of her lock-box. "A potion and next time, please remember to ask before you go into my Study."

"Sorry." Rule well known, but curious still Emma hopped up on a stool to open a box of markers. "What's the potion for?"

Returning to stirring the soup, Regina debated on how best to answer that for little ears. She didn't want to scare or worry Emma, but she wouldn't lie either. "Well, it was something that Snow wanted Mama to drink yesterday, but I did not want to. She and I have to talk about it later this weekend."

Emma scrunched her nose recalling her last encounter with the Princess and scribbled harder on the paper to make the sun bigger. "Is she gonna yell at you again?"

"No she most certainly will not." Adamant of that fact. Regina turned the burner down and took a peek in the oven at cheese crusted bread baking.

"Are you gonna yell at her?" Dropping a yellow crayon in favor of blue.

Regina turned and rested elbows on the counter sensing the worry and agitation behind the inquiry. "No, Emma. That is not how adults should speak to one another. I am upset with her, but we will work it out."

"I wanna use big loud words at her cause she lied to me." Emma's foot kicked the counter, staring up with aching eyes. "That's not nice and she's not supposta do that. It's a rule, huh?"

"It is and a good one to follow." Nodding in agreement. "Even so Emma yelling is not the way to get your thoughts heard. She hurt your feelings and that is not okay. Snow is also hurting right now and sometimes people do things they don't mean to do when that is the case. It does not make them right, but it does help us understand what is causing their behavior. Does that make sense?"

Shifting. "Kinda… But she didn't havta do that to my feelings." Lip quivering.

"No she did not." Rounding the counter she hugged the little girl. "I'm sorry this is happening baby. Mama is working to make things better."

Sniffing. "I know, still doesn't feel good."

"It does not." A consoling kiss.

Looking straight up into loving brown. "I think big me wants to come with you when you go see her."

Regina highly doubted that would prove true. "We'll see."

Grunting. "That means no."

"No, it means I'll think about it little miss swan." Queen returned to the stove.

Curls shook and a finger shot up to prove a point. "That means no too."

"Emma."

Little grumble. "Well, it doess sooo."

Done with the idea for now. "Enough."

"Fine…" Scribbling faster, Emma dropped the blue crayon and held up her drawing to look at with a critical eye. Deciding something she added one more detail. A few minutes later she held it up again, finally satisfied and turned it around to show her Keeper. "Mama looky!"

Regina paused ladling the soup into bowls and turned taking in the picture of their home with stick figures and a red blob that had to be Jasper inside surrounded by blue clouds. She freed up her hands and went to Emma for a closer look.

"That's me and you." Pointing to a pair of blonde and brunette stick figures holding hands. "And that's Ms. Mal and her blue magic clouds protecting us." Little finger tapping the third stick figure on the other side of the brunette.

"This is lovely baby and so detailed. I like all of the different colors you used." Specific, but unsure of how she felt about the third addition. Carefully she kept uncertainty out of her tone. "May I put it on the fridge?"

Beaming with mischief. "Uh-huh, but will you take a picture and send it to Ms. Mal? I wanna show her too."

"I'll do it right now." Tapping the counter where silverware rested. "Set the table while I do." Regina snapped a quick picture and texted it to the Dragon. Unsure of what to write, she kept it factual.

{Emma wanted me to share this with you…}

She went to set down her phone and it buzzed before hitting the counter. Swiping she couldn't help grinning at Mal's response.

[Tell the little darling she's a Picasso in the making. I mean that both literally and affectionately. XX ]

{She's six Mal. The only artist's name she knows is her own.}

[Hmmmm, that gives me a brilliant idea...]

Feeling mischievous Regina smirked as she typed.

{Careful dear. Do not push your blonde roots to the breaking point.}

[Oh, cheeky! I always liked it when you bit back. Still do. *winks*]

Regina flushed and looked at the feed marker flashing. 'What am I doing?' Thoughts of the past rolled in and self chiding for getting caught in flirting she set her phone face down as her waist was encircled by happy arms.

Quick and bright. "Did she like it Mama?"

"She did baby and said you are the next Picasso. He's a very famous artist from a long time ago." Elaborating before confusion set in. Emma's smile was all teeth and in that moment she'd do anything to keep it on that little face.

Hinting. "I like Ms. Mal. Don't you Mama?"

"She is very nice."

Emma tilted her head as little brows wiggled impishly up and down. "Uh-huh, but don't you like her?"

Running hands through loose ringlets. "As a friend, yes I do, but it's complicated sweet one."

Nose wrinkled. "Why?"

Lacking a good answer. "Many adult relationships just are."

"But it doesn't have to be. If she's nice to you and you are to her, you can be like bestest best friends." Confident in the simple truth.

And Regina wondered if maybe it really was. Tapping a nose. "You are absolutely right."

"Silly Mama… I know. You should ask her on a date."

Surprised at the blunt direction, but Emma's rumbling stomach beat her in answer.

"Time to feed my tummy?"

Fishing for words, they finally came. "Yes, go sit. Mama will be right there." As she finished prepping the soup and sides of bread the phone vibrated again. Picking it up and leaning against the counter, thumbs hesitated over the screen for a long moment in reading.

[I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable Regina…It's easy for me to get carried away and I apologize if I was too familiar.]

Typing, Queen's heart was ready to whisper back.

{You were not. Honestly, I've missed this with you. Please do not stop being yourself. I always appreciate your honesty and humor, dear.}

Almost instantly a reply popped up.

[In that case, perhaps we can discuss that further over dinner one night soon?]

Regina let go of hesitation and trusted herself.

{I'd like that.}

[Then it is a date. Have a wonderful evening my Queen.]

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Regina eyed the coffee critically offered by a pale hand. Snow sat across from her in the loft, tapping fingers nervously on the table top at an annoying rate. With a casual wave of her wrist she cast a reader spell for any foreign substances other than what should be in the mug. Satisfied nothing was amiss with the drink she took a small sip.

"I deserved that." Snow broke the silence.

Simple fact. "Finally something we both agree on."

"I know there's nothing I can say to gain your trust back right now and I owe Emma an apology when she decides to speak to me again, but I want you to know I'll do anything you want me to do to fix this." Having the quiet of the weekend to clear her head, it was as if a great fog cleared. She'd been horrified at what she'd done.

"Right now I don't want you to do anything, but listen and absorb what I am going to tell you."

"Before you start… How is Emma doing?" Voice crippled with nerves.

"She's hurt, confused, and angry." Answering for all three versions. Regina had asked Emma if she had wanted to come with and the adult Savior had declined the offer this morning. Her girl's feeling's were complicated. The little one was hurt, but ready to forgive, the teen torn, and the adult was pissed and needed time.

Biting her lip, Snow felt sick. "Did you tell her about the potion?"

"Yes, she is aware." Taking another sip of coffee to clear the bitterness away, black brew somehow sweeter.

Chin dropping. "She's never going to speak to me again, is she?"

"I don't know when, but I suspect in time she will come around."

Hopeful Snow leaned forward, palms up on the table. "Will you tell her I'm sorry?"

Softer. "She knows Snow and she needs some time to process." Regina sighed, finally settling on where to begin. "Do you even know what was in that potion you tried to drug me with?"

Head shaking. "Not entirely… He said it wouldn't hurt you, just keep you and Emma apart."

Heat crept in. "A fifty yard radius apart and nothing, his magic or mine could have countered the effect. Do you have any idea the mental and emotional damage you almost caused Emma? Running off with her to the loft, away from her home and me would have devastated her. The trigger you witnessed in the bathroom would have looked like a tea party compared to what you would have had on your hands." Razor thin, her tone danced a fine line. "Not to mention her shifts… How long do you think she would have stayed with you when she changed back into an adult?"

Snow squirmed wildly. "I-I was supposed to pick up another potion that would keep her…" Jumping when a mug nearly cracked against the table. "Only for a little while…"

"Of all of the foolish and selfish things you have ever done this is by far the worst. It is her freewill Snow. No one deserves to have that stolen or manipulated."

Tears falling. "I'm sorry Regina, please… I don't know what else to say." And she didn't, for once.

"At this point Snow you can not say anything. I know Gold's deals and magic well. Some part of you had to make a choice to act on his offer. He can only manipulate free will if you go to him seeking something. So some part of you was deliberately seeking to separate us, his influence pushing or not." Done with the mug and the very topic she pushed both away. "Actions speak louder than words. If you want to start to regain my trust I will give you one opportunity to do so."

Nodding profusely. "Anything."

"First, leave Emma be at school until you and I speak again. Her classrooms are on the opposite end of campus from yours. She deserves to be able to focus on her learning and not worry over us fighting or you walking off with her."

"I promise."

Sincere as the Princess was, she could only take the words for what they were worth. Mal's eyes and extra senses would be enough to ensure Snow kept that promise. "Also, over the next few weeks, keep playing the bleeding heart card around town when you see Gold out and about. Do not engage him one on one. A pathetic look and a few tears will be plenty to keep him thinking he is still playing you."

"That's it?"

"That is all, yes." Raising a brow and needing to lighten the mood. "Simple enough even for you dear."

Sniffing. "Are you teasing me?" Head lowering to the side like a scolded puppy.

"I am."

Snow relaxed some against the back of the chair. "Then I know you don't hate me, at least."

"No, I don't." Assuring with clear eyes. "And I haven't for a very long time."

Pink bowed in hope. "I'm sorry Regina."

Nodding. "We need to work together not against one another. For Emma."

Cautious. "Does this mean I might be able see Emma again outside of school? Any of her that's willing… Supervised, maybe?"

Sighing. "I'll talk to her and think about it, but I can not answer that right now." Her lost trust aside, Emma's hurt was a raw issue by itself.

Accepting, Snow tried to school her grief. "I'll do what you want with Emma and Gold to the letter and I'll respect your space until you're ready to give me an answer…." Fidgeting. "So what happens now?"

Leaning back, Regina's thoughts flooded with the plans ahead as she considered the question. If Snow played her role and Ruby was successful the night of the next full moon, she would have her magic restored. The Queen was almost ready to put the King of the crooked game in check and when she did…

"Regina?"

Pulled from plans crafted according to her strengths and weaknesses, red lips smiled. "Now we wait and hope for a happy ending… for all of us."

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A/N - Almost there... :-)

Next time - Teen Emma has her first sleep over. Mischief ensues. The first phase of Regina's plan to take Gold down goes into action with a little unexpected help.