A/N: Well, it's almost over and done with. I'm getting nostalgic and hope I won't be forgetting anything that I still wanted to put in. Two more chapters (maybe three)... thank you all again for every kind word, every follow, every like. It meant and means a lot to me.

Emma came into the diner on Friday. She was smiling.

"Morning, Rubes," she greeted her friend.

Ruby merely waved at her from where she was serving a table and Emma noticed the haunched shoulders of another friend who was sitting at the counter.

"Hey, Killian," she said, tapping him on the shoulder as she slipped onto the stool beside him.

"Sheriff," he gave back formally and rose from his chair. He took his coffee mug with him as he turned and walked over to a table and sat down there.

Emma watched him go and frowned.

"Hey, Emma. What can I get you?" Ruby said breathlessly as she stepped behind the counter.

Emma turned to her.

"A cocoa and a bear claw... you alright? Or has it already been a long day?"

"When there's things to talk about in town, they usually meet here. The last few days have been really busy," Ruby told her friend.

"I guess that will change once people start leaving for their homes. We haven't talked about this, what about you and Granny? You leaving?" Emma asked.

"Granny is staying. I'm not sure what I'll do, actually. We talked about this, remember?" Ruby looked over to where Belle sat in a booth. She was having breakfast with Neal.

"Right," Emma said and a shadow flitted over her features. She knew that she would have to talk to Belle and soon. She had a right to know that Rumple was still alive and the same went for Neal, of course. And Ruby, Emma now realized and she felt for her friend. "Could you bring me my order to that table, please. I think I'm going to have a talk with Killian," Emma then said because she didn't want to spill her beans right then. They would have to sit down and talk about the Rumple-situation in private, she owed them as much.

"Will do," Ruby said and hurried away.

Emma turned and walked over to the table where Hook sat dejectedly.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked.

The pirate looked up at her with an eyeroll.

"What do you want, Swan?" he asked.

She pulled a chair from the table and sat down.

"I would like to talk to my friend Killian? Do I still have a friend called Killian?" she asked looking at him with an open expression that she knew was disarming.

Hook took a deep breath.

"That's all you ever wanted from me, wasn't it? Friendship? You know you could have said, instead you kissed me on that damned island and I thought... well, never mind what I thought," he said.

"Come on, talk to me," Emma asked of him and lay a hand on his left arm.

"I thought I'd give you time. When we came back from Neverland, I kept my distance because I figured you needed time to sort through your feelings for Neal. I thought I owed you that... and him, too, because you have a child together. It seems I was jealous of the wrong parent. I didn't see Regina coming and just... sweeping you away."

"It wasn't like that, really. It was me, I swept her," Emma told him and he frowned at her. "I know, you don't wanna hear this. It's just... I didn't see it coming, either, Killian. Everything... I thought the same thing you did after we came back. I wanted to sort things out with Neal and really... concentrate on that part of my life, on family, on... someone I might love. And at that point, I thought if not Neal then maybe Killian... but then... something happened and it... disrupted everything. It was the craziest but also kind of most logical thing to happen...," Emma contemplated staring into the distance.

"What was it?" Hook asked and she looked at him.

"Regina and I kissed. It was the most intense thing I had ever felt," she told him and he made a face.

Ruby came to the table and placed Emma's order before her.

"Here you go, as ordered. Enjoy. Can I get you anything else, Hook?"

"Thanks, Ruby," Emma said.

"No, thank you, luv," Killian answered Ruby and she left their table again.

"Henry seems happy about it. I saw you all at the town meeting," he said.

"Henry's over the moon but I'm sure he would have been okay with me being with anybody who made me happy. The bonus is that now both his mothers are happy," Emma said.

"So it's not just for him?" Killian asked with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"No, it's... for all of us. I love Regina and she loves me. I never would have thought this would happen but... Neverland changed everything for us. The things that happened there..."

"We kissed there," Killian reminded her with a slight pout.

"I know. I can't say it meant nothing to me, Killian, but... it didn't mean everything. The kiss I shared with Regina, that first kiss and each one after, they do. I'm sorry. I never meant to lead you on. I felt what I felt then and I feel different now. But one thing that hasn't changed is that I want us to be friends, good friends," she told him.

"There's a word for that, I heard it on some tv show... friend-zoning?" he said and frowned. "And until now I always thought that the women who did that had every right to do it... I mean the dudes they did it to were douchebags, yeah?"

Emma smiled at the words Killian used. He must have watched a lot of tv lately.

"But it's different when you're the one... getting demoted from possible lover to friend," he ended.

"It's not a demotion, Killian. Being friends has its own benefits, you'll see."

"Yes, I probably will, since I will be stuck here forever," he said in a burst of anger.

"Why would you say that? Regina promised you to get you wherever you want to go, didn't she?"

"Well, I don't see it happening, do you?" he asked her.

"Have a little faith, Killian. Regina's working on it, believe me," she told him and he looked at her suspiciously.

Killian wasn't sure if he should trust either woman, they had betrayed him before - and not just once.

"Everybody will get home," Emma said.

"I don't have a home, Swan. I only have the sea."

"The Jolly Roger is your home, isn't it?"

He nodded and she knew that he would have liked to make it her home as well. And Henry's. There was so much yearning in his eyes at that moment and she was sorry for him. But that didn't change things between them.

"Just be a little more patient. You will be able to leave here," Emma told him.

He nodded slowly. There were things he would have liked to tell her, plans he had made for them. He would have liked her to know about them, he would have used them to win her over if he had thought they could make a difference. But Emma was happy with how things were - not just between them but in her life. She did love Regina, there was just no discernible doubt in her eyes. She was exactly where she belonged.

"Well, I'll be around, then. Just whistle for me when the time is right," he said as he stood from the table.

"Killian...," she tried but he shook his head.

"You told me to be patient, luv. I'm telling you the same thing if you really want to be my friend. You can't... force my heart to mend within seconds, it needs time. And yet, it might never get over you," he said and then left.

Emma looked after him a little sadly. She might have lost him but maybe that was better than never losing him at all.

Regina was on her way into the kitchen to prepare dinner for herself and Henry. Emma had called earlier to say that she would be working late - some citizens had taken the news of going home very enthusiastically and had celebrated a little too violently and she had to take care of them. Regina had a little smile on her face thinking how Emma was now calling her to say she was being late, how she had apologized, how they were slowly growing into a very married couple and the fact that it didn't bore her or make her roll her eyes but made her smile instead.

The doorbell interrupted those pleasant thoughts and Regina's eyes shifted to the clock standing on an end table in the hall. It wasn't that late but later than people usually approached her.

Regina went to the door and opened to a pleasantly smiling Snow White.

"Hello, Regina."

"Snow," Regina said surprised. "If you're looking for Emma, she's still at work."

"Oh, well, I guess...," and Snow was about to turn and maybe say her goodbyes but then she stopped herself. "Would you have a few minutes to talk?" she then asked.

"I was about to make dinner... but I guess. How good are you at chopping carrots?" Regina opened the door for Snow and the younger woman stepped inside.

"I've become quite the expert at it, actually. I've finally taken the time to learn how to cook in this realm, it's so much easier and quicker than it used to be," Snow answered.

"Too bad you'll be going back to the Enchanted Forest," Regina said over her shoulder as she entered the kitchen.

"I wouldn't say it was a bad thing but there'll be some things I'll be missing."

"Electricity, hot showers, flushing toilets?"

Snow laughed.

"Among other things, yes," she said.

Regina busied herself with getting ingredients and pots from the fridge and cabinets. She gave Snow the carrots.

"Knives are in that drawer behind you," she said pointing and Snow turned. "What did you want to talk about?" Regina asked as she put a pot with salted water on the stove. She was making risotto.

Snow turned back to the mayor looking at her with a serious expression.

"I wanted to thank you, Regina," she said and watched the other woman look up in surprise.

"Thank me?"

"Yes, for everything you did... these last few weeks. Working in the shop although it was difficult for you, finding a way to get us all home, going to the Enchanted Forest to make sure everyone will be safe and organizing groups to set up mirrors to make portals. And then working your magic to open those portals... you made all this happen and you made a lot of people very happy - including my husband."

Regina looked at Snow wondering if there was going to be a 'but' following this little speech but Snow just smiled. Regina turned back to the stove.

"I know you did all of this for Emma rather than anyone else but..."

"No," Regina interrupted Snow. "I didn't do these things for Emma. Getting everyone home is for me, my redemption. It has nothing or little to do with Emma. She helped me see that I needed to do this for myself - and the people I cursed - and then she helped me do it."

Snow nodded.

"I'm glad," she said and started her work on the vegetables.

Regina started on a salad to go with the risotto and they worked in silence for a while.

"Is David... really happy right now?" Regina asked after a while. "I mean, is he... okay with Emma and me?"

"I wouldn't say 'okay,' exactly, but... he's coming around. The trip to the Enchanted Forest changed his perspective on a few things, on you, for example. He sees you differently now," Snow said.

"I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything to help him change his mind about me," Regina argued.

"You did. Not in the way you behaved toward him but... by the way you behaved towards other people. The way you treated those orphans, for example."

"Oh," Regina said remembering. "But they were just kids. They didn't deserve how those villagers treated them, it was hardly their fault that they'd been abandoned or that their parents died."

"It wasn't and you saw that and did something about it," Snow explained.

"I adopted Henry and David only now notices that I'd do anything to protect a child? My, he is a slow learner, isn't he?"

Snow suppressed a small smile that was tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"He didn't see you with Henry before Emma came here, remember? He was in a coma," Snow said and her voice took on a scolding edge.

"Right," Regina said noncommital. "Emma changed a great many things around here. I used to fear her, now...," Regina simply smiled.

"Now you wouldn't want to live without her, or couldn't even," Snow said and Regina nodded barely noticable. She wasn't sure she wanted to talk to Snow about her love for Emma. "She doesn't live here yet, though, does she?"

"No, I mean... we spent most of our time together but... we do it alternately here and at the house she rented. She's quite charmed with the place and...," but Regina interrupted herself. Was she really going to discuss these things with Snow White - of all people?

"It's a lovely house. Of course, it can't hold a candle to this... mansion."

"Yes, but that's the point, obviously, why Emma doesn't want to live here. It's too big, too impersonal, too... I think she feels like it's a cold place, somehow. But it's my home," Regina confided in Snow.

"I see," Snow said.

"We haven't been fighting about it but we've talked and... Emma doesn't want to move in here. I'm not sure what we will do. Maybe we will build a house but... that'll take a while. And meanwhile... we're living here for half a week and then there for half a week. That's no way to live at all, especially...," but Regina stopped herself again and looked up from cutting cherry tomatoes in half.

"Especially with a baby on the way?" Snow guessed.

"We don't know for sure yet but... yes, essentially."

Snow nodded.

"What do you think about... us having another child?" Regina probed the younger woman who would also be - strangely - her mother in law when she was going to marry Emma.

"I think... I'm happy for you both. I'm also just a little jealous because... Charming and I are still trying but didn't have any luck so far. I know that Emma is really happy about the prospect of becoming a mother again and I think she needs it, too. To have a baby she is actually raising this time. Not that she loves Henry any less because..."

"I know, Snow. She couldn't love Henry any more if she had raised him, I'm sure. And he loves her," Regina said with a proud little smile.

"I wish... Emma had come to us first, you know. That she would have told David and me before she's told... basically the whole town," Snow then said with a soft sigh.

"She wanted to and she would have if... David had been more open to listening."

"That's what I thought. I still wished she would have at least told me first. I'm her mother."

"We hadn't planned to... just tell everyone that evening. If she could have done it any other way, she would have," Regina argued for Emma.

Snow nodded. She was just finishing with the carrots and then started with peeling peas. Again, they worked in silence for awhile.

"David wants to give a ball," Snow then said.

"A ball?"

"Yes, when we're back in the Enchanted Forest and have... settled in, he wants to give a ball... for Emma," Snow said haltingly.

"For Emma?" Regina was barely suppressing her laughter and then gave up. "Oh, I can't wait to see the look on her face when she finds out."

Snow couldn't help but smile at Regina's obvious mischievousness.

"Well, if David will be able to talk her into it, you'll be invited, too, of course. And Henry. David said he wanted to introduce his daughter to his kingdom, and her family."

"He said that?" Regina asked.

"Almost word for word," Snow assured her.

"Well, I don't mind a nice ball. I actually enjoyed a couple of them. And dancing with Emma.. hmmm.. Emma in a ball gown," she said dreamily before being roused by a dancing lid on the pot she's put on the stove earlier. The water was boiling. She turned and put the rice into the water, turning down the heat under the pot. "And Henry will look quite dashing in a prince's suit," she added quickly and then turned. Her cheeks were slightly flushed and Snow doubted that it was from the heat of the stove.

"It would be a nice opportunity to wear one of my gowns again. I kind of miss my wardrobe," Regina said looking down at the blouse and pants she was wearing.

"I'm sure Emma would appreciate the opportunity," Snow said with a wicked smile and Regina raised an eyebrow at her.

The mayor didn't answer. She turned back to her salad and put the finishing touches on it while Snow finished with the peas. Regina busied herself with cleaning the appliances. There wasn't anything else to do until the rice was almost done.

"Have you decided when you'll be leaving for the Enchanted Forest?" Regina then asked turning to the younger woman.

"We'll probably be staying until all the others who want to leave have left. I think David wants to talk to some of the people who are as yet undecided whether to stay or go."

Regina nodded.

"But David is planning on a goodbye-party at The Rabbit Hole before people start leaving. He said something about next Saturday."

"That's a nice idea."

"Yes, and I hope you all will be there," Snow said indicating Regina and her family.

"We wouldn't miss it. I mean, I'm finally getting rid of everybody. That surely calls for a celebration," Regina said with a smirk.

Snow laughed.

"You'll miss us yet," she predicted.

"Maybe in another thirty years," Regina answered in the same teasing fashion.

"Well, I guess I'll be going now. Enjoy your dinner," Snow said.

"Thank you for the help," Regina said as they left the kitchen for the front door. She opened it for Snow but before the teacher left she said:

"I've been thinking," she looked around the atrium of the mansion. "Maybe if you let Emma redecorate... maybe just a room or two, maybe she would feel more at home here."

Regina looked at Snow then let her eyes roam over the interior of her house. She seemed to contemplate Snow's words.

"That's not a bad idea," she said.

"I have my moments," Snow answered. "Goodnight, Regina."

"Goodnight, Snow. Tell David I'm behind him with the ball-idea," she added with a grin and Snow waved at her as she walked down the garden path.