For the next week Emma had to force herself to stay in her room after Mary-Margaret, knowing that Regina was awake was a lot of temptation. But the sheriff wasn't as strong as she thought she was, as she hopes she'd be. She once again found herself standing at the mayoral mansion. 'Turn around and go home' Emma pleaded, though her body was reluctant to respond. The porch was empty, Regina was no where in sight. Disappointed the sheriff was willing to admit defeat and go home, until a familiar, sarcastic drawl met her ears. "Miss Swan, if you keep up these midnight visits, the town will think we're having a scandalous affair. The sheriff and the mayor. My, my that would make headlines."
Emma's witty remark was cut off when she saw the mayor in nothing but a nightgown that ended mid thigh. The blond gulped visibly and the mayor could help but smirk at the reaction she'd caused. "I, uh, it... I was just unable to sleep... " Emma was mentally slapping herself, as her cheeks started to flush. "I just knew you would be awake, I don't know, I wondered of you wouldn't mind company. That's all." Regina sat on the top step, pulled out another book and opened a bottle of wine. "Well, if that's the case, you had better take a seat sheriff. I may need your protection at this late hour, after all." Flirting. Regina Mills was flirting, and Emma sure as hell was not going to pass this moment down. "Drink?"
"Uh, sure. Do you want me to get another gl-" Before she could finish her question, the mayor had taken a swig of wine right from the bottle. Emma copied her action before feigning shock; "What would the townspeople say?"
Regina chuckled low in her throat, and Emma nearly passed out from want. "No worse than what they already do, I imagine, Miss Swan." They both laughed aloud at this. Bit by bit letting their walls down. "You can call me Emma. I mean we've known each other for three years."
"I suppose you're right. Emma." The sheriff felt the soft breath leave goose bumps on her skin, she hadn't realized how close they had gotten. Despite her mind telling her no, she couldn't stop herself from tucking a brunette lock behind Regina's ear. The older woman stiffened at the touch, snapped her book shut and jumped to her feet. Emma was on her feet just as fast. "Uh, I..." And then she was behind closed doors. Emma sighed before turning on her heels and heading home again.

"Trouble with the misses?" Said Ruby, impossibly chipper.
"That would be easier to deal with. However, she's not my misses. She's the mayor. She's a mother. And I feel totally whipped." Emma downed the rest of her hot chocolate and let her head fall to the counter.
"Em, have you told her?"
"Are you kidding me?" She mumbled into her hands.
"Maybe she feels the same. Or just go for it, catch her by surprise, maybe she will eventually feel the same." Ruby was perking up at the thought. She wanted Emma to be happy, more than anything. She had set her up with nearly every available person in Storybrooke. So naturally when the brunette realized the sheriff had a crush, she offered to do anything to help. "Maybe I could set the diner up for just the two of you, candle lit dinner, soft music. How romantic." Emma just groaned in response, left money on the counter and stood from her seat. "I'll catch you later, Rubes."
"Just go for it, Emma!" Ruby shouted after her, drawing the attention of the whole diner, and effectively making the sheriff blush.
When she made it back the station, Emma sat at her desk, staring at a mountain of paperwork. Which was nothing unusual, what was different this time was that it was all completed, ready to be delivered to the mayor. She both dreaded and loved the thought of seeing the brunette, she was humiliated and was sure that Regina would bring it up. Alas she had no choice. Emma scooped up the papers and trudged out of the 's secretary was not in, so Emma knocked on the door quietly. "Come in."She poked her head through the door before entering fully. She closed it behind her and waited for any sign of acknowledgement. "Miss Swan?"
"Sorry, Madam Mayor. I was just coming to drop in some paper work."
"You mean, not only have you actually done paperwork, but it's early as well? What have you done with our sheriff?" Emma laughed despite herself. She also felt uncomfortable given the unusually light nature of conversation.
"Consider it, Emma 2.0." The mayor moved around her desk, getting well within the sheriffs personal space. "Hm, well maybe I liked the old sheriff." It was a mere purr in her ear. Emma gulped audibly, trying to find relief for her dry throat and waiting to be woken at any minute.
Regina let her hands run down the younger woman's arms, until she reached the files Emma was clinging to for dear life. "Would that be all sheriff?" Taking two steps back. Emma released a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Y-yes. Yeah... Bye Regi... Madam mayor."

Emma went straight to the diner, ignoring the two hours she had left of work. Her mind was high. "Hey Em. Need another hot chocolate already?"
"Make it a coffee." Emma needed the caffeine to make her brain function again.
"Woah. Something big must of happened. Did you tell her!?" Ruby had an ear to ear grin on her face.
"Coffee first, Rubes." Emma and Ruby sat at the furthest end of the counter, well away from any of the few customers, while Emma gave the details.
"Maybe I actually was right. No offense, Em, but I didn't actually think the Regina was into women, let alone you." Emma just narrowed her eyes at her friends comment, but had to agree she thought the same. No matter how terrified and out of her comfort zone she felt, Emma was determined to find out if Regina felt the same, and she couldn't wait one more night.