A/N- I was going to have this up last night, but for some reason the website wasn't letting me upload anything. So, here we are. I hope that their conversations make sense to you as for Regina's reasons and Emma's reasons. And I hope you are able to see why I'm writing each of them the way I am! I love all of you so much for all of the reviews/favorites/follows or even just for reading my story! You're the best! Please review ;)

The women were silent on their way to their appointment with Archie. Emma wasn't entirely sure how she had upset her wife, it seemed like things were fine with her at dinner, but before bed she had gotten weird and it confused Emma. Regina, on the other hand, knew exactly what her problem was, and though she was pissed at Emma for talking to David before they discussed it some more, she was also slightly upset with herself. Something to bring up in front of Archie and get his help figuring out how to come back from both of them going behind the other's back. They were back to being intimate, and though that was great, for both of them, neither woman was giving all of her trust back and it was creating an unhealthy environment.

Archie welcomed them in and the women sat on opposite ends of the couch, like most of their sessions. The doctor had been hoping that with Regina's decision the week previous, and how well their session had gone Thursday, they wouldn't be acting so distant from each other still. He waited patiently for one of the women to start speaking, but neither did, leaving the room in silence for nearly five minutes. Finally, it was Archie who spoke.

"Did something happen?" he asked, looking between both women. Emma shrugged and Regina cast her eyes down and then to the side. "We aren't going to resolve it if neither of you is talking."

"I don't know. Things were going well all weekend," Emma started. "We've been intimate again. Everyday except yesterday. And then all of a sudden Regina was acting pissy before we went to bed."

"Regina? Did Emma do something to upset you?"

"Yes."

"Would you care to elaborate?" Regina sighed and turned to look at her wife.

"We agreed that we would speak more on the subject of your father before we brought it up to him. And then you thought it necessary to bring it up to him without further discussion. Do you really think that was fair to me or your father?" She punctuated her question with a look of skepticism.

"Regina, why does it matter?"

"I wanted to be the one to speak to him."

"Why? God I know you guys have this weirdly close relationship which, by the way, if I had known how close you would get, I would have asked you to not be friends with him when I found out about your affair. But why does that mean I can't talk to my father about how he acts like a schoolboy in love with my wife?"

Regina fumed, glaring at Emma with a cold stare. "Emma, don't you make this about him, and don't talk about him like that, it isn't fair to him."

"Why the hell not?" Emma shouted.

"Because it's my fault! Not his!" Regina said in an equally high volume, effectively shutting Emma up immediately.

"I'm sorry, ladies. Can one of you explain what is going on?"

"My dad is in love with Regina."

"He is not!"

"Yes he is! Everyone sees it except you!"

"That's because I'm the only one close enough to understand the feelings he is having!"

"Well then, please explain to those of us who don't, because it's really starting to weird me out. And while you're at it, tell me what you meant by it being your fault."

Regina shook her head before taking in a steadying breath. "Your dad left your mom, because of what she did, with those reports. He actually, physically and emotionally left her. He may have visited her occasionally to see if she was trying to make a change, but Emma, he left her."

"Yeah? What's your point?"

"Did you realize that is what he had done? That he had left her?"

"No, I mean, they were just doing a trial separation."

"No. They weren't. And if you had asked him in those five weeks even once what was going on, he would have told you that. But you didn't. Because you left, too. Sure, you were there, living in our house, but you left me. After Neal came that day, you left me."

"I did not."

"Yes, you did."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about! You stopped leaving me notes, you stopped trying to talk to me. You stopped trying to kiss me or be around me. You came home from work and you would play video games with Henry or go into the guest room and do gods know what until dinner. And after dinner, you would do the dishes and go back to your temporary room. That was leaving."

"I'm sorry. I've apologized for that already."

"And I forgave you. Apologies and forgiveness are not the topics of interest right now anyway. While you were absent for me, and your father was without your mother…we were the adults who spent time with each other. That month…we really bonded because we both needed someone. And Emma, you just came back to me. A week ago, just one week is when I fully decided to make this marriage work with you. And the intimacy we have shared since last Thursday has been incredible and so much what I have wanted. But, I didn't have your affections for weeks."

"I'm sorry, Regina," Emma said, crying slow tears. "But I still don't understand what you're saying. Do you…did you have his affections and decide you want them better?"

Regina growled. "No, sometimes you can be such an idiot! No! If I wanted to be with your father, why would I forgive you? I love David, because he is one of very few people who have acted like they forgive me, along with saying the actual words. He is an honest and good man, Emma, and I cannot exaggerate enough that he is just a friend to me. He is truly like a brother to me, I don't understand why you can't get that."

"Because the way you guys act around each other is weird. I mean…you seriously couldn't have waited to take off your shirt until you had gotten a clean one?"

"Emma, I was still wearing a shirt. Excuse me for not wanting the wine to soak through my shirt and ruin my silk camisole. I have very few that fit me these days as it is. And you know, honestly I wasn't thinking it was inappropriate, because I see your father as a brother, again, I repeat that."

"So what's your fault then, that isn't David's?"

"We both agreed last night that he is naïve. David is…like the best type of knight that there is. He is loyal; he shows his loyalties through affection. He is protective, but playful. And he doesn't see any of those traits as something wrong. He and I had discussed before you came home that he wanted to act how we always act, even though Snow was going to be there, because he didn't want to change how we act and have Snow see a façade of a weak friendship, and feel later on down the line that she had been deceived. So, he laid his cards on the table. But I encouraged it. I knew how it looked and I ignored it, because he had said he didn't care. And frankly, I don't care either. Because if you can't trust me with your father, of all people, what chance does this relationship have?"

"It's not fair, Regina. What you're doing isn't fair."

"How is it not fair?"

"I don't want to see my father all over my wife!"

"Please, explain to me how he was all over me? He picked me up to have Henry tickle me. He was being playful. He loves you with every single part of him, Emma. Do you honestly think he would ever do anything that would hurt you?"

"I just don't get it! He was holding you in your hospital bed when you were in for the baby. You guys always poke each other in the side, or bump your shoulders. You kiss him on the cheek, you let him feel the baby kick. It's too much."

"Emma, just because you aren't around me with others doesn't mean I'm not doing the same thing with all of my friends. Ask Ruby how many times she has laughed at me for leaving lipstick on her cheek. And ask Tink how many times she has felt the baby kick. It's all I know."

"What does that even mean?"

"I never had a friend in my entire life besides Daniel. And he was my boyfriend, then my fiancé. I used people; I used my body and my attractiveness as a tool. I flirted to get people to do what I wanted them to do. Graham was the only person you could probably even almost accurately call my friend and that surely wasn't healthy. I don't know how to have friends without being flirtatious. It's who I am. I've done my best to tone it down, but my friends understand. And they don't think it's weird. But your father never had real friends either, so when I say it's my fault, I say it because he reacts to how I act. I'm flirtatious, so he is. It's just our dynamic."

"I can't be ok with it."

"Do you remember the last time you flirted with me? When it didn't lead to sex. Just for fun, just to have a moment?"

Emma looked like she was really thinking it over for a minute before she shrugged her shoulders. "No, I guess not."

"And fine, pretend these last several days, all our flirtations, that they didn't lead to sex, just imagine that for a minute. Doesn't that feel good?"

Emma bowed her head. "Yes."

"Ok. It feels good to have a good-looking person flirt with me, so I didn't stop it when it seemed slightly over the top. For that, for you I am sorry. And I will cool it. I'm sorry that it bothers you so much and I'm…I shouldn't have encouraged it so much, and I really will work on how I act around your father. I'm sorry it upsets you. Emma, I am really sorry that it upsets you. And…I will talk to David about it."

"Why does it have to be you who talks to him?"

'Why? Because that is precisely why I am upset with you! You spoke to him and your manner was not kind. So I am going to discuss it with him, and you should apologize to him." Emma nodded. "But, Emma you had your chance to tell me you didn't want us to be friends, and you didn't use it. And now it is too late. I am too invested in my friendship with him that it would really hurt me if I were to stop being friends with him. So I ask that you respect that he and I are friends, and will remain friends."

"It wouldn't bother me without all the touching and weirdness."

"And…why does it bother you when I am the same way with Ruby and Tink? Why doesn't it bother you with them?"

"You haven't slept with them!"

"And again, it comes back to that! There is as much a chance of my sleeping with either of them as there is of David and I sleeping together again. Why don't you understand that you are all that I want? You are the one who cheated on me, so don't you dare act like every second I spend with David worries you that I am going to bed him! That is unjustified and uncalled for!"

"You what…forgave me just so you can bring it up in a fight?" Emma yelled.

"No! Damnit, Emma! You brought up my error first! You better damn well understand I'm not going to sit here and let you attack me with the past without doing it right back," Regina growled her defense.

"Madam Mayor, Sheriff," Archie interrupted before Emma could respond. "I think we should take a moment and consider the next words each of you has to say before speaking. We have covered a lot of information and I think that everything you're discussing is important to clear up before you can really get your relationship back into a healthy place. But…I would really prefer you to discuss this without yelling. You need to remain calm with each other, or you're less likely to get through to one another." At Archie's suggestion, neither woman said anything for a few minutes. They allowed themselves the time they needed to calm down and breathe before Emma spoke up.

"Regina, I am trying…I am trying so hard to show you everyday how much I love you. I'm trying to show it because I know that words are harder to believe than actions. But you've got to give me something here."

Regina focused on forest green eyes, taking in the pain in their depths. When she spoke, she spoke gently. "Emma, I know you're trying, I can see it. Everyone can see it. I love you so very much, Emma, if I didn't we wouldn't be here. And I am sorry that I was being passive aggressive, I shouldn't be acting that way and I apologize. And I'm sorry for not being as receptive to your romantic actions as I could be. I'm trying, but after you disappeared on me, I rebuilt so many of those walls that you had to break down. And…us being intimate has helped some. But what I need, what I am craving is more of you. I want the goofy and sometimes childish woman I fell in love with. Flowers and letters and sex are all great, but I miss your jokes, and when you used to come up behind me and hold me while I was cooking. I miss when you would tickle my sides just because I make a disgraceful noise when taken by surprised that way and you like it. I…miss the teasing. And I'm sorry that I let David be the replacement for that just because you weren't there. But Emma, he could never actually replace you in any way in my mind and my heart."

"I…miss all of that, too. I just don't know what's allowed and what isn't."

"Emma, we're sleeping together again, I think that should qualify everything else as being permissible."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Just…tell me what you want from me. What do you truly want from me? I can see you're trying and while you made the bigger stupid decision, I know that I have been in the wrong as well. So just tell me what I have to do to make you happy enough to trust me and believe in me again."

"I…I need for you to understand that I don't like feeling like I'm sharing your affections with my father. Have all the friendly affection for him that you want…but the romantic stuff, that should be reserved only for me."

"While I don't see how my actions towards him seem romantic, I will agree to your desire. Anything else?" Regina asked, but the words sounded more like a demand. As though she was demanding Emma to say what she wanted to say and to stop holding back.

"That's it. I just need you and my dad to cool it."

"Ok."

The rest of their session had passed more peacefully than the beginning had. But during their session they both realized that each woman was harboring worries about how fully and completely they could trust their wife. Archie had explained to them that it was something many married couples go through, whether or not there has been infidelity or lies. Most married couples have issues trusting each other because it's in human nature to be distrusting of others.

After dinner that night David helped Regina with the dishes while Emma took Henry to the store to buy ice cream. Regina was trying to build up the courage to bring up what she and Emma had discussed at their session, but was finding it hard. After drying a plate, Regina walked over to the cupboard to slide it into the plate rack. She pushed it up into its place and pulled her hand away before she realized that she hadn't pushed it far enough back and the plate fell out of the cupboard, smashing into several small pieces.

David, taking notice that Regina was barefooted, directed her not to move so she wouldn't cut her feet. He grabbed the broom and dustpan from the laundry room and swept the area around Regina's feet before scooping up the dustpan and dumping the contents into the garbage.

"So are you going to tell me why you're acting weird?" David prompted.

"Oh, the plate? Sorry, I've just been really clumsy lately," Regina answered. She knew that wasn't what he was asking about.

"Regina, come on."

"Emma and I had a session with Archie today," she admitted.

"How'd that go?"

"Not well…at first. We argued about you for a good chunk of our session."

"Oh?"

"She thinks that the way we act around each other is inappropriate. And while I disagree with her mostly, I also agreed that she's my wife and I have to do things to keep her happy. And she has to do the same. I told her that I would stop being so…flirtatious with you, even though I'm not sure I actually know how to be friendly without being flirtatious."

"I see," David mused, though Regina could tell that he didn't see. Not really, anyway.

"And I told her I would speak with you about it, as well. She didn't say anything about wanting us to spend less time together, just less touchy. I don't even think she minds the teasing and everything. Her biggest issue really does seem to be the physical stuff."

"Yeah." David looked at her intently, as though he needed to say something but was unsure of how to say it. He brushed one hand at the back of his neck, fidgeting with a dishtowel in the other.

"What is it?" Regina prompted him. "We're past the embarrassing stage of needing to say things but not being able to. Tell me what you're thinking?"

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For causing problems between you two. You shouldn't have to spend a session with Archie arguing about me. That wasn't why we became friends, that wasn't how our friendship was supposed to end up."

"David, please don't apologize. Trust me, my marital problems are so far out of the realm that involves you. Emma and I have a lot of work to do to be healthy. The more time we spend in sessions with Archie, the more we both realize that maybe our relationship wasn't quite what we thought it was in the first place."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, without revealing too much, out of respect for Emma, she and I…the way we got together was rushed, a little…maybe that's not the right word. We didn't do the whole friends first thing. We were enemies, and then allies. And then we realized that so much of our arguing, so many of our fights were because we were just too damn stubborn to see what was there first. We talked about our pasts and we relied on each other because we both wanted that love so much. But…we have a lot of unresolved issues, from the beginning of our relationship, that have nothing to do with anyone except the people who were involved in our upbringings. Neither of us has the ability to trust well and everything that has happened since our wedding has just intensified the trust issues and we're taking it out on each other in all the wrong ways."

"But…"

"But I love her, and I need her. And I know she loves me, I can see it in her eyes and I can feel it when she's with me. We'll figure it out, it's just going to take more sessions than we originally planned." She smiled at her last statement.

"Good. I know you've actually known Emma longer than me, but she never looked at Neal the way she looks at you. Even when she thought he died when we were rescuing you, or when she found out he was alive when we were in Neverland."

"I know. And I'm pleased other people can see it, too."

"Regina…I don't mean for this to sound bad in any way, so just take it as nicely as you can." He waited for her to acknowledge what he said, and when she nodded tightly, he continued. "If it hadn't been for Emma, I don't think the town would have been anywhere near ready to forgive you yet. I think that we would probably still be hesitating to believe you have changed if she didn't love you so much. So…if not being friends with me is what helps your relationship, then you have to do it. The two of you are very high on my very short list of the most important people to me, and I want you two to be happy. If that means giving up our friendship, then that's what it means."

"But it doesn't. We just have to alter it a little. She's still hesitating with the fact that we've been intimately involved and then when she sees you touch me, even in a way that's not romantic, it strikes a chord for her." David nodded.

"Then that's an easy enough problem to fix. As long as I still get to come for meals, because not only is the food and company of the three of you the best part of my day, I'm actually becoming a pretty good cook." He laughed lightly, trying to turn the conversation from being awkward.

"Indeed you are. You did a very good job with dinner tonight."

"Alright, well, I'm going to get out of your hair. I'll see you in the morning. Tell Emma and Henry goodnight for me?"

"Tell us yourself," Emma said, standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Neither of them had known she was there, Regina hadn't even heard the door.

"Hello dear," Regina greeted.

"Hey," Emma answered with a small smile. She held up a grocery bag and walked toward the other two.

"Henry's upstairs changing into his pajamas. I told him if he got ready for bed first, we would eat ice cream and watch a movie before he goes to sleep."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Did you want to stay, David?" Emma asked, looking at her father.

"Nah. I think I'm going to go get some extra sleep tonight. Thank you for asking though." He rested his hand on Emma's upper arm, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Have a goodnight, kiddo."

"You too."

When the door shut, Emma began pulling the ice cream containers out of the grocery bag and walked to where Regina was standing to pull out three spoons from the drawer to her left. Before she could move away, spoons in hand, Regina grabbed her wrist and pulled her against her. The brunette wrapped her arms around Emma's waist and looked into shocked forest green eyes.

"I love you, Emma," she said. "I'm sorry I got mad at you. And I'm sorry for my part in our problems." She pressed a soft kiss to Emma's lips.

"I…I'm sorry, too."

"Good. Because I need you." Emma nodded, knowing that nothing else needed to be said.

"I got you strawberry."

"Good, that's my favorite."

"I know."