A/N: I again was kind of hoping to have this part of the adventure all in one chapter, but I thought we'd all prefer a regular update. I hope you enjoy this on its own!

Thursday arrived in no time at all—not surprising considering the girls had spent all their possible time together.

Every lunch, every shared free period—Emma had even started meeting Regina before school, in between orchestra and first period, instead of hanging out with Ruby and Mary Margaret.

And everyone had noticed.

Ruby had started to complain half-heartedly to Tink (Mary Margaret didn't want to hear it) that it was worse than it had been with Neil, but she wasn't actually displeased. Emma seemed genuinely happy. And though she appeared that way a good deal of the time, Ruby could tell when it was part of her act. This wasn't. And that was all Ruby ever really wanted for her friend. And even though Regina hadn't hung out with all of them at school yet, Ruby had gotten bits and pieces of her here and there and found herself rather liking the nerd's…what Granny might call "gumption". When she wasn't being downright frost queen, she could be really feisty, and Ruby always appreciated a good play fight. She knew that Regina had hurt Snow in some way, but with Snow not even telling her why, really why, Ruby wasn't blind enough to think that there wasn't something going on there. Her best friend wasn't without her own flaws.

That was what was on Ruby's mind as Emma seemed particularly enthusiastic to change out of their gym clothes after class to end the day. Typically they were a little faster on non-practice days, considering they didn't just have to change into another set of exercise gear, but this was something else. She knew Emma had plans with Regina (yet another afternoon lost to the competition), but she didn't know what that had to do with the flannel shirt and boots Emma was now pulling out of an extra bag she had had stowed away.

"What's with the lumberjack look, Ems?"

"Why, you looking to borrow it, Rubes?" Emma shot back as she tied the laces.

"Please. Grunge is so freshman year," Ruby joked, remembering some outfits she was no longer particularly proud of.

"Seriously though," she continued as her attention returned to Emma—who had already started to head into the halls. "What's it for? Does it have to do with your and Regina's mystery date?" She asked, hurriedly pulling on her backpack and trying to keep up.

"So that's what we're calling it?" Emma scoffed, good-naturedly, but Ruby knew that her comment had landed harder than Emma let her see.

"I'm calling it. You've been giddy all week, girl, and I know nothing about it other than it's bumped our lazy-ass no practice day."

Emma sighed. She was getting kind of bad. "Next one is all yours, Rubes, I swear."

"Not a chance. I'm not getting in the way of lady love, definitely not when I helped make it happen!"

"Love? Ruby," Emma objected. She had thought that Ruby was kidding about her relationship with Regina, but now, she felt her friend had different things in mind. "It's not like that."

Ruby gave an enigmatic smile. "Whatever it's like Ems, I'm happy for you. And all of us. Regina's pretty great, and you know how much that hurts me to admit considering it means I am going to lose."

Emma decided to ignore the previous implications in favor of more neutral territory. Ruby may have her wild ways, but Emma didn't think like that. Did she?

"Wow. It must. Ruby Lucas losing is never a pretty sight."

"Eh," Ruby shrugged as they turned the corner, "This time I don't think it'll be so bad," she trailed off as she saw Regina spotting them with a smile for Emma Ruby was sure she had never seen from Regina Mills. These two didn't even know what they had coming.

"Hey, Regina!" She hollered in greeting across the hall waving until Regina gave a slight wave back and gladly tolerating the smack she got from Emma. She broke away to jog the last couple steps to the corner where Regina was waiting.

"Hello, Ruby," Regina allowed with something between good humor and suspicion. "Emma," she added more sincerely as the blonde hurried to catch up.

"Hi, Regina," Emma greeted, almost in apology.

"Where's your forest girl look?' Ruby asked, surveying Regina's still school-appropriate and Cora-approved attire. "Or are we pranking Emma, 'cause then you definitely should've gone with bikini and cutoffs or footie pajamas or—a spandex jumpsuit!"

Regina rolled her eyes at Ruby before observing Emma. She was perfectly dressed.

"No prank," she affirmed. "I will be changing once we get there. I'm glad you remembered."

"I didn't really have a choice," Emma chuckled, "You were pretty insistent about reminding me."

"Like that mattered," Ruby jumped in, "She's been too excited to think about anything else like all week."

Emma glowered at her but it was really just to hide her rising blush.

"Thanks, Rubes, we better get a move on then," she dismissed her friend, giving Regina a gentle nudge towards the exit.

"No, you have to tell me first!" Ruby pleaded. "What are you two doing?"

Regina observed Ruby and Emma's expectant expressions—it probably wouldn't hurt to ruin the surprise now. It might be for the better. For both their nerves. She smiled.

"We're going horseback riding."

Ruby's immediate jealousy had Emma more than excited at the get-go. She was going to get to ride a horse like a cowgirl or a knight, a real, living, moving horse. She tried to remember the last time she had seen one in person, as they left Ruby behind and she thanked Regina for bringing her along.

Regina looked relieved at her excitement, and almost more so as they passed by the fields where some of the non-track teams were still getting ready for practice, players waving to Emma as they saw her passing by.

The walk was pleasant enough, filled with light conversation, Regina promising she would be happy to answer all of Emma's questions once they were there, but Emma felt her excited energy shift more into discomfort as they drew closer. She was impressed by the idea of horses, sure—but everything seemed smaller on TV, and the police ones were so well trained—well of course Regina's would be well trained, she trusted Regina—but they were so big, and it wasn't like she had ever been up there before…Emma was still a little wary about riding them. Wouldn't they know she didn't know what she was doing?

Regina, however, was already in her element it seemed once they passed through the open doors. This, more than anywhere else, was her home. And Emma loved seeing it.

"Welcome to the Storybrooke Stables, Emma."

Emma stepped farther into the space, taking a look around. It was somewhat smaller than she expected, but better for it. It was the kind of place out of her imagination, what a little farmhouse kind of barn should look like, with the piles of hay and all sorts of equipment on the walls and a wheelbarrow of shit with a shovel. Okay, so she hadn't thought of that part much, but it definitely made sense. She could see the tops of the horses over their stalls, and a man putting reins on a pretty yellow one with white blonde hair.

Apparently hearing them, he quickly finished up his work and led the horse out as it gently tossed its head to welcome them.

"Hello there, Miss Mills," he addressed Regina as if he had been waiting for her arrival. "I've already saddled Cupcake here for you, and I'd be happy to get you started on Rocinante, if that would be alright with you."

"Thank you, Angus," Regina replied graciously. "I would love it if it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all." Angus seemed glad for her response. "It's my job." He led what she now realized was Cupcake, the beautiful but somewhat fat horse out back to tie her up.

"Cupcake?" Emma demanded of Regina once he was gone, "That's the name of my valiant steed?"

Regina let out a little laugh. She knew Emma would say something about her horse's name, but when Regina had been deciding which horse Emma would ride, it just was too right to have her on her blonde counterpart.

"Cupcake is a perfectly suitable name, Emma," she managed with a straight face. "Besides, she's quite docile and easy-going, perfect for a first time rider."

Regina didn't want to put too much faith in their riding together after this experience, but she couldn't help but add as she turned to her locker, "If you like it enough, we'll have you riding Ro in no time."

Emma smiled. She had a friend who wanted to share her horse. This was not something she had ever imagined.

"I guess I'll trust your call," she pretended to begrudgingly agree, when of course she was going to trust Regina on everything horse-related. She did not want any broken bones.

"Good," Regina approved. I'm going to go get changed," she said, holding up a bag she had grabbed from what appeared to be her locker. "You can put your bag in there, and then go find a helmet from the wall—sizing's written on the side—it'll depend on how big that head of yours actually is."

"It's only because I'm so smart," Emma smirked as Regina shook her head in amusement, running off to change.

Emma dropped her book bag in the bottom of the locker, right next to Regina's, and found a helmet off the shelf with little hassle, taking the time to adjust the chinstraps. At least that part was kind of familiar. Helmet on, she watched the other horses in their stalls, particularly trying to catch glimpses of Angus working with Rocinante down at the other end of the barn, wanting to know what Regina's horse was like.

The girl herself was back before Emma knew it, in a very similar outfit to hers but with those great riding boots, a heavier button up over her long sleeves. Somehow she looked perfectly at home on the farm, her hair braided away from her now practically unblemished neck. It didn't seem nerdy at all. Just natural, easy. There was a flash of nervousness that ran underneath when she looked to Emma again, but Emma couldn't catch any clues as to what it was about.

Regina had taken a little extra time in the bathroom than had been strictly necessary, just breathing, looking at herself in the dingy mirror. So far things had been going well. But so far hadn't really been the hard part. She was sharing this with Emma. All of this. But for once she did not want to be alone, particularly here, and she felt that somehow, Emma would understand. She would understand it all.

"Now you really look the part," Regina appraised.

"Look who's talking," Emma replied in kind. "It's clear who's the real deal here."

Regina smiled as she grabbed her own helmet and put her clothes in her locker. "You're not as far off as you think, Swan."

"Miss Mills?"

Angus walking out of the stall interrupted whatever protest Emma had planned.

"Rocinante is all set."

"Thank you," Regina responded, "You can lead him out—we'll be there in a moment."

Emma watched intently as the large man led Regina's beautiful (and big, really big) horse outside to be tied up next to Cupcake, before she felt the need to ask,

"Miss Mills?"

Regina frowned slightly. It was even stranger out of Emma's mouth.

"My mother's directive," she admitted. "Staff shouldn't get too comfortable. Apparently, neither should I," she added, just barely under her breath.

"I bet it suits you in your fancy riding outfit," Emma tried cheering her, while also trying to ignore the unwanted imagining of how Regina might pull said outfit off.

"Snooping, were we?"

"Hey, you told me to put my stuff in your locker—It just happened to be in plain view once I was in there," Emma justified.

"You really are suited to be a cop," Regina smirked, surprisingly unperturbed by Emma Swan amongst her things, especially with Emma still smiling like she had won some sort of challenge.

"Should we see if you are suited to riding as well?"

"Damn right," Emma blustered, her excitement increasingly mixed with nerves. "Let's go see about my steed."

Regina smirked and started walking, just barely leading as Emma followed along.

By the time they made it out, Angus had moved on to other duties, leaving them alone with their horses.

Regina headed straight to her friend first, petting him down his nose as he snorted in return.

"Hello, Ro."

Emma swore Rocinante looked genuinely glad to see Regina in a way she wasn't sure horses were capable of, and he was entirely dismissive of her. She looked over to observe Cupcake, who, while watching them, didn't seem fazed one way or the other.

Regina noticed horse and girl sizing each other up and left Rocinante with a smile to direct Emma over.

"Emma, meet Cupcake. Cupcake, be nice to Emma," Regina teased, gently patting Cupcake's neck as she handled her reins.

Emma came closer, assuaged by Regina's presence and ease, but noticing how large Cupcake was and how powerful her legs looked, she added, "Yeah, Cupcake, be nice."

"That's no way to start, Emma," Regina chastised gently, sensing Emma's uncertainty. "Calm and confident, just like at school."

It was a miracle Emma ever managed to project those qualities since she rarely felt them truly. "I don't know, Regina," she wavered.

"Emma Swan, is that you backing down from a challenge?" Regina taunted, hoping to get Emma riled in the way that it seemed she had a particular talent for.

"No," Emma protested, still warily eyeing Cupcake, "this just seems like making the smart decision."

Regina puffed, shaking her head with an indulgent smile. "Come here."

Regina's open hand drew her in towards Cupcake, making sure they both stayed in her horse's line of vision. Once Emma was by her side, Regina took her hand. Emma didn't have time to consider how normally it was the other way around before Regina led their hands to Cupcake's shoulder, and Emma could feel the short hairs of her coat smooth under her palm. The twitch in her muscles. She was so much more solid than Emma had expected, and warm, and Emma wondered if she had just imagined her encounter with a police horse as childhood fantasy. It would have explained why she was so particularly hesitant now.

After a few strokes, Regina smiled at her as she dropped her own hand and let Emma continue the motion.

"See?" She asked. "Not so bad."

"Maybe when I'm down here," Emma admitted, rather liking the new reality of it all.

"You can pet her all the same when you're up there. I promise," Regina assured. "Ready to try?"

Emma might have protested, but Regina had been right before—Emma didn't really back down. Run maybe, but not from something like this, and not with Regina. She really did want to ride.

"Yeah. Let's do this."

Regina managed to get her on her horse with a little effort—and maybe a shove to her behind. Then, Regina just went through everything—how to hold the reins, how to steer, how to sit, as Emma did just that, allowing herself to be more comfortable on the horse as she listened to Regina's reassuring voice. Regina was an excellent teacher, all warmth and positive attitude in ways Emma would've never expected of her. And Emma wasn't as incompetent as she feared. As soon as she demonstrated a basic command with what was about to happen next, Regina hopped on Rocinante and started them on their journey.

At the beginning, they rode side by side, Regina helping in the little adjustments Emma had to make, but in most places, the trail was just wide enough for them to be one in front of the other. It was fine that way, especially as Emma got an increasing handle on Cupcake, but the easier time Emma had on her horse, the less Regina had to distract her from what was next.

"Hey!"

They had just crossed over the creek, Regina forgoing the jump for the sake of her company, and having explained to Emma that as it wasn't very deep at all, Cupcake wouldn't have any problems with it. Emma's exclamation, however, had her feeling that wasn't the case.

She twisted around to see Cupcake slightly off the trail nibbling at some shrubs on the bank as Emma tried fruitlessly to pull her away.

"You big fatty," Emma grumbled, already feeling the stretch in her legs over Cupcake's significant stomach.

It may have been under her breath, but Regina caught it just the same.

"Seems like you two also share an affinity for snacks," she laughed.

"Hey!" Emma shifted her attention to see Regina, fully capable on her horse (she still would swear that Rocinante was taking pleasure in her ineptitude).

"You're trying to tell me you wouldn't eat every last thing that came across your path—if you were a horse, I mean," Regina sarcastically amended.

Emma glared at Regina for the dig, despite recognizing its accuracy. "Fine," she whined, "Maybe." She returned her focus to Cupcake, who had ambled a little further on the path. Regina took pity on her and called out some help.

"Use your thighs, Emma. Give her a little squeeze right as you turn her away."

Emma did exactly as told, with the intention of proving that her horse was just being stubborn, but somehow it worked just because Regina told her, even though she could've sworn she had been doing the exact same thing for at least half a minute before.

"There you go," Regina chuckled a little as she saw Emma's triumphant return to the trail.

They continued for a while longer until Regina pulled off into the trees, where there didn't seem to be a path, at least not one as worn as the one they were on.

"Where are you going?" Emma asked, knowing that Regina would never lose control of Rocinante.

Regina turned to catch Emma's eye, just barely containing the apprehension that was returning in full force with this new direction.

"We're going to my favorite spot—if you'd like."

"Totally," Emma replied enthusiastically, sensing the shift in Regina's hesitant tone. "We're right behind you. No more snack breaks," she replied half to Regina, half scolding Cupcake.

Regina managed a smile, but Cupcake just huffed as she followed Rocinante into the denser forest.