Emma had noticed on the drive back that Regina had been becoming quieter and quieter the closer to town they got. It was subtle to begin with, but as they started to pass the first few houses on the edge of the town, Regina was silent. And it wasn't a comfortable silence. "Regina, is everything okay?"

The brunette glanced away from the road for a moment, trying for a reassuring smile but failing.

"Regina, please, tell me," pleaded Emma. "If I done something wrong..."

Regina shook her head. "It's not you...it's just..." She paused, taking a deep breath. "We need to talk." She pulled the car over to the side of the road, looking around to make sure no one was around to see them. The problem with driving her mother's old Mercedes was not that it wasn't comfortable, but rather that everyone knew who it belonged to. Turning to look at Emma, she decided to go for it, and just be honest. She dropped her gaze to her fidgeting hands. "Every chance my mother gets, she tries to set me up with some politician, or their son and I hate it, but it's what she expects..." She looked up as pale hands took her own.

"Regina, if you're trying to tell me your mum doesn't know about you liking girls, that's fine with me..." She reached up with one hand to stroke a tan cheek. "I haven't told someone like that I do...I never really had anyone to care what I was, what I did."

"It's not even telling her, it's the fact I know how she'll react," sighed Regina. "She'd never accept it." She could feel the tears in her eyes as she was pulled into a hug.

"This isn't you breaking up with me, is it?"

"No!" said Regina, turning to look at Emma. "No, I don't want that. I just..."

"Regina, it's okay," said Emma, smiling gently. "Look, I know what I am batting way out of my league. I'm not perfect. I am a long way from perfect, and so to even have a tiny chance with you, is amazing to me. I can do whatever you need me to make this work. This weekend has been amazing. Being with you has been amazing. I don't want to lose that."

Regina was crying in earnest now, hating how easily she became emotional over this girl. "This weekend was amazing," she said with a watery smile. "And I love the fact you didn't try to hide away in front of my friends. It's just...that can't happen when we're back here. When we're in school, or in public..."

Emma leant over and wiped away the tears that tracked down Regina's cheeks. "Hey, come on, stop these tears. I get that your mom is the Mayor, and she no doubt knows everyone, and I get that means we have to be careful in public, but you under estimate my ability to sneak around," she grinned as Regina's lips quirked up in a slight smile. "Growing up in foster care, I didn't pick up a helluva lot of skills, but sneaking around was one thing I perfected."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Did you miss the bit where I admitted just how far out of my league you are?" chuckled Emma. "Regina, I would walk over hot coals in burning boots to have a chance with you."

Regina shook her head, still trying to comprehend why Emma was so willing. "I just don't want you to feel like I'm ashamed of being with you, but my mother..."

"Regina, you don't have to explain it to me," sighed Emma. "Even if I was a guy, I wouldn't be the guy your mother wanted you dating. In her eyes, I get that I'll never be right for you, but out of her sight, when it can be just us, I'd like to try and show you I could be." She lifted their joined hands, pressing a kiss to the back of the other girl's.

Tears spilling over once more, Regina nodded. "I'd like that. I'd really like that."