Emma grinned when the familiar black Mercedes passed by her window. Glancing up at the clock, she shook her head. Six minutes to six. It gave Regina a minute to park her car around the corner behind the row of garages that provided the perfect hiding place from her mother's prying eyes, and five minutes to walk the short distance back to Emma's house.
Descending the stairs, she quickly set about pulling on her hat and gloves, and grabbing the hat she had convinced Mary Margaret to knit for her. It wasn't the woman's usual fare, but she had acquiesced nonetheless, creating the relatively simple but stylish dark blue beanie in record time. She had even taken the time to show Emma how to sew on the little crown and swan shaped buttons she had picked up in the local haberdashery around the edge to complete it.
"Hey M&M, that's me heading out. I'll try not to wake you when I get in," said Emma as she hovered by the front window, waiting for Regina.
The pixie haired woman could only smile at Emma's enthusiasm. "Everything all set?"
The blonde turned to her with a grin. "Yup. Ruby text earlier to say it was all good to go." She had had to tell the older woman of her plans when Ruby had turned up to tow the bug to its temporary new location. At the sound of the doorbell, her grin only got wider.
"Have a good night," smiled Mary Margaret as she watched Emma run for the door and yank it open.
"Hey," breathed the blonde, taking in Regina in her black riding boots, leggings and black pea coat. It was practical, as she had requested, but as always with Regina, it was beautifully fitted and professional looking.
"Hey," smiled Regina, uncharacteristically nervous. She still had no idea where they were going or what they were doing tonight.
"You all set?" asked Emma, stepping outside, pulling the door closed behind her. She smiled at the nod she received, even when the older girl's face screamed uncertainty. "Oh, before we go, I have something for you." She took the hat from her pocket, blushing as she held it out.
Regina smiled as her fingers grasped the soft royal blue wool. "It's lovely."
"You really like it?" asked Emma, still unsure. "I mean, I know it's not your usual high end stuff, but I was hoping you might like it."
"I do," nodded Regina.
Emma's smile widened once more, removing the hat from Regina's grasp and putting it on her head, arranging it just so. "Couldn't have my princess getting cold while I drag her around town, could I?" She slipped one hand in her coat pocket, allowing Regina to loop her arm through the space she created. It was something the brunette had come up with, their version of holding hands in public.
Regina frowned at the thought of being dragged around town. She had hoped Emma was rather more romantically inclined than simply settling for walking her around Storybrooke. "Are you going to tell me what we're doing yet?"
Emma turned to look at the brunette, pausing for a moment. "Not yet."