I added some new folks to the mix to jazz up the story line. This thing just keeps getting more complex and I don't really mean for it to, it just happens that way. Aaaaanywho, here you are. Enjoy!

8.

Regina sat in her tiny office and flipped through page after page of her student's reading quiz results. She found herself shaking her head at the majority of them. "Really Buzz?! Padfoot, Moony and Prongs were most definitely NOT the sons of York." She laughed, drawing an X through the sentence. She scribbled down a very funny, Mr. Weasley in the margin line before flipping to another paper.

Time ticked by. Page after page of random, quirky responses got her into a lighter mood. A knock on her door, got her attention. Looking up, she was met with dark brown eyes and a tangle of dreadlocks pulled back with a tattered, red bandanna.

"Jack!" She smiled, throwing her pen down. "Come on in, have a seat."

"Have you ever wondered about why no one has mutinied that glow-worm of a department chair yet?" He asked, sitting down.

Regina stared that the man for a moment, mentally translating his words. "Sydney?"

"Aye. The little bugger says I has to trim me beard." He said, twisting his braided chin hair around his finger.

Suppressing a giggle, she swung her chair around. "Don't feel bad, Jack. Apparently I am not mean enough to my students."

"Bloody moron he is, I think you are perfectly hateful to the kiddies. It's that damned Sheepskin that needs to be talked to… no he, he is the hateful one. I seen many a person run from his lectures, crying."

"Sheepskin?"

"Ye-ou know… Git that owns that bloody creep shop on the corner, down there in town…" he said, pointing at nothing.

"Are you referring to Gold?"

"Aye, that one." He nodded his head.

"I forgot he was teaching this semester." she smiled. "Honestly, I think you would quite enjoy him if you spent some time around him. He is a rather pleasant man."

"Oi yea, pleasant. That's him alright." Jack laughed, flipping his heavy hair away from his face.

Regina leaned back in her chair. "We should hang out some time, Jack. I think my son's would love to meet you."

He pulled his head up and pushed his chin forward. "Has they heard me story?"

"You mean the sea turtles?" she smiled.

"It really happened, you know."

"I'm sure it did, Jack. Would you like to do lunch with us tomorrow afternoon? My treat."

"That would be lovely, lass. I have a class to teach, ten mins-ago. Might wanta get to that for my kiddos start leavin me." He smiled.

"Go, go. I'll see you tomorrow, then." She laughed, shooing him away.

She shook her head, still laughing and turned back to her papers. Flipping the top page back, she saw the unmistakable script of Emma Swan. She hadn't even bothered with writing her name on the top of the page, just a fancy E in the corner. "This girl." Regina sighed, scanning her answers. After a series of check marks down the page, she came to the bottom. There were ten questions to be answered but there were eleven written on this paper. Slowly, she began to read the mysterious number eleven.

11.) I hope everything is okay. You seem so angry today. I'm sorry if I did something wrong… I didn't mean to. Yesterday was one of the best days I've had in a very long time. I was so nervous but everything felt so right when I was with you. I feel like my emotions are on fast-forward or something… I love being around you… even when you are mad. You're so cute when you're angry.

-E

A sharp intake of air made her lungs shudder. Smiling, Regina ran a finger over Emma's words. Her smile quickly faded when she saw what time it had become. Five o'clock… closing time. She packed up her things as slowly as she could. Everything but Emma's paper. With her trademark red pen, Regina began to write under number eleven.

12.) I was never mad at you, darling. Please come and talk to me after class. Allow me to explain what all this stress is over. I need to speak with you face to face, to avoid any further misunderstandings. I couldn't tell you over email because I have a feeling they are monitored by the university. Please, Emma.

R

Sliding the page into her folder, Regina stood and flipped off her light, exiting her office without turning back.

#

"Em, hey, wake up." Ruby mumbled, gently shaking the blonde who was sound asleep next to her.

"mmm" Emma grumbled.

"Em, we slept all fucking day. We missed Basil's and everything."

"Wha?"

"It's after five, dude. Get up."

Emma's eyes shot wide open and she sat up. "I was supposed to meet Regina today!"

"Uh, yea well, you didn't. Just talk to her after class tomorrow."

"I think I'm going to be sick." Emma whined, holding her stomach. "She thinks I don't want to see her."

"Have you ever been checked for bipolar disorder?" Ruby asked, staring at the blonde who had tangled herself tightly in a giant black and red blanket.

"What?"

"Nothing." she rolled her eyes. "What do you want to eat?" Ruby asked, rolling off the bed.

"Nothing! I just want to lay here and die!" She cried.

"And I'm the dramatic one. Go die in your own bed then."

Ruby walked out into the kitchen to find that Dodger wasn't in his cage. "Dodgie?!" She called, looking around. When she got no response from her pet, she went on a frantic rampage, searching through every room in the house.

"Emma! Dodger is gone!" She called down the hall.

"What do you mean he's gone?"

"I mean he is fucking gone! Did you close the door on your way in last night?"

"Uh, no… I was the first one in the house, Brainiac." Emma said, walking out into the kitchen.

Just as Ruby was beginning to go into absolute panic mode, the front door of the house came crashing open. Both women stood perfectly still and stared into the living room. Jefferson came falling through the door, dog and bright red leash in hand.

"Oh hey, ladies. You're finally awake." He smiled.

"What the fuck, Jeff?!"

"Well, I came over this morning to get you but you weren't up. The door was unlocked… as usual. So I slipped in, checked to see if you were alive… which you were. You two are adorable when you sleep." He smiled charmingly.

"Jeff you creep!" Ruby yelled.

"Hey, I had to make sure you guys were okay. Anyway, I took the pooch out and fed him, watered him, put him back… Left… came back and you bitches were still konked out so I took him back out… "

"Thank you, Jefferson." Emma smiled. You are a good friend. I needed that sleep."

"After the day you had yesterday, I would say you did…. Anyway, I gotta go, I have to go pick Grace up from daycare."

"You have Grace tonight?! She is so presh!" Ruby giggled. "Bring her over?"

"We will see what kind of mood she is in when I get her here. Her mama couldn't get her from the school today so I am, but she still goes home with her tonight." He sighed.

"Oh… Well, tell her I said hi. Have fun with your girl, Jeffie!"

"Thanks." He smiled, leaving.

A giant smile stained Ruby's face. "He is a good guy."

"Yea… he is. Speaking of guys and good, which could also be not-good… Have you heard from August?"

"Nope… he disappeared, like he does. I'm sure he will show up in a few days."

"Uh-huh… and?"

"And I'm done chasing after bad-boys." she huffed, crossing her arms.

"oh yea?" Emma smirked.

"And girls… bad people in general... I just want someone who is sweet and will treat me like I actually matter to them."

"As weird as he is… Jefferson would be great for you… and he loves the dog."

"I don't know about all that." Ruby mumbled.

#

"Well?" Robin bounced on his toes as soon as Regina came through the door.

"We have a lunch date with Jack tomorrow afternoon, I want him to meet the kids." She said, flatly.

"Okay… that should be fun." He smiled. "So, what about Emma?"

"She didn't show up."

"Aww honey, I'm sorry…" he started, in a loving voice.

"No. It's fine. I have her in class tomorrow, we will talk then. It will be fine." She smiled.

"Good. I'm glad you aren't down about it."

"I have to give her time to think everything over. We can't rush through life."

"Right you are, darling." He walked over and took Regina into his arms. "Right you are."

"So… What's for dinner?" She asked, breaking their moment.

"Well," he said leaning back to look her in the face. "I was thinking we could take the kids out to eat tonight…"

"And?"

"And maybe Belle and her hubby."

"I knew it." She laughed. " fiiiine. What time? I would like to get a bath before heading back out."

"Gold doesn't close up shop till seven… so, you go shower. I'll see where the boys want to go."

"You have already talked to them about it, haven't you?"

"Who, darling?" he batted his lashed.

"Belle and Gold, who."

"Why, no. Not without talking to you first." He smiled.

"Lying little shit." She laughed, kicking off her shoes. "I'll be down in a bit. Get the boys washed up." She said, walking away.

Getting up the stairs, Regina began shedding away her clothes. Her red button up was the first to go. She pulled it off without so much as touching a button. Balling it up, she launched it across the room. It bounced softly off the wall and landed in the laundry basket sitting in the floor. "And the crowd goes wild!" she called before making mock-cheering sounds.

"Alright, lame ass, go get a bath." She told herself, stripping out of her remaining clothes and chucking them all at the basket, at once. As soon at the heap left her hands, clothes scattered all over the room, nowhere near her target. "Smooooth." She chuckled, walking into her bathroom.

She let the water run for a moment before pulling open the glass doors of her giant shower. Stepping in, she could already feel the almost painfully hot water, washing away her tension. She stood there, face first, letting the water beat droplets down on her exposed skin. She sank her face into the flowing stream and let its heat rush down her closed eyelids and past her slightly parted lips. Brushing her soaked hair away from her face, she turned and let the water run down her back while trailing her fingers lightly down her skin. Steam rolled all around her. Eyes still shut, she poured slick soap into her palm and ran it through her hair, massaging her scalp.

She could hear Emma talking in her mind. "You should let me wash you." Her voice said, playfully. Regina smiled as she leaned her head back under the stream, letting it chase away the suds from her dark hair. I should let you, darling… But I do not have all night to fantasize about the things we could do in this shower. She thought to herself, grabbing up her body wash and squeezing into a red and purple puff. "Oh, come on, Mills. It would be fun." Regina ran the scratchy ball across her skin in loose circles. Over her shoulders. Down her tone, dark arms. She brought it to her chest and slowly pulled circles of foam over her breasts. Her breath caught in her chest as she brushed past her own nipple. "Nooow we're talkin" Emma's voice laughed in her head.

Slowly, she moved down her body. Her stomach. Her sides. As she moved just under her belly button, a sharp jolt shot through her body. Her legs quivered as she laughed. Shaking her head, she ran the soap down her legs and backed up, letting the water carry it and Emma's voice, away. Better let her do that herself.

Slamming down the handle, she shut off the rushing hot water, and then slid open the glass door. Instantly she was consumed by the cool air of the bathroom. She pulled a fresh towel from a silver rack next to her and dried her face. Goose bumps spread all across her skin as the air continued to bite at her skin. Wrapping the towel around herself, she padded off of the tile floor and onto the warm carpet of her bedroom.

#

"Okay, so I'm going to email her back, tell her I slept all day and that I'm sorry… nothing more, nothing less." Emma huffed.

"Okay, good!" Ruby smiled, happily. "That is a great start."

"Yea whatever." She tapped on her phone for a while and looked back up to her friend. "Sent."

"That's so great, I'm glad you giving her another shot."

"Whoa hey no, not another shot… just a chance to talk to me."

"Well, it's a start." Hummed the brunette. "Now… what are we eating?"

"I need a big, ugly, greasy, fat pizza in my life."

"Me too! Where do you wanna go?"

"I have like nine million quarters saved up… wanna go to Pizza Planet?!" Emma roared, eyes wide.

"Uh, fuck yea I wanna go to Pizza Planet!" Ruby danced. "I'll call the boys and see…"

"No. I don't want Neal around."

"Oh come oooon Em, he is like super awesome at that claw game shit. He won Dodger like seven little alien dudes last time we went!"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Damn it, man." She looked down to see Ruby pouting at her. "You know what?! Fine. Fine. But he isn't riding with us. I'll call Killi and maybe Jeff will be done with Grace before we go."

"It's like the best after seven when all the little kids from in town go home…"

"Fine. Seven it is then. And if you get to bring Little brother with you then I'm calling Leroy."

"Yay, Leroy! He is the greatest."

The ladies got dressed and phoned their friends. They sat at the kitchen table and waited for time to pass. Around 6:30, a car door slammed in front of their house. "Jeff's home." Ruby said, happily, skipping to the door. She pulled it open and stuck her head out. "Hey Jeffie, you wanna Pizza Planet with us in like thirty?"

"Hell yes, I do." He called back. "But I apparently have Grace for the night, now. Baby mama has a date."

"Awesome, you drive. Bring the pumpkin baby." She smiled before shutting the door. She turned to look at Emma who was giving her a hyper-judgmental look. "He, um… he's coming." She smile, embarrassed.

"Uh-huh. I'm sure he is." Emma said, pulling up a brow.

"Oh stop, you prev." Ruby shot, smacking the blonde on the leg. "He is bringing Grace too." she smiled brightly. "I love that kid."

"She is a cool kid. We should put together our earnings for the night and get her something awesome." Emma suggested.

"That would be so great."

"Good...So guess who else got invited and not by me?"

"Oh god, who?!"

"Guess."

"Em, I can't take suspense, you know what!"

"Well… there are two of them and they are both chicks…"

"Let me think." Ruby said, resting her fingertips against her lips. "Well… Leroy probably wants to bring Nova. Which is fine cause she is the shit… A little dumb but still the shit… who else?" She tapped her fingers on her chin.

"Blondish, curly hair…" Emma hinted. "Big, blue, child eyes…"

Ruby looked even more confused that she had been without the hinting.

"Most green wardrobe?!" Emma blurted.

"Oh my god no." Ruby danced.

"Oooo ho ho yea."

"Holy shit snacks! Tee's baaaack!" Ruby finally screamed, taking Emma's hand and swinging her around.

"For a bit. I don't know when she goes back though."

"Who cares! She can stay here tonight. I'll sleep with you and she can have my bed."

"Uh… pretty sure she will be staying with Killi… just a guess."

"Oh yea." Ruby stomped her foot. "Damn boys, stealing all my fun!"

#

"How was your shower?" Robin asked, peaking through the cracked doorway into Regina's room.

"Uneventful." She responded while shaking a thick towel through her hair.

"Pitty. Anyway, you are going to just love where the boys have decided dinner shall be commencing."

"Oh? Are we going to that disaster of a diner?"

"No, even better." He smiled.

"What could possibly be better than that?" She mumbled, sarcastically.

"I'll just tell you that we have to break out the quarter jar tonight."

There was a long silence as Regina slid on clothes and reapplied black eye-liner and mascara. Just as her fingers fell onto the smooth silver of her lipstick applicator, it hit her. "Are you seriously making me go to that retched place?"

"It wasn't me, darling. Your children…"

"Oh do shut up. I know you love that place as much as they do." She mumbled, gliding a deep red shimmer across her lips.

"You're just jealous because I am better at the games than you are."

"Oh, we will see about that, little man." She snapped, playfully.

"LITTLE MAN?! Is that all you've got?" He laughed.

"We will see, darling… I have been working on my moves."

"Oh, challenge accepted, madam." He winked. "I'll see you downstairs when you are finished." He bowed low before leaving her shaking her head.

"I really just don't know what to do about that man." She laughed.

She touched up her face and stared at her reflection. Gazing deep into her own dark, golden marbled eyes; she saw the happiness that she had with her family, dancing somewhere on the surface… The joys of being a mother and having a life with her most cherished friend. She felt the excitement of Emma one day meeting her family and being part of that joy. As she continued to search her own eyes, fear and pain swept over her. "I hope there is still a chance." She whispered, turning away from her disheartened reflection.

#

"Alright then, lads." Robin motioned to the kids to join him. "After careful consideration and a long talk with your mother… we have decided…" He smiled down at them.

"Oh come on, Papa!" Squeaked the little ginger. "Tell us, please."

"Well… We think that going to Pizza Planet is the best option tonight." Robin said, smiling even wider than before.

Two bouncing boys and some joyous screaming later, Robin ran his fingers through both of their hair. "Go put on clean socks. We will leave as soon as your mother is finished putting on her face."

"Why as mum putting on a face?" Roland gaped. "Whats wrong with her old one?"

"Nothing, darling. It's a figure of speech." He said, laughing.

"A what?" Oliver asked, looking painfully confused.

"A figure of speech is when you say something that is known to signify something else."

"Like a needle in a hay stack?" asked the brunette boy, staring up at his father.

Before their dad had a chance, Oliver cut in. "No Roland, that's a ooofa… ooofan-ism." he said, puffing his chest out.

"It is a euphemism, Oliver but it is also a figure of speech." Robin added, proudly. "Who taught you that word?"

"I don't know." The youngest smiled before darting away.

"Well then," Robin laughed, "go on, change your socks."

After both kids ran off, their father leaned against the island. He grinned from ear to ear; proud of the minds he had helped to create. Shuffling by the doorway to the hall made him turn. Regina stood in the mouth of the hall. She had one leg bent up, attempting to shove a black leather high-heeled shoe onto her foot without falling over. One hand working on the shoe, she used the other to brace herself against the wall.

"What a sight." Robin laughed.

Shooting her head up to find her husband staring and laughing at her, Regina abandoned her efforts and took to throwing that same shoe across the room. "I hate these stupid shoes! You wear them!"

Robin caught the projectile and continued to laugh. "Darling, these heels are far too low for me. I prefer a nice solid six-incher." He said, swirling the shoe on his finger.

"Of course you do." She rolled her eyes. "I'm not wearing the damned things. Where are my flats?"

"Last I saw them, Oliver was prancing around in them." He said casually, looking down at the shoe he still held.

"When was this?"

"Last week at some point. He was so proud of himself, I didn't have the heart to take them from him."

"Mercy. Well, looks like I'll have to take him shoe shopping for his own then." She smiled.

"I don't know that, that will be necessary…"

"Why is that?"

"I just have a feeling, darling."

"uh-huh." She mumbled, walking into the kitchen. She leaned back next to her husband and turned to the hallway. "Oliver, darling, can you come here for a moment?" She called.

After a series of banging noises and the distinctive sound of running, the red-head boy skidded out into the hall. "Yes, mum?" he smiled.

"Do you still have my flats?" She asked, softly.

"I'm sorry, do I have your what?"

"My shoes, darling. They are black. You were playing with them a few days ago."

"Oh! Your boy shoes? Yes, I have them."

Regina looked over to Robin with wide, disbelieving eyes. "Can you bring them here please?" She asked, choking back a laugh.

"Right, then. Sure thing." He called, running away from them.

They watched him disappear down the hall before Robin busted into a rage of laughter.

"My man shoes?! What have you been teaching him!" she scoffed, smacking her husband's arm.

"Oh, lord. From the mouths of babes, right?" He laughed on.

"I am going to murder you." She whispered, hearing two sets of running feet echoing down the hall.

"With your man shoes?"

"Just you wait." She warned as they kids came flying into the kitchen.

"Here you are." Oliver smiled, holding up two simple, black, thin soled shoes.

"Thank you darling." She smiled. "Do you have your coats?"

A collective yes shot from the boys as they darted to the door, pulling their coats from the pole. They quickly they pushed their little arms into the sleeves and pulled the rest over their shoulders. Both practically bouncing with anticipation, they stood by the door.

Regina slipped her shoes on and grabbed both her's and her husband's coats. She threw his to him with perfect aim and then folded hers over her arm. "Shall we then?" She crinkled her nose at the boys and opened the door.

#

"Alright so Jeff is drivin, we are meeting everyone else there right?" Ruby asked, smacking her lips.

"Yuhp." Emma blurted, pulling on a boot.

"Em, why are you wearing those stupid boots? Throw them away, please… just do us all a favor." Ruby whined.

"What do you have against my boots?" She asked, looking up at her friend.

"They are ugly, they smell like Mexican food and they turn you into a walking stereotype."

"oh, gee thanks… what do you suggest I wear then?"

"Go get one of the millions of pairs of shoes you own and put them on… I mean how hard is it?"

"I don't have a million shoes, dude. I have like four pairs."

"Then pick one of them that isn't a boot… hows that?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.

"Go get them." Emma huffed, rolling her eyes.

Ruby padded off into Emma's room while she took her boots back off. When the brunette returned, she was holding the same paint cover pair that Emma had worn to Regina's. She narrowed her eyes and sighed. "Fine. Bring em here." She gestured with her hand.

"We are gonna have so much fun tonight! I can't wait to win Gracie something awesome." Danced the brunette.

"Oh, I know."

"What games to you want to hit up first?"

"Well, I'm pretty good at the sports ones and you rock at the weird alien smack game so how bout we split up."

"Great idea." Smiled Ruby, bouncing on her toes. "Are you ready yet?"

"For this, I was born ready." Emma said, jumping from her seat. "Leggo."

Oddly enough, I didn't even plan for them all to be going to the same place but... everyone loves pizza, amirite?! We will see what kind of disasters or not... disasters... are in store for the next chapter. I'm not sure how I want to spin it just yet. Ideas welcome. =) Thanks for reading! -DR