Ruby and Mary Margaret are already sitting in front of the television sipping companionably at glasses of pinot grigio by the time the Sheriff makes her way downstairs. Her hair hangs in damp curls from the shower and she's clad in obnoxiously yellow pyjama pants decorated with small black bat symbols. Pouring herself a fresh glass of wine - noting appreciatively that several unopened bottles stand on the counter thanks to her housemate - she pads over to join the others with a yawn.

"Oh, look, you dressed up for the occasion and everything!"

Ruby grins.

"Emma, you shouldn't have."

Mary Margaret chips in, and the blonde flips her companions the bird as she moves to perch on the nearest armrest; the sofa relatively small and a rather cosy fit for three.

Rolling her eyes, Ruby grabs the blonde's waist firmly and yanks her down with a gleeful grunt; the Sheriff landing ungracefully half on and half off her lap whilst wedged uncomfortably against the side of the sofa. Glaring at the schoolteacher as Mary Margaret chuckles at her expense, Emma moves so that her ass is no longer pressed up against the brunette's hip.

"So what are we watching then?"

She asks dubiously.

"Snow White."

"...Seriously?"

Mary Margaret laughs at the look of disgust the blonde offers the screen and pulls the throw from the back of the sofa and shakes it out over the three of them.

"It's the new one; Snow White and the Huntsman. It's not quite so 'Disney'. You never know, you might like it! It's supposed to be good."

"I just can't fucking stand fairytales."

"Just think of it as homework. Henry will be thrilled you're doing a bit of research."

"Research?"

Ruby asks the others curiously, and Emma shakes her head.

"Never mind. Look, I know the story of Snow White, okay? Same as I know pretty much all the other stories. I just hate the whole princess business, and the macho guys that fuck everything up and the holier-than-thou morals. 'Be good. Be nice. Be virtuous'... How about you shut up, Cinderella, and concentrate on finding some shoes that fit? If the slipper only fit her foot - and don't get me started on that - then why the hell did it fall off in the first place? I mean- what... Why are you looking at me like that? Stop laughing!"

She reaches across the waitress in order to jab the raven-headed woman in the ribs, causing Mary Margaret to cry out in a mixture of pain and laughter. Gathering herself, the schoolteacher offers the blonde a grin as she shakes her head.

"I'm sorry, I've just never seen you get quite so passionate about something before. It's just a movie, Emma."

"I know, I just-... Okay, here's the thing. You have your decent fairytales; your Pocahontas, your Mulan, your Hercules, where the women aren't all running around acting like idiots and waiting for some asshole to come save them. Then you have your mind-numbingly annoying ones featuring your damsels in distress; your Sleeping Beauty, your Cinderella, your Snow White."

"Oh, I don't know, I think there's something quite beautiful about those stories."

"Well, now there's a surprise."

Emma grumbles, and Mary Margaret shrugs as she sips her wine.

"It's not a case of the women being idiots, it's about their belief and their faith in true love and that it will see them through the obstacles they have to face."

"Yeah, uhuh, being idiots, that's what I said."

The blonde sighs.

"You are such an ice queen!"

The waitress laughs; draping an arm around the Sheriff's shoulders as the latter grumbles moodily under her breath

"Just start the damned movie..."

"Wait, I'll go plate up the quiche. Sorry, Ruby, I forgot."

Mary Margaret remembers suddenly.

"No worries."

Ruby smiles, leaning into the Sheriff so that the schoolteacher can free herself from the confines of the sofa and giggling at the way Emma subsequently veers away to the point of causing herself discomfort. Whispering into damp curls, the waitress grins as she allows the blonde a little more space.

"I can see why you like the Mayor. I imagine she's just as opposed to friendly physical contact as you are."

"Ruby!"

Emma hisses, and the brunette smirks while resting her head momentarily against the Sheriff's shoulder to express that she means no malice. To her surprise, the blonde's eyes flicker briefly over to assure her housemate's preoccupation with dinner before she murmurs quietly

"You have her all wrong, you know? Madame Mayor isn't completely impartial to a little sugar."

"Oh my god! Did you just even say that!"

"Shh! I might have. But I'm not saying it again, so-"

"-Oh my god! After the movie, you have to tell me more!"

"Nope. That's all you're getting."

"Emma!"

"Hey, I'm just defending the fact that she's not as cold as she can come across."

"Awww..."

"Oh, shut up!"

"Ha! I'm guessing that's what drew you two together! Your icy exteriors and your acidic tongues!"

"Ruby, I mean it, enough!... And, hey!"

"Hey, what?"

Mary Margaret enquires curiously as she returns to the sofa with three plates balanced in her arms. The others exchange a glance, before the blonde shrugs and reaches for her food.

"Nothing, Ruby's just under the impression that I have an 'acidic tongue'."

"Well, that's just one of the things I have to say about your tongue, given what- Ow!"

The waitress's eyes water as cruel fingers pinch her bare thigh warningly, and she abruptly quits muttering in the blonde's ear.

"Oh, grow up you two! Ruby, stop saying whatever it is you're saying to Emma. Emma, stop pinching Ruby."

The raven-headed woman admonishes with mock agitation as she presses play on the remote and squeezes herself back into her seat; pulling the throw back over the three of them as they eat and drink in attentive silence, the eerie light of the television screen flickering over pale faces.

"Regina."

The Mayor freezes as she makes to take her keys out of her purse, her car a welcome blockade between herself and the untrustworthy man that stands facing her on the pavement.

"Gold. What do you want?"

"Visiting the Sheriff at home now, are we? Business meetings not able to wait until morning?"

"How did you-... Yes. As a matter of fact, there were a few urgent matters Miss Swan needed to know about."

"I see."

Flipping her hair back irritably, the brunette purses her lips and spits out her words venomously.

"You see what? If you have something to say, then say it. I need to get home to Henry."

"Ah yes, but of course. I would hate to keep you from the ones you love."

"... Meaning?"

"Oh, nothing, dearie... I just find your trip to the Sheriff's humble abode to be rather... Fascinating... After our little conversation the other day."

"You're still on that? Well, then I'm afraid I'll have to tell you the same now as I told you then. I can't stand the woman. But, alas, she's the Sheriff, and there are certain communication requirements between herself and I."

"Spoken like a true politician."

"If you say so. Now, excuse me, I have no time for this, my son will be expecting dinner."

"I apologise. Once again it seems as though my words have slipped away from me. I was merely on my way to visit Miss Swan, and I suppose your presence surprised me. You take care now, Regina."

The Mayor offers a curt nod, but she finds herself unable to slip into the plush confines of her Benz. Dark eyes glittering fiercely, she keeps her voice neutral but demanding.

"It seems Miss Swan is rather more popular this evening than one would believe she deserves... What do you want with her?"

"That's my business, dearie. Why the curiosity?"

"A simple question, I assure you. Anyway, she has company, you'd be better off waiting until morning."

"Oh, it will take only a moment. I merely wish to remind her of our little... Situation. I believe I might have found a befitting way for Emma to repay her debt to me."

"Which is?"

Gold's eyes flash with glee as he studies the brunette as she struggles to maintain her poker face; the Mayor's hand gripping her car door in a white-knuckled fist.

"As I said, that's my business. Go home to your boy now, he will be wanting his supper."

Regina regards the old pawnbroker levelly before opening the door to her car fully with a sniff. Dark eyes blazing, she warns him darkly

"Well, whatever your business may be with her, understand this; if any harm comes to Miss Swan as a result of this deal you made with her, you will be held accountable... And I'm telling you that as the Mayor speaking in regards to this town's Sheriff, before you jump to any fanciful conclusions."

"Ooh, your anger! It's giving me shivers, dearie!"

"Then I suggest you think about my anger and what I'm capable of before you hobble up to that decrepit little flat, Gold. Good day."

Slipping into the leather interior of her car, she switches on the ignition and guides the vehicle smoothly on its way, her eyes cast up to the rearview mirror where she watches the little man's mouth form a hateful smile.