When Emma woke up in the morning and looked at her phone to check for a message from Regina, she saw her own last words.

'No.'

"Ouch," she muttered, realizing that she'd been overly abrupt and cold, and that she'd probably hurt Regina's feelings. But she'd been too drunk to say more, and she was almost glad that she hadn't said anything else to make things worse.

"Hey, kid," Ruby said, appearing in the living room just as Emma was setting her phone down on her stomach.

When Ruby walked over to her and ran her fingers through Emma's hair, stroking it out of her face, Emma sighed and shut her eyes.

"I'm dumb."

"What? What's going on?"

"When I replied last night, all I said was 'No.'"

"Oooh… Ouch."

"I know, right?"

Ruby bit her lip and paused before replying, not wanting to say anything that would further upset Emma, who was obviously already in a sensitive and vulnerable position.

"It'll be alright. Just text her now and apologize. Tell her you were drunk and didn't want to-"

"But she'll-"

"You should be honest, Emma. Keeping things from her isn't the way to build trust with her."

With another sigh, Emma rubbed her temples and mumbled, "Yeah, I guess so."

"Text her."

"What time is it?"

"Too early to be awake. Just send her a quick text and go back to sleep, yeah?"

"Ugh. Why do you have to be right?"

Ruby laughed and replied, "I grew up, just a little bit, I guess."

"Hey. That's bullshit. You're still a little hoodlum. Can't stay out of trouble to save your life."

"Sure I can!"

"Yeah?"

"Well… No. But still. At least I have a little more insight now."

"Fair enough."

When Emma smiled at her, Ruby's stomach flipped, and she looked away, silently protesting her own reaction to the radiance the girl was exuding.

The blonde asked, "What?" as she sat up on the couch, lifting the pillow behind her slightly to support her back.

"Nothing. Want breakfast?"

"Nah. Not hungry. Still pretty nauseous."

"Aww, hun. I'm sorry. Can I get you anything?"

"Some Tylenol?"

"I'm on it, babe."

When Ruby returned with the medication, Emma looked relieved and took two of the pills quickly before saying, "Thank you."

"Anything for you, kiddo."

Shoving her friend playfully, Emma laughed and said, "Quit calling me that. I'm not a kid anymore."

"You're right," Ruby mused. "You have grown up quite a bit."

There was a short pause before Emma blurted, "I think I want kids, Ruby."

"Uh… What?"

"I think I want kids."

"Is that for real? Are you fucking with me right now?"

"Yes. And no."

"What the… Why? All they do is scream and poop!"

Laughing again, Emma replied, "Because I want that life, Ruby. I want to settle down. Get married. Buy a house. Raise kids with her."

Obviously surprised by the response, Ruby said, "Then you'd better text her."

With a nod, Emma picked up her phone and took her time sending a well-thought-out message to her lover.

'I'm sorry about last night. I was at Ruby's and we got a little drunk. We didn't go anywhere or get in trouble or anything. I was just too drunk to think straight.'

The reply came almost instantly.

'That's fucking great, Emma. You get trashed and you think it's better than getting in trouble?'

'Well, yeah. It is.'

'Alright. At least you didn't get your ass arrested this time.'

'That's not fair.'

'Isn't it?'

'Why are you always so angry with me?'

Of course, this caught Regina off guard as she thought about it. Was it true? Was she really always angry?

'I'm sorry.'

Emma raised her eyebrows and looked up from her phone, glancing over at Ruby.

"What's up, kid?" the brunette asked her, sitting down beside her on the couch. Then, she added, "You should eat something."

"She just said she was sorry."

"What did you say?"

"Well, before that, I asked why she was always angry with me. I haven't replied to her apology yet."

"What are you gonna say?"

"I don't know."

Emma's head fell to Ruby's shoulder as the brunette held her hand.

"It's gonna be fine. She just needed a little space is all."

"What do you think she's feeling? Like, where is this all coming from?"

"I'm not really sure, but I think it's just because she feels ready, and she might be taking your 'no' as a rejection. Like you don't really want her."

"But how could she think that when I'm so in love with her? When I tell her I'm in love with her all the time?"

"Because sex is more intimate. It's the next level in a relationship. And you won't go there."

Sighing, Emma asked, "Should I?"

"I don't think you want to."

"It's not that I don't want to! I just… I don't… I'm not ready. I don't want to ruin it for her."

"Are you sure it's not about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it."

"But I don't-"

"Just think for a minute. Think about where this fear is coming from."

After a pause, the blonde asked, "Fear?"

"Yeah. Fear of 'ruining it for her.' Or maybe it's fear of something else."

"Like what?"

"Think about it, Em."

"I don't know."

"Maybe you're scared that things won't work out, and you'll end up with a broken heart again, having given yourself completely. Maybe you're scared you'll end up with nothing left again."

Shocked by this revelation, Emma lowered her head into her hands and started to cry almost instantly.

"Shit, Em," Ruby breathed quickly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"No," Emma choked out. "You're right. You're right. I'm scared. I don't want to lose her, and I don't want her to hate me for taking that away from her. I don't want to be left with nothing again. What if she changes her mind? What if it doesn't work out? What if-"

"Emma. Honey. Listen to me," Ruby cooed, rubbing her friend's back with a gentle hand. "It's going to be okay."

"But how do you know? How can you be sure?"

"I just am."

"But-"

"You should call her."

"Are you kidding? I'm a mess!"

"You should call her right now, while you're upset, and tell her how you feel."

"No way."

"Just trust me. When she hears how vulnerable you are, she'll let go of whatever anger she's feeling and better understand where you're coming from. Trust me. Just do it."

"I can't. It's embarrassing!"

"Emma, come on. Just do this. Be vulnerable with her. She'll thank you for it later."

"Alright, alright," Emma sniffled, wiping her eyes. "I'm calling."

The phone rang four times before Regina picked up and answered with a simple, "Hi."

Emma could tell she was frustrated. She could hear it in Regina's voice, and it made her waver slightly in her resolve.

"I… I…" she tried, but couldn't get the words out.

"What, Emma? Spit it out."

"I'm s-sorry," the blonde choked out. "I'm sorry I said no. I'm sorry I upset you. I'm sorry I'm a mess. I just… I…"

There was silence from the other end of the line. After a few anxious moments of holding the phone to hear ear and trying to slow her breathing, Emma looked up at Ruby and bit her lip. Ruby responded quickly by rubbing her back again and nodding her head, to signal that she was doing well and should keep going.

"I just don't want to lose you," Emma finally blurted, cracking the silence. "I don't want to give everything to you and then have you resent me for taking it from you to fast, or at the wrong time. And I don't want to give it all up and lose it again…"

"Oh, my God," Regina breathed, shocked at hearing Emma's tears and blunt honesty. "I'm so sorry. I am such an asshole." When there was no reply, but she could hear Emma sniffling, she added, "Are you crying?

"No! I mean, yes. But no, you're not. You're not an asshole. I'm just a wimp, and I didn't know how to tell you."

"I'm so sorry. I thought you didn't really want me. I thought I wasn't good enough for you. And then there's Ruby…"

"Ruby? What does any of this have to do with Ruby?"

"Well… I mean… You slept with her, didn't you? But you won't sleep with me. And now you're hanging out with her again, and I just…"

"It's not like that, Regina."

"I know that now. I'm sorry."

"I just want the timing to be right for both of us, you know? I don't want to mess this up. You mean the world to me."

"Oh, Emma. I'm so sorry."

"You don't have to keep saying that."

"But I am! I am sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for making you feel like I didn't want you. I should have been honest. I guess I just didn't even really figure it out for myself until Ruby kind of pointed it out."

"What?"

After glancing over at her friend again, Emma replied, "She pointed out that I was heartbroken after what happened with her, and that I probably just didn't want that to happen again. I always just kind thought I didn't want to hurt you. But I guess I really don't want to get hurt either."

"Ruby said that?"

"Yeah, she said that. Why?"

"I, um… I don't know. Anyway, I'm not leaving you, Emma."

"Do you, um… Do you want to see me?"

"Please."

"Alright. I'm gonna head back to my apartment and then head back after a shower."

"Okay. Be safe."

"I love you, Regina."

"I love you too, Em."

After Emma had hung up the phone, Ruby smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"See, champ? Told ya."

"How did you know that was going to happen?"

"I just know things. Now, go on. Get ready to leave so you can go see your girl."

"Thank you, Ruby. Seriously."

"I'm sorry," Emma blurted, as soon as she stepped through the doorway.

"Emma, don't. I'm-"

"No, really. I am. I-"

Before Emma could finish, Regina crashed their lips together, cupping the back of her lover's neck to pull her closer. When the blonde started to pull away several moments later, Regina pulled her closer and continued the kiss, her free hand moving around to put a small amount of pressure on the small of Emma's back.

"Don't," Regina whispered. "Don't pull away."

Emma wrapped her arms around Regina's waist and smiled into the kiss.

"I love you," she whispered, earning an echoed response from her lover.

"I don't want you to stay in your apartment," Regina blurted suddenly, as soon as they finally did end the kiss.

"What?"

"I want you here."

"Regina…"

"Please, Emma."

"I don't think-"

"Please, just tell me why, then. Why are you so afraid to be close to me? Why are you so afraid that I'll leave you?"

"I don't know, okay? I've been left before, and I lived through it, but if I lost you… I couldn't handle it."

"And you think living in your own apartment, away from me, will prevent that?"

"Well… No… but…"

"You pushing me away is not going to bring us closer together."

In that moment of realization, Emma froze. Instantly, it became blatantly clear that her own thought process was contradictory to reality, and as she discovered this, her cheeks turned an embarrassed shade of pink.

"Well?" Regina pressed impatiently.

"I'm… I'm sorry. You're right. It's silly. It's stupid. I'm sorry."

"It's not stupid, honey," Regina sighed. "It just doesn't make sense. I can understand where those feelings are coming from, but you should temper those thoughts with logic. I wouldn't be asking you to move in with me if I didn't want this to last."

"I…"

"Emma."

"Regina… I still don't think it's time for us to move in together. And besides, as much as I love your parents, it would be a little awkward for me to keep staying here. For a little while, as I got back on my feet, it made sense, but now… I need to be independent. And not just to distance myself from you. I need to do some things on my own. I don't want to be co-dependent. I want to be able to-"

"Is this about Ruby?"

"What?" Emma gaped, staring at Regina.

"Is this about Ruby?"

"What does that even mean?"

"Are you just wanted more space to have her-"

"Regina! What the fuck!"

"I'm just asking."

"It doesn't sound like you're 'just asking.' It sounds like you're being paranoid and overbearing. And it sounds like you're trying to pressure me into something that I've already told you several times that I don't think is right for me to do yet."

"Shit. Emma, I'm sorry. Fuck." Stepping backwards until the backs of her legs were pressed against the bed, Regina sat down and hung her head in her hands. "Fuck. I'm such an idiot. You're totally right. I'm jealous, Emma. And it makes no sense. I guess we both have our own irrational thoughts and insecurities to deal with. It's just that it feels like you're avoiding this because you're either scared or seriously just don't want to be that close to me."

"I'm not! I swear I'm not. I do want that. I just don't think it's the right move for me right now. I won't speak for you, but for me… I'm not ready." When Regina didn't look up at her, Emma continued, "To be honest, it seems like you don't even trust me, which is where all this Ruby paranoia is coming from."

"I do trust you, Emma… I just…"

"See?"

"Emma, please, listen to me. I trust you. I do. I'm just scared. It's just my own insecurity. My own shit. Not you. I'm realizing that now."

At first, Emma said nothing, but when she looked at Regina as the girl lifted her head, she could tell this was the truth.

"Alright," the blonde said slowly, making her way over to the bed and sitting down cautiously beside the brunette. "So what now?"

"Can you tell me when you do see us moving in together, or what that would look like?"

"Sure. I mean, I guess I want it to just be us. I want us to have our own place together. Actually, Gina… I was thinking maybe when you start school, I could move with you…"

"What? Really?"

"I know you were not really sure about going without me… but I want you to go. You need to go. And I have nothing here. No family, no one. I don't want to be without you, but I don't want to hold you back from your dreams. So… maybe I could go with you, and we could get a place together. I'll get a job and pay for the place while you're in school, and-"

"Wait, wait, wait. You're not paying for the whole thing yourself. It's not like I won't have a job, and I-"

"No way! You're not getting a job while you're in school! You need to focus on your studies."

"That's not happening. I'm not letting you pay for everything. If you really insist that I don't get a job… Mom and Dad always said they'd pay my rent while I was in school. And as soon as I get a job after school, I'll pay my own way. Okay?"

Slowly, a smile crept over Emma's lips as she replied, "Okay, babe. I guess that's fair."

"So… You really want to move with me?"

"Yeah, I do. And that gives us plenty of time for me to find a job and for us to find a place to live."

Throwing her arms around her lover, Regina squeezed Emma tightly and kissed her cheek, saying, "I love you so much."

When Regina pulled away, though, Emma's smile faded.

"So… What are we going to do about the Ruby thing?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean… You're jealous… and I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable… So, what can I do to make you feel better about us being friends again?"

"I'm not going to ask you to change your relationship with her just because of my own jealousy."

"We can compromise. It doesn't have to be all my way."

After a thoughtful pause, Regina replied, "Do you think… Do you think I could meet her?"

"What? You want to meet her? But… why?"

"I don't know… I guess maybe I would feel better if I knew… I don't know."

"If you knew what?"

"I don't know. I can't explain it. I just feel like if I knew her it would be harder to hate her."

"If… If you really want to, I'll ask her. If you're sure."

"I'm… I'm sure."

"You don't sound sure."

With a sigh, Regina rested her head on Emma's shoulder.

"I just want to make you happy. I just want to be enough for you."

"You are enough for me! Regina. You've always been enough for me. You're more than I've ever dreamed of."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Emma assured her with a smile, gently stroking her hair. "I love you. I'll text her right now."

'Hey Rubes. So… Gina wants to meet you. Do you think you'd be up for that?'

'Yeah, I'm down, if you're sure that's chill. When?'

"Gina?" Emma asked, looking up from her phone. When the girl met her gaze, she asked, "When do you want to meet her?"

"Is she okay with it?"

"Yeah, she just wants to know when."

"I mean, anytime really. I'm nervous, though, so… the sooner the better, I guess."

"Now?"

"I… Yeah. Yeah, that's probably a good idea."

'Anytime. Now, if you want.'

'I'll be over in fifteen.'

'108 Mifflin St.'

"She said she'll be over in fifteen," Emma announced, kissing her lover's temple. "You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah. I'll be okay."

When Ruby knocked at the door, all three felt their stomachs flip in anticipation for the awkward moment that was to follow.

"Hey, Rubes," Emma greeted the girl, offering a nervous smile. "This is Regina."

"Hi. I'm Ruby."

"Come on in. Are you hungry? I can make us something to eat if you two would like."

"No, thank you. I just had a bite to eat before I left the house, actually. Thank you very much, though."

Emma hadn't heard Ruby use that impeccable manners probably ever, so she was shocked by the girl's polite and respectful demeanor.

"Alright then," Regina replied. "Well…"

When Regina trailed off, Emma picked up the conversation and asked, "You guys want to play Monopoly or something?"

Both girls laughed at this, and Ruby quickly chimed in with, "God, you're such a nerd."

"I'm not a nerd!" Emma cried, sticking out her lower lip as she pouted. "Besides, you're just scared you'll lose."

"Against you? Doubt it."

"Hey, listen, punk. I-"

"Ladies," Regina chuckled. "Settle down. I'll kick both your asses without even trying."

"Okay, first of all-"

"No, I wanna see this," Ruby cut in with a grin. "Let's do it."

"Aaaaand, there you have it, ladies!" Regina told them with a smirk, several hours later. "Beat you both by $1,800. Any questions?"

"ASSHOLE!" Emma shouted, falling back onto the carpet and staring up at the ceiling, exasperated.

"As I'm sure you know," Ruby said, "Emma here is a sore loser."

"Whatever!" the blonde cried, sitting up quickly. "I got second place, anyway. You were the first one bankrupt."

"Hey, hush up. She's good, alright? Chica knows how to handle her money."

Grinning, Ruby offered Regina a wink, which startled the girl somewhat, but after a moment of surprise, Regina returned it with a smile.

"Ugh. You two oughta start a Let's-Pick-On-Emma Club."

"Omigod," Ruby gasped. "That's a great idea!"

Regina burst out laughing at this and playfully slapped Emma's knee.

"Shut the fuck up, Ruby," Emma told the girl with a scowl. "At least I can kick your ass at videogames any day."

Ruby's expression darkened, and she went quiet at this.

"Aww, what's the matter, Rubes? Sore loser much?"

Grabbing the closest couch pillow to her, Ruby swung hard at Emma's head, making contact on the first swing.

"Hey!" Emma cried loudly. "Knock it off!"

But Regina took her opportunity to join in and grabbed the other couch pillow, enthusiastically hitting Emma's side.

"Not fair!" the blonde shouted. "I don't have a pillow!"

"Don't be such a sore loser, Em!" Regina laughed, hitting her again.

Ruby fell over laughing at this, which gave Emma the opportunity to grab the girl's pillow. She swung it hard, first at Regina's head, then used it to cover Ruby's face.

"Quit it!" Ruby demanded, through her laughter, voice muffled by the pillow as she tried to push it away.

Regina pilled her off quickly and wrapped her arms around her from behind, kissing the side of her neck and causing Emma to shiver.

When Ruby sat up and saw this, she bit her lip involuntarily and had to look away.

As soon as Emma noticed this, she asked, "You okay, Rubes?"

The girl nodded instantly, but said, "I should get going."

"Stay for a movie," Regina offered, without waiting for Emma's response.

The blonde's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise at the offer.

"I… I really should-"

"No, come on. Stay. I'll make dinner."

"You really should-"

"She's going to argue with you until you say yes," Emma told Ruby. "Just stay."

With a sigh and a smile, Ruby nodded her head.