The next morning, Emma woke to Regina shaking her shoulder, holding out a plate of chocolate chip pancakes, complete with a side of warm maple syrup.

"What's this?"

"Breakfast, silly girl. What else would you call it?"

"Sweet. I'd call it sweet. No one's ever made me breakfast before."

The smile that played at Regina's lips lit up Emma's eyes, making the girl's heart swell as she took the plate and slowly started to eat.

"Jesus, babe. This is amazing. You're a great cook."

"I do what I can," she giggled with a shrug, sitting down beside Emma on the couch. "I'm not sure I'd call it 'amazing,' but I appreciate the compliment.

"Why are you doing this?" Emma asked, suddenly looking concerned as she set the plate down on the coffee table.

"Because you deserve it, sweetheart. I know you don't understand that yet, but someday I hope you will."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that you're worth much more than you think. I know it doesn't feel like it, because of the way you've been treated, but I promise you it's true. You're special - to me, especially."

"That's some bullshit if I've ever heard it."

"You think so?"

"Yeah, I do. Psychologists are all full of shit."

"Hey!" Regina cried. "I thought you trusted me."

"I do," Emma sighed. "I'm sorry. I just... This is hard for me, especially when I feel you pulling away from me. It makes me feel... Nevermind. Just forget it."

"Talk to me."

"Fine," the blonde sighed. "It makes me feel worthless - not good enough."

"You are good enough. This just scares me too. But I'd rather lose my job than lose you."

Emma looked surprised as she straightened her back, her muscles tightening. She looked at her lover.

"You mean that?"

"Why else do you think I'd bring you here?"

"To play with me? To fuck me?"

"I didn't bring you here for that! I brought you here because I feel something with you I've never felt with anyone else. And I brought you here because I trust you. Should I not?"

"Of course you should."

"Then trust me, too."

"I do trust you."

Emma pulled the woman close and kissed her lips.

"You taste like chocolate," Regina giggled, licking her own lips.

"Sorry," Emma mumbled, a blush of embarrassment rising to her cheeks.

"No, I like it."

Regina gave Emma a gentle smile.

"Alright, sweetie. You gotta get up now. Time for school."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious. You need to be serious, too. It's not a game, Emma. You need to graduate."

"I know," the blonde sighed, looking defeated. "Can I borrow some clothes?"

"Sure, but you're not gonna like 'em."

The two went through Regina's closet together, trying to find something Emma would tolerate.

"This stuff would only look good on you. I'd look like a clown."

"I think you'd look nice in this," Regina said, holding up a light blue buttoned shirt.

"You're kidding. It's school, not a job interview."

"It's business casual," Regina laughed, nudging the girl's shoulder. "Come on. Just try it, and if it looks stupid, I'll tell you. I promise."

Emma agreed and disappeared into the bathroom for a shower. Once out of the steaming water, she tried on the shirt and stared at herself in the mirror, unsure of what to think. It certainly wasn't her style, but she did look professional - not that that was what she was going for. Emma was hoping for casual, but everything Regina owned was way too nice for her to feel comfortable in.

"I look silly!" Emma called out from the bathroom, nervously wringing her hands as she stood in front of the door.

"Just get out here and let me see!"

With a shaky sigh, Emma reappeared. The shirt hugged each of her curves, and the first two buttons that weren't done up showed off her pale neck and cleavage. It accentuated the softness of her features in a way Regina had never seen before. Usually, it was jeans and a T-shirt, but this look... this look she liked even more.

"You look gorgeous," the brunette told her. "Stunning, really. Please don't take it off."

"Don't you have a T-shirt for Chrissakes?" Emma groaned, covering her face with her hands.

"Maybe," Regina said with a smirk, "but I'm definitely not letting you have it now. You look way too good in that for me to let you wear anything else."

"Oh, come on! Just give me the goddam T-shirt!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

The brunette was still grinning, her arms crossed over her chest as she watched Emma's anxiety rise. It wasn't that she enjoyed watching Emma squirm - okay, maybe a little - it was just that she knew she was right. The shirt did look damn good on her.

"We gotta go. You're gonna be late."

The two rushed out the door, and Regina threw the car into drive, knowing Emma would be punished with detention if she was late. On the way, she looked over at the girl several times before speaking.

"What are you going to tell them?"

"Who?"

"Your foster parents."

"Shit, man. I don't know. You think of something."

Regina thought hard but ended up in the same place as Emma: stuck.

"I don't know either."

"Yep," Emma said. "I'm fucked."

"At least they won't-"

"Don't," the girl interjected, looking sternly at Regina. "You don't know that."

"Well they haven't yet, right?"

"No, but their kids have."

"What do they care where you were last night?"

"They'll find any excuse to beat on me."

Emma rubbed her eyes as they pulled up in front of the school.

"When can I see you again?" the blonde asked.

"Wednesday. I'll pick you up here."

"Why not tomorrow?"

"Because they know you don't have an appointment with me tomorrow, and they'll wonder where you are if you leave."

"I guess you're right," Emma conceded, pushing a hand roughly through her hair. "I'll see you Wednesday."

Emma kissed her lover's cheek and exited the car looking hopeless and depressed. As Regina pulled out of the parking lot, she felt the same way.

"Hey, fag."

The bully's arms outstretched and shoved Emma's shoulders, sending her backwards into a locker. Her back hit the iron wall with a crash as the locker doors behind her slammed shut.

"Just leave me alone, Austin."

"Excuse me?"

"I said leave me alone."

But Emma barely looked serious. Instead, her face was weary with exhaustion from the emotional effort of getting through the day. Her thoughts were elsewhere, back in the apartment with her former therapist. She barely snapped out of her trance, even when the boy shoved her again.

"Just get it over with," she sighed, leaning her head back against the locker, holding very still.

She expected him to wind his fist back and bring it crashing into her face, but he just stared at her.

"What the Hell is wrong with you?" he asked anxiously. "Aren't you going to fight back?"

"No."

"Well, that's no fun. I guess I'll catch you later, dyke. You'd better watch yourself."

Emma said nothing. Instead, she made her way to her next class and sat quietly, barely listening to the teacher as he lectured.

"Miss Swan," the man at the front of the class called out.

She lifted her head, looking away from the page below her pencil where she had doodled a picture of a dragon setting fire to the school.

"Yeah?"

"Can you tell us the name of the benefactor of Pip in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, the book we're currently reading in this class?"

"Not really."

With a sigh, the teacher pointed to the door.

"Get out, Emma. Go to the principal's office and report for detention after school. Next time, pay attention in my class."

She silently gathered her things and left the room, knowing there was nothing good waiting for her in the office. Surprisingly, though, they gave her very little flack. She sat quietly in the office until the bell rang, then made her way to detention. Given that she wasn't allowed to work on homework, Emma sat with her head on the desk, picturing her lover and the time they'd spent together the night before.