That afternoon, when the school bell rang, Emma immediately pulled her cell phone out of her bag and dialed her lover's number.

"Hey, babe," she said. "What are you doin'?"

"Not a lot. I'm about to go to the cafe and grab a coffee. Do you want me to come get you, and we can go together?"

"Nah. That's okay, honey. I should really get home and do my homework. Belle yelled at me before class 'cause I forgot to do last night's reading."

Emma chuckled, but Regina remained serious and stone-faced as she replied, "Young lady, that's completely unacceptable."

"Oh, come on, Gina. I forgot! It's no big deal. I've got a B in the class right now anyway, so it doesn't really matter if I missed one homework assignment. I've been doing everything else on time."

"I was just teasing, love. I know you're doing your work."

"Good, 'cause it's definitely not easy. It's not fair that a junior is smarter than me."

"She's not smarter than you. She's better at studying. It comes more naturally to her than it does you, and there's nothing wrong with that."

"Yeah... Anyway, I'm gonna go, 'cause Belle's off doing something downtown, and I'll have the peace and quiet to study on my own for a while. I love you, baby. I'm really sorry things have been sort of rough lately. I really don't mean to start shit. I guess I'm just stressed out. I shouldn't take it out on you."

"That's... That's really okay, dear..."

"What? What's the matter?"

"N-Nothing... I'm just... I'm surprised to hear you saying that."

"Why? Because I don't know how to apologize?"

"No! No, that's not what I meant. I just... I felt like it was my fault."

"It wasn't. It's been me this whole time, and I'm realizing that now. I'm sorry, babe."

"It's really okay, darling. I'm gonna let you go study now. Be good, okay? Stay out of trouble for me."

"Fat chance. I walk on the wild side."

"Oh, my God, Emma. Shut up," the doctor laughed. "You're ridiculous."

"You're ridiculous for loving me."

"Hush! Go do your goddam homework, would you?"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Emma joked with a smile. "Bye, baby. I'll talk to you later. I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart. Have a good night, if we don't chat again before you sleep."

"You too."

Regina felt good about their conversation. She felt good about the fact that Emma was willing to apologize, and the realization that the arguments were not all her fault came as a relief. What was more important was the fact that they were okay. They weren't fighting anymore. She felt silly for her previous jealousy, and as she thought back on their earlier conversation, she was grateful for Emma's honesty about the situation with Belle. She'd handled it with a level of maturity that few her age possessed.

As the doctor thought back on their time in therapy, she had mixed feelings. On the one hand, she still wore the guilt of being in a sexual and romantic relationship with a former patient. On the other hand, Emma's progress was unmistakable. From the self-injuring girl of low self-esteem, she'd become an independent woman capable of expressing her thoughts and emotions.

As she walked into the coffee shop, she thought of all the ways Emma had changed, which quickly turned into all the ways that she herself had changed. Insecurities flooded in as she wondered, Was I really even a good therapist to Emma to begin with? What if this relationship is just hurting her? She's doing better, but what if... What if she'd be better off with-

But as she made a move to step up to the counter, she saw a young, beautiful brunette in the corner of the shop, who was clearly crying. The figure was unmistakable.

Oh, shit, she was thinking, frozen in her tracks. What the fuck do I do? Do I say something? Do I leave? Should I text Emma? She decided on speaking, against her gut instinct to flee and not deal with the situation. The girl was obviously distressed, and even though she wasn't exactly Regina's favorite person in the world, she was a human being, and that meant that the therapist cared deeply for her welfare. Besides, the girl meant the world to Emma, and that was what mattered most.

As she approached the young woman at the table, her palms began to sweat and her mouth began to dry, but she still managed a greeting anyway, even though her voice shook as she spoke.

"Hey, Belle..." she started, knowing the girl would recognize her immediately, even though they'd never spoken without Emma being around. "Are you alright, sweetheart?"