I do NOT own the characters or OUAT.

Well well well, you guys are surely conflicted. Some of you think Regina has changed and some of you think she won't change just yet. This chapter is packed with stuff so I hope you enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think about Neal and Regina's actions.

Chapter 22

A few days later, Regina could be found at "work" doing paperwork. She looked at the clock and smiled when it read 2:54pm. She quickly finished what she was writing and went looking for her father. It had been a long week and it was only Tuesday. Her and Emma had plans to go to the movie theater and she wanted to show Emma that she could be fun.

"Done so soon?" Henry asked when she walked into his office with a stack of papers.

"Yup, I have plans so...can I go now?" Regina asked.

"Sit. I want to talk to you," he pointed to the chair in front of his desk.

"What's this about?" She asked after she sat down. She wasn't in the mood for a speech.

"I need your opinion...I'm meeting with David and Gold about a youth center and I was wondering...is it a good idea?" He asked.

She smiled, she loved kids, "Of course. Children need a place to be free daddy, a place they feel safe. Even the teenagers need a nightclub or something."

He smiled, "Well, I'm glad you're so passionate about it because I plan on proposing that you run the whole thing."

"M-me? You'd trust me with a whole business?" She asked.

"Of course, I love you Regina. You and I both know you're capable of doing so, so why not give you a chance?" He asked.

XXXXX

Group Message: Squad Goals 2.0

Neal: Anyone busy tonight?

Lily: No, it's Tuesday…

Me: Depends on what time.

Robin: Well milady, we didn't realize you were so busy.

Ariel: Come on Em…

Me: What do you guys want to do?

Neal: Found this cool spot just a little bit outside of town, has a waterfall and everything.

Lily: ;) Awesome

Killian: I want to come.

Me: Ew

Lily: Ew

Lily: Who added the cheater to the group chat?

Robin: He's still our chum

Lily: Ew.

Neal: So are you coming or not Emma?

Me: Uh...sure I guess. I have to ask Regina, we kinda have plans.

Neal: Lmfaoooo

Killian: That's pure comedy.

Robin: Lol

Ariel: Emma, ask her, I'm sure she'll let you come

Lily: *rolling eyes emoji* Tell my sister to get over herself.

Me: *rolling eyes emoji, stale face emoji, annoyed emoji* Not funny. It's the respectful thing to do...she might have something special planned.

Neal: Yeah like hiding bodies…*tea emoji*

Killian: Dude!

Me: What do you know that I don't?

Neal: Nevermind, just come hang out with your friends.

Robin: It'll be fun...come on.

Me: Ugh ok, I'm down.

Emma sighed. Neal knew something, something about Haans. She was scared to tell Regina because she'd only want to make sure Neal kept his mouth shut. She was also scared to ask Regina if she could go out with her friends because she knew how much Regina's hates Neal.

Babyyy: I'm outside little swan.

Emma smiled widely before grabbing her things and running out of the house. She hopped in the car and looked at her girlfriend, "Hi baby."

"Hello dear, how was your day?" Regina asked before shifting gears and pulling off.

"It was pretty ok, I went shopping with Aurora. How about you?" Emma asked.

"Well, work was...work but my father has a project that he wants me to be in charge of," Regina said.

Emma smiled, "Really? Tell me more."

"Eh...I don't know," Regina blushed nervously.

Emma had never seen this side of her girlfriend before, she looked extremely nervous like she would be judged or something, "What do you mean you don't know?" She placed her hand on the brunette's thigh, "Talk to me."

Regina instantly relaxed, "He wants to build a youth center and he knows how much he likes kids…"

"You like kids?!" Emma was completely surprised.

"Yes, I do," Regina nodded, "Is that...odd?"

"No, oh my goodness, no. It's beautiful. So does that mean you want kids…?" Emma asked.

Regina blushed, "Yes, I want at least 5."

"5?!" Emma giggled, "No way."

"You have no say so," Regina scoffed, "It's up to God."

"I will literally pray everyday that we only have 2," Emma said.

"So you want kids with me?" Regina asked.

Emma reached over and played with Regina's hair, "I want everything with you," she was looking at Regina with dreamy eyes. She didn't know when her infatuation with her girlfriend surfaced but she slowly becoming obsessed with anything Regina. Could it be the fact that she knows Regina killed a man just to protect her? No...that's creepy right?

Regina glanced over with a smile on her face, "Really? I'm glad because I can't see my future without you in it Swan."

Emma blushed, "Well then…"

"What?"

"I don't have anything to say," Emma blushed even more.

Regina smirked, she had left little Swan speechless.

Graham was at the park playing basketball Mulan when he saw Lily walk past with Ariel, he groaned when he noticed her very tiny blue jean shorts and black crop top, "Bruh…"

Mulan laughed, "Bruh? What's troubling you?"

"That little...I don't even know what to call her. She's wrecking my brain," he sighed.

Mulan looked at her friend, "What's the big deal? Regina's dating your sister, why can't you date hers?"

"Because...it's different. I gave Regina my blessing, she wouldn't have even approached Emma if I didn't say it was ok. She strictly told me to stay away from Lily, I can't go behind her back," Graham sighed.

"Why of course you can," Frederick smirked as he walked up, "Can I join?"

"Sure bro," Graham tossed him the ball.

"So who says you can't keep stuff from Regina?" He asked.

"You don't know Regina like I do...she'd kill me if I even flirted with Lily, let alone kiss her or…"

"Or…?" Mulan smirked.

"I don't even want to think about it," he shivered, "I mean, she's awesome but she's not worth my friendship with Regina."

"I guess but you-"

"GRAHAM!" Lily yelled from across the park. She looked at Ariel, "Look at him, all sweaty and shirtless."

Ariel chuckled, "You are nothing but trouble."

"Always," Lily smiled evilly. Graham jogged over to her, "Hi."

"What's up ladies?" He asked while wiping some sweat off his body with a towel he brought with him.

"Nothing, I just wanted to say hi," Lily smirked.

He smirked, "Hi."

"I have a question," she blurted out.

"What's your question?" He asked.

"Are you free tonight?" She asked.

"Yeah, I think," he nodded.

"I was thinking maybe we could-"

"Lily...look I really want to hang out with you but I can't, your sister would kill me-"

"I don't want to talk about Regina, I want to talk about us. You know I like you and I know you like me...man up and take what you want," she scoffed.

"Hey! I am a man," he scoffed back.

She smirked, "Prove it."

He grabbed her face and kissed her deeply, she whimpered softly and wrapped her arms around his neck, turning the whole park's attention on them.

XXXXX

Later that night, Emma and Regina walked out of the movie theater with a content smiles on their faces. Emma loved spending time with Regina outside of the house, it was rare thing. They still had to be careful of who was watching but tonight everyone seemed to be minding their own business.

Neal: Dude, we are about to head out, meet us there?

Emma sighed and looked at Regina as they walked back to the car, "G-Gina?"

"Yes, little swan?" Regina asked.

"Uh…" She looked down at the ground, she was terrified of the brunette's reaction, she took a deep breath, "So my friends are going out tonight and I wanted to know if I could tag along…"

Regina stopped walking, Emma gulped, "What friends Emma?"

Emma sighed, "Lily, Ariel, Robin, and…Neal."

"No, absolutely not!" Regina snapped, "You are going anywhere with Neal, I thought I told you to stay away from him."

"Yeah but baby-"

"We'll finish talking when we get in the car," she said before storming off towards the car.

Once they reached the car, Regina quickly pulled off. She was pissed, she gripped the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white, Emma noticed, "Baby can you calm down?"

"Why do you want to go?" She asked.

"Because they are my friends and I want to have fun," Emma stated.

"Am I not fun?!" Regina questioned.

Emma hated being yelled at, she nearly sunk into the seat, "You are but I never hang out with my friends and I figured it wouldn't hurt. You can't have me all the time, you have to share me at some point."

The brunette stomped on her breaks, "Excuse me what?"

Emma refused to look at the blonde, she just stared out the window, "I said you have to share me-"

"Says who?!" Regina snapped.

Emma slowly looked at her, "Me. I want to see my friends baby."

Regina took a deep breath, she couldn't treat Emma like a prisoner. Truth be told, she was scared, she was terrified that Emma would stray away from her. That was her biggest fear, losing Emma. She looked at her girlfriend, "Where will you all be tonight?"

Emma gulped, she forgot about this part, "Um well see...Neal said he found this spot outside of town, with a waterfall-"

"That sounds a lot like our spot, Emma," Regina reminded through gritted teeth.

"I know but-"

"So you want to go to our spot, with him?" She asked.

"It's not just with him, I will be with Lily and Arie-"

"Don't try to water it down Swan!" Regina yelled.

"Baby I don't know what you want to hear," Emma said.

Regina sighed and continued driving down the nearly empty street. She didn't say another word to Emma the whole car ride, Emma wanted to be with Neal tonight, that's how she saw it. It might seem silly or immature to be angry but not to Regina, she knew she wasn't perfect and she was scared her flaws would be her downfall especially when it came to nearly perfect Neal.

Emma looked at Regina when they pulled up in front of her house, "Why am I back home? I thought we were going to your place."

"No, I'm going to my place. You are going out with your friends," Regina said in a monotone voice.

"If you don't want to go-"

"Just go Emma," she replied, "If your brother is home, tell him to come outside."

"Ok...I love you," Emma said softly.

"I love you too Emma," Regina said while still looking forward.

"Can you call me little swan?" Emma asked with a pout. Regina didn't reply, she simply clenched her jaw, signaling Emma to leave the matter alone, "Well...goodnight." Emma leaned over and placed a soft kiss on the brunette temple, then her cheek, "I love you," she whispered in her ear before getting out of the car.

Graham was sitting in the living with Maleficent watching Insurgent, when Emma came through the door he looked her way, "Hey sis."

"Hi. Hey Mal," she gave a tiny wave.

"Hello smaller Swan," she teased, "Where's my best friend?"

"She's outside actually. G, she wants you to come out," Emma said before going upstairs to change.

Graham looked at Mal and shrugged before they both exited the house, "Yo yo to," Graham smiled as he walked up to the car, "Mills, what's up?"

She smiled, "Are you guys busy?"

"Nope, why?" Graham asked.

"Party at my house," Regina smirked, "Get in the car."

Emma walked over to her friends with a meek smile, she wore a bikini top and blue jean shorts. They had a big wireless speaker playing music, Ariel was currently eating pizza from one of the four boxes, Killian and Lily were in the water arguing. Emma chuckled, yup these were her friends.

"Yo Emma!" Neal called from a big rock, "Come jump with me!"

"Next time!" She yelled back as she walked over to Ariel, "Having fun?"

"Uh yeah, it's actually pretty cool. The water feels great," Ariel noticed a little sadness in Emma's eyes, "Hey, you alright?"

"I'm fine," she said.

"The truth please?"

Emma sighed, "Regina and I found this place…"

"So let me guess, she's not happy you're here especially with Neal," Ariel sighed, "Why'd you even tell her we were coming here?"

"I won't lie to her and plus, she'd follow us. My girlfriend is very protective of me, I wouldn't be surprised if she showed up," Emma nodded.

"Hmm, that's true but I heard she was having a party tonight," Ariel said.

"Excuse me what?" Emma asked.

"Yeah, I saw it on Tink's snapchat," Ariel shrugged.

"Tinkerbell is at Regina's house right now? I have to go," Emma said.

"No no no, you have to stay here with your friends," Ariel said.

"And just let her and Tink spend the whole night together, no way," Emma said.

"Now you know how she feels when you hang out with Neal," the girl shrugged.

"But this is different, Neal and I never had sex. Her and Tink have," Emma sighed, "Hey...who's side are you on anyway?"

Ariel chuckled, "Yours always yours, but as your friend...I have to let you know when you're wrong. It can't be a one way street Em."

Emma sighed and grabbed a slice of pizza, "I'm staying."

About thirty minutes later, Emma and her friends were all having fun. Lily and Killian stopped arguing and actually joined in. Emma was at the top of a rock about to jump off, "Guys I'm scared!"

"DO IT!"

"Come on Em!"

"Don't be a wuss Swan," Killian said before pushing her off of the rock causing her to scream loudly.

"EMMA!" Lily quickly swam over to her best friend, that idiot had pushed her closer to the waterfall where the water much deeper.

XXXXX

"Stay here," Mal warned, "She's fine Regina."

"I just have to go check on her, she could be kissing him right now or...worse…" Regina worried.

Cruella handed her a shot glass, "Have another one darling, it'll calm your nerves."

Regina threw back the shot before grabbing another one and throwing it back, "Better."

"Good. You have to learn to trust Emma, she's a smart girl," Mal said, "She wouldn't cheat on you."

"He wants her so bad," Regina whined.

"We know," they said as a unit.

XXXXX

"Emma, come on Emma wake up," Neal begged.

"Is she dead?" Ariel asked.

"Don't say that!" Lily yelled, "Neal please help her."

"Everybody just stand back," Neal said, "I got this."

Robin shoved Killian, "You idiot! You do realize if she's not ok, we will all die right?!"

"I'm not scared of Regina," Killian scoffed, "I didn't mean to hurt her."

"Well you did! My sister will hear of this," Lily said as she pulled out her phone.

"No!" Robin said, "Regina and Pastor David can't know...not yet. David will have our heads and Regina will have our bodies."

"You better pray she's alright, you idiot," Lily hissed at Killian.

He gulped, he knew they were right. He looked over at the unconscious girl on the ground, Neal was hovering over her, "Ok, I got this," he said to himself. He leaned down and gave her mouth to mouth, Emma gasped loudly before coughing out and huge amount of water.

"Yay!" Lily cheered before hugging her best friend, "Oh Emma, I'm so glad you're ok."

The blonde kept coughing, "I'm fine," she choked out. Once she calmed down, she looked at Neal, "You saved my life."

"It was no big deal," he smiled meekly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's was a huge deal," she launched and hugged him, "Thank you."

He hugged her back, "You're welcome Em."

She smiled at him, "It really means a lot to me."

He pulled away from the hug and looked her in the eyes, "I've always got your back Em."

"You're a great friend," she said before standing up and walking away with Lily.

Robin snickered, "Burn mate, straight burn. Back to the friend zone you go."

"Oh shut up," he pushed him. He looked her way once more before looking at Robin, "I have to get her away from that monster."

"Leave it alone," Killian said, "Regina won't let that happen, you might as well move on."

"Emma is a great girl, I can't just let her waste that on Regina," Neal said.

"So what are you going to do?" Robin asked.

Neal shrugged sadly before diving into the water.

XXXXX

Thanks to her friends, Regina was very drunk and dancing in the middle of her party with Tink. Regina knew how to throw a party, she was good at it. Her condo was filled with drunk people, some were a little high...ok, a lot of high. Regina couldn't help but get hard due to Tink grinding on her, blame it on the alcohol. She grabbed her waist and pulled her closer, "I know what you're doing," she said in the blonde's ear.

"Is it working?" Tink smirked, "Because it feels like someone's getting excited."

Regina smirked, "Maybe."

"I know what you want Regina," she turned around and faced the brunette, "Take it."

Regina licked her dry lips, "I can't."

Tink grabbed Regina's hands and placed them under her shirt, "Yes you can."

Regina thought about it for a split second, she truly did think about it but nevertheless, she slid her hands from under the shirt, "I'm not weak Tink," she whispered in the blonde's ear before walking off.

Once she made it to the kitchen she saw Graham and Fred talking, "So is Lily a good kisser or what?" Fred asked.

"Eh well, she's 16 so," Graham chuckled, "I'm joking, she's a pretty good kisser."

"Well I hope you enjoyed betraying your best friend," Regina said coldly.

Graham muttered 'Fuck' before turning around and facing his best friend, "Gina, I promise it wasn't-"

"It wasn't what?! I told you to stay away from my sister!" Regina screamed, the whole party stopped and turned their focus to the pair arguing.

"I know and I tried! She's just so-"

"So 16!?" Regina asked.

"Emma is too!" He yelled back, "I'm tired of you acting like you can do whatever you want Regina, I have a right to date whoever I want just like you do."

"Anybody but Lily," Regina announced.

"I like her, why can't you accept that?!" He asked, "Regina I love you, you're like a sister to me, why can't you trust me with her?" He asked a little softer.

"I just can't Graham," she sighed.

"This is bullshit!" He yelled before throwing a shot glass at the wall.

"Uh oh," Maleficent muttered to Cruella.

"Watch it," Regina warned.

"Or what?! I've been nothing but loyal to you, why can't you trust me with her?!" He asked.

"My room...now, let's talk," Regina simply said before storming off to her room with Graham following.

Everyone tried to rush after them so they could listen at the door, "Oh GO darlings! Hurry up!" Cruella said as she pushed people out of the way who were moving too slow.

"Talk to me," Graham said.

"G...Lily means a lot to me, she's my sister," Regina said.

"And Emma is mine, I know every single dirty deed you've done. Every dark motive, every sinful thing and I still let you be with my sister. If Emma knew half of things you've done she'd leave you in a blink of an eye," he said.

"But she'll never know of those things, right?" Regina asked, "You swore-"

"I know what I did!" He snapped, "I keep all of my promises with God, she'll never hear it from me but I can make sure she'll find out-"

"No, you can't," Regina said, "Maybe it's the liquor but...if you want to be with Lily that bad then fine. I trust you Graham, I do but I've seen how you treated girls in college, I just don't want Lily to be one of those girls."

"I would never treat her like one those girls Gina," he promised.

"Fine," Regina said, "Take her on a nice date, make sure you keep your hands to yourself."

Graham smiled widely, "You got it. Thank you!" He hugged his best friend right.

"Oh my god, ew. I hate hugs," she tried to push him off of her.

He chuckled, "I know." He let her go and looked at her suspiciously, "Hey...wait a minute, I saw you dancing with Tink, what was that about?"

"It was just dancing," Regina shrugged.

"You want to fuck her, I can see it all in your eyes," he sighed.

She groaned, "She's a great fucking tease. I won't hurt Emma like that...not anymore. I don't even want to fuck Tink, I just want to play with her."

"Make her scream," he smirked.

"Ugh you know me so well," she smirked back.

"I know this is hard for you but just hold on Gina. Don't tell Emma you know this but...you've got her wrapped around your finger, in the palm of your hands. I'm not telling you to play with my sister because that's just...ew, no, just don't do it," he shivered.

She chuckled, "I get what you're trying to say. I love Emma, I'll wait for as long as she wants."

"So then he's like 'All you do is disobey me, I will teach you a lesson' and I laughed at him, my dad is twisted. I mean I can laugh about it now but at the time I was pissed because all I want to do is be free, I don't want to be his clone," Neal said Emma drove him home.

"I think you need to explain that to him. All you do is argue with I'm Neal, that's not good. We have to try to compromise with our parents," Emma shrugged.

"Yeah but he's so mean and-"

"I don't care," she snapped, "Take my advice."

He smirked, "Ok Swan, I see someone's got fire."

She laughed, "I'm sorry, I had to put my foot down and get it through your thick skull."

He chuckled, "Your head is way bigger than mine."

"Not at all," she scoffed.

"You're beautiful Emma, even if you have a big head," He smiled.

She blushed, "Thank you."

"Enough about me, how are you?" He asked.

"Do you really want to know how I am or do you want to know how me and Regina are?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Both," he admitted.

"I'm fine, just trying to make the best out of this summer. Regina and I...we are cool," she said.

"Cool?" He chuckled, "Oh come on Em, you can tell me the truth."

Emma sighed, "She hates that I'm with you right now. I've been texting her all night, she's completely ignoring me. She might be with your sister…"

He nodded in understanding, "You're scared that she'll sleep with her?" Emma nodded, "Em, you have nothing to worry about, I'm sure all Regina needs is you."

Emma dropped her head, "I'm not having much sex with her…"

"Oh," he said, "But I thought-"

"Once," she nodded, "That's why I'm scared, I know she has needs…"

"Hmm, well if you want we can shoot over there and crash her party," he smirked.

"I can't-"

"Oh come on Swan," he scoffed.

"Wait, I didn't finish my sentence. I can't...not without Lily," she smirked.

To Be Continued...

What do you think is going to happen? I can tell you this, the next chapter will have two moments that we HAVE all been waiting for. IF I GET 23 REVIEWS WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR AND A HALF, I WILL POST CHAPTER 23...TODAY! PLEASE REVIEW!