A/N I need to thank sweetmint101 for offering to look at punctuation, I also need to thank Quindecim and as always my beta QueenApples who is just completely and utterly awesome XD

Chapter Fifty-four

Graham typed furiously at the computer, trying desperately not to think about how utterly bored this job made him while at the same time trying not to think about how short staffed they probably were at the animal shelter.

He couldn't deny that the man who had done the job for twenty-eight years was the clear choice to fill the position for as long as the saviour was out of commission, but that didn't mean that he had to enjoy the job.

His phone buzzed and he instantly smiled at the name on the screen, he shot a text back and sighed, he couldn't help but flashback to his latest breakfast with Regina, who he could admit was probably one of his best friends at this point.

Regina walked into the diner, and for once not a single person looked up in judgement as soon as she opened the door, and she had to admit that she liked the feeling.

Casually she made her way over to the booth where she had spotted Graham, and slid in opposite him.

Instantly she raised her eyebrow at the man, "you already ordered for me?" she laughed as she inspected the breakfast placed in front of her.

Graham shrugged with a grin, "you're very predictable Regina."

The mayor rolled her eyes, but made no further protests as she picked up the mug of coffee that had seemed to have cooled down to the perfect temperature.

After a few sips, she asked, "this isn't about Operation RedBeauty is it?"

Graham looked over at the wolfish waitress who was talking to the librarian and replied, "Henry said that he's got it sorted."

Regina furrowed her brow and followed his line of sight, just catching Ruby placing a peck on Belle's lips before the bookworm stood up to leave.

"How did he do that?"

"He said that he decided to go with Emma's plan," the former sheriff laughed.

"You mean the tactless plan that involved just telling them that they are attracted to each other?"

Graham nodded, "you should stop doubting her, it worked," he laughed at Regina's narrowed eyes.

"I just don't see a reason for calling it an operation when the plan was that simple," she replied.

"You're being rather childish, madam mayor," Graham teased, "anyway this is about something else."

"You want to play cupid again? Henry may have to start charging you," she chuckled.

Graham rolled his eyes, and replied, "I'm asking you, not Henry."

"Who are you trying to pair together this time?"

"Me and...ermmm..."

"Just say it Graham," she laughed.

Graham looked over to a booth across the diner where the object of his affection sat just talking with his father.

Regina followed his gaze again and laughed, "I never would have guessed, but I suppose I'm not one to judge."

"Oh ha ha," Graham scowled, "are you going to help me or not?"

Regina took another sip of coffee and placed it down, "I don't see why not."

With that she stood before Graham could protest, and made her way across the diner.

The former hunter blinked a few times, before he stood and followed her, "Regina.." he hissed over her shoulder, but she held up her hand to quiet him.

"Hello Regina," August asked with a furrowed brow.

"Graham wishes to know whether you would consider going on a date with him tomorrow at eight," she said without pretence.

Graham placed his head in his hands and audibly sighed, this was not what he meant when he tried to promote Emma's plan.

Gepetto raised his eyebrows higher than Regina thought humanly possible, but after a moment his shock fell away and he turned to his shell shocked son.

August looked between Regina and Graham before he nodded.

"He said yes," Regina whispered which caused Graham's face to lift hastily out of his hands.

"Really?" he asked.

The puppet laughed at his crush's reaction and nodded again, "funnily enough we were just talking about you."

"Do you have to type so loud?"

Graham blinked out of the fond memory, and scowled at the man in the holding cell.

"I don't generally believe that criminals deserve peace and quiet," he replied.

Neal rolled his eyes and said, "what ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?"

"Doesn't really apply to you, too much evidence," Graham retorted.

"That doesn't mean I don't deserve a trial."

Graham tilted his head and picked up a sheet next to him, "breaking and entering, theft, kidnapping, intentional cause of emotional distress, accessory to torture, I'm pretty sure it would be a really short trial. It's only happening because of your father."

"Are you trying to tell me that Storybrooke has a different legal system to the rest of America?"

Graham shrugged, "well as far as America is concerned it doesn't exist, so yes it does."

Neal rolled his eyes and fell back onto the cot.

"This is exactly why I was trying to get out of here," he muttered.

"And torturing your ex is the way to do that?" Graham laughed mockingly, "Did you really think you would be able to live normally knowing what happened to her?"

"Well technically I didn't see her, so yes I could live with it," he smirked,

Graham shot him a dirty look, and grabbed a photo from the file. Walking over to the cell, he held it up and Neal instantly cringed and looked away.

Though he had been reluctant to do it, he knew that they needed photographic evidence and so he had taken the picture after the blonde had woken from her surgery while the nurses were changing the dressings on her injuries.

Letting his arm fall back down, he looked at the man's look of pain but found himself unable to feel sympathy.

"I guess that plan won't work anymore," he said and turned to go back to his desk, before a thought occurred to him, "how did you break into Regina's house?"

"How is that important?" Neal retorted after a moment.

"She has the best alarm system in town, I understand being able to get into the Charming's apartment, but Regina's house is like Fort Knox."

Neal seemed to break out of his shock, and replied, "I saw Henry put the code in once."

Graham rolled his eyes and went back to his seat, he couldn't help but wish that he was with August right now rather than watching over the most despicable man he had ever met.

A/N Hope you guys enjoyed all of the updates this week XD

I'll try and update once next week, and then I'll see what my uni timetable is like :)

Reviews would be much appreciated