Regina waits for Emma and Henry to come out of the ticket line ready for security, the farthest point she can go. The car ride over was mostly silent, but Regina's determined to end on a good note with her son. She smiles when he moves toward her.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Mom," he says when he notices the sad expression on her face.

She smiles. "I know, honey. But as you like to remind me, you'll be back soon."

"Or…" Henry grins hopefully. "You can come visit us."

"Henry, you know that's not feasible."

"Why not?" Emma asks, joining them.

Regina doesn't bother looking at her. "There is too much to be done here."

"I'll get you out one day, Mom. Just you wait. Storybrooke can survive without a mayor for a week."

"A week?" Regina asks incredulously.

"End. A weekend." Henry tries to cover up his mistake.

She eyes him suspiciously. "Perhaps," she says slowly. "Now you two have a plane to catch, and I don't want you being late."

Henry accepts her hug warmly. Pulling back, he looks at Emma and sees the hopeful expression on her face. "I'm gonna get a jump on security. See you in a few, Ma. Love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Henry. Be safe, and don't bother listening to your mother."

Henry laughs when Emma scoffs.

Emma waits for Regina to turn her attention to her, but Regina just keeps watching Henry. "Regina." She slowly turns her head. "Hey." Regina crosses her arms and stares at Emma, waiting. Emma shifts uncomfortably. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"You know…"

"No, I really don't know." Regina's expression is quickly turning to ice.

Emma clears her throat. "For being rude all weekend and kind of weird."

"That's an understatement."

Emma scratches the back of her head. "Listen, I just- I don't know, Regina. I don't know what to think."

"Well, when you figure it out, let me know." Regina turns on her heel to walk away.

Emma trots after her and lightly touches her arm. "No goodbye hug or anything?"

Regina looks Emma up and down, disdain evident in her features. "Not likely." She storms off.

Running her hand down her face, Emma moves back to the security line and meets up with Henry.

"That looked bad," Henry offers.

"It was."

"You failed, FYI."

Emma rolls her eyes. "Yeah, I noticed. Now she's just pissed at me."

Henry smiles. "You know, next month is Spring Break."

"Cool."

"Yeah, so I'm thinking maybe Mom can come down."

Emma shakes her head. "I don't find that very likely, Henry. You heard her."

Henry waves her off as he puts his bag on the conveyor and moves through the metal detector. "That was all out of spite. She'll come if I beg her."

They gather their belongings at the end of the conveyor. "Henry, we have a two bedroom apartment. Where is she going to stay for a week?"

"Your room," he winks.

"You saw the part where she murdered me with her eyes, right?"

"Which means you hurt her."

"Exactly."

"No, Ma, you don't get it. If you hurt her by being a jackass and turning her down, then that means she cares about you."

Emma shakes her head. "I really don't think that's it."

Henry rolls his eyes and leads them to the terminal. "Okay wise one, then why would she be so upset?"

"Cause I'm an ass and would have offended a dog today."

They both plop down in the uncomfortable chairs and drop their bags between their feet. Henry looks at her. "Ma, you've got some serious reflecting to do because we're about to hit Operation Swan-Mills."

Emma raises her eyebrow. "What the hell is that?"

"I think it's about time to add two more Swan-Mills to the family, don't you?"

Emma laughs. "Yeah, right, kid. Your mom would hardly even look at me. I don't think there are wedding bells in our future."

Henry smirks and sits back. "We'll see about that."

**

No matter how hard she tries, Emma can't seem to sleep on the plane ride. It'll be late by the time they land at the airport in Atlanta, and it'd be nice to have a bit of rest before that struggle.

Henry's busy scribbling in one of his writing journals next to her. She looks over at him and peers at the journal but he senses her and tugs it away. "What you doin', kid?"

"Nothing of your concern, mother."

"Wow, mother. That's fresh."

He smirks and leans further away to keep writing.

"Are you planning Operation Swan-Mills?"

He stops writing. "Maybe."

"Seriously, Henry?" She snatches the notebook from him but before she can take a peek he clamps it shut on her fingers. She yelps and lets go.

"No. Peeking. Ma." He gives her a stern look until she throws up her hands. "I have a plan, whether you like it or not. I'm not just gonna sit by while you throw your life away. What if this is true love?"

Emma laughs loudly. "Don't get ahead of yourself, kid. I don't think it's true love."

"Why not?" He stares at her.

"Well-uh… I don't know. It's just unlikely."

"Why? What's so unlikely about it?"

Emma looks between his eyes and sees how sincere he is. "It's just that true love should be a two-way street. I'm feeling all sorts of one-way here."

Henry shakes his head. "No, that's not true. I've seen the way Mom looks at you. Even if she's not in love with you right now, she certainly loves you, and let's be honest, that's a pretty short list."

Emma shrugs. "Just another point to suggest I love her more than she loves me. Doesn't bode well for me."

"Falling in love is a process, Ma. Give her the chance to fall in love with you."

Emma shakes her head. "Sorry, Henry, but she doesn't want anything to do with that."

Henry groans and slams his journal down in his lap. "You are so thick-headed. And blind. And stupid."

"Anything else you want to add to that list?"

"And oblivious to my mother's advances apparently."

Emma straightens up. "Advances? Are we witnessing different interactions?"

"Well, I don't know what the hell you're witnessing, but from where I've been standing, she has the hots for you too."

Emma studies him then sighs and shakes her head. "It's not cool trying to give me false hope."

Henry throws up his hands then opens his journal to start writing again, shaking his head slowly. "Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn."

"You're no better," she mumbles and crosses her arms.

After a short bout of silence, Henry turns to Emma again. "Please promise me one thing."

She lets her arms fall to the arm rests. "What is it?"

"If my plan works, which it will, give her a chance."

"Of course."

"No. You don't get to say of course like it's the easiest thing on the planet. I saw her trying and you throwing up walls. Stop being so defensive and let her know how you feel while giving her a chance to feel something for you too."

Emma rolls her eyes. "You live in your own fantasy world, kid."

"Ma."

"Fine. Yes. I'll do my best."

"I'm holding you to that," Henry says, eyeing her while he slowly starts writing again.

She glances at him and nods before closing her eyes. Even if sleep doesn't come to her, maybe she can avoid this conversation continuing.