A/N: Oh, my dear readers! Thank you all so much for your kind words. It really inspires me to continue when I hear from you. I am overwhelmed by your interest in this little story. I hope this chapter will please you. If it does... or if it doesn't, let me know.

This chapter is longer than I usually post, so enjoy that, lol. School starts back next week and I won't be able to update quite as often but no worries. This tale has already played out to its conclusion in my mind so I will be sharing it with you.

A super special shout out to my dear friend Jenn who has listened to me talk about this story as if there were nothing else going on in the world and has not yet complained. Not only that, but she has gladly read each chapter and pointed out little errors my excited mind has missed in proof reading. Jenn! You are the best!

Emma Swan wasn't stupid.

No matter how many times Regina had jokingly called her an idiot, no matter how many times she had somehow missed the punchline on a joke, she wasn't stupid. So, yeah, maybe she didn't go to college or even graduate high school—still, not stupid.

She knew something wasn't quite right with Regina. She just didn't know yet what it was.

After she left Regina sitting on the sofa in her office, she had sat at her own desk rehashing the entire visit. Regina had said the right words. She had smiled at the right times. And still Emma was sure something was off about the whole thing. But what?

When she had made her plans to ask Regina to be in the wedding, she had expected Regina to sass her about how silly the whole notion was. A Queen serving as a wedding attendant to a bail-bondsperson. She had imagined it so clearly. Regina would smirk, arch high a flawless brow and sniff in general superiority before finally lowering herself to accept. It would be in good fun. She would secretly be excited to be a part, but she would do her best to make Emma believe she was put out about it.

Or maybe, she would just outright refuse. Sure Regina was living in her reformed state and most of the people in town had forgiven her or learned to ignore her, but asking her to wear a Pepto-pink marshmallow dress might be pushing it. Emma had prepared for that response as well.

But tears? That had thrown Emma for a loop. Why had she cried? Was she worried about being left out of Emma's life—abandoned had been the word Henry used weeks ago—and that made her invitation emotionally moving? Or maybe she was sad to be reminded once again that things had never worked out in her favor romantically.

Emma shook her head. She'd spent a long Friday afternoon thinking about it. The good news though was that Regina was going to be in the wedding! She was willing and able—even grateful—to be included. That made Emma happy. She didn't want to stand up in front of the town and say her vows without Regina by her side. It wouldn't be right.

When Emma had sacrificed herself for Regina, she hadn't thought about what would happen to herself. All she knew was that something inside her wanted—needed to protect Regina from the darkness. She had given up trying to figure out exactly what made her temporarily forget about her own safety, about her son, her family—hell, Hook hadn't even been a consideration in those last moments.

Regina had suffered enough. Emma knew and understood better than anyone in Storybrooke what a life of pain, rejection and fear could cause inside a person. And hadn't Regina worked to prove herself, to show them all who she was deep down?

It sort of pissed Emma off that the people in town seemed to require that of Regina. Why should she have to prove she was good? No one demanded that of the Savior. As if her title was enough to cause them to forget that she'd been a thief, a runaway, an ex-con and in general not a nice person. But being the Savior alone made her acceptable.

But Regina, well, her title had set the stage for her too. Evil Queen. No need to explain what caused it. No time to care about her losses, her heartbreak, her descent into madness. She was evil. The end. And if she wanted to be good, well, we're gonna need to see some receipts.

Emma reached back and pulled her hair into a loose ponytail and stood. She had always seen the good in Regina. She hadn't been the mayor or the queen or the evil anything. Just Regina. And Regina had always seen her that way too. Even when they had been enemies, somehow it felt like Regina saw Emma more clearly than anyone else. Just plain Emma.

Sliding her arms into her red leather jacket, Emma pulled her office door closed and started toward home. Home. It wouldn't be home much longer. Pretty soon she would be married and things would indeed be different. Where will I live?

Emma shook the thoughts out of her head. She had never really had a home before. Houses, apartments, sure, but the loft with Snow and David—that was her first real home. She had never really felt at home anywhere else until she moved in with her parents. And as time passed, Regina's had sort of become a second home for her as well.

The blonde dug her keys out of her pocket to start the bug and smiled. Where she used to only have one key now there were many. Her keyring was like a picture of the growth in her life. Once it had just been the bug's key and a swan keychain. Now there was a key to the loft, keys to the station, her office and to Regina's. Killian didn't really own anything key worthy yet, but Emma hoped that would change. It has to change, right?

Emma had been scoping out some vacancies near her parents and close to Regina and Henry. She had no interest in living on the Jolly Roger full time. She had as yet not discussed it with Hook, but she was sure he would be agreeable to moving into an apartment or proper house. And then I'll have a home of my own.

Emma jogged up the last few steps to the loft and opened the door quietly. Neal was growing, but he still took a nap every day and Emma had no intention of being the one to wake him up.

"Emma? Honey, is that you?" Snow came out from her bedroom with Neal on her heels. He was almost three now and still stuck to his mother like glue.

"Yeah. It's me. Hey munchkin!" Emma couldn't bring herself to call him Neal very often. Who thought that was a good idea anyway?

"You're home a little early. Is everything ok?" Snow busied herself in the kitchen. Motherhood and domesticity looked good on her.

"Oh, I wasn't busy so I left a little before five. Don't worry. I'm in good with the boss so I won't get in trouble." Emma ruffled her brother's blond hair and kissed her mom on the cheek. "I'm meeting Killian tonight at Granny's so I wanted to change clothes before I go."

"Kiw-wian. He's funny." Neal grinned up at his sister.

"Yes. Killian is hilarious, sweetheart. Please go play over there so Mama can talk to sissy." Snow peeled her son's fat hands off her skirt and shooed him into the living room where his toy chest seemed to have exploded. "So, speaking of your boss, how is Regina? Did you get to talk to her yet?"

Emma sighed. Even when they weren't talking about the wedding, they were. "Yes, I talked to her. And I asked her about the maid of honor thing. Although she said she's a matron of honor, but whatever."

"I guess she's right. So, she just… said yes?" Snow put on a kettle for tea and pulled down two mugs.

Emma shook her head at the mug Snow held out. "No thanks. I've really got to run. I'm supposed to be at Granny's by five-thirty. Um, actually Regina cried. Is that… weird?"

"Cried? Well, if it were someone else I'd say no, not weird. But it is odd for Regina." Snow was tapping on her phone as she talked to Emma. She glanced up to see Emma looking questioningly at her. "Sorry. It's Henry."

"What's the Kid want? I haven't talked to him today."

"Now, wouldn't you like to know? Just grandson/grandma chatter. So, anyway, Regina cried. Wow. I wonder what's up with her?" Snow slipped her phone back in her pocket.

"I honestly don't know. She's been a little… off lately. And we haven't had an actual conversation in weeks. Not since…" Emma trailed off, thinking of how long it had been.

"Since?" Snow prompted her daughter.

"Not since I told her about the engagement. She seemed happy enough that night but since then, I dunno. I'm probably being paranoid but it just seems like she's been avoiding me since then." Emma slumped down on the stool at the bar and rested her elbows on the top, her chin on her fists.

"Hmmm, that is strange. Maybe you should ask her what's wrong. I mean, she is your best friend. And as your maid—sorry—matron of honor, she'll be involved a lot in the planning. It may be better to nip anything in the bud now that may be going on." Snow picked up the whistling kettle and poured the water over her tea bag. "Neal, put that down. I swear he's more accident prone than your father. I can't take my eyes—Neal, I said no. Put it down."

Snow set aside her mug of tea and went to pry Neal's hands from some imagined danger while Emma looked lost in thought.

"I'm not sure asking her is the best plan. You know she doesn't do well if she feels like she's being attacked or accused of something. If something is wrong, she might feel threatened by the direct approach. And if nothing is wrong, she might over analyze her own behavior and be even weirder. No. I think I just need to try harder to keep her close, in the loop so she doesn't feel…"

"Abandoned?" Snow offered.

"Yeah. Abandoned. That's what Henry said. So, I just have to make an extra effort to spend some time with her so she won't think my marriage is going to mess up our friendship." Emma stood and headed for the stairs.

"But it will. You know that, right?" Snow's voice stopped her progress.

"Will what?" Emma asked, one foot on the bottom step.

"Being married will change your friendship. Not all married couples are like your father and me, but things will definitely change. You won't be able to go over to the mansion just any time you like anymore. And you won't be able to just spend the night when you've had too many ciders. Family dinner will mean you and your husband and sometimes Henry, not you and Regina and Henry having lasagna. I'm just saying, after the wedding, your focus will have to be on your family." Snow blew over her tea and took a sip. "Your family with Killian."

"Well, Regina and Henry are my family, too." Emma looked at her mother a moment and started up the stairs again.

"I know. But… it will be different. No need to worry about that now though. The wedding isn't for several months. You have time to work it out." Snow watched her daughter disappear up the stairs. Emma didn't call back a reply. "Oh Neal! I told you, put that down!"

~ (SQ) ~

Henry climbed the stairs to Regina's office. He had seen her car out front and knew she was still working. He was glad to catch her before she went home.

Henry had passed Barbara on her way out. She told Henry that his mother had been in her office since right after lunch and hadn't taken any calls or any appointments. Her words were statements of mere fact and nothing more. Regina liked Barbara because she was cool and distant and professional. Henry wondered if keeping people like Barbara around was Regina's unconscious means of protecting herself. If nobody gets too close, then nobody gets hurt.

As Henry approached the door, Mayor's Office printed in letters across the glass, his phone pinged. It was a message from his grandmother. Excellent. Henry didn't bother to knock, and entered his mother's domain with a smile.

"Hi Mom!"

Regina seemed to startle at his voice, as if she had not been expecting anyone to speak. She was sitting on the sofa, staring into space.

"Hello dear. What are you doing here so early?" Regina turned and motioned her son over.

"Early? Mom, it's after five. Are you feeling alright?" Henry flopped down next to her.

"Five o'clock? Well, this day just flew by. Last I knew, it was lunch time." Regina's fingers absently traced the swan charm around her neck.

"Cool necklace! Where'd you get it?" Henry pulled her hand away for an unobstructed view. "A swan! Is it from Ma?"

"Yes. It is from Em—from your mother." Regina's fingers found their way back up to the charm without her consent.

"Wow! Buying you gifts, huh?" Henry leveled a knowing look at his mother and smirked.

Regina frowned at her son's implication. "Henry, don't start. It isn't like that. She… she asked me to be in the wedding and this is a gift for accepting the job. Matron of Honor. Isn't it wonderful?" Those last words were heavy with sarcasm.

"Oh. Well, at least you guys talked. That's good, right? Are you ok?" Henry looked up with concern filled eyes.

"Yes, yes. I'm fine." Liar. "Let's talk about something else, shall we." Regina made to stand. Had she really been sitting there since Emma left before one?

Henry's eyes tracked his mother's movements as she circled the couch and began shutting down her computer. "Sure. Whatever you say, Mom. How was work today?"

"Fine. Just your typical small town hidden by magic and populated by fairytale characters sort of day." Regina smiled a genuine smile at her son. He always made her smile, even when she didn't want to. "And how was your day, dear?"

"Oh, it was okay. Nick got in a fight with Tommy Jackson at lunch. Tommy said he was gonna… well, do some stuff with Ava and Nick punched him. They both got suspended. It was awesome." Henry laughed remembering the look on Tommy's face when mild-mannered Nick had rounded on him and knocked him flat of his ass.

"Really?! I am sure that made the day interesting. But Henry, I really cannot condone fighting. As hypocritical as this may sound coming from me, violence is not the answer to our problems." Regina opened her bottom drawer and pulled out her purse. Although I'd like to throttle that damn pirate.

"I know, I know. Don't worry. Nobody messes with me anyway. Between you and Ma, I'm pretty much off limits to bully, thugs and troublemakers. But the ladies love me." Henry wiggled his eye brows at his mother.

Regina laughed at that. It felt strange to laugh. The sound actually felt odd leaving her mouth. How long had it been since she had laughed? Three weeks, dear.

"Yes, I imagine you will be a sought after partner, just like Em—" Regina's mirth died on her lips. "Well, Emma seems to have been surrounded by interested suitors since I've known her. I'm sure you will take after her."

Henry felt the shift when it hit his mother. He had to do something to help her. He couldn't stand to see her like this one more day. He had been trying to ignore subtle changes in her, even as she insisted nothing was wrong. He was pretty sure at this point Regina thought he was buying her denials but he wasn't.

Henry had noticed her loss of appetite. He had noticed the contents of her cider decanter growing less and less. In fact, yesterday the decanter had disappeared from the side bar all together and Henry feared she had taken it to her room. Her normally glossy dark locks were looking less than perfect and, although her make-up kept her face looking like perfection, in the evenings when they watched television or read together and she had washed her face clean, Henry noticed the dark circles under her eyes. He had to do something. This couldn't go on.

"So, how about tonight we go out for dinner? Just you and me?" Henry sidled up to Regina and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Alright. What did you have in mind?" Regina laid her head on her son's shoulder. It was so wonderful to have someone who she could count on. Henry wouldn't leave her. Not again.

"I was thinking Granny's. Or if you aren't in the mood for that, maybe Granny's." Henry's smile was evidenced in his voice.

"Hmmm, I don't know. I was hoping we could try out Granny's." Regina played along.

"Well, that settles it. Granny's it is!"

"And who, pray tell, is going to be buying this dinner for us?" Regina raised an eyebrow at her son as she locked her office door.

"Well, you I suppose. I don't have any money." Henry shrugged.

"Just as I suspected. For future reference, dear, when you suggest going out to dinner with a lady, it is customary that you also have some money with which to buy her meal. Just FYI." Regina looped her arm through the one Henry offered as they started down the stairs.

"I'll keep that in mind. Unless, you want to loan me some money know in which case, I'll be happy to pay tonight." Regina couldn't stop the laugh from escaping. There it was again, that alien sound. It felt wrong to laugh after being so sad all day, but she wasn't going to think about that. She was just going to enjoy being with her son.

I'll cry about Emma tonight… like always.

~ (SQ) ~

Regina and Henry walked along Main Street in amiable silence once they left the Town Hall. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence for either of them, as each seemed to be thinking about something far away. Henry glanced at his phone, checking the time.

"Have you got somewhere to be?" Regina nudged her son with her hip.

"Nah, just uh… just checking my messages. I thought, um, maybe Nick or Ava would fill me in on what happened after the fight." Henry held his breath. He wasn't a very good liar. It was 5:33. Henry slowed down his pace and pretended to tie his shoe.

"Henry? What is going on with you? I thought you wanted to get to Granny's?" Regina cocked her head to the side and examined him with mother's eyes. She was growing suspicious of his behavior.

"Sorry. All done. Let's go." Henry stood and walked along beside his brunette mother. When they reached to door to the diner, he pulled it open for her. "After you, Mom."

Regina smiled at her son. "You are turning into quite the gentleman. I am sure you were right about the girls in school. You'll have a girlfriend in no time."

Regina stepped into the diner and her smile disappeared. There, in a booth toward the back, were Emma and the pirate. They seemed to be just settling in to order. Maybe they haven't seen us yet and we can just…

"Regina? Hey! Are you guys eating here tonight?" Emma's voiced called across the room. There were only a few patrons but the after work crowd would start piling in soon.

"Yep!" Henry answered, walking toward the blonde and her fiancé. "It was my idea." He grinned proudly.

"Well, why don't you sit with us? We just got here. Haven't even ordered a drink yet." Regina was poised to decline but the look in Emma's eyes, so hopeful and happy, prevented her.

"If you are sure you don't mind. We wouldn't want to impose." Regina felt an icy stare from Hook but she wasn't sure what she had done to deserve it. Perhaps this was date night. "This isn't a date night is it? We can sit someplace else if—"

"Oh, no. Nothing like that. We just decided to meet here tonight for dinner and then I'm afraid I have babysitting duty so Mom and Dad can have a kid free meal. Sit." Emma slipped in the booth beside the pirate and motioned for Henry and Regina to sit down on the other side.

Regina tried to slide in first, to avoid being in Emma's direct line of sight but Henry sprang into the bench seat before she could. She quirked a disapproving eyebrow at him, but he merely offered an apologetic shrug and picked up a menu.

Regina looked on with Henry at the menu she had memorized by the third year of the curse. She wanted to look anywhere but at her table mates. Despite her downcast eyes, Regina felt two pairs on her, a warm emerald pair and a decidedly colder blue pair. She felt a little uncomfortable under the scrutiny.

"So, Kid, did your mom tell you she's going to be in the wedding?" The joyous lilt of Emma's voice on the word wedding cut away the last remnant of happiness in Regina's chest left over from her joking conversation with Henry in her office. An iron fist of sadness squeezed tight in its place.

"Yeah. She said she was going to be the mmmm…" Henry looked to Regina for confirmation.

"Matron." She said curtly.

"Right, Matron of honor. That's cool. And the necklace is neat. Was that your idea?" Henry elbowed gently into Regina's side, prodding her to be a part of the conversation.

"Yeah. Mom said I needed to give a gift to my attendants and I saw several things I liked. The ladies I choose will get a charm but your mom is the only one who gets a swan." Emma's eyes sparkled and fell naturally to the charm hanging just above Regina's heart.

Regina forced a wide smile when Emma's eyes finally looked back up into her own coffee irises. "It really is lovely. And I want to thank you and… and Killian for letting me be a part." Regina nearly choked saying his name.

"Certainly we should be the ones thanking you for being willing to be a part, your majesty." Hook spoke for the first time since Regina and Henry arrived.

Regina bristled at both his tone and his use of her honorific. It was clearly meant as a quiet insult. There was a tense moment when Regina made eye contact with the pirate and raised her brow in distaste. She was trying to play nice. Why was he making it difficult? But, if Emma or Henry noticed the new tension, neither said a word.

"Well, this isn't something you see every day. The whole family out to dinner." Ruby had swished her way over to the table without being noticed until she spoke. "I guess I'll see more of this after the wedding." She winked at Emma and smiled that genuinely predatory smile she could not stop from appearing on her face. The wolf would be out to play within a few days' time.

"Maybe so," Emma said with a wink in return. She certainly hoped that Regina and Henry would both be a part of her life with Killian. That was normal, right? Don't best friends come to dinner sometimes?

"So, what'll we have tonight guys?" Ruby pulled a notepad from her apron and an ink pen from her hair.

Regina looked back at the menu. She thought she may just have a coffee. She suddenly wasn't very hungry. But as she went to order Emma held up a hand to silence her.

"Wait! Let me. I think I will order for everyone tonight and amaze you all with my skills." Emma seemed proud of herself as Hook grunted his ascent and Henry nodded more like a child of ten than a teenage boy.

"Do it! Do it! I bet you get it wrong." Henry dropped his menu in front of her.

"Ok, let me see…" Emma took a moment to concentrate on the menu, then looked up at each of her companions, cleared her throat dramatically and began to order. "Right. So, Regina will have the grilled chicken breast, the vegetable of the day and a small salad. To drink, bring her a root beer. She probably wants black coffee but it's getting too late for coffee and besides, if she gives in to Henry's cry for dessert in a bit, she will have the coffee, decaf, with a slice of pie."

Regina tried to suppress the smile of adoration forming on her lips. That was indeed what she would have ordered if she had any appetite at all. She nodded her approval to Ruby.

"Yes! One down. Ok, for Henry…" Again Emma concentrated, the tip of her tongue peeking out the corner of her mouth. "Henry will want the cheeseburger with everything and fries with a chocolate shake." Regina started to protest even as Henry approved the order.

"But… but… but, Regina will not approve of this. She would prefer he have something green or grilled or baked. They will enter a little negotiation, the kid will attack with the puppy eyes and Regina will offer a compromise. So Ruby, bring the kid a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato and instead of fries, bring him the vegetable of the day as well. But, the shake still stands."

Ruby looked to Regina and Henry for the green light. "Right again, Emma. You eat here too much." Ruby laughed. "But don't tell Granny I said so."

"Ok, so then I am not under the strict dietary guidelines set forth by the mother of my son, so I will also have the cheeseburger with fries that I will secretly slip to the kid while distracting Regina. So you better bring me the vegetable of the day in addition. And a root beer for me too. That just leaves you, Kil. Hmmm…" Emma stared long at the menu before saying with uncertainty "grilled cheese and fries with an actual beer?"

Regina looked toward the pirate in time to see a spark of anger in his eyes before his charming persona slid into place. "Now Swan, you know a pirate wants the fruit of the sea! It'll be a fish and chips for me, lass. But the beer sounds divine. Perhaps two. I'm feeling rather thirsty."

"Oh man! Fish and chips! Of course. I'm sorry, babe. I just eat here so often with these two clowns." Emma thumbed across the table at the pair of Mills'.

"No worries, love. We can't get them all right all the time." Hook slid his arm around the back of the bench and dropped his hook hand over Emma's shoulder. Regina stared at it for a long moment, wishing she was anywhere but here.

Life had often been unfair to Regina. She'd lost so much, hated so long and been working hard to recover some semblance of respect from those under her leadership. Yet, in this moment, watching the pirate possessively drape his arm about Emma, hearing him call her sweet names, all Regina really wanted to do was burn the building down.

"So what is it?" Hook asked, pulling Emma uncomfortably closer to him.

"What is what?" Emma unconsciously tried to put a little space between them. This was too close for the public eye. And Regina and Henry were watching.

"The vegetable of the day, love. You all three are having some but no one said what it is."

"Brussels sprouts." Three voices chimed in together. One voice sounded very pleased while the other two sounded resigned to the idea of tiny cabbage-like balls of green next to their burgers.

"Blech. That sounds horrible." Hook screwed his face into a look of disgust.

"Well… Killian sometimes we all have to endure things we may not like because it is good for the ones we love." Regina didn't try very hard to hide the ice in her voice. Hook had pulled Emma back to him, despite her having slid away once already and it made Regina furious.

"Oh, how I know, your majesty. I've had an education in that only just recently." The pirate's eyes bore into Regina. She felt her magic spark to life in her finger tips. It would be so easy to be rid of him.

"Here we go. Two root beers, two actual beers and one extra-chocolatey chocolate shake." Ruby set down all their drinks with a wink. "Be back with dinner in just a minute."

"Thanks Rubes," Emma called after her friend. "She's the only other person in town I think I want to be in the wedding. What do you think, Regina?"

Regina looked at Emma and felt her magic settle. There would be no killing the pirate tonight. Somethings indeed had to be endured. The battered remnants of her heart tried to come alive at the trust in green orbs seeking her advice, her approval.

"I think… six is too many, certainly. And Miss Lucas would be very happy to be a part of your special day. Usually, the number of attendants is equal for the br—brides side and the grooms," the words felt like cotton in her mouth, soaking up all the moisture. Frustration at her own loss of control caused her anger to rise again. With steely eyes, she looked at the pirate. "How many deck hands were you thinking of including, Kil?"

Before Hook could respond to the offensive implication that Killian had no friends to include in the ceremony other than those he employed onboard his ship, a cry of shock sprang from Henry's mouth.

"Shoot!" Henry had knocked over his milkshake and sloshed a glob onto his sweater.

"Oh sweetheart!" Regina sprang into action, pulling out napkins, mopping up the table and her son.

Emma leapt into action, grabbing a cleaning cloth from behind the counter to stop the progress of the remaining chocolate drink. Ruby took the cloth from Emma and handed her a small bottle of club soda.

"Come on, Kid. Let's go to the laundry room and see if I can get that out with this soda." Emma nodded toward the back, where the diner and the inn connected.

Regina stood up and reached for the bottle. "No, Emma. You stay with him. I'll take care of this."

"Nope. I ordered that shake, I'll deal with the mess. You sit. We'll be right back." Regina watched the two most important people in the world disappear around the corner.

For a moment she remembered another time she had watched them disappear. When the horrible green cloud of Pan's curse had been barreling down on them, Regina had stood holding Emma's gloved hand, her arm around Henry and felt like she was finally being repaid for all the evil she had done.

She was going to watch these two people she loved just fade out of her sight while any memory of her would fade out of their minds. That would settle the score with kismet or karma or whatever cosmic balance she had set awry with her evil history.

But here in this very room she had seen them again a year later. She had thought that there was no worse pain in this life than losing them, but then to have them back and not be able to really have them? That had been unbearable. Now she wondered, still standing by the table, looking into the vacant place they had been, would she ever find the bottom of the ocean of pain she was capable of enduring? Perhaps she had still not yet set right the things she had done.

Her eyes drifted back to the pirate. Indeed, this had to be what the bottom looked like and she was not sure how much longer she could hold her breath. She was going to drown.

Regina sat down again and continued to stare at Hook whose gaze was equally unwavering. Regina wondered if this was what it was like to be a man, vying for a woman's affection with another. Measuring dicks, isn't that what they call it?

"I've got my eye on you, witch." Hook's voice was quiet, but his tone menacing.

"So I see. If you keep staring like that, people will begin to question the sincerity of your intentions toward Emma." Regina laced her words with as much venom as she could muster.

"Don't think I don't know what you are doing. I'm not an idiot."

"An idiot? No dear, you are not an idiot. Dupe, chump, fool… perhaps. But no, not an idiot." Regina smirked at him then. Was he seriously trying to intimidate her with his glare?

"Ah yes, let the claws out, love. That's who you really are. But no matter what you say, I know what you are about and it won't work." Hook took a long draw from his beer without breaking eye contact.

"I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about." Regina had no intention of revealing herself to him, no matter how he tried to goad her into a fight. Emma wouldn't like that and she wasn't going to hurt Emma just to satisfy her own rage.

"Like hell you don't. I see the way you look at her… the way you say her name. You love her. And you are trying to worm your way into her heart." Hook held up a hand to stop Regina's protest. "Save it, your majesty. I'm no fool, no matter what you think. But you are fooling yourself if you think you can have her."

"Have her?" Regina's calm outward demeanor was wavering. "How dare you—"

"How dare I? That's funny, love. How dare you? Emma belongs to me. I gave up my ship for her. I've worked hard to get her and I don't intend to sit by and let you take her from me."

"She belongs to you?! Do you even hear yourself?" There it was again. Regina's magic surging full force through her veins.

"Aye, she belongs to me. And you need to back off. But no worries, wench. When we are married and she is officially mine, I will put an end to this friendship. There will be no need of contact beyond Henry. I always did fancy having a son." Hook rubbed his chin and winked at Regina.

He'd gone too far. She could no longer hold back her rage.

"You listen to me you rum-soaked, misogynistic ass hat! Emma Swan is a gift and a treasure and she doesn't belong to anyone. She isn't a prize to be won or a possession you can claim. She is a free and beautiful source of light in this otherwise dark and disgusting world and the fact that she would even deign herself to acknowledge your existence should make you fall on your filthy knees every damn day of your miserable existence and give thanks to St. Olaf the Fat that you even breathe the same air as her. The fact that she would even consider marrying someone so beneath her is a miracle of epic proportions and you have the nerve, the gall to suggest she belongs to you? How dare you?!"

Regina's voice was dangerous and magic was tingling in the air all around her. Hook indeed had gone too far.

"And as for Henry, dream on pirate. He will never be anything to you. He is our son."

Regina stood again, daring Hook to speak by her posture and expression. The pirate's eyes were full of rage and he looked ready to rise to the challenge when Ruby interrupted.

"Is everything alright over here? Regina?"

"Yes, Miss Lucas. All is well. The handless wonder and I were just discussing people laying claim to things that do not belong to them." Regina never took her eyes off Hook as she spoke. "However, I suddenly don't feel very hungry. Could you please box up my dinner to go? And please, charge Henry's and Emma's meals to my account. And pie if they want it."

"Ooookaaay. Um, I'll be right back." Ruby scurried away and, in what seemed like seconds and hours at once, returned with a bag for Regina.

"Are you leaving?" Emma's voice settled over Regina's skin like a blanket and stamped out every drop of rage boiling below her skin.

"Y-yes. I'm… I'm not feeling well. I'm afraid I won't be a very good dinner companion. But you enjoy. And Henry, stay with your mother. I've already paid for our meal and pie for the both of you."

"But Mom…"

"No, no buts." Regina looked pleadingly at her son. "Just stay with Emma. And I trust you will bring him home when you are finished?"

"Sure. Of course. I'll check on you when we leave here." Emma put a hand on Regina's arm and squeezed. Where rage and magic had burned a path moments ago, cool, healing balm radiated from Emma's touch.

"I'll probably be asleep, but you can let yourself in…" Regina looked Hook in the eyes then and continued speaking to Emma. "You have a key."

"Are you ok to get home?" Emma's hand had not moved from her arm and squeezed again.

Regina's brown eyes found stormy green and stared a long moment. "I'll be fine," she whispered.

Regina turned and headed out into the cool evening air, the tinkle of the bell over the door sounding behind her. As she reached the sidewalk she heard the bell sound again.

"Regina, wait."

The brunette stopped and turned back to see Emma's smiling face. History repeats itself…

"Did Killian… did he do something to upset you?" Emma had closed the distance between them while Regina watched and was standing too close. Like magnets, they always seemed to be drawn together, into each other's space. Tonight was no different.

"Don't worry, Emma. I can handle Captain Guyliner. I don't know if you're aware or not, but I am a first rate sorceress and general all around badass." Regina smiled to reassure Emma. Now that her anger had retreated, she was not capable of being this close to the blonde. She had to get away… fast.

Emma grinned at Regina's playful tone but a moment later placed a hand on each of Regina's biceps and gave another gentle squeeze. "If he said or did anything to hurt you, I'm sorry. He can be difficult sometimes, I know. But he's… well, he's not all bad, you know?"

Emma offered Regina that sweet puppy smile she had seen directed at her many times before. Her heart began to pound. I really have to go.

"You don't owe me an apology, Emma. It has been a long and emotional day. I just think I need to go home and," Regina held up her take out bag for emphasis, "eat my Brussels sprouts. I'll have a glass of wine and take a hot soak in the tub and all will be right with the world."

"Maybe I'll join you." Emma studied Regina's face for approval.

Regina was thankful that night was falling and perhaps Emma couldn't see the color in her cheeks. She would certainly love Emma to join her for the wine and the bath.

"For the wine, I mean." Emma blushed, realizing what her suggestion had implied.

"Indeed. We will see, Emma. But for now, your food is surely getting cold and your pirate is likely being a bad influence on our son." Regina squeezed Emma's hands. When had they started holding hands again?

"Alright. I'll bring the kid home in a couple hours. Maybe I'll take him by to see the munchkin so you can soak a little longer." Emma winked but then her face took a serious turn. "Are you sure you are ok?"

"Yes." Regina could spend the rest of her life looking into those eyes. "Goodnight, Emma."

Emma pulled Regina flush against her and wrapped her arms tightly around her. The two women stood a moment in the embrace. Prying, watching eyes would have said it was just a moment longer than social convention would deem acceptable, but they made no move to separate.

Emma pulled back and looked toward the diner. "I guess I better go back in. Goodnight, Gina."

Regina turned and headed back to her office to collect her car. Her heart, for the moment, had ceased it's hammering from anger, hurt and confusion. It hummed in her chest, sending tendrils of light throughout her being. Perhaps reality and loss would dance in again and crush her spirit in a moment, but for now, walking down the darkening streets of her town, Regina was safe in the lingering warmth of Emma's arms… the scent of her skin… the affection of her gaze.

Maybe it will be ok. I can do this.

At Granny's diner, green eyes watched the brunette float up Main Street toward Town Hall.

No, Emma Swan was not stupid.

End note: For those with a curious mind, St. Olaf the Fat is indeed an actual saint. He is the patron saint of Norway and was a pirate in his early life. My research did not uncover any patron saint for pirates so I thought St. Olaf with his history of piracy and colorful moniker was a good choice. I hope you thought so too.