A/N: This chapter includes some mild references to child abuse. Just a warning. Nothing too graphic.

Regina was starting to really regret her decision to go on a date, even a double date. She stared at her closet hopelessly, while Emma used her bathroom to straighten her hair and apply makeup.

They'd gotten home from school an hour ago, and Emma had come straight to Regina's house. Honestly, if Emma and Regina weren't working or at school, Emma was at Regina's house. She came over sometimes even when Regina was working in the boutique, to help Cora make a new meal or to watch baseball or play chess with Henry. She was becoming a permanent placement in the Mills house, and Regina had yet to gather the courage to ask why it was that Emma was never home, and why Regina had yet to meet her foster parents. It seemed like a touchy subject, so she steered clear of bringing it up.

Cora and Henry loved Emma to death, and they never asked questions either. The whole house was livelier when Emma was around.

And, lately, there had been a new addition to their little group: Ruby, who was currently in the bathroom helping Emma get ready. Ruby had latched on to Regina like a sad little koala after her breakup with Lily, who now glared at Regina every time they saw each other, almost like Lily's cheating had been Regina's fault. Regina had even moved back a row in the band class to avoid any altercation. She assumed Lily was expecting her to try and get her fired from the boutique, but Regina had kept her mouth shut. Like she'd told Emma, she really wasn't that petty.

Regina heard the bathroom door open, but didn't turn around. "I have nothing to wear," she grouched. She was still dressed in her school outfit of jeans and a simple tee, no makeup and limp hair. Ruby glided over and poked her in the side. "That's a load of bull and you know it," she said, reaching into Regina's closet to rifle through her clothes. "You have thousands of dollars worth of designer clothes in there. Pick your sexiest outfit and we'll get to doing your hair and stuff."

Regina grimaced. "I don't want to look sexy, Ruby," she complained. Ruby turned to give her a weird look. "You're going on your first date. Ever. Don't you want Rob to find you drop-dead gorgeous? I mean, not that you aren't already-"

"No, Ruby. I don't want to look sexy. I am not going to be…having sex."

"Well, I know that," Ruby huffed, exasperated. "But you want him to want you. Give him a glimpse of what he can't have yet."

She pulled a stunning red gown (one of her mother's designs, of course) out of the closet and said, "Here! He'll lose his mind."

"Ruby, we're going to the Storybrooke Fair," quipped Emma from the bathroom, where Ruby had left the door open. "Cocktail dresses are out of the question unless Regina wants to freeze, and for the entirety of Storybrooke to know what her vag looks like."

Ruby waggled her eyebrows at Regina suggestively, and Regina blushed about the same color as the dress her friend was holding. "Stop it," she growled, snatching the dress back and hanging it back up. Ruby stuck her tongue out. "Well, I'm just trying to be helpful. I don't have anyone to dress up for anymore, so I have to lend my expertise when I can."

Regina turned and made eye contact with Emma, who had stepped out of the bathroom, looking gorgeous as usual in black leggings and a gray sweater dress, complete with gray ankle-high boots. Her hair was swept up into a high chignon, sleek and shiny. Light makeup graced her strong features.

Emma met her gaze and they exchanged sad, guilty looks. Ruby huffed and cried, "Stop it, guys! I'm fine. I'm over it. If you seriously think I'm still pining for Lily after what she did, you're insane."

"We just hurt for you, Rubes," Emma said softly, walking over to hug her friend. "And you can totally still dress up. You're going to the fair too, right?"

"Nah," Ruby said. "There are literally no other gay girls in this town, so there's no point in dressing to impress. And I promised Gram I'd come work the dinner shift tonight."

"I'm also sure there are other gay girls in town," Regina said as she continued to stare blankly at her closet. She didn't even fully register what she'd said until Ruby was in her face, pulling a faux-seductive look and batting her eyelashes. "Oh, what's that, Mills? You interested? Applying for the job?" she teased.

"Certainly not," Regina covered quickly, pushing Ruby to the side so she wouldn't see her face heating up guiltily. "I'm just saying, you don't know everyone. Don't cut your losses too soon."

"Right," Emma said quickly, coming to Regina's aid. "Plus, you're almost done with school. When you leave for UNE next summer, you'll meet all sorts of new people and there's guaranteed to be some lesbians out there."

Ruby sighed. "If I even get accepted into UNE. But you guys are right. Maybe I'm just…not ready."

Both Regina and Emma pulled her into a group hug, and Ruby let them…for about five seconds. "Okay," she said thickly, tampering down emotions. "In case you guys have forgotten, you're leaving for the fair in like thirty minutes and Mills here still looks like a kid lost in a mall. Let's get to it."

Within thirty minutes (she was impressed, she couldn't even deny it), Regina stood looking at her reflection. Ruby and Emma had chosen a pair of black jeans and a thick, white cowl-neck sweater ("I'm going to be wearing a coat, what does it matter?" Regina had complained). Ruby had applied stylish smoky makeup and soft mauve lipstick, and Emma had gathered Regina's long hair into a high ponytail, and had teased the hair at the top of her head into a stylish bump. "You look good enough to eat," Ruby teased, snapping her teeth together. Regina pushed her. "Stop."

"She's right," Emma said. "We did good work. Now let's get going. The guys should be here any minute."

Robin and Neal had agreed energetically to go on a double date. Turns out, the boys were neighbors and Robin had taken Neal hunting a couple times, so they got along great. And both were excited to be actually going on a real date. So Robin had agreed to ride with Neal, and they were set to pick the girls up any minute.

The three friends made their way down the stairs, only to be bombarded with Cora and Henry…Cora, as usual, was holding her camera. "Regina's first date," Cora explained to Emma and Ruby, who were smirking at Regina in amusement. "That boy had better come up to the door, I want to meet him and get a picture of him too," she instructed Regina harshly.

"Yes, Mother," Regina sighed. She was really regretting the decision to go on a date. Her stomach was a complete ball of nerves. What was expected on the first date? Was she expected to let him kiss her again? What was the protocol? She seriously felt like throwing up.

Emma must have seen the discomfort on her face (she was good at seeing that, Regina had figured out) and she offered, "Mrs. Mills, this is technically my first real date with Neal too."

Cora faced her with wide eyes, camera at the ready. "Well then, this really is a momentous occasion. Do your parents want to meet him? Should we fetch them?"

Emma laughed uncomfortably. "They already know Neal, ma'am," she said. "We've been friends for years. And they're away this weekend anyway. Kathryn had a business trip to New York and James…is with her," she said after hesitating. Cora gave a hum of disappointment, but then waved her hand in nonchalance. "No matter," she said. "I'll document the occasion for them. And you, of course."

Perfectly on time, the doorbell rang. Henry opened it up, revealing Neal and Robin, standing in the doorway and each holding a bouquet of assorted flowers and looking incredibly nervous. "Come on in, gentlemen," Henry said good-naturedly, stepping to the side to let them in. Hesitantly, the guys stepped into the house, and each presented the flowers to their respective dates. Regina took her bouquet, thanking Robin politely and feeling her face heating up as her stomach twisted into more knots. She didn't know how a girl was supposed to feel on a first date, but she could hazard a guess that sick and dreadful weren't normal.

Introductions were exchanged and Cora instructed them on where to stand for pictures. She got a picture of Regina and Robin first, standing arm-in-arm with the flowers on display, and Regina smiled a big false smile for the camera. Then Cora got a picture of Neal and Emma, who both looked a little uncomfortable, and then she instructed that the four of them stand together. Emma eagerly wrapped an arm around Regina's waist, and Regina did the same to Emma, subconsciously drawing her close as though she could be an anchor for her roller-coaster of emotions. Emma's familiar delicious smell did, in fact, ease a bit of her discomfort the from the moment, and she took a deep, calming breath. The guys stood on either side of them and took their free hands. Right before the camera flashed, Emma's hand tightened on Regina's hip, the full-body tingle resulting from it causing her to squirm a bit and glance longingly at Emma, while the thought I wish it was just you I was going on a date with flashed through her mind before she could stop it.

The flash blinded them all, and Cora scoffed. "Regina, dear, you weren't even looking at the camera. Do try to focus, dear. Once more…and…smile!"

All four of them plastered on smiles and were once again blinded by the flash before stepping away for the girls to grab their coats and purses.

"Ah, that was so amusing," Ruby snarked from her position in the corner of the foyer. "I gotta get to work. See you all later!" And with a wave, she was out the door. Regina turned to say goodbye to her mother, only to see her pensively studying the screen of her digital camera. "What's the matter, Mother?" she asked jokingly. "Did I blink? Have something on my face?"

Cora turned the camera off quickly and smiled softly at her daughter. "Of course not. You look lovely, my dear. Have a wonderful time." With that, she hugged her quickly and then walked over to hug Emma, who returned the embrace a little awkwardly, but happily.

Handshakes were exchanged, as well as the trademark "Have them back by ten" formalities, and then they were in Neal's car, on the way to the annual Storybrooke town fair.

"It's stupid, really," Emma complained on the way. "Most towns hold their fairs at the end of the summer. Storybrooke chooses to do its fair a month and a half before Christmas. But they sell a bunch of hot chocolates and warm apple ciders, you know, the trademark cold-weather stuff."

Regina, whose teeth were already chattering in the cold she was still unaccustomed to, just hummed in acknowledgement. Robin noticed and wrapped his arm around her (Neal and Emma were in the front seats, Robin and Regina in the back). "Here, I'll help you keep warm."

Regina immediately went rigid in his arms, her queasiness returning. "I-I'm fine. Thanks though." She shrugged him off gently and he retreated to his side of the car, looking a bit like a kicked puppy. Regina glanced at Emma, and their eyes met for a moment before Regina looked out the window, wishing she could just tell Neal to turn the car around and take her back home.

Soon enough, however, they pulled into the fairground parking lot and made their way to the ticket booth.

While the guys purchased the tickets, Emma pulled Regina to the side and said, "Okay, spill. What's wrong?"

Regina's eyes went wide. Was she that obvious? Judging from Emma's expression and question, apparently. "I'm fine, just nervous."

"You look like you want to throw up, or run, or both."

Damn. Spot on deduction skills, Em.

"I'm fine."

Emma stepped forward and pulled Regina into her arms. "Then try to look like it," she whispered in her ear. "You look so uncomfortable. Relax."

It was hard to relax when Emma was holding her, her hot breath was tickling her ear, and her addicting scent was invading her nose, but, "I'll try."

Rides were first. The group rode the Tilt-A-Whirl, and The Himalaya, and by the time they were lined up for the Ferris Wheel, Regina was cold. Even with ear muffs and gloves. Robin noticed and offered to grab them all cups of hot chocolate. "Have them make mine with cinnamon," Emma yelled after him.

Regina took the time waiting in line to scan the fairgrounds. It was certainly busy for a freezing cold night, and the lights and sounds were beautiful. She always had loved fairs…just didn't really like the freezing cold temperatures that come with this one.

By the time Robin returned, Regina felt as though she couldn't stand another minute in the cold.

That's when Regina noticed that people were only being allowed on the Ferris Wheel in twos. Couples. Oh God, what if Robin tried to kiss her at the top? She'd seen enough romantic movies to know what's expected on a Ferris ride. Her heart picked up, adrenaline rushed through her, and her stomach tumbled with nerves.

"E-Emma," she stuttered through chattering teeth, "I c-can't do it."

Emma looked over at her and concern grew on her face. "Jeez, Regina, you're practically blue. And your nose is all red. Hey guys, maybe we should call it a night."

Okay, not exactly why I can't do this anymore, but yes. Cold. Let's go with that.

Robin instantly agreed. "It's only about 6:30, we could go to the bowling alley and play a few games."

That seemed a better option all around. They all agreed and then Emma said, "Wait, I have one more thing I want to do, Neal, come with me."

Neal tossed his car keys to Robin, saying "Here, warm the car up. We'll be back in a bit."

Regina tried not to think about whatever it was Emma was wanting to do with Neal, so she fell into step with Robin as they headed back to the car.

"I'm sorry," Robin said as he turned the car on, heaters going full-blast, and climbed into the back seat with her. "All of us are used to this cold…when I suggested the fair, I didn't take into account that you're not acclimated to it yet."

"Oh, it's f-fine," Regina sighed dismissively, putting her gloved hands forward to catch the warm air flowing from the vents. "I love fairs. It was a good idea. I did have fun." She sent him a reassuring smile, and then froze when he lifted a finger to run down the side of her face. "You're beautiful tonight, as always," he said softly, his voice dropping to a low timbre. "Can I kiss you?"

Regina's heart leapt to her throat, choking her. "I-I-"

But his face was already closing in, lips puckering. Feeling helpless, Regina closed her eyes and let it happen. It was going to happen no matter what, right? Robin liked her. She'd agreed to a date, so that's a clear signal to him that she liked him back. Telling him no would just upset him, right? Besides, she needed to figure out a few things, so…

His lips brushed against hers, his growing stubble rubbing abrasively against her lips and chin. Sparks of discomfort and unease rushed under her skin and she pulled back quickly, dread filling her stomach. "Robin…"

"Yeah, I know," he sighed, leaning back. "It was worth a try, anyway, I thought. But I was a fool not to see it before."

"See what?" Regina asked sharply, rubbing her mouth roughly, trying to erase his kiss. Robin pointed out the window toward the fair. "The way you look at Emma. It's not me you're interested in."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Regina snapped, turning away from him.

"Yes, you do. And it's okay, Regina," he said as he placed his hand gently on her shoulder. "I won't say anything. It's not my place. My big brother, John, didn't come out until long after he'd left for college. He was afraid our parents would reject him. They didn't, of course. And now he and his boyfriend visit every holiday. They're good together."

Regina felt her eyes welling with tears, and made sure to keep her face turned away. Robin patted her gently on the shoulder before taking his hand away. "Thank you for coming out with me anyway, despite….oh. I was a test, wasn't I?"

At that, Regina turned back to him, ashamed. "No, Robin, it wasn't…"

He grinned. "It's okay. Really. I'm glad I was the one you decided to give a chance, if only for a single date. A terrible date, really. What was I thinking, dragging you out into the cold?" he laughed then, rubbing his hands down his face.

"Please," Regina whispered. "Don't-"

They had been so absorbed in their conversation, they hadn't seen Emma and Neal approach. The sound of the trunk of the car opening and closing startled them, and Robin said quickly, "Not my place. Good luck, Regina," before the car doors opened and their friends plopped into the seats, bringing a blast of cold air. "Okay," Neal said, turning around to smile at his backseat passengers. "To the bowling alley?"

Regina and Robin exchanged a look, and Robin waggled his eyebrows, making her laugh. "Yes," Regina said, feeling as though a huge weight had been lifted. This was no longer a date, there were no expectations, and Robin and Regina were just along for Emma and Neal's date. "Let's go bowling," she finished, grinning widely.

Emma shot her a strange look, probably wondering why she was all full of smiles again, but didn't comment.

"You could have warned me you were a pro bowler," Emma whined when they entered Regina's room later that night.

"Where's the fun in that?" Regina laughed, taking her hair down and shaking it out. "Oh, God, that feels better," she sighed.

"I bet you're just full of surprises," Emma grumped before smiling. "So," she teased, kicking her feet up on the bed. "On a scale of one to ten, how awesome did Neal and I make your first date with Robin?"

"Nuh-uh," Regina stopped her then, an idea forming. "We're going downstairs before you get all cozy on my bed. Did you bring pajamas?"

"I'm always prepared," Emma said proudly, pointing to the duffel back by the bathroom door.

"Okay, get changed."

Regina grabbed her own pajamas, a thick flannel set because she could still feel the cold deep in her bones, and changed quickly in the bathroom.

A little too quickly.

When she came out, she came face-to-face with a half-naked Emma. Luckily, Emma was faced away from her, so all she saw was the smooth expanse of Emma's back…covered in fading yellow bruises.

"Oh my God, Emma, what happened to your back?"

Emma quickly threw a baggy shirt on and turned around, smiling. "Ever hear of knocking, Mills?" she quipped, adjusting the ties on her pajama pants. Regina blushed and stuttered, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't think."

"It's okay, we're both girls. Nothing we haven't seen before, right?"

"Emma, what's wrong with your back?" Regina asked again, softly. Emma's face flashed dark for a moment, then her smile returned as she took her hair down from its chignon. "I play sports, Regina," she said simply. "And remember the day we met? I cut my leg on your fence. I'm a huge klutz. You'll never see me not covered in bruises."

Regina's head was filled with doubt and concern, but once again she let Emma's explanation ease her mind. "You are a klutz," she agreed. "Okay, follow me. You'll love this."

Regina led her downstairs and into her father's study, which was the only room in the house with a fireplace.

Emma had never been in Henry's study, and she immediately crossed over to the bookshelves, admiring his collection, saying "whoa" over and over as she examined the room. Snickering, Regina made her way to the fireplace, throwing in a couple logs and expertly lighting them, filling the room with a warm glow.

"Oh, hell yes," Emma breathed, moving forward to sit down on the expensive rug in front of the fire. "That's it, Regina. I'm moving in. You're never getting rid of me now."

Regina laughed, warmth spreading through her body at Emma's words. Oh, how ideal that would be.

"Okay, now you have to tell me. Robin," Emma reminded her, stretching her feet out toward the fire. "Was it good? You going on a date with him again?"

Regina sat down next to Emma, stretching out with her. "No," she admitted. "Robin and I had a talk in the car while you and Neal were off doing…whatever it was you were doing. We agreed to be friends."

Emma took a deep breath and let it out slowly, looking at Regina incredulously. "Wow," she said. "I've never heard of a date ending halfway through, and still hanging out for hours afterwards. But it explains why you were much more relaxed after the fair."

Regina laughed. "Yeah. It was just…way too much stress. Didn't feel right. I don't think I'm ready to date. How about you?" she asked then. "How was the first date with Neal?"

Emma shrugged. "It was nothing different, really. We hang out like that all the time. It didn't really feel like a date, except the flowers. God, that was awkward," she laughed, which made Regina laugh too. "Yes, it really was," she agreed through her laughter.

Emma laid back, putting her arms behind her head. "I guess I'm not ready to date either. Kissing Neal at the Halloween bash was just...ugh..." she confided softly, her eyes closing. Regina lay back with her, propping her head up on one arm, and tried not to show her elation at Emma's admission. "Are we weird? I mean, we're almost seventeen. Aren't we supposed to be boy crazy?" she asked carefully.

Emma huffed. "Never have been, don't see me starting to be anytime soon," she stated. "You're not weird, Mills. You and me, we're focused. Get through school, go to college. Make careers for ourselves. Did I tell you that I finally got my GPA to a 4.0?"

Regina gasped. "No!" she exclaimed excitedly. "That's wonderful! Good job. What college are you looking to go to?"

"I don't really know yet. I know I want a degree in culinary arts…but I also want a degree in social work."

"Social work?" That was new information. Emma had never mentioned it before. "Why social work?"

Emma didn't say anything for a long moment, her eyes remaining closed, and Regina was content with just openly staring at her friend, drinking in her beauty and admiring her heart and soul. Emma was becoming one of the best things in Regina's life.

Finally, Emma said, "I want to be part of other foster kids' lives. I want to help kids find good homes, and I want to actively keep an eye out for the bad families, the ones that are only in it for the money or the sick pleasure of torturing, abusing, or raping kids. I want to protect kids like me from the families that I've experienced."

Regina gasped. "You've experienced…torture? Rape?"

Emma laughed mirthlessly. "I really love to cook," she said, completely avoiding Regina's question. "But I also want to help the kids in the world that can't help themselves. So, I have to find a good university where I can maybe do both. Major in social work, minor in culinary or something."

"I think that's a very good plan, Emma," Regina whispered, reaching over to run her fingers through Emma's hair before she could stop herself. Emma moaned then, the sound jolting through Regina like lightning, sending a tingling sensation deep into her belly. She wanted Emma to never stop making that sound.

So she ran her fingers through her hair again, and again. Emma scooted closer to give Regina better access, and Regina happily continued her work, her nails scraping over Emma's skull and down through her silky hair to untangle it.

"That feels so good," Emma whispered. "I don't think…anyone has ever done that to me before."

And that broke Regina's heart. Her mother had always done this for her, more when she was a little girl than now, and it had always relaxed her. The thought that Emma had never been comforted, never been cared for in such a small way, was horribly saddening.

Emma rolled to her side then, tucking her body up against Regina's. She draped her arm over Regina's waist and begged, "Please don't stop," which, oh, the building warmth in Regina's belly moved downward, settling between her legs in an ache she'd never felt before in her life. Her heartbeat sped up and her breath caught in her throat, but she continued playing with Emma's hair, alternating between scratching and massaging her scalp, and going lower to rub gentle circles into Emma's back.

Emma moaned again at Regina's ministrations, moving impossibly closer. "That feels really, really good."

And as Regina held Emma to her, she realized that there was no other place she'd rather be than right here, holding Emma close and eliciting sounds of pleasure from her. And she identified the ache as arousal (even though she'd never felt it, she'd learned about it in sex ed last year), and decided that she enjoyed that feeling too.

Even if she never admitted to Emma how she felt about her, Regina knew without a doubt that she was falling for her best friend. She found her infuriatingly attractive, sexy, beautiful, and she loved everything about her.

And she wasn't going to tell Emma, she decided. Because if she did, there was a chance that Emma would reject her and run, and Regina couldn't bear to be without her. Better to be quiet and enjoy her friendship than to speak up and ruin everything. Regina was going to take the friendship that Emma offered, and nothing more.

That was the way it had to be.

The next month passed in a blur of work, school, and heavy saxophone practices. Regina sometimes stayed after school on the days she didn't work, so that she could help the other saxophone players with their holiday music. She even helped Lily, who had stopped glaring at her and had settled into a detached passiveness, which was just fine with Regina.

Also, just before Thanksgiving, Regina passed her driver's education class and received her driver's permit.

Thanksgiving passed, and sadly Emma wasn't able to help Cora with Thanksgiving dinner (she had gone to New York with her foster parents over Thanksgiving break)…so naturally, it was horrible. The turkey was undercooked, the stuffing too soggy, the pies, well, Regina wasn't sure exactly what had happened with the pies. Truth of the matter was, Regina wasn't sure her mother would ever learn how to cook.

Henry had taken to pleading with Cora about hiring, if not a housekeeper, then just a personal chef. At first, Cora was adamantly against it, but one morning Regina found a newspaper on the counter with potential "nutrition experts" highlighted.

Their new cook, a middle-aged woman named Eleanor, started about five days after Thanksgiving and came around three times a week to cook and prep their meals for them. Regina almost cried in relief.

Regina's first time experiencing snowfall was riding home from school in Emma's car, about a week before Christmas.

"Oh my God!" she cried, "Emma, stop the car!" Emma slammed on the brakes, yelling, "What is it?" and looked completely lost when Regina jumped out of the car and onto the sidewalk. "What are you doing?!"

Regina didn't answer her. She was too busy look up into the sky as the snowflakes came down heavily around her. Giddy laughter bubbled up from her throat, and for a moment, she didn't even mind the cold. "It's snowing!" she yelled out to Emma finally, spinning in a circle. She looked over to see an unreadable expression on Emma's face as she stared at her. Finally, Emma moved to park on the side of the road and turned off the car, getting out to join her friend. "You've never seen snow, have you?" Emma asked softly when she approached her. Regina turned to her, a smile splitting her face. "No," she said breathlessly. "It's remarkable. I've only ever seen it in movies and on the news." She tilted her head back and tried to catch a snowflake on her tongue, which made Emma laugh. "You're a goofball," she giggled, then tilted her own head back, catching a snowflake almost immediately. "It's refreshing," she said. "I've seen so much snow in my lifetime, I've never really thought about someone having never seen it before. I guess it would be a remarkable thing."

Regina closed her eyes and spun around again, letting the snow collect on her hair, eyelashes and coat. When she opened her eyes again, Emma had a pensive look on her face. "What is it?" Regina asked breathlessly, tilting her head in curiosity. Emma opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again, and said, "Wait here."

Regina watched Emma go back to the car and open up the glove box, pulling something out of it. When she walked back to Regina, there was a small box in her hand. "I was going to wait until Christmas to give you this, but I'm going on another trip with James and Kathryn then, to see Kathryn's parents over the holidays" Emma began, shoving the box toward Regina. "I saw this at one of the booths when we went to the fair, and it reminded me of you."

Regina took the box gingerly and removed the lid. When she saw what was inside, she gasped quietly. "Oh, Emma, it's beautiful. Thank you!"

It was a necklace. A beautiful silver necklace with a crown pendant. On two points of the crown were two birthstones: Amethyst and opal. "They're our birthstones," Emma said helpfully.

"…Opal." Regina whispered with dawning realization. "Your birthday is in October. Why didn't you tell me? I missed it!"

Emma shrugged. "We don't know exactly when I was born."

Regina had never heard the story of how Emma came to be in foster care. It appeared she was about to.

"I was found by a ten year old boy on the side of the highway. He was riding in the back of his parents' car, and saw a basket lying on the side of the road. Pointed it out to his family, they pulled over and opened the basket up to find me inside. I was wrapped up in a crocheted blanket, the name "Emma" on the edge of it. The only reason I know this is because I looked up the news stories around the time I was born. They did an article on my finding in the Boston Tribune. I was estimated to be only a few days old. They tried to find out which hospital I'd been born at...turns out I wasn't even born at a hospital. There was no way to find who my parents are. So they estimated my birthday to be on or around October 11. I don't really celebrate that day, because I'm pretty sure my birth wasn't celebrated by anyone."

Regina's eyes welled with tears. Snow was falling very heavily now, and Emma looked like a snow-covered fallen angel. Regina wanted to gather her up in her arms and kiss her pain away.

Instead, she took the necklace out of its box and held it up to Emma. "Put it on me?" she asked softly. Emma nodded and Regina turned around, lifting her long braid. Emma placed the necklace around her neck and fastened it, then took Regina's braid from her hands and placed it back down where it belonged. "There," she whispered. "Let's see it."

Regina turned back around and Emma's gaze zeroed in on the pendant. "It suits you. You know why I picked a crown, don't you?"

At Regina's negative head shake, Emma smiled. "Your name. It's Latin for 'queen'. Did you know that?"

Regina had looked it up once, but never really thought about it, and she told Emma as such. Emma grinned at her. "Your mother and father had good taste in naming you," she said, then smiled cheekily. "Queenie. I'm going to call you that from now on."

"No, you're not," Regina stated firmly, which had Emma erupting into giggles.

"Emma, you're not calling me Queenie."

"You didn't have much luck getting me to stop from calling you 'Gina', so how do you propose you'll stop me from calling you 'Queenie'?"

Regina straightened her back to complete rigidity and stepped into Emma's face. "A queen I am, and I have ways to destroy you," she joked in a dark tone. Emma, however, wasn't deterred. She stepped forward, further closing the distance between them. "That you do," she said softly and seriously, staring Regina dead in the eyes. "Regina…" Her eyes darted down, and whether it was to Regina's lips or her necklace, Regina wasn't sure. She could have sworn Emma's gaze was concentrated on her lips. Is Emma about to kiss me? she thought deliriously.

But Emma didn't finish her thought. She cleared her throat and stepped back. "We should be getting home," she said a little too loudly after their hushed conversation. "At the rate the snow is falling, the road will be covered soon, and I have zero experience on snowy roads."

Regina blinked a few times, wondering what on earth had been about to happen, feeling completely shaken. "O-okay," she choked out through tightened vocal chords, and go home they did.

By Christmas, Regina was extremely thankful she'd gotten all of her shopping done beforehand. The entire town of Storybrooke was completely snowed in.

Luckily for the Mills, Eleanor had impressed the family so much with her cooking and sweet, no-nonsense personality that she'd been hired on as the full live-in housekeeper, and had taken up residence in the lavish guest bedroom (that had been just fine with Regina, as she'd gotten sick of her Sunday cleaning days in a house that was way too big while also working and doing schoolwork). So, their Christmas dinner was perfect and full of flavor.

Gifts were exchanged by the immaculately-decorated tree in the sitting room, and Regina had bought her mother a beautiful pair of ruby earrings that had cost at least a month of her pay and allowance, and had purchased her father a few hours at the Storybrooke Enchanted Spa because she knew that even though her father never complained, his carpal tunnel sometimes acted up on days of furious typing on his computer. He deserved a relaxing massage. Her gift for Emma remained unopened under the tree, waiting for the day Emma returned from her foster grandparents' place. Regina couldn't wait for her reaction when she opened it. Also under the tree was a gift each for Ruby, Neal, Belle, and Robin, who she had still been talking to on a daily basis as friends.

Right before she went to bed that night, Regina pulled out her phone and sent each of her friends a "Merry Christmas" text. She waited a few minutes, and the replies flowed in.

Ruby: "Merry Christmas, R! Hope u had a gr8 1, & can't wait 2 give u ur gift!"

Neal: "U 2."

Robin: "Merry Christmas, Regina."

Belle: "Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Are you still loving the snow? Lol"

Emma replied last, almost twenty minutes later.

Emma: "Merry Christmas, Queenie. Wish I could have spent it w/ u."

Regina smiled widely and replied, "Maybe next year."

Emma's next text was immediate: "Definitely."

And Regina fell asleep on Christmas night with a soft smile on her face.

It was New Year's Eve before Regina saw James and Kathryn Nolan's car return to their driveway.

She was sitting in her usual place on her window seat, staring out into the gorgeous white snow that still blanketed everything. It was about midday, and overcast. She saw James and Kathryn exit the car…then James threw open the back door and pulled Emma out by her arm.

Regina frowned with growing concern as she watched. Emma was shrunken in on herself, head down, struggling weakly against James's hold. He wrenched her to him and pulled her toward the front door, while Kathryn looked around, probably making sure no one was outside watching. Regina flew out of her window seat, crouching as low as she could while still being able to see out the window.

James pulled Emma into the house, and Kathryn followed, locking their car and closing the front door behind them.

Regina stood back up and opened up her window slightly, shivering at the cold air that seeped inside as a result, but soon she heard it: the faint sound of yelling.

James and Kathryn were practically screaming, and this time it didn't appear to be a fight between them; they were screaming at Emma.

And then Regina heard Emma scream, loud and shrill.

Heart racing, not stopping to think, unable to fully process what was happening, Regina pulled on her coat and boots and ran downstairs, ignoring her parents' calls of "Where are you going?" and practically flying out the door. She slipped on the front step of their home, landing hard on her backside and hissing in pain before pulling herself back up and continuing her trek through the snow to get to Emma.

Heart in her throat now, Regina trudged down the street and up the steps to the house she'd never been to before despite months of friendship with Emma, and knocked frantically on the door.

The shouts inside ceased, but she heard one more howl that sounded like Emma's. Then the door opened, and a red-faced man in his thirties was staring down at her. "Can I help you?" he asked tightly.

"I'm Regina Mills, I'm a friend of Emma's," Regina panted out breathlessly, all of a sudden realizing that what she was doing was probably insanely stupid. "I…I saw you come home, and I just…wanted to…invite Emma over, I have a present for her."

The man, whom Regina figured was James, scowled. "We just got back from a trip, and are very tired. Were you raised without manners? Did your parents teach you to bother a family immediately when they return home?"

Regina felt her face turning red. "N-no, and I'm sorry," she murmured. "I just-"

"You can see Emma when school starts back up. Until then, leave us alone."

The door was slammed in her face.

And Regina had a sinking feeling that she'd just made matters worse for her friend.

It was just before midnight when Regina sent a text to Emma's phone. "Are you all right?"

She never got a reply, and rang in the New Year unhappily and worried sick for her friend. She was still lying awake at about 3 a.m., staring absently at her ceiling. Why had the Nolans been yelling at Emma? Why had Emma screamed? Was her friend far worse off than she'd ever thought?

Then there was a knock at her window. She practically fell off the bed in surprise, and when she looked over, she saw Emma's blond head at the bottom of the far right pane. "Emma?" she squeaked, opening the window and allowing Emma to hoist herself in. "How did you get up here? What are you doing?"

Emma righted herself, her hair hiding her face, and turned to close the window. "I'm okay," she said softly, still facing the window. "I just needed to see you."

And when she turned around, Regina almost passed out.

Emma's right eye was swollen and bruised, there was dried blood on her lip, and her hair was matted and tangled. "Oh my god," Regina breathed, pushing Emma's hair back to inspect the damage. "What the hell did they do to you?!"