A/N: I am SO SORRY this update has taken forever, and I apologize again because I've got a week to plan my son's fourth birthday, and three weeks before I'm heading to Denver for the Once Upon a Time convention! I'm going to meet Lana! (and a few others) so I'm going to be swamped and won't have time to write until I come home. So the next chapter will probably come in the middle of June. I fully expect I'll be filled with ideas when I come back from con, so I should get back to regular updates again.

Thanks for sticking with this story even though I'm being pretty unreliable. But I promise, I won't abandon this story. I'm proud of it, and I won't let it die.

Anyway, I'll let you get on to reading.

"So, here's the thing, girls. I am old, but I am not stupid. I would definitely prefer, if you choose to partake in illegal, underage tomfoolery, that you would keep the evidence out of my house. I am glad that you chose to do it here, where you are safe, but do not ever bring the substance into our home again. I hope you can understand why I have to make this rule."

"Yes, sir," Regina and Emma mumbled, heads bowed in shame, as they sat in Regina's bed. Henry had come in early, shut the door, opened Regina's window and forced Emma to hand over the last of the joint, and he then flushed it down the toilet and sat down at the end of the bed to talk to them. "I'm sorry," Emma piped up. "It was my fault, sir. I brought it…and I know I shouldn't have."

"She didn't force me to try it, I wanted to…"

"I was really down about prom and upset about some stuff and…"

"Daddy, please. I'm so sorry."

Henry held up a hand and glanced at the closed door, making sure Cora wasn't within earshot. "It's over, it's done. Emma, I won't tell your parents about it this time, but only this time, you understand? You girls have a bright future, and I don't want to see it ruined. Emma, if you ever need someone to talk to, if there's something in your life that's driving you to alcohol and drugs, I hope you know I'm always here to lend an ear. Cora and I have grown very fond of you in the short time we've known you, and you're already like a daughter to us. We're here for you."

"Yes, sir. Thank you. I understand," Emma said morosely, tears shining in her eyes. "If I ever need to talk, I'll come to you. I promise."

"Bueno. Now, Regina, I will not tell your mother about it this time, all right? This one time. But don't think you're getting off the hook easily. Your punishment will be to drive me to the nursery today, to pick out bulbs and bushes for the garden, and when we get back, you are going to dig up all the dead shrubbery and help me plant the new ones. Agreed?"

Regina actually felt a bit of excitement at that "punishment". "Yes, Daddy. I'll even buy the bulbs with my own money."

"That is not necessary, but if you insist."

"So," Emma began hesitantly. "The nursery, huh? I've never been in there. Can I go? Um, you know, and share some of the punishment?"

"Well, Emma, that was going to be the next thing I was going to say to you. I won't tell your foster parents, but you will help Regina in the garden if you have nowhere to be today."

"I don't work today, so yes. Definitely. Thank you," Emma said in a rush.

Now, there's other important things to discuss," Henry said. "There's the matter of my book launch party, coming up in a couple of months. I trust Regina gave you your invitation?"

"Yes, sir," Emma confirmed.

"And your foster parents have consented to let you come with us?"

"Yes, sir. Kathryn and James are going on a couple's vacation in Cozumel that weekend, and they said it would be good for me to learn to socialize among the, uh, elite."

"Hm. We're far from the elite, but I see their point. You need connections for when you go to become a world-renowned chef," Henry said, winking at her. "Now, this is fantastic news, because I've already booked a seat in first class for you, next to Regina, on the flight to New York. I have also arranged an extra hotel room in the hotel where the event will be taking place, which you will be sharing with Regina. I have also arranged for all of your meals, and any shopping funds you may need."

"Oh, Daddy," Regina began, eyes welling up with grateful tears.

"Whoa. Um. Thank you," Emma said, her face turning pink. "But, I had planned to use my own money for it, I've been saving all of my paychecks and-"

"And you will continue to save them," Henry said. "You are coming as our guest, and will be treated as such. Now, I think it would be best if you both showered before breakfast." He looked at them both pointedly and tapped the side of his nose, indicating of course that they reeked of pot smoke. Then he stood up and exited the room, closing the door behind him.

The girls exhaled their remaining guilt and anxiety, then Regina got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, fishing out her air purifying spray before entering the room, spraying the stuff everywhere. "You can go ahead and shower," she said over her shoulder as she sprayed. When she finished and turned toward her friend, she was shocked to see that Emma had removed her night shirt and pants, standing before Regina in only a small thong. "Whoa, sorry," Regina said, quickly turning back around and drawing her curtains shut to allow Emma some privacy. Emma just laughed at her. "Oh, come on, Regina," she said, moving to stand in front of her in her mostly-naked glory. "You're a girl too. We've had this discussion. Unless…do I make you uncomfortable now that you know I'm a lesbian?" She lowered her voice for the last sentence, crossing her arms underneath her pert breasts, nipples hardening in the cool air and completely on display. Regina tried to look everywhere but there, and failed miserably. "I'm not uncomfortable," she pouted. "Just…used to privacy."

"Well, we're best friends now," Emma grinned, moving to grab hold of Regina's shirt and lift it over her head. "Part of the rite of passage into best friendship is showering together."

Regina didn't argue, just lifted her arms and allowed her shirt to be removed, surprised at how uncomfortable she didn't feel with that action. She watched Emma's face as her own breasts were revealed, and wasn't disappointed to see Emma's pupils dilate and her throat work as she swallowed thickly. "See? Boobs, we both have them," Emma said, moving to poke the side of Regina's right breast. The feeling of her finger made Regina gasp, and Emma's eyes flickered to her face and then back to her breast, where her nipple was beginning to harden in reaction, before moving her hand away. "Sorry," she said. She then stepped back to remove her thong. Regina's eyes followed its descent, and then zeroed in on the soft blond curls between Emma's thighs before she tore her gaze away. "I uh, thought you didn't wear panties," she tried to joke as her body began to heat with arousal. Emma laughed. "I don't wear panties, I wear boxer briefs on most days. I wore a thong last night because I was in that damned dress."

"You wear men's boxer briefs? And you just now figured out you're a lesbian?"

"Don't judge, they're comfortable. What do you wear, Queenie?"

Gathering up her courage, Regina dropped her pajama bottoms to reveal her lace panties. "Oh, fuck," Emma said, staring blatantly. "You wear that?"

"Most of my underwear and bras are matching sets," Regina explained. "My mother enforced it, saying that one should be stylish down to their undergarments."

"Well, that's pretty good advice," Emma said distractedly as Regina moved to remove the garment, careful to hide the telling wet spot that had been a result of Emma's nudity. There they stood, then, naked in each others' presence, and then Emma sighed. "I'm going to be honest with you," she stated softly. "This was kind of a test."

"Oh?" Regina asked, feeling a bit wary all of a sudden. "What kind of test?"

"I wanted…to know if you actually felt comfortable, after…what I told you last night. I mean, we've been sleeping in the same bed and stuff, and I figured you'd…I don't know…"

"Be offended and assume that you could possibly want to just see me naked, for sexual reasons?" Regina finished for her. "I've told you, Emma, I don't care. You're my friend. If you want to…look at me, then look at me. It's not like you're forcing yourself on me."

"I'm sorry," Emma said. "I'm just…trying to figure things out. I shouldn't have tested you like that."

"No, you shouldn't have, but I passed. Are you going to join me in the shower or no?" Regina asked curtly, moving to enter the bathroom and start the shower. Before she could do so, Emma grabbed her arm and pressed her against the wall, placing a hand on either side of her head and staring into her eyes. Regina found herself both turned on and feeling ridiculous as they were both naked. "I don't understand you sometimes," Emma admitted, moving closer until their bodies and faces were inches apart. "You're helping me accept and become comfortable about who I am, sacrificing your pride and dignity or whatever to first kiss me and now shower naked with me. What do you get out of this? Help me understand."

Regina found her eyes wandering down Emma's torso again before locking back onto her eyes. "I care for you. No one should feel alienated because of their preferences."

They stared at each other for a moment more, and then Emma closed her eyes and stepped away. "We should shower separately," she said.

"Why? We're both already naked."

"Just…I can't stop from…you've done enough for me. And I need some time to think, if you don't mind."

"Of course, Emma."

"I'm sorry, Gina."

"Don't question my devotion to our friendship again, you understand?"

"Yeah, yeah, Queenie. I understand." And with that, Emma disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Regina heard the shower start up, and then a strange thump against the wall, almost like Emma had punched it. The sound of the curtain closing came next and Regina sighed, sitting down on her bed and covering her face with her hands, trying to steady her heartbeat and stop the swimming in her head from seeing Emma completely naked. She was beautiful, and Regina wasn't sure she could ever erase that vision from her mind.

As she started imagining Emma in the shower, Regina knew that that particular visual was burned into her retinas for life.

A few minutes later, she heard a muffled sound, somewhere between a shout and a sob, from the bathroom. She jumped up and knocked on the door. "Emma? Are you okay?"

"Yeah…I'm…fine," came the breathless response. "Sorry, I slipped and almost killed myself in your shower. All's good though… I caught myself!"

Regina rolled her eyes. Emma really was a klutz sometimes.

Hours later, Regina and Emma were soaked with sweat and covered with dirt as they struggled to uproot a particularly large dead bush.

"Why did I volunteer for this? Why didn't I just bail when I had the chance?" Emma grouched as she dug the shovel into the dirt again while Regina twisted the trunk around. "You know what," Regina retorted breathlessly, "This is fine. This garden has been driving me insane since we moved up here. Better to be punished with something I've wanted to do. Daddy could have had us power-washing the house or cleaning the gutters or polishing the silver."

"I'm sorry I got you in trouble," Emma said, finally managing to pull the roots completely out of the ground, and helped Regina move it to the brush pile they'd started.

"It's fine," Regina huffed. "I'm not sorry I did it. It was fun, I felt relaxed and happy for a few hours."

"And I got to kiss a girl. Really, it was a win-win. But this is still kind of a punishment for me, anyway."

"Tough it out, you bad influence," Regina joked. "Don't wimp out on me now, we're not even halfway through."

"Ughhh."

Softball season had started back up, as did Regina's concert season with the school band. Between those two things and work, Regina and Emma barely saw each other anymore except at school, softball games (where Regina was usually in the crowd, yelling at the top of her lungs to cheer Emma on), and at night when Emma did her flashlight signals.

The next month passed in a blur of stress, determination and loneliness, but then the last day of school came and went, as did graduation for Ruby, Belle, Neal and Lily. Tears were shed, hugs were exchanged (except between Ruby and Lily), and the torch was passed.

Emma and Regina were almost officially seniors.

And in no time, Regina and Emma were packing for the trip to New York.

"I hate to admit this, but I'm so nervous," Emma said as she folded her clothes and shoved them into her little suitcase. "I mean, prom was fancy and everything, but this is a whole other ball game…"

Regina chuckled from her closet, where she was pulling out their dresses that she'd kept in garment bags since Christmas. "It's really not going to be that bad," she explained. "I'll talk you through it, okay?"

"You'd better."

"Here, turn around."

Regina was holding up Emma's swan necklace, the one she'd bought her for Christmas. Upon seeing it, Emma's face lit up and she turned around immediately, pulling her hair out of the way. Regina put the necklace on her and latched it, then grabbed Emma's hair and smoothed it back down the length of her back. "There you go, Swan," she said with pride. Emma fingered the beautiful swan pendant and turned, smiling at her friend. "Thanks."

"It still looks beautiful on you," Regina said softly, reaching up to touch it.

"I still love it. You're the best, Gina."

They smiled at each other, and then Henry yelled from downstairs, "Come on girls! Hurry up or we'll miss our flight!"

Two hours later, Emma was gripping the arm rests of her seat as the plane left the runway and soared into the sky. "Hey, you okay?" Regina whispered, reaching over to touch her on the arm.

"I've never been on a plane before," Emma ground out through gritted teeth.

"What?" Regina gasped. "But you go to New York all the time…"

"We drive."

"Oh."

The plane jerked a little as it hit turbulence and Emma turned white as a sheet, her eyes nearly bugging out. "Oh God," she rasped. "We're going to crash. We're going to die."

Regina laughed and shook her head. "No, Em. We're not. It's turbulence. Happens every time. It's okay. Breathe with me."

Regina worked with Emma on her breathing for almost a minute before Emma's eyes glassed over and her skin took on a sickly green color. Knowing the signs, Regina grabbed a sick bag and handed it to her friend just in time for Emma to grab it and violently vomit into it.

Regina's nose crinkled at the unpleasant odor, but she reached over and pulled Emma's hair away from her face, rubbing her back reassuringly as she heaved. "Shh, it's okay."

"This is so-" she gagged again, gasping, "-embarrassing, oh my God…"

"No, it's okay. Listen, there's a lady two rows back that's having a worse time than you right now," Regina whispered, and then they heard a violent retch behind them and Emma laughed weakly before heaving again.

Finally, spent, Emma closed up the sick bag and Regina reached into her carry-on, pulling out a container of wet wipes. "I sometimes get sick too," she admitted, handing a wipe to her friend. "It's normal. Nothing to be ashamed of."

The flight attendant collected the bag without comment, leaving a bottle of water on Emma's tray as well, and Emma finally seemed to relax as she wiped her face and took a drink of the water. "So," she said when she was done, "this is first class, huh? Wish I could compare it to coach, but seeing as how I've never flown before, I can already tell you I'll be ruined if I ever have to fly coach in the future."

Regina giggled and pulled out her headphones. "Want to listen to some music?" she asked, knowing what would make her friend feel better.

But as soon as Emma started playing music on her iPod, she gasped and leaned over Regina, staring out the window. "Oh my God," she breathed.

They were above the clouds now, and rather than look at the view, Regina looked at Emma. Emma was so close, she could smell her shampoo and perfume and yes, even some remnants of her vomit, but she didn't care. Emma's body pressed against hers and her eyes were glued to the sight out the window, so Regina took the time to study her friend's beautiful face. Her green eyes reflected the sun and her thin pink lips were parted. Regina felt the urge to taste those lips again, but then laughed at herself for thinking such thoughts after her friend had just upchucked her breakfast.

"Why are you laughing?" Emma asked, tearing her gaze away from the window. Their eyes met and Emma realized how close they were. "Oh. Sorry. I probably don't smell to great. Sorry." She leaned back and Regina shook her head. "No, it was nothing like that. I was just laughing at a thought I was having."

"Wanna share?"

"Nah. Not important."

"Okay."

"So, how do you like the view?" Regina asked. Emma's eyes went wide. "What do you think?" she asked. "It's breathtaking, looking at the Earth from this height. I'm amazed."

"Good," Regina said, shifting in her seat to get more comfortable. "I'm glad I was part of your first time seeing it."

"For sure. Me too."

When the flight attendant came to ask if they wanted food, Emma threw up again at the mere mention and Regina could do nothing but laugh and feel sorry for her friend.

From behind them, Cora got out of her seat and slapped Regina upside the head with a pamphlet. "Remember your manners. Your friend is sick. Don't be so rude as to laugh at her."

"Sorry, Mother," Regina snickered, and then gagged herself as Emma's stench wafted her way, causing Emma to laugh uproariously when she was done being sick. "Serves you right," she teased as she wiped her face clean once more.

"Okay, so, that was cool and all," Emma said when they landed in New York, "but can we like, rent a car for the trip back?"

The Mills just laughed.

A/N: Sorry it's so short and choppy. I just wanted to get out one more chapter before putting it down again for a month. The next chapter is the book launch, and then things get REALLY angsty and dramatic. So I'm warning you now, so you have a month to prepare. Lol