A/N: just quickly, I will be writing one-shots for the 100th, 200th, 300th etc reviewer of this fic …

Emma found herself at a loss on Tuesday. Granny's was closed and she had the day off. For seven months she had had no daily routine, no schedule, no responsibilities. And yet three days of working at the diner and she didn't know what to do with herself when she woke up on Tuesday morning, an empty day stretching ahead of her. The first thing she decided was to take a trip to a laundrette and wash her work uniform. A chore. She hadn't had one of those for a while. She had already bought another pair of trousers and was eyeing up some black sneakers for when she had enough spare money.

On Sunday night she had brought back two new sleeping bags for her and August. The man had gently admonished her frivolous spending but he couldn't deny that he had been warmer, and slept better, that night since the New York winter began. They had a plan however, a plan which would mean that they would never have to suffer through a season of sub zero temperatures on the streets again. Half of Emma's wages were being put aside, hidden behind a loose brick in the concrete in their tunnel. New York rent was notoriously expensive but they hoped they could find somewhere if they looked in less desirable areas. After all, anything would be a step up from what they were used to.

So by midday Emma found herself strolling down the street, her laundry swinging by her side and a spring in her step. It was going to be ok. They were going to get off the streets. She was going to have a life again. August even had a job interview the following week. His former army buddy had hooked him up with another veteran soldier who was looking for labourers on a new construction site. At least this employer might understand August's struggle with PTSD.

Her feet carried her to the northern area of Central Park. She rarely ventured much further than the tunnel she called home but she loved the quieter, wilder end of the green space. Well, the white space. A thick carpet of snow still covered the ground and Emma's footsteps lay like dark shadows behind her, tracking every movement. She found a bench beneath a tall tree which someone had scraped clear and sat down. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she reached into her pocket and pulled out half a sandwich. It had been left over at Granny's the day before, untouched by the customer. Emma had surreptitiously slipped it into a napkin and then hidden it in her locker. She didn't think Ruby or even Granny would mind her taking discarded food, but she was still a little embarrassed. Thoughts of that faded away however as she bit into the slightly dry but still delicious bread and began to eat.

"Come on, Robin," Regina sighed, leaning forwards on her elbows and looking determinedly into the stony face of the lawyer before her. "It's a good deal. We all get what we want and we don't have the messiness of a court trial."

The man glanced over the document before him again and pushed it back towards Regina. "I told you before. There is no deal to be had. This merger was all but complete and my client was screwed over at the last moment. They have every right to bring this to trial and they will win if they do so."

"Years down the line, perhaps," Regina nodded. "But not after months of hearings and appeals and the endless stream of paperwork you and I both know will become involved. Surely as a business they'd rather just move on? Take the deal and this will be over by the end of the week."

"This deal isn't worth it," Robin said, waving his hand towards the paper. "We'd win a settlement ten times that amount in court."

"And after you've deducted your legal costs you'll have about five dollars left," Regina pointed out.

Regina knew Robin would have to take the deal eventually. Both lawyers were fully aware that their respective clients did not want to go to trial. She just didn't know how best to get him to sign. Any feminine wiles she may have used in the past had become remarkable ineffective since she had turned his proposal down. She didn't even know why he had proposed. She didn't want to know what her mother had said to the man to get him to agree to the merger. Or perhaps it was Mr Gold, the primary partner of the firm. Cora Mills had always had a mysterious power over him.

Robin sighed and reached out, pulling the paper back towards him. Regina tried not to smirk as the man flicked through the conditions again.

"Up this to five million and you have a deal," Robin said eventually.

"Three."

"Four."

"Three point five."

"Three point seven five."

"Deal."

Regina passed over her silver pen and watched with immense satisfaction as Robin scrawled his signature and pushed the papers back towards her.

"I'll be in touch," he said, standing and buttoning his suit jacket. "Carter is out of town this week but he can come and sign whatever he needs next Monday."

"I look forward to it," Regina said, smiling sweetly as Robin turned and walked from her office.

As soon as the door was shut behind him, Regina leaned back in her chair and let out a little chuckle. Reaching for her cell, she quickly dialled her client's number to tell him the good news. She had been told to close the deal for less than four point five million and was hoping for a bonus after having saved him seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. She had been daunted at first by the almost sickening amount of money she dealt with but it had been years since she had begun to work for her mother's office and she was now used to seeing that many zeros on a page.

She called her mother next, letting her know the deal was complete. If Cora was impressed, she didn't bestow any praise on her daughter, only ensuring that she knew her attendance at tomorrow's meeting was expected. Sobered, Regina ended the call and pulled her next case file towards her.

"We have an arrangement," the man said gruffly.

"I know," Emma replied. "But I would like to end that arrangement. I've got a job and I'm trying to go straight. I can't do," she gestured between them, "this any more."

The man's eyes narrowed. "You want more money?" he asked. "Is that is? I'll pay you thirty bucks for the night."

"It's not about the money," Emma sighed. "I'm sorry, sir. This is the last time you'll see me."

Cold, blue eyes narrowed in the darkness. "Surely it's me who says when this stops. I'm the one who's paying you so what right do you have to end our meetings."

Emma gulped and stepped backwards, into the shadows of the tunnel. The man followed.

"Back off."

Emma let out a shuddering breath as she sensed August's presence right behind her. He had been waiting in the darkness, ready to step in the second the situation got out of hand. Emma had tried to tell him it wasn't necessary but he had insisted on staying. Usually Emma sent him away when she was meeting the man. She didn't like anyone to witness her stooping to selling herself.

The man squinted through the gloom, trying to decipher the source of the mysterious voice. When the dim light from the streetlamp fell across August's face, his eyes widened slightly. The army vet might not have been in the best shape of his life but it was clear he knew how to take care of himself. He seemed to be considering his options for a moment but clearly decided perfunctory sex wasn't worth the beating he would inevitably receive.

"See you around, Emma," the man said, shortly before he turned and walked away, swallowed by the dark park seconds later.

"Thanks," Emma said, turning to August.

"You told him your name?" August frowned, leading the way back to their sleeping bags where a half eaten piece of pie was waiting for them. Yet another perk of Emma's job.

"It was a moment of weakness," Emma said. "He was being sweet to me one night and he said he knew Jade wasn't my real name and asked what was."

"Does he know your surname?"

"No, why? You worried he's going to friend me on Facebook?"

"Do you have Facebook?" August asked.

"I never closed my account," Emma shrugged. "But it's not like I have a computer or cell phone to access it. Anyway, he's not going to track me down, if that's what you're worried about."

"He knows you sleep here though," August pointed out.

"Yes, and he also knows you sleep here. You saw his face when he realised who was behind me. He's not stupid enough to come back and get his ass kicked."

August looked sceptical but said no more. Instead, he reached for the bottle beside him, took a long sip and passed it to Emma.

"No thanks," Emma replied. "I've got to get up in five hours for work."

August shrugged and returned the bottle to his lips, the amber liquid pouring easily down his throat and warming his insides. Emma looked worried for a moment before she broke off another piece of pie and popped it into her mouth.

The town car slowed and stopped. Regina didn't even notice they were no longer moving, so wrapped up was she in the paperwork strewn across her lap.

"Ma'am?" came Graham's gentle, lilting voice.

She looked up, out of the window and realised with a jolt that she was outside the childminder's house. Quickly gathering the papers, she stuffed them back into the file and climbed out of the car. She could see Henry's face through a crack in the curtains as she walked up the steps to ring the bell of the brownstone. Seconds later, the door swung open.

"Hi Zelena," Regina smiled. "Sorry I'm late."

"No problem," the woman said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Ava and Nick are still here too. You parents work too hard."

Regina laughed as she stepped into the hallway and Henry's head appeared around the doorframe to the living room seconds later.

"Mama, come and see the train set me and Nick built."

"Nick and I," Regina corrected, her heals clicking on the hardwood floor as she followed her son and Zelena into the living room.

She stopped dead on the threshold, unwilling to walk any further lest she disturb the complicated length of train tracks which twisted and turned throughout the entire room. Henry sat cross-legged in the middle, grinning widely just as Nick crawled into view, his chubby fist gripping a train which was trundling along the track.

"Very good," Regina admired. "I like the bridge over the piece of paper."

"It's a lake," Henry said, frowning a little at how his mother had failed to identify the blue square as such.

"Of course," Regina nodded. "Now, are you ready to go? It's past your dinner time already."

Henry got obediently to his feet and looked around for his backpack. Locating it, he scooped up Marlo and tiptoed gingerly over to where his mother and Zelena were standing.

"How much extra do I owe you?" Regina asked, puling out her wallet.

"Nothing," Zelena said, shaking her head and letting her long red hair dance through the air.

"Don't be silly," Regina said. "I've been late three out of four days this week."

"And Henry is a delightful boy whom I don't mind spending more time with," Zelena said. "Honestly, Mrs Mills. Don't worry about it."

Regina pursed her lips but acquiesced. She handed over the three hundred dollars she owed and thanked Zelena once again. Taking Henry's hand, the two of them walked back out of the house and down the steps to where Graham was waiting patiently for them.

"So," Ruby said, hopping up onto the work surface beside where Emma was drying pans. "How's your first full week of work been?"

"A learning curve," Emma said, "but I've loved every second of it."

"Even when Granny made you clear up that vomit in the bathroom?"

"Oh, maybe not that," Emma conceded. "But I like it here. It's keeping me busy and I'm making money again. I'm so grateful, you know, to both you and Mrs Lucas."

"We're glad to have you," Ruby smiled. "You're a much harder worker than the usual bus-boys or girls we get here."

"I like to do whatever I'm doing to the best of my ability," Emma shrugged. "It's not taxing work so the least I can do is excel."

Ruby cocked her head to one side and watched the blonde as she finished her washing and began to put the cooking items away. She moved fluidly about the kitchen, already familiar with its layout.

Ruby wondered, not for the first time, how someone who seemed so capable and hardworking could have ended up on the streets in the first place. But it was too soon to ask. They weren't exactly friends yet and Ruby didn't want to push the woman too far. Whilst confident in some ways, Emma was also shy and closed off, reluctant to share anything personal about her life during the few brief conversations the two of them had had.

"Emma," Granny said as she walked into the kitchen. "Are you able to stay on a few hours? Melanie has called in sick and I have no one to cover her. You'll be paid, of course."

"Yeah, sure," Emma said. "How long for?"

"Until after the dinner rush," Granny said. "Eight, probably."

"No problem," Emma smiled, thinking solely of the extra thirty dollars she could earn.

"Thanks," Granny said. "Ruby, Henry just arrived."

"Crap," the brunette said, climbing down from the counter. "I hadn't realised it was so late."

She disappeared from the kitchen without another word, leaving Emma to speculate as to who Henry was. She knew Ruby was dating a woman called Dot. She had met her early one morning, leaving the diner for work just as Emma was arriving. She smiled and introduced herself before pulling her warm coat around her and hurrying through the dark streets to the subway station. Which meant Henry wasn't a boyfriend. It was an unusual name, she thought. Old-fashioned, traditional. She wondered if the man was the same way.

Emma found out exactly who Henry was when, after finishing all the dishes, she delivered a large plate of fries out to the diner less than half an hour later. Ruby was sat in a booth, laughing loudly as little fingers threaded through her hair.

"Stay still Auntie Ruby," Henry chuckled. "I can't braid your hair if you're moving."

"Sorry, Master Henry," Ruby said at once, biting her lip and trembling with giggles.

"Fries?" Emma asked, cautiously approaching after she recognised the small boy who had announced the the entire diner that she was homeless the week before.

"Pop them here," Ruby said, tapping the table.

Henry didn't even seem to register the appearance of the food. His tongue was trapped between his teeth, rapt concentration on his face. His fingers gripped long strands of Ruby's hair, cautiously twisting one around the other.

"Need help there?" Emma asked, smiling slightly.

Henry looked up at last and their eyes locked. Emma blinked.

"Hello," Henry said. "What's your name?"

Emma sometimes wished she was a child again, when the world was simple. That said, her childhood had been far from straightforward.

"I'm Emma," the blonde introduced. "I work here with ... Auntie Ruby."

"I'm Henry," the boy said. "Auntie Ruby promised me I could learn to braid her hair but she keeps moving."

"Oh dear," Emma said, mock admonishing her superior. "How about I squeeze through there and help you. I'm rather good with hairstyles as it goes."

Henry considered the woman before her. Emma waited, her breath caught in her chest as his hazel eyes roved over her, making his decision.

"Ok."

Ruby grinned up at Emma and swung her legs around so the blonde could slide past her. Once behind Ruby, Emma found herself alarmingly close to Henry. She had always liked children and they seemed to like her. At least, they had before she ended up on the streets. Now they were mostly frightened of her. But Henry just smiled at her and held out the tangled matt of hair he had been holding, encouraging her to join in.

"Right, let's see what we have here."

"I'll be ten minutes," Regina said to Graham before she hopped out of the town car and crossed the street to Granny's. The road, at last, was open once more.

The diner was busier than usual on a Friday afternoon and it took Regina a moment to spot her son. When she did, she smiled. Henry was bent over a booth, studiously focusing on what appeared to be a jigsaw puzzle. Ruby waved at her from behind the counter as she made her way across the room.

"Hi Henry," Regina said.

"Hi Mama," Henry replied, without looking up.

Regina went to sit down opposite Henry when she realised with a jolt that there was someone already seated there. The high backs of the booths meant she hadn't noticed her before but Regina suddenly found herself staring into those increasingly familiar green eyes, a slightly guilty look on the blonde's face.

"Oh, hello," Regina said, a little taken aback. "Erm … what are you doing here?"

"Sorry," Emma said, thinking as she did so that it was the only word she ever seemed to say to the brunette. "I was on my break and Henry asked for my help."

"Emma's been helping me with Ruby's hair too," Henry piped up.

Regina turned and looked at her best friend. Now she was closer, she realised that Ruby's long, brown hair had been braided into tiny, messy plaits, hanging down her back like rats tails as she made yet more coffee. Regina couldn't help but laugh. The things that woman would allow her son to do to her never failed to amaze her.

Emma cleared her throat and when Regina looked back, she realised her body was blocking the blonde's exit from the booth. She stepped back, a faint heat in her cheeks.

"Thanks," Emma muttered.

"Bye Emma," Henry said, waving as the blonde retreated back towards the kitchen, grabbing a dirty plate from a nearby table as she went.

"Bye Henry," Emma said. "It was nice to meet you."

Regina watched as the young woman scurried from the room, her long blonde hair whipping around the corner and out of sight. She sank slowly into the chair and turned her attention to Henry.

"How was your day?" she asked him.

"Good," Henry said, lifting his head at last and smiling at his mother.

Regina's breath caught in her throat as she looked into his bright hazel eyes. She would never get over how wonderful it made her feel when he son smiled at her like he was just then. Like she was the only person in the world whom he loved. Regina grinned back. For her, Henry was the only person in the world whom she loved with all her heart.