The next morning, Emma awoke with her face smashed up against the side of her pillow. Her lips were hung open with fresh drool slowly dripping down on previous dried drool stains. Her hair somehow went from a ponytail, to wadded up mess in a short six hours. She was not by any means the epitome of a graceful sleeper. Never was and never will be. For an eternity, she was condemned to be what is called 'an ugly' sleeper.

When her alarm first sounded, the only response was a deep, guttural moan, a sign she was still a part of the living, not the dead. The annoying blaring sound of her alarm, one would think, would wake the not so sleeping beauty, Emma Swan, but that simply wasn't the case. She honestly was incapable of waking up to the first sounds of her alarm. Her inability to wake up was because of recent events and her lucid dreams about a certain someone. It was like one of those nights where you wanted to stay in your dream with anticipation over what happened next.

Some thirteen snoozes later, a very sleepy Emma stumbled from her bed, still in a hazy, dreamlike state, attempting to hold on to the bits and pieces of her now almost forgotten dream.

Her reflection in her bathroom mirror caused her to wince. She was never going to be one of those movie stars who woke up perfect, but maybe she didn't want to be that. Her phone started buzzing again. She sighed as she went to turn off her alarm, but noticed it was an incoming call.

She answered in a heavy, raspy tone, "What do you want?"

"Whoa, you sound happy to be awake this lovely morning!" August cheerily greeted her.

"I didn't want to wake up. Felt like I haven't slept in years." Emma grumbled. Her hands were gripping the edge of her bathroom vanity trying to remain upright.

"I can tell. How 'bout you get your good-looking ass up and come down to the Starbucks for some coffee, this one's on me."

"You frustrate me sometimes."

"Tell me something I don't already know. So does that mean you're coming?"

"Yeah, despite having to walk all the way there. I just got up and look like I've dug a hole to China and back. Give me thirty."

"Sounds good," He said.

It wasn't thirty minutes. It was more like an hour before Emma flung open the Starbucks door to see her friend who had a shit eating grin.

"You look … put together." He laughed.

"Stop laughing. I couldn't wake up. I felt drugged." She monotonically said. He shrugged with an added smirk, "Though, whatever drug I'd want more of it. I had crazy dreams last night, some about Regina, but now I can't remember them all. I kept snoozing my alarm trying to remain in the dream with Regina. Now I just feel like I never slept." Emma practically dragged herself to the high top table.

"Oh, dreams? Tell me about them? Also, those deep-set craters under your eyes give that away."

"Craters. Really. Thanks for that. Maybe I should look into Botox."

"Don't be ridiculous. Let me find a plastic surgeon, those things are too deep for collagen injections. You need the real stuff." He had gestured with his hands before he pulled his phone to pretend to look up some local plastic surgeons.

"August. Seriously, are you done making fun yet, or are you going to cut to the chase?"

"Snapzilla are we? Someone needs an order of a double shot. Too bad they don't have Bailey's."

"Yeah, too bad." Emma rolled her eyes. "You should order. Maybe then I'll tell you about last night and my dream." She told her friend.

"I ordered just before you got here. They should be up in a second. I got you a double shot. I could tell on the phone that you were having a slow… sluggish morning."

"Yeah, well, if you must know last night after we got off the phone I took a long cold shower. I did end up texting Regina. I just asked something along the lines of, 'what are you doing', and she texted back and insinuated that she got off."

"You need to tell her she's no longer allowed to do that without you on the phone, and it's essentially cheating."

"Uhm, how 'bout I don't tell her what to do." Emma looked at August as if he were a cyclops.

"You know what I mean, even if you don't get yourself off, she should do it while you talk to her."

"Ew, so you're telling me to have phone sex?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"I don't know. Isn't it weird before sex?"

"You sure you want to ask me what I think? We've established I'm a ladies man and I like to get it in any way I can."

"That gave me a sick visual. Thanks, but no thanks."

"Well, I'm sorry, not sorry," August mocked.

His attention was pulled from Emma when he heard their names, "August and Emma!"

"Hold that thought, would ya?" August told his friend. He stood up and went to grab their drinks. He poured some light cream and brown sugar into his cup, before returning to their table.

"Here ya go. Drink up Buttercup, I'm gonna need you to feel energized to give me the 411 on that dream."

"You think you're so funny."

August laughed, "I am funny. It's you who lacks the humor half the time. Without me, I doubt you'd ever laugh. Are you sure your humerus bone wasn't removed playing the game Operation as a kid?"

Emma laughed and playfully rolled her eyes at August. It was true, without him she'd hardly ever laugh. He was a character, that was for sure.

"Sooooo, you honestly think I should say something to her about having me on the phone next time? I think that's just too weird."

"Nah, chicks dig that kind of stuff. Besides, if you trust each other, then it's not that weird."

"Right, well food for thought. The only other thing that was spoken about was how she doesn't know if she can keep her hands off of me when she's here in a few weeks." Emma said as she drank a sip of her drink.

"Whoa, she's got the hots for you. How do you feel about that?"

"Like a nervous wreck. I obviously want nothing less, but I'm not ready, even if she did know everything."

"I understand that. So what are you going to do if she like gropes your tits or somethin'?"

"Not a clue. Maybe go with it. My tits are amazing." Emma mused. That was one aspect of her body that she was comfortable with.

August sipped from his cup, his eyes glued to her chest.

"Stop x-Ray eyeing me. It's gross!"

"I'm allowed to appreciate nice boobs." He laughed. "So tell me what the dream was about?"

"I'm so frustrated, and I can't remember half of it. I just know I was with Regina, and she was laughing. There was a bunny. Like a large bunny. It was pink."

August held up his hand, "Stop right there. This story better not involve you and the pink bunny doing it like they do on the Discovery Channel!"

"Jesus fucking Christ. No, August, it wasn't like that. It was like Easter or something, and I was older, and we were chasing a small kid around. It wasn't a sex dream. I can't remember anything else, except I felt so warm and happy. There was so much love and, I don't know, I felt excited."

"Do you think that maybe it represents that you want a family with her and that you see yourself with her long term?"

"I think so though I should probably Google why a bunny was in my dream or Easter. Last week I had a zombie apocalypse dream, and it said that it meant that there's a huge change in my life coming." She shrugged, "So, that's probably Regina."

"Yeah, maybe. I don't know what else it would be. Work is good right?"

"I got a new case I'm working on. It's going okay. I mean, I wish I had more to go on. It's the same old stuff, and this big VP turd bucket is likely cheating on his wife, and I'm just, in the beginning, stages of following him around and getting clues. I need to catch him, though, I think he leaves work early on Thursdays."

"Well drink up your coffee and get going. Are you videoing with your woman tonight?"

"She's not mine. She's not a possession. But I am, yes. I'm eager to see her."

"What are you going to talk about?"

"Jesus who knows? Maybe I'll Google a list of questions."

"Screw that, let me text you some for you guys later."

"I don't know about that. Your mind is permanently in the gutter."

"No, yes, I mean no, but still. I'll think of some topics that I think they will help you guys. You can even preface it by saying, 'My annoying, ladies man, friend gave me this list if you don't like the questions you're allowed to blame him.' Or something like that."

"I guess, maybe. It depends on how sexual you get."

"How about three sex questions and three serious ones?"

"So long as you don't make them graphic."

"Deal!" He brought out his hand for Emma to fist bump him back.

"For some reason, I feel like I'm about to regret this," She said as her fist bumped him back.

"It's late in the afternoon. You should get going if you want to follow that steaming pile of shit VP."

He was right. She was running late since it took her forever to get up and then to get ready. "I'll text you later."

"You're damn right you will. Can't wait to send you my list."

Emma rolled her eyes and finished the rest of her coffee.

Traffic was bumper to bumper and Emma struggled to keep up with the sleek Tesla a few cars up. She tried not to be obvious as she would change lanes when he did. It's not like you can miss an old yellow Volkswagen bug.

As they approached a light, she knew she wasn't going to make it before it changed. Instead of stopping like she normally would have, she zoomed through it just as it turned to red. Making it safely, though, she realized the traffic had come to a halt and slammed on her break pad as her car came crashingly close to a car in front of her. Except, her car didn't stop. It happened too fast, and before Emma knew it, her car was wrecked.

"Shit!" She practically screeched. Once again Albert Spencer got away, her car was totaled, and then there was this horrible pain from her head hitting the steering wheel. Not to mention, the hostile person screaming at her from outside her window. This was an 'oh shit' kind of moment.

She rolled her window down, "Dude, I know you're pissed off, but don't worry I have insurance I'll take care of it. Just stop screaming. My head is killin' me." Emma said.

The angry man instantly calmed down. "Wait, are you okay?"

"Ah! Proof humanity still exists." She said to herself. "And, my airbag didn't go off, and my brakes failed," She said. Her eyes glanced up to look in her rearview mirror, "And judging from my reflection, I'm pretty sure the unicorn growing on my forehead isn't some sheer coincidence."

"I'll call the cops. Maybe you shouldn't drive so recklessly next time." He snarked before walking off to make the call.

Emma knew now was not the time to comment she was driving like this because she was following someone, so she just ignored the comment. She needed to avoid total creeper status. As such, she relaxed into her seat and patiently waited for the cops.

It wasn't long before they showed up, traffic was already backed up, and they probably wanted to get everything sorted and documented before she had her car towed.

"Ma'am, I'm going to have to ticket you pretty badly for this. I also need to confirm that you're seeing a medical professional. You have a large welt on that forehead or yours."

Emma winced. "I'll call a friend to take me. I don't need an ambulance."

"If that's the case, I need to watch you make arrangements. I've had one too many people claim they're fine and not be. It's for your own safety."

Emma nodded and dialed August's number. It rang a few times before he answered, "Hey, I was just texting you some questions-"

She cut him off, "August I got into an accident and hit my head. Can you get me and take me to the doctor?"

"Yeah where are you be there as soon as I can!" He instantly dropped the joking act. It didn't take August long after she gave him the location before he showed up. Emma hadn't seen this protective side of him before, but she was grateful nonetheless.

"You really need to upgrade. You could have died your brakes failed at a different time. You're lucky. Not to mention your airbag didn't go off. Emma seriously consider something from this decade?" He reasoned with her.

"You know if I get a new car that will set me back in my savings." She really loathed the idea of having to spend her money on a new car. She worked hard to save for her surgery and the last thing she wanted to do was dip into it.

"Emma it's not worth your life. You can afford a new car, and the world can't afford not having you. Just think of it like that. Have you texted Regina yet?"

"Actually, I haven't had an opportunity." Emma widened her eyes as she looked down at her phone.

"After you get checked out, you need to." August told her.

"I will. I'm sure it's just a contusion. Nothing ibuprofen can't help!"

And she was right. It was just a contusion. No concussions or anything serious.

"Your inner unicorn is still showing," August said as he dropped her off at her apartment.

She caught her reflection in the window, and it was true. She practically had a full blown horn sprouting from her forehead, how attractive.

"Text me those questions. I'm to go lie down and taking these drugs." Emma shook the pill bottle. It wasn't anything exciting. Just prescription ibuprofen.

"I'll send them now." Looked down at his phone and was tapping at the screen.

Just before she closed the door, Emma said, "Thanks for coming and getting me. Means a lot and calling my parents wasn't an option."

"Hey, that's what friends are for. I'll check in with you later. If you need me, call me. I'm not that far away."

"You got it." Emma smiled.

Not long after, she stared down at his list of questions. It was apparent, he liked making her squirm.

1) What kind of sex do you prefer?

2) When was your last relationship?

3) Do you envision children in your future?

4) Are you a top or bottom?

5) Are you the type who wants to get married, or live in a domestic partnership?

6) Have you ever been with a guy?

Emma couldn't help but turn red. She knew the questions could have been worse. Some, however, were questions she did want the answers to, like children and marriage. The sex questions were interesting. It would definitely stir things up.

She picked up her phone and texted August back.

Fuckin' A. You're trying to kill me, aren't you. Wasn't today enough?

She laughed, because seriously.

Lol. You'll thank me later.

Emma shrugged, only time would tell. She clicked on Regina's name and waited for her to answer.

"Emma?"

"Hey, sorry to bother you," Emma started. "I know it's early, and you're probably at work-"

Regina cut her off, "Something wrong?"

"I got into an accident. I hit my head pretty hard."

She heard a sharp gasp. "Ar-are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just have a splitting headache and an enormous welt on my forehead, but overall I'm perfectly fine. Still have no idea where my pride is." Emma laughed to herself. "Oh pride, where are you, come here, girl!"

"Emma! I know you're trying to be funny, but this is serious, are you sure you're okay?"

"I am. Honestly. Just a little shaken up by the whole thing."

"Hold on one second, okay?"

"Sure!" Emma said. Being put on hold wasn't exactly what she expected, but it's not like it was the end of the world. It was only a few brief moments before Regina came back.

"I'm on my way home. I'm having my assistant move the remainder of my meetings. Can we video?"

"Regina, you didn't have to do that. I promise I'm fine." Emma felt bad. She didn't want Regina to move everything around for her like that. It was all pretty embarrassing.

"But you're not. You're hurt, and I want to video with you and make sure you're really okay."

"Okay." Emma didn't know what else to say. She was blown away by the affection and immediate attention but wasn't what she wanted. She just wanted to let her know something happened and that she was fine. Emma thought that not telling her now and waiting till later wouldn't be fair.

"I'll be home in ten minutes. I'll see you then?"

"Yeah. You'll see me then." She hung up the phone and then added, "And my big gay unicorn growing on my forehead." Emma closed her eyes shut and winced at the thought of Regina seeing it.

It was exactly ten minutes. Regina was highly punctual. Emma assumed that was the business side of her. She accepted Regina's incoming call and instantly a very concerned brunette appeared. "Oh my god. Are you sure you're okay, that looks terrible and painful."

"It's sore. I hit it pretty hard." Emma brought her hand to her forehead and winced.

"What happened?" Her concern evident.

"I was following the guy for my case and went through a red light in traffic. Went to slam on the brakes and the didn't work. Then my airbag failed, so I hit my head." She recalled. "That's essentially it."

"Emma, you need a new car. That's not okay!"

"Yeah, I've gotten that a lot today. August came and got me. He took me to the emergency room and then decided to lecture me on getting a new car. Can we just not talk about it. I'd feel a lot better just talking to the beautiful woman in front of me."

Emma saw Regina trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. "We can do that."

Emma smiled because she felt relaxed with Regina. She didn't have those first date jitters. She just felt like she trusted the other woman.

"So August sent me a list of questions. He dared me to ask them. Same rules as last time, okay?"

"I'm sure nothing he gave you will intimidate me." Regina quipped.

"Question one, what kind of sex do you prefer?" Emma blushed as she asked.

Regina burst out into a fit of laughter. "Wow, he's not holding back, is he?"

Emma bit her lip, "Not in the slightest."

"Well, I mean it's difficult to say. I'm a passionate person. I like it slow and sensual, but I also like it fast and rough. It depends on the moment and how I feel. I'd say, eighty percent of the time I like it slow and sensual. Like making love. Then twenty percent of the time like a hard ... Fuck."

Emma tried not to let the words affect her, but it was kind of hard. Her voice oozed of sex and god the way she said the word 'fuck' caused Emma to shiver with desire to have that some day with Regina. She wanted to have intimate moments with her when she was ready and she hoped to God that Regina would want that with her too.

"I'm the same, mostly. I haven't had enough experiences to say that I would just want to fuck. I think it's an intimate thing to share with someone, so it should be done right, with passion."

Regina nodded. "Maybe I just haven't found the right person to share that with yet."

"Who knows," Emma said feeling flush. Regina winked at her. Maybe they were the one for each other, but only time would tell. And right now, they were working up to still getting to know one another.

Emma diverted her eyes back down to her phone to read the next questions,"Okay, so when was your last relationship?"

"Six months ago. I ended it with a long time ex. She was something else. I loved her, I was also younger and thought I was in love. It wasn't that, though, and it took some time for me to realize that I needed to move on."

Emma never had an experience like that, but she had a relationship with someone that started off slow and took a while to develop intimately. So she could relate, sort of.

"Mine was Lily. She was someone that I loved very much for a few years. As you know, it started off with us not being intimate because we weren't ready, but when we were, and she was amazing, and there will always be a place in my heart for her." Emma said, with a degree of hesitation. "She was killed in an accident a few years ago. I don't know if we'd still be together if she didn't die, but I do know that she made me feel like I could find someone, someday."

"That's awful. I'm sorry for your loss. I can tell she was special to you." Regina said biting her lip.

Emma frowned, "I am too, but that's life. People aren't meant to last forever. She was meant to be with me and leave so I could find the person who truly was destined to be with me." Emma laughed and looked away from the webcam. "Listen to me, hopeless romantic and all. Must be the unicorn growing from my head." Emma pointed comically.

"Don't do that. It's okay to think that way. People exist until they don't, and they change us. They help us find what's right. Besides, my parents have made me believe in the true love garbage too."

"Yeah. I agree. So um…" Emma licked her dry lips and then said, "So, um, question three, do you envision children in your future?"

Emma was nervous about this one. She wanted a son or daughter more than anything. Being a parent was something she valued. After growing up with her own parents, she someday hoped she could pass along those same traits to her own kids.

"I do. I want a family of my own someday. I, um..." She paused. "My job will probably be too much stress, you know. I think it would be my significant other who would have to carry."

Emma knew she physically couldn't have kids, but even if she could, she really wouldn't want to. Knowing Regina wanted kids were great, but her not carrying if they hypothetically had kids, did bother Emma slightly. It was too soon to worry on that, though, and if they did work out, Emma was sure Regina may have a change of heart. "I want kids someday too." She smiled and then looked down at the list. Her eyebrows shot up, and she said, "Okay, forgive me in advance, but question four, are you a top or bottom?"

Emma watched the thought process Regina went through to answer this one, "Well, I suppose it depends. I love being a top, and I love being on the bottom. I just like to share the intimacy. It doesn't matter if I make love to the other person first or vice versa. How about you, are you a top or bottom?"

"Is that even a legitimate question? Totally a top!"

They laughed together.

"I should have known," Regina was amused and smiled at Emma.

"Two questions left, are you the type who wants to get married, or live in a domestic partnership?"

"Married. I value that commitment more than most people these days. People are afraid of being tied to someone. I don't see it like that. I see it as a bond. One where you love someone so much that even in life or death you see yourself with no one else."

Emma smiled. "I agree. Seems we are pretty compatible with a lot of things, which is a very good sign."

"It is, but questions like this didn't show me that. I felt it."

"Felt it?" Emma asked.

"Yeah. I just feel a connection with you that I've never had with anyone else. It's strange, we've never even met either."

Emma felt her palms clam up and she squeezed the tight in her lap and nodded her head,"I feel it too. I wish you were here. I would love to be sitting with you on a couch relaxing, especially after today's events." Emma admitted.

"I'd love that very much. How are you feeling?"

"Besides my head hurting, I have a little whiplash too. My back hurts." Emma winced as she tried to stretch out.

"How about this. I promise when I'm there to use some magic with my fingers and give you a good, well-deserved massage."

"That sounds ... Orgasmic." Emma said with her eyes closed. She haven't had a massage in years. She then shot her eyes open and then added, "Speaking of orgasms, last night, really?"

Regina blushed again for the second time that night. "Yeah, really."

"Maybe you should do that next time with me on the phone. If it's good just thinking about me, imagine what it would do to you knowing I'm on the other end." Emma couldn't believe she just said that. Her newly developed unicorn must have spearheaded her sudden air of calm confidence.

"I think, maybe, we could organize that. Don't back out on me, though. A woman like me has needs." Regina winked at the camera.

"I promise, I won't. I'll be there for you."

The two sat there in awkward silence. Emma wanted to say so much more, but it wasn't the time. So instead, she cleared her throat and asked, "So have you ever been with a guy before, like any drunken one night stands?" Emma knew she wasn't bisexual, but shit happened.

She pinched her face in disgust, "Never and nor do I plan on it either. It turns me off to think about being with a man. There's a reason I consider myself a lesbian."

Emma swallowed the thick saliva and winced. "Yeah I haven't either."

What sucked, was that Emma didn't even know what to say. It hurt hearing what Regina said. She wanted to be everything she wanted and needed, but not someone that disgusted her. Though on the flip side, she wasn't a man, she was a woman. Instead of letting her heart sink to the pit of her stomach, she moved on to another topic that evening, doing whatever it took not to dwell.

"So what are your thoughts on clowns? Love them? Tolerate them? Or are you one of those types of people who think they are fun, with their balloon animals and all. I may or may not be traumatized from the movie, IT by Stephen King." Emma asked in a rush, and she knew it was a drastic change in conversation, but it was needed.