The next morning when Emma woke up, she turned over to her laptop and was disappointed when she saw a black screen. It wasn't like she expected Regina to be there still on video because she had to be at work for early meetings. The whole separation thing just was difficult. Not just for Emma, but for Regina too.

When Regina did get home late last night, the first thing she did was video, Emma. Apparently, the flight had turbulence the entire time and the guy next to her was completely sloshed taking the opportunity to hit on her. Regina looked disgusted as she recounted some of the piggish things he was saying to her about them joining the mile high club together, or emphasizing how big his Johnson was with a wink face.

Regina made it very clear the guy was a sleazebag, who she'd never consider as a partner and the mere fact that he actually thought he had a chance revolted her.

They didn't spend as long talking as they usually did. Regina took a shower and laid out her clothing for the next day. They fell into this routine not too long ago. Emma just sat back, watched, and patiently waited for her to finish up everything before returning. They didn't say much else besides how much they missed each other and how much the weekend meant to them. It was the words left unspoken and the longing in their eyes that emphasized the void both women felt. Emma tried to not let her emotions come across too much. She was worried that being too attached too soon would turn Regina off, although August told her it's not uncommon for lesbians to act like that.

He made a joke about lesbians u-hauling. Of course, Emma had no idea what that was, but he said the term is for lesbians who move in after the first date. He then told her to watch more of The L Word, the TV version of the lesbian bible.

Emma didn't even want to know why he was even aware that of the show. She was worried he was one of those guys who played it on mute and jerked off.

Emma knew that she wasn't ready to move in with Regina, she just didn't want to freak the other woman out. Hell, their second date was going to be a real test to see if Regina really liked her. Time would only tell if they worked out. If they could get past Emma being transgender, then everything else was going to be a walk in the park, possibly.

It was Regina who fell asleep first that night. She was exhausted from all the travel, which was understandable. On the other end of the screen, Emma tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Her mind kept replaying the weekend over and over again. She couldn't shake the feelings she had that night, how much she wanted Regina. They were the same feelings she had when she was with Lily. Those same feelings had been gone for too long and were now flowing through her body. She felt like a horny teenager all over again. All she wanted was to be comfortable with herself and to feel more at peace with her own body.

What she was going through was very real. She just hoped to God Regina would be understanding and really like her for who she was.

The whole weekend was perfect. It was a dream come true to Emma and it felt like she had been given a taste of something she knew she could no longer live without; affection.

While it was perfect, it all went by too fast. Regina was there and then, she wasn't. It was as if in a blink of an eye she was gone. Emma cuddled up close to the camera that night and watched as her girlfriend slept over a thousand miles away. Her entire body felt lonely. It ached to be with Regina and God did she feel on the brink of tears all night. The worst part of all of this, she didn't tell Regina everything as she was supposed to. So guilt was a nasty monster living in the depths of her mind, always reminding her that she messed up.

She planned on telling Regina, on Sunday. Except she got carried away in the heat of a moment. She prayed to whatever existed, that the heat of the moment wouldn't cost her the future of their relationship. She knew she messed up. She knew no matter the circumstances, the next time Regina was in town, one of the first things she needed to do was to come clean and hope for the best outcome.

When Emma sat up from her bed that morning she instantly she frowned. Just the morning before she was able to wake up with Regina there, in her arms. Now, she was there alone. Emma didn't have the pleasure of waking up with someone often, more like ever, at least since Lily passed. Getting that briefest of moments, made Emma yearn for Regina and it made her appreciate the short time she had with her. It was a Hell of a lot better than never getting to hold her at all.

Her heart sank at the mere thought that she might never get to again. She tried not to let it get to her, the feeling of loneliness because in reality she brought this on herself. She just had to find a woman, who held the key to heart, in Maine, of all places. Of course fate or destiny, whichever, made it so that it couldn't even be someone in Florida.

She reached for her phone and opened her messages. She smiled because her beautiful girlfriend had texted her.

I miss you and it was so hard leaving you this morning. I have lunch at 12 if you are free for a quick call?

Emma smiled and texted back a short response.

I miss you too, beautiful. I couldn't sleep last night. My bed was too lonely without you. I'll call you at 12.

Emma sat her phone down and got up to get dressed for the day. She was exhausted from the lack of rest that she honestly needed.

An hour later, rejuvenated, caffeinated, and clothed, she sat down at her home office desk.

Her current case, Albert Spencer, wasn't as easy as she thought. There wasn't really a trail to follow. Whoever he was doing, he was making damn sure his tracks were covered.

The guy was harder to keep tabs on than she imagined. Today she planned to follow him to see if she could come up with any more clues. Her car not working did delay things, longer than she wanted to admit.

August hated her new, if you could call it that, car choice. She wasn't going to get a brand new car. It just wasn't a reasonable expense right now. She only wanted to spend a couple thousand and honestly didn't care if it was a clunker as long as it got her from point A to point B without blowing up. Blowing up would be a big problem. She preferred to not be dubbed as a roasted swan, literally. That would be hella awkward.

Plus, on the flip side, August wouldn't ever let her live it down. God forbid she prove a point he made. It would be unlivable, to the point where she'd rather be six feet under.

So she settled on a used bug Volkswagen from 2001 that was white. It wasn't anything like her old baby, but it was on sale for two thousand with one previous owner who upgraded to the newer 2015 version with a moon roof. On top of that, there were no major issues, at least that the former owner knew of.

It wasn't a showstopper by any means. She wasn't trying to pick up the ladies with it, which is what she had to iterate to August, who had a conniption when he saw it. August drove a Beamer. He looked sharp, sharp like a tool, which he was at all times, in his manly car.

Emma scrolled through her email and saw one new one from Maurice.

Emma,

I need a status update on Albert. His wife is getting uneasy.

Maurice

The pressure was on. She really did need to solve this case. It had gone on for too long. She knew that. It wasn't like her to have a case go on for this long.

She grabbed her house keys and walked out to, Walter, her car. Walter sounded so, official.

Settling into her car, she said, "Alright, Walter, let's see what we can figure out about Mr. Albert Spencer today."

She tapped the dashboard, affectionately, as if the car had feelings and pulled out of the parking lot.

It was off to a slow start. Albert went to an out of office meeting, which was just across town, nothing exciting, mostly boring, and Emma was doing her best to stay awake. This case seemed like it was the worst she'd ever taken on.

Despite the sluggish morning, the one upside was her call with Regina. So, when noon rolled around, she had a shit-eating grin plastered on her face.

"Hey, how's work?" Emma asked, smiling.

"Busy. I actually don't have much of a lunch break so I have to get off sooner than I wanted."

"Oh." Emma tried to not let her disappointment be evident, she looked forward to talking to the other woman all morning.

"I'm really sorry. My schedule is really a mess right now. I also had Jeff, my assistant, rearrange my calendar for next weekend so we have more time together. I'm taking off from Thursday to Tuesday."

"When are your meetings till?"

"They are going to be until Friday evening again."

"When are you flying out of Orlando on Thursday?"

"Not sure yet. We'll have to see what Jeff comes up with."

"I'm really excited. I keep telling myself it's not really a lot of time till I see you again."

"It's not and with my schedule now, I'm going to be neck deep in work till then."

"It's worth it, though, right?"

"Of course, it is. Listen, Emma, I've got to go, I have a meeting in five minutes."

"Okay, I miss you and I'll see you tonight."

"Miss you too!"

The call ended. Hearing Regina's voice had made Emma feel a small ounce of excitement.

The moment the call ended, she felt this pang of sadness in the pit of her gut. She just missed her and being separated like this, it was harsh. It was embarrassing how overly emotional she felt herself being.

She didn't know what to do. She looked out over the large business complex and knew she'd be sitting in her car for most of the afternoon, so she called someone who she knew would listen.

"Hey." She said in a shaky voice.

"Honey, what's wrong." While her mom's voice had a soothing touch, it made her start to openly cry.

"Mom." She managed to say. She wiped away the tears that came from her eyes.

"Emma? Talk to me." She said, worried. Any mother would be a worried if their adult daughter called, in a mess of tears.

"I've met someone." Emma said, sniffling.

"That's great, but why are ya cryin'?" Her mother was confused.

"Because I think I'm falling for her and she lives in Maine of all places and she visited this past weekend and now that she's gone I just miss her. On top of that, I ... I didn't tell her and she doesn't know and I feel like I mislead her and I'm afraid she's not going to understand." She said releasing a long ragged breath.

"Emma. Breathe. Just breathe. Take a deep breath in and let it out. Just gotta calm down, my darlin' girl." Her southern mother cooed.

"What am I going to do?" Emma cried.

"Well, you're gonna to tell her. When ya gonna see her in person again?"

"Next weekend, which I already plan on telling her, but what if she's not okay with me?"

"Then it's her loss. You're a wonderful, smart, funny, and loving woman. If she can't see that, then she honestly doesn't deserve you."

"I miss her so much, it hurts."

"Of course, it does, honey. You love her. It's hard to be separated. I never feel right when your father isn't home for a few days when he goes on his fishin' trips with his friends. It feels like a piece of me is missin'. It's hard, but I get through it every time. You can get through this. Just keep your head up and follow that big heart of yours."

"Thanks, mom." There was nothing more comforting than her mother's sweet southern voice.

"So do you want to tell me 'bout her?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Well, for starters, what's her name? Where does she live? What's her profession, what's she look like? Just the basics." Even though the basics were already like five questions in one.

"Her name is Regina. She lives outside of Portland, Maine in a town called Westbrook. She's a business owner and a mayor. She's shorter than me. She's Italian and Hispanic, so she's got dark set features. She's sexy and smart. She's… she's perfect."

"She sounds like a wonderful woman. One who would be silly to not see that you are too."

Emma laughed a little. "Thanks, mama."

"It's what I'm here for. Now, I have an apple pie in the oven. I need to go get it out before it burns. Call me if you need me. I love you, my sweet honeybee!"

"Love you too, mom."

Later that afternoon Emma was zooming through cars again, this time, erroring on the side of caution.

She watched Spencer from a few cars back turn on his left turn signal. Emma followed suit and turned right behind him. She watched as he parked his car and stepped out just before parking her own car a few rows behind.

They were at a very run down strip mall. Only a few stores, a Super Cuts, a Pita Pit like joint where rats probably colonized, and a place called Bad Kitty.

"This is interesting." Emma said to herself as she photographed the car and Albert inside the store. She pulled her keys out of the ignition and walked inside. Emma refused to miss any of this. The last time she sat in her car he pulled a fast one on her and there was no room for error anymore.

"Ma'am, I need your I.D.?"

Emma dug into her coat pocket and pulled out her wallet, and then the store worker her Florida state license.

She watched Spencer from the corner of her eye. He was in the lingerie section looking at... Garter belts.

"Here you go." The woman said, barely even looking at it to see if she was of age to be in the store.

Emma mosied about trying to not be obvious, but she'd never been in a sex toy store to begin with. So seeing large, almost too large, dildos just casually hanging out gave her the heebie-jeebies. Trying to act cool, she picked up a strap on and studied the back of the box.

Out of nowhere, a woman appeared, "We have that in pink and purple as well. If you'd like, we also carry in the back different sizes in case the lucky lady or gentleman likes it bigger or smaller."

Emma gulped. Her face was surely red. Not like 'holy shit that's red', more like 'holy fucking shit, she's so red she can't even speak', kind of red.

"Oh... You know, uhm... I ... Don't think that's, uhm necessary. I honestly don't think we need this at all." Emma hung the box back and nervously laughed as she patted it. She tensely smiled at the woman who looked like she could have been her grandmother. Except her grandmother didn't reek of cigarettes and latex.

"What are you in the mood for?" The older woman asked trying to feel out Emma's sexual aura to make a sale.

Emma's eye caught Spencer, holding stripper heels.

"Stripper heels, really?" She said, shocked.

"Oh, Hun-eyyy, why didn't ya say so. I knew you were the freak in the sheets kind of gal, let me show ya the kinky inventory!"

Emma freaked out. She didn't actually mean she was interested in stripper heels! She couldn't figure out why the Hell Spencer was even holding them, more or less.

"Uhm, no I didn't mean stripper heels, uhm, I'm looking for, uhm, something I don't know, interactive. Like..."

"I've got some wonderful things that are very interactive. How do you like it? Back door? Double penetration? Bondage? We have a whole Fifty Shades of Grey selection. You kids these days just love that. My granddaughter included."

Emma's eyes bulged from her head. Who the Hell sends their granddaughter Fifty Shades of Grey sex anything? Shivers went down Emma's spine as she sputtered out, "Ba...back door? Double what? No. I mean, like uhm, you know something a little less, edgy?"

"I have rabbits?"

"No, I don't need a pet rabbit? I mean like they are cute, but I have Weezy. I mean like something, like less freak in the sheets." Emma didn't speak sex store lingo, which the older woman was starting to pick up on.

Emma watched Spencer starting to check out. "Shit!"

"I have edible paint, handcuffs, nipple clamps, and some glow in the dark dice games?"

Emma cringed. This was so out of her element. "The paint. Just the paint."

"Right this way." She followed closely behind the older woman, trying to remain unseen.

"We have primary colors, pastels, and glow in the dark."

Never in a million years did Emma foresee herself in such a compromising position being forced to purchase items of this nature. She was going to make Maurice reimburse her.

"Primary is fine."

Emma walked to the register and she tried to not be too obvious since Spencer was still cashing out. She busied herself by pretending to be looking at different massage oils, which did actually seem interesting. Until this past week, she never knew a back massage could feel so damn good.

She watched as Spencer purchased a garter belt, some other lingerie, heels, like big ass 'fuck me' heels and a silver feather boa. His new mistress was clearly, kinky.

"Ma'am, would you like some massage oils too?" Another eager sales associate popped up causing Emma to jump in surprise.

"Jesus Christ." Emma brought her hand to her heart and turned to look at the oil in her hand. "Uhm, actually yeah, why not?" She handed the oil over to the woman and watched as Spencer left.

"Very nice choice, that one is our best seller. It's edible too."

Emma smiled nervously. "Well, isn't that fantastic."

She tried to rush the transaction to keep up with Spencer, but Emma was a little caught off guard by the total.

"How in the Hell is it seventy dollars?"

Despite the cost, Emma swiped her card. At this point, Spencer was gone, yet again.

At least now she had some more evidence against the guy.

That night she knew Regina would get a kick out of all of this. Perhaps, it could even give an opportunity for some good questions.

When Emma got home, she emailed Maurice.

Maurice,

Well, something is going on, that's for sure. I have some photographs that place Spencer at a sex store. Went in undercover, he purchased lingerie, stripper heels, and a feather boa. Didn't his wife mention something about feathers recently?

I think there is more to this. I hope to have more information soon.

Emma.

PS. I had to purchase some items so I didn't look suspicious. I'm expensing them - non-negotiable.

After the email was sent. Emma pulled out the box of pizza from the weekend and heated up some of the slices.

On the counter sat her black bag full of edible things she couldn't believe she actually purchased.

She pulled out her phone and texted Regina.

Hey, when will you be home? I have a story for you? And trust me you're gonna LOL big time.

Emma had no idea how she even managed to survive the whole ordeal.

Just walking in the door. I'll video you in a few minutes as soon as I'm settled. Can't wait to hear your story! I'm in need of a good laugh.

Emma finished eating her pizza and pulled out a bottle of wine. She poured herself a very large glass and walked over to her desk.

She saw that she had a new email from Maurice.

Oh god. I don't even want to know what happened in there.

Good work, Swan. Get me more intel quick.

Maurice

She laughed, she knew he would know better than question her. An incoming video popped up on her screen. She accepted the call. Regina sat there in front of the camera, a huge smile spread across her face. "Hey you."

"Hey." Emma smirked. "So you're never going to believe what happened today after we talked."

"What happened?"

She told her how she followed her client into a sex toy store and the little old lady who was too up in her personal space pitching to her all of the stores products.

Regina, for the most part, was laughing along.

"So let me get this straight, you were holding a strap on and she just popped up out of nowhere?"

"Yeah, she must have come from out of the floor for all I know. She was like we have different colors and different sizes in case your lady or gentleman likes it bigger or smaller."

"That did not happen!"

"I swear to God she asked that." Emma said out loud as she took a large sip of her wine.

"For the record, I have been to a sex toy store, but I've never used or had anyone use a strap on with me before."

Emma felt curiosity knocking and asked, "Would that be something you're interested in?"

She watched Regina sip her own wine before answering, "You know, I've never tried it, so I can't say I wouldn't like it."

Emma nodded, "That's a valid response."

"What else happened?" Regina's eyes studied Emma as she continued to animatedly tell her story.

"I saw the guy holding stripper heels, so I said out loud 'stripper heels, really?' The lady then thought I was into that and was about to drag me over there to try on her inventory when I changed subjects. I asked what she had that was a little less interactive."

"Oh god. What did she say?"

Emma turned red, "She asked, how I liked it."

"Well, how do you like it?" Regina questioned.

"Uhm well, I've only been with Lily and we never used toys or anything so I was way out of my element."

"I have used toys before with an ex. It can be a lot of fun, very orgasmic." Regina said with a seductive, low tone.

Emma didn't say anything. She hoped to God, or whatever that things went well between them so that they could be intimate together soon.

"Oh?" Emma managed.

"Yeah. I mean you really have to trust the person you're with. So anyways, what else did she say?"

"Well after she asked how I liked it, she said something about, back door, double penetration, or … nipple clamps."

Emma said the last part and brought her own hands up to squeeze her boobs that ached at the thought, her poor nipples wanted to invert themselves at the thought.

Regina, on the other hand, laughed. "I can imagine you were pretty awkward about that."

"You're telling me. My nipples hurt at the thought." Emma said as she laughed along with Regina.

Regina, however, turned the tables. "I miss your boobs."

Emma turned red again. "Yeah?"

"I do. They're amazing."

"I could say the same thing about yours. Your body is perfect."

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome, my beautiful girlfriend."

The two stared longingly at one another, Emma was the first to blush and look away. "So after that, she offered to show me rabbits, I said I already have one pet, Weezy. How strange to sell actual pets at a sex toy store. Isn't that illegal and creepy?"

Regina at that point couldn't stop laughing at her girlfriend and how naive she was. "Sweetheart, a rabbit is a sex toy. It's a clit stimulator and also offers penetration."

Emma felt dumb. Of course, it was a sex toy. She drank the rest of her wine and poured herself another glass full of the liquid that warmed her body.

"Well that's mildly embarrassing."

"It's endearing."

"How do you know so much." Emma quirked her eyebrows up.

"I mean, besides the fact that I've been to a sex toy store, I own a rabbit. It gets the job done."

Emma couldn't stop herself, "Have you used it before, thinking of me?"

"That one time you caught me, yes. But, I haven't gotten off since you asked me not to."

"Thought so and good. Wouldn't want to spoil anything before we're together." Emma said. It was an incredibly hot image, Regina getting herself off. She desperately tried to mentally block that visual for the sake of her sanity.

"Did you get anything?"

"Only because I felt forced into it, to stay undercover, you know."

"Sure, to stay undercover, makes sense. So what is it that you go?"

"Edible paint and oil. I just bought whatever. Wasn't intended for use."

"Whoa, no we're totally using that massage oil. The paint, debatable."

Emma laughed nervously, "I told Maurice I'm expensing it."

"I like a woman that takes charge."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes." Regina said.

"Perhaps, next time you're here, I'll have to take charge."

"Maybe you should, dear. I think I would be okay with that if you were."

"I don't think I could resist you again, Regina. You are breathtaking and all I want to do is take your breath away."

The sexual tension turned up a notch that night. It was evident both women were ready to explore the next step in their relationship when Regina was in town again. Emma knew no matter what, she had to be ready to tell Regina the truth, that is, before they got tied up in another 'heat of the moment' kind of situation. There was no room for error and Emma knew that.

So there she sat at her laptop, flirting and hanging out with the woman of her dreams. She might as well appreciate every second because she didn't know how Regina would react when she found out the truth. Hopefully, for Emma's sake, it wouldn't be a big deal and they would look back on her nerves and laugh about it together... hopefully.