Three months later:

Regina woke up in a great mood and decided to fix breakfast for David who was still sleeping on the couch. Neal was up as well running around frantically playing with his toys. She smiled as she saw the boy laughing. He reminded her so much of Henry when he was young.

David woke up alittle late after his long week working at the sheriff's station. "Kind of you to cook some breakfast." He told her as he sat at the table, rubbing his eyes.

"Yep." She said as she placed pancakes on the plates and sat them at the table.

"I was actually thinking we could go to the beach or something today. You are going to be out of the apartment soon so maybe we could do something fun before you leave." He exclaimed.

She grinned. "Charming, I live five minutes away."

"I know it's just I want to do something fun today. How does the beach sound?"

"Sounds great. I'll get ready." She told him.

She went back to her house and packed, finding her swimsuit. She put a black bikini on, and changed clothes over it. She appeared back at the apartment and saw Neal who had small swim shorts on and David who wore swimming trunks along with a white shirt.

They drove off in his truck together with David driving, Regina in the passenger's seat and Neal between the two. They both smiled as they heard the child through out the car ride, happy.

They got to the beach within a few minutes. As the boy ran ahead from the truck and onto the sand, Regina yelled. "Hey, don't go too far." She looked out toward the child and then looked back at David. She caught him staring in her eyes, smiling. "What?" She asked.

He blushed slightly, replying. "Nothing."

She could see him taking off his shirt to reveal his chest. His broad shoulders made her heart skip a beat and his bold and strong chest stood out to her. She noticed she was starting to look too long so she began slowly stripping down to her swimsuit. She gradually took her pants and then her shirt as she noticed him staring.

As she knew her skin was more exposed, she knew he had to be staring. She admired that he was but at the same time she felt drawn back. She felt as if she exposed herself too much. She looked back at him as he glared back at her body, instantly feeling attracted to her.

He noticed it was the first time he looked at a woman, really looked at one, other than Snow. It made him feel more guilty than ever, but also more alive.

Suddenly, a sense of shamefulness crept in her mind. She looked back at herself, seeing that most of her body was exposed. She coward down as she felt a familiar feeling she knew all too well; the feeling of fear. All of a sudden, she had an image in her mind of David seeing her body there, beaten, bloody, bruised, broken. Her heart raced as fear exacerbated quickly. Her body felt heavy as she realized she stood in front of a man only partially covered. She breathed rapidly as she looked up at him, now having worry on his face. "What's wrong?" He moved closer and he instantly knew she was terrified. She had moved the opposite direction, away from him.

She shook her head. "It's nothing it's- it's just-"

"What?" He asked.

"I feel-" She stopped. She couldn't tell him, she just couldn't tell him the truth; that she felt vulnerable.

"Oh, Regina." His voice was soft as he realized. "I'm sorry, I was looking-"

"No stop apologizing, David. It wasn't your fault." She then tried ignoring her odd feeling and then ran to Neal.

They both laid the towels out in the sand as the boy was now in front of them, laughing while throwing and playing with the sand.

They laid together side by side on their beach towels. Both smiled at the child while he played on the shore.

"This is nice." Regina said as she laid down, resting her back against the towel.

David replied. "It is. We should do this more often."

She smiled, closing her eyes.

He laid on his back as well but turned looking at her as he noticed her smile. His eyes gradually traveled down her body, thinking of how truly beautiful she was.

"David." She moved her head toward his direction. "I wish it could be like this all the time." She rested her head on her hand when her elbow was on the towel.

"Yeah." He said as he now returned his gaze to her eyes. She stared back silently, leaning closer to him as he spoke. "I know. This feels great here." He leaned in closer. She gradually drew in closer as well. Their faces were now only a few inches apart. The two both took a deep breath and then leaned in quickly, ready to press their lips together. Suddenly, Neal threw sand at them, playfully.

"I'm going to get you, little boy." Regina said as she got up, chasing Neal as he laughed. He ran passed the sand and into the water. She picked him up, letting him lay his head on her shoulder.

David grinned as he looked at Regina's appearance as she held his son. She turned back looking at the man. She pointed at Neal's father causing the boy to copy the motion. She let Neal down and then he ran to his father, laughing.

Two months later:

For months, Regina visited David's all the time even though she left his house to live at her own. They became good friends throughout the months. They always pretended the day on the beach had never happened. Both tried moving on from that day, but each kept thinking about it regularly, asking themselves, what happened and why they almost kissed.

Almost every day they took a walk in the woods as a daily routine.

"Henry is going into his junior year this August." Regina told him as they paced together.

He replied. "And Neal is turning three soon."

"They grow up too fast. I just wish we could keep them young forever."

David smiled back at her who also smiled back at him. "You always have a sweet spot for kids. That is one reason why I love you."

Her grin began to instantly fade. "Why would you say something foolish like that?"

"Foolish like what?" He questioned.

"That you love me."

"Because it's true. You are my best friend, Regina."

Regina cleared her throat and began to make a heavy sigh in frustration passing him while walking.

"Why are you acting like this? It's like you don't believe me when I say I love you." David explained to Regina as he tried catching up.

"Because how? How could you ever love me?" She turned, questioning him.

"Regina, I do love you."

She shook her head, no. "You must be mistaken. You would never love me. Why would you?"

"All I want to tell you is that I care for you."

She shook her head once again. "You don't, you can't. It's not possible. You love Mary Margaret."

"I do love Mary Margaret. I will forever love her. It is possible that I love you too, Regina. You helped me through this hell of losing Snow."

"I don't deserve someone like you. I was the Evil Queen."

"You've changed."

"It doesn't matter, David. You don't deserve someone like me, someone who is broken."

"I don't deserve you?" He questioned and then responded back. "You aren't broken. You are so beautiful to me." He then cupped her cheek, staring back at her with a smile. "I know you don't see it but you are."

She looked up at him in the eyes. "No, I'm not. I'm weak, ugly, and vile. Snow was pure. I'm not. None of me is." She sighed. "I'm nothing like her. I'll never be as good as her." She paused deep in thought. "You belonged with Snow but she's gone because of me."

"That isn't true and you know it. That man was a psycho and destroyed this family, not you." He reached out to her wrapping his arms around her. "He destroyed Snow. He destroyed this whole family. Don't let him destroy any more. Don't let him control any parts of you! You aren't as weak as you think. You are only giving him what he wanted. He wanted you to doubt yourself. That's why Snow is gone because she couldn't break free from the pain. But you, it's not too late for you."

"It will always be too late." She yelled as she pushed the man away and then transported herself to her home, leaving purple smoke.