A/N: Hi, everyone. It has been at least eight years since I updated my stories, but I want you all to know that I have returned and am in the process of doing a fic overhaul. If you are new here, welcome! If you have read this before in its early days and have returned to the very beginning for a refresh, I hope you appreciate the changes.
It's been two years since Emma Swan broke Regina's curse in Storybrooke, Maine—two long years since the epic rescue mission from Neverland and the nasty battle with Peter Pan. For Emma, the fighting and the constant feeling of having to look over her shoulder have stopped in these two short years. As Emma sat at her desk in the police station, she couldn't help but reminisce over the past years. It's been a long time, but Emma could not deny she was finally happy. Everything in Storybrooke was finally back to normal. Regina still held her position as Mayor, and nobody dared run against her, although most of the town still hated her; Emma was still the Sheriff, and David, Frederick, and now Ruby were her deputies; Mary-Margaret was still a school teacher, though she no longer taught Henry since he was now 12 years old and in the 7th grade. Everything was picture-perfect.
Emma leaned back in her chair and casually threw her feet up on the desk once she'd finally finished the large pile of paperwork Regina so kindly brought to her that morning. Just as she was about to catch what she hoped would be a thirty-minute desk nap, the Sheriff heard the familiar clacking of heels coming down the hallway outside her office.
"Oh hell, here comes the devil," Ruby muttered as she gave Emma a sympathetic glance.
Since Saturdays were the deputy's day off, the only person who should've been at the station was Emma, on Regina's strict orders. When Emma stopped by Granny's for breakfast that morning, Ruby offered to stay and help Emma by dividing the load of paperwork between the two. The two women glanced at the office door and then back to one another as Emma set her feet on the floor and sat straight in her chair. As Regina sauntered in, Ruby ducked her head away from the Mayor's death glare, silently praying the woman would be quick about her tongue-lashing and leave.
"Well, what do we have here?" Regina asked bitterly as she stepped into the Sheriff's office.
"Is there something I can help you with, Madame Mayor?" Emma asked, not bothering to mask her annoyance.
Regina stopped at Emma's desk, placing both hands on her hips. "I'd just like to know why Ms. Lucas is here on her day off, doing what appears to be your work," Regina said, shooting Ruby an intense glare before turning her gaze back on Emma.
"Well, Ruby kindly offered to assist me this morning, so I allowed it," Emma answered, irritated by Regina's implication that she was lazy.
Regina scowled at the tone Emma was taking with her but softened a bit as she prepared to speak again. "I know this is a bit short notice, but I am here to invite you for dinner." Regina felt a bit uncomfortable, the fear of rejection quickly washing over her as she let the last few words tumble out. "Henry has been wanting to see you." Regina watched Emma's facial expressions in anticipation.
Emma furrowed her brow as she smoothed a hand through blonde curls. The Sheriff needed to figure out what Regina was up to, but she knew this little invitation had nothing to do with their son. Regina and Emma decided a long time ago that Henry would live with both of them. Monday through Wednesday was when Emma had him, and then Regina had him the rest of the week. Why would Henry be so anxious to see her? He lives with her half the time.
"Tell Henry that I am sorry, but I'm exhausted and will be skipping dinner tonight," Emma said with a tone of finality.
Regina's eyes flashed with disappointment which was gone as quickly as it had come. Hard mask back intact, the Mayor said, "Very well." and turned towards the door. As she exited the Sheriff's office, Regina couldn't help the small tear that slipped down her right cheek. How can Emma be so blind? Regina thought as she made her way out of the building.
"Well, that was weird," Emma muttered as she stood to pull on her red leather jacket.
Ruby sighed and sat straight in her chair as she looked at Emma. "Ems, I think you just turned down a date," Ruby said with a chuckle.
Emma's face twisted in horror at Ruby's words.
"Are you insane?!" Emma began, "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard you say, Rubes," she said, fighting to control her laughter.
Emma pulled her cell phone from her pocket and quickly typed out a text message to her son.
Hey kid, I'm sorry, but I had to refuse the dinner invite. Super tired today, but I'll see you Monday.
"Come on, Rubes, you can crash at my place tonight," Emma said, walking over to the door.
Ruby bounced to her feet, almost knocking over her well-organized half of Emma's completed paperwork. The two women left the police station arm in arm, walking towards Ruby's Red Mustang convertible. As Ruby began the drive towards Emma's house, Emma's phone buzzed in her pocket. The text was from Henry.
What dinner invite?
Emma raised an eyebrow in confusion as she typed back.
Your mom came by the station to invite me to dinner tonight; she said you wanted to see me.
Henry's reply was lightning quick. Emma stared at the screen of her phone in disbelief as she read and re-read his message.
LOL! Nah, that's not true. I always want to see you but never ask to see you on Mom's days to avoid hurt feelings.
Ruby finally pulled into the driveway in front of Emma's house. Emma's parents, Mary-Margaret and David, had built a house near the beach with the help of a few townsfolk and some magic as a gift to Emma. It was a beautifully modeled modern two-story home overlooking the ocean, and Emma lived in it all by herself except for the days she got to keep Henry. As Emma and Ruby exited the Mustang, Emma couldn't help but feel nervousness at the pit of her stomach.
"Um. Rubes, I think maybe you were right." Emma said sheepishly as she unlocked the front door and held it open for Ruby.
"Right, about what?" Ruby asked with a giggle. In Ruby's mind, she was always right, no matter what anyone else said.
"I think I turned down a dinner date with Regina," Emma said with a loud sigh.
Ruby raised her eyebrows in surprise as she followed Emma into the kitchen. It was apparent, to Ruby anyway, that Regina was in love with Emma. How she looks at Emma when Emma isn't paying attention is a dead giveaway. Also, the Mayor would start fights with Emma occasionally to get under Emma's skin. Regina was gentle with Emma, consistently lightly touching her shoulder or back as she walked by. However, Emma seemed utterly oblivious to Regina's feelings and actions.
"What makes you think I was right about that?" Ruby asked out of curiosity as she sat down in the kitchen on the island.
" Henry texted me saying he didn't ask Regina to invite me to dinner," Emma answered with a sigh.
Ruby let out a giggle before responding. "You do realize Regina is crazy, over the moon in love with you, right?" She said, letting a few more giggles escape before composing herself.
"Rubes, please, I don't want to go down that road," Emma said as she opened the fridge and grabbed them both a beer. Emma plopped down on the stool next to Ruby before resting her head on the countertop.
"You mean you're aware?" Ruby asked, her tone colored with disbelief.
Emma let out a frustrated groan before taking a swig of her beer. "Yes, I am well aware; it couldn't be more obvious," Emma answered.
Ruby sipped her beer before lightly punching Emma in the arm. "You mean to tell me you know how Regina feels, but you're ignoring it?!" Ruby asked, unable to grasp the situation at hand.
Emma laughed at Ruby's facial expression. There was indeed nothing more priceless than a scandalized werewolf. "I've known for a while now, and it isn't what you think." Emma began. "I could tell that after the stuff with Pan and after continuing with magic lessons, Regina had developed feelings, but I refuse to go there." Emma finished, chancing a glance in Ruby's direction.
"Why Em?!" Ruby asked, still trying to understand the issue.
Emma let out a loud sigh. This was harder to explain than Emma had anticipated. "I care about Regina, but it feels too weird, ya know?" Emma finally said.
"Is it because of Henry?" Ruby asked.
"She used to be my mom's stepmother slash arch-nemesis," Emma said.
Ruby let out a laugh. Emma, after all, had a point; Snow and David would probably die if Emma and Regina took their relationship to that level. Also, Ruby liked her and Emma's little "relationship," but she didn't want that to end, thanks to the Mayor.
"Well, as long as you're refusing to go down that road, I suppose there's no harm in our little arrangement?" Ruby purred in Emma's ear, a smile playing across red lips.
Emma felt butterflies accumulate in the pit of her stomach as Ruby's breath tickled her ear. She and her best friend had been having a sexual relationship for the past six months, and Emma couldn't help but wonder whether she and Ruby should date each other already. Instead of bringing up that topic, Emma rose to her feet, pulling Ruby up simultaneously.
"No harm at all," Emma said, pulling Ruby into a searing kiss.
The two women gripped each other tightly as they deepened their kiss, desperately clawing at one another's clothing. They broke their kiss once they felt the need to breathe. Emma's eyes darkened with pure desire as she spoke. "Race ya to the bedroom," she said as she turned swiftly on her heels and darted up the stairs. Ruby followed, grabbing at Emma's jacket in an attempt to pull the other woman down.
Meanwhile, back at the mayoral manner, Regina sat by the fireplace in her study, sipping her cider. She still didn't understand why Emma had turned her down before. Usually, just mentioning Henry's name would get the Sheriff to do whatever Regina wanted. Regina wasn't sure why or how the love she felt for Emma came to be; she only knew that she had to have her. Against her better judgment, Regina decided to use her magic to see what Emma was really up to that night.
The brunette grabbed a hand mirror from her purse, and with a wave of her hand, a cloud of purple smoke appeared over the object before revealing Emma Swan in what looked to be her bedroom. Regina smiled at the sight of the blonde plopping down on her bed, grinning from ear to ear. That smile faded quickly once she spotted Ruby stripping and climbing onto the bed to do the same to Emma. Regina tried not to feel hurt while watching the pair share a passionate kiss while Ruby proceeded to undress the woman Regina loved. A few tears escaped Regina's eyes as she watched Emma be intimate with Ruby. How dare that little wolf whore touch what is mine! Thought Regina as she waved a hand over the mirror, causing the image to disappear before dropping it back into her purse.