Capitulo 5

Emma took a deep breath and squared off with Robin. "Sir, if you don't mind, I would like to wait for Ms. Mills so that I can hand over her agenda-"

"Didn't you hear what Ursula said?" Robin interrupted. "Give everything to Lily and leave."

"Ms. Mills said not to hand it over for any reaso-"

"Let me set this straight, " Robin interrupted again, " You don't have to follow any of her orders because you no longer work here."

Emma was not about to budge, because she knew that she could get her boss to reverse the entire thing. She just had to. So again, she refused. "I have to talk to Ms. Mills"

"Wrong," Robin continued. Lily looked on not quite understanding what the big deal was. Let the ugly urchin wait for Regina. "You are not Ms. Mills' assistant. Your job is with High Concept, and High Concept is terminating your contract. So please, go see security."

Emma bit her lip to keep from telling the smug man off. "Yes, Mr. Locksley," Emma said and went off to gather her things. She knew that Robin wanted her gone before Regina returned. So she decided to stall as much as she could.

Lily followed her into her office. And asked for Regina's schedule. But before she could hand it over. Her heart leaped at the sound of Regina greeting Robin in the other room.

"Oh, Hey Robin!" Regina said walking toward her desk. "You're still here in my office, Hey where is Lily I didn't see her."

She's in there." Robin stated signaling to Emma's office.

Regina furrowed her brow. "What is she doing in there?"

Robin smirked smugly and folded his arms over his chest. "Your ex-secretary is handing over the reins. I fired her."

"What do you mean you fired her?" Regina said leaning forward on her desk and squaring off with Robin.

"She disobeyed me and lied to me," Robin stated. "So I fired her."

Regina did not take her eyes off Robin. "Lily, come out here please."

Lily did as she was told and Emma came closer to her office door so that she could hear the conversation.

Regina turned to Robin and Lily "What is the meaning of all of this?" She asked the two friends.

"I needed a phone number and ordered her to give me your agenda and she didn't want to," Robin complained.

"I ordered her to keep that agenda to herself and never give it to anyone," Regina answered. "And that includes you, Robin. So I don't need you coming into my office to order anyone here around, much less fire them."

"She needs to respect me, I am an executive producer, I am a shareholder, and on top of that, I am your fiancee, so she should obey and respect me."

Regina shook her head. "Do you hear yourself? Obey? Robin, she is not a dog you can pull around on a lead. And she can't follow what you say over what I say. If I give her direction she has to follow it by the foot of the letter. If she had done what you asked she would have gotten fired for sure. "Regina ran her hand through her hair frustrated. "Yes she should respect you but you can't impose your will over mine in this office. Stop making things so confusing please."

"I earned this position Robin, and You have to allow me to run this office as I see fit. If you have an issue about how I am running it, you can discuss it in the next shareholder meeting."

"Fine, Shareholder meetings are for company issues." Robin conceded. "But, as for our relationship, we will discuss it tonight at my flat, even if it is to break off the engagement."

"Yeah, fine," Regina said sitting down at her chair finally. "See you tonight." Robin left the office completely steamed. Regina breathed a sigh of relief to see him gone finally.

Emma then exited her office.

Regina looked at her with a furrowed brow. "Emma, where are you going?"

Emma turned to her boss thinking it best not to presume that she wasn't fired just because Regina had defended her. "I'm going to HR, I've been fired."

"Yeah… Well, could you get Ursula on the phone for me before you go?" Regina asked.

Emma pulled out Regna's desk phone and made the call. "Hey Ursula, Ms. Mills would like to talk with you."

Then she handed the phone to the brunette behind the desk. "Hi, Ursula, who authorized Ms. Swan's Dismissal?"

Emma waited watching the woman, she seemed fully irritated. She even had a little vein popping in the middle of her forehead. She seemed to get angrier as she listened, "Oh really… Nice. Ursula, do you know what my job is in this company? It doesn't seem like thou do. You need to understand, that in this office I am the one that gives the orders. Not anyone else. If I hear that you or anyone else harass my personnel for following my orders, the one that will be fired is me… YOu Capice?" Then she hung up the phone.

Emma breathed a sigh of relief, and Regina stood again and moved closer to Emma. "You are not going anywhere," SHe said to the smiling secretary.

"Are you sure it isn't better that I leave Ms. Mills?" Emma asked. Her heart fluttered with this woman's nearness. She was developing a full-on crush on her boss. "Mr. Locksley is so hostile. He figured out what I had done to get you out of here with that girl, and because I didn't give him your agenda, He is going to consider me an enemy for life. And that is no good for anyone."

Regina shook her head at Robin's toxic attitude. "Look, Ms. Swan, I am so sure I want you here. Today proved to me that you are what I need to help me run this company. So As of today, your probationary period is over. You are just the woman I need."

"Um excuse me…" Jefferson said at the door. "My bad didn't mean to interrupt."

Regina rolled her eyes. And walked back to her seat. "You know what, why don't you take off early today, and I see you back here tomorrow bright and early."

Emma smiled. "Yes Ms. Mills" And Emma went back to her office to set her things down. It wasn't much. She hadn't accumulated anything in just two days of work. Then she left the two friends alone in the office.

Jefferson started laughing as soon as she left the office. "You are the woman I need." He teased Regina and she rolled her eyes. "You must be in love, my friend. When you touched her, didn't her reptilian skin scratch you?"

"Jeffy, stop! She saved my life." Regina said. "You know who showed up? Carla showed up downstairs just as Robin and I were discussing how I'd changed."

"Yeah, I found out that your ugly duckling saved your ass today," Jefferson stated. "She enlisted me to call Video Arts. Teamwork makes the dream work eh?" He said and the two of them slap fives. Regina has a very interesting relationship with Jefferson. Not unlike the one Robin has with Lily. Jeffy was Regina's Bro… and she got to act like a Bro around him, which bothered Cora to no end. And Regina loved that.

Just then Lily walked into the office. "Excuse me, Regina, there is a computer from IT coming up."

Regina nodded, " Yeah it's supposed to go in Emma's office." she stated.

Jefferson leaned forward "Regina, admit it… with the duckling… There is love… There is, isn't there? Don't deny it I have heard you say it to her face." He laughed and placed an arm on her shoulder. "You are the woman I need. So dramatic."

"It was a moment of desperation, Robin fired her, and then she wanted to go because work had become a hostile environment. I had to sweeten the deal." Regina stated.

"You need to watch what you say and how you say it," Jefferson said. "With someone as plain as her, a phrase like that with a touch or a caress can be interpreted as a proposition. That could be an HR nightmare… or worse, she could start to fall in love with you too."

"Come on Jeff…"

"I'm not going to say you did the wrong thing. Otherwise Lily would have gotten a hold of the agenda… and that would be the end for you." Then he smirked… "And you said it wouldn't last."

"Yeah but now she is indispensable." Regina stated, " But tonight there is going to be hell to pay with Robin. I have to go to his apartment. Plus we're going to rethink the wedding.

"That is a great idea," Jeff said. "Now you don't have to put up with his tantrums. Anyway, l did come here to work. I digitized your model agenda so that you don't have to risk your secretary's life anymore."

"Digitized?" Regina asked as Jefferson pulled up a page and typed in a password.

"They include all the names and pictures as well." Jefferson continued. "Now you will have them all at your fingertips."

"Sweet!" Regina said and focused on what her friend was saying.

Emma floated on cloud nine all the way home. She almost got run over because she was so distracted by the woman that was her boss. She shouldn't be thinking about her like that. She should center herself. She hadn't allowed herself to crush on a human this badly since Neil. She walked into the neighborhood. Tamara was there hanging with some other kids from the neighborhood that had been part of her teen trauma. She sighed at the harassment that was sure to come. And put her head down and kept it moving.

"Hey Emma, When are you gonna hang out with us?" Tamara asked walking up to her.

Emma rolled her eyes. "I can't I'm busy."

"Wait though, I have a friend here I want you to meet," Tamara said, pulling an okay-looking guy. He wasn't as handsome as Neil but good-looking enough. " I wanted to introduce you to Graig. He is super friendly."

Emma looked Graig over. "Hey Emma, Nice to meet you," he said extending a hand. Her superpower didn't ding… or was it dulled by today's beautiful experience with Regina.

Emma paused. "Nice to meet you." She said and shook his hand.

"Oh, the chemistry…" Tamara said fanning herself. The people around them laughed. Emma was triggered by the sound of their laughter. but then she looked at Craig's kind eyes. He didn't say anything just stood there as Tamara set her friend up with Emma… It had been a very long time since she'd been out with someone in a romantic way. Since before Henry, so she dismissed her uneasiness and smiled at him.

"So we'll come by tonight, Pick you up, we all go out," Tamara said. Seeming genuine in inviting her out. "We can sneak you out of the house."

"NO, no wait," Emma said remembering that her dad had a temper, and after what had happened to her the last time, she was not particularly keen on seeing a murder. "I'll ask my parents if I can go. No promises."

Tamara furrowed her brows but she didn't really care, she wanted to exploit Emma's vulnerability. She had kept to herself since the incident "Alright, see you later then."

She nodded and kept going to the house. Maybe this was real. Maybe this will happen and she can feel like a normal girl. She was a mother to an awesome three-year-old, with all the responsibility of a rebellious teen and none of the rebellion. No one wanted Emma. But maybe this time… Maybe Graig would want her back for real?

She approached the house and saw the new car parked outside. She smiled as her parents were admiring the car. It was not a new car… it was like an early 90's model. "I thought you were getting something newer?" Emma asked.

"This is a great truck, It was the best of its time.." David said.

Emma sighed. "Are you sure it isn't just going to break down?"

"I am positive, this is the car" He added. "And it's all ours, listen" He turned on the car and there was no sputtering. " It sounds like a dream."

Emma smiled and shook her head. "Hey Emma, Killian is in your room reading some books to Henry.

"The two of you need to keep the doors open I don't want any inappropriate things happening." He said.

"Yes Daddy," Emma said and kissed his cheek, and headed up the stairs. Killian was with her kid, what did her Dad think she was going to do in front of Henry? Besides, it was Killian! She shuddered at the thought as she opened the bedroom door and saw that Henry was in his cot next to her bed asleep. She could never get him to sleep on that. Her little boy often opted to sleep nestled at his mother's side. "Hey Killian"

"Emma!" Killian said, "How was your day?"

"Killian, I fought with My boss' fiance… He fired me." Killian gasped. "But guess what?"

"What ?" He asked sitting next to her.

"She defended me." Emma smiled, "It all started because of that one super hot girl…"

"Lily Page…" Killian said dreamily.

"You learned her name?"

"Yeah, She's always on my mind it's like I carry her in my soul." He said pulling out a magazine clipping of Lily. She had been standing next to Robin at one of the functions. "Right by my heart."

"Oh Killian, I can't believe you're so weak," Emma said taking the laminated clipping from his hands to take a better look at Lily.

"Please tell me they didn't get rid of my girl." He said in a rush as in realization that this woman was Emma's direct adversary. He wanted Emma to have the job, but he also wanted no harm to come to Lily.

"Oh please, that lady isn't going anywhere" Emma assured him. "Regina might leave sooner than her. Why do you care about her so much? You don't even know her."

"Well if they fire her, I'd never meet her. But if she stays, then one day you could introduce me."

Emma tolled her green eyes. "Killian, for a woman like that to pay a man like you is her attention. He has to be super rich and look the part."

"I don't care Swan Please… Introduce her to me. I'll take care of the rest." Emma shook her head not wanting to see her friend hurt.

"Killian, forget her, she is not going to want you. But there is someone out there for you."

"But she's the one Swan, I know it."

"Haven't you heard that saying that for any one man, there are seven women out there for him?" Emma said trying to turn his head elsewhere.

"Yeah, but some lucky bloke's got 14, including all seven that are meant for me," he answered.

Emma laughed then her smile waned. "At least there are seven women out there for you. As for me, I won't be considered for anyone's seventh choice."

"Lucky you're a lezzer." He stated.

"I like boys too… and even so… Lesbians are hot. I am not." Emma stated.

"Come on Swan, that's not true. There aren't enough for each straight man and Lesbian to have seven women for themselves. At least not without overlap." He stated trying to move her mind away from the self-deprecating tone. Though he was not to Emma, he didn't think she was as bad as she thought she was.

They continued the math and she is distracted."Those are the worst odds ever." She said and they laughed together.

"I would have loved to have all seven of them." Killian said, "Though I am so sure all of that would be super expensive. "All the salon visits ad shopping trips. I would be in ruins."

Emma smirked. "You're disgusting Killian"

HE laughed, Emma knew he was kidding, and he was glad to have taken her mind off of thinking she was deplorably ugly.

"But really what are the odds Emma, I know you did the math."

Emma sighed. "I.5 women per man," Emma stated.

"I'd be happy with the .5" Killian mumbled, making Emma bark in laughter.

"That.s still more that I'd get. 0.068 percent of someone." Emma finished with a sigh. "I think I used it all up with Henry's dad."

"Yeah because he certainly wasn't a whole man…" Killian mumbled in distaste. Then he shrugged. "Maybe you need to have an affair with a married person." He stated.

"Why?" Emma said with a furrowed brow.

"Because they are fractions of people. They can only give fragmented time.

Emma internalized this. Killian had a point. An affair would mean that she would never have someone just for herself, but at least she would not be lonely and could get off every once in a while… provided that she could get away from her overbearing and overprotective parents.

"That's your thinking face Swan… Who are you thinking of." Killian asked, catching the change in her demeanor.

"No one…" She said and turned her head. "Wanna play chess?"

"Sure."

At the office, Regina and Jefferson continue to look at the program. "Don't you see, that there are billions of women in this world, and you are about to settle on just one… and she makes you miserable."

Regina sighed. "Jeff I can't be with every woman in the world."

"But you ought to try, Regina. You're hot and rich." He stated. "Here, look at my database, it will show you your ideal based on an algorithm. Tell me who is your ideal woman."

Regina rolled her eyes as Jefferson turned to a questionnaire on the computer. "Fine, I'll bite… I like them tall and leggy. YOu know at least five foot seven. Slim… but not anorexic. Super fit and muscular. I like them of all kinds, Blonde beautiful skin, Her eyes I don't care what color, but my favorite is green. "

"That sounds amazing Regina," Jefferson stated as he filled in her choices. "Now long or short hair?"

"I like long hair Wavy or curly," Regina said

"What about her style?" Jefferson asked. "Do you like a discrete girl or a bold brassy broad like you?"

Regina rolled her eyes. "One of me is more than enough."

"Now is she intelligent?" Jefferson stated. "Or do you want her to be less intelligent than you?"

"I'd like an even match in wits. Why would I want so much power over my partner?" Regina stated. "But I also don't want someone so strong-willed that we are going to be butting heads every second. I already have that and it is tiring."

Jefferson continued inputting the information into the computer as she talked. "What kind of evenings would you like to spend with her?"

"Dinner and dancing, just a fun evening out. Robin doesn't go out with me anymore. Not that I want him to anyway." Regina stated.

"Okay, I got all I need," Jefferson stated and pressed enter.

They looked at the results of the calculation, and Regina got nine results to pop up on the screen.

All nine, one more beautiful than the last. Regina's mouth fell in awe at the beauty she was seeing. And asked Jefferson to print the pictures.

"See, I know you want to appeal to your parents. You have not come out to them, or Robin, but you shouldn't string that man along."

"Well you know what they say, You marry who you are with, until you find the one," Regina stated.

"No one says that." Jefferson sighed. "Please Regina, I just want you to be happy… and you can do that by going out on the prowl with me. Come out of the closet."

She shook her head. "I worked so hard to get here. And The Locksleys own so much of this company, I need to keep Robin under me as long as possible."

Jefferson rolled his eyes as Regina stood to walk out of her office door. "Wait, The app is recalculating. Maybe this one is the one?" Jefferson stated.

Regina turned back to look at the computer. "Another one?" She asked

"Yup… Who could it be." Jefferson stated and slowly a picture popped up on the screen. The best possible Match for Regina was Emma. It was an awful picture. Her picture for her name badge. Regina jumped back because this picture was at the worst angle. Jefferson was laughing so hard at her reaction.

Regina was angry. "You ass hole, You find it amusing to pull these immature pranks. If you weren't a shareholder I would fire you right now. I have to go to Robin's apartment and face my doom and you're making stupid jokes."

"Don't deny it! Even I heard you say that she was the one you needed." Jefferson said stopping her from leaving.

"Shut up Jeffy," Regina stated.

"Come on, sis… if you want to get married, marry an ugly woman and that is the only way to maintain a stable marriage," Jefferson said. "They are grateful to you for picking them, THey will never cheat on you, you can cheat on them and they won't say anything, because they know how lucky they are to have someone as beautiful as you."

Regina rolled her eyes. "You're such a pig."

"They will always be there for you when you need them." Jefferson finishes, "DO not marry a man that you will be forced to bed and bare his kids, because you are not going to like it."

"Fuck off Jeff, THe only reason I let you talk is that The more I do, the more you convince me that you are one sick man," Regina growled. "I'm not a body shaming type person, I am not racist, I'm not classist. But why would I want to marry someone unappealing to my palette just so I could keep a grateful spouse? If I am going to make the marriage sacrifice, at least let me have something nice to look at. Robin… is nice to look at even if I don't want to fuck it. And that…" She says directing her friend's attention back to Emma's picture on the screen. "That is the last woman on earth I would want to be with. For god's sake, My pussy dried up when I saw the picture there."

Jefferson laughed anew. "The database totally freaked out when I inserted it too…"

"I'm going to give you the number to my shrink so you can give him a call. You need some major help. I'm going to be late for dinner, Robin is waiting for me. Good night, and Get that thing off of my computer before Emam sees that tomorrow.

"Wait Wait! Regina!" Jefferson calls out to her. "Please break that engagement. You need more life to live."

"I couldn't believe how hard Regina fought for me against that brute of a man," Emma said as they played their game. "She was so sure… So confident. I hope to be like that someday. She even stated that she was reconsidering the whole marriage."

Killian moved his piece on the board, "So they are breaking up because of you?"

"No.." Emma said, "Please, it was circumstantial. He is like that all the time, and she keeps telling him she is tired of it."

"But she fought for you… She fought her boyfriend for you, if she were gay that would be hella romantic." Killian stated. Emma blinked. She knew that Ms. Mills must be at least bisexual like her. But she said nothing to her friend. She didn't want to get him all worked up. "I bet you never expected a woman like that would ever have fought for your honor like that."

"Shut up Killian, I would never be so callous as to dismiss her relationship with Robin," Emma stated.

"Do you know why I'm bringing it up? Killian said. "Because I see that you are falling for that woman."

Emma shook her head. "But she's straight, so… It doesn't matter. I may be ugly, and I have no grand delusions. I know someone like her would never be interested in me, even if she did like women."She threw her hands up in the air. "I have long given up the notion that someone that beautiful, or anyone else for that matter could be interested in me… unlike you, and your pining for that plastic chick in the picture."

"Whoa… not too much on me Miss Swan…" Killian said then he frown thoughtfully as she contemplated her next move. "Hey Swan, do you really think you will be alone forever?'

"I'm single, but not alone… I have Henry to think about you know?" Emma stated. "I am not about to enter a desperate relationship, and get treated badly in front of my child." She smirked and looked over at Killian, "I was actually invited out tonight."

Killian looked at her in shock. "Why? Were they blind?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "It's a friend of Tamara."

"Probably figured out you got a job and wants to extort you," Killian stated.

"Gee Thanks, " Emma said, "The guy is pretty nice, and not too bad looking."

"Not too bad?' Killian questioned… "That's goals…"

She laughed "Shut up… He's cute enough, it is within the realm of possibility. Maybe he has bad luck and he actually likes me.

The two friends laughed at the joke. Killian wished she would stop talking about his best friend like that. Emma's phone rang and she picked up. "Hey, did you ask your parents if you could come out yet?" Tamara asked.

If Emma was telling the truth, Tamara, Tall black, and sexy as she was, was more her type than Graig was… but Tamara teased her way too much. And she was super straight, which was why she kept trying to set Emma up with boys. "Not yet, um, Let me ask and I will text you when I find out."

"Okay girl, you better call me," Tamara said.

"Are you seriously going with them?" Killian asked when Emma hung up with a smile on her face. She was so ready to do something with people her age. Other than Killian of course.

"Yeah, I think I am. I'm gonna try the right way first. I am going to ask." Emma stated.

"But why?" Killian asked. "I never got why your parents are so tight with you. "You are 21, you can drink legally, you should be allowed to have a night out, date, without their permission."

"I live under their roof, Killian," Emma said. "They have done so much for me. The y would have to be here to be with Henry. I can't just say… Hey Mom and Dad, here watch the kid while I go get laid Killian be for real."

"I'm just saying that you shouldn't have to ask PERMISSION, If they don't want to watch Henry you can get a sitter."

Emma sighed. And walked out of the room to get permission.

She walked into her parents' bedroom where they both sat reading. "Hi… Um, Dad… I just want to say… um, you remember Tamara? She invited me to hang out tonight.

"What?' Her dad said. "Why would I permit to hang out with her?"

"Dad, She's got a few friends and they are getting together-"

"I'm not going to allow you to go with them, you know I don't like that girl."

"Come on, just for a little while? I haven't done anything fun since before Henry…"

"Yeah, then Henry happened." He agreed.

Emma shut her mouth in a firm line. "DAD I am suffocating! I need a life, friends! I have to be able to have a social life outside of the three of you. I love you… but I need to grow up a little. All I feel is stunted and isolated. I am suffocated. Yes, I messed up once… yes Henry's here and though I love him, it was a mistake. I learned my lesson. I have a job… a good one. I need a little freedom too."

"You can't go out with people you don't know!" David said getting out of bed. Mary Margaret tried to stop him from getting up. Emma stepped back for a second, not really afraid that he would lay a hand on her, but feeling smaller by his imposing presence.

"You won't let me meet anyone, Dad, how am I supposed to be around others?" Emma shouted. She took a deep breath and did not want to be disrespectful.

"You are not some street urchin running around like that Tamara." He said to her.

"I know how to take care of myself," Emma stated. "Trust in me."

"You don't know this world, Emma."

"Dad, " Emma interrupted. "How am I supposed to learn? From a book? You always say I deserve the best, but you don't allow me to strive for it. I cannot stay in this bubble wrap you have preserved me in forever. I broke out once, I'd rather not do it behind your back again."

"You can go out when there is someone I can trust, not before then. We aren't doing that again."

Emma left the room and rushed to hers. She was glad that Killian had taken the initiative to leave. She looked at her son who had climbed onto her bed and was cuddled with his bear there. She would never be like that with him. She would let him live.

At Robin's flat, Regina stood just outside his door. Her anxiety ramping up. This man made her anxious. She hoped she didn't have to sleep with him tonight to appease him. She didn't much feel like being poked and prodded. Jefferson had a point. A Lesbian like her shouldn't have to put up with these things. But her parents were traditionalists, and she needed them to trust her with the company. She may be at the helm right now, but until she has made significant strides in bringing the company forward she could not make any demands.

All she would have to do tonight is appease Robin and try to push the wedding back as far as she could get it. Maybe til the third quarter after her being president so then she knows she is well established.

Regina breathed in, breathed out, and shook her arms to relax. "Okay, Regina. To your battle station." she opened the door and Robin stood there, waiting in judgment. Dressed in judge's robes and sitting behind a desk with a gavel in hand. He banged it. "Here ye here ye, the court versus Regina Mills presiding."

Regina jumped back not knowing what to make of the silliness in front of her. She looked him over, the robes… he wasn't wearing anything under the collar… definitely shirtless. She looked down at his stockinged feet… no pants… she groaned internally. She was going to have to fuck him tonight.

"Robin… what are you doing in that get-up?" She stalled for time.

"What do you expect, this is how judges dress." He stated. Regina smirked slightly amused slightly horrified. "Are you running away from me, are you afraid?"

Regina shook her head. "Robin, please… we have to talk"

"This is a real trial, Regina, you will get heard," Robin stated. "I know this is hell for you, but we can get through this."

Regina was about to protest, "Did Lilly tell you … God… No, It isn't hell here."

"NO worries… Tonight, we are going to have one passionate night." Robin said striding forward. "I need to have one more night of fun if you are just going to cancel our wedding."

Regina furrowed her brows. Did that mean that she wouldn't have to sleep with him if I don't cancel? "Wait, I'm not here to cancel…"

"Regina, this is your judgment day. Welcome… have a seat." Robin said trying to switch to a more cheerful tone.

"Sure…" Regina said sitting in front of him.

"Raise your right hand," Robin said.

"Robin I am not a liar," Regina said

"Regina you are lying now." He said and moved closer to her. " I just want the truth."

"Okay, fine…" Regina stated and raised her right hand. Placing the other on an empty agenda that was to represent the one that Emma would not hand over.

She smiled to herself glad for her awkward secretary.

"I need to answer some questions," Robin stated.

"Robin it is late, why do we have to do this right now?"

"Play along Gina, you want to appease me don't you?"

"Regina sighed. "Yeah…"

"How many times have you cheated on me?" He asked.

Regina opened her mouth and then closed it. What was she supposed to say? The truth would be a start, but what exactly did Robin consider cheating? "I've never slept with any other man but you," Regina answered.

"So the rumors of your Lesbianism, are not true?" he asked. She never said she wasn't with women.

"There are no rumors!" Regina stated. Fully believing that if the statement was true it wasn't a rumor. It was just a fact, that Robin refused to see. And she wasn't there to enlighten him.

He came even closer and lifted Regina into his arms, and kissed her passionately. "Who else has kissed you like this?" he asked.

Regina took a breath and licked at her bottom lip. "Mmm… just one… his name is Robin He works with me, maybe you've met him?" Regina answered and used the makeout session to talk herself into his bed. Sometimes she had to give in.

"You still want to cancel the wedding." He asked against her lips.

"Me? I must have been in some sort of duress when I said that. Forgive me." Regina started to set her life back on track.

"Will you forgive me for being such an ass to that poor girl?" He asked.

Regina wasn't expecting that and let out a chuckle. "You were a bastard Robin."

"I know," He said. "I'm so sorry, It will never happen again."

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "It better not," Regina said. "I'm going to leave it up to you and your pride if you want to apologize to her… but I think you should."

He rolled his eyes, "I'll think about it." He kissed her again. "Let's go to bed?"

Regina threw up a bit in her mouth and nodded. "Yeah. Let's go."

Emma lay next to Henry, she stroked his little cheek as he slept. He was beautiful, and though he was the reason her father was so tight with her, she couldn't bring herself to blame it all on him. IT was on her, and her past actions… but that was just it. It was the past. She has grown, gone to college, and been exemplary since then.

Why was she still being punished for that? Her mother walked into the room and placed her hand on Emma's head. Her tight braid was still in place. "Emma…" Mary Margaret breathed, "you have to have patience… Soon there will be someone your dad will trust, and you will go out."

"Patience Mom?" Emma responded, wanting to scream but staying quiet for her son. She looked at her mother "I've had patience with that man my entire life. You put me in catholic school. We're not even catholic. Then when my classmates started going to parties… do you remember what happened?"

Emma was nearly fifteen. Her first high school party and David had not allowed her to go to the party if she didn't wear this dress that made her look as though she was ten. Grant it, Mary Margaret tried. "Why can't she wear something more fashionable David?"

He said This is the way young ladies should dress. And if she didn't wear what he had said she didn't need to go."I was never able to fit in. My fashion sense was stunted and sheltered, I just stopped trying. Not to mention he stayed with me the whole time. He wouldn't let me go alone. To a High School party Mom… I was never invited again. And he decided that none of them were trustworthy enough when they came and were dressed in age-appropriate clothing and makeup. They were too grown up in his eyes. The only friend I was allowed to Keep was Killian… because we grew up like siblings."

"I don't know how Neal got in there…" Emam whispered.

"But you see… you fell in love with him, and he disappeared," Mary stated.

"Mom, how can I keep a relationship if I am not able to go out and spend time with them," Emma said looking at Mary. "He controls everyone around me, He doesn't care who it is. How can anyone see me as a woman if I keep being treated like a child? He only left me alone when I was studying, he can't possibly be surprised Henry happened in the small amount of freedom he gave me with Neil. but it only got worse after that."

Mary worried her lip. Her daughter was right, and she wanted to find a way to help her. "Emma, you have to understand our point of view. "When Neil left you, we were so hurt for you. We thought you were going to die." Emma sniffed and looked down at the reason she didn't. He made a precious little squeak in his sleep. Henry had his father's looks. He was beautiful through and through.

"Mom I know, but I can't lock myself away because of one bad experience," Emma stated. "Tamara was setting me up with a guy today, he was really nice, and he wanted to go out with me." Emma shrugged. "This doesn't happen to me every day. If you haven't noticed I'm very plain… I wanted to try. Dad wanted a good student that graduated with honors and accolades… That's done… I graduated high school early, and finished a Masters's degree… Mom… I have accomplished what HE set out for me to do. when is it time for me?"

"What if Killian comes with you?" Mary said

"He had plans… he's gone."

"Let me talk to your dad." Mary said, "Let's see what we can do."

Mary went off and Emma sulked she tucked Henry in more snugly and moved to pace the floor. She was getting ready to be the rebel her father imagined her to be. She was tired of this life. She was going to live. Before she went into her closet to change, her mother came into the room excited. "He said yes Emma. Go, before he changes his mind."

Emma looked at her mother. "You convinced him?" she asked incredulously. Her mother nodded and she hugged her tightly.

"Now get ready, and go… Have fun Baby." Mary said letting her daughter go. Emma went into her closet and picked the most 'Her' outfit she could find in there. None of these things were her sense of style… but then again nothing was. She didn't know what it was… and now that she was making money of her own she was going to start finding who she was.

She picked up her phone and texted Tamara

Emma: I'm good to go, come get me at 9:30

Tamara: …

What did that mean? Emma thought. It didn't matter she needed to figure out what to wear.