The queen frowned.

The curse was breaking.

She could see it in little things. What was once a flourishing tree with its apples red as blood now seemed withered and dark, its delicious fruits rotten.

The child she fought so hard for abandoned her once again to spend time with Emma, and while she could stop it, there seemed to be no use, Henry would do anything to find a way to be with his birth mother.

There was, of course another matter at hand, Snow. Mary Margaret was no longer in prison, therefore she and her Charming were free to reunite in love, breaking the curse in the process.

Regina scoffed at the thought that she inadvertently helped them reunite by removing the one person holding them apart... Katherine.

Regina smirked, an idea suddenly dawning on her as if a light bulb had just gone off above her head. She knew what needed to be done and she also knew that she would enjoy it very much.

David was about to lock up the pet shelter when he noticed a very frustrated Mayor trying to figure out what was wrong with her car. He couldn't control a small laugh escaping when she bumped her head on the open hood. It was probably the first time he saw her in distress. Around him, she usually held her composure.

David understood why Katherine considered Regina her friend.

The woman was smart, beautiful and even though cold, David assumed it was just a part of the job.

He flinched at the thought of Katherine. Would Regina even want his help considering he was the one who left her best friend? Did he still have the right to call Regina his friend as well?

Still, David couldn't just stand and watch her struggle, so he decided to try and be helpful.

"Car trouble"? He smiled slightly, his eyes moving towards the inside of her car.

She pretended to be surprised by his presence, when in fact, she knew exactly where he'd be, just like she knew the charming shepherd would always rush to help a damsel in distress.

" It won't start. A car full of groceries, and... well, it hasn't exactly been a banner day." she threw her hands up in the air as if she was giving up on more than just a car. She made sure to look completely distraught.

"Well, let's see." he managed a small glance towards her just then.

She looked tired. It must've been a hell of a day for her to allow herself to look less put together than usual. Her hair was slightly disheveled and her eyeliner smudged. The sudden thought of how hot she seemed to look left his head as soon as it appeared.

He was a man, but he couldn't allow himself to think like a pig. He cleared his throat before focusing on the car.

"The battery is dead" he announced before straightening his back so he was standing before Regina. "I don't have any jumper cables, but I can give you a ride home if that is okay with you?"

"Oh no David, I couldn't impose"

She defended, but he only shook his head.

"I insist. You helped me so many times Regina, allow me to help you at least once"

She laughed at that. It was true. She did a great job at pretending to be his friend and even enjoyed it a little, not that she would ever admit to it.

"Well, if you insist there's nothing I can do, is there?" she smirked a bit as he held out his hand to show her the way.

The drive to Regina's house went in relative silence. They shared a few words about Henry and David was especially pleased to see Regina's eyes sparkle whenever her son's name was mentioned. She truly cared for that boy and it saddened David that the kid couldn't see it.

While David almost forgot how his parents looked, he knew his mother gave up everything to raise him, and the thought of Regina doing the same for Henry, but only getting rejected never settled well with David. But, it wasn't his place to discuss such private matters with her, it wouldn't be appropriate.

He snapped his head, momentarily forgetting his train of thought when he heard Regina clear her throat with a puzzled look on her face. She was waiting for him to unlock the doors.

"Oh, sorry. Let me carry the groceries for you. I would hate to see you twist your ankle in those things" he pointed at her unnecessarily high heels.

"Ah yes, my knight in shining armor" She smiled delightfully as she alluded to their past without his knowledge.

"Well, it's... more like flannel..." he carried the groceries to the front of the large white door and backed away slightly to allow Regina to insert the key before finishing his sentence "...but, you're welcome."

Regina knew this next phase of her plan needed to be handled with care. One wrong move and he could be in Snow's arms that very night. One wrong move and her curse could be broken just like that.

She had to rely on herself this time and luckily she knew all too well how to do that. She knew how to manipulate any man, especially someone as gullible as Charming. Was there any better way to a man's heart than through a nice home-cooked meal?

She walked casually into the house, motioning for him to follow, groceries and all. They made it past the foyer of the home and up the stairs before she turned to look at him. He looked right there as the kindest being in the world, but she knew better. He was just as devious as Snow White, he just couldn't remember it.

"Hey David, would you perhaps like to stay for dinner?" she asked innocently "I bought more than enough, and ... well... I'm making lasagna."

David could've sworn there was a certain neediness he heard in her voice, but he decided to ignore it. Regina was not one of those people who suddenly decided to host someone, let alone for dinner. Coffee and drinks sure, but dinner seemed like such an intimate thing for her, a time to share with family, not... well... him.

"Oh, I shouldn't. It's getting late and I've got to get up early for work tomorrow" he shrugged his shoulders as if saying he was sorry.

She decided to ignore his rejection, just nodding lightly and picking up a piece of paper that was lying on the table. It read "Mom". Regina wouldn't be who she was without a plan B.

David eyed her carefully. Her face contorted into a frown as soon as she picked up the piece of paper to read the note he assumed Henry had left.

"Oh," she gasped, if she wanted to, Regina could have been an award-winning actress because the piece of paper labeled "Mom" was completely blank.

"What is it?" he asked, just then realizing he was still holding the groceries. Putting them down quickly he moved closer to her as she closed the note and swallowed hard. Tears pooled in her eyes and she quickly looked away. Performance of a lifetime.

"Henry,... he will be staying with Emma tonight" she sniffled.

The tears might have been fake, but the pain she taped into to get them flowing was more than real.

Even though Regina was playing pretend with David at that moment, the whole situation was more than familiar. This time she was the one to suggest Henry stay with Emma, but it's usually him who not only spends time with Emma but runs away from home to be with her.

"Sorry," David said, not sure how to comfort the woman. He didn't want to overstep, afraid that he would only make the situation worse.

"Lately it seems like he'll do anything to avoid spending time with me," she whispered just enough for David to hear her before quickly turning toward him, her hands reaching up to wipe some fallen tears off her cheeks.

"But I, I shouldn't be burdening you with my problems. You've already helped me more than enough for one day. Thank you" she finished before showing him the door.

David then began to reconsider his decision. Seeing Regina stand alone in that huge house unsettled him for some reason. Henry was still just a kid and didn't know that everything he did had consequences.

That consequence right now was a broken woman who just wanted to have dinner with her son.

He turned away to leave but eventually turned back. He saw her look up at that and offered her a soft smile.

"You know what, Regina? I do love lasagna."

The queen smiled.