Author's Note:

Hello all and Happy Holidays (whichever you celebrate! If you do.) I typically don't add notes to my chapters anymore but I felt like saying a few things. Thank you all for reading/following/liking/reviewing- any of it! I also want to dedicate this chapter to someone special whom I love wholeheartedly. Fletcher, thank you for being my biggest supporter/fan and also being my muse. I love you and I kove you. (:

Thank you all!

Breckoney

The Rabbit Hole was not very busy, Emma thanked whatever luck was on her side for that, and she noticed that a few of the patrons were familiar. Mary Margaret was there with David Nolan and neither one of them had an alcoholic beverage on their table, tea it looked like. Leroy turned his head when the door shut behind them and blinked a few times when he saw that the Mayor was actually inside of a bar before pushing the glass of Absinthe away as he was sure he was a hallucinating. Regina handed off the guitar case to Emma who sighed at the instrument now in her hand, the weight of it just made the fact that she was going to play in front of other people all the more real.

"Oh come on, dear. You're going to be fine. Let's get that drink and sit down, assuming there's a place that's not covered in alcohol or disease in here," She eyed one of the bar stools and shook her head before opting for a table "Besides I've agreed to you getting something from me in return. I'm hoping I didn't just sell my soul for one song?" Regina watched as Emma carefully set down the guitar before flashing a small smile and moving over to the bar, ordering herself a drink and something for the Mayor as well as two shots. If Regina didn't want to partake she would do them both, liquid courage to get herself ready to perform.

When she returned to the table Regina smirked at the four separate drinks the blonde was setting on the table. "Are you trying to get me drunk, Miss Swan? As the deputy I would think you'd be more concerned with a tipsy driver on your streets," She noticed the red wine and lifted up one of the shots "What liquor did you pick for us to be taking shots of exactly?" Emma sat down and picked up her own shot glass with a devilish smile on her face as she held it towards Regina.

"You're just going to have to trust me, mi reina. Do you?" She swayed the little glass from one side to the next before beaming when Regina knocked her own glass against it and tossed it back without a second thought. Emma chuckled and followed suit before setting the glass upside down on the table, pleased that Regina did trust her enough to drink the shot. "I might need one more of those since you've brought me here under false pretenses. I thought this was a lovely evening between the two of us and now you've decided to have me perform for these people like some kind of trained monkey." Emma took a sip of her beer and looked around the bar one more time until her free hand was captured between two soft hands, the warmth grabbing her attention as well.

Regina smiled and held her hand, tilting her head to the side. "What do you want in return, Em-ma? I can give you almost anything you want." She brushed her fingers along the back of Emma's hand, tracing a faint vein underneath her skin. The electricity that surged up her arm seemed to shoot straight to her heart and she sighed, melting underneath the touch and knowing that she couldn't deny Regina anything when she was looking at her like that.

"Almost anything? I wonder what's off limits to you, your highness but I won't press you for the answer," She turned her palm upwards and let out another content sigh when Regina's fingers moved further up her wrist to trace along the tattoo "I want you to dance with me. Right here and the next song that plays. What do you say? One dance for one song?" Emma watched Regina's hand still as she was following a curve of the black ink, turning to look around the bar.

She had to admit, it was not something she would normally agree to but Emma was going to play her a song in public when that seemed like something she wouldn't want to do under normal circumstances. "No one is even dancing here, dear," Emma's unimpressed face made her groan "Fine, one dance but I'll need another shot if you expect me to make myself a spectacle in front of these people." The arm she'd been memorizing disappeared from her grasp as Emma was up and at the bar in an instant, if another shot got her that dance she was going to make it happen.

Another shot down for each of them and Emma knew she wouldn't be able to finish her beer if she wanted to keep from being a drunken mess in front of her date. Regina had resumed tracing her tattoo and causing goosebumps to pop up all over Emma's arm but it was a nice sensation "You're a lucky woman, Miss Swan. I wouldn't be willing to dance for just anyone, you know? Now you've gone and got me to do it more then once," The song changed and she saw the gleam in Emma's eyes "One dance. ONE and this better be one hell of a song. I'm talking Shakespearean level serenading." She took a long drink of the subpar red wine before she was escorted over to the space that had been cleared out for anyone who was willing to take part in the open mic night.

Regina tossed a longing look back at the table where their drinks and Emma's leather jacket were left waiting for them before sparing a glance at the other people in the bar but then fingers under her chin brought her gaze back to blue green eyes. "Just focus on me, Regina, no one else is here. It's just like when you danced with me before," Emma dropped her hand from her chin and slid both around her waist, pulling her closer "I only want to pay attention to you anyways." She couldn't help but smile and wrap her hands around Emma's neck as they started to dance to some slow song she couldn't exactly make out the words to.

It was easy to have the rest of the bar fade away when Emma was looking at her like she was the most important person in this realm or the next and Regina wanted nothing more then to kiss her but she couldn't bring herself to do so when there were eyes on them. When the song ended she realized that she didn't want the dance to be over but she was ready to hear Emma play, releasing her hold on her neck to grab the guitar instead. "It's just as you said, Em-ma. You only have to pay attention to me." This time she did lean over and press her lips against Emma's cheek for a brief moment, brushing her thumb over the spot to make sure there was no lipstick left on her skin before going over to the bartender to have him get ready for a performer.

Emma gave an uneasy smile before opening the case and pulling out the guitar, brushing her hand over the strap with Henry and Regina embroidered on it. "I have no idea what your daughter is getting me into, sir but the things we do for love am I right?" She mumbled and then slid it over her body as Regina came back over to her. Letting out a shaking breath she heard the bar fall silent and saw the way Leroy, Mary Margaret, David and the few other scattered patrons all turned to look in her direction. "This feels like it's worth a lot more then one dance. I'd like to add onto my request. We can discuss it over a glass of apple cider when we get back to the mansion." Regina nodded her head and nudged her forward, going to grab her glass of wine to get a closer seat.

Clearing her throat she moved to stand where she had just danced with Regina and she gave a small wave. "Uh hi? I'm Emma Swan and someone VERY persuasive has talked me into making a fool out of myself for your entertainment tonight," Regina shook her head at the pointed look Emma was giving her and smiled encouragingly "So I'm going to play something dedicated to her. I'm also going to change some of the lyrics but just go easy on me alright? This is not something I do every day." She blinked a few times when a light was flipped on and she was now under an actual spotlight. Great, that did wonders for her nerves.

Strumming the guitar a few times to make sure it was tuned correctly she thanked the bartender who brought over a stool for her to sit on, sighing when she realized she'd stalled enough and there was no getting out of it now. Emma started to play and kept her eyes on Regina, knowing it was the only way she'd be able to get through the song. "I met you in the dark, you lit me up. You made me feel as though I was enough. We danced the night away, we drank too much. I held your hair back when you were throwing up. And then you smiled over your shoulder, for a minute I was stone cold sober. I pulled you closer to my chest and you asked me to stay over. I said, I already told ya, I think that you should get some rest."

Shuffling a bit in her seat she watched Regina drink her wine and continue to smile as she played, it was like the rest of the world just disappeared with Regina smiling at her like that. "I knew I loved you then but you'd never know cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go. I know I needed you but I never showed. But I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old. Just say you won't let go. Just say you won't let go," Emma smiled over at the gorgeous Mayor and continued to play for her "I wake you up with some breakfast in bed, I'll bring you coffee with a kiss on your head. I'll take the kid to school, wave him goodbye and I'll thank my lucky stars for that night. When you looked over your shoulder, for a minute I forgot that you're older. I wanna dance with you right now and you looked as beautiful as ever and I swear everyday it'll get better. You make me feel this way somehow."

Regina loved the way Emma played and her voice was hypnotic, feeling herself swaying in her seat as she sang. It was more then worth a dance and whatever other price the deputy wanted to name. Her breath caught in her throat when Emma made eye contact with her again and sang the next lines. "I'm so in love with you and I hope you know. Darling, your love is more than worth its weight in gold. We've come so far, my dear. Look how we've grown and I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old. Just say you won't let go. Just say you won't let go."

There was something about Emma even singing that she loved her, terrifying but so very wonderful. "I wanna live with you, even when we're ghosts cause you were always there for me when I needed you most, I'm gonna love you till my lungs give out. I promise till death we part like in our vows. So I wrote this song for you, now all of Storybrooke knows that it's just you and me until we're grey and old. Just say you won't let go. Just say you won't let go. Just say you won't let go. Just say you won't let go."

When the song ended Emma shut her eyes tight, trying to block out the fact that she'd just sung a love song for Regina in front of a small crowd. Her eyes snapped open when there was applause, not just from Regina but from the entire bar even Leroy was joining in. Mary Margaret was whooping and David was grinning while he applauded as well. She shook her head but held a hand up "Thanks guys. That's all I've got in me tonight but… yeah, thanks." She slipped the guitar off and walked over to put it back in the case. "So what'd you think? I for one am shocked I was even able to play at all. I was so nervous I thought for sure I'd-" Emma was cut off mid sentence by Regina wrapping her arms around her and planting a kiss directly on her lips. Blonde eyebrows shot up in pleasant surprise but she slid her arms around Regina's waist, returning the display of affection.

Regina pulled back to smile at Emma "I loved it. Every single second of it. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard," She stepped back when she realized they were still in the bar and brushed a few stray locks behind her ear as a faint blush spread over her cheeks "Why don't we head back home? I have a glass of apple cider with your name on it."

Emma slid her leather jacket on and grabbed the guitar case in one hand while her free one found Regina's, intertwining their fingers as she smiled. Regina called the mansion home, for the both of them, and it felt fantastic. Storybrooke already seemed more like home then Boston ever had and she could not wait to make the move a reality. "Let's go home, Regina." She agreed and lifted their hands to place a kiss on the back of Regina's before leading her out the door.

Regina opened the front door and was about to wrap her arms around Emma again when she remembered there was still one other person in the mansion outside of her family. "Kathryn! How was Henry tonight? Did he refuse to go to sleep? Play video games later then he was supposed to?" She set her purse down and turned to her assistant who was reading on the couch.

Kathryn got up and shook her head "No, he was wonderful. He actually fell asleep during the second movie we watched after his bath. Henry is a great kid and he gave me strict instructions for when you got back," She put her book away and grabbed her bag, pulling it on her shoulder as she walked over to the Mayor and Emma "He loved the soppapilla, as per usual, and wants to know what Emma thinks when he wakes up. He also wanted me to tell you both that he loves you and he hopes you had a great night. I'll see you in the morning, Regina and Emma we'll have to tour those two apartments this weekend. Just give me a call and I'll set it up. Good night."

Regina shut and locked the door behind her assistant after thanking her and wishing her a good night, she turned to look for Emma but only saw a leather jacket on one of the dining room chairs with the guitar case leaning against it and a pair of heels. "Em-ma?" She called softly, not wanting to yell and risk disturbing her sleeping son as she started to look through the downstairs. Emma wasn't in the kitchen, the living room, the dining room, and Regina was just about to head up the stairs when she remembered there was mention of apple cider at the bar. She shook her head and went into the den, smiling when she found the blonde pouring two glasses while humming to herself.

"So there's something more that you want as repayment for that wonderful song, correct?" Emma handed her the glass and smiled, watching the Mayor as she leaned against her desk and took a sip of the cider "I'm willing to negotiate depending on your terms, Deputy Swan." Regina crossed one leg over the other and didn't miss the way it caught Emma's attention, following blue green eyes as they trailed upwards from there.

Emma drank a little of the amber liquid before setting it to the side, she was already interested in something else, and she took a few steps forward as her eyes roamed over the form fitting midnight blue dress. "Do you have any idea how gorgeous you look right now? It's hard to focus on anything other then that," She stopped when she was close enough to reach out and brush her fingers up Regina's arm "I think my terms are simple really. I want the only thing I've wanted for so long now and that's you, Regina." She toyed with the sleeve of the dress and smiled at the Mayor.

Regina put her glass down on the desk and stood up, bringing herself almost nose to nose with the blonde as she placed her hand on Emma's neck to draw her closer. "I'll need you to be more specific, this is a binding verbal contract after all. What is it you want from me?" She asked softly and her heart skipped a beat or two when Emma placed the hand that had been running up her arm on her waist instead, gripping at the fabric and pulling her even closer to press their lips together. Letting out a surprised gasp only gave Emma the opportunity to bite down gently on her bottom lip making the gasp turn into a moan halfway through and she threaded her fingers through blonde curls to grip at them as the kiss turned more passionate.

Emma growled low at the feeling of nails on her scalp but found it to be enjoyable rather then painful, spurring her on as she once again was fighting for control over the kiss. Regina didn't back down and gave as good as she got until she felt herself being pressed back against the desk again. She pulled back and looked at Emma with darkened eyes "What is it you want, Em-ma?" She reiterated the question; desperate to hear the words come from pink lips after wanting to for some time.

Keeping the Mayor pinned against herself and the desk she smirked, of course Regina was going to make her say exactly what it was she wanted. "Quiero besarte por todas partes, mi reina." Emma had barely gotten the words out when Regina claimed her lips again, the phrase in Spanish was much more arousing, and she was shocked when she felt determined fingers pulling her blouse free from the skirt and then brushing against her stomach.

Regina pulled back breathlessly and ran her nails against abs "You have no idea how long I've wanted-" She was cut short by the doorbell and whipped her head towards the sound "Fuck! That's going to wake up Henry. Will you please answer the door and tell whoever it is to kindly go to hell?" She pressed a quick kiss to Emma's lips before disentangling herself and headed upstairs, needing to check on her son now that he was going to be awake. Letting out a groan as she watched Regina disappear she shook her head, she was going to kill whoever was ringing the doorbell at that time of night.

Cracking open the door Emma narrowed her eyes at the person she had never seen before, a man dressed like a ridiculous pirate complete with eyeliner, an earring in one ear, and a leather coat that looked ancient with his finger still on the doorbell. "Get. Your thumb. Off. The doorbell. Captain Cockblock." She seethed, knowing that Henry was certain to be wide awake after the prolonged ringing of the intruder and feeling agitated for not only that reason but also the fact that he had disrupted an enjoyable moment with Regina.

Captain Cockblock, she was sticking with the name as it suited the jackass standing in front of her, flashed a smirk that made her even angrier. He was smug and she didn't appreciate it. "Well, hello there love. I didn't expect a beautiful blonde woman to answer the door but this is a pleasant-"

Raising her hand to silence him she shook her head "I'm going to stop you right there, guyliner. We don't want whatever your selling and you just woke up a preteen boy, which will bring the wrath of his mother down on you so I advise you leave. Right now." Emma moved to shut the door and nearly jumped back when a silver hook was stuck between the doorframe, preventing it from closing. She blinked and opened the door wider "Look, you rum soaked motherfu-" only to stop mid sentence when she saw there was someone else standing behind him.

Guyliner still had the smirk on his face and he pulled his hook back, a literal hook for a hand, pulling out a cloth from his pocket and starting to polish the metal. "Like I was saying before you rudely interrupted me, love, this is a pleasant surprise since my company neglected to mention anyone other then her daughter being here. Why don't you and I go for a drink somewhere so the lovely Mills women can catch up?" Emma turned to the older woman who stepped forward and frowned even more so, gripping the door as hard as she could.

"I managed to get Henry to stay in bed and he should fall back asleep shortly. Did you tell whomever it was to go… to.. hell.." Regina trailed off as she joined Emma, looking out to first see a pirate and then a woman she hadn't seen in years. All the color drained from her face and she felt as if she was frozen "Mother?" She asked in a terrified voice and Cora smiled in response, holding her arms out as if she expected her daughter to run into them when all Regina wanted to do was run away as fast as she possibly could.

When Cora took yet another step forward Emma did the same, her arm going in front of Regina and she shook her head. "Over my dead body are you coming anywhere near Regina, lady. I've heard all about how you treated her as a child and I won't let you hurt her anymore." Cora's smile disappeared and her face grew livid, arching an eyebrow that was simultaneously so much like Regina and far more evil.

"Who exactly are YOU to deny me? Are you the maid or something?" She looked Emma up and down, taking in the messy blouse, skirt, and bare feet. Cora's eyes widened a bit when she realized Emma's mouth had the faintest red hue about it although she wasn't wearing any lipstick herself and she looked over at her daughter with narrowed eyes.

"I'm Regina's-" "Friend," Regina cut her off, putting her hand on Emma's arm to lower the protective way it was shielding her "She's a friend, Mother and I must ask you to leave. My son is upstairs sleeping and I don't feel like having a reunion this late." Emma felt like she'd been smacked in the face and she took a step backward, Regina moving to grab the door and frowning at her mother.

Cora was once again visibly displeased and she bristled at the way she was being so callously brushed off by her own child but she wore a forced smile. "Fine, dear. We'll have lunch tomorrow; I'm looking forward to hearing about all of your success as the Mayor and meeting my grandson. Have a good night." She grabbed the pirate by his hook and turned on her heel, starting to walk back the way she'd come.

Regina shut the door, locked it, and then pressed her hands against it while letting out a shaking breath. She had not expected the ambush and felt drained just from the conversation. When she turned back to Emma she could see that the blonde was upset, her pale arms wrapped around herself as she looked down at the floor. "Em-ma, I didn't-"

"I think I should go upstairs and take a bath," She said quickly and then smoothed her hands along the wrinkles in her blouse "I'm gonna sleep in my room tonight so… sleep tight, Regina." Emma didn't even wait to finish her sentence before she was heading up the stairs, she felt like Regina was ashamed of the fact that they were dating and it hurt. She grabbed her pajamas from the guest room and started towards Henry's bathroom, stopping when a door cracked open.

Henry was peeking out from his bedroom door with squinted eyes, still lethargic but focusing on Emma. "Who was at the door? Mom wouldn't tell me but… Hey, is everything okay, Swansky?" He asked when she took her glasses off and rubbed at her eyes, wondering what had happened.

Emma nodded her head and smiled "Yeah, kid I just got something in my eye that's all but you should get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning okay, Henry?" She was about to head for the bathroom again when Henry walked out from his room to hug her, wrapping an arm around him and smiling at the gesture. "I love you, Emma. Good night." Emma waved and returned his affectionate good night before shutting the bathroom door and locking it. She set down her pajamas and started the water when she heard soft knocking on the door, wondering if it was Henry needing to use the bathroom and reaching for the lock only to pause when she heard a voice on the other side.

"Em-ma? I want to talk to you, please?" Regina was keeping her voice low, not wanting to disturb Henry more then the intrusion from her mother already had. There was only the sound of the bathtub filling up as a reply and she sighed, hanging her head "Alright, alright I'll talk to you in the morning. Sweet dreams, Miss Swan." She sighed yet again and went to her room, disliking that she was going to sleep without Emma next to her but she hurried through her nightly routine before sliding into the bed. Regina fell into a fitful sleep with her arms wrapped around a pillow while Emma was a mirror image in her own bed. Neither woman getting any real rest.