Flashback

2 years ago - Storybrooke

"So this is Storybrooke.." Emma got off her bike and glanced around Main Street.

"Yeah, it's actually looking for a sheriff. Thought you'd want the job."

After completing the police academy and joining the force, August had been trying to convince Emma to leave New York. She and Regina had broken up and she was a complete mess. Less than a month after the break-up, Regina had moved back to Storybrooke as her mother demanded. Once Regina left, Emma only focused on her police work. However, 6 years had passed since Regina and Emma last spoke or saw each other, but Cora Mills was still making Emma's life difficult with the police force. It wasn't until the news of Cora's passing did Emma finally get a chance to get a task bigger than monitoring construction sites. The chief was still giving her a hard time however, it wasn't until August quit the NYPD that she realized she couldn't do it without him. She soon quit the NYPD as well and now was standing next to her best friend in Storybrooke, Maine. August knew it was a long shot trying to convince the blonde to come to the town her ex-girlfriend was the Mayor of but to his surprise she agreed. August was now standing by his best friend eyeing the town they were considering making their new home.

"Sheriff, huh? You're going to be my deputy or something," Emma smiled as they began to walk towards a diner called Granny's."

"Deputy Booth? I like the sound of that. I'll be like Billy the kid."

They shared a laugh as they entered the diner and took a seat at an empty booth on the side. They were immediately greeted by a gorgeous brunette with red ruby lips.

"Well hello there," August smiled up at the waitress.

She giggled and smiled back, "Hi. My name is Ruby, what can I get you two today?"

"He'll most likely take your number but I'll take a cheeseburger and a Pepsi," Emma smirked as she put the menu aside. Booth's eyes went wide as he looked over at his 'so-called' best friend who was not being a supportive wing man at the moment.

August cleared his throat and looked up at Ruby, "I'll have the same with an ice tea instead. Thanks."

Ruby nods as she writes down the order, "You two are new here. Where are you from?"

"New York."

Ruby smiled, "Yeah I got that vibe." She left to place their order and attend to others.

August looked over at Emma and smiled, "So are you nervous?"

"Nervous? For what?"

"Don't play dumb with me Swan."

Emma gave him a blank look causing him to groan, she could be so dense at times. "Are you nervous to see Regina again you idiot?"

"Oh! Why would I be nervous? It's just Regina. Plus we don't even know she's still here."

August rolled his eyes, "Dude she's here. Saw that freaking mansion we passed by before. Only she'd live in a palace-like that."

Emma shrugged, "Whatever. I'm not nervous. If I see her, I'll say hi and be civil."

"Em- when she left you were a wreck. For the longest time, all you wanted was to see her again. Don't act like this doesn't mean anything to you."

Ruby came back with their orders placing them in front of them, "Enjoy guys."

"Hey, Ruby!" August quickly called out stopping the waitress in her tracks, "Quick question. Who's the Mayor?"

"Our Mayor, that'd be Regina Mills. She's been our Mayor for years now. Why do you ask?"

"Oh well, Emma and I saw you guys need some police force and we were New York cops. Thought we'd apply for the job."

Ruby smiled, impressed by that new information, "Well she's at town hall usually until 6. You can just stop by any time, but be careful."

Emma took a sip from her drink and chuckled a bit, "Be careful? Why you say that?"

"Well, the Mayor isn't exactly friendly. A lot of people here are scared of her actually. When she came back she was different than most remembered and we all learned quickly it was best to keep our distance."

Emma and August exchange curious glances, "How has she changed?"

Ruby sighed as she placed the pen in her hair, "Well Regina and I were close in Elementary and high school before she left for New York for college. We kept in touch and she told me she met someone and was never going to leave New York and out of nowhere she was back with her mom. Cora claimed it was Regina's choice but I knew that was bull. We've barely talked since she got back, she's not as happy as she used to be."

Emma's jaw clenched at the sound of Cora's name, "Well we were old friends. Sure she'll be surprised to see us."

August laughed, "Got that right."

"Well good luck, hope to see you guys around again." Ruby smiled and left to attend to other orders. Emma began to eat her burger thinking about what Ruby had just said. Regina had completely changed after their break up. She was a bit nervous to see her now. What if she didn't want to see her? What if there were no feelings left, she could have moved on. She could have been with someone else right now and she just decided to show up at her town. What was she thinking?

August could see the wheel turning in Emma's head and the slight panic in her eyes.

"She'll be happy to see you." The statement was short and simple, August didn't even make eye contact with the blonde and just continued to eat his food. The statement may have been short and simple but it was exactly what the blonde needed. She took a deep breath and smiled at her friend. They finished their meals and paid the bill promising Ruby they would return.

It was now 5:45 pm and Emma was standing in front of the door that read 'Mayor's Office.' August was leaning against the wall beside her waiting for her to finally knock. "Come on Swan. We've been here for 15 minutes. Just knock."

Emma bit her bottom lip and glanced at him, "But what if she's in a meeting or something."

"Only one way to find out." August quickly knocked on the door and bolted down the hallway before Emma could grab him.

"Booth!" Emma's eyes went wide as she heard a firm 'enter' from the other side of the door. Emma gulped and took a deep breath as she grabbed the doorknob and turned it, pushing it open. Everything felt like it was in slow motion as she stepped into the office and her eyes landed on the woman at the large desk. The room was decorated in a black and white color scheme. Everything looked so modern and elegant but at the same time felt like it had no life in it. Emma's eyes were so focused on the beautiful brunette before her. Her face was covered by the same raven black hair only it was a bit longer now, around shoulder length. Emma knew she was breathing because if she wasn't she would have passed out by now, but it felt like there was no air in the room. Emma cleared her throat trying to get the woman's attention but she continued to look down writing.

"Whatever it is, make it quick. I have places to be."

"Hot date?"

Emma couldn't help but smile at her response. Emma saw the pen stop moving and it looked like her hand was shaking a bit. Regina's head slowly lifted, her eyes already wide when they connected with Emma's. Emma knew for a fact she wasn't breathing now. Regina still looked flawless, it was taking every piece of restraint Emma had in her to stop herself from going to her and kissing those lips she dreamed about so many times. They both remained silent just looking at one another. Regina's expression was like she was seeing a ghost.

"Emma.."

Dead. Dead. Dead. The woman spoke one word and it was over. Emma hadn't heard her name came from those lips in 6 years and god did she miss it. Emma finally took in the breath she desperately needed and smiled at the brunette.

"In the flesh." Regina stood from her desk and walked over to Emma. Emma didn't even try to stop her eyes from raking over the amazingly toned body that women still had after all these years. Regina stopped a good foot from Emma.

"You're really here..?"

Emma nodded, "I'm here." Regina's eyes began to water. She flung her arms around the blonde's neck hugging her like it was their last.

"You're here.."

"I'm here Regina. I'm here."