A/N: Finally, here is the next awaited chapter to this new story, and I am super excited how it turned out and what's to come for our lovely Emma. :) More time will pass somewhere along the next chapter to come, so stay tuned. And don't worry. Emma and Regina will be reunited VERY SOON. he time being. Happy reading, all! :)

Chapter 18: Not Just A Name Anymore

One Year Later…

"Thank you," Kathryn smiled at the waitress, setting down her lemonade.

Graham stopped at the sight of Kathryn waiting for him where they had agreed to meet. A corner little diner. He smiled, but suddenly became very nervous given his second hand clothes.

"Hi," Kathryn beamed, blinding Graham with her beauty. "For a second there, I thought you weren't going to show."

Graham took the seat across from Kathryn. "Are you kidding? It's not everyday a beautiful girl wants to have lunch with me."

"Well, that's a relief." Kathryn's cheeks flush. She brushes back a strand of hair, tucking it behind her ear.

"Thanks for meeting me here, by the way." Said Graham.

"Sure," Kathryn eyed the same waitress walking toward their table. Both her and Graham were asked what they wanted for lunch. Kathryn ordered first, followed by Graham who ordered a lemonade to drink as well as a burger and fries.

"Hey, listen. I never thanked you… for saving my life."

A smile stretched across Graham's lips. "You did, actually. About a hundred times."

"Well, make that a hundred and one." Graham chuckled.

"Here, you are," the waitress came by with their orders and left, leaving them alone once again.

"Thank you." Kathryn smiled, and Graham couldn't look away.

Graham observed Kathryn as she moaned once she enjoyed her first bite of her burger. "What?" Kathryn blinked, feeling self-conscious.

"Nothing." Graham looked down at his plate of food, reaching for his own burger with both hands.

"Seriously- what?" Did she have a smear of ketchup along the corner of her lip and was unaware of it?

He chuckled, "I just… I didn't think a girl like you would enjoy getting a burger."

Kathryn's brow arches. "Why?" She looked taken aback by his question.

"Well, you know, usually girls like you tend to get salads and water, that's all."

"That's the second time you use the term: girls like you. What do you mean by that, exactly?" Kathryn sets down her burger, no longer interested.

Graham tenses, gulping down his drink so hard it hurt his throat. "Hey," he lifts his palms. "I didn't mean no disrespect by it. It's just an observation."

"So, what you've observed is that girls like me," Kathryn points a manicured nail to her chest. "Only eat salads and water? Gee, Graham… I didn't realize you went out with a lot of girls like me." She chuckled at the shocked expression on Graham's face. "But thank you for clearing that out. It's good to know."

"No. No, that's not what I meant at all-" Graham shook his head.

"Now it's understandable why you've only asked me out for a few lunches and not once have you asked me to be your girlfriend." Said Kathryn.

"Girlfriend?" Graham's eyes grow wide. "You want to be my-?"

Before he can finish his question, Kathryn speaks up. "I knew this was a mistake. I should have known better but to fall for Emma's best friend." She shakes her head.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Graham's brow bunches together.

"Emma certainly didn't have that opinion about Regina. And now you think I'm just some snotty high class girl, is that it?"

"What? What does Emma and Regina have to do with us?" Asked Graham.

"Admit it. The only reason you went on a few days with me within a year and haven't even had the decency to ask me the big question, is because you think I'm like Regina."

"What- no I don't!"

"You do, too!" Kathryn scoffs. "You think I'm only playing with you, just like you thought Regina toyed with Emma. When the fact of that was-"

"The fact of that was that Emma fell hard for Regina, and look where she ended up."

"She was leaving, anyway! Did you forget that Regina was leaving with her? Besides, you don't know the whole story behind the reasons Regina had to end it." Kathryn shouts a little, enough that a few heads turn in their direction. But not that she cared.

"Oh, and you do? How do I know you aren't just covering for her and you don't care about Emma at all?"

Kathryn blinked, her eyes wide as she started getting up from her seat.

"Where are you going?" Graham frowned.

"I'm leaving. If this is your mentality on things, and on my best friend, then it's best to leave things here." She shakes her head as she releases a sigh. "I can't believe I actually thought you were cute, but missed the fact that you were an asshole."

"An asshole?" Graham breathed.

"You can pay for the bill, can't you?" Kathryn snatches her purse along her arm. "Thank you for the worst date I've ever had. Goodbye, Graham."

Graham remained seated along his chair, sharing a quick look with a few people he caught sight of gawking at him. His cheeks turned beet red as he watched Kathryn leave, instantly feeling a ping of guilt. "Great," he muttered to himself, taking one last sip of his drink before withdrawing his wallet from his back pocket.

"Here we go, ready? One, two, three!" Emma grunted, her hands buried underneath a giant boulder as she lifted it up with the help of another miner inside a mine. The sleeves to her white crisp shirt were rolled up to her elbows, there was a smear of black coal along one of the sleeves but she didn't care. Being dirty was part of the job.

"Hey, thanks, Emma." The miner said, patting her along her shoulder in a sign of gratitude.

"It's what I'm here for." Emma smiled, patting the man along the back. She looked around the mine. "We need to set two of our new machines here, and here," she motioned along two rock walls. "I don't want any mistakes. We'll all be going home tonight, gentleman."

"Emma," the man whispered. "It's the boss." He nods in the direction where Emma's eyes follow as Mal walks into the mine, wearing her power suit as usual along with an orange vest and a hard white hat.

"Keep an eye on that wall for me, will you, John? Make sure they are set up correctly."

"You got it, Emma." John pats her along the back and runs further inside the cave.

"Hard at work as usual, Emma?" Mal grins as soon as Emma catches up with her.

"Mal," Emma nods. "What brings you down here?"

"I just thought I'd check in. You know me, I like to pay surprise visits once in a while so that all my workers won't think that all I do is take the credit for their hard work." Mal's eyes explore the cave. "It's looking good. Are those the new machines I bought?" She nods.

Emma turns to watch John helping the others alongside the machines. "Yes, they are. I realized they cost a pretty penny, but I promise you it's the best we have." She turns back to Mal with confidence. "I did the measurements myself, and if my calculations are correct, we can help prevent more accidents this way. Not that there can't be one, but everyone should be safe."

"Of course, of course," Mal smiled. "I trust you. No need to question that."

"Thank you, Mal." Emma nods.

"In just several months you showed capability, but this whole year, you have really grown, Emma." Mal walked along the cave, heading for the exit as Emma followed beside her.

"I appreciate that." Emma smiled. "I can't give myself all the credit, though. I honestly wouldn't have been better anywhere else but at your company."

Mal grins. "I'm glad. It surprises me how all you seem to do is work. You're so young! You should be out there enjoying life a little more with your family."

"Well, I appreciate that, Mal, but all of my family is stationed in Boston, remember?"

"Right," Mal nods. "You did mention that. Well, surely you must have… a husband waiting for you? Boyfriend, maybe?"

Emma chuckled, "No. None of the above."

Mal's brow lifts, "A girlfriend, then?"

Emma's lips thin out into a hard line. Her eyes looked at the rocks along the ground, crunching underneath her boots as they walked. "No."

"Well, you should. You're a very attractive young woman, Emma. As astute as you are at your job, work isn't everything. Take it from me."

"I like to work. It keeps my mind busy and above all sharp." Emma forced a tiny smile along her lips as they exited out of the cave.

"I hope she isn't boring you with love-life lectures!" A young woman with long brunette hair flashed her pearly white teeth at Emma, followed by her mother. "She loves doing that."

"Lily!" Mal grinned, happily embracing the young woman who looked to be around Emma's age into a hug.

"Hello, mother." Lily grinned, placing a kiss along her mother's cheek.

"When did you get back?"

"Just now."

"Why didn't you call me?" Mal asked.

"I did. I called your office, but they told me you were out here- as only you would be crazy enough to be up here in a mountain- so I decided to surprise you. And meet your," Lily's eyes pin on Emma. "new engineer of yours that you won't stop raving about!" The fact that Emma's cheeks grew pink at the compliment was something Lily quickly noted.

"Well, you'll see I'm not exaggerating. Lily, allow me to introduce you to Emma Swan. Emma; this is my daughter Lily."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Emma." Lily extends her hand.

"Hi- oh," As Emma was about to extend her hand she realized it was black from all the coal and dirt. She quickly wiped it along her pants before agreeing to shake Lily's hand. "Sorry."

Lily chuckled, her eyes alight as they looked into Emma's. "Not to worry. I know the life. Growing up with a mother like her, you came to see it all as a kid."

Emma smiled. "I know what you mean. My father always taught me that an honest person is never ashamed of getting a little dirty."

"And right he is!" Mal grinned. Her attention turned to two vehicles approaching. "Ah, they're here. Finally." She turned to Emma. "These are the executives I've been telling you about. But you take a break, you've been working all day. I'll show them inside." She meets the men halfway, greeting them all before ushering them into the mine.

Lily grinned, shaking her head before she turned back toward Emma's direction. "So, Emma… what's your story?"

"The usual, I suppose," Emma shrugged.

"Let me guess. Work, work, work?" Lily chuckled, grinning at the blush that manifested along Emma's cheeks. "Looks like my mother's influence is rubbing off on you just a little more than even you'd like to admit."

Suddenly, a loud, rumbling noise like a giant washing machine echoed inside the caves, followed by screaming and shouts that quickly captured Emma and Lily's attention.

"It's an avalanche! Get them out!" Emma raced toward the cave, rushing past a few minors who were already making their way out to safety. She moved out of the way as one last rock fell, coughing as the dirt tickled the back of her throat.

"Emma!" John groaned, attempting to push off the boulder that landed along his leg, crushing it to bits.

"John!" Emma kneeled before John, looking at how twisted his leg seemed underneath that rock. Beards of sweat formed along her forehead, and a single drop ran down her temple from underneath her hard hat. "Someone call for help!" She shouts. "Don't move, it could be broken."

"We can't wait around, Emma," John breathes, shutting his eyes. "You know as well as I do that wasn't the last one. We have to get out of here."

Emma knew that. She could feel a tiny hint of rumble below her feet. "Alright, come on," she moved closer to John, pressing her hands along the rock. "You have to help me. Ready?" At his nod, Emma counted to three and they pushed, sliding the boulder off of his leg with success.

John groaned as pain shot up his leg, his hands landing along his thigh. "Shit! I think you're right. I think it's broken."

"We have to move. Come on," Emma carefully pushed John along his back away from the rock wall to be able to place her arm around him in support. "Hold onto me." She pulled him up with all of her might, hearing him grunting in pain once again.

"They're out! Come on!" A miner waved the others as they all ran toward Emma and an injured John.

"Careful," Said Emma, allowing the other men to take charge of him. "His leg is broken." She clapped along the man's back. "You'll be alright, John."

"Emma," John breathed. "Mal. She's still in there."

"What?" Emma's eyes widened in horror.

"What are you saying?" Lily asked, her eyes glossing over with worry as she looked at John.

"I'm sorry, miss. I tried to help her, but this boulder fell on me and there was nothing I could do." John's voice shook.

"Oh, my God," Lily cried. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "She's dead! My mother is dead, Emma-"

"Hey," Emma reached for Lily's shoulders, her eyes pinned on hers. "You need to stay calm, okay? You're mom's going to be alright."

Lily's bottom lip wobbled. "Please save her, Emma. Please. She's all I have left."

Emma reached for an oxygen mask or a respirator as they referred to them before going back inside that mine with a couple of others. "Mal!" She called out, moving a couple of rocks out of her way.

"We have a situation here, we need help for Christ's sake!" A minor shouted into his walkie, getting an immediate response. "Help is a minute away, Emma."

"Help me move these, but be careful." Emma instructed, reaching for the first rock, followed by another. She tossed each of them aside. They felt endless. The more she tossed the more rocks manifested somehow, until she heard coughing somewhere along the caves.

"She's over here!" A miner called out.

Emma ran to a thin opening, taking notice of a trembling hand coated with dirt along its skin. "Mal!" She pulled her out, successfully, helping her stand. Her powersuit was torn in various places, but that was the least of her worries now. Her hair was a mess, but that was another minor worry. "Are you alright?"

"That depends," Mal breathed, her eyes finding Emma's. "How's my hair?" She asked, attempting for a smile that turned up weak.

Emma chuckled weakly, "Like shit."

Mal groaned, rolling her eyes.

"Make way! Help is here!" Someone announced and soon a rescue team entered, taking control of the entire situation.

"Be careful with her," Emma pleaded, following the rescue team straight out of the caves with everyone else. As soon as they were out, she removed her hard hat, her own hair a mess. Her eyes glad to see the light of day.

Mining accidents happened, especially one like this one. But no one was ever truly prepared for them.

The news of the incident flashed all over the news like a lighting strike. David, Graham, Ruby and Eugenia were sitting in their living room, glued to their television set. Their expressions all matching.

"That's where Emma is, I know it." Ruby's eyes gloss over, finding refuge along her grandmother's side.

"She'll be alright, David. Emma's a tough girl," Eugenia promised, her own heart accelerating inside of her chest.

"It's amazing how incidents like these can happen in just the blink of an eye. I have reports coming in that although there haven't been any deaths confirmed as of yet, there are several miners injured. One of them being a woman who's identity is still unknown."

David's bottom lip trembled, "I'm calling, Emma." He shoots up from his chair, reaching for his cell phone and dialing. His back was given to the television screen, not wanting to hear or see anymore. All he wanted was to hear the sound of his daughter's voice that she was alive and well.

"This is Emma. Leave a message!" Her voicemail picks up, leaving David to try again.

Mary Margaret sat in front of her television set, her hand hovering over her parted lips. Eyes glossing over with the same news report. She attempted to call Emma on her cellphone, but received the same voicemail David would anytime he tried.

"Oh, my God," Kathryn's eyes stared widely at the television in her apartment. "Regina…" she calls out. "You better come and take a look at this."

Regina runs out of the kitchen with two wine glasses in hand. "What is it?" She stops short as she catches a glimpse of the news on the television set.

"We have just gotten word that one of the miners inside of the caves is in fact a woman, but she has appeared to have been helped out. And here is the woman who heroically stepped in to save her,"

Regina's eyes watered at the sight of Emma appearing on the television. A single tear escaped her at the same time one of the wine glasses tumbled to the floor, slipping right through her fingers. She knew Kathryn was holding onto her, preventing her body from collapsing, but she couldn't feel a thing. All she could feel was her heart break at the sight of Emma. She was dirty and sweaty and looked incredibly exhausted, but it was her. And she was as beautiful as ever.

"I just want to say," Emma spoke in front of the microphone, feeling her cheeks flush a little. But she hoped that the specks of ashes along her face hid them well. "That this incident could have been a lot worse. But thank God, in the end, we all survived."

David weeped in front of the television, feeling Graham's hand clasp along his right shoulder, while Ruby's and Eugenia's clasped along his left in support. "I told you she was alright!" Eugenia beamed, staring at Emma through the television set.

A Month Later…

After that incident, Emma stayed in contact with her father and Mary Margaret more frequently. She promised to visit as soon as she could, but really, what she wanted most was to stay away from Boston. So she busied herself, more and more. It was nothing against them. She just didn't want to go back and pick up the pieces she left behind of her broken heart when she was starting to put that behind her.

"Good morning, Emma!" Julianne, the lobby receptionist beams as Emma walks through the doors of the now familiar lobby to Page Industries.

"Good morning, Julianne," Emma smiled. "Is Mal in?"

"She's expecting you. Go on up."

"Thank you." Emma walks toward the elevators, punching the up button along to the one that would take her to the fortieth floor.

"Good morning, Emma!" Grace grins. "Mal swore for me to hold all her calls until you were done celebrating."

Emma's brow furrowed, "Celebrating?"

"You'll see." Grace nods toward the double doors of Mal's office and Emma helps herself inside, but not without knocking first.

"Come in," Mal announces. She beams at the sight of Emma. "Emma! I'm so glad you're here. Punctual as always."

To see Mal standing in front of her was like a breath of fresh air to Emma. She will never forget the fragile look on the woman's face as she pulled her out of that cave. The trail of red blood oozing from her left brow. Her disheveled hair which upset Mal more than anything else that might have been broken.

"Mal," Emma nodded, accepting the glass of sparkling champagne that was handed to her. "Thank you." She observed Mal take a drink of her glass. "What, uh… what are we celebrating?"

"Life." Mal grinned. "Life and I wanted to properly thank you for what you did. Risking your life is no easy task."

"Anyone would have done the same for me." Said Emma.

"True. And I owe you a great deal, Emma. If it weren't for you," she points to her. "I would have been dead."

Emma shakes her head, "I didn't do much, Mal. I just did what any other employee-"

"Uh-uh, but you're not just any other employee." Mal's hand rested along Emma's shoulder. Her piercing gray eyes locked in place. "Emma, you have become like a second daughter to me and in such a short time. And you've done a lot for this company and for me. If it hadn't been for you, millions of us if not all of us would have been dead and I would have gone to jail for negligence of safety. It was because of you that we are here right now and a lot of people are with their families."

"I know. I appreciate that, Mal." Emma nods.

"I hope you know that even though every employee under my name is like family to me, you are the most precious. Not counting my daughter, of course. Lily is always precious to me. And she feels indebted to you- as do I."

"No, Mal-" Emma shakes her head.

"Just listen." Mal smiled, preventing Emma from speaking any further. "I have a proposition for you. A big proposition." She pauses, pacing along her office and halting near her office window, overlooking the city. "As you know I've been keeping in careful consideration of wanting to add a new name to the company. A partner." She turns to face Emma. "One that has earned my absolute trust and knows how to work well around me. What do you think about that? Honestly."

Emma watches Mal walk closer to her. Her champagne glass half-full. "Well, you know I'm with you whatever you decide, Mal. In just a year, you've made me feel not only comfortable here, but at home, and that's something to be valued. Not to mention I've learned a lot from you this past year, and I hope to continue to grow and learn more."

Mal's grin spread at the corners. "As I knew you would be." She raises her glass. "That's why I want you to be the other name for my company, Emma."

Emma never suffered from low blood pressure before, but she could have sworn she just developed it where she stood. "Me?" She breathed.

Mal nods, "You. As you well said, you have grown quickly here in just a year, and it's no secret that you continue to impress me with your abilities to carry yourself as an engineer, and believe you me, you are a hell of an engineer. I knew I was right to follow my nose when I hired you. Why, I rarely make mistakes, I can practically count them on my fingers." She chuckled, taking a sip of her champagne.

"Mal," Emma scoffed out a chuckle, shaking her head.

"What? Aren't you flattered? Anyone in your position would be."

"Don't get me wrong. Of course, I'm flattered," Emma grinned. "It's just that… well, what about your daughter? If anyone should be your second hand around here with this company it's her. I mean, she's family."

Mal's hand lands along Emma's shoulder again. "You're family, too, Emma. I think you know well that I not only see you as my engineer or someone I can fully trust, but as a daughter. You've impressed me and believe me, it takes a lot to impress me. Besides, Lily runs the company in other means, financially and I would trust no one else with that. Although, family could potentially screw you over." Emma chuckled, allowing Mal to continue. "And we've talked about this, her and I. She thinks you are the perfect candidate for the job, not just for saving my life. But because she's seen what you've done for this company. Frankly, it wouldn't be in better hands than yours. That's what I need for this company, Emma. Someone who is headstrong but who is also not afraid of getting their hands dirty with the rest of these people."

Emma glanced down at her callused hand, the one not holding the glass of champagne. Was this really happening? Was Lily really okay with her running an entire empire along with Mal?

"So, what do you say, Emma?" Mal asked, waiting patiently with her hand outstretched.

Emma's eyes looked down at Mal's outstretched hand before finding her eyes again. "Mal," she breathed. "I don't know the first thing about running a company."

"Is that all?" Mal laughed a bit. "Emma, when I first started, I didn't know my right foot from my left along these floors. But I was determined, just like I know you are. And if I got this far, you will get much farther. Do you know why?" She watched Emma shake her head. "Because I will be there, every step of the way to guide you. I will give you the confidence you need to be in a room of ten businessmen and convince them just with the sound of your voice. I will give you luxuries of which you've never dreamed of, and I will teach you to live among all the places you never thought you'd see. I will mold you into the beautiful swan you were always meant to be."

It all sounded very tempting. Emma always dreamed of a moment like this. She just never realized it would be this soon. Would she really be ready and willing to do this?

"So…" Mal stretched out her hand again. "What do you think? Partners?"

Staring down at her hand again, Emma forward hers, shaking Mal's with such firmness. Her green eyes locked into place. "Partners."

Mal's grin spread along the corners of her ruby red lips. "When I get through with you. I promise you that Emma Swan won't be just a name anymore. You will be known by everyone. You will be a representation, and an example of this company."

And for the first time in what felt like a century, Emma's grin matched Mal's, so far that it reached her eyes. Both sealing their partnership with a sip of champagne.

"A promotion? What kind of promotion, Emma?" David's voice beamed through the other end of the phone.

Emma smiled, still unable to believe what just happened in Mal's office today. "Well… Mal's been wanting to find a new name to help her run the company and… she wants me to do it."

Emma couldn't see him, but if she could she would know just by the sound of his voice that David's eyes were wide. Either that or he fainted, because he went absolutely quiet, she couldn't even hear him breathing.

"Dad?" She called out. "Are you still there?" Emma looked at the screen on her phone to make sure the call was still going.

"Y-yeah…" David breathed. "And you're sure she's serious about this?"

"Dead serious. She wants me and no one else."

"But, doesn't she have a daughter?"

"She does. Lily, but she's more in the financial department. She's quite the opposite of her mom, actually. She hates the thought of being stuck in an office all day." Emma grins.

"Sounds like you've gotten to know her pretty well, kiddo." Once again, she couldn't see him, but she could imagine his brows rising to his hairline.

"I kind of have to, she's my boss' daughter, dad." Emma rolled her eyes.

"And she's okay with you… running things alongside her mother? Just like that? I mean, I'm not one to run on your parade, Emma, but… what if this woman has no good intentions? I mean, you have to admit, giving you half of her company when she's only met you a year."

"I saved her life, dad." Emma fought back.

"So, you decide you deserve a reward?"

"That's not what I meant." Emma frowns. "Look, I'm sorry, but I thought you'd be happy for me."

"No, Emma," David sighs. "I am happy for you, kiddo. I am. Very happy for you. Hell, I envy you, Emma. You're out there in a big city, doing something for yourself. You risked your life for millions of workers out there that day. This woman- your boss- would have to be crazy not to take you on as part of her company. I was only trying to be cautious."

Emma's frown deepened. She knew who her father really meant when he said that last bit. It was as if she walked around eggshells whenever she called. "Not all people with money are the same, dad. Mal's not. She has my best interest at heart."

"I'm sure she does. And I'm happy for you, Emma. Really. I am. I'm really proud of you." She can hear that smile across his lips again.

"Thanks, dad," Emma allowed herself a smile. She turned toward a knock along the door. "Dad, I have to go, okay? I'll call you again soon."

"You better. Ruby's already pissed because you haven't called her."

Emma chuckled, "Well, I'll call her first, then. That's a promise. Bye, dad."

"Bye, kiddo."

Leaving her phone along her kitchen counter, Emma rushes toward the front door of her apartment, pulling it open. "Lily?" She blinks. Lily being the last person she imagined would be standing before her door.

"Is this a bad time?" Lily asked, smiling.

"No. I'm just surprised to see you."

"Well, I was pacing around my apartment, then I figured, why do that when I could just go for a drive. Then I went for a drive, and well… ended up here." Lily shrugged.

"How did you know where I lived?" Emma asked.

"Oh, I can be very persuasive of something I want, Ms. Swan." Lily grinned, chuckling a second after. "I saw your resume. Quite impressive."

"Thank you." Emma smiled.

"So…" Lily's eyes looked inside of Emma's apartment. "Given that you aren't doing anything and I'm not doing anything. I also came because I wanted to invite you to come and have some drinks with me."

"Drinks?"

"Yeah, to celebrate. My mother told me the grand news." Lily grinned. "Congratulations, Ms. Swan."

"Thank you."

"You know, that makes you my boss now. Well, sort of."

Emma chuckled, "No. I don't want to be your boss. I could never do that to Mal."

"Well, what would you like to be?" Lily leaned against the doorframe of Emma's apartment.

"I could always use a friend."

Lily hesitated for a moment, but eventually outstretched her hand. "Friend it is, then." Once Emma shook her hand, Lily cupped it with the other, lingering on too long. Not that Emma noticed. "Now, then… Ms. Swan… what do you say to a night of drinks? Allow me to rub off some of my influence on you for a couple of hours, hm? What do you say? We'll go just as friends. Promise." She holds up her right hand in scout's honor.

Emma didn't really feel like going out. But how could she say no? What was the harm in one drink after all. "Alright. But just one drink," she holds up a single finger.

"Oh, come on-"

"I'm sorry, but Mal wants me at the company bright and early tomorrow-"

"Ugh! Already you're sounding like my mother, never ceasing about work-" Lily reaches for Emma's wrist, pulling her out of her apartment. "Now, come on, Ms. Swan. Let's go. We really need to hang out more."

Emma chuckled, "Alright, I'll go but as long as you call me Emma."

Once Lily agreed on a first name basis with Emma; Emma re-entered her apartment to grab her keys and her phone, locking her apartment door in place before leaving for drinks for the night.