I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.

17: Best in Show

There was training for deputy sheriffs, which made sense. Emma was happy about that since she had no real idea what to expect on the job. Even better was David was with her. He made the cut, too!

Along with them, there was a woman named Dorothy Gale. She was built like she could break them both in half. No questions about why she got the gig. Rounding out their motley crew was a guy named Will Scarlet, who did not seem to be taking any of this seriously.

"Seems like he's going for a different vibe with his hires compared to the old sheriff, like he said. Cool," David said, standing in the department-issued sweats, like the rest of them. They were in the department gym, waiting for their instructor.

David was probably the closest to one of the old hires and that was probably only in appearance. While David was definitely a "good old boy," he never came across as someone who understood those rules of being such and welcomed anyone as long as they treated him decently. If only more people were like him.

The training was barely two weeks long, but they got a chance to become familiar with each other. Will used to work with Robin Hood of all people. Emma had not gotten much of why Will quit, but it had something to do with his girlfriend and also how Robin was "no longer the bloke he used to be." Will was a cool dude, though.

Will used to be a criminal, too, with a girlfriend whom he described as being "too good for me." He and Emma bonded way too much over those things. It helped that Emma found Will's humor on the same level as hers.

While Will did not take any of the training seriously, Dorothy took everything seriously and excelled at everything they did. David tried to develop a rivalry with her, but she smoked him in almost all fields. But, she was not an asshole about it, so it was cool. In fact, she was helpful, patient, and answered their questions as well as their instructor.

The worst thing about having to start actual work was figuring out how she would go in with Regina and still get ready for her job. It would not be a good look for her to sleep in her uniform in a booth at the cafe while Regina and Maleficent worked. The first day, she slept until the cafe opened, but it was two hours before she needed to be at the Sheriff's station. Mulan picked her up from the cafe and they went to the station together.

Emma was groggy the whole day, though. When she got home, she collapsed on the couch, still in her uniform, and did not get up. Regina was already home and undressed her.

"You won't be doing this tomorrow," Regina said as if her word was law… which it was.

Emma groaned. "But, I like going in with you."

"You won't last long on the force if you're this tired after one day. We'll figure something out." Regina kissed her cheek.

Emma's eyes drifted shut. "I just wanna be with you."

"You're still with me even when we're at work. We don't have to physically be together at every moment possible. It'll be all right." Regina scratched Emma's scalp.

Emma made a noise and found it impossible to stay awake. Okay, maybe getting up with Regina would be too much. She liked sharing mornings with Regina, though. Yes, she slept through most of it, but it settled her, and calmed her soul to a certain degree. She was not quite sure how to put it.

Besides, she needed Regina to bear witness to how devoted she was to her. She never wanted Regina to doubt her affection or intentions the way she did when Hook robbed her. Gotta figure something out.

-8-8-8-8-

Regina was proud of Emma and wanted to show her full support for Emma's new career path. Of course, Emma probably did not view it as support. She made sure Emma stayed home now when she got up early for the cafe. Emma would come in with enough time to eat breakfast and link up with Mulan. Regina stuck around the first day to make sure it happened as planned.

Emma came in a little after seven. She sat at one of the single seats against the back wall countertop. Regina made her a special breakfast. She delivered the French toast sticks with powdered sugar and syrup on the side. Also, a cheese omelet with bacon bits and a bowl of diced strawberries. She kissed Emma's cheek and rubbed the top of her head.

"Have an amazing day, okay?" Regina whispered.

Emma chuckled. "I feel like a little kid and it's my first day of school."

"You'll enjoy the food the same regardless."

Emma scoffed. "I sure as hell will. I'll come see you before I leave, okay?"

"Okay." Regina kissed her cheek again.

"No, no, no. Kisses." Emma pointed to her mouth.

Regina smiled and kissed Emma in front of the whole cafe. Granted, it was not many people there, but it was enough. Of course, Tinker Bell hooted from behind the register.

"Get it, Emma!" Tinker Bell shouted.

Regina rolled her eyes as she pulled away. "I'm going to fire her as soon as we have enough money to hire more people."

With a laugh, Emma grinned. "No, she's my favorite."

Regina scoffed and went back to the kitchen area. Maleficent was focused on her tasks, but took a moment to smirk at her. Regina frowned, but it did not affect Maleficent of course.

"Did you pack her book bag, too? Made sure she had an extra snack?" Maleficent asked.

"You're merely upset you don't have anyone to tuck in beyond Tink and Nova," Regina replied.

Maleficent laughed. "You do make it seem quite pleasant. You've been happiest since… forever, actually. I wish I could say I made you this happy."

Regina sighed. "It's not only her. It's my life coming together now. It's becoming something I want and you helped me make it to this point. You're always going to be one of the most important people in my life."

Maleficent curled her lip and waved the whole matter off. "She's made you so emotional."

Regina laughed. "You were in love once, so you are very aware of how it is."

Maleficent bumped Regina with her hip. "Silly girl, to think I was only in love once."

Regina sighed. "You know, happiness looks wonderful on you, too. You didn't need me as a romantic partner and you damn sure didn't need that asshole who messed with your heart in the first place. You only needed this place."

"And to do it with my best friend. One of the reasons I love this place so much is I get to do it with you."

Regina smiled. "That's much of the appeal for me as well."

"And, if I'm being honest, rescuing my cousins from my asshole aunt has made things considerably brighter in my world," Maleficent laughed.

"We are fully aware there is no better good deed than one that also gives us a win over an asshole." This might have been one of her favorite things as mayor.

"Amen to that."

They continued to work until Emma popped her head in, alerting them that she was leaving. Regina went to her, kissing her farewell. Emma grinned into the kiss and Regina chuckled, breaking the kiss. She stepped out with Emma, going over to Mulan.

"Take good care of her, please," Regina requested in a soft voice.

Mulan nodded. "I will do my best. These new hires have shown such promise already."

"I'm glad they show potential. This town needs trustworthy and fair deputies," Regina said. Beyond her firsthand dealings with the police, she had read too many reports of their workings. She did not blame Graham for them, as they were hires from the previous sheriff, but Graham had failed to change the culture of the department as he promised to do. That was on him.

"The Sheriff is working on it," Mulan replied.

"He has to work harder, obviously. Now, go before you're both late." Regina shooed them away with both hands.

Mulan laughed as she grabbed Emma. "We'll be back for lunch."

"Unfortunately, I won't be here," Regina sighed. She had to go to work herself. She watched Emma and Mulan leave.

"You only have a couple more weeks left and, after that, you'll see them at lunch almost every day," Tinker Bell said, popping up at Regina's side, like an irksome fly.

"I am aware. I'm so proud of her, you know?" Regina said. She wanted to shout it from the mountains. Emma had come such a long way from the belligerent waif breaking into her house for peanut butter.

"Hearing her and Mal tell it, she's grown as a person in ways I wouldn't understand, but she couldn't have done it without you. Look at you being the kind person we all knew was trapped inside of you." Tinker Bell winked.

Regina sneered. "I would never." She retreated to the kitchen. I hope today goes smoothly for her. She would do her best not to text Emma throughout the day, but it would be difficult. She would have to find ways to keep busy.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma was partnered with Mulan to show her the ropes of being a deputy sheriff for her probationary period. Emma was pleased with this, especially since Mulan requested to be her training officer. If Emma was given a choice, she would not desire to learn this profession from anyone else.

"I still can't believe I got hired," Emma said as they piled into Mulan's patrol car to make their morning rounds.

"The sheriff was particularly impressed with you and with the idea of hiring you. He really likes the idea of having someone who knows what it's like to be on the other side of the law to help more people trust us and help people be comfortable with us. Possibly show us how to be more respectful to people," Mulan replied as she pulled away from the curb.

Emma's brow furrowed. "Do you like working for him?"

"He's a decent man. He does his best. He has faith that this new mayor will be more agreeable with him than Mayor Mills."

Emma chuckled. "Does he not know she feeds you for free?"

"I'm not sure he knows I have something of a relationship with her. I don't understand why they don't get along better. They're both trying to do right by the town and they both seem like honorable people."

"Regina might tell you otherwise about herself, but she does want the best for the town. She makes it seem like everyone around her makes that impossible."

Mulan nodded. "If her office is anything like the station, I can understand that. Not everyone is intent on making life hard for the rest of us, but just enough of them are where it's annoying."

"Yeah, well, if they try to make my life hard, they're going to regret it. I've lived through the worst shit of my life more than once. I've hit a damn amazing spot right now. I'm not gonna let anyone but me fuck it up." And she would do her best not to fuck it up.

Mulan snickered. "That's quite the philosophy."

Emma threw her hands up. "When you've had enough messed up life adventures like me and you get into a groove, you know how it is."

"I'm glad things are going well with you."

"How are things going with you?" Emma asked.

Mulan shrugged. "Well, considering I'm enjoying my new coworkers, I will count that as a victory."

Emma laughed and they went about their morning with ease. Mulan explained many of the devices in the car and how to use the radio. Emma was familiar with them, but not in any positive manner. Mulan also gave her some stories and pointers about places they passed through.

They had a couple of calls, but Mulan handled the situations with calm and professional Emma hoped she would be able to emulate when it was her turn to take the reins. Mulan was freaking awesome. If Emma was not careful, she might find herself with a deep case of hero worship, which would definitely work Mulan's nerves. Then, it was lunchtime.

"Do you want to go to Two Witches or someplace else?" Mulan asked as she pulled the patrol car back into the station's parking lot.

Emma shrugged as the car was parked. "I'm following you. I know you eat breakfast there, but I'm not sure where else you eat."

"I go to Granny's sometimes. I believe that's also a favorite of yours." Mulan stepped out of the car into the cold December air.

Emma nodded as she followed. "Granny helped save my life, feeding me when I couldn't afford it, giving me a place to sleep when I didn't have anywhere else to go."

Mulan smiled and adjusted her scarf, so it covered her mouth. "This town has some virtuous people in it."

"Well, you're one of them, so yes, but it also has its fair share of assholes, which is the same everywhere. I've been enough places and met enough assholes."

Mulan put her hands up in surrender. "Agreed. I was in the army before this and met my fair share of assholes in many places, but also lots of honorable people in those same places."

Emma looked Mulan up and down. "Now, I know you're a badass, but imagining you in the army is hard." Mulan was such a slight person.

Mulan smiled, eyes bright giving her expression away, which only proved Emma's point. "I promise you, if you think I'm a badass now, you'd have been very impressed with me in the army."

"You gotta tell me the war stories. I can compare how it is to growing up on the streets. I mean, I always imagined I could survive a war with no problems after my extremely shitty teen years."

"Some day."

They walked the short distance to Two Witches for lunch, which was the right call. Maleficent made them a special lunch. Emma was weak for Maleficent's beef stew with brown rice, but Maleficent also added small dumplings to it because Emma loved those, too. The hot stew hit the spot on the freezing day.

Mulan got spicy pulled pork stew with dumplings. And, of course, there were biscuits. More so, Mulan was given something called suncakes. Emma was not sure what they were, but Mulan's eyes sparkled. They went and sat in a corner.

"You have virtuous people here," Mulan commented.

Emma shook her head with a grin. "You, too. They've taken you in." She pointed to the off-menu, customized dessert Mulan got.

Mulan smiled. "I'm not a worthwhile cook by any stretch of the imagination, so I rarely have suncakes. I've only had one other person make me suncakes."

"Marian?"

Mulan sighed. "Yeah."

"Should I not ask?"

"Maybe when we're better acquainted."

Emma nodded. She hoped things were working between Mulan and Marian. Mulan deserved to be happy. She was such an extraordinary person.

-8-8-8-8-

Regina finished up with dinner — grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and seasoned broccoli. She made sure to give Emma even bigger portions than she used to. Emma handled pouring them drinks. They sat on the sofa. Emma dived into her food.

"You're so hungry now," Regina said as she started in on her food.

"You always think I'm hungry."

"Because you are. You're ravenous, but it's been different since you started work. Before, it was like you never knew when you'd have your next meal or someone might take your food from you. Now, it's definitely you refueling after a long day. How has work been?"

Emma grinned around a cheek full of food. "Love it. Going out with Mulan is awesome. I'm learning a lot. Plus, I just got paid, so I got you Christmas gifts. You celebrate Christmas, right?"

Regina smiled. "I could be persuaded to start again." She had already bought Emma gifts. She had not put up a tree or anything because Emma had not mentioned wanting one.

"Cool. Um… you got happy memories?"

"Some. I always made cookies with my father, even though it pissed my mother off. He also hid my extra gifts. Mother thought I'd be spoiled if I received too many. She also made sure I spent the afternoon writing thank you notes to any people outside of our family who graced me with gifts."

Emma nodded as she ate more of her food. "That sounds awful."

"Well, most things with Mother are. But, it was worth it to receive the extra gifts from Daddy."

"Was your sister there?"

"Before boarding school, yes. After… some years, she didn't come home, which was scary. This idea that Mother had enough power to break apart our family on Christmas made her seem omnipotent to me as a child. I'm not sure how Zelena viewed it."

"Your dad just let your mom refuse to bring home your sister? That does sound terrifying."

"Daddy always included her, even though she wasn't his biological daughter. He never brought it up, but Mother used it as a weapon against Zelena. Anyway, we made cookies together and ate them in secret."

Emma smiled. "You and your dad had a lot of secrets, huh?"

"I think it was the only way to survive Mother. He loved her for whatever reason, but he understood she wasn't an ethical person in any way and she would take her misery out on all of us."

"I met a lot of people like that in my life."

"I'm sure you have. Be aware, we will not be having any miserable Christmases here." Regina patted Emma's knee.

"I never figured we would. I think I work on Christmas Eve and Christmas because I'm new, but we can still celebrate, right?" Emma was hopeful, eyes wide and wanting.

"Of course, we can. The holiday is what we make of it."

"Yes!" Emma pointed at her with both hands. "I want holiday traditions with you. If you're up to the cookie baking thing, I want that definitely."

"Then we'll start immediately. I look forward to celebrating dozens of holidays with you and making dozens of cookies with you."

Emma beamed, like this was awe-inspiring news. "Me too. For the rest of my life, I hope."

"I hope that as well. I have no plans to throw you away." Emma would probably always need that assurance. Regina would happily give it.

Emma leaned in, nuzzling her for a moment. "Cool because I'm not leaving. I plan to love you forever."

Now, Regina beamed. "I accept your offer."

"Then, you'll let me take you out on a date?"

Regina groaned. "Emma."

Emma held up her hands. "Not like before, I promise. I learned my lesson. I'm not trying to force anything or pretend we're like everybody else. I just want to take you somewhere nice where we can enjoy each other. Some place I like and want to share with you."

Regina rolled her eyes. "I've been to Granny's, Emma."

Emma laughed. "Not Granny's, you asshole. Do you want to go or not?"

Regina scoffed. "Of course, I want to go to someplace near and dear to you. Once the new year starts, we can do more outside ventures, explore the town together, and show off to any and all people who dare stare at us. Hell, work our way out of the town together, enjoy vacations and trips together."

Emma nodded. "I'm fully with that, even though my schedule might be a little whacky the first six months. We're stuck with shifts no one else wants after we switch from our training partners. Sheriff Humbert wants us to stay with our training partners as long as it's possible, though."

"Make the most of molding you lot into his image. Smart move."

"Yeah, and I like being with Mulan. I'm learning so much."

"I suppose I should learn to bake more Chinese pastries."

Emma winced. "If you want Marian to come into Two Witches and deck you, go ahead."

Regina blinked. "What?"

"She didn't want to go eat lunch at Two Witches today because she was scared you'd make more suncakes. She didn't say why that was bad, but she said Marian's the only other person who made them for her."

"Noted." Regina would never make another personal pastry for Mulan ever. She and Marian were in an exceptional place, even though Marian still had not brought Roland around.

"But, Mulan's also starting to figure out that everyone at Two Witches is her people, though. So, don't count it out just yet. She really likes the place."

Regina smiled. "I'm glad and I hope Marian treats her properly this time."

"Me, too. I didn't totally understand why you acted like Mulan was so cool, but I get it now."

A wicked smirk settled on Regina's face. "Was my little Duckling jealous?"

Emma turned up her mouth. "No. I'm the best pet ever. You'll never be rid of me."

Regina rubbed Emma's head and kissed her cheek. "And don't you forget that. I'm glad you're so settled."

Emma kissed Regina on the lips, leaving behind the taste of her dinner. "You're the best thing to ever happen to me. You've helped me come so far."

"And you've helped me. You will always be my greatest gift. We're quite remarkable with each other. We've brought each other such a long way. Now, we should eat, so we can go to bed at a decent hour to do it all over again."

Emma laughed and nodded. Regina was so happy for Emma to be planning holidays with her. Now, she had to go out and purchase a Christmas tree of some kind and decorations, so they could put presents under something. She would also have to make seasonal foods. It would be fun. She certainly looked forward to them making cookies.

"You think Mal, Tink, and Nova would do Christmas dinner with us? Is that a thing?" Emma asked, half of her food gone.

"It could be a thing if we want. I'll ask her in the morning. We'll also have to find out what shift you're working to plan out what time this dinner would be," Regina replied.

Emma nodded. "True. Thanksgiving was so awesome, I'd like to do it again."

"Agreed. We'll work something out. I promise." They would all enjoy another gathering. Thanksgiving was extraordinary, after all.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma got stuck with a double shift on Christmas Eve, along with the other new hires. They were off Christmas morning, but she would have to work for the rest of the day. A Christmas dinner like Thanksgiving would not be possible this year. Hell, she might not even be able to make cookies like she planned. Emma was too exhausted to worry over it right now.

Emma entered the house, climbed the stairs, and collapsed into bed. She was pretty sure she kissed Regina's cheek, but she could not be sure. She was asleep instantly.

The scent of bacon in the air woke Emma. Groaning, she sat up and found herself in her underwear. Regina must have taken her uniform off of her. She took a shower, put on some grey joggers, and donned a Donald Duck t-shirt. She was not sure when Regina bought her the shirt, but she loved it. Then, she made her way downstairs.

There were voices downstairs. More than Regina. Who the hell is here? As she hit the ground level, she made sense of the voices. Regina, Maleficent, Tinker Bell, and Nova. They were all in the dining room, all in festive pajamas, including Regina and Maleficent. What the hell is going on?

Tinker Bell gasped. "She's up!" She rushed Emma and hugged her. "Merry Christmas!"

Emma hugged her back. "Merry Christmas. What are you all doing here?"

Regina smiled. "We all wanted to celebrate Christmas together. We know you only have the morning, so we're doing a Christmas breakfast instead of dinner."

"We'll eat and then do presents and then let you go back to sleep," Tinker Bell explained.

Emma's lip trembled. "We're… we're all celebrating Christmas together?" She had never, but more than that, they had accommodated her and her crappy schedule. They cared enough about her to do this when she would be able to enjoy it with them rather than leaving her out.

Tinker Bell grinned. "Yes! It'll be so awesome. Me and Nova haven't had an okay Christmas since we were kids and that was only because we were too dumb to realize it wasn't an okay Christmas."

"I wouldn't say dumb," Nova objected.

"Only because you're more polite than your sister," Maleficent remarked.

Emma snickered as she stepped closer to the group. "That's how it was for me, too."

"Then, come." Regina waved her to the table. "Let's enjoy this breakfast."

Emma could only nod as Regina wrapped her arm around Emma's leading her to the table. Before she got a chance to scope out the layout, Nova hugged her and she hugged back. The surprise was when Maleficent hugged her. She yelped and did not have a chance to hug back because Maleficent stepped away. Regina pulled out a chair for her and she sat down. Regina kissed her on her lips.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," Regina whispered to her.

Emma smiled and turned to the meal. Of course, Regina had gone all out. There were waffles, stacked to look like Christmas trees, decorated with raspberry and blueberry ornaments. Added with those were individual bowls of fruit salad, piles of bacon and sausage links, and omelets with cheese, tomatoes, and spinach. Homemade biscuits, muffins, and donut holes rounded out the meal.

"This is gonna be awesome," Emma hummed and rubbed her hands together.

Regina chuckled as the rest of them sat down. They enjoyed breakfast together. Everything was delicious. They all shared Christmas memories. Apparently, not one of them really had remotely decent Christmases. Regina had a couple of all right ones, involving her father, but her mother seemed to ruin those. Maleficent had some noteworthy ones when she was little, but nothing worthwhile once she hit double digits. Nova and Tink shared the ones they thought were good, but as they said them aloud, they understood they were not close to admirable.

"Are families just… bad?" Emma asked, looking between the other ladies.

Regina grabbed Emma's hand and held it. "No. There are decent and true families out there. They simply missed us."

Maleficent laughed. "I've met some magnificent ones. Clearly weren't for us."

Tinker Bell swallowed a huge lump of waffle. "Regina came close from what I know about her father."

Regina smiled. "As much as I love my father, things would never have been totally fine with him because he refused to stand up to Mother. In fact, I think he refused to see a lot of what she did. I mean, he acknowledged the physical things and the fact that I didn't want to be around her, but nothing really beyond that."

Nova waved that all away. "Then let's make this one great and all the ones after it."

They all agreed to that, toasting with homemade mimosas. They finished their meals and then went to the living room. The Christmas tree was almost pathetic in size, but it cradled their gifts with care. Regina had placed lovely little decorations on it and Emma looked forward to seeing the damn thing next year. Oh, shit! I didn't buy gifts for everyone! She had not known this would happen.

"Should we do Christmas music?" Regina asked as she came over with a tray of hot chocolate. It was necessary as it was a freezing Christmas morning and the outside chill had penetrated the house enough to feel it.

Tinker Bell clapped. "Yes! Let's go full out on this Christmas thing!"

"Then, someone has to play Santa," Maleficent pointed out.

Nova giggled and raised her hand. "Me! Me! I've always wanted to do this."

They all laughed at her enthusiasm, but Nova did not care. Regina put on a Christmas playlist and Nova handed out gifts. Tinker Bell got a gift from Emma, making Emma tilt her head. Regina patted her knee. Oh! Regina got presents in her name.

They each had at least one present from each other, so it was a delightful Christmas. Regina must have put their other gifts away. Emma was fine with that.

Everyone had a grand time messing around with their gifts, empty hot chocolate mugs by them. Then, Maleficent, Tinker Bell, and Nova left with their things in gift bags. Once they were alone, Regina led Emma back upstairs, so she could manage a couple more hours of sleep before she had to go back to work. Regina laid down with her, holding her close to her chest.

"Best Christmas ever," Emma sighed as Regina scratched her scalp.

"Agreed."

"Thanks for covering me with everybody. It was cool to see you bought them stuff I'd totally buy them if I thought about it. Tink's going to be a crafting menace with that damn glue gun."

Regina nodded, rubbing her eyes. "I'm already imagining what she'll be doing to the cafe. It'll be a complete nightmare."

Emma chuckled in a low voice, already falling asleep. "People like the weird art she's started putting up. It gives the cafe character. When are we opening the rest of our presents?"

"When you come in from work. We'll make cookies then as well. Don't worry about any of it right now. Just go to sleep."

Emma sighed, content to do that. This was such an awesome day and it was only the morning. No matter what happened later when she got up for work, this would overshadow it. This would brighten her day for a long time to come.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: the new year brings in new discussions for Regina and Emma.