Regina decided to spend the rest of the day avoiding her husband. She'd dropped Emma and Henry back at their house and chose against going in, wishing them a good rest of the day and asking if it were okay to collect her things at a later date. Emma tried to convince her otherwise, but seen as they were unsure when Killian would return, they both decided it was for the best. The truth was, she couldn't bear the thought of going back into the house with them; it felt too natural. The weekend she'd spent with her neighbours had been the best she could remember in… possibly forever.

She sighed as she walked down Main Street. Until recently, she never realised just how lonely she was, she already missed the blonde and they'd only just said goodbye. She couldn't allow her mind to wander back to the other night, that just wasn't an option. She absentmindedly found herself walking through the library doors and, before she knew it, was browsing the shelves. It took her a moment to realise, but she suddenly appreciated the quiet. It wasn't eerie, as she'd found her home had become over the last week, this was a serenity she knew was right and she wasn't having to try and workout different sounds all the time, that was until the sound of soft approaching footsteps caught her attention. She smiled, it had been a while since she'd been able to hear footsteps. She was appreciating more and more the smaller sounds when she could.

"Good Afternoon Regina!" Regina turned to find Belle warmly smiling her way, but she could barely manage a twitch of one. What was wrong with her? She noticed how carefree her friend looked right now. Happy and carefree, she couldn't remember what it felt like to feel those two things together. Then again, that may have just been an assumption. Belle had an unusually optimistic view on things - seemingly all the time.

"Hey, are you alright?" Belle asked whilst extending her hand to stroke Regina's arm, unsure why her friend looked so discombobulated. Regina just looked to her hand on her arm for a moment before slowly stepping back.

"I'm fine." Belle was not convinced in the slightest, but knew how her friend liked her privacy. "How are you?"

"I'm good, Rumple has decided he's not romantic enough, so every night this week he's taken it upon himself to cook me a different meal." She sniggered as she thought of it. "Let's put it this way, he's a long way to go to become a Michelin Chef, but he definitely tries. His fillet mignon was even bearable." That was actually impressive enough for Regina's mouth to form a little 'o'.

"What brings you here then? You're not normally one to just pop in." Regina sighed softly.

"There are only so many ghastly love stories one can read about neighbours falling in love. I seem to have read my way through mine and Leopold's collection. I'm now on the few books I have of my mothers, suffice it to say her taste was very different to mine."

"Sounds like you've a lot of time on your hands." Regina didn't know what to say to that as Belle looked upon her friend with a mixture of concern and interest. "Well, as you know there's meant to be a three book limit, but take as many as you need. Don't bother scanning them in though or it won't let you. I trust you." She added with a wink and a smile as she returned to her sorting.

Belle: Rubes! SOS 04. I think we need to arrange a girl's night out for next Friday or Saturday. Are you in?"

Red: Wait! Isn't 04 Regina! What's up and also, it was hard enough getting her to go out before her hearing issues? Do you honestly think she would be up for it now?

Belle: I don't know, she seems really down, I think we should at least try. I'm bringing Mary Margaret in too.

Chat set up – Operation SOS.

Mary Margaret: Hey, what's going on, everything okay?

Red: It's SOS 04. Not sure what is up with her, but she seems really down, we are trying to arrange a girl's night out. I think it will take all of us.

Mary Margaret: Okay, not sure this will work; you know what she's like. She seems to be getting on well with her new neighbours though. I've noticed them together a few times. We should invite her too, it will be nice for her to make some new friends and may be a good incentive to drag Regina out. I can catch Emma at school and try getting her on board.

Red: Sounds great. Speak of the devil, she's just come into the diner. I'll try and at least sow the seed. If we all keep Fri and Sat night free, we can go with what's best.

Belle: Great, let us know what she says, even if it's no. We've a week to work on this and something tells me she's little other plans.

Regina rarely ate at the diner; she often went in, but usually for takeout. It was unusual for her to sit in a booth and Ruby couldn't remember her ever doing so by herself.

"Hey, what can I get you? You're usual?" There was no way she wanted to make her feel anymore awkward than she looked by pointing out the fact she was eating alone. Belle was right; it didn't take a behavioural specialist to see there was something off. Regina thought for a moment. She could order her usual chicken salad and coffee but why? Did she even like it or was it just what she did, was she so boring that her life was this predictable. The answer was yes.

"No, I… I think I'll try a grilled cheese please. Everyone seems to rave about them, so let's see what all the hype is about." Ruby couldn't contain her surprise and her smile illuminated her eyes.

"Yeah, Great! One grilled cheese and a… coffee?" Regina nodded enthusiastically spurred on by her friends unusual delight. Ruby was not normally this animated for someone she wasn't trying to hit on. "I'll be right back with them."

Regina felt a lot lighter, turns out such smiles could be infectious, though she was just pleased whatever that weird empty feeling she'd experienced earlier didn't feel quite so suffocating any more. She was also looking forward to trying this famed toasted sandwich. It now irked her how she'd spent her life trying to please other people, many of whom were now dead. She'll never forget the lessons her mother gave her on elocution, etiquette, diet, you name it, but surely it couldn't hurt to break the rules now and again. She pulled out her selection of newly acquired books and chose to start with '1984' by George Orwell.

She wasn't far into the book when Ruby returned with her order and, as the diner was quiet, Ruby joined her. "So listen, Belle, Mary Margaret and I are desperate to have a girl's night out. It's been soooo long and we were thinking about inviting that new girl, Emma? What do you say, fancy it?" Ruby literally sat there with puppy dog eyes, they even seemed to be glistening a bit. Regina let out a small grin, so thankful she'd chosen to come to the diner.

"I don't know. You're right though, it's been well over a year since we've all been out together. When were you thinking of going?" She also had her reservations about the noise, though she had managed to make it through the amusement arcade and she felt more and more determined to not let things, other than herself, determine her choices all the time.

"Either Friday or Saturday, we all have them free so you can choose. So what do you say, are you in?" Regina could tell she was holding her breath.

"Possibly, I'm not saying no. I will let you know soon."

"I will take that for now." If Ruby was honest with herself that had gone far better than she imagined, though it still wasn't a yes. She smiled as Regina took a bite of her grilled cheese and let out a small moan. "I take it you like it?" Regina nodded in contentment as Ruby left to continue her work feeling somewhat accomplished.

Operation SOS

Red:It wasn't a yes, but not a no either. She's thinking about it. If we can get Emma on board I think this could work, I'm surprisingly optimistic.

Mary Margaret: Fantastic - on it.

Killian had arrived home not long after Emma and Henry. Emma had made the point of placing Regina's bag - because of course everything was already neatly packed away - in the spare room closet. It was not as though Killian would ever venture there. He didn't seem in the best of moods. Emma had tried to ask him how his weekend had gone and was abruptly silenced when he gruffly explained he had no-one other than imbeciles working for him. He'd walked into the room he'd deemed his office and shut himself away. It suited Emma though. She couldn't believe how different the house felt when Killian was in it as appose to Regina. She'd never been more grateful for Henry. Killian had already proclaimed he'd had a big, late lunch before locking himself away, so Emma decided to treat Henry to pizza and a film.

"You okay bud!" Even Henry seemed more sullen since Killian had returned. She stroked his hair as he slowly nibbled his pizza – also very un-Henry like. He didn't fancy a film tonight so they opted for 'The Big Bang Theory'. They knew every episode inside out, it was their preferred comfort binge. He let out an unconvincing 'hmm' as he chewed. She paused the television causing Henry to sigh loudly. "Hey, Henry... please tell me what you're thinking, we've always talked about everything, please don't stop talking to me now."

"I, I don't want to upset you." He couldn't even look her in the eye to relay that. She lifted his chin.

"Henry, I promise you I will be more upset by you not talking to me, than anything you can tell me. It's me and you kid, all the way, okay?" She definitely felt his shoulder's relax into her arm as she squeezed it tighter around him. "Spill…"

"I really liked this weekend… up until Killian came home. I don't like him Ma, I wish it was just you and me. I mean, Regina is welcome too of course, but I'd take just the two of us over him being here any day." Emma closed her eyes and rested her chin on his head, trying to hold back the tears. It's not as though this was a revelation, but hearing him say the words meant the reality of their situation only became more tangible. She was going to have to think of something. She breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of her son's hair and enjoying the embrace. He was growing up far too quickly; she never wanted to forget what this felt like. She was pulled from her thought by movement below. She looked down to notice Henry had turned his face back to her.

"I know Henry. I'm sorry, I made a terrible mistake. I am going to fix this, you understand? You and me, we will be fine and I will sort it. Will you trust me to do that?"

"You don't need to ask me to trust you Ma."

Regina had decided she was going to live for her from now on. She was going to take her life into her own hands. It didn't matter that right now they were trembling as she stepped over the threshold of her home. As soon as she did, Leopold entered the vestibule, his face ashen with worry.

"There you are!" He made sure not to approach her. It was around 8pm by the time Regina had decided to return home. "I was worried and toying with beginning a search for you. Are you… alright?" She was used to this man; she just hoped he hadn't been drinking. She began to look around, poking her head through the living room as he made sure to keep his distance. She saw nothing incriminating and walked towards the kitchen. "I haven't had a drop, if that's what your worried about. I promised I wouldn't and I don't intend too." She breathed a sigh of relief as everything around her seemed to support that conclusion.

"Good," was all she could mutter.

"Would you like a coffee?" He asked prudently as he slowly made his way to the kitchen with his arms held up where she could see them. She had to admit, he was managing to help her feel more at ease. She nodded, slowly followed him in and sat on other side of the island counter as he began to brew the coffee. This silence was excruciating with neither one of them quite knowing what to say. She was slowly coming to the realisation that she no longer wanted this life. Even before recent events, it wasn't as though they were in a wonderful, loving relationship, they both knew this, but they'd always made it work. The marriage had been strategic on both their parts. Her to appease her mother and it helped he was kind enough. She was never quite sure why he'd agreed, though he knew it wasn't out of love. She was attractive enough and bought some wealth to his family, maybe she was simply the best of a bad bunch for him too. She was pulled from thought as he slowly and cautiously slid the drink over to her, making sure he remained at arm's length.

"I don't want this anymore." She finally said and plucked the courage to look up at him. He looked remorseful, there was no denying that. He merely nodded slowly. "We both know why we married and it was never for love, that's not to say I hated my life with you, you can be a very kind and caring man, you've also been a good friend I just…"

"I understand. You're right; we didn't marry for love, though I did grow to love you. I appreciate I crossed a line I can never return from… twice…"

"That's not just it, though it didn't help. This past week has made me re-evaluate what I want. I want to live life for me for once…"

"That I completely understand." They shared an understanding look; both of their lives had been carved out before them. "You're still young Regina; I genuinely want you to live your life for you. Do with yours what I couldn't with mine. Don't become a sour, embittered old woman." She couldn't help a small chuckle at that but it was marred by a failing tear. Whilst he longed to wipe it away, he kept his distance. He hung his head with a sigh, "do you want me to move out?" She looked at him credulously and knew he would if she just gave the word.

"No... No Leopold, don't move out." He seemed confused.

"Are, are you going to move out?" He delicately questioned. She began to shiver a bit and he longed to hold her, but knew best.

"Can we, can we not rush this. I mean, I don't want to just move out to a room somewhere and I don't want you to either… It's not like I've really thought this through…"

"Okay, well, if you can bear to stay here for a while we could just live together, but be separated, I'll take one of the spare rooms. We can file for a divorce as well. If there's one thing I want to come out of these years we've spent together it's for you to be happy." She laughed, not quite believing how sweet he was being. The irony of this being if he'd put as much effort into the marriage, perhaps things could have been different.

"I will take the spare room." There was no-way she wanted to get back into that bed they used to share. "House rules then: we are separated, separate bedrooms, no drinking – I will not drink in this house either as I don't think that would be fair – and… no touching." She saw the brief look of pain sweep his face at the realisation he'd turned himself into a pariah in her eyes.

"I don't want you to worry either," he added. "We'll make the divorce as painless and quick as possible and, whatever we decide to do about the house; it doesn't have to be a rash decision. As far as I'm concerned we can take weeks, if not months to decide and you can keep it or we can move and split - whatever, it's just a house. I screwed this up Regina, you get control of this, okay?" She nodded appreciatively. "Is there anything else you need?" She sat contemplating his offer for a moment.

"Yes, what do you make of your new Sheriff… honestly?"

Later that night Regina snuggled into her duvet feeling far lighter than she had done in weeks, no, that was a lie, years. As uncertain as her life was right now, she had never felt so free, though her heart still somewhat ached over her relationship with Leo, though she couldn't truly understand why. If tonight proved anything though, it was that he really did care for her and she knew she did for him on some level too. She picked up her phone to notice two missed calls and a message, all from Emma.

Emma: Hey, just making sure you're okay!? If I don't hear anything from you by 11 I'm coming around - E.

"Shit!" She'd been so wrapped up in herself and her situation it hadn't even occurred to her to check in with her friend who she knew was worried about her coming home. She quickly checked the time. It was 10:50pm. She cursed herself again; the blonde had probably spent the last few hours worrying.

Regina: I'm so sorry Emma. Leo and I have been talking. We are officially separated and have come to an arrangement that suits us both for now – I hope. We are going to start divorce proceedings too. I'm so sorry I missed your calls; the evening seemed to take a life of its own - R

Regina had guessed right. Emma had settled Henry down at 9:30 and had been practically pacing in her bedroom since. As soon as her phone pinged, she threw herself over the bed and snatched her mobile from the bedside table, visibly deflating when she saw who the message was from. She didn't know what she expected it to say, probably just an apology, but it certainly wasn't this. She re-read the message for what felt like the millionth time before she could even think about a reply.

Emma: Firstly, I'm just glad you are okay and secondly, wow! I certainly wasn't expecting to read this. How do you feel about it? – E

Emma was chewing her nails as her eyes remained glued to those three little dots. She didn't want to add that she was glad, certainly not yet. Whilst part of her reasoning was the fact Leopold didn't deserve the ground Regina walked on and she wanted her to be safe, the other part of her reasoning was more selfish in nature, there was no denying she loved that woman. Had she not had her son to help her understand what deep, genuine love felt like, she could have been content with what she had with Killian and that thought scared her. Thank God for Henry and the reply to her message arriving before her mind could wander further.

Regina: Honestly, I'm a bit split. Part of me feels a freedom I've never felt before, but Leo and I have a complicated relationship and we've helped each other through a lot, I can't say I'm not a little sad too. Part of our deal though is that he's going to help me look into your little problem. I asked him what he thought of Killian. Aside from not knowing what he's like on the job, as he technically hasn't started yet, he thinks he's young (though everyone is to him), enthusiastic and wants to overhaul and update Storybrooke PD. Though he also said that when they were out for their drink he found him a bit chauvinistic and thought he was potentially a game player, though he couldn't elaborate on that, it was just an overall feeling he got. I asked him if he thought he could trust him, he said 'certainly not yet'. Then I asked what business they were discussing before our meal. Apparently, your husband says the dock's security is not adequate enough and wants to 'update it' and have the Sheriff's office take the lead. It's easy to guess why that may be. Anyway, how are you, is Killian home?

Emma: He's definitely not taken this job for the town's benefit. Do you honestly think you can trust Leo to covertly help with this though? Killian arrived back in a bad mood and has been holed up in his office since, hasn't even made a peep. Not sure what happened but he ranted about his workers being imbeciles - E

Regina: I trust Leo 100% when it comes to things like this – I do most things. I told you, complicated relationship. I haven't really told him what we suspect yet, I will see how things go, but my main priority is keeping you and Henry safe - R

Emma: Henry confessed to me tonight that he really doesn't like Killian and wished it was just the two of us. He said he wouldn't mind you living with us too though, he really likes you. If I'm honest, I'm beginning to feel trapped. I don't know what to do anymore. Apart from Henry I have nothing of my own anymore, nothing.

Regina: Emma, we will figure something out, just keep doing what you are doing and remember you can always come to me. You don't just have Henry, you have me as well. If you need anything Emma and I mean ANYTHING don't you dare not ask. We will work this out, I promise. P.S. I really like Henry too.- R

Emma: You have no idea how much that means to me. I'm going to try and sleep now before Killian wanders in or at least feign it. – E