"Mrs White, Mrs White." It only just occurred to Henry as he barged into the classroom that firstly, he was calling her name from outside the room, which even someone with good hearing may struggle to hear and secondly, should he still call her that?"

Regina's face lit up at seeing Henry enter looking as though he'd won the lottery.

"Henry," she half giggled out. "Are you okay?"

"Hmm, I have something for you, but," he looked at her a bit unsure.

"What is it?"

"Should we still call you Mrs White?" This boy and his thoughtfulness could easily be the end of her.

"Mrs White is fine Henry. I will let you know when that changes, don't you worry about things like that." His excited grin returned. "Now, tell me what has you all giddy?" He plonked his bag on the floor and scrambled so quickly it was as though he couldn't control his limbs. Regina couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. He eventually pulled out his folder and plonked it on her lap.

"I spent yesterday morning on this. Look!" He opened the first page and before she could even properly inspect, her attention was drawn by his hands as he showed her a few signs. She inhaled sharply as she took in the pages of beginner signs.

"I found a teacher who can work with you, Ma and me online. And once a month it's an hour's trip to meet in person. If we all learn, we can help each other. I bet we'll learn in no time." Henry only stopped when he realised there were tears now falling from her eyes. He swallowed audibly, unsure what was going on.

"I'm sorry, did I make you sad?" Regina smiled through all the emotion that was whirring through her. She couldn't remember the last time someone had shown her so much care. It was likely when her father was still alive. It was quite overwhelming, suddenly having so many people around her who were now helping her except the inevitable, that not only was her hearing not going to get any better, but had definitely been in decline these last few months.

"No sweetie, you didn't, these are happy tears. I promise." With that Regina continued flicking through the pages as Henry enthusiastically spoke about how cool it would be to learn.

It was nearing 9am and Regina had composed herself as the class began to pile in and had placed her now treasured folder in her draw. Not long after the class began to settle, there was a knock on the door, the class was still too rawcuss for her to hear, so one of the girls near the front opened it. Everyone was surprised to see a delivery boy with twenty-four red roses approach Mrs White.

He placed them on her desk and she thanked him, rather awkwardly.

"Mrs White?" Came a loud call and hand wave from one of the students.

"Yes Peter?" She said whilst rifling through them for a card.

"Are they from your husband? My mom says you're not together anymore, does this means he wants you back?" Regina looked up to see lots of intrigued, expectant faces and sighed. She found the card and read it.

I very much enjoyed our evening on Saturday. Perhaps next time it could just be you and I. Robin x

She looked back to her class. "Firstly, yes the rumours are correct. My husband and I are separated. No, these are not from him." She smiled and stood, wanting to move on as quickly as possible, she liked to keep a solid line between job and personal life, this was not something she appreciated, but that was also the downside to living in a small town, and of being the Mayor's wife, or not so wife anymore.

"So they are from a boyfriend? Did you cheat on him?" She stood aghast, not quite believing that question from a ten year old, though there were bound to be different rumours circulating; cursed small towns.

"No! I did not cheat on my husband; these are just from a friend…" Another child shot their hand up. Henry couldn't believe his ears; he knew this class was too good to be true, though they weren't being naughty per se, but he'd never dreamed of asking a teacher things like this. He felt really bad for her, though he was intrigued to find out who they were from.

"Do you want a new boyfriend because my dad thinks you're…"

"Enough! Please don't finish that sentence. My private life is none of your business and no I am not looking to date anyone. Now please, can we get on with our first lesson?"

When the children were finally settled into their creative writing, Regina pulled out her phone, not something she usually did in a class.

Regina: Does your husband have Robin's number? May I have it if he does please? – R

She did not have to wait long for a reply.

Emma: I will get it for you. Is everything okay, tell me you are not thinking of seeing him again? - E

…

Regina: Thank you and no, I am not. I've had red roses delivered to my class room. Let's just say it has disrupted the flow of things. - R

Emma: Oh. He's pretty keen then. I mean, I can't blame him, but still, Red Roses!? I like him even less now. –E

…

Regina: Tell me about it. Have to go now, don't like texting in class. Thanks again. – R

Leopold had left the Sheriff's office just in time. David and he agreed to meet at 7am, before Killian arrived, and David had been instructed to contact, using a separate system and account from the station, the FBI to find out more about Killian, Robin, Smee and Rufio. They didn't think they'd get far with the last two, but they did have a picture of Smee.

Regina had also provided Leo with the photos and video evidence from both the garage and the cannery. Killian's report was also due tomorrow at the latest and he was keen to see what it said. David had given him a small recording device that he had to place whilst Killian was out.

Emma had already asked Killian for Robin's number and was awaiting a reply. She was growing wearier by the day of playing housewife. There was only so much cleaning she could do and her meal for tonight wouldn't take longer than half an hour to prepare and cook. Ordinarily she'd be contesting her lot by now, but she was presently biding her time. She would also have felt guilty about her affair, but she was now convinced this marriage was a sham, a front to help his image. Regardless, the way he was behaving since they moved here was calculated. He clearly knew how to be a loving partner, though it's apparent that was the scam. He made her made like a fool, no matter how Regina had tried to convince her otherwise, she was determined to play this out, keep the Ace's up her sleeve.

Emma: I know you're at work, but if you get a second at lunch and liked Henry's suggestion, that I already know he has told you about – because it's Henry, does Thursday evening at 7pm sound good for these lessons? I share Henry's enthusiasm and want to keep his fire burning. I can book us all in if you want? – E

After cleaning the already sparkling bathrooms -again, Emma was sitting, thinking of something else to do with her day when the doorbell rang. She walked to it with mild apprehension, praying to God it was not salesman.

She was not expecting Leo, but welcomed him in.

"Hey, please, come in." Wow this was a different encounter to the last time he'd crept up to her house. Whilst she still wasn't keen on the man, in her eyes there was no excuse for what he did to his wife, she did have a slight appreciation for him now and she trusted Regina, so she chose to invite him in, knowing they were working together to bring whatever this operation was down.

"Thank you." She led him into the kitchen.

"Would you care for a drink?" Leo gave a split second look as though he thought he was perhaps being tested, before he smiled.

"Glass of water would be lovely." She proceeded to pour them both one.

"So what can I do for you?" She passed him the glass and he pulled something out of his pocket.

"I want to place this bug in Killian's office, it's tiny and I will hide it under the desk. It is linked to David's home computer and will be on constant record. He leant closer to show her. She got a waft of an original Old Spice type smell, it was very distinctive and Emma could only imagine what would smell like after a whole day of activity mixed with food and alcohol, she just supressed a heave as he leant into her. She couldn't fathom Regina's horror when he came home stinking and pinned her down. Thankfully her mind was pulled from regressing by his words.

"I want to place it under his desk if I may; I don't want your fingerprints anywhere near this." He stood up and took a gulp of his drink.

"Um, sure, okay, his office is this way." He followed her to the office. Their houses were very similar though the White's had made more modification's over the years, including the downstairs shower and cloak room.

"Why are you bugging the room and not the phone? Surely that would give you only part of a conversation?" Leopold chuckled

"My dear, this is Storybrooke, not Washington DC, how many spy gadgets do you think our Sheriff's department has? Anyway, he will likely conduct most of his business by mobile, possibly even from a burner. I'm afraid this is the best we can hope for. We don't need direct, hard evidence from this, but anything to help build the picture. Do you understand?" It wasn't said condescendingly. She imagined that if she had a grandfather, this would be what he was like. And there it was, back to spiralling thoughts. Right now she could not imagine this man harming Regina, and really didn't want to.

"Why did you do it?" She suddenly came out with, not quite believing she'd blurted it out. His face sank and he collapsed onto the leather sofa, sinking his head sank into his hands. It was clear he knew what she was referring to. Dear Lord why did Emma find herself feeling remotely sorry for him. Then she'd remembered Regina alluding to something similar. Minds truly were baffling things. She settled down next to him, though remained on the edge and alert. Her stomach was in knots. She had no idea why. He looked at her with watery eyes.

"Honestly, I'd like to say I was emboldened, horny and wanted to please my wife. But that wasn't it, that wasn't it at all and I can't blame anyone else. I needed control, I needed to believe I still had it, still could. It went horribly wrong and I swear I will never touch another drop again." He blubbered out as Emma just sat there, trying to comprehend his words.

"I wish two things. Firstly, that it never happened, period, and secondly, that the alcohol made me forget. Emma I will never forget that look in her eyes. She tried to be so patient with me, convincing me gently to stop, but I will never forget that moment I crossed the line. I trapped her, pinned her down. I was vile. She's so small, so fragile; I didn't even need try hard. One of my hands alone can hold both of hers down. Hell, I even stopped her from protesting. When I couldn't stand the offence any more – I couldn't stand it Emma, me! I gagged her with my other hand. But it was her eyes, those beautiful eyes. I'd never seen terror in them before and now I can never forget."

Emma's fists were balled and her nails leaving indentations. There was nothing she could really say or do. She felt hollow, sick. She rose from the sofa and slowly walked out of the room, throwing back a "good; you can see yourself out," before she left him to his misery. He did not need to see her distraught over this.

She ran to her room and sobbed for what felt like hours. She wished Regina was there so she could wrap her up and never let her go. The only thing that felt good right now was the fact that they seemed to be moving forward in collecting evidence. The sooner she could end this ordeal the better. All she wanted now was to be with Henry and Regina. It's that thought that would get her through this. Thinking of Regina, she pulled out her phone.

Regina: That sounds perfect. I can't wait to start. It will also mean getting to spend more time with you and Henry. -R

Boy was she falling for this woman, hard. She text back a smiley face and Robin's number. Robin, what was his deal? She understood why he was attracted to Regina, who wouldn't be, but this all felt rushed and sudden and the flowers? She pulled out her phone again.

Emma: Please be careful. I don't like that man at all. - E