"So-"

They chuckled, and Emma motioned with her hand for Regina to take the lead. Regina cleared her throat and leaned over the couch to nestle her glass on the table there before leaning back into the leather, taking the movement as an excuse to gather her thoughts.

"Henry is very excited about his new tricycle," Regina said hastily. "Thank you."

Emma smiled. "You said that when I bought it."

"You didn't have to go to that much trouble."

"You said that too."

"I just mean-"

"I know," Emma cut her off, pushing off the couch and placed her hand on Regina's knee, squeezing it in reassurance. "It's easy to save when I don't have a lot of things or people to spend it on, and I hadn't gotten him a gift yet. That helps make up for keeping me sane all those years."

This time it was Regina who smiled, squeezing Emma's palm in earnest. "I agree his drawings are priceless, but-"

"But it was worth it," Emma insisted, her sincere yet cheeky smile making the lines of stress that usually clouded her face disappear in an instant.

Regina conceded, nodding her head in agreement, though what she was agreeing to, Regina wasn't quite sure. She just knew there was an understanding between her and the blonde. An understanding that ran deeper than the knowledge that they both wanted to extend this euphoric bubble they found themselves in. It was an understanding that despite different upbringings, it was the little things - the constant letters, Henry's art, well wishes, and the oddest touches that meant more than just reassurance - that either woman yearned for yet felt unworthy of. And with that thought, Regina was loathed to let that bubble pop just yet.

"So, you've been here for a week. Was Storybrooke all that you expected?" Regina finally voiced, clasping her hands over a knee.

"It's definitely different than the cities I used to live in," Emma chuckled but lowered her voice with sincerity, watching Regina intently as green eyes held brown. "But I found a couple things I'd come back and see."

Regina arched an eyebrow and tilted her head at the implication. She hid her tinting cheeks behind a smirk and retrieved her glass, lifting it into the air for a toast. "Well, to your return then."

Emma followed suit and finished the rest of her cider in one go, placing the empty tumbler back onto the coaster.

The ticking filled their silence once more before Regina broke it again, this time with an indignant huff as if her brain had forced her mouth to speak. "Do you really have to go?"

Emma nodded apologetically. "I signed off for only a month's leave."

"No," Regina shook her head. "I mean do you really have to return to Boston."

"Oh." There was surprise in Emma's tone, but Regina could see there was also a little hope shining through green eyes and the makings of a smile playing on the blonde's lips. At least Regina had the courage to talk about the elephant in the room. "Yeah, no, I mean, August found a cat to keep him company."

"So," Regina drawled with a questioning gaze, "you are eager to see his new cat?"

Emma snorted out a laugh. "No. Plus, I'm pretty sure he stole it."

Regina raised an eyebrow that Emma immediately interpreted as confusion, but instead of addressing August and his elusive cat, Emma shook her head and amended her statement. "I mean, it's not absolutely necessary to go back to Boston."

"So..." Regina drawled with a grin.

"So," Emma mimicked with the same expression.

"Henry is eagerly waiting to ride his new present to the park."

"That'll be fun," Emma said leaning back into the cushions.

"And perhaps during the day I can bring you to the office so you won't be bored."

"Not as fun," Emma teased.

"My, you don't find budget reports and census surveys titillating?" Regina quipped.

"About as titillating as you find tank engines and gun powder, but..." Emma smirked as she tilted her head, "the company is pretty enticing."

"Can't argue that."

"So I can stay?" Emma clarified sheepishly.

"Yes," Regina nodded. "I'd like you to."

"Good." Emma used her smirk to hide her grin.

"Awesome."

Emma made a face. "It's better when I say it."

Regina rolled her eyes and stood, making her way out of the office and leaving a pleasantly pleased Emma sprawled out on the couch.


Regina was known across town as being rigid, strict, and had a plan for everything which she rarely veered off from. She was also known for biting off the heads of anyone who got in her way or was some anomaly in her plan. That was why it was so strange to see Mayor Mills back at work with Emma Swan in tow.

The stories of what had occurred during young Henry Mills' birthday party where the stoic Mayor had spent nearly all the time glued to the blonde outsider's side and didn't complain when she placed a paper hat on her head had spread across town like wildfire. Theories erupted that perhaps Emma was Henry's godmother who was only there for his party, but seeing the duo at town hall shut that theory down quickly.

It was Sidney who helped clarify the situation while he stopped by the diner for a coffee mid morning. He took pride in Emma's presence, telling eager ears that she was a soldier their Mayor had been corresponding with because of his cunning suggestion. In fact, he was on his way to her office to discuss that human interest piece he was constantly hounding Regina for, and what better way to start the article then asking the soldier herself?


"No, Sidney," Regina huffed and dropped a file folder down onto the board room table harshly to emphasize her point. She ignored the snickering coming from Emma beside her as the blonde desperately tried to hide her amused expression behind a file she was supposed to be organizing.

Sidney had knocked on Regina's office door ten minutes prior and found Regina and Emma, not at her desk where he had expected but at the board room table where Regina held her more important meetings. He began talking animatedly about his piece, bestowing praises on Emma and clutching his camera for a chance to take a picture of the two. All it took was a quick glance to Emma for Regina to realize that the reporter's over enthusiasm was making Emma uncomfortable, and with a quick twist of her tongue, Regina had silenced the man in his tracks. He was persistent, however, and despite his stammering, he continued to list off the positives of what would come from his article, even going as far as producing a rough draft which included quotes Regina was sure were fabricated.

At that point, Regina had slammed her paperwork down and hissed his name, her deadly glare making Sidney shrink into his oversized trenchcoat. She stood slowly, her domineering presence rising as she was with her palms pressed into the marble table top, her eyes never leaving Sidney's shifty, wounded gaze.

"Mr. Glass, as I have already informed you, not for the first time I might add, neither Corporal Swan nor I are interested in being subjects of your paper for the time being. She is here for only a short time, and I think it would be wise not to parade her around town like some zoo animal when we already owe her so much for protecting our country, wouldn't you agree?" Regina raised an eyebrow daring Sidney to question her.

"No, no, of course not," Sidney stuttered, bowing his head. "My apologies."

When Sidney backed out of the room and Regina had settled down in her chair, she couldn't help but feel eyes on her and looked up to see Emma, a large smirk adorning her face. "What?"

"You get off on that, don't you?"

"Excuse me?" Regina asked appalled.

"Not like that," Emma abated quickly, though the smirk was still on her face. "You like the power trip."

"I am the Mayor," Regina reasoned. "I need to exert my authority over those less inclined to respect it."

"Right, and watching people squirm?"

"The perks of the job." Regina rolled a shoulder casually though the amusement on her face was evident.

"Well thank you, anyway."

Regina furrowed her brow and looked up from her papers. "What for?"

Emma rung her hands and gave a tight lipped smile. "I'm not used to people investigating my life unless they're trying to put me in another home."

Regina nodded, understanding the reason behind Emma's thanks. The young woman was and would continue to be almost as private as Regina. "Don't mind Sidney, he's anything if not dedicated to his job. I'm sure Storybrooke will have another scandal for him to report on."

"I hear the Mayor is the head of organized crime," the blonde joked.

"I'll let the underground drug cartel know you're on to them," Regina teased back.

Another knock at the door interrupted their laugh, and this time, even Emma looked annoyed.

The Sheriff whom she had met at the party peeked his head in and had the decency to look sheepish. "Sorry to interrupt, Madam Mayor."

"What is it, Graham?" Regina asked shortly.

He stepped fully into the room, his hands clasped around his belt. "Pan's boys again. They've vandalized another building - Mr. French this time. They've gone missing, but Maurice is threatening to press charges."

"They'll be wards of the state if they get one more charge against them," Regina argued, nearly rising from her seat.

"That's why I'm letting you know."

Regina sighed and pressed two fingers to her temple conflicted. "Do you have any idea where they are?"

When Graham shrugged, Emma looked between the two Storybrooke officials and spoke up. "They probably split up." When they both looked at her she continued. "When I was younger, a few friends and I got into some bad trouble, and it's easier to hide when there's more targets to find. They'd split up in different directions and lay low. I'd check the woods. You said they're kids?"