The line continued to ring, and just when she was about to call it a day and hang up, Ms. Lizzie, as Henry liked to call her, answered and put her on hold. Instead of the dial tone, Emma had to suffer through some Muzak. She made a mental note to quiz Regina on that musification they had talked about on their non-date date.

But then the instrumentals cut out and her ears were flooded with the velvety smooth, rich and dark sound she hadn't heard in weeks.

"Hey," Regina said breathlessly.

Emma's face broke out into a grin she had no chance at containing. "Hi. I figured out how to use the calling card."

"It took you long enough," Regina quipped.

"Hey, there's like two numbers on the back of this thing before I get to put in yours," she argued.

"Our country is being protected by the best and brightest," Regina quipped.

"If you want to call me an idiot, just say it."

". . .Idiot."

"Feel better?" The blonde snorted.

They shared in a laugh before the line quieted down in contentment.

"It's good to hear your voice again," Emma whispered, breaking the silence.

"I know the feeling," Regina admitted, and though Emma couldn't see her, she was willing to bet Regina's cheeks had taken on a rosy hue. "How have you been?"

"Okay," the blonde said, twisting the phone to her other ear and turning to lean her back against the wall. "I've just been working a lot. They've got me in weapons control."

"I've no idea what that means," Regina admitted.

"It means I get to save the day by making sure our arms are in working condition."

"You're starting to sound like Henry with his hero ramblings," Regina teased. "Do you get to have a shield with a star on it as well?"

"You know Captain America? You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

"You know this yet you continue to be surprised."

"It keeps things interesting," the blonde grinned. "Is Henry with you?"

"No, he's still at pre-school," Regina said apologetically.

Emma flipped her wrist and scrunched up her brow. "What's he doing there? It's almost 7. And why are you still working?"


Neal leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he waited for Emma to finish up her call. He very badly wanted to laugh and poke fun at how nervous she looked once Neal had explained the calling card and left her to her own devices and privacy, but this was the first phone call Emma was making in the three years he had known her, and he was secretly hoping she'd fill him in on who got her stomach into knots.

Emma had always been reserved. The very first time he met her, he offered her a handshake, and he got two shakes and her rank and last name. It took him another three weeks to find out her name, and another week after that to realize that was all he was probably gonna get out of her.

Regardless, he liked the girl. She was tough and strong, and though he'd never admit it to her, she could kick the crap out of him and had done so on numerous occasions.

Throughout the months he got to know a little bit more about her, but it was all given up with the greatest of caution. She had grown up in the foster system where she had met their Sergeant, and from there she had enlisted. He thought she was one of those army brats since the first few months Emma did nothing except eat, sleep, and train in silence, but then one day he heard her name being called out for the mail, and that was enough to get him curious.

What truly peaked his interest was the barely contained smile, the first one he had ever seen from the blonde, every time there was something in the mail for her. And then little scribbles began appearing on her walls, and Neal was so sure that she had a kid back home that she was just missing. He knew as well as any that the first few months of being in the military took its toll, and she was just adjusting as best as she could. But when he asked if the drawings were her son's, she wrinkled her nose and said "no" before hitting the gym, and that was that.

He accepted the fact that this mystery person she was writing to must have been a friend or something, but seeing Emma after their month off had him wondering. She looked like some of the older guys who went home once a year to see their wife and kids and returned slightly bitter.

If it really was this friend, this female friend, she was calling, and writing to, and visiting, he had to wonder. . .

"Is that Swan using the phones?" Frederick Holt came from mess hall and leaned against the wall next to Neal, watching Emma just as bizarrely as the shorter man.

"Yeah, couldn't believe it myself."

"Boyfriend?"

Neal paused, watching as Emma shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot and catching her eye. She gave them a tight lipped smile before turning her backs to them, pressing a hand to the wall as she hovered over the pay phone.

"Something like that," Neal muttered to himself quietly enough so that Frederick couldn't hear him. "I think it's just a friend."

"Hi," they heard Emma through the soft murmurings of the crowd, and both looked in time to see the beaming smile and bright eyes of the blonde's face.

"Yeah, I really doubt that's a friend," Frederick said and leaned back enjoying the show.


Regina had told her about her council, how she had had to stay later at work because of it, and how Tina had offered to stay later with Henry so Regina could pick him up from daycare. Emma had exaggerated her amazement that Regina was allowing Tina to babysit again, and Regina simply scoffed and muttered to herself why on earth she thought leaving Henry with Emma was a better idea.

"Because I'm loveable," Emma had claimed, and Regina hummed her agreement because she couldn't argue the truth. The blonde smirked, a smug tease on her lips before she caught the eye of Sergeant Major Calhoun behind her, waiting none too patiently for Emma to wrap up her call. She coughed and turned her back to him, lowering her voice and muttering "thought so" when Regina didn't have a proper retort.

Regina's line muffled and faint voices were heard over the mic before the brunette returned, sighing apologetically. "I'm sorry, I've got to go."

"Work?"

"I really wish it wasn't."

"Don't worry, I'm getting the evil eye over here too," Emma said loud enough for the Calhoun to hear. "I'll call you soon."

"I can't wait," Regina said earnestly.

"And tell Henry I say hi."

"He's going to be so upset he didn't get to speak with you."

"I know," the younger woman frowned just imagining Henry's pout and watery eyes. "Break it to him gently."

"Oh, you're leaving me to be the bad guy, are you?"

"Hey, every hero's gotta have a villain."

She could hear the faint groan coming from Regina's end at Emma's joke that only made the blonde grin wider. She gave one final look around and tucked in closer to the pay phone so that she was nearly embracing it. "Hey, uh," Emma stammered, running a hand through her hair. "I really miss you."

Regina's line was faint, but Emma could hear the fond sigh coming from the brunette. She could see it now: Regina sitting behind her desk, one hand clutching the phone to her ear as she shut her eyes and smiled softly. "I miss you too," Regina replied.

The weight in Emma's chest seemed to be pulling her lungs into her stomach. She didn't want to get off the phone. Hell, she really just wanted to see Regina and Henry right now. Pushing down the lump in her throat and trying not to get annoyed with the impatient cough behind her, Emma cleared her throat and composed herself. "I'll call you soon?" She repeated.

"I hope so."

"Bye."

"Bye, Emma. Be safe, please."

"Always."

A soft, affectionate scoff sounded from Regina's end, and for a moment, Emma thought they were about to embark in a game of you-hang-up-first, but the murmurings on Regina's end grew louder, and with another apologetic sigh, Regina hung up the phone with a low click.

She replaced her own phone on the receiver, throwing a glare at Mr. 6'5 behind her as if he was the sole reason Regina's call was cut short and made her way over to Neal and Fred.

"Work okay?" Neal asked, motioning to the card as the trio walked down the hall returning to the common room.

"Yeah, yeah it did." She looked back toward the pay phone, now occupied by Calhoun, as if Regina would be standing there waving her off.

"You meet someone back home, Swan?" Frederick asked.

The faintest hint of a smirk donned Emma's lips, but she remained quiet, entering the common room just as the red team scored the winning goal in their fooseball match.

Chapter 11

Chapter Notes

Disclaimer in Chapter One

AN: There will be some time jumps in this chapter which is why I've dated most of the segments. I hope you guys enjoy this extra long update!

TW: warfare

See the end of the chapter for more notes

June 22, 2004 - Fort Benning, Georgia

Emma swung her legs up onto the windowsill and sat against the ledge. The cord of the good phone was just shy of being taut as it stretched to reach the window where Emma leaned with her back against the pane. A wide grin spread across her face as she nodded enthusiastically at Henry who rambled on about his day.

To no one's surprise, Henry had thrown a fit when Regina regrettably told him that Emma had called and said hi. The boy's tantrum was a mixture of anger and sadness as he threw himself on the ground, stomping his feet and sputtering nonsensical words through his cries. Regina had allowed the behaviour for half a minute because in all honesty, she understood the reaction, but as soon as her internal clock hit the thirty second mark, she picked up Henry off the ground and spoke to him firmly and directly that his behaviour was not acceptable and that if he wanted to speak with Emma he would have behave politely. No sooner did the threat of not speaking to his favourite blonde leave his mother's lips did Henry stop his stomps and cries, only succumbing to small whimpers which his mother soothed away with cuddles. It broke Regina's heart to see Henry sit by the phone that night, waiting oh so patiently for it to ring, but Regina knew it wouldn't, and when she put him to bed that night, she promised he would be able to speak to Emma soon.