Chapter 1
Time had passed in Storybrooke since Emma and Snow finally made their way back. Things were finally back to normal, or at least as normal as they were going to get for the moment. Emma sat at her desk at the sheriff's office, feet propped up, thinking about everything that had happened in the recent moments of her life. Not so long ago, she was alone in the world, but now she had more than she could have ever asked for. Still, as wonderful as it had been finding her parents, things were still hard.
Her mind began to aimlessly wander over thoughts of Mary Margaret, er…well Snow, and David. She could see it in their eyes how much they loved her and she tried her best to show the same back, but she wasn't there yet. The one person she knew that was undeniably her heart and soul now was Henry. That kid who had more so barged into her life unexpectedly on her twenty-eighth birthday; however, she couldn't be frustrated with that. On the contrary, she was happier than she had ever been. Seeing his face upon return to Storybrooke was like breathing in a breath of fresh air. It was relieving.
As much as she would love to have him as her own completely, the thought of actually playing a role as a mother made her cringe slightly. She hadn't been there as he grew up. Regina's stinging words came to her mind.
"I've changed every diaper. Soothed every fever. Endured every tantrum. You may have given birth to him, but he is my son."
There she was again. As odd as it may sound, all of her thoughts lately kept running back to Regina. But why? She did not know. She may be the "evil queen", but there was one thing that couldn't be denied. She loved that kid with all of her heart.
Emma remembered the look on Regina's face as everyone left for the diner on the night that they came back to Storybrooke. Undoubtful hurt had washed over her as Henry's hand slid from hers. Ever since then, the sheriff's thoughts kept reminding her that love hurts no matter which way you look.
Emma made her way to the door of the mayor's house. After knocking a few times, it was clear no one was coming to answer and she began to walk back to her car.
"Ms. Swan?" came a voice from behind and Emma turned back to see Regina with a basket in her hands. Her attire was her everyday normal blazer and pencil skirt that, even though simple, still screamed money.
"Oh, Madam Mayor," Emma said in a bit of a surprise, although she wasn't sure why.
"Did you need something?" Regina inquired as she patted down her skirt.
"Well I-" The mayor made a motion for her to follow her round into the garden.
"I've been rather busy today." Regina said as she resumed picking apples from her tree and placing them in her basket. She bent down to retrieve one that had fallen. The blonde's eyes carefully watched her, approving of the way the material moved as the mayor was bent down. Biting her lip, she shook her head to clear her thoughts.
"Tending to your garden doesn't seem like such a dutiful task." Regina shot back a look of disdain and for a second Emma thought she was going to aim an apple straight at her head.
"I highly doubt there is a hint of green in your thumb, dear, for you to appreciate such a thing. Did you need something?" she asked once again. Suddenly, Emma had forgotten just why she had come over here. She stood in silence for a moment, finding her gaze meeting the mayor's as the latter raised one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows. Then she remembered.
"I had come over to see Henry. I haven't seen the kid around for a good day or so." Regina's attention perked up at the mention of her son's name.
"He's been rather busy with homework, dear. I would assume that to be another thing you fail to understand." Regina finished by adding one of her coy smiles to the sheriff.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Emma spat, balling her hands up in a fist. The mayor only snickered to herself and plucked one last apple from the tree. As if it were a fine specimen, she examined the luscious red fruit in the palm of her hand before holding it out to Emma.
"Was there anything else you needed, Ms. Swan?" Emma rolled her eyes and then chuckled, staring at the apple being held out to her. Had Regina forgotten about the first time she tried offering her an apple? "Is something funny?"
"Oh, I was just remembering an old memory about your poor apple tree," she replied, eyeing the obviously missing branch she had cut down when Regina failed to get on her good side. From the corner of her eye, she saw the mayor flinch slightly.
"Yes, and I do hope you aren't planning on reviving that memory."
"Only if you promise to stop attacking me with your slander."
"I'm only pointing out the obvious," Regina said as she walked passed Emma. Emma's eyes, without control, observed the way the older woman strode across the garden. Her outfit hugged every right part of her part perfectly and to make it worse, the brunette knew she was flawless and knew how to show it with her hips. The blonde ripped her eyes away as the brunette called over her shoulder. "I'm quite positive you can find your way back to your car, Ms. Swan?"
The obvious dismissal made Emma roll her eyes once more. She gladly headed back, trying to shake out the odd feeling the just began to notice between her legs when she had looked at Regina for too long.
What the hell was that?
