Chapter 1

It was the night of the election for Mayor and Regina was perched on a stool at the bar in Granny's Diner.
The diner was almost empty. The victory party in the back room had broken up a half hour ago and Sidney had stumbled out the back door to hail a cab. He might be a fair to decent journalist but the man could not hold his liquor.

Ruby raised an eyebrow as the Mayor ordered another scotch. "Are you sure you don't want a cup of coffee instead?" she said hesitantly. Regina shot her a withering look. "One glass of scotch coming right up…" said the waitress quickly, disappearing into the back to get another bottle.

The door opened behind her. "Drowning our sorrows dearie?" said a smug, masculine and very familiar voice behind her. The voice of the very last person that she wanted to see right now.
She slowly turned around. Standing there, in a crisp black suit and pink shirt was Mr Gold. He looked almost unbearably smug.

Regina gave him her most regal look. "Mr Gold… what are you doing here? Come to gloat?" she said frostily. His smirk increased by several degrees. "Oh no… I'm just here for a pint…" he said silkily, walking up to the bar.

Regina rolled her eyes. Ruby came out of the back room with a bottle of scotch and poured her a glass. "Leave the bottle…" she said as Ruby went to put the bottle away. Ruby looked rather incredulous but did as she said.
The waitress saw Gold and a look of comprehension came over her face. She walked over to him. "What can I get you?" she asked. "A pint of beer if you please… and make it the good stuff…"

"We only stock the good stuff…" Ruby said with a grin, going over to the beer taps and getting him a pint. He accepted it and took a sip. "Not bad…"
They sat in silence for a while, Regina glowering at him and him smirking into his beer.
"If looks could kill…" he remarked amusedly. "Really Madame Mayor… there's no point being a sore loser"
"I didn't lose" she said icily. "You cheated. You set the fire that could have killed me… knowing she'd figure it out and stand up to you…" she snapped.
He chuckled. "I really have no idea what you are talking about dearie…"

"Bastard…" she muttered, just loud enough for him to hear her. He just chuckled and took another sip of his beer.

Several pints of beer and glasses of scotch later Ruby came over to tell them it was closing time.
Regina paid her bill and walked outside, stumbling slightly in her heels. She felt slightly better as she felt the cool air on her face. Sidney had dropped her off… and though there was usually a cab around she couldn't see any. She swore under her breath. It would take her ages to get home on foot.
"Need a lift dearie?" said a voice behind her. She slowly turned around. Gold was leaning against his shiny black Cadillac, looking more smug than anyone had a right to be.
"Not from you" she said in her most regal icy tone. "I'd rather walk" she added. She tossed her head and turned to go. She hadn't walked 5 steps when there was a crack and the heel of one shoe neatly snapped off. "Fuck…" she yelled.

"If you're offering" he said in a smug silky tone. She took a deep breath, swallowing several scathing retorts as she turned to face him. "I don't think so… but is that ride still available?" she said sweetly.

He opened the passenger door with a smirk and gestured for her to hop in. She took off the heels and slid in the passenger seat. He closed it behind her and got in the drivers seat. The seat were plush and the interior of the car smelt rather pleasantly of his cologne.
"Seatbelt dearie…" he said with a grin. She narrowed her eyes at him as she did up the seatbelt. He was still grinning as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.