AN: AU Emma is an up and coming singer and Regina is the producer who denied her. How will things work out when they meet four years later? Emma is determined to try and hate the brunette while Regina finds herself enamored with the sassy diva. Special thanks to LauratheChef for Betaing for me!

"How can I help you, dear?" The older brunette kept her distance from the gangly blonde as she practically sneered the question. The other brunette must have been her daughter, the facial similarities were enough to go on, but what set in in stone was the same pompous look. They thought they were better than her, which they were probably right. Emma Swan glanced down at herself, skinny jeans stuffed messily into a pair of well-worn combat boots, a tank top and a red leather jacket. When she looked up towards the woman and her daughter it was abundantly clear that a pair of their socks probably cost more than her whole outfit.

"Do get on with it!" The younger brunette snapped and her mother glanced at her with appraisal in her eyes.

"Mrs. Mills, I came here today to ask for a chance. I want to sing and I was hoping you'd listen to me." A seventeen year old Emma fidgeted on spot. Her nervousness quickly faded into embarrassment when the mother laughed. It wasn't a humorous ha, ha funny laugh, more of an 'are you serious laugh'.

"You have a wonderful day, dear." Cora smirked as she walked away

"You haven't even heard me sing!" Emma exclaimed in disbelief

"We don't need to hear you to know that you have absolutely nothing to offer. I'm sure Graham will see you out." Regina made a hand gesture to a young man who dutifully grabbed Emma by her arm to see her out.

"I can walk myself!" Emma snatched her arm back, glaring at the man before she turned to the beautiful brunette.

"You're going to regret this!" She warned before storming out of the Queen of Hearts Studio.

Present day: Four years later.

First things first, I'm the realest (realest)
Drop this and let the whole world feel it (let 'em feel it)
And I'm still in the Murda Bizness
I can hold you down, like I'm givin' lessons in physics (right)

You should want a bad bitch like this (ha)
Drop it low and pick it up just like this (yeah)
Cup of Ace, cup of Goose, cup of Cris
High heels, somethin' worth a half a ticket on my wrist (on my wrist)
Takin' all the liquor straight, never chase that (never)
Rooftop like we bringin' '88 back (what)
Bring the hooks in, where the bass at?
Champagne spillin', you should taste that

The air was stifling in the dance studio, still Emma pushed through as her choreographer and manager watched her. She felt like an ant underneath a microscope as she sang out the song and strutted on the makeshift stage getting ready for her upcoming performance. Her hair felt heavy on her head, caked with hairspray in an up-due style Mohawk. The short black booty shorts were riding up and she wanted nothing more than to pull out the wedgy that held her attention for the past ten minutes. Snapping her neck back and forth so that her hair flipped dramatically over her shoulder she through her best friend a wink, chuckling internally as Ruby whistled when she turned to pop out her butt. She sang through the chorus before finishing up.

Still stuntin', how you love that?
Got the whole world asking how I does that
Hot girl, hands off, don't touch that
Look at it I bet you wishing you could clutch that
It's just the way you like it, huh?
You're so good, he's just wishing he could bite it, huh?
Never turn down nothing,
Slaying these hoes, gold trigger on the gun like

I'm so fancy
You already know
I'm in the fast lane
From L.A. to Tokyo
I'm so fancy
Can't you taste this gold?
Remember my name
'Bout to blow

When she finally finished, she was gasping for breath as her brother/manager August Booth and best friend/choreographer Ruby Lucas clapped for her.

"You still need to work on your breathing in time for the show but that was really good. You brought the right amount of sexy, sass and just a little bit of arrogance that is the perfect package." Ruby complimented the young blond, handing her an ice cold water bottle and a towel to dry her sweat.

"It was a little too sexy for me." August complained. He didn't want to see anybody gawking at his little sister and though she should cover every inch of her skin saying it could be "Her Thing".

"You always say that Auggie." Emma rolled her eyes amused but was finally able to get the dance shorts from in between her two cheeks.

"Yeah I don't know what you're going to do when you actually see the sexy stuff we have planned for Bang Bang." Ruby teased August who immediately began to protest.

"Nothing too extreme, we still have to get her signed." August said locking his jaw firmly knowing there was nothing he could really do.

"You just got to lighten up, bro." Emma nudged his shoulder

"What did I tell you about saying that? God you sound like a thirteen year old boy!" August grumbled and grinned when he saw Emma's playful glare.

"Whatever. I'm still not feeling the song. It would be better suited for Belle." Emma shrugged stretching out her legs.

"Yeah but it's the song that was requested by the audience so you need to be ready. You've already got Bang Bang and seven other songs. When you're done with here, take a shower and head on over to the studio, you need to start recording some more. Stop the slacking." August went into manager mode.

"Damn Auggie you need to chill. I work seven days a week sometimes sixteen hour days. I don't slack off!" Emma's temper flared at the thought of him thinking she wasn't taking this serious.

"I know kid, just hurry. A lot of shit has to be done before the show starts." August said before leaving.

"Come on, Emma. We are going to work on one last song then I have to go pick up Jamie from the babysitter." Ruby sighed tiredly

"How about you tell me what's bugging you instead and then you can go get my nephew." Emma decided when she noticed the faraway look on Ruby's face.

"It's just getting to be a lot. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be." Ruby admitted sinking to the floor next to Emma.

"If you're this stressed maybe you should make up with Graham." Emma suggested purposely ignoring the withering glare Ruby sent her.

"No! He was wrong and he won't even admit to it. I know for a fact he is fucking Regina Mills!" Ruby huffed indignantly

"Ruby you know he wouldn't cheat on you." Emma spoke. She still hated the guy, nicknamed the Huntsman because of what happened all those years ago but she knew her friend was deeply in love with the guy.

"He spends all his time with her anyhow! I asked him for one day! So we could just spend the day with our son without work obligations and he refused! What kind of parent just tosses their kid to the side like that?" Ruby fumed before she realized what she said.

"Oh my goodness Emma, I'm so sorry. You know me, I just talk without thinking." Ruby apologized and Emma tried not to be hurt.

"It's cool. For the record though, Graham loves you to death and he love Jamie just as much. I think you guys need to sit down and talk. Can you honestly sit here with straight face and tell me that you're willing to throw away six years because of one fight?" Emma nudged the brunette with her shoulder.

"I'm supposed to be like the big sister to you. Here I am practically crying on your shoulder, getting relationship advice." Ruby mused

"I'm always going to be here for you Rubes. You don't have to pretend or be strong all the time." Emma told the older girl sincerely. Ruby just nodded.

"Except now! Now you're going to swallow your pride and go fix your family." Emma jumped up pulling Ruby will her.

"Okay, geez! When did you get so bossy?" Ruby teased before jogging out the room leaving Emma to her own thoughts. Suddenly she felt cold and lonely, the feeling always crept up on her when she least expected it. It was always when everybody went off with their lives and families that she realized she was always alone. That was why she never had a problem working sixteen hour days or more. It was hard to go home to an empty house, never quite tasting the feeling of home. She began pulling her hair free of its pins, letting the golden locks fall down her back. Shaking out the poof she went to the full length mirror before sitting down crisscross.

She liked to look at herself, not in the 'oh I'm so conceited way'. No it was more of this is wrong, fix it! Years in the foster care system taught her the art of perfection, she just preferred to let loose and be herself. Lately as her rise to fame and recognition, the pressure was back on for her to be perfect. Only this time it wasn't in hope of winning a family. No it was about living her dream. A small part of her wanted it just a little bit more so that she could shove it back in the faces of people who threw her away or cast her side. Every family who gave up and gave her back, who told her she was worthless, this was going to be her first and final strike back.

Her watch interrupted her thoughts as she jumped up and headed to the showers.

Should I continue?