These chairs were seriously uncomfortable. Add to that her morning sickness, and Emma Swan was beyond ready to leave. At least in her jail cell she could lie down.

She still had no idea why she had been brought to this conference room. She had been the definition of good behavior these past two months.

"Miss Swan?" a female voice interrupted Emma's thoughts.

Emma fought to stifle a gasp when she met the visitor's eyes. They were a startlingly beautiful chocolate brown, set in a heart-shaped face. Hair just as dark settled atop the woman's shoulders. She was slender and sleek-looking in a black blazer and slacks.

The woman tilted her head with a slight smile, as if waiting for a response.

"Oh. Um. Hi?" Emma finally managed to mumble a few words.

"My name is Regina Mills. I'm here to talk to you about your case," the woman explained as she sat down across from Emma.

"My case?" Emma repeated, confused. "I don't have one. It was already decided, obviously- that's why I'm here."

Regina smiled. "Ahh, but that's the thing. I don't think you deserve to be in here. I've decided to take you on as my client."

Emma leaned forward. "I'm not sure I completely understand, Mrs. Mills."

"It's Miss, actually. And you may call me Regina," the lawyer said.

Regina paused for a moment, folding her hands in her lap. "If I'm not mistaken, you are carrying a child, Miss Swan."

"Emma," the blonde responded. "And no, you're not mistaken."

Regina nodded. "And this fact wasn't mentioned in your trial."

"No," Emma said as she shook her head. "I didn't even know for sure. And anyway, it was about the stolen watches."

A look of satisfaction danced across the brunette's face. "I think this will work. All you'll have to do is testify against that Cassidy man and—"

"Wait a minute," Emma interrupted. "I don't want to do that."

Regina stopped, her brows furrowing as she took in what this young woman had said. "I don't think you understand, Emma. Under Arizona law, your pregnancy is the result of sexual assault. After that is brought to light and Mr. Cassidy is brought in, I can get your decision reversed. Cassidy will go to jail for the original theft, and for your rape. You'll be allowed to start your life again, with your child."

"He didn't rape me," Emma said forcefully.

Regina bit her lip, a sad knowing in her eyes. "It's common for victims—"

"I'm not a victim!" Emma's voice rose. "I made my choice. I love him, and he loves me."

"Then why would he let you take the fall for this? No matter what you said, Miss Swan, the law states you are not old enough to legally give consent. He was older; he should have known better than to become involved with a minor."

Emma's jaw clenched, her eyes welling up with tears. "I can't do it."

Regina sighed. "Please, Emma, think about it. I want to help you."

Emma scoffed. "Why? You don't even know me."

"You're not the only one to go through a situation like this, Emma. Remember that," Regina said as she stood up and began gathering her things.

She got halfway to the door before turning back and facing the seventeen year old. Emma was a beautiful young woman, no doubt about it. It was no wonder Neal Cassidy had made a move on her; Regina herself was almost bewitched by the hazel eyes that seemed older than her years.

Regina's throat tightened. She was a lawyer, for heaven's sake. Had she not just been discussing with Emma how wrong this Cassidy fellow had been for having a relationship with her? A wave of guilt ran through her.

"Look, Emma. I just want what's best for you, and for your unborn baby. Promise me you'll think about it?" Regina said finally.

Emma looked down at her lap, then back up at the dark-haired woman who had, within the span of half an hour, managed to send her on a rollercoaster of emotions.

"I'll think about it," she said softly.

Regina nodded gratefully. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here's my card."

She stepped back over to the table, grabbed a pen out of her purse, and scribbled down a set of numbers on the back of it. "This is my cell. If you need to get up with me for any reason after my office hours, call that number."

As Emma reached to take the card, their hands met briefly. Regina inhaled sharply at the electricity that seemed to pass between the two.

"Regina—" Emma started when the older woman jerked her hand back.

"Good day, Miss Swan," Regina said abruptly as she quickly turned and walked out of the room.

Emma sat back, stunned. She had always fought against the idea that she was anything but straight—after all, being an orphan was enough of an oddity-but she couldn't deny the chemistry she felt with this woman who wanted to be her counsel.

Her hand felt like it was on fire where Regina's skin had met hers. No one had ever managed to leave her so flustered, not even Neal.

Neal. Could she do it? Could she testify against the father of her child, the man who promised her he loved her?

She thought back to the day they met. Emma had recently ditched the foster home for good, and was desperate to find a way out of Portland, Oregon. She had been in the process of stealing a yellow Bug when Neal Cassidy had popped up from the backseat.

After a narrow escape from the law and the discovery that Neal himself had first stolen the car, Emma recklessly followed him into a life of constant travel and crime. She had been drawn to him from the beginning; it felt wonderful to let go with such abandon. The first time he'd kissed her, she fell for him.

She knew he was older, more experienced. That just added to the thrill of discovering what it meant to love a man. She would have done anything for Neal, including retrieving watches he'd stolen so they could run off to Canada together.

Emma trembled, remembering her arrest. The blinding lights, the cold steel of the handcuffs—and the despair that threatened to swallow her whole when she realized that he wasn't coming for her. She was alone.

No, not alone. Not anymore. She absentmindedly rubbed her belly. It was hard to believe there was a little human growing inside of her.

A rush of protectiveness took Emma by surprise. Maybe—just maybe—Regina was right. She could get out of here, start a new life with her baby. Maybe even fall in love again, someday.

All it would take was one phone call.