Emma got back a little after ten. She'd left Regina and Henry to their quality time after a quick check-in, supposedly to bring them some bagel bites, but really just to make sure Henry wasn't going to run off to find his long-lost uncle in California or something. They'd seemed to be getting along well, so heck; Emma didn't know what she was doing. Why not leave them alone, let them iron things out? And she still had her birthday party to get to.

She'd ended up staying out a little later than expected. As lame as it sounded, bobbing for apples turned out to be a lot of fun. And since they'd already had the 'kid-safe' party earlier in the day, there was no reason Ruby couldn't give the birthday girl a special dance. Emma was pretty sure Ruby knew that, yes, she did enjoy the 'gag gift' on a very unironic level. But then, if she ever threw up cliterference for Belle, she was pretty sure the karma would be equal to punting a puppy. That girl needed a good lay.

She came through the front door and Regina was coming down the stairs to greet her. The former Mayor was actually—for once—a little relaxed. She'd kicked off her shoes and taken off her jacket and even unbuttoned her blouse a bit. And had she removed her make-up? Emma didn't know it came off.

"Emma," she greeted. "Out past curfew?"

"Napping off a few too many cupcakes. Why did I move to a town where everybody knows how to bake?"

"Let me get your coat," Regina said, taking it a little forcefully, but then, that was Regina Mills.

"You're in a good mood. Things are cool with Henry?"

Regina nodded, so enthusiastically happy that Emma almost could've giggled. She looked like a puppy, unpunted. "He wanted to watch a movie with me. It was too scary for him to watch alone and apparently, I'm scarier than any monster, so he trusted I'd keep him safe." She looked insanely pleased with herself. Emma was just glad she was taking that the right way instead of all self-conscious and insecure. Wonder if I had anything to do with that.

"It wasn't R, was it?"

"PG-13, just with, you know, monsters. Lots of blood and guts, very little swearing or nudity." Regina shook her head. "I'll never understand your people's preoccupation with such things. And then I put him to bed right at nine, on the dot."

"I'm letting Henry stay up until ten."

"Oh." Regina actually looked apologetic, instead of immediately calling into question Emma's parenting experience and lack thereof. "He didn't say anything about that. If he had, I would've—"

"It's okay. I trust you." Emma shrugged. "So, what, then you just watched him slept?"

"No, he wanted me to read him a bedtime story. And I know I shouldn't have, but he just kept asking me for another one and another one…" Regina's hand feebly raised to her heart, as if she wanted to put her hand on it in that familiar gesture, but instead she just clenched her fist in the air. "I think he really missed me, Emma. He missed me."

"Cool."

"So cool," Regina agreed, a little sassily. "He's still up and he wants us both to tuck him in."

"Yeah, okay."

Regina grabbed Emma's hand and practically pulled her up the stairs. Emma, for her part, wondered if Gold had cast another spell on Regina. A few hours with Henry, just chilling, and she was like a different woman.

Or… well… like the same woman, just seen clearly. Without the 'you might be abusing my biological son and, by the way, he's my son, so there' filters.

Emma found herself wondering if, evil queen business aside, she hadn't been the bitch in all this. Sure, someone could be a mob boss or a pimp or something—but if you were an asshole to them, you were still an asshole.

Or something.

When Emma went into Henry's room, she found it could actually be described as tidy without Aubrey Plazalevels of sarcasm. Either Regina had cleaned up or she'd actually got Henry to clean his room. Either way, Emma needed to subscribe to her newsletter.

Henry was in bed, and Emma was a bit surprised that he wasn't back in the pajamas Regina had used to make him. Cripes, what was with Regina changing all at once? Was that all she'd needed, just a chance? Christ.

The former Mayor was on the other side of Henry's bed, plenty of space for Emma. She went over and sat on the mattress, feeling strangely intimate in being so close to Regina. It wasn't a sexual feeling, it was just something she hadn't expected to share. Like letting someone borrow your toothbrush, only way less gross.

"Hey Henry," Emma greeted, pulling his covers a little higher on his tiny body. "Regina get you all tucked in? Teeth brushed?"

"Yeah," Henry said drowsily. Even with all the late-afternoon birthday cake, there was only so much a sugar rush could do, and Regina'd been serenading him all evening. The kid was out of it. "Sing me a lullaby."

"Oh, uh… don't you want Regina to do that?"

"I like your lullabies."

"It's okay," Regina said, and when Emma looked at her, she wasn't even making an effort. Homegirl was totally zen about it. "Go ahead. Please."

"Kid," Emma said, trying to sneak him the high sign, "are. You. Sure?"

"Please? I'll go right to sleep, I promise."

"Okay!" Emma tried to hide her disgruntlement. "I'll just, uh… go… ahead. With the lullaby."

Regina stared at her quizzically as she cleared her throat.

"Wichita," Emma began, "Witcha-witch-a-wichita Wild Wild West, Jim West, desperado, rough rider, no you don't want nada."

Though the hardest effort in her life, Emma managed not to look at Regina, but she could feel the woman smiling. She carried on.

"None of this, six gunnin' this, brotha runnin' this, Buffalo soldier, look it's like I told ya, like any damsel that's in distress, be out of that dress when she meet Jim West."

Emma managed not to look at Regina until they got downstairs, Henry safely asleep. Then she saw that Regina still had a maniacal grin plastered on her face. It might be permanent.

"Look," Emma began, "I don't know a lot of lullabies and he asked!"

"No, it's cute. Adorable, really. Very endearing." Regina leaned against the wall, smushing her lips together instead of smiling. But the teeth were still under there, beaming away. "I'm trying to mock you for this and I can't. Disconcerting."

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll have some zingers for me tomorrow."

"No, I think I'll let it go. I'm sure you'll find some new things for me to make fun of."

"If not, you can always give me tequila."

"True. For now, I only have wine."

Regina led her to the kitchen, where indeed, Emma had left a bottle of wine and some plastic cups. Regina clicked her tongue at them and got some glasses from the cupboard.

"You learn your way around this place pretty fast," Emma observed.

"I might have done some minor safety-proofing. Your electrical sockets are in an abysmal state of repair…" Regina shook her head, but by now she was used to her truthfulness. "By the way, thank you for leaving us alone. If I were in your shoes, I don't know if I would've trusted for there not to be a kidnapping or something." She said it while pouring their drinks.

"Ha. Imagine that," Emma said guiltily. "Ha."

She drank.

"You know, I don't want to sound like I need a babysitter or something… stupid." Clearly giving up on that, Emma swilled her wine. "But I'm thinking there's gotta be a way we can both be Henry's mother without some kinda… dumb 'you get him on days that started with T' sorta… thing. Like, if he feels like it, he goes to your house, sends me a text that he's over there…" Emma shrugged helplessly. "What would be the big hairy deal?"

"I'd like that."

"And maybe we could do stuff together," Emma persisted. "Where's it written that if I take Henry to Red Lobster, you can't be there too? Or if we're having dinner, why can't one of us come over? I love your cooking!"

"I tolerate yours," Regina replied truthfully.

"Like, I don't know… breakfast. Tomorrow. You could be there, I'd be there, Henry'd be there. You can help me make waffles. I've got the hang of everything else, just not waffles."

"You put them in the toaster, then put syrup on them. It's not impossible."

"Really? You don't make waffles from scratch?"

"Please. I may be the Evil Queen, but I'm not Martha Stewart."

Emma laughed all the way to slapping her knee. Regina looked at her wine curiously. She wondered what the proof on it was.

"Okay, seriously now," Emma said in a burst of motion, crossing to the sink to wash out her empty wineglass. "I've got to ask you just one question before the spell is over, if that's okay."

"I'm listening."

"I just wanted to ask you how I feel about me, if that won't embarrass you or anything."

Regina thought about it. "It probably won't." She sounded uncertain.

"Because sometimes it's like we're arch-enemies, and sometimes it's like we can put up with each other, and sometimes it's like we're friends who just razz each other… I'm pretty sure we're friends, or friendly at least. But I'd like to know."

"Ask away."

Emma put the wineglass aside and faced her before asking "Regina, how do you feel about me?"

Regina sat down before answering. She crossed her legs, rested her hands on her thighs, and looked Emma squarely in the face. It reminded Emma of when she'd asked Regina about Snow White, only here, Regina appeared far less unwillingly. It was like she was easing a weight off her shoulders, setting it down nice and slow.

"I find you… intriguing. You're a good person, but that's so little in the grand scheme of things. I've seen good people do horrible things, but you… you understand the gray. You were dark once, or so close you could reach your hand out and touch it. But instead of letting it consume you, you learned from it. As much as I would imply you were in dire straits, you started out being raised in foster homes and have a teenage pregnancy in jail. And when I met you, you were a successful career woman.

"Then there's the matter of Henry. You had a life and you dropped it to take responsibility for him. As misguided as I found that, there is an admirable quality to it. And to your successful actions of late; breaking the Curse, slaying the dragon, escaping the Enchanted Forest, et cetera and et cetera…"

Only Regina Mills could reduce all that to 'yadda yadda yadda'. But still, Emma beamed a bit. She'd actually won over the Evil Queen. Hell yeah.

"You're a strong, confident young woman who takes care of herself and others. And as irritating as I may find your negative qualities, I find much more to admire in you. I like you, Emma Swan. And you have a cute ass."

Emma's brow furrowed. "Wait… what was that last part?"

"Nothing. Something about your ass being cute. Nothing," Regina's tongue tied itself in knots trying to get around the truth spell.

"Oh, I get it. You were making a joke."

Regina took the out and tried to nod, but it looked like she had a hernia. "Yes—but-your-ass-really-does-look-like-a-peach wrapped-in-denim."

"Hey, it's okay, I get it. You think I wear jeans a size smaller than my waistline because they're on sale? It's fine. It's not like you're attracted to me or anything."

Regina said nothing. She raised her hand to her head and probed the curve of her spine with her finger.

"Regina," Emma said softly. "Are you attracted to me?"

"Yes." Regina said it matter-of-factly, almost dully. Like she'd been run down after a long hunt and now the kill was being made.

"Why?"

"Why?" Regina repeated. "I just sang a paean to your virtues. Is it that unbelievable that out of all the people who've come to care for you, I could be one of them? Emma, you saved my son. You saved me. And now, I'll thank you to excuse me. I must be going."

She stood and made for the door. Emma watched her go, shocked for a moment, and it was only when her legs were moving that she realized she was going after her.

"Regina, wait!"

"I don't have to do as you say," Regina returned, not even looking back. "Just answer your questions, and not even that soon enough."

"I'm sorry, Regina, okay? I didn't know." Emma stopped following her. "I didn't know you felt the same way."

With some satisfaction, she saw Regina slow to a stop. The woman didn't turn around, but she did hold herself still as Emma approached her once more. She held herself still as a statue.

"Don't say that," she hissed. "If you want something from me, say so, but don't say that unless you mean it."

"I mean it." Emma said it like she was begging Regina, pleading with her. "I know you don't think you're worthy of love, but I see a million ways you are. I don't know if it's love or… I don't know what it is, but I like being with you. I like being with you so much and I'm an idiot for not thinking of a better way to put it, but that's the truth, okay?"

"Okay…" Regina said softly.

"What do we do now?" Emma asked.

Regina shook her head. She didn't know.

"Do you still want to leave?"

"No."

Emma got closer. She felt ridiculous—like she was sneaking up a deer or something. But it was a good kind of ridiculous. "Do you want me to kiss you?"

Regina whirled around sharply. "What?" she cried.

"Do you want me," Emma took a step closer, giving Regina time to process her words. But not much time. "To kiss." Another step brought her up against Regina, the former mayor seeming almost tiny without her high heels, even though Emma only had a few inches on her. But the way Regina shrunk away, shy as a virgin, made her seem smaller. "You?"

Regina took her time answering, licking her dry lips, looking down and then up again. Something in her seemed lost, and Emma wondered if she'd been kissed—really kissed—since Daniel died.

She reached out to touch Regina's face; just a simple gesture of human contact, not anything to do with whether they kissed or not. The kind of touch Emma had found herself wanting to do more and more as the day had worn on, just connect with Regina, only a little bit, and show her she wasn't so alone. Not if she didn't want to be.

Regina felt Emma's touch and looked her in the eye. Her eyes were indomitable once more, fierce and powerful. For the first time, that didn't scare Emma even a little.

"Yes," she said.

Emma was gentle with her. She leaned in slowly, like the prince in one of Henry's stories, giving Regina plenty of time to close her eyes, part her lips, and arc up into Emma's touch. All of which she did almost immediately, leaving her lots of time to anticipate. Inwardly, Emma smirked. Wait for it, Regina.

As soon as Emma's lips touched hers, Regina moaned hungrily. She was totally passive throughout the kiss, just letting their lips touch, like the moan was entirely involuntarily. But one arm was wrapped around Emma, hand bunched in her jacket. She was willing. More than that, she needed.

Emma pulled away slowly, watching Regina carefully. The queen stayed there with her eyes shut and her lips trembling, parted then closed, then back again.

"Do you want me to kiss you again?" Emma asked.

Regina's eyes opened. Emma had never been happier to see the devilish gleam in them. Without a second's delay, Regina captured the other woman in her arms, tipped her back like they were dancing, and kissed her like she'd been wishing for since she went through puberty.

Far too soon, Regina pulled back. "Yes," she muttered quickly, truthfully, and went back to what she'd been doing so very well.

The next time, it was Emma that stopped them, though it took her a long, long time to do it. "Regina…" she said breathlessly. "What else would you like me to do to you?"

Lowering her lips to Emma's ear, Regina told the truth.

Emma's eyes widened.

"Would you like me to add another finger, Regina?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I'm cumming!" And Regina felt her body being wrenched from her control, given wholly over to her pleasure, her selfish and uninhibited pleasure.

"You're one woman who definitely doesn't fake the big moment," Emma said smugly above her. Justifiably smug.

Slowly, inch by inch, Regina's body was returned to her. To the soundtrack of her wilting moans. "No more, please… I can't…"

Emma was merciful. She pulled her hard-working fingers from inside Regina and brought them up to cup Regina's chin, holding her still for another kiss. Close enough for Regina to scent.

"Wanna lick the spoon?" Emma asked and, abashedly, Regina did little more than nod. And open her mouth. "This is going to make the Henry thing harder."

Regina was too busy sucking Emma's fingers to answer, but she did give her a questioning look.

"Well. Now we're going to be ferrying him back and forth between our houses, going on dates as a family… when the hell are we going to find time to do this again?"

"We are doing this again?" Regina asked, part of her still not believing they'd done it the first time.

"Absolutely. I've made a list of all those things you whispered in my ear, and I am going to check them off one by one."

Regina shivered. Kissed Emma's hand. "Maybe we could tell Henry that one of our beds broke. We have to share."

"I like the way you think, Mills."

"I like the way you fuck me."

Emma laughed herself hoarse. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. With all the banging and the swearing and the creative means of drinking wine…"

"Do you love it?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"Do you love me?"

"Yeah." Regina grinned goofily. She'd surprised herself. A pleasant surprise, for once. "Yeah, I love you."

"I love you too." Emma nestled into Regina's arms. "I don't know why I'm telling you that, since you haven't even bought me dinner yet, much less taken me on a date—"

"Dinner, hell, I baked you an apple tart."

"It was poison!"

"Poisonously delicious!"

Emma laughed and snuggled closer to Regina, in case she had to suffocate her. "Tell me more about how you love me."

"Mmm." That she could do. Regina's head drifted back against the pillow. "I love your hair. It's very well-maintained. Quite bouncy. And it's really, really lustrous. Like gold spun into a wig."

"Cool." Emma closed her eyes. "How much do you love my ass?"

"So much. It's anal perfection."

Emma snorted. "Jesus!"

"And your eyes…" Emma opened them. Regina ran her finger along her cheek, drawing Emma's eyes up to her. "I'm trying to think of a comparison that's not the sky or the sea, that's so cliché…"

"I'm good with cliché."

"Your eyes are like when you light a candle, that blue flame right at the bottom. The hottest part."

Emma blushed. "C'mon. Quit it."

"Your lips," Regina said gently, "are like the mouth of a wine bottle. I can drink and drink and not be quenched, because the taste is so delicate that I must have more…"

"Oh God…" Emma buried her face in Regina's neck. "How much longer is this spell going to last?" Emma stopped then, lifting her watch up. Like her left sock, she hadn't quite managed to shed it while she was ripping Regina's clothes off and Regina was doing the same for her.

12:50.

She spoke the time out loud.

"That long?" Regina asked. "My, I am out of shape. I should've been good for at least another two hours."

Emma looked at her in shock. "Who was your last sex partner, Sting?"

"Well, I know a few spells…" Regina suddenly jerked upright, or as much as she could with Emma nestled on her chest like a lazy cat. "The spell! Gold said it would end at eleven!"

"Or a little earlier. You made that joke about premature ejaculation…"

"Emma, I swear, I didn't realize—everything I've said to you, about how I feel about you, it's the truth!"

"Regina, relax. I know. I've got my own little 'truth spell', remember?"

Regina let herself be laid back down. "Yes, but Gold's actually worked once in a while…"

"I trust you, okay? If you say you love me, I believe you." Emma's smile quirked. "Although… this does mean that when you said my eyes WERE LIKE A BLUE FLAME," she quoted melodramatically, "that was all you. Dork."

Regina blinked. "This is going to be a very interesting relationship."

"Just promise me one thing," Emma said, settling back on Regina's chest. "If anyone asks us about our first date, you lie your ass off."