True Love, Actually

Chapter 2: Who do I have to kiss...?

Since they moved in on a Friday, Regina and Henry spent that weekend settling into their new home. Both to Regina's disappointment and relief she didn't see much of Emma over the weekend. She later discovered - from Mary Margaret - that Emma only worked weekdays so, therefore, had the weekend off.

Monday came around quick enough and Regina found herself in many meetings during her first official day as Prime Minister. It was during her last meeting of the afternoon that she was starting to grow weary. Looking at her watch, she sighed and finally spoke after listening for too long at someone prattling on.

"OK. What's next?"

"The President's visit."

Regina mentally rolled her eyes and sighed. Oh great, I almost forgot about that orange-faced baboon.

"Ah, yes, I fear this is going to be a difficult one to play. Me Spencer?"

"There's a strong feeling in the Party that we mustn't allow ourselves to be bullied from pillar to post like the last government," he gruffed.

"Here Here, here here," another man piped up. "This is our first really important test, let's take a stand."

"Right," Regina stated. "I understand that but I have decided not to. Not this time. We will of course try to be clever, but let's not forget that America is the most powerful country in the world. I'm not going to act like a petulant child."

Regina looked, once again, at her watch. She was feeling peckish.

"Right. Now who do you have to kiss around here to get a cup of tea and a biscuit?"

At that moment, the door to the conference room opened and Emma Swan walked in with a trolley filled with biscuits and two pots - one of tea, the other, coffee. She was completely oblivious to Regina's previous comment, smiling shyly when she happened to catch Regina's eyes on her. Regina smiled back, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. Fortunately, the others in the room were already too busy eyeing the trolley to notice the exchange between the two ladies.

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Later that day, Regina was back in her office going over the minutes of their meeting - alone - when there was a knock on her door.

"Yes, come in."

The door opened and Emma entered and walked towards Regina carrying some files.

"These have just come through from the treasury; and these are for you."

Emma placed the files and a small plate of cookies on Regina's desk.

"Excellent. Thank -you."

Regina looked back over her notes but felt Emma's presence lingering still in front of her, so she looked back up expectantly.

"Is there anything else, Ms Swan?"

"I...um. I was hoping you'd win, not that I wouldn't have been nice to the other guy,

just would have always given him the boring biscuits without the cinnamon."

"Thanks very much, Emma," Regina said, trying to sound more casual by calling her assistant by her first name.

She watched Emma walk back out and waited before she exclaimed to herself. " God, come on, get a grip. You're the Prime Minister, for God's sake!"

4 weeks till Christmas .

It had been a week since moving into number ten. Regina and Henry were getting more comfortable and enjoying the spacious setting. Henry had been thrilled to discover his bedroom was huge and he had a bathroom to himself. Regina was getting into a good routine and found her household staff quite pleasant. She had been worried, before moving in, that her reputation of being known as the Evil Queen would make them antagonistic towards her. It was a nickname given to her by the leader of the opposition, simply because she called him out on his ideas of keeping foreigners out. He was now the shadow prime minister, unfortunately. She hadn't needed to worry, though, as everyone of her household staff had been really wonderful. Especially towards Henry, who seemed to have them all wrapped around his little finger already. Including Emma.