The One With The Trickery

"Fine, sis, you go on being in denial. Not my problem. Just trying to be a helpful sister," Zelena shrugged her shoulders. So what if Regina didn't listen to her. She had enough of her. But before she poofed out, Regina had her last words.

"I swear to all that is sacred, I will end you, Zelena if you spread these ridiculous accusations," Regina pointed at her chest. "End you."

"These are simple observations, sis. Not my fault you're as blind as a bat. Ta-ta," she poofed before Regina could throw a fireball at her. Zelena would have to make do with rectifying the situation. By any means necessary. She arrived at the diner only to find the sickeningly sweet and innocent appearing Charmings. She looked at Snow who smiled back at her waving baby Neal's little hand toward her, gestured a "hello" And with that, Zelena had a stroke of genius.

Two days had passed since Regina had her disagreement with Zelena. Two days where she plotted and discarded plots in equal measure. Two days and it was already Monday morning. She loved to plot, one of her favorite past times, but now it was time to get back to the daily grind of being Mayor. She had an extra half hour on days that Emma had Henry so she decided to clean a bit around the house before dressing and departing for work. She felt accomplished when she got tasks done before 8am. It made her feel driven and focused. She even had enough time to select all her outfits for the week. Today, she decided to don her favorite outfit. Crisp, clean and sharp as a knife three-piece black suit with white trim on the lapels, and a white button-up tucked beneath a vest. She wasn't in the mood for the town's bullshit today and this conveyed the message quite clearly. She parked at Granny's to grab a coffee before going to her office. She entered the diner and went straight for the counter and disregarded all the patrons as she normally did. She did not spot the incessant blonde or Henry, so there was no need to engage the peasants.

Ruby had begun to pour coffee and glanced up to see the Mayor in front of her. He jaw dropped. She was at a loss for words.

"Good morning, I hope that's my coffee, Miss Lucas," said Regina politely enough yet conveyed her authority. Ruby continued to pour until the coffee overflowed and spilled all over the counter. "What the hell are you doing!" Regina shot backward.

Ruby sputtered and tried to clean up the mess as fast as she could. "I'm sorry. It's just you're so hot."

Regina raised her eyebrows. She knew the little wolfette had a crush on her. Inwardly, she liked looking at her in skimpy outfits during the curse and was pleased to know that Ruby kept up the practice to a degree. She felt very pleased that the canine pointed out the obvious though spilling coffee nearly on her wasn't entirely pleasant. "My my, looks like the dog has some teeth."

Granny came in from the back room at the moment and stopped in her tracks to stare at Regina. "Regina, what on earth are you doing? How dare you. This is a family establishment. I won't have any of that in here. Get out."

Regina who had been amused if not slightly irritated went to cold fury in a heartbeat, "Excuse me. Do you know to whom you are speaking to?"

"I won't have any of that! Out!"

Regina heard a chuckle that could only be from one person. "Oh Regina, dear, you're causing quite a scene over coffee." Regina turned to glare at her sister.

"Scene? The wolf here spilled coffee and it's my fault?"

"Did you not hear me, I said get out," said Granny fiercely.

Zelena was quick to defend Regina, "Down girl. There's not any harm in this, is there?"

"Granny, it's nothing really. Nothing that hasn't happened around here before with me. Sorry Regina, she's got a stick up her bum for these kinds of things," she handed over a new coffee to Regina. But Regina found the eyes of every patron staring at her. Zelena smiled broadly as Snow walked in with Charming and Neal. They stopped dead in their tracks.