V IS FOR VENDETTA

Blood In The Water

Despite Lena's best efforts to keep Regina at arms length, Emma seemed to have taken quite fondly to playing cupid. With the Wicked Witch at large someone needed to keep an eye on Grace and Henry, and Lena had been more than happy to oblige.

Until they're about to head out for ice cream and Regina is waiting on the other side of the door with her hand poised, ready to knock.

"Oh. Good morning." She offers with a wide smile.

"Hey Mayor Mills." Henry greets without glancing up from his nintendo, and Lena feels a pang of sympathy at the barely concealed hurt in Regina's eyes.

"What's up?" Grace says, more of an attempt at swift dismissal than way of greeting.

"Well, Emma mentioned you were going for ice cream. I was wondering if I could join you? I know a great little parlour in town."

When Lena doesn't seem immediately enthralled, Grace sends her mother a curious look. Not the innocent kind. The kind that means this minor stutter will be scientifically examined when they are next  alone.

"Of course." Lena smiles with as much enthusiasm as she can muster. She snatches Henry's console from his hand and tosses it onto the sofa. "That's not coming with us. Your eyes are gonna go square." 

"You literally spend four hours a day watching The Real Housewives." The teen snarks back as they descend their stairwell as a group, both womens arms brushing together.

"So, Regina. You still wanna take my mom off my hands?" Grace asks smugly, smirk widening at the killer look she receives from her mother. "The others have all gone running for the hills."

"Grace!" Lena admonishes. In all her life she'd never known embarrassment... until her daughter came along.

"What? If you two are gonna get it on, she should at least know what she's getting herself into!" The teen retorts, holding her hands up defensively.

Regina's jaw tightens, and the look in her eyes tells Lena she has some explaining to do about 'the others'.

"Well, Grace. I very much enjoy your mothers company. And we all have our baggage."

"Bet that's not all you enjoy." Grace snorts to herself, wisely putting a few paces between herself and the older women as she and Henry are drawn to the window of a pet shop. Lena can't help but delight in the blush on Regina's cheeks.

"Not a word." The raventte warns. "Only your daughter..."

The atmosphere becomes much lighter then as Lena's smile beams with pride as she watches her daughter.

"You're so good with them. I suppose I should thank you- for taking care of Henry." Regina murmurs hushedly, subtly stepping closer to Lena.

"Well, he was... is my nephew. I can't shake that feeling overnight. I dont think I want to." Lena frowns. "I love that kid like he's my own now."

"Well, he's always been fond of you. Even before New York." Regina tells her, watching as Henry moves his finger along the glass while a three legged kitten follows. "He's got a penchant for fixing broken things."

Lena chooses to ignore that, taking to her daughters side and scrunching her nose at the puppy licking the glass.

"Mom, can we get him?" Grace tugs on her sleeve insistently. "Look how much he wants to get out!"

"Hm. Look how much fur he's left everywhere." Lena says flatly. "There's less in Cruella De Vil's wardrobe. I think I'll pass."

"You're so annoying." Grace groans, but accepts this is a fight she won't win.