hunnyfresh - Letters from War

"I suppose I can find a sitter for Friday."

Chapter 6

Chapter Notes

Disclaimer in Chapter One.

AN: My favourite thing about the response from the last chapter was that everyone assumed it was a date. You and I know that, but let's see how the ladies fare ;)

The diner was buzzing on Thursday evening. Not only was the special Granny's famous tuna fish casserole that she made only when she felt like it, but Ms. Tina Bell was bursting with news when she turned onto the patio. The running was partially due to the fact that she told the Pan boys she would buy them dinner if they stayed in school for that week - she couldn't wrangle those boys into school on a Friday even if she had pixie dust. But she had other news she was sure Ruby would thoroughly enjoy.

She pushed open the door with a strength unnatural for her petite size, the bell above it nearly falling off its hinges. The diner was crowded with Leroy and his friends huddled around two pushed together tables and sharing a casserole to themselves, the Tillmans in the corner booth with shakes in front of the twins, and a very pregnant Ashley, sitting atop the bar stool with her head ducked closely with Ruby's as they spoke animatedly.

"So she actually got Mayor Mills to wear a paper crown?" inquired the blonde.

"Yup," Ruby confirmed, wiping down the counter. "It was cute. They all had an apple drawn on it like a family crest. You really need to get out more, Ash. How do you not know this?"

"Dr. Whale says I shouldn't be on my feet all day."

"Did he say you should plug your ears too because I have good stuff."

"Hey." Tina slid onto the stool beside Ashley and nodded at Ruby in greeting.

"Did you hear about the May-" Ashley began, her eyes lighting up at the chance to share her recently acquired news before she was interrupted with a nod.

"I watch her boy for a living."

Ruby laughed and patted Ashley's arm. "I'll fill you in." She turned to Tina and held up a finger. "And I've got your order."

"So you know about the birthday?" Ashley asked.

"That's old news now," Tina said apologetically as Ruby laughed, walking toward the kitchen.

"I saw them at the toy store," Ashley said casually, taking the moment to finish off her water. "I think Emma bought Henry a bike."

"What?" Ruby backpedaled and leaned her forearms on the counter in front of both blondes.

Tina slammed the counter in excitement. "Oh! They were at the park together and there was a bike there. It was a quaint little family outing."

"Awww." Ashley pressed a hand to her chest. "With Sean working so much we don't get to have many family outings."

"And," Tina continued, leaning her head in conspiratorially, "they were holding hands."

" Shut up! " Ruby gasped.

Granny appeared from the kitchen, a spatula in her hand and a glare on her face. Ruby winced and apologized hastily but pressed for more information. "What do you mean they were holding hands?"

"Henry was spinning on the swings, and Regina was about to go into bitchy mode, but Emma took her hand and calmed her down," Tina provided with a proud grin. "I wouldn't be surprised if something was happening between them."

"Is that why Emma asked me where a nice place to eat is?" Ruby asked scandalized.

"She did?" Ashley looked to the brunette wide-eyed.

Tina pounded on the counter top in excitement again, unable to get the words she so desperately wanted to get out. It was why she had run here, after all, but this news just made everything better.

"What?" Ashley pressed, turning to face the older woman curiously.

"She asked me to babysit!" Tina finally released in a strangled breath. "This morning when they dropped off Henry, Regina asked if I would be available to watch him tomorrow night. She said it may be overnight."

"Overnight?!" Ruby squealed.

" Ruby ," Granny scolded from the back. "If you don't get back to work, so help me."

"Hold on, this is important," Ruby pleaded and grabbed Tina's arm. "She said overnight?"

"Well, late," she amended.

"Oh my god," the waitress straightened, and nodded her head with finality. "The Mayor is going on a date."

"Is this a date?" Regina asked from her spot in the passenger seat as she and Emma drove along Main the following night.

It was a little past seven by the time they had finally left the mansion. Regina had given Tina a forty-five minute lecture on Henry's bedtime, his bath instructions, what snacks he could and could not eat should he wake up, where the first aid kit was and the proper way to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a child. Tina had tried interrupting, saying she was well aware of the safety protocols, reminding Regina of her occupation, but the Mayor glared and continued to show Tina the proper steps using Emma as her dummy. The daycare teacher turned babysitter shut up immediately for that demonstration.

By the time Regina had listed off the list of emergency contact numbers, Emma had stepped in and provided her own, taking Regina's waist and ushering her aside, saying to call them if she needed anything. Henry had been all too excited to spend some extra time with Ms. Tina, which made Regina even more reluctant to leave, but with a pointed expression from Emma, Regina had successfully made her way to the Volkswagen.

"A date?" Emma repeated her question, her voice rising an octave. "Why would you say that?"

"Dinner. Movie. Friday night."

Emma swallowed hard and focused on driving. August had asked that too when she had called him earlier that day, and now that Regina had mentioned it, she had no idea what to say. Friends went out to the movies, right? Emma used to do that all the time. Except usually she went by herself. Sneaking in. But this wasn't a date. It was just two friends, hanging out.

"The rumour mill has unofficially speculated this as a date," Regina continued, casting a side glance at Emma. "My colleagues believe I can't hear what they're saying when they take their breaks by the water cooler."

Emma let out a chuckle and relaxed her grip on the wheel. Her lips twitched and she winked coyly. "Maybe we should give them something to talk about."

Regina laughed, shaking her head but continued to grin. "So where is this 'date'? The theatre is on Elm, you know?"

Emma shook her head and continued down Main until she reached the road that led out of town. "I was thinking of something else. Get away from the prying eyes of Storybrooke. Plus, can you imagine the rumour mill tomorrow?"

"Oh?" Regina asked intrigued. "What did you have in mind?"

Emma simply grinned and pressed a little harder on the gas as they passed the "Leaving Storybrooke" sign.

They drove for over twenty minutes, fighting over the radio station. Emma had it tuned into the Top 40s, but Regina groaned and haphazardly pushed buttons on the dashboard to escape from the repetitive bass and meaningless drivel. The sounds of an acoustic voice harmonizing soulfully with the music appeared to be more her taste, but Emma couldn't stand it and pressed for a different station. After Emma had given Regina a musification, preaching how Guns N Roses were the greatest band ever, they had settled on a station that was currently on its rotation of Aerosmith's I Don't Want to Miss a Thing .

"This reminds me of you," Regina commented casually as the chorus played softly in the background.

"Missing me already?" Emma teased.

Regina rolled her eyes and shook her head. "It was featured in a movie I once saw, well before I had Henry."

Emma turned to look at the Mayor and grinned. "You've seen Armageddon ?"

"Everyone has seen Armageddon , dear. I admit, it's well done."

"And it reminds you of me?" Emma raised an eyebrow holding back a chuckle.