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“Gold said..” Emma started but paused at Regina’s snort of laughter.

“Emma, Sidney is nothing to be concerned about,” Regina told her as she put her oven mitts on and pulled a round cake tin out of the oven.

Emma ran her hand through her hair and watched as the brunette carefully prodded the cake to ascertain if it was cooked, “Regina, I’m worried, Sidney is.. unhinged.. I know you feel you’ve got it all covered but I want to be safe rather than sorry.”

Regina turned around with confused concern etched on her face, “okay, what do you suggest? You are the Sheriff..”

“Sidney probably doesn’t know about Grace and I think that’s a good thing,” Emma said and was pleased when Regina acknowledged that with a nod.

“I think Henry and Grace should stay with David and Mary Margaret,” Emma said quickly, expecting Regina to argue the point.

“Why would they be any safer there?” Regina asked as she placed the cake back in the oven.

“Sidney doesn’t know that you and Mary Margaret are..” Emma paused as Regina turned around and regarded her with a raised eyebrow, “..not mortal enemies anymore?”

Regina nodded that she’d allow that comment and Emma continued, “he wouldn’t think to look there.”

With a fold of the arms and a look of consideration Regina nodded, “I could cast a protection spell around the apartment, it would be small and therefore easier to maintain. And Sidney is bound to come here, when he does finally find his balls to do so..”

Emma laughed despite the tense situation and then asked, “so you’re okay with that? I can call Mary Margaret?”

Regina sighed, “very well, let me just finish my cake first.”

“It smells delicious,” Emma commented with a glance towards the oven.

“It’s Madeira cake,” Regina said casually.

“Oh, cool,” Emma’s eyes lit up and then she took in Regina’s manner, “did.. you make that for me?”

Regina blushed and turned her attention to clearing away some baking items, “yes, I thought we might have dinner this evening, just you and I. So I made the cake for dessert.”

Emma smiled, “like a date?”

Regina’s blush intensified, “well, if you consider dinner at home with Henry babysitting Grace upstairs a date then.. yes. Well, that was my idea anyway, we don’t have to..”

“Sounds perfect,” Emma replied honestly, “and now the kids will be out of the house so no need to lock Henry away upstairs,” she winked.

Regina opened the oven door and pulled the cake out and casually asked, “shouldn’t you be calling your mother?”

Emma grinned at the shy woman who had her back to her and nodded, “I’ll call her now,” she said as she left the room and pulled her mobile phone out of her pocked and dialled Mary Margaret.

One ring managed to sound before Mary Margaret’s voice loudly answered, “oh, Emma, David’s told me everything! Are you okay?”

“We’re fine,” Emma assured her, “but we do need a favour..”

“Sure, anything,” Mary Margaret said readily.

“I think it would be best if Henry and Grace stay with you guys until we’ve found Sidney, we’re pretty sure he is going to come here and if he does I don’t want..”

“Say no more,” Mary Margaret replied, “bring them over whenever you like.”

“Regina wants to cast some kind of protection spell on the apartment,” Emma told her, “I don’t really know what that involves..”

“Sounds like a good idea,” Mary Margaret interrupted, “whatever keeps them safe.”

“Okay,” Emma said as Regina exited the kitchen and crossed the hallway while unfolding her rolled up sleeves and re-buttoning the cuffs, “we’ll be there in..”

Regina caught her question and replied, “around half an hour?”

“About half an hour,” Emma said as she followed Regina up the stairs.

“Okay, see you soon,” Mary Margaret said and they ended the call.

“I’ll pack up Grace’s things,” Regina said as they got to the top of the stairs, “can you talk to Henry? I’ve explained about Sidney being,” she looked to Henry’s door in case he was listening, “unwell.”

“Okay,” Emma said and knocked on Henry’s door.

“Yeah?” Henry called out and she entered the room to see he was on his bed reading a book, although he clearly wasn’t really reading the book and looked like he had just launched himself across the room and onto his bed as Emma entered.

Not knowing how much he had heard Emma decided that honesty was the best policy, “hey, Kid, I’m sorry to do this to you but we need you and Grace to stay with Mary Margaret and David until Sidney is caught.”

Henry nodded his understanding slowly but sadly asked, “does Mister Glass want to hurt Mom?”

Emma swallowed, “sort of,” she nodded, “Mister Glass is quite a sick man and he doesn’t always understanding what is right and what is wrong. Which is why it’s safer for you and Grace to be elsewhere for a while.”

“But you’re going to stay and look after Mom, right?” Henry asked.

“Absolutely,” Emma told him with a firm nod, “I’m not going to leave her side.”

“Okay,” Henry said, “but you’ll let me know what is happening, right?”

Emma nodded, “I promise I will text you with updates.”