Title: 12 Days of Christmas - Day 8
Author: Shatterpath
Feedback address: shatterpath@shatterstorm.net
Date in Calendar: 19 December 2013
Fandom: Once Upon a Time
Pairing: Emma and Regina, eventually.
Rating: soft PG. Barely!
Date Written: December 2013
Word Count: still a work in progress!
Summary: (sing it with me now) For the Twelve Days of Christmas, my OUaT author gave to me...
Warnings: nope
Website: ShatterStorm Productions – Doggie Duo
Link to: http://bdkk.shatterstorm.net/
Archive: ShatterStorm Productions & AO3 only…all others ask for permission & we'll see…
Feedback: Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Advertisement: Part of the FSAC:DW13

Disclaimer: "Once Upon a Time," the characters, and situations depicted are the property of Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis, Kitsis/Horowitz, and ABC Studios. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes. Previously unrecognized characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. This site is in no way affiliated with "Once Upon a Time," ABC, or any representatives of the actors.

Author's Notes: I enjoyed the challenge of using the famous Christmas song for this! It took some finagling to get the verse titles right-- not to mention come up with an fic idea for a few of them-- but I enjoyed myself writing this. It was written just before the half-season finale, so keep that in mind. Much of my story will contradict the final ep.

Beta: ariestess

8 Dwarves a Digging

They had been eight once, sexless dwarves born from their enormous eggs deep underground. Even iconic old Grumpy, forever altered by the drifting cloud of fairy dust that had made him different than his brothers. They had lost Stealthy to the danger of befriending Snow White and found a new brother in Tiny, here in a world with no magic; all through the madness of a mother and daughter.

As though conjured up by the memories, the Evil Queen herself appeared in the dingy mine shaft. Though, the heavy stumble over the scattered debris ruined any sort of dramatic entrance.

"Well hey, partner."

Emma's jovial greeting dragged Regina's attention away from scowling at the offending stone and she smiled faintly. The blonde left off her work beside her dwarven 'uncles' and leaned heavily on the ax. Even the small men whose purpose was to dig, were impressed with the stamina in body of Snow's grown daughter. Beside the more voluptuous Regina, Emma looked downright whipcord lean if not for the muscles ridged with her workout.

"I thought you might be hungry," Regina offered, handing an honest to Abe picnic basket over to her pale counterpart. "They're pasties. I was watching a show called 'Good Eats' with Henry some time ago and Alton Brown informed us that these were a traditional European miner's food. Hearty and filling and still warm."

Emma had never dealt with Regina at her lowest, the way the dwarves had. Though, even with the memories of what had happened to Henry, there was no hesitation for a dusty hand to root around in the warm cloth cradling the food. Nor did Emma hesitate to take a big, solid bite out of the flaky pastry she found, her expression delighted. Humming appreciatively, she chewed while fishing around for more.

"There are sweet ones on the bottom," Regina deadpanned, but there was an thrum of distinct affection in her tone. "The savory is ground pork and cabbage and the sweet are yams with a bit of brown sugar and apricot preserves."

"Sheesh, this is good," Emma marveled after she swallowed and her smile was positively sunny. "Thanks so much, Regina. Guys, come eat."

Unsurprisingly, they all hesitated, exchanging loaded glances. It took Emma a moment to notice, her chewing slowing, before she rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Come on, Regina, I'll walk you out."

Leaving the basket on the mine floor, Emma grabbed her sweatshirt and herded out her companion, one hand resting easily on Regina's back in encouragement. None of the dwarves moved, even after the women disappeared around the corner, though they could hear Emma's voice floating back to them.

"Y'know, if I were an evil bitch, I totally would have feigned choking on this and scared the hell out of those eight."

Regina's aghast, "Emma!" did not at all sound feigned.