#reginalovesrobinhood

Pieces

 Hours after crossing back over the town line, Robin and Regina are back at her house. Having been brought up to date on the latest villain, Robin is refusing to leave Regina’s side. Not that she minds, (that much). She has missed him and wants to spend as much time as she can with him.

 Which led to them relaxing on the couch, having a marvel movie marathon with Henry.

 “We have to watch the Avengers mom. You can’t have a marvel marathon and not watch the Avengers.” Henry argues.

 “We’ve already watched Thor 1 and 2. And all of the Iron man movies. I think we’ve seen enough for today.”

“Aww come on mom. Robin would love it. He’s just like Hawkeye.”

“Hawkeye? What is that?” Robin asks from his position on the couch. Half laid out, Regina half laying on him, his arm wrapped around her waist, his hand settled on her stomach, gently rubbing circles on the slight bump forming there.

 “He’s an awesome archer. He can hit targets without even looking at them.” Henry says excitedly.

“Hmm impressive. Though I’d bet my money that I’m the better marksmen. After all, I am Robin Hood.”

 “Don’t let your ego get to big dear.” Regina pushes against his he’s chest, lifting herself up. She stretches her muscles having been in the same position for hours.

 “Never dear. So Henry, if I am like Hawkeye. Who would your mother be?”

 “Which one?” Regina jokes.

“Both.” He says with a shrug.

 “Um. Emma I guess could be Scarlet Witch. She has cool powers but still hasn’t learned to control them. Mom. That’s harder, The Enchantress would fit, Amora not Sylvia Lushton.” He continues but is cut off.

 “Hey why is Emma the Scarlet Witch but I’m the Enchantress?” She questions.

 “Ah hello. She’s the second most powerful sorcerous in all of Asgard. She’s awesome. She can get anyone to do her bidding, can make magical shields, and control minds. How is that an insult? ” He looks at her for a moment before he continues. “Or you could be Scarlet Witch in Avengers Disassembled. You’re also kind of like Loki too. Messed up childhoods, siblings who try to kill each other, having one really, really bad parent and one who actually shows you love. Yea either Loki or the Enchantress.”

 Robin simply stares at the two of them. Having no idea what he just said. He decides to simple play along with the little knowledge he does have on the matter.

 “Loki is cool. Odin is a dick though. They should have just made Thor 2 a Loki movie.”

 “It would be awesome to have a Loki movie.” Before Henry can continue, a faint but very noticeable clicking sound distracts everyone.

“What is that?” Henry ask, the noise is coming from the front door.

“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Magic seeps from Regina’s finger tips, ready to use on command. But a hand comes up to stop her before she can reach the door.

“Regina wait, you don’t know what is behind that door.” Robin says in a hushed tone as to not let whoever or whatever is trying to get in.

“I don’t care who it is. No one breaks into my home while my family is here and gets away with it.”

 Realizing there is no talking her out of is, Robin simple grabs the nearest weapon he can, a metal candle stand, and cautiously follows her to the door. The clicking sound continues, Regina uses magic to swing the door open, surprising the-would-be intruder. Regina freezes them in place, Robin was about to knock the person out before he hears a familiar yell.

 “Oi, not the face!”

 “Will Scarlet? What in bloody hell do you think you are doing?” Robin yells, dropping the candle stand down to his side.

 “Nice to see you too mate. I heard you were back, couldn’t spare a moment to come see me? And here I thought we had something special.” Regina has unfrozen him, so he rises up off his knees. His lock picking tools dropped to the floor.

 “I was going to stop by camp later tonight to see everyone.” Robin has placed the candle stick back in its original. “Word around town is that you have been courting Belle. Is this true?”

 “You know, you should never listen to people in this town. All a bunch of gossips.”

 “I hate to interrupt your little powwow here, but would you mind telling what the hell you were doing breaking into my home?” Regina demands.  Not that she doesn’t like Will. These past few weeks he has been a good friend when she needed one. He is one of the few people in town who knew of her pregnancy. But right now he is not her favorite person, not only did he attempt to break into her home, but he interrupted her evening with her family.

 “Right, well I was hoping you wouldn’t be here, I didn’t see your car….” He fumbles trying to find an excuse that won’t result in a fire ball being thrown at his head. Regina cuts him off before he can continue.

 “We left it at the Sorcerers house. I won’t ask again. Why were you breaking into my house?” Regina nearly yells. She has less patience now with the pregnancy and she is very close to turning Will into a toad.

 Will doesn’t answer right away, he reaches into his leather jacket, pulling out a manila envelope.

 “If you would’ve let me finish Queenie,” He smirks at Regina, to which she rolls her eyes at. It’s become their own little inside joke. “I would’ve told you that I was just coming to drop something off for you.”

“What is it?” She asks skeptically. Everyone knows she hates surprises.

 Will simply hands the envelope to her. “Open it and find out.”

 Regina hesitates. “Come on mom, open it.”

 She turns to Henry who now stands on her right. Robin on her left. Slowly she unwraps the string that holds the flaps closed. She gasps when she pulls out the semi restored page 23 that she had torn up weeks earlier.

 “How? When? Where did you find it? I went back and it wasn’t there I thought I had lost it.” Regina stumbles. She’s fighting a losing battle with her emotions. Tears pool in her eyes. With a gentle finger she caresses the photo. Tape holds the torn pieces together. But you can still clearly see the two figures depicted in the image.

 “I picked it up after you left. I tried to tape it back together.”

 “Mom. Is that the page you were telling me about? Maybe it has some clues about who the Author is.” Henry exclaims.

 Regina doesn’t answer, she still focused on the paper. The tears have fallen and don’t seem to want to stop anytime soon. But they are not tears of sadness, but tears of relief, of joy. She feared that their page would be lost to her forever, just like Robin was supposed to be. But both are back, the page is damaged but she doesn’t care.

 “Regina? Are you alright?” Robin is concerned. She hasn’t lifted her gaze from the page. Though he is interested to know the story behind why their page was torn, he is more concerned about the woman holding it than anything else.

 She shakes her head to clear her thought. She turns to her soulmate, eyes still wet from tears but the smile that lights up her face lets him know that she is just fine.

 “I thought I’d never see you again.” She stares and Robin knows she’s talking about the day at the town line. “I thought maybe a second chance was too much of me to ask for after everything I had done.” She hold up her hand to stop both Henry and Robin from arguing. “I know what the both of you are going to say but at that moment that’s what I thought. And this picture,” She looks down briefly at the page still in her hand. “This was a reminder of what I couldn’t have. So after you crosses the town line, I ripped it. I didn’t want to look at it anymore. I left right after you did and I left the pieces there. It wasn’t until Henry found the Authors house that I realized what I did.  Went back looking for the pieces but they were gone. I looked for hours but I couldn’t find them.” Regina turns back to look at Will “Why didn’t you tell me you had them?”

 “I was working with Belle to see if we could fix it. A spell of some kind but each one we tried wouldn’t work. It seems this paper is resistant to magic. But when I heard Robin was back figured you’d want it back. Even if it’s damaged.”

 Regina nods her head in agreement. She wipes the tears still falling from her eyes. Later she will say it was because of the hormones but Regina wraps her arms around will in a bone crushing hug.

“Thank you.” She whispers into his shoulder. Will hugs her back. Neither will admit it but over the course of these six weeks they have become friends. “No problem Queenie.”

 When Regina pulls back from the hug, again she tries to wipe away her tears, a futile attempt that it is. “Damn hormones.” She mutter under her breath. She returns to Robin’s side, he pulls her right to him. Her back resting flush against his front. He wraps his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. Regina holds page 23 up so they can both look at it. They stand like that for a while, just enjoying being able to hold each other. But a loud grumble interrupts. Everyone looks at Regina with a raised brow.

 “What?” She asks with a shrug.

 “It sounds like someone is hungry milady.” He grins, poking her on her side. She tries to move away but he holds her firmly in place.

 “Shut up. In case you have forgotten I have another person growing inside me.”

 Robin looks lovingly at Regina. “No my love could never forget.” He rests his forehead against hers for a moment. Put pulls away a moment later. “Henry my boy.” He turns his attention to the teen. “Mind helping me whip up something for a late lunch?”

 Henry smiles nodding his head.

 Robin clasps his arm around his shoulder. “Wonderful.”

 As much as she loves the idea of cooking with her family, she knows how much Robin wanted to go see his Merry Men. “I think Henry and I can manage the food. You should go see the Merry Men before it gets too late.”

 “Oh don’t worry bout them Queenie. They’ll understand if old Robbie waits a day before seeing them.” Will says still standing in the doorway.

 “Will’s right. I’m sure they won’t mind if it’s a little late when I drop by. Besides, I never did get to make you breakfast.” He smiles knowing she knows what he means.

 Regina also smile for the millionth time today. “Fine. But we need to start cooking because I am starving.” She says very dramatically making the others laugh. She turns to Will and asks, “Would you like to stay? It’s the least I can do.” She says sincerely.

 Will smiles but shakes his head. “Thanks for the offer, but actually I’m meeting Belle at Granny’s.”

 “You two have been seeing an awful lot of each other lately.” Regina smirks.

 “I don’t know what you’re talking bout.” He says nonchalantly.

 “Oh come on Mate, this is an interesting development that I am very eager to hear about.” Robin joins in the teasing. “So come on, out with it.”

 “Well would you look at the time.” Will looks at his wrist that bares no watch. “I really do need to be going now. Been great to see you guys.” Will turns on his heels and briskly walks away from the laughing trio.

 “I will find out.” Robin yells. Will waves his hand in goodbye. “Now come, let’s go feed you.” He pulls Regina to the kitchen.

 “Can we make potato rellenas mom?” Henry asks going to the fridge already starting to pull the ingredients out.

 “Sure. I don’t see why not.” Regina is led by Robin to a chair and told to sit. “I’m not going to sit, I’m perfectly capable of making lunch.” She had a slight miffed look on her face.

 “I have no doubt in that love, but I also believe that Henry and I are just as capable of making it ourselves. Aren’t we Henry?”

 “Yeah mom, just sit. I’ve seen you make these 100 times. We’ve got this.”

 Regina crinkles her nose but obeys. “Fine, but if either of you think this is going to be a normal occurrence in the coming months I can tell you right now. It is not going to happen.”

 Henry and Robin look at each other and grin before returning to the task at hand.

 Later after everyone is fed and relaxed, Regina slips into her room, page 23 I hand. She magically conjures a frame and places the page inside. She clears a spot on her wall for it to hang. She purposely places it somewhere where she will see it first thing in the morning. A daily reminder that this is real. That she finally has a happy ending.

 Arms wrapping around her middle pull her from her thought.

 “Hey. Did you call Marian?”  Regina asks bringing her hands down to cover his.

 “I did. Just go off the phone with her. We go tomorrow to pick them up.”

 Regina turns her head and looks up. “We?”

 “Yeah, Marian had put Roland on the phone so I could tell him goodnight. He asked where I was, and when I told him I was with you he demanded that his Gina come get him tomorrow.” He smiles down at her.

 “Do you think that’s a good idea? Marian can only be so tolerant of me, and I don’t want to cause any trouble between you two.”

 “Marian and I have already talked everything out. She knows you are going to be a part of Roland and my lives. She wants me to be happy and she knows that it is you how make me happy.”

 “But we still don’t know if Marian can cross the town line. What if the Snow Queens Curse is still lingering?”

“Then we will find a way to fix it. There are some small abandoned cottages not too far from the town. I had been looking into them, thinking I could stay in one so we could be closer when the town line opened. If Marian is unable to come over then she can stay in one of those, Roland would be able to visit his mother as much as he likes. Whatever it takes, we will figure it out. Everything will be fine.”

 She looks turns to face him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulls his forehead to rest against hers. She inhales deeply, having missed the smell of forest. “You promise?”

 He kisses her forehead, then bother her eyes, cheeks, nose, and then her mouth. “I promise. No matter what happens, we will handle it together.” His arms pull her impossibly closer, until she is wrapped in his embrace.

 Being in his embrace made her feel an overwhelming sense of love and calm. The road ahead of them will be a long and hard one. There is going to be challenges, villains threatening their happiness, and even their own stubbornness.  But as long as they are together, as long as both of them are willing to fight for their life together, nothing nor anyone will be able to separate them again.

He runs. He runs as fast as he’s able to push his body. You can hear the gravel crunch under his boots, his breath coming out in ragged huffs. His legs and back ach from the sudden movement but he does not stop. He knows that he will regret it later, he is not the young man who used to run for his life from the Evil Queen.

But right now he’s not running from her. He’s running to her. The curse that has kept him from her for eight excruciating weeks has finally broke. And he doesn’t waste a moment to find her. He runs till he reaches Granny’s Diner, thinking she might be there he makes it his first stop.

 He quickly pulls the door open, almost taking it clear off the hinges. He enters looking for the one face he wants to see most.

 But she’s not here.

 “Robin?” Snow can’t believe her eyes. Her voice grabs his attention.

“Snow. Where is Regina?” He makes his way to where she sits with David and the now much bigger Neal.

“Robin how are you here? When did you get her? How did you get back? Is the curse down?” She keep asking question after question, but had yet to answer his. He interrupts her not wanting to waste any more time.

“None of that matter right now Snow. Please I need to see Regina please tell me you know where she is.”

 The half heart Snow has in her chest breaks at the look of sheer desperation on the man’s face.

 “She’s with Emma and Henry, at the authors house.” David says looking just as shocked to see him as everyone else in the diner.

“The author? Has she found him? Never mind I’ll ask her but where is the house at?” He asks hurriedly

“It’s that big house in the forest. It’s not too far from your old camp” Snow explains.

 Knowing which house they are referring to he said a quick thank you before he’s running again.

 And he didn’t stop before he makes it to the house. Deciding against knocking and walks right in.  

Searching around, he sees no one, but he can hear people.

 “You can’t give up mom. We’ll find something.”

“He’s right Regina. You can’t give up ho,.”

“If you say hope I swear to god I will remove your tongue.”

 Robins, heart skips when he hears her voice. He stands outside the room where the three are sitting. He can’t see her, she has her back to him. But her shoulders are sunk, and her head is down.

 “It’s no use. We’ve been looking for weeks and we are n closer to finding the author than we were when we began.” Her voice is strained. She sounds exhausted. He wants nothing more than to take her into his arms and never let her go.

 “We will find him Regina. I told you already. I won’t stop looking until you get your happy ending.”

“What’s the point?” Regina raises her voice. “My soulmate is gone and can never come back. It doesn’t matter if we are able to change how the book views me. That fact will never change.”

 Unable to see her in pain, Robin makes his presence known.

 “Now who are you, and what have you done with Regina?” His draws Emma and Henry’s eyes towards him. Regina’s shoulders square, but she doesn’t turn around. “Because the Regina I know and love with all my heart, would never give up on something she wants.”

 Regina slowly rises, but still does not turn around.

 “How, how are you here?” Emma asks with the same shocked expression her mother wore mere minutes ago.

“I don’t know how. All I know is that I’ve been coming back to the town line every day. And every day I would pray that I would see the Welcome to Storybrooke sign. But I never did. That is not until today. And as soon as I saw it I came running.”

 Robin makes his way over to Regina, who still had not turned to him.

 “Hey kid, let’s give them a minute kay.” Henry reluctantly agrees and follows her out.

“Regina.” He gets no response so he rounds the chair to face her. She has her eyes closed.

“Milady, please. Open your eyes.”

She shacks her head. “No.” Her voice cracks with emotion.

“Why not?” He asks confused.

“You’re not really here. You can’t be here. Once I open my eyes I’ll wake up. And I’ll be alone again.”

 The tears he has tried to keep in fall down his face. He brings his hand up to her face, whipping her tears away from her eyes.

 “It’s me. I really am here. And I promise I will never, ever leave your side again.” He rubs his thumb back and forth on her cheek. “Please love. Open your eyes.”

 Her eyes flutter open but her gaze stayed fixated on the floor. She takes a few shaky breaths before she looks up.

Brown eyes meet blue, both sets crying freely now.

“Robin, you’re really here?”

“Yes I am.” He pulls her to him. After week of separation, he can’t seem to get close enough to her. “I am here, and I am not going anywhere. As long as you will have me I will remain by your side.”

Regina releases a watery laugh. “Is forever okay?”

He can’t help but chuckle. “That sound perfect.”

 No able to wait any longer, Robin pulls her in to a kiss. One that Regina responds to in kind.

 Having her lips on his was like coming home. He made himself a vow. To never go a day without kissing her. Without telling her how much he loves her.

 Regina moans into the kiss. She raises her hands to tangle themselves into his hair. As does one of Robins. The other rests on her waist, squeezing it every so often.

 Seeing that things could very likely get out of hand, Regina reluctantly pulls her mouth away from his. Both are breathing heavy, stupid happy grins on their faces.

 “I have missed you so much. Every day away from you felt like a lifetime.” He rests his forehead against hers. Unwilling to allow any space between them. “I love you. I love you so much and I swear to you now, I will never go a single day and not tell you.” He stares directly into her eyes.

 A sob escapes Regina’s lips. Tears fall from her eyes, but the wide grin on her face lets him know that they are tears of joy.

 “I never thought I’d hear those words from you. I thought for sure when you left I’d never see you again.” She pulls him it a tight embrace. Her head rests on his chest, her hands cling to his back afraid to let him slip away.

 His arms wrap around her frame puling her tightly to him. “As did I. But I am here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

 They stand there for a while, simply enjoying being in each other’s arms. It’s Regina who pulls away first.

 “You have no Idea how happy I am that you are here.” He gives her a bright smile, one that she returns. “But Robin. I have to tell you something.” Her face grows serious, causing his smile to fall.

“What is it my love? Are you ill? I just saw Henry but only for a moment. Is he okay?”

“No, he’s fine. And no I’m not ill. But a lot of things have changed since you’ve been gone.”

 She adverts her gaze, not looking into his eyes.

 “Regina, you’re scaring me, what’s wrong?” His pleases with her, lifting her chin to look into her eyes. “Whatever it is, we will handle it together.” He says assumingly.

 “You might want to wait to hear what it is before you say that.” Fear, and doubt swim in her eyes.

He shacks his head before he answers. “It doesn’t matter what it is. I told you before, partners remember. Nothing you could tell me would make me leave you.”

 Regina releases another sob.

“It’s okay Regina. Just tell me.” He runs a soothing hand up and down her back. Giving her the time she needs.

 But she doesn’t say anything. Instead she pulls away from his grasp. She turns around to look through her purse that sat by an arm chair. She pulls something out before she turns back to the silent thief.

 “I found out a week ago.” She hands him the paper, but says nothing else.

 “Found what out?” He asks looking at the picture. It’s small, black and white and he can’t figure out what it’s supposed to be.

 “Regina, I don’t understand. What is this supposed to be?”

 She takes a deep breath before she answers him.

 “In this world, there is a machine called an ultra sound. Doctors use it to look inside someone body without actually having to cut them open and look inside them.” She clears her throat and continues. “You can take a picture of what you see, that’s what this is.”

 Still confused he nods his head and asks. “And what is this a picture of?”

 She steps next to him, pointing to the photo.

 “See this little dot right here.” Drawing his attention back to the photo. “This tiny little dot.”

 “Yes.”

 Taking one last shaky breath she waits for his eye’s to meet hers before she says.

 “It’s a baby.” Her right hand drift to cover her stomach. “It our baby.”

 It takes a moment for Robin to register what she has just said. Just stares at her hand.

 Regina draws her bottom lip between her teeth, chewing on it nervously. “Robin.” She gets no reply. Seeing his silence as rejection she backs away from him.

 Seeing her retreating form, he quickly grabs her by the waist bring her back to him. Tears have pooled around his eyes. He smiles at Regina, one of his hands cover hers.

 “You’re pregnant? We are having a baby?” His voice is thick with emotion.

“Yes I am. We’re having a baby.”

 Robin drops to his knees. He places both his hands where their child rests safely in its mother’s womb. Regina tangles her hand into his hair.

 Robin firmly kisses her flat stomach. Caressing her sides he keeps his face pressed against her.

He doesn’t say anything, just stands there, holding onto her like his life depends on it.

Regina runs her fingers through his hair, but become alarmed when she sees his shoulders shake from silent sobs.

“Robin, Robin what’s wrong?” She asks carefully.

 He shakes his head back and forth. Unable to speak, he just holds onto her. She gives him a moment, calmly rubbing his head, speaking soothing words.

 When he is able to speak again, it comes out strained and cracking from his sobs.

 “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

 Confused Regina sinks down to his level. Taking he’s face into her hands, she wipes his tears away.

 “Why are you apologizing? You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I left you. I left with the thought that I could never return. I left you both. Had the curse not broken I would have never known about the baby. You would have had to raise our child alone. Because I left. I left you, and I am so sorry.” More tears fall from his eyes.

 Regina rests her forehead against his. Making sure he is looking into her eyes.

 “Robin, you left to save Marian. You had no other choice. You did what was right. And had the curse never broken, our child would have known that their father was an amazing man who would have loved them so much. And that he had to leave to save someone’s life. You never have to apologize for that. The baby would have known you love them.”

 He can see she is sincere by the love and understanding shining in her eyes.

 “Well, that doesn’t matter now. Now I am here, and I will tell our baby how much I love them and how much I love their mother. I love you. I love you so much.”

 Giving a small laugh with tear falling from her eyes, Regina replies.

 “I love you too.”

 Robin kisses her putting every ounce of love for her, and their child into it. Regina wraps her arms around his body, wanting no space between them.

 “We’re having a baby.” Still in aww.

“We’re having a baby.” Regina rests her forehead against his. Eyes shining with tears of joy for the first time in weeks.

“Will. Will Scarlet.” Robin yells for me looking around at the people who have gathered near the town line to see them off.

 “Right here mate, you don’t need to yell.” He’s always yelling, even when I’m only a few feet away from him.

 “I have a favor to ask of you.” He says stepping away from where Marian and Roland stand, mere feet away from the town line.

 “You know, you sure do as a lot of favors. And with you about to leave and never come back it doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to collect.” I regret saying it when his face falls showing the sadness he’s been trying so hard to mask for Marian, and Roland’s sake.

 “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that.”

 “No you’re right. I am leaving. Which is why I need your help.”

 “Anything for you mate.”

 “I, while I’m away I want you to keep an eye on Regina for me.” His voice cracks slightly as he says the Queens name. It’s clear that this is hurting him, but it needs to be done. “I’m not saying you need to try to become her best friend because let’s face it, that’s never going to happen. Just please make sure she doesn’t do anything to put herself in harm’s way.” He pauses, he looks over to where the Queen has her car parked.

 “I’m asking you to do what I can’t, and watch out for her. Please.”

 Tear gather in his eyes but refuse to fall. Over these past few weeks I’ve been able to gain back Robin’s trust. It’s been a slow process but he’s trusted me enough to help him search for this elusive author.

 Now however, he’s asking me to watch over one of the two people he cares most about.

 “You know I will do what I can for her mate. But it’s clear that the Queen has a lot of people here that care for her.”

 He shakes his head a small smile graces his lips but only for a moment.

 “You and I see that but Regina, she doesn’t see that. She believes that everyone still sees her as the Evil Queen. She doesn’t realize that she is a hero. She still views herself as a villain. And to her villains do not get happy endings.” He sighs. His attention turns back to the Queen. She’s exited her car and is making her way towards them.

 “Please just make sure she doesn’t do anything to harm herself. Look out for her.”

 The pleading look in his eyes is enough to make the coldest of people feel sympathy for the man.

 “I give you my word. She will be looked out for. Not only by me. As much as these bloody stubborn men hate to admit it. The Queen has managed to find a place among them. She’s one of our own, and.”

 “We always look out for our own.” He finishes for me. “Thank you.”

 “Don’t worry about it mate. Just take care of yourself. The real world is a lot different from Storybrooke. You need to be careful out there. You hear me?”

 “Yeah I know, I’ll be fine.” He doesn’t sound very convincing, but I choose not to push it.

 Regina has made her way towards the group. Robin turns to me.

 “Well it looks like this is it. We had a good run wouldn’t you say.”

 He extends his hand expecting me to shake it.

 “That it has.” I grab his hand and pull him in for a hug. After all he is my family, my brother. “I’m gonna miss you.”

 He pulls back from the hug, giving me a pat on the back. “And I you.”

 He makes his way over to Marian and Roland. He’s soon joined by the Queen. I hang back to the side of the road with some others. Giving them piracy. I can’t hear what they are saying, but I can read Marians lips. She thanks the Queen before she steps over the town line. The magic being removed from her body curse her from her illness. She hugs Roland to here and turns back to the town. Confusion mares her face. She must not be able to see them.

 It’s time for Robin to tell the Queen goodbye. Even from a distance you can see the pain on his face. He kisses her for the last time, before he crosses the town line, never to return again. Their hands hold onto each other till the last possible second.

 Robin collects Roland into his arms, with one last look back he turns and head down the road.

 The Queen stands there for a moment. She pulls something out of her pocket, a paper. I can’t see what it is but I’m guessing it’s the lost page Robin had found in the library. But she’s tarring it into pieces. It falls to the ground as she walks away. Her head down, shoulders sunk. She looks broken.

 Once Robin is far enough that he can’t be seen the other merry men disperse heading back to camp. I remain for a minute longer. I make my way over to where the torn up page still remains. I collect the pieces up, figuring that the Queen would likely regret throwing them away.

 With the papers safely in my pocket I turn and head back to town to find the Queen.

 It take longer than I expected. Its hours before I finally find her at Granny’s. Henry sitting across from her in a booth.

 “Henry really I’m fine. You don’t need to babysit me.”

“I’m not babysitting you. I’m just sitting with my mom having dinner.”

 Without seeing her face, I knows she’s giving him a face that says she knows he’s lying.

 “Look I know you would rather be with Emma looking for the Author. And the only reason you left was because your grandmother insisted I get out for a bit. I’m fine really. Go back with Emma, I’ll join you guys in a bit.” She leaves no room for argument. Henry rises from his seat, before he leaves he leans in to give her a hug. He says something that I can’t make out, but Regina nods her head. Henry leave soon after.

 Regina sinks into the booth, her head resting in her hands. I gives her a moment, before I occupies the now vacant seat across from her.

 “I really don’t need anyone’s company right now.” She grumbles without raising her head.

 “Well I’m not much for chit chat, but I’ve been told I make a great drinking buddy.” Her head rises at my statement.

 “What do you want?” Her voice lacks the same bite that it used to. She just sounds tired now.

 “I don’t want anything. I simply thought I’d offer an ear, and some cheap liquor.” I pours some whiskey from my trusty flask into an empty coffee glass. I raise it put offers the flask to Regina.

 She scoffed. “I do not want nor need your pity.”

 “I don’t give pity. Frankly I’ve yet to meet an adult who deserves it. But I do give compassion. And a helping hand.”

 “I don’t help. Especially from a wanna be thief.” She says with bite.

 “Well you have it anyway.” I takes a long sip of his whiskey. Regina look perplexed before she asks.

 “Why? You don’t know me. In fact you should hate me. Why are you offering to help me?”

 “Because I promised Robin I’d watch out for you.”  I see her face change at Robin’s name. But I continue. “He has saved my ass on more than one occasion so the least I could do easy is mind a bit and watch out for you.”

 “I can take care of myself. I don’t need anyone looking out for me. And Robin should have known better than to have people spy on me.”

 “Oh trust me I know you can. You are forgetting I was a puppet for your mother for a while. And I’m not spying, if I were would I have come up to you and told you what was asked of me?” She doesn’t answer. “No I think not. I’m not saying we need to be Storybrooks own Doctor and Donna,”

 “Who?” Regina asks having now idea who that is.

 “Never mind the point is, we don’t need to be best friends. Hell we don’t even really need to like each other. I just need to make sure you don’t do something stupid and put yourself in harm’s way. You may not like it, but somehow you’ve managed to make a place in the Merry Men. We look out for our own, and you are one of us. You have my word that we will not bother you unless you are doing something dangerous. But you will have somewhere to go if need be. Do we have a deal Queenie??”

 Regina stares at me, but her gaze looks like she’s looking straight through me. Probably trying to figure out if I’m lying.

 “Wow she really is her mother’s daughter.” I think to myself.

 She finally nods her head in agreement. “Fine whatever. Never call me Queenie again, or I will maim you.” Regina rises from the booth. She leaves a tip on the table for Ruby before she turn to leave. But before she does I say to her.

 “Your Majesty. “She turns back to face me. “We miss him too.”

 She doesn’t say anything, she simply nods her head. She quickly turns and walks out of the diner.