Once Upon a Time 1. Waterfall

The icy cold water sting against her skin but she couldn't help to care. The cool makes her forget for a brief moment all the insanity that was twirling in her life. Under the dark sky without starts where only the moon is shinning bright in the middle, she let herself drift away with the sound of solitude. She was fighting her memories, she was fighting not to cry and whisper his name because the moment she did all the emotions would take her completely and she needed to be strong.

She wanted to let the coolness of the air and water consume her. She needed to feel like everything that was happening was just a bad dream. That she was going to wake up with her love by her side. But it wasn't that way. The darkness in the sky was a reminder of the awful truth. Robin was gone.

A week passed since that night and 6 days since her last conversation with him. She confine herself in the wall of her big mansion in hopes of lessening the blow but it really didn't work and that is why she found herself in a lake in the middle of the forest, reaching for a peace that seems to evade her.

Her heart aches for his voice, her cold skin for his hot touch and her soul wished hard to resonate with his.

It seems like she was under the water fall for hours maybe that is why she didn't notice she was being watch by a pair of beautiful blue eyes. Eyes bewitched with her beauty and a heart drunk on love.

He hesitated on calling her name. It wasn't in his place to want to reach for her anymore. He chose honor over love but he felt jealous of the water that was running down her body. He wanted to be the water, touching every corner of her body, kissing her without restriction, without mercy. He felt like everything was about to burst inside of him and suddenly he did what he was trying hard not to do.

"REGINA." He yelled.

That voice shook every part of her, every fiber that was calling for him and suddenly she felt really small.

"What are you doing here?" she asked without turning around. She didn't want him to see her, not because she was ashamed of her body but because looking into his eyes would melt everything away.

Robin took a few steps closer to the lake unconsciously. The way the moon reflected on her skin was taking his breath away, he just wanted to know if she was real or not.

"I came for a walk to clear my mind." He gulled as she turned around. "I didn't think I would find you here." His eyes grew big at the sight of her. Completely bare and glowing in the moonlit sky.

A smirk crossed Regina's face to the sight of Robin's surprise.

"Like what you see?" She asked while getting out of the water and towards her clothes. When Regina walked passed him his hand instinctively grab her wrist. Regina got petrified in place taking in a shaky breath of her. His hand felt like hot lava and she felt burning but didn't seem to care.

"Very much." His husky voice gave chills throughout her body. Regina forgot how to breath. All that she wanted was to plush her body against his and not let go. But she resisted against it. She remembered how he chose Marian over her and that still hurt her.

"Well to bad you can't touch anymore." She jerked her hand so he could released his grip on her. When she felt the lost of his touch she walked to her clothes and with magic put them on. "Bye Robin." She was about to magic herself out but with three big strides he catch both of her hands.

"Let me go Robin." She cried out but he wasn't having any of it.

"I am sorry." He said. Regina put her body still to his words.

"Sorry for what? For being who you are? For respecting your beliefs? Don't be." Regina was thick with emotions but tried hard not to let it show.

Robin tenderly pull her closer to see her face.

"No." He took a deep breath. "I am sorry from breaking your heart." Regina was about to protest but he hugged her and she lost track of her words. "I never wanted to hurt you but I did and for that I am so sorry." Regina gave in into his embrace for a few seconds. The sensation of his touch was igniting sparks on her skin and even though she knew it was wrong the fact was that missing Robin was killing her slowly. "I've been living in a hell like state every since the last time we talked."

"The last time you talked. I didn't say anything." Regina took a few steps back. "You were the one who left and had the last word." She took a deep breath. "Anyways it doesn't matter anymore. You made your choice we both will learn to live with it." She turns around and begins to walk out of Robin's reach. Turns were beginning to form in the corner of her eyes and the desire to turn around was to strong.

Robin didn't want to believe everything was over, even when it was his decision. Regina had become a light in his life and not having her was making him shoot arrows in the dark. Now watching her walk away from him was breaking his heart. He couldn't help the feelings and he had to tell her before losing her completely.

"Regina." He called out but she just keep walking. When she didn't stop he felt crestfallen.

"Regina I love you." He cried out.

Those words stopped Regina. She couldn't believe he had said that. It was like a surge of power was starting to crawl under her skin and the sensation was amazingly welcome. When she realize her thoughts of how he wanted to believe so much his words reality struck her, he didn't have the right to tell her he loved her and then walk away, again.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked in a low whispered. Robin took a tentative step towards her. When she didn't move he walked to her, now standing behind her, struggling not to wrap his arms around her again.

"Doing what? Telling you the truth. I did tell my feelings for you are real." Regina shut her eyes and shook her head.

"I don't need this. I don't need to be heartbroken again and again. I have so much pain to last a lifetime." Robin flinched to her words. He was breaking her by telling her his feeling. A sense of guilt and selfishness took over.

"I'm sorr-"but Regina turned around and glared at him making him shut up.

"Stop apologizing. Saying you're sorry won't make my pain go away." Regina's anger rose up. "I can't with this anymore Robin. I can't go on pretending that I am taking this well. Because truth is that I'm not. I am hurting so bad, I am constantly missing you and I feel this need to run into your arms, freeze time and never let go. But I can't do that." A single tear went down. Robin reaches to clean it with this thumb but Regina stumble back.

"Don't touch me." Regina sighed heavily.

"If you want to clean away someone tears there is Marian go to her and forget about me. You and I will never have the right timing." Robin refused to accept Regina's words.

"I do not believe those words. I know we will find our time."

Regina opened and closed her mouth a retort ready to fire but something in Robin's eyes stopped her.

Robin takes her hand a places it on top of his heart.

"Regina I love you that is my truth. I made a decision yes that much is true, I broke your heart in the process but it isn't something that will last forever. My feelings for you are killing from the inside out." Robin's eyes became glassy full of tears. "I don't want to lose you. I feel lost without you."

"How can you tell me all of this? What about your son and Marian?" Regina bit out.

"Roland will have his mother and Marian will have her son but my heart is not hers it's yours." Robin took Regina's other hand and kiss the back of it.

"I told you once that you can use my heart for the both of us and I wasn't lying. I will forever be yours."


	2. Unspoken

So I was tweeting my heart away and so I wrote a tweet that really had me wondering about Regina and Robin next kiss because I am going to be honest I am not a romantic but when it comes to them I really go all out with my imagination. So I tried to write a little something. According to my tweet.

"I hope when Regina and Robin kiss again is under the rain, in the middle of the forest with the moon shinning on them."

That was my tweet.

So I hope you guys like what I wrote.

They have an unspoken agreement.

They knew about the other feelings; how they loved each other with heart and soul but bigger circumstances keep them apart. That didn't mean that they could stay away from each other. One day Regina wonders off to the forest looking for silence that could ease the ache in her heart, an ache that came from not being able to have Robin by her side. The quietness of the forest, the stillness of the trees someone was soothing her but it wasn't taking away the pain that installed in her heart. With every step that she took she merge more with her surrounding making it clear for to listen to every sound around her but disregarding the silent footfall that was following her between the shadows. It never occurred to her that she was being followed, never occurred to her that her other half was just footsteps away.

She reached a small clearing that had a river. The light of the moon shone bright on top of the water making it look like specks of diamonds running down the stream. She almost smile contentedly at the sight because it felt like magic and not the dark one that had spread throughout her veins a long time ago, but pure light magic that in somehow reassure her that things were going to be okay. She sat down legs in the water letting the coldness spread out her entire body, calming the turmoil she has been in for the past few weeks. Closing her eyes and throwing her head back she felt finally felt the presence of the one person that could surely make everything go away.

Robin sat alongside her casting his eyes to the front. Silent for what it seemed like a lifetime. Neither of them willing to interrupt the sound of the water stream, the sound of their breathing –hitching up every time one of them remembered they were in the company of the other half of their heart- the slow almost inexistent breeze move the leaf of the tree in a motion that even nature would thought it was pure torture.

Robin released a loud audible sigh that made Regina opened her eyes and look at him intently.

"Everything alright?" her gentle voice was music to his ear. For days now he wished to hear her, know that was pretty much real, that he needed it so his heart wouldn't forget about the love he had for her.

"Some days like today I feel like everything is caving in." Robin voice was but a whisper and Regina hum in agreement, so she wasn't the only one feeling like that.

"Things are more complicated some days than other." She simply stated. Regina straighten her back. She took her hand and plunge it into the water somehow trying to contain herself to touch him.

Robin nodded and didn't say anything else. They sat there in silence for what seem like hours, just enjoying their company since that was the only thing they could do.

A week passed by since the last time they saw each other, really really saw each other with the company of more people. Without the incessant council meetings about a new threat no one knew about, without the constant apologetic looks and glares people tend to throw them everything they stood in the same room, especially when Marian and Roland were there as well. Those day were heavy on them and that is how they found themselves _again_ in the same position. The river underneath the feet, the breeze running through her hair and the calmness of the forest assuring his heart.

Things went on like that for two months. Every time they felt like they were being dragged to the pits of hell their silent company was the only thing that could heal them even just a little.

Robin was beginning to drag his feet everywhere he went. Missing Regina was taking a toll to his soul and no matter how much he told himself he was going to see her soon –thinking about their new little routine- truth is that it wasn't enough for, not anymore. So in that moment he made a decision, he needed to talk to Marian. Explaining to his wife what his heart was feeling, and how hard he was trying to make her happy wasn't easy. But for some reason she understood. She has seen in his eyes a lost light that only came back when his eyes fell on the Queen. She cringed at the idea, she told herself that is was all a matter of time when Robin could finally love her like he once did. But that was proven to be impossible because he had pulled away from her a really long time ago. Robin tells her how much he loves, it's not the same way as before but there will always be an understanding between them. Somehow he knows that a friendship will be possible because Marian was such an amazing person.

The next time he goes to the forest the clouds in the sky hide away the moon and there is a eerie feeling in the air, he thinks that rain will fall down, and he think that Regina might not come tonight. But he is hopeful that she will come so he waits for her in their usual spot. An hour passed by and she didn't come so he hangs his head in frustration but quickly recovered and stood up to leave. With a deep breath he takes a steps towards the camp sight. It isn't until he heard his name being called across the clearing that he stops. A smile tugged in his face at the sound of her beautiful voice so he turns to see her.

When he was about to talk she raise her hand to stop him.

"Robin I can't keep doing this." She said looking at a spot in the ground. "I can't be near you like we have been for the past month. I have this frustrating need to feel you under my fingertips and it kills me that I can't touch you."

Robin crosses the clearing to her with a few long strides, and stands in front of her taking her chin in his hands with the smile still plastered in his face.

"Regina-" but she cuts him off again.

"No Robin. This isn't right nor fair for you me and not even Marian and your son." A few droplets of water began to fall against her skin and for a moment she was stunt by it. Robin took her sudden silence and took her face between his hands. Caressing her cheekbones like he always did, feeling a warm run against his skin, how he missed the little touches. Regina tried to take his hands away but it prove impossible he only tighten his hold on her.

"Regina I can't let you go, not now not ever." He said sweetly. Regina shook his head trying hard to fight the tears that were eagerly forming in the corner on her eyes but as soon as the rain started falling, soaking them wet, she let them fall because they were mask.

"We can't do this." Like a whisper those words escape her mouth and the next thing she knows Robin's lips are on tops of her. Caressing hers sweetly at first just to let her get use to the sensation of his lips mixed with the water that was falling from the sky. Regina hesitated, she couldn't fathom the idea that the moment they broke away the kiss he would disappear merging with the rain drops. But when she opened her eyes a look up at him all that she could see was the most beautiful of smile. A smile full of warmth and hope.

"I love you Regina, with all my heart." Robin embraced her tight into his chest. Regina pushed him back a little.

"Robin you have a wife and I already told you I am not going to be the other one." Regina was feeling hurt but to her surprise he grin bigger now, so she was really confused. "What are you grinning about?" She simply asked.

"I am just admiring how beautiful you are even under the pouring sky. The light of the moon on you really suites you Milady." Regina looked dumbfounded at his words.

"Robin we are talking about something serious here and you are just telling how…" her words trailed off.

Robin rested his forehead to hers before saying anything else.

"how beautiful you are? I can't help it Regina your beauty it's something that the gods gave us the gift to admire." Regina blushed at his words but rolled her eyes to him. She took a few steps back leaving his embrace.

"Robin I have to go." She turned around but before she started walking again she said something else. "The next time you come I won't be here." With that she took a few steps from him.

Robin took a deep shuttering breath at the thought of not being able to with near again so he yelled her name and that made her stop. When he knew Regina's attention was on him her said those words he wanted to say since she arrived.

"I talked to Marian and…" he took a few steps towards she was now at arms length but her didn't dare to touch her, the last thing he wanted was for her to recoil to his touch before explaining. "everything between us is over."

Regina opened her eyes like saucers to his revelation. Something inside of her stir with exciment and frankly fear but most of all curiosity. So she turned around to see him, to see the truth in his eyes and when she found it she tilt her head to the side.

"Why did you do that? What will happened with Roland?" Regina questioned without moving from her position she was in desperate need of him but she decided against touching him, first she need all the facts.

"I can't be stuck in a loveless marriage anymore. I am happy Marian is back I really am, but she doesn't own my heart anymore more, you do. Like I said I love you." He takes a tentative steps towards and when she doesn't move and takes another one and he stood in front of her once more, but this time controlling himself to touch her. "Roland will grow knowing his mother and I know he will understand everything, he is a smart kid."

Regina throws her head back in wonder. Still shock that he broke off his marriage. The smooth water against her skin was providing some kind of anchor because in all honesty she couldn't believe that was actually happening.

"Regina." He calls when she still quite for a long time. He might be dreading that he might me late but he was in some way hopeful.

When Regina look at him again he felt relief.

"So what now?" she questions, Robin takes her by the hand.

"Now all I want is to take care of your heart." Robin closed the distance between them and kissed her again this time with the promise of a future together.

With the moon as witness he vow to never hurt Regina again.


	3. Stone Heart

So someone sent me an interesting prompt and I tried my best to convey to it. It's actually kinda hard for me to write one shots. I am so used to writing multi- chapters fanfics. My writing isn't perfect but I fell like I am improving and your feed back is really important.

Hi! Um, idk if you take prompts? (if not then just ignore lol), but I was reading your waterfall ficlet and this hit me so I thought leave it with you cos of that ;) It was: Something happens and Robin's heart has to be pulled out, Regina is shocked by how dark it is (not HER heart dark, but darker than a "hero" heart should be), Marian is horrified, thinking Regina did it (she didn't). Go from there ;) (I'm just curious Marian's reaction to her Robin having a really dark heart now)

To the anon that requested this here it is.:)

All the sorrow she was feeling, all the pain she felt deep inside made her look for a means of peace. The loneliness was killing ever fiber of her being, so she turned to the darkness of the forest in attempts to feel a certain type of peace that has been avoiding her since forever. A peace in the middle of her stormy heart. A minimal moment without the pain of lost creeping down her heart. A slow breeze ran over her skin, a breeze that made her hair dance like the waves of the ocean but without the sense of freedom she all desired.

On that trek through the forest all the tree and foreign sounds were trying to close in on her just like the four wall she was trying desperately to escape. It felt like whispers of secrets all around her, caressing all her deepest and darkest fears. The air felt thick and heavy and then she knew there was no escape of the darkness.

Cradled in the hands of sepulchral darkness something pulled hard on her heart. Something cold and painful was taking over all the veins in her body. It was something she couldn't explain, a sensation that made her body dread with fear. It was a stubborn tug that wouldn't let go, a pain so immense she couldn't understand. Her mind was so caught up looking for answer to question she couldn't even formulate that she stumble upon the one place she should have stayed away.

Usually the Merry Man camp is full of laughs and music, people constantly celebrating the little and big things in life but tonight it wasn't that way. Tonight it felt dead and spooky like a cemetery on Halloween. What surprised her most was the fact that all of the Un-Charming were there porting faces full of worry and sympathy, something Regina couldn't understand why.

"This is all your fault." A voiced screamed across the camp.

Regina was startled for a brief second until she recognized the woman that was stomping on her way.

Marian stood in front of her eyes filled with rage and anger, ready to strike at any moment. Regina had to blink for a few moments before realizing that something was terribly wrong but she didn't dare to ask directly, so she swiftly put on her trademark mask.

"I don't know what are you talking about." She hoped that with those words Marian , with the clear hate and disdain, would start explaining herself.

Marian huffed in annoyance and Regina fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"You cursed my husband." Marian spat those words and Regina felt her world collide.

They were soulmates, they were connected by invisible tread that no matter how much you pulled it would never break. '_That is why I felt my heart scream for help.' _ Regina thought.

Regina maintain her mask on trying not to let her emotions get the best of her.

"What the hell do you mean? I haven't seen Robin in months." Regina tried to calmly say. Marian's eyes on her were making Regina's anger rise.

"Ever since he talked to you he's been sad and dare I say without will to live." Marian turned around obviously a clear sign for Regina to get out of the camp but Emma's voice snapped both brunettes out of the clear tension.

"Maybe Regina can help us see what is wrong with Robin." Emma said hopeful.

"I don't want this woman anywhere near Robin." The maid was on a full on rampage and the thought of Regina being near Robin was making her blood boil.

"Marian we need to look on every possibility if we want to save Robin and I am pretty sure Regina would do anything in her power to save him." Snow words were true. Regina wouldn't forgive herself if she didn't do anything to save the person she love.

"Have you tried Rumpel?" Regina interjected before Marian had a chance to talk.

"Yes and he said and I quote 'There only one person in this world that could help him and it's not me dearie.' And then he disappeared." It was David voice that came through. Regina didn't fight at all the eyes roll. Of course Rumpel had to be mean and cryptic at the same time.

"I said she is not getting near-" but a hand on top of Marian's shoulder stopped her from talking. Little John shook her head. He released a breath of air before talking. 

"Regina would you please look at him?" John asked.

Regina took a deep breath before saying yes to his request. It was odd to her but she just thought that they wanted to save their leader.

When John motions her to follow him Marian stayed closed to him, not trusting at all the queen.

The tent had dim lighting, the air was heavy and the sight was heartbreaking.

Robin's body seemed almost lifeless and that made Regina released a tear. His handsome face was pale, his strong jawline so soft it didn't seem like him at all. For a moment Regina was afraid of not seeing his mesmerizing blue eyes that she could read like a book.

"What happened to him?" Regina asked while taking one of his hands. He was cold as ice.

"We don't know." John took a step forward where Regina was standing. "At first we thought it was the ice curse but after Rumpel examined him he said it was something else regarding his heart but he didn't say anything else." Regina couldn't take her eyes off Robin she felt her heart screaming to help him to look into his problem but she really didn't know what to do.

"So that twisted imp was of no help at all." She simply said.

John nodded "I am afraid so."

Marian was eyeing Regina carefully her distrust guiding everyone of her thoughts.

"How long has he been like this?" John was pondering on his answer and when he finally got it Marian interrupted him.

"Like that for 3 days. But walking around like a souless being every since he talked to you a few months ago." Marian knew that saying that would take Regina to one conclusion and she was almost tasting victory, her goal was to make Regina feel guilty.

But Regina was catching up to her devious words.

"That doesn't mean that I cursed him. The last time we talked he made things pretty clear and I respected his wishes. He is still with you isn't he?" Those words made Marian recoil.

"He hasn't been with me. Well he is there supportive like always but his heart isn't mine it clearly belong—" Regina didn't let her finish Marian's words made Regina's lightbuld turned one.

"His heart." she said in a whisper. "I am sorry Robin I hope this doesn't hurt in your state." Regina took a deep a plunge her hand into his chest. Grabbing carefully his heart.

John and Marian eyes widen in sudden terror. The first thing Marian thought was that Regina was going to destroy his heart.

When Regina took his heart out shock covered her face. Just like hers, his was filled with darkness, a darkness she would have never thought a hero like person like him could have.

"That cannot be his heart. He is a good man, he is not like you. " Marian said refusing to believe the sight in front of her. Regina was in the same state. She also couldn't believe how his heart was almost as dark as her.

But John didn't seemed to faced by it. In fact his eyes roam to Regina and there she understood.

She remembered her last conversation with him. When he told her he did something and made some decisions that he wasn't proud of, but he let everything in the past and she was now curious to know about his past.

She took another look to his heart still surprising to her, but there was something else. It was turning into stone. Regina panicked because there was no way to cure a stone heart.

She remembered a lecture Rumpel gave her years ago. When a heart turned into stone it meant that person was suffering from the biggest love lost, a lot meant to transcend space and time a love that could be written down in history.

Regina couldn't help it anymore and the tears came running down like waterfalls. John noticed this and understood what it meant. He placed a hand on her shoulder and exited the tent. Marian was now grasping the situation.

"Is he going to die?" Marian dare to asked. Regina didn't know what to answer. But she stood up to look at Marian.

"Not exactly. Like the sleeping curse it is an eternal middle. He will be turned into stone." Regina was clutching Robin's heart near her own. "All curses can be broken by true love kiss. I know you were going to say that but this one is different and I honestly don't know how to save him, I'm sorry." Marian refused to believe. She ran to Robin's side took his hand in her and began to cried. Ugly sobs were all around the tent and Regina actually felt sorry for Marian.

After a few minutes of listening to Marian cry Regina mustered the courage to ask her one question.

"Would you allow me a few minutes with him?" her voice came out shy and fearful at the same time. She knew if Marian said no it was in all her rights because after all she was his wife.

To Regina's surprise Marian said yes and left the tent.

Regina sat at Robin's side tears glistering In her eyes as she spoke.

"Robin these past few months I missed you so much." She began and already she felt a void in her heart. "I miss how you make me smile and laugh without worries. I miss how you always knew what to say when I was feeling sad and right now I feel like I am dying of sadness. Seeing you like this, lifeless and without the will to leave is breaking every inch of my soul." Regina released a sob and more hot tears. "I am sorry for ruining your life, for killing your wife and forcing you to go through darkness like I did. Not entering that tavern robbed us of a happy life. Seems like we will never find our timing but I want you to know even if you can't hear me, is that I truly love you with every piece of me. No this is more than just love, this is something that no one in the world would ever understand. Every time I look at you I feel safe, I feel cherished and free. We are two pieces of a same soul and if you go that would mean I will forever incomplete." Regina place her head on top of his chest breathing for one last time his scent.

"Even when I tried to run away the universe kept directing me towards you." Regina sat there in silence for a brief moment before continuing talking. She never notice the person in the entrance of the tent.

"My heart was broken for so long that we you came around to fix it I was afraid. Afraid that you would leave and you did and it killed me. But I am here alive and asking you not to leave me, not like this. I don't want a happy ending, all I want is a new beginning everyday with you. I realized now that a happy ending is not for me, because I know in my heart that my second chance for love and happiness is a never ending one. So please Robin come back to me. Don't leave alone here in this world that won't have any meaning without you. I don't want to look at the mirror and stare a depths and depths of hollowness in my own eyes. I want to see them shining everyday because of you. Robin of Locksley I love you." When Regina didn't get any responds her hope went down the drain.

So she kissed his heart that was still in her hands and linger there for a moment. Her tears falling on top of the heart. She placed it on his chest without noticing the glimmer of light her tears were spreading. She stood up and kissed his temple. When she turned to walk away she felt a strong grip around her wrist. When she turned to see there was a smile playing across his face.

"I love you most Regina." He simply said.

Regina's eyes grew of surprise and happiness and she threw herself on top of him.

"I knew you couldn't leave me. I love you so much."Regina was crying on top of him and Robin surrounded her with his arms.

In the tent entrance stood Marian tears in her eyes.

"so you made your choice after all."


	4. Birthday Wish

This day was always filled with a bittersweet taste. For normal people it was full of smiles and sweet memories but for Regina it was just another lonely day. Her father tried the best he could to make it memorable but Cora had many ideas in her head except to make her daughter truly happy for once. Now being stuck in a castle, her prison, makes that day even more dreadful that she could ever would have hope.

Being closed off to the outside world was beginning to take a toll on Regina spirit, not that it didn't matter anyway, she was just so used to being into herself but a little change of scenery might actually help ease the ache in her heart, an ache that not having Daniel on the day he always tried his very best to try and make her smile.

Her birthday was marked as sadness and disappears in Regina's calendar.

Solitude always gave Regina some sense of relief, it was alone that she felt less the pressure of the horrible marriage she was in and her mother went through many lengths (many because Regina really didn't know how much Cora did to get her there) to make it a reality.

She sits at the base of her apple tree, the only good thing that she had in the vast and lonely castle. Her tree, the one that she tended since she was a little girl and the one thing that still holds beautiful memories. Memories of a sweet father, memories of a blonde handsome young man that her heart would probably never forget and memories of simpler times even with having Cora as a mother.

With a heavy sigh Regina closes her eyes and began to imagine the time moving forward faster even when she knew that wouldn't help at all.

"I wish that this day would just disappear forever." Regina threw her head back against the tree looking up to afternoon sky. Regina was so into her thoughts that she didn't feel the shuffling legs of 10 year old.

"Why do you say that?" Little Snow inquired. Regina's head snapped to the side to see the owner of the voice that constantly annoys her.

Regina restrained herself from rolling her eyes to the girl but in a sweet (nauseous) voice to her she answered anyway.

"I am not particular fond of my birthday." It did surprise Regina the honesty of her words, she would have never thought she could ever trust anyone. Not that she did trust Snow but getting it out was a good feeling for her.

Snow eyes opened up greatly at her step mother confession. She sat down at her side and gave her a huge she muttered _happy birthday _and for the longest time she didn't let go.

"You don't have to say anything Snow. I am quite used to solace on the day of my birth." Snow broke the embrace but took one of her hand and squeezed it.

"Nonsense no one should ever be alone on their birthday, specially not you. You deserve a big party and lots and lots of presents. You are a queen, you are most special indeed." Snow stood up. "Come we must tell father. Surely he will gladly wish you a happy birthday and make something really unique for you."

Regina was a little touched by Snow sudden interest on her but she really didn't need none of that. She smile shyly to Snow.

"It isn't necessary I am quite fine like this I…" Regina trailed off. She wanted to asked for Snow discretion on the matter but then she thought that Snow and secrets really weren't the best of couples.

Snow looked at her curiously. She didn't quite understand why someone wouldn't like to celebrate the day of their birth. But then it was clear to her, she understood. Snow fell silent and sad, she remembered how her mother had die on her birthday and that was the reason why celebrating was painful at least for Snow. She didn't understand Regina's reasons but she would tried to respect them.

"Well at least would you accept my happy birthday wishes?" Snow took a deep breath. "I know what it feels like not wanting to celebrate, in my case it would mean celebrating my mother's death so I will not tell anyone of this." Regina gave her a sincere smile, the first time in a long time.

"Thank you Snow. This actually means a lot and I'll gladly accept your wishes. And yes please do not tell anyone, make it our little secret." Snow was happy to have a secret with Regina once more and she vow to herself not to break another promise to her.

"I promise I won't tell anyone." Snow whirl around with a smile on her face.


	5. The morning after

Robin woke up with a start. The light coming from outside the vault was almost blinding but at the same time the warmth of it was added to the emotional rollercoaster he has been feeling since the night before. The memory of Regina molding against his body, the way the made love throughout the night it was something that he has never encountered in his life. He truly and completely love her. The decision of coming to her after talking to Will was the easiest one he has ever made because he realize that although he did the honorable thing his heart was choosing Regina from the very start. Having her at his side, head against his chest, the rise and fall of her blissful form had made his resolve to be by her side even more clear. He knew he had to search with Regina a way to unfreeze Marian, he needs to talk to his wife and let his feeling clear because the whole situation was unfair for all of them but he has hope that the solution will come and with time all of this was going to become another distant memory. For now he just pushed down those thoughts and continue love to enjoy having Regina with him.

He started to memorize every part of Regina. The feel of her silky hair through his fingers, the smoothness of her fair and beautiful skin, the peaceful look in her face while she sleep and the way her skin was electricity against his own. Regina was perfect and as such she deserves to be treated like a queen, no not a queen because she already was one and people didn't treat as such, she needed to be treated like a goddess. He was creating patterns with his fingers on top of her skin when Regina began to stir under him. Her eyes flutter lazily open until she was locked with the beautiful blue orbs she love so much "Good Morning." Robin said, Regina took a deep breath before answering back at him "Morning." She propped herself up to give Robin a little peek on the lips. "I trust you slept well?" she question him but when she see his smirk she just rolls her eyes a places her head on his shoulder not really wanting to relish from the warmth of Robin's body against her. After a few seconds of silence she talks again "You know this can't happen again?'" he just hold her tighter to him not willing to let Regina's words in. He knew she was right, that even though their feelings were well reciprocated they weren't doing things the right way. His voice finally came "I know that very well but I also know I don't want to lose this, I don't want to lose what we have Regina. I love you" Regina shut her eyes tight and swallow hard his voice was filled with emotions and that didn't go unnoticed by her and that made things even more harder for her. "Robin…" she began but he didn't let her continue "I know I have to save Marian and we will find a way to do so…" Regina opened her eyes really letting his words process in her brain, "We?" she enquired. Robin raise her chin up so they look at each other eye to eye "Yes, we Regina. I am not willing to lose you, my heart my soulmate. I have faith in you and I know you will find a way to save her. As much as I'm grateful Marian is back my love for her will never be the same. I met you, you made me finally feel complete and I am not about to return to the void and emptiness my heart use to feel before I met you. Roland will know his mother and that is the most important thing here." Regina had a lump in her throat, Robin's words struck her like lightning and made her heart swell with a burst of love she never thought it was possible to love this man more.

Regina sat now in front of him. His legs surrounding her and her hands on his shoulder her naked form completely exposed to him. "Why are you so sure we can have a future? All I ever brought upon the people I love is pain and misery. Why do you have this blind belief in me?" His eyes never left hers and a swirl of love and devotion were shinning bright in his crystal blue. He cups her face with his hand and brought his lips down to hers. Kissing her with all the love and passion he could muster until Regina was left breathless. He kisses her forehead before answering her questions. "Because Regina you've changed for the better. You were evil because people didn't know how to treat you. They found it easier to see you suffer than see you happy. I want for you all the happiness in the world. I want to see you smile every day, I want to wake up every morning like this with you in my arms treating you like the goddess you are. Regina I love and adore you and I can't see my life moving forward without you. I have faith that we are going to make this work, even if you don't believe it. I will hope for the both of us until you get it through your stubborn head. You are meant for happiness and I will fight everyday so you can have it." By the end of his speech Regina's tears began to fall freely and she didn't even tried to stop them. This man in front of her was, is, willing to do anything to ensure her happiness and that was something she never thought she would have. This moment just made her love him even more and that is when she finally realized that all she wants was to wake up every morning in his arms. He reach for her face to wash away her tears, she lean into his touch and close her eyes "I love you too Robin." There she said for the first time. Robin hand still for a moment before he realized that what she said was true. He took her face in his hands and kissed her soundly and wishing he didn't need to breath so he could kiss her forever but the need for air was big and he broke apart the kiss, "Can you say that again? It sounded like the most beautiful sound in the world." Regina smile to that a big and genuine smile that made his heart melt, "I love you Robin of Locksley, I love you with heart and soul." He proceeded to hug her tight, afraid to let go. He said something that was muffled against her hair but Regina didn't care. All she care was that in that moment she knew that love wasn't a weakness anymore, that being open to it brought her a man that made her heart grown ten times it sizes everything he looked at her in the eyes. That she was now the proud honor of a heart that for the first time in a long time let itself to be completely love. That right now Robin and her were on the road to have a bright future and she wasn't afraid to hope again.


	6. Life and Death part 1

LIFE AND DEATH.

So yeah this started as a one shot but I decided to divided in two. I will soon post the other half. It was inspired in The Book Of Life. I hope you guys enjoy.

Dead, he was holding Regina's lifeless body. His heart died there at that moment with her. The snake poison spread like wildfire through her body and he didn't have the time to save her. Now having her like this without the hope of listening to her voice, to see that smile that always mesmerized him, to feel her skinny fingers run through his hair he was feeling his sou leave his body. Perhaps it was, she was, no is, his soulmate and there is no one else in the world for him. He hugs her, clings to her while his tears begin to fall down like waterfalls. Desperately calling out for her, yelling that the fates and the gods return her to him. "Regina please come back to me." He whispers his face hidden in the crock of her neck.

A lighting bolt came down making his eardrums hurt. He rested Regina against a tree and softly stroke her cheek. "I would do anything to be with you again." he whispers softly before pressing a kiss to her forehead. His eyes closed shut, new fresh tears rolling down his cheek. Robin is so distraught that he doesn't feel a shadowy figure approach him. It isn't until he hears a dark and mysterious voice that he does look up. "If my understanding correctly you wish to see her again?" The voice asks filled with something Robin can't really describe, his mind is still rilled up with Regina's death. He narrows his eyes to the stranger, putting a protective arm over her body. "Who are you and what do you want?" he asks defensively. The other figure stood there unphased by him. He lifted his staff and pointed to Robin. "It is not what I want, but what you desire and I can read it in your eyes that you wish to see her once more." Robin slowly lower his hand that was protecting her body. His shoulders sagged and pain was once more reflected on his eyes. Robin stands up and stood in front of the stranger. He stays quiet. "I can grant you what you want." The archer shook his head. "If you haven't notice Regina is dead. Out daughter will no longer be with her mother. Henry won't get to recover all the time he wasted with her and I won't ever be able to tell her how much I love her. So no you can't help." Robin clenched and unclenched his fist, gritting his teeth with force feeling his emotion boiling over. His love, his soulmate, his everything was gone by the bite of a cursed animal. "What if I told you I have the power for you to see her once more?" Robin narrows his eyes to the stranger not really believing him. He knew the coast of bending the rules of death, the biggest example of it was Marian. "I'd tell you that I don't play with magic, it comes with a stead price." Robin thought about his own words for a few seconds, realizing he already lost the most amazing gift he had in his life. "Are you going to survive without her?"

He looks at Regina body. "Such a beautiful woman. Full of potential. She has accomplished so much in her redemption and now look at her, cold and lifeless." Robin swallows hard looking at Regina over his shoulder. "She won't be able to see how her hard work would have paid off." The strangers appears at her side in a cloud of black smoke. "Just say the word and I can make her come back." Robin threw his head back deep in thought not sure on what to do. His wish to get her back was strong but he needed to think about the consequences, even though right now it was becoming impossible to do. He turns and kneels in front of her sighing deeply. He takes her hand and pressed a kiss on her knuckles. "What is the cost?" he ask in a small voice, his eyes transfixed in the surreal beauty of his love. "Your life force for hers." He dark stranger stands up taking a few steps back, "Meaning." He leaves his words hanging. Robin shook his head and looked up. "I accept." He looked back at her and cupped her face. "Regina I love you. Please take care of our family, and yourself. You will forever be my one and only love and I hope our souls meet in another time. Words will never be enough to express how truly grateful I am to have been lucky to love you and for you to love me back. Please always remember me from who I was alive and don't dwell on my death. Maybe our timing wasn't the perfect one, but I enjoyed it while it last it." He pressed one last kiss on her lips. "Alright, I'm ready." He says shutting his eyes closed shut. The stranger lifts up his staff and began chanting something. "You will take upon yourself her death." Robin stood and nodded. "Just make sure she returns to our family. There is one thing I want to know." The hooded stranger nodded allowing him to voice his question. "What is your name?" Robin asks curiously. The dark man responded "I am death." He said before swinging the staff and trading his life with Regina's death.

Regina wakes up gasping, desperately grasping for fresh air. She opened her to Robin falling body. "ROBIN!" she shouted trying to move her unresponsive body. She struggled hard until little by little she regain composure of her body. She crawl her way to him the fastest that she could. "Robin, ROBIN." She shakes him with all her might trying to wake him up. She tries to feel his pulse, to his breathing but nothing. Regina feared the worst. "Robin don't leave me please come back to me." She sobs, tears coming down and her heart sinking. She pulls him closers, "No, no, no." I won't accept this. You can't be dead." She holds his lifeless body tight against her own. She hears shuffling and looks up. "Who are you and what have you done?" She ask hate and anger sipping to her voice. Death stands in front of her a smirk plastered on his mouth. "I just gave him his wish, I didn't think he was stupid enough to trade his life for you. Although you weren't really death, just in death like trance." He takes a step towards her and smiled wickedly. "Your sister sends her best regards." He disappear in a cloud of black smoke. Regina swallows hard all the pain and anger making her fingertips simmer with magic. She takes a deep breath and looks at Robin. "They will pay for this. I swear I will bring you back Robin."


	7. Running through the woods

_So yeah I wrote a one shot that almost made me tear a bit at the end. _

_I was bored and without any means of communication when I wrote this. So I decided to take advantage of this free time and write a few things. This has Hood Mills family all over or at least I tried. I do hope you guys enjoy this…._

"You're an idiot, Robin."

She says between laughs. When Robin propose running through the woods to cheer Regina up she immediately sent him a glare. Exercising in order to increase her mood into something more pleasant was something she was pretty sure it wasn't going to happen. Ever since Henry left on vacation with Emma and Killian she has been feeling sad. She has Roland and her adorable three year old Rain but Henry holds a special place in her heart and she can't help missing him greatly. But now seeing Robin flat on his butt and grimacing at the little shot of pain has Regina laughing without taking a second to breathe. The archer looks up at her, one eye close and biting his lower lip and trying but failing to look serious.

"But I am your idiot."

He says standing up, rubbing his arse. Regina laughs even more looking at him. "When you asked me to go running I honestly didn't think this could happen. You the man that know these woods like the back of his hand falling miserably thanks to a root." She wipes away the falling sweat from her brow and takes a deep calming breath. Robin rolls his eyes playfully at her and takes a step towards her.

"What makes you think it was an accident?" he question with a raise brow. "For all you know I could have faked my fall just to see you laugh."

Regina can't help laughing even more because in all honesty she believes he did fall on purpose but still she can't help the bubbling and giddy sensation thanks to the way he is always trying hard to make her smile. Robin puts on a serious expression and places his hands on her hips.

"I know you are missing Henry. We all do." He begins cupping her cheeks and softly stroking her cheekbone with his thumb. "But he will be back in a week and we all can go and do something as the family we are."

The brunette leans into his touch, placing a kiss on the palm of his hand. "I know. It is just this is the first time in years he has been away for so long and in a few months he will go off to college and…" She sighs sadly looking down at her feet. "I will miss him even more." He gently lifts her chin up to look at her alluring brown hues.

"Maybe this test run is good for you, for all of us." Robin smiles softly still tracing patter over her cheek.

Her eyes stings with hot tears. The mayor takes a deep breath trying to maintain them at bay. "It is never going to get easy. Only a week passed by and I feel my heart clenching I really don't want to know how it will be like when months go by without seeing him." She chews on her lip and at that very moment a tear starts to fall. Her husband pulls her close to him. Robin puts his arms around her delicate frame and cradles her head.

"You can always visit him, Regina. You already worked out the town line issue and you can come and go however you please."He pulls back enough to look into her eyes, a little smile curling at the edges of his mouth. "I know this is going to hard on you I know how much you love Henry but he is making his own life, he is exploring all of his possibilities." He presses a kiss on her forehead before resuming, "You have done an amazing job raising him. We all know that. He comes to you for every doubt he has, for every problem and simply when he just needs a hug. Henry trusts you completely meaning if something happens while he is away you are going to be the first person he is going to call. Sure his relation with Emma is different from his with you but when it comes down to it you, Regina Mills, are the to go person for him." The archer puts his hands on her arm and gives her a bright smile. "He feels proud of having you as his mother."

By the end of Robin words Regina's tears fell freely. He always knew how to make her feel better, how to sooth her heart and soul and it only make her love for him grow even more. How did she land such an amazing man? She doesn't know but really doesn't care because the only thing that matter to her is that they are both one heart, one soul. The raven beauty looks up and parts her petals into a bright smile, "You always know what to say, Robin." She presses her lips to his and smiles against his mouth. "I love you so much. Thanks for always being there for me." She puts her arms around his neck and kisses him fully. After a few moments they break apart and it is his turn to smile.

"Anytime, lovely. I love you even more." He embraces her tight and Regina giggles.

She was sure that no matter what happens, she will always have his full support and that is something she is quite grateful for.


	8. Because you loved me

When he first suggested this Regina thought he was crazy, but now she knows Robin is completely insane.

He offers her his hand, in his other he clings to a microphone.

"I'm not going to sing." The brunette says with a pointed look directed to the archer. A fleeing laugh leaves his brims at the way she is looking at him. "Please, lovely. It will be fun. Besides…" he outstretches his arm more to her, touching softly her elbow. "You need this. Being in that office all day working non-stop is damaging your fun bone." An immediate smirk crosses his feature as his words are flowing out of his mouth. That only makes the mayor folds her arms together over her chest a trademark eye roll taking place in her expression. "So now you are implying I'm not fun?" The question lingers for a few seconds in the air before he tilts his head to hers, "C'mon my love. I'm just simply saying you need distract yourself from all the constant work you do." He pokes her arm softly, gaining him a scoff from his gorgeous girlfriend. But he knows her, he know she will cave in, eventually.

The music starts playing and she recognize the song. Her eyes widen in surprise, whiskey hues locking with his cyan ones. "You remembered." It comes out of her almost like a whisper and he can't help grinning at her. "Of course I do. How can I forget the first song I ever dance with the woman that I love." Regina's heart flutter in awe at his confession. A swell of love and pride prickling underneath her fair skin, and that does it. She is smiling at him from ear to ear. Eyes shining with the purest of love for him and her tight folded arms loosens over her chest. "Alright…" she relents with a shake of her head. Robin smiles in victory at her finally saying yes, offering his love the spare microphone. "Great, lovely." He motions her to get up to the stage, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. Regina takes a tentative step towards it, hesitant still but when she looks at the depth of his blue irises, all battle leaves and she feels light as a feather. This is how he makes her feel, light. Not anchor tethering to the ground, just pure freedom.

They stand side by side, hands clasp together and before Robin starts singing he turns his head to look at her with the brightest of smiles. They gazed into each other eyes for what felt like an eternity and he raises the microphone and immediately words came out from list mouth.

_**For all those times you stood by me**__**  
**__**For all the truth that you made me see**__**  
**__**For all the joy you brought to my life**__**  
**__**For all the wrong that you made right**__**  
**__**For every dream you made come true**__**  
**__**For all the love I found in you**__**  
**__**I'll be forever thankful baby**__**  
**__**You're the one who held me up**__**  
**__**Never let me fall**__**  
**__**You're the one who saw me through, through it all**___

The brunette felt her heart hammered wildly against her ribcage. Hearing him sing sent shivers down her spine and all she could do is watch in pure amazement to this men that she is lucky enough to call her own. After a few seconds of being struck by wonder she realizes it would probably be helpful if she sang as well so she did, and in unison.

_**You were my strength when I was weak**__**  
**__**You were my voice when I couldn't speak**__**  
**__**You were my eyes when I couldn't see**__**  
**__**You saw the best there was in me**__**  
**__**Lifted me up when I couldn't reach**__**  
**__**You gave me faith 'coz you believed**__**  
**__**I'm everything I am**__**  
**__**Because you loved me**_

Regina tightens her hold on his hand wearing a beautiful smile reserved only for him before she continues to sing.

_**You gave me wings and made me fly**__**  
**__**You touched my hand I could touch the sky**__**  
**__**I lost my faith, you gave it back to me**__**  
**__**You said no star was out of reach**__**  
**__**You stood by me and I stood tall**__**  
**__**I had your love I had it all**__**  
**__**I'm grateful for each day you gave me**__**  
**__**Maybe I don't know that much**__**  
**__**But I know this much is true**__**  
**__**I was blessed because I was loved by you.**_

As the song progresses and they sing like they were pouring their hearts out the archer gives a signal to the DJ and the music stops completely. Regina frowns, putting her arm to the side. She looks at him, tilting her head to the side. "Why did you do that for?" The brunette questions, knitting her brows together. "If I get off this stage I'm not singing again." His smirk makes her narrow her eyes more at him. He simply takes the microphone from her and settles his own down. "Seriously Robin, everyone is watching us. What is your deal?"

He takes both of her hands, a warm simper crossing his brims. "My deal is that I love you." His palms lift to gently press against her cheeks, his smile never fading from his expression. Her own softens at his words and she fights but fail the curling of her lips. "I already know that, my love." She says matter of factly, "What I don't understand why are you stopping to tell me this."

"It will all be clear in a moment." The archer takes a deep intake of air, filling his lungs completely.

"Regina Mills. Ever since we've met our lives have been a series of hurricanes and storms that didn't seem to stop." He takes her hand in his, "But that didn't stop us from fighting. Now here we are time later enjoying our day and night together. Being a family with Roland and Henry, blissfully happy." Regina allows herself to smile broadly at his words. The words that are touching every fiber of her body, igniting every skin cell in her. "The other day while we were talking about our trip to Disneyland I realized I don't wish to be apart from you, ever. So…" he reaches for his pocket, taking out a small little box. Regina's eyes caught a glimpse of it and immediately a hand came to rest upon her mouth. Regina has a lump in her throat, and she can't really find the words to say but she is grateful when he continues talking. "You are this amazing, beautiful, smart, feisty and strong woman that my heart can't even fathom to live without. You make me better, you keep me on my toes and you make me strive for greatness each and every day." He opens the little box exposing a gorgeous diamond ring, a simply one really but inside it had engrave an arrow and an apple. "So would you give me the greatest honor of all and let me call you my wife?" By this time he is on his knee looking up at her, eyes filled with love.

Regina breath hitches and it feels like a swell of emotions spreading across her. With a smile as bright as the sun and a fervent nod, she reaches for his hand and breaths out a "Yes." He immediately stands and pulls her into his arms. The moment was like no other and he couldn't even begin to describe it. Robin takes the ring and puts it on her ring finger.

"Because you loved me I know now that our happiness was just a matter of timing." And his words rang true to both of their hearts.


	9. Forever my always

Camelot wasn't what she expected.

Yes, she read stories of a beautiful realm full of romanticism and amazing scenery but nothing prepared her for the real beauty it had to offer. Regina Mills was completely spellbound by it. But short lived as it was her own amazement – really because the reason they visited that real was to search for Emma – Robin made sure to at least show her around a bit.

The fact that he had so much knowledge about Camelot doesn't escape her but that is a conversation for another occasion. Right now it was time to get ready for a ball.

Ah because for some reason a ball is always necessary, even in this bleak time where they should be searching and not celebrating. Nevertheless, Regina had agreed to it even though her mood was anything but festive. The up side of it all? Seeing Robin all dressed up. Now that was something she couldn't wait to see.

Time passed by quickly. Seconds ticking by too slow and at the same time too fast for her own liking. Why is she so nervous? This isn't her first royal ball, and by the look of it not her last one but still there is a nagging in her head and a flutter in her stomach that only gets more intense the more the span of time shorten to the final hour. Gods, maybe she should stay in her chamber. Maybe it is best not to interfere in this. She shouldn't sour the atmosphere with her low disposition. A sigh emitted from her crimson red lips as she looked at herself in the full length mirror. Passion red dress with gold pieces embedded clinging over her curves perfectly. Half tempted to just change and sleep the night away, she is definitely not in the mood to cross the doors of her chambers down to the ballroom.

So it was decided. The once queen of the Enchated Forest will come up with some type of excuse to not attend. But there is a knocking on the door that drew her out of her reverie, temporary forgetting thinking of an excuse. Shaking her head, the brunette, gingerly makes her way to the heavy door, opening it and revealing a rather handsome outlaw on the other side.

"Robin!" she beamed at him, looking up and down at him.

Damn he is looks quite fetching.

When her eyes drifted back up to look at him, Regina, can't help the soft chortle that left her. Robin seemed to be trying to say something but by the looks of his mouth opening and closing tells her that the archer is rather speechless. It amazed her how she can do this to him, to this day it makes her feel so attractive and cherished by him. There is a beauty in the way he looks at her, like he is looking at Regina at this very moment. Like a work of art put together by all the gods, he looks at her as the ultimate treasure waiting to be protected from all the darkness in the world threatening to take her away from him. The archer sobered up, taking her hand and pressing a gently kiss on her knuckles.

"Milady, you look absolutely stunning." He is finally able to voice out, running circles with his thumb over her skin.

The blush on her cheeks is impossible to hide, even under the dim lights of well placed candles. It was amazing how special and grand Robin always seemed to make her feel with his oceanic blue eyes and simple yet caring words. This man makes her heart dance around her chest to the most beautiful melody that is his voice. A ghost that hovers over her mind and beating organ, singing her songs of pure love and happy beginnings, not endings, never again endings. That would mean giving up a life of adventure a pure love with him. All her life she was searching for something that seemed to be impossible to reach, a happy ending that would give her all that she wanted when the reality was another one differently. Thanks to him she learned that endings are simply excuses to stop living life fully. That endings are just another excuse to look back and not really move forward.

No, he was, is, her beginning.

Beginnings are just full of beautiful promises, brand new escapades just waiting to be experienced. This is what Robin of Locksley is to her. The birth of endless amounts of dawns.

Her genesis.

"Thank you, Robin. You don't look bad yourself." She had voiced out around a beautiful grin, impossible to hide. Robin own smile took her breath away. The way his upper teeth sunk onto his lower lip had her biting her own.

"But your attire is missing something."

Mills brows furrowed upon hearing his words. Tilting her head to the side, "Oh, and what is that? I think the handsome outlaw hanging on my arm would be a more of a satisfactory accessory." Definitely looking for an excuse to not assist to the ball has gone to a second plane.

A chortle expels from the archer, shaking his head with a smirk.

"Oh, the only one who will look good is me having you to my side. You, milady, are a vision which us mere mortals have the luck to be around off." There is a flutter of his eye in the form of a wink, making her smile bloom brighter and bigger than before.

This man is the death of her.

"Robin there is no need to compliment me to that degree." But that smile never falters and it only makes him smile even more.

"I cannot help it, Regina. You bring it out of me. Now to that missing part of your attire…" The archer looks into the pockets of his trousers. Regina watched him curiously, not really knowing what to expect from him. So, she moved out of the way so he could enter her chambers, closing the door behind him. She turned back to him and when she did her breath hitched. He was holding up a beautiful necklace.

"Robin…" She whispered, taking a step closer to look at the beautiful piece of jewelry.

"It belonged to my mother…" he began to explained, his voice already full of emotions. Instantly she knew Robin had an enormous amount of love for the woman who gave him life. Nodding, Regina touch the precious piece. "She once told me to give to someone that ignites my heart and soul." Robin walks behind her, with the intention to put it on. Regina moves her mane to the side allowing him to do so. "I never understood her words, but the day I first time I looked into your eyes I understood her words perfectly. I suppose she believed in soulmates." He clasped the necklace and left a kiss on her neck. She smiled, turning in his arms to look up at this man that makes her feel so many things that could never be written down, that could never have an ending when trying to explain. It shall live in an endless wave of echoes that will run throughout the galaxies, and future lives their souls will live. After meeting in this lifetime they shall never be separated again.

Emotions burned in the pit of her stomach and watery feelings stings her hazel eyes. Ghosting her touch over the necklet, Regina turned to him with an honest to true smile.

"Robin I…" a deep breath, "This is so beautiful. Thank you." She wanted to tell him, to release those three little words that are burning her heart at the very moment but she doesn't even know how to. This is not a dream, this is a reality she never expected to be living and to some point is scaring her to death. But then he is talking again.

"No need to thank me. I finally found the other half that makes me feel complete. I can look into your eyes forever and be completely happy and at bliss." He took her hand in his, warm and calming beneath her skin. "After all that has happened, after all this ups and downs that threatened to tear us apart we are here, one in front of another. I'm not afraid of anything as long as I have you by my side. Regina Mills, there are no words in this world or the other that can begin to describe how much I feel for you, all I can do is tell you three words that can only be a mere start, I love you. With all my heart and burning soul. You are the most beautiful song my heart could ever sing." And that seemed to make her heart stop, no not only her heart, time itself. The tears she was masterfully holding back streamed down like a river, her smile watery but bright.

She breathed out his name, feeling everything all at once. Looking into his eyes Regina almost see his soul welling up with all the words he just said. How did she get so lucky?

Taking a deep breath, she cupped his cheek, pressing a soft and hopeful kiss to his lips before she even began to attempt to respond back to his beautiful words.

"I will never understand how I had such a luck having you as my soulmate." She began with a nervous laugh. "But my heart chose well who to…" she swallows thickly, her next words something she should have said sooner, "That my heart chose well who to love." Finally saying it, voicing it out made her feel lighter, happy, and in complete freedom. "Thank you for being my friend, my guide, my confident and my lover. Thank you for not giving up on me when I was ready to throw everything, to let you go and most importantly I am forever grateful to you, for showing me a love without boundaries, no conditions just genuine and mutual respect where we both stand in the same ground. I love you." Robin smiles makes her tears all worth it, his arms went around her delicate frame, embracing her tight to his chest.

This felt like true happiness to them, this is what it feels to truly find your heart in another body. They just don't share a soul, it is more than that. They share a bond impossible to break even though fate tried too hard to do so. But look at them now. Pouring their hearts to one another, finally, finally living their love like they were meant to years ago.

Funny thing about fate. It wanted to bring them together once, when they found each other that entity wanted to cut them into half but no.

If your heart really wants something the universe will conspire until that wish is a reality.

And their reality now was a beautiful one.


	10. Raine

**A/N: this was an idea that was nagging at me today so I took the chance on writing it. It may have a second part because I kinda left things hanging in the air.**

**This One shot is about Robin and Regina meeting at the tavern, what would have happened after she fell in love with him. . .**

She is sitting at the bay window, reading one of her many books in peace. Asylum by Madeleine Roux and she sometimes wishes that she was locked up and to never see the light of day. Recently the discovered the truth of who she is, of who her birth parents are. They sat down and discuss how things went down, or how at least Cora was kind enough to retail when the underworld was brought upon to Storybrooke.

Cora had confessed to separated Robin and Regina when they first met, no met, after the young queen gave birth to and sweet little girl, the older Mills took her way and in that thought she also took away Robin and Regina's memories. Soulmates separate by twisted fate with a cold heart and unwavering hand.

One would think they would have get their memories back after sharing true love kiss many, many years later but that wasn't the case. The undead woman explained that she needed to make sure they never remember so instead of using a spell, she made use of rock troll magic. Hand picking memories away with the only chance of getting back is to retrieve the stones with them but Robin and Regina still are clueless to where they are.

The question they asked was? What happened with that baby to which Cora replied "I took her back with me to Wonderland and raised her until she was five years old. After that she was sent to the land without magic where you and Robin would never be able to reach, alas I was wrong and for my wrong doings I want to apologize but I was thinking of your Future, Regina."

The brunette apologized but her daughter couldn't even look at her. Her eyes went to the stunt Robin that couldn't even be able to form a word. It was Regina who spoke this time, looking at the speechless man without sparing a glance to her mother. "And after I took that poison to bare myself, you didn't think it was a good idea for me to know I had a Daughter?" Her last words were beyond a whisper, and her heart was clouded with pain to which Cora responded, "You were clear in your goals for revenge, a child would have only distracted you."

"Then what was the point of telling you wanted me to have a child when you took one away from me to begin with?"

"Because when you had Raine you defied me. If you were to have a child was on my term not yours. And now I see the errors of my ways."

Regina couldn't believe what she was listening, the only thing that stucked in her head was a name, Raine. A name with R, go figure.

"You must know where is she." Finally Robin spoke up, a glare set on the older Mills. Her chocolate eyes landed on Regina and with a shrug she responded,

"She is around. Last time I was here, alive, I saw her. Can't believe she was here all along but maybe she was attracted to this place, to her mother."

Regina breath hitches in the back of her throat at her mother's words, looking at Robin with shinning eyes, tears gathered but never fell, well not at least she saw Robin's hopeful ones.

"We have to find her..."

Indeed, and they did.

That was almost a month ago from this very moment back. Raine, read peacefully her book when, Snow came inside.

"Hey, can we talk?" The princess cautiously asked. Raine looked up quite surprised but nodded to which, Snow took it as a sign to sit down. The younger brunette with oceanic blue eyes closed her book on the marked page and look at the young princess without saying a word. So Snow needed to break the ice then.

"That is an interesting book you are reading." Raine smiled, placing on the other side of her.

"I like to read creepy stuff." She simply announced, lips closing and opening again to add. "No need for small talk. Just come out and say what you want."

The young princess eyes widen in surprised you the bluntness of the girl but she can't say she didn't expected an attitude like this, after all she is her mother's child to which she couldn't help herself to voice out. "You are definetely Regina's daughter."

Raine rolled her eyes, "Am I? "

"Of course you are." Snow frowned, "Why would you question something like that?"

Shoulders slumped, herface contorted into something akin to indifference. "Do they believe I'm their daughter?" Now Snow was so lost.

"They do. Robin and Regina are your parents but you are acting like they are strangers."

Raine shifted on her seat, debating on how to explain to her what she really felt.

"Tell me this. How did Emma acted when she first found out she was the daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White?"

Oh Snow knew where this was heading.

"She needed time to process things, and she had it."

The younger woman nodded. "When you and David first got together under the curse, you didn't remember you had a Daughter until said person broke the curse and you instantly remembered." She looked ahead, putting into coherent sentences what she wanted to do next. "You remembered there was another being out there for you to love. Another person to make you feel whole. But before all that could come to be there were walls waiting to be tear down."

For the first time Snow so this girl like a other version of Emma. All tough and powerful but with all that reached sky high.

"So you feel like Emma did. I can understand that but Raine, Regina and Robin..."

"Love me and blah blah. That is not the issues. When I first came here everything was peaceful and then the curse broke I found out that fairy tales are real. I questioned myself why they hell I was able to travel to the Enchanted Forest when Regina hit the reset button." She took a deep breath to stealth her rambling into a safer tone, "Then we came back millions of things happened and well life decided to tell reveal that I am the daughter of Robin Hood and the Evil Queen, which isn't very evil now and I am glad." Another deep breath, "That is not the issue. My issue is that I was raised by a family who care too little for me. The raised me to be a robot. Intelligent and gifted in many things but I am a flawed robot, because my emotions get the better of me."

Snow felt sympathy for this girl, who seemed to be needing someone to talk to for a very long time. But it was her next words that actually shocked her.

"Is not a matter of my accepting who they are in my life. Becuase after all that I have seen here I have no doubts in my mind. It is them who aren't accepting of me."

Snow's brows knitted together, "They accept you, you are their daughter, and they are amazing parents why wouldn't day?"

"Becuase I am pretty sure in Regina's mind this could be another Cora deception. Because knowing something that came from someone's else's mouth and knowing something because you have lived it are two very different things. And until they don't get their memories back they will look at me like I'm still a stranger."

Words cut deep and Snow was pretty sure if Regina heard all of this it would break her heart. But the ebony woman understands Raine's perception of things and doesn't blame her for thinking that way. Honestly, she herself wouldn't have seen every so middle grey like this girl did. She is indeed quite wise.

"I understand what you are saying." What else can she say? It isn't like she can vouch of either of this girl parents because she was right.

"I may consider myself a robot but . . . But this robot is flawed and like I said emotions, are what are destroying me. So this is something they need to figure out and until then I won't get my hopes up in a relationship with them because in the end of the day I'm still a stranger in their lives." Raine stood up, picking up her book. "I must go. Thanks for this conversation. I needed to get things out of my chest."  
Snow followed suit and stood up.

"No problem. If you wish to speak again you-know where to find me." With that said, the girl left leaving behind a thoughtful woman. A few moments later Robin and Regina walked in, their faces where filled with pain.

"You heard her, didn't you."

Robin nodded and squeezed Regina's hand.  
"The worst part is that she is right and we are handling this situation poorly. We need to fix this, Regina..."


	11. From Before to the present Smut Week

**So here is my entry for day 3 of Smut Week. I was convinced by three people that shall be nameless but I'm watching them. So I decided to go AU on this, Doctor's Au to be more precise. I was thinking on writing more for this week but unfortunately I won't have time to do so. So sorry about that. If I get a little time I will make sure to edit something or write. Anyway, Enjoy Neurosurgeon Locksley and Trauma Physician Mills. **

**Xoxo Janice.**

**..::..**

Day 3: From before to the present. [sex in public promopt]

They met about a year ago.

One of the many mandatory conventions that they, as doctor, need to attend to validate certifications and practice manners; and now look at him in front of her. A cheeky grin on his lips as Doctor Gold presented them to one another.

"Regina this is Robin Locksley, neurosurgeon. He will be the head of the department." Gold had said motioning with his hand at the man, completely clueless to their internal conversation. "Robin, this is our best Trauma Physician, chief of trauma –"

"Regina Mills, yes I know. We met a year ago." Robin is extended his hand to hers, "I have to say, it is good to see you again. You made quite the impression."

The physician rolled her eyes with a scoff but accepted his hand.

"Well since you two already know each other. . ." Director Gold is turning to look at Regina. "I have a meeting. Give him a tour. Robin you are in good hands."

The neurosurgeon licked his lips briefly, smirking still. "Indeed I am." The innuendo was established then and there and Regina could hear it in the back of his voice. Still cocky as ever. The director left the pair alone, their eyes locking together. "I have to say, I didn't expect to see you again."

The brunette rolled her eyes so hard that if she wasn't careful enough she might see her brain. "Well I can say the same about you." Legs began to move, and she looked over her shoulder. "Are you coming or should I prompt you to move?" She raised a pointed brow in his direction, waiting for his answer.

"Hands and mouth, still your best features."

Warmth crept over her cheeks when those words sounded against her ears. Seriously this man is a non-stop flirting machine. It brought her down to memory lane, remembering that night a year ago.

..::..

It was of those mandatory doctor conventions where they have to endure hours and hours of the constant babbling of an old man. Regina was completely bored out of her mind and Zelena – who's seated at her side – wouldn't stop drumming her fingers against the table surface like a mad woman. She should have taken another table, should have stay away from the ginger woman that drives her to the brinks of insanity with her maniac laughter and her stupid crazy eyes.

She really needs to get away.

Slowly, she stood up from her chair. The woman sitting beside her looked up with a questioning look. Regina just uttered the word 'bathroom' and 'won't take long.' Before she quickly made her way out ball room that was full with doctor from all across the country. Once she took a step onto the cold hallway the brunette freed a soft sigh of relief. Staying on her bum for hours was seriously stifling her body. Regina began to stretch. Limbs, back and the neck, gods she needs a good massage.

"Boring isn't it?" A voice interrupted her internal ranting, causing her to turn around and follow the path that voice had taken to her. There, against a wall, stood a man with alluring blue eyes. Muscled arms crossed over what it looks like a well built chest, and a small smile that showcased, at least a bit, the dimples she sure hope are really deep. With an arched brow, Regina relaxed her stance a bit.

"Boring is an understatement." Thumb and forefinger came to pinch the bridge of her nose, clearly annoyed from her stupid morning with loads of creeps' doctors trying to hit on her. "Gods if I didn't love my profession I would have bailed a long time ago." Those words caused the man to chuckle and Regina was drawn to that sound that made her stomach flip.

Snap out of it.

"The things we love can make us do crazy things." He said with another chuckle. The stranger takes a step towards the brunette, a smile gracing his countenance and a hand outstretched to her. "Robin Locksley, at your service."

She looked at his hand with a raised brow. Big, strong and steady.

_I got some places where you can give maintenance. _Regina was startled with her own thoughts. Being trapped in that place for too long had its consequences. Shaking her head, Mills shook his hand.

"Regina Mills. Not quite at your service." Upper teeth dragged her bottom lip before her mouth morphed into a smirk. The man holding her hand raised a brow in her direction, seemingly trying to decipher the meaning behind that particular sentence. He had to admit that this woman was quite alluring to his eyes.

"Here I thought we could have a little fun." He quipped, not ashamed of what he just said. Robin was always quite the forward person, he never had a need to hide his intentions like he was doing something wrong. If there was something he prevailed on, other than in his career, was his completely honesty that most of the time would board bluntness; and right now it is hard not being himself. There is this gorgeous brunette standing in front of him, with beautiful hazel eyes that makes his stomach summersault and his skin tingle with the soft kiss of palm against palm. Really how can a man not feel attraction towards this woman that could only be describe as a soul binding and powerful enigma? Well, whatever it was, she was appealing to him.

"You really don't waste any time." Bobbing her head to the side the brunette added, "You just stopped being a mystery for me, pity." Regina retracted her hand, lips morphing into a smirk. It was a total lie, when she first lay her eyes on him leaning against the wall she thought of him as a certain mystery just waiting to be uncovered but as he kept talking things began to die there. So much for having fun. Robin laughed, causing her eyes to shot to his face in an instant and her perfectly sculptured brow to raise without resistant. What is it with this man?

"Sorry, milady." He apologized with a slight grin, his dimples on full display –just like she suspected, they are deep –and his accent deeper than before. Gods she does have something with accents. Him talking once more brought her out of her reverie, trying to focus on his voice once more. "I've always been the kind of man to take action now and ask questions later. . ." Humming softly, Robin tongue darted to wet his lip, Regina taking noticed on how quick it moved. _That should come in handy in other places…_ Her treacherous mind informed her and gods she really needs to get laid. How long has it been? Six months, a year? Really who is counting? Oh yeah her libido.

"Oh?" it was low, almost seductive, her eyes said as much. "Do you always pick up woman in medical conventions like this? So straightforward and without word foreplay?"

"But this is foreplay to me." He pointed out, teeth biting back a grin before he fully explained himself. "You are looking at me like I am some crazy lunatic and I am looking at you like you are the most delicious buffet. Even though you think I am crazy you can't stop staring at my blue eyes or my mouth and I can't stop staring at your luscious lips that must be glorious to kiss…" He was openly flirting with her, without restrains, without a filter with a 'Take it as it is.' Attitude that Regina found rather attractive. Maybe she can have fun in this trip after all.

"I can do so much more with my mouth than kiss."

Oh.

That went right through him.

Usually woman just fell putty in his arms the moment a few words left his lips. He hasn't met a woman that could counter him with words, well up until now. Things are finally looking up for him in this boring convention.

"I don't doubt it." He smiled, offering a hand, "Would you like to have a drink?"

The brunette looked at his hand for a few seconds before her eyes went to the close door that was shielding the view to the room where she should be siting. She told Zelena she wouldn't take long but just thinking about going back filled her with annoyance. One drink won't hurt, right? If anything it would make her day more bearable.

"One, but after it I am going right back into the room and maybe not see you again, never in my life." Regina took his hand.

He chuckled wholeheartedly. "As you wish."

..::..

One drink turned into two, which turned into them downing a bottle of whiskey in the hotel bar. They had talked and talked all through the afternoon but it wasn't until Regina's hand landed in his thigh and moved up that they moved the party to the nearest location that was the bathroom. It had an out of service sign on the door to which worked to the full advantage. There was no time to waste, not when they have been eyeing each other throughout the day. All those lingering looks, and innuendos between have left the pair wanting to touch everywhere, to feel everything.

The moment the door closed behind them, Robin had his hand in her hair and his mouth devouring hers. The brunette desperate hands began to undo the buttons of his shirt whilst her mouth opened to grant him access to every hot and wet corner of her mouth. It was lust with a dash of madness that coursed through the veins, that desire in the pit of their stomach finally taking form in their desperate need of each other. T_heir hands moved all over, into inner thigh, rounded curve of the ass. Once her hands finished twisting every button of his shirt and pushing it off his shoulders –he hand to let go of her hair so she could do so – her hands were immediately tracing his torso. His well-built chest underneath her fingertips sent a shiver down her spine and directly into her core that was begging for his attention. _

_"You certainly don't disappoint." She muttered in full amusement as her hands traveled down to the waistband of his pants and began tugging at his belt, "I do hope this…" her hand cupped his bulged, eliciting a low groan from him. She knew he was so hard for her and the thought of just ripping his pants off and taking him on her hand sent liquid heat into her system. She really, really wants him and no it wasn't the alcohol talking. Her eyes returned to him, a wicked grin on her lips. "…doesn't disappoint either."_

_The evil intent in her eyes, the wickedness of her mouth was causing him to lose all senses right there and then. How can a woman put him in such a state so fast? It never happened to him, there wasn't anyone in the world that could make him feel like an innocent puppy until he met Regina Mills. Pity that this was a onetime thing. After this little excursion they will return to their rightful places and never seem each other again. It was discouraging but it also motivated him to get the best out of this, out of them and the pleasure they will certainly enjoy together. _

_Robin pressed her more against the door, his mouth going to her neck where he found that little pulsing part and sucked, really hard. "Don't worry, Regina." He muttered hotly against her ear, "He knows how to give a good time." Sucking her earlobe, Robin began to undo the zipper f her tight dress, successfully earning him a moan from the woman against him. Her skin was soft like velvet, and it sent spark running over his skin. His fingers graced over her breastbone and when her dress finally fell to the floor, he studied her, muttered a 'stunning' before his hand caressed her soft breast. _

_The brunette's mind went into a frenzy of thoughts. Was he putting her on? But then she felt his mouth taken in her hard rock nipple and all those thoughts went to the back of her head where pleasure would make sure to bury them forever. He moved his mouth slowly down her belly, crouching slowly, until he reached her midriff. Looking up at her with lustful he licked his lips and hooked one finger on her black lace panty and dragged them down. What started as a desperate need turn into something he, they, cannot explain. They want this moment to last because it doesn't go amiss to them it will the only time for them._

_Clueless as to what the future held for them._

_ Once the piece of lingerie was completely discarded, Locksley placed a kiss just above her pubic bone and without any hesitation slipped two fingers right in. This action caused the brunette to moan and moved her hips in accordance to his movement and gods she felt so good, well that was until he suddenly took his fingers back as he thought better of the situation. When Regina opened her eyes to send a glare his way, her action was stop when his mouth replaced his fingers previous place. Sucking, on her clit, lapping his tongue over it, Mills threw her head back with eyes shut closed. A hand on his head, fingers flexing against his almost golden locks, whilst the other grabbed her breast and began caressing it. Her moans fell freely from her mouth (internally taking whoever decided to play loud music in the hotel restaurant, because she isn't sure if she could be able to hold back all the sounds that are coming from deep within her throat.). _

_His eyes are still looking up at her, the way her mouth opened freely, and how her hand played with herself had his length was throbbing in the confinement of his pants, a painful reminder that he want to be bury balls deep within her, but for now all he want is her pleasure, that he successfully was providing her with. Mouth kept working her clit without stopping. _

_"Shit I'm so..." She muttered lowly, the fingers in his hairs grasping tighter and tighter with the passing of the seconds. _

_Robin slipped two fingers in once more, and he bask in the feeling of her tight cunt around his callous digits. "Don't hold back." Locksley told her, his mouth sending vibration to her sensitive core while his fingers played and curled inside her. Regina couldn't take it any longer, couldn't stop the white wave of pleasure that washed over her in an instant. The satisfaction Robin had given her had her moaning loudly. When her orgasm was fully ridden, Robin stood up and kissed her fiercely without missing a beat. Her hands were already on his belt undoing it in a swift motion that had them both surprise but that didn't stop them from sucking on each other tongue. The taste of her still clinging his mouth, was passed to her and Regina swore that the fucking hottest thing in the worlds. Slim fingers undid the button and the fly. The brunette tore her mouth from him and grinned devilish. "Pants down Locksley." She commanded in an all regal and demanding way that had his cock twitching in his pants._

_ Gods this woman. _

_Doing as she commanded, Robin tore his pants off with his boxer briefs, leaving him fully naked in front of her. His cock poking at her belly had Regina smirking even more, and when her forefinger made contact with the tip of his cock his mouth freed a groan. She hasn't done much and he already feels like lava in her hands. _

_"My, my…" She slowly stroked his member, causing him to shut his eyes close for a moment. "I have to say you are really full of thick and long surprises." Her pearly white trapped her lower lip, her dark eyes even darker than they should. Hands still working his throbbing cock. "You remember when I said my mouth can do more than just kissing?" Robin simply nodded, words fleeing him at the very moment. This woman, this vixen, is causing him to lose all coherent thought, all straight thinking. His mind is a full blown haze of desire and lust and gods he wants her to do more. "Might if we put them to the test?" But Regina didn't wait for an answer, not a word, not a movement of his head. Regina sank to her knees, putting her face to face with his hard cock that only seemed to get harder by the second. Tongue darted out of her mouth to softly caress his tip, action that brought his hand to her hair, silently asking her for more, to which she was more than happy to oblige. Robin smelled dusky and deep, and she slowly leaned in, taking him inch by inch she discovered that his taste was equal to his smell. All manly. A growl passed his rough lips the more she took him in. The brunette teared her out away from him for a brief moment and she took the opportunity to lick from tip to base and back up again. She felt him shutter, felt the heat radiating from his body and immediately caused desire to pool between her legs. She wants him, has a desperate need of his cock hitting, pounding into her. At first she just took the tip in, just like before, and slowly began to take him in. Tongue swirling around his shaft. The entire process become sloppy, but not once she broke eye contact with him, it was arousing to see how his bright blue eyes turned into a shade of darker in an instant. He wanted her too. _

_"Regina…" oh but when she began to move up and down, used her hands at the base of his cock to stroke in synch with her head movements, it was too much. If she continued like that there was no way he would last. "I want to be inside of you, now." Regina let go of his cock and he gently pulled her up by the hair and pressed her to the wall. A leg came to wrap around his waist and with no time to lose, Robin align himself to her entrance and sunk right in. The both released a twin groan of pleasure. He slanted his mouth against Regina's as he began to move. It was slow at first, wall meeting cock so they could get used to each other, acquainted to one another until his slow movements turned into hard thrust that had her sinking her teeth into his lower lip and her nails running all across the length of his spine. _

_Those are going to leave a mark. _

_The sexual tension that have been present since the very moment they met lead them both to a high ground of bliss and sweet torture that their bodies were more than happy to endure. "You feel so good." Robin mumble between moans. His mouth went to kiss and devour her neck. She moved her head to the side to allow him more access to her flesh there.  
_

_She was close so dangerously close and by the way his thrust became harder and erratic, it was clear to the brunette that he was almost there two. He just need it an incentive. Her hands went between them, fingers putting pressure to her clit. "Look down, watch me touch myself." She coaxed, and he immediately did as she said. The sight caused Robin's cock to throb more, to feel more. "Fuck Regina you are bloody gorgeous." He almost yelled, he knew it was time. Robin hot seeds spurted into her and Regina quickly followed behind. With a few more thrust Robin and Regina rode the last of their orgasm. _

_They waited for their bodies to cool down, to the breathing to normalize before disentangling from each other and start dressing. _

_Regina look over at him with a seductive smirk that had his heart thumping hard against his ribcage._

_"Until the next convention, right?"_

_Robin grinned, "I sure hope so." _

_..::.._

They finished the tour around the hospital, both of them feeling rather eerie around each other. What are the odds that they would end up working in the same hospital?

Regina shook her head, trying to push away the memories of their night together in an out of service bathroom.

"Regina?" he questioned but he knows she is thinking about it, thinking about the best sex they ever had, well at least for him.

"Sorry." She mumbled, finally focusing on him. "What did you say?"

"I said if you would go out to dinner with me?"

Regina was rather surprised by his request but really couldn't say no.

"But I don't do sex on the first date." She joked, softly shoving a finger into his hard chest. Damn!

"Well then… than god we didn't go out on a date a year ago…" he winked at her.

This was the beginning of a weird but satisfying relationship.


	12. Defying Destiny

A/N: Hiii! Well I have this little OS for you guys. It had been playing in my head for days and today I finally have the time and muse to write it down. It didn't turn out the way I hoped so but I wanted to contribute to my fellow OQers who are suffering with Robin's death as much as I am. I hope (And not Adam's definition of Hope.) that you guys enjoy this. Outlaw Queen will forever live.

Love Janice.

X

Defying Destiny.

It has been one week, twenty three hours and fifteen minutes since she last seen him. It has been one week, twenty three hours and fifteen minutes since she seen his smile and blue eyes for the last time. He took his last breath and never again said her name again and the pain still resides in her heart like a permanent open wound.

Regina had cried, oh how much she cried in the confinement of her room or vault.

The two places they had express their love with soft caresses, kisses and or simply gazing into each other's eyes. She hasn't been able to sleep for a week, she hasn't been able to let go of the anger weighing her down.

When she first saw Hook after Robin's funeral, her heart clenched and her instinct of ripping out his throat and watching the life be drained away from his body, for good, was strong but she managed to not allow her darkness to take control.

But boy how much she wanted to just let go.

Sleeping isn't an option for her. She still believe that everything is just a dream and at any moment Robin will go bargain into her office, with coffee in hand and a bright smile on his lips. It was a thing he did before the whole Underworld episode. He would come in and wouldn't leave until he memorized each and every one of her smiles. He used to say "Every time I see your smile, I discover a new hidden secret in it. It makes it easier to get on with my day because I know that you are happy."

He always was full of compliments, always went the extra mile to ensure she was alright and now…

She won't even get to hear his voice.

If she sleeps then his departure will truly be a reality and she doesn't want to live in a world where Robin's smile doesn't exist anymore.

So she doesn't.

Another week went by and she is tired of feeling sad, tired of feeling lonely, tired of not seeing his face or hear his laugh. Why must fate kick her this way? Regina is aware of her horrible karma but why take away a good man? A father, a friend, a lover and humanitarian? Robin deserved so much more than this horrible fate. He deserved to move on, to have an afterlife where he could heal. See Marian, talk to her about their amazing son.

Why must a good man have a fate worse than death?

Three weeks now and she is week. No sleep, barely eats and doesn't have contact with no one. Pulling away from others is an instinct impossible to fight, so she doesn't. Henry had tried a few times to get her to talk, to eat but nothing but well not until now. She was already tired of pushing people back that Mills allowed Henry to bring her something to eat. They sat in silence for a really long time until Regina moved her gaze up and locked visage with Henry. His usually hopeful eyes were replaced with worry and sorrow for her mother and she knew that it was time to stand up, and get out of the pit of sadness and anger she was in. Regina apologized to her son and hugged him really tight action that he didn't hesitate to return. For the first time in the past three weeks Regina felt a bit of relief in her heart. It didn't take long for her to, finally go to sleep.

At first it was all black and oddly enough, peaceful. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. As time progressed, her dream world turned bright and warm. It was like she was floating on a cloud. Regina felt so light, everything she had been feeling for the past three weeks suddenly disappeared from her mind and she could finally breathe. Air filled her lungs, inhaling peace and exhaling all the thoughts that had clouded her mind since well… For a moment everything felt right until it didn't.

"Hello Regina."

No, No. NO.

That couldn't be.

She wasn't hearing his voice. Her body was frozen in place, not daring to turn back and look where the voice came from. Though she didn't have to look, the familiarity made her heart flutter and her breath hitch at the back of her throat. Her mouth opened but quickly close, words unable to be pronounced. Regina could hear his steps, each one deafening against her ear drum. Now she remembers why she was so reluctant to go to sleep. Last thing she needed was to be reminded of his death even in her sleep.

Karma is a bitch.

"I've been waiting for you." He spoke again, finally standing in front of her. Regina's eyes locked with the floor, remaining there as her breathing starts to falter. [Why is this happening? Haven't I suffered enough?] Her internal struggle rages on to the point her eyes shut close. The air around her was so familiar, forest with fresh brew coffee, that was all Robin and her heart clenched. Was he really there? Or is her imagination, madness, getting the best of her?

"You are not here…" She mumbled, not daring to open her eyes. "You are just a dream…" Arms went to embrace herself, trying, desperately, to not cry again.

She had cried enough.

His finger hooked under her chin, pulling it up so he could look into her face. "Regina, please, open your eyes…" She shook her head no and he couldn't help laughing. "You are incredibly stubborn, as always." He muttered, leaning forward to kiss her forehead.

The kiss sparked something in her. It made her open her eyes, a single tear escaping her right eye. Even if it was a dream the truth was it felt extremely real and this was better than her reality.

"You aren't real." Head titled to the side, a sob escaping plush lips.

"I am." Robin replied gently, his hands covering her cheeks wanting to feel her skin beneath his skin. "I've been waiting for you here for weeks now."

A confused expression graces her countenance causing another chortle to be freed from his lips.

"I didn't cease to exist, not completely." He said, thumbs gracing her cheekbones. Regina is still confused and her eyes are enough to tell him that he should elaborate, that he should explain what he meant before her patience wears thin.

So he did.

"When Hades zapped me I turned into energy." Brow furrow, not knowing exactly how to proceed but he tried, for her sake he did. "I don't belong in the world of the living but either in the afterlife. I'm stuck here…" He points around, everything finally coming into focus in her eyes. They were in a forest like place, most likely thanks to Robin's preference of places. That explained the forest smell, though it clings to him, but the coffee smell? Well maybe that one was actually product of her imagination.

"Wait so you are alive?" She asked in a whispers, eyes shining with a bit of hope.

"I don't know." He replied because he truly doesn't. Robin has never been the one to know much about magic, what he did know was thanks to watching Regina use it. Nevertheless, he was smart enough to deduce the state he is in. He remembers when Gold once explained that magic can't be destroyed, just transformed, so he assumed that is what happened with his soul. In the end a soul has magical properties which meant Hades words were a lie. Or maybe it was that his soul and Regina's were from the same source. Soulmates through and through and not even death could change that fact ever. "I just know that I can feel your pain like it was my own." His lungs expelled the air that was trapped as those words passed from his mouth. It was true. For days, weeks, he had been feeling that whirlwind of emotions Regina had been feelings. Some days darkest than the last but the pain was there encircling her heart and his.

When he said those words Regina had to breathe in deeply, desperately trying to not cry but to no avail. He was hurting because she was thought alone had her putting her arms around him and hugging Robin tight. For the first time in days she felt good. Maybe if it was for a brief moment inside her head, Robin was there, embracing her back. "I'm sorry." She muttered into the crock of his neck, arms tightening around him even more. "I don't know how I should feel. You died protecting me. You ceased to exist because of me. I feel so guilty."

"Don't." Robin kissed the side of her head before he pulled back and began guiding them to the nearest tree where they sat at the base of it. Silence stroll along as they simply bask in each other's company before Robin finally spoke once more. "I would give up my life for you all over again."

"I should be dead not you." She protested, feeling something akin to anger beginning to brew. How could he be so blind? Out of the two of them she is the one that had done more wrong. She would have understand if it was her time to go. But Robin? He was a good man, with a son that was left an orphan and a daughter he never got name. He had many friends, so many things to discover, he deserved a better life not this in between that would probably be for eternity.

He wasn't going to accept what she said. "I wouldn't be able to fathom a world where you weren't in it." He grasped her hand, pulling it up to press his lips against it. "I know it hurts losing someone you love, believe me, the fact that I can't go to you right now and simply hug you is killing me but a world where I live and you don't is worse. I know it's contradictory but that is how I feel. Maybe when you wake up I will finally leave but at least I will be able to say goodbye." He took a deep breath, "At least I will be able to tell you how much I love you."

Oh her heart.

Her heart began to beat too fast against her ribcage when those words left his mouth. She always known how he felt, the way he treated her and guarded her heart told her as much but the confirmation made her heart flutter and clenched all at the same time because she doesn't know if she will be able to hear them again.

"I'm sorry that I never told you this, I don't even know why I've never told you that I love you. That was my biggest regret when I arrived here." Head leaned to rest against hers for a moment, trying hard to keep the tears at bay, but it was almost impossible to do so, when it came to Regina all shields were down. "I…" he cleared his throat, "For the last few weeks I've been hoping that you would find me here, just once but when you didn't come I thought that my time was truly up and that I would never be fortunate to tell you this. But gods I'm happy you are here." Pulling back to look into her eyes, Robin grinned, brushing away the few tears that were falling over her porcelain skin. "I love you, Regina Mills."

"I love you too." Her own heart felt lighter at finally saying those words, even though they were bitter sweet she was finally able to get them off her chest. "I hate this fate of yours." She confessed, leaning into his arms to rest comfortably in them. "I wish you could move on. Go to a better place. At least if that happened I'd known you weren't alone. Ceasing to exist is worse than death."

"But Regina…" arms tighten around her frame, nose hidden in her hair. She smells of apples and cinnamon with a hint of lavender. He engraved that scent in his mind, knowing well that this pretty much could the last time he could be with her. "…Hades was wrong I could never cease to exist. As long as you have me present into your heart and soul I'll always be there. Death will never be able to destroy what we have. Our love will transcend the barrier of logic, time and space. If that weren't the case I wouldn't be here."

Regina was apprehensive with his words. They sounded an awful lot like hope and she doesn't believe she can hold any of it in her heart but somewhere deep inside her, Regina knew Robin was right. Maybe that was the reason behind this encounter.

Or maybe it was just a dream.

Regardless of what it was, Regina felt herself be at peace for the first time since Robin's death.

"Even if we never see each other again, I will always hold you dear in my heart. I know this is a horrible fate but it could have been worse, right?" He laughed a little, trying to lighten the mood. When Regina follow suit with a laugh of her own, Robin pulled his hands to frame her face and softly kissed her lips.

"What happens next?" She asked immediately after they kissed. Robin's slumps, not knowing what answer.

"I don't know but whatever it is know that that you will have my full support. But please, try to move on. If you ever fall in love again, don't feel guilty. I only want your happiness that's all I ever wanted for you." He smiled, kissing her forehead.

Regina's eyes watered at his words, "I don't think I could ever fall in love again after meeting my soulmate." A hollow laugh left her mouth, "But I will try to move on."

"Good…" Robin reached to the side, grasping a wild flower and offering it to Regina. The brunette smiled, taking it closer to her nose to breath is the amazing aroma. "I hope you and I will meet in another life but for now…" He kissed her one last time with all the love and devotion he could mustered. When their lips parted, he breathed in her scent one last time before muttering his final words.

"Wake up."

She opened her eyes with a start. Heart beating frantically against her ribcage. Regina sat up, lifting a hand to cover her eyes thanks to the blaring sun rays hurting. She felt somewhat hollow after that dream with Robin. But she swore she could still smell his foresty scent all around her.

Made her nostalgic.

Lowering her hand slowly, for the first time, Regina realized she was holding something. Upon opening her eyes and seeing what she was holding, a gasp left her body. It was the same wild flower Robin had given her. Same pink color, even the scent was the same. A tears fell down her cheek and she realized that no, that wasn't a dream, she was with him and there was a chance that she could get him back.

No she didn't know how but tonight she will see him again. Mills has hope that what happened last night will repeat itself.

For the first time in week she is actually looking forward to sleep.


	13. Fox Love Begin Again OS

A/N: Hi! You know what? I was in a really good mood so I decided to write the short Begin Again One Shot. I hope you guys enjoy it! Thank you for staying tune and always lifting me up with your encouraging words. This OS is set way into the future, more than ten years to be precise. I tried to write it the best way I could without giving away the plot for the second part of Begin Again, which I promise I'll write soon. I have no beta so be aware that there are like a million mistakes. Other than that we are good!

XOXO, Janice.

Begin Again…

Before tiny Raine Sophia Locksley was born, Regina had a slight obsession. It wasn't art related, though it lead in that direction. No paintings, no musical piece that tried to boss her around. No. Regina Victoria Locksley had an obsession with Foxes. She spent hours and hours looking through Pinterest, Tumblr and even We Heart it in search of photos for her to paint. Her art room was filled with many different type of painting. From abstract, to a more traditional portrait all the way to Pop art. Needless to say, Robin was sick of it and Regina actually enjoyed annoying him with it.

But Raine was born and all her attention went to her little angel that commanded all of her attention.

When the youngest of the Locksley (Not really. Raine wasn't actually the youngest but that particular chapter was too painful to even think about it.) clan turned sixteen, she got her very first boyfriend and all her attention fell on him, Liam.

Robin was set to move temporarily to Seattle, Henry lived on his own and Roland was off, gods know where doing his thing, being happy and that left Regina to plan her lonely months ahead.

Well not that lonely.

There were so many animals around the house.

From a Huskey named Willow (who's Regina favorite one.) to a golden retriever named Lime whom Robin and Raine simply adored. A little bunny name Buneary and a little pig named Oinker. Mal once told Regina it wasn't healthy to have these many animals around the house, that instead of talking about that traumatizing experienced she lived a few years ago, she is filling the hole with pets, lots and lots of pets. Regina had shrugged it off, not wanting to admit that her friend might be right but it was too much for the brunette.

She'll probably never get over it.

But she is living, one day at a time and with Robin at her side every dark day seems more bearable.

The day of Robin's departure grew near and Regina was already feeling depressed. To be alone, although not entirely but without him might as well be that way, wasn't something the brunette was looking forward to. It was the first time they would be apart since they reunited that faithful night all those year ago in the gallery and honestly it was unsettling to even thing about it. But he had a job to do. Mallorie had put all her trust in him. This new branch for the gallery with a music school like the one in Alabama was on the beta test run. They needed someone there to oversee everything, someone whose experience with the project had bad been fruitful. It was between him and Regina but after a long conversation (like really long to the point that they got tired and ended up having sex) the pair had decided that Robin should be the one to go. The brunette still had to finish her new collection for the gallery and was also helping Henry with his own project.

So that was that and Regina was doom to feel lonely for the next three months.

When dinner time rolled in the evening before Robin's departure. The kids were all disperse and Regina was laying on the couch, watching Stranger Things (New obsession.) and scratching Willow behind her ears. The house was engulfed in full silence and she sighs with a heaviness that had the brunette closing her eyes. If this was her fate for the next few months, she better get a hobby or something.

"Regina?" A voice came from behind the couch, and she smiled. Even then his voice could make her grin. Though the questioning tone didn't go unnoticed. Regina half turned to him, Robin bristled.

"Are you okay, thief?" Robin sent a nervous smile her way causing the brunette to furrow her brows, eyes narrowing. "Well…"

"Do you remember when you were pregnant with Raine and you painted like a million different fox artworks?" Robin walked to her, holding something in his hands. Upon further inspection, Regina realized it was one of those many canvas.

"I thought I threw all those away." But Robin laughed, shaking his head softly.

"You did but I saved one, my favorite."

Brow rose almost to her hairline at his confession. Back then she could have sworn he was annoyed by that phase but she shrugged, sitting straight once he was seated beside her.

"Wanna know which one?" When Robin lifted the canvas to show her, Regina couldn't help the laugh that left her lips. Out of all of them he had to pick that one. She couldn't speak as she traced a dainty finger over the years dried paint. This did bring back memories. But after a while of just gazing and smiling the brunette looked at those brilliant blue eyes and couldn't help leaning to press her soft lips against his cheek.

"Your favorite is the one of us as foxes." He nodded and she laughed again, pure amusement bubbling in her stomach. Gods she is going to miss these random moments with him.

_Only three months Regina._

"I thought you were annoyed at me for these…" picking up the frame from his hands, Regina placed it on the coffee table before turning. His arms were already waiting for her to lay between. Robin squeezed her softly, a kiss on top of her head as she accommodated better.

"I wasn't." A scoff from Regina. "Okay, maybe a little but not enough to hate." A laugh from him. "It was such a surprise the sudden influx with Foxes, that's all."

"Is your favorite animal." She commented.

"It is." He confirmed with a shrug. "But apparently you love it more than me."

"I was bored Robin not in love with an animal. I just needed something new to paint." And it was the truth. After hitting a rough patch of zero muse, Regina decided to do something different and they happened to be talking about foxes because of a documentary Robin was watching. "Besides after Raine was born I, not once, thought about that. It was something to pass the time."

"Regina you wanted a fox."

"And Roland wants a tiger but we didn't get him one." She shot back with a laugh. Though to this very day Roland is still insisting on a tiger. "But why are you bringing this up?" Robin cocked his head, taking a deep breath.

"I just wanted to remanence." He said but Regina didn't buy it.

"Robin Oliver Locksley, you are so full of crap." The faux offense on his features caused the brunette to grin. Aha! She saw right through him.

"So there's a little more to this…" Without even waiting for to question him, because he knew she would Robin called out, "Henry!" and the older of the Locksley trio walked in holding something…

Oh my God.

"Is that…" trailing off, Regina sat straight, as her eldest son approached them. "Are you serious?"

Robin and Henry shared a look as in saying _'Yes, pretty much. Pretty reckless.' _

"I never forgot you wanted a fox." And there it was, as bright as day, a baby fox. Henry passed it into his mother's arms, shaking his head at his father.

"Mom, Dad. I love you two but this is completely crazy." Standing up he added, "Oinker isn't visiting until he is fully domesticated."

"What, afraid the little guy is seen as bacon?" But Henry rolled his eyes and didn't dignify it with a response. Instead, he kissed the top of his mother's head. "I'm going out with Kara tonight but I'll here in the morning to keep you company after Dad leaves."

And to that she was grateful. "Say hi to Kara for me. Oh, and tell her I'll be making her favorite pizza." A smirk, upon seeing how her son's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. He and his girlfriend were the perfect pair. They liked the same things, food to be precise, and they kept each other on their toes. Regina loved Kara so much but seeing Henry happy was what she loved the most.

"I will. I'm pretty sure she'll be happy to hear that." With that said, Henry bid his goodbye and Regina took the time to pet the fox in her arms.

"I can't believe you got me a fox." She laughed, lifting the little guy to her line of view. "Hey there little guy." Regina couldn't believe he actually did this.

"It is a baby so it will be easy to raise and domesticate. The caretaker told me that they tend to be friendly to other animals when raised the right way. So I'm hoping Lime, Willow and…" Robin went into silence, waiting for Regina to come up with a name for the little guy. Looking up, she read the question in his face and she started to think about names. Many, many came into mind but nothing that would stick until she remembers something.

"Vulpix." The brunette exclaimed with glee and when she looked at the fox and saw him smile (sort of.) She knew that would be the name for him.

Robin furrow his brow. "Like the Pokémon?"

"Exactly like the Pokémon."

"What is it with you and Raine with Pokémon names? They are so, generic."

"Your face is generic." Regina shot back with a smirk.

"Is it?" He questioned with a raise brow, lifting his hands, ready to tickle her. Regina read his movement and quickly stood up. Robin laughed. "My face, that you loooove, isn't generic." The artist stood up, and was quick to grab her (carefully since she was still holding the baby fox.) and kissed her lips. "Anyway. The reason for me giving you this little guy…" He scratched behind Vulpix's ears. "Is to remind you that I never forget about anything." Regina understood the underlining of his words but she couldn't bring herself to respond to them. The pain was still fresh, too fresh even after years that have passed by. "I haven't forgotten my promise to you."

"Robin why are you bringing this up now?" Her eyes mist, and god she had to blink them back, she couldn't cry over this again. "You are leaving and I am going to be left here to deal with the pain alone."

"That's exactly why." His hands were quick to frame her face, determination in his sapphire eyes. "You are never alone. Even if I'm miles away. You always live in my heart and I am pretty sure I live in yours."

He got her there.

But Regina was already sensitive.

"You could have just told me that without the emotional baggage." In and out. Breathe in and out Regina.

"I know. Just wanted to let you know I haven't given up. I didn't give up when Cora managed to separate us and I won't now. I love you too much, and all I want is to see you happy. So…" capturing her chin between his fingers, Robin placed another soft kiss on the brunette soft and tempting lips. "Smile for me." And how couldn't she? Robin always went to great lengths to make sure that she and their family were happy. That quality just managed to enamored her even more. If that was even humanly possible.

"You are a dork, Robin."

"Yes but I am your dork and I am so proud of that."

And so she smiled despite the little wave of pain in her heart. She smiled because Robin always managed to make her feel like the most important person in the world.

"So…I've decided that when you return, you'll sleep in the guest room and Vulpix and Willow will sleep with me." Regina grinned. "That's your punishment for leaving me for three months. Robin pouted.

"No fair."

"It is." Pressing her lips into a thin line, trying hard to not laugh.

"What if I bring a Fennec Fox and name him Eevee?"

"Now who's being generic?"

They both laugh.

Three months later Robin was back with another animal to add to their little animal kingdom.

-This was so much better in my head. But oh well. A penny for your thoughts?


	14. Wildflowers

A/N: Hello! So this particular OS is a gift to ( Seeyouthrough) twitter, as part of the Valentine OQ admirer. I wasn't able to contact the person anonimously so I really hope they like this. And I hope everyone likes it. This particular OS, like probably everything that I write, is AU and it the original idea is in my AU thread on Tumblr but I ended up mixing two different AU's. I hope you enjoy! :)

xoxo, Janice.

...

"**I can tell you that the end of a life is the sum of the love that was lived in it, that whatever you think you have sworn, being here at the end of Jem's life is not what is important. It was being here for every other moment."**

—**Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Princess**

Regina had always dreamed with having a family. A husband whose strong morals only fail in comparison with his love and a kid or two who were excited to live even though this world is corrupted to the very skeletal structure of society. Yes, a family to always look forward to arriving after a very long day of work. A family which they could spend their weekends cuddled up or helping the kids with their homework, or simply going to the park to enjoy of a sunny day and some exercise. She almost had that dream in her grasps. Regina had married Daniel, a man whose heart was pure. A man whose love didn't have beginning or ending. With him Regina felt infinite and when she got pregnant with Henry things had been perfect.

At least for a while.

After. Year of Henry's birth, Daniel contracted a strange illness that eventually took him away from her. For a really long time, Regina was devastate, her will to live wavering for a fracture of a moment until she was reminded that Daniel will keep living through their son, Henry. She eventually moved on but love? That four letter word was out of the question.

Loving again would only mean opening scars that were barely healed. Loving meant opening her heart to someone who will eventually leave. There was no way she'd take such a risk, the prospect alone filling her with chills that tampered with her dreams.

So years passed by, and Regina began working with her father on his floral shop. It was a breath of fresh air to work around beautiful flowers, she only hated her job whenever Valentine's day rolled around. All the gooey couples that went in and out made her stomach churn, long for the man whose eyes meant the world to him. Luckily, Henry had the same eyes full of love and devotion. If there was one thing she is grateful for in her relationship with Daniel (other than all the good memories and love they shared) it was Henry. Because God knows where she would be at this very moment if she didn't have him.

Ever since she started working on the flower shop, after renouncing to her job on a firm that only sucked the life out of her, Regina had been in peace. The many antics she sees around the shop great for building up a funny day or two during the week. But what she enjoyed the most was the morning where one of the patrons would always come in, buy a flower and give it to her. The gesture always did warm her heart, and it was a sentiment that would always get her through the day, amongst other things. For some strange reason she always waited for him to ask her out, not that she would accept dating is something she doesn't indulge in, but he never did. Maybe he read her well and thought it was best to not do so (oddly enough she felt rather bad about that). But it was best that he didn't, otherwise she will have to say no and Regina is pretty sure she'd feel extremely bad about it.

That didn't mean her friends were in agreement to her non-dating life. Actually, they moved heaven and hell trying to set her up. For example, Mal has told her that her friend Jefferson would be perfect for her; and oh Rosalie? Also known as Tink, well she said that maybe her reluctance to date was because she wanted to branch out, that maybe her friend Emma was the best fit. Or Cru-Cru when she suggested Regina just needed sex and she had the perfect person for that, Graham. Something told Regina that she was talking by experience and she really, really declined Cruella outright without a second thought. After all she dates a lot of crazy people, male and female. Ever since then they have stopped trying to set her up and she was glad.

All she needed and was her son, her job and a tube of rocky road ice cream that was calling her name all the way from her apartment on top of the flower shop, a sort of gift from Henry sir who owns the building. But for now, she'll enjoy another day of work and then homework with her son while she cooks them dinner, also while deciding what story are they going to be reading before bedtime.

Like any other day, Regina tends to the flowers, making sure they are watered, that the temperature of the room is in the most optimize condition, treating the stems, making sure to take care of the excessive leaves and on and on until her head space is only on the treatment of the flowers. When that happened, Regina's surrounding (sounds more specifically) seem to disappeared leaving her in a zen environment. Which is why doesn't hear the bell ringing, announcing a new, maybe old, customer. For a long while nothing happens, no words, no sounds from the person who entered the shop. But Regina feels a presence, though she thinks for a moment she is imagining things so she continues doing her job, singing a soothing song for the plants. A full minute passed by as she sang, when someone began to speak.

"Have anyone ever told you you have a lovely voice." Right on cue, Regina jumps, dropping the cutting tools to the ground. Hands flew up her chest, trying to catch her heart that was beating frantically. The brunette turned to the owner of the voice and breathed out a sigh. "My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you." Regina shook her head, finally catching her breath.

"It is quite alright." She crouched to reach for the cutting tool, action that was mirrored by her company who is faster than her to grab it. Regina stands up again, taking the cutting tools offered by the client. "But you really shouldn't be sneaking behind someone with scissors in their hands." The person across her chuckles.

"Noted." And oh that deep accent is beautiful. The blue eyes man looking around, quietly examining the room. "There are a lot of new flowers." He points out because yes, he spends a lot of time in the store to noticed the difference. Which makes Regina grin.

"You know, seasons change and Valentine's day is coming." Putting her gardening tool in the front pocket of her apron, Regina tilts her head.

"Oh yes, Valentine's day. A commercial holiday to exploit the pockets of the fools in love." His hands reached into his pockets, a sheepish grin covering his countenance. He always was full of quirky and witty words like that, and usually they made Regina laugh but this time she opted for another action, which was raising her brow.

"Is that so?" But really, she agrees with him. Still Valentine's day was on of the most lucrative days of the year, right along graduation season and mother's day. Even though she really hates the fourteen, she cannot deny how much it helps the shop to thrive. "I'm guessing you are single this time around." Regina finds it hard to believe though, with those brilliant cyanic eyes, that scruff, those dimples that deepened whenever he smile, or the way words float around his accent made him appealing to anyone. Sure, yes, she sees the appeal but isn't interested in engaging in anything with him, and he seems to feel the same way about her. The man shakes his head, taking out his hands from his pocket to shrug.

"Haven't had luck on the dating department, for a really long time now." He confesses with a slight pout but quickly recovers, "But I suppose it is better that way. Not enough free time to go out and have fun..." On cue, his eyes drift to the clock overhead the counter, Regina following his gaze. The clock read 9:15 am. "Which made him sigh softly, "I'm late again." Robin's gaze (yes his name is Robin, Regina had learned it one day he was speaking to her father) went back to Regina, more specifically over her shoulder. Her company walked closer to her, faces coming close to one another. Her heart skipped a beat, treacherous heart. But when he moved to the side to reach for something behind her, most likely a flower, a sense of disappointment washed over her but Regina didn't allow it to show. After all, it isn't like she is interested in him or anything (what a big fat liar she is.) "Sunflowers." He muttered, offering the bright as the sun piece. Regina always had a love for sunflowers, it was something she cannot explain. "You know what they mean, right?" And Regina shakes her head, but yes she knows. Not in vain is her favorite flower and it is the very first time someone actually gift it to her, because that is what it is. Robin is going to buy it but give it to her like he always does whenever he has a chance on coming into the shop. "Warmth, happiness, loyalty..." He muttered softly. "I think this flower represents you perfectly." Regina grinned at that, lifting the bloom to her nose to smell the scent of the sun. Warmth, because this shops is that, a warm blanket that saved her from the coldness of the life she led a year ago. Happiness, that can only be sum up in one word, Henry. And loyalty because her heart still belongs to Daniel, that still hasn't changed.

"Oddly enough, it is my favorite flower." Those words made the man smile. "Thanks."

"You are most welcome." Robin looked over at the price, and took the money out of his pocket and passed it to Regina. "I'll see you soon." With nothing more to say, Robin bid his goodbyes and left the store.

When Robin left, Regina walked to the back of the counter and placed the sunflower on the base she kept there with all the flowers Robin had given her that week. By the end of it, she had a beautiful bouquet with an assortment of flowers different shapes and colors. They mismatch but at the same time held a certain, unique, kind of beauty that wasn't matched by anything. Only Regina could understand the beauty behind it, almost like a lost poem. Taking one last sniff of the many flowers, Regina then returned back to her work, zero interruptions the rest of the morning.

|xXx|

Valentine's day rolled in quicker than she had anticipated. The store was full to maximum capacity. Many, many indecisive people walked around the small shop, trying to figure out what kind of flowers their partners would like. At the end of their dilemma they always chose roses. Red, white there even been request for black ones. But who is she to judge? Her job is to facilitate the flowers so they can reach their happy, happy ending. All she truly wanted was for this day to be over so she could go back home, sit down with Henry to watch a movie while, only for tonight, they stuffed themselves with chocolates. For some reason her son always came back home with tons of chocolate. Her ten years seems to have admirers everywhere. But she can't blame him, he definitely got his good looks from Daniel. Oh how she is reminded about years back when he Henry had such a chubby face that she kissed and kissed. Regina always said that as a tiny baby, her son resemble her but in reality, he had always had an uncanny resemblance to Daniel. The sole thought makes her heart ache with a certain sweet and sour feeling. How much she misses him, how much she misses that first year of Henry's life where he was in it. How much she misses his unorthodox Valentine's day plans. Nevertheless, life goes on and she has to do her very best for her son's sake.

Noon came in and with it brought, Tink, Mal and Cru. Regina's brow furrow when the trio entered the flower shop. "Don't you guys have jobs?" She asks as a matter of a hello. Regina moved the base with Robin's flowers to the back, right beside her purse to be reminded to take them upstairs to the apartment. When she returned to where she was previously standing, the store was finally empty, except for the trio. Looks like the guy with the weird hairdo (she is pretty sure it was a toupee) didn't find something suitable after all. "Great you are alone." Tink said, moving to the entrance where she put the close sign on and locked the door. If she knew them well, and she did, these three were up to no good. "Why are you three here?" Regina asked, leaning over the counter. The trinity of blondes, because that's the name she had given to her insane assortment of friends. How they all get alone with the all so different personalities? That is still a mystery even to Regina, but it is a refreshing group of friends. Never a dull moment with them. Separate they were too much but band together? They were a force to be wreck with and Regina has the slight feeling they had band against a common enemy, her.

"Well, darling..." Cruella began, moving around the counter to stand side by side to the brunette, now looking over at the other two. "We decided to ditch our dates for tonight and go out as a group thing." But the platinum blonde voice sounded annoyed. She wasn't in agreement with that, it was most likely a case of being out voted by the other two. Even so, Regina had a hard time believing that. She'd been at the end of their plots too many times before to not see the obvious glow of a trap.

"Are you serious?" Regina questioned, crossing her arms together. "Because this feels like an over elaborated scheme. For what exactly? I still don't know but it feels that way." The three other women shared a look, and Regina smiled almost sheepishly, it seems like she was right.

"You always have to see the worse in us?" Questioned Mal, but she did not give a chance to Regina to answer to it. "We've tried to set you up in dates, all of us, but you'd denied it thus far. So we wanted you to have company for tonight."

"I have company, he's name is Henry and I am content with that." Regina shot back, a tad defensively. "Besides, you, more than these two..." The brunette points to Cru and Tink, "Had been looking forward to tonight. This is the only time you will have with your daughter."

"Which is why she is coming with us..." Mal said with a grin. Ever since Lily started university, Mal hadn't really seen her daughter. A few days back, while the brunette and her were having lunch, Lily called to say she'd be home for Valentine's day because she had the slight feeling her roommate was going to use their dorm for her dinner. Mal had been more than happy to oblige, and Regina knows this well, the smile that bloomed on the blonde's face reminded Regina of a bouquet of Daisies, all bright and happy. Still, the brunette smelled something rotten in all of this. She quite couldn't pinpoint what exactly. But the best course of action was to agree, they'll just keep bothering her until she says yes and Regina doesn't have much of a break time. Henry had prepared her lunch for the day as a Valentine present and she'd be damn if she spoils it.

"Fine." She muttered sulkily. "But I need to find someone to take care of Henry tonight since his usual babysitter has a date." Standing up straight, she then pushed Cruella, who was at her side, to where Mal and Tink were standing. "No leave. I have a lunch to eat and not enough time." When the three blonde's smiled, Regina simply rolled her eyes. What did she get herself into? Mills has no clue, but whatever it was, it won't end well.

"I'll pick you up tonight." Said Tink before being ushered out the door. "You'll we will have so much fun." But Regina didn't simply scoffed, opening the door so the three of them would get out, and before they could say something else, Regina closed the door and locked it. A soft sigh left her lips, digits pinching the bridge of her nose.

"This is not going to end well." She muttered before making her way to the back to eat that lunch she had been dreaming about.

|xXx|

"I don't see why you have to get all dressed up if you are going out with Mal, Cruella and Tink..." An annoyed, pre-teen said, sulking on the bed as Regina finishes her hair. When she told Henry that their night would be cut short because she was going out with her friends, he wasn't all to happy but he didn't say anything that would make her angry. For as long as he can remember, Regina and him had spent Valentine's day, or more precisely night, together.

"Because I like to look good for myself." She stressed the last word. Regina turned where she was sitting. Her eyes went to Henry who was sitting at the edge of the bed, popping a piece of chocolate. "Besides it is only one night. Maybe ill get the girls off my case for a while." She stood up, walking towards her little boy, who was not that little anymore, and kissed his forehead. "Also, It is a school night and you need to uphold your bedtime." The boy rolled his eyes, a trait that he got from her. Sassy to the very bone but she sent him the 'I'm not amused' look and he deflated. "Now, you have at least an hour before bed, spend it wisely and no more chocolates. Your new babysitter should be on her way. Why don't you go to the living room to watch tv and wait for her arrival."

With a defeated sigh, Henry did as he was told and headed to the living room while Regina put on the finishing touches. Lipstick, heels and earning were on just in time to hear the door bell. The brunette moved out of the room, and followed the path that lead to the door. When she opened the door, her eyes widen.

"Robin.."

Oh!

"Hello Regina." The man smiled.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, rather confused. For a moment she thought that her suspicions about her friend's setting her up were right. But Regina, not once, said anything about him and the flowers that he gave her. So it wouldn't make sense, at all. Regardless of that, it is too suspicious.

"I'm the babysitter..." He said with a sheepish smile and oh, she wasn't expecting that.

Regina's eyes widen, again, but they soften up rather quickly. She isn't against it, actually it just proves that men and women can have the exact job, no matter what it is. The brunette manages a smile, "I have to be honest, I wasn't expecting this." Regina confessed, moving out-of-the-way so Robin could go in. Robin shook his head, a soft chuckle leaving his lips, the sound quite alluring to Regina. "I get that reaction every time, don't worry." He turned, grinning at her. Finally, he seemed to noticed how she is dressed. A strapless blue dress that hugged her body perfectly, black pumps, blood-red lips and a half up do to tight the look around. His eyes wandered a bit much, making Regina blush because the way he was looking at her wasn't the usual lustful stare she got whenever she walk down the street, no. It was appreciative, it was almost like he was cherishing the view, committing it to memory. "You look absolutely stunning in every way."

Well then, now she feels like her face is a bright red tomato.

"Thank you." The heat from the blushing moved to the back of her neck. It was a strange feeling, but oddly enough, she likes it. For a long moment, they simply stared at one another. It was a spell being casted over them, magic seem to bleed from their bodies and Regina had the slight realization that she might actually feel attracted to Robin, more than she let herself to believe and for the first time since they'd known each other, the brunette can see the same in Robin's brilliant blue eyes. Nevertheless, like all spells, it was broken when her phone went off in the distance and Henry came padding into the small hallway that lead to the front door.

"Tink texted." He said, Henry's eyes falling on Robin. "Who's this?" His brow rose, lips pulling into thin line. Regina's reaction time delayed for a moment but after catching up to the boy's question, she shook her head and walked to him, taking the phone from his hand. "This is Robin. You met him before in the flower shop." Henry 'ohh' softly, nodding. "Yeah I remember. He was the guy that gave me a list of books to read." The boy's demeanor morphed into something Regina had seen many times before, pride. Pride because he managed to read at least three books in the list and he had been asking her to get him a few more.

"How did you like the books I suggested?" Robin spoke and her eyes immediately to him, "Because I brought a few with me and I was thinking you and I could discuss them." And just like that, Robin had won Henry over. Her son's smile brighten his face, and Regina was glad that at least someone who understands Henry was taking care of him for the night. Suddenly she doesn't feel so bad about interrupting their traditions, but they can always reclaim it tomorrow night.

"Mom?" Henry's voice broke through her line of thought, and she shook her head. "Tink's waiting for you downstairs." Her brow furrowed. "Are you kicking me out?" She asked and he smiled sheepishly, a 'Yes' falling from his lips. She did her best to pretend to be hurt but in all honesty she knew he just wanted to tackle the books as soon as possible. So she rolled her eyes. "Alright." She says almost broodingly turning to Robin. "There are some snacks in the fridge. Don't let him eat more chocolate, I think he had more than enough. My number is written down on a sticky note beside the phone and the number of the bar I am. If you need anything don't hesitate to call, or if anything happens..."

"Regina.." Robin called out, stopping her rambling mid-track. "Everything is going to be fine, don't worry." He smiled, "Now go, and give more money into the commercial holiday that's Valentine's day." Chuckling, Regina reached for her purse that was on the small table besides the door. It had been such a long a time since she'd been out, sure she had spent time with her friends but it was usually during lunch hours, never a bar, where there was a chance of someone hitting on her. With one last look to the pair of guys she was living behind, Regina headed outside, down the stairs and into the night where Tink was waiting for her just outside.

When the brunette got into the car with a goofy grin on her face, the small blonde looked at her weirdly and Regina couldn't help the sharp 'What' that left her lips. Tink shook her head, putting the car on drive and like that drove off to where Mal and Cruella were waiting, or so Regina thought. "Nothing... just that you were smiling like you are keeping a secret." The blonde muttered, and Regina snickered. "Maybe I am." The brunette replied back, "But you know a thing or two about secrets, don't you dear?" The driver gasp softly, and Regina rolled her eyes. After that they went silent, her mind drifting off to her apartment where her ten-year old was having the greatest time with Robin. She still cannot believe that he was the babysitter the agency had sent. Normally, Mary was the one to take care of the boy, seeing as they have known each other for such a long time but alas, Mary had a boyfriend, David and he had informed her he was planning on proposing so there's that.

It felt like forever but they finally reached the bar, Forbidden Fruit. It was one of the places to be if you ever visited New York. Regina hadn't visited that much the place, only during the day because it was where they always had lunch, that and the owner of the bar was their friend, August Booth. They've known each other for about fifteen years, August was actually one of Daniel's friends, even though being around him sent a pang to her chest truth was the pain wasn't as nearly as powerful as the way their friendship made her feel. August was almost like a brother to her so whenever he asked to go around the bar, whether it was with the girls or alone, she made sure to make time to do so. Plus, he was one of the people Henry liked the most, seeing as they both loved books.

Once they got out of the car, Regina fixed her dress, smoothing over the none-existent wrinkles over it. Even if she wasn't all too keen on going out, she still wants to look her best. "Ready?" Tink asked, standing by Regina's side. "Mal, Lily and Cru are already inside." Without anything more left to say, the pair made their way into the bar. Like she imagined, it was full with lovey dovey couples and a few tables were in what it seems to be as group date. At the far corner of the bar she saw the girls but before they headed there, Regina stopped. "I'm going to say hi to August, I'll catch up with you guys in a bit." The blonde half shrug, before she did as told. Regina moved to the bar area where her friend was working tirelessly. Upon seeing her, the man rose a brow, heading her way.

"Fancy seeing you here." He teased with a grin. Regina replied with a roll of her eyes. "Yes, well those three managed to convinced me to come." The brunette said after managing to grab one of the stools. "You seem to be having a good night." She looked around. August grinned, nodding his head as he reached for a bottle of Vodka, Cointreau and Apple Schnapps. "Valentine's day is great business." He said and she had to agree, just like her flower shop had lucrative day, so will the bar. Once he was done mixing the drink, he placed the appletini right in front of her, Regina smiled. "You know me so well." She muttered taking a sip of her drink. "You are spending the night with those three, I think a little liquid courage is needed." Oh how right he was. "I saw David and Mary a while ago, they were on their way to a restaurant. Where did you leave Henry?" Mills sips from her drink once more, before deciding to answer, "Home, with his new babysitter..." A beat of silence, "...Robin." The surprised expression on August was followed by a smirk that caused the brunette to roll her eyes and continue drinking. "The Robin?" He throws a towel over his shoulder before both hands were planted over the railing of the bar. "The same guy that goes to the flower shop every day to buy you a flower?" Regina was already regretting telling August about it. When the whole Robin thing began, she had needed someone to talk to so Booth was her best choice because if she told one of the girls, chances were they would try to set them up and Regina wasn't in the mood for dating, still isn't. "Yes that Robin. Now..." She stood up, holding her drink in one hand and purse on the other. "I am going to the table with the girls, you will have to wait to get all the teasing out of your system." Raising his hands defensively, August sniggered. Regina turning on her black heels, heading towards the table. Everything was well until she arrived and at the same time a man arrived as well. Regina's brow furrowed in confusion, the trio of blondes, and single brunette, sharing a look that was too conspiratory for her taste.

"About time..." Mal said, picking up her things. "This is Jefferson, your date for the night. Jefferson this is my friend Regina." Lily and Tink were having a conversation Regina couldn't quite discern, and Cruella was giving her a look she really disliked. Jefferson offered her his hand to shake and she accepted to be polite but her friends were dead, she should have known it was going to take such a turn. Everyone left before Regina could say something, leaving her alone with the guy. For a moment the silence was boarding the awkward kind, not knowing what she should say to him, and he seemed to be on the same boat...

"Oh boy this is going to be a long night..." She muttered to herself, glad that the music had turned a tad more louder making her words disappear in the sea of sound.

|xXx|

When Regina got home, it was with a long sigh. Jefferson had insisted to drive her since the girls had disappeared on her. She didn't have a too bad of a time, at first it was rather awkward but as the drink started flowing, they let the uncomfortable air bleed out, and started talking. Turns out, Jefferson is a fashion designer. His specialty was hats but he dabbles in everything every now and then. They talked about her job as a florist and he confessed that there were time he wanted to try some flower patterns on his designs but hadn't because picking a flower hadn't exactly been easy. The brunette had given him a few ideas that he absolutely adored and well that was that. She faked being tired after two hours, claiming that her job had taken the best of her that day, which wasn't a lie, and that is why she was back home. She slipped in quietly, took off her heels and headed to the living room where Robin was quietly reading a book that she couldn't read the title off.

"Hey..." She muttered, sitting down on the couch where he was sitting. Her legs were in pain, it had been a long time since she wore heels.

"Hey yourself." He replied, marking the page he was in before closing the book. "I wasn't expecting you till later." Robin placed the book on top of the coffee table, beside of what it seems a cup of tea. Now that she thinks about it, tea sounds so good after all the appletinis she drank courtesy of August.

Regina yawned softly, leaning back into the couch. "I suppose is due to the fact that my friends absolutely played me." She's thinking of a way to get back at them. Their intentions might have been pure but they went about it all wrong. Though she is aware that there was no way to go about it when it came to her. Robin on the other hand, turned, to her completely, interest peaked.

"What did they do? If is not too much to ask." Robin's eyes were fully on her. They held a kindness, that made Regina trust him in way that no other man had before. The brunette sighed once more, slender digits pinching the bridge of her nose. "They lured me into a date with some stranger..." Okay, he was a stranger for Regina but Mal had known Jefferson for a while, which is probably why she dared leaving Mills alone in the bar with him, otherwise she wouldn't have, Mal always been the most sensible of the group. "It wasn't that bad of a date, but it wasn't a great deal either." Robin whistle softly, and stood causing Regina to look up at him confused. The man chuckled, "I sense you need tea, do you mind if I bring you a cuppa?" And it was like he was reading her mind. Regina muttered a soft 'please' and left. Mills took the opportunity to go into Henry's room. He was sleeping soundly, a stack of books on his bedside. Regina was sure that a few of them weren't his but that something they can talk in the morning. Since she was already close to her bedroom, Regina decided it the perfect moment to get out off that tight dress and into something more comfortable. A few minutes later she was back in the living room sporting a tank top and pajama pants, face void of make up. She felt more like herself once more. When she sat down on the couch, her eyes traveled to the base on the coffee table where the flowers Robin gave her were on display, she blushed because he must have noticed them while she was away. Maybe he must think she is insane or something like that. Or maybe not? After all, he did give the floors and it was not polite to get rid of them like they were nothing. He actually look around the shop to pick on, never has he ever giving Regina the same flower twice and if he kept that up, then he was bound to run out of new flowers to give her.

"Here you go." Robin's voice cut through her thoughts. Regina's head bobbed gently as she accepted the cup of tea. "Thanks..." The aroma woke her up, the warmth of the ceramic mug waking her up. She is a coffee addict but even she cannot deny the allure of a good cup of tea, and since Robin is British the chances of that one being a really delicious one had her excited. "Now that you have tea, we can talk about your impromptu date." Regina groaned, carefully taking a sip of her tea, it only caused Robin to chuckle. "That bad?" He rose a brow. "Not really..." She managed to say before setting the cup down over her lap, "But I don't see a second date in the future. He was nice and all but I might suspect he is gay." Robin almost choked on his tea, causing Regina to laugh. "How exactly did you get to that conclusion?" The man dared to questioned, "Because.." She cleared her throat, "... He kept asking about August, the owner of the bar. I introduced them when August brought a refill and ever since that moment, Jefferson kept asking me about his life." Without even realizing it, Robin was closer to her. If he noticed, he didn't let on but Regina was too immerse telling him about her date that she didn't even noticed how close to one another they were. They spent about an hour in that position, tea going cold, or what was left of it, and the conversation flowing like it didn't with Jefferson. When Regina yawned, Robin grinned, taking the cup from her hands and placing it on the coffee table. "I should be going. I've kept you up more than you have to." Regina was about to say that he shouldn't worry but a yawn won over and he stood up. The brunette did the same. "Thanks for taking care of Henry." She finally said, because even though this was a surprise, Regina was actually glad. Plus, this opportunity had given the chance to get to know Robin better and also it made her realize that going out with someone wasn't so bad. She didn't feel guilt about it, even though Jefferson isn't the one for her. Regina lead Robin to the door after he picked up his things. When he was about to open the door, the man turned to her. "I lend Henry a few books he wanted to read." Regina nodded, she figured as much. "He's a brilliant kid." Regina beamed with pride, "I know."

"Also one more thing..." He took something out of his bag, and gave it to Regina, it was a box of chocolate. "I'd give you flowers but you have quite the lovely bouquet on the living room..." Regina blushed, "A rather handsome and nice gentleman gave them to me. Aren't they simple beautiful?" Regina's compliment seemed to made Robin blushed, oh the pride flared up. "Speaking of him..." The brunette gathered her wits, and got on her tip toes to kiss his cheek, "Happy Valentine's day, Robin." They both smiled at one another. "You know what was my favorite part of the night?" Regina asked, to which Robin shook his head no, "Strangely enough, getting home to you..." If he was smiling before, then now he was beaming like the sun.

"I have to be honest, I've never like this day but for tonight, I can say for the first time that I actually do." He then placed a kiss, on her cheek, turning the knob to the door, "Goodnight, Regina." The brunette took a step back, watching Robin crossed the door. But before he could leave, Regina grabbed his wrist, Robin stopped dead in his track with a confused look on his face. "Would you be my valentine?" It was cheesy and completely not Regina but the words had been blurted out before she had the chance to think them through. In his surprise, Robin walked back into the apartment, and without even thinking, without even realizing, he grabbed her face and kissed her. It came as a shock to Regina the sudden kiss but she couldn't deny that it felt good, it felt right. Once Robin pulled away, both with their eyes closed, Robin muttered a yes against her lips before taking a step back. "Good..." She finally opened her eyes, and smile. "See you tomorrow?" She inquired, and he nodded, "Same place, same hour." He winked and left.

Maybe Valentine's day wasn't too bad after all.


End file.
