Hello Sweeties (dr who marathon is on ;) ) This just popped into my head while I should be packing. I'm thinking it's a three-parter and should be completed fairly quickly if I succeed in my procrastinating of everything I should be doing this weekend.

Prompt: Regina enters the tavern and meets Robin, but he's not the man she expected…or is he?

Regina stared through the rippled glass in the door, her hand on the nob that she was afraid to turn. She watched the man Tinkerbell had brought her to until the pixie dust faded around him. He didn't move from his place at the bar, didn't engage anyone in conversation. His arm rose only to accept another ale. This couldn't be her fate, she thought. This man couldn't be her happy ending. Yet, she was here and since the fairy seemed to have vanished, she was stranded. "It can't be worse," she whispered to herself as she pulled the door open and walked inside.

Dozens of hungry eyes were on her instantly. Her eyes darted around the room then down to her white, jeweled gown. I was one of the simplest garments she owned, but here she would have stood out less if she had been on fire. The men were whistling, the women either cackling or looking at her with contempt. She stood frozen until the man with the lion tattoo finally turned to see what had ignited the bar crowd. Their eyes locked; Regina had never seen that color blue. "I… We…" she stammered, cursed herself for not taking the time to figure out what to say to him.

He looked her up and down then smiled. She noticed the deep set dimples on his face. "I am going to finish my drink and then maybe we can find something more fun to pass the evening." He reached for her hand, but she pulled away harshly. The sudden movement cost him his balance and he fell to the floor at her feet.

The bar erupted in laughter and applause as Robin got to his legs underneath him. It was not an easy task. He took a drunken step towards her and Regina ran. She shoved through the door and stumbled out into the street, covering her face with her hands as hot tears threatened to fall. What was she thinking? She cried out in frustration and kicked at the dirt.

"If you don't want to wait for Mr. Hood, mi' lady, I would be more than happy to oblige you." The drunk pushed her against the wall and her head bounced off the hard surface. He moved quickly: hands on her breast, a knee between her legs. His breath reeked of cheap ale and tobacco as he licked at her flesh. Regina's head was spinning. She should be fighting, she should be screaming, but body wouldn't react. She heard the fabric of her dress rip seconds before the night air hit her legs. She watched the crystals from her bodice scatter in the dirt and stared at them as they reflected the moonlight. She was absent, apart, mind receding to the all too familiar place that got her through the nights the king wanted to be a husband.

Regina closed her eyes. This was fitting; this was her price for hoping her life could take a different turn.

There was a whistle past her ear, a sting across her lip, then a loud grunt as the man before her fell to the dirt. Before Regina could process what had happened she was in the air, gracelessly flung over a shoulder. She finally engaged. "Put me down!" she cried into the rough tunic, thrashing against this new captor. He lost his grip and she rolled from his shoulder, landing on all fours and face to face with the dead eyes of the man that had just accosted her and the arrow embedded in his chest. Strong arms wrapped around her middle and pulled her back, dragging her around the corner.

Regina clawed at the arms that held her until the sleeve pulled back to reveal the tattoo that had started this ridiculous quest. She stopped fighting suddenly, sagging against him and let this stranger pull her into the shadows of the alley. He pressed her into the wall, but his touch was gentle. "I apologize, mi' lady," he said as he ripped his sleeve and held the cloth to her bleeding lip. "Usually my aim is better."

"You are apologizing for saving me?" she panted into his fingers. Regina was sure he felt it too: the electricity that was coursing in her veins. Her heart hammered in her chest when he leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers.

"This is no place for a woman such as yourself." His breath was hot as it rasped against her neck. "I don't know what you hoped to find, but I can assure you it isn't here." He staggered before her, the drink coursing through his system and she shot her arms out to steady him. Her arms rested on his biceps, feeling the muscles contract under her touch. "Stay here," he pushed her back further into the shadows. "Please."

Regina nodded against the hand that now cupped her cheek. Then he was gone and she was alone in the dark, the cold hair prickled her skin but the shiver that ran through her wasn't from the chill. This stranger that was supposed to be her happiness, that wanted nothing to do with her, that had come to her rescue, that had touched her with more tenderness than she'd thought herself worthy, ignited something inside of her she didn't think she'd ever know.

He returned with moments later, leading a chestnut mare. "She is no longer needed by her master," he offered in response to her questioning look. He removed his cloak and rapped it securely around her, covering the skin her ruined dress was revealing.

"You've just killed a man!" she said to loudly and his hand came up to cover her mouth until she realized her mistake and nodded against his palm. "You can't just send me away," her voice was soft, defeated. He retightened the cloak and she tried to shrug of his arms, but her heart wasn't in it. She knew there was nothing she could for him here. Once back to the palace, back to her royal life and she could intervene to spare him punishment. She could save… "I don't even know your name?" she whispered. Her heart broke at the realization that she never would.

"A common thief," he answered. "I believe under current circumstances its best that is all you know." He bowed gracelessly and once again stumbled into her.

"How did you know I could ride, Thief?" Regina stroked the neck of horse. The beast leaned into her touch.

"A woman bold and audacious enough to walk into a tavern and approach a notorious thief can surely handle a horse." He held the reins with one hand, offering his other to help her mount the ride. Under normal circumstances Regina would have shrugged him off. She was a better rider than half the men in the kingdom and scorned any gesture that made her appear weak. But this man, this thief, didn't look at her with pity. Although she was wrapped in his cloak, dress torn, mouth bleeding when he offered his hand it was nothing more than that: a hand to help her up, one that she took willingly. "There is a blade on the saddle. I pray you won't need it."

What more was there to say? This misadventure was over. She should have never given in to hope. She should never have let the stupid fairy bring her here. She'd only done what she always did: lost. Regina held his gaze until her eyes burned with tears. She expertly turned the mare and rode hard into the forest without another word.

The thief held his ground until he could no longer hear the echo of the horse's hooves. A feeling of dread washed over him as he stared at the wisps of moonlight. He couldn't explain it, but he knew this woman had changed him.

Next up: Enchanted Forest missing year when Robin realizes why the queen feels so familiar.

Please let me know what you think.