The LAST thing I should be doing is starting another story... However, my Evil Charming fic, Never Say Never is written far ahead and A Different Destiny, my Golden Hearts/Hooked Queen/Evil Charming fic is a chapter ahead. I didn't want to start a new story, I promised myself I wouldn't... and then I saw the clips between Robin and Regina in 3x12 and I was GONE. Please read and review!

Disclaimer: Not mine. Most of the dialogue is taken directly from Once Upon a Time episode 3x12.

SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 3X12 ALERT

Chapter 1

Fear was evident on Snow White's face as she stared at the monstrous flying creature, diving for her and Regina.

"We need to find cover!"

As she should have suspected, Regina stood and turned towards the creature stubbornly. Her voice was strong and confident as she eyed the beast.

"No. I don't run from monsters. They run from me."

By some twisted miracle, the created managed to evade the ball of fire Regina sent his way and the women fell down as he moved closely over their heads, aiming for the queen.

"Regina!"

Her worried cry was swallowed by the creature's screeching as it grabbed hold of Regina, easily lifting her up in the air. Snow jumped up quickly, yelling Regina's name hysterically as she grabbed onto her. In that moment, Regina was not the Evil Queen.

She was the kind girl who saved a princess.

She was the stepmother Snow had longed for.

She was the selfless woman who was willing to sacrifice herself for an entire town.

She was the broken mother who had to send her son away.

She was the vulnerable human who desperately tried to hide her emotions.

In a surge of strength, Snow managed to pull Regina from the creatures grip, and the two women tumbled to the ground once again, Regina absorbing most of the impact of the fall. They stood up carefully and Snow shook her head anxiously.

"It's too fast."

Regina winced as she stood and shook her head.

"I'm open for suggestions."

"Get down!"

The faceless voice came from somewhere hidden in the forest just as the creature returned towards them and for a third time in a very short period, the women tumbled to the ground. They looked in awe as an arrow hit the creature square in the heart and it flew off uninjured. They stared after it with a mixture of shocked and fear, when the same voice that had shouted the warning spoke behind them, his hand outstretched in Regina's direction.

"M'lady…"

He inspected her with a small frown, noticing specks of blood on her dark gown.

"You're injured."

Regina looked at him, trying her best to ignore the fluttering in her stomach. As much as she hated to admit it, he was certainly one of the most handsome men she had ever laid her eyes upon. She averted her eyes and took a breath before she spoke.

"It's your majesty. And I'm fine."

He did not retract his hand and simply looked down at her.

"A simple thank you would suffice."

She winced as she managed to push herself off the ground, still unable to look him in the eye.

"I didn't ask for your help."

Ever the peacemaker, Snow took the man's hand with a kind smile.

"Well, I'm grateful for the assistance."

Ignoring Regina, the man turned to Snow – immediately noticeably friendlier.

"Robin. Robin of Locksley."

He gestured behind him to a group of men coming out from behind the trees.

"And these are a few of my Merry Men."

Regina could not take his eyes off him, thankful that his attention was now focused on Snow, who shook his hand with a friendly smile.

"Snow White."

A grin appeared on his face immediately.

"At last we meet. You know, there was a time when our faces grazed 'Wanted' posters side by side."

Snow's smile faded when a rather large, bearded man addressed her from behind Robin.

"If you're really Snow White, then why are you with her?"

Snow's heart sank to her stomach when she noticed the contemptuous glance the man sent in Regina's direction. Regina was not fazed and stared back arrogantly.

"Her? Show some respect! Or at least some restraint at the buffet."

If it wouldn't have been blatantly obvious, Snow would have covered her face in her hands and run away. Or smack Regina upside the head – something she was not quite willing to do. Snow winced and an offended frown appeared between Robin's eyes as he looked back at Regina.

"You have to excuse Little John. But before you cursed this land, we spent many a day running from your black knights."

Regina did not stand down and looked up at the man unblinkingly. If she had any remorse at all, she certainly did not show it.

"Well I'm sure you deserved it."

Regina groaned inwardly as Robin stared back at her. There was that blasted fluttering again! She turned away from him, looking in the direction where the creature had disappeared.

"What the hell was that thing?"

Robin followed her gaze as he tried to prevent himself from looking at her. He had heard rumours of the Queen's beauty before and it was certainly not exaggerated. She was rather beautiful. More than rather. He remembered she asked a question and shook his head.

"I have no idea. I have never encountered the likes of it before."

Another screech behind them shook Snow into action and she started moving immediately.

"Come on, this way. We need to warn the others."

Ignoring the so-called Merry Men, Regina fell in step beside Snow, trying her best to ignore the throbbing pain in her foot. After walking in silence for a few minutes, she glanced at Snow curiously.

"So what do you think about our new friend? Can we trust him? He is a thief after all."

Snow supressed a grin, but the corners of her mouth still turned up in a small smile.

"Think of it from his perspective. How do you think he looks at you?"

Regina was quiet for a beat, and then shrugged lightly.

"Point taken."

The smile did not fade from Snow's face as she looked at Regina. She had noticed the coy glances the pair had thrown at each other when the other one wasn't looking. There was no denying that Regina was beautiful and it seemed as though Robin had noticed. At the same time, she had a feeling that Regina had noticed that Robin too was quite a win in the looks department.

"He's kind of cute, huh?"

She looked at Regina with a knowing grin and the other woman scoffed, looking away from Snow with a scowl.

"He smells like forest."

Snow looked back in front of her, still smiling.

"That did not answer my question."

Regina pursed her lips, only responding after uncomfortable minutes ticked by.

"He's a thief. It takes more than a pretty face to earn my trust."

Where he walked a few steps behind the group, Robin could hardly contain his interest. The Evil Queen they called her. Little John clearly had no love lost for her – not that he could blame his friend in the slightest. Still… there was just something about her that caught his interest. She was certainly feisty and beautiful. So beautiful…

Robin frowned to himself. He had never been one to be drawn in by a woman's physical beauty. He had no idea why this particular woman had affected him as much, but he would certainly have to stop it. She was downright resentful of him and… Snow's melodic laughter caught his ear and he looked at the two women walking ahead of him. Yes, he would certainly have to stop his admiration of her outer beauty – especially if there was none of it inside as he suspected.

"She sure is pretty."

It was Little John's voice and Robin looked at him, surprised.

"I never expected you of all people to say that."

Little John shrugged with a gentle smile.

"I never said she was nice or remotely likable. I said she was pretty. It's just an observation."

Robin sighed deeply and nodded reluctantly.

"She is beautiful."

Little John's laughter joined that of Snow's.

"I'd say it with a little less longing in my voice."

Robin shot him an irritated look, causing the man to laugh even harder. Their conversation was interrupted when a small tornado hit Robin from behind and he stopped to look down at the boy clinging to his legs. Roland looked at his father with a trademark grin and Robin knelt down to pick him up.

"Daddy, I want to walk with you now."

Little John gave Roland a pretend-offended look and folded his arms.

"Is that so, Roland? Am I now not good enough?"

Roland giggled loudly as Little John made to tickle him and Robin's laughter soon joined that of his son.

Regina spun round at the childlike giggle and all colour disappeared from her face as she looked at the boy in Robin's arms.

"No…"

Snow grabbed Regina's arm gently, noticing the tears forming in the older woman's face.

"Regina…"

Regina turned around the second her eyes met those of Robin and she took a deep breath, taking comfort in Snow's hand around her arm.

"It's not fair."

Her voice was a low, broken whisper and Snow nodded with the empathy only another mother who lost her child could have.

"I know. It's not."

The voices behind them sounded jolly and Regina's heart twitched when she heard the small voice behind her.

"Daddy, who are the ladies?"

She waited anxiously for Robin's answer, instantly accepting that he was going to explain how she was evil and the boy needed to stay away from her.

"They… are a queen and a princess, Roland."

Roland's eyes widened as he looked at his father.

"They're pretty!"

A smile graced Robin's face as he looked at the two women – fully aware of the fact that at least Regina was eavesdropping. He did not bother to lower his voice, almost wanting her to hear his answer.

"They sure are."