I don't know where this came from, it just hit me and I had to write it!

Plus, I started to co-write a story with Lana'sEvilRegal, so if you wanna check that out, it's on her profile. :)

Also the rating of this story will change at some point, for both smut and angst. It will be slightly dark, something I haven't really attempted, I usually stick to the humour, but I wanted to give it a go and here we are. Warnings for future chapters. Anyway, enjoy! xxx

Regina toyed with the hem of her skirt, she was rather nervous about what she was about to do. Robin Locksley, was the gardener in the grounds of her mansion, her mother had hired him around the same time they had hired a stable boy, Daniel Colter. The two had been fighting for her affection for the past year and she was flattered, really she was; but she knew, knew in her heart whom she was destined to be with.

It the beginning she had liked the both of them equally, but in the past months, things had started to change and her feelings had intensified, she had found herself falling for one of them, one of them above the other.

She was terrified now though, her mother had introduced her to many upper class suitors, none of which she found to be compatible; she knew that her mother would not approve of a relationship with either Daniel or Robin, even if her daughter assured her that she was head over heels and madly in love with him.

What if she was wrong, what if he didn't like her the way she thought he did? Nonetheless, she needed to escape from this life, if you could call it that, she was practically a prisoner in her own home, she knew that her mother used her as a way to up her own status and hopefully gain some financial boost. Her mother was selfish, she only ever thought of her own needs, not those of her husband's and most certainly not those of Regina's.

She stared out of the window longingly, what if his intentions were purely friendship based? Then again what if they weren't? She didn't know the first thing about being in a relationship, loving a person, giving them everything she had, what if he did love her and she couldn't please him? What if he was disappointed with her and left? Not only would her heart shatter into a million tiny pieces, she would be disgraced, dishonoured and no one would ever want her. What if he used her? No, he would never do that, she shook her head, in the duration of their friendship, she had come to realised that he would never hurt her.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up and pulled her shawl around her shoulders, before beginning to walk through the house and into the grounds. He would be honest; she knew he would. Either way, it was a chance she would have to take, because if he did love her, as she loved him, then they would have to leave this place for good, elope.

She suddenly stopped and closed her eyes, if she did this there would be no going back, no second chances. She had never even been kissed, let alone had relations with somebody. Her mind was quickly changing, she was scared, terrified. This was a bad idea, she should never have come up with it, she should just stay at home, where she belonged. She turned violently and began running back towards the house, then a voice drifted through the wind.

"Regina?"

She stopped and sighed, oh no, this was the last thing she needed, he was her friend, she didn't want to have to break his heart like this, she knew for a fact that he was in love with her, he had even said it a few times, following which she had just nodded awkwardly, before making up some excuse to leave.

"Regina?" His hand was on her arm now, there was no spark, no tingly feeling with him, like there was with her love. Her love ignited something within her, whenever their hands brushed accidently or even from just looking into his magical blue eyes as he smiled down at her.

"Good morning." She stated turning to look at him.

"Where were you rushing off to milady?" He asked, his fingers brushing her arm lightly, again nothing, she felt nothing at his touch.

"Me? Well I was, just going for a morning stroll and I forgot my parasol." She smiled, it was a fake smile, but she felt that she owed him at least that. She felt terribly guilty, she hadn't set out to lead him on, it had just happened that way. She didn't even need her parasol, the sun was hiding behind a cloud, there was only a scattering of blue sky to be seen.

"Oh, may I join you?" He asked.

"Well, yes I suppose." She nodded, but inside she was screaming, no, he is not the one, he is not the one that you love, the one that you truly yearn for. Again, she was doing this out of compassion for his feelings, she was going to tell him, but she knew it was a delicate subject, something with which she would have to tend to gently, was there any gentle way to break someone's heart?

"I haven't seen you for a few days." He remarked.

She simply nodded "I have been otherwise engaged."

"Well, at least I get to see you now."

"Indeed." This was horrible, she was a horrible person for letting it go this far, the smile he wore made her feel terribly guilty. "There is something I need to talk to you about." She stated, stopping and leaning against a nearby tree.

"What is it?" He asked a hopeful look appearing on his face.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"Regina? What is it?"

"I'm sorry."

"Regina, you know I love you, tell me what's troubling you my love."

"Don't call me that, please."

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

This was turning out to be harder than she had first thought. "I can't do this anymore."

"What?"

"I'm so sorry, I... I love another." She confessed, seeing the heartbreak in his eyes, the look of sheer pain washed over his features. This was tearing her apart, to see her friend in such a state. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I can't help how I feel."

He swallowed deeply and shook his head. "No, I think I understand."

"Please, please don't. I am an awful person, I know, it's just, I…"

"Regina, you don't have to explain yourself to me."

"No, I feel I owe it to you."

"Is it who I think it is?" He asked. "Tell me that one thing, is it him?"

She nodded gently "Yes, I'm sorry I'm so sorry, I love him."

"He will take care of you, I know he will."

She sniffled, how could he be so understanding? From looking at him it was clear that she had just ripped his heart out of his chest and shattered any hopes he might have had of the two of them being together.

"I need to go." She wiped her eyes, tears had been falling down her cheeks. She turned noticing that they were now a distance from the manor house

"I'll accompany you."

"No, I think it's best that I walk alone. Please, don't tell him what I told you, he can never know."

"Why?"

"You know as well as I do that my mother would never allow it. I was planning to run away with him, escape this place, but I can't, not now, not now I've seen what damage I have caused and will continue to cause if I leave."

"Regina, stop being stubborn, face your fears, run to him."

"I can't I'm sorry I have to go."

"Regina!"

"Goodbye Daniel." She turned and ran, ran back in the direction of the house. She had chosen, she had chosen who she wanted, but she couldn't have him, she was going to go back, back to her life. As much as she loved him, she was too scared, too afraid to tell him.

There was too much going on in her head and she felt like breaking down, self-destructing. She was running her eyes so focused on the house, that she didn't notice, the man in front of her who was tending to a nearby tree. She bumped into him, but instead of stopping, carried on.

She only stopped when she felt a hand on her arm, pull her back. "Milady? Are you feeling well?"

"Robin." She whispered, fresh tears springing in her eyes.

"Regina? What?" His touch set her skin on fire, filled her with passion, she felt goose bumps rise on her skin and just stared into the blue depths which seemed as though they were looking into her very soul.

"Robin." She chocked back. "Robin, it's you."

"Of course it's me, hey." He pulled her into his arms and hugged her against him. She sighed at the contact, she felt as though she was home, this was where she belonged, in his arms, with him, feeling his breath against her hair, her head buried into his shoulder.

Her tears began to soak through his shirt as she clung to him as tight as possible, never wanting to let go of him ever again. "Robin, it's you."

"Regina?" he moved her back slightly so he could look at her face "What is it?" He moved her hair behind her ear. "Are you alright, are you hurt?" The look in his eyes immediately changed to one of concern as he scanned her features, checking for any mark, anywhere she might have been injured.

"Hold me." She whispered. Her mind was changing again, confirming what she had thought in the first place, it was him, he was the person she wanted, the person she loved. She needed him, she wouldn't be happy with anyone else. "Take me away." She whispered, nuzzling his shoulder.

"What? Regina what are you talking about?" He asked, rubbing circles on her lower back.

"Robin, what are your intentions towards me? Please, tell me." She looked up at him, worrying her lip between her teeth. What if he said he didn't want her? There were those nerves again, in the pit of her stomach. She felt sick, felt as though he was taking an eternity to answer her, when in reality it was only a couple of seconds.

He looked at her, a massive grin coming upon his face "Regina what are you saying?" He laughed nervously.

"I'm simply asking what of your intentions?" He was smiling, that was a good sign right?

He placed one hand on her cheek and the other on her waist as he moved in slowly, claiming her lips with his for the first time. Magic, it was the only way Regina could describe it, she felt like she was flying, how could such a small movement send forth such an array of emotion. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she kissed him back, her hands mirroring his. Flames engulfed her very being as a warm unknown feeling spread through her, heating her whole body and ending between her legs.

The kiss was passionate, yet at the same time it was sweet and tender, far better than she had ever imagined. Then all too soon it was over and he was resting his forehead against hers. "Does that give you some insight into my intentions?" he asked, feathering little kisses on her cheeks, before moving back to her lips.

"Robin." She moaned into his mouth, surrendering to him, allowing him to taste her, allowing his tongue inside her mouth where it danced perfectly with her own. She could get used to this, kissing him, holding him.

He broke again, to gain back his breath. "Regina, I love you." He stated.

"You do?" She asked laughing through her tears.

"Yes, I have loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you, since the moment I saw your beautiful face, heard your infectious laughter and that smile, that is what I see every time I close my eyes, that's what keeps me going, that smile." He chuckled, kissing away her tears. "You're bold and audacious, sarcastic and sometimes a right drama queen, but I love you for all those reasons, I love you for you."

"Robin, I… I… I love you too." She cried hugging to him.

Then all of a sudden she received a painful reminder of where they were. "Regina, your mother!" Daniel ran around the corner "She, she returned early!"

She looked at Robin wide eyed and pushed him away from her "Go!"

"What?" He stared at her in complete confusion.

"Robin go, please go!"

"I, I don't understand you just…"

"Please, you don't know what she'll do, she'll hurt you, she will kill you, please, please go!" She cried.

"No!"

"Robin!" Wasn't he listening to what she was telling him, Cora Mills would not stand for them being together, she wouldn't bat an eyelid at having him killed off, she would make up a charge or simply see to it herself. She was a heartless monster and would do anything to ruin her daughter's happiness, just like hers was ruined when she was younger, by the woman who now rules beside the king.

"Come with me." He stated taking her hands in his. "If she is as dangerous as you imply, then I will not leave you here."

"Robin, you've seen what power she holds in the court and in this kingdom and I have bared witness to her cruelty also… I have…"

"Regina, you need to leave now." Daniel stated. "Robin, take her, take care of her, love her, you won her heart, now make sure she is safe."

"Daniel." She whispered. Why would he do this, why would he take the wrap for them? She knew he would, as soon as the alarm was raised that Regina was missing, they would go to him, go to him to find out where she was and it wouldn't take them long to recognise Robin's absence either, resulting in the putting the pieces together.

"Please, be happy, I love you Regina, but you love him and he loves you, maybe as much as I."

"Thank you." She smiled, hugging him. "You have been very kind to me."

"Please, leave."

Regina turned to look at Robin, it was now or never, if they didn't leave now, she could be trapped forever, trapped in her prison. It wasn't a hard decision "Robin, marry me."

"I think that I'm supposed to ask you that, but alright." He nodded, taking her hand in his.

Daniel brought Rocinante from the stables. "Regina, take him, he will get you to where you need to be."

"Robin, we have nothing." She sighed. It was the truth, she had no clothes, no money, nothing of value on her person to sell in order to gain money, they didn't have anything.

"If I have you, I have everything."

"Yes, but you can't live off love alone." She sighed. "I'm going to sneak back in." She whispered. She had made her mind up, she was going to take her jewellery box, that had enough precious jewels within it for them to sell, gaining enough money to keep them going for a long time. She would also take as many clothes as she could, they too could be rather useful. As for money itself, she had stashed some away, safely within her mattress, now was the time that she would retrieve it.

"Regina, no, what if your mother hurts you? Catches you trying to sneak out?" Robin protested. "I can't lose you, I won't lose you. Not when I have only just now declared my love."

"Robin, I will not fail, I swear it so."

"Be careful, I will wait."

"No, you should go, for if my mother catches wind of this, if one of the other servants has already witness our actions and gone to her, she won't show mercy."

"Robin, she's right, I will get her to you, I promise I will." Daniel stated. "You have my word as a gentleman and as your friend."

Robin shook his head and sighed "I don't like this plan."

"Robin." Regina grabbed his hands in hers. "Trust me, I will come to you." She kissed him.

He brushed his fingers over her cheek. "If you do not come within the day, then I will be bound to come for you, I shall kidnap you and steal you away into the night."

She chuckled and leant her forehead against him. "Here's to hoping it doesn't come to that, but if it does, I shall not mind such actions. Neither would it be kidnap as I would be rather willing. You can't steal something that's been given to you." She whispered, closing her eyes.

"Take this with you." He removed the chain from around his neck, hanging from it was a single white feather. "The feather will bring you luck."

"Where did you hear that?" She asked, chuckling at him as he secured it in place.

"I made it up." He sniggered.

Daniel let out a slight cough.

"You must go my love." Regina wiped her eyes a little.

Robin slowly caressed her face and claimed her lips one last time, before whispering "Please, be careful."

So, what did you think? Will Regina be able to pull it off and have her happy ending?