HELLOOO! this is my first story, so I really hope you guys like it. this all stemmed from my dislike for Robin Hood for a love interest for Regina. I don't own anything ONCE related, but if I did... Oh gosh if I did!

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Emma wasn't normally one to be emotional. She was ever the stoic one in any tumultuous situation. That's why she now felt less like a savior than ever. Henry sat with her for nearly an hour, and spoke little to none. He eventually stood and complained about his butt falling asleep, which made the blonde smile despite her inner emotional tornado. She could only marvel at his resilience. Emma handed him a five dollar bill, and encouraged him to go grab some hot chocolate for the both of them.

"You sure you're okay?" Henry asked. He was worried about his mom. She had never seemed so closed off to him. There was something big she was keeping from him, and it bothered the boy.

Emma offered him a warm smile, and nodded. "Yeah, kid. I promise I'm alright. You go ahead and get us a couple cups of hot cocoa, and I'll be along shortly. I just need to clear my head, Y'know?" Henry just gave her a knowing smile, and retreated from the park towards the diner. Not even noticing Regina as he walked down the sidewalk past her.

Any other time the Mayor would have noticed the boy from a mile away in a crowd, but for some reason she found herself unable to truly think clearly. They passed each other as Henry left the park. Regina came her some nights after work to clear her thoughts. She found peace here when it was not granted anywhere else. The shock of seeing the tattoo on Robin's forearm gave way to a plethora of emotions she hadn't the time to deal with, and it was clouding her mind when the only person on it should be the witch. There was no time for lost love, and she knew nothing of this Locksley man at the moment. Sure he was handsome, and charming, in a NOT Prince Charming way, but Regina honestly did not feel that sort of attraction for him yet.

Walking was becoming too difficult, and the raven haired woman was suddenly overwhelmed. She stepped off the park sidewalk behind a tree. Her knees were shaking slightly, so she lowered herself to the ground and closed her eyes.

The former Evil Queen felt more like a sheep as she cowered from her problems. She was hoping maybe she could just live with her new found respect for everyone in her life, and her budding friendship with Emma, and her rekindled one with Tinkerbelle. The last thing she ever hoped for was love. Dammit…She cured herself. She wasn't ready. As a tear threatened to escape her eyes, Regina wiped it with the back of her hand, being careful not to ruin her flawless makeup. She then noticed a figure across the way. Emma was sitting on a park bench nearly ten yards away, her head in her hands, and looking very upset. Without giving it much thought, Regina picked herself up, and moved closer to the sheriff.

"Emma?" The soothing voice came from behind her, and Emma sat up straight. She more than anything right now could do without the beautiful woman seeing her blubbering like a lost child. "Hm?" she said in return though.

Regina crossed the wooden bridge, and sat down in the empty space beside Emma, but did not look at her. She looked out onto the lake, and watched the clouds reflect shapes in to the water. All to give her bench-mate a moment to get comfortable with their proximity. She knew most of all how it felt to be vulnerable.

"Bad day for you too?"

The sound Emma made wasn't a laugh, but more like a whimper. It was the sound of exasperation. "…Neal died today. He sacrificed himself so that his father could tell up who the witch is. It's Zelena, my mom's new midwife lady. We went to find her, but she was already gone. David stayed with Snow, and I came to see Henry after…" Tears welled up in the blonde's eyes. "I had to tell him about Neal's being his father, and about him dying. He was crushed. Now I feel like he's counting on me to find the person who killed him.." Emma wiped her eyes. "..How was your day bad?"

Regina studied Emma's sad features, and wanted to extend a hand for comfort, but she feared they were not close enough for that. "Well, you lost a love, and…I found one." Emma looked up, and sniffled. "That's bad? Who is it?.."

Regina sighed heavily. "Robin of Locksley.." She said in her best British accent. "…and yes. It is bad. There is no time in my life at the moment for love. We were just fine flirting around, but then I had to see than damn tattoo…"

Emma screwed her face up in confusion. "Tattoo?"

"He has a lion tattoo on his wrist…" upon seeing the confused look on Emma's face she continued "A long time ago, Tinkerbelle, and I were close friends. She tried to help me find another soul mate. She said a man with a lion tattoo is my true love. Absurd.. a tattoo to be a defining symbol in a true love.."

Emma let out a watery chuckle "Yeah, I mean of all things a lion. I guess because of the King John thing, but tattoos are so common. I mean…" Emma turned up her sleeve to reveal a tattoo of a flower. It meant nothing to Regina in that moment, but then it dawned on her. It was a Dandy Lion.

I hope you guys liked my first chapter :)) I will try to upload as frequently as possible , but I do plan on these chapters getting longer. This was just a Prologue type chapter to get the ball rolling and to see if it's worth pursuing.