Love Again

"Then love again," he told her before she turned him to dust. She stood rooted in that spot staring at the empty space. "Goodbye Daniel."

Regina woke up startled and looked around the camp. Everyone was still asleep. She pushed herself off the ground and quietly slipped away. "Love again," she whispered. She heard leaves rustling behind her and she whipped around. "Who's there?"

"It's me," Robin said. "I saw you walking away. It's not safe out here."

She smirked. "Worried about little old me?"

"Yes actually," he said in a serious tone. "I've been worried after since you fell ill."

Ill. That was putting it mildly. "I thought you were my dead fiancé and I kissed you. I put you in an awkward position."

Robin sighed. "I admit it was unexpected. However, I saw a different side of you. It just made me want to get to know you better. I like to think we're friends."

"Friends? I don't have many of those. Every relationship I'm in, I ruin. Just ask Tinkerbell," she said. "You don't want to get to know me. I'll ruin your life too. Just wait," she continued.

"Regina, I don't believe that. Despite everything, I know there's good in your heart. Your love for Henry and your concern for Roland prove my point. I know what it is like to lose someone dear. Your heart is shattered and you have no idea how to move forward."

She sat on the ground and he followed suit. "Story of my life. I cast a curse because I couldn't have the man I wanted. I had love and then he was taken from me."

"Yes, your mother. You protected me from her and threw a fireball at her. You didn't want my heart ripped out again," he said. "I can't imagine going through what you did."

Regina nodded her head. "It's a pain I don't think I'll ever get over."

"Tell me about him. Daniel. What was he like?" he questioned.

Regina looked up at the sky. "He was the stable boy. He was my friend…my one real friend. I learned how to ride from him. He was my rock. He loved going to Firefly Hill. He was fiercely protective and he loved me so much. He wanted a better life for me but I didn't care about climbing the social ladder. All I wanted was him and live a quiet life. I would've been so much happier than living life as queen."

"What about Marian? How did you two meet?"

He chuckled. "I guess I saved her in a way. She was supposed to marry someone but then she met me. We fell in love. I would have done anything for her. I did do everything in my power to keep her alive. I stole from Rumplestilskin to save my love. She was on the verge of dying when she was pregnant with Roland. I prolonged her life but I guess it was inevitable for me to lose her. Roland is all I have of her."

Regina grabbed his hand. "You are a good man and a great father. The way you love Roland is the way I feel about Henry. I have to get him back. I can't lose my son to Pan."

"You won't. I won't allow it," he said his eyes burning a hole through her.

"We will get Roland back as well. I'm sure Henry is taking care of him," Regina said. "Henry won't let anything happen to him."

"I believe you. If Henry is anything like you, he is a strong boy," he said. Regina looked away briefly.

"We should head back before we are missed," she said quietly. She started to move but Robin grabbed her wrist.

"Wait," he whispered. "Stay a little while longer." She nodded her head.

Regina looked at her hands. "Do you think there is hope for me? I've been told villains don't get happy endings."

Robin hoped she wouldn't pull away. He tilted her face toward him and gently kissed her. She didn't respond at first and he was about to stop when he felt her lips moving. He pulled her close and she cupped his face. They pulled apart in need of air.

"There's hope Regina," he said. "Just trust your heart."