Buzz.

Regina Mills' eyelids slowly fluttered open at the sound of her alarm. She raised her head off of her cold desk to get a grip of her surroundings. She was still at the station. A huge case was underway and Regina was working impossibly late hours to solve this crime before it was too late.

However, Regina wasn't just on the hunt for this criminal to satisfy the justice system, but to seek revenge for the loss of her partner, and husband, who were one in the same. Daniel and Regina were an absolute cliché. They met at the academy and were partnered up. Upon meeting officially, Daniel told her that it was fate that he'd been paired with the most beautiful woman at the academy. While she tried to resist his charming passes, she couldn't deny that she was incredibly attracted to him. And after about a month of relentless flirting, she gave into his request for a date; two years later they were married with a little boy on the way.

The loss of Daniel was devastating. If it weren't for her work and Henry, Regina was certain that she wouldn't have survived the heartbreak. Sheriff Swan demanded that she take time off, which in turn meant she would have to give up the case, but Regina pleaded that time off would only make matters worse. Being in her own headspace for too long was practically a death sentence for Regina. Something about stewing in her own thoughts drove her mad. Plus, if she didn't have the satisfaction of cuffing the man who was responsible for her husband's death, her life was relatively pointless.

Regina glanced over to the mirror to get a look at herself. Disheveled was an understatement. Her hair was matted and sticking out in several directions. Her lipstick was smudged across her face and the hand that she slept and drooled on. She quickly reached in her bottom draw where she'd stored all the necessities to make her presentable. She grabbed her uniform and paced over to the door to lock it.

After suiting up and placing her hair in a short ponytail, Regina stepped back in front of mirror. Sighing, she smoothed down her shirt and turned from side to side. No matter how dolled up she got, she would always carry this beaten down look. Misery was attached to her hip.

A knock at the door startled Regina away from her vanity. She walked over to the door to be greeted by Sheriff Swan.

"Good, you're up," she said, leaning against Regina's doorway.

Regina rubbed the bridge of her nose. Busted. "Morning Sheriff Swan."

"C'mon, we have a lead. And we don't have much time."

"Okay, I'm coming," Regina answered eagerly, running over to grab her gun and badge.

They finally got a lead to the Peter Pan killer. Cheesy, sure, but it was fitting for the profile. The Peter Pan killer kidnapped and murdered young boys who were orphaned or abandoned. It was sickening to think about. If that man came anywhere near her Henry, she was certain that she could kill him with her bare hands. She could already imagine herself doing the same without the threat of Henry's life. Regina wasn't going to quit until she'd caught the sick bastard.

"So where's the lead?" Regina asked anxiously.

"We actually have two," Sheriff Swan answered absentmindedly. She was focused on where she was walking, looking at the hallway ahead. "I'm sending you to an apartment that we think he was staying in. Your back up will meet you there. And Officer Mills," she stopped to face Regina, "I'm counting on you not to let this go too far. I've let you stay on this case because I trust you. But the minute it gets too personal, I will take you off immediately. Have I made myself clear?"

Regina nodded furiously in response.

"Good," Sheriff Swan began walking again to her destination.

Regina jogged to catch back up with her, "Where is the other one?" She asked breathlessly.

"Here. We brought in the tenant of the apartment. Neal Cassidy, a local thief."

"Wait," Regina paused, "Like the 50's icon?

"Yes, last name spelled differently, but pretty much," Sheriff Swan answered casually.

"So you think he's in on it with this guy or do you think he is the guy?"

"We aren't sure, he matches the profile of the Peter Pan killer except for the fact that he's a little younger than we thought. But some eyewitnesses in his apartment complex say they've seen a man who's a bit older who also may fit the profile. Maybe a father, older brother or uncle. So we're going to investigate."

Regina frowned. She knew she wasn't the only one desperate to find this guy, but roughing up a local thief for a dead end lead seemed like a waste of time. And not to mention, they had nothing to really go on. Even the description and profile were sketchy. However, Regina most certainly wasn't going to question or openly doubt her boss' abilities. Maybe she wasn't seeing a connection that Sheriff Swan did. But perhaps she would find the answer to her questions at this guy's apartment.

Finally, they reached the door. Regina took a deep breath as she stepped out into the chilly New York morning air. This was it. She hoped with all her heart that this would be the break she'd been desperately waiting for. It was time to avenge Daniel's death.

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The excitement of finally moving somewhere with the case clouded Regina's thoughts so much that she neglected to even wait for the backup that was supposed be aiding her on the excursion. She wasn't even considering the dangers that might lie ahead for her. She clambered up the stairs as the anticipation bubbled up within her. Just as she was reaching 4C, where the man lived, Regina noticed that the door was ajar. Furrowing her brow, she pulled out her gun. Sometimes, some of the guys on the force were dumber than a pile of bricks, especially Leroy, but they wouldn't have been this sloppy. Something wasn't right.

Rattle. Shuffle. Clatter.

Someone was inside. Regina felt her heart leap into her throat. Was she about to come face to face with the Peter Pan killer? This was a little more than she was hoping for but she didn't let fear discourage her. This was it. She couldn't believe that she was finally getting this moment. Feeling the pride of accomplishment swell in her chest, Regina headed for the door, gun ready to annihilate the man who'd fueled her with so much bitterness and hatred.

She flung the door open, "Show yourself!"

Just then a figure swooped out of the kitchen into the living room. The figure also had a gun and was aiming it straight at Regina. Without thinking, she cocked the hammer on her gun ready to fire.

Realizing she was an officer, he lowered his gun, "Apologies m'lady. I thought you might have been an accomplice to our criminal."

"And I thought you were the criminal," she answers coolly. She actually was partially bitter that he wasn't the criminal. She was hoping to catch the miscreant red-handed but instead she caught this buffoon who almost shot her, "Who are you anyway?"

"Robin Locksley," he extended a hand, "At your service."

She didn't take his hand but just looked at it with disdain, "Are you supposed to be my back up?"

"Well, actually, I'm your new partner," After realizing she wasn't going to shake his hand, he slowly retracted it.

"I don't think I asked for one…" She was trying to keep her irritation at bay but it was hard. Sheriff Swan did this on purpose. Regina wasn't ready to replace Daniel; it was too soon. But this is what she was talking about earlier. Regina couldn't behave poorly about this new guy because it meant that it was just too much for her and that Sheriff Swan was right about Regina needing time off. Sheriff Swan wanted to prove a point. Great.

"You didn't," he smirked. It's like he wanted to get under her skin.

Just because Regina had to pretend to be cool with this to prove Sheriff Swan wrong, didn't mean that she had to play so nicely with this new guy. She wasn't going to bother to get to know him or be his friend or anything of the sort, "Fine. Just don't get in my way."

He threw his hands up by his face, "Oh, wouldn't dream of it," his sarcasm bleeding through his words.

"Good then let's get to work."