Welcome cherubs to the first installation of my Outlaw Queen drabbles & one shots! So many of you have sent me messages over on Twitter and FF about my SQ series - here's a big thank you kiss! MWAH - but a bunch of you asked for a OQ series. Well, you know me, I don't like to disappoint, so here you go! As always, I don't own OUAT or Regina would have her happy ending blast it! As well, if you have a burning idea for a one shot that you'd like to see, leave a comment!

Regina is late for the welcome home ball for Rapunzel, Robin is sent to fetch her.

He. Did. Not. Want. To.

Nothing about this plan felt smart in the slightest. When word had gotten around about the lost Princess Rapunzel's return, a ball was planned in her honor. All of the current inhabitants of the Enchanted Forest were decreed to show at the castle to celebrate her homecoming, and to have a sort of 'rallying of the troops' in order to unify the people to defeat Zelena. And for that they needed their Queen.

And so it was that Robin found himself stalking the halls to hunt down said Queen.

He really wasn't sure why it was he that everyone thought should go to retrieve her. He suggested that Snow go to her, but that was shot down faster than he could load and arrow. So, without further ado, he had been pushed in the direction of her chambers with the mission of getting her down to the ball in which she was currently late for.

He huffed. This was not going to be pretty.

Firstly, he did not know where exactly her chambers were located. He had spent a few weeks in and out of the castle, preferring to be with his men in the woods, therefore he had had little time to do the just amount of 'exploring' that the Queens magnificent abode required.

Second, if he ever did find her, he had a gut feeling that she would dislike him fetching her just as much, or more than, she disliked him saving her. And that was a lot.

He had tried to cut back on it, honestly he had, but he found that she was drawn to danger like a moth to a flame. And he was drawn to saving her the same. After their first initial meeting, where he had saved her from a flying monkey attack, and she had laid out exactly how she felt about that, he had vowed somewhere deep down in his soul that he would continue to save her whether she liked it or not.

And with that he bucked up. Rolling back his shoulders, he stood taller, picking up his pace as he made his way down the corridor. It would do him no good to let her see his insecurities, Lord knows he need give her nothing else to pick apart about him. She had already attacked his dress, his name for his men, his accent, and his apparent "forest" smell. The only thing that she hadn't shredded to pieces was his son, Roland. His small boy seemed to be the one thing that she remotely liked about him. Children in general seemed to be a soft spot for the Queen.

He had seen it in her when she had first rescued Roland from yet another flying monkey. She had literally thrown herself in front of the boy before casting a spell that disintegrated the beast into nothing more than a cute stuffed version of its rather vicious former self. Since then he had watched her, studying her reactions and how they differed whenever his son was around. She seemed to cut back on the remarks, watching her tongue, softening in features even.

Oh how he wished he had Roland now.

Reaching the end of the cobbled corridor, he came to a bend. He first looked to the right, that way amassing into a massive staircase, as a flash caught his eye. He turned to his left, spotting a blur of red move quickly behind a set of large double doors. The Queen.

Finally finding her chambers, he logged the location in his mind, in the far west corner of the castle. He approached the door.

He knocked, trying to at least give himself some degree of honor before the onslaught that he was undoubtedly going to encounter. When no answer came however he passed on honor and pushed the doors open.

Her hair was half up, half down, brunette locks cascading down her bare back, ending in soft curls. He nearly dropped his jaw. He had never seen her looking so seductive. Regal yes, but this was positively sinful. Dressed in a long red gown, that was unbelievably form fitting. The dress seemed to hug every curve, gliding down her sinuous body, the fabric providing a most appealing outline. She was addicting. Now he understood why men had always talked of her looks. She was a vision. He felt his hands burning as he realized that he wanted nothing more than to run them along the velvet that covered her sensual curves. Shaking his head, he cleared his thoughts, not quite sure where that one had come from.

Taking a moment to study the Queen, he could see that she thankfully had no idea he was standing there watching her for her face was crinkled, a thin line forming over her brow. She was standing in front of a massive set of mirrors, staring at her reflection, lost in thought. She seemed to be analyzing her look just as much as he was, judging by the way her hands were running down her front and over her sides subconsciously. Her eyes flicked up, looking to her long hair and heavy makeup. She grimaced. And then with a flick of her hands she was engulfed in a cloud of purple smoke.

When she reappeared moments later, Robin gasped.

She was no longer draped in crimson, no. Her hair was up, wrapped meticulously in a elegant up-do. Yards of black fabric wrapped around her small frame. The bodice of the long dress was embellished, a grand collar around her neck drawing his eyes to the slightly risqué neckline. She looked every bit the queen that she was. Regal and majestic. Her heavy makeup replaced by light shadow, showcasing her large brown eyes, and just a hint of red on her supple lips. Her very presence seemed to demand respect.

Robin had never thought she looked more 'stunning.'

Apparently, so did his mouth, as he realized he had said it aloud when he saw her jump, turning quickly around to face him.

Shite.

"What are you doing here thief?!" The venom in her voice rang strong, however he saw the quick flash of embarrassment that flickered through her eyes before they turned to flame. Robin composed himself.

"I was sent to fetch you m'lady . Rapunzel's carriage was spotted nearing the west woods shy of an hour ago, which means she will be here shortly, and we have a ball to attend."

The Queen huffed, with a roll to her eyes and turned back round to her mirrors.

The woman confused him to no end. In one moment she could be fierce, bold and audacious, and the next she was just a woman, dwarfed by her heavy gowns and proverbial crown. In that moment the outlaw realized he had never actually seen her wear one. As thoughts ran through his head, Robin stood befuddled as the monarch before him payed him no mind, continuing to fuss with her garments. She would grab at a piece of her bodice, shifting it slightly to the side before pulling it back again. He could see she was lost in thought again, as she fidgeted. She seemed nervous. Like somehow, if she could get her dress to lay right than the pressures of the world would cease to exist. It was all he could do not to reach out and touch her.

"Stop, your Majesty." He found himself speaking again, "You look beautiful."

With that the woman froze. The air seemed to turn to ice. Her eyes locked on him through the mirrors and all movement in the room seemed to stand still. If he hadn't have been paying absolute attention to every part of her he never would have heard her small voice whisper, "What?"

"You look beautiful. Absolutely stunning, in every way," he said without much thought. The words just seemed to fall off of his tongue, before he could stop them.

At her stunned look, he felt a smug grin grow, realizing that he had rendered the usually outspoken Queen speechless. He took that as a sign and moved closer, "but you must know that your Majesty."

The Queen stared at him through the mirrors. Her deep brown orbs were mirrors of their own, every emotion she had reflected in them seeming to draw him in as their eyes locked. The gaze was electric. She stared speechless and he continued to move forward, pulled in by her. When he stepped into her light however her mind seemed to come back to her. The woman shook, breaking the gaze. In a moment he watched as she went from the open woman before him back to her regal and guarded self.

Sensing that the moment was over, he held out his arm, "If you are ready, we have a ball to attend m'lady."

The brunette stared at his extended limb for a moment as if she had never seen an arm before before suddenly blinking and walking past him in a flurry. She didn't stop until she had made her way to the door, craning her neck back.

"Are you coming thief?" She snarked from over her shoulder.

Robing huffed. This woman would be the death of him.

Without a word he followed her down the hallways, to the ballroom.

xxx

The homecoming for princess Rapunzel was a merry one. The whole kingdom seemed to share in the joy and anticipation for her arrival and for a moment, all was well.

Robin stopped short when the grand doors to the ballrooms were opened, the harkers announcing the arrival of the guest of honor. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as the small woman with long hair made her way in. At the sight of her parents the young princess let out a squeal of exhilaration breaking into a run. All eyes turned towards the beautiful meeting of parents and child. There were hugs and laughter and tears of joy. Robin felt himself smiling at the gaiety of it all.

He turned, to finish his task of replenishing his drink when he caught sight of the woman staring at him from across the room. The Queen was near the joyous reunion, next to the lady Belle, her body was turned towards the commotion but her eyes were on him.

She hadn't noticed that he'd seen her. He felt heat rise in his body as she seemed to watch him unconsciously. When her eyes traveled up he raised his glass catching her eyes, nodding. She blushed realizing that she had been caught and he smirked.

And then, without any warning he saw the slightest ghost of a smile appear on her face before she turned away and Robins heart skipped a beat.

Yes, she would be the death of him. But it was one he would gladly welcome.

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