The situation we have upon us is not a good one. I wish I trusted the writers to resolve it in a satisfactory matter for us OQers and Regina lovers, but I'm not sure we'll ever get that.
After a long time thinking about how I would like this to be handled, this is what I came up with and I decided to put it in fic form and share with you guys. Hope you enjoy it.
Let's call it a fanmade s4 while we suffer through this dreaded hiatus.
WARNING: I am not too big on Emma. With that I'm not saying I'm going to actively hurt her or anything like that, but when shedoes make an appearance here, she won't be praised for her actions and "wanting to do the right thing" or "not knowing". You have been warned.
Robin snapped out of his reverie just in time to see the door to Granny's shut behind the brunette's back. He instinctively let go of his family's embrace, eyes glued on the walking frame that was visible through the glass door and windows.
"Regina?!" he called out in unison with Henry's "Mom?!"
Marian looked up at her husband, not quite understanding the situation. "Robin?"
"Papa, Regina," Roland pointed at the door while looking up at his father, his tiny face with a somewhat upset expression.
Robin looked from Marian to Henry, struggle imprinted on his face. Henry started making his way to the door when Robin pleaded the young boy to let him try.
"Allow me," he said.
Henry reluctantly decided to let Robin go after his mother, but promised himself he would follow shortly thereafter.
Robin turned back to his family, caressing his son's hair. "Roland, stay with Mama," this time he turned his attention to Marian. "I'll be right back."
"Robin, what are you doing? Are you going after that woman?" Marian's face was plastered with shock, even horror. "Why?" she looked at him questioningly but got no answer. "Robin?"
"Just give me a second," he started backing away. "I'll be back."
He made his way to the door, another "Regina," escaping his throat. Marian was standing like a statue; she was confused by this strange new world and had no idea what was going on. How was her family even there? She had just left the place where they belonged: home; where she had been on her way to see them. Now she was stuck in this weird place she couldn't even begin to understand, and so were they. Why was her husband going after, of all people, that woman? Why was her son calling out to her?
The atmosphere around Granny's became heavy. All eyes were on Emma, then on Marian, then back on Emma again.
"What have you done, Emma?" Snow asked her daughter, hurt in her voice.
"I…," Emma was at a loss for words. She looked down at Henry. What was that he was looking at her with? Hatred? She could have sworn she saw anger in his tear-stained face. "Henry…," she tried to reach out to him but he ran outside. Where his feet were taking him, he didn't know.
Not far from there, Regina rushed down the street. Her mind was making fun of herself for believing for a fact that she had gotten her second chance. It is possible to find love again. Tinkerbell's words had haunted her her entire life. Was being happy such a terrible fate? When she answered the question with a 'yes' she had no idea just how true that was. She had said 'yes' out of fear, but now she actually felt the pain of happiness - to hold something good and then have it taken away from within your grasp, again. She did her best to pick up her pace as she heard footsteps approaching. She was nowhere near willing to talk right now, no matter whose footsteps those where.
"Regina?" that familiar, accented voice called. She continued, however, down her path without looking back. Despite herself, she hugged her petite-feeling body while marching as a sudden blast of cold took over her. Something told her it was not due to the weather.
"Regina, wait!" he called out again.
"Go away," she rallied, her voice failing her.
"Regina, please," he said, his voice beseeching.
He was the last person she wanted to talk to, even see, right now. She tried to ignore him but his presence drew closer to her every shaky breath she took.
"Go away," she said once more, this time louder.
"Regina, I must speak to you. Just let me…,"
Regina turned on her heels with a snap. "Stop this," she said violently. Her hands were thrown up in the air as smoke came out of her fingers. Robin's feet suddenly felt like they had been glued to the ground. He was unable to move. She'd done it again, just like she had done it back in the Enchanted Forest when they were in her castle.
"Leave me alone," she'd never mastered hiding her emotions from Robin, and this time was no different. Her voice was hoarse and tears fell freely from her eyes.
He tried moving his feet but, of course, it was no use. Regina was still facing him a couple of yards away so he just spoke from where he was. "Regina, please. Let me talk to you," his eyes were pleading. He tried to walk again to no avail.
"There is nothing to talk about," she mustered her bravest tone.
"There is. There is, Regina. This-, what's happening, it's not right," he looked into her eyes. "Please, Regina."
She opened her mouth defensively, eyes glued on his. "Don't do this," she said after a while, but she couldn't bring herself to turn her back on him and walk away. "Leave."
"Just let me talk to you for a while," the tenderness in his voice and expression were like a million daggers piercing through her. "Please," he said again. "Let me talk to you."
With a swing of her hand she freed him - he could walk again. He gathered his bearings and slowly walked towards her. If Regina didn't know any better she'd say she was glued to the ground herself, as she couldn't move, couldn't even breathe. The closer he got, the more her heart broke.
He finally became so close Regina thought her lungs would shut down. He cradled her face in his hands. "Regina, M'lady," those words panged her. She was already regretting the decision of letting him talk to her. "What is this…What, what happened? What's going on?" he didn't even know how to begin.
"I don't know," was what came out of her mouth but she really wanted to answer with What always happens.
"How is this even possible? How…," he was really confused. It was all just surreal.
"I guess anything is possible," she said. All she could think about now was how much she wanted to get out of there.
"But-," Robin started.
"What is it you want to talk about?" she asked coldly.
Robin moved a lock of her dark hair behind her ear. "I…this situation," he hesitated. "I don't know what to do. I couldn't just let you go," he was mumbling. "We...,"
"There is no we," she stated. Not anymore, she thought.
He looked at her quizzically. "Regina," he started.
"No," she said simply. "Your wife is back. Your family is together. Your son has his mother back," she laughed nervously through a sob. "You got your second chance, and it's the best case scenario for a second chance, isn't it? Take it."
Her smile was so beautiful. So beautiful. And also so broken. He didn't think his heart could hurt like this.
"This isn't my second chance, Regina. You-," he started but Regina really didn't want to hear what he was about to say. It would only be more painful.
"Go now, Robin," a tear escaped her eye. He wiped it away with the back of his hand. Regina permitted herself to close her eyes and enjoy his warm touch, one last time.
"I don't want to," he said.
"You must," Regina retorted. "It's OK," she said. "It's the right thing to do. I understand," she gave into her instincts and caressed his face.
"I don't," he said.
Regina felt her world crumbling. A little more of this and she would shatter from within.
"It will all fall into place soon," she answered him. "Now go, go be happy." She tried a smile.
He shook his head "Regina," her name on his lips made her feel as if she had a lump in her throat.
She reluctantly pushed his hands away from her face, but gently. Her eyes squeezed shut with emotion. "Please, don't follow me," she said with all the courage she could conjure.
"Regina, I'm sorry."
She looked into his ocean blue eyes one last time and choked a sob before turning her back on him and making her way down the streets of Storybrooke.
Robin stood still, watching her figure get farther and farther away until there was nothing, just the cold night and the emptiness he felt in his chest.
She felt like she had been walking for hours. Had her house always been this far? As she made her way to the mansion, Regina wished she could be at that party. Not for the occasion itself, but so she could be surrounded by anything but the loneliness that awaited her. Regina sighed, breathing out a smoke of white cloud. It was cold. She heard a noise behind her when she saw him: her son, rushing towards her.
"Mom," he shouted while running in her direction.
"Henry?" she opened her arms and her son threw himself in her embrace.
"Mom," he said, his heart breaking when he saw the tear tracks on her face.
She hunched down so she could be eye-leveled with him, which, nowadays, was not that much. Henry hugged her tightly, his love for her overwhelming him.
Regina let herself get lost in her son's arms.
"Henry, what are you doing here? Why aren't you at the party?"
"I don't want to be at the party if you won't," he said.
"Henry, I don't think I can go back in there now," she explained.
"No, that's not what I meant, Mom. You're heading home, right?" Henry looked for confirmation. When Regina nodded he pointedly added: "I'm spending the night with you. Let's go home."
"Are you sure?"
This had never happened to her before.
"It's still early, Henry. Wouldn't you rather-,"
"No, I want to go home with you." He smiled.
Regina didn't protest. She didn't know how much she wanted company until now, especially if it were her son's.
"Let's go then," she said. Henry supported her weight as they walked home shoulder-to-shoulder.
Back at the house Regina sat on a couch by the fire. She was wrapped up in a thick blanket, patiently waiting for Henry to come back from the kitchen.
"Henry? What are you doing there?" she called out.
"Coming, Mom. Almost there," he shouted in response.
He emerged from the kitchen shortly after, a tray in hand. Henry sat next to his mother, handing her a mug from which a hot white steam escaped. Regina took a sip and set it on the side table. "Thank you," she smiled at her son.
"Did you want anything to eat, too?"
"No, that's fine, Henry. I'm not hungry."
"But you should eat," he didn't mean for it to sound so reproachful.
"I am, Henry. I'm just not hungry right now. I promise. You can take me to lunch tomorrow," she stroked his cheek.
Henry still felt powerless. He felt like he wasn't helping at all.
"Mom, I'm so sorry," he blurted out "you don't deserve this."
She opened her arms and Henry nestled there.
"Maybe I do," she pondered. "For all the things that I have done."
"No you don't, Mom!" Henry replied. "Remember when the first curse was broken and you told me you wanted to redeem yourself? Well, you did. Many times. The things you did, well, there was a reason for that. I understand that now. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."
"Oh, Henry," Regina held him for dear life, as close as she could.
Henry pulled back a little, just so he could see her face.
"How can I help you, Mom? I want to help." He looked really anguished.
"You are doing more than enough already," she cradled his face and kissed his forehead.
Henry knew that wasn't true. That was just his mother being brave and kind to him. But he knew she was breaking inside. He let it go for the time being but promised himself he would do anything in his power to make her happy.
"You could use some rest, Mom, don't you think?"
"I suppose," she said sweetly. She motioned to stand and go upstairs to her bedroom but Henry held her in place.
"Maybe we could just stay here for a while?" he suggested.
He smiled up at her, the sweetest smile she had ever seen. She sat back on the couch as Henry moved next to the armrest and led her to lie down, her head on his lap.
"Goodnight, Mom," he leaned down and placed a kiss on her temple. "Sweet dreams."
And with that, Regina closed her eyes.
The way back to Granny's was a hopeless one. Robin struggled to move forward, his stomach churning. Not sure if he was ready to face what was outlined in front of him, he contemplated the night's unsettling events.
Was he surprised to see his wife right in front of him after watching her die such a long time ago? Yes. Was he happy for their son? Yes. Was he happy for Marian herself? Absolutely. How he felt about it, though, was a puzzle. He had never been so conflicted in his entire life. He just saw no outlet.
His family was still there when he finally reentered the diner. Snow, David and baby Neal were on the same booth they had previously been in. He also spotted the newlyweds, sharing yet another drink.
"Papa," Roland ran into his father's arms upon seeing him.
Marian followed close right after her son, her expression blank.
"Robin, are you going to tell me what's going on? Why did you chase after…her?" there was actual disgust in her tone when she referred to Regina.
"Marian, please. Can we not do this here? We can go back to the camp and I'll explain everything."
"Regina nice, Mama," Roland said.
Anger washed over Marian. Why was her family in this place and, more importantly, what kind of attachment had they to this woman? Had they forgotten who she was? "That witch…," she started, but Robin interrupted her by leading them outside. "OK, let's go now," he said as the three of them left Granny's.
Back at the booth, Snow watched with a worried face. "This doesn't look good," she said to her husband. David sat next to her and couldn't help but feel weird about the situation as well. "How does one fix this?"
"I don't know," David answered sincerely. "All we can do is hope everything works out for the best."
Snow never thought a family reunion would ever not make her happy. This was supposed to be a joyful moment. It was supposed to confirm her beliefs in family always finding each other. But in reality, she felt nothing of the sort. That reunion had much greater repercussions. It would have alarming impact on every involved part, all four of them. The truth was, her heart was breaking for Regina.
After safely tucking Roland into bed, Robin left his son's tent and made his way to where Marian was sitting by the fire.
He knew she wasn't happy in the slightest, her face told him that much. The initial joy of seeing her family had been washed away both by his pursuit of another woman and the inexplicable events.
"Marian, darling, why are you so upset? This is just a surprise to me as it is to you. I still don't understand what's going on."
"Why am I upset?" she spat. "I want you to tell me why you rushed after that woman and just left me there standing like a fool! And what is this place? What are we, you doing here?"
"Marian," Robin started. How would he explain this? "Things happened in our lives...," he paused "...a long time ago. It's difficult to explain."
"Try," Marian dared him.
"That woman who brought you here, Emma; she brought you from the past. You know that, don't you?"
Marian just looked at him.
Robin cleared his throat. "What, or where, she brought you back from happened a long time ago."
"No, it didn't," she said. "I was just there."
"No, Marian. It happened years ago and...," Robin trailed off. How was he going to say this? "Since Emma brought you here you probably don't remember. I mean, at this point it didn't even happen to you." He tried to make sense of things with himself. "This time travel thing is confusing."
"What are you talking about Robin?"
"Marian, you are not supposed to be here. You- you...,"
"Just say it, Robin," she snapped.
"You left us." He tried. When he got a vacant expression from Marian he elaborated. "You passed away, Marian," he finally let out.
Her eyes widened. The events that, from her perspective, had taken place just that afternoon haunting her. "Well, that makes sense," that wasn't what Robin expected her to say at all. "And she did it."
"Who?" he asked.
"That Evil Witch!" Marian replied.
"Regina?" he looked for confirmation.
Marian was furious. "Since when are you on a first name basis with the Evil Queen?"
"She's not evil. It's complicated, Marian."
"I can't believe you are defending the woman who terrorized our entire village. No, the entire Enchanted Forest. The woman who killed your wife!"
Robin was well aware of Regina's past, he had always been. But from the moment he met her, truly met her, he knew he couldn't use it against her. There was just so much more to it.
"What are you talking about, Marian?"
"I was her prisoner today. I was going to be executed by her in the morning. Yes. By her, the Evil Queen!"
"No," Robin declared. Much to Marian's distaste, he didn't state that in disbelief, but in confirmation.
"What are you saying, Robin? That I'm mad? I was just there. Just this afternoon. In a dungeon, awaiting death! And you said I died, so I'm sure it was by the hands of that witch."
"Marian, that's not how you died."
"I was just there!" she growled.
"Darling, you don't remember because now it never happened to you, but-" Robin gathered himself. "you died in my arms."
Marian was aghast. "No. It is impossible to escape the Queen's incarceration."
"Marian, you were never a prisoner. In all our years, you were never kept from me. Not once. We were always together."
"I don't understand. I was just there."
"This time travel thing is complicated. Something must have set a reaction and changed things. But trust me, I think I would notice if you had gone missing. I'm telling you, Marian, we were never apart. You died because of me. I will never forget that day." his guilt was visible.
Marian closed the distance between them. "Oh, Robin!" she hugged him. "This is all too confusing, I don't understand."
"Me neither," he said, both of them calming down.
"Tell me what really happened." Marian asked.
Robin sighed. Reliving that day was something he diligently avoided. He couldn't dodge the bullet now, though, so he took a deep breath and told Marian about how he lost her.
It was getting late, and the party at the diner was coming to an end. Granny made sure to use her most pleasant tone to announce she was kicking everybody out. She would, after all, have to open up early in the morning while the others slept their hangovers out. People started dispersing as Granny grabbed a broom to straighten up the place. That was when the door crashed open and in came a freezing cloud of light-blue smoke. A blonde woman materialized, her blue dress dragging through the floor as if she were gliding.
All gazes fell upon her as she strode across the room studying her surroundings. Her eyes suddenly became fixated on the newlyweds by the window. More specifically, on the groom.
"Ah, we meet again," she spoke.
An abrupt burst of chatter filled the room. No one had ever seen that woman before. Clearly, she wasn't from the Enchanted Forest? One thing was for certain, though - she hadn't come for the party. At some point a "What now?" was heard escaping Grumpy's mouth.
"Rumplestiltskin," she enunciated. "Remember me?"
Rumple stood and walked towards her. The glance they exchanged was unreadable to all the others, their eyes blazing fire.
"Thought you'd seen the last of me, did you?" she said with a mocking smile.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, dearie."
A rush of ice cold wind invaded their space. Snow and David instinctively rushed to protect their newborn. "Do not play dumb with me," there was rage in her voice as she looked around. "How do you feel about this little town of yours, huh? Do you like it? Is it home? Do you like these people?" she motioned towards the crowd.
The townsfolk grew restless. Gold and this woman had assuredly met before and, from the looks of it, hadn't parted ways in a positive note. Would they never rid themselves of such fate? They had just gotten rid of the Zelena threat, just to come by a new one.
"You made a mistake, Dark One. But you're not getting off that easily this time." She eyed him defiantly. "If you don't do right by your wrongs, I'm going to freeze this town to the ground; along with the hearts of your loved ones." She eyed the brunette sitting across the chair he had just vacated with a vile expression. "You know what I can do." She arched an eyebrow.
Rumple automatically stood before his wife.
"You are going to curse the day you screwed me over to get your own way. Mark my words," she gritted her teeth.
The stranger stomp her foot on the floor, and Storybrooke began being overtaken by ice right before everybody's eyes. There were gasps, somewhere behind the counter a glass clattered to the floor.
She laughed loudly. "This is nothing compared to what I can do," she provoked. "This winter will only get worse and there's no place you can hide. None of you. You have to ask yourself a question, Rumplestiltskin: what are you willing to sacrifice?"
Part of Rumple regretted what he had done. He found himself in an impossible situation, one he'd hoped he'd never had to deal with. Jeopardizing Belle's life wasn't an option. But the alternative? He wasn't sure he was willing to do it either.
"I'll give you time to think things over, even discuss it with your- friends? But you'll be seeing me again. Soon. And this time...," she paused for effect. "...you won't be able to lock me up in a vase." The blonde vanished.
Everybody turned to Rumple for answers. Belle ran towards him and held him tight. "Rumple?" she searched his eyes. They could all see he wasn't taking this lightly.
"What the hell was that?" Grumpy squawked. "Who was that?"
Rumple exhaled and pondered for a while.
"That was Elsa, Queen of Arendelle."
What do you think, guys? Should I continue?
I don't know how the exact number of chapters I'm gonna make but I kind of already have the entire fic planned and I know where it's going. I'd like to say I could keep writing it throughout the entire hiatus but I don't want to keep you guys waiting that long, neither do I want to post once in a lifetime. Let's see how this goes, feedback me and I can get a better idea of what to do.
Any mistakes in the text are mine. Constructive criticism is always welcome.