What do you see in me?

Hopefully the same thing you see in me: a second chance.

The cool, midday breeze of the city air in Autumn was like a slap across the face as she stepped out of the passenger side of the infamous yellow bug. She took in her surroundings with curious eyes, for she'd never been to New York City before. She'd heard Henry rave about the pizza he'd enjoyed so much with Neal when he'd accompanied Emma and Rumplestiltskin on their "mission" just last year. He mentioned the tall buildings and the thrill of the busy, city atmosphere from the "missing year" where he'd lived with his other mother under false memories.

To a child growing up in a small town such as Storybrooke, she could understand his excitement over the unfamiliar surroundings. Under different circumstances, she may have ventured into popular museums or tasted the various foods of the city herself for an adventure of her own. However, this was not meant to be a pleasant trip. The reality of the situation sank in again when the familiar blonde stood in her peripherals, the reflection of the sun against her red leather jacket catching Regina's attention.

"You alright?" Emma asked stepping beside the brunette to the edge of the concrete sidewalk.

"Let's just get this over with, shall we?" Regina stated dryly, not wanting to discuss the details of her mental state when there were more important things to be done, like bring her family home safely.

My family, she repeated the phrase over and over, allowing the words to sink in. It was true, she considered Robin and Roland her family; arguably on the same level as Henry when it came down to it. It hadn't been long since they'd met and she knew they'd gotten off on the wrong foot, but even in the Enchanted Forest there was something about that thief and his boy, their matching dimples charming their way into her heart even then (she always denied it, of course).

Just don't get in my way.

Oh, I wouldn't dream of it.

She tilted her head, signaling for Emma to take the lead. The blonde and this Lily person walked ahead of her, not speaking, but often exchanging awkward glances while Regina followed closely behind. Although her cheeks felt cold, and she was sure they were starting to become pink from the crisp air, heat was rising within her, a light sweat forming on her sternum. She wasn't sure if it was caused by the hot steam polluting the air as large buses passed in the street carrying commuters and tourists to their desired destinations or the anticipation of facing Robin again.

Of course, Regina was excited to see him. The thought of his icy blue eyes like daggers as they pierced into her chocolate brown irises made her heart flutter. But the feeling was diminished as she thought about those same captivating eyes glossed with tears of heartbreak and betrayal as she revealed the truth to him; Marian was dead and the woman he'd been with, allowing his son to bond with, was really the Wicked Witch.

Milady, I'm sorry. I let you down. Your heart was lost to Zelena on my watch, but I promise you, I will get it back.

She was distracted from her thoughts as a yellow taxi cab zipped by, rather close to the sidewalk, honking at jaywalkers rushing through the streets. It startled her, to say the least, but she regained her composure and continued on her way, slipping back into the depths of her mind.

I have tried to live by that code every day of my life.

Then why are you here?

Because today is not one of those days.

Regina imagined what his reaction might be when he saw her. She hoped it would be joy and relief, an overwhelming exchange of love for one another. The thought of it caused the corner of her lips to curl up slightly.

There it is. There's that elusive yet satisfying smile I think about every time I close my eyes.

But it dissipated when her fears bubbled up to the surface. There was the possibility that he'd fallen back in love with 'Marian' or that he was in the process of doing just that. There was the chance that, although he may not love her, he'd found a way to be content with their situation; that he'd found peace with his real family. Regina's hand closed into an angry fist, her eyes filling with tears although there was clearly fire in them.

Zelena, she thought. No, there was no way Robin wouldn't be happy to see her. He loved her and even though he believed he was with Marian now, she'd tell him the truth. She'd expose Zelena for the monster she really is, give her what she deserves, and take her boys home where they belong. Her determination grew, each step she took more forceful than the next, driven by her thoughts.

She wasn't sure how long they'd been walking at that point, but judging by the slight feeling of numbing toes inside her black, high-heeled boots it had been longer than ten minutes. Anyone else would have worn more sensible footwear, but Regina was not just anyone. The only pair of flats she owned was a pair of slip ons she kept hidden in the back of her closet. She'd bought them just before adopting Henry so she could prepare his room in comfort, having to paint and piece together furniture by hand considering she didn't have her magic then. Once her work was complete, they were hidden out of sight and never worn again. Truth be told, they reminded her of something Mary Margaret would wear and that alone was reason enough to hide them from the world. She was the Mayor after all and she had a reputation to uphold.

She stopped abruptly, just inches shy of colliding with Emma. She watched the blonde as her gaze focused on the front door of a run-down apartment building. It took her a moment to process the woman's expression as nostalgia and, more prominent in her features, pain. This was Neal's home, a piece of the love she lost to the same woman that was threatening to do the same to Regina. She empathized with her and allowed her this moment of recollection and used this brief time to steady her breath in preparation for what was about to happen.

Emma stepped forward and held the door open for Regina and Lily before following and quickly taking the lead again. They climbed the stairs the same as they had walked down the street, in silence; the lingering tension amongst the trio was sharp enough to cut through glass.

It wasn't an exceptionally tall building, at least not compared to the ones around it. Two flights and they found themselves on the floor that would lead Regina back to her soulmate. Her heart was racing in her chest, the same heart she'd trusted him to protect just a few short months ago. It felt lighter than it did years prior, the darkness no longer swallowing its tender glow, thanks to Robin and Henry.

And you're quite a good kisser.

Just wait until I actually have my heart back.

What is that like? I mean, can you...

Feel? Yes, I can. Just not... Fully. It's difficult to explain.

Then don't. Use mine for the both of us.

The three women approached the door to the apartment. Regina placed her hand against it and lingered there, knowing the minute she knocked she would either be embracing the love of her life or choking her wicked half-sister with her bare hands. She wondered what it looked like inside, if Roland was home playing with his father or watching cartoons.

Who knew a thief had honor?

Who knew an evil queen had a soft spot for children?

She jumped when a hand gripped her shoulder reassuringly. Emma. She turned her head, dark brown eyes connecting with green, and took a deep breath. The blonde nodded and provided a gentle, supportive smile.

Knock. Knock. Knock. "Robin?"

She tried to focus on breathing when she realized she had been holding it in.

Knock. Knock. Knock. "Robin, open up!"

Relax, Regina. He's in there. He has to be. Breathe. In, 2, 3. Out, 2, 3. In, 2, 3.

The door swung open and her habitual reaction was to step back defensively. But there was nothing to defend as she laid eyes upon the man she loved, exhaling her breath in relief at the sight of him. He was alive. He was more than alive. He was standing just inches away from her.

"Regina?!" He said with disbelief clearly in his voice. He stepped forward without hesitation and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her entire body relaxed in his embrace, her arms resting above his shoulders hugging him back. "What are you doing here?"

Tears formed in her eyes, her breathing becoming painfully difficult. It caught in her throat and she had trouble breathing out her confession, "I've missed you." Her voice was soft and broken, the sound of it making her cringe for being so vulnerable and exposed.

I just never thought I'd have this.

She felt her eyebrows tense and knew that vein in her forehead was showing, but she didn't care. She had Robin in her arms, pressed tightly against her.

"And I you," he breathed out.

Regina, I choose you.

Immediate relief washed over her, even more so now that she knew she was still important to him. Her heart continued pounding in her chest when she breathed in his scent. It was new and unfamiliar, but the remanence of forest smell that she had grown so fond of lingered in his skin.

Where I come from, a simple 'thank you' would suffice.

Where you come from, people bathe in the river and use pine cones for money.

They pulled apart just enough to look into one another's eyes, his hands firm against her hips and hers the same on his biceps. She caught the fear in his eyes and she couldn't help, but frown. He knew she only would have come if they were in danger.

"What's going on? Why are you here?" His voice was vulnerable, he sounded very tired and worn down, but confused and alert at the same time. Her heart was beating in her throat, her breathing growing uneven again.

"I can explain everything, but first: where's Marian?" She rushed through her words figuring they didn't have much time.

"She's at the store. Why?"

"Good," Breathe, Regina. Just keep breathing. "Then there's time." She paused, breathing in and out heavily and audibly as she collected her thoughts.

It was now or never, she knew this. Robin had to know the truth, as painful as it would be for him and even her. The last thing she ever wanted was to hurt him, but she had to in order to protect him and Roland. They were okay, alive and unharmed. For now. Who knows what Zelena might have done had they arrived at his door a minute too late.

"We have to act fast," she turned Robin by his shoulder, forcing him into the apartment. She heard footsteps behind them and knew Emma and Lily had followed her lead.

"What- what is this about?" He turned to face her, their eyes locked, voices nearly frantic.

"Marian. We have to leave before she gets back. She is not who she says she is."

"What?"

"She's my sister," she paused, cringing at the title this wicked thing did not deserve. "Zelena."

"The Wicked Witch?" His face expressed clear confusion, brows furrowed, dimples showing from the grimace forming on his lips. "But she's dead. We all saw that-"

"Somehow she tricked us and went back in time," she raised her voice, but it was not directed at him. He knew this. She was frustrated that she hadn't discovered it sooner. She breathed in to steady her voice to a calmer tone, "Robin, she went back and she killed Marian. She took her place to get back at me."

"No. This is madness," he stepped back in disbelief. Regina felt an ache in her heart. She knew it was difficult to believe, but she'd hoped coming from her it wouldn't seem as crazy as it sounded.

"Robin, what's going on?" Regina whipped her head around to the entrance of the apartment that Emma so carelessly decided to keep open for their private conversation. Marian stood there, a bag of groceries in hand. She pulled her hand into a fist at her side.

Don't do anything you'll regret, Regina. You can expose her without tearing her apart limb from limb. If you can't do it for you, do it for Roland in the next room and Henry waiting patiently back home.

She relaxed her hand, keeping it open, but held firmly against her side.

"What is she doing here?" Marian stepped forward and Regina instinctively turned and stepped in front of Robin protectively.

"It's over, Zelena. I told him everything."

"What is she talking about?" Marian placed the groceries down and sheepishly took her place behind Robin for her own protection. "Who is Zelena?" Regina scoffed and thought, Well played, sis.

"Regina, you're scaring Marian," Robin stated, clearly wanting to avoid upsetting either woman.

"Good," the Evil Queen she suppressed within her slowly rising to the surface.

You know, I've heard many stories about the great and terrible Evil Queen. But from this angle, the 'evil' moniker seems to be an overstatement. Bold and audacious perhaps, but not evil.

"Where's the magic? You must have brought something to make this glamour work. Where is it, Zelena?" She was frantic now, her patience wearing thin. "Show me or I will RIP YOU APART UNTIL I FIND IT!"

"Regina, that's enough!" Robin was yelling at her, something she never thought he'd have to do. It took her by surprise, breaking her heart with each spoken word. "Look, I know that this is hard for all of us, but this is the new reality! I'm with her! I'm with Marian."

"Actually, not exactly," Marian smirked and took a step away from the couple as she revealed herself to in fact be Zelena. Robin jumped away from her, eyes wide in disbelief. "Hello dear husband."

"No," he managed to whisper, hoping desperately that his eyes were deceiving him.

"Go on, Robin. We need to get you and Roland out of here," she said, eyes threatening in Zelena's direction. He didn't move, his gaze fixated on the floor. "Robin. Get Roland and let's go."

"I think he still wants to stay," Zelena stated with a smug grin plastered on her face.

"Robin, what are you doing? Get your son and let's go."

"I can't," he refused to look at her. Regina stepped forward trying to reassure him that this was all going to be over soon.

"Yes, you can," she smiled and took his hand, her expression reflecting innocence for a brief moment. "Just come with me. Come on, let's go."

"I'm sorry," he slipped his hand away from her grip. "I can't leave her here."

"What?" Regina questioned, clearly troubled and shocked by his words. He couldn't possibly stay with this crazy person. He had to come with her. Nothing was making sense now, not even to her.

"Do you want to tell her or should I?" Zelena stepped forward, her face practically touching Regina's before she scowled at her and she backed off.

"Tell me what?" Her heart was racing in her chest. It was a feeling she dreaded most, but was all too familiar with. "Robin..."

"She's pregnant," he finally looked up into her eyes. His blue eyes filled with the torture of his racing thoughts, questioning himself in every way. Regina's were filled with heartbreak that you could recognize as clear as day.

Suddenly, she snapped. The heartbreak replaced with pure, unbridled anger toward her rotten sister. She released a frustrated growl from deep within her chest and lunged at the Amazonian redhead in front of her. She pushed her hands hard against her throat and gripped with all her might, moving forward until she could slam her back against the wall.

"Regina, stop!" Robin was beside her now, trying to get her to focus on him rather than the witch she was choking to death. "This isn't who you are anymore. Please."

Regina, I'm not afraid of you.

But you really, really should be.

The breathless pleading from her sister as she begged for mercy was almost too good to watch and Regina couldn't help herself. She allowed herself to laugh as she tightened her grip around her neck and watched her eyes close as she slid down the wall, lifeless.

"No, Robin. This is exactly who I am," she stated, the darkness in her voice frightening even him. Her eyes were wide with an angry madness he'd never seen in her before.

"You killed my child, Regina," a tear ran down his face and she finally looked at him.

Nothing is worth the loss of a child.

Regina blinked her eyes as she snapped back into reality. She was exactly where she stood upon hearing the news, Robin still looking at her with pained eyes, Zelena still alive and refusing to wipe that smug grin off her face. Her breathing grew heavy, catching in her throat. She needed to get out of there. This was worse than anything she ever imagined.

"I need to get out of here," Regina choked out and ran out the door. She was at the end of the hall in seconds, hurrying down the stairs desperate for fresh air. She heard rushed footsteps trying to catch up with her, taking the stairs two at a time. The mixture of the sound of heavy footsteps and the unnatural rhythm of her heart were an unpleasant symphony in her ears: Thud. Bump, Bump. Thud. Bump, Bump. Thud. Bump, Bump.

She ran faster and burst out the doors of the apartment building, taking in a deep audible breath of the cool air. The pressure that built up in her lungs finally allowed for the tears to run freely down her face. Within seconds, Robin was standing next to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, but she took a step away from him.

"Regina, I am so sorry," he whispered through his own tears.

"I want to kill her, Robin," she said through gritted teeth. Her temper was still flared as her eyes stared at the ground, not focused on anything in particular, and she hugged her arms tight against her middle. She looked up at him before she spoke again, "I want her to suffer the way I have. And I want it to be because of me."

"Regina," he said gently, taking a hesitant step toward her. She didn't move away so he took another and another until his body was no more than an inch from hers. He placed his hands on either side of her face, cupping her cheeks and lifting ever-so-softly so he could peer into her eyes before saying, "Haven't you both suffered enough?"

Regina finally let it all go; every emotion she'd been hiding behind her anger released upon hearing his words. Her body collapsed into his and he held her close to him, his lips resting on her hairline as he tried to soothe her sobs.

"Please forgive me, my love," he whispered, his heart aching knowing she was in pain because of him. She couldn't respond, couldn't even find the words to express what she so desperately knew he needed to hear.

It wasn't just his actions that broke her. It was Zelena and her smug attitude. It was the reality that she once had everything her sister wanted (power, fame, wealth) and now she had everything Regina always desired (Robin, a family, a child). Of course, she had Henry and he was her son, biological disconnection be damned. He was her baby. But now Regina had Robin. The possibility for more children was something she didn't have, however, and it didn't bother her until today; until this moment where her wicked sister took this beautiful, honorable man and crushed him with her trickery.

Regina shook her head, wanting the thoughts to disappear. All she wanted was to go home with Robin and Roland, where Henry was waiting for them, and be a family. She cleared her throat and leaned back to look at him, wiping the tears from her cheeks that were now pink again from the chill in the air. They just looked at one another, their expressions blank as they tried to read each other.

"Please stay," he finally whispered, pushing a piece of her ravenous hair behind her ear. She sighed and looked back toward the building with dread, but he spoke again, "We don't have to go back there. At least not now. We can go somewhere, just the two of us, and talk about this. Get it all out in the open and see if we can move passed this. See if you and I can make this work. Just please don't leave. Give us a chance, Regina. I know I don't deserve it, but I will spend the rest of my days making sure you are the happiest woman alive because that's what you deserve."

There was a moment of silence as they continued to stare at one another. His thumbs rubbing up and down on her waist, a habit from their time together. She felt it and it was comfortable; reminding her of a time when things were less complicated between them.

Tinkerbell told me it was possible I could love again. She led me to this tavern to a man she said I was destined to be with. I never saw his face, but I did see his tattoo.

It was me?

Yes... I was just too scared to approach you.

This wasn't his fault. She knew that. Of course she knew that. Nothing changed; she still loved this man. But in reality, everything would be different. And that was a challenge she was willing to face with him. Starting right now.

"Okay," she whispered. Robin's face brightened, his smile causing his dimples to deepen. God, she missed that smile. It was contagious, her lips curling up at the corners before she had a chance to stop them.

"Are you hungry? We could grab a bite."

"Where can we get whiskey?" Regina asked, stepping away from him.

What about this? Is this magical?

Not exactly. But it is a liquid that can conjure courage, give strength, or even act as a love potion of sorts. It's called whiskey and no, it's not magical... Especially the next day.

Her tone was flat, but not stern or angry, as her smile faded. This was difficult for her. Regardless of how many times he could make her smile, it didn't change the situation and Robin realized this, removing his hands from her waist to give her breathing room.

"There's a pub just around the corner," he said. She nodded and motioned for him to lead the way. They walked side by side in silence, neither one touching the other, but desperately wanting to. Regina was no longer nervous, however, but she appreciated Robin's respect to give her some space. They both knew once they were able to share their feelings that they'd make it through this. She didn't know how, but she knew she'd be back in his arms in no time and that brought her immediate comfort. They were in love and had a lot of hard work ahead of them if they wanted this relationship to work, but they would do it; they would find a way to be a family again.

Robin held her heart and one thing was for certain: Regina never wanted him to give it back.

You're really going to entrust something so valuable to a common thief like me?

You can't steal something that's been given to you.

The End.