A/N: I've posted this before I know but… I decided to make it a fanfic that I will write when the muse comes, and since I am already writing the second chapter I might as well posted. I know I said that I was only going to start a new fanfic once Begin Again is over but someone convinced me to make this a multi-chapter fic. Like I said before, it will only update when muse come so I will try to make the chapters worth your time. I hope you like it.

Xoxo, Janice.

Between a heartbeat and the next.

"Sometimes it's the same moments that take your breath away that breathe purpose and love back into your life." –Steve Maraboli

In a no leap calendar there are 365 days. That is 8,760 hours a year, divided by 12 that is 730 hours a month and 182.5 hours a week. That's without counting the hours of the day and the second that passed by like a sand clock. There are so many opportunities between days and between hours. Robin always been a firm believer of that. Is not like he tracks time obsessively, but he is always looking out for those brief seconds between a heartbeat and the next. Those little moments in life that could change the course of history, personal history, forever. Everything can change when you least expected and it was that thinking that has gotten him through the day but most importantly, through life.

It was a sunny Sunday morning in the big city of New York. It had started the same as any other day of the week. A cup of coffee to fully awake his body, a jog down Central Park, and then to his favorite bakery. He had found the rather unique place when he first moved to the state. Robin went into a bit of expedition to discover a little bit more of big apple. So he stumble into such a hidden gem. At first he was just looking around, standard American deserts being on display but then his eyes fell on a Banoffee pie and he was pushed to buy it on the spot. It was a nice reminder of home, of the place he had been missing so much. The English treat was delicious. The bananas, cream and toffee were all made from scratch and he had to commend on how much it made the other ingredients taste that much better. Robin fell in love with that place and obviously with that sugary treat. So he made it a routine to go every day after his jog. No, he doesn't buy the same thing, he alternates them but Sunday's were English treat day. Like every other day, Robin ordered and sat down. Since he was all sweaty he made sure to sit on the farthest corner as he waited. He never stayed to eat there though, he knows of how uncomfortable it was to share with someone who just exercised but the owner and even the patrons didn't seemed to mind.

Although they were all woman and Robin was parading in his navy blue sleeveless tank top that was well fitted to his body and his short of the same color. Adding to that the fact he is sweaty and his smile –that showcase his dimples – never faltered.

Well who was going to complain?

Not that he thinks his good looks have something to do with it.

Robin waited for at least fifteen minutes before his order was ready. Usually the Banoffee was on display but his was the last one and he was sure happy that he got his very own.

"Are there any more Banoffee pie?" It was a female, sultry voice coming from his side. The sound caught Robin's attention in an instant. Robin glance, subtly, to his side to see if that alluring voice was accompanied by an equally, or more, alluring woman. What he saw made is breath hitch slightly. There she was standing, a brunette with olive skin, dark hair pulled up in a ponytail, face void of makeup and like him, sweaty from exercising.

What of the odds?

The baker lady on the other side of the counter gave the brunette an apologetic look as a 'sorry' spilled from her lips.

Robin's eyes went once again to the front as the woman beside him turned to him. "Well I guess I have to come earlier next time. This is what happens when you change your routine." He wasn't sure if she was talking to herself or to him, so he craned his head to her region and he was able to see her in full display. Luscious lips adorned by a small scar on her upper one, chocolatey eyes that he swore he could look into forever, and a smile that made him forget how to breathe for a moment.

Okay, he was mesmerized by this woman.

"Enjoy your pie." She said, before turning back and leaving and now he couldn't have that.

Locksley shook his head, bringing his attention back to reality.

"We can share it." He told her, finally turning to the brunette, which by the way looked at him with raise brow.

Right of the bat he knew this woman was going to haunt his dream for a long time.

"You are willing to share with a stranger?" Her inquiry made the British man chuckle, turning quickly to pay for the pie and ask for an extra setting of plate and fork. The female watched his action with curious eyes and even a little of trepidation, he could tell by the way her body tensed up. When the owner gave him what he had asked, he took a few steps closer to the brunette.

"Well we won't be stranger if we knew each other's names." He outstretched his hand, a kind smile covering his countenance. "Robin of Locksley, it is every nice to make your acquaintance." In a person's lifetime there are many moments that change your perspective of emotions, of feelings and there are half a dozen moments where your heart almost leap out of your chest when something extremely good comes into it.

This was one of those.

The moment where her hand clasped his he knew that this moment would be forever engraved in his soul.

"Regina Mills." And she smiled at him. That kind of smile that made his heart skip a beat.

At that moment, there was room for nothing more than happiness.

"Regina…" He tried her name and it fell perfectly from his lips. "Such a beautiful name." He hadn't thought when he woke up that he would be met with this. With a woman so beautiful that captivated his full attention. Even more when she threw him a playful eye roll.

"Charming." She muttered, taking her hand back, and he immediately missed the warmth. "With that British accent, blue eyes and…" Her eyes roam his body momentarily and he felt a thrill run down his spine. "…Well defined body I am pretty sure that line work with any other woman."

Oh, sassy!

"I wouldn't know." He nonchalantly said, picking up the box with the pie and utensils. "You are the first woman I've ever tried it on since I moved to New York."

"I find that hard to believe." Regina replied back, arms crossing over her chest and her eyes looking at him with amusement.

"Well you are welcome to find that out if you share this…" Robin raised the box, as a way to finish that sentence. He didn't want to push her but he can't lie to himself, he would feel rather disappointed if she says no and even more if he would never see that beautiful brunette ever again. Robin saw her brows knit together as she pondered on his invitation. It was a cute little quirk and he wouldn't mind seeing more of it. Almost five seconds passed by before she breathed out an airy laugh followed by a nod.

"Alright." She announced to Robin's delight and oh his heart started to beat a little faster. "We should go to the park since we both are…" Regina motion to their attire, and he almost forgot that he had been running.

"Yes, of course." Locksley moved to the door and like the gentleman he was raised to be, he opened it for her. "After you, milady." Her tiny chortle did something to him and if his heart was beating faster already well right now it was on override.

Regina Mills is trouble, and he liked it.

"Well thank you, kind sir." Regina walked out of the tiny bakery and as she did, Robin thanks whatever god in charge of destiny for this moment.

..::..

When they arrived to the park, the scanned the place in search of a good, peaceful place where they could sit down eat and talk. After a few minutes of just wondering around, Robin found a shady tree overlooking the pond.

Perfect!

"How about there?" He pointed the tree. The brunette follow the line that his finger created and she nodded. They walked there in a comfortable silence, even though his insides were a complete nervous-wreck. Not for the first time he questioned if she felt the same. If she did then Regina was quite good masking her feelings and if she didn't well he didn't make a strong impression like she did on him. Once they reached the tree, they sat down, Robin placing the box in the middle so they both could reach for it. He began to serve them each a piece when her voice broke the silence between them.

"So what brings you to America?" He passed her a plate, which she accepted. Their fingers brushed together and Robin felt a spark at the brief touch.

He needed to get a hold of himself.

Clearing his throat, Robin picked up his own plate, before his bright icy blue eyes locked visage with hers. "Well, I work for an architect company that opened a new franchise here and I was asked to oversee things here." The British man grasped his fork, cutting a piece of pie, "It was a nice change, though I miss London so much, especially my family." He stabbed the piece he had previously cut and ate it. The woman sitting across him hummed, taking a bite of her own. After she successfully chewed and swallowed it, Regina placed down her plate.

"That is why you bought the Banoffee pie?" Although it wasn't a real question. More like a statement. "You are homesick and it reminds you of home."

Robin nodded, mirroring her move of putting down his own plate. "Exactly on the nail." He mused, leaning his side to the tree. "So what is your excuse for wanting to buy it?" He was genuinely curious. "You don't strike me like the kind that eats a lot of sweets." When her eyes widen is surprise to his statement, he smiled. Dimples on full display. "So I hit the nail as well."

Regina laughed, a sound that had Robin looking at her attentively. The corner of her eyes crinkled beautifully, her lips stretched splitting her face in a smile and her shoulders moved up and down swiftly.

She was breathtaking.

"Yes, yes you did." She replied, her own side hitting the tree softly. "I'm surprise you could see that."

"Well you were a little reluctant on eating a tiny piece and you sure didn't hesitate on placing down the plate." His voice was full of understanding as he spoke. Robin saw her bounce her head softly, her lower lip being sucked in.

It looked like a nervous quirk.

"Observant." Her lips pressed into a thin line as she thought what to say next. Once she gathered her thoughts and wit she did. "Truth is I don't eat too much sweets. But every morning I go to that bakery to get my coffee…" She began to explain feeling a little exposed and rather surprised of telling this to a stranger. Robin could see she was nervous of speaking up so he smile reassuringly and that seemed to placate her. "…That is the only English treat on the menu so I thought that maybe one day I should try it out. So I decided that day was today. I usually go really early because I always have a busy schedule but today I –finally – had a free day so I went a little later than usual."

Robin 'ahh' softly, head bobbing to the side. All this time he been going to the same place, at the same time. Not a minute before, not a minute after. He could have met her before, maybe they would have become friends sooner. But then he though no. She explained how tight her schedule is due work. Regina went bought and quickly left and that would be a big reason for them to not talk at all. Then there was today, her free day. Gave them time to talk, to actually be able to get to know each other and that made it worth everything. So he won't go asking why he didn't met her sooner, why he didn't change his routine before so there could be an chance encounter. Because maybe things wouldn't have been so great like today. Maybe she would be stress and he would be too annoying in that moment.

So this moment was perfect.

"Well I am glad you had a free day and we got to meet." Her nod his way was a confirmation to his words and somewhere inside of him sent relief coursing through his veins. Maybe things would work out, right? Maybe they could become friends that is honestly all he could ever ask. There was something about Regina Mills, an air of mystery surrounding her and he wants to discover that mystery. Wants to open the door to her heart, her secrets, her fears, her inner most desire and most importantly wants to know what makes her happy, what makes her smile.

But that won't be today and he knows it.

Regina looked at her wrist watch, and frowned.

"I should go." She stood up and Robin quickly followed. "I need to go and see my father since well…"

"Only free time. Got it." He smiled and crouched for a moment. Robin picked up the box and quickly straighten up. "Here you should take it." But Regina nodded no and he frowned.

"That is yours." Regina said. The brunette took out her phone and took a photo of him. For a moment he was confused, but she passed him her phone, "Your number." He sighed out in relief, typing in his phone number and calling to his phone when it began to ring he quickly took it out and hang up the call. He, like her, took a picture of her and smiled. "There you go…" the brunette placed the phone on her pocket once and smile. "And just to clarify I came for the pie but I actually stayed because of you."

Oh he smiled. Wide and bright to her words.

"When can we meet again?"

He asked, hoping that I would be soon but her apologetic smile told her otherwise.

"I don't know but I got your number. I'll call you when I can."

Yes, he was disappointed but he didn't let it show. This was more than he could ever hope for a Sunday.

"I shall be waiting for the moment when you call. It was nice meeting you, Regina."

His hand stretched her way and she accepted it quickly.

"Likewise, Robin. Until next time."

"Until then."

And she turned and left.

A day has 24 fours hours, that is 3,600 seconds but it only takes a millisecond for everything to change. For life to start a new path, a new road to happiness or sorrow. But For Robin is the former. He didn't know when he woke up that he would meet an outstanding pair of brown eyes but now under this shady tree in Central Park he knew, that moments like this happened once in a life time and that Regina Mills was his favorite moment out of all the ones he has lived.