As Regina opened the wooden door she could feel her heart beating in her throat. What am I doing here? She kept thinking as she sat herself down in the corner of the dirty tavern. I'm a Queen, how can I be here right now? She thought tossing herself down on the hard chair. She knew she was much too overdressed for this place. the whole place stunk of ale and horse manure, straw covered the floor, though it was barely noticeable because the whole place was so dimly lit. Regina was grateful she was not able to see everything because she would probably pass out if she really knew what was around her.

She knew she couldn't just walk up to the man Tinkerbelle had pointed out and say, "Hi, we are soul mates, lets run away together before I try to kill myself." She wanted to watch hi, see what he's like before she decides if Tinkerbelle's pixie dust actually works.

A larger man across from her supposed true love nodded in her direction as Regina released her gaze from the group of loud, laughing men. Did someone recognize me? She worried as a shape moved towards her small table. She moved herself to the edge of her seat preparing to bolt out of there using a spell from one of Rumplestilskin's lessons.

"M'lady?" A thick accent broke through her worried thoughts. Chocolate met bright blue eyes, knocking the breath out of both of their lungs.

"Yes…" Regina spoke softly without removing her eyes from him.

"Um… you don't seem like you're from around here." He spoke trying to regain his own composure.

"That would be because I'm not." Regina laughed causing the man to smile from ear to ear.

"I'm Robin. Robin of Locksley." He bowed slightly. It was a sign of respect though Regina tried not to show that she was accustomed to people bowing for her as their Queen, she smiled sweetly at him has he rose from his position.

"Regina."

"May I enquire as to why a beautiful woman is in such a place as this unaccompanied?" Robin asked moving himself closer to Regina's table.

"Am I not allowed to drink?" She teased feelings a little playful as neither knew one another. Regina felt a freedom she had lost a long time ago begin to come back.

"Indeed, but this doesn't seem like your kind of place." He looked her over in her floor length white dress.

"I'm trying something new I suppose." She tried not to laugh at the irony of her statement.

"In that case, may I join you?" He motioned to the open chair across from her, revealing his lion tattoo again.

"Actually, I should take my leave." She quickly rose leaving her table as Robin gently grasped her arm. His touch made Regina jump as she wasn't expecting him to try and stop her. Her open arm tightened as she prepared to defend herself.

"Did I say something wrong? Have I offened you? If so I am truly sorry, it was not my intention." He asked still holding onto her arm. His voice was sweet and caring, not at all what Regina had inticipated.

"No I just… I didn't realize how late it is." She lied

"I shall take you home then, make sure you are safe."

"No!" She exclaimed knowing she wouldn't be able to explain the high towers and moat after having a drink in a tavern. "That really won't be necessary, I can find my own way, thank you."

"Alright. Though I'll only let you go if you make a promise to me." He smirked pulling her closer to him.

"Oh, and what would that be?" She moved his hand off her arm with a surprise on how soft the hand was.

"Meet me back here tomorrow night. If you don't come then I'll assume you were killed or worse. I'll have my merry men search all the lands till you are found."

"A real charmer." Regina laughed

"Promise?"

"I'll consider it." She said before walking out the door and quickly around the corner before he could protest.

With a puff of purple smoke she stood back in her bed chambers in the castle. A smile moved across her lips when all of her emotions hit her at once when she realized what had just happened. She just met a man, drank in a tavern all the while playing pretend that she was in fact not a queen. Her mother began training her at a young age to be prim and proper, it was nice that for once she was able to slip away from that life, even for how brief it was.

As she laid back on her bed her eyes began to close with a smile still plastered on her face. She felt like a little girl again. Her thoughts were soon stolen away as a knock sounded through the large room, echoing as it bounced off the marble walls.

Regina's whole body jumped at the sound bringing her to a stand. Her eyes widened at the figure that stood in the opened door.