DISCLAIMER: I claim no ownership over Once Upon a Time, its creative content, or its characters. This story is solely for entertainment purposes. Any liberties taken that diverge from the original series are purely on the basis of this singular fic. For example, the Frozen arc will not be included here. I take my creative license - not for profit.

Please READ and REVIEW! I am so appreciative to all readers. You help inspire my writing, and every comment spurs me onward! If you like this, check out my other stories! Now enjoy, and be ready for all the crazy drama!

Chapter 1: Ice Cream Can't Fix Everything

She stared at the sight before her. Roland was half-skipping half-running down the street, turning around to glance at his father once in a while, and eagerly tugging at the hem of Robin's coat. He's probably begging for ice cream, she thought fondly. Regina almost smiled. Almost.

But then Regina glanced at the person who was preventing her from smiling. Marian.

Miss Swan and the pirate had just returned to town after they had foolishly stumbled into Zelena's portal. Yipee! Lucky for me, they brought me back a souvenir. That woman!

Regina gazed after Robin – what could have been… She had found herself indulging in a great deal of wistful and regretful thinking over the past two weeks. Two weeks since that fateful night – the night when Marian had showed up at the diner and ended her dreams of being happy and finding love again. Perhaps her problem was masochism?

Those weeks were full of pain and denial for the former Queen. Pain was felt in her body as consistently as the air that filled her lungs and gave her breath. She loved the outlaw desperately and almost welcomed the pain because Robin was the solution to the questions her mind and heart had long held. Then the bittersweet denial always followed the pain. Regina forced herself to deny the pesky feelings of longing that teased and taunted her every second of the day because she knew that her thief was taken. He was already married to a wife whom he loved. After all, he would have "walked through hell to be with her again." Really, if Regina had not allowed denial to accompany the pain, she would have already died of heartbreak. Regina also wore that denial like a self-imposed strait jacket because she knew she could have told Robin what she felt – she could have acted on her feelings – anytime in the last month. Furthermore, she pretended as if the entire missing year had never happened – the year where she served Robin sarcasm and venom instead giving him herself. That blasted year when all he had done was shown her kindness, flirt with her, and try to shelter her from the pain she was suffering at the loss of Henry. She had stupidly hid her true self and instead offered only her masks of ice and fire -her weapons used to distance herself from those that had the potential to hurt her. What a fool I was! What a wasted opportunity!

I have sunk so low. On top of being a coward, I am pathetic and a stalker. You would think I'd have better ways to spend my time than watching the newly reunited Locksleys and pining after a married man! Get a grip on yourself!

"Gina!" Roland screeched, as he charged excitedly down the street toward her. Regina anticipated the customary tackle from Roland. She swooped down to lift the young boy onto her hip.

"Gina, Papa and I are going to get ice cream! Rocky Road is the best! Do you remember when we got some together? Can you come with us? Please!"

Marian and Robin were running to catch up with their overeager son. "Now, Roland, what have I told you about running off?"

"Sorry, Papa!" Roland burrowed his head into Regina's neck and then peered shyly at his parents, offering them the most innocent smile, dimples and all. "But I had to, Papa! We can't eat ice cream without Gina. I had to ask her to come! Please, Gina, come with us! You just have to!"

Robin looked sheepish and uncomfortable. He was about to speak up to defuse the situation, either by distracting Roland or by commenting on the Mayor's busy schedule. His wife, however, beat him to the punch.

"It would be our pleasure for you to accompany us. All Roland speaks about is his 'Gina.' I must admit, I was little frightened once I learned of whom he was speaking, but the Savior and Snow have reassured me of how much you have changed. So, I would love to become better acquainted with the woman who has made such an impression on my Roland."

Regina was taken aback. She consciously compelled her jaw to stay in place and her demeanor to remain neutral. Beyond that, she did not know how to respond. She'd been dying for weeks to spend more time with her young friend and the object of her affections. On the other hand, accepting this invitation would be outrageous. Here was a woman she had almost killed! Even worse was the fact that that she would have to pretend she was not bursting with unrequited love and longing that threatened to tear her apart.

"Yes!" She blurted out. Oh, dear! What was I thinking?!

"That is wonderful! Let's go eat some ice cream, Roland!" Roland had hopped down from Regina's grasp and was becoming increasingly anxious to eat his favorite treat. Marian firmly took hold of her son's hand before he once again raced off.

The four briskly walked to the local ice cream parlor. In no time, everyone had picked out their ice cream.

"Allow me to pay, milady." Robin whipped out money. Regina had become accustomed to his chivalry but thought better of allowing it. I absolutely cannot let him do this. If even his presence hurts, letting him do me little acts of kindness will only cause me more pain and maybe even give me more of that stupid hope Snow lives by. It is almost the same as giving him permission to stab my heart and soul. No! I must stop this now before I become even more invested! What am I saying! I have already fallen for my dear friend! I simply have to treat him as I would any other person, minus the hostility.

"Thank you for the offer, but definitely not. I will pay for my own, seeing as I am the unexpected guest. If anything, I should be paying for all of you."

Regina took out her debit card. As she extended her arm to pay, Robin attempted to stop her, brushing her arm in the process. She felt that familiar jolt. No, no, no! Stop feeling that way! He does not feel the same for you. You need to accept that. Just pay, eat your ice cream, and make small talk.

Little did she know, but Robin had experienced the same electrical charge that shot straight through his body, making his heart feel warm. What am I feeling? What is this woman doing to me? This woman I call a friend. She is infuriating! She will not even allow me to treat her the way she deserves to be treated. Like a queen. She will always be a queen to me! What am I doing? She is just a friend. Marian is my wife. And they are both standing here!

He cleared his throat. "No, milady. I will not let you pay for my family. My son's fondness for you has interrupted your day. I insist."

The ice cream had been finished long ago, but Roland's energy certainly was not. The little boy had enthusiastically bounced from topic to topic, filling in his "bestest friend" with details about his adventures at Storybrooke Elementary, Pongo, and Little John's run-in with an angry wild dog.

"Your Majesty… I mean, Madam Mayor…"

"Regina, if you please."

"Regina, then. I meant to ask you about Roland's monkey. You must tell me the story. Roland loves the toy. I had to wash the monkey when he was at school because he is so attached to it! Roland also insists that we call him 'Knight Roland' because he is your little knight."

Marian was anxious to get this mystery cleared up. The woman herself was a mystery. The legendary Evil Queen was a horror Marian had encountered before. This Regina was another story. Granny had treated her with respect when the Locksleys and Regina had been in the diner at the same time the other morning. None of the townspeople seemed afraid of her – at least not many. Marian had seen a skinny blonde woman – I think the name was… Tinkerbell? – playfully pushing the former queen and even laughing with her. Even the woman's son Henry had been extremely respectful and well-mannered towards Marian, having run into each other outside the school.

"Here is the short version. The Wicked Witch was threatening us when we were in the Enchanted Forest. She sent her vicious flying monkeys after us. When one of them was flying toward us, I turned him into a stuffed monkey."

"Regina's a hero! She saved me! She made Mr. Monkey nice and not mean anymore! And now she's my bestest friend!" Roland beamed and looked adoringly at Regina.

Marian was shocked. The Evil Queen had saved her son?! What shocked her more was the appreciative and reverent gaze Robin was directing at Regina.

"Gina, I miss you and Henry so much. You tell the best stories. Not like Mama and Papa. Also, Henry said I could see his comics. Can I come over soon? Please!" Roland was bouncing in his seat. He turning toward his father expectantly, begging with a pout.

Robin interjected, "Roland, it is very rude to invite yourself to someone else's home."

"Papa, Henry promised. Also, Gina told me she would tell me more stories about her horsey and knights."

Regina could tell both parents were about to shut down the hopeful looking child, so she quickly appeased Roland. "How about tomorrow night? I can make lasagna and chocolate cake. I am sure Henry would be happy to show you the new comics Emma just bought him."

"Regina, you don't have to…"

"It is no trouble at all. Believe me. Henry will be thrilled to see Roland again. I am terrible at the new video game he bought. He has been making everyone that comes to the house try it. I would love to have the Lockleys over to my house. Just so long as you don't steal anything, thief."

Robin and Regina smiled. That comment sent them back to the numerous moments in the Enchanted Forest when they would spar. Robin loved her accusatory moniker turned affectionate nickname.

"I assure you that my husband's days of steal are long behind him."

Marian's concerned statement startled Robin and Regina. It also made Regina aware that she had tucked her hand comfortably into Robin's. Regina discreetly withdrew it, pained to lose the warmth and contact. Robin, too, felt the connection that viscerally faded when she dropped his hand.

"I am aware. It was only jest, Maid Marian. I would be delighted to welcome you officially to town with dinner. I know this is the first time we have spoken since you came to Storybrooke, but I am the Mayor and would be happy to help you get settled. And we could not disappoint Roland and Henry."

The corners of Marian's mouth turned up slowly, as she smiled tentatively at the thought of dinner. She would not give this woman – the Evil Queen – her full smile. This reformed villain seemed pleasant enough, and even gracious, during their talk, but Marian was suspicious. She had been since the second day in town. All this talk of 'Gina' from her son, usually met by silence and fidgeting from her husband, made Marian first curious but then a bit jealous. It did not escape Marian's notice that Robin had spent much of the afternoon gazing at the beautiful Mayor and then quickly looking away. In fact, he had been silent the whole time they were eating ice cream except for when Roland asked him a question. The observant wife also wondered grimly about the way Robin had been caressing Regina's hand.

Regina herself felt ready to self-destruct from all the inner-turmoil – regret, hurt, sadness, confusion, anger, jealousy, and heartbreak. That lot of emotions was simply too much for one person to bear.

"I really must be leaving," she declared, rising hurriedly from the bench. "Thank you for a wonderful time and the ice cream. I shall see you all tomorrow night for dinner. Six o'clock sharp. Don't be late!"

As Regina walked down the street toward her office at City Hall, she mentally kicked herself. What possessed me to do that? I am, at this moment, drowning in all the pain this afternoon has heaped upon me, and now I have made sure I feel the same way tomorrow night. I guess I can't say I'll be bored tomorrow.