A.N: This is my third Once Upon a Time story that I've attempted. I did a collection of one-shots earlier in the year, so I've worked with the characters before. I hope you like it! Slightly AU, the Queens of Darkness never happened.

Rating: T

Summary: Before they found out Zelena was Marian, Robin and his family returned to Storybrook. Now, Regina is in pain once again, after Zelena makes a surprise visit to her house.

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time, nor do I profit from any of it. All rights go to their respective owners.

...

"Upsie daisy!" Regina grunted as she pulled baby Neal from his crib. "Why are you being so fussy?" She cooed, bouncing him on his hip. "Mommy will be back in a just a bit, but please stop crying..."

The baby relaxed in her arms, sucking his thumb in an innocence only seen in babies shining back through his eyes.

"You see? My annoyingly optimistic step-daughter won't be happy you're up, simply because you wanted to be up. That's your mother by the way, and she worked long and hard to get you to sleep."

Regina looked at the babe in her arms placing her forehead against it.

"Do you think you can go back to sleep? So I look like a good babysitter and can do this again?"

Neal simply gurgled, but she understood.

"Guess not huh?" By then Neal was a mere six months old, only able to hold his own head up.

Regina held onto him as she scampered around Snow's apartment, tidying and rearranging and doing anything she could to busy herself. It was just as she sat down, the baby cradled in her arms, did she hear the door open.

"Regina, we're back." Snow voiced, placing her grocery bags on the counter. "How was he?"

"A little angel, of course. He's your child, after all. Granted he was sleeping for most of the time, but I think he just missed his mother."

"That's good." Snow mumbled, barely listening as she quickly put the various items away.

Regina put Neal back into his crib, sauntering over and examining the food items.

"You don't feed my son this crap do you?" She asked, fingering a can of instant ravioli.

"Only as a last resort meal." Snow sighed, scowling as she grabbed the can away from Regina.

"Oh, grabby, get any sleep last night?"

"Ha! Is that even a question needing an answer anymore?"

"That's not good for you Snow." Regina mumbled, distracted by her ringing cell phone.

"It's amazing how far you've come Regina." Snow commented contently, causing Regina to smile herself.

Snow examined her step-mother, how she looked so much happier now that she had let go of the anger and hate that was pulling her down. But she also noticed how much weight Regina had lost, how her eyes had dark spots poorly hidden by makeup, and how her smile no longer was full.

Since Robin, the princess thought. No, since Marian. Her mind autocorrected.

Snow was kind to everyone, but she was not ashamed to admit she had a certain disliking of Marian. If only because she was the one who had been there with Regina while she fell apart.

Regina ruffled through her purse, still smiling as she checked the Caller I.D. She expected to be Henry, and as she read the name her smile slowly faded.

"Regina? Is something wrong? Who's calling you?"

Regina looked up, her eyes shining already as the cracks in her armour began to appear again.

"It's Robin." She whispered, before answering her phone.

...

Emma was dutifully standing beside Regina at the town line, a hand placed on her shoulder as she saw he inner turmoil inside her head.

"So what makes him think coming back is safe?" She mumbled, hoping to start conversation.

"Rumple called him, he's found a way to remove ice from a persons heart." Regina replied, "He said it was a favour he was willing to give."

"I think I have the spell down, I mean I had a really good teacher."

"You don't need to boost my ego in order to make me feel better Ms. Swan."

"Isn't this good?"

"Of course it's a good thing, it just hurts. I'm opening myself up for heartache I can tell already. I'm not sure if I can handle it. And if you tell anyone I'm admitting this I'll kill you."

"You don't have to worry about me, but in the end he chose you, right?"

"Yes. For a beautiful moment it was me."

"Then you've got nothing to worry about."

"He told me once he wanted kids."

"What?" Regina turned her neck to face Emma, her facade almost back in place, almost.

"More kids that is, besides Roland and Henry. He wanted to make one of our own, expand the family, maybe a girl because we both have sons."

Emma kept her mouth shut, sensing that that was what Regina wanted her to do.

"I didn't have the strength to tell him that it could never happen. All because of my selfishness."

"You can't have kids." Emma stated more than asked.

"No, Rumple helped me with that."

"Did you want them?"

"Not with the life I was living."

"How long ag-"

"Before I was the Evil Queen and just Regina. No, just the King's second wife." Regina cut her off bitterly, her face scrunching like she'd eaten lemons.

Emma stayed silent as Regina fully turned towards her.

"Marian can give him that, and after six weeks together without my interference? He'll go back to her."

"You're wrong."

"Am I, ?"

"You're his soulmate, destined to be together."

"Don't start sounding like your mother, I detest hope speeches."

"I don't sound like her."

"Oh yes you do."

"Shut up..." Emma grinned, nudging Regina with her shoulder.

Regina smiled, nudging her back. They waited there, by the line, side by side, until they saw the faint outline of Robin and his family.

"Call Rumple, I'll start the spell."

Regina didn't have to hear his voice to know he was already there.

"You called Dearie?"

"Your end of the bargain will be held up as soon as she crosses the line."

"Yes, yes, the archer's wife shall be healed with no repercussions to him. You on the other hand, owe me a favour."

"I owe you plenty, you just tell me when you want to cash them in."

The man nodded, a thin and grim scowl on his face.

"Some of those weren't meant to be favours." He mumbled, returning the look she gave him then.

Robin was in touching distance to the line by now, and as a dutiful as she was, Regina wasn't ready.

"Emma, can you start?"

"Wait what? I can't!"

Robin stopped in front of the line. Roland was in one arm and Marian holding his other. The whole family was smiling with a new light, they looked perfect.

"Well, let's get them over then." Emma said, joining Regina as they took down the protection spell.

...

Robin waited by Marian's side as Rumpelstiltskin worked on her heart. Regina waited by her car, her and Emma chatting quietly. Emma was putting her arm around Regina in a soft hug, before glancing at Robin. Their eyes met for a heated moment and he could see the threat in Emma's eyes.

'You hurt her again and you'll have more than one problem on your hands.'

He nodded, once, before looking down at Marian again. He had her hand in his own, waiting to see if the Dark One could hold to his promise.

Marian began to stir, mumbling his name.

"The ice has been removed, she'll be fine." Rumplestiltskin announced, turning abruptly and walking from them.

"Th-thank you." Marian said, embracing Robin.

The Dark One looked critically at her, nodded once and began walking again.

He and Regina shared a look, and it almost looked like he was going to comfort her. Instead, he put a lame hand on her shoulder, and reminded her of her debt.

"I'm ready to pay it when you're ready." She reminded him.

"I'm saving them up. Goodbye Dearie." He smiled a knowing smile before vanishing.

"You've got a strange relationship with that man." Emma commented.

"You don't say? Me and Rumple have a long and complicated history."

"Define complicated?"

"I've helped him, he's helped me, I've screwed him over, he's screwed me over. Really that's the end of story."

"That's it?"

"What were you expecting? Coming from me?"

"More details maybe?"

"In these past few months have you gotten to know me at all?"

"I've been living here for four years Regina."

"Yes but how much of that time did I openly accept you and your family's sicking optimism."

"Shut up, at least give me a year. Neverland was a pretty big adventure."

"Come on, they look ready."

Emma nodded, but stayed put as Regina began walking towards the family.

"Are you coming?" She asked sarcastically, raising a critical eyebrow.

"You're the mayor, you go greet them. I'll get my car ready."

"Seriously?"

"You need to talk." Emma said, tilting her head and deadpanned Regina. "Send the kid and wife over and I'll take them into town."

"I don't need you to watch out for me."

"Maybe, but there's nothing you can do about it."

Regina huffed and rolled her eyes, nervously tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Hi, welcome back to Storybrook." She said as kindly as she could, approaching them slowly. Her hands clasped behind her back.

"Gina!" Regina felt the little arms wrap around her legs, pushing her backwards. He'd grown, and as he pushed her legs buckled beneath her. She felt herself land unceremoniously on her ass. Roland fell on top of her, giggling as he shimmed up her chest and into the crook of her neck. "Missed you."

Regina let off a soft grunt, before chucking and holding his forehead close to hers. She smiled at him, and he smiled back, revealing his wonderful little dimples she missed so much.

"I missed you too baby. I missed you too." She mumbled, before feeling his weight being lifted off of her.

"Roland, did you say sorry for knocking the Queen down?" Marian scolded, holding onto him by his waist as she lifted him.

"Sorry Gina." He mumbled, wriggling out of his mother's grasp.

"Are you alright mi'lady?" Robin's accented voice carried over everything. He smiled down at her, offering her his hand. "It's not often you get to see the Queen on her arse."

Marian glanced at the two, pursing her lips. She watched as Regina took the jab with a playful glare, accepting his hand and being lifted up.

"Emma is going to take your family into town..." She whispered, noticing the close proximity of her ex-lover. Everything about her was suggesting she was uncomfortable, from her body language to her words. "Your men have been notified, they're waiting in Granny's."

"Alright, thank you." Robin replied, stepping backwards away from Regina. Awkwardness radiated between her and the outlaw. Regina nodded, and began walking away. She stopped when he grabbed her elbow, pulling her into him. "Can we talk?" He asked, his devilish smile forming.

"We already are aren't we? Your wife is over right over there."

"I think Emma has her covered, come on." He began leading her away, and although she protested she was a willing captive. "I'm more in my element in these forests than anywhere."

"We shouldn't do this here. We can talk when you're settled."

"Marian and Roland are fine, they're with the Saviour, and if you don't want to talk fine. I'll do the talking."

"But-"

"No, I'll do the talking. First of all, you don't start getting those terrible little thoughts in your head about us. Unfortunate circumstances lead us to separate, but you're still the one. You'll always be the one, I'm in love with you."

With a teary smile Regina smiled and nodded, rubbing her arms. He embraced her, placing his forehead upon hers. His mouth moved down until he captured a kiss from his queen. Her arms moved to his waist, and began sliding up to his neck, burrowing in his hair.

She gasped for air, pulling away.

"Not here," she was whispering in his ear, "we need to go."

"I've missed you."

"I've noticed," Regina quipped, pecking his lips softly. "I've missed you too."

"Come along mi'lady," He swept her off her feet, carrying her bridal style out of the woods. "I must reacquaint myself with our joyful friends."

Regina laughed, not fighting his grip.

"And joyful we are."

...

Regina laughed beside Snow while inside Granny's, Robin only a few feet from her side. Neal was placed in her arms once again, Snow promising she'd be back after she went to the restrooms.

She she rocked him back and forth, hushing him down. Robin leaned over and smiled at the babe.

"You look beautiful with that baby in your arms." He whispered in her ear, as he rubbed her hips. Her smile faltered for a moment, and she tightened her hold on Neal.

"He will be handsome like his father," she commented, "but I hope he will grow into Snow's eyes. She has such caring eyes."

"You've repaired your relationship with her quite a bit haven't you?"

"I've forgiven her, and she... supported me when I needed her to."

"It's always interested me, do you see her as a friend or your stepdaughter?"

Regina let out a hearty laugh, never really thinking of it herself.

"Somewhere in between I suppose, I can become fiercely protective of my family and she certainly is my family, but at the same time, she only ever saw me as a mother never did I see her as my daughter. And I refuse to acknowledge that technically, Emma is my step-grandchild."

Robin chuckled and took another drink of his whisky.

"So I suppose, Snow is my step-daughter but more just family, Emma is my friend and also family but no technicalities, Henry is my son, and Neal, Neal is my godchild."

"And David is the ruggedly handsome husband of your step-daughter." David supplied, offering his arms for the baby.

"David is the unfortunate blip we have to put on our family tree." Regina quipped, handing him Neal.

"Words can hurt too Regina."

"Oh run along, Shepard." Regina fired back, grabbing her coat. "Tell Snow I was tired, I'll see her tomorrow for lunch."

"Will do."

"Wait," Robin grabbed her arm, pulling her back into his chest. "Should I- Do you want me to go with you?"

Regina smiled and took a sharp breath, but a glance at Marian told her no.

"Get Marian settled, we can talk tomorrow."

"Are you sure? I'm sure Little John can get her settled in the camp perfectly fine."

"No, no, she's still technically your wife. And now that you're back we have all the time in the world to talk. Right?"

Robin sighed, still gripping onto her arms. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly, pressing his forehead to her own.

"Meet me in the forest tomorrow morning, eight o'clock."

She smiled and nodded, clenching her hand around his before turning away and leaving. She gave Marian an awkward smile and tip of her head before scurrying into the crisp air of the outdoors.

Walking home was nothing new to Regina, especially not in these few months, but something felt different this time. It was odd, and a little unnerving. Dismissing it as the rush of the day she kept walking, arriving on her porch just as an eerie fog began to form. It made the air sickly thick and she felt it was clinging to her skin.

The queen went about her usual routine. She took off her coat and shoes, put her kettle on, and hurried upstairs to ready herself for bed.

She splashed water on her face, staring at her reflection in the mirror. It surprised her that it was still the same Regina as the night before, despite the day she'd had. She was in nothing but a tank top and her shorts but she trotted downstairs to check on her kettle.

The absence of whistling made her wary, and when she heard steps in her kitchen she immediately lit a fireball.

She swung herself over the frame, ready to attack any intruder in her home. Regina skidded to a halt at the sight of Marian standing in her kitchen, preparing the tea.

"Marian? What the Hell are you doing here? And how did you get inside?"

Marian looked up from her task, an almost bored expression on her face.

"The door was unlocked. I wanted to talk, I hope you don't mind."

"Uh, no it's alright I suppose. You just... scared me a little."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I should of announced myself." Marian had this dry tone of voice that Regina wasn't accustomed to, not from the Marian she had met before. Her face lacked any emotion at all, it unnerved Regina.

"Are you feeling alright?" Regina asked slowly, sliding herself onto the stool facing Marian at the countertop.

She let out a false laugh, turning to face Regina with a pointed look. She slid the cup of tea forcefully at Regina, who took it and took a slow but polite sip. Marian watched her as she drank, her face contorting into a scowl.

"Robin just announced he wishes to end our marriage"

"Oh, oh. Marian I'm-"

"What? What are you sorry for? Wrecking a family?" Marian's voice surpassed anger now, it was damn near dangerous.

"It was never my intentions to end your marriage."

"Shut up." She barked the command so quickly it was like a slap in the face.

"I beg your pardon?" Regina stood, trying to look intimidating, even though she felt something was off.

"I. Said. Shut. Up!" Marian was losing it, her hands were shaking in rage. "Why doesn't anything work?! You always get what you want!"

She flung her hands in a crazed gesture and Regina felt herself smash into her stove. Regina put a hand to her head, the world now blurred and spinning. She wasn't surprised when it came back warm and red.

"What?" Regina mumbled, confused and unable to form a coherent thought.

"Well, I suppose the cat's out of the bag now isn't it?" She said, though it was not Marian's voice. And Regina knew that voice too well.

"Zelena? How-?"

"No, no, shhh..." Zelena cooed, taking hold of a necklace and morphing her form. Regina tried to form a fireball, a shield, she even tried to heal herself. It wasn't working. "About that, you're not going to be able to do that for a bit."

Zelena laughed, looking down at her defenceless little sister. Her smile turned vicious, her eyes darkened, her entire being dangerous. She advanced on Regina, kicking her in the stomach, making it so Regina couldn't stand.

"So..." Zelena crouched by Regina's head, "Did you miss me Sis?"

...

A.N: There's the first chapter, I hope you like it! Thanks for reading, if you could be darlings and leave a review that would be amazing! Constructive criticism is accepted. I hope to have the next chapter next week!