Here we go! It's the last day of OQ Prompt Party and I'm so proud to present you a new story in this verse here!

A huge thanks goes out to my betas waterbaby, Allie and Trenesha as well as Shay and Miles, who helped me a lot when I was getting frustrated. These are all amazing ladies. Also a special thanks to Jen, who hosted OQ Prompt Party, gave out prizes and organized everything! She's a true treasure and we can be lucky to have her in this fandom.

Prompt 104: Sex on the kitchen table (counter)

Prompt 101: Kissing in the rain

Now, I really hope you like it and I'd love to hear about your thoughts and feelings either here or on Twitter or in the upcoming review week we will be hosting since you all got flooded with so much material this week. Please send some love to all authors and artists out there who worked their asses off to brighten your week with different contributions each day.

Now let's go back in time...


Pearl Harbor, 26th November 1941

It's the day before Thanksgiving, when Robin finishes his flight training for the day. Today has been fun - more than he's had with David in a long while. They've done the double outside loop - a move they've been secretly training for weeks with one of the new airplanes their squadron has gotten. Back on the ground, they are met with cheers and jubilation from their mates. Their planes are parked in perfect sync, the propeller still slightly turning as they open up the cockpit windows and climb out of their second home.

A group of men is running toward them, have their hats flying high into the air, and many pads on the shoulder are given. Questions such as 'How'd you do that?' or 'You need to show me!' have both friends laughing. Even if the others wanted to, they wouldn't be able to pull it off. They're best friends, know each other's moves, trust each other blindly. Robin Locksley and David Nolan are the two best pilots of the squadron, that's why they've just recently been promoted to the next rank.

Robin smirks at David, who's holding his hand up for a high five which turns into their usual handshake and chest bump. "Well done, Second Lieutenant Nolan."

David bumps his shoulder with his fist, clearly enjoying the use of his new title. "Couldn't have done it without you, Second Lieutenant Locksley!"

The jubilance is about to continue, when someone clears his throat audibly. Shit. The group of men grows silent, some even shrink down, and like the sea in front of Moses, the men step aside in order to reveal Robin and David, who both have to bite the insides of their cheeks in order to stop grinning. Getting caught is bad, getting caught by Major Midas is worse.

Nobody says a word as the Major stands there, his eyes focused on his two best pilots in annoyance. "You two. My office. Now!"

Without another word he turns around, stalking toward the building while Robin and David exchange knowing looks. They're walking multiple feet behind the Major, posture straight and hand folded behind their backs.

"Do you think we're grounded?" David whispers, remembering their last detention on the base in New York where they were punished by greasing all screws of the fifty-one airplanes in one week. He shudders, thinking of it.

"Nah - we got promoted, it's not like we are still Master Sergeants. Let me do the talking and he will want to join us next time," Robin answers.

"You're awfully full of yourself, Locksley, you know that?"

"My wife tells me every day," he smirks back, to which David just rolls his eyes. Thinking of Regina though, he can guarantee Robin is not joking at all when he says something like this. It would just be like the brunette to get him down from his high horse by undermining his ego. Good thing Robin doesn't know the things she tells Mary Margaret, because his wife cannot keep secrets from him. It's nothing bad, not really, mostly schmaltz next to declarations of love. That's how David knows. Bickering or not, the two newlyweds are madly in love with each other. If not about planes, she is all Robin talks about, the old sap. Normally, David would grow tired of it if he wouldn't remember the way he used to be with Mary Margaret.

Thinking back to the old days when they first met at the academy, David has to admit the two of them became quite the pair - Robin turned from a ladies' man into Romeo, while he himself made it from a shepherd to Prince Charming. According to his wife at least. His face turns into a slight grimace, thinking of the moment she first called him that all these months ago after a night of too much sparkling wine for the ladies and beer for the men.

'Bye, my charming pilot!' was what she yelled, while being dragged away from the bar by her friends, and 'bye, Charming!' was all he heard from his mates for the whole next week.

"You two are still coming to Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow evening, right? Malise will be there, Belle and August and a few others. Mary's been preparing things since this morning. I think she is expecting our whole squadron by the amount of food she planned on having." It will be a nice dinner with friends. Luck had most of them transferred here together and while his parents were dead, his friends and mostly Mary Margaret and Robin became his new family.

"Of course. I've been looking forward to it for the past three weeks. Regina is bringing her famous lasagna."

"Her lasagna, are you serious?" A groan escapes David. That woman wants to kill him, really. She knows he can't stay away from her lasagna and it's going to make Mary Margaret all upset again if that's all he's going to eat. It's like cheating on his wife with food.

"Should I tell her to prepare two bowls and leave one at home so you can come by the day after tomorrow and eat it all by yourself?"

"She would do that for me?" David asks all serious.

"You know how much she likes to mess with Mary Margaret."

"At my expense."

"That's how you know how much she likes you," Robin replies winking, before he holds the door to the building open for them. It's true, Regina is sassy, shows her love by teasing and bickering most of the time. But knowing her as well as he does, he also knows about her other side, the one she rarely shows to the public. Sweet, caring, loving - loving so deeply, he's never experienced anything like it before. She has the biggest heart of all, his Regina and the thought makes a smile creep onto his lips. Damn, he is a lucky bastard.

The way to Mayor Midas's office is short, his door is open and he's already waiting in front of his desk with his arms folded, a grim expression on his face. Robin and David enter and close the door behind them. They salute in front of the Major, before standing at attention, waiting for the thunderstorm to break loose. Midas doesn't take long, the vein on his forehead so thick, Robin can swear he can see it pumping.

"After two and a half years of training, you two think a forty-five-thousand dollar airplane is there for your amusement?"

"No, Sir, I was just giving Lieutenant Nolan some training, Sir," Robin answers seriously.

"In your dreams," David mumbles back, hitting his friend's ribs with his elbow. Yes, Robin may be a better of a pilot, but damn it, he is right behind him in line always.

"You think this is funny?!" Midas shoots back and for a moment Robin wonders if making fun of the situation was the right move to make.

"Apologies, Major, Sir. Lieutenant Nolan and I were just trying to keep our edge."

"And when you did the Golden Screw last week what did you think that was? The ridiculous moves you're pulling are not training, that's a stunt! Reckless and irresponsible behavior I do not tolerate in my squadron." Midas is walking around them now. Despite the man being an inch smaller than them, David just wishes for the floor to open up a whole which would swallow him wholly. Out of the two of them he's never been the one to take a scolding lightly, while Robin just always waved it off like it was nothing, as if he was untouchable. Perhaps it has to do with his past, perhaps it's brave, or foolish? Depends on the way you see it.

David glances over to his friend who clearly seems to be struggling for words to respond. That's it, they're dismissed, they are going to be grounded for the rest of their lives. If they're lucky, they'll get a post as a mechanic or polisher, or…

"Will all due respect, Major, how can you call this reckless and irresponsible when you were the first man to do it? The maneuver is named after you." David is holding his breath as the Major stops and steps so close to Robin, he wonders how his friend can bring up the strength not to step back.

"Don't get cute with me, Locksley. I'm not going to listen to this kind of absurdity much longer."

"No Sir, Sir… I don't mean to be disrespectful." Robin glances at David before he takes a deep breath and continues. "I agree our actions could be called reckless and irresponsible if they were just a show off, but… but…"

"We did it to inspire our men, Sir." David cuts in, wondering at the same time where the hell that just came from. Robin throws him a thankful glance, before he continues.

"Exactly, Sir. We tried to be an inspiration for our men, just like you were for us, Sir. And we want to honor you, Sir, because it's an honor to work with you."

Midas stares at him, his expression emotionless. They can hear the clock on the wall ticking as the Major steps back and walks over to sit at his desk, seizing the two Lieutenants up.

"That's complete and utter bullshit, and the two of you know it." For a moment it seems like that's it, that's the end of their career, but all of a sudden, the corner of the Major's mouth twitch. "It's bullshit, but it's incredibly good bullshit."

"Thank you, Sir," the two Lieutenants answer simultaneously, as a heavy weight lifts off their shoulders.

The Major sits down, raising two bright white envelopes into the air. The last time it happened was when they'd been both advanced to Lieutenant, but promotions don't happen that fast here, do, they? So this could only mean one thing. Well, half the world is at war and whatever storm is brewing in the Pacific doesn't seem good either. To be honest, Robin is surprised it is only happening now. Ever since the war began in Europe in 1939, he'd been waiting for the letter. So far, Roosevelt had tried to keep the US's involvement rather neutral despite the economic sanctions and his speeches about protecting freedom and democracy against Hitler's tyranny. Yes, they sympathized with the allies and despite what many people think, they were preparing for a war, otherwise Robin couldn't imagine why the Two-Ocean-Navy-Act would have been incorporated a little more over a year ago. But the war is happening on the other side of the world and despite him having watched the terrifying shifts of the front lines in Europe, it doesn't affect the lives of the people living here. So far.

"Nolan, Locksley, we need to talk about this." He hands each of them a letter which is addressed to them. There it is, the letter which might change their lives forever. Robin has almost forgotten about it. It's been almost a year since he and David applied.

"The British have accepted you into their Eagle Squadron. It's an honor - they want you to fight against the Germans. Locksley, I know you have ties to England and Nolan, you're eager to prove yourself."

While Robin stares at the envelope, David is slowly opening it, pulling out the official letter with the British King's emblem. He's held a lot of official letters but nothing screamed quite as fancy and important as this one. The paper was thicker, heavier than usual. It even smelled important.

"I don't know what to say, Sir. I feel honored." Robin still hasn't opened the letter, still hasn't said anything.

"You should, Nolan. They want only the best of the best and it seems like the two of you convinced them. You'll be leaving November 30th at 700 sharp."

"That's in three days," is everything Robin says, earning a sharp nod from the Major.

"If everything goes well you'll be shooting down Messerschmitts across the Channel by December 2nd. I expect you to report back to me on Saturday. Dismissed." Midas waves his hand, a shimmer of pride flickering across his face. He is no doubt proud that two men under his command have made it into the British Eagle Squadron. Maybe, if he were twenty years younger, he would have applied himself.

"Thank you, Sir. Happy Thanksgiving, Sir." David says, bumping against Robin's shoulder in order to get his friend to wake from his rigor. Robin's eyes shot up, a blank expression on his face as he mechanically salutes in front of his Major and leaves the office right behind David.

"At least this time they don't send us in Levi's and cowboy hats like the poor bastards in the last war," David jokes nervously as they make their way out of the building. There's no response, the unopened letter still clenched in Robin's hand. "Are you okay Robin? You haven't said anything since the Major…"

"It's a bloody war over there, David!"

"We knew that when we joined the army," is all his friend answers slightly defeated and Robin doesn't know what to answer. Yes. They knew. He knew. But it's four fucking days he has left here and it's Thanksgiving, he and Regina… shit.

"I don't know how to tell her. If the war isn't gonna kill me, she will."

David can't hold a slight chuckle back. "Robin, she's a nurse at a military hospital. Trust me, she knows. She will understand. Regina is strong. Mary Margaret on the other hand…" When Robin's head shots around David sighs. "You know what I was trying to say…"

"Don't fucking tell me my wife isn't as sensitive as yours! Just because she always waves everything off like it's no big deal instead of starting to wail like a baby on the spot if things don't go her way, doesn't mean she can't feel things deeply! You don't know her, you have no idea what she's been through and…"

"I got it Robin. I got it and I'm sorry! We both have shit to deal with now. I don't think you noticed but you're not the only one who just got their death sentence!" David is yelling now, and the yelling is turning heads from the people who are passing them. Robin stops dead in his tracks and before David can say anything else he suddenly finds himself jammed into the nearest wall with his best friend's hands gripping his uniform. "What the…"

"Shut the fuck up and listen, man! You. Are. Not. Gonna. Die. You hear me?! You're one of the best bloody pilots I know exist and we will go there together and come back together. I don't fucking care if we have to blow up every single German city to extinguish these Nazi pigs. We will get them before they can even think about what's going to hit them. Do you hear me?!"

"Robin…" Robin slammed him into the wall once again, drawing even more attention to their conversation.

"I asked you if you bloody heard me?!"

"I heard you," David presses out, almost sinking down to his knees when Robin finally releases him.

"What is going on Lieutenants?!" One of their Captain yells opposite from one of the offices, clearly annoyed by the disturbance.

"Nothing, Sir. I just had to remind the Lieutenant of something," Robin explains while helping David up and escorting him out. "I'm sorry."

"No," David dismisses quickly. "You're right. We are going to blow up their asses. See you tomorrow at dinner?"

"Tomorrow," Robin confirms before squeezing his friend's shoulder grinning. "Congrats, man. We are two of the best damn pilots the US has to offer."

All he receives is a wary smile and he doesn't know whether to admire David for being able to show his concerns about the operation or not. Sighing, Robin stuffs the letter into his jacket pocket, thinking of how he was supposed to break the news to his wife. He was serious earlier when he said that it was rather likely Regina would kill him instead of the war.

Xxxxx

When Robin arrives home, the sky has grown darker. His eyes wander over to the horizon where the sea meets the sky, catching up on a dark front of clouds. A storm is brewing above the Pacific and despite the weather forecast speaking about the hottest temperatures since recordkeeping began, Robin can feel the cooling breeze that waves up from the beach. Whether it'll hit the island or change directions, purely by looking at it, it feels like the sky is portraying his own torn self.

The lights are switched on in the small condo and he's surprised Regina is home already. Didn't she say something about working late at the hospital? But then again, apart from one or two cases of severe diarrhea from new soldiers who thought it would be wise to indulge too much of the foreign Hawaiian cuisine, she'd talked about the hospital being rather dead these days. It's not like Robin minds. Injured people usually means an attack, or worse, war, but he's more than happy this peaceful little island in the middle of the pacific is far way from all of it. Life is still fine here, quiet. All the Americans on this island need to wonder about is whether they were able to get their hands on a turkey for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Well, all Robin has to worry about is how the hell he is going to tell his wife that come Sunday he'll be off to fight in the worst war the world has ever seen.

He parks his bike next to the small shed with the dumpsters, straightening his uniform and taking a deep breath. On the way here, Robin has thought a lot about how he is going to tell her and the best way is probably straight out. He can't wrap this message up in cotton, no matter how hard he tries. Regina will hate him for it, he knows. All he can do is rip the band aid off and ask her to live the few days they have left before he leaves as intensely as possible.

The smell of her famous lasagna hits him the moment he opens the door. It's not locked, it never is when one of them is there. There's clattering of plates and cutlery coming from the kitchen, in tune with the radio that's playing Glenn Miller's In The Mood to which he can hear her humming along. Robin remembers it playing the first time he's asked her to dance and wonders why fate hated him so much.

That's how he finds her in the small kitchen, hips swinging along with the music's rhythm. She's standing with her backside toward him, cutting something that looks very much like zucchini and eggplants, dressed in a simple knee length light blue buttoned cotton dress with a white peter pan collar and a slim white belt around her waist, all covered from the front by a white apron. Her hair is done up in perfectly styled victory rolls, falling just above her shoulders. The only reason she hadn't cut it is because he likes the long dark curls so much. Robin pushes himself off the doorframe, slowly making his way over to her. He doesn't want to surprise or scare her, not while she's handling a knife anyway.

Regina must have caught him from the corner of her eye because she jumps slightly, dropping the knife. "Robin! You scared me."

A smile pulls onto his lips as he watches her wipe her hands on the apron before she pulls the ribbon open in order to take it off. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to."

The moment the apron is gone, he pulls her close, catching her lips in a kiss. Regina's arms wander around his neck and pull him a little closer before she ends it with a quiet smack. They brush their noses together, leaning forehead against forehead before they pull back. As always, she's grinning, her thumb coming up to wipe away her signature red lipstick from his face. "Hello, Lieutenant Locksley."

Ever since he got promoted she calls him Lieutenant and damn, it does things to him. She knows, he can tell from the smirk on her face she knows what she's doing to him and she's severely enjoying the power she knows she holds over him.

"Hello, Mrs. Locksley. You're home early today. I wasn't expecting you until later this evening."

"Well, the hospital has more than enough nurses to coddle that poor officer who's still not feeling better. I thought I should use the time more wisely and prepare the lasagna for dinner tomorrow." Regina entwines herself from his embrace and is ready to tug her apron back on. "One for us and one for David on Friday."

Robin hums appreciatively. "I already told him he's welcome to come over on Friday… He's going to love you. My wife bewitching my fellow comrades with her magical cooking skills. Should I be worried?"

"Never!" Laughing, Regina tiptoes once again to press a hiss onto his cheek, this time not bothering to wipe away the lipstick. He doesn't care. When they're at home, she can leave her marks on him as much as she wants. "I might bake my lasagna for my friends, but my apple-raisin pie is only for you."

"Because I'm the only one who likes to have raisins in it," Robin counters, making her laugh. She bites her lip, ready to throw a comment back at him, but instead Robin kisses her again, this time a bit longer. Carefully he reaches behind her, making sure the counter is clear of any chopping boards and knives before he walks her two steps backward and lifts her up onto the surface. Regina giggles into the kiss, moans when he does that thing with his tongue and leaves her lips in order to pepper kisses and licks onto her skin all the way down to her neck.

"Mmmh, Robin… h… how about you go… go get changed while I… finish… mmmh, yes there."

He's close to her ear now, nibbling at her earlobe before he grins. "How about I finish you first…" It's not what he should be doing right now. He should ask her to sit down with him because he has to tell her something, but there's this selfish little voice in his head that insists he should cherish the moment, the easiness that's still between them, which will be destroyed the moment he opens his mouth about the subject. Pretense is easy, and right now that he has the choice between pretending everything is fine and feasting off his wife or telling her he is leaving to fight in the war three days from now, he would be stupid to pick the latter.

Regina seems more than eager to follow through with his plan, spreads her legs and grasps his uniform in order to find some balance. Brushing up the skirt of her dress, Robin makes quick work of unclasping the garter from the nylon stockings which he let slip down to her feet, careful not to rip them. There is a shortage due to the war and he won't have her throw another tantrum because he ripped one of her precious pair of stockings because he's just always a little too overeager when it comes to sex with her. The appreciative hum she gives him shows that he's right. The underpants turn out to be more of a challenge and in moments like this he just wishes she wouldn't wear anything underneath.

Robin presses his hand against her core, can feel the warmth but not the expected slickness just yet. It's fine, they've just started. In teasing little twirls, he rolls his thumb over the fabric, earning a gasped 'Robin!'. Teasing her is fun, but not very much so when he feels himself grow hard in his uniform. It's not like he wants to make this a quick affair, he's promised himself to always finish her off properly, but he needs to… wants to… One finger slips underneath her underwear and damn, she's much wetter than he expected already.

"I need these off immediately!"

"Not stopping you," she breathes out heavily and fuck, he loves the deep tingle her voice gets whenever she's aroused. Robin draws away from her with one last lingering kiss, waiting for Regina to find support with her own hands before she pushes herself up slightly so he can pull down her garments in one swift practiced move. Everything below her waistline is bare now. Regina's skin is smooth, and once again he's amazed at how much time and care she invests to keep her body perfect like this. He never asked her to do that… though he'd be lying if he said her beauty wasn't one of the things he fell in love with the first time he saw her.

"God, you're gorgeous," Robin whispers, his voice lined with obvious need. Regina doesn't hesitate but pulls his face back on hers, catching his lower lip between her teeth and pulling lightly at it. Robin's on her within seconds, sucking at her already sweet swollen lips until she finally opens up and he can devour her with his mouth. His forefinger traces up her inner thigh until he reaches her middle, pressing down gently and making her hips buckle forward in response.

Even though he knows all she wants is a quick release, Robin teases her clit with his thumb, swiping from the top right down to her soaked entrance. She's hot, how and pounding and she'll probably hate him for having scrub the counter clean with alcohol once their done, but now he enjoys her being putty in his hands, aching for him. He sucks at her tongue the moment his middle finger slips into her, earning a surprised moan from her that strikes him right down to the core. While his cock is twitching in his pants, eager to be let out, he tries to ignore his own needs and make this about her. Maybe later, when she's mad at him she will remember… but please, none of that now.

Regina seems to catch up on his mind's distraction, breaking the kiss. "What's wrong?"

Robin shakes his head as if the movement is going to erase his thoughts before a seductive smiles pulls up on his lips. "Just thinking of all the things I want to do to you."

She bites her lower lip again and what did he ever do to be blessed with a wife that was Regina former Mills now Locksley.

"How about instead of thinking about them, you actually start doing the… eeeeh...mmmmmh!" Regina goes when he curls his middle finger and presses up, hitting the spot that makes her almost see stars.

"You were saying…?"

"Yes, Robin… More… Please!" Who is he to let his wife beg? While he continues the play with his middle finger, he slowly sinks down, adjusting his knees on the cold tile floor, not caring they're going to hurt like hell come morning. He's at just the right height now, breathing in the significant smell of her juices. For a second he considers licking his finger, but when he looks up he sees how far gone she is, with her head leaned back against the hanging cupboards behind her, eyes closed and mouth slightly open. Later then.

"I love you," is all he mumbles before he spreads her folds with his free hand and leans forward, taking first one, then a second tentative lick. Fuck. Delicious. Who needs dinner when he can have her? She's the best thing to ever happen to him, he's one lucky bloody bastard.

The sound Regina makes the moment he licks through her folds, sucks at her clit just a moment before curling his finger to hit the spot inside her is anything but meant for public. Robin loves that he can make her feel like this, make her feel so damn good about herself. She's gorgeous, perfect and thinking that come Sunday he might never…

"Robin… I need you, please!"

With his head back in the game, he dips forward, his tongue wrapping around her, licking, sucking, while his finger pumps in and out of her, making sure to curl every time at just the right moment. Regina is close, he can feel it, can see her thighs trembling and hands shaking. Her breathing is down to quick short breaths, only interrupted by small moans and groans and it's only a matter of seconds before she comes right here, right there…

The second finger he adds is her undoing. She half gasps, half yelps, hands now firmly manifested in Robin's hair while her orgasm overcomes her. Robin doesn't pull back even though it hurts, licks and sucks and pounds through it, until her shaking body has slipped so close to the edge she actually threatens to fall down. It's too much for him, pleasuring her, making sure she won't fall off the counter, his own cock that's pressing violently against the fabric of his pants. So he stops pumping his fingers, only licks at her clit until she's quieted down.

The moment he finally decides to look up, he sees her smiling down at him, lipstick slightly smudged and hair tousled, but gorgeous and satisfied nonetheless. Robin lifts his fingers to his mouth, sucking her juices off while looking at her and the love in her eyes is clear. Slowly, he gets up, knees slightly hurting from the floor but he won't complain, not when she's looking at him like this.

"I love you," Regina whispers back, drawing him in for a soft kiss which she hopes expresses her gratitude.

"I love you more," he answers chuckling, burying his head against her neck, breathing her in. He's not going to tell her tonight, no. He won't ruin their perfect little bubble of happiness. The decision is made.

Xxxxx

He'd wanted to tell her, it had been in his best intention, really. But she'd been feeling a little under the weather this morning, calling it a light migraine and Robin had doted over her until midday hoping some light breakfast and cuddling would make it better. Even though she hadn't eaten much, by early noon, she was better. He could have told her then. But Regina had asked him to help her with the apple pie and wrapping up the lasagna and organizing a ride to the Nolan's house tonight. Then, in the afternoon, Regina had been called into the hospital to help with another patient and been back just in time to get ready for dinner tonight. Robin should have told her then, he really, really should have but now he regretted not saying anything. She looks gorgeous in her slim fitted wine red dress with sleeves stopping just below her elbow, a nested bosom and a neat collar made of two long strings which were tied into a bow. Her rolls are styled in a careful pompadour and tied with a bow in the back. Together with her Cuban heeled stockings, matching shiny black shoes and red lipstick, she just looks like a sin on two feet.

A cab picks them up at quarter to seven and they have to rush a little to get everything inside, the pie, the lasagna and an umbrella because all day it has been looking like rain. The wind has picked up, blows across the island in an unhindered manner. It's not bad yet and hopefully the rain will wait until tonight, though a look up to the sky tells Robin, it probably won't. It's been building up like something inevitable since yesterday, just like the news she's yet to tell Regina. The clouds are dark, the wind still picking up and according to the weather report in the newspaper this morning, it might turn into a thunderstorm. He's a pilot, he's studied the weather. It'll come crashing down all at once, there's no way to avoid it. There's no way to avoid telling Regina either. Now's the time.

"You've been so quiet all day, honey," Regina remarks, her hand coming up to caress his cheek lovingly. "I'm sorry today was so busy. We have all day tomorrow though. I swapped shifts with Mal at the hospital and you don't have to report back to the base by Saturday morning. How about we go to the beach if the weather is nice? I can prepare a picnic."

"I need to talk to you about something, Regina," Robin blurts out. His wife frowns, pulling back her hand slowly.

"I… I need to talk to you about something, too." Nervousness has gripped her, he can see it and wonders what's going on. This is not like her, Regina has never been nervous to talk to him about something. She'd bold, audacious, straightforward, tells him when something went wrong or whether he made a mistake. She's not like one of the women to stay silent until the partner figures out what he did wrong or not. No, his wife has always told him straightaway whenever she's been bothered or concerned about something.

"What is it? Are you okay?", Robin asks concerned, his hand reaching for hers. She smiles genuinely at him, so it can't be bad, can it…?

"Yes, I'm fine, I'm more than fine, I…"

The cab pulls up in front of the Nolan's house, the driver interrupting their moment.

"Later," is all she whispers before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, swiping away the tiny mark her lipstick left. Later is bad. He needs to talk to David, needs to talk to…

"Do you guys need any help?" Mary Margaret calls from the front door. Shit, shit, shit, shit, he has to…

"No, we're good!" Regina answers before getting out of the car with one last squeeze of his hand. She takes the lasagna while he takes the pie and umbrella, rushing quickly inside to escape the few drops of rain that seem to start falling. They're both met with friendly hugs, happy Thanksgiving wishes and kisses on the cheek. Mary Margret lingers a bit longer than usual, squeezing him tighter than normally. She knows, but she looks surprisingly put together, if not even determined.

"David! Robin and Regina are here, come and take the pie! I'll take that," the younger woman smiles, quickly taking the lasagna from Regina which will no doubt go somewhere David can't reach it. It's a good thing the second bowl is waiting for his friend at their apartment which he can pick up tomorrow.

David arrives within seconds, taking the pie away from Robin while making lingering looks at Regina's lasagna. Greetings are exchanged verbally and he nods with his head over to the adjoining door. "The others are in the living-room, how about you go join them?"

"Sure," Regina smiles before turning around toward Robin. "Are you coming?"

"I'll be with you in a sec, love… I need to talk to David." Regina smiles at him before squeezing his hand and going inside. Mary Margaret has already left but instead of the kitchen, Robin grasps his arm and pulls him two doors further down into the study.

"What the hell, man?" The door hasn't been fully closed behind them the moment Robin blurts it out.

"I haven't had a chance to tell Regina about England and she cannot find out today. You need to help me!"

David almost drops the pie. "You… what?! Robin how could you?!"

"I know, I know, I know! I wanted to tell her but I never found the right moment and now… who else knows? Oh God, the living room… is she… are they…"

"Calm down, nobody except Mary Margaret knows and today she won't say anything. We… She was very upset yesterday and cried all night, but this morning she said she wouldn't let a war some pigs across the pond started ruin her Thanksgiving and that there would be no talk of it today. So I think as long as Regina won't say anything, I don't think she will tell."

A heavy weight lifted off his shoulders as relief filled him. He sent an ejaculation up to heaven while sighing audibly. David though would have none of it. "You need to tell her, Robin. This isn't something you can do last minute and it's not fair toward Regina. Telling Mary Margaret was one of the hardest things I ever had to do in my life and nobody prepared me for this at the military camp. They teach you how to shoot and fly and march and obey but no one ever teaches you how you say goodbye."

"I just…" Robin starts, but his friend shakes his head and damn it, David is right. He needs to tell Regina and he will the moment they leave. She deserves to hear it from him and no one else.

That's how Robin walks out of the study, new confidence manifested. Regina loves him and he loves her. Just like Mary Margaret won't let get anything between her and her perfect Thanksgiving, he won't let anything between himself and Regina. He forces a smile onto his lips and joins the others in the living room. It's mostly nurse colleagues from the hospital, the neighbors Robin fleetingly recognizes and a few other friends of him and David from the base. They don't know. Major Midas will tell them Saturday morning at the assembly. Once again hugs and greetings are exchanged. There's Belle and August, Ruby and Peter as well as Neal and a doctor from the hospital he recognizes as Whale. All the others are neighbors he doesn't know yet.

He spies his wife at the end of the table sitting next to none other than Malise who greets him with a stiff smile and nod. Even though Robin knows she's his wife's best friend, for some reason he never seemed to be able to warm up to her with her snarky comments and untouchable demeanor. They are friendly, but not friends.

Slowly he makes his way over to the table, where excited chitchat is already dictating the mood of the guests. There's laughter, whispers, stolen glances and touches between Ruby and Peter. They only got together recently so celebrating their first Thanksgiving together must be very new for them. With a soft smile Robin remembers last year when it was his and Regina's. They'd almost gotten caught by Mary Margret while having a quickie in the pantry. Those were the good days, the easy days.

"Robin, come on over," Regina calls from the end of the table and waves her hand, gesturing to the free seat beside her. It only takes him a few moments to make his way over, greeting the guests with pats on the shoulders and kisses on the cheeks for the women. Mal is given the same greeting as everyone else, however he can feel a special cold radiating off of her today. Something is going on, he can see it in her eyes but he won't ask, not when Regina is quick to press a kiss on his cheek and holds his hand.

"I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner. I still hope I will get the time between the days off and we can go to the mainland to meet my parents. What do you say, Robin?"

Parents? Since when did she want to go see her parents over Christmas? That's complete news to him and his facial expression seems to tip Regina off quickly. "I'm sorry, my mother called a few days ago and asked if we would come down to San Francisco and celebrate with them and Aunt Mirana. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

He can't escape her eyes, not when they are looking at him with such excitement and pleading, but he knows it's a promise he won't be able to keep if he said yes. So instead, he presses a quick kiss to her knuckles before he says: "How about we wait until you get the clearance from the hospital and then we'll discuss it further?"

Mal snorts disdainfully before she takes a sip of her wine which makes Regina raise her eyebrows but omit a comment. What the hell is wrong with her?

"Perhaps we should go see if Mary Margaret needs help in the kitchen?" She asks instead and is quick to rise but Robin pulls her back down. She can't go to the kitchen, can't have her alone with Mary Margaret, not when he still hasn't told her. It's not like him to prevent her from doing what she wants, but they have to survive this dinner without an incident and chances are higher when she stays right at his side.

"I think she's fine, love… Stay with me… Please." It's not like him to keep her close and Regina's obviously surprised expression is enough to make him start sweating. His wife is perceptive, she knows something is going on, but instead of questioning him, she leans against his side and tells him she'll stay right next to him if that's what makes him happy. Perhaps it's her way of making up for not being much there today… a thought which makes Robin's stomach churn. Mal just rolls her eyes but raises quickly, disregarding the glass of wine next to the china.

"I'll go."

"Thank you Malise," Regina smiles, squeezing her friend's hand shortly.

Xxxxx

Dinner is laid out on the table quickly. There are plenty of bowls with all sorts of food. The turkey is put right into the middle while the lasagna goes to the other end of the table where the neighbors are sitting - far enough away from David, Robin realizes with a smirk. Bowls of potatoes, more stuffing and more delicious things are spread across the table.

While the storm is blustering outside, inside it's warm and cozy. Mary Margret thought about putting up a few candles in the room just in case the power should go out. It's a frequent thing on the island, so better be safe than sorry. Nobody minds, instead it's encouraged because it enhances the cozy atmosphere.

Robin notices how his wife keeps sipping at her glass of water, face unusually pale. She hasn't even touched the wine nor does she seem eager to start dinner. It reminds him of this morning and he wonders if she might be coming down with something. Perhaps she should stick to potatoes and turkey tonight in order to not upset her stomach any further.

Once everyone is seated, Mary Margret clinks a fork against her glass of wine and raises. The room grows slowly quiet, everyone eagerly waiting for her to start with her speech so they can get on with the dinner everyone has been looking forward to. Robin though, is nervous. He's nervous Mary might let something slip even though she promised David not to say anything about the topic today at least. Robin anxiously listens, trying to find David's gaze, but his friend is looking elsewhere. Great.

"Thank you all for coming to dinner tonight. I'm so happy to have you all here in our home and I promise to make this quick. Today, I think we should all share one or two things we are thankful for in our lives and I'd like to start by pointing out the most important person in my life - David." Mary Margret looks down at him, eyes slightly watery as she takes a deep breath. "David, from the moment I met you I knew we were meant to be. Now, I remember I was slightly drunk that night -" For this comment she earns chuckles from all the present nurses and men because everyone knows the story. "But when you asked me to dance, I knew you were the charming prince I waited for all my life. I love you, David. So much and that will never change, no matter what happens…" Mary Margaret swallows hard and it looks like she wants to say one more thing but instead she raises her glass to toast her husband, everyone else chiming in. She sits back down, looking solely at her hands and not at anyone else.

As everyone does their rounds in sharing what they're thankful for, Robin's stomach starts feeling worse and worse. It doesn't get better, when it's Regina's turn. How can he sit here, listening to how much she loves him and how happy he makes her and that this past year was the best year of her life because she got to spend it with him? He's lying to her face. He's an asshole, he doesn't deserve her, he…

"... and I'm looking forward to the next year, because I just know it will be a good one for us. I…"

"How can you say that?!" Mary Margret interrupts, hands fisted into tight balls under the table.

"Honey…" David tries to calm her down, but she shakes him off.

"No! No! I tried, David. I tried for all of us but hearing her say that… How could you, Regina? How can you just sit there, all happy and cheerful and chatty when you know exactly what's going to happen?"

Regina stares at her friend, looking around into the faces for the other confused guests, everyone seems to be surprised by Mary Margret's outburst. Everyone except Mal. "I'm sorry Mary Margret I have no idea what you are talking about."

Robin thinks he's close to a heart attack. "I think we should take this somewhere else…"

"Shut up, Robin!" Mary Margret yells, raising from her chair this time with such force, the wine glasses are dangerously close to falling over. Her face is red with anger, tears threatening to fall down any moment now. "I can't believe the two of you are sitting there, pretending like nothing is happening when… How can you not care at all about this? I knew you can be a cold hearted bitch sometimes but how can you…"

"How can I what?! What the hell is going on here?!" Regina now asks, clearly agitated. Her eyes shot from Robin to David and back to Mary Margret and damn, she can see that something is wrong, can see in their faces that it's bad.

"How can you talk about a future when they are going to war against Hitler?!"

The room is wrapped into a stunned silence, partly interrupted by the thunder of the storm outside. Not only Regina is staring at Mary Margret in disbelief, the other guests seem just as shocked by the news. Mal swipes up her glass and leans back in her chair, seemingly the only one who is not surprised. David just pinches his nose, while Robin doesn't know what to say now that the secret is out. He wishes desperately he could turn back time and tell her the moment he walked through the door. Wishing won't help him now though. Nothing will help him now.

"What is she talking about?" Regina's voice is quiet next to him and the moment he looks up he can see her eyes sparkling with a mixture of panic, fear and anger. "Robin?! What is she talking about?"

"Love, maybe we should…" he starts, but Regina shakes her head, leans closer over to Mal when he tries to touch her. The blonde is shooting daggers at him and damn it, for some reason he's sure she knew somehow.

"No Robin! Tell me now! Is it true?"

"He hasn't told you?" Mary Margret asks somewhat hysterically. She can see from Regina's panicked gaze that the woman has no idea. Robin is silently pleading with her, shaking his head, begging her to stay silent… But the younger woman seems determined, her eyes cold as she stares him down before she says: "David and Robin are going to England on Sunday. To fight the Germans together with the English."

"They were told yesterday afternoon," Mal adds casually, throwing Robin an angry glance.

"Regina… please let me explain," Robin pleads, reaching for her hand, but Regina is quick to bolt up from her chair, all color drained from her face. She looks so pale, like she's going to puke any moment.

"No… No, no, no, you're lying. You're lying."

"Regina," he whispers again, but she is looking at him with such betrayal in her eyes, his words get stuck in his throat though as she walks backward like a frightened deer surrounded by the wolves. "Regina please."

"No!" she yells, bolting out of the room and Robin wants to follow. It's Mal's hand that stops him, her fingernails cutting into his skin. If looks could murder Robin would be dead right now.

"Let go of me, Malise!"

"You had all fucking day to tell her you dummer Vollidiot! Do you have any idea what you've just done you undeserving piece of shit?!" The blonde is seething with anger however Robin shakes her off. He doesn't have time to fight the angry looking dragon right now, he has to go after his wife.

"Malise!" Mary Margret exclaims agitatedly, half blushing at Mal's choice of words, the blonde is quick to throw a 'Shut up, princess!' at her though.

"I need to go after her," Robin yells, finally being able to shake Mal's hand off.

"You don't deserve her!"

"Don't you think I know that?!" Robin hisses back before he runs out of the living room. He's half hoping to find Regina in the kitchen or the study, but the moment he sees the opened front door leading outside into a dark mess of rain, wind and thunder, he knows where she went. Quickly he grabs their coats, not bothering about an umbrella because it won't help in this wind anyway.

The rain hits him full force from the front the second he steps outside. He needs to find her, needs to explain and hope she will listen. Mal is right, he doesn't deserve her. That was clear from the moment they met and right now, he doesn't have anyone else to blame other than himself. Why didn't you tell her?! Questions are running through his mind, all of them pointless now though. He knows he screwed up and he doesn't deserve her forgiveness.

Robin makes his way down the road and that's when he sees her walking a few hundred meters in front of him in her beautiful but completely soaked red dress with her arms wrapped protectively around her body. She's going to get sick if they don't get back inside soon, so Robin runs. He's hit by a few flying palm leaves but shakes them off, the only thing on his mind is to get to her as fast as possible. "Regina!"

The brunette doesn't turn around, if anything he can see how she tries to quicken her steps in order to get away from him. Robin luckily has always been a fast runner though and within moments he's beside her, his hand reaching out for her upper arm in order to stop her.

"Leave me alone!" Regina yells over the noise of the storm and rain, ripping herself free from his hold while continuing to make her way down the road. Where she's intending to go he has no idea because their home is the opposite direction.

"Regina please let me explain!"

Suddenly she stops, Robin almost bumping into her. Whether her face is all wet from the rain or tears he can't really tell however he can see she must have been crying because her eyes are red rimmed, shiny… and so, so broken. Never in his life has he seen this look on her, not even when her mother refused to attend their wedding. It is only then that the gravity of his betrayal sinks in and shatters him to the bone. He's responsible for this, for her looking at him like this. Lord, what has he done?!

"No Robin, you don't get to explain! You promised. You goddamn promised me to never lie to me again!"

"I didn't know how to tell you," he's trying to defend himself. It's weak but at least it's the truth. "I didn't lie, I wanted to tell you, but…"

"And when were you going to tell me? Sunday morning right before you left?"

"No, I…"

"Robin how could you even think I wasn't going to find out tonight? What were you thinking? I don't think you were thinking at all." Regina is crying now, tears spilling over and melting into the streaks the rain drops are leaving on her face. She looks so heartbroken and hurt it's ripping him apart to be responsible for her pain.

"I was afraid Regina. I didn't know how to tell you. I… I thought by not telling it would make this less real. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, my love."

Regina shakes her head and her hold around her belly tightens. It's as if she's trying to wake herself up from a bad dream, denying that the past hour happened. "You can't just leave me like this, Robin."

Robin doesn't want to, now that he's in front of her, he wants to stay. She's his everything, she's his world. He cannot lose her… but he has a duty and as much as the following words hurt him and how much they will hurt her, he has to remind her. "We are both working for the army, Regina and the situation in Europe isn't getting better. You knew this day would come eventually."

"I know… I just didn't expect it to be so soon. I thought we'd have more time." For the first time she's looking at him directly. A desperate sob escapes her throat and to his surprise she flings himself at him, throws her arms around his neck and buries her head in his wet shirt. All he can do is whisper apologies and hold her tight, pressing soft kisses against her forehead while his own tears seep into her hair together with the rain. They both know he's not going to withdraw from the mission, he can't. His honor and duty forbid him.

Robin doesn't know how long they're standing there, wet down to the bone, both of them crying. He finally has the sense to wrap the coat around her even though it won't be much help and shelter from the rain now.

Regina nuzzles his neck, presses a kiss against his exposed skin. He doesn't wait another moment, tilts his head and captures her in a hard, desperate kiss that tastes of tears, longing and goodbye. Her teeth catch his lower lip, bite down hard, but he doesn't care. He needs to feel her, to remember her, to make sure that this is real, that she is real and always will be.

For a moment Regina stops, presses their foreheads together before she brings a little bit of distance between their faces. She looks torn, eyes darting from his lips back to his eyes. Robin apologizes again, doesn't know exactly what he can do to make it up to her. It hurts when she shivers, his beautiful wife who is looking so fragile and broken right now.

"Promise me you will be back."

The request hits him hard, especially because she knows he is in no position to make such a promise no matter how much he wants to. "You know I can't…"

"Robin, I need you to promise me you will be back. Please. I can't do this alone."

"Regina…" He presses a quick kiss against her forehead. It's ridiculous because just yesterday he's made David promise him the same thing, but this is different. "I don't know what is going to happen once I'm over there."

"But you…" Her voice is faltering again, thick with tears and raw from crying. "But I need you. We need you. Robin, I'm pregnant."

Her words are like a punch in the face. He'd expected anything really, anything but this.

"You're… You… You are?"

Regina's smile is small but it's there the moments she takes his hand to put it onto her belly. She's been ignoring the signs, has told herself it's the stress or the weather, but last week Mal had made a comment and the thought had manifested. Only two days ago she'd gotten confirmation from one of the doctors at the hospital. Counting back from her last menstruation, she knows she is somewhere between her eighth and tenth week. It is still early and there are of course risks involved but she can't let him go to war without knowing. "You're going to be a father, Robin."

He's staring at her, half smiling and half in disbelief, his hand still pressed against her belly by hers.

"You're pregnant," he repeats as if saying it again out loud is going to make it even more real than it already is. Regina is nodding eagerly, pressing soft kisses against his lips and cheeks, not realizing that by telling him she made his dilemma even worse. Now Robin doesn't just have her to lose but also a child, his child. His son or daughter which, should the worst case set in, he will never have a chance to meet. By leaving on Sunday, he's going to leave behind his family, his whole world and he hates himself for it.

"This is why you have to promise me to come back, Robin. For me. For us."

It's a promise he cannot keep but makes it anyway. "I promise I will come back to you. God, I love you so much, Regina. I love you more than anything in this world, I need you to know that."

"I do," Regina whispers, new tears shining in her eyes.

She pulls him back down to kiss him once again with everything she has, knowing full well that come Sunday despite his promises, she might never see her husband again. Still, there is hope. He's promised her after all.