Chapter Rating: M due to language.
Warnings: Rating change
Chapter Summary: We continued with the tale of our two brave heroes.
Disclaimer: See Chapter One


"Mom?"

Emma put a hand on Henry's shoulder. "It's gonna be ok, kid. Just stay calm."

Regina caught her gaze and for a moment the two were having a silent almost telepathic conversation, though for them it was more reading facial expression and picking up on emotional cues. As far as the Sheriff could tell, Regina wanted to know if it was a good idea to let these bank robbers know that the Sheriff was in the building. Emma shook her head in response and tucked her badge into her inner jacket pocket. If it was just her, yes, she'd have found some cover and had a standoff with these guys. But she wouldn't risk Henry and she damn sure didn't want to risk Regina's safety either.

"DOWN ON THE GROUND NOW!" the large bank robber shouted, pointing his gun at the patrons.

"What my large and excitable associate means, loves, is that we would very much like if you all kissed the floor," the pretty boy added. "We don't want to hurt you. But we will if you leave us no choice."

The customers eased themselves onto the ground, everyone looking around bewildered. Because this kind of thing never, ever happened in a place like Storybrooke. Some of them even dared to glance at Emma and Regina who looked just as perplex but ultimately got down on the ground as well. The Sheriff discretely tucked her badge into her jacket pocket and then helped her son to the floor before she saw to Regina.

"Just be calm," Emma told her. "These things are usually over in minutes."

Regina didn't say anything, instead she was staring down the outlaws' leader, the quiet fury apparent in her eyes. "No one steals from my bank," she had said. And based on her reaction to all of this, Emma wondered if that was because Regina was some kind of outlaw-killing vigilante. It was best not to focus on that, however. Because if the bank manager wasn't careful she was going to get people hurt. Herself included.

"Regina…" the Sheriff whispered. "Please..."

Maybe it was the fear in Emma's voice, but Regina snapped out of her rageful daze and got down to the tiled floor. Both women without thinking, shielded the young boy with the wide expression. Despite being the town's sheriff, Emma's chief concern had been and would always be, her son's well-being. However, it didn't explain Regina.

"Alright," said the charismatic robber. "To business then. Please slide all wallets, purses, and mobiles to the center of the floor."

The last man through the door spoke up when people reluctantly reached for their personal item but didn't follow through with the rest. "Please understand we will not take any of your things. We are after the bank's money, which is insured. Not your money. You've worked hard for your money. This bank, however has not. So if you would…"

Regina complied first, then Emma; soon everyone tossed their personal belongings to the center of the bank floor.

"Thank you," the Face picked up where the soft spoken one had left off, walking the along the outside group. "This will all be over before you know it." He turned to the big man and call out to him. "Little John, watch the crowd." Next he turned to the douchey-looking one. "Will Scarlet, be a lamb and liberate the money from the tellers." Finally, he looked at the last of them. "Robin Hood, you know what you need to do."

It was then that Regina scoffed and a retort bubbled from her throat. "And you must be Alan-a-Dale then."

He chuckled. "It's Captain Hook actually, love."

Regina arched an eyebrow at that. "Those are two different stories. Peter Pan is fantasy. The legend of Robin Hood is popular british folklore. The mythology doesn't match up."

Will groaned. "Oh, here we go."

"Oi, when you start up your bank robbing crew, you can pick the theme for the codenames, 'til then, shut it," Hook told the bank manager. "'Sides, more of a pirate captain, and less of a bard, love."

"Plus, he threw a fit until we let him be Captain Hook," Will added as he emptied the tellers' money drawers.

"Sod off," Hook called over to him. "Fit or no, I got my way. I am bloody Captain Hook. So cope, you fucking wank."

"Excuse my colleagues, Miss," Robin said. "I swear some of them were born in the wrong time. They would have made better pirates than outlaws, Miss."

"Ms.," Regina corrected. "And it's alright, Mr. Hood. I just would like to get on with the rest of my day."

"Please, call me, Robin," he replied with a warm smile.

Regina flashed him her best professional smile. "Please, call me, Ms. Mills."

Emma had to disguise a laughter with a cough. She always wondered if Regina was a firecracker underneath that cool, no nonsense exterior. And here this woman was, a bank manager, living in a small town, staring down bank robbers like she had worked right alongside Emma back in Boston. The sheriff glanced at the dark haired woman and then shook her head. Regina wasn't Major Cases material. She'd have made a better homicide detective.

Nonetheless, it was impressive. Where some people might cower in the face of danger, Regina didn't even blink. She was there, locking eyes with a man with a very big gun and she was fearless. He was playing the part of the affable outlaw, and she was just having none of it. It made Emma smile. There was just something about a woman who grabbed life by the lapels and made it her bitch that just flat out did for the sheriff.

And Regina did all of that in a business suit too?

Yes.

Just…

Yes.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Robin said, taking a step back. "I didn't realize…"

"What?" Regina asked.

"That you're here with your son and wife," he said.

The bank manager looked between Emma and Henry unsure of what to say, perhaps. But the Sheriff wasn't about to take that chance and just confirmed what he assumed.

"Yes," Emma began. "Our son. She's just concerned for him. And his safety. None of us here want any trouble."

Robin's gaze fell on her and if Henry wasn't right next to her, Emma would have tried to grab his gun. Then again, if Henry wasn't right next to her she would have drawn her own gun. But she wouldn't risk her son, Regina, or most of these people in this bank (the town drunk, Leroy, he could stand to be a little shot).

"Of course, Ms. Mills," Robin told Emma with a nod.

"Swan-Mills," the Sheriff replied. "We took each other last names."

The Outlaw grinned. "Socially progressive and brave. Two traits, I deeply admire in a woman."

"Same here," Emma agreed. "That's why I married her. That and I ask and she said yes. Mostly the second thing. Consent and all."

Robin laughed. "Indeed. You're a lucky woman. Ms. Swan-Mills. Your wife strikes me as a truly singular woman."

"She is actually. She's also right here and can speak for herself," Regina cut in. "Isn't there something you have to do, Mr. Hood?"

"Hey now, who die and made you Queen of this robbery?" Hook asked. "You might want to show us a little respect, your Majesty. We're trying to be gentlemen here. Don't push us, or we'll be forced to be well, — and pardon my low gothic — massive fucking twats, love."

Emma took it for what it was, a veiled threat. Regina on the other hand just got more indignant.

"You have already wasted more than two minutes with this whole mess," Regina explained. "And as that's the average response time for local law enforcement to mobilize for a robbery like this, I would say you've got enough money and you should go before this becomes bigger than it already is."

Hook shook his head. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about that, Queenie. We've got it covered on our end."

"Whatever you say, Captain." The last word was dripping with vitriolic subtext.

"It is whatever I say, love. Because in case you didn't notice, we're the ones with the guns."

Regina sneered. "Violence is always the last refuge for the weak."

"Then it would do you a bit of good to hope I'm feeling strong today, your Majesty," Hook warned, before he turned to Will. "Oi! How's things over there?"

"Oh, just peachy, Captain," Will replied. "I can already smell the air in whatever non-extradition country we're headed to next. I was thinking Venezuela. Subjectively speaking, it's a fucking shithole. But I think we can live like kings down there. Robbie can even play the part of the monogamous outlaw, giving back to the poor, because, as I said, it's a shithole."

"It's not worse than, Kansas," Little John interjected.

Will agreed, grimly. "No place is worse than Kansas. Except for perhaps parts of Alabama."

"Aye," Hook agreed. "What kind of place outlaws sodding sex shops? And they call us the fucking criminals when there's that kind of evil afoot… But that's not important right now. Because right now Robin is going to go to the safety deposit boxes and get that other thing we need."

"The other thing that you need," Robin said.

Hook shrugged. "Same difference, mate."

Robin shook his head and called to Will. "Is the vault unlocked?"

Will glanced toward the bank, near Regina's office and shook his head. "No. And before you ask, yes I can crack it. Of course I can crack it. It's me, Will Scarlet. There's two things I can always get into: Vaults, and the knickers of emotionally compromised lasses. Then I use that vulnerability to screw them in an uncomfortable place. That being said; if you wanted me to get into that vault, I should have started working on it a week ago."

"A key would work just as well, Robin," Hook suggested.

"Yes, but that requires someone with a key, Hook," Robin replied. "And in case you haven't notice, the bank manager isn't here."

Only practice kept Emma's expression neutral. She caught her son's gaze and took his head. She couldn't say it out loud because Robin and Hook were within earshot, but she wanted to promise him that she wouldn't let anything happen to Regina. And he seemed to, however, pick up on that and visibly calmed. Which was good. The last thing they needed was them signaling out Regina. Which brought Emma to her next order of business: trying to get the bank manager to hand of her keys without attracting attention.

"Regina, give me your keys," she whispered.

"Why?"

"Because if you don't they'll take you back there," Emma replied. "I won't let that happen."

"Again why?"

"Because it's sort of my job."

Regina wilted slightly at those words. "And pretending to be my wife?"

Emma smiled. "One of the perks of the position, Ms. Swan-Mills… You gotta admit it, it's catchy."

Before Regina could say anything Little John shouted, "Hey! No talking."

"This doesn't track," Hook said. "The manager should be here. It's a bloody Monday."

"Try asking them," Will threw out there.

"What if they don't tell us what we need to know?" Little John asked.

Will Scarlet rolled his eyes. "Then we fucking kill them. I hate it when people need to have it spelled out of them. May I finish uninterrupted, please? Thank you. We ask them, if they don't talk, we shoot them. It's so simple even Little John could do it."

"Hey!"

"Enough!" Hook bellowed and then addressed the crowd. "Someone tell me who the bank manager is or who has a key to the Vault. If none of you speaks up, I will start shooting people." He let the assault rifle hang on a sling as he drew a handgun and pointed it at Emma's head. "Starting with her."

"Mom!?"

"Henry, it's going to be okay," she assured him, though her eyes never left Hook's or his pistol. "A 9 millimeter?" Emma asked. "It's a little small."

"Don't worry, love, you'll feel it. Or not, I'm told it's quick." He chambered a bullet and took aim before he heard himself. "Sod it, I'm done talkin', love. Gonna just move on to the grand finale, yeah?"

"Stop…" Regina whispered before she tried again, louder this time. "Stop. It's… I'm… I have the key to the vault. Just please don't hurt her or anyone else."

Hook grinned. "Well, your Majesty that will all depend upon your compliance with Robin here. Robin Hood, would you please take the Queen back into the Vault. So we can get what we came here for and go the bloody hell out of this place."

Robin nodded. "Well, Regina, it appears we'll have our moment alone after all."


I need to stop with the fucking cliffhangers. It just seemed like a perfect place to end it. Happy Valentines' Day to all of the Swen out there.

I'm MurderouslyAdorkable on Tumblr. You can also follow me there. Sometimes I am hilarious. Not always. But sometimes. Anyway, thank you again for reading. The next update will have very soon.