Robin's sitting, watching the baby sleep as he goes through a huge list of baby names Regina pulled up on her computer after he confessed he still didn't know what to name her. He reads the ones he likes aloud to Roland, who either doesn't like girl names at all, or is having fun shooting down every one of his ideas.
Roland's busy drawing what he thinks is a house. They spent the night at Regina's, not wanting to be separated after their near-death experience. They've agreed to talk about everything when she gets back from checking on Emma. Belle is going to take Roland and the baby and give them time to finally work out how they are doing all this, and each other's feelings about everything that's happened. They agreed once they've done that, then, and only then, will they bring Zelena back from Oz.
His cellphone rings and it's Regina, not really a surprise there, she's one of the only people who calls him, half of his men wouldn't even know how to turn a cellphone on let alone make a phone call. And that was him for a while, too, until Regina bought him one and taught him how to use it.
"Hello, love."
"Emma's not here."
"What?" Roland's head pops up at that, but he doesn't interrupt.
"She's not here, and she's not with Snow or where Hook died, I did a tracking spell but she's blocking it somehow, we need to get together a search party."
"Of course, love, I'll go get my men I know they will want to help."
"Thank you, I need to call Snow, talk to you soon, I love you."
"Love you, too, bye."
When he sets down his phone, Roland asks, "Are we going back to camp?"
"No, you are going to visit Aunt Belle, remember." Roland nods, looking disappointed. "And I am going to camp to get everyone for a search."
"Why can't I come, you said I could search when I'm bigger."
"I did and you can, but not until you are much bigger."
Roland pouts, which Robin ignores as he grabs his and Roland's coats from the closet. Roland takes his coat and starts putting it on, thank heavens, and Robin goes back and gets the baby from her odd little basket on a stand thing Regina had whipped up last night for her to sleep in.
She stays sleeping when he pulls her into his arms, making the trip to Belle's surprisingly easy. Roland is sullen the whole way, right up until Belle tells him they are going to make cookies. He doesn't even a get a goodbye after that, Roland being too excited about baking to care that his father's leaving for a little while.
He calls the camp on his way and they divvy up the forest. It's a long walk for him to get to them and they have enough bodies to do it themselves, so he calls Regina.
She answers on the first ring, a terse "Hello," that tells him she didn't bother to look at the name before answering.
"Hello, love, the men are good without me, so where should I search?"
"Where are you?"
"Walking from Belle's, just hitting Main Street now."
"Meet me at Gold's, maybe he has some magic that can help us find her."
She hangs up before he can agree and he sees the shimmer of purple before she appears right at the door. He rushes to meet her, coming into the shop just after her.
He dislikes this shop, finds it creepy, and Gold's wheeling and dealing and his general demeanour don't help with that. And he still hasn't forgotten that beating Gold gave him in the Enchanted Forest for stealing from him.
"What can I do for you, dearie?"
He hangs back, lets Regina take the lead because frankly, he'd be an idiot to try and contribute to their conversation about magic that will be way out of his league.
"I need to find Emma, but my tracking spell isn't working, and Henry's blood didn't work either. What do you have here that's stronger?"
Gold makes this tisk sound and then pauses dramatically as Robin fights not to roll his eyes over the man's ridiculous antics.
"Well, you already have your answer, dearie."
Regina huffs, "What are you saying Gold? That she's not in this realm. What do you know?"
"Well, that dearie will come at a price."
Oh good god, this man is infuriating even without the darkness, he doesn't know what Belle sees in him.
"What's the price?"
"Simple really, I tell you where she is and that's the end of my involvement with this, you see I have my lovely wife back and I'd like to be able to enjoy that and not get stuck in a rescue mission."
Rescue mission, what the hell is he talking about? Where is Emma?
"Deal, now where is she?"
"The Underworld."
"You idiot," Regina hisses, "How could you let her do that?"
"She made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
He speaks up then, confused, "Uh, forgive me if I'm missing the obvious, but, um, how does one get to the Underworld?"
Regina answers him. "With his blood. And now I have a question, that little deal we just made, no involvement, so you won't even open the portal for us?"
"Oh no, I'll do that, should you decide to go on that fool's errand, but that's it."
"Good." Regina turns back to him, grabs his hand and rushes them out the door. "Let's go."
Once they are outside, he asks what he's been wondering, "Why would she even? What would possess her to go to the Underworld?"
Regina's walking as fast as she can, leading him to the Charmings he guesses. "The last thing she said to Henry last night before she 'went to sleep' was that she needed to say goodbye to Hook. That's why I started looking where he died. I didn't realize she was stupid enough to mean it literally."
He's speaking as he catches on, "So that means… she's trapped, in the Underworld?"
"Yes."
They've reached the Charming's building so he follows Regina in and up the stairs. When Snow opens the door, the first words out of Regina's mouth are, "Your daughter is a moron."
Snow looks shocked and he wants to chuckle, but he tamps it down as they walk in the door and Regina continues, "She went to the Underworld on some crazy half baked mission to find the pirate and say goodbye."
David recovers from his shock first and asks, "And what if she couldn't find Hook, she's still looking?"
"That's the best case scenario."
Snow asks, "What's the worst case scenario?"
"That she was killed down there, or that she's trapped because she didn't think her idiotic plan through."
"Hey," David says defensively. "That's my daughter you are talking about."
"Yes, I am aware of that Charming, but this might actually be the dumbest thing she's done, and that's saying something given recent events."
He can see David is gearing up for a fight, which is the last thing they need, but Henry comes down the stairs and provides a perfect interruption. "Mom, did you find Emma? Is she home now?"
"Not exactly, I know where she is and it's not at home."
"Where is she?"
"She, um, went to the Underworld to see Hook, but something must have gone wrong because she hasn't come back."
"What we do, how do we help her?"
Regina sighs, drawing Henry in for a hug. "There's only one way to do that, to go to the Underworld."
The whole room goes silent as they process it.
His voice breaks the silence, "But that's insane, we can't go to Hell to save Emma."
"Not Hell, the Underworld," says Regina, "and you're right, it is insane."
Snow speaks up, "It is, but we have to, you know we do, we have to take the shot if it will save Emma."
It seems like the saviour is always the one in need of saving. He sighs, "Okay then, when do we leave?"
"The ferry will only appear once the sun has set, but, um, we should talk, just the two of us."
He should have known. Should have known that the phrase we need to talk never ends well.
And now they're arguing because Regina thinks she can just tell him not to go to the Underworld and he will obey like a dog.
"Robin, please, someone needs to be here for Roland and the baby."
"Belle and the fairies already agreed to look after them when we thought we were dying, surely they won't say no when it's a quick jaunt down the Underworld."
She throws her hands up in frustration. "It's bad enough both Snow and Charming are coming, it's dangerous, Robin." He scoffs, he is aware of that fact thank you very much. He goes to make a sarcastic comment but she continues on, "We need as few people as possible, in case something happens."
He doesn't know why he didn't realize when she was trying to talk Snow and David out of coming that she intended to go alone. It's infuriating, she always does this, is so careless with her own life, and he will be damned if he gives her the impression there's any way she can talk him out of coming.
"I know it's dangerous, that's why I'm coming with you, you are not doing this alone, it's too risky."
She sneers, "I won't be alone, I'll have Snow and Charming."
He can see the frustration pouring off her as she paces and good because she can't just tell him to do something he doesn't want to and expect he will back down. "And tell me, Regina, how long until you leave them somewhere safe and go off to find Emma yourself?"
She narrows her eyes and her mouth opens, but he's not finished. "I know you and you want to do this alone, want it so only your life's on the line, are willing to do whatever it takes so you are the only one in harm's way."
Her voice raises. "What's so wrong with that! I have magic, no one else does, I'm the only one that can save her, so just let me fucking do it without putting you all in danger."
"No."
And that clearly was the worst thing he could have said because now she's yelling at him, "No? How dare you! You can't just tell me no, you aren't the boss of me and you cannot tell me what to do."
How dare he, how dare she, she did it first when she told him flat out You're not coming, and that's when he knows exactly what to say. "Aye," the calm steadiness of his voice makes her face twist in confusion, "just as you can't for me, which is why I'm going."
"Ugh." She throws her hands down by her sides, fists clenching and releasing. He knows he's got her there, can see her struggling to find a way to reconcile what's she said without hypocrisy.
She lets out a harsh breath and sinks down onto the couch saying nothing. He's not sure how angry she still is so he makes his way over and sits on the other end of the couch, giving her her space.
The heat has left her eyes when she looks at him. She looks worn, defeated, and he feels a surge of guilt for his role in causing it. He slides over to her and wraps his arm around her shoulder. She doesn't shrug him off, but also doesn't lean in like she normally does.
"I know you only want to protect me, love, but if roles were reversed can you honestly tell me that you would stay back."
She sighs, then leans her head onto his shoulder. "You're right, I wouldn't, but I just can't bear the thought of something happening to you down there."
He presses a kiss to her hair. "It's the same for me, love, and that why I need to come with you. I know I won't contribute much, what's skill with a bow when everyone's already dead but—"
"No, you do, you have so much to offer, thieving is not a skill any of the rest of us have. I'm just scared, scared of losing you. We almost lost each other yesterday and then I let my guard down, thought it was over and Emma has to go and do this. And she's grieving and I can't blame her for making bad decisions, that would be hypocritical, just look at half of my life, except that I do. How could she be so stupid? And if anything were to happen to you down there…"
He softly grabs her face, tilting her chin toward him. "Love, look at me, I have the same fears, but we are stronger together."
He kisses her cheek and she surprises him by pulling him in for a quick peck.
"I'm just… I'm so mad at Emma, what she did and…"
"It's hard. I understand, love, we can't seem to catch a break. But we're in this together and I will follow you to actual Hell, whether you like it or not, you can't get rid of me, Regina."
She lets out a soft muted laugh, and it seems he successfully broke the mood. She teases, "Well, lucky for you, it's not Hell we're going to, just the Underworld."
"Ah yes, my mistake, please forgive me, Your Majesty, practically a paradise."
She smiles softly and shakes her head saying "Thief" in that amused way of hers that never fails to make him smile. She snuggles in closer to him. "I know we should go get Roland and the baby, but can we just stay here for a minute?"
"Of course, love."
They stay cuddled up on the couch, her head on his shoulder and his other arm tracing over hers until they hear the door open.
It has to be Henry, no one else would just walk in, even Snow and David still knock every time.
And sure enough, he hears, "Mom?"
"In the living room, sweetie."
That makes him smile, Henry is the only one who Regina will call a pet name. He is always Robin, a product of her being forced to call the King various hollow endearments and having to accept them from him, as well. He learned that the first time he called her dear, it had been in jest, but watched as she tensed, breath quickening before she asked him never to call her that. But love is good, love she likes, has no bad memories associated with it.
As Henry enters the room, she pulls back from him just a little, so she's sitting all the way up, no longer molded into him.
"When do we leave?"
Well, this is going to be fun, but it seems Regina hasn't caught on that Henry wants to go because she asks, "What are you talking about?"
"For the Underworld."
He feels her stiffen and is unsurprised by her response. "There is no we! Robin, Snow, Charming, and I are going, and that's it."
"I'm coming, too."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
And god, this could go on forever. Henry and Regina are the two most stubborn people he's ever met in his life. There is no doubt where Henry got that streak from and so having them face off is a recipe for disaster.
Henry's firm. "You can't stop me."
And that does it, Regina stands up, her voice forceful and insistent. "Actually I can, and I am."
"I'm going."
"Henry Mills, you may want to be a hero, but I am still your mother and I am telling you that you are not going. Do you understand me?"
Henry doesn't flinch and he's concerned that this is going to devolve into a screaming match, one that he will have no way to escape.
"I'm not a kid anymore, Mom."
"I know that, but you are not old enough to make this decision. I still have a say and my answer is no."
He hopes this is it, that Henry will relent, but his prayers go unanswered, as usual. "What are you going to do, trap me here with magic?" Regina flinches and that really was a low blow, Henry has to know she would never do that again, and has sworn he's forgiven her for her post-curse behaviour.
It cuts her deep and Henry takes advantage. Regina doesn't say anything, too shocked and hurt, and Henry continues, "You can't keep me from going, Mom, you can either take me with you or I'll make a deal with Grandpa and make my own way down there."
Gold wouldn't, would he? He can't be too sure and it seems neither can Regina. "Henry, please, it's not safe, I'm doing this to protect you, you have to understand."
"I do, Mom, and I know, but I might be the only one who can talk Emma out of staying when we do find her."
Henry may have a point there, though he's not convinced, but still, not worth the risk.
"There's no talking you out of coming is there?" Regina asks defeatedly. He's a bit surprised she's giving up so easily, but then he's never seen them go blow for blow like this before.
"No, there isn't."
She sighs. "We're meeting Gold at the lake at 9 pm."
Henry scurries off to the kitchen and he follows. Once they're out of earshot, he says, "Henry, I'm begging you to reconsider, your mum is having a hard enough time with all of this without having to worry about you, too. It's going to be very dangerous and we would never forgive ourselves if something happened to you."
"How old were you when you left home, became a thief? Younger than me, right?"
And he was, but that's not the point. "I left because I had to and that was dangerous, yes, I nearly got myself killed so many times, but that was not half as dangerous as the Underworld."
"I know the risks but I also know that I need to be there. I was the one home with Emma last night, I'm the one that let her escape and go off and do this. I'm responsible."
He can tell Henry's fighting his emotions, it's been a rough couple of days and really a rough couple of months for him, what with one of his moms becoming the Dark One.
"Come here, Henry," he says opening his arms. "It's not your fault, you can't blame yourself."
"But I do and that's why I have to go, please try to understand."
He does, more than he cares to admit, but it's not the time for his own sob story, and honestly, it's not something he'd ever like Henry to know. Henry pulls out of the hug and he tells him seriously, "You have to promise me one thing." Henry nods so he continues, "We don't know where Emma is and what traps we will have to get through to find her. If we find a safe place and tell you to stay there, you have to do it, let us take care of it, None of this I'll just sneak off on my own business. Your mum has already lost you once, she can't do it again, you hear me."
Henry nods again, his eyes down and he looks ashamed. But what of he can't tell.
"What is it, Henry?"
"I know Mom's probably really mad, I said some things I probably shouldn't have. I want her to be okay with this."
"She'll get there, she's tough, your mum, but you should apologize for the things you are sorry for, it's the right thing to do."
"Thanks, Robin."
"Anytime, Henry, and I do mean that, you can come to me with anything, I know you have a whole big family and they all want to be there for you, but if you ever need me, I'm here."
Henry nods and walks off back into the living room, to apologize, so he gives them their minute. He makes some sandwiches for lunch while he waits and, some ten minutes later, Henry and Regina come in.
Henry takes his sandwich to go, off to say goodbye to Violet.
He passes a plate to Regina and she whispers, "Thank you."
He teases, "It's just a sandwich, love, I'm sure yours are much better."
She chuckles lightly. "Not for that, for what you said to Henry, he told me and it, it means a lot."
"I love him, you know, and I know he doesn't need a father figure, he has a kick-ass mum and another mum for that. I just want to do what I can—what he will let me."
"I love you so much and thank you for everything, I know you'll do everything you can to keep him safe."
"And you, love."