Uses prompts 10 and 47

November 1801

"And then Peter Eacker called us rascals and that's when Gideon and I challenged him to the duel," Daniel explains, "He's dueling Gideon tomorrow and then me the next day."

Robin sighs heavily, "So what do you need to know, son?"

"I need advice, this is my very first duel."

"Did your friends attempt to negotiate a peace?"

"He refused to apologize, we had to let the peace talks cease," Daniel says emphatically, "and that's why I need the advice."

Robin can't bear the idea of his son being hurt, or worse. Most disputes die and no one shoots, but he can't risk his son's life.

"You should delope," Robin says then sees the confusion on Daniels face, realises he doesn't recognize the term and explains "throw away your first shot, fire your weapon in the air, this will end the whole affair."

Daniel looks frightened as he asks, "What if he shoots anyway?"

Robin rushes to reassure him. "No. He'll follow suit if he's truly a man of honor."

"But what if I draw second shot?" queries Daniel his tone still showing an edge of anxiety.

"Then you refuse to raise to raise your pistol after you count the ten paces, to make clear your intent."

Robin can see Daniel calming as he processes the advice. Then he asks "Father, can I borrow one of your guns?"

"Of course, be smart, make me proud, son. Where is this happening?"

"Across the river in Jersey, I'm going to stay at Aunt Mal's because it's closer."

"I'm nervous," says Regina, as she plays with her hair, a nervous habit that her mother never failed to scold her for. She turns to Robin, grabs his hand and asks, "No news is good news, right?"

She knows he is just as anxious, but is hiding it better than her, his voice coming out calm as he answers, "Yes, it is, no one was hurt yesterday in Gideon's duel, even with three shots fired. I'm sure Daniel will be just fine."

Regina wishes she could believe that, but she has a bad feeling about this, one that has been growing stronger with each moment that passes. She just wants to know, can't bear to sit waiting, uncertain.

She wishes they had traveled to Mal's residence, because then they would have answers by now. But Daniel had asked them not to, didn't want his parents fretting over him. He was embarrassed, she thinks, feeling too old to need his parents there. Daniel is growing into an incredible man, but Regina misses the sweet little mama's boy that stole her heart the first time she saw him. Until she had Daniel, Regina didn't know it was possible to love someone so much so quickly.

Her musings are interrupted by Gideon rushing in. She notices what she thinks is blood on his jacket and time stops. Her world stops and she knows, knows before he can even say it, that something has gone terribly wrong.

Robin asks anxiously "Is that blood?"

Gideon nods breathless and he tells them "Daniel's been shot."

Everything shatters, she lets out a noise half scream half sob, she can't control her limbs, almost falls over but Robin's arm shoots out steadying her. Her son, her first born son, so smart, sweet, innocent. She can't breath as she stands stunned, feeling absolutely helpless and grief stricken as Gideon explains, "He did as you said he refused to raise his pistol and then Peter followed suit but then Peter raised his gun and so did Daniel and then they both shot and he got him, he got Daniel in the hip.

It feels like the room is caving in on her, her breath finally returning, but coming out in sharp gasps and she can hear her heart pounding as her mind races and she pictures it, her sweet baby boy and she begins to sob, wants so badly to break down and cry but she needs to see her son, now.

Robin jumps up, racing out the door telling them he'll fetch Doctor Hopper and will meet them at Mal's.

As they rush to Mal's Gideon's trying to comfort her offer reassurance, hope but none of his words are landing. She barely hears him too intent on reaching her son, needing to see him needing to know he's alive. Everything's a haze as she wills herself to keep walking, not to think about what if he doesn't make it, he has to life, she cannot fathom a life without her son. She wills herself not to break down as they rush toward her sisters, but she is lost to the sea of anxious grief.

Doctor Hopper is already there when she arrives but she barely notices. All she can see is Daniel's pale ashen face as he offers her a weak smile. She rushes to his side, grabs his hand and sobs, hard gut wrenching sobs as she takes in his appearance. They don't say anything, don't need to, because she knows already that it is too late, that there is no hope.

She would give anything to save him, would sell her soul but there is nothing, nothing she can do and it kills her. Regina prays like she never has before begs god to spare her sweet boy, please no not Daniel, please don't take my baby, he can't die, he can't. She begs them to take her instead, wants to die rather than face a life without him.

Robin arrives an hour later and Regina hasn't moved, will not let go of Daniel's hand, will not leave his side.

"What took ya so long father?" asks Daniel weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

But Robin takes one look at him and Regina sees the despair cover his face she watches as he chokes down a sob before joining her at his bedside. She prays and begs and pleads, but her prayers go unanswered as Daniel grows weaker and weaker. His eyes close and the whisper that they love him.

When he doesn't open them again Regina begs tearfully "Can you please wake up?" but it's met with silence as his breaths grow shorter and shorter.

They sit at his bedside all night, crushed, broken and defeated as their son takes his last breath in the early hours of the morning. Then they keep sitting, saying nothing, what's the point anymore, as the sorrow floods them.

"I fainted" chokes out Robin breaking the silence, "I got their house and I just i was so anxious and I fainted and… and I missed out on more time with him. I want more time with him." And then he breaks down and Regina pulls him into a tight embrace her eyes filling with tears as she tries to contemplate life without her son.