Chapter Two: Adjusting

Three months.

It had been three months since Robin had become the Dark One to save Regina. He didn't regret his decision one single day. But he was more than aware how long he had been away from her and his son.

He had watched them during that time. Watched as Roland struggled to adjust to a life without him. Robin's heart broke whenever he saw his son's red rimmed eyes or watched him sit dejected on the swing at the park. He watched Regina hug Roland, comforting him when he got too sad or fell and scraped his knee. It had taken all of Robin's self-control then not to run across the street, scoop up his sniffling boy and hold him close.

But his newly gained powers had taken some getting used to. It had taken him weeks to get to the point where he was comfortable not to do something dangerous by accident. Like the time he had scorched a good swath of forest just trying to light his campfire. Or when he sent himself flying through the air, breaking his arm in the process. Robin still didn't know what he had done to cause that. While he had been able to heal his arm, he realized he had to continue staying away. For now it had been him, but next time it could be Roland or Regina. He couldn't chance hurting them. So he had to stay away until he could control his magic.

Until he could control himself.

The darkness brought out the worst in him, the parts he tried to keep at bay with his honor code. Anger. Greed. Lust. Jealousy. They swirled around him and battled for dominance within his mind and soul. He felt the darkness licking at him and wondered if (worried that) this was how Regina had felt when she began becoming the Evil Queen.

One night, he lay in the woods thinking about everything that had happened in the past few months. It had started pleasant enough, with memories of the farmhouse and the smoldering tension between him and Regina. He had been tempted to kiss her then, Evil Queen or not. Yet she had run from him and Robin had vowed to get to know her. She was too intriguing to let go.

Robin had set up camp in the same spot where she had kissed him the first time. Maybe part of him had hoped she'd coming looking for him here. But his lips tingled in memory of the evening they shared, just kissing each other as they sat around his fire.

Everything had gone fast after that. Just as he was planning a future with Regina and their sons, Marian appeared at Granny's. He was overjoyed to see her again…before the implications for his growing relationship with Regina hit him. In the end, he hadn't been able to stay away from her.

So why are you doing it now?

As he thought about Marian, he returned to that tiny apartment in Manhattan. Back to that awful night where he snapped at Regina, where Marian's dark hair and warm brown eyes gave way to red curls and cold blue eyes. Where he realized the full extent of his actions and how deeply he had betrayed Regina and their love.

He was having a child with the person who wanted to destroy her.

He was having a child with her sister.

She took him back but that was always going to be a cloud hanging over them. He stared at the stars above him, wishing it wasn't so. In what seemed like a blink of his eyes, he found the stars replaced by a tiled ceiling. Robin sat up, realizing he was in the hospital by the cell Regina was keeping Zelena in. Horror crept upon him as he realized the darkness must've taken over and brought him to the witch who wronged him to do…what?

Robin didn't think he wanted to know the answer.

As he pulled himself up, he realized a protection spell had repelled him. He raised his hand and found he could detect who had cast it. It seemed to be a mixture of Emma's and Regina's magic. Robin closed his eyes in relief, glad Regina had been prepared.

He hurried from the hospital, ignoring the strange look from the nurse on duty as he passed her desk. One thought haunted him as he returned to his camp deep in the woods: He had tried to hurt Zelena and in the process, his unborn child. What type of monster was he turning into?

One day, he found himself watching Regina and Roland again. Henry was spending the weekend with Emma, so it was just the two of them. Roland helped Regina tend to her garden, happily digging up the dirt so she could plant some new flowers. As she did so, it seemed she was teaching the boy about them as well—as far as Robin could tell from what little he could read of her lips. Red lips he missed kissing…He fought the lust filling up inside him, not wanting to use Regina that way. She was more than just someone to use to scratch an itch.

His train of thought was interrupted as an older man approached Regina. She stood and talked with him, laughing and looking relaxed. Jealousy surged through him and he had to fight that too. He knew who this man was—Henry explained he was Don Quixote, who in his novel was an older man who fancied himself a knight and went on a quest to prove it. There had been something about fighting windmills but Robin wasn't too sure what they had to do with anything. All that his dark mind could focus on now was the fact that this Don Quixote called his Regina "Dulcinea" and considered her the lady for whom he fought. Robin's honorable side tried to remind him that Don Quixote was harmless, that Regina loved him.

But after a few days of warring with the darkness, Robin snuck into Regina's room. With a flick of his wrist, the room was shrouded in darkness. Robin touched the scar on his face, a reminder of the darkness inside him and the danger the magic he still was trying to harness posed. That was why all he planned to do was kiss her goodnight and maybe cuddle her until she fell asleep. He just wanted to feel her.

Her door opened and he heard Regina try the light switch. Pressing himself into a corner of her room, he watched her cross to the window he left open. "Robin?"

It was a whisper but it was as if she had shouted to him. He crossed to her in a few strides, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. The familiar scent of apples and vanilla wafted up and for a few moments, he could forget he was the Dark One. He was just Robin again and he was reunited with the woman he loved.

The darkness took control, though, when she teased him. It was innocent enough on her part but jealousy was not something he could clamp down anymore. So as the image of Don Quixote filled his mind, he lifted her up and almost threw her on the bed. It wasn't his finest moment, but the fact Regina didn't protest spurned him on.

He kissed every inch of her skin before wrapping her legs around him. Sliding into her, he groaned into her hair. Everything felt right yet was still all wrong. The darkness still clawed at him, as if still trying to get to her. He pushed it down. She's not for you.

Robin roused with the first rays of daylight. She slept on with a smile on her face. Part of him wanted to stay, to watch her wake up. But the other part of him knew it was better if he left now. Then she wouldn't see what he had become, wouldn't have to watch him war with the darkness. Wouldn't subject her to being so close to that darkness again.

Slipping from the bed, Robin groaned as he remembered he had magicked away their clothing. Unfortunately, he had yet to figure out where things he sent away using his magic went. Like most of his powers, Robin was using trial and error. It was time to see if he could conjure himself an outfit. He concentrated on something simple—a blank long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans along with boots—and found himself engulfed in a dark blue cloud. The first time he had seen his magic, he was surprised yet pleased to find it wasn't green. Everyone associated green with that witch.

Once he was dressed, he conjured a rose (though it was black, not the red he had intended) and a note telling her that he loved her. He left them on her nightstand. Leaning over, Robin took her in one more time before pressing a kiss to her forehead. With another cloud of blue smoke, he left her alone.

He retreated to the woods, battling the shame of having doubted Regina's loyalty to him. Robin knew she loved him. He knew she wouldn't stray, even though he was pushing her away. On top of that shame was more shame, this time over how possessive he had been with Regina. After how Leopold had treated her, she didn't need him to act that way toward her.

But she enjoyed it, the darkness reminded him. She was shivering in anticipation rather than fear.

"She isn't going to be frightened of my darkness. She understands it," he said, not caring that he was talking to a voice in his head.

She more than understands it. So stop beating yourself up.

"I won't. I love her and she deserves better than that."

But you can have her now. Why wait? Why torment yourself?

"Because of you."

You should stop fighting. You did this willingly.

"To save her."

Still. Just give in and you can have everything you want.

"At what cost?"

The darkness didn't answer him. It didn't have to. So Robin vowed to stay away from Regina for as long as he could.

It wasn't very long.

Everything was calm in Storybrooke.

That scared Regina. Storybrooke hadn't seen such peace since before Henry had brought Emma to town. Not that she blamed any of it on Emma. (Well, okay, maybe a little). She had brought them all here in the first place and the magic used made the town a target for several magical beings who managed to end up in this world as well.

She knew should enjoy this quiet but she couldn't help but be nervous. Of course, it didn't help that Robin was still out there, dealing with being the Dark One by himself. Maybe that's why it was so calm. The only possible villain was her soulmate, who was trying to keep his distance.

Robin still loved her and Regina took solace in that. In the nights they were able to have together, even if she couldn't get him to stay in the morning. The last time, she had begged him to do so. She begged him to let her help him as she wrapped her arms around him, pressing herself to him. "You don't have to do this on your own. It doesn't matter that you're the Dark One. I love you."

"I know," he said, voice soft. Then came his favorite excuse: "But I'm too dangerous."

"Robin…"

He kissed her forehead. "Not now, love. You need your sleep. I'm surprised I haven't tired you out."

"Well, someone thinks highly of himself." But her eyelids were growing heavy and she suspected some magic was at play. For a man who had been wary of magic, he had accepted his new powers readily and used them when he could. For now, she was too tired to argue. So she rested her head against his chest, letting him stroke her hair as sleep claimed her.

Then, like usual, he was gone in the morning. Another black rose lay on his pillow.

"Mom? Can we come in?" Henry interrupted her musing as he peeked his head in as he opened the door to her office a bit. "Or are you busy?"

Regina shook her head, smiling. "I'm never too busy for you two. Come on in."

Henry swung open the door and Roland raced in, hopping onto Regina's lap. He was dressed in swim trunks and a white t-shirt. "Is it time for my swim lessons?" he asked.

"Yes, it is. Are you excited?" Regina picked up her purse and her car keys. She set Roland on his feet before standing as well.

He nodded excitedly, taking her hand. But as they walked out, he grew sad. "I just wish Papa were here."

Regina's heart lurched. They had spent the past few months avoiding telling Roland the exact reason why his Papa had to go. She had settled for explaining that something had happened to him and he had to go away for a while to get better. It hadn't fully satisfied Roland but at least he had stopped asking questions.

"I know, sweetie. I wish he was here too." Regina squeezed his hand. "But it's important to remember he loves us and he's trying to get better. We need to leave him alone."

Roland stopped short and looked up at Regina with watery eyes. "Is Papa evil now?"

Her stomach turned, unsure how to answer his question. "What makes you say that, Roland?"

"I heard people talking at Granny's. They said Mr. Gold was no longer the Dark One and that Papa was. So does that mean he's evil?"

She gave Henry a look and he walked away, making an excuse about getting them drinks to bring to the pool. Regina picked up Roland and settled him back on her lap. It was time to have an overdue conversation with the young boy. "It's true that your Papa is the new Dark One. He did it to protect me."

"So he's a hero?"

"Yes, he is," Regina said. "And he's fighting to stay one."

Roland leaned his head against her shoulder. "Is that why he's staying away?"

"Yes, sweetie. He doesn't want to hurt us."

"Will he ever come home?"

Regina smiled. "We are going to make sure he does. Okay?"

Roland nodded, hopping off her lap. He held out his hand to her. "Can we go to my swimming lessons now?"

The three of them arrived at the pool, where other children were gathered for the lesson. Roland shrank back, clutching Regina's pant leg. She placed a comforting hand on his head. "Is something wrong?"

"What if they don't like me?" His voice sounded small and it shook.

Regina knelt down next to him. "You just be yourself and they will like you. Trust me."

She kissed his cheek and walked him over to the instructor, a young woman in a bright red one piece. The teacher smiled as she bent down to look Roland in the eyes. "And who are you?" she asked.

He glanced up at Regina, who nodded. Taking a deep breath, Roland looked back at the instructor. "Roland," he said.

"Nice to meet you, Roland. You ready to meet the others?" She held out her hand to him. Roland took her hand and nodded. "Good. And don't worry. Mom's going to be on the sidelines, watching. Right, Mom?"

Regina's stomach fluttered at being called Roland's mother. She nodded, though she was ready to correct the instructor when Roland smiled. "Great, Mom!" he chirped.

As Roland walked away, tears filled Regina's eyes. Henry approached her, frowning. "Mom? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. For right now, everything's fine." She wrapped her arms around Henry's shoulders, once again noting how tall he was getting. "Let's go get a good spot. One where Roland will see us."

Henry nodded and they found a good spot that gave them a good view of the pool. Roland sat at the edge of the pool, practicing kicking with the other children. He had a big smile on his face, enjoying the splashing. "It's good to see him smile," she said, mostly to herself.

"Yes, it is," Henry agreed.

Regina wrapped her arm around her son. "You know, you don't have to come here. You're a teenager. Go and have fun with your friends."

"I'm fine, Mom. Besides, no one's really caught up with me aging wise. Not many teens around here," Henry said. He looked over at Roland. "At least Roland will be able to make friends."

She grimaced. "I'm sorry, Henry. You should be able to have friends."

"Well, I think by the time we save Robin someone should've caught up to my age. I'll start then." Henry smiled.

"You should start now. Robin's my concern."

"Mom, Robin…" He frowned, squinting his eyes. "I think Robin's across the street."

She followed his line of sight. A hooded figure peeked out from behind a tree, watching the pool. Namely Roland as he got in the water to practice the arm movements with the instructor.

Regina would recognize him anywhere. It was Robin, spying on them. Robin, unable to stay away yet again.

"Henry, stay here. I'll be right back." She rose from her seat.

He caught her arm. "Mom, are you sure?"

Regina took his chin in her hand. "Yes. He's not going to hurt me."

She shuffled out of the row and hurried across the park toward where Robin had been standing. Parents and other park goers though kept crossing her path, forcing her to weave around them. Regina missed the days when crowds would part before her, everyone afraid to get in her way.

When Regina made it to the spot she had seen Robin, he was gone. He had been there though—a black rose rested against the tree. She picked it up and held it close, leaning against rough bark as she fought back her tears.

It took a few minutes for her to get her emotions under control. She tried to scan for any sign of Robin, hoping he hadn't gone too far. But it was all in vain and she returned to the pool deck, trying not show her dejection on her face.

Roland was bouncing, water flying off his curls. "Did you see me, Mom?"

"Yes, I did." Joy filled through her again. "You swam very well."

"Can we get some ice cream to celebrate?" Roland looked up at her, using his brown eyes and dimples to his full advantage.

Regina smiled. "Yes, we can. Let's go get some now."

"Yay!" Roland let her put on his t-shirt again and tie his shoes before they headed toward the ice cream parlor.

Henry knelt down in front of the boy. "You want a piggyback ride?"

Nodding, Roland jumped onto the older boy's back. Henry shifted him to accommodate his added weight and continued walking down the sidewalk with him.

"Wait! Henry, turn around." Regina pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the two boys. She set it as her background before smiling at them. "Alright, time for ice cream."

Emma flopped down on her bed back at the loft. It had been quiet lately in town, which allowed her to put most of her energy in trying to find Merlin. Once they did that, they could free Robin and put Regina's happy ending back on track. She had promised it to Regina after all. And since Regina was the closest thing she had to a best friend (even with her rebuilding her relationship with Lily), Emma desperately wanted to keep her promise.

"Emma? Is that you?" Mary Margaret's voice drifted up the stairs. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Mom. Just tired." Emma sat up, rubbing her face. She went downstairs, where her parents were waiting.

David frowned as he looked over his daughter. "Did you get any sleep last night?"

"I just had a long day, Dad." Emma sat down, slumping over the counter. "Do we have any coffee?"

Mary Margaret started a pot as a knock came to the door. David headed to answer it. "That's probably Henry."

Emma groaned. "I forgot I have him this weekend."

"Don't worry. Just smile and he'll never know." Mary Margaret handed her daughter a mug of steaming coffee.

The door closed and Henry took the seat next to Emma. He tilted his head. "Are you okay, Mom?"

"Yeah, kid. Just had a long day." Emma took a sip of her coffee and took a deep breath. "So how's Regina?"

Henry shrugged. "She's okay. Roland had his first day of swimming lessons, so that kept her distracted. He even called her Mom. She looked like she could walk on air."

Mary Margaret smiled. "I bet she did."

"How do you feel?" Emma asked. "You okay with Roland calling her 'mom'?"

"Yeah, of course. Since Mom gave him the potion erasing his memories of Zelena-as-Marian, she is the only mother figure he knows now. Besides, I like having a little brother." Henry smiled.

Emma hugged him. "As long as you're okay with it. And I guess it's good practice for when we free Robin. No doubt he'll marry your mother."

"Yeah," Henry said, growing serious. "About Robin…"

When his pause continued on for too long, Emma frowned. "What is it?"

"Well, we thought we saw Robin today. He hid on the edge of the park, watching Roland. Mom went after him but he was gone by the time she got there."

The adults exchanged looks before David ventured: "Alone?"

Henry nodded. "She felt safe."

"Well, it was a public place," Mary Margaret said.

"I think it's more than that." Henry hesitated before continuing on. "I think Robin's been visiting Mom at night."

The three started and Emma found herself wide awake now. "Why do you think that, Henry?"

"It's just…things sometimes get weird at night. Like, all the lights suddenly stop working but then everything is fine the next day. And Mom's been getting these black roses she keeps in a vase. Every time she looks at them, she smiles. The one she gets when she looks at or thinks of Robin."

Emma exchanged looks with her parents before turning back to her son. "Thank you, Henry. I'm glad you told us this. Now, Mom, is dinner ready? I'm starving!"

After dinner, the small family watched some movies before Emma sent her son off to bed. She watched and waited until she was certain he couldn't hear them any more before settling back on the couch with her parents. "Why do you think Regina didn't tell us about Robin?"

"She probably knew we'd disapprove of her being along with him," David replied. "Especially since we don't know how dangerous he is."

Mary Margaret sighed. "Regina trusts him. And we trust her. So shouldn't we trust him for her sake?"

"I don't think Robin will hurt Regina on purpose. But it's the accidents I'm worried about. Regina may not be thinking clearly." Emma rubbed her forehead. "We'll have to talk to her about it in the morning."

Though she was bone tired, Emma found herself wide awake in her room. She worried for Robin and for Regina. Her gut told her that Regina was playing with fire and the queen known for hurling her share of fireballs was going to get burned. Emma didn't want to see that—both for Regina's sake as well as Henry's. She prayed Regina would be able to see reason.

A/N: I want to thank everyone for their response to chapter one! Both here and originally on tumblr, it was overwhelming yet exciting to see everyone like this story. I hope you continue to do so!

I've decided to post this every other week, so I'm not rushing the chapters. So next chapter should be out on July 10th!

Thank you to willow1411, who made the cover for this story. You rock!

See everyone in two weeks!

-Mac