CHAPTER 2 – DAY 21, MID-AFTERNOON

The six decide to take a breather and leave the office. Regina and Robin go back to the Mills mansion and go to her study. "What are you hoping to find in here that we haven't gone over, Regina?" Robin questions, sounding utterly exhausted.

"I'm hoping to find something without the two idiots, Captain Guyliner, and Belle slowing me down," she retorts. Robin laughs, "No insulting name for Belle?" That makes Regina smile for the first time in weeks. "She hasn't entirely pissed me off yet."

Robin grins and sits down in front of a bookcase in Regina's study, browsing the titles inscribed on the spines of the books.

Regina notices Henry's book, Once Upon A Time, on her desk. She sinks into her chair and lets her hands caress the leather-bound storybook. She gingerly pages through the book, checking that she hadn't missed any important information about the Dark One's genealogy.

Regina runs a hand through her hair, sighing loud enough for Robin to notice and move closer to her. "Regina, you're driving yourself mad with all of this," he blurts out. Regina glares at him with fury igniting her eyes. Robin is startled by the scowl he's receiving, but goes on anyway. "I'm not saying that getting the darkness out of Emma isn't important. Of course it is. It's just that… well…"

"It's just that what, Robin?" Regina is standing now, her anger boiling over. "That her pirate should be doing this? Should be slaving himself over books and ancient scrolls that might have a way to bring his beloved Swan back?" she slams her hands on the wooden desk under her, effectively silencing the outlaw across from her. Regina takes a deep breath, her gaze softening, "He doesn't even know where to look," she grumbles.

It almost sounds pleading to Robin, as if she's saying, "I'm the only one who has the sense to save her. Let me do it."

He presses on, "And you do? Regina, I understand how much Emma means to you. She bloody well saved your life. I get you feel like you now need to save her, but it doesn't just have to be you. We're all here to help you, love. Trust me." He puts his hand on her cheek and smiles. Regina leans her forehead on his and closes her eyes. She enjoys this moment of closeness and calm with her love, her soul mate.

But all enjoyment of the moment ceases when a voice hisses, "He has no idea how much I mean to you."

Regina jumps, startled by the voice. Robin worriedly searches her eyes and fervently asks, "Regina? Love, what's wrong?" She shakes her head and answers, "I… I thought I heard someone." "I'll go check the front door," he suggests.

Regina doesn't have the energy to tell him that it wasn't someone outside; it was someone in her head.

He kisses her forehead and leaves the room. As soon as he steps out of the room, the study's doors swing closed and lock, trapping Regina inside the room. The lights go out and Regina feels the temperature of the room turn ice cold.

"You can't save me," the voice is back, but it's echoing around the room, making it impossible for Regina to point out where it's coming from. She can also hear Robin trying desperately to open the doors to the study.

"I don't know what makes you think there is any hope," the voice hisses at her again, now sounding more familiar. "Just give up, Regina. Give in to the darkness." The echoes go from bouncing all over the room to a single point behind Regina.

"Give in to me." She could swear she felt hot breath on her neck and hands on her waist. Regina's eyelids grow heavy all of a sudden and she leans in to the menacing, yet comforting, presence behind her. "Emma…" she whispers. Regina turns around and finds no one behind her.

"REGINA!" Robin yells from the opposite side of the study's doors. Regina magically unlocks the doors with a wave of her hand and Robin stumbles in the room. "My love, are you alright? What happened?" he questions, bringing Regina into his arms. "I'm fine, Robin. I'm fine," she mumbles into his shoulder.

"Like hell you are. What just happened in here?" he demands. If this were anyone else, Regina would have turned him into dust. "How dare he talk to you that way, my Queen," the voice chides. She shakes the voice off and answers him, "It was Emma. She's just playing with us, distracting us from what we have to do."

"How is she doing that? Is it some new type of magic?"

"I don't know. I suppose the Dark One's powers allow her to do some…interesting things."

"We'll figure it out, Regina," Robin encourages her. "We can save her."

Tears accumulate in Regina's eyes. As she drops her head down on Robin's shoulder again, she murmurs, "I don't think she wants to be saved."

Across town, sitting at her kitchen table, the Dark One puts the object back in its box, softly laughing. "Oh, Regina," she mumbles. "I didn't think it would be so easy to manipulate you." She rises from the table and puts the box in a cabinet above the sink. "What's your big plan now, oh mysterious Dark One?"

"Now, this is where you come in, my pet," the Dark One purrs to the woman across the room. "Finally," the woman drawled. "What will you have me do, my mistress?" The Dark One backed the woman up against the kitchen counter, their lips almost touching. "Show me how much you want to fuck over the thief and the queen," she growls.

Zelena chuckles. "Oh yes, Dark One."

hey everyone! once again, thanks for reading and commenting. love you all so very much! super big shout out to my girl, kaiti, for helping me write this chapter! (she ships outlaw queen but loves swan queen hella)

-juju :)