Enjoy, my loves. I own nothing but the mistakes, and I'm sure there are some since I have no beta. But enjoy, nonetheless.


Despite the text that Regina had received the day Robin Locksley entered her life, she hasn't heard from him in three days. Something within her makes her want to call or text, especially because she hasn't seen much of Marian either. It is very uncommon for a spirit to reach out for help and then just simply disappear.

What if something has happened?

"Regina?" Mary Margaret coos softly, placing her hand gently on her shoulder. Regina is sitting on the chair at her desk, and the hand interrupts her train of thought and she cranes her head upward to look up to Mary Margaret.

"Sorry, I got lost in a moment there," Regina dismisses as she starts to shuffle papers aimlessly around on her desk.

"No, that wasn't just being lost. What's going on in there?" Mary Margaret asks, leaning on Regina's desk and playfully tapping her index finger on Regina's forehead.

Groaning, but with a smile, Regina pulls her head away, "I was thinking about Robin," Regina tells her reluctantly, but does it anyway because she knows Mary Margaret can never leave anything alone.

"Robin? As in good looking Englishman from Monday? With the dimples? And the adorable son-"

"And the dead wife?" Regina laughs, hoping to stop the teenage like listing of his qualities, "I just… I know what he's going through and I'm worried about him."

"Haven't you heard from him? Or her?" Mary Margaret folds her arms, looking at Regina intently for an answer.

"No," Regina shakes her head, "He sent me a text suggesting coffee, I accepted, and that's it. I haven't heard from him since."

"Why don't you text him?" Mary Margaret offers with a raise of her eyebrow as if Regina should have thought of it herself.

Scoffing and picking up a case file from her desk, Regina stands, "He needs to approach me, I can't get too involved, you know that."

"I do," Mary Margaret nods as she and Regina start walking down the hallways through the clinic, heading passed other nurses and patients, "But, maybe it would ease your mind?"

Regina considers it for a second, and then out of nowhere Marian appears in front of her, "Regina!"

"Holy shit!" Regina yelps loudly in fright, hunching over, as if to brace for an impact, with her hand on her heart. People in the hallway are staring at her, Mary Margaret's face painted with confusion as she rubs her hand on Regina's back, "Marian." Regina whispers to Mary Margaret.

"Oh," Mary Margaret responds not fully understanding…and then it hits and she jumps into action, "Oh! Nothing to see here, folks," Mary Margaret tries to ease the faces looking at Regina as she straightens herself up. Regina glares at Mary Margaret because she is doing very little to help, everyone is still looking at Regina like she's crazy, "Cramps!" Mary Margaret yells without thinking, "Just cramps, nothing to worry about, move along, people."

"Cramps?" Regina scowls in a whisper, her eyes scrunching, "That's the best you could do?"

"Well, excuse me for being thrown into this ghost situation," Mary Margaret defends, "Go into this room with her," she says, opening the nearest empty exam room.

Regina enters, muttering a quiet thank you while still slightly red from embarrassment, Marian following behind closely. Regina slams the door shut and turns angrily to face her, "Are you completely insane?" She scolds.

Marian starts giggling softly, bringing her fingers to cover her mouth, "I'm sorry, but I needed to see you."

"Well, new rule. Only creep up on me when I'm alone," Marian smirks at Regina and her reaction, "Actually, no," Regina decides, "Don't creep up on me at all. Ever."

"Deal." Marian says, waiting as Regina sits on the examination bed to give her a moment to collect herself, "You haven't called Robin."

Regina sighs and tries her hardest not to roll her eyes, "He hasn't called me either," she explains, "If I approach him, it's going to be weird. On top of that, Robin needs to decide to seek help on his own terms. I can't force him."

Marian sighs, frustrated, "I know. But, he wants to. He really does. He's almost called you a couple of times, but he's afraid… He's worried that he's going to burden you," Marian's face drops with worry and Regina suddenly feels for her, "I've tried to get him to call. I've yelled it at him. Do you know what it's like to scream at the man you love and have him not even notice?"

Yes she thinks, but shakes her head to rid the thought. "I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through," Regina says sincerely, "But, Robin needs to make the first step." Marian releases a heavy, defeated sigh, her shoulders raising on the intake of breath and shrugging down violently while she exhales. Regina frowns and stands, coming eye to eye with Marian, "This doesn't happen overnight, Marian."

"I know," Marian whispers, tears glistening in her eyes, "I just want them to be okay."

"They will be. I will do everything in my power to make sure of that." Regina promises, her eyes giving Marian the sincerity that she needs.

Marian nods and thanks Regina, "I should probably go and check on them."

"Of course. Just be patient," Regina smiles, a small and supportive smile, and then Marian disappears from sight, leaving Regina alone in the exam room. She rubs her forehead with the back of her hand and sits down again.

What has she gotten herself into? Not only is she doing something that she had put to rest years ago, but now she's making promises that she doesn't know she can keep. If anything happens to this family, she is going to have one really pissed off spirit on her hands… and that can't happen again, not after Zelena.

"Hey," Mary Margaret stage whispers through the door, knocking quietly, "Everything okay in there?"

"You can come in," Regina calls out, standing and walking towards the door. Mary Margaret opens it and sticks her head inside.

"You okay?"

"No." Regina deadpans, brushing her hand through her hair, "But, I will be. Is that a case for me?" Regina asks, pointing the the blue folder in Mary Margaret's hand.

With a shrug, Mary Margaret hands the folder to Regina, "It's yours if you want it."


The rest of her day is relatively normal and she keeps herself busy with work to stop her mind from wandering to the Locksley family. It works, mostly, but once she is at home, without any significant distraction, she thinks of the widowed father and his son.

"Mom, can you check my last answer here?" Henry asks from the kitchen table in the centre of the room, it's covered recklessly in notebooks and textbooks from Henry's backpack.

"Of course I can," Regina smiles, moving from the stove where she is cooking dinner to glance over his shoulder, "What are you working on?"

"Biology," he moans, dropping his pencil next to his work book, "I don't know how you chose to study this, Mom."

Placing a hand on his head, she chuckles, "It got me a job that I love."

He rolls his eyes as Regina leans over his shoulder to read what he has written. Once finished, she hums in pride and kisses his cheek, "Perfect. You've been studying."

"Well, you did tell me to get my grades up," Henry says as he smiles happily knowing that he's pleased Regina, "I'm working really hard."

"I can see that, honey," Regina smiles as she walks back to the stove. She's stirring the bubbling, tomatoey goodness that is about to become their pasta dinner, but it is interrupted by her phone ringing. She places the wooden spoon she is using to the left of the stove, wipes her hands on the nearest dish towel, and reaches into the back pocket of her jeans to fish out her phone.

Robin Locksley.

His name is bright on her screen as the melodic ringing continues. She doesn't know why, but her lips tip upward into a grin before answering, perhaps it's jumpy telling Henry that she'll be right back and to keep and eye on the simmering sauce.

She shuffles into her bedroom and answers the phone, "Hello?"

"Hello, Regina. It's Robin Locksley, I hope you don't mind that I called?"

"Of course not. Is everything okay? How's Roland?" Regina asks, sitting down on the edge of her bed.

"Yes, everything is fine," he chuckles, "And Roland is much better, thank you."

"That's good," Regina answers and waits for him to continue. He doesn't and they suffer from a moment of awkward silence, "What could I do for you?" Regina asks, startling him.

"Right, sorry," he mutters, "I, um… I was wondering if you'd like to meet for that coffee? Maybe tomorrow if you're free?"

"I would love to meet for coffee, Robin, but tomorrow is an awkward day for me. Any weekday is difficult because of my job."

"Oh," he sighs, sadly.

"But, if you're free in the evening, we could meet for a late coffee?" She offers instead.

"Or a drink?" Robin laughs, partly joking but with a hint of seriousness.

She laughs with him, "I suppose that works too."

"Really?" He asks with genuine surprise in his voice that makes her laugh again.

"Yes, really."

"Alright," he says and Regina can hear the smile on his face, "I'll find someone to watch Roland. Do you have anywhere in mind?"

"I do, actually. I'll text you the address. We can meet at eight?"

"Perfect. I'm looking forward it."

"Great. Have a good night, Robin."

"And you, milady."


She's been having this strange dream for years. And it's always the same. Strong hands caressing her body, under her shirt, fingertips squeezing on her ribs, driving her wild. Hot, wet lips grazing up her neck, while she throws her head back intensely. They never go very far physically, it's always just a session of passionate touching and kisses, but it always has her waking with a racing heart and a glistening of sweat over her entire body.

The man in her dream doesn't have a face, doesn't have a name. All she can see are his hands, his arms… and that blasted tattoo. That dark lion tattoo that graces the arm of the mysterious man has confused her since the first night she had this dream.

Regina's tried so many times to decipher the clues that the dream leaves, even resorting to googling to find the tattoo, but nothing has ever come of it. And the only person who even knows about these dreams is Emma.

And, thank God it's Emma who wakes her from this particular episode.

"Rise and shine, sleepy head," Emma whispers, drawing Regina out of her…incredibly hot dream. Regina's eyes dart open and she instantly clears her throat.

"Emma," she breathes, wiping her brow and sitting up on the couch that she had fallen asleep on.

"Well, I don't need to ask you if you were having a nice dream," Emma teases as she watches Regina detangle herself from the blanket she was wrapped in.

"Stop," Regina sighs, "Where's Henry?" She asks, concerned and looking around for him.

"He came over when you fell asleep, you want to talk about it?" Emma asks with raised eyebrows.

"There's nothing to talk about. Just the same dream." Regina dismisses, heading into the kitchen for a glass of water.

"So, the usual then? Faceless man, sexiness, lips cascading up your-"

"Yes, Emma. The usual," Regina groans, begging her to stop.

Emma laughs as Regina pours herself a glass, "Like I always say, it could be a lot worse. It could be a terrorising nightmare."

After a few huge gulps of water, Regina nods tentatively, "Perhaps…" She sips a few more times, sighing into the glass as her thirst is quenched, "I just wish I knew why."

"Regina," Emma chuckles, "Forgive me for being crass, but you're having a recurring erotic dream. I think your subconscious is encouraging you to go out and… y'know," Emma makes some odd hand gesture that has Regina scrunching her nose is disgust.

Regina laughs nervously, "Cute, Emma. Real cute. But, no. You know my dreams mean more than that."

"Sweetheart, I think you are reading way too much into this one," Emma suggests, leaning on a nearby counter.

"No," Regina tells her seriously, "With my… ability. My dreams always mean something. Especially the ones that are recurring."

"Alright," Emma sighs, admitting defeat, "However, Henry did mention something about you meeting a man tonight," She wags her eyebrows teasingly at Regina.

"Ah, I'm afraid you are sorely mistaken with your assumption," Regina dismisses while giggling, popping her now empty glass into the dishwasher, "I met someone at work and I bumped into his wife-"

"You're going out with a married man?" Emma bites with wide eyes.

"What?" Regina spins to face Emma, "God, no! His wife is dead. She talked to me and asked me to help her family, so…"

Emma suddenly looks upset, "You're talking to spirits again?" She asks, worry present, "And you didn't tell me?"

Regina sighs, and does feel guilty for not mentioning it to her sooner. Emma is one of the main reasons she survived the most difficult spirit she has ever faced, "I'm sorry, Emma. I should have mentioned it. It's just a little crazy for me and I'm still trying to wrap my own head around it."

"It's not like Zelena again, right?" Emma asks, walking to stand next to Regina and staring right into her eyes, "Because she was dead set on ruining your life, and she just disappeared. We don't know if she could come back. The number of times I had to worry about you was-"

"It's not like Zelena," Regina comforts, "I promise."

Luckily, Emma is incredibly understanding and smiles supportively, "You'll let me know if there's anything I can do?"

"Always," Regina responds almost instantly, "I wasn't trying to hide it from you," she ensures, "This is all just happening really quickly, and I'm terribly rusty; I have no idea what I'm doing."

Emma shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly, "You always figure it out." Regina smiles gratefully, "So, where are you both meeting?"

"The Rabbit Hole," Regina tells her, pushing off the counter after looking at her watch, "And, I should probably get ready for that."

"Alright, well, good luck?" Emma laughs, "But, if anything goes down, you better call me."


Regina has been sitting at the bar for almost ten minutes alone. She's sitting quietly, trying not to make any sort of eye contact with the other patrons, twisting the stem of the glass that holds her drink.

After settling for jeans and a relatively plain purple shirt, she left her apartment early, leaving Henry in Emma's care for the evening. Usually, she likes to dress up when she goes out, but this situation is very different, and much, much more casual. And, her lack of dress and overly exotic makeup is shielding her from much unwanted attention from the lonely men in the bar - not all of them, but enough to make her feel more comfortable.

Regina hasn't been to The Rabbit Hole in a long time, she doesn't even really know why she suggested this place. She and Daniel used to frequent this bar when Regina was doing her paramedic training, so it holds a lot of great memories for her… and negative, unfortunately.

As she sits, staring at her drink, her mind wanders to Zelena. Why? Maybe it was because Emma brought her up…Honestly, she doesn't know why, but it does nonetheless.


Regina is paralysed. She was staring at her apartment, engulfed in flames, and she is paralysed in fear.

Henry.

Her baby, barely six months old, was still trapped inside. She couldn't reach him before firefighters pulled her outside to safety. She screamed for Henry, she screamed at them to let her go as she fought the strong body dragging her outside.

"We'll get him," the firefighter told her outside, "I promise you, Ma'am. We will get your son."

That's when she froze. She nodded her head stoically and watched fearfully as put her son's life in someone else's hands. It all just happened so fast. One second, she was in the kitchen to get a glass of water and the next thing she knew, their entire hallway was filled with red flames.

She didn't have time to think and ran towards them, only Henry on her mind, but has to stop. There's no way through… Every time she thought she had found a path through, it was like the fire moved. Like it was being instructed by an unknown source. She panicked, but then thanked the high heavens when firefighters burst through the front door.

She just stood outside, feeling hopeless, worrying that she was about to lose the love of her life for the second time. Neighbours and people passing by had gathered and watched as her world crumbled and burned.

"Regina!" A voice called out among the sound of sirens in the street. Emma reached her quickly, standing right in front of Regina, putting her hands on Regina's shoulders. "Regina, what the hell happened?" Emma asked over the commotion. Regina doesn't respond. She hasn't even acknowledged Emma's presence and Emma recognised it as shock right away, "Regina!" Emma yelled at her, shaking her.

Emma's hands grasped Regina's face and forced her eyes to look away from the flames, and that's when she noticed her friend in front of her, "Emma, what are you doing here?" she whispered, her eyes filled with pain.

"We got the call. I heard your address and I got us here and soon as I could," Regina looked Emma up and down, noticing her paramedic uniform, "Regina. What happened? Where…Where's Henry?" Emma's voice was drenched in worry and Regina started to cry as the full weight of what was happening fell to her shoulders.

"He's still inside," she said in between sobs, "I tried to get to him, but I couldn't…It's like the flames didn't want me to."

Emma rubbed Regina's arms, and looked over at her shoulder at the chaos, "They'll get him, Regina," Emma cleared her throat before Regina noticed her worry, "What happened?" Emma asked again.

"I don't know," Regina cried, "I don't-"

And then she heard it. A high pitched maniacal laugh that seemed to echo inside her head. Regina looked around the scene frantically for the source.

"Regina, what's going on?" Emma asked as she watched her friend move her head around, circling the crowd.

"Didn't you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

And there it was again, the laugh, and that's when Regina see's her. Standing in the crowd as she laughed at Regina's terror, Zelena's eyes were watching her intently.

"Zelena," Regina breathed while walking backward in fright, colliding with Emma on the way, the faces of strangers watching her every move, "Emma, it was Zelena," Regina whispered, her eyes bulging in horror.

"Zelena?" Emma asked, looking around the crowd, "Wait, the woman who died in the accident? Daniel's accident?"

"She did this. She said she'd make me pay, she said she would make my life hell, she's going to kill my son, she-"

"Stop." Emma yelled, halting Regina mid sentence, "You see her right now?" Emma asked, hoping to garner some more understanding.

Regina was shaking, visibly so, and shook her head after looking around quickly, "No. But I did. She was here."

Any further conversation was halted as firefighters started leaving the building, "We've got him," one firefighter yelled and Regina crouched down, bending her knees, in relief when she saw a man carrying her son safely outside.

"I need a paramedic over here!"

Emma jumped into action, running over to her Godson and doing what she needed to, Regina remained in her crouched position; she knew that Henry needed Emma's expertise in this moment and Regina knew that she would only be in the way.

When Regina heard Henry cry, she bowed her head into her lap and laughed sadly and the terrified knots in her stomach began to dissipate. Regina stood up straight with a relieved smile on her face that was soon replaced with a face stricken with terror as she stood face to face with the spirit that has plagued her nightmares.

"Oops," Zelena laughed with a theatrical shrug of her shoulders and a grin that made Regina want to physically attack her.

"Why?" Regina asked with gritted teeth, anger evident on her face. She didn't care if anyone watching her thought she was talking to herself; she was pissed off. "Why would you go after my son?"

"You deserve anything that comes your way and believe me, I'll deliver. You could have saved me and you didn't… and I will never let you forget it. This is just the beginning. See you soon," Zelena taunted as she disappeared into thin air leaving Regina with a whole new level of solicitude.


"Regina?"

She jumps, knocking over the drink that was in front of her, and she apologies profusely to the bartender who has jumped into action with a towel.

"I'm sorry," Robin apologises, sitting carefully on the barstool to her left, "I didn't mean to startle you."

"No," Regina dismisses with a wave of her hand, "I was in another world for a minute," a small giggle bubbles from her throat as her cheeks turn rosy pink.

Robin nods his head, "Can I at least replace your drink?" He offers, indicating to the bar with a hand.

"Apple martini," she tells him, smiling. He orders her drink quickly, along with a lager for himself. When the bartender sets their drinks in front of them, Regina thanks both the bartender and Robin and sips the sweet and burning liquid slowly, humming as it travelled to her stomach.

"So," Regina starts, "How are you?"

Robin leans her elbows in the edge of the bar, turning his head to look at her, "I'm well, thank you. What about yourself?"

"I'm great," she smiles, "And Roland?"

"Much better, thank you. Those antibiotics worked quite the charm."

Regina grins, "I've heard as such."

"Have you now?" He asks, leaning closer to her, playing along.

"Perks of being a nurse," she whispers, with a teasing smirk, as if she is relaying a deep dark secret. Why is she flirting with this man? She berates herself, composing her body and clearing her throat, "Really, how have you been? I was surprised to hear from you," She asks with genuine curiosity.

"Honestly?' He asks, sipping his drink, looking over to see her nod, "I've had better weeks. Dealing with Roland being really sick was…difficult. It was the first time he'd really been unwell without Marian, uh, my wife… Marian. I fear that neither of us handled it very well."

"The first illness alone is difficult," Robin's eyes scrunching as if to ask her how she knew, "I have a son, the absolute love of my life," Regina beams.

"Ah," Robin smiles, "How old?"

"Twelve, almost thirteen," she rolls her eyes as she imitates her boy, "Henry."

"Lovely name; strong."

She smiles at that, and they spend a while discussing their sons; the things their sons like to do, funny stories of their earlier years. They share a laugh at the misfortune of their children; when Henry slipped into the pool in front of his first crush, when Roland spilled an entire carton of milk on the floor while trying to surprise Marian with breakfast. They even talk about their scariest moments as parents…The time Henry locked himself in the bathroom and Regina couldn't get him out (perhaps not the scariest for Regina, but she very well couldn't explain how a ghost terrorised them for years), or when Roland fell down a flight of stairs.

Regina is strangely comforted to hear that even families with two parents at home experienced similar struggles. Robin does talk about his wife a lot, the conversation turning to Marian quite frequently and Regina's heart aches as she hears how wonderful of a mother Marian was. Regina's heart aches for Roland.

"You mentioned Daniel the other night? His father?"

Regina's lips curve downward, she nods, "Yes, he passed before Henry was born."

"I'm sorry," Robin offers, despite knowing how little it actually helps, "I didn't mean to pry."

"You didn't," she sniffles slightly, "But, we are here to talk about you."

Robin notices her insistence to change the subject and is more than happy to offer her as such, "Yes, I suppose we are. I can't thank you enough for meeting with me. I really just needed something normal, you know? An evening away from everything."

Regina understands that wholeheartedly. After Daniel's accident all she wanted was normalcy, "Well, let's work on that, shall we? I officially know more about your son than I do you. Tell me about yourself."

He grins at her, "I'm a complex being, Regina, I'm afraid I don't even know where to start," Robin aims for the attention of the bartender with his hand and indicates for another round of drinks.

She finishes her drink in anticipation for the next one, and after the large gulp, she looks to him, "What do you do for a living? Why don't we start there?"

"High school teacher. English."

She purses her lips, amusement on her face, "I wasn't expecting that," she admits as her second drink is placed in front of her.

"Is that so?" Robin asks with smirk, "Dare I ask why?"

"You just seem more… outdoorsy. The landscaper, contractor type."

A hearty laugh bubbles from his torso, "Thank you?"

"You're welcome," she chuckles, and then she notices how his face falls, looking a little blue, "What is it?"

"I haven't been to work in almost nine months. I guess I just didn't realise how much I missed it," Robin explains, lifting his bitter drink to his lips again.

Regina sighs sadly for him, "Do you feel comfortable telling me what happened to Marian?"

He shakes his head, tears forming and she instantly reaches for his hand, "It's not you, but I really don't think I can," he mutters and she tells him that it's okay, "I want to tell you. I don't know why, but there's something about you that makes me want to tell you everything. I just can't right now."

"I couldn't talk about what happened to Daniel for a long, long time," she tells him; it's the complete truth and she hopes that it eases what he is feeling, "Just know, that whenever you feel like you are ready, I'm here."

He squeezes the hand that she placed into his, "Thank you. I'm really glad I decided to call you."

"What made you? Call, I mean?" She asks,

Robin laughs and gulps the last mouthful of his drink, "I fear if I tell you, you may think I'm crazy."

She shrugs her shoulders and challenges, "Try me."

"Uh," Robin rubs the back of his neck nervously, "There was just this voice in my head… screaming at me to pick up the phone and call you," Regina bows her head as he explains, staring from her drink to his hands, "It's almost like it was…"

He stops but she knows exactly what he wants to say, "It's almost as if it were who?"

Nervously, he looks at her face as she offers encouragement with her eyes, and with a deep breath he answers, "Marian…"

"Maybe she was trying to get through to you," Regina offers with a genuine smile, but it quickly fades when he scoffs.

"Don't be ridiculous," he murmurs comically, "Please don't feel like you have to stand by my unfathomable theories because of my situation."

His reaction isn't new. In all honesty, it is a relatively normal reaction. But, it hurts her slightly. She likes this man and it pains her to know that when the truth finally comes out it isn't going to be easy for him to swallow; not that it should be.

She's taken aback when he mumbles something about being warm and he starts to remove a layer. And then she see's it. He is taking off his sweater and she see's it. It. The tattoo in her dream. She doesn't know what to do, she's just staring at his arm like it was her lifeline.

He notices her staring, and rubs his hand over the tattoo, "I've had it since I was eighteen," he explains, not that she is really listening, "Regina?"

"I have to go," she mumbles quietly, gathering her things, "I'm sorry, I just remembered I… I have to go."

"That's quite alright," He's standing with her, putting on her jacket, "Let me walk you home,"

"No!" She yells a little too forcefully, "Sorry, I'll be fine. Thank you, but I just need to get home."

Robin frowns, but nods his head, "Alright," he agrees, and then she is gone. And he can't help but think she is running from him. He pulls his sleeve up and looks down at the tattoo that changed the entire demeanour of their evening and sighs, leaving the bar to relieve his babysitter of her duties.


Regina's mind is racing as she walks home quickly. What does this mean? It could mean nothing, but that's highly unlikely. Regina's dreams have always been significant; sometimes spirits communicate through her dreams, sometimes she has been sent clues about future events.

In other words, if she dreams it, it's important. And now she needs to figure out its significance. Is Robin in danger? Or is she in danger? She did feel an oddly strong connection to him when they first met, why else would she have been so receptive to help Marian? Either way, she has to figure it out…and as she climbs the stairs to Emma's apartment she hopes that she doesn't have the dream again tonight. Especially since there is officially a face and and name to go with the tattooed arm attached to the hands that drive her wild.


Well, there ya have it. Please review and let me know what you think! I'm excited for this story to really take off - especially now with these dreams about to get much more interesting ;)

Much love to my TrashGirlzBand who keep me motivated and happy! Next chapter coming soon, but TakeMeHome will be updated first!

Twitter: RegalPixieDust