CHAPTER 2
Minutes pass. Nothing happens.
When I broke the hug and took a step away from Robin, I started thinking of a way to fix this. For a moment, I even thought that maybe Robin, Roland and I could start a new life in this world. We could've had a normal life, without magic and people that always try to kill us. We could've had the chance to start over, a real fresh start this time, but then I thought about Henry and Robin's daughter. I couldn't live without my son, I was ready to bury my own heart in the Enchanted Forest instead of feeling his loss when, to save the town from Peter Pan's curse, I had to give up the thing I loved most. And that baby girl deserves to grow up with her father by her side, both her parents actually. Despite the fact that my sister didn't believe me when I told the truth about Hades, doesn't mean Zelena has to suffer the same pain my mother did when she abandoned her. So, I put aside that idea.
'Regina?' Robin says, distracting me from my thoughts. I turn to him and I can see a sparkle in his eyes. 'When you and Emma came to New York, we all got back in Storybrooke thanks to that.. thing..'
'The Apprentice's Scroll.' I finish his sentence and I already know his point.
'Yes. That one. We can use it.' He says as I silently shake my head.
'It's not the Apprentice's Scroll I'm worried about. I'm sure it could bring us back but..'
'But what?'
'I'm worried about you!' I say impulsively.
'Marian.. I mean, Zelena walked through that line and she was fine. No consequences of the freezing spell. Why this time is different?'
'I don't know, Robin. You left Storybrooke for months!' My heart aches thinking of all those empty days without him and Roland. Every morning, I woke up hoping that day was the day I could find a way to bring them back, to be in Robin's arms again. But every night, I went to bed with more sadness in my heart than the night before. 'That spell.. the Snow Queen's spell was powerful, I'm not denying it, but it could've been broken by the true love's kiss.. or an act of true love, whatever..'
Robin's words are still imprinted in my head. There's a reason why that kiss didn't work and it's not what everyone thinks. I'm in love with someone else.
'But this? This is different. We are talking about a God and you heard Hades – no Underworld, no moving on..' I say quoting his exact words. 'We don't even know what effect that crystal could've had on your body.. or even on your soul.' I take a step closer and gently place my hand on Robin's chest. I can feel the beats of his heart against the palm of my hand. 'I don't want to take any risk, not when your life is in danger.' I know this isn't exactly the right moment, but I move closer and kiss him. A short but full of meaning kiss. Our foreheads meet halfway when our lips break apart.
I close my eyes and none of us said anything for the next minute or so. I never appreciated a moment alone with him like this one. As much as I want to forget what happened in my office, I can't. I can still see the lighting strikes inside Robin's chest, just few steps in front of me. It just feel good to know that he's still here with me, alive.
'Is there anything you can do here?' He says breaking the silent. I pull my head back to look at him.
'This is called the world without magic for a reason, and without magic I'm.. I'm just a normal person.'
'That's not true.' He rises his left hand and gently cups my cheek. 'You created Storybrooke and you lived there, without magic, for years.'
'There wasn't a God that was trying to take over the entire town and threatening to kill everybody.' Life was so much easier back then. I finally had my revenge, Snow White and Prince Charming's happy ending was far gone and I had my son. No magic, no threats. Then Emma Swan showed up and from that day on my life changed completely. But my decisions, my mistakes, my need for revenge got me the chance to be a mother, to have a real family that loves me and one of the best men in every land. If I had the chance to come back and change something, I'd probably listen to Tinker Bell and I'd meet Robin in that tavern, preventing years of pain and suffering.
'You're missing my point. You don't need magic to be the extraordinary woman I fell in love with.' I spontaneously smile at his words. 'You found a way to defeat Zelena when she had your heart and she was nothing but wicked. I know you can fix this.'
'I wish I was as sure as you.' I say taking a deep breath.
'You just need to believe in yourself.'
'It's more than that.' I take a step back and his hand caresses my cheek as it falls down. I start walking back and forth. 'There's not much I can do from here. I don't know even know what Hades used to –' I stop right before to say that word, biting my tongue. 'I can't be helpful from here.'
'Then go back.' It takes me a moment to realize what he wanted to mean with those words. I turn to him, hoping I got it wrong. 'I agree with you, it's safer for me to stay here, but you can go back and –'
'No! I won't leave you.' I interrupt him.
'Regina, listen. You go back, defeat Hades then we will find a way to save me.'
'There has to be another way because I'm not coming back without you.'
Why he can't accept it? I spent months without him because of my sister. I was forced to let him go then, but now I am not and I choose to stay with him. Why he can't see how much I need him? How much I love him? Love, a feeling I thought I was denied to have. I know Henry loves me, he proved me so many times but I never thought I could feel this kind of love for a man. After I lost Daniel, I locked my heart and forced myself to not feel that way ever again. It was too painful. But, as they say, you can't control your heart so I fell for Graham few years ago. I admit, it was just sex, or at least I wanted to, but when I found out he had feelings for Emma, I acted impulsively. After him, I didn't feel this urge to have a man besides me, especially because fighting between Mr. Gold and then his father, Peter Pan, I didn't have much time. When I met Robin, back in the Enchanted Forest was just like a breath of fresh air. I honestly don't know what really got me about him, maybe the fact that he saved my life without even knowing me or maybe his boldness. Anyway, he definitely found his way to win my heart and now it belongs to him.
'What about Roland, Henry and my daughter? My daughter is still with Zelena.' He says with a worried tone.
'She's gonna be fine, Robin.' I try to comfort him, but my heart aches. When Hades tried to kill Robin, I only thought about him and his soul that I forgot that his daughter was in my office too.
'We don't know that.'
I walk toward him. 'If there is someone safe in Storybrooke are Zelena and your daughter. Hades has feelings for my sister and as long as she's on his side, he'd never hurt her or the baby.' I say, but my mind is creating connections itself. Why I didn't realize that sooner?
'What are you thinking?'
'What if Hades and Rumple are more alike than we ever thought?' Robin looks a bit confused. 'They both would always choose power over love, because love is a weakness for people like them. And if the dagger is the only thing that could kill Rumple, maybe..'
'That crystal could be the only thing that could kill Hades.' Robin finishes my sentences.
'Exactly.' I smile. Not because maybe I found a way to kill a God, but because I love the way Robin can easily read my mind most of the times.
'See? You don't need magic to be extraordinary.'
I wish I could kiss him again, and again, but my phone rings in the pocket of my coat. Apparently I'm an extraordinary person who didn't think of using her cell phone to call the rest of her family. Genius.
'Hello?'
'Mum? Mum, are you okay? Where are you?' Henry's voice freezes the blood in my veins.
'I'm fine, Henry, I'm fine. And I'm.. mm.. at the town line.'
'What? What are you doing there?' It's not Henry's voice this time. Snow sounded shocked. Henry must have the speaker on.
'Hades. He tried to kill Robin and the only idea that came up was to bring him outside Storybrooke.' I turn on the speaker too, so that Robin could hear everything.
'Is he..' I can hear from his voice that my son is worried.
'No, boy. I'm alive, thanks to your mom.' He speaks up, as he silently stretches his arm and holds my free hand.
'Wait, are you both outside Storybrooke?' Emma askes.
'Yes, and we're not coming back until we're sure Robin's life isn't in danger.' I say before Robin could say anything.
'Oh okay. So, thanks to Killian we know how to defeat Hades.'
'You're welcome.'
I'm even more that surprised now. I'm shocked. I could recognize that accent anywhere and I'm pretty sure it was Hook's voice. How is that possible? We left him in the Underworld because there was no way to bring him back.
'Hook?' Robin is surprised too.
'Yes, mate. I'm back. Safe and sound..' I don't need to stand in front of him to know that he's smirking right now. 'But let's stay focus on Hades for now.' Killian says.
'The pirate is right. Emma?' She's the savior after all. 'Hades used a sort of a crystal to attack us. I think it works like the dagger for a Dark One.'
'Yes. It's the Olympian Crystal. And it's our only chance to kill Hades.'
I knew it!
I hear a loud noise coming from the phone. Robin and I turn to each other in sync.
'Where is she? Where is my sister?'
'Why? Are you here to finish Hades' job?' Henry is the first one to speak up against Zelena.
'I heard what Hades said to her and I saw what happened. I just need to know she's okay.' It's the second time I hear Zelena using that tone of voice. The first time was in the Underworld when she gave up on her daughter to protect her from Hades. She was terribly sorry to let her baby girl go, but it was the only way to keep her alive. And now the same worried tone.
'You haven't replied to Henry's question yet.' I speak up with a rude tone of voice. I know it's not her fault that Robin almost died, but I'm still mad that she chose to believe Hades instead of me.
'Of course not! I came here to tell you that I'm on your side. I'm sorry, Regina. I should've listened to you.' I bite my tongue, forcing myself not to say anything. 'Where are you?'
'They will tell you everything but now, Emma, can you please?'
Few noises follow my request before Emma takes few steps away from the others. 'What?'
'I need you to do something for me. I know you would protect Henry with your life it was necessary but I need you to look out for Roland and Robin's daughter too. I would never forgive myself if something happens to them.'
Few years ago, I'd have never asked her something like that. To be honest, I'd have never asked it to anybody. The last thing I was capable of was to trust someone so blindly, but I'm changed and I'm grateful I can count on someone now.
'Of course, Regina.'
'Thank you. From both of us.' Robin says before me.
'Are you sure you want to say out there?'
Robin looks at me. I don't need to say anything, he already knows. Finally he accepted the fact that I'm not gonna leave him behind. 'The forest will be just fine.' He says.
'Okay. Then stick around the crossline, I will bring you some stuff for the night.'
'Thank you, Emma.' I close the call and put the phone back into my pocket.
'No second thoughts?' Robin askes, caressing the back of my hand with his thumb.
'No second thoughts.' I knew the moment I grabbed Robin's arm and left my office that I had to make this choice. Him or my family? And for once, after a very long time, I decided to be selfish and I chose Robin. I never wanted to leave my son and Robin's children behind and in danger, but after everything that happened to us since Zelena came back into our lives, all I needed was to be alone with Robin for a while. I look down and Robin is still holding my hand. 'We better move from the street. If by any chance Hades sees you here, he would find out you're still alive.'
Robin nods his head and we start walking over the roadside, hand in hand.
CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 3.
Thank you very much for reading the first chapter and for your lovely comments. I'm glad some of you thinks it should've happened this way in the show, I hope you'll still think like that once this fic is finished.
But, for now, I hope you enjoyed chapter 2 as well and if you did, please, let me know by reviewing it.
For any info, suggestions, questions you can PM me here or tweet me at Daisy_94e.
xxx
Daisy.
