Thanks to everyone who faved, followed and reviewed chapter one, I'm so very grateful and it inspires me to write faster.

Today's prompt is special and that is because it came from my wonderful beta Geli, and an awesome prompt it was too.

Once again please tell me what you think and send me prompts even if it takes me a while ill get to you I promise.

Not mine.

Prompt – Well Geli was pretty detailed in what she wanted so let's just say Town line angst.

First Day.

The only thing that could be heard was the sound of dry leaves crunching under his boots as he walked with purpose through the forest. Anyone who was to see him would believe it strange that he was even here, after all to the regular folk of the world there was nothing to see out here apart from a wasteland of nothingness.

Little would they know that to Robin this corner of the world held his everything.

It didn't matter though; there was nobody here, no reason for anyone to venture to this part of the forest and for that Robin was grateful. He needed the solitude as he attempted to regain even a fraction of what he had lost. Also anyone watching would automatically believe him insane if they were to watch him talk to what they would perceive to be nothing.

He had finally instinctively reached his destination, one he had memorised since the day he had walked away from it and he came to a stop letting out a deep sigh to steady his raging emotions. Part of him was glad though that he was feeling anything at all, these days he just felt numb and empty, like his chest was just a hollow void like an empty tomb, the only one able to fill it being Roland. It was 8:00pm though and Roland was fast asleep in his bed as Marian watched over him, his son couldn't fill that void again until the morning when he woke, so that was why he was here.

He knew he shouldn't be here, that he was just blindly grasping at something that was beyond his reach and that trying would just end up hurting him more. But it didn't seem to matter to him, he was like a starving man desperately searching for crumbs to lessen a painful hunger, it wouldn't cure him but it may lessen it just slightly.

In front of him appeared to be nothing but barren forest, dry earth and half dead trees but as he reached out his hand, it came in contact with the invisible barrier, an unyielding wall of magic that hid the town of Storybrooke from the outside world. The barrier blocked any entrance into Storybrooke, if you wasn't already in you could not go in and he knew this for certain. The day they had left he had come back at nightfall and pounded with all his strength upon the barrier to confirm what he already knew, there was no way back in. He caressed the wall with his finger tips and spoke in a broken whisper.

"Hello my love."

...

On the other side of the barrier Regina stood on shaking legs as tears trailed down her cheeks. Her voice was small and matched his heartbroken one as she heard it drift through the invisible wall like nothing more than a whisper on the wind.

"I'm here Robin."

...

Day 2.

Eight o'clock in the evening, just like the night before. Robin came to a standstill in front of the invisible barrier. He had been surprised the day before by how much being here had helped; it didn't fill the void completely but strangely being here, as close as he could possibly be to her had made him feel less empty.

Like the day before he lifted his hand and ran his fingers over the wall and once again spoke softly to nothing.

"So here I am again sweetheart."

The rational part of his brain scoffed at him in annoyance at his foolish antics, asking why he was bothering when she couldn't hear him. Of course he knew she couldn't hear him but he so badly wanted to talk to her and so he would. In his mind he wasn't talking to nothing he was talking to her. It was a good job really that she couldn't hear him because his sceptical Regina would be the first one to tell him he was crazy. He let out a bitter chuckle.

Maybe he was crazy.

"So I've been gone for a week now." He started in a quiet voice.

"We have settled in the next town over, I wanted to just pitch up camp here but Marian convinced me that Roland needed to socialise with people who wasn't just his parents. It's a good job one of us is thinking rationally I guess."

He let out another bitter chuckle before continuing.

"I figured I better get a job if I was going to settle into a civilian life, you need money for everything in this world, its new to me, back in our land everything I ever needed I would find in the forest and well you know I never steal for myself and I figured I would attract some unwanted attention if I began hunting for food and furs in the middle of town. As luck would have it the woman who owns the local inn was looking for a live in handy man so that gives us room and money. She reminds me of Granny though not nearly as scary."

He paused with a small smile as he thought back to Regina's battle of wills with Granny. He knew neither of them would ever admit it but he sensed a great deal of affection between the pair.

"Mrs. Shaw, that's her name, also gave Marian a job in the kitchens so we are quite combatable. Mrs. Shaw also has a grandson close to Roland's age so that keeps him entertained, which is good for him because he's been so sad since we left, he loved Storybrooke and he misses you terribly."

He paused in sadness as he thought of the heartbreak on his son's face when he asked when they could go back to Storybrooke and he had explained that they couldn't.

"Marian says we are lucky by how we have landed on our feet and found a home and work so quickly and I guess we are but I certainly don't feel lucky."

His words trailed off as he felt tears well up in his eyes but he pushed them back.

"I miss you." He whispered

With one last look to the wasteland beyond the barrier he turned back towards the place he was meant to call home but would never consider it to be.

...

On the other side of the barrier Regina stood with a sad smile on her face as she listened to him tell her about the life he was trying to build. As much as it hurt that they couldn't build a life together she was happy he was trying for the sake of Marian and Roland.

She had come here on instinct the same time as last night and almost sobbed in relief when she had heard his whispered voice again. It wasn't enough, it would never be enough but she would take what she could get and she clung to his voice like a life preserver in the middle of a vast ocean. She only wished she could give his some sign that she heard him, that she could see him, that she could feel his presence even though he can't feel hers. It was unfair that she could hear him but he couldn't hear her, and she knew he couldn't, last night when she had first heard his voice and turned to the barrier to see him standing right in front of her, after the shock had worn off she had screamed his name until her throat was raw but it had been no use, he couldn't hear her. She swore magic made up its own silly rules as it went along.

She chuckled slightly as he brought up Granny, she felt a twinge of affection for the old woman go through her and was instantly annoyed at herself for feeling it. Granny's sass towards her had been lacking slightly lately and she swore she saw a hint of regret in her eyes these days, not pity just sadness for her.

She pushed back tears as he told her about Roland, a lump coming to her throat as she thought of the little curly haired ball of energy that she adored.

His last words hit her and she finally let a single tear trickle down her cheek.

"I miss you too." She whispered back before turning towards her car.

...

Day 3.

Robin stomped towards the town line hoping his fast pace and harsh steps would help to burn off some of the irritation he was feeling.

He stopped again at the barrier but today instead of just tenderly caressing it he harshly slammed his fist against it, willing it to just shatter against the force. Of course it didn't, the barrier stayed unaffected and all he had accomplished was a sore hand. He welcomed it though, letting the pain clear his head.

He let out a ragged breath and began to speak, his voice taking on a tender tone as it was now directed towards her. He didn't even bother with a greeting, just needed to get what he was feeling off his chest and she was the only one he wanted to tell.

"Me and Marian got into a fight." He directed to the barrier, getting straight to the point.

"Mrs. Shaw suggested to us that we enrol Roland in the local preschool, the same one Harrison – her grandson – goes to. Marian thinks it's a great idea but as I told Mrs Shaw we won't be staying, this is just temporary, as soon as we find a way back to Storybrooke we will be gone and I don't want Roland to get sad when he has to leave somewhere else he's grown to love."

He took a deep breath as he recalled the feeling of panic he had felt at the two women making plans to make their life there more permanent.

"Marian got angry, we both did. She said that I was being selfish expecting her and Roland to stand still with me, not letting them experience life because I believed mine was over. Thing is I know she's right but what am I meant to do? Move on with my life like me and you never happened? Like you never existed? I can't and I won't."

His voice had got louder as his anger rose; he harshly kicked at the ground before continuing with his rant.

"She told me I was clinging onto something that may never happen, that we may never manage to get back and that Roland would grow up to hate me if I put his life on hold while I chased what may be a pipe dream."

He sighed deeply as the guilt set in as he remembered the words he had screamed back at her and the look of heartbreak on her face when he did. He felt like a huge dick, he loved Marian deeply even if it was now just as friends and she had been so patient and understanding with him which was more than he deserved. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he was about to confess.

"I told her that I didn't want this life that it was something that had been forced on me and she was crazy if she thought I was going to just forget about you and go back to playing a happy family with her."

He flinched at his own words as the weight of what he had said hit him full force. They had been said in anger, in the heat of the moment but now with the calm of being closer to Regina settling over him he came to a realisation.

"I've been a total ass haven't I sweetheart?" He asked the barrier brokenly.

Silence greeted him but he didn't need to hear her words to know she would agree with his last statement. He paused running a shaking hand through his hair, his voice tired as he spoke.

"When you find that author my darling, make sure you give him an extra fireball from me, because it's not just your happiness he's messing with."

He turned warily back towards the inn with the knowledge that he had some major apologising to do.

...

Regina scowled at him through the barrier as she let his words sink in, at this moment he should feel grateful that they were separated because she would have smacked him on the head. Her voice was sharp as she directed words to him that she knew he couldn't hear but had to say them anyway.

"Ass would be an understatement you idiot." She growled with a stomp of her heeled foot.

"There's no point being angry Robin, there's nobody to direct it at that deserves it right now. It's not Marian's fault this happened and it's certainly not Roland's, so why are you punishing them?"

She kicked her heel at the road before continuing with her rant.

"So what, you expect them to just exist on the off chance that I will find a way to break this stupid spell? I'm trying, I really am but I have no idea how long it will take or if I'll ever to be able to. So in the meantime you have to let them live, you have let yourself live."

Her voice rose as her anger did until she was practically shouting at the invisible barrier.

"You think you are the only one hurting through this? You don't think that I don't want to just spend my days and nights right here, just listening to your voice? That would be fine if it was just us we had to think about Robin but it isn't! We have children who rely on us and we owe it to them to be strong, you owe it to Roland to give him a life he deserves."

She had been pacing up and down the barrier as she ranted but she stopped and whirled on her heels to face him head on.

"This isn't the life either of us wanted, I know but you know what? It wasn't the life that Marian wanted either. To live with a man she loves that obviously makes it clear that he would rather be somewhere else, with someone else and she's been good to us, understanding, more so than either of us deserved and you are taking away her second chance to live and it isn't fair."

She took a deep breath in as the fight left her and she just felt tired as her annoyance at him left. Her heart ached with the knowledge that his anger had come from a deep routed sadness that she could do nothing to ease. He looked guilty and so unbelievably sad.

"I know it hurts." She whispered "But we have to move on, if not for us. It's for the people who love us."

She let out a bitter chuckle as she heard his request about the author and answered him with humour in his voice.

"Oh trust me at this point when he comes out of hiding I have enough fireballs with his name on to barbecue him. Now don't you have some grovelling to do?"

...

Day 4

Robin had just made it to the town line when he was startled by a tiny voice behind him. It made him jump, nobody ever came here but him and the tiny sound made by the tiny voice behind him in the eerily silent forest was startling.

"Papa?"

He whirled around to face the direction the sound had come from and was startled by the sight of his son, standing a few steps behind him dressed in his sleepwear with his coat over the top and clutching his cuddly monkey in his tiny hands. He rushed over to his son and crouched down in front of him, his voice confused and a little frantic as he asked him.

"Roland, what on earth are you doing here? Why aren't you in bed and where is your mother?

Roland looked at him with wide, guilty eyes as he told him sheepishly.

"I see you go out every night papa and I wanted to know where you go. Mrs. Shaw asked mama to work while she took care of me but she got called to the phone so I decided to follow you."

Fear bloomed inside Robin as he thought of what could have happened to his boy if he had got lost or even worst. His voice was serious as he spoke to Roland while taking him gently by the shoulders to make sure he had the boy's full attention.

"Roland you know better, you must never go out the house without me and mama knowing where you are and never alone. You could get lost or hurt and mama and Mrs. Shaw will be very worried when they find you missing."

Roland's large brown eyes filled with tears and his bottom lip trembled as he told his father in a small voice.

"I'm sorry papa, but I stayed close I promise, you just didn't see or hear me."

Robin sighed with the knowledge his son had just given him. It was unlike him to ever not be aware of his surroundings, in his line of work and being a hunter and living with the many dangers the forest posed he had to be. It appeared he had taken for granted that he would ever be the only one out here and it had made his senses sloppy. His eyes softened as he looked at his son's guilty eyes, he couldn't stay mad with him but he would have to talk to Marian when he got home for a suitable reprimand, he had no doubt that his son would think again about his actions after he lost his ice cream privileges for a week. His voice was gentler this time as he spoke to the boy.

"Let's forget about it for now my boy the important thing is you know it was wrong and you have said you are sorry."

Roland gave him a bright smile before looking around at his surroundings. His small voice sounded confused as he asked him.

"What is this place papa, and why do you come here every night?"

Robin sighed, his night time trips were something he didn't really want to share with anyone but he couldn't lie to his son and if he had to share with anyone Roland was the only one he would choose. Gently he took Roland by the hand and led him over to the invisible barrier before stopping in front of it and kneeling down so he was eye level with his son.

"Well my boy, do you feel that?" He said gently, taking Roland's hand and placing it gently up against the barrier while still wrapped in his own.

Roland frowned in confusion at what he felt but couldn't see but nodded anyway and waited for his father to continue.

"Behind this invisible, magic wall is Storybrooke."

Roland's eyes lit up in excitement at the mention of the town he loved and he asked his father excitedly.

"Can we go back?"

Robin's heart squeezed painfully at the sight of his son's hopeful face and he shook his head sadly before telling him.

"I'm afraid not my boy, you see this magic wall is keeping us from getting back there."

Roland looked sad for a moment before he scowled in the direction of the barrier and directing his best angry voice at it.

"Stupid wall."

Robin smiled slightly at his son before he nodded in agreement.

"It's a very stupid wall my boy."

Roland carried on scowling at the wall for a few seconds before he focused back on his father and asked him.

"But why do you come here every day papa?"

Robin pondered how to answer his son's question, how to explain to the young boy why he felt the need to come here every day and speak to someone who likely couldn't hear him and could not talk back.

"Well my boy I come here every day because it's here that that I feel closest to Regina and it makes me feel better knowing she is just over the other side of this wall."

Roland looked at his father for a moment, his small face scrunched up in thought before be asked.

"What do you do while you're here?"

Robin smiled slightly at his son before answering.

"I talk to her, I can't see her and I can't hear her answer me and I don't even know if she can hear me or not but I talk anyway in the hopes that she does."

"What do you talk to her about?" Roland asked curiously and Robin chuckled slightly at Roland's curious nature and his ability to just accept Robin's actions with none of the scepticism of an adult. Oh how he loved his boy, he was a bright spark in his currently dark life and he was so grateful for his understanding and he was glad he had shared this with him.

"I talk to her about everything, about our life here, about what I've been up to each day, about your mama, about you, everything."

Roland smiled at the mention of himself and turned towards the invisible wall, running his tiny hand over the barrier. His voice was sweet as could be as he spoke to it.

"Hi Gina! I miss you and I know papa misses you too."

Robin smiled sadly and rapidly blinked back tears he could feel prick behind his eyes as his son continued talking.

"Guess what? I am going to start preschool next week, Mrs Shaw said there will be lots of toys and other children there and I'm very excited."

Robin hated to break up the sweet scene he saw going on in front of him but he knew he needed to get Roland back out the cold and into his bed.

"We must go my boy, before your mother and Mrs. Shaw find out your gone and gets a terrible fright."

Roland nodded in understanding before he turned back to the wall and whispered.

"Love you Gina."He turned to his father before asking him innocently.

"You love Gina too don't you papa?

Robin chocked back a sob at his son's words and reached out to gently stroke his brown curls.

"That I do Roland, I love her very much."

Robin stood up straight and took his son by the hand, leading back towards the inn. Roland turned to look towards the town line before turning back to look thoughtfully at his father.

"Papa, I think Gina can hear us."

Robin squeezed Roland's hand tighter and turned to look one more time towards the line.

"I hope you're right my little man, I hope you're right."

...

Regina had tears streaming down her cheeks and her breath was coming out in harsh pants but she was smiling. Her heart felt warm as she heard Roland's sweet voice and listened and watched as father and son interacted, it was always a work of art to watch the pair of them together.

"I miss you too my little knight." She whispered her voice thick with tears.

She smiled in pride for both of them as Roland told her about starting preschool, glad that Robin had come around to the idea.

Her breath hitched as she heard Roland's question and waited for Robin's answer. When she heard it she was filled with both joy and sadness."

"I love you both too." She whispered, her hand reaching out to stroke the invisible barrier.

She smiled at Roland's last statement, his belief and hope reminding her so much of Henry. She left as two of her three favourite men walked away from the town line, the urge to see Henry and hug him over whelming.

...

Day 5

With a heavy heart Robin made his way over the familiar place that held the entrance to Storybrooke. Normally this was his favourite time of the day when he could come and feel closer to his lost soulmate, but not today because he was afraid of what he believed he must do for his own sanity.

"You know I love you don't you?" He told her in a rough voice.

"I do and I know I always will. You're it for me Regina, there's really no point in searching for love once you have found your soulmate because you know anything else is just going to be a giant disappointment."

Tears had already begun to fall and he didn't even try to stop them or wipe them away.

"I'm counting on you Regina. I'm counting on you to get me home to you. I'm holding on to a lot of faith here because I can't even stomach the thought that you may have given up on us. But that's ok because if there is one thing I'm most sure of in this world, it's my faith in you."

He sunk to his knees beside the barrier and cleared his throat to continue, running a shaking hand through his hair.

"I thought this would help, coming here every day to feel closer to you. And it does to a point, but that's the thing. These moments here are equal parts beautiful and painful and I don't even know where one starts and the other ends anymore."

He reached up a hand to wipe away the tears that were now clouding his vision and fought against the void in his chest that threatened to swallow him whole at the thought of his decision. He took a deep breath to gather the strength to continue.

"Which is why I don't think I can do this anymore, it's just too hard. I'm trying to believe that you can hear me. I wish I could hear your voice but that's not even the most important part for me. I just need you to know that I love and miss you and I haven't given up hope for us. But most of all I need you to hear me beg you not to stop trying. But I can't keep doing this everyday my love. I can't keep doing this when there's a nagging doubt in the back of my mind that I'm just talking to myself."

He shook his head sadly as he felt the sting of his tear streaked cheeks as the harsh wind hit them.

"I just need a sign Regina, just one tiny sign that you hear me."

He reached up his hand and placed it flat on the cold hard surface of the barrier while he waited, hoping against hope for something that he didn't even know to look for.

He waited a few moments before screwing his eyes up as pain washed over him.

Nothing.

"Goodbye sweetheart, I love you."

Suddenly he gasped at the overwhelming feeling that grabbed hold of him. He was grateful he wasn't standing because he was sure it would have sent him to his knees if he was. His hand tingled as if it had been hit by dozens of tiny sparks and a feeling of warmth settled in his chest.

He knew that feeling; there was only one thing in the world that made him feel like this. A feeling of hope settled over him and his voice came out in a whisper.

"Regina...?"

...

Regina gasped on the other side of the barrier as she felt the sparks start on her fingers and travel up her arm where it rested palm open on the barrier.

She felt him and she knew he felt her too, they could each feel the other's hand as they pressed together despite the wall separating them.

She closed her eyes as she savoured the beautiful feeling of almost touching one another again, warmth filled her and it felt blissful, like coming inside to an open fire after being in the freezing cold for hours. Minutes ago she had fallen to her knees and sobbed a goodbye to him as she heard him tell her the same, believing herself powerless to give him the sign he asked her so desperately for. She had placed her hand in the same place his was on the other side but she never expected this to happen.

"I'll never stop trying to get you back to me Robin, I promise." She whispered.

She smiled as his voice drifted over the barrier as if being carried by the wind.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow Sweetheart."

She smiled widely before whispering back.

"I'll be here."