"Okay, now you pull this back." Robin guided Regina's hands as he attempted to help her load the crossbow.

"This is ridiculous, I would never have to defend myself with this...I do have magic you know." Regina muttered. She gave another pull, grunting in frustration when it wouldn't budge. She threw her hands in the air; in a whirl of purple smoke the crossbow bolt disappeared from its place and flew into the green apple that Robin had set up on a stump. "See?" She smirked and turned to look over her shoulder at her companion.

Robin shook his head and set the bow down, "Very impressive I'll grant you." He said as he walked over to the apple. Picking it up he yanked the arrow from it, "But learning how to use a crossbow doesn't necessarily have to do with you defending yourself." He turned and chucked the apple as far as he could.

"Then why exactly are we out here?" Regina asked her hands flying in the air before landing solidly on her hips. "I should be thinking of ways to defeat that wicked bitch."

Robin looked sheepish and lowered his head to look at the arrow in his hands, finding a sudden interest in flicking the apple pieces from the black surface. Regina's eyes widened and she walked over to him. "Why are we here? Did...did you want to spend time with me?"

"Is that so hard to imagine?" Robin asked looking into her eyes, his blue eyes peered into her as though he was searching for something.

Regina shrugged, "I'm not exactly anyone's favorite person to be around. Something about cursing everyone and ruining their happy endings...that apparently puts a damper on your popularity." She scoffed, and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"No, really?" Robin teased, his eyes crinkled at the corners and he laughed; a deep merry laugh. Regina chuckled with him. The ball of tension she'd been carrying around like lead in the pit of her stomach for the past few weeks disappeared; leaving her feeling unburdened and free.

"Shocking isn't it?" Regina grinned, giving a slight laugh as she lowered her eyes to the ground. Taking in the patterns their shoes made in the soft earth and the bright leaves that littered the ground.

"It is actually." Robin's voice was soft now, the teasing sound was completely gone from his voice and a sincere timbre was now in its place. Regina looked up, the smile slowly slipping from her bright red lips. Robin stared at her again, his eyes were almost unnerving. They held a gleam in them that Regina hadn't seen in a long time, kindness...respect. "You put these walls up Regina...you don't let people see who you really are. A strong, smart, caring...beautiful person, both inside and out." Regina looked away, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

"You feel things so deeply...they touch more than just your heart Regina, they touch your soul." Robin's words were urgent, as though his life depended on telling her these things. She felt a warm hand on her upper arm. "If you let them see the real you...opened up far enough for them to see. You wouldn't be so alone."

"That's easy for you to say." Regina managed to get the words out despite the lump in her throat, she sniffled a little. Brushing one long finger under eyes, wiping away the tears that got away.

"You opened up to me." Robin's words came so softly that Regina almost didn't hear them.

"It's different." She said quickly, pulling her arm from his grasp and walking a few paces away.

"How, how is it different?" He wouldn't relent, he followed her. His warmth penetrating the cold that had settled over her like a heavy blanket. "Why won't you open up? Let people see who you are?"

"Because I'm afraid!" The words were out, the words she'd been carrying for years. Deep down in that one part of her heart where she hid her deepest fears...her secrets. "Because I can't take any more rejection! Any more heartbreak...any more pain." She whipped around, her hands out in front of her. "My mother! Daniel! My people! H-Henry." Her voice broke, she raked her fingers through her hair; trying to get a hold of her rampant emotions -her heart was gone, why was this happening? Gut wrenching sobs took over her, she put her hands over her mouth trying to deafen them. But it didn't work.

"Regina, hey. Shhh." Robin stood in front of her, he put his hands on either side of her face. "Hey, look at me. Look at me." Regina raised her blurry eyes to his. He ran is thumb over her cheek, catching tears as they fell. He gave her a slight smile, "It's okay to be afraid...but you can't use power to mask your fear...it won't help."

Regina took a few more deep breaths, "Then what do you suggest?" She started to calm down now. And surprisingly enough it was as though a weight that she didn't even know she'd been carrying had been lifted from her heart. She even managed a small smile.

"Face your fears, don't be afraid to let people see you for who you are; to feel things." Robin lowered his hands to her shoulders, squeezing gently.

"Is that so?" She smirked now, tilting her head slightly and putting her hands to her hips. She watched confusion cloud his expression. What was she up to?

He nodded cautiously, "Yes..."

"Just making sure." She smiled fully then and Robin suddenly felt a little nervous. Then she reached up grabbed his coat collar and pulled his face to hers. "I'll take your advice." Robin chuckled before Regina touched her lips to his; he cupped a hand to her face and tangled the other in her hair.

Pulling back slightly he murmured, "Isn't this better?"