It's been a week since that night and Regina has done her best to avoid Charming at all cost. But the Prince has other plans. He takes her hand to show her the surprise he's been working on. She groans at him as he drags her toward the back of what will become her home. 'Close your eyes." He teases.
Regina growls but complies, her heart beating faster in anticipation. David guides her toward the area where he has built a bathtub. He knows she's been looking forward to a bath. When Regina is finally allowed to open her eyes, she thanks David excitedly.
David watches Regina closely. She has changed over the past week and David has started entertaining the idea of bringing her back with him. "Want me to warm up some water?" She nods. "I'll get some warm water." He turns to leave but finally gathers the courage to ask Regina the question that has been bothering him. "Why do you hate Snow that much?"
"She took someone from me. Someone I care deeply about." Regina answers after a short pause.
David doesn't push her further. He will give her the time she needs to trust him. He smiles at her encouragingly. "I'll get you the warm water."
After her bath, Regina joins David in the tent. He's still fixing dinner and she helps him with the vegetables. As they work in silence, she notices his back is bothering him. She slides behind him and starts massaging his shoulders.
David leans into her touch. "Thank you." He whispers. Regina's finger are expertly removing the knots in his back.
"You're welcome." She shyly smiles at him. "Want to lie down? It will make it easier."
"This is a sight I want to see more often." He explains, referring to her temptative smile.
Regina's smile widens at his comment. David squeezes her hand before laying down on his blanket, letting Regina work her magic.
"I don't want to stay here alone." She finally confesses.
David sits up and takes her hand. "I'm planning on bringing you back with me."
Regina looks at David in shock. "So why are we still building a cabin if you plan on taking me home?" She asks suspiciously.
David swallows. "I needed to make sure you wouldn't kill everyone once we get back. I wanted you to show me you could change."
"And did I pass your test, Charming?"
David can hear the hurt in her voice. "Yes." He answers flatly. "And the fact that you didn't storm out or yelled at me or tried to hurt me in any way is the best proof."
Regina rolls her eyes in annoyance before jokingly slapping the side of his head. David laughs with her. "But we still need to build some shelter." Her announces more seriously.
"Why?" Regina frowns.
David sighs, debating whether or not to tell Regina the truth. On the one hand, she's just proven to him that she's grown so much in the past few weeks and she deserves the truth. On the other hand, he wants to protect her from further heartache. In the end, he settles on the truth. "Snow will try to open a portal a week from now." David starts. "We wanted to give me enough time to make sure you'd survive here."
"Ten years is a long time. Snow may not be around." Regina cuts him off. David looks away, holding his tears back. He nods slowly. Regina sighs. She reaches for his cheek and wipes his tears away. David leans into her touch. "Thank you for coming with me. For not letting me die here alone."
"We're both going home." He promises her.
"What's going to happen to me once we get back?"
David can hear the vulnerability in her voice. "I won't let anything happen to you. Can you trust me?" Regina does trust him but he is only one man against an army. "I won't let anyone hurt you." He reiterates.
"And then what? You're just gonna let me walk back to my castle to live my happy, happy life?"
"No." David answers. "I don't want you to be alone."
"I've been alone my entire life. I'm used to it."
"I don't think you want to be." David gently pulls the Queen in his embrace. She lets David hold her but doesn't answer his comment. David keeps holding her while rubbing her back."I won't hurt you." He tells her again. "And I won't let anyone hurt you. I swear."
Regina slowly pulls out of his embrace. "And if I want to go home, will you let me?"
David sighs. "If that's really what you want, yes. You're not my prisoner."
"If I go, will you come visit?"
David tucks her hair behind her ear. "As often as you want me to." He promises.
"And if I stay, will I be in your dungeon?"
David shakes his head. "You can choose any room in the castle you like."
Regina hesitates. She is afraid to trust him but also afraid of not doing so."
"You don't have to decide now." He tells her. "But I wish you'll choose to stay."
Regina looks up towards David. "Why do you want me to stay?" Her eyes narrow in suspicion.
"Because I like spending time with you. I know it's selfish but I like your company. You've changed, Regina. You showed me you could."
"Or perhaps I just showed you who I was all along." She grins at him.