Finally a update! I apologize for the wait, work has been extremely busy and I direct a children's camp this summer, so busy with that as well. Thank you for sticking around.

Thanks for the continued reviews, follows, favourites, etc. It means so much and makes it seem a little more worthwhile writing! It's what keeps me going!

Jacky continues to be the best. Thank you! She is awesome for telling me when things just don't flow well.

For all those going to Paris this weekend. Enjoy! I am jealous of you all!


"You're in love with the Evil Queen," Marian's voice was low, pained. Robin's eyes went to hers in an instant, denial on his tongue. In love? With Regina? His heart raced, he suddenly felt hot, his breathing laboured. 'No!', his mind screamed at him to tell his wife, tell her that he was not in love with the woman that had sentenced her to death, tell her that it was only she that he loved.

"Yes," he whispered instead. He had once sworn an oath to always speak the truth to Marian. He closed his eyes as the realization swept over him, he was in love with Regina. Hopelessly in love. There was no use in denying what Marian was clearly able to see. Loving Regina had been a gradual occurrence that had started over a year ago when he had first met her in the Enchanted Forest. Regina had been aloof and rude that day he had saved her and Snow from the flying monkey, but there was something deeper that had lain underneath the persona, he had been able to tell almost immediately and had instantly been intrigued.

Marian remained silent, her bottom lip quivering. She stood, distancing herself from him. Robin stood as well but he knew better than to try and reach out to her.

"You were dead," he stammered, attempting to explain. How did one explain to the wife whom you thought deceased that you were in love with the woman who had tormented her, held her prisoner and was set to execute her?

Marian turned to face him. "I understand but," she swallowed, tears appearing in her eyes, "her!?"

Robin closed his eyes for a moment trying to clear his mind before he spoke. "I know that for you, Regina-" he paused,"that the Queen held you prisoner mere days ago. For the rest of us much time has past, thirty years for some, including the Queen."

"Thirty years! How is that possible? You told me three years had passed."

"It is a complex tale that I will tell you if you wish, but Marian you need to understand the Queen," Robin stopped, he took a deep breath before continuing, "Regina is not that person any longer."

"And how do you know this? " Marian came towards him, she grasped his arm, tugging it, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Have you witnessed her order innocent men to be executed? Has she ever mocked your cries for help? That's the woman I know," she told him, distress laced in every word.

"I know that you-" Robin started.

"You don't know!" she snapped. "She is cruel and shows no kindness. She laughed at my pleas for mercy." A single tear slid down Marian's cheek, "Tell me Robin, tell me that is not who you love."

Robin tried to keep his emotions under control at Marian's heartache. "I fought alongside Regina for over a year. I watched her struggle with demons that neither one of us could ever begin to imagine. I witnessed her overcome the nightmares, the lies that haunted her. She is a fighter, she is full of passion, she is loyal to those she loves, she is changed. That is who I love."

Marian shook her head, "I just cannot see her as such," she whispered.

"I understand." He did understand. He knew she had a right to her anger.

She turned away from him and Robin took the opportunity to process all that had been said. An immense relief filled him that the truth was finally out in the open, that he finally had some clarity. He loved Marian but he was in love with Regina. He was disheartened that he had caused Marian sadness but he knew that his heart belonged with Regina now. She was the one that invaded his thoughts, she was the one he saw beside him when he thought of the future.

There was still something that Robin needed to speak with Marian about, an issue that he needed made clear, something that he needed to know so he could have closure.

"Did you love Prince Bennington?" he asked. "Is that why you did not return to Roland and I straight away?"

He watched as she tensed at his question. Without turning around she answered him, "Yes."

He knew it shouldn't, especially since he had just confessed to loving Regina, but knowing that Marian had loved another while he had struggled with immense darkness at the loss of her, hurt him deeply.

"Tell me everything," Robin said

Marian turned to face him, her eyes downcast but Robin was still able to see the guilt in her expression. She slowly lifted her head to look at him

"He was by my side, day and night, as I healed from my wounds. He cared for me and we found that we had much in common. We had this connection that I had never felt with another before."

"Your soulmate," Robin whispered, his voice barely audible. It suddenly all made sense. He had loved Marian dearly, had found tremendous happiness when he was with her, but they had not been each other's soul mate.

"What happened? Why was he not with you when you were captured?" Robin asked.

He saw something resembling anger flash through her eyes before she answered him, "Your precious queen had him killed."

A knock on the door startled them both. "Robin, it's John."

Robin cleared his throat, his eyes not leaving Marian's, relief evident on her face that they had been interrupted.

"Come in John," Robin called out.

Little John entered, concern etched in his features.

"What troubles you Little John?"

"Charming was just here. It seems they may have found the cause of the unpredictable weather."

"What's causing it?" Robin frowned, he had not been expecting news on the weather.

Little John's eyes widened, "It's not what, it's who."


Regina sat in her home office, staring at the documents that sat in front of her. She had been attempting to distract herself with work that she had brought home. It was proving to be absolutely useless in aiding to divert her attention. Her thoughts continually fell on Robin and the look in his eyes when she had told him that she wouldn't have given him a second thought if Daniel had returned. She knew she had been successful in hurting him with her words but it gave her no pleasure. Hurting Robin was the last thing she wanted to do but she had to ensure that he did not feel the need to stick by her out of some bizarre obligation to protect her feelings. He needed to move on with his life with the woman he loved. Removing herself from the picture completely was the only way he would do that. She knew him. She knew his honour code, had been annoyed by it several times in the Enchanted Forest. She sighed in frustration and with a sweep of her hand, pushed the papers off her desk.

"Regina?"

She closed her eyes, inwardly groaning at the voice.

"Henry let me in."

She sighed. Of course he had.

"What do you want?" she snapped, glaring at Snow White as she entered the room.

"You haven't been answering your phone," Snow answered. Her voice was calm, patient and it was driving Regina crazy.

"That's because I didn't want to be bothered. It seems like some can't quite take the hint," she growled.

Snow took a step closer, "I was worried."

Regina laughed. "Worried that I'd fly off the deep end, exact revenge on your incompetent daughter?"

She heard the princess sigh, "Of course not Regina. I know that's not who you are anymore."

Regina studied Snow White, momentarily thrown by her words. "I sometimes wish I was," she quietly confessed. It had been easier not caring about anyone, revenge her only friend. Hadn't it been? She couldn't remember and it frightened her a little.

Snow White rushed towards her, "Don't say that Regina. That woman wasn't you." Snow placed a hand over Regina's that still sat on the desk. "You must not lose hope."

"Hope?" Regina barked. She pulled her hand out from under Snow's, pushing her chair back outraged, she stood. "I had hope. Finally for the first time I had my shot at a second chance. Now that's gone. Hope is for the naive," she growled, eyeing the princess with a scowl. Regina was finished with this conversation and wanted Snow gone. "I have work to do. Leave."

The princess remained unmoving. "I'm actually here for another matter." She continued without waiting for Regina to respond. "Emma and David are checking out an odd ice structure in the woods."

"An ice structure?"

"The dwarves came across it. With the strange weather, Emma thought it would be wise to look into it."

"Well Emma is the hero," Regina grunted, rolling her eyes. "I don't care if the skies opened up and it rained literal cats and dogs. I want no involvement."

"Even if it's something that would affect Henry negatively?"

Regina glared at Snow White. How dare she still use Henry to manipulate her.

Snow had the decency to look ashamed. "The citizens are concerned Regina. You're the mayor, all you would need to do is come and sit in on the meeting."

"Maybe I no longer wish to be mayor," she stated. There was much truth in her statement. She was tired of running this town, tired of keeping up appearances. She was just so damn tired.

Before Snow could respond her phone rang. Regina watched as she answered. "Hi. Did you find anything?" Snow's eyes widened in shock, "What?" She glanced over at Regina, "Yes, I'm with her now. We'll meet you there."

"No," Regina mumbled, shaking her head. She did not want to be pulled into whatever crisis the Charmings had landed themselves in this time.

"They think they have found the source of what's been causing this strange weather," Snow explained.

"I don't care."

"Regina," Snow's voice held a frantic edge that even though Regina had verbally claimed indifference, it grabbed a hold of her like a vise and demanded that she listen. "It's a woman, she was hostile when they tried to approach. She can-" the princess paused, her brow furrowed in bewilderment, "she can turn things to ice."

Regina hung her head in exasperation. Shit.


Robin made his way towards Regina's office. His heart rate increased the closer he came. He hadn't been there since their shared picnic, which had been a perfect afternoon. Perhaps seeing her here, in this place, for the first time since his revelation that he was in love with her was a bad idea. Little John had said David had requested his assistance, but if he left now they would never know he had been here. He turned to leave and almost ran right into David, Emma, and Hook. Damn. He was too late.

"Robin!" David exclaimed, "Am I ever glad to see you. I think we are going to need all the help we can get on this one."

"Little John said something about a woman who is able to freeze things?"

"Yes," Charming affirmed. "She was not happy to see Emma and I, told us to leave her be. When we tried to reason with her she became hostile. The angrier she became, the nastier the weather turned."

Charming opened the door to Regina's office without knocking. Regina, Snow, and Henry were already inside waiting. His eyes locked immediately with hers. She was surprised by his presence, a vulnerability entered her expression that broke his heart, but just as quickly her mask was back in place and she turned away. He longed to go to her but instead he kept his distance.

"Henry,what are you doing here?" Emma asked.

"Like I told mom, I'm not being kept in the dark anymore. If there is a threat I want to know about it."

"I don't know," Emma began to protest.

"Can we get on with this," Regina snapped, her gaze on Emma was one of annoyance. She was not pleased to be made to wait. The impatient woman that stood across the room was someone he had not seen in quite a while. He was sad to think that he had played an unwilling role in her return.

Charming and Emma went on to explain all that had transpired between them and the woman who was able to produce ice from her fingertips.

"Do we know who she is? Where she came from?" Snow asked.

"She wasn't very forthcoming with answers," Emma said.

"Perhaps you went about it in the wrong way," Regina interjected.

"And what way is that?" Emma turned to her, her posture ready for an argument.

"The sweet way," Regina's voice was laced with disgust. "I'll take care of it." She glanced towards Robin, "On my own."

Robin had known those words were coming. She was so damn stubborn. She continuously took matters into her own hands, especially when she thought she was alone in the world.

"The hell you are!" he roared. All eyes landed on him but his remained only on Regina. He watched as her brown eyes darkened. It was a look that would have brought many to their knees in fear. Robin was not one of them.

"You have no say in what I choose to do," she said.

Henry, not having been witness to any of their past battles, stepped in front of his mother, forcing them to break eye contact. "Do I have a say? I agree with Robin mom, you shouldn't go alone."

"Henry," her tone softened, "Fire can melt ice. I'll be fine."

"Please mom," Henry reached for her, his hand wrapping around her arm.

She sighed, "I won't go alone," she promised.

Robin closed his eyes in relief, grateful that Henry was still able to make her see reason.

"I'm going with you," he stated, readying himself for an argument.

As if on cue, Regina turned to him, "I don't recall asking for your help."

Their eyes locked in an intense stare, "You never do," he responded. He could tell by the look that passed through her eyes that they were both aware of a time just a few days ago when she had requested his help, literally had trusted him with her heart. He took a deep breath before continuing, "but my help you shall receive."

Charming must have been able to sense the rising tension between the two of them. He interjected before Regina was able to respond, "Emma and I have seen what this woman is capable of. It is best if we all go."


Regina was frantic. The longer everyone was in her office, the longer he was in her office, the more agitated she became. It was fairly late so they had decided to confront this Ice Queen first thing in the morning. Regina stood to the side as everyone talked strategy and she tried to ignore the charged, concerned glances that Robin kept sending her. It was in this very spot where they all stood that she and Robin had sat a few days ago, limbs tangled together, heartfelt words exchanged. It seemed like a lifetime ago now. That had been a time of pure bliss, a time of pure happiness that had disappeared in a matter of seconds. She needed Robin out of her office so she could once again breathe.

She chanced one more glimpse in his direction, unable to help herself and immediately regretted it. Their eyes connected. Something changed in Robin's expression and he headed her way, a look of exasperation on his face. Her entire body tensed and she automatically backed away from him towards the center of the room.

"What was that earlier?" he demanded. "I thought you were through with suicide missions," his look was no longer vexed, in its place was a look of desperate fear. It was a look that unnerved her. She assumed that Robin would want nothing to do with her after finding out that she had captured and planned to execute Marian. She had never imagined that he would be concerned about her, that he he would still care for her.

"Keep your voice down," she hissed, looking over at Henry. Robin was the only one aware of just how close she had been to putting herself into an eternal sleep back in the Enchanted Forest. It had not been the only time she had risked herself there. Robin had been present during those times as well. She briefly glanced at the others who were all immersed in their strategy planning and remained oblivious to the conversation she and Robin were having. She stood taller, not allowing herself to be affected by his words, "I don't fear a woman with ice in her blood. I've already dealt with one who had ice where her heart should have been."

"I do not want you taking unnecessary risks Regina." The tone of his voice was louder.

"Why?" Regina demanded. Why did he not hate her? She just could not understand. She deserved to be hated.

Robin stepped towards her, his eyes full of heat, full of passion which caused her to feel flushed, her heart picking up speed. "Because I-" her breath hitched in her throat, "care about you," he finished in a hushed tone.

Push him away, her heart screamed. "Go home to your family, forget me," she whispered

"Do you think it is that easy for me? You may have been able to forget our time together, but I can assure you that I remember every detail," he took another step towards her, "I treasure every moment we have shared," he said. His expression was one of devastation. Regina could not look away from him no matter how much she wanted to. His eyes windows to his soul and they held her prisoner. It took all she had not to fall apart in front of him, fall into his arms and beg him to forget Marian, be the very woman she despised. She took a deep breath, preparing herself to tell him to leave her be, tell him that she no longer wished to see him, prepared herself to lie.

When suddenly a loud roar echoed around them. Silence filled the room as everyone stopped talking, each one of them sending questioning glances to the others.

"What in the bloody hell was that?" Hook exclaimed.

Then the earth began to shake. Regina braced herself in surprise at the unexpected tremble. But just as quickly as the shaking had begun, it was over.

"Was that an earthquake?" Emma questioned.

Before anyone could answer, the ground began to rock once more, only this time it was more violent. Vases and ornaments fell to the floor, the sound of glass shattering reverberating around the room.

"We need to stand under something sturdy!" David shouted over the deafening rumble of the quake.

Regina's eyes immediately went to Henry. She witnessed Emma throwing herself over him and they made it safely to the doorway. She went to move towards them, needing to be with Henry, when she heard a voice yell her name.

She turned in the direction of the sound, her eyes widening in shock as Robin sprung towards her.

In the distance someone hollered, "The chandelier!"

Her eyes looked up and horror filled her as she saw the light fixture start to fall. Everything that happened next seemed to proceed in slow motion. Robin's body slammed against her as both of them crashed to the ground. Her head smashed into the floor hard. The last thing she remembered was staring in terror at the blood covered face of Robin before the entire world went black.


I had a hard time writing this chapter. Please let me know what you thought of it, what you think is going to happen, etc. I love reading all the comments! Hopefully with work ending for the summer in 1.5 days I will be able to update more quickly!

Thanks for reading!