A/N: So hi you beautiful people. I am here to share this chapter with you, today of all day because as you all know OUAT returns tonight and us as Outlaw Queen shippers were robe of a beautiful love story and well we all survive out of fanfics, fanart, gifs from the many, many talented people in this fandom. Thank you for every amount of angst, fluff and everything you guys makes us feel. You guys are the true MVP. I'm aware that a lot of people are going to update today so I decided to push myself to do the same and in record time, at least form me I managed to write two chapter. This one. [points below] and one for The road less traveled. This is my little grain for everyone to enjoy anyway. Mistake are mine seeing as I practically forced myself to be done in time and well I don't have a beta s yeah.

I hope you enjoy this chapter that's probably the shortest because of the time I gave myself to write.

Xoxo, Janice.

Chapter 4.

It had been almost a week since Robin asked her to go with him to his school reunion back home. To say she was a nervous wreck was an understatement but thanks to the mastery she has over her emotions no one noticed her true inner struggle, well almost no one. After a pretty hectic day of work, Regina circle back to her office, where, her father, was waiting for her with what looks to be…

"Food." Regina grinned, locking the door before walking to her father and giving him a tight hug. "If I knew you were coming I'd would've left the meeting sooner. You know I always make time for you." After pulling back, her father's smile warmed her heart. There was something about it that always managed to calm her, and today, amidst the storm of emotions she had been feeling thanks to the new man in her life, the brunette was grateful for the comfort.
"I know sweetheart but I didn't want to intrude. Having lunch with you is good enough for me." As he spoke, Regina moved to sit at one of the chairs in front of her desk, when it came to him, distance wasn't something she needed to put between them, unlike her mother. The thought alone is enough to put a sour taste in her mouth. "Also I needed to know what is troubling you, my dear."

OH!

"I don't know what you –" Regina tried to deflect but the disapproving look on her father's face calling out her bluff was enough to have Mills reconsider the course of action. She deflated in her chair, lungs coming to empty as a long sigh left her lips. "You remember what I told you a few weeks ago?" When he rose his brow, prompting his daughter to be a tad more specific, Regina groaned. "Robin."

And he 'ohh' softly, passing her the take out they always ate together. Regina makes a mental note to suggest something healthier to eat. She knows this is tradition but with the recent heart condition that was discover in him, Mills needs to make sure that he is eating better. Besides she could go for a diet as well. Ever since her lunch date with Robin, he had been bringing her English treats for her to eat and even though they are delicious, it feels like he is fatting her up to eat her at Christmas. Though now that she thinks about, she is incapable of seeing the downsize to that.

"Regina?" Her father calls out, "Are you feeling alright? You look a little flushed."

The brunette fans herself, feeling quite embarrassed on the route her thoughts took. "Yes, I am." She swallowed thickly, standing up. "This office is too hot." Walking to the thermostat, she feigned tampering with it before returning to her chair.

"It is quite cool." He replied, eyes narrowing her way. "Are you sure you are well?"

"Yes, really daddy." Daddy, really Regina? The man laughed, muttering an 'if you say so' before taking the first bite of his food.

"Now what about Robin?" Henry's gaze fell on the brunette and she cringed. Thinking about Robin is what put her in this tight spot to begin with. "Regina?"

Mills takes a deep breath, reaching for her food in the process. "He invited me to his school reunion."

"That doesn't seem so bad." Henry casually says, taking a bite of his food.

"In London."

"Oh. I can see why you are nervous." The man placed his food on top of the desk, attention solely on his daughter. "Do you feel like it is too much?" He asked to which she only shrugged. "Come on, Regina. You have to start answering those question to yourself otherwise you won't get rid of whatever is making you lethargic."

He had a point but…

"I need my father, not my lawyer." Mills pointed out with a grimace and Henry had the audacity to laugh.

"You need a lawyer to ask the hard question then you can have your father wisdom." He made a gesture prompting Regina to divulge what she had been feeling, what she had been shy to admit to herself.

"Fine, but if I don't get my father after this we are cutting his take out consumption to a ten percent, got it?" The man laughed but nodded. Though she already made up her mind about the food thing. Steeling herself to what's to come, Regina sat up straight. "I don't feel like is too much…" That was true. "I feel like I might disappoint him. You see, he has this amazing relationship with his parents, especially his mother and I feel like I won't be good enough for her son. Those that makes sense?" Henry looked at her intently, assessing Regina's words carefully. She could see the gears in his head turning and turning, coming up with the answers that her mind couldn't conjure up at first instance. After a beat or two of silence, Mills was starting to get antsy in her chair. Her leg moved up and down quickly and her appetite seemed to disappear.

"So you are worried that your relationship with Cora might dictate how your relationship with Robin's mother would go?"

She didn't consider that until the very moment her father spoke it those words. Of course Cora would have something to do with her sudden burst of nerves and fears that somehow felt inexplicable but her father, ever the sweet soul, had managed to open up her eyes to the reality that always hunted her. That her mother has more say in her life than Regina first thought. That even after going against Cora's wishes on her career path, she still called the shoot in her life without a single word. It irks the brunette because she had fought so hard to break the ties that had bonded her to such an unhealthy relationship but here she was circling back, and the root of her problems, like every one she ever had was Cora freaking Mills. No wonder she has issues. Breathing out the frustration that simmer within her, Regina threw her head back, eyes close. "I think that's about it." She muttered, sitting straight once more to look at her father whose eyes were filled with love and understanding. If there was someone in this world that could help her get rid of such ridiculous notions, it was him.

"You've never allowed your mother control you, not since what happened with Daniel years ago…" He reached for her hand, gently clasping his around her. The warmth of such simply action provided Regina with a fair amount of calm that managed to replace the dread in her. She can do this, right? Robin's mother is not a monster like hers, at least she could deduce as much with the way he spoke highly of her. Besides it isn't like Robin was to present her as a girlfriend (though there was a high chance his family won't really buy it) but still, she is making a storm in a glass of water. She can totally do this. "You are strong, independent, smart, beautiful and I am not saying all of this because I'm biased." Regina laughed, "It is because that is who you are. Sure, you can stubborn, headstrong and plain down snarky but that is what makes you, well you."

"You are totally biased." Regina muttered softly but was unable to hide the smile Henry managed to bring out of her.

"Maybe." He supplied, "But I think that Robin sees that as well. Besides, he wouldn't have asked you to go with him if he thought you and his family wouldn't get along. Plus, you are quite the arm candy." He winked and Regina laughed a bit too loud, she even snorted. Just like that, all the doubts and fears that plagued her mind were gone, leaving behind a more secure and prepared Regina.

"Thanks, daddy." She placed her other hand on top of Henry's, a smile etched to her lips as she did.

"Anytime princess."

|xXx|

She was totally not ready for this.

Regina paced around the row, as they waited for their flight. She had taken free time. Her bosses were utterly surprised about it, but they didn't say no after all the time she had accumulated. Besides it was going to be a breath of fresh air for her other coworkers.

It was a win, win situation, for everyone.

But she was still a bag of nerves. Even after her conversation a few weeks ago with her father, those pesky nerves were dormant in her, only waking up when they passed the first line of security at the airport. No, they weren't the same as before, sponsored by her mother. No, these were the typical ones. The 'I'm about to meet my boyfriend's parents and old friends' type, that just won't relent. What was worse is that Regina was clueless as to what exactly were they to one another? Other than those kisses in their date, and a few more after because face it, they worked around a system so they can actually see one another. In between lunches, late nights at her apartment (where he casually stayed the night with the excuse that she lived closer to his job), And mid mornings where Regina would have two hours to spare and she visited at work to brunch. To see him give classes, was probably the sexiest thing Regina had ever encounter. Food waited on the for at least fifteen minutes as they made out in his office. But other than all that, they haven't really defined the relationship status; and thinking about it that way is making her feel like a teenager waiting for a pregnancy test as she paced around the airport.

"Regina." Robin called gently, his hand on her elbow, guiding her toward him. "You are going to wear down the rug." The brunette could barely hear his voice or feel his touch. Her mind too wrapped up in her own little stormy world. When he nudged her arm softly, coaxing her attention Regina's eyes snapped to his. Those blue with a speak of silver had her breath hitching slightly, enough for the brunette to forced herself to breath evenly, enough to had her head clearing out for a few seconds. "Why are you so nervous? I thought the conversation with your father had helped with that?"

Taking in a deep breath, Regina deflated in the spot she was standing. It wasn't like her to be this way, she always made sure to cover her blind spots, to reach a certain amount of serenity to be able to face any situation. It wasn't the first time meeting parents of a boyfriend but this? This is completely insane. Usually she had to travel across town, not across the pond. Made her realized that Robin was extremely important to her.

Oh God!

"It did." Regina replied, sitting down, prompting Robin to do the same. "These are different." When he gave her this look, silently asking Mills to continue she bites the inside of her lip. Might as well get it over with. Who knows, maybe it will make things better.

Courage on, Regina.

"Look, I know the whole purpose of this trip is to go to your school reunion and I'm not nervous about that, heck I'm arm candy. Well my father said so." A nervous laugh wrecked through her to which Robin joined in saying 'Your father truly knows what he is talking about', she swatted his arm with a roll of her eyes but he continued laughing. Well at least she's feeling a bit better. "Anyway, I knew from the moment you asked me that you were going to see your parents. And normally I wouldn't coward of feel, well like this." Like a complete and utter mess, she wanted to say but kept that part to herself. "But I've realized that this means so much to me because you mean so much that I cannot begin to explain it."

He breathed out a what was a sigh of relief, his hands taking Regina's to give them a reassuring squeeze. "I know you told me this." Robin smiled, "And I told you don't have to do this. We can wait until you are ready to do it. There's no rush we barely started dating and it isn't fair from my part to drop this on you like it was nothing."

At least he said they are dating. One less thing to worry about for the time being. "I know it isn't nothing, Robin. And I actually want to this just that this feeling is unavoidable. I heard somewhere that nerves are a good thing, they make you aware of the importance of a moment, reminds you that your heart is beating that you are alive and well fighting for something really important. And well, you are." How good it felt to say those words without an inch of fear in her. Maybe she was forced to deal with what she felt in order to find the real route to the problem. That her heart may be feelings things it had long forgotten after Daniel, she was forced to face the fact that love was actually still in her, that Regina wasn't as broken as she first thought.

That healing was possible, and that she in the right path.

Expelling a soft breath, all that was brewing inside of her abated and left Regina feeling fresh.

Robin on the other hand was gawking at her not really sure if he heard her right. It was funny actually. His face had the perfect amount of confusion and comic that made Regina displayed a full grin on her part. It was weird for Robin to be spoken to the way she just did. Usually, he was this hopeless romantic with the soul of a poet but this woman in front of him gave him a run for his money. Gods above help him because he would probably die happy with an over doze of love from her part. It was love, right? He took it that way. Robin, lad. Maybe this is a good time to say something, anything. The words in his head barely registered, actually he didn't even process what he was about to say because really he is in a shock state that prevent him to analyzing the situation better. "I love you."

Her smile fell.

She wanted to speak, to ask him if he was being serious but at that very moment their flight was called into boarding. Regina was quick to stand up (taking this chance to gather up her thoughts), pick up her carry on and head to the gate, Robin following behind her.

He fell like an utter idiot for have said those words so early in this still developing relationship. Though the fact that she hadn't run out of the airport was a good sign. But Gods things are bound to be awkward between them.

This was going to be a long, ten hours' flight.