A/N: Not one of my longest chapters, nor is it one I'm completely proud of, but it's gonna give you a slight idea on what is happening and stuff (also known as, more mystery).

A/N2: Also, I'm currently — slowly — working on the sequel of 'It Grew With a Bump', I'm re-writing another story of mine.

Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time, or its characters. I do, however, own the idea behind this story and the characters that are unknown to the Once fandom. Also, terrible mistakes are mine too.

He was shocked to say the least, he felt sick to his stomach. Not because of her, never because of her, but the unbearable sight he was greeted with. Her hips swaying to the loud music, strangers' hands reaching out to feel her, men whistling for her attention. She must have a reason to be doing what she's doing, and for that, he could never hate her. He couldn't be angry despite the storm raging within him.

Obsessed. Possessive. Crazy.

Call him whatever, but he truly loved her. Why else would he be in the verge of years? A grown, tough and strong man, and yet, he felt helplessly weak after that stomach churning scene.

It was four in the morning and the sun should be rising in under two hours — an hour and twenty five minutes to be exact, but he remained wandering along the streets of Manhattan. He couldn't bring himself to head home yet, he couldn't bear walking past the bistro again.

Robin eventually returned back to his place at six o'clock, just an hour before the start of his shift. John was snoring loudly in his bedroom, he'd probably end up being late too. The guy was a mess last night, it wouldn't be surprising if he decides against showing up today. With a blow to the face and countless shots of tequila (and God knows what else), Robin didn't want to stick around to witness the aftermath of that.

He trimmed down his beard, flossed and showered, standing under the warm water fora good ten minutes to relax his aching muscles before emerging and heading to work. It's going to be a long day, he knew it, even longer with the demons clawing at the back of his head for attention, trying to get him to play yesterday's scenario through again. If only he could forget, wouldn't that just be nice.

"Good morning, Locksley."

The Brit was greeted by his boss, Leopold Blanchard, who just so happened to be his best friend, David's, father-in-law. Robin returned the greeting politely and a tight-lipped smile. He had nothing against the old man, but his bad mood was getting the best of him this morning. "Aurora already brought in your coffee around five minutes ago, sir."

"Yes, thank her for me." Leo smiled and Robin nodded in return.

How can he describe Leopold? He was a kind man, rightful and just in everything he does, everyone loved him, but no one wanted to cross him on his bad days.

"Locksley?"

Robin hummed, lifting both his brows. "Yes, sir?"

"You're coming to the fundraiser I'm throwing next week, aren't you?"

"I…I don't know, sir."

"Well, I hope you do. I'd like to know you a bit better, as a friend rather than just my employee." Leo chuckled. "I also want you to meet my daughter, Zelena."

"I..I don't know.." Robin stuttered. There were two reasons to why he didn't want to go. One of them was because he couldn't bother at all, and the other was because this man was clearly trying to set him up with his daughter. Anyone could tell, and his heart belonged to someone else. It wasn't a great idea.

"Oh come on, David speaks very highly of you and I barely get enough time to talk to you. Infact, I think this is the longest conversation we've ever had." Leopold addressed. "Who knows, maybe you'll earn yourself a raise."

That was enough to catch Robin's attention. A raise, he desperately needed one.

"I can't promise anything, sir, but I'll certainly try." Robin promised and Leopold nodded, sufficed with this answer for now.

His shift ended in a blink of an eye, and although he tried earning himself a couple extra hours to avoid going home, Leopold insisted that he goes. "You look like shit," he told him in all honesty and well, he felt like shit too, that's for sure.

The plan was to grab something for dinner from any eatery except the bistro, but the exact opposite is what happened instead. He four himself being tugged toward it by an unseen force, and well, since he was already standing right infront of it, he might as well get in and get himself a few drinks.

"You look like you've been hit by a truck." Ruby teased, earning a swat on the bicep from the old lady.

"Behave," Granny scolded her granddaughter and cooed at Robin, "what's wrong, dear?"

"Nothing." Robin lied, and he felt horrible for doing so to Granny, but what else was he supposed to tell her? That he was in love with a woman who didn't speak his language and she just so happened to be a stripper? The old lady wouldn't understand.

"It doesn't look like nothing to me." Granny argued, placing a hand over his shoulder and squeeze. "But I'll leave you to it, I'll be heading home now. Goodnight, sweetheart."

"Goodnight, Granny."

Not a second after the old lady stepped out, he found Ruby flopping down on the stool beside him, propping her chin up on her palm and staring at him. "What's up?"

"Nothing." He grumbled.

"Bullshit, Robin, what's wrong?" She repeated. All jokes aside, her voice was stern, she was dead serious, he could tell. Part of him was touched by her gesture, and the other simply wanted her to leave him alone.

"Nothing, Rubes." He insisted.

"Is it Regina?"

Was he that easy to read?

"You might as well tell me, there are no customers around, and my shift won't be ending anytime soon." Ruby told him. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Fine," Robin groaned, "yes, it was Regina. Happy?

"No, I'm not." Ruby confessed, she was genuine, not a trace of her usual teasing on her features. "I've known you for over two years now, Robin, and not once did I see you like this." She explained. "Quite frankly, you're my only friend, I don't like seeing you upset."

That brought a weary smile to his face. It wasn't much, but at least it was something. "I'll be alright."

"No, you won't be." She sighed, sitting upright and facing him with her arms folded over her chest. "You've been like this since your date with her, Robin." She was right, as much as he'd hate to admit that. He'd been this way since their date, and last night only made things worse. "It's not healthy, but…have you thought that maybe she's busy?" She attempted to look at the bright side of this all, and he would've settled for that if it wasn't for the discovery he made the night before. "I mean, you did say the other day that she looks like a model. Maybe she is, and models tend to be always busy."

Robin merely shrugged, he knew better, he knew that she wasn't a model, but he would've rather that than her being a stripper, it would've spared him the heartache.

They sat together, downing one shot after another, talking about other things but avoiding this subject. He needed things that would cheer him up instead.

"Why did you run off stage like that?"

Regina lifted her head up, looking over at the blonde, Mallory, her roommate, who just so happened to be working at the same place as her. "I just…I felt sick." She lied, shrugging her shoulders.

"You think Gold will be pissed?" Mallory asked, slumping down on the couch beside her friend.

"Of course he will be," Regina sighed, "but I'll take care of it." She murmured, reaching down again to paint her toes.

"You sure you don't want me with you incase, you know, he does anything?" Mallory suggested.

Now she heard that Mr. Gold can be abusive sometimes, but she was yet to witness anything from him. She heard he would whip the girls with his cane, slap them across the face, and sometimes, in rare occasions, he'd use the belt. None of which he used on either Mallory or herself, but he'd been rough on her, grabbing her and tossing her around, leaving faint bruises over her body.

"I think I can handle that century old man on my own, Mal." Regina chuckled. "But thank you."

"So, pizza?"

Regina hummed, nodding her head rapidly. "Extra cheese and mushrooms please!"

A/N: Well, turns out that someone actually speaks English. That little bitch. Anyways, please don't forget to review and let me know what you think of this chapter!