Author's Note: Just to note in this chapter that Regina finding out about the lion's tattoo on Robin's arm hasn't happened yet for the purpose of the story.
Also this will be regularly uploaded to once a week now. Then, I will make sure to bring it up to twice a week once I'm at least ten chapters ahead which won't be long now. So next update is Sunday.
~ Chapter Four ~
Over the course of the next few days, Regina found herself stuck in her spacious home that in a way felt very small. Not long after Regina went with Emma to find David, she suddenly felt unwell with headaches and experiencing some nausea. She tried to push her sickness aside, carrying on with her patrols until Mary Margret and Emma finally convinced her to take it easy. While Regina still tried to help, such as searching through the spell books in her private study for protection charms, there wasn't much she was capable of doing.
Mary Margret had taken up the routine of making sure to make a daily visit to Regina when she could to check up. It was clear as time went on with Regina seeming to not becoming any better that Mary Margret begun to let her concern slip more and more. After some convincing, she finally managed to persuade Regina to go and see Dr Whale.
So Regina soon found herself sitting restlessly on one of the couches in the hospital room as she waited with Mary Margret for the results of numerous tests Whale performed. She was beginning to feel agitated now at how long it was taking and Mary Margret trying to engage in conversation with her was not helpful at all. Somehow, the insufferable woman managed to have a new topic ready at each time as soon as Regina shut down the other attempts. Mary Margret succeeded in bringing in topics about mayor duties, the curse, even her soon to be born baby and how well Zelena, her mid wife, was doing with her.
"Ms Mills?" a nurse asked, fortunately bringing Mary Margret's ramblings about the weather to a close. "Dr Whale is ready to see you in his office," she said gesturing for the two to follow her.
Whale's office wasn't much. In fact it was quite small with files covering nearly every inch of his desk that was already cluttered enough. There was a narrow window bringing the only light in and many file cabinets around which could only be where more files on patients were stored. He looked up from the file he seemed to be reading once Mary Margret and Regina walked in.
"Ah, why don't you two take a seat?" He suggested pointing to the two chairs on the other side of his desk. "As you know, we took several tests in order for us to get a precise diagnosis of your condition and from the looks of it; your physical health is fine." Regina stared at the man for moment wondering how the man could reach this conclusion even with all of her symptoms. "The nausea and dizziness and so on are more due to your magic," he explained fully catching Regina's attention now. "Nothing serious but it seems you are overusing your magic and simple rest could do it."
Regina let out a laugh in that moment amused at how stupid this man seemed. "I haven't used any spells that would cause that much of a drain in my energy recently." Regina argued.
"Maybe none that you remember," Whale countered seeing the amused smile on Regina's face falter. "However, it has been sometime since we've all returned and you should have regained full strength, even with some spells in between," he muttered, showing minor worry. "We did test more on your physical health than anything else, if you'd like, we can continue these tests and focus on your magic abilities and the state it's in."
"Please," Mary Margret said before Regina could respond. Regina sent an annoyed expression towards the women who didn't seem thrown by it. "It'd be better to find out what is going on with Regina soon rather than later, especially with the Wicked Witch roaming."
"Very well," Whale nodded standing. "We'll make another appointment but in the meantime, do take some consideration before preforming any spells that require a large amount of energy. Lack of caution could lead to more serious problems."
Regina grinned widely in what felt an eternity. The horse galloped over the hills at lightning speed that the wind threatening to unravel her long hair that she tied back into a messy bun for the purpose of the ride. She didn't see the need for any proper, formal style when nobody would see her and it was just her and Robin.
She glanced behind her to see where Robin was at. She pulled on the reins gradually bringing the horse to a stop near a lake allowing Robin time to catch up who was far behind. She guided her horse to the water, sitting down on one of the large stones while patiently waiting.
"You're an impressive rider, milady," Robin noted dismounting his own steed. "Did you ride before?"
"A lot," Regina remembered fondly, memories flooding back to all her lessons with Daniel. "I had quite a passion for it in my younger years before I married," she mentioned, some bitter laced in her voice.
Robin nodded a response, taking a seat next to her. He pulled out a flask that was Regina presumed was filled with water, offering it to her. She politely shook her head, her attention drifting to the water where the sun's rays reflected in it. Her thoughts seemed to take her back to her early life when she would often spend her time near the water on sunny days away from her mother. There was something peaceful and calming about it, to sit there with the sun shining down on her.
"You're quite different when you ride," said Robin snapping Regina's attention back to him. "You're more… free not so much regal."
"Do you know how many people would dare to say that to me?" Regina asked, her eyes narrowing at the man who simply shrugged, taking another swig from the flask. Although she admitted, that was something refreshing. While Snow certainly didn't hesitate to share her opinions on Regina which often annoyed her, it was different from this man.
It seemed everybody in the town of Storybrooke showed up to Granny's on that mournful day. Regina sat by the counter, her brown eyes often seeking out her son among the crowd. She was well aware Emma told him about Neal, his father, and his death that happened very recently. It was worse than anything to sit there, not being able to comfort her son as a mother should but only able to formally give her condolences that meant basically nothing to him from a stranger.
"You seem quite preoccupied," a voice said. Regina's eyes darted back to the man in front of her who was offering her a drink. While usually she'd usually refuse, she instead today happily accepted, gulping it down. Regina's eyes once again found themselves focused on a heartbroken Henry who sat with Emma, his hot chocolate untouched. Robin, who couldn't help but wonder where Regina's attention was at, followed her eyes to the young boy. "Forgive me if I'm prying, but… is it correct to assume that is your son?" asked Robin with some hesitation and uncertainty.
Regina turned back to the man who seemed to be watching her closely. She swallowed a lump in her throat she hadn't realized was there. She was beginning to regret she ever shared anything with this man. "He is," she nodded. "His name is Henry."
"I haven't seen him with you since we have been here."
Regina could feel some tears beginning to build up. She tried to subtly wipe them away but judging by Robin's look, it must have not been that subtle. "Before our return to the Enchanted Forest, I needed to give him new memories which ultimately wiped any existence of me in his mind."
Regina regarded the man carefully. He was nothing special, a simple ordinary man from the Enchanted Forest who was a famous outlaw that enjoyed stealing. And still, she found herself easily talking to him. There seemed to be some unspoken communication between them because somehow she knew what they said wouldn't be repeated, despite how he attempted to kill her when she first met him for her first impression.
Even now, she confided in him with personal information and he didn't seem to look down with pity or even satisfaction (as most people would have at her unhappiness). There was only an unreadable expression. What about his man made her so open around him?
Robin opened his mouth when he was suddenly cut off by the sound of a door swinging open. Everybody's eyes immediately went to the source, a tension settling in the diner very quickly. Most people seemed to have taken a fighting stance even with no weapons lying around. The red haired women who they'd come to know as Zelena or the Wicked Witch had an amused expression, a laugh escaping from her as she eyed the diner.
"Oh sorry," she said, her voice filled with sarcasm. "Did I miss the service? I mean it is awfully rude of me. Especially since I'm the one who killed him," -she said the last part in a low voice more to Emma seemingly trying to taunt her- "it certainly looks as though he was beloved." She flashed grin, her dangerous eyes scanning the crowd until the came to a stop on Regina. She cast a wicked grin then and everybody seemed to look where her eyes were at.
"What do you want?" David's voice rang out.
"I simply only wanted to pay a visit to my little sister," Zelena said innocently.
"And who would that be?" questioned Regina.
"Wow… Cora seriously never told you, and I thought before you were only acting," said Zelena - casually referring back to the Enchanted Forest - breaking out into an entertained laugh. "You and I are sisters," she announced ignoring the few gasps and bewildered looks she got.
Regina froze. She successfully kept a neutral mask in front of the crowd who's shocked and skeptical eyes were focused on her. Regina didn't say anything but pursed her lips and adjusted herself to be somewhat taller for an intimidating effect. While she perfected the illusion of looking calm and more importantly in control of what was happening, that was certainly not what she felt. Truthfully she wasn't exactly sure how to respond.
"I hate to break it to you," began Regina, "but I'm an only child. You, I'm afraid, have the wrong person."
Zelena grinned at that even more. "You always seem to be in denial, don't you?" Zelena asked, ignoring the questioning look Regina briefly allowed her to see. "Cora lied to you. She abandoned me when I was a baby while you happily got to live out a fairy tale. In the end, it really came down to the luck of the draw."
"If you think the life I lived with Cora as a mother was a walk in the park… then you are sorely mistaken." Regina hissed, momentarily forgetting the group of people who were watching the exchange warily. As she stepped back from her sister, it was then she realized the watching eyes who seemed confused by her small reveal, everyone but Mary Margret. Like Zelena, they all must have presumed she experienced a life full of love and well... everything. Only Mary Margret was her confidant in the matter. Despite it all, Mary Margret did keep the secret between them.
"Whatever," Zelena replied in a bored tone, clearly not believing her.
"What do you want?"
"An interesting question at last," Zelena said giddily. "I want to take everything away from you," she said through her gritted teeth leaning closer into Regina. "Come to Main Street as eight tonight," -she turned to the crowd who flinched slightly at her menacing look- "and I want everyone here to be there. And do trust me sis when I say, you don't want to leave me hanging."