She loves to cook. Since she was a toddler, Regina would waddle into her uncle's diner and walk around the kitchens watching people chop, dice, and sear delicious recipes. Once she could stand high enough on the counters, her Uncle Marco would bring her into the kitchens of his diner and show her the different ways to cook an egg. After she mastered cheesy scrambled eggs at the age of six, they moved on to cooking rice, searing chicken, and making the perfect chicken soup. By the age of ten she was making full meals for her parents. She learned how to make different dessert of all kinds and complicated meals like beef stroganoff and shepherd's pie. She had dreams of becoming a chef when she got older. She wanted to own her own restaurant and make meals she loved to bring smiles to people's faces. She loved it - then she hated it.

When her mother was ill, she would be cooking her meals that were flavorless and unappetizing. Through her mother's chemo, she would cook her meals that she knew were easy to eat, but her mother would throw them up or not want to eat them. It turned her off to cooking and never really made meals she loved after that. She stopped cooking for a while and found no joy in it for a long time. She only cooked out of need, basic, uneventful meals.

Until tonight, surprisingly. It had been two weeks since Roland had left to spend time with his mother and he was supposed to come back Monday morning. Robin had been in the same state he was in on the first day she met him. He wouldn't speak and would get angry when they insisted on going to physical therapy, as always. He wouldn't speak to anyone unless it was really necessary. Regina had just sat watching how miserable and sad he was. She didn't push him. Roland was coming back tomorrow, though. She knew that Roland would help brighten his father's day.

She wanted to get Robin to eat and enjoy the small things in life a little more, and she had found out through Emma Roland's favorite food – lasagna. She grinned at the fact that the meal she loved to make so much was Roland's favorite.

So here she was, working in her kitchen layering pasta and ricotta cheese and meat mixed with veggies. She had already prepped an apple crumble that she would finish up at Robin's tomorrow. She hoped both Robin and Roland would like it and would bring them both back together happily.

As she finished the last layer, she heard her father holler at the entrance for her.

"In the kitchen, daddy!"

He stepped in with his suitcase and eyebrows raised at the sight, "You're cooking. Lasagna."

"Yes, I am."

"What's the occasion?"

She smiled as she wrapped foil over the tray and placed it in the freezer, "Roland is coming back tomorrow and I wanted to do something nice for both Robin and Roland. Roland's favorite meal is lasagna, just like mine, isn't that funny?"

Her father didn't respond. He sat on the island with a smile on his face as he watched his daughter clean up.

Regina noticed her father staring, "What is it?"

"Nothing, sweetheart. Well, I will be calling it a night. I'll see you tomorrow," He kissed her cheek and made his way up the stairs to his room. He would fall asleep content and hopeful that things were looking up for his daughter; he hadn't seen a smile like the one she had in a very long time.

"Regina!" Roland yelled as he ran to his father's room.

She knelt to his level and gave him a hug, "Hi Roland!

She looked up to see a woman standing with a snobbish face looking at her and Roland. She stood to greet her and extended her hand to shake it, "Hi, you must be Roland's mother. I'm Regina, Robin's caretaker."

Marian looked at her up and down and then to Robin. She ignored her greeting and stepped in front of Robin's bed.

"Your son is here," she said coldly.

"I know, I'm waiting for you to leave so I can greet him," Robin replied as he turned to look at Marian.

She turned to Regina, "Can we have some privacy?"

"Roland, why don't you come with me so we can let your parents talk?"

She stepped out of the room as she closed the door she went to her bag to show Roland the shark coloring book she made him while he was away.

"A shark one like I asked. Regina, I love it!"

"And guess what, I made a special meal for lunch for you and your Papa."

"Really? What is it?"

"Lasagna!"

"Really? I love it, I love it!" He said jumping up and down.

"I also got a special dessert! It's-,"

"He needs a damn father, Robin!"

She jumped up as she heard the yell come from the room.

"Get the fuck out of my house!"

"You're a pathetic excuse of a man!"

She looked down to see Roland who had a frightened look on his face and grabbed onto her hand.

"Regina…," he looked at her as he whimpered, "Make them stop."

"It's okay Roland, come here," she lifted him up and held him tight. He had his arms wrapped around her neck and his head was cradled on the crook of her neck. She soothed him softly whispering reassuring words. She heard his whimpers and it tore her heart to pieces.

Rachel Locksley walked in with bewildered eyes as she heard the yelling and saw Regina with a crying Roland in arms.

"What is going on in here? Fighting again?" she said.

Roland lifted his head and said as he cried and he put his hands on his ears, "Gramma stop the yelling, stop the yelling!"

Rachel walked into the room, "What is the matter with both of you? Your son is distraught outside!"

"This does not concern you, Rachel, so back off," Marian growled.

"Marian, I am going to ask youto leave," Rachel demanded.

"Excuse me?"

Rachel straightened herself and stood in front of Marian. She looked like a mother lion protecting its prey, "I have watched you bicker, yell, and demean my son in front of my grandson. I will not let you do this any longer. I have no idea why I let it come this far, but it stops now."

"So, you're kicking me out?"

"No, I am asking you to leave… nicely. Don't make me ask twice," She walked to the door and opened it.

"Fine," she said as she grabbed her bag.

As Regina watched the scene unfold, Roland continued to sob as he held onto her firmly. Her heart was broken at how distraught Roland was and how horrible this whole situation was. She didn't know what happened but in that moment, she felt so angry towards both Marian and Robin. This little boy was so distraught, it made her so angry all she felt was the need to protect him from anyone and anything that would threaten to hurt him.

Marian stepped towards Regina and said softly, "Roland, I'm leaving sweetheart."

Roland didn't respond, his sobs filled the room and he held even tighter to Regina not willing to let go of her. His face was jammed to her neck and she could feel all his tears run down her chest.

"Roland, baby, say bye to mommy," Marian said softly stepping forward.

"No." Regina growled.

Marian's looked stunned at Regina's words, "Excuse me? He's my son. And I am going to say goodbye to him."

"You're right, he is your son. But I don't care, especially right now, when his is distraught at the way that you and his father are behaving."

Marian scoffed, "Who do you think you are?"

"No one. I'm no one here… but I will not let Roland suffer because of you or Robin or anyone."

Marian had a confused and stunned face but most of all, she looked angry; but Regina didn't care one bit, not when Roland was broken and sobbing against her. His little hands wouldn't let go of her, she almost believed that she wouldn't be able to let go of him, she was too scared to let him go and have someone else hurt him.

Regina looked to Mrs. Locksley waiting for some sort of support. She nodded and Regina turned to look back to Marian, "I believe Mrs. Locksley asked you to leave."

"This isn't over," Marian warned as Regina began walking towards Robin's room.

"No, it isn't," Regina said, "I'll be here if you want to continue it. You can count on that." And with that Regina walked into Robin's room and closed the door. Marian's voice echoed in the room until the main door to the suite slammed shut and silence filled the room.

She stood at the entrance of the room while Roland's sobs began to die down. Her eyes met Robin's and she could tell he was torn; he was angry, sad, and most of all ashamed. She sat on a chair next to Robin's bed. She sat for a few minutes soothing Roland's diminishing sobs whispering comforting words while she looked at Robin, who would switch from looking at Roland and her.

Once Roland's cries stopped he was still clinging to her tightly with one hand fisted on her jacket while the other was wrapped around her neck, "Roland," she said softly as she stroked his back, "You want to say hi to your Papa?"

Roland shook his head slowly and it was evident in Robin's blue eyes it broke him to see that.

Regina stroked his hair and gave him a kiss on his forehead, "Now, Roland, your Papa hasn't seen you for weeks. Haven't you missed him? I know he's missed you so much."

Roland lifted his head slightly, "Really?" He wiped his face with his hands as he looked at his father.

"Yes, my boy, I have missed you so much." Robin admitted through a cracked voice.

Regina wiped the remaining tears as Roland said, "But, Papa, n-no fighting with m-mama. I don't like it." He grabbed Regina's hand and squeezed it firmly.

"I know my boy, I am so sorry for that. I promise you to not do it again," Roland moved from Regina's lap to stand next to his father's bed but still holding onto her hand.

"Promise?" Roland extended a pinky for his father.

"Promise, my boy." Robin responded and Roland hooked his pinky on his father's pinky that laid on the bed, unmoving. Roland kissed the hooked pinkies, sealing in the promise.

"How about you come sit up here with me and tell me about your time at Mama's, yeah?" Robin asked.

Roland looked hesitant as he looked back to Regina and then to Robin.

"What's wrong?" Robin asked him.

"I… I don't want to let go of Regina," he confessed. He climbed up to Regina's lap and laid his head on her chest as he remained holding on her hand tightly.

Robin chuckled at his son's confession and smiled at the sight, "Very well, tell me about your time away then."

It was a little difficult to get Roland back to his same self. His grandmother had come back in to check in on all of them a few minutes after. It had helped Roland a bit more to see more happy faces in the room. Robin asked him questions trying to get him out of his sad state and Regina gave him a couple tickles that had him giggling in her lap; within an hour he was back to his same excited happy self. It wasn't long before Roland was claiming that he was hungry.

"Regina, can we eat the lasagna now?"

"Let me put it in the over, it should be a few minutes. I can cut us some fruit to snack on while we wait, how's that?" Roland nodded and climbed onto his father's bed. Regina returned with cut apples and Roland's new shark coloring book. Roland colored in his book while he and Regina alternated giving his father some apples as well.

She was helping Roland color a page when she noticed Robin staring at her, "What?" she asked as she set the crayon down and leaned back on her chair.

"Nothing, just… you made lasagna."

"Is something wrong with that?"

"Not at all. It's very nice of you. It's Roland and mine's favorite actually."

"I heard it was Roland's favorite, I didn't know it was yours too." She replied.

"It is."

"It's my favorite too," she replied as she heard the oven ding.

Lunch was delicious. They had set up a small table on Robin's bed. Roland devoured the lasagna and asked for seconds but after his second helping his father cut him off. As Regina fed Robin and herself, they talked about anything and everything – well, mostly Roland. They laughed and joked about the most random and silliest things.

After they finished eating, Regina cleaned up served them both a piece of the apple crumble. She beamed at how they both kept repeating how delicious it was and how she should make more. Once they finished, Roland insisted on watching a movie. Robin agreed to only one, knowing full well how his son could reel him into an entire movie marathon if he wasn't careful.

They decided on watching Brave. Roland blushingly asked Regina is he could sit on her lap to watch the movie and she let him. Mid-way through the movie, Roland fell asleep against Regina's chest.

"I think my son has a crush on you," Robin chuckled.

"I have to agree. I think he might like me even more after cooking his favorite food," Regina replied.

"It was really good. Thank you, Regina. You didn't have to."

"I wanted to. I… I thought it would be something nice to do to welcome Roland back after his time away," She said as she stroked his hair.

"I assure you that he loved it. As you saw, I had to bar him from thirds. I believe he would have eaten the whole tray if I hadn't stopped him," Robin chuckled.

"I had stopped cooking for a long while, I'm a bit rusty, so I'm sure it wasn't that great, but -,"

"It was delicious, I promise. I'll be wanting some more later, if there still is any," he replied.

"There's plenty. Just let me know when and I'll serve you some."

There was a bit of silence and Regina moved to look at Roland as she ran her fingers through his brown locks.

"I want to apologize for overstepping earlier Robin. I'm nothing to Roland, I know, I just couldn't take how distraught he was and-,"

"No, Regina, don't ever apologize for protecting Roland. I should be thanking you for that," she didn't respond to his words. She looked down to Roland as head chest rose and fell softly. He looked so peaceful.

"I should apologize for my behavior earlier today. It was completely unexpectable. If it weren't for you being here for Roland, I have no idea how this would have turned out."

"He was so broken," she said softly as she continued to look at Roland and combed his hair. He stirred a bit and wrapped his arms around Regina who reciprocated the movement and snuggled closer to him.

"I'm such a horrible excuse of a father," he uttered and Regina's eyes shot up at him as she recalled those were the same words Marian used against him.

"Don't ever say that. Ever." She said sternly and brows furrowed, "You are a great father to him."

Robin stayed silent as he saw her irritation at his confession, "He deserves better," Robin said softly as he gazed at his sleeping son.

"Then be better." Regina replied.

"It's not that easy."

"I know, but it doesn't have to be perfect, just as long as you try. Trying and failing is worth so much more than never giving anything a chance," Regina said.

"I tried before… it earned me the divorce of the woman I loved."

"What about your son?" She nodded towards Roland, "He's still here and I know he is the one who believes the most in you."

"I love my son, so much."

"It's very evident that you are his world to him, Robin." Robin slightly smiled at the statement but there was still a sadness in his eyes.

There was a moment of silence before again Regina spoke, "I don't mean to pry and it may not even be my place, but, what's holding you back?"

He looked at her, and she could tell he wanted to tell her but maybe he just wasn't ready. Perhaps he hadn't admitted to himself what was holding him back or didn't want to face that truth just yet.

She smiled at him, "It's okay. I get it."

"I'm going to take him to his room, I'll be right back. David should be here in a bit to check you over," Regina said as she began to walk out of the room.

She stood in the doorway she said, "If it means anything, I believe in you too."

When she returned, David was already there and, to Regina's surprise, was moving him over to a wheelchair.

"What's this?" Regina grinned from the doorway.

"Trying," Robin replied.

Once he was seated, he looked to Regina who was still standing by the doorway in disbelief, "How's about a walk in the sunlight. I'm tired of this bloody room."

Regina couldn't help the ecstatic smile plastered on her face. She grabbed her coat and moved to grab the wheelchair and begin pushing Robin out the door.

Mist Haven wore Spring beautifully. The grass was green and lush and the trees had fresh hues of green. The flowers were blooming colorully and the birds chircped happily among the estate. The air was crisp and clean and the smell of wet grass filled the air in the Locksley estate.

As they had made their way through the house, a couple staff noticed Robin and Regina walking around and their eyes widened and mouths dropped at the sight. She noticed that Robin remained silent and straight faced as they made their way out of the mansion.

"So, where do you want to go?" She asked as she halted near a garden.

"Over by that apple tree. Do you see it? There's a bench there for you to sit."

She parked Robin in front of the bench as she sat. The wind blew coldly and it felt pleasing against the warm sun. She crossed her legs on the bench and looked over to Robin who was silent, as he was looking around. She saw as he closed his eyes for a few moments and Regina couldn't help but smile at the very fact that he was out of the house for the first time.

"Taking it all in?" she asked. He replied with a simple, "Mmhm."

As she continued to look at Robin's slowly growing peaceful face her phone rang, "Hi Daddy."

At the sound of the ring, Robin opened his eyes and met hers. She gave him a smile as she continued talking to her father, "No, that's fine. I was going to go have dinner with Tink anyway, we're planning Mal's bachelorette party."

Robin's smirked at the comment and Regina rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Yes, I'll tell her. I love you too. Bye."

As she hung up she saw Robin attempting to hold down a smile, "What's so funny?" she asked.

"Bachelorette party?"

"Yes, something wrong with that?" Regina said crossing her arms as she gave him a challenging smirk.

"Didn't peg you for the lap-dance-from-naked-men type of girl."

She scoffed sarcastically at his comment, "So, what type of girl did you peg me for then?"

Robin smiled timidly, "Just…"

"Say it, Locksley," she dared teasingly.

"I-I… You seem more of a stay at home family person… n-not that you're a prude…"

"Prude? Ha." Regina said trying to act offended. She could tell her didn't mean it up she thought it was so funny watching him try to explain his blurting.

"No- No! That's not what I meant! You're young and beautiful- shit- sorry, I'm not saying that I want youbutdoesn't mean that I wouldn't be if – I mean I would if I-we-could- I mean your choice... Shit! Bollocks. Sorry."

Regina chuckled at the sight of his rambling, "Relax, Robin. I'm only teasing you." She saw he shook his head with a grin and embarrassment.

"If you must know, I am not really interested in that stuff, but Tink and Mal are and she insists she be given a proper farewell party."

"So this Tink and Mal are…?"

"Tink is my best friend, I've known her since our first day of preschool. And Mal is also my best friend, and we've known each other since high school."

"Tink like Tinkerbelle?"

"Her real name is Rosebell Tinkers, but given her last name, Tink kinda stuck. In addition to her annoying obsession with Tinkerbelle during elementary and middle school, it was fitting."

"And Mal is…?"

"She moved to Mist Haven High from New York. She had just lost her mother, so her father and she moved for a fresh start. Her dad and mine worked together in the DA's office. When… when my mom died, we got close. She understood what I was going through, so she was there a lot for me," her voice softened at the end of her sentence.

"Your mother… you said she was sick."

"Cancer," she said nodding. She hated talking about her mother, but something in her make her feel okay to talk to him, "She was diagnosed when I was in my freshman year and by my junior year she was gone."

"I'm so sorry, Regina. I can't imagine losing my mum, especially at that age."

She chuckled lightly, "That's why I talked back to you when I first met you. I know the loss of a mother and it's unfathomable to me how you had spoken to her. If I had my mother, I would never miss a day without telling her how much I love her," her voice broke slightly and she was in a bit of bewilderment realizing how open she had been with him about something to close to her broken heart.

He nodded softly, their eyes were locked on each other during their quite intimate conversation. Weirdly, it felt comfortable talking to each other; almost as if they had been friends for ages.

"So, have you always wanted to be a caretaker for foul-mouthed scoundrels like me?"

"You're not a scoundrel…," she said.

"I've been quite an arse, admit it. A bloody scoundrel." He said smiling.

"Fine, yes, at first you were but not so much recently."

"So, have you?" he asked again.

She sighed, "No, I was in college trying to get into med-school but, decided not to go that route. I've been kind of wandering you could say, not sure what to do as a profession or life for that matter. I was working at Tink's actually, before here; she owns a boutique, that's where I met Emma and found out about the job."

"Pixie Hollow, that boutique?" he asked.

"Yes, how did you know that place?"

"That's the only place the girl shops for clothes. I've gone there a couple times for gifts for her, they're clothes are quite nice."

"Tink prides herself a lot on that store. I was doing the bookkeeping for a few months and helping out before coming here."

"Did you work there before that?"

"From time to time whenever I needed extra money."

"Small world, I don't recall ever seeing you there."

"Hmm, doubt you have; but if you had, you would have probably forgotten about me," she admitted.

"What makes you so sure about that?" he questioned.

"I'm not your type," she said.

Robin chuckled, "You think you know my type?"

"If your ex is any indication of your type then yes, I do," she said.

"Well, you are my type, believe it or not; more than Marian was actually," he replied with a smirk. Regina didn't respond – she didn't actually know what to say at all. She raised her eyebrows in an 'okay, sure' response that made him chuckle. They stayed silent for a bit until Robin asked her another question.

"So, you said you've been wandering not knowing what to do with your life."

"Yes, I did."

"Well, what did you want to be as a child?"

"As a child?"

"Yes, generally, what we want to be as a child, I believe, is our real purpose."

"Hmm, who knew Robin Locksley was so wise," she teased.

"Well, if you had gotten to know me, you would know I am a bit wise – just a tad."

Regina rolled her eyes at his attempt to be funny. He was funny actually, but he wasn't going to let him know that just yet, "I wanted to have my own restaurant or a little shop to make all my favorite foods. All the desserts I loved, the dishes that my friends and family loved most. But I never wanted to have it here in Mist Haven. I wanted to do it in Storybrooke the town nearby."

"Storybrooke? Why?"

She shrugged, "I've always wanted to live there. I love everything about it. There's this house there that I love, well, not house is kindof a small mansion."

"Must be a beautiful house. What street is it on?"

"It's on Mifflin Street, it's never been for sale but I've always dreamed of living there and making a family there, and filling up all those rooms with kids and dogs and animals running around making everyone crazy."

"Sounds like it would be a beautiful life." He said as she nodded.

"And the shop, why haven't you tried to open one up?" he asked.

She shook her head slightly, "Life happened, I guess." Yes, it was life that happened to her, loss and so much pain that she couldn't feel like moving forward was an option. Her life had been halted for so many years, and she was okay being there where she was now, she didn't want to rock the boat.

"You know what I see in you?"

"No, don't, Robin."

"Potential, and so much wasted time."

"Well, I'm just fine where I am," she said as she shifted in her seat, "I'm okay and that's fine with me."

"But you're not happy." He prompted.

"I am happy. I'm happy every day," she defended.

"Let me rephrase it, you're not satisfied with how your life has turned out."

She remained silent for a bit and he said, "You only get one life Mills, it's your duty to live it to the fullest, no matter how painful it gets."

"Hmm, someone should be taking their own advice," she said with a smirk.

Robin snickered at the realization, "Yes, I guess I should be."

They both laughed at the irony of the situation, they seemed to be at a good place so Regina was going to take a leap of faith. She wanted to do something to bring him towards his slow progress and a shave one a small thing but it was part of it, "You know what, you, sir, need a good shave."

"Shave? How do you know I'm not trying to grow it out?"

"Well, suit yourself then, I think you would have looked a lot more handsome with a shave," she admitted.

"Handsome, huh?"

"That's not…," she realized what she had said. Oh, shoot. That was unprofessional, "Sorry."

"It's fine, I appreciate the compliment. Especially from a beautiful woman, whom, I know I would not have forgotten about, had I ever seen you," Regina rolled her eyes recalling their previous topic. He looked at her with a playful smile and she got this feeling of hope, that today would not be just a onetime thing and that maybe, just maybe, his would show more progress in the coming days.

"Let's have a shave then." She was surprised at his acceptance to her proposal but was not going to give him time to back out.

She stood and took him into the house. They continued talking and it turned out they had a lot of things in common.

When they got back into his room, David had helped him back into his bed while Regina prepped the shaving cream and found a new clean razor.

"This is a huge thing, Regina," David said as he entered the bathroom where Regina was, "Whatever it is you are doing, it's working."

"I honestly don't know what is causing this," she confessed, "But I'm not complaining."

"Well, whatever it is, keep doing it. He has not left this room since the day he was brought here from the hospital. Hopefully soon, he will want to do some physical therapy towards mobile functions. The therapy I give him is just the bare minimum. He needs more, or else it will be for nothing."

She knew it was serious, Robin was at a tipping point where if he started treatment, he would be able to walk again and soon enough, move like if nothing ever happened to him. She had taken him to one of his bi-weekly doctor appointments and they had said the same thing. Time was drawing near for him to be able to get back to complete motor functions but he needed to act soon.

"Alright, Locksley, ready?" He looked at her with a wide smile.

"Give me your worst, Mills," She realized that it was the first time he had a smile that wide for anyone who wasn't his son. But there was something different about this smile, there was a slight glimmer of hope in him. It gave her a flutter in her stomach, was she really helping him push forward? Was she really helping him have hope? She thought for a moment as she set up the work station. It probably had to do with the fact that she had Roland around a lot more. Hopefully that was it, and if it was something else, whatever it was, she hoped that it would get him through this horrible chapter of his life.

"Are you sure you're going to do this?" He asked with a worried look on his face.

She nodded, "Yes, I'm going to do this."

She had applied shaving cream and he laid back with a hesitant look on his face. She had never shaved a man before – ever. She had a good idea since she had watched her father do it growing up, but she was worried she would cut him. She was about to begin running the blade on his cheek when he halted, "Wait."

"What's wrong? Don't back out now," she challenged.

He closed his eyes as he began to speak, "Heavenly father, I come to you in prayer, please don't let this beautiful woman knick me." She gave him a slight slap on his arm as she giggled.

"Oi, I may not be able to move but I did feel that," He glared teasingly.

"You can feel?"

"Yes."

"That's amazing," she beamed, "Can you feel this?" she asked as she placed her hand on top of his.

"It's faint, but yes," he said softly, "You're soft… warm."

She smiled timidly at his comment and said, "You know this is really great, Robin."

"I suppose." He replied.

"Don't put down your progress. Any progress at all is an amazing thing. It should be celebrated," she gave him a sincere smile. There was no response from his but she was fine with that; today had been such great progress for him. She had seen an opening to be able to get him moving forward and she was going to take it. She had to admit, she had opened to him to on some topics that she didn't speak to anyone about – at all.

It was silent while she shaved him. She was focused on not cutting him that she did not realize that he was looking at her the entire time. For the first time since she got here, he noticed her brown eyes. They were deep and earthy but had a slight red and yellow coloring – it was her fire – he had heard her fire first hand that morning. He liked her fire. He didn't know exactly what had happened today, but he had gone outside for the first time in a long time and had opened to someone – her – and she had been so accepting and understanding – mostly hopeful. It was mystifying to him how what she had done to him, he realized he wanted to try. For the first time, he wanted to try because he knew that when he did, she would beam with joy just like she did earlier today. She would be giddy as a child from any progress he made. He ignored it for now, but it made his heart swell just a bit.

As she was finished she paused and looked at him, he looked different; more awake.

She pouted her lips and furrowed her eyebrows as she thought.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"You look good, just, you'd look better with a bit of scruff," she confessed.

"Hold on, you've got me over here letting you shave me while I'm scared out my wits you'll knick me up, but now that I'm hairless you say I look better with hair?" Robin asked as he let out a hearty laugh.

"No, no, you look great! Just, you look good with hair just not so much. Just a bit of scruff to give a little prick that's all. That would be perfect," she said as she began to put away the razor.

"You do realize you're flirting with me, right?" he remarked and he saw her eyes widen.

"Uh, no, I'm sorry. I didn't mean -," She was interrupted by Robin's chuckling and she gave him a glare.

"I'm only teasing you, Regina. Relax, or else you're going to have a miserable time here. I plan on teasing you a lot."

"Oh, really?" she said placing her hands on her hips.

"Really," he replied with a wide grin plastered on his face. He really did love teasing her today and he was going to plan to do it more often.

She looked at her phone and checked her time, it was time for her to leave.

"It's 5:30," she told him.

"Well, you better be going then; off to plan a party with naked men." He said as Regina rolled her eyes.

"Tink's picking me up today, she must be already at the gate waiting. She's quite punctual."

"And your car?" she asked.

"Non-existent."

"What?!"

"I… I can't drive a car."

"Why not?" he asked. He couldn't believe she did not have a car and his house was quite far from where she lived for her to walk. Perhaps she took public transportation, but even still, she shouldn't do that. There had even been times where she had stayed late and he had not even bothered to think about that. He felt like an idiot.

"I've got PTSD, from a previous car accident. I can't get behind a wheel… it's… difficult." She said hesitantly. She was amazed at the level of openness she was starting to have with him it was starting to make her feel self-conscious. She was not ready for this openness with someone, let alone the person she worked for.

"How long ago did you have this accident?"

"Six years ago, … I rather not talk about it." He nodded in understanding and apologized if he had over stepped but she halted his apologies and let him know it was all fine.

She packed her things and stepped into his room to bid him goodbye.

"Regina, I'd like to arrange for a car to pick up and drop you off."

"No, Robin, that's not necessary." She said shaking her head.

"I insist."

"No, it's fine. I'm good on bus or a ride here and there."

"Please. I'd like to know you've arrived here safely and made it home safe after having to wrestle with two Locksley men," he smiled.

"I'll think about it."

"There's no thinking. The car will be at your home tomorrow morning. I'll have a vehicle assigned to you with a driver for anything you may need. At any time, whether work related or not."

"I don't appreciate having decisions made for me." She said as she crossed her arms.

"I'd just like to ensure that you are safe at all times. If not me, do it for Roland, he wouldn't like having his favorite cook or book maker hurt as she walked the sidewalks."

She paused, "Fine. But nothing on weekends, only on work related activities."

"Regina, no-,"

"No, Robin. I'm fine really."

He would oblige for now, "Fine, only for work. But if you do need it for anything else, it will always be available."

"Thank you, Robin."

"Before you leave…," he began. "I believe my son has been awake from his nap for some time now. Would you mind brining him in?"

"Of course," she said beaming at the request. This was the first time he had voluntarily asked for Roland to see him. It was progress!

"One more thing… if you see my mum or anyone else in my family. Tell them they're welcome too, if… if they like." She saw he was scared; more of rejection from his family than anything else after the way he had been acting but she knew he had nothing to worry about. He wouldn't tell him anything though, he would have to see it for himself.

"I will, Robin," as she stood on the doorway, we realized that after today she was beginning to see a new man, he was just a slightly bit happier, hopeful, and alive, "Good talk today, Robin. I hope to have more."

"So do I. Have a good night, Regina." He replied with a genuine smile.

She made her way to see Roland who ran off to his father's room with Belle right behind him. She ran into Emma and told her about the progress he made today and was responded with joyful tears and a tight hug.

On her way out, she ran into Mr. and Mrs. Locksley, along with John in the main entrance. The entire family was beaming with joy and there was not a dry eye from any family member at the news of Robin's progress. As Mr. Locksley and John, ran into the house to see Robin, Mrs. Locksley stay behind.

"Regina, I cannot thank you enough," she said with a cracked voice.

"I had lost hope such a long time ago, and I believe I was going to be taking my son to his grave in a few months. You don't know what you have given us. Thank you, Regina. You have given us back the hope that we lost such a long time ago. I wanted to thank you for this morning as well, that bloody woman had done so much damage and Roland has hurt so much. I'm ashamed to say it but you are the first to protect him in all of this, we have been struggling in this that we had forgotten to think of him. He's only a child," she said as she began to sob.

Regina quickly hugged her and soothed her cries. They parted moments later with Mrs. Locksley thanking her one more and giving her one last hug.

"Go see your son, Mrs. Locksley, I know he's waiting for you," and without second thoughts Mrs. Locksley was off to see her son.

Hello, my loves! I actually really liked writing this chapter. The sweetness and understanding and openness between Robin and Regina had be feeling fluffy all day! Please rate and comment and let me know your thoughts on this chapter!

What have you like so far and what you think will come next!

We are starting to discover a bit more about Regina and her own personal life and I can identify A LOT with her.

What do you think is next for these two soulmates?

What's gonna happen when Regina sees Marian again?

Will Robin start physical therapy before it's too late?

Stay tuned to find out!