Hello my lovelies! Here is the all-important Chapter 6! Robin to the rescue! I will be updating a little less frequently after this due to work etc, but rest assured...I will be posting more chapters on what's to follow after the big question ;)

Happy reading!

-OUATAddict Xx

She appeared beside the stage girls, a trio known as the Queens of Darkness. They only danced and sang for the club, unlike Regina and the other girls, they were not owned by anybody. Sometimes Regina resented them, how lucky they were to be free, but it was only at her lowest moments, like tonight when she felt that way. The blonde dancer, Mal, had been Regina's friend before.

Before the club. Before Kingsley. Before….no, she wouldn't think about such sadness. Mal had never told her how she'd ended up at the Dark Castle, but she had been shocked to find Regina there when she'd arrived four years ago. She'd said Cora had announced to society that Regina had died, just two months after a wedding abroad. It made Regina's blood boil.

How low her mother would go just to have herself rise. She'd found out she had an elder half-sister not long after she had come to the Dark Castle. According to the Dealer, Cora had given the girl away, out of shame, to be raised in a nunnery, and seized her chance to gain her place in high society when she met Regina's father. Regina considered her sister lucky. At least life in a nunnery was better than exploitation by her mother.

Mal blinked at Regina, seeing through Jewel's mask.

"Honey, you are not okay." She eyed her friend, seeing the raw burn marks that had been poorly covered with makeup and her costume.

Regina hid her face with her hands, the tears welling in her eyes as Mal took her in her arms.

"No…I'm not" she said, barely a whisper in response.

Mal pulled away from their hug, a comforting hand patting Regina's arm.

"Listen, I can handle Madam Azul and The Dealer for you. Go back to your room. Get some rest. And if Azul isn't getting you a doc for those burns I'm seeing under that makeup, then I'm bringing one back with me tomorrow."

Regina smiled weakly back at her friend.

"Thankyou, Mal."

They parted ways after that, Mal joining the other two women on the stage, and as Regina returned to her boudoir she could hear the wolf-whistles from the lads in the audience when her friend began to dance to the sultry music being played. It made her smile, knowing her friend would unleash the Dragon to protect her.

She slept poorly that night though, tossing and turning, feeling the painful burns each time her raw skin rubbed against her satin sheets. Wide awake, she prayed somehow, one day, she'd fly away. Escape from the cage the club was to her.

Robin waited two nights after the incident with Kingsley before returning to the Dark Castle. He had a plan, and with some help from Will and his other buddies, he was determined that tonight was the night he would steal the Diamond from its case.

He sent Will ahead, telling him to scout the club for any sign of Madam Azul or Kingsley. He didn't care about The Dealer. All of them be damned, Jewel would be free. Robin caught Roux loitering under the dim light of the back alleyway, and discreetly sidled on up to her.

"What's a gentleman have to do for the attentions of a lovely lady like you?" Robin said to her, wary of another man watching Roux from the door. Roux turned her attention Robin, a confused expression on her face. Robin offered her his hand, and a discreet shift of his eye to their watcher, telling Roux he wanted to talk but they had company.

"Well, Sir. Depends what kind of attentions you are looking for." Roux replied, flirtatiously, walking away from their mysterious companion.

As they came into the glittering lights at the entrance of the club, Robin leaned his head in close to Roux's, whispering. "Is he still there?"

Roux glanced over her shoulder, looking out the corner of her eye. "No. Robin, what's going on?" She said, more seriously now, seeing some kind of madness in Robin's eyes.

Robin stood back from her, stopping dead in front of the doors to the Dark Castle. "Can I trust you, Roux?"

When she nodded, he handed her a piece of paper with instructions. After she left him outside, Robin waited, listening for his signal.

It didn't take long. He could hear Madam Azul bellowing at poor Will from the street.

"And if you think you're welcome back in my establishment, think again!" the woman snapped as she shoved the rapscallion out the door.

Will grinned cheekily before running off to find Robin in the shadows. He'd stolen an array of clothing items belonging to the wealthy gentlemen that were currently being indulged by the other ladies.

"'Ere, put these on. An' hurry up. Bit 'o spit on yer boots to make 'em shine like a proper gent. Scarlet and Roux also gave me this-" Will pulled out a wad of cash to give to Robin, "they said yer need it to pass Madam. It's all they've got to help yer. Jewel don't see nobody unless Madam approves. Scarlet also said Jewel hasn't spoken to anyone, except the dancer girl since two nights ago. Roux thinks The Dealer has something to do with it."

Robin had slipped the fancy clothes on by now, shoving the cash in a pocket. He placed a firm hand on Will's shoulder.

"Thankyou Will."

Robin entered the club, leaving behind his friend and poor status. This time, with a flash of cash to Madam Azul, the 'Duke of Locksley' was led straight to the Diamond.

Mal had noticed some of Madam's girls were more active in the bar that night. It wasn't overly unusual for them to be there, but there was something that seemed off. She saw the tall, leggy one, Roux, come strutting through the front door from the street, and not long after there was a commotion behind the curtains and Madam was shoving a man out the door whilst she berated him for something.

Mal retired from the stage to go to her dresser, only to find Roux waiting for her.

"Roux! What brings you to stage area?"

Roux smiled, leaning down so she could tell Mal her secret without anyone else eavesdropping.

"Madam's bringing in a nice fella for Jewel tonight."

Mal was horrified. "Why would Madam do that?! Reg- Jewel won't even speak to you girls! Why would she agree to a new contract? That's absurd!" Mal cried out. She was so wound up by the idea, she had nearly spilled her friend's true identity.

Roux shushed her, trying to get the dancer to calm down and keep their conversation quiet.

"Mal! Calm down. Jewel knows who the man is. When she sees him, she'll agree, it's for the better. Trust me."

Mal sat staring at the brunette in disbelief.

"What could possibly make you say that, tramp? What makes you think it's 'for the better'?" Mal snapped. She didn't mean her nasty tone, but the fact was, as Regina, 'Jewel' was her best friend, and she was very unforgiving to what had been done to her. Nothing could possibly make that 'better'.

Roux winced, sensing the blonde's hostility.

"Mal, I'm sorry. But please, trust me. The man Jewel is being set up with tonight…he...he's breaking her out of here." Roux said gently.

Mal's eyes widened.

"Really?"

Roux nodded, and left Mal to process the news.

Someone cared. A gentleman truly cared about Regina. She smiled to herself. Maybe knights did exist after all.

She was surprised when Madam Azul flew open her door without so much as a knock. "Jewel…darling. I have a new gentleman to see you."

Madam said, a false sense of care in her tone.

"Mama, you know I'm not seeing anyone. Mister Kingsley won't allow it, and I simply refuse to. And if you have a problem with that…." Jewel's eyes snapped to attention when she noticed the gentleman who followed Madam Azul into the room.

Madam eyed Jewel in warning.

"Jewel, the Duke here is in town for only a short time. He wishes to be indulged by what the Dark Castle has to offer. I will not have you refuse." Madam scowled at the young brunette, embarrassed that the courtesan had hide enough to speak against her in front of a well-paying customer.

Jewel sighed in surrender. "Very well then. I shan't disappoint you, dear Duke." she said with a half smile.

Madam smiled then, happy for Jewel's cooperation.

"There's a good girl." She turned to Robin then, pausing at the door before she exited. "I do hope you enjoy your time here, Duke."

The door closed and the mask of Jewel dropped. Regina now stood before Robin with a puzzled expression on her face.

"What are you doing here? Why does Madam think you're a Duke?!" she cried out.

Robin stepped forward, offering her his hand.

"Because I'm a thief, come to steal the Diamond", he replied softly, gazing into her eyes.

For a second, Regina forgot how to breathe. What did this man just say? What did it mean?

She shook her head, trying to clear and process the words and her thoughts.

"Wha…what do you mean? Robin?"

Robin smiled, leading her over to the chaise lounge, sitting down beside her. It reminded him of the night they first met, those few weeks ago.

"Regina. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. The moment I met you, I knew when I looked into those exquisite eyes of yours that you were different. You don't belong here. You don't deserve to be burned, battered and taunted by the filth that think they own you. I saw what Kingsley did to you, and I don't ever want you to suffer that again. Not from him, not from anyone. I don't care about any contracts that your Madam may have had you sign, or the punishment that I may face from the man the other girls call The Dealer. I want you safe."

Robin paused, watching as tears streamed down Regina's face.

He wiped them away from her cheeks gently, a soft smile forming on his face.

"Regina, Diamond of the Dark, the precious Jewel. Would you allow a common man to steal you away from this?"

Regina's huge smile through her tears, a breath of relief, the way she pulled him in, willingly, and kissed Robin with much passion answered his question.

"Definitely."