A/N: Sorry about the long wait...updates will come when they come in my busy life. However, a bit of good news, my muse has seem to bit me when it comes to this story so I will be taking it in a new direction! Keep on reading and reviewing!


When Regina awoke the next morning, one of the first things she saw was a pair of brown eyes staring at her. A small gasp of surprise left her lips and she jumped at the close presence and it only took a second more to recognize his features. A bright, warm, adorable smile lit across the small boy's face as he gazed up at her and it was then she noticed how he was pressed up against her side.

"Oh...hello." She greeted in surprise, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Hi!" Roland's grin brightened.

A low chuckle brought her attention away from Roland and to his father who was standing near the fire. His back was to her but he was looking over his shoulder at them with a warm smile, nodding to his son.

"I could not keep him away."

Regina's heart melted as she looked back down at Roland who was still smiling at her. Even with his father around he still wanted to be around her.

"I don't mind." Regina said honestly and then pushed herself up into an upright position, her arm slipping around Roland to keep him close. She sneaked a glance over to Robin just to make sure he was alright with it. He caught her gaze and only smiled before turning back to the fire.

It was then she caught a familiar and mouth watering scent in the air. The smell of cooking meat. All they had to eat the last few days in Neverland was fruits and other edible leafy things and she hadn't really noticed how much she missed meat until she smelled it again.

"What are you roasting there?" She asked him.

"I believe it was some sort of boar." He answered and her stomach churned in hunger.

"Are you sure it's safe to eat?" She asked skeptically. "It could be poisoned."

He smirked over his shoulder with a knowing look. "If it was poisoned it'd have been dead."

She lifted her brow, conceding. "Fair point."

He chuckled softly and she turned her head to get a glimpse of the animal roasting over the fire and her eyes widened slightly at its size. "How ever did you catch that thing?"

He smiled proudly. "I am quite handy with a bow and arrow - struck it dead in one painless shot and I have carried objects heavier."

She rolled her eyes and attempted to hide her smirk but he caught the slight twitch of her lips and grinned wider before turning back to the fire.

"Good to know there's an ego underneath all that heart."

He let out a laugh that tilted his head back and she passed the odd feeling in her stomach off as hunger.

"Pride in one's self is not always bad." He said. "I know my talents but I am also aware of my weaknesses and that is what keeps me humble."

She raised her brow with a sarcastic smirk. "You mean there's something you are not good at?"

He glanced over his shoulder with a small smile. "Very funny."

Her smirk widened in satisfaction.

"There are quite a good amount of things I'm not very good at. Hunting and preparing a meal are not two of those things." He smirked and grabbed a spare stick lying around the fire and speared a piece of meat onto it and turned to her. "Would you like first tastes, your majesty?"

Regina was momentarily distracted from the meat by the movement of his body. The weather was warm and the cloak he had been wearing yesterday and put around Roland to sleep was discarded on the ground where they slept and along with it was his vest, leaving him in just a simple white shirt. As his position changed and he turned toward her she noticed how broad his shoulders were. Her eyes scaled down further, over the obvious bulge of his upper arms where thick, strong muscles lay. He had rolled his sleeves up to his elbow and there white cloth met tanned skin. She continued down his outstretched arm to his wrist-

It only took a second for Regina's brain to catch up with what her eyes were seeing and all at once it felt like all her breath had been stolen from her and her heart stopped.

Her whole body seized up as she stared, frozen, wide-eyed, unable to move for there on his wrist was the very lion tattoo that had haunted her for years.

The image was burned into her brain the moment she laid eyes on it. When Tinkerbell had first pointed it out it was a symbol of hope, a small glimmer of light in the darkness of her life, then it represented a future she was not ready for as she held tightly onto the past, then it was a symbol of regret, occasionally popping into her memories as something she had let go and would never get back. Yet...there it was.

Only now she wasn't left to her imagination of who it might have belonged to...he was standing right in front of her.

"Regina?"

She was pulled from her shock at the sound of his voice but the sudden realization crashed all around her and she slowly looked up at him.

He was still smiling but his eyes were touched with concern and confusion. "Is everything alright?" He asked with a hesitant laugh. "Is it not well done enough for you?"

She knew he was speaking to her but she could not hear anything past the pounding of her heart in her ears.

It was him...all this time, all the years that passed since that day at the pub, and there he was.

The man she had bared a part of her soul to, the man she had let her guard down around, the man who told her to never give up, the man who told her she was not to be defined by her past actions, the man she had so casually flirted with...it was him.

Suddenly her stomach churned for an entirely different reason and the way he was looking at her now certainly did not help.

The longer she stared at him in stunned, panicked silence, the more his smile faded and the concern in his eyes grew and he lowered his arm, moving the tattoo out of her sight but it was there.

"Regina?" He called again and took a step forward toward her.

That is when she completely snapped back to reality and her eyes widened and she flew to her feet and took a step away from him, a guarded, cold expression wiping over her features.

Roland looked up at her with a frown and Robin glanced between his son and Regina, his brow furrowing curiously.

"No." She snapped perhaps harsher than she intended to and he froze, obviously taken back by her sudden change in mood.

She looked around and caught the stares of those who were already awake and her fists curled up against her sides. Her jaw trembled for a moment before she snapped it closed, her teeth cracking together almost painfully.

She stole one more glance at him and then without another word turned and marched away from the camp and into the woods.

Robin watched after her, his brow furrowed and then looked cluelessly to Tinkerbell who stood off directly to his side.

The fairy's eyes were narrowed curiously as she also looked after the retreating queen. If it was one thing she knew it was Regina's temper but it was even unlike her to react so harshly over a piece of meat.

She felt someone's eyes on her and glanced over to the confused Robin and she shrugged her shoulders in reply.

Robin turned with a sigh and stuck the unused stick into the ground and Tink suddenly gasped as his wrist came into view.

Robin looked up in alarm. "What is it?"

She stared wide-eyed at the lion tattoo on his wrist and then a knowing grin spread across her lips and her eyes flickered up to his.

He shook his head slowly, his eyes questioning and she only grinned further and giggled to herself before taking off after Regina.

Regina tore through the woods, finding it harder to breathe with every step she took until her vision became so blurred she had to stop and leaned up against a tree for support.

Her eyes slammed shut and her fingernails dug into the hard bark as her head spun.

She couldn't remember the last time she had no control over her emotions and she hated it and that only made her feel worse.

She fought hard for control but there was too much all at once.

"Regina!"

She could barely register the voice calling out to her but as she fought her way out of her head she recognized it as Tinkerbell. She could hear the hopefulness and cheer in the ex-fairy's voice and that only made her worse.

"Go away." She tried to demand forcefully but it came out as a barely audible request as she clung to the tree.

Whether Tinkerbell ignored her or didn't hear her, she continued on anyway, "Regina - you realize who that is don't you?"

Of course she realized who it was, she wanted to snap at her but her voice seemed stuck in her throat piled deep under thick emotion.

"Don't you see what this means?" Suddenly Tinkerbell's voice was that much closer and Regina forced her eyes to crack open, spotting Tink at her side, smiling at her and Regina let out a groan, turning away from her, a wave of nausea rolling over her.

She inhaled and exhaled deeply, her arm wrapped around her middle to calm the constant churning inside of her.

"Regina." Tink stressed and Regina gritted her teeth together as she bit out coldly, "It means nothing."

"How can you say that?" Tink questioned softly and walked a few paces around Regina to be facing her front.

"You can have a second chance!"

Regina's cold gaze flickered up to Tink and despite the war raging inside of her, she pulled herself together on the outside and straightened up, stoic and regal like the queen she was.

"Perhaps I do not want it."

Tink turned her head, her brow furrowed. "Regina - you admitted that you did not go after him the last time out of fear...don't make that same mistake again."

"Don't tell me what to do." Regina growled taking a menacing step toward her. "I do not need to take advice from you."

Tink frowned, holding her ground against the glowering queen. "I am just trying to help you."

Regina scoffed and turned away from her. "I did not ask for your help."

Tink shook her head slowly. "You don't need to." She let out a soft sigh. "Regina, I know you regret not going after him and now he's here...he is right here! And he likes you! Watching you two this morning that was more than obvious! If you give him the chance I know it will evolve to love. Don't you see?" A light smile returned to her lips and she slowly approached Regina and Regina kept her gaze focused on the tree ahead of her, not daring to look at Tink.

"After all this time he found his way to you again - you two were truly meant to be!"

"Leave me alone." Regina warned her, her voice low and steady.

Tink huffed shortly and marched in front of her. "For once in your life could you not be so stubborn?"

Regina's eyes flashed angrily as she finally looked up to Tink. "Excuse me?"

"You don't frighten me, Regina and you are not fooling me with that mask you are hiding behind. I know you want love, I know that all you've ever wanted was love. And you're afraid, I understand that..."

Regina stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "Don't you dare..." She hissed. "Don't you dare try to think you understand me or what I'm feeling. No one understands."

"Because you won't let them!" Tink shot back. "Every time someone tries you sink further into this!" She motioned to the glaring, tense woman in front of her. "Into this angry, bitter woman and I know that's not all you are! I've seen it! Back when we first met and just minutes ago with Robin."

For only a second, at the mention of his name, the anger in her eyes faded to fear and her jaw tightened before the anger was back.

Had she not been watching her closely, Tink might have missed that quick change but it had not gone unnoticed.

"If you had not seen that tattoo on him you wouldn't be reacting this way. You'd still be back at the camp actually enjoying yourself! How does knowing who he is make any difference?"

"It makes all the difference." Regina answered coldly and Tink shook her head in confusion and Regina sighed heavily, slapping her thighs in frustration as she once again turned away from her. "I am not talking about this with you!"

Tink frowned heavily and getting frustrated herself with the stubborn queen, contemplated leaving Regina by herself. Then she decided against it - she failed to convince Regina to go after her love the first time, she would not fail again.

She lightly crossed her arms over her chest and approached Regina slowly, softening her voice. "I know you are afraid of being hurt but Regina...he is the one you are meant to be with."

Regina scoffed bitterly. "That does not mean happily ever after."

"Admittedly, no but it is what you make it and its certainly not going to be happily ever after if you do nothing." She took a few more steps until she was standing beside Regina and peering at her kindly. "The hardest part is already over...you've met him, you've talked to him, even got to know him a little and he got to know you too and," She smiled softly, "He likes you. He is already able to see past your past and to the woman underneath."

Regina blinked silently and then turned to her with narrowed eyes. "Were you spying on us?"

Tink's lips twitched. "Well you weren't exactly in a private setting and I don't really sleep very much. Yes...I listened in occasionally but it was nothing I already didn't know about you."

Regina rolled her eyes slightly, her glare fixating ahead of her as she gave a slight shake of her head.

"You're comfortable around him...when was the last time that happened, Regina?" Tink continued softly.

"Stop." Regina growled quietly.

"Why? What is holding you back? You can't let fear control your life!"

"Enough!" Regina whirled on her quickly, her arm swiping in front of her fiercely sending a blast of magic pulsing through the ground and nearly knocking Tinkerbell off her feet.

After Tinkerbell regained her footing, the two stood in a very tense silence just staring at each other. Regina's fists were curled at her side, her body tense as she glared at Tinkerbell, her chest rising and falling sharply.

Tinkerbell's stare was almost as cold but there was a bit of compassion and disappointment in her eyes.

"Regina." She started again, softly and took a slow few steps toward her. "Don't let him go again."

Regina swallowed thickly and while her body remained tense, her face softened.

"Please...as a favor to both you and him but mostly you...don't let him go. You'll only regret it." Tinkerbell smiled, warm and encouraging. "He's your soulmate for a reason."

Regina closed her eyes tightly and lowered her head - blocking Tinkerbell from her sights. Part of her knew that the fairy was right but she kept pushing that thought away.

When she opened her eyes moments later she found that Tink had gone and she was once again left alone.

She could have stayed out there all day, god knows she didn't want to go back and face himbut as she stood alone in the middle of the Neverland forest she was aware of why she was there in the first place. Henry.

Regardless of whether or not she did want to pursue anything with Robin, now was certainly not the time, not while her son was in danger.

So she pushed all her feelings to the back of her mind and instead tried to refocus on trying to find Henry.

With a deep, steady breath and clearing all unwanted emotions off her face and started back towards camp.

However as soon as she stepped through the brush she froze as the first thing her eyes fell upon was Robin. Everyone else had risen and were gathered around the fire, finishing the meal Robin had prepared but all she saw was him.

He was facing sideways to her, talking to David with Roland sitting beside him. His sleeves were rolled down, blocking the tattoo from her gaze but it was something she would never forget was there.

He seemed to be engaging in a friendly conversation with the prince but his lips were turned down in a frown and there was an odd twisting in the pit of her stomach as she wondered if had been because of her.

She brushed that thought off as soon as it came. They had just met and he had no idea of their fated connection. He had been friendly with her the night before but he had no reason to be concerned for her. No one was ever concerned for her.

"Regina!"

She startled as the little voice called her name and her eyes flickered away from Robin for a brief moment and down to his son who had finally noticed her presence.

She forced a small smile to her lips for his sake but then was aware of all eyes being on her...especially Robin's.

She swallowed thickly as her eyes moved back to Robin, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest.

He rose from his place around the fire and her eyes widened slightly as he immediately walked over to her. She blinked quickly, and pressed her lips together wiping any look of panic or anxiety off her face

"Are you alright?"

Her breath caught in her chest at the gentle tone of his voice and the true concern in his eyes as they bored into hers.

He did care. He had just met her and he was truly concerned for her well being.

Perhaps it was true what they said about soul mates - the instant they meet their connection is true and deep, two halves of a whole soul finally coming together. How else was she able to open up to him so quickly and easily? How else could she be standing there, silently, feeling the vulnerability in her own eyes and her immediate thought was not to push her walls up because there was something in his gaze that made her feel safe.

She cleared her throat and once her rational mind caught up with her she leaned away from him. "I'm fine...I just felt a little sick."

That did nothing to relieve him and he frowned deeper in concern. "You are ill?"

It was new to her, someone honestly feeling concern for her and she didn't know how to react. She felt like snapping at him and the quip was on the tip of her tongue before she pushed it back as Tinkerbell's words came to her. She was going to push him away, which is all she ever did it seemed, push people away before they could hurt her.

This is the one man that wouldn't run and not just because some pixie dust told her he was her soulmate. She had told him almost too much the night before, things that any normal person would run away from - but he hadn't. He wasn't frightened of her, he didn't hate her, he even cared for her so why would she run?

"No." She answered finally. "It was just a little nausea but it has passed now."

He searched her eyes and he looked reluctant to believe her as if he could see right through her lies.

Her eyes flickered downward as his hand moved toward her. It hovered in the air not quite touching her wrist and her gaze focused intently on the slightest bit of black ink poking out from his sleeve.

"Are you certain? You do look pale m'lady."

She tightened her arms around herself and forced her eyes back to him, her stomach twisting again at his expression.

"I said I'm fine." She finally snapped and immediately hated herself for it. She didn't stay long enough to take in his response to her harsh tone as she moved past him, letting out a breath slowly as she approached the fire.

She briefly caught the disapproving look from Tinkerbell standing near by but ignored it.

Her stomach was still churning but she forced herself to grab a little piece of the meat, if only to appease any concern from Robin. She wasn't sure how much more of his concern she could handle without breaking.

"We should probably be heading off soon." Emma said as she rose from a rock near by and turned to Robin. "Will you be coming with us?"

Regina snapped her gaze to him and then down to Roland at his side and before he could answer, she cut in. "Of course he won't be coming with us."

The group turned to her in surprise and she tightened her jaw.

"Pan already has Henry." She went on to explain. "We cannot let him take Roland as well."

"I don't think he'd be much safer on his own, Regina." Snow said.

"I think Robin is fully capable of handling himself."

"If I didn't know any better," Regina tensed at the sound of Tinkerbell's voice and flickered an annoyed glare in her direction. Tinkerbell was smirking at her, her brow lifted knowingly. "I would say you didn't want him to come."

Regina's nostril flared and she narrowed her eyes at the smug fairy. "I just want to make sure Roland is safe." She bit out.

"Take it from someone who has lived in Neverland for a long time...he is much safer with us. We can continue with our previous plan but instead of Snow staying in the caves with Roland it will be Robin." Tinkerbell explained.

"I think Tinkerbell is right." Snow said and Regina repressed a heavy sigh, her annoyance multiplying at the sound of the princesses' voice. "Besides, we can't just send him off and expect him to find his own way home. He should come with us, he and Roland will stay in the caves, we'll rescue Henry and then we all find a way home."

"I don't mean to cut in..." Emma started, bringing the attention to her. "But is no one going to actually ask Robin what he thinks?"

Everyone then turned to the archer who had been watching the exchange, a twinge of amusement in his eyes.

For a brief moment his eyes met Regina's before she looked away quickly and then he cleared his throat.

"I agree that it is not safe to bring Roland along but if Tinkerbell is sure of the caves' safety I think that is the best course of action. I do not know the way out of this land and nor would I have any idea of where to look to find a way."

"They are the safest place in Neverland." Tinkerbell confirmed.

"Very well." Robin nodded. "Roland and I will wait there."

"Good." Tinkerbell smirked slightly, flickering her gaze to Regina who was keeping a steady glare on her. "It's a plan then. I will lead Robin and Roland to the caves and then meet back up with you."

"Great." Emma nodded. "And hopefully there's no more distractions...Henry has been away for too long."

"I could not agree more." Regina said tensely as she waved her hand over the fire, distinguishing the last of the flames with magic.

Hook frowned as he watched David force himself to his feet, wincing and throwing a hand to his side which the rest of the group failed to notice as they prepped for the continuation of their journey.

"Perhaps someone else should go with Robin." He voiced.

Emma turned to him, raising her brow. "Are you offering?"

"No...not me." Hook shook his head and glanced toward David. "Your father."

"What?" Snow turned toward them, her brow furrowing. "Are you suggesting David not help find his grandson?"

"I don't know if you've noticed but your husband doesn't look too well." Hook countered.

"I am fine." David insisted with a frown, narrowing his eyes at the pirate.

Snow cocked her head, eyeing her husband and frowned deeply. "David..."

David heaved a sigh. "I promise you, Snow...I'm fine."

Hook rolled his eyes and without warning reached for his sword and turned around swiftly, swiping it towards Charming and stopping it just inches from his neck to the horrified gasps of Snow and Emma.

"What the hell, Hook?" Emma cried, her eyes wide.

Hook kept the sword lightly pressed against his neck and David eyed him, his eyes wide, chest rising and falling heavily, but his jaw quivering and pain in his eyes.

"You normally would have caught that one, mate." Hook told him and then lowered his sword and David closed his eyes in resignment. Hook sheathed his sword and turned back to the group. "We need to be our best in this fight against Pan and I'm afraid he would be useless in this fight."

Snow immediately rushed to her husband's side, slipping her arm around him and this time didn't fail to notice the way he visibly winced and shied away from her embrace.

"You're not alright, are you?" She frowned in concern. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." David insisted.

"Do not lie to me, Charming." Snow demanded. "Hook is right...you should have been able to block his threat. Truth be told...you haven't been yourself the last few days."

"Alright." David relented with a sigh. "Perhaps I am feeling a little under the weather but I can handle myself."

"Obviously not." Hook retorted which earned a glare from the prince.

Snow slid a hand onto his chest. "Perhaps you should go with Robin. I'm sure he would enjoy the company and we don't need you getting worse as we go into this fight. You should rest."

"Whatever you're going to do can you please decide?" Regina interrupted sharply. "We have waited long enough and I am eager to see my son."

"David..." Snow looked up at him. "Please, stay with Robin."

David kept his eyes on Hook for a few moments who gave him a subtle, knowing nod. Hook knew the dreamshade poison better than anyone and David knew he was on the decline with every passing day and as much as he hated to admit it he would probably be more of a liability in this fight than an asset.

With another sigh he turned to his wife, his lips twitching up slightly as he nodded. "Alright I'll go to the caves."

Snow smiled at him softly and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you."

"Wonderful." Regina snapped sarcastically. "Can we go now?"

David nodded to her once with tight lips and Regina glanced towards Tinkerbell.

"Lead the way."

Tinkerbell gave her a knowing look as she passed her.

Regina resisted rolling her eyes as she passed and then like magic her eyes were drawn back to Robin as he lifted Roland into his arms. Roland wound his arms around his father's neck.

"Are we going home, Papa?" Roland asked.

Robin gave his son a small, warm smile. "Not yet my boy but soon."

"Okay." Roland answered and rested his head against Robin's shoulder. Robin tightened his arms around him and dropped a kiss to the top of his head before turning his head to find Regina watching them.

He offered her a warm smile and her lips twitched slightly in return before she once again wiped a blank mask over her features and tilted her chin up and turned around to follow the departing group.

Robin frowned as he watched her go and wondered what could have happened to change her mood so quickly. She had been so open with him the night before and now she had closed herself off. He could tell she wasn't used to that and perhaps it frightened her.

He had seen the real Regina underneath all that attitude and cold front, and he was determined to see that woman again.

She was intriguing and he felt a connection with her that he couldn't explain or understand. Perhaps she felt it too and that is why she closed herself off from him. She expressed her hesitance in finding a second chance at love and felt she didn't deserve it.

Last night he hadn't considered himself to be that second chance but seeing her push him away made him realization how undeniable his attraction was to her.

Regina may try to push him away but he was determined not to let her slip away so easily.