A/N: Sorry it took me a while to edit. But here I am with another chapter of Red Ambition. This is actually one of my favorites and I hope yours as well. I think you'll appreciated and if not well then I'll make sure the next one is better. Again, thanks for all the support and well for convincing me to give it another go to this story. I forgot how much I used to love it.
Xoxo, Janice.
|xXx|
Regina sat on a cold chair in the small room that was provided for her interviews. The cold air nipped at her skin, her right hand constantly squeezed her pen as shoulders rolled this way and that. The pain there was starting to piss her off but that is what she gets for using her bow for so many hours straight after years of not practicing. Regina grunted a little as she turned her neck, the motion caused a new sting of pain resurfaces. The brunette was in need of a good and long massage and if she doesn't leave this place in a bad temper then maybe she will indulge and if not well, maybe tomorrow.
She placed a book on top of the steel table, a small tape recorder and the folder that Jefferson gave with several entries of Robin's diagnosis. The room had no windows, only a conduit through which the air conditioning went out and one of the walls had a dark glass, Regina knew that the other side was a small room where people could see and hear was happening in the room where she was, only this time there was no one, ordered that way by Jefferson.
The doorknob turned and Regina felt her neck and shoulders tensed, causing even more pain. She looked up at her new company and had to bite her lip so the gasp that wanted to escape never reached his ears. He still had the same clothes as last time, but he had shaved and trimmed. Regina stood up leisurely and Robin could not help but scan her completely, causing Regina blushed.
She felt somewhat exposed to his eyes.
After a few seconds of a sepulchral silence, Regina cleared her throat which made Robin react taking a deep breath. Regina that day was dressed in a dark blue shirt and a white silk trouser suits, her heels were a pale pink and her hair was completely down. It wasn't exactly the greatest ensemble, but it will have to do. All the clothes she brought with her weren't exactly up to code but this was better than nothing. Regina and he stared at one another, many thoughts running through their heads only to be interrupted.
Jefferson rushed in behind Robin causing both lend their full attention to him.
"Regina, I have to attend a patient. I brought Robbie personally. When you're finished at the door is one of the nurses who can escort Robin to his room."Jefferson explained that last with some embarrassment, he knew that his friend was alright, that he didn't deserve this kind of treatment but is was mandatory that things were done this way.
Robin looked down and Regina felt her heart break just a little more.
"If anything happens, call me. Please let me know if there's anything that I can do to help ..." Jefferson said as he headed for the door.
Regina felt a bit of rage for a moment. Jefferson already made Robin feel humiliated, but the bad mood quickly passed since in some way they brought what was happening upon themselves.
"Don't worry Jeff, I think Robin is sane enough to behave." She said sarcastically.
Robin looked up annoyed but not that much surprised with Regina's attitude. She sent a sly smile moving from Jefferson to Robin.
"Regina ..." began to repress Jefferson.
"Forget it." She raised a hand stopping Jefferson from saying anything else. "Leave before I change my mind," Regina said to Jefferson while looking at Robin.
Jefferson nodded while giving a supportive pat on Robin's shoulder and then left the room.
"Sit," Regina ordered, pointing to the other seat across from Regina.
Regina sat down in front of him. When he did the same she opened the book that contained several questions and then proceeded to set the recorder on. The folder Jefferson had given her was open in front of her with all the logs of the suppose previous interviews. She had marked all of the inconsistencies she could find on with few notes she wanted to go through with Robin.
"I will ask you several questions answer them if you feel ready, if not let me know so I can stop everything. I will start slowly because the issues we are going to address won't be easy as you already know." Regina went on explaining while taking some notes.
Just like that, Regina Mills, the woman he used to know was replaced by the professional she was. Usually, she wasn't cold or hard with her patients, but in this particular case, she couldn't help it, besides it was necessary. With Robin, all sense of right and wrong went down the drain. Like all those years ago, he was a weakness of hers and she needed to separate the emotions from professionalism. Hard task, but not impossible.
"I need to make several changes to what Jefferson wrote, things that don't make sense to me, I understand it was to get by fast but inconsistencies will only lead to more problems..."
Regina continued on without looking at Robin once. Not showing any type of emotions was the best strategy to treat this situation because the moment she did, then everything will go downhill. Regina felt something on top of her hand, something cold. When she directed her gaze to her hand Robin's was on top of hers not letting Regina write anymore. Her breath was caught in her throat and instantly felt her cheek and nose turn red. The neck and shoulder pain was worse because of the stress and Robin wasn't making thing easier. Regina squeezed his eyes and exhaled. When she opened them she looked at Robin. There was concern in those blue eyes that, once upon a time, meant the entire world (Who is she kidding? They still mean a lot to her.)
"Apple ..." Robin called softly, and that was what made Regina react.
Regina took her hand back and blinked a few times trying to take back the tears that wanted to fall down. She was so engulfed talking and well she thought to put distance between herself and what was she saying would help, but she didn't take into account the rising emotions. They sneak up on her, causing a minor ache in her heart.
Regina couldn't allow something like this to happen again. Not in front of Robin. She just couldn't a breakdown and allow him to see the broken human being she still is to this very day.
She slipped on her all reliable mask of indifference that she carefully crafted by the passage of the years. Emotions had nothing to do here. There's a time a place for everything but now? Now it was time to be the professional she was hired to be. Even though her whole involvement in this had been shady from the very beginning.
"No," she emphatically said, placing both hands on her lap. A stern look in her eyes that left no room for any argument he might make. Grounds rules need to be established and this was a perfect moment to do so. Settled accounts keep old friends, or in this case their sanity. "If I'm going to work with you, I don't want you to call me that, I don't want anything that happened in our past our friendship we once had to interfere with this, you're my patient, nothing more. You'll call me Dr. Mills Understood?"
Robin clenched his jaw in annoyance. It was clear to Regina that he was pissed off the situation as well as she was, probably, even more, seeing as he is the one that has to live in this hell hole of a place. Still, if they were to succeed in proving his innocence they needed guidelines, he needed them.
Robin has always been a kind and understanding soul, but he had problems with following rules. Well at least back when he was a teenager, right now she doesn't know him as well as she used to.
"Understood," He said, sitting back in his chair.
Regina sighed with relief, but could not stop the wince of pain across her face, her hand automatically went to her back up to her neck to massage it. So unwise of her to go hours practicing with her bow, now she'll have to deal with an uncomfortable feeling during this session.
Bloody brilliant.
Robin's lips opened a bit, ready to say something but Regina rose her delicate hand, stopping him from saying anything that wasn't related to the session.
"I'm fine, now Robin I want you to pay attention," He nodded, though the reluctance was there. "Jefferson made some notes that I strongly disagree with, because for effects even if you had a small crisis –that wasn't that a big of a deal I might add- you can be prosecuted, and could be in jail right now," Regina explained it as she dropped a shaky breath.
Why was she nervous? This isn't amateur hour. She had done this a million times before, with worse criminals she might add but why must Robin put her on edge?
Robin nodded. "Well, you better start with your questions then."
Regina gulped. For a moment she wanted to forget that the person in front of her was someone she grew up with. Someone who seen her cry, made her laugh and taught her how to live carefree. (Though that last one was completely forgotten.)
"Tell me about your relationship with Marian." Regina, as casually as possible, said as she read the notes on Marian on his file.
Robin exhaled wearily; he knew that this particular conversation would not be easy. He closed his eyes as he remembered the first time he saw Marian, years after Regina left Storybrooke, years after he finally accepted she was really gone.
"Marian was John's best friend." Regina looked up surprised, she didn't remember if the girl had gone to the same school with them. "She was not from here. They met at University in Boston. But she had visited before, she has family here. That's how everyone here knew her, even you though I'm pretty sure you never paid attention to her." Regina nodded. She tried to remember the woman but nothing came.
"When my father died I couldn't finish my studies in college." She was surprised because in all honesty she didn't know anything, and she always knew that Robin had goals he wanted to accomplish. He was a dreamer, always been but maybe now more than ever those dreams had hit pause.
"I had to return from Augusta," he said smiling slightly, he remembered when he told Regina he would study at a university in Boston, while she excitedly told him she would go to New York. "I was studying administration but didn't get to finish it," His voice shifted to something akin to anger. When Regina looked up, there was clear frustration in his stormy blue eyes. His brow knitted together, handballing to fist. Not finishing was, is, one of his biggest regrets and she can tell by the way his body trembled. Robin hated to leave things half done, even if circumstances made it inevitable. Even when he taught her how to shoot, he would get frustrated every time Regina wanted to quit. It was admirable really, or maybe an OCD? Whatever it was, it didn't sit well with him.
"So you returned to Storybrooke?" She simply asked.
Robin nodded. "Yes, that same year John was to begin studying. Our father's death quite was unexpected, his heart gave up, all the worries were getting to him until well…" He trailed off, the lament in his voice thin.
Regina remembered well Mr. Locksley he was father and mother at the same time. Robin's mother died when she gave birth to John and he never remarried. Always said that there was only one love for him, and no one else could ever replace his dear Elena. Regina loved hearing stories about Robin's parents, their meeting, how they fell in love, their wedding day and when they were told that they were going to be parents. Regina never knew Robin's mother and she would have loved to.
"How did John meet Marian?" Regina was rather curious, even though everything was part of her investigation; she really wanted to know the story. She wanted to know more of the woman that replaced Regina in Robin's heart.
Robin smiled making her heart beat too hard in her chest.
"Like I said they meet at university, he went to Boston. John's thing was computers, so he made his Bachelor degree in system programmer." Robin laughed, "He is really good and he could have had a great future out of Storybrooke but instead he returned so he could help with the family business. On one of the trips I did to visit him I met Marian."
Regina, at this point, stopped writing and looked into Robin's eyes, he sent her a grin. Eyes shining brightly in that moment she noticed that he really did love her. Her heart constricted, a type of feeling took a hold of her. She hasn't felt like that in a long time, not since Daniel. She felt jealous…
"They became best friends in Boston?" Regina asked clearing her throat. Robin assented with a nod.
"Both of them were studying the same thing so they had most of their courses together. Everything started from that point on. I thought that they had something but John made it pretty clear to me that they didn't. He wasn't interested in having a steady girlfriend, well he loved his life as a 'ladies' man." Both of them laughed lightly making a bit of the tension dissipate. "Marian and I fell in love quickly, so quick that she didn't even finish university and move to live with me."
"What about her family, what did they think?"
"Marian didn't have any family not anymore. After she started university, the only relatives she had left, here, went to traveling and there was an accident that took her aunt and uncle away." He answers shaking his head "They weren't good people, to begin with. After a while they gave her custody to the states, so she had to grow up in the system." He took a deep breath, "I was her only stability, Storybrooke became her home."
Regina saw Robin's body tremble again but this time not because of anger, but sadness. The man sitting across from her really did love her. She was the mother of his son, someone who returned his hope in love and gave him his heart back. Regina felt like someone was driving a needle into her heart, and that jealousy she felt before became more intense. It was stupid, really it was her choice to leave without him but the thought of him loving someone else still burn. But it wasn't the time to be selfish, she is supposed to be helping Robin, not being petty in her own mind.
"Robin…" Regina spoke, ready to cut short this session and try again later but Robin didn't allow her to say anything else.
"No. I need to follow through. This whole mess needs to be clarified." He said squeezing his eyes to chase the tears away.
"And then?" She asked when she was absolutely sure he could continue.
Robin took a few moments to himself, steeling his resolve to speak up. "Marian gain the love of everyone here, she became really close to Ruby. Mary Margaret and Marian were pregnant at the same time so they spend their time together talking about baby names to everything else related to their pregnancies." Regina nodded. Mary had spoken to her a little about Marian but not that they were close. "Marian, John and I worked together we made a pretty good team. We even planned on expanding our store to other cities." She looked at Robin amazed.
Again Regina stopped writing down and was completely engulfed in Robin's and Marian's story. He had a lot of plans with her, and now more than ever Regina thought it was really unfair what he was going through. It took him so much to finally move forward, and this situation might as well undo everything he had fought for.
"All of this was before Roland was born…" That snapped Regina out of her daze, her attention was solely on this, high alert to whatever Robin might say. She placed both of her elbows on the table tucking her hands under her chin. Doing so made her neck hurt even more and rapidly directed her hands to her neck so she could try to ease some of the tension away. Robin saw her brief pain face and got worried.
"Are you okay?" he asked concern latch to his voice.
Regina nodded but in reality, she was hurting greatly.
"Regina…" he called standing up.
"No, sit down. I'm fine. Continue please, why did you say that all of that was before Roland's birth?" Regina said it to distract him but Robin knew her well enough to be sure she wasn't well.
He threw himself back to the chair. Thinking about how his relationship with Marian was hurtful especially in the last years.
"Marian was that little light that my life needed when you left." He sincerely said.
Regina was about to pick up her pen and start writing when he spoke those last words. She raises her gaze to him and there was an incredulous spark in her eyes.
"Robin I told you…"
"No" he interjected, shaking his head. "You wanted to know what happened, and I'm going to tell you everything. You will have to hold every detail like the professional you claim to be." His last words were filled with disdain and poison. He was blazed because of Regina's coldness, so much that for a moment he wanted to hurt her, but in doing so he was hurting himself too.
"You broke my heart when you left – not counting what happened before that- I begged you to stay you know it. I was lost Regina, you actually made me feel like I was nothing in your life." Regina flinched at his words, she wanted so bad to say something but Robin wouldn't let her. " When Marian entered into my life I didn't believe in love nor formal relationships, I had a few affairs, but she was my second chance or so I thought. Marian made me forget about you for a brief moment and in some strange way I did love her, she gave me hope."
"I don't understand, at that moment?" She said, something like hope creeping inside of her and she hated herself for feeling that way.
Robin nodded.
"I actually never stopped loving you and when I notice it was already too late. I had already married her and to top everything she was pregnant."
Oh, Fuck!
Was everything Regina could think off.
"That's where all the problems started. Marian fought with me a lot because she knew that after all of the years that passed I still wasn't over you. You were always present in every waking moment of my life. She knew about you, about my first love but she never expected me to be hangover over you."
Regina shut her eyes tight, trying to tune out Robin's voice. All the stress was taking place once more on her shoulders and neck. Her hands went – once more- to her neck massaging carefully trying not to hurt herself. Everything got even worse with Robin's revelation. His words swimming in her head and the more she tried to chase the away the more stress she accumulated.
"Regina, what the hell is wrong with you?" He asked anxiously. He noticed she was uncomfortable and wouldn't stop massaging her shoulders.
"Nothing Robin." She said but at the moment a whine escaped her mouth.
He didn't care for her answer any longer. He just stood up and rounded the table getting close to her. Regina stood up as well trying to figure out what he was doing.
"What are you doing?" she asked confused.
"Turned around." He commanded.
"Robin, just sit down." she said shaking her head.
"I don't know what the hell is happening to you. You haven't stopped massaging your shoulders since you entered. What happened?" He asked rather mad but also very worried about her. Regina huffed but stayed quite.
Robin didn't wait for her permission he just turned her around. Regina's back was against his chest. Robin put both of his hands on her shoulders and squeezed them, Regina groaned it did hurt a lot.
"Are you ready to tell me what is wrong?" Without warning, he began massaging her shoulders.
Regina felt like everything got out of hands quickly. She was there to talk about his situation, not for a free massage, even though it felt good, the truth is that the air turned heavy and she wasn't comfortable with the current situation and to make matters worse his words were still clinging on to her. His hands on her shoulder made her feel nervous but the relief she felt was heavenly.
"I spent my entire afternoon practicing with my bow." She said so low that he could have missed it.
Robin tensed. Did he hear right? Was she practicing the one thing he taught her?
He stopped his hands and turned Regina around to look into her eyes.
"Regina?" He wanted to hear her say it again, as stupid as it sounded. When they were younger that was their pass time not even Jefferson was part of it. It was the moment they both felt united.
Regina nodded slowly. At that moment she couldn't really grasp what was happening. Her heart was racing and Robin could probably hear it.
"I found the bow and the arrows you gave me for my birthday." She confessed.
Robin looked at her inquisitively; he thought that she might have gotten rid of it.
"I found it in Jefferson's house; he had it in the attic." She explained shrugging her shoulders. Robin still had his hands there and lightly squeezed her. That was the closest he has been to her in so many years.
"And you hurt yourself?" It was more of a statement than a question. She nodded and closed her eyes when she felt Robin's fingers on her neck. "You didn't stretch like I thought you?" The man reprimed.
"Cut me some slack it has been years since I touch a bow." She was exhaling, eyes closed and feeling good. Robin continued rubbing her shoulders.
"I honestly thought you had thrown the bow away." Regina shook her head a little smile gracing her face.
"I couldn't throw out the best birthday gift I was ever given." Regina felt at ease once those words escape her mouth.
"Good, because when I made it I pour my heart and soul into it."
She turned around. The tone of his voice made Regina open her eyes. She pant when she noticed how close his face was from hers, so close that she could feel Robin's breath ghosting all over her face. His eyes were in a shade of blue that was almost transparent all possible to the fluorescent light in the room. As their eyes locked together, Regina felt her heart beating so hard that it would probably break out of her ribcage. For a moment they became those united best friends they always were each other's confident.
Regina felt her cheeks and nose turned a million shades of red so quickly that a giggle escaped her mouth. Regina lowered her eyes almost timidly, with a sudden urgency of running away, she couldn't have Robin so near to her, made her weak in the knees. In that moment she felt Robin place one hand on her lower back and by instinct, she placed her hands flat on his chest. She was determined to push him away, to run out of the room but she felt powerless when his other hand began to rub against her neck. He closed the distance between them making them become face to face without giving Regina any other chance to react.
Robin caressed his lips on top hers, her hands began to fist against his broad chest and the moment she decided to push him away his tongue began slowly to play with her lower lip and she was gone.
Her became completely foggy, she couldn't think straight no matter how hard she tried. A normal person whole just push him away, a normal person would also return the kiss, so she did. The kissed turned heated in a matter of seconds and Regina couldn't find the strength to stop everything. Robin pressed their bodies together, hugging her with force, too afraid to let her go, too afraid to watch her disappear. They shared kisses before but all of them were timid and inexperienced ones, they were 15 years old after all. It was more of sweet pecks and light touches but all of that change when Regina met Daniel she became a little bolder with him but now In Robin's arms she could actually feel more than passion, more than attraction she felt something that she didn't dare to voice.
Robin lifted her from the floor and she instinctively rounded her arms around his neck. He turned around sitting her on top of the table and she moaned into his mouth.
He couldn't believe that after all these years Regina was in his arm enjoying –like him- their kisses. She always let him know that her heart was with Daniel, that she only loved him as a great friend but at that moment, sharing such intimacy he knew for sure that wasn't true.
Regina tangled her fingers into Robin's hair, desire building up in her belly. She rounded her legs so Robin could be closer to her. Her fingers latch on to Robin tighter while he bit her lips, taking them one at a time. Robin moaned, his hands around her waist traveling down to her hips and encourage her closer to him, he wanted to feel everything of her. Their lips broke apart, hers running over his cheeks and neck forgetting where they were. He began to trace his tongue over her jaw all the way down her neck, her taste was rapidly becoming his favorite flavor. His hands were desperately trying to feel her skin so in a swift move one of his hands was traveling under her silky top and when he cupped her breast Regina threw her head back giving Robin a better access to her neck. He took the opportunity to trace his tongue over her throat and nipped her jaw ever so slightly. Regina whimpered at his touch aching ever more for him.
Regina could feel him hard between her legs. All the lust that was building up was making her senses go into overdrive. She felt disconnected from the world and the more Robin's hands ran her body they more she wanted to rip apart his clothes. Her hand ran down Robin's chest all the way to the lap if his shirt. She needed to feel his skin and when she did spark flew. She swiftly tangled her fingers in his hair again, kissing him hard pressing her chest against him making them both moan at the same time. One of her hands ran to it's on accord cupping Robin's obvious arousal over his sweat pants. That action made him shuttered and her ministration was making him kiss her even harder.
Regina was loving his reaction and couldn't help loving how he was making her feel the same way. It has been so long since a man touched her they way Robin was doing at that moment. She had lovers, yes but it was the physical release, a need to take care off, not love and not what she was feeling with Robin right now. She couldn't find no one could compare to Daniel.
She opened her eyes abruptly, Daniel.
She was about to completely give herself to Robin when her heart was still drunk on Daniel (or so she makes herself believe because she doesn't feel deserving of love anymore, not while she is cursed to lose everyone she loves). The worst part was her heart was beating hard against her chest and it wasn't because of Daniel like it always did, it was because of Robin.
Robin.
Regina pushed him with all the force she could muster making him lose his balance for a moment. He looked at her confused, both of their breathing agitated. She felt her eyes were beginning to fill with tears, she couldn't believe she was about to do, some professional she was.
"Regina?" he found his voice to call her, his chest moving up and down in quick succession.
She got off the table and shook her head. Tried to gather her messy hair with shaky hands. She couldn't muster the will to get a grip of herself so she picked up her things, it was time to leave the room she couldn't stand another more minute in a closed space with Robin.
"REGINA!" he tried to stop her but Regina was faster and got away.
She opened the door and the nurse that was outside looked at her with confusion. She didn't know of her appearance and worst she didn't notice Robin's.
"You can take him away." She said without looking at his eyes and giving her back, her voice was just like Robin's.
The moment she began to walk down the hall sobs came through and tears fell like a waterfall.
"What the fuck did I do?"
She didn't fathom what happened between Robin and her. She felt 15 again but with way too much arousal built in her. All the years that passed by with only Daniel, she always believed that she couldn't feel what she felt with Robin. The only person she really loved was him, Daniel.
Loved?
She felt the tears going slowly down her cheeks. Her heart was breaking with every step she took, making her feel weak. All the things in her hands were almost falling. While on her way to the small office Jefferson gave her she bumped into a few patients and nurses.
Her eyes were completely fogged by her tears. She felt that she just had betrayed Daniel.
|xXx|
When she entered her office she threw everything on her desk and quickly ran to a small bathroom she had there. She looked at herself in the mirror and the sight that greeted her wasn't a pretty one. Her face was red, smudged makeup, a trail where her tears went down and swollen lips kissed with passion and intensity. Her hair was a total mess, she began to comb through until it seemed like nothing happened.
Regina was feeling stupidly guilty, she firmly believed to be strong enough to do this but she was proven wrong. Her feelings for Robin were stronger than she ever would have thought possible and the worst part was that for a moment she actually forgot about Daniel.
As she wept, she returned to pick up her hair this time successfully. She turned on the faucet and began to wash her face.
Regina still felt Robin's kisses and light touches making her flushed even more. She could still hear his hungry moans in her ears and the way his need to devour her shook her to the very core.
Regina shook her head sharply.
She made a mental note to get an open space for her sessions with him from now on. They couldn't be in such close quarters together, especially alone.
The more she tried to push away what happened, the clearer it got into her mind. The worse part of it all? She still has the desire to continue kissing and touching Robin like she did.
With Daniel was more of a romance thing, more gentle but Robin was totally different perhaps because both were adults and had more knowledge or maybe because deep down she never stopped caring for him. What Regina could be sure of was that what she felt in that moment she hadn't experienced it before and that fact that it was with him it frightened her terribly.
Her contact lenses were beginning to bother her. She began to feel a headache and her vision was starting to blurred. Quickly Regina began to look through her things, and after a long search, Regina found her contact lenses case. The brunette removed them in a level of difficulty that that laughable. She was still trembling from what occurred. She turned to look in the mirror once more. Her face was still flushed and with the glasses on, she seemed younger.
Regina let out a shaky breath when someone started knocking on the office door strongly. She took one last glance in the mirror and gathering her things came out of the small bathroom. She quickly organized her desk that had all the papers all over the place.
"Regina" Jefferson called as he walked in, startling her.
"Jefferson, what the hell?" she asked annoyed, Jefferson had frantically entered the small office.
"That's what I'm asking you!" He said as he handed her a paper. Jefferson had not even noticed the image of her best friend.
Regina took the paper in her hands and read it. A sly smile touched her lips. She looked up and raised an eyebrow in a challenging form.
"What's up with this?" He asked Regina anger apparent even in his body movements.
She didn't look at him.
She continued organizing her desk. The distraction wasn't enough to mask the sensitivity she was feeling but it was enough to calm her nerves back down.
"Regina! How do you intent me pay for this?" He said rather annoyed.
Regina took a deep breath and filled herself with courage as she turned to see him.
"Did you really pretend that you and Robin were going to get away with tricking me?" she said as she laughed wryly. "Every act have consequences. Besides you cannot expect that your best friend has a mediocre lawyer?" Regina gaze was fiercely on him.
Regina leaned against the desk while crossing her arms over her chest.
"Ginny is not that," Jefferson said protesting like a child "It's too expensive, there are other less expensive."
Regina shook her head in amusement.
"No honey, Robin will have the best lawyer, and Fa Mulan is the best. In addition, you have the money, Jefferson, so stop complaining like a baby. It doesn't suit you." Regina said tiredly. She could only think about going to bed and forgetting this day completely. It was intense, and completely unexpected and to top it off, her neck and shoulder still lingered with pain. So she needs to get out and rest, or at least out of this place.
Jefferson furrowed his eyebrows confused. He walked up to her and turned the chair so he could see Regina clearly.
"Regina, did something happened?" He asked getting straight to the point.
"Nothing. Why?" She answered him, Jeff knew Regina well and that nothing meant something was up.
"Ginny don't lie to me. Did something happen with Robin?"
Regina pressed her lips into a tight line, brow furrowed remembering what had happened. She was determined not to let what happened to get to her. So she shook her head.
Jefferson sighed, Regina proved him right then.
"Regina please, you know you can trust me"
Regina did not know whether to laugh or mourn at the time because that same she expected from him, and he decided to play her like a fool.
"Jefferson, you're talking about trust?" She asked as she laughed bitterly. "No, Jeff, at this time you have lost a bit of my confidence when you tricked me into Robin's case." She was hurt and angry and sad and all the emotions in between. Regina was a storm inside, and if anyone decided to get too close, they would feel the wrath of the strong gusts.
"I love you Jeff, but what happening to me now is something that you couldn't solve." Regina looked at the paper that she had in her hands. "Better take care of paying Robin's lawyer. That is the least you can do. This whole situation is your fault after all."
Regina picked up her purse and checked her watch.
"I have to go, I have a date." She walked to the door, "Lock up when you get out."
Jefferson was embarrassed and hurt at the time, her best friend did not trust him and it was his fault. He walked up to her stopping Regina. Jefferson only wanted her to know he will always be there so without warning he hugged her. Regina then felt a huge desire to cry her heart out in his arms. In the few days she had been in Storybrooke I felt that their relationship had deteriorated somewhat due to the lie, the situation with Robin was getting out hands and her feelings were mixed. It felt like she was failing Daniel, and worst of all, she felt that he could fail the Locksley's. Jefferson kissed her head and she broke the hug.
"Sorry Jeff, I need time. See you tonight at the house I'll bring a guest."
Regina left his friend in the office, confused and worried for her but at the moment all she needed was a pick me up, a distraction.
Regina almost ran out of the Asylum.
It has been a super long morning filled with many emotions and an exuberant headache that was killing her. Getting out of there help her ease it a little but not enough. The dull ache reminded her that the day wasn't over just yet but maybe the second half of it wouldn't be so bad. After all, she was going to spend it with Roland.
The thought of him made her smile.
|xXx|
The ringing sound echoed through the walls of the elementary school and when the doors opened she saw how all the children came out looking for their parents.
Most of the kids were there for summer camp, and other, the older ones, were retaking classes.
The happiness on their faces was remarkable because the thought of school being over for the day made them smiled.
Regina scanned the crowd looking for the smaller group of kids. All she wanted was to be on her way with little Roland and have fun. John agreed to Regina picking up Roland from summer camp, mainly because the boy wouldn't want it any other way and honestly? She didn't mind. Still, Regina was beginning to feel anxious Roland was nowhere to be seen not even Mary Margaret was in sight. All of a sudden she felt scared. Where was Roland? And why she felt the desire to scream his name.
Something struck her legs. It felt like a little hurricane that made her lose her balance. When she looked down she felt air return to her lungs.
"Roland" She was more relief than excited.
Roland extended his arms up asking her silently carry him. Regina obliged instantly and quickly lifted him off the ground placing him on her hip. Regina noticed that Mary was approaching her with a smile.
"John and I agreed that I was picking Roland from school today." She quickly clarified causing the brunette to release a short laugh.
"I know Regina, don't worry. John told me he would pick him up tonight at Jefferson's." Regina smiled shyly, she knew she was breaking Roland's routine, but sometimes a little change is all the boy needed to open up more.
"I thought that you were gone," Regina said sincerely.
Mary Margaret looked at her blankly.
"When I saw all the kids leave and I couldn't find Roland I got scared." she confessed.
Mary Margaret smiled and sent her an understanding look. John didn't explain to her how things went down, so she got a bit to scared.
"Oh, sorry Regina. Since kindergarten is the smallest group they are the first one to leave. The teacher takes Roland and Emma to my classroom." Regina nodded, then looked down waving to Emma with a smile, the shy girl hid her face behind her mother legs.
"Oh come on Em, you know to Regina." Said, Mary Margaret, while patting her daughter back.
"Don't worry," Regina laughed, "I promised to take him to the park for a while, want to come?"
"Oh no! Regina Don't worry, I have to get home, I still have exams to grade."
Regina nodded in understanding as she settles Roland back to the floor. They wave their goodbye.
When they arrive at the park Roland was struck in awe. He told Regina that he has never visited that park before. It was close to the beach with a lot of swing set and a fort in shape of a huge castle.
"Wait here for a second," Roland nodded. Regina made her way to her black Mercedes popping open her trunk revealing a long white box with a big red bow.
Roland's face lit up when he saw what Regina had in her hands.
"Is that for me?" he asked excitedly.
Regina squatted before him and nodded as she gave him the box. Roland quickly undid the tie pulling to the side and when he opened the box he began moving the paper that was inside. He drew a sword made of wood and a tiny bow and arrows. The cry of pure happiness that struck the child was heard throughout the park. Roland went into Regina's arm and gave her a kiss on the cheek with gratitude.
"You liked it?" Regina asked already knowing the answer.
Roland nodded, looking at his new toy and a "Can we play?" Was immediately out of his mouth.
Regina did not know how long they were in the park. The boy was swinging the sword in all directions. He proclaimed the fort and he vowed to protect his Queen Regina from the bandits and all the bad people.
Regina was touched.
She didn't know how much of an impact she made in his life until that moment. There were kids there that wanted to use Roland's sword and bow but he didn't allow anyone else to touch his new favorite toys especially because it was a gift from the queen. Regina had to intervene a few time because some kids wanted to fight Roland.
Regina soon stated that moments like this, was the best therapy, for the both of them. He was happy, giggling and smiling. He interacted with other kids, he ran around joyful and for the first time since she met Roland she could actually see the child in him rather than a broken little person. He was a precious thing Regina thought and knowing the thing he had gone through made her despise even more the person that killed his mother.
"Are you tired?" Regina asked. Roland position himself between Regina's legs.
"Yes," he said quietly.
Regina smiled as she moved the hair that was on his forehead. Roland was all sweaty but Regina really didn't care his happiness made her happy.
"Come sit." Roland obeyed, sitting at her side with a very tired expression.
"Did you have a good time?" Roland nodded accommodating his new toy under his arm.
"Yeah, do you think daddy can come?" She could feel the shyness his words had.
Regina sighed as she began to pass a wipe on Roland's face and hands. Answering that wasn't an easy thing. Roland deserves to be with his father but she couldn't just tell him, yes just to make him happy. She felt scared. What if she couldn't keep her promise?
Roland would probably hate her and Regina couldn't fathom the thought.
"I will try hard to get him to you. You just need to be patience." She sincerely said.
His brown eyes were just as expressive as his father's blue ones. "You know when?" he asked.
Regina looked down to the floor and around the park. She was at loss for words. Regina didn't want to break the news to him that she didn't know yet, especially not the day when he had made the most progress. He didn't deserve to be broken heart and she didn't have the heart to be the one to do it.
"I can't answer that yet honey." She stroked his faces. Roland leaned into her touch. "But I promise you that as soon as Daddy gets home I will tell him to bring you here. You can play with him all you want."
Roland exhaled heavily. Eyes shining with tears.
"Gina?" He called.
"Yes?"
"You won't leave me like my mommy right?" Regina's heart felt stomped by his words. His lower lips was trembling and he lost all interest in his new acquired toys.
"Oh, Roland sweetie come here." She said while placing the boy on her lap.
What can she tell him? She had planned on leaving as soon everything with Robin was resolve. Her first priority was to give Roland his father back. But now listening to him requesting her not to leave was doing things to her, she was feeling things she never thought she could feel. Roland was becoming rapidly one of the most important people in her life and thinking about leaving him and not seeing him again didn't make her feel good at all.
"Gina, you won't leave me with that man?" Suddenly Roland's body began to-shivered and the fear in his voice didn't go unnoticed by Regina.
"Roland honey what are you talking about?" Regina felt worried.
The child's eyes were full of tears.
"He took her away. That man made my mommy leave me forever."
Regina gasped in surprise. It was the very first time that he actually spoke about his mother's murderer. Whoever he was referring to scares the poor boy more than words could express. For a moment Regina couldn't speak. Words left her as she stared at the castle where a few moments ago Roland was pretending to be a knight. Regina eyes peered down at Roland, "What man?" It left her lips quickly but by the time her brain and mouth were on speaking terms it was too late. Roland had fallen asleep on her lap and the curiosity in her festered.
"Shit..." She muttered to herself. Regina allowed a golden opportunity to slip away. The chances of the boy speaking about this again were slim. But it wasn't impossible they just needed to continue on the track they were. Regina was here for him, and she will make sure to help Roland (and his father) as much as possible. It was only a matter of time until they find out who is the culprit. But for now, she'll wait. Regina picked up the little boy and walked to the car where she lay him down on the back. Then she returned for his toys. As she stared at them, Regina realized that life was about to get more hectic and that she should allow it to completely throw her off her game. She'll deal with one thing at a time.
"I promise you two that I won't rest until the culprit is behind bars..." She said, tucking the bow and sword back into the box.
