Got the title from one of my favorite Disney movies! Go Hercules! I hope you enjoy! Review Review!


Trying To Go the Distance

"Good form lass!" Hook called out to me, using his own sword to block the hit I had aimed at his face.

"Thanks," I gasped, brushing the sweaty tendrils of hair that had come out of my braid aside. Then I lunged again, feeling the disadvantage of my short blade knife against his scabbard.

"Get him Robin!" Emma enthusiastically cheered from the sideline. Hook turned to grin at her and I took advantage of it, kicking his leg out from under him. I thrusted my knife towards his neck as he fell.

"Not so fast," He growled, concentrating fully on me now. As he fell he reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me down in the dust with him. I still tried to knock the sword from his hand but he was too quick.

The point of his sword was under my neck, the grass in my hair and the bright sun in my face. "Alright then, I'm dead," I sat up, sheathing my knife and accepting Hook's hand to help me up.

"You are getting better lass, I'll make a proper pirate of you yet." I looked proud of myself as we walked over to the side of the little arena he had set up for us.

"Are you alright?" My dad asked worryingly as I reached him, holding out a bottle of water. I took it thankfully and downed it.

This had been Hook's idea, me learning how to fight better. I fully agreed, it made me feel more empowered, like I was gaining control back in my life.

Rumpelstiltskin hated it, seeing his once arch-enemy trying to 'kill' his daughter on a daily basis... Well it took a long time to convince him. Both he and my mom had been there every time we met. While Belle had quickly grown bored and started bringing books to read, Dad just watched. He even made sure to enchant the blades so that we could not mistakenly hurt each other. "Are you sure you're not hurt?" He asked shifting his weight and I noticed his hand tightening on his cane.

"Just my ego Dad," I said, grinning to show him I really was ok. I liked it, learning how to fight! It was fun. "I haven't ever won, not once!"

"Well," Flynn said, coming up behind us, taking in my hair and grinning at me. "He is a vicious, cut throat, villainous scalawag, I'd think it would take you more than one day to learn how to beat him,"

"Yeah," I laughed looking over at Hook, who was talking to Emma with a charming smile across his face. I could tell from here Emma was loving it. "He's terrifying."

My dad shot a nasty look at Flynn, but before I could say anything Hook was calling me back out. "Alright lass, let's try this again." I gave a short bow before drawing my knife and attacking.

I was not any better this time, I was learning more and more, but at this point I was tired, and Hook was an excellent swordsman. I glanced to see both my dad and Flynn watching me with near identical upset looks.

It made me smile and I wondered which one would break and try to help me first. But the thought was a distraction because before I knew it my arm was twisted behind my back and a blade at my throat.

"Dead again," Hook said, slashing my neck and letting me go. I straightened my jacket, feeling frustrated.

"I think that's enough for today," My dad said, walking over to us.

"No! Please Dad, one more! I really think I can win this time!" I pleaded, even though I seriously doubted myself. But it was better than what I had in store for me today.

He sighed and shook his head, which made me grin. I knew under all his grumpiness he was rooting for me to win a match. I turned back to Hook but he shook his head.

"Not this time lass," He said, grinning at me, then he turned. "Ryder, you're up this round!" I was struck dumb as Flynn walked over grinning, deftly catching the blade that was tossed to him with ease, twirling it and pointing it at me.

"Come on my lady," He said, mock bowing.

"Oh it's on," I reached for my knife, but my dad grabbed my arm.

"Robin I don't want you to fight him," he growled, glaring at Flynn, whose bravado seemed to sink a bit.

For the past few days I had tried to get my dad used to the idea of Flynn, and it had not been going so well...

We didn't normally fight, or even really argue. We had always got along so well. But now we had arguments ranging all the way from...

"Well if I forbid him from ever seeing you again what's he going to do? Smolder at me?!"

To...

"What do you really know about this boy?"

"I don't know dad, we met twice, once he saved my life the other I accidentally tried to end his... There wasn't much time for chatting!"

"Well he certainly seemed to know you well enough to stick his tongue down your throat!"

And finally ending with...

"He's to old for you!

"He's twenty!"

"And you're seventeen!"

"Well if we're getting technical here then I'm really thirty-one!"

"Then I guess he's to young for you!"

I didn't like this, fighting with my dad. But he did see over those days that Flynn had no intention to hurt me, or take advantage of me. "Dad, I trust him," I said, looking into his eyes.

For the past few day Flynn had made an appearance every day at our house at precisely four thirty. To use his exact words he was calling on me, and that made me happy.

We talked for hours, he invited me on walks around the town arm and arm, bundled in coats and cloaks. It was romantic and chivalrous and made me blush and smile and feel more like a girl than I ever had in my life.

When we eventually had the talk, the magic talk that is, he had been wonderful. We had walked out to the garden in the back yard and had sat with our backs against the fence, our hands intertwined.

He had listened to me as I told the whole story, beginning to end, not even stopping me as I cried, or when I told him what happened in Neverland, or finally why and how I had created the storm, because of the sickness in my heart and mind.

When I finished I looked at him, tears clouding my vision, and expected him to get up and leave. But he just pulled me into his arms, and held me as tight as he could. He didn't try to kiss me, something we hadn't done since that first time at the house. He understood, didn't judge me for having this terrible disease, and was now making as much effort as anyone else to help me get better.

So yes Dad, I really did trust him.

My dad sighed, "Fine, but I'm watching you dearie," He wagged his finger at the two of us and moved off to the side. Everyone was watching this time, my mom even putting down her book and linking arms with my dad.

I turned back to Flynn who was still ready, he raised and eyebrow and grinned at me. "When ever you're ready."

"I'm sure this will be easier than trying to win against Hook," I grinned, taking a step closer and moving into a stance that Hook had taught me.

"Well are we going to fight or are were going to flirt?' I blushed, and he kept talking. "Because really, I'm up for either one."
I lunged forward, and the blades met with a clang. He was better than I expected, but much closer to my level than Hook had been. But my desire to beat him helped me and the fight was on.

Parrying and blocking each others blows for a good five minutes, longer than I had ever lasted I was growing tired, but was not going to give up. I brushed the hair out of my face again, breathing heavily.

Big mistake as he saw the opportunity and lunged. Knowing I was beat I raised my blade and closed my eyes, waiting for the blow. But it never came, instead I felt an arm snake around my waist and pull me close.

I opened my eyes to see him grinning down at me. I could feel the muscles of his arms and chest, and his rapid heartbeat and despite my hope that I would stop blushing like an idiot around him, my face went red.

"Well done," He whispered, our weapons forgotten as they fell to the ground. With one arm still secure around my waist, he brought the other one up and wound it in my hair, something he loved to do. "You've beaten me my lady."

Then he was kissing me, and the world started spinning. I was glad he was holding me because my knees were weak. I reached up and felt the scruff that lined his face, I moved my hand to behind his neck and pulled him closer. I felt him grin against my mouth then he kissed me deeper and deeper until I thought I would pass out.

Finally he pulled away, my head rested against his chest, feeling his heart flutter and pound like mine, his arms wrapped around me. I could just feel him grinning down at me. "All these adventures and it's not even eight in the morning!"

"Yes, eight in the morning," My dad said, I jumped back from Flynn, but still managed to find his hand, holding it tight. I looked at my dad through my lashes, hoping he wasn't to angry. He was pretty mad... Behind him I could see Emma having to help support Hook because he was laughing so hard. My mom just gave me a weary smile and shook her head.

"And if you excuse us boy we have somewhere to be." He said with a raise of his eyebrow.

All the goodness of the morning was gone. I looked at Flynn, he gave me a reassuring smile. My heart fell and butterflies came to life in my stomach, ah yes.

I had to go talk to Archie today.


I sat in the room, looking all around me and trying not to panic. Archie's office was plain colored with huge bookshelf and a fireplace that had not been cleaned out in a long time.

I had begged my dad not to let me go, told him that I was fine, that I could get through this all on my own. I didn't need to talk to anybody. He knew as well as anybody that I was lying, I had not stopped having nightmares.

This was something I had not wanted to do, something that scared me, scared me even more than the idea of being back in that forest. I was all alone, all alone and sitting there clenching my hands trying not to panic, because I would not, could not let Archie come in and see me going to pieces.

But I knew it wasn't going to work, so I buried my face in my hands and allowed myself 30 seconds of weakness. I tried not to cry but tears slid down my face and my breathing became even more erratic.

As I was pulling myself back together, Archie came in the door. While normally I thought he was kind of geeky but in a nice way the very sight of him terrified me. This man had the power to make my worst nightmare come true, he could have me declared crazy or unfit to be around people. I just wanted all of this to go away.

"Hello Robin," He said, sitting down his hands under his chin, it was oddly creepy in see's your soul kind of way. "How have you been?" That was the question wasn't it...

I thought long and hard about my answer, I did not want to say how I really felt. But he just smiled at me, making me feel safe so I decided that I could trust him.

"I feel so scared all the time," I looked up, biting my lip hard to see what the verdict was.

He studied me carefully his eyes taking in my hands which despite them being clasped together was still shaking, to my face which still held a pale, thing look. I looked down, not wanting him to see my eyes.

"Robin," I looked up to see his face still had that kind, innocent look. It now was tinged with pity, and a wave of rage and anger built up, filling my throat and clouding my vision. How dare he, how dare any of them.

My emotions were getting way out of hand, I had ignored the symptoms for so long until it hit me in the gut like a club. I was having a full-blown panic attack. I dropped my head into my hands, gasping and shaking, holding my breath for as long as I could.

When I finally looked up, ready to be declared insane, I saw that Archie had not moved, was still giving me that same smile.

"It's ok Robin," His voice was calm, he was doing all he could not to upset me, which made me feel better. "You don't have to say anything, or talk about anything you don't want to. You can talk about whatever you want, or nothing at all even. I have some books here I'm sure you would like."

Guilt burned my chest, he really was going to try to help me. I didn't want the help, but I couldn't live like this anymore.

"Mary Margaret and my mom are trying to put together a ball," It was the first thing I could think of that didn't have to do with Neverland. I succeeded in surprising him, his eyebrow shot up.

"Really? I didn't know that." He admitted.

"Yeah, it's what you do when you miss most of your daughter's life, you throw a big party." The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. "I'm so sorry that was mean."

"No," He said, shaking his head. "You were just being honest, I think that's the most honest you've been with me." Yes that was true, considering I had not said much. "Does that bother you?" He asked, my eyes widened.

Did it? Hearing and seeing the two buss around and talk so animatedly about the dance made me feel weird inside. I knew Emma was feeling the same way. I opened my mouth to speak, still unsure of how I would answer...

The door flew open and Archie went flying back in his chair. I leapt to my feet but was immediately covered in a cloud of smoke. No, this wasn't me, I had been doing good, I was fine! I clenched my hands and tried to control my breathing.

The smoke cleared and I was crouched on the floor, covering my head, screaming. A pair of black high heels were in front of me and I looked up to see...

Regina.


Yikes! Dont worry, well actually do worry, the next chapter is going to be intense. Not the action kind of intense, but we will see and old vicious trick of Regina's, and the facing of a HUGE fear for Robin.

It will strangely end well though... And yes! We will be getting ready for a party! The ball I am really looking forward to writing! It will be fun and cute and a big thing for Robin and her whole family!

I love writing Flynn and I hope y'all love him too! Leave me a review please! Until next time!

Angel C.