AN: The outfit I try to describe in this chapter is the one Regina wears when the second curse is enacted by Snow( episode 3x19), but here is set slightly before that. Also in this fic Snow is pregnant,but not as far into the pregnancy as in the show as the curse happens a lot quicker than in the show (sorry, I couldn't fill the entire year!) and it will make a lot more sense in a couple of chapters why the time span is shorter, Thank you! leave a review, follow and favourite! :)

As the weeks went by, things began to settle down as everyone finally adjusted to being back to their old lives. Some decided to venture out from the castle and see what had become of their homes, under a sharp warning from Snow that everyone who leaves is forfeiting protection from the witch, Regina simply wasn't powerful enough to cast a protection spell over the entire forest. But as Regina and Robin's secret relationship grew, she could feel her power growing, it was a feeling of ecstasy that left her breathless each time their skin brushed against the other, the sparks only dying down after hours of caresses and kisses to satisfy the magic running between them. It was something Regina had never felt before, she'd had a first love, but this, this was something deeper. Their souls were bound together and ever since that first night it was as if the bound had been tightened, making both of them wonder how they'd lived without the other.

As a strong hand leaned on her thigh and its palm smoothed over her flesh, Regina gasped and bucked her hips slightly, causing Robin to adjust his position between her legs to steady her, and push her hips back down onto the mattress, laughing gently. The reaction they both had to each others touch constantly surprised the other, and made Robin laugh once again as Regina whimpered slightly in protest. She could feel her desire growing and his teasing was only making it stronger, the feeling settling between her legs, her palms sweaty as she gripped the sheets, feeling Robins breath against her as he ventured lower...

Regina woke up with a start. The dream had seemed so real and although such events had occurred before in their relationship the intensity that a dream had made her feel shocked her. She reached over to feel for Robins arm next to her, the absence of it causing her to look puzzled as she began to sit up gently and scan the room. Before she barely lift her head she felt something hot between her legs press against her, causing a groan to leave her lips, peering down to see Robins body under the sheets between her legs.

oh, it wasn't really a dream after all.

She parted her lips in a protest that was soon silenced as she felt Robins mouth on her again. The feeling caused her to flop back onto the bed, before hooking her leg over his back, drawing him closer to her. Robin made no sound and continued with his tongue, keeping his pace slow and steady. The burning desire in Regina grew, and she became impatient as she scrambled with the sheets, reaching down with her hand to urge him on. His only response being that he grasped her hand within his, entwining their fingers as he finally took the hint and increased his pace, before using his free hand to slip 3 fingers easily into Regina. It should of been romantic, but Regina was drinking the sensations in, craving them and began rocking her hips erratically to quicken Robin's pace even further. As she grew higher the sparks returned, causing the fire to flare up and a breeze to circle the still room, even though all the windows were closed. Regina cried out Robin's name she reached her peak, grasping at his hand with all her strength as her muscles tensed against him. The breeze caused the sheets to flutter and the balcony doors to fling open, the sensation running through Regina longer that it had ever before. Finally it began to die down as she slumped against the bed, breathless, feeling Robin make his way up her body, planting small kisses along the way. Her sensitive body twitched with each kiss, and the final one he planted on her lips allowed one final moan to vibrate through her mouth, before she sank back.

They remained there for a while, just lying, hands locked. Regina's eyes remaining closed in a blissful state, although she was fully awake. It was only when she felt Robin begin to move next to her that her eyes shot open and her grip on him tightened, gazing at him. He turned to face her grinning, a grin that left his face immediately when he saw her "What? What is it dear? You looked like you've seen a ghost" she laughed, her voice shaking slightly, wondering if Robin had finally come to his senses and was going to leave her.

"It's just...your eyes Regina. It happened the first time we, you know...and I put it to the back of my mind but now, it hasn't faded"

"what are you talking about?! give me that.." her voice was more urgent now as she reached for her bedside mirror, hesitantly pausing before taking a look at her reflection. Her hair was fluffed up, her lips red and slightly swollen, all evidence of her previous injuries now healed as her skin practically glowed, but her usual hazel eyes were glowing a deep purple. She stared into the reflection again, holding the mirror closer, as she watched the magic in her eyes physically swirl patterns in her iris's as she watched, before dropping it onto the bed with a gasp.

"Thats not possible"

"what do you mean? Isn't it something to do with magic?"

"Well yes but this, this is evidence of straight up magic in its purest form, like reading from a spell book"

"Then how is it impossible? You admitted yourself that we have..well I'm not sure what to call it but its magical-"

"This is different. Magic like this can only be acquired, not made between two people, usually from powerful squid ink, and even then it fades once the spell is finished"

"So what do you suggest?"

"How about some target practise" Regina grinned, the look in her eyes only heightened by their colour, a she practically flew up from the bed and began hunting for an outfit to put on.

After eating a breakfast Regina had conjured up her room the pair made their way through the corridors which were now thankfully less crowded. Regina wore a long, tight fitting royal blue coat over her black leather pants and kept her hair down but pinned the front off her face. She kept her face burrowed into the fur neckline of the coat as they hurried through the twists and turns of the castle, not daring anyone to see her eyes. They made it out the back entrance and Robin lead the way to his tent, parting it so Regina could slip inside. "I'll make sure the coast is clear, you wait here" He muttered, giving her a swift kiss before leaving, the kiss lingering on her lips and causing the light in her eyes to flare up. Robin returned within a couple of minutes and held his hand out to Regina, who gladly took it and began leading the way around the back of the castle towards the outskirts of the forest, where the protection spell gleamed. With the wave of her hand the spell parted slightly, allowing them to pass through and into the safety of the trees.

They walked in silence for around 20 minutes, their hands still together, swinging between them. They each breathed in the forest and suddenly they realised just how crowded everything had become in castle, it was near suffocating. Robin looked over at Regina and saw her patting at her face,wiping under her eyes.

"Hey, what's the matter? Are you okay? Do you need to rest?" the concern made Regina laugh as they reached a clearing and stopped, turning to face each other.

"I'm fine it's just, I'm surprised thats all"

"About what my love.."

The use of the word love caused tingles in Regina's belly as she confessed "That you're still here, with me. That somethings happening that even I don't understand and you aren't running"

"What would I be running to? All I want is you...I know its complicated but we'll figure it out. Now care to explain why you brought me all the way out here?" the tone in his voice a clear indication that he was trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, like I said this is indication of magic in its purest and most powerful form, almost as if a spell is waiting to be cast. I figured if I blew off some steam the magic might, you know, die down a little"

"Are you saying that each time we, you know..that magic is created but being held within you? And its needs to be released?"

"Thats the theory...now, lets put it into practise". Regina raised her hand slightly, focusing solely on a boulder that was a fair distance away from the couple. It took next to no effort for her to lift it with the flick of her wrist, as it hovered above them Robin simply stared in awe at Regina, who seemed completely unimpressed that she was supporting the weight of a 5 ton boulder above her, as she pushed slightly with her hand, sending the boulder flying and crashing into a tree, splitting in half and hitting the floor with a dull thud that vibrated through the ground. This activity continued for around an hour, Regina paced and found things to manipulate, eventually Robin joined in, shooting arrows for Regina to catch in her bare hands, snapping them like twigs before dropping them to the ground. When Robin finally ran out of arrows Regina bent down and let out a frustrated whimper, cradling the broken arrows gently.

"I'm so, so sorry, just give me a second" as she passed her hand over each arrow, its bent form twisted back into place and soon all were restored to how they were before. Regina didn't dare look up at Robin, she felt defeated and knew that meeting his eyes would only confirm her suspicions, that the magic was still there. Utterly exhausted she collapsed and much to Robin's surprise leant her head against a fallen tree trunk, closing her eyes as the tears came fast and heavy, streaming down her face and splattering into the neckline of her coat. He knelt almost immediately grasping her shoulders and wiping at her face gently, the subtle touch only causing more tears to escape, Regina's body reacting to Robins's touch by leaning forward, taking in his scent and hanging on for dear life at his neck.

After Regina calmed down slightly, Robin stayed, not moving,not talking, determined not to do anything until he knew she was calm and ready. Looking into the crook of his neck he saw her snuggled into him, her body pressed as close as humanly possible, as her breathing steadied and was distinctly heavier than before, he soon realised she'd fallen asleep. Careful in his movements Robin began to stand, pulling Regina with him until he carrying her in his arms. She didn't wake and wrapped her arms around his neck in her sleep, her damp face making contact against his collarbone. He began walking back slowly, wanting to get her back without waking, only stopping when he came face to face with the protection spell around the castle. Robin shifted Regina in his arms so he wouldn't drop her, and edged closer to the barrier, expecting sparks to fly off or a buzz to fill his ears, yet as soon as Regina came within touching distance, the spell parted allowing them through. Robin breathed a quiet sigh before hurrying towards the castle, only to be met head on by Charming at the back entrance. His grip on Regina slipped as he collided with Charming, both men moving to support the weight of the sleeping woman, which only made her flinch and wake up, sliding to floor in a way only Regina could make look graceful.

"What the-"

"Regina! Just who I was looking for. Me and Snow need you now, we need to head to Rumple's castle right away"

"But why?"

"We believe he's back, that the witch is holding him. We think he knows how to defeat her..wait. Your eyes there-"

"I know, long story" she cut him off by grabbing Robin's hand and tugging him with her as she whispered "You brought me back, thank you" as they headed towards the ex-dining hall, and into the best and worst week of their lives.