As the night wore on Regina stood closer to his side. Not that Robin minded, on the contrary. He discovered that once he managed to get under her hard, defensive exterior, the coy maiden underneath was something to behold. She was shy, yes, but quick witted and when she laughed, it made Robin's chest warm in the most wonderful of ways.

Sitting beside her near the fire, they listened as the men from camp told stories. More for Regina's amusement than anything, they took turns telling the ghost stories of Sherwood, of the robberies (many extremely exaggerated and did not fool her one bit), but she played along, laughing and gasping in all the right places, making Robin hold back his own enjoyment more than once.

When John's turn came, he eyed Regina for the longest time. Robin raised a warning finger at him, which only made the man bristle even more. Shaking his head, in a loud voice, he said, "Know what I think? I think the tales about you are flat out lies."

Regina didn't bat an eye at his accusation, only smiled. "Do you?"

John crossed his arms across his large chest. "Ya, I do. You're beautiful…" he trailed off when the men around reacted with exclamations of delighted surprise, telling John he better be glad his wife wasn't listening. However, John wasn't about to be detoured from his point, and in a louder voice, he continued, "Aye, she is and we all know it!"

Robin rubbed his hand over his mouth to smother his smile. If it had been a bit brighter, he could swear John's face had turned the color of his wife's hair.

Becoming serious, John told Regina, "But you won't catch me handing ya all my possessions because of it."

Robin was careful to watch her reaction to the exchange. Studying her face for any sign she may be uncomfortable, which he then would immediately put a stop to. However, she appeared decidedly unbothered and, if he was reading her right, amused by John.

"Oh?" Regina took a drink of the wine Robin had got for her not long ago and took a sip.

John gave a decisive nod. "Yeah. It'll take more than a pretty face ta get me ta do that."

Regina looked over at Robin. She was biting her lip to keep from smiling. "May I?" she whispered to him.

Robin's brow rose. He knew to what she was asking. She wanted to use her magic. Normally, he would be against using it on the people in his camp, but John had brought it upon himself and, more importantly, Robin trusted her not to take things too far. With a tip of his hand, Robin gestured across the fire, for her to do what she will.

Turning her eyes back to John, she held up her hand letting her fingers splay open then dropping it slowly, as if she were merely waved at the large man, and said, "John, you know it's very hot here by the fire…" Robin watched in fascination as she paused, and with her eyes locked on his friend added, "Wouldn't you be more comfortable in something less cumbersome?"

John was silent a moment as he stared into Regina's eyes, then at once he got swiftly to his feet. "Aye, I would my lady. Don' know what I was thinkin'."

The men around him all watched John stalk off into the distance. When he was out of sight, Robin turned to her mouth open slightly. "What did you do?"

Regina's shoulders lifted and fell under her cloak. "Don't worry, I only suggested he would be cooler in something else."

If the men sitting around the fire were bothered by the exchange between Regina and John, it did not show. Their carefree murmurings of what transpired, came and went, and were ended with light laughs and a couple crude gestures Robin had frowned at. He itched to ask her more and drawn her attention away from his men, but Will's voice rang out across the fire.

"Princess, some of us wanted ta know, what it is you miss 'bout royal livin'?"

"What do you mean?"

Will clarified, "What do ya miss 'bout living in a castle?"

"Hmm." She pulled her cloak more tightly around her.

Robin sat up, shooting Will a glance. "Will, I don't think Regina wants to talk about..."

"No, it's fine," Regina told him, her hand falling on his knee.

Her head tilted up to the sky in thought. A soft humming noise came from her throat, transfixing his gaze to her bare neck. "I think I miss… hot baths."

"Yeah?" Will's smile turned wolfish. "Ya took lots of those then?"

Robin frowned at Will's teasing tone, but it swiftly became a grin when Much came up behind the young man and gave him a swat to the back of the head.

"What? I was just askin'."

Regina laughed and admitted, "I did."

Her words only fueled Will on. "I reckon I could make one for ya if ya'd like..."

Another whack to the back of the head and Will turned and, perturbed by Much, glared at the older man. "Stop hittin' me, mate!"

The laughter around the fire died as all eyes fell upon the new arrival. It was John, only not the same John who had left them minutes ago, as he was now dressed in his wife's undergarments. He returned his abandon seat without a word.

No one, not even Robin couldn't speak. He looked over at Regina with his jaw hanging open, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Regina's set face could fool even God himself. She was the picture of absolute innocence.

Much cleared his throat and looking over at John, asked, "John, ya all right?"

John looked over his shoulder at Much, then noticed everyone staring at him. John roughly replied, "Course I am. Why do you ask?"

The looks around the camp became too much. There were held back laughs and whispers all around.

Finally, Will leaned forward, and in a loud whisper said, "John, you're wearing Mary's knickers."

John's brow furrowed, and he cast his eyes down. Holding his arms, John took in the sight of himself. He shook his head and swayed a bit.

Robin saw it the instant John came out of his fogged mind. His eyes bulged, and his jaw fell slack. Getting quickly to his feet, his face bright red, called out, "She's a devil she is!" before running back in the direction of his tent.

Laughter, so high and so loud rang out all around. Robin wiped the tears from his eyes and looked over at Regina who was smiling. She held his gaze and licked her lips before taking another sip of her drink.

Robin shook his head and held up his mug in a silent salute to her, then chuckled to himself as he took a drink. He doubted anyone would ever question her powers again.

Walking Regina back to her tent much later that night, he hesitated outside before leaving. The moonlight shone down, peeking between the branches leaving enough light he could see how lovely she was even beneath the trees. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Smiling up at him, her eyes held his. Relenting, she admitted, "No, not as bad as I imagined."

He took a step toward her. "Perhaps you'll join us more often?"

Her eyes never left his, when he took a step near. She exhaled, and her breath came out in a soft cloud in the cold air between them.

Swallowing, her voice was quiet and just as breathless as his when she replied, "Perhaps, I will."

Robin reached down and took her hand. Regina eyes followed the action, as he slowly lifted her hand up to his lips. Placing a soft kiss to her knuckles, he lingered there a moment before letting their hands fall back down. "Goodnight, Regina."

"Goodnight, Robin."

He waited for her to go inside her tent, and then as he walked away thanked the great feast and its enchantments.

Regina ducked into her tent, being quiet not to wake Snow as she made her way over to her bed. Removing her cloak, she tossed it in the corner of her tent along with the little girl's.

She was acutely aware of the silence of the tent and space around her, but her mind was back in the moment outside the tent with Robin. When he took her hand, Regina knew what he was about to do, but she was unprepared for the way his hand felt in hers as he brought it to his lips and the way her heart hammered in her chest as his warm lips pressed into her skin.

His eyes lifted from her hand to hers, and she was terrified he could feel her trembling. Only after he said goodnight to her did she remember to breathe.

There were so many times over the years Regina dreamed about what it might be like to fall in love freely. What it would be like if she was given the opportunity to choose a husband for herself and what it might be like to allow herself to give the same love in return. She never imagined she wouldn't know it was happening until it was already done.

Stop thinking like this. It can't happen. I can't stay here forever. Though her mind spoke the words her heart ached as it refused to listen.

Regina slipped into bed and listened to Snow's soft, even breathing. Closing her eyes, Regina let out an unsteady breath. Spending time with not only Robin but with the others had given her a wider perspective on them all. They weren't just a close band of thieves but also a family. A family she was slowly starting to feel accepted by.

Turning on her side, Regina listened to the sounds of crickets and an owl in the distance. Her final thoughts were of Robin and convincing herself he couldn't feel anything for her in return. She was much more than a common thief, she stole the king's daughter, poisoned her mother, and even if those were forgiven she was a Mills. Her mother's daughter. She doubted he or his people could ever forget that.