It took some time, but I was able to get over my writer's block and now have a clear view of where this story is headed. As always thank you for following, favorting, reviewing and most of all supporting this story.
Chapter Nine Fire and Smoke
The building shined brightly through the darkness of the night, the golden yellow and burning orange flames dancing around the building in wisps. The sound of crackling wood and the howl of sirens filled the ears of the audience that had gathered to stare at the burning building. It was the mayor's office.
Robin walked out of the building covered in ashes and cinder, his clothes singed from the flames along with the burns on his arms. However the burns were not the only things weighing on his arms, in his arms were two small children who clung to him tightly. This wasn't supposed to have happened, Roland and Emma should not be hurt in his arms, in fact they shouldn't have been in the building at all.
"Emma," David cried, his blue eyes filled with panic and worry as he ran over to Robin.
He looked at his daughter, her little eyes closed in the arms of his friend.
"She's alright, she's breathing still, but they needed a doctor to check them," Robin explained to David, understanding exactly how the new sheriff was feeling.
"Roland," Regina cried as she pushed past the fire fighters and ran to Robin who wore a faint smile, "Oh my God, Roland, Emma. Are they okay? Are you okay?"
Before Robin had the chance to answer, David waved the paramedics over and a moment later the paramedics were by Robin, David and Regina with two gurneys ready for the two children. Their heads were drooping, but they were trying hard to stay awake, afraid that if they did close their eyes they would be back in the fire. Emma had tears streaming down her cheeks.
She whimpered with her eyes closed, afraid to the flames were still, "No, I want my mommy and daddy. Mr Locksley don't let them take me."
Robin looked at David giving him the signal to go. "Don't worry princess," David said, his voice causing Emma to open her eyes, "Daddy's right here and I'm not going anywhere."
Emma choked back a sob as David pulled her into his arms. He rubbed her back softly as he whispered to her softly, telling her it was going to be okay, that nothing was going to happen to her again. David and Emma left with a paramedic and gurney, David would thank Robin later, but right now his daughter needed him. Roland clung to Robin, he knew Robin would protect him and the little boy felt safe in his arms.
With a little encouragement from Regina, Roland reluctantly let go and was placed on a gurney and carried to the ambulance where Emma was with David. Regina instantly took a step to follow. but stopped when she remembered Robin had just come out of the burning building as well.
Robin, reading her thoughts told her with an understanding smile, "Go Regina, I'll be fine. Roland needs you now."
Torn Regina looked into Robin's blue eyes. She wanted to stay close to Robin and make sure he was okay, after all she could see the burns on his arms and that worried her. However her son needed her and that was where she needed to be. Regina nodded sharply before turning away from Robin and hurrying over to the little boy lying on the gurney. A woman brought Robin over to the fire truck where a medically kit was waiting for him.
The paramedic asked Robin some questions about how he was filling while she treated his burns, they were second degree burns along his forearms. This reminded Robin of the first time he had been caught in a fire and had to get someone else out. He was just happy he made it in time. Had he not been there, Roland and Emma may not have gotten out of that building alive and the thought made Robin's heart drop.
The very possibility that his son could have died tonight made him feel sick, his stomach churns and his heart only sinks. Roland meant too much to him, there was no way he would ever be the same if Roland had died. Once the paramedic finished bandaging Robin's arms and explaining to him how to treat them on his own, the woman left to see if she was needed elsewhere. Robin stayed in his seat by the fire truck for a few minutes allowing himself to be consumed by his thoughts until Mr Gold appeared.
"That was quite the heroic act," Mr Gold commented snapping Robin back into reality.
Robin looked at the elder man with disgusted blue eyes, "You did this didn't you? You having me come here to steal, Roland and Emma inside and the fire? You planned it."
Mr Gold shrugged, "I don't know what gives you the idea I did this."
Robin stood from his seat and narrowed his eyes at Gold, he knew this was the man's work, he had seen the rope Gold had been tampering with earlier inside. Ever since Mr Gold made the deal with Robin, Robin felt as if his own plans had been crashing down and falling apart.
"Don't play coy," Robin snapped angrily, in a low voice he hissed, "I saw you messing with that rope and whatever liquid you poured onto it. You set the building on fire with Emma and Roland inside. Why would you do this? Why would you risk the lives of two children?"
Mr Gold only grinned, a devious twinkle in his eye he explained, "They were never at risk, you saved them didn't you. I will admit this was part of my plan, but I am not the one who set the building on fire. Someone else, someone closer to Regina set the plan motion."
Robin felt his blood run cold when he realized exactly who Gold was talking about, Zelena, Gold was talking about her sister. Robin had only met Zelena a few times and they each involved a message from Gold and something he needed to do.
"As for my why," Mr Gold started with a smirk, "With our dear sheriff out of the picture and the deputy in his place. I should imagine that the old deputy will need a deputy of his own and who better than the one who found all those stolen items, caught the thieves and saved two young children from a fire."
Robin clenched his jaw, he still wasn't sure why Gold wanted him involved in the sheriff department, perhaps so he would have a hand in the force.
"We'll be in touch, keep your mouth shut Locksley" Gold said, "We wouldn't want another accident to occur to those children now would we?"
"You listen to me," Robin growled angrily, "If you so much as harm one hair on their heads, I will personally end you."
Gold grinned, "Oh I'm counting on it. For now, I suggest you get prepared because I'm just getting started."
With those final words, Gold turned and walked away from Robin. Robin stood in his place at a loss of what to do, what could he do? Robin knew he should tell the truth and bring Gold to justice, but then Roland and Emma would have to pay the price and that was not something he wanted. The secret he had been keeping didn't matter in this situation anymore, there were lives on the line, the lives of two very special and important children to Robin.
He wouldn't let Gold or Zelena hurt them.
Standing near the fire truck Robin stared the building that was once engulfed in flames now black and damaged. He would protect Emma and Roland, he would keep his secret safe and he would bring Gold down. The only problem Robin faced was a question, how? Robin ran his fingers through his hair, his face and clothes were still covered in smoke and ash, but he barely noticed. There was too much going on for him to really focus on what was wrong with him.
He needed to see Roland, the boy who turned his entire world upside down, he needed to know his son was okay. He needed to check on Emma, the sweetest child full of life and innocence, he needed to see her. Those kids meant a lot to him, more than he would ever be able to admit out loud. Most of all, he needed to tell Regina the truth about who he was and why he was here. This way, Gold would have one less thing over his head.
"Robin," called Regina cautiously as she walked around the fire truck.
Regina could still hear in the back of her mind David over the phone and telling her office was on fire. The fact that the office was in flames wasn't what worried Regina, Roland had been missing along with Emma after school and were no where to be seen for hours. She feared they were inside and when she discovered in fact her son was inside the burning building with Emma, her heart stopped.
The world no longer existed and all that mattered were the two children inside. When she arrived she yelled at the firemen to go inside and make sure no one was in there, to make sure her son was not there. Robin had already been there, he asked Regina directly about Roland and when he heard her answer he ran inside. David had been close by and the thought of Emma being in there sent a wave of fear and he nearly ran inside as well, but the firemen stopped him and for a few terrifying minutes, David and Regina feared for their children.
They feared for their friend.
"Oh Robin," Regina said once she spotted him leaning against a fire truck, "Thank God you're okay, I was so worried."
Robin smiled at Regina sweetly, he couldn't help, but find her positively adorable when she was worried. Her expression would soften, her eyes would glaze and the crease on her face made Robin do a double take.
"It hurts your doubt me," Robin teased trying to lighten the mood.
Regina wrapped her arms around Robin's neck and buried her face into his shoulder.
"I was so worried," she whispered remembering how she felt when she lost Daniel.
Robin squeezed Regina tightly and whispered, "It's okay, I'm okay. How are the kids?"
Regina took a step away from Robin and sighed, "They'll be fine. Emma has a burn on her left hand and is hooked up to a breathing mask. Same with Roland, right now David is with them, making sure they're alright and comfortable."
Robin nodded, this was his fault and the guilt was starting to nag at him. He caused this to happen, Emma and Roland nearly died tonight and it would have been his fault. Had they died, their blood would have been on his hands.
Regina looked into Robin's eyes and asked, "Are you okay? I see they wrapped your arms, the burns are that bad huh?"
This made Robin smile, he shrugged, "I've had worse injuries. There is no need for you to worry about me Regina, I'm fine really."
Regina felt tears prick her eyes, she had been so close to losing Roland and Robin today. Two of the most important people to her and she nearly lost them and it broke her heart. Losing Daniel was hard enough, but losing her son and the first man to make her happy since Daniel killed her. Robin could see the tears swimming in Regina's brown eyes and felt his heart ache. He causes this, he caused her pain and that was the last thing he wanted, was for her or her son to be hurt.
"Hey," Robin smiled, he pulled Regina into his arms and held her close, "It's okay."
Regina buried her face in his chest allowing the tears to fall, "I'm sorry. I-I was just so scared. I though I was going to lose you both. I can't do it, I can't lose you or Roland. You're all I have now."
Robin felt his heart break in two, Regina had told him about everything she lost from her best friend to Daniel. All the people who have come and gone in her life, Roland has been the only one that stayed and coming so close to losing him broke her heart. Robin closed his eyes, in that moment he made a promise his was going to keep.
Even if it meant his own life was at risk, "You won't lose Roland and you won't lose me. I promise."
*Two Weeks Ago*
"Okay, so I went through all the job openings in Storybrooke and here is what I've come up with," Regina said laying the newspaper on the metal table.
After talking with Robin a few days ago, she had spent a good amount of her free time helping him find a job. Robin had been investigating businesses on his own, but hadn't seen any help wanted signs. Regina told him most jobs were covered, but the best place to find opportunities for work were in the newspaper and after reading the articles and circling the ones she thought were best for Robin she was ready to help Robin.
"Thank you Ms Mills," Robin said with a soft smile, "I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me."
Regina brushed it off with a smile, "It was no trouble, all I really had to do were circle a few job openings with one of Roland's crayons."
This made Robin laugh, his smile wide and eyes bright as Regina watched him. It was hard for her explain, but she enjoyed being in Robin's company as often as possible.
"Well this will get you started," Regina replied with a sweet smile, "I better get going, don't want to keep the council members waiting."
Robin nodded thoughtfully, "Of course. Thank you for all your kindness Madam Mayor."
"I told you," Regina said as she stood from her seat, "Regina will do."
Again Robin nodded, "I'll see you later then, Regina."
The name flowed effortlessly off his tongue and he would be lying if he didn't the name sounded beautiful.
Regina grinned, "Goodbye Mr Locks- Robin. Goodbye Robin."
Robin smiled fondly as she walked away from their table, but not before Robin caught the pink glow on her cheeks after he said her name and she fumbles over her words. Robin looked over the job articles Regina had circled and wondered what would be best for him. Robin stood from his seat with the newspaper in hand, left a tip for the waitress who he learned was Ruby and decided to go for a walk.
Gold had visited him last night with a slip of paper in hand, telling him it was a bill for the house since he was the landlord of almost every building in town. However when Robin opened the folded sheet of paper, it was not the bill he had been expecting, but an assignment of sorts. On this slip of paper Gold told Robin to steal something from Archibald Hopper.
The man was a therapist and the only thing Gold was interested were some files on Liam and Killian Jones. Robin had only met Killian once when Mary Margaret came to the diner two days ago, Roland and Emma in tow with the seven year old boy. It was concerning that Gold wanted the files of two boys however Robin didn't question, he knew Gold wasn't going to give him any answers.
Although Robin didn't want to steal the files, he couldn't risk Regina or worse Roland finding out the truth about him. Hands in pockets, Robin walked down the mostly empty streets of Storybrooke and stopped when he arrived at Hopper's office. Robin went up the stairs, going over the plan he had made earlier as he approached the office door. He knocked, waited a moment before a man with red hair and glasses opened the door.
"Mr Hopper," Robin greeted and extended his hand, "The name's Robin Locksley and I was hoping to talk to you."