Robin walked into the house and saw John sitting in the living room watching tv. "Hey, Where's Roland?"

John replied, "Taking a nap. How did it go?" Robin sat next to his friend with a smile on his face, "It was actually fun. She isn't what I thought she was, or what everyone says she is."

John was curious, "What do you mean?" Taking a moment to think, he explained, "When I first got here Ruby told me she was a bitch. Then my boss, Leroy, told me that she would gut you in your sleep. He actually said those words."

Laughing now at the description it was nothing like her. "So what is she really like?" Robin shrugged, "She's…normal. I mean she has a dark past with her mother and her ex, but other than that she's just a woman. To me she seems…"

"What?" Breaking him out of his short thought process, "Lonely." John wondered, "I wonder why she closed herself off. I mean it's been years and she's lived here all this time. No one knows who she really is?"

Robin shook his head, "Marg does, and so does David. They grew up together, so they know how she is. Marg told me that she's cold and short with people because she's afraid of letting them in."

"I guess I don't blame her. I mean if someone I loved died by the hands of my parent and my best friend was the cause, shit I'd run for the hills. Makes you wonder why she stayed."

Robin answered, "Because this is home. It's something she said today, that made me realize that her roots are here. She's lived here her whole life and she said that she can't imagine her life anywhere else."

The men sat there discussing a woman neither of them knew, but Robin was enamored with her so John tried to be supportive.

"There's one thing that I realized today that I wasn't' expecting." "What's that."

Smiling Robin said, "I think I found a friend in her. I started off thinking it would be a disaster and that I'd be too nervous, but instead I felt fine. I think she just needs a friend. I thought I liked her, but right now I think I'm satisfied just talking to her."

John patted his friend on the back, "You keep telling yourself that, the smile on your face says otherwise."

Letting a small chuckle out he said, "I can't deny that she's beautiful and there's an attraction, but to be true to myself, I'm not ready for that. I miss Marian too much."

A sympathetic smile spread across John's face, "I get it. I miss her too." Before the mood could change somberly Robin's phone rang.

"It's Marg." John blushed a little and Robin smiled at his friend, loving that he could tease him about a crush.

He walked into the kitchen and answered the phone.

.

Mary Margaret dialed Robin to find out how his lunch with Regina went, her thoughts were on them and hoped it wasn't a disaster.

"Hello?" "Hey Robin, how did your lunch go?" He sounded a little more than enthusiastic and it had her smiling. "It was nice; I think that we're going to be good friends."

Curious, "Just friends?" Robin paused, "You know, I think that's all I want right now. She's sweet and there's definitely more to her than what meets the eye. I think I'm just not ready."

Marg smiled lightly, "I understand, but the lunch went well? She didn't scare you?"

Robin laughed, "Not at all, she told me about growing up here and her parents. I hadn't realized she was alone now."

Marg was confused, "What do you mean? She had her father." Robin furrowed his brows, "She told me her father passed away a few years ago."

Covering her mouth with a small gasp, "What? She never told me that." Robin asked, "You didn't know?"

Marg frowned, "No, she shut me out and after her mother went to jail, her father moved to Boston. I know she'd go and visit him on the weekends. I guess that explains why she stopped going."

Robin felt sympathetic, "Sorry that I was the one to tell you, she didn't go into detail just stated that he was ill."

"It's okay. So are you going to see each other again?" Robin replied, "I'm sure, I see her all the time, she is my neighbor but no official plans."

Marg smiled, "I'm glad it went well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Then you'll see our new painted house."

Robin wished her well, "Have a good one as well, I'll see you Monday."

Walking into the house from the porch she looked up at David, "What's wrong?" Marg stated, "That was Robin, did you know that Henry died?"

David's face became serious and he asked, "What? When? I just saw him this morning." Marg corrected, "No, I meant Regina's father."

Visibly relaxing he shook his head, "No, I had no idea. How did you know?" Marg sat on the couch, "Robin told me. I guess he asked about her parents and Regina said he was ill and died a few years ago. I wondered why she wasn't going to the city anymore."

He walked up to her and rubbed her back lightly, "Maybe you should talk to her about it and I know your dying to ask her about her lunch."

As she tried to process the idea of how she could not have known Henry had died, Emma called.

" David smiled, "Hello?" "How's the house painting going?" David replied, "It's going, we just have the porch and the back to get done. I'm sure we'll finish by tomorrow."

"I'll be back in a bit." David kissed her lips lightly, "Alright, see you soon."

Marg yelled, "Don't finish without me," as she walked out the door.

.

Emma asked, "Where is she off to?" David smiled, "Regina's, I guess she wants to find out how the lunch went."

Emma smiled, "Oh right, the lunch. I heard they talked a lot and stayed for almost two hours." David looked sideways questioning, "How did you hear this?"

"Ruby, she told me. Apparently Regina actually smiled at him. Several times." David laughed, "Yes, I hear she's capable of that."

Picking up a paint brush and paint bucket he walked outside on the porch, "I guess it's good for her to talk to someone. I mean she pretty much spends most of her time alone."

David shrugged, "I know, but I think I'd rather she does that then get close to Robin too quickly." Emma stared at Henry and Killian who were talking across the room, "Why do you say that?"

David sounded concerned, "Regina's been through a lot and no matter how much she tries to hide behind the tough exterior, she gets hurt easily. I don't want her to get hurt with Robin."

Understanding she said, "I get it, but she's tougher than you give her credit for. I'm sure that it'll be fine. Plus, if she doesn't like him she'll just tell him."

Now laughing, "I can't disagree to that, she's pretty direct, I just hope that it doesn't cause too much friction if it does happen."

Emma shrugged, "I'm sure it'll be fine, I'll talk to her when I get back. We're headed out for pizza soon. Henry has been choosing the placed to eat while we're here."

David asked, "So the movie's tonight right?" Emma replied, "Yup, the boys are talking non-stop about it. Sorry you couldn't come."

Smiling, "Nah it's alright, Marg has been wanting us to paint for weeks, I couldn't cancel on her." David heard Henry yell something in the background, "Alright the boys are hungry, I'll see you Monday. Also could you do me a favor and check on Belle?"

David wondered, "Why?" Emma sighed, "Don't tell her I told you, but that guy has been hitting on her again and she's been hiding. Just check on her and make sure she's fine. Do it tomorrow if you want."

"Alright, will do. Later." Emma hung up soon after.

.

Mary Margaret walked from her house the three blocks to Regina's and walked through her yard to the door.

The weather was perfect, not too much sun and a lightly breeze. As she knocked on the door she turned to glance towards Robin's house.

It took a few minutes but the door opened and Regina stood in jeans and a simple blouse, "Tell me you didn't wear that to lunch."

Unamused she crossed her arms, "Of course not. What are you doing here?" Walking through the door and heading towards the sitting room she turned to look at her.

"Why didn't you tell me that your dad died?" Regina closed the door and walked to catch up, "How did you hear that?" Marg had a guilty look on her face, "I called Robin and asked him about your lunch."

Rolling her eyes, her curiosity was peaked, "What did he say?" Marg paused, "First I want to know what happened."

Regina sat down and crossed her legs, "He had prostate Cancer, he was battling it for a while." Trying to stay emotionless a tear fell down her cheek.

"I'm so sorry. I would've gone to the funeral, if you'd told me." Marg was an emotional woman and Regina shrugged, "I know. I didn't bother anyone with it."

Taking a few minutes of silence Regina finally asked, so what did he say?" Marg smiled, "I think he likes you."

"How can you tell? He seemed friendly, nothing more." Marg smiled, "I meant he likes you, as in friendly likes. I did ask him if he had feelings for you, but he said he wasn't over his wife."

Regina gave a nod, "A friendship would be nice, but I'm not sure how to be a friend to anyone." Marg placed a hand on hers, "Regina, when given the change your loyal. I remember. I only wish that I could have returned that simple sentiment."

Looking down she said, "Let's move past it. I don't want to talk about it anymore." Marg smiled, "If it makes you feel any better he thinks your beautiful."

Regina's cheeks turned pink, "Absurd, I doubt he said that. You're just saying that." Marg laughed, "I'm not, he says that there is more than meets the eye with you."

"I'm not sure what that means, other than I apparently am hated by many." Marg interjected, "They don't hate you, you're just…"

Regina looked up at her, "rude, mean, a bully, short, and annoyingly good at my job. To name a few theories. Oh and Granny is convinced that I'm some sort of a satanic cult leader."

A rambunctious laugh came from Marg, "She does not think that. Oh lord. I think that people don't know who you are because you shut yourself in."

Regina shrugged, "It's fine, I know what they think of me and I could care less. I don't need to be loved by many. Look at what that got my mother."

Marg snapped her mouth shut for a moment, "Regina, you are nothing like your mother." Licking her lips and poising her face back from the slight sadness, "I know that."

Marg smiled, "How did you like him?" Blushing she said, "I'll admit that he's handsome and he seems to have a good heart. I just don't know if I'm ready to think about anything other than a platonic relationship right now."

Marg understood, "Well then I guess you're both in the same boat. You both need a friend and that's good start."

Regina did need a friend and she was glad to be reconnecting with Marg, even if it was complicated.

Glad that he wasn't going to intrude upon her and suggest a more serious type of relationship, she felt much less pressure.

"Even if you both aren't ready; I can see it going there eventually." Marg smiled as Regina's eyes met hers.

"That's ridiculous." Marg said, "You are more alike than you think and when you're ready, I'll support you."

Regina let those words sink in, she knew him better than Regina did. What could she mean by that? Not wanting to press it, she kept silent.

Regina was not in the market for a man, even though it would be nice to give into a physical impulse, her mind couldn't bear the thought.