Thanks for all the reviews! I should put Regina in danger more often.
Sorry for the delay, busy week.
I own nothing OUAT.
Regina stood motionless as the knife dug into her skin. Her mind flitted through the various scenarios in how this could end. None of them pleased her. The blade was too deeply settled in her neck to push her assailant away with magic. That move would end with her having a slit throat. She wouldn't do that with Roland in the room. Roland. She willed the boy to stay away.
The hand on her mouth tightened and the man pulled her roughly against him. The sharp edge went a little further into her neck causing Regina to cry out in pain. When the man spoke his voice was cold, filled with hate, "You shouldn't be here queen," he snarled, "All things evil should be eliminated."
Regina shuttered at the pure revulsion in the man's words. She had to come up with a plan to get her and her attacker out of the library before Roland returned with his blanket. A tiny gasp pulled her out of her thoughts and dread filled her entire heart, Roland stood in front of them wide-eyed and pale, his blanket wrapped around him like a cape. She had to think fast, if this man hurt one hair on the top of that boy's head...she would drain the life right out of him, slowly and painfully. Before she could jump into action Roland slowly stepped forward staring at the man roughly holding onto her, his mouth quivered as he whispered, "Billy...why are you hurting Regina?"
Billy? Regina thought. Her mind finally realized why she had recognized the voice somewhat, her attacker was one of Robin's merry men. She had only seen him two or three times. She knew the instant Billy registered that he and she were not the only ones in the room. His body jerked violently and his grasp loosened on her considerably. She was still unable to move away from him though. He still had the knife at her throat, add in the unknown variable of his mental state, she could not take the risk with Roland still in the room.
"Roland, what are you doing here?" Billy's voice shook. He was definitely not expecting Roland to be there. That knowledge did not do much to relax Regina. She would not be at ease until Roland was safe. Billy continued speaking to Roland, "You need to get out of here." His voice was a desperate plea. Regina closed her eyes and prayed that Roland would heed those words and leave.
"Regina has to come with me to tuck me in….please let her go." Roland's eyes were full of tears and his little hand shook as he wrapped his blanket tighter around himself. Regina's heart ached to go to him and the anger within her grew, how dare this man frighten Roland.
Billy was clearly becoming more agitated with Roland's unwillingness to leave, his voice was becoming more frantic, "Roland," he hissed impatiently, "...this….witch...is evil, awful..," he jerked Regina back, the blade of the knife sliding once again across her neck. Regina moaned in pain from the contact. Roland stepped forward, crying her name. Billy was shaking, starting to talk to himself about how she had brainwashed them all, how she had to pay, she didn't deserve to live. Things were getting out of control. Regina knew she had to come up with a plan...now.
Billy was becoming more unhinged, still talking to himself, he seemed to be in his own little world. His hand had loosened over Regina's mouth, allowing her to speak. She caught Roland's eye and trying to be as soothing as she could muster under the circumstances said, "Roland, it's ok sweetheart, I'm fine, go to bed, your father is waiting."
"SHUT UP!" Billy screamed at her, "DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK TO HIM." Billy's outburst only succeeded in startling Roland more, he cowered behind the table but was unable to take his eyes off of Regina and Billy. His face was ashen and his body shook.
Regina turned her head slightly, her voice was low as she hissed, "The boy is frightened, he has done nothing. Let him leave, then you can finish what you've started."
Before Billy had a chance to respond, Regina heard the loud, firm voice of Robin, "Roland leave the library...now." Billy pulled Regina hard, spinning to face Robin. Robin's face was a mask of stone. Emotionless to those who did not know him well but Regina had spent enough time with him these past couple of months to recognize the worry hidden in the depths of his eyes. She watched as he glanced at the knife being held to her throat, at the blood that she could feel dripping down her neck, his blue eyes turning gray and cold.
Billy repositioned the knife against Regina's throat, his voice trembled as he addressed Robin. "I won't stand down Robin. I must do this. You are too blind to see her for what she truly is...a monster."
"Roland," Robin once again spoke, more gentle this time, his eyes not leaving Regina and Billy. "Roland, my boy, go to John. Everything will be fine."
Regina could hear no movement coming from where Roland had been. She could only assume that he was in a state of shock, unable to move. Frighten and surprised that an old friend would be threatening his new friend. Just then John appeared at the door behind Robin, his eyes widening as he took in the sight before him. "Billy…," he gasped.
Robin addressed him without turning. "John. Roland is by the table. Please retrieve him and take him out of here."
John coughed in surprise, "Yes, of course." He quickly passed Robin to go fetch the boy. Regina could feel Billy turn to watch him go, not completely trusting that John would not attack him from behind. Regina could only look at Robin. His eyes were on her as well, they held a reassurance in them. He also intended to get her out of here. John passed by them, now holding Roland securely in his arms. The little boy had buried his head into John's neck. Regina felt a sense of relief flood through her now that the Roland was no longer in the path of this mad man. The second he released his grasp on her even just a little, there would be hell to pay.
Robin took a slow step towards Billy and Regina. "Billy," his voice was low but gentle, calming. "I've known you for a long time, this is not you son. Put the knife down, let the queen go. You and I can sit down and talk about what it is that is bothering you."
"What's bothering me? You want to know what is bothering me…," he jolted Regina forcibly against him, "SHE'S bothering me. You've let the….evil queen," he snarled out her title with such bitterness it made her blood curl, "...enter into our lives. She's free to roam around where she pleases. She should be locked up, she should be punished for everything she has done. Evil should not be able to roam free."
Regina listened to his tirade. She could not say that he was wrong or that she hadn't had the same thoughts regarding who she was herself. That did not negate the fact that he had frighted and put into harms way an innocent young boy whom she cared a great deal about. Flashes of Henry being manipulated to pull out his own heart to give to a mad man went through her mind. The familiar feel of anger building inside her gave her strength. Billy's hand that contained the knife was no longer settle directly on her skin, she took the opportunity. Raising her free hand, she channeled all her anger and swept Billy across the room with magic. Yet she felt no pleasure at the sound of him hitting the wall as it echoed across the room. She used to feel such satisfaction at the sound.
She watched as Robin looked at her, his face torn between relief that the knife was away from her and irritation that she had used magic when he was working on talking Billy down. His relief won out as he quickly walked towards her. "Are you alright?" His voice was full of concern as he glanced down at her throat. She waved her hand, halting him in his path towards her. "It's nothing I can't heal." She told him. They both turned at the groan coming from the other side of the room.
Billy slowly stood from his position on the floor trying to regain his balance, the knife still in his hand. Robin turned to her once more, "You need to leave."
"I'm not leaving you with him...alone. He's not thinking straight, you may need me. Plus, it's clearly me he is after. I'm staying." She huffed.
Robin sighed dissatisfied with her reply but said nothing, he slowly started towards Billy. "Robin..,"her voice trailed off, unease rising within her at the thought that this was far from over. She really did not want to have to kill one of Robin's men, but she would if it came down to it.
Billy watched as Robin approached him, his head shook and body trembled. "You're so blinded by her, you can't see who she is," he whispered. "The men and I see the way you look at her, she has brainwashed you into thinking you want her. You need to open your eyes Robin before she hurts you or Roland."
Regina blinked her eyes a few times, trying to clear her head. What was this man talking about, Robin didn't want her. They were...friends. Her memory flashed to the way he had been looking at her at their dinner this evening..no...they were only friends.
Robin's voice startled her as he spoke, his voice understanding but still firm, "It was you that frightened Roland tonight Billy, not the queen."
Billy's shakes became more uncontrollable, his voice turned desperate, "I didn't know he was here...I swear...I want no harm to come to him...or you...I just…," he trailed off.
Robin was quick to reassure, "I know Billy. I know that you would never hurt us. You are a sweet boy, one of my most loyal men since I found you in the woods that night." Robin now stood in front of Billy, "Give me the knife lad, we will sit down and we will talk."
Billy stiffened. "No," he whispered, his knife rose, its aim at Robin, "She killed my family, there needs to be retribution."
Regina's heart dropped and her whole body deflated. Her world seemed to spin, she placed a hand on the nearby sofa to steady herself. She killed this boy's family. It was only a matter of time before she ran into someone she wronged in such a horrendous fashion. There were so many things she had done, she couldn't remember them all. She truly was a monster when she last lived in the Enchanted Forest. Back then she was so blinded by hatred.
Billy continued, his voice growing darker with each word he spoke. "My mother offered the princess, Snow White, food and a night's rest in our barn and she ordered our whole family killed by her men when they would not give up her whereabouts." He glanced at Regina whispering, "My sister did nothing to you."
Regina felt tears invade her eyes. She often was not around to see the people she ordered her men to kill on her pursuit to get her revenge. To now know that it led to a young girl's demise and a teen boy being orphaned caused her to feel such guilt. She knew that whatever he wanted to do to her was more within his right than her revenge against Snow White ever was.
"He has every right to kill me," her voice trembled.
Robin flipped his head around, "Regina." His voice was low, warning.
"I've hurt many people Robin," she breathed out, "I've destroyed lives."
"You are not her anymore," his voice was rough with emotion.
Robin's voice was caring as he turned back to speak to Billy, "There are things we have all done in our lives that if we could go back and change it we would Billy. Remember when we met? You held this same knife on me then, you were so desperate for food. I knew that killing me was not something you wanted to do then and now...even though it seems like killing the queen will make you feel better, it will not. Revenge is hardest on the person who carries it. Killing her will only succeed in ruining your life. It's not what your parents, your sister would want for you. Put the knife down Billy, let go of the hate, the revenge, start living your life for you...not for vengeance."
The hand that Billy held the knife in once again shook out of control. "I can't…please Robin, move out of my way…"
"No." Robin held firm.
Billy moved forward to shove Robin out of the way, Robin held out an arm to block Billy from going any farther causing Billy to stumble. Regina watched the scene unfold as in slow motion. The blade in Billy's hand slid across Robin's cheek. Robin fell to the ground as Billy stared down at him in horror, dropping his knife.
Regina fought the urge to rush to Robin.
She heard John enter the room calling Robin's name.
"I...I'm sor..I'm sorry," Billy stuttered, he was still trembling out of control. He glanced quickly at Regina and then rushed out of the room.
Robin lifted his head, holding his bleeding cheek with his hand. "John, please go after Billy. Make sure he is safe." John nodded in agreement and left the room.
Regina then made her move to where Robin still sat on the floor. "Are you alright," she gasped, dropping to the floor, her hand gently touching his hand that cradled his cheek.
"I'm fine Regina." His other hand came to rest on hers. "This was not the evening I had planned for us." His voice was soft and apologetic.
Regina shook her head and tried to pull her hand away from Robin's grasp but he kept a strong hold on it. His eyes locked onto hers, he sensed where her mind was taking her. "Regina...don't."
"There will be so many more," she whispered, "Here I am the evil queen, that is what I will always be seen as."
"That is not how I see you. It's not how Roland sees you." His voice was kind and full of conviction.
"You would not be able to even look at me...if you knew all I have done," she tried to keep the quiver out of her voice.
"I have done things that I am not proud of in my past Regina. Things that changed me. I had people in my life that gave me a second chance. Let me be here for you Regina." His voice was calming.
"I bring danger wherever I go. I can't put Roland at risk...or you," her voice was low and full of sadness.
"I won't let that happen." He seemed so sure and Regina wanted to believe him but she just didn't know if she could.
Her hand still rested in his. "Your cheek," she whispered.
"That can wait, we need to take care of your neck first."
Regina raised her hand and recited the healing spell. She could feel her skin slowly reconnecting. Robin sat watching her which made her feel slightly self conscious.
When she finished, she glanced at Robin, "There, good as new."
Robin smiled slightly, "Yeah," he agreed.
Regina reached her hand out indicating his cheek, unsure if he would agree, "I could…,"she waved her hand, trailing off.
"You can." Robin assured her.
Regina lifted her hand, hovering it over his cheek. She focused intently on her task and was startled to see Robin staring at her, fascination in his eyes. She cleared her throat, embarrassed, "All done," she told him. "No scars to wreck a pretty face," she teased trying to erase the tension that had settled between them.
"I don't know, scars can often enhance the beauty," his voice was low, his hand reaching out to tenderly caress her upper lip. His eyes glanced down to her lips and Regina felt a heat stir within her. Robin's hand slid under her chin, slightly lifting it, she watch mesmerized as his mouth moved towards hers. It was difficult to remember how to breath.
"Robin, are you and Regina alright?" John's voice shattered the moment. Regina jerked away as if she were on fire.
"We're fine," Robin answered, his voice breathless. He stood from the ground, offering Regina his hand, not looking her quite in the eye. She took it and stood as well, letting go as quickly as she could. Robin walked towards John. "Did you find Billy? Is he alright?" Robin asked.
He's shaken, some of the men took him to the inn a few miles from here. They are going to stay with him." Robin nodded his head in understanding. "Roland?" His voice, asking softly.
"Asleep. Tuck used a little poppy dust to settle him. He was quite distressed." John told him.
Robin turned to Regina, his eyes slightly apprehensive,. "I'm going to go look on Roland. Are you alright?"
"Yes, go," she urged. Once Robin and John had left, she slid to the floor, her back resting against the wall. She closed her eyes, trying to control the rapid beat of her heart. Many feelings were swirling within her. She thought of how things could have turned out much differently tonight. Roland and Robin could have been...she couldn't finish the thought. Billy had every right to hate her. What she did was despicable. Robin had said that he didn't see the evil queen in her, that she wasn't that any longer but there were times that she could still feel that part of her bubbling just under the surface. She couldn't risk the possibility of a re-emergence with Robin and Roland ending up in the crossfire. Everything she had ever cared about in her life, she had lost. She had to leave before her feelings turned to something more. Happiness was not something she deserved.
Hope there weren't too many errors, I posted it very late.
Let me know what you thought.