Henry rushed back through the woods, the thin strobe of light from his torch shining ahead of him as his feet beat down upon the leaf-covered ground at his feet. He made it into Storybrooke town itself just after dusk, and ran down the street and towards his grandparents' apartment. He headed straight up the stairs and unlocked the front door, bursting into the room breathlessly, causing Snow and David to turn from the table they were laying and stare at him in surprise.

"Henry?" David asked, hurrying towards his grandson, who he believed had been asleep in his bedroom. Snow held Neal close to her chest and approached Henry, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What's going on, where were you?" David asked. Henry exhaled heavily, and fought to gain control of his breathing so that he could inform them of what he had just discovered.

A few minutes later Henry had explained everything to his grandparents, who took in the information with a combination of amazement and shock. Snow called Emma and asked her to return immediately. The Saviour was at the house ten minutes later, wearing the same expression upon her face that her son had borne just a short while before. Hook followed her inside, and they both listened attentively as Henry recounted what he had discovered. However, despite Henry's belief that the information was a breakthrough, the focus of his discovery seemed not to be the information itself, but how he uncovered it. Emma calmly but determinedly explained to him the dangers of his actions, but he countered this, telling her that they were now closer to stopping Zelena. Whilst Emma agreed with this, she stressed that Henry should have passed his information on and let them investigate, instead of putting himself directly in harm's way. Before he could counter this, Emma turned to her parents and Hook, before pulling her cell phone from her pocket.

Regina was preparing dinner when she received a phone call from Emma Swan, which briefly outlined their son's evening adventure, which made Regina's stomach quite literally turn. Before Emma had a chance to tell Regina what Henry had discovered, the former queen abandoned her dinner and headed upstairs to dress, before driving directly to the Charmings' residence. Her heart was racing as she headed up the stairs, panic rising within her, which she knew would not be sated until she had seen for herself that her son was alright. When she reached the front door David opened it for her, stepping aside to allow her to enter. She noticed the presence of the Charmings, Hook, Emma, Blue and Robin in the room, but her attentions were drawn to the apprehensive-looking teen who was sat on a chair by the table.

"Henry" Regina breathed, walking quickly towards her son, who rose from his seat and smiled as she greeted him. "Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes darting across him analytically as she searched for any signs of injury. She found her fear and panic abating slightly when she found none.

"Mom, I'm fine" he responded, in a tone that indicated that the question itself was unwarranted, and came as something of a surprise. Henry watched as his mother's features tensed.

"What were you thinking?" she asked in a concerned tone, her voice low and her eyes fixed upon his. "What you did was incredibly reckless, Henry" she stated, watching as her son looked at her with a placating expression.

"I made sure I stayed hidden and I was really careful. They didn't see me" Henry stated.

"That is not the point" Regina stated, her tone lowering slightly. "Do you have any idea what could have happened to you? What they could have done to you?" she asked.

"Nothing happened, mom-"

"Thankfully, no, it didn't" she stated. "But it could so easily have been very different. And instead of sitting here sipping your cocoa you could have been lying in a wooded enclosure bleeding to death-"

"Regina-" Robin interrupted, taking a step towards her. At the sound of his voice Regina felt familiar sensations of movement within her stomach. Her eyes widened slightly as her previously calm baby became suddenly more active, moving inside her and kicking with strength. Regina ignored Robin's gentle warning and continued to address her son, whose expression had become grave.

"We would not have known where you were or what had happened to you. What if we couldn't find you? What if we were too late?" she asked, her voice remaining calm and low, but filling with emotion. "It was just chance that I found Robin after she attacked him, but none of us take leisurely strolls in the depths of the woods at this time of night-"

"Regina" David stated, his tone low and imploring, causing Regina to turn on the spot and face him directly with blazing eyes.

"Speaking of which, how did he manage to get out of the building without you two noticing?" she asked, looking from David to a guilty-looking Snow. During this time Regina felt the baby begin to kick again, before moving inside her. She inhaled deeply and faced David and Snow with conviction. "You're supposed to be keeping him safe. How could you let him just leave?"

"I'm not a prisoner!" Henry protested, rising from his seat as he spoke. Regina turned around in surprise, and found herself gazing at a familiar expression which she recognised well. It was one she often found herself bearing during confrontations with her own mother. She could see it in his eyes. Regina's features softened and she began to take steps towards her son.

"Of course you're not, Henry" she stated in a gently, calm tone. "I'm sorry" she added sincerely, watching as Henry looked up at her.

"Me too" he replied, watching as his mother offered him a small smile as she ran her hand gently down his face.

"I just can't bear the thought of anything happening to you" she explained. "None of us can."

"Nothing did happen, mom" he stated reassuringly.

"That doesn't make what you did okay" Emma stated, removing her hands from her hips and approaching Henry and Regina. "Regina's right, Henry. What you did was really dangerous. What would have happened if they saw you?"

"I… don't know" Henry admitted. He knew that arguing with them would be of little use. "I know what I did was dangerous and risky" he stated, watching as his mothers both looked at him patiently as he spoke. They weren't made, they were just worried. "But you guys always put yourselves in dangerous situations for me."

"We're adults" Regina stated. "And we're your parents. It's our job and our duty. And it is something we do gladly. Sweetheart, we are trying to protect you."

"And it was my turn to protect you" Henry declared, with a sense of bravery which would have made both Emma and Regina proud, had their son not put himself in such danger.

"Henry-" Emma breathed.

"You can't keep me locked away" he stated resolutely. "I want to help."

"The best way that you can help us" Regina began gently, "is by being safe."

"That's not helping" Henry stated simply. Regina's eyes drifted to the ground before rising to meet his.

"We are all trying really hard to protect everyone, to keep the town safe" she began, watching as her son listened attentively. "By keeping yourself safe you are helping us, because you are doing the main part of our job for us" she continued, watching as her son's gaze remained upon her, his expression unconvinced. "Sweetheart, you have your entire life ahead of you. And I want you to live it."

"And I want you to live yours" Henry replied with conviction. Regina's eyes narrowed slightly in confusion and she leaned back a little as she considered her son's words.

"What do you mean, Henry?" she asked.

"Operation Mongoose" he stated simply. Regina inhaled, closing her eyes before releasing a small sigh.

"Henry-" she breathed.

"You've forgotten it" he stated.

"Of course I haven't" she returned gently, watching as his eyes lit up at her admission, before adopting a solemn expression.

"You've been so worried about keeping everyone safe from Zelena that you've forgotten about yourself, and Operation Mongoose" he stated simply, watching as Regina's eyes met his. "But I haven't. And I'm going make sure that you don't either." Regina's eyes were glassy, and she could feel guilt radiating throughout her body. It seemed almost palpable to her, the sickly feeling of dread and fear which was spreading throughout her like a virus. This was all her fault. As she considered this, her baby continued to shift its position inside her, causing her some mild discomfort as she stood before her son. She felt like she needed to sit down, but doing so would only attract attention towards herself. Attention which was the last thing she wanted.

"Henry" she stated gently, her voice lower and more gentle than she had anticipated. "Regardless of anything else, how could I ever have a happy ending without you?" she asked.

"I'm right here, mom" he returned, causing her to sigh slightly in response before meeting his gaze directly.

"And you very easily might not have been, if you had been seen tonight" she stated finally. "And absolutely nothing, even Operation Mongoose, can justify that" she added.

"What's Operation Mongoose?" Hook whispered to Snow, who assured him she would tell him later, before turning back towards the exchange between Regina and her grandson.

"But everything was getting better. You were happy, I saw it" he stated, the sudden change in his tone and demeanour catching Regina slightly off-guard. "You were happy, mom, I saw it" he continued, his voice low and engaging. "And now you're not." Emma's expression faltered and she looked at her son with a sympathetic and almost mournful look. At her son's admission Regina found the guilt which was spreading throughout her to peak, to the point that she felt quite certain she would completely break with the pain. Her eyes were tearful and her face paled as she looked upon the young boy before her, who was gazing up at her with a loving and resolute expression.

"Henry-"

"It's all going wrong again" he stated, frustration clear in his tone. "You shouldn't be by yourself, you should be with Robin Hood" he stated, indicating towards Robin with a nod, "and Roland, and me and-"

"Henry" Regina repeated, the tone of her voice causing him to stop mid-sentence and look towards her expectantly. After considering her son's words and actions, a rather startling thought entered her mind. "Is that why you went into the woods today?" she asked, her tone lowering and her eyes focusing intently upon him. "Because of Operation Mongoose?" Henry lowered his eyes slightly before meeting his mother's gaze once more.

"Yeah" he said simply. "Partly. But also because Zelena needs to be stopped. She's making everyone unhappy and unsafe. And it's all because she wants to stop you getting your happy ending" he stated, watching as his mother watched him with wide and unblinking eyes. "And I am not going to let that happen."

Regina felt frightened and overwhelmed at this revelation. She thought that her actions so far, her use of magic and distancing herself from the others, would protect her son from such issues. But instead, it appeared to have had the opposite affect. Instead of shielding him from Zelena, her actions had directed him towards her. Regina took a few steps towards him and bent down slightly, ignoring the sudden aching in her lower back as she did so.

"Henry" she stated simply, her eyes meeting his and holding his gaze. "We will stop Zelena, I promise" she stated with confidence, in a tone with almost reassured herself. "But I want you to promise me that you will never do this again." Henry's shoulders slumped slightly and his eyes lowered.

"Mom-"

"Henry" she stated in a commanding tone, one which reminded Snow of a time long tone. "Henry" she repeated in a gentler yet no less imploring manner. "Please." Henry watched her for a moment, before sighing to himself and nodding.

"I promise" he stated, and Regina nodded and sighed in relief as she stood up straight. She turned towards Emma who nodded quickly at her.

"He means it" she stated, her superpower confirming his genuineness. "Don't you, kid?"

"Yes" he said reluctantly. Regina didn't need to consult Emma to know what he was telling the truth there, too.

"Now, not that I wish to interrupt this family moment, love" began Hook, causing Regina and Emma to turn towards him. "But Robin and Regina are yet to hear what the boy saw today" he stated, nodding towards Henry as he spoke. Regina watched as Robin's face adopted an expectant expression as he stood tall towards the back of the room. Regina nodded and turned to face her son once more, who looked from his mother to Robin with an apprehensive look. Regina felt her heart race and her breathing slow as her son informed them of what he had discovered.

Regina and Robin listened attentively for several minutes as Henry spoke, their eyes fixed upon his face, their feet still and planted firmly to the ground. Regina's eyes were wide and her lips slightly parted as she processed the information, which was vast and unsettling. After Henry had finished Regina remained still and quiet for a moment as she continued to process the facts, before the sound of Robin Hood's voice drew her from her thoughts.

"She's not pregnant" he said, somewhere between a question and a statement, his voice betraying his confusion. Regina turned on the spot and faced him, his face pale and his expression bewildered. Without thinking, she found herself taking several steps towards her, her lips parted and her expression matching his own as she approached him. Robin's eyes drifted over to Regina, and he stared at her in confusion before turning back to Henry.

"You're quite certain?" he asked. Henry nodded.

"Yes" he said, repeating what Gold and Zelena had discussed in relation to her fake pregnancy. "He said that her pretending to be pregnant was 'vital' to their plan" he continued. "But I… I don't know why."

"Robin I am so sorry" Regina stated, her voice kind and genuine. Robin's eyes drifted from Henry to Regina. He parted his lips to speak but could not find the words, and instead emitted a small sigh, before placing one hand on his hip and the other on his forehead.

"Robin-" Regina repeated, taking a step closer to him. His eyes rose from the ground and met hers, and he seemed to relax slightly. The sight of her standing before him seemed to be strong enough to pull him out of his trance. But his face was still etched with sadness and disappointment.

"I don't understand" Hook stated, the tone of his voice causing the others to turn towards him. "The witch isn't carrying your child. This is cause for celebration, surely?"

"Killian" Emma murmured, turning towards him and shaking her head briefly.

"What?" he asked, looking at her with confusion.

"I thought-" Robin stated, causing Regina to turn back towards him and watch him with an attentive expression. "For six months I thought-"

"I know" Regina assured him, the weight of her stomach somehow feeling heavier upon her as they discussed the subject of her sister's orchestrated pregnancy. "It is an awful thing to lie about" she stated, guilt sweeping over her in waves so strong she felt certain she would faint. "It is cruel beyond words" she added, her eyes meeting his and offering him her most sincere regrets. Despite who the mother was, the baby was still Robin's too. He had lost someone who, technically, had never existed. But it was someone who, Regina had little doubt, he had been thinking about constantly. Her heart ached with the knowledge that her sister had lied about carrying Robin's child, and she herself was, technically, doing the same. Her sister pretended to carry his child, and she was pretending not to be. It seemed to be the cruellest of ironies. The fact that her sister's lie mirrored her own caused Regina's heart to beat harshly against her chest and her breathing to stop almost completely. Was she just as bad as Zelena? Perhaps they weren't truly that different.

"I know that Zelena is..." Robin stated, drawing Regina from her thoughts. "I know what she is" he stated resolutely as he stared at Regina. "But the child, I-" he stated, the hurt on his face causing Regina's heart to ache. "I would have protected it" he stated simply. "I would have kept it safe, from her, from… from everything. Regardless of who its mother was I would not have abandoned it" he stated, his words causing a cold sweat to cover Regina's body, as she found herself only able to nod slightly in agreement to his statement. Her baby, perhaps sensing her growing distress began to kick her several times once more. Regina found herself wondering whether, perhaps, their child had a reason for trying to make itself known at this particular time. Robin sighed and looked up towards Regina with a vacant and almost lost expression which pained her deeply. "How is it possible to… to mourn the loss of something that never existed in the first place?" he asked. Regina's lips parted and her eyes adopted a sanguine expression.

"Because you are a wonderful, kind and selfless man" she returned with conviction. Robin seemed unconvinced by her words, but he was watching her intently as she spoke. "And any child would be lucky to have you as a father" she stated, her eyes glistening as she spoke. The sight of Regina's emotive eyes seemed to sober Robin slightly, and he took a step towards her, their closer proximity startling her slightly.

"I'm sorry, Regina" he stated, watching as the woman before him looked up at him with a confused expression. "For putting you through all of this" he explained. Regina watched him with a baffled expression as she considered his words.

"Robin, you've got absolutely nothing to apologise for" she declared with conviction. "I am so sorry for what you must be going through." Robin's eyes adopted a sanguine, almost weary expression.

"I'll be alright" he assured her in a low voice. "But what about you?" he asked.

"What?" Regina asked, her heart stilling at the question.

"As we heard from Henry, Zelena and Gold's plan, whatever it is, seems to centre around you" he stated. Despite the implications of his words, Regina found herself relaxing slightly at his explanation.

"She… wants revenge. Against me. Always has done" Regina began, her eyes adopting a slightly confused expression. "Nothing's changed."

"But it has, Regina" Robin stated gently, watching as her eyes narrowed in confusion and became fixed on his. "At first we thought they may be working together, and that, if that were the case, Zelena's vengeance would somehow benefit Gold" he stated, watching as Regina nodded in understanding. "But from what Henry overheard, it seems quite clear that they intend to use you in some way, for the 'final task'" he stated, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. Regina also recalled Henry using that phrase. "What could it possibly mean?" he asked.

"I don't know" Regina confessed. "They're clearly anticipating that I will do… something that will help them in their own plan, I..." Regina shrugged and trailed off as she rubbed her hand tiredly upon her forehead. The revelations of the evening and subsequent confusion of this situation was causing her head to spin. "We're no closer to finding out what their plan is, but we do now have an advantage" she stated.

"And what is that?" asked Hook. Regina's eyes drifted reluctantly from Robin's and towards the pirate.

"They don't know that we know what we do" Regina stated. "And they mustn't find out."

"Regina's right" David stated. "They think that we're unaware of their alliance and of Zelena having faked her pregnancy" he stated, his eyes meeting Robin's as he spoke. "But now that we do know that, we can move forward."

"Forward?" Snow asked. "What do you mean?"

"Don't you see, Snow?" he asked, his expression relaxing slightly as she spoke. "The only reason we could not harm Zelena is that we believed she was carrying a child" he continued, watching as Snow began to understand what he was implying. "And now that we know for certain she's not..."

"Are you suggesting that we slay the beast?" Hook asked, turning towards David with an almost impressed expression upon his face. "I'm up for that."

"Okay, enough" Regina stated, watching as the men turned towards her with confused expressions. "Maybe we could discuss this rationally before you draw your swords and burn down the forest?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" asked David. "It seems pretty straight-forward to me. She poses a threat to the existence of everyone in this town, including you, including your son-"

"I am well aware of what she poses a threat to" Regina returned.

"-and she just lost her only leverage" David continued. "There is nothing to stop us from-"

"From what?" interceded Snow. "Killing her?" she asked. "Charming, that's not us. That's not who we are." David looked at Snow with a perplexed expression.

"What do you suggest?" he asked, his voice heavy with confusion. Snow sighed.

"Regina's right, let's… let's talk about this" she stated, turning from David to Regina, and nodding towards her. She was clearly requesting assistance.

"From what Henry has told us" Regina began, causing everyone to turn towards her, "Gold and Zelena are working together on something involving the acquisition of a lot of power" she stated, casting her eyes over everyone in the room. "We don't know what that is or how far they are in their plan, but what we all know from experience is that they are the last two people who should be in close proximity of a high level of power, magic or otherwise" she stated, earning nods from several people, including Emma and Snow. "Acting boldly or rashly" she stated, turning towards David. "Will not stop their plans, it will get you killed" she continued. "Zelena has her magic back and Gold is the Dark One once more. We can't just turn up to the cabin in the clearing and launch an attack, it would be foolish and it would be pointless" she stated, watching as David seemed to be processing what she was saying, as was everyone else. "We need to find out exactly what they are up to, what stage they are at, and how to stop them" she declared.

"Regina's right" Emma stated. "We need to find out just what those two are up to" she continued, before turning towards Henry. "You sure they didn't give any clues, kid?" Henry shook his head sadly in response.

"They just said that Zelena's pretend pregnancy was important to the plan and getting the power they want, which they'll get using the dagger" he stated, before looking up at Regina. "And that my mom is going to do something which will make their plan work. They said it won't be much longer."

"What could that mean?" asked Snow, turning from David to an equally-perplexed Emma.

Regina's eyes widened slightly at his words, and she felt certain that her heart had stopped. For a split second, a fraction of a moment, a most terrifying thought had entered her mind. Zelena's pregnancy almost exactly coinciding with her own could not be a coincidence, surely? They were after what they believed would be a source of great power, something which Regina would have a vital role in, something which would be happening soon. Something which would satisfy two power-hungry individuals to align themselves with each other. Zelena wanted revenge, Gold wanted power. And as Regina considered what her son had overheard, she felt the pieces of the puzzle clicking in place in her mind, causing her to arrive at a horrifying conclusion to the question of what could cause Gold and Zelena to unite themselves.

Her baby.

Regina felt herself feel dizzy and sick at the thought, and her hand moved protectively to her abdomen. Her fingertips hovered above the black material of her clothing before her hand fell trembling to her side. Most of the people in the room were talking amongst themselves about what Gold and Zelena's plan could be, so their attention was not upon how pale Regina had just become, and how wide and wild her eyes were. No one noticed, that is, apart from the person standing just inches away from her.

"Regina" Robin stated, his voice causing her to turn towards him immediately. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, fine" she returned, offering him a small false smile. "I… I got the call from Emma right before dinner, I didn't get a chance to eat, that's all" she explained.

"I'm sure David and Mary Margaret would be able to-"

"No, no, I'm fine, thanks" she stated. "I don't think I could eat a thing right now." Robin nodded.

"I understand" he stated, placing a reassuring hand upon her left arm. "Won't you at least sit down?" he asked, ushering to the chair that had once been his. Regina nodded absently at this, allowing herself to be guided towards the chair, her whole body trembling as she walked. "I'll get you some water" Robin stated kindly, to which Regina nodded in response. She heard his footsteps disappear into the kitchen and found herself alone with her thoughts for a moment.

The more Regina found herself considering her theory, the more she found herself believing it. Zelena wanted to get revenge, and what better way than to isolate her when she knew her to be carrying her true love's child? And Gold, as everyone was well aware, was renowned for having an interest in the magical offspring of the residents of the Enchanted Forest. She had no doubt that her own child, the product of true love, would be of immense value to him. The thought of the man, or anyone, considering her child a commodity sickened her. Regina drew her jacket across her and crossed her arms before her protectively as she found herself wondering what exactly Gold and Zelena were planning. That they were aware of her pregnancy seemed almost certain, and that her baby would be of interest to them both for their own reasons was indisputable. The fact that they had mentioned needing the dagger to extract the magic confused her slightly. But after a few moments' consideration she found herself understanding what they could use it for. The thought of either of them being near her child with the dagger used to extract and harness magic terrified her and, as though agreeing, the baby began to kick determinedly against her forearm, which was covering her stomach. Regina inhaled deeply and leaned back as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. She would not let any harm come to her child. Her thoughts were interrupted by the presence of Robin, who stood before her offering her a glass of water.

"Where's the dagger?" she asked in as normal a tone as she could manage as Robin held the glass before her. He stared at her for a moment, before linking her question to Henry's statements, and nodding in understanding.

"It is phenomenally well hidden" he assured her, taking up a seat beside her and placing the glass upon the table. "Zelena will not find it." Regina watched him for a moment, her eyes surveying him as he spoke.

"You seem very certain" she stated, her words posed as a question. "Why?"

"Because I have concealed it in a place she will not discover" he stated. "I saw what that dagger almost did to you a few months ago, Regina" he stated sombrely, remembering how the darkness had encircled her. "And I will never allow anyone to wield that kind of power over you again." Regina swallowed and nodded once in understanding.

"And you're sure they won't find it?" she asked.

"Absolutely" he assured her, before reaching for the glass and offering her some water. "Please" he asked gently. Regina accepted the glass with a slightly shaking hand and took a few sips. Robin watched her for a few moments, concern etched upon his face. "Are you quite sure that you're alright?" he asked kindly.

"I'm fine" Regina responded, before taking a couple more sips of water and placing the glass upon the ground by her feet. Before Robin could respond, David and Emma had turned towards them and the former was addressing them both.

"Were you guys listening?" Emma asked gently.

"Sorry" Robin replied. Emma offered them a small smile and nodded.

"Okay, what we're gonna do is split up and tail Gold and Zelena. Henry's gonna show us on the map" she stated, turning towards her son and widening her eyes as she spoke, "the exact location of Zelena's cabin. Some of us'll go to her, some will follow Gold. Hopefully watching them when they're apart and when they're together will give us some insight into their plan" Emma stated.

"Which will help us figure out how to stop it" David added. Regina and Robin nodded in agreement. "But what we do need to do is make sure that dagger is well hidden."

"Oh it is" Robin stated. "Trust me."

"I do" David stated with conviction, earning an appreciative smile from Robin.

Regina looked from Robin to David, and then cast her glance across the others in the room. For a moment she considered whether she should tell them about her pregnancy now, as it seemed to be the central plan to which they were all investigating. But as she considered this she found herself remembering how hurt and devastated Robin had been, and still was, despite how well he was hiding it, after discovering Zelena's deceit. He couldn't handle any more, not tonight. It would be too overwhelming, too cruel. Besides, revealing her condition now would be counter-productive. As they had already established, concealing their knowledge of Zelena's lie was the best way for them to progress and figure out a way to stop her. Revealing her condition to the others would only increase the danger to them, her and her baby. If Gold and Zelena felt that their plan had been discovered, they would have nothing to lose by remaining in hiding, and everything to gain by acting immediately. In a way, they wouldn't have a choice. They'd know the lengths to which everyone in the room would go to to protect Regina and her unborn child. And as Regina glanced at the faces of everyone in the room, she had no doubt that Zelena and Gold would gladly slay each and every one of them in order to get close to her and her child. No. Telling them would endanger them further. Whilst they were working on spying on Gold and Zelena, Regina knew that she would have to work alone.

Regina rose from her chair and brushed down her coat, watching as Robin stood beside her and turned towards her.

"Can I walk you to your car?" he asked. Regina glanced around the room and noticed that Blue had already left, David was settling Neal, and Emma and Snow were talking to Henry. Clearly the meeting was over, and everyone was getting a good night's sleep before their investigations the next day.

"I just want to say goodbye to Henry first" she stated.

"Of course" Robin replied. Regina nodded and turned from him, walking slowly across the room towards her son, who rose from his seat as she approached.

"Mom" she smiled. "Are you leaving?"

"We all need to get some rest before tomorrow" Regina stated, rubbing her hand down his cheek and leaning towards him. "That includes you" she stated, pressing a kiss to his forehead, before leaning back and looking down upon him. "No more woodland adventures, okay?"

"Okay" he stated resolutely. Regina nodded towards him, and watched as he walked past her and towards Robin Hood.

"Thanks" Emma said tiredly, smiling towards Regina.

"For what?" she asked, her voice low and confused.

"For getting through to him back there" she explained. "When my mom called me and told me what happened I…"

"I know" Regina assured her. "Me too." Emma smiled and nodded slowly.

"Will we see you tomorrow?" she asked.

"Absolutely" Regina returned, looking from Emma to Snow. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight" they chorused, as Regina turned around and walked towards Robin and her son, who were smiling and engaged in conversation.

"By mom" Henry stated, and Regina leaned towards him and hugged him, ensuring that his arms remained above her waist, and not near her abdomen.

"I love you" she said to him in a low voice. Something about her tone startled Henry, who gently removed himself from her arms and looked up at her.

"I love you too" he said, his eyes drifting across her face, before focusing on the strange look in her eyes. She smiled at him, kissed him on the forehead once more, and left with Robin Hood. Henry watched as she walked through the door and disappeared down the stairs. Something wasn't right, he knew it. And he was going to find out what it was.

Robin and Regina stepped out into the cool air of the night, which Regina found to be refreshing and almost soothing. Her baby, apparently, was in complete agreement with this fact: it was the first time that evening that he or she had remained still. Regina removed her keys from her bag and stopped as she reached her car door, turning towards Robin as she did so.

"Do you need a ride?" she asked, indicating towards the car with her keys.

"Thank you, but I think I'll walk" he stated gently. "It always helps me to think." Regina nodded in understanding

"And after tonight there is a lot for you to process" she said kindly. Robin gave her a kind smile.

"It will be fine" he assured her. She couldn't help but smile slightly at Robin's optimism.

"I hope so" she returned gently, flicking through her keys before identifying the correct one. "Goodnight" she stated. He smiled, taking a step towards her and pausing for a moment, their eyes meeting in the darkness, as he leaned to the side and placed a chaste kiss upon her cheek.

"Goodnight, Regina" Robin returned, smiling lightly at her once more, before turning on the spot and heading down the street. Regina watched him for a few moments before calling him back.

"Robin" she called, causing him to turn immediately on the spot, and begin to walk back towards her. Before he could speak, she continued to talk. "What you said before" she began, "about… about the baby-"

"Yes?" he asked.

"I know it sounds silly, but I… I never even considered what you would do when Zelena had the child" she stated. "What were you going to do?" she asked gently.

"I was going to do what I would hope most people would do in that situation" he said kindly. "I was going to protect my child."

"Out of… out of duty, because-"

"No" Robin corrected her, his voice soft and gentle. "Out of love" he added. Regina felt her chest tighten at his words, overwhelmed by his decency. She may not deserve him, but their baby did. Their baby needed someone who was good and kind and selfless, someone who would cherish them and do the right thing. As she looked into his eyes that night, she found herself hoping desperately that they would be able to stop Zelena, and that their baby would be able to have that opportunity, and so would he.

"Goodnight" she repeated, as Robin nodded in her direction and began to walk back down the street. Regina's lip quivered and her eyes brimmed with tears as she eased herself into the driver's seat of her car and turned the keys in the ignition.

Regina drove through Storybrooke with tears spilling down her cheeks, as the memories of what had been revealed that night overwhelmed her. She held the steering wheel tightly as she drove, her nails digging into it as she cruised down the otherwise empty road. Shortly before Regina was about to turn into the road leading to her mansion, her thoughts were distracted but a sharp pain which shot across her abdomen, causing her to inhale sharply and muffle a small cry. Despite her pain Regina managed to maintain control of the car, which she pulled into a spot outside a vacant house. She remained perfectly still for a moment, both hands firmly upon the steering wheel, as she waited in silence for her baby to move, kick, something. Instead, a moment or so later, she found herself experiencing another sharp pain, stronger than the one before, which caused her to press her right hand tightly to her abdomen and lean forward as she stifled another cry. Regina inhaled deeply and tried to stabilise her breathing as another sharp pain spread throughout her abdomen, causing her to lean forward and cry out. As the pain finally began to subside, Regina's eyes snapped open and she leaned back slightly. Inhaling shakily, she lowered her head and placed her left hand on the inside of her thigh, before raising it before her, and becoming tearful at what she saw. Even in the artificial yellow light of the street lamp on the pavement, Regina could see that her fingers were stained with bright red blood.