A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews (for this and More Than a Thief) – I truly appreciate it. I can't wait for the next episode, the battle between Zelena and Regina is going to be quite interesting. I am hoping for some more Outlaw Queen action…

DISCLAIMER: Not mine

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 14

Snow breathed a sigh of relief when they arrived at the stables to find Regina and Robin in each other's arms – luckily fully clothed. She entered without hesitation, an enormous grin lighting up her features. Regina rolled her eyes at the princess' reaction but could not stop the small smile from forming when Robin ran his hand over her knee gently. Snow moved forward swiftly, her eyes dancing with light.

"So you two are together now?"

Baelfire snorted at Robin's uncomfortable expression and Regina nodded quickly.

"Yes."

Snow squealed and enveloped Regina in a hug that the older woman unsuccessfully tried to escape from.

"I'm so happy for you, Regina! You deserve love and happiness more than anyone I have ever known and…"

"Get off me," Regina deadpanned and finally managed to escape from Snow's grip. "We are trying, the whole world doesn't need to know that."

Baelfire laughed out loud and shook his head.

"Robin's face is a dead giveaway, Regina. One look and everyone will know."

Robin smiled at this and gripped Regina's hand in his. He was hesitant, but that did not mean that he was not extremely excited about the prospect of being with the queen – having the right to hold and kiss her whenever he wanted. He wanted someone to share his life with and although he was willing to take things slow, he had a feeling that it would be the start of something special.

Snow smiled when Regina moved closer to Robin subtly, taking note of how her eyes softened when she looked at him and how she found reasons to subconsciously touch him. If she did not know better, she'd say that Regina was already falling for the thief – even if she did not realize it herself. Whilst Snow was observing Regina, Baelfire was doing the same to his friend. Robin had a new sparkle in his eyes when he looked at Regina and he couldn't help but notice the protective stance when he neared her. He clapped his hands together and grinned.

"So I say we get going back to my father's castle. We do have a wicked witch to defeat!"

Zelena was not happy. Once again, her sister had everything and she was stuck in this castle – alone and miserable. The only thing she had was power whilst Regina now basked in the love of the so-called good side. A mirror shattered when she threw a goblet at it and she scowled when one of her loyal monkeys entered her bedchamber. She turned towards him and addressed him haughtily.

"I am not in the mood for more bad news, Nikko! Find my sister and make sure she gets here! I don't care how you do it!"

The monkey bowed slightly before flying off again and Zelena fell down on the bed, her features masked with a grimace. Cora had chosen the wrong sister! She should have chosen her to be queen. Regina was weak and had a desperate want for love – love that was completely overrated. Her heart panged slightly at this thought. She had love once, a long time ago. That was before he saw her true colours – quite literally – and ran from her, citing the need to be good as an escape route. She folded her arms around her knees and sighed.

She would not lose again. She would not allow Regina to get anything more – this time, Zelena would win and she would get everything.

Having watched the group from the start, it was quite easy for Nikko to formulate a plan to get Regina away from the group and into the witch's trap. He had noticed early on that she had little to no fear for herself, however it was easy to see her weakness – love. It seemed as though the queen would protect those she cared for without hesitation. So he abided his time, waiting patiently until the perfect moment – the group stuck annoyingly close together, but his patience prevailed when the end of the second week neared. They finally left the group – the archer and his son. Nikko made sure that the queen was close enough to spot him at the last moment. Once the timing was right, he swooped down. The screams were instantaneous and he laughed to himself. One swift slap got the archer out of the way then his claws clamped around the boy's shoulder and he shot up into the air. Before flying off, he met the eyes of the queen and screeched loudly before sending her flying with a swift kick and then flying away quickly.

Regina got up first, wincing. Her stomach throbbed painfully, but she pushed through the pain and rushed to where Robin was still lying on the ground. Her heartbeat sped up wildly and she swallowed before rushing forward, falling down on her knees next to him.

"Robin! Wake up, Robin… Please…"

His eyes fluttered and Regina's breath hitched in her throat when his eyes opened. She leaned forward to kiss him, not caring about the many eyes staring at them in shock. Her hands moved to cup his cheeks and she shook her head, trembling.

"I thought you were dead."

The realization seemed to dawn upon both of them at once and the moved to their feet, eyes wide. It was Robin who voiced their thoughts, his hand clasping Regina's.

"Roland… I need to go, I need to find him!"

"No."

Regina's voice was sharp and she stood on her toes to kiss him, trying to calm her frantic heartbeat.

"You can't, Robin… It's… It's me she wants. I should go."

Snow, Charming ,Baelfire, Belle and Robin started protesting at once but she held her hand up to silence them.

"I need to do this. You… you need to stay here and come up with a plan to defeat her once and for all."

Again they made a move to argue, but Regina shook her head firmly. There was no way she was letting Robin go – to put another man she cared for in danger would be insanity. The others would simply hold her back.

"I'll go with you… your majesty."

The voice came from an unexpected direction and Regina turned to face Little John, her eyes wide with shock.

"You? But…"

He interrupted her gently, yet firmly.

"I can protect you if needed and… no one will let you go alone. I am not needed here as much. Snow and Charming, you are needed to guide the others. Baelfire and Belle, you know the castle best…"

Robin took a step forward, but Regina stopped him before he could speak. She lifted her hand to his lips and shook her head.

"You can't risk it, Robin. Roland…can't lose you. It's too dangerous."

Unable to say anything, Robin pulled her into his arms and held on to her desperately. He wanted to scream and cry, he wanted to turn back time and protect his son better so that this beautiful, brave woman did not have to risk her life. His lips met hers fervently and Regina grabbed onto his hair, swallowing back tears. She didn't want to let him go, her heart was begging her to ask him to come with her but she couldn't. She had to protect him from the witch. When Robin finally let go of her, he looked at Little John pleadingly. The other man did not need words to understand what his friend wanted and he moved forward to rest a hand on Robin's shoulder.

"I will protect her with my life. I swear."

Robin nodded and Charming took a step forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Snow can handle things here – with Robin, Bae and Belle. I am coming too."

Regina rolled her eyes. The last thing she needed was the charming idiot to join them, but then… she could see in Robin's eyes that he did not want to let her go without him and if she gave him a reason to stay here perhaps the chances of him following them would be less. Thus, she nodded.

"Fine. Charming, Little John and I will go. The rest of you stay here."

One look at Robin convinced her that he was not planning on staying behind and she shook her head slightly. Robin shrugged and held his hands out in front of him.

"I… He's my son. I have to go."

"No, Robin." Regina sighed and crossed her arms around her chest protectively.

"The witch knows too much… she knew that I would want to save Roland, she clearly knows I care about him which means she knows I care about you. I don't want her to use you against me."

He still wanted to argue, but Baelfire and Snow moved to stand next to him and Snow looked up at him with innocent green eyes.

"Regina is right, Robin… we might not like it, but the witch has been watching us. If she knows Regina cares for you, it will be a liability to have you with them."

Robin nodded solemnly and Regina smiled at him before turning to walk to the forest, Little John and Charming closely behind. Robin sat down on a log with his hands buried in his hair. It felt as though his heart was being torn apart in the most painful way possible and he let out a shuddering sigh. He felt Snow sitting down next to him and looked at her, his eyes clouded with misery.

"I feel like I should be going with them."

Snow smiled sadly and shook her head.

"If I know Regina, she's already put up some sort of spell to keep you here, Robin. She'll be back – Regina is stronger than you think."

He pursed his lips and looked away from her, unwilling to display his emotions.

"I know exactly how strong she is, but… she's not unbreakable."

"You care about her."

It was not a question – Snow knew it and so did he. Yet… with her gone and the memories they have made over the last weeks pulsating through him, it felt like more.

"I think… I love her."

For a second it looked as though he was going to jump up and run after the trio to share this with Regina and Snow took his hand in hers.

"Then tell her when she comes back. She will come back – with Roland. You have to trust her."

Of course he trusted her and he allowed himself to smile, the realization causing a flicker of light in the darkness that his mind was thrust into.

He loved her.