One soul

Yet divided it becomes

Two worlds

Where to turn when that time comes?

("Two Men," Bluebird)

Chapter 21: Partnership

I hurried down the hallway the next afternoon, the potion I had concocted in my hand. Robin was off doing his duties as Charming's second. That morning as we laid in bed I told him about how I was able to sneak out of the palace so easily. He had frowned and vowed to rectify the situation. "With all the attacks, we cannot afford to have any gates left unguarded," he said.

So while he was off reaming out the guards, I was visiting Snow and Red. I knocked on Snow's door and prayed whoever opened could see me. The last thing I needed was a repeat of the time she had invited me for tea but her maid couldn't see me. It took Snow several minutes to convince her maid to just leave the door open long enough for me to pass through. No doubt the young woman thought her princess had gone mad.

Red opened the door, looking relieved to find me there. "Come in. Snow and I have been waiting. I think she's about to climb the walls."

"I wouldn't advise that." I stepped inside, finding Snow pacing her chambers. "Why don't you sit down?"

Snow shook her head. "Not until you tell me. Did the test work?"

"It did." I placed the potion, now a light blue, on the table. "Congratulations, Snow. You're pregnant."

Red squealed and tried to hug Snow, but she did not return it. She had gone pale and seemed to have difficulty catching her breath. I placed my hand on her arm. "Snow? Is something wrong? Isn't this good news?"

"It should be," Red said. She frowned. "What is it?"

Snow walked away, wringing her hands. "Do you think this is selfish? Having a child now, with everything so uncertain?"

Red and I exchanged looks. I took a few steps toward Snow. "I've been married almost six years, Snow. Daniel and I kept putting off children, waiting for the right time. You know what I've learned now? There is no right time."

"But there has to be wrong times. Wouldn't this be one?" Snow asked, her worry clear in her voice.

I hugged her. "Maybe. Or maybe this is the best time. We need to stay positive, right?"

"Regina's right. We need to believe we'll defeat the Queen and you'll have that beautiful baby free of any threat of her." Red stepped forward, joining in our hug.

Snow relaxed in our embrace. "You're right."

We pulled apart and I was relieved to see her smiling. She looked between the two of us, her smile getting brighter. "I'm going to be a mother!"

"You're going to be a great mother," Red said. I nodded in agreement.

Snow grabbed our hands. "You two have to be there for the birth."

"Of course! I wouldn't miss it for the world," Red said. She glanced over at me, noticing my frown. "Regina? What's wrong?"

"I was just doing the math. Given Snow's approximate date of conception, she'll give birth in Autumn. After the Midsummer."

Snow's face fell. "You might be gone."

I nodded, feeling bad that I had brought down the mood. So I reached for her hand. "But if I'm still here, I'll be there. I promise."

She hugged me again and I tried to push away the sadness enveloping me. I realized things weren't going to stand still when I left. And I found I wanted to be there to witness them.

I left Snow's chambers a little while later. As I walked back to my chambers, my morose thoughts from earlier returned. February was almost over. I had about four months left here in the Enchanted Forest, if I was able to return to the Land Without Magic at the Midsummer. Back to my life in Boston, as a chemist and back to Daniel.

Daniel. I stopped, leaning against the wall. With everything that had happened in the past forty-eight hours, it hadn't hit me until now. I had slept with another man. What's more, I planned to do it again. Those boundaries had been demolished and I had no intention of building them back. Not when I knew how great of a lover Robin was.

Robin. Now I understood why he had yet to release inside me. It was the best form of birth control in this place. Even lost in our passion, he still remembered I could leave him. This way, I didn't return to Daniel with another man's child. No matter how much I wouldn't mind it.

Closing my eyes, I tried to feel guilt. I knew I was supposed to feel it. But nothing came. What did that make me?

Pushing myself off the wall, I decided to focus on other things. On something more pleasant. Maybe I needed to clear my head as well.

The snow which had blanketed the palace grounds started to melt as the days got warmer. Spring was coming, though I didn't know how soon. It could be like back home in Boston, where the weather could change in an instant.

The warm weather also reminded me that the Midsummer was fast approaching. It always felt so far away, letting me believe I had plenty of time. Now it seemed like I had no time at all. It didn't seem fair.

I decided to ignore that for now. Such thoughts wouldn't help me at all. Instead, I had found Roland and took him outside to play. His youthful exuberance was enough to drive away my funk.

He ran around, hopping between the patches of grass. I sat on a fountain as I watched him at play. His dark curls bounced with him and his laughter echoed on the wind. Roland was so carefree, so full of life. I envied him a bit.

I felt someone approaching the fountain and I didn't have to look up to know who it was. "I'm still on the grounds. You don't have to worry."

"I know." Robin sat down next to me. "Came to enjoy the weather?"

"And I thought I'd let Roland stretch his legs," I said, pointing to his son.

He nodded, smiling as he watched his son at play. I rested my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes. After a few moments, he pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Did the potion work?"

"It did."

"So you were able to cure the princess?"

"There was nothing to cure."

Robin frowned against my skin. "Then what is wrong with her?"

I lifted my head to look him in the eyes. "It's not my place to tell. When Snow's ready, she'll talk about it."

"Of course." Robin took my hand. "Can you at least assure me that it is nothing life threatening?"

"Yes. She'll be fine."

He let out a sigh of relief. "Good. I'd hate for Charming to come home to find his wife deathly ill on my watch."

"I don't think he'd blame you for that." I shook my head. "When's he supposed to come home anyway?"

"Soon. I think in the next day or so. Why?"

I shrugged. "I was just wondering."

Roland ran toward me and I pulled him onto my lap. "Are you having fun?"

"Yes," Roland said. He looked up at his father. "Can we have a real picnic?"

Robin chuckled. "Not yet, Roland. The ground is too wet. Soon though."

"Okay," Roland said, downcast.

I hugged him tighter. "I can't wait to have a real picnic too."

The little boy smiled before craning his neck to whisper in my ear: "Can you show me magic?"

"Yes, let's see what you can do." Robin took Roland and settled him in his lap. "Let's see if you can control it. Try and melt the ice."

I glanced down at the ice still in the fountain before looking back at the two Locksley men. "Are you sure you want to sit that close? Maybe you want to back up…several feet?"

Robin chuckled. "I think we'll be safe."

"You're delusional."

"I trust you, Regina." He reached out and took my hand, giving it a squeeze. Father and son gave me identical reassuring smiles as well.

I relaxed, relieved to hear Robin say he trusted me. Especially after the events of the past week…There were no doubt areas of trust I needed to rebuild with him, but his overall belief in me hadn't waivered.

Pulling my hand from his, I touched it to the ice. I concentrated, using how much I cared for Robin and Roland to melt it. A small puddle bubbled forth and I let out a little laugh. "I think I'm getting the hang of this."

Roland clapped. "More, Mama!"

"More? Like what?" I asked him.

He shrugged and I glanced at Robin, who could only shake his head. Well, he was no help. So I focused a bit more on the water and it started to leap up, dancing around with every twitch of my finger. Roland clapped and laughed as did I.

"I think that's enough magic from Mama for now. We don't want her to get tired, right?" Robin bounced Roland, who nodded.

I pulled my hand back from the water as Roland hopped off his father's lap to continue running around a bit longer. The sun was starting to get lower in the sky, meaning we would have to go inside soon for supper. It made me feel a bit sad, like when I was a child and Mother called me in after a day playing with the kids in our neighborhood.

"You're getting better," Robin said. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "You'll be able to defeat the Queen in no time."

"I think you're a bit more confident than me." I leaned my head against him again.

"I believe in you. You just need to believe in yourself a bit more." He stood, pulling me with him. "Come on. I think supper is almost ready."

That night, I sat at our table as I started to read the Book of Spells from the beginning. Earlier, I had only been focused on anything that could help Snow. Now, I needed to know everything the book contained.

Robin stepped out of Roland's room. "He's asleep. But tomorrow you're going to have to put him to bed. He kept asking for you."

I hummed in response, feeling Robin stand behind my chair. He leaned over my shoulder. "Find anything yet?"

"No. I have no clue how this was arranged but it makes no sense."

Robin sat down next to me. "What do you mean?"

"It's said that all the greatest witches and wizards have all contributed to it. So I expected the oldest spells to be in the front and the newer ones in the back. Nope. Then I thought it might be organized by category. Nope. It just seems to be a jumble of information." I sighed. "It's going to take me forever to read all of this."

"Don't tire yourself out. Why don't you call it a night?" He leaned closer. "I think we can find another way to spend the evening."

I blushed. "Roland is in the next room."

"He's a sound sleeper." Robin placed a kiss to my neck. I crumbled, closing the book and letting him sweep me into his arms.

When I awoke, one of Robin's arms was still wrapped around my waist. His other arm served as a pillow for my head. I laid still, watching him sleep. His eyelids fluttered a bit and I leaned forward, kissing them. Robin sighed but remained asleep. There was also something sweet about his looks when he was asleep. It was another way Roland took after him.

I managed to slide out of his embrace, watching as he rolled over. Biting back a groan, I resisted the urge to climb back into bed beside him. I slipped my shift back on and covered it my dressing gown, eager to get some more reading in.

The book was still open to the last page I had been reading before Robin had whisked me off to bed. I sat down, looking over the spell I had left off on. According to what I could understand, I believed it was a way to spy on other people without them knowing. The spell could also cross worlds.

My curiosity piqued, I picked up the book and took it back into my room. I sat down at my vanity, deciding to use my mirror as the spell called for a reflective surface. Focusing on it, I wondered who I wanted to see. Did I chance spying on the Queen? Certainly that would help us find out more about her plan but I then risked her tracking me if she detected my magic. The same was true for the Dark One.

I glanced at the spell again. It could even peer into other worlds. Could I then see someone from my world? Peek into a friend's house? Or into my own?

Birds chirped from in front of me rather than behind, where our bedroom window was. I glanced up, surprised to find Boston Common in front of me. There was still snow on the ground but people were walking or running along the trails. It appeared to be morning there as well, judging by the looks of the people hurrying to work—briefcases in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. I could hear the music coming from the Walkman of one young man as he danced down the pathway. It was almost like I was there, sitting on a bench and people watching.

"What are you doing?" Robin's voice was still thick from sleep but I could see he was out of bed from the corner of my eye. When he crouched down next to me, he was wearing breeches…and nothing more.

I forced myself to continue looking at the mirror, knowing his bare chest was my downfall. "It's a spell that lets me look anywhere I want, even across worlds."

"Is that Boston?"

"Yes, it is."

"It is very snowy there, isn't it?"

I laughed. "Looks like they had as bad a winter as we did, yes."

Robin pulled over my trunk, sitting on it as he watched the mirror with me. "Do you think they know we're watching?" he asked.

"Probably not. Though there might be one or two people who have hair standing on the back of their necks, unsure why."

"Do you know anybody?"

"Boston is a very big city, Robin. I highly doubt I'm going to see someone I…"

My words died in my throat as Lucy appeared on the path, dressed in running clothes. Her dark hair was pulled into a ponytail and she began stretching. When had she started running? She went to those exercise classes, preferring to be inside and not up at the crack of dawn.

"Regina? Do you know her?" Robin motioned to Lucy. I nodded and told him who she was. He smiled, leaning back to study her. "So that's Lucy, huh? She is beautiful."

At my playful jab, he laughed and kissed my cheek. "But not as beautiful as you, milady."

"Nice save," I told him, before turning my attention back to my friend. She seemed to be watching someone, a smile on her face. No doubt it was a handsome man, I gathered. Perhaps he was the reason she was in Boston Commons so early.

"There you are! I've been waiting forever for you," she chided whoever was meeting her.

I heard a familiar chuckle and my blood froze as her running partner appeared on screen. "Nice try," he said. "I saw you enter the park a few minutes ago."

Lucy smiled. "Can't blame a girl for trying, right?"

"No, I guess not. Though I guess I should lay off you. You don't have to be my running partner."

"Please, Daniel. I wouldn't be able to face Regina if I let her husband get lazy while she was gone." Lucy hit his admittedly flabbier stomach. "Now, you ready?"

He laughed again. "Let me stretch first. You don't want me pulling a Charly horse only five minutes into our run, do you?"

"Fine," Lucy sighed. "I guess I can spare a few minutes."

As I watched Daniel stretch, Robin's hand slipped from my own. I wanted to reach out and grab it again but couldn't. Not only was I too transfixed by what I was seeing, it seemed selfish.

Lucy and Daniel set off on their run, maintaining a brisk pace that still allowed them to talk. "So, how's the book coming?" she asked him.

"Good. I sent off a few chapters to my agent the other day and he said they're really promising. And that's just the third draft! I think I might have a bestseller."

"I'm so glad you started writing again."

"So's my agent."

Lucy shook her head. "I'm being serious, Daniel. You were so despondent after Regina left…I'm glad you're running and writing again. She would want you to continue with your life."

"I know." Daniel looked at her. "Thanks for helping me do that."

I waved my hand and the image died away, leaving only my reflection in the mirror. I was pale and looked ready to cry. This surprised me as I didn't feel like crying.

Beside me, Robin shifted on the trunk. "So, that was Daniel?"

"Yes," I responded. "It looks like he's doing well."

Trumpets sounded, making me jump. Robin stood, glancing out the window. "Charming and his party has returned. We should dress. He'll no doubt call a council meeting."

Robin was right. We sat in the council room not long after Charming's return, listening to him report what had happened. "The Queen's forces are going to try to keep making trouble in various spots in the kingdom, no doubt to either stretch our forces or lower the people's opinion of our ability to rule. Maybe both," he said.

Snow frowned. "So what do we do?"

"We need more forces to fight the Queen," Gepetto suggested.

Grumpy made a strange sound. "Will we get people to come to our side over the queen's? Or will they be too afraid?"

"I'm certain people will fight for us. They have more reasons to do so then to let the queen win," Red said.

Charming nodded. "I have decided to send invites to Snow's birthday ball to all the nobles as well as the rulers of our nearest neighbors. We shall ask them after the ball."

"I thought it was going to be a small ball." Snow frowned. "Can we handle more people?"

"It won't be many more, I promise." Charming kissed her hand.

I grew nervous, leaning back in my chair. Once again I wanted to reach out for Robin, but he kept his hands clasped on the table. It was as if he was closed off to me.

"Well, we'll let you two have some alone time. Maybe we can regroup tomorrow?" Granny suggested.

Everyone agreed and we filed out of the room. I glanced back to find Snow sitting close to Charming, smiling. A feeling told me that she was about to tell him her secret. I had no doubt he would be overjoyed.

We left the council room side by side. My fingers itched to reach for Robin, to grasp his hand. I kept my hand by my side, not sure if he wanted my touch. We walked back to our rooms in silence.

Once we were back, I turned to Robin. I needed him to talk to me. "Robin? Are you okay?"

He looked startled. "Me? Are you?"

"No. You're so distant."

Robin sat next to me on the couch. "I thought you would want space after seeing Daniel."

"I thought you needed the space. I mean, it's one thing for me to talk about Daniel and another thing to see him."

He took my hand at last and I leaned closer to him. "You're right," he said. "But I've learned one thing."

"What's that?"

"I'm not the only one with a type," he said with a smirk. I gave him a playful push and he laughed. The tension between us was alleviated.

He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "Something else is bothering you. What is it?"

"It's Charming's idea. I understand the reasoning behind it…but I'm nervous about having all those strange people at the ball."

"The wrong person could find out about you," Robin said.

I knew he would understand my concerns. "Glad we're on the same page."

"We're going to have to be careful at the ball."

"Of course." I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. We would get through this and I prayed I would not be worse off when it was over.

Roland and I went for a walk around the courtyard a few days after Charming's return. It wasn't as warm as it had been the past week but it was still sunny. Other people were out, enjoying the sun while it lasted.

"Uncle John!" Roland let go of my hand and ran to Little John. I watched as the larger man picked the boy up.

Little John approached me, nodding. "Lady Locksley. How are you?"

"I'm well. What brings you out here?"

"People are starting to arrive for the ball. Robin has all out here, keeping an eye out. You know, just in case."

I nodded, understanding, and held out my arms for Roland. "Well, then, Roland and I won't keep you."

"A party of riders approaches!" A guard leaned over the side of the wall to shout the warning to us in the courtyard below.

Little John stepped forward, positioning himself to both answer the guard and protect Roland and me. He shielded his eyes as he looked up at the guard. "Do they carry a banner?"

"Aye. It is the Huntington standard."

"Are you certain?" Panic laced Little John's words.

I clutched Roland close, alarmed by it. "What does that mean, Little John?"

"I'll explain in a bit," Little John said, turning back to me. "But first, let me get you two inside."

He ushered us into the palace and escorted us back to our rooms. Robin was sitting at our table, studying a map. He glanced up as we entered, frowning at the serious expression on Little John's face. "What's wrong?"

Little John shot a look at me before motioning to Roland with his head. I placed Roland on the floor, crouching in front of him. "Why don't you go play in your room? We need to talk for a minute."

Roland pouted but ran off to his room. I straightened up, reaching for Robin's hand. He took it as he asked Little John again what was wrong.

"A company from Huntingdon has arrived," Little John said. "I don't know who is in it but I thought you should know."

Robin nodded. "Thank you. Can you go see who is in the party? Report back to me?"

"Of course, Robin." Little John nodded at the two of us before leaving.

I turned to Robin. "What is going on? What is it about Huntingdon that has you and Little John on edge?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Huntingdon is my father's domain. His men are riding into the palace as we speak."

"Are they here for the ball?"

"I don't know. But I don't have a good feeling."

I pulled him close for an embrace. He cupped my head, pressing me closer. We stayed like for some time, until a knock disturbed us. Robin pulled away, opening the door to admit Little John. Our friend looked more frazzled than when he left. His news made Robin grow tenser and ice come to his blue eyes.

"Your father is here, Robin."

A/N: Whew! I was afraid I wasn't going to get this up this week. For those who don't have tumblr, I caught a stomach bug on Tuesday. It went through my entire family. So Tuesday was a lost day—I had no energy to do anything. So I fell behind.

Once again, I won't be posting a chapter next week. I have a three-day workshop for work and will be staying at a hotel for the duration. I got the agenda and we have long days. There should be some time at night to write…if I don't pass out.

As for last night's episode—yay for lots of Robin! Boo for that ending. I'm still in a bit of shock.

I'll see everyone in two weeks!

-Mac