A/N : Hello! It seems my friends wanted me to update instead of watching Timeless, so here I am!

I know, it took me a while, but I drowned into work and couldn't keep up with writing, so unfortunately, I'm going to slow down with this story and Chase because I haven't had time to write new chapters and I'm running out of some to post. And leaving for holidays won't help me write, sorry XD

To answer a question about the development of this story, I haven't decided yet if I'm gonna describe the trial in details but I will talk about it obviously (we do need to see these bastards being locked away forever, do we?) all the while focusing on Regina's recovery. So I'll say I'll do both, I'm just not sure how much time I'm gonna dedicate to each subject.

I'm really curious to see how you'll welcome the new character who shows up in this chapter... I am really, really curious... And freaked out XD

The come back

"Done!"

Robin closes the book theatrically, sighing half in relief, half in victory, shrugging when Regina laughs softly at him.

"You really hate homework, don't you?" She questions in a chuckle, but it's more affirmative than questioning.

"I just think my time could be used for something more productive than solving equations that will never help me in any way in life, or analyzing a story I didn't like."

Regina shoves her books into her bag, gets up from the chair as he does the same, both grabbing a snack from the kitchen counter on their way to the stairs.

"You should thank me and my organization, because we finished them all and it's only Saturday afternoon. We have the rest of the weekend to ourselves."

"True." Robin admits, taking a bite off the cracker he has in hand. "Do you know what you want to do now?"

Regina walks past him on the stairs, heads for her bedroom while he enters his, softly humming as she thinks his question through.

She answers when they face each other again in the hallway. "It's beautiful outside." Robin nods in agreement. "Do you have your bow?"

He suppresses a sudden laugh, but can't help the loud chuckle that escapes his lips. She will never stop surprising him.

"We just spent the major part of the afternoon studying, and you want to take another lesson?"

"I actually thought you would appreciate the fact I chose one of your favorite activities!" Regina fakes a pout, but it melts into a teasing smile almost immediately, making Robin's heart swell at her beautiful, radiant face. She really has changed since the first time he saw her.

She's opening up, slowly, but surely. She's smiling most of the time, is excited about everything. Over the month she's spent with the Locksley's, she and Robin have worked on a small routine.

They take the bus to eat ice cream at Granny's on Friday afternoons after school. Whenever they have some free time in school, they're either studying -sometimes at the library, sometimes in their secret garden- or practicing archery. They even built a target they put in the house's small backyard, Robin having taken his own bow and arrows out of a trunk in the attic.

They visit Henry's grave -Robin always waits for Regina by the car, with the police officers- on Saturday morning before working on the last homework they haven't finished during the week. And then, only fun, except for Regina's weekly appointment with her psychologist, Archie Hopper, late on Sunday morning. Since Regina is not overly keen nor comfortable being in a different place than Robin for too long -he's still the only one able to calm her, and she doesn't want to impose him the long wait in a waiting room during her sessions, the psychologist decided to compromise. Touched by the young girl and her story, also considering the complicated situation of her clearly not crossing the limits of what he called "her comfort zone", meaning the Locksley's house, Granny's, the cemetery and school, he takes on his private time during the weekend to have a one-hour session in her bedroom, in addition to another one on Wednesday evening. That way, she stays in her comfort zone, and Robin is downstairs, immediately available if she needs him.

The two teenagers love spending afternoons in front of the tv, playing family games, with his parents, grilling in the backyard or just listening to music and discussing new found songs. But sometimes, they need some private time, alone, Regina in her bedroom, Robin in his.

Besides Granny's, they don't go out often, even with Robin's parents. Two police officers are always following them, or standing guard outside the school and house, a constant reminder that they're not as free as they wish. There's a threat, outside, waiting to strike at any moment, and the risks are just too big.

Regina's stepfather and mother are under close surveillance in prison, since their bail was denied by a very strict and thankfully uncorrupted judge, but the extent of their connections is not entirely known by the police, and the chances for one of their men to get close to Regina or the people who support her are not negligible. So the young woman stays mostly hidden behind walls, but it's not as if she's willing to put her friends in danger or feels comfortable everywhere, so she doesn't complain.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty!" Robin bows comically as he pronounces the nickname. "I forgot that, unlike me, you actually appreciate spending your days studying."

He laughs softly, opening the large bay window and following her outside, glancing at the officer standing in a corner and earning a nod in answer when Robin tilts his head towards the target he placed in the small yard.

Regina joins him quickly, smiling, holding his bow and a handful of arrows.

Robin hears the officer talk in his radio before walking away, giving them privacy, and he's glad. He prefers when it's only the two of them.

Regina is getting in position, and immediately, he steps behind her, hands moving to her waist and helping her correct her stance, spreading her feet slightly with his, tilting her elbow a bit up, before taking a step back.

He knows his mother is probably watching them through the kitchen window, but she's kind enough not to bother them when Regina and him are spending fun time together, and his father is busy working in his office. Looking back at his friend, Robin sees her focus and take a deep breath, before letting go. And for the next hour and a half, it's just the two of them, a yard, honest laughs, a bow, and a few arrows.

It ends on the following day.

It's Sunday, lunch has been over for less than twenty-five minutes, and they just finished cleaning up everything -Regina insists that they need to help his mother, because she cooked a wonderful meal, so the least they can do is clean off the table and wash the dishes, something he abhors and has often managed to avoid until she settled in-.

Today's plan is a lazy afternoon spent playing games together, but something happens.

The doorbell rings.

The doorbell rings as they're not expecting anyone, and everyone startles, staring at each other in question, Regina instinctively moving closer to Robin, reaching for his arm. They're not expecting visits, is it Dr Hopper coming back for some reason they missed?

"Mr and Mrs Locksley?" a familiar and feminine voice calls through the door. "It's detective Swan. Can you open the door please?"

There's a knock on the window next to them, and one of the officers is catching their attention, nodding and holding his thumb up, allowing the four people to breathe again.

Tom opens the front door to reveal the blonde woman wearing her usual red leather jacket she seems to never take off, but Robin can't see more as the door blocks his view of the entrance.

"Hi, detective!" Tom greets. "We weren't expecting you. Your men didn't warn us that-"

"I know, I'm sorry. My phone ran out of battery, I couldn't tell them before I arrived three minutes ago."

"Come in, please!"

Tom moves to the side, and Robin does the same with Regina, letting her face the woman who, he assumes, is bringing news about the trial. He watches the man following her with furrowed brows, because he's not Graham. He's not Emma's partner.

This one is taller, younger maybe, probably not even thirty, smoothly shaved, has blonde hair with deep blue eyes tainted with the tiredness of a night with little sleep, and is clutching to a small piece of luggage, as if he were just arriving in town.

"Daniel!"

Before Robin realizes it, Regina has jumped into the man's arms, and he's holding her tightly, lifting her off the ground, swirling her around, burying his nose in her hair, eyes closed as he brings a hand to the back of her head, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Hello, princess!" he greets with a broad smile, when they pull back just enough to look at each other.

"What are you doing here?" Regina asks excitedly.

"Jefferson called me," he says simply.

Regina falls back to her heels, her tone serious and anxious at the same time.

"So you know?"

The man named Daniel brushes her hair tenderly, compassion filled eyes upon her.

"I do. He called immediately when he learned your mother had been arrested, but he didn't have details. It's only when the news aired that he told me everything. At least everything he knew. I came as soon as I could." He brings a hand to cup Regina's cheek tenderly, his gaze soft but full of guilt when he looks down at her. "I'm sorry, princess. I didn't know. If I had-"

"I know, Daniel." Regina cuts, her fingers looping around his wrist. "It's not your fault."

"But I wasn't there!" He argues. "I left when you needed me. Why didn't you tell me?" he questions. "We talk regularly. I would've come back for you, to put you out of this."

"They threatened and fired you the minute daddy died, you would've been powerless against them," the girl reasons. "And I didn't want anything to happen to you because of me."

She gazes down at the last sentence, but Daniel tilts Regina's chin up, forcing her to lock eyes.

"It was my job to protect you, Regina, not the other way around."

At that, she just shrugs, and burrows herself into the man's embrace again, sighing softly as he holds her close.

During the whole exchange, no one talked, no one intervened. Robin and the three adults watched the reunion with a mix of tenderness and sadness, a lot of questions too, at least for him and probably his parents.

Robin takes a step towards Regina, clearing his throat, making her jump slightly and turn to him.

"Oh yes, I'm sorry!" she apologizes. Turning on her heels to face the Locksley, she lifts her hand to point at Daniel.

"This is Daniel," she introduces. "He's my cousin, and my godfather," she explains with a bright smile that he shares as their eyes meet again. "Daniel, this is Robin, my friend," Robin notices the pride in her voice as she introduces him, doesn't even fight the butterflies raising in his belly, takes the hand held out for him. "and his parents, Edith," Daniel shakes the woman's hand, before taking the man's, "and Tom. They were kind enough to welcome me here after..."

She trails off, and for a second there's a tensed atmosphere in the room, one that Tom breaks immediately, nodding towards the luggage behind Daniel.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Did you just arrive here?"

Daniel follows Tom's eyes, nodding.

"Yes! I was working on a contract in Europe. That's why I couldn't come earlier, princess," he apologizes, hands falling over Regina's shoulders as she looks at him. "When I learned about the situation, I took some time to gather information, and then I contacted Detective Swan, told her who I was and that I was planning to come back as soon as possible. Given the circumstances, we agreed that it was safer to keep my return a secret. Time for us to organize everything and make sure no one knew about it, and I was boarding in direction of Storybrooke. I'm sorry, Regina. I wish I could have come sooner."

"It's okay," the girl reassures, leaning against Daniel as he wraps his arms around her shoulders. "You're here now. I'm so happy to see you!"

"Me too. I just wish it was under different circumstances."

"Why don't we all take a seat?" Edith interrupts, gesturing for the table behind her. "I sense like there's a lot of catch up to do and explanations to give."

Edith sets a large bottle of lemonade on the table and 6 glasses, starts serving everyone while the detective explains "When Daniel contacted me, I have to admit that I was more than surprised. But it was a relief too, to know that we have one more person on our side, that Regina could rely on someone else. We agreed to do everything under the radar, including keeping you and my co-workers out of the loop, so no one would find out, especially not Gold."

Regina nods, clutching to Daniel's fingers tightly, Robin's gaze flickering to their linked hands and the sudden relief that settled on her face. She's changed since he arrived, even if it was only ten minutes ago. A bit of her usual coyness is gone, has been replaced by a look of genuine happiness. However, Robin can't help but wonder why this man who seems to be so important to her wasn't there. How he never knew? Where is he coming from? Why did he leave in the first place?

"Can I ask you something?" Robin questions with a neutral voice, because he doesn't want Regina to think he's angry with that man or jealous of him. He just wants to understand how he could've let so many things happen and ignore everything for so long.

"Sure." Daniel answers.

"What's your story? Where were you all this time?"

Daniel ducks his head sympathetically, glancing at Regina, who looks down at the table.

"My mother was Henry's -Regina's father- sister. She and my father died in a car accident while I was in my first year of college," he explains slowly. "The only family I had left was Henry. We'd always been really close, that's why he made me Regina's godfather when she was born." He shoots an affectionate look to the young woman, his hand sliding over the back of her head in a tender gesture, before looking up at the people in front of him. "I wanted to enter the family business, which you may or may not know is a trading company, so I took economics as main class. As soon as I got out of college, my uncle hired me, taught me everything I didn't learn in books, the secrets to keep the company flourishing. I went to every meeting with Henry, worked everyday without counting the hours, and spent time with my little cousin whenever I had some to spare."

Daniel speaks calmly, in a steady voice, reassuring, making it easier for Robin to accept him in Regina's -and now his- life. This man really does seem to care about her a lot.

"But I never got in good terms with Cora." Daniel resumes, growing serious. "I warned Henry more than once about her, how she seemed to be only interested in his money, and one day, I don't know what changed, but he finally came around and saw her for who she was. That's when he decided to ask for a divorce and remove her from his will. But unfortunately, my uncle died shortly after," Regina shudders at the mention of her father's death, so Robin reaches for her hand, his thumb stroking its back, earning a small but grateful smile and a little squeeze in reward. "Cora legally took possession of the company, and she forced me out of the business."

"But you said Henry changed his testament. How did she manage to do that if he left her powerless?" Tom questions.

Daniel and Regina exchange a knowing look.

"Because we never found his new testament. I searched my uncle's office both at work and at home, but I couldn't find it. And without the document, Regina and myself had our hands tied."

"You could've fought her," Tom suggests.

"Not with Gold pulling the strings. They almost physically threw me out of the building, and accused me of irregularities. It was made up, but I knew if they published it it'd not only ruin my career, possibly send me to jail, but also stain the company's reputation. So I had no choice. By leaving, our," his eyes flicker to Regina for a short moment, "legacy would be safe, at least that's what I hoped. I found another job, but it required a lot of travel. I didn't want to go, but Regina insisted. She said she'd be fine, that we would talk through phone calls, Skype and e-mails often. I didn't know..." Daniel sighs, guilt piercing in his voice. "I never imagined something like this could happen. When Jefferson, one of my friends still working for the company, called me and told me everything... Cora's never been the best mother, but I thought..."

He can't finish. It's without real surprise that Robin watches Daniel stop his sentence, teary eyes and strangled voice, and pulling Regina to him. The man presses a kiss to her temple, her forehead, in her hair, holding her close as she snuggles in his arms.

"You should've told me, princess. I would've come back for you, stood against them, protected you. You're the most important person in my life. It shouldn't have happened. I'm so sorry."

They give them a moment, an awkward silence while Regina and Daniel are too caught up in their own feelings, the swirl of emotions of a broken and wounded family, two people who don't have anyone else but themselves to count on.

Somehow, seeing Regina in another man's arms, Robin can't help but feel his heart heavy knowing that he's not the only one able to soothe her now. She has someone else she can rely on, someone older, who knows her deep down, her struggles, her joys, her life, her story.

But at the same time, he's relieved. Daniel is someone she might not hold back from. She's opened up so much over the past weeks, but Robin knows there's still a lot of walls Regina hasn't pulled down. He's aware that it's his persistence to ask and comfort her that allows him to enter her world, but she still has trouble letting go on her own. If this man can help, then he's glad.

"There's one thing," Emma says, her voice breaking the silence, everyone looking up at her in question, except Daniel. "With Cora in jail, Daniel automatically becomes Regina's legal guardian. " Robin's heart sinks in his chest, the fear of not having her around at home seizing him. After the last weeks, there's no way he can picture his life without her in his home.

Daniel pulls back from Regina to look her in the eyes, facing her confusion.

"It's up to you, princess. I'm staying in a hotel right now, but I'm planning to rent an apartment as soon as possible. You can come live with me whenever you want."

"Really?" Her eyes are shining with hope, but Robin thinks he can see something else underneath, like hesitation maybe, although he can't be certain.

"Yes. I'm not letting you down again, I promise. I warned my boss that I would stay here in Storybrooke with you for as long as you need me, no matter how long it might be. You're my top priority."

Robin expects her to jump in Daniel's arms, a loud yes coming from her lips as she agrees to go with him, a beaming smile on her lips.

But that's not what happens.

What happens surprises him, and judging by the confusion around, he's not the only one.

Regina hesitates.

She's smiling, grateful, happy. But she hesitates.

"Can I..." she starts, looking at Daniel. "Can we talk about this, just you and me?"

"Of course!"

Daniel rises from his chair, his hand holding Regina's as she gets up and leads him upstairs, to her room, Robin imagines.

He doesn't know what to think of this, her reaction, the lack of enthusiasm, the need for privacy. He doesn't know that man, but he seems, despite everything, to really care about her. To love her. To be ready to give up everything to protect her.

So really, why would she hesitate?

Robin listens absentmindedly as Emma is giving more information about the case to his parents, saying that they're gathering depositions against Cora and Gold. It's not easy, a lot of people are still afraid of them, even if they're behind bars, but a few have come around, especially those who witnessed Regina's distress from day one.

Moe, her driver.

Ashley, her maid.

A few girls at the casino.

He closes his eyes in relief. He was afraid no one would be bold enough to support Regina's version, but with several testimonies corroborating her words, the chances of her parents being stuck in prison for years are only increasing. Meaning she could be safe and free for good.

Robin looks up as footsteps descending the stairs are heard, and finds Regina relaxed, smiling softly when their gazes lock.

The three adults turn silent as they watch them approach and sit back at the table, Edith finally speaking the words they're all thinking. "So? What did you decide?"

Regina and Daniel share a look, and the man nods at her, smiling, taking her hand and squeezing softly in reassurance.

"I'd like to stay here for now, if you don't mind." Regina reveals shyly, almost blushing.

"Of course!" Edith exclaims immediately, enthusiastic, and Robin loves his mother ever more for the love she has for his friend. "We love having you with us, you know that!"

"I do," Regina admits. "And I really like it here."

Daniel continues when Regina turns towards him. "We agreed that for the moment, Regina has suffered too much disturbances and changes. She wants some stability for a while, something she's found with you," he smiles gratefully. "I understand and respect that. We'll revisit this later, when the situation is less complicated and precarious." Robin hears his father start to speak, but Daniel resumes almost immediately, stopping him. "Although, if you don't mind, I'd like to spend some time with her. Take her out, have dinner, maybe even here if you agree, we could get to know each other. I haven't seen my little cousin for so long, and I know you're taking really good care of her, but with everything that I missed I need to be close and spend time with her."

"Yes, of course!" Edith answers, nodding. "I don't see any problem here. You're family, and Regina needs all the support she can get," she says, looking at the girl softly, Regina answering with a small smile. "She deserves it."

When they close the door behind Daniel and Emma a couple of hours later, Robin waits. He just waits, because he knows she'll come to him. And just as expected, it doesn't take long. The second his parents have given them privacy, she glances at him with a smile, bites her lower lip, eyes shining with excitement.

She bursts out laughing as she jumps in his arms, throwing hers around his neck, holding tight. When she pulls back, she's just gorgeous! The way anxiety has left her, even if Robin ignores that voice in his head that wonders how long it will last, makes him appreciate this Daniel even more.

Because thanks to him, he discovered another side of Regina.

A happier one.

One that makes him fall for her even more than he already has.

Title of the next chapter : Her guilt