There was an undeniable terrifying aspect in the act of running through the darkness with your back to the unknown. That was one of most prevalent thoughts taking over Regina's mind as she step by step moved through the never-ending foliage of the woods.

In a way she knew feeling like that was irrational, after all it wasn't like she didn't know what was giving her pursuit, it was Sidney and she was very much aware of why he was after her and what to expect if he caught up.

He wanted to capture her again and she was sure he was going to do everything in his power to get her, because that was how out of his mind he was.

So yes, maybe it wasn't exactly the unknown what really had her in her toes and it was the thought of the man himself, because who knew what would he do now that she crossed him and even managed to make a run out of captivity.

He was probably furious, thing that didn't add well to her predicament because a man that was both mad crazy and furious only made for a very volatile situation, one where she unfortunately didn't have the upper hand.

She was still bound, lost, exhausted and more than a little alarmed, because no matter how fast she ran she could feel him getting closer and closer.

For the good part of her initial run she has even heard him, shouting her name at the top of his lungs as the spine-chilling ruffling sound of his steps as he ran after her swallowed every other sound around her.

That was how it has been, but now as it happened she could no longer hear him and instead of feeling relieved, a deep sense of doom started to settle in, eating her inside out and thus making her feel scared out of her mind.

Fear… it was a feeling that she hated. In a way it has always irked her to no end to feel it settling into the pit of her stomach and then spread like a malign tumor all through her body; but in that moment, she was almost welcoming the overbearing experience because it was the only thing that was keeping her moving.

It was simple, the fear of being caught again by the madman was making her function on pure adrenaline; she was moving by pure instinct because of it so she could do nothing more other than embrace it and use it for her advantage.

For all she knew, Sidney could still be right on her heels, closing on the distance she has imposed on them and ready to just take her one more time. And really, who knew what intentions he had now, meaning that she couldn't just stop just because she couldn't hear him

So she kept running, she ran until her heart was pounding so hard inside her chest that she was sure the vital organ was going to explode at any given time. She could almost feel it happening, because as it was the insane force of its beating was almost making it slam against her ribcage.

"Regina!"

As soon as she heard him calling for her once more, Regina halted right on her tracks. She couldn't exactly tell, but the voice felt too close and she didn't want to risk it.

She has been running without a clear sense of direction for a while now and yes, being totally careless, so maybe it was time to try and be a bit more smarter than him.

If she kept going, he was going to find her by the loud sound of her movements and that would be it; but if she just remained still he might loose track of her. It was getting darker by the minute so it would be possible for her to remain unnoticed.

With that in mind, the brunette pressed her back to a tree and closed her eyes. Her heart was still frantically beating, her breathing was too ragged and the abrupt cease of her running was making her legs feel like rubber.

Then there was the sharp pain at her side and the chilly breeze of the evening swirling around her heated by adrenaline frame and that was it, she was feeling lighthearted and suddenly nauseous.

Trying to ease her breathing and doing her best to convince her mind that the pain she was feeling was a simple side stich provoked by the run and not because there was something wrong with her baby, Regina lifted her hands and pressed them to her mouth.

She was still bounded, thing that was limiting her movements, but that one she could do just fine.

"Don't make this more difficult than what is has to be… Regina."

Swallowing on dry, she tried to force all her senses to be on alert, especially her hearing. She needed to find out where he was and how close. But it was hard, because the beating of her heart was just deafening.

"I don't want to hurt you and I don't want to drag you back, but I will if you force me to it."

He was closing in, his voice was clearer now and even when she still wasn't sure where he was she just knew he was near.

The realization of his impending closeness was disheartening, after all she was sure that she didn't have it in her to keep running. Her limbs wouldn't allow it and second, she didn't want her efforts to be dangerous for her baby.

As it was she was afraid she forced herself more that what she should have and she didn't want to end up regretting it. That only meant that if he found her, he was definitely going to take back into the cabin without much resistance and once there anything could happen.

That was something she didn't want.

"Regina… don't play hard to get!"

By then, Sidney was almost on her heels, she could even feel it in the way her skin started to crawl at the sound of his voice. And not only that, but he was also shouting, a clear indication that he lost all pretense of keeping it quiet and that could turn out to be dangerous.

After all what could stop a man that knew he had nothing to lose?

Maybe she pushed to hard when she tried to run off. But not wanting to make her escape be in vain, she put her hands down and grabbed a handful of her dress. Once it was between her fingers she brought it to her mouth and bit into it. It took a lot of effort but when the fabric ripped she finished it off by tearing a good sized piece of it and letting it fall to the soiled ground.

If anyone back in Storybrooke happened to come searching into the woods they may find it and follow her tracks; that was of course if Sidney ended up finding her.

"Regina?"

Listening to her name, but this time being called by another voice, a much farther away one made Regina feel a new surge of hope and she had to bite hard on her tongue not to reply to the call.

She did however shift where she stood, thing that apparently caught the attention of Sidney because next thing she knew the distinct sound of someone running over the fall leaves covering the ground was heard all over.

It made her react without thinking and she once again started running. The only prevailing thought in her mind that she couldn't let him take her.

Not that her efforts were of much use because before she could even move ten meters he got to her.

"Get your hands off of me." She grunted when he grabbed her from behind and lifted her off. "Let go!"

Instead of replying he covered her mouth with a hand and tried to shush her, preventing that way that she could call for help. He was able to carry her like that for a little while, but then she was able to she bit as hard as she could into his palm and he ended up letting go of her, pushing her into the ground in a way that she ended up on her hand and knees.

Probably in a mixture of surprise and pain, Sidney yelled, the sound reminded her that there was someone in that wood looking for her so she decided to call for help, but before she could even open her mouth he did the same move he did back at the bar and hit her head.

The only problem was that he didn't hit her hard enough to knock her out cold.

Unable to stop it, Regina yelped in pain. Whatever sense of pride she has been keeping already lost to her. Sure, he didn't hit her hard enough to knock her out but it was still a forceful impact.

It destabilized her, but even though when she felt how he was once again picking her up, she still tried to get away. It was in vain, obviously, the blow weakened her already tired demeanor and all her efforts were for nothing.

She was now dizzy on top of all the other things she has been feeling and she decided to put all her efforts in just not passing out.

"I didn't want to do this." Sidney said. On top of his voice she could faintly listen to some others and if she wasn't mistaken, she could also hear some dogs barking in the distance.

That right there made her chuckle, even when she knew she should be afraid she just went ahead and did that. Thing that made her wonder if she just had a concussion or if she just plain and simply lost it.

But it was that all of what was happening was funny… well, it would be if it wasn't so tragic. It was as if her life was on ongoing circle of unfortunate events, each one of them all linked with each other and it was… funny in an absurd kind of way.

She couldn't even remember watching a movie where the protagonist had to endure as much as she had all through her life.

"I just wanted to take care of you and make you understand."

As soon as the man said that, he took a few more steps before putting her back down. Once where he wanted her he grabbed the rope bound to her wrists and lifted her arms up.

He was tying her once more, only that this time he was doing it in the middle of the woods and apparently to the branch of a tree.

She ended up sitting on the back of her heels with both her arms uncomfortably stretched up and the pain in her head getting sharper.

It was an effort to keep her eyes open and her chin up, but she managed out of pure will. "They are going to get you." She said, looking at him dead in the eye. He was still bleeding, thing that made him look more insane that what he already was. "And I'm going to make sure you spend the rest of your life locked up."

"You don't get it. All I ever did was love you. What do I have to do to make you understand that? How can I make you see that what you are doing with that good for nothing man is throw your greatness away?"

"Screw you." Her vision was a bit unfocused, but she refused to even blink for him.

Sidney nodded, but then he just took a handkerchief out of his pocket and went to cover her mouth with it. Once in place he got to his feet and wiped the blood on his forehead with the back of his hand.

"Do you think he's out there looking for you? Because I'm pretty sure he is. He's that damn stubborn. But who knows, maybe it's time we take him out of the equation for good."

With that said, he took out of his belt a gun she hadn't seen him have and that right there put her on high alert. When he made as if to walk away she tried to call out for him.

"Sidney…" She mumbled, but with the bandanna firmly placed to keep her from talking, the sound was barely understandable. "No… wait."

"I'm going to be back, and then it will be just you and me." Once he said that he left.

Exhaling through her nose and yanking hard at her hands to see if the branch would give up, Regina started to once again feel frightened out of her mind. Not because of what could happened to her, but about what Sidney could do to Robin.

If there was indeed a search party there was a huge probability that Robin was there, and having the element of surprise Sidney could easily get him. He didn't even have to be near, he just needed to have a quick glance and that would be it.

The sole act of thinking about that was enough to make her work harder, but as much as she pulled and tried to free herself, the reality was that she just couldn't do anything. She was too weak and in no condition, so much to her frustration she could just stay there as time started to consume itself and the cold of the night started to make her shiver.

Now, she wasn't sure how long she was left there or how long he was gone, but that there was a search party there was no doubt. She could hear them just fine and that Sidney was still out there made her feel with her nerves on edge.

It was enough to keep her awake, even when a huge part of her wanted to just close her eyes and rest.

She didn't though, it took all her willpower to just be there, eyes wide open and senses on alert while getting colder and more desperate with each passing second. At least until she heard some leaves ruffling behind her and then a dog barking.

The sound made her startle, but when the dog made it to her and she was able to see him she relaxed some.

"Regina."

Now, the voice wasn't exactly the one she wanted to hear but it was a relief nonetheless, because it meant that half her nightmare was done for. And then when she heard him talk on the radio saying how he found her she was finally able to breath again.

If it wasn't because she was too worried for Robin she would have definitely give permission for her eyes to just close for a while.

"Is he around here?" The sheriff himself asked as he reached for a pocket knife, but before she could reply or before he could go down to untie her, the one voice she has been hoping to hear did come.

"Oh my God, Regina."

Her head shot up, searching for him, but he also came from behind her and she wasn't able to see him until he went around her and knelt in front of her.

He immediately went to take off the bandanna and then he grabbed her face, touching her tentatively as if to make sure she was alright.

Not having any words for the moment, Regina pressed her forehead to his as she tried to swallow down the lump in her throat. It was almost impossible so she took a step forward and kissed him, pressing her mouth almost harshly against his.

She was just so glad to see him. Glad that Sidney didn't get to him as he had clearly intended.

"Are you alright?" He asked just as Graham cut the rope so that her arms could go down. The sudden movement made her hiss in pain and as if sensing her discomfort he grabbed her arms and started massaging her sore muscles.

"He has a gun and he's out for you."

"In what direction did he go?" The one talking now was Graham and blinking rapidly as he reached for her hands to cut out the remaining rope, Regina looked at him.

He was in full Sheriff mode but she has known enough of him to know that he was pissed, probably at having to deal with such a case in his jurisdiction. He took those kind of things way too personal and well, given the history they had she was going to assume it was even more so.

"I don't… I'm not sure. But he has a gun."

"Well does he now? Because I don't think he would like to play with me." Graham said while taking out his own gun. "I'm going to do a quick search so we can get the hell out of here. Come on." After he said that he was gone.

"You're shaking." Robin pointed out, he was also sporting a unique look on his face, but his was a mixture of concern, relief and yes, suppressed anger.

"I'm cold." She said, suddenly aware that she was indeed trembling. Her muscles were also tensed up with the intensity of the cold and it wasn't until he took off the jacket he has been wearing and covered her with it that she started to feel a bit better.

Once he was done with that he hugged her, burying his nose into her hair and pulling her as close as he could.

Regina just took comfort into his arms, breathing into his scent as her body absorbed the warmness of his. It felt like a dream, because quite honestly her mind was feeling a bit off, but if it was it was the best dream.

"If I were you I would take your hands off of her, right now."

Opening her eyes and feeling how Robin let go of her and just swirled around to face the voice that just spoke, Regina gasped.

Robin was obstructing her view but she didn't have to see him to know who he was, and that he was there only made her want to snap out of her fuzziness so she could do something to help ease the situation.

"Get away from her."

"No." The father of her unborn child said. In Regina's mind defying him was a dangerous thing to do because Sidney was armed and he held no love for Robin, but apparently that was something that didn't preoccupied him.

"Get… away." With that said he fired a shot, not to Robin but to the tree behind them.

Regina cringed at that but even when she felt the muscles of Robin's back tense he didn't move an inch. "You completely lost the plot. Do you think that will make me move, you bloody twit. I won't let you hurt her anymore."

"Hurt her, and what makes you think I want to hurt her? What I want is to take care of her and make her see that you are not the man for her. You will never take care of her like I would."

"Oh is tying her up and manhandling her the way you want to do that? Just piss off Sidney."

Firing another shot, the man yelled. "Get away or next one will go directly between your eyes."

"That's the only way you'll get to her, though me so go ahead and keep adding to your list of stupid things to do today."

"Robin." Regina blew out a breath and grabbed his shirt. "Don't… just don't okay… I don't want him to shoot you."

Turning his back to the man so that he could instead face Regina, Robin grabbed her face once more. "I'm not letting him take you again."

Gasping and digging into his eyes with all the intensity still left in her, Regina shook her head no. "No, don't be stupid, he'll just shoot you and then do it anyway."

"He won't get far."

"Of course he won't, what he'll do is drop the gun, lay down on the ground and just let me arrest him. Am I right, Sidney?"

Listening to Graham once again felt like music to her ears, but before she could finally take everything to be done another shot was heard through. It was quickly followed by another one and then a yelp from Sidney.

It all happened so fast that Regina didn't actually understand what was going on until she saw Robin reach for his side with his hand. She looked down to the spot and when she saw his fingers come out bloodied she cried out.

"Oh my God, oh my God."

"It's okay… I'm okay."

"What do you mean you are okay, he shot you!"

Robin scoffed, as if just realizing what happed. "Well I'll be damned."

Making him sit down, she reached for his shirt and pulled it up, but much to her relief she saw that has been just grazed by the bullet. Yes, it was close enough to make him bleed, but nothing to be alarmed off.

Throwing her arms around his neck and closing her eyes tight shut, she sobbed. She couldn't hold it.

On his part Robin circled her with his arms as well. "It's over, you're safe now, you're safe."

TBC

Well here it is. Hope you enjoyed and once again, thanks so much for reading and reviewing!