A/N: Hey guys! I know it's been a while. School's been really hectic I haven't had the chance to update as quickly as I'd like to but I really hope you enjoy this chapter. Have a good read :)


Regina's dreams were not kind to her that night. They were frightening and tortuous. Filled with distorted images of her mother all her greatest fears played out in hideous forms as the inescapable sound of Cora's voice echoed through her skull.

There is nowhere that you can hide.

She woke up in a cold sweat in the guestroom. Still in her funeral dress from the day before, she looked around her twisted sheets in confusion. Robin must've carried her upstairs last night after she'd fallen asleep. The last thing she remembered was being in his arms with a glass of wine in her hand, crying over just how badly she'd screwed everything up. She knew he still had questions – about her mother, about her life, about Marian – but despite his curiosity he'd held back, trying to be as sensitive as possible given the day she'd had. For that she would always be grateful to him.

Trembling as she went, Regina climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She'd been in this black dress for far longer than she'd preferred. It was time to change. Turning the shower lever as hot as it could go, she stripped out of her funeral clothes and stepped under the stream of scalding water, letting out a hiss as it rained against her skin. Taking a deep breath as she allowed the heat to penetrate her skin and flow through her muscles, bringing relief to the aches she felt through her body. Despite the fact that she wanted to, she didn't stay in the shower for long. There was too much for her to worry about in there. Instead she hopped out less than ten minutes later and quickly put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. They were picking up the boys today and after everything that happened with the funeral she was more desperate than ever to have Henry in her arms again.

She trotted downstairs to find Robin already awake and clearly waiting for her. With folded arms and an intense stare, he stood next to the living room window looking out at the neighborhood. At the sound of her footsteps he turned to face her and she felt herself cringe. Judging by the bags under his eyes she could tell he'd only slept marginally better than she had and it sent a slice of guilt through her gut. Two days ago he'd been a single father with nothing more to worry about than what to cook for dinner the next day. Since her arrival he'd faced down her lies, Marian's betrayal, and her vicious mother. Without even trying she'd managed to completely drag him from his life and into her nightmare. Just another reason she'd wished she'd never come on this trip.

"Morning," she sighed, brushing her hair out of her face. She crossed her arms as she stepped into the living room. "How long have you been up?"

"Not long," he replied, shrugging his shoulders at her. "Just an hour or two." He pointed towards the kitchen. "I went out and got us breakfast."

Upon entering the kitchen, a small smile – the first real one she'd had in days – grew on her face when she spotted a box of Eller's donuts waiting on the island counter. She still remembered the Saturday mornings when she and Marian would drive to Eller's Donut Shop to indulge in their delicious glazed crullers. Crullers that Robin had been sure to fill half the box with. She turned to him with a smile. "You got me Eller's."

He nodded his head with a chuckle. "I thought it might brighten your day."

"Thank you," she said gratefully before lifting a cruller into her hand. As her teeth sunk into its flaky dough and the sweet taste of its glaze washed over her tongue, a moan escaped from her throat. She leaned her elbows against the counter and hummed appreciatively. "New York may have the world's best bagels but they've got nothing on California's donuts."

Robin smirked at her as he lifted a donut into his hand. He still went to Eller's at least once a month with Roland. As far as his son was concerned there was no problem those sugary pastries couldn't solve and right now, while eating the chocolate flavored one in his hand, Robin found it hard to disagree.

He gestured to the coffee maker before swallowing his bite. "Coffee?"

Regina nodded at him. "Please."

It wasn't as if she'd gotten a lot of rest the night before. Hopefully the coffee would perk her up before they met up with the boys.

Robin cleared his throat before setting up the brew and pulling mugs from the cabinet above the counter. "So… I was actually thinking I could go and pick up the boys myself today, bring them home alone."

She scrunched her eyebrows at him. "Why?"

He turns to her with a pained grimace. "Well… the gang sort of wanted to surprise you for your visit. I arranged for them all to meet up with you at the bar today."

A knot formed in her gut. "Oh."

He weakly shakes his head at her. "I'm sorry. It was before…"

He lets his sentence trail off allowing the weight of all that happened the day before to fill the air between them. It turns her stomach but she nods her head in understanding, placing her cruller back in the box, the sweet icing on her tongue turning bitter with this new revelation. In the whirlwind of revealing herself to Robin she'd nearly forgotten about the rest of her old friends, the ones she was still lying to. Another wave of guilt sliced through her at the thought of avoiding them when they were so clearly eager to see her.

So she forced herself to push the weight of yesterday off her shoulders and shrug them in Robin's direction. "Well there's no reason to cancel," she mumbled. "I'm only here for one more day and I would like to see everyone again."

Robin stared at her, the hesitation clear in his eyes as he pressed his lips together nervously before asking, "Are you sure? I mean after everything that's happened-"

"There's nothing I'd like more than to see those I love." She cut him off, her words sharper than a woodsman axe. Her hands slid to edge of the counter and she began to grip it for support. She attempted to force an easy going smile to her face before looking up at him. "It's fine Robin, really. I want to see my friends."

He continues to stare into her eyes and it's as if she can feel him poking around in her soul, searching for the cracks she's fighting so desperately to hide. He opens his mouth to speak and for a moment she could swear he was going to talk her out it, try and convince her to stay behind but then the light behind his eyes changed, his lips pressed together and he let out a defeated sigh before apathetically shrugging his shoulders.

"Okay," he mutters.

XXXXX

They left the house soon after that, donuts and coffee left on the counter in their haste. Despite her lack of actual rest the night before, Regina had somehow managed to oversleep and it wasn't long before it was time to pick up the boys. Even with the time crunch she still managed to make it upstairs to change and put on her face. She'd originally planned on wearing mascara at the most but now that she knew the whole gang was waiting for her at the bar she decided a full face of makeup was probably a better choice. She returned downstairs in a casual patterned wrap dress and a pair of wedges, her lips appropriately colored and eyes bordered with Revlon, ready to take on the world.

Robin raised his eyebrows at her as they walked out the door. "You look nice," he said softly.

She mumbled a grateful reply before climbing into the car. She could only imagine how incomprehensible her behavior must seem to him, going to meet up with the gang after everything she'd just been through but she hadn't been lying when they'd talked in the kitchen. She wanted to see her old friends again, to feel their warmth and love surround her once more. And it'd be a lie if she didn't say that she was eager to slip back into Regina Gardiner's life. Being Regina Mills was just as hard as she'd remembered and after all the drama and devastation that came with the truth there was a piece of her, a very large piece actually, that yearned for the simplicity of the lies.

Excluding the low music playing from the radio, the ride to the bar was silent. As much as she wanted to talk to Robin, she couldn't find anything to say. Everything she wanted to talk about seemed far too heavy to speak about before they met up with everyone else, and if she brought up any of the lighter topics, like her job or the boys, it would only seem insincere. And it wasn't as if Robin was interested in striking up a conversation with her anyway. He hadn't looked at her once since they'd gotten in the car, his eyes switching between being focused on the road and flickering toward the rearview mirror. Watching him so reluctant to look her in the eye Regina couldn't help but remember the night before. They way he'd held her so close, listened so intently and wiped away her tears. It had been so comforting and intimate but none of those feelings had transferred over this morning. He was being distant with her, stoic she would even say and after feeling so close with him before it hurt. The space between them was painful but even so she knew it was her decisions that had put it there. Robin had promised her that he wouldn't walk away from her but she'd also promised him that she'd be understanding if he needed distance. So she remained silent, only choosing to speak up in confusion when, after taking an unusually scenic route, Robin ended up parking three blocks away from the bar.

"Why so far?" she asked curiously, unbuckling her seat belt.

He didn't answer her immediately, instead his eyes narrowed at the rearview mirror before twisting in his seat to just look through the back window. Her face scrunched up in confusion as she took in his questionable behavior. "Robin?"

When he finally turned back to her she could see thinly veiled panic in his eyes. He swallowed thickly before speaking, "I didn't want to scare you… but I think we're being followed."

Regina's heartbeat immediately sped up and her hands clenched up in fear. "What?"

"Well… when I woke up this morning I saw black car sitting across the street," explained Robin. "I'd never seen it in the neighborhood before but I didn't think much of it, people have visitors. But it was still there when I brought back the donuts and every time I've looked in the rearview mirror it's been behind us, the entire drive here."

Regina swallowed thickly trying to remind herself to breathe. God was her mother having her followed? Already? It had only been less than a day! Pushing past the intense alarm that was creeping up her spine she sucked a deep breath in through her nose and attempted to calm down. Panicking never helps anything, she reminded herself.

Softly nodding her head, she asked Robin, "Where is the car now?"

He nodded his head toward the rear of the car, "Behind us, across the street."

Pressing her lips together she forced herself to look in the direction he'd just pointed out. Just as he'd said there was a black car parked on the curb opposite of theirs. The sight of it raised goosebumps on her arms. It was a plain town car with tinted windows, same as the ones her mother's guards used to drive in but once she caught sight of its grill she let out a relieved breath.

"It's not my mother," she whispered, shutting her eyes in relief.

"Are you sure?" urged Robin, panic and concern still lacing his tone.

She nodded her head. "Yes I'm sure. That's a Ford town car, my mother's guards use Lincolns exclusively. It's her brand."

After being pulled in and pushed out of them almost her entire life, Regina would recognize her mother's town cars in a heartbeat.

At her reassurance Robin finally relaxed in his seat. "I'm sorry," he said apologetically. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I just wanted to be safe."

Concern was etched onto his face and the sight of tugged on Regina's heartstrings. She still remembered what it felt like those first few months on the run with Henry, checking over her shoulder constantly, wondering if the next knock on the door would be her mother coming to drag her away. It suddenly struck her that this sudden shift into vigilance was the cause of his distant behavior this morning. She reached out to grab his hand and was pleasantly surprised when he didn't pull away but instead laced his fingers through hers.

"I understand," she said gently. "Knowing what you know now, every little thing can seem like a threat." She sighed as her eyes flickered back to the car across the street. "Thank you for being vigilant though. I suppose I'll need to get back in the habit."

She brushed her hair behind her ears as she narrowed her eyes at the cars tinted windows. Ford town cars, she thought to herself. Not her mother's brand but still a brand that she recognized, quite easily actually. Why was that? Who used them? Suddenly a realization sparked in her brain.

She turned back to Robin with wide eyes. "You're sure it was sitting outside the house this morning?"

Robin nodded his head. "Yes. It's the same car I'm sure of it."

Regina's head fell against her seat. "Then I think we are being followed… just not by my mother."

Slipping her fingers from his she opened her door and gestured for him to follow her as she crossed the street. He was by her side in a flash, and they approached the town car with caution, Robin keeping a hand on her back as they walked across the road. Swallowing thickly as she stared into the tinted glass, Regina rapped her knuckles against the car window praying to god that she was right about who was sitting in the driver's seat. After a moment the window slowly began to roll down and she let out a soft, relieved breath when she saw a familiar face sitting behind the wheel of the car. With his platinum blonde hair and ice blue eyes she immediately recognized the driver as Damien Masters, Snow's head of security.

He looked up at them from his seat, all business in his demeanor. "Mr. Locksely. Miss Gardiner."

"Damien," she replied smoothly as her anxiety began to seep away. She wiped her palms against the side of her dress as she stared him down. "It appears you've been following me."

Not breaking eye contact he responded with, "I prefer the term 'shadowing.'"

A soft scoff flew from her throat as she nodded her head. "And I suppose you did this at Mary's request?"

His eyes flickered back to the steering wheel then, and she saw him clench his jaw as he tried to find an appropriate response. "Miss Blanchard has been… concerned about your safety given recent events."

"Huh… I'm touched," Regina softly replied. And she was. She felt her heart swell at the thought of Snow being so protective of her… but not enough to make her okay with the idea of being "shadowed" by one of her bodyguards. Her eyes dropped down to her toes. "I don't suppose if I told you to leave… that you would?"

Just as she suspected Damien shook his head. "I'm sorry Miss Gardiner but I was given clear instructions to shadow you until I'm told otherwise."

"You can't be serious?" Robin's voice cut through the air, reminding them both that he was still there. "Even after she's told you to leave you're just going to keep following her?"

"Shadowing," repeated Damien, gritting out his words defensively.

"Stalking is what the police call it," shot back Robin, his patience clearly growing thin.

Damien's grip on the steering wheel tightened as he let out an annoyed breath. "I'm just trying to do my job sir."

"Which is protecting me," said Regina, placing a hand on Robin's shoulder to silence him. She shook her head at him as he stared at her in bewilderment. "He's just following orders," she reasoned softly. She turned back to Damien. "However, Robin and I are meeting up with a group of old friends. Ones who don't know about my… situation. So I would prefer it if you shadowed me from a distance?"

Damien nodded his head at her. "I'll be sure to be discreet," he promised.

"Thank you."

With that he rolled up his window, signaling the end of their conversation while Regina practically dragged an open-mouthed Robin back across the street. His eyes were full of disbelief as she guided him in the direction of the bar, seeming to be silently resolved to the idea of being followed by her friend's security guard.

"Is that it?!" he questioned incredulously. "You're just going to let him follow you like this?!"

She sighed exhaustedly. "I don't have much of a choice, Robin. He doesn't work for me. He works for Snow. Only she can call him off."

"That's ridiculous!" he declared, the self-righteous anger in his tone clear. "When a person tells you to stop following them, you have to stop. It's the law!"

"Well laws don't apply to them!" snapped Regina, shaking her head at him.

Her sudden outburst stopped Robin in his tracks. Looking into his blue eyes she took a deep breath as she searched for the right words to explain her world to him.

"Robin… when you have the money and the power that they have at your disposable you start to find out that there is nothing that can't be bought. Loyalty, integrity, freedom. It's all up for sale," she stressed. "Snow has Damien's loyalty. She probably pays him very well for it. It's why he's willing to sidestep laws for her. And right now I'm just thankful that it's her paying someone to protect me, instead of my mother paying someone to throw me in the back of an unmarked van and cart me away."

Robin shuffled uncomfortably as Regina explained why she was allowing Damien to follow her. "Do you really think your mother would do that to you?" he asked softly.

She shrugged her shoulders at him. "Honestly… it's one of my biggest fears."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, suddenly ashamed of his earlier self-righteousness.

"It's fine," she said quickly. "Let's just go and see everybody."

XXXXX

The rest of their walk to the bar was silent, both Robin and Regina unwilling to talk about the altercation they'd just had. By the time she saw the familiar sign of the Drunken Monk relief flowed through her chest. It was just as she'd remembered, well perhaps a little more put together than the last time she'd been there but still the same. Robin had replaced the old torn up awning and she no longer recognized the patio furniture but the old bricks were just as faded as they'd always been and the neon sign above the door still featured the same potbellied monk with a pitcher of beer in hand. At the sight of it memories of the friends she made and the experiences she'd had within its walls started to flood her mind bringing a smile, a true smile, to her face. An old Kinks song was playing on the jukebox as they stepped through the door. Things had changed inside – the old booths had finally been reupholstered, the wall behind the bar had about a dozen more frames added to it and the overhead lamps had been replaced with sleeker models – but the bar had retained its core. Walking inside was like walking home.

She hardly got a chance to marvel at the changes before she heard an enthusiastic "Mom!" coming from her side. She turned to see Henry running up to her, properly tanned from his day out in the California sun. With a grin he wrapped his arms around her waist and she immediately pulled him closer, pressing a lingering kiss to the top of his head. As soon as he'd laid hands on her she felt her heart grow lighter, cautiously shaking off the shadow of the morning. It felt good to have her son in her arms again, even if she was worried about how long she could keep him there. No sooner had she reluctantly released him from her grip, did another pair of arms wrap around her upper thighs. With a giggle she looked down to see Roland flashing his dimples as he grinned up at her. "Hi!" he chirped.

"Hello boys!" she said with a smile.

"Those aren't boys they're sailors."

As soon as she looked up she locked eyes with Killian, the familiar blue shade of his eyes causing her smile to widen. After three years away she could say that he hadn't changed a bit, at least physically. He still walked with the same swagger in his step, his eyes twinkling with dastardly charm and an easy going smile on his face. Without hesitation he wrapped her up in a crushing bear hug and she happily reciprocated, letting his familiar scent of seawater overwhelm her senses. She sighed contentedly when he released her. "You still smell like you bathe in the ocean," she said.

"And you still love that I do," he replied flirtatiously.

A chuckle escaped her even as she rolled her eyes at him. Some things never change. "I have missed you Hook."

"And I you," he said with grin. Giving her a quick once over he nodded his head appreciatively. "You look beautiful, love. New York clearly agrees with you."

"I love it there," she said wistfully, "but it still doesn't compare to this place." She looks around the bar, nostalgia swirling up in her chest as she takes it in once more. "It's good to be home."

XXXXX

Sitting in a booth at the Drunken Monk, surrounded by her son, godson and old friends Regina felt at ease for the first time since stepping foot back in California. Not long after her reunion with Killian, Tink had arrived, rushing through the doors and squealing with excitement eager to capture her in a hug after so long apart. Physically it seemed as though not much had changed with her. Her smile was just as bright and her nails still had a thin layer of grease embedded under the tips just like Regina remembered. Her hair, though straightened from the curls she remembered so fondly, was still as yellow as the center of a daisy. And her eyes still shined with the same almost childlike enthusiasm and happiness that could so rarely be found in anyone else her age. As Tink was gushing over Henry and her new wardrobe Mulan walked through the door, not nearly as excited as Tink but still clearly happy to see their old friend back in town. Regina had to admit that it took her breath away to see Lani walk in fully decked out in her police uniform but she wore authority well, just like she always had, police belt and all. To her surprise she didn't hesitate to wrap Regina in a hug and remind her of just how much she'd been missed around the bar.

They'd all crowded into a corner booth in the back of bar with a mountain of wings in the center of table and a drink in every hand to catch up with her. However, not wanting to talk about herself, she tried as best as she could to keep the focus on the changes in their lives. Hearing about their new jobs (Lani's transfer to law enforcement, Tink finally taking over her dad's business), relationships (Hook was apparently still flying solo, while Mulan had taken up with Roland's daycare supervisor Ruby to Robin's surprise), and other changes in their lives Regina felt herself get happier by the minute. The longer she spent with them the stronger her sense of comfort and security became making it that much easier for her to pretend that this was who she really was. Regina Gardiner. Just a woman on a business trip catching up with some old friends. The only time that illusion felt broken was when she locked eyes with Robin. He'd hadn't spoken much since they'd arrived but he hadn't taken his eyes off of her, probably still wondering how she could sit with their friends and chat as if there wasn't a bodyguard sitting right outside this building tracking her whereabouts. Luckily she found it easy to avoid his gaze and stay in her illusion.

They'd been there for about an hour when her she felt her phone begin to vibrate. Pulling it out of her purse her heart clenched when she saw Snow's avatar lit up on her screen. And just like that the illusion was shattered.

Clearing her throat, she slid from the booth and forced a smile to her face. "This is work," she lied, holding up her phone.

A unanimous groan arose from the table.

"Oh come on," drawled Tink. "Blow 'em off. You're on vacation."

"Business trip," she clarified, raising a finger in her direction. It was a lie but it was enough to silence the group.

"You should take it in the storage room. It's still the best place for privacy," she heard Robin say. One look in his eyes told her he knew she was lying and though he wouldn't call her out on it now he would be demanding the truth from her later. She sent him a quick nod before rushing off towards the storage room feeling the weight of his eyes against her back until she disappeared behind its door.

As soon as she was sure the old mop heads and cleaning products were her only audience, Regina sighed before bringing the phone up to her ear. "Hello."

"So nice of you to pick up," Snow answered snappily. Her tone was biting and sarcastic, it didn't even attempt to mask her underlying irritation. "You were supposed to call me this morning."

Regina winced as she remembered the promise she'd made to Snow before Robin had whisked her away in his Jeep. "I'm sorry Snow. I got sidetracked picking up Henry and meeting up with old friends. Not to mention dealing with the guard dog you've ordered to follow me around."

"So I've heard," mumbled Snow. "Damien told me about your… confrontation."

Regina shook her head to herself. "Snow… why would you have him follow me?"

"Because you need the protection," she insisted. "Sue me for being worried about you."

"Well that's very sweet of you but you almost gave me and Robin heart attacks this morning. We thought mother was following me."

Only silence was heard from the other end of line as Snow took in Regina's reaction. For a second Regina thought she might actual be contrite but then she heard, "Wait, you and Robin? Are you staying with him?"

Regina rolled her eyes. "Not the point."

"Yet, so very intriguing," Snow shot back mischievously. Regina could practically see her now grinning like a Cheshire cat through the phone. "What's the deal with you two?"

"He's just an old friend," she answered softly. "A good one who cares about my safety and is put on edge when he knows that I am followed around by a man with a gun."

"A man who is there to protect you," stressed Snow. "Someone trustworthy and close by who can do something if Cora sends her goons to sweep you and Henry away. Tell me that doesn't help you sleep better at night."

Regina bit her lip as she failed to find the words to refute Snow's claim. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to have extra security. At least until she went back to New York.

"I'll take your silence as a thank you," replied Snow, her tone light with triumph. "Besides Damien wasn't what I called to talk about. There's something bigger we have to deal with."

Just like in the car with Robin, Regina's heart started to race at the seriousness of Snow's tone. "What?"

The younger woman blew out a breath before answering. "After the funeral I went back to my hotel and a man came to see me. Said he saw me with you at the church and he needed to see you as soon as possible."

In and out, Regina silently reminded herself to breathe. She blew out a slow breath before asking, "Who was he?"

"He said he was a friend of your father's," said Snow urgently. "Archie… something, Hall, Hiller?"

"Hopper?"

"Yes! Archie Hopper," exclaimed Snow. "You know him?"

She nodded her head. "I know him."

The name brought images of a tall, wiry redheaded man to Regina's mind eye. Archie had been her father's private lawyer, one he kept separate from the company and therefore from her mother. Regina had only met him a few times in the past, each time being consistently pleasant while remaining utterly unremarkable. From what she remembered Archie was a rather shy man, always speaking softly and adjusting his red-rimmed glasses so he wouldn't have to look her in the eyes when they talked. Very different from the cocky, corporate cutout lawyers her mother tended to employ. Their interaction never went beyond formal pleasantries but her father had always spoken highly of him, stating that he wasn't just a valuable lawyer but a trusted friend.

Regina swallowed thickly. "Did you tell him where I was?"

"Of course not," said Snow immediately. "I pretended I hadn't heard from you in years but he was adamant. He left his business card with one of my bodyguards. Said he needed to meet with you as soon as possible. That it was about your father and his plans for you."

Plans? What plans?

"Do you know what he's talking about?" asked Snow.

"No idea," said Regina softly.

"I still have the business card. Do you want me to set something up?"

Did she? She had to admit she was intrigued by his claims. She had no doubt that her mother had tied up her inheritance but if her father had left something, anything behind for her that was separate from that she wanted to know what it was. But after what happened at the funeral she wasn't really in the position to be taking risks. For all she knew this could just be another set up by her mother. She ran her fingers through her hair trying to decide whether it was worth it to take the chance and meet up with Archie. Her father had trusted him. And from what she knew Archie had never even stepped foot in the same room as her Cora. She searched her gut and after a minute she just knew that she had to see what he was offering.

"Call and see if he can meet me today."

XXXXX

Going to lunch had turned out to be a lot harder than Robin expected, not that he ever thought it would be easy. Watching as all his friends fawned over Regina's return while she smiled in their faces turned his stomach with guilt. One, for allowing her to be put in such a situation so soon after what happened with the funeral and two, for not telling his friends the truth about what had happened in the first place. As soon as they'd all sat down in the booth it struck him that by not telling them the truth of what he knew he was now lying to everyone he knew, same as Regina. That realization pierced him in the gut like a spear and he couldn't help but wonder if Marian had felt that same sharp feeling when she'd chosen to keep the truth from him. Still he spoke not a word about all that had occurred between him and Regina. Instead he chose to follow her lead, watching as she hugged, smiled and laughed with all their old friends, trying her damnedest not to let a shred of her pain show through. She appeared to be succeeding and his eyes never left her as he wondered just how she made it look so easy.

After she left for the storage room he let out a sigh of relief. The swirling in his gut had slowed now that she was out of his sight.

"Well it looks like New York has been good for her," commented Mulan. "She's happy, more confident."

And just like that guilt returned in full force. He let out a resigned sigh before knocking his knuckles against the table. "How 'bout another round of drinks? On me?"

Hook looked up from his beer. "Wait, was this round not on you?"

Robin smirked at him as he stood from the booth. "Don't worry, mate. I've already added the drinks to your tab."

"Why does it have to go on my tab?!" asked Hook incredulously.

"Because you're the only one who still works here," deadpanned Mulan, earning another round of laughs from the table.

Still shaking with giggles Tink hopped up from her seat and approached Robin's side. "Come on. I'll help you load up the tray."

He nodded at her gratefully and they made their way to the bar. Pulling out five mugs from under counter Robin started refilling them with everyone's choice of beverage while Tink watched him from across the counter.

She sighed contently as she leaned against the bar. "It's nice to have the whole group back together. Even if it is just for lunch."

Robin smiled at her. "I know. Feels like old times doesn't it?" Well it did if you excluded the massive secret he was now carrying.

"Yeah," replied Tink smirking at him mischievously. "You know we could've had more time to catch up if you hadn't been hogging her for the last two days."

"Excuse me?" said Robin, raising an eyebrow at her. "I have not been hogging Regina."

"Oh yes you have," drawled Tink, nodding her head with a chuckle. "You got to pick her up from the airport. You got to have her stay at your house. You got to drive her to the bar today for the lunch that you set up."

She ticked the items off on her fingers as she listed them out to him, causing Robin to scoff at her and roll his eyes.

"You all were more than welcome to set something up yourselves," he pointed out.

"As if we would," said Tink, shrugging her shoulders resignedly. "You and Regina have always been just a little bit closer than the rest of us. No one was surprised when you took charge of her visit. Besides we could all see how excited you were when you found out she was coming back. We didn't want to get in the way of that."

Robin forced a smile to the lips as he remembered the days after he'd learned that Regina would be returning. To say he'd been ecstatic would be an understatement. Before they'd even finished talking he'd started planning out the weekend in his head. Things he wanted to show her, places she should revisit. They'd barely gotten to do any of it. Learning Regina's secret had sent his plans up in flames. His lighthearted visit between old friends had been turned into a mission to help hold her together in the face of her old life. He'd told her that he wasn't walking away from her but he'd lying if said things weren't different now that he knew who she really was but that was all his fault now wasn't it. He'd begged for the truth from her… and now he couldn't help but miss the lie.

Pushing his complicated relationship with the brunette out his mind, he handed two pitchers over to Tink. "You've still got her for a little while longer. Let's head back, make it last."

Loading up the drinks in their hands they returned to the booth to find Regina had returned from the storage room. When they arrived she turned to them with an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I just got a call from my boss. She wants me to meet with another potential client and apparently they can only make room for me in an hour. So I'm afraid we'll have to cut lunch short."

Her tone was convincing; her story was plausible but as he looked in her eyes Robin only saw one thing. More lies.

"No!" whined Tink. "But you just got here!"

"I know, I'm sorry," said Regina. "But this is pretty urgent."

"How unfortunate," mumbled Robin, setting down the drinks. It took all his strength not to let his growing irritation color his tone. He tried to appear sympathetic as he asked her, "Do you need a ride?"

Regina nodded her head at him, clearly seeing through his mask. "Yes, I do."

XXXXX

Robin was fuming. That much was clear. She could see it in the clench of his jaw and his grip of the steering wheel. Could feel it in the weight of his silence and the absence of his gaze, the way he forced himself only to speak when spoken to and kept his eyes on the road, away from her.

They'd stayed at the bar a little while longer but still left sooner than anyone would've liked. It was hard to leave her friends behind, especially when they were so sad to see her go. After saying their goodbyes, they'd piled back into the Jeep with their boys. As soon as they were on the road Regina had directed him to Ramsett Park, an old playground they used frequent with the boys, thereby confirming that she'd lied to their friends again, not that he didn't already know that.

They pulled up, hopped out of the car and the boys ran ahead toward the open swings leaving their parents behind in the dust. With their buffers gone Robin turned to her with expectant eyes. "Okay, what are we really doing here?"

Regina sighed before answering. "An old friend of my father's got in contact with Snow. He said my father left something behind for me so I told him to meet up with me here."

He crossed his arms and let out a frustrated sigh. "When is he supposed to get here?"

"Ten, twenty minutes tops."

Robin nodded his head with a clenched jaw. "Alright then."

Without another word he turned from her and headed for the bench next to playground with Regina hurrying behind him, struggling in her wedges to keep up with his stride. They sat down on the bench together, Robin on one end, her on the other. The space between them finally taking physical form. For a while she allowed him to ignore her in favor of watching the boys but soon the silence became too much for her to bear.

"You're upset with me?" It was statement, not a question and they both knew it. Whatever Robin had been feeling towards her had been building all morning and frankly Regina was just ready for him to explode. "If there's something you'd like to say Robin, just say it," she ordered.

He angrily shook his head. "I just don't understand how you can do it so easily."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Do what?"

"Lie," he spat harshly. "You lie so damn easily, to me, to our friends and it is frightening. You sat with them as if nothing happened yesterday. As if you didn't have an armed gunmen following you there, as if everything wasn't ten steps away from shattering. You hid everything and you did it with a smile. And I am wondering how, after everything we've been through with you, you could've lied to us so easily and for so long."

His words fell over like a cloud of sulfur, making her cheeks grow hot and her eyes itch with unfallen tears. She could feel all his frustration, it sliced through her like bullets and she was hardly able to conceal the pain it caused. But it also sparked an indignant rage inside of her, one that burned and boiled at the idea that he could judge her so harshly and assume she felt so little.

"You think it's easy for me?" she asked, her voice deathly low and quivering as she leveled him with a glare. Her hands slid to the edge of the bench and gripped it tight trying to quell the emotion that was rising up inside of her. "After everything I've told you, you think it doesn't kill me on the inside to lie to their faces? To look in the eyes of everyone I love and know that they'll never know who I truly am? You think I take that lightly?! I don't!"

Her voice started to rise and she silently reminded herself that they were in public. "Just because I make it look easy Robin, doesn't mean that it is. I wish more than anything that I could be able to tell them the truth but I can't."

"Why not?" he asked in irritation. "What's holding you back this time? 'Cause it's clearly not your desire for safety."

"It's because I don't know what's going to happen next!" she snapped. "My mother has finally caught wind of me. I don't know how much longer I'll even have in this life. And if this was the last time I saw them… I didn't want it to be the day they found out I was a liar. I didn't want them to hate me."

She whispered the last sentence not realizing how true it was. If she never saw any of them again, she wanted to remember them as her friends, not as people she'd lied to and betrayed.

"They wouldn't hate you," said Robin softly, his anger muted by her outburst. "Telling them the truth wouldn't make them hate you."

"But it would change the way they see me," she stressed. "Can you honestly say that after all I've told you and all that you've seen, that you don't look at me any differently?"

He wanted to be able to refute her claims, to tell her that she was still the same person she'd always been for him… but then he'd be lying. Things had changed. He'd discovered a whole other side of her, an entire person that she'd kept locked away from him. A person he didn't feel he could trust like he used to. He'd promised her that things wouldn't change but they had. And now, even as she stared at him with wide, imploring eyes, he couldn't find the words to let her know that she still mattered just as much as she'd always had.

"Lover's quarrel?"

Their heads whipped back to find Snow, with one perfectly plucked eyebrow arched above her sunglasses, staring at them from behind the bench. Quickly, clearing her throat Regina stood from the bench and walked over to her. Bypassing any pleasantries, she only asked, "Did you find the park okay?"

Snow rolled her eyes before slipping off her sunglasses. "It's a city park Regina. Not the Temple of Doom. I used my G.P.S. and found it in ten minutes. I'm sure Archie will too."

She was sassing her but Regina could tell there was no fire behind it. One look at Snow's eyes told her that she'd slept only slightly better than she had last night.

"Who is Archie?" asked Robin, reminding them both of his presence.

"He's my father's old lawyer," answered Regina before turning back to Snow. "And is everything all set up?"

"Yes," said Snow nodding her head. "He knows to meet you by the picnic tables. I've already had Damien and two of my other guards set up shop there. They'll protect you if anything goes down."

Regina just nodded her head resignedly while Robin crossed his arms in response. "And you're certain this is safe for her?"

Snow turned to glare in his direction. "Certainly safer than the funeral you let her attend yesterday," she responded icily.

Regina's eyes widened at her comment. "Snow!"

"What?" she replied in mock innocence. "Just using it as a point of reference. That was a private event where your mother could've snatched you up at any minute. This time we're in a public place, with plenty of witnesses and guards that have your back and not hers. Safe as can be."

Robin rolled his eyes at the nonchalant way she listed their advantages. He still thought Regina was better off not meeting with this man at all. He felt it too risky but knew better than to think he had say in the matter. Not after his behavior this morning.

Not a minute later Regina spotted Archie approaching the picnic area with a small box and briefcase. He looked just as she'd remembered. Tall, redheaded and visibly nervous. He sat down at an open table and expectantly looked around the park.

"I suppose that's my cue," mumbled Regina, standing from the bench. Nervously wiping her palms against her thighs she turned to Robin. "Keep an eye on Henry?"

He wanted to grab her hand right then, drag her back to the car and drive away to never come back. But he couldn't do that. Instead he offered a supportive nod and replied, "Of course."

She nodded at him thankfully and took a deep breath, before turning to Snow. The younger woman offered her a look of encouragement before nodding her head. "You'll be fine," she promised.

"I know," said Regina softly. It was a lie but one she tried to force herself to believe.

Squaring her shoulders back she made her way over to the picnic tables. As she walked further away from her two friends each step she took caused her feet to grow heavier but still she pressed on. It wasn't long before she reached Archie's table causing him to look up at her in shock. "Regina?"

She nodded her head at him. "I heard you were looking for me."

XXXXX

As soon as Regina walked away from them Snow replaced her on the bench next to Robin, something neither of them were particularly happy about. Sitting so far away from him she was in danger of slipping off the edge, Snow sighed as she turned her attention to the playground. Henry hadn't noticed her arrival yet. He was too busy with his new friend and for that she was grateful. After last night, she was far too tired to come up with a lie to explain her sudden appearance in California. Sneaking a look at her bench partner, she saw Robin completely wrapped up in Regina. His eyes clearly hadn't left her since she'd walked away and he'd positioned his body in the direction of the picnic tables, as if ready to bolt toward her at any minute. The sight of him made a scoff fly from her throat.

"Relax boy wonder," she ordered, leaning back to cross her legs. "If she's in trouble she'll scream."

A light annoyed growl rumbled from the back of Robin's throat as he turned to face her. "Pardon me if I'm not as easygoing about this whole arrangement as you seem to be."

Snow only rolled her eyes in response and he narrowed his at her. "You don't like me very much do you?" he asked flatly.

She arched an eyebrow in his direction. "Well I don't exactly know you, now do I?" She turned her eyes back to the playground. "What I do know is that you allowed her to walk into that funeral and burn her whole life into ashes."

"You say 'allow' as if I had any control over the situation," Robin gritted out. "What was I supposed to do? Handcuff her to a pipe in my basement 'til it was over?"

"She'd be a hell of a lot safer if you had," deadpanned Snow.

It was Robin's turn to scoff as he shook his head at her blasé reaction to a suggested kidnapping. He supposed he could only expect as much from a girl who paid for men to follow her friends around.

"Whatever," she mumbled under her breath. "It's not like I'm here to punish you anyway. I just wanted to make sure she has everything she needs before I say goodbye to her."

Robin sent a curious glance her way. "Why? Are you going somewhere?"

She turned to glare at him with hard eyes. "I'm not. She is."

"What are you talking about?" he said narrowing his eyes at her.

Snow reared her head back as if shocked by his willful ignorance. "Oh my god. Do you really not see it?" She twisted her body to better face him. "Robin, she's going back on the run. And once she does we'll probably never see her again."

She said it so matter-of-factly he could almost swear she was talking about the weather, not the possibility of their friend disappearing from their lives. The realization came at him like bullets and he immediately put on his Kevlar vest of denial.

"That's not true," he replied automatically. "She wouldn't do that."

"She doesn't have a choice anymore," stressed Snow. "Cora has found her now and it's only a matter of time before she starts manipulating things to regain control of her life. The only option left is for her to disappear before she loses everything again."

"Or she could stay and fight," said Robin, his voice growing firm.

"With what resources?" scoffed Snow. "That woman, her mother, has all the money and power in the world compared to her. It would be a battle of David and Goliath proportions and she doesn't stand a chance."

"You know I might've slept through church as a child but I'm pretty sure David won that battle," he shot back.

"David had God on his side," pointed out Snow. "And in our case… Cora is the god."

Robin sighed as he leaned forward to place his elbows into his knees. Cora Mills. He'd heard so much about her these last few days. Regina practically trembled every time she was brought up, Snow certainly held no love her and from what little he'd seen of her there was nothing that he could possibly say that was flattering. "This woman… what can she really do?"

"Honestly… anything she wants," Snow answered solemnly. "She could have her blacklisted so she can't find work. Have her declared mentally ill to claim conservatorship over her finances. Or she can skip all that and have her thrown in the back of a white van."

"And you really think she's willing to do all that?"

"A woman who can sell off her daughter to a man more than twice her age is clearly willing to do anything," stated Snow resignedly.

"A man who just happens to be your father," ventured Robin.

Her eyes whipped toward him at that. "Don't remind me." Her voice was soft but her words were sharp with an anger Robin suspected she kept buried deeper than she realized. Obviously he'd struck a nerve with her.

The sound giggles called Snow's attention to the swing set and sorrow washed over her as she caught sight of Henry again. "What's best for her and what's best for Henry is to make sure Cora doesn't have the chance to get to them again and that requires for both of them to disappear."

She turned to Robin with a stern look in her eyes. "So I suggest you stop wasting time with whatever issues you have with her and start preparing your goodbyes. Make sure you don't leave anything unsaid."

They sat in silence after that. As far as Robin could tell there was nothing left for them to say to each other. Snow remained steadfast in her belief that Regina would choose to disappear, to leave everyone she knew behind and vanish without a trace. Though he didn't want to believe it was true the words she snapped at him rang in his ears.

I don't know how much longer I'll even have in this life!

His eyes went back to the picnic area where he saw her still sitting at the wooden tables across from the redheaded man she'd told him about. Could she really be thinking about leaving? And if she was, did he have any right to ask her to stay?


NEXT CHAPTER: Regina learns what her father left behind for her. Robin works up the courage to ask her not to run.

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