It was raining heavily at Storybrooke High School, but that hadn't deterred Zelena. She was standing behind the school gym, holding a black umbrella which shielded her from the downpour. When she heard footsteps, Zelena turned to see Mrs. Nolan approaching her. She was holding an umbrella over her head as well, though hers was dark red in color.
"Morning," said Zelena as a way of greeting. Mrs Nolan did not look happy.
"How many times do I have to tell you?" Mrs. Nolan said in response. "You can't keep summoning me places as if I work for you."
Zelena arched an eyebrow. "And yet, here you are."
"What do you want, Zelena?"
"I thought I made that clear several months ago at the toll bridge," Zelena replied. "We're reaching the end of the school year, and that means the final exams are coming up. I take it that you, as one of our teachers, have access to the questions and answers that'll be in the exams."
Mrs. Nolan rolled her eyes. "You do I know."
"Yes," Zelena said with a smile. "So, what you're going to do is get those answers, copy them onto a digital form, put the files onto a thumbdrive, and give it to me. As I said once before, I fully intend to pass these exams with flying colors."
"And as I have said, you would pass the exams if you dedicated more time to studying!" said Mrs. Nolan in exasperation, looking at Zelena with stern eyes.
Zelena scoffed. "I study enough as it is, and I'm still failing Math. Not to mention that I'm also the student council president. I have too much on my plate! If I were to study even more than I normally do, I'd never sleep!"
"Well," Mrs. Nolan murmured, her voice becoming soft, "if it means that much to you, why don't you step down from the student council and let someone else become president?"
Zelena stared wide-eyed, as though Mrs. Nolan had lost her mind. Then, she shook her head slowly.
"You're not getting it," she uttered. "I can get good grades and remain student council president, so long as you give me those files."
Mrs. Nolan sighed, looking away from Zelena before she spoke. "No, Zelena. If you think I'm going to let myself be blackmailed by a student, then you have another thing coming."
"Alright then," Zelena said with a shrug. "I guess that means you must want me to tell Mr. Nolan about your little escapade with Whale. I'm sure he'd love to know the truth, and I'm sure it'd just save your marriage..." She cast her eyes downwards to look at Mrs. Nolan's belly, which was swollen with pregnancy. "Do you even know who the father is?"
"How dare you?!"
Mrs. Nolan, red-faced, swung out a hand which struck Zelena's face. Zelena staggered back, putting a hand to her cheek, as a sudden memory of her alcoholic father slapping her flashed in her mind. No, he's not my father. When she was sure that the tears in her eyes were going away, Zelena lifted her head to look at Mrs. Nolan, who appeared to be regretting her actions immediately.
"You're gonna pay for that," Zelena growled. Mrs Nolan's fearful expression returned to one of anger.
"Who do you think my husband is going to believe?!" she barked. "His true love, or some evil little bitch?!"
Zelena tilted her head to the side, so that Mrs. Nolan could see that a mark was already forming on her cheek.
"Who do you think the principal is gonna believe when I tell him you assaulted me?" said Zelena. "The student council president and Gold class student, or some miserable teacher who has decided to cheat on another teacher with another teacher? Talk about being a bad role model."
Mrs. Nolan at least had the decency to look down at her shoes with a look of shame upon her face, as though she was on the verge of bursting into tears.
"Do whatever you want," Mrs. Nolan said, after a silence that had seemed to stretch on for a lifetime. "But I refuse to stoop any lower than I have in the past. You're right. I've made mistakes. I cheated on my husband with another man. Just now, I physically assaulted you. No more. I'm taking my life back, and that starts with telling you the two words I've been wanting to share with you for nine months."
"Oh? And what two words are they?" asked Zelena, glaring at her. Mrs Nolan stepped forward so that their umbrellas touched, and then she leaned forward so that there was no mishearing her words.
"Fuck off."
Without another word, Mrs. Nolan turned away from her and calmly walked away, leaving Zelena seething with immense fury.
By the time Robin had arrived at the Mills residence, Regina was already cooking.
"Hey babe," she said when he entered the kitchen.
"What's cooking?" Robin wanted to know.
"I thought I'd have a crack at making lasagna," replied Regina with a shrug. "I've almost finished making it."
Robin frowned. "But, shouldn't you be resting? Remember what Dr. Sheffield said. You need to be resting more often, instead of being on your feet for so long. Especially since we're expecting so soon."
With a smile, Regina looked down at her pregnant belly.
"I'm fine, really," Regina said, looking over at Robin. "I've just been bored, that's all. Resting is great for a while, but then the boredom kicks in, and I have nothing to do. You and Dad have been so good in supporting me throughout this year, so I thought I'd try and give something in return."
"Have you heard anything from your father recently?" asked Robin, taking a seat on one of the kitchen stools.
"He'll be working late tonight, but I told him I'd save some lasagna for him."
Robin nodded. "Did you still want to visit the cemetery this week?"
"Uhh, I'm not sure. When was the last time I visited?"
"You don't remember? It was three weeks ago."
Regina let out a sigh. "Look, I know I said that I would, but I mean... Mother's been gone for almost nine months now. I think it's time for me to move on with this next chapter of my life. After all, I have so much to look forward to and be happy about."
She put a hand on her belly, and Robin smiled. "What about Zelena? Is she coming back here tonight?"
"I think so," said Regina. "She hasn't made any plans as far as I know. Why do you ask?"
Robin gave a shrug. "I don't know. It's just... I don't really like being here when she's here."
"This again?" Regina muttered. "Look, you don't have to like Zelena, but I don't see why you two can't just get along. I spoke to Zelena a few days ago, and she promised to be nice to you from now on, okay?"
"I don't understand how you can trust a single word she says," said Robin. "After what she did, sneaking that stuff into my bag"
"Robin, enough. We've been through this. Zelena isn't perfect, but she's my friend and, for the time being, she's living here. Besides, she's been a big help while you and Dad aren't here. Without her, I'd still be stuck making that stupid cot from Ikea."
"Sniglar?" Robin said, suppressing a smile. Regina looked at him with pretend annoyance before giving in, laughing while she placed the lasagna into the oven. Then, one of Robin's pockets vibrated. When he pulled out his phone and looked at the number, however, the urge to smile left Robin immediately.
"Who is it?" Regina asked.
"Work," replied Robin. He stood up and, as he answered the phone call, walked out of the kitchen. "Hello?"
"Hey Robin," a female voice responded. "Care to explain to me just what the hell is going on?"
"Look, um, now isn't a good time," Robin said. "I'm at Regina's house at the moment and–"
"Any time I choose is a good time, you understand me? Now, where is the ring you promised me?"
Robin sighed. "I'll get it for you, today. I promise, alright? It's just that I was busy yesterday."
"I don't care about your excuses, Locksley. Meet me tonight at the back of Granny's Diner at 8pm sharp, and bring the ring."
Before Robin could give a response, the caller hung up. After taking a few deep breaths, Robin walked back through the kitchen, past Regina.
"What's happening?" she asked. "What did Granny say?"
"Just that I have a shift tonight at 8pm," said Robin, not stopping. Regina frowned.
"Crap! I thought you had Wednesday nights off! We were going to have dinner together and everything."
"We can still have dinner before I go," Robin replied, before disappearing up the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Regina wanted to know.
"To the bathroom!" Robin called out. When Regina didn't respond, he moved down the upstairs hallway, walking past the bathroom and stepping into the master bedroom. Closing the door as carefully as possible so that he wouldn't be heard, Robin crept over the large chest of drawers and opened one. Within, there was a vast selection of jewelry and trinkets that had belonged to Regina's mom when she was alive. Robin's eyes scanned the sparkling metals and gemstones, before they settled upon a gold ring adorned with a large ruby that was framed by smaller but no less sparkling diamonds. Robin scooped it out of the drawer and tucked it into his back pocket, before closing the drawer and sneaking out of the master bedroom as quietly as he had entered. Then, he entered the bathroom and flushed the toilet for Regina to hear. After pretending to wash his hands, Robin went back downstairs and walked into the living room, where Regina was now reclining on one of the sofas, watching TV while rubbing her pregnant belly absent-mindedly. Robin sat down next to Regina, putting an arm around her and kissing her on the cheek.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I wish I didn't have to go anywhere tonight."
"It's alright," said Regina. "You have to work, I understand that. Money is money, even if the owner of Granny's Diner runs the place like a labor camp, and we'll need every last dollar if we still want to buy our own home."
Robin nodded. "I'll have enough money for a house soon. Then, it'll just be me, you, and our beautiful child."
When Zelena entered the front office, the receptionist working there glanced at her, looking as though she was about to roll her eyes, before taking in the sight of the mark on Zelena's cheek.
"Zelena," the receptionist said. "What happened to your face?"
"I've just been slapped by a teacher," replied Zelena. "I'd like to speak to the principal."
The receptionist rose from her seat, hurried over to the principal's office, and knocked on the door. When the door opened, the receptionist said.
"Zelena Green here you see you. She says a teacher slapped her across the face."
Only when the receptionist moved out of the way did Zelena see the principal in his office. He looked to be in his sixties, with short white hair and a lined face adorned with a pair of sharp blue eyes. This new principal, Mr. Spencer, had taken over the position from Mrs. Mills about nine months ago. Back when Mr. Spencer was the vice principal, Zelena had scarcely paid much attention to him. He showed all the signs of being just another member of staff who did their best to remain on Cora's good side. But with her gone, Mr. Spencer had room to grow, and become a principal who was feared and respected in his own right.
"Miss Green," he said formally. "Come in."
Zelena did so, closing the office door behind her. The furniture in the principal's office hadn't changed at all, and Mr. Spencer sat on a comfortable chair on a desk of dark polished wood. When she sat down on the seat on the opposite side of the desk, his eyes regarded the mark on her face.
"You say a teacher did this to you?" His tone was flat, and unsympathetic.
"Yes," Zelena said, nodding. "It was Mrs. Nolan who did it, during the lunch break."
Mr. Spencer leaned forward in his seat. "Why would she do something like that?"
"I had decided to approach Mrs. Nolan, so that I could confront her about her little secret," explained Zelena. "You see, she has been having an affair with Mr. Whale, the science teacher. When I asked if she knew for sure who the father of her baby was, she slapped me."
"Mrs. Nolan... has been cheating on Mr. Nolan, with Mr. Whale?" said Mr. Spencer.
"That's right," replied Zelena. Something glinted in Mr. Spencer's eyes at that. It almost seemed to read as triumph.
"Well, thank you for telling me about this," he said. "I'll call Mrs. Nolan in now, and have a word with her."
Zelena frowned. "Should I go back to class?"
"No," said Mr. Spencer, "you will stay here."
The principal picked up a telephone and dialed a number, before holding the phone to his ear.
"Hello, Mrs. Nolan, I was wondering if you could come see me in my office. Yes, I know you have a class. I wouldn't be calling if it wasn't important. Okay. Thank you."
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the office door, and Mrs. Nolan was beckoned inside. When Zelena locked eyes with her, she could feel the resentment from Mrs. Nolan, as she took the seat beside Zelena's.
"Thanks again for coming," said Mr. Spencer. "Miss Green here has just told me that you slapped her after she confronted you about having an affair with Mr. Whale. Is any of this true?"
Mrs. Nolan hesitated, her hands clutching the arms of her chair. "Yes, it's true."
"You understand that assaulting a student and having sexual relations with another teacher on school grounds is against the law?"
"Yes, sir."
"And yet you did both of them anyway."
"Yes, sir," said Mrs. Nolan quietly. "If I may, I'd just like to say that I never would have touched Zelena if this pregnancy wasn't screwing up my hormones like crazy. You know me, Mr. Spencer, and you know that I'm not a violent person."
"I don't know anything about you outside of the workplace," replied Mr. Spencer, "and, as for your supposedly 'screwed-up' hormones... well, that doesn't excuse a damn thing. You chose to get pregnant, and still you chose to keep working here."
Mrs. Nolan frowned at him. "Only because you refused to let me have pregnancy leave."
"Well, it's become obvious that that was a bad decision," Mr. Spencer said. "I think, Mrs. Nolan, that you will be going on stress leave indefinitely."
"Indefinitely?" gasped Mrs. Nolan. "How long do you mean by that?"
"Let's just say that you should get used to being a stay-at-home mom."
Mrs. Nolan's hands curled into fists. She cast a side glance towards Zelena, before looking back at Mr. Spencer.
"Is... is this because I refused to have dinner with you last year?"
For the first time, Zelena saw anger on Mr. Spencer's face. The expression was fleeting, disappearing as soon as it had appeared, but it caused Zelena to sink into her chair slightly.
"Of course not," he said. "Don't be ridiculous. Now get out of my office, pack your things, and leave the school. Do not return until I say otherwise. Oh, and your leave will be without pay."
Mrs. Nolan rose from her seat suddenly. "You can't just–"
"Leave!" Mr. Spencer snapped. "Or do I need to call the police?"
With tears dancing in her eyes, Mrs. Nolan stared down at the principal for a moment, before turning and storming out of the office.
"Well," Zelena muttered. "That was... intense."
"Go back to class," replied Mr. Spencer without looking at her, "and don't ever repeat what you just heard."
Zelena stood up, collecting her schoolbag from the floor, and quickly walked out of the principal's office.
After a long day of clouds and rain, the sky had cleared up when the sun set and night fell. The moon was large and full over Storybrooke as Robin made his way to Granny's Diner. He was not feeling good about this at all. While he walked on the sidewalk, dodging large puddles that had formed from the day's downpour, an immense feeling of guilt gave a tightening sensation in Robin's chest. Here he was, making his way to sell a ring that he had stolen from the bedroom of his girlfriend's dead mother. Robin had never felt more like scum than he did now. When he arrived at Granny's Diner, illuminated for the customers who often had dinner there, Robin walked around to the back of the building where nobody could see what was about to go down. He waited behind the diner for at least five minutes, until a girl's voice spoke.
"Oh, good. You made it this time."
Robin turned to face a girl around his age. There were red highlights through her dark hair and, beneath the full moon, her pale skin almost shone.
"Hello, Ruby," he said, his voice dull and unenthusiastic.
"Do you have something for me?" Ruby asked expectantly, holding out her hand. Robin reached into his back pocket and pulled out the ring before dropping it into Ruby's open hand.
"Oh my god," she whispered, holding the ring up to her face for a closer look as it shimmered beneath the moonlight. "I've wanted this ring ever since I saw Mrs. Mills wearing it at an assembly at the beginning of the year. Now that she's dead, she won't be needing it anymore."
"I've given you what you want," muttered Robin. "Now do you have what I need?"
Ruby smirked, before reaching into her red handbag and withdrawing a bundle of cash, held together with an elastic band.
"There you say," said Ruby, handing the money to Robin. "Go buy yourself something nice with it."
"I'm not just going to spend this on crap," Robin told her. "This is for me and Regina. For our future."
"Good for you," Ruby scoffed. "Although it seems pretty pointless if you ask me, since her dad is obviously filthy rich. What are you going to say when one of them discovers that the ring is missing?"
Robin shrugged. "Honestly, I haven't thought that far ahead."
"What does Regina think you're doing?" asked Ruby. "Where does she think you are, right now?"
"I told her that I've been doing nightly shifts at Granny's," replied Robin, tucking the money away in his jacket.
"Ahh, I see. Guess she wouldn't take it so well if she learned that her boyfriend was a thief. Regina always did seem to have a stick up her ass."
"Don't talk that way about her," Robin said. "It's not as if Dorothy is perfect. She just stood by and watched while her dog tried to bite Regina's face off."
"I never said that Dorothy was perfect," Ruby said. "But, at least we're honest with each other."
"Good for you," Robin said bitterly. As he turned around to walk away, Ruby said,
"You're good at this, you know. Being a thief. I'll call you if I have anything else for you to steal."
"Well, you have my phone number." And, without another word, Robin left Ruby standing in the darkness behind the diner.
Meanwhile, back at the Mills household, Regina was putting the leftover lasagna onto a dinner plate so she could keep it in the fridge for later, when she suddenly gasped. Stepping back from the kitchen counter, Regina put a hand on her belly. When she felt something wet trickling down her legs, Regina grabbed her phone and frantically called Robin's number.
"Hello?"
"Robin, it's me!" she responded, her breathing becoming heavy.
"Regina?" Concern crept into his voice. "What's going on?"
"It's the baby!" Regina told him, her own voice urgent. "The baby's coming!"
"Oh shit. I'll be right there. Just breathe, Regina. Calm down and breathe."
"Please, hurry!" said Regina, before grunting and clutching her belly. "For God's sake, be quick! It's coming!"