Notes: Alright so this is a really short update but one that needed to be done in order to follow up with the chapter that's yet to come. Sorry for the delay!

Locked Up

She needed to breathe, to let into her system all the air she could catch in until her lungs filled with the vital oxygen they needed to keep functioning and then to slowly let it out. In and then out, inhale and exhale… just as she has been doing since the moment she screamed her way into the world.

It was easier now that she was outside, that she was not choking behind a heavy curtain of smoke and ash as she has been doing inside the prison. Out there she was supposed to be okay, outside she was supposed to breath.

But the thing was that somehow, someway, being in the open and with the fresh breeze of a cloudless night swirling all around her was not helping like at all.

No, and she knew it was probably in her head, but instead of being able to do something that was supposed to be innate in her, what she was doing was asphixtiating, her throat too constricted to properly operate.

It was as if her body was rioting against her, shutting down, and it started with her throat closing up in such a way that the air was blocked from ever reaching her lungs and then it followed with her legs refusing to move…

"Regina, we need to keep going."

Doubling over as she felt the reassuring touch of Mal on her back, Regina shook her head because no, she couldn't go on. It was as if her feet were glued to the spot and as she stood there, staring at her hands as they rested over her knees for support, she couldn't help but to feel the need to turn around and get back inside the prison to make sure Robin was okay.

It was clear as day, what she needed to do… in fact, it was now easier to understand that she shouldn't have gone out in the first place, that she should have stayed with him.

But she didn't, and as cruel reminder of that, she couldn't stop staring at the way her hands were covered by his drying blood.

It was just everywhere, covering her knuckles, between her fingers… into her nails… and as she stared in a trance at her trembling hands, the grotesque image of a dying Robin laying on a pool of his own blood started to invade her psyche.

"I need to get back there." She said at last, the simple thought of getting back to Robin easing the vicious grip of anxiety around her throat. "I need to check on him."

"What the fuck, Regina? We finally got out and you actually want to go back in?"

As background noise, she heard Ruby say, only that she didn't put any kind of attention to her because in reality, she didn't matter, none of them did… just Robin and she left him bleeding out inside a building that was on fire.

What if he was not found on time, what if he bled to death or suffocated on the dense smoke taking over the prison?

"She's right Regina, we have to go now."

"I can't, Mal-" Straightening up so that she could look at her friend eye to eye, Regina blinked the moist out of her vision away. "I can't leave him there."

"Yes, you can, and you have to."

Sucking into the chilly breeze, Regina's gaze settled back on her hands… her mind swirling and rolling this way and another. Didn't the woman get it? Robin could die in there, and if he did, it would be her fault and she wouldn't be able to get over that.

"No."

"Yes, because if you go back there you won't ever come back out. You know this."

At Mal's reasoning, the dark-haired woman pursed her lips and curling her hands into fists, she swirled around and started to walk her way back; each step getting her closer to him…

They could all go without her, she didn't care, not at all. Not when Robin ended up like he did because of her; so if she got caught in order to make sure he was alright then so be it. She was willing to take the risk.

It was that way, decided, that she chose her destiny…

At least that was until someone grabbed her upper arm and pulled at her.

"You're going the wrong way."

Blinking one time and then a second one in somewhat of a daze, Regina moved her head to the side to take a look at the man that just grabbed her and was now pulling at her, making her stumble until she had no other choice than to move with him.

It took her a few seconds to react, to comprehend what was happening, what he was doing… but when it finally downed on her, instinct prompted her to yank back hard, using all her might to break free of his hold.

It was in vain though, as the man's grip on her was unyielding.

"Let me go." She demanded through gritted teeth and when he put zero attention to her, she propelled towards him and hit him as hard as she could on the shoulder.

"Really?" He said at last, taking off his riot helmet as he turned to her. "What the hell Regina?"

Forgetting for a moment where they were and how time was running against them, the brown-eyed soon to be fugitive closed her right hand into hard fist and without thinking it too much, she threw a wild punch at him. It landed right besides his ear and by the way he cringed and cussed out loud, she was going to assume it hurt.

Good… she thought, ignoring the fact that this was a man she has one considered a friend. Maybe even more, long ago

"You fucking asshole, you shot him!"

Lifting a hand to the abused spot, the man she now knew to be Graham hissed. "The guard who was going shoot us all? Fuck yeah I did, now get in the van and stop making such a scene."

With that said, he grabbed for her again, this time pulling harder.

"No… wait…" She yelped… actually, it was more of a desperate sob, and it escaped from the deepest part of her being as she was trying to hold her ground.

But Graham was stronger and the gravel covering the back parking lot of the prison wasn't helping her maintain a good footing…

"Regina, please, we don't have much time." Mal pleaded as Graham dragged her along and she fought tooth and nails against him.

Now yes, deep in her mind she was aware that they were right and that she needed to let go and keep on with the plan… but at the same time she couldn't get off her mind the image of Robin hurt and all alone because of her.

It was stupid what she was trying to do, true… and it wasn't like she wanted to go back to him with the false illusion that they could end up being together because she was well aware that such a thing was not going to happen. He was a prison guard and she an inmate so no, even if she ended up staying in that prison, whatever it was that was going on between them was doomed to crumble into nothingness at some point; but if only she could help him get on his feet so that he could go and find help… if only she could make sure he was going to be okay.

"Come on Gina, you are going to make us all get caught so stop being so selfish. Think on Mal's daughter." Ruby added to the argument, her voice edging in desperation.

As if being thrown an icy-cold bucket of water over her head, Regina tensed and stopped fighting, her eyes automatically going to the tall blonde standing next to the van that was supposed to get then out of there. She was looking back at her expectantly, her eyes huge as plates because yes, somewhere outside the prison walls, Zelena has managed to find the woman's daughter and they were all waiting for them to get out.

The plan was perfectly laid out for the encounter to happen and then so that they could all get a new beginning far from there… but she was ruining it for the rest of them.

That right there was enough to at least make her hesitate on her intentions of going back to Robin.

But then, as her mind engaged in a hard battle of what to do, the clear clicking sound of a gun being clocked drilled into her brain and her attention was suddenly compromised elsewhere.

"Yup, Lucas is right… you sure as hell made all of you get caught so why don't you play nice and lay on the ground for me. You too big guy."

And shit…

Puffing out a breath as soon as she recognized the voice and then saw none other than Emma Swan standing several feet from where she was and with a gun pointed at them, Regina closed her eyes momentarily… trying to think fast…

"You're a fucking cop?" Ruby spat.

"Yeah, I know, surprise surprise uh?"

Somewhere behind her, Regina heard Mal make a strangle whimper, the sound coming off between a sob and a chuckle and she could just imagine all the thoughts going through her mind; especially after the hell Swan put them all through so that she could get her precious info.

"Now get down before I shot you all."

"Nah, why don't you put the gun down before I blow your head off, I like that ever better…"

Opening her eyes wide and with her heart beating frantically inside her chest, Regina watched as both Graham and Emma were aiming at each other, neither one giving an inch.

It felt surreal… a scene from a shitty movie where everything went from bad to worse. She wasn't sure of what to do or even think so once again, she remained frozen in her spot.

Everything that happened from then on went by as if in slow motion; she could hear everyone's back and forth banter but she didn't know what they were saying, and out of the corner of her eye she could see Mal and Ruby getting down to their knees, hands in the air as they motioned for her to do the same, but the reality of it all was all distorted in her eyes.

It was all a jumble of images swirling in her mind; the shock in Robin's eyes as he realized he has been hit, her sister waiting for news of this escape plan… the menace of Gold always lurking around, and now Emma ruining it all.

"Get down on the ground, Mills, I'm not playing any games here." Emma said without even looking at her, she was focused purely on Graham.

"She's not doing anything you say."

"Robin is hurt… send him help and I'll do whatever you want."

"The hell you are." Graham hissed, but Regina was intently weighting Emma's reaction, from the way her eyes flickered to the way her jaw clenched hard.

"Send him help and let them go… and I'll give you want you want, Gold."

Clutching hard at her gun, Emma shook her head and pursed her lips almost angrily, her eyes narrowing as if she was trying to focus on her target, which at the moment seemed to be Graham.

The look on the Federal Agent's face was intense, unyielding, so without blinking and holding her breath, Regina waited for the worse to happen. She was going to shot, and since Graham took off his helmet, the impact was going to end him and yes, he would definitely fall but not before firing his own round of bullets that were definitely going to hit Emma.

It was a no-win situation…

But then, groaning out loud, Swan put the gun down. "Motherfucker… ugh, I so fucking hate you. Okay, I want Gold, so what do you have to give, is it the pen-drive?"

Feeling like she was able to breathe a little better now that Emma was willing to negotiate, Regina felt the pressure crushing her chest ease some. "First make sure Robin gets help. He's bleeding out by the main corridor."

"Tell me about the pen-drive first."

"No. Robin first because trust me, he dies and you'll get nothing. He's the one who knows where it is."

Groaning again, Emma stomped her feet to the ground and cussed some more, but then she was radioing someone. Telling them about an officer down and then the distorted voices replying said they were on their way.

Listening to the exchange made Regina realize that she was shaking, that as she waited for them to reply, her whole body seemed to be overcome by a bad case of it and that her legs felt about to give in; but still, she stood her ground.

"They will get into the van now, and they will go." She told Emma firmly, and even though the blonde didn't look happy, she didn't object. "Go." She motioned Ruby and Mal, wanting to seize the chance.

"No, nobody is going anywhere without you. You are coming with us so get in, I'll handle this one." Graham said, lifting the rifle back again and aiming for Emma.

"Really, I go out of my way being nice and give those three the chance to go and Mr. Macho Man wants more? you are making me change my mind here, Mills."

Snarling her lips, Regina stepped right in between the rifle and the agent, facing Graham, her eyes hard on him. She was still fuming about the fact he shot Robin and she was not going to let him keep messing things up. "Don't be stupid and go!"

"Regina-" He started to say and for a second, she remembered the man as he has been with her before, how they have been with each other when their goal was to take Gold down, at least until the whole thing with her being arrested drove them apart…

"Just go Graham, and tell Zelena I'm sorry."

Swallowing hard down and fixing his eyes on her for a moment, he nodded. Then, he was making it into the van.

Regina just watched them, biting hard on her lips and locking eyes with Mal one last time.

"We got him, Swan, but we need an ambulance asap, we are requesting it right now." Came the voice from Emma's radio and despite the fact that the door to the vehicle closed and the engine turned on, Regina blew out a breath in relief.

It wasn't much, what she heard, but it was enough for her to hang on for a little while because at least he was alive and help was on the way.

"Copy that. What's his status?" The Federal Agent asked and turning around, Regina looked at her expectantly.

"He lost a lot of blood, but he's responsive… for now. Where are you?"

Twisting her lips, Emma tapped her fingers to the radio and looked at Regina. She looked at her for several seconds without answering the man who apparently was with Robin.

"You say Locksley has the pen-drive, but how do I make sure he gives it to me."

Knowing that most likely than not, Robin was not going to give the pen-drive to the woman unless she told him it was okay to do so, Regina sucked in a breath, once again thinking.

She was probably not going to see Robin in a very long time if not ever so it wasn't like she could tell him, and that was a very important detail to consider, so with that in mind she went with what she had, with what she hoped would work.

"Tell him… I said it's okay, that he was right. And if that doesn't work tell him I said thanks for the skittles."

"Skittles, really?"

"He'll get it."

Emma hummed, looking up to the skies. "I owe you one, Mills, as much as it pains me to admit it; so I'm going to give you two hours to disappear. After that I will hunt you down myself and if I get you, I'll beat the shit out of you just for annoying me so much. Now get the fuck out of here before I regret this."

With the implications of Emma's words drilling into her brain, Regina's eyes widened…

"Oh, and if you are lying about this pen-drive… I'll kill Locksley myself."

With that said, Emma turned around and left, talking on the radio and leaving her a way out of that rat hole after all.

It took her almost ten seconds to react, and she only did it because Mal opened the back door of the van and called her over.

When she finally moved, she did it by running towards the car, half expecting to get shot by her intent.

But she wasn't, she was able to move undisturbed, each step taking her finally closer to her freedom, the same one she has been trying to obtain for almost a year.

And now it was there… at reach.

Once she jumped in, Ruby closed the door behind her back and feeling the weight of everything that just happened fall on her, Regina lay flat on her back, her hands covering her face.

"You stupid fucker, you do that again and I'll kick you in the face." Mal said but differing greatly from her words, she grabbed her shoulders to lift her up.

That way, she hugged her, laughing in her ear because yes, they were finally free. As for Regina, she was sure if she should laugh along or just cry…

TBC