The cool fall air of the night drifted down Rob's neck and brought a chill to his skin. With his arms full of dry branches and wood, he filled two barrels. The work was good for him to get his anger out. The slamming of his ax on wood calmed him. The stomp of his foot breaking branches allowed him to expel his emotions.

The barrels slowly filled as he filled them. In the morning, the time would come to light them. In the last week since he faced Regina, he'd been on edge. He'd watched the video and—more than once—had wakened in the middle of the night with those images.

His own guilt and regret hounded him and disrupted his nights. Her words in his head echoed in the silence. "That night was the first time in years I felt something during sex." He'd been too afraid to focus on that. How could she feel anything when he'd given her little choice? He'd led her into bed, and he'd taken.

Clenching his jaw, he shoved his freezing hands in his coat. Forcing himself to clear his mind, he walked back to the house. He wasn't ready to dissect his feelings on the matter. He'd put his heart on the line, again. That had been his M.O. Putting his heart on the line for her was becoming mundane.

When was he going to learn? He'd have to pick a different tactic if he meant to have her.

He respected her enough to give her time. There wasn't a thing he knew about overcoming that kind of trauma. He was scared to touch her the night in Maggie's kitchen. To feel her tense under his hands had been a new experience.

Inside the house, he shook out of his coat and went to warm himself by the fire in the hearth. Rubbing his palms together, he let the fire take away the cold. When he felt warm, he stepped out his boots and locked up for the night. He missed the nights when he took Roland to bed.

He missed him when he wasn't here. He missed reading to him. He missed watching his eyes—that matched Regina's—close as he drifted into sleep. During his fall break, he had four days with him. Roland cared for Parker, the cat that was growing.

They'd worked with boulder together. They worked together, played together, and he helped Roland carve a pumpkin. The pumpkin still sat in the window with Spiderman's face lit up from the candle inside. Before he went to bed, each night since he went home, he talked to him on the phone. Only tonight they hadn't called.

In the den, he forced himself to work. He didn't want to think about this awkward schedule. Could he live his life like this? Living half a life with his son and wondering what he was doing with the rest of his time? He yearned to have him sit on his lap and hear him chatter about his day.

His heart longed for him now feeling the isolation of his house. It seemed emptier on days he was away. The yearning for Regina was something stronger, fiercer. Closing his eyes, Rob brought the image of her into his mind. Her eyes, her smile. No, he mused. He wouldn't be able to live his life without her. Without their son.

As he pulled up a file, he made a promise to himself. He wouldn't give up this time. He wouldn't live half a life. Focusing on work, he tried to keep her out of his mind. She'd be there in the morning and he'd deal with what was between them.

…

Frustrated by their late departure, Regina drove in silence. Roland pouted in the backseat. They fought all morning and she'd had enough. He wanted to go to Rob's, and she told him he couldn't. Dropping him off at school, she waited for him to get out. "Have a good day."

"I won't." He opened the door.

"Roland." His eyes met hers. "I love you."

Setting his jaw, in a gesture like her own, he nodded and closed the door. She watched him walk into the building and pulled out onto the road. She hated letting him down. Seeing how upset he was about not seeing Rob made her ache.

This wasn't a situation that she wanted her son to be a part of. Her trunk was full of the journals and flash drives. She was ready to burn them. To burn the past and figure out how to move forward. Her feelings were just out of reach. She wasn't sure which one to cling to at any moment.

As she pulled up into Rob's drive forty minutes later, the emotion she clung to was a disappointment. She'd disappointed her son and hated it. Turning off the engine, she stepped out and knocked on the door. After waiting a few minutes, she knocked again.

Annoyance played at her when he still didn't answer. Glancing down at her heels, she rolled her eyes. Walking around the ranch would be a challenge. Walking around the back, she saw the kitchen door was open. Stepping inside she called out for him.

Hearing water running upstairs, she decided to make coffee. Set to her task, she pulled out the beans and ran them through the grinder. When she set up the pot to brew, she opened the fridge to see he was out of milk. Frowning, she observed he was out of more than just milk. In the cupboards, she found a powder that was almost past the expiration date.

It would have to do, she decided. When she poured her cup, she heard steps on the stairs. As he rounded the corner, he jolted. "Shit." He staggered back a few steps. "You scared the shit out of me." His face was pale then flooded with temper.

"I'm sorry. I knocked but you didn't answer. I walked around the back." He seemed to have settled. "Coffee?" Pouring the second cup, she set it on the counter. "You don't have milk."

"I know," he said taking the cup. "This'll do." He poured in the powder and used a spoon to mix it in. By his grimace, she knew it didn't taste the same.

"You're out of more than milk," she commented.

Irritation in his eyes, he leaned against the counter. "I haven't had time to shop." He watched her while her stomach tightened. His hair was getting long, his face had a few days of stubble, and his frown told her he was having a bad morning. "Roland eats a lot."

His face looked tense. Her fingers trailed along the line at his brow. "Long morning?"

His shoulder shifted. "Not especially." He made no move to touch her, so she eased away.

Regina finished her coffee and set it in the sink. "Roland is angry with me."

"Why?" He set his cup aside.

"He wanted to come, and I made him go to school. I'm the worst mom ever," she imitated him.

Rob's lips twitched. "How horrible of you to make him go to school," he said dryly. "Whatever do we do?"

Crossing her arms, she smirked. "You're as sarcastic as he is."

"It's in the blood," he teased. His lips curved a little. "Come on, I'll help you get the stuff out of the trunk."

"Okay." She followed him outside and took one of the boxes. They carried them to the two barrels in the backyard. They were full of dried leaves and branches. "I thought I'd feel differently."

They worked to set the drives and journals on top of the wood. "How do you feel?"

"I'm not sure," she said fidgeting with the skirt of her dress. "On one hand, I never want anyone to see these." She threw the last two in the flames as they kicked to life. Dancing along the wood, paper, and leaves, the orange and yellow swirled with the red. The fire ate the paper in moments.

"The other?" He slid his hands in his pockets and stepped beside her.

"I thought it would feel like closure. It doesn't." She hugged herself as she watched the flames. "How does it feel to burn your journals?"

She glanced at him. He stared at the flames and turned to her. "It feels right. That chapter is over." He reached down and took her hand. "You know what was trapped inside of me. That's enough."

Her fingers linked with his and held. "We have to talk about this sometime, Rob. You've been avoiding it."

"I haven't avoided it," he grumbled. "It's not easy to discuss."

"I know," she squeezed his hand. Letting go, she turned. "You have a habit of telling me how you feel about me, but you won't even talk about the most intimate parts."

His eyes lit with fire. "Don't push me, Regina." Closing his eyes, he shook his head. "I can't stop thinking about it. I wake seeing it. Hearing you cry. Seeing fear and panic in your eyes. What do you think that does to me?" His jaw ticked. "I didn't want to watch the god damn video. Now, they're in the fire where they belong."

"Rob…"

He took a step back. "Let me finish." She crossed her arms and waited. "As painful as it was to see it, I'm thankful that I did." His fingers raked through his hair. "You should be angry with the way I treated you when we got into bed."

"Robin." Her voice was stern. The look of searing anger kept her silent.

"I said, let me finish." He paced in the dirt as the flames continued to roar in the barrels. The flicker of branches breaking echoed in the air. "I put you in that bed and I put my hands on you. I marked your skin and I hurt you." There was grief in his eyes. "Then, I tossed you aside because I was pissed. How could you forgive me for that?"

Her back stiffened. Yes, he had wrapped his hands around her throat and scared her. It scared her at the time. Later, she realized that it had been an act of anger, of pain. When he'd maneuvered her into bed, she hadn't thought about it. He'd led her along and she'd felt pleasure. More than she could remember in all the years she was forced to lie with men.

Seeing him now, grief-stricken, it hurt. "You scared me that night when you grabbed me." His eyes flashed. "But I understood the pain I'd caused. I trusted you, Rob. You'd never really hurt me. I knew that."

"I did hurt you," he pointed out. "I didn't give a damn. Now, I hate myself for it."

Looking out at the leaves changing colors, the sky a dusty orange, she calmed herself. "I can't tell you how to feel about it. But I don't hold it against you."

He raised his voice. "I punished you. I meant to. God, I'm just like him."

Having heard enough, she stepped to him and took his face in her hands. "No, you're not. Don't say that."

"I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry." He reached up and with shaking hands took hers.

"You didn't know," she whispered. "It's over. I can rest easy knowing it is over and I won't ever have to worry about it again."

He rested his brow to hers. "How can you forgive me for that? I can't forgive myself. Not after everything."

She pushed him back to look in her eyes. "I forgave you a few days later," she said honestly. "It took me that long to process." Her arms snaked around his neck. "I knew I hurt you. I'm sorry, Robin." She touched her lips to his. "You're an amazing father."

His hands hung at his sides unwilling to touch her and it was frustrating. "I'm trying." Reaching down, she pulled his arms around her and he finally held her to him. "Wait." He tried to release her, but she fixed him with a look.

"I won't break."

"I know, I just…" He paused. "I'm terrified of touching you," he confessed.

"Don't be. I'm still me. Don't treat me like glass." Her eyes burned.

"You're precious, like glass," he said when she tightened her arms around him. His thumb brushed over her lips. His eyes filled. "I'll never hurt you again. I swear it."

"I trust you," she whispered against his mouth. "Take me to bed."

He jolted and stepped back abruptly. "What?"

"You heard me." She took a step forward and he retreated. "I want you to touch me. To show me that sex isn't always dirty." She touched her lips to his when he stood rigidly. "Make love to me."

"No." He shook his head. "I can't," he whispered. "I can't touch you now when I have this inside of me." Gingerly, he took her shoulders. "I love you, Regina." He brushed his lips over hers. "It's not the time."

Not taking no for an answer, she wound her arms around him. Her lips pressed to his neck and felt him shudder. "It's time." Her hands slid beneath his shirt and up his back. Scared and unsure, she closed her mouth over his neck where his pulse beat erratically.

"Regina," he groaned. He tried but failed to push her away. Her lips worked over his skin. "Wait," he said weakly as her hands reached for his belt. Her fingers didn't hesitate as she released the buckle and unbuttoned his jeans.

"Touch me. It's okay." She guided his hands to her breasts and felt her nipples go taut under her dress. He was more than apprehensive; she could feel it. Slowly, she began to take steps forward and guided him back toward the house.

Her mouth toyed with his and saw his eyes cloud with arousal. "This isn't a good idea," he said between kisses. His green eyes were deep as the sea and full of storms. When they reached the steps, he stopped. Her smell was intoxicating.

Regina smiled. "Take me." She went up the steps and pulled him with her. "Don't make me beg." Her eyes turned misty as he followed her into the house. She pushed the door closed to ward off the cold. Her mouth secured over his and they sank.

They took slow steps toward the couch and stopped in front of it. "Are you sure?" His hands were now holding her securely to his chest. She could feel his arousal against her.

"Yes, I'm sure." She felt nerves dance in her belly.

"Tell me why," he urged. His eyes never left hers. "Why do you want this?"

With tears streaming down her cheeks, she took the leap. "Because I love you," she whispered. "Damn it, I love you. I always have." Shoving at him, she sighed. "When you walked into the kitchen and I saw you for the first time in years…"

"You felt it too," he said in awe. Pressing his lips to her chest, he said, "Your heart belongs to me."

Nodding through the tears, she kissed his chest as he did. "And yours belongs to me."

Rob's face broke out in a grin and he slid into a warm, deep, heart-knocking kiss. Slowly, his mouth moved on hers. Regina felt drunk after a few minutes. The haze of the love they shared surrounded them like a fog. His lips trailed down her throat lazily.

Her pulse tripped as his tongue slid along her skin and left fires in its wake. He took his time nibbling along her jaw as he buried his hands in her hair. His hands molded, glided, and shaped to her body. Carefully, he wrapped her close. "I won't hurt you," he whispered in her ear.

His lips pressed under her ear and lingered. His fingers clasped at the zipper of her dress and slowly pulled it down her back. His fingers brushed her skin along the way and Regina shivered. He peeled her sleeve from her shoulder and closed his mouth softly over her shoulder.

With the same slow and lazy way, his mouth explored her other shoulder. As the dress fell to her feet, his eyes assessed her. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." He brushed the tears from her face and kissed her cheeks where they fell. "Don't cry."

"I can't help it," she said. Her hands reached under the fabric and worked his shirt over his head. Her hands felt the muscles at his chest, down his torso, and felt the muscles bunch when she reached for his zipper. The sound shot a hot burst of arousal through her.

He removed her bra slowly down her arms and let his mouth follow the movement. Then, his mouth covered over taut flesh and she gasped. The feel of his wet tongue gliding over her caused tingles in her core. Her hands worked his jeans down his hips as he toed off his boots.

Clumsily, they tumbled onto the couch. "You'd think I'd have more finesse," he laughed. The lightness in his eyes made her happy. He was losing his fear.

"I don't remember asking for any." She tugged until his legs were free. Her heart pounded in her ears as she brought him to her and claimed his mouth. The heat of their bodies swarmed her. Filled her with greed. When she wanted his hands to go fast, he slowed.

When she wanted him to take, he lingered and teased. It was maddening. Then, her hands pushed the remaining fabric from her hips and wanted desperately. Rob's mouth clamped over hers and devoured. She felt his heart thudding in the same rhythm as her own. She opened to welcome him, but still, he waited. "Now," she said desperately. "God, now."

He had little choice when her hand closed around him. He jerked and groaned as her hand worked him. He throbbed in her hand and felt hot to the touch. Reaching between them, he found her. Slowly, he toyed with her as his mouth toyed with hers. It was torture, but she'd longed to feel pleasure and clung to it until she teetered over the edge.

Shuddering, she guided him to her and locked eyes with him as he slipped into her. They both groaned in unison. Robin framed her face in his hands. "Are you okay?" He held perfectly still.

Wrapping her legs around him, she rolled her hips. Closing her eyes at the pleasure, she nodded. "Perfect."

"I love you," he said kissing her chin. His lips brushed her nose, her cheek, and forehead.

Regina's arms wound around him and brought his chest down to hers. "I love you, too." Taking his mouth in a sweet, soft kiss, she smiled. "Now, show me how much."

His mouth closed over the nape of her neck and he showed her.