Summary: Marian and Regina go job hunting, Emma slowly recovers from a gruelling session on Archie's couch, and goes on to discover an uncomfortable fact at the diner. Plus, they think Robin can not only hear them, but see them too!

Mifflin Street

As the sun streamed through the small gap between the curtains, Regina slowly woke from what had been a blissful sleep. It was already gone nine o' clock, two hours later than her alarm usually woke her. Must remember to buy a new one, she thought, having destroyed one two days ago.

She slowly familiarized herself with her surroundings, remembering she was currently lying in bed, stark naked, in the arms of an equally naked woman. The woman who she'd only know four days. She felt a small pool of dribble against her mouth, moving her hand to wipe it, before slowly opening her eyes to see a dark nipple only an inch below her mouth. She lifted her hand, wiping the offending drool from the woman's breast.

"Hmm. Too early," groaned Marian, refusing to open her eyes. They were currently lying, wrapped in each other, with Marian's left leg firmly resting between her thighs. She was warm, soft and she felt…wonderful.

"Good morning. Sleep well?" she groaned, resting her head back down.

"Marvellous. You?"

"Best sleep I've had in ages…"

"Me too. You're quite the cuddler, Miss. Mills."

"And you're quite the soft, hot water bottle, Mrs. Locksley."

They stayed like that for a good half hour more, until. "So what are you doing today?"

"Hmm. Nothing till midday, when I'm supposed to meet Emma. This morning, I thought I might stop by the Town Hall, to talk to Mayor Philip, about you and any potential roles."

"Do you regret resigning as mayor?"

"No. Once I was elected Queen of the United Realms, I felt honour-bound to leave. We had our first proper mayoral election here three years ago, and Philip Briar won fair and square. He's a good man, even if his home life's a bit odd."

"Odd?"

He and his wife, the former Princess Aurora, have a five-year-old son, Philip Junior, or 'Pip' as they call him. But another woman, Fa Mulan, moved in with them two years ago, and went on to have a daughter, Li. Mulan's a former warrior from the east, and she was even once one of Robin's men. She was rather close to him. She once said he was like a big brother. Like most people around here, I though she was gay, but it seems not. She and the mayor do seem very close. Mind you, she's also close to Aurora, so gossip surrounds them."

"Perhaps she's…what was the word you used yesterday? Bi-sexual?"

"Maybe. Everyone wonders who the little girl's father is. Some say it's Philip's."

"I think I'd quite like that, having a boyfriend and a girlfriend. It'd be the best of both worlds! Or a husband and a wife? If I had a choice, I'd definitely choose you and Robin."

"Hmm. I could imagine that'd be fun. Night times, especially. I still miss those strong arms around me, hugging me close. I remember his scent. Pine and woodland…"

"His silly grin, when I used to tell him off…"

"His dimples. God, I loved his dimples!"

Marian sniggered, pulling her in tighter. "Me too. And…he was very gifted in bed."

"Nothing rushed. He liked to take his time. He'd leave me on edge for ages. Rotten swine!"

"They way he'd worship me with kisses. Going slowly all the way down…"

"What he could do with that tongue? I'm not sure there's many men who could do what he did?"

"Oh god, yes! I have to admit, he often had me over the edge just by doing that."

Regina grinned. "I kind of assumed he'd probably learned that particular technique from you?"

"Not guilty. Just gifted, I guess? Still, isn't it odd that somehow, even from the grave, he managed to kill things off for us last night? I definitely wasn't in the mood after those feathers appeared!"

"Same here. Mind you, I don't know why we were bothered. He's seen everything before, hasn't he?" she sniggered. "And, if he could see us, I don't think he would have been bothered. Probably a little turned on! After all, most men rather like the idea of two women together, don't they?"

"Only if they can join in! Still, I kind of like the idea of being watched on occasion. Only by him, of course!"

"You, Marian Locksley, are a very bad girl."

"The worst! You have no idea."

"True. But I'm planning to find out."

The Swan-Jones house

"You're serious? You want to take a holiday?"

"Killian, we haven't been away since Hope was born. We're overdue a break and we need it! Just the three of us. Perhaps a little romantic hotel somewhere?"

"Sounds delightful. And what about the cricket and your visits? I understand the first one helped?"

"It did, but I hated it. I've never cried so much in my life! He may seem a sweet little thing, but he's absolutely brutal! You didn't know because you got home late last night, but I went over to mum and dad's straight after. It was very…emotional."

"Well Swan, if Hopper's comfortable with it and you're continuing your medication, I think a break would be perfectly fine. Have you told Regina?"

"Regina? What's it got to do with her?"

"Is she aware you're not going with her on that trip to rescue the boy?"

"Not yet. She didn't ask me along, anyway. I just sorta volunteered. Why?"

"I spoke to Belle last night. She said the crocodile's going with them. That's four, if you include Merlin."

"Gold's going too? Please don't say they made a deal?"

"Apparently not. I gather he owes several large debts to the Sorcerer."

"So that's three with magic, and Marian? Well they definitely don't need me there then."

"I'm glad we both agree. I also gather Lady Marian has moved into the queen's house for the time being. It seems they've been spending a great deal of time together…" Killian watched Emma's eyes closely, for any reaction. He felt guilty for deliberately mentioning it, but was still unsure about her true feelings for Regina. The women had been very close in recent months and, as she'd recently spent more evenings at the mansion than at home, coupled with the fact she was once seen kissing the queen, when drunk, in the town nightclub some months ago, he wanted some certainty.

"She's moved in?" she seemed surprised, and a little sad?

"Aye, love. From what people are telling me, the pair of seem very close!"

"Oh…" was her only reply, looking down at the floor. "That's nice."

"I thought so too. She hasn't been the same since the outlaw's death. Are you still planning to go out on girls' night this Friday?"

Emma seemed miles away. "What? Erm…I'm not sure. I'll find out lunchtime, I guess?"

"Well if you recall, I'm going out with the boys on Friday night too! I would like some certainty, as we need to arrange child minding for Hope if you are."

"I'll let you know."

Yes…I'm sure you will!

The Town Hall

"Regina, lovely to see you! And you, Lady Marian. Do please come on through to the office."

"Thank you for seeing us at such short notice, Mr. Mayor. And please, just call me Marian?"

"Then call me Philip, or Phil. Mulan told me you arrived this week? I knew your husband. You know, Mulan was once part of Robin's band of men? He even once helped my wife and I…retrieve something from a particularly awkward place. Quite the remarkable fellow. I'm sorry for your loss."

Regina jumped in, seeing Marian's sad smile. "Philip, Marian and I will be leaving shortly, on a mission to the Enchanted Forest, to attempt to rescue her son. You remember Roland?"

"Of course. A lovely boy! He was almost like a big brother to my Pip, when he sought refuge in the forest. Sounds rather dangerous. You require assistance?"

"Thank you, but no. Merlin and Gold will be joining us…"

"Merlin? Well, you've got the best of the best there! So, what can I do for you?"

"Marian is planning on, hopefully, returning and settling here. She has no current assets which can be easily converted, so we were looking at alternatives. We were wondering-"

"Housing? Well, we can certainly help, we have-"

"No. They would be staying with me…for the foreseeable future." Philip couldn't help but notice the shy smile Marian gave her. "But she's seeking independent income."

"Well, I can take a look, certainly."

"I did book keeping for the Merry Men. Handled the accounts and often sold some of the…acquired assets to release funds, so to speak. So I have numerical skills…"

"Interesting. So Accounting is one of them? However, over the last year we've updated our methods considerably since Regina was in office. New computers, applications, that sort of thing…"

Marian looked at him as though he was speaking a foreign language. "Oh, then I guess my skills are somewhat…outdated?"

"If you've never used a computer before, the training could be quite considerable." He saw the disappointed faces opposite. "However, one idea does spring to mind. It's something I've been meaning to talk to Regina about anyway. Tell me, have you ever ridden?"

"Of course! It was my favourite hobby, and my parents considered it an essential part of my education. My parents owned stables, after all..."

"Excellent. Since we disbanded the permanent militia into part-time and volunteer roles, the soldiers stables have been in some decline..."

"I have to agree; I was over there a few weeks ago. Not very impressive. I kept a mare there but she died a couple of years ago. The grounds and buildings also need work!"

"I'm glad you said that, Regina. There's currently around twenty horses there, of mixed breeds, which have been tended by various families, when they could find the time. As we're forever trying to find things to occupy the youngsters, Aurora came up with the idea of setting up a riding school. Now she and I, and Mulan, all ride, but we all have other roles and just don't have the time to organize it. I know that you're a first class rider, and your organizational skills are legendary! As you've repeatedly told me you're no longer interested in public office, I wondered whether you'd be interested in starting and running a new Storybrooke Riding School? Or even you, Marian? The funds would be provided by the town of course, but it would be a great amenity!"

"Personally, I love the idea!" said Marian, looking at the other woman. "Though I hardly know anyone in this realm and don't know the logistics of working with yourselves. But perhaps with a little help?"

Regina beamed. "We could run it together! There's far too many children around here of a weekend, with idle hands. We could organize riding lessons, competitions, events. Philip, that's a rather good idea!"

He smiled back. "It was Rory's, not mine! But I think you could both do an excellent job. Mu and I can help at weekends if you need us setting up, and I know Li and Pip would definitely want to sign up."

"Li and Pip being your children?" asked Marian innocently, unaware of his unusual situation.

Philip looked at Regina, clearly waiting to hear something which a number of them in the town were wondering. "Yes, actually. Pip's my boy with Aurora and Li's my one-year-old girl with Mulan." He saw Regina's brow go up.

"I think I saw your daughter when I helped Granny in the diner the other day. She's gorgeous, Philip! So you all live together?" Regina glared at Marian, wondering what the hell she was playing at? Being nosey about the man's private life when she wants him to give her a job?

"Yes. We don't make an issue of it, or discuss it outside, as people tend to gossip around here. But...Aurora, Mulan and I are together. Mulan joined us both in our relationship two years ago. It's not exactly secret, but…"

"It's no one else's business? Yes, I quite understand, and how lovely! You're a lucky man. I was only saying to Regina this morning how it would be rather nice to have both a husband, and a wife. The best of both worlds! Don't worry, my confidence is assured."

"Thank you. As I say, it isn't a secret but…people can be very small-minded about things they don't understand."

He saw her reach for Regina's hand, taking it in her own, and couldn't help notice the smile they exchanged. "So where are you staying till you head off?"

"Regina's. She's been wonderful, looking after me." Again, with the warm smile…

"Excellent." He was going to take the plunge, though he knew he might get his head bitten off! "So, are you two…together?"

"It's early days, but…well let's get Roland back first!" It was Regina's first tacit admission to anyone that she and Marian might be something more permanent.

"Well good luck to you both! And like you, my discretion is assured."

Granny's Diner - lunchtime

Emma was already sitting at a table, ready to order, when Regina walked in. Marian had decided not to join her, opting instead to try and get a hair appointment at Regina's friend's shop.

"Hey!" called Emma, currently spooning yogurt into the toddler sitting in her high chair beside her.

"Hey you!" said Regina, smiling brightly, when she saw her young god-daughter grinning back at her in recognition. "Hello, beautiful! Whatcha got there?" she leaned down to kiss the yoghurt-caked cheek, sampling the taste on her lips. "Hmm, strawberry? Your mummy's feeding you proper food then? You lucky girl!" she crooned at the toddler, before sitting down opposite Emma, who leaned across to wipe an offending splodge off her best friend's cheek.

"Thanks. It's nice to see you out and about with Hope. I was beginning to think only Guyliner brought her out to play..."

"Yeah, well. I'd been a bit low recently. The Doc put me on some drugs…"

Regina frowned. "Drugs? That's not like you. What's wrong?"

"Archie thinks it's PND." she shrugged.

"You've been to see Hopper? Emma, you should have said something!" she reached for her best friend's hand. "What's happened?"

"Frankly, I'd rather talk about something else. Anything else, in fact! That goddam cricket really put me through the emotional wringer yesterday!"

"I've been there. Imagine him dealing with a recovering Evil Queen?" she smiled, sadly. "But his skills are rather appropriate, and beneficial sometimes…"

"Yeah, well I've been a complete asshole recently. I've ignored this little beauty here," she smiled at Hope, spooning in another mouthful, as the tot also tried forcing a piece of broccoli into the pot. "I've neglected my husband, left all the childcare to him, and not pulled my weight. I've been a crap wife and mother and now it seems I have depression. So the doc's put me on some drugs that are already making me feel a bit weird. Not sure I should take booze with them, so Friday night probably wouldn't be a barrel load of fun!"

"Oh, Emma, I wish I'd known…"

"Yeah, well, you've been busy with Maid Fistfight, haven't you? My jaw ached for hours after that! How's Zelena?"

"Yes well, last night, after I told her all of the circumstances leading up to Robin's murder, she said she realised that she may have overreacted, and said she probably owes you an apology. As for my sister, she's either avoiding me, or just not talking to me. She thinks I've taken Marian's side."

"To be fair to Marian, she did try to kill her, fake her identity and then raped her husband!" The brunette wince at the memory. "Sorry."

"Yes, well, I'm trying to see both sides, but Marian's life was wrecked because of her. And because of me, in my own way!"

"You seem to be spending a lot of time with her." She tried to say it carefully. "You seem…close."

"Well, we have a mutual interest. I want to help her get Roland back. I owe that to Robin, at least."

"And I hear she's moved in?"

"Word travels fast! It made sense. We need to plan the trip. It was either that, or Granny's. She doesn't trust the moths, so the convent's out."

"Well, provided she doesn't thump anyone else around here! Anyway, I don't think I can do Friday. Killian's out with his old crew and I haven't been stepping up recently. You could come over mine, though? Play with Hope?"

"I'd love that, but I'm afraid I can't. Marian and I-"

"Sorry!" she jumped in, annoyed. "Sorry for wanting to have my best friend over for the evening! Sorry for daring to split you from your precious Marian!" she glared at her. Regina frowned.

"Where the hell did that come from? We see lots of each other! We were out last week, and you had dinner and stayed over at mine last Friday!"

"I know…" the blonde went back to being sullen. "Sorry, it's just…maybe it's the drugs!" she went back to focus on Hope, picking up one of the small carrots for her to chew. "Ignore me, I'm not feeling myself."

The two friends sat silently, Regina now feeling awkward. She'd just told her she was depressed but…what's with the 'precious Marian' thing? "Emma…" she again reached out to take the Saviour's hand, holding it on top of the table. "Let me focus on trying to get Roland safely back, okay? Then we'll have more time together. How about you coming over this Sunday, for Henry's call?" She enjoyed her nights with Emma, when the two of them would just sit, enjoy a bottle of wine and watch Netflix or something on TV.

Emma picked up her teacup, sipping, before trying to remember her schedule for Sunday. As she did, the front door banged shut as someone walked in. Regina turned, seeing Marian now approaching the counter.

"Well hellooo, sexy!" said Ruby, seeing the taller woman, looking completely different. Now dressed in tight, clearly brand new skinny jeans, and a cream silk cotton blouse top under a clearly, also brand new, soft dark-brown leather jacket. "Someone's been hitting the boutiques? New hairdo too? Looking damn good, girl!" Ruby stopped, once she spotted the glare Dorothy gave her.

"Oh…thanks Ruby. Yes, Gina took me around to your shops yesterday," the woman blushed under the admiring glances of the younger and older wolves, "I needed a change…rather urgently!"

Emma looked up at her, eyes bulging. 'Gina'? Nobody but her and Robin ever called her Gina! She looked the woman over. Marian was a good four inches taller than her, but in the knee length Timberlands she was wearing, she looked so much more! Her jeans covered a tiny backside, the soft silk top hidden under the leather jacket. And the hair? Shit, she looked like a supermodel!

"Hi Gina!" Marian called, spotting the other woman, who had stood, turning to step closer to her. "You were right. Crystal could see me right away! What do you think?" she shook her head, clearly showing off the new, slightly shorter, but lightly curled hairstyle.

"Hello dear. Yes, you look lovely," they kissed each other on the cheek, barely missing each other's lips. As they leaned back again, eyes meeting and a small grin exchanged, a loud crash from a table nearby made them both turn.

"Shit! Sorry…" said Emma, turning to pick up her broken mug, clearly shocked, or upset. Or both.

"No problem, Em. I'll get a towel!" said Dorothy, heading for the counter.

Regina looked down at Emma, who was now standing, bending over to quickly wipe Hope, lifting her from the highchair hurriedly. She was clearly flustered. "Emma, are you okay?"

"Fine, I just…I gotta go!" Hope started whining, as she plopped her quickly into her buggy, clipping her in to turn. "See you around, okay?" she turned to leave.

"But…we were going to have lunch? Why are you leaving?"

"I just remembered something I forgot! Another time, yeah? I'll see you around…" Ignoring Marian, she bundled the buggy quickly towards the exit, letting herself out, the door crashing behind her.

"What the hell was that about?" said Regina. Emma had looked devastated!

"I think I may have a clue." said Marian, sadly. "Though probably best I tell you tonight…"

Later that day

"So, to recap. We leave Monday morning. I'll open the portal at eight, sharp. Rumple will go separately two hours before the rest of us. We meet here..." The Sorcerer pointed to what looked like a tiny drawing of a cottage, on the large map spread over the table. "Marian and Regina, you'll use two of the invisibility cloaks, and take the bottles of memory potions Rumple prepared, plus the backpacks and the smoke cartridges."

"Even this part of the realm is huge!" said Marian, looking at the map spread over Rumple's dining room table. "How can we be sure Roland, and the men, are even in that part of the forest? There's at least four castles in that territory. That bit alone must be twenty miles wide!"

"That's why I'm going ahead of you, dearie! I shall be…asking questions of the locals, as it were."

"You mean torturing people till you get information?" said Regina, glaring at him.

"Not necessarily; people can sometimes be quite co-operative! Besides, I have a reputation in that part of the realm. People tend to answer my questions quite…swiftly."

"Rumple, you can't go around killing people who get in your way!" said Belle, clearly annoyed. "You said you'd put that behind you!"

"Indeed I have Belle, indeed I have. No, I will merely…temporarily incapacitate…where I think it appropriate!" his wife glared back. "But the lady here does make a good point. The area is large and the Black Knight does have major settlements in all four corners of his land, all at least a two day walk from the other. If he were holding them prisoner, they would be at one of the four locations. Our first task is to identify which one!"

"So should we split up?"

"Unwise," said Merlin. "Remember, we can't use our magic until the very last moment, as it'll quickly show our position to the enemy. The Black Knight has magic himself. Very strong magic. Which is one of the reasons Rumple is joining us. He will engage him directly!"

Marian looked up at him, concerned. "But if he's powerful, you could be risking your life?"

Rumple sniggered. "What's life without risk, dearie? Besides…I'm supposed to be immortal. The dagger will remain here."

Regina looked closer at the large map, which was covering the entire table. "But this could take forever! Where do we even start?"

Five sets of eyes looked up, distracted by something in the air, floating down. A small pale-grey feather, slowly continuing to flutter down, before finally coming to rest on the bottom right corner of the map. Directly onto a drawing of a castle! Belle gasped, loudly. "It's another Robin feather!"

"No," said Marian. "It's Robin! He's telling us where to go…"

Rumple gently lifted the feather, to look underneath. "The Hall of the Ancients? How appropriate…"

"Meaning?"

"It's the Black Knight's family seat. It's where we last met!"

"Then that's where we head first," nodded Merlin.

"Oh, that reminds me..." Belle gathered the feather from her husband. "I did a little research on the two feathers you gave me the other day? Blue was right. They're from the European Robin. It's not a native variety. It doesn't inhabit this part of the world at all!"

"Then I guess that means someone is definitely trying to tell us something. Marian, is it still the case that these have only appeared when you and Regina were together?"

"Yes, this one's the eighth. Last night we received two in one go!"

"Have you tried talking to him?"

Regina looked across at her, both sets of cheeks now reddening at the memory. "Yes. Marian asked him a question, pretending he was there. Two feathers was the reply!"

"Have you tried asking him direct questions to see what happens?"

Both women looked at him, confused. So he lifted his head to face the ceiling. "Robin, this is Merlin. Can you hear me?"

Nothing.

"Robin," said Regina, a tremble in her voice. "Can you hear me?"

A new feather apparated directly in front of them, drifting down, onto the same spot as the first.

"Robin," said Marian, equally nervous. "Can you see me as well? Can you see both Regina and I?"

Yet another feather materialized, drifting down.

"Astonishing." breathed Merlin.

"Unbelievable!" gasped Belle.

"Magic!" said Rumple.

Marian gripped Regina's hand, tightly. "Robin, last night you sent us two feathers at once, when I asked you a very personal question. My darling, I need to know what you meant! If the answer's yes, please send us just one feather? Do you approve?" She didn't remind him of the question due to their audience.

After a few seconds that felt like hours, another, slightly larger feather, apparated out of thin air, drifting down, before landing gently. Not on the map, but on the back of their joined hands!

Regina looked up. "Thank you, my love!"

"Our love," added Marian, earning a soft nod from the other woman, as a stray tear fell.