Yay! Another update, I hope you enjoy and please leave me with your thoughts on the chapter and on what you think might happen next! Thanks for reading!

Robin stood in the sitting room as he waited for his friend and his sister to finish getting ready, the pair had been at it for way over an hour. After the film had finished they had disappeared upstairs saying they had to get dressed up and he hadn't seen them since. Though he had heard the loud Lady Gaga music that blared from his sister's room at an obscene volume.

"They seem to be getting along swimmingly," his mother stated as she came in and perched on the couch, a fresh cup of coffee in her hands as she looked at her son.

He smiled at her and nodded, "yeah they do, don't they. In fact, Regina is probably exactly Mal's type."

"Seems both of my children have the same taste in women," Caroline grinned, taking a sip of her drink and looking over at her son, "you can't tell me that you're not head over heels for that girl."

"We're just…"

"Robin," she scoffed, raising an eyebrow at him.

"She's pretty amazing," he sighed in defeat, there wasn't any point in denying it when his mother knew full well exactly how he was feeling, she was always very good at reading both him and his sister. "I think she likes me too, but I'm not sure. She doesn't like to give much away. What if she only sees me as a friend?" He couldn't stop himself from worrying, even though he was pretty sure that she liked him in the same way he did her, if what had happened that morning had been any indication. They had also sat close to one another whilst watching the movie earlier, her hand had grazed against his in the popcorn bowl several times and her cheeks had turned a pretty shade of pink each time.

"I'm pretty sure she likes you as more than a friend, I saw her outside your room last night looking rather lost."

"What?"

"Yeah, when you'd gone to the bathroom she was looking for you, then she scurried back to Mal's room when I told her you were in the shower."

"Oh," she'd gone to him last night! He hadn't known, god now he wished that he hadn't bothered showering, or maybe gone later. If he had just been in his room they could be a couple right now, maybe she'd gone there to make a move and let him know how she felt. He was so annoyed with himself, annoyed that he hadn't told her how he felt, annoyed that he wasn't there to answer the door when she had come looking.

"Hmm," his mother cast him a knowing look as they heard footsteps on the stairs, followed by the telltale sound of two sets of heels on the hardwood floor in the hallway.

"Robin come on!" Mal yelled as she slipped a black fur coat on over her outfit. Regina on the other hand wasn't going to bother with anything else, she didn't want to spoil the aesthetic of her look, even if she was going to freeze her ass off.

"Have a good time dear," Caroline quipped as she turned the television on, finding something to watch, "be safe."

"We will be mum, I'll see you later," he smiled, squeezing her shoulder softly as he moved into the hallway, ready to finally set off. "About time you two, I thought you'd gotten lost up…" he stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he stared in shock at the brunette beauty stood in front of him. He was astounded, he didn't think he had ever seen anyone so sexy and gorgeous in his life. She was a goddess in red, disguised as the devil, he couldn't tear his eyes away from her, she was a beautiful picture, he had to think of awful things to stop a certain part of his anatomy from embarrassing him. "Wow… you look so… wow."

Regina smiled at him, tucking one of her dark curls behind her ear. He looked so handsome in his tight black jeans and blue shirt, his hair was properly styled unlike how it had been that morning when he had first woken up. "You don't look so bad yourself," she chuckled softly. She could tell that she had affected him and it stirred up her insides.

"What am I, chopped liver?" Mal scoffed.

"You look beautiful too sis," Robin laughed, still not taking his eyes away from Regina. The cut of the red suit was sensational, and the dip down to her navel was nearly enough to make him come in his pants like a pathetic teenager, a lacy strip of black fabric covered her breasts, contrasting with the olive of her skin. "Stunning buttercup."

"Why thank you," she blushed a little, shaking her head at him, "are we going to head out now?"

"Yeah, let's go. I figured I'd drive us there and just leave the car in the car park, we could either walk back or get a taxi home."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Come on idiots," Mal called from outside, making them both laugh a little nervously as they moved on after her.

Regina sat between Robin and Mal, a cocktail glass held between her fingers as she sipped at the drink mindlessly. Robin's friends were talking loudly, boisterous in their manner, something that had Mal's eyes rolling. It was clear that the group hadn't been expecting Robin's little sister to be tagging along.

"So Regina, whereabouts in America are you from?" Robin's friend John asked, he was a stocky guy with a head of dark hair and matching beard. He seemed nice enough and she appreciated that he was trying to include her in their conversation.

"I'm from New York originally, but we moved to California when I was ten," she smiled softly, taking a sip of the sweet drink that Mal had thrust upon her, her second of the night, following the one Robin had bought for her when they first arrived.

"Wow, have you ever been to Disney?"

"The one in California I have, we go every year," she nodded, she turned to Robin with a grin, "they even have an Indiana Jones adventure ride. I bet you'd love that."

The group burst into laughter at her comment and she could see Robin's cheeks tint in the dim bar lights. "I'm surprised he told you about his love for those films," one of his other friends chuckled.

"Oh he didn't, I saw the posters in his dorm room."

"Really Robin, you took those horrid things with you to Oxford?" Fiona shook her head, her perfectly straight brown hair moving in tandem. Her accent was much different to everyone else's, she was posh, from down south as Robin might say. Regina had to admit she thought the woman was a little stuck up.

"I like them," he shrugged.

"They are awful."

"I happen to think they are quite cool myself," Regina quipped, finishing the last of her drink and looking at Robin. He met her gaze, and she could sense that he was thankful for her words, he had clearly been feeling awkward about the situation, she was just glad that she could save him from it.

"He's had them years, you'd have thought he'd have grown out of them. God if my boyfriend had those in his room it would be a bit of a dealbreaker."

"Well, it's a good job Robin isn't your boyfriend then isn't it," she hummed, feeling herself getting a little worked up, why did the girl keep going on about it? They were posters for christ's sake, what did it matter? "Would anyone like another drink? My round," she quipped, standing from her chair, making a mental note of people's drinks orders.

"I'll come with you to the bar," Mal grinned. The two of them stood, leaving the table, allowing Regina to take a breath for a moment.

"Is she always like that?"

"What? A stuck up bitch with pathetic standards?"

"Yep that," the brunette chuckled, ordering another cocktail, different again to the first and second.

"Are you sure you want to mix spirits like that?" the blonde questioned.

"I think it's needed."

"Sure, but maybe slow down a little after this one. I'd hate to have to carry you home, not to mention you need to tell my brother how you feel tonight."

"Fine, I'll slow it down. Do we have to go back to that table?"

"I think so."

"Damn."

"Damn indeed. Though you don't really have any right to say that when you were the one who dragged my ass here in the first place."

"Sorry," she chuckled as they walked in tow back to the table, Regina resuming her position beside Robin, sitting quite a bit closer to him than she had been before, as close as she possibly could without physically being on his lap. It seemed she got a little touchy-feely when she had some alcohol inside her. "What did I miss?" she asked, leaning into him ever so slightly.

"Not much." Robin took a deep breath in, he could smell her perfume, she was so close to him, he had to stop himself from shuddering. She was so beautiful and the way she had stood up for him to Fiona had been a massive turn on. It seemed it was okay for Regina to tease him about his posters, but if someone else did it was out of the question and they had to be dealt with. Casually his arm slipped around the back of the chair, brushing over her shoulders. He looked to the side, meeting his sister's eyes, the girl was smirking at him and he had a feeling she knew more than he did.

"So Regina, you study English literature with Robin?" Fiona asked, taking a delicate sip from the fancy violet gin and tonic. Regina couldn't help but wonder where this might be going, she doubted that the other woman wanted to know about her studies.

"That's right."

"She's always trying to debate with me, this one. She thinks it's funny to disagree with everything I say, don't you buttercup?" He smirked, looking down at the woman who was tucked under his arm.

"I don't think it's funny, I know it is. I'm always willing to challenge you."

"I won't lie and say I don't like it."

Regina shook her head at him as she tried a sip of her new cocktail, it was orange flavoured and even nicer than the last one. "Oh I know you like it," she leant a little closer to him, the alcohol making her much braver than she would be sober. "We're both just book nerds I guess. What is it that you study Fiona?" It was only polite to return the question right? She had to tear her eyes away from Robin to look at her.

"Medicine."

"Oh, wow, that's impressive."

"I know." The woman's lips formed a pout as a smug expression was written all over her face, earning her a scoff from the blonde sat on Regina's left.

"God get your head out of your ass already."

"Millie," Robin rebuked, he tended to agree with his sister, but he wasn't so brave as to say it to her face, Fiona was very up herself as it were.

"Sheesh, whatever."

Regina had to hold herself back from laughing at Mal, she knew she shouldn't but it was so hard not to. She could tell that Fiona hadn't appreciated Mal's words, the brunette stood from her chair with a huff.

"I'm not going to sit here and be insulted by you. I'm a doctor. What exactly are you huh?"

"You're pre-med, technically that's not a doctor yet," Regina quipped, standing up for her newfound friend, "and even if you were, it wouldn't make you any better than anyone else."

"This coming from the girl getting a degree for reading a few books."

"Hey," Robin huffed, "Fiona give it a rest will you," not only had she offended his sister and his best friend, but she had also offended him, he was studying the same thing as Regina, so anything she said about their course applied to him as well.

The woman paused for a moment before releasing a soft sigh, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. Robin, would you like to come for a chat?" She was twirling her hair around her fingers and that was when it hit her, the woman fancied him! She was hitting on Robin right in front of her. Not that Regina was his girlfriend officially, but she thought that her position had been clearly marked. Wasn't Robin's arm around her an indication of where they were at?

She had known there was something off about the woman the day before when they had first met, and now that had been confirmed. The woman didn't like her and the reason for that was, she wanted Robin and Regina was obviously in her way. Regina was unable to help the possessiveness inside her as her hand slipped to his leg, resting on his knee as she waited for him to answer.

"Not right now Fiona, I think I'm okay where I am," he murmured, clearing his throat as he looked at Regina, running his tongue across his lower lip. The woman didn't say another word before flouncing off and sitting herself down at the other end of the table, inserting herself into someone else's conversation, her eyes flitting over to them every now and then.

"God, desperate much," Mal grumbled.

"I have no idea what actually just happened."

Regina shook her head, clearly, Robin was just as astounded as she was with Fiona's behaviour, she was just glad that he hadn't gone along with her. That meant he wasn't interested, right? If he was he would have gone; he wouldn't have allowed her to keep her hand on his knee, surely.

"Regina! Robin!"

At the sound of their names, their eyes flitted to the door, following the noise to see their friend coming towards them in the most horrendous Christmas sweater Regina had ever seen. It depicted a Santa face and had flashing lights all around, she was pretty sure it even made noises, maybe sung carols at them. "So, what have I missed?"

She couldn't stop the smile from coming onto her face as he sat down opposite them in the chair Fiona had just vacated. She might not admit it to him, but she was rather fond of him. "Hi Will."

"God Regina, you look amazing! Doesn't she look amazing Robin?"

"Yeah, she definitely does," Robin agreed, his eyes falling on Regina again, thinking for what seemed to be the millionth time that night just how beautiful she was.

"Millie, I didn't realise you were coming tonight."

"Well, here I am."

He looked at her and shook his head, "I don't think I have ever seen you dressed up like that before."

The blonde simply rolled her eyes at him, her gaze turning to the bar, it was in that exact moment that Regina felt her freeze up, her body going rigid beside her. Regina looked at her in concern, her hand sliding off Robin's knee to rest on the other woman's arm. "Mal?"

"She's here."

"Who's here?" Regina asked, following the other girl's gaze towards the bar, seeing the back of a head full of dark curls, realisation setting in instantly. "Oh."

"Yes oh. I think I'm going to head home now."

"Mal, no, don't let her get to you," Regina shook her head. Robin was busy talking to Will, so she shuffled closer to the other woman. They watched the girl from across the room, she was with a couple of others but Regina thought she looked positively miserable and that was probably putting it mildly.

"I can't believe she'd come out for a good time after all that went down."

"She clearly wants to get it off her mind just as much as you do," Regina sighed, rubbing her hand over the blonde's shoulder in an attempt to bring her some comfort.

"She's looking this way," Mal quipped, looking down and clearing her throat.

It was then that Regina had a horribly wicked idea, an evil smirk playing on her face as she slung her arm around Mal, much like Robin had done to her earlier that night, before letting out a downright boisterous laugh, catching everyone's attention. "I can't believe you, Mal, you're so funny!"

"What are you doing?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowing as she looked at her.

"Just go with it."

"Regina I…"

"Shush," she pressed her finger against Mal's lips, "trust me on this one. Nothing gets to a person more than seeing someone they care for with someone else."

"You want to make her jealous?"

"Of course," she grinned, leaning closer, so that she was way up in Mal's space, almost as close as she had been to Robin earlier that morning when they nearly kissed. "We will make her so jealous."

"You're evil you know," the blonde giggled playfully.

"Oh, I know." She turned back to Robin for a moment, stroking her hand over his arm, "can I get you anything from the bar?" she whispered, knowing that her breath would ghost over his ear as she spoke and hopefully drive him wild.

"You're going again? It's someone else's round you know," he stated looking at her and seeing the little twinkle in her eyes, he tilted his head at her, a small smile at the corner of his lips. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing much, just something to help your sister. So, anything from the bar?"

"I think I'm good, don't go getting yourself into trouble will you?" he grinned.

"Would I ever?" Not thinking about it she leant in, pecking his cheek before taking Mal's hand and standing up, "come on you, let's go make a girl jealous."

The pair made their way over to the bar, a little way down from where Esmerelda was standing with some of her other friends. They perched on the stools and Regina leant in close, even going as far as taking a strand of Mal's hair between her fingers. "I can't believe we're doing this," the blonde murmured, ordering them some shots, "I need liquid courage."

"I thought you told me to slow down?"

"I did, but I need this."

"Fine, line them up. I've never actually done shots before."

"Really? Well, you're going to hate this then," she smirked, pushing one across the bar to her and picking her own up. They both downed the alcohol in one.

Regina choked on the pure vodka that had been in the glass, she expected it to be horrible, but that was really something else entirely. "Oh god!" she spluttered, shaking her head and earning loud laughs from the other woman. "That is so bad!"

"I know right," Mal lent forward, her hand landing on Regina's upper thigh, "is she looking over?"

Regina subtly peered over the other woman's shoulder to catch a glimpse of Esmerelda, meeting the angry chocolate eyes of the younger girl as she burnt holes in her with her glare. "Oh, she's looking over alright."

"Does she look jealous?"

"Terribly so," Regina smiled, biting down on her bottom lip and casting her the most devastating smile that was enough to send anyone crazy.

"Shit, stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like I see you looking at Robin, it's creeping me out."

"Well I…"

There was loud scoff followed by a prominent Yorkshire accent, "excuse me."

Regina turned her head, spotting the same girl who had been staring at them from across the bar, she could see that she was checking her out, her teeth gritted as she took her in, "hi, can we help you?"

"Yeah actually… I… Mal, can I speak to you?"

"I'm a little busy actually," the blonde shrugged, leaning closer to Regina, a completely fake loving expression on her face. "Esme this is Regina, Gina this is my ex-girlfriend Esmerelda."

"Hi, nice to meet you."

"You moved on quickly," the other woman whispered, her eyes trained on Mal, a small tear trailing down her tanned cheek.

Regina smiled softly, spotting the absolute heartbreak wash over the other girl's face, she knew that she couldn't do it to her anymore, it wasn't fair, "I'm Mal's brother's girlfriend."

"You are?" The relief and shock in her voice were clearly evident.

"Yep."

Mal looked confused, clearly not knowing why Regina had broken their charade so soon, the thing was, Regina knew there was no point in keeping it up when it was so clear that the girl in front of them was still in love with Mal. "What do you want Esme?" the blonde sighed, dropping her hand from Regina's thigh and sitting back on her seat.

"Please can we talk Mal? I really need to have a word with you in person. I'm so sorry for everything!"

"How did you know I was here?"

"Your post on Instagram, you had your location turned on."

Regina and Mal had taken a photo together in front of the blonde's mirror in her bedroom, she had almost forgotten that it had been posted on social media.

"Mal, please come talk to me."

Blue eyes met Regina's and she knew that she wanted her opinion on what to do. The brunette smiled and gave her a small nod, "go ahead."

"Fine." Mal stood from her seat walking with her ex, heading off to find a quieter spot, leaving Regina sitting alone at the bar with nothing but her thoughts.

She smiled at the bartender and leant her elbows on the surface before ordering yet another orange cocktail, she was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol buzzing around in her veins. In fact, she was definitely getting there, she felt light and a little crazy, she should have known because sober Regina most likely wouldn't have suggested making Esmerelda jealous by cosying up to Mal.

She hadn't been drunk since the party when she first arrived in England, that night she had got so intoxicated she ended up making out with Marian and sleeping in Robin's bed. She had vowed never to drink that much again and yet here she was, sat at the bar on her fourth cocktail, one she was sure would be her last of the night.

Regina glanced over at Robin, watching as he laughed and joked with his friends, she couldn't help the small grin that appeared on her face seeing how happy he was. She rather wished that she could see that smile all day every day, he looked beautiful when he smiled.

"Why hello there sexy."

Regina raised an eyebrow as she turned in her seat to find a man behind her, his eyes were running all over her and if she hadn't known any better she might have guessed that they would fall out of his sockets with the way he was ogling her. He wasn't her type at all and probably around ten years too old for her, his hair was greasy and he stank of stale alcohol.

She didn't say anything in return, instead took another sip of her drink, swirling the vibrant liquid around in the glass. She refused to even entertain the idea of conversing with the man, he was clearly drunk, probably more so than she was herself.

"Playing hard to get? I like that. Can I buy you a drink?"

"No thanks."

"Aww come on baby."

"I've already got one and I'm certainly not your baby."

"Feisty," he chuckled, leaning closer to her and invading her personal space. "A drink for the beautiful woman please," he asked, waving down the bartender who gave him a funny look before making the drink, the same one she had in her glass already and placing it in front of her.

"I thought I told you I didn't want a drink," she scoffed, pushing it away in distaste as the man continued to make lewd comments in his attempt to chat her up.

"We nearly kissed this morning," Robin quipped as he looked to his friend, Will had moved to sit in the seat Regina had vacated so they could talk between themselves. "If it hadn't been for that damn pancake burning we would have."

The other man grinned at him as he leaned back against the couch, "I knew you liked her! I just knew it."

"Of course I like her, she's amazing, the most perfect girl I've ever met," he smiled, glancing over to Regina and seeing that she was now on her own, sat at the bar. He wondered where Mal had gone to, but if she wanted to he knew that Regina would join them again, she was probably just getting a new drink or something.

"She is pretty cool. You're going to make a move right?"

"Yes of course I am, I'd be an idiot not to, I like her too much to let her go." Just thinking about her made his insides feel all bubbly and airy, any time he caught sight of her his stomach turned in little cartwheels.

"I think I get why you invited her for Christmas now."

"I invited her because I didn't want her to stay at the accommodation on her own."

"Nah, you invited her because you had a crush on her and you knew that this extra time with her would give you a chance to woo her a little."

"Without you around you mean?" he asked with a smirk. Will always tended to be around back in Oxford, at least up here he was at his own house and not staying at Robin's.

"Shut up," he chuckled, shoving Robin and making him laugh.

"So, have you spoken to Kathryn since we've been up here?"

"A little bit, she's spending a lot of time with her parents, doing different things back home," he shrugged, "we're just casual anyway, a scratch to an itch."

"Classy."

"I know you're not the type for casual, so you wouldn't get it."

"No, I don't suppose I would." Robin took a swig from his beer, it was a little warm and quite disgusting if he were being honest. "I think I need a fresh drink I…"

"Dude! Look, is that guy bothering Regina?"

His head shot up immediately at Will's words, seeking out Regina, spotting the flash of ruby red at the bar, a man leering near her. He felt his insides clench and not in a good way, clearing his throat he stood from his seat, "I'm going to go get a drink." With that he hurried over to the bar, making a beeline for Regina and the man that was way too close to her. Not for long.

"Seriously sweetheart. I know I said I liked hard to get, but this is taking it a little too far," the man scoffed.

Regina was getting more and more angry at the audacity of this man, she couldn't believe he actually thought that he stood one iota of a chance with her. "Okay, I'll give you one more chance to leave me alone before I'm not responsible for my actions," she hissed, her voice dripping with annoyance.

"Fuck me, darling, you're driving me wild." The moment his hand pressed against her waist she snapped. Slipping from her chair she grabbed the untouched drink, its contents flinging in his face followed by a sharp slap. She'd never slapped anyone before, but my god had that felt good, he had thoroughly deserved it too, had she been sober never in a million years would she have had the balls to do that.

"Regina!" Robin came up behind her just in time to see her actions, he had to say he was a little impressed by her, but she shouldn't have had to act out in the first place. He prayed to God that the man hadn't done anything more if he had robin didn't think he'd be able to hold himself back from giving him much worse than a slap. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, it's dealt with."

"Shit, you bitch," the man grumbled, his fingers pressed against his bleeding lip as he glared at Regina only for Robin to give him a hardened stare.

"You might want to wash your mouth out before talking. Now do me a favour and get out of here before I get you kicked out."

"She's a fucking tease you know," he snarled, pointing at Regina before he stumbled off, leaving them stood at the bar.

"What a dick," Robin fumed, turning his head and watching the man, making sure that he was properly gone before turning back to Regina, looking at her in concern.

"Tease." Regina sniggered and shook her head, "if he thinks giving someone the cold shoulder is teasing, then I hate to think what he mistakes teasing for. Besides, I save my teasing for one person in particular."

"You do?"

"Hmm," she grinned, leaning closer, her fingertips brushing over his cheek.

"Do you know what, the way you just stood up for yourself then was really impressive."

"I'm glad you're impressed," she bit down on her bottom lip as her nails tickled across his stubble. "Though it really was a waste of a good drink."

"You're incredible, you know."

"I do know," Regina smiled, her fingers wandering down, tracing his jaw, then his neck, all the way to his collarbone. As Mal said earlier, the alcohol served to give her a little liquid courage, she didn't feel scared to be near him, instead she just felt ready to go for it and… damn, not now. "Hold that thought, don't go anywhere," she pressed her finger against his lips before turning and running in the direction of the bathroom, the four cocktails having taken their toll on her bladder.

Robin watched her go, his whole body seemingly deflating from the high he had just been riding. The way she had been looking at him had his pants growing a little uncomfortable, they'd had another moment and it was another moment which had been ruined. He turned around to face the bar, hopefully concealing the half hard bulge in his trousers. The bartender approached him and he ordered another drink, opting this time for a lemonade rather than anything alcoholic, he was feeling buzzed already but he didn't want to be so drunk that he felt awful in the morning, not to mention that at least one of them needed to be coherent to make sure everyone was being safe.

He sipped on his drink, feeling himself calm somewhat after the earlier excitement. He was in love with a feisty queen, god he was actually in love with her, like fully in love, it wasn't just a crush anymore this feeling, the feelings had developed into something much more, more than he could have ever imagined. God, he was a lovestruck fool.

"Oh my god! Robin!"

He turned his head, his eyes clashing with a set of familiar caramel ones. No, not a chance. This was not happening, not now. How was this fair that she was here right now? No. No! Just no!

"Hi."