Summary: Emma finally has the chance to get to know Robin.Meanwhile, Marian's got a date planned. And something up her sleeve...
Storybrooke Riding School
As Marian and Regina left the riding school, after saying their goodbyes and before climbing into Marian's new station wagon, they briefly stopped to watch Robin, who was now riding his beloved Chester in the lower field. He seemed to be having the time of his life, as they thundered past the stables, the chestnut stallion now moving into a fast and furious gallop away from them. Although impressed by his confidence on the huge animal, Regina frowned at something that caught her eye.
"He's not wearing a riding helmet! Mulan should have told him the rules."
"Oh, leave him be, Gina, we can tell him off when we see him tomorrow!"
"But it's one of our strictest. No exceptions. It sets a bad example to the children, and he should know better!"
They watched as Robin leaned forward, lifting his upper body off the saddle to expertly support himself on his knees, as Chester turned into a wide arc without slowing, before heading back in an equally furious gallop. "You're right. But he does look bloody hot on him though, doesn't he?"
"Okay, I'll give you that," she smirked. "I couldn't help notice you blatantly flirting with him earlier?"
"Me flirting? You're a fine one to talk! You were the one giving him the cow eyes- I saw you!" she chuckled. "If it'd been anyone but him, I would have been seriously cross!"
"You're imagining things, Mrs. Locksley," she tried to hide the grin. "I seem to recall you were the one asking him out on...what was it you called it, now? A date?" She stared at her suspiciously. "What on earth were you thinking?"
"I was thinking it'd be nice, after the way we left things yesterday. Especially with Roland hating me right now! Because he thinks I hate his dad. I need to make it up to both of them, so I can start by doing something nice for Robin. Besides, don't you want to have dinner with him?"
"Of course I do. But Antonio's? Isn't that a bit too romantic for the three of us?"
"Not necessarily. As he doesn't want to come home, I thought it might be nice to have somewhere more intimate we could all talk without being overheard. It's got a few quiet corners, and he's booked out all month, but...I'm sure I can persuade Tony."
"Yes, my darling, you're very good at persuasion, aren't you? First Granny, then Gold, Killian, Belle and half the town! My wife is quite the flirt, isn't she?" she gave her a knowing grin. Marian smiled back, walking around the car to place her hands on her cheeks.
"One of the most valuable lessons I learned from that man down there, is that it's easier to catch flies with honey than vinegar! Perhaps I do flirt a little, when required, but only my queen has the keys to my heart!" she lowered her lips on Regina's, giving her a quick, chaste peck. "Come on, I need a shower after that. And I need to figure out what I'm wearing tomorrow night. We're supposed to be meeting some of your friends at the Rabbit Hole, remember?"
"Of course I remember, dear. Maleficent and her daughter have yet to meet you, and I...oh, hold on." She turned to see Robin and Chester now nearer to the fence, within earshot of the Briars. She closed her eyes, concentrated, then twirled her fingers. As she opened them again, she heard a loud yell in the distance.
A hard riding helmet had now magically appeared on top of Robin's head!
He looked up in surprise, dropping the reins and lifting his hands to find out what on earth was now perched on his head. He took it off, surprised to see a brand new helmet! Looking inside, there was a note attached on ivory notepaper:
Wear a safety helmet, thief! Storybrooke Riding School regulations. You should know better!
Immediately recognising Regina's elegant, scripted handwriting, he scanned the horizon, to see from where she could be watching. His eagle eyesight immediately spotted the pair standing together, in the small car park, looking in his direction. It took a moment for him to think how to respond, after which he focused his mind, as Merlin had taught him. Curling his fingers slowly, he looked back to see if it had worked.
Back in the car park, Marian saw Regina's familiar finger twirl, her eyes never leaving the outlaw. She followed her gaze. "You actually put a hat on him?"
"I thought he should learn to follow the-" she stopped the moment she felt the warm wave wash over her. Turning, she spotted the flowers! Two large bouquets now appeared on the roof of the station wagon. Two white and cream bouquets of wax flower and eucalyptus, speckled with wildflowers in between. Each bouquet holding a pale blue silk ribbon, one with an envelope attached, and the other, a feather!
Marian gasped. "I see that Merlin's already taught him a few things!" She eased the envelope out, opening it to reveal a single card. A small logo of a bow and quiver full of arrows above a handwritten message:
Thank you for thinking of my safety, milady. You only live twice!
I'm looking forward to our date…
Robin xxx
"Smart ass!" sniggered Regina, looking over her shoulder. However, as she saw what he'd written, she still had a nagging doubt. "Those flowers. You don't think he's going to misinterpret this, do you? Thinking it's an actual date? I don't want him getting the wrong idea!"
"If flirting with him a little means we get Roland back quicker, it'll be well worth it! We'll take him out to dinner and make him feel good. I'll apologise once again for being shitty with him, and all that stuff. Hell, what man doesn't like the idea of a 'romantic' dinner with not one but, dare I say it, two good-looking women? If we both do the flirting, he'll be putty in our hands…"
Her words only made Regina even more uncomfortable. "You sound very mercenary. Like we're using him. I've used plenty of men in my time, Marian, but this is Robin we're talking about!"
Marian couldn't admit her true intention. Far from using Robin to her advantage, she was feeling a growing urge, almost a need, to be near him again. To spend more time with the man she'd fallen in love with so many years ago. The man who gave her Roland. The man she'd never fallen out of love with. Yes, Roland was a big factor, but she needed that annoying man in her life too. But would it screw up her marriage, if she admitted it to the woman who'd also stolen her heart?
The trouble was, unbeknown to Marian, Regina was having much the same uncomfortable feelings!
After the ride, Robin put Chester back in his stall, joining the Briars for coffee before leaving to meet Roland at the harbour. Their son Philip Junior, or Pip as he was known, was fascinated by Robin, having heard the stories of the Merry Men at school. When Mulan had told him about Robin's return from death yesterday, the boy had besieged him with question after question, while his infant sister, who now looked the spit of her dark-haired mother, sat contentedly on Robin's lap trying to steal his pieces of cake, amid laughter from everyone. It had been an enjoyable hour, before Philip eventually rounded the children up, taking them home in his car to prepare for the evening, leaving Robin alone with Aurora and Mulan.
Remembering her conversation with Marian, Aurora pounced. "So, one day back, and you're already making waves! How are you feeling?"
"Sorry, how am I feeling about what?"
"Being back? Missing the last four years? In fact, where were you?"
"Well…It's like I was in a dream. I had no concept of time, only that I could see Marian and Regina occasionally. At least, I thought I was dreaming, only now appears I was seeing real things happening down here! Next thing I know I'm on the Jolly Roger, lying in a crate! It's all a bit confusing. Seeing Roland looking so much older was a big shock! I've missed so much, and I haven't even seen my daughter yet! I've been told she and Zelena are in San Francisco, and they're coming back Sunday."
"It might be better if you ask Regina to call her first?" Mulan cautiioned him. "She's not the person you knew, Robin, and she doesn't have magic now, so there shouldn't be any danger, but…well, you never know! "How did you feel about Marian and Regina getting together? That must have also come as a shock?" Aurora's personal question drew a frown from Mulan.
Using his new powers of insight, he sensed she knew something about the awkward situation, but couldn't tell what. Should he try to probe her mind as he'd been taught earlier? Probably best not, till he learnt more about controlling his new talent.
"It did. But...they were both so important to me, that I just want them to be happy, regardless. Though I have to admit, seeing them together hurts. Still, the past's the past, and my focus now has to be Rolly and Robyn." He looked down as Li's hand grasped the last piece of cake on his plate. "Oy, madam? I was going to eat that!" he joked, tickling her sides as he exploded into giggles, splattering cake all around.
Storybrooke Harbour – early evening
Having collected Hope from the nursery earlier that afternoon, Emma had arranged to meet Killian by the quayside when the Jollyreturned, after a two hour trip along the coast. He'd stayed close enough to shore to regularly update her by text, and she now sat on the little metal bench, holding acoffee, watching as the former pirate ship, about three miles offshore, came closer.
She definitely wasn't expecting a hot swirl of magic, nor the brilliant white mist, nor the dramatic appearance of someone apparating less than ten feet from her!
"What the fuck?" she yelled, spilling hot coffee on her hand, scalding herself.
"Whoa!" gasped a man, alarmed to find himself standing so close to the edge of the dockside, quickly leaning away. "Didn't mean to aim quite that close to the drink!" he winced.
"Hood…Robin? What the hell?"
He turned to the voice, seeing the Saviour looking worried, while shaking coffee off her hand. "Emma? Oops, my apologies milady, I'm still trying to get used to this apparating nonsense!"
"You scared the crap out of me! What the heck are you doing?"
"I left the riding school and used Merlin's instructions. Looks like I need a bit of practice."
"You learned this morning, and you're poofing already? That's some lesson! It took me weeks practising on fruit and stuff before I even dared tried it! You need to concentrate more closely on a small spot, rather than just the area you want to go. You could come up inside a wall, for god's sake!"
"Point taken - sorry I disturbed you." Looking to find the Jolly still a couple of miles offshore, he turned back. "Mind if I join you?"
He sat on the opposite end of the bench from Emma, and they both looked out to sea, watching the ship's gentle approach. Nothing was said for a good few minutes, although she could sense something coming off of the man. Like a gentle heat. A warm glow. Then she realised what she was sensing. Magic. He seemed…different, but in a way she couldn't explain.
"So, it's true then? Zeus gave you magic?"
"He did…" his eyes never left the horizon. Silence followed. Emma's mind turned to Robin's predicament, past events, and her role in them.
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry? For what?"
"You getting killed by Hades. I can't help thinking, if we hadn't gone to the Underworld, it wouldn't have happened. Hades wouldn't have come back with Zelena. It's partly my fault. I should have been there to stop him…"
"It's always easy to be wise with hindsight. And I think we both know you wouldn't have been able to stop a god! No, I made a decision to help, once Regina decided to join you."
"It cost you your life! I should have been there."
"You had your own problems to deal with. And it's not as though you and I were friends, is it? I always assumed you disliked me, anyway. Besides, you were grieving for Killian. No, I made a choice to jump in front of Regina, and I paid for it."
"It was too high a price, but…" she stopped, remembering what he'd just said. "…hang on, why do you think I disliked you? I never said anything!"
"You didn't need to. Whenever I was with Regina, you were quite disapproving towards me. I remember once when I hugged her in the Apprentice's library, you positively scowled! You did it whenever I showed her any affection in public. It didn't bother me, but I think we both know the reason why..."
She glared, not wanting to get into an argument but, she couldn't let that last comment go. "Go on then, inform me? Why would I have disapproved, as you put it?"
"Because you had, maybe still have, feelings for Regina yourself."
"Bullshit! Hang on - have you been talking to Killian? He said something to you, didn't he?"
"We talked a great deal early this morning over tea. But not about you and Regina. Mainly about your little family and his new enterprise with Marian."
Her superpower could tell he was telling the truth, but it still troubled her. "Yeah? Well, I guess you're going to be hearing some stupid stories about Regina and me, so you better hear it from me first! There's been gossip going around that we were having some sort of affair. I'm married for god's sake and I love my husband! I would never do that to him. As I said, it's bullshit."
"Was this before Marian came on the scene?"
She nodded. "Killian and I had a hard time after Hope was born. I suffered badly from depression and became distant. The clinic finally sorted me out with medication, and it's all good now. But those rumours about Regina and me aren't true! We've just become very good friends, that's all! Just so you know…"
"It's none of my business anyway. You've found your love, and Regina's found her, right?. I just assumed you were jealous of me at the time, and I guess you also found me and the men a bit pompous. I get that, and you were probably right. I can be…" he smirked.
Although she was irritated by the Regina comments, she couldn't resist smirking back. "You were pompous, probably still are! And a bit too moralistic for someone like me. Regina wasn't the only one who thought the sun shone out of your ass. Henry worshipped you too! All that giving to the poor and justice and stuff? All too goody-goody for me!"
He didn't seem bothered. "For the record, I always thought you were a bit sulky and sullen. Way too moody, and self-absorbed, for my taste!"
"Ouch!" but the smirk never left her. "Moody? That's rich, coming from the guy who fell in love with Regina, the queen of bad moods!"
"What can I say? I like a challenge! Still, it's all irrelevant now. She's happy. They both are…"
"So, what happens next? Killian tells me you're living on board until you sort yourself out?"
"I am. I'm intending to build a cottage, or even a small village, in the forest. Merlin says he can help me. I never wanted the guys to live under tents forever and we always used to be running away from some monarch or another. Now I have some magical abilities, I'm hoping I can put them to good use."
"Build a village? You might get some push back from the powers that be around here…"
"Well, the Mayor seems okay with it, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I need a proper base for Roland, and Robyn, apart from their mothers. I guess we'll have to have an arrangement, something similar to how you and Regina raised Henry."
"So, you don't want him permanently based with Marian and Regina? Killian kind of told me what happened yesterday, after I left you."
"It wasn't pleasant, but it was bound to be a shock for them. It certainly was for me!"
"What, Regina and Marian? It freaked you out seeing the two of them together?"
"Of course it did! After all, it's not every day you come back to find out the two most important women in your life have fallen in love with one another and got married, is it?"
"What upset you most? The fact it was those two, or the fact they're both women?"
"The first, obviously! Homosexuality has never bothered me - I even officiated at Alan-a-Dale's marriage to Malcolm years ago! But knowing what Regina and Marian mean to me, and knowing I can't be with either of them anymore, is painful to say the least! But I've still got Robyn and Roland, and they still need to have their mothers in their lives. I somehow need to move on myself…"
Emma nodded sympathetically, not knowing what to say, until: "Sorry for what you're going through. I've had my heart broken too. I know it hurts…"
"Henry's father?" she gave him a sad nod. "Did you know, I met Neal before? In the Enchanted Forest. He arrived at the Dark One's castle when Mulan and I were raiding the place. Rather an astonishing fellow. Hid his intelligence behind a mask. He had a more difficult life than both of us. He told me a little of what happened between you two, and felt he had no alternative. Nonetheless, knowing he had a son gave him a new purpose. He talked about the two of you a lot. I'm sorry…"
She lowered her head, looking away to prevent him seeing her eyes starting to redden. She felt a warm hand on top of her own. "I'm sure he's looking down on you now, proud of you both! Your Henry was an extremely astute lad; I'm sure he's now a remarkable young man…"
"Thanks," her words just a whisper, as she wiped her eyes. "Yeah, I still miss him. Henry often mentions him, even though he only knew him a couple of weeks…" she stopped, unable to continue. She felt his hand shift from hers to rest in the middle of her shoulders.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel sad. But look at you now? You have a loving husband who adores you, a beautiful daughter, and Henry must make you so proud. I'm glad you're getting your happy ending, Emma."
She finally looked up at him. "You know, after Hades killed you, Regina never really got a chance to mourn. We had to race off to New York to rescue Henry, we had Jekyll and Hyde, the Black Fairy controlling Gold's son to kill me, and all sorts of weird stuff going on! Then after yet another curse, and she finally became an elected queen, which is sort of a job but isn't really. It's only after all that she finally broke down! She really was in a bad way."
"Then I'm glad you were there for her, Emma, I really am!" He took his hand away, not wanting to make her feel awkward. "But she's got her happiness too now. With Marian. I know we had a row last night but, I think we may have cleared the air this morning. I even saw them at the stables earlier. They've even invited me for dinner together next weekend at some fancy Italian restaurant in town. We need to figure out how to handle Roland. Until then, he's going to be living with me."
"Italian Restaurant? The only one I know around here is Antonio's. It's brand new. Killian and I were looking at it only the other day and were planning on going there soon. It's pricey and a bit fancy, so I can't imagine those two going there without dressing up!" she looked him over. "You might want to think about getting yourself some decent clothes? That forest gear and boots probably won't cut it."
The grin never left him. "Are you implying I don't know how to dress, Sheriff?"
She smiled. "No...well…you may have changed your shirts but, you've been wearing basically the same outfit since I first met you four years ago! Perhaps time you had a new wardrobe, Mr. Hood?"
He tried looking affronted, but the subsequent chuckle gave him away. "How dare you! Says the woman who always wore the same craggy old red leather jacket, jeans and boots every day, for all the weeks I knew her?" he ribbed, nudging her shoulder with his.
"Touché, I'll remember that! And what was it you called me earlier? Sulky and sullen? Moody? Self-absorbed?"
It was the first time Emma ever spent time alone with Robin and, as she studied him more closely, she had to admit, he was quite a handsome man and easy to get on with. She was beginning to understand what Regina saw in him.
"Perhaps I misjudged you. We can always start again, can't we?" He proffered a hand, Emma taking it with a nod, to shake. "As I'm already good friends with your husband, I hope you and I can be too one day? Even if you are close to Regina and Marian! Then you might discover I'm nothing like as pompous or self-righteous, as you may have thought?"
Her grin widened. "I'd like that. Though as for Regina, we haven't been as close recently, now she's married. I don't think Marian trusts me, for reasons…well, you don't want to know the reasons."
"I'm sure I do, though I think I can guess. Anyway, how's your mother and father? I gather from Belle, David's no longer working as a deputy?"
"And that's another awkward topic! They've been out of town for a couple of weeks and I'm kind of in the doghouse with them now. It's a subject for another day. Now, tell me something new to cheer me up! What are these new magical powers you've got? And more importantly, what's Zeus like?
Mifflin Street
Regina brought two hot drinks into the study, to find Marian still on the phone.
"That's wonderful, Tony. You're an absolute angel and I could kiss you! Though I better not, as I'm sure your beautiful Annabelle might take issue!"
Regina raised an eyebrow at her wife, placing her mug of tea on the desk in front of her. She'd become used to watching and hearing Marian work on people ever since she met her over eight months ago, and recognised her wonderful powers of persuasion at work. A combination of praise, encouragement and , when needed, outrageous flirting, that often had people eating out of the palm of her hand.
"I'm sure Robin'll be more than happy to meet Angela! He loves giving lessons to children. So, the corner booth at eight-thirty next Saturday?" she winked at Regina. "Super. Thanks so much, Tony. Love to Anna. See you then." she ended the call, before finally clenching her fist and punching the air triumphantly.
"Yes!"
Regina sat opposite, smirking before taking a sip of her coffee. "Good news?"
"He was fully booked next weekend, but he's somehow juggled things so we get the best table! That big bay window at the back, in that little conservatory? It's nicely secluded, so we get some privacy."
"He's booked solid three weeks in advance! You mentioned Robin – what have you promised him?"
"Nothing much. It seems his ten-year-old girl has been reading about Robin at school, and saw a movie about him. Sounds like she's a fan, so I kind of promised them he'd say hello to her and…perhaps give her an archery lesson?"
Regina sniggered. "It might have been polite to ask him first?"
"He won't mind. Now, what are you wearing for it? We don't want to clash now, do we? I thought you'd look lovely in that red stretch silk cocktail dress you bought in New York. You know, the one with the low jewel neckline? When you tried it, it looked like you'd poured it on…" she fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously. "It's very sexy!"
"That one? I wasn't planning to wear it this side of the town line! That needs to be worn without anything under it to get the effect. We might see someone we know there!"
"So what? It's not obscene, Gina, and you are out to dinner with your wife, after all! Surely, I'm worth it? I'll dress up for you. I was going to wear the short black one with the appliqué? I can go bra-less too, so you won't feel self-conscious. Between the two of us, Robin won't know where to look!"
Regina frowned at her, confused. "He already said he finds it difficult just seeing us together! That'll just make things worse. He's going to think we're toying with him! It's a terrible idea!" Then she noticed her wife's knowing smirk. "Wait. That's what you want, isn't it? To wind him up? Leave him frustrated?"
"Well, I thought it might be a good start."
"No Marian! Absolutely not. It's just not fair! Why ever would you want to do that, to Robin of all people? It's cruel!"
"Keep your hair on, I didn't want to leave him frustrated, I just thought that together, we might…well, you know…" she fluttered her eyelashes, assuming the inference was obvious.
"We might what?"
"I thought we might...seduce him."
"WHAT?" Regina was incredulous. "You can't be serious?"
Marian shrugged. "Why not? He already told us he was still in love with both of us, and this morning you told him you were still in love with him so, why not? It could be fun. Where's the harm?"
"The harm? Have you gone mad? We're married, for heaven's sake! He's Roland's father! If it ends badly, god alone knows what could happen. If he thinks we're playing him, he could take offence, up sticks and leave. Taking Roland with him! Are you really prepared to risk that, just for a bit of fun?"
She frowned. "It's more than a bit of fun, Gina. It's Robin! He was, no, he is, your true love. Possibly mine too! I don't see why he would take offence that his two former lovers still have the hots for him!"
Regina raised a brow, shaking her head in disbelief. "The hots? I hardly think I-"
"Oh, do come off it, Gina!" she interrupted. "I saw the way you looked at him when he kissed you! You were acting like a lovesick puppy! Please don't insult my intelligence by pretending you felt nothing, because I know you did. But you know what? I did too! The difference between you and me is, I'm prepared to own it!"
Regina wanted to deny it but seeing the look of certainty on her wife's face, knew there was no point in denial. "Even if that were true, and I'm definitely not saying it is - we shouldn't tempt fate! Not for a one-night stand, if that's what you're thinking. You're playing with fire here! What happens if one quick fling results in you getting too attached, wanting to be with him, with Roland? Where would that leave me? Where would that leave our marriage?"
Marian quickly rose from behind the desk, walking in front of her, resting her hands on Regina's hips. "The same place it would be, if you left me for him! But I truly believe that would never happen. And he would never let that happen! I fell in love with you too, Regina! And provided you love me, I'm with you till the day I die!" she took her face in her hands, dropping a soft kiss on her lips. "But we do both love him, don't we? I was hoping that, perhaps, one day…"
"That one day, we might have something like the Briars have? Is that what you were thinking?"
"I admit it had crossed my mind. I was talking to Rory this afternoon, when you were in the stables. She seems so…so happy, with Phil and Mulan. I kinda imagined us like that." She lowered her head, resting it on Regina's shoulder. "Silly, I know."
Regina pecked her forehead. "Not entirely silly. We're in love with each other, and the same man. But it's a risk, Marian. It could backfire! Badly!"
"So, you're not entirely against the idea of us…seducing him?"
Regina's mouth slowly turned into a mischievous grin. "Not entirely against it, no. I've never imagined hunting, or especially seducing, as a pair before. Could be fun. But if it starts to go wrong, or he starts being awkward, we back off immediately, agreed?"
The delicious twinkle in Regina's eyes, set off tingling sensations in Marian. "Agreed," she slid her hands slowly through the queen's hair, massaging her scalp, before pulling her back, fastening their lips together once more. This time, mouths opened wider without hesitation, Marian sliding her tongue slowly against her wife's mouth in a smooth, practiced movement, as Regina did the same, both groaning at the welcome sensation. They clung together tightly for a good while before lips finally unsealed. Marian tilted her head back, to look into the eyes of the woman she'd only met just over just eight months ago. The only woman to ever conquer her heart.
"Seduction would be child's play to you. How could anyone resist you, my queen?" she whispered.
