Chapter 2: The Battle Begins

Difficult patients were Robin's forte. He managed to cajole them and ultimately get them to do what they needed to do. And at the end of the day, either they or their loved ones were happy and grateful for their work.

He had worked with many patients who were difficult for their own reasons and in their own ways. But Regina Mills was giving them all a run for their money.

She had clearly gone to war with him but it was one she was not going to win.

"Time for lunch," Robin said, knocking on the door to Regina's office. She sat at her computer, typing something up. Regina ignored him for a few minutes and he was certain whatever she was typing just got longer than it needed to be just to piss him off.

But he was a patient man. He could wait.

She finally stopped typing and turned in her chair, giving him a sweet smile. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Robin bit the inside of his cheek, knowing the game she was playing. He was not going to give her the satisfaction though. Instead, he smiled and happily repeated himself. Her smug smile diminished a bit, especially as he said: "I'll go get your chair for you."

"Thank you," she said, almost gritting her teeth. Robin had picked up early on that she hated the wheelchair and Mary Margaret had confirmed that for him, explaining she hated looking weak.

He had definitely picked up on that too.

Robin rolled over her wheelchair and set it so she could transfer herself into it. She winced as she did so and he frowned. "Are you feeling pain?"

"No," she replied. "Just a little sore."

While he wasn't entirely sure she would tell him the truth, he decided to take her at face value for now. After all, she was still in the early stages of healing and he had to imagine moving from chair to chair jostled something that might not cause a lot of pain but a brief flash of discomfort.

Once she was in the chair, he wheeled her into the kitchen and up to her chair at the table. She moved over to that chair as he retrieved the meal he had prepared for her. Robin set the plate down. "What do you want to drink?"

"I'll just take some sparkling water, please," she said, eyeing the bowl filled with what no doubt appeared to be a green blob. "What is this?"

"It's sweet pea risotto," he replied, pouring her some water. "It's healthy, rich in nutrients and vitamins that will help your body heal itself."

She pushed some of it with her fork, scrunching her nose. "Where did you find this?"

"In the folder Mary Margaret has marked 'new recipes for Regina' that she told me to use," he replied, setting the glass down by her plate. "She even had all the ingredients in the refrigerator. And though I've only been with you a week, I can tell that she wouldn't do that unless you had already given the recipe your approval."

Regina once again scowled. "Maybe I would've wanted her to cook this for me rather than you."

"Then you should tell her that," Robin said, keeping his voice even no matter how much she was testing his patience. "She told me I can make any recipe in that folder."

"How do I know you made this right?" she then asked.

He shrugged. "You're just going to trust me. Everything else I've made so far this week has been edible, right?"

"Barely," she muttered, staring at her plate. He rolled his eyes as he busied himself, knowing she ate everything when his back was turned. This was just another little weapon in her arsenal and one that had no affect on him.

It wasn't haute cuisine but it was still good. After all, Roland ate his cooking and preschoolers were even pickier than difficult patients.

He turned around after slowly cleaning where he had prepared the meal and found that most of the meal had been eaten. Robin smiled. "Do you want more?" he asked.

"Yes, please," she said, looking pained to say it. "It wasn't as bad as I expected."

"A high compliment. Thank you," he replied, taking the plate from her to add more food to it. He felt her eyes on him but he didn't look back. She could stare him down all she wanted – he wasn't going anywhere until this job was done.

He turned around and found she did not look away, so that was interesting. She watched him as he approached the table and set her plate down in front of her. "Enjoy," he said.

"Aren't you going to eat?" she asked him.

"I will once you're done and resting," he replied, crossing his arms. "I figured you weren't the type who likes their aide eating with them."

She looked back down at her plate and he knew he had her. He retreated to the other side of the island and continued to do a little cleaning. After a few minutes, she said: "I'm going back to my office after lunch."

"No," he said. "You're going to rest."

"I have work to do!" she protested.

He shook his head. "Your schedule only has work in the morning. The afternoon is dedicated to resting and doing your exercises."

"There's an important project I need to finish," she explained. "So I need to go back to work."

"Aren't you on approved medical leave?" he asked, wondering if the town council was being demanding or if she was just having trouble letting go of her job for the few weeks it would take to heal.

His gut told him it was the latter and he wished he could convince her to just rest, to let her body heal. It would go so much faster but she was a stubborn woman who was going to do everything to prove she wasn't weak to herself, even if she destroyed herself in the process.

"Yes, but I made an agreement to keep working," she replied, stopping short of finishing that sentence.

Robin did though. "In the mornings."

"I agreed to half days," Regina corrected. "But I think an exception can be made for this project."

"Look, I admire your dedication to our town but don't you have deputies or bureau heads or some form of underlings who can do this for you?" he asked, growing more exasperated with her. At the rate she was going, it was going to take her months to heal and get back to full strength.

She frowned. "If you want something done right, you do it yourself."

"You don't have to do everything by yourself, Mayor Mills," he told her. "You have to trust other people."

"Like you?" she asked, glaring at him.

He shrugged. "Maybe."

"And why should I trust you when you say I should stop working now?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Because your body is still healing and resting helps it do that," he told her. "We also have some exercises to do that will also help encourage healing as well as prevent you from getting pneumonia. If you hate having me take care of you now, you'll really hate when I need to take care of you while you are feverish, nauseous and wheezing."

That seemed to give her pause and she grew thoughtful. She tilted her head. "Could that really happen?"

He nodded. "If they want you to do breathing exercises, then yes, they are worried you can develop pneumonia."

"Oh," she said softly. "I guess I was still out of it when they explained that."

"Looking over the painkillers they were weaning you off as they discharged you, it's very likely," he agreed, thinking back to the discharge paperwork Mary Margaret had shared with the agency. He had read every page diligently the night before he started his assignment with Regina.

She took a few bites before looking up again. "How about a compromise?"

"Depends," he said, wanting to be open but not tricked into something that would give her a way to invalidate his job.

"What if I only work a couple more hours after lunch and then do my exercises and then rest?" she asked.

He had to admit that was an okay compromise though he wasn't completely thrilled with it. Robin also worried this would be her way to push back on him, working more and more until she was doing full days and undoing any progress she made in her recovery. So he needed to tread carefully.

"Okay, but just this once," he said, stressing the last word.

"Thank you," she replied. "I knew you could be reasonable."

He gave her a sarcastic smile at her barely veiled insult. "Well, I hope one day you can be just as reasonable."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Very funny."

"Well, they say laughter is the best medicine," he replied, smirking at her.

"So I guess nursing was a fallback career after you bombed as a stand-up comedian?" she asked.

"Who said I bombed?" he asked.

She rolled her eyes. "Very funny."

"Thanks," he said. "I thought so. Now finish your meal."

"I'm not a child," she snapped at him.

He scowled, ready to snap at her that she was acting like one. But he knew that would be the best way to lose this war of wills and so he took a deep breath before holding up his hands. "You're right. I'm sorry," he said.

That seemed to please her and she turned back to her plate, eating extra slowly now – no doubt just to piss him off. She was worse than his preschooler, but he wasn't going to say that. After all, in the end, she was just going to hurt herself – she would either have less time to work on her project or risk getting caught working by her son and friend, something he knew she did not want to happen. Her pride made her battle with him but the last thing she never wanted to do was disappoint them.

Regina cleared her throat. "I'm done."

"Okay," he said, relieved. He rolled her wheelchair over to her. "Let's get you back to your office and then I'll clean up."

"Good," she replied, moving over to her wheelchair. He then brought her back to her office and oversaw her transfer back to her office chair.

Once she was situated, he nodded. "Let me know if you need to use the bathroom. Otherwise, I won't disturb you until three o'clock."

He stressed that time, reminding her how close she would be cutting it to when Mary Margaret and Henry would get home. Robin hoped that the fear of being caught still doing her exercises would make her reconsider her time frame. The earlier she ended, the more rest she could get – and she needed that more than any project.

She did hesitate before glancing at her computer screen. Her shoulders slumped before she turned to him. "Give me an hour instead."

"An hour then," he said, trying not to look as pleased as he felt. She was a formidable opponent but he had been playing this game far longer than her and knew all the ways to win. He left the room, finally allowing himself to smile.

He would let her win a few battles but ultimately, Regina Mills would not win this war.

"So how is the newest job going?" John Little, Robin's best friend, handed him a bottle of beer before sitting down in one of the armchairs in Robin's living room.

Robin sighed after taking a swig of his beer. "It's a challenge. I've had my share of difficult patients but Madam Mayor is giving them all a run for their money."

"Does she make you call her Madam Mayor?" John asked, sounding incredulous.

"She's never insisted I call her that but she responds better when I do address her that way," Robin said, taking another sip.

John shook his head. "She sounds like a piece of work."

"She's a proud woman," Robin corrected, "and she's too stubborn for her own good."

"You got out of this field, Robin, and you're just doing Tuck a favor. Is it really worth it to battle this woman for weeks on end?" John asked. "Why not just walk away?"

Robin sighed, knowing he had asked himself that question a few times in the past. But it all came back to one thing: "I can't let her win."

John raised an eyebrow. "So it's a pride thing for you as well?"

"I guess," Robin replied. "But I'm also concerned that if I give up on her, she'll get her way and be left alone. And that could jeopardize her healing, either prolonging it or preventing her from healing properly."

"If so, then she only would have herself to blame," John pointed out. "Not you."

Robin sighed, knowing his friend had a point. Yet at the same time, he had promised to care for her and he always kept his word. "I gave my word to her son," he told John.

John's expression softened and he nodded. "How old is he?"

"Ten," Robin replied. "And Mayor Mills is essentially his whole world. There's been no mention of a father nor any pictures of one in the house. She's all he has and it's clear she loves him very, very much."

"You always had a soft spot for children," John said, taking another sip of his beer. "You also have a soft spot for feisty brunettes with brown eyes."

Robin paused, as a certain feisty brunette with brown eye filled his mind's eye. He swallowed his beer. "What?" he asked, his voice slightly higher.

"I've seen pictures of the mayor," John said knowingly. "She's very beautiful. I thought maybe there was some sexual tension between you two."

"Between me and a patient? Never!" Robin scoffed, insulted his friend could think he would violate the patient-aide relationship like that.

John held up his hands. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that. But the mayor has to be the first non-elderly patient you ever had, right?"

"Not the first," Robin said softly, painful memories filling his mind. He took a big swig of beer, hoping to drown them.

"Aww, shit," John replied, running his hand through his hair. "I should probably just shut up now. I meant to cheer you up and I've done the complete opposite."

Robin set his beer down, knowing his friend meant well. "I know, I know. How about a little less talking and a little more footy, yeah?"

John nodded. "Sounds good."

"I'm going to get another beer," Robin said, standing. "You want?"

"Yes, please. Thanks, mate," John replied, handing Robin his empty beer bottle so he could toss it in the recycling.

Robin did just that before grabbing two beers from his refrigerator. He opened them before glancing at the drawing hanging on the fridge's door, showing a stick figure with blond hair holding the hand of a smaller stick figure with dark curls. Up in the sky, a figure with long black hair and wings watched over them.

It made him choke up and he took a moment to calm himself before joining his friend out in the living room. Tonight, he would watch football with his friend and have some good conversation.

Tomorrow, he would make an appointment with Dr. Hopper.

"Here you go, mate," Robin said, handing John his beer before sitting on the couch again. "I miss anything?"

John shook his head. "Not at all."

"Good," Robin replied, sipping his beer.

They continued to watch the game, even after it became apparent it was going to end in a loss for their team. John kept his word and stayed away from anything that had to do with Robin's job, instead talking about his own as well as asking about Roland until the game ended. With the groan shared by disappointed fans everywhere, Robin then shook John's hand and thanked him for coming over. John promised to see him the following week and Robin saw his friend out, locking the door.

He turned off the lights before heading upstairs. Robin opened the door to his son's room and checked on Roland, who was sound asleep. Assured all was well, Robin closed the door again and entered his room to get ready for bed.

Now in his pajamas and with his teeth brushed, Robin climbed into bed and turned off the light. Sleep, though, eluded him and he sighed as he looked at the empty spot beside him. He missed falling asleep with someone in his arms and feeling her warm breath against his skin.

God, he missed her.

Robin rolled away from the empty spot and closed his eyes, hoping he could trick his body into falling asleep. He knew he was tired so it was just a matter of time. If only he could turn off his mind…

Come on, Robin, he told himself. You know how to calm your mind and body for sleep. Just take a deep breath in and then let it out slowly.

He did just that and he felt the tension leave his body. It relaxed into his mattress and he repeated it a few times, clearing his mind as well. With each breath, he felt himself inching closer to sleep and he welcomed it.

As he let out his last slow, deep breath, he felt as if he were floating. Dreams started to claim him and pull him into their magical world, this time a field full of flowers near a river back in Sherwood. It had been their favorite picnicking spot and he watched as Roland chased after a butterfly, never straying far from their blanket. Someone took his hand and he looked over, finding beautiful brown eyes looking back into his. A soft breeze blew through dark curls, making the woman next to him smile.

But it wasn't the woman he expected.

It was Regina Mills.

He sat up with a gasp, pressing his hand to his head as he cursed John. Yes, the mayor was beautiful – that fact had not escaped him during their many fights in the time he had been her aide – but he was not attracted to her. Robin was not interested in anybody romantically just yet and didn't think he would be for a long time. So the only reason he could think of as to why the mayor was haunting his dreams now was because John had put the thought in his head.

Just wonderful.

"I'm going to give John a piece of my mind in the morning," he said to nothing. He then plopped back down on the mattress, sighing. Closing his eyes, he banished all thoughts of the mayor from his mind and hoped to fall asleep.

Without any thoughts of Regina Mills. He got enough of her during the day and needed at least some time away from her.

For both their sakes.

"Alright, son, kick it over to me," Robin called out, standing in an empty field with Roland.

Roland hesitated as he stared at the white and black ball in front of him. "I don't know if I can, Papa."

"Just try your best," Robin assured him. "And just like we practiced. You remember that?"

"I do," Roland said. He took a deep breath before kicking the ball just as Robin showed him. Roland changed up his feet as he kept kicking the ball the short distance to where his father stood, waiting for him.

Just as he almost reached Robin, something went wrong. Roland's foot slid as he kicked the ball. He waved his arms as he tried to regain his balance but it was not to be and he fell over onto his back. Robin jobbed over to him, dropping to his knees. "Roland! Are you okay?"

His son started crying and Robin did a cursory exam, assuring himself that Roland didn't break anything. Robin also checked his neck, just to be careful, and then picked up his son. The boy wrapped himself around his father's chest and neck, so Robin was certain it was just the emotions of falling rather than any pain that made Roland cry. He soothed Roland as best he could, assuring him that he was fine.

After a few moments, Roland's crying abated and he just sniffled as he rested his head against Robin's shoulder. "You feeling better?" he asked his son. "You want to try again?"

"Okay," Roland said. Robin set him down on his feet and wiped away a few tears. The boy looked around and frowned. "Where's the ball, Papa?"

Robin sighed, realizing he was more focused on his son rather than the ball. Standing, he said: "You wait here. I'll go find it."

He started to move forward when a figure came running toward him. Robin recognized Henry Mills, the mayor's son, and realized he had a soccer ball under his arm. Henry stopped in front of him and held out the ball. "Hi, Mr. Locksley. Is this yours?"

"Hello, Henry," Robin said, taking the ball. "Thank you for returning it."

Roland approached them, looking up at the older boy with a bright smile. "Hi, I'm Roland! What's your name?"

"This is Henry. I'm taking care of his mother while she's getting better from some injuries," Robin told his son.

"Papa is the best nurse," Roland declared. "Your mama will feel better in no time!"

Henry grinned. "I'm sure. I'm glad to know he's with her during the day."

Warmth filled Robin and all the fights with Regina were almost worth it. He gently clasped Henry's shoulder. "I'm trying get her better for you."

"I know," Henry replied with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you."

"Henry! Henry, where are you?" a man called out. A tall blond man jogged over and Robin wondered if he was Henry's father. Regina never mentioned him but Robin did recognize his pictures from the house. It was good he still had a relationship with Henry even if he wasn't involved with Regina anymore.

At least, he assumed that was the case.

Henry turned and waved to the man. "I'm over here, Uncle David."

"You grabbed a ball and just took off running," David said. "I was a bit worried for a moment there."

"Sorry," Henry replied sheepishly. "I realized the ball belongs to Mr. Locksley. He's the one taking care of Mom."

David winced, holding out his hand. "Sorry. I know she can be quite…stubborn."

Robin shook his hand. "It's okay. I'm just as stubborn."

"That's the best way to get to her," David replied. "At least, it seems to have worked for my wife and me."

Something clicked in Robin's head and he tilted his head. "You're Mary Margaret's husband?"

David nodded before his eyes widened. He held out his hand. "Where are my manners? David Nolan."

"Robin Locksley," Robin replied, trying to place the name as he shook David's hand. "You're the sheriff, right?"

"Guilty," David said, releasing his hand. "It's usually a quiet job though. Storybrooke's a great town. Mostly speeders and drunks."

Robin nodded. "It's why I wanted to move here with my son. It's so quiet and peaceful. The perfect place to grow up."

He glanced at Roland, watching as Henry kicked the ball around with him. Roland laughed as he played with the older boy, clearly having fun. After everything they had been through, Robin just wanted to give his boy an ideal childhood and Storybrooke seemed like the perfect place for that.

"It is," David agreed. "It feels like we're hidden away from the rest of the world and so its dangers don't generally reach us."

"That's nice," Robin said, pleased he made the right decision for him and Roland.

David nodded, placing his hands in his pockets. "What about Roland's mother?"

"It's just him and me," Robin replied softly, hoping David didn't pry any further.

Thankfully, the man didn't. Instead, he said: "I thought you worked at the library so I didn't expect you to be Regina's aide."

"I volunteer at the library," Robin replied. "Honestly, I left the home healthcare field but my old boss asked me back because I've always been the best at dealing with difficult patients."

David chuckled. "I'm sure Regina is giving them all a run for their money."

Even though it seemed David understood how difficult Regina was, Robin believed bad-mouthing his clients was unprofessional. So he just said: "She's certainly presenting some unique challenges."

"That is a very polite way of saying she's a pain in the ass," David replied, grinning at him. He then sighed. "Look, there's a lot to Regina and she's a very private person, so I won't say much. Except I will say that she's still dealing with the repercussions of a toxic person and has some very skewed mindsets, especially when it comes to being vulnerable."

Robin frowned, glancing at Henry as he hoped the boy's father wasn't the one responsible for Regina's fear of being seen as weak. It did certainly give him a little more insight into her, even if he didn't have the full story. He then looked back at David. "Thank you for telling me."

"I think you should have some understanding of her," David replied. "It might help you figure out a way to get through to her."

"I'll have to see," Robin said. "I find she will do anything to make sure she won't disappoint her son. So that's been a good motivator."

David nodded, glancing at Henry. "He's her whole world. She'll do anything for him."

"She's a good mother," Robin agreed. "I only see them for a few minutes in the morning and then the afternoon but it's very apparent they both love each other very much."

"Regina has a rough exterior but she has a very big heart underneath it," David told him. "She's just been hurt too many times before and so doesn't let many people see it."

Robin nodded. "I can understand that."

David checked his watch before calling out: "Five more minutes, Henry, and then I have to get you home."

"Okay, Uncle David," Henry called out. He then turned back to Roland, showing him how to bounce the ball on his foot.

"It was nice to meet you, Robin," David said, holding out his hand again. "And thank you for taking care of Regina."

Robin shook his hand as Henry jogged up to him. After releasing David's hand, Robin turned to Henry. "Don't give your mom too much trouble and I'll see you both on Monday."

Henry shook Robin's hand. "See you then."

"Bye, Henry!" Roland said, hugging the older boy before grabbing onto Robin's leg.

"Bye, Roland," Henry replied, waving as he walked away with David. Robin followed them until they got into David's truck and then he turned back to Roland.

Running his fingers through his son's hair, he smiled. "You hungry, bud?"

"Yeah," Roland said. "Can we go to Granny's please?"

"I think that's a great idea," Robin said, picking up his son and placing him on his hip. He then grabbed their soccer ball before straightening up. "Let's go."

They headed over to their car and as Robin put his son into his booster seat, he felt even more conflicted. He had gotten a little more insight into his client but it didn't necessarily mean that things would get better between them. Robin would have to tread carefully as he knew that if Regina suspected he knew anything about her, she would shut down and probably get even nastier.

He had a feeling everything was about to get even more complicated.

"Thank you for taking him out to the park, David," Regina said, sitting up on the couch. "I felt bad keeping him cooped up on such a beautiful day."

David smiled. "You're welcome. We had a fun day – right, Henry?"

Henry nodded as he entered the living room, sitting down next to his mother. "I got play with Mr. Locksley's son."

"Mr. Locksley? My home health aide?" she asked, surprised.

"We saw him in the park," David explained. "Henry found their soccer ball and returned to it him and his son."

It felt like her brain short-circuited trying to imagine Locksley having a life outside of being her home health aide, including being a father to a son. To her, it felt that he just appeared at her door at 7 AM Monday through Friday and then disappeared at 4 PM those same days. She had been so busy trying to get rid of him that she forgot he was a real person.

"Mom?" Henry asked, sounding concerned. "Are you okay?"

She smiled, nodding. "Yes. I just got lost in my own thoughts. Sorry."

Mary Margaret entered the room, smiling. "Dinner's almost ready. Why don't you go wash your hands, Henry? David, can you help Regina?"

"I can help Mom," Henry said, jumping up.

Regina's heart stopped for a moment – she hated that her ten-year-old son thought he needed to help her. That wasn't fair to him so she shook her head. "Your uncle can help me. You go wash your hands like your aunt said."

"Okay, Mom," he replied, leaving the room with Mary Margaret.

David rolled over her wheelchair, tilting his head. "You sure you okay? You got really quiet there for a moment."

"I know," she said, moving into her wheelchair. "I guess I was surprised to hear Locksley has a life outside his job."

"I guess it's like seeing your teacher outside of school," he replied, chuckling. "You know on an abstract level that they have a life outside teaching but it's still jarring to actually see it."

She chuckled as well, always enjoying how he saw things. "I guess it's like that. So what's his son like?"

"You'd have to ask Henry," David said, pushing her toward the table. "He played with Roland while I talked with Robin."

"Who is Roland?" Mary Margaret asked, setting down a bowl of vegetables on the table.

"Robin's son," David replied. "Henry and I saw them in the park and Henry played with him for a bit."

Mary Margaret smiled. "That sounds wonderful! I didn't know Robin was married. I've never seen a ring."

Regina was surprised that her happily married friend even looked for a ring. But it lasted only a moment before she realized why Mary Margaret really checked – to see if he was available for Regina, who she still believed had a True Love waiting out there for her despite knowing that Regina's True Love had died while they were still in college.

Even if there was someone out there for her, Regina was certain it was not Robin Locksley.

"All Robin said was that he was him and Roland," David said. "I got the feeling he doesn't like talking about whatever happened to Roland's mother."

That intrigued Regina and she wondered what had exactly happened. Had Roland's mother left them? Or had something else happened to her? And as she pondered over different scenarios – including one where Locksley had adopted like she had – another question filled her mind.

Why did she care?

Henry returned and took his seat next to Regina, drawing her away from her thoughts. "This looks delicious, Aunt Mary Margaret," he said.

"Thank you, Henry," she replied, sitting down with a glass of wine. "I hope you all enjoy it."

Regina stared at her friend's glass of wine before saying: "I would enjoy it more with a glass of that red."

"No," Mary Margaret said. "You're on too many medicines and I don't want you to have a bad reaction."

"You're on an involuntary sober month," David told her, not even bothering to hide his smirk.

She sighed, annoyed that David was so smug about it and Mary Margaret was right. Regina had no choice but to drink water. "Fine."

"So, Henry, Uncle David said you met Mr. Locksley's son at the park," Mary Margaret continued.

Henry nodded. "His name is Roland and he was learning how to play soccer. Though he called it football."

"Well, Mr. Locksley is British," Regina said. "I believe they call soccer football so that's probably what he's taught his son that it's called."

"Oh," Henry said, placing food on his plate. "Cool. Do they call other things by different names in England as well?"

Mary Margaret nodded. "They do. We can look some of them up after dinner if you want."

Regina chuckled, hearing how her friend slipped into teacher mode. She piled some salad onto her plate as she asked: "So did Mr. Locksley say anything about me?"

"If you're trying to ask if was bad-mouthing you, the answer is no," David replied. "He was nothing but professional and polite."

"Oh," she said, surprised and annoyed. The man was truly unflappable and it was starting to get to her.

She then looked over David. "And what did you tell him about me?"

"That you were a pain in the…butt," he replied, eyes flicking to Henry as he censored himself.

"Well, I'm sure that no matter how professional and polite he was, he still already knew that even if he didn't say it," she replied, feeling that she should be annoyed with David but feeling nothing. If she were honest, he had just told the truth – she was a pain in the ass. "Anything else?"

David shrugged. "I just told him that he needs to be patient with you."

She narrowed her eyes as she studied him, believing there was more to his answer than met the eye. Regina decided she would interrogate him later. While she trusted David, she also knew that he might have let something he shouldn't have slip in a misguided attempt to help Locksley.

But she barely wanted Locksley to know about her medical condition, let alone anything else about her life.

"I like Mr. Locksley," Henry said, cutting into his chicken. "He seems like a nice guy and I think he does care about you, Mom."

She bit her lip, unsure how to respond. Henry always saw the best in people and it was something she didn't want him to lose, much like her mother took away her ability to see the good in people for a long time. That was the one thing Regina never wanted to be – just like her mother. But at the same time, she also knew that Locksley only saw her as some nuisance patient to deal with until she was better. He probably cared about her getting better if only to get her out of his hair.

"Well, Mr. Locksley is a nurse," Mary Margaret said, no doubt to fill the silence that had fallen. "Nurses are usually very caring people."

Henry nodded. "Yeah, I suppose so. But I'm still glad he's taking care of Mom."

"We all are," Mary Margaret replied. She shot a pointed look at Regina. "Right?"

Regina pressed her lips together before forcing a smile onto her face. "Yes. We're really lucky to have him."

Her answer seemed to please Henry and went back to his meal with a smile on his face. It melted her a bit and she sighed, deciding that if pretending she liked Locksley got her little prince to smile like that, then maybe it wasn't such a bad thing after all.

But it also meant that she was going to have to be careful about chasing Locksley off so she didn't disappoint or upset her son. It wasn't going to be easy but she knew she could do it. She would get her space and chance to hide how vulnerable she was until she could emerge whole and strong again.

A/N: Here's the second chapter! Regina and Robin are locked in a battle of the wills, each determined to win. Who will be triumphant? Or will they be able to reach some compromise?

Thanks to everyone who commented, reviewed, liked, followed or left kudos already on this fic! Your support means everything to me!

- Mac