A/N: Finally, I was able to write out and update a much awaited chapter for this story! This story is almost nearing it's end, so I want to thank everyone who has been reading and following it along with the other two parts from the very beginning. :) I really hope you enjoy this new update. Once again, I apologize for taking so long with it.
It's Robin. What did he want? Why was he calling her and from Ivy's phone?
"You're probably wondering why I called you."
"Yes." Hang up. Regina tells herself, but just as soon as she's about to hang up, just the sound of the man's voice forbids her.
"Don't hang up. I've been having a chat with your little cousin-in-law here."
What? Ivy! No! "What have you done?" Regina whispers, trying to quell her fear.
"You fucked up my life. Swan fucked up my life. You owe me. I have the little bitch with me now. And you, that bitch you married, and her whole fucking family are going to pay."
Emma's family? Their family? But, why?
"What do you want, Robin?"
"Money. I want her money. It should have been me. If things had been different, it could have been me. So you're going to get it for me. I want five million dollars, today."
Bile rises to Regina's throat. "Robin, I don't have access to that kind of money."
Robin snorts. "You have two hours to get it. That's it- two hours. Tell no one of this, not your wife, not the police- no one. If you tell a soul, this bitch dies. Do you understand? I will know if you tell anyone." He pauses and Regina tries to respond, but panic and fear seal her throat.
"Am I making myself clear?" Robin's voice shouts through the phone.
"Yes," she whispers.
"Good. Keep your phone with you. You have two hours."
"Robin, I can't possibly get you five million dollars in two hours. I need longer. At least three."
"Fine. But, if I don't get that money in three hours, I will kill her."
"How do I know you really have her?"
The line goes dead. And not a minute later goes by for a photo to come through from Ivy's phone. It's of Ivy. She is tied up to a chair, gagged and crying. Her hair is a mess. Oh, no- Ivy! Regina stares at the picture in horror, followed by an incoming message by Robin.
Three hours. Tick-tock.
Regina quickly gathers her purse and her phone and heads for the door. "Kathryn, I have to go out. Cancel all of my appointments this afternoon. Let Marian know I have to deal with an emergency."
"Sure, Gina. Is everything okay?" Kathryn frowns, concern etched on her face as she watches the brunette flee.
"Yes," Regina calls back distractedly, hurrying toward Reception, where Jones is waiting. "Jones." She watches as the man leaps up from the armchair at the sound of her voice and frowns when he sees her face. "I'm not feeling well. Please take me home."
"Yes, ma'am." He quickly follows Regina out the door and into the vehicle.
Regina was deep in thought during her ride home. How would she handle this? Could she? She needed to, for Ivy's sake. She needed to do everything Robin wanted and instructed her to do.
When she arrived, making her way into the great room, Mrs. Lucas was nowhere in sight. She must be out running errands. Jones makes his way into Gold's office, while Regina hurries into Emma's study. Stumbling in panic around her wife's desk, she opens the drawer to find the checkbooks. Lily's gun slides forward into view. After a moment's hesitation, she grabs the pistol, checks it to ensure it's loaded, and tucks it into the waistband of her slacks. Better to be safe, she never knows if she may have to use it. Of course she's only ever had practice on targets, never has she had to shoot anyone. She swallows hard at the thought.
She quickly turns her attention back to finding the correct checkbook. There are five and only one is under the names of Mrs. E. Swan and Mrs. R. Swan. Regina has about fifty-four thousand dollars in her own account. She isn't quite sure how much is in the other, but surely Emma is good for five million dollars, surely.
She takes a deep breath and, in a more composed but determined manner, strides to hers and Emma's bedroom. She sees the bed has been made, and for a moment, she feels a pang of regret for not having to sleep beside her wife last night, despite their fight. No- she can't think of that right now. She needs to stay on the task at hand.
Quickly, she changes clothes, pulling on jeans, a hooded sweatshirt, and a pair of Emma's converse. She places the gun in the waistband of her jeans, at her back. From the closet she fishes out a large soft duffel bag. Will five million dollars fit into this? It's been thirty one minutes since Robin called, she has no more time to waste. She settles for the bag. Now she needs to figure out how to leave the apartment without Jones seeing her.
She makes her way slowly and quietly to the foyer, aware of the CCTV camera, which is trained on the elevator. Cautiously, she opens the foyer door, making as little noise as possible. Shutting it quietly behind her, Regina stands on the very threshold, up against the door, out of the view of the CCTV lens. She reaches for her cell phone out of her purse and calls Jones.
"Mrs. Swan."
"Jones, I'm in the room upstairs, will you give me a hand with something, please?" She keeps her voice low, knowing he's just down the hallway on the other side of the door.
"I'll be right with you, ma'am," he says, and Regina can hear his confusion. After all, she's never telephoned him for help before.
Her heart is pounding, leaping toward her throat. Will this work? Regina hangs up the call and listens to his footsteps crossing the hallway and going up the stairs. She takes another deep, steadying breath and briefly contemplates the irony of escaping from her own home like a felon.
Once Jones has reached the upstairs landing, Regina races to the elevator and punches the call button. The doors slide open with the too-loud ping that announces the elevator is ready. She hurries inside and frantically stabs the button for the basement garage. After an agonizing pause, the doors slowly start to slide shut, and as they do she hears Jones cry.
"Mrs. Swan!" Just as the elevator doors close, she can see him skid into the foyer. "Gina!" he shouts in disbelief. But he's too late, and he disappears from view.
The elevator sinks smoothly down to the garage level. Regina knows Jones will try to stop her, she is sure he will be calling Emma or Gold to alert them of her getaway. She has a couple of minutes' start on Jones. She opens the door to her R8, tosses the bag onto the passenger seat, and slides into the driver's seat.
She starts the car, and the tires squeal as she races toward the entrance and waits eleven agonizing seconds for the barrier to lift. The instant it's clear she drives out, catching sight of Jones in her rear view mirror as he dashes out of the service elevator into the garage. His bewildered, injured expression haunts her as she turns off the ramp onto the street.
Regina lets out a long held breath. She will deal with Gold and Emma when she has to- she has no time to dwell on things now. She squirms in her seat, hating the thought of Jones losing his job over this little stunt. No, don't dwell. She has to remain focused, she has to save Ivy. She has to get to the bank and withdraw five million dollars.
The bank is modern, and understated. There are hushed tones, echoing floors, and pale green etched glass everywhere. She strides to the information desk.
"May I help you, ma'am?" A young woman gives her a bright, insincere smile, and for a moment it makes Regina regret changing into a pair of jeans.
"Yes. I'd like to withdraw a large sum of money."
The girl arches a brow. "Do you have an account with us?" She fails to hide her sarcasm.
"Yes," Regina snaps. "My wife and I have several accounts here. Her name is Emma Swan."
Her eyes widen fractionally and insincerity gives way to shock. Her eyes sweep up and down Regina once more, this time with a combination of disbelief and awe.
"This way, ma'am," she whispers, and leads the brunette to a small, sparsely furnished office walled with more green-etched glass.
"Please take a seat." She gestures to a black leather chair by a glass desk bearing a state-of-the-art computer and phone. "How much will you be withdrawing today, Mrs. Swan?" she asks pleasantly.
Amazing how Emma's last name has power over everyone.
"Five million dollars." Regina looks her straight in the eye as if she asks for this amount of cash everyday.
The girl blinks. "I see. I'll fetch the manager. Oh, forgive me for asking, but do you have your ID?"
"I do. But I'd like to speak to the manager."
"Of course, Mrs. Swan." She quickly scurries out. And Regina sinks into her seat, and a wave of nausea washes over her as the gun presses uncomfortably into the small of her back. Regina takes a deep breath, and the wave passes. Nervously, she checks her watch. Twenty-five past two.
A middle aged man enters the room. He has gray hair and a kind smile, dark skin and a dark gray suit, looking sharp with a matching tie. He holds out his hand toward the brunette.
"Mrs. Swan. I'm Sidney Glass." He smiles, just as they shake hands, he sits down at the desk opposite of her. "My colleague tells me you'd like to withdraw a large amount of money."
"That's correct. Five million dollars." Regina nods.
He turns to his sleep computer and taps in a few numbers. "We normally ask for some notice for large amounts of money." He pauses and flashes her a reassuring but supercilious smile. "Fortunately, however, we hold the cash reserve for the entire Pacific Northwest," he boasts.
Regina offers him a tight smile. Is he trying to impress her with this piece of information? "Mr. Glass, I'm in a hurry. What do I need to do? I have my driver's license, and our joint account checkbook. Do I just write a check?"
"First things first, Mrs. Swan. May I see the ID?" He switches from jovial show-off to serious banker.
Regina quickly hands him her license.
"Mrs. Swan…" His dark eyes meet Regina's. "This says Regina Mills."
Shit. That's true.
"Oh… yes."
"Not a problem." He offers her a smile. "I'll just call your wife for verification."
"Oh no, that won't be necessary." Don't call her! "I must have something with my married name. She quickly searches inside her purse, fishing for her wallet and opens it. She comes across a wallet size picture of her and Emma on their honeymoon on the Fairy. Her eyes blink to fight back stinging tears, and pulls out her own black card. "Here."
Mr. Glass reaches for the card, "Mrs. Regina Swan," he reads the name out loud. "Yes, that should do." He frowns. "This is highly irregular, Mrs. Swan."
"Do you want me to let my wife know that your bank has been less than cooperative?" Regina gives him her most forbidding stare.
He pauses, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "You'll need to write a check, Mrs. Swan."
"Of course. This account?" Regina shows him her checkbook, trying to quell her pounding heart.
"That'll be fine. I'll also need you to complete some additional paperwork. If you'll excuse me for a moment?"
Regina nods, and watches him rise and stalk out of the office. Again, she releases a held breath. She had no idea this would be this difficult. She has never owned such a large sum of money before. She reaches for a pen on the man's desk and begins to write on one of the checks, her hand shaking. Five million dollars. $5,000,000.
Mr. Glass returns, pale-faced and sheepish. "Mrs. Swan? Your wife wants to speak with you," he murmurs and points to the phone on the glass table between them.
What? No! Regina's mouth goes dry.
Mr. Glass gives her a rather apologetic look. "She's on line one. Just press the button. I'll be outside." He has the grace to look embarrassed.
Regina scowls at him for a moment, feeling all of her blood drain from her face again as she watches him shuffle out of his office.
Shit! Shit! Shit! What am I going to say to Emma? She'll know. She'll intervene.
Her hand trembles as she reaches for the phone. She holds it against her ear, trying to calm her erratic breathing, and presses the button for line one. "Hi," she murmurs, trying in vain to steady her nerves.
"Regina. What's going on? Why are you at the bank?"
There's a pause and Regina's eyes can't help but sting with fallen tears. You can't say anything! Think of Ivy. This is for Ivy. Emma will only make matters worse right now.
"Regina… Are you leaving me?" Emma's words are an agonized, breathless whisper.
No, I would never leave you. Never. But this was the perfect cover up, as much as it displeased Regina.
"Emma…" Her voice mirrors her wife's. Her tears stream down her cheeks, her nose red. She needs to be strong, she needs to make her believe it, even if it isn't true. It's the only way to keep her at arm's length, out of harm's way, and to save her cousin… to lie is the only way. "Yes," she whispers. And a sharp pain lances through her.
She can hear a gasp escape Emma's lips, almost a sob. "Gina, I-" She chokes. No! Swan, you idiot! Tell her you love her, tell her you want this baby. Tell her you thought things through! "Regina-"
Regina's hand clutches her mouth as she stifles her warring emotions. "Emma, please. Don't." She fights back tears.
"You're really leaving?" she says.
"Yes."
"But why the money?" Emma pauses, her stomach twisting in knots. "Was it always the money?" Her voice sounds tortured, it turns Regina's own stomach.
No, Emma. Please forgive me for lying. Please forgive me for not being able to tell you what's really going on. Forgive me for making you think I'm leaving when I always said I wouldn't. Tears roll down Regina's face. "No," she whispers.
"Is five million dollars enough?"
Emma, please stop!
"Yes."
Emma's lips press into a grim line. "And the baby?" Her voice is a breathless echo.
What? She's asking about the baby! Our baby. She cares! Regina's eyes shut tight, willing more tears to fall down her cheeks. Her hand moves to her stomach. "I'll take care of the baby." She murmurs.
"Is this what you really want?"
No!
"Yes."
Emma inhales sharply, her eyes sting like they've never stung before. "Take it all," she hisses.
Regina sobs. "Emma-"
"I don't want anything I have, if I can't have you, Regina. Take it all. Now, put Glass back on the phone."
Regina removes the phone from her ear, clutching in her hands. She can't help but sob silently to herself. She almost wanted to cave and tell Emma everything, but Robin would know. And people she cared and loved could get hurt if anyone knew. Regina's head turns to a timid knock on the glass door, her eyes throwing a glare directly at Sidney as she hands him back the phone.
"Glass." He says timidly.
"Give her whatever she wants, do whatever she tells you." Emma hissed.
Mr. Glass frowns. "Yes, ma'am." He hangs up the call, his eyes falling on Regina's. "Your wife has agreed to liquidate five million dollars worth of her assets, Mrs. Swan. This is highly irregular but as our main client… she was insistent… very insistent." He pauses and flushes, then frowns her way. "Are you alright, ma'am?" He asks.
"Do I look alright?" Regina hisses, quickly wiping away her tears. She can't bring herself to believe that Emma is sure she is leaving her. Best thing now was to go with things according to the situation, save Ivy and once it was all over, she would tell Emma everything.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I will have some water brought over to you while I prepare the money. If you could sign here, ma'am… and make the check out to cash and sign that, too." He places a form on the table.
Regina quickly signs her name along the dotted line of the check, then the form. Regina Swan. Teardrops fall on the desk, narrowly missing the paperwork.
"I'll take those, ma'am. It will take us about half an hour to prepare the money."
She quickly checks her watch. Robin said two hours- that should take them to two hours. She nods to Glass, and he tiptoes out of the office, leaving her to her misery.
'Was it always the money?' Emma's shocked and saddened voice played in her head, tormenting her all the more. Then, her wife's concern over their baby. She needed to be strong, she needed to pull through this so her and their baby could go back home and be happy again. So she could go back to the woman she loved and reassure her again that she would never ever leave her. That she loved her and would always love her, no matter how fucked up things became.
"Mrs. Swan," Glass' co-worker softly says as she places the glass of water on the desk and fills it.
"Thank you." Regina takes the glass, taking a drink gratefully. She watches as the woman exits, leaving her with her jumbled, frightened thoughts. She will fix things with Emma… by God almighty himself. She would fix it… if it wasn't too late.
Emma made her way out of the company, her eyes falling on Gold who held open the passenger door for her. "Something's up, Regina is in trouble."
"Yes, ma'am." Gold shuts the door after she climbs into the vehicle, quickly rushing over to the driver's side.
Emma dialed Regina, listening to the line ring and ring with no answer. She knew something was wrong. Regina wouldn't just leave her, no matter how big of a fight they both had.
Emma's ringtone played out for the second time on Regina's phone, her picture, looking breathless and beautiful in her wedding dress, displaying on the screen. It pained Regina, but she couldn't answer the call.
Glass was making his way into the office.
"Mrs. Swan," he said, alerting her of his presence. "The money is ready."
"Thank you." Regina stands from the chair, follows Mr. Glass out the office door. Her eyes fell on two filled bags with the money.
"These bags are quite heavy, we can help you carry those to your car-"
"No, um…" Regina's eyes grew wide at the sight of Jones, who was just entering the bank. "I need to make a call. Could you give me some privacy, please?"
"Certainly," Gold answers, motioning toward his office, indicating her to step inside for some privacy.
Regina closes the door to the man's office and quickly dials Ivy's phone, knowing Robin would answer.
"You're cutting it awfully close, Regina." His voice sounds on the other end of the call.
"I have a problem."
"I know. Your security followed you to the bank."
"How do you know that?" Regina's brow furrows, frightened to the fact that the man does know her every move.
"Lose him. I have a car waiting at the back of the bank for you. Black SUV, a Dodge. You have three minutes to get there."
Regina's lips part in shock at the mention of the black Dodge. Everything beginning to make sense now.
"Dump your cell phone once you reach the vehicle. Got it?"
"Yes." She hears the line go dead, quickly places her phone inside her back pocket and hurries out the door to find Glass waiting patiently outside. "Mr. Glass, I'll need some help taking the bags to my car. It's parked outside, at the back of the bank. Do you have an exit that will lead us there?"
He frowns. "We do, yes. For staff."
"Can we leave that way? I can avoid the unwelcome attention at the door." Her heart was pounding right now.
"As you wish, Mrs. Swan. I'll have two clerks help with the bags and two security guards to supervise. If you could follow me?"
"I have one more favor to ask of you."
"By all means, Mrs. Swan."
"I need to borrow your phone."
The man frowns once again, finding the brunette's request rather odd, hesitating for a moment until finally giving up his phone to her.
"Mrs. Swan, I've just been informed that your cousin Ivy is missing. We can't find her." Gold rips his earpiece out, angered over the newly given information.
At that moment, Emma's phone rings.
"Swan," she snaps at whoever is calling, only becoming more and more angrier with a startling piece of information. "What? He made bail? Why wasn't I informed?..." Her jaw tightens. "Detective, the same day Robin Locksley makes bail, my cousin goes missing and my wife takes five million dollars out of our account! Would you call that a conscience?" She snaps.
As instructed, Regina catches sight of the black SUV parked outside at the back alley belonging to the bank, where she spots sight of Marian exiting the vehicle, dressed in jeans, a hoodie and a baseball cap facing forward. She smiled at her as if they were having just any casual day at the office. Regina's shock was evident on her face. She would have never guessed she was helping Robin in all this. But why?
"Mrs. Swan." She has the nerve to keep smiling.
"Marian." Regina's greeting is arctic. "Nice to see you outside of work."
Mr. Glass clears his throat. "Well, it's been an interesting afternoon, Mrs. Swan," he says, shaking the brunette's hand. "Have a pleasant day, ma'am." He smiles before heading inside with the two clerks that helped load the money into the car.
Marian opens up the passenger door, "Get in." She shuts the door once Regina enters the vehicle and quickly boards the driver's seat. "Phone." She holds out her hand toward Regina, her body twisted while her eyes look dead into her own. Once Regina places Mr. Glass' phone into her hand Marian tosses it out the window and drives off.
"Shit!" Jones runs his way into the alley, spotting the floor on the ground and picking it up. "Sir, she's gone. She was picked up in a black SUV, a Dodge." He informed Gold, who had him on speaker inside the car.
Emma's brow furrows, "That's not her phone. I'm tracking her phone and it's headed East."
"Did you pick that up, Jones?" Gold asks.
"Loud and clear, sir." Jones replies, holding his cellphone up to his ear.
"Mrs. Swan and I are on our way, the police have already been informed, we'll meet you there."
"Yes, sir." Jones runs back to his vehicle and speeds off.
"Marian, you have the money. Call Robin. Tell him to let Ivy go."
"I think he wants to thank you in person."
Regina glares at the woman's line of sight through the rear view mirror. "Why are you doing this, Marian? I thought you didn't like Robin."
Marian glances at the brunette through the rear view mirror and Regina can catch a look of pain in the woman's eyes. "Gina, we'll get along just fine if you keep your mouth shut."
"Is he making you do this?" Regina asks, hoping to still get through to her.
"I said quiet," Marian hisses, her knuckles turning white as her grip tightens around the steering wheel. "Look, just do what Robin says and I promise you, you'll make it out of this. We both will."
And at that moment, Regina's suspicions are confirmed. Robin had to have some type of hold on her. Maybe she was being blackmailed by him? There were so many questions she needed answers too in this moment of anxiety. But as long as Ivy and her little bean were safe and lived through this, that was all that mattered to her. She watches in silence as Marian continues to their destination, making a sharp left onto a deserted street with a dilapidated children's playground on one side and a large concrete parking lot flanked by a row of squat, empty brick buildings on the other. Marian pulls into the parking lot and stops outside the last of the brick units.
She turns to Regina. "Showtime," she murmurs.
A rush of fear and adrenaline run through Regina's body, her heart pounding a thousand beats per minute inside her chest at the sight of Robin making his way near the vehicle.
"Marian, please. You don't have to do this."
Marian hops out of the vehicle, pulling open the passenger side door. "Get out," she snaps.
"Well, look who we have here." Robin's voice pounds in Regina's ears, his eyes oozing a mixture of arrogance and hate toward her. He is wearing some casual jeans, a sweatshirt, and his hair looks messy and unkempt.
"Where's Ivy?" Regina's mouth runs dry, her heart pounding faster and louder.
"First thing's first." He sneers, coming to a halt in front of Regina. "Where's the money?"
Marian moves quickly to check the bags in the back of the vehicle, unzipping both bags. "There's a hell of a lot of cash here," she says in awe.
"And her phone?"
"I tossed it behind the alley."
"Good." Robin snarls, and from nowhere he lashes out, slapping Regina hard across the face. The ferocious, unprovoked blow knocks her to the ground, and her head bounces with a sickening thud off the concrete. Pain explodes in her head, her eyes filled with tears, and her vision blurred as the shock of the impact resonates, unleashing agony that pulses through her skull.
Regina screams a silent cry of suffering and shocked terror.
"Robin!" Marian shouts. "What are you doing? Not here. Not in broad daylight for fucks's sake!"
"Shut up!" Robin shouts, throwing a hard glare her way, his angered glare looking back down at Regina, who remained on the floor. "Because of you, I lost everything." He follows through with a swift, vicious kick to her stomach, and Regina can feel her breath being blasted from her lungs by the force of the blow.
No! Not my little bean! Shutting her eyes tight, she tries to fight back through the nausea and pain, to fight for a precious breath. Her hands shielding her own stomach.
"That's for making me lose my job, you fucking bitch!" Robin screams.
"Robin, just stop it! You have the money, take it and go!" Marian shouts.
"Fuck the money! I don't give a shit about the money!" He turns to Marian, grabbing her by the throat and pinning her back against the car. "The bitch deserves it."
"Are you fucking crazy? You said you wouldn't kill her!"
"And she's not dead- not yet."
Their momentary exchange of words gives Regina one precious second to reach around and pull the gun from the waistband of her jeans. Shakily, she aims it at him, squeezes the trigger, and fires. The bullet hits him just above the knee, and he collapses in front of her, crying out in agonizing pain, clutching his thigh as his fingers redden with his blood.
"Fuck!" Regina can hear Robin bellow. She turns to look at Marian, who is gaping at her in utter shock and raising her hands above her head. Everything begins to blur… darkness closes in. She can hear the faint sounds of tires screeching… sirens… of voices… unknown voices… footsteps… doors… shouting. And the last thing she feels is the gun drop from her hands.
"Gina!" Emma's eyes catch sight of Regina's body, not losing any more time in rushing toward her injured wife. She picks her wife up, her hand lightly brushing against her wife's bruised cheek, wanting to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth. "Gina, open your eyes. Please! Regina!"