Happy birthday, GlindaLovesShoes!
This should help clear up the Christmas chapter a bit as I know some people were confused about how Robin got his memories back.
"You have the best cheering section here." Ian nudged Bobby as they prepped their bows.
Bobby gave his friend a little push before glancing over his shoulder. Regina sat on the sidelines, wrapped in the green plaid blanket from his truck. Their boys flanked her, bundled up so they were wearing gloves as they held up the signs they had made earlier. Both already cheered for him even though the competition hadn't started.
Regina gave him a little wave, her cheeks already pink from the brisk autumn wind, and he returned it with a smile. "I do, don't I?" he replied.
"You're a very lucky man, Bobby Locke," Ian said, shaking his head.
"I know," he replied. "Trust me, I know."
The moderator, an older man named Teller, stepped onto the pitch. "Entry is now closed. Competitors, please take your marks."
Bobby and Ian hit theirs, side by side, and readied their bows. They waited for Teller to continue with his instructions.
"The competitor to reach three hundred in ten rounds wins," Teller announced. "Archers, begin!"
Bobby let his first arrow fly, pleased when it landed in the bullseye. He fired off two more arrows before the round ended. Relaxing, Bobby let the volunteers tally up the scores before retrieving his arrows.
As he returned to his mark, he saw his cheering section again. Henry and Roland jumped around, waving their signs as they shouted out his name. Regina sat behind them, clapping as hard as she could. Despite the gray blustery day, she lit up the area with her smile. Bobby thought she was absolutely beautiful.
The rest of the competition flew by with Bobby hitting the bullseye every time. After each round, he made sure to check his cheering squad. The boys were still dancing around but Regina was now holding their signs. Her smile, though, never wavered.
"Okay," Teller said. "We have a tie between Bobby Locke and Ian Little. That means sudden death. Three rounds, whoever hits the bullseye the most wins. Gentlemen, shake hands please."
Bobby shook Ian's hand. "May the best man win."
"I intend to," Ian quipped. He clapped Bobby on the shoulder before heading back to his mark.
Back on his own, Bobby nocked his arrow. Taking a deep breath, he let it fly on his exhale. He repeated that several times, his bow's string singing.
"Time!" Teller yelled. He studied their targets, grinning. "Looks like Bobby gets to keep his crown."
Ian groaned good-naturedly before shaking his hand. "I'll get you one of these days," he said.
"Maybe," Bobby replied with a grin. "I look forward to it."
"So shall we head to Granny's? I believe we owe this winner a dinner." Al grabbed Bobby's shoulders, giving him a victory shake.
He shrugged off his friend, giving everyone an apologetic smile. "I have plans with Regina and the boys."
"Papa!" Roland ran up to him, throwing his arms around him. Henry was right behind him, hugging Bobby as well.
Regina approached, grinning. "Still the champion."
"Yes," he replied, smirking. "So I believe I get a reward?"
She rolled her eyes before grabbing his jacket lapels. With a forceful tug, she crashed her lips against his. He cupped the back of her head, enjoying his victory kiss. It was his favorite part of competing now.
They broke apart as the others catcalled and wolf-whistled, Ian chief amongst them. "One day, I'll win that kiss," he said.
"Who says I'll want to kiss you?" she shot back. Her brown eyes sparkled and her words had no bite.
Ian let out a belly laugh. "Don't let this one go, Bobby."
"I have no intentions of that," he replied, wrapping his arm round her waist and pulling her close. He smiled at his friends. "So raincheck on Granny's?"
Regina shook her head. "Let's go. You deserve to have some fun with your friends. And I never turn down free food. Just like Ian."
Everyone laughed-Ian the loudest-before starting to pack up. Bobby gave her another quick kiss as he passed her the keys to his truck. "Why don't you go start up the car? I'll be right there."
She nodded, taking the boys' hands to take them to the car. Bobby watched her before gathering his things. He really had no intentions of letting her go. Regina and Henry completed his little family. She was the only mother Roland had ever known and he knew he was Henry's only father. More and more, he was growing certain it was time to make things official.
Bobby placed everything in the back of the truck before climbing in. He smiled at his family. "To Granny's?" he asked.
The boys cheered as Regina laughed. Bobby put the truck in reverse and began to back out of the spot, ready to head out for fun with his friends and family.
That night, Bobby trailed kisses down Regina's back as they laid naked in her bed. Sweat still glistened on her skin from their early…activities.
Regina hummed as she pillowed her head on her arms. "That feels good," she murmured. "Don't stop."
"Are you going to miss me this weekend?" he asked between kisses.
"Yes," she said. "Absolutely. Will go mad without you."
He chuckled. "Is that the truth? Or your libido?"
She rolled over, raising her eyebrow. "Are you asking me if I'm horny?"
"Oh, I know you're horny." He nudged her legs apart, sliding his hand up one until he could tease her clit. She gasped as he rubbed and he smiled in triumph. "I'm just wondering if you'll miss me or the sex."
Regina let out a shaky breath. "You. I'll definitely miss you. Now don't stop."
"Don't stop...?" He smirked, enjoying how she writhed under his fingers.
"Please!" she gasped.
"As you wish." Bobby began kissing his way down her body, open-mouthed ones that allowed him to nip and lick at her skin until he came to his final destination between her legs.
As Regina squirmed, he gave her clit a teasing lick, tasting how wet she still was. "Do you like that?"
"Yes," she gasped again.
"Do you want more?"
Regina threw her arm over her eyes and nodded. Bobby grinned before giving her clit another lick. He licked, sucked and lapped at her, feasting as if he was a man who would never eat again. She moaned, the sound muffled so he figured she was using a pillow so they didn't wake the boys.
Her walls began to quiver and tighten. She was close, even without him adding his fingers. A sense of pride surged through him.
She tugged on his hair. "Want...need you inside me. Please," she asked.
For she never begged.
He never denied her anything.
Bobby pulled himself up to hover over her. "Why the rush, lovely?"
"You need to be up early," she reminded him. Bobby forced himself to pay attention to what she was saying rather than her kissable lips as she continued: "You can't be too tired for our boys."
He sighed, knowing she was right. "Okay. But when we get back, I'm shipping them off to Granny's and making sweet love to you all night long."
"I'm going to hold you to it." She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer. "Now, are you going to fuck me or do I have to do all the work?"
Bobby rolled his eyes, pressing his tip to her entrance. He sank slowly into her, enveloped by her wet heat. "Fuck," he groaned.
She chuckled until he started thrusting in earnest, deciding to give her what she wanted-hard and fast. He braced himself against the headboard as he pounded into her, slick skin slapping against slick skin. Her moans and his grunts mingled with it.
Her walls began to tighten around him, meaning she was close. Bobby did his best to keep his rhythm as her hips bucked against him. His own release was building and something deep inside him clenched, ready for it.
"Bobby!" she shouted, digging her nails into his shoulders. The pain brought him to his own completion, fire burning through his veins as he spilled inside her.
He rolled off her, lying on his back as his heart beat erratically. She flipped onto her stomach, resting her head against his shoulder. "I love you," she said, pressing a kiss to his collarbone.
"I love you too," he replied, wrapping his arm around her and holding her. "What are you going to do without me and the boys?"
She shrugged. "Maybe clean. Maybe redecorate. Maybe do some work."
"Maybe pamper yourself?" he suggested.
"Pamper myself? Where?" She gave him an incredulous look.
He placed his free arm under his head, looking down at her. "The hotel has an excellent spa. I made you an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. And the best suite is all set for you."
Regina sat up, eyes wide. "Bobby..."
"No," he said, sitting up as well. "Don't even start protesting. You are worth it. Besides, what's the point of being in charge if I can't pamper the woman I love once in a while?"
Her eyes softened and she leaned against him. "Well, when you put it that way..."
Bobby wrapped his arm around her again, pulling her down to rest against him. He kissed her head. "Now, we should get some rest. Morning is going to come very fast."
"Unfortunately," she murmured as her beautiful brown eyes closed. He rubbed her back until her breathing evened out. Then he closed his own to get a few hours of sleep as well.
The weather wasn't particularly warm but Bobby knew they would get hot hiking, so he had dressed the boys in layers. "It's easier to shed clothing, trust me," he said, ignoring Regina's snort into her coffee mug.
"Do we have to hike?" Henry asked, looking uncomfortable as he shifted from foot to foot.
Bobby smiled, crouching in front of him. "Yes. It's part of the fun of camping. Right, Roland?"
Roland shrugged. "I guess."
"It is," Bobby insisted, zipping up Henry's jacket. "You'll enjoy it. Trust me."
Henry sighed as Regina approached them. She wrapped a scarf around Henry's neck before hugging her son. "You have a good time and listen to Bobby. Okay?"
"I will, Mom. Promise," he said, hugging her back.
Regina then turned to Roland. "You listen to your father too. And have fun."
"I will." He hugged her tightly. "But when we get back, can we have apple pie? Please?"
"Whatever you want." She tapped him on the nose and he giggled.
Bobby put on his coat, approaching her. "Goodbye, love. Try not to mess us too much."
"I'll try," she said, giving him a quick kiss. "Now you three go and enjoy your manly weekend."
He laughed, ushering the boys out into his truck. As he pulled away from the mansion, they waved at her until they couldn't see Regina anymore.
Bobby glanced at the boys in the backseat. "You two ready for the best camping trip ever?"
"Yeah!" the cheered, smiling at last. He breathed out in relief. Everything was going well so far.
Henry proved to be quite the little hiker. He kept up at Bobby's side, listening as he explained survival tips. Roland wasn't as interested as he had gone through such lectures many times before. He hung back, kicking at rocks.
"So someone could live out here in the woods?" Henry asked.
Bobby nodded, flashes of a camp full of tents around a fire filling his mind. He saw clothing on a line and several men darted about, dressed like escapees from a Renaissance Faire. Many carried bows and quivers full of arrows.
"Papa?" Roland's voice broke through his dream, drawing him back to the two boys. Both stared at him in concern.
He smiled at him. "Did I get lost in my thoughts? Sorry. Did someone say something?"
"I don't think I could live in the woods," Henry said, no doubt repeating himself. "I like my bed and Mom's cooking."
"I'd miss your mom's cooking as well," Bobby agreed, taking both boys by the hand as he tried not to think of Regina's lasagna. "Come on. We're not at our campsite yet and we're losing sunlight."
Long ago, Bobby had found the perfect spot for camping. It was a nice clearing a few miles from the ranger's station, so he could park the car, and right by a creek always teeming with fish. He led Henry and Roland back there after their hike, helping them set up the tents before sending them to gather firewood. "Roland, you know what to look for, right?" he asked his son.
"Yes, Papa," he replied. "We'll gather plenty of firewood."
"Good. Don't go too far. I want to be able to see you at all times," Bobby warned.
They nodded before rushing into the brush. Bobby gathered some stones to create a little circle to surround where he would build their fire. He then pulled a few things from his gear, including a fishing pole. He hoped the boys were in the mood for fish.
Henry and Roland returned, little arms loaded with kindling. Both beamed at him. "Is this enough, Mr. Bobby?" Henry asked.
"Perfect," he said. "Roland, dump yours in the stone circle. Henry, put yours next to it."
"Yes, sir," they chorused, doing as he instructed.
Bobby pulled out his bait box. "So, how would you boys like to do a little fishing?"
"Do we have to?" Roland asked, looking at the creek. "It's cold."
"Do you want to eat?" Bobby countered, crossing his arms as he stared down his son.
The color drained from Henry's face and he began to tremble. "We...We wouldn't throw them back? We'd have to kill them?"
Bobby felt like he had been punched in the gut and he relaxed his posture, pulling Henry in for a hug. Regina had warned him that Henry was big-hearted, but he'd never imagine the thought of killing their food would be too much for the boy. He'd never put him through that. "No, no. I just wasn't going to let Roland be difficult. Your mom packed us all sandwiches for today and tomorrow. We have plenty to eat and don't need to fish if you don't want to kill them."
"I don't," he sobbed into Bobby's jacket. "Mom always throws the fish back."
"Then we'll throw the fish back. How does that sound, Roland?" He looked over Henry's head at his own son.
Roland nodded. "I'd like that."
"Then we're agreed," Bobby said, gently pulling Henry back. "Okay?"
Henry sniffed but nodded. "Can we have one of the sandwiches now? I'm hungry."
"Of course. You and Roland go have a seat by the fire and I'll pull them out." He gave the boy a gentle push before turning back to one of the coolers. Bobby opened it up and pulled out sandwiches marked with their names, made with love by Regina. He also pulled out some drinks before turning back to the fire.
Sitting down between the two boys, he handed them their respective sandwiches. "We have ingredients for s'mores. How about we make those tonight after our sandwich dinners?"
They cheered and he laughed, biting into his ham and cheese sandwich. He flashed again, like he had earlier, and saw the men from earlier sitting around the fire. They laughed and ate soup from bowls, teasing each other as some drank from tankards. Weapons-swords, bows, arrows, knives-lay at their feet and part of him tensed up, as if trying to hear someone who might be sneaking up on them. Included in this group were Ian and Al, the latter with a lute he was strumming.
"Papa? Is something wrong with your sandwich?" Roland asked, looking concerned again. Bobby needed to keep the flashes hidden better.
"I was just thinking about all the fun we're going to have tonight," he said, smiling at the boys to reassure him. He then took another bite and they turned back to their own sandwiches.
Sighing, Bobby decided he would talk about the flashes with Dr. Hopper when he got back. He couldn't have them interrupting his life any more than they were.
After an afternoon spent fishing, they had more sandwiches and Bobby helped the two boys make s'mores. With full bellies, he put them to bed in their tent before heading back to the fire himself. Regina had packed him a flask of whiskey ("for warmth") and he took a sip as he watched the flames consume the wood.
Rubbing his neck, he knew he should turn in himself. He could feel how tired he was in his bones and chuckled, realizing he wasn't as young as he once was. A good soak in Regina's tub sounded good right about then.
He smiled as he thought of Regina, wearing nothing but her lacy black bra and matching panties as she laid in bed. Maybe that wasn't the best image, he realized with a low groan as his blood rushed south. It was definitely something he couldn't take care of with their boys sleeping feet away from him.
Avoiding trouble, Bobby decided to turn in himself. They would have an early morning, once again fishing and maybe another hike before they headed back home to Regina and a home-cooked meal. He needed his rest.
Once he stood, though, his head began to swim. Bobby staggered about, trying to get to his tent to lie down. He clutched the nearest tree, sweat pouring down and his breathing grew shallower. Closing his eyes, Bobby felt as if he was leaving his body and feared for the boys as he crumpled down to the ground.
"Robin! Robin, where are you?"
Little John's voice echoed throughout the camp and sounded panicky. Dropping a kiss to Roland's head, Robin left his sleeping son and exited the tent to see what had his second all worked up.
Relief spread on Little John's face. "There you are! We have trouble, Robin."
"Is it the Sheriff?" he asked, scowling at the thought of Nottingham.
Little John shook his head. "The Queen."
Robin's stomach sank. "Is it her Black Guard? Have you spotted them?"
"No," his friend replied. "It's the Queen herself. They say she's cast a curse that will transport us all to another land, a horrible place according to her."
Murmuring rose up from his other men, now gathered around them to hear Little John's announcement. Robin's mind began spinning, trying to think of their best chance to escape. "You said she's cast it?"
"Aye," Little John said. "It's said to be fast moving. I got here as soon as I could."
"Break camp. We need to head out immediately, see if we can outrun this thing," Robin announced, sending his camp into a flurry of activity.
He hurried back toward his own tent, Little John on his heels. "Do you think we can escape it?" his friend asked.
"We have to try," Robin replied. "Especially if it's sending us to a horrible place. I have to give you all and Roland your best chance. It's what a good leader does."
Crouching down next to his son, Robin shook Roland. "I need you to wake up, my boy," he said softly.
Roland groaned, rolling away from him. "I just fell asleep, Papa."
"I know," Robin replied. "But we need to leave. It's important."
"I can carry him, Robin. It won't be a problem," Little John offered.
Robin sighed. "Thank you. But what about your things?"
"I don't own much," his friend replied. "I can easily gather them and carry both my bag and Roland."
"As long as you don't mind, thank you." Robin clapped his hand on his friend's shoulder and hurried back out to check on his other men.
Most of the tents were down and the fire was already out. His men were shouldering his packs or loading up the few horses they owned. Tuck approached him, solemn. "You really think we can outrun a curse?"
"We have to try, Tuck. What else can we do? Let it suck us up and send us to wherever the Queen wants?"
Tuck sighed. "No, of course not."
"Good." Robin raised his voice: "All right, men, let's move out. We don't have much time."
He mounted his own horse, smiling as Little John pulled up beside him with a slumbering Roland against his shoulder. Robin held out his arms. "I can take him. He can sleep between me and the saddle horn. He's done it before."
Little John nodded, passing Roland over to his father. Once the boy was settled and Robin had his cloak wrapped around him, he gave the signal to his men. "Move out. Ride hard and ride fast."
He urged his horse forward and soon the only sound he heard was hooves against the ground as they tried to find some place safe from the curse. Roland slept on, unaware of the danger closing in on them. Thunder rumbled in the background but Robin knew it wasn't a storm. It was the curse.
"Robin!" Tuck yelled. "It's coming on fast!"
Glancing over his shoulder, Robin realized his friend was right. A large, ominous purple cloud was spread fast through the forest. It rumbled and lit up like a thunder cloud, but he knew what it was. And he knew one more thing:
They weren't going to escape the curse.
He didn't order them to stop or to try to take cover. Robin urged his horse to go faster, encouraging his men to do the same. Even if the chance of escaping was almost nonexistent, he wanted to try and seize it. The Merry Men would not stand around and be swallowed up. He would make sure they tried their best to escape.
Purple wisps surrounded him and Robin clung to Roland. He wasn't sure what would happen now but he wasn't going to be separated from his son. So he was going to hang on as tightly as he could, until the very end.
Robin opened his eyes to see the stars overhead through the bare tree limbs. He felt sticky and knew he was coated with sweat despite the cold temperature. It took a few moments for him to reorient himself. He was in the woods outside Storybrooke, Maine, with Roland and Henry.
Henry, Regina's son.
Regina, the Evil Queen.
Sitting up, he rubbed his face. Memories swirled in his mind-both Robin Hood's and Bobby Locke's. All seemed real and surreal at the same time. He didn't know how he was going to sort the truth from the fiction.
He stood on wobbly legs, stumbling over to the fire and collapsing on the log. Robin stoked the fire, knowing he was in for a long and sleepless night as he tried to figure everything out.
They hadn't escaped the curse and he had spent several years living but never going forward. Roland and he only ever aged once before everything reset, if he was seeing Bobby's memories correctly. He never had enough to move out of the Ever After Hotel because his bank account kept resetting too. That was the curse-nothing ever changed and nothing ever got better.
Well, that wasn't exactly true, he realized. His life had gotten better since he met Regina. She supported him and helped him make his life better, getting Sidney Glass to do an expose that let him become the new owner of the Ever After Hotel. Regina also cared for Roland like a mother, from nursing him (and Robin that one time) through colds to baking cookies with him. She brightened both of their days, Roland's sunny smile matching his own whenever he saw her. Time seemed to stand still whenever they were together and he never wanted their dates to end.
Then again, time really was standing still...
He also thought of Henry, the young boy who had befriended Roland after so many years of the boy going without such a friend. He was someone Roland was able to go on adventures both real and imagined with, encouraged Roland to read more, and was almost like a brother to him. And Henry was like a son to Robin. He had helped the boy learn to shoot an arrow, had held him in the ER when he dislocated his shoulder, helped him with his math homework and now was camping with him.
Robin's life just got a whole lot more complicated.
Or maybe not, a little voice inside his head said. Yes, he and Roland had been stuck in a time loop...but they were together. And he was still friends with Little John and Alan-a-Dale. All of them weren't living on the run anymore. Roland had a roof over his head, a place to keep him warm in the winter and dry in rain storms. This world had indoor plumbing, allowing them to bathe and use the toilet inside. Roland was also able to go to school, interact with other children and go to the doctor when he was sick. There were so many medical advancements in this world as well as marvelous technology they wouldn't have even began to dream of in the Enchanted Forest.
So, yes, Storybrooke was a thousand times better than the Enchanted Forest.
Especially since he had Regina and Henry as well as Roland. He almost had a family again.
Robin ran his hand through his hair. He had only glimpsed the Evil Queen once back in the Enchanted Forest, while scouting around for a suitable place to camp for the night. Robin had spotted the black guard on the road and had climbed into a tree to avoid being seen. From amongst the branches, he watched as the Queen rode through on a horse rather than in a carriage. She wore a bright red riding jacket paired with black riding pants that he could tell showed off her legs very well. A black hat was perched on top of black curls which cascade over her shoulder. She sneered as she rode past, cold brown eyes glancing around as if waiting for someone to come fight her. Later he would hear rumors of Snow White having been in the woods at the same time and that she had come close to killing the Queen, but he had dismissed him. Had she known at the time, though? Had she been challenging her stepdaughter to reveal herself in order to capture her?
Or perhaps to finally put the Queen out of her misery?
For now he could see that the Evil Queen had to have been miserable. It was clear in her eyes, now that he knew what it looked like when they were full of life. How they shone, even in the darkness, and how he could see right down to her very soul through them.
He had seen her soul.
Robin knew who the woman really was.
Regina.
Standing, he doused the fire and decided it was time to get some sleep. Tomorrow he would have to go back to Storybrooke and decide whether or not to tell Regina he remembered.
He paused, frowning. What if she didn't remember? Robin was just assuming she had her memories. Perhaps the curse also gave her false memories.
Was her name really Regina?
No, no of that he was certain. He recalled when she had first married King Leopold, the announcement had declared her Queen Regina. It was the only time she was ever addressed by name, though. After that, she was either "the Child Queen" or "the Evil Queen." Never Regina.
Perhaps she just wanted to be Regina again.
Robin decided to sort it out later. He entered his tent, climbed into his sleeping bag and feel into a dreamless sleep.
"Mom! Mom, we're back!" Henry yelled as Robin let them into the Mills' house. He could smell Regina's lasagna as well as an apple pie, making his mouth water. She had also decorated for Halloween, with ghosts and pumpkins everywhere. There were no witches-she never liked them and now he understood why.
Regina appeared and his heart skipped a beat. She looked the most relaxed he had ever seen her, with her dark hair pulled into a short ponytail and her makeup done lightly. For the first time ever, she was wearing a pair of jeans and had paired them with a green flannel shirt that was partially unbuttoned to reveal her white t-shirt underneath. The sleeves were rolled up to her elbow, riding up a bit more as she opened her arms in order to hug Roland and Henry at the same time. "There are my little campers! Did you have fun?"
"Yes," the two said, giggling.
"But we're glad to be home," Roland added, smiling up at her.
She kissed both their foreheads before releasing them. "Go wash up. Dinner is on the table."
They giggled, running from the room. She then turned to Robin, beaming. "So camping was really good?"
"It was," he said, stepping closer to her. "And you're glowing. I take it you enjoyed the spa day?"
She nodded, growing a bit sheepish. "It was just what I needed. Thank you."
"You're welcome." He stepped closer, cupping her cheek. Looking over her attire, his smile turned cheeky. "Are you wearing my shirt?"
"It smells like you," she admitted, her cheeks turning pink.
He bit his lip, desire and happiness flooding through him. She had missed him, though he wasn't gone long. And he had missed her-even as he was trying to make sense of the two sets of memories rattling around in his head. On the drive over, he had debated whether or not to take some time away from her, to let him get a handle on his memories and his feelings. But now that she was standing before him, in his shirt no less, he knew that he couldn't do that. He knew, despite everything, he loved her.
Did he tell her, though, about his memories? Did he try to learn if she was caught up in the curse or spared from it? And if he told her, how would that change their relationship? Would she push him away or pull him closer?
Regina tilted her head, frowning. "Bobby? Are you okay?"
"Yes," he said, giving her a soft smile. "I'm just tired, I suppose."
"Well, why don't you go wash up and we can all sit down to dinner? I'm sure the boys will conk out shortly after that and then I can make sure you get your...rest." Her eyes sparkled and she gave him a coy smile.
His blood started to rush south and he swallowed. "Sounds perfect."
Regina gave him a quick kiss before walking out toward the kitchen, rolling her hips just to torment him he's certain. There was still hints of the Evil Queen then, but he was not complaining about this sweet, sweet torture. He wasn't going to walk away from this and he wasn't going to think any more on it. Instead, he was going to wash up and continue to be Bobby Locke at least for tonight.
There was plenty of time for the rest.