A/N: Hi everyone! Thank you guys so much for the reviews, favs and follows for the last chapter! This one is finally from Regina's point of view. As much as I love writing Robin, I feel the need to tell the stories from both sides. So from time to time I will switch the pov. I hope you guys are ok with that.
As you could see in the last chapter, some of the candidates like Hook, David, Graham, Jefferson, etc. are well known to you. I support ALL ships and when I say all, I mean ALL. I really don't appreciate hate toward any ship in this fandom and especially not against the actors who have NO say in what the writers script.
So since this is a Bachelorette AU, some of you who apart from OutlawQueen ship EvilCharming, HookedQueen, HuntingQueen, MadQueen, or/and StableQueen will enjoy this story immensely since you'll get your snippets of said ships. I hope I don't scare others off with this. The main focus will be on OutlawQueen of course, especially once the story continues and who knows me, I'm always one for Happy Endings! Please give it a try, I promise it will be a lot of fun - that's what fics are for, right?
Now I hope you'll enjoy the new chapter. Thanks to the lovely waterbaby134 for betaing!
P.S. I love reviews like cake *-*
(3)
The club was crowded as it always was on Ladies' Night on Wednesdays. The music was loud and the people were sweating, but she didn't mind the dancers at all. Moving your body along to the rhythm, forgetting all your worries by just caring about the beat and the blood rushing though your ears; that was what she sometimes loved to do, too. Regina made her way through the dancing crowd to a secluded round table in the far left corner of the club, close to the bar, where two blondes and a brunette were already waiting for her. One of the blondes at their table spotted her, and she started waving at her, scooting over to the left so she could sit down next to them.
"There you are, I was just about to call you, Regina. I thought you stood us up!"
"Ha. Try finding a baby sitter in New York you can afford who is not going out on Wednesdays when literally every club in the goddamn city has Ladies' Night specials. You should really think about rearranging your club schedule, Ursula." Ursula just shrugged apologetically and pushed the untouched strawberry margarita over to her. Regina dropped down next to Tink, giving her best friend a hug.
"So what was so important you couldn't tell me via the phone?" Regina asked, swiping a loosened strand from her bun behind her ear while taking a sip from the margarita. God... Ursula's club "The Kraken" made the best strawberry margaritas in New York City. After the crappy day she'd had today, she could really use the drink. How did they manage to not melt away due to the heat in the club anyway? There must be magic involved, Regina was sure.
"Yeah Tink, now Regina's here and you can finally tell us what's up. She insisted on waiting for you before telling us," Ella grunted. From what Regina could guess, her friend had already had more than one drink tonight, which would probably result in her having to pay her cab fare for the umpteenth time. But perhaps this would mean Granny's next lunch was on the house. The old lady always showed her appreciation when someone took care of her foster-daughter, Ella. The best burgers in the city for free? Well who'd say no to that?
"I got the job!" Tink finally exclaimed happily. She was so excited, her blonde curls see-sawed up and down.
"What job?" Ursula asked curiously, but it seemed like it suddenly dawned on her. "Wait, you got the job?!"
"I did! The new assistant casting director of the Bachelorette is springing for drinks tonight!"
"Wait, what? The Bachelorette?" Regina took a second to process what her friend had just told her. She knew Tink was working for television from time to time and had big plans concerning this department. Acting wasn't her thing; she rather liked to do the work behind the scenes. But the market was tough and there was more demand than offers which made it hard to make a living. Tink had applied for so many different positions in different shows all over the country Regina couldn't remember them all. Apparently, now her friend had been lucky which made her extremely happy.
"Yeah, the Bachelorette, Regina. Can you believe it?!"
"No, not really. That's great," Regina finally cheered.
"Oh my god, did you just say the Bachelorette?! Does this mean you get to talk to all the hot guys who apply beforehand and pick who comes on the show or not?" Ella asked in disbelief. Tink's answer was a cheeky grin.
"Well I don't get to decide all by myself, but I'll get to help decide. It's a limited contract for one season, but I'm sure once they see my potential in matchmaking, they might offer me other jobs. Reality TV has become such a huge sector in the past few years, I know this will be my chance to finally get a foot in the door."
"Do you get to make out with all the guys before the Bachelorette does?" Ella wanted to know.
"Ella!" Regina and Ursula chastised her at the same time, but the brunette seemed completely unbothered.
"What? It's a legitimate question! Someone has to check them for their potential. Maybe Tink can pass over some of the profiles from the guys they don't take on the show. Just so they don't go to waste of course."
"Are you really so desperate for a boyfriend, Ella?" Tink teased, "I thought you and Isaac got back together last weekend."
"We had make-up sex, this doesn't mean we're back together." The other women at the table raised an eyebrow. Well, this explained the drinking. Ella and Isaac's on-off-relationship was impossible to keep track of. Speaking of... "Oh for God's sake, it's difficult, okay?" Ella snarled, "Never judge a woman for a back-up plan. You're our friend, Tink, I think it's only fair of you to share when you're the one with the connections."
"She has a point," Ursula admitted, gathering a pointed look from Regina.
"You're gay, what do you care?"
"Perhaps the men Tink chooses are all such a disappointment the Bachelorette decides to switch sides after all. If that happens, give me a call." The three friends stared at Ursula for a moment before bursting into laughter. In unison, they raised their glasses. "To Tink and to the next Bachelorette!"
The four women celebrated their friend's new job, by asking questions and voicing just how much they'd miss her. It was true - Tink would move to L.A. in less than a month, leaving New York and her friends behind for good. She deserved it, deserved this job, which would bring her one step closer to her dream. Tink was always the one to never give up on people, had stood by Regina when she had gone through her nasty divorce and when things had gone down five years ago. Regina trusted Tink with all her heart. She would miss her terribly.
"It's not like I will be gone forever," Tink promised. "Plus, you guys can visit me in L.A."
"That's not the same as having you here with us," Ursula stated. "But we will support you, no matter what." Ella cheered to this by raising her glass, knocking back the rest of her margarita in one swift gulp.
"Who's in for one more?" she asked, standing up, her frame heavily looking for support on the small table. Ursula sighed before she got up, too, muttering something about helping Ella otherwise she'd never make it back safely from the bar. She squeezed Tink's shoulder, telling them she'd be right back.
Now that they were alone, Regina finally let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "What?" She asked when Tink gave her a knowing look.
"Hard day?"
Regina nodded. "Hard day. But let's not make this about me, tonight is your night. We're here to celebrate."
"Yeah, about that..." The blonde tugged at one of her curls, which bobbed right back into place every time she let them go. She had The Look. The look she always had when she got one of her crazy ideas. Regina was really not in the mood for this.
"Whatever it is, I don't want to hear it."
"Regina, you've been in one of your moods for months and you know it! Ever since your mother visited you, you've not been yourself. You still haven't told me what this was about and you usually tell me everything. I almost didn't take the job and you know why? Because I'm worried about you. And it's not just me, everyone is worried. I don't want to leave you alone here," Tink explained.
"I'm not alone..."
"Please, I know the only two people you're really talking to are me and Mal. Well, Mal's moved to Miami and now I'll be moving to L.A. Last time we talked she told me you haven't contacted her in weeks. She misses you, Regina. So will I, I'll miss you terribly and I'm afraid the next time I'll see you, you'll be back to the Regina you were when we first met."
"That's stupid and you know it," Regina dismissed her friend quickly even though she knew she was right. Her heart tugged uneasily at the thought of Mal. Losing her friend to Miami had been very hard for Regina, but the woman had gotten a job offer at a law firm she just couldn't turn down. She knew Mal had not abandoned her on purpose, but she still felt like... With Tink leaving it would be the same. Regina would slowly back out of her life - not on purpose, of course not - but soon Tink would be having new friends, less damaged friends and...
"Yeah right, Regina. I know you and you know I recognize bullshit when I see it."
"Tink..." She didn't want to talk about this, not now, not really.
"No, Regina. You know I'm right. That's why I had an idea."
"Please don't," Regina groaned. She took a sip of her margarita, hoping it would prepare her for Tink's crazy idea. She should have known it wouldn't.
"I can help you find what you need, Regina."
"And what is that? A restraining order against my mother?" She snorted, knowing she could have Mal file twenty restraining orders against her mother and Cora would still manage to make her life hell. No, she tried to deal with her mother the best she could - alone.
Tink took her hand under the table, squeezing it tight. "You don't even know? That's so sad. Regina, how long have we known each other?"
"Eight years. Now what are you proposing?"
"Isn't it obvious? You need love, Regina. You need someone who loves you and who you can trust, someone you can open up to besides Mal and me. You haven't dated anyone in five years!" Five years sounded like an awful long time the way Tink said it. For Regina, it couldn't be long enough though. She slowly removed her hand from Tink's grasp.
"You know why I don't date." She didn't. Dating was for people who were dumb enough to fall for the idea of falling in love with someone. Well, she wasn't dumb. All love ever did to her was hurt her. Her mother made her marry a man against her will because she loved her. Her father loved her but he'd never been strong enough to stand up to his wife. And whatever disgusting feelings her ex had for her, if that was love, she didn't want any part of it. Regina had loved a man only once. From there her whole life had been a bitter downswing.
"Yes, but not all men are like your ex-husband, Regina and you know that. You've experienced it yourself with him." It was an old conversation and it seemed every time Tink reopened it, she became more and more frustrated with her stubborn friend. Regina sucked in a breath. This was a dangerous topic - very, very dangerous.
"So what? That was almost ten years ago. Now you're gonna help me find another soul mate? No thank you. The only man in my life who I want to love me and who I need to be happy is my son."
"Regina, listen to me," Tink pleaded, "I can help you find your perfect match. If you let me, I'll find you your happy ending."
"No, you listen to me, Tink. There's no such thing as happy endings for me," Regina grumbled. After five years of a farce of a marriage followed by a nasty divorce which ended in her having to deal with panic attacks for months after because she thought she was being followed by Leopold and his minions, she'd started to believe there was no such thing like happy endings - even though her psychiatrist had tried to convince her otherwise. She was content with her life right now, besides the fact her best friend was moving to the other side of the country. She was content. Content was good. Perhaps at some point she'd start trying to believe the lie she kept telling herself.
Tink's hazel eyes were boring into her, making Regina feel like a headache was coming on. Her friend wouldn't stop any time soon.
"Regina..."
"How would you do it anyway? You're leaving town in two months. Do you want to set me up with every guy in your contacts? Have me date twenty guys you picked out for me and sort through them until I finally find Mr. Right - if he even exists!" Tink's eyes started to twinkle mischievously and suddenly it dawned Regina what Tink's plan was all about.
"No. Uh-uh, forget it. I won't do it. This is ridiculous. No. No!"
"It's the perfect way, Regina!"
"No, it's insane, that's all it is! I won't do it."
"All I'm asking for is that you apply. I'll help you. Aren't you the least bit curious?"
Regina shook her head, staring at Tink as if she'd just suggested she jump off the Brooklyn Bridge. This was not the right way. Even if she wanted to find love again - which she did not - doing it through a stupid show like this was crazy. She'd never really cared for reality TV and couldn't say she ever bothered to watch these shows. People putting their feelings on display for a whole nation to see? No thank you, that was really not what she needed. "I won't do it. Get this crazy idea out of your head Tink. Even if I did it, what if it doesn't work out? It'll just prove to me that I was right."
"But what if it does?!" Tink returned the question. "Look, just think about it, okay? I promise I won't be mad if you don't do it but if you do want to apply... I'll make sure you get in. I promise."
Xxxxx
Now here she was, all dressed up in a pretty designer dress with fabulous hair and make-up - the styling artist, Ruby, had really outdone herself - ready to meet twenty-five guys who would hopefully not all turn out to be complete idiots. Tink had promised they were decent guys – she'd helped pick them out and had interviewed them all herself.
It could be worse, Regina thought, she really could have ended up with blind dates from Tink's contact list. Whether or not one of the candidates would manage to break the walls she'd build up around her for years was debatable. Sighing, Regina realized two of the twenty-five guys would propose to her at the end of the following two months. She was obliged to pick one potential husband for the show's sake, even if she didn't intend to stay with him or marry him at all. After her divorce she'd sworn herself to never fall in love again and most of all, to never even consider getting married again. Tink had managed to trick her into both, which made her really wonder whether she should hate or love her friend for this. Nevertheless, she'd agreed to go through with this, so now she had to play along. It was just a few hours - she surely would survive a few hours with twenty-five good-looking men.
She was interviewed by the host of this year's show, a petite woman named Belle. She was nice but very professional. Then the first limousine came to a halt in front of the house. Even if Regina wanted to, there was no backing out if it anymore.
Regina's nervousness lessened after the first three candidates. The guys were as nervous as she was, which calmed her down a little bit. No one knew one another and the situation was new and perhaps a little awkward for all of them. Up to now, they'd all been very gentlemanly and obliging toward her; no one had made her feel uncomfortable. She'd been complimented, danced with, one guy - Killian? - had given her a compass telling her this gadget would help her find the right man ( and that of course he hoped the compass would guide her to him). All in all, there was no one who'd been gross or made her feel uncomfortable. But that was what it was all was about, wasn't it? In the beginning, they were all nice and charming. She couldn't tell yet who was here because of her, or for the chance to be on TV.
Except for the one she'd just met - Daniel, his name was Daniel - had made a very long lasting impression on her. He'd gotten out of the car, a gentle smile on his face, a smile Regina thought she could get lost in. He was tall, handsome and incredibly charming. "I imagined you'd be beautiful, but seeing you now is nothing compared to my imagination. Look at me, Regina." She'd blushed when he'd come closer, resting both hands on her shoulders. Their eyes were locked for a moment, before he smiled that incredible heart-warming smile of his and said, "A beautiful woman delights the eye. As I told you, you truly are beautiful. But it's not just your outer beauty, Regina. I can see your gentle, caring heart shine through your eyes and this makes me want to get to know you even more." Daniel pressed a kiss to her forehead, before he gave her one last smile and went inside. Regina turned around and watched him go, her head spinning, hands shaking. She needed a second to collect herself before she faced the next candidate. Daniel was the first of the candidates who'd really struck a nerve with what he said. She definitely felt attracted to him - she wanted to get to know him better and he'd sounded very sincere and interested in her. Perhaps Tink had been right... maybe this show wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Regina took a deep breath when she heard the door of the next limousine being shut. She was about to meet the next candidate and she needed a clear head for that. The others deserved the same attention as Daniel.
With a smile on her face she turned around to receive the biggest shock since she'd gotten the call they wanted her as the next Bachelorette. It was as if she'd been hit by a truck. Her heart stopped beating and her breath caught in her throat.
No. No! No, this couldn't be right. This surely was a dream, this... this couldn't be him. Not after all these years. This was a mistake. No - just no! Someone had to stop the show, someone... but the cameras filmed on.
Robin was told to move forward, which he did. Oh God, she wanted to run. Kick off the high heels and run far away from this place, from him. This could not be happening. She felt like she needed to throw up. A hand unconsciously covered her belly. He was here. It was him, no made up image of her mind. Fuck.
Ten years. The last time they'd spoken had been ten years ago and then... Once he came closer, she had to restrain herself from the urge to walk backward. Robin kissed her on the cheek, which left her skin tingling from his touch. Only when she looked down to her hands did she realize she was shaking.
What was she supposed to do? It was against the rules to know one of the candidates - but how would they have known...? What were the odds? Realization hit her once again. Oh God. Tink. Of course! Anger spread through her shaking form. Now it all made sense! She would kill her friend, really, she would!
Robin was staring at her, an insecure smile on his face. This could not be happening.
Regina knew she was supposed to say something, knew she had to keep up the charade. The thing was just she couldn't possibly yell at Robin and Tink at the same time. Instead she chose to do what she'd done all the times before. With a hopefully halfway calm sounding voice she said: "Hi... I'm... Regina." He knew. He knew and from what she could see he was just as stunned and uncomfortable as she was.
"Robin."
She almost blurted out "I know!" but she was able to stop herself. This was a nightmare.
His bright blue eyes were boring into hers. "Have you ever met someone that you'd change your entire life for? Someone whose eyes you just knew you were born to gaze into?" Regina remembered the words - every single one of them was like a slap in the face. Did he still hate her for what she did? Of course he'd hate her. She still hated herself for what happened, how could he feel any different?
She had to get this over with. Now. "It's nice to meet you, Robin."
To her surprise, he handed her a single yellow rose - a nice gesture she appreciated but she didn't deserve this rose, didn't deserve him. The situation was a complete mess-up.
This whole debacle wasn't Robin's fault. He couldn't have known she would be the Bachelorette, no. Tink must have set this whole thing in motion. Whatever she thought when she must have realized this Robin was her Robin - though Regina was sure the woman hadn't thought this moment through at all - her friend wouldn't live long enough to see the next day.
Regina finally remembered the cameras were recording this moment, so she decided to play along; she'd have a word with her supposed to be best friend once the first meetings were over. She smiled down at the rose, smelled it - for some reason she could not only smell the scent of the rose but also caught a hint of Robin - and said the probably most stupid but only thing she could think of right now. "Aren't roses supposed to be red on this show?"
