The deal Chapter 17 : THE REUNION-PART 1, an once upon a time fanfic

Okay I'll just say it…

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So this is pretty much me ever since I learnt SEAN IS COMING BACK ! ROBIN IS COMING BACK ! I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT ! IT FEELS LIKE A DREAM ! Oh God. I'm screaming, and jumping around and so, so so so fucking happy about this! If OQ is really endgame… God, I can't begin to explain how much that would mean to me. FOR REAL. How much grateful to A&E I would be then… I have no words. I am still waiting to see, but I have so much hope right now, it's burning in my chest !

#OQisendgame

#Pixiedustdoesntlie

Thank you so much for your support, love & reviews ! That means the world to me. Love you all ! 3

Now, I know most of you had been waiting for this chapter, I hope you will like it ! Let me present you ; the Reunion part-1... ;)

Chapter 17

-2008-

"Marian?" he said again and he must be looking so stupid but it all felt so unreal.

She couldn't be here.

She had left him without a word years ago, breaking his heart utterly and never looking back.

She was the reason why he had left England, had come studying abroad in the USA.

She smiled shyly and he blinked.

"Hello, Robin." she said again.

"But… What… How?"

"I know you must be wondering just exactly why I am here today, but I needed to see you. I needed to talk to you. We have to talk, Robin."

"I don't understand." he frowned.

And he didn't.

This didn't make any sense.

Why now?

"All these years, I've only been thinking about you..." she admitted in a whisper and that seemed to shake something in him as he stood up straight.

Regina.

Robin shook his head and cleared his throat,

"I have a girlfriend, Marian. And I love her. I am sorry but you're too late. "

She smiled sadly.

"I've gathered that much, yes."

And then it clicked.

"It was you, who tried to call me the other day?"

She nodded.

"As I said, I've been thinking about you."

"Marian..."

He ran a hand through his hair.

"I know, you have a girlfriend and I respect that. But… I really have something important to tell you. Please?"

Robin didn't know what to do.

This couldn't be a good idea.

"I have to go." he said and opened the door of his car.

"Please, Robin!" and she seemed so desperate suddenly that he swallowed.

"Why? Why now?"

She looked down a few seconds,

"I've kept it a secret for years, but you deserve to know. It wasn't fair of me to keep you in the dark and leave like I did."

His heart stopped.

"What do you mean?"

"Please Robin, I will tell you everything but not like this."

He sighed deeply, and tried to bury the guilt he could already feel when he nodded,

"Okay. Okay I'll meet up with you, to talk."

She smiled brightly.

"That's all I ask of you! I'll text you the place and hour. I still know your number." she chuckled but he didn't even smile, only nodded and jumped in his car.

Knowing he had made a huge mistake already.

Robin came home really, really late.

The truth was that he had stopped by a bar to get a drink or two ( rather three) to try and process what just happened.

Marian was back.

She wanted to talk to him.

He didn't know what to think of that.

She had texted him a café in town, and a date : two days from now.

Robin sighed again and closed his eyes before coming into their appartment, feeling oddly like he had lied to Regina, already betrayed her while his heart was still hers and hers alone.

Nothing could change that.

Never.

He came in and then his heart warmed at the sight welcoming him. Regina was cuddled in the couch, and he could see she had been waiting for him but had fallen asleep. He walked to her and stroke her cheek tenderly, heart burning with love for the woman in front of him.

"Regina..." he breathed and she hummed and leant into his hand but didn't open her eyes.

Robin chuckled quietly and then he leant in, picking her up in his arms.

"Robin?" she murmured and he closed his eyes a few seconds, buried his face in her hair inhaling that smell that was so her and so comforting.

"I'm here, my love." and his voice was hoarse but she didn't notice. Regina snuggled against his chest, laying a tender kiss there.

"I've tried to call you."

"I know, sorry." She hummed and he kissed her hair again. "Go back to sleep, my love."

He laid her tenderly on their bed and then climbed by her side, not even getting out of his clothes. He needed her and he needed to be close to her. Because she was the only thing he was sure about, right now.

"I love you." he breathed and she cuddled against his chest,

"I love you too." she whispered sleepily.

Regina fell back asleep.

Robin did not.

-2015-

Today was the day of the reunion and Regina had never felt this anxious and her entire life.

And thus for a tone of reasons…

She groaned and buried her face into her arms, thinking about the way she had fled Robin's flat the night before, without as much as an apology and if she knew him as much as she thought ( and she did) he would have noticed.

Shit.

Shit shit shit shit

SHIT.

Her phone biped and she jumped, before smiling. Of course Madelyn would think of that.

MD: Good luck for tonight, girl. You got this!

PS- Please take this second chance, Regina.

RM: Thanks, Mal.

MD: You will tell me everything, right?;)

RM: Of course.

Regina laid down her phone and took a deep breath,

Here came nothing.

Robin woke up and wiped his eyes, because today was the day.

The reunion that he and Regina had been preparing for weeks, now.

But they were ready.

He knew they were.

RL : Hi lovely, is it alright if I come by your place later this morning to work out some last details before our big night?

He waited anxiously for her answer.

Anxiously because Robin could pride himself in knowing Regina Mills really well, and something was wrong with her.

He couldn't quite put his finger on what, though.

RM: Hi Robin. Of course, if you feel we still have things to talk about regarding the reunion, you are most welcome to drop by.

RL : Be there in a couple of hours.

Truth be told her just wanted a chance to be with her before they had to pretend (were they still pretending after all these days spent kissing and flirting?) and mostly, a chance to give her to gift her had bought her, the proof of their new beginning.

Regina was still looking at her phone, lost.

But she had made the decision to enjoy this last day & night with him before she had to let him go.

She took a deep breath and tried to push aside the thought of the future.

Soon, she won't have to feel this lost, soon she would be able to resume living her life without feeling like hell because she doesn't know what to do…

Soon, it would be all over and it was the best for everyone.

(Was it, really?)

Later, someone knocked at her door and she took a deep breath before she opened the door and sure enough Robin was there, blue eyes she loved so much and dimple smile that made her weak.

"Hi, Regina." he breathed and she couldn't help the smile blooming on her face.

"Hello, Robin."

He smiled again and leant in, kissed her cheek tenderly and she was left wanting more.

Always more.

He was so dangerous to her, because no matter how many times she would swear to herself that it was the end, that they needed to go their separate ways, all he had to do was speak to her with that beautiful accent, smile of his, touch her or just look at her and she was done for!

"How unfair." she breathed and he frowned slightly,

"What is, lovely?"

Regina froze and hurried to let him in.

"Nothing."

Robin came in and she caught his smell, so woodsy and manly and Robin.

God, what had he done to her?

"Are you worried?" he asked her and she jumped slightly, closed the door and walked to him in her living room.

"I won't lie to you, I am a bit anxious."

Robin smiled and walked to her, taking her hand and squeezing it.

"We're ready, Regina. Everything will be alright."

"I'm still not sure about that." she smiled slightly, looking up but she looked up right away when he put a strand of hair behind her ear tenderly.

"I won't let you down, not ever again." Blue eyes were so intense she could not look away. "You do know that, right?" he whispered against her lips.

"I do." she breathed.

And she did.

She really did.

For once, this wasn't the problem.

He wasn't the problem.

God, she wasn't even the problem !

The problem was his ex-wife, the mother of his only child. His friend.

"Good." he breathed, still stroking her cheek. Then he took something from his pocket and she was too hypnotized by his eyes to notice what it was until he presented it to her, and she raised an eyebrow at him, making him chuckle.

"What is this, Robin?"

"I knew you would be stressed out, I only wanted to help."

"You bought me a gift." And she was fighting really hard the smile on her face.

"Something like that." he shrugged and she laughed. "Open it." he urged and she chuckled.

She opened it and then her heart stopped. She looked at him and her reaction must have amused him because he chuckled slightly, but she could see the apprehension in his eyes.

"Robin..." she breathed.

It was a beautiful silver necklace with a diamond "R" on the end of it.

She was speechless.

Tears was stinging at the back of her eyes as she looked up trying to find her words again.

"The "R" can stand for whatever you wish for, Regina." finally said Robin very shyly and her heart raced in her chest at the slight blush on his cheeks. "It could be for Regina … or… Or for Robin."

Their eyes met and she couldn't stop the warmth entering her every cells because she knew this was his way to ask her to be his again and it couldn't be more perfect.

So Regina for a few seconds forgot about everything else that wasn't him and her. She jumped on him arms, kissing him tenderly and if Robin was surprised he didn't show it and quickly kissed her back.

"I take it you like it?" he asked, breathless and she kissed him once again, hugging him so close to her.

"I love it." she breathed and he smiled that bright smile that was only hers.

But something else took Regina's breath away.

It was the words on the tip of her tongue…

The words that desperately wanted to leave her mouth…

The words she was having a hard time keeping inside of her…

I love you.

Robin had left to see Roland (he was spending the afternoon with him) and Regina had let him go, trying not to think about the fact that Robin was very elusive about it, but she was pretty sure he was spending his afternoon with Roland and Marian.

It shouldn't bother her.

It shouldn't.

It was pretty clear where Robin's heart was.

Her hand got lost on her necklace, playing with the small "R" on the end of it, thinking about everything.

It shouldn't bother her this much.

But still…

Oh God, why was she like that?

She could finally be happy after all these years and yet, yet she couldn't let go of this one thing?

Nobody stood in the way of her own happiness.

Apart from her.

She was standing in the way of her own happiness.

The moment had come and Regina was waiting for Robin to pick her up, nervous as hell. She was playing with the hem of her dress when someone knocked and she swallowed, walking to open the door.

And then he took her breath away, thief that he was.

"You look good." she breathed, and God he did. This suit was…

But Robin had not even heard her. His brain has stopped functioning while his heart was racing madly in his chest. She was wearing a red dress clinging to every parts of her body, dark hair straight and soft, a red lipstick the same shade of her dress…

How could she be this beautiful?

"Robin?"

He jumped, leaving his thoughts.

"What?"

"You look good." she said shyly and he smiled, took her hand and brought her to him.

"God, Regina. You are… stunning. In every way."

She looked down but he saw the blush on her cheeks, smiled tenderly at it.

"Shall we go, m'lady?"

Their eyes locked and she took a deep breath.

"Let's do this."

Robin stopped the car in front of the house where the reunion was and Regina took a deep breath.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes." she breathed and then he left the car, opened her door and she grabbed his hand, squeezed it like a lifeline as her heart was thumping loudly in her chest.

"Whatever happens, don't let go of me." she whispered and he brought her closer.

"It's gonna be alright, m'love." he breathed against her hair, so quietly that she even wondered if she was to hear it.

She didn't answer.

But she snuggled closer to him.

They came inside and Robin chuckled,

"Well, Zelena certainly knows how to throw a party."

Regina had to agree with him, the place looked fantastic.

"She does, doesn't she?"

They walked to a table where tag names where, and she looked for hers before sticking it on her dress. She looked ridiculous and she knew it. Robin smirked and she raised an eyebrow,

"Are you making fun of me, now?"

His eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Now now, Regina. You know I would never do that!"

She chuckled and was about to say something when her heart stopped.

"Regina!"

"Here comes the devil..." she breathed softly and heard Robin chuckled before they both turned around to find a redhead woman walking to them with interested eyes.

"Zelena." answered Regina,

"I am so glad you could make it!"

God, all of it seemed so fake.

"You didn't think I would?"

Zelena didn't even answer, turning to Robin with appreciative eyes that Regina didn't like at all.

Back off, Greenie. She would have wanted to say, using the nickname Mary Margaret, Emma and herself had invented in high school for this tyrant.

"And you are?"

"Robin Locksley." said Robin in a perfectly polite voice, shaking Zelena's hand. "Regina's boyfriend."

She shivered then. Blamed it on the night and not on his words.

(Really, who was she kidding?)

"Oh." only said Zelena. "So you do exist!"

God, she hated her.

She hated her so much.

"Why wouldn't I?" frowned Robin.

"It's just..."

"Any man would be lucky to be by Regina's side. Any man with a brain and a heart, that is. She is the most stunning, beautiful, kind-hearted, strong, smart and funny woman I have ever met and I wouldn't trade what we have together for the world."

Zelena's eyes widened at his passionate outburst and Regina was fairly certain she was blushing, but she was also smiling like a fool.

She had always loved how Robin would get protective of her.

That was one of his favorite things in the world.

"Well then very good." Zelena cleared her throat, seemingly off balance. "But you two have to meet my husband!"

"Of course, Zelena. We'll be waiting for you right here, if you want. " said Regina with a smirk and then the red-head was gone in the party, glaring and seething.

She turned to Robin and laid her head on his chest, laughing.

"That really was funny to watch, I needed that." she receded, their eyes locked. "Thank you, Robin."

He studied her intensely and then took a deep breath, stroking her cheek tenderly, seemingly lost in thoughts.

"You still don't realize it, do you?"

"What?" she tilted her head, confused.

"I wasn't pretending, Regina." her heart stopped. "What I said? I meant every word of it."

Her breath stopped and she bit her bottom lip, trying to stop her smile as he leant in, nuzzling her nose with his and she was about to kiss him when they were interrupted.

"I found him!"

They both jumped and turned, finding Zelena glaring at them like they had offended her and at her arms where a man that seemed like he would have rather been anywhere but where he was.

"This is Walsh." she said proudly, glaring at Robin and Regina and the woman tried not to roll her eyes when she added, "My husband and CEO of the Walsh Business, as I'm sure you've heard of."

"Glad to meet you." smiled Regina, and Robin shook his hand.

"I've heard of your business." smiled Robin, "Very impressive."

"Well, who hasn't heard of it?" gloated Zelena.

"Honey, please." said Walsh and he looked almost embarrassed. "We will let you enjoy the rest of your evening, thank you for coming tonight." he said nicely and then dragged his wife away from them but not before they heard her complain.

A small silence.

"I must say..." started Robin and she looked up, found him astonished. "That I did not see that coming."

Regina chuckled.

"He seemed nice."

"And she is..."

"Yep."

"Well, love is really blind."

Regina laughed at that and turned around, facing him once again.

"Thank you, Robin."

"What for?"

"Being here, tonight."

He smiled, taking her hand and laying it on his chest.

"There is nowhere else I'd rather be." She smiled back. "Would you like to dance?" he then asked, and she blushed.

"I don't really dance, Robin. You know that."

He smirked.

"I do. But I also know you dance when it's with me..."

She chuckled.

"That is a low blow, mister Locklsey."

He was referring to their parties when they were students, she only did dance with him an excuse for them to get closer and steal some kisses.

He laughed.

God, she loved his laugh.

"It's not the same..." she tried but he wind an arm around her waist and she lost her breath yet again.

"It is to me, Regina. I loved it then because it was an excuse to get close to you, to smell your delicious perfume, to feel your skin, to steal one kiss or two..." he raised an eyebrow and she laughed, shaking her head. "It was also a way to say to every men that you were taken..." his eyes fall on her lips and she cleared her throat.

"One dance." she breathed and he smiled.

"One dance."

He led her to the dance floor where other couples were already swinging to the music. He put his arm around her, she put one of her hands on his shoulders and then he took her hand in his, laid it on his beating heart and their eyes locked in a heated embrace. Nothing more needed to be said for now.

"This night with you..." he leant his forehead on hers, breathing heavily and her eyes fluttered close, heart beating so loud in her chest.

"It's perfect." she ended for him in a quiet voice.

He nodded. And then they just danced for a bit, unaware that everyone was looking at them, at the love that was so clearly emanating from them.

Regina didn't know what to do.

This was everything she had ever wanted.

Could she really turned her back on that?

But what would happen when the magic of this night would break away?

What would happen then, when real life would kick them once again?

"Regina?" he made her leave her thoughts and she receded slightly, looking into his blue eyes she loved so much.

"What is it?" she breathed, finding that her voice had somehow disappeared.

They leant into each other again, like magnets, like they couldn't even help it…

"I..." he tried but lost focus, his eyes falling on her lips. "Regina, I..."

"I know." she answered and then his lips were on hers, kissing her with the passion and desperation of a last kiss.

Their lips parted after the kiss, but they did not. Robin nuzzled her nose and she snuggled closer to him, both totally unaware of the world outside of them.

Nothing else mattered, as far as they were concerned.

Regina was waiting for Robin, who had gone searching for drinks when she heard whistles behind her. She knew who it was before she saw her.

"Emma." she smiled, turning around to find Emma and Mary Margaret smiling widely at her.

"If it isn't our Queen!" mocked the blond and Regina laughed before walking to the girls and hugging them both.

"I am so, so happy to see you!"

Emma smiled.

"How long as it been?"

"A couple of years, I believe." answered Mary, "you two came visit when I gave birth to Neal two years ago."

"How is the little Prince, by the way?"

"A sweetheart."

Regina smiled.

"He does have a great mother."

"And father."

Regina groaned and Emma laughed. She had never been a huge fan of David, Mary's husband but along the years it had become more of a joke than anything else.

"And what about you, Em?"

Emma shrugged.

"Quite happy by myself for now."

"How is Henry?"

The blond's eyes lit up.

"Just turned out 8, he is so amazing Regina."

The brunette smiled and squeezed her hand.

"I am sure he is."

"But enough about us." said her friend, "What about you."

"What about me?"

"Oh come on!" said Emma, rolling her eyes. "You and Mister Hottie? Almost making out so intensely in front of everyone?"

"We were not-"

Mary Margaret laughed and both women turned towards her.

"I've just missed you guys so much."

Regina smiled.

"Me too."

"Yeah, life is not the same without you." but then she said, "But you didn't answer us."

Regina chuckled.

"His name is Robin, to be honest we've had quite the complicated story but..."

"True love conquers it all." said Mary Margaret and Regina smiled sadly.

"Something like that."

"Anyway," said Emma, trying to break the tension. "You should have seen Zelena."

Mary laughed.

"Why?" frowned Regina,

"Let's just say Greenie had never been so green!"

The three of them laughed and then Regina jumped when she felt a strong arm around her waist.

"Ladies." only said Robin and both women's eyes widened.

Regina was used to the reaction Robin was getting ( with the accent, and the blue eyes and the dimples) but she couldn't help the smile when she saw her two oldest friends with wide eyes.

"Emma Swan." smiled Emma, "And this is Mary Margaret."

"Robin Locksley, I'm glad to finally meet you!"

And right, Regina had told him years ago about Emma and Mary, a few months before they broke up he was supposed to meet them but that never had happened for obvious reasons…

Her heart froze.

"We will leave you two alone." said Mary, and then she nudged Emma out of the way.

"Are you alright?" asked Robin and she nodded, laying her head on his chest.

"I am."

"Tonight is going great, right?"

She frowned at the uncertainty in his voice, looking up to find him looking ahead as if he was trying to get some courage.

"Yes, why?"

"Good."

"What is it, Robin?"

He swallowed and she could see how nervous he was, before his eyes met hers.

"I … I have to tell you something." she froze but he cupped her cheek, "Regina, I-"

"Regina." came another voice, interrupting them and Robin cleared his throat before turning towards the man and his eyes darkened slightly when he saw who he was.

"Daniel!" smiled Regina before hugging him and she could feel Robin tense before she resumed her place next to him, his hand finding her waist firmly and she would have rolled her eyes, had she not been happy by this little display of jealousy.

( She was so ridiculous.)

"I don't believe we have met." said politely Robin but she knew him better than that. "Robin Locksley, Regina's boyfriend."

(Would the shivers ever stop?)

"Glad to meet you, mate. I'm Daniel, Regina's friend."

They shook hands.

"How are you liking this party, Daniel?"

"Well, I was hoping for a dance with our Queen..." he teased and she laughed, but one look at Robin told her it wasn't a good idea.

At all.

"I'm sorry, I don't really dance. That much haven't change!" she chuckled and he did, too.

Then, Daniel must have sensed Robin's signals because he excused himself, wishing them a good night.

"Robin." she said warningly and he hummed but wasn't listening to her. "Stop that!"

He sighed and then their eyes locked.

"I am sorry. I can't help it…"

She chuckled weakly.

"Not that I don't appreciate it, but Daniel means no harm."

He groaned.

"I know. I'll apologize to the guy."

"Thank you." she smiled pecking his lips quickly.

But then Robin smirked,

"So, you like me jealous?"

Regina's heart stopped and she decided to go for another drink, but not before she could whisper to him,

"You know I do."

And then in a smirk she was gone.

They had spend an amazing night, and now it was slowly coming to an end. Regina had danced some more with Robin, he had stolen some more kisses; they had laughed and flirted and talked a great deal. And tonight had been magical. She had talked a lot to Emma and Mary, too and the three of them had promised never to let that much time pass again.

Now she was outside because she had needed some fresh air but it was actually starting to get cold. She was about to get in when a warm jacket found its way on her shoulders and she smiled when she recognized the warmth and smell of the only person she was never tired of.

"I don't want you to catch a cold." breathed Robin against her ear and his arms wrapped around her from behind. She let out a content sigh and leant against him, just enjoying the moment.

But of course it couldn't last.

"Regina..." he breathed again and she hummed. "Can you turn around, please? I have something very important that I have been trying to tell you all night."

She swallowed.

"Robin..."

"Please."

Regina tried to calm her beating heart and finally turned around.

Their eyes locked and when he traced the edge of her cheek tenderly, her breath caught.

"Tonight has been…" he shrugged, smiling dreamily. "Tonight has been more than I ever thought I could have again."

"Robin..."

"I mean it, Regina. I have not felt this happy in a very, very long time."

She looked down a few seconds.

"Me too." she whispered this truth.

He took a deep breath then and she saw how nervous he was.

That scared the hell out of her.

"What is it, Robin?"

"There is no easy way to say this."

"Just do."

He chuckled.

"That's not just that easy, lovely. What I will say to you might have consequences and I don't know if I'm ready to face them." he looked down a few seconds, "I can't lose you again." he said quietly and then when he looked up, she saw fear hidden carefully in the blue of his eyes.

"Please Robin, you know you can tell me anything."

And now he was worrying her.

Had he slept with Marian again this afternoon?

Had he realized he still wanted Marian?

Had he somehow realized his marriage deserved a second chance?

"Okay… No easy way to say this." he breathed as if he was talking to himself. "I am madly in love with you." her heart stopped in her chest as a slight blush colored his cheeks. "I know it may be too soon to say it regarding all that happened between us, but we've lost so many years already… I don't want to waste another second. Which is why I am standing here tonight in front of you, baring my heart and soul to you because I want this second chance with you. I want to make it right. I know that you and I belong together and I just hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you see it too." He took a deep breath. "You don't have to say it back, you don't have to love me back right now." his voice broke and he cleared his throat, "I just want to know if you want this as much as I do. I just need to know that with time, you could fall for me again… Please, Regina. I just want to be with you forever and do it right, this time. You and I, we are happy together. We could be happy forever."

A silence.

Regina couldn't

She couldn't breath

She couldn't think

She couldn't

It was too much

Too much

Robin loved her

He loved her

Of course she knew it but-

Hearing it?

What about Marian

Did he love her too

Oh God

Robin loved her

He wanted another chance

But

But

So many chances lost

They had their chance

Could they have another?

Or were they doom

Doom to suffer

She couldn't suffer again

And then the worst thing happened...

She totally panicked.

And those walls around her heart he had patiently managed to tear down?

They were back full force.

"Regina?" he cut her thoughts and she jumped, "Please, say something."

She opened the mouth.

"I..."

"Anything." he pleaded.

"Regina?" came another voice from inside and she felt like such a coward but she blinked a few times and took off his jacket before giving it back to him, and she saw the way his eyes were pleading with her to just say something but she couldn't.

"I have to go inside, they're waiting for me."

And she left him outside.

Robin was left alone in the dark, his heart and hope at his feet.

He had thought…

Really with the way she had looked at him…

The way she had kissed him…

With the way she had acted these last few weeks...

But it was just an act.

Regina didn't feel the same way about him.

He could see it, now.

That was why she had acted weird the day before. Because the deal was coming to an end and she was having a hard time pretending.

(His heart was screaming at him that he was nothing but a heartbroken fool and that there must have been another reason, that she couldn't have faked the look of adoration in her eyes ; the tenderness of her laugh ; the loving touch of her kisses… but his heart was hurting him too much for Robin to listen to it.)

So he turned to his brain.

And his brain had it all figured out.

Regina didn't love him. He had only seen what he wanted to see.

He was so sure of it.

He had made a fool out of himself.

Robin sat on the porch, burying his face in his hands and cursing himself for being so stupid.

He had hurt her so deeply, how could he have thought even for one second that she could fall in love with him again?

His heart was squeezing him to the point of pain.

Tonight had been fake.

It was what it was supposed to be.

He had seen too much into it.

(His heart was begging him to see reason, to run after her and try to see by himself why she was acting this way because it didn't make any sense-)

No.

Regina didn't love him.

And if he had even believed otherwise, it was a trick of his imagination because the truth would have broken his heart.

It was self-protection.

But he didn't need it anymore.

Because he could see it now.

What a fool he had been.

What a stupid fool.

( Stop ! his heart was screaming. Stop before it really is too late and you will lose her for good.)

But his brain told Robin he had already lost her.

And Robin believed it.

When Robin came back inside a few minutes later, she was still talking to Emma. But her eyes fall on him and her heart broke. He looked pale somehow, and his smile didn't reach his eyes at all as he took his place by her side but his hands were deep in his pockets.

God, she felt awful.

But the truth was?

She still had no answer.

She had spent weeks trying to sort out what she felt, what she should do.

And here she was,

Still as lost as the day she laid eyes on him again.

This was not moving forward.

She couldn't live like that.

He couldn't live like that.

They had to act.

They had to take a decision once and for all and stick to it.

For good.

No matter the consequences.

The drive home was tense with Robin not even meeting her eyes and Regina didn't know what to say to him.

The truth was, she had no answer for him.

And what a way to end such a perfect night.

She really ruined everything.

He walked her to her apartment and when she turned around to thank him, he was closer that expected and the words died on her lips. Robin's eyes widened and he hurried to take a step back, creating some distance between them and she hated that. She really did but she was grateful for it at the same time.

(She was losing her damn mind.)

"Thank you, Robin." Their eyes met and there was something in his… A pain she was acutely aware she had put there and she was feeling ill. "For everything."

"I am so sorry, Regina." he finally said and he was frowning, really looked upset.

"Robin…"

"I should never have told you that." A small silence settled and he took a deep breath, eyes shining suddenly and her heart broke in her chest. "Look, I've read more into it than what it was." he looked down a few seconds, hands fidgeting. "I thought… Well, I don't really know what I thought."

Coward. Liar. Screamed a voice in his head.

He had thought that it was their second chance.

He had thought happiness was within reach.

For the first time in years, he had started planning a future that wouldn't be lonely. A bright future, with the woman he had always loved and would always love.

"Please don't." she breathed because no, she couldn't take his apology.

"The deal was to make everyone believe we were together and I guess along the way I got lost and it worked so well I got convinced what we had was real." he looked down, frowning.

"Robin..."

"But I know, now." their eyes locked and there was so much love in his. "I do."

"Please." she tried again but she didn't know what to say.

"I am sorry for what I did all these years ago, Regina. I never have been able to forgive myself and I don't think it will happen now." he chuckled darkly. "But I understand why you can't love me again. I really do. I wouldn't love me either, if I were you."

"Don't say that."

"But it's true." his voice shook and he cleared his throat. "I told you the choice would be yours and it is. It is, Regina. And if you don't want me… Then I'll leave your life. I'll leave you be. I… I just..." he was frowning. "I just should never have told you that. Add that to my very long list of regrets, will you." he tried a smile but it looked like a grimace.

A tear rolled down Regina's cheek.

They were so messed up.

Both of them.

Good only to hurt each other in the end,

Like doomed lovers.

They had achieved some kind of neutral happiness, at least they were content during all these years they spent apart, but all this pain had been brought by them being together.

And so,

Regina had taken her decision.

Her final decision.

"Robin, I..."

-2008-

"What is it, Robin?" she finally asked and he jumped, found brown eyes looking closely at him.

He should tell her.

She was his girlfriend.

She deserved to know.

"Something came up." he finally said and she walked to him, took his hand and squeezed it.

"I've gathered that much."

"I am sorry I didn't tell you, I just don't want you to worry about this..."

"What is it?"

He took a deep breath and then cupped her cheek.

"You know I love you, right? Nothing could ever change how I feel about you."

She smiled and he thought about the ring, hidden very carefully in his school bag.

"I know." she leant into his hand, "Tell me. Whatever it is, I can take it."

He swallowed dryly.

"Marian came back." he said and saw her eyes widened as she receded slightly and her brown eyes were telling him everything that he needed to know.

"What?" she gasped.

"Yesterday." he said and recognition came into her eyes.

"That's why you came back this late?"

"Not really." he chuckled sadly, "I've been to a bar, tried to clear up my mind."

She swallowed and didn't say anything for quite some time.

"Why did you need to clear up your mind?" and her voice was so low suddenly, it made him realize what she must have been thinking.

"God, no!" he said loudly and she jumped but still looked guarded and he brought her hand, bringing her to his lap and holding her so so close to him. "Regina, not like that !"

She sighed.

"What did she want, then?"

"To talk to me."

Regina rolled her eyes and tried to get away but he wouldn't let her, instead he brought her back to him and kissed her. She didn't respond to the kiss at first, but after a few seconds kissed back and something lift off his chest.

"I love you." he said again and she sighed against his lips.

"What could she want?"

"I don't know." he said honestly. "But she already knows I'm very taken."

"How so?" she frowned and he put a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Because I told her so."

Regina smiled tenderly.

"You did?"

"Yep." he cupped her cheek, "I believe this was the first thing out of my mind after the very eloquent "Marian? How ? Why? When?"

She laughed at that, shaking her head.

"You're an idiot." she breathed but he could see the smile on her face and he chuckled.

"I'm your idiot." he amended. "And nothing could ever change that."

"Promise?" she asked and he believed it form the bottom of his heart when he said right before kissing her again.

"Promise."

If only he had known how wrong he would be.

A/N : So ? ;) Please don't be mad at me… The reunion part-2 will be up very soon … ;) Hope you liked it my friends ! And hope it was worth your wait !

LOVE YOU ALL. 3

Answers to my Guests on chapter 16 :

Guest#1 : Well, I am sorry that you used to love it but don't anymore. However my friend, I can say no other thing than that, and if you don't like it anymore then you don't have to read it. I would perfectly understand, it happens sometimes.

Guest#2: Thank you so, so much my dear friend ! I am so glad that you liked it and couldn't stop reading it ! I hope you will like what is up next for our lovebirds... ;)