July 20 - Outlaw Bandit AU; your take on Bandit!Regina and Outlaw!Robin.

True Love

He had heard about Regina Mills. Anyone who lived in Misthaven knew about her. How she had been abandoned as a baby by an unwed mother and taken in by Queen Eva. She was raised alongside Princess Snow White, becoming her confidant. But as the princess began a secret relationship with Prince James, Regina had told Queen Eva and King Leopold about it. The royals confronted the prince and in the ensuing fight, Eva and James ended up dying. Leopold went mad with grief and Snow vowed revenge on the person she had once considered her friend.

Since then, Regina had been on the run and hiding out in the woods. She had turned to banditry…or at least tried to. Robin was a competitive man and he wasn't going to let her muscle in on his territory. It took a lot of work (she was very good, he hated to admit) but he managed to stay one step ahead of her at all times.

Robin first saw her after he thwarted one of her many attempts to relieve some noble or another of their gold. He had seen drawings of her for their shared wanted posters. She was shorter than he expected, with long wavy black hair she kept tied back and out of her face. That was all he had been able to see but it was enough that he was able to recognize her whenever he saw her around the forest.

That was how he spotted her squaring off against the queen. One of his men had informed him that the royal had gotten in the tax carriage instead. He realized she must've known Regina was going to raid it and wanted to seize the chance to capture her once and for all. Robin mounted his horse and raced toward the most logical place for her to intercept the carriage, praying he wasn't too late.

When he got there, the Queen had her hand in Regina's chest. No doubt her hand was squeezing the woman's heart. Robin froze, unsure what to do. If he rode out now, he might make things worse for Regina. But if he stayed put, she could have her heart crushed.

Relief coursed through him when the Queen pulled her hand out of Regina's chest. It was short lived once he saw the fireball in her gloved hand. But he could handle those. So pulling out his bow, he fired an arrow. It flew into the carriage door, knocking out the Queen. Regina handled the stooge as he raced his horse toward her. She jumped on, latching onto him—safe for now.

"I had the situation under control," she yelled at him.

Safe and exasperating. "A simple thank you would suffice," he shot back.

Regina didn't respond and he urged the horse faster. He wanted to get her back to the relative safety of Sherwood Forest. To where his men lurked around every corner and would lay down their lives for him. And whoever had his protection.

She led the way into the tavern, pulling off her gloves with her teeth. It gave him pause—he did the same. But he shook it off as Regina kept aggravating him. "Believe me, I'm already doubting my decision to help the competition."

"The competition?" She started laughing and at first, Robin was insulted. How dare she thought he wasn't competition to her? He was always one step ahead of her. How could she not know…Anger turned to disappointment when he realized she wasn't mocking him. She didn't know who he was.

Realization crossed her brown eyes. "Robin Hood?" she asked, incredulous.

"Well, I'm not Friar Tuck," he teased. He held out his hand. "Let me look at that wound."

She held her hand close to her chest. "I'm fine. It's only a scratch."

"Liar. Now give me your hand and sit down before you pass out."

"I'm not going to pass out."

She was stubborn, that was clear. It was probably the reason she had survived all these years on the run. But he was just as stubborn and he gave her a look that told her she was fighting a losing battle. Regina rolled her eyes but sat down.

Once her hand was bandaged, Regina slammed down a gold coin. "There. That's your cut."

"Are you physically incapable of saying thank you?" Robin asked her. She glared at him so he decided to change tactics. "I'm glad I found you, Regina. There was something I wanted to discuss with you."

"If you're worried about me invading your territory, you won't have to worry for much longer. I'm getting out."

"Getting out…of the business?" Robin frowned.

She shook her head. "Getting out of the Enchanted Forest. Going somewhere far away, where Snow White can't get me."

"I see. That's a shame. Because I'm getting out of the business and I was hoping you would take over as leader of the Merry Men," he said.

"What?" Her eyes bulged. "Me? Why?"

He smiled. "I may always be one step ahead of you, but it's always been a struggle. You are very skilled, Regina. There's no one else I could imagine leading my men."

"I'm flattered but I still can't accept. These woods aren't my home."

They could be, he wanted to say. He found he wanted to keep her in these woods and he didn't know why. But that wasn't fair, so he nodded. "Then I'm sorry to see you go."

"So why are you getting out the business?" She took a sip of her ale, watching him.

He smiled. "Have you ever met someone you would change everything about your world for?"

She paused, her eyes growing wide. "Uh…no. I can't say I have. You?"

"Yes, and so this afternoon, I am going to set aside my life as a thief and pledge to start a new one with her."

"Sounds nice." Regina's voice took on a dreamy quality, as did her eyes. He found it made her even more beautiful. Especially when she smiled. "So, who is the lucky woman?"

"That would be me." Zelena, his betrothed, approached the table with a smile. Robin stood to greet her, giving her a quick kiss. She turned to Regina. "And you are?"

"Zelena, this is Regina. Regina, this is my fiancée, Zelena."

Zelena's blue eyes lit up and her mouth fell forward. "Regina? Like the Regina, who shares Wanted posters with my soon-to-be husband?"

"Well, I would say Robin shares them with me." Regina gave him a smirk and he found himself laughing.

Zelena looked between the two and let out a little laugh of her own. He knew she was only playing along, not wanting to be left out of the loop. She smiled at Regina. "Well, he'll soon be coming off those posters so you can have them all to yourself."

"Yes, he told me." Regina's smile lost some of its genuine quality. "Congratulations. I'm sure you two will be very happy."

Wrapping her arms around Robin's neck and sliding onto his lap, Zelena nodded. "We will be. Forever."

She kissed him and for the first time, he felt uncomfortable doing so in front of someone. He made the kiss quick as Regina cleared her throat. His heart stopped as she stood, already inching toward the door. "Well, I wish you both the best. I better get going if I want to outrun Snow White."

"Of course. Good luck to you," Zelena said, a bit curt for his liking. He tended to overlook how rude she could be and how possessive as well. Now, he was wondering if he could handle a lifetime of it.

As Regina approached the door, panic seized Robin. He found he didn't want her to leave. "Wait!" he called out.

She stopped, looking at him. He realized he had to say something, especially with Zelena glaring at him. "Godspeed, Regina. I hope you find your happiness."

Her eyes softened and she slipped out of the tavern…and his life…for good.

"What was going on?" Zelena crossed her arms, staring him down.

Robin shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Please. I come in and you're sitting here, looking mighty cozy with another woman," she snapped.

"I wasn't cozy with her. We weren't even sitting next to each other."

"You didn't have to. I saw how you were looking at her," Zelena hissed. She leaned closer. "What were you talking about?"

Robin sighed. "I was asking her to take over as leader of the Merry Men. And then I was telling her about you."

"Oh." Zelena looked properly chastened.

"Yes, oh." Robin sighed, rubbing his face. "Is this how it's always going to be, Zelena?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you going to be suspicious every time I talk to another woman? Always jealous? Always possessive?"

Zelena grew upset, contrite. "No, of course not, Robin. It'll all change when we're married. I love you."

He didn't respond. It used to be an automatic response. But for the first time, Robin wondered if he had ever really meant it. There was part of him that felt something for Zelena but the moment he had looked into Regina's soulful brown eyes…his world changed and he didn't want to go back.

"Robin? Robin, say something." Zelena was growing hysterical. "You love me, too. Say it."

Robin felt bad but he also couldn't bring himself to say the phrase. Instead, he glanced down to where he still held the coin Regina had given him. Part of him knew the honorable thing was to keep his promise and marry Zelena. Yet another part told him that it wasn't honorable to let her live a lie. Not until he knew what laid between him and Regina.

"I'm sorry, Zelena," he said, looking up to meet her eyes. "I wish you the best."

"No!" Her cry caused several patrons to look up. "You don't mean that. This is just cold feet."

Feeling eyes on them, Robin guided Zelena outside. "It's not just cold feet. Look, Zelena, once upon a time I did love you but…I don't think a marriage between us will work."

"No, you don't mean that!"

Robin's heart hurt over what he was doing, but he knew it was the right thing. "I do, Zelena. I'm not your happy ending. It's out there though. You'll find it."

"So, that's it? One meeting with the Bandit Regina and you're ready to chase after her?" Zelena stomped her foot. "It's not fair! This is supposed to be MY wedding day!"

She glanced down at her hand and something there scared her. Robin tried to see what it was, but she covered the appendage and ran off. He watched as she disappeared into the village before taking off himself.

He had a bandit to stop.

Robin had heard rumors about where to find Regina's hideaway. He prayed they were right as he trekked through the woods. When he found a pit covered with leaves, he knew he was on the right path. He dodged the spiked log and found the hollow it was said she called home.

Once he stepped inside, he found himself staring at the wrong end of an arrow. Robin raised his hands. "I come in peace, milady."

"How did you find this place?"

"I am not an idiot like the Queen's black knights. I can follow directions." He frowned. "Of course, I had to choose the right legends to follow."

She lowered her bow, sighing. "Well, it doesn't matter. I'm getting out of here anyway. Shouldn't you be getting married?"

"I'm not," he said. "I broke it off with Zelena."

Regina paused before shouldering her bag. "Was it because of me?"

"Yes."

"Wait, really?" She let out a little snort of laughter. "You mean to tell me that you rescue me from Snow White, tend to my wounds and decided I was worth calling off your wedding all in the span of an afternoon?"

"Yes."

Her bag fell off her shoulder. "You're serious?"

"I am." Robin stepped forward. She didn't move and his fingers ghosted her hips. "I can't explain it, Regina, but I feel drawn to you."

He could see something flicker in her eyes. Something that seemed like hope. When she spoke, her voice was soft yet sounded like she was younger than her years. "You do?"

"The first time I looked into Zelena's eyes, I thought I had wanted to look into them for the rest of my life," he said. "But when I looked into yours, I lost myself and never wanted to be found again. I realized I wanted the honor to grow old by your side, to love you every day of our lives."

As he had spoken, Robin had leaned in closer…and so had she. Their lips were so close. All he had to do was lean down…

She stepped away and he frowned. "What's wrong?"

"You just ran from your wedding. How do I not know that this is just a case of cold feet? That you think I'm the great love of your life but in a couple weeks, you realize you made a mistake and go back to Zelena." Regina stared him down.

Robin knew she had a point. But he also knew he couldn't live without her now that she had entered his life. He took her hands and pulled her close again.

"I'm not going to say your fears aren't founded. They are reasonable ones to have." He rubbed her hands. "But this feels real. This feels true."

"What about what you felt for Zelena? Was that not real and true?"

He shook his head. "It felt like I was in story. That someone had dictated I was to love Zelena, that I didn't really feel it."

Regina's eyes widened and she stepped away again. He tried to grab her, to pull her back. "I know it sounds crazy and that you don't have to believe me…"

"I do," she said softly. She turned back to him. "There was this…boy. He said we're stuck in some book. Even showed it to me. It knew I was going to rob the carriage."

"Where's the book now?"

"I threw it in the fire…It seemed like dark magic," she admitted.

Robin nodded. "Did the boy say anything else?"

"He said that we lived in another world and he was convinced that the only way for us to go back there was for me to…well…" She trailed off, a red tint coming to her cheeks.

He reached out, cupping her cheek. "What do you have to do?"

She stepped closer, their faces inches apart again. Robin was starting to understand but he wanted her to say it. To give him permission to close the gap between them.

"Mom!" A boy's voice called out.

Regina closed her eyes, groaning. "Did I mention he thinks I'm his mother?"

"No." Robin glanced at the hollow's opening.

A teenaged boy entered, wearing strange clothing. He had brown hair and hazel eyes, smiling as he took in the couple. "You found Robin!"

"Well, I would say it's more like I found her." Robin pulled her in close before holding out his hand. "Though you seem to know this, I'm Robin Hood."

"Henry." The boy shook his hand. "But you know that already. You just don't remember."

Robin shot Regina a look and she shrugged. She then turned back to Henry. "Weren't you looking for your other mother? Emma?"

"He found me." A blonde woman entered the hollow. She smiled at seeing them together. "I take it you haven't kissed yet?"

"That's none of your business," Regina shot back.

Emma approached her. "Regina, please, listen to me. We're friends…of sorts…and I want you to have your happy ending. I want you to reach out and grasp love again."

"Why?"

The blonde woman took a deep breath and Robin believed she was trying not to cry. Her eyes did look red and there was a quiver in her voice. "Because I know what it's like to let love slip out of your hands. I just watched the man I love die and I never told him how I felt."

Regina turned to face him, her eyes full with a question he was more than happy to answer. He held out his hand to her and she slipped her smaller one in it. Drawing her close, Robin leaned down to finally kiss her.

She gasped, sagging in Robin's arms as Henry gasped. Robin felt something warm and wet on his hand. Pulling it away, his palm was covered in blood. When he looked down, an arrow was protruding from her back. His stomach turned at the sight and he sunk to the ground, cradling Regina.

"It is done." He glanced up to find the Ogreslayer standing in the doorway, holding Robin's bow. He dropped it and used his magic to disappear.

Robin was confused. The Ogreslayer was a force for good. Why would he want to harm Regina?

He must've asked it out loud because Emma responded. "This story is his happy ending. He doesn't want it to end."

"Mom." Henry knelt next to Regina, tears streaming down his face. "Don't leave me."

"I'm sorry," she whispered in between shuddering breaths. "But I told you. I don't get a happy ending."

Robin shook his head. "No, it can't end like this. I can't lose you after just finding you."

"It's okay." Regina tried to smile. "You'll be fine."

He glanced up at Henry, was inconsolable. Emma knelt down next to her son and held him close. She looked at Robin with red-rimmed eyes. "You have to kiss her. It's the only way."

Robin stared into her eyes, watching as they grew duller. If it was the only way to save her, then he'd do it. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to hers.

A pulse of energy blew past him and he held Regina close as she took her last breath. He closed his eyes as memories began assaulting him, replacing the ones he thought were real. Memories of Marian and their boy Roland returned to him as did how he lost her. The Zelena he thought he knew was replaced by the one he really knew—the woman determined to destroy her sister, not caring who she used in the process.

Then came the memories of Regina. Of both their first meetings—saving her from a flying monkey, her catching his arrow outside the farmhouse. He saw her entrust her heart to him, relived their first kiss, and their night in her vault. Everything came back to him, both good and bad. It was no wonder he was unable to stay away from her once she entered his life. His soul had recognized its mate.

Robin knew they were back in Storybrooke without opening his eyes. His clothing had changed from his familiar breeches, white shirt and brown jerkin back to his even more familiar jeans and sweatshirt. The ground beneath his knees grew harder and he recognized the feel of the paved streets.

Yet he couldn't open his eyes. He couldn't bear to see if he had failed Regina yet again and she was lying dead in his arms. He couldn't lose her. Again.

"Robin…" She sounded breathless. "I can't breathe. You need to loosen your grip."

He did so, finally opening his eyes. Regina's beautiful brown ones—once again full of life and love—stared back at him. She smiled. "You did it."

Relieved, Robin kissed her. Henry knelt down next to them and Robin pulled him in for a hug with Regina. "No," he said.

"We did it," Henry added, smiling.

The three of them sat in the middle of the road, holding onto each other. All offered silent prayers that they were free from the alternate world.

(Though Robin made a mental note to ask Regina to conjure up that bandit's outfit again. She looked quite fetching in it).