Hey all! Once upon a time is on Disney now. How are we feeling? I mean, I'm the crazy fan that still has all the episodes on my DVR. Lol. I'm set. Sorry in advance for typos. Anyway Enjoy!

Chapter 6

Pushing a noisy sports car wasn't in her plans for the evening. Neither was hiding a popstar in her granny's garage. And yet, here she is. Honestly Regina isn't sure she should be doing any heavy lifting. Or pushing, in her case. The doctor told her to get rest. She doesn't think the two minutes she fell asleep on Robin's guest bed is what he meant.

"You know you can help a little." Robin grunts. The slight incline of Granny's driveway prove to be just enough to make pushing his car really difficult. And of course Robin would make a comment about how he is doing all of the work. Typical. It's his fault they are in this situation in the first place. No one told him to buy a car with such a noisy engine. Oh excuse me. Be gifted a car with such nosy engine.

"Oh this car would not be moving if it weren't for me." Regina knows she isn't an overly strong person. But she's nor weak either. The car is heavy enough that she is aware that neither of them would be able to push this car too far without help.

It isn't long before the two are able to get the car into the garage. It was really lucky Zelena parked on the street and not the garage. This night would have been a whole lot harder. Maneuvering around the garage is remotely easy for Regina. Everything was is the same place it was when she had last visited. Regina grabs the step stool and reaches for the sleeping bags on the top shelf. They haven't used any of the stuff in here in years. She's sure Granny won't mind.

"You'll be gone by morning, right?" Regina looks down at Robin. She could easily drop this sleeping bag on his head. He would be none the wiser. She'd just say it was an accident. Who is she kidding she couldn't pull that off as an accident. She'd be too satisfied. She would give herself away. Oh, well. The thought will forever live in her mind. Such a beautiful thought too.

"Yes." Robin responds to her previous question. "Hopefully I'll be gone without anyone ever knowing I was ever here."

"I'll know." Regina sighs as begins her descent down the step ladder. She wishes she wouldn't. She really does. She taken a back when Robin grabs her arm in support. She lets him. She'd say he's learning, but he doesn't even realize he's done. It's his genuine reaction. "Here." Regina pushes the sleeping bag into his arms once she's on solid ground again.

"Thank you. Thanks. A lot."

"Yeah." Regina shrugs. He has all he needs, she concludes. She makes a move to leave e hen Robin stops her.

"Hey, is there anything up there I can wear. So that when I do leave the paparazzi won't recognize me?"

Regina takes a look at him. She realizes that hasn't given much thought to his wardrobe before now. It's not as if she has the time. Robin is dresses like the typical popstar or edgy teen with his skinny jeans and leather jacket. Even his casual clothing is designer. Yeah, a pair of Clark Kent glasses wouldn't be enough to throw the paparazzi off his trail. At least Robin's smart enough to know that won't work. Why do other celebrities?

Regina looks through some of the boxes stacked against the wall marked clothes. The boxes are filled with her abuelos old clothes. Well, the paparazzi won't recognize Robin, that's for sure.

These bring back so many memories. She wishes her abuelo was here now. They used to be so close. So much can change in just a few years.

Regina continues her search for something he can wear. She bypasses anything Granny might miss. Although, she doesn't believe anything in the particular box will be missed. It the person they want, not his clothes. She finds a large, plaid button down to replace Robin's jacket and cargo pants. She sets them on Robin's car next him, where he resumed his fidgeting. Is he always this antsy?

"So is this all really necessary?" Regina questions. She gets not wanting to be spotted by the nosy photographers, but this all feels a bit excessive.

"Yes. He responds instantly. "Do you have anything I can wear on my head to cover my face?"

"You can try those." She points to a pair of boxes next to the one she'd just been in. She already got him a new outfit. If Robin wants anything else, he'll have to get it himself.

"Clearly you don't get it." Robin rolls his eyes as he begins his frantic search for something to cover his face. Maybe, he'll find a pair of Clark Kent glasses after all. "They're everywhere. These men are ruthless."

He definitely seems, what's the word? "Paranoid." Regina mumbles to herself. But apparently it's loud enough for Robin to hear because he frowns at her.

"Just forget it."

"Love to." Regina's over this whole night. Over Robin. Over the supposed paparazzi. Over her sister and Ruby. She just wants to sleep.

Robin pulls something from one of the boxes and puts it on his head. "Well?" He turns to her and leaves the rest of the question unasked.

Regina can't help the smiled that forms when she sees the fisherman's hat on his head. "That was my abuelo's hat. He used to wear it when he took me fishing." He often wore that hat or ones similar to it even though there isn't great fishing in Hollywood. Sometimes when he and Granny would visit, Abuelo would take then out on the lake. Those were the good days. You know, before Zelena became uninterested in anything that doesn't involve a Hollywood star. And before illness took hold of their family. Life was simple then.

"Oh. Wow. I'm sorry. Here." Robin quickly takes the hat off to give to her.

"No. You keep it. It kind of looks good on you anyway." Regina isn't lying when she says this. He looks good. Well, at least the hat does. She likes that it gets live to see another day, night. It's better than it rotting in an old box.

"Thanks." Robin says a bit awkwardly.

She realizes the is the first decent thing she's said to him that wasn't sarcastic. Oops. "Do you need any thing else?"

"Nope. I'm all cool."

"Yup. So cool, you're sleeping in your car." Regina slyly remarks. Have to keep up appearances right? She internally rolls her eyes.

"Regina." Robin begins. He once again stops her from leaving.

She turns and waits for him to say something, but instead he just gives her this look. What is that? What's happening? Is that, is that supposed to be a smolder of some kind? That's what they call it right? A smolder. And just when she thought Robin could possibly semi decent. He goes and does something like this. He looks like he's trying to be cute.

"Stop doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Oh, you know exactly what I'm talking about." Regina uncrosses one of her arms to point a finger at Robin. He's being annoying and he knows it. He thinks he's so cute with his dirty blonde hair, dimpled cheeks, and sparkling blue eyes. Well, he is not. And it isn't going to work on her. Whatever it is. "In fact, I bet you do it all the time. You give girl that… that look and expect them to fall for you. Well, it's not going to work on me." That came off more flustered than she wanted. The best thing she can do is leave now and end this night. There's no need to prolong this. Without another look at him, Regina leaves the garage.

"Good night, princess!" Robin calls after her.

Regina rolls her eyes and keeps walking. In fact, she walks all the way to her room and falls facedown into the bed without changing clothes. She lies there a moment. She lets the nights events sink. It was a wild night. Unheard of. A popstar sent her to the hospital. Then practically kidnapped her and nearly got them arrested for breaking every speeding law. She lets is all sink into the mattress below her. That's what they are for, to ease all her problems away. Regina kicks off her shoes and turns on her side. Ruby isn't in her bed. She's probably in the room with Zelena. She doesn't care. She's too tired to find out.

Morning comes far too early for Regina. Everyone else was already awake by the time she got out of bed. She follows the voices to the kitchen. Granny is cooking something at the stove while Mother hovers nearby, most likely lecturing her on something else she should not be doing. Daddy sits on one of the stools at the island with her sister and cousin. Zelena and Ruby look like shit. It is safe to assume she does too, if not worse.

Zelena and Ruby wear identical expressions when the spot her. They look like their ready to run to her. She keeps them in place with a slight shake of her head. Their parents think they were together all last night. How would that look? If they were to run up to her like it was their first time see Regina in a long time. No. She doesn't want any more questions than necessary.

"Girls how was the movie?" Mother stops harassing Granny in favor of interrogating them about the events of last night. Regina can't blame her. They all look hung over. Wait. Movie? What movie?

Oh.

Their parents thought they went to see a movie with one of Ruby's friends. They didn't have time to come up with a cover story. Maybe Zelena and Ruby did, but they didn't have time to fill her in.

"And why do you have a bruise of your head?" Cora frowns at the sight of Regina's forehead.

Regina brings a hand to her head. How is she going to explain this? "Uh. I fell… out if the bed. Last night." She sighs internally. Way to sound convincing Regina.

Her mother doesn't believe her. From the looks of it, no one does. Luckily Ruby steps in before she can be questioned further. "The movie was great, Aunt Cora. It was one of old ones from the early 2000s. You know the one where Marion Taylor and her mom both acted together."

"Blessed Keep." Zelena supplies for her.

Recognition never comes for any of the adults. And for that Regina is grateful. The only reason she knows the movie is because she and Zelena share a love for Patrice Taylor movies. She doesn't make many films anymore. She past the mantel down to her daughter. Marion is a great actress, but there something about her personality that makes her unappealing.

"Well I'm glad you girls had a fun time last." Granny sticks a plate of food in front of both Zelena and Ruby. "I need you two hurry up at eat. I need extra hands at the diner today."

"But I already had plans!" Zelena exclaims. She doesn't even care or notice that she's just flung what food was on her fork onto Ruby. Ruby grumbles, but does nothing to retaliate.

"Settle down mija. You have all week to go out." Daddy gently pats Lena on the arm the he's always done since she was young. "Spend time with your abuela. It's been so long."

"Nunca puedo hacer nada divertido." Zelena mumbles under her breath. [I can never do anything fun.]

After a glance at her watch, Cora hurriedly puts on her suit jacket. "We have leave now Henry or we'll be late."

"I'm right behind you querida." Her father nods and shovels another forkful of food in his mouth.

Their mother hugs both of them.

"Good bye girls. Be good for your grandmother. She doesn't need the extra stress." She looks to Granny. "Are you sure your going to be able to handle them for two weeks? Maybe we should stay. What about Regina? That bump-"

"Mom." Regina interrupts her mother's rambling. "I'm ok. I've been ok. I can handle myself."

"Dear are you sure?" Her mom cups her face between her palms. "Because we don't have to do this."

"The girl is fine." Granny pushes Cora towards the exit. "Go. Go on now. You'll be late. You said so yourself."

Cora relents. With one last "Be careful" and a kiss from Daddy, their parents were off. It isn't long after that they finish breakfast. Granny is already changed and ready for the day. She tells Zelena and Ruby to get ready to leave now, knowing that it takes Zelena an hour alone to do her makeup.

Regina takes that time to eat her breakfast in peace. Granny took to watching TV in the living room, so she has the entire kitchen to herself. Regina absent-mindedly scrolls through her Instagram feed. She's in the middle of watching a panda video when she gets a notification for a DM. Tinker.bella? Is that Tina from the school newspaper? Most likely. She doesn't have many followers and she a private account. Regina vaguely remembers trading insta handles with her. She opens the message.

Tinker.bella: Is this you? I hear you and your sister went to California for break.

Regina's heart seizes. Yes. That was her. Attached was a blurry picture of Robin Hood and his friends carrying her into the hospital. It's hard to even tell its Robin, Will, and John in the picture let alone her. How had she known? How could she tell it was her? It's not as if they spent a ton of time together. Regina's face isn't even fully shown. Regina herself only knows it's them because she was there.

R_Mills: nope. That's not me.

R_Mills: the photo is too out of focus to even recognize anyone.

Tinker.bella: too bad

Tinker.bella: just checking all my brown haired bases. Everyone is trying to figure out why John, Will, and Robin Hood are running into the hospital with a unconscious girl.

R_Mills: since when are you a stalker fan?

Tinker.bella: I'm not. I just love a good mystery.

Tinker.bella: and to gossip.

Tinker.bella: and I'm soooo bored! Let me live vicariously through you. Post more. Use your story. You're in California. That's insta gold. And I'm so bored.

Regina rolls her eyes at that.

R_Mills: Tina you and my cousin are like my only active followers. Everyone else is from the hospital and they are all over 35. My sister doesn't even follow me.

R_Mills: and for good reason. I'm not all that interesting.

Tinker.bella: you'll never know if you never try

Regina sighs and closes her phone. She throws the rest of her breakfast way. She's just finishing washing her dishes when Zelena makes a reappearance in the kitchen. Regina turns around to find her sister and cousin starring at her expectedly.

"Well.." Zelena prompts.

Ahh. They want to know what happened after they stranded in their Granny's car. The worst night of her life is what. It's their fault she was even in tgst mess. Why should they get to know what happened? Honestly even if Regina wasn't still a bit mad at them she would not tell what really happened. It isn't like they'd believe her. But on the off chance they did, they would not leave her alone. She couldn't have that.

"I am not talking to you." Regina squares her shoulders and folds her arms.

"You're not taking to me? You're the one who almost got us disowned."

"I'm the one! I'm the one?" Regina is mindful to keep her voice down so they don't attract Granny's attention. "Zelena, you're the one who left me in the car all night long. But lucky you I came back unscathed before you had to confess."

"Not entirely. What happened to your head?" Ruby questions.

"I fell out the bed remember."

Zelena scoffs. "No one believes that."

"That's the only answer I've got." Regina shrugs.

Irritated, Zelena begins to walk away. Regina stops her sister by grabbing her arm. "You didn't tell me Robin was British."

"Well it's the like the first fact anyone knows about him. Have you listened to him speak?" Zelena rolls her eyes before narrowing them at her sister. "And since when do you care about Robin? I thought you hated him."

"You're right. I don't care. Forget I even asked." Regina blinks back to her reality. Last night was a fluke of nature and it's probably best she doesn't mention it to her sister. Not if she wants a Robin Hood free spring break or life. She is pretty sure she has enough leverage to convince her sister after that fiasco. Regina would be happy to just go back to how things were before she was hit with that dang door.

"What happened last night?" She asks sincerely this time.

"Nothing." Regina responds to quickly. After helping Robin practically move into Granny's garage, she did have much time to come up with an alternate story. Oh God, he isn't still in the garage is he?

"Hey Lena. They're talking about that boy you like on the TV." Granny calls from the other room. And just like that Zelena gone.

Those shows are nothing but gossip anyway. And then it hits her. The picture. She can't let them see the picture. Regina races into the living just as Zelena is turning the TV up.

'Marion Taylor arrived at her birthday party last night without her leading man. Though no one saw him arrive at the club Rabbit Hole. Witness say that did indeed make a surprise appearance to the packed house of well wishers. The woman on the TV speaks. And Zelena is soaking up every word.

Party goers say that he left immediately following his performance only to magically reappear at his Beverly Hills mansion several hours later with a different girl.'

That's it. Regina lunges for the remote in her sister's had and quickly turns off the TV before the woman can say any more.

"Hey! What's with you?" Zelena cries with disbelief. She reaches for the power button only for Regina to turn it back off. Her sister is able to get a hold of the remote once more.

'Some say the mysterious girl might be stealing the heart of the teen popstar.'

Regina snatches the remote from her sister then stuffs it between the couch cushions. The stories these people come up with. How come it's always a love scandal? Why can't it be a murder mystery. At least that one is closer to the truth.

"I wanted to see that." Zelena complains.

"Why? It's all lies. Technically slander." Regina fails to convince her sister.

"Why do you care? You don't even like him."

"I care about the truth and I'm positive that's not it."

"Cut it out you two." Granny snaps. "Your parents are gone for an hour and you're already at each other's throats. Behave."

Regina and Zelena both still instantly. Perfectly chided they respond in unison. "Sorry Granny."

"Granny?" Ruby enters the room holding up ripped fabric. "Do you have any extra aprons? The driver had it out for mine."

"Oh yeah! I need one too." Zelena hops off Regina, much to her relief.

"Look in the garage on the top shelf." Granny waves towards the garage.

Regina inwardly laughs. Good luck. Getting to that top shelf was not easy last night. Especially not with Robin's car in the way. She gasps. Robin's car. Robin. Was he still in the garage? Why does this never end?

"I'll get them." Regina pushes past her sister and races to the garage.

"Ruby's already going." Zelena calls after her.

Regina doesn't care.. she needs last night to stay last night. Ruby finding Robin in the garage is worse than her just telling them what happened. Who cares if anyone knows she was kidnapped by Robin Hood. She can't have Granny or her parents knowing she had a trip to the hospital. They worry enough as it is. Regina just wants to be a normal teenager with normal teenaged friends. Is that so much to ask for?

It's early, but the sun's already made an appearance in the sky. Regina's grateful. It helps to see where she's going. She didn't think to put on shoes before running outside. Regina easily catches up to and passes a slow walking Ruby. And just in time too.

The garage door was being lifted from the inside. Regina risks a glance behind her to see that her cousin has yet to round Granny's ridiculously high hedges. She realizes that, yes, it was too much to believe Robin would stay true to his word and be out by morning. Nothing in life is ever easy.

Just as Robin gets the door just above his head, Regina stops the door from moving any further. "Good morning." She smiles at a confused looking Robin before slamming the garage back shut. She turns to see Ruby round the Hughes looking at her funny.

"This door is locked." Regina kicks the garage in an attempt to explain all the noise. "I'll have to go around the side." She rushes to the side of the garage. And she is again met with a very confused Robin Hood.

"Regina? What is going on?"

"You can't leave yet. My family is awake and they'll hear." Regina makes quick work of finding the aprons. "I'll let you know when they're gone." She grabs two half aprons with Granny's logo on it and once again leave Robin alone in the garage.

She hands the aprons to Ruby and leads her away from the garage. The make it halfway up the path when Ruby stops.

"Regina what is happening with you? What happened last night?" Regina cracks at her cousin's worried gaze.

"I um." She sighs into her hands and says the first thing that pops in her head. "I got tired of waiting for you in the car, so I went a walk. I got lost and had to call and Uber home. I bumped my head getting in the car."

Ruby does not say anything for a long time. It's hard to tell if she believes her or not. Regina holds her breath and waits for her to say something. But instead of replying with words, Ruby pulls her into a hug.

Regina melts into the hug. She hadn't realized how much she actually needed this. Last night had been a nightmare. She woke up in a hospital for crying out loud! But it's all in the past now. Well, almost in the past. She just has to get rid of the stray in the garage. They stay like this for a moment before separating. The others do have a job to get to.

It's only another 5 minutes until Granny, Zelena and Ruby are all packed into the small pink car and driving down the street.

Regina takes a deep breath and counts to 10. She takes another deep breath and nods to herself before going to free Robin.

"Your free to go." Regina announces as she steps into the garage.

"That is fantastic. But do you mind showing me to the loo?"

Regina sighs. She really doesn't want to let Robin into the house, but she can't morally make him hold it until he got home. Could she? No. No. She couldn't. With a quick nod, Regina guides him to the nearest bathroom in the house. She can't wait for him to finally leave so she can put this all behind her.

"Were you waiting outside the loo this entire time?" Robin questions when he steps out.

"Just anxious to get the house to myself."

"Planning on throwing a ragger?" Robin walks further into the kitchen as opposed to the exit. "Are you going to eat this?" He points to the left over breakfast Granny made.

Regina surrenders to defeat. She won't be rid of him any time soon. "By all means." She motions toward the food. She wasn't going to eat it. Why let it go to waste.

She leaves him to his own devices. He can let himself out when he's ready. Regina is officially on vacation. She's has the entire day to do whatever she wants. So she lays on the couch to browse through Netflix. All Granny asked of her was to water the garden out back. Simple. And she loves the garden. It's why Granny's food tastes so much better than other dinners. It's still weird being here without Abuelo. She imagines it would be different had they been able to visit the past two years.

Regina is abruptly brought out if her thoughts when her feet are lifted then placed on top of a lap. Robin's lap. He was looking her with that same smolder on his face. She doesn't move her feet. She knows when she's being challenged. Regina watches him eat his breakfast out of the side of her eye while she continues to flip through TV options.

"So what are we watching? I've always been Star Trek. And Merlin! Now that's so serious telly right there."

Regina settles on 'The Theory of Everything'. It's only about two minutes in when Robin realizes that the movie is in Spanish. She clicked on her Abuelo's profile. He liked to watch everything in Spanish. Granny hated it. That's why she made him make his own profile.

"Oi! This isn't bloody English."

Regina smirks to herself. That's what he gets when he challenges her.

"Jokes on you. I know Spanish."

"Oh do you now?" Regina challenges.

"Nope. Not at all. I'm more of a German guy." Robin concedes.

She does eventually change it back to English so he can understand as well. It's only fair right? And Regina doesn't want to challenge Robin forever. She can give him an olive branch.

He finishes his food and sets the empty plate down on the end table beside the couch. However, Robin makes no move to get up. Instead he settles further into the couch and absent-mindedly traces patterns on her foot. It feels overly intimate for some she's only met yesterday, but she once again dies not move her feet. This is the closest anyone other than her parents, has willing be to her in a long time.

"Truthfully this movie is very universal. Well at least the beginning is. I don't need to understand what is being said. It's clearly love at first sight."

Regina rolls her eyes at that. "There is no such thing as love at first sight. Not even in this movie. It's attraction at first sight if anything. Intrigue maybe."

He's looking at her now. "You don't believe in love at first sight?"

"Of course not. I didn't say I didn't think people couldn't start falling for someone after a single conversation. But love? From a single look?" She scoffs. "Robin please. Even you know that's not realistic."

"Maybe not. But I do think it's possible."

They remain mostly quiet for the remainder of the movie. Regina has to wipe the occasional tear from her eye. It's a beautiful movie, it's. But it touches so close to home. At least in the end her abuelo was still able to talk to them.

"She's a wanker for leaving him don't you think?" Robin ask suddenly. "Don't get wrong. I understand the events leading up to that decision, but they broke their vow to one another."

"It was a mutual decision." She points out. Regina finally sits up and removes her feet from Robin's lap. She keeps them on the couch, however.

"But he was sick. Guess apart of me is sad that she doesn't love him anymore. Through sickness and health. Till death do you part."

Regina takes a moment to look at him. They did watch the same movie right. "But they didn't part. They still remain in each other's lives. They might have fallen out of love, but she does still love him."

"Honestly, surprised they lasted so long. Any other person would have left a long time ago." The brit laughs. "If I had been ill would you still love and for me? Could you have done it knowing they would die soon?"

"For you. Absolutely not." She replies honestly causing Robin to laugh out. "For anyone else. Definitely. It's better to have loved and loss, than to have never loved at all."

She speaks from experience. She would rather have known and loved her grandfather, than never known him at all. She hopes that if she is lucky enough to ever find love that would think the same. That he'd be ok knowing he had the time to love her than to knew have loved her at all. Regina likes to think that her family enjoys the time they spend with her and not focus on the moments she won't be able to. She'll likely die young. And she's made peace with this.

"This is totally unfair." Zelena slams the recently collected dirty dishes into the soapy sink water. She folds her arms her hips on the counter as she watches Ruby actually wash the dishes. "I should be out rubbing elbows with Chris Pratt and soaking up sun at the beach and getting gorgeously tan. Not working the morning rush at diner. It's spring break!"

"Welcome to my world." Ruby smirks.

"And how come Regina gets to stay home an do nothing? Huh?"

"Have you considered that maybe," Ruby waves a soapy spoon in Zelena's personal space. "Regina is the only one of us Granny trust to actually stay home and do nothing?"

"So her reward for being boring is that she gets to stay being boring." Zelena deadpans. She pulls out her phone scrolls through her Instagram. "What's point if she's going to actually waste it on being boring? And what does Granny know? Regina went with us last night."

"Yes, but she did stay in the car the entire time." Ruby counters as she finishes the last dish.

"No. She disappeared on us remember?"

"She got lost." Zelena pauses her typing to look at her cousin. Having her full attention Ruby explains.

"Regina went for a walk waiting on us and got lost. I think something else happened that she's not telling us." Ruby admits.

"Like what?"

"Like the bump on her head. Either way we still messed Z."

"Regina is fine. If something happened she'll tell us if its that serious. She the good one remember?" Zelena smirks before bringing her attention back to her phone.

"Yeah. I guess I just feel a bit guilty." Ruby soon follows suit and is scrolling through her feed. "Goodness Z! How did you manage to get so many followers?"

Zelena smirks and flips her hair dramatically. "It spiked yesterday." At Ruby's expected gaze, she continues. "I may have stolen Marion Taylor's phone when she wasn't looking, followed all of my accounts, and tagged myself in her story. An actual post would have been too much."

Ruby gasps. "You didn't!"

"I did! And surprisingly enough she hasn't unfollowed yet. Look" Zelena shows Ruby her screen. The story looked like any celebrity casually mentioning a friend. The stories Zelena added fit perfectly in between the ones Marion shared. She prides herself how good she is at impersonating celebrities on their social media platforms. It's kind of scary how good she is at it.

"You even liked all your own post from the party."

She what? Zelena never liked her post. Any post she made was after the party. After she had Marion's phone. That means…. Zelena gasps.

"Granny we're going on break!" She calls to her grandmother who was fussing at her daughter by the stove. She pulled Ruby from the kitchen while their Granny was distracted. They sat in an empty booth away from the lingering customers from the morning rush. "I didn't like those post. Marion liked them."

"Wait. What? For real?"

"Yes." Zelena's phone bings and screams out. "Holy shit!" She says a little too loud and they attract a few stares. "Marion just DMed me. What do I do?"

"She what! She what?" Ruby says quieter, knowing if they didn't keep their voices down Granny would kick them out.

Mariontaylor: How do we know each other?

"What do I say?" Zelena shows the phone to Ruby. She had not thought this far ahead. Honestly she didn't think she would ever get her hands on a celebrity's phone to follow herself.

"I know what to say. Hopefully I don't get myself blocked." Zelena decided to be honest. Mostly.

Zelena: we met at your party last night.

Zelena: I am ambassador and president to Robin Hood stans. I am the one who get things trending and keeps Robin and the Merry Men 1# on the charts.

And for the most part what she said was true. Zelena has heavy influence on the fandom. She already had thousands of followers before Marion followed her. She just got a couple thousand more. Robin doesn't follow fans. Neither does Marion. They almost exclusively follow verified accounts. Marion did message her personal account. It could easily be mistaken for a celebrity's page. She did that purposefully. She was also very proud of her handle. Zelena isn't a common name so it was easy to get. Only having her first name makes her look professional. Honestly, even her fan page looks official. It's probably why Marion didn't immediately unfollow.

Mariontaylor: Fascinating.

Mariontaylor: I've scrolled through your page. You seem like a person I can see myself befriending.

Zelena: Well I'll be in town for the next two weeks. We can meet up sometime in the next few days. As I am a busy person.

Mariontaylor: How is tomorrow for you?

"My God." Zelena gasps. Was this really happening? She was playing so cool. The key is to make her feel like she's missing out by not knowing Zelena.

Ruby, who had taken to reading the conversation over her shoulder as it progressed, shook her. "Say something."

Zelena: Sounds great!

Mariontaylor: Wonderful. Let's say around brunch. We can meet at my boyfriend's house. He has a great view of the city.

Mariontaylor: I'll send you the address.

Zelena: Perfecto! See you then.

"Oh my god! What just happened?" Zelena turns to her cousin.

"I think you got a date with Marion freaking Taylor!" They both squealed. Luckily no one was there to witness their out burst.

Robin picked the next film. She hadn't paid attention to most of it. She and Robin were currently walking down the frozen food section of a local grocery store. At some point during the movie Regina had a craving for ice cream and in turn sparked Robin's craving for the cold treat. They raided Granny's freezer and backup freezer, but she was fresh out. Robin offered to drive and buy. Regina wasn't going to pass up the opportunity for free ice cream.

The both had on what Robin calls disguises. It is kind of funny what celebrities think will hide them. Robin still had on her Abuelo's clothes and hat, but all Regina had on was the clothes she wears all the time, with the exception of another on of her Abuelo's hat. A Lakers baseball cap. It isn't much of a disguise on her part. No one has recognized him so far. Or maybe they did and they just didn't care. She honestly is grateful for it. She would rather not get caught up in excited fans. Besides Robin's her ride home.

Tinker.bella: done anything fun yet?

Regina groans at the message on her phone.

"What's the problem?" Robin asks without looking away from the ice cream.

"My friend back at home wants me to do fun things so she can live vicariously through me."

"Ok. And what's the problem with that?" He finally looks her.

Regina stumbles to find the right words. "I'm not.. I don't do. What's fun anyway?"

"Don't tell me miss princess is a damper."

She gasps. How dare he. He doesn't know anything about her. She was fun. She could be fun. When she wanted to. "I am not a damper. And don't call me princess. I am a queen and a bit more refined than that."

"Oh. Of course." Robin mock bows. "My apologies your highness."

Regina rolls her eyes. "And my parents follow my Instagram. My mom will only use it to check up on me." It was just an excuse she knows. But people don't want to know what she's doing. She's not all that interesting.

"So. Make a new one." Robin shrugs as if it's the most obvious answer. And maybe it is, just not to Regina. "Oh you'll need an alias. I'll help you create one. Gemme your phone."

"What? No. I never actually said I was going to do it." Regina holds her phone a little tighter. Robin keeps his hand out. She caves. What's the harm in it right? It not like it would hurt anyone. And it's not like she has to do crazy stuff. Right? Right. Regina moves to look over Robin's arm as he creates her new account.

"My regal majesty?" She questions the handle aloud.

"Yeah. You know, because your name is Regina. And anything cool with queen was already taken."

"Ok."

"Now you just need a name, bio, and profile photo. "

A name. She already had one. Regina made her up when she got really sick. She used to pretend she was a whole other girl that had a great life and was healthy. She could do all kinds of stuff Regina herself couldn't do. Could she use her now? Regina did create her to escape reality for a while and live new experiences.

"Verónica Sanchez. Roni for short."

Robin smirks at her quick response. "Wow. Ok. How about a profile picture?"

Regina thinks about it for a moment. It doesn't have to be a photo of her. She could use a flower or something. But that's boring right? This is supposed to be an interesting, exciting account. She did take a pretty cool selfie on the plane ride over. She's most silhouette in it because of the window beside her, but it's still a good photo. That's the one she goes with.

"Great! That's also your first post." Robin hands the phone back to her. "So, about this ice cream."

Robin has truly enjoyed his morning. Spending time with Regina is the closest he's come to being normal and seeing what like to live a life out of the spotlight. It's refreshing. And Regina is kind of cool to hang out with as well. She probably wanted him to return home to his fabulous life hours ago, but he can't bring to do it. It doesn't want to say goodbye to this new found freedom. To her.

"Are we really going to able to eat all this ice cream?" Robin muses as Regina adds a fourth flavor of ice cream to their basket. So far she has rocky road, cookie dough, Oreo, and vanilla bean. Because you can't discard the classics. Her words.

"I never said I was sharing." She sends a cheeky grin.

Robin likes to think that she evolved from hating him to finding him somewhat neutral. He finds he likes Regina. She is a bit of a sick in the mud, but she is a great conversationalist. Or at least, she's good at telling him like it is. Not many people in his life do that. They're too afraid of upsetting him. And of course a lot of the things she says does upset him, but Regina is right about a ton of what she said last night.

Sleeping out in his car last night, Robin had time to review the previous hours. Regina had every right to be angry. And it was presumptuous of him to think she was a fan. That everyone is a fan of his. She brought him back to reality for a moment. Especially when he thought he had killed her. Maybe that's why he's sticking around. Actually seeing her alive brings him peace. It's almost as if he's become hyper aware presence. Robin can see how she is an actual living, breathing, person that has a life and dreams. He wants to know everything about her. If she'll let him.

After gathering what Regina calls 'movie food', the two make their way to the checkout. That's when Robin receives a text from an unexpected person.

Henry Gold: hi Robin. I'm not far from your house and I was wondering if those guitar lessons are still on the table.

Henry Gold: my grandfather said you'd be home all week and that you wouldn't mind.

Henry Gold: I hope you don't mind

Robin internally screams. He promised Gold he would stay home. He can't tell the lad he's not there. Henry will tell his grandfather and the Gold will scrap him from the movie deal. Besides if he gets in good with the lad, he could score bonus points with Gold. So. Robin does the only thing he can. He agrees.

Robin: of course you can come by!

Henry Gold: I'll be there in 20 minutes

Robin: I'll see you soon

"What's that face for?" Regina asks as the picks up their bag of ice cream and snacks.

"I agreed to teach a kid guitar and he'll be at my house in 20. I need to get there, like now."

"Can you drop off at home first?"

"No." The word just hangs awkwardly in the air between them. She looks at him with the beginnings of a frown. Say something Robin. It can't end like this. He doesn't want her mad again, but he also wants to keep spending time with her. "It's out of my way. I need to get there as quickly as I'm able. I'll drop you after, promise."

Robin can see her thinking about it. She doesn't say no immediately which is a good sign, right? He finds himself holding his breath.

"Ok. Fine. Whatever."

Yay! Longer chapter! I meant to post last week but, procrastination got the best of me. Sorry. Anyway, like me know what you think. I hope you've enjoyed!

S'D