Ya'll have been asking for this and who am I to deny you what you want? New chapter! Yay! I'll go back and fix any typos later. I hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think!

Chapter 17

Anthony found it in his best interest to go after the young girl. He kept his distance. Other than it being naturally ingrained in him, he didn't want to scare her off or appear to be chasing her. He could hear a few other paparazzi trailing behind him, likely hoping for a bigger scoop. He isn't sure what encourages him to follow her, but a new scoop wasn't his reason. He kept his camera off and in its case across his shoulder. He didn't come to exploit her woes. While he may have a job as a professional photographer, to uphold the father in him wanted to be sure she was okay.

And the girl did not look okay.

He seen it more times than he'd like. A celebrity stepping out of their small little universe and into the real world. They meet real people. They live seemingly real lives for a short time. That is of course, until the celebrities' universe comes to collect them again. Sadly, often times the price back in is at the expense of their real world friends. It's why he kept his own daughter at arm distance from celebrities. Their life gets messy fast and he didn't want his family to have to deal with the stress of all that.

Anthony watched as the teen stumbled down the street. He recalls everyone online claiming she was mentally unwell. Should there be any truth to that, it's even more important she be ok. Anything could happen to her. She shouldn't be left alone right now. Anthony has seen perfectly sane individuals mentally deteriorate from the amount of hate, stress, and slander coming from the media. He couldn't imagine what it must be like for her.

His heart ached for her. He has a daughter around her age. He would never wish something like this to befall his children. Anthony prided himself on how moral he was as a photographer. He's never been one to stake out a celebrity's home for a photo or chase them in his car. There were boundaries he simply wasn't willing to cross. He only got his work from his company or request from the celebrities themselves. Like tonight. But unlike his other hires, he's realized he doesn't have the complete story. Some things were not adding up. He was led to believe Robin Locksley was catfished and that's how this entire ordeal began.

It might explain the double accounts and different names. But what didn't add up was the girl herself. Anthony had never met or seen the girl in person before today. This Regina girl doesn't seem like that type of person. In his job he knows how important it is not to judge a person by their outward persona. It is often misleading. But he as also picked up the skill to spot when someone is bullshitting. And the scene Regina pulled just now looked far from insincere.

In fact, in this very moment Regina looked almost ill. She didn't seem to be able to hold her own weight. In fact she looked just about ready to collapse. Something was definitely wrong. The young girl never stopped to make a phone call. She didn't look like she was waiting for a friend or anyone to pick her up. Where was she going? They were coming up on a busy intersection. Could she be meeting someone across the street?

She wasn't stopping!

The light had not changed for pedestrians! Anthony took off in full sprint in hopes of catching her. "Regina! Regina!" He pushed himself harder. Come on! He had to make it to her. Damn it she was too far. How had he let her get so far ahead?

He was too late.

The on coming car honked in warning and slammed on their breaks, but it wasn't quick enough. The sickening crunch sound her body made when it collided with the car would not soon leave his mind. The sudden stop of the initial car, sent the car behind them swerving to avoid crashing into them, only to crash into another car. Causing a triple car crash. The road was a mess, but it didn't stop Anthony from running into the street to check on the young girl.

"Is she dead! Did I kill her?" The frantic driver of the white tesla that hit Regina runs from his car.

Anthony ignores the man for now. He instead kneels where Regina rolled off the car. He checks her wrist and neck for a pulse. Anthony released the breath he was holding. It was weak, but it was there. Thank God!

"Is she…" The asks again, hovering over the both of them.

"She's alive! Call an ambulance!" Anthony yells at the man. He wants to pick her off of the cold ground, but he's afraid to move her. There could be something internally wrong and moving her could make it worse.

Everything happens very quickly after that. They had definitely attracted the attention of a few civilians. Some people had left their cars to check on the other cars in the crash. It didn't take long for the authorities to arrive. It was a major accident and there was a ton of traffic. The authorities were likely to show up even if people hadn't called for them.

He gave the paramedics as much information as he could. The officers wanted him to stay and make a statement, but he insisted he stayed with Regina. Someone had to. At least until someone came to claim her.

Regina was not responsive. Seeing her laid out like that hurt him deeply. To think something like this could have happened to his daughter. They were about the same age. They could attend the same school. It hurt his spirit to know that this was someone's daughter. And her parents weren't here with her now. She should have her parents. Anthony couldn't imagine something like this happening to his daughter and no one was there to make sure she was ok. He'd wait until the hospital was able to locate her family. She was going to need them after the night she's had.

Marion was the one to pull him into the house and shut the door. He watched as many of the paparazzi left to follow Regina. They'd make her life a living nightmare. He wants nothing more than to run after her. He wants to tell the truth, and fix it all. He wants to let her know everything will be alright. None of this was her fault. He should have been more careful. Regina should not have to pay the heavy price for choices he made.

"They're going after her." Robin mumbles, keeping his eyes on the closed door.

"Let them. That's her problem now." Marion pulls him away further into the house and away from the door. "All that matters is that you're safe. You don't need to worry about that crazy fan."

Robin shakes himself from her grip. "Marion, you do know that she isn't some random fan. Regina was my friend and I left her to deal with all this on her own!"

"Calm down Robin."

"This isn't right."

"You were the one that had to go out into the world to find Robin Locksley. Whatever the hell that means." His girlfriend jabs at his chest with her sharp finger. "Now you have to put on your big boy pants and do the things that need to be done in order to keep your career. You had your fun. Welcome back to the real world."

"This is real life! Her life is very real Marion!" He shouts back at her. They were very close now. He's seen the other side. He's gotten a taste of what it is like for people not under the spotlight.

"Why you care so much?" She looked hurt. Robin could understand. Her boyfriend is speaking so passionately about another girl. He isn't the same person he was two weeks ago. Try as he might he can't go back to the way he maneuvered in the world. He was so ignorant then. He forgot was is was like to just be. He used to be so connected to his fans and the people around him. He had not noticed when it all changed. Robin couldn't expect her to understand right away. He hadn't. Marion deserves the truth. Maybe he could bring her into his new reality. Maybe they could figure something out together, but he needs to tell her why it's so important to him. He has to do at least that.

Robin takes a step away from Marion. He sighs into his hands before looking at her again. "I hate to admit it, but I care for her. Regina as come to mean a great deal to me. Crazy fan or friend, no one should have to go through that."

Marion is quiet for a long moment. She blinks away the water in her eyes, clears her throat, and proceeds as if nothing is amiss. "We need to get ready for tomorrow." Her voice is tight. "Your parents set up an interview for me as well. We are looking out for your best interest. Don't make this more difficult."

"I just had to betray the sweetest, most kind person I've met in a long while, in order to advance my career. You have to understand how hard this is for me."

Marion ignores him. "Your interview will be live at 9:30 and mine will be posted online some time in the late afternoon or so." She walks into his kitchen.

"Marion." Robin calls to her. She doesn't respond. He suppresses a growl. Why couldn't she try to understand. "Marion! You're not listening to me."

"No. You're not listening Robin." Marion slams her cup of water on the counter and finally looks at him. "This girl is a fantasy. You're with me! You are the Robin Hood! This girl comes into your life and all of a sudden you're too good for your own name?"

"Locksley is my name."

"I don't understand the dramatics. Why all of a sudden is being Robin Hood so bad?"

Robin leans over the kitchen island and rest his weight on his elbows. Robin Hood feels like old skin. There's nothing wrong with The Hood. It just was him anymore. Robin doesn't think he's quite ready for the title Locksley, but what was so wrong with being just Robin for awhile? "What's so wrong with wanting to use my real name? You use your name."

"Yeah, because my last name is a house hold name. Who is this nobody to come into your life and tell you to change your name?" Marion slams each item for some kind of pasta preparation on the counter after each sentence. He recognizes the ingredients for nightmare Mac and cheese. It was something her grandmother started for her mother who then passed it on to her. He had it maybe twice before. Robin is slightly concerned for the counter and utensils. She is being quite aggressive. Better that then him. Robin himself had crescent shaped indents in his palm to show how horrible this conversation is going.

"That's not how it happened. I was thinking on the change anyhow. Regina gave me clarity." Robin notices the twitch in his girlfriend's face when he says Regina's name. "We have so much pull in the world. Something as simple as changing my brand name becomes the top headline. Now whatever I say about Regina becomes factual. Even if she were negate what I say. I'm the one people will believe."

"No shit. We're celebrities. Our voices hold weight and people care for our opinions. We have value."

He balls his fist. "Regina has value."

"Ok, Robin." Marion placated and went about fixing herself something to eat. He knew she didn't believe him. Why is it so difficult to grasp. Their celebrity status doesn't give them the power to reek havoc on normal people. They should be the ones helping them.

Marion sets a plate of pasta in front of him. He can't bring himself to eat it. His stomach is in knots and the thought of tomorrow morning makes him queasy. His hands are tied. If he goes through with it, Regina has to carry the weight of it all. If he doesn't go through with it, he, Nottingham, and his band all lose their shot at expanding their career and making something of themselves. Gold made it very clear this would be their only opportunity. There is no choice. Then why is this so hard?

"So we're talking about this girl. Regina Mills." Cruella De Vil, sporting her usual lavish apparel, gestures to the screen behind them. It's easy to appear under dressed when being interviewed by her. Robin is out of his depth. This woman came well prepared. He has to get him self together. How he responds and what is revealed in this interview will change the course of his career forever.

He takes a glance at the screen. They pulled up the same photos of Regina unknowingly smiling towards the camera in her granny's front yard that Gold showed him the day before. She really doesn't deserve any of what's coming for her. Time to be the actor they need you to be. He takes a breath and speaks. "Yeah. I recognize her."

"Come on Robin. We know you were at the beach with her. Tell us, have we discovered the true identity of your newest internet fling?"

"If you're talking about Verónica, I mean sure they do share physical similarities. But that isn't Roni in those photos." Robin points to the beach photos that were seen in the magazines. "The two of us were only together early that morning at the pier. They aren't the same person."

"And what about Ms. Verónica Sanchez? Is there something there?"

He knew what she was suggesting. "Roni is a great friend of mine. And only a friend. I already have a girlfriend." Marion would kill him if he spoke too highly of Regina/ Roni in anyway on national television. And he can't afford a break up story on top of it all.

Cruella smirks at him. She doesn't believe him. Damn it. Maybe he isn't as good of an actor that he thinks he is. "And how do Marion Taylor and Verónica feel about all of this?"

How should he know? He glances at the spot where Marion and his parents stand behind the camera. She gives him a nod and mouths 'play the victim'. Robin sighs. He really can't stand how easy all of this is for her. What does that say about her as a person? "They are taking it in stride. I know it can't be easy for Roni to have someone claim to be her on the internet. And Marion has been so supportive throughout it all. I honestly don't know what I'd do without her. I am surrounded by incredibly strong women."

"If it wasn't Verónica we saw at the beach with you, I assume it was Regina. You seemed to be quite close with this girl. Are you positive you have not met?" Robin was aware that Cruella was look for him to slip up a reveal some huge part of the story.

"Look lots of fans come to Malibu to watch me surf and I try to say hi to everybody that comes up to me, but maybe I signed an autograph for her or something?"

"According to my sources, she came all the way from Storybrooke, Maine just to meet you."

Robin gasps. Of course he already knew this and technically Regina came for her grandmother, but he had to act surprised. "Wow, really? I'm sorry I didn't get to meet her properly. I'm sure she's lovely under different circumstances."

"How do you feel about these over ambitious fans showing up to meet you after hours."

"I realize it's the price of stardom. Sometimes it happens. My music touches people so deeply that they think I know them on a personal level." Robin smiles sadly. He tries to stick as close to the truth as possible, but this story his PR team as come up with is so far from it, it's hard. "This girl came into my life and completely turned it upside-down. In the midst of all this chaos I realize I no longer see the world as I once did."

"I'm sure you don't. Especially after the events of last night." She smiles sadly before directing his attention to the screen behind them. It's footage from last night when Regina showed up at his house. He no longer can keep his composure. He briefly looks to his staff in question, but they seemed just as clueless.

"She sure seems to know you." Cruella comments when Regina hugs him in the video.

Robin hates watching what unfolds. The heartbreak all over again. He had been so cold towards her. He was going to be sick. Robin physically felt ill watching the video. He hates the way the paparazzi shouted for her attention.

"You seem uncomfortable."

"Of course I'm uncomfortable." Robin snaps. "Fan or not. She's clearly in pain. I was the one she reached out to and turned her away. I do not enjoy being apart of that in anyway." Robin turns to address the camera directly. He was near tears, but held it together well. "Regina, if you're listening, I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you. And I have to ask for you to please keep your distance."

"So you're saying you don't know this girl?" Cruella asks to confirm.

"Yeah. I don't know what she sang about me, but I don't know anybody named Regina Mills. Sorry, Cruella, there's nothing more to tell."

Cruella smiles brightly. Robin tries to mimic it, but his just doesn't quite reach. "Okay! You heard it heard first. I'm Cruella De Vil and this is Starz 101 news! Tune in-"

Cora cuts off the old hospital television and looks to Regina for an explanation. Regina doesn't want to deal with any of this right now. She can't deal with anything of this right now. The first thing she wakes up to is this crap on the TV. It's humiliating. Her friend disowned her on life national television the morning after her most recent near death experience. Regina barely had time to take in her surroundings and recall all that went on before this broadcasted. It's all too much. She should have never gone to Robin's last night. She should have never trusted him, never thought he would possibly help. Robin only made things worse. He made things much worse for her.

"What happened while we were away? You have to talk to us mija." Daddy frowns at their connected hands.

Regina stays silent. Her family is looking to her for an explanation. Anything. To be completely honest, she doesn't quite know herself. It all happened so fast. Now she in the got damned hospital because she got herself run over my a car last night. The guy who hit her is a major film director. Of course it was some rich guys car she hit. Nothing is ever that simple. God, she really messed up this time.

He and the paparazzi that brought her to the hospital are apparently still in the waiting room with Granny and Ruby worrying over her health. She just hopes the director guy doesn't sic his lawyer on them. They couldn't afford a lawsuit.

Where would she even begin to explain the events that led up to this moment? So much has happened since they first arrived. It is all a blur. It's like she's lived a lifetime only for it to be gone in a flash. That entire life is gone. Verónica Sanchez and what she represented is dead. There's no escaping what life has deemed your future.

Regina takes a deep breath on hopes of calming her nerves. Her heard hurt. Her body hurt. Her heart is broken. She feels so broken. How would she even go about fixing this mess. She doesn't even want to look at her phone. That is, if she still has a phone. She doesn't remember much of the accident itself, but she remembers the events that led up to it. Vividly. She wishes she didn't. Remembering the accident doesn't seem much of a better option. Taking note of how much her body hurt and how scared everyone seems, it safe to assume it was bad. Really bad. All she remembers is being utterly and completely alone. There was a brief moment of intense fear, but that's not what her family wanted nor needed to hear right now. She needs to be strong. For them.

"It's nothing bad Daddy. I promise." Regina squeezes her father's hand.

"Nothing bad? Regina you're in the hospital." Mother paces width of the room. She hates seeing her like this. Regina hates how easily she fell in to working mother mode. She'd seen a lifetime of her mother worrying the last time she was admitted to a hospital. Her parents aged decades in only a night. They look almost as bad as she feels. And she knows they are blaming themselves for her ending up here again. But it isn't. None of this is on them. Her mother looks ready to start one of her rants, but she's saved by the appearance of a doctor.

"Hello family." The doctor greets them. She turns her attention to Regina. "I'm glad to see you're awake. You had a pretty nasty accident. How are you feeling?"

"Like I was hit by a car." Regina mumbles.

The doctor laughed, but her parents didn't find it funny. What could she say? It's an accurate description for how she felt.

"Humor is good." The doctor is over her bed now. She checks the monitors and charts. Nothing seems amiss, but Regina has learned doctors and nurses are great at hiding it if there was. "I'm Dr. Rivera. And you Regina, are very lucky. This could have been much worse." She moves to stand where Regina can easily see her without straining herself. "Are you dizzy, nauseous, or light headed in anyway?"

Regina takes inventory of her body. She knows how important it is to give an accurate estimate of what she's feeling. "I'm a bit light headed and the lights are killing me. I have a massive headache. And it.." she struggles to articulate. "it hurts to breathe."

"That is to be expected. You have a hairline fracture on two of your ribs. But don't stress. It should heal in about 6 weeks."

"That quick?"

"That quick. And for the lighting," Dr. Rivera shuts off the over head lights.

The little relief she feels instant. "Thank you."

"How's her heart? Is she ok?" Mother steps into the conversation. She's worried. They all are. Regina put her health on the back burner this week. She really should have done more to make sure she okay health-wise. Those days of skipped medication are coming back to bite her in the but.

"She over worked herself for too long, to fast. Because it's so close to your last incident, we are going to keep you for observation. And we're going to put you back on Antarudin only for a short period." Dr. Rivera hands her a cup of pills.

"No these make me feel horrible." Regina is careful not to drop the cup when she buries her face in her pillow. Daddy squeezes her hand. "I don't want to."

"Your health comes first." He encourages.

"You won't have to take them forever." Mother adds. "Please don't make this difficult."

"I'm not trying to be difficult. But you have to understand-"

"Please take the medication."

"No."

"Regina." She warns. "Stop wasting everyone's time and do as your told. It won't be forever."

"But mother.."

"Regina shut up and take the pills. You'll feel worse if you're dead!" Her mother yells at her. Everyone in the room falls silent.

Regina makes quick work of swallowing her pills. Dry. She is so sick and tired of people using that against her. As if it's her choice to be like this. They weren't the ones dying damn it! No one understands how absolutely terrifying it is to know you won't out live anyone you know. Regina has worked so hard to keep it far from the forefront of her mind. Yet her family mentions it constantly. How could she possibly live a normal life? She can't help herself when she tosses the empty cup at her mother. It misses, but her intentions are strong.

"Regina! This tantrum is uncalled for. Behave yourself." Mother boils.

She forcibly rolls over in the opposite direction of her mother. It's a painful maneuver, but worth it. She'll do anything not to see her mother's face right now.

She hears the doctor clear her throat. "May I suggest taking a moment for a bit of air. It's best Regina have the lowest levels of stress. We wouldn't want to trigger another episode."

Mother huffs. But Daddy is the one to speak. "Why don't we take a walk to the cafeteria? I'm sure we could do for some food in our system."

Regina ignores the rest of the conversation. She could careless. All she wants to d o is cry. Nothing makes sense anymore.

"They're gone." Regina startles when her sister speaks. She completely forgot she was in the room. "You can roll over. I can see your in pain."

Regina takes a step down from her high horse and lays on her back. It's much easier to breathe this way. It still hurts like hell, but it's better than being on her side. She startles again when she feels a weight on her right arm. Zelena is laying on the bed and on her by default. Is she crying? What the hell is wrong with her?

"I was so scared we lost you. When we get got here, those men who brought you told us about the accident and the doctors said your heart was too weak for that sort of trauma." She hiccups and holds on tightly to her arm. "They didn't have much hope you'd pull through. God, I'm so glad you're ok."

"Don't act like you want me around now." Regina shoves her sister away. "You almost got what wanted. You could've had your parents all to yourself. But I'm too resilient for my own good."

"Regina. I never meant for any of this to happen. I never meant that I didn't want you around."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

Zelena sighs. "I'm sorry."

"I don't care."

Neither of them say another word. They sit in awkward silence for at least an hour. Regina doesn't eat the food her parents bring for her when they return. She doesn't have much of an appetite. She sleeps through most if the day anyway. Antarudin makes her lethargic.

This is a state she never enjoyed to see her sister in. Zelena hates herself for the role she paid in Regina's relapse in health. This was all her fault. Her abuelo told her time and time again never to act on a negative emotion. She had been hurt by what her sister had done, or more of what she hadn't done. She was jealous. She knows. None of it gave her a right to sabotage to Regina. She was so angry with herself. She was angry with herself for letting Marion sway her judgment. Angry with Marion herself for pulling such an awful stunt with the Roni account. Angry with Robin for denying the truth of ever having knowing Regina. But most of all she was angry for letting jealousy consume her.

Regina has ever right to be angry at her. Why did it take her sister almost dying to snap her out of this? Her phone has been blowing up for the past few days. She's kept quite throughout it all. As much as she likes Robin and being a structure in the fandom, she would not lie for her. She cannot knowingly add to her sister's pain. Yelling the truth will only serve to get her removed from the fandom. No one would believe her without proof. She needs solid proof if she is going to contradict the biggest popstar in the world. Zelena will need help, and she has an idea of where she might be able to get it.

When Zelena opens her phone there's a multitude of unread alerts and notifications. She ignored the ones from Instagram and Twitter. But there is an alert from WORLD GAZETTE online that caught her attention. Marion has apparently done an interview about Regina. Zelena only reads it to know what being said about her sister. She doesn't trust the star in the slightest.

FINDING NEW NORMAL AFTER TRAGEDY

The title alone made Zelena sick. This would not be an easy read. It's probably best she keep this from her sister. Regina has enough to deal with.

Interview conducted by Hattie Armstrong.

I sat with the teen actress and model, Marion Taylor to speak on the recent happenings surrounding her boyfriend, Robin Locksley and a fan. In the recent weeks the popstar has experienced the ugly side of stardom. A young teen has made Robin her obsession and took it upon herself to insert herself into his life. Things got ugly quickly when the girl claimed to be the true identity of one of Robin's closest friends.

"It has all been a tragic situation for us all." Says the teen star. She then goes on to explain how the rumors spreading has put a strain on her and Robin's relationship. "This girl tried to tear us apart and Rob and I are both scrambling to piece together the relationship." Marion and Robin's relationship isn't the only one put through the wringer during all of this. The relationship between him and his bandmates has also taken a hit. They just as hurt and confused as the rest of us.

"I look at him now after it all, he is a shell of the person he once was. He is sunken in on himself." When asked about how Robin Locksley is handling it all, Marion gives insight into what many fail to see. Behind closed doors, Robin isn't as put together has he'd like us to believe. "He's puts on a brave face and discourages our fans not spread hate to the girl. That's the kind of man Robin is. He is always thinking about others. I wish he'd take the time to think about himself for once."

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to cry today." Taylor apologizes when the conversation gets emotional. "I just hate seeing him like this."

We spoke on Robin's earlier interview with Cruella De Vil on Starz 101 news and what her thoughts of his responses were. "He's in denial. He doesn't want to accept the fact that girl did not have his best interests at hand."

In part, it was the risk of losing Robin that pushed Marion to take a step back to see the entirety of their relationship. It opened her eyes to how much he was struggling with and caused her to take action. She will be the support he needs. "We both love each other very much. We want what's best for not only our relationship, but the relationships we have with others. This has only made us stronger."

Zelena let's out a loud sigh. She scrubs a hand across her face. This is infuriating. She had never been a Marion before all of this and it had not changed when they met in person. Now she can safely say she hates her with a burning passion. This girl is a monster. She has so qualms with using her platform to spread blatant lies about what occurred and her sister. It's Zelena's fault that Marion is in her sister's life to begin with. It was her infatuation with Robin that got them roped into this mess. It's up to her to figure something out that might fix things. Dios mío! She wants to scream. But that would call the attention of her parents and Zelena did not want explain to them the current nightmare that is social media. They don't understand the nuances of the internet and how people act. They would only serve to making their lives harder. Social media? That's Zelena domain. If anyone can set things straight it's her. And she will do everything in her power to make sure everything is sorted. It will not easy, but she had an idea that might work. It would take some time, but it could be the solution that would lead to a lot of their problems being solved.

There's a few people she needs the help of in order for it to work. She opens Instagram on her phone, then her DMs.

Zelena: URGENT! This is Veronica's sister, Zelena. Roni is in trouble. There's been a horrible accident. I need your assistance to help her.

Zelena: do not contact Robin. And Veronica's account as been hacked.

Zelena: my sister is currently at Orange Valley General Hospital. You need to act quickly.

She sends this message to four verified accounts. She has to search for the next person she contacts. They were never high on Zelena's radar, but she knew they were there for her sister. Even when she wasn't. She knew she could trust her. But for this to work Zelena needed for Tina to trust her.

@Tinker.bella active now

You don't follow each other on Instagram.

Message…

Zelena: you're friends with my sister right?

Tinker.bella: yeah…

Tinker.bella: y?

Zelena: I need your help

That's all for now! I hope you've enjoyed! Let me know what you think. What's gonna happen next? Who knows? I hope you have a great start to your week!

S'D