I didn't plan these well… happy belated Halloween! Sorry this update took so long, but I hope you enjoy it, it was inspired by stargazingM31's amazing manip, which you can find on my Twitter account! Huge thank you to RegallyWickedThirteen for betaing this! Enjoy, and let me know what you think!
Will, of course, balked when Robin told everyone that Regina would be going back to the castle and then returning to them. Regina suspected that he was the most cautious of them all when it came to protecting their operation from outside interference. "How do we know that she won't tell everyone she knows about us?" he demanded, anger making his face scarlet.
"Because-" Robin began, but Regina beat him to it.
"I give you my word I won't. Besides, all I really know is that you live in the woods and that you all do some questionable deeds, but not what those are. Robin made it sound like they were for the benefit of mankind, so I see no reason to ruin what you all do. No one likes a tattletale, and I have no intention of being one now."
Will still looked skeptical, but Robin finally burst out, "If it makes you feel better, mate, I'll blindfold her." His eyes briefly searched Regina's for permission and she nodded. If it would appease his friend, she would do it. She may be unwilling to reveal her darkest secrets to him, but she trusted him enough to do this and every word he said and everything he did made her trust him a little more.
Will sighed. "Fine, but if the police come to our camp, I'm blaming you."
"I look forward to it, but that won't be happening," Robin reiterated confidently. Regina couldn't help smiling. He was as trusting as she was at heart, and although she knew that her mother would fault them both for it, she saw nothing wrong with mutual trust. "I trust that Regina will keep her word, and that should be enough for all of you." He met the gaze of all those around the campfire, and it was clear that he was daring them all to challenge him.
The group was silent and went their separate ways. A slight Chinese girl walked up to them and said, "Don't worry, Robin, if he tries to do something rash, I'll set him straight."
Robin sighed. Clearly, he trusted her, as he did all of his friends. "Thank you, Mulan."
She brushed off his thanks with a wave of her hand. "Don't mention it. Will needs to be taken off of his high horse every once in a while."
"Will you watch out for everyone while I'm gone?" he asked, and Regina contemplated the girl before them with renewed interest. It appeared that Mulan was second in command, and Regina admired her for it. Not everyone was cut out for leadership, but it was clear that Mulan was a natural.
"Of course," she readily agreed to her leader's request. "Who else is going to keep Will in check?"
"Tuck?" he suggested, and Mulan laughed.
"He may be the oldest of us, but he's also one of the ones with the kindest heart- him and you," she pointed out. "He would try to reason with him, and you and I both know that's practically impossible sometimes."
"Then Neal, perhaps?" he suggested. "He's quick on his feet and can think in a crisis- both things we need right now."
She nodded. "Him and Emma together should do it."
"Perfect," Robin agreed before rushing off. Regina was left alone with the girl who seemed to be the fierce warrior in charge of the group's protection. She wondered if that extended to taking care of them in other ways, and as if she had read her mind, Mulan asked, "What exactly is your plan? I'm guessing that if you went back to your life and never looked back, Robin would be really disappointed, and I don't want to see one of my best friends hurt like that. You did say you were leaving soon. What happens then?"
"I-" Regina began, not sure what to say to appease her fears. "I don't know, exactly. I do know that I want to come back… but you do have a point, because I have no idea what's going to happen since I live in the States and you all are here. I doubt you have a computer or phone, right? So unless you go to a library, communication would be impossible."
Mulan nodded, her arms crossed. "Correct. So I was right, you're just a fleeting presence in his life, and I can't trust you to take care of my friend's heart. Because I can tell he's already falling for you."
Already falling for me? Regina repeated her words in her mind. How was it that Robin was already falling for her? They had known each other for a day- less than that, even. How could he possibly already be falling for her? Mulan's suspicions reminded Regina of the girls who had believed in the phantom. Robin was clearly one of those people who would believe anything without a shred of evidence to back it up. How could she think for even a second that he was someone she could trust? If her mother got her hands on him, she would tear him to shreds. Believing that he would give her her happy ending was nothing short of delusional, no more than a fairy tale concocted by her mind before she had passed out. Despite the connection she knew she had felt when they talked earlier, this man was not someone she would ever see as more than a friend- and a somewhat crazy one at that, despite the fact that she envied his lifestyle.
To be as free as he was… she couldn't even imagine it. To not have an overbearing mother, to be allowed to pursue her dreams… it would be a dream come true, but at the same time, she knew that dreams like that were never meant for her. She would never escape her mother's influence, not even here.
So then why aren't you seizing this opportunity to escape her? a little voice questioned, and she groaned inwardly.
Robin came jogging up to them and turned to Regina. "Are you ready?"
She nodded. His arm came around her and his hand rested on her wrist to guide her as they walked past the tents that made up the camp. As they walked, Regina couldn't help but wonder what it was like for this group to live here. She had only been among them for a short time, but it was clear to her that they were a family, one that was beautiful and unlike any other family she had ever encountered.
Once they were at the edge of the camp, Robin turned to her, holding out a piece of fabric. "I'm really sorry about this, but Will doesn't want you to be able to find your way back on your own because he thinks you might lead the authorities to us, even though I know you wouldn't. Can I blindfold you? I promise I'll guide you and won't let you fall."
She took a minute to look into his eyes. He had asked her to trust him, not for the first time since they had met. In the seconds after she had fallen before she passed out, she had seen the kindness and concern in his blue eyes and known intuitively that she could trust him. She saw the same emotions in his gaze now and, deciding to take a leap of faith, answered, "Okay."
He tied the black cloth around her eyes, gently tucking her hair behind her ear as he did so it didn't get caught. Her heart ached at the tender gesture. If only they had met in another place, their story would maybe be different. As it was, she didn't know what would happen to the friendship that was both tentative and easy in turns that they had formed that day. Then there was the possibility of Daniel's reappearance to consider… the whole conundrum made her head spin.
He resumed the position he had taken earlier: one hand on her wrist, the other at her back. As they walked, she wondered aloud, "How exactly will I be able to find you again if I'm blindfolded now?"
"Don't worry about that. We're always at the castle, so when you want to come back, it'll be easy to find us again," Robin reassured her. He remained silent for a minute, then asked, "What's your favorite song? Maybe you could sing it and I'll know you want to come back- if you want to, of course," he hastily added, and she caught a glimpse of something resembling trepidation in his eyes. It was clear that he wanted her to return, and soon. Maybe Mulan was right, maybe he did have feelings for her already. If he did, she didn't know what she would do. For one thing, she had no idea if she felt the same way, and even if she did, the possibility of rekindling what she had once had with Daniel teased her. If he was truly back… she didn't know what she would do.
As for his request… she blushed furiously as she considered her answer and what she would have to do if she agreed to his plan. No one had ever heard her sing before, not even Mal. "I know it's for kids, but my favorite has always been "Beauty and the Beast."
She was afraid that he would make fun of her, but then his words surprised her instead, and she could hear that he was smiling approval: "As someone who has always loved musicals, especially the classics, I will never fault you for loving musicals such as The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. They're all wonderful, you should never be ashamed of liking them, no matter how old you are."
"It's not that- for the most part, anyway," she told him as she heard him hold a branch back so they could pass. "I know we've already had this conversation, but can I really trust you? Only two other people know what I'm about to share."
"Of course, milady," he assured her. "I would be honored to be told such a closely-kept secret."
She breathed deeply, then forged ahead. She had sensed the sincerity in his words when he had told her not to be ashamed of her music preferences, so she suspected that telling him her secret would get a similar reaction from him. "I love to sing. In fact, instead of dancing, what I want to do most is be the lead- but I want to sing instead of dancing."
He stopped walking so suddenly that she almost pitched forward face-first on the leaf-covered ground beneath them, but then strong arms were around her, holding her close to prevent her fall. He turned her in his arms, his hands coming up to lift the blindfold that had obstructed her sight. His azure eyes blazed with such a fierce intensity that she almost looked away, but at the same time, his gaze was nothing but tender. "I've never heard a better dream, milady," he breathed. "You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of."
She tried to duck her head shyly, but two calloused fingers on her chin immediately lifted her head up. "Are you sure?" she asked. "I suspect that what you're doing with the rest of your friends is directly related to a far more admirable dream than my silly little desire to sing in a musical."
"While yes, we are doing something to benefit others, that doesn't make your dream any less admirable," Robin reassured her. "There's bravery in what we do, but there's also a certain kind of courage in your dream as well. Not everyone can stand in front of an audience and sing- or dance, for that matter. You are brave, Regina, no matter what others might tell you."
His reaction made her blush like she was so much younger than she actually was. What was it about Robin that she felt so close to him in so little time, like he was the only person she could truly trust? It made no sense that she felt so pleased by his approval- his opinion shouldn't matter to her at all. "Thank you." she said quietly. "I don't know why, but that means a lot."
His smile was nothing short of radiant. "Of course it did. Any time anyone praises you for something you're proud of, something you enjoy, it's easy to feel a sense of pride and justification that you're doing something worthwhile. For example, whenever someone compliments my archery-"
"You shoot?" she asked, intrigued. They had started walking again, passing by trees that were gradually further and further apart.
He nodded. "It's very useful, too." Then, clearly realizing what he had said, he quickly added, "Not that that needs to be repeated elsewhere. If Will, or anyone else for that matter, heard that I was just blurting that out to you-"
She rested a hand on his arm, marvelling at how natural the action felt. It was as if she had been doing it her whole life, when in fact she had only met him that day. "Don't worry. Will's not here, and even if he was, you didn't tell me how you use your skills, only that you use them. I doubt even he could find fault with that."
"Oh he would, believe me," Robin muttered. "Which I suppose is beneficial for all of us, it guarantees that we're safe, but in moments like this, it's a tad annoying. No matter what he says, I know we can trust you."
"I appreciate that. I do understand why Will's trying to be cautious for all of you, though," she acknowledged. "It's admirable, actually, even though you're right, you don't need to worry about me at all."
"I suppose…" Robin mused, "But enough about that. We're here."
She stopped suddenly, startled. He was right. Before them, slightly obscured by the trees, was a sloping lawn that led up to the castle, its lights ablaze.
He grabbed her hand and turned her to face him. "So we're agreed? When you want to come back, you'll sing for me?"
"Yes- but how are you going to hear it?" she wondered aloud. "I don't want you to miss it, and I'll only do it when I'm alone…"
"Don't worry about that, I have my ways, I promise," he assured her. "In the meantime, you'll be all right from here, yeah?"
"Of course," she assured him. "It's my mother I'm worried about."
His hand reached out and stroked her cheek. "Don't worry. It'll be all right, and if it's not, you know how to let me know."
She nodded. "I do." The next seconds were awkward and uncertain, as neither of them seemed to know how to say goodbye. A handshake seemed far too formal, while a hug or kiss on the cheek was too familiar. Finally, he opened his arms to her and she went into them willingly- and once she was there, she instantly knew she didn't want to leave. She didn't know if it was the uncertainty of whether or not they would see each other again or her fear of what she would find when she entered the castle- or if Robin just had a gift with hugs, an ability to erase every bad thought and feeling with the warmth of his embrace.
Finally, she pulled herself away from him and turned toward the castle. It was harder than she had ever anticipated to walk away from this group of misfits back to everything she had ever known. Her mother's imminent presence started to weigh on her like a heavy winter coat, growing more burdensome with every step she took. Then she was at the gates of the castle, but before she could open them, they opened to reveal the seemingly distraught figure of her mother.
"Regina?" Cora questioned, squinting in the fog around them, seeming unsure if her eyes were deceiving her. "Is that you?"
Regina nodded. "It is."
"Oh thank goodness!" her mother exclaimed, rushing toward her and clutching her to her chest. Maybe it was that she knew the sentiments behind each embrace, but this was more amothering to Regina than being in Robin's arms had been. Knowing Cora Mills, she was simply glad to have her star dancer back hours before the next show. While she was sure motherly concern was a factor as well, her mother was also driven and tended to focus on only one thing whenever she had a show: its success.
She was doing a good job of making it seem as though she was primarily concerned for Regina though, maybe because the flashing lights of cameras and police cruisers were present. Cora looked over her daughter from head to toe, ensuring that no harm had come to her while they were separated. Once she had assured herself of Regina's well-being, she ushered her into the castle, dismissing the press and lingering police with a wave of her hand.
Once they were inside the castle, she turned to her daughter. Regina waited nervously to see what her mother would say, and while she was surprised to some degree, she was disappointed as well.
"What happened to you? Where were you?" Cora demanded. Then, when Regina didn't know how to answer beyond saying "An adventure," she brushed it aside.
"Well your little 'adventure' almost cost me the star of my show. What exactly were you thinking, Regina?"
Regina groaned. In her mother's mind, it was as if she had orchestrated her fall and Robin taking her. She knew that reminding her of the circumstances surrounding her day away would be no use, that her mother had already decided what had happened and trying to convince her otherwise was useless. Remembering what had happened only the day before (though it seemed like a lifetime ago), she asked, "Did you even see what happened, Mother?"
"You fell," Cora recalled. "After that, all of a sudden the star of my show was gone. That's all I know. Care to enlighten me about the rest of last night's events?"
"I would," Regina replied, anger rising within her at her mother's obvious apathy. "Someone rescued me from my fall and nursed me back to health. If it wasn't for them, you wouldn't have me standing in front of you right now." She knew she had to keep details like Robin's gender secret to protect him and the rest of the people she had met, but she couldn't have her mother vilifying him. He didn't deserve that.
"I'm just supposed to be grateful for that?" Cora snapped. "Regardless of how you were treated, you were kidnapped, Regina. Did that ever occur to you in that thick brain of yours? What these people did was against the law."
"I know that," Regina acknowledged. "But that doesn't mean that what they did was entirely bad, either. The opposite, actually."
Her mother shook her head, clearly at a loss for what to say next. "I give up. No voice of reason can ever get through to you. Go to sleep, we have a lot to do in the morning."
Regina was surprised. Had she really been with Robin and the rest of his companions so long that it was that late at night? Thinking back, the sun had been high in the sky when she woke up in the camp, so she supposed that it shouldn't surprise her that the hour was as late as it was. Obediently, she turned and walked to her room, fuming the whole way. She understood that her mother had other things on her mind than just her disappearance, but was it really so difficult for Cora to show some emotion that didn't pertain to the work that was her passion? Honestly, sometimes it was like she was just another dancer, not her daughter.
She entered her room and closed the door behind her. When the lock clicked, she heard a voice whisper, "Regina?" and the world as she knew it turned upside-down. What was she going to do now?