Hey! Here's my story for Love from OQ! It's for the wonderful CarolinaMR9.

I was inspired by her awesome outlawqueen manips. I was thinking of making this a mini-verse collection about "Firsts" in the life of OQ. The first installment is their first date. This inspiration comes from a manip that was done for OQ Prompt Party 2018:

2018 #68, Prompt 68. Prince Robin has to choose a bride via competition for his heart and Regina is one of the girls competing

While the story doesn't follow the prompt, I just couldn't help but think of "First Date" while looking through the manips. I hope you enjoy!

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this, Tink," Regina sighed out as she finished trying on her third outfit. Regina was a mess of nerves, and for what? A silly date. A silly date with a man she saw across the room at a regional conference for tech start up groups. Regina was the Human Resource manager at Enchanted Forest Technologies and Tiffany, or Tink for short, was her secretary. Every year they go to the regional conference to scope out new recruits. Many prospects stop by their table but Regina has a keen eye for talented developers so she follows up with very few of the prospects. This year, however, she realized she had competition in the form of Sherwood Forest Industries. It was the newest tech startup company and they also happened to have taken up residence in the very same town Enchanted Forest Technologies occupied. It was a small town, Storybrooke, and the local real estate was affordable. The downtown area was small, walk-able, with adorable mom and pop shops and everyone knows everyone, and by that account, everyone knows everyone's business. Which is why she was caught off guard when Sherwood Forest Industries made an unexpected appearance at the regional conference. Her office mate, Sidney Glass, was always on top of competition and plotting how to squeeze them out of the area. He majorly dropped the ball on this and now she had to do damage control before things got out of hand and she found herself out of a job.

"Oi, quit your griping. How do we feel about this one?" Tink asked as Regina paraded around the full length mirror in her bedroom while Tink sat on the King – sized bed, eating out of a carton of ice cream.

"I thought I told you no eating in my bed," Regina scolded while staring hard at her reflection.

"Casualty of asking for my help. Now, stop avoiding my question. You have forty – five minutes before you're supposed to meet him across town and you still haven't picked an outfit. Honestly, you must really like this guy if you're this worked up over your appearance."

Regina scowled coolly at her friend.

"I am not worked up about my appearance. I could care less what he thinks. I just don't want him getting any ideas."

"And what kinds of ideas wouldn't you want him to get? That you actually fancy him?"

"I do not fancy him. This is purely a reconnaissance mission. To find out what his company's plans are for this area."

"Perfect," Tink rolled her eyes as she hopped down from the bed.

"What?"

Tink let out a sigh as she dramatically slapped her cheek.

"Regina, you are thirty – four years old."

"So?"

"You haven't been out on a date in ages! Since Graham, was it?"

"That was a disaster. He was trash. Men are trash."

"He wasn't all that bad. You were pretty hot and heavy."

"My judgment was a bit clouded."

"Mmm hmm, clouded by penis."

"Excuse me?"

"I seem to recall a lot of steamy stories from your "dates" with him."

Regina scoffed as she began pulling off the blazer from her current outfit.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing?"

"I'm not sure this works."

"Oh my gosh. If we're going to pretend this is nothing more than a business meeting for you, what's wrong with the friggin' blazer? It's a smart outfit! Nice pair of jeans, nice shirt that complements your skin tone and a blazer to dress it up a bit, but not too dressy. Besides, you need to walk out that door in about 10 minutes and you still need to slap on some make-up and tousle your hair at least."

Regina rolled her eyes and strolled towards her bathroom. The lighting was better and as her friend pointed out, she had a short amount of time to make herself suitably presentable. Honestly, she wasn't even sure why she was nervous. It was just some silly date with some silly guy – her competition and she only agreed to this from a business standpoint. So why were butterflies dancing around in her belly and why was she worried about her perceived appearance?

"Are you sure about this mate?" Will asked as he took another swig from the beer he was nursing on the couch while Robin busied himself around their loft apartment looking for his sport jacket.

"Whadya mean, am I sure about this?"

"You know, dinner with the "Evil Queen". Is this really a good move for ya?"

"I don't see the harm in taking "Regina", that's her name, ya know? I don't see any harm in taking Regina out on a nice dinner date."

"Uh – huh. So, is this, uh, business or pleasure?" Will responded, flicking on the television in search of the basketball game that was supposed to air shortly. Robin paused by the couch to button his shirt as he considered Will's question.

"Business or pleasure?"

"Right. That woman, from what I hear about town is a cold – hearted bitch. Solely focused on work. She's a head hunter. A man eater. No one has been able to warm her up, if ya catch my drift," Will responded with wink and another swig of beer. Robin's mouth opened and closed in shock.

"Well then, I'm not sure I've heard those particular rumors. But I have noticed she seems to have a bit of a rough exterior."

"Women like that don't want anyone to love them. I don't even know why she agreed to go out with you."

"Because of my charming disposition? My devilishly handsome good looks?"

"No, there's something quite not right about her. I don't think she's capable of love. If I were you, I'd be very cautious and watch my back. I don't think she takes too kindly to strangers."

Having finished buttoning his shirt and starting work on his double Windsor knot in his tie, he paused mid pull for the briefest of moments before finishing out the style.

With a scoff, "Really Will? And how exactly did you come to that conclusion? That grumpy old fellow who gets mad if you sit on his stool in that diner you seem to frequent so much?"

"Oi, that's right. He's a wealth of information that I haven't lost faith in just yet."

"Hmm, I see, and, " Robin starts as he takes a seat next to Will on the sofa, "what, pray tell did he have to say about our dear Regina?"

"Now, you want to listen to me? Uh – uh, you take your shot with this one. I'll be here for the fallout."

Robin sat back, grabbing the beer from Will's hand, taking a swig himself. Robin was intrigued with Regina. If one asked Will, well, Will would say Robin was obsessed. There was something about her, he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he was captivated by her the moment she made eye contact with him at the regional conference a few months ago. She stalked over to him with her assistant in tow, and practically demanded to know who he was and what his business was. The look of shock on her face when he introduced himself as CEO of Sherwood Forest Industries and how they just located to Storybrooke was hard to miss. So yes, Will's comment somewhat made sense. Apparently the small town of Storybrooke wasn't big enough for the both of them, in her eyes at least.

"Honestly mate," Will started, "there are plenty of other young lovelies who are practically throwing themselves at you! Why are you making this so hard for yourself? Pick one of them. I'm sure they'll be down for a good time."

"Will, I don't want just any young lovelies."

"Oh, ohhh," Will's eye widened.

"Oh what?"

"You've got it bad for her already and you haven't even gone out on a date yet."

"Whadya mean, "I've got it bad?".

"You don't want to entertain the thought of dating around. This a new town, a chance for us to sample all it has to offer and you're already going in for the kill."

"Well, I suppose. There's just something about her. I think I've gotten to know her well enough to know that she's got a lot more to offer than some of these other ladies you seem to fancy taking out every weekend. "

"Eh, I'm here for a good time, not a long time."

"And that might be good and well for you, but not me. I've lived that life. We've lived it together and well, it's exhausting. Yes, we do have a chance to start anew in this town and I'd like to start it off on a good foot. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've a date to get off to."

"Sure, sure. Seeya in two hours, tops!"

"Oh, is that what you're giving me?"

"Yep, I was there at the regional meeting, she's all take no prisoners. Cut you off at the knees. I say you cut her off before she has a chance to do the same to you."

"And you wonder why you have trouble getting second dates," Robin mumbles under his breath. "Bye Will, go easy on the beer and don't wait up."

"Ambitious."

Ambitious indeed.

Regina spent so much time choosing an outfit for this ridiculous date she agreed to that she wasn't as put together as she would've liked. She only had time to throw on some eye liner, a dab of eye shadow and some lip color. And she really only had time to tousle her hair as Tink pointed out. Regina felt completely nervous as she drove towards the Italian restaurant just across the town line. At first she was a little off put about dining in the next town over, but then she realized if she and Robin ate anywhere in Storybrooke it would be in the town's gossip as soon as they finished paying the check. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to keep the entire experience just to themselves. To themselves?! What the heck is she thinking? She just took pity on the poor guy. She's just taking advantage of his apparent obsession with her to gain his confidence, to get information about his plans for his company in her town. There is room for only one tech company and its hers, not his. She'll do whatever it takes to ensure the continued success of the company, relationships be damned. Besides, she's not cut out for relationships, for love. Love is weakness; a mantra driven into her head by her mother. At first Regina was resistant to the idea of love being a weakness. She thought she had love once, and then it was ripped from her hands, cruel Fate. And the only thing that got her through that difficult time in her life was her mother's words. Only then was she able to focus on school and graduating at the top of her class in business and computer science. Her mother was finally proud of her and well, that was what Regina came to associate love with – hard earned acceptance, love, from a distance.

So why did she even agree to this, with this Robin Locksley fellow? Dates, she didn't do, she didn't know how. Sure, she was a flirt and could get guys to buy her drinks or dinner at bars, she was persuasive that way, but it when it came to old fashioned dates, having actual conversation and something meaningful, well, let's just say she was adept at cutting that part of the date short and heading straight for the sex. One night stands were her specialty, not that she often indulged, and she even had a list of guys she could call up during dry spells. Robin, however, was different and she wasn't sure why. For the first time, in a long time, she felt trepidation at the thought of stringing Robin along for a few dates here and there, maybe a sexual encounter or maybe none of the above and just washing her hands of the entire thing. However, these last few months he seemed to have gotten under her skin.

It started out innocent enough after their rough first encounter at the regional conference. Somehow he'd managed to get her business card and "accidentally" called her, but since he had her on the phone were there any potential candidates she had ultimately decided to pass on that he could perhaps give a look. She scoffed and told him "no trade secrets". A few days later found her assistant, Tink, rushing to her office before she could even approach the door acting rather nervous and very much unlike herself. Tink cautioned Regina to not get her panties in a wad when she opened the door. That immediately brought up Regina's hackles as she somewhat tersely asked Tink to move out of her way. Upon entering her office she was shocked to find a variety of flower arrangements in decorative vases placed on her office furniture. Tink stood in the doorway, a bemused smile on her lips. Regina had strolled over to her desk on which a dozen pink roses sat with a card. She yanked the card from the holder and read the paltry apology Robin offered for trying to first, pilfer her recruits and second for stealing into her office to place the flowers. She remember thinking he was quite ballsy to pull off that move, but it didn't stop her from calling him and telling him off for violating her privacy. He profusely apologized and vowed to make it up to her. She told him in no uncertain terms was he to do anything of the sort. And that was that, or so she thought. A week went by and more flowers showed up at her office, this time sitting on Tink's desk waiting for her arrival. Regina left them on Tink's desk. Robin made several attempts to make sure she received his apology flowers but she ignored each and every one. That was a mistake because that seemed to make him more determined and so every week Tink's desk would hold a different arrangement of flowers that left Regina slightly annoyed.

After about a month, it was her office mate Sidney that suggested she use Robin's infatuation to her advantage. Robin's company was making major moves and now they needed to properly assess their competition. It wasn't a game she was unfamiliar with, really and it would be no trouble at all, she was certain, to get information out of the poor sap. So, one day, out of the blue, she called Robin up to thank him for all the flowers and that she didn't want him wasting any more money on them. She was ready to accept his apology. She could hear the smile in his voice. This was easier than she thought. They made plans to talk later in the evening when they were both off work.

Precisely at seven o'clock in the evening, once she was showered from her afternoon workouts and in her lounge wear, he called. Their conversation actually wasn't unpleasant. He was genuinely interested in her, for her. It was hard for her to keep on her mission of finding out his work secrets. Unlike her, Robin's life didn't revolve around work. In fact, other than asking how her day was, she couldn't lead the conversation in the direction of work. Robin spoke of his friends, his hobbies, his favorite travel destinations and after work activities. All Regina could contribute to the conversation were a few "uh huhs" and "oh wows". Ending their conversation left Regina feeling a little emotional and the realization that she wasted a lot of her life so focused on her career that she didn't leave room for making long lasting connections with people that she could enjoy travels with or finding hobbies or just going out for nights on the town. It was always work, gym and then home.

She was loathed to admit she was sad when there were no flowers waiting for her the next day at work nor a phone call when she retired for the evening. The next several days were spent in communication silence and she found that every day that passed with no contact from Robin piqued her anxiety. It made her even more of a hard ass at work and it was starting to show that her usually detached demeanor was in a state of flux. He put her on edge and this is why following all these events, when he surprisingly showed up at her office the following week with a single rose in hand to ask her out on a proper date she was in such a state of shock that Tink had to accept on her behalf. Robin nervously chuckled and told Tink he would call later so she could check Regina's schedule. Tink waived him off and ushered Regina into her office, shutting the door and reaming her out. Regina was a confused mess of emotions and hadn't really realized what happened until a few days before the arranged date.

Robin arrived at the restaurant first. He wanted to get there early to make sure everything was set up for the private table he reserved in the back of the restaurant. From observing Regina he gathered she actually didn't like grand gestures and liked attention even less. He knew he'd gotten off on the wrong foot with her, which is why he wasn't terribly bothered by her brushing off his flower deliveries. He actually found it quite amusing each time he would call and she had Tink answer the calls. That was big misstep on her. He and Tink developed quite the relationship on the phone and by proxy he became intrigued by the enigma that was Regina Mills. Sure this entire exchange started out as a project of his, getting under her skin for his own selfish amusement, but Tink started divulging bits and pieces of information about Regina that at some point, he's not sure when, he realized what he was doing was rather cruel. Robin took a step back and re-examined what he was doing, obviously making Regina uncomfortable at work with all the flower deliveries and all of the phone calls. He contemplated stopping his antics on the day she called to say she accepted his apology and requested he stop sending flowers. He could only imagine the effort it took for her to do that and so he suggested an evening phone call so he could properly apologize. She obliged him with her personal number and told him he could call her at seven o'clock in the evening when she would be completely done with her day and free to talk.

Six fifty – nine in the evening rolled around and he picked up his phone to start dialing. Surprisingly, it was her who answered the phone and not her assistant Tink as he briefly thought she might just be that cruel to give him a fake number. Their conversation was, pleasant enough. Her questions revolved around work, but he did his best to side – step them. The questions were direct and probing and made him slightly annoyed. After a while, it was just him talking about his life, his friends, his hobbies, his travels and all she could do was "hmm" in response. It seemed to him she didn't get out and do much other than work and he thought that was such a sad state of being to exist. Eventually their conversation drew to a close and he bid her a good night. Her return response left him warm inside for he got the distinct impression she seemed to have enjoyed herself. It was then he decided he might want to take her out on a date. This was uncharted territory for him. Sure, he'd taken women out on dates here and there, but nothing too serious. With Regina, for some reason unbeknownst to him, he felt he really cared for her. Taking in all he learned through his chats with Tink and their two – hour phone call, he realized Regina needed someone to show her they cared about her and there was more to life than work, gym and lounging around the house. There was sense of longing about her, as if she missed out on life and now wanted in on that adventure after hearing some of her responses over the phone. So now his new mission was to make this woman feel genuinely cared for and to take her on the most unforgettable adventure of her life.

Regina inhaled and exhaled as she placed her car in park. She can't remember being this nervous for a date since her first date with Daniel. She blinked back tears. Her heart still hurt a little thinking about him and the life she could have lived had Fate not taken him away. But now there was Robin in her life and for the first time in a long while she feels, dare she say, quite nervous about what this could turn into. Was she finally ready to live life? And more importantly was she ready to start with Robin? She sighed a big sign, opened her car door and made her approach to the entrance of the restaurant.

The maître's d greeted her and bid her to follow him to a secluded corner in the back of the restaurant. There was Robin, roses in hand as he stood to greet her upon her approach to the table. A grin appeared on his face as he thanked the maître d for showing her in. Robin handed her the roses while he helped her take off her blazer and helped her to sit. He quickly rushed to the other side of the table and seated himself. For a few moments they stared at each other in awkward silence before their waiter approached the table to fill their glasses with water.

"Welcome to The Italiana. My name is Roman and I shall be your server for the evening. Is there anything else I can get you to drink while you look at the menu?"

Robin and Regina laughed nervously as they both reached for the drink menu standing in the middle of the table. Regina extended her hand.

"Uh, you go ahead," she indicated to Robin.

"Oh, that's alright mi'lady, I'll just take a whiskey, neat." Regina quirked an eye brow.

"Hmm, I suppose I'll have a glass of Malbec," she requested, laying the drink menu down.

"Alright, I will return briefly with your drinks and I'll tell you our specials after you've had a moment to look over the menu." Roman bowed and departed.

Both Robin and Regina picked up their respective menus and flipped through the pages. After a few moments Regina placed her menu down and folded her hands on top while she waited for Robin to do the same. He looked up at her when he realized her menu was down.

"Oh, so you've made your choice?" he nervously asked.

"Yes, I have a tentative choice. I'll make my final decision once I've heard the specials. Are you close to figuring out what you might like?"

"I think so. I come here fairly often and I have my favorites. I'm just not quite sure what I'm in the mood for." This was alright, some conversation was starting to flow.

"You come here often? Is this where you take all the girls?" Regina was starting to think this was a big mistake to let herself hope that she could take a chance on Robin if she was just going to another notch in his belt. If that was his game, she could play just as well.

"No, no nothing like that. I just really love Italian food. Mostly I come here with my mate Will," Robin rushed to clarify. The last thing he wanted her to think was she was just another lady for him to screw around with.

"I see," she responded just as Roman made his return trip with their requested drinks.

"Hello again. Here are your drinks and now I shall tell you the specials unless you've already decided on something from the menu," he paused for their response.

"We've had a chance to peruse, but we're certainly interested in hearing what your specials are, yes?" Robin responded, but deferred to Regina for confirmation.

"Yes, we'd love to hear the specials." Regina smiled.

"Very well then. Our chef has prepared two specials for tonight. For our salad, he has prepared a pear and prosciutto served on a bed of mixed greens with a balsamic reduction. Our soup is curried pumpkin. You may choose from one of two main courses. The first being a veal parmigiana and the second butternut squash ravioli served in a browned butter sauce."

Regina's mouth watered at the mention of the butternut squash.

"Well, Regina, what do you think?"

"While I am partial to lasagna, I think the butternut squash ravioli sounds delicious."

"Alright, and for you, sir?"

"What the heck, I'll try the veal parmigiana."

"And would you like the salad and soup course? Or would you like to try something off the menu?"

"I suppose we could try the whole shebang, yeah?" Robin asked.

"Sure, that sounds good," Regina responded. Roman nodded his head as he finished jotting down their requests and taking their menus. Regina reached for her wine and swallowed a sip while Robin pulled his glass of whiskey in front of him, deep in contemplative thought.

"Something the matter?" Regina asked when she noticed his silence.

"Uh, no, just trying to think of things to talk about that won't cock all this up. My remark about coming here all the time didn't go over so well, did it?"

"Oh, sorry about that. I haven't been on a proper date in ages. I'm sure you've heard the gossip around town."

"Eh? Gossip? I don't listen to gossip."

"Oh surely you jest! I'm sure I've seen you in Granny's a time or two with that friend of yours, Will?"

"Yeah, I guess, Will loves the bacon cheeseburgers. And he loves to piss that grumpy fellow off by sitting on his tool. Will's good at that, finding out what pisses people off."

"Yes, well, that grumpy fellow is Leroy and when he gets a bit of drink in him, he has no trouble spouting off any and everything that pops into his head. So I'm sure he's said some things about me."

"And what could he possibly have to say about you?" Robin asked before taking a sip of his drink.

"Well, I know he's mentioned to the last guy I dated that I was a cold, heartless bitch," Regina stated matter – of – factly, causing Robin to choke on his swallow just a little. "Ahh, so you have heard that particular bit of gossip," she smiled into her glass.

"Maybe Will mentioned that bit of info while I was getting dressed."

"So what's all this then?"

"What's all this what?"

"Taking me out on a date? For what? Pity? A challenge?"

"Whoa, whoa. Where's all this coming from? I thought we'd have a nice night out. You got tired of my flowers and while you say you've accepted my apology, I'm not quite sure it wasn't in effort to stop embarrassing you at work with all the flowers. I thought I'd try this instead, honest."

Regina stared hard into her glass, trying to decide if she wants to chug it all in one go and get another glass or draw out a sip to cover her slight embarrassment. This guy is really trying.

"Listen, why don't we pick up from our last conversation?"

"Our phone call? That was so long ago, I don't remember what we talked about."

"I see. Sorry, I wasn't sure if I could get you on the phone again for anther chat. I actually quite amazed that not only did you actually give me your number, but that you picked up the phone. I half expected to get Tink on the line."

"Ohh, pfft."

"No, don't pfft me. That's normally what I get when I try to call and grovel, beg for mercy and all that."

"Yes, well – " her voice dies off in her throat because really, what could she say to that? Any further awkward conversation is spared as Roman places their salads in front of them and they heartily dig in.

"This is really tasty. Glad we chose this." Robin decided food was a safe conversation topic. Regina nodded her head in agreement as she forked a piece of pear and placed in her mouth. Her lips did things to him, made him feel things and wonder things like what would it feel like to taste them. They completed their salad in silence and before there was an opportunity to be stagnated by both lack of food and conversation, Roman returned with their soup course. Robin noticed Regina taking a few spoonfuls before pushing her bowl away.

"What's the matter? Don't like your soup?"

"I like it just fine. I want to save room for dinner."

"Ah, and maybe some dessert? Their tiramisu is homemade and goes wonderful with an espresso."

"I might be tempted by dessert, but I don't drink anything caffeinated in the evening. I want to be able to sleep."

"Oh, so you do take some time for rest."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, just that in the world of Storybrooke gossip, you're married to your work. No time for anything or anyone else."

"Well that's just, well, that's bullcrap." She finally decides.

"Is it? I don't really recall you commenting much on things you like to do for fun."

"Going to the gym is fun. Going to yoga is fun. Sorry I'm not off at the archery range or flying out to beaches for surfing."

"Hey, sorry, sorry, that was wrong of me to not think those were fun activities for you."

A silent beat.

Roman delivers their main course and collects their discarded salad plates and soup bowls. Robin raises his fork, waiting for Regina to awkwardly do the same before tapping her fork twice with his and then diving into his veal parmigiana. She sits stunned at him and his lack of etiquette; proper table etiquette driven into her head by her mother. She then decides to shrug it off, this is her new adventure afterall and what good would it do to harp on something like this when this man obviously hasn't a care in the world about etiquette and seems to be enjoying his dinner.

They continue on, the conversation a bit lighter now their meal is almost complete and their little date nearing the end. Robin orders the tiramisu and his espresso, insisting they share the dessert since Regina seemed hesitant have an entire serving to herself. He pays the bill and they collect their belongings to leave.

Ever the gentleman, Robin offers to escort Regina to her car.

"Well, this is me. Thanks for an interesting evening," Regina starts as she rummages in her purse for her keys. The sooner she can get into her car, the sooner she can get home and call Tink to lament how awful the date went through no fault of her own. Robin nodded as he stood patiently waiting; looking around to make sure nothing bad happened to her in the span of time it takes her to find her keys. She yanks them out of her purse, a small victorious grin spreading across her face. That's when Robin gets an idea in his head. He reaches out for her hand as she places the key in the lock.. She abruptly looks up at him, her eyes quickly moving back and forth trying to figure out what the heck is going on.

"What are you doing?" She finally manages to get out.

"I want to ask you a question, is that alright?" Regina slowly nods her head yes.

"I was wondering if I might kiss you goodnight?" Regina's mouth dropped open. He was asking permission to kiss her. Most of the guys she dated usually just leaned in and advanced themselves. This was new.

"I don't think I've ever had anyone ask me that."

"Well, allow me to be the first. Regina Mills, may I kiss you?"

Her mind couldn't exactly function. So many questions popped up in her head. Why would he want to kiss her? Wasn't this date awkward enough? What was this kiss even? A kiss good bye?

"I can hear ya thinking, mi'lady. It's perfectly alright to say no, I assure you."

"And what if I did say no?"

"Then I will make sure you are safe in your car and I won't bother you any more."

"You won't bother me any more, just because I won't allow you to kiss me?"

"Well, I guess I'd take it to mean you're not interested, which isn't a bad assumption to make considering I think you just said yes to this date to get me out of your hair." Regina let out a wry chuckle.

"Believe it or not, as awkward as this date was, for a myriad of personal reasons that's too much to explain on a first date, I actually did enjoy myself."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, and you're the first guy to ask permission to kiss me. And I don't know why, maybe it's the adventurous part of me that's decided to come out at a most inopportune time, but I think I'd like to say no."

Robin's face full of hope fell. He knew the date was awkward but it wasn't an unpleasant awkwardness. Regina reached out and cupped his cheek.

"Hey, just because I'm saying no to the kiss doesn't mean I wouldn't consider it if you asked again at a later time." She smiled.

It took a moment for Robin to realize what she was saying.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"What is it that you think I'm saying?" she practically parroted, her voice light and flirty.

"Are you saying you'd go out on a second date with me?"

"That depends, are you asking me out on another date?"

"That too depends on if you'll say yes to my asking you out on a second date." They both collapse into a fit of giggles at their exchange. After a few sobering moments, Regina boldly steps closer to Robin, so close he can practically feel her breath ghosting his lips as she grasps his hands.

"Ask me."

"Alright, Regina Mills, will you do me the honor of going on a second date with me?" She grins shyly and nods her head yes.

"Yes, Robin Locksley, I will go on a second date with you."

Robin lets out a small whoop, dragging her into a hug before realizing what he just did.

"Oh, sorry, sorry. That's just as bad as kissing you, isn't it?"

"A little, but a little less awkward than a good bye handshake?" She supplies. Robin nods his head in agreement and offers his hand to shake. She grasps it tightly and gives it a light shake.

"Well, I must be going, I've got a fun yoga class to get to in the morning."

"Alright, let me get the door for you." Robin leans around her to open her door and allows her to get situated. She cranks the car and rolls down her window.

"Next time, you can bypass Tink and schedule with me." Regina winks as she rolls up the window before putting her car in reverse and heading back towards Storybrooke.

Robin isn't quite sure what to think of this little exchange, but all he knows is that he has a second date to plan and another opportunity to ask for that kiss.

Alright, there ya have it...I hope you enjoyed!