Saying that Caroline was stunned was the understatement of the year. After barging into her parents room and telling them all about Zelena's state of emergency, she felt as if the floodgates were opened, absolutely nothing holding her back. She expected her mother to scold her for keeping more secrets and choosing her side- instead, she was met by silence as her mother took in the new information. Then, to the girl's surprise, her mother suggested to go to Zelena's aid. She couldn't tell if she was dreaming or not- it all seemed surreal.
"Are you guys going to drive all the way down to Florida?" Roland asked, his anxious words echoing the thoughts of his sister.
"It'd be a really long drive," Regina responded, still in her oddly calm demeanor. "I don't see why we couldn't just fly there instead."
"Fly?" Caroline repeated, her eyes wide, "on an airplane?"
Regina took in her daughter's excitement for a moment, knowing that it would be extinguished in a manner of seconds. "Just Dad and I- it's too dangerous for you two to leave Storybrooke."
"What?" Both kids said in unison, stunned looks on their faces.
"There's no magic in the outside world, you keep on saying that!" Caroline argued, "that means there's nothing to be scared of!"
"There's plenty to be scared of- the world is an unpredictable place. We don't know what happened to Zelena or who's out there, magic or not. It's too risky."
Caroline fell silent as she tried to come to terms with what her mother was saying. She was completely invested in saving Zelena- it was because of her that they knew she was in trouble. Her mother still didn't know what it was like in the Enchanted Forest, everything they had been through.
"Are you going to hurt her?" She asked, her voice faint.
Regina exchanged a glance with her husband, taken aback by her daughter's words.
"Of course not. We're going to assess the situation and… go from there."
Robin knew exactly what was on her mind from the subdued anger reflecting in her eyes. The last time she saw Zelena she sent her to a hell of unspeakable proportions. It was still beyond his understanding why she wanted to come to her aid- he was wondering for himself if she would do anything to harm her, but he wasn't brave enough to ask.
"Emma and Killian will be here soon- we have to finish packing." Robin said, starting towards the staircase before anyone could oppose.
Upstairs, Regina had fallen silent as she brought out the suitcase she hardly used, cramming random clothes in without giving them a second look. Robin began packing his own bag, struggling to keep up with her intensity.
"You know she didn't mean anything bad by what she said," he told her, trying to get her attention. She brushed right past him, opening up one of the bathroom cabinets to get out travel containers.
"The woman poisoned me, told me she wanted my existence to disappear completely, then nearly choked me to death- you're telling me that our daughter chose her to be her best friend?"
Robin stopped her in her tracks before she could grab more things from the closet, setting his hands on her shoulders. "We don't have to go- just say the word and we'll stop."
"She would never forgive me," Regina said, avoiding his eyes. "And we have to put an end to all of this madness. I'm tired of running from my problems."
He gave her shoulders a comforting squeeze, attempting to eradicate the anxiety from her. "Caroline will love you no matter what- you're not your mother."
Finally giving into his gaze, she nodded, fighting back tears. "Do you know where your talisman is? We haven't left Storybrooke since we went to that wine tasting in the Catskills."
He pulled her into a hug, reveling in the closeness. "I know exactly where they are."
By the time Emma and Killian arrived at the house, the Hood parents had their car packed with essentials for the week. For taking a last minute trip across state lines, Emma noted how relaxed the both of them seemed. Even the kids were cooperating few words exchanged, moving about the house getting last minute things for the trip.
"You guys are ready to go? Just like that?" Emma asked Regina as she passed her with the last of their luggage. She looked perfectly put together for a vacation- leggings, an oversized t shirt, and a light cardigan. The Regina she had known for so many years had resurfaced again.
"It's only for a few days. We don't need much."
"And you got plane tickets on such short notice?"
Regina shut the trunk of the SUV. "Somehow we did- it's a short flight, too."
The blonde was hesitant to put a damper on the confident and positive spirit her friend embodied, but she knew she would regret not saying anything before allowing her and Robin to venture out into the unknown.
"What're you going to do if she's violent with you again?" Emma asked, lowering her voice to make sure the kids wouldn't hear.
Regina gave her a look. "We'll be in a hospital- if she tries anything, we'll leave her in a Florida jail, I guess."
The answer was expected, but it only made Emma's next question seem even more worrisome. "What if she wants to come back with you to Storybrooke? You know, to see Caroline again, or to start a new life?"
There was no definite response. Instead, Regina shifted nervous glances between her and Killian. "I… don't know. I don't want to bring evil here, especially since there's magic. We'll have to see if she truly seems like she's changed, I guess."
"Keep us updated, whatever happens," Killian told her, "it's not everyday someone goes to Florida to confront a Wicked Witch."
Regina nodded, just as Robin came out the front door with some last minute items. "We really should get going," he said, setting the items in the car, "it's always better to be early than late."
"I know, I know," she responded, feeling her emotions begin to stir anxiously inside. The hardest part about leaving was not being around her children- it had taken her months to adjust to Henry leaving town. Not only that, Regina missed the familiarity of Storybrooke and its townspeople. They were all family to her, and she loved their little town.
"Keep them distracted and they should be fine," Regina told the couple, "and don't let Caroline do anything magic related. I've put plenty of enchantments on the house already, but with her powers, who knows what she could do. She really wants things to work out with Zelena."
"Does that mean I can't magically clean everything right before you guys come back?" Emma asked, her exaggerated pout transforming into a smile as she leaned forward and gave her friend a tight hug. "They'll be safe with us. Don't worry."
Roland and Caroline were soon outside too, joining in on the hugging and the long goodbyes.
"Will you bring me something back from Florida?" The fifteen year old asked, trying to hold back his tears. Most teenagers would be ecstatic if their parents left for a vacation- but this was not an ordinary vacation, and they were not ordinary people.
"Of course we will- I love you so much," Regina whispered, kissing him on the cheek.
"Look after your sister," Robin added, giving his son a hug, "and listen to Emma and Killian. We'll be back before you know it."
Roland knew that wasn't true, but he nodded anyways. He watched as his parents hugged Caroline goodbye next, knowing it was taking everything they had to get in the car and drive away. Emma was by their sides in an instant- they watched as the SUV got farther and farther down the street, until it disappeared entirely.
The car was silent as the familiar buildings of their town began to dwindle; soon they were surrounded by trees and open road, coming up on the line spray painted in orange separating the familiar from the unknown. As they approached the barrier, both Robin and Regina reached for one another's hand, clutching it tightly in a rehearsed notion. They both felt the familiar shift as they crossed the line, the absence of magic immediately felt.
Robin eased back into his seat as he continued to drive, his talisman resting safely in his pocket. He had left Storybrooke plenty of times in the decade of living there, but it still made him anxious knowing that he could lose all of his memories in an instant. Part of him felt thrilled to be leaving Storybrooke, even if they were headed into another messy circumstance.
"I need to talk to you about Roland," he let out, breaking the silence. His wife sent him a look that changed from surprised to understanding.
"What about?" She replied smoothly, awaiting his answer.
"I, uh- walked in on him… and August… on the couch..."
He paused when he saw her try and repress her amused expression.
"You already knew about this? Of course you already knew- why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it wasn't my news to tell! I caught him in the act just like you did- basically had to force the truth out of him. He's gotten so much better at his confidence in the last few weeks."
Robin processed the new information, amazed that he could miss all of that. "As long as he's happy," he said, loosening his grip on the steering wheel. "It's still strange for me to think of August as his… boyfriend. We've known him since he was six."
"I know, but he is happy." She waited until his eyes met hers before she continued, sending him a comforting smile. "I've never seen him so passionate about anything before. He's really discovering who he is."
Her smile translated over to her husband, making him regret ever questioning his son's intentions. He agreed with what she said, shifting his focus towards the navigation system once he realized they were in the next town over, a tiny ski resort higher up in the mountains.
"Are you not going to stop?" Regina asked, noticing that he didn't turn off towards his favorite fast food joint, something they did every time they left town.
Sighing, he put on his blinker, preparing to turn at the next stoplight. "I thought you wouldn't notice," he admitted, knowing how silly that was. "I'm fine without stopping- we can keep driving."
"We have plenty of time, and I know you're hungry."
Robin shifted uncomfortably in his seat as they approached the drive through. "Do you want anything?"
Reaching for her bag, Regina pulled out a bottle of chocolate milk and shook it up. "I'll be fine with this for now- thanks though."
"It feels a bit weird to eat in front of you if you're not getting anything," he admitted, just before he was presented with his favorite meal, a double cheeseburger with guacamole.
She shook her head, taking a sip of her drink. "It doesn't bother me, honest."
Reluctantly giving into eating his meal, Robin continued driving towards the airport. They both fell silent for the rest of their drive. Regina's thoughts became lost in the flow of green trees out of the window, desperately trying to gain back some control.
When they arrived at the airport, they quickly parked the car and entered the madness, meandering through crowds of idling people. Robin remembered how overwhelmed he felt the first time he traveled- the world was infinitely bigger than he ever imagined it to be.
Leaving their car behind made their future feel even more uncertain. Getting their tickets had been easy, despite how many people were there. Soon Regina and Robin were waiting at their gate, with nothing but time holding them back.
"I can't believe all of these other people are going from Maine to Florida," Robin marveled, glancing around the area. It was hard for him to believe that there were so many strangers living their own lives with their own problems.
"Hopefully for better reasons than us," Regina admitted, putting her phone back in her purse. She wanted so badly to call home, just to hear the voices of her children. Being without magic made her feel especially venerable.
After a long hour of waiting, they were finally allowed onto the plane. Even in such a tight space, they were seated as comfortably as they could once their bags were secured above. Robin tried to relax as much as he possibly could, knowing that once they landed in Florida, there wouldn't be much time for any of that.
"Do you want to watch a movie?" He asked, turning his wife's attention to the small screen in front of him.
"I was just about to take one of these," she replied, taking out a Xanax pill to show him. "But… pick something and we'll see how long I last."
Twenty minutes later, she was slouched against his shoulder, knocked out completely. Robin was relieved that he was catching up on much needed sleep, concentrating more on the rise and fall of her chest than the superhero movie he chose. He soon felt his eyes grow heavy- the next thing he remembered was a stewardess announcing over the speaker that they had landed in Miami.
When they exited the airport, the streets were packed, vehicles bumper to bumper as far as the eye could see. Robin instantly slid on his sunglasses, relieved that Regina remembered to pack them so he could have protection against the harsh sunlight. He was happy to feel Regina's hand in his, guiding him through the crowds of people so they could get to their Uber waiting around the corner. She always took the lead when it came to traveling, knowing that he was easily stressed out in new places. Robin could never forget the first time the two of them went on vacation together- he had never felt so lost, even with his family right there next to him.
"I guess we're going straight to the hotel," Regina told him, conforming the destination with the driver. The sun was already beginning to set over the wide ocean that came into view. Their hotel practically backed onto the beach, the view absolutely breathtaking.
"Let's go check out the beach," Robin insisted, "before the sun goes down."
Regina was still fighting off the residual effects of her medication, but agreed anyways, knowing that they needed to enjoy the little time they had to themselves before things got crazy.
Getting a beer from the lobby bar, Robin and Regina headed towards the sandy beach, their shoes clutched in their hands. The water was lukewarm as it enveloped around their bare feet. Waves reflecting the sunset colors of bright orange and pink crashed softly in the near distance. Both Robin and Regina fell silent as they took in their new surroundings; Regina rested her head on her husband's shoulder, reaching for the glass bottle and taking a swig before handing it back.
"Do you think she's worth saving?" She asked, her voice breaking the comfortable silence. She felt him exhale deeply, knowing that he carried a multitude of feelings about the subject.
"I guess we wouldn't be here if there was no hope- we won't know anything for sure until we get there."
The last remnants of sunlight dimmed to a soft blue, the color fading quickly from the world around them. Soon it would be dark, and everything they knew to be true would change forever.