Emma gets an interrogation about her 'date' with Robin, after a very revealing dream. Meanwhile, Albert Spencer's planning revenge.

Mifflin Street

Emma woke, gasping from a very vivid dream, gradually regaining consciousness, and feeling a thin layer of sweat across her entire body.

She rolled heavily onto her left side, slowly opening her eyes. Expecting to see either a half-empty bed, or a sleeping wife beside her, she was instead confronted by the vision Regina, head on the pillow, but wide awake and looking straight at her.

"Good morning, my dear. Sleep well?" Asked the brunette, sporting a curious look.

"Yeah, I s'pose," she grunted back, bleary-eyed. "What time is it?"

"Just after eight thirty. Pleasant dream, was it?"

She tried avoiding the question. "I guess. Where's Rolly?"

However, Regina was not to be so easily distracted. "Tell me about it? Your dream, I mean?" before adding, "Emma Locksley?"

Emma's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You were dreaming dear. I distinctly heard you say, "Emma Locksley, I like the sound of that!"" Regina rather enjoyed the alarmed look on her face.

"Emma Locksley? No, you must have misheard. Why on earth would I say that?"

"Why indeed?" she nodded to the other woman's side as she got up. "I've brought you coffee, on the side table." She got up, walking silently from the room.

Emma cringed. What more had she said aloud? That was one hell of a dream!

~oOo~

Emma felt herself running up a long staircase, holding onto someone's hand, giggling, dragging them up with her.

"Shush, quiet! We don't have long!" She pushed open a door, revealing an large bedroom with an enormous four-poster bed at its centre. Sniggering, she felt herself being turned around by strong arms, enfolding her in a hug and lifting her clean off the floor, her legs wrapping around him as his lips came down on hers. She broke the kiss while he carried her across the room, laying her down on the bed.

Seeing a look of lust in his blue eyes, he parted her thighs gently to lay himself between them. "My lady," he breathed as she felt the bulge press between her legs, sending a pulse through her. "May I?" he continued as he rose again, kneeling back, sliding warm hands down her thighs and up her white skirt. He slowly eased his fingers into her panties, gently pulling them down, where they snagged on her shoes.

"At least take my heels off first, Mr. Impatient!" She panted, though as keen as he was. His hands caressed her legs and down to each foot, relieving her of her Jimmy Choos in seconds, kissing the top of each foot, before finishing the removal of her no doubt already soaked panties in a single flourish, leaving her spread before him. "Emma, you are a vision!" Within moments he moved back on top of her, kissing her passionately, her mouth opening wider to greet him, forcing her tongue out to perform a dance with his.

"Mm…" they groaned, simultaneously.

As lips parted to draw breath, he peppered the small amount of cleavage exposed with light kisses, before working his way south rapidly to where, he thought, she needed him most. Placing more kisses and gentle bites on the inside of her thighs, he rapidly moved to her centre, sliding a broad flat tongue across her entrance and taking the little pink bud between his lips to squeeze gently. She hissed loudly. "Ooh, god! That's just…no...no time! I need you up here with me. I need to see you. I need you inside me, right now!" She ordered.

"As you wish, my lady!" he purred, his voice low as he tried to contain himself. "You're sure you're ready?"

"Definitely. Get-inside-me-now! Stop wasting time." she panted, rising from the sheets to grab his belt, open his top button and yank his pants down, before thrusting a hand into his boxers, relieving his raging hard-on from its confines. Almost angrily, she lowered her mouth onto the purple head, sucking hard whilst pumping the shaft hurriedly, ignoring the loud hiss.

"Ooh, go easy Emma!"

She pulled away in a matter of moments, to lay back down. He swiftly rose, pulling his shoes, trousers and boxers off completely before turning back to her, lifting her flowing white wedding dress and silk underskirt to expose her once again. Without further delay, he lay over her, taking his weight on his forearm, as he guided himself into her. She responded by wrapping her long legs around and behind his calves. His brim lightly skirted her already folds, before gently easing inside, carrying on slowly but firmly, until his entire length was fully consumed within.

"Aaaahhh!' she breathed, "you're larger today. Feels bloody enormous!"

"Can you blame me? In that dress, you've never looked more gorgeous - I've never wanted you so much! Gina may well fuck your brains out tonight, but I'm first!" he grunted, his pace increasing rapidly as he drew his entire length almost out of her completely before slamming back in, harder and faster. This was truly heaven for both of them and Emma grunted her approval, gritting her teeth as she felt her peak approaching.

"Harder! Oh god, yes! I'm close, so close! Just keep going – just like that – just like that…just…ooh shit…aah…..yes…yesss!" She felt the full force of the orgasm hit her hard, her body spasming as the orgasm emanating from deep within, shook her as she screamed.

As she sought to catch her breath, she felt him holding back until she had fully settled. "Don't stop, don't you dare stop! Come for me Robin! Come for me! I want to feel you explode inside me!" She pulled her legs even tighter back around his muscular thighs, gripping his arse cheeks to pull him in as she felt him draw close. Eventually his whole body tensed as he finally slammed into her for the last time, his cock no doubt erupting deep inside her. She was sure she felt it. The raw heat as he finally came.

As his breath finally calmed, Robin looked deep into those beautiful hazel-green eyes as Emma looked back up at him in wonder. "That, that was incredible!"

"Definitely more of that tonight!" She groaned, wishing they were both naked, as his cock slowly starting to soften within her. "Best we get up, though? We can't leave Regina holding the fort alone. They'll be getting suspicious why we've been gone so long!"

"I think they'll have an idea, don't you?" He sported an annoyingly smug expression on his handsome features. "I hardly think anyone'll begrudge me a few minutes alone with my brand shiny new wife now, would they, Emma Locksley?"

"I guess not. Emma Locksley, I like the sound of that!" she breathed, pulling him in for another kiss.

~oOo~

As more of the dream came back to her, she realized what Regina might have heard. But how much more, and why wasn't she in the dream? What did it even mean? She's never had a dream like that before, and definitely didn't think of Hood that way!

Did she?

~oOo~

After a longer shower than usual to help recover, she dressed, slipping into a single white T and jeans. She dreaded going downstairs where she just knew Regina would want to continue their last conversation. Or at least know more about the previous night, and her 'date'. She tiptoed downstairs, heading into the kitchen, where she caught the sight of Regina, sitting on a stool at the worktop, coffee in hand, immaculately dressed as usual. She wore a silky knee length blue A line dress which poured over her thighs, sporting a silver necklace, a birthday present from Henry. And a very suspicious look.

"Good morning, my Swan. Feeling better? There's fresh coffee ready."

"Much better, thanks," she wasn't sure where this was going. Was she annoyed?

"I thought you might need some extra sleep after last night's activities, so I asked Zelena to collect Honny and Rolly an hour ago, when she took Robyn to school. Henry didn't come back last night, but decided to stay at Hank's with Violet. I think they're probably in some sort of relationship now, so perhaps it's time to meet up with Sir Morgan? Perhaps invite the pair of them round for dinner? What do you think?"

Emma sighed with relief at the change of subject. "Uh, yeah sure. Though I'm not sure Hank'll come if I'm here! It may be five years ago, but he's still sore with me for taking Vi's heart out like that. He avoids me unless strictly necessary."

Sir Hank Morgan, a former Knight of the Round Table in Camelot, had always been suspicious of Emma, despite her hero reputation, and despite Violet's own forgiveness of her dark deed.

"You were a Dark One then Emma, everyone knows that! And it's even more reason for us to let Hank get to know you properly. He's fond of Henry, and trusts him with Violet. Henry said he's nothing like as stiff as he used to be, and apparently he's now dating some woman from Sherwood. I want to do this, Emma. Who knows, she might be part of our family one day."

"Alright. Then let me ask him? Perhaps if I go in with the full, grovelling apology?"

"Well it wouldn't hurt. I understand Briar's offered him the sheriff position temporarily, and is encouraging him to stand for election."

"I thought Mulan wanted to run? At least, after she's had the baby. Don't say Phil's getting all sexist, and putting his foot down now he's marrying her?" Emma had always found Philip Briar a bit too righteous for her.

"Far from it. Aurora said he told Mulan he'd happily back her if she wanted the job, but he should resign as Mayor if she won. He thinks it's wrong for a current Mayor to be related to a current Sheriff. A 'conflict of interest', as he put 's asked Hank to stand in temporarily, while they disband and investigate Keith Nottingham. They're setting up a whole new team. Your father's also been invited to join them as a deputy. He declined both the sheriff role and the full-time post."

"Hank for Sheriff? That's a surprise. I'm also surprised dad turned it down. I thought he was getting bored on that farm."

"Seems not. I also heard Briar first offered the sheriff position to someone else. The ruling council's first choice was unanimous apparently, but he declined."

"Who? Who declined?"

"Robin."

"Robin?" Emma suddenly burst out laughing. "They asked Robin Hood to be Sheriff? That's hilarious! Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves! He's spent most of his life stealing and fighting the law, and now they want him enforcing it?"

"Why ever not? He's ideal. He's noble, honest, protective of others, plus he's a natural leader. And now he has magic, he seems perfect for the role. However, I gather Robin felt he had too much to do building Sherwood village."

Emma stepped across to the percolator to refill, but the brunette wasn't finished.

"So my love, tell me all about your evening. I want to know everything!" she patted the stool next to her, brooking no argument. "I want to know all about the food, who was there, what you talked about. Then yes, my dear, I want you to tell me about the mysterious 'Emma Locksley'!"

Meanwhile, a mile away...

"So, this is it?"

The former Mayor Spencer (and previously King George in the old realm), sneered as the motley collection of former deputies, guards and servants squeezed into the living room of his comfortable but run-down mansion on the edge of Storybrooke. "This is all you could muster, Nottingham?"

"Sadly, it is my lord. We haven't spoken with the standing army yet, as we're unsure how many are now loyal to Prince Philip."

"HE'S NOT A FUCKING PRINCE!" Spencer roared. "How many more times do I have to say it? He's a two-bit infantry soldier, with ideas far above his station!"

Keith waited for the now puce-faced man to calm. "Maybe so, my lord, but he still has followers. Bearing in mind the secrecy required, I thought it best to be cautious, and stay with people we know to be loyal to you? At least, until we have leverage."

Spencer harrumphed, knowing his former sheriff was right. "Very well, very well. Gentlemen, gather round?" Twenty or so men leaned closer, as he sat at the head of his table. "As you're aware, I've been illegally removed from the Mayor's office, by a usurper! Sheriff Nottingham and his men have also been wrongfully ousted, and it appears Storybrooke has been taken over by a rag-bag of assorted criminals, led by Briar, and supported by some of the so-called 'heroes'."

One former royal guard stepped forward. "And the Dark One, don't forget him? And the Evil Queen, so the Saviour will no doubt follow her blindly, like she always does. And they all have magic."

"As do the Sorcerer and now, Hood!" Growled a recently deposed deputy. "I've heard those two have more magic than the others all put together? How the hell do we beat them, without magic of our own?"

Spencer smirked. "By dealing with them somewhere where no magic exists, so we're all equal. That's where!"

Emma told her all about the restaurant Robin had taken her to the previous night. The perfect food, the wines, the table on the pier by the lake, the service. Even being serenaded on the lake.

"It sounds wonderful. We are so going there for our next anniversary! Was it very expensive?"

"Very! Pierre Roch said he was picking up the bill. A favour to Merlin apparently. Something about saving his daughter's life? But I sneaked a peek at someone else's bill, and that was definitely over a grand."

"You actually met Pierre Roch? You met one of the world's greatest chefs?" Regina was impressed. "I didn't think he still cooked! Emma, I've got three of his books in this kitchen. The man's a culinary god!"

Emma chuckled at her enthusiasm, seeming like a groupie. "Yeah? Well, your culinary god was all grovel to Hood, fawning all over him! He knew all about him apparently. Didn't know me, though. Just assumed I was his wife."

"Hmm. Hence the Emma Locksley tag?"

Emma picked up on it quickly, realizing it was a better excuse for what she'd said earlier. "Yeah. He already knew I was called Emma, so didn't assume I was Marian. Called me 'Lady Locksley', actually!"

"And you never corrected him?" Regina arched a brow. "You didn't tell him you were already married?"

"Well, the food and service was unbelievable. I didn't want to disappoint them. You're not…you're not upset, are you? We didn't actually say we were married. He just assumed."

"Surprised yes. Upset, no. You were on a date, after all. Was there any romance?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's fairly obvious what I mean. Did he kiss you? Hug you? Make out with you? It's a simple question."

The now beetroot-coloured blonde decided attack was the best form of defence.

"Regina, where are you going with this? You asked me to go on a date with him! You said you wanted us to get together, for goodness sake. I even remember you saying you'd be okay if we made out! What's going on? I'm confused."

The older woman looked silently at her partner before smiling, placing a hand on the blonde's knee. "I did say that, and I'm neither upset, nor annoyed. As I also said yesterday, I hope you two become close. You've allowed me to share myself with him, so if it means we can all grow together, well, that's even better."

"So, you'd be okay if I told you we had a rather hot make-out session in the back of the limo on the way home? You'd seriously be okay with that?"

"Yes Emma, I would. Did you? Tell me truthfully now. I promise you I will not be upset."

She looked deeply into her eyes, for any sign of insincerity. Seeing none, she relaxed slightly. "Yeah actually, we did."

Regina's smile grew wider. "Thank you for being honest. Did you enjoy it?"

"Gina, I'm not in love with him! I'm perfectly happy with you, thank you very much!"

"I know, but you're definitely attracted to him, aren't you?"

"I can't believe you're asking me all this? Yes, he's a lovely guy. He's kind, gentle, surprisingly intelligent, and actually listens to a woman when she's talking. And...he's a pretty good kisser."

The last comment made Regina roar with laughter, making the blonde ask, "What?"

"Nothing, it's just exactly the same thing a certain thief said to me, five years ago! I'm pleased you had a good time." She stood up to walk away, before stopping at the door, her back to the other woman as she left with a final "Though if you think I believe that 'Emma Locksley' nonsense you said before you woke up, you must think I was born yesterday."

Wednesday afternoon – Sherwood Clinic

Early in the morning, before Emma woke, Regina told Roland and Honour about Ruby and Dorothy's request for them to be official pageboy and bridesmaid for their wedding. As expected, they were thrilled, especially Honour.

"So do I get to wear a big white dress, like Mulan?"

Regina chuckled. "I'm sorry my love, but white ones are only worn by the bride, or brides, getting married! However, you do get to wear a beautiful dress anyway. It's a soft lemony colour. You'll love it, I promise! Roland, you'll be wearing a handsome suit of your own, matching the Best Man's, if there is one."

The wild-haired ten-year-old just nodded in agreement. He had more important things on his mind. "Will there be chocolate cake? And sausages? I like those ones on sticks."

Regina smiled, enveloping him in a hug. "There'll be plenty of nice food, I'm sure. Now, I've left your outfits on your beds. Let's go up and measure them, shall we?" The pair ran upstairs without further ado. Honour, because she loved dressing up and Roland, because he just wanted to get it over with before he left for school.

Now, after using magic to make final adjustments to the clothes, Regina apparated just outside the new Sherwood village, remembering that Merlin and Gold had specifically prevented magic being used inside, some sort of invisible force blocking it. As she stepped into the small clinic at the front, she was once again amazed at the sheer scale of the building within. Since her last visit, she was surprised to see the reception had been kitted out with furniture, desks and a large seating area. Merlin had used the word 'Tardis' to describe the magic that allowed so much space inside, completely at odds with the small building outside. She looked up to a large glazed canopy above, which allowed a well-lit ambience. The glass was stained in a very light shade of green, reflecting the forest beyond. She drew breath in surprise, as she heard a soft voice at her shoulder.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" said Caroline softly, so not to make the woman jump.

"It really is! I'm amazed at the size of this place. Hello, Caroline." she was genuinely pleased to see Robin's cousin. She bore a striking resemblance to him. Dark blonde, with those amazing blue eyes, lighter, but quite similar. "It's lovely to see you again."

Caroline came closer, placing her hands gently in Regina's and a peck on her cheek, instantly replicated by the other woman. "Hello, Regina, it's lovely to see you too. I feel we have so much to talk about, don't you?"

"Definitely. I know so little about your family, apart from what Robin's told me, of course. I gather you know we were together before, well before…"

"Before he was murdered? Yes, I'm aware. Some of the fairies, John and Tuck filled me in on some of the details. I'm glad you found love again."

She could tell the blonde was being sincere. "Yes well, though Robin will always be a major part of my life. I was pregnant when it happened. Without Roland and Honour, I don't know how I'd have survived after he died." He voice had reduced to almost a whisper.

"And Emma, of course! I can see how much you love one another. Come, let's find a table in the new café, get a pot of tea and have a bit of a gossip?"

Regina grinned, "Tea. I hated it before Robin; I'm kind of hooked on it now. Damned thief!" She laced her arm in Caroline's, letting her lead on.

Sherwood Village

Robin had spent the morning organizing the new water supply and drainage system for Sherwood, involving using magic to connect Merlin's newly installed plumbing system. The dwarves had supplied the underground tunnels, and several skilled craftsmen had supplied plans and checked the overall quality of work. As the pumping system was turned on, the crowds stood in awe as they now had the unimagined luxury of fresh water delivered to their homes, indoor plumbing and lavatories, plus a heating system in the hospital and clinic.

"This is a bloody marvel, Rob!" John looked in wonder at the outdoor pool. "I'm not sure I'll get used to it anytime soon."

"It's what we should have had long ago, John. Tents should only be for camping trips, not for children to permanently sleep under."

As they stood admiring the results of a hard day's work, David Nolan and Mayor Briar appeared, both with worried looks on both their faces.

"David, Phil? Something wrong?"

"Could be. We went in to take over the station this morning. Nottingham's team had gone, but we found…"

"Go on," Merlin had appeared beside them.

"It's what we didn't find that bothers me," said Philip. "The town armoury was in cellars under the station. Everything's been stripped out! Hand guns, rifles, swords, everything."

"You think Spencer and Nottingham are behind this?"

"Probably. Hank and I went to arrest Nottingham this morning, but he's disappeared, along with several of his old deputies. We're wondering if you could help us track them down? As they're heavily armed, we thought-"

"You thought right, Mr. Mayor. Of course I'll help," insisted Merlin. "Robin, as we may have armed men on the loose, I suggest you get your men to corral all the people we can find into the safety of the clinic and hospital? They should be safe there for the moment if John and the men keep guard. There should be plenty of space. I suggest you two come with me to the station? David, I don't really know my way around Storybrooke yet. Could you both hold on to me and imagine the front door of the Sheriff's Office? There's just a chance they've left a magical trace or clues. Gentlemen, shall we?"

With that, the sorcerer blinked, engulfing the trio into his familiar smoke trail, whisking them away.

Outside the Sheriff's Office.

As the Mayor and part-time Sheriff re-orientated themselves, Merlin used his magic to create a translucent shield over the top of his companions. "Just in case someone's waiting for us."

Merlin led the way, breaking into the station with ease and using magic to blast the armoury door from its hinges. They walked in to the stripped rooms, and as expected, the weapon racks were bare. "David, why on earth does a little town like Storybrooke need so many guns?"

"A lot of them are confiscated or taken when people tried to invade. There was some seriously nasty stuff down here. Pump action machine guns, sabres, small grenades."

Robin looked aghast at the potential threat that could easily put the town at war by the storage of so many senseless killing machines.

"There's nothing obvious here. No magical traces. We need to cover the rest of the town. David, do you have anything that could have been used with any of the weapons? Cloths, holdalls, that kind of thing? I may be able to put a tracking spell on something to at least figure out where everything went."

The three emerged from the front door of the station. Merlin immediately twitched, sensing danger. "Gentlemen, keep your eyes open! I'm quite certain we're being watched."

He'd hardly spoken when a swooshing sound came from the direction of the car park. David's senses went into overload, as he saw a steel tipped arrow bounce of the magical shield Merlin created. It was quickly followed by more loud clanging noises bouncing off the same shield, immediately followed by the deafening roar of a machine gun!

"Some fucker just tried to kill us?" he gasped, shocked by the deadly experience.

"It would seem so…" Merlin calmly reached a hand out, magically lifting two unsuccessful would-be assassins from behind a car to face him, his angry breath only inches away. "Gentlemen, it would appear you tried to murder us? Who ordered you to do this?"

"We ain't sayin' nothin'," croaked the taller of the men. "Do what you will! You can't kill me anyway, you're the Sorcerer!"

"Indeed, I am…" Merlin gave him a devilish smirk. "I'm supposed to be the good one, aren't I? However, when people attempt to kill me, all bets are off." And with that, Merlin looked down toward the man's crotch, opening his hand before slowly re-clenching his fist. The effect was replicated by magic, on the man's testicles, making him crumple in agony, his breath escaping him as he fell.

The other captured assassin stood looking at his comrade in horror as Merlin released the grip, a lit blowtorch now appearing in his hand. "Now then, it would be easier if you told me everything? It's quite hard to return your balls to their original state, once I've started."

Despite his initial cockiness, the first man now looked utterly terrified, while Merlin remained worryingly calm. "So, three, two, one. No? Okay, here goes…" and with that, Merlin lightly brushed the white-hot blame over the top of the man's crotch, causing instant pain.

Even Philip and Robin flinched. "Now sir, you just tried to kill us, so I have NO hesitation in killing you. But VERY painfully!"

"All right, all right! It was Nottingham!" The man screamed. "He made us steal all the guns. Everything! He's going to attack you!' he blurted hysterically, trying to avoid looking at his comrade.

"That's better! Now then, when, and how?" With that, the assassin was pulled effortlessly upside down to hang in the air, blood rushing to his head. "Okay, let's not waste any more time! Gentlemen, excuse me for a moment?"

Merlin calmly pressed two fingers to the man's head, deliberately filtering and seeing everything the man had experienced over the last week. David and Philip stood motionless, unable to help. What the hell's he doing?

After less than a minute, Merlin dropped the man with a satisfying thud as his shoulder slammed hard into the road. With a flick of his wrist, the two would be assassins were transported away completely, David raising an eyebrow at the Sorcerer's action.

"Don't worry David, they're still alive, merely transported out of the realm, suspended, for the moment. Now gentlemen, you're correct in assuming it's Albert Spencer and Nottingham. The weapons from your armoury were carried down to Spencer's cellars at his home, though it would appear they plan to attack Sherwood clinic today, as magic can't be used in there."

"That doesn't make sense?" Philip frowned. "We have more than enough people in Storybrooke to fight them. We have the militia, plus magic. You, Emma, Regina and Robin can defeat them easily, without force, the moment they step outside Sherwood."

"Perhaps they want to take hostages and bargain?" David suggested.

Merlin looked grim. "Unlikely. Spencer isn't stupid; he'll always face the threat from us. My guess is he'll want to do something more permanent to eliminate it."

"Then we'd better warn the others!" groaned David, as Merlin again transported them back to the camp.

Inside the Clinic

Regina had been enjoying tea with her new friend when it all started.

Caroline Locksley was warmth and kindness personified and she couldn't help noticing the similarities between her and Robin.

"You've got similar eyes to Robin, you know? You mentioned Maria, his sister, yesterday. What's she like?"

Before she could answer, a loud burst of gunfire could be heard from the reception area, followed by screaming and someone shouting.

"EVERYONE – DOWN ON THE FLOOR! NOW!"

The diners all stood, anxious to figure out what was happening, when moments later, three armed men burst through the door, followed by another five or so. The men, all burly with assault rifles hanging over their shoulders, spread themselves around the room.

"You heard me! Down on the floor, now!" He followed the order with a rapid burst of gunfire into the ceiling, causing panicked screams from several diners.

Although initially paralyzed in surprise, Regina stood, ramrod straight, composing herself. She'd dealt with aggressive soldiers before. In fact, she'd even burned to death quite a few who dared cross her!

Walking up to stand directly in front of the taller man, she barked at him.

"How dare you!" She tried summoning a choking spell to lift the intruders by the throat. But nothing. No magic? She'd forgotten where they were! Now her voice carried a trepidation, as she tried intimidating him. "Get out of here now, before I incinerate the lot of you!"

Unusually for Regina, the man she addressed didn't step back and showed no fear. Now that worried her! "Magic not working, your Majesty? We're all on a level playing field here, aren't we? Which is just as well, as I've been wanting to do this for so long…" With that, the former royal guard, at six-foot-five, towering well above her, drew his fist back and punched her hard in the side of her face, barely missing her nose. Regina, never having needed to physically defend herself without magic before, felt her whole body shudder, flying back into a table before collapsing to the floor. The pain was unbelievable! And she knew her face was going to swell badly from the blow.

As she stayed down, dazed, trying to compose herself, she heard Caroline race in front of her assailant.

"Bastard!" She slammed her own fist hard into his nose, following it with a swift knee up between his legs, making him howl in pain. Unfortunately, as she looked with satisfaction at her handiwork, another man grabbed her forcefully by the hair, spinning her around to face him. She froze as a heavy, cold piece of metal was rammed under her chin. "Any more of that my dear, and I'll fire! Your pretty little brains will be splattered all over this room!"

The first man, who had been nursing his battered testicles, now straightened. "After all the shit you've put us through over the years, you'll be the first to die!" With that, he pulled a gun from its holster, pointing it directly at Regina's temple.

"Goodnight, Evil Queen!"

Regina braced herself for the worst. With no magic, she was both human, and powerless. She was about to die. Hearing the click of the gun's safety catch, she closed her eyes, expecting never to open them again.

However, fate had something else in store! Unbeknown to her, Carrie knew what do to in these situations. The blonde relaxed her shoulders, feigning surrender. This caused the soldier holding the gun under her chin to relax slightly, giving her a slender chance. Seizing its barrel, she slid it to one side before slamming her forehead into the soldier's nose! He stepped back in pain, allowing Carrie to seize the gun, turning it and slamming the handle hard into his head. The soldier about to execute Regina, temporarily distracted, felt the force of Carrie's body now over the top of him, trying to seize his own gun and shielding Regina. However, the soldiers were highly trained, so the brief scuffle was rectified by a rifle butt being slammed into the back of Caroline's head, rendering her unconscious.

The first soldier, Malcolm, one of Spencer's most loyal republican guards, now stood, rechecking his weapon, before once again pointing it at the former Evil Queen. But before he had the chance to fire, Albert Spencer burst into the room, accompanied by even more armed men.

"What the bloody hell are you doing? We need her phone, dammit! Get the fucking phone! And follow your orders!"

Malcolm seethed. It was obvious to Regina that whatever she'd done to him in the past, he wanted her dead. "Sorry sir!" he bleated, before grabbing her and lifting her to the table. "Your phone. Now!"

Regina, seeing the now prostrate Locksley who'd tried to save her, didn't argue. She pointed to her bag, whereupon he turned it over with one hand, its contents spilling as her smartphone bounced out. Spencer walked across to pick it up.

"Now, it's very simple, Regina. I'm going to send a message to all the Heroes, telling them you're being held hostage. So I need your passcode, now. And before you waste my time, I'm going to count to three, after which young Bernard here will execute that woman. After that, we'll go around everyone in the room and do the same before we finally get to you! You've killed hundreds in your time, so I'm sure causing more suffering won't bother you too much? So, the number if you please?"

The code was given, and another of Spencer's former deputies, more versed in technology, set about launching a pre-agreed text to everyone in her contacts list:-

'Spencer has taken hostages. We need to meet, IMMEDIATELY…'

The message was instantly followed by another:

'Everyone with magic come to Sherwood Clinic. NOW!'

Emma & Robin, like many others, received the message simultaneously.

Robin had just apparated outside the village, with Philip and Merlin, anxious not to draw attention. Showing the text to the others, Robin fumed. "Seems things have already started. What do you think?"

David studied his own phone. "It's unusual for Regina to request help. She normally tries to handle things herself."

Robin agreed. "Also, I suspect this isn't from her! Someone's got her phone."

"How do you know that?"

Robin half-smiled "Punctuation. Gina's a stickler for good grammar, written or otherwise. She doesn't do upper case words, and she once said that ellipses were a sign of lazy writing."

"So, your conclusion?"

"Someone other than Regina wants us in there!" David surmised. "We need a plan, before we go inside. It sounds like they have Regina, but Emma and Gold may not have replied just yet, so I'd best call them!"

As he picked up the phone to dial his daughter, Robin brought his hand over David's wrist. "Hold on, we can't be sure they haven't been captured themselves! In which case, Spencer could be reading their phones. No magic, remember?"

David nodded, realizing there was a chance he was putting his daughter, and possibly her wife, in danger. "So what do we do? We can't just wait until everyone with magic arrives! It may be too late for Regina and whoever else is in there!"

Robin thought Merlin looked far calmer than he should. Though considering he was almost two millennia old and immortal, he shouldn't have been too surprised. "Okay Merlin, you've probably faced much worse situations than this, it's your turn to offer suggestions!"

"Well now, as I see it, you have a potential threat in a place where magic is cancelled; with who knows how many armed people defending it, with who knows how many people trapped inside and with others walking into a trap, I suggest we look more closely at the situation. David, I suggest I immediately send you back to your wife and son. You, Snow and any others put the word out to stay away from Sherwood and ignore the texts. Make sure your grandson stays away too. Henry has magic, but it's new, so he may do something rash." The Sorcerer than opened his own phone, to share his contact details. "Text me within 30 minutes with the code 'Charming', then we'll know you're safe? If I don't receive it I'll assume you've been compromised, and act accordingly."

With a small burst of magic, David was teleported away from them.

"I've a plan," said Robin. "Though first, can you apparate us just in front of the Sherwood magic boundary while also keeping us invisible? I need to see what's going on outside."

"Of course," said the Sorcerer, as though the act was simplicity itself. "And I can keep a sound barrier around us too. Robin, our mind meld should have taught you all this?" he teased, "weren't you paying attention."

"My apologies o' Great Sorcerer, there was an awful lot to take in!" he said in mock apology as the familiar mist swirled around them once again, depositing them amongst trees, yards from the front of Sherwood Clinic.

~oOo~