Since someone asked for a second part of Chapter 28 - here you go! Sorry for any mistakes, but it's 1am and I'm sleepy too ;)


Of Late Nights (Scene II)

He sees her again.

That night, when it has stopped raining, it was six in the morning, and she waved him goodbye with a small yawn and sleepy eyes. And he has called after her – without knowing her name, he's had to use a stupid Hey!, feeling like an idiot. But she has turned, with a swirl of her dark hair. She has turned, and smiled.

He has asked for her number, that night.

No names yet, she has grinned, and typed the numbers. He has saved her contact under The girl with the white scarf.

He gives her his number, and he sees her again. The circumstances a bit different, though; nothing like the quiet night they've spent together – it's him stumbling out from the shower, grabbing his phone with still-wet fingers, and answering.

"Hello?"

"Hi," she sounds… different, he can't quite place why. "Do I bother you?"

"No, it's okay," he says, the water pooling down, gathering at his feet. "Are you alright?"

Silence falls for a moment, and she sighs. "Actually, no," she says. "I mean, yes, but, you see, it's not me, it's –" she's stuttering, and now he can hear it – she's probably on the verge of tears, his heart clenches. "– it's just that my parents are abroad right now, and my sister is out of town for a week, comes back tomorrow night, and she left me with my nephew, and he's teething and won't stop crying – and I have an exam tomorrow and I don't know – sorry – because I know you study medicine, and I think he could have a fever but I'm not sure, and –"

"Hey, calm down," he tells her, rushing to grab the towel, putting her on the speaker and starting to get dressed. "It's alright, you've gotta breath, okay?"

He hears her breath from over the phone, hears her inhale and exhale, to steady herself. "Yeah, okay, just – I'm sorry, I didn't know who else I could call, Emma didn't leave the doctor's number –"

"It's okay," he says, grabbing the phone again. He keeps talking, hopes to calm her down. But there's only one way to solve the problem. "Listen, I'm coming there, if you want, okay?"

There's a pause – a heartbeat, but it feels longer. "Okay, thanks," she murmurs. "I'll text the address."

After one minute, he's already outside.

He knocks at the door – it's a nice house, in the center, elegant and classy and all that stuff, but he knows it must feel rather empty, if it's only her and the baby. She opens in seconds, lets him inside, and he greets her with a mere squeeze on her forearm – it's all business now, she's already leading him into the baby's room. He doesn't even take in his surroundings; he just bends over the crib and starts watching the crying infant.

"I've tried giving him some Tylenol, but… oh my god, I'm completely clueless," she admits, murmuring next to him. He turns his head – she's biting her lip, and he would very much like to kiss that scowl away.

"Go study, I've got him," he tells her. Her eyes widen, then she shakes her head. "You've already come here, I don't want to trouble you –"

"Exactly, I'm already here, so go study and let me do my job," he says. "Come on, I haven't got a shift tomorrow, I don't have to wake up early."

She nods, with a worried smile. He sees she's not convinced yet, so he gives her a gentle push. "Go, I'm serious."

Finally, she complies – one last look towards him and the baby, and she's gone.
He draws out a sigh. Turns towards the baby, tilts his head. "So, little one, let's see."

When he comes in the kitchen, it's midnight, and he has just left a sleeping baby, finally quiet. He rubs his eyes, letting out a yawn, then spots her. A chuckle escapes him – he can't avoid it, she's absolutely adorable. She's sitting on a chair, her head lying on the table above one arm, her book open next to her nose, and she's sleeping soundly.

He shakes her shoulder, gently – she has done the same just two weeks ago, he thinks – she blinks, confused, then sees him. "Oh," she smiles. "I fell asleep…"

"Come on, let's get you to bed," he whispers. Her head is lolling, but she complies – manages to get up, and leans on him a bit. When they get to her room, he sees that she's exhausted – she falls on the bed, sleep is reclaiming her.

He can't resist, and he presses a kiss on her hair, just on top. He thinks she's asleep, but she clearly isn't – because she smiles. Curls a bit tighter, and turns her head.

"Thank you," she says, voice heavy with tiredness. He doesn't answer, but caresses her head instead. He's about to head back to the other room – he'll sleep on the sofa, he has decided, to check on the baby and wake her up in the morning – when he hears her.

"Oh, and… it's Regina."

He stops in his tracks. "What?"

"My name," she says. "I'm Regina."

His heart flutters, watching her curled form with affection. "Nice to meet you, Regina," he lets it roll on his tongue. "I'm Robin."

"'ice to meet you," she mimics. He scoffs a laugh – she's practically asleep, now, and she probably won't remember this conversation in the morning, but it's okay. He closes the door, silently, and lets her sleep. They'll have all the time to introduce each other.