She still hasn't called Facilier, it's only been two days since he left his card, and yesterday she'd been distracted by a text from Robyn that she'd booked her flight and would be back in two weeks time. She may have had reasons, but still, she can't help but feel like delaying is a mistake. She hasn't yet today because she doesn't know what to say to him, and she needs to figure that out, needs to, today, no excuses.

If he has magic then maybe, just maybe he can help. It's unlikely given all that she's done to him and now that there is no chance she'll ever be with him, but she has to find out what he wants. She won't help him become the Dark One, but maybe there's a chance she can double-cross him again to get what she wants.

She should probably feel bad about how she's already thinking of deceiving him, but he's not a good person. Deception is usually his game, she's seen him use tricks and cheats countless times to undermine and harm people so it's only fair that that happens to him.

It's an uncomfortable line of thought for her, a bit too reminiscent of her former self, who was able to justify all sorts of behaviour with logic like that. Too reminiscent of the woman who hurt people without a thought or care, who was all about herself and her aims. It's different now because her overall aim is a good one, but she doubts a hero would think of things in this way.

Victoria's funeral was today, she didn't go but she knows Henry did, even attended the reception for a bit before leaving and coming here. She's a little surprised he managed to escape, given that Ivy had asked him to go and has been glommed onto him since Victoria's death. She needs to have a word with Ivy, figure out what she's up to, but she's ignoring Regina's calls, so she'll have to try a more direct route.

There's been no word of Anastasia, who she knows is back to life, in a whole new world which has to be confusing. She has no idea who is taking care of her, but she's worried Ana's power will fall into the wrong hands.

She's tried to pry information from Henry, but he seems to know nothing about Ana and that concerns her. If she's not with Ivy, then who? None of the options are particularly good, between Rumple, Gothel and Facilier, that girl is in for trouble. Rumple may mean well, but she knows him and he is not the comforting presence that girl needs right now. She lost so many years and now her mother is dead, her younger sister is now older and darker, and she's in a whole new world.

There is so much to do, so much to find out, and she's been failing at both, between running the bar and soaking up time with Robin she hasn't done half of what she wanted and that has to stop. Focus now, savour later, the sooner she focuses, the sooner they get their family back.

She should be able to bow out of the bar tonight, Robin has been picking things up really fast, and with him and the evening staff she's mostly confident things won't fall apart if she goes off in search of answers, as long as she's back to close up shop. She knows Robin would want to come with her, but she doesn't want him put in danger again. He died for her once, she is sure as hell not letting that happen again.

She also needs to go see Rumple. Now that Victoria is dead, she's hoping he'll fess up to being awake and will have some insight on what's been going on. Even if he doesn't, she needs to warn him about Facilier, needs to ensure he doesn't let that damn dagger fall into the wrong hands. There's so much potential for disaster and she does not have the tools to put out all of (or any of) these fires if they come alight.

It all makes her antsy and on edge. She realizes she's been aimlessly fiddling with the card in her hand for quite some time, and looks around to see if she missed anything in her distracted daze. The bar is not too busy, and Robin is taking care of the small group of older ladies having an early dinner in the back. It really is the perfect time to take a break, and she needs to stop stalling. Okay, this is it, she's going to do it, going to call Facilier. He may not even answer so it's ridiculous to be nervous about it, right?

She signals to Robin that she's going to make a phone call and steps into the back room, needing the privacy to have this conversation.

One breath, then another, and she's dialling the number on the card, stopping for a second to double check it before hitting the call button.

Facilier answers on the second ring, "Hello?"

"Hi." Oh god, what the fuck does she say? "I'm, um, this is Roni, I was given your card and told you wanted to speak with me."

His voice smooths out then, "Ah, yes, the owner of Roni's Pub. I wasn't sure you'd call."

He's playing it cool, and yes, so is she, but it still annoys her. "If you are looking to buy my bar, it's a no."

"Actually, I was hoping to meet with you. Could you do this evening?"

"What about?"

"I have a proposition for you."

That's vague, but she knows him well enough to know she won't get much more than that unless she agrees. "What time?"

"Meet me at my apartment at eight, I'll send you the address."

She's about to propose an alternate location but he's already hung up. Ugh, well, guess she's going to his place then. She doesn't like that, wants it to be in public—given the risk—but then they couldn't discuss what they need to without privacy, so maybe this is better, if less safe for her.

Robin won't like it, she knows that. Not because he doesn't trust her, nothing like that, he's shown her time and again just how much he does—but because she is going to go alone without protection. It has to be her only though, he can't come along—it's far too risky.

Maybe she won't tell him, and will just go. No, she can't do that, not after everything. She owes it to him to tell him, to not sneak around, but she is going and going alone, that is final. He doesn't control this decision or her, but he's earned the right to be informed.

She means to tell him when she comes back out, but gets distracted by Jacinda and Lucy walking in. They are both dressed in all black, appropriately mournful, but neither looks distressed which she takes some comfort in. She knows they both had complicated relationships with Victoria and that her death can't have been easy on them. In some ways, it should be easier because they weren't close, but emotions are never that simple, she was still family and it will still hurt.

She locks eyes with Robin, they need to get Lucy alone, tell her that they are awake and he nods, clearly understanding what she's trying to tell him.

Jacinda takes a seat with Henry and she goes over to offer her condolences, asking if she can get her anything, and when the answer is no, she asks if she can borrow her daughter for a moment.

Lucy looks at her with wide eyes and follows her, but nothing is said until they are in the backroom, Robin closing the door behind them.

"How are you doing, sweetheart?" she asks first, knowing Lucy has been through a lot in the past few weeks. From having her belief destroyed, to fighting for her life, then learning her grandmother died. It was a traumatic time, and she needs to know that Lucy's okay.

"I'm okay, she wasn't a good Grandma… she kept trying to take me from my mom." Lucy looks down and Regina can tell she's not done, so waits her out, and sure enough, "She didn't love me. I was a little sad when I found out… but not really anymore. Is that bad?"

She wraps her arms around her, breathing, "Of course not," trying to rid Lucy of the guilt she doesn't need to be carrying. "Don't feel bad for not being sad."

Lucy hugs her back fiercely, then even more so when Regina whispers to her, "Lucy, I remember. I'm awake, I know I'm Henry's mom."

"You, you, you, you remember," her eyes are lit up and shining, her excitement flooding through the room.

She smiles down at her granddaughter and affirms, "I do."

"Who's he?" she whispers back pointing at Robin in a way that was probably supposed to be subtle but was not at all and has both her and Robin chuckling softly.

He answers her question, stepping forward and offering his hand, "Robin of Locksley, at your service."

It's that first greeting he gave Regina in their second-first meeting and it makes her smile, watching him turn the charm on to impress Lucy.

"Awesome. When this is over, will you teach me how to shoot a bow?"

Robin immediately agrees which has her shooting him a glare over Lucy's head. Lucy is so young, and archery is dangerous (and yes, she knows he taught Roland from age five, but so what?).

That determination is not his call and she warns, "Only if your parents agree."

Lucy turns back to her, "How did you remember? Can we get them to remember? Then they can break the curse."

She strokes her hair softly, "It's not that simple. Lucy, before the curse happened your father was poisoned. I have to fix that first, before we can think about breaking the curse. And… I don't think your parents can break the curse, but I don't want to take any chances, so I need your help."

Lucy nods eagerly, seemingly not upset, but she learns it's because Lucy has such faith in her (too much faith, she's not that good, but she cannot let this child down, not on this, not after everything she's been through). She explains what she needs, for Lucy to keep Henry and Jacinda apart. It seems like that's all they have been doing lately, keeping people apart, but it will all be worth it in the end (it had better be worth it in the end, but she can't let herself think about what could happen if they aren't successful).

Lucy seems happy to have something to do, to have people who believe her. Regina feels a twinge of guilt for her half-assed measures as Roni, how convinced she'd been that Lucy was wrong and her own efforts to stop Lucy's belief. There's nothing she can do about that now though, just has to focus on healing her son, saving him so Lucy can get both of her parents back. If she can't do that then she helped cast this curse, leading to all of this suffering, for nothing—and that just cannot happen.

It's a nice little reunion and it's shaken any dark cloud Lucy may have had. She will cling to this memory, of Lucy and Robin hugging for the first time, of them chatting together already thick as thieves. He deserves to have that with all of his family and she needs to make that happen for him—he has given up too much for it not to.

While this is lovely, they've been back here for a long time, and there is a bar to run, so reluctantly she suggests they go back. They do go back out, but not until they've come up with an operation name at Lucy's insistence. This time it's Operation Hyacinth, Lucy's idea, for the first flower Henry gave Jacinda.

Her bar hasn't fallen apart in their absence, which is good. She's surprised every day by the connection she still has to it, the drive she has to ensure Roni's does well—she shouldn't care about this place, it's not hers, but she does. It will go away once the curse ends and she's almost sad about that, not about losing the work, it's exhausting, but it was something to do, something to nurture and take pride in. She's missed that since Henry grew up, and she hadn't realized just how much.

She walks over to Henry and Jacinda, is about to apologize for taking Lucy away for so long, until she notices the distraught look on Jacinda's face.

"What's wrong?" she asks and they both startle a little.

"I got the bill for Lucy's stay in the hospital. With all that happened, losing my job, throwing everything into the food truck… I didn't have enough to pay the premiums. I thought it would be okay, I thought once we got off the ground…"

Fuck, fuck. This is just another reason this curse is far worse than the one cast in Storybrooke, everyone at least had healthcare then, even if it was still this stupid system they imported from this backward country they are in.

She can't help but ask, "How much?"

"Twenty-thousand dollars, I can't… I don't know what I'm going to do."

Fuck, she doesn't have that, doesn't have the ability to get even half that. There have to be options, but her mind is drawing blanks and she hates that she cannot do anything. She is part of the reason they are in this mess, she has to fix this.

"We will figure something out, okay? I promise." She has absolutely no idea how, but she'll be damned if Jacinda and Lucy suffer one more thing because of what she did to save Henry. She'll figure something out, she has to!


Regina is off to see Facilier, at his home no less, and he's stuck here, on edge and worried. He hates the position she put him in. He knew anything he could say against it might come off jealous, which was not it at all. He was and is worried about her damn safety and he knows her enough to know that is something she doesn't place nearly enough value on (or any at times much to his frustration).

He loves her with his entire being but she is so frustrating sometimes. He'd had to bite his tongue when she told him when she said she was going because he knows it was her decision and he didn't get a vote. He even understands why he couldn't go, but that doesn't mean she had to go alone. She's too damn careless with her own life and it scares the hell out of him. But he hadn't been able to put that into words, to explain it to her in a way that wouldn't start a fight, so he bit his tongue. He didn't ask much of anything about it, just asked her to be safe and careful, something he knows she's often not. She'd rolled her eyes at him, but he knows she'd appreciated the sentiment, and the fact that he didn't fight her on it.

It's a choice he now regrets because she's been gone for an hour with no communication at all and his mind is swimming with horrible possibilities. He is itching to call her, to hear her voice, to know that she's okay, but he's fairly certain she wouldn't answer given she didn't answer his text asking how things were going. In fact, he's sent her a couple since she left, all of which have gone unanswered and it makes him even more nervy.

He gets his answer as to why she hasn't answered when he finally breaks down and calls her some twenty minutes later. He hears a vibration and finds her phone, resting on the back of the bar beside a bottle of Grey Goose. He knows that was not intentional, she wouldn't do something that stupid, he hopes. No, it must have been an accident, she wouldn't do that to him, but god, it just makes him even more antsy. And of course, she didn't tell him where Facilier's was or he would be headed over there now.

He can do nothing but sit and wait for her, and it kills him. She better get back soon. He doesn't know how much more of this he can take, not that he has a choice.

He shoots some whiskey to settle his frazzled nerves and prays that all is going well.


She's having the worst fucking luck. She was already half way here and running late when she realized she'd left her phone, must have set it down somewhere at the bar after ordering the Uber. It's something she feels terrible about because she knows Robin will be worried, and probably out of his mind with it given where she's going. She's also a little worried she'll lose her cell phone for good depending on where she left it, but that's less concerning because she can't get in touch with Robin. She even had her Uber driver stop a couple blocks from Facilier's at a payphone she saw, (who knew those still existed, certainly not in Storybrooke) only to discover after she sent the driver off that the damn thing didn't work.

Robin didn't like that she was going, she knows that much, but he surprised her by not saying anything at all, not even offering to come, not that she would have accepted it. She could tell it bothered him, but he said nothing and she can't help but fear that is going to blow up in her face. This lack of communication is not going to help, but there's nothing she can do about it.

Her stop at the payphone and the subsequent walk over made her even later. Then when she finally got here, Facilier didn't answer the door right away and so she stood, unable to call him, wondering what the hell she should do if he doesn't answer.

It was when she'd finally decided to go back home, planning on flagging down a cab that he finally answered.

They'd played it coy for a while, but she quickly got sick of that, sick of the circling conversation so had taken a risk and said, "I know you are awake."

He'd smirked, said, "It's good to see you, Regina," and they'd gotten into it.

She hadn't learned much she didn't know before. He was surprisingly open about wanting the Dark One's power, but he must not realize her loyalty to Rumple, Facilier did only know them when they were mentor mentee, had listened to her bitch and gripe about Rumple enough times to know it was tumultuous. But Facilier missed everything that happened post-curse, and he never truly understood their relationship to begin with. Even when she hated Rumple, (which was often) even when he was foiling her plans and she was manipulating Belle to mess with him, she never would have actually sided against him, especially not for someone else's aim.

It's one of the many reasons why she and Facilier would never have worked. He doesn't get her, he thinks he does, but he's proven time and again that's not true. He has this flawed idea of who she is and what drives her, he shapes what she does to fit his narrative rather than getting to know the actual her. Maybe if he had she would have fallen for him too, after all, she was desperate for someone to connect with, for some to see and accept her, not the her they wanted her to be. The only person she had that with was Mal, but she'd fought it, just like she fought Tink's efforts to bring her happiness. She was never good at going after what she actually needs, but things have changed, and that's exactly what she's doing now.

She's here to find out if he has magic, if he can get her magic, and that's all. She knows Facilier must want something from her, and as long as it isn't giving him the power of the Dark One she'll do it. Anything is worth it if it gets her magic and the ability to cure her son.

Before they get to that though, she asks him, "Did you kill Victoria?"

His answer is maddeningly vague, and she remembers she has to be precise and unambiguous if she wants to get a straight answer from him, if she gives him any ability to avoid or twist the question he will.

So she tries again, "Did you have a hand in Victoria's death?"

"No."

That surprises her but there's something in his eyes that tells her there's more.

"Do you know who did?"

"I do."

For once could he not just be forthcoming? This is infuriating. "Who was it?"

"What are you willing to give me for that information?"

Oh for god's sake, why is she even here? This is useless, an exercise in frustration. She's going to go, he's not going to help her. She should have known better.

She starts to retreat but he stops her. "Regina, don't be like that, you used to like my games."

He's reaching with that, she used to tolerate them, was playing her own games so she couldn't begrudge him his, but she never enjoyed them.

"Well things have changed," she snips at him, and he raises his brows.

"Apparently. But you have to know the answer you seek already, if not me, who else?"

Gothel, it has to be. He's right, she did know that (or close to) as soon as he confirmed it wasn't him but he doesn't have to be such an ass about it. She scowls at his smug expression and says nothing, an arch of her brow daring him to get on with it.

"I'll be taking care of Mother Gothel, don't you worry."

That's ominous, but she wants Gothel gone so she's not going to interfere, will even help if that's what he wants of her.

"Why? What do you want from Gothel?"

"The girl."

Anastasia, that must mean Gothel has her. So their aims are opposed then. She should have known better than to hope this would be easy, that's not how the world works for her.

"And what do you want with Anastasia?"

"Same as you, her magic of course."

If he gets her magic while Rumple is powerless, that would be disastrous. She has to get it first, or rather, get the girl to help her, no taking of her power required. It would be easier if she just took the power for herself, but she's not that person anymore and it's not as though she has something to put it in anyway.

That is apparently Facilier's problem too and he wants her help to find any magical object that could store Anastasia's power. He offers to cure Henry for her and to settle Jacinda's hospital bill for her in exchange and so she agrees, even though she's going to do her best to get to Anastasia first and ensure he never gets close.

They shake on the deal and the feel of his hand gripped in hers sends a shiver down her spine, making a deal with Facilier is never a good idea, especially when she's going to break it, but she doesn't have another option, so she seals her fate.

Facilier calls and settles Jacinda's bill when she's still there, a gesture of good faith that makes her antsy. There's a wanting in his eyes that makes her uncomfortable—but she has no doubt it's why he's being so generous, and she doesn't want to lose his favour by showing he has no chance. So she ignores the urge to avoid his gaze and to rush out, forces herself to sit and finish the drink he's just topped off. He's being good and she cannot rouse his suspicions.

Once she finishes that drink, she goes to leave, which she can tell he is not a fan of, but doesn't care. He invites her to stay but she declines, which he expresses his disappointment in, but doesn't push, thank god. He even gets her a cab when she asks to use his phone, and soon she's on her way back to the bar.

When she checks the clock in the cab she realizes she was gone even longer than she thought. It's been three and half hours since she left the bar and she's sure Robin is worried sick. She should have called him from Facilier's phone, to tell him she was okay. But it would have been an awkward conversation to have and she's trying not to alert Facilier to the fact that she has a boyfriend and he has no shot. It's too late to call Robin now, but she feels guilty and hopes like hell he isn't mad, that he's realized she left her phone and she isn't ignoring him.

Things are winding down at the bar when she arrives, a couple of people at the corner table and two people at the bar. It's a Wednesday so though they close at midnight it's never a hopping place after the dinner rush like it can be on the weekends. It's just Robin running the bar and he looks frazzled, so concentrated on the drink he's pouring that he doesn't see her at first, but when he does, his face evens out. He doesn't seem mad which she takes as a good sign. When she gets closer, he's given the customer their pint and holds up her phone for her.

It wasn't stolen then, that's good. She smiles as she takes it from him and he gives her a tight grin in response that sends off warning bells in her head. If there weren't people at the bar she would have yelled her apologies as she entered, but there were, so she couldn't, or thought against it, but it's starting to seem like the wrong call.

"I'm sorry," she tells him as he starts to pull another pint, which he acknowledges with a grunt.

It's only once he goes over to the table and comes back that he really acknowledges her, "I was worried sick, you know."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"I know it's not your fault but…"

He lets it hang between them and she knows it's not about her (or not all about her actions). The annoyance comes from his inability to contact her, to know she was safe. She'd feel the same if their positions were reversed, probably would have worked herself up into a good panic over losing him again and devolved into tears so really he's doing a lot better than she would have.

She'll take the annoyance, she's earned it, but she does give him a quick hug and soft peck to his cheek, a reassurance she is here and fine.

She'd like to go discuss what happened, to do more to soothe him, but the other bartender must be on break. Who was even on tonight? She doesn't remember seeing them before she left.

"Alex no-showed, by the way."

That answers that, and shit, that means Robin would have been stuck alone after Remy left at seven, no wonder his mood is shot; she's done those nights alone and it sucks. Even if it's not that busy you can't take a break, have no time to eat, have to carefully plan an exit to the bathroom, which sometimes isn't even possible.

She gets the low down on their current customers, then suggests he take a break, and it seems to do wonders, because when he comes back half an hour later he seems lighter, there's still a bit of tension there, though it's nothing like before.

He waits until they've locked up, walking back toward the bar from the door to ask her, "So how did it go?"

"Better than I thought. He wanted my help with something and—"

"And you said no, right?"

She whips her head toward him to find him glowering. Shit, he's not going to be happy about this. Her face must say it all because he grumbles, "You made a deal with him? Seriously?"

That rubs her the wrong way, has her stopping in her tracks as he continues on to the bar. He hasn't even let her explain and is already mad, and that's not okay. "What is the problem here? That I made a deal or that it's with him?"

He's reached the bar but turns back toward her his ill-will radiating off of him, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't you trust me?" She regrets the words as soon as they are out of her mouth because his eyes are flashing and she knows he does, he's proven it time and again. Fuck, this is going to be bad, she should not have said that.

"Are you fucking kidding me? It's not like that at all. How can you even fucking ask me that? After everything."

She rushes out an, "I'm sorry," not wanting to cut him off but desperately wanting to get it out because she is, it was a stupid thing to say, and she regrets it, so much.

"No, keep going, tell me what you really think. Or hell, I'll go first, do you know how stupid it was to go there alone? Yeah, it all worked out but what if it didn't? You are the only one who can save us; you can't be so damn careless with your life. You can't fix this if you are dead, so for god's sake stop thinking you are expendable. You are not!"

It's an odd moment, because he's yelling at her, his tone harsh, his hand fisting on the bar top visibly agitated, but his words are sweet. "You matter to so many people; I love you, Henry loves you, Lucy loves you. Don't you get it? We cannot lose you! I did not sacrifice twenty years with my children for you to go off taking unnecessary risks, do you hear me?"

She nods, trying to find the right words, finally settling on, "I do," because she needs to say something.

"I love you so much, but I am pissed at you right now."

She steps toward him cautiously, "I know, and I'm sorry. Please know, I didn't mean that, I don't know why—"

He sighs, a bit of the frustration melting off of him, his posture softening. "You attack when you get defensive. I do know you, Regina, I know how you operate. It hurt but I know you didn't mean it. God, I was just so frustrated and worried and I had no idea if you were even alive anymore. It was torture. And it's not like I could run off and find you because you didn't tell me where he lives, and I was stuck here short-staffed with grumpy and rude customers."

He seems to run out of steam then, and she comes closer as he sags against the bar top, and says, "I had a really shitty night."

She wraps her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug as she strokes his back, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had such a rough night and that most of it was because of me. I will check for my phone before I leave from now on, I promise you. I will not leave you hanging. I love you."

He smiles softly down at her. "I love you, too." He sighs then, and admits, "Still a bit pissed to be honest, but it will pass."

They are standing right next to the bar, in front of it, the spot where no chairs are in the way and it gives her an idea. It's after hours, all of her staff have left, it's just them, and Robin needs to work off the tension.

She pushes up onto her tiptoes, lets her lips hover over his ear as she rasps, "Why don't you work off all that frustration by fucking me on this bar?"

It's not something she ever thought about before, but now that she has, she needs it to happen, and if not tonight, some other time. It's a deliciously naughty fantasy and one she is not going to be able to get out of her head.

Robin's eyes widen and he grins at her, then makes her yelp as he hoists her up, turns them and plants her on the bar top. His lips claim hers almost violently, his hands all over her, nails biting. She feels herself shiver with anticipation over what's to come, feels the initial stirrings of arousal low down. All of their couplings since he got back have been soft and loving, at times desperate but still gentle, and this is nothing like that. It's rough in the best of ways, and she finds herself biting back a moan as his teeth sink into her neck.

She tugs at his shirt, gets it off and admires the hard plains of his chest. It's an admiration that's cut off when he strips off her shirt, whipping it behind him so hard it lands halfway across the room, which might be funny if he weren't blowing her mind with how hot this all is. She spies a shadow out the window through their refections and wonders if that person can see them—highly unlikely but still, it makes her pulse race, that thrill over the fact that they could be seen, that they could get caught, which is adding to the moment, making it even more erotic.

It all feels amazing, the way he's attacking her neck, her lips, her skin. She tries to give it back but he grabs her hands, pins them behind her on the bar, and oh god.

He somehow manages to get her bra off with one hand, a skill he's definitely honed since he came back, because Robin was never good at bras before. His left hand is still holding down her wrist and she loves it, loves that she has no control of this and is completely surrendered to his wills. She trusts him openly, completely, and it's what makes being entirely at his whims so damn hot.

He's incredibly attractive right now, all riled up and passionate, taking out his frustrations on her body. All she can do is watch, and watch she does. Right up until the moment his mouth covers her nipple, sucking firmly in a way that sends pleasure shooting down into her belly. Her head tips back, eyes closing as he continues the tantalizing sensation, drawing it out, then switching to the other side.

He releases her hands but commands her to keep them back on the bar, which makes her moan, she loves when he's in control and does as he says, delighting in the rush it gives her. All the while he is kissing down her belly as his hands' fiddle with her jeans.

Once he has her jeans off, he removes her underwear, undoing his own fly, letting his jeans fall down his hips and his prominent erection spring out. God, he's loving this just as much as she is. She needs him naked, and inside her, needs it so badly it's almost insane.

But he has other plans, kneels down and starts to trail kisses up her thighs as she writhes and moans, ensuring that she keeps her hands locked in place where he wanted. As his lips slide up sensitive skin, she throbs in anticipation, throaty sounds of appreciation falling from her lips. She knows he likes to hear her, so she makes sure he knows just how good he's making her feel.

Her sex is aching for attention now, she needs him, or his tongue, needs some sort of pressure against her now throbbing clit. This is so damn hot, him taking her roughly on the bar, she does not need any kind of extended foreplay, this is more than enough.

Thankfully he seems to agree, his fingers ghost over her wetness, moaning softly in a way that makes her clench as he does, then he's standing, pushing down his boxers and stepping out of both them and his pants. She longs to grab that fine ass she can sort of see reflected in the window, but then he's kissing her and guiding his cock against her, rubbing it over her clit and making her pant with anticipation.

She's longing for that moment when he sinks into her, she's plenty wet, plenty riled up from this rough, desperate foreplay. She needs him, doesn't he know that? He's still continuing that delectable torment with his cock oh so close to where she needs it when the kiss breaks, so she opens her eyes, looks down at what he's doing and can't help but gasp, which draws a smirk from him.

"You like that, love?" he asks in a low, needy tone that just makes her want him even more.

"Yes, but, mmm, need you."

He lines himself up perfectly so all it will take is the smallest of movement and he'll be inside her, then stops to tease, "You want my cock in you?"

"Fuck, yes." He doesn't move and so she resorts to, "Please, Robin, I need it."

With that, he sinks inside her and they both moan at the exquisite sensation.

She hasn't moved her hands yet, is being good, but she wants to, "Can I—mmm—move my hands now?"

He shakes his head no and she groans, which turns into a moan when he shifts while fully inside her and presses up against her g-spot.

"There?" he asks as he does a testing thrust, and oh god, yes, that's it.

She's not sure whether she said it or he just knows from her expression, but he keeps that delicious angle, and she's crying out as heat floods her at his every thrust. He takes her hard and fast, fingers gripping at her hips as he pounds into her again and again. The heat is building inside of her, and she's loud, too loud, but no one's here and he's fucking her on the bar, and good god it's fantastic.

He shifts, knocks against her more firmly, and oh fuck, that's it. Her eyes squeeze shut and everything tightens. She feels her breath pick up, her legs start to shake and she can't stop it, can't do anything but moan and writhe under the onslaught. It's good, so good, and she tells him so, begs him to go faster and harder which he does, making hot tension in her belly increase even more.

She needs to come. Needs it so badly and this is heavenly, but also not enough because there's this tension, that torsion of heat inside her that's begging to be set free. This isn't enough to set it free, but it's so damn good, she almost doesn't want to, except that she's so fucking tense it needs to. She has to release it, she can't take much more.

"My… mmm—my clit, please."

"Do it, darling, get yourself off for me."

He slows a bit so she can and she wedges a hand between them, rubs circles against the aching nub and tremours, crying out at the harsher influx of pressure. Then he goes fast again, and her mouth falls open on a broken scream. Just when she thinks the tension can't possibly wind any tighter, it does, then explodes out in a rush of heat and bliss that has her twitching and moaning as she rides out her orgasm. The sensation overwhelms her, relief flooding her veins as she relaxes in his hold, her hand falling away, while he winds up.

He's panting now, gasping broken words of pleasure as he rams into her. She rakes her nails down his back—had moved her hands during orgasm without complaint so figures it's fair game. Then she attacks his neck, giving him the same bruising kisses there that he'd given her, knowing that he loves a rougher touch, especially when he's close to coming.

"Fuck, love, close," he grunts, looking sexy as sin as he does so, his eyes fixed where he's pumping in and out of her.

"I want it. Come for me, I want to feel it. Let go."

He looks up at her, devours her mouth as he keeps up the swift pace, then stiffens, breaks away from the kiss and moans as he spills inside her.

He sags against her, his hands rest on the bar to hold his weight up, and his mouth finds hers for a soft, seeking kiss.

"Wow… that was…" she lets the words hang, doesn't have to fill them in, she can tell he knows and agrees.

He kisses her and she pops herself off of the bar, rolling her wrists after a moment which makes him grimace.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize."

She stops him, waggling her finger at him. "Don't be, it was amazing."

He smirks, "God, was it ever. And that was… I'm not mad anymore, so thank you."

"Considering I'm the one that made you mad, I don't think you need to thank me."

He chuckles, "Perhaps not, but I love you, so much."

She beams back at him. "I love you, too. Now let's go to bed."


Things are getting easier for him at the bar. He's getting good, turns out he has a knack for this, and it shouldn't really be surprising because he used to charm his way in places to scope them out before he robbed them. He's always been good at reading people, knowing when to keep going and when to pull back.

It's given Regina time to go off and investigate, not that it's done her much good so far, but he's confident she'll figure something out.

He's gotten to know most of the regulars, met not-his-Hook, Rogers, the other day, but has yet to meet Rumplestiltskin, Weaver here, who has fallen off the radar much to Regina's dismay. While it is concerning, Robin thinks it's far more likely he is protecting himself from Facilier than fallen victim to him.

Robin knows the regulars, the menu, and the staff's strengths and weaknesses. He knows how to work with them all.

Today though the other bar staff are off and he's working with his favourite person by far, the boss, the love of his life.

She's stunning today, every day really, but especially today in those high waisted tight jeans and that black print t-shirt, and open shirt over top of it. Even though it's more clothes, something about the layers makes him want her even more, and her hair in those sexy waves he can't seem to keep his hands out of.

When she smiles over at him, offering an adorable almost wink, his belly warms, god he loves her, every inch. He's so stupidly in love with her, just a soft smile can make his whole day. When she's like this, happy and flirty, it's incredible. This is what he wanted, this is what he waited so long for, to have moments like this with his love. Now that he's back, he doesn't take a single moment for granted. Things aren't perfect, nowhere near, but he doesn't focus on the bad, Regina does more than enough of that for the both of them. He focuses on the good, what he does have, which is time with the woman he loves.

They aren't too busy right now, he has a table of older ladies that come in twice a week for an early lunch or an early dinner who love him. He turns on the charm, asks them about their grandkids and they eat it up. Regina actively encouraged him to flirt with them that first day, and boy did it ever work. He thinks she might get more of a kick out of it than they do. He sees her watching him as he tops off Lorna's decaf and offers Bonnie a second glass even though he knows she'll say no. Mary has a story, so he turns his focus to her, listens to her tale and laughs at the appropriate moments even though it's not that funny.

When he comes back to the bar, Regina gestures over to the corner booth on the other side, and tells him, "Remember Lucy's fake dad? That's him."

He hadn't looked over, but now he does and his heart stops.

It's Roland. His son is here, and Robin is frozen, can't move, doesn't know what to do. Relief and grief and all these conflicting emotions race through him, and he doesn't know how long he stands there gaping. Everything is tuned out, he can't hear anything, and all he can see is Roland. His son.

He's here, he's safe, and the relief outweighs everything else swirling. My god, he can talk to his son. It won't be the same but it's even more than he let himself hope for.

Roland is here.

Roland is alive.

Roland is safe.

Roland is here, has been here, this whole time. He starts to regain his other senses and hears Regina's voice, "Robin, Robin."

He doesn't turn to look at her, can't take his eyes off of his son, and when he opens his mouth, all that comes out is, "Roland."

"That's Roland?" she gasps, and he nods, finally turning his attention away from his son for a second to catch Regina floundering.

"But he's… and he… Oh my god, Roland hit on me. No, no, no, no."

He's so aghast and maybe it shouldn't be funny, but he finds it fucking hilarious, devolves into a fit of snickers as she whaps him on the arm, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment which only makes him laugh harder.

This curse really is something. Roland the womanizer, who hits on everyone including bartenders that happen to be his dad's soulmate, god, it's too much. This is too funny.

When he finally controls the giggles—after two false starts where he thought he was okay then thought of it and lost it all over again—he realizes what a gift he's been given.

His daughter is coming back next week and his son is here. His whole family will be together in one place for the first time in twenty years. He's so damn happy. This is all he ever wanted. Yes, they aren't awake yet, don't know who they truly are, but he can talk to them, and that's enough for him for now.

With that, he makes his way over to Roland, smiles at his boy and says, "Hi, I'm Robin. What can I get you?"