They can't both leave the bar. They are the only two bartenders working and the only person they could call is out on a date Robin encouraged. Unless they close the place down only one of them can go to try and convince Drizella. While they could wait until after close, she can't imagine that would curry Drizella's favour.

It has to be her.

Robin must already know that, Drizella's never really met him—just a single passing encounter at the bar when he was pretending to be an unknowing employee. Regina shouldn't be hesitant to suggest it, he has to know it's the right call.

It's just ever since they found Roland he's been feeling like he doesn't contribute—which is not true at all, but she doesn't want to add to that feeling.

Robin supports her and it's not the misogynist bullshit other people have to deal with, it's not that a woman is doing all the work—they wouldn't be together if he had an issue with that. He wants her to be the best she can be, and he recognizes that she has a skill set he does not and defers to her expertise, he just hates sitting on the sideline and waiting. She gets it, she really does, she feels like she's barely done anything and it's frustrating as hell.

But they are finally getting somewhere and if all goes well their family will be back together and safe, and that is all that matters.

She gears herself up for the potentially unpleasant conversation as she serves her customers only to have Robin acknowledge what needs to happen before she can.

"You need to go, love," he whispers when they are both at the taps, "I can handle this. Go get her, then let's go get our family back."

He's… god, she loves him so much, deeply, with her whole soul. It takes her breath away sometimes, the depth of all she feels for this wonderful man.

Love and support was something that was in short supply before she met him, and he gives it to her in spades. She knows that this is how it's supposed to be, but she lived for so long as a lonely queen, then as a lonely mayor, then was cursed as Roni who had no one.

The periods in her life with people in her corner have been few and far between, the periods with a partner she loved, even fewer.

After Robin died she had her friends, and her family, but once her son left she felt so alone. She missed this, having a partner, someone on and by her side all the time.

She never wants to give this up, but she knows what she has to do to save her son. It's that thought that propels her to lean in and claim his open lips for the quickest of pecks, needing to show her affection for him. Needing to soak up the affection and attention while she still can.

They don't have much time left.


She's not ready, all she wants is to run back to the bar and fall into Robin's arms and stay there forever, but that is selfish. She doesn't know why it's hitting her so hard now, she's known what she had to do for a while, but it's real now. More than all that she wants her family back together, and she focuses on that as she knocks on Drizella's door.

Drizella's brows raise as she takes in who is at her door, "Regina… what are you doing here?"

"I need your help," is what she tells Drizella, though it pains her to admit. If she had any other choice she wouldn't side with Drizella, but she sees a lot of herself in Drizella and she is trying to give her the faith Snow once gave to her. Regina's a hero now, or tries to be, and she's following the best example she knows. If Snow could trust her after everything she did to her, Regina can at least try to trust Drizella.

She still hates Drizella for what she did to Henry, can't imagine that will ever change, but she knows how desperate a person has to be to cast a curse, how all that pain can manifest in the worst of ways and drive you to do things you never thought yourself capable of. When you act like that, driving away everyone who cares about you because you think they don't or can't, the person you hurt the most is yourself. A curse that takes away everyone's memories and happiness may seem like the perfect solution, but making other people miserable will never make you happy. It's a lesson she tried to bestow Drizella back in the Enchanted Forest, but she was too far into the darkness already, too caught up in Gothel's web to see the truth in what Regina was telling her. And so history repeated itself.

This had better be the end of that cycle.

"You want my help, my my, what a change of heart," Drizella's smiling like she's enjoying this, but it's not convincing, not to her anyway. Regina sees past the put on expression to the guilt-ridden and grieving young woman.

Henry had been right, she is trying to turn over a leaf, or at the very least, she's remorseful.

So Regina resists the sass as best she can. "I had thought that you had a change of heart as well after your mother's passing, but perhaps I was misinformed."

Drizella's expression falters for a second, but then the mask is back on, her voice coming out smooth and polished. "Does it really matter? I know you hate me and you wouldn't be here if you had other options, so why don't you stop wasting our time and tell me why you are here."

If that's how Drizella wants to play it that's fine with her. "I know where your sister is but I need your help to get her on our side."

Drizella's brows arch and her eyes widen. "If you think I am going to cross Gothel, you're insane."

"She's not with Gothel anymore."

"She's not… Ana's free?"

There it is, her eyes have lit up and though she's trying to hide it, Regina can see that she cares about what happens to her sister, and that bodes well.

"Not exactly free, Facilier has her. She needs you, needs someone familiar to undo whatever web of lies Gothel has planted in her head. You are the only family she has left who's awake. Don't do it for me, do it for her."

Drizella's face doesn't change, is still painted with a casual disinterest Regina knows is fake. "What exactly do you want me to do?"

"Come with us when we break her out of there."

"And you think, what? If I'm there she'll come with you? Gothel poisoned her against me, she knows that this curse is my doing, that mother's death is my fault. I tried to steal her magic, why would she ever come with me?"

Regina takes a chance, "Because you love her."

Drizella rolls her eyes, "She doesn't see it that way."

"Then make her see, because you are the only chance we have. And if you were really serious about turning over a new leaf this is how you can start, by starting to undo this mess you created."

"I think you are putting your faith in the wrong person, but I'll try."

She fights the urge to roll her eyes at the defeatist attitude (and yes, she is aware of the irony of that given how she can be at times). "Thank you."

Drizella shrugs off Regina's thanks. "So when are we doing this?"

"To be determined. We have to lure Facilier out of his place without rousing his suspicion. Or strike when he's out." In truth, she hasn't thought enough about the details and she should have. She's been caught up in other things, in savouring Robin and now this is all happening too fast. She just needs a minute to get it together. "You let me worry about that, but soon, so keep your phone on you and answer when I call."

Drizella scoffs, "I don't know if you've noticed but like most of my generation, I'm pretty glued to my phone, so that won't be an issue."

Regina could really do without the attitude, but she just smiles (albeit with faux warmth) and again thanks Drizella for helping before she heads back home.

She texts Robin to tell him Drizella is on board and tries to let his overly complimentary response bolster her as she travels back, though she only really succeeds in thinking about how unfair this all is.


Regina's lured Facilier out under false guises. As much as he hated suggesting it, he knew the man would jump at the chance to go out with Regina and they needed some way to ensure Facilier was out of the house.

So Regina's having lunch with him, something Robin knows she would have done without a thought if he wasn't here, but hadn't even suggested it despite it being the obvious solution. He loves her for trying to spare his feelings, but though he cannot stand that man, he's not jealous. He trusts her completely, had told her that, and she beamed assuring him that she knew, but also wanted to find another way.

There was no other way though, not unless they wanted to stake out his place and wait for him to leave and they don't have the time or patience for that. They need to get their family back, to escape the hellhole that is this curse.

It's odd though because Regina was once as antsy as he is to bring this all together, but now she seems apprehensive and isn't stalling, but doesn't have the sense of urgency he expected.

He was chalking it up to her pessimism but he's beginning to think that there is more to it and there's something she's not telling him.

That's not something he can focus on now though, he has a job to do.

Breaking in to Facilier's the second time is even easier than the first, he'd had to fiddle with the lock a lot the first time before it clicked, but this time he's able to do it in seconds. He must have broken the mechanism the first time because that was too easy.

Once they are in it isn't hard at all to find Anastasia. He scoured this apartment before so he knows she can't be downstairs, so they make their way up the wrought iron staircase toward the bedrooms.

Facilier has her locked in the back bedroom. The doorknob is too easy to unlock, just a push button that's clearly supposed to be on the other side so the inhabitants can lock people out not in. He tries to remember if it was like that the last time he was here, thinking he would have noticed that, but he can't recall either way.

The poor girl cowers for a moment when they enter, and he aches for her and for all she's been through. She woke up after years in a new land and has been used as a pawn ever since.

She's so young, and while he knew her age, it strikes him harder seeing her now. She's looking at him apprehensively in this resigned way that breaks his heart. She thinks he's here to take her away as his prisoner.

Before he can say anything, Ivy slips in behind him and he watches as Anastasia's eyes widen.

"Drizella?"

She cowers further as Ivy steps closer. "It's me, Ana. I'm so happy to see you. I've been trying to find you."

This isn't the happy sisterly reunion he was hoping for because Anastasia hisses, "What do you want?"

There's something on her wrists, at first he thought her hands were tied but it's bracelets of some sort. Magic dampers he'd bet; if she had her magic he's sure she'd have used it to escape by now.

Ivy is pleading with her sister, "I needed to see you, to talk to you. I've done terrible things. I think I did them because I was afraid. I got so lost, Ana. Again. And, I need you. We need you."

Anastasia doesn't move, just glares at her sister. Shit.

Ivy steps forward. "Ana, please talk to me."

"There's nothing left to say. You don't care about me. You never have."

He's getting antsy now, they have time, the do, Regina is keeping Facilier busy, but he would really rather they take this anywhere other than here. Lingering at the scene of a break-in is just asking for trouble. But Anastasia doesn't know him, Ivy is their best shot (or should be) and he can't rush this.

Ivy reaches for Anastasia who recoils away. "That's not true! I loved you more than anyone. Gothel convinced me that you could be replaced, but she was wrong. She tricked me. And she tricked you, too. I've done some horrible things because she pushed me to do them, all to force us to this very moment."

Anastasia's eyes narrow. "Why should I believe anything you have to say?"

"Because you were always the one bright light that guided me home. And Gothel realized to get your power, she had to break the bond between us."

"How do I know this isn't another one of your tricks?"

"You can't, you just have to trust me. I love you, and I've been a horrible sister. I'm sorry that I didn't realize this before, but... I need you."

He waits with bated breath for Anastasia's response and, bless her, she throws her arms around Ivy and breathes, "All I ever wanted was for us to be home together."

It's sweet and he wants them to have this moment but they really need to go. He starts to pace, can't help it.

They are still locked in a tight embrace as Ivy says, "Me too, Ana. Me too. So, let's go."

Thank god, they need to get out of here.

Anastasia sends a hesitant look his way and he steps toward her, extending a hand, "Robin of Locksley at your service. We've not yet had the pleasure of meeting, but I have heard so many wonderful things about you."

She takes his hand and shakes it firmly. "I'm Ana. Why are you helping me? What do I have to do for you? What do you need from me?

This poor girl, she's the hot commodity here, and he hates that everyone—and that includes them—is trying to use her, or more accurately her power.

"If you don't mind, I can explain that all once we've gotten out of here."

She nods, and they all scurry out, careful not to leave too many traces. Facilier will know someone was there, Ana is gone, but their hope is that he'll go to Gothel first.

They just need to get to safety, then they can enact the last part of this plan.


They meet up with Regina at Ivy's place, probably not the best location but given that Regina had been the one distracting Facilier they figured the bar would be the second place he looked once he realized it wasn't Gothel.

Robin's still a little worried Ivy is going to double-cross them, but her heartfelt reunion with her sister was too real to be put on, and that has to mean something.

On the way over, he'd given Ana a summary of their situation, from his death and return to the curse. It hadn't endeared her much to her sister, but it did elicit a promise she will do whatever she can to undo the damage Ivy caused with her curse.

She was horrified to learn all that the curse entails and how Henry's life hangs in the balance. She offered Robin comfort as he explained how long they've waited to be a family.

She wanted to help them. She's a good and pure soul, has this aura of warmth and comfort radiating off of her now that they've freed her.

It's no wonder she was so well-loved. It doesn't excuse Victoria's behaviour but he understands why she couldn't let her go.

Losing a child is a terrible thing. In some ways, he feels like he has lost his, that Roland was lost to him forever when he died, but he has to believe that his son will embrace him when the curse is broken.

Anything else would kill him.

Regina arrived shortly after they did and got to work right away. She and Ana got along splendidly and the first thing she did was remove Ana's bracelets, allowing her magic to flow freely through her veins.

According to Regina, the dampers were enchanted so the wearer couldn't remove them, but anyone else could. And because Ana was imprisoned alone she had no way to be free of them.

That only served to remind him that they need to get Ana somewhere safer, somehow. She is in constant danger here as the only person with magic.

That's what he's thinking about as Regina teaches Ana some magical basics. She's trying to teach her protection spells, clearly on the same page as him about the danger she's in, but it's not working.

Ana has so much raw power but no training and while Regina is an incredible teacher, it's not enough.

After the tenth or so failed attempt Ana turns to Regina and offers up a new solution. "You said the necklace could give you some of my power, could it give you all of it?"

That's… a very good question, one he didn't think about.

Regina takes an unusually long time to respond but he realizes why when he hears her response. "Yes, but with that, there's the risk you lose your magic forever. You'd have to wear it to use your magic, if it were stolen or broken that would be it—you would never get it back."

Ana doesn't seem to care about that. "Then so be it. I didn't know I had magic before I woke up here. It's caused me nothing but trouble ever since."

Regina hesitates, he can see a glimmer of hope in her eyes but she's apprehensive. "I couldn't—it wouldn't feel right. You might not think you'll miss it, but it's a part of you."

"Then you can give the necklace back when you've broken the curse."

"But if it falls into the wrong hands I can't protect you."

Ivy pipes up then, "I may have a solution to that. Ana and I could go home."

There are simultaneous how's from him and Regina, while Ana states, "But Gothel said that there was no way."

"I found one. A magic bean. It opens a door to our realm. It just needs your magic to enchant it."

Well, that's the way to do it. There is no chance of her being further harmed if they leave the realm. This way Ana is safe for sure. For a second he thinks that they should send Lucy with them too, but how would they explain that to Jacinda and Henry?

A look at Regina tells him she's not entirely happy with this plan, but she's not protesting so she clearly knows it's for the best.

Ivy turns to Regina, "I'm sorry, I never should have left you at the tower all those years ago."

He imagines for a second how different things would be if Ivy had accepted Regina's guidance all those years ago. They'd all be together and happy, not a care in the world, he would have Roland and…

He feels the rage and regrets swimming up his stomach and he pushes it all down, reminds himself that they are so close to a solution and he just needs to be patient. He waited twenty years, he can wait one more day.

Regina lets out a sardonic little laugh, "Yeah, well, I know a little something about being a difficult student."

He's proud of her for that, he knows more than anything she'd like to tear Ivy a new one, but she's taking the higher road, giving Ivy the grace she was once given. Regina had of course cleaned up her own messes, but Ivy can't do that. Someone has to go with Ana back to their realm.

Ivy goes on, "All those lessons about family and love, I thought they would weaken my magic. But I get it now. That's where the strongest magic comes from. And I know I'm leaving behind a big mess, and I cast the curse. And you're probably angry with me—"

Oh, that was a bad call.

Regina interrupts with a huff. "Angry? You tried to kill my son. Angry is quite the understatement. But I also know that you didn't do this alone. Gothel manipulated you…" Just as Rumple did you, Robin adds on in his head as Regina continues, "And if Gothel's after your sister, the sooner she's safe and out of reach, the better it is for all of us. So…"

Regina pauses and sighs, "Go. We're gonna be okay. Trust me. We've broken curses before. We won't stop fighting until we break this one."

For a moment Ivy looks incredibly young, more vulnerable than he's ever seen her as she asks, "So, do you forgive me?"

He cannot imagine the answer is yes and sure enough, Regina chuckles, "Mm, let's just say I understand you."

In a shocking move, she takes Ivy's hands in hers, "My gift to you, is what I always wanted. Someone to believe I can change."

There are tears in Ivy's eyes as she breathes, "Thank you."

Regina turns back to Ana. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Ana nods and holds out her hands, "Please. Show me how to do it."

They start with the bean, and after a couple of attempts, Ana gets it going, infuses it with enough magic to take them out of there.

Then they turn to the necklace, and Ana gets it on the first try.

It's eerie to watch, pure white wisps flow out of her into the necklace. He knows magic manifests in different colours for different people, but he's never seen such pure white light from someone. It's really pretty as it flows out of her, then when it's done the necklace is vibrant and glowing, that same bright white radiating off of it. It's mesmerizing in its purity, but he pulls his eyes from it to look at Regina.

She's even more beautiful than it, but she hesitates as she takes it, her eyes flashing with pain for a split second.

There is something going on with her, and he's going to get to the bottom of it, as soon as they finish up with this.

They wait for the cover of darkness, then take Ivy and Ana to a deserted alley close to the bar. While they could chance using the bean indoors, Regina was afraid it might cause some damage, and that could alert their enemies.

So they are doing it in a sketchy back alley. He wonders if it's a bad omen to be doing it here, but it all goes off without a hitch, and Ana and Ivy cross into the other realm hand in hand.

Regina smiles softly as the portal disappears, the necklace still clasped in her hand.

"May I?" he asks, and when she passes him the necklace he has this momentary fear of dropping and shattering it. Fuck, that would be… he's not even going to think about it. That's just asking for trouble.

Instead, he circles around behind her, and clasps the necklace in place, dropping a kiss into her hair before taking her hand in his and leading her back toward the bar.

She tucked the necklace into her t-shirt and it's somehow hiding it entirely. Maybe he stares a little too long at her chest trying to find the outline of it, but he doubts she minds.

They walk for a few minutes in comfortable silence before he asks what's been bothering him.

"Love, why aren't you happy right now? We are so close to getting our family back."

She's deliberately not looking at him. "It's just…"

"Just what, love?" he prods, his hand squeezing hers tightly.

She shrugs off his hand, for a second but seems to regret it and grabs for him again before whispering, "The poison, it has to be transferred to someone…"

Ah, so it's murder that has her down, that he can understand. He almost doesn't believe what flows out of his mouth, but it is him who comments, "There are plenty of villains to choose from here."

"Robin," she hisses, "we're not going to murder someone. And besides, it has to be taken willingly."

Realization crashes over him and now he is the one dropping her hand, stopping in the street aghast. "Willingly? So you mean for you to take it?"

She stops too, turning toward him and nodding.

The words rush out of him without him thinking, "You cannot be serious. No, I refuse."

"Robin, please, it's the only way."

"How can you say that?" He is really trying not to yell but for god's sake. "We haven't bloody tried anything else yet. There has to be another way."

She throws her hands up—she's getting agitated now, and good. What did she think he was going to do? Sit back and say yeah sacrifice yourself, it's fine? It's cool, I don't care if the love of my life dies? Come on.

"There isn't another way."

He might believe that if he didn't know her as well as he does. "Did you even look for another way, or did you just glom onto you dying and didn't consider anything else? You have to stop being so damn careless with your life, I won't have it."

Oh, she is pissed now, eyes narrow, expression tense, posture tight, anger radiating off of her. He's sure he looks similar and they should probably take this off of the street.

"Do you really think so low of me? Seriously Robin? I have to save Henry and if it means my life so be it. How can you of all people be upset about that?"

He steps toward her, watching as her nostrils flare and she tenses further. He hisses, "Not here," as he stalks off toward the bar. Robyn is closing the bar tonight so he knows they'll have the place to themselves to fight it out.

They power-walk back to their place, not a word spoken, the only sounds are their feet pounding against the pavement and Regina's frustrated sighs—that he's trying to ignore but only anger him further.

He knows this is a fight because he picked it but god, he cannot lose her. He doesn't want to spend his time fighting with her, having this fight they've had many a time before, but it is happening and he won't take this quietly.

There are no words until they enter the apartment, but as soon as the door shuts Regina's raising her brows and grumbling, "You don't get to be a hypocrite, Robin."

Oh, hell no. "Are you fucking kidding me—"

"Oh, so now you're yelling at me—"

"Well, what do you expect?"

She gets right in his face to growl, "I don't know, some fucking support?"

That is rich. "You know I support you. I believe in you, clearly more than you do. You will work this out, but not like this. I did not spend twenty damn years waiting to be reunited with my family only to have you sacrifice yourself unnecessarily."

She sucks in a sharp breath, "How can you say unnecessary? This is Henry's life."

"What? And you think I don't care about that?" She can't be saying that, can she? She damn well better know that he would never endanger Henry. "I love him. I want our family back, our whole family. I waited so goddamn long to ensure that would happen. How can you even insinuate that I don't care about him when I gave up everything?"

She throws her hands in the air and paces as she bites off, "You don't understand! There is no other way, who is willingly going to take a poison that will kill them?"

She's so fucking defeatist and he hates it. "Someone who's already dying, I don't know? What I do know is that I know you and I know that you latched onto the idea of you taking it and didn't consider any other avenues. Didn't you think about the rest of us?" She gives him a sharp look that he ignores in favour of barrelling on, "We need you. What do you think Henry would say if he found out you sacrificed yourself for him? You are far too careless with your life."

That breaks her, her whole face falls and she stutters out, "Me careless with me life? That was you," before she sinks onto the couch and buries her face in her hands as she sobs.

Fuck, fuck he knew she still blamed herself for his death, but he thought she was okay now that he's back. God, he would have reassured her sooner, should have reassured her sooner.

All of his anger zaps away as he rushes to her side, gathering her in his arms as he tries to soothe her pain. "Shh, shh, love, I'm here, I'm not going anywhere. I am so sorry for all that you went through. I love you so much and I never wanted to cause you such pain, especially after all you already had to experience. I am sorry, but I would do it again, over and over. It was worth it, you are worth it. Our family needs you more than me."

She's shaking still but her sobs have died down into sniffling tears. His heart breaks for her, for all she's endured. He knows his death was soul-crushing for her, and he never wanted that, never wanted to hurt her. It killed him to watch her grieve for him, he watched her sob like this countless times, itching to comfort her but unable to.

He's so glad he can hold her now, but he's greedy, it's not enough he wants to take away the pain.

He's stroking through her hair murmuring gentle encouragement and reassurances. When her breathing starts to slow and the tears stop falling, he brushes away the last of them from her cheeks and gives her a gentle smile she returns in kind.

God, she's beautiful, even now, eyes red-rimmed, exhaustion creeping through after that emotional release. He should just take her to bed and let her rest but he cannot resist telling her, "My death wasn't your fault."

Those gorgeous wet brown eyes look up at him and she sniffles, "Yes, it was."

He shakes his head, pulling her in closer and planting a soft kiss to her forehead, "No, it wasn't, that was Hades."

"Who was trying to kill me."

He shakes his head again, and she snuggles into his chest. "He was trying to kill us, love." He feels her shiver and his voice goes softer, "I know it's hard for you to think about, and I don't want to bring it back up, but I need you to know that it wasn't your fault."

She fists his shirt for a moment, her cheek resting on his chest before she moves her hands to wrap around him, holding him in a tight embrace. It feels like she's trying to hold on tight and never let go, a feeling he understands well.

So they sit cuddled up in a tight embrace, listening to the cadence of their breaths. Until she lets out the softest of whispers, "I wasn't worth it."

There it is, he knows that she struggles with poor self-esteem and he's always done what he can to help. It's not something he can fix (though he wishes he could) all he can do is reassure.

"You were, you are. I would do it all over again, twenty times over if it meant that you were all safe. And I know that's what you think you are doing with your proposal to take Henry's poison but you're not. It would be one thing if we really had no other option, I could support you in that. It would crush me, but I could do it. But we're not there yet, and please don't rush us there. We have half a solution, let's look for the other piece."

"I know you think I just jumped to me but I didn't. The person has to be awake, and that is a very short list."

Okay, that is fair, but he still refuses to accept that there isn't another way. "So that's me, you…" he leaves out Lucy for obvious reasons, "Facilier, Gothel and Rumple?"

Shit, that really is a short list.

She nods, and he's starting to feel hopeless about it when her face lights up.

"What is it, love?"

"Rumple," she breathes, and he can see the wheel turning in her head as he processes and oh.

"You think he would take it?" God, that would be bloody perfect. He can't die, so it's not like it will hurt him, so win-win.

"I mean he wants to die. My only concern is… it can't kill him, it has to attack so I don't know if it would end up going back to Henry because it can't do that… I'll have to ask Rumple."

She looks hopeful, and that soothes him more than anything else. He knows between the two of them they can figure it out. The two most powerful magical practitioners coming together to save Henry, they can do it. They will do it.

The future is looking up, and as he leads his love into bed and cuddles up with her, he takes a second to appreciate all that he does have right now. He can touch her, hold her, love her, all the things he wanted for so long and has been taking for granted. That stops now. He's going to appreciate all that he does have, while they work on getting the rest back.