"Forgotten"

"I don't understand. How could she not remember me?"

Robin was distraught, confused and angry all at once. He had spent weeks believing he would never return to Storybrooke until he had followed Rumpelstiltskin into the town. He set out to find Regina but when he found her, she didn't recognize him. All he got was a cool brush off as Regina continued about her day.

So he tracked down someone who would know what happened—Mary Margaret. He found her in Granny's, rocking baby Neal. Her eyes grew wide as he approached the booth. But before she could greet him, he blurted out about Regina giving him the cold shoulder.

Mary Margaret sighed. "It's a long story, Robin."

"I don't care. For Regina, I have all the time in the world." Robin leaned forward. "Please, Mary Margaret."

She nodded, sadness overtaking her. "She's the Evil Queen again, Robin. Those other villains, the Queens of Darkness…they took away her memories and made her evil again like them."

His blood ran cold as his heart skipped a beat. Breathing was difficult as he processed the information. "Did she…did she agree?"

Mary Margaret nodded and Robin's heart stopped. "No," he breathed.

"But she was under duress. They had Henry," Mary Margaret explained.

Robin closed his eyes and swallowed down the disgust and fear that rose up inside him. Those monsters. "Of course. She'd do anything to keep him safe."

Mary Margaret nodded, watching as Robin leaned back to take stock of his situation. She saw something light up his eyes and he smiled. "True love's kiss," he said. "Regina and I are soul mates. It'll have to work, right?"

"Not necessarily." Mary Margaret paused before continuing. "Back in the Enchanted Forest, David was betrothed to Princess Abigail. When I heard they were getting married, I went to the Dark One to get a potion that would let me forget about him. It worked. But then he ended up breaking the engagement to Abigail and came looking for me. He tried kissing me and it didn't work because I had forgotten our love."

"What happened?"

Mary Margaret smiled. "He fought for our love and I fell for him all over again."

"So there's hope?" Robin asked.

"Oh, Robin." She took his hand. "There's always hope."

Robin set his mind to wooing Regina all over again. Or rather, wooing the Evil Queen again. He recalled how difficult their relationship was in the Enchanted Forest during the so-called missing year. Now, it was ten-fold that. When he first met her, she was already changed from loving Henry. But the spell had reverted her to how she was before becoming a mother, when she was only driven by revenge.

He didn't care though. She was still Regina to him. And he just had to convince the Evil Queen of that. That he wasn't going anywhere, no matter how many vile words she spat in his direction.

That was why he didn't struggle against her magic as she held him aloft, even as it grew difficult to breathe. She glared at him, brown eyes darker than he ever saw them. "Why don't you just take the hint, Outlaw, and leave me alone?"

"Never, Regina. I am not leaving you again, no matter what you do." Robin struggled to say every word but he hoped they reached the part of her he was certain still remembered.

She laughed. "So you are as big of a fool as I thought."

The Evil Queen squeezed harder and dark spots began to dance in his eyes. He knew he was going to lose consciousness and there was a chance he could die. Thoughts of Roland crossed his mind. Mary Margaret had a letter she was to mail to Marian should the worst happen. There was a chance Roland would never understand his sacrifice, but Robin knew he would die having done everything he could to bring Regina back to Mary Margaret, Henry and of course, himself.

Darkness was starting to take over but he kept his eyes trained on her. Even dressed completely in black, her hair pinned up in an elaborate do and pure hatred in her countenance, he thought she was still beautiful. "I love you," he gasped out.

The pressure was relieved and he fell to the ground, gasping for air. He felt the Evil Queen standing over him. She crouched down. "What did you say?"

"I love you." He pushed himself into a sitting position, staring at her. "No matter what you do, I will always love you. I told you, you have a partner. Sorry I've been a lousy one but I still am your partner."

"Partner? I'd never ask for a partner."

"You didn't. But you still have one in me." Robin took a chance, reaching up to cup her cheek. She didn't flinch. "We're a great team."

The Evil Queen plunged her hand into his chest, fingers enclosing around his heart. She gave a squeeze and he gasped. "I'm holding your heart, Thief."

"I've held yours."

Something flickered in her eyes but it was gone in a moment. The Evil Queen squeezed tighter, causing him to double over in pain. "I could kill you right now. But I'm feeling merciful today. You promise to leave me alone and I'll let go."

"I can't. I won't leave you, Regina, until I die. And if it's by your hand, so be it." He met her eyes to prove he was serious.

The Evil Queen faltered again. "Why?"

"I told you. I love you."

"Liar. Nobody loves villains."

Robin's arm shook as he raised it to cup her cheek. "We know you aren't a villain. You're not the Evil Queen. You're Regina, a woman with a heart that's taken a beating over the years. Who was manipulated by her mother and her tutor until she thought revenge and hatred was the only thing she had. Then she adopted a beautiful baby boy. He showed her that she was capable of so much more to the point she began repairing relationships with the people she once hunted. A woman who realizes she loves with every fiber of her being. I've held your heart and it is a resilient one, Regina."

Uncertainty filled her eyes as well what looked like hope. He believed he was getting through to her as she removed her hand. So he brought his other hand up to frame her face as he knelt before her. "I chose you, Regina, and I still choose you. Now I need you to choose me instead of evil."

She searched his eyes, no doubt looking for any lies or manipulations on his part. It broke his heart since he knew why—she was back to the person who only saw the worst in people. He didn't look away. Not until she saw the truth.

Her eyes softened and she leaned forward. He met her halfway, kissing her with every ounce of passion and love he possessed. Magic pulsed from their lips and he knew the spell was broken. Regina's memories were back.

They pulled away from each other and Robin was relieved to find warm chocolate eyes looking back at him. The same eyes that had haunted him for weeks in New York City, radiating the same love they did now. She cupped his cheek. "Robin…"

"Hello, milady," he said, smiling. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." She kissed him again, tears landing on his cheeks.

They broke the kiss again. Robin brushed her tears away as she began to laugh. "I thought…" she trailed off.

"I know." Robin placed a finger on her lips. "But I'm back and I'm here to stay."

He stood, helping her up as well. "Now, I believe there are a few people who are eager to see you again. Let's go."

Wrapping their arms around each other, Robin and Regina walked out of the forest and knew whatever awaited them, they would deal together.