OQ Prompt Party Special Request for "Better When I'm Dancing": A little dancing accident on Regina's side throws Regina and Robin's schedule off, especially when she doesn't tell him she's hurt at first.

(Thanks to glindalovesshoes, who revealed she sent in this prompt!)

This is set in Week 8 and is actually an alternative take on what I plan to happen during that chapter. I hope you like both versions.

"And one two three and one two three...Robin, a waltz isn't that hard," Regina said, stopping them as the music played on. "We've danced this before. What's going on?"

He pulled away, running a hand through his hair. "Sorry, sorry. I just need a moment."

She sighed, nodding. Robin had been distracted all day but unusually quiet, so she was trying to give him his space. A few minutes wouldn't hurt their practice. "Take five. Go clear your head," she told him.

Robin didn't even thank her, making a beeline for the door. She thought she heard him mutter that it would take longer than five minutes as he passed her and she frowned. Maybe a talk with her partner was in order if they wanted to get anything done today.

"What's up with Robin?" their PA asked, though her tone was ambiguous. She could've been asking out of concern or to get a sound bite from Regina.

Knowing the show, she assumed it was the latter so Regina just shrugged. She then gave the woman a side-eyed look. "I'm going to continue rehearsing on my own, plan out the next steps. Excuse me."

"Of course," the woman said, taken aback. She walked away and Regina started the music again. They couldn't afford to miss any time because Robin was in a mood.

Regina held her arms up in proper hold with an invisible partner. She counted herself in, working through the steps she had already choreographed before letting the music guide her to through the next steps. Closing her eyes, she got lost in the music and imagined that Robin was in fact there with her, dancing with her as he smiled lovingly at her.

Because her eyes were closed, she didn't know what had happened. All she knew was that she felt her leg turn in an unnatural direction before she went down, landing hard on the ballroom floor. She felt the wind get knocked out of her and struggled to catch her breath again, staring at the lights overhead.

"Regina? Are you okay?" the PA asked, leaning over her. She frowned. "Do I need to get the medic?"

Regina shook her head. "No, I just landed wrong. I just need to walk it off. Can you help me up before Robin gets back?"

The PA nodded and helped Regina up. When Regina placed her weight on her right foot, pain shot from her ankle and went up her leg. She winced and knew it was noticeable as the PA grew concerned. "Are you sure you don't want to me to get the medic?" she asked.

"Yes," Regina said, waving her off. She hopped away. "Just give me a few moments. Nothing too bad."

Yet each time she tried to put weight on that foot, pain kept shooting up her leg. She had definitely done something to her ankle, though she wasn't too sure if it was just a strain or a sprain. The rational part of Regina's brain told her she needed to put her leg up, ice the ankle and rest but she was pushing against a deadline. She could do that later.

Robin returned, looking calmer though still appearing a bit out of sorts. She held her head high, praying her pain was evident. "Are you ready to continue?"

"Yes," he said curtly. He stepped up into hold. "Let's go."

She took a deep breath, trying to favor her left foot as they danced. However, she landed on her right every so often and tried not to wince in pain. Robin didn't seem to notice, but on the other hand, he still seemed so far away. She wondered where he went to as he spun her.

Regina landed hard on her foot and cried out, crumpling to the floor. He caught her just before she also added a banged-up knee to her problems, cradling her closely. "Oh, God, Regina. Did I hurt you?" he asked.

"She fell earlier," the traitorous PA said. "Refused to let the medic look at her."

He frowned as he brushed some hair from her face. "Will you let me take a look at it?"

"Sure, but I'm sure it's nothing," she insisted, wanting to get started again. "We have a deadline…"

"Fuck the deadline, Regina. Your health and wellbeing is far more important than this conversation," he said, taking off her shoe and rolling down her sock. He frowned as he saw her bruised and swollen ankle. "Fuck, Regina. How were you even dancing with this?"

She shrugged. "I've danced through worse."

Robin's frown deepened and he looked up at the PA. "Get the medic, please. I'll make sure she doesn't turn him away."

"I'm not a child!"

"Well, right now, you're not making reasonable choices," he argued, glaring at her.

Anger burned inside her, even surpassing her pain. She pushed his shoulder, trying to get him away from her. "I won't be lectured by you."

"I'm not trying to lecture you, I'm trying to make sure you take care of yourself. I can't lose you."

Her anger gave way to confusion as she frowned at him. "How would a swollen ankle cause you to lose me?"

Robin didn't answer as the medic arrived. He moved out of the way, letting the other man examine her ankle. Regina kept her focus on her partner, though, trying to figure out what was going on. There was a sadness to him and a worry that intrigued her. She knew something more had to be at play than her injury and prayed he would tell her what it was soon.

The medic didn't think Regina needed to go to the hospital and so he sent her to a clinic nearby she had been to before. Robin went with her, as did the camera crew. She tolerated them as they filmed a doctor at the clinic diagnosing her with a strain rather than a sprain. He prescribed some painkillers and told Regina to ice and elevate her ankle for the rest of the day. "I'd also take it easy tomorrow," he advised.

"Take it easy? We can't take it…" Regina started to argue before Robin silenced her with a withering glare.

"I'll make sure she rests," he promised the doctor. "We'll take care of that ankle."

Once Regina was discharged, he carried her back out to his car. She watched as he turned to their camera crew. "I trust this is where you leave us. Regina needs her rest."

"Sure," the PA said. "I have to let Isaac and the other producers know what's going on. Someone will call to check on Regina tonight and offer other options if her ankle is still bothering her tomorrow."

"Thank you," Robin replied, climbing into the car. He pulled out of the parking lot and turned to head toward her house.

Regina sat in the front seat, arms crossed. "What does other options mean?" she groused.

"You're not the first dancer to get injured," he told her. "When that happens, they usually ask a member of the troupe or an eliminated pro to step in and practice while the other dancer continues to choreograph."

That…didn't sound too bad, actually. It would allow them not to lose too much time. She sighed as she lowered her arms. "I guess I could ask Ursula to dance with you. She's close to my style."

She saw tension leave Robin's shoulders and he nodded. "Thank you, Regina. You need to rest and we don't want to chance anything."

"Once again, it's just a sore ankle," she reminded him. "It's just a sprain."

"Just a sprain. Just like we thought Marian's fatigue and aches were just pregnancy. Look what happened then," he said, bitterness in his voice.

Things started to clear up in Regina's mind and she grew concerned for him. He was far too emotional to drive. "Pull over," she ordered.

"What?" he asked, startled.

"Pull. Over. Now." She motioned to an empty parking lot of a closed down store. It would give them some privacy.

Robin did as she asked, parking the car. He blinked a few times at her. "What's wrong?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing," she said. "Does today have any connections to Marian? You're angry and just out of sorts today. And now that comment…What's going on?"

He sighed, rubbing his face. "You're right. I'm sorry. It's just…It's the anniversary of Marian's death. I'm always a bit…tense… today."

"That's an understatement," she replied before taking his hand. "I know this can be difficult. I've been there. The anniversary of Daniel's death isn't a picnic for me either. But maybe you shouldn't be biting my head off?"

"You're right. I'm sorry, Regina." He leaned over, kissing her cheek. "I guess my head just hasn't been in a good space."

"Well, why don't you take me home and then go home to spend time with Roland? I'm just going to sit in bed alternating having ice on my ankle and then not. Emma will be able to help me," she said, resting her hand against his cheek.

He nodded. "I think that sounds good. But if you need anything…"

"I'll call," she said, crossing her heart with her fingers. "Promise."

Satisfied, Robin started the car again. "Then let's get you home so you can rest and get better."

"Great. Drive, Jeeves," she said, trying to mimic his accent.

"You did not just call me that." But he pulled out of the parking lot, turning back toward her house as Regina laughed.