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Saturday came faster than Regina could ever have imagined. The week had progressed, and she'd watched Henry settle.

When she told Henry, she'd be going to poker night, he'd asked to go to Carl's house. Instantly, she told him to take his bag and to keep his phone close. It made her happy that he'd found a friend in Carl.

It was always their arrangement that she'd get a text every hour to ensure his safety and to settle her own fears. Camden seemed like the perfect place for them to hide, but it was increasingly hard to think of leaving it.

There was a silent promise to herself that she wouldn't get attached to a town or the people in it. In a matter of minutes, she could leave it and run again. The thought of Simon finding them in this town made her shiver.

The violence that man was capable of unleashing on this town, she would feel guilty to bring it on the people she'd met. Looking around the room, she watched Maggie and David sitting at their table watching their poker hand.

Belle and Ashley, two regulars, were sitting drinking beer and munching on nachos. They worked at the school and she'd seen them frequently in the lounge.

Charity and Marshall were a couple she'd met at the Pier field trip. Stan Gold was the principal at the school. A strange man, but he seemed harmless enough. He sat on a bar stool with a brew in his hand.

A few other people she'd seen around town but couldn't name scattered the diner and most eyes were on them.

Poker Night at Lucas' Diner was underway, and Regina was doing her best to keep her emotions at bay. The more she pretended to be unaffected, the more agitated Ruby seemed to get.

Sitting around the table were several people. Ruby directly in front of her, Robin to her right, a fellow by the name of Wil to her left.

A man named John and another she couldn't remember the name of.

Cards adorned the table with poker chips and glasses and bottles of beer. In the center were a few nearly empty bowls of pretzels and nuts. An empty paper bowl that held a hot dog. An empty basket of fries and a half-eaten plate of appetizers shared for the table.

Regina looked around the table to her peers. Reading them had been the easiest thing in the world thanks to her circumstances. Simon taught her more than she wanted to admit.

The man next to John had dark hair that fell into his eyes, he was attractive in an obvious way. He tended to bite his lip or scratch his stubbled cheek when he was nervous.

John was heavier set and he tended to move his clumsy feet under the table and bend forward to round his belly when he had something promising.

Wil seemed to be good at his poker face, but his eye twitched when he was bluffing. Under the table, she could see his leg jump up and down when he had a good hand.

Robin was hard to peg, but there were ticks that she'd noticed since meeting him. Spending amounts of time with him working or observing his classroom, she already knew his tells.

The teacher's lounge lunches where he'd been relaxed with Roland were easy to gauge the kind of person he was and the facial expressions and body language he was known for.

He tended to bite his lip, smirk, and his hands tended to open and close with a brush of his fingers when he tried to divert your attention. His eyes were dead focused, but the rise of his eyebrows gave him away.

When he had something good, his left brow would raise just a fraction, but when he was defeated, his brows seemed to lower and cover his ocean-colored eyes.

Ruby was good, but she'd already figured out her tells. The flirtatious swing of her hips, while she walked in the diner, couldn't save her now.

Her lips pursed slightly, her eyebrow raised, and her legs hung lazily under the table. Her tell were her eyes. The crinkle when she tried to hide her bluff. Her eyes would brighten, and she tended to look slightly left when she had something on the line.

The shit-talking when she had nothing, but it intimidated the table. They all seemed duped by her and Regina couldn't help but let her inner smirk shine.

Then there was herself, a closed book. Regina made sure not to seem too rigid. Sitting back, her right leg over her left, her hand delicately held the cards. Her left hand lifted and dropped the chips in a deliberate taunt.

Her face, however, was unreadable. It had been an art to learn how to control her facial expressions and the way her body moved. When she had to move from identity to identity, she had to adjust. Often, it would take weeks to master a new way of moving.

It served her well to keep up all the lies she had to tell. Since moving to Camden, she'd only revealed one true thing about her real identity. It had been a slip to let Robin know she'd developed the Step on Up curriculum. Carefully, she tried to avoid any further admittance.

It was serving her quite well sitting across from Ruby who looked smug and ready to prove her rightful place for being poker champ. She was about to eat it.

Ruby frowned, "Well, Mills. What'll it be?"

Regina memorized her cards and took the center one and dropped it in the center of stray cards. "One will do."

Ruby gave her the top card. "Dealer takes two."

When she distributed her cards to herself, Regina saw the twitch of her eye. Glancing at her cards, she wanted to smirk at her triumph, but she didn't.

Instead, she sipped her wine and looked around the table while she bit into a carrot.

Wil, John, and his neighbor all threw their cards and folded.

Robin softly mumbled, "Stand."

Ruby announced, "Moment of truth."

Robin set his cards down with two pairs of spades. His mouth lifted to one side without his usual cockiness. Turning to her, he winked.

It almost distracted her to show any emotion, but she bit down her discomfort and turned back to Ruby.

Ruby turned to Regina, "Your turn."

Regina shrugged, "After you."

Her eyes grew colder, but she complied after a dramatic pause and put her cards down. "Full house."

Everyone in the diner began to applaud and holler. She heard a few, "Raining champ!" or "Hit Ruby!" or "Better luck next time, newbie!"

Regina faked disappointment for a long moment, "I'll hand it to you, you're really good."

Ruby started to smile in her usual triumphant red-lipped way. Standing, she took a bow and cocked her hip.

Regina waited until she reached in the center to grab her chips and said, "But, I believe I'm better."

When she displayed her cards, she purred, "Royal flush."

All faces at the table and around the room froze and conversation halted. For a moment, the diner got completely quiet. All eyes were on her and Regina waited until someone broke the silence.

Next, to her, Robin burst into laughter and the room followed suit. Laughs, hollers, and applause broke out.

Suddenly, she was launched from her seat and crushed to Robin's chest. "You are a hell of a woman," he laughed.

Before she got a chance to react to his sudden physical closeness, she was shifted into more arms and hugged and kissed. When she finally felt her feet give out from under her, she took in a breath.

John lifted her upon his shoulder and they all started chanting for her win.

"Oh, please let me down," she pleaded. Feeling displayed wasn't comfortable and she felt she could topple over at any moment. Finally, after being paraded towards the center of the diner, he let her slip down to gain her footing.

"This isn't necessary, it was just a hand of poker." Turning she came face to face with Ruby.

"Pleasure playing with you," she offered.

Ruby gave her a dirty look and rolling her eyes. Pushing past the crowd, she disappeared behind the kitchen door.

Maggie congratulated her, "That was legendary. You beat Ruby for the first time. Ever."

"It was nothing, just a bit of luck, really."

It surprised her how much praise she commanded from just one hand. It felt thrilling while playing, but now that everyone had their eyes trained on her, it didn't feel great at all.

David shook her hand, "You'll have to teach me how you did that."

"Did what," she asked.

"Trained your face not to move a muscle. I tried to peg you form the start, you never wavered. That was a hell of a performance."

"I…" Suddenly she felt panic rising in her chest. It had been too long since she'd felt wanted and welcomed. It was overwhelming, and it only made her heart hurt.

This was temporary. She never meant to stay in this place longer than a few months. Now, she looked around the room and wished it was all different. Seeing how happy Henry was, how content she could be. It was all too much.

"Excuse me," she said. Scurrying out the door, she took several steps on the sidewalk until she reached the alley.

Leaning her back against the bricks, she rested her head back and closed her eyes. A few deep breaths and she was feeling a bit better.

For several minutes, it was quiet. A car passing on the street, music, and conversation from inside the diner, and the change of the traffic light filtered through the town.

The stillness was rare, she could smell the salt from the sea in the air. The cold wash of air hit her cheeks and was comforting to her senses. The entry to the alley darkened and unable to stop it, she flinched and gasped as her head whipped around.

Robin stood with her coat and a concerned expression on his face. "Regina are you alright?"

Offering her coat, he took a tentative step toward her. For a moment, she schooled her face. Then she reached out and took the coat. "I'm fine."

His hand slid into his pockets and he said, "You ran out of there pretty fast."

When she was bundled in her coat, she reached in the pocket for her phone. Henry had sent her a text twenty minutes before.

Safe and sound. We're eating lasagna playing video games and I helped with the laundry. Love you.

Relief seeped through her and she pocketed her phone. When her eyes lifted, Robin was still standing at the entrance to the alleyway anticipatory. "I don't do well in crowds. It snuck up on me, but I'm fine. Thank you."

Hoping that was sufficient, she took a step toward him expecting him to retreat or move aside. Instead, he put a hand on her arm, "You don't seem fine. You're shaking."

Was she? Assessing herself, she looked down at her hands. Sure enough, they were clenched and shaking. Her skin had paled a bit.

As she allowed herself to feel, she realized she was lightheaded and the warmth of his hand on her arm felt like it was warming her frozen skin.

"I'll be alright. I just need a minute," she said.

Stepping back, he followed and kept his hand on her arm to guide her against the wall.

"You're a bit pale, too. May I ask what brought this on?"

Fear, doubt, guilt, regret. Take your pick, she thought to herself. "As I said, I'm not great in crowds. I…I'll be alright. I just…"

Both his hands closed over her upper arms securely and she involuntarily swayed.

"Regina? Hey, look at me. Open your eyes."

What? He sounded muffled and a little far away.

Concerned eyes blocked her vision before it all went black.

Robin saw her eyes almost roll to the back of her head. Quickly, he took her weight before she passed out.

Calling her name, he figured out too soon it was useless. Her deadweight was hard to dismiss. Taking a minute to calm himself, he breathed deeply. Never in his life had he ever seen anyone pass out.

It scared him half to death. Her face had suddenly gotten so pale and her skin cold. Her eyes were open one moment and rolling back the next. When he gained enough oxygen, he slid his arm under her knees and lifted her into his arms.

Luckily, his car was on the street. All he had to do was open the passenger seat and set her down. He pulled the lever to recline it and laid her down making sure her head was supported.

When he closed the door, he rounded the car as Maggie and David stepped outside and widened their eyes. "What happened?"

The unison concern hit him, "I don't know, she passed out. I'm taking her in to urgent care."

David took his wife's hand, "We'll follow you."

Not wasting time, Robin gunned the engine and set off. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he kept an eye on Regina. The twenty-minute drive left him anxiety-ridden. Not once did she stir or move. It wasn't natural.

When he arrived, he pulled up at the entrance and parked. The automatic doors were opening and closing for people walking in. Standing at the door, he wasn't sure if he should carry her in or grab a nurse to come out.

The blood under his skin had jumped several times, his nerves were shot, and his throat felt like it was closing in on him.

A nurse came outside as he was opening the door, "Can I help you?"

"Oh, yes. She passed out and I haven't seen her move."

The nurse knelt and pressed two fingers to her throat. The hallow part of her neck where her pulse was sure to be thudding.

He took her wrist and did the same thing and turned to him, "She'll be alright. Go inside and tell the woman at the desk, you need a gurney out front. Tell them Dr. Whale sent you."

So not a nurse, the thought.

Once she was loaded on a gurney with metal bars on each side to prevent her from falling, she was wheeled into the back. A woman with caramel skin and an easy smile handed him a clipboard to fill the information out.

"I don't know the answers to any of this. I work with her, but I don't know her well."

The woman said, "Mr. Locksley. Just fill out what you can. She's in good hands."

Robin phoned Ms. Lucas, Granny as she insisted, to inform her he would be late picking up, Roland. Maggie and David arrived and helped with the paperwork.

They sat in the waiting room as they watched people enter and exit. The TV mounted on the wall changed from courtroom dramas to talk shows.

David had disappeared and reappeared with coffee. An hour passed with no news. Another call to Granny to find that Roland had fallen asleep and an offer to keep him overnight was extended.

As an hour passed to three, Dr. Whale finally came out of the backroom.

"Mr. Locksley, everything is fine. I can't divulge medical records, but your friend will be just fine. Here shortly, she'll be discharged and she's a little embarrassed. Try to take it easy on her."

"Will do," he said even though his heart was still jumping, and his skin was still crawling.

They shook hands and Robin encouraged Maggie and David to head home. It was nearer to forty-five minutes when he spotted Regina snuggled in her coat appear from the doors in a wheelchair.

When her eyes met him, he frowned. There were dark circles under her eyes. Her face was still pale, and she looked exhausted. The embarrassment he mentioned wasn't clear on her face, but he guessed it was underneath.

Walking to her, her head lowered to the floor. He took her chin and lifted her eyes to him. Taking a long look, he saw a few things flicker behind them. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, but I'm quite tired. I'd like to go get Henry and go home."

Nodding, he took her hand to help her to her feet and led her outside. He felt her try to pry her hand out of his, but he held tighter. In the car, he asked, "Where is Henry?"

Her head turned towards him, "I'll pick him up. Can you take me to my car?"

He frowned at her, "You can't drive. Doctor's orders. Where am I picking him up?"

"Robin, really. I'm fine now. Please, I'd like my car."

When he stopped at a light, he looked at her. "I'll make sure you get it tonight. Right now, tell me where I can pick up your son."

She rattled off the address and he headed there ignoring her protests. Henry gave him an odd look when he noticed his mom in the passenger seat.

Settled in the backseat, Robin turned around. "Hey, buddy. Your mom had a little accident. I'll take you home and you'll have to keep an eye on her. Can you handle that?"

Henry looked at his mom, "What happened?"

Regina sighed, "I passed out." Her voice was breathy and low. It didn't escape him that her head lowered.

The boy's voice erupted, "Again? How many times has it happened?"

"Henry…"

The boy's features changed from child-like to adult. The intake of breath at his side told him there was something to fear in that.

"This was the only time, I'm fine."

Henry seemed to let it go, but he kept his eyes on his mother the entire drive home.

Robin walked them to the door and Henry took his mom's hand. Depositing her onto the couch, he walked back to the door.

"Thanks for taking care of my mom."

"Anytime. I need you to do something for me. Can you do that?"

"I already know what you're going to say. Wake her up every three hours and check her pulse. Make sure she drinks plenty of water and gets rest."

"This isn't your first rodeo, is it?" It pained him to ask.

The serious expression on Henry's face had his guard up. "Not even close. Thanks for taking care of her. I'll take it from here."

"You got it."

The uneasiness didn't leave him when he drove away. Looking in the rearview mirror, he wondered what the boy meant by that.