ROBIN OPENED THE DOOR FOR Regina who had her arms full of pastries, while he held a drink holder with coffee and decaf tea. When they walked down the hall, they exchanged greetings with those who'd missed them over the holiday break. David was all smiles and greeting, exchanging congratulations, and taking the pastries from Regina.

He pumped hands with Robin, "Congrats, man."

"Thanks, I'm in for trouble," he winked over at Regina.

Maggie ushered forward to hug her friend and to his surprise brought him in for one awkward one-armed hug. "I'll kill you if you make her unhappy," she said over his shoulder. Though, her words were said with tears in her voice.

He said honestly, "I'll take care of her, Maggie." They exchanged a serious and knowing look. As they walked down the hall, he ducked into drop the coffees down on the conference room table, took the pastries from David and put them next to them.

"Come on," he took her hand and led her inside. "You have everything you need?"

Regina put her bag down and pulled out files, a USB drive, and a pad and pen. "The Mueller file is in my desk."

"I'll get it," he said and walked down the hall. Inside the office, he found the file in her locked desk where she kept the files. He glanced around the office. It felt a little foreign to him but still held memories that he'd hold on to forever. He keyed in, took the file, and returned to find Gold seated at the head of the table.

"Robin, it's good to have you back." They shook.

"Thanks, I'm eager to get started. Regina's been working hard." He glanced at her avoiding his eyes.

"Yes, well. I assumed she'd have more time, but it seems your travels were more entertaining than the biggest case of her life." His disdain turned Robin's neck to rock. "But let's just focus on what's important."

Robin walked around the table, handed her the file, sat, and put a reassuring hand on her leg. He looked long and hard at her, but she wouldn't look his way. "There were some extenuating circumstances," he said.

Gold darted him a hard look and pulled up the projector. "Let's get started. Shall we?"

Regina cleared her throat, took a sip of the decaf tea, grimaced at it, and set it aside. "I sent you an updated draft of the questions from your list. Sean Mueller has some secrets in his closet that are sure to come out in a deposition hearing. We're meeting Belfrey this afternoon to hear what she plans to make of the case."

"Yes, you told me." He pulled up the questions, they went line by line to anticipate what answers they would likely get. There were some scenarios thrown around, some rejected, and others were just simply unanticipated.

In a deposition, it could either go smoothly, or it could drag on and into matters that could blow this case wide open. Knowing the background of Sean Mueller's employment, his dating history, the fact his date was a student, and that he was fired, all together was a mixture of complication. There was no way Regina was going to get out of this case being bigger than she was anticipating.

Robin didn't like it but knew that if he tried to get her to slow down, he'd be greeted with a pissed off woman. As they worked, he handed her snacks he'd packed when she started to look pale and worn. Gold was giving him odd looks for being attentive, but it appeared to him that Regina wasn't going to tell him what her circumstances were.

It wasn't his place to tell anyone. It was hers and if she wanted to share, she would.

At lunch, he led her into their office, "You look tired."

"I am, but I'm hungry more. What's on the menu?"

"I'm taking you out," he stated. When she only looked at him, he smiled. "Come on, Granny wants to see you."

"Did you tell her?" Her eyes were wary and guarded. He hoped he'd done the right thing.

"I did but if it makes you feel any better, I told her not to tell your sister. I know you should be the one to do that. But I ran into her and I couldn't keep that from her. She's like a mother to you."

"I know that. What did she say?"

"What do you think? That's she's sick with worry, happy for us, and wants to see you. So, we're going to lunch."

He expected her to moan and groan and huff at him for doing something behind her back, but the fatigue was all over her, the stress, and she merely nodded.

ON THE WAY TO GRANNY'S Robin asked, "Did you call and make the appointment?"

"Yea, Friday at three. It was earliest they could get me in after I explained the situation. The doctor's name is Alfie Morrison. He's Scottish and on loan to Texas."

"You got a male doctor? That doesn't make you uncomfortable. Do women care about that?"

"He's in his sixties, professional, and most women do care. I don't." When he slanted her a look, she asked, "Does it bother you?"

His shoulders shifted, "A little, but I'll go with what you want."

"Please don't tell me you're going to act jealous about a doctor poking around down there. It's not at all sexual."

"I'm not jealous, I just want you to be comfortable. And don't say poking, it's not right."

She chuckled as they pulled up outside of the diner. He put a hand on hers to stop her from getting out of the car. "What?"

"Before we go in, why didn't you tell Gold? He was harsh with you and I didn't like it."

"I'll tell him when I'm ready. I don't want him giving me favors when it comes to this case. I earned it on my own. I don't need sympathy and concern." He stared at her a minute.

"Alright, but if he's an ass to you more than necessary, I'm gonna have to intervene. No one treats you that way. Hear me?"

She met his eyes, "It's how he is. You have to know Stan wouldn't hurt me. He's tough and should be."

"Yea, I guess. The guy can be a prick. Come on. I'm starving. Time to feed mama and baby."

Seated in the booth, Regina grumbled when she was confined to water. "I want a milkshake," she said to Ruby.

Robin interrupted, "Water's fine, Ruby. Make that two."

Ruby glanced between them, "You sure?"

"Yup. When you get back, we'll be ready."

When Ruby walked away with a saunter of her hips in red shorts, she envied her hips. Soon hers would be changed forever. "That was mean."

He turned, "It was not. You need water. You've been drinking tea all morning, you had chocolate milk or whatever that fake stuff was, and I saw you steal sips of Maggie's coffee. You need to hydrate."

"You are not the boss of me," she said.

Before he could retort, Ruby came and put their waters on the table. "Thanks, Ruby." He slid one to Regina.

"You're welcome. I hear congratulations are in order," she glanced at Regina's ring.

"Thank you. I snagged a woman and knocked her up. She's stuck with me now," he joked. He winced when she plowed a fist in his side.

"I'm happy for you. Can I plan the baby shower?"

Regina smiled, "Really? You might have to fight Maggie for it."

Ruby shrugged, "I'd be up to that. What can I get you?"

Regina spoke up first, "I'll talk to her. Appetizer platter with ranch, chicken fried steak with French fries, and a strawberry shake." She shot daggers at Robin.

"No, you won't," he countered.

"Robin." Her voice was a warning.

"Fine. Keep the appetizer, nix the steak, she'll have grilled chicken and vegetables."

Ruby rose a brow, "What about the shake?"

"Fine," he amended. "Give me the chicken fajitas."

"Be right out," she laughed and walked away.

Regina glared at him, "You're not gonna control me."

"I'm not controlling you. The doctor's orders were clear, or did you not read the orders? I'm looking out for you. Both of you." He put a hand to her cheek, leaned in and kissed her. "We have enough to worry about without me worrying about your eating habits."

"That's below the belt."

"It's the truth. Lay off on the grease and I will too. You had Chinese and threw it up. Trust me, the bathroom still reeks of it," he smirked.

"If I remember, you had a lot to do with it."

He laughed, "Maybe. Here she comes."

Henrietta came out from the back of the kitchen with food in her hand set it on the table, "Let her out of there." Robin scooted out and helped Regina out of the booth. Henrietta engulfed her in a long hug. "Oh, what am I going to do with you?"

"I'm fine."

"You will be," she said kissing her cheek. "Engaged, pregnant, and sick. What a mess."

"I know."

Henrietta turned to him, "Well, you work fast. Don't you?"

"Hey!" Wounded, he looked at Regina. "It wasn't just me. There are two of us."

"Mm-hmm," she hummed and hugged Regina long and hard again. "Have you told your sister?"

"No. We haven't spoken since I lift London. I need time before I do."

"I suspect Cora has a lot to do with it?"

"Yea."

Henrietta led her back to the booth, "You sit down and eat. We'll have dinner and you'll tell me." When Robin sat, she squeezed his hand. "A lot more than you bargained for just fell in your lap, son."

Taking Regina's hand, he kissed her fingers, "It's worth it."

VICTORIA BELFRY WORE IRONED slacks, a crisp white shirt, with no wrinkle in place. The woman looked well put together, her lips were set in a line, her legs crossed under the round table at the café.

"Dragon lady," Robin joked and laughed when she shoved his side.

"Belfrey," Regina said when they approached.

"Regina Mills and Robin Locksley. Sit down," she invited with a gesture of her hand.

As they sat, she offered time to wait for coffee orders, but they were eager to get started. Robin set a bottle of water on the table next to Regina. They got straight to work. Thirty minutes later, a basket of breadcrumbs sat in the center of the table around open files.

There were a few patrons in the café, but most were seated along the back wall with plugged in laptops and headphones on. They were free to speak aloud.

"Sean Mueller is likely to incriminate his superiors or former colleagues. We've got a number of unsubstantiated claims brought to us, but given the reputation of the athletics department, the university, and previous contracts, we're likely to put those to facts upon discovery," Belfrey explained.

"Where does that leave Mueller?" Regina drank and slanted Robin a look when he pushed it toward her.

"It depends on what he feeds us. The investigators will have their hands full. In terms of your position, I can only suspect you'll be busy for a year or so." Regina thought she was far less intimidating in this environment.

"I have no doubt. I'm wondering what this will lead to. There are many theories."

"Sure, but then this case isn't unusual. I've had many like it. Though having you work alongside is a bonus. We'll get enough information put together, investigate what comes, drop it to you for the civil case and put it to bed. Easy as cake."

"I appreciate you meeting with us. I know you're buys," Robin said.

She smiled, "I'm not nearly as nasty as they paint me. Though," she turned to look at Regina, "You aren't either."

"Really?" Regina smiled. "They say the same thing about me."

"Call my Vicky," she said and they dived in to what her plan was in moving forward.

An hour later, they'd solidified a plan, moved to a restaurant for dinner and were headed home an hour after that. "I'm beat."

"Mind if we make one more stop?" He turned a corner and she glanced around. He'd been unusually quiet but she was too tired to question it.

"Where?"

"A surprise."

"Robin, it's late. I'm tired and cranky." But when they pulled up outside of Kathryn's door, she sighed. "What?"

"Kat called earlier and asked if we'd drop by."

"Did you tell her too?" Panic rose in her chest.

"No, I didn't. I figure you could tell her yourself. You are cranky," he said almost too gruffly for him. Something was eating him. She almost asked him to the door but kept it to herself.

Kat opened the door after they knocked, "Hi."

Roland's voice met her through the opening, "Gina. You're back! Hi, Robin."

Inside, he hopped into her arms and she hugged him tightly. "I missed you, too."

Concerned, Robin took him and put him on his hip, "Did you hold down the fort while we were gone?"

"Huh?" The innocence of his face made them laugh. "Did you take care of Kat?"

"Yea, did you bring me a present?"

"Maybe," he said messing up his hair. "Here." He handed him a bag and Roland ran to the couch to open it.

Regina sat beside him, "What do you think?"

"Cool! Look, Kat. They're comic books, candy, and…" He looked down at the pencil drawing of himself. "Who drew this?"

"I did," Robin said shifting embarrassed.

"Really? Cool." Roland looked up at him with child-like eyes that went straight to his heart.

"You have to wait to eat the candy," Regina announced.

"Aww," he whined.

"It's bedtime soon. School tomorrow. You know the rules. Why don't you go put those away? Robin will help you."

He nodded and took him in the other room giving them privacy. "Show me your comic book selection," he said his voice drifting down the hall.

Kat and Regina sat at the kitchen table. "I have some news."

Kat nodded, "What's up?"

"Well, first Robin asked me to marry him," she smiled.

Kat grinned, "Really?" Looking down at her hand, she admired the ring. With a glance behind her, she said, "That's fast, Regina."

"I know," she said looked down. "A lot has happened in such a short time, but I love him. He makes me happy."

"I can see that and..."

"I'm pregnant, Kat."

"What? You're…"

"I'm…" Tears welled up in her eyes and she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I want this baby, Kat. I've wanted to be a mom for a long time."

Taking her hand, she said, "I know. If it were up to me, Roland would be with you. Wow. You're pregnant. I can't believe it."

"I know."

"That was fast too," she commented.

"It wasn't planned, if that's what you mean," she sighed.

"Of course, not. That would be crazy. He's a catch that one. I'm happy for you, but why do you look so sad?"

"Because…" Before she could complete the sentence, Robin came in with the phone to his ear and wild crazy eyes.

"Regina, I need you a minute." His voice was very serious. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Kat."

"No, use my bedroom." She stood and took Roland back down the hall to his room.

Robin took Regina's hand and led her into the bedroom. He closed the door behind them, "I understand. Thank you, Dr. White. We'll be in touch." When he put the phone in his pocket, he stared at her. "The blood tests came back. Can we go? I don't want to talk about this here."

"I…You're scaring me," her voice wavered.

"Not here," he said. "Let's go say our goodbyes, I'll make it up to Roland."

The ride back to the apartment was driven in complete silence. Something about the way he'd looked at her chilled her to the bone. Something about how quiet he'd been wasn't right. "Is it bad?"

He reached over and took her hand, squeezed it, "Wait."

"Robin…"

"Wait," he repeated.

When they arrived at the apartment, he instructed her to go in and wait for him. "I'll be up in a minute. Go inside and get changed."

Her hands were shaking, but she complied. When she was inside, she put her purse down, her keys, drank some water, went into the bedroom and sat at the edge of the bed. She'd only successfully toed off her shoes, removed her tights, and was working on her dress when she heard the front door.

Stripped, she walked to the dresser, grabbed a shirt, his shirt, and pulled it over her head. Then, feeling uneasy, sat on the bed to wait. Her stomach tightened when he walked into the room. "Do you want to shower?"

"No."

"You're sure?" Something about his voice was wrong.

"I'll take a bath later," she said.

"You can't. Doctor's orders."

Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms. "What happened?"

His eyes met hers, "Dr. White called with the results of the tests. Normally, she said, she'd wait for an appointment for results. This was too important for us to wait, she said."

"Okay."

He walked to her, sat next to her and took her hand, "Regina, were you being treated for anything before Christmas? Taking any antibiotics? Any medications? She asked, but I don't know."

"I…" Avoiding his eyes, she said, "I wasn't on any antibiotics. Why?"

"Dr. White said there were some abnormal findings in your blood. She said it could've been from antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or related medication. Were you?"

"I'm on an anti-inflammatory for a stomach issue I've been dealing with. It's been two years. Why does that matter?"

He took her hand, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Their eyes met, "I don't know. I guess because it's been an ongoing thing. I'm not really comfortable sharing that kind of thing. It's being handled. It's under control. It didn't even cross my mind to tell you."

"I would tell you, but that's besides the point. The point is you have to stop taking those medications. It'll hurt the baby. The OB will tell you that on Friday," he said.

"Oh, is that all?" She squeezed his hand, "You look upset."

"No," he said meeting her eyes. "That's not all." There was despair trapped in them.

"You better spit it out. Right now. I'm done being scared, Robin. Tell me." She took the front of his shirt in her fist. "What's wrong?"

Tears welled up in his eyes, "My mom called earlier, and I didn't tell you. Now, with this, I'm just a little messed up," he admitted. Tears fell down his cheeks. "I've tried to keep it together all afternoon, but I can't anymore." The tears fell, his body shook, his hold tightened.

"Is this about you leaving during dinner and coming back quiet?" She loosened her grip on his shirt. "I wanted to ask, but we were both tired. I didn't ask."

"Yea," he said wiping his face. "My dad's gone," he bit out. "He's gone, Regina."

Her heart dropped, tears sprang to her eyes, "What? When?" Her arms came around him shakily, his around hers, clung.

In her hair, he said, "An hour before she called me. She's a wreck."

"I'm so sorry, Robin." They held each other for a long time. When they were silent, when he was cried out, she asked, "What else do you have to tell me?"

He pulled back, took her face in his hands, "I love you."

"I love you." Her eyes wouldn't look away. "Is it worse than we thought?"

"No," he said resting his brow to hers. "There were some antigens in your blood, something called antigen 125, it's what they test for when they look at blood samples. They looked at the cat scans, the x-ray you did. I don't know enough about it."

Pushing his chest back, she asked, "What did the test say?"

"You have some sort of anti-inflammatory disease, I guess. She said you already knew that, which I'm mad you didn't tell me," he said.

"I…I've had it for years. It's just something I've dealt with. It's not life threatening."

"I know, I asked her."

"Is that all?"

"No, Regina. It's not at all what we thought."

"Okay, what does that mean?"

"It was a false-positive," he said. They looked at each other.

"What? I don't understand."

"With the mixture of the medication, hormones, and antigens, it appeared your blood cells were harvesting cancerous cells in your body. When they looked at the cells, they assumed it was breast cancer because of the increased cells in your body. But with you being pregnant and the medications, they couldn't make the connection."

"Are you tell me that I don't have cancer? They made a mistake?"

He took her face in his hands, "That's what I'm telling you. But you're still sick, Regina. You're not off the hook."

"I…" Tears fell down her face. "How?"

"They're referring you to a Gastroenterology doctor. You can't stop taking your meds without making other things worse. So, while you may be off the hook for the cancer, thank God, you've still got this to worry about. It's serious in terms of the pregnancy. Just not as serious as we thought."

"Oh my God," she cried into his chest when he pulled her to him. It felt wrong being relieved. "What about the baby?" Her voice was muffled.

"We'll find out when we meet with the OB and the Gastro. There are still some risks. I wish you'd told me about this, but I'm too relieved to be mad."

They wrapped around each other, "I'm sorry. We should call your mom. She needs us."

"No," he said. "Give her some time. We all need a little time."