Chapter 6

It had been two and a half years since the last time Regina and Robin spoke. Now, after high school graduation, they were finally going their true separate ways. Regina was going to Harvard, and Robin was going to The University of Maine. Robin was scared. He knew once they left, Regina would truly never speak to him again. He wasn't ready for that.

Cora and Henry weren't very big fans of Robin for a few years, but it eventually passed. They could see how much their daughter really meant to him.

Today was the day Regina was leaving for college. Regina's parents had told Robin's, and Robin's parents told him. This was his very last chance. To talk to his best friend (he still thought of her as his best friend after everything). He missed her. He needed her. He loved her.

Robin pulled up in front of his front yard. He could already see Regina saying her goodbyes to Emma and Mary, there early, as always. Her eyes were glowing and she was smiling. A real smile. The kinds that she never showed with him anymore. He's missed her smile. He's missed everything about her.

Robin got out of the car, but he didn't walk over to Regina's yet. He would give Regina some time before seeing him. Robin watched as Emma and Mary gave Regina time to spend with her parents, and then Robin's. After what Robin and Regina went through, Regina still felt as though his parents were her second ones. She still talked to them frequently, and she couldn't be anymore happier. Well, she thought she couldn't.

When Robin noticed everyone was almost done their goodbyes, Robin started walking over. Regina was putting one last box inside the passengers side when she sensed a body behind her. A very handsome body, holding flowers. Her favorite kind. Roses.

"I heard you're leaving," Robin smiled sheepishly, but Regina didn't smile. She looked his up and down. Damn. Why did he have to look so good? Didn't he know it was killing her?

"Well, you heard right," Regina sighed. She hated this tension. After all the time they've spent apart, she forgave Robin. She should have known deep down that Robin wouldn't feel the same way that she did, and she couldn't blame him for that. You can't make someone fall in love with you.

"Here, I know they are your favorites…." Robin handed Regina the beautiful bouquet of flowers, and for the first time in a long while, Robin saw Regina's mouth form a real smile. It was like the sun was finally shining.

"You remembered," Regina felt like things were normal again. For once, they weren't avoiding each other or fighting, they were just talking.

"Of course I did. I could never forget," Regina looked down, trying to hide her growing smile. Robin, on the other hand, didn't even bother. He didn't care if anyone knew Regina made him smile. He was proud of it.

On the other side of the car, Regina and Robin's parents were watching their children carefully. Regina's wanted to make sure Regina was okay with Robin being so close to her, and Robin's wanted to make sure their son wasn't crossing any lines.

"Regina," Regina missed hearing her name roll off his lips, "I'm sorry."

Regina sighed and looked back up at the man she still loved, "Don't be. It was a long time ago, and it's in the past…."

"Listen, I know it's a lot to ask of you, but I hope that we can try to be friends?" Robin hoped Regina didn't blow him off. But to his surprise, Regina smiled. Finally.

"Robin," He missed the way she says his name too, "I'm not saying it will work out, but we can try. If you really want to." Robin's smile made Regina feel giddy on the inside all over again. How was it that this guy could still make her feel like a little kid again?

"I can't tell you how happy that makes me!" Robin knew he shouldn't have, but he couldn't control himself. He hugged Regina, picking her up and spinning her around. Robin immediately realized he had crossed lines, and put her down.

"I'm sorry. I just-" But he didn't get to finish his thought. Because Regina pulled him into another hug. They both felt like they were finally home. They were finally at peace with each other.

As Regina pulled away from the hug, she looked over and saw both of their parents just staring at them. Then, she saw Emma and Mary frowning. They were not fans of Robin anymore. Oh well. They would just have to deal with it. Having Robin back was her dream come true.

"Thank you. For the flowers." Regina put them in her car also, and sighed. What now? What was next?

"Anytime….." Robin and Regina smiled at each other one last time, and then Regina noticed the time. She had to leave. She frowned. She missed Robin too much to leave now. But if she didn't, well, there wasn't a possibility she could stay.

"Robin, I have to go," Regina whispered, and Robin nodded. The final goodbye. Until he returned home again. But when would that be? When would he see her again?

"When will you be back?"

"Thanksgiving," Regina replied, and Robin groaned. He ran a hand through his hair. Thanksgiving was too far away. He wouldn't make it. Not with Regina miles away from him.

"Promise me. Promise me you will come back, and I will see you again." Robin begged. Regina took a deep breath. Honestly? She didn't know if she wanted to see Robin again. Because by Thanksgiving, he would probably have a girlfriend. After all, he is a very lovable guy.

"I promise," Then, a few moments later, Regina drove away. Robin wished she didn't have to leave, but he knew this was for the best. Regina would get to live her life, and he could live his. But was it really living if they were separated?

…..

Thanksgiving rolled by fast. Faster than what Robin expected. This year, he and his parents were going to the Mills to celebrate, just like they have every year. Robin couldn't be anymore excited to finally see Regina again. What he didn't know was that Regina wouldn't be traveling back home alone.

Nobody had the heart to tell him Regina was bringing home her boyfriend of two months, Graham Humbert. Everyone knew it would leave him in pieces, either way, but no one could tell him. It was like a ton of bricks weighed down that Robin didn't notice.

Regina was a half hour late to Thanksgiving at her parents, but she couldn't wait to be back home. She especially couldn't wait to introduce her boyfriend to everyone. But one person kept popping in her head. Robin.

How would he react when he met Graham? How would she react if he also brought a plus one? Could they really be civil with each other for one dinner?

Regina knocked on her childhood door, and her mother greeted her on the other side.

"Regina! It's so good to have you home, honey!" Cora and Regina hugged, and Regina laughed at her mother's response. Home is really where the heart is. She just never thought it would be literal.

"Thank you. Mother, this is Graham Humbert, my boyfriend. Graham, this is my mom, Cora Mills." Pleasantries were exchanged, but through all the fake politeness, Regina could already tell her mother did not like Graham. Great.

Regina and Graham stepped inside, and Cora took their coats. Regina didn't even get to take one step before she heard her loving father's voice.

"Ah, my daughter finally graced us with her presence," Henry teased, and father and daughter embraced each other. It was so nice to be back home. Now, all she needed to do was find him.

"Hi Daddy! Uh, do you know if-"

"He's in the living room," Henry smirked, knowing her daughter would ask to see Robin in the very beginning. Henry looked over at Graham, and politely smiled. Graham smiled back. Henry and Graham had already met. One day, Henry surprised Regina at her dorm and Graham was there. Cora couldn't make it because of a work trip.

"Hi Graham, nice to see you again," Graham smiled and nodded.

"Nice to see you too, Mr. Mills. Um, do you mind if I use the restroom?" Henry shook his head and led Graham to their bathroom. A perfect time for Regina to find Robin.

Regina went into the living room and was relieved. Robin was sitting on their couch, talking to his parents. She knew it was bad, considering she had a boyfriend who was present, but she was happy Robin hadn't brought anyone back home. It would be too hard.

"Oh, hi Sweetie! It's been so long since we last saw you!" Helen exclaimed as Robin's parents both gout out of their seats to greet Regina with a hug. When her parents sat down, Robin got up and walked over to Regina. She was absolutely beautiful. More beautiful than ever. How was that even possible?

"Hi," Regina smiled before pulling Robin into a hug. During the last couple of months, they have become friends again. They haven't got to the point where they were, not yet anyways. But Regina was glad. She and Robin were finally talking again, as real friends.

"Hey. I was wondering when you would show up," Robin teased, and Regina swatted his arm. They were both smiling like idiots, and if anyone didn't know, Regina and Robin could have easily been mistaken as the couple.

"Traffic was terrible. But I'm glad I could make it." Regina sat down next to Robin and she allowed Robin to put his arm around her. Well, this was going in the right direction. Maybe if Robin played his cards right, he would-

"I can't wait for you to meet Graham," Robin's heart stopped. Who the hell was Graham?

"Who?" Regina looked at Robin like he had three heads, and his parents cringed. The moment was bound to come, and they wished they told their son instead of Regina. His best friend that he was madly in love with.

"Graham. My boyfriend?" Regina didn't understand. Didn't Robin know that she was bringing home Graham today? Didn't he she at least had a boyfriend? Oh, guessing by his mouth wide open, apparently not. Nobody told him?

"You have a boyfriend?!" Robin exclaimed. Regina looked over at Robina parents for help handling this situation, but they just looked at her with apologetic looks. Of course. Robin's parents didn't tell him. This day was getting better and better.

"Oh, you didn't know?" Regina asked gently, and Robin shook his head. He tried

to hide the heartbreak. He thought Regina was in love with him. Not some guys she just met during school. What they had was better. A lifelong bond. How long has she known Graham? What, three months? This was crazy!

"There you are, babe," A tall man with dark blonde hair commented, walking into the living room towards Regina. Robin tried not to be sick. What the hell was going on?

"Oh, Graham," Regina got up from the couch quickly, and Robin knew Regina didn't want him to see his arm around her. Great!

"This is my friend, Robin. Robin, this is my boyfriend, Graham," Robin and Graham shook hands while Robin tried not to grimace. He didn't like this guy. Not one bit. He and Regina didn't fit. They did not make a good couple. At all. This. Was. Horrible.

If he told Regina what he really thought about her so called boyfriend, Regina would think he was jealous. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. But the only thing Robin knew for sure was that he had a goal. A horrible, evil plan. An operation.

Operation Mosquito. Get rid of the annoying pest he would just love to punch in the face.