Author's Notes:

Special Thanks to my illustrator and contributing author ale_nena for the beautiful cover art and help with planning this chapter.

Setting: Misthaven non-magical modern AU. The society and political system will be based on a combination of modern countries, with a probable bias toward the American system as I am an American. However, all characters are fictional and resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidence.

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Regina stared at her reflection in the elevator doors, glancing over at Robin next to her. James had suggested meeting in the hotel bar before the premier, and she'd agreed. It seemed like a good place to break the news to him.

Looking back at her, Robin tapped her hand, "You okay?"

"Oh yeah," she assured him.

"Did you want me to keep my distance while you talk to Spencer?" he guessed.

"Probably for the best," she nodded, "I'll just be in the bar."

"Okay," he agreed walking her to the bar entrance and taking a place near the door.

Walking inside, Regina spotted James sitting near the window. It was hot that day and the bar had opened the large shutters facing the beach so that a pleasant breeze drifted in.

Spotting her, he stood.

"Hello. Wow, you look amazing," he said, leaning in to kiss her.

Quickly turning so it landed on her cheek, she nodded, "Thank you."

"So," he asked, pulling out her chair for her, "Did you want a drink?"

"No thank you James, we need to talk."

He met her eyes, but only answered, "Alright, what's up?"

"Listen you're a great guy-"

"Oh wow," he said, "It is that kind of talk!"

She sighed, "I'm sorry."

"May I ask what I did wrong?"

"Nothing," she told him, "It's not that you did anything wrong, it's just that...I don't see this going anywhere."

"Well the reason it hasn't gone anywhere is because you haven't been ready for it to," he pointed out, sounding a little irritated.

She took a breath to control the rising annoyance she was feeling to, "It's not personal, James. I just don't think this is going to work out."

"Why?" he asked, "Is there someone else?"

Her heart started racing before she could stop it, but she tired to keep her voice neutral as she answered, "It's not about that, James. It just isn't going to work. I think I should go-"

"Wait!" he stood from the table as he did, "Regina, wait! Please! Just give me a minute! You don't understand what I'm trying to say!"

She sighed, but turned back.

"Please, just hear me out," he motioned for her to sit back down.

"There's nothing else to discuss," she said firmly.

"You don't think there is," he said, "But I think you might be surprised by what I have to say."

Against her better judgement, she let herself sink back into the chair.

"When we met you said you'd just gotten out of a relationship with someone that your parents didn't know about...is it that guy? Because I haven't seen you in the tabloids with someone else, so I'm guessing you're keeping things discrete-"

Remembering that conversation, Regina really regretted having confided in James even as little as she had, "It is not about someone else!"

"Well, what I'm saying is it's fine with me if it is," James told her.

"What?"

"Look," he leaned against the table, "I have to confess something. My dad wants me to be more settled down but I'm really just not ready for that. However...you were the perfect girl for me."

She wrinkled her brow, "So you're saying you just dated me because your dad wanted you to?"

"No offense, you seem like a nice enough person, but yeah, that was mostly it," he admitted, "You're a perfect cover."

"Cover?"

"If everyone knows you're my girlfriend, no one will be looking at what else I'm doing…" he trailed off, giving her a pointed look.

She started, now sure what to say, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Well, what I'm saying is that we might be able to help each other out in that way."

"Excuse me?" she laughed, "So you're suggesting...what? That we just keep dating even though we know it isn't going to go anywhere?"

"In public at least," he shrugged.

"James," she leaned, "You just basically told me that you were planning on cheating on me."

He had the decency to look a little sheepish, "I'm being honest with you now, though."

She laughed, "You're insane!"

"Am I?" he asked, "Who's this other guy?"

"I told you there is no other guy!"

"Sure there isn't," he said skeptically, "Whoever it is you obviously don't want your parents to know...so this way we'd both get to do what we want without the headaches."

"I…" she stammered.

"Just think about it," he told her checking his watch, "Now you probably want to go get ready for this premier, right?"

She picked up her phone and was surprised that they'd been talking longer than she expected. Swearing she rose from the table.

"I'll meet you out front with the car," James called after her.

She looked back, but her mind was too preoccupied to worry about the fact that she hadn't planned for going to the premier after breaking up with James.

"Hey," Robin joined her on the way to the elevator, "How did it go?"

"Well...there was a complication," she said as she pressed the button for their floor.

"Hm?" he asked, and then nodded, "Oh right! This thing tonight. He's supposed to go isn't he?"

"Well...yes," she admitted, not sure how she was going to tell Robin what James had suggested.

"Did he take it okay? Will he still go?"

"Yeah," she nodded, "He's still willing to go."

"Okay," he nodded as well, "It's just a few hours, right?"

She smiled weakly as she hurried to her room.

"Regina?" he asked.

"Yeah?"

"What's wrong?"

She let out a breath and said, "Come on in, I'll explain."

* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *

"He wants to pretend you're still dating?" Robin asked half an hour later as he sat on her bed.

"Apparently," she answered as she put on her earrings.

"And why does he want this, again?"

"From what he said it sounds like he wants to be able to sleep around without it becoming public that he's doing so."

"By having a fake girlfriend?"

"Yeah."

"Why would he be worried about that?" Robin asked, "He's a rich…"

She glanced over at him with a smirk as he trailed off on whatever he'd been about to say.

"He's got everything to going for him when it comes to power and privilege," he corrected himself in a more diplomatic way, "He can just do whatever he wants!"

"Except when his father doesn't want him to," she pointed out, "You and I know that better than anyone!"

He sighed but didn't say anything.

Hearing him, she stepped out of the bathroom, "Robin?"

"Hm?"

"I didn't say I was going to agree to it!"

"So you're going to tell him 'no'?" he asked.

"He just asked me to think about it," she explained, "And I'm not saying I'm going to agree to it…"

"But?" he prompted.

"Well, in a way it does make sense."

"It does?"

"You know how difficult it was for us before!" she pointed out, "And when my mother hears I broke up with James, she'll just push all that much harder."

"And you can't just tell her to back off?" Robin asked.

She barked out a laugh, "One doesn't just tell Cora Mills 'no'"

"Apparently you don't…" he muttered under his breath.

She frowned, "Robin, if you want to say something just say it."

He stood from the bed to walk over to the bathroom door, "I just don't understand why you don't tell your mother to back off. You're a grown woman."

"You think she cares?" Regina asked, "Robin, you have no idea what she's capable of."

He couldn't entirely hide the skeptical look.

"You remember last winter?" she asked, "The email hacking scandal that appeared in The Mirror?"

"The one that exposed a lot of embarrassing secrets in government and big business? Yeah I remember it!" he said.

"Did you ever wonder why none of it touched my mother?" she asked.

He shrugged, "She's cautious."

"She is," Regina acknowledged, "But that was right after her last assistant before Belle quit, so Blake and I were running her schedule. Blake accidentally CCed me on an email a week before the story broke about a meeting with Sidney Glass."

"You're serious?" he asked, "You're saying your mother and brother-in-law were involved in The Mirror leaking that stuff?"

"I don't know for certain what they did, but I know that the hardest hit people were some of her biggest enemies, and that she and most of her allies were pretty much left out."

"But most of it was just guy sexting their assistants and other salacious crap!" Robin pointed out, "Some of it was even proven to be false."

"Not before careers were destroyed, though," she pointed out, "Everyone reads the headline, but by the time the retraction is published they're no longer paying attention."

He had to admit she had a point there.

"Besides, did you ever wonder why the only things that were published were sex scandals and salacious gossip? Nothing actually exposing any kind of real corruption…" she gave him a pointed look.

"Well even if what you're saying is true...you really think she'd do that to you? You're her daughter!"

She flipped off the bathroom light walking out to take his hand, "I'm not worried about myself, Robin."

Catching her meaning, he sighed, "I don't need you to protect me."

"My mother wouldn't hurt me, if, for no other reason, than it'd make her look bad by proxy, but she could do whatever she wants to you. You said yourself that you couldn't find a job before this she hired you-"

"I can take care of myself, Regina!" he insisted.

She sighed, glancing at her watch, "Can we talk about this later? The car will be waiting downstairs."

He didn't look very happy, but answered, "Sure" as he motioned for her to go ahead of him to the elevator.

* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *

At the premier, their driver dropped them off at the theatre entrance where the cast and other VIP guests were arriving.

Even having lived her whole life in the public eye, it was intense. Press crowded together all around them, flashes going off constantly.

James seemed to really roll with it, though, lifting her arm into the crook of his elbow and leading her through.

The inside was packed full as well, though there weren't as many cameras going off so she had a moment to take in her surroundings.

The driver had taken Robin around to the parking garage, so she didn't get to see him before she show started.

At the premier party afterward, though, she spotted him standing, along with other security personnel at the back. She wanted to catch his eye, but was pulled away by the film's director who wanted to get a picture of her with the cast.

Afterward, he pulled her to the VIP table and ordered champagne for everyone and spent the next hour talking her ear off. She was the granddaughter of a former President, daughter for a former governor and speculated future presidential candidate, and this guy seemed self-important even by the standards she was used to!

Thankfully, he was generous enough with the drink refills to make it bearable, so by the time he finally excused himself to go talk to some big studio honcho he'd spotted she was more than a little tipsy.

A few of the cast members took the opportunity to politely, but quickly, make their escape.

"Don't mind him," a smooth voice with a noticeable, but not extreme, Tierras, accent said. Glancing up, she wasn't really surprised to see it came from Bertan Javi, the actor who'd played her grandfather at the beginning of his political career, "He loves the sound of his own voice."

She chuckled, "I see that."

"So?" he asked, sliding over next to her and slipping his arm around her shoulders, "Did you like the film?"

Glancing at her shoulder, she answered, "It was very enjoyable."

"I'm so glad," he grinned trying to lean closer.

"Regina!" James interrupted, appearching next to the table, "There you are, Darling. I missed you."

"She's been here a while," Bertan pointed out, "You only missed her now?"

James took it gracefully, though, "I always miss Regina when I'm away from her, but I have no interest in controlling a lady. If she doesn't wish my company, I know she'd tell me."

"What do you think, Regina?" Bertan purred at her.

Biting her lip to keep from erupting in ridiculous drunken laughter, Regina rose unsteadily from the table, "I think it's getting late and we should probably be heading back to our hotel. Good luck with the film, Mr. Javi."

Neither she nor James stuck around to see how he reacted.

"You okay?" James whispered in her ear as he walked her to the door.

Wobbling unsteadily, she answered, "Yeah I think...I think I drank too much."

He laughed but didn't comment.

She felt as Robin appeared behind them going out the door.

"Everything alright?"

"Yeah," James told him, "Miss Mills is ready to head back."

Glancing at her, Robin nodded, taking out his phone to text the driver.

Regina stood between Robin and James for what felt like forever, trying not to sway even as she was standing still.

Finally, the driver arrived and she all but fell into the backseat.

Laughing, she dragged herself up to scoot over and let James in.

As he shut the door, he shook his head but also smiled.

"Were you watching me with that cheeseball Bertan Javi?" Regina asked.

"Not for as long as I watched you with the director! Dear Gods can that man talk!" James joked.

"I know, he was abs...absurd," she answered, laughing around a hiccup.

James clearly agreed, but didn't comment.

Sighing, she laid her head against the window. Robin was sitting in the front passenger's seat in front of her, and she wished she could see his eyes in the mirror but it was impossible.

Oh well, she mused as she let the pleasant warmth of the alcohol settle over her, she'd just have to wait until they got to her room.

* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *

She was startled awake when the car stopped at the curb near the hotel. Leaning up, she let Robin open the door and stumbled into his arms. She was perfectly happy to remain there, but James appeared quickly to help her stand up and walk straight incase there were any stray papparazzi around.

The three rode the elevator up to her floor, and the two men helped lead her into her suite to the bedroom.

She collapsed face down onto the bed.

"Well...she's out," James chuckled, pulling at the edge of the blanket to cover her up. Thinking, Robin walked past him to see if there were any bottles of water in the mini bar.

"I'll let her sleep if off," James said after draping the bedspread over her, "You'll be okay?"

Before he could answer, Regina rolled over onto her side facing the side of the room where they both were, vaguely held up her arms, and muttered, "Stay."

James blinked in surprise from the side of the bed. Given their conversation earlier this was definitely a surprise, but...well I couldn't say he wasn't considering it...

Robin also froze, trying to ignore the anger and hurt bubbling up inside him. Setting the water down on the table, he turned on his heel and started striding toward the door.

Abruptly Regina sat up, letting the bedspread fall off her, "Where the fuck are you going?!"

He turned, looking back at her.

"Didn't you hear me? I asked you to stay. What are you doing?" she slurred.

Glancing between them James caught on to the mistake they'd both made. Clearing his throat, he muttered, "I'm just going to….go."

He quickly made his way out of her suite. Regina waited until he'd closed the door behind him before, standing from the bed.

"What the fuck, Robin?!" he sighed, but she went on, "You thought I was talking to James?!"

"Well...it was a little confusing…"

"You think I'd ask another man to bed right in front of you?!" she demanded, "Right after we just got back together?"

He brushed his hand over his face, "I know, I know! I don't know what I was thinking."

She frowned at him, "Neither do I! I thought we worked through this!"

"Well, I did too, but..." he trailed off.

"But what?" she asked.

"Well I've kind of been sending mixed signals," he sighed.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well...you said you were going to break up with him but now you're talking about continuing to date him-"

She opened her mouth to interrupt but he stopped her, "I know, I know! You said it'd only be fake, but that would be a lot easier to believe if…"

"If what?"

He sighed again, "I know, after what happened on your birthday, I have no right to complain about this but...you never answer when I tell you I love you. I know it's not fair, but that's not easy."

She looked uncomfortable, turning away with a muttered, "I need the bathroom."

As he door slammed shut behind her, Robin sunk down onto the bed, wondering if he'd just screwed up everything.

He listened through the door, worried that she might get sick, but only heard silence for a good long time, followed by the shower starting up. It ran for about 20 minutes before shutting off. Another long silence followed until she finally emerged wrapped in one of the hotel robes.

"You're still here," she blinked at him.

"Yes, of course I am!" he said, standing, "I won't leave unless you tell me you want me to."

"No," she shook her head, "I don't want you to."

Stepping softly, she walked over to sit down on the bed and finally said, "I'm sorry."

He looked at her, waiting for her to go on.

"I haven't not been saying it back to hurt you...well maybe I have, I mean...no! That's not what I mean. I wasn't wanting to hurt you, but...well...maybe I was testing you a little," she admitted, "I'm not trying to be mean to you, but after I told you I loved you...you really hurt me."

He looked at his shoes and nodded, "I know."

"I do forgive you, though, I really do but it's still hard sometimes."

"Fair enough."

"No," she shook her head, "It's not fair! Either I forgive you or I don't! I'll tell James tomorrow that this fake relationship thing isn't going to happen."

"Actually," he said, "I think it makes a lot of sense."

"You're just saying that because I was upset at you-"

"No," he cut her off, "That's not why. I was thinking while you were in the shower and, well, we obviously still have some work to do with us."

She nodded in agreement.

"I know your family means a lot to you, and I never want to make you choose between me or them," he said, pointedly ignoring what she'd brought up earlier about feeling she needed to protect him, "So if Spencer really only wants a cover...it probably would work for all of us. Assuming that's all he wants!"

"I don't care if he might want more, that's all I want and all he'd ever get!" Regina declared.

Robin nodded, "I trust you."

"Are you really sure about this?"

"Yes," he told her, "I trust you, and I think it will help us...for now at least."

"Okay," she said, "But do you really trust me, Robin? I mean after what just happened…"

"Yes, I do!" he insisted, "That was just me being insecure and stupid."

"I don't mean about James, I mean do you trust that I meant what I said when I said I forgave you?"

He regretfully admitted, "I trust you meant it it's just…"

"You're worried I'll change my mind?"

He nodded.

"Yeah, well, I get that because I worry about that too!"

He looked up at her incredulously, "That I'll change my mind?"

"Yes."

"Why would I do that? Gods, Regina, you're the best thing that ever happened to me!"

"Yes, well you've kind of given off mixed signals too!" she argued, "After we'd been sleeping together for months you tell me I should see other men if I want to, and don't believe me when I say I love you. and now that we're back together you were going to just walk out when you thought I was propositioning another man?"

Robin says "I told you I love you. I've told you nearly every day the last few weeks! You don't believe me now?"

"I…" she hesitated, "...until that morning in the garden it never crossed my mind that you didn't love me! It seemed, in everything you did, the way you looked at me, the way we were together that you felt the same way I did. That's why I said it first, because felt that you loved me even if you didn't say it. But there is still a small part of me that feels like you're just saying it now to make me happy, and, yes, part of me is afraid of being that vulnerable again, so maybe that's why I haven't said it."

"Well, you were right. I did love you then," he told her, cupping her face between his hands and kissing the tip of her nose, "I love us. I love you and I'll keep saying it until you feel that I mean it."

The words and his actions made her smile.

"And, you know," he stepped away, walking around to the other side of the bed, "One good thing already about this plan of James'. Everyone assumes you're going to want your privacy with him around, so no one even knows I'm here."

She laughed letting him tuck her into bed, "That's right. They don't. So how about you join me?"

"Okay, if you're sure," he agreed.

She laid back against the pillows and watched as he stripped down to his underwear before sliding into bed next to her. She scooted over into his arms with a contented sigh. They cuddled whenever they got the chance, but there were so few times when they could actually fall asleep together, and between the remnants of alcohol still in her system and the comfort of being next to him, she drifted off in a matter of minutes.

* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *

When Regina woke up her mouth was incredibly dry. Glancing around the room, she spotted the bottle of water Robing left earlier in the glow from the bedside clock.

Extricating herself from Robin's arms, she opened the bottle with shaky hands and downed two sizable gulps.

Closing her eyes, she rested for a moment before recapping the bottle.

As she sleep cleared from her eyes, she felt a lot more clear headed than she had earlier. Obviously, she'd managed to sleep off the champagne.

Setting the bottle back on the nightstand, she rolled back over into Robin's arms. As she cuddled up next to him she couldn't help but take note of something decidedly hard pressing against her lower belly.

She giggled quietly, staring into his face as he slept. Resting one hand on his chest, she brushed a lock off hair off his forehead, pressing a kiss against his jawline as her hand slid down his chest to the waistband of his boxer-briefs.

Smirking to herself, she stroked his erection through the fabric until he was fully hard, his hips unconsciously shifting under her teasing touches.

He startled awake with a sharp breath.

"Glad you decided to join me," she teased.

Blinking, he took in his surroundings and the fact that she had been fondling him. Looking up at her, he said roughly, "Please tell me this means you're ready to make love to me again, because I want you so badly!"

Biting her bottom lip, she slipped her hand beneath his waistband and grasped his balls so abruptly he nearly jumped.

"Does that answer your question?" she said smugly.

His answer was a growl as he pulled her hand out of his waistband and lifted her over onto his lap.

Sliding one thin strap over her shoulder, he exposed one of her breasts and wasted no time closing his mouth around her nipple.

Already around, she gripped his shoulders, throwing her head back as she ground herself down onto his groin.

A gasp escaped her mouth as he released her nipple with a pop, sliding her nightgown up her thighs to pull it up over her head.

Tossing it aside, he greedily took in the sight of her.

Their eyes met in silent agreement as she lifted herself off him so that he could stand up to retrieve a condom from the trousers he'd shed earlier.

Scooting to the edge of the bed, Regina yanked down his boxer-briefs as he fumbled with the packet and stroked him a few times.

"Oooh, Regina don't…" he moaned.

She could tell what he was trying to warn her of, but she was more than ready as well. Grabbing the condom from him, she tossed the packet aside and rolled it on to the base.

Lifting one leg up to the edge of the bed, she slid her body back, allowing him to lay on top of her.

Hooking her feet around the back of his calves, she wrapped one arm around his shoulders, the two staring into each other's eyes as he slid inside her.

They stilled for a moment, breath coming in pants as they revealed in the feeling of being together again.

Neither knew who started to move first. It started with gentle grinding motions, quickly escalating until the mattress shook under the force of their exertions and they grasped each other's sweat slick flesh for purchase as they screamed out in release.

Afterward, both were tired and shaky. It was nearly 3 AM and still pitch black out.

They both managed a quick trip to the bathroom, but quickly fell back into bed and crawled into each other's arms.

"Love you," Robin muttered into her shoulder, his voice heavy with sleep.

"I love you too," she breathed back.