Author's Notes:
Special Thanks to my illustrator and contributing author ale_nena for the beautiful cover art.
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 drifted awake to the sound of her phone buzzing. Looking up at the ceiling, she blinked in confusion. It was a Saturday and she didn't recall having anything important to do that day. Why would her alarm be going off?
Rolling over she picked up her phone and found that the buzzing was from several texts, the latest was from Lily.
"Did you see The Mirror last night?"
"No, why?"
"Check their website."
Frowning, she settled back under the covers and opened a browser to search for The Mirror's website.
Resting her hand behind her head, she waited distractedly as it loaded. Their front page was splashed with a bold white letters "Spencer wild night in Cayetano" above a blurry picture of a neon lit room in the middle of which was James Spencer with a topless woman on his lap.
She blinked, suddenly paying more attention. Scrolling down to the actual story she read it to herself.
"Trouble in paradise? 29 year old financier, James Spencer has recently been seen gracing red carpets with Regina Mills, granddaughter of former President Xavier Mills. This past weekend, though, he was spotted partying at a strip club in gambling resort San Cayetano. Does this mean splitsville for the power couple? We anxiously await the political princess's reaction!"
She sighed, frowning at the characterization of her in the article. Before she could do anything else, though, her phone buzzed again.
"Did you see it?"
"Yes," she typed back.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I guess," she answered, "I know my mother is going to freak, though!"
"Fuck, Cora!" Lily responded, "Are YOU alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Regina answered again, "I mean I don't know what I'll do…"
"Dump his worthless ass!"
Before she could type a response her phone started buzzing with an incoming call from James.
"I gotta go. Talk to you later," Regina typed to Lily and then swiped to answer the call.
"Hello?"
"Regina," James voice was anxious and rough, "Listen I have to tell you something-"
"I saw The Mirror," she cut him off.
"Fuck!" he groaned, "I'm so sorry."
She opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by her phone buzzing against her ear. Lowering it she saw that she had another call coming in from her mother. With a sigh, she hit 'ignore' and said to James, "My mother is calling."
"I really am sorry...what are we doing to do?"
"What are we going to do?" she repeated, "Well there isn't much to do! This deal was supposed to involve discretion!"
"I know, I know!" he groaned, "I messed up. My dad has been calling all morning…"
As if on cue her phone buzzed with another call from her mother.
"Yeah, my mother will be up here knocking on my door any minute now" she answered after again declining the call.
He sighed heavily, "So what do we tell them? What about when the tabloids start calling?"
Pinching the bridge of her nose, she paused before answering, "The way I see it everyone expects this will end in a break up, so...that's probably the least messy way to resolve things. We tell our parents we're over because of those pictures, and tell the press 'no comment'"
"Yeah," he said ruefully, "You're right. I didn't mean for this to happen, Regina, really."
"It's fine," she sighed as her phone started buzzing again, "Listen, I really have to go."
"Okay," James answered, "Bye."
Hanging up, she answered the other incoming call, "Yes Mother? Yes...I saw the article in The Mirror."
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
After a 20 minute argument with her mother on the phone, Regina finally managed to convince her to let her off the phone long enough to shower...with the promise, of course, that she'd speak to James as soon as she got out.
Not bothering to mention that she'd already spoken to him, she hung up, took a long hot shower, dried and brushed her hair, and then got dressed.
Finally unable to delay any longer, she left her suite and rode the elevator downstairs.
In the dining room her father was sitting at the table sipping coffee.
"Morning," she said, pouring herself a cup.
"Morning," Henry answered, "Your mother is looking for you."
She sighed as she stirred cream and sugar into the cup, "About The Mirror article?"
He didn't answer, but there was really no need to.
"Setting down the spoon," she grabbed a muffin, cut it open, and spread butter on, "Gods, what a mess!"
"Well," Henry said gently, "I won't say 'I told you so'-"
"Then please don't!" she shot back in exasperation.
Henry looked slightly hurt, but didn't say anything.
"I'm sorry," Regina said, "I didn't mean to snap."
"It's alright," he brushed off the apology, awkward silence falling between them that was broken by her phone going off again.
She opened the incoming text from Cora, "Where are you?!"
"At breakfast."
"Well come to my office ASAP!"
Letting out a breath, she excused herself and carried her coffee and muffin with her to the elevator. On the fourth floor she made her way around to the office where her mother was waiting for her.
Inside, Cora had her computer open to The Mirror's homepage.
Looking up at her daughter, the older woman crossed her arms and motioned for her to sit down.
Taking one of the chairs, Regina set her coffee and muffin down on the edge of the desk.
"This...is a disaster!" Cora said measuredly.
"Yes," Regina nodded, "I know."
"Did you talk to James?"
"I did."
"And?!"
"I ended things."
"You what?" Cora asked.
"I ended things," she repeated, taken aback by her mother's surprise.
"Why would you do that?"
"Mother, he was caught partying with strippers!"
"Don't remind me!" Cora said, "So what? You're going to play the role of jilted girlfriend like the tabloids are speculating?"
"Well what do you want me to do, Mother?" she asked, "Be the forgiving doormat girlfriend, instead?"
"I'd prefer if it hadn't come to this in the first place!" Cora exploded, "My God, Regina, I thought things were going well between the two of you?"
"Well...honestly, Mother, things were kind of fizzling anyway," she admitted.
"Fizzling?"
She shrugged, "We gave it a shot but I just don't think it was meant to be."
"Well that's preposterous, Regina!" her mother answered, "You get out of a relationship what you put into it! James Spencer was perfect for you!"
Regina frowned, wondering why she was surprised that this had, somehow, turned out to be her fault.
"Ever since Unity Day in the capitol the two of you have barely seen each other! That was two months ago!"
"As I said, things were fizzling."
"Regina-"
"Are you actually defending James right now, Mother?" she interrupted, "Our names are all over the tabloids. I know you aren't happy about that!"
"Of course, I'm not," Cora answered.
"Well, maybe think about that?" she suggested, "It isn't even campaign season yet and already we're caught up in a scandal because of him! You still think he's perfect for me?"
Cora sighed, the expression on her face telling Regina that her mother knew she was right, "Alright, you have point but maybe you should learn from this experience, Regina?"
"Learn what, exactly?" she asked, taking a bite of her muffin, "To not date guys who cheat?"
"That you have to be proactive in your relationship!" Cora corrected, "Men will try to get away with whatever they can. If you're ever going to get what you need out of a relationship, you have to take charge!"
"Like you do with Daddy?" she muttered bitterly.
"What did you just say?" Cora demanded.
"Nothing, Mother," she sighed.
Storming around the desk, Cora grabbed the other half of the muffin up and tossed it in the trash.
"I wasn't finished with that!" Regina protested.
"It's pure sugar and fat!" her mother answered, "You aren't 21 anymore Regina, you need to start thinking about your future."
"One muffin will ruin my future?"
"You know what I'm talking about! This is just like your last relationship. You've barely tried. You haven't tried with any man since college. You still living at home and acting like you're a teenager-"
"You want me to move out?"
"No, I'm not saying that! What I want you to do is start taking your role in this family more seriously!"
"Is this about moving to the political office again?"
"Yes, it is! My campaign will kick off in less than four months, we need you to contribute-"
"I'm happy where I am, Mother!"
Gritting her teeth, Cora stood behind her desk.
"Look," she tried to change the subject, "My plan so far was to not say much to the press about this James situation. Let it blow over. Unless you had another strategy in mind?"
"No," the older woman shook her head, "That sounds very reasonable."
"Great," Regina stood from the chair, "I'll see you later."
"This discussion isn't over, Regina," Cora warned as she walked out the door.
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
The rest of the weekend had been relatively peaceful until, somehow, a reporter managed to track down her cellphone number.
After an initial "no comment" her phone and rung continuously until she finally had to just turn it off.
Apparently Albert Spencer had also called in an attempt to convince Regina to give another chance, but Cora dealt with that call.
At lunch she'd had to hear all about it, but was still grateful that she didn't have to take it herself.
Finally, after Cora paused in her lecturing, Henry cleared his throat.
"I got a call from Zelena this morning. She and Blake are coming for dinner tonight."
Both Regina and Cora looked at him in surprise.
"Tonight?"
"Yes," he answered, "They said they're driving down."
"From the Federal District?" Cora asked, "What for?"
"Well, I'm not sure, but they said they had some sort of announcement they wanted to make in person."
"Is it about this thing in the tabloids?"
"I don't think so," Henry answered, "She didn't even mention that when we spoke...but she did text about it later."
Regina sighed, knowing the crap she'd get from her sister and brother-in-law both over this.
"What sort of announcement?" Cora asked suspiciously.
"I don't know," Henry admitted, "I was a bit concerned but Zelena assured me it was nothing bad."
"Why didn't she call me?" Cora asked.
Glancing at his wife, Henry sense the hornets' nest that was the question, and dodged it, "I'm sure she tried, Dear, but you've been very busy this morning."
Cora huffed but didn't comment, "We'll have to let Mrs. Fa know to expect two more people for dinner tonight."
"Yes," Henry nodded, "That's a good thought…"
Regina stared at her plate as her parents' voices faded into the background. Abruptly pushing away from the table, "Excuse me."
Making her way through the outer kitchen, she opened the patio door and stepped out into the garden.
Taking a deep breath she dug her phone out of her pocket and powered it up.
25 missed calls.
Rolling her eyes, she opened her messager and typed out a message to Robin.
"Can we meet? Somewhere private?"
"Sure...where?"
"I don't know! Just somewhere no one will see us."
"There's a spot a mile into the running trail. I can meet you there."
"Okay, sure. See you there," she answered.
After a quick trip up to her room to change, she set out along the trail around the property. The first part of it was in the open, but about halfway through it disappeared into the trees behind the house.
As the tree cover and underbrush got deeper, Regina finally spotted Robin in the distance.
Turning, he spotted her, "Hey, is everything okay?"
"Yeah," she jogged up to him, "Are there security cameras in this area?"
"What?"
"Security cameras?" she repeated, "Can anyone see us right now?"
"No," he shook his head, pointing behind her, "The nearest perimeter camera is four meters that way. And it's pointed outward."
"Good," she grabbed his sweatshirt and pulled him to her lips.
He moaned in surprise, hands holding her hips.
They kissed until they had to break apart for air.
"Regina, are you okay?"
"I told you 'yes'," she answered, going back in for another kiss, but he pulled back.
"Is this about this thing in the news with James Spencer?" he asked.
Was it? At first she'd simply wanted to talk, but the moment she saw him her thoughts had turned to other things.
"No, Robin, it's not about James," she answered honestly, "I don't care about this whole thing. It was bound to happen. If anything it's a relief because I don't want a fake boyfriend, I just want you."
His expression melted like ice cream and leaned back into the kiss, "My Love."
She wrapped her arms around him, hand moving down to massage him through his running pants.
Pulling back, he chuckled, "Regina…"
"You said there's no cameras here, right?"
"Well, yeah, but….right here?"
"Yes," she breathed, "Right here, right now."
That was the last she needed to say as he scooped her off her feet with a growl.
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
She made it back to the house about an hour later, walking gingerly as she was a bit sore from being backed up against a tree...and other reasons.
She shivered at the memory of goading Robin until he braced her against the nearest tree and fucked her hard.
A smile played at her lips as she crossed the front lawn, glancing up she noticed two black towncars in the circle out front.
She stared in confusion until she caught a flash of her sister's bright red hair getting out of the back of one.
Recalling her parents' conversation that she'd fled earlier, she straightened up and walked toward them.
As she stepped into the circle, Blake emerged from the other side of the car. Glancing over at her, he started for a moment before sliding his sunglasses down.
"Regina," he greeted, "You look...have you taken up jogging?"
She shrugged, "Blake, Zelena...what are you doing here?"
"Can't we come see our family for dinner?" Zelena asked snottily.
"What's wrong with you?" Regina asked.
"Perhaps because you had to ruin everything as you always do!" the redhead snapped, turning on her heel and storming up to the front door.
"What was that all about?" she asked her brother-in-law.
"You haven't seen The Mirror?" Blake asked condescendingly.
"Oh that."
"Oh that? That's all you have to say?"
She sighed, "Blake, I'm really not in the mood to rehash this."
"Well, what were you thinking?"
"About what?" she asked, "I didn't tell James to go party with strippers!"
"And, yet, our family name is the one being dragged through the mud all the same!" he shot back, "Honestly, Regina, you have to be smarter than this!"
Gritting her teeth, Regina asked, "Why are you two here? If all you wanted was to gripe at me about James, you could have just called!"
Nearing the top of the steps, her words reached her older sister's ears, "We had a big announcement to make! Not that anyone will care now!"
"What are you talking about, Zelena? I had no way of knowing this would happen!"
"It doesn't matter!" she yelled as they opened the door, "It's about you...again! It's always about you. Somehow you're always the center of attention!"
"Oh by the Gods!" Regina groaned, "I don't want to be."
"But you are and now no one is going to care that I'm having a baby!"
Silence fell as her sister's screeched announcement echoed through the foyer. Even Regina was struck speechless at the sudden
The silence was broken by a soft voice at the end of the hallway, "What?"
Turning the two women saw their parents standing by the elevator. After a long silence, her mother slowly walked forward, "Zelena, is this true? You're pregnant?"
"Yes, Mother, I am," she answered reaching into her purse and taking out a sonogram, "The doctor estimates I'm about 6 weeks."
Taking the picture gingerly, Cora stared at it. It was Henry who finally broke the tension, "That's wonderful news!"
Stepping past his wife he hugged an ecstatic Zelena, "Congratulations, Darling."
As Henry moved on to shake Blake's hand, Cora straightened up, "Well...this is indeed a happy turn of events. We should celebrate. I'll tell Mrs. Fa to prepare a special dinner tonight."
"Ugh," Zelena groaned, "If I can keep it down! Everything is already making me sick!"
Patting her hand, Henry led her over to one of the couches in the entryway, "I'll go make you a ginger ale."
"Thank you, Daddy!" she beamed, sitting down with exaggerated difficulty considering she was still skinny as rail.
Regina shoved down any unkind thoughts about her sister's penchant for melodrama, tough, and moved to sit down in the chair across from her as Cora and Blake took seats on either side of Zelena.
"Yes, and don't worry about this business in The Mirror," Cora re-assured her, "It's just a cheap tabloid anyway! They'll move onto the next story soon enough. It wouldn't be a bad idea to wait to make an official announcement anyway. If you're showing a little, the public will be all the more delighted!"
"You think so?" Zelena, "I hadn't even thought of that."
"First thing in the morning, I'll call the editor of United News. Tell him we'll be making a big announcement in a few weeks. That way you'll be sure to make it to the front of the society pages."
Cora and Zelena continued to discuss plans for announcing the pregnancy while Regina and Blake eyed each other awkwardly.
"So how's work?" he asked.
"Fine, thank you."
"Great."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you," he nodded, an awkward silence falling again. Luckily it was interrupted when Henry returned with a glass of ginger ale for Zelena.
"Here you are, Sweetheart."
Beaming under the attention, accepted it with a thanks. By then Cora had moved on to discussing photographers with Blake. The two excused themselves to her office, leaving a seat open for Henry.
"So how are you doing?" he asked her, "Have you been feeling alright?"
"Oh, I'm tired all the time! It's to hard with work and Blake being at the political office all the time!" she said, "And next year is an election year! I've had to turn away all new clients because I'm due right at the start of campaign season!"
"Well don't worry, we'll be here to help you if you need it and you don't need to worry about working anyway," Henry assured her, "You just need to worry about growing a healthy baby."
The two chatted until Zelena finished her ginger ale and Henry went off to get her a refill, leaving his two daughters alone.
"Congratulations on the baby," Regina said.
"Thanks...sorry about Spencer," Zelena answered, this time not sounding at all hostile.
She shrugged, "Don't worry about it."
"Ah," Zelena nodded, "So it's was Mother's relationship rather than yours?"
Her head snapped over at the words, "Why would you say that?"
Zelena laughed, "You think she didn't used to do the same to me?"
"I don't remember that," Regina muttered.
"Yeah, of course you don't," Zelena answered, "You were away at college and had no time for your family."
Regina looked away so her sister wouldn't see her eyeroll.
"Honestly, what is with your taste in men?"
She looked up, "...what?"
"Were you really so in love with that vet's son?"
After letting out a sigh of relief, Regina answered, "Do you really love Blake?"
"I know he's not your type, but he's mine!" she answered.
"There you go then."
"Alright, fair enough," Zelena answered, "Though I can only imagine how Mother would have reacted if you'd married him!"
Regina quirked her lips. If she only knew…
"Well, I better get changed before dinner," she pushed herself up from the couch, "Congrats again."
"Good luck, Sis," Zelena waved as she made her way to the elevator.
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
After dinner that night, the family had a long discussion until Zelena excused herself, saying she was tired. Blake went along and Regina took the opportunity to retreat to her room as well.
Left alone Henry and Cora finished their drinks quietly before heading up to their suite.
Henry showered while Cora removed her makeup and changed into a nightgown.
She was just sliding in to bed when Henry emerged from the bathroom. Shutting off the light, he walked around to his side of the bed and slid in.
Things had been a little awkward between them since what happened after their anniversary, so he stayed firmly on his side but did comment, "Today was a good day."
Startled out of thought, Cora nodded, "Yes...good timing. Announcing a new baby just a few months before my run will be good optics."
He sighed, "I thought you might just be happy about having our first grandchild."
"Well, of course, I am!" she said matter-of-factly, "Still...perhaps it was fate."
"I thought you didn't believe in fate?"
"I don't," she rolled over and flipped off her bedside light, "But I'll take a win where I can get it."
He wasn't totally happy with that answer, but chose not to argue, instead simply picking up a book and his reading glasses.
"Do you think they'll be moving back in with us?" Cora asked.
"Perhaps," he set down his book, "Zelena mentioned that work has been difficult and it's not as if she'll be able to take on clients for this election. I'm sure once your run starts they might...at least temporarily."
"I think it'd be a good idea," she said thoughtfully, "Will make things easier to have everyone living in the same city and working on the same team during the campaign. Speaking of...we need to talk about Regina."
He slid off his glasses, "Cora…"
"This has gone on long enough," his wife interrupted, "She needs to join the political office."
"There's nothing we can do if she doesn't want to!"
"Does that mean you're not leaving either? I thought you were going to take a sabbatical next year to support the campaign or did you not mean that?"
"No, Cora, of course, I'll take the time to help your campaign-"
"Then it won't kill Regina to also!"
Henry sighed.
"If she really insists she can go back to the Foundation after the election!" Cora insisted.
"What would you have me do?"
"Draw up the paperwork on Monday!"
"I'm not going to tell her she has to take a sabbatical. If you can convince her that's one thing but I won't force her-"
"Fine, I will. Just send over the paperwork."
"You really think you can change her mind?" Henry asked skeptically, "You said she refused-"
"Just leave it to me, Henry. You know I can be persuasive," she said, settling down into her pillow.
Henry Mills was doubtful, but had to admit that his wife did tend to get what she wanted…no matter how implausible it seemed.
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
When Monday rolled around Regina was glad to be back in the office and have something to focus on other than fielding calls from tabloids. Zelena's announcement may have distracted her parents from James' escapades, but the gossip rags were still very much on the subject.
Setting down her briefcase, she sighed heavily.
The sound of the door closing behind her drew her attention. Turning, she noticed that Lily had come into the office and shut the door behind her.
"Hi," she said curiously.
"You okay?"
"Lily, I told you…"
"Yeah, yeah, you told me you were fine but now I'm asking if you're really okay!"
"And I told you I'm fine!" Regina insisted, "Why are you making such a big deal of this? You know that...he and I weren't exclusive."
Leaning in the dark haired woman said, "...you don't have to whisper that Regina, your mother isn't here."
"Okay," she sat down, "Lily, I appreciate your concern, but I have a lot of work to do!"
"Look all I'm saying is that sometimes...feelings happen even when you don't want them too. It's okay to not be okay."
She chuckled, "Yes, well, I really am. Trust me, what you're thinking...this isn't that."
Lily finally seemed to somewhat accept that, "Okay, but if you change your mind, you know I'm here."
With that, Lily opened the door and return to her desk. With the door open, Regina could hear the phone ringing as the other woman answered it.
"Hello?...Yes...okay, I'll tell her."
Standing, she turned back to the office, "Alright, well, turns out I lied...your mother is here."
"What?" Regina demanded.
"She's downstairs," Lily nodded, "The front desk clerk says she wants to see you and asks that you come down."
"Why doesn't she come up?"
"I don't know," Lily shrugged, "But the front desk says she was really insistent!"
"Okay," Regina dragged herself up from her chair. Walking out of the office, she glanced over at Robin, "You'd better come too."
"Of course," he nodded, standing and motioning for her to go ahead to the elevator.
"Good luck!" Lily called as she sat back down at her desk.
Regina quirked her lips as she and Robin boarded the elevator.
"What's this about?" he asked once the doors were shut.
"I don't know," Regina answered, "Maybe more about this tabloid thing."
Reaching over, he squeezed her hand reassuringly. She smiled back at him before the doors opened and she was forced to drop it.
Heels clicking on the marble, she walked toward the front desk where her mother was still standing.
"Regina," Cora turned, "There you are."
"Mother," she nodded, "What are you doing here?"
Putting one arm around her daughter, Cora led her to the front doors, "I wanted to discuss something with you...in private."
The older woman glanced back at Drake who nodded understandingly, and motioned for Locksley to hang back to give them some space.
Walking alongside her mother, they crossed over the threshold and out onto the sidewalk.
Regina frowned, it was breezy that day and she'd left her coat upstairs, "There would be more privacy in my office, Mother."
Cora ignored her though, continuing to walk along until they were a good distance from the Mills Foundation building, "I just wanted to give you one last chance to reconsider the political office. Now is the time we need to come together as a family, Regina. Especially since your sister won't be able to be as active in the campaign."
"Mother," she sighed, "I'm not interested"
The older woman frowned, "I'm sorry you feel that way."
Before Regina could respond, a blaring car horn caught her attention. Turning, the two caught sight of a taxi that swerved across traffick and parked clumsily, nearly jumping the curb in its haste.
The driver's side window rolled down and a plain looking man leaned out, "Cora Mills, right? Former governor of Misthaven?"
Cora blinked, "I'm sorry...have we met?"
Glancing Regina up and down, the man shoved open the door and stepped out, "Who's this? Your daughter?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't know you," Cora said, attempting to turn away.
"She's pretty, just like her mother...too bad her mother's such a traitor!"
Feeling tense, Regina stepped back. Before she could turn to see where Drake and Robin were, the man's hand shot out and grabbed her arm, "Where do you think you're going!"
"Take your hands off her!" Cora yelled.
Regina pulled back, but he held onto her hard. In the distance she could hear Robin's voice shouting.
"I said where are you going?!" the man yelled in her face.
Pulling back with all her might, she kicked him hard in the shin. As he let go of her with a shout, she stumbled backwards, falling against the cold, hard pavement.
"Stay away from my daughter!" Cora yelled, smacking him.
"Ow! You bitch!"
As Regina looked up, the man seized Cora around her waist and dragged her into his cab.
"Mother!" she called as the door shut behind them.
"Mrs. Mills!" Drake shouted.
The cab roared to life and pulled away from the curb with squealing tires.
Turning, Drake chased after it as it tore down the street.
"Regina!" Robin fell to his knees beside her, lifting her face, "Are you alright?"
"Yes!" she scrambled to her feet, hurrying to into the street to see where the cab had gone. The comotion had drawn a fair number of spectators, many of which had their cellphone cameras out filming as Drake chased after the cab. He was too far away to have a hope of catching it though.
As it neared and intersection it swerved back and forth dangerously, drifting as the light turned red. With a blare of a car horn, a car speed through in the opposite direction, clipping the front end.
Both cars spun out before coming to a stop.
Regina's hand flew to her mouth in shock, lungs feeling like all the air was suddenly sucked from them.
Drake didn't miss a stride, though, running over to the cab and yanking open the driver's side door. The pulled the driver out and shoved him face first onto the ground.
"Come on!" Robin grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him to the intersection.
As they arrived, Cora had already opened the passenger's side door.
"Mother!" Regina called, "Are you alright?!"
"Yes, yes-" Cora attempted to wave her off.
"Mrs. Mills, don't move," Robin instructed, "You could have a spinal injury."
"I'm fine!" Cora insisted, but remained seated as Robin took out his phone to call an ambulance. There were already sirens blaring in the distance, though.
Holding onto the side of the cab for support, Regina took deep breaths and tried to stop she shaking in her hands.
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
The blanket the paramedics gave her was scratchy and smelled like chemicals, but she'd kept it on for the entirety of the ride to the hospital and the exam the doctors insisted on giving her.
After they gave her a clean bill of health they sent her to the private waiting room where'd she'd been met by the police. Once she finished giving her statement, she was left alone with Robin and Drake hovering nearby, along with hospital security.
She sat numbly under the blanket, staring at the dingy floor and her stocking that had torn when she fell on the pavement.
Her focus interrupted only when Henry arrived, "Regina!"
Finding herself surprisingly unsteady on her feet, she struggled up from the chair.
"Oh my daughter! Are you alright?" he hugged her tightly, pulling back to look her over.
"Yes," she nodded, "Yes, Daddy, I'm fine."
He nodded, "What about your mother?"
"I don't know, they're still examining her."
"Well have you talked to nurse?" he asked.
"I…" she opened her mouth but no words came out.
"Oh," he patted her hand, "Don't worry about it. It's alright."
Helping her back to the chair, he motioned Drake over and asked him to find a nurse. The security chief looked hesitant, but nodded.
Eyes on the floor, Regina said quietly, "It was so fast...it happened so fast. It was almost..."
Grabbing her hand, Henry said firmly, "There's nothing you could have done! All that matters is you're alright!"
She nodded, simply looking back at the floor.
After what felt like an eternity, the waiting room doors opened revealing Drake and a nurse pushing Cora Mills in a wheelchair.
"Oh!" Henry leapt up, "You're alright?"
"Yes, Henry," she nodded, motioning to the cut on her head that was now covered with a neat bandage, "Just a scratch."
"Your wife will be alright, Mr. Mills. We've discharged her," the nurse explained, "She just needs to keep her dressing clean."
"Thank all the Gods!" her father breathed.
Clearing his throat, Drake jumped in, "We've pulled the cars around back, Mrs. Mills."
"Around the back?" Cora looked up at him, "Why?"
"The front is swarming with press, Dear," Henry explained, "Given the circumstances, it's probably best if-"
"If I make a statement," Cora cut him off.
"I…" Henry stammered, "...surely we can leave that to the police?"
"It's better if it comes from me," she answered, standing from the wheelchair, "If the public sees me, they'll know we're still strong."
"But does it have to be tonight?" he argued.
"Mrs. Mills, I'm not sure this is safe," Drake joined in, "With what happened-"
"The man is still in custody, yes?" Cora asked.
Drake frowned, but nodded 'yes.'
"Then there's no danger," she concluded, "The public should hear that from me."
"Cora, are you really-"
"I need to do this, Henry!" she said firmly.
Seeming to sense that there was no changing her mind, the two older men persuaded her to get back in the wheelchair, at least to the lobby.
As they pushed her out, Regina stood in the same spot where she'd taken in that entire argument.
"Regina?" Robin caught her attention.
Not saying anything, she walked on numb legs to the elevator with her parents. At the lobby, Cora ditched the chair and was escorted out by Drake and two police officers, Henry insisting on being close by her side.
As they walked through the doors, a hundred blinding flashes went off as the press sprung into action, each reporter shouting questions.
Regina's stopped to watch as Cora held up her hands for silence, "Thank you, everyone, I'd like to assure you all that I, and my family, are perfectly safe. This….frightening event, was perpetuated by a young man who the Unity City PD have informed me was mentally ill. I appreciate everyone's concern for me, but what we should focus on now is not any notions of revenge...but of understanding...understanding that the reason this happened, is because our health system continues to cut funding for mental healthcare. This is a tragedy, not only for those who suffer from mental illness, but for us all. This sort of neglect puts us in danger as a society…"
As her mother droned on, Regina shook her head, "Perfect."
Robin, who'd been beside her the whole time, glanced over and whispered, "What?"
"It's all so perfect."
"Love, what do you mean?" he asked with obvious concerned, "Are you feeling alright?"
"No, I'm not," she chuckled mirthlessly, "...she asked me to come outside."
"What?" he repeated.
"She insisted I come downstairs," Regina reminded him of the conversation with Lily, "And then she said she wanted a word in private but insisted we go outside….in public."
Robin stared at her in shock before finally saying, "Regina, you don't really think she…"
She looked over and met his eyes for a moment, then turned back to Cora who, by now, had the entire crowd of reporters eating out of her hand. Rather than victim, she looked strong...like a leader.
"It doesn't matter what I think. No one will ever prove it," Regina commented bitterly, "She's too perfect for that."
The two watched Cora for a few more moments before the tiredness overtook Regina. Turning into Robin she said quietly, "Take me home."
Wrapping an arm around her, Robin lead her to the car. She was acutely aware of all the cameras on them, but put it out of her mind. It'd just look like she was traumatized from the day and he was helping her...and even if someone thought it looked like more, she couldn't bring herself to care.