Chapter 8

It was late in the day when Little John approached him, and he knew what was to come out of the man's mouth, something he himself has been asking, but hasn't been able to answer yet.

"Robin"

"Mate, what are you up to tonight?"

"You know we've known each other for long time, way before our thieving ways.'

"Aye John we have, what's this about?"

"I'm not going to beat around the push here Robin, what is it with you and the Queen? The men have begun to think she's cast some sort of spell, they've seen you at night with her."

How was he going to answer him? Would he tell him how he himself doesn't know what's going on? How can he put into words what he feels for her when there aren't enough words in the language to do so? After a beat he answered his friend truthfully,

"John, I can't tell you what is going on for I do not know how to put it into words. There's something about her that pulls me to her, something beyond the capabilities of magic, something beyond the common understanding. When I'm around her, everything else ceases to exist, it's like she is a part of me I didn't know I was missing. I just don't know John, but I don't intend to stop whatever it is."

"Robin, you know no one here will get in your way, especially not me. When you saw her, there was a spark in your eye that hasn't been there since we lost Marian, I know who that woman is, but yet she has proven to be the exact opposite of what the stories portray her to be. The way I see her with Roland, and with you, it's like all three of you have found a place of peace with each other. But just be careful Robin, Evil or not it's been a big part of her, and I won't let anything happen to you or our little lad."

"Thank you John, I know you're looking out for the best in Roland, and me, but I know my son has never been safer than in her presence. I don't know what she feels John, but I intend to find out."

"I know, and don't worry, I'll keep watch on the little man tonight, you have a lot of thinking to do. Your heart will lead you to the right place."

With that, Little John left, yet Robin couldn't make sense of anything, but he knew he had to figure out what was going on, he knew where to find her, but he needed to gather his thoughts before he saw her tonight.

/

He spent the rest of the evening by the pond on the far side of the castle, doing nothing but thinking of her. Her hair, her ivory skin, and thought of her with Roland in her arms, the constant need to want to embrace her and protect her, it was something that he couldn't understand after just meeting the woman a short time ago. With Marian, everything had been different, he knows a part of her will always be with him, but With Regina, it's something so powerful that it scares him.

The moon has lighting the night sky now, and he knew soon she would be out in her gardens, and if he was honest with himself, it had become his favorite time of the day, just because he was able to be near her.

He couldn't kid himself anymore, what he felt for Regina Mills was raw, she and Roland gave him a sense of home, gave him a future to look forward to.
The last though on his mind was of her and Roland together, and with that he knew what he had to do. Tonight he would lay his soul to her, and it would scare her off, he knew, but he would fight for her.

/

She always managed to take his breath away, no matter if she was angry, mad, or upset, he's grown accustomed to read her. He stopped short when he saw her in the short distance ahead, her hair was down, and her luscious curls cascading down her back, and the way the moon was lighting her face knocked the air out of him. She was completely and utterly breath taking, and suddenly, everything was right, He knew in his heart without any doubts who this woman was to him. He has seen her tear stained face, made it a personal goal to wipe them all away, and for her to never shed them again. He walked up, and closed the distance between them, careful not to startle her, and the closer he got, the less his worry became.

He could tell she had been upset, and it managed to tug at his heart more, and he gingerly placed his hands on her shoulder. He felt her tense up before she turned around and faced him.

They did nothing but stare into each other, he longed to hold her, he longed for the taste of her lips, to feel her, for her to be free. He saw the turmoil in her eyes, and he wanted to get rid of it, but before he got the chance, she raised her hands, one to his chest gripping his shirt, and the other caressed is cheek, he would not push her, but he didn't have to, for her lips crashed upon his.

She tasted like the first breeze of a summers day, the first rays of the sun in the morning... Home this is what she tasted like. She tasted like heaven and hell, and everything in between, but after a moment she pulled away, and when he opened his eyes he couldn't believe his eyes. She was truly beautiful. But now it was his turn, his hand went to her waist and pulled her in, the other finally reached the locks of hair he didn't know he craved, slowly removing his gaze from her lips, he looked at her eyes once more, and before he moved to kiss her, the whispered 'so incredibly beautiful' didn't go unheard by Regina.

Their first kiss tested the waters, a chaste kiss nothing much, but this, this was raw utter emotion, and passion. She felt him hold onto her tighter, his hands angled her face, and their mouth danced around each other in a dance that was only meant for them, so new, so fresh, but so familiar.

He felt her body relax, felt her caress his back, griping his shirt, moving in a frenzy touching him everywhere she could. His hair, his face, his skin, she needed more.

She dropped her hands to his side, she needed to feel his skin, she didn't care where they were, at this moment she felt nothing but at home with him, and as much as it scared her, she embraced it. She was done running, and after this, she wasn't sure she could be far from him, and the strength he gave her. Without breaking their kiss, she maneuvered to untuck his shirt just enough to get her hands underneath it. The moment she raised her hand, the intensity of the kissed filled her with warmth she never knew existed with in her, she felt the beating of his heart, she felt the warmth under her palm, she touched him, and kissed him, and this, whatever this was, they knew it was something beyond the strength of common words.

For the first time, in a very long time, Regina Mills felt safe, protected, cared for, and a home in the arms of another man. They broke their kiss, when the need for air was extreme, she kept her hand under his shirt, and his only grew tighter around her. Gasping for breath, she lowered her head until she was safely tucked under his chin, her ear pressed against his beating heart, she did all but curl herself into him.

His hands enveloped her completely, as he rested his head at the crown of her head, his hand rubbing her back, and the other tenderly caressing her hair and scalp.

By now they were right up against her apple tree, with only the moon and stars to witness them, he felt her press against him, he could spend every waking hour, and slumbering sleep with her in his arms. Slowly, he began to lower them to ground, but he refused to let her go, instead he sat down, and placed her legs across is thighs, and held her form right up against his. He knew what this meant to her, he may have known her for a relatively brief time, but it was an eternity to him, one he wouldn't change or alter, because for the first time in a long time, in this moment, under this tree, with Regina in his arms, Robin was finally at peace, and everything was right in his world.

/

They stayed like that for what seemed hours, she had never felt at peace within these grounds, but at this particular moment, she was in complete unashamed peace, and she marveled in it. Robins hand never ceased their movements on her back, on her arms, her hair, while hers remained under his shirt. She had asked him if she could unbutton it, to which he had no objections, she just needed to be close to him. So here she was, sitting on his lap, one hand wrapped around his back, her cheek pressed against his bare chest, and her free hand laid flat on near his ribs, she cold spent the rest of her life like this, and the simple thought of this scarred her. Terrified her.

She closed her eyes, and focused the beat of his heart beating next to her ear, relished in the way his hands moved around her body, and in the embrace they were currently in.

She must have dozed, for she woke to Robin caressing her face. They were no longer pressed against the tree, for when she fought her way out of the most peaceful sleep she has had since their arrival, her head was laid against on his shoulder, their legs entwined on the grass, and her hand still laid on his stomach. She felt his fingers tracing he contours of her face, and she smiled before she opened her eyes, only to meet his only inches from her face. When their eyes met, he smiled at her, leaned in closer and kissed her brow, her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, her jaw, and when he reached her mouth she had the brightest and widest smile he had ever seen grace her face. Without a second though, he kissed her in a kiss that lingered, a simple kiss that tasted like summer, a kissed that meant more to then both than they were willing to admit.

He broke away, and looked at her once more, drowning in her eyes, he spoke, "You are simply stunning do you know that Milady?"

"They didn't call me the fairest of them all for nothing dear."

He chuckled at her response, forever up for a challenge she was, but his face turned serious when he thought it was time to speak.

"I could spend the rest of my life like this. And it scares me because I don't know what you are thinking, I don't know that when you leave you will act like nothing happened here tonight, that you will run away from me."

"… I know….. I just, I don't know Robin. You're the one person who has seen past me, the only person that has taken the time to actually see me as me, and it scares me that you managed to do that in this short amount of time. I'm afraid of what's to come, I'm afraid of what I feel, I'm just … I'm so tired of running. I'm so tired of being looked at as the Evil Queen. But that's all I'll ever be to them. And I'm just so tired."

All he could do, was to hold her tighter, to let her feel a peace I his arms. He shifted himself, and rolled them over until he was hovering above her, leaning on his elbow he looked at her beautiful brown eyes filled with uncertainty.

"Regina Mills that is who you are to me. To Roland, to yourself. Yes, you have past, just like the rest of us do, no one here is a saint, we are all sinners in this world, and those who judge are the ones who hold the most. You have been battered, and bruised, you have been kicked and tossed aside, and yet after everything, you are here, and you are whole. I've heard the stories of the woman who changed because her son saved her, the woman who gave up her child to protect him. I've met the woman who my son asks for every night and day. I've met the woman who has stood in front of a group of people against a woman who wants nothing short of your demise. You are stunning, and you are resilient, and I won't let you run from that, and I won't let you run from this.." he cupped her face, and kissed the tears that escaped from her eyes, the truth in his eyes was too much for her, and once more she wrapped her hands around his neck, and with tearful eyes she kissed him with everything she had.

He pressed himself closer to her, and the feel of him above her sent shivers down her spine.

/

They laid there a while longer, but the temperature started to drop, he rose to his knees and softly looked that the frown that graced her face, "Come Milady, I won't keep you out here to catch a cold, let's get you to be shall we."

"A bit forward don't you think?" She said as she raised her eyebrows, and smirked at him.

He leaned closer with that everlasting smirk plaster to his face, and kissed her cheek before moving to her ear, whispering, "I won't have you complaining when we make it there, that I promise you milady."

..

He left her at her chamber doors that night, worked themselves both up against the door, until they were breathless leaving them with ache, but he tore himself before he lost all control. With one last kissed, he wished her a good night sleep. When she woke the next morning, she woke with a smile that stayed with her all day. She dressed in a hurry, wanting to see her thief, and her Little Knight.

She made her way down the hall, when she heard her name being screamed at, she turned with glare to find Snow and Charming coming towards her. She could tell whatever they were about to say was nothing good considering the look on their face.

"What is it now?" She said.

Snow looked at her, and extended her hand, where and enveloped sealed green stamp, and Regina written in what appeared to be blood.

"She sent a raven with it this morning." Was all Snow said.

Regina looked at it hesitantly, trying to sense if there was any latent magic around the envelope, but she couldn't sense anything. She shot Snow and David a questioning look before she reached for it.

The moment she went to open, it was too late to regret it, and when the green dust filled her nostrils, she fell to the ground, and the world around her went black once more.

A:N/ Not really sure if you guys are still reading or not, but I hope you are.

I would love to hear your opinion on the story, and if you want it to continue. Your thoughts would be highly welcomed!