A/N: Surprise! I'm back! I wish i could tell you i know the end game for this story, but it literally just took another direction. So enjoy this angsty bit, cause were in for a ride.

Time seemed to evade Regina's life.

She spent her days between council meeting, reinforcing the castles barrier, the occasion attack from her sister, and in the library trying to find a way to destroy her last remaining family. Zelena's attack seem to be sporadic, but not the lethal force it could be, which only added to Regina's worry. She didn't know what she was planning, but whatever is was, Regina knew it would be quit the battle. The more time her head was in some book, or her hands in some potion, the more prepared she felt. Yet it was a nagging feeling in her gut that something was brewing, something she wasn't sure she could handle.

Her evenings on the other hand she spent with the two people who had become a staple in her life. Robin had all but moved into her room, spending most of his nights with the woman he loved, while his son took her attention during the meals they shared, or whenever he saw her during the day. It had been a couple weeks since the night she saw his tattoo, and yet she hadn't told him a thing about it, she couldn't risk it. And if she was honest, she was being selfish. Since she had arrived to the Enchanted Forest, she hadn't felt this sense of lightness in her life, she felt happy and safe, and she feared if she told him why they felt to strongly towards each other, something would go wrong, something or someone would try to take him from her, and that simply wasn't something she was willing to risk. She's lost too much already.

The people in the castle had become a bit less hesitant towards, her, and much to her surprise the people who had welcomed her the most had been Robin's Merry Men. But there were still the few who looked at her with disgust in their eyes.

Snow had kept away from her, David had told Regina that she was coming to term with things, and although a small part of her wanted to go and seek the young girl out, she simply couldn't bring herself to do it.

To top things off, her allergies had kicked in in full gear, and without the magical medicine of her modern world, she'd be stuck in bed for a good portion of her mornings for the past couple of days, though day she woke up with less of a stuffed up nose, and more of an uneasiness in her stomach.

But it seemed the people had come to terms with the new living arrangements, and life away from indoor plumping and internet, for they decided among themselves to throw a party in her own castle. Naturally she had opposed, but when a certain dimpled boy had found out, he all but promised her all the chocolate in the world for her to allow the party.

So that's how she finds herself standing in front of her closet with nothing but her robe, staring into the countless and extravagant dresses she once donned around this realm. She hadn't been dressing in her Evil Queen regalia lately, sure she'd wear statement dresses, but more often than not, she'd opt for a riding coat and pants, or a simple dress, and on days where Roland was there, she'd allow him to pick out her outfit for the day. But today was a ball, and if she wore her favorite pants she'd be sure her mother would come back from the dead just for that.

She's been starring at her wardrobe for the better part of the last ten minutes, going through her head with every possible excuse not to go, or to say the hell with it all and show up donning one of her most enticing and power driven dresses she owned. She'd been so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't hear her chamber doors open, and startled when she felt hands on her hips.

"Robin! God I didn't even hear you come in, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

"I'm sorry love, but you did know I was a thief, when you met me." Robin chuckled as he tightened his grip around her waist, peppering kisses along the neck.

"Robin." Regina warned as she knew to where this would lead. If not by his doing, than by hers.

Robin, behind her, just continued planting kisses along any exposed skin he could find.

"Yes, Milady. You know there is a ball tonight, and yet you're not dressed. Although, I rather fancy you like this, or what you may have beneath it." His whispered in her ear as his hands began to wander across her stomach.

"That's because I have nothing to wear." She whined, yet she closed her eyes, enjoying his touch.

"And we're never going to m-ahhmm" Her speech cut short as Robin moved sucked just beside her ear. Smug bastard.

"Robin, no, we ca-ahhh-n't n-now." She tried as she felt his hands brush under her breast, the other slipping through her robe caressing her bare skin.

"I think we most certainly can my love. It's not my fault you're so beautiful." Robin declared as he kneaded her breast, teased her nipple, and smiling as she threw her head back. Aside from their time at night together, he barely got a moment alone with her. So sue him if he missed her, and her fiery spark. The ball could wait. It's not like we want to go. He continued to kiss her neck, but was dying to feel her lips, so he turned her in his arms and did just that. Staring into her eyes, before looking down to her lips, he kissed her brow, moved to her cheek, to her nose, until she crashed her lips to his, not wasting another moment

He walked her back until they reached her bed, she giggled as she practically fell back dragging him along with her.

The smile on her face, and the joy in her eyes was enough to take his breath away, she fascinated him, captivated his heart, while their souls beat the same tune.

She brought her hands to cup his cheek, tilting her head ever so slightly, and just looked into the eyes that she could drown in.

"Were supposed to be getting ready for the ball." She spoke softly, grinning as he simply kissed her wrist and hmm'ed in response.

"Yes, but it's not like we have any true desire of going. They can handle themselves until we get there." He spoke in between kisses moving from her wrist down to her elbow until he reached her neck.

"Well in that case..." She smirked as she wrapped her leg around his leg, and flipped them over, pinning his arms with her tiny hands, "Good thing I'm still Queen and can show up whenever I want." She said as she crushed her lips to his, straddling down on him. Her kiss was hungry, seeking his tongue the moment their lips touched, she ground her hips to his, as she felt him try to get his hands out of her grasp. She knew how much he loved to touch and feel her, but she wanted to show him just how much she truly cared.

After minutes of blissfully making out like horny teenagers, he turned the tables by taking her hands, and sitting up, but this time he managed to bring her hands behind her back as she straddled his lap now.

"You've been holding out on me love." He spoke, that smug grin plastered on his face, as he went in for another kiss. He brought her hands to the side of her face, not wanting to cause her any pain, and from that moment on it was a lustful haze. Hands roaming, squeezing, stripping any clothing that dared get in their way until they were both equally naked, as she resumed her position on his lap. She tore her mouth away from his as she felt his fingers pass through her folds, arching her back as best she could, and gripping his shoulders like her life depended on it. He took the opportunity to kiss her neck, her collarbone, and as his fingers found their way into her, he suckled on her breast while his other hand firmly held her in place.

"Oh god" she breathed out, bringing her head to his shoulder, sloppy kisses around his neck as she rode out his fingers, only stopping when she felt herself on the edge, wanting nothing more than for him to be in her.

"Robin" she panted.

"Let go love."

"No, no I- ummmm- I want hmmmm I want you" she managed to breath out. Bring her hands in between then, stroking him lightly before positioning him, and sinking down onto him. Swallowing each other's moans as they fused their mouths together once more.

"God Regina, you're absolutely incredible." Robin panted out as she continued to rise and fall, once she picked up her speed, he brought his hands and caressed her back, her ass, thighs, kissing every inch of skin he could find. But he watched her, watched as her face turned into pure ecstasy, mouth open, as their moans filled the room. She was absolutely stunning, and he couldn't believe she was his, as much as he was hers. Their eyes locked, the intensity of the moment bringing then higher and she pressed her forehead to his, enjoying the temporary height she had against him as she continued to ride him, as his fingers sought out her clit.

The contact, was all it took for Regina's orgasm to burst, as her walls clenched around him, Robin lost all control, meeting her thrust for thrust, seconds later, moaning each other's names as they reached their release together holding onto one another.

/

By the time they reached the ball Regina was dressed in one of her blue gowns, not fit for a queen, but for just for her. Her arm was wrapped on Robin's hands, as her Little Knight happily took her other.

Part of the reason she wore her hair down, and the dress was his doing, He had come in shortly after Regina and Robin re-dressed, and his little fist banged on the door, taking it upon himself to pick out her entire ensemble for the night. Her long hair he brushed, allowing its natural curls to take over as they cascaded down her back, adding three of 'My Majesty's favorite flowers' to her hair. And in that moment, she couldn't have been happier.

/

As the night went on, the drinks flowed throughout the people, she watched as drink after drink they begun to lose all cares in their life, dancing, and laughing, the people around her became unfiltered, and limitless. She pitied them a bit, morning would not be kind to them.

Much to her surprise, it was Roland who kept her off her feet most of the night.

Gina, dance with me he pleaded until he dragged her off the table into their own little corner which he happily declared as theirs. But being son of Robin Hood, and living his life in the woods, he came to a road block when he realized he actually didn't know how to dance.

Noticing his dilemma, Regina crouched down to his level and asked, "Roland honey, would you like to learn how to dance?"

He smiled at her big and wide as he nodded his head feverishly in his approval, all she could do was laugh and lean in to kiss his nose. The little boy had truly gotten a piece of her heart.

And so they spent their time dancing away, most of the songs ended with Regina taking the boy into her arms and spinning him around laughing at his bursts of laughter.

It was when Robin finally came in and asked for her hand in dance that Roland reluctantly let her go, and made his way to Little John as the food was being delivered.

Ignoring the food, she spent her time dancing with him, getting lost in their own world. They had been so wrapped up in their embrace, swaying to the music, and stealing kisses time to time, that they didn't realize they had unintentionally moved to the middle of the dance hall.

Only realizing, when Regina was violently torn away from his grasp, by no other than Albert Spencer.

"What the hell are you doing!" Regina screamed as she got her bearings together. The bastard all but flung her to the other side of the room.

"Well, well, well you're Majesty." Spencer slurred, clearly drunk.

"How dare you lay your hands on her?" Robin seethed behind him as he went to push the former King away.

"What? You've cursed this one into being your sole protector. How can you, the once honored Prince of Thieves, possibly stomach being next to such a monster. I mean she's a fine piece of ass but protecting the Evil Queen. Some spell you've gotten him under, your murderous witch." Spencer sneered, as he got up from the floor, swaying on his feet.

"You think you've got everyone in this room fooled, but let me tell you something here, Your Majesty, you are nothing more than the Evil Queen, always have, and always will be. We're all in danger because of you, YOUR SISTER is out there, willing to kill us, just to get to you. Well you know what, you don't deserve any death shed on your behalf, your no queen, nothing more than a waste of breath who should have been locked p and killed the moment we got here."

"ENOUGH!" Granny hollered behind him, as she came to stand in front of Regina.

"You shut your mouth, and leave." Granny said.

"NO. I am King in this land, and by all rights, she should be banished and killed for everything she's done. You are no one but an old wolf, get back to the kitchen you peasant." Spencer continued, as the crowed around them grew.

"You're no king here you buffoon, you're just a drunken idiot. Now leave before I show you how much of an old wolf I really am" Granny sneered.

"He's right, that bitch needs to pay for what she's done to us. She destroyed our lives!" Spoke up one of his former Guards, Roger.

"I think Granny Asked you to leave Spencer." Warned David, hand on his sword, Snow following right behind him.

"Well if it isn't the little shepherd boy turned prince, coming to defend the Evil Queen are you?" Spencer mocked, as he looked over to Regina, "What, too afraid to speak now your Majesty."

"What do you want Spencer." Regina seethed as she made her way past Robin, Granny, and the Charming's.

"I want you to pay for your crimes. To stop parading around here like you're some saint." He said as he got closer to her, standing mere inches from her face.

"Oh, I parade around here like a saint do I? Let's not forget who saved your ass from Pan's curse Spencer. Who had to pay the price to keep everyone here safe" Regina spoke through clenched teeth.

"Oh boo-hoo that brat wasn't yours to begin with, he was just anoth-" He spoke, but before he could finish Regina had punched him in the face, causing him to stumble back into the arms of Roger.

"You Bitch!" He said as blood ran down his nose.

"DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK OF HENRY THAT WAY. Or so help me god I'll end you right here and now." Regina hollered, her blood was boiling, her body was shaking with nothing but rage.

Standing back up, he went to lunge forward and attack Regina, but Little John stepped in, grapping him by his cloak and slamming him down once more.

"You so much as lay a hand on her hair, and I'll take care of you myself you imbecile." John spoke as he looked down at the drunken fool.

"You're done here," moving to face Roger, "Get this scum out of this castle, and anyone else who shares his views are welcome to get the hell out of here." Little John spoke, before turning to face Regina.

"I'll see to it that they're long gone." He promised her as he placed a hand on her shoulder, her eyes were glassy, anger still very much there.

/

The moment he spoke of Henry something inside Regina broke, and all she could see was red. She knew she could have killed him on the spoke, but she couldn't let Henry down that way, but that didn't stop her from slamming her hands into his face. Her body shook with pure rage, and had John not taken him down, she was sure she would have killed him.

After all she'd done for these people, was this all they thought of her?

She lost her son.

She fought against her sister and almost lost her life.

She does nothing more than to try and keep this castle safe, and this is all she's ever been to them.

"Regina, snap out of it. He's a drunken bastard whose ego has been hurt one too many times. Don't let him get in your head, you hear me." She heard Granny speak, effectively snapping her out of her thoughts. But she couldn't help it, she's seen the looks of others, she knows what he speaks is the truth.

At Least it was until Marco walked forward.

"My Queen, please, you cannot believe what that man has spoken of you. We've seen what you've done for us, what you gave up. Those who fail and neglect to see that, they're not worthy of your protection."

"You don't get it do you? No matter what I'll do, I'll never be enough." She whispered.

"I've seen how some of you look at me, with anger and disgust in your eyes. I've given up my son to save everyone here, and yet some of you still look at me as the Evil Queen." She spoke with tear in her eyes. She was done fighting these people, if they wanted her gone, she wouldn't fight. She was tired of fighting.

"I never wanted to be Queen. All of you in this room think I'm just a power hungry, heartless evil witch. I am so tired of everyone here judging me and thinking that I am going to snap your necks at any given moment. Yet you're all so blinded by neglect that I gave up the one thing I loved most in my entire life, to make him safe, to keep ALL of you safe." She continued as she turned to face the people around her, not bothering to contain the tears that ran down her face.

"No, all you see, and all you will ever see is the Evil Queen. And the worst part, I know all of you here, you want to know why I know you?" She asked brokenly.

"Because before you knew me as the Evil Queen, you knew me as the Child Queen but you all forgot about that little detail didn't you. I was 17 when I was married to a man who could have been a grandfather. A King thought to be noble and kind, but you didn't know him like I did. You were at the end of his heavy hands when he decided to make me his punching bag. I was used by a man who failed to save his son, because he didn't want to give up being the dark one. I've proved myself time after time that I've changed, but that will never be good enough for you. And I'm done fighting. If you all despise me, than just say the word and I'll leave. I won't live like this anymore. I can't." She declared. The looks she saw around her were filled of confusion, mouths open, trying to make heads or tails of what she had said.

"Regina, please stop. Spencer, he's angry at the world. But no matter what he's said, you have changed, you've paid your dues, and you've sacrificed yourself time and time again for the people here, and those beyond. You are enough." Marco tried again, this time taking her shaking hands, trying to plead for her understanding.

Turning slightly to face the people in the ballroom, her hands still in his, he spoke, "You all know me very well. You all have seen Who Regina was at one point in her life, but tonight after all she's done we've failed her. If there's anyone here in this room, who can't see it in their hearts all of what she done for us, I ask you, to leave."

Regina scanned the room, expecting more than half to leave, yet she was frozen to her spot when she saw no one hand moved an inch.

Moments later, Granny broke the silence.

"Alright folks, that's enough for one night, let's get back to this ball, I didn't spend all day cooking for nothing."

Marco, on his part took her trembling hands and kissed them, you're more than enough child. He'd whispered before leaving her. Robin came to her and embraced her tightly. She gripped his shirt, trying to calm her mind and her breathing. The sob that escaped her was beyond her control.

"Don't you dare let that man get in your head love. He's a worthless bastard."

She felt his anger radiating off in waves, something she's never seen before, but the sense of protectiveness was enough to bring more tears to her eyes. She wanted to leave this place as soon as possible, and just as she was about to ask him to go, she felt tiny hands tug the skirts of her dress.

"Gina" Roland asked quietly, and looking down she saw his big beautiful eyes, usually filled of joy, now brimming with tears.

"Oh god Roland, I'm sorry my little Knight," She cried as she gathered him in her arms as rocked him. "I'm so sorry you had to hear that honey, I'm so sorry."

"Gina, why was that man saying those things." Roland asked as he pulled away from her slightly, wiping away his tears, and hers once he saw she was crying.

"He's a rotten man Lad, one we don't have to worry about no more." Answered John As he walked back to the trio.

"I have Will escorting Roger and the idiot away from castle, past the protection barrier, Your Majesty."

"Regina, John, please it's just Regina. And Thank you for what you did today, it means more to me than you may realize." Regina told him quietly.

"Please, you don't know how long I've been waiting to do that to his royal ass. I'm just glad I got there before he did anything drastic." John said as he smirked at her.

"Thank you John, truly." She nodded.

Roland had moved his head to her shoulder, not loosening the grip around her neck, and Robin had placed his hands around her waist. She noticed the Charming's standing to her right, not quit joining her. Looking over to Robin, she smiled at him before making her way over with Roland still in her arms.

"Thank you for stepping in there before David." She addressed the couple.

"Don't mention it. The man's an idiot, and had one too many. I just hope you didn't let him get into your head." David answered.

"Right well, if you'll excuse me, I've had enough commotion for one night. Goodnight." She said after a moment of silence, turning on her heel she heard Snow behind her.

"Regina!" Snow called out to her.

"I just… he had no right to bring up Henry the way he did. And, to be honest this is an apology that should have been said a long time ago, not just by me, but David as well. Henry became the person he is because you raised him, and we tried to take that away from you when the curse broke, and even when we went after Pan in Neverland….

I wanted to give you your space since the last time we spoke, but frankly you mean too much to me, and to the people here for us not to move forward. I hope we can Regina, because I don't want to lose you either." Snow declared quietly.

Regina stood there, speechless, as tears gathered in her eyes. And whether it was the events of the night, or everything in general, she didn't know but the next thing Regina knew, she was walking up to Snow, and hugging her around her neck, trying her best not to startle the boy in her arm. "Thank you Snow."

It had been the last thing Snow had expected, but after a moment of shock, she wrapped her arms as best as she could, knowing just how much it actually meant to her former step-mother.

"Thank you Regina." Snow whispered to her.

Minutes later the two separated, both feeling lighter with each other.

/

After they settled Roland into his bed later that night, Regina found herself tucked into Robin's side, replaying the world's Spencer had shot out at her. Most importantly what he had said to Robin. She drew circles on his chest, while her mind ran a mile a minute, asking herself when it would all come crashing down.

"I can hear you thinking." Robin spoke.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"Regina, you know nothing will stop me from wanting to be with you, right?" He asked as if he could read her mind openly.

"Why?" She asked, and if they weren't in bed, he probably would have missed it. But instead, he turned her on to her back, and kissed her senseless.

"Because I'm no saint either Regina. I've done my wrongs, as have you, but we've both lost enough, we've both changed. You are strong, and beautiful, and you are resilient. You love my son while your heart longs for another. You've let me in. No one will change that. I love you, now tomorrow, until my last breath. As long as you'll have me, I'll be right next to you." Robin declared, as he went to kiss her once more.

And if he spent the rest of the night showing her just how much he loved her, well, he can't have her doubting him can he now?

/

Far off in the distance, Zelena had just about everything she needed to take down her sister.

Now she just had to wait for the perfect time to see her darling sister once more.

Please take a moment to review, I can't thank you enough what your kind words mean to me. There is no beta, just me so I thank you for looking past my mistakes.

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Until Next Time!

-YB