Regina offered Dr. Whale a brisk, but polite nod as she walked up the diner's steps. "Afternoon, Dr. Whale."

"Yeah, whatever," he grumbled.

Regina's eyebrows rose, but she didn't reply. She pulled the door open and glanced around, looking for Robin. Of course he wasn't there—that would have required him to be punctual, for the first time in his life.

She walked toward the counter, refraining from rolling her eyes at the sight of Ruby giggling over something Hook said (she had yet to hear the joke that would justify that much laughter).

"Take care of yourself, love," Hook said, getting up from the counter. Noticing Regina, his face split into a grin. "Ah! Regina! My favorite bloodthirsty queen!"

"Hook, my favorite herpes-infested pirate," she said in a bored voice, barely registering his modern attire. "Ruby, I need two coffees. I'll be sitting over there—" she pointed at the same table she used every day, the second from the left next to the window—"and make sure Robin's is decaf."

"Psst, Regina," Hook said, pausing at the door. Regina closed her eyes exasperatedly and slowly turned around.

"Yes?"

"What do you think?" he asked, tugging at his jacket proudly. Regina raised an eyebrow.

"I think your earring is silly,"she said disdainfully, and walked to her table. She sat down carefully, smoothing her skirt. "Any day now, Ruby," she called, not looking up.

Ruby came over just as the door clanged open and Robin rushed in looking around wildly. "Has anyone seen—?"

Regina cleared her throat. Robin's head swiveled toward her, and he broke into a nervous smile.

"Ruby," he nodded, sitting down just as she was leaving. "Regina, look—I know, I know I'm late—"

"Yes, you are." Regina carefully poured cream into her cup. Robin covered his eyes helplessly.

"I know. I'm sorry. It's just Roland was giving me a hard time—"

"At five years of age, Henry was making his bed, dressing himself, and preparing his own breakfast." Regina raised her eyebrows, regarding Robin coolly. "Your son can barely manage to feed himself."

Robin looked at her, somewhat impatiently. "Are you breaking up with me, or Roland?"

"I'm not breaking up with anyone," Regina said, dabbing her mouth. She put her cup down and fixed Robin with a stern look. "But we do need to talk."

Robin gulped.

"It's Henry."

"Henry?" Robin frowned, thinking. "Well, I don't know what I did to Henry—"

"Robin, please." Regina held up her hand. She frowned down at her cup before speaking. "He's pulling away from me."

Robin was silent for a moment. "I don't follow."

"He's pulling away from me," she repeated louder, enunciating every word. She held his gaze for a moment, then sighed tiredly, dropping her head in her hands. "I don't know what's going on with him, but he barely speaks to me anymore. He spends all his time in his room on his computer—he hasn't picked up his book in months."

"His book?" Robin's forehead creased. "As in, the book?"

"The book," Regina confirmed. "And I asked Emma about it, and she said he's been acting weird with her, too." She knit her brow in worry, looking out the window. "He won't talk to me about it."

Robin nodded slowly. "Well, Regina, I'm sorry, I know it must be difficult…but I'm confused. Is this my fault?"

Regina frowned in confusion. "How would this be your fault?"

Robin blinked. "I'm sorry, I just assumed—"

"Don't be ridiculous," she scoffed. "I just need you find out what's going on with him for me."

"You mean… spy on him."

"Of course I mean spy on him!" Regina snapped. "He's almost fifteen, who knows what he's doing? I just need you to weasel it out of him, then run back to me and report absolutely everything that happened!"

"Are—?" Robin shook his head. "Are you asking me to spend time with Henry… purely so I can violate his trust and tell you everything he confides in me?"

"No. I'm telling you to spend time with Henry so you can violate his trust and tell me everything he confides in you." Regina picked up her purse and stood up, looking down at Robin. "I expect a full report by the end of the week."