AGE 22: When Leo(pold) proposes to Regina, Robin helps her escape.

(Just so you know... this will be a two-parter!)


The fact that she was allowed to invite her friends should've been a tip off.

Whenever she'd asked in the past her mother had always said that the Mills parties and functions were only for adults and that the only reason she was even allowed to come was because she was her daughter. Yet, for some reason she'd encouraged Regina to invite all her friends to Zelena's graduation party, even Robin and his family. It should've been red flag that she had a scheme brewing.

In fact, looking back she'd missed almost all the signs. The way her mother had forced her into a new dress, claiming that it was a special occasion and who knew what would happen. All the little knowing looks between her and Leo. The way she'd started talking about their future as if it was set in stone already, even though Regina had made it clear she felt differently.

She didn't notice those signs until it was far too late.

Until she found herself made into the center of attention when Leo called for a toast and was suddenly down on one knee in front of her and everyone else in the room. Listening to him, spout off that rehearsed speech on how destined they were to be together and how much he wanted to join her family, all Regina could think of was the heat of everyone's gaze on her back. Blush had risen in her cheeks as she trembled where she stood, forcing herself not to scream in panic as she stared down at that ring.

It wasn't what she wanted. She'd told him as much many times before.

But standing in the center of that room with all those eyes on her, with her mother silently and somehow viciously imploring her to accept, what could do but squeak out a small yes.

Everything happened fast then. The room burst into applause but from the corner of her eye she could see the troubled look on Robin's face. The disappointment that shined in his eyes.

Leo slipped the ring on her finger and she felt like she could vomit.

Twenty minutes later and she only barely managed to escape the parade of congrats by pretending to go to the bathroom. Instead she slipped out the back door, taking refuge under the gazebo. Collapsing onto the bench she breathed in the fresh air in gulp, trying to calm herself down. Her eyes fell to the ring on her finger.

It was exquisite. Clearly expensive, with a three carat diamond mounted atop a silver band it shined in the afternoon sun. Looking down at it she felt her heart clench, thinking of another engagement ring that had been offered to her. And engagement ring that had been old and, dare she say, cheap. One with a small ruby gemstone embedded into a rose gold band, carried by a good man, a loving man… and man she'd rejected despite it being the last thing she wanted to do.

Daniel…

God…what the fuck had she done?

"What the hell are you doing?"

She jumped at the sound of Robin's voice. He stood at the opening of the gazebo, dressed in his old secondhand suit, staring at her with wide eyes that screamed disbelief.

Staring back at him, she let out a soft breath. "I... I was just getting some air..."

"You know that's not what I'm talking about," he sharply bit out, shaking his head at her. "Why did you say yes to him?"

Regina shut her eyes, painfully. "Because…"

She trailed off unable to finish her sentence, knowing he wouldn't buy a word that she said and neither would she. They both knew she hadn't with this engagement. Hell, that she hadn't wanted this relationship. Leo was… an accomplished man. Ten years older than her, he came from a wealthy family, one that supported her mother's campaign for city councilwoman quite generously. Once he'd set his eyes on her, there had been no choice. Her mother's political future was at stake, Cora had made that quite clear to her.

She'd thought he'd grow bored of her after a few dates, that the distance and her lack of interest would eventually force him to give up. She'd underestimated his persistence. A few dates, turned into a few months, and now a few months had turned into an engagement. This wasn't what she wanted… not at all.

Turning away from him she gripped the gazebo railing, letting out a pitiful sigh. She was trapped.

She heard the heavy sound of Robin's footsteps and seconds later he appeared by her side, a determined look etched into the lines of his face. "Leave him."

"What?" she whispered.

"Leave him," he repeated, with a firm nod. "Belle and Ruby are at the car. We can leave right now. Let's go."

Heart pounding in her chest, she stared up at him with wide eyes. He wasn't joking she could see that. Against her will, she softly shook her head. "Robin...I can't."

"You can."

"I can't," she hissed. "Robin you saw what just happened. He just proposed to me in front of everybody!"

"That was not a proposal!" he sharply replied. "That was an ambush! He ambushed you because he knew what you'd say otherwise! You know that!"

Regina crossed her arms, trying desperately to hold herself together as she averted her gaze. It was true. Leo had been bringing up marriage for weeks now, everytime she blew it off, always stating that it wasn't the time to think about it. That it was too soon in the relationship or that she wanted to finish law school first. Honestly, she'd just wanted to put off the conversation until her mother's campaign was done and she could break up with him without consequence. He'd heard every word she'd said on the matter and chosen to ignore them all.

Taking a deep breath, Robin reached out to place his hands on her shoulders. "Listen Regina… do you want to marry him?"

Letting out a shaky breath, she shook her head. "No," she mumbled, tears starting to burn her eyes. "But Cora-"

"Has a life of her own," Robin sternly cut her off. "I don't care what Cora wants. What do you want to do Regina?"

Heart pounding in her chest, she dropped her gaze to the ring on her finger once more. She could practically see the ball and chain fall from its silver band. If she took it off it'd be the beginning of a shit storm. Leo would be embarrassed. He'd smear her name all through town and pull support from her mother's campaign. Cora could lose the election and if that happened… she'd never forgive her. It could ruin her entire life.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at Robin and found nothing but support in his eyes. Knowing that no matter what happened she'd have him by her side, she felt herself grow brave.

Pressing her lips together, she nodded. "I… want to leave."

Robin nodded, letting out a sharp breath. "Two seconds."

As he pulled out his phone to call Ruby and bring the car around, Regina slipped off her engagement ring, placing it in the center of the bench she sat on just a moment ago. The sound of her own heartbeat flooded her ears as she stared down at it, still in shock.

Lightly gripping her elbow Robin pulled her away from the gazebo, out the side gate and into the driveway. Seconds later, she heard the squeal of hot rubber against concrete as Ruby swiftly pulled Granny's old Camaro in front of them.

A lock of her shock red dyed hair fell over her shoulder as she leaned out of the driver's window. "Someone call for a getaway car?"

Regina didn't even have it in her to send an annoyed look her way. She was too focused on how to keep breathing as Robin opened the door to the backseat and guided her inside. The smell of the old leather seats hit her nose and she tried to let it comfort her as she clicked on her seatbelt. She'd been riding in this car since she was a kid.

From her spot in the front seat, Belle turned around and sent Regina a small comforting smile. She reached back to offer her hand, which Regina gratefully took into her own. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she softly asked.

Regina nodded, finding her voice. "Yes. I'm sure."

Ruby smacked the steering wheel twice signaling that it was time to go, a habit picked up from Granny. She pulled her foot off the back and Regina watched through the rearview mirror as they pulled away from the mansion. She could still see the lights on through the parlor window and knew the guests were still milling about, sipping wine and trading small talk. They probably hadn't even noticed she was gone yet. Though her heart pounded with anxiety and her hand remained clenched into a tight ball, not one piece of her yearned to go back inside.

Sitting in the backseat of that old Camaro with Robin and his family running away from her brief engagement, she knew she was already on a better path than she'd been when that ring was on her finger.

"Not to be a bummer," drawled Ruby, "but where the hell are we supposed to go now? It's Storybrooke. It's not like there are a lot of places to hide out."

"We could go to our house," suggested Belle.

"Too easy, they'd find her in a heartbeat," replied Ruby, shooting down her idea. "It'd be the first place Cora looks."

"Honestly I think anywhere but here is that the top of list," muttered Robin, still looking at Regina with concern.

"Can we go to New York?" The car went silent at Regina's question. "I know the Camaro's old but can we go there?"

Ruby thought it over before hesitantly nodding. "It's a little far but I think the old girl will hold up." She glanced back at Regina through the rearview mirror. "You sure you want to go that far?"

"Yes." Regina nodded. Turning to Robin, she added, "I… I want to see Daniel."

An understanding smile tugged on his lips as he nodded. "Looks like we're going on a road trip."


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