CHAPTER 4 – OVER THE RAINBOW

|FOUR YEARS AGO, STORYBROOKE|

"Are you mad?! I'm not sending my daughter and I back in time! That's crazy!", Zelena shouted frustratingly. This wasn't fair to her. Sure, it would be safe for her child but she still felt as if she was giving in to the reality of the situation.

"I'm sorry Zelena, but it's our only choice if we want to keep Robin safe. We don't know how powerful this person is or who she's working for – it's our only option!", Regina responded. Zelena could tell by her tone that her sister was upset as well, but at the same time it was hopeless to try anything else.

"Zelena, I am so sorry that this has to happen but I'm sure some day we'll find a way to bring you back.", Snow said pitifully.

"But, this was supposed to be my happy ending! Everything was supposed to be perfect!"

"And it will be! You'll just have to raise your daughter without our help"

Zelena was still hurt by their decision, but deep down she knew it was their only option.

She quickly headed home to pack away anything necessary, and everyone said their goodbyes to her. However, it was Regina's that was most significant.

"Look Zelena, I'm really sorry that we can't see each other for a while and.. as your sister I shouldn't have been such an idiot the past few months. I should've helped you get settled in here more and I should've been there for you."

"It's fine, honestly.", Zelena responded. "You did your best to look after your family and now you're doing the same for me"

They both smiled at each other. Life hadn't been easy for either of them, but at least they found a way to help each other.

"There's one more thing."

"What?", Zelena responded.

"I know it sucks a little that you can't take your daughter to another realm, but even so.. if Robin has the ability to use magic outside of Storybrooke.. don't teach her how to use it."

Zelena responded, confused after what her sister had said.

"But, why?"

"Because in a land without magic, the use of it can be somewhat threatening. And considering how powerful your magic was, I can only presume that Robin's would have a similar strength. You never know, if in the future you're anywhere near this curse, she may start to get noticed."

Initially she was angry at her request, but she eventually understood. It was too risky to teach her how to use magic, especially in a place like this.

"Well, it's probably not going to work anyway. Even my magic doesn't work outside of this town, so I doubt hers would."

Regina smiled, before giving her a quick hug.

"Goodbye sis"

Zelena then set off her potion, sending both her and her daughter backwards in time. Despite the fact that she knew she would be safe, part of Regina felt awful sending them both back. It was almost as if she was betraying Robin, seeing as she wasn't there for his daughter.

This wouldn't be the last time, would it?

|PRESENT DAY, HYPERION HEIGHTS|

"You want me to what?!", Robin asked almost sounding astounded.

"Go into Roni's and talk to your aunt about Robin. You never know, it might bring back some memories of him!"

Robin didn't exactly think this was the most amazing of ideas, but she felt bad denying it. The look on Lucy's face was too joyful for her, so much that it tugged at her heartstrings.

"Are you sure about this? I mean, isn't it dangerous to start introducing myself to people in this town?"

"It'll be fine! You should probably use a different name though, you don't want Tremaine knowing that someone called Robin is roaming the streets", Lucy gleefully responded

"Okay then, here goes..". Robin changed the look on her face to an amused smile. It only just hit her that she in fact knew more about Regina or 'Roni', than she knew herself.

Upon entering, there weren't too many people inside. The place was however still, extremely cluttered and it was obvious that there weren't too many cleaners working there.

"Can I help you?"

Robin turned towards whoever spoke. In front of her stood a tall woman wearing denim and long earrings – definitely not what she imagined her aunt to look like.

"Bloody hell.."

|FOUR YEARS AGO, STORYBROOKE|

It was later the next night when Regina heard a knock on her door, and when she opened it she found an unfamiliar figure. Despite her unfamiliarity however, she knew exactly who it was.

"Where is she? Your sister?", the woman asked.

"She's not around anymore. Along with her daughter.", Regina replied coldly.

"You're telling me they're both dead?!", the woman almost sounded as if she was laughing. Regina couldn't help but be reminded of how she used to be, back when she was the evil queen. She would've had the exact same response.

"I guess you could say that"

The woman smiled.

"Thank you Regina, and I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Don't start.", she responded. She literally felt like she was on the edge of punching her in the face after she said that.

"Okay then, suit yourself. I guess I shall be leaving in that case."

"Please do."

To Regina's anger, the woman's smile grew bigger. "You know, everyone in this town has seemed incredibly blunt to me. I mean, just look at how pathetic they are. But you Regina, you're different aren't you?"

Her words ticked her off even further.

"What the hell are you on about?"

"Oh, nothing. I just thought I'd make my position very clear to you, because you know you and I could make a very good team."

"I'm not interested in whatever 'deal' you're trying to make with me. The only thing I'm interested in is you getting out of my front yard.", she responded sharply.

"Well, in that case, I suppose I'll see you soon.". The woman suddenly disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

But this didn't stop Regina from wondering what she meant by the fact that she would 'see her soon'..

|PRESENT DAY, HYPERION HEIGHTS|

Roni gave the girl in front of her an awkward look, before Robin quickly realised that she just said her last statement out loud.

"Oh, my god I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that towards you, I was just surprised..", she quickly spoke awkwardly. Roni gave her a slightly judging look before shaking it off and speaking to her again.

"It's okay, I presume it's just been a long day for you. That's why people usually come in here, as you can imagine. My name's Roni by the way."

"Oh thanks, it's nice to meet you.". She quickly sat down on one of the bar seats. Out of all of the ways she envisioned meeting her infamous aunt, she never expected it to be like this.

"Listen, I hope you don't mind me asking but aren't you a little young to be in here?"

Robin rolled her eyes. This wasn't the first time someone had asked her about her age in a bar.

[a/n: lol probably should've thought this through but I forgot the drinking age in the U.S. was 21. let's just pretend she faked her age or something? .-. ]

"Let's just say I look younger than I actually am.", she quickly stated "and I wouldn't mind something like a wine right now."

Roni gave her a suspicious look before grabbing the drink anyway, and serving it to her not long after.

"I feel like we've met before. Are you from around here?"

"Not exactly."

"Then where are you from?"

Robin laughed when she asked that question.

"Let's just say, somewhere over the rainbow."