A/N: Thanks to Hime no Kowai Shumi as usual for being her awesome self and trying to get me followers and reviews on this story. I am so sorry for the OQ in this chapter, I was trying not to do it but sometimes stories have a mind of their own... I do however have to say that it was needed for the rest of the story to continue on, for the SQ to happen this needed to break out properly and I had up until this point needed for him to come to see her still and I needed to get it out of the way. So other than that, I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 7

Her mood had been lifted somewhat by the delivery of the flower and the poem that when Henry suggested they go out she had obliged him, when they ran into Snow and David on their way pass Granny's she had been civil but she had not continued conversation on with them no matter how much they tried, as she was about to excuse herself from their presence, Henry interrupted and did it for them and before long they were on their way again.

She knew going out was a mistake however when she saw the picture of the happy family, walking towards the diner on the opposite side of the road, her smile faltered as her gaze caught Robin's, a look of shock fitting itself onto rugged features and she found herself unable to look at him any longer.

Marian's face upon seeing her reduced itself to harsh lines as she drew her young son near, as if I would hurt him you fool, Regina couldn't help but think to herself as she tore her gaze from the sight and hurried along the sidewalk across the town and away from the scene.

Her mind felt like it was one giant roar, part of her wanted to filet them on the spot, the other half of her wanted to hide and cry, what had he reduced her to? She wasn't a coward, she usually faced her problems head on and ripped the hearts out of the strongest of men... but this time was different... this time she could actually feel instead of being a dark mass of numbness.

And what was that look he gave her? Shock? Shock that he would see her after that mornings declaration?

What was his game? She was not one to be played and she would not play second fiddle even to his wife... she was no mistress.

She was just about to magic herself away from the scene when a small hand grasped her forearm and she looked down into the familiar hazel eyes of her son, instantly she calmed, the torrent of emotion running through her almost threatening to give way before she pulled him close as she whispered for him to hold on, just as they were enveloped in a mixture of purple and evaporated from the air.

"Mom, are you okay?" Henry asked immediately as soon as they had reappeared inside the office she used as mayor, she didn't want to risk transporting Henry too far and that had been the closest place she could think of.

"I'm..." She inhaled sharply and paused in her answer just as Henry pulled back spying what had caused his mother's distraction.

"It's okay," The small brunette uttered quietly as he watched tentative steps towards the ornate table that she usually used for large meetings.

In the center, was yet again another single lily in a vase, with a small dark purple ribbon wrapped around the stem and underneath the base, was a small white envelope and she felt the rush of emotion within her once more.

What the hell is he playing at?

Henry watched as his mother picked up the envelope, the small shuddering exhale, the distinct sound of the envelope opening and she stood there quietly for what seemed like an eternity.

She Walks In Beauty by Lord Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

She remained rigid for a few moments longer, trying to fathom exactly what could be taken from the poem itself, bits of it were complimentary, parts of it sounded nothing like her and for a second she grew angry... he really didn't know her did he?

"Mom, are you okay?" Henry asked again and this time she composed herself enough to return the poem to the envelope, placed it back on the tabletop and turned to her son with a small smile.

"Much better," She replied calmly, "I'm sorry that you had to see me like that..."

"Mom... it's okay, we've got this," He smiled reassuringly, almost charmingly and she sighed with realization that was a trait he would gain after all.

It was then they were interrupted by a heavy thumping on the outside door, at first she pulled him to her but when they heard Robin's insistent voice on the other side, a small growl escaped her son's mouth as he marched across the room to answer the door before Regina could stop him.

"Regina, are you in there?" He paused, "Regina, we really need to talk and I know I should have come to see you sooner but I just... please open the door, I really need to see you..."

"What do you want?" The smaller of the three brunette's snapped before folding his arms, he heard rather than saw him mother shuffle back a few paces, it was clearly evident she didn't want to see him and he felt another surge of protectiveness run through him.

"I... Henry..." Robin replied, shock plastering his planed features and self consciously he ran long fingers through rough stubble, "Is your mother there?"

"She doesn't want to see you," Henry said pointedly moving to block the doorway as Robin tried to step around him, "So it will probably be better if you leave now."

"Look, Henry," The thief started with a sigh, "This really is between your mother and I..."

"No," The teenager said bluntly, "Not any more."

"Regina, really?" He raised his voice, directing his comment over the boy's shoulder, "Regina, please... let's not bring your boy into this..."

"I'm not a boy and she isn't bringing me into anything, now please leave," Henry all but spat as he refused to open the door any wider, "You really think you get a say in this after all you've done?"

"I didn't do anything, Henry... please, you don't understand..." Hood said softly, brown eyes softening imploringly, "I need to see her..."

"Where were you days ago?"

"I... my... Henry!" He admonished sternly, to which finally got him a response from the brunette he had come to see, the door was opened wider and there stood the woman in question.

"Henry, would you mind going to get yourself some hot chocolate at Granny's, I'll be there shortly and then we can go home," Regina replied absently as she dropped some change into his hands.

"But... Mom..."

"No... it's okay," She whispered, lifting a tanned hand and rubbing soothingly over the red of his cheeks, "I'll be okay, I promise."

"Okay," He turned then, his glare holding firm with dark brown eyes, "Don't hurt her any more..."

"That was never my intention, Henry, I can assure you," Hood muttered in response but the stern look didn't change and he watched as the teenager disappeared around the corner before turning to the retreating form of his mother.

"Regina..." He started only to be interrupted as she turned to him.

"What is this?" She held up the envelope and pointed to the flower in question.

"It's a blossom and an envelope, what of it?" Robin countered, his brow furrowing in confusion as he marched across pristine marble flooring to remove the subject from her fingers, placed it back on the surface of the table and grasped her hands between his.

"Regina, I should have come to see you sooner, I apologize for that," He whispered gently, "I... there are no words... that shouldn't have been something I should have done and I am ashamed... but surely you would understand..."

"I do," The answer floated up between them before he could even finish, she stared at him a moment, before tanned fingers traced the stubble upon his face, as if putting them to memory, but she sighed softly then as she realized his abandonment of her first question, "Does this mean...?"

"Regina, that is not a simple question," He replied softly as he delicately removed soft fingers from his cheek.

"I know but I think I have my answer right there," She uttered, backing up somewhat and fingering the envelope, confusion filtered through her, "But why send these then?"

"I didn't send those, Regina," Robin answered honestly, attempting again to take her hands but she brushed his attempt aside quickly, "It really isn't that simple."

"If you didn't send them..." The brunette whispered, her brow furrowing once more.

"Regina, will you stop focusing on the bloody flower and talk to me!" The thief snapped angrily, a redness flushing his face that she hadn't seen since their time in The Enchanted Forest.

"Do you want to know why I don't think it's that simple?" She lifted her head defiantly, chocolate orbs boring into his with a fiery intent, "Because if you were as in love with me as you lead me to believe, it would have taken but a second to realize it... the fact that you hesitate and continue to try and bluff me into considering that you had an ounce of genuine feelings for me then..."

"Regina, those were real! My feelings for you were real!" He raised his voice an octave, trying to get his words to sink in, once more he tried and failed to touch any part of her as she backed up several steps away from him.

"Were they?"

"Yes!" He replied exasperated, "But it's not a matter of my feelings in this instance, Regina..."

"I understand that to an extent, Robin," Regina sighed, her fingers pressing against the throbbing in her forehead before she looked at him again.

"She is my wife, Regina," He exhaled sharply once more raising hands and dropping them miserably, "She was dead and now she isn't... but either way she is still my wife... I love her, I swore vows and I honour them."

"I understand," She replied, her tone short and clipped, "I know where I stand and I understand why you stand there... it will take me time to work through this but I do wish you a good life with your family."

He watched the change that came over her, the switch between the Regina that he had come to know and the Regina that everyone feared and he sighed once more.

"Regina, don't do this... you've come so far..."

"Don't pretend to try and know me, Robin," She husked quietly glancing away from him.

"But I do know you, Regina..." He pressed, stepping further into her space until she held a tanned palm up preventing him from moving closer.

"No, you really don't," She replied darkly and he hesitated, "Now please leave, we have nothing more to discuss."

His mouth opened and closed several times then, his attempts to gain her attention and draw out other emotions gone, her gaze had hardened and he knew then, that he was the last person that was going to help her.

So he took his leave, unsure what else to do, unsure what else he had expected from that moment but it wasn't entirely the scenario that played out that was for sure.

She made her way quietly to the diner, unsure what to expect when she got there, her conversation with Robin engulfed her in emotions that she didn't want to visit right now but also part of her felt relieved for lack of better words and when her eyes fell upon her son as she entered the establishment, she wasn't sure why when seeing the all to familiar cascade of golden locks seated beside Henry that she inhaled sharply as a swell of unfamiliar emotion swept through her.

She frowned for a moment, refusing to acknowledge whatever it was, that had to be indigestion, there was no way the thought of the blonde being present was a comforting thought to her and she quickly squashed those feelings down. She was still mad with the blonde after all as her chance at a happy ending from now on out had be severely ruined... but yet... there was only one other person that could be sending her the messages... surely not The Saviour? Surely she would not be as foolish to rub salt in the wound? Unless she meant the words she sent? No, it couldn't be her, could it?

At that moment, as the door shut loudly behind her, the bell chimed above her head, as her presence was announced to the few patrons in the diner and both hazel and green eyes turned to her.

"Regina..." It was barely a whisper but she heard them as if they were said directly into her ear and she shivered.

Could it?