AN: I want to make something clear, Rob is NOT Regina's 3rd true love. I couldn't stomach that. I would call this True friendship. This is part of the fic that tells a story of friendship, camaraderie, and support. I think when all is revealed people will look back at this part and really love it. Stick with me please and I don't think you'll regret it. No beta, so all mistakes are my own. Please excuse them.
To answer Guest Reviewer Redd—This is a fix it fic but not in that way. Yes baby Robin is in this story as in canon and that will not be fixed. Infact, near the end of the story I want to show how this could have been written better and how Regina and Robin should have had one measly scene discussing it. But baby Robin will not be the focus so I hope you continue to read.
Chapter 8: Operation Fun Week 3- The "Demon" Barber of Fleet Street
Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around
Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around
Demons are prowling everywhere nowadays
I'll send them howling
I don't care, I got ways
No one's gonna hurt you,
No one's gonna dare
Others can desert you,
Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there!
Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while,
But in time...
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around...
Being close and being clever
Ain't like being true
I don't need to,
I would never hide a thing from you,
Like some...
No one's gonna hurt you, no one's gonna dare
Others can desert you,
Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there!
Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while
But in time...
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around...
Not While I'm Around-Sweeney Todd
Regina stood on the outskirts of the grave yard, glued to her spot. It had been awhile –since she passed out in front of it actually—that she had visited Robin's grave. Not wanting to believe he was really gone, she had avoided coming to visit his resting place. Now she felt she was ready and that she just really needed to talk to him, even though he wouldn't be able to say anything back.
With a deep breath, she forced her feet forward and made her way towards his grave. When she thought about seeing his headstone again, she thought she would be able to keep it together but she was so wrong. His name and words loving father and soulmate came into view and she knew she wouldn't be able to control her tears. After she reached it, she plopped down in front and let the tears fall into the grass that was starting to grow where mud used to be.
After she took a few moments to just cry, she collected herself and tried to swallow back her tears with a shaky breath. "Hi…Robin." She started as she wiped her sleeve across her nose. "I know I haven't been here in awhile and I'm sorry about that. It's selfish but I just couldn't come. I didn't want to believe you are really gone. When I come home from work, I keep expecting you to come out from the kitchen looking sheepish because you had burnt something in the oven or on the stove top." Sadly, she chuckled as she picked at the grass.
"I miss you…terribly. Nights are the hardest. I feel your loss the most then and I'm always cold." Another tear fell and she tried to shut her eyes to keep anymore from falling before she continued with a shiver. "I'm sorry, Robin, I'm so sorry. I hope you at least found some peace somewhere." Now she couldn't control the tears anymore as they steadily dropped down her cheeks, knowing what Hades said and how that probably wasn't the truth. "Please forgive me. It should have been me. I should have been brave enough to take that lightning bolt so you could have been here with your children." One of her palms came up automatically to her mouth to quiet her sobs.
A loud rustle from the trees and the crows flying up from braches with thundering caws caused her to jump. "I don't know if you can hear me Robin but a part of me hopes you can." She began again as she continually looked down and picked at the grass. "I guess I just feel I needed to talk to you. I miss that. Even the simple things like sharing how our day went together." Sighing, she looked up at the cloudy sky for a moment and then looked back at his tombstone. "I made a new friend…don't worry that's all he'll ever be…I'm not sure I'll ever be able to love again, even though you may eventually want me to. I gave you my heart a long time ago and it's buried 10 feet below with you."
Puffing out a breath, she adjusted herself so her legs were out to her side and she leaned against her hand on the grass. "He's trying to show me how to have fun and smile again. You'd probably like him if you were here. The first time he took me riding and while there I discovered that you were your sneaky self, thief, and bought me a horse. He's beautiful by the way. I think it's a perfect match." She said with a small, sad smile. "Last week he took me riding on his motorcycle. It was fun. He showed me this beautiful sunset and when I saw it I had to believe that if the Gods created something so beautiful then maybe Hades lied and you got to move on…Rob—that's his name—says that what you did was an act of true love, so how could you not be rewarded. I guess that's something to hang on to."
After a moment of silence, she brought her hand up to his tombstone and gently caressed his name. "Henry is doing well. I think he misses having you around though. He's got me, Emma, and the charmings, but I think he was beginning to look to you as a positive male role model. Lord knows that pirate isn't one." She scoffed and grimaced as she said pirate. "Your daughter is beautiful. Looks just like you. Has your dimples and everything. She's growing so fast. I know she would have you wrapped around her little finger" With a sad chuckle, she held up her pointer finger.
"Roland is with the Merry Men in Sherwood Forest. We all felt that would be best so he could know where he is from and that is what you have wanted." Swallowing, she stared down at her open sweaty palms. "But now I am not so sure. Is a place torn apart by a curse and rampant with goblins and ogres a place to raise a child? I think about it and wonder if you would have wanted all of us to help raise him, including me." She whispered hesitantly at the last part. "We never got a chance to talk about it."
Pausing for a moment, she centered herself for what she was about to say and the reason she came. "There was so much we never got to talk about and things we never got to say…and my biggest regret…is never getting to tell you how much I love you. I'm sorry I was too afraid to tell you but I do Robin I love you so much and I don't know if you can hear me now. And I'll never get to hear those words back. I know you love me. You must have to jump in front of that retched lightning bolt for me but oh how I long to say it and hear it back" she cried as she rambled on and then she shifted herself to lay on the ground, cheek against the grass. "I love you, Robin Hood." She whispered with the utmost sincerity and reverence.
Regina continued to lay for there, for how long she was unsure. The sun had peaked out as she shivered with coldness in her soul. For a moment, she wondered if Robin was up there watching over her and had the sun come out to try and warm her skin but it was a lost cause, she continued to shiver.
After she collected her emotions and felt like she had the strength, she picked herself up off the ground and reached for the flowers that sat next to her to place them in front of his tombstone. "I brought these for you—sunflowers. I know they're your favorite." After they were placed, she stood and looked down at them. "I'll be back next week. I promise I won't stay away so long this time." Bringing her palm up, she kissed it and pressed it against the cold granite, letting it linger a moment. "I love you." As she turned on her heels, she sighed and made her way back to her car. It was Saturday and she was soon due to meet Rob.
As she got in her Mercedes, there was a rustle in that same tree as before. Then legs dangled down and swung a bit until they dropped to the floor with a clunk. Landing in a crouched position, his hands braced his landing before he returned to a standing position. Rob watched with a solemn expression across his face as he watched her leave.
An Hour Later…
Rob and Regina stood on the side walk looking up at the storefront sign above the windows.
"So this is your idea of fun." Regina asked sarcastically as she crossed her arms in front of her as she continued to stare at the sign. "Taking me to the barber who is known to slit his clients' throats, I'd be safer with Edward Scissor Hands."
"He's just down the street." Rob pointed with his thumb over his shoulder. "If you'd rather?"
Regina snapper her head towards him with wide eyes. "Really?"
"No." Rob chuckled, eyes squinting into the sun as he looked towards her. "Like a lot of stories in this realm, including yours, they got Sweeny Todd's all wrong."
Hmming, she nodded her head and urged him to continue.
"Yeah he may have slit a few throats but his life didn't meet the tragic end the tales of this land made people to believe."
With a raised of her brow, Regina snarked back "Oh so he didn't kill his one true love?"
"Oh no that he did." Rob sniggered. " He was tricked but he was able to get away from that boy and Mrs. Lovett. Actually ended up reuniting with his daughter and her love, Anthony. "
"How do you presume to know all of this Outlaw?"
"They actually had a shop quite like this in the land of untold stories. Sweeney, his daughter Johanna, and her husband Anthony run the joint. I'm a client of his and we became friends while stuck in the wrenched land."
Turning towards him with her hands on her hips, she questioned him. "YOU'RE a client of his?" To which Rob just nodded in response. "Well you may want to get a refund and he may want to sharpen his blade because you look like an ape with that beard."
Laughing, Rob rubbed his jaw. "I could use a touch up but we're not here for me today?"
"Then why are we here?" She shot back quickly in annoyance. This man was incapable of giving a straight answer.
With one of those irritating grins, he looked back to her. "For you."
"Me?" She responded in exasperation as she pointed her herself.
"Yes you. I think it's time for a change. You're always looking for a way to reinvent yourself and sometimes a good hair cut makes someone feel better. Not to mention a bit of pampering, which you deserve. And Sweeney here is top notch. He won't let you down." As he finished, Rob stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets.
She didn't respond right away and continued to stare at the sign, the mid day light of the sun causing her to squint slightly. It had been awhile since she got her hair trimmed, so she was well over due. When she had come over with the curse, her hair was cut short to try and distance herself from the queen. For the last couple of years, she had begun growing her hair out once again. It took her sometime to realize after the second curse was broken that she self consciously did that for Robin.
During the missing year, they had developed a sort of friendly partnership that lead to some steamy nights. In the middle of the night, she would wake up to him caressing and tangling his fingers through her longer locks. Maybe his love of her hair was once of the reasons but she also wanted something different. So maybe it was time for change once again and Robin wasn't around anymore to tangle his fingers through it. "OK Outlaw. What have I got to lose? But I swear to God if he makes me look like a nut case then I will shave your head bald." Regina threatened as she pointed her finger at him, emphasizing that she meant business.
With a bow, Rob responded with a smug grin on his face. "Of course your majesty but I think I would still look rather dashing with a bald head." To which Regina just scoffed in irritation and a roll of her eyes as she crossed her arms in defiance. "Come on, Regina. Sweeney won't steer you wrong. I promise."
With a furrow of her brow, she just looked at him with suspicion.
" Have I lead you wrong yet?" Rob asked
"I guess not." Regina muttered in defeat. "Lets go."
They sauntered into "Sweeney's: Barber of Fleet Street" and were immediately welcomed by a beautiful young girl at the desk, who obviously knew Rob well. "Rob! Long time no see!" The young girl screamed in excitement as she made her way around the desk and leaped at him for a hug.
"Johanna! I'm good. How are you guys taking to this realm?" Rob asked as he returned the hug.
"Great! There are so many things this realm has that ours didn't. Not to mention the space and beautiful houses." Letting go of the hug, Johanna then turned and noticed Regina behind rob. "You must be Regina! Welcome. I hope you'll enjoy this afternoon with us." Stepping around Rob, Johanna went over to Regina and enveloped her in an awkward hug. "Let me get my father and we will get you started!"
Johanna called Sweeney and after a moment, he appeared from the back room. "Robert! It's great to see you. Finally come to get that beard trimmed." Sweeney joked with Rob as he gave him a brotherly hug.
"See I told you so." Regina laughed at Rob's expense.
"And who is this lovely lass?" Sweeney asked.
"Regina." She answered as she stuck out her hand to shake his in greeting. "I guess I'm the one you'll be beautifying today."
"That won't be hard to do for our queen." He flirted as he reached her for her hand and pecked the back of it. "Come lets not waste any more time and get you started. You can just have a seat up front Rob, I want her majesty all to myself." Not letting go of her hand, he led her to his station and she sat down. He then proceeded to whip a cape out with a shake and wrap it around her neck. After adjusting the cape, he un tucked her hair from it and commented. "You have lovely hair, your majesty. Why would you want to cut this?"
Fidgeting in her chair, Regina looked at him, trying to hide her discomfort and shrugged her shoulders. "Time for a change, I guess. Any suggestions?"
Running his fingers through her hair, he looked up at her with a grin. "How short are you willing to go?"
"I've had a chin length bob before." Regina replied as she brought her hand up to a little below her ears to show him. "Maybe something in between that and what I have now? You're the professional, you tell me."
An evil glint developed in Sweeney's eyes. "In that case, lets get you shampooed your majesty."
Over the next 45 minutes, Sweeney shampooed her hair, conditioned it, and then she watched as her longer locks began to fall to the floor. Upon Sweeney's recommendation, she was turned away from the mirror so her new do would be a surprise. Regina figured what did she have to lose? Hair grows. Once he was finished cutting, she could tell it was just above shoulder length and figured she could work with that. Just long enough that it could be put up if needed.
Sweeney put his scissors down on his station's table, then applied some product to her mane before he picked up the blow dryer to style it. With her hair whipping around, the two remained in silence as the blow dryer's engine roared with an echo off the walls. When her hair was dry, he picked up the straightner and began perfecting his art work. "I'm very proud of this one." Sweeney's commented with his deep voice as he pulled her hair through the tool. "What do you think Rob?" He shouted over to the man as he flipped through a motorcycle magazine.
Rob looked up at this point and said with a small smile. "Stunning…in every way."
Goosebumps arose on her skin as she took in his comment and looked over to him with wide eyes as he continued before she could comment. "Looks like I won't have to get my head shaved after all." He teased her.
"But we definitely need to clean up that beard of yours cave man." Sweeney joked back as he put his hair tool down and Regina laughed in return as he went to turn her towards the mirror. "Lets have a look shall we."
Sweeney turned her chair towards the mirror and she immediately loved what she saw in the reflection. The locks hit to the middle of her neck in a sleek long layered bob with not a hair out of place. A bright smile came across her face as she ran her fingers through it. "Sweeney, I love it. Just love it. It's exactly what I needed."
"I have made the queen smile today, my job is complete." He said as he slowly bowed his head once to her then looked over to Rob with a wink, who gave him one in return. "Now I think it's time for that manicure and pedicure."
"Really?" Regina asked with surprise in her eyes.
"Well we mine as well make a full day of it." Rob commented as he came and stood next to the chair.
"Thank you." Regina said in appreciation as Sweeney helped her from the chair and situated her into the pedicure one.
"Johanna will be taking care of your pedicure and manicure. She does an excellent job and only the best for our queen." Sweeney then turned the faucet on and put the smelling salts into the foot tub water before he called Johanna and told her that was Regina was ready for her and then gave her a wink. "Now lets go see if I can make the one over there look less like a hairy ape." To which Regina just laughed at him in return. "Good luck with that."
As he walked away, Regina watched him joke with Rob as he called him ape man, led him to the chair, and began lathering him up.
"What color did you want?" Regina jumped a little in her chair, not realizing Johanna was there with the book of colors being handed to her.
With a smile, Regina took it. "Let me see." Flipping the pages, she browsed through the painted fake nails in order to figure out which she liked best. On the last page, she saw the one she wanted and flipped it towards Johanna. "This one." She said as she pointed to the blood red color.
"That's lovely. Lets get started." Johanna said as she took one of her feet out, placed it on foot rest, and patted it dry. "You're hair cut looks lovely. My father did a nice job and I'm not saying that just because he is family."
"Thank you. I really like it." Regina replied, running her fingers through it, as Johanna continued to work.
"Lets see if he can improve Rob any." Johanna joked with a tilt of her head towards the men.
"Unlikely." Both girls laughed at Regina's comment.
" Robs cute .Are you two a thing?" Johanna questioned as she worked on the cuticles of her toenails.
"No we are just friends. I actually recently lost…" Unable to finish the thought, Regina trailed off at the end.
With a shake of her head in embarrassment, Johanna apologized. "That's right. I'm so so sorry. Small town, people talk and I heard through the grapevine about what happened. It's never easy losing or being separated from a loved one."
"You lost someone too?" Regina asked as she was truly intrigued by this woman who seemed to be around her age and felt she had a kinship with.
"Not in the same way." Johanna began to shape her nails with a file. "I had a warden, Judge Turbin, who stole me as an infant from my father and made him believe my mother was dead out of jealousy because he lusted after what he had."
"That's wretched." Regina said with honest empathy in her words.
"So he locked me away like a caged bird in my bedroom."
"I know what's that like." With a sigh, Regina nodded as she too knew what it felt like to be caged like a baby bird. "My mother was strict and she married me off to a king who kept me locked away in his cold castle."
"It seems like you and I have a lot I common." Johanna commented.
"It seems we do." With a smile, Regina nodded her head in agreement. She felt like this woman could become a sort of friend. "What happened after that? How did you get free?"
"Anthony saw me from the street as I sat looking out the window and he was apprenticing with Sweeney at the time. Eventually they were able to get me out."
With a raised brow, Regina continued to question Johanna. "And how did they do that?"
"Lets just say Judge Turbin was one of my Father's victims." She answered with an evil glint in her eye. "I wish I was there to see it."
"I bet." Understanding her answer, Regina sniggered at her response.
"How did you get free?" Johanna asked in genuine curiosity.
"I killed the bastard."
"Good for you." A grin appeared over Johanna as she replied with no judgment in her voice. The two held eye contact in silent understanding before they were interrupted.
"What are you two chit chatting about?" Rob asked as he plopped down in the pedicure chair next to them.
"None of your business, Outlaw." Regina quipped back at him as she took in his cleaned up beard. "I see Sweeney was able to make SOME improvement."
Laughing, Rob rubbed his now neatly trimmed beard and goatee. "Is that your way of saying I look dashing, your majesty?"
"In your dreams!"
Putting his hand to his heart, Rob replied in mock offense. "You wound me, Regina."
"Go cry into your pillow, Outlaw. You're ruining my zen and perfectly friendly conversation with Johanna. Who is much better company than you."
"Ouch. Fine then I'll sit here and get my pedicure in peace."
"You're getting a pedicure?" Regina asked with wide eyes and a disgusted look on her face, as if she were about to be sick. "I feel badly for ever has to touch those hooves you call feet."
"They're very manly." He defended back.
"Right keep telling yourself that, Outlaw." She scrunched her nose as if she smelled something bad. "I think I can smell them from here. Do you use soap?"
"I happen to bath daily. Granny's does have showers you know."
"Oh so you don't bath in the lake?"
Rob laughed as he commented back. "It's actually quite refreshing to bath in the lake or river."
"Only an outlaw would say that." Regina sassed back as she looked at Johanna trying to hold back a snicker at their banter as she painted her toenails.
Without further comment, Rob just laughed at her as the two finished getting their pedicures and moved onto manicures. Rob joked with them the whole time, trying to get Regina to laugh the whole time, even joking in a high pitched tone if he should get hot pink nail polish on his fingers and toes.
After they were finished, Rob tried to pay for Regina but Sweeney told him it was on the house, joking that he would have to pay double for his beard because it was so bad. After thanking them, Regina and Robin made their out of the shop.
"I like them, especially Johanna." Regina commented as they casually made their way down the street.
"They're good people, just misunderstood." Rob replied.
"Something I know all too well about." Regina looked ahead forlornly without making eye contact .
"Me too."
With that, Regina glanced over at Rob. "Unfortunately, it seems we do have a lot in common, Outlaw."
"That we do." As they continued to walk, he met her gaze and nodded.
"So what's next for today?"
"Well, I've got something I need to do but I thought we could meet up at the rabbit hole later?"
"That dump?" Regina asked, her voice laced with disgust.
"It's fun. I promise and I will keep any creepers away from you. On my honor." He held up three fingers, as if her were a boy scout. To which she rolled her eyes in response as she sassed in response, "My knight in shining armor."
"So I'll see you later?" He asked with eagerness and hope gleaming in his eyes.
"Of course, why not. What am I going to do? Sit in the house by myself." She shrugged her shoulders at him.
"Good so I'll see you later. Say 9:00?"
With a nod, she replied. "Works for me."
Later that Night…
Just around 9, Regina pulled open the door to the dive bar of Storybrooke and made her way through the crown around the door. With a scrunch of her nose, she inhaled the musty smell of stale beer as she looked around for Rob. Spotting him casually sitting and sipping at a drink at the bar, she made her way over to them, her peeped toes heel sticking to the floor as she walked. "You think this place owns a mop?" She asked as she plopped down on the stool next to him and slung her Chanel purse on the back of it.
"Probably not." Rob snickered as he slid a drink in front of her. "Got this for."
"How thoughtful of you. Thanks." She paused as she downed half the drink. "How was your afternoon? Get done what you needed to?"
"For the most part, what about you?"
"Did some work I was running behind on." With a shrug of her shoulders, she cleaned off the condensation from her glass.
"You really need to learn how to relax. It's the weekend!"
"I had nothing else to do. I called Emma to see if they wanted to have a late lunch but they were out on Hook's boat. Besides I relaxed earlier at the salon." Pausing, she took another sip of her drink.
"Are you saying I relax you, your majesty?"
"In your dreams, outlaw." She replied coolly.
Sipping his drink again, he laughed as he looked her over. "You look nice tonight. With the hair and outfit, I'm going to have beat the men off with a stick. "
Looking down, she examined her snake skin print top, black skinny pants, and peep toe heels as she tugged on her shirt a little. "Please do but thank you. I didn't think you knew how to give a real compliment." She side eyed him and grinned as she took a sample of her drink.
"I'm just full of surprises." He teased back as he raised his hand to the bartender to order more drinks, realizing they were both running low.
Turning her glass in a circle on the bar top, she looked down at her drink, a little nervous to ask him more about his past. "Speaking of surprises…" She led before she turned her head to look at him. He met her gaze in return. "Last week, you had said you had some sort of dark past and blood on your own hands, what did you mean?"
Shifting in his seat uncomfortably, rob turned his head forward and took a sip of his drink, obviously thinking about how to answer.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked…"
With a raise of his palm, he cut Regina off. "You have every right to inquire by what I meant. My past is not so squeaky clean. I was a petty thief and lets say I let no one get in my way."
He left it at that, not wanting to give any further detail. She was about to open her mouth to reply when someone leaned against the bar behind her and cleared his voice, cutting her off.
"Well…well…what brings you here tonight your majesty? What a pleasant surprise." a deep conniving voice asked her, a voice she remembered all too well that still sent queasy chills down her spine. It was the Sheriff of Nottingham.
"What do you want Keith?" She asked with a short tone behind her voice.
"Just wanted to come over and say hello. See if you wanted a real man to buy you a drink?"
Shifting in her seat, she leaned more towards Rob. "No thank you. Now if you'll be on your way." She motioned with a wave of her hand.
"Come on Regina, don't be like that. I thought we could start where we left off all those years ago." Keith eyed her up as if she were a piece of meat.
With agitation in his voice, Rob tried to cut in. "I believe the lady said…" Before he could finish, Regina stopped with a squeeze of his arm, letting him know she could take care of herself.
"If you mean with you hanging over a pit of fire, then sure." Regina spat back as Rob snickered back at the image of Nottingham hanging by chains with fire only inches from his head, sweating like balls.
"Oh come on, we had chemistry you and I, just admit it." He said trying to charm her.
"If you mean you left a bad chemical stench in the air, then sure. Now please leave."
But he didn't move an inch. "I could make it worth your while, your majesty. Show you what a real man is capable of—Instead of these thieves and outlaws." With the last words, he began to slowly trace his finger up and down Regina's arm. That was when Rob saw red.
Knocking his stool to the ground with a loud thud, he jumped up from his chair and grabbed said arm then his other and held both behind his back as he dragged him away and slammed him against one of the pool tables near the bar. "I believe the lady said no!"
Wriggleing, Nottingham struggled to get free of Rob's grasp but he was really strong. "What's your problem man? I think the lady can make her decisions."
Fury was in Rob's eyes as he leered down at Nottingham. "She said no and didn't ask for your advances. So it seems I had to make you back off. Touch her one more time and I'll beat you to a bloody pulp." Rob warned him with sincerity in his raged voice.
"Please she just asks for it. She's a little slut." Nottingham spit out.
Steam almost came out of Rob's ears as he lifted him and then punched him with so much force it threw him across the pool table. That was when the bartender intervened and spilt up the fight, warning that if they continued they would be thrown out. Rob just stared, burning a hole through Nottingham, as the man cradled his jaw and one of his buddies helped him to stand up.
After one last look of disgust, he turned, picked up his fallen stool, and sat back down next to Regina, who was giving him an angry leer of her own. "What do you think you were doing?" She demanded an answer, indignation in her voice.
"I didn't like the way he was speaking to you." His face was pained as he opened and closed his fist. "I think his giant chin broke my hand."
"Serves you right." Regina said, her voice roaring with anger. "I'm not some damsel in distress. I can take care of myself."
"I know that. He just irks me and I don't like people disrespecting you." He said as he continued to clutch his hand.
"Well then you're going to have to fight half the town that still doesn't like me."
"Gladly." Rob inhaled as a sharp pain went thru his sore hand.
With a roll of her eyes, Regina reached for his hand and examined it. "You have anger issues, you know that."
"I guess when it comes to defending your honor I do."
"We should put some ice on this. It's not swelling yet so I don't think it's broken. Probably just bruised." She waved her hand and the bartender brought over a bag of ice that she laid gently against his hand, clearly avoiding what he said. "Better?"
"Yes." He replied as he laid his hand over hers and squeezed lightly. "Thank you."
"Next time don't play hero. I find that irritating." Rob laughed as she slipped her hand away and he continued to hold the ice pack on his hand. "Can we go back to having fun now?" She asked.
"Of course, where would you like to start?"
Regina raised a brow at Rob. "How about some shots?"
Over the next few hours, the two shared shots and cheesy fries. When good songs came on, they danced awfully together. Regina challenged Rob to game a pool to which they both played terribly and they ended up calling it a draw. Standing in front of the jukebox, they argued over which songs they should play. Regina thought David Bowie was the way to go while Rob couldn't help but to love the Rolling Stones. In the end, they ended up choosing songs from each band. Once they were well past the point of sober and tired, they decided to call it a night.
As Rob walked Regina back to her house, they leaned on each other to keep from falling. Eventually Rob but his arm around her shoulders and she held onto his waist. For the most part they walked in contented silence until Regina chimed in. "I'm glad you're around." She murmured.
"I'm gonna have you repeat that when you're sober." He laughed as he squeezed her shoulders.
"Less lonely when you're around." She continued to mumble into his shoulder. "And not so cold when you're around. Cold all the time now. Except if I'm wearing his hoodie or I'm around you. Iss weird."
"I'm sorry he's not here Regina. I wish I could fix that."
"No one can." She whispered sadly, a lone tear falling down her cheek.
They reached her house and he made her down some water before he guided her up the stairs to her bedroom. He pulled her covers down, took her shoes off, and laid the covers over her as she wriggled to get comfortable.
With a Sigh, she laid her head against the pillow and immediately closed her eyes.
He bent down and laid a chaste kiss on her temple. "Sweet dreams, Regina." Before he left, he saw the gray hoodie draped over her vanity chair and went to grab it to gently lay it over her to keep from getting cold. Taking one more look at her, he smiled and then left her in peace to get some sleep.
As he was making his way back to his room at Granny's, he passed Gold's shop who was stepping out and locking up. He noticed Rob walking by across the street. "Excuse me." Gold said to him as he limped his way over to Rob. "I can't help to think I've seen you before." He said with suspicion behind his tone and eyes.
"I doubt I'd ever forget meeting the dark one." Rob said back, not intimidated by him.
Gold hummed before he continued. "You see ROB-ert, names are my specialty and I am having trouble fully figuring out what yours is. Tell me what your last name is?"
"Don't have one. Threw it in the trash where it belonged." He replied, a short tone in his voice.
"I think you'll be willing to share it with me." Gold said in a warning tone.
"I'll share mine if you tell me your first name." Rob threw back at him.
"touché." Gold said back, somewhat impressed.
"Now if you'll excuse me." Rob then made his way past Gold in the direction of Grannies.
"She'll find out eventually Dearie." Gold called after Rob, causing him to stop in his tracks and look back over his shoulder. "You can't hide your past from her forever."
"I don't take kindly to threats, dark one." Rob grumbled at Gold. "To me and especially to her." Not waiting for a reply, Rob made his way up the steps to Granny's, trying to figure out how he was going to handle the dark one.
Uh oh…what's going on here? Guess you'll just have to keep reading. He he he. As always please review. Pleeeaaassseee. Thanks to those who continue to read and who have just started with me It will be worth it I PROMISE. Hope this holds you for over the holidays. Won't be able to update until afterwards.
Next Chapter: Operation Fun Week 4- Leap of Faith
