Warning: OQ fluff ahead. You'll also have noticed by now that I do love Regal Believer and Snow Queen, so there's that. We'll be leaving Storybrooke soon, so enjoy your stay. Thanks for the lovely reviews, I love hearing from you!

"I should go," she muttered just as she continued kissing him, and dug her fingers deeper into his jacket.

Robin ran his thumb over her cheek, savouring the moment - just a little longer, just another minute. But each last kiss was followed by another. When they did rest a moment, she'd lean into him and he'd run his fingers through her hair, and then she'd sigh softly as he placed a kiss on the top of her head, to which she'd run a hand up his back and he'd shiver. And then they'd kiss, tender at first, then passion would take over and before they knew it it would start all over again.

How had this happened? How had he ended up sitting on a log in an embrace with her, kissing under the canopy of green and blue? Now of all times, after he had failed her so badly, after he'd given up such a precious object to the Witch. But with Roland's life at stake, his hands had threatened to go unsteady at Rumplestiltskin's threat, the arrow had quivered the slightest bit - not enough for him to miss but enough for him to know what was at stake to appreciate the full scale of his anxiety. He'd hated it, he still hated having sacrificed her heart. The knowledge he'd do the same over again if Roland was in danger didn't make it much easier… But Regina understood. She was a mother, after all, and her Henry always had and always would have precedence over everything, Robin had seen and heard enough to know so much. So she wasn't mad, or hurt, or bitter. She didn't require an apology, but he still felt he owed her one.

He would get her heart back.

"It's late." Regina ran her fingers up his arm, all the way to his shoulder and neck. Robin didn't know whether to melt at the sweetness of the touch or go crazy with the thrill of it. She was a true marvel, passionate and enticing, yet at the same time there was a strange innocence to her. Robin rubbed her arms gently. It was cold and her coat was open. For a moment he toyed with the idea of buttoning it up, then he simply placed his arms around her and pulled her close to him, until she rested with her chest to his.

"May I walk you, m'lady?"

He felt her smile into his neck and chuckled. It didn't matter what this was or how it had come to being right now. All that mattered was how good, how right it all felt. All that mattered was that she wanted this just as much as he did.

"Why, yes." Regina placed a small kiss to his jaw. "What a gallant offer."

Her hair tickled his neck. He twirled a strand around his finger and breathed in her scent, so enticing and so... Regina. Sweet and spicy. Apple and cinnamon. Just like that strange vision he'd had when he'd held her heart in his hand. If he heard her laugh like that one of these days, laugh the way he'd heard her laugh in that peculiar moment, well, that would be wonderful. And there'd been a kiss… No, they hadn't kissed quite like that, with the kind of abandon his vision had suggested - at least not yet. But what they were doing, the kisses and caresses they had shared, was enough to make his head spin all the same. All he wanted now was this: them getting closer, opening up to each other, spending time together, exploring what could be, what they could be, what they could have together. Who knew, in time…

If there was time for them at all.

"Regina, I have something to tell you."

He hadn't meant for it to come out harsh or threatening at all, and it hadn't. All the same, Regina tensed at his words, she slipped away from his arms and looked at him with the slightest hint of betrayal at having been caught off guard. She pulled her coat tight around her and moved away from his reach, but he finally recovered enough to take her by the hand before she could put a wall between them.

"No, nothing like that." Although what that meant Robin wasn't sure, but clearly something about his words had suggested bad news to her. "I think one could even say it's good news."

Regina's face remained tense for a moment before she relaxed again, slowly, gradually, and she chanced an uncertain smile. Then, out of the blue, she grabbed him by both hands and pulled him to his feet.

"Tell me on the way, then."

For a few steps she led him by the hand from the campsite, then her hold on him weakened, as if she wasn't sure if this hand-holding business was something they should be engaging in. Was this more than she was ready for, more intimate for her than kissing? Robin caught up with her easily and let his hand slip from hers and rest lightly on the small of her back. A while passed in silence without any kind of reciprocation of the gesture. Then Regina's hand came up around him, holding on to his coat.

There was no sound except for an owl's hooting and their own footsteps. Astonishingly, Regina was perfectly capable of negotiating the terrain in heels while looking spotless and effortless. Surely he should refrain from staring at her too much, but heavens, was she beautiful.

Regina arched her eyebrow at him after a while, a smile playing on her lips.

"Sorry," Robin murmured, but couldn't quite wipe the little grin from his face.

"You're an open book, Robin of Locksley."

"I find you quite stunning and I've no intention of denying it."

"Good."

And it had to be, because she was smiling.

What was he waiting for? They had already crossed the forest and were now entering the town itself, and still he hadn't spoken a word of the news he'd promised her. Truth be told, he was enjoying the moonlit stroll with Regina, and perhaps this could be just that: a romantic walk of a very fresh couple. Just that, not a war council or a strategic meeting. She hadn't spoken a word either, not since the forest. Once in a while she gave him a fleeting look, and every time she did, she seemed surprised to find him there, looking back at her with the warmness he knew must radiate from his eyes. She seemed surprised - and pleased.

When they passed the clock tower, Robin frowned at the giant clock-face. That was where Regina had been thrown crashing into during the showdown with Zelena. Now it bore no mark of the incident, and more importantly, neither did she - at least not physically. They turned into a street of stately rows of houses. Soon, they'd be at her door, and he'd return to the camp alone.

"Do you believe in prophecies?"

Regina missed a step, and her arm slipped from around Robin's waist. Her eyes flickered to his wrist for the briefest moment, but she looked away immediately.

"I've seen a few come true, though I'm not exactly fond of them." Regina took him by the hand and resumed walking up the street, her pace a little quicker than before, her smile faded, and her eyes avoiding his. "Why?"

He kept up with her all the way to the gate. Regina pushed it open and almost marched towards the large white mansion definitely fit for a Queen.

Something had happened, and Robin racked his brain in search of the reason. Three times tonight he'd seen fear settle in her eyes: when she'd first kissed him and waited for his response; when he'd mentioned he had something to tell her; and when he brought up prophecies. What could they possibly have in common? The first one was easy - she hadn't been sure he reciprocated, although he would have thought it clear. The second one was guessable - she'd had plenty of bad news recently, and had apparently learnt to expect this rather than the good sort. It pained him to imagine what her soul must have endured to steel itself against trouble so much it didn't count with the possibility of joy anymore. The third one, the prophecy, was the biggest enigma. Then again, she'd just told him she wasn't fond of them, and he had mixed feelings about them himself, so maybe that was really all there was to it.

Stepping onto the porch, Regina turned to face him, her face serene and determined.

"You were going to tell me something."

"Better. I'll show you."

Regina's eyes widened momentarily, leaving him clueless again. They'd better get it over with as quickly as possible, then, he didn't want to cause her unnecessary distress.

Up until now, Robin's nerves had been perfectly calm at the idea of the letter, only set aquiver by Regina's eyes and lips and hair, and her fingers interlaced with his. Now, as he leaned down to unlace his boot, his heart began pounding faster for different reasons. What if he was wrong and the prophecy concerned someone else entirely? A different sorceress, a different blood-relative. No. Something was telling him he was right. His gut had always served him well, and now was not the time for doubts - indeed, time was the one commodity they didn't have.

The Curse, thankfully, hadn't removed it, he'd checked the very first day, and now he pulled the folded letter from his boot and handed it to Regina. Her features rearranged into a calmer, though still curious expression. Good. She was no longer worried.

"A prophecy?" She eyed the parchment before she took it, but instead of opening the letter immediately, she fixed him with her eyes.

"Yes. One of those that do come true." It had to. If it did, it would mean the defeat of Zelena, the return of Regina's heart, and with it the security of hers and everyone else's survival. If not... but no, that wasn't an option.

Regina bowed her head with a half-smile. "I might not be here to see it."

"You will be."

"There's no need to coddle me."

"I wouldn't dream of it. You'll be here to see it because, if I'm not mistaken, you'll be the one to make it happen. See for yourself." Robin gestured at the letter in Regina's hands, and with one last glance at him, she unfolded it and began to read.

You whom they call the Prince of Thieves, to you I entrust a delicate task of crucial importance.

A powerful sorceress is rising to one day become a threat to us all. The green-eyed monster shall transcend the boundaries of magic to swallow lives as if they'd never existed. The sorceress can be vanquished, but if by the day of her most horrid deed no one should succeed, a failsafe must be provided.

You, Prince of Thieves, must obtain for me her own pair of slippers imbued with the magic to travel between realms. Heed my call now, for the Dark One has already set his sights on them. Find the man known as the world-hopper and remove the slippers. Leave them in the trunk of an ancient, magical tree you've passed many times in the heart of the forest. My enchantment shall lend them what power is needed, and they shall be moved to a place from which only the sorceress' own blood can retrieve them when the time comes.

Dark and light she shall be, hard and soft, the bearer of a heart most resilient.

Tarry not, Prince of Thieves, for time is of the essence.

G.

For the longest time, Regina said nothing. Her fingers traced the letter G unwittingly, and her face remained averted.

Robin's stomach sank. Had he been too late? Was she wondering why he hadn't shown her earlier?

"I wasn't sure you'd believe me," he blurted in his defence, "and then I was way too stunned by the trust you'd placed in me - with your heart. I was going to see you first thing in the morning, but…you beat me to it."

Regina raised her face to him, and, inconceivably, she was smiling.

"Come inside. I have something to show you, too."

"A resilient heart," Regina said as they took the stairs in full stride. "It's what the time travel spell says one of the ingredients should be."

"Does it? So that's why Zelena wanted yours. I see."

"I've never performed light magic before." She hesitated for a moment. "I don't think I can."

Robin was overcome by an urge to reach out to her, to erase that hint of dejection in her voice, but she was way ahead of him, drawn towards something on the upper floor.

"I don't know about that, but the letter doesn't mention light magic. It just says light."

"Boils down to the same thing, really."

One door, and they were in a large wardrobe of sorts. Another one, and rows and rows of shoes were revealed.

"Is this what a Queen's wardrobe looks like?"

"You bet," she grinned, as she shifted a few pairs of shoes unceremoniously. "Here they are."

Once she turned and held them out to him, there was no doubt in his mind: it was indeed them. The slippers.

Robin eyed them incredulously. "You had them the entire time?"

"Not before this Curse, no. I found them quite by accident the first day back. I sensed some magic, but nothing I could place."

Regina's eyes twinkled. Robin was fairly certain his were doing the same.

"We've got her."

Regina sipped the wine absently, her mind entirely focused on processing the bursts of sensations caused by Robin's fingers travelling up and down her calves in lazy patterns. Tonight had turned out fantastic. She'd finally plucked up courage to walk through the door she'd run away from all those years ago, and the man on the other side of that door had welcomed her with open arms. They'd treated themselves to a moonlit stroll, and now also a fireside moment. And they'd found a weapon to use against Zelena.

Perhaps they wouldn't even work. Somehow, she believed they would. How silly, really. Snow was always the one to build on belief, on faith - not Regina. But this time, well, her gut was telling her to have faith. She stared down at her feet, or her shoes, more precisely: sleek, black, stylish.

"They look good on you." Robin tickled her ankle. How tantalising.

"You didn't imagine I'd wear them silver and gaudy, did you?" she grinned. A simple charm was all it took to make them presentable, so why not?

"I should go," he muttered just as he continued stroking her legs, then slowly shifted closer to her and running his hands up her arms.

"Then go," Regina purred inches from his lips.

"I never dreamt I'd have such a delightful supper tonight."

Regina chuckled. It was way too late - or early, perhaps - for anything, really, even the wine.

"It's almost time for breakfast." But she had owed him a drink, and she hadn't wanted to part with him just yet, so she'd chosen to let him cash in now. He hadn't objected, and she hadn't regretted it, either.

"I hear Granny makes delicious pancakes," Robin mumbled in between soft little pecks on her lips, "whatever they are."

"Mmm." The man was a nightmare - how was he having such an effect on her? He was a gentleman, even though she felt him tense at times under the strain of holding back. The chaste kisses tasted sweet, but she also wanted more, more of him now, because what if tomorrow never came? Regina tilted back her head, and Robin began to pepper her jaw with kisses. Speaking was proving most trying - even forming a coherent thought was almost beyond her. "You haven't...tried pancakes yet?"

"No, but Roland's been singing praises. Would you care to introduce me to them?"

He wanted to have pancakes with her. She, Regina Mills, had just been asked to share this perfectly ordinary thing with someone she cared about, in the face of an impending end, while he was stroking her chin and kissing the corners of her mouth.

This was good. This was right.

"Are you inviting me for breakfast?" Regina asked with narrowed eyes, playful on the surface but eager for assurance underneath.

Robin stood up, pulling her with him. The wine glasses were empty and the clock was striking three. Regina felt dizzy in his arms. Maybe it was the wine, although she hadn't had much. Maybe the man opposite her was more at fault. He brushed his fingers through her hair and tucked a strand behind her ear. His fascination with her hair was endearing, and she couldn't suppress a smile.

"I certainly am," Robin whispered, rubbing his nose against hers.

"Pick me up at eight."

Rummaging through a box of Snow's scarves in search for the elusive storybook, Regina threw a sideways glance at Emma. So she knew now: how it was to be a mother, that slipping into the role of your child's big sister or cool aunt wasn't enough. Sometimes you had to be strict, sometimes you had to say no, even if it made them mad with you, even if it hurt. Emma had stopped Henry's line of questioning at the diner in a way that had left the Charmings and Regina with their mouths agape - and Henry, too, of course. The last year must have taught Emma something about parenthood. Maybe now she understood more about what it had been like for Regina.

The book kept eluding them with a stubbornness that was almost a match for Regina's own - almost. Eventually, it was Snow it chose to reveal itself to, just like the first time. There was magic involved here, although whose magic and how exactly it worked was a mystery to everyone including Regina. The questions it posed would keep returning every now and then, even though they didn't haunt her sleep anymore the way they used to. The first time around, the book had been a formidable foe, the messenger of her doom. This time, however, it was a coveted ally, the promise of deliverance. Regina's heart beat faster at the mere sight of it.

All that remained now was to get it to him.

Emma's fingers were white as she pressed the book to her chest. Regina watched her closely. The most terrible moments of her life had been the ones where she'd been faced with the prospect of Henry's loss. In a way, the same thing was happening to Emma now. Yes, it was hard. It was hard giving part of your child away, doubting if it was even indeed in his best interest. Regina could have just rushed to her, torn the book from her hands and shoved it into Henry's, but instead she stood rooted to the spot. Emma would do it, she knew she needed to.

Regina, as full of anticipation as she was because her little prince would finally know her for his Mom again, also felt a fear-like chill sneaking up on her. What if it didn't work? What then? There was nothing else. This had to work. It just had to. And it would. Henry might not want you anymore, a malicious little voice piped up from some dark crevice of her heart, he had the perfect life in New York with his other mother, why would he want this one back?

The buzz in her head drowned out Emma's words as she offered the book to Henry, and it only intensified when he hesitantly accepted it. He flinched and closed his eyes, his face scrunched up with emotion, but what emotion it was she couldn't say. Regina trembled, her hand shot towards him, but her knees must have turned to water because she could barely support herself, let alone move forward. And still nothing was certain, still he might not remember.

But Henry's eyes had opened now, his gaze was becoming focused, and then it rested on her. He was looking at her - and seeing her. But what exactly was he seeing? A mother? A mayor? An Evil Queen?

"Mom…"

Regina's world began to turn. A silent laugh of utter relief and utter happiness broke out of her chest like a long-suppressed breath. Her world had turned around and clicked back into place.

"Mom!"

She ran, not giving a damn about the tears in her eyes or the lump in her throat or the way her ankle gave way and rolled but no one would have guessed because she herself felt nothing but joy and love - so much love.

Then she was holding her baby again, and her baby was hugging her back.

The Curse almost faded from her mind; if it weren't for Emma's pained smile, she might not have remembered.

"Do it," Regina said to her firmly, turning Henry around, brushing the hair from his forehead. "Break the Curse."

A flash of magic later, Henry was gone. Regina whipped around at the sound of Zelena's voice.

This was it. Now Zelena'd gone a step too far. No one was threatening Henry and getting away with it.

A blast of magic issued from Regina's palm. Zelena cackled. Regina's world went black.

Next thing she knew, she was lying on the cold floor with Henry crouched over her, calling to her with such desperation in his voice that the first thing she felt wasn't the ache of bruises but a stab at where her heart should have been but wasn't. He was there, and he was alright. Bruises didn't matter. All that mattered was him.

Love surged through her as she vowed to never let him go again, love so overwhelming and forceful that she staggered under its intensity. She felt a jolt of energy surge through her as her lips touched his forehead. Henry gasped and Regina held on to him as another wave of intense emotion swept through her.

Books tumbling, pages flying, an arrow stopped in midair, a cloud of dust in the wake of a fireball. Snakes, monkeys, unicorns, beasts and a green witch and slippers. An infuriatingly handsome outlaw peeking through her walls, undoing them brick after brick until she chose to raise them back up in fright. Futile fight. The Curse. The smell of forest - of him - seeping into her pores as her cheek rested on his chest. Until we meet again.

Broken. They'd done it: the Curse was gone, and Henry's memories were back. Everyone's memories were back.

Robin was crouching behind a hazelnut bush when it happened.

"…five, six, sev-" Roland's voice died away mid-word.

A peculiar energy swept through the forest, rippling strangely, setting leaves and boughs in motion in its wake.

Dark castle, dark night, dark silk. Dark words, dark thoughts, dark eyes. Battle of arrow and magic, battle of wits and wills, battle of fear and longing. Winged beasts and his son, safe in Regina's arms. Soft words, light banter, bright eyes. The Mirror, the slippers, the Curse. His face in her long hair as he twirled and twirled it around his finger, his wrist, his forearm. Until we meet again.

"Papa!"

Robin rushed to pick the confused child up. He could have lost him. Oh, how he'd feared he might lose him. But the Curse hadn't separated father and son. It hadn't kept Regina and him from discovering this curious connection they had - curious and delightful. Robin held Roland tighter, light-headed with relief and with a fuzzy feeling in his stomach. He'd pressed Roland to him just like this back in the Enchanted Forest before the Curse had struck. Only then three of them had shared the embrace.

"Papa," Roland placed his little hand on Robin's cheek, "I want Regina."

Robin laughed.

Henry would know now.

Would he be wary of this new, strange man in his mother's life? Having him find out like he had, by catching them kissing in the corridor, wouldn't have been Robin's choice of an introduction. But it was done, and after all, his feelings had been, and still were, sincere with nothing indecent or shameful about them. Still, it was normal, Robin guessed, to feel apprehensive. Henry's reaction mattered.

And so did Regina's.

Regina was terrified of letting herself care, feel, love, scared of exposing herself to potential pain and loss. Twice, she'd given her feelings free reign, both times spurred by the looming danger of cataclysm. Was two times enough? Would she dare take a chance with him now, or would she retreat once again? He wanted to know, he needed to know. Robin quickened his pace - it helped the onsetting nerves somewhat, and he'd get there sooner.

It wasn't hard to guess the way, because everywhere people were swarming out of their houses, talking and hugging and pointing at the sky above the harbour. Thankfully, he'd left Roland in the forest with Little John. It had been hard to convince Roland to wait a little more to see Regina, and Robin didn't blame him, but it was best they resolved matters without Roland getting in harm's way - who knew what Zelena was up to now that her Curse had failed.

Only when he reached the door did he stop. Regina hadn't enjoyed the company of her son for over a year. Now they were reunited. No matter how much Robin yearned to see her now that they both remembered, she and Henry both deserved some time together, undisturbed. Robin turned away and headed towards the pier - he'd wait for them there - when he heard her voice, bright and so, so vivid with happiness. She laughed, and so did Henry. Robin and the newly ensued, absurdly wide grin glued to his face moved towards the pier. He didn't get far when the sound of his own name made him turn back.

As soon as he opened the door, he wasn't nervous anymore. There was a slight blush in Regina's cheeks when he smiled at her, and maybe, just maybe, he'd heard a soft sigh as he and Henry shook hands. Something about Henry felt a lot like Regina, and yes, Robin knew they weren't related by blood but in the end, what did blood matter when you loved someone with all your heart and raised them for eleven years?

They walked out together, Regina's arm around Henry's shoulders and Robin's around Regina's, and when her hand came to rest on his back, that stupidly wide grin returned to his face again and didn't even seem stupid at all.

Just as David disappeared behind the corner on his way to the vending machine, Regina knocked on the door with her free hand. Snow's response came sheepish and strained. For a moment Regina almost smirked - did she think Zelena would actually knock? But Snow did have good reason to fear, and Regina was part of the problem - had been the problem once.

"Regina." Snow relaxed visibly, her shoulders slumped and her head fell back on the pillow. She didn't at all look like an eager mother-to-be.

"Chipped ice," Regina announced quite unnecessarily as she handed the plastic cup to her.

"Oh…" David had just gotten out to get some for her and maybe Snow was about to say so - as if Regina hadn't noticed him going in precisely that direction - but then thought better about it. "Thanks."

Regina's eyes rested on the chair pulled up beside the bed. Maybe she wasn't welcome here. It was David's place, or anyone else's really, but not Regina's. Yet she'd had to come.

Snow was holding on to the cup with both hands, the warmth thawing the contents rapidly, beads forming on the outside of the plastic container and rolling down her fingers. Her knuckles were white, her mouth set. The occasion looked nothing like childbirth and everything like a funeral. The fury rising in her at the sight of Snow's agony was so familiar and yet so completely different from what Regina had experienced for most of her life.

"She's not getting your baby."

The cup slipped a little as Snow's hands shook, and she only just managed to hold on to it. Her brow furrowed and she leaned forward, as if to get a better look at Regina - indeed, her eyes bore into Regina's with eerie intensity.

Once upon a time, it had been the Evil Queen that Snow White and Prince Charming had to face at the very time they'd been supposed to rejoice over the birth of their baby girl. Regina had taken that away from them, taken her away, destroyed a family's happiness. What damage could be repaired still remained to be seen. If there was any part Regina could play in it, then that was what she needed to do. The nightmare had come back to haunt Snow and David again, but for Regina, this time was different. This time she wasn't the evil witch. No, this time Regina would be the one to help thwart the threat - and in defeating Zelena, she'd reap victory over an evil she had once been and no longer wanted to be. She'd come full circle. So if there was someplace for Regina to be at this very moment, it had to be here.

"What if she does?" Snow's voice was barely a whisper.

"We're all doing everything in our power to keep you safe."

"I know that." Snow reached out across the bed. Regina hesitated for just a moment before she moved to squeeze her hand. "I know that, Regina. I'm just afraid it won't be enough."

"What is it you always say? About good always winning? About always holding on to hope?"

"You mean all the pathetic stuff you always roll your eyes at?"

Regina did just that - and Snow chuckled through the contraction that made her features twist in pain.

"You always knew how to cheer me up." Snow smiled, though it was a tired one. "Remember?"

Regina did, but she also remembered the constant conflict she'd been in, unknown to Snow, ever since the wretched betrayal and the miserable marriage, until the time her hatred of Snow had come out into the open.

"Maybe once. Now, I'm not so sure."

"You're much better at this than you give yourself credit for."

" I doubt that, but thanks anyway." So she'd done fine after all, at least she had cheered her up, if only a little bit for a brief moment That was something. Snow would see the effect her appreciation had on her, of course, even though Regina tried, as usual, not to let it show.

"Just be careful."

"I'll do what needs to be done." Whatever it took, but she didn't say that out loud for fear it'd only freak Snow out even more. "You just make sure you and the baby are fine."

Snow's face scrunched up in pain and her nails dug into Regina's hand. As if on cue, the door flew open and David rushed in, followed by a harried Whale.

"It's…time," Snow groaned.

To have the baby, Regina understood.

"It's time," she nodded.

To stop Zelena.