Chapter 7:

Regina found herself back at her favorite spot in the castle, her comfort zone, her beloved apple tree. Her head was a mess, she couldn't believe that Robin Hood, Prince of the Thieves, was her soul mate! How could that be? A Queen with the Thief, that would not be right...What would her mother say? "Thank gosh she's dead, because she would surely kill me know" Regina thought to herself. Her first true love was a stable boy, then she becomes queen married to a man she could care less about, and now she finds out her second chance at love and her new soul mate is a common thief. This can't be right, maybe the pixie dust actually failed? All she can hear is Tink's voice in her head "Pixie dust never fails!" Fortunately she is pulled form her thoughts when she hears footsteps behind her. Oddly enough she was actually a little relieved when she saw him standing there. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interupt you. I am still getting used to the whole living in a castle thing and i got lost trying to find my son." he spoke up.

"No, it's fine! I know this castle is a lot to get used to. I had a hard time when I first arrived after I married the King." she tried to sound friendly and encourage him.
"What is this place?"
"This is my favorite place in the whole castle. This is my courtyard. The king allowed me to bring my apple tree here when I moved in, because this tree is very special to me."
"What is so special about this tree?"
"I have been nursing this tree and caring for it since I was a little girl. It is my safety blanket, and I always come here to remind me of my life before it spiraled out of control. Before I became 'The Evil Queen', when I was simply Regina."
"You can still be that person. I know you want to change and I know that you are completely capable of being that person again."
"I don't want to be that person again, I like who I am now. I just want to be a better person, not and Evil person. I want to be happy like I was then. I haven't been that happy in a long time. I just want what I had back then...Love."

Regina could not believe she was opening up this much to him. What is it that makes her feel like she can pour her soul out to him and he will no exactly what to say to help her get through anything. Maybe she really could do this with Robin, maybe she really can have a second chance. without ever breaking eye contact her continued to stare at her, his blue eyes breaking down all of her defenses.

"You can have love again, you just need to be open to it. After my Marian died I felt like I would never be able to love again, and it took me a long to to accept that I can love again, and she would want me to. I knew i needed to pull myself together for my son, he lost his mother and he certainly didn't need to lose his father too.""How? How did you move on?"
"It took a long time but I found someone for whom I care about. Someone I could be happy with. Once you open yourself you will see that all you want, all that you need, is standing right in front of you."

That left her speechless. Did he just say that he cared about her, and that he is there for her? She was now completely lost, and so confused. What should her next move be? She decided to be bold and brave and never look back. So she jumped in, all in. She looked to make sure no one was coming and then she grabbed his jacket and pulled him in for a deep, passionate kiss. One that sent shivers down her spine but also sent fireworks into the sky, or at least it felt that way. They pulled away from each other, stared at each other and then they engaged in another passionate kiss. Before anything got out of hand they decided to part ways, with plans of seeing each other tomorrow.

Regina woke up the next day smiling and no matter what she did, she just couldn't keep that giddy grin off her face. She dressed for the day, put her face on, and then proceeded to go to the main hall for breakfast. She entered the room and unknowingly scanned the room for Robin, and when she didn't see him she took her usual spot at an empty table. In a couple of minuets he came and sat down next to her, with his son in tow. She tried her best to hide her smile because she didn't want anyone to know what was going on. However, she was completely unaware that when he sat down and a smile did escape her lips, Snow White happened to be looking right at her at that exact moment. Snow decided that she was going to talk to her friend later about a certain thief. Meanwhile, Regina, Robin, and Roland all had a nice breakfast together and before it was over she told him to meet her later at her chambers so they can talk. It was the only place she could think of where no one would go, and where they could have some privacy. So after they said their goodbyes they both got up and went their separate ways, Robin went to see his Merry Men and Regina went to the library to do some research. Before Regina could make it to the library she ran into Tinkerbell, and she asked Tink to come with her because she needed to tell her something.

Snow White saw Regina leave the Main Hall after breakfast and decided that she was going to follow her friend so that she can question her about what she witnessed at breakfast. She saw Regina walk into the library with Tinkerbell and decided that she would proceed with her plan regardless of the added company. So she followed the two into the library and when she saw that no one else was in there she decided to walk up to them and just get right to the point.

"Hello Regina, Tinkerbell""Good Morning Snow" both women replied
"Regina, I wanted to talk to you about what something i just saw that was slightly concerning" Snow decided to tease Regina a little.
"What happened Snow?"
"Well I saw a friend of mine talking to a certain thief this morning, and she looked rather happy. Now, because I care about this woman a great deal I decided it would be best if I looked into this. I would love to see that this woman has found some sort of happiness."

Snow had actually rendered Regina speechless, and earned a smirk from Tink.

"Regina, What is she talking about? You and Robin? Did you finally talk to him?" Tink questioned the Queen."I...Tink, that's what I wanted to talk to you about-"
But before she could finished Snow chimed in "You weren't going to tell me! Come on Regina, after all this time I thought we were finally friends."
"I was going to wait a little before I told you. I was going to tell Tink Now because we kind of have a history with him."
"Well, please...Enlighten me!" Snow said.

"After I first married your father I was really angry, depressed, and lonely. I was always in the castle by myself while you and your father went traveling, and I was never allowed to leave so having friends was virtually impossible. I was sitting in my room one night when Tinkerbell came into my room and told me she could help me find love again, find my soul mate even. I didn't think I would get the chance to love again after Daniel."
"I'm sorry to hear you were so unhappy with your life in the castle. I wished I could have done something for you." Snow interupted.
"what could you have done Snow? You were just a child and back then I would never allowed you to do anything for me. I loathed you!" "Well non of that matters now. Now, where was I. So Tink told me that she had Pixie Dust that would show me who this man was so the next night we went to a tavern in which my soul mate was located. Before Tink left she told me that that man with the Lion tattoo was to be my soul mate, according to some prophecy. However, I was to scared to go in, so I ran away before I could even see his face"
"Okay, so I don't get what this has to do with anything"
"Well if you'll let her finish you will soon find out, and I will get to her about the juicy stuff!" Tink said to Snow.
"You remember when I ran out of the main hall the other day?" Regina questioned Snow.
"Yes I do, I was worried about you."
"Well, I ran off because I saw that Lion tattoo on the wrist of the man seated next to me. Robin Hood."
"Oh My, I understand why you ran now."
"Yeah well after I saw this I talked to Tink about this. I wasn't sure what to do because I just lost Henry and I wasn't sure if I was in the right place to talk to him about this. My head was a mess. Well yesterday I was in my courtyard" She turns to Snow "You know how I go there to clear my head and think things over" Snow nodded. "Well I was there and all I could think about was him and this stupid prophecy and when he came into my courtyard looking for his son, we got to talking. He was telling me that I shouldn't be afraid to love again just because I am hurting because of Henry. He told me that after his wife he never thought he could love again but he thinks he may be ready to move on. Naturally I thought he was talking about some other woman until her told me that he never realized that what he wanted would e right in front of him."
"OH MY REGINA! He was talking about you!" Tink Shrieked.
Regina smiled at her friend's reaction. "Yes Tink, I know. That is when I did the most impulsive thing I have ever done. I grabbed his jacket and kissed him"She said cautiously try to see her friends reactions.
"WOW! Look at you Regina. I'm proud of you, making the first move" Snow said while Tink was just too excited to speak.
"thanks I guess. Well yeah so that's basically the whole story."
"Wait, so what are you doing next" Tink questioned.
"Well, we are meeting up later in private to discuss what happened and how we feel about it. You two are the only ones who know about this and I would like to keep it that way, got it?"
"Our Lips are sealed" They replied."But what do you want to do about it? do you want a relationship?"
"I am not sure yet. I would like to continue to see Robin and see where this goes. I am a little nervous about the whole relationship part because i han't done that in years! But we will see what happens next. We don't really know how much longer we will even be in the Enchanted Forest so..."
"Good for you Regina!" Snow Said
"Good luck Tink replied"
"I am going to go get ready to meet him. I will talk to you later. Bye!" With that Regina walked back to her chambers to prepare for her meeting with Robin.

When she heard a light knock on her door, Regina stood up form her desk, smoothed out her dress, and walked to the door knowing very well who was most likely on the other side of her door. However, she was surprised when she saw not one, but two people standing at her door. She saw Robin and his son standing on the other side of her door. She motioned for them to come in.
"I'm Sorry Regina but no one could watch him and I don't like to leave him alone. I just didn't want to not come see you, and I hoped you wouldn't mind if he came with me." Robin said apologetically.
"No, no! it's absolutely fine. You're a very good father to think of him no matter what. I admire you for that."
"Roland, this is Regina, do you remember Regina?"
"Hi Regina! I'm Roland!" he said
"Hello Roland. It is good to finally meet you, formally." Of course they had already encountered one another but she didn't want to say that to the 5 year old.
"Roland, why don't you so sit out on the balcony while me and Regina talk." he turned to Regina "Is that okay with you?"
"Yes, of ocurse it is. Go right ahead Roland"

They both watched as the young boy went over to the balcony, making sure he was safe. Then they turned to each other.

"Hi" he said
"Hi" she replied with a smile
"Now, why is it you wanted to meet" He asked.
"I wanted to talk about yesterday, about the kiss."
"Ah, yes. The Kiss. Well, I quite liked it, how about you?"
"I did as well." She felt like a little school girl, she could feel her face blushing at his remark. "I just wanted to know where you wanted to go from here"
"Well, Like I told you yesterday. I am open to the possibility a relationship and I am hoping that, this relationship could bee with you. I hope you know that I like you Regina. I know that you are going through a lot right now between the loss of your son and trying to defeat this sister of yours. But I want you to know that I am here for you, in what ever capacity you choose."
wow this man really had a way of words, Regina thought."Thank you for the encouragement. I feel the same way towards you. I don't know what is lying ahead of me but I would feel better if I knew I had you at my side."

After saying all this, they kissed again and after a couple of seconds passed they remembered that Roland was with them. They tunred their attention to him, and then back to each other. They spent the rest of the day together and just talked, and got to know each other better. They also spent time playing with Roland, and Robin marveled at the maternal side of Regina.

"Who knew the Evil Queen had such a way with Kids" he said.
She slapped his arm playfully and replied "Hey cool it with the whole 'Evil Queen' stuff. I am trying to get passed that, plus I would rather not have your son see me or think of me as that person."

They continued talking and just being with each other until it was time for dinner. Robin and his son left the room first and a few minuets later Regina followed suit. They all sat together at dinner and had a pleasant evening. During diner Snow and Tink both passed understanding and happy glances towards her, and she was finally happy. She was happy for an entire day. Little did she know that tomorrow, everything would change.