So it's been forever since I updated. But recent reviews of this story always inspire me. For this installment, I have always wanted to do a chapter on our favorite couple right before the curse is cast. So this takes place that day which in my mind happened several days after they broke into Rumple's castle (or at least a few days). It didn't come out exactly how I envisioned but close enough.

In a few short hours, Regina would be casting the curse. Well, actually Snow was casting it, she was the one giving up the person she loved most. Until then, Regina walked silently through the halls of the castle. She had longed to go back to Storybrooke, back to the world where Henry lived.

Turning the corner, Regina walked by one of the dwarves who nodded but kept to his current tasks, whatever they were. Everyone was busily getting ready for the journey, not that there was anything for them to do, but it was still better to prepare. It had been almost a year since they left and adjustments were hard, even to the modern world.

Regina's mind burst full of memories. Memories of the other two times of casting the curse. The first time she had such revenge in her heart. Seeing Snow on the ground holding an unconscious Charming was validating enough on its own. Later, arriving in her made up town with everyone under the memory curse was even more rewarding. Regina sighed, she was a different person now. A person who felt her own pain at what she inflicted on others. Now she worried for Snow. Actually worried for her stepdaughter!

The hallway torches flickered around her, Regina blinked realizing she had managed to walk deep to the east side of the castle. Closer to him, her mind immediately thought, and faced with that reality, she quickly turned around. She didn't want to see him, especially now.

Taking the shortest distance to travel back to the tower, Regina cut through the courtyard, it should be deserted by now. Except it wasn't. One person was there. The one person Regina was trying to avoid. He was walking alone too. His arms were folded around him, though it wasn't cold. He looked deep in thought, troubled. Surprising herself, Regina called out to him, stopping his walk.

Robin turned to her, evidently surprised. "Your Majesty, I didn't expect to see you down this way."

"I needed to clear my head, take a walk before we…started." She didn't need to explain what she was starting.

He nodded. He was a good 10 feet away. It was unlike him, especially when they were alone together. He loved to close that distance and get in her personal space. Not too close. But close enough that she could smell him, feel the hairs on her neck rise. Make out the outline of his muscles in his shirt. He wasn't doing that now. Regina knew why.

"I want to apologize," the queen started, grimacing at her squeaky voice. "At what I said the other day. About the bathing and pine cones. That was too…far." She inwardly cringed at apologizing at all. But that day she had verbally abused him over and over. And that time he had saved her life and she should have been grateful.

He didn't respond right away. Just stared at her with those beautiful blue eyes. She could see their color every time she closed her eyes to go to sleep. Robin waited patiently. He was always patient with her. Oh, he would usually return her abuse with a witty comeback. But he never pushed too hard. He never crossed a line. He never disrespected her. And here he stood silently but managing to disarm her with just a look. How did he do that?

A thought popped in her head then. "How are you…your merry men taking the news of going to a new land?" She just realized that nobody had asked them if they even wanted to go.

Robin relaxed at the question. "They are taking it…as best as they can. We've heard so much of this land you lived in for so long…but my group are used to traveling. It isn't the place we live that's important, just that we are together."

Henry. Regina shook that thought off. "I'm sorry there isn't much time to prepare you on what to expect."

"I just wish I know what to say to Roland," Robin started. So that was what was troubling him. "He's used to traveling and moving quickly but…this will be like a new world." The thief smiled at that, but she could see it didn't meet his eyes. Those blue eyes.

"Children adapt better than adults," she hoped to calm his fears. "In fact, once he sees the toys over there he's going to be quite excited. And you will be glad to know that overall, it's safer for children there. Better medicines, better safety mechanisms in place, specifically to protect children and…"

Robin now stepped closer to her. His unique scene overwhelmed her senses, rendering her mind blank. Feeling her mouth go dry, Regina knew she needed to leave. For the last month, it was becoming harder and harder to be in close proximity to Robin. Too many occasions had almost ended in kisses, each time frightening Regina. That wasn't what she wanted. And she didn't need it now. "I must go find Snow."

"How is the princess doing?"

Regina had turned away from him. He was right behind her now. "She's overly emotional. And I don't know what to say…"

"How are you doing?" He touched her shoulder.

She jumped at that. Turning back to him, she put on her iciest glare. "What do you mean? I'm fine, it's Snow who has to cast the curse."

"This is hurting you too. Charming is your friend. You care for him. And you love Snow."

"I don't…" she almost argued but stopped. She did love Snow. Who would have believed it? And in the last year she had leaned on the princess far more than she thought possible. Now in Snow's darkest hour, what could Regina do for her? But she didn't want to get into that. Not here. Not with him. "I don't deserve sympathy on this. It's Snow who deserves it."

"Regina." He said her name as a whisper. He was always so proper. He rarely used it. But when he did…

"I've got to go."

"Wait!" He reached out and grabbed her arm. Then pulled back making it clear he wasn't trying to overpower her. But he remained close. "Regina, I know it's important to appear strong and vigilant and everything else that goes along with your leadership. I know it because I act that way too, just on a smaller scale. It's so hard with just the merry men and Roland, I can't imagine being queen and preparing what you have to do-"

She closed her eyes. They were getting moist. Everything he was saying was getting to her. Regina tried to maintain the belief it was simply the emotional roller coaster she had been on left her defenseless against Robin. "Why do you keep doing this? Why do you insist on pretending I'm not the horrible monster I am? Even if you hadn't known of my reputation before we came back, I'm sure everyone around here has filled you in on firsthand accounts-"

"Yes, they have, Regina," Robin said. He was so close now, she could feel his breath. "And maybe I would have kept my distance and left you alone if fate wasn't intent on throwing us together. We've done missions together. We've discussed strategy. I've gone to you in matters of Roland whether they are simple or life threatening. I've lost count the number of times you've saved my life along with others. And considering how you've rebuilt your life, relationships and made the ultimate sacrifice for Henry, God, Regina, you are the most exceptional woman I've ever met."

Dear Lord she felt a tear roll down her cheek! How did his words do this to her? Being so close to him now, she could practically feel the compassion radiating from him. She started to speak but couldn't think of any words to argue. Arguing is what they did best.

He took a hand and wiped away the tear, a jolt surged through her and she leaned into the touch. Normally she'd ignore it and literally push him away. But today was not a normal day. In a few seconds, his lips were on hers. Her arms folded around his neck while his arms wrapped around her.

She shifted on her feet, opening her mouth to taste him, let him taste her. Her fingers traveled to his hair, it was so soft. His cheeks were rough, that stubble he constantly wore scratched as she bit his lower lip. She didn't care. He felt incredible. Robin pressed her against something, she really had no idea where they were. She had lost all intelligent thought. The one thing constant in her mind was "Yes."

Then he stepped back, almost too quickly. Regina wasn't sure what was more shocking: that she had to actually grab onto something to continue to stand or the fact it was Robin who stopped the kiss. Hurt sprung in her heart, she imagined that Robin had already changed his mind. Why else would he stop such an amazing kiss?

But a shadow appeared to her left and turning, Regina straightened as she saw Snow standing there. The younger woman was living up to her name, she was paler than ever. In a voice that didn't sound like her's, she said, "You wanted me to come get you when we were ready. It's time."

Regina's eyes met Robin, worry replacing the earlier passion. Collecting herself, Regina nodded. "Yes, Snow. I'm coming." She started to walk towards her step daughter but Robin reached out and took her arm. Regina tensed. For the first time, Regina was allowing herself to accept whatever she had with Robin, she wanted nothing more but to continue that kiss. But Snow had to be her priority.

"I'm going to look for you afterwards." He let go then and walked away.

Regina caught up to Snow who had already turned around and was walking to the tower. "I guess you probably are wondering what-"

"Regina," Snow's voice started to crack, but she recovered. "I just need to concentrate on what we are doing. I can't-"

The queen placed her arms on Snow's shoulders. "Yes, of course."

Regina watched as Snow held Charming in her arms. He was going to live. The princess didn't have to sacrifice after all.

Twenty years ago, Regina would have been furious. Jealous. Bitter. This year's Regina wasn't. She was actually relieved. Almost happy for them. Turning to give them some privacy, she looked at the green smoke coming from the cauldron. Zelena had thrown in a memory curse to force everyone to forget the last year. In a few moments they would be in Storybrooke but with no memory of recent events.

Before the smoke overtook her, she stepped towards the window, the one that faced the east courtyard where Robin would be. He didn't know he was going to forget her. A year ago Regina would have been glad Robin would lose his memories of her and even gladder she'd have lost her memories of him. This year Regina wasn't. She closed her eyes trying to remember how he felt pressed against her. She tried to hold onto the memory. Her heart fluttered as if to say just because the mind forgets, the heart will not.

Corny huh? I wrote this in a hurry, I wanted to get it out before the American holiday. I think we should all be thankful for Outlaw Queen, Lana, and Sean. If anyone is thankful for this chapter, I'd appreciate a little review. :D