You guys ROCK! Woo! So glad you enjoyed the last chapter! Well, I'll be honest, this was originally supposed to be the final chapter in this story. I'm working two jobs and in school, so I don't have time to continue on with a story. BUT, the characters wouldn't leave me alone and your reviews were so encouraging. This won't be a long story, but it will be a few more chapters. And we may have another lemon *wink wink*. Anyways, thanks again, for your reviews and I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: It ain't mine!

Chapter 3:

Robin made his way back to camp, determined. As he neared, Roland saw him and ran to meet him. "Papa! We've missed you! Where have you been?" he asked as Robin lifted him into his arms.

"I've missed you as well, my boy." He smiled as he let his eyes scan the camp. His eyes fell on Marian, as she walked closer to him. She slowed when she saw the look in his eyes. She'd been waiting for the next shoe to drop for the past couple of weeks. Though he was her husband, he was different. But could she really expect him to be after so many years have passed?

"Roland, I need to talk to your mama, for a second. Could you go play with Little John?" Roland scampered off, happily.

He and Marian met in the middle of the camp. He offered her his hand, and offered her a sad smile, "We need to talk…"

Regina had made it back to her house after a few hours of pulling herself together in her office. She would get through this. She poured herself a cup of tea and stoked the fire before heading to sit down on her couch. She refused to let images of their time together, invade her thoughts. "It was a goodbye," she said to herself…Then there was a knock on the door.

She had no idea who it could be at the time of night. She slowly opened the door, not expecting the sight before her. There, Maid Marian herself stood.

"…Marian?" Regina asked in shock. "What are you doing here?"

"I think you know why I'm here, Your Majesty. You and I both have more in common than one might think." Marian said. Regina could tell though Marian was speaking confidently, she was still weary of her, having only known her as the Evil Queen. Regina stepped to the side, bowing her head. She knew what this was about.

"Do come in from the cold." Regina said, offering a smile. Though she obviously wasn't enthused that Miss Swan brought this woman back from the dead, Marian had done nothing wrong. "Would you like something to drink?"

Marian slowly walked into the woman's house, taking in her surroundings. She pulled her cloak a little closer to her body, uncomfortable with what she was about to say. "No need. I won't be staying long."

Regina followed her into the living room and sat down on the couch across from Marian.

"My husband and I had an interesting conversation this evening." She spoke, putting emphasis on the word husband. Regina's gaze dropped to the floor and she adjusted the tea cup in her hands. She didn't feel that she needed to question what this was about. "He doesn't know that I'm here. I came on my own accord when he went to put Roland to bed." Regina nodded in understanding. "He…he told me the story of…of a lion tattoo and a certain young woman." Marian's eyes began to fill with tears. "He told me that while he would always love me and I would hold an important place in his heart as his first love and as Roland's mother, his heart now belonged to another. Imagine my surprise when he told me that it belonged to the Evil Queen." Marian said sarcastically, rolling her eyes and trying to keep the tears at bay.

"Marian, I know that's what he told you, but…" Regina started, but Marian cut her off.

"No, Your Ma…Regina…I need to get this out. I'm not a stupid woman; I've seen the looks that you gave him and Roland while we were in town. But, I allowed myself to believe that those looks were one-sided. I didn't let myself focus on the differences that I'd seen in Robin…the way he treated me." She took a deep, shaky breath before continuing, "I used to be his world. When Emma brought me to this realm and I saw Robin and Roland, I couldn't have been happier. And I thought that Robin felt the same. But when I looked up from Roland, while we were at Granny's, and to his face, he was staring at the door…the door you'd just walked through."

A tear slid down Regina's face. She'd had no idea, allowing no time to look back.

"Regina, I love my husband. And I was so thankful to have a second chance with him, but he already has his second chance…with you." Marian now let the tears freely fall from her cheeks.

"No, Marian. Robin…he's good. I will only ruin him. He deserves you, he and Roland both do. I only cause pain and destruction." Regina spoke quickly, trying to make this woman understand her quandary.

"I'm not meant to be here, Regina! I messed this up, for you two. He was happy with you and my being here, though I know he's happy I'm alive, has hurt my husband. And that's the last thing I want. I don't know you, Regina, but I know my husband. And if he sees good in you, then I know it's there."

"Everything I touch gets hurt, Marian! You're right! You don't know me. While Robin was telling you about our little fling did he tell you about my first love, Daniel? He died because of me. He died because he loved me. Do you really want that same fate to come to your husband? What about Roland? Is that what you want for him?" Regina stood in the middle of her rant and began to pace the room. She was resolute in her decision to protect them from herself. And when she made her way back to the space directly in front of Marian, she stopped, her face changing from anguish to determination. She knew how she could win this fight…all it took was going for the jugular. "And did he tell you about this afternoon?"

Marian, looked up to meet her gaze, unsure of what the queen would say next. "I…I, yes he told me that of your conversation, this afternoon?"

"Oh did he?" Letting her evil smile make its way across her features. She knew Marian would not be as generous and caring if she knew that her finger nails had been digging into Robin's back just hours earlier. "And did he tell you of the times, this afternoon, when we weren't…talking?" She let the last word pop from her mouth.

Marian stood from her spot, her breath coming more rapidly. She hadn't been prepared for this turn of events. "What did you do to my husband?"

Regina chuckled darkly to herself, "I knew he wouldn't tell you. You see, my dear, I am the Evil Queen and I live up to that title. My sinful nature is still very much intact and I bring those around me down with me."

Regina didn't need to elaborate anymore. The damage was done and Marian's body racked with sobs.

"Now, please, go back to Robin and his merry men and leave me the hell alone. Forgive him for his time spent with me and realize that I didn't give him a choice in the matter. Go back to him." Regina walked to the door and opened it for the woman.

Marian, not truly knowing what else to say, made her way to the door. She was incredibly hurt; Robin had told her of his and Regina's time together before she'd come back, and that was a hurt she could handle. She didn't know what to make of this new information. She'd come to Regina's to tell her that they would have her blessing, but now she knew that it would be a cold day in hell before she'd let that woman touch her family. Yes, the Evil Queen had already wreaked enough havoc on them.

"Marian…just, please forgive him and take him back. He isn't at fault here. You two deserve a happy ending. Give him the life he deserves."

Marian didn't acknowledge her and continued to quickly make her way down the narrow pathway, leading to the street.

Regina closed the door, allowing the sobs she'd been holding in to rake over her body. "Give him the life I couldn't" she whispered to no one in particular.

Alright, so no Robin/Regina in this chapter, but I felt like Marian and Regina needed to have a good talk. And don't be too angry at Robin for not telling Marian the whole truth. He had his reasons. Please review and let me know what you think!