Thank you for the follows, favs and reviews. I'm so excited with the response that I'm posting chapter 2! I should have noted in the previous chapter that all the usual disclaimers apply to this :)

To the guest querying if Mac will continue in the story - my plan at the moment is for him to stay at the Ranch, but you never know. I just wanted Regina to have found a friend in her banishment! Lol.

Thanks again for the support.

Regina took a moment – focusing on her breathing to try and get her bearings. Inhale – exhale – repeat. She knew Robin. She knew he would wait for her to speak so she took her time and steeled herself before allowing her eyes to open. Reaching her arm across her body she squeezed Henry's hand – still clutching Regina's arm – to both get his attention and loosen his grip on her as she said, "Get him back in the truck Henry – you know he can't be here." She spoke softly, but brooking no argument.

"But Mom, you need to come back to Storybrooke and for that to happen you need to talk to him", Henry replied, guilt still the dominant expression on his face but he spoke with equal determination.

"Henry – No!" Regina said loudly. Allowing Robin to hear her voice for the first time in two years. "Get him in the truck and off my property". She turned then, heading straight back to the stables and almost colliding with Mac who came out at a jog at the sound of her shouting.

"Mom – please!" Henry pleaded – moving to follow her.

"Regina – what's wrong?" Mac took in her shaking form and instantly pulled her to him in a hug – one hand around her waist and the other going to the back of her head.

"Robin" is all she whispered into Mac's chest. Mac glanced up at Robin who had also started to approach and quickly put himself between Robin and Regina.

"I'm not here to hurt you Regina," Robin said quietly. Taking in the scene before him with a heavy heart: Regina not only terrified but in the arms of another man.

"Quite the opposite actually – Henry thought it might help if you knew how sorry I am for…" Robin stopped as the memories of that awful night came flooding back. The dead look in Regina's eyes, how utterly accepting she was of everything he had said to her, accepting of his rejection. "You're a Monster!" he had screamed at her…

"For what I said… for what I did. I'm so sorry." Robin looked away, composing himself as he took a step towards her. "Please Regina – can you at least look at me?" Regina turned her head slightly, bringing her gaze to Robin's for the first time,while maintaining her position behind Mac. Her heart hammering in her chest – panicked at what she might see in his eyes… hatred, love it didn't matter – both were equally terrifying to her. "Please say you will forgive me."

Robin's gaze reflected how earnest his request was and Regina let out a bark of laughter into Mac's back at the irony, as she closed her eyes. This could not be happening. After two years of hating her Robin was here, asking her to forgive him? She looked skyward. She couldn't deal with this, not here – never here – and not now.

Mac felt Regina tense further – how was that even possible? And said "I think you need to leave Sir". He spoke firmly, but ever politely, much like the man he addressed - though Mac had no idea of the similarities in their tone, their choice of words that showed respect, it was apparent to both Henry and Regina. He took a step toward Robin, gesturing calmly to the truck. "You've obviously surprised Regina, she'll need some time – "

"Mac it's ok," Regina said, stepping from behind him – her hand on his arm. "Let me speak to him – Henry's right, I need to speak with him. Can you go inside and…" Regina's voice trailed off as she, Mac and Henry all glanced quickly towards the main house before looking back at Robin.

"Sure thing – if you're ok" Mac replied. At Regina's nod he added "if you need me just holler and make sure your friend here knows I have a licensed gun in there and I'm not afraid to use it." Mac's tone was friendly but he made sure he spoke loud enough for Robin to hear and take in the full meaning of his words. Mac knew Regina could take care of herself but last Mac heard this Robin here wanted her dead – though for what he'd never been able to bring himself to ask. Besides, Mac loved Regina, would do anything for her, and if Robin were to hurt her here, at her home like this? While he was inside? Mac would never forgive himself.

Regina chuckled and nodded again. "Mom?" Henry questioned, giving a slight nod towards Mac. "Go," Regina replied and he turned and walked with Mac toward the ranch house. As Mac stepped away from Regina, Robin took a moment to properly take in the sight of her.

She was tanned and somehow – incredibly – looked younger than when Robin had last seen her. Her hair was longer, well past her shoulders from what he could see under the large cowboy style hat she wore. She had black riding pants on with dirty boots, a while singlet under a denim shirt – nothing like the Queen he knew in the Enchanted Forest, or the Mayor he fell in love with in Storybrooke. But she was stunning there was lightness to her, a freedom that even her obvious anxiety at his arrival did not completely take away. She was happy – were it not for his presence here – and the fact that he was once again causing her pain broke his heart a little more.

"Regina –" Robin began but Regina silenced him with a small wave of her hand. Ah then – the Queen was still in there – it made him smile just a little despite the circumstances.

"Robin, please, I understand why you're here," Regina began. Her voice even and composed, almost sympathetic to Robin's ears, which confused him. "Mary Margaret is incredibly persuasive and I can only imagine what the loss of her daughter would lead her to do or say in what can only be a misguided attempt to get me to help get Emma back. You must have endured quite the ear-bashing to have agreed to come here and apologise." Regina smiled ruefully.

"Regina – no I –" Regina cut him off.

"Please let me say this and then you can go. There is nothing to forgive Robin. You did nothing wrong. I k-killed your wife". Regina's voice shook, betraying the difficulty she was having with this conversation. She closed her eyes trying to block the memories of her last night in Storybrooke from her thoughts so she could get through this. When she spoke again it was even softer, "Everything you said that night is true. I am a monster – and I deserve my banishment. I deserve to be alone, far away from my family… from the ones I love." A tear betrayed her as she looked to the ranch house where Henry was inside – finally after two years within her reach. "So you can leave." She concluded brusquely – wiping under her eyes to remove the tear or two that had fallen. "Return to Storybrooke with a clear conscience. You did what was asked of you." Regina went to walk past Robin and return to the ranch house but he reached out and stopped her with a hand on her arm. Her treacherous heart soared and she took in a shuddering breath.

"No one sent me Regina, I begged Henry to tell me your whereabouts for two years." Regina's eyes widened as she looked questioningly up into Robin's eyes. "And not just Henry - Emma, David, Mary Margaret – I knew I'd made the worst mistake of my life almost as soon as I returned to camp! Augh," he groaned "who am I kidding? I knew as the words were leaving my mouth that they weren't true! I was just too angry, too hurt - too stubborn to fully admit it – even to myself - and I've regretted that every moment of every day since I found out you were gone. I was at your house the next morning only to have Emma and Henry tell me you had been banished from Storybrooke and I broke in that moment… Regina I had no idea my men –"

Regina had been quietly listening as Robin spoke. Not sure what to make of his confession until she heard that last sentence.

"Yes you did," she accused. Finally shaking his hand from her arm. "Mary Margaret sent Little John to you – begged him to get you to come and have the Merry Men stand down. I was just going to leave – I knew you wouldn't come – but Tinkerbelle insisted we wait. She used a mirror to watch you we – "she broke off – again the pain of memories she had pushed down for the last two years rising and suffocating her – "We heard it all Robin". She finished quietly. Robin's heart sank as he remembered the conversation he had with the only Merry Man to question his actions.

But still… "Then you know I didn't know of your leaving!" He tried to hang on to something – to find some semblance of honor, or some excuse for the lack of it – in his behavior that night.

"Leaving!" Regina screeched. "How dare you?" Regina's eyes flared with anger. "Leaving" she mocked "Like I was going on a vacation – like I wanted to leave. I had my son torn from my arms and was thrown over the town line with nothing! Like… like… " She searched for an analogy that fit… "Like garbage!"

"Why?" Robin yelled back, his own anger flickering and clear in his tone. "Damn it Regina why? You were the Evil Queen? You have magic? Why didn't you fight back?"

"Fight back?" Regina was incredulous. "Against your men? Great idea Robin, prove to everyone what a monster I am by attacking the Merry Men and half the town! I had no choice!"

Robin visibly deflated - his anger leaving him again. She was right, she couldn't fight her way out. "You could have disappeared Regina," he said, softly this time.

"Gone into hiding? Then what? Watch the world from the mirrors in my vault?" She scoffed. "From the windows of my house? Watch you playing 'happy families' in my town. I didn't want that Robin. Besides –" Regina huffed out a sigh. Her own anger deflating as quickly as Robin's had "I meant what I said before. I got nothing less than I deserved."

"That is not true," Robin softly stated. Taking a step towards Regina though pausing when her eyes flickered between his, obviously startled by their sudden closeness.

"Of course it is," Regina replied, just as quietly.

"Then why are you still angry with me?" Robin asked keeping his tone gentle.

"Robin, just because I understand – " Regina took a breath " doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. Seeing you – " her voice trailed off as she bit her lip, fighting to hold in her tears – God today had been even more difficult that she had expected and she hadn't even begun talking to Henry! She put her palms to her eyes pressing firmly before putting her hands to her hips and looking into Robin's eyes - after two years she needed closure more than she needed oxygen. Her voice was strong and the coldest it had been during this conversation, though he knew it was more for her benefit than his. "Seeing you tell Little John you didn't care what happened to me, that you had a wife who needed your protection, that I was nothing to you than the Evil Queen and could take care of myself… it hurt. More than I thought possible. But you were still right. And that is why I let your not-so-Merry-Men throw me out of Storybrooke. Fight back and I become the monster I am accused of being. Leave town and at least I had hope to one day return."

Regina finished with a sigh. Closing her eyes as the scene reflected in Tinkerbelle's mirror that night came back to her. "Now please Robin. Go back to your wife, your family, your life and leave me to mine." Again she went to walk past him and again Robin stopped her.

"Do you know why I was so angry at you that night?" He asked softly – almost guiltily Regina thought.

"Of course," she replied – equally soft. No anger left in either of them – just sadness. Almost involuntarily Regina's hand when to Robins on her arm, "Robin you'd just discovered I'd killed your wife – a death you blamed yourself for, for 30 years, you had every right – "

"But that's just it" Robin interrupted. "That's not why I was angry." Regina turned her head slightly – in obvious confusion as she indicated silently for Robin to continue.

"Do you remember the first night we spent together in the Enchanted Forest?" Regina glared at Robin, her hand falling away from his as she failed to stop the blush coloring her cheeks – the sight of which had him chuckling, ever so slightly.

"No – not that night. A night we walked the castle grounds 'til dawn – talking." Regina nodded. Robin barely heard her "of course I remember".

Obviously lost in memory Robin continued, "you were unable to sleep. The castle held so many memories you said. And amongst other things you confessed to me that you remembered the name of everyone you had killed. That at first you wanted to remember your 'victories' but as the years passed, subconsciously it became your 'penance' for causing their deaths. You believed that your victims deserved to be remembered."

Regina stilled – barely breathing, as she slowly comprehended where Robin was going with this.

"You thought…"

"I did" he interrupted. His eyes that had trailed away to look over the ranch before him locking with hers once more as the memory faded. "I thought you knew. When we were in the diner that memory came back to me clear as day - only in it you were mocking me – letting me know, in your own way, that you were responsible for the death of a wife I'd just confessed plagued my own conscience."

"Robin I never – "

"I know" he again interrupted. "It was my own anger that manipulated the memory – turned it into something it wasn't." He spoke plainly – obviously the thought was a product of prolonged reflection, and again turned his eyes to the beauty of the ranch – always one for nature, Regina thought.

"How did you know that I…?" Her voice trailed off, not wanting, but needing to know why he suddenly believed in her again.

"Marian." He said simply. "She told me that night, after we returned to camp and had put Roland to bed – after I'd calmed down a bit. She told me how she was captured and that she had kept her name from you to protect me, to protect Roland. I wanted to go to you straight away but I was ashamed. Turns out it would have already been too late. Even so I couldn't wait passed dawn – as soon as the sun began to rise I ran to your house, I had to see you to apologise but – "

"I was gone."

"You were gone." Robin repeated. "I'm so sorry Regina!"

"Don't be – I am happy Robin, truly." She smiled softly, barely there, but God he had missed that smile. She's happy, he should be happy she is happy but Robin thought back to the man so quick to jump to her defence earlier.

"I'm happy here." She continued quietly, looking out over the ranch herself. Oblivious to path Robin's thoughts had taken.

"With…" Robin began, but couldn't bring himself to finish his question. Nodding instead towards the house and Regina's eyes widened.

"Mac?" Robin nodded. "Oh Robin – " but she stopped and something in Regina's eyes changed. Taking on a more guarded expression. "You have no right to ask me that." She took a step back from him and towards the house – God when had they gotten so close? "I'm glad we've talked Robin, but it changes nothing. I'm banished from Storybrooke and I'm happy here." She called on all the old arguments she'd made to Emma – almost able to recite them "no one here looks at me like I'm the Evil Queen - I'm finally able to be 'Regina' and - " She took a breath. Looking over at Charming's truck remembering where Robin had come from and what he had left behind. "And you have a wife and a son waiting for you in Storybrooke. Go home Robin".

"Regina I don't." Robin said. Regina looked confused.

"Don't what, Robin?" she was tired and needed this conversation to be over so she could go inside and tell her son it would be a cold day in hell before she got in a truck with Robin and went back to Storybrooke – Savior-Dark-One or not – seriously what had Henry been thinking?

"I don't have a wife. Marian and I have not been together as husband and wife since she returned. You see it wasn't just her escape we discussed that night. I told her of you – of our relationship, that I lov - "

"Don't" Regina all but whispered. "Don't say it".

"But I do Regina. I have since we first me – both times." Robin chuckled out the last two words. "And if these two years have taught me anything its that I always will. After Gold came back from Boston I went straight to him demanding to know where you were. I went there to find you but you had already left." At this Regina nodded slightly – she left Boston within an hour of her meeting with Gold. Robin had gone to Boston to find her? "I begged Henry – begged to know where you were but this situation with Emma, it's the first time he would tell me. He said something about Gold no longer being a threat that I could come with him, that maybe if I spoke with you that you would come back and help Emma."

"Henry couldn't tell you Robin. Things are a lot more complicated than they seem." Regina tensely rubbed as her brow. Trying to come to terms with all she'd heard. Gold was powerless? But for how long? And what about Blue? Or Maleficent and this Lily girl? And what about the next 'Big Bad' to pop through a portal? This would never work – she couldn't hope… Villains don't get happy endings.

"Regina," Robin began, interrupting her musings. "Emma is the new Dark One, she has disappeared – disappeared! Gold is of no use to us – he is completely powerless. With Maleficent and her daughter we now have two dragons living in Storybrooke – how can this be more complicated."

"Trust me Robin – things can always be more complicated." Regina smiled dryly – the sound of her sassing him causing his heartbeat to quicken.

"I love you Regina and I want to be with you. Please! Surely we can start from there and work through these 'complications'?"

"I can't leave Robin!" Regina yelled, beginning to pace. "Even if I wanted to I can't go back to Storybrooke – it's not safe!"

"Not safe for who Regina?" Robin volleyed with her – intending the question to be rhetorical and stumbling slightly when Regina softly replied, her pacing stopping abruptly and her head in her hands -

"Our daughter."