AN: So this is a longer chapter than usual but I figured we were long overdue for some OQ smut ^^ so I needed to keep going to make it to that point in the story and the consensus seemed to be that longer chapters were ok so I hope you enjoy.
A special shout out to my guest reviewers – especially those with the tough reviews, you challenge me and help fill the gaping holes that would otherwise exist in this story.
Usual disclaimers apply and as always thank you for all the follows, favs and reviews.
Robin exited Regina's mansion closing the door firmly behind him. The sight that met him was unexpected to say the least. The majority of his Merry Men had made a perimeter across the front of Regina's house, weapons drawn and their message clear: no one would be getting inside today. Several feet in front of them stood Henry, flanked by Little John and Tuck on one side, with Maleficent, Lily and Tinkerbelle (when had she arrived?) on the other. However what was surprising was Henry. He was at the centre of the scene, almost nose-to-nose with David and was holding nothing back. While he had grown he still had to look up at his Grandfather – something that didn't seem to worry to teen – and his expression was determined and his eyes dark with fury. His stance was all Regina and anyone who happened upon him like this would have no question as to who his mother truly was.
"No! You need to listen to me! You will not be taking my sister! You will not be the reason that my Mom leaves town – she is not leaving me.I will not let this happen again." Henry seethed, he poked David in the chest, seemingly ready for things to come to blows.
David remained ever calm, though not without some effort. "Henry, I know she's your Mom but –"
"You think that is what this is about? You think I would let you do this if Alayna was someone else's? Maleficent's maybe? Lily's? If you think that then you have no idea who I am David" Robin couldn't help but wince as pain flickered across David's face, unable to hide his hurt at Henry using his first name. Henry's entire body was shaking with frustration and his voice was raised, though controlled, Robin noted. Henry barely glanced at Robin as he came up beside him.
"Then what is it about Henry?" Mary Margaret said putting her hand on David's arm, her brow furrowed. Robin could see that she was trying but just unable to comprehend exactly what Henry's 'point' was, not to mention her obvious discomfort at the fact that her grandson was quite clearly not on their side this time. She tried to smile comfortingly at him, tried desperately to diffuse the tension a little, this was not how she expected this morning's confrontation to go.
"It's about doing what is right. It doesn't matter that she is my Mom, and Lainey is my sister. You can't just take someone away from their Mom because once upon a time they did bad things. Mom loves Lainey and would never hurt her."
"Henry this isn't about Regina hurting the child," both Robin and Henry bristled at Blue's constant need to refer to Alayna as 'the child'. They didn't need Archie to tell them she had completely dehumanized Alayna – she was a sorceress, the All Powerful One, the child, the baby. Robin would sooner cut out his heart than let that fairy anywhere near Lainey.
"It is about the darkness that lives inside of her. It's not something she can control and it is not something she can change," she smiled, all false understanding and Robin could see how she had manipulated the Charmings with her sweet, melodic voice. "Her darkness will influence your sister whether Regina wants it to or not. Do you want her to turn dark like your mother did? The consequences of the most powerful sorceress in all the realms turning dark do not bear contemplation! We need to do what is right for the child and what is right for all of us." Blue said, her sweet voice carrying steel at its core.
"No – " Henry said, his eyes locking with those of the Blue fairy. "You don't know my Mom. All you see is the Evil Queen, even after all the good she has done."
"Henry that is not true. I recognize the things Regina has done to help the town, but she has not been selfless in her motives. Everything she has done has been to achieve her own agenda, just as she did in the Enchanted Forest. It is just that her agenda sees her working on the side of good. If that were to change, if to achieve her goals she needed to use her dark magic again she surely would." Blue's mask had almost dropped and she failed to hide her distain for Regina, always and forever the Evil Queen in Blue's mind.
"You're not trying to protect anybody, you're only trying to do what you have to to make you feel comfortable," Robin said incredulous.
"You're accusing my mother of things that you are guilty of yourself," Henry said, with a scoff, shaking his head. "You refused to help my Mom because of who her mother was. Now you're trying to take my sister because of who my Mom was – who you helped her to become! She had no one in the Enchanted Forest except Rumplestiltskin, who only wanted to use her as a means to an end. She did bad things, terrible things, but that does not mean she is a terrible person. Any more than the fact that you refused to help her makes you a bad person. Or the fact that you hurt Lily and Maleficent defines you Grandma, Grandpa. We can't be defined only by our mistakes!"
"Henry you are asking us to take a huge risk – to stake all our lives on your mother's redemption!" Mary Margaret said.
"When did you begin to question if she had changed?" Maleficent asked her voice filled with fake curiosity. Maleficent knew the answer, they all did.
"What do you mean?" Mary Margaret asked, merely stalling for time as she processed the impact of Maleficent's words.
"Yesterday, in the loft, you didn't think she was still evil. You weren't 'risking Emma's rescue' by listening to Regina, taking her advice. Hell you sent lover-boy here," Maleficent nodded her head towards Robin, "across the town line, across this county to convince her to return because you wanted her to come back, because you trusted her to save your daughter. What's changed exactly?" Maleficent kept her tone neutral but it took great effort, she really couldn't believe the self-righteousness of the two idiots.
"She hid her baby from us," David began. "Why would she do that if –"
"Because she knew this would happen. It's why she never wanted to come back to Storybrooke," Robin interrupted. "But she came back for you, for Henry and for Emma, even with the knowledge that by coming back she was risking the only thing she had left in this world."
"You keep thinking things are black and white, right or wrong. That people are good or evil, life isn't that simple. You know that – you've known that all along." Henry suddenly felt so very exhausted but he needed to convince his grandparents. He had the heart of the truest believer and he believed with everything that he had that he could convince them. "Sometimes people do bad things, and sometimes people do good things. That doesn't define who you are or determine what choice you're going to make next; it's just a step along the journey. You're letting your fear lead you, Grandma, you need to listen to your heart! Otherwise you're going to make the exact same mistake you made when you stole Lily. You need to stop letting fear win," Henry implored.
"David, Henry is right. We're making the same mistake we made with Maleficent all over again. We let our fear drive us to do a terrible thing once before. We can't let that happen again." She looked into her husband's eyes and saw both fear and apprehension there. "David?"
"I don't know Mary Margaret. From what Gold said, the prophecy, this is something bigger than all of us. I just don't know." David shook his head, looking at the ground – not able to meet anyone's eye. He knew Regina, not just the Evil Queen, and he knew she would do anything to protect Henry, to protect her people… but he heard Blue's voice in his ear "she has been manipulated by the darkness once before… will you gamble the life of your family? Your people on her being strong enough to withstand the temptation of such immense power?"
Robin feared they were at a stale mate. He knew he would die to keep Regina and his child together, as would his men. He just hoped it wouldn't come to that. To his surprise Henry gave a short but genuine laugh.
"Well there's your answer!" He said beaming. At everyone's obvious confusion he continued, "You don't know! You can hardly separate my Mom and my sister if you don't know that it is the right thing to do."
"The lad has a point," Hook, who had been quiet up until now, said. "From what Robin said the child has shown no magical ability, the Apprentice was unable to sense her magic at all. This all seems remarkably premature."
"Hook's right. Let's at least wait –"
"No!" Robin said, and he felt rather than saw his Merry Men retake their fighting stance. "You are not going to keep this hanging over Regina's head – my head – indefinitely. You are going to stand down and leave our family be. Regina, and I hopefully, will be raising our child and if it turns out that the prophecy is about Alayna then we would certainly appreciate your understanding, your support and I'm sure at times your help. But you will not hold us to ransom, we will not raise our child under a microscope, with the constant threat of her being taken from us. You of all people should know how utterly intolerable what would be."
Mary Margaret nodded, clearly understanding Robin's words, Charming too seemed properly chastised, still… "But can we trust that Regina will be able to do this?" David asked.
"Raise her own child?" Maleficent spoke with her usual bored tone but something in her stance told Robin that she was poised for the fight, if it eventuated.
"David who better?" Mary Margaret said, finally certain of the course they were taking. None of this had felt right and now she knew why – it wasn't. "Regina knows the pain that the dark path can lead to, and Robin is right she came here to help us knowing all the risks and we never doubted her before! With all of us supporting her I am sure she will raise a great leader – she raised Henry all on her own and look at what an amazing young man he is" Mary Margaret's eyes shone with pride. It took someone with incredible courage and strength to stand for what he believed in, even against his own family, against two people he loved and admired. Looking at Henry, David was suddenly clear and Robin saw something change in David's eyes as he gazed on his grandson and then turned his eyes towards Blue. Something about the fairy's expression made David shake his head in sudden realization of just how easily they had been manipulated.
"David, Mary Margaret - you both saw what she almost did!" Blue said, her voice calm but imploring. "Before Robin arrived she was ready to start throwing fireballs!"
"That's not true," Mary Margaret spoke, calmly, with curiosity in her voice as she looked at Blue as if seeing her for the first time, she made sure to keep her voice light. "I was right there Blue – yes she felt anger for a moment but surely that's natural? Regardless, she had already reigned in her emotions when Robin intervened."
Robin looked at Mother Superior and could see beneath her calm exterior she was positively seething, oh how Regina would have loved this. Blue had not anticipated the morning was going to end this way. She took in her surroundings though, the Merry Men, their bows drawn, Maleficent and Lily flanking Robin and Henry, one of her own fairy's at their side. Hook now standing more between the two groups than 'with' the Charmings. Her magic would not stand up to that of the two dragons, let alone be able to face them and the Merry Men… this battle was long lost, but she was not ready to concede the war…
"Of course," she said, her voice even. "Robin, you and Regina will always have our full support. I can see things are not as black and white as they first appeared." She looked pointedly at Henry before turning and walking down the path back into town, alone.
"Henry," Mary Margaret began, her voice small. "I'm so sorry. You were right, we were being driven by fear – I, I - don't know how it all came to this." She looked around her, bewildered.
"Perhaps you should reconsider your advisers milady." Robin began, looking down the path at Blue's retreating form.
"Perhaps," Mary Margaret quietly followed Robin's gaze. "I'm sorry, I truly am."
Henry could see his grandmother was being sincere, but still, "I'm not the one you need to apologise to Grandma." He said with a small smile to ease the harshness of his words before moving towards her and giving her a hug.
"I know," Mary Margaret said, looking behind Henry to the house where her stepmother was. The woman who once again she had let down so badly. She closed her eyes while hugging Henry to her, shaking her head slightly as tears began to fall. "Why am I destined to keep hurting her?" She asked, pulling back to look into Henry's eyes, giving a small self-deprecating smile. "I love her, you know? So much, and yet, I don't seem to be able to do anything but cause her pain."
"I don't have any answers Grandma. I just think you need to stop thinking about things in black and white – the world is a lot more beautiful when you let all the colors of the rainbow in!" Henry gave a lopsided smile and Mary Margaret laughed.
"It sure is Henry," she said softly. "I guess I have an apology to make," she looked back to the door of the mansion and moved slowly but determinedly towards it. In a split second Maleficent stood in Mary Margaret's way, her hand up as though to keep her at arms length.
"Not today Mary Margaret," Maleficent said coolly. "And if I were you, probably not tomorrow either. Regina will come to you when she is ready." This girl was delusional if she thought Regina would allow her to see her in what must be her most vulnerable of states. Maleficent knew from experience what it was to lose a child and tonight Regina came as close as she would ever want to, to losing Alayna. Maleficent knew her friend and knew she would not be accepting house calls tonight.
Mary Margaret looked to Robin who gave a subtle but firm nod, agreeing with Maleficent. She looked down, biting her lip slightly before nodding and turning to take David's hand. She turned back to Robin and Henry, "Please let her know we are sorry, and will support her in any way we can." She gave a determined nod before both Charmings retreated back down the path towards the road and home.
Robin sighed in relief, running his hands over his face before turning to Maleficent and Lily. "Thank you, so much. Having you here –"
"Oh please!" Maleficent scoffed, cutting him off. "You had enough fire power here with your forest friends to take down the Charmings and that moth." Maleficent rolled her eyes.
"Be that as it may," Robin waited until Maleficent was looking in his eyes before he continued, "but having you here meant something to Regina, to me. She really didn't believe anyone would be on her side. For that, I thank you." Maleficent raised an eyebrow and tilted her head while she looked at him and Robin saw only the dragon within for a moment.
"I don't like you," she said, coolly. "I don't think I ever will. But you pulled this off, so perhaps I can put some level of trust in you. For now. But know this Thief, Regina is the only true friend I've ever had. If you hurt her again I'll thoroughly enjoy hunting you down and devouring you…" her eyes flickered menacingly and Robin blinked, quite certain he had never before been threatened quite so thoroughly.
He cleared his throat giving a soft "of course," and moved back to the house, unwilling to turn his back on the dragon he went backwards, nearly falling over the porch steps as he did.
Maleficent gave a throaty laugh before linking arms a little awkwardly with Lily and moving back towards town. "Tell Regina we'll have an eye on this place," she called over her shoulder. "And I expect to be properly introduced to my niece tomorrow."
"What was that about?" Little John said gruffly as he put a steadying hand on Robin's shoulder.
"Robin learning you don't piss off the Evil Queen's friends," Henry laughed.
"Remind me never to cross her," Tinkerbelle said, putting her arm across Henry's shoulders giving him a half hug. "You did great back there," she said warmly. "Both your mothers would be so proud!" Henry smiled a little self-consciously.
They all moved up the steps onto the porch, and Robin paused to give instructions to his men as to securing the property. While the Charming's seemed to have been convinced to step down he was wary of how the town's people would react and word had a way of spreading like wildfire in Storybrooke; best to be prepared.
"Robin, if I may, I need to speak to the Queen," Tuck said. "I know now isn't the best time, but she's not going to want us here if I don't."
"You've yet to clear the air," realization hit Robin that as bad a time as this was, Regina wouldn't sleep if she didn't feel secure and his men were all they had. "You can try, I don't know if she will hear you, but you can try. Give me a few minutes, secure the area and come inside to report. If you can speak with her, do so, but don't push her Tuck." Tuck nodded and left with Little John to ensure the men were adequately placed to protect the mayoral mansion. The irony was not lost on any of them that they were protecting the grand structure, not trying to break into it.
Robin moved inside and saw Henry on the couch with Regina while Tinkerbelle moved into the living area with a tray carrying steaming hot cups of tea and cocoa. Hook was leaning awkwardly against a wall in the foyer, staring at Alayna asleep in Regina's arms. At Robin's entrance Hook pushed himself of the wall and followed the thief into the living room.
"Blue wasn't happy, but she seemed to understand no one was on her side any more," Henry said with a smile. Obviously coming to the end of his run down of the morning's events.
"Robin," Regina breathed, seeing him enter the room. Robin smiled, his heart skipping a beat at the warmth in her eyes, no reservation there, just love. He walked to where she was seated, squatting down in front of her and placing his hands on her thighs.
"How are you feeling my love?" she looked better, her color had returned and her eyes were no longer wild and fearful.
"Better – I'm fine. Really. I just feel exhausted. I wish I could sleep as calmly as this one," she gave a slight jerk of her chin indicating the sleeping child in her arms while her free hand rested over his.
"You can, my men are securing the property as we speak. They will keep watch for as long as we need them," a fire lit in Regina's eyes at his words but she reined it in.
"I don't believe that is going to provide me the comfort you seem to think it will," she said, purposefully keeping her voice even but Robin saw her eyes suddenly become guarded.
"Regina -" he began, rising to his feet.
"If I may," interrupted Hook. "While I'm not insensitive to impact of this morning's events on your family –"
Regina cut him off, "we need to stay focused on Emma, Hook, I know." She sighed, stretching out her free arm to run her fingers through Henry's hair, receiving comfort from the gesture rather than giving it. "Did anything come from the search yesterday? Did anyone find anything?"
"It was nothing but a wild goose-chase," Hook spat with frustration.
"And Gold? Has anyone questioned him about any of this? Or were they more concerned with my daughter than their own?"
"No, I don't think they had a chance to ask him about Emma. I don't know how important this is..." Hook looked from Regina to Robin and back again. "But I was there yesterday, when Blue questioned Gold, and Regina, I don't think Gold meant to tell Blue about your child." Regina shook her head, disbelieving. "He was barely lucid, conscious for mere moments at a time and when Belle told him of your return he seemed to lose himself in a memory. He was babbling almost – talk of the forest and the castle, light and dark, Blue recognized something in the words and pressed him about a prophecy – she drew it out of Gold." Regina stared at Hook, her eyes narrowed, trying to assess his words. She would never trust Gold, not with her life and certainly not with Alayna's, but if Gold didn't want to out her what was he trying to do?
She must have said those words out loud for Hook continued, "He seemed to think Merlin would come for the child… you all know how I feel about the Crocodile – I am the last to ever believe he could be doing anything for anyone but himself – seeing him yesterday, I'm fairly certain he wanted to warn you…"
She already suspected Merlin was here for Alayna, but for what purpose? Regina sighed, an already complicated situation just became more difficult.
"Ok, so we need to make sure Alayna is protected – I'm sorry Hook, Henry," she glanced guiltily at her son, "but that has to be my top priority."
"It's ok Mom," Henry said. "Emma would understand – and I understand too."
"Robin, the Merry Men won't be able to take on Merlin, they will need back up and I can't stay here 24/7…"
"Maleficent said she and Lily would be watching the place, between us we can sort out a roster system of sorts. And now that the Charmings and the Blue Fairy know of her existence we are not in hiding with her anymore."
Regina nodded. "Yes, I suppose that's true."
"So then what is the plan – for Emma." Hook held Regina's eyes and she saw the desperation in them.
"Well, Merlin is nearby, he will likely make himself known when he comes to town… Gold may have some idea as to where Emma is. Talk to Belle, see if she can speak to Gold when he is next lucid. Tell her to have him focus on when he first became the Dark One, where did he go? What did he do? Once we know where she is we can work on getting her back. We should also touch base with Jefferson. If Emma is not in this world then a portal is going to be required, and they don't just grow on trees you know." That should be enough to keep Hook busy, and not breathing down her neck, for the rest of the day. "Now I'm putting this one to bed," Regina said getting to her feet as Hook nodded, taking his leave. As he got to the front door it swung open revealing Little John and Tuck who entered the mansion as Hook left, walking to the living room.
Regina eyed the men and John couldn't hide his hurt at her look of blatant distrust.
"Milady," he began, "we have secured the property and installed a warning signal if any attempt is made on your home." Regina brought her eyes to John's and softened her gaze.
"Thank you Little John, for everything." Her voice was low but sincere and she smiled gently at him.
"May I?" he said, gesturing to Alayna and when Regina gave a short nod he stepped forward, moving the flurry of curls from the child's face. "Good thing she got your looks hey Regina?" he said with a chuckle. "A right beauty she is," he directed to Robin. The softness in the voice of the giant man brought tears to Regina's eyes. She nodded and Robin came to sit beside her, a look of pride on his face as he moved a comforting hand around her shoulders.
"Milady," Tuck began and it was as though a physical wall of steal slammed down between him and the rest of the group. All softness was gone from Regina's face and Tuck could have sworn he was standing before the Evil Queen herself.
"Please allow me to speak. There is much to say and I believe my words could bring some comfort –" he realized the error of his words as soon as they had left his mouth. Comfort? How could he provide comfort to the woman he so ruthlessly humiliated for his own selfish reasons? For pride? "I mean…" he looked pleadingly to Robin who was staring at him as though he had grown a second head. For her part Regina looked as though it were taking all of her self-control not to burn him on the spot. How dare he enter her home? Talk to her? Offer her comfort? Robin had better remove him from her sight before she let him face the full fury of the Evil Queen he was so sure she was.
Breathing in and out through her nose she managed to calm herself somewhat, and slowly got to her feet. Completely ignoring the stammering man in front of her she moved towards the stairs calling over her shoulder that she was putting her daughter down for her nap.
"Please, Re- Regina," Tuck pleaded. "I didn't know," he finally called out to her back, all frustration and self-loathing. Regina didn't turn, pretending to ignore the Friar, but in reality he had caught her attention, something Tuck seemed to sense. Didn't know what? "When you were gone, Henry, came to the camp – a lot. He and Robin told us about all the things you had done to save the town and your people. They told us about Neverland and Pan's Curse, about how you had changed. Henry showed us the book – of fairy tales. He showed us your story. I didn't know, and when you were in the Enchanted Forest, I didn't trust that you were really helping us. When Marian came back and Robin finally seemed to be talking sense… it felt good to be able to punish you for the things you did back in our land. But vengeance is wrong, I was wrong. And while I know it isn't enough – it will never be enough; I wanted to tell you that I was wrong, and that I am sorry. I don't expect your forgiveness and I don't imagine you would ever be able to forget what I did to you… But I needed to tell you that all the same and I hope you will accept our assistance …" He sighed, turning towards the door. "I will be on my way."
Regina was still paused, one foot on her stairway half wanting to just keep walking up and forget all of this. Her mind was a whirl… she was not a forgiving person and he was damn right that she would never forget what he did to her. But how could she seek to be forgiven herself for everything she did as the Evil Queen if she couldn't forgive those who claimed vengeance for those very crimes? It was a hopeless cycle of anger and revenge and it needed to be broken if any of them could ever hope to live in peace and that is really all she ever wanted.
She felt physical pain as she turned around, knowing what she had to do. Part of her just wanted to squash him like the bug he was but she knew what she had to say – she could only hope she didn't choke on the words. She went to move down the stairs towards him, but thinking better of it she stayed where she was. She didn't want to be any closer to this man than she had to be.
"Tuck!" She said coldly, stopping the man as he went to step onto her porch. He turned around and she saw true sorrow and contrition in his gaze, which somehow made the words she needed to speak come a little easier. "If you can forgive me," saying the words was actually causing her physical pain; it was as though the love coming from the people in the room opposite her had reached down into the depths of her throat and pulled each word from her mouth. "Then I suppose I can try to do the same." Her gaze was cold, her words steely, but her eyes were clear and Tuck could tell she spoke true. He gave a forceful nod that she returned before they both turned and went their respective ways without another word.
In the living room Robin, Little John and Henry released their collective breath.
"Well," Robin smiled, "I don't imagine I'll be inviting Tuck round for dinner any time soon but that's a start!" He clapped John on the back in joy.
Tinkerbelle rolled her eyes as John and Henry laughed. No, there would be no dinners with the Merry Men any time soon, but Regina had certainly shown an incredible amount of restraint and growth, and she could not be prouder of her friend.
"Go check on her," she said with a smile, nodding towards the stairs.
Robin took the stairs two at a time. Wanting to find Regina, to thank her, to tell her how proud he was of her, to just hold her to him again. She was in Alayna's room when he found her. Watching their daughter sleep. He saw her arms raise and glow of lilac appear around the crib.
"A protection spell?" He queried, making her jump and spin around, fireball in hand.
"God Robin! Don't scare me like that!" she scolded, extinguishing the fireball. She moved past him to the doorway and when he had followed her out she raised her hands again, this time dark purple magic encased the entire room before shimmering away. "Yes. This should keep most people at bay. Together with Tinkerbelle's spell on the house."
"Should?" Robin queried.
"We know very little about Merlin – but to be honest I'd be surprised if this kept him out. If anything kept him out. He is a sorcerer who can cross realms at will. Things magic users like Gold, Blue and me need magic beans or portals to do he can do with a mere thought. My containment spell will be like trying to stop an elephant with a spider web…" Robin put his arms around her – both looking through the open doorway to the crib beyond. "But at the very least I will be alerted should he cross the magical field. It's blood magic, I'll feel it if someone should pass."
He took her hand in his and led her down the hall to her bedroom. "Robin, we need to –"
"Regina you're shaking," he said gently as he opened the door to her room, leading her to the bed. "You need to sit down, you need rest."
She sat and put her hands in her lap, she was, she suddenly realized, shaking like a leaf. She gripped her hands trying to stop the visible signs of her internal distress. God what was happening to her? What would her mother say? She gave a short laugh before Robin put his arms around her.
"It's ok, Regina. You are not alone, you will never be alone."
"Robin – Merlin is likely coming for our daughter, we are no closer to finding Emma than the Charmings' were before I arrived. Coming here has done nothing but put Alayna in danger! I was a fool to think I could protect her, that I would be enough… I've never been enough; not for anything – or anyone." Robin moved to lay her down on the bed. Situating himself on his side beside her, he rested his head on one hand, the other stroking her gently in comfort.
"Regina you are enough. For Alayna, for Henry and for me –" Robin broke off as Regina's breathing suddenly became labored, she placed a hand over her eyes, fingertips pressed against her eyelids until she sees stars. Get it together Regina! There is too much at stake, you can't lose it now. She removed her hand, took in a shaky breath and looked at Robin, her eyes moist.
"I've never had so much to lose be-before," she hiccuped. "Henry, Alayna… you…" the 'you' is so soft Robin almost missed it, but the trepidation in her eyes told him he heard correctly. He watches as Regina's eyes that were locked with his, move down to glance at his mouth as her tongue sneaks out involuntarily to wet her lips. Robin's hand that had been running lightly up and down her arm moves to her belly as he rises up off his other arm so he is leaning across her. Moving so that his mouth is just a hairs breadth away from hers he softly breathes her name before she raises up her head and there is no more space between them. His hand threads through her hair to pull her to him, rolling on to his back and bringing her to lay on top of him. The kiss fervent, demanding and Robin groans as Regina's tongue invades his mouth. Gods he needs her and from the way she is gently rocking her hips against his she needs him too. His hands move to her arse, pressing her closer so she can feel the evidence of his arousal and she groans at the feel of him so close to where she needs him to be. Their clothes suddenly suffocating her and she needs them gone. It is the distant sound of footsteps on the stairs that causes her to break their kiss with a loud smack. Staring at Robin's dazed expression she nearly laughs out loud. She quickly moves off him and pulls him into a seated position as Tinkerbelle comes through the doorway – she takes in the flushed faces and swollen lips and rolls her eyes, though can't quite hide the glee in them.
"Henry and I are going to get some lunch at Granny's. Little John has left to go back with the Merry Men and I've assumed you needed some time to 'recuperate'?" Regina nods. "Hmm, please remember there is an innocent child sleeping two doors down." Tink throws over her shoulder and she quickly closes the door to dodge the pillow Regina has thrown her way.
"Stupid fairy," she huffs. Before side eyeing Robin with a nervous smile. "Probably good timing," she said softly. And her disappointment when Robin nodded in agreement, turned into a flutter of excitement when he said "a moment later and she may have walked in on me tearing your dress of" he laughed and leaned in to capture her lips in another kiss.
"You need to rest my love."
"I slept 16 hours last night. But you look like you could sleep," he had deep shadows under his eyes.
"I could, if I had you in my arms?" Regina rolled her eyes at his flirting. "Come, lay with me." He scooted up the bed, his hands out to take hers and she obliged.
"Just for a moment, I have some research I need to do while Alayna sleeps" she said turning in his arms so he was spooning her, his front to her back. Robin gently stroked her hair before pressing a kiss to her temple.
"Just for a moment," he repeated before letting sleep claim him.
It was the murmured sound of Regina's voice that woke him. She was seated on the foot of the bed, cell phone to her ear and a hand running through her hair.
"It's been hard…" he heard her say as he slowly awoke. "I was so scared Mac. I thought I was going to lose her for good."
"You know I do…" she said softly. And Robin's heart hammered in his chest. "Of course I want you too…"
Regina felt Robin's breathing go even and she lay in his embrace a few moments more. It was amazing how right she felt in his arms. Even after everything they had been through, Robin's embrace was always home. Perhaps it was a soul mate thing, she didn't know and didn't care, it just was. She shimmied from his embrace moving to her bathroom, to shower and change before checking on Alayna and making a start on her research, she needed to know more about this Merlin. As she stepped into the spray her mind was moving 100 miles an hour, thinking over everything they knew about this wizard.
Like the Dark One the sorcerer was immortal and unlike the Dark One he had no sworn allegiance to practice either light or dark magic. Merlin also moved through realms seemingly to assist people though little was known as to how he identified those he wanted to help or what his agenda was. Perhaps when the Apprentice came to her – as he surely would – she could learn more?
She rinsed out the shampoo in her hair, conditioning before shutting off the taps and stepping out of the shower. Wrapping a towel around her she crossed her bedroom to her closet, stopping to lean against the doorframe as she took in Robin's sleeping form. She was tempted to go and wake him, wanting to continue their earlier activities but also somewhat reluctant, they needed to talk first. There was still much she wanted to know, particularly about a certain wife who had been remarkably absent from town these past few days.
She dressed in black leggings and a black singlet, and pulled a long black cardigan from a draw to throw over her shoulders as she walked down the hall to Alayna's room. Alayna was still asleep in her cot, her legs tucked under her so her bottom was in the air. Regina chuckled at the sight as she covered her in a soft blanket. She lightly stroked her back before returning to her bedroom, summoning a few key books from her study downstairs she sat on the end of her bed and began to turn the pages. Her mind was everywhere and she huffed in frustration as she read the same paragraph for the third time, still none the wiser as to what the damn thing said. Spying her phone on the table beside her bed she moved around to pick it up and lightly tapped the screen. Her fingers moved of their own accord as she selected Mac's name from her favourites. It rang twice and a beaming smile came to her face at his greeting.
"Regina!" he breathed. Not "Your Majesty" or "Madam Mayor" or "Milady", just "Regina".
"Hi Mac!" She said, moving to the end of the bed and sitting down. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. More importantly, how are you? How is everything in Storybrooke?" Regina opened her mouth to speak. With Mac her walls had always been down for some unknown reason. She never felt the need to really hide from him and suddenly the words wouldn't come and the emotions from the past few days seemed to pour out of her in the form of tears. "Regina?"
She took a shuddering breath, "I'm here" she choked out and Mac heard the tears in her voice.
"Regina what is it? What's wrong?" He was instantly alarmed, and she could see his blue eyes flash with concern in her minds eye.
"Nothing – everything – God Mac I don't know where to begin." She hurriedly wiped her eyes, biting her lip to get herself together. "Henry's grandparents came. They wanted to take Alayna with them. Said they didn't think I could raise her the way she needed." She was telling a truth of sorts, but like always there was a little flash of guilt that she couldn't confide all in Mac. God he would think her insane. She looked over her shoulder at Robin and smiled a little as she said "Things with Robin are going well." She knew Mac would be pleased.
"I'm glad, have you had a chance to clear things up between you two? It must have been hard with everything going on with Henry's grandparents"
"It has been hard," she turned away from Robin, staring out at the view of Storybrooke from her window."I was so scared Mac. I thought I was going to lose her for good."
"I can come to Storybrooke if you want me to Regina," Mac said quiet, but firm.
"You know I do…" she replied softly, unknowing as to how her words were being interpreted by a certain Thief laying on her bed. "Of course I want you to…"
"Ok…" she continued and Robin closed his eyes at the pain that lanced through his chest. "That's impossible Mac, you can't come here – and certainly not that quickly… You're where?" Regina screeched – turning to look at Robin to see if she had woken him. Frowning as she saw his tense expression. "Oh Mac… Ok, call me as you get to town ok? Yes… I miss you too. And Mac? Thank you. This means so much to me."
Robin opened his eyes and took in Regina's excited appearance and his heart dropped, "of course I want you too," she had said. Of course she wanted him. A man who had never let her down? Who had never betrayed her? But Robin would not let Regina go without a fight.
"What is it?" he asked, though he knew – he knew the rival for his love's heart was coming to Storybrooke.
"Mac, I called him – I needed to hear his voice." She said quietly. "He's in Boston – he drove Charming's car, said he wanted to be nearby. He's going to come here – should be here tonight." She looked excited, happy.
"Regina –" Robin began. But didn't know what to say. Regina looked up from her phone and stared at Robin, confusion evident in her eyes. He seemed quiet, reserved considering how he was before his sleep. Robin sat up, moving closer to her and taking the phone from her. He put it on the table by the bed before taking her hands in his. "I heard what you said to him on the phone – I know your feelings for him…" Robin's eyes swam with pain and Regina gave a small gasp at the look in his eyes. "I need to know if I am too late? If your feelings for Mac – "
"Robin, what are you talking about?" She said perplexed.
"You said that –" Robin broke off, with a nervous chuckle, unable to say the words, unable to even look at her. "You said you wanted him, Regina." He brought his gaze back to hers and frowned at her expression of utter confusion as she replayed the conversation in her mind.
"I said…? No Robin I didn't. I know I didn't because I don't want Mac – not like that… I said I wanted him to come to Storybrooke? Robin I miss him. Mac is my friend – my best friend." Robin was surprised how much that hurt considering the alternative. "Someone I trust with everything I am. But I don't want Mac in the way that you think I do," she reached out cupping his face with her palm, looking into his eyes, surety in her voice. "I don't want Mac the way I want you."
Robin all but jumped on her, taking her face in his hands and pressing his lips to hers in relief, drawing her to him as though he needed her more than oxygen. Pouring every ounce of love he had for her in his kiss he laid her back on the bed his hands no longer shy as they traced her curves. Tugging at her top to reveal the silky skin of her belly beneath. His hand moved up determinedly to stroke at her bra-covered breast, moaning at the feel over her as she tugged his hair to bring his lips more fully over hers. She felt heat in her core as he slowed his hands to stroke and tease her nipple and she moaned at the feeling of him touching her so sweetly. She wanted more and almost gave in until she realized with a start that she needed the reassurances she had given to Robin, needed to know that it was her, and only her, that held claim to his heart. As Robin's hand began to move down towards the waistband of her pants she knew it was now or never, but gods it had been so long since she'd been touched, so long since they had been together perhaps the conversation could wait?
Robin broke their kiss, staring into her eyes looking for confirmation as he paused his hand, his fingers stroking the sensitive skin of her stomach, and she almost nodded, almost gave him the assurance he needed that she wanted to continue, but something in her eyes gave him pause. "What is it my love?" he asked earnestly.
Regina groaned – and not in a pleasurable way – "I just –" she moved to sit up, taking his hand from her stomach and holding it between her own. "I guess I need to know the same from you."
"Regina, I can honestly say that I don't want Mac either," Robin gave a cheeky smile, succeeding in lightening the moment. Regina laughed despite herself and smacked Robin's arm playfully. "What do you need to know?" He asked, serious again.
"You – and Marian," she said softly. "You're not together?" She asked, and held her breath until she saw Robin gently shake his head no.
"Why?" she asked softly. "You said you would have walked through hell to get her back. I don't understand." Robin's hand came up to gently turn her face to his. Needing her to see the truth in his gaze, and needing to see the truth in hers.
"I would have when she first died. I would have done anything to bring her back to me. And I am glad she is here. She is a wonderful woman who will do amazing things with the second chance she has been given at life. She is so good with Roland and is an amazing support to me. But I am not the man she left behind in the Enchanted Forest. I have lived a lifetime, every experience moulding and changing who I am. I am no more the Robin Hood she married than you are the Evil Queen who imprisoned her."
"But she is the same Marian," Regina said quietly and Robin smiled.
"That she is, and I do love her Regina. I think that is why I understand your relationship with Mac. I love her as I would a younger sister – someone I'd known a long time, cherished a long time. But I'm not in love with her, and she is not in love with me either. We realized that the first week she was here. It was confusing, for us both. I look like her Robin, but I don't think like him, lead the same way he did, love the same way… It took time but we both love each other too much to force a union that was not meant to be. We let each other go – it was agreed between us. And we are both happy."
Regina nodded.
"A week?" Robin nodded. "And in that time you weren't….?" she raised her eyebrows, the sick feeling of dread in her stomach – she didn't know what she would do if he said yes…
"Not since the Enchanted Forest – before she was taken by the black knights." Robin didn't shy away from her gaze, and wasn't surprised it was Regina who looked away when he referenced her black knights, closing her eyes and breathing a sigh of relief, though shame and guilt lanced through her. Robin brought his hand up to lightly stroke her cheek before turning her face to his once more. "Regina, don't hide from me – please," she looked back at him and he saw everything she felt in her eyes: the relief; the guilt; the sorrow. "Our past is our past and we must own it if we are to move forward. Marian and I have put it behind us. She has accepted my feelings for you and while it has not been easy we have forged a new relationship and have a balance in our lives, in our dealings with Roland."
"She has accepted your feelings?" She asked, skeptical.
"She has. The heart wants what the heart wants, Regina. Marian knows this is true. She may not have entirely forgiven you for who you were – for Marian it has been but two years since she was in your dungeon, but she trusts me. Trusts my judgment and is prepared to leave the past in the past. Marian has also found love again with Michael – Hansel and Gretel's father. It makes for an interesting Solstice I can tell you." Robin chuckled and Regina smiled, this new information about Marian making her feel lighter.
"I'm sure it does." She gave a half smile – wondering briefly if she too would one day be welcome at that table…
"And you and Mac, these two years you were never together?" Robin's hand moved to her thigh, needing to touch her again, he slowly moved his hand from hip to knee and back to hip.
"Well…" Regina began and Robin's hand froze, his eyes sharply moving to hers with horror on his face. It took him a moment to calm his racing heart at the smirk on her face. "Gotcha!" She said, before he leapt on her pinning her hands to the bed beside her face, briefly as he kissed her.
"That Milady, deserves a punishment." He said in false seriousness as he brought both her hands above her head and clasped them together, her fine wrists easily contained in the span of one of his hands.
"And what does my Thief suggest as a fitting punishment," she said suggestively as she parted her legs for him to fit snuggly between. The move causing his eyes to flash with desire and his breathing to become increasingly ragged. She gave a gentle rock of her hips into his, feeling him harden against her in a delicious way and she licked her lips.
"This," Robin said, bringing his lips down to ghost over hers before smirking at her and suddenly tickling her mercilessly with his free hand. She screamed in response, completely taken by surprise and as his calmed his fingers, releasing her hands she laughed freely and breathed deeply, her heart rate slowing once more. Robin smiled at the freeness in her eyes. Slowly stroking her cheek as her laughter quieted and her eyes found his. She gave an almost imperceptible nod and he leaned in capturing her mouth in a passionate kiss. Her lips opened readily for him and his tongue wasted no time tangling with hers.
All reservation was gone, they were together and they would remain together. All they needed to seal their union was for them to finally reunite body and soul. Robin's hands moved deftly under her shirt bringing it up and over her head, breaking their kiss for but a moment before drawing back together once more. Regina swiftly unbuttoned his shirt her hands rediscovering every contour of his chest as she pushed it from his shoulders. Her hands went to the waistband of his jeans, tugging the belt open before unbuttoning and lowering the zip, her hand moving inside greedily to stroke him.
Robin was taken aback at the feel of her soft hands around him and he paused his ministrations on her breasts to inhale sharply.
"Lovely as we've established it has been a while," he choked out. "You had better stop that or things will end before they've truly began." A blush coloured his cheeks as the revelation, but it needed to be said. He was not going to waste this moment together cuming into her hand before he'd hand a taste of being inside her again.
"But I've missed you," she moaned into his ear. Removing her hand to trace the hard muscles of his back. Robin groaned in reply. Swiftly moving back from her to tug her leggings past her thighs.
"Gods Regina, and I've missed you." He pulled them down her legs and off her feet. Taking in the sight of her in her black lace panties and bra for but a moment as he firmly stroked her thighs before he removed her panties and she sat up unhooking her bra. When she was naked before him, Robin sighed and closed his eyes before leaning forward and capturing her mouth in a tender kiss as his hand moved down over her naked breast to the folds at the apex of her thighs. "I've missed you so, so much." He whispered against her lips as he began to stroke her. Her breath hitching as he awoke an arousal in her that only he had ever been able to do. He continued to softly kiss her lips, her cheek, her neck, all the while whispering, "I've missed your beautiful fiery eyes, I missed your soft, sassy mouth, I've missed your tender, resilient heart, I missed the smell of you," he said rising a little and kissing her hair as he slipped a finger into her folds, she was tight and wet and he felt himself become impossibly harder for her, "I've missed the taste of you," he said, his voice hitching as he moved to lick and suckle her breast, adding a second finger into her folds as her rocking into his hand increased. She squirmed, wanting, needing more and he moved down to replace his hand with his mouth. She jerked at the first touch of his tongue on her clit and as he suckled her, his tongue darting in and out of her, his words repeated in her mind like a record, "I've missed your eyes, your mouth, your heart… I've missed the taste of you" and she came swift and hard on his mouth feeling truly loved. He suckled her lightly through her orgasm, bringing his hand up to gently stroke when his mouth became too much and he watched as her face relaxed and she opened her eyes, immediately locking her gaze with his.
They were glassy with tears and before he could become concerned that he had moved too fast or too soon she drew him down to her for a fervent kiss saying only, "I love you Robin Hood." He felt tears in his own eyes at her declaration. It was not the first time she had said it – they had exchanged 'I love you's' in the Enchanted Forest before Snow's curse hit. But for the last two years he had feared never hearing the declaration from her again.
"And I love you, Regina Mills," he said, breaking their kiss to look into her eyes.
"Make love to me Robin," she breathed.
He kissed her again, deeply, before leaning back, taking himself in hand and moving to her entrance. He reached for her hands with his own, gently entwining their fingers as they became one, their bodies, minds and souls coming together after so long apart. Both finally feeling whole again. He entered her slowly, feeling her silky muscles tight from disuse and when he could sense her discomfort he drew back, softly kissing her, caressing her lightly before entering her again. He heard her sigh as her muscles finally relaxed around him, allowing him fully inside her and he rocked gently as her body adjusted.
She was so wet, the friction was sweet despite the tightness of her core which she knew would bring him incredible pleasure. She sighed as he came down for a kiss, stilling inside her as her body stretched to accommodate him and when she felt her muscles relax she raised her hips to rock with him. On her cue he began to move in earnest. Bringing him self all the way out before pushing back inside her to the hilt. Feeling her body accept his, and hearing her moan he continued, raising her legs to find an angle that would give her the most pleasure. It was a rediscovering and with every rock of their hips they moved more as one. When each thrust of his hips brought a delicious moan from her throat he knew he was hitting the right spot and he released her hands to bring one of his between them to work her clit, rubbing in small circles as she called out her pleasure.
She rocked her hips with each thrust of his, begging him for release, "More, please more Robin, I'm close, don't stop". His other hand moved to her breast, tugging on her pink nipple as she cried. Gods she was a vision like this, writhing in pleasure beneath him, no walls, his hands making her all but forget her own name. God he was not going to last much longer, not with the way her tits were bouncing with each thrust and her mouth slightly open, her moans going straight to his cock.
"Regina let go, lovely please." His voice was tight with the effort of holding back for her. "You're amazing Regina, you feel amazing around me, so wet and warm, gods you are a vision. So tight around me." He could feel the first fluttering's of her walls around him and lent down to suckle hard on her breast, which tipped her over the edge. She called out his name and with a final powerful thrust he let go inside of her. Continuing to move in and out at a languid pace until he began to soften inside her.
Breathless he moved to lay on top of her, his head pillowed on her bosom as she ran her hands through his hair, down his back., feeling sated and boneless and finally whole.
"I thought I'd never have this again," he whispered. Unintentionally repeating her words of the night they had picnicked in her living room, their last night together before their world crashed down around them. She heard the tears in his voice as he turned his head into her body, breathing her in and placing an open mouthed kiss to the valley between her breasts. She tilted her head to kiss his hair – the only place she could reach with his full weight on her. Never stopping her hands stroking his back, his hair, him.
"Thank you," he said croakily into her chest. "For giving me another chance." She moved her hand to his chin, to have him look up at her.
"No more living in the past ok? For either of us." She said firmly, her eyes flickering between his. "Like Henry said, we cannot be defined by our mistakes."
Robin smiled softly before his brow furrowed, "how did you –?" She smiled, biting her lower lip in a subtle expression of guilt before raising her chin and one eyebrow in defiance.
"I'm the Evil Queen, I know how to work a magic mirror." They laughed, the tension eased and she brought him back to her embrace.
"We can get through anything together Regina, anything."
And in this moment, wrapped in his embrace, in the afterglow of their lovemaking, she finally believed him.
Off to have a cold shower! ;)