A/N-This is an alternate version of the last chapter, it is the same until a certain point as the previous one. A good friend who has been here for me and never wavered, asked me to please do was not easy for me to write, I know some think I shouldn't be upset with the direction of the show, but I can't help it, I just feel like I have been lied to.

So to Jordan, this is for you. I hope you like this.

The next morning Regina woke up before Robin did, she carefully removed his arm from around her waist and slipped out of the bed. She quickly got dressed and quietly headed to the door, she looked back at Robin sleeping in the bed. She headed to the stables quickly and looked around for the one person she needed to talk with.

"Daniel," Regina said as she found him rubbing down a horse. He stopped what he was doing and headed over to her immediately.

"Regina, what are you doing here?" Daniel asked as he stood in front of her.

"I had to see you, and talk to you," Regina said.

"Regina, I'm glad you came here," Daniel said as he took her hands in his.

"I am so sorry about what my mother did to you, to us," Regina said as a lone tear slid from her eye and landed on her cheek.

"I guess things worked out like they were meant to," Daniel said as he looked into her face. "You'll always be that beautiful young girl I fell in love with, who I watched become a master horsewoman. And now when I look at you, I see a mature young lady."

"Oh, Daniel," Regina said as she pulled him in for a hug. He was such a good man, why did things have to go the way that they had? Why couldn't they have made it? She should have ran away with him so many times when she had the chance. But her mother had taken all that from her for social standing.

Robin stretched as he woke up in bed, he moved an arm out to reach for Regina but his hand only found cool sheets. Robin turned and opened his eyes to find himself alone in the bed.

"Regina?" Robin called out, but heard no response from the room. He thought where she might be and it hit him like a boulder. She had gone to the stables, to see the stable boy. Robin quickly got out of bed and got dressed and made his way to the stable, not sure what he would find there. But he was not prepared to give Regina up, and if the stable boy thought he was going to take her from him, then he better be prepared to loose.

"I will always have a spot for you in my heart, Regina," Daniel said as he pulled back and took her face in his hands.

"I'll always love you, Daniel, always," Regina said as she looked up at him. Daniel smiled as he lowered his head and Regina didn't have time to think before his lips were on hers. But before where his kiss had always sent thrills through her, now it was different. She did love him, and her head and heart both knew she always would love him. But another was also in her heart now, he had formed a small crack and basically forced his way into her heart.

Robin walked into the stables to find his wife, in the embrace of the stable boy, kissing him. Rage and pain exploded in his heart, he was loosing her! He had thought they had just made some huge steps in the right direction. She had told him that she loved him finally, she reached for him in her sleep, she looked to him when she was in such situations. How could she be kissing another man like this? He knew the man had been the first man she had loved, but things were different now with them. They were meant to build a life together, have a family together, he wanted to be the father to her children more than anything. Yet how could they have a life together when she was still pining for another man? He had to put a stop to his once and for all.

"Well this is an unpleasant surprise first thing in the morning," Robin said as the two lovebirds broke apart.

"Robin, what are you doing here?" Regina asked as she stood in front of Daniel as Robin approached them. Daniel tried to move to get out behind her, but Regina wasn't having it.

"I was looking for the woman who the other night was under me, telling me how much she loved me as I made love to her," Robin said making sure Daniel knew this.

"Robin, please, it's not what it looks like," Regina said.

"Oh? Well then, my dear wife, tell me exactly what it is then," Robin said.

"Your Grace," Daniel began as he moved to stand in front of Regina, facing Robin. "I took advantage of your wife, she is innocent in all this. I understand if you want satisfaction."

"Robin no! I'm the one who came to him and wanted to talk to him, I wanted to say goodbye to him, I felt like he deserved it after what happened to him. Please try to understand," Regina said as she tried to make him understand this incredible situation she was in.

"Regina, go back to our room," Robin said as he looked at his competitor for her heart. "I think it's time I have a word with him."

"Robin, please, I'm the one to blame," Regina said.

"Rest assured, wife, we will talk about this manner in private," Robin said as he finally looked at her.

"Go, Regina. Your husband is right, it's time we talked," Daniel said as Regina looked from Robin to Daniel and then finally walked out of the stables, her emotions were all over the place.

"As you are well aware, I never laid with your wife," Daniel said as Robin felt his rage start to build again.

"You over step your bounds," Robin said.

"I love Regina, I've been in love with her for years now, but I also understand she loves you as well," Daniel said.

"She is my wife, she will be the mother of my children. And I'll have no one come between the two of us and our lives together," Robin said.

"So do you wish to have a duel with me then?" Daniel asked.

"No, but you're not to come near my wife again," Robin said as he moved to stand down the other man. "Do you understand me?"

"What I understand, is that you're afraid of loosing her to me," Daniel said boldly.

"Heed me, you've confused her. She loves me, and soon we'll have our first child together, especially after the way she made love to me last night," Robin said as he saw the man's face turn. "She took me deep in her body as well as her heart, calling out my name as she did so."

"Then you should have no fears of loosing her to me," Daniel said as he walked away from Robin.

"Daniel," Robin called out as the younger man turned around to look at him. "If you dare to kiss my wife again, I will challenge you to a duel. And I never loose." Daniel nodded as he turned and left the stables.

Robin took a deep breath before he headed to their room. He knew this was not going to be an easy conversation he was about to have with his wife, but it had to be done if they were ever going to be able to have a future together. He walked into their room to find his wife pacing the room.

"Robin, did you...is Daniel alright?" Regina asked.

"Such concern for an old lover," Robin said. "But none for your loving husband?"

"You know better than anyone he was never my lover," Regina said.

"That is very true, but to answer your question," Robin said as he walked over to the table and poured himself a brandy. "Your stable boy is alive and well." He couldn't help but get a little upset over her sigh of relief.

"I'm not going to kill him, unless he gives me just cause to," Robin said.

"Robin, he has done nothing! He was given a potion to fake his death by my own mother, all to force me to marry you!" Regina said rather loudly.

"Has it been so bad, being married to me?" Robin asked as he walked over to where she stood. "Because last night when you were riding me, you didn't seem to mind it. Or how about the other night when I had you on your knees, and you were telling me how much you needed me. Or the night you finally told me you loved me? Was all that so terrible?"

"That's not what I meant and you know that," Regina defended herself as her face blushed red.

"Then how about you tell me about it then," Robin said. "What has been so bad being married to me?"

"I didn't get to choose you to be my husband!" Regina finally answered.

"But I chose you, I knew we would be like this with one another," Robin said as he caressed her cheek with his hand. "I knew this fire and passion was inside you, waiting for the right man to start the spark."

"And you're that man," Regina said.

"You better believe that I am," Robin said. "Even if my blushing bride tried to stab me on our wedding night."

"You...you knew about that? How?" Regina asked.

"I could feel your arm over my head, and later I found the knife in our bed," Robin said. "Not the best way to start our wedding night, I'll admit. But what made you stop?"

"I don't know, honestly. I wanted to, my thoughts that night were that you were the reason I was married to you and not Daniel," Regina admitted. Her words didn't cause him any more ease than before.

"You're still in love with him," Robin said.

"I'll always care and love him, nothing can change that. Not even my love for-" Regina broke off, but Robin took his finger and lifted her chin to face him.

"Finish your words, Regina," Robin said.

"Not even my love for you," Regina admitted as Robin took her lips in his before she could say anything else. He picked her up and carried her to their bed and made love to her passionately.

Robin lay back against the pillows on cradled arms, his mind and body weary. He closed his eyes, waiting for much needed sleep to claim him. His mind drifted over the recent events. He felt Regina move close to him and snuggle against his side, then sigh. He smiled, for she had come to trust him, feel safe with him, and love him.

He cradled her against him, feeling her soft, silky skin. He felt her burrow closer to him for warmth. His thoughts drifted pleasantly as he prepared to sleep. She had given her love and heart to him. He'd known enough women to know, when a woman spoke, to listen to what she said with her eyes. He listened and saw moments of love and moments lingering doubt. He was not discouraged, for he knew her love to be tenuous and fragile. Time and the child, and there was no doubt after this weekend there would be a child, would make it stronger and take deep root.

Before he drifted off to sleep, his last thoughts were that it would take a bit more time for her to lose any thread of doubt, any question of betrayal, and then all that remained was for Regina to admit she loved him above all else. This was a step she must take alone.

Regina stood at the open window, clad in Robin's shirt. Lifting her cup, she drank the sweet hot chocolate. It was eleven in the morning and she had just gotten up again, she had drawn the curtains, shielding the bright sunlight from Robin, who slept deeply.

As she placed her cup on its saucer, her eye caught a sheet of paper under the napkin. Her fingers lightly touched it. Then she picked it up, opening it. It read:

Regina,

I had hoped to speak with you more. If you wish to leave your husband, I would love to be able to take you away. I truly want the best for you, no matter your choice. I love you, Regina.

Daniel

A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She brushed it away with the back of her hand and lifted her eyes up as if to prevent the fall of more. Her dreams planned so long ago drowned with her unshed tears.

The note slipped from her trembling fingers, floated to the floor, as did her girlhood dreams of yesterday. The world at this moment seemed unkind, unfair. A thousand "what ifs" crossed her mind. What if she had never met Robin, never saw Daniel again? What if time and circumstance had been different? Then perhaps..but it didn't matter now, for all the "what ifs" could never alter the present.

The fact of the matter was, destiny had taken control of her life, and few were masters of their own destiny. She was not one of the few, nor was Daniel. The strong, ruthless ones turned the hands of fate to make their own destinies, and Robin was one of those few. And now it would seem her future lay with him. She had fought it, but could no longer deny she had come to love him. But was she more to him than a possession his ruthless nature desired, sought, and gained? Was she just another treasure bought and paid for to add to his worldly possessions? Nay, her mind screamed in self-loathing.

God, she had to believe him and believe he did not lie, nor betray her love.

The sound of stirrings brought her out from within herself and she turned to see Robin move onto his back. A soft smile touched her mouth, she felt her spirits lift. As she moved toward him, she closed the door to a past that had remained open for so long.

Regina padded softly toward the foot of the bed, where she stood gazing down at Robin. Her eyes traveled over his powerfully built chest. Her eyes scanned the handsome, strong planes of his face and settled for a moment on his mouth, which she knew curled as if always on the edge of laughter.

She smiled her love at his sleeping form and thought how boyish he looked as a some of his hair fell on his forehead. Just looking at him, she felt stirring in her belly, a pleasant ache beginning in her center. She marveled over the effect he had on her even while he slept. She felt a need, as it nature called, to feel him inside of her.

Her fingers moved, working on the buttons of her shirt, her eyes never leaving him. He stirred, causing the sheet to fall, exposing the lower half of his groin. His member rested in the nest of curls there, flaccid against his thigh. She marveled at its size and shivered in anticipation. A moistness began to flow within her and she lost herself in carnal images. She worked the third button with fingers that shook, and stopped, hearing voices in the drawing room.

Without a thought to her attire, she crossed the room in purposeful strides, opening the door and entering the sitting room. Closing the door behind her, she turned to lean protectively against it and came face to face with Richilieu. Mortimer gasped at seeing his mistress scantily attired in front of Richilieu.

Richilieu let his eyes appraise the delightful form. Mon Dieu, what a captivating picture she makes, he thought.

Remembering she was a duchess, and refusing to be daunted by his leisurely appraisal of her or knowing grin, Regina asked with as much dignity as she could muster. "Richilieu, is there something I can help you with?"

Smiling suggestively at her question, he remarked, "I cam to inquire if you or Robin would be attending lunch. You have missed breakfast and-"

Not allowing him to finish, she replied, "How kind of you, but we will be unable to attend. Perhaps your chef could make a tray?"

"But of course! Is there something special?"

"Yes, Robin is fond of eggs, and kidneys, oysters, and herring. Tea and perhaps a bottle of Bordeaux."

"And you, Duchess?"

"Some fruit, cheese and a salad if you cook can manage it."

"Bien, I shall have it sent up immediately." He turned, walking to the door, but was stopped at her words.

"No, monsieur, in about an hour or so."

He turned to see her close the door behind her. He smiled, whistling as he left the room. He would probably not see his friend until dinner, if at all. Maybe this marriage thing was not so bad.

Robin was dreaming he was sailing, when he first felt the stirring in his groin. He groaned softly at the sensation. "Mmm." Slowly his dream faded as his body responded and he drifted upward, as if coming from the bottom of a pool. He heard himself moan and felt his member grow hard and erect. Slowly he opened his eyes, savoring the incredible sensations. His eyes focused on the dark head which moved slowly up and down between his thighs. "Ahhh," he moaned, reaching out to touch her shoulders. He whispered hoarsely, and somewhat stupidly, "What are you doing, love?"

Regina looked up, her hand continuing where her mouth had been, moving slowly upward and downward as she breathed, "Loving you, Robin."

Her breathing sounded shallow, ragged, to him as his became rapid and harsh. His body was taut from the throbbing ache in his loins and the agony of the sensation she was creating within him. He managed to utter, "Don't, love," then moaned, "ahhhh."

"Let me love you, my lord." Her mouth closed over him, drawing him deep into the moist velvet sheath of her mouth.

He protested no more and yielded to her exquisite torture until he felt himself tighten and ache. "No, no more love, no more." He grabbed her shoulders, stopping her, and pulled her on top of him. Their faces met. Regina saw the straining and concentration etched across his handsome features and felt the wild hammerings of his heart. She inadvertently moved, causing him to cry out, "Don't move, love, don't!

Regina stilled. He opened his eyes and looking into hers, listening to what her eyes told him and what her words confirmed. "Please, I need to feel you inside me, my lord." He closed his eyes, groaning at her words, trying to gain a measure of control over his desire, and would have succeeded had she not mistaken his pause and implored in a broken whisper, "Please."

Feeling her hard nipples brush against his chest, and his member press against her belly, he whispered, "Do you wish to ride, love or to be ridden?"

His hand moved to her core, lightly stroking her source of desire, and not waiting for her reply, he grasped her hips, lifting her onto his erect shaft.

Regina groaned, gripping his sides tightly, setting the tempo to bring them to release. Robin tried to still her to prolong their joining but was unable to stop the convulsive heave and spurted himself hotly into her welcoming warmth. He groaned deep in his throat, a measure of pleasure, a measure of disappointment in not bringing her with him.

Regina gazed at him with passion dazed eyes. When he opened his, he looked up, seeing her unfulfillment and confusion, her lips still parted, her nipples erect, peaking from beneath the veil of her hair, her breathing still ragged. He lifted her from him and brought her against him, and she rested her head against his throat. A moment of silence passed and he whispered against her hair. "Pleasant way to awaken, Love."

Regina rested against him, feeling an ache, almost like a pain, throb between her legs, but she managed to ask, "Are you hungry, my lord?"

"Mm-huh." He smiled, feeling himself begin to harden at her innocent, yet suggestive query.

Lifting her head, she said, "I informed Richilieu-" Before she could finish, he tossed her on her hair, raising her legs over his shoulders, and before his mouth closed over her, he said, "For you, not food."

He brought her to a much needed release with his tongue, then plunged his eager member into her slick woman's flesh. And because he had already gained his pleasure, he was able to ride her into release after tumultuous release before he again took his own.

"I want to go home, Robin," Regina whispered as she lay satiated in his arms.

Lifting her chin with the tip of his finger, gazing into her eyes, he said, "Then to home it is." He gently kissed her lips.

A gentle knocking at the door caused him to raise his head and call, "Enter."

Mortimer scurried in, he rushed to open the curtains, letting in the afternoon sun, while he also directed a servant who rolled in a cart laden with an assortment of covered trays.

"Will you be bathing, my lord, my lady?" At their nod, Mortimer dashed off to the bathing chamber, ordering about the servants to make haste, lest the food got cold.

Mortimer opened the bottle of wine, allowing it to breathe. The two servants were in harmony today and quickly withdrew.

On their way to their bath, Robin stopped to view the array of food: oysters, shrimp, mussels, eggs, kidneys, and ambrosia of delights meant to appease the palate as well as augment one's sexual prowess.

With amusement he asked. "Who ordered this?"

Regina peeked over his shoulder, glancing at the array, and saw nothing amiss. "Richilieu, I believe."

Robin threw back his head, and a throaty laugh escaped as Regina took off in a run towards the bathing chamber, he quickly in pursuit.