A/N-I wanted to explain a few things, I have been so upset since Sunday before last. I truly didn't see this awful plot coming from Once. I'm not sure why OQ always gets sucker punched. The storyline brought up something that happened to me a few years ago, and it just brought back all the pain I had to endure during that time. It made me not trust anyone, not even to this day. I have calmed down some, but am still very upset, still not watching Once. A great friend who never wavered for me, asked me to please finish this story. I am trying to, as quickly as possible. It's very painful to write this as my heart breaks when I think of Robin and Regina now. I took down the chapter about Regina leaving Robin, this story won't be StableQueen. I know I upset some with the other chapter, I am sorry but I was just trying to get through the hurt I was feeling.

"But why do you have to go? Can't Will handle it?" Regina pleaded while helping Robin on with his jacket. He turned to face her and she began to straighten out his cravat.

"Princess, Will is tied up with the strikers, trying to negotiate a settlement," Lifting her face, gazing in her tear filled eyes, he promised. "I'll return in three days, four tops."

Snapping her head away, not in the least bit appeased, she turned her back to him. She watched Mortimer direct the servant to carry out his luggage.

What's wrong with me? she wondered, her eyes filling with unexplained tears. God, I'm so weepy lately, she thought as she brushed a tear away. And so tired. Every afternoon I have to nap, and just this morning I nearly vomited when Germane brought me blueberries in cream. She shuddered in recollection and pushed the thought away, asking. "Why do you have to go?"

Robin regarded her. His experienced eye traveled down her back, stopping at her slightly thickening waist. She had been excessively sensitive since they'd returned to England; her impulsive changes of mood, from exuberant to weepy, had not gone unnoticed by him. Her appetite was at times waning, then voracious. Even certain foods she normally turned her nose up at, she now could now hot have enough of it. Then there was the greenish tinge that colored her face whenever he smoked a cigar. These were all clear, undeniable signs she carried his child.

Patiently, he explained again. "Princess, Will is in Genoa, John is at sea, and Killian is handling the spring foaling. That leaves no one but me. I must go."

"Then take me!" She spun around, no longer tiffed, but now imploring.

He saw the soft curve of her slightly rounded belly and the fullness of her breasts, noting the tiny blue veins more prominent against her creamy skin. Her nipples were darker and larger as they pressed against the sheer cloth of her shirt.

Running his hand through his hair, he patiently explained. "The roads are not safe, Regina. We have been plagued with a rash of robberies. I would not endanger you."

"I would not call two robberies in six weeks a rash!"

"No," he said in a voice she knew brooked no argument. Tears filling her eyes, Regina brushed past him, stomping out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Robin stood quietly going through his mental checklist. Evette had been summoned, Will was about, and he had instructed his head horse trainer Keegan, that Regina was not allowed to ride.

Shaking his head over the last item, he thought she certainly was not going to be happy over that restriction, especially since she was not yet aware she was with child. He considered telling her, for possibly she would then understand his concern, but he wanted her to realize her condition. Until she did, he would have to take measures to protect her and the child. Confident in his decision, he left the room to search for her.

He found her where he expected, by the window in his study. He saw her shoulders trembling as she sobbed, and walked toward her.

Regina heard him approach and turned, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand, trying to appear indifferent between her gulps and sniffles.

"I...would have thought, my lord, you left. It is past time."

He smiled at her pretense and extended his arm to her. "Will you not see me off, love? Why, in the days of old, the lady offered the stirrup cup to her departing lord with her blessing."

Pouting and sniffling, she replied. "In the days of old, some lords gave scutage, my lord."

"Ah, my lady. I would never ask of anyone what I would not do."

Knowing his words to be true, she relented and walked to him. His arms encircled her waist, and together they went outside. As countless women before her, in days of old, she saw her man off and to battle without tears.

"What is the meaning of this! I want Xanadu immediately," she screamed at the young groom who stood with hat in hand, nervously twisting its brim.

"But milady, I have me orders."

Exasperated beyond belief, Regina waved an impatient hand at the groom, cutting off his words. "Yes, yes, I know. Well, we'll see about this."

Turning her head, her hair flying out nearly smacking the young groom in the face, she asked as she looked about, "Where is Keegan?"

"I heard he went to...Oh, there he be, milady." The groom pointed, relieved. Keegan appeared at the scene, for his lady, while normally a sweet thing, had turned into a regular termagant lately.

With purposeful strides, Regina moved toward Keegan. Just by the jaunty way she walked and the color on her cheeks, Keegan knew her temper rode high. He waited till she stopped before him.

"Keegan-" she pointed a finger at the retreating figure of the groom. "that miscreant says you gave orders I'm not to ride."

Keegan saw the glimmer of challenge in her eyes but responded easily. "That's right. That's what I said."

"Why?" she asked disbelievingly.

"But His Grace instructed it."

"He would do no such thing!" she screamed at him.

"Afraid so, milady," he answered, apologetically.

Pressing her lips together, she narrowed her eyes in anger. "Well, then, stand aside, Keegan. If you and that miscreant won't tack Xanadu, then I will!" She made to pass him, but he stepped in her way.

"Now milady, I can't let ye do at."

"You would stop me?" she challenged.

He nodded his red head. "I'd do whats necessary to carry out me orders."

She stood for a moment sizing up her opponent and then spun about, charging out of the stables.

"Bloody hell-"Will ducked quickly, a priceless vase smashing inches from his head against the wall, as he entered the study.

His eyes scanned the room quickly, taking in the books, the contents of Robin's desktop strewn about the floor, coming to rest on Regina, ready to throw another missile.

Covering the distance that separated them in a few strides, he grabbed her poised hand holding the missile. "Here, here! Now, what the hell is the matter?"

Regina fell against him, breaking into heartrending sobs, her tears making wet spots on his shirt. "I...I...just-" she gulped "want to riidde!" she cried.

Taking in the condition of the room as his hand moved comfortingly over her quaking shoulders, his eyes widened in disbelief at the havoc she wrought, and he asked incredulously, "You did all this because you wanted to ride?"

"Wouldn't," she sobbed.

"Wouldn't what?" he asked, confused.

"Let me ride," she cried, new tears falling freely on his already damp shirt.

"Who wouldn't let you ride?" he asked, becoming more confused by the moment.

Her head snapped up, hitting his squarely in the chin. Regina stepped out of the circle of his arms. She tossed her head and lifted her chin defiantly and spat, "Robin!"

Confusion etched his face. "But he isn't here."

"I know that, you dolt!" she said just before she spun around, exiting the room, slamming the door behind her.

Shaking his head, Will muttered, "I sure in hell don't need this."

The sun had risen above the horizon, sending tiny prisms of light through the study window. Robin sat at his desk, going over the correspondence of the last few days.

He had arrived before dawn broke and had worked steadily since. He loosened his cravat and stretched back, leaning in his chair, his arms braced behind his neck, and closed his eyes. He had been apprised by both Keegan and a very confused Will of Regina's recent tantrum, and he wondered how his volatile wife would greet him this morn. He did not have long to wait, for the slamming of the door caused him to sit up abruptly, his eyes flying open.

Regina strode into the room, her breech clad hips swaying as she crossed the room, coming to stand before his desk, anger glinting in her eyes.

"You ordered I was not to ride?"

He withdrew a cigar, lit it, and nodded affirmatively.

"Why?"

Sitting up, placing the cigar in the ashtray, he asked. "Some hot chocolate?" He poured out a cup, not waiting for her answer.

Regina saw the pot of hot cocoa, knowing he had anticipated her visit, and this knowledge somehow made her angrier. The sweet aroma of the chocolate waffed up, teasing her nostrils, causing her stomach to churn in revulsion. She grimaced and shook her head but refused to be sidetracked. Again she asked, "Why?"

"Did you have breakfast already?" he asked, again ignoring her question, lifting a cup of strong tea to his lips.

The smoke from the cigar and the thought of breakfast made her mouth water in an awful way. She again shook her head, beginning to feel sick. Forcing her mind not to concentrate on her queasiness, she again persisted, "Why did you order I was not to ride?"

Robin could see she was fast becoming ill and offered, "Take a seat, love."

"I do not want to take a seat, drink hot chocolate, or eat breakfast. I want to know why." Contrary to her words, she sat.

"When was your last monthly flow, Regina?" Robin asked quietly, laying down his cup.

"What nonsense is this, Robin? I never ride then. What has it to do with your orders?" she asked, bewildered by his question.

"Since when, love?" he repeated firmly, yet gently.

When it dawned on her, she paled. It had not come for six weeks, since before the weekend at Richilieu's. She sat numb before him, fighting her nausea and the truth. Standing on shaky legs, her knuckles white as she gripped the edge of the desk, she choked out, "Impossible."

The duke's eyes glistened with pleasure as he gently said, "Hardly, impossible, rather highly probably. " And with unmistakable pride he added, "You carry our child."

"You planned this. You knew," she accused.

Grinning as only an expectant father does, he proudly stated, "I'd like to think of it as assisting nature in its cycle."

"Damn you! Think of it any way you want, I know better. Damn you and damn your child!" Her voice broke as she spun about, running from the room. Running out of the house, she ran past Will and Keegan.

At the edge of the headland, Regina stopped running. She wiped away the tears that were falling down her cheeks with the back of her hand and wrapped her arms protectively about her waist. Breathing deeply, she tried to calm herself. Her mind screamed in anger at Robin and herself. How could she have been so naive? Oh, how foolish I must appear to him. He had known what I had not! All the signs were there-morning sickness, frequent naps, cravings, erratic behavior. How could I have not known?

"Ohhh," she cried, stamping her foot in anger as her tears fell. He had planned this, she just knew he had. He was high handed enough and arrogant enough to believe he had power over such things, and by God, if he just didn't!

"Ohhh," she cried again, thinking he had already decided it was time for her to do her duty and present him with an heir! Another possession to add to his others. She began to pave back and forth in agitation, remembering with startling clarity that weekend at Richilieu's. She shook her head, and stopped pacing. Nay, if the truth be known, she had been the seductress, not the seduced.

Her mind rebelled. You ninny! You're having a baby, not a consequence. A soft smile lifted the corners of her mouth, and her hand moved to her belly. It was with wonderment she imagined a baby curled protectively within her, and amazement that she had been so unaware of it.

Her stomach rebelled as the queasiness came over her. Bile rose quickly and she covered her mouth and scrambled to a tree, dropping to her knees, becoming quite sick. A strong, warm arm wrapped about her waist, bending her over as she heaved the contents of her belly.

"Easy, love, don't move. It will pass," he said gently, reassuringly. Regina complied with his request, grateful for his presence, and when her stomach stopped its fluttering and her head its spinning, she let him help her rise, and leaned against him with shaky legs.

"Take a sip and rinse out your mouth," Robin tipped the bottle to her lips and she spat, a very unladylike gesture, but she felt better for it.

"Feel better?" he asked, softly holding her steady. At her nod, he inquired, "Well enough to return?"

Regina rested her head against his chest, quite weary. They rode slowly in companionable silence until she said softly. "I've behaved quite wretchedly this past week."

Robin replied gently, "Expectant mothers are supposed to, love."

"You knew, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"About my 'damn child'? Usually the radiant mother to be informs the father of his heir." He smiled down as she looked up to face him.

"The baby is not damned! You know well I didn't mean it. Don't you?"

"Yes, I know. How could I ever think the mother of my heir would think such?"

Regina stiffened hearing 'heir.' Seeking to understand herself and sort out her fears, she fell into thought. Again she broke the silence and stated quite blandly, voicing her fears. "You know, I will become quite fat and unattractive. No doubt you'll find me quite distasteful."

He smiled down at her, imagining her belly swollen, and said. "I expect you'll be quite rounded, but unattractive? Distasteful?" He shook his head. "Nay, I think not. I will no doubt still have my way with you, even if there is more of you." he added, grinning.

Seeing the unmistakable wide grin and glint of pride in his eyes, Regina took him to task, slapping playfully at him although she was quite pleased with his answer.

Smiling, she taunted, "Yet you will have to abstain, my lord, sometime."

Returning her smile, he countered, "Aye, but I'll manage the drought."

At her look of disbelief, he replied easily. "I would ensure your safety as well as that of my heir."

"I suppose your inflated male pride has not considered the possibility of a girl?"

A soft smile crossed his mouth, touching his eyes. "A possibility, love, but highly improbable, for males run in the family. There has not been a girl for generations."

Robin gazed down, holding her eyes. "But, love, if by some change of fate, you present me with a girl, I promise you I will buy her a gilded coach with four dapple grays."

She smiled up at him and said, "Would you really?"

"Have you a doubt, love?"

She shook her head. "None, my lord."

After a moment she laughed and Robin asked, "What's so amusing?"

"Poetic justice."

At his puzzled expression, she explained, "The Locksley defending a maiden's honor instead of taking it."

Robin threw his head back, letting out a peal of throaty laughter.

Later the entire household buzzed with celebration over the Duke's announcement.

Regina rested that afternoon while Robin posted letters to all family members, announcing the news of their expected bundle of joy. When he was done, he sat back and lit a cigar and sipped his brandy. He was much the picture of a proud expectant father, a grin splitting his handsome face. This is how Will found him.

"Well, now, if you don't look like the proud father to be." Will reached for a cigar and poured himself a brandy, seating himself in the soft leather chair and raised a booted foot to rest on the top of the desk. "Proud as the proverbial peacock, Robin."

"Your day will come, Will. I only hope I'm there when it does." Robin smiled as he leaned back in his chair. Both men sat in companionable silence, celebrating as men for generations have done-smoking good cigars, drinking fine brandy, and getting quite drunk!

Robin's mouth moved slowly down the columns of her neck, placing small, shivery kisses with its descent. He lowered his mouth over a dark, taut nipple, sucking lightly on it. Hearing her moan as he tugged upon it, he raised his mouth, whispering, "Does that hurt, love?"

Running her fingers through his hair she whispered, "Nay, not how you meant it."

He began again running his tongue over the nipple of first one breast, then the other. His hands cupped them, feeling their weight.

Regina moaned as she felt him slide his tongue down her belly and into her core. She cried aloud as his tongue worked it magic and brought her to pleasure. And when he slowly, deliciously entered her, she cried out in a shattering release and shortly felt him spill inside of her. Robin shifted his weight upon his elbows so she would not bear it and smiled down at her. "I love you, Regina." And while she did not return the endearment, he listened to what her eyes told him.

He slowly withdrew from her, savoring the sensation and rolled off, bringing her to his side. He felt her fingers on his chest. He was a much contented man, and he need not count his blessings, for his greatest one lay safely against him. He would keep her always safe, for she was his life."

"Robin," she said, softly. "I am frightened."

He knew she feared the coming birth, and drew her closer to him. "I will be there. Nothing, not death itself will keep me from being there.

And, as always, she felt safe with him and was able to drift off to a peaceful sleep.