So...here we go again.

This is a record: 2 chapters in 1 week!

Gabi: this chapter is for you. Happy Birthday, sweetie! *-*

Polypocket, Arancha, Bia, Nikki, Lola, Ellis and Amanda: thanks for your unconditional support.

Tuane...odeio vc! 3 Iludidas...odeio vcs eternamente!

Chapter 11

** FLASHBACK ON **

Enchanted Forest, many years ago…

"Hi." She said as she approached him at the same place on the forest they had met for the first time.

It had been almost six weeks since the first time Regina had met her soulmate and after that day, they were seeing each other every single day. Every time she had seen him, she had blushed and giggled as a teenager girl. Her skin flushed in embarrassment. She couldn't help it. She was in love with him and they didn't even share a simple kiss yet. She was been delusional, if she was been honest to herself, but her heart ponded fast inside her chest only at the thought of seeing him again.

Each time they had met, the feelings they were sharing for one another were becoming deeper and stronger. It was easy talking to each other and being together. She had told him about her life, her fears, her dreams and even about her magic's lessons with the imp. She had listened his story as well, the happy days of his childhood and the sadness that developed inside him because of his father's cruelties.

"You're late." He pretended to be angry but couldn't control his wide smile as the sign of her. She was beautiful, the most beautiful one. He was trying to be a gentleman, a man of honor but the desire of crashing his lips on hers was increasing every time he had seen her. He couldn't wait to feel her taste, to sense her warm, but he knew he had to wait until the right moment.

"I'm sorry." She said shyly but smiled back at him.

His blue eyes studied her for a moment, taking her figure in. She was a vision. His vision. He approached her more, taking her hands in his and bringing them up to his lips, placing a soft kiss on each knuckle, shivering at the feeling of her delicate skin against his mouth.

"I'm glad you came." The distance dividing their faces were too small for him keeping his sanity and well behavior. However, he knew about her story, about her forced marriage, so he had to be a nobleman with her, after all she deserved that.

The way she blushed and put her hair behind her ear were not helping him at all. He was in love with her, definitively and hopelessly in love with her, but he was afraid to tell her about his deep feelings and astonish her. So, he had to control himself; at least he was trying hard to do it. But one thing he was sure: she was his first crush and first love.

"Come." He took her hand on his firmly and started to lead them to a place in the middle of the forest.

"I want to show you something." He said over his shoulder as they walked towards to the mystery place he was leading them. She smirked, intrigued by his excitement.

Despite their short time together, Regina felt that she knew him as she had never known anybody else. Maybe because they shared similar stories and pasts, or maybe that was what soulmates should feel towards each other. She had never felt a strong connection like that before and that was scaring the hell of her. Even only observing his body's language, she knew his thoughts, but she had to be sure about one feeling specifically.

What if he wasn't feeling the same way towards her?

What if she was being only a distraction to him?

What would happen when the king come back home?

There were so many doubts hovering over her mind, but she was hesitating to say them to him.

"Here." He told after some minutes walking into the forest.

"It's a house." She looked at an old construction in front of her. Apparently the place was abandoned and she had no idea why he was showing that to her.

"Indeed it is." He nodded happily and he continued the walk around the house, still holding her hand.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He asked, looking directly at her eyes, as he stopped their walk in front of the house.

"It is." She looked up and admired the place. The house was simple but beautiful, with a porch on the second floor, that she assumed it was localized on the master room.

"There's a lake there." He pointed at a trail which leaded to a beautiful lake, with limpid water, located only a few meters from the place.

"I bet we could see the sunrise reflecting on the lake from there." He pointed with his finger again, this time at the house's porch.

"I'm sure it's amazing." She looked at the porch and then at the lake for a few times, trying to imagine the sun rising, illuminating and warming the place, little by little in the mornings. The place was a dream. A dream she used to have when she was a little girl and still thought that life could be simple.

"And there's a stable there." He continued to show the propertyto her buthis excitement died as he saw Regina's expression changing into an upset one.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to upset you." He immediately apologized for his actions. He knew she had loved a man before and that was, at the same time, bringing confusing and selfish thoughts to his mind.

He knew about Daniel, she had told him their story and he respected that but he couldn't control the pang in his heart for knowing she loved a man before him. It was ridiculous, he knew it. He had met her only a few weeks ago, but it seemed she had to be his for the whole life, only his.

However, he understood that Daniel was important to her and that had been taken away from her in the worst possible way. Only the thought of Regina and Daniel's story, as she told him, made his heart tightened. He respected the man because he had brought happiness to his sweetheart's life.

But he could be jealous at the same time, couldn't he?

For now, he still didn't know to where their relationship was going and he didn't know her feelings towards him

How could a queen entrust her heart to a common thief like him?

He only had a guess, just that. Despite the obvious impediments, she was married and she was the queen. He could never give her what she deserved. With him, if she was willing to be by his side, their lives would be an endless running and hiding. But truth to be told, he didn't care, as long as he had her by his side.

"It's fine, a painful memory." She interrupted his thoughts as she saw the pain and guilty showing on his face for bringing up that delicate subject. Of course she was still hurt because of Daniel and maybe she'd always be, but that thief was bringing light and love into her life again.

"I know. I'm sorry." He hold both of her hands and stared at her. She nodded and he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding at the first place.

"When I found this house, I couldn't wait to show you." He explained to her. To be honest, he wanted to live with her in a place like that. He was crazy, maybe he was being precipitant, judging by her marital status, but he couldn't prevent the thoughts and dreams he was having with them together since he had seen her for the first time in the tavern.

"Why are you showing me this place?" She glanced at him and asked with curiosity and hesitation at the same time.

"You said you tried to run away with Daniel and you had a dream of living in a simple place like this one."

"Yes, I had." She swallowed as her breath caught in her throat, looking down at her feet.

"Did you give up?" He placed his hand on her chin and lifted her head to him.

"Robin…" She said sadly and he must have sensed her nervousness because he started to caress her cheeks softly, trying to amaze her fears.

"Regina, we can change that."

"We can change that together." He said, with a resolution that he had never have previously in his life. He wanted her more than anything.

"I can't see how!" The disappointment was showing in her voice as she spoke.

"We'll find a way. I promise you." He tried to assure her. He knew their situation was complicated. She was married to the king, for God's sake! But that wouldn't stop him. He'd fight for her because he wanted to make her happy for the rest of her life and he was sure she could make his life happy as well. She was his happy ending, he was sure of it.

"Is there a problem?" He asked, noticing her anxiety.

"I was informed the king is coming back next week." Her voice cracked.

"We can't see each other anymore." She finally confessed her fears and turned her back to him. Since that morning, when she heard the news about the king, she couldn't think about anything else. She had to stop seeing Robin and that was killing her.

"I'm sorry …" She tried to say something but no coherent words came to her mouth. So, instead, she only apologized.

"Do you want that?" He gently hold her elbow and turned her face to him again, staring deeply into her eyes, seeing fear and pain there, and that was killing him. He had to save her, and save himself in the process.

"Don't you want to see me anymore?" He got the courage and asked her what was troubling him. He had to know if she was doing that because she was scared or because she wasn't in the same page as him.

"Robin, it's not that simple. I'm married to a powerful man!" She exclaimed, her eyes focused on the floor again.

"That's not my question." He insisted.

"Please, look at me." He took her hands in his and she watched their hands for a few seconds before licking her lips and raising her eyes to meet his again.

"I know maybe I'm being hasty right now and maybe I'll scare you but I have to tell you the truth." He was fighting the urge to tell her about his feelings because he was afraid about her reaction; but he sensed the right time had come. If he didn't tell her his real feelings right now, he could lose her forever.

"We just know each other for a few weeks but I'm sure we can be happy together, in a place like this one." He motioned with his head to the house.

"I know we can be happy together but…" She agreed with him but the implications of them being together were frightening her. She couldn't lose him too.

"I had never felt that way before, Regina." He confessed, his eyes shining with love and hope.

"Since I met you, my days are summarized in thinking about when I'll see you again. Even when I close my eyes, you're the only image that comes to my mind. You're my first thought when I open my eyes in the mornings, and my last thoughts at night before sleep consumes me." He opened his heart to her, fearing she couldn't reciprocate his feelings.

Tears filled her thick lashes and she bit down the sob building in her throat. Her heart was going in a million miles an hour because she was feeling what was coming next, or at least, she was hoping he could say what she wanted to hear it. She thought she'd never have that kind of feeling in her life again but the man right in front of her was proving her wrong.

"I'm madly in love with you, milady." He finally confessed, his heart knocking hard in his chest.

There was a pause, a moment when the two of them only stared at each other. He stared at her, trying to hear her thoughts but the look in her face was a puzzle for him to read.

Suddenly, panic settled back to him. She didn't love him. He was a fool for opening his heart for her.

How could she possibly want to live her life with a man like him? He was a thief, he couldn't provide the life she deserved.

He let his hands in his pockets and blushed, looking directly at the ground.

"Robin." She called his name but he didn't look up.

Noticing the discomfort and shame on his behavior, she couldn't help but grin at him. She had never thought he could be cuter than he was right now.

She licked her lips and tried to control herself but she couldn't avoid the laugh leaving her mouth. She was happy and she couldn't control it. She looked at the embarrassed, cute and strong man in front of her, who had declared his love for her. He loved her and she couldn't be happier than she was right now, so…. she laughed.

"What?" He lifted his head as he heard the sound of her laugh, his brows knitted together in confusion.

He was opening his heart to her and she was laughing at his face?

"Why…" He started to ask her but stammered out.

"Why are you laughing?" He questioned her but seeing the lightness spreading from her features, his lips turned up too. He couldn't be more confused than he was right now but he was happy to see the lightness on her eyes.

"Because…" She tried to suppress her laugh as she explained and she let one of her hands came up to rest against his cheek.

"I'm happy to know the feeling is mutual." She looked deeply into his eyes and could see a spark of glow shining in his eyes again.

"Is it?" He questioned, still unsure of her reaction and because he had to be sure that that wasn't a dream.

Was a queen in love for him?

Seeing the confusion on his face, she felt the need to assure him somehow, and sometimes words aren't enough to explain feelings.

She had no idea what force got into her, but she closed the space between them, grabbed the lapel of his shirt, stood on her tiptoes and crashed her lips on his tightly. He widened his eyes, reacting of her boldness, but the heat of her passion and sweet scent of apples on her breath enticed him to meet her. He reciprocated the kiss as soon as he felt the warm radiating from her lips. They closed their eyes and their lips brushed lightly but firmly.

After a short time, she parted back, her fearful eyes finding his.

She didn't have time to react or think about what she had done, as he quickly captured her lips again.

He kissed her, softly at first, and then with a swift gradation of intensity that made her cling to him as if he was the only solid thing in a dizzy swaying world. His insistent mouth was parting her shaking lips, sending rough tremors along her nerves. Her hands came circling his neck. Their bodies staying even closer. A moan escaped from her lips, making him deepened the kiss with a low growl. They are caught in the moment, heat passing through their bodies as their tongues slide across the other. Time seemed to stop and they didn't know for how long they stayed like that, enjoying and learning the taste of each other.

They only separated to catch some air, both breathless, really close and breathing the hot breath of each other. Their eyes were closed, foreheads touching, both of them savoring the moment. His arms wrapped around her waist and her fingers intertwined with his.

"Robin…" She whispered against his lips and he hummed in response.

"What about now?" She questioned and stepped back a little.

"When the king is back, I don't know how we'd meet like that anymore." She started to sound desperate. She didn't want to lose him, and worst, return to her life as a Queen and pretend to be happy with her disgusting husband.

"We're not meeting like that anymore." He stated and she frowned in confusion.

"Run away with me." His hand raised, his thumb tracing soft strokes against her cheeks.

"I tried to do that once and I don't want you having the same faith as Daniel because of me." She turned her backs to him again and a sob escape from her mouth.

"I'm sure we can find a place like this to live our lives in peace. We just have to be careful." He placed his hands on her shoulders, caressing them lightly, his chin resting close to her neck.

"He's a powerful man, he can find us." Shaking her head, she leaned his head to his, letting the warmth from him soothe her troubled mind.

"My father is a powerful man too." He said, his heart fluttered at her fear.

"Even if I have to come back to my kingdom with you and ask for my father's forgiveness, even if I had to humiliate myself to him, I'd do it."

"I only wish my mother was alive to know you. She'd love you." He completed.

"What was her name?" Regina curiously asked.

"Lorelai Locksley." He murmured, leaning his head down and looking at his feet.

"Beautiful name." She tried to comfort him, turning around and putting her delicate hands on his cheeks, making him to look at her.

"Her parents called her Rory when she was young…" He said, with tearing eyes and she nodded, but she had to control her tears. She couldn't bear his pain, she just couldn't. But she had to be strong for him, she had to solace him instead of breaking apart right now.

"I'm so sorry, Robin." She caressed his face with her fingers.

"Look." He put one hand inside his pocket and showed her a ring.

"The only thing I still have from her. It's really important to me." He said and she smiled at the simple beauty of the jewelry.

"Before I left, she said I should give this for the woman of my life and then she'd give to our daughter, to continue the tradition. This ring is in our family for centuries."

I want to give the ring to you, Regina.

His attempts to put the ring in her finger were really strong but he had to wait until the right moment, a moment of peace, when they were free from that life.

"I'm sure the woman who gets this ring will be very luck." She said and turned her face away from him, still hoping that that woman would be her.

It's you, my love…

But instead, he turned her to him and faced her, with resolution in his eyes.

"I'd do anything for you, Regina."

"I'll never give up on you, no matter how difficult our lives turned up." He assured her.

"Robin…" She breathed deeply.

"There's Rumpelstiltskin. I told you about him. He's not leaving me alone." She worried about the imp.

"We can find something magical or someone to protect us against him." He tried to comfort her with shining and hopeful eyes.

"Maybe I know a person who can help us with magic." She will try to contact Tinkerbell, she didn't know how but she had to try.

"Who?" He knew about Regina's lesson with the imp and despite the apprehension he had towards magic, he also understood that magic could be used for good intentions, and right now, they needed it.

"A fairy. She led me to you at the tavern that day." She confessed, blushing, because that was the first time she was admitting it to him.

"Really?" His eyes narrowed and he couldn't hide a smirk appearing on his face.

"Don't be smug!" She gave him a little pat on the shoulder and he breathed out an "ouch", but his smile was giving him away.

"I'm happy to know we have a special connection."

"Do you care to tell me what it is?" He took her hands in his and she pursed her lips.

"Maybe one day…" She'd tell him about their connection one day, when she was ready, but she didn't want to rush things between them right now. Well, they were already planning an escape together and that was a huge step. So she'd wait for a moment of peace, when they'd be safe and then she'd tell him about their soulmate issue.

"Alright." He replied in a pout and she smiled.

"Try to ask for her help. I'm sure we'll find a way to run away together and nobody will reach us." He suggested and she nodded firmly.

"I'd do anything to protect you and have you by my side, milady." His eyes brimming in promise, worry, love, concern and anxiety.

"Do you want it? Spend your life by my side?" He laced their fingers together.

She looked at their hands and then to his face. That's when she saw it: those azure eyes, just like the ocean, so beautiful and blue. She looked deep into them as she bent up and whispered to him.

"Yes." At her answer, he smiled hard, showing his gorgeous dimples at her.

"I'll plan our escape as fast as I can." He started to wonder about how they could run away from this kingdom in safety. It'd not be easy, he knew that, but he'd anything to have his precious queen, the queen of his heart, by his side for the rest of his life.

"I swear I'm going to make you happy and…" He was talking but she cut his words, leaning in and placing a sweet kiss on his lips.

"I know you are. You already do." She whispered against his lips, after receding.

"You're my dreams coming true, milady." He confessed.

"And you are mine." She smiled openly as she hadn't done for a long time. He was bringing strength, hope and love back to her life and no matter the obstacles, she knew they'd face them together.

"May I kiss you again?" He smirked.

"Are you asking for my permission?" She narrowed her eyebrow, lively.

She started to tease, putting her hands on her waist as she said:

"I thought thieves usually steal…" She looked deeply into his eyes as he leaned closer to her, his lips brushing hers when she was speaking.

He cut whatever words she was planning to say and reached her in a fast stride, snatching her in his arms. Her joyous laugh tickled his ear as he lifted her off her feet. Urgently his mouth roved across her face with rough kisses that stung her cheek, her chin, her forehead and finally, her lips.

He put her down gently, rubbing the side of her jaw with his hands, her arms circling his neck as they stared each other in amazement.

No other word was spoken that evening because they didn't need to, they could read their thoughts in silence. They only enjoyed each other as if there was no tomorrow. Their plan, as dangerous as could be, it was the only immediate exit. They were in love and they needed to be together. They wanted to build a life, a family, maybe in a place like that house, where they shared their first kiss and confessed for the first time their love.

** FLASHBACK OFF **

Regina woke up sweating and gasping. Her heart was beating fast, tears of emotions were falling from her eyes. Despite it had been a sweet and nice dream (at least she thought that at the moment) everything seemed to be so real. It wasn't the first time she had dreamed about Robin and her in their youth, meeting each other for the first time, falling in love and making plans for a future together… She wished she had entered the damn tavern that day, maybe things would be different right now.

After been discharged from the hospital last week, her sick mornings were becoming worse. She was in that stage of the pregnancy: she was throwing up even more, it was like she was being hung over, without the fun of the night before. She had to get up a few times during the night to urine. When she came back to her bed, she couldn't sleep immediately and turned around on the bed for hours, trying to forget the pain of her swollen breasts. When the day came, she only wanted to sleep. She was always feeling fine one minute and the next one she was feeling as if she hadn't slept in a week.

But the worst part of all it was her mood: she was crying for everything. Yesterday, she was getting ready for bed, looking for some pajamas, and despite she wasn't showing yet (she calculated she was around 10 weeks but she could be right or wrong), she was feeling bloated and fat. When she checked out her closet, it seemed any of her clothes didn't fit her anymore. She sat down on the floor and cried because she would never, not in that or other land, buy those horrible pregnant clothes.

But then she remembered she had almost lost her daughter past week and she couldn't be more grateful the baby was fine now. She wiped away her tears, rubbing her stomach softly and apologizing with her little girl for being so selfish.

Why was she crying for clothes instead of thanking heavens for her daughter's life?

Then, remembering that, she started to cry again.

She was like a roll coaster of emotions.

And there was Robin…

She tried to call him a lot of times but she got no answers. She couldn't risk going to the camp because Dr. Whale had advised for her some rest due to the blood lost. She knew Robin was angry and disappointed with her and she understood his reasons. After the incident with Arthur on the hospital, she knew Robin was thinking the baby wasn't his. However, he hadn't given her a chance to explain herself and that was hurting her a lot. The whole situation was a mess, starting from the beginning. Everything was wrong and she had no idea if one day they could manage it.

Now, all those complicated thoughts were making her cry again.

Jesus! The hormones were killing her!

She was about to go to the bathroom again (for the third time on that night) when her phone started to vibrate. Looking at the screen, she groaned as she saw Emma's number. If that savior irritated Regina before, right now she was about to kill her, and this time, she meant it.

She was about to dismiss the call but then she remembered Emma was committed to find Zelena and stop her plans to become the new Dark One. Well, Emma wasn't a bad person but her instinct to be a hero and save the world made her brought that woman from the past at the first place. And then, everything happened. But it wasn't her fault, right? How would she know at that time the woman was Marian? No…not Marian, but Regina's wicked sister?

She groaned in frustration but she tried to remain calm for the sick of her daughter and because Emma was only doing her job as the savior. Add the fact that Emma had a miserable life, without her parents, and that was because of Regina. She was about to cry again but she shook her head and accepted the incoming call.

"What do you want at this time of the night, Emma?" Regina breathed deeply and tried to be polite.

"We found Zelena!" Emma went directly at the point.

"What? Where? When?" Regina straightened up her posture on the bed into a sitting one, widening her eyes.

"Look at your window and you'll understand." The blonde suggested and Regina stood up from her bed, walked towards the window and saw a dark and heavy cloud involving the sky of the entire town.

She froze at her spot. She knew what was happening. The darkness was coming again and she sensed that this time Zelena would win. They could try to stop her, but deeply inside, she felt they would not be able to avoid the inevitable. She didn't know her sister well, but if she was a Mills as her, she wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted. Maybe the only difference between them was a single but strong feeling, the one that was enough to make Zelena powerful than her: the capacity of love, and Zelena didn't have it.

Love is weakness!

Her mother's words were banging in her head again.

Even in her evil's days, Regina loved. She loved Daniel, her father, Henry…but her sister? Maybe the life had been crueler to her than it had been to Regina. Despite everything, Regina had loved and had been loved. Love can make you break, make you suffer, make you die (as Daniel did), make you weak, but at the same time, it's the most powerful magic and feeling at all, it's what make you have strength to live. Now she understood that. No matter how complicated her life was right now, at least she loved and was loved.

"Where are you?" Regina demanded.

"Listen, I just called to inform you about the situation but I don't think it's a good idea for you to be here." Emma warned her.

"Emma!" Regina reprimanded her.

"The last time, the darkness almost caught you and your daughter!" Emma tried to convince her.

"This time is different!" Regina complained.

"Look at the sky, she's conjuring the darkness correctly. I'm sure if the darkness appears, it'll only take her." Regina completed her point of view. She wasn't crazy to risk her daughter's life but she knew Emma needed her help and her little girl was save this time.

"You're right." Emma saw the dark cloud surrounding the town and noticed Regina had a valid point.

"We are in front of the clock tower." Emma didn't have to say anything else for Regina to poof herself at the exactly place they were, totally dressed up.

"Wow!" Emma exclaimed and jumped from her place as she saw the former queen appearing by her side.

"I'll never get used to that." She admitted, and despite the situation, Regina chuckled.

"Where's she?" Regina narrowed her eyes in worry.

"We don't know yet. We think she's inside the tower but I'm sure she will show her face soon. She loves a show…you know that." Emma pointed that out.

"Regina." Came a breathless voice behind her. It was just a voice, just a calling for her name, but made her whole body shiver.

It was him.

She turned around slowly and faced him for the first time since the incident. His face was showing concern, fear and regret at the same time, Regina could notice that.

He came to her, standing only inches apart, making her breathe his characteristic and unique smell, a smell she never, not in a million ages, would forget.

"Are you alright?" He reached her hands, squeezing them tightly and looking directly at her eyes.

I would be better if you were by my side…if you had given me a chance to talk to you.

She wanted to say it, but instead she only said:

"I'm fine."

"The baby?" The concern in his eyes increased as he asked to her about the child for the first time since he had knew she was pregnant.

Wasn't he angry at her?

Was he caring about her baby despite thinking the father was another man?

She stared at him for a moment in disbelieve, looking for any trace of doubt or sorrow, but she didn't find any of that. What she found made her gasped and her heart skip a beat. He was sorry and saying, even in silence, he still loved her and cared for her and her baby. He didn't have to tell her that, she knew it only by looking into his eyes.

She's your daughter, Robin. Our dear little girl. Our little miracle.

She was screaming internally for telling him the truth, but shaking her head and looking around, she noticed the Charming family (especially Snow) staring at them without blinking her eyes. They were in an awkward silence, as if they were waiting for any movement to cheer up and clasp their hands together, as if their favorite team were heading the champion's league. She even could picture them throwing confetti on them (even David was rubbing his hands nervously and impatiently).

She didn't know if she laughs of the scenario in front of her or if she burns them alive with a fire ball for trying to invade her personal life.

And for God sakes! Zelena was about to become the new Dark One and they were still expecting and being interesting in love's displays of affections?

Clearing her throat, she broke the Chaming's family hopes and intentions (and because she hated an audience), and said:

"She's fine too." She said, smiling fuzzily and touching the place their daughter was resting.

"She?" Robin's smile couldn't be bigger, but she saw a little of disappointment there.

She knew he had always wanted a girl to complete their family and there she was, inside of Regina's belly, growing every single day and fighting for her life as a real warrior. Their girl would be born no matter what. She was a fighter, a braver girl, and she would come to this world. She had survived from the darkness, hadn't she?

"Yes."

"I didn't run the medical tests but I'm sure it's a girl." She breathed out the words for him, looking at her stomach, her hands placing there.

"A girl, Regina…" He led his hands above hers and squeezed them involuntarily. The impact of his touch on her stomach, the feeling of his fingers caressing the place softly, brought trembling to her hands.

Regina widened her eyes and gasped as she felt a strange feeling inside her belly. She could taste the bile at the back of her throat, but at least her hands had stopped trembling. Looking at their connected hands above her stomach, she could sense her daughter's magic starting to run through them. It was like butterflies flapping its wings. She was reading a lot of books about pregnant women but she was not supposed to feel it right now, it was too soon.

However, their daughter was special, unique, a product of soulmate, and it was the first time her daughter's father was touching her belly. Looking at Robin's glassy eyes, she could see Robin was touched as her by the baby's reaction. He was suppressing tears in his eyes, as she was in hers. She smiled, looking at him and seeing the surprise showing on his face and a "wow!" leaving his mouth.

"I can feel her!" He exclaimed and his smile couldn't be brighter and that same brightness brought light to her heart. For the first time, since she had discovered she was pregnant, she was feeling complete. The other half of her miracle was sharing an unexplainable feeling with her and their baby.

"Yes, there she is." Regina breathed out as a whisper or a prayer for their daughter to show him what she didn't have the courage to speak trough words.

As at a silent understanding, he diverted his eyes from her stomach and they immediately locked into hers. There they were, the real them, with their souls exposed to each other. She could read all the thoughts and sorrows he was carrying in his heart and in his mind. He could feel that as well, even if he didn't know how he should use the right words right now.

"I'm truly happy for her…." He started to confess.

"I mean it, even if my previous behavior said the opposite." He completed and she could see and feel he couldn't be more honest with his words.

"I know…" She smiled that bright smile he had dreamed every single day (especially in the nights without her) and right now, he couldn't be more grateful she was giving to him the opportunity to see it once again. He could die right now only at the sign in front of him: the woman of his life, his soulmate, was truly smiling at him and showing all her emotions of carrying her first baby, a miracle she thought she'd never experience – as she had told before – with him. He blinked away the unshed tears and made a resolution: he would not give up on her. It didn't matter if the baby was his or not. To the hell with it! Seeing Regina glowing that way made his heart melt and skip some beats. That woman was destined to be his and he was hers, heart and soul. And if she'd aloud him, he'll be the father of her precious baby, a devoted one.

"Guys!" Emma had to be the most boring person in the world (but it was necessary at the moment) and interrupted them.

"It's coming." She said breathless, pointing out at the sky.

Everybody raised their heads and saw the darkness hovering over the tower and going straightly to the tower.

"Regina, I think you should not stay here." Robin took her hands in his tightly and spoke directly to her, with widened and concerned eyes.

"I don't think the darkness would take a chance with me once more." She squeezed his hands back, as a reassuring.

"You're not sure about that. You almost lost your child." The panic in his eyes was evident.

"I have to help Emma. She's not strong enough to stop Zelena." Regina said and started to head the people to the tower.

"Regina…" Robin reached her forearm, trying to stop her.

"Trust me. If I sense my daughter is in danger, I'll walk away. But right now, I'm doing this for her, for our sons, and for the town." She replied and judging by the look in his eyes, he understood her position.

"Be careful." He nodded at her, trusting in her words.

"I'm watching your back." He assured her, arming his bow.

The group followed Regina and Emma toward the tower stairs. David was wielding his sword. Snow, along with Robin and as the old times, was holding her bow.

"Zelena, please, stop!" Regina screamed as they reached the end of the tower. Everybody else was behind her, aiming their arms.

"Do you really think I'm stopping it right now?" Zelena turned to them slowly and challengingly, with the dagger in one hand and Merlin's wand in the other.

"I'm trying to do it for a long time." She looked directly at Regina, as if her sister should know about her intentions.

"No one have the right to say what I should do or not do!" Zelena went on, ignoring the people's begs, as usual.

"No one knows me!" She south out, in a loud tone and with an angry expression.

"Maybe not…but everybody has a second chance." Regina tried to intervene, to show to her sister that she was on that path of revenge before and that was not worthy.

"I know. You're right!" Zelena exclaimed, with a victorious tone.

"And this…" She looped around, looking at the darkness hovering in the sky through the tower window.

"This is my second chance." She finally stated and waved the wand at the sky and made the darkness start to down in its meeting.

"And I'm not failing again." She concluded.

"Zelena, please…you're pregnant." Robin stepped forward this time and tried to beg her for the last time.

"So what?" She smiled sarcastically.

"It's not the baby's fault." He put a hand in front of him, as an attempt to protection.

"I can take care of the baby if you don't want it." He tried to make his final supplication. Noticing the desperation and tension on her soulmate's body, Regina stepped forward, towards him, and grabbed his forearm whispering "Robin" on his ear.

"You're a weak man! You keep saying you have honor but you don't. Your honor is based on the easy path, not the right one!" Zelena screamed.

"If the baby survives, fine. If it's not…" She laughed wickedly and Robin couldn't be more broken.

"No!" Robin screamed as he saw Zelena putting together the two artifacts and aiming the sky.

"I really don't care!" She spat those words and pointed the wand at sky again, making the whole darkness, that once was hovering the sky, hit it.

"No!" Robin screamed again and started to approach her but Regina put her body in front of him, making him stop.

"Please, don't…you'll get hurt too. It's over, Robin." Regina said with begging eyes and his first reaction was hug her tight, trying to protect her and her baby against the strong wind and lighting that started to invade the place.

"Everything is going to be alright." Regina rested her head in the crock of his neck and hold onto him as her life while the dark magic was involving the place.

"No matter what, I want to be with you for the rest of my life." Robin was saying while he was observing the power and intensity of the magic.

The phenomenon was incredible, if it was not dangerous. All the darkness was hitting Merlin's wand as a thunder. Zelena's body started to move uncontrollably.

Robin was murmuring comforting words for Regina but for himself too. He felt her body shaking in fear, while waves and waves of powerful magic was taking care of Zelena's body, taking her away from the ground and making the former and old heroes widening their eyes in shock.

"It's over." Regina could listen Emma's voice muttering those words, and she raised her head, taking in the situation and knowing the consequences of it. She closed her eyes again and enjoyed the warm of the Robin's body because she knew that everything was lost and then…

BOOMMMMM!

It was a bang, a hard one, and maybe the last one, that made everybody shock their bodies against the tower's wall.

"Did she make it?" After a time, Snow managed to lift up and look at the tower window, seeing no trace of Zelena there.

"Yes." Regina whispered, opening her eyes and seeing the scenario right in front of her.

"Are you alright?" Robin leaned his head and looked directly at her eyes, putting one hand on her cheek and the other on her stomach, where their baby was placed.

"We are." She assured him and he nodded, rubbing both hands where they are.

"What's going on here?" Gold invaded the place, concern in his eyes.

"Zelena is the new Dark One." Snow explained.

"No!" The former Dark One put a hand on his mouth but tried to think about a solution to their problem.

"What do we do now?" David interrogated.

"Now we pray…" Mr. Gold admitted with defeated eyes.

"We have to do something!" Robin exclaimed.

"We have some time until she recover herself and learn how to use the new powers." Rumpel was pacing back and forth, while his mind was trying to find a solution.

"How long?" Regina inquired.

"I don't know." Rumpel answered and started to walk around the small place, staring at the floor and thinking about the possibilities.

"Maybe we have one month, one week, one day…I can't precise it. Zelena was born with magic, strong magic." He said, looking at Regina's eyes.

"And she had been always determined and a good pupil." This time, Regina rolled her eyes.

"I'm not sure because when I became the Dark One, I had no idea how to use magic, but she does and very well, by the way." He pointed.

"So I suggest we act fast." He completed.

"What do you suggest? Is there anything we can do?" Snow asked, and everyone was intrigued by the answer.

"Maybe." He stated.

"What?" Regina frowned and approached him, fearing that she wouldn't like his answer.

"Make sure that her only opponent is safe and will be born." Rumpel motioned his arms towards Regina's stomach, making her stepped back immediately.

"That's the only way." The former dark one thought and let the words split out of his mouth.

"What are you suggesting?" Robin asked, with a confusion look, staring at Rumpel, while he was staring at Regina's stomach.

"Regina's baby…" But before Rumpel could complete his sentence, he was interrupted by a panic and angry Regina.

"No!" She braced her arms firmly around her waist and tears started to form in her eyes.

Robin saw the desperation taking care of her and approached her, hugging her tightly from behind, putting his own hands above her and whispering in her ears:

"No one will warm your baby, Regina. I promise you." He reassured her, interlacing his fingers with hers.

"There must to have another way or someone else." Robin put his strong and protective arms around Regina's waist.

"She's only a baby!" Regina almost screamed and couldn't contain her tears anymore.

"That's why I think the only solution it's …"

"What? I'm not doing anything you're saying." Regina interrupted Rumpel again, nodding her head in negative.

"You have to leave the town and give birth to your baby in safety." Rumpel suggested.

"Are you crazy? I'm leaving my town." Regina refused to accept his idea.

"Why Regina's daughter? We can't put the baby in danger." Robin complained.

"We are not." Rumpel stated.

"We have to protect you and your baby, Regina. It's the only way." Rumpel was sincere.

"Your magic…" Rumpel pointed at Regina and Emma.

"It isn't strong enough to stop Zelena forever. I can't see other way out."

"You have to leave Storybrooke." The former Dark One continued.

"Otherwise, everything is over. I'm sure soon or later Zelena will know about your baby and what it means for her. She won't let the baby born, Regina" Rumpel concluded.

"I can't leave the town!" Regina almost screamed.

"I'm not leaving the town." She was emphatic.

"Regina…" Snow approached her and tried to talk to her.

"No, Snow. I can't…" She had tears in her eyes. She worried about her daughter, of course, but leaving the town, meant leaving behind Henry, her friends, the father of her daughter and his son.

"Take Henry with you…" Emma stepped forward towards her as she saw the conflict in Regina's eyes.

"What?" Regina looked at her in confusion.

"He'll be safer out of here, Regina." Emma explained and Regina nodded her head in negative.

"You know beside the power, Zelena wants to hurt you…" The savior started to talk and tried to convince Regina that leaving the town was the best solution.

"What do you think she'll do?" Emma's words were as a knife at Regina's heart because she knew what her sister was planning to do, and between other things, it would torture her by hurting the people she loved most.

"Hurt people that you love…I can't let my son – our son – here, Regina." The blondie took her hands from Robin's and squeezed them.

"Please!" It was her last supplication.

"Regina…" Robin took her face into his hand and turned it gently, making her focused her attention at his eyes.

"You have to go, my love." He said and she turned her face away again.

"It'll be the best for everyone." He gently brought her eyes to his once again.

"And you'll take Roland with you and…" Before he could finish his words, Regina tried to intervened but Robin didn't let her do it this time. She knew what was coming next, so she closed her eyes.

"No." She murmured in protest.

"Please, he's my son and I know you love him as much as I do, so please….take our family away from here and keep them safe." She looked deeply into his eyes, mouth opened and touched by his gesture…

Our family…

She got fuzzy with his statement because now, despite of the crises, they were his family: her, Roland, Henry and the baby. The future of the town was depending on her, her decision.

"What about you?" She knew his answer but she wanted to ask for him to come with her. It was selfish but her heart couldn't bear to stay away from him again, to let him there for probably been killed by her sister. But she knew he was a hero and wouldn't hide from a battle.

"I'm staying and fighting with the others. I have to…please, Regina."

Everyone kept quiet and looking at her, knowing that only her decision could save them. Everyone's future was in her hand, including the people she loved most, so what she could decide instead of weakly say:

"Alright…I'm leaving Storybrooke."

Thanks for reading!