A/N: Thanks again for the reviews/follows/favorites! Part 4 and 5 were originally going to be a long one-shot/the original idea for this story, but I added parts 1-3 to have more backstory/help set this up. Part 5 will be up tomorrow to conclude this mini-fic.

PART FOUR – NEW YEAR'S EVE

"And you know the rules?" Regina looked at her son as she double-checked that she had everything she needed.

Henry rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mom. No drinking. No drugs. Definitely no drinking and driving. No texting and driving. No talking to strangers. Just say no. No glove, no love."

"I'm serious, Henry."

"I am, too. I'll be fine, mom. I'm almost an adult. I know the rules. It's New Year's Eve. I'm not going to do anything stupid. I'm just spending the night at Nick's party. It'll just be some guys hanging out and playing video games. Low key. I promise."

"Okay. Be good." She kissed the top of his head as she grabbed her garment bag and walked out the front door to her car to head to Storybrooke Plaza for Mary Margaret's wedding.

"There are at least two other weddings in the other ballrooms," Regina said as she approached Emma at the bar during the reception. "Who knew so many people would want to get married on New Year's Eve?"

"I know, but it's kind of romantic, I guess… wanting the start the new year as a married couple and all. Plus, at least it's an open bar and we didn't have to overpay for tickets to some lame party. It gives us somewhere to be." The bartender handed her a bottle of Heineken and she took a swig. "Plus, you know everyone in here. Maybe you can find some hot piece of ass from one of the other weddings to take home with you."

"Ha. Funny." Regina accepted the glass of red wine the bartender placed in front of her.

"I'm serious, Regina. When was the last time you got laid?"

"I stopped counting after it hit a year, and that was months ago. But, it's fine. I've been more focused on making sure my 17-year-old son gets through high school in one piece."

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" Robin came up and stood on the other side of Emma as he signaled the bartender for another scotch on the rocks.

"Ugh, just when I thought I would get two glorious weeks without seeing your face, you show up and ruin my bliss," Regina said, ignoring his question. "Why are you here?"

"Believe it or not, Regina, I do have friends here and am an invited guest."

"I was just going to head over to find my boyfriend. I'll see you later, Regina," Emma patted her on the shoulder as she went back to the dance floor where Killian was dancing with the bride and groom.

"Are you still pissed at me?" Robin asked as he took a sip of his Glenlivet and sat down on the stool Emma vacated.

Regina took a drink of her wine without even looking in his direction. "Yes."

"How many more drinks to make you forgive me?"

She let out a bemused laugh. "You're an ass."

"That's probably true. I am sorry I upset you, though."

"I appreciate your rather insincere apology."

"Did your mother get any complaints from angry parents?"

"Surprisingly, no. So, I suppose you're off the hook as far as that goes," she said, finally looking over at him as she downed the rest of her wine.

"Good, I'm glad. Another drink?" He asked, motioning toward her empty glass.

"What, trying to get me drunk?"

"It's a wedding with an open bar. It would be a shame to let all this alcohol go to waste."

She rolled her eyes and pushed her empty glass toward him. "Fine. But make it a bourbon."

Robin raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Yes, ma'am."

"Robin," Regina said, with a smirk. "Never call me 'ma'am' again."

"Yes, ma'a-mi'lady." He paused. "Is that any better?"

"Not really."

"Excuse me, handsome, could I borrow you for a dance?" A young woman Regina didn't know lightly brushed Robin's arm as she approached the bar. She guessed she was maybe 21 years-old. at most.

Robin looked at Regina who rolled her eyes and turned back to her drink, ignoring him completely. He extended his hand to the newcomer and accompanied her to the dance floor.

"Ass." Regina mumbled under her breath as he walked away and she knocked back the rest of her bourbon.

Robin returned to the bar a few songs later, surprised to see Regina exactly where he left her, nursing another drink. "You're still here? Shouldn't you be out on the floor with the rest of the bridal party?"

Regina shook her head. "I'm not much of a dancer. Mary Margaret knew that when she asked me to be her bridesmaid. I'm much better at drinking," she said, as she raised her vodka soda in a mock toast.

"I'll get you to dance before the night is over."

"What happened to jailbait girl?"

"What, are you jealous?"

Regina looked at him incredulously. "Not at all," she deadpanned, chewing on a piece of ice from her drink.

"You know, you pull off that dress quite well," Robin said, leaning into Regina's ear. He finally got her to agree to dance after a few more drinks as midnight quickly approached.

Regina laughed as she looked down at the baby pink satin gown Mary Margaret had selected for her bridesmaids. "Thanks, but I look like a stick of bubblegum. This dress is going to Goodwill in the morning."

"Well, I'm glad I got to see you in it before you give it away. You look lovely."

She took a small step back to look at him, expecting to see a sarcastic grin on his face. Instead, she just saw sincerity. It was unexpected and confused her. She shook it off. "I'm going to get another drink. Do you want anything?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks, though." He replied. She gave him a small nod as she started to walk away, but he reached out and grasped her wrist before she got too far. "Regina, are you okay?"

"Yes, of course. I'll be back in a bit." She gave him a small smile and then turned around. He watched as she walked over to the bar, joining Killian and Emma for a shot before walking out of the ballroom through a pair of French doors leading to the outside.

Robin quickly followed, finding her on a large terrace overlooking a small pond. "What are you doing out here?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm getting some fresh air."

"You do realize it's December in Maine and it's like 30 degrees out here. You're going to freeze."

"I've been drinking since before noon. I'm past the point of being able to feel cold. I'm lucky if I can feel anything right now, to be honest."

"Fair enough. But, I'm freezing and you are too, even if you can't feel it, so let's go back in. And it's only a few minutes until midnight." Robin motioned an arm toward the door. She acquiesced and let him guide her back inside. They heard the DJ announce that it was only 90 seconds until the new year. Robin smirked as they walked back to the bar, Regina leaning forward on her forearms trying to get the bartender's attention. "I don't suppose I can convince you to be my midnight kiss?"

She motioned for two shots, which the bartender promptly poured. She handed Robin one. "Cheers," she said, clinking his shot glass as they tossed back the drink.

"God, what was that?"

"What, can't handle your tequila?"

"It's not my favorite, no."

"Fine."

"Fine what?"

"Fine, I'll kiss you at midnight. It's not like it'll be the first time, nor do I have any other prospects in here."

"Well, don't sound too enthusiastic," he said, feigning disappointment.

"10…9…8..." the room filled with people counting down the seconds until midnight.

Regina pushed herself off the bar and stood up straight, slightly rolling her shoulders as she did so. "So are we doing this or what?" she asked over the sound of the final countdown.

"I love it when you're bossy" he replied as the final seconds were announced before she grabbed his lapels and pulled him to her, taking control of the kiss. They broke apart as the ballroom erupted into cheers toasting the new year. He looked down at her and saw her looking around the room. He leaned closer to her and whispered, "Relax, we're safe. No one saw us."

She snapped her head back to him, her eyes noticeably darker than before. "I…" she started but didn't really know what to say to that. Instead she reached for his hand, leading him out of the ballroom and into the hallway before pushing him against the wall and kissing him again.

"What was that for?" He asked 30 seconds later as they came up for air. She had completely taken him by surprise.

"I'm sorry, did you want to stay in there?" she asked gesturing back into the ballroom as she raised an eyebrow.

He shook his head and leaned closer. "Not if this is the alternative option" he said softly as he brought a hand to cup her left cheek and turned her head just enough so he could place a kiss just below her right ear, slowly making his way down her neck. She let out a hum, making him feel more bold than usual. "You know, I have a room upstairs."

"Lead the way."