They had been riding for hours, Roland in front of Regina, and Robin on the other horse. Robin couldn't stop himself from stealing quick glances at Regina every few seconds. Marian, Robin's first wife, who had died while giving her birth to their son Roland, had meant a lot to Robin. Marian had been Robin's first love, the mother of his son. It had hurt him when she died, he spent so much time wondering what his and Roland's lives would be like if she was still around. He had never thought about being with another woman, he had taken care of his son the past four years without her, and lived with the Merry Men. He had never even considered the thought of getting married again or having another woman around, that was… Until now. Something about this Queen… Regina, was entrancing to him, he had never seen a more beautiful woman. Not only was she beautiful she was driven, with a bit sass, she wouldn't put up with his messing around. She sure was something…

His thoughts got interrupted, "You know it's impolite to stare? But I suppose a bandit wouldn't know that," Regina sat straight up, giving Robin a half stubborn half playful look that almost surprised him. "Sorry Queenie, I guess I've forgotten my manners," He nodded his head politely as he turned away. "When are you going to stop calling me that? I can't stand that, I've told you, you can call me Regina," Robin smirked as her voice clearly showed that annoyed tone he had grown so fond of. "I don't know Queenie, maybe I'll drop it when you stop calling me bandit."

Regina just scoffed, "Well then there is no telling how long this could go on." With the sound of Robin's soft chuckle, Regina couldn't help but break her serious tone and laugh with him, causing Roland to giggle. "Very well, Queenie."

They rode on for another few hours. He really thinks he's special, Regina though as she stole a quick glance over at him before turning back quickly. She looked down at the reins of her horse, seeing the brass ring around her finger she shook her head, trying to shake the thought of Daniel out of her mind. She felt relaxed for the first time in years, other than during her years with Henry. Why? Why did she feel so comfortable? She shouldn't feel this way, Henry was gone with Emma, she was back in this forest that she had fought so hard to get out of, yet… she didn't feel like anything was wrong. Of course she missed Henry, she always would, but now she didn't feel alone. No… This wasn't right, something was up.

"Whoa!" Roland exclaimed with a look of shock on his face. Regina and Robin both looked up to see what had caused this. "My castle." Regina smiled, seeing the home she had left so long ago. "Where to now, Queenie?" Robin asked as both of the horses stopped at the edge of the path that lead to the castle. "The stables behind the castle, we can put the horses up there then get inside." Regina flicked her horse's reins, the animal trotting off down the large green grass field behind the castle to the small building.

Robin dismounted his horse as they got into the building, reaching over for his son who leaped down into his arms, then out and ran out into the field to play. He turned to Regina offering his hand. "I don't need your help, bandit. I'm a Queen I can get myself down." She jumped off the horse and as her feet hit the ground she felt a sharp sense of pain run up into her ankle. "Ow, Ow, Ow!" Robin didn't hesitate to grab her hand and help her balance off the foot. Regina sat back onto one of the bales of hay, pulling her hand out of his. After Robin put away both of the horses he turned to her, "You could have used some of that help, am I right?" Her expression after he had said that nearly made Robin go into a fit of hysteria.

"I do NOT need your help. Just move!" Regina started to stand, but felt it hard to put weight on the foot. "Come on." Robin's voice was soft as he met her eyes. "Just let me help you in, then you can say whatever you like about how you don't need anyone's help." Hesitant for a moment, Regina finally nodded, expecting him to just take her hand, or let her drape an arm over his shoulder. She was completely dumbfounded when he scooped her up, carrying her in his arms. "What are you doing?" Her voice was hardly audible in the silence throughout the stable. "Carrying a Queen to her palace." He smiled softly as he pushed the doors of the building open, moving out into the night air. "Let's go Roland." The little boy came bolting to his side.

Robin carried her the entire way to the castle, and against her request through the castle, as he made her tell him how to get through the place. "This place is a mess. What happened here?" Regina was in dismay as she saw what a wreak everything was. "This is what the curse did, after it was casted the whole land was destroyed like this, other than the bit that was somehow protected."

"Protected…?" She pondered allowed before turning her focus up to Robin. "Would you put me down now bandit?" Robin sat her down once he reached the living room, his hand gently holding onto her arm until she got comfortable, which she tried to shake away multiple times. "I can fix all of this… My ankle, the castle, the mess. It will just take some concentration." Robin watched in pure amazement as Regina closed her eyes, her hand glowing a deep purple she sat it on her ankle. Within a minute she was standing again. Why didn't I do that before he carried me all the way in here, Regina scolded herself as she looked around. Taking a deep breath Regina closed her eyes again, the glow in her hands getting more intense this time. Robin took a step back as he saw her lift her hands up to the ceiling, a purple strand of light shot from her hands hitting the walls. A purple glaze seemed to coat the walls, everything moving and changing to make the castle look as if it were brand new. Regina opening her eyes sighed relived. "There..."

"Wow. Impressive Queenie. The stories were true," When she gave him a puzzled look he continued. "The magic I mean. The stories always said you had powers that nearly equaled those of the dark one."

"Nearly?" She snapped not liking the statement.

"Not my words, my lady." She looked away, Robin couldn't take his eyes off her. "I guess Roland I should start making our way back. It's a long ride." Regina turned to him, voluntarily meeting his eyes for the first time. "Are you crazy?" He just chuckled. "Excuse me, Queenie?"

"It's nearly pitch black outside. You can't ride now, it's not safe." The edge of his lips curled up in a slight smirk as he heard the words, thinking she was actually worrying about him and his son. "Well we have to get back out. I got you to your castle, now you can have your alone time. Like you asked for."

Every little voice in her mind was telling her she was crazy. Just let them stay… One voice rang over all the others. That was the one her heart, for some reason, agreed with. "Why don't you just stay here for the night? It wouldn't be a bother. Plus Roland will be getting tired soon. There are plenty of rooms around her you both could rest in."

Robin's heart had nearly popped out of his chest as it started to beat faster and faster, but he kept his words cool and collected. "If you're sure. That would be great."

A soft smile appeared on Regina's lips. "Great. I can go with you to show Roland his room if you'd like?"

Robin returning the soft smile was overjoyed by the fact that she was allowing them to stay a little longer. She really wasn't like he had heard… She seemed so kind, and he was determined to know more. "Roland." Robin called out to the little boy who came running. "We are going to stay here for the night, Roland."

"Really!?" The boy's voice was overly excited. "Yes, we are. Now, Miss Regina is going to show you to the room you're going to sleep in tonight. Ok?"

"Ok, daddy." Roland turned to Regina, taking her hand, Regina happily taking his. Robin followed them both as they made their way down one of the hallways into a large room with an enormous bed in the middle. "Here you go Roland, is this ok?" Regina could hardly finish her sentence before the boy had jumped up onto the bed, fascinated by how large it was. "Yes!"

Regina and Robin both chuckled as they stepped over to the boy, Robin taking a minute to get him to lay down. Roland's eyes got slowly heavier after a few minutes of laying down. "Goodnight son." Robin placed a soft kiss on Roland's head. "Goodnight daddy." Robin and Regina both stood walking to the door when Roland little voice sounded again, "Goodnight Miss Regina."

Her eyes softened as she turned back to the boy as she stood in the doorway, "Goodnight, Roland. Sweet dreams." Robin already out in the hallway she closed the door, her thoughts going back to Henry after she had said goodnight to Roland. Robin seeing her look start to sadden as she turned toward him, but he gave her a gentle, kind smile.

I've gotten such nice reviews so far, thank you guys so much! Leave me more reviews and tell me where you want things to go and what you want to see. Your comments are keeping me going. I will be posting at least one chapter a week from now on, maybe more if I can get them written.