Regina could easily picture the last time she had been pinned on her back to a bed in this land. The King, King Leopold, the man she despised to think of. This moment felt noting like any of the times she had been put in this same position with the King. Robin's hands slid perfectly down her sides, making her body shiver. She could feel the passion behind each kiss, the desire behind his touch. He cared about her, she thought in her mind, this is so different.

Robin couldn't imagine letting go. This beautiful woman had just given him the chance he wanted so badly. He couldn't pull his lips away from hers, wanting to pull her closer as he felt the warmth of her body.

"Robin…" his name flowed out of her as a stifled giggle followed. "There is a child down the hallway, who's probably waking up. Get up." Robin reached for her hands as he reluctantly stood up straight. "Bossing me around?"

Another soft giggle followed as he starred at her with one eyebrow raised. "I'm the Queen, I have a right to tell any bandit what to do." Robin held back a chuckle as Regina tried to use a more serious tone, tugging at her hands to lift her off the bed. "I don't have to listen to any Queen," Regina pulled her hands out of his, crossing her arms across her chest as she heard the playful disobedient edge to his voice. "Is that so?" Getting only a simple nod Regina couldn't find any other words. "Go," she placed her hands on his lower back, pushing him out the door into the hallway.

Roland rubbing his eyes as he stirred awake, looked around. "Daddy?" He looked again not seeing Robin or Miss Regina. "Daddy? Miss Regina?" Growing more curious he pushed himself off the big couch, getting to his feet he headed down the nearest hallway. "This place big!" he giggled in awe as he looked around the enormous castle on his way down a long corridor. "Daddy?" Roland could hear the familiar low voice of his father and the sounds of laughter that sounded like Miss Regina. "Daddy!" He picked up his pace as he saw both of them come around the corner.

"Hey buddy! Did you sleep well?" Roland held his arms up to Robin, who instantly picked up the boy. "Yes, Daddy." Robin ruffled Roland's hair as the boy rubbed his eyes a few more times. "No more scary monsters?" Roland shaking his head in response, Robin nodded. "Good, you hungry?" "Yes!"

Kicking his legs Roland slid out of Robin's arms to his feet, looking up at the Queen he had met just days before. "Goods morning Miss Regina," Regina smiled as she bent down to the boy's level. "Good morning sweetie," Roland held his arms out to Regina. Robin, a bit surprised as she easily lifted his son up to rest on her hip as she stood, watched curiously. "What's we havings for breakfasts?" Roland seemed completely comfortable being in Regina's arms. Robin had never seen his son as relaxed, other than with himself or his men. "I'm not sure sweetie, but I'll figure something out." Roland nodded with a happy smile, wrapping his arms around Regina's neck as she showed them both to the dining room.

"What did you usually have for breakfast around here Queenie?" Roland starred at his father as he spoke, Roland's head rested on Regina's shoulder. Regina seemed perfectly content with the boy cuddled up in her arms. "I use to have maids that did all of my cooking. I told you I would figure it out," she cut him a sharp look as she held onto the half asleep boy.

She hadn't used her powers in this land since she had gotten back. Regina was so use to focusing her magic the way Storybrooke required, magic here in the Enchanted Forest was simpler. Shifting the boy onto one side of her hip, holding him up with one arm, her other arm raised in front of her. A soft purple glow formed around her hands, in the next moment the table top started to glow the same color. "Woah…" Roland's head lifted as he watched completely wowed. "What's you doing?" Regina chuckled softly at the curious boy. "Just wait sweetie." It only took a minute longer for the table to be covered with a meal fit for a royal family, Regina turned to Robin with a small smirk. "Does that suit you Mr. Bandit?"

Robin didn't care much for magic, just the thought of it had always bothered him. This is what she does, he thought, these are the powers she possess just a softer side of them. He didn't want to think through this right now, it wasn't the time. Taking a hard swallow he nodded, "Yes, this is enough for me and all my men. We don't need all of this Regina." Robin imagined all the people who could use this food, the ones that scrapped by as commoners of this land for so long, the people he worked to help. "You're eating with a Queen, just sit down and enjoy." He was hungry at the moment… Shrugging, he sat down at one of the dozen chairs along the table.

Regina took her time sitting Roland down in one of the large chairs, which sat too high off the ground for him to get on himself. Sitting the plate down in front of him she smiled softly, "Are you going to do things yourself Roland, or would you like some help?" He shook his head picking up one of the forks, instantly reaching for a piece of food across the table, "No I do it." Robin shook his head as he filled his own plate, watching as Regina monitored the boy filling his plate with different things.

Regina couldn't help but notice Robin glancing at her as the three ate, not that she wasn't peeking out off the corner of her eye at him too. Roland on the other hand rambled on about the things he had found outside the castle in the field. "I founds a rock and flowers I's never seen befores…" Regina tried to stay focused on what the boy was saying, "That's good Roland. I'm sure you could find a lot more stuff. Have you been to lots of places around this land?" Robin's eyes moved away from Regina for only a moment as his son began to speak, "Yes Daddy's taken me to wots of places. Like…" he paused not thinking of anything. "I's been to wots of castles, like Miss Aurora's castle, and my Daddy's castle." Regina's brow came to an arch, Robin not hesitating to answer the obvious question. "The castle we've been staying in has an owner," Regina holding back a smirk, looked down to her plate pushing the food around. "Am I surprised?" Robin rolled his eyes, having expected some remark along that line, "It belonged to The Dark One before the curse hit, but since then he hasn't been seen, so my men and I have taken shelter there."

Regina not wanting to get into discussion about the man she had watched die minutes before she had brought them all back to this land, simply nodded, "Where else Roland?" The boy continued to think, "I no knows. I's been wots of places. Daddy takes me on his horsey all the times." Regina smiled at the thought of the young boy traveling happily with his father. "Maybe I can show you more of this land than your daddy has." Roland nodded and giggled. "That be fun Miss Regina."

The three sat almost silent as they finished up, Robin pushing his plate to the center of the table and leaning back in his chair, Roland quickly copying his movements. Regina waved her hand, with a simple glow the whole table was clean again. "Either of you care for something to drink?" Roland taking the glass of water Regina made him, Robin reached for the mug of beer, nodding in return. "Thank you m'lady." Regina had leaned back, watching the two of them act so much alike as she heard a loud bang coming from the front door of the castle. Confused, Regina looked over at Robin, "I don't usually have company, I'll be back," with that she stood, walking through the hallways to the door where the loud knocking was still heard.

Slowly opening the door, Regina couldn't recognize the tall heavy weight man with long curly hair. Taking a moment to look him over, she stood in the doorway, "Can I do something for you?" The man rubbed his hand over his large belly, "I'm Little John, your majesty," he bowed politely. "I'm looking for Robin. He's here isn't he?" Looking him over once more, Regina nodded. "Yes, come in," motioning for him to follow her, she led him to the kitchen where Robin and Roland were still sitting.

"Wittle Johnny!" Roland jumped out of the chair onto the floor below, running to the man Regina was still unsure of. "Roland." Little John smiled as Roland wrapped his arms around the man's leg, hugging tight. "I's missed you." John ruffled Roland's hair. "I missed you too little man," he picked Roland up, swinging him up onto his shoulders. Roland giggled as he looked around from the high position. "Robin," John stepped toward Robin, who had gotten up to meet him. The two men shook hands, giving each other a pat on the back. "We had gotten worried after the two of you didn't come back. We've got work to do, we need your help Robin."

Regina felt instantly threatened. NO her mind screamed. No Robin please don't leave, she pleaded in her head. Having the two of them around was the only thing getting her through the pain of losing her son, he couldn't leave.

Robin looked from John over to Regina. He hadn't planned on this happening, but he knew when he came that he would have to go back. Meeting Regina's eyes it didn't take a second glance to see she was clearly upset. "John this is Regina, I don't think the two of you have met before. Regina this is John, we call him Little Johnny." Regina gave John a small nod, but her eyes quickly went back to Robin. "John, what is there to do?" Robin faced the large man, Roland still sitting happily on his shoulders.

"All of these people have to be taken back to their homes, the rest of the land has to be gotten back into shape." John could tell something was up just by the Robin's voice carried through the room. Robin was a leader, the head, his voice usually boomed with authority, but not in a controlling way. "You have to come back Robin, the rest of the men need your help. You're the only one that can help us get everything done."

Robin knew it was an expectation of him, he had no choice in the matter. What would he tell Regina? He wouldn't stay gone forever. "John, can you keep Roland company for a moment? I need to speak with the Queen," John nodded. Regina, arms folded across her chest, had already walked out.

…...

"Regina wait…" Robin sped after her as she practically ran down the hallway into the same room they had been in that morning. "Regina," he stopped at the foot of the bed, watching as Regina continued over to the balcony.

Regina's mind was racing, so hurt, but angry at the same time. How could I have been so dumb, she repeated the thought over and over again in her head. She had lost Henry only days ago, and now this? She couldn't do it. She wouldn't let any emotion show on her face, not turning around to face Robin as he spoke. "Regina please, listen to me." Regina couldn't move, hardly able to shake her head back and forth. The question was simple, although she wouldn't face him, "Why did you do it?"

Robin couldn't understand what she meant, wishing she would just turn around. Why was she so upset? What was bothering her? "Do what?" he kept his voice low, sliding slowly closer. Do what!? Her mind screamed as she slammed her hands down on the balcony railing. "You got me to let you in, just for you to go. This doesn't mean anything to you, you and me." Robin was speechless as he heard how deeply hurt her voice sounded. She thought he was going, going forever. "Regina… Listen," he stepped closer, not only feet from her. "I'm not leaving." Regina let her body turn toward him, her eyes looking up to meet his, "You're not? … You have to go with the Merry Men." He wanted to reach out for her, to hold her so she would calm down, "Yes Regina I have to go help them…, but that doesn't mean I won't come back."

Come back… That thought hadn't even come to her. Would he really do that? Did he really care that much? "Really?" he nodded, letting a soft smile show, "Yes." Shaking her head, she looked down, "Robin I'm sorry I snapped at you." He didn't want to wait any longer, reaching for her hand he pulled her into his arms.

Regina let her eyes close as she felt Robin's strong hold around her. Robin would come back, but… How would she face the days alone? She remembered the times she had been locked in this castle alone, her darkest days. "Robin…" she mumbled. "Yes?" Robin pulled back so he could look at her. "How long will you be gone?" He hadn't thought of that, he didn't know how long it would take. "I'll be back in a few days," forcing a nod she looked down, nervously fixing her dress.

Robin knew Regina still wasn't happy, he understood. She just lost her son, she didn't need to be locked up in this castle alone to dwell on that. Robin let his arm slide down around her waist, "You know… Roland wouldn't have much fun coming with me. He wouldn't like having to wait around while I work." Regina's eyes shinned, knowing exactly what he meant. "You won't be back for days… You're just going to leave your son with me? The Evil Queen you met four days ago?" Robin nodded, "I trust you Regina. Roland loves being around you, he'll have a better time with you."

Regina looked down at their hands as Robin intertwined their fingers. "I'll be back Regina. It won't be long," Giving him a small smile, she willed herself to say something she hadn't said in years, "I trust you, Robin." Robin smiled bigger, happy to know she would be okay. He pulled her closer, leaning down to pull her lips to his.

….

John watched as Robin walked back into the kitchen, the Queen close to his side but not too close. "Everything okay?" he asked eyeing the two. "Yeah John everything's fine. Do we leave today?" John was a little surprised by Robin's answer. He seemed ready to leave so suddenly. "Today would be best. There are lots of people to help home."

Robin lifted Roland up off John's shoulders, "I have to go Roland." Roland nodded, knowing how this worked. "What if you stayed here with Miss Regina, Roland? I'll be back in a few days." Roland smiled at Regina, John watching the woman. "That okay Daddy. I stay with Miss Regina." Robin ruffled his hair, sitting him on his feet. "Be a good boy Roland, don't give Miss Regina any trouble, okay?" Roland nodded, looking up to Robin, "Okays Daddy."

Robin grabbed the few things he had with him, hugging his son goodbye. "I'll miss you buddy." "I miss yous too Daddy." Roland ran over to John, who picked him up hugging him tight. Robin moved over to Regina, the two of them a distance away from John and Roland. He didn't hesitate to pull her in, giving her a quick kiss. She smiled as he pulled away, "I'll see you soon bandit." He chuckled softly, "Bye Queenie."

John gave Robin a look as he came back over, "Ready to go Hood?" Robin nodded, hugging Roland one last time. "Let's go."

Roland, in Regina's arms, waved by to Robin and John as their horses disappeared in the distance. "Bye Daddy, bye wittle Johnny!"

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