Familial Ties

AN: Bumped up one rating for swearing. Will go higher again later on. Also this is a little longer than the other 2. There was no good place to break it up, and it makes up for the fact that I might be delayed in posting again until the semester ends in a few weeks.

Chapter 3

*Storybrook*

Regina was getting impatient as the day wore on, and by the time the dinner tray came she was thoroughly fed up. After a quick glance under the plastic dome keeping the food warm, she yelled at the back of the quickly retreating nurse's aide. "How do you expect me to eat well when all you serve is this slop?" She sat up in bed, and was about to grab the plate and hurl it at the door were the man had disappeared, but was stopped at the last moment as two figures came to the threshold.

"Damn, Regina, I could hear you all the way down the hall," the blond just stared at Regina, while the doctor beside her covered her mouth to hide the smile. They stepped toward the bed as if being in a pair would protect them from Regina's wrath. "So the Doc and I were talking…"

"Do not call her, the Doc, Miss Swan; I would hate to have the image of an annoying midget popping up all the time." But it was already too late, and Regina shuddered at the image of that dwarf anywhere near her at future check-ups, or even worse…the delivery.

Emma went on. "Riiiight, anyway, Doc Parsons…" she ignored the glare that was sent her way, "and I were thinking…" She also ignored the 'you..thinking' barb that was thrown her way. "Well she mentioned that you'd need someone to help you out for awhile." She left out that Rosemary really said that someone would need to check in on Regina, as knowing the woman would just find a way to barricade her house from intruders.

The doctor interrupted when Emma stayed silent for a few moments. "I'd be more comfortable, Regina, if I knew you had someone to help make sure you were doing all you need to in order to keep yourself and this child safe." Rosemary knew that while Regina might not care about her health, she would do all that she needed for her child's safety. "I'd suggest an in-home nurse come for a time, but as you want to keep this pregnancy a secret currently, then that option is out." She failed to mention that she knew all of the in-home nurses in Storybrook, and knew none of them would be willing to work for the Evil-Queen.

"Right, so here's the deal, Regina." Emma took over, "You can either stay in here for a few days, or let me help you for a time."

"You've got to be kidding me?"Regina looked between the two women in front of her. Emma standing firm: her arms folded over her chest, and her feet planted firmly shoulder width apart. Regina knew she would not budge well, either in the argument, or physically by that stance. She looked toward her doctor. Rosemary wasn't as rigid in her posture, but Regina could tell from the stern gaze she was receiving that it was another lost cause.

Emma could see that Regina was about to give in, and she gave a slight nudge to push Regina into letting Henry and herself stay at the mansion while thinking it was her own choice…plus it was just fun to push the brunette's buttons. "I'm sure staying with my parents would be fine, maybe a little cramped, but we can manage." Emma did not tell her that she and Henry had been staying at Granny's Bed and Breakfast since returning to town; with Regina's usual eyes and ears gone since the curse broke, she did not know everything about Storybrook's inhabitants anymore. Emma waited to see Regina freaking out about the idea of being around Snow White for any length of time, and especially not living with her and sharing a bathroom…she did not have to wait long.

Regina shook her head quickly at that suggestion, as if to ignore that thought as much as to let Emma know her answer, and she gave an emphatic, "NO…Never going to happen, Miss Swan."

"Well I guess you're stuck here then," Emma shrugged her shoulders, stuck her hands in her pockets, and rocked back on her heels a little, as if she was clueless about what to do from there.

Regina looked one more time toward Rosemary to see if she looked like she might be able to persuade her into changing her mind yet, but she noticed Rosemary was literally still standing firm against the fight she thought she'd have on her hands. Regina sighed as her fate was sealed: anything to get out of here…and to not have to deal with Snow. "I have spare rooms, Miss Swan."

Regina was finally released from the hospital within the hour, with a prescription for vitamins, a reminder slip for an appointment in two weeks, and a very long list of Do's and Don'ts - starting with 'relax and take it easy' and ending with 'DO NOT USE MAGIC' in bold print. Right, as those were so easy to do when the mob still wanted her blood, and there was a witch out there who wanted who knew what. She looked up when a wheelchair was rolled into her room. She stood up, brushed off the front of her outfit, and started toward the door. When she was almost to the wheelchair she pointed at it firmly, "That is so not going to happen."

The aide started to say "it's hospital policy" but he froze when Regina's harsh gaze shifted from the chair to his acne covered face, "ne..nevermind."

Regina just strutted past him, "That's very wise of you." She just wanted out of the room, out of the hospital, and even out of the nightmare she had woken up to not even eight hours ago. She sped out of the room, and started down the too bright hallway.

Emma had been standing at the nurses' counter, making sure she had all the instructions on how to help Regina for the next few days, and making sure all the paperwork was finished to spring her from this place. She saw a blur out of the corner of her eye, and looked over to see Regina all but sprinting down the corridor. Emma grabbed up the papers in front of her about after-care, and raced after the brunette. "Regina…hold up."

Regina heard the shout behind her, and while she didn't stop, she did slow her pace just enough so the blond could quickly catch up. The pair walked through the front doors of the hospital and Regina was finally able to take a deep breath that did not curl her toes. She started toward the parking lot ahead of Emma, and bumped into someone walking quickly the other way. Being in a bad mood already she couldn't help but verbally attack, "Watch where you're going you…" She turned around to look the offender in the face when she called them an incompetent fool, and found herself facing a good looking man, but what really drew her attention was the small child all but cowering in his arms.

Robin had been rushing toward the hospital. The one good thing he was told about this new land was that many of the illnesses from home weren't as deadly with the help of medical care, and he hoped to be shown the truth in that. His son had come down with a horrible fever the night before. He had been by Roland's side all day, using wet clothes to try and bring down his temperature. When he went to get something for his ill son to eat at Granny's, the waitress gave him not only the soup he had ordered, but also a fizzy drink that had helped calm Roland's stomach a little bit. But when the fever and vomiting got worse an hour ago, he had been frantic until he was pointed in the direction of the hospital. He bundled up his shivering son, and raced toward the big building.

He was looking down at the precious cargo in his arms and not looking forward as he rushed toward the door, causing him to bump into someone. He was about to apologize, when he heard a woman's voice berating him for his actions. He didn't know what to think when he first saw her. She was beautiful that was for certain, but he knew from hunting in the woods that many of the most beautiful things were also the most deadly…and he knew that was also true for the woman standing regally in front of him. He again was about to open his mouth and apologize when he heard a small voice.

"Daddy, why are you talking to the scary Queen."

Regina froze at the words from the child. Out of the mouth of babes… She remembered her son being that young, where he would say anything that he thought or felt without the understanding of how those words could hurt. Henry had learned for awhile, but he seemed to forget when he got that blasted book and figured out who his mother really was. The words hurt, even when they weren't spoken by her son.

Robin looked down at his son and so missed the pained look on Regina's face as she overheard the words. He was worried about his son's reactions too. For some reason, when they ended up in this new place, and Roland had somehow learned there was an Evil Queen in town, he had been having nightmare so bad at night that he would often wet the bed. Robin held on tightly with his left arm, so that he could reach up with his right and brush aside the lose locks that had fallen in Roland's eyes and smiled at his son. "We ran into each other," he looked up to Regina at this, "and I was just stopping to apologize." He gave her a polite nod.

Oddly, Regina found herself tongue tied, "Oh…right." She found herself wanting to reach out and hug the child tightly and make sure the obviously ill boy got better. She assumed that pull was just from her yearning to be Henry's mother again. Was she so desperate that she would take any substitute who crossed her path? She found herself whispering a quick, "sorry." Regina saw the tender gaze Robin gave his son again, and wondered why seeing that hurt. Maybe because she could only look at Henry like that…but not actually do anything. She was still pondering that when she heard Robin.

"Good night, Your Majesty."

Regina startled at those words. They sounded so familiar, both the voice and the words, but she couldn't image how that was the case as they had never spoken with each other…at least not that she knew of.

*Enchanted Forest*

The group had been walking for a little over a week. Everyone was tired of all the walking and from being on guard all the time for winged monkeys of all things. They had finally reached the palace, only to find that the barrier had somehow been turned against it's previous owner. The group had retreated to one of the many locations that Robin and his gang of Merry Men had occupied in the past, and that was how Regina found herself sitting gazing into a warm fire. She could feel many pairs of eyes watching her, and she had heard the whispers behind her back about how this was just one more thing that was somehow her fault…it was always her fault. She grew tired of holding her posture straight and her head high so that no one could see how she was hating and hurting from this whole thing: losing Henry on the top of the list, down to being the proverbial scape goat for all ills. She pushed her hands off of her thighs in order to help in her upward motion, and then she wandered away from the group. She didn't care where to as long as she got some peace.

She had walked for about twenty minutes when she heard the rustling of leaves behind her, and a few seconds later a twig crack under someone's, or something's, foot. She quickly pulled her hand out in front of her, palm upright, and tugged lightly at her magic in order to pull forth the desired fire ball. "Show yourself." Her voice was loud and strong…commanding as always. She almost groaned out loud when the figure stepped out into the light. As the sunlight was fading in the background, her magic helped her to make out all his rugged features, especially the unarming smile. She knew once she saw Robin that she had only heard the sounds of him approaching her because he had let her, he was much too good in the forest for those amateurish mistakes. "Robin." The word was so many things on her lips: his name, a greeting, and more than anything…a question of Why the hell are you following me?

"Regina." Robin mimicked.

Her name was similarly encased with a plethora of meaning, but more from what it was lacking, and that touched Regina. The queen part of her usual honorific she didn't mind so much, but she was so tired of the Evil being attached, especially in the last few weeks. She was oddly tongue tied around this man. She didn't know how to really interact with people that did not include verbal jabs and sneers, and she was curious why she was hesitant to show him that side of her. Before she could actually think of something to say, he went on.

"It was starting to get dark, and I worried you might get lost without a guide. So I came to offer my services," he gave a partial bow in jest.

"These were my lands before. I think I know my way around just fine," she snapped. There she was, the woman quick to temper, and who couldn't accept the idea that someone would truly mean it about wanting to help her.

"Ah, but the forest has changed much since you all left the Enchanted Forest. It continued to grow and thrive while the people just stopped." He saw that she was listening and seeing her mood start to darken just as the night sky above, he went on quickly hoping to lighten the mood. "Even I have gotten lost once…or twice in this new terrain," he added with a chuckle and a grin.

"You? You might want to keep that to yourself, else you might ruin your reputation."

Robin stepped closer to her, "Well I've only told you, and if you try to ruin my reputation I'll respond in kind."

Regina was about to take offense to that, but she noticed that his eyes were still twinkling in merriment. "Really? What could you possibly do or say that could make my reputation any darker than it already is?"

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "I do believe you are starting to smell like forest too, Your Majesty." His grin went wide at the faces Regina was too late to school from her face.

Regina felt the warm breath against her ear and shivered slightly. It was getting a little cooler with the sun setting, she reasoned. Then the words registered in her mind and she took a step back and stared at the amused face in front of her. She didn't know whether to be annoyed that he dared to tell her something like that, or lightly embarrassed that he had overheard the conversation with herself and Snow. She finally schooled her face into that of the queen of long ago…very long ago, as there was still a hint of life and mischief in her visage. A gust of air seemed to come out of nowhere, surrounding Regina and leaving her freshly clean, with a hint of sweet apples in the air.

Being so close to her, Robin felt the air cascading around Regina, and he took a long, deep breath in order to take in this new intoxicating fragrance. "I stand correct," Before he could say more, Regina waved her hand lazily, and this time the rush of wind pushed Robin off his feet.

Regina gave an amused smirk down at the man literally sprawled at her feet. She always did like it when her subjects groveled.

"Right then," Robin stared as he pushed himself off of the ground, "no standing involved…I was just wrong."

"At least you can be taught. I didn't know thieves could learn. There might be promise for you yet." She started to walk back in the direction of the camp, glad to get in the last word.

Robin watched Regina turn, and let her get a few steps away before he put in, "Oh we learn all kinds of things…like how to steal from Queens to give to the poor."

Regina turned around, stepped back toward him, and into his personal space as she was only a hands length from his chest. She regretted the fact that she had to change out of her heels, due to the hazardous terrain they had been travelling through, as it made her slightly shorter than Robin; however she made up for it in her ramrod posture, upturned nose (of course it had to be in order to stare at the man), and a piercing glare that made most grown men cower in their boots, if not actually wet themselves in fear. Regina didn't know whether to be impressed or annoyed that this rogue just looked down on her with a lopsided grin on his face. "Try it, I dare you." She started to walk away again; sure she finally had the last word.

Robin grabbed her hand as she tried to step away, and spun her around to face him. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear once more. "I'm always up for a good challenge, Your Majesty." And then he started to walk back toward the camp, having had the last word in the conversation.

Damn that man. Her mind had almost literally taken a walk as she felt a hand grab her and spin her around. She should have been more on guard, ready to tear the offender apart verbally if not physically for daring to put their hands on her. She felt the warm air against her ear as he whispered into it. She always had full control of her body and how she reacted to people…they fell all over themselves for her, not the other way around. She heard the words, and watched him walk away and knew at least for this one time, someone had bested her. She wiped her sweaty palms on the front of her cape and then followed the exasperating man back to camp. Never again, she promised herself, would she let Robin, or anyone else for that matter, under her skin.

Later after returning to one of the numerous camp fires, and having a quick meal, Regina was startled when someone stepped beside her and dropped the bracelet she had been wearing in her lap. She looked up to see the smiling face of none other than Robin Hood.

"I believe this is yours, Your Majesty." He watched her checking her wrist surreptitiously, before putting the piece back on. "Good night."

Regina felt more than watched the thief walk away. She shook her head in amusement, and a smile tugged at the corner of her lip.

That was just the start of a spree of petty thefts off the Queen's person.

*Storybrook*

Emma looked between the two as they talked. She was shocked to hear Regina say so little rather than finishing her rant, but she found herself staring at Regina with her mouth literally hanging open as she heard her apologize. She watched the two turn around and start back in the direction they had been traveling, and as Emma walked to catch back up to her, she saw Regina turn back to gaze at the father and son entering the place she had just escaped.

Regina watched as the father turned around and started walking toward the sliding glass doors. She shook herself a little in order to clear her head from the fuzz that it seemed full of all of the sudden. Finally getting her bearings, she turned around and started her fast pace walk; however she couldn't help looking back one last time as the duo entered the building and walked out of sight.

Emma finally realized the direction they were walking: not toward where she had parked her car earlier, nor toward Regina's home, but toward town. "Regina, my car's over there," she pointed behind them. But from the intense look, and the determined speed, Emma worried that Regina had something else on her mind other than going home and taking it easy.

"Come on, Miss Swan. Don't dawdle, we have places to go…and a witch to hunt."

AN: I plan on Regina having many deja vu moments throughout the story, and like the pictures in Henry's old storybook, they are a good way to switch between Storybrook and the Enchanted Forest. Yes, while the curse should be fool proof, my reasoning is Regina's kid has issues with magic, and so the curse didn't work entirely on Regina as she was pregnant then…very, very early on, but still.

Also I do try to pull in as much of the show as possible so some things will be used like the Neil and Rumple storyline, but some parts (like the cool interactions from the show between Regina and Robin) will probably all change.

Okay, so who is looking forward to tonight's cat fight...can't wait to watch and figure out how to twist that into the story. Especially as Regina is having magical issues :D