Regina was watching them from afar. Just a little father and son time playing sword fight with wooden swords right in front of the stables. They were living their life as if they weren't all in danger. Robin was smiling radiantly at his boy who tried to attack him with a very serious and concentrated face. Her heart melted at the sight of the two of them.

Was she starting to feel something for that man, a thief? Was it really possible to feel something for a man after such a long time? For a man she had just met ? It'd been so long since Daniel... A thief...Her mother wouldn't have approved! No, she wasn't, she couldn't... It was impossible! She just saw what everybody else saw, right? Robin was a very courageous, honorable man and a loving father. And his son, Roland, he reminded her of Henry so much, Henry was just like him when he was his age. She could still remember that time as if it was yesterday. But he wasn't. He wasn't Henry. He wasn't her son. No one and nothing could ever replace Henry in her life.

"No! That's not fair!" She heard the little boy yell. "Argh, I will get you!"

Little Roland was trying too hard, he tripped and fell face forward on the muddy ground. Regina instinctively rushed towards him, but stopped half way as she saw Robin grab the little one and hug him tightly against himself.

"Are you alright, my brave warrior?" She heard him say tenderly.

The boy was sniffing, but didn't cry. Robin smiled at his son and wiped his dirty face with a handkerchief. That's when Roland noticed Regina.

"Hi!" He said shyly, smiled and waved his little hand to her. She didn't expect that. She forgot she was much closer now, nothing hiding her from their sight. She motioned her hands and disappeared in purple smoke before Robin turned round to see her.

"We can't just sit around and wait!" Were the first words of the princess as her, Charming, Grumpy, Regina, Granny and Red were finally seated around a big table and the room was filled with people.

"Well, what do you suggest?" Said someone from the audience.

"We can try to figure out where she is residing..." Ruby said.

"And be turned into one of her flying monkeys! No, thank you very much!" Grumpy made his usual unhappy face and looked around the table.

"Regina, you've met her. What do you think?" Continued Snow as she was trying to keep order.

"I think she is not as powerful as she claims to be. However, I do believe it is rather stupid to try and attack her with a bunch of peasants."

"My men are well trained and equipped. We could be of use." Came a voice from somewhere behind her. Regina's body tightened at hearing his voice. Robin came up closer to the round table and now he was standing just a foot or two behind her to the right. She didn't turn to look his way, but she could feel him coming nearer with every cell of her being. Her face flushed.

"That's exactly what I meant! We would be fools to attack her now, not even knowing her plan or what she's capable of."

"Robin, please, come join us." Snow motioned her hand to a vacant chair between Grumpy and the Queen. Robin took his seat. It was so hard for him not to gaze at the Queen. Regina always fascinated him, her beauty was stunning. Whenever he was around her he couldn't look at anyone else, it was beyond his control. She was beautiful both on the outside and inside. So was Snow, but she owned every bit of it. As for Regina... She was definitely aware of how attractive she was physically, but her inner beauty was something she had so much trouble seeing and that was what puzzled Robin so much.

"For once I agree with Regina." It was Charming's turn to share his point of view. "Zelena is very stratigic, we have to come up with a plan. We must know what her ultimate goal is."

"We need to find out if she has a weakness and when we do, then we'd be able to defeat her!" Regina was glad that she didn't have to continue the discussion with Robin. He made her feel nervous for some reason.

"Alright, and how do we do that?" Said Granny.

"I simply need to meet with her again."

"I don't think it's a good idea." Robin turned to Regina and looked right into her dark eyes.

"Robin is right. We can't let you do it." Agreed Snow immediately.

Regina could hardly control her anger. Why did the Princess always have to support the Thief? She hardly knew him! And what right did they have to argue with HER decision? After all, she was still the Queen!

"I didn't ask for your permission! Like I said, I can handle it myself, after all she is my sister."

"What?!" Said most of the people at the table together as if they'd been practicing it and some people in the room just gasped in awe.

"How's that possible?"

"Then what does she want with you?"

"I have no idea." Regina decided to ignore some of the questions that came her way. She could understand the shock that everybody was experiencing and she was enjoying it.

"Your majesty, with all do respect, you can't go alone. She did try to kill you and will undoubtedly try again when given a chance. Let me and my men accompany you."

"Of what use would you and your men be to me? I poses magic and what do you have against her? Pointy sticks?"

"Regina, listen, Robin is right." Again Snow White was supporting the Thief's idea. That just drove the Queen mad.

"I said 'No'! I don't want a bunch of low-bred, sloppy dressed men following me everywhere I go!"

"But someone must go with you!" Charming tried to calm Regina down.

"I know these woods like the palm of my hand. There are some hidden trails that only my men and I are aware of."

"It's a deal then. Robin will go with you!" Snow stated matter-of-factly.

Regina hated when she did it. That girl always thought that she decided everything. She wanted to wipe that haughty expression off the princess' face, but with all those people around and looking straight at her, she had to restrain herself.

"Fine." She agreed coldly.

Hey, guys! Thank you all for reading and a special thanks to those of you who support me and leave reviews. That means so much to me! Sorry, all my chapters are so short! And I know that some of you might be expecting something hot and sweaty going on between Regina and Robin, so do I... But I don't think it'll happen in this story. Sorry, if some of you are dissapointed... I just don't think anything like that ever happened between the two of them during the missing year. So, it will be pretty PG. However, starting next chapter, they will grow much closer to one another! And there will be some angst, just a tiny bit! I'll try and stick with the canon on the most part! Thanks.