"Where are you taking me?" Demanded the Queen.

"I know a secret hiding place not too far from here." Replied the Outlaw not even looking at her.

"I can take care of myself! I don't want your help. I can deal with my sister!" She tried to get rid of his grip, but he was way too strong for her.

"I think it would be rather foolish to fight her and her flying monkeys alone." He stopped and let her hand go. She rubbed her wrist and looked at him. He obviously wasn't angry as he had been at first.

"Well, and what are you here for! If you finally put yourself to use and deal with the flying beasts, it would make it much easier for me to defeat Zelena!" She stated putting hands on her waist.

"But that's not what I'm planning to do!"

"Fine! I can do it on my own! It's even better that way. I'm used to handling things on my own. And if you're not with me then you are against me!" He took a step closer, but was still very calm.

"I'm not against you, Regina, and never was. Can't you see that it's a mere suicide? There is no way the two of us can defeat Zelena and her monkey army. I'm not here to die and I hope you aren't either."

"Then what are you here for, Thief?"

"I'm here for you, Regina." He took one of her hands in both of his. "I'm here to protect you, even if it means protecting you from yourself. And I do not want to die, but I am willing to give whatever it takes to save you... I just want you to trust me."

Regina didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say. She stood there, frozen, her hand still in his hands and her eyes fixed on his. Robin was so genuine, so open with her. "Can you trust me, Regina?"

"It's been a long while since I've trusted someone..." She finally whispered saying that more to herself than to him, but he heard that.

His steel blue eyes kept looking into hers. She could swear he probably saw her very soul. He didn't break that long gaze and Regina wanted him to close that distance between them so badly. She felt that their desires were mutual, but he didn't make the move. Instead he squeezed her hand lightly and let go of her.

"Common, we need to hurry. It's not that far now."

She followed him in silence. They didn't share a word until they reached enormous fir trees. Their branches were so thick that they blocked any further passage.

"Now what?" She wined.

"We're here. There is something that I learned about that place a very long time ago." He said moving some of the smaller branches closer to the ground away and letting her sneak through. "These trees are some of the oldest in the woods and somehow this makes the glade which is just in front of you block any magic from coming in here."

Regina felt her heart sink at his words. She remembered how weird it felt living without magic in cursed Storybrooke, weak, powerless, lonely. There was no way she'd want to experience that again. Immediately she wanted to get out as fast as possible. She needed to. The woman turned back, but Robin caught her in his strong embrace. Regina jerked effortlessly in his arms, but he was holding her tight only bringing her closer to him with every move.

"I need... to... Let go... of me... I can't... breathe..." She was gulping for air.

"It's ok. Hush, I'm here. You're gonna be alright. It's ok." He was lulling her with a soft whisper against her ear.

"I have to... get out... " She still couldn't quite calm herself down, but now becoming meek in his strong arms.

"Please, Regina. Just trust me." Robin was pleading with her now. He was too afraid that if he let her go she'd run away, but he didn't want to restrain her by force either." I promise I won't let anything bad happen to you!"

When the man felt that she wasn't fighting him any longer he gently cupped her face and brought it up so they would be looking into each others' eyes. He wiped the tears that formed in the corners of her eyes with his thumbs and caressed her cheekbones. She felt so safe and secure with him. She wanted to trust him with all her soul, but after so much betrayal could she really trust him or anyone? Regina couldn't keep her eyes off him trying to understand his actions and her feelings. In a matter of seconds Robin leaned in and kissed her. That was something she didn't expect, but when she felt his lips lightly touch hers she responded to him. As soon as she did a mighty power wave went through their bodies and the whole forest. They felt their hearts stop and then start beating in unison and twice as hard as before. Neither Robin nor Regina wanted to break this intimacy. They longed feeling each other for so long, just didn't want to admit that at first. Their kisses became deeper and hotter leaving them weak and out of breath. The Outlaw was finally able to express what he had been feeling in action and the Queen wanted to believe that all of that was true and learn to trust her own feelings and him.

When they finally parted, both were overwhelmed and panting heavily.

"What was that? Did you feel it?" Was the first thing she said looking concerned.

"Well, I kissed you." He gave her a smirk. "And yes, I felt it. I even felt you kissing me back." She returned the smirk back at him. "I wasn't talking about that, silly. What I meant to say was did you feel the ground shake?"

"I thought it was just me. My whole body gave in because you are a great kisser and I've wanted to do it for too long." He leaned and pecked her lips again.

" I guess that was nothing then since we're both ok." She said smiling at him, but she was still worried on the inside. She knew that it was powerful magic. She sensed it right a way, but how was that possible? This place should block magic, shouldn't it? And what's more important was Robin the source of it?

The Outlaw lead Regina to a comfy place where the branches formed somewhat of a little hut and the grass beneath them was short but soft. He spread his cloak on the ground and invited her to sit down on it.

"It's been a long day, m'lady. You better take some rest and I will keep watch. It's almost night time, but it's so dark and gloomy in these woods that after a while you can't tell the time any more."

Regina took her cloak off as well, got down and covered herself with it.

"Are you just gonna stand there like that all night or are you gonna get down here with me?" Her eyes sparkled with mischievous fire.

"I didn't even dream of an invitation, your Majesty!" She lay down and he tucked the cloak around her then settled himself right behind holding her in his arms.

"Rest assured, m'lady, I will keep you safe. No harm will happen to you." And he kissed the top of her head tenderly.

Note: sorry, it's been a while! But I hope you like the new chapter. Let me know hat your think! I want to see your revies, good or bad!

Disclaimer: the characters aren't mine ;-)