Chapter 16: Hurting

"Regina? Honey, you need to eat something." She heard Emma walk into her darkened room and place a tray down on her nightstand.

Pulling down the blankets a bit, Regina shook her head. "I'm not hungry."

"We're not doing this again," Emma insisted. "You are going to eat, you are going to shower and then you are going to talk to me. Got it?"

"And why would I do that?"

"Because if you don't, I will handcuff you tomorrow and drag you down to the hospital to talk with Dr. Espenson again. Your choice."

For a moment, Dr. Espenson seemed the better option. Her former therapist had been helpful in the past and her specialty was sex and relationships. Certainly Regina needed that now. But she knew if she didn't talk to Emma, then her father would worry as well and he didn't need that now.

Sighing, she sat up and pushed her hair back. "What do you want to know?"

"What the hell happened? You came back here two days ago near tears and locked yourself in your room. Robin's been blowing up your phone but no, I haven't read any of his messages. I want you to tell me what's going on."

"Okay," Regina said, voice soft. "I found out that Robin had someone investigate me shortly after we started dating."

Emma practically fell onto the bed. She stared at Regina, her mouth open and eyes wide. "He what?"

Regina nodded, explaining everything to her friend as she picked at the dinner Emma had brought her. "And now Gold is back in the country. He and my mother met with me the other day and told me about Robin's investigation."

"I hope you didn't take Gold's word for it. Robin confirmed it?"

"Yes."

Emma sighed. "What did he say about it?"

"He said he was doing it to help me," she replied, letting out a dry laugh.

"You're kidding."

She shook her head. "He said he wanted to be able to counteract all the gossip with facts, so he sent someone to get the truth."

Emma held up her hands. "You're shitting me."

"Hand to God." Regina raised her right hand. "I wanted to strangle him."

"I can imagine. So what are you going to do now?"

Regina shrugged. "I can't really think past the heartache. I trusted Robin. I thought he was different."

Emma lied down next to her, wrapping her arms around Regina. "I know, I know. We all did."

"I still love him," Regina admitted, tears welling in her eyes. "I hate him right now but deep down, I love him. What am I to do?"

"I don't know. But we'll figure it out." Emma brushed away some of her hair.

Regina rolled closer to her friend and sobbed into her shoulder. All Emma could do was rub her back and wait for the sobs to end.

She finally got out of bed and took a shower the following morning. Regina let the hot water cascade down on her as she sat against the wall, hugging her knees to her chest. Nightmares had plagued her during the night and she had reached out for Robin, wanting his superpower to chase them away. Then she remembered she was back home and his betrayal stung her all over again.

Part of her wanted to return to the mansion and let him wrap her up in his arms. She had felt safe there, felt like he would protect her and she could be vulnerable with him. But would she ever feel safe there again? Or was she a fool to think she could ever be happy?

Once the water had turned cold, Regina got out of the shower and picked up her phone. Dr. Espenson had a free time slot that afternoon and she penciled Regina in. She would be able to help figure out if Regina's relationship with Robin was worth saving.

Regina told Emma where she was going but remained vague when talking with her father. Father's Day had taken a lot out of him and she wanted him to focus on his health, to get some rest.

She took the subway to the hospital, finding Dr. Espenson's office with ease. The woman hadn't change in the few years since Regina's last appointment, still petite with a thin frame and short blonde hair. Even her gold square-rimmed glasses appeared to be the same. She smiled as Regina entered the office, rising to shake her hand. "Regina, I was surprised but pleased to get your call."

"Pleased? Really?" Regina sat in one of the chairs. "I wouldn't think a therapist would be pleased to see a patient come back."

Dr. Espenson chuckled. "I guess not. But I am. Especially given how high profile your relationship is."

"What?" Regina frowned, wondering what her therapist meant.

"You mean you haven't seen these?" The doctor stood, pulling out some of the tabloids Storybrooke's grocery stores kept stocked. She handed them to Regina.

Flipping through them, Regina found it difficult to breathe. All featured pictures of her out with Robin when they were on their public dates. The two of them walking to the observatory in February, riding in a horse-drawn carriage, dining in a restaurant, sharing a hot cinnamon bun, walking along the boardwalk by Lake Nostros. Her privacy had been invaded more times than she knew, published for fodder. She didn't even dare read what they had written about her and Robin.

She tossed the magazines down with a sigh. "I never really paid attention to these magazines and I'm sure Robin kept them from me. Just another thing he hid."

"Another thing?" Dr. Espenson slid into her role as a therapist, leaning back. "Tell me more."

With a sigh, Regina told the doctor everything that had happened since September until only a few days prior. "I trusted him and he was looking into me the entire time. I mean, I believe that he thought he was trying to help me. That's him to a T. But the way he went about it…"

"Ended up hurting you in more ways than one?" Dr. Espenson asked. She tapped her pen against her notebook. "Regina, does Robin know what happened between you and Leopold Blanchard?"

"He knows about Leo's smear campaign against me. Mary Margaret told him about that and he thought that was the entire story. So he called off his investigator then, figuring he had all his answers."

"But he doesn't have all of them."

Regina pulled out a tissue from the box Dr. Espenson kept on her table, shaking her head. "You know I can't tell him everything."

"You didn't tell him before you two were intimate?"

"That would've killed the mood fast," Regina said. "And I was fine. I only had one hiccup when it came to oral sex. I couldn't perform."

"Did he say anything about it?"

She bit her lip, shaking her head. "He was really sweet and said I didn't have to do anything I wasn't comfortable with. He said that a lot, really."

"He sounds very understanding," Dr. Espenson said.

"I thought he could be The One," Regina admitted. "I really was seeing forever with him."

Dr. Espenson nodded. "But you're not anymore? Because of this betrayal?"

"Yes. No. I don't know. Do you think I'm overreacting?" Regina dabbed her eyes.

"Of course not. This was a serious violation of your privacy and your trust. You have every right to feel this way. And you have every right to end the relationship, if you can no longer trust Robin and feel you can never trust him again."

"But what if I want to make things work?" Regina asked.

Dr. Espenson smiled. "Then I can help you with that. You just need to decide if that's the right decision for you. And sadly, that will have to wait."

"My time is up?"

"I'm afraid so," she replied, standing. "But make an appointment with Susie outside. I think I have something open tomorrow if you want."

Regina breathed out in relief. "Thank you so much."

"You know how important my patients are to me." Dr. Espenson hugged her. "Don't worry. We'll figure this all out."

"Thank you." Letting go, Regina stepped out of the room and made an appointment with Susie for the next day. As she left the hospital, she felt a little less lost than she did earlier.

Robin sat at his desk, just staring at his computer screen. He knew his productivity had fallen in the past couple days and that Mulan had picked up a lot of his slack. She didn't know what was bothering him, but he still got treated with kid gloves sometimes because he was the man who lost his wife. If she knew the truth, she would know he didn't deserve any special treatment. He deserved to be tarred and feathered before being paraded through town as the louse he was.

The worst part of it had been trying to explain Regina's leave of absence to Roland. So he had just said she needed to go home for a week. It seemed too complicated to explain to his six-years-old but he also worried about having to tell his son that he drove off the boy's beloved nanny because of his own stupidity. To see disappointment in Roland's deep brown eyes would kill him once and for all, Robin was certain.

A knock disturbed his morose thoughts and he straightened up. "Come in," he called out.

Johanna entered, leaning against the door. "Detective Humbert is here, sir. Shall I show him in or put him in the conference room?"

"You can show him in. And please call Mulan up. Thank you, Johanna," he said, standing. Robin fixed his suit jacket before shaking Graham's hand as the man entered. "Good to see you again."

"You too. And I'm pleased to report that we've made some progress," Graham said, sitting down as Mulan entered.

She took her seat. "You know who is stealing the money?"

"Almost. We've ruled out everyone here in this office and have narrowed it down to the West Coast operations. There's some more investigating to do but we should have a name for you within the next day or so." Graham seemed quite pleased.

Robin felt relief pass through him. "Thank goodness. On behalf of myself and Mulan, we thank you for your diligence."

"You're welcome," he replied. "I'm just glad we've been able to help. And I'll be even happier when we do have that name for you."

Mulan stood, shaking his hand. "Thank you so much. Please, keep in touch with us and keep us up to date."

Graham left and Robin stood, heading over to his desk. "So I think I should go to California when we find out who the embezzler is, be there to guide the offices there. You can handle things here, right?"

Mulan crossed her arms. "You're running from something and that's not like you. So you did something really, really stupid. Spit it out."

He sighed, sinking into his seat as he explained everything to her. "So I'll take the heat if anyone questions August's charges between February and April," he finished.

"Don't worry about that," Mulan replied, "worry about Regina. You really, really screwed up there, Robin."

"I know," he snapped.

She hummed. "So you're just going to run to California? That's how you're going to fix it?"

"I'm not running! I'm just focusing on the problem I can fix," he yelled, glaring at her.

Mulan didn't blink. "So you can't fix your relationship with Regina? Do you want to?"

"Yes," he admitted, falling into his seat with a defeated sigh. "But she's not talking to me and went home. I tried to fix something by myself and if I don't back off, I could lose her for good."

"Well, you've learned your lesson." Mulan sat down as well.

Robin nodded. "So let me go to California. I'm the CEO anyway. This does fall to me."

"What about Roland?" she asked softly.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Roland was on edge with Regina out of the house for so long and had almost thrown a tantrum when Robin left for work that morning. There was no way he was going to let his father go across the country, especially to the same place his mother never returned from.

Yet he knew he had to be the one to go out there. He was the founder, president and CEO. It sent a stronger message for him to go against the embezzler than Mulan. "I'll handle it," he said.

"If you need anything, call me," Mulan told him.

"I will." He gave her a small smile before she left his office.

Robin hit his intercom. "Johanna, I need you to arrange a flight for me to San Diego. And of course, the usual hotel lodgings. Leaving the day after tomorrow."

"San Diego?" she asked, hesitant.

He understood and swallowed before responding: "Yes. I need to visit the West Coast division. But don't let anyone know I'm coming. Got it?"

"Yes, sir. I'll send you the confirmation when I have it." The intercom shut off and Robin leaned back in his chair.

A few seconds later, his phone rang. He grew confused when he saw his home number on the screen and he picked up. "Hello?"

"Robin? Roland's gone," Will said, panic coloring his voice.

His stomach clenched and he thought his lunch was going to come back up. "What do you mean? What happened?"

"Mary Margaret left and I told Roland to go play in his room while I did some laundry. He said okay and went upstairs with no problem. When I went to start dinner, I realized it was an hour later so I decided to check on him. But his room was empty. So I searched everywhere. There's no sign of him."

"Did you check outside?"

"Yes," Will replied. "I spoke with Tuck and he reported a car from the service came on the property about a half hour beforehand and then left about fifteen minutes later. I called the service but they won't reveal anything to me. They insist they'll only talk to you."

Robin sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Okay, I'll give them a call. But keep looking around, Will. Roland doesn't leave the property and there's no place really for him to go."

"There is one place he might go…"

His cell phone began buzzing, the screen filling up with a picture of Regina. Robin picked it up as he said: "Will, I'll call you right back. I need to take this.

"Regina," he said, voice shaking. "Will can't find Roland. Do you know where he is?"

"I do. He's sitting on my couch," she said, voice soft. It sent relief flooding through him and he let out a shaky breath.

He lifted the phone back to his mouth. "Thank you for calling. I'll be right over to get him."

Robin ended the call and hit the intercom button again. "Johanna, I need a car right away. It's an emergency."

"Yes, sir," she replied as he gathered his things. Raising his cell phone to his ear, he called Will to update him as he ran out to the elevator. He had to retrieve his son

Roland sat at their coffee table, coloring happily. Emma and Regina stood in the kitchen, watching him. "I thought you said he still didn't leave the property?" Emma asked.

"He didn't," Regina replied. "I'm not sure what changed."

"I know. You left."

She frowned as she glanced at her friend. "You think that would be enough to get him to leave the house?"

Emma gave her a look. "He adores you, Regina. I know neither you nor Robin probably want to admit it, but you're his entire world."

"I highly doubt I'm his entire world. That's really Robin."

"Uh huh. Yet he's sitting on our apartment floor and insisting he's staying here."

Regina had to admit it did appear that Roland was fixated on her, even willing to abandon his father. She figured, though, she could talk sense into him or that things would change once he saw his father.

That also reminded her that Robin was coming over to her apartment. She was going to have to see him for the first time since she had learned of his betrayal. Talking was going to have to be involved, but she wasn't sure how much she was going to be able to do.

"Do you think Robin planned this?" Emma wondered. "That he sent Roland over in order to see you?"

Regina shook her head. "He's a fixer, not a manipulator."

"But this could be the way he fixes it."

"No." Her voice was firm and her conviction strong. "Robin would never use Roland like that. Yes, he did something stupid. Yes, I'm mad at him. But I will not let him be vilified because he hurt me."

Emma studied Regina before nodding. "Fine. You're right. Robin is an idiot but he isn't a piece of shit like Leo…"

"Ms. Emma has to put a quarter in the swear jar!" Roland said, head shooting up as he stared at the two women.

"The swear jar applies even when we're here?" Emma asked.

Regina nodded. "As long as Roland is around, the swear jar applies. So please watch your language."

Knocking echoed through the apartment, filling her with dread. Emma laid her hand on Regina's arm. "Do you want me to talk him instead?"

"No," she replied, heading toward the door. "I'm a grown woman. I can handle this."

"You don't have to," Emma called out.

Regina took a deep breath before opening the door. Out in the hallway stood a frantic Robin, his eyes scanning behind her for any sign of his missing son. "Roland, is he okay?"

"He's fine," she said, standing aside so he could see his boy.

Robin darted into the apartment, falling to his knees as he wrapped Roland up in a tight hug. "You scared me and Will, Roland. Why did you run off?"

"I missed Regina," he said, arms limp at his side. "She's not safe here so I came to make sure she's safe until she comes back."

Her heart melted at his words and she wanted to scoop him up, holding him close. She stepped closer. "I'm perfectly safe here, Roland. You don't have to worry."

"Why didn't you talk to Will or me? We could've arranged something instead of you going off by yourself," Robin said, looking his son in the eyes.

Roland frowned, fire burning in his eyes. "You weren't talking about her! Every time I asked when she was coming home, you and Will would change the subject. And you would get really sad, like when you think about Mama. Except you would talk about her, but not Regina."

She watched as Robin's shoulders sagged and he nodded, picking the boy up. He sat on her couch, settling him on his lap. "I'm sorry, my boy. I was hurting and once again, I ignored you."

"But why were you hurting? What happened?" Roland asked, eyes wide and shining with tears.

Regina held her breath as she waited to hear what Robin said. She watched as he rubbed Roland's back, answering: "I did something wrong and I hurt Regina because of it. That's why she's been spending time here with Ms. Emma and Mr. Henry."

"Did you say you were sorry?" Roland asked.

Robin sighed, rubbing his face. "Somethings can't be solved by just saying sorry, Roland. And I'm afraid this is one of those cases."

The boy looked around his father at Regina. "Is that true?"

"It is," she confirmed, coming to sit on his other side. "Your papa hurt me very much and I needed time to think about how I feel."

"Do you still love him?"

She took a deep breath before nodding, not meeting Robin's eyes. "I do. But that doesn't make the hurt go away, Roland."

"Do you still love me?" A few tears escaped down his cheeks and his lip quivered.

"I do, sweetheart," she said, wiping his tears. "I love you so very much."

He climbed off his father's lap and onto hers, wrapping his little body around her. Roland's arms tightened around her neck, pressing his hot face against her shoulder. She rubbed his back while he cried.

As her heart broke, she glanced over at Robin. He was hunched over, elbows resting on his knees as he hung his head. Neither of them had considered how their fight would affect Roland. And both felt guilty about that.

Emma approached them. "Hey," she said, voice soft. "Why don't we go splash some cold water on your face, Roland?"

He shook his head. "Not letting go of Regina."

"It's okay," she assured him. "I'll be right here when you get back. I promise."

Roland let go of her and climbed down to follow Emma into the bathroom. Once he was gone, Regina leaned back with a groan.

"I've really cocked this up, haven't I?" Robin said, voice gravelly. It sounded like he was trying not to cry himself. "I hurt you and then I hurt my son in the process. Once again, I pushed him away because of my own pain. I am the shittiest parent on the planet."

"Please, my mother is still alive so you're certainly not that," she reminded him, thinking of how Cora was blackmailing her. She was still debating about doing what her mother had asked.

He was not consoled. "I think I can even give Cora a run for her money. I should be putting Roland first, not myself."

"We should both be putting him first," she replied, fiddling with one of the pillows. "This isn't fair to him."

"So what now? While I won't lie and say I don't hope to get back into your good graces and for us to continue being a couple, I'm realistic. I know I've damaged our relationship and I wouldn't blame you if you don't want to repair it."

She swallowed, trying to keep her tears at bay. Regina didn't know what she wanted to do about them, that's why she was seeing Dr. Espenson again. To work through her issues and see if she could make sense of her feelings. But she wasn't going to give him false hope, so she said nothing.

Robin didn't seem to expect an answer anyway as he continued on. "Do you still want to be Roland's nanny, though? Can we have a professional relationship? I'd hate to pull you from his life unless you want to leave. And I'll explain it to him. You don't have to worry about that."

"I'm not leaving Roland's life," Regina said, her conviction firm. "I love that little boy as if he were my own. I don't know what will happen between us but you will have to remove me kicking and screaming from his life."

His lips twitched as if he was fighting a smile. "I'm glad."

"There is just one problem," she continued, her stomach sinking. "I could be going to prison if Gold makes good on his threat."

Robin nodded. "I want to help you, Regina. The right way, this time—with your full knowledge and consent. Just say the word and you'll have my full support."

"Even knowing I embezzled?"

"I know you, Regina," he replied. "You might have done something wrong in your past but you have risen above that and became a woman I've been proud to know. That's all I need to know."

Warmth spread through her and she almost kissed him, until she remembered what lay between them. Instead, she nodded. "Thank you."

"Will you come back as Roland's nanny for at least a week?" he asked. "We were able to track our embezzler to the West Coast division. I need to fly out to California…"

"NO!" Roland flew from the back and almost vaulted over the couch. His father had to pull him the rest of the way over.

Roland clung to Robin, sobbing again. "You can't go to California. You won't be safe and I'll never see you again. Just like Mama."

"Oh, my baby boy," Robin murmured, rocking him. He closed his eyes, looking pained. "I know, but I need to go. There's some important business I need to do. Then I'm going to do everything I can to get back to you safely. I promise."

"And I'll be back with you then," Regina assured him.

Roland still looked uncertain, turning back to his father. "When will you get back?"

"I don't know. I'll have a better idea once I'm out in California. But I'll make sure to come back as quickly as possible," Robin replied.

The boy pouted but nodded. "Fine. But you have to call me every day. And talk to me over video. Got it?"

"Got it," Robin confirmed, kissing his forehead. "Now, let's get you home so you can apologize to Will for running off."

Roland hesitated though. "Can I stay here with Regina? Make sure she's safe?"

It tugged at her heartstrings to know he cared for her in such a way and wanted to be by her side. But she also saw the flash of pain in Robin's eyes, that his son would choose to spend time away from him even after learning that he had to leave in a couple days. So she leaned forward and ran her fingers through Roland's hair. "Don't you want to spend plenty of time with Papa before he goes to California?"

"Oh, right." Roland looked like he had forgotten that and he bit his lip as he glanced between his father and Regina. It reminded her so much of Robin she nearly cried.

Roland seemed to come to a decision and he dug through his bag, searching for something. He pulled out his beloved blue dragon, the one Regina had given him, and held it out to her. "Sparky will keep you safe," he said. "Then when you come back, he can go to California to keep Papa safe!"

She smiled, taking the dragon from him and holding the toy close. "Thank you, Roland. I feel safer now."

Pleased, Roland leaned against his father and rubbed his eyes. "I'm getting tired, Papa. Maybe we should go home."

"Okay." Robin stood, settling his son on his hip. "Say goodbye to Regina and Ms. Emma."

Roland leaned forward, kissing Regina's cheek. "See you soon, Regina!"

"You too." She kissed his forehead. "I love you."

He grinned, turning to Emma and waving. "Bye, Ms. Emma! It was nice to see you."

"Nice to see you too, Roland," she replied, leaning against the wall with her arms closed.

Regina walked with them to the door, pausing as Robin stepped out into the hallway. They stared at each other, unsure how to part. At last, he nodded. "See you on Saturday?"

"Saturday," she confirmed. A part of her longed to hug him but she held back, not wanting to act until she knew her heart. So she just whispered: "Good night."

He nodded and left. She closed the door, leaning against it as Emma watched her. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"No," Regina replied. "I have a lot of soul searching to do."

Emma nodded. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm only on the couch."

"Thank you. And I'm sorry I've kicked you out of your bed, Emma."

"It's really yours," she said, waving her friend off. "So it's only right that you sleep in it while you're here. Don't worry about me."

Regina pushed herself off the door. "Why don't we make some dinner? Then I think I'll turn in for the night."

Robin brought Roland home and the boy apologized to Will for running off. Will had forgiven him, hugging the boy tightly. Then they agreed that Roland was to have no dessert and go straight to bed as a punishment. While he had pouted, he complied and let Robin tuck him in by seven o'clock.

After his son was in bed, Robin went to his study to try and get some work. He was unable to, not with how jumbled his mind was. Between Regina and the embezzler, he was a bundle of nerves. He wanted to get everything with the embezzler squared away just so he could focus on his relationship with Regina, to see if it could be salvaged.

He gave up and went to bed, but sleep did not come. Instead, he laid there and stared at the ceiling. His thoughts bounced between how someone in his company betrayed him to how he betrayed Regina. Perhaps there was nothing of their relationship to salvage.

The door opened and a sliver of light from the hall shone in his eyes. He sat up, seeing a tiny figure bathed in shadows there. "Roland? Son, what's wrong?"

"I had a bad dream. You and Regina went away and I was all alone. Can I sleep with you?" His voice wavered and Robin knew tears were streaming down his cheeks.

He pulled back the covers. "Come on. I'll chase away the bad dreams for you."

Roland climbed in and Robin rolled him over, placing him on Regina's side of the bed. He watched as Roland nuzzled her pillow. "It smells like Regina…like vanilla."

"It does," Robin agreed.

"I miss her."

Robin sighed. "Me too, my boy. Me too."

Roland curled closer to him. "Is she still going to be my new mama?"

"I don't know, Roland," he replied, throat tight. "I really, really hurt her. But she loves you, no matter what happens with us."

"I hope she forgives you." Roland clutched onto his nightshirt. "Good night, Papa. I love you."

Robin kissed his head. "I love you too, my boy."

Though Roland fell asleep, Robin still couldn't find it. Instead, he stared at Regina's side and longed for her even more.

Regina barely got any sleep Friday night into Saturday morning. Her mind was going in twenty different directions, most of them involving Robin. Especially after her session with Dr. Espenson hours earlier.

"Okay," the doctor said, leaning forward. "I've been listening all week. Now it's your turn."

After Regina's nod, Espenson continued: "You know I agree that what Robin did was wrong and a violation of the trust you put in him. I can't tell you what to do—break up or forgive him. But I can help guide you to your decision.

"I have known you a long time. And because of many things in your past—your mother abandoning you, Leopold's violation, Daniel's rejection, your father's cancer—you have suited yourself with armor and always have to be the strong one. And that can be emotionally draining. You need someone in your life who you can feel safe to let that armor fall away in front of, someone who can be strong and support you when you need to fall apart. Someone who will then help you put yourself together again and let you be strong in a way you haven't yet.

"I'm not saying Robin is that person. Only you can. An if you decide he is, despite what he did, then work to repair your relationship. If not, then end it for good so you can find that person," she finished.

So Regina had spent the night doing some soul searching. As she went through every moment of her relationship with Robin, she found her answer: He was that person. She wanted him to be. Regina vowed to talk to him when he got back to see if he wanted to repair their relationship as well.

Of course, that was if she wasn't in prison by then. She sat in the back of the car, staring at the picture of the poor sap she was supposed to set up. Once upon a time, she had embraced her Evil Queen title and framed an innocent man. But the Evil Queen was dead.

Regina Mills couldn't do it.

Marco opened the door and she thanked him, crossing to the kitchen door with a heavy heart and a stomach twisted in knots. Regina opened the door, finding Robin and Roland sitting at the table. Roland sat in his father's lap, leaning against him. As he rocked the boy, Robin spoke in a low tone.

Will squeezed her shoulder. "How are you?" he asked, voice low.

"I'm doing better," she said. "Thank you."

"Regina!" Roland jumped out of his father's lap and raced over to her. She caught him easily and hugged him close.

He leaned back, looking at her bag. "Did you bring Sparky? Papa can't go to California without him."

"Don't worry." Regina opened her bag and pulled out the blue stuffed dragon. "He's right here."

Roland thanked her, taking the dragon and turning to his father. He held Sparky up to him. "Here you go. He'll keep you safe until you get back."

"Thank you, my boy. Now, can I talk to Regina alone for a moment?" he asked Roland.

Though hesitant, the boy stepped away and Regina stood up to look him in the eyes. Uncertainty filled them and she leaned forward, hugging him. "You better come back, understand?"

"I do," he whispered, burying his face in the crook of his neck. "I promise."

"And when you do, if I'm not in prison, we need to talk. About us."

He nodded, pulling away to reveal he was frowning. "Are you certain you might be in prison?"

She shrugged, holding out the picture. "Gold seemed pretty insistent that he would go to the police if I didn't set this poor man up as your company's embezzler."

"Why would he care about my embezzler?" Robin asked, taking the picture from her.

"He doesn't, not really," she replied. "But my mother does."

His eyes widened before a cold look came to them. When he spoke, it was almost a growl. "Zelena."

Regina nodded. "I ruined someone life before and I wasn't going to do it again. Zelena needs to pay the consequences and I'm ready to pay mine. So I understand if you don't want to date anyone in prison…"

"Hush," he said, lying a finger on her lips. "As you said, we'll have a long talk when you get back. Even if I have to bail you out of jail to do so. But hopefully John would've done that already, since you are his client."

She realized with a jolt that she was his client, having asked him to look over her NDA. It made her feel better to know she had legal counsel at the ready. "Right. And he's the best."

"Absolutely." He kissed her forehead before turning to the stairs. "Roland? Son, I'm getting ready to go!"

Roland raced down the stairs and leapt into his father's arms. "Stay safe, Papa. Please?"

"I will. I promise." He kissed Roland's cheek before handing him to Regina. "Now you be a good boy, okay?"

"Okay. I love you, Papa." Roland curled closer to Regina, resting his head on her shoulder.

Robin cupped her cheek and looked both of them in their eyes. "I love you both. See you soon."

"What about me?" Will asked, crossing his arms. Robin rolled his eyes before blowing his friend a kiss. He stepped out the door, heading out to the car.

Regina, Roland and Will stood in the doorway, waving until they could no longer see the car on the road. Will sighed. "Come on in. I'll make us all breakfast and then we can worry together."

A/N: Here's the next chapter! I know everyone was surprised by the twist at the end of the last one. Regina's embezzling will be explained, probably in two chapters if the plotting in my head is right.

Looks like Robin and Regina are going to work their relationship out…but we're not out of angst woods yet, I'm afraid.

Dr. Espenson's name is an homage to writer Jane Espenson, but her appearance is actually my eye doctor.

Happy summer!

-Mac