Warning: Discussion of Regina's rape.

Chapter 23: A Game Plan

The movie played on but Regina couldn't concentrate on it. For the life of her, she couldn't even name which one they were watching. All she knew was that it was brightly colored, animated and Roland adored it. He was curled up against her on the couch, a blanket wrapped around the two of them and a bowl of popcorn stuck between them.

All she could think about was that there were no longer several states and maybe a major river between her and Leopold Blanchard. He was staying in Storybrooke Plaza, no doubt in one of the best suites because she couldn't imagine Leopold Blanchard in a regular room like everyone else—even if he couldn't afford it. Nat Cole was probably paying for it.

She knew Mary Margaret said he was going to confess but she couldn't see him doing it, even for his beloved daughter. It was more likely he would conspire with Cole and Gold, find a way to throw her under the bus yet again and maybe even drive it as it ran over the wonderful life she had started to build for herself. Mary Margaret had wanted to help but Regina feared she had just made things worse.

"Mom?" Roland asked, interrupting her doomsday predictions. She glanced down to find him staring up at her, brown eyes wide and concerned. "Do you not like the movie?"

Busted. "It's not the movie, sweetheart," she started, unsure how to explain the situation to the boy.

"Are you still scared about going to jail?" he asked, holding Sparky close.

Regina sighed, running her fingers through his curls. "Yes, I am. But Papa, Uncle John and I are still fighting to keep me out."

"Good," he replied, nodding. "I'd miss you if you went to prison."

"I'd miss you too." She blinked back tears and reached for the tissue box that was nearby.

"Mom's not going anywhere," Robin said, entering the room. "She's going to stay with us for a long time."

Roland nodded before looking back up at her. "It's okay if you don't want to watch the movie with me. I understand."

Her heart felt like it was being ripped in two and she shook her head as she pulled him onto her lap. "I may not be paying attention to the movie, but I don't want to be anywhere else but here with you. I love cuddling with you."

"I love cuddling with you too," he said, snuggling closer to her. His little head rested against her chest and she dropped a kiss into his curls.

Robin stood at the edge of the couch, smiling. "Can I join you or is this a mother-son thing only?"

She looked down at Roland, who nodded. Patting the spot next to her before moving the bowl of popcorn, Regina smiled. "Come and join us."

"Gladly." Robin sat down next to her and Roland turned in her arms, stretching out his feet to rest on his father's lap. He giggled as Robin gave him a look. "Thank you, son."

Regina adjusted the blanket so it covered him and Robin stretched out his arm, resting it on the back of the couch. She bristled as his arm hair brushed against her neck, focusing on her breathing to keep it normal. He retracted it as he whispered: "Sorry, lovely."

Her breathing stayed normal and a fire lit inside her. She was determined not to let Leopold Blanchard ruin her life anymore. Especially not when she had such a great life once again—a man who loved her, a son, another child on the way, her father living with her, many friends. No, he wasn't going to take this from her. She scooted closer to Robin and rested her head on his shoulder.

Robin stretched out his other arm along the back of the couch. He rested his cheek against her hair, though, as they continued to watch the movie. She relaxed into him and closed her eyes, trying to get some rest.

Regina was back in Leopold's office, standing there in the same outfit she wore when she handed in her resignation letter. She tugged on her skirt as her heart skipped a beat, watching Leopold leer at her as he looked over her letter. "I know what's best," he said.

"No," she replied, backing up. "Let me go."

He moved from behind the desk. "Now, Regina, is that what you really want?"

"Yes, it is. Just let me go and leave me alone. Please, Leo."

"I like you begging," he replied, grinning. He was getting closer. Way too close for her comfort. "I'm protecting you, Regina. Can't you see that?"

She shook her head, her breathing growing ragged. "Protecting me from what, Leo? Certainly not you!"

"Why would you need to be protected from me?" He reached for her and she turned, ready to flee.

Instead of his office door, though, she ran right into iron bars. Gold, Nat Cole, Michael Tillman and her mother stood on the other side, smirking at her. "Right where you belong, bitch," Michael said, spitting at her feet.

"You're finally learning your place," Cora added as Zelena stepped into the frame, also smirking. "You're nothing."

"Don't leave me in here with him. Let me out," Regina pleaded, crying as she tried to shake the bars loose.

They all laughed, though, neither stepping forward to help her. She banged against the bars as she felt Leopold's hot breath on the back of her neck. "Robin! Robin, where are you? ROBIN!"

"Regina." Robin's voice broke through the laughter, firm and authoritative. "It's just a dream. You need to wake up."

She gasped as the scene changed, her eyes now open. Instead of Leopold's office, she saw her room in Robin's house. The lights were on and he was kneeling on her bed, looking concerned. Emma leaned against her doorframe and Regina was sure Roland was listening from his room.

As the panic receded, Regina started to register the goosebumps on her arm. Though she felt chilled, her nightshirt clung to her sweat drenched body and her hair felt damp. She pushed back the blankets. "I need a shower."

"Regina," he said, voice still firm. It was clear he wanted her to sit down and just stay still but she couldn't.

She pushed past him, opening drawers to pull out fresh underwear and new pajamas. The entire time, she felt Robin's and Emma's eyes on her. Both called her name but she ignored them as she worked.

Clutching her clothes to her chest, she turned to her concerned loved ones. "I need a shower," she repeated.

Robin stepped closer but Emma placed her hand on his shoulder. She nodded and he stood aside, letting Regina pass and head out into the hall.

She locked the bathroom door behind her and stripped, stepping into the shower once she started it. The lukewarm water felt good against her flushed skin and she leaned against the tile, cool against her back.

Under the cascading water, she felt more and more like herself again. Her breathing returned to normal and she felt like she had finally woken up as the last remnants of her nightmare fell away. She was in Nottingham and she was safe—no one would be able to get past Will, Emma and Robin to hurt her.

"It was just a dream," she reminded herself. "Dreams can't hurt you."

She washed up before stepping out of the shower. Changing into her fresh pajamas, Regina wrapped up her hair and headed down to Robin's room. It had been foolish not to sleep with him, not when it had been clear she was going to need his superpower after Mary Margaret's bombshell.

Robin was sitting on the edge of his bed when she padded in, his blue eyes full of concern. "I hoped you would come here," he said. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I was locked in a prison cell with Leo while everyone else laughed," she said, sitting next to him.

"Including me?" he asked, quietly.

She shook her head. "You weren't there. That's why I was calling out for you. I guess you heard me?"

"Even before that," Robin replied. "You were crying out and when I got to your room, you were thrashing about. Emma was right on my heels."

"Thank you." She reached out, curling her fingers around the hand he had resting against the mattress.

"Mom? Are you okay?" Roland asked. She turned her head to find him standing the doorway, clutching a mug as Will stood behind him.

She forced a smile on her face, hoping to comfort him. "I'm fine, sweetheart. I'm sorry if I scared you."

He stepped closer, holding out the mug. "Will helped me make you warm milk. So you can go back to sleep."

"Thank you," she said, taking the mug with her free hand. "This is definitely going to help."

"Why don't you head back to bed, Roland? Mom's fine, I promise you." Robin stood but she didn't let go of his hand, gripping it tighter. She wasn't quite ready to be alone yet.

Will placed his hand on Roland's shoulder. "Come on. I'll put you to bed. Mom needs Papa right now."

"Can I get another hug goodnight?" Roland held up his arms to her.

She let go of Robin's hand and hugged her son close. Regina dropped a kiss to the side of his head. "I love you, Roland."

"I love you too, Mom." He kissed her cheek. "Good night and pleasant dreams."

Will led him from the room, taking Regina's empty mug. "Try and get some sleep, you two. You both need it," he said before closing the door behind him.

Robin sat back down. "Do you want to stay here? Or go back to your room?"

"Stay here," she said, confident in that. "I should've just come here anyway. You really do have a superpower."

He nodded. "Okay. And we have an appointment with Dr. Espenson first thing in the morning, at eight o'clock. She said she'd come in early."

Surprise and anger filled her. "You called her?"

"Yes," he said, not sounding repentant. "We were going to call her anyway. I just got us in for an emergency appointment."

"But it's after midnight!" Regina had always felt self-conscious about calling Dr. Espenson so late at night, no matter how many times the woman insisted it was okay. She figured that whatever was bothering her would still be bothering her during working hours and she could wait to call.

It was clear Robin didn't feel the same. "It was an emergency!"

"It was a nightmare, Robin," she argued. "It could've waited for the morning."

He let out a huff through his nose, his face growing red. It fueled her anger more and she let go of his hand. "Did you not trust me to call? Is that what this is about?"

"No, it's not about that."

"So then you were going behind my back again? Trying to fix it for me?" She jumped off the bed, glaring at him.

He glared right back at her. "I didn't call for you. I called for me."

That deflated her and she felt her anger seep out. "You did?"

"Yes. You weren't truly responding, your eyes seemed unfocused…I asked Emma if you were in shock and she said it was a possibility. I was scared, Regina. I am scared. So I called her because I needed someone to talk to." His anger abated, revealing the pain in his eyes and the dark circles underneath them. As his shoulders sagged, he said softly: "We both need to talk about this."

She nodded, sitting back down on the bed. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too. I should've explained it better." He sat down next to her, holding out his hand to her. "I want to help you, Regina, but I don't have all the tools I need. So I'm going to reach out to those that can help me. I'll try to let you know…"

"No. You don't need my permission to get help. I've dumped a lot on you. You can't be expected to shoulder it alone," she replied, taking his hand. Their fingers curled together and she gave him a reassuring squeeze.

He nodded. "Shall we go back to bed?"

"Let's," she agreed with a sigh. "I need some sleep. So do you."

They climbed into bed and Robin clicked off the lights. She laid on her side, noting that he did the same. As they laid in the dark, they just watched each other until sleep pulled them under.

When they woke the next morning, they were still facing each other and holding hands.

Dr. Espenson opened her office early just for them. She saw Regina first, leaving Robin in her empty waiting room. She had told him where the remote was to turn on the TV but Robin didn't feel like having it on even for background noise.

He sat hunched over, elbows resting on his knees and chin resting on his clasped hands. Regina's nightmare had been a scary episode, one he hadn't known how to handle. Emma had seemed just as lost, though she had known enough to get him to back down and give Regina her space. Perhaps that was one thing he wanted—needed—to know: when to give Regina that space and when to make certain she wasn't retreating in on herself.

Rubbing the back of his neck, he sighed. All he wanted to do was take away Regina's pain. He wanted her smile to reach her eyes again, to not have to worry about nightmares, to not feel she needed to always look over her shoulder.

This was supposed to be a happy time for them. They were in love and creating a family. Regina was now unofficially Roland's mother and she was carrying Robin's second child. Instead of meetings with lawyers and fretting about Leopold Blanchard, they should've been focusing on their unborn baby and themselves.

"Robin?" Dr. Espenson's voice was soft, as if she didn't want to startle him. When he looked up, she smiled. "We're ready for you."

He stood, following her into the room. Regina sat on the couch, looking small as she clutched a tissue. Tear tracks were clearly visible on her cheeks. She didn't look at him as he sat down next to her and his heart sank.

Dr. Espenson held the door. "Regina? I'd like to talk to Robin alone for a bit. Can you wait outside?"

Regina nodded, standing. She hesitated a moment before dropping a kiss into his hair. He closed his eyes as he felt her step away. A few seconds later, he heard the door close.

"Okay, Robin," Dr. Espenson said. He opened his eyes as she took her seat. "How are you feeling?"

"That's a loaded question," he replied, leaning forward.

She nodded. "So where do you want to start?"

"I want to start by going to Storybrooke Plaza and wringing Leopold Blanchard's neck," Robin said, hand clenching into a fist. "Then finding Edgar Gold and doing the same to him."

"So you're angry."

"Damn right I'm angry. I want them to release their hold on Regina so she can finally achieve the happiness she deserves," he replied.

She nodded. "And you think they are holding her back?"

"I think the threat of what they could do is. I think…I hope that once they are gone from her life forever, she'll relax and let herself be happy without worrying it'll be taken away from her."

"What if she can't shake it? Would that come between you?"

He shook his head. "Not for me. I'm not going to walk away."

"What if she decides to?" Dr. Espenson asked.

Robin felt his heart stop for a moment and he struggled to breathe. "I'd make sure she wasn't leaving just because she was afraid or thought she didn't deserve happiness. If so, I'd fight to prove her wrong. But if she was leaving because I didn't make her happy…then I would let her go."

She nodded. "It's not going to be easy. Regina's recovery may always be ongoing."

"I didn't expect there to be some miracle cure," he replied. "She was violated and abused in one of the worst ways possible. I know people can't just bounce back from that."

"Do you fully understand how difficult it will be? Are you prepared for it?"

He was silent as he considered his answer. His gut wanted him to yell that he was, that he was ready to support Regina no matter what. Yet his mind knew that wasn't what Dr. Espenson was really asking.

"I like to think I know how difficult will be," he replied, voice softly. "But I probably don't. And I'm probably not prepared for it. However, I want to be. I want to be there for her, to help her. I don't…I don't want to feel helpless anymore."

His voice cracked on that last statement and he leaned back, tears filling his eyes. Robin rubbed his face as he cleared his throat. "I'm a fixer by nature. I've always tried to do it from when I was younger. You can ask Will. I know I can't fix this and it kills me I can't. But if I can help Regina, if I can make her smile again…I just want to be a member of her support team. I want her to know she can always trust me to have her back."

Dr. Espenson nodded. "You also have to focus on yourself, Robin. You can't push aside your feelings, your frustrations and your fears because then they'll make you useless to her. Do you understand?"

"I do. That's why I called you. I was scared last night and I called you because I needed you," he said, not too proud to admit it.

"Good," she replied. "That's a start. Now, do you mind if I bring Regina back in?"

He shook his head, watching as she stood and crossed to the door. She invited Regina back in and he kept his eyes on her from the moment she passed Dr. Espenson. Regina looked as nervous as he had felt when he entered. She took a seat next to him on the couch and he reached out, letting her grasp his hand.

Dr. Espenson took her seat again. "Listening to the two of you, I think you're both committed to recovery. You both also spoke of Leopold as a ghost, haunting your relationship and keeping you back."

Regina looked up at him. "You feel that way too?"

"I feel he's haunting you," he replied. "And I want him to leave you alone."

"I want that too," she said, closing her eyes as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Every time I think I'm finally free of him, he proves me wrong. I don't know if I can ever be free of him."

"I think you can. Regina, have you ever considered confronting Leopold?" Dr. Espenson asked.

Regina sat up, eyes popping open. "What?"

"It can be a major step toward healing for many rape victims," the doctor continued. "And I think with Leopold in town, this is your chance to tell him exactly what he's done to you and how he's impacted your life."

"Is it safe?" Robin asked, tightening his grip on Regina's hand. He didn't care how helpful Dr. Espenson thought it would be if it put Regina in danger. It was not worth her getting hurt.

Dr. Espenson nodded. "If you be sure to do it in a public place and bring backup, it should be."

"What would I say? How would I keep myself from not screaming at him and making no sense?" Regina frowned, a crease forming between her eyes.

"We would practice," Dr. Espenson assured her. "I would play the role of Leo and try to prepare you and Robin for every possibility."

Regina nodded. "I like that. I think I should do that."

"If you're sure, then I'll be right beside you," Robin said, rubbing her back. It would take all his self-control not to strangle Leopold Blanchard but he was not going to let Regina confront the bastard without him.

She squeezed his hand. "Thank you. I…I don't think I would be able to do without you and the love you've shown me."

He grinned, noticing that Dr. Espenson checked her watch out of the corner of his eye. "Why don't you write down what you think you want to say and we'll go over it tomorrow?"

"I will," Regina replied, standing with Robin. "Thank you so much."

Dr. Espenson stood as well. "Anytime. I really do mean it when I say you can call at all hours of the day. I'll always be there for both of you."

Robin sat in his office, trying to keep his mind off Regina and Leopold by going over the resumes Alan had sent him. There were some promising candidates to fill Zelena's job and he was ready to give the okay to proceed with telephone interviews.

Mulan was also due to give him an update on Zelena. Last she had told him, Zelena was trying to negotiate with the district attorney while Cora was protesting her innocence. She predicted that Zelena would plead out but they would probably have to go to trial with Cora. "But we'll see what happens if Zelena does plead out," she had said. "She might flip on her mother for a sweetheart deal."

It would be poetic justice, Robin thought.

The door opened and Johanna stepped in. She looked nervous and he frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nat Cole is here and he's insisting he speak to you. Now," she said.

Every hair on his body stood on end and his stomach dropped. Robin tried to keep his expression neutral as he nodded. "Let him in."

"Are you sure?" she asked, looking nervous.

He nodded again. "But have security on standby just in case I need to throw him out. I don't care how respected he supposedly is in this community."

Johanna sighed and stepped outside. A few seconds later, she was ushering a smug-looking Nat Cole into his office. It put Robin more on edge, already knowing the man's presence wasn't a good omen.

"Can I get you anything?" he offered, hoping Cole would refuse. He would hate to have any reason to keep the man longer than necessary.

"I'm good," Cole replied. "Thank you."

Robin stood, crossing his arms as he walked around his desk. "Good. Now, why the hell are you in my office, Cole?"

"Is that how you talk to business associates?"

"You're not a business associate," he replied, glaring at the man.

Cole nodded. "Fine. I'm just here to warn you about Regina. Things are going to get ugly and it's probably best if you back away from her."

Robin frowned. "What do you mean? I have it on good authority that Leopold was going to the DA to confess everything today."

"Yes." Cole grew smugger, which amazed Robin. "I talked him out of it. It wasn't in his best interest."

"His best interest or yours?" Robin's rage threatened to boil over and he clenched his fists, nails digging into his palm to keep him from attacking the man.

Cole shook his head. "I'm sure you'll see it's in all our best interests. Back away from Regina, save yourself and let her go down. It's inevitable."

"No, it's not," he replied, leaning against his desk. "And I think that's why you're here. You know that even without Leopold's confession, you know there is a pretty strong case against him and Gold. With Regina testifying, it'll be a done deal."

"Who is going to believe that gold-digging slut?" Cole countered. "Because when Leopold's lawyer is done with her, that's all the jury is going to see. So convince her to fall on her sword and then cut her free."

Robin pushed himself off his desk and crossed the room until he was nose-to-nose with Cole. He grabbed the man's shirt and pulled him close. "I will never do that. Regina is the victim and she is the woman I love. I will defend her to my dying breath."

"Even at the cost of your company?" Cole asked.

"If it came to that, yes," he replied. "But my company is fine. Now leave before I have security escort you out and call the press so they can get pictures of it for good measure."

Cole narrowed his eyes. "You're hitching your cart to the wrong horse, Robin."

"I think you've hitched yours to wrong horse," Robin replied. "And now you're trying to do everything in your power to make sure it doesn't backfire on you. It's not going to work. Get out."

Pulling away from Robin's grip, Nat Cole stalked out of his office. Robin followed, watching to make sure he got on the elevator and headed back down to the lobby. Johanna looked up at him. "Leroy is waiting downstairs to make sure he leaves."

"Good," he said, rubbing his neck. "Call Will and Tuck. Make sure that asshole goes nowhere near Nottingham, let alone Regina."

Johanna's eyebrow went up as he usually did his best not to curse around her. She pressed her lips together, nodding. "I'll call them right away."

Robin headed back into the office, wanting to get some more work done so he could figure out what he was going to tell Regina once he got home.

Regina carried a load of laundry through the living room, wanting to put the clean clothes away while Roland was busy snacking on a cupcake with Will. She and Emma had convinced Henry to take a nap and her friend was settling him in his room. It left her a few moments to get her chores done before some fun with her son.

As she passed through the room, she spotted Robin's laptop still sitting on the coffee table. She set down the laundry basket, deciding to put it in his office before a sugar fueled Roland blew into the room and accidentally damaged it.

It started to ping as she approached it and Regina realized someone was trying to start a video chat with Robin. She glanced at the name, seeing "Mum and Dad" flash on the screen. Deciding it couldn't hurt to answer, she clicked the connect button and sat down as Jane and Andrew appeared on the screen.

"Regina! We weren't too sure with the time difference if Robin was home yet," Jane said, smiling.

Checking her watch, Regina smiled. "Not yet, but he should be home very soon. Do you want me to have him call you back?"

"You can but we're okay talking with you if you want," Andrew offered, leaning forward. "We've been giving you two your space but…how are you? Are you going to trial?"

Jane frowned. "I hope not. This is all so unfair."

Regina sighed. "Right now, it looks like that if I go to a trial, it will be as a witness. Hopefully, though, there won't be any trial and this can all be settled, though probably not quietly."

"It's big news over there?" Robin's mother asked.

"At least here in Storybrooke," she replied, sighing. "I guess it's a small comfort that the national news wouldn't really care about our small city in Maine."

Andrew hummed. "For now. Everyone loves a scandal."

Regina tensed up as Jane swatted her husband's arm. "Don't give her something more to worry about. The poor thing has had enough."

"I definitely agree with that," Robin said, sliding in next to her. He wrapped his arm around her and she leaned against him.

Jane and Andrew brightened up more. "There you are, Robin! How are you?" his mother asked.

He sighed. "I'd be better if Regina's legal problems would go away."

"Understandable," she replied. "You two could certainly use some happy news, right?"

Regina glanced over at Robin, whose eyes were shining as he bit his lower lip. He gave a slight nod and she smiled. "Well, actually…We do have some happy news."

His parents sat up straighter, looking intrigued. Jane looked between the two of them. "Are you two engaged?"

"Uh, no," Robin said, chuckling a bit. "We're kinda going about this a bit backwards, honestly…"

"I'm pregnant," Regina announced, deciding to put him out of his awkward misery.

Andrew and Jane sat there, quiet for a few moments. Then Jane let out a joyous shriek that Regina was certain they would've heard without the laptop. Her face filled the screen as if she was trying travel through it to their living room. "I'm going to have another grandchild? When? How are you feeling? How is Roland with this news? Does he even know?"

Regina laughed, tackling Jane's questions one at a time. "My doctor predicts that I'm due in February, estimated due date is February twentieth. Right now, morning sickness is a bit of pain as I try to navigate what I can and can't keep down. And I just feel tired all the time."

"And we did tell Roland," Robin continued. "He is excited to be a big brother."

Jane nodded. "February, eh? Maybe we should skip Christmas this year and come in February instead for the birth."

Regina hesitated. While she knew that Robin would want his parents there to see their newest grandchild and while she liked his parents, she worried it would be too much for her—to entertain guests and adjust to caring for a newborn, all the while recuperating from giving birth. It already seemed overwhelming.

"Why don't we discuss it later, Mum?" Robin suggested, his thumb rubbing soothing circles against Regina's hand. "Regina and I first need to get through all this embezzlement business before we discuss other things."

Jane nodded. "Understandable. And as you said, it's early. There will be plenty of time to discuss this."

"If you can, I would like you to be there when we have my baby shower," Regina said, feeling a bit sheepish.

"We'll start saving up the miles," Andrew promised. "Now, can we speak to our grandson for a bit before we leave you two alone?"

As if on cue, Regina heard Roland's little feet as he raced from the kitchen to the living room. He burst in, grinning with all his sugar-fueled energy. "Mom! Papa!"

"Mom?" Jane and Andrew asked each other, looking at each other confused.

"GRAN! GRAMPS!" Roland climbed onto the couch as Regina felt like she was going to overheat, realizing they hadn't told Robin's parents about that change.

They seemed to have forgotten it, though, now that their grandson was there. Both asked him questions and he assured him that he was excited to become a big brother. He told them about his day, especially the cupcake he had just eaten, and they listened intently.

"Well, it's getting late, so I think we should let Gran and Gramps go," Robin said, pulling his son onto his lap. "We also need to have dinner, if you left any room for it."

Roland giggled as Robin tickled him and Regina turned back to the screen. "We'll talk to you soon," she promised.

They nodded. "Though I may drive you nuts with all my requests for updates on my newest grandchild," Jane warned.

"I look forward to it," Regina replied, meaning every word.

After some more goodbyes, Robin disconnected the video call and leaned back. The little family cuddled on the couch for a bit before Mary Margaret's small voice asked: "You're pregnant, Regina?"

Looking up, Regina found the younger brunette standing in the doorway. She clutched her purse closer and looked near tears, alarming Regina. "Mary Margaret? What's wrong?" she asked.

"Are you pregnant?" Mary Margaret asked, still sounding distraught.

Regina frowned as she stood, approaching the woman. "I am. Almost two months, if my calculations are correct. Is that what's upsetting you? Because I was going to tell you, I just wanted to wait a bit longer."

"Roland, why don't you go find Emma and spend some time with her, okay?" Robin said, sending his son from the room. He stood and approached Regina. "I don't think Mary Margaret is upset about the pregnancy. She's upset about her father."

Mary Margaret's green eyes grew wide. "You know about that?"

He nodded. "Nat Cole paid me a visit at my office."

"What is everyone talking about?" Regina asked, her stomach twisting and feeling annoyed at being left out of the loop.

Robin sighed, taking her hand. "Nat Cole talked Leopold out of talking with the District Attorney."

"What?" Her heart stopped and it was suddenly very hot in the room. She struggled to breath. "Why would he do that?"

"Because he keeps thinking he needs to protect my father from the big, bad world who is trying to do him wrong," Mary Margaret replied, sounding more cynical than usual.

Regina narrowed her eyes at Robin. "How long have you known?"

"Only a couple hours," he said, placatingly. "I didn't want to tell you over the phone. And then you were talking with my parents…"

She nodded, knowing he had her best interest at heart and wasn't trying to hide something from her in order to fix it behind her back. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry."

"You're upset, it's okay." He rubbed her arms. "I called John and he's coming over in a bit so we can come up with a plan of attack, okay?"

"You need to make it quick. I found out because Daddy called me to tell me that he was going to head home because he was no longer needed. He's going to stay a few more days just to visit some old friends." The hardness in Mary Margaret's voice was still unnerving and she glared at the coffee table as if it was her father.

Regina's heart beat faster. "Then I'm going to have to confront him sooner than we expected. I won't have as much time to practice with Dr. Espenson."

"We're going to see her tomorrow, but if you're not ready, you don't have to do this," Robin told her.

She shook her head, her resolve steeling. "She's right. I need to tell that son of a bitch—sorry, Mary Margaret—exactly what he did to me and my life. Maybe then I can finally be free of him and we can move forward."

He nodded, kissing her as his thumb rubbed gently against her cheek. She pulled away, smiling as she turned to Mary Margaret. "Would you like to stay for dinner or is David waiting for you?"

"He's working late. But I wouldn't want to intrude…" She hugged her purse closer to her chest.

"It's never an intrusion," Robin told her, keeping his voice soft as if talking to a skittish animal.

Regina nodded. "I can use all the help I can get."

Mary Margaret frowned. "I don't know how much help I can be. I'm just a teacher, not a lawyer or a business magnate."

"No," Regina said, her mind already in overdrive, "but you are a shareholder in Blanchard Financials, right?"

"Yes."

"Then maybe you can call an emergency meeting, put some inside pressure on the company and on Nat Cole." Regina felt gleeful, almost vibrating. "I need to see who has how many shares and then we can make up a plan."

Robin laughed, wrapping his arm around her. "I love that there's a fire in your eyes, lovely, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, okay?"

She nodded but she continued to smile. "I'll do my best. But if my hunches are correct, I may have find a way to declaw Leopold, Gold and Nat Cole. The little guy might actually win."

"I hope so," he said, holding her close. "Because you deserve it, lovely. You deserve to win your life back."

"Our life," she whispered, tightening her grip on him. Because she and Robin Locksley were now bound together. She was fighting for a lot of more people than she realized and she was going to win.

So help her God.

A/N: I know you're probably all anxious to see Leopold, but the way the chapter shaped up pushed his appearance back. Regina needed a plan of attack to deal with him, Gold and Nat Cole.

So the big confrontation will be in the next chapter. Stay tuned…

-Mac