Just a short one to see if I've still got it.

Regina sat on the steps of the old church for a good few hours before anyone appeared. The sun was already setting with blues and purples smattered across the sky. Stars were coming out, speckling the royal blue with tiny balls of light. She marvelled at it, ignoring the sound of the cars in the street and the birds in the tree by the sidewalk, chirping and rustling the branches.

"You're early," A voice startled her and she smiled, involuntarily, before she cleared her throat and stood.

"Yes, well," She smirked. "I had nothing better to do."

"I find that hard to believe," Robin grinned before brushing past her and heading through the double doors. Regina followed close on his heels, chest heaving with her thoughts of the last few hours, reeling of Mary-Margaret's words and the idea that she'd made such an impression on Roland that he'd talked about her in class.

"Yes," She grumbled. "Well it was come here or hang around the bar, waiting for Mary-Margaret to beg forgiveness for the fifth time. I chose relative silence and birdsong." She shrugged as he placed his clipboard and shopping bags on a nearby table before turning to her.

"I suppose that's fair enough," He smiled gently, but there was something heavy in his eyes. The look stole from Regina's uncharacteristic lightness and made her heart sink. She panicked for a moment, as if the world would cave in should Robin fail to smile. She knew it was ridiculous, she knew if something devastating had happened to his son, the last place he'd be would be the church basement, so she stilled her rattled heart, slowed her breathing and took a gentle step forward in askance.

Robin too, it seemed, had the same idea. Near nose-to-nose they stood and from that distance, Regina could smell his aftershave; the woodsy smell of a man who liked nature, books and cooking pancakes with his son. It was a heady smell, one that left her reeling and forgetting Killian's Irish Whiskey or David's Candy Corn or the acrid smell of Leo's bitter cologne. Daniel had smelled similar but with the metallic touch of plucked guitar strings and the softness of drum dust.

"It's good that you're here early, because I actually wanted to speak with you, Regina," Robin gripped her elbows and Regina felt her breath catch at the contact. The touch was through the leather of her coat, but she could still feel the warmth of it go right through her. He guided her to one of the few unfolded chairs in the room, stepping away for a moment to pull his own over so that he could sit before her.

"What about?" They both ignored how her voice wavered. She was worried; of what she didn't know. But her eyes were widened and her palms were sweaty, waiting for him to tear her world out from under her.

She'd only known him a short while, but somehow she felt that he'd be capable of it.

Robin cleared his throat, nervous to speak; from glancing at his hands she could tell he was jittery too.

"I'm not going to be your sponsor any more."

Regina was right. With one sentence, her world fell apart. Her heart felt like it was caving in, the edges of her vision started to haze and her clammy palms felt like they were dripping onto the hard concrete floor.

"What?" She choked. "Why?"

Robin could see her fear and quick to assuage it, he gathered one of her hands up in both of his. "Don't get me wrong, Regina, I know we've got a long way to go. I know that you're just getting used to being sober and I know it's still hard, but I'll still be here."

"How?" She stammered. "I don't like anyone else here, they're all idiots, they're ridiculous, I don't want to work with them, how can you do this?"

He smiled gently, humouring her vengeful streak with a knowing look. "I haven't asked anyone from this group," He smirked. "And I promise you, if you don't like who I've picked, I'll help you find someone else. But it can't be me."

"I don't even understand," She growled. "This doesn't make any sense. I don't want another sponsor, I want you."

"That's just the problem, Regina," Robin smiled nervously, with a blush running up his cheeks. "I feel the same."

"I don't get how that could - " Regina faltered and froze, letting his words sink in. "You what?"

Robin licked his lips. "I want to help you, Regina and I won't ask anything of you that you're not ready for, but what I feel and how quickly I've come to feel it, I can't in good conscience, remain your sponsor. It wouldn't help you, it wouldn't be appropriate."

Regina blinked. She hadn't dropped his hand for fear it would all become a dream if she suddenly let go. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out but for a gentle puff of air.

"I'm doing this because I want you to get better, Regina," He squeezed her hand gently. "And because I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. This is my issue and I'm dealing with it the best way I know how."

Regina's eyes were cast down to their hands as he spoke, having dropped from his own for fear his face would fade before her and twist into a nightmare like so many of her dreams did. But this man, this kind man with a sober coin and a son, was telling her that he cared about her. This man who made her waffles and rescued her from the rain was walking away because he thought it might save her.

"Cook for me." The statement startled Robin and his hands flinched.

"I'm sorry?"

"I like Thai food, or Italian, that's good." She bit her lip. "It's alright to cook with wine, isn't it? Even when you're trying to stay sober?"

"No, Regina," He blinked. "I don't understand."

Regina blinked, feeling bold. She decided, however suddenly, that she was going to fight for the chance to know a kind man that could love her, instead of the brother-type that never would, the dead man, the bastard or the drunk.

"You said you're not going to ask for anything I'm not ready for; that's fine." She nodded, pulling her back up straight. "Make me dinner, leave the wine out of the recipe, light a candle or two and pour me a lemonade."

Robin laughed, the shaking of his hands subsiding, replaced with a gentle caress of his thumb across her palm as it turned.

"You're sure?" He questioned, having heard too much of her past to think rushing was a good thing.

"I'm a big girl, and without the alcohol, I'm likely more clear-headed right now than I have been in years," Her tongue darted out, wetting her top lip. "Plus I know that I want to kiss you." Robin suddenly realised how close they'd come.

"This is the most unprofessional I've ever been." He edged forward.

"There's probably some sort of law against it." Regina smirked, slipping to the edge of her seat, letting the side of their knees tap together.

"I'll never be a sponsor in this town again."

"Worst comes to worst," They were both so close now that Robin could feel her breath on his cheeks with every word. "We'll blame David."

"True," It was the last word Robin managed to utter as their lips touched. She gripped his biceps with deft hands, refusing to wrap her arms around his neck like she itched to - too much too fast, too close too soon - but that didn't stop her pulling her body closer. His large hands dropped to her waist as the gentle, searching kiss deepened to something more intimate. Her lips swelled with the exertion, her eyes turned glassy and their breathing, as a pair, shallowed. Robin's strong fingers, clearly good for labour work and lifting his son, found their way into her hair, brushing through - thankfully - calmer, hairspray-free, dark tresses. Regina's small hands fisted, gathering the cotton of his shirt and digging her nails in to hold on tight.

She knew her makeup would smear, she knew her hair would tousle, but that look was no surprise to the people who would make their way through the doors at any moment. A few songs and a bender, they'd assume and she was content with that. But the thought of the others arriving at any moment, stopped them in their tracks. Their lips parted and they each drew heavy, desperate breaths, letting their foreheads fall together as they continued to cling to one another.

"The others will be arriving soon," Robin breathed, watching Regina intently as she sucked in her bottom lip and bit down on a smile. She groaned, leaning a little closer just to press her eyes closed and roll her forehead against his.

"But you're a really good kisser."

Robin chuckled, dipping his head so that he could drop a delicate kiss to the tip of her nose. "Soon," He answered gently, reaching his hand up to touch her cheek. "But not too quick."

"No," Regina agreed with a heavy reluctance. Her heart was pulling her towards this man, making it difficult for her to drag her body away. But her mind was throwing her Killian's face, the cold chill in her bones when Leo was near and the heavy weight of Daniel's death in her chest. Robin was right - too fast would mean it would end and in that particular moment, she never wanted it to.

"Hey guys, am I too early?" A voice startled them both and Regina spun around in her seat, looking up to where the familiar sound had come from to see Emma standing there with a pensive expression. "Did I interrupt something?" She frowned.

"No," Robin jolted from his seat, sending a shiver down Regina's spine as his fingertips brushed her shoulder. "You're just on time. I was hoping we could discuss this with Regina before the group gets here."

Regina was frowning up at them, clutching the back of her plastic folding chair. "Discuss what?"

Emma chewed on her lower lip, glancing at Robin as he slowly turned around to address Regina. "Emma, as my suggestion for your new sponsor."

"Emma?" She spluttered, surprised.

"I told you she wouldn't go for it, I should go." Emma turned on her heel, ready to run and for a moment, Regina was going to let her, but something inside of her snapped.

"No!" Regina stood up quickly, taking a step forward as Emma turned back around. "Wait," She said quietly. "Maybe it's not such a bad idea."

"You're sure?"

Regina shrugged against Emma's skeptical expression. "Maybe we're not the best of friends, but you probably understand my drinking issues better than anyone else I know. Which should scare me," She smiled as kindly as she was able. "And a part of me is glad that it scares me. Maybe it means I'll do better."

"I don't know anything about your other…" Emma began to say, glancing at Robin who still had hope in his eyes that this suggestion of his would work out.

Regina needed a sponsor and most of all, a friend. He was only hoping that the blonde would be capable of both with patience and, when needed, a firm hand.

"The drugs?" Regina offered her and Emma nodded, swallowing. "It's alright, I think I'm doing okay right now. As long as I stay away from them."

Emma cleared her throat. "We can do that."

"Can we?" Regina asked, hesitantly.

"I think so."

To be continued.