Regina was taking anti-nausea medication at the maximum dosage. Robin was worried because she didn't eat much. She looked thinner than normal. Dr. Whale wasn't concerned. He claimed she wasn't sick. She wasn't dehydrated, and she'd gain weight as the pregnancy progressed. He assured them both the sickness would subside as she got out of the first trimester.

Regina was sitting at the kitchen island, staring into a cup of herbal tea Robin had made her. Robin had sat down beside her with his own mug. She was hungry, and she wanted something to eat, but she had no idea what it might be. Getting up from the island, she began opening cabinets. Robin watched. Outside, rain beat down on the windows. It was a horrible night. Robin had no interest in being out in it, and he wasn't really thrilled with Roland being out in it.

"I don't want you anywhere near those women." By those women, he meant Cruella, Ursula and Maleficent.

"I have no interest in any of them-as they don't me." Regina pulled a package of cookies out of one cabinet. "Did you buy these? I don't let Henry have them." Robin looked guilty.

"I didn't let him eat them all. Roland and I helped." Regina shook her head, but put the cookies back into the cabinet.

"Regina, I'm serious." Robin brought the conversation back. "You don't need to be around them. It's not good for you-or-."

"The baby." Regina finished for him. She opened the refrigerator, staring into it. "I know, Robin. I know I'm pregnant. It's why I can't ask you to order take out even though I'm starving. It's why half of the town looks at me like I grew another head. I'm pregnant. I get it."

Robin debated if he was going to argue with her. But picking a fight with her now was not a good idea. He didn't want to argue. He didn't want her to argue.

"I can get you take out. What do you think you could eat?"

"Nothing." Regina slumped against the counter, apparently defeated. "If there was any doubt in your mind that this is Sidney's baby, this should prove it."

"How can you say that?" Robin wasn't sure he should keep going with this, but he didn't want to hear that this was Sidney's baby. She didn't like to talk about the baby. It was like a ghost in the house with them.

"Because your child wouldn't be this mean to me," Regina stroked her stomach gently. Robin sighed. He got to his feet and crossed the room to her. Gently, he laid his hand on her stomach.

"This is going to get better. Soon."

"And then what?" Regina looked away. "Then I have to get my child to Boston for an adoption?"

"Even if this is Sidney's baby, you do not half to give it up." Robin stroked her hair. "Because at the end of the day, this is your baby-regardless of its father. And you and I can love it just fine."

Regina looked unconvinced. Robin wasn't surprised. She stared sadly at the floor for a few moments and then looked up at him.

"Pizza. With extra cheese. And a lot of grease." Robin arched a brow.

"You're going to be sick all night."

"I don't care." Regina told him. "It's literally the only thing that sounds appetizing right now." Robin shrugged, but did his duty and ordered the pizza in question.

***Scene***

They had set the table with plates and drinks. Robin was drinking soda, but Regina couldn't face it. She'd told him that Sidney gave it to her. He didn't push it.

Regina was sipping a glass of milk when the doorbell rang. Robin got up.

"Keep drinking that milk." He warned her with a smile. "You've kept almost all of it down." Regina shook her head, giving him a faint smile.

Robin yanked open the door, his hand reaching for the money in his back pocket. But it wasn't the pizza man on the other side, it was Snow and Charming.

"What are you two doing here?" He stepped aside, letting them inside out of the rain.

"We need to talk to Regina." Snow looked passed Robin. Robin glanced over Snow's shoulder as another figure formed on the pathway.

"It's going to have to wait until after she eats."

***Scene****

Regina had eaten half a slice of pizza. Robin was pleased.

"It's amazing what happens when you give the baby what it wants." Snow smiled. Regina glared over at her.

"You were never this miserable-with either pregnancy." Snow shrugged.

"Well, that is true. I mean, I was a little sick…every now and then." Regina rolled her eyes. She wiped grease from her fingers and put her napkin down.

"Let's get to the point of why you're here."

Robin and Regina both sat and listened to the reasoning the Charmings gave for their visit. Robin felt his eyes widening. He could not believe that he was hearing this.

"Are you both out of your minds?" He stared at them in disbelief. "You want Regina to do…what?"

"Robin, please." Snow pleaded. "We need this. We have to. Especially with Maleficent in town."

"You cannot expect Regina to do this." Robin told them. "She has been through enough. And she is pregnant. And she is-."

"Sitting right here." Regina growled. She was giving him a look reminiscent of the Evil Queen he was so familiar with. With one more glare, she turned back to Snow and Charming.

"What exactly did you two heroes do to Maleficent?" Snow looked sadly at Charming. He took her hand, squeezing it.

"Because of us, Maleficent lost her child." Robin and Regina both tensed.

"That's...terrible." Regina murmured.

"Yes," Robin nodded. "But let's get this straight: you are not ok with Maleficent losing her child…but putting Regina and hers at risk is ok with you?"

"Robin!" Regina snapped.

"Regina I am sorry." Robin glared at her. "But I do not want you and the baby at risk. There are days you are too weak to be mayor of this town, and they want you to infiltrate villains that may want to destroy this town."

"I'm sorry." Snow shook her head. "But this is the only way we could think of."

"It's not happening." Robin told her flatly.

"I'll do it." Regina answered. Robin glared at her. Snow shook her head.

"Regina, this is why I've been so adamant about you keeping this baby. Maleficent wanted hers…and we were going to give it back. But it got sent through the portal…and we realized it was just a baby we'd taken from its mother. It wasn't evil, it was just a child. Your baby…regardless of who its father is it is just a baby. A baby who needs its mother."

Regina's jaw set. Robin knew this was a bad angle to push with Regina. But maybe, just maybe, this would push Regina off from Snow's mission.

"Save it." Regina answered, annoyed. "You want my help, I'll do it."

"Why?" Robin asked. "Why do you have to do this?"

"Why does it matter to you?" Regina exclaimed. "You're not my keeper."

"Ok, we need to go." David got up, tugging Snow's hand. "Come on." Regina glared at Robin, but turned towards the door.

"I'll show you out."

Robin heard a few muttered good nights as the other couple left. But he was angry. He just didn't understand why she needed to make this leap. This situation had nothing to do with her….with them.

Regina stormed back into the room. Robin braced himself for the inevitable fight.

"What gives you the right to tell me how to live my life?"

"What gives me the right?" Robin got to his feet. "I have the right because like it or not, you may be carrying my baby. And I don't want my baby to become a casualty of Maleficent!"

"I knew that's what you cared about!" Regina hissed. "More concerned about this child that may not even be yours-."

"You know that is not true!" Robin couldn't believe this argument was actually taking place. Was she actually saying these things to him? "Regina! Listen to yourself! The first thing I said as that this was a risk to you! You are pregnant! And sick! You don't need to put yourself through this stress!"

"You have no right to tell me that I can't get involved!" Regina screamed at him. "I am very capable of taking care of myself-I always have been!"

"But you haven't been pregnant before." Robin lowered his tone, trying to ease the tension in the room. "The Evil Queen didn't destroy entire villages while she was weak from morning sickness and carrying a baby." Robin took a step towards her. "Regina, sweetheart," he took her hands, "please relax. You've had high blood pressure since we found out you were pregnant. This isn't going to do you any good. And my greatest fear is anything happening to you." He lifted her hands to his mouth, kissed them. "Darling, please. For me. For Henry. Don't do this to yourself."

Regina closed her eyes. She hated herself for yelling at Robin. She loved him so much, and he was the last person she wanted to take out her bad mood.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. Robin reached forward, folding her into his arms.

"Pregnancy isn't easy," Robin smiled, stroking her back.

"No, it isn't." Regina admitted. "But I'm still doing it."

"Regina!" Robin sighed in exasperation.

"Robin," Regina stepped back, "if I don't do this, we don't know what could happen to the town. Maleficent could be dangerous. Especially if she's lost something precious to Snow and Charming."

Robin raised his fingers to stroke Regina's hair.

"I'm afraid for you…and for your baby." Regina sighed heavily.

"We will be ok. I promise." Robin leaned down, pressing his lips against hers.

"I'll help. As much as I can. Just…for added protection." Regina shook her head.

"You think they won't suspect something if they see you running around behind me?"

"Regina, I'm a thief. I have years of experience of not getting caught. Trust me."

Regina sighed. Leaning up, she kissed him.

"Ok."

Regina entered the diner. She was fighting how weak she felt. It had been a bad day for pregnancy. Even with the anti-nausea medicine, she hadn't eaten much today. And she was tired-but that was probably was from lack of food as much as pregnancy.

"So you are back from the ashes." It was hard to pretend to care one way or the other about the three villains when her brain was racing from her own issues. Not to mention the horrible stench of oil overpowering this place. She reminded her unborn infant that they could not throw up now.

"What do you want, Regina?" Ursula didn't even bother to turn around.

"She's here to try and convince us that she's still one of us." Maleficent didn't look up from the table. "But ignore her, she has nothing to bring."

"Excuse you," Regina stormed over to the table. It didn't take much to annoy her these days. "What gives you the right to make that statement?"

Maleficent finally lifted her blue eyes to Regina's face. Slowly, she rose to her feet, coming face to face with Regina.

"Do you want to know why I have no interest in you?" Maleficent asked boredly. "Because I could see it on you as soon as you walked in: you're pregnant. And you're no use to us pregnant."

Regina took a step back. She hadn't thought about Maleficent being able to use her powers to pick that up.

"That has nothing to do with-."

"That has everything to do with it." Maleficent gave her a dark look. "I'm not dealing with a pregnant woman-for a number of reasons. And I'm not dealing with the Daddy. I'm sure your thief is lurking right outside…just waiting to attack anyone who comes near you and his baby."

Regina frowned, turning her head so they wouldn't see the uncomfortable look on her face. She didn't want them knowing that Robin was most likely not the baby's father-at least in her mind.

"Well, well," Cruella swept to her feet, "there's something interesting. I don't think she knows who the daddy is."

"That is none of your business." Regina turned to face her. But Maleficent chuckled.

"Is that true, Regina? No idea who the little one's father is? Never took you for the sleep around type."

Regina had thrown the older, more powerful witch against the wall before any of them could blink. And faster still, she was over the other woman with a fireball in one hand.

"I will kill you for a number of things." Regina growled, raising the ball. Maleficent rolled her eyes. Regina watched as the ball in her hand disappeared and she found herself unable to move.

"You'll do no such thing." Maleficent rose to her feet. "Because you can't. You might stand a chance if you weren't expecting, but that baby is slowing you down."

Maleficent took a moment dusting herself off before she waved her hand, releasing Regina.

"Now get out of here. I don't want you or your baby." Maleficent moved passed her to sit back down at the table. "And whatever you were thinking of doing: it won't work. Go somewhere and worry about your baby."

The last statement was said with a bit of sadness. Regina wanted to say what she was thinking, but knew now she was wasting her time. Sighing, she turned to sweep out of the diner.

"What happened?" Robin met her at the edge of the path. "I was about to go in but-."

"Wouldn't have mattered if you did." Regina rubbed her abdomen. "Maleficent figured out I was pregnant and wanted no parts of me. I can't infiltrate them."

"Are you hurt?" Robin asked as they moved down the street.

"No," Regina sighed, "I'm all right. And I don't think she'd hurt me with the baby."

"Then what was all that fighting about?"

"She…." Regina hesitated. "She made a comment to me about who the baby's father was."

Robin sighed. He stopped walking and reached for Regina. Regina let him hold her. Her head rested against his shoulder for a long moment.

"You can't lose your temper. It isn't good for you health-wise."

"I know." Regina sighed. "And I didn't mean to…but." Robin raised one finger, laying it on her lips.

"Let's go home. You need some rest."

She didn't argue. She let him take her home. There, she made and ate two cups of pasta without sauce or any other type of topping. It was the most satisfying meal she'd had in days.

***Scene****

Early the next morning, the doorbell rang. Regina was still in a pair of pajama pants and a fancy cashmere baseball jersey she never left the house in, but wore regularly around at home because it was secretly her favorite.

For a moment, she debated not answering the door, but decided whoever was on the other side was getting what they deserved for showing up unexpectedly. She was a mess. Robin had gone to see Roland, and Henry had left for school. She'd only thrown up twice this morning and had kept down most of a cup of tea. Yanking her hair into a messy ponytail, she opened the door.

Maleficent stood on the other side. She raised a brow at Regina's appearance.

"Pregnancy does not agree with you."

"If you're knocking on any pregnant woman's door at 8:00 in the morning, it won't agree with any of them." Regina growled, stepping aside so the other woman could enter. "What do you want? If this is about last night-."

"It's not," Maleficent turned, "it's about you. Why don't you know who the father is?"

"I'm not having this conversation with you." Regina turned, heading back into the living room.

"Something's going on with you. Being protective of your child, I can see that. But you were furious. And don't think I didn't notice all of the protection charms on this house. What are you doing? What's going on?"

"Why do you care?" Regina sat back down on the couch, taking another sip of her cooling tea.

"Because someone needs to be more protective of that baby. And judging by your actions last night, you clearly aren't."

Regina clicked her teacup down on the coffee table.

"Do you want to know what happened?" She snapped as she stared at the other witch. "Almost two months ago, I was kidnapped from this house-from this very room. After that, I was locked in a cage for three days where a man tortured and raped me. And then, a month later, I found out I was pregnant. So if you're wondering why I'm not happy about being pregnant-there's a reason for you."

And then the response Regina hadn't expected happened. Maleficent's eyes widened in horror.

"And you're just sitting in this house?!" She moved to stand in front of Regina. "Who was it? Who touched you?" Regina rolled her eyes.

"Sidney Glass. You may remember him as my Magic Mirror."

"That ungrateful bastard." Maleficent spat. "Where is he? I hope the Thief killed him. Or he's locked in some basement cell of his own."

Regina held up her hands.

"Sorry to tell you: no one has any idea where he went. They think he may have cross the town line. If that's the case, he's gone."

"That's bull shit!" Maleficent snapped at her. "They let a man who raped a woman escape?"

"There is nothing anyone can do if they can't find him," Regina exclaimed. "And I can't do anything."

"Well, I'm not denying that." Maleficent was pacing now. "Pregnancy isn't something to mess with. How are you feeling?"

"Why do you care? About any of this?" Regina slumped back against the sofa.

"Because I don't support rape." Maleficent stopped pacing to stand in front of her. "And because I too have a soft spot for children. How are you feeling? If how you look is any indication, it must be terrible."

Regina groaned. She wasn't entirely certain she wanted to have this discussion with anyone. She raised one had to wearily rub her eyes.

"I'm nauseous most of the time," she admitted. "It's not as bad as it was when I found out, but I'm still so incredibly sick."

"You need mint," Maleficent advised. "Peppermint, spearmint, doesn't matter. Just get it into you."

"What?" Regina lowered her hand to look at the other woman. "Why?"

Maleficent heaved a sigh that was obvious displeasure.

"You lived in the Enchanted Forest long enough to know some herbal remedies. This world is lovely for most things, but sometimes the other ways work best. And since this world is clearly failing you, it's time you get back to your roots."

Regina groaned, letting her eyes close.

"I can't," she grumbled. "Not when it could be….his….child in me."

"Bull shit you can't," Maleficent's hand had grabbed hers before she knew what had happened. "Now you listen to me," the witch glared at her, "you need to stop thinking of this baby as his and start accepting it as yours. It doesn't matter who the Daddy is, it took your body just as much effort to make this baby as his-if not more. So you need to snap out of it and start acting like its Mama."

Regina glared at her irritably.

"You have no right-."

"I don't care." Maleficent stood up. "Someone needs to snap you out of this fun."

"And you've decided it should be you," Regina leaned back on the couch. Her throat tightened. She silently willed herself not to throw up again.

Maleficent sat down on the coffee table in front of her. She gathered both of Regina's hands into her.

"Now let me put this into perspective for you," she stroked Regina's hands, "you have a man who adores you. A strapping, handsome young son. An adorable little stepson-and a baby inside of you. If any of us have won, it is you, my dear. You have a life we would kill for-finally acquiring your happy ending all on your own."

"I got my happy ending through rape." Regina met the other woman's blue eyes. "How is that a happy ending?"

Maleficent lowered her eyes. Regina finally saw the deep sadness in them.

"If I could get my child back, I wouldn't care what means I had to go through." She tightened her grip on Regina's hands before yanking hers back. Regina looked down at her lap.

"I'm….sorry."

"Then act like it." Maleficent got up. "Don't take for granted a child you've been given. Do that for all of us who lost children for reasons beyond our control."

Maleficent got up, starting for the door. Regina followed her. Maleficent turned.

"I hate to say it, but I envy you."

"Don't." Regina whispered. Maleficent gave her a faint smile.

"I don't have many friends in town…or at all. So if you want to talk…I'll listen." She pulled the door open.

"Thank you." Regina murmured as the other woman stepped outside. She watched her move down the walkway until she disappeared into thin air. Regina pushed the door closed, locked it.

She caught a whiff of a candle sitting on the hall table. The sweet scent of gardenias made her gag. Her stomach rolled. Regina pressed a hand over her mouth as she ran into the downstairs powder room.

***Scene****

Regina took a shower, brushed her teeth, and fixed her hair. She got dressed and applied a little makeup. She still felt nauseous, but it was getting better.

She started off into the forest. At Robin's former camp, he was playing with Roland. Roland spied her first through the trees.

"Regina!" He yanked away from Robin and ran to her. Regina smiled, reaching down to embrace him. She didn't let him climb up her like he tried. She'd given up on that since she found out she was pregnant. That was for two reasons: one because of the obvious lifting, and two because of the nausea that had plagued her.

"Well, this is a surprise." Robin smiled as he approached them. "When I left, you looked like death warmed over." Regina stroked Roland's hair, drawing him against her.

"I'm feeling a bit better. I…had a visitor after you left."

"Oh did you? Who?"

"Maleficent." Regina looked down at Roland, checking to see if he reacted. Robin frowned, looking her over.

"Well, you look like you survived without too many scratches."

"It was…odd." Regina glanced past Robin as Little John approached them, with Marian at his side.

Regina tensed a bit as she saw Marian. Robin had legitimately left the other woman, but it didn't make the situation that much less awkward.

"Marian, Little John." Regina forced herself to smile as Roland slipped away from her and back to his mother. Marian smiled, slipping her arm around his shoulders.

"Regina….I hear congratulations are in order." Regina felt herself flinch, but she held back.

"Thank you." She forced a smile onto her face. She felt Robin rubbing the small of her back. "Ah…Marian, I have a question for you."

"Oh?" The other woman looked surprised. Even Robin looked surprised.

"When you were….pregnant…what did you take for morning sickness?"

"Oh, I didn't have any." Regina was surprised how firmly the other woman answered, and she didn't miss the look of confusion on Robin's face. "But I know some women drank mint in their teas."

"Someone else recommended that," Regina nodded. She glanced at Robin, who was watching Marian with a strange expression. "Are you ready to head back into town?"

"Y-yes." Robin reached down, took Regina's hand. "Let's go." He smiled at Marian. "You can bring Roland by tonight."

"I hate to put more pressure on your house right now." She gave them both a sympathetic look.

"No, it's no trouble." Regina assured her. "We love having Roland in the house." She tugged Robin's hand. "Let's go. I want to stop in town and pick up some tea."

When they reached Regina's car, she finally turned to him.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Robin leaned on the hood of the car. "Do you want me to drive?"

"No, I'm fine." Regina opened the driver's side door. "Robin, what's wrong?" Robin shook his head. His face was folded in a mask of confusion.

"Marian said she never had morning sickness with Roland…but she was horribly sick-most of the pregnancy. How on earth could she have forgotten that?"

Regina didn't have a clear answer. She couldn't deny that was strange. In twenty years, she would still remember how sick she had been during this pregnancy.

"Maybe it was all the magic she's experienced lately." Regina shrugged. She was sorry she didn't have a better answer. Robin looked at her.

"Do you believe that?"

"It's the best answer I have." Regina told him honestly. Robin nodded grimly.

"I'm sure it's nothing. Right?"

"Of course." Regina smiled. "Come on. Let's go into town. I've got to find mint-somewhere."

"You're really taking others word on this?" Robin climbed into the passenger seat.

"I'm out of options," Regina started the car. "This baby is going to kill me."