Hey guys, I was astounded by the response to the previous chapters, so thank you to my amazing, lovely, stunning reviewers. Because of you guys I updated! :) Anyway, I'm going to school tomorrow. So after the next update after this it may take me a while to update. Sorry for the short chapter, but I promise, the next one will be heaps better with tons of evil charming moments ;) thanks again and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

Wicked Schemes and Black Trickery

David raised his hand against the door before he hesitated. Yes, it was essential that he retrieved the keys; he knew that Kathryn would notice its disappearance and that would lead to suspicious questions, which would no doubt lead to an explanation on his visit to the Mayor's house. And that was the last thing David wanted. No, he needed the keys back. But walking into Regina's house would mean seeing her again, which would no doubt bring back the memories of last night…and his nightmare. The nightmare he was trying so hard to erase. Then an idea formed in his head, he could convince Emma to retrieve them for him. After all, she wanted him to stay away from Regina, so she would surely agree. Yes, he would go and call Emma now, and perhaps meet up with Mary during her lunch break. This thought lifted his spirits as he turned back to the car. The door swung open. David froze, wincing.

" David?"

David swallowed as he turned around, giving Regina an awkward smile.

" I saw your car through my window," Regina explained, as if she read his mind. " I assumed you were here for this?"

She held up his house keys and threw it to him. He caught it, forcing a smile. " Thanks…well, I guess I should be going…"

" Wait!" Regina cried, stopping him. " David, I need to know, is Kathryn alright? I hope I didn't cause too much trouble for you and…and Ms. Blanchard".

David's eyes widened at Regina's mentioning of Mary, but she raised an eyebrow.

" Really David, you didn't think I'd know? No offense dear, but it was quite obvious."

" Well, I told her that you were only helping me and I made it clear that we were just friends. Thankfully she understood, and Emma explained everything to Kathryn." David paused, feeling uncomfortable at the mentioning of Kathryn. He tried to ignore the guilt that flooded him every time he mentioned both women. Then the memory of this morning came back to him, the guilt weighed him down. He decided not to mention it.

"That's good to hear," Regina replied, smiling. " Well now that you're here, would you like to come in for a glass of apple cider?"

She gestured towards her house. David's eyes creased in an apologetic expression.

" I'm sorry, I can't. Not after last night…I just don't think it would sit well with Kathryn."

Regina pursed her lips but nodded. " Of course, I understand. Well then, I best not be holding you-"

Her voice was cut off as her phone beeped. She frowned as she reached for it. Her face slowly fell as she read the message, before she closed the phone.

" Bad news?"

Regina looked back up at him. " That was Doctor Hopper, Henry's having lunch with him this afternoon. Lately, it seems like he'll do anything to avoid me."

She lowered her eyes at the last sentence, she knew that he was secretly having lunch with Emma but knew that it wouldn't sit well with her. David's eyes saddened, he knew that she was trying to conceal her sadness beneath the mask. No matter what Mary or Emma said about Regina (and they sad a lot last night), he couldn't help but care for her. After all, she did save him that night, and over the past few nights he had grown closer to her. Anyway, it didn't matter now. He had his keys, and Mary Margaret didn't want him to see Regina anymore, so he had no excuse to be here. Yet David couldn't will himself to leave her, not when she was in this state.

" Well Henry's ten years old," he offered, trying to find some comforting words. "I'm sure he's just going through a confusing stage in his life."

Regina pursed her lips as her eyes travelled to the distance. " Really? Because lately…I've just felt so disconnected from him. It never used to be like this, but ever since Ms. Blanchard gave him that book, well he's been so infatuated with it and caught up in this imaginary world that he can't stop seeing me as this 'Evil Queen'."

She lowered her eyes before looking back up at David, her lips straining into a smile. " Well, I should be letting you go. You shouldn't be burdened with my problems dear, when I'm sure that you have enough of your own. But, before you go, why don't you take some food back with you? I did some baking this morning for the picnic I was going to take Henry on."

David raised an eyebrow. " Picnic?"

Regina gestured to the house where the picnic basket sat. " I baked an apple pie, some chicken, bread and I even made some salad. Please, take some for you and Kathryn. There's more than enough."

David stared at the basket in disbelief. He couldn't believe that she had gone to that much trouble just so she and Henry could spend some time together. His chest tightened as he felt a rush of sympathy for the woman, he knew that it must be tough being a single mother, but being a single mother to a boy that didn't love her must be heartbreaking. Suddenly Marry Margaret's words drifted back to him.

Please David…just stay away from her.

David had to listen to her. He was only starting to mend their relationship again and he couldn't afford to ruin it by going against her word. But he couldn't leave Regina like this either, it wasn't right. Mary's words continued to pester him before David firmly ignored them: he wouldn't leave Regina in this state. Besides, he thought, silencing her voice. It wasn't like Mary would find out anyway.

So before Regina could blink David walked into her house. She whirled around with a questioning look as she watched him pick up the basket and shut her front door before he carried the basket to his car. Regina's eyes widened in astonishment as she followed him, her eyebrows knitted in a frown.

" David, what are you doing?"

David placed the basket in the boot of his car and slammed it shut, smiling. "We are going on a picnic."

Regina let out a small laugh. " No David, I couldn't possibly allow you-"

" I know a great place in the woods," he said, cutting her off, a twinkle in his eye. "Now come on, are we going to stand around here and chat or are we going to go and get to that delicious apple pie of yours?"

Regina let out a small laugh before she stepped into the car. She glanced at David, who was busying himself with the keys. Quickly she took out her phone and reread the message, her lips tugging into a smile. She began to text.

Change of plans. We will be in the forest. Go there and bring your camera. Regina

So what has Regina planned, I do love cliff hangers. Please leave a review guys if you wish for an update. Il do my best! Thanks for reading!

Lydia