The ride to Rumpelstilskin's was silent. She was walking behind the Merry Men, she didn't want to talk to them. She didn't like the look they were giving her. If it wasn't for their leader, they would have never wanted her near them. She started to wonder why she accepted the thief's offer that easily. What was wrong with her ? She didn't like people's company since she became queen. And those … Merry Men, they think they can judge her, but they're just a bunch of thieves. They are not better than her, are they ? And their leader, this Robin, why did he want to work with her ? All of this didn't make any sense. Regina was still suspicious about his motives but decided to remain silent instead of asking. He will lie anyway…

During the walk, she noticed that Robin was steeling glances at her every once in a while. She thought he was already regretting letting her come with them. Why was she still with them anyway ? Maybe Elphaba was right, maybe she would revert to the person she was before, she had nobody after all, she was alone. She started to feel a heartache at that thought. No, she couldn't think like that. This was exactly what Elphaba wanted her to think, she was not going to let her win ! Even if she was alone, even if her son didn't remember, even if she will not see him again, she had to stay strong for him and do what he wanted her to do. She owed him that after everything she had done to him.

Robin was fascinated by Regina, he didn't really know why. Maybe because she didn't seem to behave like he thought she would. She refused the Green Witch's offer, that was weird. She claimed that revenge was not everything, but it seemed to be her only motive when she was the queen. That's why she cast that curse, right ? Something must have happened in that other land … She talked about a son, did she lose him ? He couldn't think of the pain it must be to lose a child. He didn't know what he would do if anything happened to his son. Or … Maybe it's just a trick. Maybe she knew she was followed by them and all of this was just an act. No it couldn't be, she really seemed upset when she talked about her son.

Robin couldn't stop himself for watching her during the walk. She didn't seem that evil. She just seemed … sad, lost. He couldn't help himself but feel some pain for her, but he couldn't go there, he couldn't trust her. She had done some horrible things after all. What if she changed her mind and decided to join Elphaba. Why did he ask her to join them ? It didn't make any sense. He was putting everyone in danger. But something inside him told him that he could trust her but he couldn't listen to it. Too many lives were at stake. He needed to keep a close eye on her. He turned to look at her another time and was surprised to see her right beside him. She said "I know you don't trust me, if you want me to leave, just say it now". He was taken aback by what she just said and by the hurt that was written in her eyes. She was trying to hide it from him but he could see it. By the way she looked at him, he could see she expected him to agree with her, he could see that she was used to be rejected by people. "That's right I don't …" he said, lowering his eyes. Regina stopped walking and so did Robin. She stared at him for a moment, expecting him to finish his sentence, to tell her to leave but he didn't. So, she turned and started to go on the opposite direction when she felt him grab her arm. "But it doesn't mean you can't come with us." Regina looked at him, not understanding a word of what he said. "Look, I can see you're not used to people trusting you, and I also can understand why… But … After what you said to this witch, I want to give you a chance … That's why I want you to come with us tonight. If you promise me you're not going to hurt anyone" Regina couldn't believe what he was telling her. Who was he to judge her like that ? Giving her a chance… Well, … maybe she would take the chance. After all, she preferred to sleep in a real bed than in the woods. "All right" was all she said. He nodded his head and started to walk again, Regina following him.

As soon as they reached Rumpelstilskin's castle, they heard Roland shout "Daddy !" and run into his father's arms. Regina was taken aback by what she saw. She didn't suspect that Robin had a child. Maybe that was why he wanted her help, he wanted to protect his child. Robin took his son in his arms and hugged him. When Roland saw Regina, he asked his father "Who is the lady, daddy ?"

"This is Regina, we found her in the woods. She's going to stay with us for the night."

Roland seemed to be happy with this news "Will you tell me a story before I go to sleep ?"

Regina was surprised by Roland's reaction. She couldn't help but smile at this little boy who looked so much like Henry. She felt tears starting to fill her eyes. She answered "If you're father is ok with this, I'll be happy to do it". Then, she turned her head and started to walk in the castle. Robin didn't follow her right away, he was deep in thought. This woman had lost her child, he was sure of it now. The way she looked at his son… She couldn't fake that. He sensed he did the right thing in offering her to stay for the night. She really seemed to have changed. In offering her a beginning a trust, maybe things will change for her, maybe she'll be able to resist Elphaba's offers. Maybe it was crazy, but he felt it was the right thing to do. Roland started to move in his arms, he wanted to go inside and to follow the new lady. He was always fascinated by new people. So, Robin headed inside and put Roland out of his arms.

As soon as he was on the floor, Roland headed towards Regina. "Do you want to see my room ?" he asked. Regina didn't know what to answer, she looked at his father who was now talking to a woman who seemed to be part of his Merry Men. "Maybe later, sweatheart." Regina said, smiling to the little boy. Roland nodded and run towards the Merry Men that were sitting near the fire. When she turned to go talk to Robin, the girl spotted her and started to pull out her sword. "What is she doing here ?"

"Calm down Mulan, I invited her here" Robin said

"Do you know who she is ?" Mulan asked

"Yes, I know exactly who she is"

"Then you must have a dead wish ! What were you thinking ? Do you know what she can do to all of us ? Have you even thought about Roland ?"

"Look, I know nobody approves of the queen being here, but I can assure you she's not going to hurt anyone so please everyone calm down !" Robin said louder enough so everybody could hear him.

Mulan didn't seem to approve what Robin was saying but she lowered her sword and turned her back to Regina, she whispered to Robin "If something happens, you won't be able to say I didn't warned you !" then she headed towards the Merry Men near the fire and started to eat with them.

They were all sitting on the floor, even if there was a table in the same room. Regina stared at them, not really sure of what to do.

"Do you want to eat ?" Robin offered

Regina didn't answer right away, she looked at him for a while "Why are you doing that for me ?"

Robin smiled and answered "Well, I figured you must be hungry, it's been a long walk"

"I wasn't talking about that"

"I know what you were talking about. Maybe we can discuss about that later." With that, Robin sat and started to eat. Regina sat beside him but she didn't eat a lot, she wasn't very hungry. When Roland finished to eat he asked Robin "Daddy, can Regina tuck me in tonight ? Pleaaaaase ?" Robin looked at Regina and gave Roland a nod. "Yeaaah ! Come on Regina, I'll show you my room !". Regina started to follow Roland, she turned her head back to Robin and saw the disapproving look Mulan was giving him. Even if she didn't really care about those people, she couldn't help but feel a bit hurt by the way nobody seemed to trust her. She shook her head and followed Roland to his room. She helped him put his pajamas on and tuck him in. She was in the middle of a story when she saw that Roland was asleep. She placed a kiss on his forehead and whispered "Good night, Roland". Then she turned and froze when she saw that Robin was leaning against the door. "It didn't take long for you to make him sleep. I have to say, I was never able to make him sleep that easily. You must have been a good mother."

"How do you …"

"I heard you … when you talked with the Wicked Witch"

"Her name is Elphaba !" Regina said, passing in front of him and leaving the room. She didn't like the name people gave them. Evil Queen, Wicked Witch. Like everything was so simple ! And how dared he to talk about Henry ! She headed back to the main room and sat at the spot she leaved a few moments before. Robin came to sat beside her. He didn't say anything to her, he figured he shouldn't have mentioned her child. After a while, Regina turned her head to him. "You didn't answer my question"

"Which one ?"

"Why are you doing all of this ? You know who I am, you know what I did."

"I do"

"Then why ?"

"Not telling !" Robin teased. Regina didn't like when he was doing that but she didn't want to fight, she didn't have the strength to do it.

Robin took the bottle of water that was standing next to him and started to fill his glass "Do you want some ?" Robin said, showing her the bottle. While he was doing that, his sleeve pulled up his arm and then she saw it : the lion tattoo !

Sorry it took so long, but I didn't have a lot of time for myself lately. You know, life … Anyway, please review and tell me what you think. I'm not sure about what I'm doing with this story anymore.