Chapter 6

Robin had wandered into the Merry Men's camp whit his head down, tears in his eyes when a big hand touched his shoulder.

'She told me to leave her alone' Robin rubbed his face. 'What have I done, John. I've hurt the woman I love more than anything in the world'

'You really love her' John asked.

'Yes'

'Are you prepared to do whatever it takes'

Robin nodded.

'Alright then, you need to be patient, don't rush her because after all you did break her trust and faith in you. I think you should work really hard on getting those back. You help her whenever or where ever possible'

Robin slowly warmed up the too the idea. 'She wants to be left alone'

'then at least for now, you do leave her alone' Robin was staring at Little John but the big man was unrelenting. 'Like I said, you have to earn her trust and faith back and if she wants you to leave her alone you will do just that'

Robin remained silent. He needed to let the words sink in. He nodded. 'I will do just that but I will be there for her just in case she does need me'

Robin did exactly that in the weeks that followed. He left Regina alone but whenever and wherever it was possible he let her know that he was around. He wasn't invasive about it but he would turn up at every council meeting always voting for every single thing she proposed. He made sure he escorted Roland to school and saw to it that Henry was there as well. The young man didn't want him around so he kept his distance but he always waited until both boys were inside the school before he left.

Robin saw her heal, her face was once again the face he so loved, he knew that the wound in her shoulder would still act up a little but slowly but surely that was healing as well.

Robin stood at the wine section staring at the rather large selection of wines. He couldn't make up his mind which one to choose.

'you always liked that one when you came over' He heard softly behind him. He turned and was greeted with the most wonderful sight he could ever imaging.

'Oh, it's not for me. I am no longer drinking any alcohol, Milady. It's a gift for Friar Tuck, his birthday is coming up and he loves a good wine to go with his food'

'Doesn't he love wild boar roasted on an open fire'

Robin nodded eagerly, he didn't want the conversation to be over. She was near him, she had talked to him but more importantly she didn't flinch away when he made an few steps towards her.

'Then I suggest this one' Regina held up a particular wine and gently Robin took it, their hands brushed and sparks were sent flying. Regina quickly backed away, not ready for such a feeling just quite yet.

Regina turned around and was about to walk away when she heard him whisper.

'I am so sorry'

'What?' Regina was stunned.

'I am so sorry for what I did. There isn't a feeling in the world to describe how badly I feel for what I did to you'

'Right…'Regina said nervous. 'You didn't just hurt me physically, I've lost my trust in you and I don't know if I ever will gain it back'

'I will do my best to earn it back until the day I die'

'I don't know if that is enough' Regina said and walked away.

Robin stared at her retreating back, tears in his eyes. He knew it would be an uphill battle but he never thought it would be this difficult. He wiped away his tears, he wasn't going to give up. He would win her back. He would need to step up his game, first order of business was to get Henry on his side again.

Robin picked up Roland from school and waited until Henry was getting out. The moment Henry saw Robin standing near the school gate he made a beeline in the other direction. Robin and Roland went after him.

'May I speak to you'

'No'

'Will you at least listen'

'Listen to what, listen to you making up excuses as to why you beat up my mom'

'Pappa is very sorry for that Henry' Roland mumbled. The little boy knew a little about what had happened. Robin had to come clean when Roland realized Regina wasn't going to come over anymore. Roland had dropped off by one of the Merry Men to see Regina and while she did let him in he also knew that what his father had done was bad, really bad. He didn't know exactly what he had done but he saw the hurt that his father had caused.

Henry walked away angry. Robin followed him.

'Nothing in the world can undo what I did but I will make up for it the rest of my life but I would like to have the chance to do so, Henry'

Henry stopped, he didn't know himself why but something made him stop.

'If and that is a big if I give you the benefit of the doubt what would you do' Henry knew why he had stopped. He saw his mother going through live but not really living it. He saw that she was missing something but could and would he take the risk.

'I'll do whatever it takes' Robin nearly begged. Henry listening to him was huge step in the right direction.

'Maybe you could bring Roland over for the afternoon but after you drop him off you leave straight away'

'I'll do whatever you deem fit. I will not disappoint your trust in me'

'It's not just my trust you disappointed, Robin. You hurt my mom big time'

That afternoon Robin was nervous as hell knocking on Regina's door. He hoped Henry would be the one opening the door but it was Regina. He had the wind knocked out of him, he didn't know what to say or do. He just stood there.

'Hello, Roland' Regina said. Roland just ran into her arms and he gave her a big sloppy kiss on the cheek. He giggled. 'Missed you much, Gina'

'Missed you to, Roland'

Regina looked up at Robin who hadn't said a word since he knocked on her door.

'Oh, thank you for letting Roland visit you. He missed you terribly' Robin finally managed to get out.

'When are you picking him up again'

'Whenever you want me to, Milady'

'How about just after dinner, say seven o'clock'

Robin nodded. He turned around and was about to walk away when Regina hesitantly asked what made him decide to bring Roland over now.

'I have to admit it, I am using him shamelessly in order to win you back but now I must leave because I made a promise to your son to immediately leave after I dropped off Roland'

'You made a deal with Henry?'

'Yes, earning your trust also means I have to earn his back so when he suggested that I drop off Roland I agreed to leave straight away after doing so. So I must bid you farewell Milady until we meet again'

Robin bowed deeply and was rewarded with a smile from both Roland as well as Regina.

He was there again at exactly seven o'clock, once again nervous as hell. He knocked and waited for the door to open, this time it was Henry.

'Robin'

'Henry'

Henry didn't seem to feel the need for small talk. He did however invite Robin into the hallway but made it very clear that was as far as he could go.

'Mom is cleaning up Roland, we had pancakes for dinner and it turned a little messy'

'Ah, I see' Silence ensued after that short conversation.

'Daddy' Roland squealed while running towards his father. 'I made pancakes'

'Did you, my boy'

Roland nodded eagerly.

'Have you thanked Regina, Roland'

'yes, he most certainly did' Regina smiled and without a second thought she stepped into Robin's arms and kissed Roland goodbye.

'Goodnight, Roland..' and then Regina seem to realize that she was in Robin's arms, granted with Roland in between but never the less she was in his arms.

Quickly Regina stepped back, nearly dropping Roland in the process, the little boy hadn't realized he needed to grab on to his papa.

'I've got you' Robin said to Roland. Regina's face contorted in pain, the sudden move had set her shoulder on fire.

'are you alright' Robin asked in concern.

'I am fine'

'No, you are not'

'Well, it's not you concern anymore'

'I can help'

'YEAH, RIGHT YOU CAN HELP, YOU DID THIS' Regina screamed. She clapped her hand in front of her mouth, she hadn't meant to scream like that in front of Roland.

'Just go, please just go' She whispered.

Robin wanted to comfort her so badly but he also knew he was walking a thin line right now so he backed away and walked towards the front door. He turned around just before he walked out the door.

'You know , if you need me for anything you know where to you find me'

'I found you that night and look what that has gotten me' Regina said before closing the door on him.

TBC…