A/N: Hey peeps next chapter! I know some of you might be a bit annoyed about all the "case talk" and want more OQ but I need to set the case up for the fic to work. I promise the next one will have lots of OQ moments! In this one...well things are a bit tense between our two favs.

Big thank you to Abi for taking a look at it!

So enjoy and please don't forget to review!

It's late when Robin's phone rings. After another look at the clock at his nightstand Robin corrects himself; it's already 4am so it's more early than late. He sits up with a growl, rubs his eyes trying to get himself awake enough to figure out where the hell that bloody phone is.

When he finally finds it he almost sighs in relief. Till it hits him- It's 4am. Nothing good comes with calls at this ungodly hour and as he hears John- voice shaking- he knows he's right

He did it again.

"Do we have another one?" Robin asks tired, dreading the answer.
"Yes. She was dead before the fireman could get to her. So get your arse up- we need you here. And bring your lovely partner with you. "

And after a short moment of silence John adds with a growl:

"I'm sick of this fucking bastard."

"I know. We'll be there as soon we can," Robin mutters, running his fingers through his hair.
"Good. I texted you the address." With that John just hangs up. After taking another deep breath Robin gets up and walks over to his closet, grabbing clothes and deciding to give Regina another few minutes of pleasant sleep. Just a few minutes before he has to tell her that they found another one.

Another life destroyed.

Robin is already zipping his pants when he realizes that calling Regina isn't the only problem. It's 4am. Mulan (his wonderful neighbour) is on the nightshift, she won't be at home and day-care only starts in a few hours. What should he do with his son?

Roland usually stayed with Mulan's girlfriend Aurora, who works from home, but since she and Mulan broke up Robin is a bit in trouble regarding a babysitter. Not many are that flexible to just drop by at 4am. Unless those, of course, who cost a bloody fortune.

Robin is by no means a poor man or anything but it's not like a Fire Investigator makes millions and Chicago is an expensive place to live. Even more so as a single parent.

And all his other friends are usually in the same line of work as him or otherwise busy. His parents are still in England, too far away to help, and right now Robin is a bit desperate. He stares at his phone trying to think of anybody he could call but coming up empty.

He then remembers that he isn't the only one with a kid. Regina – her boy might be older but she still wouldn't leave him alone. As he dials her number he just hopes that she isn't in the same mess he is.

Even though he somehow doubts it. Regina Mills is the most organised and in-control person he has ever met. He has to chuckle thinking of her desk; he took a closer look at it as he was waiting for her yesterday. Everything was in its place, neatly ordered. Same for her clothes and make-up- all flawless and perfect.

So yes, he is actually sure that Regina has at least three babysitters lined up in case the others cancel on her. She answers at the first ring, almost surprising Robin. Which likely meant she hadn't been sleeping and Robin sighs deeply. He truly hates this case

"Regina Mills here," she answers sounding as tired as he is.
"Good morning milady…," Robin starts but she is already snapping at him before he can end the sentence.
"I already told you I'm not your lady, Locksley. Are you always this slow in understanding basics like proper titles? It's Detective Mills to you."

Robin is a bit taken aback at her biting comment. Sure she has been a bloody pain in the ass the entire day yesterday but he thought things weren't too bad when they parted. Seems he was wrong- she's right back to her lovely attitude. Which does piss him off; she is a grown ass woman for heaven's sake.

"Charming as always, Detective Mills. We've got another murder. Just thought you might like to know." She grows silent on the other side of the line and Robin would like to kick himself. So much for slowing easing her into it.

"When? Where?" her voice is steady but Robin does hear the sharp inhale, showing her concern.
"John texted me the address I can come and pick you up. It seems better than to drive separately," Robin adds carefully.
"I'd prefer to drive myself," she snaps.

Robin really really doesn't want to ask her for her help but he is in a bit of a mess here, so he closes his eyes and tries "I'm sure you would but I fear I have to ask you for a favour. And believe me you are the last person I wanted to ask but I'm having a bit of a problem here."

"What is it, Locksley," oh she sounds pissed, so he hopes that the fact that it's about a little boy will settle her temper a bit- maybe.
"My babysitter isn't available and I can't drop Roland at day-care for a few more hours. Since you have a son too I thought you might have somebody who can take care of both of our boys?"

Robin bites his lip as he waits nervously for her answer when he hears her sigh again. "Of course you don't have anybody. Organisation isn't your strong suit is it?" Robin's patience is slowly wearing down and he has to get a grip on himself to not snap back at her. In the few minutes they have been talking she's pretty much only thrown insults at him, and he knows the case is hard, whatever is going on in her life is hard, but this- she- is really getting on his nerves.

"Please don't make me beg, Regina, I wouldn't ask if it wouldn't be an emergency," Robin tells her and then finally she says:
"Alright. I'll call Belle and ask if she doesn't mind taking care of both boys."

"Thank you. We'll be at your place as soon as we can," Robin presses, trying to keep his voice calm.
"I'll text you my address," Regina says and then the line is dead. She just hung up on him- that woman is driving him nuts.

Roland isn't too happy when Daddy wakes him up but with the promise of getting pancakes for breakfast later and a new boy to play with (he truly hopes Regina's boy doesn't mind it too much). "All ready my boy?" Robin asks, holding Roland's coat out for him to get in. It's moments like this he truly misses Marian- or at least having someone to share the burden, someone who could look after Roland.

"Yes Papa. Is she nice?" The little boy asks, eyes barely open, hands stretched out in a clear sign that he wants to be picked up.
"I'm sure Miss Belle is very nice. But you have to be good boy for her remember?" Robin tells his son, picking him up and smiling when the boy cuddles closer. "O-Okay. And Miss Gina?"

Robin told Roland about his new partner and that they would go to her place. "Miss Gina is… is nice too," Robin figures it's better to lie on this part. "And it's Regina my boy," but Roland shakes his head telling him that he likes Gina more.

It doesn't take Robin long to find Regina's home. It turns out her apartment isn't very far from Robin's own. He walks up the steps to a second floor apartment and knocks (he doesn't want to wake Henry) and patiently waits for her to open the door.

It only takes her few seconds till he hears her steps but then some more to open all the locks attached to the door. He shouldn't be surprised- she is a single woman in a big city with a dangerous job. Robin himself has taken similar precautions.

"Hi," she snarls at him, clearly not happy to see him. He doesn't know why she closed up that much since yesterday. Sure they didn't have the best start and he wouldn't go as far as to say they were acting friendly but… it was less cold and… touchy?

He gets close to snapping at her even with his son in his arms, even with her generous offer but then he actually sees her. She is pale- dark circles under her eyes- and for a second, just a second, he can see so much pain (pain he is rather sure doesn't have much to do with their case) before it disappears again and she scolds herself into a neutral expression.

So he stops himself and only says "I'm really sorry. Thank you for doing this." She still doesn't seem all too happy about their arrangement when Roland opens his eyes (the boy had been asleep as soon Robin started driving) and mutters sleepily "Are we there? Are you Miss Gina?" He asks, his dark eyes finding Regina.

Robin can see her gaze soften and a real smile appears on her face. It's a small one but it seems genuine. "Hello Roland I'm Regina. It's nice to meet you." What happens next amazes Robin so much he can't quite stop his eyebrows from rising close to his hairline.

His sweet but usually very shy son beams at Regina and struggles against him, clearly showing that he wants to be put down. As soon as his little feet hit the floor the takes Regina's hand into his and says as serious a four year old can manage "Hello Miss Gina. It's nice to meet you too. Sorry for waking you while it's till sleeping time but Papa has a job e-emargny" And both Robin and Regina melt- Robin even more as his new partner sinks onto her knees and takes his son's hand into hers and shakes it.

"It's 'emergency' my boy." Robin corrects gently stroking over his son's head. "It's fine sweetie. I have to go with your Papa to deal with the job emergency, so I was already awake," Regina answers still smiling at the boy.

Robin eyes meet hers for a moment, and he is actually rather sure that Regina had been awake before his call but he decides to drop the topic. For now.

When Robin lifts his head he sees that someone else is now standing behind Regina. It's a woman not older than 25, long brown hair and deep blue eyes. She is… sweet. Not so much Robin's type, but sweet.
"Roland this is Belle she will look after you till you can go to day-care. Is that alright?" Regina asks, still eye to eye to the little boy. Somehow Robin finds it endearing that the already rather small woman made herself even smaller so she could be face to face with his son.

Roland nods and he smiles at Belle (it's by far not the beaming grin he threw at Regina but it will do).
"Then goodbye Roland. Be a good boy for Miss Belle alright? I love you," Robin tells his son and tips gently on his nose (it's some kind of ritual they always have) Roland hugs him tightly and says "Okay Papa. I love you too."

"Thank you so much for doing this," Robin tells Belle and Regina and the first one answers with an "He seems like a wonderful boy. It's no problem. Regina gave me your number I'll call you in case we need anything but I think we will be fine."

With that Belle takes the boy inside, followed by Regina who tells him she will be with him shortly. Robin is beyond glad that his son seemingly adapted rather quickly to the new situation. But since his son is taken care of it means focussing back on their case, and it's truly a bloody shitty one.

Regina exchanges some quick words with Belle, making sure everything is clear for her son as well as for Robin's. She has to admit the little boy might be the most adorable child she has seen since her own. Four years old with dark big eyes and equally dark hair. And dimples… dimples he very likely got from his father. He doesn't really look like Robin besides those, and Regina wonders for a moment how Roland's mother looked.

After meeting Roland and seeing how worn down Robin looked too, she almost feels guilty for being so short with him on the phone. Not to mention her feelings as she saw their little ritual. She and Henry share the same one.

Regina knows having another brutal murder isn't his fault- she knows babysitting crises- knows that he didn't ask to work with her, just like she didn't. And it's not his fault that she finds him as attractive as she finds him annoying. But she hasn't slept well; went from nightmare to the next, and she has a massive headache and if it all comes down to a migraine- she doesn't have time for that

And she is tired, so tired, and her side hurts (she curses that bastard who put an bullet through her) and she really isn't in the mood for another burnt girl.

Another life destroyed

She leaves Belle enough money on the counter, tells her to let Henry call at lunch time and that she hopes that she will be home as soon as possible. "It's fine Regina, I have the boys handled. Henry is a good child and Roland seems to be too. Just take care of yourself alright?"

Regina manages a smile at this; she really has come to like the younger woman. "I will Belle, thank you." She grabs her things with a sigh and heads toward Robin but not before Belle calls after her again "He is cute." Regina only shakes her head and says with a roll of her eyes "Not my problem," and with a wave she is gone (but she could be sure she saw Belle rolling her eyes, too)

Regina walks out the door- sparing one last glance inside- and readies herself for another rotten day.
"You are ready?" Robin's voice almost startles her and when she looks up she can see concern in his blue eyes. Concern for her, Regina realizes with a frown. She feels like crap sure, but she is usually not so easy to read.

"Looks like it doesn't it? Get yourself moving; we are probably already late," she more or less hisses at him, earning an eye roll at his part.
"After you Detective," and with that Regina walks out straight to his car and soon they are on the street, an awkward silence between them.

"Thank you again for doing this," Robin mumbles throwing a short glance at her. Regina doesn't turn but just looks out of the window when she replies.
"He is a sweet boy, it was nothing."

Then again silence. Silence till she can hear Robin sigh deeply. She at first thinks it's case related but then "Regina what is going on? I know we didn't have the best start yesterday but I thought we warmed up a bit to each other?" Regina is still not looking at him and there is a part of her who finds his way of reading her highly uncomfortable.
"We have another murder, that's what's going on. I should be lying in my warm bed sleeping instead of being with you heading to another burnt body."

"So you are telling me you were sleeping deeply when I called you?" Robin asks and Regina can feel fear and anger creeping up in her. Fear because he keeps looking right through her and anger because he keeps poking.

"What I do or don't do in my home is none of your business," Regina snaps at him and sighs in relief when they arrive at the crime scene.

She jumps out of the car while he's still driving and regrets her stunt immediately as a sharp pain goes through her side. She's gonna kill that bastard slowly and painfully, and damn this hurts.
"Bloody hell Regina what's wrong with you? You could've hurt yourself," and at her wince he adds "You did hurt yourself. Is there are a reason why you have to be so stubborn and bitch at everyone around you?"

Regina is now seriously angry, and her side and her head hurt (not to mention her heart and soul but well) and she is just so done and the sun hasn't even risen yet.

"I don't have patience for idiots and incompetence and it seems I'm surrounded by it," with that Regina walks away from Robin without a second glance. She just keeps walking and then to her relief she recognizes John and moves towards the other man.

"Mr Litel what has happened here?" Regina asks, ignoring Robin as he suddenly appears next to her. He seems to want to say something but then bites his tongue, merely asking the man in front of them the same question. John looks between them, clearly not oblivious to the tension between them but decides to ignore it.

"Okay this house belongs to Ingrid Arendelle. She lived here alone and we assume the body we found is her. We got the call around 3.30 and the fire department realized the similarities to the fire yesterday and then called us."

"Similarities? So eggs and a trash can?" Regina asks, rubbing her neck absent-mindedly, trying not to think of Ingrid and the pain she must've been in. John nods at that and it's Robin who says it first but Regina thinks the same "I just don't understand the trash can. Everything here is well thought through, planned meticulously, and the can… it just doesn't make any bloody sense."

"It seems rather childish yes," she mutters and adds "David was thinking the same." And of course no matter how much bad blood is between those two he has to ask "How is David?" But all Regina answers is "He's fine."

"Did somebody see something?" Regina asks, changing the topic back to a safer place. John is still looking between the two when he answers "No not really. A man over there said he heard a tyre squeak but not more. Ingrid's car is gone so we are already looking for it. Nothing so far."

"So in other words we have another dead girl and nothing we can use to find who did this to her?" Regina mutters bitterly.
"Well yeah. Even though I wouldn't call Ingrid a girl anymore."

"Why how old was she?" Robin questions and now Regina's curiosity is awakened. Rapists normally tend to have a specific type. But not much about this case is normal to begin with.

"Her ID says 47. We found her purse in the garage she must've left it there when he surprised her," John answers and hands it over to Regina. She takes the ID out and takes a look at Ingrid Arendelle, and the woman couldn't have been more different than Ruby Lucks. Ingrid wasn't just twice as old but while Ruby had long brown hair and brown eyes Ingrid was a blonde with crystal blue eyes.

"Does she still have her driving license?" Robin asks her and Regina shakes her head. Ingrid's license is gone just like Ruby's (Emma told them so much yesterday before they both went home. "No it's gone too. He took another trophy."

"Trophy?" John asks confused and it's again Regina who answers
"Serial killers tend to take trophy's to remember their crimes. There is no other reason for him to take the driving license."

"So you think we are dealing with a serial killer here?" Regina bites her lip before she answers.
"Technically someone is only called a serial killer after three consecutive murders. We only have two."

"But your gut tells you it won't stop at two, right?" This time the question is direct directly at her.
"Yes," is all Regina says. Both men sigh at this and the answer Robin gets to his next question isn't settling Regina's nerves at all.

"What was Ingrid doing for a living, John?"
"She was a social worker for over 25 years I think."
"Oh boy," Robin mutters and Regina has to agree. Social workers tend to have rather a lot of enemies; a lot of possible candidates for her murder.

John's phone rings and as soon as he finishes the call he tells them "The fire department has secured everything, you can enter,"

With that Regina and Robin walk towards the house without exchanging another word.

Robin is still pissed when they come back to the station later but he thinks maybe some coffee will smooth the edges a bit. So when he gets some he takes another one for his new partner and makes his way up to her. Regina is sitting at her desk talking to a tall blonde Robin knows is Detective Emma Swan.

"Good morning again, Detective," he tells her handing over the coffee, his smile thin but it's there. Her eyes widen at his gesture and then she takes the coffee from him and takes a sip. He can see her eyes light up (and for some unexplainable reason this makes him happy) and when she looks up at him he can see something resembling a smile.

"Pumpkin Spiced Latte… how did you know?" Robin can't help it- he is rather satisfied with himself. He answers with a simple
"Just a feeling" and leaves out that he has met Tink at the coffee shop who told him. She rolls her eyes at this but Robin thinks it's more affectionate than annoyed, like it was a few hours ago.

Robin's eyes suddenly find the pile of files on Regina's desk and he throws her a questioning glance as he asks her what those are. "Files of all the cases Ruby's grandfather could think of that were important to him or his son. In case it was an act of revenge," Regina answers him and for a second she is rubbing her temples.

A headache, Robin realizes she has had it probably since the morning and he remembers her aching side too and thinks that everything makes more sense now. Her attitude this morning was likely related to her being in so much bloody pain.

"And?" She grimaces at his question and then answers with a sigh.
"All of them have a motive- all of them could've done it. But there is no connection so far."
"So we still aren't any further?" She shakes her head and seemingly regrets it, immediately inhales sharply.

Robin almost asks her if she is alright but stops himself. They are in a full squad and he knows she won't admit to it here, likely won't even when they are alone. And even though she is a bloody pain in the arse he has the desire to make sure she is okay. She might shoot him for just thinking that way, Robin muses with a grin.

"I'm surprised you have good taste in coffee Locksley. Aren't you British people all about tea?" She teases and Robin thinks he might be a bit more in her good graces than he was earlier this morning.

"Oh I make a mean cup I'll have you know! I just prefer coffee after nights like this," he tells her, a grin appearing on his face before he can stop it.

"Don't we all?" A voice behind him startles him a bit and when he turns around there is a man in his late forty's with red hair and kind eyes behind him. Robin likes him from the first second.
"Dr. Hopper, thank you for coming," Regina says and she looks guarded all the sudden.

"Locksley this is Dr. Archie Hopper our psychologist. We asked him for help on this case. Dr. Hopper that's Robin Locksley, OFI." Robin and the red haired man shake hands.

"So what do we have here?" The psychologist asks curiously.
"Ingrid Arendelle, 47 year old social worker. Cause of death is unknown at the moment but we assume the same as Ruby Lucas," Regina answers and Robin notices again how tired she sounds.

Nobody says anything as Dr. Hopper studies the file and patiently waits for his opinion. Robin has to admit he is interested what the other man has to say. He is not the biggest fan of shrinks but he has had some good experience with them too, so he tries to stay open.

Before either of them can say a word Gold joins them and exchanges a look with Robin's new partner. Robin watches the interaction silently, knowing that that glance meant something. What, exactly, he does not know but there is a part of him who really wants to know.

"The daughter and granddaughter of cops and a social worker… did you find a connection?" The older man asks, standing right behind Regina. Robin knows that Gold is a good cop but also a bloody son of a bitch so he tenses a bit as the Captain stands so close to his new partner.

"No we haven't. At least not yet," Regina answers him, shaking her head thoughtfully.
"So do you think we are dealing with a professional?" That question was directed at Robin and he takes a deep breath, all eyes on him as he answers "Yes and no. Professional arsonists usually act based on profit. Deaths are usually accidental. This one isn't. He knows what he is doing everything with the eggs suggest this. The trash can on the other side… it's amateur-like. It seems personal like look what I did, look what I can do"

Everyone falls silent for a moment before Regina speaks up.
"It's like a neon signal. A cry for help?" Her question was for their shrink who shakes his head when he answers.
"No, more like a bellow of rage."
"Can you give us a profile Doc?" Emma asks, a hand lying on Regina's shoulder. Robin barely has spoken to the blond Detective but everyone speaks highly of her and he notices how protective she is of Regina and somehow that makes him like the other woman. Why? He doesn't bloody know.

"Well I guess Robin knows more about the psyche of arsonists but I'll give it a try. About a fourth of all arsons are committed by boys under 14, about 25% are between 15 and 18. I don't think we deal with any of those cases. At least I hope we don't. The rest is usually not older than 30, male and white. Usually it is like Robin told us, done for profit, but of course fire can be a powerful weapon. The crimes are well planned and calmly carried out. I would point the age of our suspect between 25 and 35 not older. Probably already came into contact with law enforcement in the past. "

Robin wants to add something to the profile they have by now ( he agrees on everything at the moment) but is interrupted as the door opens and Jefferson comes in, carrying a few bags. Robin doesn't like the guy, doesn't know why (and it has nothing really nothing to do with the way he looks at Regina- nothing).

"Good morning everybody! I thought I might bring you something to eat. It looks like you need it," the other man says and earns a big bright smile from Regina and Robin really feels the need to punch the other guy. It's bloody stupid, he knows, but how the other man gets that reaction out of his new partner an he only gets yelled at is beyond his understanding.

"Thank you Jefferson! And thank you for lending Belle. I really needed her today," Regina tells him and when the other man just shrugs and says it's fine and gets another smile from the dark haired beauty Robin's mood is sour. For whatever reason.

Jefferson says goodbye with another big grin and then they all eat in silence.

Regina slowly takes bite after bite from her pancakes (it brings a smile to her face that Jefferson thought of it) and with the food and the coffee for the first time she feels something like relaxed today. Her gaze shifts over to Robin who seems to not be feeling better, staring at his sandwich like it is his own worst enemy.

Before Regina can ask what his problem is her phone rings, Mal telling them she has a cause of death. "Locksley move your ass. Mal has a COD," Regina is already popping the last piece of pancake in her mouth and gets up without looking to see if Robin is following her.

Her headache is a bit better even though not by much, and she really wants to go home. She doesn't want to know how much Ingrid suffered before that son of a bitch killed her. Doesn't want to, but knows that she needs to.

To her surprise Robin has caught up with her before she is out of the door and as soon as they are alone he has to ask "Are you alright?" She might actually have to punch him- his constant concern is annoying (and maybe a bit heart-warming)

"Locksley I imagined you to be a pain in the ass, but this is just too much. Yes I'm fine and now stop asking or I swear to god I'm gonna shoot you." And he surprises her again by staying silent, only he regards her with that look. That look that says he sees right through her and it annoys her. People aren't good at reading her; especially not after such a short time.

He already has his mouth open for a, no doubt sharp, reply when they get interrupted by Tink- a very wet Tink. "Regina what the fuck is wrong with you?" The blonde woman asks and Regina has to laugh for the first time today. They found Lisa on the crime scene. Lisa was Ingrid's cat and since she was the crime scene… well that means she is evidence and Regina simply had told the CSU peeps to take her in. She was a thorough cop after all.

"I don't know what you are talking about?" Regina asks innocently.
"You know damn well what I'm talking about! Why did you insist taking this damn beast in for evidence?"

"Because she is evidence? The cat was at the crime scene she could have traces of evidence all over her?" Regina turns her head a bit and sees how Robin has to bite down his own laugh and for some reason she feels a rush of energy in her belly- a tickling. She doesn't understand what is happening at all.

"Yeah sure. I'm wet, it bit me and I'm sure nobody ever looked so hatefully at me. I know you have grown soft on animals since Ayla but this… this means revenge. Just so you know."

"I'll be ready for it," is all Regina says before she pats Tink on the shoulder and adds a "But you too look so cute together," and then walks towards the morgue.

"I have to say that was a nice one milady," Robin tells her, still chuckling.
"I also don't know what you are talking about. I just asked the CSU to do their job," and before Regina can stop herself she winks at Robin who just laughs. Regina tries to ignore how happy it makes her that she made Robin laugh.

Regina just shakes her head and opens the door which separates them from Mal. Her mood has been better for few moments but now she is facing reality again. She was about to go to the second autopsy within two days.

Two days two dead.

"Hey little one. Hey hot-shot. Hoped not to see you again that soon under the same circumstances," the blonde woman tells them and Regina smiles sadly when she answers "Me neither Mal. What can you tell us?"

"I'm not entirely done but the one thing you need to know. Ingrid had carbon monoxide in her lungs."

"Wait. She wasn't dead before the fire started?" Robin sounds as confused as Regina feels. This doesn't sound good- not at all.
"No she wasn't. She lived about two to five minutes before her heart stopped beating," Mal explains to them.
"So that was the cause of death?" Regina asks tiredly.

This case really sucks.

"No, at least not directly, Regina," the medical examiner tells them and Regina's heart sinks.
"Do you want to elaborate on that?"
"He slit her wrists, she bled out."
"How long does it take for someone to bleed out like that?" Robin questions but if it is possible Regina heart clenches painfully. She knows the answer.

"Two to five minutes," is the answer Regina knows will come and she and Robin stare at each other for a moment both slowly understanding what kind of hell Ingrid went through before death claimed her.

"Was she raped?" Regina asks taking a deep breath and knows the answer again before Mal can say

"Yes she was."

The migraine-turned-headache comes back full blown and Regina closes her eyes trying to fight off the horrible smell, trying not to think of how terrified and in pain Ingrid must've been.

"Regina?" Robin asks carefully but her eyes are already open again when she tells him.

"Let's go Locksley. Let's go and find out who hated Ingrid Arendelle so much that he wanted her to suffer like this.