A/N: Hey peeps! I know ist been a while but law school was intense and a friend showed me the beautiful world of OUAT role playing ;) I learnt a lot so I hope it did improve my writing ;) So we gonna see a bit more of Regina's painful past in these one- an emotional heart to heart for our fav Queen and thief.

Thank you to Abi my wonderful beta! As always I don't own anything and all mistakes are my own. Please review love to know your opinion about this one - and if I get enough I might be talked into a flash forward Christmas One-Shot for this fic!

Enjoy peeps!

Three days later

His relationship with Regina has changed since their dinner together. She is almost friendly and Robin has to say it's quite nice. Quite nice to be called an idiot only once a day.

He chuckles about it now, slowly gets used to Regina's attitude- to her temper. They are finding a rhythm working long hours together. Long hours which bring them closer together, but sadly no closer to their killer.

The Firebug Killer

So is the press calling him, and Robin hates it; hates everything about this case. They have two woman dead and don't have an actual suspect – all leads they followed were dead ends.

All people both the women had any trouble with in the past have an alibi; some just didn't have the capability or are in jail, some dead. And the killer hasn't hit in three days after he murdered in two consecutive days.

It worries Robin. He knows people like Firebug Killer – people like them don't stop, ever- they have to be stopped.

Robin tries to suppress a yawn- he is tired, hasn't slept much. He and Regina had worked late yesterday and been back early and it's already 7pm again. As said, he really hates this case.

His eyes wander to his partner sitting on the desk next to him reading through the list of tips they had received by the public. They've been going through them for quite some time hoping to find anything.

"Found something, milady?" She only glares at him now when he calls her that. Even though he is sure that in secret she might be quite partial to the term. At least he hopes so.

"No, this is all useless crap. It seems the majority of the people in Chicago are stupid imbeciles." Ah there was it again- his partners charming attitude Robin has come to find strangely endearing.

"I'm not sure they all are as bloody stupid as you think they are," he tells her with a chuckle before adding "But yes it's mostly useless. How about we call it a night and I take you home?"

He knows he should stop being so protective but he knows her side still hurts and most importantly she is tired. He can see the deep dark circles under her eyes; watched how she fought to keep them open.

No matter how little sleep he got, his partner got even less. And after all, he has promised her lad he'll ensure her safety, right?

"Robin stop fussing- I mean it. I'm more than capable of driving home by myself. Besides, there is something I need to do before I can go to Henry." She sounds annoyed and Robin knows he should back down but he can't.

"You are tired Regina, you can barely keep your eyes open." He tries again but gets shut down. "So are you but you still want to drive both of us home."

Robin sighs and looks up just at the right moment to see her roll her eyes at him. She is tired for heaven's sake, he just doesn't want her to get hurt. How can't she understand that?"

"Because I'm more awake than you. You haven't slept well in bloody days." And before Regina can deny it he continues, almost pleading with her "You are tired, Regina. Tired people are unfocused, they have car crashes and die."

Regina looks at Robin when she hears him almost pleading with her and sees the pain in his blue eyes and suddenly she understands.

Marian.

His wife died in a car crash he told her on their first day; died and left him with a little boy to raise by himself. She gets it and on any other day she might've said yes, because yes, she is damn tired. Working late and nightmares aren't a good combination. But she can't- not today. Today she had to do something- or better said, talk to somebody- and even though she does trust Robin to some degree her past isn't something she likes to share with him. Not at all.

"I'm not Marian, Robin. I appreciate your offer but I'll be fine. And that's the end of this conversation," she adds before he can argue again. "Go home Locksley, go to your son. We'll see each other tomorrow and hopefully people will be less idiotic."

They look at each other for a moment but then Robin seems to understand that he's lost this argument and nods "Fine. But be careful Regina."

"I will," she gives him a small smile, cause no matter how annoying he is his concern is truly appreciated. "You too. See you tomorrow. Lieutenant."

He tells her goodbye- urges her one more time to be careful- and then Regina is gone. Walks down to her car, gets in, but doesn't start immediately. She is tired and just wants to go home but there is something she has to do first. So Regina takes a deep breath and starts her car. The sooner she gets there the sooner she can get home to her son.

Robin is worried and he knows he shouldn't do what he is about to do but he can't help himself. Regina is tired and tired people have car accidents and die. And he can't lose his dark haired partner; has come to care for her, sees her as a… friend? Either way he won't lose anybody else to a bloody murder weapon on wheels.

He gets up and waits till Regina drives away and follows her. He just wants to be sure that she arrives safely home. He knows that if she catches him she'll probably skin him alive, but he has seen her get up from her chair had seen how she needed a moment to find her balance. She wasn't well- and in no condition to drive.

Robin knows he is probably crossing a line here but images of Marian – bloody, broken, dead- flash in front of his eyes. Images that soon change from his late wife to Regina and screw it.

He won't lose her.

So he drives but soon realizes that this isn't the way home and when Regina turns right again and moves her car to a parking spot in front of quite a special building Robin almost chokes on his coffee.

It's a prison. The Chicago Correction Facility, to be exact.

What the bloody hell is Regina doing here? Robin is confused as he watches her get out of her car and disappear. Robin is curious but he knows following her is out of the question. For once that would be crossing another line and he thinks he is already in enough trouble and it's a prison. It's not like you can just come and go as you please.

Which brings him back to the question- what is his partner doing here? Or rather, who is she visiting? Robin plays through different scenarios and doesn't realize that his eyes drop shut and he falls asleep.

Doesn't realize it till he is woken up by a knock on his window. Well it's more like multiple very loud and angry knocks and when his eyes find Regina's face- a fire burning in her dark eyes- he knows he is screwed.

Because bloody hell she is angry.

He rolls down the window, trying to look as innocent as possible an apology already ready for her.

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" Oh damn, her voice is as cold as ice, her body almost vibrating from anger. He was wrong; she isn't angry… she is livid.
"I wanted to make sure you got home safely, Regina."

"So you followed me," there is an accusing tone in her voice and oh fuck, he is in great trouble here. "Followed me after I told you to leave me be. Besides, this doesn't look much like my home does it?"

Every one of her words is harsh and sharp and Robin knows he is on thin ice here. "I was worried, Regina. But you have every right to be upset and I apologise. I should've just gone home, but I needed to know you were safe."

He sighs his words are not doing much to calm her down but he keeps trying: "But then you came here and I was even more worried and I know I'm a bloody idiot but I assure you I only had good intentions. I'm sorry Regina. I truly am."

She looks at him for a moment- her posture tense- telling him how much this pisses her off and he adds, this one almost a whisper "Marian was tired too. If wasn't she would've been able to draw aside that drunk driver. She would've been alive. But I still had no right and whatever you do here is none of my business. I am sorry."

This time Regina is the one who sighs and her eyes become softer; her body relaxes a bit and then she lets the bomb drop

"I was visiting my sister Zelena."

Robin's mouth drops open as he just stares at her for a seconds. Her sister? He expected much but not this. Her sister? Well bloody hell, no wonder she didn't want him to drive her.

"Your sister?" He tries to keep his voice as natural as possible but the curiosity gets the better of him.

"Yes. Zelena is serving a 15 years sentence for armed robbery."

Her voice is almost cold when she tells him but he can see the pain in her eyes, can see that she cares for her sister.

"I'm sorry."

"Not your fault. So if you are done sticking your nose where it doesn't belong I'm gonna go home," and with that she turns around and leaves without another word.

Regina knows Robin followed her practically from the start- she is a good cop after all- but she had to be on time and really hasn't been in the mood to deal with her over concerned partner. But her eyes went wide when she saw that Robin was still outside when she left, shock making her freeze on the spot. Shock which soon has turned into anger. Anger which only slowly shimmered down, his apology sincere, his blue eyes all apologetic even before she has said a word.

She knows he did mean well; has also seen the fear in his eyes when she left, so she isn't as angry as she just presented herself. Regina understands his concerns but he still didn't respect her privacy and that just won't do.

And Zelena.

Her heart feels heavy at just the thought of her big sister. She has 1 year left on her sentence and Regina misses her. And she hates to see Zelena locked up; caged like an animal. Hates it even more knowing what a free spirted person her sister is.

Their conversations alway make Regina equally happy and sad, but she still comes by a couple times a month and calls regularly. She knows Zelena's poor life choices aren't her fault, she can't stop feeling guilty. Because without her Zelena would've never done what she did. Without her, Zelena wouldn't have spent the last 14 years behind bars.

Regina walks to her place and takes her phone into her hand, smiling softly at the red haired woman on the other side of Plexiglas. She puts the phone to her ear and Zelena does the same throwing a concerned glance at her younger sister.

"You look tired R"

She always calls her R in here- having a cop as sister could be dangerous, they both know that. It's a precaution to ensure Zelena's safety.

"Thanks, you look good too Zel," Regina replies rolling her eyes at her sister.
"I always do sweetheart. What is going on?"

Regina sighs; she knows Zelena won't stop asking so she tells her sister about her case.

"It's really a bad one. Robin and I work really hard but…." But she doesn't get to end her sentence as Zelena interrupts her with a curious grin: "Who is Robin?"

"My new partner, since David is lying in his bed with a hole in his stomach," Regina answers dryly. David has left the hospital two days ago, she told Zelena that.

"You didn't tell me you have a new partner sis, and you are already on first name basis? That's quite something." Oh Regina doesn't like the way her sister grins and shakes her head as she tells her "He is just my partner, Zelena. He is annoying and overly protective, but not a bad policeman. Or rather, fire marshal," she adds and sighs as Zel's grin gets even bigger

"Is there any reason you're grinning so stupidly at me dear?"
"Nope. Just that you like him." Regina rolls her eyes at her agai - Zelena has that effect on her- and mutters "No I don't. I mean he is manageable but…-"
"- is he cute? Attractive? Smart? Would he take a bullet for you? "

"Zel." But her sister is still asking questions so just to shut her up Regina answers "Yes he is attractive and also a yes to having a certain IQ. And since he technically has promised Henry that, another yes for taking bullets. Which I'm quite capable of handling myself, by the way."

Regina thinks she finally shut her up but then she sees the look in her sister´s blue eyes and… oh damn she is up to something.

"He already met Henry? If I remember correctly it took you almost a year for David to meet your boy."

"It was special circumstances. He needed a babysitter for his son and didn't have one. So Belle took care of both boys and your nephew insisted on dinner later. He was quite taken with Robin"

Zelena laughs at this, really laughs, and Regina doesn't know what's going on. "Zelena Mills would you please stop laughing?"

"Sorry little sis but I don't think Henry is the only one quite taken with him." Regina wants to throw something at her, damn glass which is separating them.

"I'm not. And we are done talking about him, alright? How are you?"

Her sister sobers up a bit- or at least stops laughing even if the smirk doesn't disappear entirely. "You are, but alright. As long as he is capable of protecting you, I'm good. If you die I have no visitors left."

"Thank you for your selfless concern for my life, dear," Regina jokes but she knows Zelena is serious; remembers how terrified her sister was when she was shot. She and Zelena are very different but they both went through much together and they love each other.

"Always R. And I'm fine, besides that I do believe that our cook tries to kill us. You should've tried those eggs with spinach… never eaten anything more disgusting."

Their conversation stays light after that, her sister (as usual) refusing to tell her how she really feels and before Regina goes she tells her "I miss you Zel."

"I miss you too R. And please be careful, okay?" Regina promises and leaves with one last look. Leaves because she has to kick someone's ass. A certain British ass.

She comes home only to say goodbye to her son. Henry has called her on her way home and asked if he could sleep over at his best friends place, had pleaded with her and she had finally give in. It was a Friday and all homework was done and she can't really say no to Henry these days, it seems.

"You'll be home by 10 tomorrow. And behave, okay?" Regina checks if he has everything, ignoring his eye roll at her. Henry might've picked up certain habits from her and he is growing up so fast it sometimes scares Regina.

"Yes mom I promise. I'll be polite and try to only break one or two laws." He also has her sass, Regina thinks with a frown, but it's a proud one.
"That's enough cheek for one evening, mister. Have fun and be careful." She kisses him on the top of his head ignoring his displeased sigh – he insists he is too big for "Mom kisses" but he always will be her little prince.

"Have a good night mom. And you will be okay, right?" Regina's breath gets caught in her throat at her son's question. A question a 10 year old shouldn't have to ask. But her son is smart, perceptive; he knows that she hasn't been sleeping well- knows that the case and her wound bothers her (among other things he, thank god, knows nothing about)

"Of course I'll be fine Henry. You don't have to worry about me. Go and have fun sweetie." Regina tries to reassure her son and she seems to succeed, concern disappearing from his green eyes as he waves her goodbye. Henry's best friend lives close enough to their apartment so that Regina can watch him walking, keeps watching him till he disappears into the other family's house.

Safe and sound.

She is so occupied with watching Henry that she doesn't see the car pulling to her building's parking lot. A car belonging to a certain fire marshal who now rings at her door.

Regina walks over and opens the door a frown appearing in her face when her eyes land on Robin. Robin who is holding a bottle of her favorite red wine as well as a box of her favorite chocolate- god knows how he figured that out.

"You know that stalking is a crime in the state of Illinois Lieutenant?"

She doesn't necessarily seem angry, more surprised, a bit thrown off maybe, Robin thinks as he holds his bribery goods out. He asked Emma for Regina's favorites when she called him about another useless lead and bought them.

"I'm here to bring a peace offering, Regina. And to apologies again." He hands them over and sees her eyes light up for a moment when she realizes that he brought her favorites. She might not kill him after all, if he is lucky.

"So is bribery, Locksley. But those things are good enough to grant you an invitation into my apartment. So come in before I change my mind."

She is not kicking me out, that has to be good sign right? Robin thinks as he follows her and sits down on her sofa at her order. She comes back a few moments later carrying two glasses filled with wine and hands one over to him.

"You are a moron, but I know you had good intentions so you are forgiven. But don't do it again. I already encountered a man who didn't understand boundaries, I don't need that again."

Robin takes the wine and looks at her curiously and then guiltily at her words. He really didn't mean to make her uncomfortable and he tells her so. "I know you didn't Robin and it's okay. It's done now and we move on, alright?"

She holds her glass up for a toast and Robin knows it's all forgiven. He takes a sip of the wine- it's really a good one- before asking a question which just came to mind.

"The man you are speaking about….?"
"Sidney." Robin's eyes widened at her words- well that explains a bloody thing or two.
"You and Sidney were… you two…"
"One date, not more, and it was a long time ago," Regina cuts him off, clearly not wanting to talk about it any further so he drops it.

"I'm glad you like the wine and chocolate Regina. And I'm glad my foolish mistake didn't cost us our friendship."

"Friendship? Oh are we friends now Locksley?" She sounds almost mocking but he can detect a sense of vulnerability in her voice as she asks.
"Yeah I kinda thought we are milady."

"Well then I suppose we are. If you think so." Robin has to chuckle at her words "Where is Henry?" Robin hasn't seen the boy anywhere and he is quite sure Henry would've checked up on his mother by now.
"He has a sleepover at his friends."

Ah, that explains it.

They fall into a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Robin takes a deep breath and ask the question burning on his tongue. He knows it's a dare but he has to know that she is alright and not in any trouble.

"So your sister…" He starts looking at her trying to keep his face blank.
"What about her?"
"You chose quite different paths," Robin tries, choosing every word carefully.

"You mean like I'm catching criminals and she is one?" There is bitterness in Regina's voice and something resembling… guilt? Either way Robin has the feeling there is a story behind all this.

"I wouldn't have used those words, but yeah." Robin sees how Regina tenses up; can almost feel her debating if she should tell him anything. But he remains silent, lets her decided doesn't push her.

"Zelena was 20 when she and her boyfriend robbed a small bank not far from here. They both were high and he…" Regina pauses but Robin stays silent waiting for her to continue.

"- he had a gun. It went off and almost killed a security guard. He is in a wheelchair today. Zelena got 15 years and Greg got 25."

She looks so hurt that Robin has the desire to put his arms around and hold her but he doesn't, knowing she wouldn't accept this kind of comfort from him.

"So were drugs their reason? A bank robbery is often a rather desperate move."

Robin still moves a bit closer just a bit still giving her space. He can see how much this weighs on her and he would do anything to take her pain away.

"No not really. At least they weren't Zel's. Hades… yes probably. Greg," she adds at Robin's confused frown. A boyfriend nicknamed Hades? Big surprise nothing good came out of it.

She does stay silent for a long time now so Robin takes his chance and pushes a bit "And what were Zelena's?"

"She wanted to run away. Our parents were… difficult people, and she wanted to leave everything behind."

"Including you?" Robin questions gently, blue eyes locking with dark ones. A small sad smile appears on his partners face when she tells him "No. She wanted to take me with her. I would've turned 18 in a year but she didn't want to wait."

Robin tries hard to keep his blank expression up. A 20 year old woman robbing a bank to get enough money to get herself and her younger sister out of their home… that was more than simply having difficult parents.

"Regina your parents…," but this time she cuts him off and tells him voice sharp:"I don't want to talk about that."

"Alright then, we won't." Robin knows when he can push and when he has to back off. She already shared quite a bit today so he lets it be and changes the topic. He reaches for her hand and squeezes once gently.

"So Roland is quite taken with you milady."

Regina smiles when he changes the topic, seemingly understanding that she has reached her limit of sharing dark stories. It hasn't been easy talking about Zelena even if she limited her story to necessary information and left out quite a bit. Still, it was more than most knew but talking with Robin… there is a strange kind of trust between them and she found herself wanting to talk to him. To let him soothe her arching heart a bit.

Which was stupid, but still.

"He is a wonderful boy. Luckily you are a far better father than driver." She can't stop mocking him- and he really sucks at driving. Well no, he doesn't, but he obeys all speed limits- always obeys all rules.

"I am a good driver, thank you very much. And those speeding limitations are there for a reason Regina, not just decoration." She likes that he isn't put off by her sass; likes that he always shoots right back.

They keep talking about Roland and Henry for some time, joke with each other and Regina starts to feel better, lighter. She laughs at Robin's wild stories of his youth and throws a pillow at him when he mocks her lack in interest of general rules of traffic- what with being a cop and all.

Regina bites her lip thoughtfully and then just blurts it out.

"What exactly happened to your wife?"

Robin stops taking mid-sentence and just stares at her. Smooth Mills, smooth. "Sorry that was a bit out of the blue. But you were a bit overly concerned today and I just.."

"Its fine Regina. You told me about Zelena, I suppose I owe you a story too. Besides it might keep you from pressing charges for stalking," he adds to lighten the mood she just brought down.

"You said she was tired…?" Regina starts, voice soft.

"Marian was on her way home from work. And yes, she was tired. Roland thought sleeping was overrated and she was working a tough case."

"Case? She was a cop?"

"Yes. A detective. Special Victims Unit. So you know her cases were intense and she took them all personally. So she either spent her time with taking care of Roland or hunting down a rapist."

Regina can hear him sigh, can see the pain in his deep blue eyes- a pain she knows often mirrors in her own. The pain of loss.

"A drunk driver ran through a red light. She would've had time to draw aside but she was tired and reacted too slowly. They crashed into each other. She was dead before the ambulance even came. Massive internal bleeding they said. She was dead within minutes."

"I'm so sorry Robin," Regina whispers, this time being the one to squeeze his hands gently.

"Thank you. It was quite the shock. I loved her so much and one second she was talking to me about buying new onesies for Roland and the next I get a call telling me that my wife is dead. It was like somebody took the ground away under my feet."

He stays silent, eyes now locked to something behind her probably lost in thought; lost in the pain of losing the woman he clearly loved very much.

"What happened to the other driver Robin?" Regina asks, trying to rip Robin out of his thoughts. "He died too. Two days later I think."

"I wanted to give up you know. Just close my eyes and never wake up again. I mean what would a life be without my Marian? But I had to – for Roland. And my boy brought the light back to me. He is my everything."

He looks at her again and when their eyes find each other she knows he knows- she understands. Understands how it is to lose the love of your life, how it is to keep fighting for your child. How you overcome the pain to be the parent your child needs.

"The pain fades a bit over the years but the loneliness…-"
"- remains," Regina continues his sentences and he nods. They both feel the connection when Robin squeezes her fingers which are still holding on to his hand. Shared pain and shared experiences binds them together; makes them understand each other in a way most people can't.

"Yes."

They remain in silence both lost in their own past when Regina can't suppress a yawn.

Robin has to chuckle at that telling her "Alright that is my cue. I'm going to leave you now to your beauty sleep, milady." Robin is already getting up when she insist "I'm not that tired Robin. You can finish your wine."

She throws a stern glance at him and he knows it's better to do as she says. But then he has first take care of a problem.

"Alright, if the lady insists. But if I am to enjoy your hospitality longer I need to go to the loo first."

"Second door to the left. And don't you dare not sit down Locksley," she calls after him. He yells 'can't make any promises, Detective' back and opens the door.

And of course he sits down- he is a well raised man, after all. He emerges only minutes later to find a quite adorable image in front of him.

Regina-I'm not that tired-Mills is curled up and sleeping on her sofa, cuddling a pillow. She looks almost sweet like this, not like the woman with an attitude and a sharp tongue.

Her dark hair falls in her face like a curtain as her chest rises and falls slowly. He says a soft Regina but no reaction. She is sleeping deeply. Robin looks around and his eyes find a blanket which he puts gently over her. He takes her phone out of hands and turns on her alarm in case she sleeps here the entire night.

He lets his eyes wander over her, making sure she lays comfortable before he starts to get his things ready to leave. "Sleep well darling. Till tomorrow."

He is about to head out when he hears her whimper loud enough for him to turn around and walk back to her. She whimpers again when he kneels next to her- clearly in distress. She is hugging the pillow tightly now, her entire body tense.

A nightmare

Robin hesitates for a moment, not sure if his touch is appreciated but as she whimpers again he starts rubbing soothing circles on her shoulder. A light touch mixed with comforting words he whispers softly and thankfully it works. Her breathing evens out, sounds less anxious, and within a few minutes the whimpers stop.

She seems to sleep peacefully now; at least he hopes she does. Robin hesitates for a moment but then tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear and just watches her for a bit. Makes sure she is actually okay.

He feels for her- can't help it- and he wants her to be safe, wants her to get a bloody good night of sleep. And he wants to punch that person who caused her so much pain. An anger he knows he isn't justified to feel. She is just his partner, he's only known her for five days but he cares- simple as that

Except it is anything but simple.

While Robin makes his way home- thoughts with his new fascinating partner- and Regina is sleeping for the first time in days, someone else starts their work again.

Or rather corrects a mistake.

Count to ten bitch. Count to ten and die.