A/N: Hey everyone welcome to the next chapter!

Thank you to Abi for taking a look at it!

Trigger Warning: Mentions of past sexual abuse and murder

Regina is shaking all over; the only thing keeping her upright is Robin. Leopold's grave is destroyed- burnt to the ground. Burnt down by a man who killed five people, burnt down to avenge what her stepfather did to her.

How did he know? She has only told a handful of people.

Her mother, Zelena, David, Daniel and now Robin and she knows none of them told her little horror story to someone else. So how does this fucking sociopath knows her dark painful secret?

And how much else does he know?

She hasn't said a word yet but she can feel many worried eyes on her. Eyes belonging to her team. Gold got Emma, Neal and Archie and Regina knows she has to tell them, has to explain what the killer means with this letter. She doesn't want to, doesn't know if she can but the simple truth is she doesn't have a choice.

This letter changes a lot. They have a motive now. The killings aren't random, this is about revenge. An eye for an eye. The cycle of abuse taken to a new level.

"Regina…what does this mean? What he is talking about?" Neal's uncertain voice rips her out of her thoughts. He is nervous; clearly doesn't want know but is aware that he has to. Emma is unusually calm, reading the letter over and over again.

She has to tell them- thankfully just them for now, Gold assured her but it doesn't make this any easier. Regina can feel Robin's grip on her shoulder tighten for a moment before rubbing soothing circles again. Telling her she isn't alone in this.

She can do this. She has to do this.

"Regina?" Emma asks quietly as Regina still hasn't said a word.

"Maybe we should do this later, give Regina some space," Archie suggests but Regina interrupts him. She has to do this, and not telling it now is only putting off the inventible.

"No we'll do this now. Its needed information and it won't be any easier if I have to tell you it in an hour. Let's just get this over with."

She can feel Robin come a bit closer but he remains silent. He gets that she has to do this now.

"As you all are aware Leopold was my stepfather and that we didn't get along all that well."

Regina takes a deep breath and just says it.

"Leopold sexually abused me in my teenage years and as you can all guess was never punished for it. I've only told this to very few people in my life whom I trust explicitly to keep their mouth shut about it. I do not know how he found out about it."

There is a moment of silence in the room before Neal speaks up

"I'm sorry Regina."

"I have no use for your pity, Cassidy. I need you to focus. This information changes things, we have a motive now. Let's use that to take him down."

Regina is completely calm, mask perfectly in place. She will break down later.

"We will Regina. But we are your friends not just you co-workers. Are you… I mean I know you aren't okay but… are you okay?" Emma babbles, not sure how to comfort her friend just right now.

"I'm fine Miss Swan. Now stop standing around like a bunch of idiots and get to work."

Both Emma and Neal nod and figure it's better to do as asked. Emma squeezes Regina's shoulder on the way out and Regina manages a small smile. She knows Emma's past wasn't all rainbows and unicorns either so the other woman might understand more than she lets on.

"Regina if you want to talk… you have a lot on your plate right now."

"As I said Dr. Hopper I'm fine. Thank you for the offer though. I have work do to now."

With that Regina stands up and leaves Gold's office- Gold, who has stayed mostly silent but she can see his anger on her behalf. She needs a moment to herself. She walks out, walks to the bathroom and locks herself in. Her head is throbbing but it's nothing against the pain in her heart. Memories crashing down on her, memories of Leopold's hands on her, of him holding her down, of feeling so damn helpless, of feeling worthless.

She's shaking, not from fear but from anger. This pain- her past- it is her pain, hers alone and he had no right to use it, to compare them, to justify killing those people. No matter what exactly happened to him, to this person… Ruby and Ariel were innocents and he dared to compare them.

Regina can't hold back the tears anymore, they break free and god it hurts, everything hurts and she can't breathe. Can't till she suddenly feels arms around her, strong arms holding her. Holding her soothingly; arms here to comfort, not to restrain and she tenses up at first, struggles against it (he immediately lets go) but then she hears his voice, his warm and calm voice and suddenly all she wants is to be held. She lets him hold her and cries.

Robin wanted to give her space as he saw her storm into the bathroom. He had waited outside, knowing she needed to calm down. But he had waited and waited and when too much time had gone by he followed her.

And now he is holding her, tears streaming down her face and his heart breaks. Regina held herself together so well in there and he is incredibly proud of her, but now everything has to be let out. She is shaking in his arms and god he is so angry, angry that this bloody wonderful and amazing woman is in his arms is crying for the second time within 24 hours because people hurt her.

"Shh Regina, everything will be alright. We will get him. I promise."

He knows he is making a big promise here but he means it. He won't stop looking for this bastard till he is behind bars and far away from Regina.

"You can't promise me that, Robin."

She has calmed down, her head lying on his chest (his shirt is rather wet but he doesn't care) and her arm around him.

"Yes I can. You aren't the only stubborn, bloody brilliant person you know. Together we will get him. I know it."

She chuckles and Robin smiles, relieved. If she can chuckle she is feeling better.

"You are an idiot, Locksley."

"Might be so milady but you still like me."

He can feel her press herself closer to him but he doesn't comment on it, just holds her a bit tighter too.

"How are you? Honestly, I mean."

She stays quiet for a moment but then sighs

"Humiliated. I hate the way everyone is now looking at me. And my head hurts."

"How do they look at you?"

"Like I'm a victim. Like I'm…weak."

Now it's Robin who sighs as he presses a kiss on top of her head.

"That's not how Emma or anyone else was looking at you Regina. They care about you and they hate that you were hurt. And they look up to you."

"Look up to me?"

Robin's heart hurt at the disbelief in her voice

"Yes Regina. You survived. You are standing here, strong and ready to fight. We all admire you for that."

"You do?"

"Yes I- we do. Regina we can do this. Together. This isn't your fight, it's ours. Let us help, don't push us away alright?"

Once again she stays quiet for some time but when she speaks Robin has to smile

"I'll try."

"Good, milady, that's all I can ask for. So what now? Do you want a break? Back to the case? What do you need?"

"I need to work Robin; I need to get this son of a bitch."

"Okay, then let's do it."

They change their approach, looking at the files with fresh eyes and slowly the tension in the squad room lessens. Lessens, till a certain moron comes by. Great- like this day needs to get even worse!

Jefferson is at Regina's side within seconds, holding a cup of her favourite coffee in his hand and Robin wants to punch him. He knows it's not fair- the other man is only trying to help- and Regina takes the coffee with a small smile. At least she seems to have settled somewhat.

Still… Robin doesn't like Jefferson, doesn't like the ugly bastard (it's a lie, Jefferson is attractive, Robin knows that and it pisses him off) doesn't like him being here.

"I'll leave you guys to work, just wanted to check up on you and make sure you got all the caffeine you need Regina."

Bloody hell, sodding bastard.

Robin puts on a fake smile and says hello before using the excuse that someone still needs to question Hans and walks out.

Bloody coffee bringing bastard.

Regina is calmer now and when Jefferson brings her coffee and a few pancakes with his world famous homemade apple sauce she actually manages to try both without throwing up. She is doing better now.

Good enough that she is ready to question Hans with Robin. But it looks like she didn't have to bother. Robin tells her he can do this alone, doesn't need her. He seems… upset; very different to the calming and caring man who just spent a half hour in the lady's room trying to comfort her.

She says goodbye to Jefferson and sits down, confused. What is going on with Robin?

Regina then suddenly feels a gaze on her and when she looks up Mal is standing there watching her.

"Good morning dear. Any particular reasons you are staring at me?"

"You look like shit, little one."

Regina laughs at this, it's to typical Mal.

"Thank you for the compliment, dear. You don't look to bad yourself."

But Mal merely shakes her head and sighs.

"I have a break right now and you have coffee and pancakes and you are coming with me."

"Oh am I?"

"Yes."

With that Mal grabs her arm and the pancakes and pulls her into her office. Regina knows she could just say no, but she also knows she needs to tell Mal what happened that morning. She and the other woman are close; not as close as they used to be, but still close and Mal deserves to know.

They sit down and eat in silence for a moment before Regina tells her

"I only have a little time; I need to help Robin with the interrogation."

"The one he just said he didn't want your help with?"

Mal chuckles, remembering Robin's reaction to Jefferson.

"Well that's his problem not mine. I don't know what is going on with him."

Mal laughs at that and then looks at her with wide eyes when she realizes that Regina really has no clue what is going on.

"You don't know what is going on? For a smart woman you can sometimes be rather idiotic."

Regina slaps her at those words

"I'm not idiotic."

"Then you are blind. He is jealous, Regina.

"Jealous? Of what?"

"Not what, who. Jefferson dear. He clearly likes you very much and he very clearly does not like your coffee guy."

"Robin isn't jealous of Jefferson Mal, he has no reason to be. There is nothing between me and him."

"You know that and I know that. Robin doesn't. And I know jealousy when I see it dear."

Regina realizes that Mal maybe has a point. Is Robin really jealous of Jefferson?

"Oh great, just what I need now."

Mal sobers up at that, her blue eyes concerned

"What is going on Regina? What was that conversation about in Gold's office about?"

Regina sighs but knows there is no way around. She tells Mal everything, wondering what happened that after years of not telling anyone she has recounted her story three times within the last 24 hours.

"Mal?"

"I should've killed the bastard myself. A heart attack was far too good for him."

Regina can see the fire in Mal's eyes and knows she isn't joking. Mal would've done it and Regina knows that shouldn't make her happy, but it does. It's nice to know people care even- if she does prefer them showing it in less bloody ways.

"He is dead Mal, it doesn't matter anymore. And I don't fancy visiting you in jail too."

"I wouldn't have been caught dear. So how are you holding up?"

"I want him locked up Mal, I want him to get out of my life."

"I bet and we will get him."

"Now you sound just like Robin."

"Smart man. Did he know? I mean before today?"

Regina nods and tells her "I told him yesterday. His reaction was not far off yours."

Mal nod in approval and takes Regina's hand into her

"Good. Don't push him away, okay little one? He is a good guy and-"

But Regina doesn't get to hear what else Mal thinks about Robin when the door is practically ripped off its hinges and Emma stands in the doorway. Regina is just about to tell her that knocking goes a long way when she sees her face.

God, she can't take any more bad news today.

"Emma, what happened?"

"It's Robin. Hans attacked him."

Regina probably would've just dropped to the floor if Mal would've grabbed her to steady her. She is strong, she knows that, but she is reaching her limit. And losing Robin is definitely too much.

She rips her arm away from Mal and run out, runs toward the interrogation room, a room she should've been with him, being his back up. She wasn't there, why didn't she go with him?

She runs, images of Robin broken and bloodied flashing before her eyes, Robin dead, Daniel dead and god- she can't do this not again.

Her heart almost stops when she sees Robin and she notices two things. Blood- and he is sitting up right. While the first thing scares the living crap out of her, the second calms her a bit.

"Robin!"

Robin looks up and bloody hell, it hurts, but all of his pain is forgotten when he looks into Regina's eyes, sees the fear there. He doesn't know exactly what happened to Daniel but he knows that it happened on a case and that she blames herself for it.

"I'm fine Regina. It looks worse at it is," he tries to reassure her but she just stares at him as she kneels down beside him, studying his injuries. Hans got him pretty good, got him by surprise but Robin is fast, he quickly got the upper hand in the fight but not quick enough for Hans not to have landed some nice punches.

Regina still hasn't said anything and remains quiet as Gold sends both of them to the hospital to get his wounds taken care of.

The doctors work on him and his partner is talking to them but not him. As it turns out he needs stitches and some ice for his head and he has a few sore ribs but nothing is broken. The doctor tells them Robin can go home, just needs to take it easy for a few days and they'll check on him again when he brings his son for his next check up

They joke a bit about the banged up Locksley boys but its only Robin and the doctor who laugh, Regina doesn't even grin. Robin sighs as the doctor tells them he can go home now. Regina drives him home, Gold told them to take the rest of the day off, both of them, using his injury as an excuse to get Regina to take a break.

Roland is with Mulan so they are alone in his apartment.

"If you need anything you know my number," Regina tells him and moves to leave but he reaches for her arm and gently holds her back.

"Regina please. Talk to me. I'm sorry if I did something to upset you."

She rips her arm away from his hold on her and for a moment he thinks she's going to leave, but then she practically explodes.

"You could've gotten seriously hurt you fucking idiot! He could've killed you!"

Her dark eyes sparkle with anger and fear. She is coming closer; they are only inches apart now.

"He could've killed you and I wasn't there. You didn't let me come with you because of some stupid, idiotic, jealousy of a man you have no need to be jealous of! And because you were such an idiot Roland almost lost his father"

His comments about the injuries not being serious- of him being fully able to take care of himself- are ignored. She is angrier than he has ever seen her.

"You don't get to do that Robin Locksley. You can't get me to care about you and then risk your life. You. Can' .That."

Robin doesn't know what to do; whether he should defend himself, if he should comfort her but he doesn't get the chance to get even a word out because the next thing he knows Regina Mills reaches for him and then suddenly her lips crush onto his.

She is kissing him, kisses full of desperation and pain, passionate in a way only Regina can be. Robin is too stunned for a moment, but then he answers her kiss with the same hunger. They kiss and kiss till they are both running out of air and he whispers, almost begs

"Please don't run away again."

They are both trying to catch their breath forehead to forehead.

"Don't ever do something stupid like this again."

"I won't if you won't."

Robin can see how one single tear runs down Regina's cheek and he gently wipes it away.

"I'm scared Robin,"

"I know," he whispers. "Will you tell me why? What happened to Daniel?"

He knows he is asking for quite a few secrets, for a lot of painful stories but he wants to know; wants to know everything there is to know about Regina.

Regina sighs, trying to get her breathing back under control, holding on to Robin. She doesn't want to talk about it, but he looks at her with those big blue eyes and she thinks screw it.

"Can we sit down?" He nods and leads her over to his couch and hisses when he sits down too quickly, worrying Regina. But he only mutters "a bit sore milady, no need to be concerned."

But Regina worries anyway

He holds her hand, patiently waiting for her to start, start telling another story of her life full of pain. She seems to make a habit of it lately.

"So you were partners…"

Robin starts when Regina stays silent. Talking about Daniel… it hurts

"Yes we were. We fell in love pretty quickly though. He was… smart and kind and so funny."

Regina smiles softly at the memory of her first true love.

"He was a wonderful man, a great cop and he would've been an amazing father," Regina tells him.

"What happened?

"We were on a case, a drug deal gone wrong and we were chasing a suspect. We… we were in the middle of a fight- he didn't want me to be on the streets while being pregnant and I told him that I could handle myself. He was so angry."

One single tear escapes Regina when she thinks back, thinks about their argument, how livid both of them were.

"I can understand that. He wanted the woman and the child he loves to be safe."

Robin is still rubbing over her fingers, his voice calm but it still makes Regina a bit agitated

"I know that Robin. But it was my body and it was my decision. Do you really think I would've let something happen to Henry?

"Not if you can do anything about it Regina. But we both know how unpredictable our job can be. I'm not saying either you or he were right, I'm just staying I understand him."

Regina simply nods because yes, she does too, even if she hates to be handled like a little girl. She had been a grown woman and it had been her right to do as she pleased. Not Daniels.

"What happened on the chase?"

"We lost him, at least we thought we did and got out of the car. Daniel said he would look around and I should wait here. I didn't. I looked around by myself but I… I wasn't as observant as I should've been. I was distracted by my own family drama."

Regina bit her lip not looking at Robin anymore.

"The guy was still there. I don't know why he came back but he did. And I was so busy dealing with my own problems that I didn't see him. He was right there, I should've seen him, I should've stopped him."

She leaves out that she wasn't just distracted, she had a bad altercation with her mother and Leopold the day before- mostly concerning Daniel and their baby- and it has been messy and she… well she has been close to a panic attack.

All of it just had been too much back then, and even though she had been thrilled about having a child with Daniel… she had never been more terrified. That, and the fight with Cora and Leopold and the argument with Daniel, she had just been off.

"I only realized when I heard the loud bang of the gun. I thought about chasing him till I- I saw Daniel going down. I ran to him and…and."

Regina needs to pause for a moment trying to stop those tears from falling. But it's a futile attempt.

"God there was so much blood, so much blood. I called for help and tried to stop the bleeding. I begged him not to leave me, not to leave our son but… he fought so hard but the injury was too severe.

Tears are now streaming freely.

"The ambulance didn't make it in time. He died in my arms."

Robin now has his arms around her (as much as he can with his sore ribs) and she lets him pull her close

"It wasn't your fault Regina."

He presses a kiss on her brow but Regina merely shakes her head

"Yes it was Robin. I'm a cop, he was in my view. I should've seen him. Daniel trusted me to keep him safe and I failed. Because I couldn't leave my problems at home; because I was weak."

"You aren't weak Regina. Being a police officer comes with risks. Daniel knew that; you know that. It was a series of unfortunate events. You couldn't know that he would come back. It doesn't make sense that he didn't keep running. You couldn't have known."

He is holding her close now and Regina is too tired, too scared to fight him anymore.

"I-I loved him so m-much Robin. He w-was s-so excited for the baby. He was t-the better o-one of us. A better person, a b-better cop and he w-would've b-been a better p-parent."

Robin put his finger under her chin and lifts her head so she is looking at him. He softly kisses her tears away before telling her, never breaking eye contact:

"You are a wonderful person Regina. You are a bloody good cop and probably the best mother I've ever met. Daniel loved you and it seems he was a great guy; he wouldn't want you to blame yourself for something that wasn't your fault. He knew the risk; you two just had some bad luck. It wasn't your fault Regina, do you understand me?"

"I should've seen him Robin, I should've seen him," Regina cries, holding onto Robin for dear life. He presses a kiss on her hairline and just lets her cry for a bit before telling her:

"I blamed myself for Marian's death"

"Why? It was a drunk driver, you couldn't've done anything?"

Robin smiles sadly at her and holds her close

"I could've insisted that she take some time off. I could've made sure that she had gotten enough sleep. I could've picked her up; I knew how tired she was."

"Robin that's nonsense. You were both working, you were both tired. It wasn't your fault"

Robin lets go of her and puts both of his hands on her shoulder and tells her, his heart breaking for her:

"If Marian's death wasn't my fault why was Daniel's yours? The sodding bastard with the gun killed Daniel, just as the drunken son of bitch killed my Marian. If I'm not to blame, neither are you."

Regina shakes her head, knowing what he wants to tell her but those stories… they are not the same. She tells him that

"I was there Robin. I could've saved him."

"You had no reason to think he was there. Shooting a cop even though he could've run… was foolish. He might've shot at you and Henry too. That arsehole was probably high as a kite or something. It wasn't your fault Regina, it was his."

He then pulled her back into a hug and let her cry; cry for a good man- a man who deserved so much more than being gunned downed in an alley.

"He sounds like he was a pretty great guy," Robin mutters into her hair and Regina nods.

"He was. And I miss him so much."

She snuggles closer before adding

"Marian sounds like she was quite the woman too."

Robin laughs at that and she thinks for a moment his voice becomes tight.

"She was. You would've liked her."

"I think you would've liked Daniel too."

They remain silent till Regina's tears dry and Robin gets himself back together too. Talking about dead lovers isn't the nicest way to spend an afternoon.

Regina withdraws herself but before Robin can ask why she kisses him again.

"I'm still scared Robin. I don't know what exactly there is between us but I don't want to lose you. I care far too much about you."

Robin strokes her cheek and presses a feather light kiss on her lips. God, he really is good kisser. She could get used to it.

"I care about you too, Regina. And we both know I can't promise you that nothing will happen to me but I will do my best to not die,"

"You'd better not. That would end very badly for you," Regina mutters, dark eyes finding blue ones.

"Yeah, I'd rather not deal with a pissed off you. I prefer being in your good graces."

He kisses her again and Regina answers the kiss just with a touch of desperation.

"Don't get yourself killed and don't disagree with me. If you follow those two things you should be good."

Robin chuckles at that and tucks a raven curl behind her ear.

"I'm a mess Robin. My past is ugly and painful and I'm not… I'm not good with people. There were very few I let close enough to see me… and I'm surprised you haven't run yet."

"I'm not going anywhere. I want to get to know you, Regina. All of you. The beautiful and the ugly, every part of you. I thought I'd never feel something like this for anyone since Marian's death but… you have become very special to me milady."

"And you are quite the good kisser."

"Oh, wait, I've only just begun."

She smiles at him and everything flutters in Robin's stomach. She really has the most beautiful smile in the whole wide world. He loves her smile, loves her chocolate-coloured eyes, loves the way she scrunches up her nose, loves so many things about her.

Robin is no fool- he knows that he is about to fall in love with Regina Mills.

"You are the most fascinating woman I've ever met and I really like your boy. You really did an amazing job with him. And Roland is completely in love with you. I don't want to push you to something you aren't ready for Regina and I know we work together- for now- but I want to get to know you. I don't want to keep pretending I don't feel more for you than friendship."

She is silent long enough for Robin to fear he's pushed her too far after all but then she suddenly kisses him again. There is a small but honest smile on her lips when she tells him:

"I don't want that either. But I'm not an easy person to deal with Robin, and there is still so much you don't know about me. Things I never want you to know and… I don't know how much I can give you. I know how much I want to give you but I'm not sure if I can. And I'm not sure if that's something you want to sign up for."

"How about you leave the decision for what I'm willing to sign up for to me, milady?"

Robin doesn't know if it's the risk of losing him (it really hadn't been that bad) or all the stress of the case that has stopped Regina from running away again but he also doesn't care.

Stops caring completely when Regina moves onto his lap and starts kissing him- really kissing him. She doesn't say another word, instead presses kisses down his neck and starts grinding against him.

Bloody hell she feels amazing.

Robin stops thinking all together, ignoring the pain in his ribs and arm and pulls her closer (being careful with his touch though, since he is aware of her past) and soon their mouths find each for another passionate kiss.

Robin lets out a moan when Regina presses herself closer, her centre pressed right against where he is becoming harder and harder

"Regina what…"

"Shut up and kiss me."

Well who is he to disobey a direct order?

"Whatever Her Majesty wants."

And he kisses her again. And again. And again.