Robin sat quietly by the fire for a long time after agreeing to let Roland go with Henry. He thought it was a good idea for Marian to watch Roland tonight. Roland should know his mother. Also, Robin didn't think he would be a very attentive father at the moment. There was too much on his mind.

Mary Margaret's tale of the queen before she was the queen was unnerving, to say the least. The image of the Evil Queen was so set in his mind. And yet, the tale of Regina as a young girl who wanted to run off with a stable boy seemed somehow incredibly easy to believe. The idea of that girl changing gradually into the Evil Queen was startling. He wondered who she really was.

He longed to know. He couldn't figure her out. He had now heard stories of her cruelty and of her bravery. Of her actions as a villain and as a hero. Could they both be wrong? Could they both be true?

And that was nothing compared to what he had seen in person. The cold, distant glance that displayed her strength, and veiled more emotion than he could imagine. The comfortable way she had lunch with her son, as though she had done it a thousand times. The way she spoke warmly to his own son, listening to his rambling and promising him -

Robin froze. Marian had said something. He had been distracted at the time, and hadn't put the pieces of information together. She had said something about a toy for Roland, to be a comfort to him overnight. The only toy that had comforted Roland at night recently was the stuffed monkey. The one the queen had given him. The one she promised to replace. Henry had taken Roland to replace the toy. Which meant that Roland was now on his way to Regina.

Robin stood up. He had to go to her. He had come a long way in his thinking about the queen, but he wasn't just going to let his son be alone with her. Sure Henry was there, but Robin should be with her. If Roland was there, that is. Roland shouldn't be with Regina when Robin wasn't. Regina was still an enigma to him. If Roland was going to be with her, Robin should be with her, too. Robin had to see her, to get to know her and get comfortable with her. For Roland.

Robin turned suddenly and nearly bumped into Emma.

"Wow there," Emma said. "Where are you off to?"

"Excuse me, I must go." He paused, and figured he should confirm. "Henry took Roland to the - to Regina. Is that right?"

Emma nodded. "I thought you were okay with that."

Robin didn't disagree. "I think I should go join them. I mean, get them. Bring the boys back here."

Emma gave him a look. "They should be coming back soon. David walked with them to the edge of the forest. The rest of the way is safe, and it's still light out. They'll be fine."

Robin nodded. "Yes, of course they will. But I should be there. They've been gone a while and... well, I should go to them."

Robin turned and started walking, but turned back when Emma called his name. "Robin, do you know where you're going?"

"To the qu - to the mayor's house."

Emma smiled. "Which is where?"

Robin paused. The instinct to go to her had been so strong, he didn't even realize he had no idea where to go. He got directions from Emma and set off, moving quickly through the silent forest.

...

The house was big, by Storybrooke standards. Although it was nothing compared to the castles and palaces the rich lived in back in the Enchanted Forest. He walked up to the door, but didn't knock right away. He tried to listen for sounds of young boys. He wondered what was going on inside. What would she be doing with them? How would she feel about having them around? She may not like others in her home.

Robin mentally shook himself. He was here for a reason, dammit. And, he was a thief. He did not need an invitation to enter a house. So he let himself in.

The inside of the house was even quieter than the street had been. He heard no sounds of laughter or of playing, the sounds that always accompany children. So where were they?

The only sound he heard was of running water. It came from a room that also seemed to be the only source of light in the house. He followed the light toward the kitchen, stopping in the doorway to take in what he was seeing.

Regina was standing over the sink, rinsing off a dinner plate. Amazing, Robin thought. This woman was a queen, yet she washed her own dishes. He was surprised she would even set foot in the kitchen. Not to mention, she didn't seem to have anyone to wait on her. He watched as she finished the last of the dishes and turned the water off. Suddenly it was even more quiet. Robin realized he was lurking in her doorway, watching silently as she dried her hands.

Robin decided he should make his presence known. "Madame mayor."

Regina jumped, and the towel fell from her hands. Spotting him, her eyes grew wide. "Robin!" she said. She looked to either side. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to get Roland."

Now Regina met his eyes. "Roland's not here. I haven't seen him."

Robin nodded. "Yes, I can see that. I know he and Henry were on their way over here. I guess I must have beat them. I... took a shortcut." He didn't mention that he also ran most of the way, wanting to get here as soon as possible. That is, not wanting Roland to be around Regina without him.

Regina nodded, and reached down to pick up the towel from the floor. She folded it carefully and placed it on the counter.

After a moment, Robin figured she wasn't going to say anything, so he spoke. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to wait here for him."

Regina continued to fidget with the towel, aligning the edges and straightening it on the counter.

Robin gestured toward the kitchen stools and asked, "may I have a seat?"

Regina nodded, remaining silent. He sat on the nearest tool and she turned away from the towel, leaning against the counter to face him.

"Henry was having dinner at my camp. He said he'd get Roland a new toy, to replace the monkey that he... that you gave to him. I guess Henry thought you..."

Regina nodded in understanding and walked out of the kitchen. Robin sat confused for a moment, wondering if he was supposed to go after her. He wanted to follow her, but she hadn't issued an invitation. He had already broken into her home (a fact which she had not commented on), so he decided to stay. In the meantime, he looked around the kitchen. There was nothing overly fancy. No crystal goblets or golden chandeliers. It was a well-kept home, clean and comfortable. In the center of the kitchen was a large pair of doors that was humming, and it was covered in papers. Robin walked around the counter to get a closer look. There was an image of a boy about Roland's age, probably Henry several years ago. There was an image of a place with tall buildings, the words "New York City" emblazoned in red across it. There was also one of Regina and Henry, smiling. Looking happy. These were the images Regina chose to see every day.

Robin turned to face the doorway when he heard footsteps approaching. Regina came into the kitchen, a toy in her hand identical to the stuffed monkey Roland had lost. She stopped several feet from him and extended the hand with the monkey toward him. He would still have to reach out to take the monkey. Instead, he walked closer to her, keeping his eyes on her. He stopped only when the monkey was touching his chest. He reached both hands up to take the toy, never breaking eye contact with her. "Thank you," he said.

She nodded, and dropped her hand. She looked away, but didn't move. He glanced over at the dishes in the drying rack. They were clearly used for a meal for one. He frowned. "Did you eat dinner alone?"

Regina didn't meet his eyes. "Henry is with Emma. If I'm not with him, I'm usually alone."

"We had a number of guests at the camp for dinner tonight. I would have invited you, had I known."

Regina shrugged one shoulder. "That's alright," she said. For a while, neither of them spoke. Regina, seeming to get restless finally asked, "so the boys are on their way here?"

Robin nodded. "Those two are quite fond of one another. Roland loves Henry. He's like the big brother Roland always wanted."

Regina smiled, but it was a sad smile. It compelled Robin to take a step toward her. It was a small step, but it brought him close enough to her that she looked up at him, startled at his proximity.

Robin couldn't tear his eyes away from her. She was beyond comprehension. Everything he saw in her was a contradiction. She had moments of intense joy, overlapping with a deep sadness. A past as both a villain and a hero. She tried to murder her step daughter, but raised her son with love. Robin was comfortable around her, yet ill at ease. He felt he knew her completely, while not understanding her at all. And on top of all that, she looked like she wanted to be as far away from him as humanly possible, but also like she wouldn't run away if he stepped even closer to her.

So he did.

He took another small step toward her, and she didn't move. Then another. She had to tilt her head up to meet his eyes. One more step, and she still hadn't backed away.

He wanted to do something. Say something, or maybe just...

He raised a hand, intending to put it on her elbow. But without his approval, his hand kept going higher, past her shoulder, to rest on her cheek. She breathed the smallest of gasps, still not moving away from him. She kept staring at him with those eyes, full of wonder and terror. Confusion and certainty. He moved his thumb over her cheek, and she tilted her head into his hand. His eyes dropped from her eyes to her lips. He watched as she breathed in slowly, shakily.

"Mom?" Regina's eyes snapped open, and Robin quickly pulled his hands away, taking two steps back.

Regina cleared her throat. "In here!" she called.

Henry walked into the kitchen with Roland following behind. Henry looked at Robin, surprised but not displeased. "Hey, uh, what's going on in here."

"Nothing," Regina answered quickly. "Um, what were you... what took you so long? Robin's been waiting, he said you were on your way."

Henry took a moment, looking back and forth between the two adults who were being extremely awkward. "We stopped to get ice cream."

It was only then that they noticed the plastic bag hanging off of Henry's wrist.

Regina laughed and shook her head. "Henry, didn't we talk about how much dessert is too much?"

Henry looked at his mom. "Uh... yeah."

Regina looked at him. "Okay, well that can be for another day, then. I'll put it in the freezer." She took the bag from him and put the ice cream away. Henry didn't object - he just kept staring alternately at his mom and at Robin.

Roland, who hadn't spoken yet, let out an excited scream. "Monkey!" He ran over to pick the monkey up off the floor in the middle of the kitchen. Robin smiled as his son hugged the doll, not remembering having dropped it.

"There you go, my boy. That will be a nice friend to keep with you when you stay with mama tonight."

Regina stiffened as she watched Robin reach down to pick up Roland. Robin turned toward her. "Now Roland, what do you say to Regina for the monkey?"

"Thank you Regina," Roland said.

She wasn't looking at Roland though. Her eyes were locked on Robin's. "You're welcome," she said.

Nobody said anything for a full minute until Henry finally spoke. "Did we interrupt something here?" Both adults turned to face him.

"No," Regina said, at the same time as Robin said, "of course not."

Robin continued, "I was waiting for you two so I could walk you back to the camp. It's going to be dark out soon, and I didn't want you two to be out on your own. Plus, Roland, it's almost your bedtime."

This, of course, triggered the first course of whining, which Robin quickly bargained away with the promise of roasted marshmallows back at camp. Robin walked toward the entrance, stopping in front of the door he had earlier broken into. He should probably tell Regina how to better protect her house in the future.

He turned to her, standing with her hand on Henry's shoulder. "Ready to go?" he asked Henry. Henry nodded, and looked up at Regina.

She smiled at him. "Go. Have fun. I'll see you tomorrow."

Henry nodded and walked out the door. Robin followed him, stopping one last time just past the threshold. He turned back. "Good night, Regina."

"Good night, Robin," she said in a quiet voice, giving him goosebumps. He waited, watching her until the door was fully closed behind him. Then, taking a deep breath, he turned and walked back toward the camp.

...

A/N:

Thanks to daisiella13 for the inspiration to this chapter!