A/N: Hi everyone. Thank you for reading the first couple of chapters of the story, and thanks also to those of you who have followed/favourited/reviewed. I'm going to be updating as often as I can, so if there are any advice/criticism/confusion please let me know. Unlike my previous OutlawQueen fic I am going to try and focus equally on Robin and Regina throughout. I find Robin quite a tricky character to write, so if you notice any OOCness in relation to him (or anyone else) please let me know, and I'll try and amend it as quickly as possible. The first four or five chapters will be focused over a three day period, in which I'll try to explore Robin and Regina's initial feelings for one another and how they try to deal with them. After that, the introduction of two new characters (who will serve as antagonists) will lead to some more dramatic chapters.
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
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After Regina had left his room Robin glances at the clock and realised that it was almost three o'clock, leaving just four hours for him to unpack all of his and his son's belongings. He threw his remaining darts at the board where they remained, before picking up a large box beside the couch and carrying it to the kitchen area. Over the next couple of hours Robin unpacked the kitchen items, bathroom supplies, remaining books and vinyl, and cushions, ornaments and photographs, which made the rooms seem instantly more homely. He smiled in satisfaction at his efforts, before carrying the three boxes and carry case containing his personal items into his bedroom, depositing them onto the floor and bed before heading back into the living area and carrying the rest of the items into his son's room, which he took his time preparing. He made his son's bed using his favourite bedding, set up his night lights and placed his favourite book on the bedside table, next to a framed photograph of Robin, Marian and Roland. Robin's eyes lingered sadly on the photograph for a few moments, as he traced his finger across the image of his late wife, who held their then three-year-old son in her arms, as he beamed brightly towards the camera. Robin exhaled deeply before turning towards the remaining boxes and unpacking them, putting away Roland's clothes and displaying his books, toys and other possessions in the room in anticipation of his arrival in the next day or so.
After completing his son's room Robin walked back into the living area, turning towards the couch and picking up the large watercolour painting of the stag and the doe, the former of whom Regina had managed to pierce with a dart on his head directly between his antlers, causing a small tear in the canvas. Robin held the image up before him and leaned in, not realising until the image was just inches from his eyes how wonderful a shot Regina truly was. He reminded himself not to annoy her during staff meetings, especially if she had that rather sharp-looking silver fountain pen poised between her fingers, which would be positively lethal. Robin chuckled lightly at the thought, before lowering the painting slightly as he glanced around the room for somewhere to put it.
As Robin stared at the available wall space around the room, the image of Regina holding the silver fountain pen in her delicate hands remained fixed in his mind, and with it, so did the memory of the meeting in her office. He remembered the way she turned the pen over in her hand, between her fingers, as she clicked the lid on and off when she was considering a response to his question. She looked at him with intelligent, penetrating eyes, with surveyed him curiously as she considered his comments, all the while moving the pen around subtly between her fingers. Robin inhaled deeply at the memory, before looking towards the doorway where she had stood until very recently. He remembered the look of shock and annoyance in her eyes when the dart had flown past her and struck the dartboard. As he considered the look in her eyes as she entered his room just a couple hours previously, he found a pang of guilt at his carelessness; despite seeing her annoyance, Robin did not fail to notice the flicker of fear which shone in her eyes shortly before the anger took over, and the tenseness of her shoulders as the dart flew through the air. There was a slight degree of panic in her voice too, which had trembled slightly as she rebuked him, which he felt certain had made his heart cease to beat for several moments. It was not until after the incident when he fully considered her reaction that he realised that what he initially found to be a humorous incident was, in fact, more reckless and unthinking than he had initially believed. Robin sighed as he carried the painting towards the wall behind the couch, hanging it perfectly in the centre of the wall. As he stared up at the small and barely noticeable tear in the canvas, he realised that it could have quite as easily been her beautiful head that was scarred by the dart; he owed her an apology, a real one, something more substantive than a simple 'sorry'. And as Robin took a step back from the painting to admire it, he decided resolutely that he would provide the Principal with a true symbol of his regret for his conduct earlier that afternoon.
At quarter to seven Regina walked with her son into the grand dining hall, her heels clicking upon the marble floor as she looked upon her son's face with concern. She had finished the paperwork she had determined to complete that day in the late afternoon, and met her son in the courtyard as he was returning from tending to the horses. They spent some time together in their apartment where Regina tended to his wounds, changing the dressing upon his lip and bathing it with salt water, cleaning the blood from his nose and dressing the injuries once more. The injuries were already beginning to bruise, and seeing the purpling of her son's skin and the bloodied tissues which she flushed away made her feel sick to her stomach; she hadn't realised the extent of his injuries until they'd presented themselves after a few hours. And each time she looked at her son she felt fear mixed with guilt, and felt as though she had failed him.
Henry, noticing his mother's constant nervous glances in his direction, sought to placate her.
"Mom, I'm fine" he stated, stopping in the middle of the corridor and turning towards her. "You don't need to look so worried, it doesn't even hurt."
Regina looked down upon her son as he spoke, her eyes drifting over his reddened nose and swollen lip, which was already beginning to bruise. It looked worse than it had done a few hours earlier. Although she knew this was to be expected with such injuries (having witnessed many of them during her decade as a principal at the school, and some noticeably worse) her son had never been injured in such a manner, and knowing that another student had intentionally inflicted such an injury upon him made her feel furious. Her professional and personal desires to punish Peter and Felix battled against each other in her mind, and the punishment she had decided upon involving the boys assisting Granny in the kitchens for a week was, quite simply, a way to keep them out of her sight and out of trouble until she could be certain that she would be able to consider the matter more objectively; it took several minutes' of convincing from Tink, the art teacher and Regina's closest friend, to allow the boys to even remain in the school following the incident. Seeing her son bloodied and bruised was terrifying, he'd never been injured before as she'd always been so protective over him. Seeing the blood, the bruising and the swelling reminded her of that night when Daniel had-
"Mom" Henry repeated, causing Regina to blink herself from her thoughts and turn towards her son with a surprised look, as he slowly placed his hand in hers. "Relax, it's okay" he stated reassuringly, causing her to smile down at him, taking a step towards him and drawing her arm across his back as they continued to walk towards the dining hall.
"Surely that's my line?" she quipped, earning a smile from her son as they headed towards the open double-doors.
"Yeah, I guess" he chuckled in response, staring up at her with bright eyes, as Regina led him into the dining hall.
The hall was a large room with tall windows which overlooked the gardens and woodland area. It had marble floors and dark wood features, including beautiful ornate tables and chairs which were arranged in a symmetrical pattern throughout the room. The students were free to sit wherever they chose to, but the teachers remained together at the larger tables at the back of the hall.
Regina felt nervous about leaving Henry after the incident earlier that day, and was considering whether to suggest they simply go back to the apartment they shared within the school, where she could prepare his favourite meal (lasagne). Before she could raise the idea Henry was called over to a table towards the back of the hall by Hansel and Gretel, two of his closest friends, who were smiling and waving at him to get his attention. A few moments later another girl from his year, Violet, walked towards him and looked at his injuries, her eyes unblinking and her face not revealing any signs of fear or shock.
"Henry, you're here!" she beamed. "Can you come and sit with us?" she asked, indicating towards Hansel and Gretel.
"Yeah, sure" he replied, smiling at Violet. "Bye mom" he stated pleasantly, as he followed his friend towards their table.
"Good evening, Principal Mills" Violet stated politely, as Regina watched the children head towards their table.
Regina remained still for a moment, watching as more students entered and politely greeted her before heading to their tables, her eyes drifting over to her injured son on several occasions, who was happy and smiling in the company of his closest friends.
"Regina" came the amiable voice of Tink, who walked up to Regina and stood beside her, smiling at the woman who tried to conceal the look of concern and confusion on her face. "It looks like someone needs a drink" Tink commented, placing her arm on Regina's upper arm and guiding her towards the teachers' tables at the back of the hall.
Regina smiled lightly at the words and considered the events of that day, her mind focusing upon the injuries of her son and, by association, her meeting with the infuriatingly engaging Robin Locksley.
"You have no idea" she replied.
Tink walked with Regina to the back of the hall, gently asking her what was concerning her; it was clear that the principal was feeling upset and conflicted, and although she was hiding it well she could not conceal it from her long-time friend. Regina sat in the centre of the large table as always, with Tink to her right and Mr Hopper, the school guidance counsellor, to her left. The hall was soon alive with animated conversation, with everyone talking amongst themselves as the food was brought out by Granny, Ruby and a sheepish-looking Peter and Felix. Regina and Tink had been talking between themselves for several minutes, with the principal informing her friend of the incident between Peter and Felix, whose subsequent punishment she explained. Despite the fact that Regina had regained her composure moments after Tink had met her in the hall, Tink knew something was troubling her and was determined to get to the bottom of it. Despite Regina informing her of Henry's injury and how frightened she had been when Granny told her that her son had been hurt, Tink knew that there was something else that was causing her to feel so upset.
"Regina, please" she asked gently, her tone so sweet and so low that Regina turned towards her immediately. "Tell me what's wrong."
Regina stared at Tink with an unreadable expression for a few moments, before shaking her head once.
"Nothing's wrong, I'm fine" she stated in a low tone.
"Something's clearly bothering you, and it's more than just Henry" Tink persisted, watching as Regina inhaled deeply and struggled to meet her friend's gaze. Before she could respond Tink placed her hand lightly over her own. "Regina, you can tell me anything. You know that."
Regina began to feel overwhelmed, surrounded by people and trapped, enclosed. It felt as if there was no air left in the room and she couldn't breathe. In all honestly she was struggling with how she was feeling, and she didn't want to say out loud how Robin Locksley made her feel because then she would be forced to deal with it, and she couldn't. It was wrong, it was a betrayal of Daniel, and it would only lead to heartbreak; not just her, but of him. And although she did not know him very well at all, and despite the incident with the dart a few hours previously, his actions with her son and the conversations they had had revealed that he was an innately good, kind and selfless human being. And from all her experience and all her past actions and mistakes, she knew all too well that she was not.
"I told you, I'm fine" Regina stated, her tone slightly harsher than she intended, as she removed her hand from beneath Tink's and gazed once more towards her son, who was laughing with his friends.
Regina felt a moment of reassurance at seeing her son so happy and so content, but her feeling of peace and calmness was not to last. A few moments later, as Regina's eyes drifted across the students in the dining hall, her attention was drawn to the tall, handsome man who was walking through the double doors and into the dining room. It was Robin Locksley.
Regina inhaled shakily and looked away, not wishing him to see her staring at him. She looked down at her watch and realised that it was quarter past seven; he was late. She exhaled sharply and picked up a glass of water that was before her, taking several calming sips.
Tink sensed the change in Regina straight away, and followed her friend's line of sight, watching her stare at the man who had just entered the room, before turning immediately away, as though the very sight of him was too much for her to bear. Tink narrowed her eyes in confusion; she did not recognised the handsome stranger, but from her reaction it was clear that Regina did. She knew better than to broach the subject immediately, and so she remained quiet and still beside her friend, watching as Regina placed her glass of water back upon the table and the looked subtly in the direction of the handsome stranger.
Regina cast a glance towards Robin, watching as he slowly made his way across the hall, taking in the students and the room itself as he did so. He was wearing a pair of dark jeans and white shirt, and had a shoulder bag over his right shoulder. Regina watched as he made his way slowly through the hall and was heading directly towards the table where she and the other teachers were sat, before the sound of a familiar voice drew his attention away.
"Hey! Mr Locksley!" called Henry, turning in his seat and waving at Robin. Regina felt her heart beat faster as she stared at the scene with interest, watching as Robin turned towards her son with a smile and waved in acknowledgement. "Can you come and sit with us?" Henry called.
Robin smiled in response and made some reply which Regina could not hear. She watched as the new teacher navigated his way between the tables and towards her son and his friends. Robin smiled at Henry and shook his hand, and was introduced to the other students on the table. He already knew Hansel and Gretel, but he had not yet met Violet and Grace. Regina continued to watch as Robin removed his bag from his shoulder and placed it on the ground beside the table, before taking up a chair and leaning onto the table with folded arms, and immediately engaging the animated children in conversation.
Regina exhaled sharply, narrowing her eyes in confusion and tilting her head to the side, as she watched Robin interact with the children. She watched Robin smile and laugh as he spoke with the children, making gestures with his hands which seemed to expand upon whatever it was he was saying, which earned shrieks of delight from the youngsters. Regina's initial confusion and annoyance at his blatant flouting of school protocol regarding seating arrangements for staff was slow placated when she saw the new teacher interact with his students. There was a calmness and care-free nature about him which, like his smile, was contagious. Regina sighed lightly and picked up her spoon, eating some soup slowly as she inwardly chided herself. She had to stop thinking about his smile. After almost five minutes, she had been very successful. But her victory was quashed by Tink.
"That man" Tink stated vacantly, angling her head so that she could get a better look at him. "Who is he?"
Regina placed her spoon beside her soup bowl and picked up a napkin, lighting touching it against the sides of her mouth and attempting to sound calm and disinterested as she responded to her friend's questions.
"His name is Mr Locksley, he is the new Head of History" she stated simply, causing Tink to turn towards her. "He arrived today."
"Did he?" she asked turning her attention from Robin and towards Regina, who was frowning at her following the odd tone she had now adopted. "You never mentioned it" she returned gently.
"I was a little preoccupied with my injured son to be giving updates on the new members of staff" she retorted in annoyance, before reaching for her water glass once more. "If you feel you're missing out on the gossip I'll get you a copy of his resume" she stated, before taking several calming sips.
Tink turned towards Regina with a knowing look in her eyes, watching how her friend had suddenly become tense and defensive.
"It's him, isn't it?" she asked gently, causing Regina to turn towards her with a frown. "He's the one who is causing you to act so weird."
"I'm not acting weird" Regina returned defensively.
"Yes, you are" Tink stated. "Regina, we've known each other for a long time, I can tell that something is wrong" she continued gently. "What is it about him that has upset you? Did he do something?"
"No, he hasn't done anything" she returned in a low, calm voice. "Tink, please, just drop it".
Tink stared at her with a frown of confusion for a moment, before her eyes widened and she leaned in close.
"It's not because you don't like him, is it?" Tink whispered urgently, watching as Regina turned towards her with an exasperated sigh. "It's because you do" she declared.
"Tink, seriously" Regina hissed. "Stop."
Tink's shoulders fell and she adopted a kind and reassuring expression which did little to placate Regina.
"Regina, there is nothing wrong with liking him" she stated simply. "I promise you-"
"I don't like him" she returned with annoyance.
"Do you dislike him?" she asked.
"No" Regina returned simply, taking another sip of water which she did not require. She was doing anything she could to avoid Tink's gaze. "My feelings are irrelevant" Regina stated, an air of finality present in her tone, as she realised precisely what her friend was implying. "And you're wrong."s
Tink leaned back slightly in her seat and stared at Regina.
"And yet the fact that he is sitting over there, with your son, instead of here with the other teachers, does not seem to annoy you" she stated with interest, causing Regina to turn her head slightly towards her. "You, Regina. A woman who loves rules and boundaries, and has made her expectations of staff conduct perfectly clear, you, are allowing him to break protocol, in front of both students and teachers?" she asked, watching as Regina inhaled sharply. "And you say you don't like him?" Regina sighed once more and placed her glass down on the table.
"He's new" she returned tiredly. "He doesn't know the rules yet as I haven't had an opportunity to go over them with him" she explained, turning towards Tink as she spoke. "He doesn't know anyone apart from Henry and his friends, and so it is natural that he would go to them if they called him."
"I don't understand" Tink began, "how does he know Henry?"
Regina briefly recounted the events of the morning, explaining how she had met Robin after he had assisted her son when he was attacked by Peter and Felix. Tink listened with interested and, despite Regina's attempts to appear emotionally detached as she spoke, noticed a degree of warmness and contentment in her friend's tone which she had not heard in a very long time.
"So, as I said, he does not know anyone, and I am sure he'd like to reassure himself that Henry is alright" she stated, gesturing to her son.
Tink turned back towards Robin and watched as he continued to laugh and talk with Henry, finishing his dinner and passing his plate to Granny with a smile.
"He's been over there for a few minutes now, laughing and joking with Henry and his friends, so it seems reasonable to assume that he knows he's alright" Tink stated, her eyes not leaving Robin as she spoke.
"So?" sighed Regina, staring at her untouched dinner and pushing the plate aside. Tink turned quickly towards her.
"So you won't mind if I go and invite our newest recruit over for dessert" she smiled, before pushing herself back in her seat and rising, walking behind the row of teachers and towards the front of the dining room.
"Tink!" Regina hissed, staring wide-eyed at the blonde as she walked confidently across the dining hall and towards Robin's table.
Regina was mortified, and felt her stomach clench as she watched Tink approach Robin, placing a hand on the back of his chair as she spoke to him.
"Mr Locksley?" she asked sweetly, causing Robin to turn around immediately and smile pleasantly up at her.
"Yes" he responded. "Good evening."
"Hi" she smiled. "I'm Miss Tinkerbell, head of the art department, but everyone calls me Tink" she smiled, watching as Robin nodded in understanding. "Principal Mills explained that you're the new head of history, and we'd all love to meet you" she smiled. "I don't suppose you'd care to join us for dessert?"
Robin smiled at Tink's request and nodded politely to her.
"I would be delighted, thank you" he stated, picking up his bag and rising from his seat, before turning to face Henry and his friends. "I'll see you all in class" he smiled, bidding farewell to the children as he followed Tink to the back of the hall where the teachers were sat.
Tink led Robin behind the row of seats, introducing him to various teachers as she did so. Regina could hear as various teachers greeted him pleasantly and exchanged a few words as he passed them, until the sound of his voice grew louder and the sound of his familiar footsteps mingled with the clicking of Tink's heels upon the marble floor.
"And Principal Regina Mills, who you already know" Tink stated with a smile, indicating towards her friend. At the mention of her name Regina turned towards Robin, who was gazing down upon her with his kind eyes and gentle smile.
"Indeed I do" Robin returned, nodding politely towards her as he ran her name over in his mind, considering it against the confident expression upon the beautiful woman's face. Regina, he thought. It suits her.
"Mr Locksley" she stated politely, nodding towards him before drawing her cup of fruit tea towards her and taking several sips of the long-cool liquid. Tink watched her friend with a rueful look, realising that this was going to be more difficult than she realised.
"If you'd like to sit besides Regina, she can introduce you to the members of staff on her side of the table" Tink smiled, causing Regina to turn towards her a fix a hard stare upon her.
"Is that alright, Principal Mills?" Robin asked politely, missing the exchanged glances between Regina and Tink.
Regina placed her cup on the table and kept her hands upon it, looking towards the front of the dining hall as she spoke.
"Please" she returned, as Robin took up a seat beside her.
As soon as she heard him push his seat closer towards the table she was struck by him indescribably alluring scent, which caused her breathing to deepen her heart to beat slightly faster within her chest. Before he had an opportunity to speak Regina turned to the teachers on the other side of the table, some of whom were looking at her expectantly.
"This is Dr Hopper, the school guidance counsellor" Regina began, causing Archie to offer Robin a polite wave. "Beside him is Mr Hook, head of Geography. Then is Belle French, one of our English teachers. Mother Superior is our resident nurse, who I believe you have already met" Regina stated, turning towards Robin who nodded in confirmation, before offering a polite smile to Mother Superior. "Next to her is Doctor Whale, who is a fully qualified medic and teachers biology" she stated, the subject being one which (as she knew from the rumours of his relationships with several members of his staff) he was well-versed in in more than just a medical sense. "The four gentlemen at the end are some of our groundskeepers, Mr Dock, Mr Happy, Mr Bashful and Mr Sleepy" she stated, before turning back to face Robin. "Those are nicknames which some children came up with several years ago, and I fear they have stuck."
"That's right" replied Dock. "Even we can't remember our own names."
The comment was met by polite laughter from most of the teachers, with the exception of Regina, who simply rolled her eyes. That joke had existed for almost as long as their nicknames.
"It's good to have you on board, mate" Mr Hook stated with a smile, leaning across the table to face Robin as he spoke. "So tell me, what caused you to come to our fine school?"
Regina clasped her hands on the table before her and faced Hook as he spoke, not willing to admit to herself how interested she was to hear Robin's answer.
"Well, I taught at another school for several years, and I very much enjoyed it" he began. "But the position which became available here was essentially a promotion, and would provide my son with an opportunity to be educated at one of the best institutions in the country" he stated, his eyes drifting to the distant Regina. "It seemed almost too good to be true."
"You have a boy?" Hook asked. "What's his name?"
"Roland" Robin replied with a smile. "He's six years old. He'll be arriving within a day or so."
"Are you married?" asked Tink (rather abruptly). Regina turned towards her and stared at her with a rebuking expression.
"I was" Robin returned after a few seconds, the solemnness of his tone causing Regina's annoyance with her friend at asking such a question so brazenly to abate, as she turned to Robin with an attentive expression. "Sadly my wife, Roland's mother, passed away three years ago, after suffering from a long illness."
The comment was met with a few moments of silence before various teachers expressed their condolences.
"Robin, I'm so sorry" Regina stated sincerely, her voice so low and gentle that it took Robin by surprise.
He turned towards her and their eyes met for a moment, and beneath the kindness of her words and the sincerity of her gaze, he saw the pain and grief in her own dark eyes. She had not addressed him by his first name before, and doing so in such a context made the act itself seem almost intimate. In that moment they both felt an affinity with one another, each recognising the signs of loss in the expression of the other. This connection and this level of knowing, whilst shared, was now known to each other. The fact that Regina felt certain that Robin had realised that she herself had suffered such a loss terrified her.
"Thank you" he replied gently. "It is always a tragedy to lose someone when their life has really only just started." Regina swallowed hard and nodded at his response, slowly averting her eyes from his gaze.
"I quite agree" she returned, moving her hand slowly across the table and drawing her glass of water towards her. Before she could take a sip, she felt indescribably guilty at the way she had left the conversation. "Your son must be a great comfort to you" she commented.
"Oh, yes" Robin smiled, causing Regina to relax slightly. "He's quite a character."
"I don't doubt it" she smiled, taking a few sips of water.
Tink watched as the mood lightened once more, her eyes drifting over towards Robin, who was gazing at Regina covertly.
"Do you like camping, Mr Locksley?" she asked suddenly.
"Absolutely" Robin returned instantly, turning towards the smiling blonde. "It is something of a tradition between my son and I" he continued. "Why do you ask?"
Regina closed her eyes in frustration and placed her glass upon the table. What did she think she was doing?
"Tink-" Regina began.
"Every weekend before the beginning of term, the school has a small camping excursion into the woods" Tink stated, ignoring Regina's attempt to intervene. "The children and teachers leave in late evening to set up camp, stay overnight, and return at lunchtime the next day" she continued. "Many children are returning to the school tomorrow in anticipation of the trip, which is seen as a highlight of the year. As there are so many students attending, there is a need for additional staff" she stated, looking up at Robin with a smile. "I don't suppose you'd care to go?"
"Tink, Mr Locksley has only just arrived-"
"Precisely" Tink smiled at Regina. "It would give him a chance to get to know the students and the grounds" she stated, tilting her head towards Robin with a beaming smile.
"I would be more than happy to attend, if you are content to allow me to do so" Robin stated to Regina, who turned towards him with an unreadable expression. "My son should be arriving tomorrow and it would be quite an adventure for him" he smiled.
Regina looked from Robin to Tink and, knowing that she had no legitimate reason to deny his request, acceded. But the fact that her authority was being undermined in front of all of the teachers caused her to feel both annoyed and embarrassed. And powerless.
"Of course" she returned in a formal tone. "Your assistance will be appreciated, thank you."
Robin smiled in response, but before he could continue speaking with Regina Mr Hook got up from his seat and walked around the table towards him, crouching beside his chair and explaining the arrangements for the camping trip. Regina remained sitting still and silent, staring at her uneaten food and running her fingers down the glass of water before her. She continued watching the students before her with interest, glancing at her son and assuring herself he was alright, before returning her attention to the various questions some of her staff were directing at her. A few minutes later she fell silent once more.
After Mr Hook had finished his discussion with Robin Locksley he returned to his seat just in time for dessert. Robin, grateful for an opportunity to speak to Regina, found himself stopped from doing so by the vacant and almost haunted look in her eyes. He followed her line of sight and saw that she was staring at her son intently, watching as he interacted with his friends, smiling and laughing despite his injuries. Her hand was trembling as she held a napkin tightly between her fingers.
"Your son's injuries appear worse than they are. It's always the same after childhood scraps. I myself sustained many an injury of a similar description, and I assure you they soon fade" he stated in a gentle and reassuring manner. "Your boy is quite alright, I promise"
"So you're a doctor now as well as a professional darts player?" Regina asked sarcastically, drawing her glass of water to her lips. "How reassuring."
"Speaking of which" Robin stated, removing an item from the shoulder bag he carried and presenting it to Regina. "This is for you, as an apology for my conduct earlier" he explained.
Regina slowly lowered the glass from her lips and glanced towards the beautifully bound book he was holding before him, placing the glass on the table as she turned to face him directly. She recognised the item immediately, accepting it from him without thinking, and opening the cover to read the inside. She inhaled sharply as the writing on the inside of the cover confirmed what she had at first suspected.
"A first edition of Black Beauty" she whispered, running her fingers delicately across the first page, before closing the red cover and looking up at him with gentle eyes. "I can't accept this" she stated simply, emotion mingled with gratitude in her tone. "Please, it's too valuable."
Robin offered Regina a gentle, reassuring smile, and looked at her kindly as she held the book out to him.
"And now I see where your son get his humility from" he stated pleasantly. "And as fond as I am of the book, I assure you, it is worth nothing compared to your life" he continued, in a voice low and gentle, almost tender.
Regina's breath caught in her throat and she felt herself dizzied by his statement, her hand still holding the book out to him, as she stared at him and considered his statement.
"I…" she stammered, averting her eyes from his.
"Although we have only known each other briefly, I truly never suspected that I would ever see you lost for words" he smiled, raising his own glass of water to his lips. "You certainly weren't after your near-miss with my wayward dart."
Regina smiled lightly at the memory of her criticism of him as she recalled her words of admonishment from earlier. Robin caught the smile in the corner of his eye, before placing his glass down upon the table and turning back towards her. During those few seconds Regina had managed to compose herself, and was holding the book in her right hand.
"It's too valuable" she stated simply, her voice adopting the formal tone she often used. "Mr Locksley, I couldn't possible accept it."
"Consider it an investment, then, if you will" Robin stated, clasping his hands before him and placing them on the table, as she looked at him with a puzzled expression. "I gave you the book as an apology for almost striking you with a dart" he began. "So why don't you return it when you have done something to me which you feel you ought to apologise for. Something which would warrant such a token?" he asked, smiling slightly as he spoke.
Regina shook her head and chuckled slightly as she considered his words whilst holding the book, turning it over in her hands and running her hand down the spine, before turning towards him.
"And what makes you think I'd ever do something that would warrant an apology?" she asked. Robin smiled in response, and was silent for a few moments.
"In all honestly, I do not wish for you to return the book. I behaved badly and recklessly, and I would very much like to demonstrate my regret for my conduct earlier this afternoon" he stated sincerely, watching as Regina watched him with a calm expression. "And considering the injury you could have sustained by the dart, I think the gift is a very modest one." Regina smiled slightly in response.
"You really are being too harsh on yourself" Regina stated in a low, gentle voice, causing Robin to turn towards her with interest. "The incident with the dart didn't really make me angry."
"I see" Robin stated gently, in a tone which made Regina turn towards him in anticipation. "So what was it?"
"What?" she returned, looking at him with a questioning expression.
"What was it that made you so angry?" he asked gently.
Regina inhaled slowly and held Robin's gaze confidently for several moments.
"I wasn't angry" she returned simply. "I was shocked, that's all" she explained.
Robin watched her for a moment, waiting patiently to see if she would continue talking and perhaps admit to what it was that had truly made her angry; she had been angry, there was no denying it. And he suspected that the root of her anger and frustration earlier in the day lay deeper than a simple near-miss with a dart. But as he watched the woman before him hold the book carefully in her hands, her fingers lightly travelling across the red cover, he sensed a degree of vulnerability within Regina Mills that he suspected she seldom allowed anyone to see, and which she would not admit. Not now, at least.
"Alright" Robin replied simply. "So, will you accept my apology?" he asked, gesturing towards the book. Regina smiled lightly, knowing it was futile to argue.
"Yes" she stated simply, an air of formality gracing her tone once more. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome" he returned with a smile.
Regina nodded in response, and before she could comment any further Dr Hopper called her name and began asking questions regarding the staff meeting which was scheduled for Sunday evening.
Robin remained still for a few minutes, watching Regina answering the questions in her usual succinct and professional manner. There was a confidence about her that was attractive and deeply alluring; her voice was devoid of pain and apprehension, and free from the nervousness and frustration she appeared to demonstrate in his presence. After the revelations that night regarding the loss they had each experienced, and the qualities of her character which he had already perceptibly discerned, he knew that she felt apprehensive and even vulnerable in his presence. He sensed that, whatever loss she had suffered, it was something that she seldom talked about and was still deeply affected by; the fact that he had established that she had suffered the loss had clearly startled her, and caused her to become defensive once more, despite their friendly conversation that followed. He did not wish her to feel uncomfortable in his presence, and he certainly did not want her to think he was trying to discern her deepest secrets, bringing her pain to the forefront. He hoped that he would always be able to make her feel as relaxed and content as she had been when she had accepted his gift. But after his unintentional exposition of what was clearly a difficult subject for her, he felt that his presence beside her right now would compromise that, and the last thing he wished to do was cause her any pain. And so, as Regina spoke at length with Dr Hopper, Robin made some polite excuses to Tink and the other teachers on her end of the table, before excusing himself and walking through the dining hall and back to his room. It was not until almost ten minutes later that Regina realised he was gone.