A/N: Thank you for sticking with the story, and I apologise again that the beginning has been fairly drawn out. I wanted to try to develop the characters as individuals and through their interactions with others before getting into the main storyline. As the end of the chapter will indicate, the following chapters will be much more action packed. As always, any advice or criticism is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

HQ21

The two days which followed the staff meeting passed far quicker than Regina had anticipated. The beginning of the new term always came and went with incredible speed, but she found that the first couple of days to this particular term seemed to disappear before her eyes in just a few short blinks. She had met all of the new students, liaised with numerous staff and parents, and had finally got back on top of the mountains of paperwork which had been dominating her every waking moment. Although the task had been arduous and incredibly frustrating, she was relieved that it provided her mind with a temporary reprieve from thinking about a certain new history teacher, whose effect on her she found to be problematic and deeply troubling.

Robin Locksley was a new member of staff with an impressive resume, and from what the perceptive principal had been able to learn in the short time she had spent in his company, she discerned that he was an honest, noble and kind man with high integrity. Although she would not wish to doubt his abilities, as the principal and as a realist she could not simply assume that he would act in a professional manner which befitted the image of the school. And so during the mornings of the first two days of term she passed his classroom on one or two occasions, glancing in to observe his teaching methods and interactions with the students. On both occasions she found that he had a rather animated teaching style which seemed to inspire both the interest and attention of his students, who were enraptured in his words, and Regina perfectly understood why. The energy he brought to teaching, like he did to everything else, was contagious; his very interest in a subject inspired another person to be interested in it, and to yearn to learn more. As Regina stood outside the classroom on the second occasion and considered the contagious energy he brought to his teaching methods, she found herself reminded of his smile, which inspired the interest of others, causing them to relax and return the expression. Regina exhaled in mild annoyance at this thought and the supporting memory, before walking briskly from his room and down the corridor towards her own office, disappearing from view mere seconds before Robin turned instinctively and quite inexplicably towards the door.

Regina had spent the majority of Tuesday morning in her office, focusing on her paperwork, a rather tedious phone call to a demanding parent, and reprimanding two students who could not conduct themselves appropriately in their English lesson. And so after the completion of her work, and to escape from her office for a short while, Regina found herself walking down the marble corridor towards the front of the school just as the clock struck four o'clock. It was a warm afternoon and there was a refreshing breeze which drifted across her skin as she approached the large door, revitalising her instantly, and reminding her that she was still able to enjoy at least part of the day. Regina stepped through the doorway and paused in the centre of the marble steps, glancing around at the children laughing and playing, and celebrating the end of the academic day. The sound of laughter, rhymes and cheering could be heard as several smiling students ran across the front of the school and into the gardens, clearly engaged in some kind of game or group activity. Regina watched them for a few moments and smiled, before walking down the marble steps, running her hand along the supports as she did so, her fingers reaching the statue at the bottom as gravel crunched beneath her feet. As soon as she reached the end of the steps Regina found her eyes fixed upon the familiar dark curls of a young boy sat upon the ground, his back pressed to the base of the marble statue.

"Roland?" Regina asked gently, looking down at the young boy in concern. Upon hearing her voice Roland turned towards her, staring up at her with his beautiful wide eyes. "Are you alright?" Roland nodded silently in response.

Regina's expression softened and her eyes remained on his, as she perched herself on the bottom of the marble steps and smoothed down her skirt, turning towards him with a reassuring expression. Regina's eyes remained upon him for a moment, noticing the look of nervousness and apprehension he bore, before turning towards the running children before her.

"They look like they're having fun, don't they?" Regina stated conversationally, turning towards Roland as she spoke. "Wouldn't you like to play too?"

Roland shook his head tiredly in response, his eyes remaining fixed upon an object in his hands.

"Why don't you want to play, sweetheart?" she asked kindly. Roland simply shrugged his shoulders in response. He was clearly a very shy child. "Why are you out here all by yourself?" she asked gently.

"Daddy is helping Mr Hook to put his new map up in his room and then he's coming to get me" Roland stated gently, and she nodded in response.

Regina was aware that Mr Hook had created a large map of the world, divided his various classes into groups, and tasked them with researching a particular country. The students were to write a paragraph on a chosen topic relating to that country, and then drawn some pictures to accompany it, which would be placed on the large map itself, which was to adorn the back wall of his classroom. Mr Hook had been talking about it at the staff meeting a couple of days before, and she herself had witnessed some children working on their individual tasks. It was a wonderful idea and she was very much looking forward to the final result. She was also looking forward to finding out whose idea it truly was, as she strongly suspected it was not the brainchild of Mr Hook.

"I'm sure he won't be long" Regina stated gently, her eyes drifting to the object which he played with in his hands which, from the angle she was sitting at, was obscured from her view. But after a few moments Roland removed his fingers from the front of the object to reveal it, and Regina smiled. "I hope you're taking good care of my horse" she smiled.

Misunderstanding her meaning, Roland turned towards her and offered her back the wooden trinket, but she returned his gesture with a calm expression and a gentle shake of her head. Despite the comfort she found in the small object, it was clear that the little boy needed it more than she did at the moment. With all the adjustments being made, he was bound to feel confused, nervous and a little out of place, which Regina could relate to all too well. She just hoped that the miniature wooden horse would provide him with the same comfort it gave her.

"Why don't you hold onto it for a little while longer?" she asked kindly.

Roland looked up at her and smiled at her warmly, the expression lighting up his delicate features; he had certainly inherited his father's smile. As Regina watched him continue to play with the small object, a thought entered her mind as to what could possibly raise a brighter smile upon the face of the nervous child.

"How would you like to meet the real Rocinante?" she smiled. Roland turned towards her with a bright smile. "My son and his friends assist the grooms with the horses every afternoon, and you'd be more than welcome to go too."

"Really?" he asked.

"Of course" she stated, leaning back slightly as she spoke. "Providing it's alright with your father, of course" she continued, her mind drifting onto the person whom she had managed to so skilfully avoid for the past couple of days.

Regina inhaled deeply and banished the thought from her mind, instead focusing on the wooden replica of her own beloved horse. She hadn't been able to ride him for as long as usual on the last occasion due to the new students arriving, and she'd been unable to tend to him in the days that had passed since, and so was quite keen to visit the creature herself. Walking Roland down to the stables may also encourage him to open up to her, and confide in her about anything else which might be bothering him. Although from his demeanour and his words, and her professional experience, she suspected he was simply still adjusting to the change in home and school. As she considered this whilst watching the young child, she blinked form her thoughts as the boy suddenly sprung to his feet with a broad smile, turning on the spot and staring up the marble staircase with a beaming smile.

"Daddy, Principal Mills says I can see her horse!" he stated, his tone animated and his tiny body tensing with excitement.

"Did she indeed?" came the familiar voice of Mr Locksley, whose gently tone caused Regina's heart to flutter and her limbs to weaken. Her eyes widened slightly as she stood from the bottom step and turned around, staring up the stairs towards the figure of the history teacher, whose body was bathed in the afternoon sunlight. His eyes drifted from his son to Regina, who let out a slow breath.

"I did" Regina returned, her tone kind yet professional. "Providing it's alright with you, of course."

"Please daddy!" asked Roland, who took a few steps closer to Regina so that she felt him brush up against her leg. "Principal Mills' son is there now, and his friends, and they're helping the grooms with the horse, and I can help too!"

"Calm yourself, my boy" Robin smiled as he descended the staircase, his eyes fixed upon the animated youngster. Once he reached gravelled driveway he turned towards Regina. "Are you quite certain it wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience?" he asked in a low, polite tone, his bright blue eyes staring into hers.

"Not at all" Regina returned confidently, holding his gaze as she shook her head. "Henry, Hansel and Gretel are down there now with one of the grooms" she stated, her eyes drifting towards Roland, "and I'm sure they'd be glad of some extra help" she smiled. "And Rocinante is very friendly. If you give him some attention he will adore you."

Robin watched the genuine smile upon Regina's face as she spoke to his son, his eyes softening as he watched her tenderly.

"Of course you can go, my boy" Robin stated, holding his hand out towards his son. "Mr Hook showed me where the stables are the evening we went camping, we can walk down there now" he stated, turning towards Regina with a grateful smile.

Before Regina could respond and excuse herself she felt Roland's small hand in hers, gripping her fingers tightly as he pushed himself closer to her.

"Can you come too?" he asked, looking from Regina to Robin, before focusing his attention on the principal.

Robin noticed the look of unease upon Regina's face, which his presence seemed to afflict upon her, and so he sought to spare her any discomfort, despite very much wanting her to accept his son's offer.

"Roland, Principal Mills is a very busy lady, she-"

"Please" Roland asked, tugging on Regina's hand as he spoke, his dark brown eyes boring into hers. She met his gaze and exhaled sharply, her eyes befalling the wooden figure he was clutching in his free hand. Despite wanting to make a polite excuse and head back to the sanctity of her office, this precious little boy was quite literally reaching out for her. How could she refuse?

"It's fine" Regina stated, turning from Robin to Roland. "Of course I'll come with you" she added gently, squeezing Roland's hand in response. Roland beamed brightly and turned on the spot, leading Regina down the gravel drive towards the path which led to the woods.

Robin chuckled at the young boy's enthusiasm, and took a few steps forward to stand on the other side of his son, as all three of them made their way down the stone path and out of the wrought iron gates.

From a window on the second floor of the school Zelena watched the scene before her with interest, her cold eyes staring at the figures of Robin and Regina as Roland led them towards the woods. The left side of Zelena's mouth rose into a cruel smirk as she watched the figures disappear from view. She smiled and exhaled sharply, before turning on the spot and walking away from the window, and towards the office of the principal.

After they had walked through the woods for ten minutes or so, Regina pointed down the path before them and explained to Roland where the entrance to the field where the stables were was. It was only then that the young boy released Regina's hand and began running down the path. Regina smiled in response as she watched after the boy, ensuring that he did not stray from the path or head in the wrong direction.

"He's very capable, I assure you" Robin smiled reassuringly, causing Regina to turn towards him and nod politely. They had not addressed each other directly during the walk, mainly due to Regina's clear avoidance of conversation, but also because Roland had been talking excitedly to them both as they walked.

"I can see that" she smiled, her eyes meeting Robin's gaze for a moment, causing her body to radiate with warmth. She swallowed hard and turned from him instantly, increasing her pace slightly as they continued down the path. "There's a gate a few hundred yards ahead that leads directly to the fields" she explained.

Robin nodded politely in response, before placing his hands in his pockets and increasing his pace to meet hers, so that they were walking almost side by side. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt herself tremble slightly, and did everything she could to avoid meeting his gaze. But unfortunately for Regina, her countermeasures could not protect her from conversation.

"Principal Mills" Robin began, the hesitance in his voice and formality of his tone causing her to turn towards him, "forgive me for mentioning it, but I do hope I have not offended you in some way" he stated in a low, sincere tone. Ever since the conversation he had with Regina during dinner, and the subsequent one he had had with Hook, Robin found himself feeling the need to apologise to the principal for his conduct.

"I'm sorry?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in confusion as she spoke. Robin's eyes met hers for a moment before turning back towards the path. Regina watched as the usually confident speaker appeared to be struggling to find the right words, which only added to her apprehension.

"I'm aware that despite my wonderful personality, enviable looks and award-winning sense of humour, I can often… overstep the mark" he stated simply, turning towards her once more as he spoke, their pace slowing as their conversation continued. "I certainly didn't mean to pry when we spoke briefly during dinner, and the incident with the dart truly was a moronic error on my part" he continued. "If I acted inappropriately or offensively then I hope you'll forgive my conduct, and accept my apologies" he stated, pausing as they reached the turning onto the field. Robin took a few steps to the right to allow Regina to pass through first, and turned towards her with a kind and sincere expression, which she stared at with her alluring gaze. "The last thing I would wish to do was to make you feel uncomfortable" he stated sincerely.

Regina felt herself relax slightly at his words, before familiar feelings of guilt began to wash over her. In all honestly it wasn't his conduct that was the issue, it was very much hers; or at least, what she found herself wanting her conduct with him to be. There was clearly something between them that they had both sensed, but neither could describe or understand, and certainly not address. But as she was looking at him now she found herself feeling as though it was she who owed him the apology, for punishing him for her own feelings, feelings which he unintentionally ignited, and which she was desperately trying to keep at bay.

"You haven't made me feel uncomfortable, Mr Locksley, nor have you offended me" she stated in a low, sincere tone. "And if my actions have made you feel that you have done either of those things then it is I who should apologise to you" she stated, before taking a step towards him and extending her gloved hand. "Will you accept my apology?" she asked kindly.

Robin smiled and placed his hand in hers, wrapping his fingers tightly around her palm and applying gentle pressure, as Regina's heart began to beat faster in her chest.

"I thought you didn't apologise?" he asked with a wry smile. Regina smiled slightly in return.

"I never said I didn't apologise, I simply questioned your assumption that I would one day need to" she corrected.

"And how wrong I was" he returned, his eyes drifting to their hands, before staring into Regina's eyes for several moments as they remained silent for a short while, which was not as uncomfortable as it should have been. It was only when Roland's voice called to them both from across the field that they were aware that they were both holding hands.

"The horses will be taken in in a short while, we should get going" Regina stated cordially, removing her hand from his and walking past him into the field.

Robin and Regina spent the next thirty minutes in the stables with Roland and the others, engaged in pleasant conversation in relation to the horses, stables and riding. They spent time in the company of everyone, not just alone, and Regina found herself feeling both relieved and slightly dejected by this. However, the afternoon was pleasant and comfortable, and she thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the others, remaining all the while blissfully unaware of what was currently happening at her school.

Zelena made her way towards Regina's office and, to her frustration, realised that her insipid assistant was still there. After several minutes of standing with her back pressed to the wall in the deserted corridor, Zelena reluctantly considered leaving and returning after dark. She scowled at Kathryn through the frosted glass, her eyes widening and the frustration growing, before the sound of approaching footsteps caused her to seek sanctuary in the room opposite the office. Zelena pressed her back against the cold wall beside the door, removing a mirror from her back and holding it by the gap in the door, watching as a man she recognised as Mr Hook strolled confidently towards the office.

Mr Hook knocked on the door twice before opening it slowly, smiling towards Katherine, who was typing at her computer.

"I'm almost done, I just need to finish a few reports" she purred. "Give me ten minutes?"

"Can't they wait until the morning, love? I saw the regal headmistress heading towards the stables as I was coming back from the woods" Mr Hook asked, taking a couple of steps into the room as he held the door open. "She'll never know."

"She always knows" Katherine sighed. "And she really needs the reports by tomorrow afternoon."

"… meaning that if they only take you ten minutes, you can arrive here at ten to eight and have them finished before she's even applied her make up" Hook smiled. "Unless, of course, you'd rather spent ten minutes writing reports on naughty children than... well…"

"Doing something even naughtier?" Katherine teased.

"Precisely" Hook returned. Katherine smiled in response and cast a glance towards her laptop.

"She'll be back in the office soon" Katherine stated, finishing composing an email and sending it to the relevant staff, before pushing the top of her laptop down and staring up at the geography teacher with a devilish grin. "You have thirty minutes" she smiled, getting up from her desk and hurrying down the corridor with Mr Hook, quickly ascending the staircase towards his bedroom. Zelena put her compact mirror back into her bag with a smile.

"Thirty minutes is more than enough" she muttered, walking briskly from the room and towards Regina's office, which her inept secretary had neglected to lock. This is too easy she smiled, glancing over her shoulder before entering the room.

Zelena cast a brief glance around the main office area before heading directly towards Regina's personal office. Zelena placed her hand on the handle and turned it down, pushing it to open only to find, much to her annoyance, that the door was locked. She exhaled sharply and pushed the door, before removing a small kit from her bag and working on the lock, which she opened in less than two minutes. She was aware that Regina's office was alarmed, but due to the fact that Katherine was still in the office the device had not been activated. She smiled as the lock unclicked, rising from her crouching position and looking over her shoulder once more, before slipping silently into the room.

Zelena located the light switch and turned it on, bathing the room in artificial light. She glanced around with a scowl of disapproval, noticing Regina's overly-tidy and obsessively organised office, which was filled with expensive furniture, rare literary volumes, comfortable furniture and fine art. The intruder spent a few minutes examining the office out of curiosity, studying objects on shelves and other immaterial items which had no bearing on her current mission. As she reached Regina's ornate desk she picked up a picture frame containing a photograph of Regina and her son, who was a baby at the time. Regina stared at the image intently and smiled, tracing the infant's face with her figure as she slowly put the picture back down upon the desk.

"I'll see you very soon, darling" she sneered, glancing across the files, stationary and various other objects on the principal's desk, before fixing her attention upon her laptop.

Zelena smiled as she opened the laptop and turned it on. She removed a decryption key from her bag, plugging it into the USB port and watching as it began to work on deciphering Regina's password. As the device did its work, Zelena walked around the office once more, considering each item and area closely and with complete attention, before identifying the location in question. She tilted her head to the side and smiled, before raising her green gloved hands towards a large painting of a horse which was displayed on the wall above one of Regina's bookcases. Zelena removed the frame and lay it against the bookcase, before turning back towards the wall and facing it with a smile. She had found Regina's safe.

Using tools which she had an expert's knowledge of, Zelena made quick work of the safe, opening it in a couple of minutes and pulling the black door open by the cold steel handle. She pulled out of the contents of the safe, including various documents, papers, jewellery and a few other items. She quickly made her way through the material before locating the item she had been searching for, which she drew to her eyes with a smile. It was a manila folder with 'Henry Mills' typed upon the front of it. As Zelena held the prized object in her hands, she was temporarily distracted by a bleeping sound from Regina's desk, which indicated that the passcode to her laptop had been deciphered.

Zelena smiled, carrying the file towards Regina's desk and placing it beside the laptop. She then removed the decryption key and replaced it with a USB stick. After spending a few minutes at Regina's laptop she downloaded the majority of the contents, including Regina's personal diary and itinerary, details on upcoming school events, staff records, student records and other assorted files. Whilst doing this it was necessary to place the decryption key back into the laptop, as the staff and student records were also password protected; it was a problem which was rectified swiftly, and caused the impatient Zelena only a few moments' worth of annoyance. As the files were downloading onto her USB stick, she used the opportunity to flick through Henry's personal file, taking pictures of each page, and smiling wickedly as she read the contents.

And so it was that, ten minutes later, Zelena turned off the light and left Regina's personal office, locking the door behind her and leaving the main office as swiftly and silently as she had entered it. Armed with the new information, Zelena headed directly to her room where she could peruse the data at length, which would enable her to begin to plan the elimination of Principal Regina Mills. Based on the conversation she overheard between Katherine and Mr Hook, and the various pictures and ornaments in Regina's office, Zelena knew precisely where she would start.