A/N: Hi everyone, thank you for continuing to read the story. Things are going to start picking up from now on, so I hope you enjoy the next chapters. As always, your comments, advice and criticism are greatly appreciated :)
Thanks,
HQ21
Tink held Regina tightly for a few moments as the trembling woman sobbed against her shoulder, listening to her shuddering breathing as tears stained her blouse. She ran her hand comfortingly up Regina's back as she cried until, suddenly, she felt the principal's body tense. Regina inhaled sharply and eased herself from Tink's grasp, sniffing lightly as she ran her fingertips beneath her eyes, wiping away the tears.
"Sorry" Regina stated simply, her voice low and slightly shaken, as she stared down at the ground, unable to meet Tink's gaze. "My head is throbbing and I haven't really slept" she lied, punctuating her statement with a small laugh as she looked up towards her friend with red eyes shining with tears. "I don't know what came over me."
Tink studied Regina for a moment, exhaling sharply as she considered her words. She'd seen Regina upset before, on very few occasions during the twenty years that she'd known her, and she understood how much the principal hated appearing vulnerable. Tink watched her as she regained her composure, her body relaxing as her breathing adopted a more regular pattern. She took a step closer.
"It's not just your injury, Regina" she stated in a simply, gentle voice. "You and I both know that" she continued, reaching for her hand and holding it gently. "Tell me what's wrong" she asked gently, her bright eyes meeting Regina's. Regina stared at Tink for a moment before blinking and turning away, shaking her head as she was unable to meet her gaze. Tink's shoulders fell. "Regina…"
"I found 'em!" proclaimed Henry, who was rushing down the corridor towards the living area, his arms laden with books and films. "We've seen the first and second ones already, so we can start with the third and then-" he paused, staring up at Tink and his mother, whose back was to him. "What's going on?" he asked suspiciously.
Tink watched as Regina swallowed hard, her mouth opening slightly as she attempted to think of a reassuring lie to tell her son. Regina never allowed him to see her upset, she wanted to protect him for everything.
"Mom?" Henry asked, taking a step closer towards them as Regina turned to face him.
"Your mother's dressing needs changing, Henry, so I'm going to help her. It's quite awkward to do by yourself" Tink stated gently, a reassuring smile upon her lips. Regina felt her entire body relax as Henry nodded in understanding, before heading towards the couch. She then felt Tink hook her arm to hers. "We'll be right back" she assured him, before tugging the reluctant Regina down the corridor towards her bedroom, leading her into the room and closing the door behind them.
By the time they reached the bedroom Regina was completely calm and composed. Her face was pale and her body relaxed, as she stood tall before her long-time friend, looking at her with anticipation. Despite the fact that the woman before her was now exuding confidence and strength, Tink did not miss the haunted look in her tear-stained eyes.
"Come" she encouraged, tugging on Regina's hand and leading her towards the chaise longue by the window. Regina leaned up against the side of it and ran her hands down her leggings as Tink sat beside her, her gentle eyes gazing at her imploringly. "Tell me what's wrong" she stated gently.
"Nothing's wrong, I'm fine" Regina stated in a low, dead-pan tone. "The painkillers and the lack of sleep are just making my mind-"
"There is nothing wrong with your mind, Regina" Tink returned, watching as the principal stared at her defensively, a defiant look upon her features. Tink inhaled slowly and proceeded with caution. "What I saw back there was not exhaustion or pain" she continued gently, clasping Regina's hand in her own. It trembled slightly. "It was fear."
"I am not afraid" Regina declared, her confident tone marred by a slight quiver as she spoke the last word. Tink watched as she breathed in deeply and attempted to calm herself, removing her hand from hers. "I am fine."
"You're not fine, Regina" Tink countered. "You can say that you're fine as many times as you like, and I still won't believe you" she continued, her voice adopting a more confident edge as she recaptured Regina's hand in her own. "Talk to me" she encouraged, her eyes searching Regina's.
Regina swallowed hard and inhaled deeply, but she did not speak. She simply shook her head and averted her gaze, before staring blankly towards her dressing table, complete silence befalling the room for several moments as Tink waited patiently for a response.
"I don't have time for this" Regina stated bluntly, a defensive tone pervading her voice, as she quickly rose from her seat and headed towards the door.
"This is about Robin Locksley, isn't it?" Tink asked casually, causing Regina's eyes to widen as she came to an abrupt halt. Tink tilted her head to the side slightly and watched as Regina's whole body tensed, her shoulders falling as she turned around to face her friend.
"Excuse me?" she asked incredulously, her eyebrows narrowed in confusion. "What on earth are you suggesting?" she demanded, taking a few steps closer to her friend, who slowly rose to her feet.
"Regina, it's okay" Tink smiled, taking a step towards her, and staring up at her with conviction. "He's handsome, he's intelligent, he's kind, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with liking him" she continued. Regina scoffed.
"That's ridiculous" she laughed. "I don't like him." She returned, removing her gaze from Tink's with annoyance.
"No" Tink responded absently, her tone causing Regina to turn towards her with a quizzical expression. "No, you… you really like him, don't you?" she asked, watching as Regina sighed in exasperation and rolled her eyes, preparing herself for a retort. "I thought you may be attracted to him but this… this is more than just attraction, isn't it?" Tink persisted, watching as Regina continued to stare at her, her shining eyes ablaze. "You love him" she stated simply.
Regina swallowed hard, pursing her lips as she inhaled deeply, facing Tink with that same defiant yet haunted look in her eyes. She shook her head.
"You're wrong" she stated in a low voice.
"No, I'm not" Tink returned gently. "I thought you were upset because you were having some feelings for him but didn't understand what they were, or how you felt" she continued, watching as Regina crossed her arms in front of her and averted her gaze once more. "But you're not upset because you don't know how you feel, are you?" Tink asked gently. "You're terrified because you do."
Regina inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, her lips trembling almost imperceptibly, as she turned to face Tink directly, shaking her head. Her composure was beginning to fracture.
"No" she replied, her voice low and hollow, almost whispered, as her eyes adopted that same haunted look once more.
"Regina" Tink began, stepping towards her as she spoke. Regina turned away from her instinctively and turned towards her bed, uncrossing her arms and placing her hands upon her hips. "Regina, it's okay." Regina scoffed lightly in response before turning towards her.
"No, Tink, it's not okay" she returned, looking at Tink through a haze of tears which were stinging her eyes. "Nothing about this is okay" she insisted.
"Nothing about what?" Tink asked, standing before her and attempting to meet her gaze, as she slowly began to break through Regina's walls. "About feeling something for someone? About caring for someone?" she asked, as Regina shook her head repeatedly in defiance. "Regina, feeling connected to someone, feeling that… spark, and wanting to know them is not wrong" she continued, her voice growing more animated as she spoke. "There is nothing wrong with loving someone."
Regina turned towards her with wide and shocked eyes, staring hard at her friend, who insistence at persisting with this topic was causing her to feel incredibly frustrated. She didn't want to have this discussion, not now, not ever. She'd refused to even have it with herself. She couldn't.
"The only person I love is Henry" Regina stated with conviction. "I don't even know this man, he's barely been here for two weeks!"
"And yet he seems to have already made quite the impression" Tink stated defiantly, her expression softening as Regina lowered her gaze and shook her head. "Regina look at me, please" she asked, placing her hands upon her friend's arms and encouraging her towards her. "What is it that you're so afraid of?" she asked, feeling Regina trembling slightly beneath her hands. "Of loving someone?" she asked, as Regina swallowed hard in response and averted her gaze. "Or of being loved?" Regina's body stilled beneath her grasp.
"Stop" she asked, her voice low and slightly cracked. Tink turned her head to the side and her expression softened.
"You haven't felt like this in a long time, have you?" she asked gently, as Regina inhaled deeply and attempted to regain her composure. "You feel guilty."
"No" Regina lied, pressing her lips together and shaking her head.
"Do you think this is what Daniel would've wanted?" Tink asked, causing Regina to turn towards her with her eyes ablaze. "To see you like this? Hurting? Blaming yourself for even entertaining the notion that you may have feelings for someone?" she persisted. "He loved you, Regina. He loved you with the kind of selfless love that very few people are ever able to experience" she continued, watching as Regina crossed her arms before her once more. "You told me what his last words were to you" she stated gently, watching as Regina's bottom lip trembled slightly and a small gasp escaped her lips. "He told you to love again" Tink stated, moving her hand down Regina's forearm and clasping her fingers with her own, relieved when she didn't resist. "He just wanted you to be happy" Tink smiled, as Regina turned towards her with eyes brimming with tears. "He wouldn't want to see you like this, torturing yourself for allowing yourself to feel connected to another person. He didn't want you to spend the rest of your life just existing in this world" she continued, as Regina's breathing began to stabilise and she became notably calmer. "He wanted you to live."
"I am living" Regina returned, her voice low and fractured, but retaining her trademark authoritative tone. "I have my son and I have this school, I don't need anything else." Tink was silent for a moment as she considered her words.
"But what about what you want?" she asked gently, causing Regina to turn towards her with a frown.
"What I want is to look after my son and keep him safe" she stated, watching as Tink's expression changed and she nodded in understanding.
"You do keep him safe, Regina. You've kept him safe all these years" she stated with conviction. "Henry is protected, I promise you. No one knows who he is."
"For now, yes" Regina returned. "But to keep him safe I have to stay focused" she stated simply. "I can't afford any distractions."
"You think Robin would distract you from protecting Henry from-"
"I can't risk compromising my son because of some… because of someone else" Regina stated, crossing her arms once more.
"You wouldn't be compromising his safety, Regina" Tink stated with conviction, before standing up straighter before her. "How do you think Henry would feel if you were using him as an excuse to prevent your own happiness?"
"He is not an excuse!" Regina returned with annoyance. "And I don't need anyone other than Henry to be happy."
"Of course not" Tink stated gently, watching as Regina calmed visibly before her. "But you have this incredible capacity to love, and you don't even realise it" she continued. "I know you, Regina. I can tell that you like him" she continued. "The way you look at him, the way you both interact" she stated gently. "I can see it in your eyes every time I mention his name."
"No" Regina stated in a low voice, shaking her head once more. Tink sighed.
"Why don't you just talk to him?" Regina laughed, turning from her friend and raising her eyebrows.
"Absolutely not."
"Why?" Tink challenged. "He clearly feels the same way about you."
"No, he doesn't" Regina stated, and Tink could tell from her voice and her demeanour that she believed it.
"You don't think he feels the same way?" she asked gently.
"Of course not" Regina returned, her voice low and slightly cracked, her eyes glistening with tears which she quickly blinked away. "Why would he?"
"A better question would be why would he not" Tink returned. "You haven't seen it, have you?" she asked gently, causing Regina to turn towards her with a questioning look. "The way he looks at you" she added. "The way he glances towards you during staff meetings, smiles when you act as peacemaker during staff meetings" she continued. "Regina, he looks at you like you're the only person he is able to see" she stated gently. "And the look in his eyes, I" she continued, lowering her gaze to the ground as she smiled, before turning back towards her friend. "It's the warmest, gentlest, most affectionate look I have ever seen." Regina scoffed.
"Remind me not to order so many Jane Austen novels next term" she returned tersely, as she forced aside all the memories she had of the way she felt in his presence, her head upon his chest, his hands upon her skin.
"Regina, please" Tink stated, causing her to turn towards her. "If you want to disregard everything I say, and pretend that this conversation never happened then that is entirely up to you" she continued, as Regina watched her with suspicious eyes. "But please believe me when I tell you that Robin Locksley does care for you" she returned, watching as her friend stared into her eyes, as if searching for an answer. "And I'm sorry if you don't see it."
"There is nothing to see" Regina returned gently.
"Of course there is" Tink smiled. "Notwithstanding the looks he gives you, how he is when he is in your company, what about this weekend?" she asked, as Regina turned towards her with a suspicious expression. "He carried you through the woods and to your home, staying with you for the entire weekend to make sure that you were alright."
"Henry found him in the woods when he was searching for help" Regina returned in a low voice. "He helped me because he is… honest and kind, and it was the right thing to do" she continued. "And he was practically forced into staying with me by Whale, who deemed me incapable of looking after myself" she stated with annoyance. "He didn't have a choice."
"Of course he did" Tink returned.
"He probably thought I'd fire him if he refused…"
"Regina, stop" Tink commanded, her tone causing the principal to turn towards her with a guilty expression. "He deserves better than that" she declared. "And so do you". Regina swallowed hard, and a comfortable silence befell the room for a short while.
"I don't know what to do" Regina repeated once more, her voice calm and controlled, as she stared into Tink's eyes, searching for an answer once more.
"Talk to him" Tink stated. Regina scoffed.
"No."
"Regina-"
"Absolutely not" she stated, shaking her head as she stared at a blank space before her.
"Are you afraid he doesn't feel the same?" Tink asked, "or that he does?" Regina turned towards her. "He does, believe me." Regina scoffed once more.
"What are you, my fairy godmother?" she asked lightly. Tink smiled.
"No" she smiled, taking a step towards her and placing her hand upon her upper arm. "I'm your friend" she stated sincerely, the term seeming infinite as she spoke it. "And I want you to be happy." Regina stared at Tink for a few moments, as she felt tears begin to form in her eyes once more. Before she could respond there was a sharp knock at her door, which was then immediately opened.
"Mom?" has asked, confusion etched upon his young face as he stared at his mother, whose eyes were red and shining. "Have… have you been crying?" he asked, walking quickly into the room and approaching Regina. "Mom, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, dear, I'm fine" Regina stated, punctuating her lie with a smile. "I just…" she began, watching as her son stared up at her in concern. "My head's a little sore and I'm tired" she breathed, pressing her lips together into a tight smile. "Why don't you take Tink and put that film on, and I'll be with you in a couple of minutes?"
Henry watched her suspiciously, his eyes drifting over her face and focusing on her injury for a few moments, before he slowly nodded in agreement.
"Okay" he said simply, hugging his mother across her waist and then turning towards Tink, who smiled at him kindly and followed him from the room.
"I'll be right there" Regina returned, as Henry stared at her from over his shoulder, before Tink closed the door behind them.
Regina exhaled shakily and walked over to her bed, easing herself upon it and placing her head in her hands. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to make sense of what was happening, of her conversation with Tink, of her feelings for Robin, and of what she would have to do next. She couldn't continue like this, she decided, raising her head from her hands and staring before her. The confusion, the guilt, the fear, it was intoxicating and it was painful, but more than anything it was a distraction. Her priority was, and always would be, protecting her son. Her lip trembled as she considered the danger he would be in if anyone found out who he really was, or who she was, for that matter. She couldn't afford a distraction. She couldn't afford to have feelings for someone else. She couldn't allow herself to feel something for Robin Locksley. And despite the liberation she felt this realisation should have caused her to experience, she felt something quite the opposite; her chest tightened and her heart ached at the prospect, as she was overcome by a wave of sadness so strong it almost suffocated her.
Regina closed her eyes tightly and shook her head, clasping her hands before her as she attempted to calm herself. Her eyes flickered open a few seconds later and she stared over towards her bedside table, noticing immediately the familiar wooden object perched near the edge. Regina leaned forward and reached for the object, holding it in her right hand and moving it over and over in a calming motion. The object really did help her feel less afraid. After a few minutes of silent contemplation Regina's eyes lowered to the ground, and she frowned as a dark piece of material snaked itself around the edge of her bedside table near the underside of her bed. Regina eased herself off the bed and bent down, reaching for the strange fabric, and pulling it gently towards her. As soon as she drew it towards her the scent of Robin Locksley overwhelmed her, causing every muscle in her body to relax as her heart beat faster and almost audibly in her chest. She turned the material over and frowned in confusion, noting that it was clearly a scarf of some description. As she turned it over in her hands she found a deep crimson stain upon it, which was dried into the material. Blood she thought, drawing the material closer to her so she could examine it. My blood. She lowered the item in her hands and remained upon the ground for a short while, correctly deducing that Robin must have used the item to stem the bleeding she sustained from the head injury following her action. It would appear I now owe him a handkerchief and a scarf she mused, before folding the fabric up neatly and rising to her feet.
Regina walked towards her dressing table and held the material over a small wicker bin beside it, ready to throw the stained garment away. And yet her hand would not quite permit her to do so. She closed her eyes and sighed, before laying the stained fabric down upon her dressing table, and placing the small wooden horse in the centre of it. She turned towards her mirror and considered her reflection, inhaling deeply as she did so, and running her fingers over the smudged make up beneath her eyes. With one final calming breath Regina straightened her shirt and headed towards the door, walking briskly to the living area where she spent the remainder of the afternoon with Tink and her son, as she attempted to distract herself from her feelings for Robin Locksley.
The next morning Regina arrived at her office early to prepare for the weekly staff meeting. She'd found herself waking up shortly after dawn, and she spent the majority of the morning attempting to conceal her injury with make-up and her hair; relatively few people were aware of the accident which occurred, but based on Dr Whale's track record, she anticipated other people finding out, and she couldn't bear receiving any of those looks. And so when she walked into her office on Monday morning, exuding confidence and authority in her fitted black dress and opaque tights, she was relieved to be greeted by Katherine in the perfectly normal manner. Her secretary offered to set up the room for the meeting but Regina insisted on doing it alone, wanting to spend some time by herself to allow herself to think clearly, without the distraction of Katherine. Time seemed to pass far quicker in her office than in her apartment, and Regina was surprised to find that teachers soon began to come into her office, despite the fact that none of them were arriving early. Regina greeted the teachers pleasantly as they arrived, offering them coffee and various breakfast items which Katherine had laid out. To her relief, none of the teachers seemed to be acting in an unusual manner towards her, and she quickly decided that they were ignorant as to her accident and subsequent injury. Just as she felt herself relaxing at this prospect she turned towards the door to find Robin Locksley walking in besides Killian Hook, smiling and laughing at their conversation, before turning away from his colleague and looking directly at her.
Regina's breath caught in her throat as she met Robin's gaze, watching as his expression softened and he offered her a warm smile. His eyes drifted from her eyes to the side of her head, before meeting her gaze once more as he reached the table where she stood.
"Good morning, Principal Mills" he stated politely, relieved that she appeared to be quite alright.
"Good morning, Mr Locksley" she returned, blinking herself from his gaze and gesturing towards the table, and attempting to ignore the affect his presence was having upon her. "Please" she invited. "Take a seat."
A short while later all the teachers were sat around the large table in Regina's office, pastries and fresh coffee adorning the table, as Regina turned her fountain pen around in her right hand. The hushed conversations her staff were having amongst themselves soon ended, and they turned towards her expectantly. During the course of the hour long meeting Regina was able to negotiate the art supply budget, discuss alternative books for the sixth grade English syllabus, and finalised plans for a school trip to a nearby museum. As each subject was discussed Regina found herself trying to stare at the speaker, despite her eyes wanting to roam to her far right where Robin was sat. He made several relevant points during the meeting and she spoke to him with ease, forcing aside the affect his voice and his very presence had upon her. She maintained her composure throughout and spoke to him as calmly and professionally as she did to the other teachers, noting his observant remarks and productive suggestions. She was almost grateful to be distracted from her thoughts when she was required to rather expertly diffuse a disagreement between Killian Hook and Dr Whale, who were arguing about who would be supervising the trip in question. Regina found the argument extremely tedious and she was not in the mood to entertain it for long; she settled the matter quickly and with fairness, reprimanding both teachers with a sarcastic rebuke as punishment, which several teachers (including Robin Locksley) chuckled softly at. After the dispute was resolved quickly and efficiently, with both parties proceeding to glare at each other at intervals throughout the remainder of the meeting, which Regina found slightly amusing (not that she would admit it, of course). Nevertheless, when the meeting ended shortly before quarter to nine it was almost a relief, and said goodbye to the various faculty members as they left her office.
As Regina was saying goodbye to Dr Hopper she caught a glimpse of Robin Locksley out of the corner of her eye, noting that he appeared to be talking casually to Mr Hook but leaning against the edge of one of the chairs, indicating that he was intent on remaining in the office for a short while. Regina felt her skin flush as she was overcome by nervousness. She exchanged a few more words with Dr Whale who promptly left, engaging Mr Hook in conversation and heading from the room with Robin, leaving only two teachers remaining. Before Robin could turn to face Regina, the sound of a woman's voice and approaching footsteps ceased his actions. He watched as the eager teacher headed towards the principal and, based on the teacher's input during the meeting, anticipated that the discussion would be a lengthy one. He glanced at his watch and found that his lesson started in less than ten minutes, and he sighed in realisation. He had wanted to speak to Regina to ensure she was alright, but she appeared perfectly fine from what he had seen, and he did not wish to intrude, so he pushed himself from the chair and headed towards the door, offering her a polite smile as he left.
"Principal Mills" came the pleasant voice of Zelena Gardner, who walked towards Regina with a smile.
"Miss Gardner" she returned, her eyes drifting from Robin's departing figure to the science teacher before her. "What can I do for you?"
Zelena's eyes met Regina's for a moment, and she watched as the principal tucked a lock of hair behind her ears, revealing the barely noticeable steri-strips which were concealed beneath her make up. She appeared to be perfectly fine, with scarcely a hair out of place, Zelena thought. Much to her annoyance.
"Some children in my fifth grade class have expressed an interest in attending a nearby aquarium which has recently reopened" she began, watching as Regina looked at her encouragingly. "It would tie in quite nicely with the work they are currently doing on marine life, and I was hoping I could run it by you?" she asked.
Regina nodded in agreement as she spoke, knowing that Henry was in that very class, and had mentioned such a prospect to her a few days previously. The aquarium closed three or four years ago and had been a favourite place for students and teachers alike on various trips. And from the research she had done on the new facilities following the discussion with her son, she found herself keen to arrange such a trip.
"I think that's an excellent idea" Regina returned. "If you email me some information regarding dates and specifics I'll look it over and get straight back to you" she continued.
"Wonderful, thank you" Zelena smiled, before gathering her things and heading out of the door.
Regina blinked in surprise at her departure. That didn't take as long as I thought, she considered. I'll have to suggest that she emails me her ideas more often…
Regina sighed as she leaned against one of her chairs, tidying the paperwork, cups and plates upon her table. After a few moments of tidying she found herself unable to concentrate on the task, as her eyes drifted to the seat on which Robin Locksley had so recently occupied. She closed her eyes wearily as she considered how uncharacteristically distracted she had become, and how this simply could not continue. She needed closure, a resolution, and quickly. She had to be able to focus on her tasks without allowing her mind to drift towards Robin, and the memory of his words, his smile, his touch. She exhaled in frustration and pushed herself away from the chair, placing one hand on her hip as she walked back towards her desk, her eyes befalling a small object near her laptop.
"Principal Mills?" called Katherine from the doorway, causing Regina to turn around immediately. "Would you like me to clear up?" she offered. Regina considered the question and then nodded.
"Yes, thank you" she stated, removing the object from the table and clasping it in her palm. "I'll be right back" she added confidently, before walking past Katherine and heading out of the office.
Regina walked briskly down the corridors and towards the humanities department, knowing that she would be able to catch Mr Locksley before his lesson began. She turned the object over in her hand as she walked, finding herself feeling calmer and more confident with each step she took. Tink was right, in a sense. She did need to speak to Robin. She could not afford to have the distraction of her juvenile feelings running riot over her mind, her work and, indeed, her life. She needed resolution, an end to the issue, and she hoped that a civil conversation with the new teacher would completely put her mind at ease. Of all the things Tink stated that she disagreed with, the one thing that she felt most strongly about was her friend's misguided belief that Robin Locksley actually had feelings for her. Regina's heart sank slightly at the thought and she rolled her eyes at her own weakness, as she turned left and headed down the corridor towards his classroom. Tink was wrong, of course. Obviously. And when she spoke to him and thanked him for assisting her over the weekend, he would reply as cordially and as civilly as he would to any other teacher, and her mind would be at ease. Robin Locksley felt absolutely nothing for her, she judged. And in a few moments her hypothesis would be proved correct. And not only would she satisfy herself that he felt nothing for her, but she would finally be able to begin curbing the feelings she found herself experiencing for him. The confusion would disappear, their working relationship clarified, and her feelings on the matter resolved. She would thank him for his assistance over the weekend and then head back to her office and continue with her work. And Tink can finally drop it, she thought, as she knocked twice on the door before opening it.
Regina opened the door and stepped inside the classroom, her eyes drifting towards the large desk at the far left of the room where Mr Locksley stood, removing some text books from a large brown box.
"Principal Mills" he stated pleasantly, stepping out from behind his desk as she approached him. "What can I do for you?"
Principal Mills she thought with a combination of relief and regret, that's a start. Regina inhaled and took a few steps towards him, walking down the aisle between the rows of tables and heading towards his desk. She opened her palm and held out a small object towards him, and he smiled in response, that same beautiful, contagious smile. As soon as she had entered the room and seen him by his desk, Regina felt an indescribable but strong pull towards him, and her heart immediately began to beat faster in her chest. Regina inhaled sharply and lowered her eyes from his face.
"Roland must have left this at the apartment over the weekend" she stated casually, offering the horse to Robin. "I know he's gotten quite attached to it, so…"
"Yes, quite" Robin agreed with a smile, gratefully accepting the token from Regina, before looking back up at her. "I fear he may not be so willing to return the object again" he stated. "I may have to create a duplicate for him, otherwise this one may be lost to you forever."
"Well, he returned it once" Regina countered.
"Yes" he replied, placing the item in his pocket and looking back up at her. She felt her legs weaken beneath his gaze. "But that was because you were hurt" he explained, watching as Regina frowned in confusion. "Shortly after we brought you to your apartment Roland came in, saw you lying there, and placed the object in your hand" he stated warmly, watching as Regina's eyes softened at the confession. "He thought it would help you to feel better, and be less afraid." Regina smiled in response and nodded. Robin watched her for a few moments, sensing a degree of nervousness about her, and a hesitance in her manner which was quite unlike her. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
"I'm sorry?" she asked, slightly thrown by the change of subject, and the candid nature of his question. "Oh, I'm fine" she stated dismissively, punctuating her statement with a smile. "That's actually also why I came" she continued, as Robin watched her encouragingly. "To thank you" she elaborated. "Henry told me how you carried me back to the school" she stated gently. "And how supportive you were of him when he was afraid" she added, her heart beating slightly faster as she spoke to him, her eyes upon his, their gaze fixed and unwavering, she couldn't have broken it even if she wanted to. And she didn't. "And I'm sorry that the event caused you to lose your entire weekend" she continued stated sincerely. "So I would be more than happy to arrange cover for your lessons on Friday so that you and Roland could-"
"Oh, no, that's not necessary, I assure you" Robin returned gently, taking a step towards her as he reassured her, causing them to be separated by just a single step. "As I said before, I'm just glad that we were able to assist you" he smiled. "And Roland very much enjoyed spending time with you and Henry" he added. Regina smiled lightly in response.
"Thank you" she returned politely, not quite able to admit that she too enjoyed their company. "I guess I was fortunate that you were nearby that day" she added.
"Perhaps it wasn't luck" Robin returned, causing Regina to look up at him with a questioning look. "Perhaps it was payback for the dart" he stated, his voice low and whispered, causing her to smile in response. "Maybe it was the world's way of forcing me to atone for my carelessness" he added, his voice becoming low and slightly deep as he spoke. Regina rose her eyebrows at his comment and turned to the side as she smiled.
"Perhaps it was" she returned with a small smile, as she turned back to face him directly.
Robin smiled back at her then, his warm eyes meeting hers as they spoke, her heart beating slightly faster due to their close proximity. She found herself considering, not for the first time, how simple this felt, how natural; talking to him, being around him, there was something so comfortable about it, so soothing. So right. Her thoughts were distracted by the sound of his voice.
"And you're quite sure that you're alright?" he asked, his tone so kind and sincere that she felt herself feeling almost dizzy in his presence.
"I'm fine" she returned, placing one hand on her hip as she looked up at him. "Thank you" she added, meeting his eyes with her own. At that moment she felt drawn to him by an indescribable and almost magnetic pull, causing her to edge forwards slightly as she looked up at him, their bodies now merely inches apart. Robin sensed the subtle change and took a small step forward, his body almost touching hers. "Although my accidents around campus seem to be costing you dearly" she continued, earning a questioning expression from her colleague. "First you lost a handkerchief, and now a scarf to my injuries" she stated with a raise of her eyebrows. Robin chuckled lightly in response.
"They were willing sacrifices, I assure you" he smiled, as he stared into her eyes, his body edging closer to her.
"Is that so?" she asked, her breathing becoming deeper and her voice slightly breathless, as she found herself moving instinctively towards him, their bodies so close that she could feel his breathing against his neck, his alluring scent consuming her.
"Oh yes" he breathed, tilting his head ever so slightly to the side as he leaned slightly closer to Regina, whose cheeks were flushed and pupils dilated. "I'm quite certain of it" he added, as Regina tilted her head towards his responsively, her eyelids flickering slightly, as he leaned forward and their lips met.
Regina's eyes closed as her lips met Robin's, and they shared a sweet, lingering kiss. Their lips gently parted and her eyes half opened, before she closed them once more and leaned closer to him, feeling her chest pressed against his as their lips met once more, the kiss deepening and becoming more passionate. The kiss quickly became sensual and heated, feeling almost intimate to Regina and Robin, whose formerly tentative explorations of each other's mouths increased exponentially, each of them feeling warm and unsteady. Neither of them were able to think or speak, and it was absolutely impossible for either of them to stop. Regina rose her hand to his face and drew her fingers lightly down his cheek, the kiss continuing as she did so, until she felt his hand upon her waist, gently encouraging her towards him. She hummed in response, before removing her hand from his cheek and drawing it up his side and onto the top of his back, pulling him towards her. She felt his taut muscles beneath his shirt, as his hand travelled from her waist to her lower back and pulled her closer against him, her hips connecting with his, causing her to moan lightly in response. Robin drew his other hand down her waist and onto her hip, holding her against him with both hands as the kiss continued. Regina ran her hand across Robin's back, holding him against her and pressing her body to his, her body tingling in anticipation as his hands explored her back. It was on when the shrill ringing of the school bell sounded that she broke the kiss and her eyes snapped open, as if she had become awoken from a trance.
Regina stared at him for a moment, her eyes wide and unblinking, as she removed her hands from him and took a couple of steps back, rising her fingers to her lips as she did so. Robin opened his eyes immediately in response, and instantly found himself feeling cold at the loss of her body against his. His eyes focused upon her as his deep breathing regained its usual rhythm, as he took a single step towards her.
"Regina-" he began, his voice gentle and slightly breathless, as he looked at her slightly confused expression.
At the mention of her name Regina's eyes rose to his face, and she found herself staring at him, taking in his flushed cheeks, deep breathing and slightly untucked shirt, and reality hit her with an almost physical force. What had she done?
"Regina" Robin repeated gently.
Regina blinked herself from her stupor and turned on the spot, walking back down the aisle between the desks and heading briskly towards the door. Robin took a couple of steps forwards and watched as she left the room, her departure immediately followed by the influx of third graders to their first period lesson. Robin sighed helplessly as the students took their seats, running his fingers across his tingling lips as he watched the figure of Regina Mills disappear down the corridor.