CHAPTER 17

Victor let Robin go home that night but it was very late. He went right to bed and Regina made a few calls to his friends to let them know how he was. Killian promised he'd call Marian and let her know what had happened. He also said he'd go to the center first thing in the morning and talk to some of the volunteers. He was confident that Robin's shifts could be covered with no problem. Regina then called Granny – she seemed very worried and said not to worry and to tell Robin to take all the time he needed to heal. Regina had taken a shower and collapsed into bed an hour or so after her boyfriend and neither of them woke again until Ten the next morning. She bolted up and called Tink apologizing and then explaining what had happened the night before. She assured Regina she would take care of the store for the next day or two so that she could stay home with Robin. After she got off the phone with Tink she went downstairs to put on a pot of tea. She noticed she had a text message from Emma:

"Granny is already organizing donations for all the families that were affected by the fire. She is very worried about Robin but I assured her that you are taking good care of him. If you need ANYTHING call me. Xoxo"

Regina responded with:

"Thank you. That's so nice of her. I'll call you later."

Her senses were on high alert and she heard Robin coming down the stairs. He came into the kitchen and he actually looked okay "Hi," he said.

"Robin, I'm making tea," she said.

"Okay, I'm a little hungry," he admitted.

"I have waffles," she replied.

"That sounds good." He sat on the stool and shook his head "I can't believe I broke that other one . . . now you have nowhere to sit."

"I don't care about the stool," she said softly. She fixed their tea and then placed a mug down in front of him. When the waffles were done; he put butter and jelly on them and then ran his hands through his hair. She could tell he was about to break down and she wrapped her arms around him from behind. He started to cry and she held him "Robin, you'll get through this. I'll help you," she said as he turned around and pressed his head against her chest. She let him cry and then when there were no more tears he sat up and she handed him a napkin.

He wiped his face "I'm sorry. It's just we lost . . ."

"You have a right to be upset. So, don't go apologizing," she said. "You should eat. How do you feel . . . physically I mean."

"I feel alright." He took a bite of his waffle and she began to fix hers. When it was done she put just jelly on hers and then stood next to him "See; now you have to stand. I'm an idiot."

"Shut up. I plan to go buy a new one today. I thought maybe if you were up to it you could come with me and we need groceries. I want to get you whatever you want- so don't argue."

He smiled "Yes babe."

"I should also tell you that Emma already informed me that Granny is organizing donations for everyone that was affected by the fire."

"I see," he said softly.

"Robin, almost all your clothes are here. So, that's a good thing."

"Yes, you are right about that. But, Roland . . . all of his things," he said.

"I don't want you to worry about that," Regina said.

"Did anyone call Marian?"

"Killian but if you don't want to talk to her I'll deal with her if she calls."

Robin reached for her hand "You will?"

"Yes, I'll tell her you're sleeping or something. You need to rest. You've been through something traumatic. I should also tell you that all of your shifts have been taken care of. Except Jefferson; you can call him and talk to him about working this weekend if you want."

"You've handled basically everything," Robin said.

She smiled "I almost lost you. I love you Robin." He pulled her into his arms and held her. He couldn't help that he got emotional again. After a few minutes; she kissed him and said "So, are you up to going shopping with me? Maybe, while we are out we can get a few things for Roland? Just a little at a time. I promise."

He bit his lip "I can't say no to you. Thank you Regina."

"I know a way you can thank me but only when you're feeling better," she teased as she kissed him again. They finished breakfast and decided a shower was first on the agenda before shopping and of course they conserved water . . .

Robin loved her smile, her laugh and he loved that she was enjoying herself at the store and picking out a few new things for Roland. He begged her not to go overboard and she listened. While they were out they stopped and checked on Tink. She had been worried when she heard about what happened and hugged Robin so tight he couldn't breathe. She assured Regina everything would be fine. They even stopped by Granny's and she cried and hugged Robin and then yelled at him for putting himself in harm's way. Then, she called him a hero and told him to take all the time he needed. He told her he wanted to come back on Wednesday and work a mid-shift if she'd let him and she agreed. By the time they got home it was almost dinner time and Regina decided to invite Emma and Killian over because she was making those apple turnovers. Robin wanted tacos; which was easy enough and he said he felt good and would cook. After everything was put away she told him to pick a bedroom and to put Roland's things in it "We'll let him decorate it when he comes," she said.

Robin was stumped "You're going to re-decorate a room for him?"

"Why not; Even though Marian is preparing him for what happened - it will still hurt him. I want him to feel comfortable here."

"In case I haven't said it lately – you're amazing," he said. He went upstairs and decided on a room not that far from Regina's and put the bags inside. He changed his clothes and put something a little bit more comfortable on and went back down to help. He set the table in the dining room and then a few minutes later Emma and Killian arrived. They both hugged him and said how glad they were that he was safe and then he and Killian went to the family room to sit and have a chat. Emma excused herself to the kitchen and joined Regina.

Emma hugged her best friend "Are you alright," she asked.

"Yes, I'm more worried about Robin," Regina admitted.

"He looks good. Do you need help with anything?"

"No, these are just about to go in the oven. Robin wants to make the tacos. He feels up to it. Emma, did you hear anything back from the fire department yet?"

Emma leaned against the counter "No, they are still investigating even though Mrs. Potts admitted to falling asleep. David just wants to be sure. Why do you ask?"

Regina shook her head "I don't know. I'm just curious I suppose." Just then Robin's phone was ringing on the counter and Regina grabbed it – it was Marian. She didn't hesitate. She put her finger up to her lips and answered the phone "Hello, Marian . . . it's Regina. Yes, he's okay. He's sleeping actually." Emma couldn't believe what she was seeing and just leaned against the counter "No, the building came down. There's nothing left. Actually, I went shopping today and I picked a few things up for Roland but Robin can talk to you about that when he's feeling better." Emma heard them coming in the kitchen and she went out to quiet them down and then they all came in the room "Yes, no he's not physically hurt but he's upset as you can imagine."

She couldn't look Robin in the eye so she turned around while she finished the conversation with Marian "He saved his elderly neighbor downstairs and the little girl that lived across the hall from him. Barely, yes - it was scary actually. Sure, I'll tell him you called. Can you tell Roland I said hello? I was hoping to see him this weekend. Okay, bye." Emma pulled Killian out of the kitchen and Regina turned around "I'm sorry. I should have just let it go to voicemail."

"What did she say," he asked.

"She just wanted to make sure you weren't hurt. I told her that the building came down but that I'd picked up a few things for Roland already. I told her I'd let you know she called. I'm sorry Robin I probably overstepped my bounds but she made you very angry yesterday and . . ." He didn't let her finish. He grabbed her and pulled her against his chest and kissed her with everything he had. She reciprocated his kisses and when he finally let her go; he placed his forehead against hers "I guess you're not mad," she said.

He smiled "No, I didn't want to talk to her. Thank you," he whispered. He kissed her one more time and then began making the tacos. Regina went out to the family room and told Killian that Robin was requesting his help. Once dinner was ready they all sat down and conversation flowed nicely. Killian and Robin cleaned up and Regina got the turnovers ready for desert and made coffee.

Emma's phone rang and she answered "Hi David. What's up?" Regina watched as her best friend's face changed "Oh' my God; alright. Yes, I'll tell them. What time do you want them to come down tomorrow? Okay, I will. Thanks."

Killian reached for her hand "What is it love?"

"It's not good," she said.

"Spit it out," Regina said.

"You were right Regina something wasn't right with the fire. The department brought in a team of specialists and they figured out that it wasn't an accident that caused the fire . . . it was arson."

"What, you're kidding," Robin said.

"No, they'd like you and the rest of the tenants to go down to the station for questioning tomorrow," Emma said.

Regina felt sick to her stomach and couldn't help the words that came out of her mouth "Emma, do you think . . ."

Robin took her hand "You can't mean Keith?"

"Do you think he's capable of this Regina," Emma asked.

She sat down on the stool "I don't know. I don't think so but who else would do something like this?"

"We have to question everyone tomorrow. Anyone that lived in Robin's building could have had enemies. Come down later in the afternoon around three. We'll question you last." The phone call had killed the mood so Regina packed up four turnovers for them to take home and then she and Robin cleaned up the kitchen after Emma and Killian left. She couldn't help the thoughts running through her head – was Keith capable of such a thing?

She knew she was distracted when she barely felt Robin's arms come around her waist "I heard you thinking from across the kitchen. Try not to worry just yet," he whispered as he kissed her cheek.

She turned around "If it was Keith this is my fault."

He shook his head "No, you can't think like that Regina. If it was him – he's sick. You didn't set that fire. So, you can't think that way."

"You lost everything . . ."

"Stop it! This isn't your fault! So, just stop it right now," he said angrily. She couldn't help the tears that fell down her face. Robin pulled her into his arms and whispered "I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled."

"Someone set a fire to your building. This is awful Robin, how could someone do that?"

"Whoever did that is . . ."

"Evil," she said against his shoulder. He took her hand and began pulling her out of the room. She didn't fight him. They were going to bed. Robin made sure the alarm was set and then locked the door. They went upstairs and once inside the bedroom they began getting undressed "Are you comfortable here," she asked as she changed into shorts and a tank top.

He smiled "Yes, I am. Why would you ask that?"

"I don't know. You weren't technically moved in yet and now you don't have a choice."

He pulled down the blankets "Regina from the moment I started spending time with you I have loved falling asleep and waking up with you. It's only been five months and the both of us have already admitted our feelings for one another. I'm grateful I have you in my life or I'd be homeless right now."

She smiled "I doubt that. You have a lot of friends."

"I know but I'd rather be with you." They got into bed and she scooted into his arms. He kissed her forehead "I can't thank you enough for everything you've already done for me and Roland."

"You don't need to thank me. I want to help," she said as she closed her eyes and let out a breath.

"We need our rest. Tomorrow will be stressful," he said. "Goodnight babe."

"Goodnight, Robin." They drifted off and the last thing he thought of was how lucky he was to have Regina in his life.