"I simply touched the damn thing," Hook corrected, staring back at those surrounding him with an equally displeased and ripe look.
Gold remembered something, conveniently enough.
Regina had to stifle her scoff with a barking cough. Graceless, but not wary. This just affirmed all her suspicions. Gold was a snake till the end. The town was smothered in snow. Ice, thick as steel under that. It was an impossible situation that Storybrooke was in. Dangerous and frigid and the slimy sneak chose now to remember.
Something like this had happened before. In a far off land, where a queen showed her true colors and sentenced her kingdom to freeze in a snowy prison. Lovely tale, really. Regina was bored and cold. Thankfully the storm had stopped and for a few, wonderful hours the sun beat down, melting some of the tundra.
Regina stared out the window, watched as some of the sidewalk became visible; where Grumpy and the other dwarfs spent the morning shoveling away the heavy lot. It was comforting but, baffling all the same.
If her magic and Emma's and Tinkerbell's all couldn't melt some pathetic ice without straining, what did the sun have? Was this woman, – and it was a woman; she was spotted in the forest – a slave to the elements? Did she have the same rules as the rest of them? It would make things easier. Regina wasn't sure if anyone else caught on.
Some dwarfs loyal to Snow White tracked the town. They braved the cold and the wind to try and find anything that could aid them in solving the growing issue.
Goddess-like and beautiful, they reported back. Regina rolled her eyes then, too. Leave it to a man to only see the appearance of a threat.
She was growing more and more pleased that she forced Robin and his men to stay in town. A shiver ran up her spine, thinking of sweet little Roland at the mercy of this.. goddess.
"I was with him the whole time. He put it back," Emma came to the pirates defense.
Ever since Regina admitted that it was a possibility that Emma and Hook could have done more than just bring back Robin's very dead wife, the two had been compiling a list of everything they did. Everyone they came in contact with, and where they went.
Rumple's eyes remained dull and complacent through the whole ordeal. Then, ignited like wildfire once Emma explained how they made it back. How he trapped the pair in his secret room and jumped through the portal.
"This was an urn?" David asked, stepping between his daughter and Gold.
"More like a silver pot," Hook explained.
Gold sighed heavily, his body perilously rigid. "I can assure you, it wasn't pottery, pirate."
Hook glared at the older man, Gold stared back.
"Then maybe you can explain what it was exactly?" A voice Regina didn't expect to hear spoke up. Impatience and determination in his tone.
All eyes in the room fell on Robin Hood. Regina tried to pretend he wasn't there. Fighting became so commonplace, she was able to tune out most of it. But Robin never spoke unless directly addressed. He was willing and thoughtful. He let things move at their natural pace, and talking directly to the dark one wasn't something he'd normally risk.
Gold scoffed, his eyes finally leaving Hook and roamed over all the surprised faces to get to Robin. The two didn't back down. Both strong and smart men. Regina crossed her arms and waited for something to happen.
Smiling, Rumpelstiltskin stepped forward. Robin didn't move, glued to the chilly floor with purposeful persistence. The older man crept closer, and Regina found herself closing in on the two. Excited eyes drifted from Gold to Robin to Regina like a cage fight. Neither men noticed the queen until she was a step in front of Robin Hood.
Gold paused, a knowing, sadistic gleam in his eye. "Your Majesty," he crooned.
"I think he brings up a valid point," she started, ignoring the way Robin sighed behind her. "What's the importance of the pot, Gold." she demanded.
Though Regina already had her guesses, the look in Rumpelstiltskin's eyes confirmed them. The woman, the beautiful, otherworldly matron who seemed to be the source of all the snow and discomfort was something he acquired. Imprisoned.
The older man didn't miss the vile, disgusted look that crossed Regina's face. He toyed with everyone. Though this woman was destroying her home, a safe haven she built on her own deceit, a place she kept those she pleased in a personal kind of prison; she connected with this faceless person.
In all the things that Gold wasn't saying, Regina found answers. She understood her instantly.
"Nice going," she hissed at him. He ducked his head but didn't look remorseful.
"As usual Dearie, you don't have all the facts." he then averted his gaze.
Regina tried to hide Robin's image from him, but the stubborn man that he was, he took the place at her side.
"It's happening again, isn't it?" Gold whispered, deadly and intimate. Robin grunted, whether it was to affirm what Gold was saying or to show he wasn't amused, Regina couldn't be sure.
Sighing in sheer contentment, Rumpelstiltskin strolled past the pair, and towards the front doors of City Hall.
The room was quiet until he was gone.
"He'd rather us die than talk," someone shouted.
"He knows more than he's saying!" a deep voice agreed.
Regina's head was spinning, she closed her eyes trying to relax. Revenge was always going to follow her, it seemed.
"Regina," Robin was at her ear, a hand on her back to steady her. "Are you alright?"
Shaking her head, she tried to smile, "Of course." she nodded, looking into his blue eyes.
Being this close, she could see everything clearly. "But your not."
Removing his hand from her back and taking it firmly in her own she stalked across the large room, in the opposite direction. She lead Robin through a door and up a small staircase. This was the back route to her office, and she ushered him in quickly, locking the door behind them.
"This isn't wise," he reminded her with a sly smile.
Regina felt warm all over. She shrugged her shoulders, stepping away from the door and walked towards him. She analyzed his smile. The way his eyes looked worn. She placed a careful hand on his shoulder, the small touch seemed to weigh him down.
Gasping, and not meaning to, Regina pulled him to a chair and he collapsed into it.
"Please tell me you're not sick." she begged, a weakness coating her words.
She knelt beside him, and his hand found her hair, patting down stubborn strands. "I'm not," he assured.
Talking a deep breath, Regina dared to place her forehead against his shoulder.
Besides the dangerous conditions, the snow and the ice. The cold was worse. It seeped into the body, despite the amount of clothes. What not every resident knew was that the hypothermia story Snow and Charming were running with, wasn't as simple as that.
Townspeople were turning into ice. It started slow. Some became ill, coughs and stuffy noses. It was obvious at the time. The cold made people sick. But it didn't stop there. Gradually, their bodies shut down. And they became statues. Cold as ice but alive, beneath the crisp effects.
Whale had his hands full down at the hospital and even though being discrete wasn't his strong suit, even he couldn't bare explaining this to anyone. If they didn't figure things out soon, the fate of those locked away in a private ward, would be the fate of every inhabitant.
Regina just liked to pretend she was invincible. That Robin was, and Roland.
"Is he staying warm? You're not letting him outside, right?" Regina asked quickly.
Robin nodded. Never missing a beat. "He's not pleased, but I could live with a pout or two."
Regina sighed. Realizing she was still resting against him, she immediately went to move. But, Robin was fast, and he held her hand, guiding her to take a seat. She gingerly rested on top of him, his breath breaking against her neck.
She shuddered. The effect he had on her troublesome and delicious. She moved as close to him as she could. Sure it was wrong. He was married and this would never be real, but even for that short moment, believing she'd be visiting him in the hospital, frozen and unmoving, Regina needed to have this. And by the way Robin held her close, he needed it too.
"What did he mean, Robin?" she whispered.
He wouldn't pretend not to understand her. But, the outlaw shifted uncomfortably and Regina pulled back to look at him. His eyes were wary, his jaw set.
"He said it's happening again." she reminded him darkly, "What is?"
Robin sighed, his eyes slipped closed and his head now rested against her chest. She was sure he could feel the feverish beat of her heart. Though it was in her nature to push, Regina almost regretted doing it.
"Robin," she nudged him. His head left her body and his eyes were more blue, and more sad than she ever seen them.
"It's Marian," he confessed, squeezing her side.
Regina wasn't sure he was going to continue, but eventually, his frown deepened and he licked his lips.
"I relive the day I lost her a handful of times throughout my day. When Roland wakes up, when he says he loves me. When I'm having a moment and need someone. Every day I live with the guilt of it being my fault. That Roland was raised without her, that I got to live and she didn't." he sighed.
Regina sat tense. She wanted to move, pace the floor, knowing things that he didn't, but his hold was strong and meaningful.
"But, now she's here. She's alive and she can't remember a moment that we weren't together. She didn't have to live all those years stuck in time but not in action. I had to go through the hurt and the loss. She didn't. And now she expects me to just pick it all back up. Act like she didn't die – "
Robin played with Regina's hair. "She told me something, after we met in the park."
The queen froze. "Robin," Regina whispered slowly.
"She said, it was like she didn't know me anymore." he sounded hurt.
"What?" Regina gaped.
"I changed. I now spent my time with less than honorable people," he gave her a pointed look, "and I no longer do what was once so important to me."
Regina grew angry. No, she certainly didn't know Robin back then, she didn't even know herself. But for him to be so saddened because his wife was disappointed in a person he became because of her departing, – well it wasn't right.
But, this wasn't what Gold meant. Marian never questioned Robin before. If she had, he wouldn't look so willful.
He bit the side of his lip and pressed, "and now it's happening all over again."
He put his face in his hands, Regina took the opportunity to move out of his lap and to face him, directly.
"Robin, you must tell me. I'll help," she tried to pry his hands away, but he wouldn't budge. "Robin," she warned.
Slowly, he dropped them, Regina still holding his wrists, "She's dying."
And the queen blanched like the snow berating them.
They never talked about it, because he never brought it up. Not like this. But, Regina knew. It was why Robin knew Belle. Why he had such a rocky relationship with Rumpelstiltskin – though, Regina couldn't fault him for that, everyone did.
Regina was staring at the man with such a ardent look, even he had to comply.
"It was years ago. Time is unimportant." he waved her off stepping behind the counter and turning his back to her.
"The woman was dying. She was pregnant. He stole from me to save her."
"And you let him?" Regina asked, shocked.
Gold shrugged, still not looking at her. "Change of heart, Dearie."
Regina scoffed, her arms crossed protectively across her chest. "I'm sure."
From the corner of her eye, Regina could see Belle in the back room, humming to herself while sifting through a large, old book.
Gold faced her quickly. "I told you all I know. Now would you be so kind to leave?"
Regina pursed her lips. "No," she growled. "How do we save her again?"
Rumpelstiltskin laughed, bemused. "Are you sure you want to?"
Standing straighter, Regina placed her hands on the glass counter. "This isn't about what I want. Emma brought this woman back and I refuse to watch her be taken away again."
She thought of Roland. Living years without his mother, only stories to hush his cries. And now she was here, in Storybrooke to keep. She wouldn't let him suffer again.
"That's the thing, Regina." Gold's voice lowered, his eyes weren't hard and ruthless for a moment. She leaned in closer.
"Magic comes with a price. Ms. Swan bringing this woman back has serious consequences."
Regina was fuming. "Such as?"
"I don't know. But maybe dying has something to do with it." he narrowed his eyes incredulously.
He acted as if she was a child. Like she just didn't get it.
Sucking her teeth with a deadly glare Regina pressed on, "This magic that Robin stole, it was to save her life? How long did she have?"
Smiling, Gold pressed his hands together. "I wasn't sure. All he said was that she was sick, and she wouldn't make it to delivery. He'd lose both of them. Now, I don't know how she was meant to die – " Regina's gaze shifted. " – but now that she was saved, your guess is as good as mine."
The bell above the door jingled, Snow White walked in looking lovely and flushed.
"Snow," Regina glared reproachfully. "You shouldn't be outside. Where is Neal?" she looked around, to see if the idiot husband of hers was following.
Rolling her eyes, Snow pulled a few containers out of her bag and strolled up to the counter.
"He's home with Emma and Henry. I wouldn't bring him out in this." her words were amused but her eyes were hurt.
Regina looked down. This whole situation was keeping her on edge.
"I was just with Blue and the other faeries." she explained, "They've brewed something up. Full of healing power and warmth." she smiled softly as Belle came from the back room to embrace her.
"I'm handing some out on my way home." she finished, giving a thermos to both Gold and Belle.
Snow then turned to Regina, "Here" she handed one out.
Regina smiled, "I'll walk out with you," she threw Gold a serious look and headed out into the cold.
"Did you bring some to Robin?" she asked once they were safely out of the shop.
Snow shook her head. "Ruby was." then, looking at her friend she added, "Is everything okay?"
Regina didn't want to tell more people than necessary about Marian's condition. Gold already hinted at knowing, she she wasn't risking anything there. But Snow was too sweet for her own good, and Regina needed her to worry about her own family. "Yes, fine. I'm going to head to Granny's to check on everyone."
Snow gave a knowing smile and nodded. "Want me to help you get home?" Regina asked as an afterthought.
Snow shook her head, "I should finish handing these out. Archie is on the way, so.."
Nodding her goodbye, Regina evaporated in a cloud of purple smoke, and landed inside the diner. Granny grumbled, but Regina rolled her eyes and stalked towards the back.
Once she made it to the room Robin was staying in, she debated knocking. Marian didn't like her. This would only upset the ailing woman.
But, curiosity won out and Regina heard the firm knock she planted on the door reverberate, echo down the empty hall.
Roland answered. His smile so bright, Regina swore the sun was still shinning. "Regina!" he exclaimed, reaching up for her to hold him.
She did happily. "Hello, Roland. Are you staying warm?" he nodded at her, his dimpled grin infectious. "Good," she admitted tightly and stepped into the room the family shared.
Robin was smiling when he saw her. Confusion in his eyes, but it came second to the genuine appreciation that his son shared. She swallowed while stepping closer.
"How is she?" Regina wondered, quietly. Roland was still in her arms, his curly head resting on her shoulder.
Robin smiled sadly. "Roland, why not go see what Little John's doing? I'm sure he'd love to finish teaching you that card game."
Wiggling out of her embrace, Roland rushed out the door and tiny little knocks were heard a moment later, before another booming voice welcomed the toddler inside. Robin and Regina smiled softly.
"Where is Marian?" she asked, setting down her thermos.
Robin rubbed his chin, "Down the hall, praying with Fryer Tuck."
Sadly, Regina stepped closer. "I've done some digging. You stole magic from Rumpelstiltskin back in the Enchanted Forest?"
His face contorted. "Yes, I asked him." she answered without being asked.
Robin nodded. "She was sick. On the verge of death back then. Roland wouldn't have made it. She wouldn't have. I was desperate." he paced.
"I acquired a wand that saved her. She was well enough to finish the pregnancy and Roland was born healthy."
Regina shifted her weight. "I need to tell you something," she whispered. He looked at her expectantly.
"When Marian returned, Emma told me that she saved your wife from my dungeon." Regina wouldn't look up at him. She was uncomfortable and still swaying. "I was going to kill her for withholding information about Snow White,"
Robin didn't speak, Regina sighed, "I know that it doesn't matter now, because the time line changed and we couldn't possibly remember differently, but I truly don't remember killing her, Robin."
Regina finally looked up. Instead of the rage she expected to see, he was thoughtful, pensive. She didn't know why she'd expect him to demand her to leave. Yell at her like she deserved. Robin was never that way.
"She died in my arms, Regina." he whispered. Remembering it all. She could see the light drift in his eyes like sunlight cast across a string of salty waves.
"I stole from the wrong people, they found me, and she was lost in the crossfire." he added quietly.
Regina's mouth was parted, she felt at any moment, her legs would completely give out from under her. His words, his eyes, his whole body was so sad, remorseful. She tried to take in a strangled breath, but tears came instead.
"I didn't kill her?" she whispered, so much relief in her voice.
Robin softened immediately. He rushed to Regina, embracing her in a strong, bone crushing hug. She wasn't aware of anything but him. He supported her as tears leaked. It was foolish, but she was happy.
This didn't change things, not at all. Robin was still married, Marian was still back from the dead. But it wasn't Regina who put her there in the first place. That knowledge made her seem almost worthy of him again.
"Regina, she told me about being your prisoner."
Stiffening, she peered up into his eyes. "Why are you still being kind to me then?"
"She escaped your castle, after you didn't succeed like you believed in killing Snow White," he explained. "You weren't paying attention, your guards were all ordered to search for her, and Marian has always been a smart woman. She got out all on her own. It was later on when she died."
That was why Regina didn't remember killing her. "Thank god," she whispered, her head tilted down, resting on the edge of Robin's chin.
Once their skin touched, both immediately realized the compromising position they were in. Moving gently away, Robin smiled. But, it didn't reach his eyes. They both had to force themselves away. It was so easy to get lost in each other.
"Well," she began, taking a deep breath. "There might be a way to save your wife,"
Regina ignored the hopeful look Robin gave her, and then the almost sorrowful one that followed.
I don't believe in cheating. But, this is a very complex situation.. and this is dangerously close...