Hi! sorry this took so long, I got busy. But you all are truly amazing and I don't know how to thank you enough for being so kind and supportive. It means the absolute world to me! I usually thank everyone individually, and I'll start doing that again. I've just had a lot going on, but I just wanted you all to know that I really am thankful.
The secret was growing harder to keep. Regina knew the town didn't always take kindly to her, but to be so stubborn as to not head a clear warning – it frustrated her to a limitless end.
Six more people grew sick. Six more turned into a solid, chilly mass of stiff limbs and unwavering eyes. Whale was exasperated. He took to wearing thin cotton masks over his mouth and nose now. Being the only doctor in the know, he couldn't risk it.
The mixture that Mother Superior and the other faeries concocted wasn't doing enough. Those sick didn't heal, and those healthy still grew ill.
Belle was convinced that it had to do with the alternating weather. For a brief time, the snow had completely stopped. Universal relief was shared. And though it took several days, and a lot of natural, seasonal sunlight, the tundra melted away along with the ice.
Storybrooke's problems were dwindling. Or so they thought.
Waking up to a loud sound with a start a few nights before, Regina was graced with an displeasing telephone call. With blurry eyes and a soreness close to her heart, the queen heard Robin Hood's voice gently coaxing her awake at four A.M.
Immediately she feared something happened to Henry or little Roland, and then just as quickly, Marian. With everything going on, Regina didn't have the time needed to make good on her promise to help Robin's wife. But oddly enough, or not, – all a matter of opinion, really – he was insisting she took her time.
Whatever that meant aside, the late phone call instructed her to promptly look out her window.
With less than a day of clear sidewalks and dry boots, the snow appeared again. It covered everything Regina's eyes could reach. White, bright and cold. Her breath broke against the glass, causing condensation to fog up her sight – regardless, the snow was evident.
The pair sighed at the same time, on the opposite sides of town, drinking in the same scene. Regina itched to run off to her mirror, watch him; with the telephone tight in his hand, maybe rubbing a calloused hand against his chin.
But Regina thought better of it, and fell back into bed with a simple "We'll talk in the morning." It had been nearly a week since she invaded Robin's personal bubble. Though, if she was being realistic, Regina was mostly watching to see Marian.
Her illness was evident. Her dark cheeks flush and her eyes glassy. From what Regina could tell, the woman was also delirious. Fits of nausea as well as high fevers. It was different from what was happening with the rest of the townspeople. Where as others grew colder, uncontrollably shaking and chattering, Marian grew feverish.
Belle believed that the Snow Queen, a title Rumpelstiltskin provided, was messing with them. The snow would stop and start so sporadically, no one could find a pattern. This was making more and more sick, the woman assured.
It was the uncertainty that kept Regina on edge. She refused to let Henry leave the house. He stared longingly at the snow covered yard, where Regina's apple tree remained. Bold, juicy apples frozen. Mimicking the look of festive Christmas bulbs. He didn't know the truth, and that was Regina's fault. She wanted to keep all the darkness from him. He was still so young, wanted to help in every way he could, sans listening to his mother.
But, Snow was right. It was getting out of control and the people of Storybrooke had a right to know.
"Are you ready?" she called to Henry who was upstairs causing more noise than Regina thought possible for just getting his boots.
He grumbled an answer and hopped down the stairs with a bored look. Regina smirked at her son. "You're going outside," she reminded him.
"For like a second," he shot back, rolling his eyes while lacing his boots. "Why can't I just stay here again?"
Regina fluffed out her royal blue scarf, watching her reflection carefully in the hall mirror. "Because I have some things to do and I know the Charming's would love for you to stay with Neal."
"You just don't trust me." Henry concluded, standing in front of his mother with a crossed look.
Rolling her eyes, the queen wrapped her heavily bundled arms around her son, squeezing him tight. "You know I trust you," she whispered into his growing hair. "Things are a little difficult right now, you know that." she frowned. "I don't want you to be alone," she finished with a squeeze and a loud kiss on his cheek.
Henry groaned and rubbed at the red smudge with a gloved hand. "Mom," he whined, as Regina steered him to the door.
The Charming's, with the help of Belle and Hook were coming up with the most gentle way of explaining what was happening. Being at the blunt end of the fury so many townspeople possessed, she was more than willing to relinquish any duty to disclose how out of control things were.
Besides, Regina had some work to do.
Seeing as her mausoleum was buried under snow, Regina was working from her office. Creating a potions space in the far corner, overlooking Main Street and the patched up clock tower, she remained focused, while being able to keep an eye on things.
Things like Gold. His shop was in direct view from her side window.
The pair had settled on an agreement. That Marian's death couldn't have been distinguished because she died before her time. When Robin healed her with the magic wand, he couldn't have known that it wouldn't be forever. Magic was everlasting, but not always in practice.
When Regina told Robin she could save his wife, it was mostly out of sheer determination. The Evil Queen surpassed many odds in her day. She could easily do it again. But Gold's words rang in her ear.
Did she really want to?
The logical answer was of course. Without a doubt. She meant it, truly. She would not let that woman die. But there was a small part of her, maybe a piece of her heart still enamored with the darkness, that believed things would be easier if she was gone.
And she knew Robin thought of it too. It was in the way his whole body grew tense and heavy. He wasn't elated, like she was sure he'd be, when she promised to save Marian.
Yes, it could be doubt. Robin could doubt Regina's abilities. He surely wouldn't want to raise his hopes, his son's hopes, just to lose her all over again. But, Robin believed in Regina. Since the moment they met, when he talked her off a metaphoric ledge, he believed in her.
He droned on about second chances and being worthy. But Regina lost her second chance. She didn't need love. Despite what the pixie said. Henry was enough. Having respect and friendships. That would sustain Regina.
Pulling out a thick, leather bound book from a secret compartment next to the fireplace, Regina got to work. Her fingers quickly flipped through the worn, heavy pages. The book smelt of jasmine and rust.
Who knew, honestly. Regina could find love again. Maybe someone in the tiny, twisted town could love her. Maybe she could love one of them. Or maybe she hadn't met the right person yet. Robin was far too good. Too easy to fall into. Love wasn't easy, if Regina was paying attention, she'd known that from the beginning.
Their kisses were too sweet. Too full of something heavy and a little urgent. They were destined to find each other, but that didn't mean they'd be with each other. They would remain friends.
Regina smiled, finding the right page. She placed the book on the holder at the center of the table next to a gold bottle. With a flourish, variations of glass bottles hovered around the mayor. Some small and dark, some large, some clear.
The potion was advanced, similar to the ones that Regina was just learning when she decided to spend her life chasing after a girl, seeking her ghastly revenge.
Sighing, Regina started measuring powders and liquids. Some smelt warm and wonderful, others had her rechecking the book, seeming to dark and deadly for something so outstanding.
Regina decided that friendship with Robin Hood wouldn't be a terrible thing. They got along well. Listened to each other, respected questionable choices. They were parents, and Regina knew deep down that that was what drew her in. He understood things that not everyone could.
The quiet knock on her office door didn't startle her. Regina was so engrossed in the formula, she didn't even notice until a hand was at her shoulder, aggressively turning her around. An insult died on her lips. Gold was there, standing in front of her, looking menacing.
"What the hell are you doing?" he spat.
Regina stepped back, nearly knocking off the contents of the table.
"What am I doing?" she scoffed. "You're the one barging in scaring me half to death!"
Moving back an inch, Rumpelstiltskin sighed, placing his hand in front of him. "You stole from me," he reasoned, looking past Regina, towards the table.
She knew he had his gaze fixed on the tiny golden bottle.
"I was going to give it back," she crossed her arms, "How did you know I had it?"
Gold snickered, reaching over her and plucking the potion glass.
"Who else knew what it was, Regina?"
Scowling at the older man, the brunette sighed miserably. "There was nothing left anyway."
Rumpelstiltskin looked surprised. He peered down at the table again. In a tiny flask, boiling over a blue flame, was a gold mixture. It sparked and cracked, lapping the edges of the thin glass, glistening under the overhead light.
"You made this on your own?" he pointed.
Regina nodded stiffly. He looked like a proud teacher, but Regina would never give him the satisfaction. Everything useful, Regina taught herself before he ever could.
"I used my mother's book," her head tilted toward the leather bound monstrosity.
A knowing gleam ignited in Gold's eyes. "Smart, Dearie." he nodded while moving away from her, inspecting the potion. "You believe it will work?"
"Why wouldn't it?" Regina stood a little taller.
This wasn't a potion's lesson. Regina prided herself in what she could do.
Gold shrugged, not meeting her eye. She watched him plop the tiny gold bottle in his coat pocket. She wished she never took it from his shop.
When she was there the other day, demanding answers, she spotted it on her way out. She hadn't thought of the elixir before. It was so rare, and she had never realized it could be brewed simply. No crazy magic like other rare potions.
"Did you make enough for two?" he questioned. Regina nodded.
"Are you going to tell him?" hearing his smile, Regina looked up with furrowed brows.
"I don't think it would matter. He'll do it. He wants to save her."
Rumpelstiltskin shrugged a shoulder, indifference coloring him.
"He wants this," she practically yelled at the man.
"Regina!" A different voice called from the hall.
Both adults' eyes flew to the open door just as Robin Hood stormed through. He walked quickly to her side. His hands raised several times like he wanted to touch her, as his blue eyes roamed over her body. Regina rolled her eyes with a small smile.
"What are you doing here?" she asked kindly, glaring at Rumpelstiltskin in the process.
"I just came from your house, you were not home. Henry said I might find you here." Robin glared at the older man as well, moving slightly in front of Regina.
It wasn't very noticeable, but Rumpelstiltskin never missed a thing. His mouth curved into a smirk and his eyes narrowed, almost dangerously.
"I'll leave you to it," he nodded at Regina while strolling from the office.
"You walked all around town looking for me?" Regina questioned reproachfully. "It's below freezing out there, you can't be doing that Robin,"
Rolling his eyes, the outlaw steps away from the displeased woman and sat in one of her arm chairs, motioning for her to sit as well.
The last time the pair was in her office, Regina was sitting in his lap, elated that he wasn't sick like the others.
Smiling sheepishly at the man across from her, Regina smoothed out her hair, "What brings you here? Is everything okay?"
Robin frowned, softly. "That's a loaded question, M'lady."
Regina ducked her head. Of course this was all hard for him. Robin looked across the room, Regina could hear the potion simmering.
"What is that?" he jumped up, walking across the floor to the table.
Regina followed slowly. "That's what I was talking about the other day. It's what's going to save your wife."
Robin flinched, and Regina was finally realizing that he always did so, when she called Marian his wife. Something warm fluttered in her stomach.
Though it was already obvious, Regina still enjoyed seeing that he cared for her, on a level maybe equal to his wife. Though that wasn't going to help her now, and Regina was literally doing everything she could to save the woman, it was enough to know that he cared.
All her earlier thoughts were still valid. They would remain friends. They would help each other and care for each other, but that would be it. And it would have to be enough. No matter what little bursts of hope she felt throughout her time with Robin.
"Magic? You're going to use magic to save Marian?" he sounded upset.
"Of course I'm going to use magic," she scoffed incredulously.
Robin spun around. His eyes were a hard, cold blue, like ice reflecting off a clear sky. "Regina, I've told you, magic causes trouble."
Raising a brow, Regina stepped closer. "Magic is what I am," she whispered, like it was obvious. "I assumed you knew that when you asked for my help."
"I didn't ask for it," Robin corrected.
Her red lips parted, sucking in a breath, and then blew the air out just as harshly. "What's going on here?" she wondered, stunned.
"I used magic once to save her, and look what happened," Robin ran a hand through his blond hair. "She's sick again, dying, Regina. I thought this world was ahead of ours. I thought they could save her naturally." the outlaw was pacing.
Regina hadn't fought with Robin since their days in the enchanted forest. And they both knew then it was more flirting than anything else. But not this time. This was a real fight. He was upset with her for being who she was and doing what she did.
She was so worried about saving Robin's wife, that it never occurred to her that he wouldn't want to use magic. She assumed he'd want to take every avenue available. Licking her lips, Regina sighed once before stalking towards him, silencing his pacing. She was so close to him, she could see how tortured he was. She had a firm grip on both forearms, it was difficult not to feel the energy inside him. He was silently gyrating from it.
"Robin," she whispered, confused and pleading.
He looked into her dark eyes, seeing her questions. Regina's eyes begged for her. Robin moved closer, like he did that first day in Zelena's farmhouse. She was sure he would kiss her then, blind to boundaries, personal space nonexistent. She felt that same way now. He was looking at her so intensely, Regina was rooted in place.
He leaned in, his mouth parting in time with hers.
Then the telephone rang. Regina's chest pressed into Robin's, startled from the noise. Once they touched, he seemed to find himself. He stepped away, blinking away desire and sadness in his crystal clear gaze.
Regina was weak, but tore her own gaze away, to answer the phone.
"Hello?" she mumbled mock pleasantly into the receiver.
"Regina, it's Whale," he sighed, "Is Robin with you?"
Looking over at the man, who was bracing himself on the back of her arm chair, tense and conflicted, she swallowed hard before croaking a yes.
"He needs to get down to the hospital. It's his wife."
Regina hung up, looking at Robin sadly.
"What is it?" his eyes widened as he walked closer.
Regina backed up. "It's Marian, she's at the hospital."
"What?" he whispered.
Sighing, Regina placed the phone down. "Breathe, Robin. Breathe." she demanded.
Placing her hands on his shoulders, she waited until he looked up at her. Once his eyes were level with her dark ones, she whispered, "close your eyes." before the two were engulfed in a thick cloud of purple smoke.