They reappeared in the alert hospital waiting room. Nurses and patients shuffled around. Robin rocked on the balls of his feet, maintaining his balance with a perplexed look. Regina arched a brow but, remained silent as she spun around in search of Dr. Whale.
The notorious man looked at the couple unimpressed. Arms crossed, his stethoscope hung loose around his neck. His pale eyes screamed boredom, but the frown on his aging face was a clear sign of things to come. Robin shifted from Regina immediately. He walked to the doctor's side and listened eagerly as Whale explained what was happening.
Regina moved lethargically, letting several people cut in front. She was sure this was personal, something Regina wasn't meant to overhear. But Robin's eyes searched for her in the temperamental room, waving fervently as Whale continued to speak.
The queen smiled wanly at Dr. Whale, and though he saw right through her thinly veiled patronization, he didn't offer a more worthy rebuttal. Regina waited for the doctor to speak again.
Marian's fever was high. One hundred and five. Little John did the right thing rushing her to the ER. She was upstairs in a room, Roland with her. Robin dashed towards the elevator, not waiting for Regina this time.
"What's wrong with her?" Regina asked once Robin was gone.
Whale sighed and shook his head. "Everything appears as normal bacterial infection, but the IV isn't helping. Mrs. Locksley is refusing morphine. I'm not sure it will help, but it's always worth a shot."
Pondering, Regina nodded along. "If anything, her fever is going to get higher and we can't slow it down."
The doctor moved closer, "Do you know of anything, Your Majesty?" Whale wondered.
Ignoring the jive, Regina looked up at the man. "I need a day or so,"
Whale's jaw tightened, it was clear Marian needed a miracle now. But, the book said that the elixir needed to brew for forty-eight hours, or else it wouldn't work. If it was Marian's only hope, it needed to be done right.
"I'm going to go up there, thank you for filling me in." Regina mustered a small smile and briskly walked to the wall of elevators; disregarding Whales pinched glimpse of vigor on her way.
Once up on the second floor, everything was quieter. Only one or two nurses patrolled the halls and most of the patients were unable to move around freely – if at all. Regina approached Marian's room cautiously. She didn't go inside, fearing to upset her more.
She waited across the hall, looking out the window. It started to snow again, heavier. Thick, fat mounds pelted the bulky glass, drooping down into the white abyss by their weight. Studying the weather scornfully, Regina wondered how much time they all had.
It had been a month now and no sign of the Snow Queen apart from the first sighting. She was a ghost, reeking havoc and leaving a chilly mess in her wake. If this woman was after someone – Rumpelstiltskin surly; she'd make herself known. She'd come to them, bold and dangerous, with a plan of attack. That was how most of their enemies handled things.
But this woman was illusive. Added with the brutal weather and inability to use magic against it, she was practically unstoppable.
"Regina! Regina!" A little, bouncing toddler trotted towards the woman deep in thought.
Turning to look at Roland, Regina was hit with a foolish joy she only ever felt with Henry.
"Hello," she smiled, kneeling beside him.
"Hi! Papa said you were here," he grinned, his messy hair falling into his eyes.
Regina hummed while smoothing his curls back. "I came to see your mother. How is she? Are you taking good care of her?"
Roland sucked in a breath that had him teetering backwards before nodding quickly. "Me and the doctor," he explained, always the modest gentleman.
Grinning brighter, Regina scooped him up in her arms and walked towards the hospital room.
Marian and Robin were in deep conversation, much like the night they met at the park. Even bound to a bed, Marian looked beautiful; glowing with that fiery impatience Regina respected. Though, the glow could also come from literally burning from the inside out.
Regina cleared her throat. The hushed heated voices, full of rage and aggravation ceased. It couldn't have been good for either of them if they kept fighting.
"Regina," Robin whispered, a ghost of a smile stretching his lips.
Marian didn't look as pleased to see her. She glared from the bed, looking small and weaker than their first meeting, or all those times she studied her through the enchanted mirror. Roland wiggled out of Regina's arms and jumped up awkwardly on his mother's bed.
"I want to go home, Robin." Marian's attention moved off Regina once her son was no longer near the queen.
"The doctor was quite clear – "
"Little John should never have brought me here. I would have been fine. I do not trust this new world healer. He is completely incapable. He has no idea what is causing my fever. You saw him!" she accused her husband.
Regina snorted. It seemed that she wasn't the only one to undermine the doctor.
The couple looked up at Regina together. Her cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry, that was rude." she insisted.
Robin's smile reached his eyes. Amusement shinning in the blue depths. He moved away from his wife and with a gentle hand, pulled Regina from the room.
"Will you stay with her?" he asked.
"What?" Regina panicked.
"I must bring Roland back to the inn. He cannot stay here, and I fear Marian isn't leaving so soon." he looked down.
Regina sighed. "Robin, she doesn't care for me."
"Please, just stay with her. There is no one else. I will be back as soon as I can."
Nodding regrettably, Regina felt Robin squeeze her arm.
"Oh – " he paused, his hand still clasping her wrist, " – please do not speak of that potion you were making to Marian. We need to discuss it further, but not now."
Regina's eyes narrowed. Marian didn't have much time. Robin was being stubborn. Marian certainly did not want to die. Pulling from his grasp, Regina shook her head softly while crossing her arms defiantly in front of her.
"Promise me, Regina." Robin whispered, impossibly close to her.
She looked up, her dark eyes searching his bright ones. She couldn't figure him out at the moment, and that was driving her insane. For as long as Regina had known Robin Hood, she understood him. – Begrudgingly so, but still. She couldn't understand why he wouldn't see reason. Marian needed a miracle and one just so happened to be simmering up in Regina's office.
Robin's hand ran the length of her arm, from the top of her hand to the curve of her neck. The cool contact had Regina wondering where she put her scarf. Every time they touched, Regina was more sure about them and less sure about everything else.
She nodded reluctantly. But, it was enough for the outlaw. His eyes crinkled with an odd happiness and he moved away, leaving cold air and the distilled smell of bleach in his absence. She missed the gritty pine smell; the mulch tainted forest essence she grew to adore.
Roland waved frantically while his father carried him off. Regina rose her own hand, but couldn't quite wave back. She was about to enter a lion's den. Marian's enmity wasn't quiet. She didn't hide her hostility and distrust.
Though it was well deserved, and Regina knew it was; the queen couldn't control her irritation. She would kill Robin for making her do this.
"The Evil Queen is not so evil anymore," Marian muttered with weak sarcasm. Her chest rising and falling in time with the beats of the computer screen monitoring her.
There was sweat collecting on her hairline. Regina thought better of tapping it off. The woman's hands clenched and unclenched, like she was trying to maintain her bearings. Though looking close to death, Maid Marian didn't know how to hold her tongue. Her eyes were pleading for help but her jaw locked, not needing to be assisted by the woman she assumed wanted her dead.
Regina didn't have time to wonder why Robin never corrected Marian, or if she was just like him; too stubborn to admit when she was wrong. That made more sense. Robin probably fell for Marian, not because of her striking beauty and the kind nature she showed anyone who wasn't Regina – but because she was just like him.
The queen could see it plainly on her face. Calculating eyes desperate to read the situation. Limbs that even in pain, looked to be able fight their way to safety. She was strong and stubborn and exactly what Robin needed.
"Don't pretend to know me," Regina warned, handing Marian a damp cloth for her head.
Smiling slightly, the first Regina ever received, Marian took a slow breath, "I don't want to know you," she insisted with a determination Regina wasn't expecting.
"But, I cannot deny my shock. Realizing that you and I share a weakness,"
Regina raised a brow. "Do we?" she asked amused.
The hospital chair was hard on Regina's back. She felt aches all over. Suppressing a grimace, the queen sat taller, trying to prove to this woman that she hadn't changed in the ways that mattered.
Her attention flickered to the door a dozen times a minute. She had been in the company of Maid Marian for over an hour. Far longer than she wanted, and was sure the ailing woman wanted.
"Of course," Marian gave a curt nod, swallowing a moan. Any movement seemed to put her in more pain.
Regina frowned but listened. She seemed hellbent on speaking her mind.
"Robin," she whispered, like his name would only cause more pain. And where those two were concerned, it always did.
Regina licked her red lips, her head already shaking. "Robin is not my weakness, dear."
Marian laughed, "He is, as is he mine."
Regina's eyes met Marian's equally dark ones. She didn't understand. What was this woman doing?
"And, I believe that you are one of his," she finished, her breath evened out.
It was like a weight was lifted.
Clearing her throat awkwardly, Regina leaned closer, "Robin loves you,"
"No," Marian shook her head, "He loved me," her lower lip quivered but she remained strong.
Regina was in awe of this woman. In so much pain, probably more now, with her heart breaking, but she sat dignified, refusing to give Regina a glimmer of weakness. The queen respected that more than Marian could ever know.
Still staring at Regina, Marian slowly added, "And now he loves you."
It was too much. Regina wasn't a homewrecker. She had been alone for a long time, she could continue. She wouldn't stop. She'd figure out another way to save Marian if that was what Robin wanted. Roland wouldn't be motherless, Robin wouldn't be a widower.
Her eyes continued to ache until she gave in, let her tears fall. Do what Marian would not. She showed weakness in front of her, let her see how much it hurt her, as well.
Marian knew Regina as evil. As the woman obsessed with murdering a girl. She didn't know her now. She didn't know that instead of hunting Snow White to the end of the earth, she was continuously protecting her and her children.
She shook her head defiantly. "That's not true. He never said so, he loves you. He loves you and he hasn't gone a day without thinking about you – "
Marian's eyes were almost kind. She didn't grin in triumph for breaking the evil queen, nor did she seem pleased that Robin never let her go.
"He's different now, Your Majesty," she spoke with a far off look. "The Robin I knew would never share his heart or his bed with a woman of your caliber."
Regina flinched. It was like Marian was seeing into the queen's soul. It must have been her damn eyes. Swiping angrily at the tear stains, Regina shook her head. "Robin is a good man,"
Marian shook her head slowly. "He told me something not too long ago," she spoke quietly, her throat was dry, and swallowing only made her weaker. "It was like the stories I heard as a young girl." Marian explained.
Looking up into her eyes, Regina only saw sorrow.
"You two are soul mates." she muttered, paling slightly.
Regina figured she had never said it aloud. "He told you?" she whispered.
It took a lot of energy for Marian to nod, but she did, truculently. "He was meant for you and you are meant for him." the woman sighed. "It is beautiful, almost like magic."
Regina closed her eyes, she couldn't miss the sharp edge in Marian's voice if she tried. The woman didn't believe. She was sure it was a trick, Regina filled Robin's head with a silly notion.
Blinking, the queen sighed. "I cannot prove to you what I know, Marian. But, it is the truth. I am sorry he told you that. But, it means little." Regina boldly grabbed the woman's darker hand bunched in the sheets.
"Robin loves you, and I would never stand in your way." Her voice was shaky and pleading.
Marian had to believe her. Everything would fall apart if she didn't.
Later on, once Robin relieved Regina of guarding Marian and she was finally home, the queen broke down. It was all the exhaustion, the hard work, the menacing, faceless Snow Queen – it was everything that finally weighed her down.
Dropping onto the couch, Regina summoned a cup of tea, ready for a dreamless sleep. She was physically drained, debating on magically zapping herself upstairs in bed, or to just fall asleep right there on the couch where she and Robin copulated; after she confessed about them being destined.
She shouldn't have been so surprised that he told Marian. Of course he would tell his wife what he did in her absence. He was an honorable man. Despite what Marian now thought of him. He was good and kind and he saw more than what Regina appeared to be. He looked a bit deeper, found a kindred spirit.
Or maybe that was only what he was supposed to do. Being her soul mate, he would just know. And though Regina wasn't completely up to speed on all the magical complications of what soul mates did or didn't do, she was too exhausted to care.
The queen's eyes slipped closed. She figured if she grew uncomfortable, she could magically fall into her bed later. She snuggled up on one of the pouf's – the smell of Robin still claimed them. The singed, woody musk was hard to rid, and now, instantly recognized by Regina. She sighed quietly, almost miserably, and tried to fall asleep.
It was maybe an hour later. All the lights were still on, her tea now cold. The fire was dwindling and the knocking on her front door was about to get someone killed. Groaning to herself, Regina crept on dizzy legs towards the front parlor.
There was tasteless anger in the back of her throat. All the things she had kept to herself, all the useless good she had done, was about to be taken out on whoever was disturbing her.
A small part of Regina hoped it was Robin. She wanted to put some well deserved fear into his soul.
She unlocked the door and threw it open. Emma Swan stood on her porch, a thick wool hat protecting her head, a red nose, and a panicked luster to her eyes.
"What the hell do you want, Ms. Swan?" Regina gritted. Now she really wished it was Robin.
The cold air was slithering in, chilling her to the bone instantly. Emma stalked through the threshold uninvited, giving Regina time to calm herself by shut the door.
Regina had barely turned towards the blonde when she started to speak.
"The Snow Queen is on her way to city hall." She barked, her whole body filled with adrenaline.
Though it being one in the morning, Emma looked wired. Regina wished she could feel a jolt of whatever Emma was feeling.
"What?" Regina laughed, "She's been in hiding for a month, and now she comes out?"
Nodding, the blonde looked around for Regina's coat. "We need to go. She wants a meeting with all of us."
Regina sighed, looking at the staircase longingly, but knew that this was more important. She nodded and snapped her fingers. In an instant her coat and scarf were on her. Emma looked impressed.
"You need to teach me that one later." she demanded.
Rolling her eyes, Regina smirked and grabbed Emma's hand. "Brace yourself," she instructed mock sweetly before the two disappeared in a purple cloud.
Regina was relieved to notice that almost everyone there looked as miserable as she did. Most must have awoke from a deep sleep. Granny had rollers in her hair, her shotgun protectively across her chest. Grumpy looked no better, – none of the dwarfs did.
Emma grabbed Regina's arm and maneuvered through the cluster of council members and towards her parents.
Henry was there.
"What is he doing here?" Regina demanded, stalking over to her son, seeing how drowsy he looked. "He shouldn't be here for this,"
Charming sighed, "She wasn't going to leave him alone." He nodded over to Snow, who was adding an extra blanket to baby Neal's crib in the back corner.
Sighing, Regina removed herself and Henry from the small group and walked over to Snow White.
"Are you insane?" Regina looked livid. "You shouldn't be here. Neither should they."
Snow smiled sadly, "The queen wanted everyone in attendance." Snow stood straighter, a hand tracing the crib's lace. "She came to me, Regina. She said she heard of me, and wanted to speak with all of us."
Regina blinked in surprise. "Does she seem dangerous?"
Snow shrugged. "We're in a massive blizzard because of her. But, she wasn't threatening. I just wouldn't want to cross her."
Nodding, Regina looked at Henry, who was drifting to sleep in a chair next to the crib. She didn't want her son there, or Snow's. They could stay in her office, but she would be anxious with him out of her sight.
Sighing, she waved her hand, Henry's sleeping bag with a warm top cover was on the floor, Regina gingerly helped him to it. He mumbled his thanks and turned away from the commotion, nodding off.
Snow smiled, as the two walked back into the large group in the center of the hall. All the chairs were moved earlier, at a different meeting that ended in a fight. Rumpelstiltskin and Belle were there, chatting with Archie, who was in striped pajama pants under his coat.
Ruby came over to Snow's side, whispered something and then sauntered across the room to sit near Neal and Henry. Regina smiled before summoning a steaming cup of coffee for the wolf. Ruby looked up in surprise, but grabbed the drink with a small, grateful smile for Regina.
"When did she say she'd be here?" Hook wondered, Emma leaned against his side.
Snow shrugged, happy when David wrapped an arm around her. Regina crossed her arms, unimpressed with the amount of couples Storybrooke possessed. It seemed like everyone had someone.
Everyone but Regina.
The lights above flickered in an ominous warning. The room silenced instantly. Within the quiet, it was effortless to hear the wind howling against the bricks, shaking the building; instilling fear. A shiver ran down Regina's spine, her body's reaction matched countless others. Even Hook looked a bit apprehensive.
Mustering a fireball, Regina moved towards the front entrance, which rattled with the chilly gale. Then, while everyone held their breath, the doors thrust open on their own accord, sending Regina flying backwards into Rumpelstiltskin.
The older man grumbled but helped her to her feet. Regina eyed him carefully, the picture of calm, even while the others gasped and screamed in terror.
Heels were heard, cutting through the silence. The heavy doors slammed with a harsh thud. The people of Storybrooke faced the Snow Queen at last.
At first glance, she didn't seem that impressive.
The dwarfs went on relentlessly about her beauty. And that was true. Regina was stunned by it. The woman had soft features, everything looked angelic and perfectly sculpted smoothly on her face. The long blonde – nearly white hair was braided and thrown over a dainty shoulder.
Though standing before half the town, the Snow Queen looked at ease. She radiated confidence and poise, everyone was drawn to her.
The mysterious woman busied herself with a thin pair of dark gloves, tugging them up to her elbows before smoothing out her blue satin dress. Then, once she felt complete, she rose her gaze to the town.
"Hello," she greeted with a brilliantly tight smile. "I am aware of how late it is." she almost sounded apologetic. "But, I am still sensitive to too much light, as you can understand."
She moved in a strict line, three tiles to the right, three tiles to the left.
"I am sure you all are wondering why I requested an audience." her voice was lithe, kind and airy. There was a warmth in her tone that contradicted the blizzard she created.
When no one responded, she laced her gloved hands together and stared out into the dark sea of faces.
"I have come for the Dark One."
Murmurs were heard. Regina sighed tiredly. Didn't she already know this? She tilted her head just enough to see Gold's face. He was calming Belle down, who looked near hysterical. There was so much he never told her.
The queen rolled her eyes before stepping forward. Snow did as well, asking loudly, "What do you want with him?"
The Snow Queen turned her attention to Snow White. There was a gentleness in her icy blue eyes that Regina couldn't understand.
The same woman had turned their charming little town into the inside of a snow globe had compassion.
"We have unfinished business. You see, he took something from me. My entire world, really." her expression morphed into a longing sorrow.
Regina knew that look well. "A lover?" she heard herself ask.
The Snow queen looked up at Regina for the first time. There was a knowing smile on her pink lips. "You would be quick to accuse passion, Your Highness."
The blonde was amused. Regina stood a bit straighter. "Have we met?" her brows furrowed
Shaking her head, the image of angelic grace, the woman spoke, "I have only heard of you." she admitted. "The Evil Queen and Snow White. Side by side. It should be an impossibility."
Snow looked at Regina, the queen could feel her eyes on her. "Well, we still have our differences." Regina shrugged.
Laughing, a beautiful, musical sound, the Snow Queen stepped forward. She outstretched a gloved hand to Regina, and not wanting to be rude, cause the serenity disappear; she accepted her hand.
"Elsa, Queen of Arendelle."
Regina nodded with a kind smile, "Regina Mills." Elsa frowned. "You don't care to be called Queen any longer?"
Laughing breathlessly, Regina shook her head, "Never really did."
Elsa turned her attention to Snow White next. "You told me that everyone would be here," she reminded the dark-haired woman.
Snow nodded. "So where is he? Where is Rumpelstiltskin?"
Regina turned, looking for him herself. Belle had a tight hold on his arm, attempting to keep him in the back. Though Gold was a monster in his own right, no one was willing to give him up. If Elsa knew him as the Dark One, she would never recognized his Storybrooke face.
"What has he taken from you?" Snow asked softly.
Elsa fiddled with the glove on her hand, her eyes far off, in a different place. "I would only care to discuss this with the Dark One." she said patiently.
David stood next to his wife, "You can understand why we'd be a bit reluctant to comply."
The Snow Queen nodded dismissively. She looked around the room at all the faces. It was while she scanned again, on her second time around – that she met Rumpelstiltskin's eyes. Regina knew it. He might not have had the leathery, sparkling skin or the sporadic, wiry hair any longer, but his eyes remained cold and calculating.
A dark look crossed Elsa's face, and Regina watched as her fingers quickly worked to pull off a glove. She stared at the gloves, at the woman, and then, before either of them realized, Gold himself was standing before her, a twisted scowl marring his face and a fiery glean in his eyes.
He held her wrist tightly, before the she could finish shedding the glove. Elsa looked up, surprised that he was so quick. He breathed out a sardonic pleasantry and squeezed her arm tighter. Elsa barely flinched.
Then, a smile graced her face. It was so beautiful and so dangerous, Regina stepped back, feeling Snow's hand grabbed her arm.
Elsa's gloved fingers produced a few delicate, glittering snowflakes before her mouth screwed up into a tragically beautiful snarl.
"I've been practicing," she hissed at Gold before her entire body was bathed in an icy blue shadow and she was gone; leaving a chilly breeze in her wake.