The man would not stop pacing the length of the alcove. He would pause every few steps, ready to speak and then recoil, continue his memorized path. All the movement was causing Regina's migraine to grow. The laden steps he took in the quiet hospital wing were deafening to her guilty mind.
She hadn't meant to cause such trouble. When the queen decided on that particular potion, she had spent little time pondering the ramifications. Though it seemed Robin's mind was drowning in them.
"Will you please stop doing that." she begged with a deadly edge.
Robin scoffed. A muffled, bemused sound that chilled Regina's bones.
"You cannot simply say something with that magnitude and expect me not to react."
The raven haired woman squirmed in her seat, "Maybe you're overreacting,"
"Regina," Robin warned, he stopped right in front of the queen.
Looking up at him with wide, dark eyes, Regina couldn't understand the outlaw. She opened her mouth to speak then clamped it shut. Sensing her hesitation, Robin dropped to his knees in front of her. He threaded his large, warm fingers through hers, completely unabashed.
There was no shame in his eyes. Just desperation, and hints of all his woes weighing him down.
"What does it all mean? If Marian and I drink this potion, what will happen?"
Regina sat straighter. She sighed while letting her eyes slip closed. "Nothing horrible. I promise."
Robin groaned. "This is urgent." he pointed crossly with a definite frown.
Regina narrowed her eyes. Tossing his hands away, she stood up. "Do you not think I understand the urgency, Robin?" she demanded. "I've been telling you this for over a week."
The blond man sighed and took his time standing up to face her. It was everything he wasn't saying that made Regina more and more restless.
"It's called the Eternal Life Elixir. And no, it's not so literal." she began, breathing out slowly. Robin rolled his eyes at her idea of a joke but kept silent. "They say eternity, because living with the one you love is everything," she explained sadly.
"And what is life without love?" he snickered.
"Legend goes – " she ignored him, "that two people drink it, and they share their lives together. It is a lover's spell. Marian will pull strength from you, Robin. She won't be sick any longer and you two will live out your days together. When you die – " Regina's voice broke.
She stepped closer, letting a hand rest against his shirt, where his heart was beating fast and strong beneath her palm. " – aged and happy, so will she. Your lives will be forever linked. Marian will always be a part of you."
Robin looked away.
"It isn't supposed to be this difficult," she spat at him, curling her fingers into the scratchy material of his shirt.
Regina was mad. No. She was furious.
How dare he tell her he loved her. What gave him the right to raise her hopes? Regina spent enough time mourning one life she would never have, it wasn't right of him to put her on that path again. Because, no matter what either of them felt, Marian was a factor. She was more than either realized.
"Regina," he whispered, "Why can't I save her and have you?"
Her face drained of color.
"What?" he asked. Regina hadn't realized he was watching her.
One arm wrapped around her back, the other cupped her cheek. His warmth melted into her. She sighed in his arms, not strong enough to fight it.
"You have yet to tell me that that cannot be done. Will my memories be erased? Will I magically love Marian like I had?"
Regina shook her head with a small pout. "I don't really know, actually." she whispered.
She looked back up into his bright blue eyes thoughtfully. "It's labeled the lover's spell for a reason." she shrugged, "All I know is that the two people who drink it need to have feelings for each other or it could have... consequences."
Robin sighed, his hand dropped from her face, slowly. It traveled through her hair, down her neck and towards her back, to join his other. He rested his forehead against hers. With eyes closed he nodded stiffly.
"Thank you, Robin." she whispered with glassy eyes.
He lifted his gaze to hers with a dubious expression. "If this is the last moment I have with you, Regina, I am going to make it count."
Before she could question it, Robin had her face in his hands again, there was a pleading look in his deep blue eyes. It was like everything they were fighting against ceased. His lips met hers with agonizing slowness. It was tender, the pressure just enough to prove it wasn't her imagination.
Once Robin sighed, his warm breath hitting her face, Regina snapped. She opened up to the outlaw, all her raw, frightening feelings consumed the both of them in a magical haze.
Her arms flung up unexpectedly, wrapping around his neck and pulling him as physically close as the pair could get. She whispered that she loved him. Pecked his lips over and over until he was grinning like a fool.
When she was brave enough to look at him, all Regina could see was sincerity. He really meant it. He really loved her too. It was like her heart was breaking all over again.
He caught it. The flicker of doubt. The impending destruction of a relationship that had never truly happened. He kissed her again, a stubborn hint of moss and rain clinging to his skin like the hope she had for them. She could almost taste it, their impossible destiny.
But, Regina fought for this, and Robin begrudgingly gave her what she wanted. So, when he wrapped his arms around her waist, deepening their last kiss, she transported them back to her chilly, dark office to make it final.
Instead of moving away, Robin only pulled Regina closer. She gasped when she felt him walk her into a wall. Her back hit the solid mass with a small thud that didn't hurt, but surprised her. He chuckled, removing his lips from hers, only to trial a line from the corner of her mouth down her jaw, towards her neck.
He would get his way if he made it to his intended destination. "We can't." she whispered sadly, her fingers grazed his neck lightly.
Robin stepped away with sluggish movement. He was a little dazed. He looked around the ominous office in solemn amazement. Thankful for the space, Regina could clear her head. It was hard. Robin twisted his way into her heart and it was impossible to get him out.
"Regina," he said, his voice louder in the dark.
"Hmm?" she hummed, smoothing her hair into place. She needed another moment.
"Were there not two flack's of potion?"
Regina turned around, in the direction of her small working table and the magical, gold elixir that would bring about her broken heart. It shined through the dark like a beacon of bold sunlight. Robin was correct. There was two crystal beakers. One for him and one for Marian.
But, instead, Regina only saw a lone goblet, it glowed and shimmered in the center of the table. With a sigh, she turned her back and marched out the door.
Regina heard voices, and knew that there was another meeting happening. It was late. Terribly late and Regina was just feeling the effects of not sleeping. She let her magic open the double doors from the main stair well, and relished the looks of horror on the community member's faces before they relaxed in her presence.
"Gold?" she hissed. "I know you're here. Show yourself." she demanded.
Quiet whispers erupted and Belle turned to look quickly at Regina. Rumpelstiltskin, with a cocky grin and his pea coat loose around his waist walked towards the queen.
"Good evening, Regina." he sighed pleasantly.
The woman almost snarled. She was trying so hard to do the right thing even if it meant she would lose part of herself. Storybrooke was in shambles. Her son was a block of human ice down at the hospital along with many others and here Gold was, as cynical and as manipulative as ever. He didn't care about anyone but himself.
"Tell me where the damn elixir is or I swear Gold, I'll summon the Snow Queen here to have her way with you in a second." Regina demanded, arms tight at her sides, hands balled into fists.
"Why do you always blame me for your troubles, Regina?" he asked.
"You are the only one who knew I was making it. And where." she insisted, mock patiently.
She felt the urge to muster a fireball. She wanted to hurl it in his face. All Rumpelstiltskin seemed to do was play with words and keep them guessing. He was little help.
"You also seem to be walking a thin line these days, Gold."
The older man chuckled and placed a comforting hand on Belle's lower back.
She, like the rest of the faceless townspeople heard the footfall rushing down the steps towards them. Regina forgot about Robin. About their last kiss, which seemed to be the only kind they would ever have. She forgot about everything but her anger.
Stepping back, Regina collected herself. "Please, just give it to me." she said, quietly.
Gold looked at her. His odd amber eyes searing through the vulnerability Regina tried to hide. Robin came to stand at her side.
"I don't have your potion." he said. Every movement so robotic.
Regina tightened her jaw, "You're lying." she hissed.
Belle had an odd look in her eyes. Regina spotted it.
With a deep sigh and a fake, cutting smile, Regina stepped further away, pulling Robin along.
"Get back to your meeting. I'll find you soon." she rose a brow and then disappeared in a cloud of threatening, purple smoke.
The mayor of Storybrooke strolled through the doors of the town's library that next morning with a set plan in mind.
"Good morning, Belle." she greeted kindly.
The bookworm was shocked to see Regina standing there. "Good morning," she said back, a little apprehensively.
It was odd for either of them to be there. With the town still covered in a good amount of snow, it wasn't practical. No one needed to use the library. But, Elsa kept her word and the snow stopped. The sun was working hard, and the clear blue sky was a comforting sight.
Regina took no notice. "I was wondering if you had any books on potions here."
Belle stood from the welcome desk and came around to face the queen.
"Wouldn't your personal library be better stocked?" she wondered.
Regina smiled tightly. "Well, I've seemed to exhaust all my other options and I am in need of a new fix."
Belle thought about it. She had a rather dreamy look in her eyes. Then, with a slight nod that ruffled her curly braid, she walked along the far corner, towards the back of the building.
The pair passed rows of books, of all different colors and sizes. For a brief moment, Regina could understand why the woman was so comfortable here.
They made it to a dark wood door at the very end of the room. Belle removed a key from her neck and unlocked it.
"These are some of Rumpel's personal books." she confessed.
Regina tried to mask the lust in her eyes.
"Why are you showing them to me?"
Belle stopped, her delicate hand on the door knob. "Because, I believe what you are doing is admirable. And because with everything that's going on, we should all be sticking together."
Regina smiled, genuinely this time. That Belle was alright.
The woman flicked on a light switch and the room became aglow with a faint, murky haze. The space was small and smelt of musk and magic.
Regina's fingers tingled. The energy was palpable. Rumpelstiltskin had been practicing here.
"I'll leave you to it," Belle said with a smile.
"Wait," Regina whispered. Belle paused at the doorway.
There were many things that she wanted to say. Accusations and threats. She wanted to get this woman on her side, but she knew that it would be the wrong way to go about it. Sighing, Regina gave her a warm nod.
"Thank you." she said quietly. Belle smiled and walked away.
Regina wasn't sure what she was looking for. She hadn't anticipated being welcomed in Gold's dark library. She was certain that all the spells there would only cause destruction. Regina had no doubt the man was mad.
She skimmed over the shelves. There weren't very many, but they were bulkier and much darker than all the other books out in the airy, welcoming space.
The Eternal Life Elixir was her safest option. It would not hurt either consumers. It was the happy ending she envisioned for Robin. One that didn't involve her.
Though, when she thought about it, she hadn't believed she could have a happy ending any longer. But, then Robin started confessing that he loved her and Regina let herself lose control and kiss him like she had been dying to for weeks.
It was wrong. She wouldn't be a home wrecker. But if Robin was so insistent, believing that he loved Regina and not Marian, would the eternal life elixir ever have worked?
Closing her eyes tightly, Regina begged for a sign. She spread her arms out, stretched her fingers and concentrated. She had complete faith in her magic, something she knew The Snow Queen or Emma Swan – savior extraordinaire did not.
It made her more like Rumpelstiltskin. But, if it would help her find a way to save everyone, then so be it.
Nothing special happened. There was no loud sound or magical light. It was just a feeling, and with a small twitch of her finger, a book was hovering in front of Regina.
She opened her eyes slowly. She didn't want to be let down.
Before her, was a small book. It would have been impossible for Regina to find it on her own. The slim, royal blue thing would certainly be swallowed up by the darker, larger volumes. Her eyes quickly scanned the shelves, trying to figure out what tiny slot it came from.
Taking the book in her hand, she noticed there was no title. Which wasn't uncommon. Most of the spell books Regina inherited from Cora were nameless. Color meant everything.
The small blue book looked more like a diary. Her heart started to beat faster and greedily, Regina flipped through the worn, brittle pages, attempting to get a feel.
It wasn't a diary. More like a catalog. Regina sighed and a smirk curved at her lips.
She threw the book onto the counter with a small, barley heard thud.
Gold didn't even glance up from the shield he was busy polishing.
"What do you want now?" he asked, enervated.
Regina let her hands rest against the glass showcase. Directly in front of him.
"Found something interesting in the library." she commented, a lone finger dancing across the grooves in the leather.
Grunting, the older man finally looked up. Something dark flashed across his face. His eyes bulged before he went for the book, attempting to seize it. Instead of grabbing the book, Rumpelstiltskin's hands bound together, locked in front of him in black shackles. The shield clattered to the ground.
Regina grinned triumphantly at his perplexed look. He almost seemed frightened. And Regina wanted to relish in it.
"Now," she sighed, taking the book in her hands, skimming pages. "I've been reading all morning." she confessed, not looking up at him.
Gold already realized, that the more he moved, the more her spell restrained him.
"You take some interesting notes. Ever thought of a profession in the secretarial field? I'm in need of a good one." she drawled, deadly and completely insane.
Regina cleared her throat, trying to maintain some small sense of control.
"Pages and pages about me, my magic. What I can do. Zelena is in here too, and my mother. But you know that. You seem to know everything." Regina tossed the book back down and stood with her hands tight on her hips.
He remained quiet and unmoving.
"Just give me the elixir." she whispered. "Tell me where it is, or tell me another way to save Marian. I'm a bit desperate."
"A bit," he scoffed, "Sorry dearie, but I have no clue where your precious potion is."
Regina hummed to herself, retrieving the catalog and flipped to a page she already marked. "You don't know about my potion, you don't know about Elsa, and you don't know how to fix things. Tell me, do you know where I can find the Gaea?" she placed the book carefully in front of him.
The page caught her attention back in the library, and everything made sense. Regina knew Gold was a snake. She knew he only cared when it suited him. When he could advance from it. His grandson's life pending in a hospital filled with others just like him didn't seem to be proper motivation.
The betrayal he must have come to, knowing exactly where Regina found the book didn't seem to have any weight either.
Shrugging, Regina let her finger press hard into the page. First a spark, and then smoke started to rise. She would burn it. She would destroy his important documents. She didn't care.
"Wait," he demanded through clenched teeth. Regina looked up, pulling her finger away slowly.
"The elixir is gone, as you already assume." he started. "If Marian drinks it, the only consequence is that she will be linked to me. To my life force." Regina blanched.
"Now, knowing that I am at such risk of dying myself, will you save her? Protect me? Or let us both die?"
Regina was fuming. She did assume. He was right. "Maybe I'll just shove it down your wife's pretty throat and then dagger you myself." she smiled.
There was a small amount of worry in his eyes, but it passed with amusement. "Belle would never give you the dagger."
"Now, Gold," she cooed sweetly, "We both know she doesn't have the real one."
He kept impassive. But Regina knew. She knew down to her core that she was right. It made sense. It all fit.
"The Gaea is the god of earth" he ignored her. Changing the topic.
Regina wanted to continue to bait him, but remained silent.
"Only mother nature herself could set things right," he added with a knowing smirk.
"So the Gaea, that's who we need to save Storybrooke?"
Gold nodded, gritting his teeth when the restrains tightened.
"Where?" she demanded.
Gold pondered, looking only at Regina. But she could feel his mind racing behind his eyes.
With a sigh safe enough to keep the invisible ropes from tightening, he looked across the room at a large cupboard with frosted glass doors.
There, Regina saw it. On the second shelf, an Eton blue vase stood proud in the center of the shelf. It was alone. As she moved towards the shelf, she could see markings. Grooves deep and ugly like cracks. Whatever was in there was dying to get out.
"You've been warned," was all he said as she grabbed the vase, and with a small glare for the man, pulled the top off.
Everything went black.