This is just a super short filler-ish chapter because I'm going to be busy again this next week. I just wanted to say thank you, and I am so grateful for all of your kind words and support. It means the world to me. Seriously. I still feel terrible about not messaging each one of you personally. And I promise I will get to that. I've made some wonderful friends on here in doing so before – It's just a crazy time for me. Anyway, thank you and I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Oh! Also, Monday starts Teen Wolf's fourth season.. and I am a bit obsessed with that show and I write at least one story a week, so if you're subscribed to me, and you're not a fan of that show.. be warned...
With a ringing in her ears and what was sure to be the worst headache of her life, Regina's eyes fluttered open. She immediately regretted the decision.
She felt her joints crack as she struggled to sit up. She was still in Gold's pawn shop. The man still bound behind the counter, on the floor, unconscious. Rubbing her head gingerly, Regina looked around. Next to her feet was the greenish blue vase she uncapped right after Gold insisted she'd regret it.
Would she?
Kicking the shattered remains aside, Regina attempted to stand on shaky legs. Once she felt confident that she wouldn't fall over, the queen searched the cluttered store for the Gaea.
"Hello?" she called through the empty room. "Is anyone here?"
Regina tried to listen tentatively, but the odd buzzing sound in her ears only grew with each step she took. She heard Gold grunt from behind the showcase. She was relieved he was alive, despite her better judgment.
"What have you done?" the older man demanded, wriggling on the floor. Her invisible chains kept him rooted uncomfortably in place.
Regina loomed over him with crossed arms and a stubborn pout. "You agreed that the Gaea can save us. That's what you used in Arendelle, right? The Gaea?"
Gold glared up at his former student. "Will you take these off?" When he saw her eyes grow colder he sighed awkwardly and muttered a "Please,"
With a flick of her wrist Rumpelstiltskin was flat on the dusty floor. His hands and feet spread apart. He was panting like he'd just run a mile through a desert and there was a warm satisfaction in Regina's cold heart to see him struggle.
He stood once he caught his breath, rubbing his wrists indifferently. He had one eye on Regina, the other on the mess of his pawn shop.
"Now, tell me everything." she demanded stepping closer with a dangerous gleam in her eyes.
"This is madness, Regina! How could you act so foolishly?"
"Foolishly?" the queen scoffed. "This is our best option. You heard that woman, she isn't confident she can control her powers anyway. If this earth god can save us, why not?" she glared at David, who seemed to be ready to pull his hair out.
"What he means is, this will strain Elsa's faith in us." Snow insisted patiently.
"Come now love," Hook rolled his eyes at Snow White, "You were never going to hand over the dark one and we all know it."
An eery silence fell over the room. Belle was in the corner tearing through a large book on mythology. The sound of fluttering pages cut through the tension.
"This god, he can set things right? Restore the balance and all?" Tinkerbell asked, the only one who didn't seem as upset as the others.
Regina nodded, thankful for the fairy's support. "If what Gold said is true," she turned to give him a cutting look. "Then there should be no reason to doubt that they can help us."
"That's all well and good, but where is he?" Hook demanded.
Regina sighed. She didn't know. "I woke up and he was gone."
"Well, we don't have much time left. We must meet with Elsa in less than a day. How can we find him? Gold, what does he look like?"
Rumpelstiltskin stood by his wife. He was still a bit apprehensive, after Regina had him a prisoner for several hours.
"Let me deal with Elsa." he said, radiating confidence.
"Excuse me?" Regina gritted her teeth.
"I don't think that's such a – " David began. Belle gasped, breaking Charming's thoughts.
Regina crossed her arms. The group was sitting in Granny's. The diner was closed. Not much business when it wasn't safe to leave the house.
All eyes were on Gold. He was up to something else and Regina refused to let it go.
"What is it this time?" she wondered pleasantly, "What magical solution do you have up your sleeve to out smart the Snow Queen?" Regina demanded.
Snow came to stand at her side. Tinkerbell was already on the other. Belle jumped up too. She hugged the fair sized book to her chest, eyes only for her husband. It was a suicide mission. It was evident that Elsa loathed Rumpelstiltskin. She certainty wasn't alone.
Even if she technically couldn't kill him, it wouldn't be difficult to torture him. Whether for information or just for amusement, Gold would get hurt.
The man shrugged, a small smile on the corner of his mouth. "It isn't wise to give away all my secrets." he insisted.
"It also isn't wise to keep lying to the people trying to protect you." David retorted.
Gold shook his head. "I'm not lying. This is between me and the girl."
Then, he strolled out of the diner.
True to her word, Elsa had not caste anymore storms. The sky was still a dull gray, but, it no longer held the threat of impending snowfall. The sun was out, its heavenly warmth beating down on all the ice. It would only be so long for it to melt away.
Regina missed spring. She missed the flowers. How Henry would help her plant red roses in the garden. She missed picking her apples off the tree and making fresh pies, scones, tortes.
She missed the smell of the forest. The sweet taste warm grass could leave on her tongue if she breathed deeply enough. She missed the freedom of going outside.
Belle stared out the diner's window. She had a panicked look in her eye. Regina strolled over and placed a hand on her shoulder. It was meant to be comforting, but neither woman was sure how to approach that.
"What is he doing?" she mumbled, mostly to herself.
Regina shrugged her shoulders, "He's hiding something, as usual."
Belle ducked her head and opened up the thick book to the page where she left off. "Listen," she spoke quietly.
Regina moved closer.
"The Gaea, isn't a man. It's a woman. Mother Nature. She's the goddess of worlds, but her job is to keep things in order. Elsa's blizzard isn't normal for this time of year."
Regina nodded. Belle was skimming the long page.
The Charmings' and Hook were huddled in a small group, hushed whispers and minimal flailing limps – mostly on Hook's part. Tinkerbell and an abnormally quiet Grumpy were at the bar, Granny filling their glasses to the brim with amber liquid.
"Well, should we call for her then?" Hook asked with excitement, ignoring the hisses of silence from David. "You heard the dark one, he wants to get on with it."
Regina rolled her eyes. She liked the pirate better when Emma was around. But, Emma was a the hospital watching over their son.
She wondered if Robin was upstairs, in his room or at the hospital with his dying wife.
She hadn't had time to wonder how she was going to fix things. Gold drank half the elixir. Marian could drink it too, and heal – but, be subjected to a lifetime of uncertainty. The man could possibly live forever. Or she could not drink the potion and Regina could leave Marian's fate up to the gods.
Robin strolled through the arch that connected the tiny inn with the diner, and he smiled brilliantly once he saw Regina.
"Hello," he said, walking over.
Regina stepped back. She smiled politely, but couldn't risk the temptation of being near him.
Robin wore a plain, white undershirt. He seemed to be just popping in, like it was a regular occurrence. The garment was loose and distracting. The curves of his toned muscles were easily seen from under the thin material. His collarbone was protruding as he let his hands file into the pockets of the dark slacks.
He had no idea how beautiful he was.
"What's happening?" he wondered, his blue eyes shifting from Belle and Regina.
"There's been a development." Belle answered once they all realized Regina wouldn't.
She felt shameful being this close to him. The other night, when they shared that kiss, when they confessed that their feelings were very much mutual – Regina believed it would be their last moments together. That Robin and his wife would take the elixir and live out their happily ever after.
Regina didn't expect there to be another complication. Though, given her life – she probably should have planned for the unexpected.
"Robin," Hook grinned, walking over to their little cluster. "Turns out your girlfriend's set another monster loose in this wretched town." he threw his arm over the thief's shoulder.
Robin looked uncomfortable. He stared at Regina pointedly. He didn't need to speak for her to hear his questions. With a soft eye roll, she tried to play it off.
"There is a goddess that specializes in our predicament." she stated slowly. "I wasn't aware of what would happen when I called upon her, and it's seems that she's disappeared."
Robin frowned. "What kind of Goddess is this?"
Belle shut her book in excitement. "Mother Nature, for lack of a better term." she hugged the mythology text close to her chest, her blue eyes popping. "Her job is to keep earth in order. Our bizarre extended winter isn't normal, so, in theory, she should be setting it straight."
"But," David cut in, an arm around Snow's waist, "We aren't really sure how they would go about doing so." he tossed another sour look in Regina's direction.
"Oh honestly," she rolled her eyes, glaring at the prince. "Gold's been sitting on this information for years. He's known the whole time how to solve our problems. He's just being an ass, as usual."
Belle shifted awkwardly at Regina's side. "Maybe he had good reason."
"I'm sure," Hook muttered dryly.
"Alright, that's enough of this." Snow shook her head. "We need to find the Gaea, tell her our story and see if she can help Elsa melt the snow. Like before." her loyal husband nodded along.
Tinkerbell was zipping up her coat. "I'll start looking in the woods. If I can fly high enough over the drifts, she'll be easy to spot." the blonde smiled and skipped to the door.
Belle tucked the thick book under her arm while searching for her scarf. "I'll go talk to Rumpel. See if he'll tell me more about her." there was still an unnerving excitement in her.
Hook mumbled something about consulting Emma, and the two idiots with Grumpy's aid, deviled into a map of the town, debating on where best to look.
Robin tugged on Regina's arm, pulling her away, towards the back booth.
"Care to fill me in?" he questioned, there was a small smile on his lips, but his eyes were frosty.
Regina sighed, crossing her arms as she leaned back into the plush seat.
"In my desperate attempts to save your wife, I've seemed to make a mess of things." she started sheepishly. Robin opened his mouth, pity in his eyes.
Regina licked her lips, diving in before he could say anything. "Gold has this book. It catalogs all magical creatures he comes into contact with. The ones he takes under his wing, so to speak, have more information. The Gaea has a lot. I'm convinced that is what he used to save Elsa's kingdom the last time. I just – I can't figure out why he wouldn't want to tell us. Unless it was dangerous."
Robin hummed in response, giving Regina time to collect her thoughts.
"I was so angry with him." she whispered, something that could compare to remorse laced her tone headily .
Taking a large gulp of air, she looked down at the tabletop. "You might have guessed it by now, but Rumpelstiltskin drank your half of the potion." she wouldn't meet his gaze.
"So, our options are pretty limited." she shrugged. "If Marian was to drink the elixir as planned, well – " Regina blanched, "her fate is literally in Gold's hands. I'm not prepared to make that decision. Not with how much danger he is in."
Robin sighed, Regina fought tears.
"I can continue to look for an alternative." she cleared her throat, desperate to mask the weakness in her voice. "There are many plants with healing properties. If I could have just an hour to think – maybe there is something in my mausoleum."
"Regina," Robin whispered gently, his arm coming across the table to touch her.
Regina didn't hear him. "There are plenty of dark spells I could call upon. But what would Henry think of me? Marian wouldn't go for it. You despise magic – "
Robin's hand found hers. He squeezed down on her fingers, which did its job; jolting the woman out of her frantic stupor.
"I will not let you throw yourself into dark magic again. Marian has time, Regina. That's what I wanted to tell you, prior to all this – " Robin's eyes left hers, his hand flourished, signaling to the chaotic diner as proof.
"Dr. Whale spoke with me yesterday evening. He sounds hopeful." Robin reasoned. "He says Marian's fever is breaking. It's slow, but it's progress. She can fight this, Regina. I know her."
He sounded so entranced. He talked about Marian like she was the otherworldly goddess the town was searching for. It had Regina's heart clenching in her chest. She wanted him to be happy. She was practically throwing her life away to make it so he and Marian could be together. It was foolish and silly to be so upset over some kind words a man said about his wife.
"That's wonderful," Regina whispered, shaking the dreary thoughts away. "Really," she insisted.
Blinking away the tears, she smiled, "And soon your family will be all patched up. You'll be able to go home, to the woods. It'll all work out."
Robin frowned. "Regina, what are you saying?"
She looked up at him, "Isn't it obvious?" she wondered. "If Marian can save herself, then she's one step closer to coming home to you and Roland."
Sighing, Robin Hood rubbed his hands against his face. The white, cloth shirt ruffled with his movements, showing Regina some sparse blonde chest hairs and his smooth collarbone again.
"I know it felt like a dream, Regina. But, the other night was real. You felt it, when we kissed. We are made for each other. I cannot seem to get this right," he sighed looking away from her in shame.
The queen swallowed down her retort. He was determined to tell her this.
"I've already confessed to falling in love with you," he gave her a wolfish smirk, causing Regina's cheeks to flush against her will.
"Marian and I – " Robin mumbled with a small smile, "We love each other, so much. She was my first love, the most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes on."
Regina could feel it, every word.
"Marian is still stuck in the past. Of course she is, though. She's just arrived from a time when we were in love. I've had far too much time to over analyze the situation, but like I said the other night, I'm not that man anymore." he looked up at her.
"I want to start my life with you, Regina. I think we owe it to ourselves to see where this may lead. I am not sure how to go about it all, and of course Marian's health is paramount. Henry's as well. But, I know what I want. And for the past year, it's been you."
Sitting at Granny's diner, mere weeks since she stood by and watched the life she envisioned crumble around her, Regina couldn't fathom that this was actually happening.
Robin was looking at her expectantly. He had a timid set to his jaw, his fingers coiled and flexed waiting on her response.
But, what could she say? They were in the middle of a battle.
Elsa would destroy them if they didn't give her the chance to face Rumpelstiltskin. The Gaea, the thing she herself unleashed, was menacing in the shadows of town. Her son – her beautiful, brave son was stationary in a hospital bed without any cure. Robin's wife could still relapse at any moment. Regina didn't have time to worry about her relationship.
Even spending the time they had on it left her feeling guilty. There were people who needed their help.
"Say something, please." Robin laughed, oafishly.
Regina grabbed his large hand across the table and let the tips of her fingers ghost across his skin.
"There are a hundred things we need to be doing at this moment, Robin." she smiled. "We can discuss the finer points of our relationship at a later date."
Robin looked at their hands. The way Regina cradled his, like he was a precious and delicate thing. He had seen what her hands could do. The destruction and death they were capable of. The gentle way she treated him made Robin love her all the more.
"Perhaps over a drink?" he wondered.
"Perhaps," she nodded with a knowing smile that Robin returned generously.
The Charmings' were still plotting out the towns limits. Every decent hiding spot the Gaea could seek refuge. Leroy was yelling into his cell phone, repeating everything Charming said.
He was instructing the other dwarfs where to look.
A chilly gust of wind and two pairs of footsteps bombarded the small group still in the diner. Every gaze was drawn to the panicked faces of Belle and Tinkerbell.
"We have a problem," Belle gulped.
"You'll never guess what's happening!" the fairy gushed animatedly.
The mixed signals were alarming.