Thirteen
"Yes, it's the one," Robin laughed huskily. His bright blue eyes expanded. Memories from a different time – a different world playing in his mind. "Where did you find it?" he wondered, looking up at the woman.
"Oh, at the pawn shop," Regina shrugged. She laced her fingers together, watching Robin Hood in amusement.
The man paused, the object in his hand dropped a fraction. Regina's teeth pressed together uncomfortably. Licking his lips, Robin stepped closer. "You took this from the Dark One?"
Regina shook her head, "He gave it to me. It seems Rumpelstiltskin has had a change of heart." she grinned at the Outlaw. Her own secrets swimming behind that smile.
He didn't need to know the amount of threatening it took to get what she wanted.
Robin wrapped both arms around Regina, holding her to him in a grateful embrace. "I knew you'd save her," he whispered into her dark hair.
Letting out a shaky breath, Regina pulled away. "I haven't done anything yet," she corrected. "Gold said that we can use the wand again, and this time," she narrowed her eyes at Robin, "With someone who practices magic, it should be permanent."
Robin laughed again, a freeing, blissful sound. He revolved the thin, pale wand in his large grasp. He inspected every inch of it. Regina felt satisfied, seeing the happiness in Robin. She felt no guilt in threatening Rumpelstiltskin. He felt nothing for her son – his only grandchild. It didn't inflict any worry in Regina to handle the situation the way she did.
If Regina was being honest, she liked Gold better that way. He was a lot more agreeable when she had the upper hand. The amount of power she felt, holding the dagger, having him comply to any whim – it could become addicting and Regina knew that the dagger was safe with only one person.
Sure, the former Queen might have lied, didn't give Gold back the real dagger – but she made him a honest man, something Regina knew he couldn't do on his own. Belle was the epitome of good and she loved Rumpelstiltskin with her whole heart. His life was never safer.
Honestly, Regina did him a favor.
She nodded to herself, affirming her beliefs. Robin was still engrossed with the magic wand. The same object he saved Marian's life with once before. Regina looped one arm through his. "You did the right thing, back in the Enchanted Forest. You saved her life, saved Roland's life,"
Robin nodded, remaining quiet. He looked up at her, his bright eyes steady on her dark ones. "It's time to tell her," he whispered.
Regina stepped back, "Are you having second thoughts?" she wondered, her voice icing over without meaning to.
Regina Mills could handle nearly anything. But when it came to Robin Hood she wasn't sure she could be as strong. The man completely shattered her world, proving that even the Evil Queen deserved love and respect and most importantly, a second chance.
Robin smiled kindly at her. He placed the wand on her office table while collecting her hands in his. When he smiled at her, in an all knowing way, it made her regret even more, never having the courage to meet him sooner.
Life would have surly been different. But without all her mistakes, she wouldn't have Henry or her friendship with Snow White. So many improbable things came from the darkness inside of her, and Regina couldn't regret a moment of it.
"Regina, I love you." Robin whispered. "There was a time in my life when I never thought I'd find someone who could fill that void inside of me." he smiled at her, "And then I met you and honestly, I couldn't stand you," he laughed, Regina rolled her eyes.
"But, you did more for me than I ever thought possible. You didn't fill a void, you stormed your way in and became a new part of me. When you told me I was your true love, I felt it down the the core of me, Regina. And I don't believe we're together because of fate or because Tinkerbell told you so," he let go of her hands, cupping her face instead.
Regina let out a shaky breath. Everything Robin said was genuine. She felt it in her soul.
"I love you, too." she whispered, a giddy laugh followed. Robin kissed her head, letting go slowly.
"Now comes the hard part." Regina mumbled. Robin nodded, reaching out for her hand.
If Regina didn't have to step foot in the Storybrooke Hospital for the rest of her life, she'd be thrilled. She hated the place. Sure, it was quaint and clean, stocked with the best of everything, and filled with happy, compassionate workers – but the hospital represented pain and mourning.
Also, Whale worked there.
He strolled up to Robin and Regina the standard, amused clueless expression on his face. "Good afternoon," he greeted. "Marian is the same as you left her an hour ago, Robin."
"I know," Robin Hood nodded, "But, not for long," he was desecrate, pulling the wand from his satchel, giving the doctor a flash before pocketing it once more.
Whale looked relieved. "Wonderful!" he clapped his hands, pale eyes showing just how thankful he was. "The morphine is working, but not as quickly as it should."
Regina pat the doctor on the arm, "I'll take care of it."
Rolling his eyes, Doctor Whale nodded, "For once, I'm happy that you are."
The elevator ride was longer than any other Regina had taken in those short weeks. Healing Marian was going to be a fantastic start to a happily ever after – as Henry decided that previous evening when Regina explained why Robin and her were so friendly. Everything after was sure to be complicated, but Regina Mills couldn't remember a time when her life wasn't complicated. Even her brief time with Daniel was complex – and that was one of the happiest memories she had. It caused her to rage war and destroy masses.
Robin squeezed her hand as the elevator dinged, leveling out. The doors opened a moment later, and Regina turned to Robin, smiling. He returned it, guiding her out, into the bright hall. The pair walked to Marian's hospital room, she laid drowsily on the bed, Roland curled up in a chair next to her, a toy bow and arrow set on his lap. He sat sat polishing the plastic arrows with rubber tops. He didn't notice as they walked in, neither did Marian. Her eyes slipped closed, and were slow to open again.
"You're watching over your mother?" Robin asked his son. Roland looked up with a bright smile.
"Yes, Papa. Little John gave me a weapon. See!" he showed his father the toy.
Robin laughed. "Good." he crouched down, "I feel safer already." he kissed his sons head and stood, winking at Regina before creeping to Marian's bedside.
"Marian?" Robin whispered, wiping black hair from her brow. "You look well."
"You're a terrible liar," she muttered, coughing. Her throat sounded scratchy and dry.
Regina looked for a glass of water, and handed it to Robin to give her once she noticed a pitcher next to the door.
"Thank you," Marian said, her voice coming back to her after a harsh gulp. She looked at Regina. "Robin mentioned your son waking, I'm happy for you." she eyed Roland, and Regina understood.
"Thank you, Marian. You're very kind." she said, awkward to find words.
Regina didn't know how to do this. Robin gave her an amused smile, pulling his satchel off his shoulder. How could she break up this family?
"Marian," Robin said, "Do you remember when you fell ill, before Roland was born?"
The woman gave a tight nod, "Of course,"
"Remember the wand I stole, to save you?" Robin asked, rummaging through the bag.
Marian shook her head, "What is this about? Are you in some sort of trouble?"
"No. No, nothing like that." he pulled the wand from his bag, showing it to Marian.
She gasped.
"Regina found it, and can fix this. I'm afraid I mucked it up a bit when I used it the last time. But Regina can summon a proper spell, and you'll never get sick again."
Regina forced a smile as Marian snapped her dark eyes towards her.
"That's," Marian paused, "Not necessary. The doctor said I'm getting stronger."
Robin nodded, "Yes, but it won't be forever. You'll fall ill again and again because I had no idea what I was doing." he grabbed her hand. "This will heal you, for good."
"Robin," Marian whispered.
Regina walked over, plucking the wand from Robin. "You have my word that this will work."
"You know I have no love for magic." Marian said coldly.
"Marian," Robin whispered, "Please, for Roland."
Marian turned towards her son, sitting peacefully on a chair. He hadn't bothered to pay attention to the adults, happy for the distraction Little John gave him. The woman looked down, gripping the bedsheets.
"I'll take that as a yes," Regina said, curtly moving away from the bed. She looked over at Robin. "I would move." she offered, and Robin walked around, collecting Roland in his arms and standing behind Regina.
Marian frowned, but was too weak to protest much longer. She'd fall asleep soon, from the morphine Whale gave her, and Regina wanted her to be alert enough for this. She smiled, to sooth Marian's worry, and raised the wand out in front of her. She muttered a incantation under her breath, one she learned from Rumpelstiltskin in the Enchanted Forest in the early days of her training. It was the spell she was sure he gave to Robin. She waved the wand once in a circle, waiting for something to happen. Marian looked almost bored sitting there, miserably in bed.
"I don't feel better," she said, hotly.
Regina frowned. Robin at her ear, "Did it not work?"
Regina rolled her eyes, "No, it didn't. But it should have." Regina tapped the wand in her palm, looking at Marian. It didn't make sense. She was sure of the spell, sure of her ability. Regina was more sure of Rumpelstiltskin than ever, and yet, a simple healing spell didn't work. Regina tried again, louder this time – with two circular waves around Marian's body. Something was wrong. She felt it slide unpleasantly up her arm. Regina paused, taking a breath.
"Robin, I think you should take Roland somewhere else," she said calmly before pointing the wand at Marian's heart and wordlessly thrusting it forward.
"Regina," Robin hissed just as something happened. Unfortunately – it wasn't what Regina wished for.
A green flash of light filled the hospital room. Roland yelped, and Robin turned his back, shielding his son from the intensity. Regina stood glaring at the bed, and at the woman in it. Immediately she raised her hand in the air, a clicking sound and a grunt filled the room before the light dwindled. Regina felt sick, like she'd collapse of vomit. She crossed her arms, Gold's wand tucked safe in the crook of her elbow.
"No love for magic?" she sneered, laughing ironically. "That's rich," Regina shook her head, walking closer.
"What's this?" Robin demanded, holding Roland to him protectively.
Regina's eyes never left the bed. "This is the newest complication in our lives." she sighed, looking at Robin, "And I thought there would at least be a grace period."
"You're calmer than I expected, Sis."
It was true. Whereas Robin had to sit in the chair his son occupied a few moments before, Regina stood glowering over Zelena like it was just another Thursday.
"Papa?" Roland asked, peeking his dark head out from Robin's chest.
Where Marian once laid, weak in bed, now sat Zelena, as prim and malicious as ever. Fiery red curls splay across the white linens, calculating green eyes gleamed back happily. She wore Marian's hospital gown, had on Marian's wedding-band, but couldn't be any more different that Robin's lost wife.
Robin jumped up, his son still tight in his arms. "I'll be – "
"Go," Regina demanded. She waited for him to storm out before walking closer to Zelena.
The redhead wiggled her arm covered in a thick shackle. "A bit tight," she frowned, looking at Regina. When she didn't get a response she sighed, dramatically, "What? No hello?"
"How?" Regina threatened, teeth clenched together. "You died. I watched you kill yourself."
"You watched me what?" Zelena laughed. She adjusted herself, appearing comfortable despite the compromising situation. "I am a lot of things, Regina, but do you honestly think I'd do that?" she giggled.
"No. If you must know, it was Rumple. He tried to kill me, but of course, didn't succeed, because here I am." she smiled wickedly.
"Yes, in another woman's body, how is that possible?"
Zelena tossed her wild hair to one side. "Not in her body, exactly, Dear. But, I surprise myself sometimes by how good I am, that I completely took on her being." she said excitedly.
"I felt for Robin, and Roland." she laughed, "I even felt betrayed and horrified by the thought of you getting my husband."
"He's not your husband." Regina snapped. "Where's the real Marian?"
"Dead," Zelena pouted. "When Rumple failed to kill me, my energy was sucked up in that portal, and well – let's say I pounced on an opportunity."
"You killed her?"
Regina stiffened. Robin clambered back into the room, moving closer than Regina dared. He glared at Zelena. "You killed Marian?"
"If I didn't, she would have." Zelena nodded towards Regina. "You should have seen how angry she was back in the Enchanted Forest." the redhead tsked.
Robin clenched his fists, Regina came to stand at his side.
"Oh, honestly, you two should be thanking me." she laughed, "Now you don't have to have that awkward breakup conversation."
"The only person I'll be thanking is Gold for trying to get rid of you in the first place." Regina gritted her teeth. A fireball appeared out of nowhere in the palm of her hand.
Robin looked wary, but didn't fight her on it. He glanced at Zelena sadly. Like losing Marian the first time wasn't hard enough.
"I wouldn't, Dear." Zelena smiled, lazily moving her trapped arm. She admired her fingernails and waited for Regina to take the bait.
"Why shouldn't she kill you?" it was Robin who demanded.
"I wasn't the only unaccounted guest to come back through the portal." she giggled.
Regina growled to herself, the fireball in her hand brightening. She let out a breath, letting the ball fly past Zelena's head to die out on the tile floor. Her sister looked up, appalled at Regina. Regina smiled back, before pulling out her cell phone.
"Miss Swan," she said irritably into the receiver. Regina glanced up at Robin who looked just as forlorn, "We might have a problem."
"Oh," Zelena giggled, "You do."
I know I abandoned this.. and I really feel terrible. I took some time to write my own novel, and while I am happy with how it is going, I also miss writing fanfiction. So new years resolution: I'm going to start again. I also caught up on Once Upon A Time and I loved the Zelena part! I was pretty shocked and I think I can have fun with it. Anyway, happy new years!