A/N: This was formerly in the fully story and I was doing a little bit of cleaning up because FFN formatting sucks and decided to move it to it's own story. I'll likely keep this open for any future one shots set in this verse as well. Set between chapters five and six for reference.
It isn't often that Mal surprises her on set. Not that it's ever an unwelcome visit. Quite the contrary in fact. She loves seeing her manager as often as possible. Considers the woman to be as much of a friend as colleague. But it is unexpected whenever it happens. She hasn't shown up once since they'd started filming and Regina knows she's been busy with other clients and she's extremely focused on work (people don't call her The Dragon for nothing). But the absence had seemed a little odd when she usually checks in once or twice a production.
Though in fairness Regina has had quite a bit on her mind. Between her growing feelings for Robin and the constant stress over whoever this stalker could be or when he'll make his next move she hasn't had a great deal of time to dwell on Mal's lack of involvement.
She notices her slip in the back while they're rehearsing a scene, then Gold's barking orders at her and Graham and Regina shifts her attention back to work. Mal's more than capable of fending for herself. It's not for another half hour when they've been given a break while they set up the scene properly that Regina seeks out where her manager has gotten to. Her eyes roaming around the soundstage for a glimpse of those platinum blonde curls. And that's when she spots them.
Robin and Mal.
They've met before. That day she'd been forced to drag him along to meetings right after he'd started working for her, but the two of them had barely spoken that day from what she recalls. Robin had merely hovered annoyingly in the background while she and Mal had discussed things. But now here they are. Tucked away in a corner having a quiet conversation, completely focused on each other. Isn't he suppose to be watching her? Or the other people milling about? Something actually related to the job she's hired him for?
Regina watches the other woman take a step closer to him, her body brushing Robin's slightly as one of her finely manicured nails trails lightly down his bicep, and suddenly all the elation she'd had when she first saw her walk in evaporates.
What are they doing? Together?
Mal laughs at something Robin says and Regina can hear the melodic timbre all the way across the room. Then she's leaning into him, eyes heavy lidded and flirtatious. Regina knows the look. Has gone out with Mal enough to recognize when she's attracted to someone. And she's sending major vibes Robin's way. Regina can practically feel the pheromones from across the room. Something he appears to be thoroughly enjoying if the twinkle in his eyes and that smile that has his dimples creasing is any indication.
How dare he?
He'd been lecturing her on admitting their feelings only days ago and now he's flirting with her manager of all people? And right in front of her at that. The nerve. Regina's glad to know all those feelings he's supposedly harboring for her are so easily pushed aside by an attractive woman turning her charm on him. That when it involves her he can switch from personal to solely professional in the blink of an eye (while she's struggling to deal with the formality hanging between them) but has no trouble ogling another woman while on the job.
She should be grateful for it. That he's putting her safety before his supposed personal desires. That's what she'd wanted, isn't it? Though standing there making eyes at Mal is a pretty poor way to show it. But when his hand lifts to grip Mal's elbow and he leans in to whisper something into her ear Regina can't contain herself.
Before she realizes what she's doing she's stomping over to where the pair stand, ignoring the startled look from Robin and the knowing one Mal gives her. "What's going on here?" she asks, intends for it to come out conversationally but her tone ends up sounding much more like an accusation. Mal's smirk tips up a notch at the corner of her mouth. But damn it, her blood is boiling. However irrational it may be. That ugly little green eyed monster is cartwheeling around her system and she can't control it. Robin is her bodyguard. Hers. Not Mal's to be flirting with. Despite whatever lies she's convinced them both of Regina doesn't want him dallying with anyone else. The thought halts Regina's tirade before it has a chance to really begin. It's unfair. Robin's not hers. Doesn't belong to her in any capacity beyond professional association because that's what she's told him she wants. However untrue it may be.
She has absolutely no right to stake any sort of claim over him. She's made the choice not to pursue whatever it is that's been happening between them. He's free to flirt with whomever he chooses and she can't do a damn thing about it.
The fact that he's been distant for days isn't helping the situation. She misses him terribly. A sort of gnawing ache just beneath her breast bone that makes itself known with every impersonal interaction. The lack of physical contact. So to see Robin touch Mal so casually hurts, causes that jealousy to flair up and Regina has to bite her tongue to keep from voicing it. It's been days since they've had a real conversation let alone since he'd touched her in any way that wasn't a hundred percent necessary and she hadn't realized what Robin backing off would actually look like. Or more importantly how it would feel.
Yet, there's nothing she can do to change that. They can't do this. Have a relationship. The two of them can't flirt or laugh or touch unrestrained. Not when she's terrified of getting close to him. Look at how she's behaving already. Raging with jealousy over a friend. A woman she trusts implicitly when very few fall into that category.
And Regina knows if she told Mal to back off she would. She'd give her shit and tease her mercilessly for it but she wouldn't poach Regina's territory. However, that would require admitting that Robin's been right all along. She does feel something for him. A lot of somethings actually and she's not quite ready for that yet. Doesn't know if she ever will be honestly. Not after what she went through with Daniel. And that's so unfair to Robin. The last thing she wants is to lead him on. So Regina struggles to dial back the envy flowing freely through her veins.
The problem is now they're standing there, both of them watching her expectantly. Robin's giving her a look. One that conveys he is perfectly aware of what's gotten under her skin, why she's stormed over here and interrupted them and there's just a hint of smugness to it. God, she wants to slap it right off his face. Or kiss that smirk away. Either would work just fine for her. The disjunction only serves to have Regina's emotions swirling more confusingly inside her.
"Robin and I are just having a chat, dear." Mal finally answers her initial question, draws Regina's gaze away from Robin's tempting baby blues to her own. "He's been catching me up on everything that's been going on around here."
Her eyes whip back to Robin's with a touch of panic that eases with the almost imperceptible shake of his head. Mal's not talking about the letters. He hasn't told her about those.
"I was telling her what a devil Gold's been." Robin interjects. Resists the urge to reach out a hand and rub it soothingly down her arm. He'd seen the momentary fear in her eyes, understands the reasoning for it. She wants to keep this situation private. Even from someone she trusts. And he'll respect that for as long as he can. As long as he can still keep her safe himself.
Regina nods, "Right," she feels silly now that she's standing here, one step away from interrogating them about an innocent conversation. Hadn't really thought through the impression her storming over here would give and now that she has she isn't quite sure how to cover up her jealous blunder. "Well, you know how Gold can be. Though if you wanted to let out that dragon bitch I know is hiding in there I wouldn't mind watching you raise a little hell with him." She jokes, tucking her hair behind her ear in a nervous gesture.
How does she get herself out of this?
Luckily, she's saved as Mal quips that she'll go teach that imp a thing or two and excuses herself to go speak to the director. The blonde goes to leave with a seductive smile for Robin, brushing her fingers over his arm once more, and a wink for Regina. Watches her client's fingers clench into a fist at her side at the movement and let's out that throaty laugh again, murmuring something about green being Regina's color as she struts away. Oh, she's going to murder the woman. Friend or not.
It's obvious Robin hears the comment too because the first sentence out of his mouth once Mal meanders away in the direction of the monitors (conveniently leaving the two of them standing there in awkward silence) is, "Were you jealous?" His voice amused, a sliver of hope skirting around the edges.
Regina scoffs, "Of course not," tries to brush the question off, but she knows it doesn't sound nearly as convincing as it should. This is Robin. He knows her well enough to know when she's lying and has never been afraid to call her on her bullshit. It's not a shock when he does just that.
"Really? It certainly appears that way from where I'm standing, milady. Seems your manager agrees. Which is odd considering you supposedly have no feelings for me. Whatsoever. Isn't that what you told me?" He takes a step closer, right into her personal space and Regina has to tip her head up to continue looking him in the eye. Her stomach flip flops, rolling with nervous energy. "Are you saying something different now?"
"N-no." she stutters before pulling herself together and lifting her chin a fraction. She will not let Robin throw her this way. Even if what he's accusing her of is completely true. She just let her emotions get carried away for a minute. That's all. It doesn't change anything. Regina inches back a step and repeats firmly. "No. That's not what I'm saying."
Damn the woman. She's jealous. It's written all over her face, her body language. They both know it. Yet, she's still standing there denying it. Too stubborn for her own good. Not that Robin should be encouraging her. He's been trying his best to keep their interactions completely professional. Doing a damn fine job of it too. Even if it is killing him. It's for her safety though. Something he is unwilling to gamble with.
But she'd stormed her way over here in huff because he been talking to another woman, silently staking her claim and it had thrilled him. It might make him petty and a fool but Robin can't help feeling reassured by the display. He's not alone. Whatever she says or does, however many times she denies it Regina feels something for him. What the hell they are going to do about it he doesn't have a clue but at least they're in the same boat.
Just a modicum a validation is all he wants. All they can allow themselves at this point and she's refusing him even that.
Regina watches his face falls, heart squeezing painfully, and she aches to tell him the truth. That she's crazy about him, and terrified of what she could feel for him if she allowed herself. She loves deeply. Always has and if she were to let Robin into her heart it would be no different. There would be no going back.
But she's not ready for that. So she will continue to deny the existence of whatever it is between them. Will play dumb and pretend she hasn't spent the last ten minutes acting like a jealous fool if it means she doesn't end up with her heart broken and shattered once again.
"Right then. My mistake." Robin replies, disappointment clear as day. He nods toward the direction Mal had headed and says, "Looks like they're almost ready for you. Better get back. I have work I should be focusing on anyway and so do you."
Regina nods, turns on her heel to walk away. The whole interaction leaving her hollow and unsatisfied. Jealousy is funny that way.