A.N. Here the story continues with my attempt to follow the episodes as they air. We'll see what happens. More "Beloved" poetry from my favorite, long- suffering Carmelite is featured.

"New York City Serenade"

"Where have you hidden,

Beloved, and left me moaning?

You fled like the stag

after wounding me;

I went out calling you, but you were gone."

"We're home."

Regina stood just where she had been in proximity to the small group when she cast the curse. She barely registered Snow's statement. She wanted to see if…. and she saw Robin and Roland in the back by Red, the little boy still in his father's arms and burying his head in his neck.

"Roland!" she went to him.

"He's frightened," Robin whispered. Of course he was. "I'm taking him away for a bit, quiet, where I can talk to him."

Regina nodded.

"Are you ok?"

"No." How could she be? Before he could say anything else, she moved to where Snow was speaking with Prince Philip and Aurora.

Happy reunion!

And before she could say "dysfunctional family road trip," they were all trekking through the Enchanted Forest to "their" castle. They were all just going to get along. And why not? What other choice? Regina sighed; Robin was of course being everyone's bff while she was having a strange sense of Deja vu from her previous hiking adventure with him. Roland was now walking with Little John, the large man talking him through it. The little boy was already adjusting.

To be young…

Robin came up by her, "Regina…"

"I can't talk about it now. Maybe later when we're at the castle and alone. Then I'll have a nice, old-fashioned nervous breakdown. But not now."

She walked faster, shrugging out of the hand he'd reached to place on her shoulder.

He nodded. Understanding.

Always understanding.

Well, he may not understand what she was about to do.

And she didn't care.

Slowly, Regina dropped back, others letting her, Robin now attending to his son, and it wasn't difficult, as absorbed as everyone was, to slip away.

But of course Snow the Saint followed and talked her out of burying her heart. She couldn't even escape that.

Before she could get too annoyed, a lovely flying monkey nearly killed them both and a familiar voice told them to get down, and it was shot.

Regina looked up a little guiltily to see Robin with his hand extended to her. She refused to take it, but Snow did.

Soon they were heading back to the group. She knew it was coming.

"And what were you doing?"

Here it was!

"Burying my heart," she answered simply.

"What?"

She forced herself not to wince. Robin was not happy, to make an understatement, but she wasn't in the mood to waste time on that.

"Oh don't worry," Regina retorted, " Snow talked me out of it."

"You were…."

Regina stopped, "I didn't want to feel anything, Robin. Not anymore."

"And," he inhaled, "and don't you think that I would have a say in you taking away your own heart?"

"I lost my son," she spat. And walked away from him.

She wouldn't, couldn't…

But neither would he.

"Yes, you did," he caught up, keeping pace with her, "but you also still have me… and Roland. Did you think how devastating it would be for him to lose another mother?"

Regina stopped, "No."

"No, of course not," his voice was rising. "Why would you think of us?"

"If Roland were taken from you, what would you do?" she demanded.

"I don't know," Robin replied, "but I sure as hell wouldn't abandon you."

"Well, I'm not you, am I?" She lifted her chin.

"Ah yes," he said sarcastically, "how could I forget it's all about you?"

"It is."

He shook his head in disgust, "Really so selfish, even after everything we've been through together?"

"Yes!"

Robin looked away, "We shouldn't talk about it here," he muttered.

"Good idea," Regina agreed.

"Yes," he stepped forward and had her by both arms, firm, "But let me tell you this: don't you ever, ever again try to do that to me." His voice was low. Dangerous.

She defiantly matched his stance. He didn't back down.

"Oh, don't worry," she snapped, "I'll do the right thing, and as usual be the one who's punished." She shrugged away from him again, and caught up with Snow.

"So, everything alright?" Snow asked cautiously.

"Never better."

"Regina…."

"Look," Charming interrupted them.

"What happened?" Snow asked.

"That's exactly what I'm going to find out," Regina growled.

And their castle was occupied. By whom, she didn't know, but she welcomed the indignant fury at the invasion.

"Nobody sits in my chair," she declared.

Regina was aware of Robin looking at her. She ignored him.

"I can offer you shelter," Robin offered to all, "in Sherwood Forest."

The Charmings agreed.

To Robin's home.

"Fine. Lead the way," she said coldly.

And they all changed course.

As they set out, Robin came up beside her and slipped his hand into hers. She tried to snatch her hand away, but the grip tightened.

Regina turned her head. He was looking forward, his blue eyes steel.

She relaxed her hand and let him hold it.

And they walked.