"Quiet Minds"

How gently and lovingly

you wake in my heart,

where in secret you dwell alone;

and in your sweet breathing,

filled with good and glory,

how tenderly you swell my heart with love.

Regina was uneasy. As she approached the farmhouse she heard….

"Show yourself, you winged freak!" she shouted out.

An arrow flew at her. She caught it, not amused.

Robin.

"My apologies, m'lady," he waved as he approached.

"Don't you 'milady me'. You just tried to shoot me!"

Robin gave her a sheepish grin, "I thought you were the Wicked Witch."

"I thought you were a flying monkey," Regina replied dryly.

"Touché."

"Really? You didn't think to look for a pointy hat and green skin before you shot?"

Robin shrugged, "If you and the golden team wouldn't be so defensive about accepting help, I might have known you were heading here."

He had a point.

Regina decided to let it pass, and they moved into the farmhouse kitchen.

"So, none of these contain magical properties?" Robin asked, gesturing to the myriad of bottles.

"Well, a good witch covers her tracks, but a better one can uncover them. We'll find her, just be patient." She leaned over, peering into the shelves.

A pause.

"Are you checking out my ass?" Regina looked behind her accusing.

"Wouldn't dream of it!"

Regina turned back to the shelf muttering under her breath.

"I heard that!"

"Good."

Robin smirked and leaned in, lips almost touching hers. She prepared for the kiss, but instead he reached behind her, taking a bottle.

"What about this? Is this magical?"

He was very close to her. Flirting. Here?

Why not?

"Not exactly," Regina replied, "It's a liquid that can conquer courage, give strength, or even act as a love potion of sorts." She laughed at his expression, "It's called whiskey, and it's not magical, especially the next day."

Robin smirked cheekily as he reached behind her to take two glasses. He raised his eyebrows to her.

"You want to have a drink. Now?"

"Well," he turned away, rolling up his sleeves and poured, "in the last few days we've survived a curse, woken up in an entirely new realm and forgotten a year of our lives. I'd say we've earned it. Wouldn't you?"

He handed her the drink, his wrist showing the lion tattoo.

Regina took the glass and tinked it with his, "Bottoms up?"

They both took it like a shot, then he learned in for the kiss that he had been teasing her with.

"Enough of that," she pushed him away playfully, "this is a dead end. Meet up with you later at the camp?"

He bowed, and gave her a quick kiss goodbye.

Later, Regina did head to the camp, but with a rather heavy heart. She had received the call from Emma, and while she had never liked Neal much, the thought that Henry's father was gone tore at her.

Regina watched Robin and Roland for a moment as they played, then, "Roland, time to come home."

She had been willing to accept that Robin felt he needed to play Merry Man again, trying to find Little John, but her foot was firmly down when it came to Roland camping out in the freezing cold. He spent his nights safely in Henry's old room.

Roland came running over and Regina picked him up, hugging him to her.

"What is it?" Robin asked quietly.

Instead of answering, Regina put the little boy down, "Sweetheart, go and get into your car seat," she told him. Robin looked more concerned as Roland bounded away.

"Regina?"

"Neal's dead," Regina said.

"Dead?"

"That was how Rumplestiltskin was brought back. Neal traded his life for him." Robin looked away, "I'm sorry, Robin. I know he was your friend."

He swallowed, "Does Henry know?"

Regina shook her head, tears finally pricking at her eyes. "My son lost his father and he doesn't even know it."

At that, Robin hugged her; she could feel his tears on her cheek. "Henry's not without a father, Regina. So long as I am here."

Regina's draw dropped a little. "I don't…I don't know what to say."

"I love you?"

She threw her arms around him, "Always." He kissed the crown of her head.

"Mommy!" Roland called.

She stepped back, "I need to go. Roland needs to get to bed."

Robin nodded.

"I can't lose you, Robin."

"I know." He touched her face, "I'm not going anywhere."

"You can't promise that."

He kissed her, "I will always be with you."

"Mommy!"

"I'll call you after Roland is asleep," Regina wiped her eyes.

Robin squeezed her hand, "No. I'm going with you."