Hello all! Yay for chapter updates :)

Okay, so I should probably clarify on something. I am trying to stay as close to the actually plot of Once as of right now. Yes, some things will have to change later on, but I want (as I'm sure you want) to know what Emma wants with Excalibur. Therefore, there are part of this story that will remain the same. I have ideas for direction, so you'll just have to wait and see.

Another thing- I am trying to stay true to characters that I might not necessarily like *cough cough Robin Hood cough*. So please trust me on this one when I say this is NOT an Outlaw Queen fic. I cringe at the thought, but I am trying to be fair to Robin (even though he doesn't deserve it...or Regina for that matter). If any of the characters seem widely out of character I apologize. This is how I envision them acting in this situation.

I hope you enjoy it! And thank you, thank you! for those of you who have been kind enough to review this story. Love you all *kisses*

Previously

"Yes," Regina finally affirmed after a few moments. "Get out."

"Very well," Emma smirked. "But when you have questions, you know where to find me." And with that, Emma disappeared in a cloud of smoke leaving a confused and angry Regina behind in the kitchen surrounded by the shattered remains of the drinking glass.

~SQ~

Chapter 3

Regina was thankful for the distraction. She would do anything to keep her mind off of that alluringly dangerous blonde. She had been thinking about the other woman constantly as she simultaneously tried to work out her own feelings. It was almost torturous as Regina felt like she was being ripped in two. All of her thoughts led back to the first day she met Emma Swan.

"You're Henry's birth mother?"

"Hi…" the blonde woman replied tentatively.

Focus on getting the darkness out of Emma and this little game can finally end Regina repeated to herself as a distraction. She had mulled over that scene at least a million times. The memory evoked strange feelings of confusion, anger, and sadness. Never would she have thought that this same woman would be relentlessly fighting for her happiness. Get back to work Regina she berated.

The Charmings, Captain Guyliner, Belle, and the former Evil Queen were all searching for answers. Regina was tasked with trying to find a way to communicate with Merlin. Ever since Emma has "let it slip" that they had freed Merlin in Camelot, all efforts were now focused on finding him. Regina was given no easy task, but honestly she didn't trust the others do it. She was never one to stand back while everyone else was tirelessly working to restore their memories. The only other person Regina would consider to deem worthy of this task was Belle. The other brunette was not as completely incompetent as the others, but she was focused on Gold at the moment.

Regina was flipping through countless spell books, but ultimately having no luck thus far. She was so consumed by her task she failed to notice another person had quietly entered her vault. She immediately stopped breathing, her breath hitching when she felt fingers running down the side of her arm. The person would not be able to see it, but all of her muscles tensed in a strange sense of anticipation. Regina didn't dare move hoping she was imagining the sensation. The delicate fingers ghosted over her leather jacket, just barely making their presences known. Her jaw was clenched so tightly she didn't know if she'd be able to speak.

No, not again she thought angrily. Regina was tired of being played with. She knew that if she didn't give this woman a piece of her mind, she would be ruined. The power the Dark One wielded over her was already confusing enough not to mention dangerous as well. Everything about this—whatever this was—made Regina's insides clench uncomfortably. This needed to end now. Once and for all, this needed to end.

Damn the consequences she thought. She was done with Emma's games. There were still so many unanswered questions, but Regina didn't have time to ponder them. She was fed up with the Dark One's most recent and current behavior. Sneaking small touches at her as if they were…lovers was completely ridiculous.

Assuming her nastiest Evil Queen voice, Regina sneered, "What the hell do you think you are doing Miss Swan?" Her words were sharp and biting. It was good to know she hadn't lost her ability to speak with such sovereign command. Just because she wasn't the Evil Queen didn't mean she was just a push over now.

"What?" the voice questioned loudly.

Regina spun around so fast she almost felt dizzy. No. It couldn't be. "Robin?" she breathed quietly. Shit.

"Regina? What's going on?" Are you alright?" Robin Hood asked, half concerned and half confused. Regina looked as though she had seen a ghost. Her cheeks were drained of their color and her eyes stared helplessly up at him. The expression she wore was a mixture of horror and confusion. Her lips were slightly parted, quivering with shock.

"Yes, I'm fine," Regina replied with a curt smile and faux confidence. Regina had long ago mastered control over her face and wiped away any sign of confusion from her features. She tried to make her escape around the confused man, but her efforts were cut short by a hand grabbing her wrist. "I said I'm fine. Please let me go," the brunette said with more bite than she intended. This is not happening.

"Not until you tell me what's going on," the man said moving closer. He brushed a stray hair out of Regina's face and tucked it behind her ear in some sort of effort to soothe and comfort her.

The touch made Regina shutter. There was absolutely no way she could confront Robin right now. She had no idea what she would say or even where to begin. Just imagining that conversation made her feel sick. As he looked at her with questioning eyes, Regina felt even more inclined to flee. She tried to remove her wrist from Robin's grasp, but he showed no signs of letting go.

"Robin. Please."

"Regina what is going on?" Robin said again.

"As I've said twice, already I am fine," Regina said staring up at blue eyes, pleading to drop the subject. He always looks so confused Regina thought, but quickly pushing the thought out of her mind. She had more important things to deal with right now and one of them was getting away from the thief.

"Clearly if you think I'm Emma then something is very wrong," Robin said hurt, but letting go of Regina's wrist. He looked away and Regina could see the frustration from his body language, but what could she say? Surely telling him what has transpired between her and Emma would be a mistake. Ultimately, it would do more harm than good at this present moment. How could she even begin to explain when she didn't even know her own feelings?

"I'm sorry. I've been stressed lately. I'm trying to find a way to communicate with Merlin, so that we can save Emma," Regina explained, trying her hardest not to bend the truth that much. Technically, I'm not lying she thought. It was a stretch, but it was true.

"So…you thought I was Emma?" He dumbly questioned again. Robin couldn't wrap his mind around why on God's earth Regina had thought he was Emma.

"No. It just slipped out," Regina said softly. "I'm just trying to keep my promise to her." She wasn't ready to tell him about…it yet. The Mayor just needed time to collect herself. She promised herself that afterwards she would eventually talk to Robin. Regina just wasn't ready. Hell, if she thought Robin was Emma then she really needed to step back and think. The blonde shouldn't have this much control over her life, but then again she always had. Once she came to Storybrooke, Emma had always been a crucial part of her life. They fought, they learned to live with one another, and then finally they became friends. Emma had been there for Regina's hard-earned metamorphosis and internal struggles when it came to doing the right thing. The sheriff had been the only person to believe her and fully comprehend her growth as a person. Emma had always been there, Regina had just never realized it.

"If you say so," Robin said as he walked over to Regina. He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. He flashed his dorky smile at her before leaning in and pressing his lips to hers. At first, Regina didn't move, but then her hands found his brown hair. At this point Regina was practically on autopilot. She tried to let herself fall into the sensation.

This is supposed to feel right Regina thought as she focused on the beard that was scrapping against her face. Why doesn't this feel right? It's supposed to feel right.

Regina had never not enjoyed kissing the thief. What had changed? This man was her soul mate after all. He had the lion tattoo that Tinkerbelle had prophesized about in the Enchanted Forest. He was supposed to be "the one", so why was Regina struggling to kiss the man she loved back? And why was this all happening after she had…no Emma had kissed her?

Regina broke the kiss, looking up apologetically at the man before her. "I'm sorry I have to go." Regina said. She knew it was a lame excuse, but she still had a job to do. The brunette turned to leave, but was stopped by question she wasn't quite expecting.

"Are you running from me?" Robin questioned. He hadn't meant to sound so vulnerable, but he couldn't help but feel that this was about him. Regina had never seemed so inclined to escape.

He asks so many damn questions Regina inwardly cursed. She didn't bother turning around to face him. "I think I need some space right now." The words left her lips before she even registered what she was saying.

"Some…space?"

"Yes!" Regina exasperatedly stated. She was so tired of all his questions and at this moment her patience was wearing thin. She needed to find a way to communicate with Merlin rather than exchange saliva with a self-righteous, and-oh-so honorable thief. "I need space."

"What does that mean?" Robin Hood asked, now thoroughly confused. Regina wasn't like this. She was clearly shaken by something and he was determined to find out what it was. "Did I do something to offend you?"

"Enough with the questions," Regina said turning around. Her hands were clenched at her sides and her body was visibly trembling. Her eyes blazed with a certain darkness that was flared by her magic. "Please just give me some space," she finally said after collecting herself. She had to take deep breaths to control her magic that felt like it was bursting out of her.

"Very well," Robin Hood said as he pushed past her leaving the vault. Something wasn't right and Robin would be damned if he didn't figure it out. He loved Regina and wanted nothing more than to give her happiness. She was his happiness after all and he wouldn't give up on his happiness. If she wanted space, he'd give her space. When she was ready to talk, he would be there. "She just needs space," Robin muttered as he left the vault. Women.

Regina's body finally relaxed when Robin left. She shut her eyes for a brief moment feeling some of her anxiety slip away. She chewed at her bottom lip, mulling over her current situation. She said she wanted space from Robin to think about Emma. Perfect she thought as she sighed, opening her eyes and returning to the task at hand: talking to Merlin and hoping that he has some knowledge on how to remove the darkness out of Emma's blackened heart.

She brushed off an old spell book and began flipping through its pages. Spell. More spells Regina thought as she furiously whipped each page back. Then her chocolate brown eyes suddenly lit up. I got it!

~SQ~

Well its about time Emma thought as she held the newly removed Excalibur. Sure Rumple had threatened her, but that imp had another thing coming if he honestly thought he could stop her. Sure he was a hero now, but was that really a game changer? Not for Emma. Soon Excalibur would be reunited with the dagger, but not quite yet. There were still a few things left for Emma to do.

As she brushed her fingers over the sword she thought of the unimaginable power that would come with it. They have no idea what I'm capable of Emma thought. Now she was one step closer to completing her plan.

Even though everything was going according to plan, something wasn't sitting right with her. Emma couldn't stop replaying Zelena's words in her head.

"You see the difference between you and me is, I don't mind being alone."

The words had stung. In that moment Emma had truly realized that even though her family would never give up on her, she had no one. Henry hated her for ripping out Violet's heart. Hook hated that this new Dark One that "wasn't her". Regina was angry because she thought Emma was trying to sabotage her happy ending. Gold had vowed to destroy her. Even her parents looked at her with fear and mild contempt. Not even the Wicked Witch of the West wanted to be associated with her. Maybe she really had sunken as low as Regina had said.

Then again, Regina still didn't understand. After all these years of Regina making snide remarks about her intelligence, Regina was really the one that was totally and utterly blinded by the truth. She'll believe ancient pixie dust over her own feelings…and she called me the idiot. Emma had given the other woman tremendous power over their fate. Whether or not Regina would use it to her advantage was her own problem. After all this time, Regina could be the one to save the savior. Who would have thought?

That was another thing. Even if Regina didn't remember what happened in Camelot, Emma certainly did. Regina had protected her and looked out for her. The brunette had claimed to be the savior, so Emma wouldn't have to and tried to dissuade her from using magic under any circumstance. With the exception of using dark magic to bring back the imbecile with a beard. But instead of using the dagger to compel Emma to do it, Regina had asked. Regina had pleaded with her to save her lover and Emma had agreed. Emma remembered why she had done it; she had done it because she wanted Regina to be happy. That was what she had promised to other woman and all she really wanted for her. Regina deserved happiness.

Later, Emma and Regina had worked as a team to free Merlin from the tree. They had done it together with combined effort. The two of them had accomplished more by themselves than the entire group put together. They really did make an incredible team. Of course even Regina couldn't save Emma from the inevitable darkness that seeped into her heart, but all was not lost. Emma still had her plan.

"Maybe its time I paid Robin Hood a visit," Emma chuckled darkly. She knew she had to be careful though. Emma wanted Regina to come to her own decision at her own time, but getting involved was too delicious to pass up. Watching that stupid man's face fill with confusion would be half the fun. The other half would be watching the rage boil over. A little fun won't hurt Emma thought and with a wave of her hand she vanished in a cloud of dark purple smoke.

~SQ~

True to his word, Robin Hood was staying away from her. His stupid honor code finally came in handy for once Regina thought as she poured the content of each vile into the cauldron. Once she was finished, all they had to do was get Arthur to drop the Crimson Crown into the concoction and then finally they would be able to communicate with Merlin. Seemed easy enough, but Regina knew better than to hope for concrete answers. Nothing was ever that simple.

Soon enough when the brunette was done adding the content into the now bubbling pot Charming waltzed in with Arthur and Guinevere in tow. Regina proudly presented the mushroom to the King and the group waited in anticipation for the man to drop it into the cauldron.

Seeing Arthur falter for a moment, Regina immediately questioned, "What are you waiting for?" Just drop the damn mushroom in! A five year old could have done it by now.

"Perhaps its best…if I do this alone." The king said slowly trying to phrase his words carefully. "Back in Camelot, Merlin delivered his prophecies to me from inside a tree, but I am afraid he only delivered them when I was alone."

"This is too important to risk," Charming stated. "Come on let's leave him to it." And with that David signaled the rest of them to exist the room. David trusted Arthur and if the King needed to be alone in order to communicate with Merlin than so be it. The shepherd just wanted to get his daughter back from the darkness. Arthur had done nothing to so far to seem untrustworthy, so there was no reason to question his motives.

Regina looked over Arthur trying to decide if this was actually for the best. She had a strange feeling about leaving him alone with such an important task, but she could quite discern why. Seeing that no one else was about to protest, Regina reluctantly left the room to wait outside. This was not at all what she was hoping for, but made no effort to go against Charming's faith in the King. She mentally made a note to keep an eye on Arthur, still not fully trusting him. Blind faith does no good for you David Regina thought as she felt the sunlight hit her face.

Now the group had to wait and see.

~SQ~

"Hello my dear," Emma smiled as she appeared in front of the thief.

"What do you want Dark One?" Robin replied with a sneer. The man's day had just gone from bad, to worse. Regina wanted space and now the Dark One had come to torture him. Fantastic.

"Oh just came to chat with my favorite thief," Emma innocently said as she circled the man in front of her. "Is that such a crime?" Her eyes raked over Robin as if inspecting a piece of meat. Regina could do soooo much better she thought as she eyed him.

Robin could feel the burning of Emma's eyes on his body. He had no idea what was going on and he was all alone. Emma had cornered the thief in an alleyway. He could very well never be heard from again. But then again, Emma could have killed him by now. Something was going on, but what? Was she playing with him before she finished him off?

"And what is it exactly that you would like to talk about?" Robin prodded. If he could keep the Dark One talking, then maybe he could escape this encounter alive. There was no way he could defeat her by force, so instead he had to play the waiting game. He prayed that he would be able to see his son again. Roland was the only thing in the world he wished for in this moment. If he was going to die, he wished to hug Roland one last time. He wasn't ready to die yet. He had no idea why the Dark One had appeared to him, but he was certainly curious to find out.

"Regina," Emma stated mater-of-factly. She knew that the man was trying to buy himself time, but Emma didn't feel like killing him off. Well not yet anyways she thought. Emma's intentions were purely for entertainment. Watching the thief quiver in his boots, while she sat back and watched would be most enjoyable.

"What did you do to her?" Robin yelled. Obviously, the Dark One would be behind Regina's strange behavior. There was no doubt in Robin's mind that the Dark One had probably cursed her. His anger boiled as he dared to get closer to the dark figure.

"Now there that temper," Emma laughed. He's so easy. "I did nothing to Regina. Well nothing involving magic if that's what you mean."

"You demon!" Robin said walking right into the blonde's personal space. His teeth gritted with anger as he raised a clenched fist up as he spoke. "What did you do to Regina?" he demanded.

With the wave of her hand, Robin Hood was shot back into the wall. His head smashing into the wall as his body absorbed the rest of the impact against the wall. Momentarily seeing stars, he let out a grunt of pain before trying to move. Realizing he was pinned in place, he furiously started trying to escape.

"Like I said, I did nothing to Regina," Emma said, her eyes darkening. This insolence would not be tolerated. The man really did have a short fuse. Rolling her eyes, Emma continued, "Now tell me. Why would you think I did something to Regina?" It was a soft ball, but Emma wanted to hear the man's confusion for herself.

"She…she's acting strangely," Robin said after a few minutes. He didn't know what Emma was getting at, but at this point he had no other choice than to play along.

"Mmhmm. How so?" Emma pried. The man who could ask a thousand questions, couldn't answer one simple question. Oh the irony.

"None of your damn business," Robin shot back. He didn't need to tell the Dark One anything. He certainly could not tell her that Regina was in a vulnerable state. If he let something slip that Regina was weak or unfocused, Emma might go after her. Then again, he really had no idea what the Dark One was planning. Either way, he was trapped.

"It is most certainly my damn business," Emma said darkly moving into the man's personal space now. Her eyes blazed with fury as she wielded magic in one hand. She held the purple cloud in her hand close to the thief's face. "I gave up my soul for Regina's happiness," Emma practically screamed. Did no one see what she had done? Either everyone was blind or just simply moronic. The magic was practically burning from her fingertips, sparking as her emotions took over.

"She thinks her happiness is you," Emma spat as if she had tasted something terrible. "I gave up my soul so that she could be with you, so yes it is my business you incompetent, worthless man." She could have killed him right there and then, but she knew she couldn't. Her message had to get back to Regina; Robin had to get back to Regina. Emma knew the thief would run to her like a scared little puppy once this was over. Calming herself with a long, drawn-out breath, she retracted her hand. The magic disappeared and the blonde turned away.

Emma knew that Regina's happiness wasn't Robin Hood. The brunette just thought so because for the first time things were going right for her: she had the acceptance and trust of people that had once been her enemies, she had the love of her son—their son—Henry, and she had found someone that says he loves her. For the first time in what seemed liked ages, Regina felt safe. That was why she was having such a difficult time understand what Emma was trying to tell her. Regina was always very protective especially when it came to her happiness. There was no denying that she would fight to keep it. Regina would have to come around on her own terms. But sometimes by trying to convince yourself you are happy, you miss out on the happiness you could have had. Are you happy with him, Regina?

"Goodbye for now Robin Hood," she said without looking at him. "I'm sure we will see each other very soon." With that she disappeared in a dark purple cloud.

As soon as she was gone, the magic binding Robin to the wall was gone. He fell to his knees, gasping. All he could think about was Regina. He needed to talk to Regina. He needed to see Regina.

I'm sorry if that wasn't what some of you were expecting, but don't worry we'll see the Dark One and Regina soon enough. Outlaw Queen is gross, so I'm sorry. Trust me, writing that was hard enough.

Hope you all have a wonderful week! Don't forget to review :) I'll love you forever.