Chapter Twenty-One: Operation: Imagine

Regina sat in a booth between Mallory and Jefferson at a nightclub around the corner from Enchanted Plaza. They'd already spent a few hours there and her friends were tipsy, nearly drunk really. They'd talked about Robin and what happened with Emma, then the duo began reaching around her to flirt with one another and that's when the brunette decided she'd had enough.

"I think I'm going to head out," she stated and stood, trying to slide over Mal to exit the booth.

"No! Stay here with us! We're having so much fun," the blonde hugged her, her cheek pressed into Regina's ass.

"I've had enough fun for one night, dear. Stay with Jefferson and have a good time. Just remember to use a condom," she joked and wiggled free of the woman's grip. She kissed her cheek, which was pink with embarrassment, and waved to the man on the other side of the table. She turned to add, more seriously, "Be safe."

The feeling of the warm night air in July against her face was oddly refreshing. There was a faint, gentle breeze blowing just enough to push her hair away from her cheeks as she walked home. She checked her phone every few minutes, like she'd been doing all day, subconsciously waiting to hear from her lover.

But she knew he wasn't going to call her. Or text her. Because she'd asked him not to.

She sighed as she put her phone into her pocket and turned onto Madison Avenue. She glanced over at the park entrance, imagining walking along the path to the university or the pub with his strong, firm hand around her delicate one. She wondered what he was doing, where he was, who he was with...

I really miss him, her heart ached. I'll call him tomorrow. I don't need time. I need him.

She rushed back to her apartment, wanting to fall asleep so tomorrow would come sooner. When she reached the entrance to Apartment 13, a flash of white caught her eyes. Hanging just below the number on the door was a piece of paper, words printed on it from a computer:

'You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one'

You know exactly where I am. I hope you'll meet me. I'll be waiting. - R

Regina covered her mouth with her hand as she read the note again. She ran down the hall, not even bothering with the elevator, as she sprinted down the stairs. He was waiting for her. And she couldn't let him wait another second.

Regina stopped running when she reached her destination. Her breath was heavy, her heels in her hands as her bare feet pressed into the pavement. She listened, she waited. It was dark, the lack of light from the broken streetlight above her making it impossible to see. She pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight feature, pointing it in front of her.

That's when it happened. That's when she saw it: Robin standing over the peace sign mosaic in the concrete, the word 'Imagine' just in front of his toes. He was holding his guitar and didn't say anything. Instead he sang:

Something in the way she moves

Attracts me like no other lover

Something in the way she woos me

I don't want to leave her now

You know I believe and how

Something. One of her favorite songs. His voice was perfect, singing along to the sounds of midnight in Central Park. He skipped to the bridge of the song:

You're asking me will my love grow

I don't know, I don't know

You stick around now it may show

I don't know, I don't know

Suddenly, lights came on and surrounded them. She saw John holding his bass off to Robin's right, Killian to his left with his guitar, and Will seated behind his drum set. The song changed and it made her smile immediately:

Help! I need somebody,

Help! Not just anybody,

Help! You know I need someone, help!

They skipped right to the chorus, her heart beating so fast in her chest:

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down

And I do appreciate you being around

Help me get my feet back on the ground

Oh won't you please, please help me

The song changed again, the tempo much faster than the other songs. She laughed when she heard it, remembering when he texted the lyrics to her:

'Cause I've just seen a face

I can't forget the time or place where we just met

She's just the girl for me

And I want all the world to see we've met

Di-di-di-di di- di

Falling! Yes I am falling!

And she keeps calling,

Me back again.

Tears fell from her eyes as Robin stepped forward, the tempo slowing down as he sang directly into her chocolate irises:

To tell me:

All you need is love,

All you need is love,

All you need is love, love

Love is all you need

He repeated the chorus before letting the band continue on to the next song as he swung his guitar around to his back and sang:

And oh please, say to me

You'll let me be your man

And please, say to me

He held out his hand for her:

You'll let me hold your hand

Oh let me hold your hand

She placed her palm gently in his, both of them smiling ear to ear as she mouthed along to his voice:

I wanna hold your hand

The band played into a soft fade, leaving Robin to be the highlight of their final song. He knelt down in front of her on his knees, holding both her hands as he looked up at her:

Oh! Darling,

Please believe me

I'll never do you no harm

Believe me when I tell you,

I'll never do you no harm.

Oh! Darling,

If you leave me,

I'll never make it alone

Believe me when I beg you,

Don't ever leave me alone.

The band was completely silent then as he sang the next part a'cappella:

When you told me

You didn't need me anymore

Well you know I nearly fell down and cried.

When you told me

You didn't need me anymore

Well you know I nearly broke down and died.

The band came back in with a bang to finish out the song. Robin's voice had a rasp she never heard all the other times he sang. It was sexy.

He stood and was right against her, both hands grabbing each side of her face. The lyrics were pleading and so was he, tears filling his eyes as he stared desperately into hers:

Oh! Darling,

Please believe me,

I'll never let you down.

Believe me when I tell you,

I'll never do you no harm!

The music was gone, silence washing over them as they stood just beyond the mosaic peace sign and cried. She placed her hands on his hips and tugged on his shirt, unable to find her voice. She choked on her tears so Robin leaned down and kissed her. It was passionate, but more so in desperation and torment; their time apart leaving them feeling disheartened and tortured.

Her cries calmed and he apprehensively pulled away, leaving his forehead against hers. Regina took a deep breath and whispered, "I missed you."

"And I you," Robin replied, holding her tight to be sure she would never leave him alone again.