And nothing comes easy when everyone's rushing
The signal's got speed but there's no real connection
I tried reaching out but it was just my reflection 'til I
'Til I heard your voice in a dream

("I Heard Your Voice in a Dream," Smash)

Chapter 4: The Coma Patient

My alarm went off and I groaned, hitting it with more force than necessary. Besides me, Robin shifted closer and wrapped his arm around me. "Can't we cancel today?" he muttered.

"I wish," I replied, sighing. A chill clung to the air and the last thing I wanted to do was climb out of our warm bed.

But I had a son to get ready and ship off to school, so I pushed back the blankets and got up. I shivered as bumps rose on my skin immediately. "Ugh, it's so cold."

"I'll light the fire once I get up. Promise," he replied, stretching under the covers.

I chuckled. "I'll turn up the thermostat. That will work faster."

"Doubtful," he muttered, making me laugh more. He got out of bed and wrapped himself in his bathrobe. "I'll prove it to you."

Robin shuffled downstairs to light our fireplace as I pulled on my warmest sweater. It was dark green, reminding me of him and how he favored the color. Once my jeans were on, I walked over to Roland's room and opened the door.

He was sitting up in bed, rubbing his eyes. "It's too cold to go to school. Can't they just cancel it?"

I chuckled at how much he sounded like his father. "I'm afraid not. If they did that, you wouldn't go to school at all during the winter."

"That's okay," he said. But he climbed out of bed without further argument and let me help him get dressed for the day.

Once he was ready, we went downstairs and found Robin standing in front of a roaring fire. The room was already feeling nice and toasty, though I wasn't sure if it was the fire or the heating system. Perhaps it was both.

"Papa!" Roland ran up to his father, throwing his arms around him. Robin hugged him tightly and I saw a bit of sadness in eyes over the fact he couldn't pick the boy up anymore.

It passed though as Roland pulled away from Robin. He took his son's hand and headed toward the kitchen. "Are you ready for some breakfast?"

"Yes!" Roland exclaimed, skipping a bit. I followed into the kitchen and sat down at the table with him.

Robin opened the fridge. "What would you like, Roland?"

"Can I have scrambled eggs?" he asked.

We glanced at the clock and Robin nodded. "I think we have enough time for that. Regina?"

"Scrambled eggs sounds good," I replied before feeling a familiar crackle in the air. I braced myself for an armful of Rachel and a few seconds later, she appeared screaming bloody murder.

Wet and dirty, Mama. Please change, she pleaded with me.

I stood with a sigh. "I'll be right back. Keep my eggs warm, Robin."

"Of course, lovely," he called out as I carried Rachel into the living room. We had supplies in there for a diaper change and I put down the changing pad.

Lying Rachel on it, I began to change her dirty diaper. I cleaned her up and put her in a fresh one before conjuring a clean onesie for her. "There. I'm sure that feels much better, right?"

Yes, Mama. Love you.

"I love you, too," I said, picking her up and resting her against my shoulder. Her warm breath hit my neck as her little hand curled around the neckline of my shirt.

We returned to the kitchen and she clung to me as I sat down again. Robin placed my plate in front of me before holding out his hands. "Do you want to come to me, sweetheart?" he asked Rachel.

No. Stay with Mama. I looked up at Robin and shook my head. He nodded but before he could lower his arms, Emma popped into his grasp.

She laughed as he shook his head. "One day, I'll get used to having magical children, I swear. Come on, Emma. We'll go make Papa some scrambled eggs."

I chuckled as I dug into mine, Rachel still resting against me. Roland finished his eggs and pushed the plate away. "Can I be excused, Mama?"

"Of course, but only to wash your hands and put your shoes on. The school bus will be here soon."

He nodded, hurrying from the room and I knew he would do what I told him. Robin set Emma in her high chair with a bowl of Cheerios before he dived into his own eggs. By this point, I believed Rachel had fallen back asleep. Just another morning tableau of domestic bliss.

"You look happy today," he said.

I grinned, rubbing Rachel's back. "I am."

"Good," he replied as Roland returned. He had put on his coat and hat, showing me his clean hands.

"Let's get you into your gloves and scarf then get your backpack. Then you'll be all ready to go." I stood, ushering him toward the front door.

Once Roland was properly bundled against the cold weather, I opened the door to reveal the bus as it pulled up. "Right on time. Have a good day at school, sweetheart. I love you."

"Love you too, Mama." He kissed my cheek as well as Rachel's. Robin came over and kissed his forehead as Roland beamed at him. "Love you, Papa. Bye!"

"I love you, Roland. Have a good day!" Robin called out as Roland hurried down the walk. We watched as he boarded the bus and waved to us as it pulled away.

I closed the door and huddled closer to Robin for warmth. "Do you have to go to the center today?"

"Not until this afternoon. Why?" he asked.

"We never really talked about what happened in Storybrooke yesterday."

He shrugged. "What's there to talk about? We're going to have to go back there for at least a week and we're certain the Dark One still wants you. Seems to be business as usual if you ask me."

I wasn't fooled by his nonchalance. Not after knowing him for over two years. The tension in his jaw, the way he avoided my eyes and his voice going hoarser all signaled that he was upset.

Following him into the kitchen, I shifted Rachel in my arms. "Please talk to me, Robin. Remember our promise."

He paused, shoulders sagging before turned around. "I'm scared, Regina. It seems just when I thought I figured out the rules, they've changed again. Like we can't win."

"Don't talk like that." I wrapped my free arm around him, hugging him. "We'll figure it out. You'll see."

"I know, I know. I just let my nerves get to me." He kissed Rachel's head before mine. "I'm sorry."

I kissed his nose. "I understand. It's a bit stressful, isn't it? Why don't I put Rachel back in her crib and then we can play with Emma? I'm sure that will calm us down."

"Okay, but I'll put Rachel down. I need to change after all," he said, motioning to his bathrobe. He then took our daughter into his arms before smiling at me. "I'll be right back."

After a little while, Rachel woke up and I gave her a bottle. She sat on my lap, suckling, as we watched Robin and Emma play together. He pushed a ball to her and she would throw it back with all her might, laughing. They did this over and over, father and daughter having fun.

Once she finished her bottle, I held Rachel's Teddy bear in my hand and she grabbed its nose, giving it a squeeze. After a few shakes, she took the bear into her free arm and held it close. Teddy and I wanna play with Papa.

"Someone else requires your attention, Lord Locksley," I said, motioning to Rachel.

He grinned, rising to his knees and holding out his arms for her. "Come here, sweetheart."

She laughed as she pitched forward into his embrace, curling against him as he held her close. Robin kissed her forehead before taking Teddy from her. "What does my sweet girl want to do, hmm?"

As Rachel let out a peal of laughter, Emma rose to her chubby legs and wobbled over to me. "Mama!"

"Do you want to cuddle with me? I asked her.

"Mama!" she repeated, opening and closing her hands in a grabbing motion. I leaned closer, letting her latching onto my arm so she could hoist herself onto the couch.

I laid down with her, wrapping us up in the blanket I kept on the couch. She curled up against me, her blonde curls tickling my nose. I inhaled the sweet scent of her baby shampoo and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Emma."

Love you too, Mama. She sighed, busying herself with my necklace. As she wasn't yanking on the pearls, I let her spin them around to her heart's content.

My eyes fluttered closed and I enjoyed being with my family, but Snow flashed into my mind. She was living in Storybrooke, only a half hour away, and unaware that I was raising her daughter as my own. It seemed unfair.

Emma patted my cheek. Not naptime, Mama. Wake up.

"Leave Mama alone, Emma. She can rest her eyes if she wants to," Robin told her.

I opened my eyes, smiling at her. "It's okay. I'd rather look at this pretty little lady anyway."

Emma squirmed a bit, getting her hand loose from the blanket. She wiggled her fingers and the storybook landed on my legs in a cloud of white smoke. Storytime, Mama! Read to Emma.

My mouth fell open and I looked over at Robin. "She's getting more powerful," I said.

"I see," he replied with a nod. He looked as dazed as I felt.

Emma banged on the book, reminding me that she wanted a story. "I know, Emma. We need to work on your patience."

"Someone else wants to join in on story time," Robin said, carrying Rachel over. "I've been replaced by a book."

"Well, you can join us too," I said, picking up Emma so we could all fit on the couch. He laid down with Rachel next to us and held one side of the storybook.

Once we were situated, I smiled at my girls. "So, what story do you want today? How about Little Red Riding Hood?"

I want one with Papa! Emma told me. She must've sent something to Rachel because her sister was soon agreeing with her.

"Okay, then we'll forget Little Red Riding Hood and move onto Robin Hood, by popular demand."

Robin chuckled and kissed Rachel's head. "I love my girls."

I found the page with the picture of me and Robin. "How about I tell you how Mama and Papa met? One night, a young woman named Regina Mills got lost in the woods as a strange wind blew about her…"

After story time, I left the girls with Robin as I went to the kitchen to prepare lunch for the four of us. I took my time as I knew he would have to get ready and leave for work once we were done. This morning had been so relaxing I didn't want it to end.

But soup was a quick meal and the girls still were only eating mashed foods, so lunch was ready sooner than I wanted. Robin carried Emma and Rachel in, one in each arm, and settled them down in their highchairs. He wrapped his arms around me for a quick hug. "This has been a great morning," he whispered.

"I know," I replied. "Can't we call out and make it a great afternoon as well?"

"You know I only save that for times when I really need to call out. Like if someone was sick. And since Roland was just sick, I'd love to but…"

I sighed. "I get it. Go ahead. Leave me and go to work."

He chuckled, kissing me before grabbing Rachel's and Emma's lunches. I ladled soup for us both and set them on the table.

Our phone rang before I could sit down and I sighed. Robin tried to stand but I shook my head. "You eat. I'll get it."

He looked ready to argue but thought better, sitting down and diving into his soup. I hurried to the phone and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Locksley? This is Sheriff Nott from Storybrooke." His smug voice made me want to punch him through the phone. "I'm calling about your community service as well as your husband's."

"How did you get this number?" I asked in hiss. "We didn't give it to you and our lawyer made it clear you were supposed to call him."

I swore the Sheriff's voice grew smugger. "I have my ways. Anyway, Mr. Locksley will be reporting to me for garbage duty tomorrow morning and you will be reporting to the hospital," he said.

I frowned. Did I want to be around Robin's father for a whole week? Even without his memories, I was certain he would watch me like a hawk. But what choice did I have? "Of course. What time are we expected?"

"Nine o'clock should work. Don't be late." He hung up without saying goodbye and I rolled my eyes. Joe was going to hear about this, though I doubted there would be much he could do in town with Zelena as the mayor.

Robin gave me a concerned look as I approached the table. I relayed the sheriff's message to him and he rolled his eyes. "He probably wants to torture me even if can't remember why. And I'm less than pleased to send you to the same place as my father, even if he can't remember as well."

"I'll be fine. I might be paired with Snow," I replied, sitting down. "Wouldn't that be something? Like old times. Kinda."

"Except she won't remember you."

"Hence the kinda."

Robin nodded. "Right. But do you think you can handle that? You two were so close."

I sighed. "I know. But I really have no other choice, right?"

"Well, you said Mary Margaret is a teacher. She'll probably be at school while you're at the hospital. So stay on guard," Robin warned me.

"I will. You do the same."

He took my hand and kissed it. "I will. I promise.

"I need to get ready for work. I will see you three later." He stood and kissed my forehead before kissing Rachel's and Emma's. I watched him leave the kitchen and sighed.

It was going to be an interesting week.

I took the storybook into the bed with me that night, flipping through the pages as Robin got ready for bed. As he pulled on the t-shirt he slept in, he frowned at me. "Is something wrong?"

"I was hoping that maybe the answer will magically appear here," I replied with a sigh. "I'm insane, aren't I?"

"You're desperate. We both are." He climbed into bed and scooted closer to me. "We want to help our friends."

I leaned against him, looking at the page with Charming and Snow's wedding. "I miss them so much."

He kissed the top of my head. "I do too. But we can save Snow, reunite her with her daughter and support her as she finally grieves Charming's loss. Because you know the curse is delaying that."

"I know. But how does one recover after the loss of their True Love?"

Robin shrugged. "I guess with the help of one's friends."

"I guess," I replied, putting the book aside. I wrapped my arms around him, straddling him. "I love you."

He ran his fingers through my hair, giving me a soft smile. "I love you too, milady."

I kissed him and reached underneath his pajama pants. He stilled my hand, though, as he broke the kiss. "Not now, lovely. You have these days marked in red on your calendar."

"Right," I groaned. To avoid getting pregnant for a while, I was tracking my ovulation and avoiding sex on those days.

He pulled down my underwear though, smirking. "But we can have fun in other ways."

"What?" I asked before he pulled me forward until my thighs framed his face. I moaned as his tongue brushed against my clit. "Oh."

I grabbed our headboard as his continued to lap at my clit, his hands firm on my thighs as he feasted on me. My eyes fluttered closed as my breathing grew shallower. Each suck and lick sent a fresh wave of pleasure coursing through me and I felt my body start to shake in anticipation of my release.

Releasing the headboard, I brought one hand to my breast and began teasing my nipple. It sent a jolt of pleasure down to the warmth pooling deep in me and I moved to the other. As I tweaked it, I knew I getting close. "Robin…"

In response, he gave the nub of nerves a hard suck and I swallowed down a shout. Rather, I mewled as my orgasm crashed through me. Robin slowed his licks as I came down from the high.

He rolled me onto the bed and stroked my hair, kissing my neck. "How was that, lovely?"

"Wonderful," I panted. "Give me a few minutes and I'll be able to take care of you."

"Takes as long as you need." He kissed the underside of my jaw. "We have all night for this."

"Not really. We need to be in Storybrooke by nine. So we'll have to leave here by eight-thirty. And we need our sleep." I rolled onto my stomach and began to roll down his pajama pants.

He swallowed as I released his half-hard cock. "So what…what are your plans, milady?" he asked.

"I plan to give you an amazing blowjob and then cuddle with you as we fall asleep. How does that sound?" I wrapped my fingers around his cock and began pumping lazily.

"Wonderful," he replied, voice hoarse with want. He reached back and grabbed the headboard in anticipation.

I pumped a few more times before taking him into my mouth. He groaned as I worked his cock with hand and mouth, my tongue swirling over his tip. Robin did his best to keep his hips from bucking, making sure not to choke me. However, I had a surprise up my sleeve.

Relaxing my gag reflex like Lucy taught me, I took him deeper into my throat. He let out a shout before muffling it. I hummed, feeling him tremble as his knees locked. Keeping my pace with my hand, I felt him drawing close to his own orgasm.

I pulled back to swirl his tip with my tongue again, toying with him. His back arched as he came, spilling into my mouth. I swallowed every drop before releasing him with a soft pop.

He handed me a tissue and I wiped my mouth as I stretched out next to him. "How was that?"

"Amazing," he replied, kissing my forehead. "You are a goddess."

"Keep that up and I'll get a big head." I kissed him, letting the taste of him mingle with the taste of me on his tongue.

He hummed before pulling away. "I only speak the truth, milady."

I chuckled before pulling the blankets over us. "Well, my faithful devotee, your goddess commands you to get some sleep."

"Then I shall obey." He nuzzled me before kissing right behind my ear as he curled around me. "Good night, Regina."

I was back in the palace but this time it was destroyed. Windows were shattered and the floor was littered with pieces of the glass. They crunched under my boots as I avoided the remains of what had been furniture. Moonlight was the only illumination and the palace was deathly quiet.

This had to be the palace after the curse was cast as the clouds of magic seemed to be doing significant damage while it was billowing around us. And there also appeared to be no one around, meaning everyone was taken by the curse.

Opening a door, I entered the destroyed nursery. Emma's crib sat broken in the middle of the room but there was no sign of the glass unicorn mobile Snow had lovingly hung over it. As I glanced around, I spotted Charming's body still on the floor. My heart hurt for him. There was no one to give him a proper funeral or even to bury him. He would rot away alone in a ruined palace.

I knelt next to him and took his cold hand in mine. "I'm so sorry, Charming. You deserve better."

His eyes opened and his hand grabbed mine. "Find me," he croaked. "Please."

"What do you mean? Where are you?" I squeezed his hand, leaning closer.

Charming's eyes closed again, though, and his body grew still. All that was left was his cryptic plea.

Robin drove us to Storybrooke the next morning. We both felt the familiar jolts as we crossed the town line and I continued to wonder what it meant. "Maybe it knows we were in the Enchanted Forest?" he suggested.

"Maybe," I agreed before sighing. "Nothing about this place makes sense."

"I don't think it's supposed to. It was created by a curse."

"Good point."

He pulled up to the hospital, only idling as I leaned over to kiss him. "Good luck," he said.

"You too. And don't kill the Sheriff. Zelena would be very happy to throw you in prison at last." I gave him a stern look.

"I know. I promise to be on my best behavior." He watched as I climbed out of the car and I watched as he drove off, praying everything would go well.

The automatic doors opened and I stepped into the lobby, approaching Nurse Ratchet again. "Hello, I'm here for mandated community service," I told her. "Regina Locksley."

"Right. Mr. Hunter wanted to see you. I'll call up to his secretary," she said, picking up the phone.

My stomach turned at the thought of having to work with Robin's father for a week. But I would put up with it. Then I would hopefully have to never see him again.

Robert Hunter got off the elevator with a smug expression on his face. "Mrs. Locksley, so nice to see you again."

"I wish I could say the same." I crossed my arms. "So what will it be? Bed pan duty?"

He looked surprised. "How did you guess?"

"I know a bit about hospitals. That's usually the worst job. But bring it. I used to empty my father's." I swallowed down a sob as I thought of Daddy in his hospital bed, frail and so small.

"Well, I'll bring you to the ward you'll be working on. Follow me." He turned and stalked away, not looking back to see if I was keeping up.

I boarded the elevator with him and he hit the button for the eighth floor. "This is for our long-term patients, the ones who need special care. There aren't many of them but they have enough to keep you busy for a few hours."

"That's fine," I replied. "I know my way around a hospital."

He raised an eyebrow. "Used to work in one?"

"Took care of a sick relative." That was all I was going to offer him and really, all he needed to know.

We got off the elevator and he brought me to another nurse, who he introduced as Serena. I recognized her as my faithful maid from the Enchanted Forest, Ilsa, and nearly wept to know she was safe at least.

"Serena, Mrs. Locksley can strip the beds and put on fresh linen for today. That should take a couple hours, right?" Robert asked her.

She nodded, voice small and shaking when she answered: "Yes, but most of the beds are clean."

"Doesn't matter. Just keep her busy. Got it?"

"Yes, sir," Ilsa squeaked.

He turned on his heels and stalked away, leaving me alone with her. I turned toward Ilsa and smiled. "Whatever you need, I'll do it. Don't worry."

"Okay," she replied, leaving the desk. "I guess we could strip the beds like he said. Not that anyone really needs them. We really have only one patient."

I shrugged. "I guess it's busy work. Right?"

Nodding, Ilsa led me inside the ward. There were two separate rooms, one filled with about ten beds and then a private room. It was dark in there and I figured that's where the only patient was being kept.

"So what's up with the lone patient?" I asked her as we began to strip the first bed.

She sighed. "The mayor brought him in about a year ago after she found him on the side of the road. He has no identification so we just call him John Doe. He's been in a coma since."

I frowned, not sure I trusted Zelena not to have done something to this man. But who was he?

We worked well together, stripping and changing the beds easily. Ilsa showed me where the laundry chute was and told me someone would wash them deep under the hospital. "Maybe that's where I'll end up tomorrow," I mused.

"Maybe. But you're still with me for now. And it's going to take both of us to strip John Doe's bed. An orderly should be up to help us move him," Ilsa replied.

I grew excited to see who the mystery patient really was. The elevator opened and I was surprised to see Little John step out, dressed in the white scrubs of an orderly. He grinned. "Morning, Serena! Who's your friend?"

"This is Regina Locksley," Ilsa said, pointing to me.

"You met my husband on Halloween?" I offered.

His eyes lit up. "Robin! Good man. I was hoping to see him again. Is he around?"

"No," I said. "He's doing service elsewhere."

John nodded, understanding. "Who's bad side did you get on?"

"Mr. Hunter and the Sheriff," I responded. "And probably the mayor."

He grimaced and even Ilsa looked sympathetic. "All you needed to do was piss off Gold and you'd hit the entire town," John said.

"I've met Gold and would rather stay far, far away from him."

"It'll be difficult," Ilsa replied. "He owns most of the town. Some say he's the reason Mayor West keeps staying in office."

Little John glanced around and lowered his voice. "We should probably change the subject. The walls have ears, you know."

Ilsa nodded and I glanced around, wondering if Lord Robert had listening devices in the walls. He would now have knowledge of the technology of this world and I wouldn't put it past him to take lessons from the Soviets.

"Let's get Mr. Doe's bed changed!" Little John clapped his hands before holding one out to me. "I'm Ian, by the way."

He was never going to be "Ian" to me but I nodded and smiled anyway. I followed him and Ilsa into the darkened room, watching as she turned up the lights. There was a single bed with a lone figure lying in it. John Doe was attached to a few machines, most letting out steady beats as his body functions held firm. Even without medical training, I could tell the only thing wrong with him was that he was in a coma.

John wheeled in another bed. "We'll transfer him here, strip his bed and remake it. Then we can move him so he doesn't get any bedsores."

"Of course." I was very familiar with bedsores and the problems they posed after caring for my father.

Little John and Ilsa got everything ready to transfer John Doe, allowing me to get a good look at him. He was pale with short blond hair. Even though his eyes were closed, I knew they were a deep blue color. I gripped the railing of his bed and gaped at him.

For I knew who John Doe really was—Prince Charming, in this world and alive.

A/N: There you go! Charming is still alive but in a coma, just like in the show. Now he just has to wake up and Regina has to get him with Snow again!

My work conference was great and now that I'm home, I'm buckling down to finish the next part of Comfort Food. I plan to have it up by the end of the week. So there's something else to look forward to!

Have a good week!

-Mac