I'm not ready to make nice
I'm not ready to back down
I'm still mad as hell, and I don't have time
To go 'round and 'round and 'round

("Not Ready to Make Nice," Dixie Chicks)

Chapter 5: The Pawnshop

"Charming's alive?" Robin's eyes grew wide and hope shined in them. "Oh, thank the gods."

I nodded, sitting down next to him on the couch. "But he's in a coma. I don't know what will happen when we break the curse, though. It may be the only thing keeping him alive."

He sighed, pulling me close. "That might just have to be a chance we're willing to take. At least Snow will get to say goodbye and we can give him a proper funeral."

"I guess." I toyed with a loose thread on his shirt. "I had a strange dream the other night though."

"Oh? What about?"

I leaned closer as I told him. "I think it was Charming trying to tell me he's still alive. I found him. What if my dreams aren't dreams? I kept dreaming about Zelena. What if she was trying to reach out to me?"

He turned to face me, placing both hands on my cheeks as he stared into my eyes. "Do you think you can keep her out?"

"I don't know," I whispered. "And that scares me."

"It scares me too," he admitted. He dropped his hands to take mine. "Why don't you check your books? Maybe they have something that can help?"

I shrugged. "I guess it couldn't hurt."

He kissed my forehead before lying us down. Robin covered us with a blanket as I snuggled closer to him. "Why do you think she can invade my dreams?" I asked.

"I don't know. But I don't want her anywhere near your head. She can mess with it and I don't want that for you."

I closed my eyes. "I'm also scared about the Dark One. He's so hard to read and I don't know what he wants…"

"Don't think of him. We can continue ignoring him while we're in Storybrooke."

"He's going to find me. I can just feel it."

Robin pulled me even closer. "Hush. We're safe here, you're safe in my arms. So just relax for now."

I sighed, fisting his t-shirt. "Things were so much simpler a year ago."

"For you, maybe." He dropped a kiss in my hair before chuckling.

"Okay, I'll give you that one," I replied, chuckling as well. "But at least we were safe."

He sighed this time. "True."

"How did you do it? How did you live with so much danger in your life back in the Enchanted Forest?"

"I always had something worth protecting. My men, our treasure, Marian, Roland, the camp, you…"

"And now?"

He rolled over and hovered over me. "I still have you, milady, and Roland. And now I have Emma and Rachel. You are all worth protecting."

"And who will protect you? Your men don't remember who you are or their loyalty to you."

Robin shrugged. "I'll be fine."

"Promise?"

He was silent for a time, letting himself fall back against the couch. "I can't," he said at last. "I don't know what will happen."

I sighed, sliding my hand under his sweater and t-shirt to rest it over his heart. "Then promise to do your best to come home to me. How's that?"

"Okay, I can promise that." He kissed my nose. "Now, no more talk of this. I'll go put on some music and then we'll just snuggle. How's that?"

"You're the best," I replied, letting him stand up. I got up as well. "How about I make us some hot chocolate as well?"

He stopped me, plopping me back down on the couch. "Oh no. I want both our hands free for snuggling."

I laughed, wriggling under him as he wrapped his arms around me. "Well, then, I think I'm going to be really glad the children are in bed."

"Oh, yes." He kissed my neck and I relaxed against him, letting his hands wander my body.

As I suspected, I was actually sent down to the hospital laundry room the next day. My manager down there was a redheaded woman with a scowl—Hilda, who had never liked me in the Enchanted Forest since she wanted Robin to be her husband. She hated that I had won his heart so easily, even when I didn't want it at first as I was still in love with Daniel.

"I don't have time for people like you in my workspace," she snapped once Lord Robert left me with her.

I scowled. "Trust me, the feeling is mutual. So just show me what to do and then leave me alone. We'll both be happy that way."

"Whatever. Follow me and pay attention as I'm only going to show you this once." Hilda led me toward the machines and explained everything I needed to do.

Once she was done, she stalked off and left me alone. I breathed out in relief and put up the first load of sheets. With some time to kill, I began folding a load that had been done the night before.

Little John wandered down, grimacing when he saw me. "Got stuck on laundry duty this time?"

"Unfortunately," I sighed.

"Is Hannah treating you right?" He jerked his thumb in Hilda's direction. "I can have a word with her."

I shook my head. "We're fine. I leave her alone; she leaves me alone. It's a fine system."

"Okay. But if you need any help…"

"Ian! What are you doing?" Hilda stormed over, crossing her arms as she glared at you. "I don't need you distracting Regina, so if you have a purpose…"

He held up his hands. "I came for fresh linens for the second floor, that's all! And I can't say hi to a new friend?"

"No." Hilda shoved some clean lines into his arms, sending him reeling backwards. "Now go!"

John held onto the linens as he gave me a look. He then fled the laundry as Hilda turned on me.

"Do not talk to the staff. Got it?" She poked me to emphasize her point.

I nodded. "Whatever you want."

"Good. Now get back to work." Hilda stalked off and I returned to the washers, determined to get through the day and away from her.

When Hilda let me go for the day, I hurried up to the eighth floor. Ilsa smiled as I got off the elevator. "You survived Hannah!"

"Yes, I did." I leaned against the counter. "How was your day?"

She shrugged. "A bit boring without you. But I thought you would've run out of here. Why are you here?"

"To see you and John Doe. Does anyone just…sit with him?" I asked.

Ilsa shook her head. "No one really does."

"How sad. I heard that talking to someone in a coma can help. So I think I'll go talk with Mr. Doe for a bit. Is that okay?"

She shrugged. "I don't see why not. Go ahead."

"Thank you," I told her, heading toward Charming's room. I took a seat by his bedside and took his hand.

"It's so good to see you again, Charming," I said, keeping my voice low. "You gave us all a scare, you know. Robin and I thought you were dead.

"We have Emma, just like you asked me. It took us some time, but we got her. She's a year old now and starting to talk. And walk. She's getting so fast, it's hard to keep up sometimes. And she has magic, just like me. So that's been interesting getting used to."

I took a deep breath before continuing: "Snow is here. She's a school teacher named Mary Margaret. I don't know if True Love's Kiss can work here, but if I can get her to your bedside, I'll have her give it a try. You two deserve to be together, just like Robin and I got to be."

Someone, most likely Ilsa, knocked on the door. My time was up for now, so I squeezed Charming's hand. "I'll be back. I'm not going to abandon you now that I know you're okay."

I stood and slipped out of the room. John stood outside, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, but we have to change his linens and reposition him."

"That's okay, I should go meet my husband. I hope I see you tomorrow," I told him.

He nodded. "And don't let Hannah get to you."

I smiled. "I won't. She can boss me around as much as she wants if it makes her feel important. I'm not going to break."

"Of course not. You're probably going to break her." John gave me a wink.

"Maybe," I said, playing along. I then glanced at Charming's room. "Take care of him, okay? I feel for him."

"I know. Tell Robin I said hi." John slipped into the room and I headed to the elevator, wondering if there was anything else I could do for Charming.

The answer was revealed when the elevator doors opened at the lobby. Snow was waiting to board and her green eyes widened when she saw me. "Regina! What are you doing here?"

"Mayor imposed community service," I replied. "I'm on my way out though."

She let out a disappointed sigh. "Darn. I was hoping to talk with you, get to know you better."

"Really? Why?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I just feel drawn to you."

"Well, we'll have to arrange a lunch or something." I smiled at her before continuing: "I hope you don't mind me being forward, but can I ask a favor?"

"Of course!" She perked up at the thought of being able to help me. "What is it?"

"There's a coma patient on the eighth floor, a John Doe. I was talking to him earlier, but I know I can't always. Do you think you could also visit him?"

Her eyes widened more. "Of course! He has nobody else?"

"Right now, just me. No one knows who he is." Well, I did but I couldn't just blurt out that he was Prince Charming. Everyone would think I was nuts.

"How sad, to have nobody." Snow's eyes grew misty and worried that she would start crying in the hospital's lobby.

I took her hand. "So you'll sit with him every now and then?"

She nodded. "I will. Maybe I'll read to him as well."

"That sounds like a good idea," I replied. "Just hearing another human voice will probably do wonders."

"Of course. I'll make sure to stop by before I leave today. Thank you, Regina," she said, boarding the elevator with a bounce in her step.

As the doors closed, I smiled. "No, thank you."

Robin and I had agreed to meet at Granny's for a quick bite to eat before driving back home. He sat at a booth in the back, a mug of coffee in front of him while he stared off into the distance. I could tell from the moment I walked in that he was exhausted. The Sheriff must've been working him hard.

"Do you want me to drive home?" I asked, sliding in across from him.

He nodded, yawning. "If you don't mind."

"Of course not." I reached out and took his hands. "What is the Sheriff making you do?"

"Garbage duty, picking up trash from every inch of Storybrooke while he watches me from his car." Robin took a sip from his mug.

I sighed. "I was doing laundry. With Hilda."

He made a face. "She's here?"

"Why are you surprised? Everyone's here. By the way, John says hi."

"He's at the hospital?" Robin smiled and I saw some tension leave his shoulders. "I feel better knowing he's around you, memories or not."

I smiled, nodding. "I do feel better having him and Ilsa around."

"So many people…" He sighed.

Red bounded up to our table, smile bright. "Can I get you anything?"

"Some more coffee?" Robin asked, holding out his mug. He glanced at me. "Regina? You want anything?"

I glanced up at Red, biting my lip. "Don't tell the kids, but can you bring us two slices of that apple pie I see sitting at the counter? With whip cream?"

She nodded before winking at Robin. "Two slices of apple pie coming right up along with your refill, handsome."

Robin blinked at her before sighing, glaring at his coffee. I placed my hand on his arm. "What's wrong?"

"I want to punch the Sheriff in the face," he replied. "He just sits there and smirks at me, like he knows he once again has Robin Hood in his grasp."

"Do you think he has his memories then?"

He shook his head. "I think it's his…what did you call it? Subconscious?"

I nodded. "It might be. I think we might jog their subconscious once we meet them. Snow, John…Hilda."

"She still hates you?"

"Absolutely." I stopped talking as Red set down our slices of apple pies and refilled Robin's coffee. Glancing up at her, I smiled. "Thank you."

She gave me a small smile but still addressed her response to Robin. "If you need anything, just wave me down."

Once she was gone, we dug into our apple pies. I sighed as the sweet yet tart flavors filled my mouth. "This is so good."

"Yours is better," Robin replied, "but this is good enough."

We continued eating and he sipped at his coffee as the diner grew more crowded for the dinner rush. I put my fork down and sighed. "You ready to head out?"

"Leaving so soon, Mrs. Locksley?" The familiar voice sent a shiver running down my spine.

Robin tensed up as I turned to find the Dark One standing next to our booth. His eyes once again bore into me as I said: "Mr. Gold."

"Where are you two off to?" he asked us.

I frowned. "Home. We don't live here, remember?"

"Right, right. Though there are some homes up for sale. Storybrooke is a wonderful place to live." He grinned at us.

We shook our heads. "We're happy where we are. Now please excuse us," Robin said, standing.

The Dark One blocked our way though. "I just want one conversation," he said in a low tone.

"No," I said. "Now please let us leave."

Robin wrapped his arm around my waist, suddenly more alert. He held me close as he stared down the Dark One. "Move."

"We will talk," the Dark One warned. He turned and limped away.

Giving me a little pull, Robin urged me to walk further. "Do not make eye contact with anyone. We are going to pay Granny, leave Red a tip and then go."

I nodded, doing everything he said. But I could still feel the Dark One's eyes on me, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up until we were out of Granny's and safe in our car.

Roland curled next to me as he sounded out the word in his book. His reading was improving every day and I was proud of him, though I dreaded the day he didn't need me to read to him anymore. I would miss these moments, the two of us curled up on his bed together.

"Mama?" he asked once the book was finished, looking up at me with his wide brown eyes.

I kissed his forehead. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"How are our friends? Are they okay in Storybrooke?"

"They are okay. John is still as jovial as ever, Snow is kind and sweet and Granny makes an apple pie almost as good as me."

Roland chuckled before growing thoughtful. "Are they happy? Like we are?"

"Like us? No, I don't think so," I replied, pulling him closer. "But we're going to make sure they get their happy endings back."

"But what about the Princess? Can she have a happy ending without the prince?" Roland asked me.

I ran my fingers through his curls, remembering he was in Robin's arms when Charming took what we thought was his last breath. "The prince is here," I told him. "He's sleeping but he's alive. He and the princess can have their happy ending with Emma."

Roland frowned. "Does that mean she won't be my sister anymore? That she won't live with us?"

That made me pause. It was something I hadn't contemplated before. If we managed to break the curse before Emma was twenty-eight, no doubt Snow and Charming would want to be her parents. Could Robin and I give her up? And would she understand why we were giving her to other people?

"Mama?" Roland prompted me, almost lying on top of me.

"She'll always be your sister," I replied, certain of that. "But as for where she'll live…we'll figure that out when we need to."

He nodded, his eyes starting to flutter closed. "I love you, Mama."

"I love you too, sweetheart." I kissed his forehead and eased him onto the bed. "Good night."

Roland moaned something that I think was a good night as I slipped from his room, turning off the lights on my way out. I checked on my girls next, finding both asleep in their cribs.

I stood by Emma's, watching her sleep. Could I let her go after over a year or more of raising her? Would she accept other people as her parents? How would we go forward once Charming and Snow had their memories?

"Regina? Love, is something wrong?" Robin's thumb brushed against my cheek. It was then I realized I was crying.

"Roland asked me what would happen to Emma once the spell was broken…Would she still be his sister or…" My sobs over took my words and I turned to him, burying my face into his strong chest. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me as I cried. Robin whispered soothing words to me as he urged me forward, taking me back to our room.

He laid me down on our bed and continued to hold me. My sobs subsided until I was just sniffling, clutching onto his shirt. "I don't want to lose her," I whispered.

"We won't lose her," he told me. "We'll always be a part of her life. Our roles might just change…"

His voice trailed off and I looked up, finding a pained look in his eyes. Robin blew out before saying: "Shit."

"You thinking about it too?"

"Yeah," he replied. "My head knows Charming is her father but my heart tells me I am. And that you're her mother."

I groaned, rolling onto my back as I covered my eyes with my hand. "We've created a right mess, haven't we?"

"I think we're worrying about something that we don't have to right now." He kissed the side of my head.

Sighing, I nodded. "You're right. I was going to give you a massage. Roll over."

"You don't have to do that tonight."

"I want to. It'll be a good distraction. Especially if it leads to…other distractions." I hopped off the bed to retrieve my lavender oils.

He took off his shirt and laid down on the bed. "I don't know how this will lead to those kind of distractions. It can't be very stimulating for you."

"Oh, you'd be surprised," I said, pulling off my own clothes. "You make the same sounds you do right before you come, you know."

"I do?"

I nodded, straddling him as I rubbed some oils between my hands. "Remember when I gave you a massage in the palace? When your father came? You fell asleep and I locked myself in the water closet to pleasure myself."

"You did? Well, this time I promise to stay up so you don't have resort to that," he said.

"No, fall asleep if you have to. I feel like you need it." Especially as I had just hit a particular big knot in his back. He let out a moan as I worked through it, kneading his back as the smell of lavender wafted over us. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what?" His voice was muffled as he murmured into his pillow.

I rolled my eyes. "About what has you so tense? You don't really talk about your community service."

He shrugged, his muscles moving under my hands. "There's not much to talk about. I'm walking alongside of the road in the cold, picking up trash, while the Sheriff follows behind me in his car. Every so often, I swear he tosses something out the window so he can tell me I missed something."

"Is that all he does? He doesn't taunt you?"

"No," he replied, groaning as I hit another knot. "I don't think he has his memories. I'm just the nuisance outsider he has to babysit."

"So he bullies you to pass the time?"

"Probabl…oh, don't stop that, Regina," he moaned.

I grinned, working through the last of his knots. "There. I think I got everything. How do you feel now?"

"Very, very good. Now come over here so I can cuddle with you," he replied. I could see his satisfied smirk as he rested his cheek against the pillow.

"Cuddle? That's all?" I laid down next to him, revealing I was only in my bra and panties.

He swallowed, reaching out to place a hand on my stomach. "Oh, I really want to do more, milady. But I'm afraid I do not have the energy."

"To be honest, neither do I." I pulled the blanket over us as he melded our bodies together. As our legs intertwined, I tucked my head under his chin. "This is the perfect end to such a busy day."

"Indeed." He kissed my forehead.

"Oh, did I tell you that I have Snow reading to Charming now?"

He hummed. "Trying to stir up their True Love?"

I nodded, curling closer to him. "And so that neither are so lonely as well."

"Of course," he replied. "I hope Zelena doesn't catch wind of what you did. She might punish you even more."

"For what? Snow and Charming aren't going to break the curse."

"True. But the whole point was for everyone to not be happy. If Snow manages to wake Charming…"

I sighed. "They'll both be happy. She may retaliate against them."

"We'll have to see what comes of this," he said, kissing me again. "But for now, sleep. Good night, lovely."

Sleep tugged at me and as I breathed in Robin's woodsy scent mixed with my lavender oils, I drifted off.

"I heard today's your last day of community service," Hilda told me, glaring the moment I entered the laundry room.

I nodded. "You'll never have to see me again."

"Good," she replied, heading back to her station. "Just be quiet like you have been and we'll get through this."

That was something I couldn't agree with more. So I went over to my washer and put in a new load of linens. Hopefully, the day went by fast.

I took a seat, pulling out a book. While I dared not bring my magic books here, there was still plenty of reading I could get done as I waited for the washer to finish. However, I made certain to not become oblivious to my surroundings. That seemed dangerous here in Storybrooke.

"Hannah? Can I speak with Regina?" I heard Little John ask.

Glancing up, I saw John standing there. He looked at me, nervous for some reason. I frowned, worried about why he was looking for me.

Hilda looked over at me before turning back to John. "Is it important, Ian?"

"I don't know," he replied. "Gold's asking for her, though."

My stomach twisted into knots and I scowled. "I don't want anything to do with him. You can tell him that."

Hilda shook her head. "He's a very important person, Regina. You should probably go talk to him."

"I don't live here. Why should I give a fuck?" I opened my book back up and pretended to read as nonchalantly as I could.

"Language," Hilda chided. "And don't be a child. Just go see what he wants. It could be good."

"Doubtful," I muttered, closing my book again. I placed it on my chair and stormed over to where John was waiting for me.

We boarded the elevator together and he turned to me. "You already hate Gold that much? As you said, you don't even live here!"

"We have a past I'd rather not get into," I said, trying not to lie. "And the few run-ins I've had so far haven't been so great either."

He nodded. "Sounds like Gold alright."

The elevator doors opened and I found Gold waiting for me in the waiting room. How appropriate.

"Mrs. Locksley," he said, leaning on his cane. "I was told this is your last day of community service."

"It is. Why do you care?"

"Because it might be the last day you're here in Storybrooke."

I didn't say anything, though I knew Robin and I would be back even after our punishments were over. We couldn't just leave our friends.

Gold cleared his throat before continuing: "Perhaps you can stop by my store before you leave?"

"I'll have to check with my husband."

"Not with the thief," he said and at that moment, I knew. He had his memories.

I glared at him. "Why do you want to talk to me, Dark One?"

"I think you know why," he growled. He straightened up and schooled his face into a neutral expression. "I just want to talk."

"I don't want to hear anything you have to say." I started to walk away.

Gold grabbed my arm. "I think it's in your best interest to talk to me later in my shop."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I'm strongly suggesting it," he hissed before letting me go. "I'll see you later, Lady Locksley."

Without waiting for my reply, he limped off. The sound of his cane hitting the tiled floor echoed around me and I held my breath until I could hear it no more. I let it out slowly before returning to the laundry room.

If Hilda noticed that I was trembling when I returned, she didn't say anything.

When my time at the hospital was up, I left and got directions to Gold's pawnshop from Nurse Ratchet. I walked there, using the time to gather up my courage. Part of me wanted to run to where Robin was picking up trash and bring him with me, but Gold had said not to bring him. I knew he had his memories but wasn't sure about his magic, so I didn't want to risk anything.

As I turned the corner, I spotted Gold standing outside his store. He was watching someone across the street and I followed his line of sight. A young brunette walked down the opposite side walk wearing a short and tight black skirt, a red shirt that fell off her shoulders and a black tank top underneath it. Her hair was teased up and she wore several necklaces around her neck. She strutted in stiletto heels, impressing me…until I realized who it was.

"Is that Belle?" I asked him, motioning to the young woman.

He nodded, eyes never leaving her until she disappeared inside the florist. "She goes by Lacey French here. Her father owns that shop."

"She's…wow."

"I tried to give her a book. She tossed it out and told me to shove off. She called me an old geezer." There was pain in his voice and I almost felt bad for him.

I crossed my arms. "Is that why you wanted to see me? Are you hoping I can get you and Lacey together?"

He shook his head. "She'll never want me as Lacey. She'll want someone like the Sheriff."

"The Sheriff? He's interested in her?" Lacey seemed to be the furthest thing from what I knew of Marian. Of course, the Sheriff was also without his memories of her.

"Only when he's not warming the mayor's bed," Gold said, heading inside. "Just like he used to when she was the queen."

I stopped, surprised. "The Sheriff used to sleep with the Queen? I thought he was in love with Marian?"

"He was," Gold confirmed. "Or he thought he was. But the Queen was in love with him once upon a time, before she focused her attentions…elsewhere."

Confused, I waited for him to offer more information. He seemed lost in thought and a sick feeling settled in my stomach at the thought that the Queen possibly fell in love with him. Oh, well, I never thought she had good taste anyway. "Well?" I prompted.

He looked up, eyes focusing as if he forgot I was there. "Well what?"

"Well, what happened with the Queen? I take it she was rebuffed?"

"Yes," he replied. "She didn't take it well. Fled to the palace and tried to rekindle what she had with the Sheriff."

I leaned against the counter. "I take it by then he already fancied himself in love with Marian?"

Gold nodded. "And so when he orchestrated Marian's arrest in hopes of stealing her from your thief, the Queen orchestrated her death."

It felt like a cold hand was squeezing my heart. The first time I had heard about Marian's death, it had made me sick. But to now know she wasn't just killed because she defied the Queen but because the Sheriff loved her, it made me even sicker than I thought possible. I grabbed the counter, trying to get my breathing under control.

"Are you okay, Mrs. Locksley?" he asked me, almost sounding concerned.

"I just need a minute." I took a few deep breaths before standing up. "Did the Sheriff know?"

Gold shrugged. "He probably had his suspicions but there wasn't much he could do except return to the Queen's bed."

"What about the man who rebuffed her as well? What did she do to him?"

A cold look came to his eyes. "She imprisoned his true love, made him think she was dead and then turned him into her puppet."

"So it was you," I replied. "That's why Belle was in that awful cell for all those months."

He nodded. "Now, are you done gossiping?"

I shrugged. "I guess so. What did you really want with me? Why are you so fascinated by me?"

"All in good time, dearie," he laughed, almost sounding like his old self. "That's not why I invited you here."

"Of course not. Then why did you?"

"I wanted to talk."

I almost slapped him. "That's what we've been doing."

"Right." Gold leaned forward now. "I know how you escaped the curse. But how did your thief and his son do so?"

"Are you still the Queen's puppet? You going to run to her the minute I leave and tell her everything?"

He scowled. "I can assure you I want nothing to do with our dishonorable mayor."

"But you benefit from being one of her cronies."

"Who says I'm one of her cronies?"

"Everyone," I said. "You are running a racket unchecked."

He shrugged. "I seized my chance to get ahead in this world. Is that so bad?"

"Well, it is illegal," I told him even though I knew he wouldn't care about something like that.

"Are you going to answer my question? How did Robin Hood, of all people, escape the curse?"

"Pixie dust," I replied.

He shook his head. "Now who's speaking in riddles?"

I held up my hands. "Fine. Don't believe me. But I've answered your question. What do I get in return?"

"The information about the Sheriff," Gold replied before waving me out. "I'm done with you. Go to your thief."

"Lovely chatting with you, Dark One," I said, turning to stalk out of his shop.

I had just reached the door when his voice stilled me. "Oh, one last thing, Lady Locksley. Tell me—how's the princess doing?"

"What did you say?" Robin asked me. We were back home, sitting at our kitchen table with cups of coffee.

"Nothing," I said, clutching my mug. "I just opened the door and left, going to find you."

He sighed. "I wish you hadn't gone alone."

"He wouldn't have talked to me otherwise," I told him. "Maybe next time, I'll get him to reveal how he has his memories."

Robin frowned, growing stern. "There's not going to be a next time, Regina. I don't want you anywhere near him again."

I sighed, tapping my fingers against my mug. "I think he's trying to help us. That he wants the curse broken too."

"Did he say as much?"

"No," I replied, frowning. "But why else would he care about why you escaped the curse?"

Robin shrugged. "Maybe he's just curious? Maybe he's mad I did it and he couldn't, despite being the Dark One?"

"Maybe. Yet how would he know we have Emma?"

"Good guess?"

I sighed, rubbing my head. "He's giving me a headache."

"Another reason not to go back." Robin took my hand. "Promise me, Regina…and show me your other hand. I've learned that."

Rolling my eyes, I did as he asked. "Fine. I promise not to go back to the store…alone. Gold is going to have to get used to talking to both of us."

He scowled. "I was hoping you'd stay away from him completely."

"Not if he might be able to help us break the curse. If he can't, then I will. How's that?" Once again, I showed him both my hands.

"I guess it'll have to do." He leaned forward, kissing my forehead. "Just be careful, okay?"

"Of course. You'll be with me. Just leave the bow and arrows in the car." I cupped his cheek before standing and stretching. "Shall we go to bed?"

A/N: Regina's playing matchmaker! She sends Mary Margaret to David's bedside just like in the show but with a different purpose in mind—this time, she wants them to be together!

Who knows what Gold really wants? Well, I do. But what do you all think? Is he working for Zelena? Or is he working against her?

Hmm…

-Mac