Chapter 11: Taking a Moment

A/N: Getting this chapter up took way longer than I expected. So because of that this has become a sort of filler chapter but I have filled it with fluff. The next will get our Queen and her thief back onto the storyline I have planned out for them.

Hopefully those of you who are still reading this story are enjoying it and please feel free to leave a review and let me know what you think of this chapter. :)

Enjoy!

As the pair make their way towards the campfire in the centre of camp, shouts and cheers can be heard from all around. Regina quickly dismounts her horse with a giant smile on her face as she allows the joy and relief to wash over her before turning to face Robin. As soon as his feet are on the ground, the brunette doesn't hesitate in throwing her arms around his neck. He responds by immediately wrapping his strong arms around her waist before lifting her off the ground and spinning the both of them around. The brunette can't help the laugh that escapes her lips as she throws her head back and clings onto his shoulders, his own laughter making its way to her ears.

But all too soon he gently places her feet back on the ground, however the thief's grip on her waist only tightens. Regina's grin widens as she lowers her arms from his shoulders to rest them against his chest and her brown orbs gaze into the depths of his crystal blue ones – the ones that she knows she could get lost in for hours. Robin then brings a hand up to cup her cheek and the brunette leans into his touch as she closes her eyes.

Suddenly the moment is broken as someone clears their throat, causing the pair to jump apart. Upon opening them, her eyes land on the friar who has smirk on his lips. Feeling her cheeks flush, the brunette lowers her head in an attempt to hide her embarrassment at being caught in the arms of a man.

But before anything can be said, Little John comes over to her and places his hand on her shoulder and turns to address the rest of the Merry Men, "Thanks to Wilma we have managed to pull off the biggest heist Sherwood Forest has ever seen!" A chorus of cheers break out amongst the band before they're silenced by the bear-like man beside her so he can continue. "It is also thanks to her that not only were we able to keep our score from the Evil Queen's black knights," Regina involuntarily flinches at the acquired nickname before focusing back onto the words John is saying, "but we also managed to get away with our lives. And it is for that very reason that we owe her our lives." The man then pauses as he turns to look at her but the brunette simply stares back at him with wide eyes and an open mouth.

Regina can say she is genuinely speechless as her gaze scans the men before her only to discover various nods and murmurs of agreement. Suddenly she feels another hand on her free shoulder causing her to turn her head, brown eyes immediately locking onto blue ones. "He's right, Wilma," Robin adds with a smile, "we are indebted to you." And before the disguised queen has the chance to form some sort of response, the thief bows at the knee. He's soon followed by each member of the Merry Men as they lower themselves onto one knee with their heads bowed, rendering Regina completely dumbstruck.

She truly doesn't know what to say, here are these men who took her in even though her presence could've compromised their entire heist. If anyone should be bowing, it's her. It's with that thought in mind that the brown-eyed woman grips Robin's forearms and urges him to stand before turning to the other men and urging them to stand also.

"If anyone should be showing their gratitude, it's me." Regina tells them once they're all on their feet, "Each and every one of you took me in and accepted me and my condition even though I was bound to slow you down." A couple of the men chuckle causing the woman to smile before she continues, "So in my opinion, all debts have been repaid, because with out knowing it, you all saved me, and in more ways than one" She then turns to look at the blue-eyed man who's stood behind her, tears brimming within her eyelids, "And for that, I will be forever thankful."

Suddenly a pair of arms are thrown around her, pulling Regina into a bone-crushing hug. The brunette doesn't hesitate to return it just as another set of arms wraps around her and before long the woman finds herself in the middle of a group hug.

Regina can honestly say she's never felt as accepted as what she does in this moment. And it is because of that very reason that the disguised queen is glad that's she's decided to stay with the Merry Men.

A while later after Alan had brought out his lute and encouraged everyone to dance and sing as food and drinks were passed around, Robin had taken a hold of Regina's hand and led her away from the celebrations and into the cover of the trees.

As the music and the joyous laughter continue to fade into the distance, the brunette asks, "Where are you taking me?"

"No where really." the thief replies, looking at her from over his shoulder with a twinkle in his blue eyes as he continues to pull on her hand.

"Then why are you leading us so far away from the camp?" Regina presses, wanting to know what he has planned.

Robin merely shrugs, pausing for the first time to observe their surroundings. "Maybe I just wanted to celebrate our victory with good company in private, especially considering how we were so rudely interrupted earlier." he responds as he leads her over to one of the trees before sitting against it and gently pulling on her arm to encourage her to do the same. Regina complies, sitting next to the outlaw. "Now is that really so bad?" he asks as she settles herself onto his lap.

"I suppose not." the brunette replies with a chuckle as she rests her head underneath his chin, his arms wrapping around her and pulling her closer to him. Regina brings her own hands up to gently clutch as his shirt and basks in the security and warmth that his arms bring. For a while that's all they do, they simply hold each other in silence as the world continues to move around them.

When Robin places a tender kiss to the top of her head, Regina lets out a contended sigh. "Maybe celebrating in private isn't such a bad thing after all." she breathes, turning her head to nuzzle her nose within the crook of his neck and inhaling his pine scent as she does so.

"Well, though it is rare, there is the odd occasion where I tend to be right." the thief quips causing the brunette to chuckle. They fall into another comfortable silence as they continue to hold each other.

"I'm glad I decided to stay." Regina murmurs, effectively breaking the silence between the pair.

"So am I." Robin replies as he places another kiss in her hair. The brown-eyed woman smiles, if anyone had told her a few days ago that she would be sitting in the arms of her soulmate in the middle of the forest, she would never have believed it. But now Regina could honestly say that she hasn't felt as accepted as she does here with this thief and his Merry Men. Hasn't felt as happy. It's with that thought in mind that the brunette shifts her position, wanting to get closer to the man that has unknowingly engraved himself within her heart.

The smile on her face unconsciously grows wider as she thinks about the feelings that have awoken inside of her, feelings that continue to grow with every passing moment she spends with the thief. It isn't love, well at least not yet but she knows that it's certainly heading in that direction and much to her surprise, Regina finds that's he isn't that opposed to the idea.

Maybe she could find it within her heart to love again and tattoos, soulmates and destiny aside she knows that the connection she already feels to Robin is genuine. And it's for that very reason that the disguised queen needs to find a way to reveal her true identity, because if any sort of relationship were to build between them it shouldn't be based on a lie. But she'll worry about that later, right now Regina will simply enjoy the comfort of being held in Robin's arms.

"I wouldn't have let you leave, you know." the thief murmurs against her ear and causing the brunette to smile.

"And how would you have managed that exactly?" she questions as she looks up at him.

He smiles down at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "Well firstly, I would have told you that you were making a terrible mistake if you left. And if that didn't work, I would have followed you." he replies as he tenderly tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear before his hand lowers to cup her cheek.

The brunette leans into his touch, briefly closing her eyes as she savours the contact. Then the question that she has been wanting to ask him since they made it to safety pops into the forefront of her mind. "Is that why you stopped me yesterday? Because you thought I was leaving?" Regina asks, her tone gentle as her brown orbs focus onto his blue ones.

Almost instantly Robin removes his hand from her cheek and she catches the shame that fills his eyes before he's lowering his gaze. "Partially yes. I was concerned for your safety and I wanted to be sure that you weren't running off to do something on your own." the thief responds and her heart flutters at the fact that he was worried about her. "But," he continues levelling his gaze back with hers, "even though you had said that you would stay, I was scared that you had changed your mind."

Touched, Regina brings her hands up to cup both of his cheeks, her thumbs stroking across the skin there. "I haven't changed my mind, Robin." she states, "And I don't plan on leaving anytime soon."

A relieved smile forms on his handsome features as his hands loosely grasp her wrists. Her own smile forms on her lips and before she knows what she's doing, her lips are pressing a soft kiss against his cheek. Upon pulling back the brunette keeps her gaze low, her cheeks flushing as she repositions her head under his chin. However, much to her relief, Robin simply secures his arms around her, drawing her as close to him as possible.

Regina smiles as she snuggles into the thief's chest. Maybe Tinkerbell was right after all.

After spending what felt like hours of simply being in each other's arms and discussing what the next step for the Merry Men will be, Robin decided that they should re-join the others before they sent out a search party to which Wilma agreed.

However, neither were in any hurry to leave the peace and quiet that the forest offers as they leisurely walk back to camp with her arm hooked in his and her head resting against his shoulder. The thief smiles as he looks down at the woman on his arm and unable to resist, places a chaste kiss to the top of her head. Upon pulling back, the woman turns her head to look up at him and Robin cannot withstand the urge to place yet another kiss to her forehead.

He hears her chuckle and when his gaze focuses on hers, her brown orbs are practically sparkling. She's absolutely beautiful he muses to himself.

"What are you staring at thief?" she asks with an absolutely stunning smile gracing her lips.

"Well it would appear that I am staring at the fairest creatures in all the realms." the thief murmurs. He notices the blush that forms on her cheeks before she quickly ducks her head into his shoulder with an almost embarrassed chuckle. "I'm serious, milady," he presses, stopping their pace as he hooks a finger underneath her chin and forcing her to look at him, "no maiden's beauty could ever compare to yours."

For a moment she simply smiles up at him before she seemingly finds her voice as she susurrates a small "Thank you."

"You're very welcome." Robin replies, moving his hand to retake hers and giving it a gentle squeeze as he resumes their path.

"Robin?" the brunette asks after a couple of silent minutes.

"Yes, milady?" the thief responds.

"I need to tell you something."

Upon noticing her tone has turned serious, Robin stops once again and turns to face her. "What is it?" he questions, now gripping both of her hands in his.

He notices she takes a deep breath as she simply stares at him. "Just before we left for the rendezvous point, I overheard Arthur and Much talking about the whereabouts of Snow White," Wilma tells him, "and it just so happened that she was said to be staying in a nearby village. So, whilst you and the Merry Men were executing the heist, I decided to investigate."

Though Robin isn't exactly happy that Wilma didn't completely stick to the plan, he can't bring himself to reprimand her. She's her own person after all and that means that she's allowed to make her own decisions. "Did you find her?" the outlaw decides to ask instead.

"Yes." the brunette replies before diverting her line of sight to the ground at her feet.

Picking up on her very hesitant behaviour, the blue-eyed man tightens his grip on her hands as he pulls her just that little bit closer and draws her attention back to him. "Whatever is it, you can tell me, Wilma." he says, one of his hands coming up to tenderly cup her cheek.

The brunette visibly leans into his touch before opening her mouth to speak, "The Qu-The Evil Queen had heard similar rumours, but upon discovering that the villagers allowed Snow to escape and their unwillingness to reveal any information-" she breaks off, closing her eyes as her face scrunches up in revulsion. Clearly whatever had happened has shaken her up, but rather than pushing for answers, Robin lets his right thumb stroke the apple of her cheek, offering what comfort he can. After regaining her composure, Wilma looks him dead in the eyes as she finishes in a shaky voice, "She murdered them. All of them."

Shocked into silence, the thief simply stares at her. Sure, he's heard the odd comments about what happens when one is on the receiving end of the Queen's wrath, but going as far as slaughtering an entire village? In Robin's opinion that seems rather extreme. "'All of them'?" he repeats when he's found his voice, though his tone conveys his disbelief.

"Yes." the brunette barely whispers, lowering her gaze once again. "When I saw the devastation, I was horrified. I couldn't believe th-that someone could do something s-so terrible. So evil…" Her voice trails off, almost as if she's suddenly become lost in thought, but then her brown eyes level with his blue ones and she continues. "When I found Snow, she was burying them, so I offered my help. However even with two pairs of hands many remain unburied and because I want to continue helping, I suggested that I could come back." Robin can see in her shimmering whiskey brown orbs how much this means to her, so who is he to stop her? "It will only be for another day or two," Wilma starts to mumble, her gaze falling away from his, "and if it ruins your plans–"

Feeling the need to stop her anxious babbling, the thief states, "You can go."

"–you can go ahead and–wait what?" the brunette asks as her eyes once again find his.

"You can go." the thief repeats as he brings his other hand up so that he's cupping both of her cheeks.

Wilma merely stares at him, disbelief written all over her features, "You'd really let me go?"

"Who am I to stop you?" Robin replies with a shrug, causing a smile to form on the woman's lips as she wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him into a hug. He immediately returns it, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "However, I must make one request." the outlaw murmurs against her ear.

"Of course, anything." he hears her respond as she continues to cling to his neck.

"You have to let me come with you." Robin says, making Wilma's head snap up as her eyes grow wide.

"You want to come with me?" she asks, her whiskey-filled eyes boring into the depths of his blue ones.

The thief nods as he smiles. "The other men can deal without me for a bit," Robin tells her, "besides you'll need at least one of us if you want to enter our camp, let alone find it."

"I'm sure I would have managed." the brunette replies, returning his smile. "Are you sure this isn't just an excuse to get some alone time with me?" she asks as the grin on her face turns mischievous.

"So, what if it is?" the outlaw murmurs as his smile forms into a smirk and he continues to gaze into her pools of brown.

"Well, then I suppose I'll have to let you tag along." Wilma beams with a playful glint in her eyes, and Robin swears he wants nothing more than to kiss her right now.

But he restrains himself from doing so, because now isn't the right time. Instead he places his lips against her forehead and lets them linger before pulling back. "Then it's settled," he claims, "we'll leave first thing tomorrow."

The brunette gives a firm nod in response before removing her arms from around his neck and grabbing his hand. "Come on," she tells him, "we should keep going."

"Right you are milady." the thief nods, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before moving to continue leading her back to the camp. And as they walk, Robin can't help but to wonder about what the next couple of days will bring.

A/N: Things seem to be getting cozy between Her Majesty and our favourite outlaw. But will it stay that way?

I suppose you'll just have to wait and see ;)

Unfortunately the next update may not be until three weeks to a month's time as preparation for exams as starting - but if I can get something up sooner I shall!

Let me know what you thought of this chapter before you head on out!

Until next time :)