Thanks as always for the reviews on the last chapter, and sorry for such a long wait! Let me know what you think of this newest chapter, and enjoy!
For the last week, Alice continued on with her magic studies, while Killian and Robin watched on in worry. Magic was a dangerous thing that they've both had horrible experiences with and they never wanted the same fate to fall onto Alice. Killian was also worried about Robin dearly. The sight of her scars, and despair that she carried with them, it broke his already poisoned heart. The archer had quickly become like another daughter to him, she had shown many times how much she cared for Alice and now he wanted to return the favor if only Robin would let him. The brunette wasn't the most open of people, and often kept her true emotions buried underneath layers of protective sarcasm. But, the pirate knew that if anyone was going to break through them, it was his Starfish. So he arranged for the young couple to have the day to themselves and away from the dangerous life of relic hunting. There was only one problem, his daughters want to help everyone all day every day.
"Are you sure that we can't help with research?" Alice asked for the tenth time since her Papa told her that she and Robin had the day off. Alice was filled to the brim with determination, and she wanted nothing more than to stop her Mother once and for all, so even the thought of a day off didn't sit right with her.
"We're quite sure starfish, go and have fun with Robin." Killian nodded at his daughter from the other side of the room, his small desk littered with books and old parchment paper.
"Promise not to poof away to some magical realm?" The blonde warned the older three, still not over their little trip to Neverland without her.
"We promise! Now go before we take away your day off!" Zelena laughed deeply as she watched her daughter impatiently wait by the door frame for her love.
"You heard them, Al, the day is ours! Let's not waste it here, surrounded by dusty old books!" Robin spoke up, while she rolled her eyes at the reluctance of the blonde. She was on the same page as Alice when it came to bringing Gothel down, hard and quick. But at the same time, she hadn't been able to spend much time with her girlfriend over the last week, especially with Killian practically living in her house. "Imagine the adventure we could have today." The archer winked playfully while pushing herself off the door frame, before reaching out to grab Alice's wrists softly.
"You will let us know if you need us." The blonde warned meekly as the archer started to drag her out of the room.
"You have your shell?" Her Papa asked softly, a small smile creeping onto his face.
"Always." She nodded back, her hand absentmindedly falling to her small bag. Alice didn't have much growing up in the tower, and after it was destroyed most of the things she had held close were destroyed. But the things did manage to salvage, she made sure to keep close at all times. The shell her Papa was talking about being one of them, along with Mr. Rabbit, a dagger from Rumpelstiltskin and the bracelet that Robin had made - on the days she didn't wear it - it wasn't much, but it was all the things that meant the world to her.
"Then I'll let you know." Killian chuckled at his daughter antics, before sending Robin a small smile. "Go, darling."
"We'll be back soon," Alice quickly promised, as Robin resumed her pulling action.
"Come on you!" Robin laughed as Alice finally gave in and laced their hands together before they practically ran out of the small farm home, their playful giggles filling the air.
"They need this. The next few months are going to be hard on them if we're going to try and stop Gothel." Regina smiled tenderly, glad that her niece has found the love she struggled to keep.
"Aye, they're too young to be worrying about all this." Hook muttered as he struggled to move all his things back over to the group table. "Are we any closer to figuring out the next target?"
"Rumple has paid a visit to the two we were meant to check out, while you and Robin went on your little adventure, and they turned out to be a bust." Regina rolled her eyes as she took the pile of messy papers from his hand and set them down in a more organized matter.
"But he's narrowed our next two possible owners," Zelena spoke up while hunting through her own pile to find the note Rumple had delivered that morning while the rest slept. "Got ya!" She cheered momentarily before handing the tattered paper to her sister.
"And who are they?" He asked with a scowl, watching how the soft smile on Regina's face fell as she read over the ink soaked words.
"Well, there's an old friend of mine...and our Mother." She informed him sadly, as the two sisters shared a pained look. The sore subject in their relationship had always been their Mother, and while they got some closure in Hell, it still remained a subject that they chose to leave well alone.
"Your Mother? I thought she had died." Killian bowed his head in respect.
"The one from our realm did, but the one from this realm is still very much alive." The redhead smiled softly, appreciating his condolences before her face turned hard once again. "And so unbelievably evil that she could possibly be the keeper of a relic to end evil."
"When are we heading out?" Hook stood, hand already resting on the handle of his sword and hook as sharp as ever.
"We're not. Rumple is taking that one when he's back." Zelena quickly shut him down, watching amusingly as he plonked himself back into his chair with a sigh.
"I watched her die once before, I'm not going through that again," Regina spoke up her voice rid of her usual might and instead soft and quiet.
"Ditto." Her sister nodded, the word confusing the pirate immensely. "It means the same, or I'm with her on this one."
"As you wish." He nodded sharply, before lifting the discarded paper to read the other name. Maleficent. "So, this friend of yours. How terrifying are we talking?" He shrugged, the name not ringing any bells.
"That depends. How do you feel about dragons?" Regina smirked wickedly, dying to see his face when he found out she wasn't kidding about the dragon part.
The young couple walked hand in hand down the wooded trail. Robin had always taken great comfort in the forest, it was her happy place, a place where she could be herself without any expectations or legacy's following her. Most of her childhood had been spent running through the trees and camping out the back of her house. She felt safe underneath the stars and lived for the gritty smell of the forest. Robin knew that she wasn't made to stay in Storybrooke, she knew that the magic she had wasn't hers and that she was destined for her life in the Enchanted Forest. The best things in her life had come from the forest, her enhanced hunting skills, her easy going life with her Mother on the farm, and Alice.
Alice.
She knew that after the events of her trip with Killian, she'd have to open up to her about the scars. Robin was actually surprised that Alice's curiosity hadn't caused the blonde to discover them already. But that was probably due to the physical restrictions that came with Killian's close proximity. Robin was terrified by the mere thought of talking to Alice, especially when talking to Killian had been bad enough. She trusted the blonde with all her heart, but she was worried that when she finally told Alice and showed her the scars, that she would look at her differently. Robin would often catch the blonde staring at her, and the look on her face could only be described as nothing but pure love and adoration. Robin feared that she'd never see that shy smile again, or watch her eyes twinkle, but she knew that she couldn't keep things hidden forever. She was going to tell her, but first, she needed one more day with her lover, just in case.
"So, what is it you have planned for our unexpected day off?" Alice's sing-song voice brought the archer from her tortured thoughts.
"Well, I kinda need to head into the village to get my Mom a birthday present...then I was thinking we could have lunch somewhere nice?" Robin shrugged, trying to put a brave face on. She wanted today to go perfectly because she didn't know when they'd have another day to themselves with the pressure of stopping Alice's Mother hanging over them.
"Sounds splendid!" The blonde replied with a pop, as she snuggled into Robin's side forcing them to stop on the outskirts of the village. "As long as I've got you by my side, I'm up for anything." She whispered as she stood on her tiptoes and stole a soft kiss. As much as she wanted to be helping her Papa and the others, she was really looking forward to her day with Robin.
"Anything? I might hold ya to that." The archer chuckled as she draped her arm over Alice's shoulders lazily.
"Do your worst Nobin." Alice challenged playfully, rubbing her cold nose against the archer's warm neck as she muttered.
"How does a little hunting sound then?" Robin smirked down at her adorable girlfriend, completely head over heels in love with the woman in her arms. "Let's see who can catch the best lunch." She challenged, dying to see Alice holding a real bow this time.
"You do realize that I live on my own, in the middle of an abandoned forest? I know a thing or two about hunting." The blonde laughed at the smugness of her love, knowing that she could whoop her ass when it came to hunting.
"Let's get you a bow then, Tower Girl!" The brunette rolled her eyes as she reached down to lace their fingers together. Robin would be the first to admit that Alice had many talents hidden up her sleeves, but she had no doubt in her mind that she would win their little game.
"Bow's are child's play, I should be fine with my dagger," Alice smirked as she pulled out her favorite dagger and waved it in front of her lovers face.
"Have I ever told you how amazingly hot you are?" Robin's heart fluttered, she couldn't believe how adorable and sexy she managed to be at the same time. Enthusiastically, Robin reached out and pulled the blonde into her strong arms, earning a small squeak from the adorable woman.
"Once or twice, but I'm always up for hearing it again." She giggled, her face beet red and lips aching to be kissed.
"You." She kissed her forcefully, as Alice's hands gripped her waist. "Are." Another kiss was stolen, as the blonde's lips begged for more. "So, god damn." She pulled away once again, making Alice's desire for her intensified "Hot." She placed one last kiss before Alice had enough and latched herself onto the archer. Their lips moved together in a perfected dance, nibbling and caressing tenderly. As the pulled apart, Alice couldn't help but pinch Robin's waist, a small punishment for the teasing she had endured. She would never get bored of it though, every kiss felt like the first and every touch burned her skin like nothing else. She didn't know much about life – thanks to years of isolation – but the one thing she did know, was that she and Robin were made for each other, destiny had brought them together, and Alice wasn't about to let anything tear them apart.
"Come on then Nobin. We've got a present to pick out!" She winked playfully, before skipping down the path, leaving an awestruck archer frozen in place. Alice let out a small giggle as she looked over her shoulder and caught sight of the goofy grin plastered to her lover's face. Her magic may be the key to defeating her Mother, but she knew that her real superpower, was the effect she seemed to have on the brunette. "You coming or not sweetheart? I've got a hunting quest to win!" She called out playfully, snapping the archer out of her post-kiss trance and prompting her to move once again.
"In your dreams Tower Girl!" Robin sent a flirty wink her way as they met on the path once again. Together, red-faced and full of glee, they took off into the small village, hands laced lovingly and not a care in the world.
"Looks like my darling daughter has got that bitch wrapped around her little finger." Gothel laughed earnestly to her silent minion, the pair having just witnessed the show of affection that had occurred. "It's going to break her poor heart when I dispose of her…but then she'll come running to Mommy, and our plan with be complete at last." She muttered to herself as the wicked smile on her face turned more devilish. She was going to bring the little band of heroes down, once and for all and she knew exactly who to start with, after all, she had unfinished business with the archer.
When it came to picking presents, Robin was the worst. Every Christmas, Mother's Day and birthday was nothing but a huge bundle of stress for the archer. But with Alice by her side this time, picking her Mom out a birthday present had been a piece of cake.
"You think my Mom will really like it?" Robin asked as she placed the present in her saddlebag. Robin had picked out a few terrible options, but in the end, she took Alice's advice and went for a carved out wooden star with a poem that Zelena used to read to her all the time as a child, engraved on it.
"It's from you, I think she'll love it." Alice smiled reassuringly as she placed a small kiss on the nervous archer's cheek.
"She's like the hardest person to buy things for, well her and Aunt Regina...and Aunt Emma." The archer moaned as she started to list off her favorite relatives, placing the blame on them and not her inability to buy presents.
"You sure do have a big family," The blonde commented, feeling slightly left out. It had always just been her and her Papa, she didn't know anything about having a family beyond that.
"You have no idea, life in Storybrooke was all family, all the time." She snorted, thinking back to the life she disliked so much. It was never the life for her, she was destined to live in the Enchanted Forest and she loved every second of it. But that didn't stop her from missing the family that she left behind, especially Emma. Even though Robin knew that she wasn't technically her aunt, she still treated her as such. Emma was always there for Robin, whenever she needed something. She was the first person that Robin had come out to, she was always there to pick her up from school when her Mom forgot and she even taught her how to drive. She'd like for Alice to meet her one day, even though she knew it would be as nerve-wracking as the chat she had with Killian in his tent, but she still looked forward to it nonetheless.
"I think I'd like to go there someday," The blonde muttered absentmindedly, thinking happily about all the small details Robin had shared about her life there. "Would you bring me?" She asked sweetly, rubbing her nose against Robin's cheek affectionately as she spoke.
"I'd bring you anywhere you wanted to go, Alice," Robin smirked in return, knowing that her girlfriend was trying to butter her up.
"I'll hold you to that." Alice blushed as she stood on her tiptoes and kissed the brunette sweetly. "You ready to get hunting?"
"You mean, am I ready to beat your gorgeous ass?" The archer spoke absentmindedly, before turning a fierce shade of red.
"My gorgeous ass? That's a new one Nobin." The blonde giggled as she cupped Robin's beet red cheek, and hovered over her lips. "But if anyone is getting their gorgeous ass beat, it's you, my love." She winked playfully as she pulled away from Robin's hungry lips, and took off running deep into the forest.
"Oi! That's cheating! You are definitely a pirate's daughter!" Robin called out in frustration, as she gripped her bow tightly and chased after her blonde lover.
Alice was better at hunting that Robin thought. She was like a ninja moving through the forest, and the rabbits, ducks, and fish soon started to pile up. By the end of their little game, Alice had managed to accumulate four rabbits, two large ducks and a week's worth of fish, whereas Robin only managed to get a small duck, a rabbit, and no fish. The archer was beyond embarrassed, but at the same time she was blown away by Alice's skills and was definitely going to ask for a master class once they were done hunting Gothel.
"I think there's an obvious winner here, don't ya think love?" Alice asked smugly as she counted her pile once again, setting it next to Robin's two catches.
"Yeah, yeah." Robin rolled her eyes playfully, before wrapping her arms around Alice from behind. "I'm not ashamed to admit when I've been beaten by a beautiful girl." She whispered into her ear as she placed a small kiss just below her earlobe.
"What other beautiful girls have been beating you in contests?" The blonde asked in mock shock, while she regrettably pushed herself out of Robin's embrace.
"Just you, my love, always just you." The archer playfully got down on one knee, and quickly professed her undying love, enjoying the banter that filled the air.
"Just for that, you can do the cooking," Alice smirked as she threw her dagger into the ground, making sure to aim it away from her lover's foot.
"Do I get a cuddle by the fire after?" Robin winked cutely, melting Alice's heart with one glance.
"Depends how tasty your rabbit is." The blonde shook her head at her girlfriend's adorable antics. Alice took pride in the thought that she was the only one that would ever get to enjoy this side of the archer.
"I have the tastiest rabbit in all the realms Tower Girl," Robin smirked before pulling her lover into her strong arms playfully and attacking her sides, making sure to hit each and every tickle spot she had discovered.
"Stop…" Alice laughed loudly, her soft voice filling the forest. The archer managed to pull them both down to the ground as she continued her attack.
"Nope! I've caught ya and I'm not letting go!" She announced happily before Alice started to fight back. The smaller blonde managed to flip them over so that she was on top, "Getting better there, babe?" Robin laughed at Alice's weak attempts to tickle her back.
"I learn for the best," She laughed as Robin's assault continued, even if she did have the upper hand she knew she was fighting a losing battle, so she decided to pull out the big guns. Fighting through her fit of laughter, the blonde gently moved her hands down Robin's body slowly, knowing the effects it would have. She leaned down and gently started to place fleeting kisses on the brunette's neck, sucking hard on a certain little spot she knew would render her completely defenseless.
"No fair…" Robin muttered as she bit down on her lip, trying to suppress the small moan from escaping. She knew that Alice was playing dirty, but she couldn't care less. Forcefully she pulled the blonde down fully, pressing their bodies together. Robin lived for these moments, her body over excited with the prospect of what could happen. She had the sexual desires of a teenage boy whenever she was with Alice, and while it embarrassed her, to begin with, she now embraced it fully. Being with Alice, touching her and kissing her, that was all Robin could think about these days and it drove her crazy. She needed this, but she wouldn't dare think about pushing the blonde.
"I'm a pirate's daughter…" Alice whispered directly into Robin's ear, sending chills through the archer's body. "I never play fair, my love." She added before capturing the brunette's lips forcefully, happy to be the one in charge for a change. The heated embrace continued, both fighting for control and letting out soft moans of pleasure as they explored each other's bodies. Alice was ready to give in to her own desires, but she had plans for that night and it didn't involve an open forest where anyone could stumble upon them. So, despite her aching need for Robin to touch her, she ended the kiss, leaving them both breathless and extremely turned on.
"I don't think I'll ever get tired of this," Robin husked out, as she moved the fallen hair from Alice's face. She could see the blondes want in her eyes but didn't dare bring it up. Today was their perfect day and she didn't want to say or do anything that might ruin it.
"Good, because I'm not planning on going anywhere." Alice stole one last peck before lifting herself off the ground and straightening out her crumpled skirt. She needed to cool down before she jumped the archer's bones, so she quickly moved over to her bag to retrieve some water. She could feel Robin's eyes burning into her back, and could already imagine the look of pure lust on her true love's face. "Get cooking you!" She snapped playfully while trying to control her breathing. She needed their first time to be perfect, and with it all planned out already, she knew that it would be a night they would never forget…if they could keep their hands off each other that long.
Killian ran as fast as his legs could carry him, with the two Mills' sister's hot on his tail. Their visit to Maleficent's castle had definitely been a bad decision and upon hearing that this realm's Maleficent had an outstanding feud with the Evil Queen, the trio had to make a swift exit.
"So when you said dragons, you actually meant dragons?!" Hook asked breathlessly once they finally reached the safety of the forest.
"What did I think I meant? Puppies?" Regina snapped as her magic came rushing back into her system. Maleficent had been preparing for the day when the Evil Queen would dare to show her face again, and in all honesty, the trio had only just made it out by the skin of their teeth.
"With you two it's hard to know what you really mean." He snapped back, as he leaned against a nearby tree for support.
"Well whatever you were expecting, it was a bust anyway," Zelena spoke up as she made a small rain cloud appear over Killian's head, effectively putting out her smoldering leather jacket he wore. "We should have known she'd never had it, I've had flying monkeys more frightening than her." The redhead rolled her eyes as the pirate cursed at the cloud before it disappeared.
"That just leaves your Mother then," Killian smirked as he shook his body like a dog, sending small drops of water flying everywhere.
"She's not our Mother, she is another version of our Mother." The brunette scowled at the pirate while wiping the droplets of water from her cheek.
"Apologies," He quickly muttered, apologizing for both speaking out of turn and splashing the two women. "I'd be happy to tackle this one if you'd like." He offered sympathetically, only imagining how hard all this must be for the two women that he now considered family.
"No, Rumple has a handle on her." Regina smiled gratefully, liking this version of Killian far more than the one left behind in Storybrooke. "Plus, we've got more research ahead of us." She sighed, thinking about the huge stack of papers waiting for them when they got home.
"And two lovebirds to keep an eye on." Zelena rolled her eyes, although Regina could see through the mock annoyance. She knew that her sister loved the fact that her daughter had found someone, and they both loved Alice dearly, even if the two couldn't stay out of trouble.
"I'm sure they're fine, and enjoying the day off." Hook shrugged, oblivious to the real meaning behind Zelena's words.
"That's what I'm worried about." The redhead snorted, a long list of trouble the two could have found themselves in on their day off running through her mind. "Trouble always seems to follow those two, I just hope they managed to avoid it this time." She chuckled as looped her arm through her sister's, while the trio walked along the familiar trail that led to the nearby village.
"I highly doubt that...isn't this one of Robin's arrows?" Regina stopped abruptly as she noticed the arrow stuck in a nearby tree. Panic rose throughout the trio, as Regina plucked the arrow from the tree and they caught sight of the blood-soaked tip.
"We have to get back, and quick!" Zelena screamed before taking off in a blind panic, with Regina and Killian following closely behind. As they ran Killian caught sight of a blue cloak covering two sleeping women, a small smile crept onto his face as he saw their chests rise and fall.
"Stop!" He hissed as they closed in on the pair.
"What do you mean stop?! Our girls could be-" The redhead turned to scream at him before he quickly covered her mouth with his hand.
"Fast asleep by a fire? Aye, I was thinking the same thing." Killian smirked as he pointed his hook at the cuddling couple by the dwindling fire.
"Oh thank god." Zelena rested her hand on her racing heart after pushing the pirate's hand away from her mouth. "Seems they've had quite the feast." She smiled softly at the pair as she noticed the large pile of leftover food and enough food to last them a week. Zelena was delighted that they managed to have a safe day off, especially since she knew what was coming over the next few months.
"Let's just pray that's all they've had," Regina commented with a smirk and chuckle.
"Regina!" Zelena gently slapped her sister's arm, not wanting to think about what the two spent the day doing.
"I'm sorry, but I know what's it's like at that age." The brunette half apologized, while her mind flew back to the restless nights she spent with Daniel in the barn. "I think you two need to have a little chat with them just in case." She shot her sister a look, silently reminding her of the effects that came when magic and sex was mixed together without control.
"I've tried to have that talk with Robin, she used her magic to shut me up for the entire day!" The redhead shivered as she thought back on how awkward things had been after that day. Robin had refused to even look at her for a week, and it only got worse when she came out to her Mother.
"Well, she's grown up a lot since then...and she doesn't have magic anymore." The former Evil Queen pointed out, making the two parents shake their heads refusing to even humor the thought.
"No, but my Alice does." Hook gulped at the thought of having to have 'the talk' with his little girl, who he knew wasn't too little anymore.
"Stop being chickens and talk to them." She rolled her eyes in annoyance, knowing all too well how awkward, yet essential this kind of conversation was, especially with Alice's magic up and running. Killian and Zelena shared a pained glance, before moving towards the pair, only making it a few feet before Regina stopped them. "Just not tonight, they look too adorable to wake up." She added, as she raised her hands to create a temporary protection spell to ensure that they two slept safe and soundly for the night.