"You have to be kidding? You can't be serious? Regina!" Leopold ran up the stairs after she'd casually informed him that she and Emma have somehow wound up going to dinner tonight with Killian and Robin. He chased her to her bedroom, but made a point of standing by the door only.

"It's only dinner and…" she deflated, "who knows; maybe we'll find out something useful." Regina threw several items of clothing onto the bed. She wanted to look nice, but not too nice. It was proving more difficult to decide than normal. In the end she opted for a red, slim line dress that ended mid-thigh and wasn't to revealing.

"And you don't think this seems at all odd? Accosting you both in the diner and insisting you go out with them? Do you think they saw you filming?" Regina replayed the moment in her head.

"No, there's no way, I had eyes on them the whole time, and they didn't glance my way. I didn't get more than about five seconds of recording either." She took out her phone to replay the video. It convinced her she was right.

"How did they know you'd be at Granny's." He speculated.

"What is this, Twenty Questions? I don't know Leo; they may have followed us when we left here and Killian knew Emma would be picking up Henry."

"I don't know, I just think this is all very odd. I'm thinking I might pay for David and Mary Margaret to have a meal there too, just to play it safe."

"Oh come off it, David works under him, it will be painfully obvious."

"Okay, leave it with me, I will think of something else, but I'm not letting you go without some kind of insurance policy."

Two hours later the house began to glow as the doorbell was pressed. Regina tentatively opened it to reveal Killian, who looked very smart in a tailored suit, something she'd not have pegged him for owning. "Emma's in the car," was all he said and he gestured for her to go first, opening the passenger side for her to get in. She noticed Emma sitting in the back, looking uncharacteristically nervous. She hoped everything was okay. She took out her phone.

Regina: Everything okay? Why aren't you in the front? – R

Emma: I insisted you should sit there, I'm chivalrous like that. Just nervous I guess. The more I've been thinking, the more I feel this whole thing was planned out. I wonder just how long these guys have known each other? - E

…

…

Regina: Let's hope we get at least some answer's tonight.

"You know, Regina… I'm sorry, can you hear me?" He turned to face her shouting a bit louder. Emma shrunk down in her seat wishing it would swallow her.

"Yes, Killian I can hear you; you are right next to me. What am I meant to know?" She was doing her best to keep her cool.

"Robin is a great catch. Now you are available, this maybe a really good opportunity for you, a little closer to your age too, ay?"

"Oh for Heaven's sake Killian, what is wrong with you?" That was it; Emma was not quite as composed.

"Killian, I'm not even divorced yet, I do not want another relationship, certainly not yet. If this is the intention tonight you may as well take me home." He threw his hands up off the steering wheel.

"Okay, okay I am sorry. Listen, I was just trying to plant a seed. This can be just a dinner, but it could be the start of something wonderful too, just keep your options open, that's all I'm saying." Regina took a deep breath and counted to ten.

"I appreciate that, but can we just get through this evening, please."

Emma: I am so sorry!- E

Before Regina could even contemplate beginning to reply, Killian pulled the SUV into the parking lot.

Walking into Tony's, it wasn't hard to spot Robin. He'd sequestered one of the private booths towards the back, because of course he had. He stood as they approached, shook Killian's hand and then proceeded to kiss Emma and Regina on the cheek before gesturing for them to enter the booth before Killian slipped in next to Emma and Robin, Regina. Both women exchanged a look; it was clear both felt slightly suffocated. Emma touched her foot to the side of Regina's and gave a small, I am with you smile. Regina reciprocated.

"Look Regina, I want to start by apologising for the other night." Robin turned to Regina. I believe it was a huge misunderstanding, I didn't realise you had hearing issues and that you couldn't hear what I was saying to you. Had I known, there was no way I would have approached you the way I had. And if I am ever in the position again, I will be far more considerate, especially if I don't know the woman's circumstances. Anyway, I promise I am not a creep and apologise, profusely and hope to introduce myself properly to you." Regina and Emma both considered his words for a moment. Regina felt a bit sick. When people addressed her that evening, they'd made sure they were close and near her ear. He'd been as close as you could get, had he really been talking to her, had she not heard a word? Emma's mind was whizzing along similar lines. She wasn't that far away from them and hadn't heard a word. Was he trying to gaslight her? Regina found her courage.

"I'm afraid I didn't hear a word, what was it you tried to say?" Emma was impressed, and intrigued as to how he'd play this. Though her head was slightly pounding, was the whole evening going to be like this. Right now, she'd settle for learning everyone's favourite colour.

"Ahem, well, it was a bit personal. Are you sure you want me to share?"

"Oh I'm sure." He cricked his neck slightly, clearly thinking through his response as the waiter approached with a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild that was worth more than an average person's monthly wage.

"I hope you don't mind, I took the opportunity to order this, entirely my treat, as is this evening, so please, don't hold back, any of you." What a blowhard, Emma thought as she sniffed the wine the waiter had just poured. She was back to full bodied, dry and something else in her evaluation, though she had to admit it was very pleasant.

"Much appreciated mate." Killian added as he took as rather unsophisticated gulp. Regina instantly noted the slight grimace Robin made. Perhaps they weren't as pally as she thought. Maybe she could use this to their advantage. She looked to Robin and offered a very thankful smile and small toast with her glass. His smile beamed in reciprocation as he also toasted, elegantly. It was clear he was far more cultured than Emma's pirate, as Regina had now dubbed him.

"You were saying?" Regina Reminded.

"Okay," Robin seemed to have relaxed after that little gesture. He sighed and placed his glass down. "I may have sidled over to you because you were the most beautiful woman in the room, hell, in the state. I may then have been a bit to lewd and commented on certain parts of your body that were goddess-worthy, but I honestly thought you were responding to me well, until you clearly weren't. I truly thought you could hear. I can assure you I've never crossed a boundary like that intentionally and will be more mindful in the future." And then he went for the puppy dog eyes.

Regina considered his words, if he was being honest, it was at least flattering, she was not one to be offended by someone admiring her, life was too short and who honestly didn't like the attention, but there was still something that kept her cautious. She truly couldn't believe she'd missed that entire dialogue, though would she know if she had? Does she only think she 'hears' and 'sees' more than she does? Emma wanted to be livid, but merely found herself irritatingly agreeing with everything Robin had said, it was just the fact that he'd been the one to it that boiled her blood.

"Hmm." Regina felt that's all she could offer in return, keeping her cards close to her chest. "Well, I think the idea of a fresh start is probably a wise one." As Regina offered the suggestion, Emma surreptitiously nudged her leg and Regina followed her gaze, having to avoid an eye roll. Settling down in the adjacent booth were none other than Belle and Rumple. She instantly knew the white household was footing that bill. It was then that the waiter approached Emma to take her order. Merely because they could, they ordered the most expensive of all their preferences.

"I'm curious," Emma began, not long after the waiter left. "How long have you two known each other? It's obvious it's not been two weeks." She didn't want to mess around anymore and she could not stand the thought of listening to this guy simp over Regina any longer. The guys exchanged a quick glance.

"Actually we met in boarding school in England, so we have known each other for years; they used to call that twat Hook and me Hood," Robin gest.

"As in Robin Hood?" Regina enquired.

"The very same." He pretended to don a hat. Emma sniggered.

"So you guys are basically a pirate and a thief?" Emma felt Killian's hand grip around her thigh which she was not expecting. Regina snorted.

"You could say that." Robin added as though for good measure. "What can I say, we were mere children."

"So what, you guys then happened to find one another again in one of the most non-existent towns in Maine USA? That seems an unlikely coincidence?" Regina had seen Emma tense, though did not know the reason why. She looped her foot around the back of Emma's, interlocking them, to remind her they were in this together.

"You're right it isn't. I own a vast nightclub empire and have not long opened my one here. When I learnt of the Sheriff's position, I instantly thought of Killian, knowing he wasn't too far away. That's when I sent him the job specification. We've never fully lost touch you see, social media, it's a wonderful thing." Okay, so that wasn't the worst answer in the world, it was probably also true, albeit merely a partial truth.

Conversation took a far more easy going tone after that. Killian seemed to relax as well and the man Emma had married made a small appearance. One thing was becoming clear over the course of the evening however, was that it didn't appear to be Killian who was calling the shots. What was this real empire that Robin ran? Robin turned out to be well educated, yet overly confident and cocky. It was apparent he was used to getting what he wanted.

It was nearing the end of the evening and they were nearly finished consuming desert. It was then that Robin dared place his hand on Regina's thigh. He turned to Regina and with a little squeeze asked the following: "I would very much like to see you again. I understand you are recently separated and I'm not looking for anything, merely friendship, for now at least." Well she had to hand it to him, he was at least honest. Forward and full of himself, but honest. Regina made eye contact with Emma. Both women had kept their feet locked around one another the entire time.

"I wouldn't like to commit to anything right now Robin, though I do appreciate the honestly of your intentions. I think I want to settle on my own for a while, and assimilate all the changes, but you have been a very gracious host tonight." And there it was that flicker of something cold that glazed his eyes momentarily before he composed himself.

"Of course, I appreciate you've recently had to deal with massive changes. Would you permit me to drive you home?"

"That won't be necessary." Emma instantly insisted. "We live next door; it makes far more sense for us to take her. And with a fleeting look between 'Hook' and 'Hood' that seemed to speak volumes, Killian agreed to take Regina home, all leaving Robin to foot a bill of over a thousand dollars himself.