The work had been dangerous. Too dangerous to continue, although West would never admit to this. After branching out from just re-animation of corpses to the re-animation of parts, and zeroing in on the idea that reagent was less of a miracle cure and more of a nutritional supplement, he had been having more success than ever.
And then Dan had to go and ruin it.
They had been so close with Gloria. So close. Although that was years ago, not a day goes by when Herbert doesn’t think about what could have been, how they could have pushed their research, the potential she had - it was a tragedy. The collapse of the mausoleum and the deaths in Christchurch Cemetery were simply collateral damage. No, the real tragedy was the untapped potential, the poisonous dreams of what could have been. What should have been.
Francesca was…a problem. She had always been a problem. In Peru. In America. Any time she showed up, it was as if Dan’s brain seemed to cease functioning altogether. Herbert supposed he couldn’t hate her too much, however, seeing as she was willing to let him stay with them. Build a lab in their house. Be close to his only friend. Trying to keep to himself and carry on his research had resulted in an incredible change of perspective. Over the past few years, he had taken an entirely new direction. Francesca had inadvertently given him everything he needed to pursue the work.
He would continue tonight, of course. He did every night. Regardless of if he was supposed to be watching Abigail or not. While Dan was home, and appearances had to be kept up, he remained upstairs. Polite. Placid. Seemingly innocuous as he silently observed, waiting for him to leave. No mention of taking Abigail down to the lab. No inkling that she would be helping him in his research. Not until they were left alone and he hovered in the doorway, smiling pleasantly at the girl.
“Abigail.” His sing-songy voice floated through the living room. “Would you like to help Uncle Herbert in the lab tonight?”
Summary: Season 1 AU. The night of the fire at Town Hall, Regina is treated by a dashing EMT named Robin Locksley. They have an immediate connection and Regina pursues it, going against everything she has been taught by her mother and Rumpelstiltskin. With Emma Swan threatening to end her curse, will Robin help Regina learn what a happy ending truly is?
Chapter 1: FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Chapter 15: Beyond the Curse
FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Excerpt:
Trapped.
It was the only word that came to Regina's mind once it had sunk in that her curse had been broken. Her car was still parked outside the library, meaning escape from the hospital to the safety of either her house or vault was impossible. She couldn't risk walking through town, not when everyone had their memories back. They would likely attack her and she would be dead before she got even a few blocks from the hospital.
Not that the hospital was much safer. The change had been almost instantaneous after the burst of magic had pulsed through the room. Whale and Mother Superior had been dazed at first but their eyes had cleared with a couple blinks of their eyes and in their place stood Frankenstein and the Blue Fairy. Confusion and shock filled Frankenstein's face as he looked around the room while still staying a good distance from Regina.
Blue, though, had no problem approaching Regina. Her eyes were cold as she smirked. "Looks like good once again defeated evil," she said. "You're now the most hated person in Storybrooke. I would suggest you run, Your Majesty."
"Mom?" Henry asked, drawing her attention. She looked down to find him watching her with anticipation in his eyes. He was waiting to see what she did next.
She then looked at Emma, who no longer resembled a deer in headlights and now had the same cold look in her eyes that Blue did. Just as she told Henry, she believed that fairy tales were real and Regina was the villain in this one. Emma was the hero destined to return all the happy endings.
And destroy Regina's.
The ground shifted between her feet as she realized that she was powerless in this world. Her magic was gone and her peaceful home was now filled with people who no longer viewed her as their dedicated mayor but the Evil Queen. Emma now held all the power – no doubt her parents were already reunited and would come for their daughter while the townspeople rallied around them. Regina was without magic or weapons of her own.
But she will not go down without a fight.
Nor would she be a sitting duck.
She swallowed before gently gripping Henry's chin. Looking in his eyes, she said: "I love you. No matter what happens next, I want you to remember that. Nothing will ever change that."
"I love you too, Mom," he told her with warmth in his eyes and a smile on his face.
"Tick tock, Your Majesty," Blue said tauntingly. "Everyone is coming for you."
Regina kissed Henry's forehead again before backing away. Glaring at a smug Blue, she left the room and decided she would figure out some way to get back to her car and then to the safety of her house.
John, though, intercepted her. He took one of her arms while Tuck took the other. They walked with her toward the elevator bank. Robin was waiting there in his wheelchair, a steely look in his eyes. "We need to move fast," he said.
"What do you mean, we?" she asked, confused. "You can't leave the hospital!"
"Neither should you but I think everyone has made it clear that they aren't going to take care of you," he replied, pushing the call button. "So we need to get you to safety."
John frowned. "I have to agree with Regina. You shouldn't put your own health at risk for her."
His words felt like a punch to her stomach. She always knew that breaking the curse would change her relationships with everyone in Storybrooke but it still hurt to experience it. John had been concerned about her mental health only the day before and now he didn't care about her at all.
"I don't like that tone," Robin said, glaring at John.
"I don't care," John replied, tightening his grip on her arm. "I know you have your memories back too. You know who she is."
Robin pressed his lips together, his eyes looking over her with an unreadable expression. "That's not the issue right now."
It wasn't a very comforting statement but at least he wasn't throwing her to the wolves. That had to count for something, she guessed. She had a feeling they needed to have a very long conversation. Regina just wasn't sure she would be able to have all the answers Robin likely wanted or needed.
But that wasn't her immediate concern. His health was more important to her than anything else, except for Henry's safety. "You need to stay here and make sure nothing else happens to you," she insisted.
"John and I will take her to safety," Tuck said, his grip not as tight as John's. "And you can stay here until the doctor clears you."
"Please, Robin," she pleaded, hoping they were starting to get through to him and convincing him to stay. "You're already here because of me. Don't make yourself worse because of me."
His expression softened and he nodded. "Alright," he agreed.
John looked between her and Robin before saying: "I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone here. I'm pretty sure I've seen the Sheriff walking around. Now that he has his memories, if he knows you're in no condition to flee or fight, he might come after you."
"You stay with him, John," Tuck said. "I'll take Regina to safety."
"Agreed," John replied, releasing her arm and stepping back just as the elevator doors opened.
Tuck gently guided Regina onto the elevator. She turned back to Robin, who rolled himself closer to her. He reached out and took her hand, raising it to his lips and pressing a kiss to it. "Milady," he said, his voice warmer than it had been.
He then released her hand and the door closed, leaving Regina to stare at her own pale reflection in the metal doors.
“Well, I’m not saying I’m going to get a horse.” He said pulling his phone out. “The TSA has a large number of dogs that either doesn’t meet their training criteria or are being retired.” Bruce showed her the picture of a chocolate lab. “Look at him!”
It was the first time he was really excited about something since he had retired from being Batman. “Gives me something to really focus on. He wouldn’t be the first dog I’ve trained and it would be nice to have a dog in the house again.”
Bruce showed her another picture. “I already met him. He’s on the young side. A little over a year old but,” Bruce shrugged a little bit. “I think it’ll be good for them both. What you think?”
Set in my “Beyond” verse. Maybe a little sneak peek to the sequel to “Beyond the Call of Duty”
Regina’s pleas and whimpers woke Robin. He propped himself on his elbow, realizing she was still asleep. She didn’t talk much about her mother or marriage with him but what she had shared made his blood boil. No one deserved to be treated the way she had.
No wonder she believed she didn’t know how to love well – no one had really loved her.
She bolted awake and he held her as she sobbed. Robin hated seeing her in pain and wished he could take it away from her. Instead, he did the only thing he could.
Summary: Season 1 AU. The night of the fire at Town Hall, Regina is treated by a dashing EMT named Robin Locksley. They have an immediate connection and Regina pursues it, going against everything she has been taught by her mother and Rumpelstiltskin. With Emma Swan threatening to end her curse, will Robin help Regina learn what a happy ending truly is?
Chapter 1: FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Chapter 14: True Love’s Kiss
FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Excerpt:
Regina charged through the front doors of the hospital, storming right up to the receptionist. She slammed her hands on the desk as she asked: "Where is my son?"
The receptionist told her that Mother Superior would take her to him, motioning to the petite brunette dressed in blue as she stepped forward. Concern filled Mother Superior's eyes as she approached Regina. "Madame Mayor, please follow me."
"Okay," Regina said, knowing she had no other choice if she wanted to see Henry. She would do anything for him – even endure the presence of the former Blue Fairy, who never once had helped Regina in the Enchanted Forest.
That certainly had changed under the curse.
Mother Superior brought her into the elevator and took her up to the same floor Robin was on. Regina's heart pounded faster as she hoped Henry was near Robin. At least he wouldn't be alone.
"He's over here," Mother Superior said, motioning to the nearest room. Regina saw Tuck standing outside with his arms crossed, his face pale as he watched what was happing with Henry.
"What's going?" she asked him, pushing past Mother Superior and standing next to him.
Tuck looked at her and tried to block her view. "Regina, I don't think you should go in there."
"He's my son," she protested, trying to push past him. "I need to be with him."
"You need to let the doctors work on him," Tuck protested, still trying to hold her back.
But Regina got past him, entering the room. She stopped short as she saw Henry lying shirtless on the hospital bed, different sensors covering his chest as wires ran to the various machines surrounding him. They all beeped and blared warnings as Whale flitted from machine to machine, a frown on his face. Henry looked pale and he laid so still, she feared that he was dead and her stomach turned as her legs gave out. "Henry!" she gasped out.
Strong arms wrapped around her as Whale looked over, frowning. Anger filled his eyes as he snapped: "Get her out of here!"
"No!" she pleaded as Tuck dragged her out of the room. "I need to stay with him."
"You need to let Whale do his job," Tuck told her. "You can help Henry by staying out here."
She took a deep breath, knowing he had a point. But a sob still came out as she looked at the blurry version of Tuck standing before her. "I can't lose him," she said.
"Why don't you come into Robin's room?" Tuck suggested. "You can still see Henry but will also be out of Whale's way."
"I should probably talk with Emma," Regina said, looking around for the sheriff. "Do you know where she is?"
He shook his head. "A rather official looking woman dressed in a suit and an official badge took her somewhere else. I guess to ask her questions. The sheriff can't investigate what happened to her own children. And since you're the mayor and his mother as well…"
She swallowed, nodding. "Someone else has to investigate. I'm probably next."
"Probably," he agreed. "Do you want me to come with you like I did last time?"
"I don't think that's necessary," Regina said. She then paused, thinking of the note in her purse. "Well, maybe. I might know someone who wanted to hurt Henry. Actually, he wanted to hurt me and wouldn't be above hurting Henry to do so."
Tuck frowned. "He? Do you mean Sidney? Is it out of the hospital?"
"I don't know," she replied. "But it's not Sidney. It's someone else. Do you remember that odd fellow you told me was looking for me the other day?"
"Yes," he said. "John said he was threatening you."
She nodded, deciding how best to explain the situation to him. "I hired Jefferson to do a job and while he was working it, he lost custody of his daughter. He blamed me for it, believing the job cost him custody. So he wants me to give his daughter back to him and won't accept that it's not within my power to do that."
"You certainly didn't cost him custody," Tuck replied, shaking his head. "Has everyone in Storybrooke lost their minds?"
It wasn't so much that everyone in Storybrooke had lost their minds as much as her dark deeds were starting to come back to haunt her. She had learned about the concept of karma here in the Land Without Magic and she was now experiencing it firsthand. While she still couldn't tell Tuck everything, she knew in her heart that it was time to start owning up to some of her past misdeeds before Henry paid the ultimate price.
She swallowed. "I don't think my hands are as entirely clean as I would like them to be. He told me that he had this important court date but I told him that it would be done by then. I guess part of me knew there was a chance this would happen but I thought what I wanted was worth the risk. Maybe there's more I could do for him…"
"Maybe," Tuck agreed, tilting his head. "But if he lost custody, it sounds like it was a lot more than just one missed court case. He's likely blaming you for everything rather than accepting accountability."
"I think it's just a rather complicated situation all around," Regina said, glancing toward the room where Henry lay as Whale now backed away from her son. "But either way, the wrong person is paying the price."
He nodded as Whale walked out, looking grim. Regina's stomach turned as she stepped forward. "What's going on?"
The doctor sighed before looking toward Robin's room. "Maybe we should go in there. I think you're going to want Robin with you."
"Come on, Regina," Tuck said, taking her arm as she felt her knees grow weak again. She walked with him toward Robin's room, knowing that it couldn't be good if Whale wanted her to have support. He didn't have the best bedside manner in the hospital except in the gravest situations. So the fact he was acting so compassionately was a giant red flag.
Robin looked solemn as they entered his room. He reached out his good hand to her and she took it, nearly collapsing into the chair next to him. "It's going to be okay," he assured her. "Henry will be okay."
"I wish I could say the same," Whale said, closing the door after a pale and shaken Emma stepped into the room. Mother Superior was with her and had her arm wrapped around the sheriff as they all waited to hear what Whale had to say. Regina was surprised to see that Emma looked as horrible as Regina felt.
Maybe she really did love Henry as much as Regina did.
"I've stabilized Henry," Whale continued. "And I'm waiting for some tests to come back. But until we know what exactly is affecting him, I don't know how to treat him."
"He ate something," Emma said. "I gave you what I found with him."
Whale nodded. "I know. And we're analyzing it. It would be helpful to know where it came from."
Tuck looked at Regina, who swallowed. Without releasing Robin's hand, she pulled out the letter she had found in her vault from her purse. "I think I know. I found this note threatening Henry," she said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Emma asked in an accusatory tone as she glared at Regina.
"I was about to call you when you called me," Regina said, holding out the note to Emma. "There's this man, Jefferson. He was making demands of me and I was unable to give them to him so now he's threatening Henry."
Emma snatched the note from her. "So this is all your fault?"
"No, this sounds like it's that man Jefferson's fault," Robin said, barely hiding his contempt for Emma. It seemed she had used up all his goodwill after everything she had done to Regina.
"Do you know where this Jefferson person is?" Emma asked Regina. She held up the note. "How did you get this?"
Regina decided to be as vague as possible. "I found it some place only I would look."
"I'm going to let you two argue this out," Whale said, slowly moving back toward the door. "If either of you figure out what this Jefferson person fed Henry, please let me know. Otherwise, I'm going to go bother the lab to see if they can get those results back sooner."
As he left the room with Mother Superior, Emma looked at Robin and Tuck before turning her attention back to Regina. "I think we need to talk without an audience," she said.
Robin's grip on Regina's hand tightened. "You mean you don't want people to stop you when you continue to lob baseless accusations at Regina," he said.
"I think it's best if you all stay here as well," Tuck agreed.
"No," Regina said, knowing it was time to at least tell Emma the truth. "I think we need to talk alone as well."
Emma then smiled. "Actually, I think Robin and Tuck are right. Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of them."
Regina swallowed, realizing she was going to have to be truthful with everyone in the room. She had spent so long trying to hide it and now Henry was paying the price. People often said that the truth would set you free. Maybe it was time to find out if that was the case.
"Okay," Regina said. "I guess it's time. The truth is…it's all true. Everything Henry has been saying…it's true."
Summary: Season 1 AU. The night of the fire at Town Hall, Regina is treated by a dashing EMT named Robin Locksley. They have an immediate connection and Regina pursues it, going against everything she has been taught by her mother and Rumpelstiltskin. With Emma Swan threatening to end her curse, will Robin help Regina learn what a happy ending truly is?
Chapter 1: FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Chapter 13: A Plan Gone Awry
FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Regina had to delay putting her plan into action. While Robin had made it through his surgery, it ended up only being the first of many. She feared the curse was slowly killing him and continued to pray for it to spare him as she sat by his bedside, kissing his hand as she watched his chest rise and fall. It assured her that he was still alive just as much as the steady beeping of the machines monitoring his vitals. But she vowed she would not eat the apple until she was certain that Robin was on the mend.
Then she would take herself out of the equation.
"Regina?" Tuck interrupted her thoughts as he entered Robin's room. "You have a visitor."
"A visitor?" she asked, her heart sinking. She doubted that was a good thing. "Who is it?"
He shrugged. "He's an odd-looking but young fellow."
Odd-looking but young? Regina frowned as she stood. "I'm not sure who that is but I'll go out and talk to him," she said.
"I'll stay with Robin," Tuck said. "Take all the time you need. Maybe get something to eat."
"I'll try," she said, knowing that Tuck would find a way to feed her anyway. He understood why she didn't have much of an appetite but reminded her that her body still needed food anyway.
Regina stepped outside of the room and turned down the hallway. As she approached the waiting room, her heart sank into her stomach. Dressed in his faded purple coat and elaborate black top hat, Jefferson stood there waiting for her. She wondered how he had escaped Wonderland after trapping him there to rescue her father and knew that his presence in Storybrooke likely wasn't a good thing.
"Hello, Regina," he said as if they saw each other every day.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, almost hissing at him.
His expression remained neutral. "Do you mean here in the hospital or here in Storybrooke?"
"Both," she replied.
"It took a while but I eventually found the right hat," he told her, answering one question. "And now I'm here for my daughter."
She nodded, not surprised by that answer. "And what do you think confronting me in the hospital will do?"
"Hopefully get me my daughter," he said.
"I can't help you now," she replied, feeling tired. The last thing she needed was to deal with Jefferson, even if it was her fault that he was separated from his daughter. Grace was safe and happy while Robin was unconscious and fighting for his life. She needed to focus on him more.
She started to walk away when he grabbed her arm, firmly holding her in place. "Don't walk away from me," he said.
"Let go of me," she hissed, panic filling her. She didn't think Jefferson would hurt her but she also knew the lengths a desperate parent would go to be reunited with their child. Regina couldn't rule anything out.
"Not until you promise me I'll get Grace," he said, his face so close she felt like she was going cross-eyed trying to look him in the eyes.
She swallowed before saying: "There's nothing I can do. But if you're patient, I believe you'll get what you want sooner rather than later."
"That's not a promise," he said. "I want you to promise me you'll do it."
"I can't," she replied, anguished. The only way he would get Grace back would be for the curse to break. And once she bit that apple, it would likely only be a matter of days before Emma figured out how to break it and did so.
And so Emma, not her, would reunite him with his daughter.
"You can't? he asked, almost snarling. "Or you won't?"
"Hey! Back off her," John said, his voice booming. She looked away from Jefferson to see him striding down the hallway toward them, glaring at the mam. "Let go of her or we're going to have a problem."
Jefferson released Regina's arm, stepping back. "I see you haven't changed. Still only caring about yourself and not worrying about whose life you destroy in the process. You'll regret this."
He stalked away, bumping against John's shoulder as he pushed past the burly man. John glared at him before turning back to Regina. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know," she answered, feeling numb.
"Who was that?" he asked. "And what was he talking about?"
She sighed, deciding how best to put what her relationship with Jefferson was. "He's someone I worked with several years ago and he believes I took something important from him. He wants me to return it."
"Do you know what happened to this thing?" John asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I do," she replied. "But it's not in my power to return it."
He nodded. "But he's not accepting that, is he?"
She shook her head. "He is not."
"Do you think his threat was just empty words or do you think he could do something to hurt you?" he asked her.
"I don't know," she replied, a statement that pained her. She wanted to believe she had everything under control but the last few weeks have proven the opposite was true. "But I doubt there is much he can really do to me. My best friend thinks I'm the reason she got kidnapped, the DA wants to charge me despite a relatively weak case, there's a good chance I'm going to lose my son and my boyfriend is fighting for his life. What else could he possible do to hurt me?"
John sighed, pulling Regina into a hug. "I know Robin has suggested you go talk with Archie Hopper before and that it didn't go well…but maybe you should try again. You've had a lot happen and need help processing it."
She melted a bit into his hug, feeling tears in her eyes. "I don't really need help processing it. I know why this is happening. I'm just meant to be alone."
"Well, that's bullshit," he replied, leaning back. There was a serious but concerned look in his brown eyes. "Regina, I really think you might be depressed."
"Of course I'm depressed," she said, wishing she had the energy to laugh. "Wouldn't you be if you had to deal with all the shit I've had to the past few months?"
John shook his head. "That's not what I meant and you know it. I think deep down, you know that you're likely suffering from depression too."
"Great," she said, knowing deep down that John likely was right. "Just what I need. Another reason for Emma to use to keep Henry from me."
"Emma Swan is not going to keep your son from you," John said firmly. "And if she tries to use any possible mental health condition you have against you, she's going to become very unpopular very quickly."
Regina sighed, wishing she could believe him. "Thanks, John. But I have a feeling I'll become unpopular very quickly. It's how these things usually go for me."
John tilted his head. "Is this the dark place Robin has mentioned?"
"What?" she asked, surprised.
"Every so often he makes a mention of you tending to go to a dark place," he explained. "He then realizes what he said and stops but I think I now realize what he means."
A chill swept through her. "I didn't realize my mental state was conversation at the dinner table," she said.
"It's not," John replied, rushing to reassure her. "I'm sure you've realized by now that Robin is a nurturer by nature. It makes him a great EMT, a great father, a great friend, and a great man. He gets frustrated if he can't help someone to the extent he wants and when he gets frustrated, he talks to himself out loud. So he wasn't talking to me. He was just talking and I happened to be in the same room."
"Oh," she said, feeling better. She also felt a little spark of warmth knowing that Robin cared so much for her that he would try to figure out some way to help her.
Too bad nothing could help her.
She took a deep breath. "Well, while I appreciate the concern, John, now's not the time. I really don't have the energy to discuss any problems I may or may not have."
"Alright," he said slowly. "We can table it for now."
"Thank you," she replied, knowing that they would never go back to this conversation once she completed her plan and Emma broke the curse.
Summary: Season 1 AU. The night of the fire at Town Hall, Regina is treated by a dashing EMT named Robin Locksley. They have an immediate connection and Regina pursues it, going against everything she has been taught by her mother and Rumpelstiltskin. With Emma Swan threatening to end her curse, will Robin help Regina learn what a happy ending truly is?
Chapter 1: FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Chapter 5: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Excerpt:
"Wow, Regina, you have a really big house!" Roland stood in her foyer, his brown eyes wide as he looked around him. He craned his neck as he tried to look up the main staircase, but since it curled upwards, he was unable to do so and nearly fell backwards. Roland caught himself but still looked awestruck.
Regina chuckled as she hung up his coat as well as his father's. "Yes, I do. Do you like it?"
He nodded, now looking into her dining room with his mouth slightly open. Robin grinned at his son's expression as he handed a giftbag to Regina. "I was taught to never show up without bringing something."
"That's sweet but you didn't have to," she said, opening the bag to find cupcakes inside. "But I'm glad you brought dessert. Thank you."
"You're welcome," he said, giving her a quick kiss. He then pulled away, looking upstairs. "Is Henry here?"
She nodded, holding the bag out to him again. "You can put this in the kitchen while I go get him. It's just through the dining room. You can't miss it."
"Sure," Robin said, reaching out for his son's hand. "Come on, Roland."
Roland, though, shook his head. "Can I go with Regina to get Henry? Please?"
"I think that would be a great idea," Regina said, hoping Henry would be more willing to come down if he knew Robin and Roland were there.
"Alright," Robin replied as his son cheered. Roland took Regina's hand and they headed upstairs to Henry's room. He looked around as they made their way to the second floor and seemed to admire some of the stain glass windows in the stairwell.
She hung back as they approached Henry's bedroom and motioned to the door. "Go ahead, Roland. Why don't you knock?"
"Okay," he said, bouncing as he knocked on the door. "Hi, Henry! It's me, Roland!"
Regina held her breath until her son's door opened a few seconds later. Henry peeked out and Roland's smile widened. "Papa and I are having dinner with you and your mama! Come join us!"
Henry stepped out of the room and took Roland's hand before looking at his mother. "What are we having?" he asked.
"Chicken cutlets, rice and mixed vegetables," she said, relieved to see him in a relatively good mood. "And Robin brought cupcakes for dessert."
"Sounds good," Henry said, letting Roland pull him toward the stairs. Regina followed, hoping this meant they were in for a good night.
She could use one of those right now.
They made it back to the first floor and Regina motioned to the living room. "Why don't you go play with Roland in there while Robin and I make dinner?" she suggested.
"Okay, Mom," Henry said, now tugging on Roland's hand. "Come on. Let's go find a game to play."
As they entered the living room, she walked into the kitchen. Robin looked up from the counter with an anxious look in his eyes. "Well?"
"So far so good," she said. "He's in the living room entertaining Roland and seems to be in a good mood."
Relief filled Robin's eyes. "Good. So, where do you want to begin?"
"You don't have to help me make dinner," she told him, pulling out a few ingredients from the cabinets.
He moved behind her, gently gripping her hips as she felt his lips near her ear. "I know. I want to help you, Regina."
The feel of his lips and his hot breath hitting the back of her neck made her shiver. She leaned against him, smiling. "Alright. Why don't you start the rice for me, please?"
"Will do," he told her, kissing the side of her head before moving away again. He then glanced at her. "You look beautiful but if you want to change into something more comfortable, I'm fine here."
She looked down at her dress and considered his offer. Part of her wanted to keep the dress on to impress him but the other half was dying to get out of her stockings. Her mother's warnings about always looking her best – especially for men – flashed in her mind, conflicting her even more.
Robin frowned, looking at her. "Is something wrong? You don't have to change if you don't want to. I just don't want you to be uncomfortable on my account."
"I…I…" She found herself unable to finish her thought, her mind going in too many directions at once. Regina looked him over – he wore a simple blue Henley paired with dark blue jeans. It was casual and felt perfect for that moment.
And she knew that Robin would think she was perfect dressed just as casually as he was. He wasn't with her because of her fancy clothes, jewelry and makeup. Robin wanted her for just herself.
It was refreshing and freeing.
"I think I will," she said, kissing his cheek. "Can you also start cutting up the vegetables for me please?"
"Of course," he told her. "I've got everything under control. Go."
She left the kitchen and peeked into the living room. Roland and Henry sat on the floor, playing a card game together. It made her smile and she headed upstairs, feeling happier than she had felt in a long time.
Maybe the curse made her happy ending ongoing and there was even more coming for her – including a reconciliation with Henry. She just needed to be patient and protect the curse from being broken by Emma Swan.
Summary: Season 1 AU. The night of the fire at Town Hall, Regina is treated by a dashing EMT named Robin Locksley. They have an immediate connection and Regina pursues it, going against everything she has been taught by her mother and Rumpelstiltskin. With Emma Swan threatening to end her curse, will Robin help Regina learn what a happy ending truly is?
Chapter 1: FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Chapter 12: Downward Spiral
FFN | AO3 | Wattpad
Excerpt:
Everything was a blur to Regina. She knew she had managed to shower and change, not even bothering to blow dry her hair. Her natural curls started to appear, framing her face as Emma drove her to the hospital. The sheriff didn't tell her much about Robin but Regina didn't mind. She would rather get the information from the doctors and those who cared about her boyfriend rather than the woman who was trying to destroy her life.
Regina practically flew into the emergency room, her eyes wide as she tried to find a familiar face. Tuck's was the first one she saw and he motioned to her as he whispered to a rather burly man with long dark hair pulled into a ponytail. The man nodded and the two approached her.
"Hello, Regina." The burly man held out his hand to her. "I'm John, Robin's friend and roommate."
"John," she repeated, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you at last."
He nodded. "I just wish it was under better circumstances."
She certainly felt the same way. Releasing his hand, Regina hugged herself. "What happened?"
"Why don't we go sit down first?" Tuck suggested, gently taking Regina's hand. "It might be best."
"Okay," she said, not putting up a fight as the older man guided her to one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs that filled Storybrooke General's emergency room. She sat down as John and Tuck took seats on either side of her. Turning to John, she asked: "Well?"
He sighed. "Okay, I guess it starts last night after he returned home from visiting you at the sheriff's station. He was really upset."
"We had a fight," she said softly, regretting some of the harsh words she had said to him last night. He hadn't deserved the amount of anger she had unleashed on her, especially when he was more of the wronged party than her.
"I know," he replied. "Robin told me everything. And he was angry."
"At me?" she asked, her heart skipping a beat even though she knew she would've deserved his anger.
John shook his head. "At himself. He cracked open a beer and spent the night berating himself."
Regina swallowed, imagining Robin just ranting about what an idiot he was for not trusting her. For a brief moment, triumph filled her as she was glad he realized how wrong he had been. But then she imagined him getting absolutely drunk and doing something stupid. Swallowing, she asked: "What happened next?"
"He decided he was going to go to bed and then wake up early in order to drive to all the neighboring towns until he found someone who would be willing to take your case," John explained. "And he did just that."
A chill swept through her as she realized what had likely happened. Robin had driven too close to the town line and the curse sabotaged him so he couldn't cross it. Not many people had tried to cross the town line since they arrived in Storybrooke but she knew the few who had dared try ended up with bumps, bruises and broken bones.
John squeezed her hand. "He wasn't driving drunk, if that's what you were thinking. He slept off his beers, ate a good breakfast and had coffee. He didn't even look hungover, just energized since he was a man on a mission."
"The bloodwork will confirm that," Tuck agreed. "If he does have any alcohol in his system, it will likely be way below the legal limit."
"But it was a car crash?" she asked, needing them to say it out loud.
John sighed, looking over at Tuck. Nodding, Tuck confirmed her worst fears. "Yes, it was a car crash. It seems that Robin hit a patch of black ice and lost control of the car. He ended up spinning out before rolling into a ditch."
"How bad is he?" she asked them, bracing herself for the worst – coma or death. She didn't know which one would be more painful – to have him within reach, taunting her with false hope, or to have him gone completely.
"Thankfully not as bad as it could've been," Tuck assured her. "He wore his seatbelt and his airbags all deployed. But we did have to use the jaws of life to get him out and he had a nasty cut on his head, a broken arm, possibly a broken leg and definitely some damage to his ribs."
"Is he conscious?" she asked, hoping she could go into his room and talk with him.
"Right now, no," John replied. "My understanding is that he was conscious when he arrived at the hospital…"
He paused, looking up at Tuck. The fire captain nodded, confirming that Robin had been conscious when pulled out of his car and while he had been transported to the hospital. "I rode with him and he was alert. It was a promising sign."
"Then why is he unconscious now?" she asked, fearing Robin had taken a turn for the worse and they were trying to break it to her gently.
"The doctors had some concern about swelling on the brain," John explained. "So they've put him in a medically induced coma in order to monitor his condition. If all goes well, they'll bring him out of it in a couple days."
He squeezed Regina's hand. "Robin's in good health and is strong. He'll be fine."
She sniffed as she nodded, the image from her dream of a pale Robin lying cold and limp in her arms haunting her. Regina refused to believe the worst would happen but she knew fortune was never on her side. Would Robin pay the price for loving her like Daniel had?
