Chapter 13: How Will I Know

It was well past midnight. She'd given up tossing and turning a long time ago; Regina settled in for another long night of sleeplessness. The house was completely silent aside from the rustle of the trees as the wind blew through her open bedroom window.

She laid spread across the bed, the way you do when you are accustom to sleeping alone. Silk sheets, silk gown. If her mind hadn't been inundated with thoughts of her encounter in the woods, she would likely have enjoyed the comfort of the evening.

She couldn't get the image of him with his son out her mind. She wasn't sure what she had expected to find, but what she saw left her with that lovely, but unnerving feeling of standing on the edge of something glorious. Regina had only felt this way a few times in her life. Once when she climbed from her window in the middle of the night to meet Daniel in the barn, and another time as she drove from Storybrooke to Boston to meet her son for the first time. It was a nervousness in the pit of her stomach, as if she were the bull in the doorway of a shop whose shelves were stocked with priceless china.

She smiled, though, as she thought of him, the way he took her breath away when he smiled across the camp at her.

Regina was shook from her thoughts when her Blackberry danced across the night table, Snow's name flashing across the screen. Regina looked over at the clock, 1:27. Henry, she thought and rushed to grab the phone.

"Is everything alright?"

"Regina. I'm sorry to call you so late," Snow answered.

"Is Henry okay?" She pushed down the panic in her voice.

"He's fine," Snow told her, and Regina felt an instant release. "It's Neal."

Regina barely heard the explanation of how or why Neal died. As Snow explained, Regina pull on her clothes, and by the time Snow said goodbye, Regina was half way to the loft. She was motivated not by Neal, but by his son. Her maternal instincts kicked into gear, superseding any rational thought of just how little her presence would mean to him in the moment.

She hastily climbed the stairs, reaching the door and softly knocking. Emma opened the door looking weary.

"Regina." It wasn't a question, more a statement. Regina could tell Emma had half-expected her to knock on the door tonight.

"Umm…" Regina stumbled, looking for the right words, "I'm sorry about Neal, Emma." Emma knew she wasn't here to offer her condolences, but to see Henry.

"Thank you," Emma waited a beat before cutting the tension, "He's asleep upstairs."

"Could I," Regina started, but she was interrupted when Snow pulled the door open past Emma.

"Regina? Here, come in," Snow offered.

The three women eased back into the loft; Regina felt a bit awkward standing there waiting for permission to see her son.

"I just wanted to look in on him," Regina told them in a whisper.

Emma looked as if she wanted to ask her to wait until tomorrow, or maybe she was worried that Henry might wake to find the woman he knew only as the mayor watching him sleep. Regina wasn't able to decipher it in the moment, but Snow didn't give Emma the chance to say no.

"Of course, you can. He's upstairs," Snow gave her a sad smile.

Regina did not hesitate to make her way to the stairs. Henry was a heavy sleeper, so she wasn't worried about waking him. She also knew that this moment she was stealing with him was more for her than it was for him. She need to see that he was alright with her own eyes.

Henry was spread across the bed, much in the same way that she had been when Snow called. He had always been a wild sleeper, taking up more of the bed as a toddler than she thought humanly possible. She sat down on the edge of the bed; her eyes immediately glassed with tears. Regina knew that losing Neal would hurt Henry, even without his memories, and his hurt was her hurt. She had tried for years to protect him from everything the world could throw at him, but she knew now that it wasn't possible. So, she sat there for a few moments, wishing she could soak up the loss he must feel.

She would gladly have stayed there all night watching over him, but after she wiped her tears, she brushed the hair from his eyes and took the risk of kissing his forehead before going downstairs. Never had she felt any risk were so worth the reward.

By the time she came downstairs, Snow had gone to bed. Emma stood at the kitchen counter, nursing a glass of wine. Regina was sure Emma hadn't registered that she was even in the room; she looked as if her mind were in a distant place. Regina stepped closer until Emma snapped from her thoughts.

"Thinking of Neal?"

Emma took a deep breath, placing her glass of wine on the counter to pour more on top of what was left in the glass. The only response she gave Regina was a nod of agreement.

"How'd Henry take the news?" Regina braced herself.

Emma brought a glass out for Regina and filled the glass more full than was probably necessary.

"He was alright. I think he mostly felt cheated out of the chance to really know him. It's hard to tell. Guess he gets that from you and I both."

They mostly drank their wine in silence; Regina eased into the comfort of the moment, just sadly accepting that there was nothing she could say that would help the way Emma felt.

Regina sat the empty wine glass back down on the counter, "Emma, thank you for letting me look in on him."

Regina turned to leave, but Emma stopped her, "I think its me that should be thanking you. Tonight, I saw Henry cry for the first time in a long time, and I thought about the time he fell in the park when he was four, skinned his knee on the sidewalk."

Regina's eyes went down to the floor, knowing exactly the moment to which she was referring.

"You gave me all of your memories with him, didn't you? His first words and his first steps. I can remember it all now, and even though I know I wasn't actually there in the moment, you let me experience it. My memories of him are your memories. I guess I hadn't thought of it until that moment tonight."

Regina didn't know what to say except, "I wanted him to have all of that. I wanted you both to have that."

"Regina, I'm sorry that I ever doubted that you loved him. I don't think I have ever said that."

She was at a loss, so she simply gave a sad smile and headed for the door.

"I'm truly sorry about Neal, Emma," she mustered, hand on the doorknob.

"Me too," Emma replied.

Regina took the long way home that night. She drove down past the cannery and took in the eerie stillness of Storybrooke at this time of the night. She was tempted to park by the water and wait for the sun to come up; she knew there was no sleep to be had for the night, but she merely made loop by the water and headed home. She did not bother going back to bed. She settled on a cup of coffee and a book in her study. She watched the sun come up that morning. The pink and oranges of the early morning sky seemed to renew her in some way. She'd need that strength today during the funeral. It would difficult for her to see Henry today and know she couldn't outright comfort him.

Regina reached the cemetery early. Snow and Emma stood with a few others, waiting for the service to start. Henry, she assumed, would come up with Charming closer to the service time. Emma likely requested, just as she would have if she were in this situation, that Henry only be there when necessary. Regina watched as people filed in. She thought of Rumple and of how, no matter the darkness, this loss would rip him apart. Even in her darkest moment, losing Henry would have been sobering.

"Waiting for your son?"

Regina was startled by his voice. She was a little embarrassed the way she jumped, a leftover side effect of growing up with Cora Mills as a mother.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"You didn't," she lied.

"I wouldn't pass up a glimpse of my boy either if I were in your shoes," Robin told her. She softened at the sympathy she heard in his voice.

"And how exactly do you know about my shoes?" Her tone was more ironic than offended.

"Storybrooke has an affinity for sharing news," he smiled.

She heard the putter of Charming's truck before she saw it come over the hill. She was sure her entire demeanor shifted, again embarrassed that Robin seemed to always be the audience when her armor fractured.

Henry climbed from the truck. Charming waited for him to make his way around, ruffling his hair as soon as he reached him. For possibly the first time ever, Regina was thankful for Charming and that he was there for Henry when she couldn't be.

She felt Robin's hand on her shoulder, signaling his intent to walk her up to the service. As much as she was uncomfortable every time the dark ink showed as his arms swung at his sides, she also appreciated the company and his avoidance of needless conversation.

People gathered around the grave, solemnly here to pay their respects. Henry stood alongside Emma. He put on the brave face Regina knew so well. She outright stared at him throughout the service, not caring if anyone noticed. The cricket said a few words, then the shovel passed from person to person. Dirt heaped in small piles atop the casket until Emma nodded to Henry for his turn. Regina's heart broke watching him have to go through such a grown-up motion as raining earth down on his father's casket.

Everyone left the cemetery to seek comfort in Granny's lasagna. Emma mentioned as the service was ending that Neal wouldn't have had it any other way. He loved Granny's lasagna.

Regina debated on whether or not to follow everyone to Granny's. She had work to do; they needed to find this Witch. The tide turned in her mind when she saw Henry standing by the truck waiting for Charming.

When she reached him, she had to stop herself from pulling him into her arms. She opened her mouth to say something, but everything that came to mind was so overtly maternal that it would seem odd to him. She couldn't seem to transcend herself in the moment, and when he turned to see her, they looked at one another for an awkward moment.

"Henry, I'm so sorry about Neal," it was Robin's voice again. Regina was thankful for the interruption this time, though. She assumed he had noticed that she was floundering.

"Oh, did you know him?" Henry asked.

"Yes. As brief as it was, I know that he was a good man who cared for you very much."

Henry offered a weak smile. The Charmings walked over, ready to take Henry to Granny's.

"Madam Mayor?"

Regina's heart leapt when he addressed her.

"Will you be at Granny's?"

"Of course," she told him without hesitation.

"Because I was kind of hoping you'd be able to bring that book by that we talked about."

She could feel everyone's eyes on her, but she didn't care what sort of spectacle she was making under his attention.

"I'll drop by my house along the way."

"Oh, I don't want you to go to any extra trouble," he ceded.

"I'd be happy to, Henry." He had no way of knowing just how happy she'd be to oblige.

Regina watched as the truck drove away. Robin lingered behind her; he'd given her plenty of space with Henry. He seemed to know what she needed even before she knew she needed it.

"So, you will be at Granny's," he asked, attempting to be as nonchalant as possible. Maybe he was embarrassed at having overheard her conversation, or maybe he was a teenager attempting to make sure the girl he liked would be at the party. She didn't know.

He reached for her car door. Regina might have found it gallant if she hadn't reached for it at the same time causing an awkward collision. Robin just bowed his head and smiled at his own clumsiness.

"I'll be there," she told him as she opened her door.

"Well, I suppose I will see you there then."

Regina watched him in her rear-view mirror as he walked back into the woods. She was flooded again with that bothersome hum in the pit of her stomach. He was familiar, but foreign. Both calming and unnerving. Today was not the day to figure out this man with the lion tattoo. Today, her only mission was to deliver a book to its rightful owner.

Regina walked into the diner book-in-hand. Henry lit up when he saw her; she handed it over. She'd ripped out the page that had his name scribbled into the top and carefully thumbed through to make sure she hadn't left anything in the pages during last night's reading. His attention promptly turned back to the Charmings and his hot chocolate. Regina settled herself at the end of the bar.

Her eyes darted as quickly as her thoughts, from Henry to Robin and back again. Both held animated conversations, waving their hands in the midst of stories. Henry laughed as Charming made a joke; Regina tried to hide the smile the sound brought to her face. Again, she was stuck with thankfulness for Charming; it was as unexpected as earlier, but she wouldn't deny it. Robin moved to the bar, tattoo beaming like a spotlight in the dark and blinding Regina.

Tinkerbelle arrived late, or just in time rather to see Robin bring drinks over to Regina.

"It's the lion tattoo," she said much too loudly. "It's what was prophesized. He's your soulmate."

"I know. I saw it yesterday." As much as it had been on her mind, Regina certainly did not want to discuss it aloud.

"And, you didn't tell me?"

"Well, right now I have better things to do than gossip about boys."

Before Tink could offer rebuttle, Robin brought the drinks he ordered over.

Regina could tell he was a bit uncomfortable interrupting them, but he seemed to be a mission.

"Care for a drink?"

Regina cut her eyes at Tink when she snatched the drink up practically before Robin could finish the offer.

"I… umm… I do hope that I didn't upset you yesterday."

Regina was a deer in headlights. She didn't particularly want to discuss yesterday with him. Any of it. She certainly did not want to add fuel to Tink's fire, so she went for her only option. She diverted.

"Oh, have you two met? Robin Hood this is Tinkerbelle. Tinkberbelle, Robin Hood."

"I've been wanting to meet you for a very long time."

Of course, Tink would allude to the exact thing Regina wanted to avoid.

"Umm… No," Regina interrupted. "No, you didn't upset me. I just," her mind grasped for an excuse, "found a clue trail. That needed to be followed. One that didn't lead anywhere."

She lost track if she were talking about the mythical clue trail or if she was talking about the prospects of her prophesized soul mate.

"And, I don't daytime drink," she offered.

"Well, perhaps some evening then." He smiled, but she could see that he was disappointed. Regina instantly regretted how abrupt she was with him. He excused himself and returned to the men he was sitting with earlier.

No sooner than he turned to go, Tinkerbelle again executed both perfect timing and her inability to hold a discreet conversation.

"What was all that about? Didn't you learn anything from the last time you screwed this up? If you had been open to the possibility of love when you first saw him, maybe your life wouldn't have turned out so…" she trailed off, realizing she may have overstepped a bit.

"So what," Regina felt provoked. "How did my life turn out?"

Tink recognized the tone.

"Why am I even bothering," and she left Regina alone.

The entire scene had been rather reactionary on Regina's part. She wasn't proud of how she spoke to Tink, but she also did not appreciate the pressure.

Regina thought of going after Tink to apologize or at least explain that she simply isn't ready, but she did not get the chance.

The door blew open, and the Wicked Witch stepped in.

"My condolences. I'm so sorry I missed the funeral. I can never pass up a wake," she laughed at her own joke. "Did I miss the speeches? Shall I make one? I mean… I am after all responsible," she smiled a sick smile, satisfied with the damage she'd done.

Emma lunged for her, but Snow caught her arm. Regina edged her way to where she could beat the witch to the stairs if she tried anything. Henry had gone up to the room only moments before she blew in. If nothing else, Regina knew she could make it to Henry.

"Emma, no. Too many people would get hurt."

"Oh, listen to your mother. She's right."

Regina rolled her eyes at how patronizing this witch was. She seemed to be completely out for her own amusement.

"Anyone who tries to stop me will have to deal with the Dark One," the witch told them, stepping toward Snow. Charming's hand flew to the baby, and Regina gravitated habitually toward Snow, ready to help protect her.

"I will not let you take this baby."

"Oh, don't worry. I'm not here for your baby," she smiled. "Not today anyway."

Regina was growing tired of the theatrics.

"Then why are you here?"

"Now that my cover's blown, I can finally pay a visit to my little sister."

"Who the hell are you talking about?" Regina wasn't intimidated by this witch at all.

"Why you, of course, Regina."

The words rippled through Regina until she could strike them down.

"I'm an only child."

"Cora lied to you, Regina," the witch said it knowing Regina could easily believe her mother would lie about such a thing. "I'm your sister. Half if you want to get technical."

"Why should I believe anything you say?"

"Oh," here again with the self-amusement, "You shouldn't. It's a lot to swallow which is why I've brought a gift to help."

"I don't want a gift from you," Regina laughed, matching theatric for theatric. Two could easily play this game.

"Oh, but you shall have it. You see, my gift to you is this sad, sad day. Use it to dig into our past, Regina. You need to learn the truth, and you must believe it. And then, meet me on Main Street tonight. Say, sundown?"

This was beginning to be fun for Regina. Old habits die hard.

"And then what," she smiled, enthralled with the idea that someone would dare to challenge her.

"Then, I'll destroy you."

"This isn't the Wild West," Regina stepped into her space, but the witch didn't back down.

"No, dear, it's the wicked west, and I want everyone to be there to see the Evil Queen lose."

Now, Regina was amused. "I don't lose."

"Neither do I," she winked. "One of us is about to make history. See ya tonight, sis."

Snow didn't waste any time, "Regina, what is she talking about?"

Regina was seething. Not only did this woman threaten her, but she was toying with her as well.

"I have absolutely no idea, but I wouldn't put it past my mother to keep secrets."

Snow was probably the only person in the room to notice how Regina's shoulders fell a bit with the mention of Cora.

"Here, sit. You could use a drink," Granny told her.

Regina did as she was told. She could in fact use a drink. She could hear Emma and Charming talking behind her, and she was sure she heard some chatter from dwarves and such of how of course this was her fault somehow. Snow just sat down beside her.

"Are you sure Cora never said anything about her," Charming asked. Being peppered with questions made Regina suddenly regret any endearing feelings she'd felt earlier for Charming.

"I think I would remember if my mother had a love child with a scarecrow."

"It doesn't matter if Zelena is your sister or not. She wants you dead. Any idea why," Emma asked.

There it was again. That lingering accusation.

"I never even met her before today."

"It doesn't mean you didn't do something to make her angry," Emma wasn't in the mood to dance around the issue.

Tink chimed in, "You did manage to step on a lot of toes back in our world."

"Well, none of them were green," Regina shot.

"Then there's the missing year," Granny joined, "Maybe you did something then."

Regina felt like she was at the bottom of a dog pile. "Stick to the lasagna, lady. It's starting to sound an awful lot like you're all on her side," she said getting up from her chair.

"Where are you going?"

Regina flung her coat over her shoulders, "To find out exactly what this witch thinks I did to her."

No sooner than Regina closed the door, Snow hopped up from her seat to go after her. As unlikely as an advocate as she would seem on paper, Snow was always the one to follow her even when she was a child.

"Where are you going," Charming asked.

"Where do you think?"

"I'll go with you," Emma told her.

"Just give me a head start," she told her, placing her hand on her daughter's shoulder.

Regina did not have to look back to know Snow was the one coming up behind her. Eventually, Regina stopped on the sidewalk and waited for Snow to catch up.

"Thanks. This baby really slows me down," she smiled.

"What do you think you're doing," Regina asked her.

"I'm going to help you," Snow told her, walking past where Regina stopped and heading toward the vault.

Regina would never be able to shake that image of the little girl staring up at her, begging to join her in whatever she was doing. She bowed in defeat.

"Are you alright?"

"What do you think," Regina cut.

Snow gave her signature "I'm not your enemy" look. There was a kindness in it, reminding Regina that she wasn't alone, but it was also pointed in that Snow was not going to endure the needless abuse.

"I know. I'm sorry. My mother just seems to have a knack for wreaking continued havoc on my life. It's actually impressive at this point."

Regina pushed the vault open. She and Snow descended into the vault.

"Okay. What are we looking for?"

Regina was lost in thought, standing with her hands on her hips and staring at Cora's wardrobe in the corner.

"Regina?"

"I don't know," Regina practically whispered her response, which earned her arm a gentle rub from Snow.

"Let's just start here," Regina told her and motioned toward a set of trunks. They pilfered through Cora's belongings mostly in silence. Snow would stop occasionally to ask Regina if something was helpful, but she knew when and when not to push. Snow knew how hard it must be to look through Cora's things, especially alongside her.

"Regina, is she telling the truth?" Snow finally broke the prolonged silence.

"I don't know. I haven't found anything yet."

"Are you sure that Cora didn't booby-trap her stuff? I mean, I don't think a sleeping curse would be good for the baby."

Regina's demeanor shifted immediately. She stood with a paper in hand. She stared at it for a moment before opening it. Snow could tell it was something she was familiar with.

Emma started speaking as soon as her foot hit the first step of the vault, "David, Belle, and Tink are locking down Main Street just in case this fight actually happens."

Neither of the women were particularly interested in what Emma was saying, both focused on the paper Regina held in her hands.

"Regina, did you find something?" Snow knew the answer to her question before she asked it.

"A letter."

"What does it say," Emma asked.

Regina let out a long sigh, "Zelena is my sister."

Both Snow and Emma were full of questions.

"Don't worry about it," Regina slammed the trunk shut, "This is my fight, and I've got it handled." She brushed past them. She tried to blink the tears from her eyes so they wouldn't see her crying. She shoved the letter into her pocket, holding tightly to it as she walked into the forest. She wasn't looking for any spot in particular, but she blindly walked amongst the trees as if she could outrun her childhood. She walked and walked until she found a clearing and plopped down on a fallen log.

Suddenly, she was eleven years old again, and her mother was tormenting her for sport. In the expanse of her life, there was nothing Regina had fought for more than her mother's love. There was also nothing she'd ever failed so miserably at. She tried to be exactly what her mother wanted her to be, and when she learned she would never be enough, she rebelled.

Regina rubbed the letter between her fingers. Cora left it for her the one time she returned from Wonderland. It had taken Regina months to find it. Cora must have slipped into the spell book the evening Regina spent with that awful suitor. She never questioned back then why she left it for her; the boost she felt when she read Rumple's words didn't necessitate her caring why or how her mother was trying to manipulate her. She reveled in the words; she would have swum in them, bathed in them daily if she could. For someone, especially her teacher, to finally tell her mother she was worthy, it was everything she thought she needed.

As she read the words now, though, they didn't seem to have the same effect they once did. Though she still craved her mother's love, the darkness Rumple implied was no longer comforting to her, and even if it had been, it wasn't about her.

She was pulled from her thoughts unexpectedly by the sound of leaves crunching beneath feet. She was startled and turned expecting to see Zelena, but it wasn't her sister. It was Robin.

She breathed a sigh of relief, but it was quickly replaced by a taste of annoyance.

"We have to stop meeting like this," he seemed as surprised to see her as she was to see him.

"Did the Charmings send you to give me a pep talk? Because, I don't do well with pep talks."

"No. Nothing of the sort. After Zelena's threat, I decided to patrol the woods in case she decided to build the ranks of her simian army."

Regina silently wished he would go away. He was another issue entirely, and today, she could only focus on one life-altering dilemma at a time. Robin didn't go though; in fact, he sat down with her.

"How are you holding up," he asked.

"I'm not a flying monkey if that's what you mean," she didn't put up much of a fight despite the added tension she felt in his presence.

"Are you going to tell me what's in that letter you've been staring at?"

Her eyes shot to him; he must have been watching her for longer than she realized.

"What letter," she said coyly. She'd avoid it if she could; outright lie if it would save her the trouble of delving into it. The trouble was, he held the letter up for her to see. Her hand went to her pocket, finding it empty.

"I'm a pick-pocket by trade. I spent many years learning to rob from magicians," he said smugly. He'd clearly earned the right, though.

She was maddened by his audacity. "You're lucky I'm saving my strength for that witch."

His eyes softened, "I think deep down you want to talk about what's in here."

"Oh really? What makes you think you know me so well?"

"Well for one thing, I'd be chard to a crisp by now if you didn't." His smile cut through any remaining annoyance that his wit hadn't.

"True," she admitted, softening now herself.

"So, can I read it?"

Regina was surprised that he was even asking permission at this point; she wanted to say no, but he was right when he said she needed to talk about it. So, she caved, "I'm not stopping you."

Cora, dear,

I've finally got my hands on your first-born. I never thought I'd find her, did you? Now, I know why. She's the most powerful sorceress I've ever encountered, even more powerful than you. Stunning, in every way.

He glanced up at her, seeing exactly what the writer of this letter must have seen when he described her. He knew already that she was truly stunning in more ways than he could count.

"It's rather complimentary, I'd say. Why is this troubling you?"

Her eyes were glazed with tears, and it would take much more time than they had here today to explain all the reasons why.

"I've seen that letter a hundred times before," she started in what could have been one of the most honest moments of her life. "In my darkest moments, I'd go to it for comfort, for solace, for a boost when I needed it because," she hesitated, her eyes closing with the weight of the truth. Tears fell then. "Because I always thought it was about me."

He then realized the importance of the letter.

"It's about Zelena," he answered.

The anger returned to Regina's face, "Rumple thinks she's more powerful than I am."

"Why care what that imp thinks?" He seemed to let the fact enrage him a bit as well.

"Because if the man who taught me everything I know about magic thinks she is stronger than I am, then there is no way I can win this fight."

Her teary eyes bored a hole in him, and she wouldn't relent. He reached out for her hand subconsciously, "I refuse to believe that." His thumb traced across her fingers, but just before they got too comfortable, he let her hand go.

"Rumple might think your sister is more powerful, but battles are often about intelligence. Surely there is a magical item, some sort of protection you could take with you."

Regina wiped the tears from her cheeks, took a deep breath, and went straight into developing a strategy. Robin was right. Even if Zelena was more powerful, Regina no doubt had a much greater knowledge of magic.

Then, it came to her, "Maybe it isn't taking something along, but leaving something behind."

Robin looked at her, puzzled. She did not attempt to explain, and when he saw her hand delve into her own chest, he was astounded. "Regina, what are you doing?"

The grimace on her face let him know that whatever she was doing was incredibly painful. He'd heard tales of this, but he had never seen it with his own eyes. He certainly never imagined a person ripping his or her own heart out.

She wasted no time pulling her heart from her chest. She took a long look at it, shrinking back a bit when she saw just how much darkness swirled within it. Now was no time to be embarrassed, though. They didn't have time for it.

"It needs to be well-hidden."

"What? Here in the forest?"

"Robin, I'll need you to stay here and guard my heart while I handle my sister."

He didn't quite understand this plan, but he trusted her instincts. "Of course. Anything," he told her.

She knew he meant it. Either because he was a man of complete honor or because he seemed to appreciate her in some way, or maybe both, she knew he would protect her heart with his life if need be.

They walked deeper into the woods. Robin helped her find a proper position that both provided him with cover as well as a well-camouflaged place for her heart to be hidden.

"Shouldn't we wrap it in something," he asked, stopping her from placing her bare heart on the ground.

"Trust me," she told him rotating her heart in her hands, "it can handle a bit of dirt."

She stood and quickly came to terms with how intimate of a moment has just transpired between the two of them.

"Robin, if I don't come back…"

"You will."

She smiled, thinking him naïve. "But if I don't…"

He reached for her hand again, "But you will come back." His face held confidence, not naiveté. The sun was falling from the sky. She took a deep breath and turned to go face her sister.

Things didn't go quite as planned. Regina brushed the glass from her arms; she could hear Snow calling her name from the bottom of the clock tower. She was fairly satisfied with herself despite being thrown across town. It turns out that intelligence was more potent than power this round. Now, Regina knew that her sister wanted her heart.

"Are you alright," Emma yelled from the elevator.

"I'm still alive, aren't I?"

"When Gold disappeared, so we thought that meant…" Charming started, helping Regina up in the process.

"She defeated me? Hardly."

"What," Snow asked.

"Well, don't act so surprised. As it turns out, Zelena wanted my heart. It's a good thing I wasn't stupid enough to bring it with me."

"Any idea why she wants it," Charming tried to piece it all together.

"Well, she got your courage and wants my heart. Those are ingredients."

Emma looked surprised, "For what? A curse?"

"We're already in Storybrooke. We've lost our memories. What more could she do to us," Snow sounded truly afraid of the possibilities.

"I don't know, but we will find out soon enough. She won't stop until she gets what she wants or unless we stop her," Regina assured them.

"How do you know," Emma asked.

"Because," Regina said, "She's a Mills."

Regina did her best to not cringe as she walked down the stairs and onto the street. The last thing she wanted in the moment was to have Snow fussing any further over her or her injuries. Regina didn't waste time standing with the Charmings. She split from the group and headed for the tree line.

"Where are you going," Snow asked her.

Regina looked at her, wordlessly making the point that she shouldn't ask too many questions of her right now.

"I'll be fine. Zelena is in for the night licking her wounds."

Snow wasn't particularly happy with her answer, but she knew not to press her any further.

Regina walked as briskly as she could manage considering the cuts and bruises she hadn't bothered to heal yet. She checked for the landmarks she had memorized on her way out of the forest. She passed the log where she and Robin spoke earlier, the stream he helped her cross, and finally she could see the place they'd hidden her heart. The beam of the flashlight searched for Robin, but she heard him speak before she could see him.

"Did the plan work," his eyes grazed over her, looking for any damage the witch might have done.

"That depends. Is it still here?"

"Right where you left it," Robin reassured her and moved to pull her heart from its hiding place.

"Well then, it worked," she sounded relieved. "I just needed to find the one thing that Zelena didn't."

"And what exactly was that?"

Regina eyed his tattoo that was on full display as he held her heart out to her.

"My heartless mother," she admitted.

Robin didn't ask anything more of her about her mother. He assumed those scars must run incredibly deep.

"My sister was right about one thing though," she continued, "she said that I don't always realize what I have right in front of me."

He stood, meeting her eyes, "What's that?"

Even in the darkness of the night, his eyes shone blue. There were many things Regina wanted to say, but she danced around them exquisitely. "Just that I didn't always appreciate things." He looked at her, hanging on her every word. In a split second, she made a decision. Regina reached out for his hand and placed the bag holding her heart in it. She held him there, close to her and tried to convey through the action everything she felt.

"Would you mind holding on to this for a bit longer?"

He was genuinely surprised. Asking him to protect her heart out of necessity was one understandable, but she was making a choice to trust him fully and completely, not out of need but want.

"You'd really trust something so valuable to a common thief like me?"

She still held his hand in hers, "You can't steal something that has been given to you."

He wanted to kiss her, she knew. He would have had she not turned to leave when she did. She wasn't ashamed of the metaphor, giving her heart to him. The truth was that it was much easier to literally give her heart to him than it was to let him into her world. He was there, though. He was knocking on the door, and she was ever so tempted to let him in.

He saw her walking away. His mind reached for something to say. Regina could practically hear his wheels turning, and she felt more comfortable. She was in control again.

"You still owe me that drink."

She smiled. She had forgotten how pleasant being pursued could be.

"Yes. I suppose I do," she offered, never turning back.