Author note: Hi guys, no smut in this one as the story had to progress at some point. Don't worry though I will make it happen as soon as possible. This one has some actual quotes but due to my crucial story change regarding her unprotected heart I had to change the storyline. Forgive me. Would appreciate your feedback. QueenMay
By the time Regina and Robin finished in the bathroom they heard a loud banging at Regina's front door. When the banging persisted Regina quickly used magic to dress herself and rushed for the door. Just as she reached the door she heard the bellowing voice of Little John "Your majesty! Your..." she opened the door and her eyes met his look of concern. "Your majesty, they have been trying to contact you, the camp was attacked!" Her heart skipped a beat waiting for the next words to fall from his mouth, "your heart... I am so sorry your majesty!" Robin reached the bottom of the stairs just in time to catch sight of Regina as she vanished in a swirl of purple smoke. Robin ran to Little John with panic stricken eyes, "Roland?... What of my boy?", "He is safe. A little shaken up but he is physically unharmed." John replied, patting Robin on the back as they headed down Mifflin Street towards the camp.
As soon as Robin stepped foot into the camp he was barrelled over by the smallest of his Merry Men. "Papa!" Roland cried as he wrapped his arms around Robin's waist and nuzzled into his hip affectionately. Robin bent to his knees and gave Roland two quick kisses on the forehead before taking his chubby cheeks in his hands "are you alright my boy?" Roland smiled and pulled back from Robin's grip. "Yep!" He said before telling Robin the whole story of the evil man who hurt some of Robin's men with great detail and animation. "What a brave knight you were!" Robin exclaimed when Roland finished his story. It wasn't long before Regina came running through the trees into the camp. Her eyes searched until she found the young boy who was playing by the fire with Little John. As soon as she saw he was unharmed her shoulders dropped and a sigh of relief escaped her lips. Robin ran to her side, his heart was filled with sadness for her and his words of apology ran thick and fast "I'm sorry, I must apologise, you trusted me and I let you down. I should never have left the camp and risked both your heart and the lives of my men… You entrusted the task to me and I should have been the one to carry it out. I let you down." Regina shook her head "No you didn't. Nothing is worth the loss of a child. But now we have a problem… I'm alive" Regina's eyes were wide with panic and she held a hand over her chest as she spoke. She wanted to offer Robin words of comfort but the fact was that she was terrified. "She has my heart, Gold's taken it for her. And since she hasn't crushed it and killed me that means she needs it for something far worse." Robin interjected "Worse than murder? What is she planning?" Robin took a protective look at Roland. Until yesterday his whole life was spent providing and caring for Roland. He had never imagined a future where he would find love again after Marian passed. And now here he stood in front of the woman who he was quickly falling for and without her heart she could be the very thing putting Roland in danger. He knew without her heart Zelena could control her and watch her every move if she felt it necessary. Looking back at Regina she saw the fear in her eyes. "I don't know what she's planning but it doesn't matter because I will find her and I will kill her" Regina's words were strong and powerful but the way her lip shook as she spoke let Robin know that she was petrified. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight as she struggled to pull away. He was not about to let her face this alone. She struggled against the weight of his arms. She felt the sting of tears welling up in her eyes as the scent of his clothes bought back visions of how happy she was a mere 3 hours ago. Without her heart she felt the loss of control that she fought her whole life to protect. As she stopped struggling and allowed Robin to comfort her, the tears began to fall. They fell hard and fast, her knees felt weak and she couldn't stop the sobs from escaping her lips. With her heart in Zelena's hands she would become the monster than everyone believed her to be. All her hard work would be undone and the people of Storybrook would once again fear her when all she wanted was to be accepted.
Robin raised Regina's chin and looked deep into her eyes. The sadness he saw pulled at his heartstrings and he wanted nothing more than to take her pain away. He brushed his fingers over her cheeks wiping away her tears before gently kissing her lips. Her body trembled as their lips connected and she wanted more than anything for this moment to linger. But she couldn't trust herself around him and knew there was no way to keep Robin or his son safe now that she had lost her heart. Giving Robin one last kiss she pushed against his chest freeing her from his grip. A final tear streaked down her face, "I'm sorry" she whispered as she vanished in front of his eyes leaving a puff of purple smoke in her wake.
Robin looked down to see Roland gripping his legs tight, he crouched down and wrapped the boy in his arms. Running his hand through Roland's curls he placed a kiss on his forehead and let out a deep sigh. "Papa, why was the lady sad?" Robin was always amazed at how a child's words could cut through to the point so effortlessly. "Someone took something very precious from her" Robin replied kissing Roland once more. "Well then we shall get it back for her!" Roland exclaimed standing up and putting his hands on his hips. "We are the Merry Men and that is what we do!" he shouted once more nodding his head and smiling sweetly. "I suppose your right my brave knight. We must help her. How could we not?" Robin replied playfully. He followed Roland back towards the fire with the rest of the group. He wanted to go look for her but he knew in his heart that she was somewhere he could not follow. He would bide his time and come up with his own plan to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West.