In my attempt to mirror the show I have divided this story into a few different timelines that will eventually all merge together. Everything is labeled but just so you know here is a breakdown:

Storybrooke - Present Day - I will start with the present and then tell the events that lead up to it which goes back to...

Storybrooke - 3 weeks ago - this timeline will go forward in chronological order until we catch up to the present.

Enchanted Forest - Missing Year - This is the year everyone forgot because of Zelena when things were "a bit rough" between Regina and Robin.

Enchanged Forest - Pre-Curse - this takes place shortly after Belle convinces Rumple not to kill Robin after he broke into the castle.

Don't be afraid, it will make sense when you are reading it. :) Enjoy the OutlawQueen goodness!

Storybrooke - Present Day

The bell on the door jingled and Mr. Gold looked up from behind the counter. Regina swept into his shop, looking every inch a regal queen even in Calvin Klein business attire.

"Your majesty. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He knew Regina had been in semi-seclusion for the last few weeks.

"You know." Her deep tone told him she was in no mood for games. She was right. He half expected to see her sooner than today.

The bell chimed again, but this time Mrs. Gold barged through.

"Regina?! What was that? What the hell is going on?"

Rumple came out from around the counter but did not approach Regina. His wife's alarm put him on edge but so did Regina's temper.

"The tide is coming." Her tone unnerved him with its calmness.

"No." He shook his head. "You don't know that."

"I saw it. So did she." Regina tossed her head toward Belle. Belle blinked and her eyes questioned Rumple.

"That could be an anomaly. It's been known to happen." Rumple maintained his relaxed posture. Regina always over-reacted but he never let it shake him.

"What is the tide?" Belle asked.

"I don't have time for your ignorance." Regina glared at Mrs. Gold. Rumple took a step toward the Queen but he stopped when she took her attention away from Belle.

"It is the tide," Regina assured him, "After Emma screwed around with the timeline we should have expected it."

The bitter note in her voice did not go un-notice. Rumple shook his head.

"If the tides are coming for Marian I should think you would be pleased."

Regina inhaled sharply. Rumple knew he hit a nerve and he reveled in her suffering for an instant. Old habits die hard. Belle sent him a glare and he regretted the comment.

"I will admit," Regina began slowly, "that is what I want, but its more than that. You know the tide brings unforeseen casualties. I won't let Henry be a part of it."

Rumple liked when Regina got feisty. Life always took a turn for the interesting when she decided to act.

"You still have no proof."

Regina glared at him.

"Henry's book. I changed it. He told me that when I practice light magic I undo the darkness of my past. A guard I murdered was brought back." Belle moved toward Regina. She reached out and Rumple nearly warned his wife Regina was in no temperament to be comforted. Belle's hand stopped short and Rumple felt relief wash over him.

"That's amazing, Regina. You can undo your past evil."

Rumple closed his eyes and turned away. He knew Regina shot his wife a death stare, and he knew if he saw it he would make Regina sorry.

"Why are you even still here?" Regina snapped at Belle, then turned to Rumple. "Can't you send your wench away? This is a private conversation."

Belle's nose crinkled.

"Why are you being so mean to me? I thought we were becoming friends."

Regina spun back around to look at Belle.

"One lunch does not make us friends. It wasn't even really lunch-"

"Look!" Rumple interrupted. "Arguing is not solving anything."

Both his wife and the queen lowered their heads. Rumple softened his tone and looked at his wife.

"Belle, I have the chance to do the right thing now, but you might never forgive me."

Belle walked passed Regina. The anger between them was palpable. Belle stopped in front of Rumple with confusion and faith in her eyes.

"If it's the right thing then I'd like to think I'd understand."

Regina sighed loudly.

"I would never even consider doing it, if not for you and your love."

Belle put her hands over his that still rested on his cane. She smiled warmly.

"I don't have time for this," Regina growled.

"Everyone deserves a chance at true love," Rumple said.

"Yes," Belle replied.

"Oh, barf! When you two are done with your domestic moment and ready for business come find me." Regina turned and walked toward the front door.

Rumple called forth his dagger and heard Belle gasp. He moved with speed toward Regina and lifted the blade above his head.

"Everyone, even the Evil Queen." He stabbed her in the back. Regina cried out and fell to her knees.

"Rumple?!" Belle yelled and ran to Regina. The Queen turned on her side and looked up at him. A combination of pain, shock, and hatred washed over her face.

Rumple rested his hands on his cane and regarded her calmly.

"You'll owe me for this one, dearie."

Regina's arm fell out from under her and she slumped to the floor. The dagger in her back glowed with magic.

Storybrooke - 3 weeks ago

Mary Margaret did not want to pry her eyes from the warm bundle in her arms, but instinct told her something was amiss. One glance at her daughter confirmed her suspicion.

Emma slid into the booth next to Henry. The Sheriff usually possessed so much self control that the slight wobble in her balance alarmed Mary Margaret.

"Emma, what's wrong?" David's arm tightened around Mary Margaret. She took comfort in her husband's gesture. The pale grey hue of Emma skin left no doubt something was indeed wrong.

"I..." Emma's voice cracked. She leaned forward as if a weight pressed her shoulders into a slouch. "The woman I brought back from the past is Maid Marian."

Mary Margaret narrowed her eyes. She waited for Emma to continue, not really grasping what was so significant about the woman famous for taming the thief of the Enchanted Forrest.

"Robin Hood's wife?" Henry gasped.

He jumped up from the booth and looked behind them. Snow saw the reunited family sharing a moment of happiness. She smiled at the sight, and felt an overwhelming sense of peace.

The moment was short lived. Robin Hood suddenly looked around, almost as abruptly as Henry had. Marian put her hand on his arm, but his joy seemed somehow diminished.

"Where's my mom?" Henry asked Emma. His young eyes held more worry than they should have.

"She took off," Emma said then added, "and I am lucky that my heart is still in my chest."

Snow put the pieces together. Ever since the first day Regina met Robin Hood she suspected her stepmother hid an attraction to the thief, though she had yet to garner any proof.

"Sooo... Robin Hood and Regina were...?" Were what? Snow was not sure what Regina was capable of.

"Dating." All eyes went to Henry. He shrugged his shoulders and lowered his already soft spoken voice. "I saw them kissing a few days ago."

Mary Margaret could not stop her jaw from falling open. Mixed feelings swelled inside her, as a flash of memory passed through her mind's eye. Regina was not smitten that day she entered the Charmings house with a bright smile, she was in love. Hope for Regina's happiness nearly brought tears to Snow's eyes. The stricken look on Emma's face brought the full magnitude of what had happened into reality.

"I need to see her," Henry told Emma.

"Not with me, kid. She isn't exactly warm and fuzzy when she isn't mad at me."

"Was she mad?" Snow could not help her curiosity. She knew the deeper Regina's feelings for Robin Hood, the more danger all of them were in.

"I'd say downright pissed."

"Great," David groaned. He squeezed Mary Margaret's shoulder.

"Why don't you take Henry," Snow suggested. Her husband's expression showed no signs of eagerness to face the Evil Queen. Still, he stood up from the booth and followed Henry outside. Snow was glad he realized how important it was for Regina to have someone right now.

"What's that smirk for?"

Snow sighed.

"I never thought I'd say this but... I just really care about Regina. Is that crazy? I mean, this is a woman whose sole purpose for the last 30 years has been to destroy me."

Emma scoffed.

"Well, you are fairest of them all."

Snow kept her expression even. Emma's bitter side always sent a pang of guilt through her.

"Besides," Emma continued, "anything Regina might do could hurt Henry, and he's been through enough."

Snow nodded and held Neal closer.

"We all have."

Emma shook her head.

"He couldn't have really liked her that much, right? I mean they've only know each other for-"

Snow kicked Emma under the table when she saw Robin Hood leave his wife and son and approach.

"Hey! What?" Emma started to grumble but she stopped when Robin reached the edge of their table.

"Emma, I can't thank you enough for bringing my Marian back to me. Roland has a mother again because of you, and I have the love of my life." Tears of joy glistened in his eyes but did not fall.

"Glad I could help," Emma said curtly.

Snow inhaled deeply, she felt very uncomfortable. Instinct told her something was very wrong. Robin leaned forward.

"Did..." he hesitated. "Regina left then?"

The way he sounded made Snow study him carefully.

"Yup." Emma stared down at her hands in front of her.

"Damn it," Robin muttered under his breath and then left the table.

Emma's eyes were wide when she looked at Snow.

"Did he just...?" Emma turned around. Robin, Marian and Roland exited Granny's together.

"That's surprising." Snow smiled, but her heart was not in it. She wondered where Regina was, and if they were all about to meet their doom.

Emma let her head fall to the table.

"That makes this whole thing worse. I feel awful!" Her mumbled voice was filled with regret.

"Believe me, Emma, I know." Snow reached across the table and took her daughter's hand. Emma lifted her head up. The faintest hint of appreciation filled her features.

Enchanted Forest - Missing Year

Robin Hood could tell he was not alone in his feeling of irritation at the snarky remarks of the Evil Queen. The villagers they traveled with on the path back to the palace were tired, hungry, and doing their best to stay out of Regina's way. Snow and Charming kept morale up through sheer optimism. They led the small band along the lake road but they were at the helm, and the Queen travelled somewhere in the middle.

Grumpy glared at Regina every time she bit someone's head off, and Robin had to hide a smirk. The Queen really rubbed him the wrong way. She was so smug, and he wanted to wipe that superior grin off her face. Everyone put up with her because with Zelena on the loose, and any kind of ogre or wraith lurking near-by, her powerful magic brought a level of comfort.

A teenage boy tripped over a rock in front of Regina and caused her to interrupt her pace. He looked up at her with fear written all over his face. Robin had never seen someone move so fast.

"I've seen pregnant wood sprites less klutzy than you."

"I'm sorry, your highness."

The boy ran to his mother, who gave Regina a glare. The Queen responded with a look of her own, a taunt toward the boy and his family. She picked up her long black robe and marched on like she owned the place... which, she kind of did.

Grumpy slowed his stride and fell into step next to Robin.

"You know, there are days I could ring her neck. Just enough to take her down a peg or two," he admitted in a whisper. Robin thought of his carefree days when he had jolly time with the Sheriff of Nottingham.

"Why not, old boy?"

"Ring her neck? No thanks, I don't want to spend eternity as a toad."

"Not something so drastic, but taking her down a peg or two..."

Grumpy cocked his head to the side. The corner of Robin's mouth pulled into a grin.

"You wouldn't dare." Grumpy face brightened even at the prospect. The challenge had been made, and Robin never could refuse a challenge.

"Lovely day for a swim, though a bit nippy, perhaps. What do you think?" Robin watched Grumpy shake his head. As he skipped ahead to join Regina he heard Grumpy remark to Little John.

"What I wouldn't give for a camera in the Enchanted Forrest."

When Robin reached Regina's side she gave him an annoyed sidelong glance.

"Good day, my lady," he said with a polite bow of his head. He ever so slightly moved toward the right, altering Regina's path toward the embankment.

"What do you want, thief?"

"Only the joy of your company, my lady. Though I can see I will have to fight the others off."

She sneered. Robin grinned. He hated the thrill that shot through him every time he made her angry. He knew he was tempting fate, but the spark of passion in her eyes ignited by her rage was like an incurable addiction he needed more of.

"If we didn't need you to navigate these woods, know that you would be a smoldering pile of ash right now."

"But, my lady, I think you're the one that needs cooling off." A simple flick of Robin's wrist and... SPLASH.

The entire company stopped. Robin heard gasps. Regina went fully under the crystal lake water. The large feather plume around her neck and her elaborate hair came up looking as elegant as a wet blanket. She squealed and slapped her hands against the water, sending ripples toward the shore.

Grumpy's roaring laughter filled the air.

"You never looked better, your highness!"

Robin heard Little John's laugh and soon everyone joined in. Regina blinked and narrowed her eyes. Snow White and Prince Charming appeared, drawn by the commotion.

"That is why we are called the Merry Men," Robin yelled to her, which only sparked more laughter. Regina lifted her hand, and the laughter immediately stopped.

"Regina!" Snow stepped toward the lake but Charming caught her arm.

Regina studied Robin, then she dropped her hand.

"You're not worth it."

The villagers audibly sighed. Snow White's tensed shoulders relaxed. Robin moved down the embankment and offered his hand to the drenched Queen.

"I'm sorry, my lady. I have never been able to turn down a dare."

She sloshed toward him through the clear water. The reflection of sunlight on the waves lit her silhouette and enthralled him. Her form fitting dress was even sexier when wet. He really hated that he could be so attracted to someone so formerly evil.

She reached for his hand. He knew exactly what she was going to do. He set himself up for it. He had hurt the lady's pride and he owed her some recompense. She smiled beautifully as she took his hand, and to see such lovely mischief in her eyes made his journey into the lake a pleasant one. When his head lifted above the water he heard the villagers laughing at him.

Snow White and Prince Charming assisted Regina up the embankment, but the other travelers kept their distance. Robin stood and bowed.

"And that, my Merry Men, is how you turn an evil queen into a drama queen! Oodelaly!"

Grumpy clapped but all of Robin's men and a few of the villagers replied, "Oodelaly!" Snow and Charming both did a double take. Regina glared at Robin from over her shoulder.

"Just one fireball. Henry would never know," Robin over heard Regina hiss to Snow White. He ignored her words and winked at her as he climbed out of the pond. Little John and Grumpy assisted.

Regina walked far away from him at the front of the company alongside the Charmings. The chill in the air froze his wet clothes to his skin. After a pat on the back from Grumpy and his Merry Men he went in search of something dry to wear.