Right - So my dearest Regal_Stacy asked for a few chapters on "Regina seeing Leopold in the UW" and though it's taken me quite sometime, I feel decent presenting to you all Part 1 - most likely this will have 3 Parts to it.

Now the point of this lil ficlet - is based off of fan canon that Leopold was not a good husband to Regina - and there is mentions of martial abuse within this story as it revolves around the mind space of Regina. I understand this isn't for everyone so I would like to just make note of it in the beginning.

Gracias and I really hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!

It's nerve wracking, being here, feeling all the eyes that stare at you, gazes filled with malice and venom, and you know they only are wanting on thing…your head on a spike. Those gazes she can take, can easily send back a dagger filled expression back, they cower, and she silently revels that they still fear her. Days have passed, though you couldn't really tell what with the ever lasting pink sky, it all melts together, eternal time that doesn't move.

When they arrived initially, she knew what they were getting into, knew that there would be hundreds of lost souls she was going to have to see, to deal with. Some souls like her father and Daniel had brought her peace finally, knowing that they were able to move on, it seemed to lighten her. Others like her mother were far more complicated, not to mention the never ending list of strangers she didn't recognize, but knew she was the reason they were down here. She could deal with them, but there was one person, one soul that without a doubt would be here, somewhere, and that terrified her. And now the fear of seeing him again was beginning to take its toll on her. She was on high alert every hour of the day, her heart would race and breath would stall every time she thought she saw him. Sleep evaded her, her eyes would close and there he was. She couldn't eat, everything felt like ash in her mouth. While most of the group didn't seem no notice, or brushed off her sharp tones and absent mind as Regina being Regina, but Robin, her sweet sweet Robin, apparently she couldn't hide from him.

He could see it in her eyes, this long hollow stare that would flicker in between frantic emotions. Her posture was stiff; he could feel her tense momentarily when his hand would find the small of her back. Something was going on in that beautiful mind of hers, something that he didn't understand, and the reclusive nature she was falling into was beginning to seriously worry him. Regina had tried to brush him off, smiling small in fake reassurance, one that never met her eyes. She would squeeze his hand under the table, to fast before she'd let go. Even when she would kiss him, it was half hearted, he could feel the hesitation, and nights when usually she could cuddle up into his chest, wrap an arm around his waist and let his heart lull her to sleep, that was completely gone. They lay side by side, until she would curl away from him, tucking the blanket underneath her chin, her arm hugging her abdomen in some sort of protection as she drew her knees up. He knew she didn't sleep; her breathing would never settle though she lay still as a statue.

At the start he tried to reach out to her, his palm would settle on her shoulder, rubbing small circles on her bare skin, but even then she would flinch, pulling the duvet further around her, hiding her body from him. It tore him apart, not being able to comfort her, not knowing how to ease this tension that followed her everywhere. She wouldn't talk to him, would just shake her head before running off into the shower where the hot water would burn so high he feared it would scald her skin.

He had heard the water running one night, when everyone else was far gone in sleep, he had turned to find her, only to feel cold sheets. Slowly standing he made his way to the bathroom, only to hear her crying behind the door. He knew she didn't want to have her privacy invaded, especially in these moments where her vulnerability was on high octane, but hearing the harsh sobs broke his heart and his resolve. Cracking the door open, the steam billowed out and he was instantly sweating, how she could stand this stifling heat he did not know.

"Regina?" he quietly called out, but she didn't answer. Stealing himself, he drew the glass shower door back, not finding her in front of him, but crouched down into a corner, arms wrapped tightly around her legs as her long hair covered her face that was buried into her knees. She was shaking, trembling underneath the water. Robin stepped in, hissing at the temperature that hit his skin, she was going to burn herself sitting in this. Turning the tap off, he slid down beside her, his hands running up her arms, brushing back her hair. He wasn't actually sure if she knew he was there, her tears falling heavily as she shook.

"Regina, hey, it's alright" he sat down, pulling her gently into his arms, thankful that she went with ease….at first. It was like a switch, one moment she was leaning into him, the next she was pushing him off, scrambling away, her eyes wild in fear as she began screaming whispers; screaming for him to not touch her, to get away from her, she was sorry, so so sorry, "…just please don't touch me…". He sat frozen, his hands raised in defence as she curled away from him.

God, what was going on? His mind raced as she began to cry again. Slowly, he moved forward, gently closing the distance as his fingers found the smooth skin on the back of her hand. She flinched, hugging her wet body in tighter. "Regina. It's me. It's Robin…." He quietly begged, his finger tips gliding along the back of her forearm "Honey, listen to my voice, I'm not going to hurt you Regina"

She shook, trembled harshly before flickering up her gaze to meet his. Her heart froze for a moment, seeing that mans face, sick and disgusting, glaring out at her…just for an instant, before the dark beady eyes melted into bright scared ocean blue. His face came into her blurred vision, and she crumbled. Embarrassed he had seen her like this but so relieved this wasn't a real nightmare, it was him, and with him she was safe.

"I'm sorry" her voice cracked as she came back to reality.

"Don't say that" Robin breathed back heavily. "Don't you ever say you are sorry for this". He felt safe enough to move towards her again, his palms rubbing up and down her shoulders and he kneeled in front of her. "Tell me what's going on".

Regina shakes her head, "It doesn't matter"

"Yes it does Regina"

"I don't want to talk about it okay?" She swallows thickly, tucking her body a fraction farther from him.

His heart is aching for her, he knows this trip hasn't been easy on her mind, dealing with ghosts from her past, but there had to be a deeper reason his resilient strong headed beautiful woman was suddenly terrified and crying in a shower. He lifted her hand to his lips, gently pressing a kiss into her knuckles with an easy smile. She needed to feel safe, and that is something he could hopefully provide.

Carefully, he stood them both back up, paying no mind to the sopping wetness of his clothes as Regina burrowed into his body, hugging him tightly as she regained her composure.

"Please don't tell anyone" he heard her whisper into the crook on his neck. He sighed, rubbing her back in absent minded patterns, "I promise", he kissed her soaking wet hair with reassurance before reaching back to grab her a towel. She followed him quietly as they made their way back to their room, Regina sitting on the bed still only wrapped in nothing but the fluffy towel as Robin sat down beside her, lacing their fingers together.

"I want to go home" Regina mumbled, turning her eyes away from his as she shuffled back on the bed, laying down on top of the blankets, her hands moving up to cover her face as a trembling breath escaped her.

"I know, me too" Robin sighed, following gently as he lay close to her on the bed, unknowing whether he could touch her, if she wanted that or not, if she needed space or him. He stared up at the ceiling for long silent minutes, listening to her breathing even out. He felt her shift to sit up, and his eyes followed as the towel fell from her torso, leaving her naked back exposed to him. He had seen her bare many many times, and had catalogued every beauty mark, every scar, and perfection of her skin, but now, witnessing the change in her, the scars stared to shift from simple things life donates, to a realization of much darker sinister markings.

She could feel him staring, his fingers suddenly brushing along her back, finding every spot she knew was there, ever long thin white scar that glared out. Regina trusted Robin with her life, and while they had never exactly talked about her young past as the Queen, somewhere deep down, she knew that this would eventually come up.

The dawn cracked through the window as Robin continued to trace her skin.

14.

That is the number of long thin white marks that crisscrossed along her honey cream skin. 3 others looked horrifically like bite marks, a thought that made his blood boil now that the truth was literally laid out naked in front of him. How could he have missed this, not seen the fracture mosaic of her skin, failed to recognize the markings of her past. He felt sick to his stomach, a rolling quell of nausea as his mind continued to storm.

"The King did this to you".

It wasn't a question, more of a brutal statement that hung thick in the air.

Robin had never met the Leopold himself, but now wished for time to reverse just so he could put an arrow in the man's heart.

"They are ugly reminders of a time I'd rather forget about" Regina sniffed, pulling the towel up to cover her back, shying away from Robins hands.

His eyes creased in pain, as he watched her build up the broken walls. Sitting up behind her, he gently nudged the cloth away from her skin, pressing a gentle kiss into her shoulder as he shook his head "they are a reminder of how strong you are Regina, why you have the most resilient heart".

She smiled half heartedly, "Sometimes I wish I didn't have to be"

"You don't. Not with me. You're allowed the want to be cared for, to be loved, and protected" his lips landed a row of soft kisses between each word. Regina blinked back the tears that brimmed in her eyes… "I've never had anyone to be there before. I've always just dealt with things alone"

"Not anymore my love. You are not alone….". His fingers reached to pull her chin towards him, finding her sad willing eyes filled with unshed emotions "…. not now and not ever again". He waited for her to close the distance, and after a moment of just looking at one another she did. Quick and chaste as it may have been, it was something.

"Come on, you need some rest" he kissed her forehead, before guiding her back into bed, draping the covers over her, moments after her magic swirled and they were both encased in warm sleepwear once more. It shocked him to a warming extent when she didn't turn away, but moulded her body right into his, throwing an arm over his chest, her cheek pressed above his heart as his arms wrapped around her, carding through her hair as he laced their fingers together above on his body. Laying there he wondered, tragic and angrily towards how many other things he has missed, how many more scars he simply passed by without a glance, what other bruising was on her heart.

He felt her drift off, thankful it was not filled with tension and strained whimpers. Sighing heavily, his fingers never left the nape of her neck, stroking through the long chocolate hair, hoping it would some how soothe the rage in his heart. He began to doze off, half way between sleep and awake, just in case she needed him.

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"ROBIN! REGINA!"

She woke with a start, sitting up like a lighting bolt as he followed her somewhat groggy.

"Are you guys awake?" Snow hollered down the hallway.

Robin snickered, pressing a kiss into Regina's shoulder "well we are now". She smiled, leaning into his cheek gently.

"Morning"

"Good Morning my love"

"Thank you… for last night. I -"

"Regina, there is no need for that. I am always going to be here, in what ever capacity you will allow me"

She sighed, closing her eyes heavy as she bit down on her lower lip, sitting up slowly and turning away from his all too understanding gaze "It's not that I don't want you to know, I just don't want to have to talk about it in front of everyone…it's exhausting and I'd rather not deal with it."

"I understand" He nodded simply, pressing a kiss in between her shoulder blades.

They fell into a comfortable silence as he hugged her from behind, brushing his lips along her shoulders. "Can I ask you something?"

She shrugged, nodding slightly.

"Do you think he is down here?"

Regina swallowed hard, tensing slightly in his arms.

"I feel like everywhere I go he is going to be there. Every shadow I see is him, every uneasy feeling, the eyes that follow me, everything here is him…" she trailed off as her voice burned out quietly.

She stood abruptly, gathering clothes in a rush. He could see her avoiding, but at least she was kind of talking. He followed her, placing his hands on her hips to still her motions, turning her around as he leaned forward to press his forehead into her own, breathing deeply as her body slowly started to release.

"If we do see him, I promise nothing is going to happen to you"

"You can't promise me that"

"Of course I can"

"Robin-"

"No, Regina. Listen. Nothing is going to harm you, not while I am here. And I swear to God if he lays a hand on you, I will throw him into the river of lost souls myself"

Her laugh was sad as she exhaled.

"HEY GUYS?!" A loud sharp knock broke them apart as Regina wiped away the newly forming tears. She ran off quickly to the bathroom, seconds before Snow and Emma walked into the room, eyes wide in annoyance that the couple was obviously up but ignoring their calls.

Robin smiled, somewhat ticked off at their nosiness "Morning Ladies"

"Everything Okay in here?" Emma frowned at the noticeable absence of Regina in the room.

"Everything is fine" Robin parted back.

They locked eyes for a moment, oblivious to Snow's gaze.

"Okay, uh, well Henry thinks the authors pen could possibly get us out of here. If he created a portal or something home"

"That's great news…. I'm sensing there is a but?"

"Well, we think that the ink he needs to do it is in Rumple's shop, so we are all heading there"

"Okay, Regina and I will be right down"

Snow turned on a dime, but Emma hesitated at Robin's dismissal, "you sure everything is okay? Regina alright?"

"Yes Emma, she's fine" his tone concerned the blonde, but the look in his eyes was something she didn't want to push, especially when it came to how fiercely protective he was of Regina. She nodded and walked out of the room, closing it with a heavy thud.

**************************************xx*************************************

Rumple's shop had been a bust, there was no ink, at least none that Regina or Emma could find with their magic, and the Queen growled in frustration towards the imp. He had obviously hidden it from them, why she didn't know but he was up to something.

Slamming the door shut behind her, Regina thundered out into the street, fists clenching so tight her nails threatened to draw blood. She drew a heavy breath, hoping to calm to storm that was beginning to rage inside. They needed to get out of this place, out of this literal hell hole where she felt as though she was going insane. The lack of sleep and constant alarmed state was taking its toll, and loathed to admit it, she knew she was fighting herself here.

"Hey everything alright?" Emma called out from behind her.

Rolling her eyes with a huff she stared straight out into the road "I'm fine Saviour" her words gritting through her teeth.

"You sure don't seem fine…" The blonde retorted back with a raised eyebrow.

Do not incinerate her, do not incinerate her

Regina's mind boiled, smacking her teeth together in a poor effort to not explode at the other woman.

"What going on with you?"

"None of your concern"

"I think it is my concern"

"Oh! And how exactly do you figure that?"

Emma swallowed down hard, moving to stand in front of Regina, who apparently unbeknownst to herself was shaking.

"You're here because of me… I can't thank you enough for doing this, but that also means I want to make sure everyone is not losing their marbles, like you seem to be about to"

Regina's heart set on a burning fire at the saviors words.

"You think I am weak…that I can't handle myself down here?"

"No Regina I – "

The blonde was suffocated into silence by the Queen's sudden outburst of magic, her dark whiskey eyes fading into a thick black as the brunette scowled into the blondes shocked green eyes.

"I am not weak Miss Swan and if you ever insinuate that I am again, I will burn you to a crisp. Understood" she seethed, her vision tunneling through her anger.

Emma shook her head in bewildered acceptance, choking for air as the magical grasp relinquished on her thin neck. They stood staring at one another for a heated moment, Regina trembling as tears began to brim her lashes at the realization as to what just happened, what she just did, how she just lost control.

Her breath beginning to hyperventilate as the door behind them chimed, the others slowly making their oblivious way towards the pair of women. Emma stared at Regina, torn between being utterly appalled and completely devastated at the terror that suddenly flooded into the Queens eyes. It was impossible she thought, but Regina actually looked scared out of her mind, the way her eyes went wide, jaw dropping as her lower lip shook, her hands locking into together, fighting back whatever emotional dam was being breached.

"What's going on mom?" Henry questioned just behind Regina whose eyes locked onto her own in a panic, a silent plea for her silence. And begging was exactly was Regina was doing. Staring back at the blonde in fear that her outburst had just cost her Henry. She wanted to scream, to cry out of anguish, but her throat ran dry, words escaping her as she waited for Emma's response, her heart beating so hard in her chest, it felt possible her ribs could crack.

"Nothing Kid, c'mon let's go down to Granny's…or Under Granny's whatever" Emma frowned at Regina for a half second, her heart aching for the other woman who was literally drowning before her eyes. They were going to have to talk about this, whatever it was that was tearing Regina apart, Emma needed to know, before something serious actually happened...well again.

The feeling of Robin's hand lacing into her own, anchored Regina back, however slight, it was there, tethering her to reality once more. His blue eyes searched hers, creasing in concern as he turned to face her completely. "Are you alright?" his voice barely above a whisper as his other hand came up to smooth along her arm.

Nodding quickly, she avoided his gaze, the overwhelming shame of what she had just done licking through her body like hot tar. Her eyes were wet with unshed tears, angry tears that she couldn't keep herself from falling apart. She was the Queen dammit, a Queen is not vulnerable, a Queen does not let ghosts haunt them till the point of insanity, and a Queen most certainly does not show weakness, ever.

He wasn't fooled, not for a moment as he followed her every expression. The dam was breaking, whether she wanted it to or not, it was slowly happening and in truth Robin wasn't exactly certain of what he could do for her. She wasn't one to be stifled for a need to be protected, she has done that herself her entire life, and he knows it. And in the rare moments she may falter, he understands she doesn't want him there to point it out, would rather him say nothing most times and just let her fix it on her own time.

But seeing the torment in those beautiful brown eyes makes his heart ache. She is trying so hard to be a Hero, trying desperately to be the person everyone wants her to become, and yet, for a moment he concerns himself over the musing that maybe, who she is, is who she is supposed to be. Strong and resilient, not necessarily the Evil Queen per-say, but a woman who does what needs to be done, gets it done, has the capability to make the hard decisions, too move forward when others fall behind. Maybe that is the person she is supposed to be and her past is part of that.

"What?"

Her shaking hard tone breaks him from the rolling questions in his mind, and he smiles down at her frowned expression, shaking his head slightly "Nothing my love. Shall we?". Half smiling back, she nods, gripping his hand tighter as they make their way behind the group.

She will figure this out, come hell or high water …literally, as she walks hand in hand with Robin, her mind vows to not let this torture get the better of her. She is stronger than this, stronger than the ghost that haunts her. She will do better, she will be better, and she will get the hell home, with her family still in tact.

"I wonder what Roland is doing" Robin muses quietly.

She hums back, leaning into his shoulder "I'm sure Little John will have him knocking arrows by the time we get back"

Robin chuckles, huffing slightly "John can't hit anything to save his life, I wouldn't dare let him teach Roland anything but how to eat for 3 in one sitting"

Regina laughs, actually laughs, breathlessly and free, and it is music to Robins soul. It feels like years since he has heard her laugh, or seen the bright smile that is parted on her face. That smile that has his heart thrumming in his chest. Lifting her hand to meet his lips, he presses a kiss into each knuckle as she watches him with warm eyes.

"I'm ready to see him…"

"Me as well, I have never been apart from him for this long before" Robin sighs, swinging her hand gently as they continue walk down the road.

"I'm sorry"

"You have nothing to be sorry for Regina"

She swallows thickly "You didn't have to come down here with me"

He stops, turning to face her, catching her gaze in his own, and for a second he rakes in her beauty, the thickness of her lashes that coat dark whiskey eyes, the scar on her lip parting through a sea of her ruby plump filled mouth, up to the freckle on the side of her right eye.

"I would never have let you come down here alone Regina"

"But you could have stayed –"

"No, that was never an option, understood Your Majesty?"

She huffs at his stubborn nature, rolling her eyes slightly as he stands with a smug grin on his face. It's when he arches a sandy blonde eyebrow at her, playfully jesting her to retort something back, she gives in, lifting up onto her tip toes to catch his lips quickly. He kisses her back with equal gentility, cupping the back of her head in one hand, the other wrapping around his own back to secure her body flush to his own. Her chuckle against his mouth makes his heart glow – and when he finally deems it acceptable (not that it ever is) to part from her lips, he finds her, smiling softly through half hooded eyes, and for a moment he can feel her letting go.

"Come on thief, I'm hungry" she bumps his nose with her own, striking off again, hands still laced together.

It feels better, she feels better…well maybe that isn't quite right… granted for the few minutes that just past she actually felt okay, not like her mind was about to be ripped in two. Maybe if she can just hold onto those small moments, they will figure out a way to leave this god-forsaken place before she actually has a mental breakdown.

What if she did…? What if she couldn't control it again and something happened…Oh God, what would happen to Henry if he saw her like that? Would he run away from her, would Robin? Would she lose everything if she couldn't stop her mind from pulling into pieces.

Her moment of peaceful sanctuary was gone, filled with fear and doubts once again. Biting down on her tongue, she focused on the small amount of pain it brought, something real to train her mind on as her heart began to quell and thunder. Internally she begged her hand that was locked into Robins to not shake, her other taking up it's tremble as she stuffed it into her coat pocket.

You are not weak Regina.

She tries to self talk her way out of what was quickly becoming another panic attack, the oxygen in her lungs becoming ice cold, sending daggers into her chest with each inhale.

You are not weak Regina.

It's not working, the sweat beginning to bead along the back of her neck, soaking her palms and trailing down the small of her back.

You are weak Regina…

Her mind is betraying her slowly as the door to the Diner comes into view.

You are so incredibly weak Regina.

Clenching her teeth hard, she attempts to swallow the bile that rises in her throat.

You are weak because he makes you weak…you can't escape him.

I am not afraid of him

Oh, but you are…you know you are

No! I'm not. I am not weak – He is gone. I killed him

Exactly you foolish girl – murdered your own husband in his bed – was he really that awful to you?

God! Just Shut Up! You know nothing

See, I told you – you are weak – you can't even think about him without having a breakdown…how disappointing you are

Please, just leave me alone

She doesn't recognize the tears that have fallen on her cheeks, nor that Robin has stopped in front of her staring bewildered and shocked at the sudden change in her state of mind. She can't hear him calling out to her, doesn't feel his hands running along her shoulders, her mind is consuming everything, like the dark vortex it once was.

She is not weak, and yet she is weak, and there is only one person that has always saved her from being vulnerable, one person that knows everything that she is afraid of, and the only person she has ever had to protect her.

Her hands are gripping through her hair fiercely, tugging at the roots as she battles herself. She can't go back there, can't let her take over…but it would be so easy…so so easy….but she can't, she won't.

"REGINA!"

His voice finally pulls through the blackness that swirls, the warmth of his palms on her cheeks soothing the ice that runs through her veins. When her eyes find the ocean blue of his own, she panics – "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry" her voice hitching through the breaking apology.

"Regina, love. What's going on?"

"I can't Robin – I can't fight her anymore" she shakes and trembles in his arms, her body rooted to the ground where she stands.

"Can't fight who Regina?"

Robin stares frantically at his soulmate, fearing for the breakdown that is about to happen and he is helpless to stop it.

"Her"

Regina's voice barely registers in the silence of the street…but the way her eyes widen in fear, Robin's heart sinks as he realizes just who "Her" is…

Reaching for her hands, her slowly pries them from their vice grip on her hair, locking them into his own strong steady grasp within one hand, his other holding the side of her face, steering her eyes back to him.

"Look at me Regina"

She doesn't. She can't.

"Regina. Look at me right now" his tone is hard and firm as he waits for her.

She shakes her head.

Huffing hard, he pulls her till they knock foreheads together, his fingers carding through the back of her hair.

"Look at me, My Love"

It's softer this time, a whisper against her lips, and she clings desperately to it.

You are not weak Regina

She breaths in his scent, presses her hands to his chest, focusing on the sturdy beating of his heart, before she slowly does as he asked. Opening her eyes to him. Robin breaths a quiet sigh of relief, "You are not her anymore"

"What if I am?"

"You're not Regina. She is your past; she does not control your future"

She stares at him, drowning in the sincerity and strength of his eyes – his belief in her.

He holds her gaze for as long as she needs, letting minutes' tick by slowly as her breathing renders back to normal, the rigidity of her posture relaxing under his hands, the tension in her eyes melting slowly away. For how long it will last, he doesn't know.

"Alright?"

Regina nods, barely, but it's there.

"Lets eat and go back home"

He kisses her forehead, and slowly draws her up the pathway and into the diner – hoping to God that nothing inside will set her off again. But since when has life ever been kind to her, has given her a moment to breathe before slamming another obstacle in her way. Apparently, even in hell there is no such thing as a moment's rest.

They walk in, Regina trailing behind him and he watches with a sudden frown to the scene in front of him. David is laughing, happily so beside his wife who is currently hugging an older man, draped in expensive robes, whose back is turned to them. It's as though time slows down – He see's the older man hug the Savior, who returns it surprised, watches as he claps Henry on the shoulder with a grin and Robins body erupts in red hot anger.

Turning he goes to shield Regina, but it's to late – her eyes are full blown wide, jaw dropped, fist clenched to her chest as the cup she was holding shatters to the ground. The breaking of glass, echoes through the diner, and she is frozen to the spot as the ghost she has been running from slowly turns around to face her.

Robin's voice is but a whisper in the ringing of her ears, his body standing to move in front of her line of vision – blocking the man from her eyes. She can feel his hands latch onto hers, prying them apart and lacing them into his own.

"Take us to the apartment Regina"

She swallows thickly, darting up to catch his blue eyes as he bores down into her. Through the tunnel that is beginning to surround her, she can hear his footsteps echoing closer – the questioning calls from her family beyond Robin.

"Regina now. Take us"

Nodding, her hands grip tightly onto Robins, and the purple smoke swirls around them in an instant. But her eyes betray their locked stance on ocean blue, just for a fraction of a second, she flickers beyond his shoulder – onto a set of dark brown that stare back at her with malice and a half cocked smirk – he found her.

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Part 2 is still coming - stay tuned.