Another morning goes by in Storybrooke.

Regina was feeling different this one morning from the two months she been in town. Her last conversation with Robin had put things in perspective to the point where she felt that closure, finally, was reached within herself. For the first time in so long Regina's heart felt truly free from the reigns of the past and she intended to take advantage of it, fully. She stood up from the bed humming a happy song (she realized then what she was doing but honestly didn't care). There was happiness and song in her heart and regardless of the dire situation, the tough case she is working on, Regina did not deter in the way that she felt. She moved swiftly across the room, picking up comfortable clothes before running off to the bathroom and taking a well deserve bath. After an hour of perfecting her look she went downstairs dreaming of a good breakfast and for her surprise Elsa had cooked for like ten to fifteen people. Not that Regina cared, she was extremely hungry that morning.

"What did you do that you are bribing me with food?" Regina asked almost absentmindedly, reaching for the fridge handle and pulling it open. From the corner of her eye she could see the blonde shrugged the question away.

"Can't I treat my best friend to a nice breakfast?" Elsa countered also sassily, and the brunette turned to her with cocked brow. Regina then gave a I-don't-believe-you-what-so-ever look that Elsa felt the need to shake her head to it.

'huummm' was Regina's answer before sitting on the bar stool with a plate of omelets, bacon and toast. The fork plunging easily into the eggs and Regina would have marveled in the deliciousness of her breakfast if it wasn't for the fact that Elsa looked almost put out. She was nervous, that much Regina could deduce, but why? She's afraid that finding out it closer than she thought.

"So…" Elsa began unsure, which was something utterly out of character. For all the time they have known each other, her blonde friend had always been without filter and without boundaries, something that at the very beginning of their friendship made Regina angry. Now it was expected, and Regina appreciated how she didn't beat around the bushes. She spoke the words that were running through her head like a cascade. But looking at her how she, tentatively, served Regina coffee, the brunette was sure that whatever Elsa needed to say wasn't easy for her best friend.

"Elsie spit it out." Regina said between bites, annoyed and curious.

Elsa sighed. "Your friend Tink," Elsa managed to say as she took a sip of her coffee. "Is she going to be around a lot now?"

The brunette looked at her blonde friend with an amusement that shone clear in her face. "She is my friend and family, so I am guessing she is." Regina replied. Elsa rolled her eyes.

"Wonderful." Elsa's sarcastic answer made Regina grinned pleased with the turnabout of events.

"Don't tell me you're jealous?" Regina had a mild high pitch voice that she knew well it annoyed her blonde friend. Truthfully, she was expecting some end-of-the-world type of news, not this, not jealousy.

"Jealous me? Of what?" Asked Elsa after sipping her coffee nonchalantly. The blonde had a tell, whenever her eyebrow twitched it meant she was annoyed and boy Regina thought her brow would just blow off her face. The notion made her released a short laugh that was shot down by a glare from blue eyes.

Regina stared at her friend a few seconds before clearing her throat and taking another bite of her delicious breakfast, she had to handed to Elsa she improved in her culinary skills. The memory of the first time Elsa had tried to cook crossed her mind in that second, how she almost burned down the kitchen and tried to hide from her. The 'I prefer cold food anyway' phrase that had managed to coax a laugh out of Regina made the brunette realized that her semester was going to be quite interesting. What she really didn't envisioned that years later that quirky, cold, blonde would turn out to be her best friend.

"I did tell you about Rose while we were in New York. Besides you don't have anything to worry about. The both of you are weird and annoying from time to time, actually you guys have something else in common – you can both drive me insane." Regina huffed out a laugh. "I am way over my head with you two." Elsa raised her gaze to Regina and the brunette was worried about the twinkle in the blonde's eyes.

"Maybe I will get along with her after all." Elsa articulated each word.

"I am really going to regret introducing you guys."

"Well it's good to know. I can never pass on an opportunity of making you blow up the lit." Elsa was about to say something more when Jefferson made his way to the table. Before sitting down, he kissed his lovely wife who went from jealous school girl to royal pain in the buttock.

"So, you decided to greet us with your presence." Regina said looking at her best friend with a cocked brow but when she noticed his demeanor was all swollen and bitter, Regina frowned. "What's wrong Jeff?" Momentarily forgetting about her breakfast and conversation with Elsa, Regina pressed her lips in a thin line.

These were bad news about to be broken out. God forbid it was too much to have a single good day in her life.

Jefferson shuffled in his chair uncomfortably before giving Regina a look that she knew very well. The sympathetic look that only once before he had the audacity to give her before Regina began hitting him squared in his chest daring him to feel sorry for her any further. Regina did not take pity well, it was something that irked her. Call it a pet peeve of some sort. It has been that way since forever, way before Daniel's death.

"It's Robin. He is down at the Sheriff station. Last night…" He trailed off trying to gather the right words to speak. Regina was beginning to feel the sharp claws of worry and anger. All poisonous, all fatal.

"Out with it, Jefferson. What is Robin doing in the sheriff station and why wasn't I informed of this. Or Mulan for that matter?" Regina slammed her hand against the table and it throb, like fucking hell it did but at that moment the only thing she could think of was Robin spending another night in seclusion, and Roland without him, again. There was a dark feeling eating up the good mood she had woken up to. It was like toxic substance, slowly spreading through her veins and into her heart, making it beat so fast to the point where it can lurch out of her chest.

Jefferson took a very deep breath.

"Ruby was murder in her apartment last night and Robin was the first suspect. She was killed the same way as Daniel and Marian." His face morphed into a grimace.

Regina felt time stop. The feeling in her heart grew big and grey and made her breath come out in short puff. The fact that Robin was a suspect had her body going numb. Some evil and perverted human being killing like this, without a shred of remorse had the brunette feeling worried that this might escalate more. Though was it more there to escalate to? There were horrific murders happening in Storybrooke, for years now. It couldn't possibly be worse than that.

She is trying to take deep breaths, to calm the erratic beating of her heart. Regina is trying to reach a more stoic persona, but she is failing, miserably and all she really wants is to scream the murderer out of existence forever. So many people are suffering because of this, so many souls aren't resting in peace because the culprit hasn't been caught. Now more than ever she is sure that Robin is innocent. This is a curse. This is her punishment for returning to this God forsaken town.

"That's impossible. Robin killing someone, that's impossible. "She already went down that road of doubting him, never again. Especially when, "I was with him last night. There's no way that Robin would have done such a thing, He has so much to lose."

Both Jefferson and Elsa looked up at her with surprise marring their faces. Sure, they have been insisting her that she should talk to Robin and put the past behind them, but it was surprised that she took their advice and went ahead talked to him. At least now they won't be annoyingly poking at her about it.

"Well I guess it's time for us to go to the sheriff station. You might want to call Mulan." Regina could tell Jefferson was worried. His facial expression was easy to read, almost like a children's book where the plot unraveled in three, two, one… "Keith is already there and he might make things difficult specially…" Jefferson trails off and Regina was starting to get this nagging feeling at the back of her head that just made annoyance flare up rather quickly. Jefferson lack of forwardness lighting the fuse at the first spark.

"Jeff if you are going to talk you might want to do it in full sentences so I can get a very picture of the situation." Regina stood up and Elsa followed suit, clearing the table, appetite long gone. A full minute passed by before the man cleared his throat gaining his best friend and wife attention once more.

"Keith wants to invalidate you and the diagnose from the case." Regina's arms crossed over her chest,

"His argument is that you are too close to the suspect and that might make you alter your perspective in all of this."

"I gather as much." She isn't doing her job right if she didn't see that coming. A good DA would exhaust all his sources to ensure that they case would go their way. Being cunning is one of the main traits to have in order to succeed but Regina was above all of that. She did not get where she is today by being too soft.

Jefferson and Elsa shared a look of confusion even though Elsa had a better understanding of what's going through Regina's mind. Whether she was faking for the sake of her husband? Well you never know.

"What do you mean Regina?" The blonde voiced out the question and Regina knew that Elsa had some idea but wasn't seeing the full picture.

In turn, Regina smirked at the pair, dropping her arms to the side.

"It means that I knew this was going to happen and I have a plan." Regina had a triumph smile on her face at least she could find solace in her ability as a professional.

"I'm guessing you already have a plan in motion." It wasn't a question from Elsa it was a statement to which Regina hum in confirmation. "I thought that it was weird you were so soft with everyone."

"What do you mean Elsa?" Jefferson asked. Regina and Elsa shared a looked and started laughing.

"Regina is quite scary even for a psychologist. Let's just say I don't want to be at the end of her wrath." Elsa moved to the kitchen when she collected things from the table.

"Oh, Elsa you make it sound like I'm the devil." But then she gave Jefferson a devilish smile.

"Aren't you?" Was the last thing Elsa asked before Regina walked out the kitchen, determination sparking her steps. If she was going to do this, she was going al.

|xXx|

"I haven't done anything wrong." Came Robin's voice through the door. Regina just arrived at the Sheriff station Jefferson and Elsa on tow. She called Mulan on their drive there and she immediately agreed to go, it would take some time to get into town since she was in Portland closing off other cases before giving her full attention to Robin's, but she will be there.

"He's right." Regina said. Keith, David and Killian turned to see her entered the room.

"And how can you be so sure?" Came in Keith rather smug question. Regina rolled her eyes and moved passed him to stand at Robin's side.

"Simple." She turned to see Robin briefly and he inclined his head briefly, eyes muddled. "Robin was with me last night." This seemed to have her desire effect because in a matter of seconds after those words left her mouth Keith demeanor turned sour and his face was almost greenish. The brunette half expected him to go full Hulk. Alas, it didn't happened and it left an air of disappointment in the room.

"How can we be certain that you are telling the truth? For all we know you are just trying to cover for him." Keith practically spat out the words as they gather on his tongue. Whatever feelings he had been struggling, whether thanks to her revelation or not, he achieved to compose himself into a more professional stance. "This is why I am requesting a change in psychologist. Regina Mills isn't suitable for the best interest of this case."

Regina crossed her arms in front of her and began to move a few steps closer to the Prosecutor. It was like all of all sudden she turned into a Lioness and Keith was her prey. The air around the room became loaded with obvious intrigue and Regina was about to spark a match for it to go up in flames.

"I agree." Everyone in the room, including Robin who stood up quickly ready to protest, looked at her like she'd grown a second head. The thing about Regina is that in all her years as a Psychologist she'd learned that there are cases one can become too attached to, therefore alter your perspective and vision. That's why she always prepared for such an occasion. "Which is why I already contacted Judge Gold, so he can find a replacement in the earliest convenience. I know well my history with one of the victims and the suspect is something that weighs in gravely, so the Judge has agreed to call in someone not corrupted into the lifestyle of Storybrooke. I am to give all the information to the person he appoints. I believe everyone can agree with all of this?"

Everyone was shocked of Regina's revelation. That much was clear in the way they openly gawked at her. She supposed it was only natural, after all her involvement with Robin wasn't a secret to anyone. They were best friends and they will always be best friends – and maybe a little more but that wasn't something anyone else should care for.

"I agree to the new terms. You have saved me the problem of putting the official request." Keith said sitting down but he isn't at all too happy about it. He wanted to be the one to burst the bubble not the other way around. Oddly enough it was satisfying for Regina. "Now about Robin, he is only here for questioning."

"And you are all too eager to pin the blame on him." She neared one of the desk and leaned against the edge. "Doesn't matter he is innocent and it's only a matter of time I'm proven right. For the time being you'll have to talk to Mulan and get into an agreement with her because it's getting ridiculously dragging Robin every time something happens." The moment Regina finished talking the door opened.

"Sorry I'm late." Mulan voiced.

"Ah yes thanks for coming in such a short notice." Regina approached her, she reached for some papers near her purse and gave them to the lawyer. "I already informed them about some of the changes regarding me, I think you should handle the rest." She walked to Robin. "You should come with me, Mulan can handle the rest." Then her eyes fell on Jefferson and Elsa. "You two should stay here and catch up. There are a lot changes coming." Without another word Regina grabbed Robin's hand and walked out of the Sheriff station. He hadn't say a single word and when Regina looked at his face there was pride and something else in his eyes.

"What just happened?" Jefferson ask his wife. Elsa just shrugged her shoulders.

"I told you it was weird she didn't do anything drastic already."

"This is more than drastic Elsa. She just rendered down our only chance of proving Robin's innocence." Jefferson huffed a breath out.

"Actually, what she has in mind is just brilliant." Mulan argued with a grin on her face. "No wonder she is one of the top forensic psychologists in the country."

"Relax Jeff. Regina knows what she is doing." Elsa squeezed his hand lightly.

"I hope so." He just breathed out.

|xXx|

What the hell was all that about?" Robin almost yelled once they were completely out earshot from everyone.

"Robin can you please calm you –" Robin cut her off grabbing one of her wrist. His hold wasn't too tight and he was shaking. Why was he shaking? Regina felt her stomach overturn.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to quit?" Robin didn't let go. In her defense she tried to look as appalled as he was. Even with the butterflies swarming in her belly, she could contain the mixture of mischievousness and amusement in her face. "Is this funny to you? Regina, I can't do this without you. It was your help in the first place that got me out. Or you just don't care about me."

Regina took a deep breath, waiting for Robin to be done with his meltdown.

"Are you done?" Was all she mustered to say. His face was the perfect painting of fear and pain.

"Yes, I am. I'm quite curious on what you are going to say." Robin then released her wrist giving her much needed space.

"First of all, I didn't quit, I just gave my responsibilities to another. It was just a matter of time before Keith requested me out and if he did I wouldn't be able to involve myself. I am sure who is going to take your case and if I play things correctly I won't be cast aside. Second I know what I'm doing Robin you don't have to called me out on it and third…" She closed the distance between them and gather his hands in hers. "Don't you ever say I don't care about you because I do, greatly so actually." Regina tilts her head and with one hand caresses his cheek. "I know how I do things is rather strange and sometimes ruthless but is the only way I know how to do things. I need you to trust me." Robin released a short breath. Regina could see how his face went from worried to relieved in a matter of seconds. It was a wonder he didn't blow up inside the room with everyone's eyes trained on them. For that she is grateful.

"I do trust you Regina and I wish you would trust me enough in the future and tell me these types of things before you go out and do them. For a moment there I thought…" Regina scrunched her eyebrows together tilting her head in the process giving him a questioning look.

"You thought what?" Regina inquired and in that very moment she felt the need to hold on really tight to his hand.

Robin took a deep breath before voicing out his fear.

"I thought that you wanted to leave because of what I told you last night. For a moment I didn't even care about my freedom; I was worried that I would never get to see you again."

Regina's heart cracked at Robin's words.

"Robin, I am sorry that my actions made you feel like that. I never had a personal attachment to my cases – not like this – and I am so used to doing things on my own terms. I think that for a moment I forgot it was you." Regina let go of his hands and wrapped her arms around him. She wasn't a big hugger, so it took her by surprise how right it felt to hug Robin who, by the way, enveloped her in strong and warm arms. Her day might have gotten ruined, but this moment made up for it.

"I understand I really do. Just next time you are going to do something so drastic let me know. Surprises like that tend to be a miss in my life." Regina nodded against his chest, eyes closed tight as she inhaled his snow and pine scent. Mills just wished she could peak into his mind and see what he was thinking. There was so much fear in his eyes before that it made her wonder where his mind went.

"Since I'm supposed to be honest with you I guess it's time for me to explain everything to you." Robin shook his head in response.

"Maybe later. Right now, all I want is to go home and take a shower. I've been the whole morning in the station and listening to Granny cry her heart out over Ruby truly broke my heart break. The house is alone, so it would be nice to rest for a bit." After a while of him speaking, Regina pulled back. She inspected his face closely and what she could gather was this: He didn't want to be alone.

"Where is John and Roland?" The brunette grabbed his hand and began heading to her car.

"They are in Portland. Since I was collected early in the morning I told John to take Roland with him to check on the status of the new sports wears the store. I don't want Roland to be more involved in this. It's bad enough that he wakes up every night screaming." Regina nodded in understanding. When they arrive to her car Regina turned to see Robin.

"Have you talked to Elsa about Roland's nightmares? I think it's important for her to know his routine, night terrors and all." Robin sighed heavily.

"I will tell her the next time I see her, or you can tell her." She could tell Elsa, yes, but it was best if Robin was involved in the process as well. Regina will tell him that, later.

"Do you want a lift home?" She asked before opening the door to her car. It wasn't really a question.

Robin rubbed the back of his neck, the new wave of tiredness appearing on his features.

"I would like that." Robin rounded the car and moved to open the door.

The whole ride to Robin's house was filled with a comfortable if really loud silence. It was nice for them to finally breathe easy around each other and for the first time in a long time Regina didn't feel the need to run away. She felt her heart swell with a love she hasn't felt in a long time and the thought of accepting her feelings was daunting. When they arrived at Robin's house he was looking for millions of ways to drag on being in her presence but since he didn't find nothing he said good bye and got out of the car. She wasn't ready to leave all she wanted was to spend a little more time with Robin. She got out of the car and called out his name. Robin turned to her, visibly relieved when she called out his name.

"Did you eat something this morning?" The reality is after the soul gripping fear she felt earlier in the morning, Regina was starting to be afraid of leaving Robin all alone. Keith is hellbent on pinning the murder on him that he wouldn't hesitate on coming in with the stupidest of excuses and taking Robin in.

Robin shook his head. "They didn't give me even a chance to even drink coffee." Regina scoffed.

"Well why don't you take a shower and I make lunch? But if you don't want me to stay I can g-" Regina was about get inside the car when Robin grab her hand and turned her around flushing her body against him.

"I would love that." Robin's eyes locked with Regina's lips and it took everything she had in her to not cut the distance between them. The temptation was big.

"Okay…" she whispered, mentally scolding herself at her tone of voice. So fragile and frail two things she most certainly wasn't.

Robin cleared his throat while letting go of her. The missing of his body was instant but she was sure glad because having him so close was intoxicating. "You do remember the layout out the house, right?"

"I think so."

|xXx|

"Everything alright?" Elsa took the empty space beside Jefferson on the couch. He beheld the blonde, brows weave together in utter confusion.

"Don't know. I've been thinking about what Regina did." The blonde gripped her husband hand tight in an attempt to alleviate his worry. Didn't work.

"I am guessing you didn't expect her to do something like that?" The flicker of pure confusion still covered his eyes. Elsa wished she could say something that would get rid of that, but nothing came to mind, just yet. The more he tried to understand, the more his pained expression grew. Whatever he was thinking, it wasn't nice.

"I didn't paint Regina as a person that could just…" A beat of silence, "…give up." It occurred to Elsa that Jefferson has never seen Regina in action unlike her. For all the time they've been apart, her husband wasn't aware of Mills capabilities and that would have wounded Regina if she knew. Whenever she was at work, her entire personality shifted. The way she could comprehend human emotions on a higher level was outstanding. You wouldn't think that if she knew her life story, all the pain and suffering she had gone through in order to get to where she was but it was because of that Regina was able to feel everything so deeply. Which is why, at the beginning, Elsa thought this case could break Regina. Now she knows better than to underestimate Regina Mills.

Elsa was quick to squeeze his hand even tighter. "Everything Regina does has a reason. Just like every 'why' has an answer. Believe me, I doubt she is giving up. Besides you heard her. She is pretty sure about Robin's innocence." Jefferson sighed loudly making Elsa chuckle. "Hey, don't worry this is Regina freaking Mills we are talking about, besides I am more scare of her than any killer out there, she can be ruthless."

"I will take your word for it." But that wasn't everything bugging him, and Elsa noticed.

"There is something more is it?"

"When Regina left years ago I had this absurd idea in my head that she wasn't leaving willingly. There is something she never told me, and I am pretty sure it has to do with Robin."

There was fear and curiosity lacing through Jefferson's words. "Regina is pretty good keeping secrets and if she doesn't want to say something you might as well prepare a funeral for the words that will never be spoken. Unless…" Elsa trailed off.

"Unless what?"

Regina is going to hate her for this. "Unless you tell Robin what you think. My guess is that you haven't told him this." When Jefferson shakes his head in a negative motion she took a deep breath. "The go to the source, tell him what you think and any other crazy theory your head can conjure up. If we are lucky he can talk to Regina and we will know, eventually."

"Do you know something I don't?"

"Maybe…" Elsa quipped. "Just talk to him. If Regina is hiding something he will probably be able to get it out of her."

"I will."

|xXx|

The kitchen was filled with amazing odors by the time Robin entered the kitchen. From a well roasted chicken seasoned to perfection to the homemade salsa alfredo that Regina made from scratch. Toast with garlic gave the perfect touch to the mini Italian fest Regina prepared for Robin. She even managed to make a little apple pie that he so loves when they were kids. She was quite happy to get to cook like this. Totally free and happy. And sure, she got to cooked for Jefferson and Elsa all the time, but this felt different but all so welcoming.

"Well I might have to let you in to cook more often. Everything smells so delicious." Robin shirtless, or at least she could tell he was with the little line of view she had. When she finally turned to him her cheeks felt rather hot, red hot. He was holding his white shirt with strips, looking over at everything she had prepared for lunch. If she was lucky, Robin would not notice how her face turned bright red because if she is being honesty? It was.

"I haven't cooked like this in some time. I even made apple pie. Which reminds me you took a lot of time taking a simple shower." Fighting how flustered she felt, her gaze moved somewhere else that wasn't his broad shoulder and muscles chest. Dear God help her.

To no avail, Robin noticed.

In his smugness, Locksley placed the shirt on top of a counter top and approached her with measured steps. Though she wasn't looking Regina could sense his nearness. It made the hair on the back of her neck stand and her skin crawl with sparks. Shit.

"I was just giving you time to finish cooking. I know you don't like to be bothered when you're doing so." Robin took another step. "Or at least you used to loath it."

"Well you remembered that is a good sign. Oh, before I forget do you have wine?" Anything to keep herself staring and feeling flushed and shit. Why must Robin be like this?

Robin pondered on it. "Merlot or Cabernet?" He managed to get a bottle of each from the cabinet, standing right in front of Regina. Her eyes went from one bottle to the next, then his chest and repeat the motion with the bottles and his chest and so on and on. It was a laughable sight, and Robin certainly made it worse with his smirk.

"Ummm… Merlot sounds nice." She was immediately moving to the cabinets getting plates and wine glasses out, inwardly grateful for the split second of not seeing him naked from the waist up. "Now go and sit down while I serve the food."

"Of course, milady." Robin winked at her and moved out of the kitchen. Regina releases a breath she really didn't know she was holding. 'What the hell did I get myself into?' Her head resounded with her voice in the form of that question.

"I hope you're really hungry. I got a little carried away cooking." She placed the food in front of Robin and he simply genuinely at her. Robin looked happy, unlike that first-time months ago. Sure, he may have been happy to see her, but the woman wasn't exactly forthcoming with him. Her coldness and stoic demeanor should have been enough to push Locksley away but no. Here they are about to share lunch together like nothing hadn't really happen. Which they both know it was a lie. Everything happened.

"Truth is I've been dying to try Regina Mills cooking again. I still remember the mess you used to make in your parents' house when you first go the cooking bug in you. I think Cora had to apply for a bigger insurance policy because of you." As a response, Regina rolled her eyes and well Robin being Robin chuckled.

"Well it was your fault. You were the one who challenge me to cook something and I ended up liking so thank you." For some inexplicable reason, Regina sat beside him instead of across from him. Maybe a habit, something that never went away? When they were teen they used to seat like this at Granny's and at dinner in her house. Doing anything different felt unnatural. Robin didn't seem to mind it either. He opened the bottle of Merlot and served in both of their glasses before he reached for his own and took a sip. His face light up and her chest felt truly light in that moment.

They talked about everything good that happened to them in the past decade. Regina told him about how her career quickly took off after graduation. She told him about all the international invitations she had to participate in the most of important cases. Robin talked to her about the store growth in Storybrooke and how he wasn't to give up in expanding to other places. Time passed by slowly, but they didn't mind. Being in each other's company felt like old times never really escape them.

"So, did you date anyone?" That question took Regina off guard.

"I only dated one person for a while but after that I want it to be alone. I guess being with someone wasn't in my plans." Robin gave her a slight nod and served himself a little bit more of wine. He offered some to her and she accepeted it.

"Well at least you weren't completely alone. What was his name?"

"His name was Graham Hunter. Like me he is also a forensic psychologist." Robin licked his lips before another taste of his drink. Regina could tell there was something bothering him.

"Ah. Someone who can understand you completely." Robin simply said. Regina just shook her head.

"Not entirely, but he tried."

"Well at least he tried. There is no shame in effort." Regina straighten her back and pull her chin up looking at Robin with the corner of her eyes.

"I suppose." And in that moment a silence befallen them both, a silence full of tension that could be cut with a knife. After a few moments Robin finally broke the god forsaken silence.

"Do you miss it?"

Regina lifted a brow questioning him.

"I mean do you miss being with someone?"

"Do you miss Marian?" Was Regina's countered. Robin seemed to ponder on her question long moments before giving her an answer.

"I miss you." He bit his lips. "What I regret of not having Marian in my life is the fact that Roland will grow up without a mother." Fair enough. "But in the matters of the heart, I miss you." Not fair.

"Robin don't…" She kept her hands to herself, words beyond a whisper.

Robin turned to look at her. He took her hands in his, lifted one of them to give a kiss at the palm. His lips were warm, almost like fire that singed off every cell in the palm of her hand. Something deep inside of her came alive. It called out to Robin, to the passion buried under the pain and suffering they've both gone through. In that simple action Regina finally understood many love song and poems. She finally understood the degree of missing Robin had gone through all this years but what mattered the most, she finally recognized why it never did work out with Graham.

Her heart, soul and even her passion were here, with Robin.

"I am just saying what is on my mind. Whenever I look at you I get lost in the depths of your eyes. I feel like after all this time I finally feel complete for the first time in my life. I don't know how I survived not having by my side these past 13 years, but I am quite sure that I could never move on if you were to leave again. Regina, I love you with everything I am and everything I got." His words always had the effect to move her to places she never even thought her mind and heart could go. The pull to him was too big to be denied. If she continued to put that pause on them, then they will never get to see where things would lead. Deep down she wants that. Robin was always there for her and he tried to be there for her after Daniel's death, but she was the one to push him away and now she was beginning to regret that decision. She took a deep breath not sure on how to respond to him, but she couldn't continue staying quiet everything time he spoke with his heart on his sleeve. That was perhaps her problem, Regina doesn't quite know how to deal with feelings.

"You are really important for me don't forget that." Regina hard-pressed her lips for a split second. "Truth is I don't know really what I feel. Well maybe I know but I just don't know how to tell you. Words like this always came easy to you but you know me and I'm not that good at expressing myself, or at least in the matters of the heart like you said. I just need you to be patience, to wait for me to be comfortable enough to express the secrets of my heart. I know is not in my place to ask this…" Robin shook his head and gave a smile and in that moment, she knew he understood.

"You have all the time in the world. I've waited for you thirteen years and I can wait thirteen. But please, don't leave for that long." Robin's short laugh made her heart fluttered. "Stay here where I can see you smile every day, where I can see you play with my son who loves you so much and where I can be able to tell you every day of our lives how important you are to me." Regina cried. Actual tears cascaded down her cheeks in that moment. In fact, she hasn't cried like this out of happiness and for a moment she just wanted to get lost in his words and in his eyes, that were bluer than ever.

"Robin, I really don't deserve you." She cradled his face trying to muster a smile but failing because the surge of feeling in her chest were getting the best of her.

"Don't say that. Because it is I who don't deserve such an amazing person like you." He closed off the distance between them and kissed her. Sweet and simple at first but after a few seconds the heat turned up.

Robin tangled one of his hands in her hair and the other one on her hip. When Regina parted her lips giving him permission of exploration, his mind railed up and instinctively he pulled her closer deepening the kiss and flushing their bodies together.

After a while of kissing and curious hands exploring carefully they broke apart panting and seeking much needed air.

"Regina…" he whispers against her lips struggling to get his mind straight, "We don't have to do anything that you don't want to." He said in a low tone.

Regina's gaze flickered to his lips.

"Who said I don't want to?"

And then she slammed her mouth against him giving not time to react properly. After a chaste kiss, Robin found his rhythm once more against her lips. It was a perfect symphony they were playing.

"In that case…" he began. Regina was exploring his neck with outmost preciseness and for a moment he lost his train of thought 'fuck this' He stood up and took her in his arms. She automatically wrapped her legs around his waist "God Regina…" he whispered against her neck while moving around the table and walking to his room. When they arrived he closed the door behind them and gently set her down on the bed.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked once more time, and she pulled him to her by the lap of his shirt.

"Really sure." And he didn't need anything else.

Robin claimed her lips once more. Slowly building up the kiss until it turned so hot that their lips could grow fire in their skin. He buried his head against her neck, devouring every inch of skin he could find there. Biting hard and then soothing her skin with his tongue.

She threw her head back against the pillow moaning aloud and that only fueled Robin even more lust and desire for her. He started to play with the zipper at the side of her dress and when he finally got it down, he looked into Regina's eyes asking permission to take it off which she obliged.

When he placed his eyes on her again all he could do was admire. The black laced lingerie played perfectly against her olive colored skin. For a moment she felt shy but the look of utter admiration in Robin eyes chased it away. He began to trace kissed down her neck, shoulder and down the valley of her breast.

Regina began to tug on his pants and he gladly took them off exposing to her his whole manhood that was really hard for her. She felt like she was soaring with just feather kisses that all she wanted to know how she would feel once he was inside of her. Robin began the task of unclasping her bra and when he did he gasp at the perfection of her breast

"Simply stunning. Perfect in every way."

He said against her skin and he then took one of her nipples in his mouth. As Robin was biting one of her nipples, it was painfully pleasurable for her to the point for her to moan. With his other hand he twisted and turned her rosy peeks until he released the one in his mouth with a pop and giving it the one in his other hand the same attention.

After he was done with her breast he moved once more to his mouth. Savoring every corner of her mouth was a journey he could take every day for the rest of his life. Regina felt her heart wanting to get out of her chest. Every single of Robin's caress was filled with love and admiration for her. Regina felt fire in her belly a fire that needed to be put out one way or another.

As in reading her mind one of his hands was making its way down low south. Feathering touches against her thighs until he slowly pulled down her panties and discarded them, completely forgotten.

"You are so wet."

He said biting down her lips before kissing his way down to where his mouth was mostly needed. He first licked her folds and felt how Regina shivered in anticipation. He took her clit in his mouth and began to play with the little erect bundle. Her moans were ringing against his eardrums making Robin go even crazier.

Regina breathed out an 'Oh god.' At his perfect administrations. Her senses were on full on and every touch he made only took into more of a frenzy.

"Robin!" she whispered out grabbing his shoulder with such a full force that she was pretty sure it would have bruised but she didn't care the pleasure she was feeling was filling all her pores.

He pushed one finger into her and then another one. The force of the heighten pleasure was making her grab the sheets. "OH my god." Regina whispered.

Robin curled his fingers inside of her. "Don't hold your screams back, I want to hear you."

He then began to rub her clit with his palm and that was all necessary to have Regina screaming and panting against him. He moved to kiss her and the taste of herself in his mouth had her moaning, and Robin was drowning her moans with a fiery kiss.

"I want you inside of me Robin…" she breathed out his name and that was enough for him to take his finger away from her and began to position himself against her folds. When he finally entered her they both released a twin groan.

He began to move slowly giving Regina time to adjust to the sensation and his length. After a few slow deep thrust Regina bit her lip when the pure pleasure began to take over. Robin wrapped his arms around her trusting in and out in a faster pace that had Regina panting.

"I love you..." he said against her eyes and quickly biting her earlobe. She released a long moan into the crock of his neck. She began to bit down the pleasure peeking up and she could feel Robin was feeling the same because his pace was faster, hitting that amazing spot inside of her that had her yelling out his name.

"Faster, harder!" she demanded and he was more than welcome to oblige.

Everything became so intense.

"Come with me Regina." He said and with 1, 2, and 3 thrust they both began to feel waves of pleasure that where covering them limb from limb.

Robin collapse on top of her, his head on top of her shoulder and trying to steady his breathing again. He tried to move a little so he won't be squashing her but she stopped him.

"Don't move yet." She said sweetly placing a kiss on his lips. He smiled at her and returned the kiss.

"But I'm squashing you." He said lovingly. Regina shook her head.

"I don't care I just want to feel you close to me for a little while." He placed a kiss on her forehead and turned them over so she would be on top of him.

"How about now?" He asked caressing her face, learning ever single detail about her.

Regina nodded.

"I love it." Regina rested her head against Robin's chest. After a few moments of silence, she talked. "Umm Robin."

"Yes." He answered.

"There is another reason why I had to quit being part of your case." Robin balanced himself on his elbow furrowing in brow in her direction silently telling Regina to go on. She took a deep breath before saying anything. "it was because I might be in love with you."

Robin's eyes widen in surprise.

"Well I wasn't expecting that but it surely made me the happiest man alive." Robin was still in awe with Regina's words.

"I need time to explore this but the feelings are there." She smiled at him and Robin returned her smile. "Now then…" She began shifting to get more comfortable on Robin's chest. "I want to invite you to dinner tonight. You, Roland and John."

"And behalf of my family and myself I'll gladly accept."

|xXx|

Sheriff at the same moment.

"So, are we all in agreement?" asked Mulan. "Regina decision on changing FP was a wise one."

The board of directors, David and Judge Gold all agreed with Mulan's words.

"Yes, well I don't trust her." Keith voiced out.

Mulan raise a brow in amusement. "Doesn't this make things supposedly easier for you? After all you wanted to begin a substitution process against her."

Keith scoff at her words. "I don't like surprises."

"Regina is full of surprises and so am I." It was a direct challenge, not only to Keith but everyone in the room. Mulan loved a good challenge and this case was that and so much more. Never did she really expect to meet someone quite like Regina Mills, someone who is three steps ahead at all time, but Mulan was glad she got this experience under her belt. Just thinking about all the good she can do with Regina after proving Robin's innocence? Mulan was looking forward to the future.

It was obvious that Keith had something poisonous at the tip of his tongue, but he was interrupted – thank God – by the judge, Gold.

"As much as I love hearing people fighting I must go." He moved to stand up. "Before I forget I phone the new FP and he is on his way here." Gold bid his good bye to everyone in the room, including her.

"I guess I better leave there is much to do." Mulan raised from the chair and began gathering her thing as she spoke. "David when you get a chance can you tell Jefferson and Elsa to contact me. There are a few things I would like to discuss with them."

"I will do it tonight. I am having dinner with them."

"Thank you." When she moved to the door it swung opened.

"Can I help you?" came David's voice.

The stranger smiled. "Yes, I was called here by Judge Gold."

"Ah yes you must be the new FP." Mulan said.

"Yes. My name is Graham Hunter. It's nice to make you acquaintance."