Two months, three weeks, eight hours and fifty-two minutes till the wedding and Regina felt like it was an eternity away. Zelena was making her life a living hell and her not so good relationship with Robin passed from the sort of lovers to sort of enemies. They fought all the time and it appears to be quite amusing to her sister. Regina had expressed to Mal, had told her the million and one way she could strangle the couple and for the most part, the blonde had her own colorful ideas on how to deal with them and it had helped immensely when they were together. Still, there were days in which one measly thing could set Regina off, and on those days, she always ended up telling Regina and Zelena to leave before her murder-y tendencies began to kick in.

Today was one of those days.

"Mary, if Robin or Zelena call or appear, please get rid of them. I cannot spend another minute fighting with them about patterns and colors schemes." Regina leaned back with a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. She didn't wait for her assistant to confirm, she didn't need to. Where Mary's was concerned, Regina had absolute faith in her abilities. Plus, she always knew when to allow people in, who to allow in and when. For the most part, her services had been great. Regina really did luck out in the assistant department.

"Um, Regina?" Mary appeared on the door, worrying her lip between her lip. "Killian is here to see you and he won't take no for an answer."

Typical Killian.

Regina rolled her eyes sitting a bit more straight in her leather chair. She wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, but Killian was like a bad virus, the more you ignore it the worse it would get and there was no doubt in her mind that he would just sit around the waiting area until she leaves the office. "Fine." She grunted half-heartedly. "Let him in. Just make sure to bring me a bucket of water in case his imprudent self-appears." Of course, it was a joke, one she made sure to say loud enough for him to hear and…

"You always did love to go to the extremes." Were his first words as he crossed the threshold. "Mary." He greeted courtly, to annoy her Regina realized with a raised brow. Mary left without as much as a glance his way, closing the door behind her with a rather loud thud even for Mary's standards.

"What did you do to her?" One because she was curious (even though it was none of her business) and two because her assistant rarely got angry and the few times she had been was because of David, her husband. Dark eyes lingered a little more on the wooden door, making a mental note to talk to Mary later as well before she finally shifted her gaze on the annoying male in her presence who was giving her that insufferable smirk of his.

"I did nothing." He slumped in the chair.

"He said smirking." Regina shot back dryly, clearly not in the mood for one of his games. "Mary Margaret is probably the most patient person I've ever met and today I finally saw annoyance on her face." The brunette leaned back in her chair again. "So, spill you second class Romeo. What did you do?" They had the type of friendship that no matter how much either of them denied something, they would always get their answers, and this was one of those moments. Months, years without seeing each other didn't mean they couldn't pick up from where they left off. And this was one of those moments that proved that.

For a moment he went silent, playing with the sleeves of his long button-down shirt. It seemed like he was ignoring Regina and she was about to boot him out of the office when he finally talked. "I slept with Emma." Oh, she was not expecting that.

"Come again?" She couldn't believe it. Couldn't wrap her head around the idea that Emma 'No bullshit' Swan actually gave into Killian's desperate attempts to woo her. She expected more of the blonde. It wasn't that Killian was a bad man, more than once he had been her shield whenever her sister or mother berated her, but he had a bad reputation as a womanizer, hence why Regina was always cards up with him. Still, she didn't wish on any woman to be at the end of his lustful stare, it always won in a battle of wills.

"You heard me the first time." Jones rolled his eyes, finally looking at her. "It was bound to happen."

That made her laugh. "Just you can't take no for an answer." Which was sad. The guy needed to be more patient and respecting women. "Killian I may be the only woman in the world that knows the real you. This stupid act that you put to throw off your father, will get you in trouble one of these days and I am no longer your attorney to bail you out." If looks could kill, the one Killian was giving her would have been her downfall but lucky for her they just confirmed the truth behind her words. Everything he had done was for the sake of freedom but to Regina, he seemed more trapped than ever. Living in a web of lies will only choke you in the end. A lesson that the both of them needed to learn.

"My life would have been so different if you actually married me when I proposed." And of course, there was that. The fact that he wanted to use her as protection from his father always rubbed the wrong way.

"We've talked about this countless of times. Marrying you meant more politics." Which she hates so much. "Besides, would you really be willing to have Cora as your mother in law?" She still is trying to process why Robin would hang himself in such a way. Wow, what a way for her brain to make it all the way to him.

"You know I did love you." Every time he said that Regina found it hard to believe but nonetheless, she did. He hasn't loved many people. She was his first love. Belle had been his fatal love and by the looks of things Milah and him are at it with the fatal attraction bullshit. She just hopes he is smart enough to keep away.

He won't, she knows.

"Anyway." She cleared her throat. This was not something she needed to talk about. "You sleeping with Mary's sister isn't enough to get her angry. What else happened?" That is where he actually looked ashamed. For Killian to look, to feel that way there must have been a rather powerful motive.

"I didn't know Neal was going to propose to her the night it happened. They got into a big fight and I thought it was over between them so I consoled her. In the morning he arrived at her apartment and I was there." His voice got quieter and quieter with every word he spoke, and Regina started to feel bad for him but even more so for Neal. He was sweet and caring, sure he had his issues all of them thanks to his father Gold, but he was an honest and good guy. She didn't know that he was with Emma and that it was that serious.

"That was dirty, Killian even by your standards." Rough but true. Killian, Neal and she all grew up together but Killian and he were actually best friends. But things happened, and people grow distant and it was the case with them. Regina never really knew what happened that they stopped being friends, but she suspects it was because of Gold. "If you knew that Neal was with Emma, why even risk it?" One of his flaws was his pride and Regina had the lingering feeling that the whole Emma thing was because of that. As misguided as it was.

"I screwed up, big time." Exasperation bled out of his words and Regina had the good sense to not push any further. There's enough regret in his eyes to keep him awake at night without her adding another heavy load on to it. Time for a change in topic, again.

"So, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?" The ambiance was a tad awkward after what they just discussed, and Regina hated it when it got like that with Killian. They've always been mellowed with banters and easiness when with each other but today it was rather strange, and she disliked it. Hopefully, it would pick up.

Killian was lost in his own little world. If he heard her Regina couldn't possibly know. So she picked up a little plushy she had on her desk (courtesy of Henry, Emma's son) and threw at Jones who almost jumped out of his skin. "Bloody hell." He muttered picking the plushy from the ground and throwing it back at Regina who caught it successfully.

"I said, why are you here?" This time he did hear her and instantly sat up straight clearing his throat. His semblance improved but she knows there's a storm brewing inside of him.

"What? Can't a friend visit another friend without there being an ulterior motive?"

Oh boy. Regina knew that nothing good could follow what he just said. There was always something fermenting in his head. Killian wasn't the type to appear out of nowhere just to say hello. There was something there, and she had the sinking notion that it was not good. "Whatever it is my answer is no."

Killian perked up at that. Challenges were his forte. "C'mon Regina. I have an amazing proposal."

"Here I thought you didn't have an ulterior motive." She shot back crossing her arms.

"Well, I lied."

Of course, he did.

"And again, I am not interested."

The blue eyes man stood up from his chair and walked around the desk where he then leaned against it to get a better view of her face. He always did that for some reason, always looked deeply into her eyes as if they would give him the answers he seeks to convince her into one of his schemes. The worse part of it all? He always knew what to say. Mills had come to hate that ability of his. "Not even for the one in your lifetime opportunity to see Zelena floundering?"

Eyes snapped to his blue ones. "What do you mean?" It will sound wretched from her part but she actually enjoyed flailing Zelena.

"Public speaking."

Boy those two words had made Regina grin like the Cheshire cat. Out of the two of them, Regina was the one gifted with public speaking. Her older sister had always struggled with it. She can remember vividly that time in High School where she had this absurd idea of wanting to be a singer (their father encouraged, their mother did not but she was more flexible back then) and decided to enter the school talent show. Nothing came out of her mouth, and what did come out sounded like a choking cat. Ever since that moment, Zelena had never done anything remotely close to that.

"Whose brilliant idea was that?" She asked quite curious about it. Regina knows it wasn't her mother. Anything to spare the embarrassment and people close to the family knew of the struggles so Regina was sure someone was either unaware of Zelena's lack of presence or really wanted to see her fall flat on her face. Regardless, Mills was getting quite excited about it.

When Killian smirked a tad wider, Regina's brow rose. "Robin."

Well shit.

"You're kidding?" Robin didn't seem like the type to push someone to completely embarrassed themselves. He was a good person regardless of the fact that he was a cheating bastard. Robin had a good heart so she was finding it quite hard to believe that he actually is pushing Zelena into doing something she is not good at.

"No, this is real alright." Jones crossed his arms, eyes lingering on the wall behind her while her gaze was pinned on the door. "Apparently Robin has a charity helping kids that have been affected by the Syria problem." She remembered. They talked about it that night they met. The night where their names were switched and their attraction became something impossible to deny. It wasn't the only charity he had, Robin traveled the world giving his time and money to help those who truly needed it. He was a far cry from a saint, but he had a gentle soul. "And he asked her if she wanted to be part of it, but that meant giving a speech to the benefit that your mother is holding tonight. His foundation will get a lot of support because of this."

The same benefit she got an invite to and declined. "I already said no to that, dear," Regina replied, finally snapping out of her daze.

"Well, you can be my plus one." Killian countered lowering his gaze to her. "I talked to Robin, he said he wanted to ask you to be part of the charity, but you guys been fighting a lot lately, so he didn't ask." And he went for the only other Mills who would do anything to get some points with their mother and by extension her campaign.

"So, he doesn't know?" Regina's brow sprinted.

"Not a clue." Killian countered dropping his arms on his lap. "You can either go and see her squirm or…"

"Save her ass, my mother's and Robin's." She finished with a groan at the end. Leave it to Killian to actually guilt trip her like that. Normally she wouldn't care. Leaving her mother and Zelena make fools of herself would certainly improve her week by a huge margin but Robin that was another story. Like it or not, on a level she actually cared for the guy, plus his charities, his time spent in refugee camp zones and orphanages is something he felt proud of. Ruining something like this for him only to amuse herself with her family's drama wasn't fair. Regina released another groan, hand running over her face. "I hate you, Killian." She muttered, afterward biting her lip. Mills was about to do the right thing even though it bothers her to no end.

"Hey, you can always skip the hero complex and watch Zelena babble in front of the most influential people in the world. I'm sure Cora would be thrilled." The sarcasm in his voice was enough for Regina to finally put two and two together and she will kick herself for not noticing he was on the clock as her mother's errand boy.

"My mother put you up to this." And why would he deny that? They both knew the truth. When he said nothing more, Regina's frustration flared but she did not allow it to take over like it usually did. "If you needed an excuse to see me all you needed to do is say to missed me." Killian always did give as an excuse that he missed her and that's why following Cora's orders was the most effective way for him to come around. Still, she hated that he was never upfront with those things (Regina is aware of his inability of showing any type of emotions without seeming weak) but she gave up a long time ago of trying to change him.

"Great, I'll pick you up at night and don't worry, I already sent a dress to your apartment." He then leaned forward and kissed Regina's forehead. "See you tonight."

"Prick." She said half-heartedly, watching him wave goodbye without turning to look at her one last time. The door closed with a soft thud and she wished that he had never visited. She actually wished to have been fighting with Zelena and Robin instead of Killian coming around to force Regina to play hero. What's worse? Mills felt chained down once more. This was Cora's power, her ability to imprisoned without even trying. Taking advantage of a person's good heart to manipulate in such an elaborate way where you feel in control when in reality she is pulling at your chains. All her hard work to unchained herself from her mother was for nothing.

Here she was once more prisoner in the Cora Mills' Penitentiary facilities.

"Wait…" One, two, three. "Shit." She stood up, shuffling towards the door but by the time she pulled it open Killian was gone. "Ah, Fuck." She cursed as she leaned against the edges of the door.

"Everything alright?" Mary concerned voice sober Regina up.

"Far from it actually." She replied breathing out. "I just allowed Killian to convince me to go to an event sponsored by my mother and with the added bonus that he picked my dress for tonight, which makes it a million times worse."

Mary propped herself better on her chair. Regina watched how her lips twitched. "He'll probably dress you up as a hooker."

"Argh." Regina banged her head against the door frame. "Kill me now."

The pixie cut brunette did laugh this time. "Might as well make the most of it." Regina opened one eye in her assistant's direction, a gaze full of questions. "Your mother would probably die if she sees you in a none conservative dress and you have a banging body, flaunt it."

Mills stood straight. Mary wasn't wrong and maybe that's why Killian decided to send something that Cora would totally scream about. He never did things halfway why should she? She is giving up an evening with Mal to save her family's reputation it shouldn't matter what she wore…

Mal!

"I think we are done for the day. You can go home. I just need to call Mal and tell her that our plans for tonight are canceled." She absolutely hates canceling on Mal, they barely saw each other this past week because of all events she had on her calendar and tonight was the only night they both had free until now. Regina pinched the bridge of her nose, walking back into her office without even bothering to close the door. She reached for her phone before dropping to her chair and opened the string of messages with the artist.

"I can't make it tonight to our date. Momzilla managed to drag me into the Syria event. Rain check?" Once sent, Regina began gathering her things, prioritizing color samples and patterns for the next time she sat down to continue with her job. About ten minutes later when Regina was about to leave, a text came through.

"Don't worry. I am running late her anyway and there's a chance my manager is going to drag me into another one of her late dinner parties. Wish you were coming through." Another text came. "See you on Sunday for brunch?"

Something inside Regina loosens. Being in a relationship with Mallory was easy. There were no hidden agendas – that she was aware off – and they were honest with each other right off the bat. Mal knew about Robin, absolutely every detail and she didn't even flinch. Mills considered herself lucky. They say never meet your heroes, they never said anything about getting into a relationship with them. "Brunch sounds perfect. Mimosas with you as view sounds like a perfect painting to me." It was cheesy, and it made her smile a goofy smile and Regina loved it. Regina locked the office, Mary didn't think twice about leaving. Ever since she had baby Neal the earlier she could leave the better.

"You've been spending way too much time with me. That was actually so sticky."

When she reached her car, Regina read the text and laughed. "It isn't nearly enough time in my opinion." A beat, enough for Regina to start the car. "Now you know how you sound like daily."

"Touché. I'll see you on Sunday, and remember every time you hear your sister brag…"

"Take a shot, got it. See you then.😊" After whatever she had to do, she'll get so hammered.

"Good girl."

..::..

"This dress is completely inappropriate." When she first saw the red fabric, Regina had sighed in relief. At least he didn't pick a wild color but the moment she put it on that relief turned into distress. Sure it looked amazing on her, hug every curve of her body just right, it flowed like a river almost endlessly and made her look like royalty, which she was not. It even intensified the dark color of her eyes into a mystery. If it was any other event she would have wore it no questions asked. Regina was pretty sure the sole reason Killian had picked it out was to upstage her sister. He fully took advantage of her lack of effort.

"I think you look great." Killian offered her a hand. He looked quite handsome in his black tuxedo. Like her, he looked like a model taken out of an Armani catalog.

"Have you see the split of this dress?" To show him what she meant, Regina took a misstep back her entire leg showing. The worse part, for her, was that it had two so when she walked she was showing off her legs.

"So…" Killian tilted his head as he looked at her legs. "Any woman with your legs would be showing them off." Lips twitched into a smirk and she had to roll her eyes. Typical of the male part of the species to think like that. Regina reached for her clutch purse, checking that her phone, keys, and lipstick were all inside before walking into the hallway taking his hand. "Did you write a speech?"

And shit. "No. I totally forgot. I'll just read whatever Zelena had written down." Sounded like a bad idea as she was saying those words out loud. "On second thought I'll write something on my phone just in case."

"Smart. The last thing we need is you reading some speech about yourself. Talk about tacky." Jones gently nudge her hand and they began walking towards the elevator shaft. Already in her mind, she was composing a million of ways on how to start that speech but unless she doesn't have more information there was no way of coming up with something that would actually stick. There was one other way she could actually come up with some impressive homily but that meant she needed to stop avoiding Robin altogether. By the time they reached the lift Regina was groaning.

"I need to talk to Robin." She admitted out loud already dreading the idea. When Killian looked at her with a pointed brow she added. "If I want to write something good I need more details and the only person that I know that could guide me in the right direction is him."

"Sounds like a bad idea," Killian said as he pushed on of the buttons.

"No shit, Sherlock." She countered already taking out her phone. "But he had actually visited refugee camps, he had lived with people fleeing from their country for an entire year. If there was someone who has good insight is him." When her friend, because let us face it regardless how they treat one another they are friends, turn to her with a soft chortle Regina adverted her gaze. "What?"

The elevator doors finally opened, and Regina was the first one through. "Nothing, I'm just starting to see why you are so attracted to him, that's all." He finally stepped inside, and the brunette pressed the lobby button, the door closing behind Jones.

The words were there 'I'm not attracted to him.' but she couldn't voice them out. Lies like that are better to be kept hidden plus, Killian will most likely call bullshit on her. Instead, she stood there quiet, opening the string of messages with Robin. There were mostly about the wedding plans, further than that there was nothing more until now.

"This is going to sound strange but, can you give me a summary of your foundation?" Regina hit send and was instantly regretting it. Talking to him was opening the door to all the things she had been fighting so hard to forget. She still has those dreams where they are together. Where they were Leon and Reina and the outside world mattered not. The worse part of it all is that she wished they were real, that her feeling for him was exposed to the outside world. Alas, it was nothing more than a pipe dream that she cannot entertain, it just makes it harder for Regina to get him out of her head.

When the door closed as her gaze lifted, Regina groaned. She would much rather spend the evening with Mal, being lazy on the bed while the blonde painted her. Not on her way to save the entire Mills' family reputation and texting Robin about it. Maybe she can just get off the elevator on the next stop and return to her apartment and allow everything go up in flames. Will certainly brighten up her morning when she sees the newspaper in black bold letters 'Mills crash and burns hotter than a meteorite' sure, sounds like a TMZ title but she would enjoy it nonetheless.

"Gina." Killian's voice made her come back to reality where her phone was ringing in her hand and fuck. Did he really have to call back? Can he be a normal human being and text some link or something? A short breath parts her lips as Regina slender digit slide over the screen.

"Hello…" It was low but casual, not at all showing the nervous wreck she truly was on the inside.

"Hey…" Robin replied back, both going silent. Regina could feel Killian's gaze on her, hot and heavy and full of curiosity, so she gives him her back and he released a short laugh of amusement.

"You could have texted." Was all Regina muttered into the phone with a gruff sounding voice? It didn't help she was confined in such a small space with a guy that will most likely tease her when the conversation – if the managed one without fighting – is over. Even worse when they get to the venue and she sees Robin, Killian will really have ammunition for the entire year. Might as well start planning a trip out of town.

"I could have." He amends, and Regina had the feeling that more would follow those three words. "But I wasn't sure it was some sort of accident or wrong number that texted me. You certainly made it clear you wanted nothing to do with me."

Oh yeah, she said that, but can you blame her? They have a messed-up relationship. NO, not relationship, that would mean that she gives meaning to what happened between them (she does) and that wasn't healthy for the in-laws' relation they will have. She is already cursed with planning their wedding, she wasn't about to get emotionally involved as well.

Even though she already is.

"Point taken." Standing a bit straighter, "So, are you going to tell me or…" She trailed off and ding! The lift door opened and she was out of there super-fast before Killian could say something. Knowing where he usually parked, Regina guided her steps towards his car.

"Why?" She faltered on her steps.

"Because if I'm going to a place where it is full of people that think I'm the black sheep of the family, I might as well have a bit more information." Securing her steps once more, Regina reached Killian's car and waited for him to unlock it. She knows he is purposely taking his damn time to make this conversation with Robin awkward.

"Wait, you are coming to the fundraiser?" This was it. She could say no, turn around and lock herself in her apartment. Mills is aware that all hell will break loose if she didn't attend the fundraiser. Like she told Robin, she is already the black sheep of the Mills family and this won't affect her whatsoever but that meant dealing with her mother's wrath for disobeying a (not so direct) order. It was a good idea actually but then again, her mother caused in Regina the worse migraine she ever had. Even getting out of the country wouldn't be enough to run away from her mother.

Regina looked at Killian over the hood of his care. His brow was raised in that manner that told her what she was already thinking, and she realized that he was giving her an out, the last one. She pressed the phone more against her ear, silently praying that this night wasn't a bad idea.

It totally was.

"Yes, I am."

..::..

The excitement coursed through his vein and he vaguely wondered if that is how a heroin addict felt. Like the world suddenly became too colorful and the adrenaline made him run all the red light going off in his head. Robin shouldn't be this eager, this happy to be able to see Regina. Sure, he had seen her in the last few weeks but all of those times they were fighting, his way of throwing Zelena off his scent, of the feelings that grew bigger and bigger for the other Mills. After Regina said no to his proposition (which he totally understands, he felt like trash after he had asked) Robin tried his hardest to keep the thoughts of her at bay but it didn't work. His feelings grew every day more and no matter how hard he tried, the universal truth was that he was in love with her.

After getting her text, he had felt thrown off but his conversation with her had given him a new burst of longing and glee. It would certainly be a long night, but interesting. He got ready in a blink, tux, fitting his body perfectly, shoes shining like stars and his hair combed perfectly to the side. This had the makings of a perfect night, not only for the obvious reasons but also because this foundation meant the world to him. It was the only thing that wasn't controlled by his father. Though he is trying to get some via Cora Mills, he won't let it happen. It was bad enough that Cora had forced him to allow Zelena to become the key speaker (to what end he does not know) but he is starting to see why. He remembered clearly one night where his future wife to be had specifically told him that she doesn't do public speaking –genuinely shocked him because she is way too outspoken— probably because that gene was only inherited by her sister. So, this was most likely one of Cora's ploy to smoke out Regina.

It worked.

Robin drove directly to the venue. Z had decided to go with her mother which meant breathing room for him. When he arrived, earlier than everyone else, he texted Regina. It was clear that phone calls weren't allowed.

"You didn't answer my question." He hit send and walked to the podium where he made sure that all the speakers, including himself, had a good view of the area. From up there, everything looked bigger, more daunting just like he liked it. After living in a refugee camp for an entire year, he can honestly say that he does not fear anything. Maybe it should but there were human living with bigger demons and it was his duty – self-proclaim—to help them out.

"I don't know what you are referring to." Classic Regina Mills.

Robin rolled his eyes. "You coming here…Does it has to do with Zelena's speech."

"Why ask something you already know the answer to." Well, she was right but on a deep level, he hoped it was because of him. Too bad he was wrong.

"So that's all?" He asked in the last attempt to see that his hope is in the right place and…

"…And I know what this means to you. What it means to all the people you help with your foundation."

There was nothing else he could ask or say.

Robin shook his head, clearing out his mind out of the many thoughts and implications Regina's words had. Instead, he decided to finish what was left and go to the door and greet people, after all, it was his duty and he wants to catch a glimpse of her before the real drama began.

Tonight, promised to be anything but dull.

"Should be an interesting evening." He said to no one, in particular, putting the phone inside his pocket and heading to the greeting area where Cora, Zelena, and his father, his father, were waiting for him to show off unity as a family if only the outside world knew how messed up things truly were in the Locksley-Mills contract.