I ship Regina with happiness and so if Robin Hood is going to make her happy then I say let's go for it! (She does belong with Emma ultimately though, even if they have to kiss a few frogs before they find each other, we'll wait!)

This is just something that popped into my head and I kind of ran with it so let me know what you think, it's my first Outlaw Queen story so please be kind!

"I…what…what is the actual point of such a thing?!" she laughed at the frustration in his voice as she descended onto the ground floor of the mansion, he was finding it difficult to adjust to technology here and grew annoyed easily when he couldn't work something, she simply found it endearing. Entering the kitchen, she found him with his back to her, his top half bare as it was morning. She had learned, through many mornings of being greeted by such a sight, that he had usually slept nude but with her allowing him to take the guest bedroom, he thought it only polite to at least wear the pyjama bottoms she provided him with. When they had returned from Neverland, Robin and Roland in tow, it had been decided that he would take up residence in the mansion at least until he was able to find his own place within the town. It had been Henry to offer up the suggestion after having a frank talk with his mother the night before they were due to leave Neverland, expressing his desire to move back home and into his own room.

"It's not that I don't love living with you Emma," he felt guilty as he watched the disappointment and tinge of hurt that began creeping across the blonde's face as he spoke, "I just…I miss my Mom…"

Regina's heart had soared at his words but she did not gloat, she knew what losing Henry's affections felt like and although this wasn't really what that was, he was still choosing someone else over Emma and the bitter sting that came with Henry's absence was something she would not wish on anybody, especially his own mother. They had been able to come together during their search for Henry, their desperation to rescue their son outweighed the rivalry the women felt towards one another and had instead allowed them to actually talk, to work together and in doing so, they had been able to form some sort of tentative companionship. They found they understood each other much more than they had first thought and neither wanted to lose the new connection they had found, it was going to make things much easier upon returning home, on both themselves and their son.

"Henry, are you certain this is what you want?"

He looked back to Regina with wide eyes, "do…do you not want me to?" the vulnerability in his voice was heart wrenching, Rumple had told her of Pan's preferred method of torture – dreams, or nightmares, that plagued children with feelings of neglect and abandonment, Emma could see the look she had carried for practically all of her childhood, the look of the Lost Child and it pained her to see it reflected in her son's eyes.

"Of course I do Henry," Regina was quick to clarify, she couldn't stand that her son would think that, especially after everything she had done in fighting for his love. She knew the dreams still haunted him however and so softened her features as she placed a gentle hand over his trembling ones clasped in his lap. "You just need to think about this very carefully, it would be hurtful to both Miss Sw- Emma," she corrected much to the blonde's appreciation, "and I if you were to leave her care to enter mine only to change your mind once again, this needs to be a permanent decision."

He looked into brown eyes and understood what she was saying, he couldn't just continue to swap and choose where he wanted to be. They'd been through enough uncertainty for too long and now was the time to rectify that, "I'm sure Mom," Regina let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding as she smiled down at her son, "I can still stay over at Emma's sometimes right?"

"Of course you can kid," Emma spoke up now before catching Regina's eye, "as long as that's okay with your Mom of course?"

The brunette nodded almost instantly, the fact alone that Emma had asked for her permission instead of just making her own proved to Regina that this time was going to be different, that they were finally on the same page. "Whenever you want to and Emma says it's okay, that's fine with me."

He smiled happily at the pair before shifting slightly on the log he was seated on, the warm campfire casting a golden glow on his now nervous features.

"What is it Henry? Is there something else?" she knew that look far too well, she knew her son far too well for him to hide anything from him and she could read him like a book. "Henry?"

He cast a glance over towards the second campfire they had lit previously, around which sat his Grandparents casting loving looks towards one another as Charming began preparing that night's dinner, Rumple had been working tirelessly on sealing Pandora's Box using the darkest of incantations in his arsenal of spells in order to keep the threat of Pan locked tightly away, he had been exhausted upon finishing and so had retired to his tent for an early night. Tinkerbelle, Neal and Hook sat talking animatedly as the two men cast furtive glances at one another every now and again. Emma had still maintained that she only wanted to find her son, that she chose him if anyone but now that he was safe and in their care once more, her golden excuse was gone, she was exasperated at their constant tries for affection and so was more than glad that Henry had pulled her away from them earlier in the evening.

The last two his eyes had fallen upon were new to their group and still becoming used to having others around them. The young boy was propped up against his father's chest as he slept soundly; the man holding him seemed to be looking in their direction, at one person in particular…Regina. Henry smiled knowingly as Robin realized he had been caught staring and so looked back towards the fire.

His mother had, on occasion, become lost in thought also when her eyes had fallen to the form of Robin Hood. Henry had his suspicions from the moment he had been brought back with them to their camp in order to figure out the best way of returning home, they had only been confirmed upon a chat with a certain fairy who had expressed the need for his adoptive mother to get to know the man better. Neither knew of the destiny they were fated, neither understood that one way or another they would soon join together but both felt the same strange pull towards one another. Something had to be done and Henry had the perfect idea.

"It's about…Robin," he had to supress a smirk at the sound of Regina's breath catching, Emma covered her giggle with a cough, she too had noticed the connection between the pair. The moments in which they found themselves near one another, the innocent conversations they had shared in the past few days concerning the Enchanted Forest and their sons had been heart-warming and tender, the look in their eyes was easy to identify and the blonde sometimes found herself screaming internally, 'just kiss him!' it surprised her how much she wanted to see the happiness sometimes radiating within the brunette to be a permanent thing. She was so sick of the animosity and constant drama of their lives, it was time to settle down and chill for once.

"What about him sweetheart?" her voice was steady despite the strange thumping of her heart, she was sure the man in question would be able to hear it from where he sat.

Henry fiddled with his hands in his lap before hers encased them once more and she leaned down to catch his eye, "well…when we go back…where will they go?"

Regina furrowed her brow as she considered his words, she hadn't thought about their return home just yet, even though it was scheduled to be tomorrow she had just allowed herself to become swept up in the joy she felt at having her son back where he belonged. She cast a quick glance to a smirking Emma, who only shrugged; her eyes narrowed with suspicion before she ignored the feeling and looked back down at her son. "I…well; I guess they'll probably take up a room at Granny's Henry."

He didn't look satisfied with this, "oh…well, I was kinda thinking that…maybe…theycouldcomelivewithus?"

"I'm sorry…say that again? I can't understand 100mph speech Henry…" she laughed at the redness of her son's face before he spoke once more.

"I was hoping…that they could come live with us?" She looked utterly dumbfounded and shocked at his request so he took the chance to explain and hopefully convince her to agree, "see, Roland isn't going to want to live in some strange place having to hear the loud sounds from the diner all the time, it would scare him," Emma raised her eyebrows at his attempts, he had told her of his plans but the kid had actually though this through, "and, Robin doesn't have a job or any money right now and I know that Granny wouldn't see them out on the street but she needs to make a profit on her rooms right? So I was thinking that since we have so many rooms that we don't use, they could come live with us until Robin finds a job and can find them a place…"

It had taken less convincing than Regina had expected and whilst it took her by surprise that she had agreed to this, it had seemed to be just what everyone else had suspected. That was how it came to where they were now, 2 weeks down the line and still trying to co-exist beneath the same roof whilst still oblivious to the building attraction between one another. Secret glances when watching television in the family room, lingering looks when eating at the dining table and their morning conversations without the hindrance of young ears listening in had become something of a habit. Robin was slowly becoming used to the customs of this world and definitely suited the dark wash jeans and fitted shirts that showed of his muscular frame, that he wore so often now. His bow still remained in his room, it had been stored away within the wardrobe she had provided for the father and son after buying a single bed in which Roland never slept but always had the optional use for.

"What challenge are we facing this morning?" he adored her morning voice, it never failed to send a shiver down his spine. Her voice had always been something of a magnet to him, drawing him in with every syllable but in the mornings he was completely powerless against the gruffness that came from sleep, the softness from the absence of worries or stress that would only come as the day went on. This was his favourite time of day with her.

Turning slowly to face her, he smirked at the absence of make-up, the way in which her hair still lay slightly mussed from the tossing and turning as she dreamed. The silk of her pyjamas that he longed to feel against his bare chest as he held her hugged every curve and caused his mouth to water, he wanted her so much but couldn't ruin what they had built so far, not if she didn't feel the same way.

"I believe you called it the coffee machine?"

She let out a small laugh as she moved further into the room and towards the machine he was trying in vain to work once again, "am I going to have to show you again?" there was no frustration or malice in her tone, only amusement as she began going through the motions for the hundredth time. What she didn't realize was that no matter how many times she showed him, he would never get it for he was never able to concentrate on the task at hand. He could only bask in the feeling of her so close to him, subtly inhale her sweet scent as she moved around and take in the domesticity of it all wishing for the right to move behind her and take him in his arms as his own.

She had to fight to keep the smile from her face as she went through the same routine as she did every morning; she loved the feeling of his eyes on her, the realization that he was watching every move she made but not to take in her instructions, only to watch her.

"So…what would you like to do today?"

Since returning, Robin had expressed his desire for Roland to be exposed to some sort of learning, he wanted his son to grow up with knowledge of this world since it was now to be their home. This meant that the two were now left alone for a large portion of the day whilst the boys were at school. It had been daunting and a little awkward at first but that was until Regina had realized just how much of this world Robin had yet to experience and she got to show him.

"Well," he began, his eyes still on her as she poured two cups of coffee, his made just the way he found he liked it after many experimentations during one of their days together. She had shown him a great many of the different foods of this world, the variety of tastes and flavours was mind blowing to him and she had revelled in the excitement he had shown. "I was hoping we could watch another of your moving pictures?" She smiled at his forgetfulness.

"Do you mean a movie?" he laughed along with her as he blushed in slight embarrassment, "don't worry, you'll get it." Their laughter died upon her hand coming to rest against his bicep, the skin was flushed beneath her palm as their eyes locked. Hearts pounded manically at the decrease of space beneath them. When she was in her heels, Regina was almost the same size of him but barefoot in the kitchen, she felt tiny in comparison as a large hand came to stroke against her cheek causing her eyes to flutter shut. It had been so long since she had felt this kind of emotion, too long and now she was sure she couldn't be without it, not after the intensity she was feeling rolling from the man leaning down towards her now.

"Regina…" his breath caressed her lips which had parted slightly in anticipation, her brown eyes flicked between his as he allowed her to make the final decision. Warmth was boiling into her stomach and sinking lower as her own soft hand came to lay open on his chiselled chest, it was now or never…

"Hey, what's for breakfast?" the two pulled apart just in time as Henry came bounding around the corner with Roland clinging tightly around his shoulders. He noticed the redness colouring the cheeks of the pair and smirked knowingly, he had noticed their interactions and the growing tension whenever they were alone together for an extended period of time, it wouldn't be long and he was about to give them the chance to act on their feelings…but not without playing with them a bit. "You guys okay?"

"Yes Henry, why wouldn't we be?" Regina breathed out as she busied herself preparing breakfast for the boys, her boys…the thought caused her cheeks to redden and her heart to flutter.

Henry laughed as her eyes glazed over once more in obvious thought, "I don't know, you both look a little red that's all…"

Both looked at a loss to say and so picked the easiest option, ignorance. "How's my little man?" Robin asked as he rounded the counter and took Roland from Henry's back before throwing him up into the air, laughing as the boy giggled excitedly. Regina couldn't help but smile from her place at the stove, luckily her back was turned to everyone else but she could still feel her son's perceptive eyes burning a hole in her back.

"Hey Mom?" she turned slowly at his call, finally regaining some semblance of composure as she raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement, "is it okay if I sleep at Emma's tonight?"

She still couldn't help the flush of happiness that spread through her when he asked for her permission now instead of just doing it, "of course you can honey, as long as it's okay with your mother."

"Yeah, she suggested it actually," they had both discussed the need for his adoptive mother to gain some alone time with Robin and were fed up of waiting for things to progress on their own, they needed results. "She also asked if Roland could stay over too?" he looked towards a now stilled Robin before continuing, "she's got this new game and said it takes 3 players so she wanted to teach him if that's okay? She said we could sleep over and we could all go for some breakfast at Granny's in the morning? Family time you know."

Regina smiled at the new name for their habit of meeting at the diner on a Saturday morning in order to eat and talk as a unit. Emma and Neal's growing feelings for one another only helped to cheer Henry whenever they met up, Hook had in fact taken quite a shine to a certain fairy who had also returned to Storybrooke with them, leaving Emma the chance to truly explore whether she had anything left with her son's father…it appeared she did.

"Would you like that Roland?" Robin turned to the boy in his arms who nodded eagerly at his father's questions, "well, I guess that's that then." He looked over to Regina who was smiling in thought and couldn't help but smile over at her; she truly was beautiful like this.

"Awesome!" exclaimed Henry, he instantly brought out the cell phone that both his mother's had agreed to give him in exchange for updates to his whereabouts should he choose to go out. It was only fair after all that had happened and so Henry had accepted their terms.

Operation Regal Arrow is a go go!

The name was something he had thought up on his own and was extremely proud of, especially when others had begun referring to the pair as such. Even Snow asked for updates on their progress using only the codename in case others heard. It was great that so many were actually rooting for his mother, such a turn-around from how life was not so long ago, Henry couldn't deny how great it felt to see Regina smiling again and he knew it was not only because of his presence in her life but two others now as well.

He smiled at the response from Emma when his phone had buzzed.

Awesome kid, remember what I told you to say!

"Emma's gonna come pick us up after school so that we can spend as much time as possible together…" Regina nodded at his words before folding an omelette onto a plate and placing it before him, "what are you guys gonna do today?" He kept his tone as nonchalant as possible as Regina's eyes flickered and she turned once again to prepare another omelette.

"Well Robin said he would like to watch another movie of mine, so there's that…"

"I heard the ice skating rinks back in town Mom, why don't you take him there?" Henry enquired, appearing innocent to any but his own mother, she knew him too well but before she could shun the idea Robin spoke up.

"I've never actually been ice skating before Henry…" he had heard of those lucky enough to live near the lakes in the coldest of months in the Enchanted Forest when the water would freeze over enough for people to skate on, he had always moved around too much to be able to take part in such a luxury. His eyes turned to the back of Regina's head as Henry watched on, "I would love to learn if I had the chance…"

Her stomach rolled nervously at the obvious hint directed at her, she was an excellent skater and more than capable of teaching him but she knew what her son was doing and she most certainly knew who was behind the idea. Emma Swan was definitely not gifted in the art of subtlety…then again, what was the harm?

"I could teach you?" she asked without turning, she couldn't allow him to see the nervousness definitely shining through her eyes and the fear of rejection.

"I would love to…"

The morning had gone by slower than usual as they both tried to supress the excitement at spending time together in a setting other than the mansion. She had donned her hat, scarf and gloves over her black pea coat and form-fitting leggings as she conjured something equally as warm and practical for him as well as two pairs of skating boots for them.

The time of day meant there weren't many on the ice and so they practically had the place to themselves, the sun was shining though it gave them limited warmth as she began explaining what was about to happen to him.

"So, when you step on the ice you're going to need to hold on to the railing until you get a feel for the surface okay?" he nodded as he watched her step effortlessly onto the shining ground with grace as she skated slowly backwards in order to give him the space to climb on.

He took tentative steps forwards as he lifted a leg over the protective barrier and placed a skate down, he gripped to the metal railing tightly before lifting his other leg on and standing still for a long moment. She merely watched in anticipation with arms raised in order to soften the blow should he fall.

"This…this is very strange," he laughed and it only grew louder as she joined in.

"Don't worry," her cheeks had reddened in the cold, she looked magnificent to him, "you'll be skating like a pro in no time…" was she flirting?

"So…what do I need to do now?" he asked whilst never taking his eyes from hers, the rest of the world didn't exist now as brown eyes held his own.

She slowly raised her hand out for him to take as she tried to steady her breathing, "now, we skate…"

It had taken a few tries and a few bruises before he finally found his rhythm and was able to stay upright long enough to actually move his feet. Regina had tried to suppress her laughter in the beginning but both had started when he had accidentally pulled her down with him, he was instantly worried that she was hurt but couldn't help letting the sound of her laughter wash over him as they both fell back to lay upon the ice as they let the joyous feeling take over them.

She felt young again, like a teenager experiencing her first taste of affection from a boy. It was invigorating and terrifying all at once but she knew she couldn't let it go, she couldn't push him away. Love again, Daniel had said. Maybe she could…

She fell silent as a gloved hand came to rest beside her own on the frozen surface, they were barely touching but it was enough to send her head reeling. She couldn't help but stretch out and hook her little finger with his own, it was a bold move for her but it needed to be done. A soft smile crept across her face as she realized her made no move to pull away; in fact he strengthened the slight grip they had.

Neither could feel the iciness creeping into their bones as they slowly turned their heads in order to look at one another; it was reminiscent of the situation they found themselves in this morning only now there were no children to come barging in…she didn't want it to happen like this though, not out in the open shared with any eyes daring to look over at them. She wouldn't allow herself to truly show him how she felt if that were to happen here and so she moved to stand once more and held her hands out to help him.

He could see the want in her eyes and so knew there was no rejection in her standing; they had all day and night to work out what was happening without distraction, they had time.

They talked of unimportant things as they slowly made their way back to the house where she made two cups of cocoa before moving into the living room and allowing him to choose a 'moving picture' for them to watch. She laughed as he looked curiously at the 'frozen paintings' covering each DVD and seemed to be extremely fascinated, she could kiss the look of confusion right off his adorable face but instead she merely sat with her legs folded beneath her on the sofa.

Finally he decided on a children's movie, something light to carry on the fun in the air that today had brought, it was one of Henry's that Regina hadn't seen yet, Enchanted.

Her stomach dropped and tears pricked her eyes as the film progressed, Robin seemed too engrossed to notice but as soon as Queen Narissa…the 'evil queen' of the film, had cursed the Princess to the modern day world she had been unable to stop her tears from falling. Stories such as these made her feel sick to her stomach and the fact that it belonged to her son and he had most likely watched it only made her feel worse. She became so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard Robin's call of concern until his hand came to rest over hers and he moved closer to her on the sofa.

"Hey," his deep blue eyes searching her watery gaze, "hey, what's wrong?" she flinched as his hands came to cup her face as his thumbs worked at wiping away the tears that fell. She only shook her head in response as shame washed over her, how could she ever deserve love after all that she had done?

"You're nothing like that you know…" he had caught on to her discomfort, he could tell by the way her eyes continually flickered over to the television behind him, "you are nothing like her."

"You don't know me Robin, you don't know my past…" her voice was so broken, so vulnerable that he couldn't help but just look at her. The word beautiful didn't do her justice; she was far more than that and more than even she could see.

"You're wrong Regina…" he breathed, "I do know you, I know you far more than you will ever realize…"

It had come to the token ballroom scene at this point and an idea came to him as music sounded up from the television. Henry had been successful in showing him how to use the remote control and so he was able to turn the volume up before looking back towards the woman staring at the smile on his face in confusion.

"Dance with me…"

She was hesitant but the tenderness within his eyes and the words he just spoken forced her arm to automatically move forward to place her hand in his grasp, she gasped as he pulled her up into his arms instantly and began moving them softly side to side.

You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close together
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive

Her eyes closed as her head came to rest next to his, their cheeks pressing together as he held one of her delicate hands in his own, their fingers quick to interlace, whilst his other arm wound around her small waist. He was drinking her in as she inhaled his scent deeply to calm her frantically beating heart.

A life goes by
Romantic dreams must die
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now forever I know
All that I want is to hold you
So close

Instantaneously as his hand moved to join his other around her waist, both of hers moved the wrap around his shoulders as they brought each other closer. She revelled in the feeling of finally having him near her; finally being able to feel protected and wanted for once.

So close to reaching that famous happy ending
Almost believing this one's not pretend
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come
So far, we are, so close

Her breath caught in her throat at the words, a happy ending was all she had ever wanted yet could never have. She shivered at the feeling of his face pressing into her neck, nuzzling her as her arms tightened around his neck, soft lips caressing the smooth skin he encountered there, her head turning to press into the side of his face as they clung on to one another desperately, both feeling the same building need for one another.

How could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
We're so close
To reaching that famous happy ending
Almost believing this one's not pretend
Let's go on dreaming for we know we are
So close
So close
And still so far

The pace slowed somewhat with the last few bars of the song yet neither moved to pull away until the last note was sung. As Regina felt him pulling back ever so slightly, but not without leaving a tender kiss upon her neck, she allowed her palms to trail through his hair, moving to cup his cheeks as he drew back to look at her never taking his arms from around her body. Their breathing was laboured now as blue eyes met brown, she trailed a finger down from his brow to his jaw, across his chin until she moved it up to trace the lips she was now looking at. A small smile crept across her mouth as she found herself to be moving closer to him, to be closing the gap between them until their noses touched and lips brushed softly. She would leave the last move to him; she couldn't bear him to pull away from her and had indicated already that she wanted this.

His hands moved from her waist to push the hair covering her stunning features behind her ears, leaving one hand hooked behind her head and another back down to its previous position on her waist as he tilted his head to one side and finally closed the distance.

She couldn't help the gasp that escaped her upon feeling his lips close around her own in a tender kiss, the kind she hadn't felt for so many years and had only experienced with one man before. She could feel the adoration pouring from him as his grip tightened on her body and pulled her impossibly closer, his hand keeping her head in place as he deepened the kiss when her mouth opened in encouragement.

Regina's moan was swallowed by Robin as their tongues danced against one another; she slowly spun them and led him backwards until the back of his legs met the sofa. Understanding what she wanted, he lowered himself down, never breaking the kiss, as she moved to straddle his lap. Her fingers trailed gently across the skin of his face in tender affection as the kiss remained slow and sensual, they were savouring each other as they had wanted to for so long but could not admit to one another.

They pulled apart reluctantly for air but kept their foreheads touching as he laughed softly whilst trying to regain his breath, his hand moved from the back of her head to trail over her shoulders and down to rest over her frantically beating heart, she mirrored the movement and closed her eyes at the feeling of it beating beneath her palm.

"It is yours…" her eyes snapped open at his declaration, his eyes showing only the sincerity of his words, "it is yours."

A single tear escaped her eye as she placed her free hand over the one he held over her heart, "please don't hurt me…" she breathed against his lips as he tilted his head and caught her once more in a heated kiss, a kiss to convey the things he couldn't possibly express well enough to her with just words.

"Okay and where did you say you left it kid?" she looked at her son through the rear view mirror as she moved to climb from the yellow bug and towards the mansion. She had picked the boys up from school and had turned to take them back to the apartment when Henry had exclaimed he had forgotten his control pad, she had two already but since Roland was to be joining them, they would need it. She was excited to spend the night with the boys, she saw Henry almost every other night but always revelled in having him over and Roland was a sweet boy who seemed to hold Henry up as his idol, it was cute. She was also pretty excited about hearing about Regina's time with Robin, the woman needed a bit of loving, that much was for sure.

"I think I left it in the living room," he declared as she closed the door and made her way up the pathway.

After her knocks went unanswered she decided to try the door handle and smiled to find it unlocked, so Regina was home.

"Uh, Regina?" she called into the seemingly empty house, maybe she was out back. Emma knew well enough by now where the living area was and so walked casually towards the correct room. Her mouth dropped open at the sight of Regina sitting atop a rather pleased looking Robin as he rubbed his hands over her bare back; her dress appeared to have gathered at her waist whilst her heels lay haphazardly on the floor.

She couldn't help but laugh at the situation as she backed out of the room and left the pair to their, ahem, bonding. The grin never left her lips as she climbed into the front seat of the bug as a very confused looking Henry leaned forward in his seat to find out why she hadn't brought the controller out with her. Noticing his gaze she merely shrugged before she spoke, "couldn't find it kid, we'll take it in turns playing each other…"

He sat back with suspicion in his eyes but decided to let it go and instead latched on a different topic, "I wonder how my Mom and Robin are getting on…" he wasn't looking at Emma anymore, he only looked at his town moving past the window as they made their way to the apartment for the night.

"I'd say they're doing alright kid," her grin widened as she thought of the two in the mansion becoming better acquainted, "about time Madame Mayor."