Captain Swan: Protection

Chapter 6

Regina's POV

This girl is an idiot for working with Gold, but she did it to help people.  I think she's telling the truth, and I think Emma believes her too.

After meeting Natalie, I went home and got ready for my date with Robin.  About 30 minutes before he was supposed to pick me up, someone knocked on my door.

"Robin?  I didn't think you were picking me up for another half hour?"  I smiled until I got a good look at his face.  "What's wrong?  Did something happen?"

"Regina, you remember that girl no one knows who saved Hook?  Well I saw her at the old mill."  He said as he came in.

"Natalie.  Emma and Hook found her and I met her earlier.  Do you know why she was at the mill?"

"It looked like that's where she's staying.  But if you met her than that's good.  Why did she save Hook?  And who is she?"  He asked.

"She came through a time portal from the future.  She said that it was her job to protect Hook because after the Snow Queen killed him, she killed a lot of other people.  Keeping him alive will mean that the other people the Snow Queen killed won't die, including her father."

"Do you know who her parents are?"

"No.  She wouldn't tell anyone.  She said it could have disastrous effects on the future.  I'm sorry, did you say she was staying in the mill?"  I just realized.

"It appeared that way.  There was a small cot and a bag with her."  Robin said.

"Well she's not staying there for long.  Come on."  There's no way I'm letting a child not much older than Henry stay in the mill.  Especially if she's my magic apprentice.

As Robin and I headed to the mill, I told him everything Natalie had shared.  When we got to the mill and went inside, I saw a girl brushing her thick black hair.  I remembered that Natalie said she was using a cloaking spell.

"Natalie?"  She jumped up and quickly waved her hand.  Her hair turned blonde and she turned around.

"Regina?  What are you doing here?"  She asked.

"I could ask you the same thing.  So, without the cloaking spell you have black hair, huh?"  I smiled as I walked over to her.

"Please don't tell anyone.  I can't have people finding out who I am."  She looked terrified, and my heart softened.

"Of course I won't tell anyone."  Then I remembered my boyfriend.  "Robin, this is Natalie.  Natalie, this is Robin, or do you know him from the future?"

"I know him, but it's nice to meet you in this time, Robin."  Natalie smiled.

"It's nice to meet you too.  But may I ask, why are you here?  In the mill?"  Robin asked, reminding me why I came here.

Natalie shrugged.  "I couldn't stay with my family.  And I've always liked the mill."

"Well, you're not staying here.  You're staying with me.  Come on."  I put my arm around her shoulder and started leading her outside while Robin grabbed her duffle bag.

"It's ok.  I don't mind.  Really, I'm fine."  She told me.

"I'm not he Evil Queen anymore, but you know that already.  There's no reason for you to stay in the mill.  And besides, what kind of teacher would I be if I let my magic apprentice stay here?  How would that look?"  I smiled.  I can already see why future me likes this girl, present me likes her, and we've only just met!

"Regina, I'm grateful, I really am.  But I'll be fine.  I once got in a fight with my mom and ran away for a week. You tried a locator spell but I kept running and moving so it couldn't find me.  I'll be fine."  She smiled.