Pixie Dust Never Lies

Chapter 3

"Where exactly are we going?" I asked, a little bit anxious.

"I told you, you'll see," said Robin with a grin.

I gave a little huff and crossed my arms. I had thought that we were going to go to the one fancy restraint in Storybrooke, so I had dressed accordingly. However, when Robin came home he quickly looked me up and down and said, "As much as I love that dress...you're going to want something a little warmer." Although I was confused, I obliged, trading my bright, thin red dress for a thicker, darker version with long sleeves. I put on thick black leggings underneath, and finished it off with a black jacket and heeled boots. Then I walked downstairs, got Robins approval on my attire, and off we went.

Now we were sitting in the car in almost complete silence. I had no idea where we were going, since we were headed away from town, so I was a little nervous.

"Is this...David's truck?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied. "He let me borrow it for the night, since I don't have my own vehicle."

"Oh. Okay." We fell back into silence.

As I stared out my window, watching the trees rush by, I started daydreaming. I relived the time Robin and I were sitting in front of my fireplace. There was the wine bottle, the basket of bread & fruit...and Robin. The way he was looking at me...

The truck stopped, jerking me out of my daydream.

"We're here," said Robin. "Stay in the car for a minute; until I come and get you. He gave me a quick peck on the lips, and got out of the truck.

I looked around. All I saw were trees and darkness. Was this some kind of joke? If so, I wasn't laughing.

The seconds ticked by slowly. Agonizingly so. With the truck turned off, the cab started to cool down. I was suddenly grateful for my coat and leggings.

Finally, Robin came back. He walked to my side and opened the door, holding out his hand.

"M'lady," he said, with the slightest bow of his head.

I smiled, and took his hand. He helped me out of the car and began leading me away from the road, into the trees. As he led me through, I noticed that the ground we were walking on was barely worn, and the branches around us had been broken to pave the way. I couldn't help myself, and said quietly,  "And I took the one less traveled by."

"What was that?" Robin inquired.

"Just a famous poem from this world," I replied.

He nodded. "It sounds good. I'd like to hear it."

I looked at him uncertainly, then grudgingly obliged.

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

"Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

"And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

I looked up, and he was looking at me, a slightly astonished smile on his face.
"That was beautiful!"

"Thank you," I blushed. "It's one of my favorites."

We came upon a large log in the middle of the road, and Robin effortlessly leaped over it and landed gracefully on the other side. Such the gentleman, he extended a hand out to me. I was grateful; heeled boots were definitely not great for off-roading.

As he helped me over, Robin kept talking. "I didn't know you were such a fan of poetry."

I shrugged. "Just a special few." I could felt him staring at me even as we were walking. Then we reached the end of the path. Robin cleared away the brush, and I gasped in wonder and surprise. There, in the clearing, was a beautifully laid out picnic. There was fruit and bread and wine and the most adorable little picnic basket.

"Shall we?" Robin asked, extending an arm. I smiled and let him lead me to the blanket. We sat down, Robin not-so-gracefully. "I didn't know what you liked on your sandwich," he said, "so I just asked Granny for a little bit of everything." He opened the basket, which was full of meat and cheese and vegetables.

I chuckled. "Turkey and provolone with lettuce, please." He immediately went to work and produced a very pretty looking sandwich; it didn't taste too bad, either.

After we finished our sandwiches I wiped my face.

"Wait," said Robin, digging in the basket. "A queen should never go without dessert!" Then he produced a chocolate-covered strawberry and handed it out to me. Before I could grab it, however, he stopped me. "No, let me," he said. He lifted the strawberry to my lips and let me bite into it. It was sweet, and juicy, and rich, and delicate. My mouth was full, so I nodded in approval.

Robin smiled, then became serious. "Regina...I need to talk to you about something."

I stopped chewing, suddenly nervous. In my experience,  this was not a good sign. "Yes, Robin?"

"I know we just moved in together..." He continued.

My mind raced. Was he breaking up with me? Moving out?

"And I couldn't be more excited. But I've been thinking..."

Suddenly my phone rang. I groaned. I told everyone to only call if it was an emergency. I picked up my phone and looked at the caller ID: it was Mary Margaret. "I'll just be a second," I told Robin. I picked up the phone.

"Hello?"
"Mary Margaret, I told you only to call me if it was an emergency!"
There was silence on the other end.
"What is it? Is it Gold? My sister? Some new villain? What???"
"Regina...it's Emma."

I was quiet for a moment. "I'll be there as soon as I can." I hung up.

"What's the matter?" Robin asked.

"Emma's in trouble,"I replied. He immediately understood.

"Go ahead and take the truck," he said. "I can get a ride from Little John."

"Thank you," I said. I kissed him quickly, grabbed the keys, and ran to the truck.