Run.

Part 1 Chapter 6

When I awoke the next morning, I quickly washed, dressed, and went to Snow's room. She was sitting up, halfway through the thick book I gave her last night- more like five hours ago. She looked more even more sick than when I left her. I have a lot of work to do before I go anywhere.

I worked nonstop trying to bring the color back to her cheeks.

By the time she was well enough to sit up and eat, it was 5:30.

"Snow, do you think you're well enough for me to leave you for the night?" I asked.

"Where are you going? When will you be back?" she asked.

"I'm just going on a walk. These summer nights are so beautiful and they're almost over. I'll be back in three and a half hours." I told her. She nodded and I went to go get her father.

This palace was so big, I looked in every room and couldn't find him.

"Anya, do you know where the king is?" I asked a maid.

"Oh! I believe he went into the garden." She said.

"Thank you!" I said running to the garden.

I finally found him tending to the flowers.

"Your Highness." I said curtsying.

"Oh what a pleasant surprise, Regina! What can I help you with?" he said.

"I'm was wondering if you could go stay with Snow for a few hours. I would like to take a stroll through the village."

"You're just going to leave her?" He asked.

Well, he knows how to make you sound like an awful human being.

"It would be good for her to see a new face, and I need to get out of the palace for a bit."

He is really overreacting. She just has a high fever. She's not going to die.

"You may go. I understand the palace can occasionally be filled with boredom." I thanked him and quickly ran to my room.

I grabbed my cape and quickly looked at the clock. 6:00. Great.

I ran to the pub in record time. I hope Robin is there. I don't want him to think I led him on.

I entered and looked around. he wasn't there. Maybe he led me on. I sat down at an empty table.

The waitress brought me a water, even though I wanted to be drunk.

I just sat there, chin in the palm of my hand.

I became so lost in thought, I didn't notice that someone sat across from me.

"Um- Regina?"

I jumped.

"Oh! Tink! What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Just what most everyone comes here for, a drink. Why are you here alone," she asked holding up my cup of water, "with water?"

"Oh- I was- he didn't- ugh!" I said putting my head down on the wooden table.

"He? The man with the lion tattoo?" She asked.

"He's not here..." I grumbled.

"Hey, I'm sure he'll turn up." She said.

I looked up and tried my best to give her a smile.

We talked for an hour before someone barged through the door.

"Calm yourself!" Tink yelled turning around, slightly drunk.

I couldn't help but burst out in laughter before I realized it was Robin.

"Tink, that's him! That's Robin!" I whispered harshly.

Robin walked over to my table, and Tink got up.

"Well, I am sorry for yelling at you!" she said towards Robin.

"No problem!" he laughed.

"Have fun!" she whispered into my ear and stumbled away.

"I thought you weren't going to show!" I said.

"Sorry, I was helping an older woman. We talked for a while and time got away from me."

"You should be happy I asked the king for three and a half hours." I said.

"I'm just happy you're still here." he said smiling.

"Luckily, Tink was here." I said.

He held up my water. "Why water?" He asked.

"I can't go around drunk! I'm the queen! Reputation is everything when you're royal." I said.

He laughed.

We laughed and talked until I had to go back to the palace.

"Let me walk you back." he said. And I of course I agreed.

We walked past the doctor's house.

"Want to go back?" he asked laughing.

"Absolutely not." I said, smiling.

We stopped at the same place I left him yesterday.

"You want to do this again?" he asked.

"Let me think... can I fit you in my crazy queen-schedule? Hmm..." I said jokingly.

"I'm guessing it's hard to fit a commoner like me in your schedule of queen-ness" he laughed.

"Same time, same place, tomorrow." I smiled.

"I won't be late this time!" he laughs.

I hug him and start my way back to the palace.

The guards let me in without question. I immediately go to Snow's room. When I get there, she's sitting up, laughing with her father.

"Well, you look better!" I exclaim, though I wish the fever was deadly and would kill her.

"I feel better." she says.

"And how was your night?" the king asks me.

"Wonderful. I was hoping to go out again tomorrow night."

"Of course." He says.

"Regina?" Snow asks.

"Yes, dear?"

"Do you have another book like this one?" she asks. I don't even know which book I grabbed for her.

"You liked that one?" I asked.

She nodded. "I love stories about love and adventure."

Love and adventure? Snow? Ha!

"I'll go see if I have another one like that." I say and leave her room.

I grab another book and walk back to her room.

"I don't think I've ever read this one," I say handing her the book, "you're going to have to tell me if it's good." I smile.

I go back to my room and put my nightgown on. I imagine what life would be like with Robin.

Regina and Robin.

Robin and Regina.

I like the sound of that.