We Can Love Again

Meeting Roland

The sun had risen high in the sky by the time the two got back to camp. Although it was still early in the day, Roland was tired. His eyes were heavy and every once in a while, Regina could catch his head droop like a bobble head doll.

"Come on, let's get you back so you can meet everyone else." Regina said in a small laugh, seeing his eyes blink a few times just to focus on her voice. She got a better hold on the four year old before hoisting him up with her, supporting his weight on her hip as she walked. As if on queue, Roland completely drifted off onto her shoulder.

Regina hoped she was going in the right direction; she only judged it by the little she remembered from her angry huff that got her there in the first place. Out of everything that was flooding through her mind during that time, finding a child was not one of them. She was somewhat impressed she had walked so far in such little time.

After a few minutes, they finally entered an area that was strikingly familiar- she knew that's where she left all the others just an hour or so before. Regina knew the reactions from everyone wouldn't be pretty.

She saw David first, he was with Hook and he seemed to be pretty happy with himself. He was subtly sticking something in his back pocket- pixie dust, maybe? Regina didn't care. As long as he wasn't dying the prince could have any secret relationship he wanted.

David averted his eyes towards her direction when he heard the sound of crunching leaves, but he didn't say anything. After double taking two or three times, both Hook and David came at her with questionable faces.

"Umm... Did I miss something, love? I thought Henry was twelve." Hook scratched his head, completely dumbfounded.

Regina found she was already tired of answering questions. She hated the attention. "I found him out in the woods by himself, he needs someone."

"Wait wait wait, so you just kidnapped a random child that was wandering out here?" David asked completely astonished. This was a new level of insane for her.
Regina rolled her eyes. "No, I already told you, he was all alone."

"Where in the world did you get a kid?" Now it was Emma's turn to be surprised as she came to check out the commotion.

"He was hurt!"

"How do you know he's not a lost boy?"

"Are you kidding me, he's four years old!"

"You never know!"

"Guys why are we yelling?" Snow snapped, freezing in her place when she saw Regina.

"Uh, who's he?" Tinkerbell asked, following her closely behind.

"Look, he's asleep, quit yelling." Regina protested, walking past them irritably. Everyone that remained exchanged glances between one another. Nobody knew what to say exactly.

Emma turned to watch Regina lay the small boy down on her bed, watching in particular the look she had on her face. She was so calm, so peaceful- she hadn't seen her like this before. Nor wasn't sure about what could possibly come out of it. Regina tucked a small blanket around his body, keeping her eyes locked on him for a moment.
Emma didn't want to tick her off any more than the rest of them apparently had, but she needed answers. She walked over towards the sleeping boy and took a seat down next to Regina.

"Look, I'm not mad at you or anything, you know that right?"

Regina laughed. "Well Miss Swan, that's sure a relief."

"Why did you run off during our discussion? You know none of us can go off by our selves around here, it's dangerous."

"If you want an honest answer," she began, "I left because for a moment, I gave up on everything. I thought there was no hope in getting Henry back. And because you guys get even more annoying when you're clueless- it's like taking a road trip with a bunch of farm animals."