Regina was at the Rabbit hole drinking her third glass of tequila. She was trying desperately not to think about him but she just couldn't do it. He was everywhere, but nowhere near her at the same time.
His wife was back. His very-much-alive Marian was with him right now, and Regina was all alone in the bar, drinking her fifth shot of tequila. This situation was killing her slowly.
Three weeks had passed since she was happy, finally happy after years of misery. She had found her soulmate. And then had promptly lost him.
After Marian's return he had come many times to her house, begging her to speak with him but she didn’t want to listen to him; she couldn't face him. The last time was a week ago.
“Regina, please… open the damn door; we need to talk.” Robin yelled through her door after knocking for several minutes.
“Leave, Robin, we are done. I don't want to do this.” Regina responded, desperately trying to keep her voice even. “We have nothing to talk about. Your wife is back; you don't need me anymore.”
“No! You can't say that. I can't just forget about you. Please, open the door Regina.” He begged again.
“Well, I can forget! We hadn't something so strong. It's done. You can leave, because I'm perfectly fine, and don’t come back.” She said loudly, tears running down her cheeks as she slowly walked towards the door. Regina raised her arm and rested her palm on the wood, resisting the urge to open it and just fall into his arms.
“You’re lying, Regina, we both know that. We both have strong feelings for each other. You can't deny it.” Robin rested his palm on the door, unknowingly in the exact same place Regina’s was. When he received no response, he let his hand fall and turned to leave. He’d come back in a few days, and maybe this time she would let him talk.
Now, Regina was so drunk she couldn’t really think clearly. She missed him, she needed him, she loved him and she regretted that she lied to him. She couldn't stop her hands from taking out her phone and texting him.
Robin, please don’t leave me. Pick me... choose me... love me. I love you. It's selfish I know, but it's killing me that you are not by my side anymore. I am waiting for you. Please come back to me.
It was desperate and pathetic, sober Regina would have known that. But she was so inebriated at that point that it didn’t even matter.
She just wanted him to know that she needed him.
-
The night was just like every other night for Robin; Regina was on his mind. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, he couldn't sleep, he was lying to his wife and he missed her like crazy. When he heard his new phone make a noise he jumped from the couch and instantly opened it. With each word of the message, tears built up in his eyes. Regina was in so much pain. How could he be so foolish and not go back to her sooner? He immediately stood up and got dressed. He needed to go and check on her.
Within ten minutes he was at her house, furiously knocking on her door. When she didn't answer he couldn't wait any more, and using his superior lock-picking skills he sneaked into her house… he was a thief after all. When he searched every inch of the house and had no luck, his heart started pounding in his chest.
Where could she be at this time? he thought as he left her house. He needed to find her; it was nearly three in the morning, after all.
When he was walking the streets of Storybrook he tried to think about where she would be, and as he was fairly new to the town he was a little stuck for ideas. But then he saw the Rabbit hole in front of him, “Of course” he whispered to himself, it was the most likely place for her to be.
