Lost in the Woods

Chapter One

Chapter One:

Regina ran her hands through her hair trying to figure out if this was karma. If fate was paying her back for all the harm she'd done. She could never be happy, and she didn't know why she had tricked herself into believing otherwise.

Emma Swan had inherited her father's annoying sense of heroism and her mother's knack for interfering with the lives of others. It seemed that Regina was doomed to have her happiness constantly toyed with by one Charming family member or another.

"Marian, please, just come and meet her." Robin's voice interrupted Emma and Regina's discussion.

Seeing Robin with Marian was nearly too much for Regina to handle. Robin was trying to convince his wife that Regina had changed, and that she was a good person now. Knowing how Marian's life would have gone if Emma hadn't saved her made Regina want to laugh at the irony of Robin's words.

"I want us to talk about this." Robin said placing his hand on Regina's arm. His touch brought her comfort, but Regina would not allow herself to fantasize with the idea that all would be well.

"Wait were you two...are you two together?" Marian asked."You and the Evil Queen?"

Marian continued on, yelling at Robin for letting her around Roland. And as if things weren't bad enough, the Charmings appeared. Snow was asking Regina if she was alright. Regina made eye contact with her son, who wanted to know what was happening. Just a few moments ago, Regina had been the happiest Henry had ever seen her. He had thought that they would be a family. Regina, Robin, himself, Roland, and who knows, maybe other siblings someday too.

"She's a monster." Marian accused.

Regina felt the urge to blast this woman with a fireball for calling her that in the presence of her son, but she fought the urge. The darkness would not win. She had come too far to let anger and a broken heart destroy everything she had worked for.

"Marian, please." Robin pleaded. "She's not a monster. She has changed. She saved Roland's life once."

"I love R'gina!" Roland exclaimed.

"No, she won't come near my son." Marian insisted, holding tightly to Roland.

Regina knew if she stayed here a moment longer, she would start add flame to the fire, quite literally. She had to get out of here. She turned on her heel and walked away from the diner. She just wanted to go home and nurse her broken heart with some wine, or maybe something stronger.

"Mom!" Henry's voice called. "Mom, I'm coming with you."

"Henry, I promise I'm not going to do anything evil." Regina assured him.

"I know that, I trust you." Henry replied. "But I want to come home. Please, I know you're sad, I don't want you to be alone."

"Okay, Henry." Regina gave him a small smile.

Regina drapped an arm over Henry's shoulders and the two walked toward Mifflin Street. Robin watched sadly as his soulmate walked away from him again. She was slipping right through his fingers. He had to decide if having Marian back was enough to let go all of what he was beginning to build with Regina.

* * * * *

Robin sat staring at the campfire in front of him. Marian and Roland were asleep as were most of the merrymen. Robin doubted he'd be able to get any sleep tonight. He kept worrying about Regina. He knew she was strong enough to fight the darkness that was probably trying to take over. He just never wanted to be the reason it tempted her.