You Are Not Your Yesterday: Chapter Thirteen

[jesterladyfic]

Title: You Are Not Your Yesterday
by Jesterlady
Pairing: Robin/Regina
Summary: At the end of S5, Robin has died and his soul is saved from destruction by the Greek god Zeus, but he is presumed gone forever. Regina is devastated with grief and struggling with her own darkness. After she removes her evil half, the Evil Queen doppelganger begins to wreak havoc on everyone in Storybrooke, finally making a wish that creates a whole new realm and provides a way for Zeus to send Robin’s soul into an alternate self. But this Robin doesn’t know who he is, having an alternate set of villainous memories. When he and Regina meet again, they must struggle with the disconnect and longing they both feel. Can he reclaim his heroic self? Can Regina accept her own dark past and defeat the Evil Queen? And can their true love win through the trials that would reunite them?
Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT. Some lines are from the show. The title is from Ann Voskamp

I really thought the show missed the mark with the return of Robin Hood on the show. So I wanted to take this opportunity to write the story in the way that made sense to me.

I wanted to focus on Zelena and Regina’s relationship here as well, making it a lot more intentional than canon. I think Zelena provides a great foil for Regina’s growth, and I think Zelena’s character deserves better. It provided a way for me to delve into Regina’s growth, her understanding and acceptance of redemption, and how she will continue to be strong and fight. In allowing Robin to go through his own villainous redemption, it gave them an equal ground they hadn’t been able to share before.

I have strong feelings about the Wish Realm. Apart from the its creation, I hated how it was used (so illogical)! So just to be clear, in this story the Wish Realm is not real. Only Robin (with a real soul inside him) can come through to the other side; it collapses as soon as Emma (the point of it) leaves. We see this as Wish Rumple tries to leave and wasn’t able to. This also explains why Robin (and characters connected to him) were young when everyone else had aged.

You definitely need to be familiar with S6 to read this fic. I do ignore a lot of S6 ie Gideon and Black Fairy. You can assume those things are happening alongside of the main events, but I’m ignoring it and deliberately changing where it intersects, because the story needed to focus on Robin and Regina and have a resolved ending that didn’t immediately jump into the next problem.



Zeus needed no powers to apprehend the joy of the person approaching him. Aphrodite nearly vibrated as she joined him in watching the reunion of the two lovers.

“I could feel the surge of devotion,” she said. “Congratulations. Your plan has succeeded brilliantly.”

“Executed only with your help,” he reminded her.

But he too felt satisfaction at a hope realized. He had begun with no surety that his goal to save the archer would work. But it had. Through much sorrow and pain, the two had won their love, and restored his true self. Their acknowledged desire for each other had unlocked the magic Aphrodite had worked over the feather, releasing the soul kept from destruction.

“Do you think they are aware of what we did?” she asked.

“She is, in part,” Zeus said. “But I doubt they will ever fully know.”

“And does that sit well with the king of the gods?” she asked, a smirk blooming around her lips.

“Very well,” he replied. “It was his choice, but it was our kin who caused this wrong. It is only right we be the one to help mend the wound.” She grew grave, nodding her head in answer. “But this is a day for victory, and we must celebrate.”

He held out his hand and she laid hers on top of his.

“Love always favors a celebration,” she replied.

Zeus cast a backward glance as they left his high seeing post. The lovers were still lip-locked, limb-entangled, and that was as it should be. He waved his hand and their images faded. From now on, their love was in their hands.

---

Regina straightened the bowl on the table and turned to look at Robin, returning from dumping all the trash. Epic fight scenes were wonderfully cathartic, but it would be nice to not have to clean up after them. She still couldn’t believe that he was here, all hers, the man she had believed lost forever. She’d mourned him and hoped for him at the same time, but now she need do neither.

He reached for her, and she went willingly into his embrace. She had the feeling that constant touching would be in their foreseeable future and she had no desire for anything else.

“Are we all finished?” he asked.

“I believe so,” she replied. “Thank you for helping me clean up my mess.”

She meant more than just the office and he seemed to realize it, touching his forehead to hers briefly.

“I understand why you removed her,” he said softly. “I know the battle within you and I’m sorry it’s your burden to carry.”

“It’s no one’s fault but mine,” she said, “and I’m finally okay with that.”

“I’m proud of you,” he said. “I always have been. I even wrote you a letter once, telling you so. But I could never send it.”

She smiled, reaching into her coat pocket, the one that had housed the letter for quite some time, more recently along with his feather.

“I made a mail call in New York, remember?”

“Ah,” he said, staring at the well-worn pages. “I hope it brought comfort.”

“More than you can know,” she said. “I’m proud of you too. After all, it’s not everyone who can break through a lifetime of false memories and desire better for themselves.”

“I had an excellent example,” he said, bringing one of her hands up to his lips and kissing her knuckles.

“Still,” she said. “It could have gone the other way.”

“Yes, well, I’m a little confused about how it happened at all,” he said. “I was certain I was facing annihilation after Hades shot that bolt.”

“Me too,” she whispered, uncomfortable with the memory. “But I have a feeling Zeus had something to do with it. I’m not sure how, but Henry might. And maybe my evil half making that wish was the best thing that ever happened to us. Maybe there would have been no place for your soul to reside otherwise.”

“Well, I can’t say I liked the accommodations,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Despite its trials, I prefer this life immensely.”

“Can’t argue with you there,” she agreed, lifting her head so she could kiss him.

He kissed her back and oh, she’d missed his kisses more than she had ever thought possible. But the best thing was they were even more incredible when she got to enjoy them for real, rather than before long-sorrowful wakings after dreams spent in his arms.

“In case I haven’t said it yet,” he said, whispering in between kisses, “I love you, Regina.”

“I love you too,” she said. “And it’s true love. True love that broke the curse of your false memories.”

“I must remember to thank it sometime,” he said, moving in for another kiss.

But Regina pulled her head back, a thought striking her, one so obvious she felt like an idiot for not realizing it before.

“We have to go,” she said. “I have to let everyone know.”

“That you’re all right? Well, I guess that is in order,” he agreed. “And I would like to see my children.”

“Oh, we have so much to talk about,” Regina said. “And, yes, we need to get Roland back and figure things out with Zelena, but right now I know how to wake Snow and David!”

“Then lead on,” he said, taking her hand.

She smiled down at their joined fingers, flesh bound through choice and desire. She never wanted to let go.

---

When Regina and Robin arrived at the loft, they found Emma, Killian, Zelena, David, and Henry talking in the kitchen while Snow slept on the bed.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Henry said, coming forward and hugging Regina. “What happened?”

“Is the Queen?” Emma asked, trailing off.

“Gone,” Regina said, “or rather, back where she belongs.”

She pointed at her heart and smiled. Robin watched everyone’s reactions and had to smile himself at their various expressions of understanding and confusion.

“And what exactly does that mean?” Killian asked.

“That I reabsorbed her,” Regina replied. “She and I won’t bother anyone with our issues externally anymore.”

“After everything?” Zelena asked. “I mean, wasn’t that what you wanted? to get her out?”

“What I want is to be a better example to anyone trying to make the hard change toward redemption,” Regina said. “Just because you can literally remove the worst parts of yourself by magic doesn’t mean there won’t be a terrible price. And it just shows I wasn’t the hero I wanted to be.”

Zelena seemed to take that and process it, but she smiled ever so slightly.

“We’re glad you’re okay,” David said, talking to Robin.

Robin felt new, watching everyone with eyes that knew them well, but had only just remembered that fact.

“Better than that,” Robin said. “It’s me.”

“What?” gasped several people.

Robin reached down and took Regina’s hand, grinning at them all.

“I’m pleased to announce that through some complicated magic neither of us fully understand, Robin Hood lives.”

“It’s true,” burst out Regina. “His memories or soul was in the feather he gave me and when our kiss broke the curse, he got them back.”

“That’s amazing,” Emma cried, coming forward and giving Regina a hug.

Robin stepped back to let it happen and was rather surprised, but gratified when Killian came forward and gave him his own hug.

“Good to have you back, mate.”

“Thank you,” said Robin, smiling and accepting hugs from David and Henry as well.

Zelena was the only one who didn’t move and he couldn’t blame her for that. He doubted his sudden return to himself would be viewed as anything other than awful. After all, from what he’d been able to observe, their daughter had become her whole world. He had learned enough to know that he would need to tread gently there. Though he was determined to have his share in their little Robin, he’d experienced enough darkness within himself, the capability and horror of it, that he couldn’t afford to withhold forgiveness and chances for anyone else trying.

“But before we do anything else,” Regina said, putting up her hands. “I know how to break the curse for Snow and David.”

“How?” David demanded, instantly alert.

“It’s so obvious,” Regina said. “Emma can break your curse.”

“What? how?” Emma asked.

“You’re their daughter, the product of true love,” Regina replied. “Just like you and I broke curses for Henry. Children and parents are capable of true love kisses.”

“But I can’t kiss them both at once,” Emma said. “And if I kiss one, wouldn’t the other one just fall asleep like has been happening?”

“The curse is the key,” Regina said, stepping over to the bed. “David, if you’ll follow me?”

They all followed, Robin as curious as any of them. Regina hadn’t shared her plan on their quick trip to the loft, and he’d been reveling in their reunion too much to ask.

David sat on the bed by Snow as instructed and then Regina reached into their chests simultaneously and removed their hearts. Snow didn’t move, but David gasped with the impact.

The glowing hearts were beating loudly in the suddenly quiet loft.

“They share a heart,” Regina said, speaking primarily to Emma. “It shares the curse. Hearts that used to be one want to go back together, just like mine and the Queen’s. So I will merge the hearts and insert it back into one of their chests. The other one will seem to die. Emma, you have to break the curse, and then we’ll separate the heart again. Okay?”

“Put it back in Snow’s chest,” David said immediately.

Regina rolled her eyes at him.

“I thought you might say that. And I think it will work better since it’s her original heart. Are you ready?”

David nodded.

“No,” said Emma, looking nervous. “But let’s do it.”

“It’s okay, Emma,” David said, standing up and taking her hands. “I know you can do this.”

Emma nodded, smiling small, but with determination.

Robin watched in fascination as David sat down again and Regina put the two hearts in her hands together. He’d watched her do it only a short time ago with her own heart and marveled at the complexity of the magic.

As the hearts merged, David fell back on the bed. Regina moved quickly and inserted the single heart into Snow’s chest. Snow didn’t move, still under the sleeping curse. Emma bent over her mother and kissed her forehead. A pulse of rainbow light flooded out from under her lips and Robin felt a strange sweetness and poignancy as it passed through him. Snow’s eyes fluttered and opened and she sat up, looking in confusion at all the people gathered around her bed.

“What-” she started to say, but Emma cut her off.

“No time to explain, but we’re curing you.”

“I need to take your heart,” Regina said, stepping close.

Snow nodded, still looking confused, her eyes falling on David lying prone beside her.

Regina reached in and took the heart, giving it a nod of satisfaction, as if to confirm the curse was no longer present in the heart. She broke it in two and Snow grasped at her chest. Then Regina reached forward and inserted the two halves of the heart, one each, into Snow and David’s chests.

David lurched and then sat up, opening his eyes.

His eyes opened on Snow who still looked forward.

“Snow,” he breathed out, almost like a prayer.

“Charming,” she whispered, her hope and love ringing through her voice.

They kissed, and everyone moved away to give them a moment.

Robin slipped his arm around Regina’s waist and looked down at her, feeling his own overwhelming reunion more than ever.

“You did it,” he whispered. “You are amazing.”

“Thank you,” she said. “But I really couldn’t have done it without you and the lessons the other you taught me.”

“Then as always,” he said, bending to kiss her. “We are better together.”

She kissed him back, then pulled back and he could see the adoration in her eyes. For once there was no sorrow or regret or anxiety there. He could see only contentment and happiness. More sorrow would come, he knew, for that was the way of life, but at least now they could face it together.

“Enough kissing,” Henry said, and Robin broke away to realize that all the couples in the room had taken the opportunity to show their affection. “I think it’s time for a party!”

“Or a drink,” Zelena muttered.

But cheering from all overrode her words and if there was anything Robin Hood was good at, it was a party.

---

They everyone arrived at Granny’s, who grumbled about the sudden influx of people, but appeared happy for both the business and to unload the two small babies in her charge. Regina watched Zelena snatch Robin out of Granny’s arms and sit in a booth, holding her protectively.

Regina looked up at Robin and saw him watching the scene as well.

“She named her after me,” Robin said. “Why?”

“I think she wanted to make up for what happened,” Regina answered. “She really is trying to change, just like I did.”

“Just like I did.”

“You didn’t really have to change, you know,” she said. “All of those memories in your head were fake.”

“They were real enough. I wasn’t the man I want to be.”

“Well, then what shall we do?”

He inclined his head toward Zelena.

“Talk softly and carefully. Best not spook the wary witch.”

Regina smiled and walked with him over to Zelena.

“May we sit?” Regina asked.

Zelena glared, but nodded stiffly.

“I suppose you’re here to make your demands,” she said, speaking to Robin.

His eyes were on the baby in her arms, hungrily feasting on the sight of his daughter. Regina didn’t blame him.

“We’re here to talk,” Robin said. “How is she?”

Zelena glanced quickly at him, then down at the baby.

“She’s fine. I’m taking good care of her.”

“She looks very well cared for,” Robin replied.

“What is all this?” Zelena snapped. “I know you want her back, so there’s no need to be so insincere.”

Robin looked helplessly at Regina and she took over.

“Zelena, I know this is hard. I went through this myself. When Emma arrived, I was jealous and angry and did my best to get rid of her. I wanted Henry all to myself.”

“I guess,” Zelena murmured.

“Robin isn’t here to take her from you, but it is only fair that you share her.”

“She’s all I have,” Zelena hissed. “He’s got another kid; he’s got you. It’s not fair.”

Regina felt hurt, though she guessed Zelena’s response was only to be expected with their truce and peace so new and fragile.

“She’s not all you have,” Regina said. “You have me too. That’s another thing you both share. We’re a family-unusual and awkward and maybe even a little bit off, but we’re all family here.”

“I agree,” Robin put in. “I’m glad you’ve changed, Zelena, I can see it now. I’m sorry I didn’t give you enough credit before. And I know a little bit better what it’s like to struggle toward redemption. I’m not saying the past isn’t still an issue, but if we don’t move forward, we’re going to remain stuck in it forever. I don’t want that for any of us.”

“You’re not wrong,” Zelena said, but her grip on the baby remained tight.

“We can work something out,” Regina said. “Just like Emma and I have with Henry. I promise that she is going to grow up with you as her mother and she is going to love you.”

“Promises aren’t easily kept around here,” Zelena warned, but Regina could see more warmth in her eyes.

“I know,” Regina said. “So we all need to help each other keep them. Can you at least agree to a discussion about this?”

For a moment, the air was tense, Zelena’s eyes darted around, perhaps seeking escape. Regina watched, holding her breath, Robin squeezing her hand too tightly under the table. The pain kept her grounded in the moment, and it felt like the entire future was weighted upon Zelena’s reply.

“Fine,” Zelena said. “But we’re putting it in writing, a magical contract.”

Robin let out a long breath.

“I can do that,” he said.

“I’m . . . glad you’re alive,” Zelena told him only somewhat sullenly. “And that you have each other. And I’m sorry for my part in your now defunct demise.”

Robin grinned.

“Thank you. I forgive you. And maybe now I could?” He gestured toward their baby.

Zelena moved baby Robin away, perhaps instinctively, then slowly, she held out their daughter. Robin took her with a reverent silence, smiling down into sleepy eyes, softly stroking one cheek. He crooned quietly to her, apparently forgetting either of them existed.

Regina and Zelena’s gaze met over the table.

“Thank you,” Regina said, trying to put as much meaning into her tone as possible, thankful for so much more than just that small act.

“You’re welcome,” Zelena said, her eyes returning to the Robins, clearly prepared to watch them like a hawk.

Regina turned toward the rest of the room, to Henry holding baby Neal, chatting with Granny. Emma and Killian whispered in the corner. Belle was congratulating a tightly-holding-on-to-each-other Snow and David.

The darkness inside her whispered that all this happiness couldn’t last. She refused to listen. Happiness wasn’t the end goal. These people were. Whatever the next crisis was-and there was sure to be one, from Gold or something else-they would handle it together.