They've been back home for two days. If the Enchanted Forest even still qualifies as home. Ruby muses over this as she carries buckets of water from the river to the makeshift campsite that's being set up for the evening. The journey has been slower than Ruby would have liked. They're too exposed out here; a large band of people with very mixed abilities could be easy pickings. Mary Margaret and Regina were nearly killed yesterday by some flying creatures. They need to get to safety, and quickly. Ruby catches sight of Granny standing by a large cooking pot over a fire. Fatigue is clear on the old woman's face, and Ruby reminds herself to take account of the less able members of the group. She throws Granny a smile as she sets the buckets of water down. She turns to survey the rest of the camp; everyone is going about their business and completing their assigned tasks. Her eyes land on a lone figure standing at the perimeter of the camp. Regina's attention is on the palace in the distance. Ruby watches her for a moment; this isn't the first time she's seen the Queen standing by herself, lost in thought. It's been quite an adjustment for everyone to come back here, but Regina's lost more than most.

Mary Margaret had told Ruby that she caught Regina attempting to bury her heart the previous day. While it seems like an extreme action to take, Ruby can relate a little to the desire. After she killed Peter and found out she was the wolf who'd terrorised their village for so long, she'd have given anything to be able to take the ache in her chest away. Another figure catches her eye and she sees she's not the only one watching Regina. Mary Margaret has also stopped whatever task she was doing to stare at the Queen's back. Ruby approaches her friend.

"Seems like old times, doesn't it?" she comments once she's in earshot. "Except, not running from Regina, but with her."

Mary Margaret's attention remains on Regina as she speaks. "She's changed," she says, firmly, before meeting Ruby's eyes. "I have to believe for the better."

"I hope it sticks," Ruby says, with a nod. And she means it. "But regardless, she doesn't look too good. If she hadn't tried to hurt us so many times, I might be worried about her."

"I'll talk to her."

Ruby's arm shoots out to catch Mary Margaret before she can take more than a step. The other woman looks back at her, brow creased in question.

"Maybe I should talk to her," she suggests, her eyes flicking to the woman in question. "You're pretty much the only person who's spoken to her since we got here. Someone else should make the effort."

Mary Margaret beams like she's just won the lottery. "I think that'd be really sweet, Ruby," she says, squeezing Ruby's hand where it rests on her elbow. Ruby returns her smile and sets off to speak to Regina, casting a final glance at Mary Margaret and earning another encouraging smile.

Ruby lengthens her strides, trying to portray an air of confidence that she's not sure she feels. Which is ridiculous. She exchanged pleasantries with this woman while she made her coffee every day for nearly thirty years; surely she can make smalltalk with her for a few minutes now. She makes sure that her approach is noisy enough that the other woman won't be surprised by her arrival. Sure enough, the Queen glances over her shoulder at the sound of twigs snapping and feet trampling through undergrowth. She heaves a sigh.

"If you're looking for someone to throw a stick for you, I'm not in the mood."

Ruby rolls her eyes. As dog jokes go, it's not even original. Regina really must be off her game.

"I'm fine, thanks. I'm getting plenty of exercise with all of this walking."

Regina looks her up and down. "Yes, I suppose you must be quite in your element living in the forest." She wrinkles her nose. "You should go play with the thief, he's also very at home here."

The 'thief' in question is Robin Hood. He and his band of Merry Men had joined them the day before. Ruby's already heard Mary Margaret trying to foist Robin onto Regina as a romantic interest.

"Maybe I'll play with him later," Ruby says, dismissively. "So...how are you doing?"

For the first time since she came over, Regina meets her eyes. She stares for a moment, then narrows her eyes. "Have you been sent to check on my wellbeing?" She clicks her tongue. "You can tell your little friend that I'm not having any homicidal feelings at the moment. Though that may change if she doesn't stop asking me how I'm doing."

"Nobody sent me," Ruby says. "I just thought you looked..." She trails off. Making assumptions about Regina's feelings is a dangerous business.

"Yes?" Regina presses, both eyebrows rising in challenge. "I hope, for your sake, that the word at the end of that sentence was going to be complimentary."

"Sad," Ruby finishes. "I thought you looked sad. I came to see if you were okay."

"And what concern is it of yours if I'm sad?" Regina asks, turning away once more. "I don't recall us ever exchanging much conversation beyond a coffee order."

"I don't know, really," Ruby confesses, examining Regina's profile as she looks out over the endless fields. "I just...I don't like it when people are sad. I wondered if I could do anything to help."

Regina laughs, but it's bitter and brittle and it makes Ruby want to cover her ears. "Unless you can somehow bring my son here, then no, there's nothing you can do."

Nodding, Ruby joins Regina in looking into the distance. "I can't imagine doing what you did," she says, almost in a whisper. "Giving up the person you love most in the world...giving him a life where he doesn't even remember who you are."

"I feel like you're not quite grasping the concept of 'helping', Ms Lucas," Regina says, her voice tight and thick. "I believe this is what's commonly known as rubbing salt in the wound."

"No, I know, I...I just meant," Ruby pauses, biting her lip. "I just mean that I really believe in judging a person by their actions. And you...well, you did the most selfless thing I've ever heard of."

"And now what?" Regina asks, glancing at Ruby from the side of her eye. "You want to be my best friend?"

"I'm trying to tell you that I admire what you did," Ruby tells her. "And if you could stop being a smartass for two minutes, maybe we could be friends." She lifts her eyebrows. "Stranger things have happened."

Regina frowns. "I've survived long enough without any friends, why on earth would I need one now?"

Shrugging again, Ruby says, "Maybe it'll help. To know you're not going through it alone."

"I won't be going through it at all," Regina mutters. The words are quiet enough for most people to miss, but Ruby's ears pick them up with no trouble.

"What do you mean?" she asks, her brow creased in confusion.

"Nothing," Regina says, quickly. "I was just thinking-" She turns abruptly and starts to walk over to where David and Mary Margaret are talking amongst themselves. Ruby follows, still troubled by Regina's words. Mary Margaret's eyes light up as Regina approaches, actually initiating conversation for once. "-there are tunnels that run under the castle. They may run beneath the spell that's protecting it."

"Which means we can sneak an army inside," David says with a nod, but Regina's already shaking her head.

"No, an army would be detected."

Mary Margaret frowns. "Then how do the tunnels help us?" she asks, vocalising what Ruby's thinking.

"Because they can get me inside," Regina says, as if she were speaking to a group of first-graders. "If I can get inside, then I can lower the shield. Then you can send in your arm-."

An unholy screech interrupts Regina and in unison they look to the skies. A creature swoops down, flying just over their heads. David draws his sword out and Mary Margaret has an arrow at the ready, but Ruby's best weapon is her body and her adrenaline is pumping. Instinctively, she looks around to assess the situation.

"Look out!" Leroy yells, running towards them. "They're coming!" The monkey swoops again, pushing Leroy to the side. Ruby quickly determines that the monkey's trajectory will mean that Robin's son, Roland, is the next obstacle in its path.

"Papa!" The frightened plea spurs Ruby into action, even as she hears Robin respond in kind. She sprints to the child and, as gently as she can, pushes him out of the way. She lifts her hands and braces herself for the impact of the creature, but it doesn't come. Instead, a stuffed toy monkey falls to the ground at her feet. She turns in time to see Regina lower her hands.

"Thanks," she breathes out as Regina bends to pick up the toy.

"I did it to save the child," the Queen mutters as she makes her way over to where Robin is standing with Roland in his arms. Ruby watches as Regina's face completely changes when she looks at Roland; a genuine smile appearing for perhaps the first time since they arrived back. She offers the toy monkey to the child. "See? Not so scary," she tells him in a voice that Ruby's heard her use a hundred times. Back before Henry became obsessed with Fairy Tales. "Now you have a new toy."

"Thank you," Robin says, his voice is still shaking. He turns to Ruby. "Both of you. Thank you."

Regina nods at him, and moves away, back to where Mary Margaret and David are gathered with some of the others. Ruby grins at Roland and pinches his cheek with a wink.

"No problem," she tells Robin. "I wasn't gonna let that mean monkey get his hands on the Lord of the Dimples here." Roland giggles and hides his face in his father's shoulder.

"I shan't forget what you did," Robin tells her. "If there's ever anything I can d-"

"I'm not keeping score," Ruby says, ruffling Roland's hair before stepping away. "We're all in this together." She heads over to what seems to be a very confused conversation.

"Actually, it is," Belle is saying. "But not here. There's only one land that has creatures like that. I've read about it. Oz."

"Oz?" Ruby asks. "As in the yellow brick road and the wizard? That's a real place?" Flying monkeys, Ruby realises a second too late. Duh.

"The bookworm's right," Regina says. "It's quite real. If our simian friend is any indication, then I think we know exactly who's taken up residence in our castle. The Wicked Witch."

Mary Margaret's face lights up at the use of 'our'.

"So, we talkin' East or West?" Leroy asks.

"Does it matter? Neither one sounds good," Mary Margaret puts in.

"One you drop a house on," Leroy says, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "The other one you toss a bucket of water at."

"So, Regina," David begins. "What exactly are we up against besides green skin and a pointy hat? What did you do to her?"

Ruby frowns at his assumption. Sure, Regina has a pretty chequered past, but surely she can't have pissed off everyone.

"This time?" Regina asks, an acknowledgement of sorts. "Nothing. Never met her."

"This isn't a personal vendetta? Shocking."

Sarcasm is clear in David's voice and Ruby can't help but be a little offended on Regina's behalf. The woman gave up her son to bring them all to safety. "David," she scolds, but he continues, paying her no attention.

"Okay then, Oz aside, we stick to the original plan," he tells the group. "Arm up, then attack." He looks to Regina. "Assuming you can get the shield down."

"You don't need to worry about that," Regina says. "As long as I can get through those tunnels, the shield will come down."

"I'm coming with you," Mary Margaret says.

"No, this is a one woman job," Regina tells her, shaking her head.

"What? Against the Wicked Witch?" Mary Margaret gasps. "She has flying monkeys! Who knows what else!"

Ruby can't help but agree. She's already decided that she'll accompany Regina to the castle, but she's not going to announce it here only to have people reject the idea.

"I don't care if the Lollipop Guild is protecting her," Regina snits. "I can lower that shield on my own."

For a moment, it looks like Mary Margaret will continue to argue, but she nods her head. "Then we'll be waiting for you on the other side."

Regina nods, and Ruby notices the same look in her eyes as was there when they were speaking earlier. Her words ring in Ruby's ears. I won't be going through it at all. Well, whatever that means, Ruby's going to make sure she's not going to go through it alone.


Dusk settles over the forest as the group finishes making camp. Ruby ensures that the basic shelter she's rigged up for the older people in the group will hold steady before moving to sit with a small group by one of the fires. She holds out her hands, enjoying the heat, but her attention is drawn to where Regina is readying herself to go and reclaim the castle.

"Perhaps I should accompany the Queen?" Robin's soft voice cuts into Ruby's musings. She looks over at him, impressed that he'd put himself forward for such a task, having only just met Regina.

Mary Margaret shakes her head. "No, I don't think she'd like that. She said it was a one person job."

"I could be of assistance," Robin presses. "After all, she did put herself at risk to help save Roland."

"No," Ruby says, and it's not just Robin who looks surprised. "We don't know what's happening at that castle and your son needs a dad. I'm going." She bumps him with her shoulder and he falls off the log he was seated on, frowning up at her in surprise. She winks at him. "Besides, as you can see, I'm way stronger than you."

"Yes, quite considerably," he mumbles, standing to dust himself off, his eyes tracing over her form, as if looking for concealed muscles.

"You have a bow I could borrow?" she asks. A bow probably isn't much use against a Wicked Witch, but she's sure she could pick off a few flying monkeys with one if she had to. Even if she's out of practise.

"Of course," he says with a nod. "I'll fetch one for you." He retreats to where his men are gathered around another fire.

"Like hell you're going," Granny says firmly before Ruby can speak again.

"I agree," Mary Margaret says, quickly. "Not quite as colourfully as Granny." She puts a hand on Ruby's knee. "Perhaps Regina said it was a one person job because it's too risky for anyone else to go?"

Ruby frowns. "So, we let her go alone, and something happens to her, and then what? We become sitting ducks? Wait for this Wicked Witch to come to us?"

"You'd rather die along with her, is that what you're saying?" Granny counters.

"Whether you like it or not, Granny, we're all on the same side. All of us," Ruby argues. "Regina included. She's probably only saying she needs to do this on her own because she thinks no-one would go with her if she asked."

"Oh, she wouldn't ask," Mary Margaret says, shaking her head. "She's too proud."

Ruby considers this. "All the more reason she needs someone to go with her." She turns to look at everyone in turn. "I'm the strongest and fastest of all of us, I can track, I can use a bow. And I don't have anyone who depends on me. I have to be the one to go."

"Ruby…" Mary Margaret starts. She reaches out a hand to cover Ruby's.

"I'm going," Ruby repeats, squeezing Mary Margaret's hand.

"If you die, you can damn well bet I'll be saying I told you so," Granny threatens.

She rolls her eyes as she starts to stand, pressing a quick kiss to her Grandmother's hair as she does. "Well, I'll be dead, so I won't have to listen to you."

Robin is approaching with the bow she asked for, along with a quiver of arrows. He holds them out to her.

"It's a fine weapon," he says, watching as she fastens the belt over her cape. "It will shoot true."

Ruby takes the bow, testing the weight and the balance of it. She nods her approval. "Thank you. I hope I don't have to use it."

"I'm glad the Queen is in such good hands," Robin tells her. Then he nods over her shoulder. "Though it does appear she has a head start on you."

Ruby turns to see Regina's back as she starts her trek to the castle. She gives Robin a last nod and a smile before setting off in pursuit. Her long legs make it easy for her to catch up.

"No," Regina says simply.

"No what?" Ruby asks, falling into step by Regina's side.

"You're not coming."

Ruby nods. "Yes I am," she counters, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I can help you."

Regina stops at that and turns to face Ruby, glaring. "I didn't ask for help," comes the indignant, though not unexpected, response.

"Doesn't mean you won't need it. That thing wasn't after Robin Hood's son today. It had you in its sights, and the kid just got in the way."

Regina rolls her eyes and scoffs. "And how do you know that?"

"I know more than a thing or two about how monsters hunt. I a-" Ruby pauses, and swallows. "-was one. That thing was after you."

"I fail to see your point, wolf," Regina drawls, adopting a look of boredom.

"My point," Ruby grits out. "Is that they've attacked you more than once. That witch wants you dead."

Regina scoffs. "Tell me something I don't know." Her condescending tone makes the hair on Ruby's neck bristle. "Do you actually think you can help me, or stop her if she tries to hurt me?"

"I'm strong, I'm fast, I'm a great shot. I can practically see in the dark and I can smell trouble coming from a mile off," Ruby counts off on her fingers. "So yes. I think I can help you."

Regina regards her for a moment, or maybe she's glaring at her, Ruby can't quite tell. When Regina sighs, though, Ruby knows she's won. "Don't get in my way."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Ruby murmurs, watching as Regina leads the way. She casts a final look back at her friends before catching up to Regina in a few long strides. Regina's doesn't appear keen to engage in conversation, so Ruby remains quiet. She's secure in her own reasons for following Regina. She genuinely believes she can be of use, and she doesn't think it's fair that Regina has to take such a risk alone, not when she's already given up so much. What's not entirely clear to her is why Regina would volunteer to do this in the first place. While they've all seen the changes in the former Mayor over the past year or so, and she's helped them on more than one occasion, this does appear to be a particularly selfless act. She closes her eyes to try to rid herself of such suspicious thoughts.

As they draw closer to the imposing fortress, Ruby decides it would be best if she has at least an idea of what they're supposed to do when they get there. She clears her throat, just to test the waters. When it doesn't seem to startle the Queen, she presses on. "So…how do you plan to get in?" she asks conversationally.

Regina stops and whirls on the younger girl. "Why are you here? Did Snow put you up to this? To keep an eye on me?"

Ruby flinches slightly at the barrage of questions, and she waits until silence follows before she answers. "Snow tried to stop me, actually. So did Granny."

Nodding, Regina huffs, "Yes, well of course they'd happily let me march off to almost certain death, but not their precious pup."

"And that's why I'm here. The 'almost certain death' part." Ruby stands her ground, unwavering under Regina's scrutiny. "If something goes wrong, you'll need backup, and I'm not afraid."

"Then you're a fool," Regina sneers.

"We'll see," Ruby mutters. She nods her head in the direction they were previously walking. "So. What's the plan?"

Sending a glare towards Ruby, Regina continues along her path until she reaches the castle wall. A wave of her hand reveals an entryway built into the ground; the tunnels. Another gesture opens the doors and Regina steps inside without a word. Ruby follows just in time to watch the length of the corridor illuminate as torches are lit along its walls. Regina does enjoy doing things with a flourish. They walk in silence for a while until Ruby notes that they've started moving uphill; they must be nearing their destination. They arrive at a door and Regina pushes it open, revealing a room inside the castle.

"We need to get to the courtyard. The spell is being powered by a fire," Regina explains, finally relenting and letting Ruby in on the plan. "As long as it burns, the shield will stay up."

Ruby nods. "So we just need to put it out," she concludes.

"I just need to put it out. You will stay out of my way." She smirks. "Since you insisted on being my guard dog, you can keep watch." Rolling her eyes, Ruby takes a step forward into the room but is prevented in doing so when she feels Regina's hand on her arm pulling her back. "Step in between." Regina warns her with a nod to the floor, before demonstrating.

Ruby watches Regina's movements and mimics them easily, avoiding whatever traps are lurking beneath their feet. "That's twice in one day you've saved me," she comments, eyes trained on Regina's feet. She smirks. "My hero."

"Call me that again and I'll let you step on the next one," Regina retorts, keeping up her steady pace through the traps.

"Now isn't this friendly banter more fun than the stony silence?" Ruby asks.

"That was a direct threat, dear, not friendly banter," Regina says.

"Yeah, yeah," Ruby counters. "You saved me from one of your magical traps. You must enjoy my company on some level."

"I just didn't want your blood staining my floor, Ms Lucas. It's such a bother to clean up."

Ruby hides a smile. "You can call me Ruby, you know." She's practically dancing across the trap laden floor now; her natural grace a bonus in these situations. "We don't have to be so formal. You called me Ruby for thirty years."

"And you called me 'Madam Mayor'," Regina says, glancing over her shoulder. "Are you going to continue that?" She returns her gaze to the front.

"Your Majesty is more fitting in that outfit, don't you think?" Ruby comments, taking in the elaborate gown and hair.

"Well, you're very welcome to use that if you wish, Little Red," Regina says, with a pointed look at Ruby's cloak. She stops walking so abruptly that Ruby only narrowly avoids running into her back.

"What is it?" Ruby asks. They've arrived at what looks like a tomb or mausoleum. The door is slightly ajar and Regina seems confused.

"That's impossible," the Queen mutters, edging slowly towards the door.

"What's impossible?" Ruby asks, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. Whatever's inside that room is giving her a weird feeling and she doesn't like it.

"That door...it...it shouldn't be open," Regina says. Her voice is soft, worried. It frightens Ruby a little to see her so rattled by something as simple as an open door.

"Maybe you left it unlocked?" Ruby suggests. "I mean, I guess when you left here your plan was to curse everybody to another land. You probably weren't too concerned about intruders, right?"

This earns her an annoyed glance. "I sealed it with blood magic," Regina states, her voice strong and sure again. "I'm the only one who can open it."

"Uh, well, I hate to break it to you, Regina," Ruby says. "But somebody else opened it."

"Yes, thank you for your keen observations, Ms Lucas," Regina snarls. "I'm so glad you came along." Regina straightens her back and walks forward, pushing the door open. Ruby bites her lip, unsure that's a good idea, and then follows anyway. The temperature inside the tomb is lower than outside and it makes Ruby shiver. She wraps her arms around herself, realising where she is.

"This is your mother's crypt," she whispers. That's why it was sealed with blood magic. And with good reason. Cora was a formidable woman.

"Yes," Regina confirms, looking around. "Not that it did a very good job of containing her, of course."

Ruby nods. She knows what happened when Cora was in Storybrooke. Mary Margaret spent an evening weeping into her shoulder about it. And just because Cora was a horrible person, doesn't mean Regina can't feel sad that she's really dead now. Ruby barely knew her own mother, and still she grieved for her.

"I buried my mother in the forest," she finds herself saying. "Sometimes I'd visit her grave and say the things to her that I wished I could have said when she was alive."

Regina looks over at her. For a moment, Ruby thinks she sees tears in the queen's eyes, but they're gone as soon as they appear.

"Yes, well, I have no time for such whimsical activities," Regina says. "I have things to do."

Ruby clears her throat and nods. "Of course," she says. "This Wicked Witch must really be something if she can break throughyour magic, huh?"

"That's not my problem," Regina mutters, striding back out into the main chamber. Ruby follows, glad to be out of the cold, depressing crypt. She watches with interest as Regina moves to her dressing table, opening a small cabinet which houses several bottles and jars. She takes a few out, reading the labels and setting them down.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Ruby asks, coming closer. "Didn't you say we needed to put out the fire in the courtyard?"

"All in good time, dear," Regina says, intent on her task.

"What are you making?" Ruby asks again, her nose wrinkling as the ingredients mingle to produce a potion. "Regina, what isthat?"

"Nothing that concerns you, I assure you," Regina says.

Ruby takes another few steps. "I'm here to help you, but I can't do that if you don't tell me what we're doing."

"I neither asked for, nor wanted, your help," Regina says, finally lifting her eyes to meet Ruby's. "Now, do I need to conjure up a chew toy to keep you occupied or are you going to leave me be?"

"The dog jokes are getting old, Regina," Ruby says. "I won't ask again what that is."

"Good, then I won't have to turn you into something unpleasant," Regina decides. "It's a win-win."

Ruby closes the distance between them in less than a second, her hand grasping the vial Regina's holding. The queen is clearly taken aback by the sudden presence of the younger woman by her side, but recovers quickly.

"Tell me what it is, or I'll crush it," Ruby says, calmly.

Regina's eyes harden. "If you crush it, I'll crush you," she says, her voice low and threatening. "And then I'll make more of it." She stands up, whatever heels she's wearing make her almost as tall as Ruby. "I take it that your offer of friendship is off the table?" Her lip curls in a sneer. "One tiny potion and you assume I have some diabolical plan. I can do without that kind of friendship."

Ruby feels blood rush to her cheeks at how quickly she jumped to conclusions. The potion could be anything. It could be something to be used against the Wicked Witch. She lets go of Regina's hand and steps away.

"What is it?" she asks, quietly.

She thinks Regina's going to refuse to answer again, but some of the fire goes out of the queen's eyes and she sits back down at the dresser. "It's a sleeping curse."

"Like you used on Snow?" Ruby asks. She closes her eyes as the terror of finding Snow that day washes over her anew. She fights down the nausea and directs her attention to Regina again.

"No, that was from Maleficent," Regina explains. "This is one of my own making."

Ruby catches herself before she asks if it's the one she tried to use on Emma. The one that put Henry in a coma. But Regina's eagerness to get to the castle is more understandable now.

"So you needed to get here to get the ingredients?" Ruby asks. "Are you going to use it to put the witch to sleep? How come you didn't tell anyone your plan?"

"It's not for the Wicked Witch," Regina snaps. "I don't care about her in the slightest." She adds a drop of liquid to the potion and it shimmers, seemingly complete.

"Then who…" Ruby trails off, trying to figure out what Regina's talking about.

"Don't worry, your little band of friends are safe," Regina assures her with a roll of her eyes. "It's no-one you'll miss. No-one anyone will miss." She takes a pin from her hair and dips it into the vial, watching the shimmering liquid coat the surface. It all falls into place.

"Regina," Ruby begins, not wanting to anger the other woman again. "Regina I'm not going to let you do this."

For the first time since they arrived back in the Enchanted Forest, Regina genuinely laughs. "Well, it's sweet that you think you couldstop me, dear." She stands and takes a few steps away. Ruby goes to follow, but Regina's hand comes up and Ruby finds she can't move her feet; she's frozen to the floor.

Ruby struggles but soon realises that any attempt to escape is futile. "Why can't I move?" She asks as calmly as she can.

"It's just something simple to keep you in place. In case you get any ideas. It won't stick, don't worry." Regina holds the vial up to her face, inspecting the liquid inside. "It'll wear off once I do what needs to be done," she assures.

"Regina! Stop!" Ruby yells. "I know how you feel, okay?" She tells her, desperately.

Regina chuckles disapprovingly. "I doubt that."

"You feel alone; like part of you is literally missing. And you want to die."

"Oh good. Here comes the pep talk."

Ruby ignores her, determined to get her point across and to stop Regina from putting herself to sleep. "After I killed Peter, my-my childhood sweetheart, I honestly thought I couldn't move on. I wouldn't let myself -"

"My son is not dead!" Regina growls, drawing herself up to her full height and glaring at the younger woman. Clearly she's hit a nerve.

"I know that," Ruby says softly, hands raised in surrender. "I know. But what I'm saying is why wouldn't you try to keep going? To find Henry? Make that a reason to go on; to get back to him."

"Because I've already lost him," Regina counters. "I see no need to go on. To continue in this… this hell on earth without him."

Ruby glares, forgetting her confines for the moment, and tries to take a step forward in an effort to make a grab for the vial. She growls when she remains where she is. "So you just want to give up?" she snaps.

"No!" Regina yells. "But since your dear Snow White wouldn't let me protect my heart so that I might actually be able to deal with this while awake,it seems I have no alternative but to...sleep it off. The curse can and will be broken by the only true love in my life, and the only reason I'd ever want to wake."

Ruby shakes her head. "This is a mistake, Regina, you, of all people, know how quickly things can change."

The woman in question sighs and rolls her eyes. "Don't worry, Little Red," she says with a smirk. "I am a woman of my word. I will lower the protection spell. Snow and Charming will be victorious, and I? I will go to sleep." Regina doesn't leave time for Ruby to argue with her before disappearing off into the courtyard.

As soon as Regina is out of her sights, Ruby puts all of her strength to use against her invisible restraints. It quickly becomes apparent that even werewolf strength is no match for Regina's magic. She's about to give up and sit on the floor to count the minutes being wasted when the hair on the back of her neck stands on edge and goosebumps rise on her arms. The smell of dark magic assaults Ruby's nose, causing her eyes to turn amber. She's familiar enough with Regina's magic to know it's not hers. Someone else is there. The Wicked Witch...

Even though her earlier attempts have proven to be futile, Ruby tries again to break free of Regina's magic. She growls when it's still no use. With nothing left to do, she throws her head back and howls in frustration.


It's some time later when she hears footsteps approaching the door to the chamber she's been confined to. Lifting her nose to sniff, she lets out a relieved sigh; it's Regina. The doors fly open and the Queen almost appears startled to see her. "Oh. Right," she says. "I'd forgotten you tagged along." She waves a hand in the younger girl's direction and removes the invisible shackles.

Ruby stumbles as the magic releases her, but manages to stay on her feet. She grins at Regina. "You're alive," she murmurs. "And awake!"

"Yes, well, frustratingly enough, you were right." Regina raises the small vial. "This isn't the answer. But I have found the reason to carry on you were talking about."

Smile slowly dropping, Ruby's brow creases. What the hell could have happened to change Regina's mind so completely? Walking over to the other woman, Ruby reaches up to remove the vial from Regina's hand and place it back on her vanity, in case she has second thoughts. "And what's that?"

Regina lips twist into a sinister smile, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "I've found someone to destroy."