Hey! This was an idea which has been rattling around in my brain for a while and I had to write it down, it's not likely to be a long fic, (I say that alot...) Hope you enjoy it!
It's basically my attempt at providing a fix it for Belle's memory problems. It will get a bit angsty, but that's, unfortunately, what I do best.
Title comes from the song "Howl" by Florence and the Machine- which are frankly amazeballs.
"Everyone in this town is right to be afraid of me."
"Well I'm not."
"You should be!"
Ruby launched awake, the look of fright in Belle's face when she had snarled at her, haunted her. It was the same expression of confused fear that her friend had worn in the hospital, when the nurses jumped in to sedate her.
Running a hand through her long streaked hair, she knew sleep wouldn't come again. Sitting up, she reached to her bedside table, where her worry worn copy of the Mysterious Island by Jules Verne lay. Running her hand over the cover, she could feel her eyes prickling. Blinking hard, she took a deep breath, and put it back. With a growl, she wiped away her tears, "That's it."
She didn't set out with the intention to go to the hospital, but it seemed as soon as she started running, her feet just seemed to take her there.
Walking through the entrance way, she paused. It's three am, what am I doing here?
Dr Whale paused as he walked past her, "Ruby? Is there something wrong?"
"Um, no. "She shook her head, "No, I'm okay, I just wanted to come see Belle."
Glancing at his watch, he frowned, "Visiting hours don't begin till eight am..."
"You're right! I'll go! Sorry, I don't know what I was thinking..." Whatever else she intended to say was lost in a mumble as she practically ran out.
The Doctor frowned, "Strange..."
Splashing her face with cold water, Ruby looked at herself in the mirror, "What are you doing Red? Who the hell are you anymore?"
A knock came at the door, "Ruby, are you okay?"
"Yeah Granny, I'm fine; go back to sleep."
Walking to work the next morning, Ruby paused at the door of Granny's. Still unable to get the picture of a frightened Belle out of her head.
The door opened, and Emma almost walked into her, "Oh! Hey Rube." The Sherriff frowned, "Hey, you okay?"
After a moment, the brunette shook her head, "No, no I'm not; I've gotta go. Tell Granny I'm gonna be late." With that Ruby darted off towards the hospital.
Standing on the top step, clutching her hot chocolate, Emma was left without a clue what the hell was going on.
She had pretty much ran through the entire hospital until she reached the room. At the door she stopped, inside Belle slept soundly; but she had an awful feeling that was more to do with the sedatives repeatedly pumped into her. Quietly opening the door, she took the seat beside her bed. Her voice was barely a whisper, afraid to wake the other woman, "Hey Belle. I don't know why exactly but... I haven't been able to get you out of my head tonight... Probably because it's been nearly a month since the last wolf's time" she chuckled, "Aaand we both know what happened there..." Her face fell, "Well... one of us does." Running a hand through her hair, she closed her eyes, "I miss my friend. I miss, you're smile in the mornings when you come to get your tea, the look of sheer joy in your eyes when you open a new book and most of all, I miss the way you would look at me... Like I wasn't a monster, as if all you could see in front of you was me. Not just Ruby not just the wolf but all of me; the whole damned package." A solemn smile ghosted over her lips, "But that wolf's time, I scared you. I yelled, hell I threatened you; and locked you up!" Reaching out gently, she brushed knuckles with Belle, "And I am so sorry for that. I was terrified; I thought I might hurt you and that scared me more than an angry mob ever could." Sighing, she stood. But before she left, she paused, "I wish I'd told you when you knew me; but you really are the best person I have ever known. The kindest, sweetest, most intelligent, wonderful person in this world; or any other." She worried her bottom lip, "And I guess, that's why I love you Belle."
Blinking hard, she willed her feet to leave. I said it aloud... Why did I do that? That makes it real!
Ignoring the logical part of her brain that screamed for her to leave, Ruby leant over and brushed her lips over the sleeping Belle's.
Ruby stood with a start as a white burst of magic came from between the two. Taking a step back, Ruby watched as Belle woke with a start.
The blue eyed librarian asked, "Ruby? What's going on? Where's Rumple?"
In a single breath, Belle both made Ruby's heart sing and broke it into a thousand pieces. "You remember?"
Belle nodded, "Yes, I don't know how... they just came back!"
Half forcing a smile, Ruby nodded, "I'll call Rumple for you; I'm sure he'll be here faster than you can say Rumplestiltskin."
"You said my name deary..." Gold's eyes widened, as he saw the look of recognition on Belle's face, "Belle! You remember!" Rushing across the room he gathered her in his arms.
Unable to watch, Ruby cast the most convincing smile she could- which was watery at best- to Belle before excusing herself; and slipping out of the hospital in search of a strong drink.