Ruby cleaned off the table of her last customer. It had been a long day and she wanted nothing more than to shower and go to bed. She gathered the rest of the plates from the table and started to walk toward the counter. Her steps slowed when she noticed she wasn't alone.

Lacey sat in the further booth toward the back. Her blue eyes focused on her phone as a small smirk covered her lips. Her phone dinged and she released a loud laugh before quickly typing a message back.

Ruby stared at her for a moment. She missed Belle. Every time she looked at Lacey, her heart ached for the person she lost. Even though she knew Belle was still in there, somewhere, she still feared she would never return.

"Hey, Ruby!" Lacey called, cutting into her thoughts. Ruby snapped from her daze as Lacey raised an empty mug and shook it. "Can I get another beer?"

Ruby exhaled heavily. She walked toward her, stopping to drop the plates on the counter. "We are closing soon, Lacey." she stated, walking over to her. She went to take the mug from her hand, but was met with resistance. She sighed. "Are you going to give me the mug or not?"

"You don't like me very much, do you?" she questioned, a small grin on her lips.

"I like who you used to be."

Lacey nodded, releasing a small "ah". Her grip on the glass remained. "You're talking about Belle."

Ruby instantly frowned. "Yeah…" she mumbled, tugging on the glass again causing Lacey to finally release it. "I'll go get your beer." She turned and walked away. "..and your check."

Lacey watched her walk away, leaning forward on the table to get the full view. Her eyebrows raised at the sight of Ruby from behind. "You know, if you give me a shot, you might like me better than her…"

Ruby rolled her eyes. "I doubt it." She pulled the tap filling the mug. "Belle was sweet, caring…"

"Boring…" Lacey interrupted, with a smirk.

Ruby breathed in deep trying to remain composed. "She was far from boring." She took a few hard steps back toward Lacey and slammed the glass on the table followed by a ticket. "We close in fifteen minutes." Her tone was flat laced with a bit of aggravation.

Lacey couldn't help but laugh. "You talk about her like she's dead."

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "As long as you still inhabit her body, she is." She ran her hand through her hair. "I just wish there was a way to get her… you.. to remember who you truly are."

Lacey looked her up and down, the smirk never fading. "How bout a kiss?" She shrugged her shoulder. "Maybe that'll bring your precious Belle back."

Ruby balked at the suggestion. Her mouth opened and closed several times. She shook off the stunned feeling, her hazel eyes narrowing again. "Fourteen minutes." she growled as she turned and walked away. She slammed her hand against the door leading to the kitchen and disappeared.

Lacey shook her head and chuckled. "I think I struck a nerve." she said as she brought the drink to her lips and took a huge sip.

Ruby slammed the dishes in the sink, muttering angrily over Lacey. She pressed her hands on the metal and bowed her head. She didn't know how much more of this she could take. Looking into those blue eyes and seeing darkness instead of light was killing her. She wanted Belle back so badly. Her bed, her life, her heart was so empty without her.

She raised her head at the sound of the kitchen door opening and closing. Lacey stood there, staring at her. Ruby drew her brow together confused. Lacey took a few steps forward and Ruby fought to meet her halfway. Instead, she took a step back.

"You're not supposed to be ba—" Her sentence was cut short by Lacey rushing forward and crashing her lips hard against hers.

Ruby placed her hands on Lacey's shoulders, trying to break free. Oddly enough, Lacey was stronger than Belle and held her in place. She struggled until she couldn't any longer. She could still feel Belle inside Lacey. The way her hands held her face, the feeling of her body pressed against her own. She gave in, wrapping her arms around Lacey, pulling her close.

Lacey walked her back, smiling when Ruby moved willingly, never breaking the passionate kiss. She pushed her against the wall, knocking into a shelf. She reluctantly pulled back when she felt liquid pour onto her head. A brown stream poured from the shelf, down Ruby's neck, staining the her shoulder and shirt.

Ruby quickly snapped back to reality when the cool liquid hit her skin. She looked down, pulling her shirt to inspect it. "What the hell is this?"

Lacey took a step closer, her hand locking on Ruby's chin. She moved her face and leaned in. Without warning, she licked a line up Ruby's neck. Ruby's eyes closed instantly as her body shivered at the touch.

Lacey pressed her lips against Ruby's ear. "Chocolate…" she whispered, smiling when she felt Ruby shiver again. She leaned back, her hands resting on Ruby's shoulders, waiting as Ruby's eyes slowly opened. She grinned seductively. "I may not be the Belle you miss.." She leaned in, her lips hovering closely to the waitresses. "But, I can at least give you a part of her… if only for tonight.."

Ruby was speechless as she stared back at Lacey. She couldn't move. Lacey leaned in, kissing her more softly this time. The way Belle used to kiss her. Lacey moved back, staring deeply into her eyes.

"Think about it…"

Her request hung in the room. It rang in Ruby's ears as Lacey tossed her a wink and sauntered out of the kitchen…