A/N- So this is my first OUAT story! I was thinking of how to get back into writing and BAM! It came to me in the form of this. I wanted both sides to be happy (even though I'm a RedBeauty shipper, it's my gift to you) so if you would be so kind to read BOTH chapters. Thanks :) Reviews are welcome, and would greatly appreciate it! Was thinking of writing something else, so this is my chance to know if I'm going down the right path. All other stories I have currently stopped have been the result of 2 jobs and school. I haven't forgotten about you, but I also haven't had the time. I truly apologize for it, and will try to update ASAP.

"Belle! Belle!" The library doors were slammed open as the young werewolf came bursting through them.

At that moment, the librarian stocking books nearly jumped out of her skin quickly spinning around to face the culprit who stood not a few feet in front of her."Ruby, slow down! You remember what happened last time you broke the door, didn't you? It took weeks to repair. Poor Marco was in over his head, and I do remember someone grumbling about using their tips to pay for the damage."

Grumbling again, this time for a solely different reason, Ruby rolled her eyes slightly. "It would've been my fault if it were actually me. Maybe I should have asked the wolf to pitch in for that damn door."

Pressing her palm to the woman's cheek in slight affection (which she knew would never mean anything more), Belle giggled at Ruby's quickly flushed skin. "Alright silly. Now what did you come rushing in here for? Unless you're that hyped up to do some serious reading?" An eyebrow raised at this, the shorter woman unable to contain her chuckle.

"Actually...quite the contrary. I have something for you to read."

"For me?" Ruby's heart leaped in her throat at the sounds of excitement from the person she deeply cared for. Her hands snaked around her waist to grab a book out of her bag. She soon realized, as she handed the book to the woman, how difficult it was to stop herself from rambling.

"I uh...I kinda thought you'd might like to know a bit more about...About research from other worlds. It's not what you're used to...Getting lost in other places that make this world seem so...inadequate. It's...informative."

The cover, if you could call it that, was slightly hinged off its spine. Remnants of dust covered the book, but it was obvious that someone had given it a good dose of TLC, possibly in order to impress the person she was going to give it to. And on the cover, in giant Times New Roman font, was the single title that paved a new world of learning.

Stockholm.

Belle's fingers roved over the title, a twinge of mystery and fascination in her eyes as her heart started hammering in her chest at the mere thought of what the containments the book held.

"Well uh...I have to go. I can hear Granny sharpening her knives, and she never does that unless I'm in huge trouble. I'll stop by with dinner later. Sound good?"

"Sounds great. And Ruby?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you." Belle's arms quickly wrapped around her friend's waist, feeling the warmth from their combined body heat. Ruby would never admit how right it truly felt to be in this moment. How being with Belle was absolute bliss.

The taller woman turned around, unable to stop yet another blush from creeping to her cheeks. And with that, the waitress dashed out of the library, afraid if she stayed any longer she would have a much more difficult time leaving.

She came back hours later, the only difference was the tips of her ears. They were beet red. And there was a twinge of blue at the top. Ruby could swear the fingerprint was still there from where Granny dragged her around all day. She had been late as usual, but this time her grandmother came up with a better punishment. Embarrassment. Meaning whenever she needed Ruby for a customer, she'd drag her by the ear. Or the kitchen, by the ear. Or when she needed a spill cleaned up, she'd pinch her fingers on the woman's ear, and dragged her to the mess. Glad for it all to be over, and probably never able to live it down, the waitress needed some reprieve from torture.

"Belle?" Creeping up on the woman behind the desk, she noticed when sharp eyes shot up to stare at her. Or...or was that a glare? Seemed like torture was still in her future.

"You really are something, aren't you Ruby Lucas?" The librarian slammed the book down on the table, shaking her head. "I'm not crazy, and I don't have Stockholm. I simply love him. Isn't that enough?"

But Ruby tried to keep herself from answering, mumbling something incoherent under her breath.

"What was that?"

"I said...I said it's not enough. Because every time he lets you down, every time he lies to you, it's always you who suffers. Not him! He doesn't give a damn, Belle. He's supposed to be your "True Love" but that's not how it works! You don't ignore your True Love, you work with them!"

"And how would you know? How do you presume to know exactly what I want?" Her arms were crossed, and Ruby couldn't see anything but determination to get an answer out of the waitress.

"Because I love you. Because all I really want is your happiness. And with him, you're not happy. You have all the signs, Belle! All of them! You were imprisoned for so long by him that you could've...Just adapted to it..."

"You don't know that. And for Heaven's sake, Ruby! If that were true, then I'd surely be romping around with Regina, don't you think? For twenty-eight years?! You don't know what we have. I'm sorry Ruby. But friends we can be. I'm with Rumple, and I'm not leaving him. But there will always be a special place for you in my heart."

Her hand once more touches the woman's cheek, and she moves it to place a soft kiss there. "You should get going. Don't want to be late again tomorrow."

Nodding her head, the waitress used every ounce of power to refrain the sob that was coming to her lips. "You're right. I'll see you tomorrow. Same time for lunch, right?"

Belle nodded, and couldn't find any more words to say as she watched a heartbroken young werewolf walk out her door. She did love Ruby, but her love for Rumple was strong. He was her True Love. And this time, though his final chance, would be the time he would change. She knew it. She had faith in it. And she believed in it enough to completely stand her ground.

She had to. For her happiness.