Granny's diner was empty, the lunch rush had long thinned out. Ruby was in the process of closing out cash register. The diner had seen an increase in daily business since The Charmings and crew headed to Hell. This happened before when the heroes left. It was as if the town took a collective deep breath. A moment of normalcy, before the next great threat comes its way.

Ruby, like the rest of the town found a bit of comfort in their disappearance. She and Mulan had come back with the others when the most recent dark curse had been cast, but she avoided Snow and Charming. She hadn't found what she was looking for in the enchanted forest and wasn't prepared to tell them once again their family had gotten in the way of her happiness.

That wasn't entirely true; she hadn't found any other wolves in the other realms but she had found kinship of a sort. The Warrior had reminded her that love comes in many forms. They spent many nights by the fire talking into the morning hours about love and loss.

The way that Mulan spoke of Aurora, the sadness in her voice, the flicker of hope in the warrior's eyes, and the loneliness that feels never ended. For the first time in a very long time Ruby had a friend who understood what it meant to a be different. To have a secret.

The diner door swung open and a smirk formed in the corner of the Werewolf's mouth. "The register's closed," Ruby said without looking up from the register. "We'll open back up in a couple of hours for dinner."

"Are you sure?" The Warrior laughed as she continued to cross the threshold. "Rolland was just telling me that Granny's served something delicious called... What was it?"

"Waffle fries," the young boy squeaked.

"The Nuns have him on a very well balanced diet," Mulan said with a smile. "The least I can do is allow him one indulgence." When Mulan heard that Robin had left his children with the nuns, she made it her personal mission to remind Rolland while they were gone that women can be many things not just nuns. She'd been spending a couple of hours each day with the boy.

"Lucky for you, We have some extras in the back," Ruby said before spinning toward the counter. "The look of modern clothing suits you by the way." She called over her shoulder.

"You think?"Mulan questioned as she tug at her vest. "I'm still adjusting to it." Her jeans were so tight it felt like she was wearing nothing and the boots had more lift than she was used to, but she wanted to blend in with the town. Walking around in armor would not achieve that.

"Trust me, you look great," Ruby gave her a slight wink as she set the plate of fries in front of them.

"You do, Mulan," Rolland said through a mouthful. "You look good either way."

"Why, thank you sir," Mulan said with a smile. "Use your napkin." She said as she scooted one closer to him.

"Philip and Aurora were in here before," Ruby hesitantly remarked. "Have you-"

"No, Ruby," Mulan sighed. "I haven't been to tell them I'm in Storybrooke. I'm not… Where would I even start?"

"You could start with, 'Hello, it's nice to see you'," Ruby condescended. "You spent years traveling the world with Philip. I'm sure he'd be happy to see you. It doesn't have to be about anything else."

"I spent years, searching for her," Mulan looked down. "We found her; he used true love's kiss to wake her from the curse. The rest of their lives is the stuff of fairy tales. Literally."

"But what if the Princess chose the Prince simply because she wasn't aware she could choose anything else?" Ruby said. "Where we come from there wasn't really talk of girls who loves girls."

"If that were the case," Mulan took a deep breath, "And I'm not saying that it is. It wouldn't matter. She's his wife; they have a kid. I won't be the one to interfere."

"'Off course not, you're too noble for that. But they were your friends once. You shouldn't avoid them forever. Storybrooke isn't that big; you're going to bump into them sometime."

"You're right," Mulan admitted. "I just... I don't want their pity. I don't want them to look at me and see that I'm miserable and alone and they have their perfect little lives. That, I couldn't bare. Or worse, become friends with them again only to have them try and set me up with someone."

Ruby stared at her friend as a long quiet moment passed. "You could date me," Ruby resolutely stated.

"If this is your way of courting me?" Mulan asked. "I think you know my heart belongs to another."

"You could pretend to date me," Ruby rolled her eyes. "What if I'm right, what if Aurora, had feelings for you but wasn't even aware that she could be with you or that you even liked girls. Seeing us together could stir something inside of her. After a couple of weeks we'll break up and then-"

"No," Mulan chastised. "It's deceitful and it won't work anyway." She shook her head. "Besides, what's in it for you?"

"You could teach me how to sword fight," a playful grin spread across Ruby's face.

"I've already agreed to do that," Mulan stated matter of factly. "What else is this about?"

"Granny," Ruby looked down to the counter. "She's pretty concerned that I'll always be alone. Maybe this way she'll leave me alone at least for a little while."

Mulan lended forward slightly and placed a hand on top of Ruby's. "I'll think about it, ok?" Ruby smiled up at her. "But you have to know that doing this isn't a real solution to either of our problems."

"If you say so."

"Can we go to the park now?" Rolland asked tugging on Mulan's arm. "Grown up talk makes my head hurt."

"Mine too Rolland, mine too," Mulan smiled a sad smile and looked to Ruby. "Thank you for the fries."

"Anytime," Ruby said as she watched them walk towards the door. "If you want to talk later I'm off for the night at 9p. I'm supposed to meet Belle and Merida at the Rabbit Hole for drinks. You should come."

"We'll see."

"It's Guinevere and Lancelot that are nothing but a pain in the arse," Merida said as she swallowed a large gulp from the frosty mug. She grimaced slightly at the taste. "Arthur's spell is broken and suddenly she's the bloody queen of everything." She and Belle sat across the booth from one another. The Rabbit Hole was a dive compared to most bars in this world but it was a five star establishment compared to the tiny tavern in Dunbrough.

"She is the Queen of Camelot," Belle said. "Certainly, their opinion holds some weight with the Mayor being gone."

"I'm the Queen of Dunbroch but you don't see me demanding my own mansion and running water," Merida scoffed. "And you know why that is?"

"Why?"

"Because, I'm not in Dunbroch anymore," Merida said. "I'm not the ruler of this land. At least half of this town's residents have some type of title and they don't make a fuss. The Queen will need to realize the rules have changed and until we find a way back to where belong none of that matters."

"And if you never find a way back to Dunbroch-"

"Oh, I'll find a way back," Merida interrupted.

"But what if you didn't?"

"Then I'd find a place of my own," Merida said. "I'd build it with my own hands. Maybe something like the cabins the Merry Men and Marco are planning. I wouldn't go around demanding things."

Ruby slid into the booth next to Belle with a cocktail in her hand. "The town meeting went that well, huh?"

"The nuns seem to have come up with a plan regarding the education of the children that came from Camelot," Belle optimistically offered as she sipped from her glass of wine. "And the hospital is expanding."

"How?" Ruby asked. "Whale is still the only surgeon in town."

"Some of the clergy from Camelot know a little," Merida offered. "The doctor said he'd teach them minor procedures."

"That's not frightening at all," Ruby laughed and her friends followed.

Quite a few rounds passed, as they continued to discuss the changes to Storybrooke and the plans to make it amenable to all the new inhabitants. The bar began to fill in with other residents but Ruby's eyes kept floating to the door.

"Sorry I'm so late," Mulan said as she was finally able to join them. "I was busy talking to Mother Superior."

"I'm glad you made it," Ruby said as she stood from the table and gave her a long hug before they slid into the booth across from one another.

"Do you want a pint?" Merida asked as she made room for her friend and waved down the bartender before Mulan could answer. "It taste like water, but after 3 or 4 you'll get a slight buzz."

"It's done better in Dunbroch?" Mulan asked with a playful nudge.

"Everything's done better in Dunbroch," Merida answered.

"You should have someone put that on a T-shirt," Ruby retorted causing Belle to giggle slightly.

"Why would anyone do a thing like that?" Merida asked. Unlike Mulan she had not yet chosen to dress like the residents of Storybrooke. Clothing like many other things about this town were still so foreign to her.

"What did Mother Superior talk about? Did the fries get you in trouble?" Ruby asked changing the subject.

"Actually, she offered me a job," Mulan said with a nod to the bartender as he set the beer down in front of her. "The school is expanding and since Rolland seem so fond of me she suggested I join someone named Frederick in teaching physical education."

"That's wonderful, Mulan," Belle clapped. "Congrats."

"It's a little bit of a cliche," Ruby smiled."But you are awesome with Rolland."

"She even offered me Frederick's old apartment. Apparently it's been empty for years and the school holds the deed," Mulan added.

"He and Katherine live in what used to be David's old house," Belle clarified. "After the first curse broke there were quite a few changes in living arrangements."

"You're an excellent teacher, Mulan. You'll do a fine job." Merida said after sitting quietly for a moment. "Do you think this means you'll stay in Storybrooke permanently?"

"Where else would I go?" Mulan asked her friend. Merida offered no response just gave a hesitant shrug and took large gulp from her glass.

"Belle," Prince Eric's voice boomed as he strode toward their table. "Just wanted to say great job leading the meeting. If you weren't there, it would have been chaos."

"Thanks Eric," Belle smiled. "The Cannery hiring so many new employees is bound to help the residents keep their sanity."

"Well," Eric scoffed. "There's quite literally plenty of fish in the sea."

"Especially, in one that magically replenishes itself," Merida pointedly added.

"Exactly," Eric nodded. "If you want to talk about Storybrooke's fishing industry my friend and I will be over there." Mulan and Ruby's eyes caught one another as they both glanced to Philip who was sitting across the bar. When he saw them look his way he quickly averted his gaze.

"Ariel's expecting," Eric added with a large smile. A round of congratulations passed round the table. "Personally, I'm terrified but Philip offered to give me a pep talk. Enjoy the rest of your night, ladies." As he returned to the table Mulan noticed Philip's eyes locked onto her.

"That gentlemen can't seem to take his eyes off of you," Merida shifting more upright in the booth. "Do you know him?"

"That's Phillip," Mulan took a deep breath as she answered. "We traveled together for quite sometime."

"Go say 'Hi'", Ruby gently placed her hand on top of Mulan's. "There's nothing he can tell you that you don't already know."

"You're right," Mulan stood from the table.

"We'll be here if you need us," Ruby added as her friend walked toward Philip. Merida and Belle continued discussing happenings in Storybrooke. Ruby stayed tried to stay engaged in the conversation but couldn't help keep an watchful eye on Mulan.

She smiled at the Prince as he hugged her. Ruby avoided using her wolf hearing. Mulan was doing fine on her own. The conversation was private. She needed to stay out of it, but when she saw the smile fade from Mulan's lips she felt the urge to intervene.

Without saying a word to Merida and Belle she stood from the table and walked over to Mulan. "Hi Ruby," Philip said. "I was just talking about the joys of having a family."

"Yes," Mulan politely smiled. "Philip was just saying I'll understand once I've found the right man for me."

"Did he now?" Ruby asked with a giggle. Her warm hand met the side of Mulan's face then and pulled her in for a sloppy kiss, a long second passed before either of them pulled away. "I sure hope that isn't the case, babe."

Momentary confusion crossed over Mulan's face before she remembered Ruby's plan. "I was just about to tell Philip that I quite prefer the fairer sex." Ruby kissed her again. This time more sweetly. Mulan had to admit that kissing Ruby was far from unpleasant.

When she looked to a dumbfounded Philip a mix of guilt and relief washed over her. "I'm sorry I never told you before," Mulan said.

"So, you two?" Philip scratched the back of his neck. "You're like a couple?"

"Since when," Belle's voice cracked. Ruby hadn't noticed that they had followed right behind her over to Philip's and Eric's table.

"I need another Pint," Merida turned to the Barkeep. "Can I get something stronger than this shite?" She walked away from them then toward the bar.

"I think it's very cool," Eric chimed in. "Where Ariel's from there's no traditional romantic pattern. Merpeople are free to be with whomever they choose. The enchanted forest is less progressive."

"It didn't happen all at once," Ruby turned to Belle. "We spent many nights in the forest side my side. I watched the campfire dance and glow in Mulan's eyes, and we bonded. Day by day I grew, no I grow more fond of her. Eventually it was undeniable." There eyes met and held one another's for a moment, a strange sensation washed over Mulan as Ruby spoke. Her words felt sincere and warm even though Mulan knew it was just an act.

"You...You could have told me," Belle stammered. "Did you honestly think I'd be anything but happy for you?" Belle leaned forward and hugged them both.

"It was my fault," Mulan jumped to Ruby's defense. "I'm just very new to this world and didn't know how the people of Storybrooke would react to this sort of news."

"We dealt with Hell on Earth, literally," Belle laughed. "No one is going to care about your sapphic inclinations."

"Sapphic inclinations," Merida loudly guffawed as she took the second shot the bartender place in front of her.

"All of this is very new to me," Philip said. "But if it makes you happy then I'm very happy for you. You two should join Aurora and I for dinner sometime."

"We'd like that," Ruby smiled at Mulan. "Wouldn't we, babe?"

"Great, We'll arrange something soon," Philip said and lifted his glass. "Cheers to the happy couple."

"Cheers," Belle and Eric repeated also lifting their glasses.

"Bloody hell," Merida groaned as she stormed out the door. Mulan gave quick glance to Ruby before following after her. She ran across the street when Mulan finally caught up to her.

"Merida," Mulan called after her.

"Will ya leave me be, Mulan?" Merida didn't look at her friend she just continued walking down mainstreet. "I need sometime to think about all of this."

"Merida!" Mulan pleaded. "We're friends."

"I thought so," Merida muttered. "But I didn't know my friend could be so stupid and do something this dangerous."

"You think loving another woman is dangerous?" Mulan asked freezing in her tracks.

"No," Merida spun on her heels. "Being with a wolf is dangerous. Once a month that girl no longer exists and instead she becomes a creature that could rip your throat out with her bare teeth. "

"Ruby's in full control of her wolf," Mulan interjected in protest.

"Now, sure," Merida shook her head. "But wolves mate for life. What if you find someone else? What if Ruby's willing to let you go but the wolf isn't?"

Mulan stared at her silently for a moment. "I never thought of that."

"Someone like you, " Merida gave her a long look up and down. "You could be with anyone, Mulan, and they'd be lucky to have you. But this… I'm not sure I can stand by and watch you put yourself in danger." Merida spun around and continued walking down the street.

"Not anyone," Mulan said under her breath as she walked her friend walk away.