'And to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?' the queen's tone practically oozed her disdain, something her guest chose to ignore.

'Regina you don't have to do this'

'Oh but I think I do' despite the boldness of the statement Regina's voice faltered slightly. 'We all make choices my little wolf, much as you chose to warn them'

'You knew exactly what I would do when you elected to tell me. Snow is my friend how could I not warn her that she was in danger?'

It was true Regina had told Red about her plans to unleash the dark curse. Why she had decided to tell her she did not know. Of course ever the loyal wolf Red had taken it upon herself to alert the accursed royal couple by blabbing all to them and the blue fairy. And despite knowing that this would happen Regina still felt hurt by this betrayal.

'Perhaps I was curious to see just how much of the devotion you profess to me was real' there was no mistaking the hurt in the monarch's voice now.

Red froze for a second unsure of what to do. She cared deeply for Regina and it was true that she had admitted as much to the queen on many an occasion. However, she drew the line at supporting any action that would harm her friends and this curse certainly fell into that category. So she opted for silence and instead slowly approached her lover wrapping her arms around her from behind and lowering her head to her shoulder.

'I would do anything for you as long as it didn't hurt anyone I care about'

'I'm not asking you to do anything' the smaller woman finally turned around to face Red taking in every inch of the woman she had grown so fond of.

'You wanted my silence'

Regina found that she had nothing to counter with. In many ways it was a shame that her darling wolf had to be caught up in this curse, but if left with her memories the queen had no doubt Red would do everything she could to help break the curse. She was far too loyal to Snow. To get her revenge she would have to give up the fiery brunette before her. All magic comes with a price after all. She reached up entwining her hand with the girl's dark curls.

'It doesn't matter now dearest Ruby the curse has already been cast'

Red smiled at the nickname Regina had recently taken to calling her before it quickly disappeared at the realisation of the rest of the queen's sentence.

'You mean you already did it?' A nod was all the response she received. 'So you couldn't undo it now even if you wanted too?'

'I'm afraid not my dear now all I can do is sit back and watch it unfold' Regina watched the last glimmers of hope fade from the emerald eyes before her. For some reason the sight caused a sharp pain from within her chest. She was going to miss those eyes.

'What do you mean you're going to miss my eyes?' Red looked at her confused.

'Huh?' Regina had not realised she had expressed the sentiment out loud.

'Just now you said you would miss my eyes. Explain'

Regina contemplated saying nothing but then realised that it didn't matter anymore; in a few hours Red would not remember this conversation anyway. 'Once the curse is cast no one will remember anything about this world which means-'

'-That I won't remember you or how I feel about you' Red finished the sentence for her.

'Precisely'

Red had to bite back the low growl that nearly escaped her throat. Did she really mean so little to Regina that she could be cast aside so easily? How could she, no better yet how dare she!? The urge to lash out was overwhelming and yet she knew it would accomplish nothing. If Regina was going to act so indifferent to her she would return the favour tenfold. She turned to leave but found herself prevented from doing so by the queen drawing her in for a passionate kiss. Red resisted for only a brief few seconds before reciprocating the act wholeheartedly.

'I don't want us to be separated' Red whispered once they had finally broken apart. 'If I am to be cursed I at least want the comfort of keeping you'

Regina looked at her as if she had suddenly sprouted a second head. 'Even knowing exactly what is about to transpire you would still wish to be with me?'

'Yes'

'But why?'

'I told you once before my queen; a wolf mates for life'

The smile she received for her confirmation could only be described as glorious.

'I will see what I can do then but for now you should go' Red kissed her again briefly before making her way towards the door. She stopped when she reached it as if debating something internally. 'Is there something else you wish to ask?'

'Yeah, why did you start calling me Ruby?' the reason for the term of endearment had intrigued the werewolf for some time now.

'Because it suits you'

'I don't understand' the girl genuinely looked confused and it was all Regina could do to repress a sigh.

'Maybe one day you will'

And with that as her parting remark Regina disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke determined to make a few slight alterations to her curse.

(28 Years Later)

It had started off as any other day for Emma Swan. However, the powers that be seemed determined to ensure it did not end that way. Having returned to her apartment she had found herself with a most unexpected visitor. A young boy had knocked on her door and claimed to be the child she had given up ten years previously. To say that she was astonished would have been one hell of an understatement. Unsure of what else she could do the blonde had been forced to drive him back to his home; a small town in Maine called Story Brooke. An apt name considering that the kid had spoken at great length about fairy tale characters being real and living there. Admittedly at that point she had internally questioned the mental state of her newly rediscovered offspring.

Upon arrival the situation had made itself slightly more complicated. After being told by a kindly looking man with a Dalmatian that the mayor's house was not far, she had the fun realisation that the lad was actually the mayor's son. The man had then swiftly departed. Well here was a potentially enjoyable situation, having to roll up to a new town and introduce yourself to the mayor as the one who had given birth to their son. Emma had the distinct feeling that she would rather cover herself in jam and sit in a wasps nest. Still it wasn't to be helped she had to get the kid home.

However before she had the chance to set about doing so a red Camaro came screeching to a standstill beside her. The occupant had dived out of the seat before the car had even finished coming to a halt. The rather tall brunette woman had immediately dived on the kid pulling him into what was no doubt a bone crushing hug.

'Henry, where on earth have you been? I've been worried sick and looking all over for you'

'Sorry mom' the boy to his credit looked genuinely remorseful.

'Save it for your mother kiddo she's practically hysterical!' at this statement Henry looked somewhat fearful. The brunette now seemed to notice the other woman for the first time. 'Hi my name is Ruby Mills and who might you be?' behind that introduction was the unspoken question of and what are you doing with my son?

'Emma. Emma Swan I was just giving the kid a ride back home'

Before Ruby could respond Henry cut in. 'She's my mother'

Ruby deadpanned.

It was then that Emma noticed the shiny sheriff badge attached to Ruby's jacket. So this kid was the son of the mayor and the sheriff? Wow woes betide anyone that messed with him. Ice seemed to form in her stomach as she realised that this probably did not bode well for her either.

'Henry wait in the car would you?' Ruby it would appear had finally recovered. Henry complied. 'Thank you for finding my son Emma Swan but it is late and I should get him home. My wife will be having kittens by now'

The blonde gave a small smile at that. 'Of course, goodnight Ruby'

'Oh and should you wish to stay the night in town there is a B&B not too far from here'

'Thank you but I'd rather just get back on the road it's been a long day'

The beautiful sheriff nodded before returning to her car and took off down the road with a fair amount of speed. Emma leant against her car with a sigh. Damn what had that kid gotten her into? Well at least she hadn't had to have that awkward discussion with the mayor although admittedly she had had to have it with the sheriff instead… with a shrug Emma got back into her car steeling herself for the long drive back to Boston. She was nearing the town line when she noticed the kid had left his book on her passenger seat, that sneaky little bastard. Glancing back up at the road she was shocked to find a wolf blocking the way. She barely had time to swerve to avoid hitting the creature. She managed but unfortunately wound up crashing into the sign that had read welcome to Story Brooke. Emma had just enough time to utter a choice expletive before everything went black.

Ruby had not known what to say to her son during the short ride back to their home. And judging by the silence he didn't either. She knew that they really needed to talk about this and yet where could she even begin to start? Not to mention of course that she would have to tell Regina about the little incident. Honestly it was hard pressed trying to figure out which conversation she was looking forward to the least. Either way it was going to be a long night. Ruby pulled into the driveway with a sigh.

'Come on then we may as well get this over with'

Henry did not reply but slowly removed his seatbelt looking like a condemned prisoner being forced to march towards the gallows. They had barely started up the pathway to the porch when the front door burst open revealing a very distressed Regina. The woman charged down the driveway drawing her son to her much in the same way that Ruby had earlier.

'Henry! Oh thank god that you're safe. Where on earth have you been young man?' her voice was stern but laced with concern.

'I found my real mom!' and with that declaration the boy ran around his mother and into the house.

The words were harsh and were spoken with such venom that both mayor and sheriff were temporarily caught off-guard. Ruby finally broke free of her trance when she noticed the tears forming in her love's eyes threatening to spill down her beautifully sculpted cheeks. The distance between them was closed instantly as Ruby pulled her wife into a gentle embrace. They stayed that way for a few moments until the older woman pulled back slightly to gaze into emerald eyes.

'He hates me doesn't he?' the question was barely above a whisper and yet it was heard as clearly as if she had shouted it. The query left Ruby dumbstruck.

'Hate you? How could he hate you you're his mom and he loves you.'

'It doesn't seem like it sometimes'

Regina sounded so broken at that moment that Ruby didn't know what on earth she could say. She wanted to scoop the smaller woman up into her arms and kiss away the pain, to hold her close and comfort her until this unusual bout of self-doubt dissipated. But she knew Regina and knew that it would take far more than that to ease her wife's troubled mind. And so she opted for being practical.

'Come on let's get inside before we catch our death of cold'

Once situated in their parlour, the sheriff handed Regina a glass of cider before sitting down beside her. She looked so small and vulnerable and oh so different to the fiery impassioned woman she normally resembled. Or even from the stoic ice-queen that the rest of the town seemed to view her as. There wasn't much that could hurt Regina but Henry's words had managed to hone in on her biggest fear; losing her family. Thoughtless words from a child had shattered her completely. Man that kid was so grounded for the foreseeable future!

'So who is she?'

As lost in her thoughts as she was it took Ruby a moment to realise what it was Regina had meant. Her confusion must have been evident as Regina clarified.

'The woman that Henry ran off to see, who is she?'

'Well she didn't really say much to be honest. Just that she had given Henry a ride back to town and that her name was Emma Swan'

'I see' Regina was pensive for a moment. 'And where is this Emma Swan now?'

'She's gone my love. She was pretty adamant about getting back to wherever she had come from straightaway'

'I see'

Ruby raised an eyebrow. Something more was going on here; her wife knew something she didn't. Still there was no use trying to push Regina. She would share information only when she was good and ready to and not a moment before. It was a habit that used to infuriate her when they had first got together but over a decade of marriage had left her desensitised to the annoyance. Still she had to say something.

'Regina is everything alright?'

'Everything is fine dear'

Well she had expected that response… what she hadn't counted on was Regina pouncing on her and pulling her into a passionate kiss. Despite knowing that the kiss was meant to distract her Ruby found she didn't care. Kissing Regina was one of her favourite things to do after all. The kiss grew in passion and soon Regina's hands were going lower, and Ruby stopped thinking altogether as her wife took her on the parlour room floor.

'Oh you have got to be shitting me'

Ruby had walked into work the following morning only to see a certain familiar blonde in one of the cells. It was far too early to be dealing with this especially considering the deficit of coffee. So rather than make her way over to where her deputy was conversing with Emma Ruby collapsed in her chair and face planted her desk loudly. The noise startled the other two occupants of the sheriff's station.

'Are you okay Rubes?' Graham asked her with a knowing smile. His colleague was always so pitiful first thing in the morning.

'Coffee' came the muffled and pathetic response.

'We're out, I'll make a trip to Granny's'

It was times like this that Ruby loved her deputy and best friend. Before he left though she had to know what on earth Emma was doing here. She managed to point in their general direction and uttered the word 'Explain'. Her face however remained firmly pressed to her mahogany desk.

'Oh erm drink driving. Or at least I think it was. She crashed into the town sign last night'

'Hey I hadn't been drinking at all thank you! There was a goddamn wolf in the middle of the road that I had to swerve to avoid!' Emma's shrill cry of indignation was like a jackhammer to Ruby's temple.

'Time?'

'Well I got the call just before 12 last night'. It was a good job that Graham had had practise understanding her early morning one word conversations Ruby mused.

'Innocent'

Graham was taken aback. 'How can you be so sure?'

'Saw her… bout half 11…Coffee now?'

The seven words that Ruby had been forced to speak altogether seemed to require a gargantuan amount of effort on her part. Her deputy couldn't help but laugh. He uttered a quick apology to Emma promising they would sort all this out the moment he returned and swiftly departed, unfortunately managing to crash headlong into none other than Regina Mills.

'Why on earth don't you watch where you are going Mr. Humbert! Or perhaps I need to appoint a new deputy who is actually aware of his surroundings!'

'I-I'm sorry Madam Mayor' the poor man nervously issued an apology.

'Hurt… wife… kills… you' came a lazy threat from the desk in the corner that caused even Regina to roll her eyes.

'Well aren't I fortunate to have such a willing and able-bodied protector' the olive skinned woman drawled.

'Don't you know it' Ruby finally lifted her head to meet her lover's bemused gaze, a wide grin spread across her face. Graham used the distraction to bolt out of the door.

Emma had watched the scene unfold from her cell with great amusement. Ruby was far from a morning person it would appear. Her gaze rested on the new comer. She was a stunningly beautiful woman, perhaps a little shorter than herself, with slightly tanned skin and jet black hair. Her clothing was impeccable and her manner seemed to be a brisk no nonsense sort of attitude. Her whole demeanour cried out woman you don't fuck with. With Graham gone however she seemed to instantly soften.

With a sigh Regina had crossed the room removing random paperclips and bits of paper from Ruby's hair; they had seemingly embedded themselves during the younger woman's attempt at using her desk as a pillow. Her task done she gave the woman a brief kiss upon her forehead.

'What am I going to do with you huh?' Regina's tone was now one of playful teasing, a stark contrast to the frosty tone she had issued to Graham.

'I can think of a few things…' Ruby had apparently gotten over her half-awake state when faced with the beautiful woman before her.

'Why did I marry you again?'

'Temporary insanity?'

Marry? Ah so this was Ruby's wife. Well in all fairness they did make a gorgeous pair Emma found herself thinking. Wait what?

'Yes that could be it I suppose…'

'As much as I adore your company my love what can I do for you?' Ruby was acutely aware of her growing arousal and that really wouldn't do to act upon it in her workplace. Well at least not with witnesses present…

'Ahh yes' Regina stepped back with a small smile. 'I was looking for Henry actually. His school rang to ask why he wasn't in class today so I assumed he had convinced you to let him come to work with you or something'

Ruby frowned. 'I haven't seen him since I dropped him off outside school this morning'

Panic struck both of them at the same time as they realised their child was missing.

'Perhaps I can help you there, especially if the kid has a computer, finding people is kind of what I do for a living'

Both brunette women jumped at Emma's sudden statement; Ruby had seemingly forgotten she was there and Regina apparently hadn't noticed her at all until now.

'And who pray tell are you?' Regina asked.

'My name is Emma Swan'

Regina's expression instantly hardened. Ruby sensing danger quickly intervened.

'Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated Emma' Regina instantly shot a glare at her spouse.

There was a brief moment of silence before Regina spoke. 'Very well then, Miss Swan and I will head back to the house and access Henry's computer. In the meantime Ruby you and that useless deputy of yours can do a complete sweep of the town.'

'Sure thing' Ruby moved to unlock the door to Emma's cell.

'Oh and sheriff'

Ruby glanced back cautiously. It was never a good sign when Regina called her by that rather than her name.

'Yes Madam Mayor?'

'We will talk about this later' and with that Regina swept majestically from the room stopping only to briefly call behind her for Emma to hurry up if she was coming.

'Wow she's kind of intense'

'You have no idea' muttered Ruby in response.

Long days were fast becoming a thing wherever the kid was concerned Emma thought wryly to herself. After offering her assistance in finding him she had had a brief heart to heart with Henry which had left her feeling emotionally drained. Thus she had decided to call into the nearest establishment that looked as if it sold any form of liquor. This coupled with the hunger pains in her stomach led her right to Granny's diner. It would appear that she was not the only person to have this idea.

Sat at the bar tucking into a hamburger and drinking a very generous whiskey was Ruby. After a moment's hesitation Emma decided to join her at the bar, not that she had much of a choice anyway as practically every other seat in the establishment was taken. Before she could attempt to break the ice a grey haired woman came over to her from behind the counter.

'Well hi there I haven't seen you around here before' despite the kind tone of voice and look upon the woman's face Emma couldn't help but feel as though she were about to be royally interrogated.

'Yeah I'm kind of new to town. The names Emma'

'Ahh so you're the infamous Miss Swan I've been hearing about' the older woman laughed at the nervous look on the blondes face. 'Don't look so nervous if anything I should thank you for finding my grandson. Twice! Here I'll get you a burger on the house'

Before Emma had a chance to respond the woman had disappeared out back. Ruby giggled.

'My granny can be a little over bearing at times but she means well' she offered the blonde a small smile before taking another large sip of her drink.

'So your granny owns the diner?' Emma still felt uneasy in her son's mother's presence and so was resorting to small talk.

'Yup', she took another swig of alcohol. 'And the local B&B. She kinda likes to keep busy, not that we get many visitors to town'

Emma smiled. 'So that's why you encouraged me to stay here last night huh?'

'Well got to help out the family business where I can. Besides if you had of listened to me that poor sign might have not met such a cruel demise' Ruby's voice had taken on a playful lilt and Emma couldn't help but chuckle.

There was a brief moment of silence in which Granny came back with the biggest hamburger Emma had ever laid eyes on. The blonde gave her thanks before turning back to the surprisingly pleasant sheriff. Ruby herself finished her glass in one last swig before motioning to her grandmother for another. Granny shook her head slightly but complied.

'Care to join me Miss Swan?'

'Sure'

A disapproving sound came from the grey haired owner of the establishment but other than that she said nothing as she handed a glass of the amber liquid to each of them.

'So welcome to Story Brooke Emma' Ruby clinked her glass with the blondes before downing half her glass.

'Thanks but you might wanna slow down a little there' concern laced her voice.

'What can I say I'm in need of some Dutch courage' the brunette gave her a half-hearted shrug.

'Wait, does this have anything to do with what Regina said earlier about you two having to talk later?'

Ruby's sheepish smile was answer enough. So the brunette was scared of her wife? Then again who could blame her; the woman was kind of terrifying. Most of the towns people she had encountered throughout the day all seemed to be scared of her too… As if reading her mind, Ruby instantly tried to clear up any misinterpretation Emma might have been having.

'Whoa it's not like I'm scared of her because I'm scared she's gonna hurt me or something. She's just kind of intimidating you know?'

'Yeah I kind of got that impression…'

This time it was Ruby's turn to laugh. She couldn't help it but she immediately liked this woman, even if the situation they were in regarding Henry was an awkward one. Well she supposed now was as good a time as any to ask about that.

'She is simply worried about your intentions where it comes to Henry, and if I'm honest Emma I also would like to know what they are'

Emma nearly choked on the mouthful of burger she had just taken. There was a pause whilst the blonde tried to unclog her airways before she offered her reply.

'Honestly I don't know. I mean don't worry you and Regina are his parents and I get that and have no intention of interfering in that, but at the same time the kid sought me out and I can't help but be curious about him now'

Ruby nodded. She had thought as much. 'So I guess that means you'll be sticking around for a while then?'

'Henry asked me to stay for a week. I told him I'd think about it'

'Well that is entirely up to you Emma and I guess I can't really blame my boy for being curious as to where he came from. But I warn you don't try anything funny and wherever possible don't piss off Regina, she isn't always as lovely as she was today and quite honestly I don't wanna have to deal with it'

The blonde gave the other woman a small reassuring smile 'I'll do my best'

'Well I'm glad we understand one another' Ruby downed the rest of her drink. 'I'll be seeing you around then Miss Swan'

Emma watched the slightly intoxicated sheriff depart. Honestly it was kind of a relief that at least one of Henry's mom's didn't outright hate her. Now she just had to try and win Regina around. Something told her that would be no easy feat. Well first things first; she needed to find a place to crash. A quick glace around the diner showed that Granny was dealing with a customer over the other side of the room, Emma waited for her to finish before flagging her over and asking about a room.