A/N: Set 2x07 after Ruby chained Belle up in the library to go and face the angry mob. Set after all that's dealt with and she realises she better let Belle go free!

Ruby rushed to the library; poor Belle, she hadn't meant to leave her locked up all evening but things had gotten out of hand. The other girl must be fuming, it had been hours. She was only trying to help Ruby and how had she repaid her? By chaining her up in her own library. Great way to make friends, Red, she thought to herself.

"Belle?" she called out tentatively as she pushed through the library door and made her way to where she'd left her friend.

Belle had seated herself on the ground, cross legged, with a book in her hands, which she looked up from as she heard Ruby's voice echo through the empty library.

She smiled at her friend, "Oh, thank god you're alright!" she threw the book onto the ground and stood up, wrapping her arms around her friend, the chain still attached to her wrist.

Ruby smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, I'm okay," she nodded, her smile faltering, "Um, I'm sorry I chained you up," she mumbled.

Belle shook her head, "It's fine, at least I was in reach of the fantasy section," she looked at the shelves beside her.

Ruby laughed, "Seriously? You get locked up and you just sit there and read?"

Belle bit her lip, "I knew you'd be back," she said confidently.

Ruby frowned, "You did?"

"Sure," Belle nodded, "Like I said, I'm kind of an expert when it comes to rehabilitation."

Ruby tilted her head, "Yeah, well… let me take that off you," she grabbed Belle's hand and unlocked the chain, letting it fall to the ground, "Not the best impression to make on a new friend, huh?" she mumbled, still holding the other girl's hand.

Belle smiled and placed her other hand on top of Ruby's, "It's okay, you were scared. But you have friends in this town, you know, and I know we don't know each other very well, but I do know you're not a monster. Let me be one of those friends."

Ruby blinked quickly and looked at Belle's bright eyes; so much earnest, so much hope, so much caring for a woman she hardly knew.

"Thank you," Ruby whispered, squeezing the hands that still encompassed her own, "Really, thank you."