Part 2

Red woke up to the sun shining in her eyes. She groaned and flung an arm over her face to try and block it out.

"Shut the blinds, Kansas", she mumbled.

But the arm wasn't doing much good so she tried to turn over, but two things stopped her: something solid she was sleeping next to and a searing pain in the side of her stomach. She gasped and her eyes shot open. She reached out to grab Dorothy, but her hand only found empty air.

She sat up, still very disoriented, and looked around. She was not at home, the something solid she had turned in to was the back of a couch she was sleeping on, and Dorothy certainly wasn't here. Slowly the events of the previous day came back to her. Her head dropped to her hands as she desperately tried to keep her tears from falling.

"Oh, Kansas", she mumbled.

"Hey", someone said and a hand was placed on her back. "Are you okay?"

She rubbed her eyes before she looked up at Eric sitting next to her with a concerned frown. She tried to smile.

"I'm fine", she said.

Eric didn't look like he believed her for even a second, but didn't say anything about it. He just continued rubbing her back in silence.

"What did you mean by Kansas?" he asked carefully after a while.

"It's a nickname", Red said and bit her lip. "For Dorothy."

"Aha", came as a reply.

She wanted to get home to her so badly. She missed her so much. But sitting here crying about it wasn't going to do anything. So Red took a breath, wiped the last of her tears and stood up. Eric jumped up as well at her sudden movement.

"I've got to get home", she said.

Eric's startled expression turned serious.

"Yes, you do", he said. "But first; breakfast."

And with that he made his way over to the kitchen. Red had to grin at him. He caught it and said:

"Hey, it's the most important meal of the day, and I made pancakes."

He held up a plate of golden brown pancakes and Red laughed. She sat down by the table as he put out plates, food and drinks.

"Do you drink coffee?" he asked.

"Sometimes, but not today. Do you have juice?"

Eric nodded and handed over a juice carton. They sat down to eat.

"So what's the plan?" Eric asked.

Red shrugged.

"I've got to get to Maine first of all", she said. "But I don't have money for a ticket."

Eric looked at her as if she was crazy.

"I'll buy you one, of course", he said.

Red's heart swelled for him.

"Are you sure?"

Eric didn't even bother to answer; he just snorted and shook his head at her with an amused expression on his face. A moment later, a loud knock on the front door interrupted their breakfast. Red looked questioningly at Eric, who just shrugged and rose to go open. Red leaned back in her chair to be able to see who was on the other side.

"Hi man", a man with shaggy blonde hair grinned at Eric, patted his shoulder and let himself in. After him came a tall brunette woman and a shorter red-haired one.

"What are you guys doing here?" Eric looked confused.

"Just checking up on you", the brunette said.

"Are you okay?" the red-haired asked him.

"Yeah, of course", Eric said.

"Hello", the blonde man said as he was the first to notice Red in the kitchen.

"Hi", she said with a raised eyebrow.

The two girls looked over at her. The redhead looked simply shocked at the sight of her, while the brunette stopped in her tracks all together and said:

"Wait. Were you…?" she looked from Red to Eric and then back again. "Are we interrupting…?"

All three of them looked way too surprised to see Red in Eric's kitchen. Red glanced down and realized why. It must look a little suspicious to see a strange girl, eating breakfast in Eric's home, wearing his clothes. Apparently Eric also realized this.

"No, no!" he said with panic in his voice. "Red is just my friend! She slept on the couch."

"I have a girlfriend", Red tried to help out.

The redhead visibly relaxed and the brunette nodded. The blonde man however was still grinning. The brunette noticed and punched his shoulder.

"Hi, I'm Kensi", she said with a kind smile to Red.

"Ruby, but my friends call me Red."

"And this is Deeks and Nell", Eric introduced the other two.

"Nice to meet you", Red grinned.

"You too", Deeks said. "Oh, pancakes."

He sat down on Eric's now empty chair and helped himself. Red watched him pour syrup over the two leftover pancakes before she looked over at Nell. So this was the girl who Eric had fallen for. She was cute, and was looking at Eric the same way Eric was looking at her.

"So, Red", Kensi said and Red turned to her. "Are you from the area?"

"No, no", Red said. "I live quite far away. I'm only here for a couple of days."

Far away as in in another world.

"Are you here to see Eric?"

"No, that was a bit of a coincidence", Red shared a secret grin with Eric.

"Can I ask then", Deeks said, "why you're wearing his clothes?"

"The airline lost her luggage", Eric hurriedly said.

"Oh, that sucks", Kensi said.

"What did they say when you called?" Nell asked.

"Hey, I'm wondering something too", Eric said before Red had to answer. "Why aren't you all at work?"

"Why aren't you at work?" Deeks asked back.

"I'm taking the morning off. I'll be in after lunch."

"He said he would give me a ride to the airport", Red said.

"You're going home?"

"Yep."

"Alright", Nell turned to Eric. "Well, if you are sure everything is fine, we should get going."

She gestured to Kensi and Deeks. Kensi nodded and Deeks swallowed the last piece of stolen breakfast and stood up.

"Have a safe trip home", he said to Red as he followed Kensi out the door.

"Thanks."

"See you later", Nell said to Eric.

"Yes, I'll see you soon."

They shared a smile before Nell closed the front door behind her.

"They seem nice", Red said with a grin.

"I work with an interesting group of people", Eric nodded.

"They seem to really care about you", Red said. "They came all the way over here just to check in."

"I think Deeks just wanted free breakfast", Eric said and started putting away the dishes.

"I don't think so", Red said confidently and she could see that Eric didn't actually either.

There was another knock on the door.

"Could you open that?" Eric called out.

"Sure."

Red went over to it and took a quick look in the peephole. With a questioning look she opened the door to reveal Kensi with a pile of fabrics in her arms.

"Did you forget something?" Red asked and glanced around the apartment.

"No", Kensi said. "But I figured you'd rather wear something that fit you on your journey home, than Eric's shorts."

She handed over the bundle.

"Wait, are these your clothes?" Red asked, confused.

"Yeah, we look to be around the same size", Kensi said.

"I can't take this", Red protested.

"No, it's fine! It's just some simple stuff I barely use anyway. I just have them in my car for emergencies."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I can see that you're injured and clothes should be the last thing you should have to worry about."

Red's hand subconsciously went to the bandaged part of her stomach, and she opened her mouth to wave it off as nothing serious, while her brain went into overdrive trying to think of an excuse of how she got it.

"I'm not asking", Kensi said before she could. "I don't have to know, it doesn't matter. Just take the clothes."

Red looked at her for a moment.

"Alright", she said and smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome", Kensi said. "I should go. Travel safe."

With that she turned around and disappeared down the stairs. Red closed the door and went back into the living room. She took a look at the pile in her hands and found jeans, a red t-shirt and a black jacket.

"I really like your friends", she called out to Eric.

He joined her, leaning against the back of the couch.

"We've been in enough trouble together to know to look after each other", he said.

Red held up the jacket.

"Why would she give me all this?" she said. "She doesn't even know me."

"Kensi knows what it's like", Eric said. Red didn't know exactly what he meant by 'it', but didn't ask. "She's more empathetic than one would think."

"Well, thank her again when you see her", Red said and picked up the clothes to go change in Eric's bathroom.

"I will."

She closed the door behind her, placed the clothes on the lid of the toilet and turned to the mirror. She was somewhat shocked of what she saw reflected back at her. Dark circles under her eyes, tangled hair, a cut above her right eyebrow and a bruise on her jaw, just below her ear. It was not a pretty sight. She sighed, turned the handle on the faucet and splashed some water in her face.

The clothes she got from Kensi fitted her rather well. They also did a good job of hiding her cuts, bruises and the bandaged wound. She drew her fingers through her hair and stepped out from the bathroom. She found Eric sitting on the couch with a laptop in his knee.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Checking tickets for you."

Red nodded and bit her lip.

"You're not…" she began. "You don't want to come along, do you?"

Eric sighed.

"I can't", he said. "I have a life here. This is where I'm supposed to be. If I were to see my father and brother again, I don't know if I could leave them."

He pulled out something and handed it to Red.

"Could you give them this though?" he said. "And tell them that I love them and that I miss them."

"Of course", Red said and looked down on the sealed envelope in her hands.

She knew this was extremely hard for Eric, so she didn't protest when he changed the subject.

"I assume you want to leave as soon as possible, and there's a flight in three hours."

"Really?"

"Yes, from LA to Boston. Is Boston okay?"

"Yes, that's perfect! Thank you, Eric!"

Red bent down and hugged him.

"No problem. I have an old backpack in the closet in the hall you can take."

Red went over and rummaged around it.

"Is it the dark blue one?" she asked and pulled out a frayed thing from the bottom of the closet.

"Yep!"

"Great."

She walked back to the kitchen while emptying it out, and threw out the candy wrappers she found. Her red dress hung over an armchair and her boots were by the front door. She inspected them both and concluded that the boots were "normal" enough to not rise any suspicions. The dress was dirty and a bit ripped. Once she got home she'd have to fix that. If she got home. No. Not if – once. She would find a way. She shook the thoughts away, folded her dress and put it down in the bag.

"Done", Eric said and rose.

At Red's questioning look he explained:

"Got your ticket."

He walked over to a printer in the corner of the room. Red hadn't noticed it until now, but why should she? The place was covered in machines and computers of different kinds. Eric picked up the paper, scanned it and handed it over to Red. She smiled at him and put it in the bag.

"That should have you covered", Eric said.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"Hey Eric?"

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"I know it's not any of my business", Red began. "But does Nell know that you like her?"

Apparently she caught him off-guard with her question. It took him a moment to say anything.

"How do you know that I like her?" he said.

"It's quite obvious", Red smiled gently at him.

"It is?"

Eric was looking everywhere except her.

"Yes, well, it's quite obvious she likes you too", Red said.

Eric gave her a look that half said "really?!" and half "yeah, right. I don't believe you.". If anything this made it even more clear how smitten this girl had gotten him. But Eric didn't seem to really realize this.

"Look, I'm not going to tell you what to do", Red said. "But as Mulan once told me: don't wait too long to tell someone you love them. She did, and it resulted in a broken heart. I also waited a heartbeat too long, and almost lost everything I could've had. Fortunately for me it worked out in the end."

Eric frowned and didn't say anything.

"All I'm saying is that you should consider taking a leap", Red said. "Consider telling her how you feel."

She rubbed his shoulder and went over to get a glass of water to give him some space. She hoped he would take her advice. She knew how in love he had been with Althea, and how terribly that had ended. She wanted him to allow himself to find his way back to love. Nell seemed great and seemed to reciprocate his feelings.

"We should get going", Eric said. "LA traffic is not fun."

Red nodded. She grabbed the backpack and followed him out of the apartment. Eric fished up his keys from his pocket and locked the door behind them. When he turned around Red met his eyes. He smiled a little at her, which explained that he wasn't annoyed with her but he wasn't going to talk about it. Red returned it and together they walked down the stairs.

It was a sunny day. But apparently that was somewhat mandatory in LA. Eric turned on the air-conditioner as soon as he'd turned on the ignition. Then they were moving, and all Red could think about was how she was on her way home. Eric threw a glance at her and started talking about this and that. The distraction was welcoming.

Eric was right about the traffic in Los Angeles. They crawled forward in long line on the freeway. Cars left and right, behind and ahead were honking.

"Why do they do that?" Red questioned. "It's not like it's going to go any faster."

"That's LA for you", Eric said. "I think I know another way to get to the airport. We'll get off the next exit."

Eric's way turned out to go a lot better and they arrived in good time. He parked the car and turned to her. With a little bit of digging he found his wallet. He took out a couple of notes and pressed in her hand.

"To get you all the way home", he said in explanation.

"Thank you for everything, Eric", Red said.

"It was my pleasure."

They both got out of the car.

"I never got to say goodbye", Eric said. "In the Enchanted Forest. We didn't know the last time we saw each other was going to be the last time. Even when you had to leave I thought I would at some point see you again."

"I thought so too", Red said. "But then I came back to have Granny telling me that you were sent to another land."

She smiled at him.

"I'm glad the universe decided to give us a chance to say goodbye", she said and he smiled back.

"I am too", he said and hugged her. "Have a safe trip home."

"I will", Red nodded.

"And say hi to Dorothy for me. Tell her I think she sings really great."

Red laughed and punched his shoulder. He grinned teasingly.

"Thank you, again, for everything", Red said.

"Once again; no problem", Eric said. "I'm just happy I got to see you. Now go, before the plane leaves without you."

Red sighed, but nodded. She waved as she walked through the doors and saw him staying where he was, watching her disappear.


The plane ride took five and a half excruciating hours. The first hour was experienced in fright and disbelief. Red had never flown before, especially not in a metal bird. It's funny how it seemed more likely for her to experience flying through magic or some large, flying magical creature rather than a plane. But once she got over the fact that she was 35000 feet in the air, held up by a machine she had no idea how worked, it turned boring. After boredom came anxious thoughts about her family and friends, and then a screaming baby two rows back, and then someone managed to knock a bag into her wounded side. She doubled over with a gasp, but played it off when the person turned towards her. She didn't want to draw attention to herself.

When she finally got off the plane, she vowed to never travel that way again. Her feet were meant to be on the ground. Maybe in a tree now and then, but not in a metal deathtrap in the sky. It wasn't full moon and she was in a land without magic, but she could still feel the want to run that she usually connected to Wolf's Time.

Red stepped out from the airport, utterly relieved to be breathing fresh air again. But now came the next challenge. She knew how to get to Storybrooke, but she didn't know how to get in. Only Henry and Emma had ever left and come back. Them and Gold, that one time.

Red frowned. Maybe she didn't know how to get in, but someone in town might. If she could contact them, they might be able to help her. She looked around where she stood. There were a lot of people out on the streets. Cars were buzzing by and there were sounds she wasn't used to all around her. If she hadn't been so preoccupied with her mission to get home, she would've found the Ruby-part in her that just really wanted to see the city. Being in Boston would've been a dream come true a couple of years ago. But now she just wished she was in Storybrooke. Or better; in the forest in Oz.

On the sidewalk, up against a wall was a phone booth, and instantly Red knew what to do. She tested herself as she hurried over to it, to see if she remembered any numbers to anyone in Storybrooke. The first one to come to her mind was Snow's. With hands almost shaking with anticipation she popped in some coins and thanked Eric silently in her head for providing her with money. She dialed the number and held her breath. Four long signals came and went and then:

"Hello?"

"Snow!" Red breathed out in relief. "Snow, it's Red!"

"Red?!"

"Yes. I'm in Boston."

"You're in Boston?"

Red could hear the confusion in Snow's voice.

"Yes", she said. "It's a long story. But I need to get in to Storybrooke."

"Aren't… weren't you in Oz?"

"I was, but a witch transported me to Los Angeles."

"A witch transported you to Los Angeles?"

"Yes! I coincidently met a friend there who helped me get this far, but I need your or Emma's or Gold's or Regina's or anyone's help to get in to Storybrooke."

There was a moment of silence.

"Okay. Okay, we can do that."

Red almost started crying.

"You can?" she said.

"Of course", Snow's reassuring voice told her. "Hold on a minute, Red."

Red held her breath again as she heard a muffled conversation happening on the other side of the line.

"You still there, Red?" came Snow's clear voice again after a minute.

"Yes, yes, I'm here."

"Can you get to the town line?"

"Yes."

"Good. Go there and wait. In, let's say, in two hours we'll get you in. Alright?"

"Alright, thank you, Snow!"

"No problem. It's so nice to hear your voice again, Red."

Red leaned her forehead against the glass of the phone booth and swallowed back a lump in her throat.

"You too, Snow. I'm so happy I get to see you."

"I am too. Travel safe, okay?"

"I will. See you soon."

"Bye."

"Bye."

The phone clang back to it's holder and Red slumped against the wall. Thank God for her amazing friends. She straightened up, composed herself and stepped out of the booth. Now she just had to find a bus to take her somewhat close to Storybrooke. Signs inside the airport had pointed to the bus terminal, so to be on the safe side, Red went back in. The signs guided her around the building, out another door and she was met by what could only be described as a herd of buses.

Red went around, reading destination signs. In the end she found what she was looking for. This large white and blue bus would take her to just a few of miles outside Storybrooke. She would have to walk the rest, but she didn't complain. After sitting on a plane and then a bus for hours, walking two miles would be nice.

Ticket paid, she sank down on a seat in the back of the bus a couple of minutes later. She placed the backpack on the seat next to her and stared out the window as the vehicle started moving. Boston flew by her eyes. Skyscrapers, cars, people. Stores, museums, restaurants. Statues and parks. Then they were out on the freeway, caught in the fast-moving stream of machines. The bus was almost full and Red found herself wondering where all these people were going. Maybe they were also on their way home. On their way to see their families.

The bus stop Red stepped off on was just outside another little town. She could peek into the roads and see families on walks and skateboarders and kids walking in clusters. But she turned her back on all of that and turned to walk towards her little town. Could she call it her town when she didn't live there anymore? What was more her home, Oz, Storybrooke or the Enchanted Forest? Eric's home was Los Angeles, no doubt about it. Maybe she also had left the Enchanted Forest behind for good. Maybe that wasn't her home anymore either.

As she walked down the empty road, the forest started rising on each side of her. This forest connected to the one of Storybrooke and while Red had never wandered this one, it felt familiar.

She was distracted and the sudden finish line came as a surprise. She stopped dead in her tracks and turned a full one eighty. When standing right behind the town line on the right side what one could see was exactly what she was looking at. This was it. She turned back and stared into the road continuing like nothing was different. But she knew better. This was the entrance to Storybrooke.