Emma was able to scout the town for damage quickly. With the exceptions of a badly mauled house cat and a few knocked over trashcans, Ruby's wolf did no real harm to Storybrooke. Trails of scattered trash lead Emma to the woods.

As she started to walk in, Emma ironically found herself wishing she had an expert tracker with her. These woods went on for miles. Emma highly doubted she would find Red here alone. She started to turn back, thinking David and Mary Margaret might have an idea. Then there was Red stumbling forward through some nearby bushes.

Her clothes were badly torn and incredibly dirty. There were deep scratches, maybe bite marks on her shoulder and left arm. There was blood everywhere. Red's head was pounding, she couldn't think clearly. She stumbled a bit as she walked forward. Emma braced Red and helped her gain her balance.

"What happened?" Emma asked. "You look like you were attacked by a bear."

"It's possible I was; I can't remember a thing." Red clutched Emma's arm and steadied herself. Red placed her hand on her head and closed her eyes hard. She wasn't sure her head had ever hurt this bad. "Did I…was there any?"

"No," Emma said "Well, you may have injured a cat. But no one will be able to pin that on you. I will make sure of it."

Red laughed through the pain, "You sound so much like him."

This comment took Emma by surprise. She hadn't spent much time thinking about the similarities between her and her father. "Ruby, the story you told me last night…" Emma started to ask.

"I didn't tell you much," Ruby said. "You passed out maybe five minutes in."

"I remember quite a bit. Or maybe I dreamt," Emma said. Ruby stared at her very confused. "You left off right after the seven dwarves returned home. They woke you and Snow up."

Ruby stopped walking, "What?"

"You'd… been sleeping together by the fire," Emma added hesitantly.

The confusion certainly didn't help Ruby's head ache. She hadn't ever told another soul that story. She certainly wouldn't start with Emma. She closed her eyes and felt weak in the knees. Emma clutched her again as she started to fall.

"We should get you to a doctor," Emma said as she casually examined her wounds.

"No absolutely not," Red stated. "I don't want to alert any of the townspeople. We should just head to Granny's. We have supplies at the Inn for things like this."

Emma practically carried Red to the Inn. She was so weak she was almost beginning to shake. Emma desperately wanted to take her to the hospital instead, but Red was right. The less the townspeople knew the better.

As they approached Granny's dinner, Emma reached for the door. "No wait," Red winced, noticing Charming and Henry inside. "Take me around back; I don't want them to know."

"Ruby, I don't know what to do. It might be good to get their opinion." Emma took a breath and added, "Since they know you so well."

"Can you tell them I broke out, but not that I'm wounded?" Ruby pleaded.

Emma didn't know what to think of this strange request. She nodded and escorted Red to the back entrance. Emma then doubled back to meet up with her family.


Ruby sat on the edge of the tub in the bathroom at Granny's Inn. She was stripped down to her underwear so she could properly clean the wounds. Her ripped clothes sat in a pile on the floor.

She turned the faucet on and let the tub fill halfway. Then she ran a warm wash cloth over the cuts in her arm and shoulder. The water in the tub turned pink with her blood. She struggled to properly clean the cuts.

The door of the bathroom opened behind her. This was one of the many downsides to Granny's; the tenants shared a bathroom. "It's occupied," Red said as she struggled to quickly grab a towel. She stood and draped the towel over her shoulders and her chest.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Belle stated. "I didn't realize anyone was in here." She glanced at Red's nearly naked lower half and shyly averted her eyes. She could feel her face turn several different shades of red. She started to leave but then she saw the blood soaked clothes. "You're hurt?"

"It's nothing really, a few cuts," Ruby stated dismissively and adjusted the towel so that it was resting under her arms exposing the wound. Her head was still pounding. She started to lose her balance a bit.

Belle rushed to her side, "Let me help you. " She eased Red back down on to the side of the tub and sat next to her. They were facing one another. "I'd ask how last night went but I think that's obvious."

"Complete black out," Red said. Belle picked up the wash cloth and ran water over the wounds. She placed her opposite hand on Red's bare knee. Red leaned into her, placing her head on Belle's shoulder and wrapping her other hand around Belle's back. She winced and squeezed her back as Belle cleaned out the wounds.

Belle pulled back; their eyes locked. Their lips were inches apart. For several very long seconds neither of them moved. Red reached for the bandages and ointment that sat on the nearby counter. The towel slipped a bit, revealing more flesh.

Belle quickly focused her eyes on the ointment and away from Red's body. She took a deep breath. She tried to focus on the simple tasks of applying it over the wounds. Belle pressed the gauze over the wounds and applied the body tape. "There that should hold," Belle said softly. She ran her hand over the edges making sure it was secure.

Red closed her eyes hard and tilted her head down. The ointment was cold but instantly soothing. The sensation of Belle's delicate touch on her bare skin was intense to say the least. It was simultaneous pain and comfort. When she looked back up she caught Belle staring at her.

Without thinking, Red leaned in and their lips locked. Her headache subsided with the gentle impact. Their lips remained locked for several seconds. Red broke away first, neither of them said anything. Then Red said the first thing that came to her mind, "I'm sorry."

"What for?" Belle asked with a furrowed brow as Red turned away and pulled the towel closer to her body. She didn't answer. "I'll go to your room and get you some fresh clothes."

Belle stood up and walked to the door. "Wait," said Red.

She quickly turned around with a slight smile on her face. "Can you make sure to grab me something long-sleeved?" Red asked.

"Sure… I'll knock on the door and leave them out in the hall," She said as she opened the door. She bit the corner of her lip and stepped out.

Red dropped her head and placed her hands on her knees. Had that actually happened? She could have said anything else; Red was certainly not sorry she kissed her. Did she just ruin her only chance? She shook her head and the headache returned.


The Charmings sat at their usual booth. Snow and Charming were deeply immersed in one another, so much so in fact that they were completely ignoring their child and grandchild. As they rubbed noses, there was a simultaneous groan from Emma and Henry.

"Sorry," Snow said as she pulled away.

"You don't need to be. We understand," Henry said with a smile to them. Henry had lived most of his life believing in the true love of Prince Charming and Snow White. It was very new to Emma to think that these were her parents. Their love was true and very strong. It lived in her heart and had been able to prevent Cora from ripping it from her chest.

Based on what she learned last night, Emma knew that there was more to this love story. The classic tale of two people falling in love at first sight rarely ever happened in the real world. Why would the enchanted forest be any different?

Belle came into the diner and David waved her over. "There's always room at this table," Charming said with a smile that explained his name. Belle hesitated but eventually approached them. Charming stood up and pulled a chair to the end of the table.

"We have something we'd like to ask you," Emma said. Belle sat down in the chair. Charming sat back down after she was seated. This gesture was strange to Emma, but some habits die hard. Even in this modern world.

"Yeah, sure, what is it?" Belle asked.

"Would it be possible in a day to clear the library of anything breakable?" Charming asked.

Belle hoped this wasn't his attempt at being subtle, "I suppose."

"We were hoping since the jail cell isn't an option we could try and shackle Red in the library," He added.

"And you've decided this without her?" Belle asked defensively. Belle had many issues with someone being held hostage given the way she spent the last 28 years.

"I've been looking after Red during wolfstime for a quite awhile," Snow retorted. Snow didn't know enough about Belle to understand fully why this bothered her. She was however greatly offended by the notion she didn't have Red's best interest in mind. "We're like family. She trusts us."

"Of course I do," Red's voice came from behind Belle. "What do I trust you with this time?" She asked as she slid into the booth. Emma raised an eyebrow as David did not stand for her.

Red's knees brushed Belle's as she squished Henry further into the booth. Emma scooted as far over as she could. The booths were obviously not designed to hold three on one side. The knee brush made Belle flinch a bit.

"We were thinking we could shackle you in the library," Snow stated. "That is if you're comfortable being shackled," she added with a glance to Belle.

"It's fairly low traffic and spacious," Red said with a slight nod. "But I wouldn't want to impose, and I would hate it if I caused any damage." Red looked to Belle, waiting for a reaction. Red wanted to clear up what had happened and tell her, anything. Anything but, "I'm sorry." This unfortunately was not the time.

"You're anything but an imposition," Belle said. Even though she was completely confused, she would do whatever it takes to keep Red safe. "I'd like to stay with you both," she said to Emma.

"We could all stay," David said. He had felt useless in more way than one since their return. Emma taking over as sheriff left him unemployed. Charming was at his best when there was a problem he could solve.

"I think that would be a bit excessive," Red responded. If the idea of a set of eyes was comforting, the idea of that many eyes was terrifying.

"Why don't we all meet at the library about an hour before sundown?" Emma asked. "We can access the situation then."

"Belle, can you and I go to the library now? I want clear some things out of the way," Charming said. Belle nodded and was slightly relieved at the excuse for physical distance between her and Ruby.

"I can take Henry over to Regina's," Snow added. Emma missed Henry and wanted to spend time with him, but she knew he would be safest with Regina for now.

With that Charming and Belle stood. As Red slid out of the booth and stood she brushed Belle's arm. They looked at each other for a moment. Ruby continued past to let Henry and Emma out.

Before turning to leave, Snow stepped towards her, giving her a big hug. "We're glad you're safe," she said. Red gritted her teeth, trying to hide the pain the hug had caused her.

Charming smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder, "Let us know if you need anything." It didn't take them very long to refer to themselves only as "we" and "us" again. They turned and left. Red stood and watched as they filed out of Granny's on their way. Emma and Henry were close behind.

Red found herself alone with Belle. Their eyes met and yet again neither of them said anything. Belle nodded and gave her a tight lipped smile and turned to leave. Red reached for Belle's hand. Belle stopped and turned back. "Can we find some time to talk, tonight?" Red asked.

"Yes of course," Belle responded. Red let her hand go. She turned away slowly and followed the Charmings out the door. Red sighed heavily, as her head continued to pound. She then headed upstairs to try and get some much needed shut eye.