Author's Note: I really liked Ruby and was sad to see her cut, so here's my attempt to do her justice. That, and I really like her with Whale. Leave a review!


Ruby adjusted her red beret and looked around the hospital. It was a challenge to get Granny to let her take a few hours off, but she needed to get out of there. With the gang back, chaos had entered Storybrooke yet again. Along with that chaos came less privacy, something Ruby could really use. She wandered down the hall, looking for a very familiar face. Half a minute later she saw his back leaning against a doorframe. As she came closer, she saw whose room it was.

Wendy Darling sat in the hospital bed with her brothers by her side. The one named John hovered around her while the younger Michael grabbed her a container of apple sauce. She remembered Dr. Whale cancelling on their date the night before so he could tend to the girl. Ruby adjusted the shoulder of her black leather jacket and walked over to the doctor.

Despite her stalking capabilities, Whale knew she was there. He sighed. "I thought we agreed no visiting each other at work?" he muttered.

"Hey, I wasn't the one who cancelled last night," she replied. Ruby showed him the picnic basket. "I brought lunch."

Whale pouted. "You know I can't resist your granny's cooking." He glanced at Wendy again before turning back to face his girlfriend. "I'll check on her after lunch. Rooftop okay?"

Ruby nodded. Heights weren't exactly an issue for a werewolf. Whale stuffed his hands in the pockets of his white coat then led the way. As they went alone, Ruby wondered why she bothered being with Whale if all they did was hide. Sure, the secrecy was cool in the beginning. Ruby liked sneaking out and meeting up with Whale in the woods, or going to his place then leaving before dawn. It felt like an adventure, one she never got to have as a kid.

But the stress of making sure Granny didn't find out was starting to wear on her. And the fact that Whale wasn't inclined to make this relationship public concerned her. She wondered how serious he actually was about being with her. Yet every time she thought about leaving, her throat got all tight and she thought of her first love. She didn't want to lose another person, not now. Not when Whale was so good for her, and she for him. They were monsters, in this together until the end.

Whale held the door open for her. The fresh air awakened Ruby's wolf senses and she had to force herself to focus on what was ahead of her. He laid out his lap coat for them near the edge. Ruby threaded her legs between the railings, hoping her white tights didn't get caught. She placed the basket between them as Whale got settled beside her.

She loved the view from up here. She remembered after a long day, Whale took her up here and pinned her against the entranceway as the moonlight shone down on them. She wished she could go back to that day and relive it again.

He pulled a sandwich out from the bag, egg salad to be precise, and smiled. "Did you make this one?"

"Duh. D'you think Granny would make a picnic for one?"

"Yeah?"

She chuckled. "Okay, she would, but I didn't want to tell her about it before I decided to go." She fished around for an orange and began to peel it. "Listen, Victor, I . . . we need to talk. About our relationship."

The doctor stopped chewing. "Are you mad at me? Did you poison this sandwich?"

"No!"

He sighed. "Okay, just wanted to make sure. What is it, then?"

Ruby leaned against the railing as she looked over at Whale. "To be honest, I kind of am mad at you. I'm mad that you don't appreciate our relationship enough to tell others about it. Victor, I'm tired of hiding. I had to lie to Snow when she asked if we were seeing each other. Do you know how hard it is to lie to your best friend? I was so angry with myself the rest of the night!" She sighed. "I just want to know if this is how you want us to be for the rest of our lives, hiding and pretending we don't do what we do."

Victor took another bite of the sandwich as he stared ahead at the skyline. "Ruby, you know I love you."

"I'm not saying you don't love me, Victor! I love you too, that's why I get so angry sometimes. We're adults. We shouldn't have to hide like we're being chased by hunters."

Dr. Whale cringed. "It's not that I don't want to tell people it's just . . . I don't want people to know."

"That's what not telling people is!" she exclaimed. "Are you ashamed of me or something? Do I embarrass you?"

Victor's eyes widened. "No, of course not!"

"Then why do we have to keep doing this?"

"I—Ruby," he sighed. "The people we share this town with . . . they don't respect privacy. Everyone knows everyone's business in a matter of days and . . . all I want—all I have ever wanted is something just to myself. That's you, Ruby. That's us. Our relationship is something no one else can have, that no one can ruin."

She crossed her arms. "I get that Victor, but I can't keep hiding. I've hidden a lot of things in the past and all it's gotten me is pain. I'm tired of pain." She smiled. "When I'm with you, there is no pain, at least for a little while. We both know we can't fix each other, but hiding isn't helping anyone."

Victor finished his half of the sandwich. "You're right. I know you're right." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I'll come over to Granny's tonight. Everyone will be there I'm sure. We can tell them then, if you want."

Ruby smiled. "While I'm all for public declaration, I was thinking something a little more subtle. Let's go on dates, hold hands, do things that Snow and Charming do." Victor crinkled his nose at the notion of the couple. She smirked. "Maybe not exactly like them, but just things that normal people do together when they're in love. People will figure out the rest for themselves."

Victor bobbed his head. "Fair enough. That's actually a lot less nerve wracking," he chuckled. "Sorry I missed the party by the way. How was everyone?"

Ruby ate a slice of her orange. "Pretty good, surprisingly. Emma seemed upset, but when I asked what was wrong she wouldn't say. She avoided Hook and Neal, so it might have something to do with them. Regina was nice for, like, the whole night."

The Doctor laughed. "I didn't know that was possible!"

"Well, with Henry back and living at her place, I think she's calmer. Hope it lasts, for our sake."

Victor agreed. "The last thing we need is more drama about the whole 'he's my son' thing."

Ruby nodded. "Snow and Charming seemed happy. She says they're going to try for a baby."

"Maybe that has something to do with Emma's sadness."

"Doubt it. Emma understands, or so she said. Anyway, nothing has been decided. David announced his plans to grow more beans."

Victor paused mid-bite. He set down his sandwich. "Beans?"

She nodded. "For the Enchanted Forest."

The doctor stared at his lap. "Just there?"

"I think so. David didn't mention anywhere else."

"Figures," Victor muttered. "I'm the only one not from there, originally."

"But you would still come there, right? When we go?"

"If you go. Prince Charming hasn't popped any beans out of his ass yet, has he?"

Ruby smacked his chest. "Victor," she warned.

"I'm sorry," he said, kissing her cheek. "You know what I mean though. I could go to the Enchanted Forest, or . . ."

"London has changed," she whispered. "You're magic, Victor. The only place for you is here or Storybrooke."

"Thanks for the uplifting speech," he replied.

Ruby glanced at her lap. "You don't want to be with me?"

"That's not what I meant!" He shifted so he was facing his girlfriend. He took one of her hands in his. "You know more than anything I want to be with you. Going home is important, but neither of these places is my real home. I understand why you and the others would walk to go back, but for people like Emma, Neal, and myself, it's different. Other places are our homes."

"Wherever Henry is, that's Emma and Neal's home," Ruby replied.

"I know," he covered her hand with his. "I'll promise you this: if David gets the beans, if you want to go back to the Forest, I will come with you. I will do my best to make a new home there, for you and for us. Okay?"

Ruby nodded. She leaned forward and pecked his lips. "Okay."

They finished lunch then lounged around the rooftop until Victor's break was over. She accompanied him back to Wendy's room then reached in her pocket. "I've got something to give her. Is it okay if I go in?"

Dr. Whale nodded. "Sure. I've got to get her medications. I'll be right back."

John and Michael were dozing on the couch near the window. Wendy was awake, reading a book in bed. When Ruby came in, she looked up from the script and stared at the dark haired woman. "Who are you?"

Ruby smiled. "My name's Ruby, but you can call me Red Riding Hood, or Red for short."

"Henry told me about you. He came to see me this morning, before school. You're nice."

The woman chuckled. "I like to think I am." She pulled the little box from her pocket. "Since you missed the party last night, I wanted to bring this over."

Wendy raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" She took the box and opened it. Inside was an earring in the shape of a heart.

"You had a lot of courage to last so long with Pan. Courage comes from the heart, or so my Granny's always told me. I used to wear that earring a lot, but I thought it might be good for you. It can be hard to adjust to a new place, especially Storybrooke."

Wendy put the box on her bedside table. "Thank you," she smiled. "No one's gotten me a present in years."

"Well, I'm sure your brothers will shower you with them once you're out of here."

"I'm a little scared, to be honest. I don't know how to live outside of a wooden box."

Ruby took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "It's a big world out there Ms. Darling. It's not so scary, I promise." She glanced behind her and saw Dr. Whale waiting. "I'd better go. Rest up. Once you're out, come to Granny's. I'll treat you." Wendy smiled and gave a nod before Ruby turned and left. Before she did, she placed her hands on Victor's cheeks and pulled him in for a deep kiss. All the nurses were staring, she could feel their eyes on her backs, but she didn't stop. Victor placed his hands on her hips, pulling her closer.

After a while, they parted. Ruby tried to catch her breath as Victor brushed back her hair.

"So much for subtlety," he said with a half-chuckle.

Ruby, cheeks alight, bit her lip. "Whoops." Victor kissed her forehead before retracting his grip. She went on her way out the hospital doors, head held high, and the picnic basket swinging.