Ruby approaches Regina instead of Snow during 3.13 - Witch Hunt


The younger woman hesitates before striding forward, trying to portray an air of confidence that she's not sure she feels. Not here, not around Regina. She makes sure that her approach is noisy enough that the other woman won't be surprised by her arrival. Sure enough, the Queen glances over her shoulder at the sound of twigs snapping and feet trampling through undergrowth. She heaves a sigh.

"If you're looking for someone to throw a stick for you, I'm not in the mood."

Ruby rolls her eyes. As dog jokes go, it's not even original. Regina really must be off her game.

"I'm fine, thanks. I'm getting plenty of exercise with all of this walking."

Regina looks her up and down. "Yes, I suppose you must be quite in your element living in the forest." She wrinkles her nose. "You should go play with the thief, he's also very at home here."

"Be as rude as you like, Regina," Ruby says. "I'm not gonna rise to it."

"And what are you doing, Ms Lucas?" Regina asks. "Have you been sent to check on my wellbeing? You can tell your little friend that I'm not having any homicidal feelings at the moment. Though that may change if she doesn't stop asking me how I'm doing."

"Nobody sent me," Ruby says. "I just thought you looked..." She trails off. Making assumptions about Regina is a dangerous business.

"Yes?" Regina presses. "I hope, for your sake, that the word at the end of that sentence was going to be complimentary."

"Sad," Ruby finishes. "I thought you looked sad. I came to see if you were okay." She knows about the heart burying incident, but Regina doesn't need another reason to believe that Snow can't keep a secret.

"And what concern is it of yours if I'm sad?" Regina asks. "I don't recall us ever exchanging much conversation beyond a coffee order."

"I don't know, really," Ruby confesses, examining Regina's profile as she looks out over the endless fields. "I just...I don't like people to be sad. I wondered if I could do anything to help."

Regina laughs, but it's bitter and brittle and it hurts Ruby's ears. "Unless you can somehow bring my son here, then no, there's nothing you can do."

Nodding, Ruby joins Regina in looking into the distance. "I can't imagine doing what you did," she says, almost in a whisper. "Giving up the person you love most in the world...giving him a life where he doesn't even remember who you are."

"I feel like you're not quite grasping the concept of 'helping', Ms Lucas," Regina says, her voice tight and thick. "I believe this is commonly known as rubbing salt in the wound."

"No, I know, I...I just meant," Ruby pauses, biting her lip. "I just mean that I really believe in judging a person by their actions. And you...well, you did the most selfless thing I've ever heard of."

"And now what?" Regina asks, glancing at Ruby from the side of her eye. "You want to be my best friend?"

"I'm trying to tell you that I admire what you did and, for what it's worth...I trust you," Ruby tells her. "And if you could stop being a smartass for two minutes, maybe we could be friends." She lifts her eyebrows. "Stranger things have happened."

Regina opens her mouth to make some retort, but the fight seems to go out of her and her shoulders sag. "I'm not braiding your hair or painting your nails."

Ruby laughs. "We'll save that for when we get to the castle."

Regina frowns at her. "You're unusual."

"Thank you." Ruby offers her nod.

"It wasn't a compliment," Regina mutters, though Ruby's sure she sees the hint of a smile under the frown.

"Well, I'm taking it as one," Ruby informs her

"If this is what having friends is like, I'm not sure I want to do it," Regina says, sighing.

"Too bad," Ruby says, flashing her a grin. "C'mon, you can help with dinner."

"At no point did I agree to carry out menial tasks," Regina says, but lets Ruby drag her along nonetheless.

"You'll like it once you get started. Takes your mind off the boredom," Ruby says. She keeps her eyes forward as she continues. "Just try not to poison anyone."

"You're hilarious." There's definitely amusement mixed into Regina's tone this time. Or incredulity. Maybe both.

"I know."