"What am I doing? I should just turn around and go back home..."

Belle stopped for a moment as she stared down the street leading to The Rabbit Hole. She still wasn't completely sure how Emma and Leroy pulled off getting the place for the party, but that really wasn't the curiosity clouding her mind. She had to see this party for herself. She had to know whether or not they had kept their word and respected Ruby's wishes.

It wasn't her fiancé that she didn't trust. It was the team of Emma and Leroy.

She took in a deep breath and started her journey once again. The music grew louder as she approached. The laughter from inside filled the streets. She swallowed back her nerves, pulling the hood from Ruby's grey jacket she borrowed over her head. She tucked her hands into the pockets, bowing her head as she walked up the steps toward the door.

"Sorry," the large man guarding the door said, blocking her path. "Private party tonight."

Belle cleared her throat. "I was invited. I'm just late," she responded, her voice low, doing her best to disguise it.

He crossed his arms against his chest. "Okay…" He raised an eyebrow. "Let's see your invitation."

"I – uh…" Belle stammered. She sighed heavily and removed the hood. She looked up at him sheepishly. "Tiny, it's me."

His eyes widened as he lowered his arms. "Oh, Belle, you definitely shouldn't be here."

She stomped her foot lightly. "Come on."

He shook his head. "No way, Belle."

"Please, Tiny…" she begged, pouting. "I just want to ease my mind." She clasped her hands together. "I'll be in and out."

He stared down at her. His resolve was beginning to soften. "I don't know…"

"Pleaseeeee … they won't even know I was here." She crossed her heart and raised her hand. "I promise."

He sighed, running his hand across his forehead. "Alright..."

She jumped happily as the smile crossed her face. "Thank you so much." She kissed his cheek.

He flashed her a small smile, leaning to the side to open the door. "In and out, Belle," he reminded, motioning his head toward her. "And put the hood back on."

"Oh right." She put the hood over her head. She touched his arm. "Thank you."

He nodded as he opened the door for her and she walked inside.


Ruby stumbled from being pushed into the private room in the back of the club. When she regained her balance, she slowly turned to face the woman. "Listen, I'm going to be completely honest with you," she began as she turned to face her. She raised her hands. "I don't want whatever is about to happen her – " Her sentence was cut short by a finger being placed over her lips.

"Shh…"Ariel ordered, moving her finger away. She placed her hand on Ruby's chest and pushed her back onto the leather couch. She grinned as she sauntered over to her. "Just relax." She climbed onto Ruby's lap, straddling her. "You're going to enjoy this."

Ruby tensed underneath her. "I seriously doubt it…" she muttered as her hands clenched at her side.

Ariel began to move slowly, grinding on Ruby's lap. She tilted her head to the side, her long red hair flowing over her shoulder like a waterfall. Ruby swallowed hard, her eyes looking at the ceiling in an attempt to avoid any and all eye contact. She felt Ariel's hand slip around the back of her neck, her nails brushing gently against it. She closed her eyes at the contact and a visual of Belle flashed in her mind's eye.

"Okay, okay, please stop," she requested as she placed her hands gently on the woman's shoulders and pushed her back. She looked into her eyes. "Please."

Ariel looked confused as she leaned back. She remained on Ruby's lap, staring at her. Her eyes searched Ruby's for a moment. "You really don't want this?"

Ruby released a small nervous laugh. "I really don't."

"Wow…" Ariel breathed as she moved off of her lap and sat on the couch beside her. "This is actually the first time I've ever been stopped." She turned her head slightly to look at Ruby. "Like, ever."

"No offense to you. You're beautiful and if this was a different point in my life, I'd be all for it, but…" She smiled. "I made a promise."

Ariel smiled back. She looked away for a moment, her eyes focusing on her hands. "Your fiancé is a very lucky woman," she stated, bringing her attention back to Ruby.

Ruby shook her head. "No, I'm the lucky one."

Ariel patted her leg. "And that response just proves she's lucky." She stood up. "I'll go distract Leroy so you can get out of here and get home to her." She started to walk backwards as she pointed at Ruby. "You shouldn't be here. You should be with her."

Ruby smiled. "Thank you, Ariel."

"Thank me once you sneak out of here." She opened the door as the music filled the empty room. She glanced back at Ruby, giving her a small wink before leaving the room.


Belle stood in the center of the room. Her blue eyes stared in shock at the scene around her. Half-naked girls dancing on tables while the single men, and some women, of Storybrooke hollered mercilessly at them. Others were walking around the room, carrying shots of alcohol on trays. Some were pouring drinks down people's throats while others cheered them on.

Belle scanned the room looking for Ruby. There was no sign of her. She saw Leroy chatting it up with a beautiful redhead. She saw Emma pushing a blonde away from her several times. She watched for another moment and then she saw her. Ruby looked uncomfortable. She ran her hands through her long dark hair, her eyes searching for something.

She knew that look on her fiancé's face. She had the same expression the time she wanted to leave her grandmother's party early. Ruby was searching for an escape. Belle smiled inwardly. Ruby wanted to go home. She wanted to come home to her.

She pressed her teeth into her bottom lip. A mischievous thought entered her mind as she slowly back out of the bar. If Ruby was going to come home early from her party, Belle would make sure to give her something special for doing so.