Her fingers curl around the straps of her stilettos and they swing as she hops from foot to foot. It is well past midnight and most of the inhabitants of Storybrooke are asleep. The town does not have much of a night life but where there is one that is where you'll find Ruby. She makes her way from the Rabbit Hole club and around the corner where she stops to lean against a wall, feeling dizzy. She looks up at the moon that appears from behind a cloud and howls. She smiles at herself, about to move when in the distance she is answered by another howl. Ruby leans off the wall, her grin frozen into place.

"Seen a ghost?" A voice asks and she turns sharply to see sheriff Graham. Drunk and a little spooked she sways on her feet towards him and Graham grabs her arm to steady her.

"I heard something howling in the forest."

"Me to. Probably a dog," he says and stares at her kindly. Ruby has known the sheriff for years and in all that time he has never made a move. She is incurably flirtatious but he proves a stubborn partner that will not play ball. He is not a stick in the mud, she knows that but where she is concerned there is an odd distance. Ruby cocks her head and smiles at him.

"Do you ever have a night off?"

"Once in a blue moon," he says with long suffering sigh and Ruby points up at the moon.

"Well it seems you're in luck…come and have a drink with me?" she gestures to the club but Graham shakes his head with a smile.

"Maybe another night,"

"You always say that. Don't you know it's rude to turn down a girl repeatedly?" She asks coyly and he laughs and tugs her around.

"I think you've had enough alcohol for one night."

"Not enough. Sometimes when I leave the club or the diner I close my eyes and wish to walk out into a street somewhere else. New York, London…anywhere but here."

"I know the feeling," he says and half carries her along the street, Ruby leaning heavily against him.

She stares into the distance wistfully while Graham positions her against her car, keeping her upright. When he reaches for the handle next to her hip she gazes at him thoughtfully.

"Maybe I'll just head into the forest and never come back again."

"You do that and I'd find you," he says firmly and she smiles, her mouth blood red.

"Someone sounds confident."

"No one can beat me at tracking," he boasts and manages to unlock the door. She is too drunk to drive so he will have to do it for her. Ruby laughs, which sounds more like a bark.

"Oh I think I'll have to test that. I bet I could find something faster then you, even with heels on."

"One day we'll see but not tonight. Come on, in you get," he settles his hands around her waist and pulls her away from the door and Ruby places her hands on his shoulders for balance. She stares into his eyes and has to stop herself sighing. She has had a crush on him for as long as she can remember but recently that feeling has grown deeper and intensified quite dramatically. She flirts with whomever she likes but with him there is a weight to it, a pressure of anticipation. But he remains oblivious or not interested.

"Every time you drive me home you just sit there…you do like me, don't you?"

"Of course I like you Ruby, you give me free coffee," he says as he struggles to get her into the passenger seat. She gets in ungracefully and then pouts at him through the window.

"Very funny boss," she puffs out a breath and twists in her seat, getting comfortable and watches him get behind the driving wheel. He stares at her pointedly until she reaches for the seatbelt and fumbles to lock it but is unable to. Sighing he reaches across her and clicks the belt into place before doing his own.

"Right then, off we go."

"Back to the same old same old," Ruby grumbles and then straightens in her seat. "Don't take me back straight away; I need to sober up first otherwise she'll chew my ear off."

"I'm not a taxi service," he says gruffly, already heading up the road into the forest.

"Got no money but I'll give you free coffee all this week."

"And pie," he adds and Ruby nods solemnly. He smiles in amusement and they pass a few isolated houses until the road ahead is framed with nothing but trees. Ruby sighs happily and Graham eyes her curiously.

"Didn't take you for a nature lover."

"I'm a lover of anything that isn't that frumpy old town…though I do love the woods."

"And wolves," he says, pointing at the wolf ornament swinging from her mirror. Ruby smiles at it.

"It's my lucky charm. That's the animal I'd like to be reincarnated as. You know wolves are romantic creatures?"

"They are? He watches the road carefully but will swiftly look at her as she speaks. Ruby nods.

"They mate for life…I'd like that. To find someone that makes you feel so whole that you stay with them forever," she whispers and stares out of the window at the trees flicking past, her expression wistful. Graham smiles, gazing at her with a longing he does not register until she suddenly jerks up in her seat with a gasp.

"What's wrong?"

"Did you see that? Stop the car!" she orders, twisting around in her seat.

"Why? What was it?"

"Just stop the car!" she shouts and he complies. The car has barely stopped moving when she unbuckles her seat belt and jumps out. Graham follows with a confused frown. In a tiny skirt and barefooted she walks to the edge of the road and then steps off the path.

"Ruby I wouldn't go in there."

"I saw a wolf," she says and turns back to him practically shaking with excitement. Graham goes to her, looking doubtful.

"It was probably that dog we heard earlier. Come on before you get cold." He takes her arm and begins to pull her away when a howl cries out through the forest. The sound makes both of them freeze and shiver. Whatever is making that noise it is a lonely creature. Ruby smiles in wonder while Graham narrows his eyes, trying to see through the dark.

"Look! Over there, can you see it?" She points and something moves between the trees but Graham can not make it out. He turns to her and takes hold of her hand.

"You must have better vision then me because I can't see anything. Saying that I think we should get back in the car."

She strains against him, leaning towards the woods with a strange longing and he tugs at her hand gently, calling her name. She looks back at him, blinking and seems to come to her senses. As if waking from a spell he leads her back to the car where she gets in.

"I wasn't joking before," she whispers as he starts the engine again. "One day I'll head out there and never come back."

"And I wasn't joking that I'd come after you."

"Why?" she asks, turning to him. She looks confused.

"Because I'm the Sheriff…and because I care what happens to you."

Ruby smiles as he turns to look back at the road and the feeling that had recently grown stronger roots deeper. She does not know how or why but he is the only one in the town to have such an effect on her. Ruby gazes at him sleepily as he drives back into town and stops before Granny's Bed and Breakfast.

"Home sweet home,"

"Brilliant," she mutters grumpily and sits up. She does not get out of the car but turns when he yawns and shrugs at her.

"Well it's either here or one of the cells. I don't know about you but I need a bed."

"You'll sleep here tonight?"

"It's almost three in the morning Ruby; I'm seconds away from falling asleep behind the wheel."

Wincing apologetically she gets out of the car and waits for him to come to her side. Slightly more sober but not steady he helps her to the door where she places a finger to her lips. Feeling like a teenager she motions him to follow her and they walk around the building and through the back yard.

"I shouldn't be sneaking in," Graham whispers. "I'm the Sheriff."

"Live a little," she counters and grins. Before they reach the back door she turns and he almost walks into her. Ruby places her hands against his chest and stares up at him coquettishly.

"You're not that much older then me and I don't think I repulse you, do I?"

"What? Of course you don't."

She does not miss the way his eyes venture downwards before snapping back to her eyes.

"Then kiss me." As confident as she seems it hides a well of insecurities and she only dares ask because she is drunk. Truth of the matter is she is confused. Where Graham is concerned there is an invisible wall between them, barring any contact. He is, for some reason she can not guess, off limits. Graham blinks, not knowing how to respond. Finally he smiles.

"If I did your grandmother would skin and stuff me like one of her taxidermy animals."

Ruby laughs quietly, knowing that she probably would at least try, sheriff or not. Shaking her head she stares at him with an open vulnerability and he blinks, growing serious. He reaches up and brushes a lock of red hair away from her cheek and slowly bends down to her. But as he does she leans back and the door creaks open, making them sprawl into the kitchen.

"Shit," Ruby swears and then presses a finger to her mouth, shushing herself. Graham straightens and listens but there is no sound of anyone approaching. They look at each other, thinking of the kiss that almost was and the wall between them becomes more solid. He smiles politely and takes a few steps back.

"We should get some sleep," he whispers and Ruby nods, smiling to cover her disappointment.

"Sure. I'll take you to a room." Their kiss thwarted she does not admit defeat. So in a daring move she locates him in a room opposite her own, luckily well away from Granny. She leans against her door frame and he turns to face her and all manner of erotic scenarios fill her mind. He must see this on her face because he smiles thinly in bemusement.

"Goodnight."

"Night Sheriff…I'm sorry," she says quickly and he cocks an eyebrow.

"For what?"

"If I come on strong. I know you're hands off."

"Am I? Why do you say that?"

"Well because of you and the mayor," her voice catches and she has to hide her distaste. Graham licks his lips, looking guilty.

"Me and the mayor?"

"Please," Ruby utters scornfully. "The whole town knows. You're her booty call."

"I'm her what?" he laughs in outrage and Ruby shrugs, starting to feel a little sick.

"Never mind. I just want you to know I don't fool around with men who are attached," she say it lightly but something inside shrivels up at her words. What she is saying is right but it doesn't mask her hurt or jealousy.

Graham stares at her, "Good to know but I'm not attached to anyone."

"That makes two of us." Ruby fumbles for the door handle and smiles at Graham. "Goodnight."

He nods and before she knows what is happening he leans forward and brushes his lips against her cheek. The kiss lasts all of two seconds but when his lips touch her skin she is beset with a flood of emotions and she reels. Graham stumbles back, suddenly breathing hard, and bids her goodnight in a breathless voice. She watches him enter his room and close the door before slumping against her own. The feelings that cascaded through her were intense and in that moment she did not just feel attracted to the sheriff or even have a crush on him. She loved him, completely and without question.

"I must be drunk as hell…"

She looks down at her bare feet and shakes her head with a sad smile before going into her room. That night she dreams of running through the forest, carefree and happy with someone at her side before her dreams turn into something more lascivious and she wakes in the morning feeling an odd mix of satisfaction and frustration.

Judging by the sun pouring though the curtain it is near midday when she wakes and with a thumping head she makes her way to the bathroom to wash. Feeling a little more human she exits the bathroom, gathering her hair up and almost elbows Graham in the face.

"Sorry! I didn't see you!" she lowers her hands and stares at him apologetically. He opens his mouth to answer and then stops, his face growing blank. He gawks at her and Ruby looks down self consciously. She is dressed in red shorts and a vest for bed and there is not an ounce of makeup on her. Feeling almost naked under his eyes she looks back up and smiles uncomfortably.

"What?"

"Sorry," he mutters and shakes his head, tries to look away but can't. He smiles softly in wonder. "I almost didn't recognise you but when I did…I don't know it was like I thought you were someone else. That sounds crazy…"

"Just a bit," she looks down at her feet, her nails painted a deep shade of rose. Which she thinks must match her face now. "I never go out without makeup, only my Gran sees me like this. It's stupid to feel like this."

"You are beautiful." Ruby looks up quickly, her mouth open, and even Graham appears taken aback by his words. But then he smoothes his features, "I mean you always are." Ruby says nothing, just smiles at him and he rubs the back of his head and looks down the hallway. "I need to get back to the station."

"Right…thanks Graham, for taking me home."

"No problem. I'll see you around," he heads towards the stairs but turns to take another look at her. Ruby rolls her eyes, inwardly overwhelmed by his reaction.

"Have I got something on my face?"

"No! I'm going now," he says and almost trips down the stairs. Ruby laughs and comes forward.

"Okay but come by later for your free pie."

"Oh yeah, my repayment," he smiles at her cheekily and she has to stop herself sighing in contentment. As he disappears down the stairs Ruby wonders what is wrong with her and tells herself to get a grip. Walking into her room she stares at herself in the mirror and smiles, happier then she has been in weeks.

Months later, after the arrival of Emma and the first cracks in the curse appear, Ruby finds Graham slumped against his car, his eyes wide and spooked. Restricted in her heels and skirt she comforts him as best she can and he grabs hold of her hand as if he is drowning.

"I saw a wolf!"

"What?"

"There was wolf, it went that way," he points a shaking hand down a dark side street and Ruby stares but can not see anything. But instead of doubting his claim she bites her lip and voices something she has never even told Archie, her therapist.

"Did it have white fur?"

Graham gazes up at her open mouthed and then slowly stands, using the car and Ruby for support. "How do you know that?"

"Because I've been seeing a white wolf for months. Rememberer that night you drove me home? Ever since then I've been seeing him everywhere. I thought I was going nuts..."

"So do I..." he gazes at her wonderingly and laces his fingers through hers. Ruby takes a better look at him and is shocked by what she sees. Dark circles ring his red eyes and his skin is sweaty. Earlier he had been oddly amped up, taking shot after shot but she never thought he was ill. She lifts a hand to his face and feels how hot he is.

"Graham you don't look good. I think you should see a doctor."

"I'm fine," he mumbles, staring intensely down the street the wolf went.

"Do you want me to call Emma?"

"No!" he yells and looks back at her in alarm and Ruby averts her gaze.

Since that day when they kissed and he had been stunned by her beauty things had been odd between them. She had carried on as if nothing had happened, not wanting to pursue something she knows is unlikely and save herself from heartbreak. He had continued sleeping with Regina and now with Emma here that sweet scene on the landing seems a million years ago. The truth of the matter is even if there was no one standing in her way something would stop her and that something is herself. Her confidence is largely an illusion, able to be wiped away like her make up that she painstakingly applies. Underneath she is fragile. He is a respected sheriff, Regina's lover and now possibly Emma's. She's just a brash waitress…but even that is an illusion. In her heart she knows that she is more, someone brave and free and content. But like the wall between her and Graham something will not let her be this person and it drives her restless.

"Don't worry about it," she says and moves away but he pulls her back.

"Remember when I saw you without any make up on and I said I recognised you as someone else?"

"Yeah...?" Ruby blinks, thrown by his words.

"Well I feel like that again, only this time about myself. I feel like there's two of me. I'm in a forest and it's my home. I'm a hunter, I think." She gazes at him open mouthed, not knowing what to say and he takes her silence the wrong way. He holds his head in his hands and sighs. "Forget about it, I'm talking crazy."

"No, I believe you. You have no idea..." she utters in a shaking voice and he lowers his hands in surprise. She leans closer to him and whispers, "Remember when I said that I'd like to go into the wood and never come back? That wasn't a threat or coming from a dark place. I feel like I belong there, like the other half of me is out there and I just need enough guts to go find her. Sometimes, when the moon is full I feel..." she trails off, unable to put what she feels into words.

Graham blinks in wonder and lowers his hands against her shoulders. "That's what I want to do. I have to follow the wolf and then I'll know what the hell is going on."

"I won't stop you but right now you need rest. Sleep and then you can go on as many spirit guide walks as you want. Come on," she takes his hand and motions towards the B&B but he doesn't move. His eyes, so feverish in the light, gaze at her intently.

"Thank you for believing me."

"No problem. Lets go, I'm freezing."

This motivates him into moving and they make their way down the street in silence, Graham occasionally looking back for the wolf until they get to the B&B. She shows him into the same bedroom he slept in last time and wishes the distracted sheriff goodnight. Finally in her own bed she stares up at the ceiling, unable to get him out of her thoughts until she resorts to pacing, completely restless. Confessing to him that she believes she is another person is liberating but now all she wants is to confess the rest of her heart. She even opens her door and stands before his but she is smothered with a bout of insecurity and almost gives in to it. But the curse that withholds so much of her life grows weaker everyday and without thinking she knocks. Immediately it opens and he stares at her and she knows without a doubt he had been on the other side, fighting the same battle.

She does not give him the chance to speak. Sliding her hand around the back of his head she leans up and kisses hard. Instantly she feels a flood of love for him, intense and passionate and she gasps into his mouth. But along with that comes a wave of sadness. She breaks away in confusion and he cups her face and wipes her wet cheeks with his thumbs.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I just feel really...I don't know."

"I saw something when you kissed me," he whispers, gazing into her eyes. "I saw a wolf but not the white one. This one was dark and she had gold eyes and..." he trails off, frowning in confusion and then lets his eyes roam hungrily over her bare face. "What's happening?"

"I don't know," she whispers and leans up towards him but he shakes his head, eyes blazing with torment.

"I can't, not after tonight."

"Oh..." she moves back, dropping her hands to her sides.

"It's just that it wouldn't be fair. My life is a mess and I can't drag you into it to."

Ruby nods, knowing that he is talking about Regina and Emma. She does not like the mayor but Emma is her friend and she will not ruin that or make things awkward. She shakes her head, trying to smile. "It's fine, forget it. This was a mistake. As if you and me..."

"No, don't think that," he pulls her back to him and smooths her hair back from her face. She averts her eyes, unable to look at him. Graham makes a growl of frustration. "I don't understand what's happening to me but I want you to know that if things were different we would be out of this town and running free."

Ruby smiles faintly and looks up. "Together?"

"Of course. Us wolves have to stick together."

"You're a wolf now? I thought you were a huntsman?"

"My day job but I can howl as good as you," he says and though she knows he is trying to deflect the awkwardness with humour she smiles anyway.

"I'm going to hold you to that promise. Once you're feeling better we'll head out into the woods together. Agree?"

"Absolutely," he says and shakes her hand and keeps hold. Just as she's about to turn away he pulls her back and kisses her chastely on the lips and this time the emotions that flow through her are tinged with a bittersweetness. He pulls back an inch, his eyes gazing into hers and a soft gleam of acceptance shines there. He lowers his mouth to hers again but before their lips touch a creak from the stairs and a flare of light has them stumbling apart.

"Ruby? Is that you?"

"Yes Gran, go back to sleep," she calls and the light from downstairs flicks off, accompanied by irritated grumbles. Ruby and Graham stare at each other, a sea of emotion that neither of them can navigate or understand between them. As they wish each other goodnight they have no idea of how much they truly mean to each other and can only grasp at fragments. Both feeling like they are on a precipice and almost touching the truth they take one lingering glance before closing their respective doors.

a.n:

sorry for the wait, this chapter proved tricky. The first half was fine but the second I rewrote a few times and wondered if should include it at all. I wanted it to be canon complacent but also something that falls in line with my story. The curse is keeping them apart, Graham because of his tangled love life and Ruby because of her insecurity. Kissing each other gives them back bits and pieces of their old lives but not enough and of course Graham was already enchanted to forget her. So again it's sad but I hope the first half was nice.

Epilogue to come...