Chapter 6: Found A Friend In A Stranger

Emma had made her way over to one of the stools in the dinner not bothering to sit at a both because she needed a drink, seeing the brunette with her family reminded her how much she had always wanted that and how she would never have it.

She had dropped off the cruiser and made her way back to the dinner seeing as it was too early to start drinking. Her favorite drink to go to on a day like this though was a hot chocolate and hoped that it was good because she would be a grouch if she didn't get her fix soon.

Ruby came out the back wearing one of her signature smiles but, Emma who had learned to read people from a young age in order to survive her foster homes and groups, noticed that the lanky brunette's body language didn't match her facial one. Her demeanor had changed from when she first was here earlier with Regina. It looked as if she and her weren't having the best day and knew how to put up a front very well.

"Hey Emma. What can I get you?" Ruby asked as she wiped down the counter where Emma was sitting at.

"A hot chocolate, please." Emma smiled as she pulled out her phone.

"Would you like whip cream on top or plain?" Ruby turned to the machine that had said chocolate.

"Whip cream and can you sprinkle cinnamon on top of the whip cream as well, please?"

"Sure, although I never heard of anyone combining those two together." Ruby gave her a small laugh. She placed the hot chocolate on the counter and leaned in as Emma pulled her mug to her lips tasting the delicious chocolate making her feel already a hundred times better.

"Thanks this is delicious. Totally needed this."

"Yeah, no problem that's what I am here for." This time Ruby's smile was small but sincere her face still held a hint of hurt and Emma couldn't take it anymore.

"Hey would you like to give me a tour of the town? You know important places I need to know so I won't get lost out there in case I get a call?"

"Sure. Let me tell my boss."

Emma smiled knowing that she was going to get the brunette to open up without her trying. She finished her chocolate and left a tip under the mug as she put it on the counter. Just as Ruby came out with an older lady who was eyeing Emma up and down before she turned back to Ruby to whisper something.

Ruby nodded and left her grandmother's side to stand in front of Emma, "Ready."

Emma pulled out her keys as she made her way out with Ruby right behind her. She got into her bug and reached over to open the passenger side for Ruby to hop on in.

"Where would you like to go to first? We have the forest, the parks, the schools, and the beach-"

"The Forest sounds interesting, Regina said it is rather large and I would like to get acquainted with the trails if there are any, wouldn't like to get lost in there." Emma interrupted the poor girl smiling at her enthusiasm.

"Oh I usually go for hikes and runs there. The only part of the forest they go to is the picnic and playground area."

Ruby gave Emma directions as they drove towards Storybrooke's forest.

"So, what is there to do for fun in this small town?" Emma asked after Ruby was done telling her what streets too turn to since it was a good couple of miles of straight road from Ruby's directions she figured it was the best opportunity to start talking.

"There really isn't much The Rabbit Hole is our town bar so if you want to drink your liver out that's where you go. It just depends what your scene is." Ruby shrugged.

"Where do you like to go?"

Ruby thought about the library because lately that was where she spent most of her days since Belle had moved into Storybrooke but, before Belle she used to hit The Rabbit Hole every weekend to find someone to go home with and have some fun between the sheets. During the weekdays it was usually her working the diner ever since her grandmother had gotten ill. After that scare she told her grandmother she was hiring help whether she wanted to or not. She had hired a nice girl named Ella and she mostly helped weekends and two days out of the week. Ruby thought about her grandmother and Belle the only two people in this town that have ever made her feel happy even if her grandmother was a hard ass.

Emma saw the emotions flicker one after another but the one that stuck was sadness, but she found odd that Ruby had a slight grin on her face though.

"May I ask what is going in on in that head of yours?" Emma kept her eyes at the road trying to give Ruby room to say no and to not feel pressured.

"Oh. It's nothing." Ruby knew this small town and if word got out that she had feelings for Belle she didn't know what they might do to the poor librarian. No one liked the poor girl because of the man she had been married to and they somehow felt she was just as bad as him. Ruby didn't understand that logic and very very few people felt for the poor girl.

"You know I am new here, a stranger really, and I heard that talking to a stranger usually helps. Also if you're really don't feel like talking I am here too." Emma turned and gave her a kind smile.

"Thanks." Ruby looked calm, if the peace and silence that enveloped the car showed just the turmoil that seemed to settle in the lanky brunette next to her.

When they arrived they continued in silence, Emma just following Ruby with minimal verbal directions.

"The Library." Ruby said after they had sat on a log facing a wide but shallow stream no more than two feet high.

Emma just kept her eyes on the stream taking leaves and small pebbles as she waited for Ruby to open up at her own pace. After a couple of beats Ruby shifted and faced Emma.

"That's where I spend my time, the library." Ruby started to nervously fidget in her seat but continued, "the librarian, Belle, she moved here a couple of months back. There is a long story but the short version is she was married to a man named Mr. Gold and he passed away about two years ago, he owned half the houses here in Storybrooke, the thing is he made people pay him for renting land or the house whether they could afford it or not. It was also found out he was into a nasty business with the mayor's mother town, but when Belle came into his life he tried to change." Ruby played with her hands as she paused to catch some air.

"He still had nasty habits that he didn't break and always did things behind Belle's back. The thing is Belle and I talked a bit here and there when she dropped by the dinner and soon became comfortable enough to hang out at the library because at the diner she wasn't very welcomed by the town so they would glare at her and she wouldn't spend more time than she needed to pick up her lunch. I started to go and read during my lunch and when the library was empty I would go and try to make some small talk. I actually started to read just so I had something to talk about with her."

Ruby let out a sigh, "I don't know how it happened or when but I fell for her. I actually went to see her today but when she wasn't at the Library for lunch like she usually is I went to the park and saw her crying and I couldn't stand there and do nothing. After comforting her, then when I was going to say "sorry" she assumed the worst from me, and started to tell me how she thought I was going to speak ill about her husband. I corrected her as I hugged her to let her know I was there for her. I don't think she will ever feel the same way as I do for her but I wished she knew I will be there unconditionally." Ruby had silent tears by the end of it because it hurt her so much that Belle had assumed the worst when she had only been kind to her.

Emma noticed the tears glistening on Ruby and moved to but an arm around her shoulders. "I am sorry Ruby. I know how it feels to always feel like people will assume the worst of you. Just so you know I don't and, I know you and she will patch things up soon; when people grieve it makes people say and do things they normally wouldn't, just give her time and let her come to you. For now I am here whenever you need a friend."