This one is a bit longer than the rest so far and it's pumped full of pointless banter but that's how I like it!

7.

"Call her." Regina demanded, pacing the kitchen.

Robin looked up from his fancy phone and shook his head before continuing to punch buttons sporadically. "Honestly darling, are you really that far behind the times? What if they are together right now, Ruby would have to speak cryptically and from what I understand, she isn't the most subtle young woman."

"So you are texting her?" She snapped.

"Um… Yes."

"Why is this even a fad? I mean honestly… texting is so… blah." She ran her fingers, roughly, through her hair before laying face first on the counter. "This is ridiculous."

"Have a drink and go chill out, you old nag. Let the stud work his magic for a minute."

An audible huff and a few echoing footsteps later, Regina threw herself down on the couch across the open room. "What are you saying to her?"

"Just give me a second and I will read it to you." He mumbled, still typing.

"Are you writing a novel or what?"

"Damn it woman!"

"Fiiine." She sighed, burying her face into a plane, red throw cushion.

"Alright." He smiled, leaning against the island behind him. "I said: Hey, Ruby. This is Robin. There seems to be some misunderstandings happening between our two favorite drama queens. We need to get the gals together and talk this through otherwise we are both going to have to watch them mope around like heartbroken teens… Hit me up and we will figure something out."

"Hit me up? Drama queens? I am seconds away from taking your head clean off." She spat.

"Hey, its how people talk these days… don't shoot the messenger."

"That line is not valid here, Robin."

"Grammar nazi." He mumbled.

"It is not a question of grammar… It's using a euphemism wrong." She said, proudly.

"Tomatoe, toomaatooo."

"No! Just stop before I punch you."

"Oh, oh darling, aren't we sassy tonight." He laughed.

#

"You wanna grab some food?" Jefferson ask, standing in the small doorway of Killian's grungy cabin.

"Yea. Let's do that. I'm starving!" Ruby barked.

"You're always hungry." Emma huffed. "You eat like an animal."

Ruby glared the blonde with narrowing eyes.

"Hey now lassies, can we not do this, please?" The shaggy man pleaded.

"Alright, in the car, march." Jefferson demanded. "You riding with me?" he asked, turning to the man.

"Depends… Pub or Diner?"

Emma's ears perked up at the word 'pub'. She turned and metally begged Jefferson to say they were going somewhere that served booze.

"Is that really a question? Diner." He responded, instantly extracting a whine from the blonde.

"Did I not say get in the car?" He snapped at her.

"I'm going, jesus."

"I'll take my own vessel, thanks." Killi cut in.

"Vessel?" Laughed Jefferson. "It's so fitting considering that old caddi is a boat."

"Lay off, lad. My Jolly Roger could out run your hat box any day."

Jefferson made his way down the walkway and into his car. Slamming the key into the ignition, he tapped the gas a few times. "Hear that, sir?! Does that sound like a hat box to you?!"

Killi shook his head before walking to his own, slick, black classic Cadillac. Instead of playing the other man's game, he shouted, "Meet you there." Before pulling away slowly.

Jefferson turned to Ruby who sat in his passenger seat and smiled childishly. "Mine is…"

"Shut it Jeff. I don't care about how nice your ride is. His is bigger." Ruby snapped, cutting him off.

"Aww god Rube, I don't need to know that." He moaned, popping his car into reverse. After a moment of silence and concentrated steering, he was out on the road. "Wait… are you serious?" he asked, coyly.

"Did you not see that car?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"You know what I'm talking about."

"I have never seen either of your manhoods, how would I know? Idiot." She scoffed.

In the back seat, Emma erupted into a cackling fit. "Jefferson…" She gasped. "You are such a man."

"Hey, I was just asking." he snapped, defensively.

"Why does it even matter whose dick is bigger? Why is that an issue with men?"

"It isn't."

"Obviously it is." She shot, playfully.

"No… I was simply curious."

"If you're so curious, ask him to see it… boys love showing off their pieces, right?" Ruby joined in.

"Gross. This is going too far." Emma whined, mocking a gagging sound.

#

"Has she responded to you yet?" Regina asked in an impatient moan. She sat cross-legged on the couch and sipped on a glass of spiked cider.

"I will let you know when she does, darling. Don't worry about it." He said softly, sitting down next to her.

"How can I not worry about it… I need to explain to her before she does something stupid."

"Your lack of faith in her amuses me."

"Robin, she is young… You should remember what its like to be young and stupid."

"Oh, have no doubt, darling… I am reminded every day. But, I have no regrets… with neither you nor Marian, I am perfectly happy with the consequences of my teenage idiocy." He smiled, proudly.

"Perfectly happy, being a gay man married to a lesbian?"

"Not just a lesbian… a strong, independent, wonderful parent and amazing wife… lesbian." He began laughing at himself. "And... I'm not gay."

"I know you love me, Robin… save the pleasantries."

"But I was just getting started." He droned on. "I hardly ever get to give you my affections…"

Leaning forward, she placed a light kiss on his forehead. "You are the greatest man I will ever meet and the only man I will ever love and you should be fully away of that."

He straightened up and took her hands loosely in his fingers. "I know darling. Best friends until this miserable world explodes." He smiled. "Now… I'm going to try to call this Ruby girl and see if we can win you back your princess!"

#

The obnoxious blaring of rock music came screeching relentlessly from the depths of Ruby's pocket as she exited Jefferson's car. She fought her phone from her jeans and eye-balled the number. It had the first six digits of every other resident in town. Sliding her thumb down the side of the device, she silenced the commotion. "I'll be in, in a sec." She called to her friends who were already making their way into the diner without her.

Staring back down at her phone, she hesitantly punched the flashing green button on the screen before putting it to her ear. "Hello?"

"Hello Miss, is this Ruby?"

"Uh… yea. Who's this?" she asked, looking around.

"I'm quite sorry to bother you, Ruby. This is Robin."

"Dr. Mill's Robin?" Her eyes widened.

"That would be the one." He chuckled, lightly.

"Look man, I ain't got anything to do with whatever you know…" She started, panicking.

"No, no. There has been a terrible misunderstanding, darling. Regina needs to speak with your dearest Emma."

"What?"

"My word, do pay attention, please. This is important. Are you listening?"

"Yea." She smacked her lips. "I'm listenin, brother."

"Lovely. There has been some mix up involving our babysitter, Belle. Regina needs to set things straight with your friend… Is there any chance that you could convince her to speak with my wife?"

Ruby shook her head and switched her phone over to her other ear. "Do you know how fucked up this all is? Your wife, my best friend… and Eeeeveryone is just fine with it… lets all come together and save the not-even-a fucking relationship between the two." Ruby snapped, sarcastically.

"Listen, darling, I know this is a delicate situation and it doesn't all make sense currently but I have faith that one day it will."

"Fine. Whatdo I gotta do?" She asked, resting her free hand on her hip.

"Can we all meet somewhere or something? They can talk privately."

A bell rang out behind Ruby as the front door was opened. She turned to see Emma lighting a smoke and staring right back at her with a quizzing face.

"Uh, I'm at the diner on main if you want to join. You have an hour. See you then." She hung up before he could respond.

"Who was that?" Emma asked.

"No one important."

"You told them to meet us and they aren't important… that makes me feel safe. Please tell me that you aren't selling drugs."

"Do I look like a drug dealer to you?! Do I seem strung out?"

"Hey, hardly any dealers actually do the drug they are selling… Waste of product."

"I'm not even going to ask." Ruby shook her head and strode past the blonde. "Ima go chill, you okay here?"

"What, you aren't going to hold my hand?" Emma pouted.

"I'll hold your hand after dinner." Ruby relied as she disappeared into the little shop.

"Wait!" Emma called, flipping away her half smoked cigarette. "What are you talking about?"

#

"We have to do to that diner? Ugh! Its so dirty." Regina huffed, still sitting on the couch.

"You have gotten down to more filthy practices in your study than that diner could ever comprehend." He shot back playfully.

"oh very funny."

"Do you want to talk to her or not?"

"Of course I do… just not in a room full of college kids." She said softy.

"Sorry, your majesty, but this is your chance."

"Fine. Where is my coat?" she stood, looking around.

"It's sixty degrees outside, you don't need a coat."

"But I do, the sun is going down…" She started.

"Come on, darling. You are stalling and I know it." He said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to the door. "I'll drive."

"Wait… Why did you have to call her if you texted her earlier?" She twisted out of his grip and put her hands on her hips.

"Good question." He said, digging his phone back out. "Hmm. It didn't send." He smiled.

"See! All this time I have been sitting here in agonizing worry… While your text sat in your phone!" She huffed. "I told you to call her!" Snactching a coat off of the pole by the door, she folded it neatly of her arm.

"Are you quite finished?"

"No. Another thing… How is this even going to work? You think we are just going to waltz into there where a million people will be… and she is going to comply with my request… after how I treated her?!"

"She doesn't know that you are coming. I'll go in, ask her if she wants to speak with you… if she does, I'll bring her out to you. That simple."

"And if she doesn't wish to speak with me?"

"Then we give her time and try again."

"uh-huh. This is a terrible idea, Robin."

"Stop it, we are going." He said firmly, opening the door. "Go get in the car. Now."

She did as she was told. Sulking into their vehicle, she slid down into the seat. The short drive felt like ages. Air whistling in through a cracked window, she felt like she was suffocating. They approached the diner from the side street. Parking on the road, Robin looked to his wife.

"It will be fine." He smiled.

"Nothing is ever fine." She murmured, sinking lower in her seat.

#

"Why couldn't we just go to the pub?" Emma whined, poking her fries around the plate.

"Because you don't need to be out of your head today… And I am in no mood to babysit your drunk ass." Ruby said flatly.

"Because it's all about you right?"

"Hey, I'm just sayin."

Emma pushed her food away and looked around. The usually crowded diner was surprisingly empty tonight. Her gaze fell on the front door. Mindlessly, she continued to stare through the glass, out onto the street. She watched as a well dressed man opened the door and stepped inside. I bet I could rock that sweater vest she thought, admiring the smooth grey fabric. Her eyes crept up to the man's face and instantly she felt sick. She hunkered down, hiding her face behind Jefferson's head.

"What are you doing?" He asked, looking around.

"Shut up. I have to go." She snapped, jumping to her feet the second the man looked in any direction other than hers. She sprinted to the bathroom and into an empty stall, kicking the lock.

"What the hell?" Killi looked around. "Who is that bloke?"

Ruby looked up and smirked. "That would be Robin."

"Who?" Killi asked, arching a brow.

"Regina's husband."

"You're joking! I bet he is here to pick a fight with her." He mumbled.

Before Ruby could fill them in, Killian stood up and marched over to Robin, grabbed him by the arm and pulled the obviously confused man out the door.

"You Robin?" He asked, coolly.

Pulling his arm way from the man's grip, he straightened out his wrinkled sleeve. "I am."

"Before you get any ideas… You are going to turn around and take your ass home."

"Excuse me?" Robin took a step back.

"You heard me. Go on. You aren't about to start shit with Emma over this. She is upset enough as it is."

"Hey, you have it wrong. I'm not here to fight…" Robin started, calmly.

"Well I am. I suggest you bugger off before I lose my temper." Killi smiled, challengingly.

"I need to speak with Emma, sir. This is a big misunderstanding."

"I bet it is." He took a step closer to Robin. "Like I said, Robin, bugger off. I wouldn't want to bloody up that fancy sweater." He warned, pinching the shoulder of Robin's shirt.

Robin put his hands up and backed away slowly. "I don't want any trouble." He whispered.

"Then there will be no trouble." Killi smiled, watching the man retreat. "This was your warning, bloke, next time I catch you around… I won't be this sweet." He finished by kissing his fingers and blowing it in Robin's direction.

Killi walked back into the diner and was met with a furious Ruby who was being held tightly in Jefferson's strong arms. "What did you do?!" She screeched.

"Oi Luv, calm down. I just talked to him. He left. Nothing to get your knickers twisted about." He smiled.

"He was here to talk to Emma you idiot! To get her to talk to Regina." She lowered her voice, looking around. "He was trying to help." She hissed, angrily.

"Great well, on that note, I'll be headed home." He laughed, throwing a ten on the table. "Tell er ta keep the change."

#

"Who was this?" Regina asked, wide-eyed.

"I'm uh, not sure…"

"What did he look like, Robin?" She droned, impatiently.

"Oh, well… He was just a hair taller than me… Black shaggy hair, Leather coat and dark-wash jeans… he had a thin build but he still looked kind of muscular…And I'm fairly certain that he was British or at least European… He called me a bloke. He was quiet attractive, really."

"Shut up." Regina shivered in disgust. "I bet it was Jones… He never thinks before he acts. I bet he didn't even know what was happening."

"He seemed pretty set on kicking my hind-end right then and there." Robin laughed.

"You would have liked it. He is the closest thing to family that Emma ever had… It would only seem fitting that he be the one to be defensive. What did Emma say?"

"I didn't even see here. I barely walked in before that brute grabbed me."

"I guess I will try again tomorrow then.' She sighed heavily. "Let's go home, I need a drink."

"After getting roughed up by Mr. Sexy-Brit-Boy… It's safe to say we both need a drink."

"Eww. Just drive."

They pulled up into the driveway and exited the car in silence. As Regina made her way into their home, she dropped her coat on the couch, kicked her shoes off and climbed the stairs to her section of the house. Slipping into her room, she slammed the door shut behind her. "How could I have been so careless?!" She scolded herself.

Robin strolled around the main level, picking up Regina's discarded shoes from the kitchen and setting them on a rack by the door before tending to her coat that lay in a crumbled heap. Shaking his head gently, he pulled the garment up by the collar and brushed the wrinkles flat with his fingers and took it to the pole she had pulled it from.

He sat down on the couch and drew out his phone. The message he had attempted to send Ruby was still on his screen. Hovering his finger over the send button, he closed his eyes and leaned his back into the soft cushions. "Best let her work this one out on her own" he whispered before throwing his phone down next to him.

Regina paced her room in silence. Her head ached and her nosed burned, she knew that if she were to stop moving, tears were sure to fall. Shaking her head violently, willing herself not to give up, she threw herself down on the springy-soft bed beside where she once paced. As if on autopilot, she pulled her laptop to her side and tapped the spacebar a few times. When the device finally lit up, she punched a few keys and waited. The second she got to her desktop screen, she opened up her email and began to type.

Emma,

I really need to speak with you. It is urgent. I cannot explain through this email because it is improper and emotionless… I need to see you. Come to my office tomorrow when you get a chance. Please.

R

Hitting send, she rolled over onto her back and stared at nothing. Her chin began to quiver. A single tear began slowly crawling out of the corner of her eye and down into her ear. It was a terrible, disgusting feeling; having a hot drop of liquid in her ear. Wiping away its path, she sat up and slammed her computer shut.

"I think I will have that drink." Robin said to himself while pulling himself out of the couch. He had almost made it to the kitchen when a door slamming outside of the front of the house caught his attention. He looked down at his watch. "Ah. That time already." He smiled, continuing his path to the kitchen. Pulling the refrigerator door open, he surveyed his options… "What do I want… Redd's? Eh. Indigestion… Sam Addams?... hmmm. Ah! Estrella, my love." He smiled, gripping the long, slender neck of a dark, label-less bottle.

He quickly grabbed a small wine glass from the cupboard and filled it up with the yellow liquid. He brought the glass to his lips, gracefully, before setting it back down. His ears perked and his mouth pulled into a wide smile at the sound of small voices chattering outside. A key scrapped at the locked door and he stood back against the counter, crossing his arms. When the door swung open, two little boys came flying into the room, followed by a woman carrying a paper bag against her hip.

"My little huntsmen!"' Robin called, throwing his arms out.

The boys ran into their father, full force. Their little arms gripping whatever part of him they could reach. Kneeing down to their level, Robin embraced them in a bear-hug before pushing them back to look at their faces.

"Did you have a fun day, boys?"

"Yes, Papa. We went to the park with Miss Belle and we saw Mister Archie and he let us play with Pongo!" The smaller of the two squeaked, excitedly.

Robin ran his fingers through the boy's shaggy red-ish-blonde hair. "Is that so, Oliver?" He smiled, looking his son over. "We really need to get you a hair cut."

"No Papa! I want to grow mine like Miss. Belle's!" he responded, without missing a beat.

At that, Robin couldn't help but laugh. "whatever makes you happy, son." He stood up and saw that belle had set her bag on the island. "What's that, darling?"

"Just some things I picked up on the way back in." She smiled.

"Belle got Mum flowers!" shouted the oldest child. He stood a little under chest high on Robin. His hair was short, clean and jet black.

"Mum, huh. Did you also get to see Mister Gold today?" Robin smiled down at his eldest boy with an arched brow.

Instantly, Roland's face glowed with happiness. "Yea, we sure did. He showed me some more of his treasures in his shop! Gave me this!" He bounced on his toes while pulling a silver disk from his shirt pocket. He held it up to his dad with both hands. "See!"

Robin bent down to get a closer look at the object. "Gold gave you a silver pocket watch, did he?"

"Yea! And he said that after my birthday, I can be an a-prince at his shop!"

"You mean an apprentice?"

"That's what I said!" the boy squawked.

"of course." Robin laughed, patting the boy's head. "Take your brother in the den, I need to speak with Belle."

The boys both darted across the house; shoving each other and laughing all the way down the hall. When their laughter faded to a dull murmur, Robin turned to the girl. "No, really… what is in the bag?"

"Flowers for Regina and a little something for you…" she winked.

"Ooooh I love surprises! What is it?"

She reached down into the bag and pulled out a styrofoam box. Smiling, she handed it to him.

"Hmmm. It can't be Chinese, I would have smelled that… what could it be?" Carefully, he popped the top from the container and screeched. "Oh it's tiramisu! I just love you, darling." He danced around and kissed the girl on the cheek.

"I knew you would like it. So, where is Regina?"

"She is upstairs somewhere. I heard the door slam so she is probably in her room." He was suddenly aware of the silence in the house around him. He narrowed his eyes, putting down his treat. "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what, sir?"

"Exactly." He whispered, tip toeing down the hall, Belle behind him.

He peeked into the den area and saw that the boys weren't in there. Quickly, he rounded the corner and looked up the stairwell. He made it just in time to see a little red blur dart away. "Damn."

"What is it?"

"They went upstairs. Hopefully Regina is awake…"

"BOOOOYS!" Regina yelled through the closed door. Her voice was followed by hushed snickering and the sound of speedy feet on the floor.

As Roland ran past her bedroom door, Regina jumped out and grabbed him by the hips, lifting him, screaming bloody murder, off the ground and into her room. She slammed the door shut before dropping him on the bed. Gently, she squeezed the boy's sides until he laughed so hard that he could hardly breathe.

"Please!" he gasped. "stop Mum, I'm going to pee!"

"Oh I bet you will think twice before sneaking up here, wont you?"

"Yes, Yes! PLEEEEASE!" He screamed.

When Regina didn't let up on the boy, he called out for his brother. "Oliver, save me! Mum's gone crazy!"

Seconds later, Regina was sideswiped by a little body. Thin, pale arms closed in on her head. "Back you beast!" the littlest boy called. "I'll save you brother!"

Regina laughed and grabbed the boy, pulling him over her head and placing him carefully next to his brother on the bed. Still tickling Roland, she pulled up the little one's shirt and planted her lips on his stomach before blowing harshly against his skin; the result was a terrible bubbling sound and two shrill laughing boys.

When Regina finally looked up, she saw Robin and Belle standing in her doorway. "Seems the huntsmen are out for blood this evening." She smiled to her husband.

"We cant have that now can we?" He laughed, walking to the bed. He grabbed Roland by the feet and pulled him, laughing, all the way down to him. Robin bent over and curled the boy over his shoulder.

"To the brig with this offender!" He called.

"No, no Sir! She attacked me first!" The boy giggled.

Robin gasped and turned to his wife. "Is that true, your majesty?! Did you attack this man?"

"Only in self defense, take him." She replied, waving a hand.

"You heard the queen to the brig with this chap!" He said firmly, bouncing his son on his shoulder. "But what of that one?" He asked, staring at Oliver who was trying to crawl away from Regina's tickling fingers.

"Oh, he was the worst of all. Nearly took off my head." Regina said, grandly.

"How dare you, sir." Robin called, grabbing up the laughing youngster.

"No, no, no!" Oliver giggled.

"Oh, yes, yes, yes. To the brig with these men!"

"Please sir, take us to the dungeons instead." Oliver squeaked.

Robin and Regina made eye contact. Smiling big, she nodded. "To the dungeons by order of the queen!" Robin huffed, walking out the door. He turned around and winked at his wife who was still grinned like a fool. "Ahem. If the queen could grace us with her presence at the round table in say half an hour, it would be a great honor." He finished before running down the steps, screaming and laughing boys draped over his shoulders.

#

"You know…" Regina said, walking gracefully into the kitchen. "Roland's accent comes out pretty bad when he is around you and Gold for long periods of time."

"Oh, I know!" Belle laughed. "It's funny though because I'm not English."

Regina took a seat across form Robin and the young brunette. "I think we should just let his voice develop however it's going to. I mean, I know his mother's dialect was thick and he is going on ten now..."

"I know." Sighed Robin. "I just don't want him to get picked on for his way of speaking."

Belle smiled, "I doubt he will get picked on. He is a very handsome boy."

"Not to mention, the first rude comment in regards to himself or his brother and he will do some damage. He has a strong arm, darling." Regina added.

"So…" Robin started, wiggling a brow at Regina.

"No. I don't want to talk about it. I will talk to her tomorrow and see how it goes."

"Fair enough."

"Oh!" Belle jumped up from the table. "I got you something." She smiled, bringing the paper bag to Regina.

"Now, why would you do that?"

"It's in my job description." Belle smiled even bigger.

"No, dear. Your job description says nothing but keep the kids out of my hair without getting them killed or arrested." Regina laughed, plunging her hand into the bag. She pulled out a light pink, cardboard box. "Oh?"

"Open it." Belle whispered.

She opened the lid very carefully. In her palms sat a box filled with clusters of little white, red and pink flowers. Dipping her nose to them, Regina inhaled deeply through her nose. "Ugh. They smell fantastic."

"They are apple blossoms. In the bottom of that box, there are a few little starts. you'll have to plant them inside and keep them warm for a while but in a few years, you will have apple trees."

"You really are such a sweet person, Belle. Thank you."

"A queen should have a fancy garden to take pleasurable strolls in, after all." Robin added.

"Speaking of queens... where are the boys?"

"Basement. sound asleep. apparently they had a big day."

"Oh yes." Belle cut in. "We went everywhere today. I wish you could have seen little Oliver rolling around with Archie's dog. It was like there was no world outside of that dog... Have you ever considered getting him a pet?"

Regina narrowed her eyes at Robin. the conversation came up quite frequently but she didn't think the boys were ready for that responsibility just yet. "We will talk about it later."

#

"She emailed you, huh? You should go talk to her." Ruby said, neutrally.

"Na. I don't need that kind of awkward on my life. I was thinking about going to Aurora's tonight." Emma said, scratching her head.

"noooo. No no. you know what will happen." Ruby warned.

"That's the point. If Regina is fucking other people then so am I!" she huffed.

"Emmaaaa, she isn't fucking anyone! Please just go talk to her before you do something you regret."

"I have already done something I regret." She whispered, shaking her head. Her hair fell down around her face, hiding her pain.

"Don't say that. You love her." Ruby said, sitting down at the table center their kitchen.

"No. I lust after her… that isn't love."

"Emma Swan, do you hear yourself?! Yesterday you were going on and on about how great she is and now look at you."

"She is seeing Belle. She doesn't need me."

"She doesn't NEED anyone. She has a family. She WANTS you and you fucking want her too."

"I don't know what I want, Rubes."

"What the fuck dude?" Ruby threw her hands up. "She drops a sick tone on you one fucking time and now it's the end of the world?! This isn't like you, Emma. I have seen you duke it out with bitches just before they drag you to their rooms to get their brains fucked out but Mills yells at you once… and you wither into a black hole."

"You don't get it." Emma sighed. "Hell, I don't get it… I just know that I can't face her again."

"Oh, like that time you flicked the ole bean to her naked photos?"

"I did not!" Emma snapped.

"Suuure. Whatever. I see the way you look at her and honestly, I see the way she looks at you."

"Means nothing."

"It means that you need to grow up and go talk to her. You know, Robin called me today."

"What?" The blonde's face twisted into horror.

"Yup. He even came to talk to you. That's what he was doing at the diner… who I was talking to on the phone."

"What did he want?"

"HE wanted you to come outside and talk to Regina."

"Bull shit. He would have said something…"

"When you ran off, Killi confronted him. Dragged him out the door before I could even stop him. Fucking Jeff held me down so I wouldn't get involved. He wanted to talk to you Em... SHE wants to talk to you!" Ruby cried, pleadingly.

"I just can't do it, Ruby. I don't want to. I need to just deal with her class and forget that we ever happened."

"Please... Just think this through."

Emma's eyes were glossy, she stared off into the nothingness inside her brain. Suddenly, tears began to stream down her emotionless face. She just stood there. Not a sound.

"Em, come lay down with me. We will figure this out tomorrow, okay?" Ruby asked, softly. She stood and took the blonde's hand, willing her into her bed.

Emma complied. They laid down. Ruby hugged the blonde's body close to hers. "And look," She whispered. "I'm babysitting you after all."

The blonde woke her fingers in between Ruby's. They laid there in silence, cuddled into each other, until they both drifted off.

I'm not 100% sure yet but I have a feeling that this may end up being longer than 10 chapters... We will see how much I can cram into the next 3 before I decide. Thanks for reading, lovelies! -DR