The beat of the music matched the steps Ruby was taking, the bass aligning with the slamming of her feet on the pavement. She breathed heavily, trying to keep it steady. Perspiration dripped down her forehead, causing her to nearly overheat under her light jacket.

Yet she loved taking a jog. Since she was half-wolf, running was one of the things she enjoyed, something that calmed her down. In wolf form, she could race through the forest, wind blowing through her fur, without a care to prey on her mind. As a human, it wasn't exactly the same sensation, but at least she could get close.

The planks of the boardwalk disappeared behind her as she got closer to the town, and she thought of taking a jog around the shops, but decided she didn't want to run the risk of seeing anyone that would talk to her. This was her meditation time.

"Ruby! What a coincidence!" As she turned the corner to run back around the boardwalk, none other than the famous Dr. Whale fell in line jogging with her. He was sporting something that Ruby figured hadn't been removed from his closet since the 80s, and looked slightly ridiculous on him.

Ruby still didn't want to talk about him. She knew they had to do something about the cloak, but at the moment she was still upset and confused, and hated being bothered on her run.

"Don't you have people to treat?" she snapped, not sure if it was a good or bad idea to turn up the volume on her iPod.

"No, it's my day off," the doctor responded gloomily, almost sounded dejected. Ruby immediately softened, feeling guilty. She ripped out one of her earbuds so she could still hear the music in the background, still align the beat with her steps.

"Got it."

"We need to talk about your cloak."

"I know."

"...I meant now." Ruby sighed and ripped out the other earbud.

"Alright, now. Can't we just ask Mr. Gold if he'll let me give him something else?"

"I suppose so. Do you want to go tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I get off from Granny's at three. I'll see you there."

"Ruby, about the nurse-"
"Not now," she cut him off, shoving the earbuds back into her ears and turning up the volume. She quickened her pace, leaving Dr. Whale alone on the boardwalk.

Dr. Whale, meanwhile, was having a horrible day. He had spilled his coffee all over his favorite shirt, he had been told that he had to work an all-night shift the next day because there seemed to be a significant shortage of doctors just when the timing was right, and he had waited for two hours in the shop across from the boardwalk waiting for Ruby to appear on her morning jog.

Not that he knew anything about her personal schedule.

He wished Ruby would let him explain about the date. It wasn't serious. He hadn't meant it. Why couldn't she see?

Did it even matter to her? Horrible thoughts crept into Dr. Whale's mind. Maybe he had been played for a fool. Maybe Ruby didn't even like him; she was just using him to get the cloak. But then he instantly dismissed it from his mind, for Ruby wouldn't be capable of that kind of manipulation.

So, overall, a horrible day.

:( Things aren't looking great for Frankenwolf. Luckily, with Rumple's excellent matchmaking skills I'm sure something will work out. Please comment if there are any character/ships you want me to bring into the story.

For anyone who has seen the last episode of OUAT before it starts again in March, OH MY GOODNESS. Just, wow. Wow. Wow.