Chapter 11 - Sleeping Beauties?
Zelena stood alone, and moved to open her coat. The men drew back their bows further, but all movement froze with a loud cry of a baby.
"Sanctuary?" said Zelena.
The front door opened to reveal Snow followed by two men, all three with bows at the ready. Dorothy appeared, unseen, off to the side of Zelena with her crossbow aimed well.
"Please, can't you see those weapons aren't necessary? I have my daughter in my arms for goodness sake." Zelena cried.
"Where's Hades?" Snow asked, lowering her bow. The others keeping aim.
"He... He used me. As soon as we reached the Mayor's office he started talking about taking over this God forsaken town, before making a run for a higher ground." Zelena said pointing to the sky above. Her tears were falling more as she tried to gently rock her baby girl.
"All his talk of loving me and wanting us to be together was gone. He wanted power... He called my daughter... Forest Offspring." Zelena looked as though she would collapse.
Snow ran forward and helped her stand with the baby.
"Please. I swear to you, Snow. I am not here for a fight. Just asks Regina." Zelena's eye popped open, "Oh my God, Regina! The others? Have they...?"
"They're fine. They're safe." Snow said. "Come on. Let's get you two inside."
"You're just going to trust her?!" Dorothy was the only one still pointing a weapon at Zelena. "I can't take that chance. Snow take the baby and I'll take care of this witch."
"Dorothy?! You're awake." Zelena startled. "Dorothy, you have every right to be cross with me…"
"You put me under a sleeping curse." Dorothy approached her as Ruby appeared behind her. "You destroyed everything I ever..."
Ruby placed a hand gently on Dorothy's arm, lowering it. "Not everything, love. Please put it down. This isn't the way."
"I know I've done horrible things, Dorothy. Horrible, horrible things that I know can never be forgiven." Zelena held out her hand. In it a cuff that would take away her magic. "Please. Use it on me and know that I will be powerless. If that is what it takes for you all to help me protect my daughter, I will willingly submit."
Dorothy put her crossbow away and approached Zelena. Taking the offered cuffs, she placed them on Zelena's wrists. After one last glare at the witch, she motioned them all inside.
Snow led them in, while Dorothy and Ruby stayed behind.
"Thank you. I know that was hard for you, Kansas." Ruby put her arms around the other woman's neck.
"Thank you for stopping me, Red. As much as I want to hurt that vial woman... I didn't want to hurt the baby." Dorothy let Ruby hold her and nuzzled into Red's neck.
"Of course you didn't." Ruby lowered one hand to rub her back. "You showed great restraint." Ruby kissed her temple, and whispered in her ear, "Would it make you feel better knowing you'll be rewarded later tonight?"
Dorothy was left whimpering as Ruby walked away to the front door, throwing a knowing smile back over her shoulder.
"I'm starting to think you're the evil one here, Wolfie." Dorothy followed, frowning as Ruby giggled.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
It was not even noon as the small group assembled in the parlor. Snow and Zelena were on one of the sofas by the fireplace. Mulan stood behind the couch between the two, eyes trained on the Zelena.
Zelena accepted a bottle from Snow for her daughter, and thanked her sincerely. When Dorothy and Ruby joined them, she looked to the pair in understanding and shame.
"I see you found someone to break the curse?" Zelena inquired.
Dorothy was about to speak when Red touched her arm, instantly calming her. "Yes. Ruby woke me from the curse you put me in."
"Which means, you two are..."
"True Loves." Ruby said strongly as she looped and arm through Dorothy's to lend her support… and restrain her if need-be. "Yes we are."
"I'm genuinely happy for both of you. I know none of you want to hear this, but I am sorry for what I have done. I should have listed to Regina. I don't blame any of you for hating me, but please believe me when I say I want to protect my daughter." Zelena squeezed her baby closer.
"OK." Snow said firmly. "For now. Let's just say you're under house arrest. We can't very well have you in a cell with your baby. You'll stay here with us. Where we can watch you."
"I'll take the first watch," Granny said. "You lot go check on our sleeping guests. I'll set these two up in a room."
"Thank you, Granny." Ruby kissed her on the cheek in passing, as she left with the others up the stairs.
The four of them walked into the first room housing Emma and Regina. Ruby paused suddenly, after crossing the threshold. The three behind her running into her back. They all looked on the queen-sized bed to see two sound asleep figures. Regina was on her side with Emma pressed right up behind her, holding her tightly. Both their hands were joined in the embrace, and there was not a crease to be seen on their faces. They looked as if they were in a comfortable, loving slumber.
"They're soooo cuuuuuttteeee…" Snow said in a cutesy voice. The other three women's gazes shot to her. "What? They are. I don't know why you all thought I'd freak out. She's my daughter, and she's my friends. It's sort of poetic. Them being together."
Snow gasped, scaring them all. "Someone get a camera!" She left the room, "I gotta get my phone!"
Ruby shook her head as she walked over to her friends, and pulled the blanket higher on them. After drawing the curtains closed, she ushered everyone out into the hall.
"Let them rest." Ruby said. "I'll call Blue to bring the potion to help their healing? We should let them get some natural shut eye for now."
Snow appeared with camera in hand, to find her friends all blocking the closed door. Pouting, she followed them across the hall to Robin and Henry's room. They seemed comfortable and sound asleep, so they left the room.
"I'll check on Charming. Let me know when Blue gets here." Snow left the women behind.
"I'll let the men know of our new prisoner and to keep an eye out for Hades." Mulan left Dorothy and Ruby.
"So…" Dorothy started as Ruby led them to another room toward the end of the hall. "That's Emma and Regina."
"Yup. That's them. Looks like their subconscious has snuggled up with each other. I hope it sticks when they're awake." Ruby opened the door to another room and led them in. "This… Is my other room."
Dorothy looked around. On the left was a door, she presumed was a closet, covered in photographs and drawings. She saw three pictures, one after another, of Granny. Granny was scowling at the camera, and last one actually caught her smiling.
There was one of Snow and her family. They were sitting in the front booth of the diner. Regina and Snow sat on one side across from Emma and Henry, with Charming between the pairs at the head of the table. They were all smiling at something Henry must have said. It was a beautiful candid shot of the little family.
Dorothy spotted another series of photos with Ruby this time. She was with a cute pale faced woman with auburn hair and light colored eyes. There were two of them sticking their tongues out and making funny faces. The last one, they were very close to one another. They looked as if they just reached an extra inch, they would be kissing.
"That's Belle." Ruby said. "It's not what it looks like. There was a time when I had wished it was. But she married… someone else."
"The man from the portal? The one you said better not hurt her?" Dorothy asked.
"Yes. Rumplestiltskin." Ruby practically spat the words. "He doesn't deserve her."
"Red." Dorothy said softly. "Were you and her…?"
"No. She… she wasn't, you know… Interested." Ruby blushed. "Just chalk it up to childhood crush."
Dorothy wrapped an arm around Ruby's waist and held her close.
"How do you know to do that?" Ruby asked as she buried her nose in Dorothy's neck.
"What, darlin'?" Dorothy pulled back to look at her.
"You just know when I need a hug." Ruby kissed her softly.
"And you always know when I want a kiss." Dorothy smiled and happily accepted another peck. "Come on. Why don't we go back to the parlor and wait for Blue?"
"OK… we can do that." Ruby didn't budge. "Or… we can sit in here while we wait for Blue."
"What would we do while we wait?" Dorothy teased with a knowing smile.
"Mmmm… I've always wanted to make out with someone in my bedroom with Granny still home," Red teased. "You know? All sneaky sneak. Hoping we won't be caught?" She made a faux serious expression, "And to keep an ear out for the guys sleeping, in case they need anything."
"Of course." Dorothy nodded seriously.
Ruby squeaked as she was lifted by strong arms under her butt, and dropped onto the bed. Giggling delightfully at Dorothy's antics.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
There was a pounding in her head that was playing metal drums on her brain. She didn't know where she was, but it was soft, warm, secure and comfortable. There was a soft pillow under her head and she could tell someone had taken off her boots and jacket.
She dared open one of her eyes and the little bit of light in the room shot like a razor to her brain. She closed it immediately.
She tried to shift but there was a weight on her arm. She tried to move the other arm, but it was being held down in front of whatever was in her arms. She moved her face forward an inch and picked up a familiar scent…
"Regina…?"
