February 2011
A chilly wind blew softly as the trees swayed and birds sung in tune with one another. The snow that had fallen over the last few weeks was slowly melting. Ruby and Regina walked along the edge of forest with their arm links, enjoying the day and spending time with each other.
"I think we should have chicken stroganoff with extra mushrooms for dinner, I've been having a craving for it since last night and I love how you do it in the slow cooker and with the jasmine rice in the rice cooker, it makes the whole house smell so good," Ruby said, leaning into Regina and placing a quick kiss on her partner's cheek.
"I was thinking something chicken and that actually sounds really good. We have everything already for it so when we go home we can prep it and chuck it into the slow cooker. Maybe we can even make apple pie for dessert," Regina suggested, stepping over a stick on the ground.
"Yum, apple pie, and with the rate Henry is growing we both know that there will be no leftovers. I still can't believe that he ate three bowls of spaghetti bolognese last night and four pieces of garlic bread." Brushing the hair out of her face, Ruby let go of Regina and quickly threw her hair up into a ponytail.
"He's only nine too, when puberty hits he will be eating twice as much as he does now. Hopefully that's not for a few more years though," Regina replied, linking her arm back through Ruby's, hoping that Henry would remain her little boy for a while longer.
"Granny used to tell me I ate enough to feed a village when I hit puberty. She didn't bother to inform me that it was the wolf though, I found that out the hard way," Ruby remembered, her smile falling.
"I'd rather have been raised by Granny than my mother, every time I did something to defy her she would either send me to bed without dinner or belt the living crap out of me until I was crying and begging her to stop. At least when she sent me to bed my dad would sneak me in something after she went to bed," Regina responded, feeling the anger for her mother bubbling inside of her.
"I think we both just had shit mothers, sometimes I'm scared that I'm going to do something that my mother would do but I never really knew her so I don't know why I think that," Ruby replied, wondering if she made sense.
"I feel like that all the time, I try my best with Henry and I do hope I'm doing a better job but it's like a fear that one day I'm going to do something." Giving Ruby's arm a quick squeeze with hers, Regina looked up at the sky.
"You are a wonderful mother and one day I hope I'll be half the mother you are," Ruby smiled, resting her head on Regina's shoulder for a second.
"I think I forgot to mention last night but after a year the renovations down in the psychiatric ward of the hospital are now complete," Regina said, her hair blowing behind her.
"That's amazing news, I'm glad you listened to me, when can we decorate the rooms?" Ruby asked, smiling brightly at the shorter woman.
"We definitely can, today if you want, I would like your approval before we move the patients. We have six rooms renovated and there are four people down there. I know we're moving Belle into one of them I even had a bookshelf attached to the wall in her room. Odette and Peter will be moved as the curse didn't bother to give them a new identity and they've been mute ever since they were found. I'm not sure about moving Sidney, what he did to us would have gotten him sent to jail and his cell at the moment is twice as nice so I don't see why we should move him," Regina said, wanting to hear Ruby's opinion.
"Leave him where he is, I'm not going to do anything for him. Can we go to the library and get some books to put into Belle's room, maybe some for Odette and Peter too. Oh! And some fluffy pillows and nice quilt covers with matching pillow cases. I want it to be like a peaceful area where they can relax and not feel like they're been held like common criminals," Ruby replied, stepping over a puddle of melting snow.
"We can do that and I already have six different covers and a stack of new pillows already at the ward. I was going to ask you to pick ones out for the rooms we're going to use," Regina responded, smiling at Ruby.
"Excellent. Once we decide to head home we can put dinner on and then head to the library then the hospital, maybe we can have them moved in by time Henry gets home from his after school play date," Ruby said, planning out their day.
"We can try." Continuing to walk by the forest line, Regina felt at peace and like she really was changing for the better. She could feel her old self, pre-marriage, coming back a bit more day by day and she had Ruby to thank for showing her that she could be good again.
Stopping suddenly, Ruby pulled Regina to a halt beside her. "I hear and smell something off, like really strong cologne mixed with something sugary."
"That sounds horrible, and I think the cause is coming toward us slowly," Regina said, pointing at the figure.
"Whale," Ruby growled, watching the man walking along the grass toward them, his head down.
"Just ignore him dear," Regina responded, taking a step forward and pulling Ruby along with her.
"I will, I'm so having two helpings of dessert tonight, I'm going to need it," Ruby replied, feeling Regina lean into her.
"You just love my apple pie," Regina said, poking Ruby in the side.
"Caught out, it's so good it's like the best apple pie ever. Don't tell Granny I said that," Ruby giggled, watching the smile spread across Regina's face. "Your smile is adorable," she added, leaning in and placing a kiss on Regina's cheek.
Feeling a jerk on her arm, Regina quickly turned to Ruby to see that Whale had a hold of her around the neck with one arm and was holding a knife in his hand, very close to Ruby's throat.
"I want my job back now, I do not belong in Geriatrics, I want a public apology too or your play toy gets it Madam Mayor," Whale said, his voice shaking with each word.
"Let her go now Whale or I'll personally see that your only job is that of cleaning out bedpans all day long," Regina replied, wishing that she was able to access magic and obliterate the man in front of her into a pile of ash for insulting her partner.
"Give me back my job and you can drop the ban on me buying alcohol too while you're at it. You don't want blood spurting out of poor Ruby's neck now do you?" Making a show, Whale moved the object closer to Ruby's throat.
"Drop the knife and let Ruby go without hurting her and I'll let you have more shifts and swap you to either emergency or general," Regina said, trying a change of tactic.
"You must really not want me to hurt this little tease. She has an amazing body doesn't she? Too bad it's been hidden lately thanks to you, Madam Mayor," Whale replied, running his free hand over Ruby's stomach.
"Get your hands off her Whale," Regina spat through gritted teeth, noticing that the knife was only a centimetre from Ruby's throat.
"You don't like to share do you?" Whale softly said his tone kind of scary.
"Let her go or I swear when I get my hands on you I'll tie you down to a cold, metal table and use you as a human experiment for whatever I please, I'll try poisons, fire, slowly dissecting your most intimate body parts without any pain killers, killing you then reviving you, shocking you with different volts of electricity, I might even let Granny pay you a visit and we both know that she can top my worst tenfold," Regina threatened, her voice low and powerful.
Dropping his hold on Ruby and pushing her forward, he looked around for the quickest escape route. Feeling something hard connect with his nose, he fell backward onto the cold, wet ground and felt blood dripping down onto his lips.
"I am not a tease, or a whore, or whatever name you want to call me. I love Regina and never in life would I sink so low to do anything with the likes of such a misogynistic bastard like you," Ruby yelled at Whale, watching him get up and run into the forest.
"Ruby, baby, are you okay?" Regina asked, wrapping Ruby up in her arms and placing a soft kiss on the taller woman's temple.
"I'm, I don't know, I feel shaken up and scared I think," Ruby replied, resting her head on Regina's shoulder and closing her eyes, absorbing the warmth and love of her partner.
Holding Ruby close to her with one arm, Regina reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out her mobile phone, dialling the sheriff's office she placed the device against her ear.
"Sheriff Graham, I need you and a team to scour the forest near my house and arrest Doctor Whale. He assaulted Ruby and held her at knife point, threatening the both of us. Lock him away until we can deal with him," Regina said, thinking of one hundred and one ways to make Whale's life a living hell.
"Can do Madam Mayor, we'll let you know when we have him in custody."
Hanging up the phone, Regina placed it back in her pocket and rubbed Ruby's back, trying to sooth the shaken woman. "Let's head home my love, I don't think being out here while he's around is safe," she gently said, feeling Ruby move out of her embrace.
"Okay," Ruby softly replied, gripping tightly onto Regina's hand as they headed back in the direction of their house on Mifflin.
Walking up the small path to the front door, Regina looked at the time on her phone and realised it only took them ten minutes to walk back. Letting go of Ruby's hand she opened the door and they headed inside, locking it behind them Regina followed Ruby into the kitchen.
Going to the fridge and pulling out a small tray of chicken and a bag of mushrooms, Ruby placed them on the counter and turned to get the slow cooker out of the cupboard. "I just feel so on edge and jittery and like I need to do something," Ruby said, noticing the look on Regina's face.
"I fully understand my love, would you like me to get started on the chicken?" She asked, knowing that Ruby hated the feeling of the raw meat on her hands which was kind of weird since the taller woman was also a werewolf.
"Yes please, I'll put the sauce in and cut the mushrooms," Ruby replied, plugging the slow cooker in and turning it on, watching as Regina pulled two chopping boards out of the cupboard.
"If you want to talk at any time I'll be right here for you or if you just want to cuddle and watch TV instead..."
Hugging Regina tightly, Ruby didn't give the brown eyed woman a chance to finish her sentence. "I love you," she said, burying her face into Regina's shoulder and inhaling deeply, calming down at the familiar scent.
"I love you too," Regina replied, holding Ruby close to her and running her hand through long, dark hair.
"I don't know what I did to be treated like crap from Leroy and Whale. Before I got my memories back Leroy was really nice to me, he has since apologised and been nothing but nice but he's still weird around me. Whale was civil enough, the flirting I've never appreciated but he tipped well. I think I did something wrong about seven months ago when Henry broke his arm. He started to be rude and insulting around then. Two months ago was when it got bad and he grabbed me but he hasn't said or done anything to me since then apart from today. I just want to know what I did wrong," Ruby said, her voice wavering as she gripped the back of Regina's shirt.
"Baby, listen to me, you did absolutely nothing wrong, to me you are amazing and if they can't see that it's their fault. When Graham finds Whale he'll be locked away and we can hold him in the psychiatric ward for evaluation. Since he's not from our land the curse might be affecting him differently. We can wipe his memory of the last year too if you'd like, I've almost found the right potion ingredients. I think I'll be able to have it completed by next week or the week after," Regina replied, softly rubbing Ruby's back.
"Okay, that makes me feel a little better, can we prepare dinner now? I feel like I need to do something," Ruby responded, giving Regina a quick squeeze before letting her go.
Working together, they chopped and sliced the chicken and mushrooms, adding the ingredients to into the big ceramic pot, hearing them lightly splash in the stroganoff sauce.
Placing the lid on the slow cooker, Ruby smiled as their food began the slow process of turning into her favourite meal. Moving over to the sink she picked up a tea towel and helped Regina clean up their mess.
"What would you like to do after we finish in here?" Regina asked, handing Ruby a rinsed off cleaned plate.
"I wouldn't mind going to the library and selecting some books, we can keep the car doors locked on our way there, it'll make me feel safer," Ruby replied, setting the dry plate aside.
"That sounds good and we can lock every door we go through if you like. I think the library has a box we can use to transport the books in so we won't need to find one," Regina said, turning off the tap and grabbing another tea towel to help dry.
Quickly finishing the dishes and putting them away, they locked up the house and headed for the car. Getting in they drove to the library, music softly playing in the background as Ruby sang along it, Regina smiling in the driver's seat. Pulling up alongside the abandoned building, Regina parked the car and they got out, heading towards the double white doors.
"Is the town clock broken? Come to think of it I've never seen it move," Ruby asked, looking up at the large object.
"It's not broken, time here is frozen and when the second hand moves it means that the curse is weakening and may break," Regina explained, pulling the master key for the city out of her blazer pocket and opening the door.
Entering the library, Regina flicked on the lights and lightly tapped Ruby on the backside to move so she could lock the door behind them, keeping the cold air outside.
"This poor library looks like death on ice," Ruby said, frowning at the dust covered books around them.
"It's been untouched for twenty seven years I've only been in here five times I think," Regina replied, going behind the counter and picking up an empty box. Opening a box of tissues, she pulled a few out and dusted it off.
"Only five times, whatever could you have been doing in here?" Ruby joked, taking the empty box off Regina and placing it on a chair.
"Well, there's um, a basement here," Regina vaguely explained, walking over to a bookshelf and looking at the contents.
"Regina, what's in here?" Ruby asked, knowing that she wasn't being told everything.
"Maleficent is in here, and she's locked up in the basement," Regina answered, pulling some Lewis Carroll, William Shakespeare, and Agatha Christie off the shelf.
"Why is she in the basement and not locked up at the hospital? Regina, what aren't you telling me?" Ruby asked, crossing her arms and raising her eyebrow at the shorter woman.
"There's a dragon in the basement, Maleficent is a dragon," Regina replied, dropping the books onto the counter.
"Now, that wasn't hard was it? Thank you for telling me. Can I go see it? I've always wanted to see a real dragon," Ruby responded, smiling brightly at Regina.
"We're going nowhere near that dragon, we'll be toasted instantly," Regina replied, wiping dust off the books in front of her.
"Fine, I'm going to go find a couple of good novels to take to the hospital." Walking past Regina, Ruby gently smacked the older woman's backside. "That's for not telling me about the dragon sooner."
"You're such a brat," Regina replied, placing the books into alphabetical order.
Browsing through the shelves Ruby created a pile of twenty books consisting of young adult, mystery, archaeological fiction, crime, fairytales, and science fiction. Walking back to the counter where Regina was Ruby placed them down and began to dust them off.
Grabbing the box from where Ruby placed it Regina began to pack the books into it, impressed by the taller woman's selection of literature. Finishing up, Regina closed the box and smiled at her partner. "I think we're ready to get these to the hospital."
"I'll take the box, I want to see these rooms," Ruby said, picking up the box and following Regina out of the boarded up building and out to the car.
Placing the box of books into the boot, they got into the car and headed toward the hospital, parking in their usual spot near the elevators.
Heading down to the psychiatric ward, box of books in hand, they walked into reception and greeted Myrtle who smiled at them briefly before getting back to her paperwork.
Opening the door to the cells, Regina led Ruby to the newly renovated rooms at the end of the corridor. "I know they're not much but once we're done they might be nicer to live in," Regina said, feeling unsure of herself.
"They're amazing Regina," Ruby replied, looking around the pale blue room fitted with a king single bed covered in a light pink quilt and matching pillows, a small bookshelf, a beanbag, a desk, and a chair.
"I'm glad you like it. Shall we put the books in the four of the rooms that have been set up?" Regina asked, wanting the rooms to be perfect.
Sorting the books out into four piles of eight, Ruby placed the first pile into the room they were in and picked up another pile of books. Placing them into all of the rooms, Ruby double checked each room to make sure they looked perfect. Wrapping her arms around Regina, she pulled the shorter woman to her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "The rooms are truly amazing my love."
"Thank you Ruby, it really means a lot that you like them," Regina replied, feeling her cheeks heat up.
Feeling a vibration between them, Regina let Ruby go and reached into her pocket and pulled out her mobile phone. "It's Graham," she said, answering the call.
"Hello Sheriff, have you done what I asked?" Tapping her foot lightly she wanted to make sure Whale was locked away as soon as possible.
"We have Doctor Whale, he's currently down at the station locked up in our cell, he's admitted to attacking Miss Lucas."
"Keep him there until we can decide what to do with him, I'll call you back tomorrow to discuss it further." Hanging up the phone she placed it back into her pocket and exhaled loudly.
"They've caught him?" Ruby asked, watching Regina.
"They have, the Sheriff will keep him locked away until we have a talk," Regina replied, giving Ruby's hand a quick squeeze.
"Okay. Since we've finished setting up the rooms can move in Belle, Odette, and Peter?" Straightening out her back and hearing it crack, Ruby looked at Regina.
"We can dear, I'll just need to get Myrtle to help us just in case something happens," Regina said, walking out of the room, and leading them out to reception.
"Hi Myrtle," Ruby smiled leaning onto the reception desk.
"Hello Miss Lucas and Mayor Mills, how's it going?" Myrtle replied, putting away her paperwork.
"We have finished setting up the rooms and they're ready for our patients, we would like your help moving them," Regina said, lightly tugging on Ruby's arm to get her off the desk.
"I'll join you in there in a minute, I'll get prepared in case one of them acts out," Myrtle replied, standing up and walking over to a closed door and opening it.
Heading back down the corridor and through the door into the cells, Ruby quickly checked each room and decided who would go where. "I would like Peter to have the room with the blue quilt, Belle the pink quilt, and Odette the purple quilt."
"I think Peter will be easiest to move, and then Odette, and Belle last. Belle just doesn't remember anything but she can talk and is fully mobile. Peter only moves when moved and Odette just listens and screams but can walk when guided," Regina responded, seeing Myrtle enter the corridor with a lab coat on.
Standing in front of the door to Peter's cell Myrtle opened it up and went inside and gently held his arm and helped him to his feet. Leading him out of his cell and to his new room, he put up no fight and easily entered the space, curling up on the soft bed.
Locking the door to his room, Regina looked at Ruby and noticed that she was pursing her lips together. "What's on your mind dear?"
"He's so young, he only looks about thirteen or fourteen, I kind of just want to hug him and ruffle his hair and tell him it's going to be okay," Ruby replied, shaking her head.
"I know, I feel the same way. I tried to get him in with a foster family a few years ago but it didn't go well," Regina responded, wanting Ruby to know that she had attempted to help the boy.
"Odette should be easy to move, I had to give her a mild sedative earlier as she started to shriek," Myrtle said, walking over to a cell and opening the door.
Moving Odette out of cell, Myrtle held her tightly and walked her to the room that Regina opened the door to. Sitting her down on the bed, Myrtle made sure Odette was supporting herself before walking out the room, the room being locked after her.
"Just Belle left," Regina said, feeling anxious at moving the woman.
"I hope she likes her room," Ruby replied, watching as Myrtle unlocked the last room and walked in.
"Belle sometimes doesn't like to cooperate so this may be interesting," Regina responded, holding onto Ruby's hand.
Watching as Myrtle emerged with Belle, Ruby took a step forward and smiled at the short brunette woman. "Hi," she greeted, watching as the woman gave her a small smile in return.
"We have a new room for you, hopefully you will like it," Regina said, walking behind them.
Entering the room, Ruby watched as Belle looked around. "Do you like it, Belle?"
"I love it, it's amazing," Belle replied, looking around the room and picking up a book. "I think I love to read," she added, curling up on the beanbag with the book in her lap.
"If you would like any more books or anything changed, please let us know," Ruby replied, already able to tell that Belle was happier in the new room.
"I will, thank you," Belle replied, opening the book and beginning to read.
"I'll be back later with dinner," Myrtle said, ushering everyone out of the room and closing it behind her.
Locking all of the doors behind them, they headed to reception and Myrtle changed the room numbers on the patient's files.
"We may have Doctor Whale coming down for a general psychiatric evaluation soon, Sheriff Graham has arrested him," Regina told Myrtle, making sure she had time to prepare in case it was decided to do the evaluation.
"I'll be ready, now excuse me while I go do my rounds, have a good day." Walking away, Myrtle left Ruby and Regina at the desk.
"Let's get out of here," Regina said, shifting her weight from foot to foot, uneasy all of a sudden.
"Sounds good," Ruby replied, noticing Regina jittering. Heading toward the exit, she made sure that Regina was close to her hoping to ease some of the older woman's unease.
"I think we both need a long bath and sleep in when we get home." Running her hand through her hair Regina felt a wave of exhaustion hit her.
"Maybe we could have a nice long bath together I think it would be good for both of us," Ruby said, reaching out and linking her arm with Regina's.
"Once Henry goes to bed we can. I'm also kind of glad that Myrtle gave Sidney a sedative so we wouldn't have to deal with him," Regina replied, leaning her head on Ruby's shoulder.
"So am I. Have I said yet that I am so proud of you, you have a good heart and I feel like I'm the luckiest person ever to be with you," Ruby honestly told Regina, placing her hand on their linked arms.
"I love you Ruby, so much," Regina said, feeling her heart swell with happiness.
"I love you too," Ruby responded, placing a kiss on Regina's head.
Walking down the corridor arm in arm, they got into the elevator and headed home, all of the day's problems put aside for another day.