ELEMENTAL
"Love shouldn't make a beggar of one. I wouldn't want love if I had to beg for it, to barter or qualify it. And I should despise it if anyone ever begged for my love. Love is something that must be given - it can't be bought with words or pity, or even reason."
(Jacqueline Susann, Valley of the Dolls)
/
Regina's eyes flared with disdain and anger over the clumsiness of the waitress. She sneered at her, vainly attempting to wipe the coffee off of her white suit.
"You imbecile! What the hell do you think you're doing wandering around the streets not watching where you're going? "
Ruby had the sense to blush and look sorrowful.
"I am so sorry, Madame Mayor! I didn't see you…I had my head in the clouds, I'm afraid."
Regina's eyes turned to untrusting slits as she noted the credit card in the girl's hand.
"Is this what's gotten you acting so senselessly, Ruby? Has some creditor actually taken pity on you and given you a credit card? Careful you don't rack up too much on there, dear, the interest will drown you."
"Give it back!"
Ruby reached for Mr. Gold's card, but her terror was increased when Regina pulled away from her grasping arms to read the cardholder's name aloud.
"Mr. R. Gold. Oh, Ruby! Stealing? I wish I could say I thought better of you."
"He gave it to me!"
Regina laughed.
"Right. Because Mr. Gold is known for his charity work."
Ruby bristled at the mayor's depreciating tone.
"Mr. Gold is a good man, despite what everyone in this town, especially you, may think of him. He paid my bills at the hospital, as I'm sure you're well aware. You've got your dirty hands in everything."
Regina offered a placating smile.
"Of course I knew that, dear, and I'm sure you paid for that service quite interestingly. Is that what this is? You're Mr. Gold's new…interest?"
Not wanting to reveal anything to the mayor, and still unsure of when Gold wanted their relationship revealed, Ruby remained uncharacteristically silent. Regina was given cause to sneer again.
"No answer? Hm. Well, if you have no qualms in defending your innocence, I have no qualms in finding you guilty until you decide to speak up."
Ruby struggled to understand just what the mayor meant when Emma Swan walked up the sidewalk. Regina smiled, for once very happy to see the new Sheriff.
"Miss Swan. What a happy coincidence! I was just about to call you."
The blonde blanched.
"Is Henry alright?"
Regina glared at her.
"My son is fine, Miss Swan. I was going to call you purely on a business matter. Arrest her," she said, pointing to Ruby.
Emma stared at her, unbelieving.
"Arrest Ruby? Whatever for?"
"Larceny and very likely fraud. She's stolen Mr. Gold's credit card, Miss Swan. She can't be allowed to roam the public streets spending stolen monies and likely stealing more people's credit cards."
Looking at Ruby and getting a rolling eyed shake of the head in response, she acquiesced to the mayor's request. She placed her hands on Ruby's shoulder and led her toward the holding center.
"Come on, Ruby, let's go get this sorted."
Regina raised a manicured eyebrow.
"That doesn't quite sound like the Miranda Rights, Miss Swan. Since your job is so difficult for you, I'll save you the trouble of returning the stolen goods. I'm sure Mr. Gold will be happy to have his credit card back."
The Sheriff sighed and Mirandized Ruby as they walked down the sidewalk, a frowning Regina staring after them.
/
When they returned to the station, Ruby stood before a jail cell and glanced at Emma.
"Well? Are you going to lock me up or what?"
Emma shook her head and motioned for Ruby to sit down at the chair opposite her desk.
"No. Sit. Please. Ruby…I know you didn't steal Gold's card, did you?"
Ruby sighed.
"Of course not."
"Then why…?"
"Because I shouldn't have to explain that to anyone, let alone Regina. She has no business asking me why he gave me his card. No one does."
"Sorry."
"I didn't mean…I didn't mean you, Emma. You know our whole situation. Well, most of it.," she added with a small beaming smile.
"Oh god. You're not pregnant, are you?"
Ruby laughed.
"No! But not for want of trying."
Emma shuddered.
"Too much information, Ruby."
"Sorry," she replied with a non-plussed grin. "I haven't been able to tell anyone this, but I know you won't mention it."
"I really don't think…"
"We're engaged!"
What ever Emma had expected Ruby to say, that was certainly not it. She was silent for a few moments, composing herself.
"Ah…when this happen?"
"This afternoon. He bought a ring."
Emma glanced at Ruby's bare left hand. The girl smiled becomingly, knowingly.
"He bought it today. He said I can't have it until he gives it to me in an appropriate manner. Isn't it just the most romantic thing?"
Emma's eyes widened, but she nodded, disbelieving.
"Uh, yeah. Romantic."
They sat in an uncomfortable silence until Mr. Gold burst into the office, eyes blazing, suit in as much disarray as Ruby had ever seen; that is to say, his suit coat was open and his tie was loosened. Even in fear, Mr. Gold was still fastidious. How he could have captivated Ruby's heart was unclear to Emma. Perhaps it was just his money. That made sense. What didn't make sense was the adoration flickering in her eyes for the older man, and the absolute affection radiating off the pair of them. Whatever Gold had done to her or for her, Emma did not care to know or imagine, but it was enough to assure her that there was something solid between them.
"I guess I'm to gather that you won't be pressing charges for the stolen card, Mr. Gold?"
The pawnbroker scoffed and extended his arm to Ruby, who took it and stood, smiling widely at him.
"Of course not, Miss Swan, and I'm surprised you even took the trouble to bring Ruby down here, knowing of our…situation…as you do."
Emma rolled her eyes.
"It was Regina, not me."
"I am well aware of that, Miss Swan."
Ruby's eyes flicked to his.
"Did she threaten you, Goldie? I'll rip her damn head off!"
He chuckled, patting her hand affectionately.
"Don't worry your pretty head about it, dove. It's all taken care of. Now, I do recall promising you a shopping trip, and apparently you can't do so without the mayor's involvement. Why don't I join you, hm? We'll make sure to keep my card s in my hands so you aren't arrested again."
Ruby laughed and the pair exited the station without another word to Emma, gazing at each other adoringly as they stepped. Emma sat back in her chair, awestruck and trying desperately not to think about the couple in compromising positions. When she was unable to do so, she stood and tromped out of the office, desperately hoping for something to cause a ruckus and divert her attentions.
/
/
"I don't know why you insist on tooling around here, unattended, just to bring sustenance to that Snowflake when you could be doing so much more interesting things with me."
Red rolled her eyes at Rumpelstiltsken; she hated when he whined. Even more when she secretly agreed with his views.
"Rummy, please. You know how much I owe her."
"Quite a bit less than you owe me."
"And I do make good on my payments to you, do I not?"
He grinned, looked her up and down lecherously.
"Indeed you do, poppet."
"Snow just needs someone to listen to her and help her now…perhaps even more than she had before."
He giggled.
"Because of her brrrreaking heart?"
She sighed at his rolling Rs and laughter.
"Yes. And it isn't funny, so you can stop laughing."
Rumpelstiltsken pouted. Quite literally pouted at her and it was all that Red could do to not jump him simply to take that enticing bottom lip between her teeth.
"Well, you certainly don't have to worry about a breaking heart, lovely," he sing-songed, though she felt the severity of his flickering brown eyes sparing brief glances her way.
Red smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his temple. She wouldn't change him for the world.
"Shall I find you at your fortress or the cottage when I finish with Snow?"
"The cottage, I think. Seems much more intimate, does it not?"
She grinned as he vanished. Indeed it did seem more intimate. But no time to dwell on that…she was very sure that she heard Snow just on the other side of the forest grove.