Ruby's POV:

Emma is saying her goodbyes and is off for work, which is to bad.. i would've liked to talk some more. Lately there is so much on her plate, with Regina taking office, the town in yet another uproar about it and an official from Augusta scheduled for an inspection soon.

Then there is David.. as a token of good faith we were forced to accept him as a second deputy. Now that the dwarves are out of the picture, thanks to our new mayor, the people demanded that another loyalist should take their place.. and who is more loyal and honest then Prince Charming himself. You know.. the guy who poses as his dead brother and cheated on his real world wife with Mary Margaret. Pff...

Oh and yes being a loyalist is now a thing.. like patriot and democrat, better not say anything against either of these three. Everyone who is loyal to the Charmings can claim that title, so pretty much the whole town with only a few exceptions and of course us.. Regina, Emma and me as the unspoken enemies of the kingdom.

I tried my best to avoid this, I really did. Talking with both sides, deescalating as much as i could but to no avail. In the end Snow made me choose. A sigh leaves my lips as i think about it. My mood turning from bored to brooding.

We had been talking for hours but i couldn't get through to her. She was so upset at Regina.. and Emma for that matter, because she was standing by her side. Every time i gently tried to explain their reasoning she would start another speech about all the pain Regina had cause and how Emma should rather defend her family then help this madwoman.

As bad as this sounds it got worse. When she started to realize I would not be swayed she accused Emma of turning me. Yep those were her words alright. She was adamant that her best friend of old, that would be me, would have never betray her like this and that Emma must've seduced me somehow to make me do it.

Of course this was about the time she supposedly 'caught' us in her office, when in truth all Emma did was hug me but the rumors floating around let Snow think otherwise. Ever since then I had repeatedly tried to clear that up, but Snow deflected each time obviously uncomfortable with the topic. Which is understandable considering the stance of her husband on this.

Well in the end i left her crying like the martyr she is. Instead of understanding and compassion she sticks to accusations and I'm tired of it. I sigh again and look to the door, wondering if Archie could cover for me so i can follow her and help our around the station.

"She's only been gone for like ten minutes Ruby..." Henry pipes into my daydreaming. "..but i get it. I feel the same about Jenny." Oh boy... this again. It's bad enough that Snow thinks there is something going on between her daughter and me, but Henry? He is worse on a whole different level, being all supportive and understanding. "Henry, i told you.."

"Yeah, yeah sure.. ." He grins at me and pulls out his mobile to start texting, leaving me to continue my brooding. Emma told me about the failed sleepover that roused Henry's suspicion, ever since then they had been more discreet.. not that she has yet to spill any juicy details. From the sound of things they are doing ok though. Of course there are ups and downs but that's to be expected considering all the extra baggage they got.

"Hey, did you know that Snow is back in school?" Henry nudges me to get my attention. "She is acting weird tho, gave us a bunch of extra homework.. on a friday! Mary Margaret would've never done that." He shifts around a bit to face me properly. "Was Snow like that, back in the enchanted forest?"

"Like what? There wasn't a lot of homework to be done back then." I underline with a smile and he rolls his eyes. "Well yes, i mean strict and ... i don't know.. hard? Shes no longer laughing, like at all. Before the curse broke, even with all the David stuff, she smiled more." David stuff huh? This boy knows to much for his own good, seriously.. when i was his age life was a lot simpler. I blame the internet and Google.

"She has a lot on her mind, we all do..." Ain't that the truth, we should take a holiday once things calmed down and the inspection is done with.. umm.. who is 'we' exactly? I thought that earlier too when i meant Regina, Emma and me.. but a trip with both of them sounds kinda weird, me being the third wheel and all.. but i can't ask Emma to come with me without everyone misunderstanding. Bah.. all i want is to enjoy some alone time with her, away from all this chaos. Maybe even go clubbing, I always wanted to do that.. well the Ruby part of me, and i'm sure Emma would know great spot, her beíng from Boston and all.

Oh bummer... I totally forgot that we can't leave storybrooke. Damn it.. hey, wait a sec, Sneazy got his memories back after a couple of days.. so.. we could go but it wouldn't really be me. Is that a problem? How much different would i act without red and the wolf inside of me? "Henry.. what did you think of me before the curse broke?"

"Um.. you were always nice to me, even though you didn't have to. But i like you more now that we can talk and hang out, I don't think the old Ruby would've done that." Yeah, he's right, I was pretty shallow as Ruby.. but the trip would be about having a good time not meaningful conversation.. "Your phones ringing."

Oh, he's right.. huh.. Regina? That's odd... "Hello Madame Mayor." Henry's eyes zoom in on me in an instant, curious about why she would call me. 'Hello Miss Lucas, i was wondering if you could come by city hall to discuss something of a personal nature.' Thats weird, not only the call itself but the way shes talking.. it's almost pleasant.. oh and talk with ME about something personal? "Sure thing, i'll come right over, Henry is busy texting his little girlfriend anyway." A burst like protest from my side drowns out most of what shes saying but it sounded like some kind of confirmation to me.

Eager to figure out what this is all about I get up and gather my things while Henry storms to his room, embarrassed about me ratting him out. Tough luck, its the grown ups job to do stuff like that. Happy about keeping up my embarrassment quota and a possible road trip on the horizon i leave the apartment.