Sorry for the wait, but life got in the way. Anyway, I had a fantastic time writing this chapter, and I was like a kid in a candy shop writing it. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did making it! Have fun!

Ruby had a fitful and distracted evening, having come face-to-face with both Emma and Regina in the same day. If there was one conclusion she drew from the experiences, it was that neither woman was any better off than the other. Granted, Regina wasn't so drunk that she was about to die passed out in a puddle, and she did have Henry and her home. However, the panic attack she witnessed was very real, and she couldn't shake the image of hollow, brown eyes sunken into a layer of makeup so thick that there was no doubt about what she was trying to hide underneath it all. In fact, the grotesque swelling in her cheek looked more disturbing without the appearance of the bruising that Ruby knew was there.

Despite Regina's angry reaction during her panic attack, despite threats of violence and retaliation, the waitress had a keen eye, cultivated from years of watching the residents of Storybrooke pass through the diner in all manner of moods and denials. She saw exactly what the older woman's anger was a mask for, what it was deflecting the attention from: fear.

It was clear as day to Ruby that Regina was positively petrified of seeing the town's beloved former sheriff. Others would have most likely seen just the sheer contempt and hatred that she was exuding, but the young woman saw the way those eyes she stared into snapped wide open, felt the tremble in the hand crushing hers, heard the subtle break in the woman's voice as she spouted her threats to someone who wasn't really there. Regina Mills was afraid of Emma, and that was news to turn even the most gossip-averse heads - not that Ruby would go shouting about it around town either.

The young brunette was also beginning to truly learn the meaning of the phrase no good deed goes unpunished. The first was her finding and helping Emma. The blonde had done her share in helping Ruby, especially during her stint as deputy. She helped her find confidence in herself, her abilities, and the kind of woman she sought to become. When she had it in mind to track Emma down after her disappearance following the attack, Ruby was doing it for the benefit of a friend. She knew what Emma did was wrong, and that the woman needed to answer for her crimes. Yet, she also understood the need for time, even if it was outrageously inappropriate to be helping a wanted criminal.

How did her friend repay her kindness? By getting pissed drunk and throwing a grand old pity party for herself, resulting in near death. The blonde was basically swimming in vomit and anguish, something that did strike Ruby's tender heart. But she grew up under Granny's wing, and the brunette knew when tough love was in order - more like a swift boot to the stubborn sheriff's ass. None of which made her feel any better about herself, or her feelings toward the woman she considered a close friend.

As for Regina Mills? Her mind was still reeling from that. Not only had Ruby obviously been the trigger for a panic attack - well, it was obvious to her, at least - but she had also sort of managed to snap her out of it. Almost any one else in Storybrooke would have turned tail and ran after that, but she was just too kind to leave someone so in need of help on the sidewalk. What does she get for being so nice again? Regina Mills - Regina freakin' Mills - wanted to be friends? For a moment at least, and then Ruby told her to reconsider!

If she was going to be completely honest with herself, being buddies with the mayor was not high on her list of things she wanted to do before she died. It wasn't that she really objected to the woman in any strong way, but Regina was pretty scary. Both women knew the mayor wasn't lying when she mentioned having never been nice to the waitress. She wasn't outwardly rude per se, but she certainly never made any attempt at anything beyond curt nods, terse replies and some not-so-subtle scathing looks at the young woman's racier outfits. Naturally, the idea that Regina would want anything to do with her made Ruby more than a little nervous. So when Granny called her into the back room with a forlorn expression on her face the following day, she couldn't fight the sinking feeling that melted into the pit of her stomach.

"Ruby!" came Granny's sharp bark, immediately calling her attention. "Come back here now!"

With a roll of her eyes, she strode swiftly into the small room that doubled as a break room-slash-supply closet next to the kitchen. "If Miss Ginger wants to complain about the way I make her coffee again, I swear she's just being difficult, and you know it," she huffed impatiently.

Granny turned from the telephone to look at her, a strange expression on her stern face. "That crone can go stuff her complaints where the sun don't shine. She's given us enough grief all these years." A shrewd smile momentarily broke the unusual look on her face that was making Ruby's stomach twist.

"Good, because I may have told her something along those lines..." Granny snorted with veiled approval. "So, what's up?"

"I got a...strange call. But before I tell you what it's about, I have to ask, what have you been up to, girl?"

"You've lost me, Gran."

"You've been acting differently. Distracted. And you come back from wherever it is that you're sneaking off to-" Ruby opened her mouth to object, but the older woman silenced her with a look. "I've raised you since you could barely walk, girl. Did you really think I didn't know you were going somewhere? And then you come back all dirty, and I can tell your head isn't in it.

"You've never dropped a tray in your life girl, and yesterday you broke four mugs and shattered two dessert plates! And now I get this phone call... I'm concerned, Ruby. What's been going on with you?"

The young waitress shifted uncomfortably under the weight of her grandmother's stare. "Look, Granny, even if I wanted to tell you, I couldn't. It's not my place," she said hurriedly at the way the other woman crossed her still-strong arms. "It's pretty sensitive, and personal. But! I'm not in trouble in any way. I swear!"

Granny narrowed her eyes at the brunette. "Not so sure I believe that, girl. I got a call from the mayor." Ruby's mouth dropped open in shock and horror. "Mhm. She wouldn't tell me what it was about, but she gave me a message. She told me to tell you that, 'I change my mind. I expect you at my house at 8:30 sharp.'"

"Oh God..."

"Mind telling me why Mayor Mills wants to see you at her mansion tonight?"

Ruby swallowed thickly, feeling like her heart had leapt to her throat and her stomach was somewhere in her feet. "I, uh..."

"Changed her mind about what, Ruby?"

"It's...also not my place to say. I'm sorry! I want to, but I doubt she'd want me telling anyone. I'm so sorry!" Granny just continued to stare at her. "Does...does this mean that I get tonight off?"

"Don't have much choice," the older woman said gruffly. "Can't really tell the mayor no, now can I?"

"I'll make up the hours! I'll do a double on-"

"Calm down, girl. I'm not angry at you. I'm just-"

"Worried and concerned. I know." Ruby rested a hand on her grandmother's shoulder. "I'm not in trouble. I promise." She gave a warm smile, which her grandmother slowly returned.

Ruby pulled her car up to the front of the mayoral mansion, her palms sweaty on the steering wheel. She checked the time on her cell, and saw it read 8:22pm. She had a feeling that Regina valued punctuality, and she had absolutely no intentions of showing up late in any way.

So, several hours prior, Ruby punched her time card and bolted back to her place. She didn't think showing up smelling like grease, coffee and sweat would make a good impression on the mayor, so she hopped into a searing shower. Nervous that she was meeting Regina for God knows what, because that woman had hidden agendas everywhere, Ruby put on clothes that would be considered polite in public. She slipped into some nice black leggings, a form-fitting black t-shirt with a red flannel button-down open on top of it, and her favorite pair of red Converse.

She blew a breath out from puffed cheeks, fighting the writhing worms in her stomach before stepping out onto the street. It was already dark thanks to the waning daylight of Autumn. She drew her jacket a little closer around her shoulders, and started up the narrow walkway to the mansion. Having never had much cause to be in this neighborhood, Ruby didn't realize just how big Regina's house was. The elegant, ivory estate rose beautifully before her, and she suddenly felt drastically underdressed.

She stood in front of the white door, the brass 108 glinting in the pale moonlight. She swallowed again, feeling her stomach twisting nervously once more. She must be crazy for agreeing to this - not that she had much choice in the matter. Her grandmother was right; one does not simply say no to Mayor Mills. She clenched her jaw tightly, steeling herself for whatever madness was about to happen that evening. She rapped her knuckles lightly on the door, wiping her sweaty palm on her thigh.

She waited a few uneasy moments, wondering if this was some weird prank, before hearing a muffled voice on the other side of the door. "Who is it?"

"It's Ruby. You invited me over?" She heard the heavy clunk of the lock being flipped, and the door opened to reveal one Regina Mills.

"Miss Lucas," she rasped quietly. "You're right on time. How refreshing." She stepped aside, allowing Ruby to enter the spacious foyer. She took in the general splendor of the place, but the sound of the lock clicking shut behind her sent a shiver down her spine.

"Your jacket, dear. I'll hang it up for you." Ruby turned to look at the woman, and saw her delicate hand extended, and a weak, unconvincing smile on her lips. That only succeeded in making her even more nervous, but she slid the garment from her shoulders nonetheless.

"Thanks. Your place is amazing."

"You're welcome. I have to agree with you, but sometimes it's a little too..." A pained expression crossed Regina's face, and Ruby immediately steered the conversation elsewhere.

"So! Where's Henry? Will he be hanging with us tonight?" She flashed the older woman a roguish grin. "Or is it just a girl's night?"

"He's spending the evening with Miss Blanchard."

"Really? He's with Mary Margaret? But I thought you hated-" Regina arched a challenging eyebrow, daring her to finish her sentence. "Er...Girl's night it is. So, what's on the agenda? Chick flicks and popcorn? Shots and strip poker?" She paled under the mayor's acute, slightly-disbelieving gaze. "Yeah...you're probably too classy for strip poker. Sorry."

Regina started heading to the kitchen, "Maybe we should start with coffee."

"Sure, sounds like a plan." She mentally smacked herself in the forehead, already certain that this evening was going to be very short or very long.

"Do you prefer tea?" the older woman asked, seeing the obvious anxiety in her young guest. "Or is it just too late for caffeine?" The uncertainty in the mayor's voice threw Ruby completely off-balance. Everyone was so used to hearing decisive, straightforward commands, that the tone sounded ridiculously foreign to her ears.

"Coffee is fine. I mean, I usually stay up pretty late anyway, so that's not an issue at all."

"I suppose you're used to staying up, downing liquor and making all the boys put their socks and shirts in the pot." Ruby fixed her with a look caught between wonderment and pure amusement. "What? I know a woman who can play a drunk man for a fool in a game of cards when I see one." Regina's statement was bland, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, but there was something in her eyes.

"Wow. If I didn't know any better, Madame Mayor, I'd say that was a compliment? Or perhaps you have some experience in the matter?" A teasing grin slid easily into place, feeling the massive knot of tension in her stomach lessen somewhat.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Regina responded lightly, but a wry smile touched the corners of her mouth. If her face wasn't quite so disfigured, Ruby might have thought it almost charming. "Seeing as you're standing in my kitchen, dear, I think it's safe for you to drop the formalities. But. Only within the confines of this house."

"I can definitely do that Ma-Regina. But, that means that you have to call me by my first name too." She mentally winced again, realizing that she sounded like a complete dork. If she got any more awkward, Regina was likely to put an end to this absurd...whatever it was, before the ball really got rolling.

"Any preference for flavored coffee? I have French vanilla, hazelnut, coconut...?"

Ruby saw Regina peering at neatly-organized bags of coffee in a cupboard near the refrigerator. "Coconut? Really?"

"Sounds like someone is curious?" The older woman continued to speak to the cabinets, not looking at her guest at all.

"I can't say I've ever had it. Is it any good?" She did nothing but small talk at the diner day in, day out, but could she really expect deep, perspective-altering conversation so soon? The woman she was curiously watching was private, guarded, and unusually out of her element. Small talk would have to do for now.

"Would I have it in my household if I didn't think it more than acceptable to my tastes?" Regina's response was terse, but Ruby detected no venom under the words. Just exhaustion. The mayor snatched one of the bags from its place, and strode over to the coffee machine nearby. The young waitress' sharp eyes caught the stiffness in her movements, and she knew that her hostess was in pain. A fresh wave of confusion washed over her. Why the hell was she playing friends when the woman clearly needed a stiff drink and double dose of Vicotin?

"Oh, yeah. Duh. I'm willing to try something new!" She kept her tone light and friendly.

"It's a lovely combination, though not many people think of the two as anything that would mix well. Good matches come in the strangest of places," the older woman mused, almost to herself. She flipped the little switch on the side of the machine, turning to finally look at Ruby. The waitress was standing awkwardly in the kitchen, looking comically uncomfortable, like she was afraid her mere presence would bring the building crashing down. A soft, quiet chuckle snuck out of Regina's throat.

Ruby frowned at the sound, suddenly self-conscious at the thought that the mayor was laughing at her. "What's funny?" she asked crossly.

"Do sit down, dear," she said motioning to one of the stools at the island counter, the smallest of smiles touching her lips again.

The younger woman shot to the nearest seat, full of nervous energy. "Sorry, I just wasn't sure if we were staying in here, or..."

"Would you rather we go to another room? The living room...?" All of those insecurities slammed into place again, and the waitress was left wondering how long it had been since Regina entertained a guest, properly.

"Kitchen's fine. Usually I'm not very fond of them, 'cause I spend enough time in them at my job, but your kitchen is hella nice!" Ruby looked around, taking in the tastefully-decorated space, hoping that one day she would have enough money - or marry into enough of it - to live in a place like Regina's mansion.

The mayor shot her guest a peculiar look, moving to lean casually over the island counter, but pulling back with the slightest wince. "What was that word?"

Ruby snorted with laughter, realizing that the woman had never before heard the word 'hella' and probably didn't know what she was talking about. "It's, uh...It's like saying something is really nice, or really bad, or really pretty, or-"

"It's an amplifier for an adjective, then?"

"Uh, I think so? Like, you have a hella nice wardrobe. Which is one way of saying that you have awesome clothes!" Ruby's easy smile fell into place again, and Regina's cocked eyebrow only made her giggle as well. The coffeepot burbled its signal that the brew was done, and the hostess took her cue to pull out two glossy, red mugs.

"How do you take your coffee, dear?"

"Hella black," she said as straight-faced as she could manage. "I'm just kidding! I like sugar and a splash of milk," she said playfully before Regina's eyebrow could climb any higher. The older brunette set a steaming mug of java in front of the other woman, along with a small sugar shaker, spoon, and miniature carafe of milk.

Once Ruby had added her preferred extra ingredients, she brought the mug up to her lips. The girl was all too aware at how apprehensively Regina watched her, and she wasn't sure if she should feel sorry for someone who seemed almost desperate to impress. "Holy shit! That's delicious! I never would have thought..."

Regina let out a breath of relief that was just a little too audible for her liking. "I'm glad you like it, dear." She rewarded Ruby with another ghost of a smile.

"I love it! Where do you buy this stuff?"

The mayor hesitated for a long moment, a flurry of thoughts passing behind her eyes. She turned, swiped up the bag of grounds that she left near the coffee maker, and slid it across the counter toward the other woman. "Here. I don't drink it that often, and I can always get more." Her tone was soft, slightly higher than usual, and her whole body tensed as if waiting for an immediate refusal.

"A-are you sure? I can get my own. I don't want to seem like some kinda coffee thief or something."

Some of the tension melted away from the older woman's body, and she chuckled once more. "I'd like to see anyone try to steal anything from me, dear. And if coffee is all you're after, I'd think you to be the least of my worries."

Ruby blushed prettily, ducking her face down to the mug clasped between her fingers. She was utterly baffled by their short interaction. They were talking about coffee for fuck's sake! Yet, it still felt somewhat natural, and even a little friendly. To be honest, it was almost alarming to feel any hint of warmth or amiable inclination from the older woman. She secretly thought to herself that that mayor might be more popular among her townsfolk if she just showed this side of herself a little more often.

Everyone viewed Regina Mills as almost inhuman. They looked at her as this stony, emotionless, whirlwind of power and threats. For the most part, they were right, because that was the only Regina Mills they knew. It seemed that perhaps the woman might have softened up a bit when she adopted a little boy, but motherhood did little to her public demeanor. She remained just as harsh and unapproachable as before. She wondered if and why Regina had kept the softer part of her a well-guarded secret.

"You know where she is," the mayor stated quietly and evenly.

Ruby damn near choked on her coffee. "W-What?" Icy fear trickled right down her spine. She knew exactly what she heard, and she was almost certain that her stomach had crumpled itself into a useless knot, and her heart was suddenly hammering right behind her eyes.

"No games, Miss Lucas. You know where she is." Regina fixed her with a steady gaze, and her skin crawled when she realized there was no accusation, malice or hint of a threat in those amber eyes, when she felt there should be. She could only discern a calm hardness, and she became terribly aware of the fact that she was very alone with the older woman.

"Regina...if you mean Em-"

"Don't! Do. Not. Say. Her. Name." Regina hissed. Her voice was laced with unmistakable hatred, but Ruby saw more than most people. When she stared into the other woman's wide eyes, she saw nothing but fear. The anger was only a mask.

She held up her hands in surrender, and watched as the older woman fingered the collar of her turtleneck nervously. It clicked in place, and she felt like a damned fool for not realizing why she was so tightly wrapped in that garment. Emma tried to strangle Regina, and she grimaced at the vicious bruises that she could only imagine lay beneath the fabric.

"I..." Ruby faltered, not actually knowing what she was going to say. Her first instinct was to lie and say she knew nothing of Emma's whereabouts. However, a niggling irritation tugged at the back of her mind. It was the part of her that was righteously pissed at the blonde for abusing the aid she had kindly given her. It was the part of her that wanted Emma to pay for what she had done - but then again, hadn't Regina done equally vile things? She never thought she'd be in a position to side with a person that she deemed to be the lesser of two evils. To her complete dismay, she could not tell which person it was.

"Miss Lucas-"

"I told you to call me Ruby!" she snapped, grimacing at her obvious deflection.

"Fine. Ruby," the mayor spat. "I need to know where that woman is!"

"Why? So you can kill her? Like you tried to do before? What stopped you then, huh? What gave you cold feet when Emma was in her coma?!" Ruby was on her feet, hands splayed across the cool marble of the countertop, leaning over it, every word biting as it flew from her mouth. Regina stayed stock still, eyes wide, gaze hot enough to melt steel. Again, Ruby saw fear, but this time it was coated on pretty thickly, and there was something strange about the heart-stopping glare she was under. It wasn't all there.

"Oh, right. I remember why," the waitress said in mock realization. "I think it had something to do with flowers, right? Roses, right? Correct me if I'm wrong." Her tone was sickly sweet, and she was hating herself for her brazen display, but once the word vomit started, there wasn't much anyone could do to stop it.

"Oh, and a single sunflower in the bouquet, yes? What a gesture. Almost romantic, wouldn't you say? Let's not forget the evening I saw you standing over Emma, holding her hand, yeah? This is the best fucking part we're about to get to. You touched her face. No. You brushed her face. Gently. How murderous." Ruby saw the vein in Regina's forehead throbbing at a sickening pace.

"What was that all about, Regina? I mean, come on! Everyone knows you hated her! And she hated you! Does that sting a little? Knowing that Emma hated you? Did you have some twisted crush on her?" Regina sneered just as her stomach lurched, trying to snap the young waitress out of her cruel little tirade. It didn't work.

"You did, didn't you? I can see it. Maybe it was more than a crush? More than even lust? Did you love her?!" Ruby's voice was cold and mocking, and she didn't even recognize herself in that horrific moment. Not two seconds after the words left her painted lips did Regina Mills collapse heavily on the floor.

"Shit! Shit! God damnit." Ruby was kneeling on the floor, cradling Regina's upper body in her lap, not unlike the way she did with a very unconscious Emma. "What is it with you two? Always hating on each other. Now, neither of you are even able to stay alive, or conscious or whatever." There really was no need for her monologue, but talking seemed to fill the dreadful silence around her. She decided that if Regina didn't wake in the next five minutes, she would call for an ambulance.

She felt an icy cold lump settle into her stomach. Ruby would be lucky to make it out of here alive. If the woman in her lap didn't wake up soon, she would have a lot to explain to David and Henry, in which some very uncomfortable things could potentially come to light. If Regina did wake up soon, well...the young woman didn't even want to think about the wrath that would be ferociously flung her way. One thing was for certain: tonight was the biggest, grandest fuck-up of her life, and there was no way in hell that she would ever forget that evening for as long as she lived.

"You and Emma are both fucking idiots. Yeah, yeah, I know it's my fault for getting involved too, but... I don't like standing by and not doing something. Just wake up already," she growled, giving Regina a little shake. "I don't want to call the cops or anything!"

"You know..." Regina slurred hoarsely, causing Ruby to leap about a mile out of her skin. "Jus' because I...was uncon'cious...doesn' mean I couldn' hear..."

Ruby paled instantly, but chose to act as though she hadn't heard while the mayor started to squirm in her lap. "Hey, easy. Don't sit up too soon, you could pass out again."

"The hell d'you care, Ruby?"

The younger woman winced, knowing she deserved what was sure to be the first of many barbs. "It's not that I don't care-"

"Bullshit," the older brunette snapped, propping herself up on an elbow. "What reason do you have to care about me? You were right yesterday; I have never been nice to you. So why should I expect any different from you?" Brown eyes bored into her own, and she felt a blush of shame coloring her cheeks.

"Because I'm just nice like that."

"Oh right, and I'm not. I'm just some wicked villain, heartless and cold...devoid of sympathy and compassion."

"I didn't mean it like that," Ruby snapped. "I mean that I'm generally nice to everyone, and I think people deserve the benefit of the doubt. That includes you, Regina."

"I hope I've proven to you that some things are not worth the benefit of even the slightest of doubts. You get hurt too many times placing misguided faith. Life is simpler without taking those foolish risks." The mayor's face was dark, her gaze stony, and Ruby didn't doubt for a second that Regina knew too much tragedy in her past to give her such a view on life.

"It must also be really lonely..."

"Companionship means little to me." Regina's tone was clipped, but she didn't meet Ruby's eyes.

"Says the woman who fought tooth and nail for her child."

"The presence of a child in his mother's life is completely different from idle friendship, stupid girl."

"What about Kathryn?"

"She was nothing to me."

"You keep telling yourself that."

"You have no idea what you're talking about-"

"What about her? Why did you..." Ruby hesitated for a moment. She didn't know the actual details of Emma coming out of the coma, so her gamble could potentially cause more pain, and make her look even more idiotic than Regina already thought her to be.

"Why did you kiss her, Regina?" She felt the other woman tense against her body. "You could have kept her like that, in the coma. And don't tell me it was for Henry. Some part of you missed her. Why else would you visit her in the middle of the night? Hold her hand? Leave her flowers? Those aren't the gestures of hatred, Madame Mayor."

"You're not doing her any favors...hiding her," the mayor threw back.

Ruby sighed heavily. "Regina...you're a wreck. Let's be honest here. As bad as you are, I think Em-she might be worse. I can't see how your presence would make things any easier for either of you right now."

"Why haven't you told Sheriff Nolan?"

"About where she is?" Regina nodded in affirmation, gingerly moving to sit cross-legged in front of her guest.

"You do realize you are aiding a wanted criminal. You could be in a lot of trouble if that information was made known to the wrong people."

"And are you one of the wrong people, Regina? Are you gonna tattle on me if I don't tell you where she's staying?"

"No." Regina's voice was soft, almost sorrowful. "When I see her for the first time since she attacked me, I...don't want any cell bars between us."

"Why should I trust you not to hurt her?" Ruby fixed her with a careful gaze, watching every reaction closely to discern the other woman's motives.

"Perhaps, Miss Lucas, this is one of those occasions where you give someone the benefit of the doubt, as you spoke of before. There has been enough violence and damage already. Doing any more would only hurt the one person I care about more than myself."

"Henry."

"Henry," Regina echoed.

Ruby's brow furrowed as she regarded her companion. She wasn't able to find any lie in those words, but she couldn't fight the rising swell of doubt in her chest. It was true that she wanted to give Regina a chance. God knows she might be the first to voluntarily offer the mayor some trust when others would have shut her out, but what if her lie was exceptionally well hidden? What if she genuinely did want to hurt Emma...maybe even kill her? The waitress would never be able to live with herself if she allowed any harm to befall her friend, and she had little doubt about her own willingness to hand over the culprit should such a thing happen.

However, it wouldn't make much sense for Regina to do so. Not when Ruby was so intimately aware of both women. Ruby would know who was behind any fresh injury - or murder - to Emma. She would be able to point David straight to Regina. The waitress understood that some revenges had no limits, but with Henry's well-being on the line, the mayor couldn't risk killing his birthmother and then being jailed for said crime. If there was one thing Ruby knew about the other woman, it was that she valued Henry above all else. Murder was not in her best interest as far as keeping her son in her life went. Maybe she was going crazy, or maybe she just had good instincts, but that logic struck as sound with her.

For her part, Regina remained quiet while her guest organized her jumbled thoughts. She knew there was a time and a place for rushing, but a situation as delicate and convoluted as the one she now found herself in required patience. Trying to force an answer prematurely would only come off as brash and aggressive - exactly the opposite of what she wanted the young woman to think of her actions.

She watched, slightly amused, as Ruby's pretty face went through a flurry of emotions. Her eyes darted around, lost in thought, under drawn brows. She pensively rubbed her fingers across lips the color of her namesake, and Regina could practically see the two fronts she was being pulled back and forth from. But, as the moments ticked by, she got more and more nervous. The longer Ruby took to reach a decision, the more likely she was to be unsure of said choice, and choose to deny her the blonde's location. She started chewing on her lip, fidgeting restlessly with the collar of her shirt, unconsciously longing for the soft form of a stuffed lion to busy her twitchy fingers with.

"Okay." Ruby said, her stomach rolling. She prayed to anything that might hear her that she was about to make the right choice. For everyone.

"Okay?" Regina couldn't bite back the apprehension in her voice, and she leaned forward expectantly, ignoring the ache of her abdominal bruise.

"I...I'm gonna tell you." The young woman's face was taught with worry, but it dissipated slightly when she saw a small bubble of hope break through the mayor's cracked, marred facade. "But...You have to promise me, on Henry's life, that you will bring her no physical harm."

"I cannot guarantee that. It was Emma who chose to attack me first, after all," Regina said dryly. "Should she do the same, I will not hesitate to retaliate in self-defense."

"Then promise not to hurt her by your design. Injury can only come to her if she is the one to swing first." Ruby kept a hard gaze on the impatient mayor.

"Miss Lucas-"

"Promise me. If you don't, I will never tell you where she is."

Regina shot her an irritated look before holding up her right hand. "I, Regina Mills, do swear on the life of my son, Henry Mills, witnessed by Ruby Lucas, that I will not bring any harm to..."

"Good enough. You don't have to say her name."

"...Th-thank you," the older woman mumbled sheepishly.

"Okay..." Ruby blew out a big breath. "She's at that little cabin in the woods. You know, the one where she found Gold when he kidnapped Moe French?"

"I know of it," the older woman responded slowly.

"But, I warn you. She could hardly handle herself and what happened when she wasn't sober. Now that I'm making sure she doesn't get a lick of alcohol...she might be more than a little unstable."

"Why are you telling me? Why give me any warning at all?"

"I don't know... Maybe I just don't want you to go in blind?"

"And what of her? Will you warn her of my impending visit?"

"And give her a chance to pack up and run? Come on, Regina. You know her. Running is something she's seriously good at. If I tell her you know where she is, neither of us will ever find her again after that."

"Ruby?" Once more, those insecurities were rolling off of the mayor in thick waves, and it never failed to alarm the younger woman.

"Yes?"

"Is...is there any way I could ever repay you? I know you doubt me now, and I don't begrudge you for that. Any sane person should doubt me, but you've done me a great service." Regina's hand twitched, as if she briefly considered reaching out to touch Ruby.

"Yeah. You can repay me by giving me no reason to doubt you by keeping your promise."

"I can do that," she assured gently.

"Regina? How...did you know that I knew where she was?"

The mayor regarded her with a small, wry smile. "Let's just call it intuition, dear." Her eyes sparkled mischievously, but held no threat.

"Fine. Keep your secrets. I think, if you don't mind, that this evening has come to a close?"

"I daresay it has." Both women stood up from the kitchen floor, and Regina quietly plucked the bag of coffee from the counter, handing it over to her guest. "Ruby? I... I hope I didn't make you feel...used. Before my rather tactless attempt at information, I was surprisingly enjoying myself. If you don't feel too off put by the events of this evening..."

"Just give me a call. You know how to find me." Ruby's smile was warm and inviting, and Regina couldn't fight the rush of gratitude that she felt for the girl.

They both walked in companionable silence to the front door, and Regina quietly extracted Ruby's coat from the closet for her. The mayor reached past her young friend to flip the lock, and, for once, she didn't feel threatened or at risk of an episode while being so close to another. She felt the moist heat of tears pricking the corners of her eyes, but she was able to blink them back.

"Until next time, Ruby," she said gently.

"Most definitely, Regina. I'll see you around."

Ruby slipped through the door, and strode almost confidently down the front path to her car. Yep. That was definitely a night to remember. Regina watched the woman whom she wondered might be her newest friend leave before quietly closing the door, putting the lock into place and letting out a long, confused sigh.

"I am so proud of you, Regina." came the warm tenor of a voice she spent lifetimes missing.

As always, you can find me on Tumblr at writers-dilemma. tumblr. com and another huge shout out to my best beta, Jasmine! You can find her at obligatory-regal-name. tumblr. com If you have any questions, comments or concerns, do not hesitate to ask! I love hearing from you all! 3