Chapter 28. Love Hurts


Ruby fidgeted with her glass as she sat at the bar. She spared a glance at Belle sitting quietly beside her. After seeing everyone else home, Belle had asked Ruby to accompany her to the Rabbit Hole. Ruby gladly accepted, believing they could both use a drink after such a long and crazy day. However, after half an hour of silence and strange scathing looks directed towards her from Belle, Ruby was confused. She finished her shot and turned in her seat to face Belle.

"If I did something to make you angry, I'd appreciate it if you told me." Ruby questioned.

Belle looked up at Ruby and rolled her eyes. She grabbed her own drink finishing it in one swallow before signaling the bartender for another.

"Belle, talk to me." Ruby pleaded.

"Where should I begin? Your selfishness? Or better yet, your stupidity."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Belle got up from her seat and made her way towards the back of the bar.

Ruby shook her head before rushing after Belle. She grabbed the small woman by the arm and spun her.

"Being friends doesn't give you the right to insult me especially since I don't know what the hell I did wrong." Ruby furiously exclaimed.

"Ugh, that's the problem. You don't know do you?" Belle replied.

"Then tell me?!" Ruby shouted.

"You left me!" Belle shouted back.

Ruby frowned in confusion.

"I thought that woman killed you. The sound your body made when you hit that wall. I just...then you just got up and ran after her. All I could do was watch you go and do nothing. I have never felt so scared or helpless in all my life." Belle sobbed.

Ruby released her grip on Belle's arm. She had not given any thought to what Belle had felt in that moment. She was so accustomed to living her life without care, relying on instinct alone.

"I'm sorry Belle. I just reacted. It's what I do." Ruby gently spoke.

"Don't you think I know that? I am angry with myself for feeling this way. But, waiting for you to return, I thought my heart would burst." Belle replied, her hand falling on her chest.

Ruby reached for Belle's hand, twining their fingers. "I jump into situations partly because of my wolf nature. Another part is my actions, no matter the consequence, were mine alone to bear. Believe me when I say I never wanted to hurt you."

"Then you need to know, that now, there is someone who cares if you live or die." Belle cupped Ruby's cheek, her thumb rubbing soft circles. Ruby stared into Belle's eyes, searching for what she had only dreamed she would find.

Belle's lips turned up in a playful smirk as she licked her lips nervously. Ruby leaned down, slowly inching her face closer. Belle's breathing sped as she felt the wolf's warm breath against her lips.

A loud crash sounded behind the young couple causing them to jump apart. "How dare you? Do you not remember who I am?" Ruby turned, quickly recognizing the voice. She was shocked to see a distraught but very angry Regina holding a man suspended by magic in the air. The poor man, who Ruby recognized as Gus, was struggling to get free.

"Call Emma now." Ruby urged before quickly making her way to Regina. Belle grabbed her phone and dialed the Sheriff.

"Hey Regina, what's going on?" Ruby carefully approached, her hands held up.

"This little rodent presumed to put his hand on my person." Regina asserted, never once taking her eyes off Gus.

"Well, in his defense, he's always been a little handsy." Ruby joked. She immediately noticed the slight sway in the Mayor's body. Taking in the nearly empty bottle of brandy, Ruby deduced that Regina was intoxicated.

"Maybe I should lop one off and wear it around my neck." Regina sneered.

"No need to go all Buffalo Bill, Your Majesty. Let's put the guy down." Emma walked over to stand beside Regina.

"Again Miss Swan I have no idea what you are talking about. But since this is none of your concern I ask that you leave." Regina turned to look at Emma. "As I'm the law in this town and what you're doing here is clearly a crime, I'm afraid it is my business." Emma smirked.

Regina stared at Emma before turning her attention back to the man still in her grip. With a shrug, she released her magic setting the man free. With a squeak, Gus jumped to his feet and ran out of the bar.

"He is free. Now you and your watchdog can leave me in peace." Regina uttered before slumping down into her chair. Emma looked over to Ruby, who nodded, before walking back over to rejoin Belle. Emma then pulled a chair and took a seat.

"Are you still here?" Regina slurred before taking another drink from her glass.

"Yeah, still here. You mind telling me why you are getting shit faced in a bar?"

"If you must know, I have no brandy at home." Regina answered pouring herself another but nearly spilling the liquid as she swayed.

"Woah there. Take it easy." Emma snatched the bottle from Regina's hand.

"Give it back." Regina demanded.

"No way. You need to go home and go to bed."

"Is that an offer Savior?" Regina deviously smirked.

"You're drunk." Emma replied disgustedly.

"And you are a coward." Regina gathered her purse and abruptly stood from her chair. "Or are your declarations reserved only during times of crisis?" Regina jested with raucous laughter.

Emma's cheeks flamed with embarrassment."Fuck you Regina." Emma stormed from the bar.

Regina suddenly realized everyone's attention focused on what had transpired between her and Emma. Without another word, she transported herself away. Ruby and Belle stood by the bar, both too stunned to move.

"If those two don't hurry up and shag, I swear they will burn this town to ashes." Chester scoffed before going to get a broom and mop to clean up the mess.


Azael stood within the charred remains of the spot he had entered this world. So much had transpired since that moment and yet here is where he returned.

"I cannot believe the great and powerful Azael stands melancholy within his thoughts." Lilith spoke as she stepped from the forest edge.

"You have been busy, demon." Azael said his eyes turned up to the night sky.

"You cannot have expected me to stand idle why you deliberated your choices."

"No, I presume I would have been wrong to believe otherwise."

Lilith stood beside Azael as she too looked up to the heavens.

"Feeling home sick?" Lilith teased.

"No, simply tired." Azael dejectedly responded. "It appears the years have left me spent."

Azael turned heavy eyes on his once lover. Lilith was stunned to find the fire that burned so bright within him dulled.

"Then it is true?" Lilith sorrowfully asked.

"Of what do you speak?" Azael replied.

"You have chosen that mortal." Lilith spat.

"Careful what you say next?" Azael threatened.

"What can I say? It is too late now to turn you from your fool's mission. What is done is done."

"Yes. So let it be." Azael beseeched.

"But your grace, Azael? Was there no other gift?" Lilith woefully looked on him.

"It has always been my decision to bestow it on whomever I saw fit. I have found no other more deserving." Azael proudly proclaimed.


Regina materialized beside her Mercedes. She stumbled and caught herself against the door. Her head was spinning from the alcohol and the magic. She reached into her purse and removed her keys. However, before she could enter her car, her hand was seized in a firm grip. Regina spun to find a furious looking Emma.

"I might be pissed off at you right now but like hell am I letting you drive home like this."

Regina opened her mouth to argue but stopped immediately as Emma pushed her against the car door, their bodies flushed.

"So help me God Regina if you don't hand me those keys and get in I will pick you up and throw you in the trunk." Emma growled, her body pressed tightly against Regina's front.

Regina became flushed and could do nothing but nod before giving Emma the keys. Emma sat in the driver's seat slamming the door shut. Regina slowly made her way to the passenger side.

"Buckle up." Emma ordered, before slamming her foot down on the accelerator and peeling out from the parking lot.


Regina magically opened her front door and rushed into the foyer. She uncharacteristically dropped her purse onto the floor before kicking off her heels, discarding her belongings as she headed straight into her study. Emma followed closely behind, shutting and locking the door once inside.

Regina walked straight to her bar and proceeded to pour herself a tumbler full of cider. Before the rim could touch her lips, the cup was snatched from her hand and tossed against the wall behind her. She glared daggers at Emma who returned her stare with deadly intent.

"You are out of your freakin' mind if you think I drove you home just so you could continue to poison yourself." Emma seethed.

"How dare you come into my home and think you can tell me what I can and cannot do?" Regina snapped.

"I dare cause you are acting like a complete idiot. What the hell is wrong with you?" Emma's anger was quickly replaced by worry. Regina felt overwhelmed by the raw concern reflected in Emma's eyes. Her shame over her actions urged her to look away.

"Regina, please talk to me. You're not gonna find anything at the end of a bottle." Emma stepped closer. Regina squared her shoulders before taking in a deep calming breath. She addressed Emma in a regal tone.

"Why do you care, Savior? All of you would be better served if I were not in the way. Tonight proved I am not even an asset against this current threat."

Emma was utterly dumbfounded by the brunette's self deprecation. Where was the woman who fought her every inch of the way since she came into Storybrooke? She felt her anger spark once more. Throwing caution to the wind, she grabbed Regina and dragged her to stand in front of the ornate mirror.

"Take a good look at yourself and tell me what you see? Cause I think all the booze you drank has screwed with your head." Emma said from over Regina's shoulder.

"What is the meaning of this Miss Swan?" Regina struggled but could not break free of Emma's hold.

"Need some help? Ok, then let me start. I see a woman who despite everything life has thrown at her, found a way to keep standing. Who proved everyone wrong when they said she was nothing more than a villain. A mother who would tear the very fabric of the universe for her son. Lastly, I see a woman who only knows how to love, so intensely, that it takes a bit of her soul."

Emma stated as she stared at Regina's reflection. Regina startled at the words. No one had ever spoken of her with such reverence. Yet, here was a woman she had almost literally poisoned, championing her. She smiled as she thought on how Emma Swan truly was the White Knight.

"How exhilarating to hear you finally cede your fealty." Regina drawled, turning to face Emma.

"What the hell are you talking..."

Before Emma could finish her question, she is forcefully slammed against the wall, pinned beneath Regina, her shirt clenched tightly in her hands. She readies herself for what can only be one of Regina's epic hate fueled tirades to begin for having pushed the queen too far. However, she is shocked when instead Regina pushes her thigh between her legs and smashes her lips to hers.