AN: Starting out with a flashback, feels like I haven't written one for ages. Sorry it's so short. Had intended to complete this story by my birthday but a bit late for that now. Maybe only one more chapter after this? Any medical stuff is made up with no research (except vague memories from tv/films/books).


Flashback.

The leaves were turning gold, filling the rundown gardens of Cora's new home with brightness. A few fallen, dry leaves rustled as the edges of her dress swept over them and she smiled as Red came walking towards her.

The girl had been running through the forest, her cheeks were flushed and her hair a wild tangle around her face. Cora smiled as Red swept her up into her arms and spun around with her.

"Wonderful news!"

Cora steadied herself by placing her hands on Red's shoulders and waited to be let down. She refused to speak until her feet were returned to the floor.

"Autumn is really here!" Red told her. "Our special blackberry bushes are ripening. Come for a walk and help me pick enough for a pie."

Cora smiled, remembering the mixed fruit pies Red made her last year. She magicked a basket into her hands and exchanged her cloak for a warmer one. Red slipped her hand into Cora's and led the way.


Traffic passed in front of the library and Cora had to wait before she could cross the road. She couldn't see Ruby yet, and she had been worried she was running a little late. Choosing the perfect ring had taken longer than she expected, but it was worth it. She had found the most perfect diamond surrounded by tiny rubies, and she hoped Ruby would love it.

Cora stood to the left of the library doors and glanced up as the clock hands moved. She heard a familiar whistle and smiled. In the Enchanted Forest she would always use her magic to reply, but now she had to settle for turning to look.

Ruby waved as she stepped around the other pedestrians on the pavement. Cora had her hand raised half-way when the monster came around the corner. It was huge, over half the height of the library. Pale, almost translucent skinned, it walked slowly on two legs. There were tufts of red fur around its neck and feet, with two large antlers sprouting from its triangular baldhead.

A car screeched to a halt, trying to avoid the creature, and was ignored. Other Storybrooke citizens ran away. Ruby headed straight for Cora, using a burst of wolf-speed to reach her.

"Inside the library," Ruby tried to get her to move.

Cora shook her head, "what if it decides to destroy it? We'd be trapped."

"Then where?"

Cora pulled her down along the library and around the corner to where they had left the car. When she looked back, she saw the monster was following them. Ruby noticed the same thing. She left Cora by the car, running towards the monster to get its attention, then to the side trying to lure it away by calling out to it. Ignoring Cora, she kept going, not looking where she was going.

She didn't hear the car coming.

Cora saw it.


Flashback.

Cora dozed on the sofa in front of the fire, a light blanket tucked around her. Red lay next to her in wolf-form, head resting on Cora's lap. She was warm and comfortable; feeling a way she hadn't felt for a long time. Her hand reached out and stroked Red's fur, the same way she did when Red was human and the softness under her hand was long, dark hair.

It wasn't even the night of a full moon, but Red had felt the need to change. After hours spent in the forest she had returned, ignoring the red cloak which would have given her a painless transformation. Red had gone to lie in front of the fireplace, but Cora invited her onto the sofa. This was new for them, spending time together while Red was in wolf-form. The younger girl was still learning to accept who she was, still afraid of making a mistake and being rejected.

Cora leaned down and placed a kiss on top of Red's head, "if you want to sleep this way, I'll understand and you can stay by the fire. I love you but I don't want fur on the bed."

Red whined and refused to budge when Cora tried to stand.

"I'm not sleeping here," Cora told her, "though I will miss having you keep me warm."

Red's tail moved as she thought it over. Eventually she raised her head from Cora's lap, jumped down from the sofa and padded softly over to her red cloak.

Soon she was pulling the cloak around her human form and smiling at Cora, "I like keeping you warm," she held out a hand to help the witch up from the sofa, "especially when we're not wearing any clothes."

"I'm sure that can be arranged," Cora agreed, moving to kiss her.

Red held up a hand, "let me brush my teeth first, just in case … wolf-breath."

"Perhaps a bath as well?" Cora asked, pulling something green from Red's hair.

"Join me?"

Cora raised her hand, filling the tub with warm water, "an offer I can't refuse."


Before Ruby knew it, the car was inches away. If felt like time was slowed. One minute the car was there, the next Cora's body slammed into her and pushed her out of the way.

When she opened her eyes all she could see was the road. She forced her body to move, to get up. It hurt to breathe, but she wasn't thinking about that.

Cora was close enough that within a few, staggering steps Ruby was by her side. Regina was there, Emma too. The blonde was checking Cora for injuries, one hand holding a phone up to her ear as she called the hospital. Ruby knelt down by Cora, calling her name.

"Regina, can you take us to the hospital? They've cleared a space in the waiting room by the reception desk," Emma was speaking, but Ruby only heard it faintly.

She glanced up and noticed how pale Regina looked, watched Cora's daughter stretch out her fingers as if summoning her magic – but nothing happened. Emma saw it too, so she put her cell in a pocket and focused on her own magic, surrounding them with a bright cloud of magic, and transporting them to the hospital.


"It's all my fault," Regina whispered the words over and over, her head on Emma's shoulders and the blondes arms around her back.

"She'll be fine, Dr Whale will help her."

"When she wakes up she'll be so angry."

"You didn't mean for this to happen. You said the monster couldn't hurt anyone."

"It couldn't. Even if anyone had gotten close enough, it wouldn't have been able to physically touch them. It was just meant to see…"

"I know," Emma rubbed a hand over Regina's back as she saw Dr Whale approaching. "Any news doc?"

"She's still unconscious. They'll be some bruising but we'll need the x-ray results to see if there're any fractures or breaks. We've got her stabilised…"

"But?"

"I'm worried, her pulse is still weak."

"Can we see her?"

"Ruby's in with her now, but of course – Regina's family."

Emma moved her hand down Regina's back and slipped it into Regina's hand, "thanks."


Regina stared down at her mother, aware that Ruby was watching her. She looked at the monitors but, other than recognising the one keeping track of her mother's heartbeat, didn't understand what they were doing. Emma was waiting outside, Dr Whale would only allow two visitors at one time.

"She saved my life," Ruby spoke suddenly.

"Yes."

"Bet you didn't think she'd do that."

Regina didn't answer.

"Dr Whale doesn't know when she'll wake up. Is there anything you can do, any magic…?"

"The enchanted cuff would weaken it too much."

"Then take it off. Dr Whale thinks blocking off her magic anyway and that might be stopping her from getting better."

Regina was torn. She had promised Emma that she would remove it when she had proof that her mother had changed, that she really did love Ruby, that she wouldn't hurt anyone. Now though, she was worried about her mother having her magic and finding out what she had done.

Regina looked away, to the closed door where Emma was waiting for her on the other side. She knew what Emma would say.

"Okay."