Three cheers for Disney + whom without, I'd likely never have continued this story.
Hip hip HOORAY!
You're the light, you're the night
You're the color of my blood
You're the cure, you're the pain
You're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much
All she received was a text from David telling her to meet him at the ER urgently. Ruby shot from her couch and rushed out the diner, calling out to Granny that she'd be back soon.
Although she was irritated by the lack of context, she knew David wouldn't have asked her to come if it wasn't important.
She arrived the same time as Leroy, who'd received a similar message. They stood together for what felt like hours but was probably minutes, both internally panicking about their summons.
Who was hurt? How badly?
The distant sounds of sirens drew closer, and her heart started pounding with trepidation.
Ruby clutched her abdomen in an attempt to ground herself. Lightly rubbing her tiny bulge, she mentally reassured her little one.
Everything will be alright.
In a matter of seconds – all hell broke loose.
A man was being wheeled in; a man Ruby was stunned to realise she didn't recognise. As he was wheeled passed, she noticed it looked as though he had a head injury. She glanced back and saw at least one more stretcher following. Dr. Whale was being called repeatedly on the speaker system. Where was he? Surely, he had as much notice as her and Leroy? Rushing along with the EMT's, Emma was frantically shouting orders to hide someone. Who? Ruby couldn't begin to guess. Following her was a panicked Belle, being quietly shushed in Snow's arms. David was the second last to enter, Rumpelstiltskin lagging behind.
"I don't know what's happening!" Belle was crying.
Ruby stepped forward to Belle, alarmed at her frightened behaviour.
What on earth had happened?
"Hide him. Find a room and hide him!" Emma hurriedly demanded a nurse, pointing to the bloodied man in the second stretcher.
Ruby felt the moment her brain short circuited and broke down.
There, unconscious or perhaps even dead, was the dark-haired pirate she had been desperately longing for.
Killian. Oh God, it's Killian.
She instinctively lurched forward, desperate to touch him, to beg him to wake up only to be caught in Snow's arms.
She stared after him, afraid to look away. Too soon, he was out of view and Ruby could only pray he was going to be alright. Snow was speaking to her at an accelerated pace and with Ruby only half listening she could only pick out a few words.
Killian. Gun. Belle. Townline. Gold. Car. Stranger.
Her Killian had shot at Belle? What? Killian wanted Belle to lose her memory, why?
That didn't make sense. She was missing something.
Suddenly, David was accosting Rumpelstiltskin, telling him to get out.
Rumpelstiltskin ignored him, demanding answers about Belle. Ruby was surprised that no one was answering.
"She's okay – I think she's just in shock," Ruby called out to him. Much like she herself was.
It wasn't good enough for him, "But where is she? I want to see that for myself!"
"Everybody, calm down!" Dr. Whale had finally arrived.
Ruby glanced down the hallway Killian had been taken, wondering if she could sneak off unnoticed, but Snow had an iron grip on her.
Dr. Whale assured Rumpelstiltskin that he'd take care of Belle, but the pawn broker looked doubtful.
"I need to see her," he insisted.
Dr. Whale signed, "she's been sedated but I'm sure it'll be fine for you to see her once she's been checked over."
The two of them walked off.
Ruby turned and looked at David who looked more than a little haggard, but she needed to know.
"What happened?"
"Later," he dismissed her, turning to Leroy, "we need to get into his phone."
Ruby tried to follow the conversation, but she was getting frustrated that the love of her life was in a hospital room and no one would tell her why.
When Emma joined them, Ruby took note of where she came from.
It wasn't long before more people entered, and the conversation erupted into meddlesome bickering.
All she really got from the conversation was that everything that happened tonight, including someone who was possibly going to die, was somehow Killian's fault.
Having had enough, Ruby lightly nudged Leroy to get his attention. He glanced at her confused. She made a motion with her head, a silent I'll be back. He nodded and made a subtle shooing motion with his hand.
She crept away as stealthily as she could.
You're the fear, I don't care
'Cause I've never been so high
Follow me through the dark
Let me take you past the satellites
You can see the world you brought to life, to life
It took a few rooms, but she finally found him. Peeking in, she saw that he was awake, looking a bit beaten but decidedly alive. Exhaling in relief, she straightened her posture and decided it was time to get to the bottom of this.
Without ceremony, she flung the door open all the way and blasted it shut behind her.
He must have thought she was someone else because he immediately made a snarky comment without looking her way.
She stayed silent, worried she'd explode in anger.
She watched his eyebrows crinkle as he turned to look at who his visitor was. His face collapsed into wretched relief and for a singular moment Ruby just wanted to fling herself into his arms and cry.
But she spied the cuffs on his hand and the blood on his face and she knew that whatever happened earlier that night, he did have a part in it. How big or small – she was going to find out.
She approached him slowly, deliberately drawing out the confrontation for as long as possible. While she was approaching him, she let her eyes roam all over him, reassuring herself of his presence.
"Red," he softly uttered, as entranced by her as she was by him.
Once she reached his side, she allowed all her anger to finally surface.
Killian winced before she'd even struck him.
Smack!
He didn't even have the decently to pretend it had been painful.
"What the hell is going on?"
His eyes met hers and he broke into a wide smile, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Red, Love. I've missed you so much." His voice croaked with emotion.
She would not let herself pretend that the shitshow in the ER hadn't happened. She couldn't. a man was likely dying, Belle had lost her memories, and Emma was furious.
She softened her approach, "I need to know what happened. Last I heard about you, was that you'd been abandoned in the Enchanted Forest. How did you get here? What have you been doing since you got here?"
He glanced down; his threadbare hospital blanket suddenly very interesting.
Another thought seized Ruby, "Exactly how long have you been here?"
He visibly winced which gave her the answer.
Long enough.
"You didn't come find me immediately," she accused him, trying to sound strong and not heartbroken.
"I was going to-" he started.
"But you didn't!" she cut him off sharply.
His head snapped away from her, clearly unwilling to start a fight.
She watched him breathe in deeply and give a rattled exhale.
"I had to play a part. Then I just…" he trailed off looking ashamed. "I had something that needed to be done."
Deciding that interrupting was getting nowhere, she waited in silence.
As she suspected, he found the quiet more unsettling, and slowly began speaking.
She reached forward, and held his hand, anchoring him to the present as much as she could.
They were there for a while, Killian was brief but emotive in his retelling. He defended his heart, but not his actions. He emphasised how much pain he had caused, whilst belittling his own.
For the first time, he voluntarily said the name Milah in her presence. Killian quietly, but passionately told him the story of Milah – Rumplestiskin's wife.
She had wondered many times who this mysterious 'Milah' was. She had always surmised it was a previous lover, perhaps a youthful fling like the others he'd told her about.
Her fingers trailed over the tattoo on his wrist. Now, she knew and for the first time, it felt almost sacrilegious to touch. As though by touching her name with her fingers, it somehow profaned it.
"You would never talk about her," she murmured. "Her name marked into your skin forever and you never even told me who she was."
Killian's throat bobbed as he swallowed, "She isn't easy to talk about."
Ruby's eyes bore into his, her tone flat, "I told you about Peter. How I slaughtered him. Do you think that was easy?"
She watched him shift uncomfortably, wincing as he aggravated his injuries. A lull in their discussion happened, and Ruby let go of his hand. The air felt tense between them.
"I loved her," he clarified unnecessarily.
The declaration didn't hurt as much as she thought it would.
"I know."
Nothing was said for a few moments.
His throat bobbed, "I had to do it. I couldn't let him get away with it."
Ruby felt her back straighten, "At the expense of others?"
He scoffed, his voice rising with anger, "I did what had to be done."
Her eyes flashed dangerously, "You hurt Belle!"
"Yes!" he bellowed before softly continuing, "I did."
Silence permeated the air. Neither willing to come to verbal blows so soon after finally reuniting.
She let herself gracelessly flop in the visitor's chair, hanging her head in her hands.
How had things gone so badly so quickly?
"I don't have enough words to describe how angry I am at you."
He didn't verbally respond, and Ruby didn't have the strength to look at him.
She sighed heavily, trying to exhale all her frustrations. If she could manage that, then maybe they could make their first step to fixing this mess. She finally looked up at him, momentarily surprised by how agitated he was. He'd clearly been stewing on something.
The wounded pirate glared at her, "you wouldn't be the first to regret loving me."
… What?
She blinked a couple times. Was that what he thought?
Ruby stared back just as intently, "I have never regretted loving you."
He inhaled sharply at her powerful voice and Ruby noticed his eyes going glassy.
There he was - a battered man who fought so hard to be with her. The man she had sworn to be in love with, the one she prayed would return to her. The things she would have done to find him were limitless and she simply had to wait for him. He had the thankless job of having to fight and betray to find her. Ruby sighed heavily, for just a moment she would set aside the atrocities he had done.
Ruby stared deeply into his eyes as she slowly climbed into bed with him. His hands immediately reached to assist her, and she managed to straddle his thighs without causing too much pain. She rested her head against his, closing her eyes and simply spent a moment to relish his return. He was there, beneath her, smelling of sea salt as always, holding her as tenderly as he could. Their ragged breaths intermingled together and for the first time since she'd left him, she felt she could finally breathe.
I love you. Their silent breaths told each other.
"But you've never made it so hard to love you before."
A straggled sound escaped his throat. She pressed her lips to his and swallowed his sorrowful voice. It was a simple touching of their lips, a physical representation that she stilled loved him. He sobbed against her and his restrained arm struggled to embrace her. She shifted slightly and they were suddenly engulfed in each other's arms. Her own shoulders started to quake with restrained tears. Her fingers caressed his stubble, and she broke. How funny that something as simple as stroking his beard was her undoing? But she had been terrified that she would never see him again. Memories rushed to her of Killian tickling her with his beard. The reality that he was finally within her grasp was finally hitting her. Their lips parted and together they made strangled sobs. Together. At last.
Together, they sat entangled. Quietly taking a moment just to exist. His eyes flickered open and were filled with hope.
"Red- Ruby-You- I love you."
They collided together in desperation, hands roaming but never covering enough, hearts beating in unkempt unison.
She hadn't realised how much she missed his taste.
Before she even realised it, she was chanting his name, "Killian. Killian. It's you. We're here"
He responded just as urgently peppering kisses in between words, "Yes, Red. Yes, It's me. I finally found you."
For a moment brilliant smiles erupted upon their faces, eyes dancing with unconcealed happiness.
She heard him pull on his cuff, before somehow twisting it until it fell off. His hand briefly caressed her face before slowly making its way to where their little miracle lay. She raised her top slightly so he could have better access. His splayed fingers lightly twitched on her bare flesh. There was a warmth there suddenly, and she liked to think it was their little girl saying hi to her daddy. She heard his choked sobs, felt his quivering hand. His forehead rested against hers.
"Silvia," He murmured in awe, "our little girl."
"Yes," she breathed out a laugh. "our little miracle."
His eyes bore deeply into hers and she was certain she'd never seen him more emotional.
Suddenly, his hand left her belly, and he clutched her head fervently. He stared intently at her, open and vulnerable.
"Nothing is more important than this," he vowed.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing!" he repeated more vehemently.
For a moment they just stared deeply at each other. Lost in their lover's gaze.
Giving in, Ruby launched her lips onto his and he eagerly accepted. His hand roamed from her cheek to her neck, to her breast, and then finally to her waist. He grunted in pain when she leaned her weight too forward onto him, but he refused to relinquish his grasp when she made to pull back. His tongue plundered her mouth and Ruby couldn't help the moan that escaped her.
She'd missed this. She'd missed him. Killian. Her Killian. Her chosen mate.
They broke apart with ragged breaths, foreheads leaning together.
Their eyes flickered to each other, and Ruby knew she had one more vow to extract from him.
"You will fix this."
He briefly looked baffled, then remembered the mess he'd managed to cause, before nodding resolutely.
"I will fix this."
BZZZ BZZZ
Killian physically recoiled from the vibration, "What was that?"
She groped for her phone and pulled it out, briefly explaining what it was.
It was Leroy, telling her to get her butt back there.
Quickly shooting off a response saying 5 minutes, she turned back to Killian.
"I have to go," as she told him, his arm tightened around her.
"No," he insisted reflexively.
"It's only for a little while. I just have to check back in with the others."
He looked reluctant but slowly nodded.
Ruby placed a peck on his lips, "You need to rest as well. I'll see you when you wake up."
He finally nodded in agreement, "Alright, but if you aren't here when I wake up, I'm coming to find you."
Rather than annoyance, Ruby felt a smile twitch at the corner of her lips.
"I'll be here," she assured him.
He gave an exaggerated yawn, "I could use a catnap. See you in an hour, Love."
She softly laughed, "I'll see you in the morning, Killian."
He shook his head, "I'll need to see you, Love. To make sure you're real if nothing else."
She smiled, understanding the sentiment but repeated that she would see him in the morning.
He weakly protested, but she kissed the crown of his head and stood up.
She watched him pretend to sleep for a moment, lightly chuckling at his pretentious snores. But they quickly lessened to heavy exhales, and Ruby knew he'd sincerely fallen asleep.
She left the room happier than she'd felt in decades.
So love me like you do, love me like you do
Love me like you do, love me like you do
Touch me like you do, touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
What. A. Night.
Ruby was beyond exhausted.
Dr. Whale chose to have a breakdown and flee at the most inopportune time. So, of course, it became the local werewolf's job to find him. What sort of doctor drank when he knew he was going to be working?
Dr. Whale. That's goddamn who.
Taking a whiff of his coat was almost enough to make her tipsy. Not even Ruby drank this much when she was suffering from depressive episodes.
But considering the confession of Regina's lost love being brought back from the dead by Dr. Whale, maybe he had his reasons for imbibing too much.
She followed his stench out the hospital. The closer she got to him, the more her target smelt of sweat and misery.
Ruby started to become concerned he might be suicidal.
When she found him sitting along the pier, she slowly lowered herself beside him.
He wanted to bemoan his misery. As she gently cradled her belly, Ruby could understand and relate to that.
However, he would not let go of the past. He needed to let it go and focus on the present. There was a man dying and they did not have time to have an existential crisis.
She tried to sympathise with him, explained how she'd eaten her boyfriend. She almost wished she'd photographed his mildly disturbed look at her.
"Regina thought she was punishing us by erasing who we were, but I think she underestimated how much crap we wanted to forget."
He scoffed in agreement.
Ruby kindly thought on when she asked Regina for helped and she'd received it. How, in some strange way, without Regina, she wouldn't have Killian and her baby in the same town.
Her little family she'd been too scared to believe would be together again. Her and Killian would start over here if need be.
"But," she stressed, "we can't let it stop us. She gave us a chance to start over, and I want to take it. I think you should too."
For a moment, she thought he was too far gone. But reminding Dr. Whale that someone loved the stranger made him pause.
He looked at her and Ruby knew he was coming back with her to the hospital.
She could only hope Killian's catnap lasted all night because she definitely wasn't ready to find him scouring the hospital for her.
He wasn't, and the grateful nod Dr. Whale shot her when he went to prepare for surgery made her sleepless night worth it.
Fading in, fading out
On the edge of paradise
Every inch of your skin is a Holy Grail I've gotta find
Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire
Yeah, I'll let you set the pace
'Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head spinning around, I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?
As much as Ruby wanted to sleep, she opted to stay at the hospital with the others. The weariness in their bones matched hers, but they hadn't called it a night yet so nor would she. She'd quickly called Granny to let her know she wasn't going to be home anytime soon and hunted for more coffee.
She had quietly snuck off and ducked her head into Killian's room, who was still peacefully sleeping, so she settled in with the others in the waiting room.
As the sun finally started to rise, David finally told her more about the night's events in detail.
Killian certainly had gotten himself in one hell of a mess.
A mess, however, he swore he would clean up.
She was going to need a lot of coffee.
Snow and Emma were off chatting to the side, while she and David were left to listen to Leroy explaining, yet again, the benefit if this man doesn't survive surgery.
She couldn't smother her groan and nor could David.
Her eyes slowly slid shut before she snapped them open again.
Maybe it time for another coffee run.
Just as she was about to ask if anyone else wanted some, she heard of voice of genuine curiosity.
"What's this?"
Emma and Snow's feathers quickly ruffled while Ruby perked up.
Killian slowly came into view holding a small plate of Jell-O in his hand in bewilderment, "I found it on a tray."
He looked much better now that he had rested but Ruby's heart ached a little at the sight of his bumps and bruises. She hadn't been gentle with him earlier. Hopefully, she hadn't hurt him more.
"Really?" Emma's tone was less than pleased.
Killian shot her an equally unimpressed look, he raised his hand higher to showcase his open handcuffs, "Pirate," he gave as an explanation.
His nose turned down at the Jell-O, "Now, what the bloody hell is this?"
"Jell-O," Emma told him in irritation.
Snow's explanation was better but no more enthusiastic, "It's food, you eat it."
Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, or maybe it was the remarkable sensation that Killian could casually walk into a room she was in when they'd been separated for so long, but she softly giggled.
"And I thought it was a hallucination," he grinned.
Ruby's face broke into a wide smile; she could understand why he would think that. He hadn't come with the curse, so he had no fabricated memories of how to live in this world. It was to be expected that he found these common things so strange.
She wasn't, however, expecting him to suddenly look her up and down like she was the meal he'd rather on his plate.
Her eyes bugged out of her head. He was publicly checking her out. Admittedly, they hadn't spoken about whether they would keep their relationship quiet for the time being, but she assumed they would. Afterall, he'd emphasised how much danger they'd be in if Rumpelstiltskin found out.
"Oh, hello," he addressed her, his voice dropping to a pitch he knew she adored.
He was flirting with her! She was equal parts delighted and embarrassed. This was the first time they'd ever been viewed together from external parties.
It was both exciting and nerve wracking.
Goddamn it, her man was hot though!
She was torn between playing along or being annoyed.
"You're quite real, aren't you?" he shot her a significant look.
Her eyes bored into his and her heart clenched lightly.
He had come looking for her, just as he'd promised. She wouldn't begrudge him that.
Yes, she was very real.
Before she had made up her mind to play along, because who was she kidding she would never miss an opportunity to flirt with her man, Emma had roughly grabbed him and was tugging him away.
Her heart dropped a little.
She wondered how differently they'd treat him if they knew how much they loved each other. What they meant to each other.
She wanted to tell them. She did. Strangely, David most of all.
Her hand clutched her belly. She hadn't even told them about Silvia. She wanted to wait until Killian had made it through but then he didn't arrive with them and things just kept happening.
She sighed heavily, there was no point dwelling on it now.
She just wanted to rest her eyes. Maybe if she found a comfortable enough spot she could nod off for a little while. Have her own catnap.
But, of course, Leroy had to let his impatience known, "Guys! It's been like hours! How long is it supposed to take? What's Whale doing?"
Love me like you do, love me like you do
Love me like you do, love me like you do
Touch me like you do, touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
To humanise herself, she headed back home. She had a shower, had some food, and had a glorious nap.
But she knew she couldn't linger. She needed to head back to the hospital to check on Killian.
But first, she wanted to check on Belle. She felt a pang of regret at not visiting her sooner, but she knew she'd been having a rough night. There was no need to bombard her. So, Ruby made a care package for her librarian friend, and headed off. After following directions from a nurse, she found Belle lounging in front of the TV in the common area. She looked uncomfortable and was slouching in a very un-Belle like manner.
"Hey," she softly approached, but it wasn't until she entered Belle's periphery that she was acknowledged.
Offering what she hoped was an empathetic smile, she stood across from her. She wondered if Belle hadn't slept well either.
Belle did nothing but squirm a little.
Ruby threw her a bone, "You don't remember me, do you?
Bashfully, Belle shook her head, "I'm sorry, no. I don't."
That was honestly what Ruby had expected. So, she nodded and sat down, placing the care package on the coffee table in front of them. She hoped she wasn't making Belle feel awkward.
Aware that they realistically needed to start all over again, Ruby gave a wide, if a bit dim, smile.
"I'm Ruby," she introduced herself.
To avoid either of their attentions wandering, Ruby quickly shut off the TV.
"You used to come into my Granny's diner a lot. Before."
Belle just looked uncomfortable.
"Anyway," Ruby moved on, "I thought you could use some comforts from home."
Trying to stop herself from fidgeting, Ruby started going through, and showing the items she'd brought.
Although Belle thanked her, she hardly expressed enthusiasm.
For the first time, Ruby doubted where she stood with Belle. They were friends. Close friends. Belle knew things about her that not even Snow knew. There was never an occasion where Belle hadn't pulled through for her, hadn't dropped everything to ensure Ruby got what she needed. She owed her for Silvia's life.
It was painful to see her look so drab and dull.
Belle seemed even more uncomfortable as she stuttered, "Were… Were we really friends?"
Ruby gave a watery smile but tried to be as sincere as possible, "Yeah, we were."
Surprisingly, at this Belle seemed to perk up, "Then tell me the truth."
Ruby's blood chilled in her veins. Something told her this wasn't going to go well.
"Before I was brought here, I was hurt. I was bleeding. And then this man came, and he healed me."
Internally, Ruby sighed. She thought this might be it. Her thoughts were conflicted.
"Then, I saw him hold a ball of fire in his hands," her voice started shaking, nervousness leaking through her tone, "How? How is that possible?"
Bright, blue eyes pleaded with her. Ruby wouldn't look away, no matter what happened, Belle should know that she could rely on Ruby.
She could have told her something realistic. Something about tranquilisers, or head injuries. Nightmares even.
She could only imagine how freaked out Belle really was. Ruby was only starting to get a glimpse of just how unsettled last night had made Belle.
Did Belle really want to know? Or would she be happier pretending magic doesn't exist?
If she got her memories back, Belle would likely never truly forgive her. Not now. Not when Ruby abandoned her when she needed her the most.
She couldn't pay Belle's loyalty back with lies and half-truths.
And Ruby knew in her heart of hearts – Belle would never have hidden this from her. So, she wouldn't either.
"Belle-" she started.
Belle cut her off, "Let's start with that. Why is everyone calling me that? Don't call me that!"
Frustrated, she stood up and started pacing.
From the corner of her eyes, she noticed the nurses starting to approach.
Ruby raised her hand to shoo them, but they kept moving towards Belle. Shooting upright, Ruby stepped in front of Belle, barricading them from her.
The head nurse shot her a foul look, "She's becoming hysterical, she needs to be sedated again."
"Again?" Ruby asked, incredulously, "How often are you doing this?"
"It doesn't matter-"
"It matters to me!" Ruby snapped.
She shot forward to Belle who skittishly watched the event unfold before her eyes.
Ruby grasped Belle's face between her fingers, "Let's go to your room, Love."
Belle's head frantically nodded, and they both started to rush out of the room.
A hand grabbed her elbow and she turned to mouth off at the nurse.
It wasn't the nurse.
It was Greg Mendell. Storybrook's resident stranger.
Alarmed, she roughly shook his hand off.
He raised his arms in silent surrender, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Is she okay?"
Normally, Ruby would be touched at someone's need to check on another's wellbeing. But right now, it only served to irritate her.
"Thanks, we'll be fine," she told him shortly, before hurrying Belle out of the room.
She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she wasn't going to like Greg.
Oh well. He'll be leaving soon. It won't matter.
She got Belle into bed, who looked up at her expectantly.
Ruby fiddled with her hands nervously. This was not going to be an easy conversation.
Settling into the visitor's chair, she gave Belle a reassuring smile.
"Okay, let's start with what you'd like to be called."
Belle looked at her incredulously, "Umm, my name?"
Ruby gave a tight smile. That doesn't help her.
"Well, you introduced yourself as Belle to me."
Belle was bemused, "Why? I've never been Belle."
The werewolf shrugged, "You just did. I never asked. So, what it is?"
For a moment Belle looked exasperated, but she looked genuinely happy to say, "Lacey."
Ruby smiled, "Hi Lacey, I'm Ruby."
Belle nodded at her appreciatively, and they shared a smile.
"I-I umm, just want to say thank you. For not umm letting her sedate me."
She looked ashamed of her situation.
Ruby gentle took her hand, "Never be ashamed of a situation someone else put you in."
They held each other's gaze for a moment before Belle nodded resolutely. It was the first real spark Ruby had seen in her since she'd been admitted.
BZZZ BZZZ
They both startled at the sound. Ruby apologised before looking at the text David had sent her.
Giant. Main St. Now.
WHAT?
What was up with today?!
She shot up frantically, "I'm so sorry Be-Lacey! I have an emergency. I'll come by later."
Belle looked more than a little disappointed, and maybe even suspicious. Ruby quickly ducked and gave her a hug.
"I promise. I will give you your answers."
That seemed to placate her a little bit, "Okay, I hope everything is okay."
Ruby was gone before the sentence was finished.
Love me like you do, love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
Giant causes damage to town. Giant stuck in a hole. Cool.
What else was today going to throw at her?
All she wanted the day to throw at her was a snuggle session with Killian. And a twelve-hour sleep.
But here she was, serving beers. Not even coffee. Beers.
She pouted; she wasn't even allowed to drink alcohol.
While Leroy and the Charmings, persuaded the giant to live with them (she's still not sure how destruction of the town went to residence but whatever) she thought about Killian.
He's probably upset she didn't visit him today.
She resolved that she'd kiss him until he felt all better. Then he'd forgive her.
She absently listened to the conversation around her until she overheard something interesting.
They might be able to grow a magic bean. A magic bean.
She wanted to laugh. What she would have done for a magic bean not even a couple days ago.
The whole diner went solemn. They were not rejoicing as they would have done when they were first awoken from the curse. They were not rioting as though going back would be the worst decision ever. It felt hollow. Almost like purgatory.
Stay or go.
Ruby guessed half would stay and the other half would go.
There were many reasons to love Storybrooke, and sometimes, Ruby felt more at home here.
Would she stay or would she go?
She thought of the cottage she'd left behind in the woods. The vision she'd had of Silvia's birthday. They would live in their own secluded little heaven. Her, Killian, and Silvia. She wanted that. Craved it.
But here, Silvia could have a proper education. A life that had a stronger guarantee of safety. Silvia wouldn't be ostracised for being a werewolf (if she were one) or for her mother being one. She wouldn't have to worry about magical creatures like ogres or monsters.
As the town started to head outside, Ruby couldn't help but wonder which Killian would choose.
By default, he'd choose the Enchanted Forest, because it was familiar and all he really knew. But if she told him about the possibilities of this world – would he make the decision that this was the best place to raise their daughter?
As she followed everyone out, she wondered.
I'll let you set the pace
'Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head spinning around, I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?
As Ruby walked into the hospital she wondered where she should go first.
She'd really left Belle hanging there. Ruby genuinely felt she'd been rude. Giant fiasco or not.
She really wanted to see Killian. He was probably going crazy without her. That being said, he wouldn't be happy if she just popped her head in saying she was going to spend time with Belle. He'd likely make a suave argument about her staying with him all night. She didn't think she'd be able to resist.
She sighed heavily. She turned towards Belle's room.
Belle first. Killian second.
As she approached the room, she was surprised to hear voices.
One of the nurses maybe? Or even Dr. Whale?
She was just about to enter when she noticed that whoever was in Belle's room was not a medical staff member. She stilled. What was that stranger doing in Belle's room? If he so much as touched her she was going to crush his skull. Using her werewolf hearing, she homed in on the discussion.
"I overheard you talking," he told her, "about how you saw a guy with a ball of fire."
Ruby froze.
For a moment, Belle didn't say anything, "You eavesdropped on my personal conversation?"
"No disrespect, but the staff here are treating you like you're crazy. Well, I know that you're not crazy."
Shit. Shit.
"I saw it too."
For the first time ever, Ruby wanted to smack Emma. What happened to her superpower? How had this guy blatantly lied to her and gotten away with it?
Belle, however, seemed to come to a decision, "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."
Ruby loudly stepped into the room, making her presence known.
"I'm quite sure you're meant to be resting, Mr. Mendell."
He raised himself off Belle's bed. Eww, what was he doing on her bed? First, he'd grabbed Ruby's elbow, and now this? What is it with him invading other people's space?
He shot her an irritated look which he tried desperately to mask, before shuffling out. Ruby slammed the door shut behind him.
No way known was that punk getting back in here.
"Are you okay, Lacey?"
She nodded, looking a little green, "Yeah, but I don't think I like him."
Ruby chuckled, "Neither."
As she made her way over to the visitor's chair, she noticed Belle watching her intently. Once she settled in her seat, Belle seemed to come to a conclusion.
"I'm going to trust you."
Ruby nodded, "I'll try not to let you down."
Belle slowly nodded, "Are you ready to tell me everything?"
"Pfft, not everything, definitely not tonight. Far too much. But I can probably tell you what happened last night."
Christ, was it really only last night?
Considering this, Belle nodded, "I am pretty tired. You'll tell me the rest later?"
Ruby nodded, "Yes, not all at once because I don't want to overload you, but I will."
"Thank you, I appreciate it. I think we must have been good friends before."
Ruby's smiled was a little watery, "I'm sure we can have that again. If not, I'm sure we can have something better."
It was the first smile Lacey made that genuinely looked like Belle's.
Belle tired very quickly but Ruby managed to explain as much as she could. She left out key relationships. Such as Belle and Rumpelstiltskin, Ruby and Killian, and Rumpelstiltskin and Killian but she imagines Belle got the general idea.
Wishing each other a weary goodnight and sharing a hug that was only mildly awkward Ruby took her leave.
As she walked down a secluded hallway Ruby made a decision.
One more quick errand. Maybe two. She was going to need coffee.
But first, she wanted to make a phone call. She was confident they would have landed by now, so she thought it wouldn't hurt to give an update on Belle's condition.
It was strange even to her, but Ruby felt she owed Rumpelstiltskin a solid.
The phone rang a couple times, and just as Ruby thought it would go to voicemail, he picked up.
"Yes?"
"Hi, Mr. Gold. It's Ruby."
It was silent for a second before his panicked tone came through, "Is Belle alright?!"
"Yes, she's fine." Ruby rushed to calm him, silently kicking herself for thinking that this wouldn't be his first conclusion.
It's not like she and the Dark One have frequent long chats on the phone.
"I actually just wanted to call to give you an update."
There was no response. Taking that as a non-verbal affirmative, she continued.
"She's alright, the nurses were keeping her sedated, but I've told them to stop. She doesn't need it. I brought some gifts for her, just books and treats, so hopefully that'll keep her occupied. At least for a while. She's fine. If they don't release her in the next couple days, I'm going to recommend they let her out. She doesn't need to be here. She doesn't like it here."
It's still silent on the other end.
"Are you still there?"
"I'm here," is all he says.
He sounds drained.
Ruby places her hand over her belly. She chews her lip. She knows that Rumpelstiltskin has left to find his son. She knows that. She can only imagine how terrifying that is.
She's quite sure the only reason Belle was able to convince Rumpelstiltskin to help her against the sea witch was because he knew what it was like to have loved and lost a child.
Neither of them had expressly told her that Bae was his son, but that's the only logical conclusion she could come too.
Biting her lip, she hopes she wasn't crossing a line.
"Mr. Gold?" she spoke tentatively into the phone, "I hope you find your son."
The line was quiet for a few moments, and when Ruby was sure he wasn't going to respond, he did.
"Thank you, Miss Lucas."
They hung up, she grabbed a coffee and Ruby finally made her way to Killian's room.
He wasn't there.
She stared at his empty room feeling empty inside.
Love me like you do, love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
As she deflected Granny's questions about her mood, Ruby dejectedly walked upstairs.
She approached her room, lethargy filling her every bone, and just let her head rest upon the door before even opening it.
She knew he had things to do. She knew he wanted to keep her safe. She just wished he had of said goodbye.
Ruby felt tears welling in her eyes.
She wouldn't cry out here though, not where Granny could stumble upon her.
Opening the door, she tossed her belongings to the ground before making her way to her bathroom. Finishing her nightly routine, she switched off all the lights and headed to bed.
Just before she fell asleep, she felt someone approach the bed.
For the briefest of moments, she thought maybe Ursula had come back for Silvia, but the shadow was all wrong.
"Killian," she breathed in relief.
He quietly discarded his coat, hook, and stripped to his underthing's. he slipped under the covers with her and pressed his lips to her head.
"I'm sorry. I had planned to stay at the hospital but alas, no one agreed with me," he told her mournfully.
He was very tense, even now that he was safely in bed with her.
"Everything okay?" She asked him tentatively.
Killian gave her an exhausted look, "What. A. Bloody. Day."
"Same."
They came to a quiet decision not to discuss it. As much as she'd love to stay awake all night to talk, to kiss, or just to watch him sleep, she was too tired. He seemed to be of the same opinion.
Giving each other a deep kiss, they settled in for the night.
"I love you so much, Killian."
He placed a kiss upon her head, "As I you, Love."
She nuzzled in his arms, feeling safe, warm, and protected. His hand drew lazy circles on her stomach. She wonders if Silvia would do flips for him when she was big enough.
Her little family. Together again.
"Can you believe how much we took for granted?" she murmured quietly into his chest.
His fingers paused before softly raising her face to look at him.
"Never again," he affirms.
Wrapped up tightly in each other's arms, they knew that tomorrow and thereafter would be different. Difficult. Dangerous even.
She was just so grateful to have tonight.
Love me like you do, love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
He was gone before she woke up.
She tried not to cry.
But she did.