I'm pretty sure someone is going to ask me about Henry. He'll be there at some point, but not yet. And I'm falling a little in love with this CaptainRedQueen friendship.

"Hey, Em!" Ruby greeted.

Emma grunted and sat down at the counter. Ruby rubbed her back. It was nearly closing time, a few stragglers finishing up milkshakes and burgers, but Ruby wasn't concerned. At least, not about them. Her worry was on Emma. From the gossip and the rumors, Emma had the day from hell. It seemed like everything non-magical that could go wrong in Storybrooke went wrong the moment the day started. It was all over the diner that Emma was running from one side of the town to the other, and Ruby was pissed to learn that David took a half-day to spend time with Snow. Regina had been stuck in meetings all day. Ruby couldn't get an hour away from the diner to check on her, and Killian was stuck cleaning out the warehouse across town. Everyone was on their worst behavior. Emma, as the Sheriff, had to deal with every single person on her own. Ruby took a deep breath, ready to comfort her friend, but she paused.

"Uh, Em?"

Emma held up her hand, and Ruby grimaced.

"Pongo peed on me," she explained tiredly. "And instead of being able to go to the loft to change, I had a meeting with the principal because several students have egged the teacher's cars."

Ruby had the feeling that was only the beginning, and she swallowed her response. Emma knocked her knuckles against the counter almost absentmindedly.

"And after that lovely meeting, I came back to the station to find Snow and David having sex in the break room. They didn't even see me, and I left it alone. I mean, it's not like David took the afternoon off because Snow wasn't feeling well. It's not like I have a written and signed affidavit giving him the time off for a personal emergency. But I guess the Princess of the White Kingdom can't go a whole day without sticking her husband's nightstick down her throat for the entire station to see. Unfortunately, they didn't start in the break room, but rather in my office. And once I was able to sift through the paperwork that got knocked over by Snow's enthusiasm, I got called to the other side of town. Eric thought it would be fun to call Ariel glorified fish food during an argument. Ariel decided to hit him with a frying pan. He had blood everywhere and screamed about how he should've stayed in his own country with a woman who knew how to use every part of her body. And yes, that means what you think it means. I had to arrest Ariel, take Eric to the hospital for thirty stitches, Ruby. Thirty! He is currently staying with Naveen and Tiana. And to top it all off, David found out from Sebastian that I'd arrested Ariel, and he called me to tell me I needed to release her! Why? Because Princesses don't get arrested! Goddamnit!"

Emma slammed her fists against the counter, and Ruby smiled politely at the couple in the corner when they looked up from the outburst. With her attention diverted, Ruby missed Emma's eyes turning solid white.

"I am so close to walking off the dock with weights tied to my ankles. This town is fucking insane!"

Ruby glanced back at Emma, but she didn't know what to say or how to comfort her. Storybrooke was exceptionally chaotic for a small town, but it was full of fairytale creatures from a different realm. Ruby had no idea Emma got the brunt of it as the Sheriff. Which made sense, in hindsight. Emma was not only the Sheriff but the Savior, and she had to pull double-duty whenever the situation required it. Especially if her father was playing hooky with his wife. Ruby's heart ached for her friend.

"What can I do?" she asked.

"Nothing, Rubes. I shouldn't have- I'm heading out, alright? These boots are all but done for, to be honest. The smell has soaked into the leather."

"Em-

"I'm fine. All I need is a beer, my bed, and an uninterrupted night of cartoons wearing nothing but my boxers," Emma joked weakly. "I'll be okay by the morning."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Thanks for listening," Emma said, groaning as she stood.

"Call me later?"

Emma waved to show she heard before she half-limped from the diner. Ruby shifted as she watched her go, and she frowned at the feeling settling in her chest. Something wasn't right. Emma didn't just smell like…Pongo. There was another smell there that made the hair on the back of Ruby's neck stand up. Someone touched her shoulder, and she looked back at Granny. The older woman had a similar look on her face, and she sighed.

"You're going to need to give Regina a heads-up," she said.

"Why?"

"You tell her that what happened to Kieran and Bella is happening to Emma. She'll know what you mean."

"What happened to you calling me later?"

Emma didn't respond, and Ruby sat down. They were back at the docks, back at the same bench, but Ruby frowned when she noticed what Emma was wearing. Emma had on a thin long-sleeved undershirt and her work pants, and she was barefoot. Ruby's alarms started going off.

"What's going on? Killian said that you have been here for an hour."

That got a response, and Emma frowned.

"Killian?" she said.

"Yeah, he was the one who called me. He didn't know if you'd feel comfortable talking to him."

"Oh." Emma wrapped her arms around herself. "I fought with Snow."

Ruby wanted to tell her that it seemed like more than a fight, but she asked, "What happened?"

"It started with lingerie, believe it or not."

"Lingerie?" Ruby repeated.

"When I got home from the diner, my goal was to shower, get a beer, and relax. But once I'm in the loft, Snow's just talking and talking and talking. I'm not listening until she says the word lingerie. Snow then full-on sprints to the closet and pulls out a red shopping bag. She bought us matching lavender teddies with frills along the edges. I was mortified, but she was so excited. I knew I would need at least three beers to get through the conversation. Not only have I never worn a teddy in my life, but lavender? With frills? It was a lot. I went to the cooler where I normally keep my beer, but it was empty. Which was weird considering I'd purchased a twenty-four-pack of Guinness last night. I asked Snow what happened to it, and do you know what she did? She poured them down the sink. Her reasoning? It's inappropriate for a Princess to drink alcohol."

Ruby was afraid to speak. Emma's voice had progressively gotten flatter, colder. She was startled when Emma jumped up and started pacing.

"I told her that I'd drank in front of her before, and Snow said that I was still too 'otherworldly' to be open to instruction. Now that I've been here long enough to see how things worked, I could be guided back on the path meant for me. I was so furious, but I let it go. I could always drink at Killian's or sneak a shot or two at Granny's, right?"

Ruby's mouth opened to respond, but Emma moved on to the next topic.

"I tell her I need a shower, and I go upstairs. I opened my door and found every single last thing I owned missing. Everything. All of my books, clothes, shoes, and hats were replaced with things that I never in my life would've purchased. Snow and David planned this. They took half-days because they wanted to surprise me! They threw out everything, Ruby. Snow had the dwarves drive boxes and boxes of my stuff to the dump on the other side of town. She threw out every single pair of jeans, my tank tops, muscle shirts, graphic tees, and my hoodies. She replaced them with dresses, skirts, heels, and items that she'd been collecting ever since the curse broke! My boxers? Gone. Instead, I now own an ungodly amount of thongs!"

Ruby felt her wolf whimpering and squirming under her skin. She shifted on the bench to get it to calm down, but it got worse when Emma went still.

"But do you want to know what really pissed me off?" Emma said. "Snow got rid of my jacket."

Ruby was about to ask which one when it hit her – the red one. Emma's eyes started glowing, and Ruby stiffened. When Emma pressed her palms into her eyes, Ruby took out her phone. She shot off a quick text to the group chat she had with Regina and Killian. Emma turned toward the water. It was clear she was somewhere far away from Storybrooke.

"That jacket was my armor, it made me feel safe, and it was mine. But Snow threw it away. And it felt like my entire life boiled down to nothing in that single moment. Everything I worked for, things I saved up for and purchased for myself, was gone. I have nothing left to call mine other than the clothes on my back. And these pants belong to the town, technically. Snow babbled on and on and on about how I would look so much better for Neal, how the dresses would make me look so pretty. She explained how as a Princess that I needed to be the epitome of femininity. Did you hear that? Me, the epitome of femininity. Nothing but complete and utter bullshit, and I told her I didn't want to be feminine or look pretty for any man, let alone Neal. But she kept talking like I hadn't said anything, and I got so frustrated. Snow wasn't listening to me!"

Ruby jerked back when Emma shouted, and she silently wished Regina and Killian would hurry up.

"So I told her the truth. I told her a truth that I hadn't even come to terms with myself, but I did. I just blurted out that I was gay, and she- she laughed at me! She told me I was confused because Princesses are meant for Princes! I just remember waiting until they were asleep before I left. I just kept walking until I got here. And this doesn't make any fucking sense! I've been playing the Savior, the Sheriff, and working my ass off to make them happy. I've given up everything I've ever known to be their daughter, but what's the point if they only love me if I'm a certain way! What's the point of trying if they won't accept me for me? I've gone through hell for so long, hoping that when I found my family that they would want me. But they don't! Why doesn't anyone ever want me!"

Ruby stood slowly when Emma's body started shaking. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, but she couldn't look at the message. All her focus was on Emma. Ruby had never seen her friend so furious, so hurt, and the atmosphere was thick with Emma's emotions. Emma clenched her fists, and the wind picked up around them.

"All I have ever wanted was to be worth it to someone!" Emma shouted, her voice cracking. "But no one ever loves me for me. They're always trying to change me and fix me like I'm broken, but I'm not! I'm not broken!"

Ruby was relieved when she spotted Regina and Killian running down the street, but her relief was short-lived. Emma's magic went haywire, and Ruby had to move back as Emma screamed. It got harder to breathe, and Ruby's eyes stung from the wind hitting her in the face. Killian slowed as they got closer, his hands raised, but Regina didn't stop. It was like she wasn't affected, and she ran right into Emma. She wrapped her arms around her, and Emma tried to buck her off. But Regina held firm and started whispering into Emma's ear. Ruby couldn't hear what was being said, even with her enhanced hearing. Killian was forced to move back even more when Emma's magic grew. Emma's eyes were so bright, so angry, and Ruby fell to her knees. Killian fell shortly after, grabbing at his throat, and the water started crashing against the docks. Regina still spoke to Emma, still had her arms around her, and Ruby was afraid they'd die before she got Emma to calm down. But something Regina said finally got through to Emma. Everything went deathly silent, and Ruby heard the end of what Regina was saying.

"Please come back to me, please. I can't do this without you, Emma. I need you."

Emma's eyes dimmed into their regular color, and she muttered Regina's name before she went limp. Ruby gasped as the air was returned to her lungs, and she coughed as she caught her breath. The wind died down, and Killian panted as he staggered to his feet. Regina looked up at Ruby. Her face was twisted in exhaustion, and she sighed.

"Meet me at the mansion," she said.

Those were her only words before Emma and Regina disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.

Regina covered Emma with the duvet and brushed her hair from her face. She heard the front door open and paused.

"It's just us!" Ruby shouted up the stairs.

Regina relaxed and double-checked everything. She made sure she left a water bottle, trash can just in case, and the extra blanket. Regina reluctantly walked out. She kept the door cracked and made her way downstairs. Killian untied his boots and left them by the door, and Regina stepped to the side as he ran to put his stuff in the guest room. Granny shrugged off her jacket with Ruby, and they hung them on the hooks. Ruby locked the door and hurried into the kitchen. Granny grabbed Regina's hand and squeezed it, and they entered the kitchen to find Ruby bustling around.

"Hey, Gina, where's your- oh, never mind. Do you want green tea or peppermint?" Ruby asked.

"Chamomile," Regina answered.

"Ew, fine. Granny?"

"I'll have the same."

Ruby sighed and pouted as she grabbed the chamomile tea from the cabinet. When she picked up the kettle, she squinted at it in confusion. Regina chuckled and kissed Granny on the forehead before she walked over to help Ruby.

"I don't know why you can't have a regular kettle like most people."

"Well, my darling wolf, I'm not like most people. Stop pouting, and I'll tell you where the cookies are."

"Please!"

Regina chuckled and flicked her wrist. The door to the pantry opened, and a packet of cookies flew toward Ruby. She squealed and plopped down on the floor, tearing into the bag. Granny shook her head and looked back at Regina.

"Ruby told me what happened on the way over. You okay?"

"I'm okay. I was prepared after the warning, but I didn't think it would happen so soon."

"How is she?"

"She's asleep. I anticipate at least twelve hours, but the Savior has never followed the rules."

"And you've dealt with it before with the girls?" Ruby asked, a mouthful of cookies.

"I raised you better than that," Granny scolded.

"Sorry," Ruby muttered.

The conversation paused when Killian came around the corner in shorts and an old t-shirt. He waved off Ruby's silent question about tea, and Ruby poured three mugs once the kettle sounded. Regina wrapped her hands around hers, not quite ready for it, and Granny sipped on her tea slowly.

"Um, not to be that person," Killian started, "but can we talk about what just happened?" he asked.

"Yes, and we can start with Ruby telling us how it happened in the first place," Regina said.

"I'm not sure if you heard the rumors about today, but Emma was all over town. Everything seemed to go wrong, and she was the only person duty."

"Where was David?" Regina asked.

"He took a half-day, which… yeah. That comes into play much later."

"What do you mean?"

"Emma stopped by the dinner after her shift, and I could tell something was off. She seemed so on edge, but she swore she was just tired. Do you want me to tell you how she told me?" Ruby asked.

"Please? And start from the diner," Regina requested.

"Okay." Ruby mouthed the words under her breath before she started. "First, Pongo peed on Emma, and she wasn't able to change because she had a meeting at the school. Something about students egging the teacher's cars. Second, Emma went back to the station and found Snow and David having sex in the break room. She said they didn't see her, but Emma was upset because David took the half-day for a personal emergency. David told her Snow wasn't feeling well, but, uh, Emma made a comment I'm not willing to repeat about it."

"Why?"

"Because it was gross, and I'd rather not think about Snow White on her knees," Ruby muttered.

"Fair enough. Please continue."

"Emma then got called to Ariel and Eric's house. The former underwater Princess and her beloved got into an argument after Eric called Ariel glorified fish food. Ariel hit him with a frying pan, and Emma took him to the hospital to get stitches. Emma also arrested Ariel, but David called Emma to tell her to let Ariel go because Princesses don't-

"-get arrested," Regina finished. "Yeah, I've heard that one. Many of the former monarchs want me to change the laws to ensure they aren't arrested or charged with crimes they deem harmless to society."

"Ariel gave Eric thirty stitches," Killian said in disbelief. "That's extremely harmful to society. And I ran into Naveen at the grocery store. He says Ariel and Eric started fighting shortly after the curse broke. Ariel is still too… ocean-obsessed for his taste. And I mean that literally."

"Emma did mention that Eric said he wished he'd stayed in his own country with a woman who knew how to use her body," Ruby murmured. "But I'm surprised Tiana isn't on Ariel's side."

"Why would she be?" Regina snorted. "Tiana doesn't get along with a majority of the Princesses. I think the only one she talks to is Pocahontas."

"Oh, yeah. Where is Pocahontas, by the way?" Ruby asked.

"I'm assuming in the woods somewhere. She and John got a divorce, and John owns the main house. I was supposed to have dinner with her next weekend, but we'll see." Regina took a sip of her tea and gestured at Ruby. "Continue," she said.

"Oh, right. Emma left the diner still angry, and that's when Granny gave me that warning. Anyway, she got to the loft, and that's when things went from bad to worse." Ruby tapped her nails on the island. "Emma got home, Snow bombarded her with questions, and then she pulled out a bag of lingerie that she got for Emma and herself."

Regina held up her hand and said, "Please tell me you aren't about to say what I think you're about to say."

"Were you thinking that Snow bought her and Emma matching lavender, frilly teddies? Then yes, I am."

"Teddies?" Killian repeated. "Like bears?"

"No, honey." Ruby pulled out her phone and typed something into it. Then she turned the screen to Killian, who scratched the back of his neck.

"Is that normal for this world?" he asked.

Granny chortled into her tea, and Ruby shook her head no. Killian grimaced and looked at Regina. She pointed to the fridge, and he smiled in relief. Killian opened the fridge door and yanked open the bottom drawer, removing a beer.

"Oh, that reminds me," Ruby said. "Emma went to her cooler because she said she couldn't have the lingerie conversation sober. When she found the cooler empty, Snow told Emma that she poured out her beer because-

"Princesses don't drink alcohol," Regina sighed, rubbing her temples. "I know that one from the Sip and Stroke Tiana tried to put together that every single Princess minus Kathryn and Pocahontas objected to."

"Wait, Snow dumped out Emma's beer? Her Guinness?" Killian asked.

Ruby nodded slowly, and Killian sighed.

"That's her favorite beer," he said. "Her first foster father drank it all the time. She wanted to be like him, so she always remembered that detail. When she was able to get her first drink, she ordered it and never stopped."

"It gets worse," Ruby said.

"How could it possibly get worse?"

"In addition to dumping Emma's beer, Snow emptied her closet."

"What do you mean by emptied?" Granny asked carefully.

"Snow threw away every article of clothing Emma owned and replaced it with more feminine things. Emma's words, not mine." Ruby glanced meaningfully at Regina and added, "Snow got rid of the jacket, too."

"Which jacket? The red one?" Killian asked.

"Yes."

Regina leaned on the island and bowed her head, tucking her chin to her chest. She took several deep breaths while she reigned in her emotions. Emma walked on a tightrope at all times, regardless of who she was with. So if Snow got rid of everything Emma owned, things Regina was sure Emma purchased with her own money or shipped from Boston, then it was a slap in the face.

"This happened with Kieran and Bella too?" Ruby asked, breaking the silence.

"Yes. When Charlie died, Bella was too young to understand what was happening. Hers came out in bursts like the stable almost burning down, Snow White's dress sleeve catching fire during dinner, or the trees around the castle attacking people if they got too close."

"Or the snakes in the garden," Granny added wryly. "Snakes that seemed particularly eager to bite Snow White."

"Right," Regina snorted. "Bella knew Snow White was involved, so she focused her attention on her, but she wasn't consciously aware of it. I managed to keep it at bay, and we never really talked about her abilities until she was older." Regina absentmindedly touched her hip. "But losing Liana triggered them both, and that was when things were hard. However, it wasn't Bella I was concerned with. She was more aware of her abilities at that time, but Kieran? Kieran didn't care enough to know. She iced over her room so many times that I had to leave Bella in there to thaw everything out before the handmaidens entered. She would levitate things for hours on end, things like books, swords, pieces of stone, and some people had the unfortunate pleasure of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. My girls are so talented, so powerful, and they are forces to be reckoned with. By themselves, they are a formidable enemy. But together?"

Regina traced symbols into the island while the others listened, long-buried memories rushing to the forefront of her mind.

"Bella and Kieran can run the world if they want to, and I'm sure they discussed it a few times. I wouldn't be surprised if they're out there somewhere bringing men and women to their knees. But with Emma, her magic is too unstable. She needs to heal physically, emotionally, and mentally."

"What can we do to help?" Ruby asked.

"Keep her away from stressors."

"How do you plan on doing that?"

"Emma will be asleep for at least the rest of the night and well into the morning," Regina said. "Killian, I'm afraid my move onto your boat might be put on hold. She'll feel better if she were here, and I'll feel better if I were here with her."

"And I'll be more than happy to stay in the guest room until Swan's back to herself," Killian said, drinking his beer.

"You're staying here too?"

"I told you. I'm your friend, and I'm not going to let you go through anything alone. Plus, Swan's my friend too, and I want to be here for you both."

"Guess we're having a big ole sleepover," Ruby said.

"Ruby-

"Nope. You have the space, and if Killian's staying, I'm staying." Ruby glanced at Granny, who nodded with a small smile. "Right, I'm staying. Granny said yes."

Regina rolled her eyes affectionally and looked at Granny, who shook her head.

"I have to stay near the diner. But I'll come to visit when I can."

"Do I have a choice in this?" Regina asked, exasperated.

"No," Ruby and Killian said.

"I'm afraid not, dear. And you know Snow and David are going to be looking for Emma," Granny said.

"Let them."