Hey guys !

So, same as usual, not English, etc.

My beta didn't read this one 'cause she's lazy so any mistakes are basically her fault (by default mine, but I mean she chose not to read so ...)

Disclaimer : Do not own OUaT and HP, alas.

Enjoy!

Chapter II.

Last night was somewhat surreal for her. She remembered everything, though it seemed like it wasn't her who lived it. She remembered it like a story one might have told her. She didn't like it. She didn't understand why the wolf had been there, or why she offered her company. More than anything, she didn't get how she could possibly care … for her. It was hard for her to fathom such a thing. She was a monster, she had killed so many people, tortured so many others. She was not worthy of someone caring for her. And yet, the brunette sat beneath her window all night. She had woken up a few hours later, and had watched her through the drapes, until she'd left. Then she'd stayed a little while longer, watching the sun rising behind the forest. She was tired, physically exhausted, but she couldn't just go back to bed. So she got up, and went through her morning routine. She showered, for a long time, staring blankly at the wall in front of her. For once, her mind was completely empty, and she was glad for it. She wanted to think no longer, she just wanted to live in that same daze she had experienced the night before.

She got dressed rather quickly. She didn't want to put on the same old cloths again, but she needed to play her part. She knew a lot about that too, playing the part people wanted from her. It was easier to be what they wanted her to be, even though she didn't want to admit it. Pretending had its perks, after all. The hardest part of this morning's routine was the make-up. Her face was scary white, and contrasted a lot with the dark circles under her eyes. It had only been a night since Emma's betrayal, but she felt like she hadn't slept for weeks. She wasn't used to so much misery at the time anymore, she thought those days would be behind her forever. How wrong she'd been.

Her phone ringed, and she picked it up, half-satisfied of what she succeeded with her face. It will have to do. She looked at the text, and couldn't help but smile. Her little prince. 'Breakfast at the diner?' he asked, and she was quick to answer yes, forgetting all about her midnight meeting with the waitress, or the disaster that had occurred there last night. She loved her son more than anything, and if seeing him meant going back to the place of her humiliation, then she'd do it, over and over again. He was her pride and joy. She stepped into her heels, her favourite black suede pumps, and was out of the mansion the next second.

Of the things she liked most in this world, was driving. If at first, it panicked her to no end, now that she got the hang of it, she loved it. She was quick to buy a stick car, wanting to master another challenge. She found that it was easier. Driving was a lot like riding, she supposed. You had to listen to the car just as much as you had to listen to the horse. Driving cleared her head, just like riding did; without the painful memories that came along with it. Yes, she liked driving, and sometimes, when she was bored of it all, she took the wheel, and drove for hours. She loved her Benz, so reactive, so powerful. It was extremely pleasant. Satisfying, even.

She parked in front of Granny's. For a second, she stayed behind the wheel, and took a deep breath. The only wish she had was to successfully avoid Robin and his newly-found wife. She could do that. The world didn't hate her that much, did it? She got out of the car, slowly strolling to the other side of the street. Just before pushing the door of Granny's, she looked back, catching a glimpse of curtain, a few stories above her eyes. Doctor Hopper. Maybe she should go there, some time soon. To help her cope. The insect had its perks, she couldn't deny that. But opening up was always so hard to her, and she didn't even know where to start now. She was lost.

Still, she was meeting her son, and she couldn't be any happier about that. She pushed the door, ignored the bell, and searched the booth her son was sitting in. She smiled when she got a glimpsed of him, and went directly towards him, absolutely ignoring everybody else. Her sweet little boy, not so little anymore.

"Henry …" She simply said, looking at him like he was the most perfect thing of earth. And he was. She looked at him with so much devotion even a blind person wouldn't be able to deny the love that radiated from her. While one could doubt she was a nice person, there was no denying she loved more deeply than anybody else. She hated deeply, too.

"Mom! Sit down! Let's order, I'm hungry."

She smiled, and arranged his hair distractedly. He sighed, and battled her hand away, though it didn't bring her down at all. Her little prince.

"Mom, I'm not little anymore." Ah; did she say it out loud? She just smiled again.

"You will always be my little prince." He blushed at that, and she adverted her eyes, finally sensing the presence next to her. She saw the wolf, and frowned, catching a glimpse of that smile that was directed to her. She thought nothing of it, anyway, and just ordered.

"He'll have pancakes, and I'll just have my usual. Thank you."

Ruby just nodded, and walked away. She had wanted to talk to her, but even her knew it wasn't the place to do that. So she settled on doing Regina's coffee.

"So, Mom, about Robin-" The former Mayor frowned once again, stiffening slightly.

"I'd rather not talk about that, Henry." She replied, a little to curtly. Her son looked at her, for some long uncomfortable seconds, but she stood her ground.

"Right. Sorry, Mom. What do you want to talk about then?" She didn't know. She always knew how to talk to her son, but that morning, she hadn't had a clue. Thankfully, Ruby came at that right moment, giving them a plate of pancakes, a hot chocolate — with cinnamon — and black coffee. The werewolf had no idea how the former Mayor was able to drink such a bitter beverage, but who was she to judge.

"So, Henry, your mom tells me you found a new comic."

Regina tried not to look relieved, but they both knew she was glad Ruby had stepped in. Henry eyed them curiously, though.

"I didn't know you too were talking." Simple enough, he couldn't be more right; they were not talking.

"That's cuz it's a secret." The waitress winked at him, placing her tray against her hip. She could already feel Granny's eyes tiring holes through her skull. Ah, so be it.

"Yes, well, we had a casual conversation, that's all." The former Queen felt uncomfortable, and she adverted her eyes once again. Her mind went at her midnight meeting, and though she tried to make her face remain stoic, the conflict was clear in her eyes. Her eyes. Always what gave her away. She took a sip of her coffee.

"Ruby! Back to work!" Came the bark, the grandmother stepping in the kitchen once again. The waitress smiled sheepishly, and turned on her heels, running back to the kitchen.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Ruby." Granny said low enough for her to hear, and she just sighed. She didn't have a clue.

"Euh, Mom…" Regina's eyes snapped back to her son, and she arched a brow, watching him stare at the door. She turned, then, and froze, seeing Robin behind it, smiling at his wife, while their son pushed the door. Her blood ran cold, and she just sat there, paralysed, feeling a sudden heartache. She wanted to collapse, to disappear into a hole. She met his eyes, just for a second, but she could feel every betrayal creeping on her heart once again. This had been a mistake. She jolted, feeling a hand on her forearm, and turned to see her son looking at her, concerned.

"What was that?" She asked him, realizing he talked.

"I just asked if you were okay …" He looked all the more concerned, and she wanted to laugh, then. No, she was not okay. Not at all. She didn't see Ruby peering through the kitchen door, to busy trying not to run.

"I'm fine, dear." She tried to smile, but failed. She could smell him, she could hear their laughs, and it made her ache once again. She couldn't do this. She wasn't strong enough. It was one thing to loose a lover to death, it was another to see him parading, proud, with another woman at his arm. NO. She couldn't think like that. He was not Daniel. Daniel was the only one. Forever.

"I'm sorry, darling, I have to …" She sat up immediately, grabbing her purse. She couldn't stay here, she wouldn't do that to herself. She smiled, an heartbroken smile, and bolted, leaving without so much as a look in Robin's direction. She didn't stop when she heard Ruby calling out for her in the street, slamming the car's door behind her. Then, she started the car, and she drove. She drove until the sun was high in the sky. She drove until the tears made it impossible for her to continue. So she stopped, not far from the border. She could always cross, she thought. No, she couldn't loose Henry's memories. Or Daniel's, for that matter. She sighed. What was she going to do?

Ruby was running through the forest, following Regina's scent. She didn't know why she kept trying, but deep down, she knew she couldn't just give up on her. Too many people did that already, and she didn't want to be one of them too. She wanted to find her, and she wanted to help her get it off her chest. She wanted to be her friend, strangely enough. Sure, she also hoped that thanks to her, the former Queen wouldn't go on a murderous rampage. It was a win-win situation, really. So she ran, ran until her paws hurt, and finally, she saw her, standing way too close from the border. What kind of game was she playing at? Forcing herself to sleep was one thing — she had figured that out sometime through the night before — but loosing all her memories, that just wouldn't do.

She didn't think, she just bounced, scary enough to force Regina to step back. The older woman was startled, she didn't see the wolf approach, but Ruby didn't care, she drew the line there: whether Regina got herself out of her misery, or she'd force her out.

The former Mayor, surprised at first, got angry. She stared down at the wolf, her eyes shooting daggers, and she crossed her arms. No, she couldn't just go around and jump on people. She couldn't go around following her, too.

"What the hell, bloody wolf?" She was getting angrier by the second, and the wolf growled suddenly, showing its fangs; still, the brunette wasn't intimidated at all. "You better stop doing that! I don't mind changing you into an insect, you know." She was serious, it was in her tone. Her eyes flickered purple just for the show. She ached for magic, a little bit. Not that it mattered right now.

The wolf went back to her human form: naked as the day she was born. Regina rolled her eyes, and despite the cold, she took off her coat quickly and threw it to the other woman.

"What do you want now, Miss Lucas?" She wasn't angry anymore, just really really annoyed. Couldn't she be alone for more than a second?

"I told you already, Madame Mayor. I don't want you to be alone." Came the reply, with no hesitation. Regina searched the woman's face for a lie, but saw none, and sighed. She leaned on the hood of her car.

"I'm not the Mayor anymore, Miss Lucas." She said quietly, like it actually mattered. She didn't want to talk about why Ruby was here; she wanted to forget why she was here.

"You scared Henry quite a bit, you know. He wanted to go and punch Robin for hurting you. It was rather cute, actually." The wolf smiled at the memory, though it disappeared when she saw Regina getting even more miserable. She walked to her, biting her lip. "Hey …"

The former Mayor looked up, seeing her standing close. Her façade broke, and she let her see the distress she was in, for a whole second, before wearing her mask once more. "I don't know what to do, Miss Lucas." Came the confession, so low Ruby wouldn't have heard if it wasn't for her great hearing skills.

The wolf bit her lip again, and leaned on the car as well, turning her head to face the brunette. "Well, I suggest that you call me Ruby for now." She smiled, trying to lighten the mood. She knew it worked when the Queen wore a smile of her own, though smaller.

"Alright, Miss Lucas." Ruby rolled her eyes at that, but smiled again nonetheless.

"Robin is an idiot for letting you go." She wasn't expecting that, and so she stared at the wolf, for a second too long, before replying.

"He's doing what's right, she's his wife." She replied too fast, seriously, wanting to believe it too. His intentions may be noble, and she may understand it, but it didn't mean it hurt any less. Ruby said nothing, though, and it was already saying too much.

"I'm not mad at him. I'm mad at Emma." She didn't say Miss Swan, and it was enough for Ruby to know there was more to it than the former Mayor wanted to admit. But she wouldn't go there, not now.

"Did she apologize?" She asked, taking advantage of her sudden willingness to learn a little more about the situation.

"Countless times. It doesn't make it any better."

"I really think she didn't mean to, though." The wolf tried, biting her lips a second later, knowing she probably made a mistake. The response was harsh, but lacking its usual bite.

"Of course she didn't mean to, Miss Lucas. She was just stupid enough not to think about the consequences. Just like her mother."

"And just like Snow, she cost you your loved one." Ruby guessed without thinking, figuring that this time, the Queen will send her back to the forest.

"I don't love him."

At first, she thought she didn't hear it right. But she did, and oh that changed everything. If she didn't love him than that meant …

"But she took my chance away, and now she has the handless wonder to keep her busy." She sighed, again. She was accepting the situation, though she didn't want to. But what choice did she have?

Ruby didn't say a thing; though she knew if the blond had kissed the man, she didn't really want to. But her parents were breathing down her neck, and Emma felt she had to do it, to be the daughter they deserved. She was always so afraid of disappointing them.

The former Queen looked at Ruby, surprised by her silence. She welcomed it, really, but she wondered if the woman wasn't freezing to death in her coat, because she wasn't naked, but she was cold nonetheless.

"Miss Lucas, why don't you want me to be alone? Afraid I'll go after your precious friends?" Sarcasm was clear in her voice, but Ruby frowned anyway. There was that, sure, but it wasn't the sole reason.

"I told you already. I care about you." She tried again, despite knowing the woman had fled the last time she did. This time though, she merely scoffed.

"You don't care, you just think you do because you're bored." It was impossible for her to actually believe that someone wanted to be there for her without wanting something in return. "Don't worry, though, I won't go and kill your friends. That wouldn't please Henry."

Ruby had to give it to her; she was good at deflecting subjects with sarcasm. She knew it was a defence mechanism, but still.

"You know it's not true, Regina. Deep down, you know that I really care because of you, and not because I'm afraid you'll try to avenge your …" She stopped, suddenly ill-at-ease. Regina glared at her, jaw clenched.

"Please, do continue Miss Lucas."

"You know what I mean." Came the answer, mumbled, while the werewolf dropped her head like a disappointed dog. It was quite a funny sight, actually.

The silence between them stretched, becoming more awkward by the second. If the former Mayor didn't seem to care, the younger girl couldn't help but fidget, which got on Regina nerves rather quickly.

"Will you stop fidgeting? It's unbecoming for a-" She stopped dead in her tracks, realising she was going to say that sentence her mother had repeated oh so many times before. This caught Ruby's attention, and she looked at Regina expectantly, arching her brows. Regina shrugged in a unlady-like gesture. It worked anyway.

She lost her sight in the woods beyond the border, a sigh escaping her lips. She decided that ignoring Ruby would work the best. She didn't expect the younger woman to continue the conversation, though.

"You shouldn't be too quick to judge people. You should give Emma a chance to explain." She didn't know why she was defending Emma right now; she didn't want to end up burned by a fireball. Regina stiffened next to her, wanting to get mad once again. She didn't have the strength.

"She explained. She wanted to save the girl from me. From the monster I am." Ruby had never heard her go into self-depreciation before, and she was startled.

"You're not a monster." She said, sincere as ever. Regina looked for a lie, but didn't find any. Funny.

"Tell that to everyone in town." Nobody had seen how hard she tried to change, not even Emma, it had seemed. She didn't know why she cared about the other woman's thoughts on the matter. Maybe because the blond was the first person to think of her as Regina, and not the Evil Queen. Deep down, she cherished that.

"You changed, Regina. I see how hard you try. I see how you look at Henry. Someone capable of so much love can't be evil." She so wanted the older woman to believe her. She wanted the Queen to trust her word, to see truth in them, because they were the truth. Regina had changed, for the better.

The former Mayor didn't answer. She was stunned, but kept her emotions at bay. She had no idea. No idea at all. Maybe the waitress cared, in the end. She still found it strange.

She jumped when she saw that a newly naked Ruby gave her back her coat, and took it numbly, wondering how long she had stayed quiet. It was dark, now, the road only illuminated by the moon and the stars.

"Goodnight, your Majesty."

She'd wanted to correct her, she was no Queen anymore, but the wolf was gone a few seconds later, running toward the forest.

"Goodnight, Ruby." She whispered nonetheless, to the moon, and to the stars.

Like it? Review if you'd like, still much appreciated to have some feedback. Some more coming soon.