Hey guys!

Here's a brand new chapter for you! I put up an A/N on the bottom, feel free to read it if you want(:

Anyways, enjoy!

"So this is like a wolf's version on love at first sight," Regina says after Ruby's explanation from the first day at the diner to this point in the short-haired brunette's backyard.

Ruby nods and leans back on her hands, making herself comfortable on the floor next to the sleeping woman on the couch, "that's one way to put it."

The older woman nods in understanding then asks softly where only the she-wolf could hear, "Does she know?" even though the youngest of the three was out cold, Regina wasn't sure where this topic of imprinting stood.

Ruby shakes her head and looks at her imprint softly, "I don't know how to tell her," then she turns her attention to Regina, "and I would really appreciate it if no one hears of this until I'm ready."

"Of course dear," the former Evil Queen stood from her chair, gathering the now empty mugs, "I need to get to my office now. You're welcome to stay, just no funny business in my living room," the older brunette points her forefinger at the woman on the floor with a playful glare as she walks around the corner towards the kitchen. Ruby rolls her eyes and calls out wolfishly grinning, "I make no promises!"

Tasia opens her eyes and the first person she spots at the corner of her eye was none other than her red-streaked haired friend, looking deep in thought with legs crossed on the floor right next to the younger woman, "Ruby?" she says, her voice groggy and raspy from her sleep.

Ruby turns her head immediately to the voice that called her name and smiles gently, "hey there sleeping beauty."

With a chuckle, Tasia sits up on the couch and adjusts herself properly, "I believe that title's already taken my friend," and then her eyes light up in contemplation, "maybe I can guess who you're supposed to be."

"Go for it."

"Little Red Riding Hood," the younger woman says with a grin.

"I prefer Red, how'd you guess?" Ruby asks.

Tasia smiles and timidly twirls a finger on the single red streak in the she-wolf's hair, "this kind of gives it away," she says and pulls her hand away, "I also remember that red cloak you were wearing that day in the woods."

"You got yourself a good memory, tell me something you're not good at," Ruby says playfully as she tries to calm her heart rate from the light gesture.

"Keeping my heart to myself apparently."

Ruby's smile falters then takes the younger brunette's hand gently, feeling her heart rate pick up again at the touch and looks into the brown eyes of her imprint, "I know we just met and all, but if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm always around."

"So I've noticed," Tasia smiles softly, "thank you for the offer, I'm just trying to get over it and move on with my life," she squeezes Ruby's hand slightly before letting go, "how long was I out anyway? And where's Regina?"

"For about an hour, Regina left to her office so you could rest."

"Not that I'm complaining nor wanting to sound rude, but why are you here?"

Ruby blushes and looks at her imprint shyly, "I wanted to make sure you were okay, and I didn't want you to wake up alone."

"That's sweet Ruby, thank you," Tasia smiles with a faint blush of her own. Clearing her throat she stands up from the couch to stretch then looks down at her fellow waitress, "did you have any plans until our shift starts?"

Ruby pulls on the tank top she borrowed from her imprint while the other woman without hesitation walks onto the sand, making her way to the ocean.

Closing her eyes, feeling how good the water felt on her legs, and she inhales deeply through her nose, smelling that saltiness only the ocean could carry. Tasia walks a few feet away from the shore before diving into the water. Pushing her arms to take her out a little deeper, she closes her eyes, letting her mind go until her lungs are in need of air.

The younger woman resurfaces and sees that her red-streaked friend is still on land, looking like a nervous puppy as Ruby steps back whenever the water goes up on the shore, "Come on Ruby! The water's amazing!"

With the tiniest of whimpers, Ruby dips a toe into the ocean and jumps with a yelp at how cold the water felt, "Umm, I'm more of a land person, I don't do ocean."

With a smile Tasia walks up to the taller brunette gently taking both of her hands and walks backwards, guiding Ruby as a parent would to a child. The red-streaked woman widens her eyes as they were in knee deep water, shivering, "this is what mermaids do, they pull their prey into the deep before drowning and devouring them."

Tasia shakes her head and smiles, "don't worry Ruby, I won't let anything happen to you."

The younger brunette stopped when they were chest deep now and let's go of Ruby's hands, swimming around her friend. She wasn't sure what it is, but Tasia feels a pull towards this woman, it makes her heart flutter whenever she's around and Tasia doesn't seem to mind at the fact that Ruby seems to always show up out of nowhere. It's almost as if Ruby is Tasia's guardian angel.

"Tell me something Red," the younger woman says, using the given name of her fellow waitress.

"Anything."

"What really happened to the wolf?"

Ruby's eyes got wide and inside she started freaking out, she never thought "the wolf" would be brought out just yet, she wasn't ready. She thought she had time. With a deep breath to calm her racing heart she looked at her imprint who stopped swimming in circles and stood right in front of her, Ruby thought to herself, 'it's too late now, there's nothing to say but the truth.' Her striking blue eyes gazed into curious brown ones and says softly, "I am the wolf."

A few silent seconds went by until Tasia blinks and says, "well isn't that a plot twist."

In shock Ruby throws her hands in the air making the water splash, "I'm a werewolf! Aren't you afraid of me in some way? I ate my boyfriend for crying out loud!" flinching at the last thing she said, Ruby shuts her eyes tightly and covers her face with her hands in embarrassment.

Warm, soft hands grabbed on to Ruby's and pulls them down with ease, "I don't think anything can freak me out at this point. Yesterday, I was a normal human being. Today, I'm a sorceress and staying in a town full of fairytale characters I've grown up to. I met Snow White and Prince Charming who looks about the same age as their daughter. Today I find out that my boss is Red Riding Hood's Granny and Red is thee Wolf from the story. I actually find that pretty awesome. Talk about a mind blower."

Ruby shakes her head, chuckling, "I'm speechless," the she-wolf looks at her imprint and saw a real smile on the younger woman's face. It was gentle and beautiful. It made Ruby's heart skip to see that this smile was because of her, "you're so beautiful," she blurts without a thought.

That made Tasia blush, she took a step back and wraps her arms around herself, trying desperately to guard her heart, "no, I'm not."

Ruby step forward towards her imprint (as difficult as it was in the water), and she lifts the younger woman's chin with her pointer finger, making brown eyes meet blue once again, "yes, you are," she says softly, "and don't let anyone tell you anything different. You hear?"

Tasia nods, the redness on her cheeks growing brighter.

Ruby clears her throat and pulls away, "if anyone does, you come and tell me. I'll kick their ass."

The younger woman laughs slightly and shakes her head, "we should get out, it's almost time to head to the diner."

The she-wolf smiles and nods, "yes, let's. I feel like a wet dog," she says quickly making her way out.

Tasia giggles as she follows her friend.

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it took me awhile to post this chapter. A lot of homework and my hours picked up at work. But I thank you all for your patience.

I'd like to really thank willsons826 for his eagerness of this chapter.

Please leave me review, I'd love to know what you folks think of this story, and it makes me smile.

Until next time everyone. A hui hou!