Author's Note: I don't own anything.

The next morning, Belle and Ruby went down to see Dr. Archie Hopper. Belle was scared and nervous, as was Ruby, but she put on her brave face for Belle. She was going to be there for her through thick and thin. Ruby knocked on the door and Dr. Hopper opened it motioning for the ladies to come in. Belle sat down on the couch while Ruby went to sit next to her.

"Good morning ladies," greeted Dr. Hopper.

"Morning," smiled Ruby.

Belle didn't say a word but nodded her head. "What brings you to my office?"

Belle rolled up her sleeves to show Dr. Hopper what she had done to herself. He leaned forward and gasped as he went to touch the scars with his hands. "What happened that made you do that?" questioned Dr. Hopper.

Belle looked like she was about to cry as she answered, "Ruby, myself, and Mr. Gold went out to a bar a few nights ago. Mr. Gold had too much to drink and he became violent with me."

Dr. Hopper took down notes. "He beat me with his cane, he used his hands, called me names," Belle continued.

"He also went after me," Ruby added.

"This must have been terrifying," Dr. Hopper exclaimed.

"Mary Margaret called Emma to arrest Mr. Gold and then she and I drove Belle to the hospital. That car ride was the scariest thing I had experienced. Belle was hallucinating, screaming, yelling out for Mr. Gold. She spent the night and later on I went to join her. I felt like I needed to protect her."

"Wolves are a pack animal. The wolf in you has accepted her as your pack," noted Dr. Hopper.

"We share a deep bond," Belle explained, "She has been my closest friend here. She has looked after me for the past several days."

"Belle hallucinates though. She screams at night, sees things," added Ruby.

Dr. Hopper continued to write. "And then a few nights ago Mr. Gold showed up at my house and the sound of his voice drove Belle to hurt herself."

"Is this true Belle?"

"Yes, I'm just so scared. I never thought he would do something like that to me."

"Most victims of abuse say the same things. Mr. Gold was always a dark man, but there was even more darkness that lingers in his soul," Dr. Hopper whispered, "I would advise you to stay away from him, no matter what. You must protect yourself and your heart. Abusers that say they won't hurt you again typically do. Spend time with your friend here Ruby."

Ruby smiled and touched Belle's hand. "We can set up a weekly meeting time if you wish to talk more about this stuff and if you want you can always bring Ruby with you."

"I would like that," smiled Belle.

Dr. Hopper went to grab his notebook to see when he was free next. "How about next Thursday at 8 am?"

"Deal."

Ruby and Belle walked out of the office and into the cold rainy weather. "How do you feel about things?"

Belle looked at Ruby and she hugged her. "It's going to be okay," she whispered.

Ruby saw Mr. Gold walking to Dr. Hopper's office and urged Belle to walk in the opposite direction so they would not be seen. Belle turned to see his pained face at the sight of her. "Ruby, I have to go to him," she pleaded.

"No Belle, you heard what Dr. Hopper said."

"Belle!" called Mr. Gold.

"Run!" yelled Ruby.

Ruby and Belle disappeared and Mr. Gold's heart sunk deep into his chest. He felt so depressed.