Ruby cuddled into Archie as they walked back to Granny's Diner signaling the end of their lunch break date. Happiness radiated from the couple until they both noticed a worried Rumpelstiltskin leading an obviously distressed Belle out of the diner and down the street. It was not hard to guess that whatever had upset the beauty had started inside and upon entering the building both noticed the angry faces of the patrons. The main players of the drama were identifiable to Archie due to the red face of the local florist and the Prince trying to calm down his livid daughter.
"What's going on here?" Ruby asked to no one and everyone one at the same time.
"It's Mr. Gold…" Emma started only to be interrupted by Moe French.
"That beast! He is hurting my Belle and she won't let us help."
Murmurs of agreement went up around the crowd, in dispersed with quiet statements of: "She must be so afraid." And "We always knew he was evil."
Archie and Ruby looked at each other questioning if the other had any idea what the crowd was talking about. The statements they were hearing from the crowd just seemed impossible. Ruby was Belle's best friend and Archie had been seeing Belle as a patient since two weeks after her escape from the hospital's 'asylum'. They both knew the deep love that existed between Belle and Rumple.
"I am sorry," Archie said looking towards Moe, "But that just does not make any sense…"
Before he could finish his observations both Emma and Moe jumped in.
"It's true." "We saw the bruises."
As the two continue to describe the events of the day, understanding dawned for Ruby. This was a disaster. Belle must be so embarrassed. She finally understood what must have transpired inside the restaurant. She also knew this was an aspect of her life that Belle was not comfortable with yet and for the whole town to know; for her father to know. It was not something Ruby felt anybody should be ashamed of, but then again Ruby was not Belle. She had to end this; she had to set the record straight.
"You are a real idiot!"
Moe was quite shocked at the venom in the statement directed at him.
"I, um…" he stuttered, "I don't understand. Mr. Gold is hurting my Belle."
"No he is not!" The wolf in Ruby was definitely coming out. She was going to have her say and no one was going to stop her.
"First off: If he was hurting her… which he is not… do you really think the best course of action was to air your suspicions in such a public way?" She said, sweeping her arm to take in the patrons of the diner.
This statement finally got Moe French to show some shame at his action, but Ruby was not about to soften her tone. Her friend was upset and she was angry.
"Now think about this. Belle is in love with Rumpelstiltskin… and don't doubt that for one minute… she is in love with all of him; with every aspect of his personality. She might not like when he makes bad choices or when he hurts people, but she still loves him when he does."
Everyone's attention was on her, but she could tell that no one understood yet where she was going with this. Taking a deep breath, Ruby calmed her frustration at the people of this town. Most could not see true love when it was kicking them in the backside, but she also knew that she had to approach this delicately or else risk embarrassing her friend even more then she already was.
"She loves Rumpelstiltskin, but more importantly she TRUSTS him. She trusts him with her secrets…" at this point Ruby looked directly at Emma, "and with her… happiness."
If anyone in this town was going to understand what Ruby was trying to say it had to be Emma. Gods! The woman had offered advice about one night stands to her mother, she had to be able to read what the werewolf was not saying.
Ruby continued to stare at Emma as the Sheriff worked over what she had just been told. Then realization dawned. Emma's mouth dropped open, her eyes got big, and the tinges of an embarrassed blush crept from the top of her head down under the collar of her shirt.
Still staring at the Sheriff, Ruby finished. "I trust this issue is now closed." It was not a question.
"No the issue is not closed, my daughter is in trouble."
Both the florist and the prince were looking between Emma and Ruby trying to figure out what they had missed during the conversation.
"Mr. French," Emma spoke to Moe without looking at him, "I believe we should go somewhere private to discuss what occurred." Before leading Belle's father out of the diner, she turned back to address Ruby one last time. "And yes Miss. Lucas, the matter is closed. Thank you for your insight into the issue."
Ruby watched as the trio left Granny's, but they only got to the sidewalk before Moe stopped Emma and appeared to be demanding answers.
As she continued to watch the little group outside, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind and a familiar pair of lips kissed her cheek.
"You handled that very well My Heart."
"Thank you, but you were no help." She stated a little vexed, but not overly so.
She felt a little laugh move her hair. "Doctor/patient confidentiality, what could I have said."
He was right, she knew. So she covered the strong hands that rested on her stomach with her own and continued to watch the drama outside.
She only returned to work when she saw Emma get frustrated with the two in front of her and said something that caused both men to turn as red as a strawberry. Then the two Charmings left a wide eyed Moe standing dumbstruck on the sidewalk.