Hello Sweet Doves! So, this is a lot of fluff that I tapped out very quickly because A) I could and B) after that last chapter I think we all need some fluff and C) the episode we are up to is pretty much completely Ruby/Red-centered. Thank you for the reviews and follows. They are little rays of sunshine! Enjoy lovelies!

Songs: Private Parts and Beautiful with You by Halestorm, Off With Her Head by Icon for Hire


The rest of the day passed without incident. Ruby stopped by that evening and confirmed that she had in fact agreed to buy lunch for the hospital staff. She also told her not to worry about that night because Granny rigged some sort of cage in the pantry that might hold her for the night, and Belle agree to stay with Henry tonight in the Mills Mansion. She knew that her son was safe but still felt guilty for not being there. She was needed here, undistracted, and handed Ruby the necklace from Gold without hesitation.

Emma floated in and out of consciousness. At times, she touched Regina's hair or hand, and others Regina glanced over from whatever inane television show she watched to find Emma simply studying her with soulful green eyes. She'd said nothing else since asking Regina for her earlier story. Her body ached from her round with Ruby, and before darkness fell outside the covered window, Regina gave herself over to relief of sleep.

She growled when that same ridiculous song about the stripper woke her for the second morning in a row. She'd forgotten to change it before drifting off.

"Make it through the night, Wolf Pup?" Regina grumbled, trying her best to be gentle with the probably exhausted girl.

"She's gone!" Granny's terrified voice filtered through the phone, and Regina bolted upright.

"She got out?" Regina confirmed, not yet believing what Granny said.

"She tore the damn door down, Regina. I can track her scent, but I don't know what state I'll find her in. I already called Belle. She's at the bus stop with Henry, so she should be here in a minute. Do you think…" Her question was interrupted by Regina's quick reply.

"Of course, I'll be over in a flash, literally," she added with a serious note and then slipped into her boots.

With a glance to ensure Emma rested peacefully, she poofed to Granny's diner. The woman still held Ruby's cell phone to her ear. It must have been the closest phone available when she discovered Ruby gone. A moment later Belle barreled through the door but never stepped into the diner.

"Let's go," her frantic eyes searched the faces of both women before she turned and bounded down the steps.

Granny and Regina followed at a slower pace. Regina grunted in pain with each step, almost wishing she'd agreed to the narcotics Eva had offered her. Belle stopped suddenly at the end of the walk when she realized that she hadn't a clue which direction to turn. She whipped about, hands flying to her hips, and glared at Granny. The elder Lucas paid her no mind and focused on Ruby scent, leading them towards the park and ultimately the woods.

"Is she close, Granny?" Belle blustered for the hundredth time, wringing her hands.

Regina felt sorry for the girl, wondering if this is how she'd looked in the emergency room covered in Emma's blood after she'd been shot. Uncertain if Belle welcomed her touch yet, she curled her fingers into fists, fighting both the urge to comfort the girl and the pain in her leg.

"There!" Granny pointed, and Belle took off like a shot.

"Ruby!" She called and then picked her way through the forest with a certain grace that surprised both Regina and Granny.

The young wolf sat up, horror passing in her eyes when she realized where she was. Belle practically mounted the poor girl, knees hitting the soft dirt on either of Ruby's hips. Ruby, to her credit, accepted her weight and momentum gracefully and kept them upright with a hand behind her and on around Belle's back. Since the night in pantry, they'd been gentle and tentative with their touches. A light hand or hug, brief and innocent brushes of lips when they lost their fight with self-control.

Belle gave up every pretense of self-control when she pulled Ruby's lips to hers with splayed hands on her cheeks. Ruby sat up straighter and pressed the bodies together, accepting the comfort and passion the librarian offered her so freely. Regina studied Granny's reaction, turning her eyes from the reunion. She wondered if Granny had caught on to Ruby and Belle's developing relationship, but her wide eyes and parted lips told her that she hadn't known the depth, not until this moment.

"Ruby," she called to her granddaughter when they finally parted and acknowledged the presence of the older women.

Ruby's eyes widened in renewed horror as the realization of what her grandmother just witnessed crashed into her like a sack of bricks in the gut. Her ears burned a bright red, and she stuttered but nothing tangible fell from her mouth. Belle hid her face in Ruby's hair, head leaning on her shoulder. She seemed completely oblivious to the silent conversation happening between her lover and her grandmother.

"You hurt?" Granny asked, and Ruby shook her head.

"Come on, then. I'll make us some breakfast," Granny either accepted Belle and Ruby immediately or at least delayed addressing it for now. Regina wasn't sure which.

The sheriff's phone buzzed and Granny tossed it to Regina before stomping off towards town. Ruby's face fell, but she became easily distracted when Belle kissed her again. Regina took a deep breath. Another battle, different day, she reminded herself and then answered the phone.

"Sheriff," she answered cordially, mimicking the greeting she'd heard a hundred times from Emma and Red.

"Hey Granny, we need to stop by the cannery," Regina called to the older woman who had stopped a decent distance, facing away from them with her arms crossed tightly.

"Oh god," Ruby whispered, pulling Belle's mouth from hers.

"It's a double parked car. Lower your hackles, Wolf Pup," Regina chided gently. Ruby relaxed minutely and lifted Belle from her legs.

The librarian giggled and offered Ruby a hand, which she took and never let go as they traipsed back towards the cruiser. Red frowned at Regina's limp but said nothing, knowing the older woman would deny her pain and any assistance, saving face while sparing her feelings of guilt.

Regina's stomach sank when she saw Billy's tow truck double parked near the dumpster of the cannery. Something wasn't right, she felt it like magic crackling in the air. Granny stepped out of the car first, and Regina fought the urge to tell her girls to stay put until they checked it out. She sighed and held her tongue. Ruby wasn't a child, and if she harmed Billy last night, she supported her completely and would help her deal with the consequences. They followed Granny.

"Regina," the elder called from the front of the tow truck. She knelt at Billy's head and stared up at Regina with wide eyes. The man's body had been torn in two at his belly.

A piercing squall filled the air, bouncing off the walls of the cannery. Regina moved as quickly as she could to the dumpster. Red held Belle behind with one arm and stared into the metal box. Billy's feet hung out the side, and Regina knew exactly what Ruby studied in horror.

"It was the wolf!" She cried when Regina stepped between her eyes and Billy's mutilated body.

"We don't know that, Ruby," Regina countered calmly and placed her hands on her young friend's shoulders.

"I don't believe you did this, Ruby," Belle offered in quiet conviction, despite the evidence pointing towards the wolf.

"No!" Ruby broke free from their hands and spun away. "You don't understand, Belle. I'm a monster. I'm dangerous! You need to stay away from me!" Ruby's control slipped quickly, and Granny was right there to offer a shoulder to her granddaughter, the only person Ruby knew how to fully trust because she'd been the only one who'd never abandoned her and never turned her back. Snow accepted her, but she'd abandoned her plenty, Regina thought angrily.

And then something no short of miraculous happened. Belle stepped forward with hesitant steps and placed her hands on Ruby's shoulders.

"I will do no such thing, Ruby Lucas. Stop trying to make me," Belle chastised the young wolf with brazen hands on her hips. Granny's eyes widened over Ruby's shoulder. It wasn't often one shocked Granny Lucas.

Ruby sniffed and lifted her head from Granny's chest. Her eyes dared to be hopeful as she studied Belle's face, looking for any sign of hesitation or doubt.

"I'm falling in love with you, Ruby Red Lucas," she confessed quietly, saying Ruby's full name for the second time, "and that includes your wolf, your rage, your heart, your kindness and bravery and those lips that I could spend the rest of my life kissing and die a happy woman." Belle's voice never wavered, never questioned the truth behind the words.

"Belle," Ruby sobbed and fell into the younger woman. Granny stiffened but let her granddaughter go with a tightening of her eyes the only indication that she'd felt it.

"Perhaps here is not the best place to discuss this," Regina suggested, eying the growing crowd nervously.

"Regina, you need to lock me up. The freezer wouldn't hold me, but maybe a jail cell will. Please!" Ruby pleaded, clearly not caring about the people now watching and pointing. Regina sighed and pulled her cell phone from her pocket.

"Eva," she greeted the sleepy voice on the other side of the phone. "I'm sorry to call so early, but I need your help. No, Emma's fine. We found a body. Yes, we need the investigative team that we put together. No, I can't be involved and neither can Ruby. It looks like a wolf's kill, but I don't think it is. It's too clean. The cannery. Okay, I'll wait until you get here."

Regina ended the call. She feared that she'd let Ruby down by not being with her last night, but she swore to be here for her now.

"Belle, you and Ruby go the diner and get cleaned up," Regina ordered.

Her phone rang. Stacy. "Hello Madame Mayor," Regina answered, glad to hear Stacy's voice.

"Yes, I'm here now. We need you to gather some people to handle crowd control. Dr. Zambrano is gathering the medical examiner and his team right now. Get down here now, so I can figure out who did this." Regina tapped her foot impatiently and crossed her arms over her chest. They needed Ruby's hood.

It was nearly noon by the time they coaxed Ruby out of her room. Belle guarded it like a hawk, only permitting Regina and Granny entry when Ruby asked for them. They wasted time with this idiotic game. They only had a few hours until dark, and they still needed to find Billy's murdered and Ruby's cloak.

"Granny, can you go back to the cannery and follow the scent of Billy's blood. I have a feeling it won't lead you here. I'll take Ruby somewhere safe." The request was huge, but Granny nodded anyway. She'd never have asked the woman to leave her granddaughter's side under normal circumstances, but they needed to move on this while they had light.

Regina called the hospital every hour and checked on Emma. She woken a few times but hadn't spoken. Regina should have written her a note before she left, but messages passed on by nurses would have to suffice until she figured this situation out.

"Ruby, we need to take you to the station and get you settled. I don't believe you killed Billy, but we do need to contain the wolf until you regain control." Regina banged her fist against the door once, and then it opened.

"I know," Ruby said quietly. She'd obviously been crying. Belle hovered just behind her, far enough to allow Ruby her independence but close enough to reach out and touch if she needed her.

Their plans were thwarted, however, when a mob led by Spencer/ King George greeted them at the sheriff's station. They demanded Ruby's blood for what had been done to Billy. Regina drove on. She parked near The Toll Bridge, hands gripping the wheel tightly. She needed magic to save Ruby from this situation. Even if the girl had killed Billy, she hadn't deserved the death penalty for it, not when she lost control of the wolf because of the curse.

"I'm going to the hospital to check on Emma. Do not leave this spot until I get back," she ordered the women in the backseat and then disappeared in a flash.

Ruby slumped against the seat and bounced her foot anxiously. Belle studied her for a moment and then touched her face. She'd mostly sat at the foot of Ruby's bed this morning and watched over the sobbing woman, unsure what to say to make any of this better. Ruby jerked to attention when Belle straddled her thighs.

Ruby swallowed roughly when Belle stood on her knees, her breasts an inch from Ruby's upturned face. Her hands trembled when Belle moved them to her legs, guiding them beneath her dress and then leaving them to rest near her hips. She smoothed Ruby's hair and lowered her mouth to the wolf's. Belle's intentions were clear, and Ruby felt herself giving into them for a moment and then pulled back.

"I've never… with a woman," Ruby admitted and averted her eyes to the window. Belle pulled it back with a warm hand.

"I've never made love to anyone, so I guess we're on equal ground," Belle admitted softly.

"You're a virgin?" Ruby's eyebrows shot towards the sky. Belle blushed and lowered her eyes shamefully.

"Except when the Evil…" Ruby stopped her mid-sentence with two fingers on her lips.

"Don't think about that right now," she begged, knowing it would spoil whatever was happening.

"I don't want your first time to be in the back of a car, Belle," Ruby continued. "Believe me when I say that I definitely want it to be me, but I want it to be special, you know?" She ducked her head to meet Belle's eyes and then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear when Belle raised her head.

"It will be with you, Ruby. I don't care where we are. I just want to feel you, all the time," Her big blue eyes shone with honesty, and Ruby gave up the pretense of chivalry.

"Don't regret me, Belle," Ruby pleaded, suddenly vulnerable. She gave her words a moment to sink in, waiting for Belle to change her mind.

The librarian smiled and returned Ruby's hand to her thigh, maintaining eye contact with the exposed wolf. Ruby swallowed. Belle kissed her. Ruby broke, knowing there wouldn't be an ounce of strength in her to stop unless Belle asked. She already throbbed and burned to feel Belle inside of her, throw the full moon on top of it, and it was a recipe for a crazed werewolf in love. A low growl rumbled in her throat and her hands clenched Belle's skin as she gave herself over to it.

Belle hummed into her lips, sliding her tongue across Ruby's. The wolf made a valiant effort to wait, allow Belle the opportunity to fully experience all of the new sensations coursing through her body, but the throb between her legs fueled by the scent of Belle's arousal destroyed her valor. Her hands slid further up Belle's dress, over curvaceous hips and flat stomach, and then cupped her breasts through her bra. They were bigger than she anticipated, deceived by Belle's modest mode of dress.

Belle responded with a gasp, head falling backward. Ruby followed the movement up and tugged the flimsy dress over her head. Her lips pressed against Belle's neck as she forced herself not to look at the practically naked woman, not yet or she'd lose it. Belle, however, had different ideas. She grabbed Ruby's deputy shirt with both hands and ripped it open; buttons flew. Ruby's lower stomach clenched and rolled. She had the hottest girlfriend on the planet, not only did she accept Ruby's wolf but intentionally engaged it's wild, uncontrollable desire in a tug-o-war that took her right up to the edge and then left her aching between control and the brink of collapse.

She pushed the shirt down her arms and then flung it to the front seat. Belle sat back on her knees, drinking her in, memorizing her body with hungry eyes. She swallowed thickly as her breathing quickened at the need in Belle's eyes. They came together, fumbling with bra clasps, lips and tongues dueling for dominance. Then there was nothing separating the flesh of their upper bodies.

Ruby moaned shamelessly at the heaviness of Belle's breasts weighing on her chest above her own much smaller mounds. Hesitantly, Belle traced a single finger down Ruby's chest, pausing just above her nipple. She pulled back and asked Ruby permission with hazy blue eyes. Ruby answered with a kiss, hands clutching thighs painfully when Belle lightly grazed her nipple.

"Belle," she whispered, and the other woman pulled back, suddenly frightened.

"Did I do it wrong?" her eyes filled with tears as the question tumbled out, and Ruby chuckled.

"I want to see you," Ruby explained and pressed her lips to skin just below Belle's ear.

She moved one hand between Belle's shoulder blades and guided her backwards with the other on her shoulder. She easily held the small woman with her wolf strength. Belle allowed her to look, slightly nervous that she'd be unpleasing to the more experienced woman. Ruby slowly moved her eyes up the body in front of her, from the soft tuft of hair at the apex of her thighs to a flat stomach and chest heaving with desire and adrenaline.

Ruby's hand followed her eyes and Belle shivered. "Perfect," the word fell from her lips absently as she leaned forward and pressed her lips to Belle's stomach, her ribs, the underside of her breast. Belle nearly bucked out of her grasp when her warm, wet tongue pressed against her nipple. Ruby pulled her back into a sitting position and returned her mouth to the nipple. Belle clutched her head, fingers digging painfully into her scalp. Her hips rolled against Ruby's stomach, and the wolf moan at the hot liquid left there to cool. Belle needed her to hurry the hell up.

Fingertips trailed over alabaster skin until they found soft hair. Ruby pulled back an inch, enough to catch her breath. She'd made sure that Belle wanted this, but did she? Belle waited, wide-eyed and heaving, recognizing the indecision. Perhaps she was too inexperienced for Ruby?

"Belle," the librarian dropped her head, bracing for the rejection. "I'm falling in love with you, too," Ruby whispered into Belle's hair.

When the woman atop her met her eyes, she slid a single finger over the bundle of nerves above her slit. Belle's eyes widened instead of closing like Ruby expected, and she smiled into the kiss that came next. Belle's hips danced under her fingers, and when Ruby slipped two inside her, she stilled completely. Panic rose in Ruby's stomach, telling her she'd moved too quickly.

"I'm okay," Belle assured and then pressed her lips to Ruby's once more.

When it became obvious that Ruby was too scared to move again, Belle rolled her hips, taking all of Ruby's long thin fingers into her. She moaned loudly, shamelessly, and the sound ripped away Ruby's reservations, trusting Belle would stop her if she flashed back to the Evil Queen. Belle continued to roll her hips as Ruby met her with gentle thrusts. It was beautiful and perfect and painfully slow. Ruby took the hint when Belle bit into her neck painfully, frustrated with being so close to going over the edge and needed that last push.

Ruby increased her pace, fighting with her wolf that begged her to slam into the woman as hard as she could. She added a third finger, keeping her fast pace without increasing the force behind it. Belle stilled again, and Ruby caught her around the back as she arched. It was over in a moment, and she collapsed into Ruby's chest with her velvet walls still clenching around the wolf's fingers. Ruby curled her fingers once. Belled cried out as her hips jerked into her stomach and then again when she sank back onto Ruby's fingers.

The wolf grinned wickedly and repeated the motion with the same result, and then Belle moved against her again and again and again holding Ruby's shoulders for leverage. She may have been quiet, but when she let herself go, Belle contained more passion and wanton desire than anyone else Ruby had ever seen, herself included. She may just need her wolf rage to keep up with her, she thought as she watched Belle come undone a third time and collapse into her.

Belle clamped onto her shoulder with sharp teeth when she pulled her fingers free, her hips shuddering and quaking and wanting to move out of control once more. She panted into Ruby's neck and planted kisses along her jaw line, nipping and sucking when the mood struck her. Her hands shook when she cupped Ruby's smaller breasts, but Ruby's moan stole her insecurities.

Belle leaned onto the seat and brought Ruby on top of her. Her blue eyes shone with emotion, and Ruby took a moment to kiss her eyelids and then the liquid that slipped from beneath them. Belle tried to continue, fumbling with Ruby's belt for a few moments before covering her face with her hands.

"I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm crying," Belle apologized and Ruby shushed her.

"It happens sometimes when its really good," Ruby explained to the inexperienced woman and then grinned wickedly. "Guess that saves me asking how I did," Ruby quipped and pulled Belle's hands away from her face.

She took in the moment and then lay her thin body over Belle's. She held her weight on her elbows and trailed gentle kisses over Belle's neck and chest, helping her return from the emotional high. Belle clutched her back, calming in the safety of Ruby's warmth, and after a few minutes moved steadier hands to Ruby's belt once more.

The wolf shimmied out of the black slacks with some difficulty in the tight space. Belle watched her reveal her skin, reaching out to touch a particularly appealing piece every now and then. Ruby looked down at her expectantly, and she froze. Ruby pulled back.

"You don't have to," she quickly reassured her lover. Belle followed her body up, grunting when the muscles in her stomach protested slightly. It felt wonderful to be sore there.

"I want to," she whispered into Ruby's lips. "I'm just not sure how," she admitted, a little embarrassed.

"Oh, uhh, here," Ruby leaned her back against the door and set one foot on the floor. Belle stared for a moment, shocked at Ruby's openness. Instead of soft hair between Ruby's legs, she only saw skin. Her stomach clenched as she looked at her lover, wetness renewing again between her legs.

Ruby reached for her, guiding her to straddle her thigh, perhaps sensing her need to be touched where her pressure was building again. She focused on Ruby, touching her everywhere and nowhere at once. The wolf squirmed and moaned beneath her fingers, unsure if this was actually Belle's first time or if she was just an incredibly quick study. She faltered a moment, stumbling around Ruby's clit, and then grinned triumphantly when hips raised off the seat as she found her mark.

She fumbled for her rhythm when she entered Ruby but found it quickly, studying every sound and matching it with how her fingers were positioned. Finally, she curled her fingers upward when she reached her knuckles, and Ruby's hand flew into the window above her head, searching for a hold to anchor her to reality.

"There. That. Do that," Ruby mumbled as her eyes slammed shut. Belle's brow furrowed in concentration as she followed Ruby's instruction. Each time she pressed the small bud within Ruby, the wolf squirmed and moaned her approval.

"Belle, yes," she encouraged absently, trying her best to communicate through the haze of her arousal. She remembered being so awkward her first time, not knowing which way to turn or how to move her hips, and she wanted Belle to feel proud of sending her into oblivion. Also, it just felt too damn good to keep the feeling inside.

"More." Belle obliged the request.

"Harder." She obeyed Ruby's command, completely enthralled by the thrashing and moaning. She nearly climaxed again when the realization slapped her that Ruby behaved this way because she'd given her pleasure.

Ruby rocked with her hand and then tumbled over the edge. Belle twitched her fingers, drawing out the pleasure like Ruby had done for her, and then fidgeted uncomfortably as her own arousal burned and twitched beneath her skin once more.

Ruby gripped her hips with shaking hands and guided her once more to straddle her. Their combined heat pressing together stirred moans from both throats, and without being told Belle rolled her hips into Ruby's, providing pressure on both of their clits. Belle found a pace and Ruby followed the rhythm, faltering slightly when Belle threw her head back and pressed her forearms into the ceiling of the cruiser. She was almost positive that Belle had no knowledge of what her body was doing instinctively… eyes shut, hips acting of their own volition.

Her breasts bounced and wiggled, and Ruby's stomach clenched painfully at the sight. She grabbed Belle's hips and forced them down to hers, over and over they slammed together, neither minding the roughness and tinge of pain that followed each meeting. Ruby came first, hands stilling as her body went rigid. Belle ground against her a few more times and then followed, collapsing onto Ruby's chest and immediately being enveloped in strong arms. Ruby lace her fingers over Belle's back, not trusting her shaking limbs to stay put on strength alone.

Belle's ear pressed against Ruby's chest. The staccato thumping instilled a sense of triumph inside of her, knowing her own heart matched the pace. She held the spot until Ruby's heart rate returned to normal and then lifted her head, catching Ruby's chocolate lab eyes with her own.

"Thank you," Belle whispered reverently, tears welling again. She wasn't sure if they were happy, sad or simply a physical representation of the overwhelming emotions pulling through her.

"For what?" Ruby wrestled with her own overwhelming emotions, knowing if she allowed herself, she could have sex for hours on the day of the full moon. She'd done it before and then howled at the moon all night, sometimes returning to the man with just a hint of darkness left. She forced herself to change back before it happened naturally, forcing herself to feel that intense need, and allowed the man to take her however he wished. She didn't want that with Belle, not yet at least.

"For seeing me as woman and not a victim, not everyone would," Belle admitted softly, eyes turning away. It had gone without saying that she meant Rumpel.

"He wouldn't even touch you?" Ruby blurted, and Belle shook her head.

"Is this acceptable conversation afterward?" Belle asked very seriously, and Ruby laughed.

"It's called pillow talk, and given where my thoughts just were, I'm going to say yes." She tucked some hair behind Belle's ear and traced her jaw line.

"Where were your thoughts?" Belle asked suddenly, grasping for more of Ruby's life, a glimpse inside her mind.

"On the things I used to do during the full moon that I'd like to do with you someday," she replied vaguely. Belle cocked her head to one side and tightened her eyes.

"If it involves me, I think I've a right to know what I'm getting into," Her eyes were over exaggerated, twinkling with delight.

"I don't think you'll have a problem with it. I had sex for 8 hours straight once," she granted reluctantly, and Belle's eyes widened.

"How many men did that take?" Belle asked and then clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with embarrassment, but Ruby saw no judgment in them, only curiosity and something hazier, something that told Ruby she might one day repeat the adventure with Belle and Belle alone.

"4 and a half. I started to change before he finished, couldn't hold it off any longer. Some of them got two goes at it," she elaborated before Belle asked.

"They were soldiers in Snow's army. I just walked into their tent one afternoon wearing nothing but my red cloak, closed the tent flap, and then dropped it. They caught on pretty quickly since it was the full moon, and rumor of wolf's rage turning into sexual aggression on the day of the full moon is widely spread… except it's actually true. They justified their actions to Snow by saying I begged them to do it so that I could stay focused, as her personal bodyguard." Ruby admitted bitterly, pain and anger coming to a head.

"They couldn't just admit that they'd had a good time in an unusual situation with someone who wasn't their wife. It's not like it mattered anyway, but Snow and David just got this… look, like I was dirty somehow because I needed to blow off steam. It's not like they really cared what their shoulders did. They only cared about winning that damn war with Regina." Ruby jerked, her arms tightening around Belle almost painfully. She truly was angry with Snow for the way she was treated.

"I thought she was your best friend?" Belle asked and then wiggled to loosen the wolf's hold a bit.

"She is. She's the first person who ever accepted me as both wolf and human, even after I killed someone, she stuck by me. She was a really great friend to me then, and then true love happened to her. It's like she just completely turned around, suddenly judging me for having sex when before she never judged me when I killed my boyfriend. I ate him, for god's sake!" Ruby calmed again, not wanting her rage to take over.

"I mean, she and David are really good people. They are. It's just, sometimes they think of themselves as so superior because their souls are white. Most people are grey. It's just the way it is," Ruby deflated as her anger dissipated.

Belle kissed her chin and then returned her head to the soothing thump of Ruby's heart. She drew nonsensical patterns over Ruby's shoulder.

"Belle?" Came a small voice a few minutes later.

"Hmmm?" Belle hummed lazily, vibrating Ruby's skin.

"Does it bother you, what I did?" Ruby asked haltingly, afraid to know the truth. Belle raised her head again, smile on her lips and love in her clear blue eyes.

"Only if it bothers you. You didn't sound ashamed until you started talking about Snow's reaction to it. If you're okay with your decision, then who am I to judge you? I'm the girl who tried to rehabilitate the Dark One, remember? Morally grey is sort of a turn on for me." In her mind she'd imagine the words being more lighthearted, but when they tumbled from her mouth, she knew they were true. She was attracted to the dark, not crazy scary Evil Queen dark, but enough edge to make her heart beat faster. Ruby had not sucked at that.

"I like morally grey," Ruby responded huskily as the pressure between her legs built again. Belle noticed the change in her voice and quickly brought their lips together. She wanted all of Ruby, all of her stories and her pains, but right now, she just wanted her body squirming beneath hers in ecstasy.

Belle rolled her hips against Ruby's and winced. The woman beneath her pulled back at her obvious discomfort. It's been a while since she herself had had sex, but she wasn't nearly as sore as Belle.

"And that is why we will slowly work up to 8 hours," Ruby said as she tucked a shock of brown frizzy hair behind Belle's ear.

"Can I just kiss you then? Or will it rile your wolf?" Belle asked seriously, her voice deep, bring her accent out in a thick balm against Ruby's tortured heart. She melted under the gentle concern. It wasn't that Belle constantly worried about her wolf taking over but simply asked out of respect for Ruby's comfort.

"I'd like that," Ruby smiled widely and accepted Belle's lips against her.

It was soft, exploratory. They both felt the passion beneath it, and let the embers burn slowly rather than fan the flame. Just kissing Belle exhilarated her in a way only one other thing ever had, the first time she ran threw the woods and remembered everything.

They jerked apart at a sudden tap at the window. Belle's eyes widened comically as the panic overtook her. It was one thing to be caught in the pantry, but she was completely naked and on top of a naked Ruby.

"Miss Lucas, I do hope those windows are steamed because Miss French blew a lot of hot air with one of her stories," the windows muffled Regina's amused voice.

Belle scrambled away quickly, searching for her clothes.

"Regina, we're going to need a minute," Belle yelled through the glass, eyes tracking the shadow behind the steam.

Ruby shimmied into her pants and bra and then reached across the seat for her ruined shirt. She closed her eyes and sighed when she remembered that Belle had ripped all of the buttons off of it. She pulled it onto her arms anyway and then stepped into the cool evening air.

Regina raised one eyebrow and let her eyes linger as they moved down Ruby's exposed stomach.

"Adding voyeurism to your repertoire?" Ruby pulled the shirt together and crossed her arms.

Belle saved Regina from answering when she rolled down the window and held a cell phone out.

"And I'm hungry like a wolf!" Blared from the speaker.

"It says Granny is calling, but I don't know how to answer the infernal thing," Belle grumbled in frustration. Ruby punched the right button, and Belle pulled the phone back inside. The window muffled her conversation when she rolled it up, keeping the precious heat inside.

"Got a plan, Witch?" Ruby asked before Regina commented on what she knew had just happened between the younger women.

"Nothing that ends well for you," Regina admitted honestly, crossing her arms over her chest at the thought of the mob hurting Ruby. "Granny has them all believing that you are locked in at the station. They're trying to break in now, so it will only be a matter of time until they realize you're not there. They'll eventually come to the library. I've strengthened some chains with an enchantment. They should hold you, and if not, I will be there." Regina assurance did little to soothe the younger woman.

"Where's Henry?" The boy definitely needn't be around to watch her tear apart his mother.

"He's sitting with Emma. He believes I am helping Stacy with a crisis at the Mayor's office. I'll tell him the truth one day, I suppose," Regina confessed miserably.

"Children need to be protected, not from everything or they end up like me, but let him be a kid while he is a kid. It will be gone soon enough. You did the right thing," Ruby comforted the woman as best she could. Regina nodded once, sniffed, and then straightened her spine. It must have worked.

"Let's get you chained up, then," Regina gestured towards the cruiser and then gimped to the passenger side. "I'd drive, but I'm in terrible pain and an even fouler mood.

When they arrived, Ruby immediately inspected the chains. Belle focused on something other than Ruby's toned stomach and the teeth marks purpling on her neck. Regina paced.

"Well?" She said pointedly when Ruby dropped the chain to the floor.

"It should hold," she confirmed.

Regina's response died in her throat when her phone rang. "Did you find it, Granny? Okay, just wait for me. What street?" Regina ended the call and looked between the two women.

"Ruby, get yourself chained up. Wolf's time will begin any minute. I'll be back as soon as I can." Then she poofed.

Ruby rattled the chains again, double checking their strength. Belle touched her shoulder in concern.

"I'll see you in the morning. You'd better get going. This isn't going to be pretty." Ruby cupped her neck and traced a thumb along her jaw.

"I'm not leaving you," Belle protested indignantly.

"Belle, I could kill you!" Ruby desperately wanted her to understand how dangerous she actually was.

"You won't," the librarian said with absolute certainty.

"Belle, I've killed before, and if I don't get control, I will do it again. The town is right to be afraid. You should be, too!" The woman was so damn stubborn, and it infuriated Ruby.

"Ruby," she set her warm hand on the taller woman's chest and stepped into her. "I have faith in you. You won't hurt me."

Ruby smiled sadly at her new lover and lowered her lips to Belle's. The wolf scratched to be free, clawing at her. The moon closed in on her, and she was powerless to stop it. Belle jerked at the cold steel suddenly around her wrist. She fisted the tanned deputy shirt, realizing that Ruby sacrificed herself because she believed she'd harm her.

"No, Ruby please! I just found you, please," Belle begged and fought against Ruby's hands as they pried hers from the shirt.

"I can't risk hurting you. I couldn't live with myself. You'll be safe here," Ruby held her hands tightly, staring into her eyes as if it was the last thing she wanted to remember before she died.

"Ruby, they'll kill you," Belle said through her tears and flung herself into Ruby's body, hands trapped between them.

"It's what I deserve. I've killed so many. It's time I pay for all I've done," Ruby murmured into her hair and then she was gone.

Belle sank to the floor arms wrapped around her stomach. Her brave and beautiful Ruby may never return, and her heart died a little.