CHAPTER THREE

"Fuck", Ruby mumbled as she quickly got off of Belle and climbed off the bed. Belle covered herself with the sheets from the bed and stared at Rumple with a sinking heart and fear rushing through her entire system at the sight of his eyes narrowing. They did that on days where she knew she would end up with bruises. Today his eyes told her, he was beyond giving bruises. They were glowing with hatred as his eyes fixated not on Belle, but Ruby.

"You'd fuckin' like that, wouldn't you?" He hissed at her.

Ruby had already gotten her shirt on and she held her arms out in front of her in a calming motion that had no effect on Rumpelstiltskin whatsoever. He walked towards the girls, crashing his cane down on the floor as he staggered forward. Ruby thought to herself that handicapped or not, this man looked terrifying.

"Belle, do you mind tellin' me what the hell is goin' on?" He snapped at his girlfriend, who was still frozen in shock, sitting on the bed with the sheets pulled up in front of her.

"I'm so sorry Rumple, I didn't mean for it to happen this way!" Belle thought she had to be careful with what to say. She couldn't say she didn't mean for it to happen, because obviously she did, but she wished Rumple wouldn't have found out. Not this way at least.

"But you did mean for it to happen? You did mean to go 'round and fuck her behind my back?" He pointed the cane at Ruby by the mention of her. "How long have you been fuckin' her, huh? How long?!" He nearly screamed the last words out, making Belle flinch.

"Look, it just happened tonight, so don't-", Ruby began, but Gold swung the cane at her with a hiss.

"You shut up! You don't get to talk in my house, you filthy little freak. Shut the fuck up while I talk to my girlfriend or I will make sure you never talk again!" Ruby resisted the urge to back away. She had never seen Rumpelstiltskin so out of his mind and she was not gonna move away and give him free space to hit Belle with that cane, he was swinging around so madly. He was holding the wooden end so the first thing to hit would the gold knob, the one Belle swore he never hit her with. Now was not gonna be the first time, if Ruby had any say in it.

"Rumple, please calm down so we can talk about this", Belle pleaded with tears in her eyes. She climbed off the bed and tied the sheet around herself. She felt horrible for upsetting Rumple like this. He was not supposed to find out this way. She would have wanted a calm conversation to explain to him how she really felt, not display her betrayal of him this way. Still, betrayal or not, she didn't regret her actions. She looked at Ruby, who had gone vividly pale and hoped they would find a way out of this.

"Don't you fuckin' look at her, Belle! Look at me and explain yourself!"

She met her boyfriend's gaze. There was madness twirling around in those eyes. Yesterday when she thought he had lost it, the darkness glowing from his eyes was nothing like this. They shone with hatred and anguish like never before.

Belle ascertained that the situation couldn't possibly get any worse, so she decided to tell the truth.

"Rumple, I'm really sorry. I didn't do it to hurt you, I love her." Ruby started as she heard Belle say this. If the whole scene hadn't been so horrifying she would have smiled. Or jumped up and down. "She came over after you left and it just happened. I didn't mean to-"

"Don't try to pin this down as my fault. You cheated on me, you betrayed me! The second I'm gone you do this? I won't stand for it you filthy, fuck-"

"Hey, don't talk to her like that!" Ruby interrupted and took a fatal step forward.

"I said shut up!" She didn't see him swing it. She didn't even see the flash of gold, before the metal knob of the cane crashed into the side of her head.

Ruby's body was sent backwards from the impact of the cane and fell lifelessly to the floor.

"Ruby!" Belle screamed and ran to her without a second thought to how Gold would react. Blood was gushing from the wound just above her left eyebrow, painting the side of her face red dramatically fast. Belle almost stumbled in the sheet wrapped around her body, as she threw herself on her knees beside the unconscious girl. Her face was white as the sheet covering Belle's figure.

"Ruby!" She cried out and tried to shake her, but to no use. The limp body just rolled back and forth with no response. The tears started falling uncontrollably as she caressed Ruby's face while continuously whispering her name. Gold stood by and watched the scene play out. Watched the blood spreading out from the open wound and soaking his expensive carpet. Watched Belle sob over the lifeless body and taking no notice of him. It wasn't until he put down the cane for support, feeling the stickiness of blood on the golden handle that Belle remembered he was still there.

She looked up at him with a face twisted in panic.

"Why did you do that? Be mad at me not her", she whispered. He stood over her with a dead, unreadable expression and Belle shortly wondered if he was going to hit her too. With the metal end that was now a shiny red instead of gold.

"Clean up after yourself, Belle", he said. Then he turned around and walked out. She could hear every thumb of the cane touching the floor down the hall and then the sound of the door to the master bedroom slamming shut.

Belle breathed in the sterile smell of hospital as she walked up the hall towards the room Ruby would be in. She hadn't been allowed to come with her in the ambulance no matter how much she screamed. They left a paramedic with her, but there was no staying with her best friend, whose life had been brought in danger because of her. They told her she would make it, but Belle couldn't come with them and she still had to stick to visiting hours.

Rumple hadn't shown his face since he walked out of the room and slammed the bedroom door behind him. She hadn't dared staying home with him, so she had gone to a hotel nearby the hospital as soon as the ambulance had left the driveway of Rumple's mansion.

Belle dreaded what she was going to be met with. There was a tiny terrified voice inside her that kept saying Ruby's condition could have deteriorated over night. The paramedics had told her that they had to get her checked for internal bleeding and the rushing with which they went about had terrified her. But she had to believe that Ruby was okay. God, she would never forgive herself, if Ruby didn't make it. She couldn't even bear the thought and pushed it aside abruptly.

Instead she thought about what had happened before Rumple interrupted. It all seemed somewhat surreal, like a dream. She had never had a better dream. She had been overwhelmed, but it had felt fight. She hadn't wanted the dream to end.

Belle didn't know how to think of their friendship now. How exactly to look at Ruby now and what to think of her. Should she consider Ruby less of a friend, because she maybe only stayed with her in hopes that something might happen? Or was the fact that Ruby stayed just evidence of how greatly she valued Belle, since she stuck around despite how much the rejections hurt? What would become of their friendship now that they might become something more? Belle found herself playing with the thought of them becoming a real thing.

What had astounded her the most was feeling exactly how much Ruby wanted her. How desirous her touch had been, when she was finally given the chance. It was flattering to say the least, but also intoxicating. Belle hoped it wouldn't be the last time she had seen this side of Ruby.

She finally reached the room and was met by Ruby's grandmother as she blocked the doorway.

"Hello Mrs. Lucas", Belle said politely and was suddenly overcome with insecurity. How much did she know about the situation? She didn't look happy, but then again, why would she with her granddaughter lying in a hospital bed. Belle bit her lip and then asked: "Can I see Ruby?"

She had her arms crossed as she examined Belle without a word. Belle felt like taking a step back. Ruby's grandmother was an intimidating woman that you didn't feel like crossing. Before she could speak, a voice called from inside.

"Granny, who is it?" Belle's heart fluttered at the sound of Ruby's voice, but at the same time a knot tightened in her stomach as she heard how thin it sounded.

"It's Belle", Mrs. Lucas said.

"Please let her in."

The old woman in front of Belle gave her another examining look, before saying: "Fine, step inside. But don't get her worked up, she needs her rest." She then stepped aside and allowed Belle in. Belle rushed past her and into the lighted room.

At first sight of Ruby, her hand flew up to her mouth.

"Oh my God, Ruby."

The left side of Ruby's face was various shades of blue, purple and black. Her hair was pulled away from her face by a thin bandage wrapped around her head, a bandage which covered her temple and most of her eyebrow. It didn't conceal much of Ruby's swollen, bruised face.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry Ruby", Belle whispered and made no effort to fight the tears building up in the corners of her eyes.

"Hey, it's not your fault", she said. Ruby was just unbelievably glad to finally see Belle. She had been waiting all day for visiting hours to roll in, knowing that Belle would be there. She had woken up in here this morning with a murderous headache and only glimpses of what had happened. Slowly it had all come back to her. The kiss. The almost making love to Belle, Belle, before being interrupted by that deranged psychopath. But before that… God, Ruby felt the strangest and most pleasant things happening inside her at the bare thought. Seeing Belle now brought back even more of it, added nuance to it. Like the look on Belle's face when she had first kissed her. And Belle kissed her first. She had been so shocked, so unable to believe it and like always, Belle knew how to handle her. God, she really knew how to handle her. Ruby couldn't remember having ever felt as ecstatic as she did last night.

And now Belle was standing there with tears in her eyes. Ruby wouldn't let her take all the good out of what happened. "Hey, don't cry. Come here", she said and reached out a hand. Belle took it and smiled through her tears. Ruby shot a glance at Granny. Granny had always been the one there for Ruby and being the closest thing Ruby had ever had to a mother. She had been here when Ruby woke up and Ruby had told her everything. For the same reason, no words were needed, when she silently asked her grandmother to give them privacy. Her Granny nodded and stepped outside, closing the door behind her.

Belle followed the woman with her eyes and turned back to Ruby as the door closed.

"I'm so glad you're okay. Are you in pain?"

Ruby tried to shrug, but the motion made her head hurt so much she felt dizzy. She tried to hide most of it from Belle, seeing how it actually seemed to cause her an equal amount of pain.

"It's not so bad, I'll manage." She realized she almost used the exact same words Belle had when acknowledging her own bruises. "Are you okay?"

Belle nodded and told Ruby that she was staying at a hotel nearby for now.

"So you haven't talked to him?"

"No. I don't know when I'll talk to him again. It doesn't matter, I left him."

"You did?" The surprise made Ruby jerk and then wince at the pain in her head. She had always hoped Belle would leave the maniac, but didn't dare hope it would be this soon. Maybe last night changed more than she had hoped for, while lying in here all day, thinking about it.

Belle nodded again. "I did. I went home to pack my things, while he was at work today and it's all at the hotel now."

Ruby fell back on the pillow and smiled. "I'm glad. I was afraid I was gonna have to fight him for you. Again."

"No, don't even say that Ruby!" Belle looked shocked. To be honest Ruby wasn't sure if she had meant it as a joke, but either way she was terrified at the thought of ever being in the same room as that man again, even if she wouldn't admit it. "No, you don't. It was due time I got out, all of this made me see that. I let myself be hurt by him for too long, but I will not stand for him hurtin' you. That's where I draw the line."

"You really should have drawn that line earlier." Ruby sighed and then added: "Belle, I think you should get yourself checked out while you're here. All the bruises. You could have internal bleeding."

"Why don't we worry about you for now?" Belle said, but thought about it. She might. It would be an important step in stopping the denial and start making right decisions. Like that she had been making on the way here in extent of the one last night.

She looked at Ruby trying to judge if the girl's face was too sore to be touched. The green eyes staring back at her seemed to be longing for it. She reached out a hand and tried with a gentle touch, caressing the part of Ruby's face that still wore her normal, pale color. She didn't flinch.

"I told you it wasn't that bad." Ruby said with the playful smile, she hoped would invite Belle closer. She had that look in her eyes again. Same as last night. Curious in a way. Belle returned the smile and finally leaned down to Ruby, pressing her lips to Ruby's softly. Ruby would never have admitted that it did hurt a little, because every cell in her body was doing the happy dance and she brought up a hand to hold Belle to her as she moved her lips against the other girl's. Belle kept it sweet and chaste, afraid to put too much force into it, even though she secretly wanted to. Nonetheless it made Ruby feel dizzy, but with delight this time opposed to the other dizziness she was feeling. Her hand tightened in Belle's hair and she stuck out her tongue to trace the texture of Belle's lips. At that Belle pulled away reluctantly, but she felt it was the responsible thing to do.

"Ruby, you are in no condition to be engagin' that sort of thing. I promised your grandmother I wouldn't get you worked up."

Ruby pouted and flashed her best puppy-eyes at Belle. It made her smile, but she didn't budge. So Ruby gave up and instead she said: "I know. I just felt like I should take a shot at it, while I had the chance."

"You'll get another chance", Belle said with earnestness in her voice. She watched with a growing smile as Ruby's face lit up.

"Are you really serious?"

Belle squeezed her hand tight, feeling like that could take the extra force.

"Yes, I am. I want to be with you Ruby. I've been thinkin' about it all day and I want to give it a try."

Ruby's was positively beaming like the sun at the sound of Belle's affirmation. She brought her other hand to their connected hands. She felt unable to express with words how happy she was. Like the months of hurting and hoping wasn't in vain after all.

"Kiss me again", she pleaded with a smile that she was unable to take off her face. "I promise I'll be good."

Belle laughed, making Ruby laugh with her and not caring about the pain in her skull as Belle leaned in again and kissed her best friend.

Like so many times now, Belle walked the sterile, white hall leading to Ruby's room. She came in and walked straight to the bed. She took a moment to stare at the beautiful girl lying there. The swelling and bruising wasn't so painfully visible anymore. She looked so peaceful. Belle hoped she was.

Carefully she leaned down and placed a tender kiss across the healthy cheekbone of her best friend.

"I did it, Ruby", She whispered in her ear. "I won the case."

She sat down and told her all about it. The day Ruby was admitted had been the initiating step. Belle had gone up after visiting hours were over to get someone to check her. It was nothing serious, but the doctor added arguments to Ruby's and convinced Belle that she should stand up for herself. She smiled at the memory of Ruby promising to stand up and testify against him, but of course she hadn't been able to do that. Being in with her in her heart had been enough for Belle though. She had won and Gold was now serving his time.

"Ruby, you should have seen the look on his face. I'll never get that image out of my head again. He looked as broken as ever and at the same time so menacing. Like I was betraying him. I felt a little like I was, and I know what you'll want to say here, but I did anyway. I'm glad it's over now. I don't have to ever see him again."

The door opened and Mrs. Lucas came in, holding a cup of coffee.

"Their coffee is horrible. I should have brought my own. So tell me, how did it go?"

Belle smiled at her. "I won."

She returned the smile. "Congratulations girl."

"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you. And you'll be pleased to hear that I'll start lookin' for my own place now."

The old woman shook her head. "Nonsense dear, it's been no problem having you." Belle thought back to a couple of weeks ago, when she found this woman absolutely terrifying. Belle had had mixed feelings, when she offered Belle to stay with her and Ruby, until she found something that wasn't Gold's mansion or a hotel room that would have ruined her economically. They had grown on each other through time as Ruby's grandmother had accepted the feelings Belle had for her granddaughter. Belle was beyond grateful to have had her support.

She cast another loving glance at Ruby, taking in her beauty. The tubes and wires didn't matter, Belle saw right through those.

"Has there been any change?" She asked without taking her eyes off the girl.

"No, none yet. The doctors said to wait it out."

Belle nodded and smiled vaguely. She would wait as long as it took.

Ruby had been in a medically induced coma for five weeks now. The day after she was admitted she had a seizure and an additional scan showed a hemorrhage, as the doctors calls it. Internal bleeding in her brain. They had to put her under to prevent brain damage. Belle put her faith in science like she always did and she knew within her heart that Ruby would come back to her eventually.

She couldn't wait to see those bright green eyes again.

This was all I had stuck in my head, so there won't be any more of it. If you want to know the corny truth I got the idea from listening to Mario's "Let me love you". Cheesy song, I know, but it's kind of sweet. Of course some pronouns of the lyrics are slightly changed, when I sing it. Hope you're not too mad at me about the ending. And I want to say for the record, that I absolutely love Rumple and Belle's relationship in the show and I hope this 'story' doesn't offend anyone's love for it.