I actually hadn't planned on finishing it, but there seems to be some interest in this idea. This chapter is a bit rough and definitely a transition. Let me know what you think. If there is enough of a response, I'll keep it going. I'm also going to up the rating.

All characters belong to ABC.

Ruby sat in the floor of the shower. The hot water had run out long ago, but she was still not planning on moving anytime soon. The stream of water beat down on her body, and mixed with the tears that were still streaming down her face. She was amazed that she still had the ability to cry. She felt so numb and had cried so much. She cried, because she had lost her Granny, the only blood she had left, the woman that had loved her and raised her, the one person that truly understood her burden. She was gone now and it had been at her best friend's hand. She cried over that betrayal. It had been an accident, but she was too grief stricken to even begin trying to comprehend that. Snow had never slipped and watching Ruby's struggled had helped her with her own, but here they were. Snow had lite the candle over the wrong heart. Ruby would never be able to forgive her. Not completely. Not really. She had lost her best friend and sister, and, of course, had cried for that as well. Finally, what felt like hours later, she found the strength to get up out of the bottom of the shower. She let herself go on to autopilot. She dried off, brushed her teeth, put on fresh pajamas. She wasn't going to leave the house, and putting on real clothes was too much of a hassle for staying in. She twisted her hair into a bun and secured it. The next logical thing to do was to eat. She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten and wasn't sure she would be able to even now, but she had to at least try. She walked slowly down the stairs and into the kitchen. It was exactly the way Granny had left it. She couldn't find it in her to move even one thing, so she sat at the table in defeat. She put her head in her hands and closed her eyes. How was she going to make it on her own? She had never been completely alone before. She had Granny, then Snow, and eventually even David and the dwarves. She knew she was stronger than she believed, but this was the first time in her entire life where she had no direction. She was adrift on a sea with no idea which way was north.

A knock on the back door pulled her from her spiral of depression and self-pity. No one used that door except for Granny and herself. The back yard was contained by 8 foot tall fencing and no gate. The ivy grew over the sides giving it the false sense of isolation in the middle of the town. She rose from her seat, curiosity peeked, and went to the door. She was very surprised to see the pirate standing there. She open the door enough to let him in, then quickly shut it behind him. "What are you doing here?"

Killian couldn't help but notice she looked even younger that when she had been on his ship the week before. Her face was completely natural and her hair was pulled up with strands falling out and framing her face, softening the otherwise harsh hairstyle. Her eyes however were still full of sadness and watery from crying. Then he realized she had asked him a question and was waiting on a reply. "I'm here, because I need your help." She looked confused. He didn't know whether to laugh or feel flattered. She obviously didn't think he would need anything to accomplish the task of getting rid of Rumplestiltskin. "Why would you think I can help you?"

"Well I can't go to Regina, and that charming little family is now close to the crocodile. Also, there is the fact that you are the one that freed me." Her face didn't change at all through his explanation.

"I didn't think about that. I guess you will want to stay here as well?" Her tone was more matter of fact that upset.

"If there is any room that would be lovely. I have been run off my own ship it seems. They will be looking for me everywhere."

"Not everywhere. No one will believe that I would ever hide you here. They have no idea that I've gone rogue, for the lack of a better term. Luckily for you, the only guest we had is now staying with the Dwarves, so it will be just you and me here." It was clear to Killian that she had made up her mind. He would be staying here and whatever happened they would be staying very low key. He waited for her to speak again, but she remained silent. She had moved away from him and was looking out the window. It was the first time he was allowed to openly stare at her. She was tall, had a complexion that reminded him of porcelain, her hair was dark and obviously long, her eyes were a color somewhere between green and blue, and he briefly wondered if they sparkled when she smiled. Right now seeing a real smile on her face was about as likely as him giving up on his revenge. She was a beautiful woman and he couldn't help but see the similarities between her and him Milah. He waited a few minutes more. She still didn't move or speak and he wondered if she had forgotten him completely. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

Ruby was brought back out of her thoughts by the noise of someone clearing their throat. The pirate. How on earth was she able to forget about him while he was standing only 5 feet away from her? He looked amused that she had jumped. She chalked up her lack of attention to the grief she was currently going through. "I'm sorry. I just got lost for a second."

"Not a problem." He was going to continue but the sound of her stomach interrupted. Ruby could feel the blush creep into her cheeks. "When was the last time you ate, love?" She was uncomfortable with the endearment, but doubted she could get him to stop using it. "I don't really remember. It's been an overwhelming week." She trailed off. Her memories threatening to take over. She barely caught the softening of his face. "Sometimes when you are that upset it's hard to remember silly little things like eating." It was said in such a kind way that she was taken aback and one side of her face turned upward involuntarily. It felt wrong to smile though and she immediately backed away from it and focused on getting him settled, so she could go back to being alone in her room. Today already felt overwhelming. "If you follow me, I can show you to your room."

"Lead on, my lady."

Killian followed her to a room at the end of the hall. The inside was large, and it had a desk, a bookshelf, and two large windows. "This is a very nice room." Killian was doing his best here to be kind. The girl looked as fragile as a baby bird, and he knew that she would need to deal with most of her grief before she would be any real use to him. "The bathroom is the second door on the left and my room is the one right next door. You saw the kitchen, and the living room is down the stairs and to the right. If you have any questions you know where to find me. Enjoy your stay." The last was said with a sarcastic and very forced smile. Killian waited for her to enter her room before falling onto the bed and starting on his plans to help this girl so he could get his revenge.

Ruby wasn't exactly sure why she had put him next door to her. Maybe it was because she didn't want to feel so alone. Maybe it was because she wanted him to be close enough to keep an eye on. She wasn't sure, but felt that it was most likely both. She laid in her bed grateful for something else to thing about for the first time in a week. Then she heard a knock on the front door.

She rose quickly knowing that this wasn't Ashley with an update on the diner, she had a key. She knew that whoever it was she didn't want to see them. She exited her room and saw Killian poking his head out of his door. She gave him a quick once over, before telling him simply to 'Stay'. She padded down the stairs and approached the front door. She slowly opened it, blinking repetitively trying to get her eyes to adjust to the sun. There on her door step, was someone she had been expecting to see sooner or later.

"Hi, Ruby."

"Emma."

I bet you all thought it was gonna be Snow :) It's a little early for that confrontation. Besides Mary Margaret would be a mess right now. Read and Review.