Lacey walked into the house with her book clutched at her side. She couldn't shake the strange feeling she had after her encounter with Ruby. She had never seen this woman before in her life, but the moment she looked into her eyes, she felt like she had known her forever. She placed her book down on the coffee table and started to take off her coat when she heard the door slam. She did her best to refrain from rolling her eyes at the sound of his cane hitting the wood floor as he came closer to her.

"I don't know what has gotten into you over the last few days, Lacey," he said, obviously trying to contain the anger in his tone. He took off his coat and tossed it on the couch. "But this attitude of yours needs to stop and stop now."

Her eyes narrowed as she turned to face him. "I am not a child, and I would appreciate it if you would stop speaking to me like one," she snapped back. She crossed her arms against her chest. "You want to know what's wrong with me?"

He gripped his cane in front of himself with both hands. "Go on."

"I'm tired. I am tired of being cooped up in this house." She sighed. "I am over my life consisting of home, work, home." She took a step forward. "I need to have a life outside of us." She ran her hand through her hair. "If I don't get some space soon, I'm going to go insane." She stepped closer so she was standing directly in front of him. "I feel like you don't trust me."

Mr. Gold looked at her without a word. It wasn't her he didn't trust. It was true love. The magnet that would bring her and her beast back together. Even though it wouldn't break the curse, it would still make him lose the one thing he craved.

Companionship.

He exhaled heavily as he lowered his head. He raised his attention to her once again. "I do trust you, Lacey," he sighed, reaching out to rub her arm. "I – I just think it's best if you stay away from certain members of this town."

She raised an eyebrow. "You mean like Ruby?"

He nodded. "I mean exactly that."

"She seemed sweet. What's your problem with her?"

He gripped his cane. "She's too uninhibited. She's wild, uncaring." He huffed. "You don't need someone like that in your life." He reached out, touching her face. "If you want to have space, then have it. Just..." He sighed again. "Try and stay away from her."

"It's a small town. I'm bound to run into her again," she said. She fought the smile that was trying to make its way across her lips at the thought. She hoped she would see her again.

His jaw twitched. "Just don't go out of your way to befriend her," he requested. He shrugged his shoulder. "At least respect my wishes that much."

She bit gently down on her lower lip and nodded. "Okay. I won't," she lied.

It was the first time in their relationship that she felt the need to do it and she didn't feel the slightest bit guilty. There was a part of her that was craving to see this woman again. The small amount of contact with her made her feel more alive than all her time with Gold. She wanted to feel that way again.

He smiled at her. "Well, I'm going to go up to bed." He touched her arm. "Will you be joining me?"

She felt her body shudder at the thought. It was the first time she had ever done that. "In a moment," she said. "I've just got to grab a few things for tomorrow."

"Very well." He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

She stiffened at the contact. He moved back and smiled at her. She forced herself to smile in return. She watched as he made his way slowly up the stairs. Once he was gone, she turned and walked into his private office where he kept a list of the entire town. She opened the book, scanning for her name. When she found it, she smiled broadly.

"Well, I know where I'm having lunch tomorrow," she said softly as she bit her lip lightly and walked out of the office.

Ruby rushed through the back of the Diner, fumbling to tie her apron. She dodged the cook just as he turned to grab something from the freezer. She flashed him an apologetic look and made her way toward the doors leading to the dining area. Just as she reached out to push it open, Granny came barreling through.

She jumped back, placing her hand over her heart. "Granny! You almost ran into me!"

Granny flashed her an angry look. "Maybe I wouldn't have done that if you were out on the floor like you're supposed to be," she growled as she walked passed her. She placed the plates she was carrying down. "But thank you for showing up at the end of the lunch rush."

Ruby sighed and rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry. I overslept."

Granny placed her hand on her hip. "Well, maybe if you weren't running around The Rabbit Hole until all hours every night, you'd be better rested."

Ruby opened her mouth to argue but quickly closed it. She raised her hands. "I'm not doing this now."

"Fine." Granny waved her hand, ushering her out of the kitchen. "Go do some work then."

She grunted as she pushed the door opened and walked into the Diner. She stopped short when she saw Lacey sitting in a booth reading a book. She tilted her head, a grin spreading across her lips. She didn't remember ever seeing her in her before. Her eyes scanned the Diner. There was no sign of Gold. Lacey was alone.

She took in a deep breath and sauntered over to the booth. "Well, we meet again," she greeted as Lacey raised her eyes. She felt her knees go weak. She leaned against the booth to keep her balance.

"Well, hello," Lacey greeted, placing her book down. "I didn't know you worked here." She mentally cursed herself. Lying to Gold was one thing. Lying to Ruby made her feel guilty. "I mean, I knew you were a waitress … just not here…" Her voice trailed into silence as she decided it would be better to stop speaking.

"Yeah, my Granny owns this place. So..." She raised her hand, then allowed it to slap against her thigh. "This is my hell." She pointed at Lacey's empty glass. "Can I get you another drink?"

"Oh, please, thank you." She picked up the glass and handed it to Ruby. The waitress' hand wrapped around it, brushing against her own. She shivered lightly at the contact, hoping it wasn't noticeable. "I – I was drinking ice tea."

Ruby's hand lingered on hers for a moment. She regained her sense and slowly removed the glass from her hand. "Okay, I, uh, I'll be right back." She walked away, glancing back to see Lacey watching her leave. She smiled, causing Lacey to do the same before quickly turning away.

"Who is she?" Leroy asked, looking over his shoulder at Lacey.

Ruby reached out, placing her hand on his chin, and turning his head. "No, Leroy," she ordered, walking behind the counter. "Don't even look at her."

"Defensive," he noted with a grin. "Thinking of switching teams?" He glanced back at Lacey. "Because I would not blame you one bit."

Ruby narrowed her eyes at him. "You can be such a leech sometimes." She began filling Lacey's glass. "She's with Gold."

Shock registered quickly on his face. He pointed over his shoulder at her. "She's with Gold?" He shook his head. "No way."

"Yes way."

Leroy huffed as he brought his drink to his lips. "Someone needs to save that girl."

Ruby nodded in agreement as she wiped the bit of tea that overflowed from the glass. She looked over at Lacey who was reading her book once again. Something inside of her wanted to be the one to save her. She felt so connected to this woman and she hadn't really spent any time with her. Her eyes brightened as a thought came to her head. She walked quickly from around the counter and back to Lacey.

"Here you go." She placed the ice tea down.

Lacey put her book down again and smiled up at her. "Thank you."

Ruby motioned her eyes toward the booth. "Do you mind if I join you for a second?"

Lacey shook her head. She raised her hand. "Please, be my guest."

Ruby looked around to make sure Granny was nowhere in sight. When she saw it was clear, she sat down in the booth across from Lacey. She motioned her head toward the book. "What are you reading?"

"Oh..." Lacey picked up the book, showing her the cover. "The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne." She placed it back down, folding her hands in front of her. "Have you ever read it?"

Ruby shook her head. "I don't really read much." She played with the red streak in her hair. "How would you like to come out with me tonight?" She noticed the surprise on Lacey's face. It probably mirrored her own. She didn't even realize she was going to ask the question until the words escaped her lips. "We – uh – we could go have a drink. At the Rabbit Hole?"

Lacey couldn't stop her smile. "I'd love to."

Ruby's smile mirrored hers. "That's great!" she responded, with more enthusiasm than she had planned. She cleared her throat to compose herself. "I would say I'd pick you up, but your boyfriend isn't exactly my biggest fan."

Lacey chuckled lightly. "I understand. I'll meet you there around...?" She raised her eyebrow in a questioning manner.

"Ten?"

"It's a date…" Lacey paused as she looked down at the table embarrassed. She raised her attention to Ruby again, her cheeks a little flushed. "I'll see you tonight."

"Sounds good." Ruby smiled brightly as she stood from the booth. She pressed her hands on the table top and leaned down. "Wear something sexy." She stared into Lacey's eyes.

Lacey stared back and smirked. "You can count on it."

Ruby straightened and walked away from the table. She brought her hand to her forehead as she continued to walk toward the kitchen. "Wear something sexy? Did I seriously just tell her that?" she muttered as she placed her hand on the door, pushed it open and hurried inside the kitchen.