"Hey, if you need a place to figure things out, you could always come home with us," Mary Margret offered as Emma quickly shot her a look.

"Yeah, uh. Yeah. Just for a little while," Emma added as Mary Margret shook her head.

She reached out and took Ruby's arm. "Come on."

"Ruby, you were great out there. I still don't know how you found him. You can do this," Emma encouraged. "You are a lot stronger than you realize."

Ruby walked down the street with her hands tucked inside the pockets of her jeans. Her eyes focused on her feet as she made the journey to the Diner. It seemed like an eternity since she had walked out of those doors. Now, she was slowly attempting to make her way back in.

The memories of the day she left ran through her mind – her fight with Granny over growing up and learning responsibility, her storming out of the Diner and then seeing Lacey sitting on the front stoop of the Inn. Then, her world came crashing down around her. Lacey told her they couldn't see each other anymore. It was over.

She wanted to leave and never return. She waited at that bus stop for hours, for a bus that never came. She brushed off a leech of a man who was promising her a ride home, but she knew where he wanted to take her. Thank God for Mary Margret and Emma. If it wasn't for them, who knows where she would have ended up.

After working with Emma, she found something in herself she never knew existed. She was determined. She was strong. She was a fighter. If she wanted something, nothing would stand in her way.

And she wanted Lacey.

Lacey was worth any risk.

She entered the Diner and walked inside. She immediately caught Granny's attention and smiled innocently. She took a small step forward, resting her hands on the counter. "Hi…" she greeted softly.

Granny looked her up and down. Ruby's hair was straight, free of the usual abundance of product. Her red streaks were less shocking, blending nicely with her dark hair. Her usual extravagant use of makeup was toned down. Her outfit consisted of a red flannel shirt and a pair of form fitting jeans. It was the most mature outfit she owned, and she felt completely comfortable in it.

Granny offered a small smile. "You look nice," she complemented as she returned her attention to her paperwork.

Ruby smiled. "Thank you." She pressed her teeth into her lower lip as she played nervously with her hands. "Granny … I was wondering … if I could have my job back?"

The older woman raised her head. "What about your new job? All the excitement..?"

Ruby rolled her eyes and patted the counter. "I think I've had my fill of that type of excitement." The only thrill she wanted in her life was from having Lacey back in it.

Granny stared at her for a moment before stepping around the counter. She opened her arms. "Welcome home, Ruby."

Ruby stepped forward and gave her a tight hug. "Thank you, Granny."

The older woman rubbed her back, giving her a small squeeze before moving away. "I have something I need you to do," she stated as she stepped back around the counter.

"Not even a second to settle in?" Ruby laughed.

Granny shook her head. "Of course not." She picked up her pen and pointed toward the window. "I need you to go to the library. There's a cookbook we usually check out. Max wants to try out a recipe." She looked down at the papers. "Ask Lacey. She knows which book it is."

"You want me to go the library?" Ruby questioned. She could feel the excitement building at the thought of seeing Lacey again.

Granny peered at her over her glasses. "Is that a problem?"

She shook her head. "No, no, not at all." She walked toward the door as fast as her feet would allow. She pulled the door open. "I'll be back!"

Lacey sorted through her new shipment of books and exhaled heavily. She tossed one down on the counter unable to focus on her task any longer. It had been at least a week since she had seen Ruby. She couldn't stop thinking about her. All she could see was the crushed look on her face when she told her it was over.

She closed her eyes, running her hand over her face. The sound of the library door opening and closing brought her from her daze. She raised her head and put on her best smile. Her greeting caught in her throat at the sight of Ruby, looking absolutely stunning, staring at her.

"Hey…" Ruby greeted as she flashed her adorably perfect smile.

Lacey felt her knees get weak. She pressed her hand onto the counter top to stop herself from collapsing. She opened her mouth several times to respond, but nothing came out. She had to say something. Ruby was looking at her as if she had lost her mind.

She regained her composure and tried again. "Hey…" she managed finally. Her eyes looked over the woman standing in front of her. "You look – " She paused as her brain processed the million different compliments she wanted to give.

Ruby looked down at herself, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Oh, yeah, I decided maybe it was time for a change."

"Well, you look beautiful," she stated. "Not that you haven't always looked beautiful…." Her words trailed into silence as she bit her lip to stop herself from saying too much.

Ruby released a small, soft laugh. "Thanks…"

They stood in an awkward silence for several minutes. Each time one went to speak, the other would talk over them. They would pause then tell each other to go first. This went on several times. Lacey finally took the first step.

"Ruby, I'm sorry. I should really expla – "

"You don't have to."

"But, I do. He threatened to hurt you, Ruby. I couldn't – "

Ruby waved her hand, cutting her off. "Lacey, you were trying to protect me. I get it. It's okay."

Ruby could see the hurt in Lacey's eyes. She knew Lacey was just trying to protect her, but she didn't need protecting. She needed Lacey. She didn't care what it took or what stunt she had to pull, she would have her back.

"Granny sent me over to get some cookbook," she explained, changing the subject. "She said you know which one she checks out."

Lacey looked confused by the sudden shift in conversation. Obviously Ruby didn't want to discuss their former relationship any longer. She cleared her throat and shifted into librarian mode. "Uh, yes, of course." She turned and pointed toward a large bookcase. "It's over here."

She started walking toward the center of the library. Ruby followed her as she turned down a narrow aisle. She followed closely as Lacey walked slowly, scanning each shelf. Ruby didn't realize exactly how close to Lacey she was until the librarian turned and knocked her back into one of the bookcases. They were facing each other with just inches between them.

"Oh, sorry." Ruby apologized, even though she wasn't. "Am I in your way?"

Lacey felt her body shiver at the closeness. She felt light-headed from the scent of her intoxicating perfume. Every inch of her was screaming to find a way to be closer. She took a small step forward. "Actually, the book I need is right behind you," she said, her tone low. She reached up, stumbling into Ruby. "Sorry…."

Ruby kept eye contact, her hands instinctively resting on Lacey's hips, their lips mere centimeters apart. "It's okay..."

They stayed that way for only a second before giving in to their want. Their lips met in a passionate kiss. Lacey's hand lowered, gripping the back of Ruby's neck. She wanted her closer as impossible as it seemed. Ruby lifted her from the ground. The librarian's legs instantly wrapped around her waist. Ruby pushed her back against the opposite bookcase, causing it to rock due to the impact.

Lacey tangled her hand in back of Ruby's dark hair. Her eyes closed instantly as Ruby began to kiss her neck. "Ruby…" she moaned, taking in a sharp breath as Ruby's teeth nicked her ear. She gripped her hair tightly, practically pulling as the sensations ripped through her body. "Ruby … we have … we have … to stop."

Ruby pulled back quickly, still holding Lacey against the bookcase. She did her best to slow her breathing before she spoke. "Why? You don't want to be with me?"

Lacey looked stunned. "Of course I do. You don't know how much I've missed you."

"Do you still love me?"

Lacey touched her face. She looked into her eyes sincerely. "More than anything."

Ruby smiled. "Then what's the problem?

"Gold," Lacey frowned. "He's supposed to stop by soon. If he finds you here, he'll kill you."

Ruby stared deeply into her beautiful blue eyes that were dark with passion. She shrugged. "I don't care," she muttered as she moved forward, kissing her again.

Lacey pulled away, holding her face in her hands. She looked confused. "Wait, what?"

"I don't care," Ruby repeated, smiling widely. "If I die..." She brushed her lips against Lacey's. "I want to die kissing you…"

Lacey couldn't stop her smile from spreading across her lips. "That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me," she stated, closing the space between them and pressing her lips to Ruby's. Ruby smiled through their kiss. "It's true..." She moved back reluctantly, her hazel eyes matching the darkness in the blue staring back at her. "I love you, Lacey. I'm not losing you. Not again."

Lacey felt a tear run down her cheek as she caressed Ruby's beautiful face. She went to speak, but the sound of the door opening stopped her. She heard him call her and Ruby quickly placed her back on her feet. She turned her head. "I'll be right there!" she called out. She turned back to Ruby. "You should go. There's a back door over there."

Ruby shook her head. "Lacey…"

Lacey interrupted her protest with another kiss. She looked into her eyes. "We'll meet tomorrow, after the library closes."

Ruby smiled, brightly. "In the middle?"

Lacey's smile mirrored hers. "Yes…"

When Ruby turned to leave, Lacey grabbed her shirt to stop her. She handed her the cookbook and Ruby chuckled. "Almost forgot," she admitted as she kissed her again. "I love you."

"I love you," Lacey responded as Ruby ran down the aisle and exited the library.