Though she would miss her fellow roommates, and in some degree her supervisor as well, it felt good to go back into the routine that she has grown up on. It placed a soft smile on her face when she woke up under a familiar sea of red, dark velvet design showing threw. When she had wiggled her head out from under her blanket, her eyes would always scan the room that she, literally, grew up in. Despite her growing and changing taste, you could always find a little piece of her from when it was transformed from her nursery to her first "big girl room" to now. There was also that one piece that did not belong to her but to the one that used the room before her, the sky blue currants that would blow softly for they were on top of the air duct.

They were there from the beginning, the tattered ends scraping the wood floors on a cool night, and if you spread out the one that was closes to her bed you can see small pin like holes where she bit into the blue cotton when she was teething... Her grandmother laughed when she saw her standing in her crib with the curtain hanging out of her mouth, a wet spot already forming, turning the light blue material dark. The older woman laughed and shook her head, reaching for the camera that she kept on top of the dresser for moments like these. The seven month babe gave off a faint snarl when the flash went off, soaking the curtain, and her chin, with drool. Her grandmother went over to where the babe stood and proceeded to free the curtain from its currant drool filled fate. The babe was less than thrilled in losing her only relief and started to cry, foot kicking the wood bars.

"Shh shh it's okay it's okay," the older woman picked up the screaming baby and attempted to sooth the upset child. "Granny's here and she's going to make everything better," the babe settled down a little and she was carried out of the room, leaving the drool spotted curtain to dry in the sun, the blue material now sporting small pin like holes...

Now, years later, the curtains made her smile and it was one of the favorite stories that she loved hearing from Granny. For some reason or another those curtains brought a sense of comfort and home. It never once crossed her mind to change the curtains because it didn't match her style or they were out dated, in a way these curtains were a part of the room just like the floors and the walls. After giving herself a good stretch, she replaced her comforter in its rightful place, folding the top down so that it wouldn't cover her pillows. After showering and dressed in a pair leather pants, a red button down and with signature red lips, Ruby Lucas was ready for the upcoming day.

She founded her grandmother where she expected her to be, in the kitchen, placing the final touches on the lunches she made. The basket that she would take around town was already packed and ready to go and by now she knew what to do and do it with her eyes closed. She went over to the hall closet and pulled out her red plaid vest jacket with leather sleeves and black boater hat, tilting it so that it covered more the back of her head than the top. With a kiss to her grandmother's cheek, she was off.

For as long she could remember Granny has run her side lunch business, and she dedicated herself to it. She remembered when she was three, waving her grandmother goodbye while Dr. Hopper watched her for the short time the elder Lucas' was out doing this, and it was pouring rain... Her grandmother came back soaked to the bone and the next day developed a really bad cold. Dr. Hopper begged and pleaded with her to not go out that day, to stop and take care of her health but she refused in the name of her granddaughter. With the argument lost the ginger hair doctor sighed and sat down on the couch. At three she didn't fully understand what was happening or why her grandmother was adamant about making these deliveries but only that she was causing her grandmother pain, so she went into her room and hid under her comforter, curled into a small ball and cried her little eyes out. It was dark when the blanket was lifted off of her and her grandmother, with her red nose and flushed cheeks, smiled sweetly at her, brushing away some of the wavy brown hair off her face.

"You my little wolf need a hair cut," the statement started the flow of tears that at some point stopped and left dry marks on her young cheeks.

"Me don't wants no hairs cuts," the elder woman tilted her head, confused.

"Why not? I thought you loved getting your hair cut?"

"Becash I don't wants a hairs cuts if its hurt you."

"Oh baby," Ms. Lucas scooped up the sobbing girl, rocking and humming softly to her to get the girl to calm down. "Look at me baby girl," the little girl refused to look at her grandmother, until the older woman placed a hand on her cheek and moved her head so that she was. "I know you might not understand it now but know that I do what I do to support us and give my shaggy wolf pup a hair cut," the little girl laughed as her grandmother ruffled her hair a little and tickled her tummy. "You feel better now little wolf?"

"Yesh," she then puffed out her cheeks and pumped her little fist in the air. "Littles wolsh hungy. Feeds me!" Ms. Lucas smiled, the crows feet at her eyes deepened a little.

"Okay little wolf lets get you fed," hand in hand grandmother and granddaughter left the room, with the girl chattering happily away...

After that Ruby did anything she could to help out her grandmother. She didn't fully understand why her grandmother needed the extra job till she understand income and money and what not. Granny's job didn't pay much, especially now that a portion of it went to cover her tuition fees, but it was income and making lunches gave them a little extra cushion during winter and summer breaks to supplement the slight loss that came with her grandmothers break cheeks. And now that she was older she could help out more than ever.

Normally the people that ordered ahead and lived in town would get it first, usually in the early morning, around ten so that there would be more time to drive up to the university and set up her table. But now that she was helping out she could do the in town deliveries herself, which was better for they were mostly ordered in bulk. Offices would pool their money together and order lunch for the next day, the local deli would order a bunch to sell, giving them a portion of the sells out of respect for Ms. Lucas for she was a well respected figure in town. There was always one extra wrapped package, a salad and tuna sandwich, for Dr. Hopper, rather he ordered them or not. It was the least that Ms. Lucas could do for her friend and every time the ginger hair doctor would try to pay for the lunches but neither Lucas would take his money so in turn he would buy Ruby lunch. It became a routine with them, she welcomed it with little resistance.

The deli became her last stop in her route, she would set up the butcher's order at the display case that he left open for her. By then Dr. Hopper would be there, greeting the butcher as he entered and pay for the cheeseburger and medium soda that she always order and would be ready by the time she was done setting up the display of salads, sandwichs, and wraps. She and Dr. Hopper would talk for a minute until they broke off with him going back to his office and she home. But something made her stop and think, the library was... open?

The library in town has always been locked and boarded up, with out dated newspaper covering the windows. The newspaper was gone, showing the rows and rows of books on stainless steel cases. There was dust covering the cases and the few tables, but not as much as Ruby thought there would be. She stopped mid sip when she saw something that caught her breath. Belle, in a dark blue dress that showed off her freckles, twirled around happily with a few books on her hip. She set the small stack on the table and opened the top cover, checking for something, satisfied she scanned the case with her eyes until she found what she wanted and placed the book where it needed it to be. When she turned back around she did a slight double take and smiled at her through the window. Ruby smiled back at her but when she did the soda that she was holding in her mouth slipped passed her lips in a waterfall of sugary brown liquid. Ruby looked down and coughed quickly. She looked up again and attempted another smile, which she succeeded in, wiping away some of the remaining liquid on her lips with the pad of her thumb. The chestnut brunet returned her smile with a soft smile of her own. Ruby entered the library, the sent of musk and dust filled her lungs, she leaned against the door wanting to give the young librarian assistant some space just in case.

"Ruby," Belle's soft Australian accent filled voice danced in her ears and made her heart did that pleasant flutter in her chest. "What brings you by?"

"I... uh... I," Ruby closed her eyes to make her mind stop for a minute and think before she spoke again. "I help my grandmother with her little side business and I was starting home when I saw that the windows were newspaper free and just wanted to see what was going on is all. Sorry if I am in any way intruding."

"No its alright you're no trouble it is a public library after all I cannot stop someone from being here unless they are breaking the rules you know?"

"Yeah that seems fair, 'respect the books or respect the sidewalks'," Belle laughed at the red streak brunet as she crossed her arms and pursed her lips, dropping her voice an octave.

"I like that."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Man maybe Granny's right and I should telemarketing the things that come out of my mouth. That can become your slogan you know write it on a little sign and hang it just outside the door as a warning. Create a little scare."

"I will take that into consideration," Ruby followed the other girl as she went to the desk that had a computer monitor which sported a second skin made out of dust. Ruby joined her and set the paper cup in front of her and the basket that she was caring on the floor by her feat. She took out the aluminum wrapped cheeseburger, that was luckily still warm.

'Do you want half?" Belle looked at the silver circle that was in the other girls grasp.

"What is it?"

"A cheeseburger with a small fries."

"Sure I guess I never had a cheese burger before."

"Never?" the chestnut shook her head and Ruby's jaw went slack in shock. "Well you are missing out on one of the worlds greatest pleasures and miss out no longer," Ruby peeled the foil from the hot sandwich, splitting it, and giving the larger half to the other girl. "Do you want ketchup or mustard? I know that there are at least a packet or two in here," she rampaged threw the bag to pull out several whit packets, with pictures of red and yellow bottles on them.

"I don't know I never had ketchup or mustard."

"Yikes that's worst than never having a cheeseburger. For now why don't you eat the burger plain and eat the fries with ketchup and mustard, that way if you don't like one or both or them you would only be wasting a fry and not a perfectly good burger."

"I will do that thank you," Ruby raised her paper cup in the air.

"Cheers," Belle reached into one of the desk drawers where she kept her bag and pulled out the thermos she brought with that was filled with tea.

"Salut," they shared a smile and ate the small meal that Ruby brought with her, with Ruby doing some inward cheering when she saw the light shine in Belle's eyes at her first bite of cheese burger and ketchup. After their meal Ruby gave the other girl a helping hand by giving the surfaces a light cleaning. Belle didn't want to do a large heavy cleaning until she fully cataloged and placed every loose or misplaced book in their rightful place. After giving the desk, computer, and tables a good dusting that they almost shined she had to leave before her grandmother started to worry about her. She meant to leave with a simple goodbye but she wasn't prepared for Belle to wrap her arms lightly around her shoulders that Ruby returned with a hesitant arm. She left the library, the cold air hit her full force, and it was then that she realized she was blushing and she felt like she was the king of the world but at the same time so very tied down, like as though there wasn't anywhere else she want to be. It was a great feeling.

The next day Ruby carried out like she always did, kissed her grandmother goodbye, did her rounds stopping at the deli like always this time asking for two burgers instead of one and an ice tea along with her soda, which she paid for so that Dr. Hopper wouldn't face the burden. He raised an eyebrow when he saw the extra cup in her hands but didn't say anything for he respected her privacy. Ruby happily announced that she brought lunch, being extra careful as to not startle the other girl. Belle told her to give her a minute but to set up at the desk. When the other girl came she rose an eyebrow at the extra cup that was next to her burger.

"What's this?"

"Well I noticed that you were drinking tea out of a thermos and I know that they only help so much so I brought you ice tea, its tea that's supposed to be cold. If you don't like it you don't have to drink it and I will get you something else tomorrow," Belle slowly brought the straw to her lips and took a sip. Forget the cheeseburger or ketchup the ice tea brought a light so bright that it almost turned her cornflower blue eyes to baby blue ones. For a girl her size Ruby didn't think she could do it but she watch Belle down half her cup in five-seconds flat. "Hey take it easy you don't want to get hiccups now do we?" Belle gave her a soft smile and put the cup back down in favor of her burger. "So I take it that you like it?"

"Oh my god yes I didn't know that tea came in iced form it's absolutely delicious."

"Good," once again they ate then Ruby will help out with whatever needed to be done. Belle was half way threw with organizing the books so Ruby dusted the shelves that were already organized and made extra sure that she put them back the exactly way they were before. Again Belle hugged her and she was more than ready for it this time wrapping both of her arms around the girls slim waist and gave the other girl a good squeeze for good measure. And once again the same feeling washed over her and to her all felt good and right.

Her mood kind of faltered when she saw the state her friend was in and tried to cheer her up but she had as much success as she did with Emma during that one week before Thanksgiving that sent a shudder down her spine whenever she thought about it. When they came home after dropping Tink off at the apartment she wrote herself a note and tapped it to the back of her bedroom door as a reminder that if she ever got that upset there was a plan involved, she just hoped it would worked.

Once again Ruby carried out her daily duties but when she entered the deli Dr. Hopper was already there reading the newspaper. He smiled at her when he saw her and folded the paper to tuck it underneath his arm.

"Ruby."

"Dr. Hopper," she gave him a polite smile and started to place the lunch's that she brought on its usual display.

"Come on now you have been calling me Archie since you can talk what's with the Dr. Hopper business?"

"Sorry Archie I guess I'm just distracted."

"That's alright I was wondering if you want to get lunch together?" Ruby opened her mouth but snapped it shut.

"Could you excuses me for a second?"

"Of course," she barley heard him as she rushed out of the deli and to the library. She skittered to a halt when she saw the bright black and white 'sorry were closed' sign on the double wood doors and when she tried to pull onto the door it snapped back in place. Locked, the doors were locked, and she didn't know what to do. "Ruby?" she turned around to find Dr. Hopper behind her, his gentle face twisted ever so with concern. "Are you okay?"

"No I'm not," he beckoned her to him and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a fatherly like manner. They walked to his office in silence and he set up their rather modest lunch, making sure to give the grilled chicken salad to his secretary. "What's the matter Ruby? You seemed rather upset that the library was closed which is odd since it has always been closed," Ruby opened up the paper bag and saw that there were two hamburgers instead of one and it just sunk her heart more so than it was.

"No its not its reopening," Dr. Hopper tilted his head and prompt her to go on. "Belle, she was the library assistant at school, was running the library and I have been going there after my rounds."

"And your disappointed that the library is closed today?"

"You're the doctor here Archie," he smiled at her and she proceeded to take out two heartfelt chunks out of the sandwich. "Tell me about her?" Ruby looked up at him as his soft voice broke the silence that fell on them.

"About who?"

"About Belle. Tell me about her. What's she like? How did you meet her? How do you feel about her? She must be important for you to mention her, you and your grandmother are a lot like that in that regard," Ruby looked out the window and watch the winter sun reflect off the face of town's clock.

"I don't know where to begin," Dr. Hopper watch the girl that he practically considered his daughter bring a red painted finger tip to her lips for a moment before turning to him with a soft smile but it seemed as though she was a million miles away. "I met her one day, it was, felt like, an average day. I always thought that when you meet someone that would change your life you could feel it the moment you wake up... I don't know maybe I missed it but that's besides the point. Anyway, she was bringing in a box of books to the teacher, I was in English so you understand what books I'm talking about, and I was just baffled because I could have sworn I never seen her before but she felt like an old friend at the same time.

"She's just a head shorter than me. She has this amazing chestnut brown hair that starts off in waves and as you travel down it changes to loose curls. Her skin is soft pale that is sprinkled with these cute little freckles, I think my favorite one is the small group that cluster just at the ball of her shoulder because it kind of looks like a tea cup which is ironic since she loves tea I mean seriously the woman loves her tea. She has these amazing cornflower blue eyes that just capture and hold whatever light is in the room. She's sweet and kind and has a sense of humor that I don't think she knows she has. To make her even more perfect than she already is she speaks French and has an Australian accent."

"Wow she sounds like an amazing girl but I do have concerns."

"Like?"

"The same that I have with everyone who falls in love the first time, if this is what it is, that they imagine someone a certain way but in truth they are the exact opposite. I just don't want to see you hurt Ruby."

"I know its because you care about me and I am trying to be cautious but I cannot help it Archie because something about her just sucks me in and every time I'm with her I sink a little bit deeper and I don't think I can stop it," Dr. Hopper nodded and let it go for he knew that in the matters of teenage love there are but two options, you crash and burn or run off into the sunset, with very little wiggle room, and he silently prayed that it was the later.

The Library remained closed the next day as well, which was just dandy by her for she felt a little off for eating two cheeseburgers in one day, she made a mental note to apologize to Mary Margaret next time she sees her for being right about too much grease and red meat. Ruby was a little distraught about this development but she reminded herself that she got to see Belle two days, in a row, which was more than last break. Her depressed mood however went out the window when she saw the doors to the library were wide open Friday, which was strange given that it was almost winter and the temperature was dropping steadily. Ruby peaked into the building, the sent of wood stain and polish was strong.

"Belle?" her voice boomed and echoed threw the silence building with little results. Her bad mood was slowly starting to come back and she turned away from the library with her head slightly hung.

"Ruby," she stopped and looked around but the streets were deserted. "Up here," Ruby looked up and hanging out of the second story window was Belle, chestnut hair that was in a tight ponytail was over one shoulder.

"What are you doing up there?"

"The library was getting retouched these pass two days and there's a small apartment for the residential librarian so I have been hanging out here. I was going to call you up the other day but I saw you walking away with Dr. Hopper. Are you alright by the way?"

"Fine Archie is an old family friend. How do I get up?"

"Oh there is a side staircase if you just round the corner there," she pointed to the left that led to an alleyway. "The doors unlocked just let yourself in."

"Okay," Ruby did what the other girl just described, climbing the metal staircase and opening a door that has seen better days. The same could be said about the apartment as dust floated into the air and paint was rotting. "Wow it looks like the library isn't the only thing that needs fixing up."

"Yeah I know but I'm not complaining."

"Well if you like it than I guess that's okay. I hope you don't mind but I brought some grilled chicken sandwiches, after eating two burgers in one day I feel a little off."

"No it's fine I won't turn away a good meal. Come with me I know the perfect place to eat it," the library assistant then proceeded to grab Ruby's wrist and lead her to another part of the building. The spiraling metal staircase opened up to an open metal platform, which happen to be the inner working of the clock.

"Wow I didn't know you could literally go inside the clock but doesn't it get loud?"

"Sometimes, the view makes up for it," Belle led her to back face of the town clock and what she saw took her breath away. The clock was the highest point in the entire town and right now it showed for she was given an almost complete view of the town.

"Oh yeah this definitely makes up for the noise," there was a blanket already spread out in the area that was on the left side of the six. Ruby sat her basket down in the center and then, with changing the hold that Belle had on her wrist, let the chestnut brunet sit down first then her. It was like those two days apart didn't even happen for they talked and laughed just like they did earlier in the week. When they were done they leaned against the metal railings, side by side, just watching the clouds and the hands tick away. Slowly the space between the two girls lessened until their arms were touching. They smiled at each other and Belle placed her head on Ruby's shoulder, the unique sent of Belle's shampoo mixed with tea filled the red streak brunet's senses and she loved it.

"I haven't forgotten," Ruby breathed into the other girls hair. Belle lifted her head, puzzled.

"Haven't forgotten about what?"

"My promise that on our next date that I will romance your socks off. I mean I know a lot of time has passed since then and you might change your mind but don't think it was because I forgotten or was avoiding it I was just trying really hard to think of ways to impress you because I really want you to like me, like really really like me and I guess I'm just a big chicken. Hell I couldn't even ask you out myself in the first place my own roommate had to do it for me. I am truly pathetic," she started to move but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"You're not pathetic. When most people think about romance they think about bringing a girl flowers and chocolates and spending a small fortune on a fancy dinner at a fancy restaurant and for some that works but you have a different view on romance. Your type of romance is finding out what your date is truly interested or something that is in their life and make something special of it and I love that. I love that you are going beyond the stereotypical mold of romance and you don't even know that you succeeded. Twice."

"I did? I mean," Ruby looked away for a moment then back at Belle. "I did?"

"Yes the first time when you offered to share your food, that is a romantic gesture and again when you brought me iced tea. You saw that I love tea and brought me something that I might like, and that dear Ruby is romance."

"Thanks," she could feel a blush starting to spread on her cheeks and neck. It was starting to get late and Belle walked Ruby out, this time hand in hand.

"It would be my turn next time," Ruby turned to look at the library assistant with a puzzled look of her own.

"Your turn to do what?"

"Romance your socks off," Ruby laughed and stepped in front of the girl, this time it was her who enunciated the hug and she tightly wrapped her arms around Belle's slim waist and lifted her for a moment off her feet. Once she placed the girl back on the ground she brushed away a loose curl and tucked it behind Belle's ear.

"Oh Belle, you romance my socks off every day and you don't even know it."

"How?"

"By being you," she then leaned forward and placed a kiss on Belle's smooth cheek. As she was leaning back a hand caught her by the back of the neck and then a pair of lips were pressed against hers. The kiss was soft and Belle of course tasted like tea with the hint of lemon and honey, an odd pairing but it worked. It only lasted a second but it was second that Ruby would treasure for the rest of her life. As they found the will to broke apart Ruby placed her forehead against the library assistant's, their cheeks sporting matching blushes. "I'm sorry but I have to go even if all I want to do is stay here with you," it was a statement that she has heard before but instead of it giving her a feeling of sadness and false hope, it filled Belle with warmth despite the cold.

"I understand I will see you Monday?"

"Its a date!" Belle smiled and watch the energetic girl all but skip and twirl down the street until she was out of sight. For the rest of the day she could not stop moving. Her grandmother send her a concern look when she all but ran to greet her when she got home, screaming 'Granny!' at the top of her lungs, and brought her into a bone crushing hug, two thing she has not done since she was little. She even did it to Mulan when the Chinese girl came to wait to be picked up by Mary Margaret, even when she knew about said girls view of personal space.

"What has caused this more hyper Ruby?"

"Come here," the red streaked brunet beckoned the Chinese girl to her so that they were almost touching. Ruby leaned in and whispered something into her ear, which made her jaw go slack.

"You did not?" Ruby nodded enthusiastically and started to twirl around the room until the back of her knees hit the arm of the couch. She landed on the creme plaid couch with a giggle as though it was her intention all along.

"Oh my god it was..." she released a sound that Mulan thought was not humanly possible, if it hadn't just passed red painted lips. "I can't describe it. I swear there should be a new word for this feeling," Ruby turned her head so that she was facing the gated fire place, Mulan swore that the smile the brunet was sporting changed. "Can you do me a big favor and not tell anyone, especially Granny."

"Why? From the looks of it your happy."

"And I am, I just," she makes an attempt to get up but the position she was in made it near impossible, so she moved herself until her feet were back on the ground. "I want to keep this feeling to myself you know? I desperately want to run around town and scream what I did, how I feel but in a way this isn't about what I want its about what she wants and I don't know if she wants people to know. You understand?"

"Yes I do," Ms. Lucas came in and announced it was dinner, Mulan didn't have to join them but she did and when Mary Margaret, along with an angry looking Tink, came they were offered to join in but choose to take dinner to go. Before Mulan turned to go to the car she took one last look at her brunet friend and the two shared a look confirming that she was trusting Mulan to keep her secret until it was time for it to be to be relieved.

That night Ruby laid in her bed with her comforter already covering half her head as she tried in vain to stop herself from giggling like a lunatic but the joy that she was filled with kept bursting out. She closed her eyes and took some deep breaths to calm herself down. Now calm she could think and the thoughts that filled her were pleasant and reassured her of what she was already thinking, they were falling in love.

A/N: Well I say that deserves a pat on the back, four parring in four weeks I feel good and hope all of you Red Beauty people love this new chapter. Thanks. Oh and a thanks to all of you mother's out there for being you, you know who you are.