Hello lovely readers, I've been away with no internet, so I managed to get a lot of chapters done, so regular updates for a while :) As always, thanks for reading, and commenting should you choose to do so, and all mistakes, grammatical or otherwise are mine, probably due to lack of sleep or heat-stroke or something along those lines, and I'm truly sorry in advance. Enjoy :)

With a little groan but a contented smile, Belle stretched the last of the sleep from her system, and discovered that there was a body below her. A strange but familiar feeling of déjà vu swept over her as she opened her eyes to see the woman lying beneath her. For a moment she panicked, but then the memories of the previous day flooded back. The last thing she remembered was watching some movie and snuggling into Ruby. It was the most comfortable she had been in a long time. How she longed to have her memories back. She wanted to know if this… this thing between herself and the wolf-girl was just her clinging onto one of the first things she knew since the accident. Ruby had been kind to her, and perhaps she was growing too attached. But Ruby was usually the one to invite Belle into a hug, or snuggle in bed – not that Belle minded, but maybe she was like that with everyone. Or, thought Belle to herself, I'm over-thinking, reading too much into this. She was confused and vulnerable, and Ruby had been a great friend, and that's all it was. But as her gaze fell on the sleeping woman, she couldn't help but long for something more. Her face was extremely close to Ruby's; the latter's chin resting on Belle's head. Reluctant to wake her, Belle settled down onto Ruby's chest again and let herself doze off for a while.

When Ruby finally woke up, she couldn't help but smile when she felt Belle asleep beside her. Her small body radiated a surprising amount of heat. Her arm was draped across Ruby's chest. Shifting slightly as the flow of blood to her own arm – which was wrapped around Belle, holding her close – was being slowly but surely cut off, she winced as Belle twitched, eyes fluttering open.

"Sorry," she apologised sincerely after Belle shook her head a little, a little habit Ruby had noticed.

"It's alright," replied Belle, her voice still rough and tired-sounding. "What time is it?" Ruby glanced at her phone that was resting on the bedside table. Reaching her free hand across, she switched it on.

"Half eight," said Ruby, glancing at the window to see weak sunlight glowing against the red curtains. Belle groaned as she stretched properly, propping herself up on her elbow.

"Sorry I fell asleep during the movie," the librarian said sleepily, a little smile playing on her face as she met Ruby's eyes for a brief moment.

"No worries," replied Ruby, leaning over and wrapping her arm around Belle's waist, pulling her closer into a hug. "You didn't sleep after we came back from Gold's, did you?"

"Not really," she replied sheepishly, resting her head back on the pillow and lying on her side, facing Ruby, who mirrored her position.

"There was no need," smiled Ruby, secretly glad that the librarian cared so much.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Thank you," said Ruby as she sighed happily, hand snaking out to grasp Belle's. Belle, surprised but pleasantly so, twined her fingers with the werewolf's.

"We should probably get up soon," said Belle reluctantly as she pulled back the covers and swung her legs onto the floor. However, Ruby had other ideas. Belle shrieked as Ruby lunged across the bed and grabbed the librarian around the waist and pulled her back down onto the pillow.

"I'm sure Granny will let me off my shift today, due to my head," grinned Ruby into Belle's back as she held her close, Belle not even trying to resist as she settled back down, folding her arms over Ruby's.

"And I suppose the library could open later," replied Belle, feeling a shiver run through her as Ruby's breath ghosted on the back of her neck.

"Good," chuckled Ruby. Belle felt the words she was anxious to say almost tumbling out of her mouth, words that she was too afraid to speak until now.

"Ruby," said Belle. She paused, lining up the words in her head. She couldn't take it anymore. She had to tell her how she felt. It was driving her insane.

"Yes?" asked Ruby, aware of the change of tone, squeezing Belle a little tighter. Belle felt her heartbeat increase seemingly ten-fold, her pulse battering through her body.

"I…" she started, but she was so close to losing her nerve. But she had to say it soon. Ruby waited patiently for Belle to finish. This was gravely familiar to the werewolf. This was pretty much how the conversation that led to them saying they loved each other for the first time went. But she tried to quell the rising hope in her heart. It wouldn't do to have her dreams shattered again.

"I've been thinking a lot," Belle started timidly. Ruby could feel Belle shaking a little. She planted a soft kiss on the smaller woman's shoulder. Belle closed her eyes at the contact. "I… I'm going to speak to Regina about getting my memories back." Belle internally cursed herself as she lost her nerve completely and immediately changed tack.

"Oh," replied Ruby, and she couldn't hide the note of disappointment in her voice, one that Belle noted, butt dismissed as wishful thinking. "Good," she said a little more happily once she had processed everything properly.

"Can I ask something?" said Belle, staring at the wall as Ruby's leg absently intertwined with her own.

"Of course."

"Were we really friends?" she asked, feeling Ruby's arm stiffen. What she meant was 'Were we really just friends' but she couldn't say it.

"Of course we were. The best," replied Ruby. She wanted so badly to tell Belle everything, but she just couldn't do it. She didn't know what exactly she was scared of, but she knew that losing Belle would be too much for her to handle. They fell into a strange silence, neither awkward nor comfortable. Just silence. And they remained that way for another hour or so, Ruby breathing in the comforting scent of Belle's hair, Belle relishing the warmth emanating from Ruby.

"Belle?" asked Ruby, a little timidly.

"Hmm?" replied Belle; and Ruby realised that she had fallen asleep again.

"Did I wake you?" groaned Ruby apologetically, only to be met by a chuckle from Belle.

"It's fine." Ruby was pleased to hear the smile on her face.

"Right, shall we get up?"

"Alright," sighed Belle in mock irritation. Ruby untangled herself from Belle and got up, searching her wardrobe for clothes. Belle realised with a jolt that all her clothes were over at Gold's, and she did not want to return there yet. "Uhm, Ruby?" she called as Ruby disappeared to the bathroom to get changed. Ruby stuck her head around the corner.

"Yes?"

"I don't have any clothes." Ruby's eyebrow quirked until she realised the ramifications.

"You want me to go to Gold's and get some?" she asked. Belle considered this for a nanosecond before she realised it would not be the best idea in the world. It would be best to keep the two apart for a while, she decided.

"No, no, it's fine," replied Belle.

"You want to borrow some for now?" Ruby could read on Belle's face that she wanted to avoid Gold. "I'm sure I have something that'll fit you."

"Are you sure?" asked the librarian.

"Of course! Have a look; I'll be out in two secs." Belle nodded and got up, crossing the room to the cupboard and had a rummage around. Finally, she found a pair of blue jeans that looked like they would fit her; and a black tank top at the very back. Hastily pulling them on, she appraised herself in the mirror and was glad to see that they didn't look too long on her. Ruby returned wearing a pair of black skinny jeans and a red shirt.

"So, shall we eat and then go?" she asked hurriedly after her eyes swept over Belle, taking a few moments longer than necessary.

"Alright," replied Belle. She had no shoes, but that didn't bother her all that much. It wasn't far to Regina's anyway and the sun would make it warm enough for her. Belle followed Ruby out of her room and padded down the stairs and into the diner. It was relatively quiet, just a few people sitting sleepily at tables, trying to wake themselves up before work. Belle took a seat across the counter as Ruby began to prepare pancakes and bacon for the pair of them. Granny was milling around the kitchen as she did, keeping an eye on the customers and cleaning surfaces.

"Did Belle stay the night?" Granny asked as she squeezed past her granddaughter, who was spooning batter onto a pan.

"Yeah, she didn't get much sleep yesterday and she kinda zonked out for the whole night," replied Ruby, looking apologetically at her.

"Ruby, what do you think you're doing?" asked Granny, her tone entirely different. Ruby noted the change and turned to face her, her earlier mood evaporating instantly.

"What do you mean?"

"She doesn't remember you! She isn't the same as the old Belle! This can only end badly."

"I'm not just going to give up on her! We're going to see Regina to get her memories back!" growled Ruby, getting defensive.

"And what if that doesn't work? And what about Gold? You're putting yourself into a bad situation!" Granny said, her voice rising.

"I'm not going to let her go! Not while there's still a chance!" Ruby shouted.

"Ruby, you'll only get hurt! Remember how you felt when she was in hospital?" yelled Granny, slamming a spatula onto the counter.

"Even if it doesn't work, I still love her! She's still Belle, no matter what she remembers!"

"She chose Gold, and you went AWOL and cried your eyes out for hours! And Gold won't rest until he gets her back! Maybe you should save yourself the heartbreak and let it go!"

"I didn't choose Gold," came a quiet voice that cut off Ruby's retort. Both women turned simultaneously to the doorway from the diner and saw Belle standing, one hand holding the door open.

"Belle," breathed Ruby in surprise. Granny looked down at the floor before hurrying to save Ruby's almost burning pancakes.

"What's going on here? What aren't you telling me?" asked Belle, her voice unusually firm.

"I think I'll give you two some time alone," grumbled Granny as she moved to leave the kitchen.

"No, we'll leave, I need some air. Belle?" she said, as she grabbed the three pancakes from the pan, wrapping them in a couple of napkins and heading for the door, waiting for Belle. Belle hesitated, but then followed, giving Granny a small apologetic smile as she passed, which Granny acknowledged with a nod. Ruby held the door for Belle and followed her out to the street, where they walked side-by-side, Belle waiting patiently for Ruby to answer her question.

Ruby walked with Belle at a relaxed pace as they strolled around the town, enjoying the warm sunshine. The weather was going haywire recently – nobody knew why. But after everything that had happened, it wasn't really at the forefront of anybody's mind. Belle followed Ruby, who was taking a long route to get to Regina's, passing by the outside of the town, along quiet paths. Belle felt a faint glimmer of familiarity with the route, but she couldn't place it. Shaking the feeling aside, she was aware that Ruby hadn't spoken for the past five minutes since they had left the diner, after Ruby had handed her two of the pancakes she had cooked, having the third herself. Belle didn't think this was fair so she halved the second one and gave Ruby the slightly larger half. Ruby had smiled at the gesture but said nothing. Having reached the end of her tether, Belle had to end the torturous silence.

"Ruby?" she said gently.

"I'm sorry," mumbled Ruby.

"For what?" asked Belle, confused.

"I wasn't entirely honest with you," she said, looking at the road ahead, avoiding Belle's curious look.

"Ruby, please just tell me what's going on? Why are you and Gold so aggressive towards each other? And why were you crying over me? What did I do?" Ruby breathed in a sigh, and lined up the words in her head.

"Belle," she started. "I… In-in the other land, the magical one, you weren't just Gold's maid. He was your True Love, so to speak." Ruby gulped, clamping down on her emotions before they spiralled out of control. "And you loved him. In his own twisted way, he loved you too. That's why he wants you back so much."

"But what does that have to do with you?" asked Belle, her heart racing again as she didn't dare hope that Ruby responded with the answer she wanted.

"Because when the curse ended, we became friends. We didn't know each other in the other land. And there was the incident when everyone thought my wolf was responsible for Billy's murder. You were one of the only people who didn't judge me for it. You barely even knew me and yet you were willing to hide me from the mob and then stay with me when I turned." Belle listened carefully, taking in every word she said.

"Is that when you chained me in the library?" asked Belle, recollecting this part of Ruby's story she told her the day before.

"Yes," chuckled Ruby. "I couldn't let you get hurt. I thought it was for the best."

"So Gold, or the Dark One, or whoever he is, he hates you because you're my friend?" asked Belle, trying to straighten everything out in her head.

"No, he hates me because…" Ruby paused. "Because we were… more… than… friends." Her voice began to tail off, getting quieter and quieter as she spoke.

"We were?" asked Belle, trying to wrap her head around it.

"Yeah," said Ruby flatly.

"So when Gold discharged me and I went home with him, that's why you smashed his head off of the counter?"

"Yeah."

"Ruby, I am so sorry," said Belle, biting her lip.

"You didn't know, it wasn't your fault." They turned a corner in the path, and Belle looked down. The path was surrounded by trees glittering green in the sunlight, streaks of gold seeping through. The path was flattened grass that had turned light brown, the rest of the lush green grass bordering it where nobody had walked. It was soft underfoot, and Ruby didn't seem to realise that Belle wasn't wearing shoes.

"Still, why didn't you tell me?" asked Belle, subtly skipping over a small patch of stones. The path was getting narrower as it led uphill slightly, and they were forced to walk closer together, brushing shoulders.

"I didn't want you to get angry or overload you with information. I don't know. I was just… really, really scared." Belle reached out and looped her arm with Ruby's.

"Ruby, you were the only one I properly trusted. I only went with Gold because the doctors told me that we had lived together. I didn't really know what to think. But I wouldn't have chosen him if I had gotten the chance."

"Really?" asked Ruby, glancing down at Belle.

"Really," replied Belle with a smile. Ruby could see Belle's eyes glittering blue in the sunlight, and knew that this was still Belle.