4 months later.
"Hey Emma, you're here late." Vince says as he wipes down the counter, preparing for last call.
"Yeah I know. Don't have a ride, so I'm waiting for the rain to let up before leaving."
"Ah, well did you hear about the crowd last night? It was insane. Totally upped my rep if you know what I mean." Emma smirks into her hands, finding Vince's smug personality to be a welcomed relief after such a shitty day.
What was up with that? When I got in today, everyone was pretty much worshipping you. He flashes her a solid grin, thankful for Emma's contribution to his already swelling ego.
"Ha. It was nothing; I just worked some of my mojo. There was good music, drinks were well stocked, and I got a haircut. You should have been here Em."
"Yeah, no Vince. I couldn't work 4 nights straight. I needed a break. Even seeing you with a haircut wouldn't have given me strength."
"Wimp." he coughs into his sleeve, barely dodging Emma's flying fists.
"HEY," she growls.
"No worries. I'm kind of happy that you weren't here."
"Why?"
"Well, M&M told me not tell you, but you're my bro Em."
"Vince, I'm flattered. SPILL. "
"Well, these two girls were arguing at the bar, and I mean really going at it. Tooth and nail. Had I not shown up when I did, I'm pretty sure punches would have been thrown."
"Okay stop. Where do I come in?"
Always so forward Emma. Straight to the point. That's why I like you.
Vince.
"It was over you."
"Wait what?"
"It was over y-"
"NO", Emma's hands fly up, silencing him, her eyebrows furrowing as she takes her bottom lip between her teeth. "The girls. What did they look like?"
"Well, one was a blonde, about as tall as Ruby. A bit snarky if you ask me. Ring any bells?"
"Yeah, that's actually Ruby's friend Ashley. She's a sweetheart though. One who won't take a hint, but sweet."
"M&M said that too. Besides it showed, because once she implied that she you know, knew you"
"Which she doesn't," Emma mutters.
"Right. But once she implied it, the other one damn near ripped her face off."
"And her?"
"Brunette, petite, short hair, lots of bark AND bite. Gorgeous. I remember the scar on her upper lip. She looked more familiar though, like she'd went to Storybrooke High, so I asked-"
Oh no.
Emma bolts from her seat, grabbing her hoodie and keys from their respective racks while shooting a hasty "I have to go" over her shoulder to Vince. Halfway out of the door she realizes that the rain has finally let up, so with a quick rummage through her pockets and a flip of a lighter, Emma makes her way to the apartments, absorbing the reality that Regina Mills was back in Storybrooke.
"RUBES!"
"JESUS Emma no need to yell. You'd swear you were-" she pauses when she notices Emma's flushed face and wild hair,-"dying. Are there zombies behind you? Close the door! I knew it would happen sooner or later," she says around a spoon full of peanut butter.
"She's back."
Ruby stares at Emma for a time that would be considered uncomfortable, if it wasn't for her animated fish out of water routine. Then it dawns on her.
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."
"Oh shit."
"Oh shit exactly," Emma breathes out, sinking into the soft cushions of the couch.
"What are you gonna do?"
"Avoid her like the plague."
"Now that's a little harsh don't ya think?"
"Ruby, I can't even imagine seeing her again. Seriously. When I try thinking about it, my vision gets hazy." She runs a hand over her face that ends up raking through blonde curls. "Do you know how long it took me to stop thinking about her?"
"You were in love with her Em."
"Yeah."
"And you still are. It's only been 4 months."
"Which makes my life even more of a fuckfest. And I don't mean it sexually so don't try and flip it around."
"Yes your majesty."
"Don't call me that."
"Okay Em seriously, you're not hiding in the apartment. I won't let you. I was there for you after she left, after you locked yourself in your room and turned into a hermit. There will be no reverting back to that. So promise me you'll keep doing what you've been doing? M&M still wants you to help her out at the school tomorrow."
Emma grunts, pulling her knees to her chest as she toys with the drawstrings on her hoodie.
"Do you think that if she saw me, that she'd feel guilty? I kind of want her to, you know? To wonder how I dealt with the break-up as a person who didn't have a distraction like she did. I like to think that I've done okay. I have a job. An amazing best friend. I have my past, yeah, but she knew that part of me. She's never seen the Emma who actually tries to better herself." Ruby plops down on the couch next to Emma, intending on hugging her, when she gets a whiff of tobacco, scrunching her face in displeasure.
"You've been smoking."
"Yeah."
"You promised."
"I know. I'm sorry. I felt like every vein in my body was going to explode, and I haven't felt that way in a while, so I did what I knew would work. I won't make it a habit again. It's under control."
"Yeah, well, find another outlet. It's unhealthy." Emma repositions to lay her head in Ruby's lap, exhausted from the events of the day.
"Just take it one step at a time Em. You're strong. You deserve happiness. Don't forget your progress. And underneath all the bravado that I'm sure you'll display when you step out of this apartment in the morning, remember that you're a human being. You're not invincible. If you see her, your heart might shatter into a billion fucking pieces all over again, but know that you will always have friends here to help put it back together okay?"
"You're so cheesy. When'd you get like this?" Emma emphasizes her question with a poke to Ruby's thigh.
"Whatever Emma. Deflect all you want. It's true."
"I know Rubes. And I love you for it," she says as she unfolds from the couch, placing a quick peck on Ruby's cheek before making her way to the bathroom for a long, hot shower.
"You're the best."
This was more dialogue heavy, I'm sorry if that was an issue. Still trying to find my way!