Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT or the characters. I also do not own the song referenced in this chapter ("Rock Me Like a Hurricane" by Scorpion).

Belle sat in the center of the front row of the stadium for that night's show- "You can't really get the full experience of a concert from backstage," Ruby insisted while her stylists curled her hair and applied darker eye make-up before the show. "I had Emma get you a front row seat for tonight's show. I mean, you want the best possible experiences to accurately report on the tour, right?"- and waited patiently for the lights to go down again after the stage was reset from the opening act. In her emerald green sundress and cream scarf she looked a bit out of place with the rest of the crowd, most of whom were wearing naval-bearing shirts, leather, and ripped clothes in an effort to appear punk. The stadium was filled with the sound of thousands of people talking and laughing, only to get significantly quieter when the lights dimmed and the members of Ruby's band took their places on the stage.

The drummer, Victor, started playing a beat on his set, strobe lights above the stage flickering on and off in time to the sounds of the drums. Before Belle had really realized what was going on, Ruby stood in the center of the stage, microphone in one fingerless-leather-gloved hand. Her nails were painted a bright red, matching her lips. A pair of tight pink jeans clung to her legs, and she wore a spaghetti-strapped crop top with a black and white diamond pattern on it. When she turned around to wink at her guitarist- his cue to start playing- Belle saw that the back of the top was made up completely of three thin black ribbons that held the sides together. Ruby spun around to face the audience again, her long hair flying and a wild grin on her face as the lights came up fully on her.

After three songs, Belle completely understood what Ruby had meant when she said that a person couldn't get the full experience of a concert by standing backstage. The excitement of the crowd was intoxicating, and Belle could feel herself smiling more widely than she had in a long time from the thrill of the crowd and the way the music seemed to echo in her chest. She cheered and screamed as Ruby sang and ran around the stage.

Towards the middle of the concert Ruby stopped to catch her breath and leaned against her bassist, arm propped up on his shoulder as she spoke into the microphone. "How would you all like to hear one of my personal favorite songs?"

The crowd's roar of approval was deafening. Ruby grinned wider. "Alright! Boys, let's bring in a hurricane."

The guitarist started playing a rift that was undeniably hard rock. Ruby turned so she was still leaning against the bassist's side as the drums kicked in. She lifted the microphone to her lips just after a pause in the music. "It's early morning/ the sun comes out/ last night was shaking and pretty loud/ my cat is purring/ and scratches my skin/ so what is wrong with another sin?"

Ruby swung herself away from the bassist, walking towards the center and front of the stage, hips swaying seductively as she moved. "The bitch is hungry/ she needs to tell/ so give her inches/ and feed her well/ more days to come/ new places to go/ I've got to leave/ it's time for the show," She scanned the crowd as she moved closer to the edge of the stage, winking at a few fans. "Here I am/ Rock you like a hurricane/ here I am/ rock you like a hurricane." Once her brown eyes met Belle's blue ones, she kept their gazes locked as she positioned herself directly in front of the journalist and sank into a crouch. "My body is burning/ it starts to shout/ desire is coming/ it breaks out loud/ lust is in cages/ 'till storm breaks loose/ just have to make it with someone I choose."

Belle felt her mouth go dry as she continued the staring contest Ruby had begun. Her cheeks slowly turned pink as Ruby sang the chorus again. Finally dragging her eyes away from Ruby's, Belle's gaze was caught on the almost lewd redness of her lips. Watching her lips move against the microphone, Belle couldn't keep herself from wondering for a split-second what those lips would feel like against her own. As the heat rose even further in Belle's cheeks, she bit her lip and looked fully away from the singer.

"The night is calling/ I have to go/ the wolf is hungry/ he runs the show/ he's licking his lips/ he's ready to win/ on the hunt tonight/ for love at first sting." Ruby lifted herself out of her crouch, standing tall in the center of the stage as she finished the song. "Here I am/ rock me like a hurricane!" The crowd went wild and Belle tried to catch her breath and pressed her hands to her face, trying to reduce the redness.

Almost an hour, an encore, and a taxi-ride back to their hotel later, Belle unlocked the door of her hotel room and closed it behind her with a sigh as she flicked on the lights. Walking across the room to sit on the bed, she removed the ballet flats she had worn all evening, tucking her feet up underneath herself while she waited for her laptop to turn on. She was rolling her shoulders and considering ordering something from room service when there was a knock at her door.

Belle looked out through the peep-hole, opening the door when she saw Ruby standing in the hall, pink jeans still on although she had covered up her crop top with a black sweatshirt. Her hair was still a mess from when she swung it around on stage and her eyes were still surrounded by dark, although now smeared, eyeliner and shadow. She smiled down at Belle, lips still painted red. "Hey. What did you think of the show?"

"It was amazing," Belle answered honestly. "Really, you were right. I never would have had the same experience from backstage."

"Told you so," the singer smirked, leaning against the open doorway. "Not to brag, but my shows are pretty intense."

"You make them that way," Belle said before she could stop herself. "Or do you not usually stare down a member of the audience during songs about sex?"

Ruby laughed, stepping a tiny bit closer to Belle while still remaining in the doorway. "I hope that didn't freak you out too much. I was just trying to get a point across."

"And what point was that?" Belle winced internally at the slightly breathy tone of her voice. Without intending to, her eyes flickered down from Ruby's eyes to her lips and up again.

Ruby leaned down to murmur into Belle's ear, the scent of sweat and some kind of flower perfume still clinging to the singer. "I might be a mess and not a good person to get involved with, but I can guarantee fun and a whole lot of heat."

Belle swallowed, trying to pull together words that made sense. "I think the point came across."

Ruby pulled away, giving Belle room to breathe again. "Alright. I was thinking of swimming for a bit. Care to join me?"

"I need to do some writing," Belle replied, cheeks still pink. "My first installment of the article series is due tomorrow."

Ruby nodded. "Okay. If you change your mind, I'll be at the pool for a while. Shows always get me too energized to sleep."

"I'll keep that in mind," Belle said as Ruby turned to walk away. "And Ruby?"

Ruby stopped, brown eyes locked on Belle's face.

"I like the intensity," Belle blurted out before closing the hotel room door.