A/N: I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday and I hope that you have a great new year. I apologize for keeping you waiting, I wasn't feeling well and wasn't able to get a lot of writing done over the past week. My plan is to get the rest of the story out quickly, so thank you to all that have been patient with me.

It was pandemonium in the town hall as everyone gathered to discuss the theft of their town's Christmas tree. Regina pounded a gavel at the front of the hall as everyone talked with their neighbors about their speculation. "Quiet!" Regina shouted over the voices. The town hall quieted immediately.

Regina nodded towards Emma who stood up to address the group. "We will launch an investigation of the tree's disappearance. If anyone has any information that will be useful, please step forward."

Tinkerbell stood up and the rest of the town turned to face her. "We saw a green creature stealing the tree last night."

"It was the Grinch," August added, standing up.

Emma furrowed her brow at the two of them, "As in Dr. Seuss' Grinch?" August nodded and Emma sighed, "Really? Is the Cat In The Hat in town as well? Will the Lorax be showing up in the forest?"

"There's a cat with a hat?" Rapunzel whispered to Neal.

"It's a children's story," Neal whispered back, "I'll show it to you later."

Undeterred by Emma's skepticism, August replied, "Tink and I saw a monster with green fur, long fingers, wearing a Santa suit, and dismantling our Christmas tree with the help of a brown dog. If that isn't the Grinch, then I'm not Pinocchio."

The town broke into panicked whispers. Regina banged her gavel and everyone quieted. Charming spoke up, "Did you say a brown dog?"

August nodded, "The one that was in the town square yesterday."

"He disappeared on me," Charming said, "Apparently my ability to find things is limited to my own family."

Ruby snorted and Belle lightly elbowed her in the ribs. Emma looked back over at August and Tink. "Approximately what time did you witness the robbery?"

"About three in the morning," Tink answered.

"And what exactly were you doing out at three in the morning?" Emma asked. Tink blushed and looked away from her gaze.

"We were leaving the Rabbit Hole," August said simply.

Emma nodded and turned to the town, "The sheriff's department will look into this. If this really is the work of the Grinch, he will not stop at the town tree. Secure your belongings and lock your doors."

Emma nodded at Regina, who announced, "Meeting adjourned." The crowd dispersed.

Ruby turned to Belle, "I'll meet you at the diner later." She lightly pecked her on the lips before walking with Mulan over to Emma. At Emma's confused look, she explained, "I want to help. I can use my tracking skills to find his hideout."

Emma nodded, "Thanks for helping." Emma led Ruby and Mulan to the scene of the crime.

Ruby scrunched up her nose as she took in the Grinch's scent. "Does he ever bathe?"

"Which way did he go?" Mulan asked impatiently.

Ruby paused for a moment then pointed towards the forest. "This way." Ruby led the sheriff and deputy into the forest.

As they were walking, Emma noticed that Mulan was scowling, "Did the Grinch personally do something to you?"

Mulan shook her head, "No. It's just…I'm fine."

"You don't seem fine," Emma said with concern.

"Just drop it," Mulan replied sharply. She nearly ran into Ruby as she stopped in front of a giant cave.

"This is where the stench leads," Ruby said. Emma and Mulan stopped to look at it in awe. A giant rock blocked the entrance. Emma noticed a hole at the bottom of the rock. It was big enough for a dog, but not for a human.

Ruby took off her red hood and shifted into her wolf form. She climbed through the entrance and found herself in the Grinch's hideout. She transformed back into human form and called out, "We found it." Ruby looked around the hideout and called out, "There's a bigger entrance on the side."

Emma and Mulan walked around and found the entrance that Ruby was talking about. They climbed into the cave and Emma coughed, "It's disgusting in here."

Mulan pointed to the tree sitting on the other side of the cave. The three of them walked over to it. As the three argued over how to get the tree out of the cave, the dog slithered into the cave. Upon seeing the intruders, he growled and barked. He ran out of the cave and the women chased him.

The dog took them through the woods and it felt as though they were walking for hours. Ruby noticed that they had passed the same tree a few times and she stopped. "It's been leading us in circles."

Emma cursed, as she stopped running. Trying to catch her breath she said, "It's trying to distract us."

Ruby led the three of them out of the forest. They were apprehensive and afraid at what they would discover when they reached the town. When they found themselves back on the main street, they breathed a sigh of relief that there was nothing out of the ordinary. Emma turned to Ruby and Mulan. "I'm going to the sheriff's station to write a report. How about we meet up tonight and try to catch him in the act?" Ruby and Mulan nodded and walked over to Granny's.