3. Reconstruction

Victor avoided going back to his condo in the first few days after the curse broke. There was so much to do with the wraith's aftermath that half the time he slept at the hospital. Then everything happened with Daniel and he started scheduling himself for double or triple shifts, anything to keep busy. Anything to avoid the memories he revived when he tapped into his real self.

David and Ruby's words echoed back in his mind. We are both. A second chance. He proved that to himself when he saved that man's life. He faced himself as Frankenstein; now he knew it was time to face himself as Doctor Whale.

The condo was stale and dusty from neglect. When Victor turned on the lights, he half expected them to start flickering. But no, they stayed bright and chased off all the shadows. He went over to the bookcase first. Full of medical texts, of course, but also featuring science-fiction and mystery novels. His entertainment system included the best television available in the early 80's and speakers strategically placed in the living room so the music would sound just right. He put in one of his favorites from the cursed days and was pleased that he still liked it.

All the furniture in the living room was comfortable and inviting, and the bedroom was much the same. Everything was very clean and organized. If he ever actually had much female company, they would've been impressed. Not even his office was that cluttered. Aside from a half-finished Rubiks cube, there were hardly any signs someone used the space at all.

Victor picked up the cube and started twisting it between his hands. He remembered doing this a lot as Doctor Whale. Focusing on the puzzle was relaxing for him. He continued to absently fiddle with it as he finished his walk of the condo. It was all familiar, yet at the same time it was like walking through the house of a stranger. A dual sense of belonging and disconnect.

That feeling in itself was familiar to him. Even back in his own world, Victor was the odd one. The one with the strange ideas, the unorthodox methods. But they were all strangers in a strange land now. None of them belonged, and all of them were home. Second chances... being both.

Victor twisted the cube one last time and set the completed puzzle back down on his office desk.

The first thing he needed to do was find a place where he could do his other work. He was desperate when he used the hospital equipment to bring back Daniel. Victor couldn't take that risk again. Whatever way he decided to continue his work, it needed to be where people couldn't be hurt. He decided to drive around town until he found something that looked suitable for his purposes. Or maybe a little outside town would be better. In the woods, perhaps.

He finally found the perfect spot. The building might've once been someone's garage, but it was empty now. Victor could already visualize where he was going to set up all the vials and beakers, where the microscope would go. When he wasn't at the hospital he was in that garage. It felt so good to be working on a project again.

He was sitting in his office at the hospital, sketching out ideas on how to wire his new lab, when a knock disturbed him. Since he revealed himself as Frankenstein, the staff hardly ever bothered him. This disturbance was likely because of a problem they couldn't solve on their own. Victor rolled to his feet, opened the door... and his mood immediately improved.

"Hello, Liza." Ruby's real name flowed out so naturally, as if he'd been calling her that for years rather than just having learned it a few days ago. She responded with a smile that sent warmth through his whole body. Followed by the sinking realization he hadn't gone by Granny's to see her. He used to drop by every day, but working on his lab had left him little time for anything else.

"Hi. You haven't been by the diner in a while, so I brought you a few things. Just to make sure you're eating." Touched, Victor looked inside the basket she brought and found all his favorite foods. She'd tucked everything together so nothing would shift or spill, and the sandwiches were still hot. Victor had to swallow a few times before he could speak properly.

"Thank you. This means a lot to me."

"Oh." A touch of red colored her cheeks. Victor couldn't remember ever seeing Ruby blush before. "You're welcome. I'm hoping it'll entice you to come back to the diner."

"I never really came to the diner for the food." It was the sort of line his cursed self might've used, except in this case it was honest.

He was drawn to Ruby for as long as he could remember. The red of her outfits caught his eye first, seeming so exotic to him. Victor knew now it was because of the memories of first meeting Rumplestiltskin, and seeing that bright color for the first time, but in those cursed days all he knew was that this woman stood out. The more he got to know her, the more he liked her. Which was why he was now mentally fumbling for words.

"I'm building a lab," he finally told her. "That's why I haven't come by lately. It's off in the woods so if any of my experiments get loose, they won't bother anyone." He set the basket on his desk, sticking his hands in his pockets. "So would you like to come see it when it's done?"

"I'd love that. You'll have to come by the diner and let me know."

"Yeah," he agreed. "Absolutely. I'll do that."

"Good." She gave him a gentle poke. "I'd better see you soon, then."

Victor nodded, in a bit of a daze as he watched her go. Did I just ask her out on a date? he wondered. And did she just say "yes"?