Ruby walked into the hospital kind of quickly. Moving to the nurse's desk she got someone's attention.
"Hi, I got an urgent call from Dr. Frankenstein to come in?" she told them.
"Who?" the nurse asked. She briefly stopped to look in confusion.
The brunette tried not to roll her eyes. "Dr. Whale?"
"Oh, yes." Nurse Webb shook her head as if the older woman remembered herself. "He's in his office. I'll buzz him that you're here."
"I know the way."
As the nurse went to protest Ruby was already through the next door. With wolf-speed she found it faster to take the stairs.
As she knocked on the doctor's office door she heard "enter!"
"You know, the curse has been broken a year, you'd think they would know your name by now," she huffed as soon as the door was shut.
He was at the filing cabinet, and there were at least 20 stacks of files around the desk and floor. Ruby sighed. She'd hoped when she and her friends put up a fuss a few months ago to finally hire more help that he wouldn't have so much work backed up.
Ever since that night on the docks she'd been worried about her friend. He'd cut back on the drinking but sometimes the dark circles under his eyes returned. She could understand the burden of your past but seriously he needed to take it easy.
"I thought you had more staff to take care of all this?" With this much ER and OR staff Ruby had been mad he was literally the only doctor here for so long.
Snow, never one to pass up a chance, rallied quite a few people and they hired 10 more doctors in various departments. For a small town that hospital was huge!
Victor briefly looked up. "What? Oh, yes. Most of this is personal lab work." It was said with pride.
Indeed, looking closer she noticed the messy scribbles across some of the folders. And even very detailed doodles on the papers that stuck out. That made her a bit happier.
And as the blonde turned around he did look better. Hair always a slight mess but nice shirt, tie, and clean white coat. He seemed distracted but not overworked.
"Now, Miss Lucas," he started seriously. "We have something to discuss."
They both sat down. She had checked with Granny and her friends after receiving the rather urgent phonecall, they were all fine. So what...?
"Just tell me what's going on, Victor."
"Yes, well, all your tests are fine, for a werewolf, that is." Ruby had to get patched up after a run-in with the latest badguy. "But I did notice an odd result with your heart..."
"And that was?" What was he on about? She felt fine.
Victor looked up, a bright smile now in place. "I have yet to ask you out."
"Huh?" Ruby was pretty good at reading people but was now confused.
His smile softened and he looked down before back up at her. Was that - was he blushing? "I'm trying to ask you out."
"Oh! Yeah, of course. We can get coffee sometime, outside of this place for once."
The doctor narrowed his eyes. "C'mon, Ruby, you're one of the smartest women around. I mean a real dinner. Our first official date?"
It was no secret they both liked each other. ALOT. They didn't think anyone else had noticed, or were maybe too caught up in their own relationships, but it was right there.
"Oh! Oh um..." Ruby stood and started to pace, something she only did when her wolf half was nervous.
"Ruby, what is it?" Now he was confused. She was usually bold and not shy at all.
"Nothing, nothing. I'd love to go out." Again, the sentence came too quickly.
Victor sighed and gave her a look as he stood and moved around the desk. She wasn't fooling him one bit. "Do you not want to date me?" he asked.
"No, of course I do." She uncharacteristically wrung her fingers.
He reached out, stopping her pacing. "Tell me the truth. Monster to monster."
And there it was. What told her he truly did understand her. What started as just a phrase turned into an endearment. But it was also the problem, wasn't it?
Ruby sighed, "I ate my last boyfriend."
He pulled back, eyes narrowing quizzically. That curious expression. "Um, yeah, I know. What's that have to do with going out?"
Ruby moved away from his hand, wide eyes welling up. "Don't you get it? I'm a werewolf, Victor. One scratch or even if I hurt -"
"Hey, enough." This time his hands came to her elbows. "I don't know what that's like, you're right. But I do know you. I know how scared you are of turning someone or hurting someone again. But I also know how much you love running through the woods at night."
Ruby laughed softly, finally cracking a smile and nodding.
"And didn't you think I'd notice a wolf running by my house to that spot at the edge of the clearing?"
Her jaw dropped. "How did-"
"I'm a scientist," was his answer once again serious. But he couldn't keep it up long before smirking. "I've always noticed you, Red."
"And here I thought you were too distracted drawing in your book," she smiled.
She still didn't want to hurt him but knew Victor would be her rock, just like she'd be there if he ever found his brother again.
For the rest of Ruby's lunch break she watched the famed doctor pour over his lab notes, listening as he rambled about different theories.
Two nights later, on a rare night off for both of them, Victor slipped into the diner. He leaned against the wall, not bothering grabbing a table. It was a nice night, if a bit chilly. They'd decided to take a walk and get dinner somewhere else, no offense to Granny.
He got her attention. "Hey, Gran, is she ready yet?"
The old woman glanced over the top of her glasses. "She's just putting together some receipts for me and will be out."
"Thank you."
"Dr. Whale, you look nice tonight," Snow commented from a few tables over. She and Charming were there with Emma and Killian and Henry.
He still felt a bit awkward around the Prince but covered it. "Nice to see you, I'm just waiting for someone."
Emma's eyes narrowed a bit suspiciously. She didn't know him well but the few encounters were weird ones for sure.
"What're you up to now? I think the wives in here would prefer you leave them be," Charming commented.
Victor glared. "Very funny, but I actually have plans tonight." Nothing would ruin his mood.
Charming huffed as Snow nudged him, whispering to be nice.
Then Ruby breezed out of the back kitchen, red dress and black leggings hidden by her wool coat and scarf. "Ready, Monster?" she asked with a brilliant smile.
"Of course, Liza. Reservations are already made."
"Bye, guys, have a good night!" she waved to her friends and the new couple headed out the door.
"I'll be on patrol!" Emma called after them.
"Did he call her Liza?" Killian asked.
"Did she call him Monster?" was Emma's response.
Suddenly Snow started hitting Charming's arm, letting out a happy squeal. Diner customers gave weird looks as he pulled away. "Ow! Snow, stop hitting me."
"Finally!" she cried out.
"What, what's going on?" Emma put in, confused.
"Oh, c'mon, Mom, how do you not know?" Henry groaned. "You grew up in the modern world!"
"Kid, I have no idea -" But Henry cut her off, groaning again and knocking his head onto the back of the booth.
"Care to explain, lad?" was Killian's question.
Henry looked at Charming and both of them rolled their eyes. "I still don't like him but it's her choice."
The young boy dug through his backpack. "Maybe you should re-read the book Grandma assigned us in English."
The savior looked at her mother who had gone back to drinking hot cocoa with a wide smile.
Henry tossed a old worn copy of Frankenstein onto the table.
The pair heading down the street gave a loud laugh. "That was good," Victor told her. "You think they noticed?"
"If they haven't seen my nametag by now, then I'm slightly worried for the town." But she was still giggling.
"I think they were too distracted by this beautiful woman being my date tonight."
"So, where are we headed?"
"You're going to love it. This place has the best-" And he went on to describe the dishes in an elaborate accent.
Monster and Monster practically skipped down the street, finally happy to just be.