Chapter XXII

Beauties and Beasts

Author's Note: This story is not abandoned. More frequent updates are something of a New Year's Resolution for me this year.

Ruby was in the middle of her afternoon routine, getting the diner ready for it's night-time role. At night the diner became more of a cut-rate bar and grill. They added table cloths and lowered the lights. Ruby figured it was as close to an Applebees as Storybrooke could get. Well, maybe a little bit better than Applebees, or so she hoped.

Not that people had a ton of choices: Chinese, Pizza, Granny's. If you wanted really fancy there was always Sebastian's out by the Lighthouse. Granny's wasn't gourmet like that; but Storybrooke liked what they did. So as long as people came in, they would keep doing it.

She leaned over one of the booth tables and smoothed out the cloth. She heard the bell over the door jingle, but didn't think much of it. One of the others would help them.

"Hey-uh-Ruby."

Cade was the middle of the three Winslow brothers. They, along with their father, ran the Storybrooke Print Shop. It was a hold-over from their old-world lives. They had pioneered the first Enchanted Forest printing press. So they said, at least. Ruby had never heard of it back then, of course back then she hadn't known how to read.

He had the bundle of papers: The Storybrooke Daily Mirror: Evening Edition. He looked uncomfortable. She could smell the sour stink of sweat over the paper pulp and ink.

"Hey Cade." She offered a smile, hoping to cut through whatever wolf-related discomfort he was feeling.

"I just want you to know." He sat the papers down beside her stack of table cloths. He cut the twine with his pocket knife and held up a single copy. "We: Dad, Dane and Jacob and me, we don't agree with this. We have a contract, though, and had to do it. It's bullshit, and I'm sorry." He sounded genuinely upset.

She looked at the paper he was holding and her heart dropped into her stomach. Half the page, above the fold, was a picture of her and a snarling wolf. Someone had merged the two images in Photoshop. It looked terrible. There were kids Henry's age that could do a far better job. That was a funny, borderline hysterical, thought to have in the face of this completely screwed-up situation.

She took the paper and hoped Cade couldn't see her hands shaking. The headline read "Monsters Among Us".

"It's bad, the whole thing is just bad." He shoved his now empty hands in his pockets. "Like I said, sorry." He left without another word, leaving her with a stack of newspapers that declared her a monster.

She took them all to the backroom, which was Granny's office and the break room and linen storage.

She, well the cursed version of herself, had a special stash. She had tucked it behind the last stack of guest towels years and years ago. Ruby fished around and pulled out a bottle of cinnamon liqour. It was still three-quarters full. The last time she'd drank it, she and Mary Margaret had been binge watching Real Housewives of Somewhere. Back when they had been a school teacher and a waitress in a one-horse town without a care in the world. Good times. Ruby opened it and took a long drag. It scorched down her throat and to her stomach. It was a good burn, it steadied her. Ruby chuckled, it was literal liquid courage.

The articles in the paper were just as bad as the pictures. Maybe worse. Cade hadn't been kidding. It was all bad, terrible even. Bend over without lube bad. It was the old scare-your-children-strait of sort of stuff. It annoyed her because stories of this world started to leak in. Like pentagrams on palms and being mortal enemies of vampires. She had never even heard of vampires until she'd watched

. That had been in '85, back when Jim Carrey had still been funny.

Sidney Glass was an asshole and an idiot, no matter what goofy name he used. She was going to sock in him the jaw next time she saw him.

The next article, because the whole paper was about her, was no better. It labeled her as Snow's personal attack dog, loyal to the hand that fed her and no one else.

Rude.

The next article was about Anita, her mother. It rambled on and on about her pack and how wild and chaotic they had been. Ruby had run with those wolves, had befriended them, had slept in piles with them, laughed with them. It had only been for a short time, but for that short time they had been

pack too.

The article also delved into stories about certain raids by the pack that had only helped The Evil Queen.

Ruby didn't know about that. She did know that Regina had disallowed the hunting of wolves in her kingdom. Was that the influence of her mother? She took another drink. Esmeralda had known her Mom, she might know.

There were articles about her Granny, and even Gramps. That would not sit well with Granny. Not one bit.

Ruby winced and crumpled the paper when she saw the next article: "Daughter Kills Mother on Snow White's Order"

It was not what happened, not even a little bit, but it still hurt. It hurt like hell. She took another drink and let all the tears she'd been holding back flow down her cheeks.

Not for the first time, she wished that Emma had never broken the damn curse. No one had feared Ruby Lucas, the small town waitress. They had thought she was pretty, or sometimes a little slutty, funny and nice. They had trusted her with their kids and rushed to get a smooch from her when she ran the kissing booth on Miner's Day. They had cheered her on she arm-wrestled or played darts at The Rabbit Hole. They'd thought of her as a friend, not a monster. Now Sidney-Freaking-Glass had decided that past twenty-eight years didn't matter. All she was, all she had been or would be was a beast.

Belle stormed into the Diner with a crumpled copy of the paper in her fist. Zach, one of the busboys, didn't even welcome her, he only sighed. The entire staff seemed subdued and the usually packed-to-capacity diner was almost empty.

"Where are they?"

Zach sighed again, "Granny left-don't know where." He half-heartedly swept the floor. "And Ruby" He hitched his head towards the back. "She's in the break room."

Belle nodded and headed towards the catch-all room by the kitchen. She was going to make sure Ruby was okay, Employees Only sign or not. She didn't bother to knock, the time for good manners had passed.

Her heart clenched and started to ache when she entered the room.

Ruby was a mess: crying and well on her way to being stinking drunk.

She was wearing tight, faded jeans with holey knees. She looked like a rebellious teen with her plaid shirt. It would have been convincing if not for the shirt with happy breakfast food dancing on it underneath.

Yes, the oh-so-dangerous Child of the Moon, so intimidating and scary.

She sat down beside Ruby and arranged her skirt. She had let Ruby lock her away once, but never again. Ruby needed her and she was not going anywhere.

"What are we drinking?"

Ruby turned to look at her, unpainted-lips tugged into a crooked smile. She didn't answer but did offer the bottle with a wiggle of her wrist.

Belle took the almost-half-full bottle out of Ruby's hand and drank straight from it. Then she sputtered, and wished she could re-think the last twenty-seconds of her life.

"Good God, that is vile!"

She coughed and scrunched her nose, trying to get the noxious taste off her tongue. She put the bottle down with a hard clink of glass-on-tile.

Ruby kept grinning at her, like she was the funniest thing she'd ever seen.

This alcohol was nothing like the wine, spirits, or even the ale that she had drank before. "If we're going to get drunk can we at least not die?"

Ruby giggled, and looked far too cute doing so, "Don't knock Fireball. It is a big step up from the sludge they used to distill in the forest. That stuff could peel paint right off the wall." Ruby grinned again, wide and toothy, "And there are even stouter liquors here too. I might need 'em too. Damn wolf constitution." She snorted, "Damn wolf everything."

Belle settled her arm over Ruby's shoulder and pulled her close. Heat washed over her and Belle drew in a deep breath. Beyond the artificial cinnamon and the drink there was forest and wood smoke, comfort and a sense of home.

"Sidney Glass and all his cronies aren't worth the paper this drivel is printed on," She squeezed Ruby closer, "You are Child of the Moon and a granddaughter and a friend and more. You are a great person, Ruby Lucas."

Ruby looped her arm around and Belle's waist. She felt every inch of skin Ruby touched tingle, even through her clothes.

"This town" Ruby laid her head on Belle's shoulder, "is going to Hell in a handbasket. The paper is probably the least of our problems. Stupid paper."

Belle sighed and breathed in the scent of Ruby's hair: sandalwood and sweet-pea. "It almost makes me miss Mayor Mills."

Ruby threw her head back, laughed, and completely ignored the fact that her skull smacked the wall. "She must be so mad. They mentioned her in there with me. She apparently had a soft-spot for wolves. By next week I'll be her pet puppy according to them."

Ruby laughed again, "Well she used to let me babysit Henry, so maybe she does like wolves."

Belle couldn't help herself, "Well I do have a soft spot for you, Wolf, and anyone who has a problem with you can speak with me."

She picked up the bottle, drank and choked, "But I'm serious. If we keep drinking I'll need something else. Something that doesn't taste like cinnamon sprinkled over pitch."

"Anything for you, My Princess."

Ruby was smiling again, and looking at her with bright green eyes that Belle swore could see right into her soul. The wolf-woman was effortlessly sexy, even when she should be sloppy drunk.

Belle muffled a chuckle behind her palm as Ruby stood up, all limbs and awkward angles, and offered her a hand.

Belle took her hand, "You do know that I'm not actually a princess, right?"

Ruby pulled her up with a little more strength than Belle had expected. She stumbled right into her arms. For a moment Belle was dizzy with sensation. It popped and fizzled in her blood. A small and distant voice reminded her that she was treading treacherous water. She did love Rumpel, after all. A much louder voice reminded her that nowhere and no one was safer than Ruby. Ruby needed her, she couldn't leave now.

"Come My Librarian" Ruby executed an over-the-top bow, "We'll fetch you some wine, or cognac or whatever I think Granny won't notice missing." She tugged Belle along, "Ooh I think we have one of the special bottles of The Queen's cider on reserve." Ruby winked, "She may be evil, but she knows her booze."

Ruby ducked behind the diner counter as they re-entered the main room, and grabbed a bottle. It was a plain bottle with a handwritten label and a red wax seal. It looked like it had traveled over from the old land when the curse was cast, but the label said 1997.

Ruby took her hand again and lead her to the back booth. As soon as Belle sat, Ruby scooched close so their aides were flush from ankle to shoulder. Her whole body buzzed with her touch. Or the alcohol, Belle reasoned. The alcohol, what little of it she'd had, was messing with her. That must be it.

"Hey" Ruby nudged her side, "I wonder if it would taste good if we mixed it? Apples and cinnamon, like pie!"

Ruby's carefree grin was catching, and Belle couldn't help but go along with her. "That sounds like a very bad idea." Even as she said it, she started to open the cider. They filled two glasses: half with the fireball and half with cider.

"No, no! It's a great idea, My Librarian."

Belle couldn't help it. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was Ruby's smile. Maybe it was the way her job title slipped off the other woman's tongue like an honorific. It didn't matter, Belle decided. In for a penny, in for a pound. She picked up one of the glasses, "Well drink up, My Wolf."

They drained their glasses like seasoned drunken pros. Belle had to admit that in combination with the cider, the Fireball wasn't so bad. It actually was good.

"Where is my Granny anyway?" Ruby asked no one in particular.

Ashley looked up from where she was re-stocking napkin dispensers nearby, "Don't know, but she left her crossbow, so that's probably good, right?"

There were several places that she could have gone. Tonight Eugenia Lucas walked from her home and business straight to Mifflin Street. It wasn't her first choice, but it was her best one. Regina Mills might not be mayor anymore, but she still wielded plenty of power. If anyone could bring Sidney to heel, it would be Regina. The woman was savvy and had to know that just because she hadn't been yet, it didn't mean she wasn't on his hit list. If she wouldn't see reason, she would make the woman see it.

She rang the doorbell and waited. She wanted this settled. Well, she wanted to settle it herself. Putting a bolt or two in Sidney's soft spots would do the trick. It would also land her into a hot mess of trouble. No, she had to swallow her pride and ask for the Evil Queen's help. Damn it all.

The door opened a moment later and Granny was mildly surprised at what she saw. Regina had an apron on over casual clothes. The woman wiped her hands across the front of the hand-painted "World's Best Cook!" apron. She seemed surprised to see her.

"Good Evening, Ms. Lucas." She raised a single brow, "are you here to see Esmeralda?"

Granny's nose was still one of her best weapons. She could smell chicken broth, spices and baking bread. Regina was making dinner, not conjuring up curses. It seemed safe enough.

"No. I'm here about this." She held up the paper so Regina could see it. She wanted to shove it in the Queen's face, but held back.

"Your lapdog did this, Your Majesty." Well, she was holding back as much as she could. "He dragged my family through the mud for your politics."

Regina took the paper and read it over. It was obvious that this was the first time she'd seen it. Still, her face was impassive, blank, unreadable. Even her scent, her heartbeat, her breathing didn't change. They stayed steady and calm. Was it her royal act? Her years spent as a mayor? Esmeralda's influence? Or did she just not care? Granny couldn't tell.

"Sidney.'' Her voice was half-annoyance and half-sigh. "This kind of smear campaign is right up his alley."

Regina pursed her lips, "But you're right. This is political." She riffled through the pages and scowled more and more as she scanned the articles. "But that makes no sense. Neither you nor Ruby have any political power, not outside of Snow's inner circle at least." Her dark eyes flicked up, "No offence, of course."

Granny was well aware that she wasn't a damn politician or noble. "So why is he printing this shit?"

Regina blinked at her, and her face betrayed a little bit of shock. Granny realized that she had never cursed in front of the other woman. Well she wasn't an angel, and neither was Regina. She imagined they'd both heard their fair share of soldier talk.

"I don't know. I don't have any control over Sidney or the paper, but even if I did, why would I attack you and your granddaughter? I have no quarrel with you."

She frowned, "This seems like an indirect attack on Snow. They're using the two of you to get to her." She closed the paper, folded it and tucked it under her arm. "Most of this is either personal or made-up conjecture." Regina sighed, "Honestly? This reeks of Leah's meddling."

"Regina?" Another voice joined the conversation. "Is that Little Henry and Your Swan?''

Esmeralda came into the foyer and due to her height could see her over Regina's shoulder. "Eugenia.'' She smiled, which caused her scars to ripple. It should have looked ugly, but on Esmeralda it almost seemed natural. "Why are you letting your guest stand outside?" Her voice was strong and a little on the accusatory side, " I taught you better. Hospitality is the mark of a civilized home."

It was an old saying, something that had gone out of style when the old-timers had started to die off when

had been a child. It was a Romani saying, and Regina responded to it. In fact, she turned bright red with something that might have been embarrassment.

"My apologies, Ms. Lucas, please come in."

It was high time someone knocked Regina down a peg. Watching Esmeralda talk to the Evil Queen the same way she talked to Red was damn near comical. Red. She looked at Esmeralda. If Red had a Godmother, this woman would be it. She stepped inside the manor and inclined her head.

"That Rat wrote several unbecoming articles about my past. My husband. My granddaughter."

She met Esmeralda's eyes, "And Anita."

Those eyes, the clearest and greenest Granny had ever seen, flashed.

"Nightingale," She held out her hand, "Show me."

It took only a moment but now the air crackled with magic. A strong scent of cinnamon flooded her nose. Esmeralda's scars turned from faded pink to scarlet.

"They dare speak ill of the dead? They know not of Anita's life or her heart. Her journey. How dare this Paper Man?" Her accent grew heavier and her mouth twisted into a scowl.

It was nice, satisfying, a justification of her own anger. She hadn't known how close her daughter and Esmeralda had been, but now it was clear that they had been very close. Close enough that the other woman was ready to go on the warpath.

"Regina." Her voice was as hard as steel. It reminded Granny of Regina when she was handing out Mayoral orders. "Who did this?''

The younger woman scowled too, and the expression was almost identical to Esmeralda's. "Well, I know nothing for certain. There are puppet strings here." She paused for a moment "And I recognize those now."

Whatever that meant, Granny figured that Regina didn't want to talk about it. She brushed it aside and let Regina continue with her thoughts.

"This has George's fingerprints all over it. He has a special hatred for Children of the Moon, or any creature not pure human."

She wandered into the den and they followed., "But he's too blunt. He is a hammer, even when he thinks he's being sneaky. This is different. This is not a hammer." She motioned at the paper, "This is a scalpel." She bit her lip and closed her eyes, as if to focus harder.

Granny realized that behind the megalomania and the drama Regina was a politician at heart. She was just as smart and skilled as she wanted people to think.

Her eyes flew open and she slapped her hands on the side table. "Those royal rats have finally set aside their pettiness and struck an alliance."

Hospitality forgotten Regina padded out of the room and to her home office, ranting as she went. It was then that Granny missed the signature sound of high heels. Regina was barefoot. Of course she was in her own home, but the sight of the mayor without her heels was just odd. Damn odd. Twenty-eight, or was it closer to twenty-nine years now, and she had never even seen the woman in flats.

"George and Stephen's kingdoms were both struggling. Midas and Leopold were too rich and powerful to challenge. I was considered too powerful to challenge after that. George's ham-handed attempts at marrying his son off for money failed. They failed in the worst possible way. That was as political as he could be." She started to pull files out, completely unfazed by the fact that Granny was watching her.

"They are goading his enemies: first David and now Ruby. Leah is setting George up to take the fall for whatever has planned." She held up a single finger, "Sidney doesn't come cheap,though. Not anymore."

She furrowed her brow, "And Leah would not use her own money, or her insipid husband's either. She's cleaner than that, smarter. George's assets are frozen. I had the bank do so after he killed Mr. Gustoff-Billy."

"What?" Granny interrupted her. "He got away with that scott-free."

Regina looked up from her files. "I couldn't get him jailed, but I did take what steps I could. I stripped him of his position and froze his assets. I also had his car impounded. David should have issued a warrant, but he was busy with Snow being gone."

Granny hadn't realized Regina had even looked into the murder. She hadn't realized Regina had known or cared about George's accusations against Ruby.

"I thought that my involvement would hurt Ruby more than help, so I stayed away." Regina answered her unstated question in an almost-whisper.

That was true, The Evil Queen backing the Big Bad Wolf would have made things a lot messier.

"Right now, though" Regina continued, "there is something going on beyond what I can see. I hate that."

Granny was out of patience. She had come for answers, not rambling. "They're not going to turn Storybrooke into their battleground. Not on my watch."

Regina folded her arms over her chest and looked at the papers and files now spread across her desk. , "I can't fix everything, but I do have one idea."

Instead of explaining, which would have been nice, Regina picked up her Blackberry. Eugenia couldn't hear who was on the other line. When Regina's cheeks turned rosy again, she raised a brow and looked to Esmeralda. Her old acquaintance looked pleased as punch about whatever was going on over the phone.

"Miss Swan, this is a completely professional call."

Oh. Well that was it then, wasn't it? Not that Granny hadn't seen that coming from a mile and a half away. Emma and Regina got on like a wildfire: hot and unpredictable. They were as likely to kiss as they were to kill each other.

Esmeralda now looked like she was the cat who had got the canary. Oh that sneaky Romani, Granny shook her head in amusement, was playing match-maker. She was going for broke too: Regina Mills and Emma Swan. It would either be the greatest love story of all time or a disaster that no one would survive. There was no in between.

"Tomorrow, at noon. Yes at Granny's."

Regina was smiling. It was a small but warm and genuine smile that was usually reserved for Henry.

"Wear your uniform. Yes, the tie too." She only paused a moment to let Emma answer before continuing. "Bring David and Snow." Regina huffed, "No. No, Miss Swan, we're making a statement. The paper is all well and good but lunch time at Grannys is much better, more effective."

They exchanged a few more words before ending the call, with Regina sending her love to her son.

Esmeralda seemed satisfied with whatever Regina had in mind. "She reminds me of her father sometimes. He had a head for strategy and a heart for loving.''

Granny shook her head. It was odd to think that anyone could look at The Evil Queen and smile, but love was love.

"Come" Esmeralda touched her elbow with gentle fingers, "lets leave her to her scheming. I have tea brewing."

Had anyone told her she would find herself having tea in The Evil Queen's kitchen this morning...Well, she would have whacked them for their stupidity. Here she was, though, and maybe it wasn't so strange after all.