Chapter XLIII

Wraiths and Wolves

Belle thought she was prepared for anything. She had been the Dark One's maid and companion; she thought she'd seen everything She had been wrong.

It was like Storybrooke itself was fighting. It was lashing out against both Regina and the Wraith. The town was tearing itself apart. There was fire and ice. There was wind, lightning, and darkness. The earth shook beneath their feet. Death loomed over her and the only thing that was keeping her alive was the whim of a half-mad queen.

Belle clung to Aurora. Regina trusted her to protect the princess. She had put her trust in the wrong person. Belle stared at Ruby and wished she was with her. She wanted to be out there with her. She'd rather be in danger with Ruby than safe anywhere else. The realization was like an explosion in her mind. It was more astounding, and frightening than the magical brawl playing out in front of them. She wanted to be with Ruby as Town Hall, as the entire world came crashing down around them. Not Gaston, not her father, and in her heart, she knew that it was not Rumple. It was Ruby.

Ruby had told her to stay in the circle. She had seen the fear and worry in her eyes. Belle wanted to protest, she wanted to fight at Ruby's side. Regina and Emma stood together, and she wanted them to do the same. She couldn't, though. She couldn't say no to Ruby, not to that look in her eyes.

Fire, magic, curses. It was a violent battle. Regina, The Evil Queen, was fighting a wraith and there was next to no hope for victory. She was fighting for something other than revenge. She was fighting for Aurora, for Emma, for her, for everyone. This was not the woman Belle had met on the road so many years ago. This was not the woman who had locked her away. Belle wasn't even sure that this was the woman who had been the mayor a few weeks ago. This Regina was brave, noble and determined. This Regina acted more like a hero than a villain.

Regina's sudden change to heroics had cost her. The Wraith was powerful, angry and Regina had put herself in its path. It had hurt her while she was in the circle. Now she didn't even have that tiny bit of protection. No one could stop the Wraith. Emma had tried her weapons didn't help. Guns, all mortal weapons, were useless.

So Emma did something that made Belle's jaw drop. She abandoned her attack. She wrapped around Regina, engulfing her in a tight hug. It wasn't just protection. Emma was standing with her, supporting her, sharing her burdens. Enemies? Not a chance. Those two were in love.

"Wow," Aurora whispered.

Belle was holding onto her again, mostly to make sure Aurora didn't run to Mulan. If it kept her from running to Ruby too, then that was her business.

Aurora stared past Mulan and focused on Emma and Regina. "They fit."

Rory was right. Emma and Regina were a formidable team. They fit together physically and emotionally. They made a stunning pair. Then The Wraith ripped them apart. Regina flew across the room. It was like she was a rag-doll. She seemed weak, vulnerable and Belle's heart jumped into her throat.

Ruby, powerful and fast as a wolf, darted to Regina's side. She was prone and still. Belle couldn't tell if she was breathing or not. She was not a fan of The Evil Queen. She had eyes, though. Regina was beautiful. There, lying still, she looked exactly like a fairytale queen. Dark hair spilled over her face and her black and gold ball gown pooled and spread out beneath her. She was also a fighter, unwilling to surrender. Nothing could stop Regina, Snow White and her entire army had tried and failed. One wraith couldn't stop her. Right?

Regina had kept her down, kept her locked away for years. Belle should cheer for the wraith. She owed no fealty or friendship to her captor. Yet here she was, watching Regina fight a wraith. Her own personal monster fighting a real monster. Belle had her issues with Regina, but she didn't want this. She didn't want to see Regina fall now. Not now, not like this, not when she was trying so hard to be a better person.

Belle felt like she could finally breathe again when Regina moved. When she sat up and showed that she was still alive, still fighting. Belle couldn't believe it, but it thrilled her to see The Queen rise.

Everything happened so fast. It was faster than she could think, faster than she could breathe.

The Wraith turned on Emma, poised to attack. A shout was the only thing that saved her from a grisly fate. Belle's stomach twisted and turned. Adrenaline pumped through her entire body. She was sick with dread and fear. Her entire body was buzzing, ready to run or fight, but she wasn't able to do either. It was the worst kind of trapped. She'd rather be behind bars or in a padded cell than in this damn circle. She could only watch.

She watched as Regina fell. She watched as Emma dove for cover. Then she watched as The Wraith prepared to attack again. Belle watched, helpless and paralyzed, as everything got worse.

Regina got to her feet, furious. She was every inch the Evil Queen. Her eyes were dark and furious, swirling with magic. It was familiar, a horror burnt into Belle's brain. Belle shuddered. She almost felt bad for the Wraith. This was the Regina she remembered. This wasn't the mother and mayor that Storybrooke and Emma knew. She was Belle's nightmare brought back to life.

"I have something better than a soul." Regina's voice was malicious and fiendishly intoxicating

"Regina!" The scream that ripped out of Aurora was desperate and raw. "No!"

Emma tried to stop her too. Regina didn't listen. Belle could have told them she wouldn't. When Regina set her mind to something, nothing would deter her. Belle had seen darkness. She'd seen demonic tempers. She'd seen magic so black that it stained everything it touched. She'd seen nothing like Regina Mills angry before and never wanted to again. The Queen's wrath and pride clashed with the Mayor's fortitude and prudence. It all fed into Regina's determination and strength. She was a one-woman-army.

Then the fire came, high and hot. It cut them off from Regina and The Wraith.

Heat, fire, and smoke warped and distorted the room. It was terrifying and Belle regretted finding the summoning incantation at all. She wanted to help Aurora, but the cost was too high. This hellish battle would destroy Regina, them, and all Storybrooke. All Magic, she could hear Rumple's voice in her head, came with a price.

She could barely see Regina through the smoke and flame. She stood powerful and proud to the point of foolishness. Regina was staring up at the wraith, her head held high. She was every inch a queen in that moment. The fire painted over the scene with reds, oranges, and yellows. The smoke made everything hazy and dim. The stench of death and decay mixed with the sickeningly sweet scent of roasting flesh. It was like a nightmare ripped from Belle's memories. This was exactly what she'd imagined when she thought of the dark curse being cast. Only this time, Regina was trying to stop the destruction, not reveling in it.

Regina was a Queen, from the curled tips of her hair to the ridiculously high heels she was wearing. She was facing death itself and refused to flinch.

Belle could see Emma, glowing in the firelight. Her dress, her hair, and eyes blazed. She was ready to fight. She was ready to defend. She would fight to the death for Regina.

Belle realized what it was, a deal. It was always a deal. Belle loathed deals. They only ever benefited one person, and it was never the person who needed it. This time Regina was making a deal with a real devil.

Regina offered magic, her witch fire, in exchange for Phillip's soul and Storybrooke's safety. Belle didn't have magic. She understood that it was personal for the practitioner, though. Belle also knew that Regina had an affinity for fireballs. Fire was destructive, uncontrollable and powerful. It was the only thing that could kill the wraith. Regina was giving up their biggest weapon and taking away the Wraith's biggest weakness. Belle couldn't even be angry. Regina was doing this to defend Storybrooke. Even that wasn't without a cost. She was saving Storybrooke but condemning someone else somewhere else. It was a wretched deal.

"Do we have a deal Wraith?'' Regina's tone was strict and business-like. She might have been reading minutes at a council meeting. She sounded bored. It was an act, like her speech at the ball. It was all an act. The Evil Queen was just an act.

Belle bit her lip and swallowed her protests. Her screams wouldn't help anything. She shivered and tried to focus on anything other than the horror show happening right in front of her. Even a whispered conversation with Aurora couldn't distract her from it though. She didn't want to look, but she had to. Belle was, once again, a witness to horror.

Regina held up her hands and fire flowed out of her fingers. She was paying the price. Belle couldn't imagine what it felt like. She couldn't imagine what was going through Regina's mind. Belle couldn't fathom the pain and fear, the sheer nerve.

Emma paced back and forth, frightened and furious. The Savior reduced to bystander.

Regina became weaker and The Wraith stronger. The walls of fire flickered, burned lower, and cooler. When it was low enough, Emma ran to Regina.

Belle looked over at Ruby again. Belle wanted to be with her, standing beside her. She wanted to support, protect and hold her. She couldn't, though, and even if she could, what good would it do? Belle wasn't a warrior or a sorceress or a savior. She had no power; she was a librarian. She was an observer, bound to watch the story play out in front of her again and again.

Belle watched, helpless. She watched the Wraith take Regina's fire. She watched the monster turn into something even darker and more powerful. She watched while Regina gave, sacrificed, and became weaker. When it was finally over, when the deal was complete, the room was dark and cold. Belle was more scared now than she'd ever been before. What had Regina done? What had they done?

The room burst into flame again. It was dark, cold, and wrong. Aurora started to panic, to fight, to break free herself again. Belle held her tight though. She had exactly one job. She had to keep Rory safe. Even if she ached to run to Ruby, she had to stay. She had to keep Aurora in the protective circles. She had to keep herself in the circle. She wasn't a hero. She wasn't brave, strong or true. Belle wanted to run.

She held tight as the world descended into chaos around them. The fire. The faces. The screams. Belle lost her grip on Rory, shocked by the hellscape around them. She felt sick. Her stomach soured and tossed. She was feverish and dizzy. Rumple had wanted to damn Regina to this. That had been his plan, his revenge. This swirling hell was worse than death. He had known it was this terrible. He had known and had summoned it anyway.

"Oh my God, Phillip!" Aurora was barely holding herself together. Belle couldn't blame her.

This was why Regina made the deal. She was saving an innocent man from an eternity of torture. This wasn't about Henry or Snow White or even Emma Swan. Regina was fighting and sacrificing for strangers. She was trying to make things right for Phillip and Aurora. She was trying to save Aurora, an innocent girl, from a lifetime of heartache.

Regina was trying to redeem herself. She was trying the only way she knew how: self-sacrifice.

The Wraith's reign of terror seemed to last forever but ended abruptly. The room went dark and silent. A light, brighter than the sun, appeared where the wraith had been. Belle shielded her eyes with Aurora's shoulder. A light, brighter than the sun, appeared where the wraith had been.

"Phillip." Aurora's voice was light and sweet, happier than Belle had ever heard it.

Regina did something and Belle felt the air pop. Regina must have lifted the protective wards. She still kept a hold on Aurora, just in case.

"Let her go, Belle."

Regina was on the ground in Emma's arms. She sounded exhausted but serene. "It's safe now."

Belle let Rory go. She wished she could say that she stayed. That she stood tall, brave and proud. She couldn't. Belle ran, stumbled in her heels, right to Ruby. Ruby, even in the form of a wolf, made her feel safe. She needed to feel safe right now. Not confined, not tucked away like she was fragile. Ruby made her feel safe. She also treated her like an equal. Belle sank to her knees and wrapped her arms around Ruby.

Ruby was large, bigger than any wolf Belle had ever seen. She was also beautiful, wild, powerful and graceful. Anyone who thought she was a monster had never met one. Belle knew monsters, and Ruby was anything but. Belle buried her face into her dark gray fur. It was soft and warm. Safe.

Belle was safe. Ruby was safe. Now, after remaining strong for Aurora, Belle let herself fall apart. She shed her tears into Ruby's fur and held onto her for dear life. She didn't know, and couldn't bring herself to care about what was going on. She needed a moment to catch her breath. She needed Ruby.

The Wolf, Ruby, nuzzled against her and widened her paws like she wanted to hug her. She let out a small whine and nuzzled her again. She was comforting and protecting her. A monster? Ruby wasn't a monster, she was a miracle. Belle's miracle, her wolf, her Ruby.

"You came to save me.''

There were three of them here, not to mention Storybrooke, but Ruby nodded. Her snout moved Belle's hair. She felt hot breath and a cold nose on her skin. When Belle finally looked up, golden eyes were staring at her. There was so much humanity, so much pure Ruby, in those eyes.

Belle moved her hand through her fur, up and up to her head. She ran her fingers along the wolf's features, tracing the shape of her eyes and the length of her muzzle. Ruby's wolf form was as majestic as her human one.

"Always my hero."

She pressed a kiss to the side of Ruby's head behind her pointed ears.

"My sweet and brave wolf."

Belle laid her head, her entire body, against Ruby's and sighed. If they had died. If Storybrooke had gone down in dark flames. If it had been the end, this was where she wanted to be. Here with Ruby. Not Rumple. Not her father. Only Ruby. Belle shivered a little at that realization.

She squeezed her wolf tighter. Her Ruby who laughed and smiled like a silly teenager one minute and raced into danger, like a hero, the next.

Belle was in awe of her. More than that, all the pieces fell into place in her head like a solved puzzle. It all made sense. Everything she had felt, the longing and jealousy, made sense. She had tried to deny the butterflies in her stomach. She had dismissed the warmth and happiness in her heart. She had ignored the want. Belle was a fool. She had been lying to herself. She could have died while living a lie.

Belle jerked in surprise when smooth skin brushed up against her own. The wolf became the woman once more. Belle was close enough that she could feel the heat and magic buzz in the air. It permeated her skin and flesh, down to her bones. It was glorious.

"Hey.'' Ruby's voice was raspy like it was still a half-growl. "Are you okay?"

"Of course I'm okay!" Belle was incredulous. She had been safe the entire time. She'd been in a magic bubble! " You were the one-" She felt angry, mostly at herself, that Ruby had been in danger. In danger because of her. "-that ran in to fight a wraith with a pistol and claws."

Though she'd watched every second of the fight, she still looked over Ruby. She searched for wounds (or horrible brands). Belle was so worried about Ruby's well-being that her nakedness didn't even register.

"Um, Belle."

She looked up. Ruby's eyes were still a gorgeous glittering gold, but there was more. She had hungry eyes, the sort that could devour a woman and leave her begging for more.

Belle had one hand splayed across Ruby's toned abs and her other on Ruby's smooth and lean back. They were close, only inches apart. It was incredibly intimate. Belle couldn't help but smile. "You're okay.''

Ruby blushed, the red started at her cheeks and went all the way down her chest. Belle trailed her fingers up Ruby's stomach to the valley between her bare breasts where the red stopped. She rested her hand there. The touch sent tingles up her fingers through her arm and shoulder right to her heart.

"Yeah." The growl disappeared. Ruby's voice was almost a whisper. She reached out too and brushed a strand of hair out of Belle's eyes. "When Mulan and Emma told me you were here with that-that-thing. Ruby traced her thumb along Belle's cheek. "Nothing else mattered. I had to make sure you were okay."

Her eyes softened, and the gold darkened to a soft and earnest green. She leaned closer, and Belle felt her heart speed up.

It would be so easy to lean in and kiss-

"Deputy Lucas."

They didn't quite jerk apart, but they twisted their heads to the side. The other four women were standing around staring at them.

Regina, wrapped in Emma's arms, leaning a least half of her weight on the other woman, raised a brow.

Belle didn't think about it, she slid her body in front of Ruby's nude one.

Emma snickered. Mulan pointedly looked away. Aurora was blushing and pretending not to look.

"If you'll allow me?" Regina didn't wait for an answer. She twisted her hand and the uniform that had been in tatters on the floor appeared back on Ruby. It was cleaned, pressed and perfectly fitted. Even her shoes were back on her feet.

"Thanks."

Ruby was blushing again, brighter and redder than before. She stood and immediately offered Belle a hand up. Ruby looked her over. She smiled and took in her dress and windblown hair. "Some Ball, huh?"

That little quip broke the incredible amount of tension. The laughter started with Mulan. It was a tiny little guffaw at first and it grew to a full and hearty laugh.

Next came Regina. She was laughing and hid her face in Emma's shoulder. The Evil Queen's laughter sounded suspiciously like girlish giggles. That sent Belle into a fit of laughter of her own. They were all laughing.

It was either laugh or cry, and there had already been too many tears.

"I-" Mulan commented as they walked through the halls towards the door. "-said I would do anything to get out of that ball." Her eyes twinkled with mirth. "Next time I will be more cautious with my words."

Emma snorted. She still had one arm wrapped around Regina. "Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I have got to- She threw open the main door and stopped mid-step. "Shit!"

Instead of a dark and empty lawn and courtyard, a huge crowd met them. There were several cars with their high beams on. They were like spotlights and they were center stage. Ruby threw her arm over her still wolf-sensitive eyes.

The crowd had come from the Ball. There were dresses, tuxes and pissed off faces everywhere.

"The Evil Queen!"

That voice made Ruby twist around. King George stood puffed up and proud in a fancy tuxedo. He was leading the crowd. The bastard. His voice made her want to rage-vomit. She took a big step in his direction. They still had business to settle. Preferably with her fists.

Emma grabbed her wrist and held it tight. "No. Not the time or place.''

Belle touched her back, fingers light on her polo shirt. Her touch, more than Emma's, helped Ruby calm down.

"I thought you had David stay behind?" Mulan's voice was flat and calm, factual.

Ruby looked out across the crowd. David and Snow, still in their royal threads, were making their way through the small sea of people.

"I did." Emma's voice crackled with barely controlled rage. Even Regina's presence didn't seem to soothe her.

Stephen and Leah pushed their way through the crowd too.

"Damn." Emma swore under her breath. "I'd rather deal with the wraith again."

It definitely looked like an angry mob a small one, but still a mob. All they needed were torches and pitchforks. People were shouting questions. Some screamed protests. One woman was holding her hands high in the air praying. It was a mess.

"Hey!" Emma tried to get their attention but failed.

Belle pressed up against Ruby and slid one arm around and across her front like she was trying to protect her. The five foot nothing, even in heels, librarian wanted to protect her. It should have been comical, but it was so sweet. Only Belle would think she could or should protect a Child of the Moon. Not just protect, she'd cuddled her. She'd hugged her tight like a teddy bear.

No one, not even Snow, had ever reacted to her wolf that way. Belle had touched her the same way she would touch a friend or lover, soft and without restraint. She clung to and cried on her. Belle, terrified, had gone to her, and not away. Belle felt safe with her. Ruby had never felt braver, stronger or more sure of her wolf.

Her wolf was sure too. Sure that Belle was more than pack. She wasn't a wolf. She wasn't any old human. She was above and beyond that. Belle was the Moon and Ruby wanted to worship her until the end of days and beyond.

"Hey!"

Emma's second shout brought Ruby back to the moment.

"Assholes." Emma grumbled and hefted her shotgun.

Ruby had enough time to clap her hands over Belle's ears. The blast echoed across the courtyard. It was way too loud for Ruby's wolf-sensitive ears, but she'd rather deal with the pain than watch Belle do so.

Emma had the gun high in the air and looked like she would fire another round if she decided it was necessary.

"Listen up! Sheriff speaking!"

She didn't look much like a sheriff. She was barefoot in her gold gown and princess curls. She definitely sounded like a sheriff though.

"I need you all to calm down!"

It worked. The mob settled down and looked at her. "Thank you. Now I-"

"Emma!" Snow finally pushed her way through the crowd. David was right behind her.

"Aurora!" Leah and Stephen were coming from the other direction.

"Belle!" Even Maurice was making his way towards them.

"What on Earth is going on here?!" Leah went right to Aurora and looked her over, checking for injuries. Mulan had already wiped her tears but Aurora started crying again as soon as she saw her mother.

Stephen ignored his wife and daughter and zeroed in on Regina. "You!" Stephen, in all his tuxedoed glory, marched right up to the Queen. "Just what do you think you're doing with my daughter? To Town Hall?!" He was an asshole. Stephen jabbed his finger at Regina's face. He was a very brave or very stupid asshole. "You and your filthy magic!'' His face was cherry-tomato red and the cords of his neck were standing out. Ruby could smell his fury. It was all iron and acid.

Snow was right behind him. She smelled of new perfume and Snow's familial, scent. There was something else too. Snow smelled of fear and righteous anger. She smelled ready to fight. "Regina! What did you do! Emma are you okay?"

Emma threw her arm out in front of Regina. She stopped both Stephen and Snow in their tracks. David kept coming, though and Emma scowled at her father. "Hey now!"

The crowd, incited by the royals squaring off, roared and screamed again. Ruby shifted from foot to foot, more anxious now than she'd been when she'd been staring up at the new and improved wraith. The small hairs on the nape of her neck, her hackles, all stood at attention.

Ruby was conflicted and her loyalties split. Snow was her best friend and always had her back. This time, though, Regina had done nothing wrong. In fact, she'd saved everybody's asses. Emma stood between the two women. She was leaning more towards her lover than her mother. That was the answer to everyone's unasked question. Things were about to get ugly. All Ruby knew for certain was that she would keep Belle safe and out of the line of fire.

"Stop!" Aurora announced. "Get away from her now!"

Everyone, even Mulan, turned and stared at the princess. The usually sweet and soft-spoken Aurora broke away from Mulan and Leah. Her hair was messy around her face and there were tear tracks on her cheeks. She looked like a dramatic actress about to give a heartbreaking speech. She had everybody's attention.

"Regina saved our lives." Aurora threw her arms out. "We summoned the wraith that killed my betrothed, Phillip."

Aurora cast her eyes to the side to look at Belle. Ruby could feel Belle nod.

"Belle and I found out how to summon it in a book and-" she took a deep breath. "And when Regina found out she tried to stop us. She tried but we-I was so determined to save Phillip."

Fresh tears streaked down Aurora's face. "I put everyone in danger. Every in Storybrooke."

That was the truth. The damn wraith had been a dangerous son of a bitch. Those black flames would haunt Ruby's nightmares for years to come.

"Her Majesty." Rory smiled a little. "Regina stopped it. She fought the wraith, and she won. Those flashes of black and white came from their battle."

"It's true." Emma stepped foment and put her hand on Aurora's shoulder. "When Deputy Lucas, Mulan and I arrived at the scene-"

Ruby stood up a little straighter and tried to keep her face impassive and professional. It was a little hard because she was pretty sure that Emma was reciting parts of an old Law and Order script. "The Wraith tried to attack us. Regina risked her own life to stop it. She banished it from Storybrooke. For good this time."

"We all owe her a great debt." Mulan's voice was clear and carried an authority that Ruby wished she could summon up.

Then Aurora turned to Regina. "I can never repay you, Your Majesty. You saved our lives and Phillip's soul." She sank into a deep curtsy. Mulan fell to one knee beside her.

"Thank you, Queen Regina." Aurora's words were far more powerful than simple gratitude or politeness. This was freaking huge! Belle stood at her side, speechless and Ruby felt the same. She wasn't exactly a political genius, but she knew this would stir up major trouble.

"Please" Regina stepped out of the back of their little group. "Don't. I'm not royalty here." She ignored the gathered crowd as if they weren't there at all. "There are no Kings and Queens in Storybrooke. Just people. I'm just your friend, Regina."

There was a lightness to her voice that Ruby had never heard before. It wasn't the indulgent, soft voice she used with Henry or the fake- friendly mayor voice. Ruby cocked her head to the side She'd known Regina for years but this was new or maybe old. Was this the Regina that had saved Snow all those years ago?

Belle sighed and laid her head against Ruby's shoulder. "Regina might have fought the wraith, but you are still my hero.''

The crowd, the fight, the wild night evaporated. Ruby's world narrowed to Belle, her Moon. She could blame the adrenaline, accept the slap if Belle didn't like it, but Ruby had to take the chance.

When Belle lilfted her face up, Rub bent down to meet her. She pressed a single chaste kiss to Belle's lips. It was perfect.

Belle turned, so they were face to face, and kissed her back. Belle was kissing her back. Regina's little magic show was nothing compared to kissing Belle. Ruby wanted to howl. She wanted to scream from the rooftops. She wanted the kiss to last forever.

"Girl!"

Her Granny's shout made Ruby jerk away from their kiss. She looked up and then let her face fall into Belle's soft hair. She let out a groan and wondered if she could hide in Belle's embrace forever.

Her Granny, crossbow at the ready, was pushing through the crowd. She had Regina's Gyp-Esmeralda right beside her. They were so busted.

She'd left Sebastian Ceola to deal with the Ball. He had everything under control. Besides, Eugenia hated fancy-to-dos. She'd only agreed to help because Snow had asked. So she'd snagged the two bottles of champagne that Leroy hadn't found and sent Ceola a dirty look. This was a family-friendly dance. Not that it had stopped anyone, but Ceola was a convenient scapegoat for her ire. Besides, he'd brought a better vintage than what she stocked.

Esmeralda had asked to spend the night with her. She didn't say why, but Eugenia knew. She had eyes, ears, and a brain. Emma and Regina were finally getting together. She didn't blame Esmeralda for wanting to be elsewhere. Eugenia didn't mind the company. She was looking forward to it.

She and Esmeralda settled in for the night, two old women taking a night off from taking care of their grown girls. She'd taken a few plates full of food from the ball so she didn't have to cook anymore. She turned Ruby's obnoxiously large TV on and found the pilot episode of Golden Girls. Esmeralda popped the first bottle of booze and they settled down to enjoy themselves.

She'd forgotten how much she liked Esmeralda. Well, maybe she just appreciated her more now. They were sitting back with their feet up enjoying one of Blanche and Dorothy's arguments. They'd drank three glasses of champagne each. They'd gone through the food and three-quarters of a blueberry pie between the two of them. They were gluttons, but they'd earned a little indulgence after years of hard work and worry.

She'd shown Esmeralda the matching sweaters she was knitting for Ashley and Alexandra. Esmeralda wanted to know the best place to find fabric. When Eugenia asked what she wanted to work on, the other woman only smirked.

Everything was great. It was a damn nice night. So why was she even surprised? Their quiet night in came to an abrupt end mid-episode. Eugenia sensed it only seconds before it happened. The whole room, building, town, started to shake. An earthquake in Maine? Not in twenty-eight years!

"Ruby!" She jumped to her feet and was grateful that she still had enough wolf in her to keep her joints healthy.

Esmeralda stood slower and instead of surprised, she looked furious. "Cora."

Eugenia didn't even bother pausing Netflix. "Let me get my crossbow."

They rushed to the school. Esmeralda even got in her old catering van for the trip. Merida Hill met them at the closed and barred front doors. She had a firemans ax on her back, a bow in her hand and a take-no-prisoners look in her eye.

Esmeralda went right up to her. She didn't seem to care about weapons. "Little Henry?"

"The wee ones are all inside." Merida answered immediately. "Adults too, most of 'em at least.'' She scowled, "But Snow White lead a bunch of Royals over to Town Hall. That's where the trouble is." Hill shook her head and pushed her unruly red hair out of her eyes. "The magic stopped, but not before Emma Swan and Mulan went over there."

It didn't take a genius to piece together why. Emma would only go if she thought Regina was in trouble. Ruby would go too. She always ran snout-first into trouble.

"Do you trust me, Eugenia?"

When it came to her granddaughter, there were very few people she trusted. "Yes."

Esmeralda grabbed her wrist, and they were gone. No warning. No smoke. No spinning or flying sensation. It was one movement, like a big step. In the actual blink of an eye, they went from school to Town Hall.

They pushed through the small crowd. It wasn't hard. Most people moved out of the way of her locked and loaded crossbow.

She felt like she could breathe again when she saw Ruby alive, well and unharmed. Then Eugenia saw her lay a big kiss on Belle French.

Now Belle was a good girl, as smart as a whip and too kind for her own good. She was also Mr. Gold's girl. Ruby was getting herself in a world of trouble. She was risking both her heart and life.

"Girl!"

They caught pieces of the story as they moved through the crowd: A fight, Princess Aurora's True Love, and a Wraith.

It took that one word to set Esmeralda off. The woman's face morphed from fear to fury to outrage in an instant. "Regina Xaviera Rosalia Del Sol, Daughter of Henry!" She stormed past the various royals and even Emma Swan without a second glance. She went right to the woman she considered her daughter.

Eugenia followed suit and went right to Ruby.

The Weatherbys reached out for their daughter, so did Snow and David. Maurice stood, indecisive. He wanted to go to Belle but was still on shaky ground with the girl. Eugenia pitied him. It didn't matter how old or tall they got when you looked at your child you never saw them as an adult. You saw pigtails and chubby cheeks. You saw skinned knees and missing teeth. You saw your baby.

Eugenia lowered her weapon, grabbed Ruby and pulled her into a tight hug. She could smell magic, fire, death, and wolf on her. She'd almost lost her. She'd almost lost her precious Red. Her sweet and brave girl, the only piece of Anita she had left. The only blood relative she had. The best and brightest part of her life. She had almost lost her, again. Eugenia held back her tears, but only barely.

"I'm okay, Granny. I swear. There isn't a single scratch on me."

The hugs and tears only lasted so long. Once everyone knew their child was okay, the yelling started again. Even Esmeralda, who spoiled Regina, was saying something in loud and rapid-fire Spanish. Between her hand motions and the chastised look on Regina's face, none of it was good.

When she finished with Regina, Esmeralda turned on a dime and jabbed a finger at Mulan. "And you!" Then to Mulan's great surprise, and Eugenia's amusement, Esmeralda spoke Chinese. She didn't know what the woman was saying, but it had an effect. The usually stoic warrior's jaw dropped open and she blushed. She didn't reply. She only nodded, and looked sheepish.

Esmeralda grabbed the warrior's hands and flipped them over. Her palms and fingers were burnt, blistered and raw. It looked like the girl had pressed her hands down on a hot grill.

"Mulan!" Aurora grabbed the arm closest to her and cradled it like a baby. "You never said the sword was burning you!" Eugenia didn't have to watch to know what would happen next. Esmeralda would fix her right up. She had a soft spot for misfits, outsiders and overgrown children who played with fire.

Since Maurice was still hemming-and-hawing, it was up to her. Eugenia followed her friend's lead and scowled at Belle. "And what do you have to say for yourself, Isabelle French?" She didn't know if Belle had a middle name, but whipping out her never-used full name had the same effect. "Playing games with magic that you don't understand! Because you found it in a book! I am disappointed in you! You're too smart for something like this!"

Ruby opened her mouth to defend her sweetheart, but Eugenia wasn't having any of it. "And you! Transforming in the middle of town?" She hissed the last part. "These fools could have skinned you alive."

She didn't have to imagine what that would look like either; she knew all too well. If the Wraith hadn't gotten her, George and his lackeys could have. Eugenia felt tears threatening to overflow her eyes. "You'd think you two are witless teenagers from the way you're acting." She was angry, relieved, terrified and proud all at the same time. She pulled both of them, her two girls, into a hug.

"Um," Emma pushed David and Snow away from her. "So that is that, folks. Everyone go home. There is nothing to see here.''

Regina recovered enough from her lecture to roll her eyes. "The Sheriff will give a press conference on Monday at noon right here. She will give a full report and field questions at that time.''

You could take the woman out of the Mayor's Office but you couldn't take the Mayor's Office out of the woman.

Emma didn't miss a beat. "Exactly. Now everyone please go home. Everything is fine. You can all sleep easy tonight."

People grumbled and dragged their feet but they started to leave.

"David." Emma ran her hand through her messy blonde curls. "Head back to the school, lift the lock-down. Make sure everyone gets home safely. Direct traffic if you have to."

"Ruby." She swiped her fingers through her hair again. "Head back inside and start on the paperwork. If the paper or TV news call, tell them about the press conference and no other comments."

Ruby nodded, her face utterly serious. She wore the mantle of deputy better than she ever had a waitress. There was a big part of her that wanted to keep Ruby close. To keep her at the diner, safe and under her care. There was another part, held over from a proud wolf, that knew this was where Ruby belonged.

"We'll stick to the schedule for the rest of the weekend." Emma sighed. "Ruby I need you at eight on Monday. David, I need you at seven-thirty."

"A father-daughter strategy session." Snow chirped. "Excellent idea, sweetie. I can bring breakfast and we can all put our heads together and-"

"No." Emma cut her off. "It isn't a family thing. It isn't even a father-daughter thing. It's a Sheriff-Deputy thing."

Emma looked about a second away from exploding.

"For tonight, can you please take Henry to your place and tuck him in?"

Snow tilted her head to the side, perplexed. "What do you mean-"

Emma held up a hand to stop her mother mid-word.

"I'm escorting the Hero of the Hour home tonight. We can meet up for breakfast tomorrow morning like we planned and we'll go from there."

Ruby made a good deputy and Emma made a damn fine sheriff. Eugenia always voted with her gut, and her gut was never wrong. They needed a good level-headed law keeper and Emma was turning out to be just that.

"Thanks for the help, Mulan. We couldn't have done it without you."

Emma shrugged one shoulder, done with the conversation. Then she offered her arm to Regina. "Madam Mayor."

Regina grinned a bright and almost girlish expression and linked her arm with Emma's. "Sheriff Swan."

Everyone watched them leave together.

Stephen looked disgusted. Maurice looked scandalized. Esmeralda looked thrilled.

"I- " Snow's eyes were wide, and she blanched even paler than usual.

Now that was an even bigger problem than the wraith. Eugenia wanted no part of it. Though it would be fun to watch.

As much as she didn't want it to be her business, Eugenia had a feeling that it would be. The entire town would have an opinion, they always did. A romance between Storybrooke's favorite hero and most loathed villain. It was all anyone would talk about tomorrow at her diner.

Eugenia shouldered her crossbow. This was one problem that she couldn't solve with a well-placed bolt. She turned to leave when she caught the scent. It came on the wind and it sent a jolt through her entire body. Old blood, good wine, bitter darkness, and cloying roses. Gold and Cora. She wasn't sure how long they'd been there or what they'd seen but it didn't matter. Even a minute was enough. Trouble. This would be nothing but trouble.

Tonight's battle was over but there was still a war brewing. All wars had casualties, and this one would be ugly. Eugenia could feel it in her bones.

She waited until Emma and Regina disappeared around the corner. She looked over her shoulder at her companion "Did you- "

Esmeralda nodded to answer her half-asked question. Her lips thinned into a scar-cleaved line. "Shadows. Ever-present shadows."

She didn't explain herself and she didn't have to. The Dark One and the Queen of Hearts were master manipulators and sneaks. They were even worse than their putrid scents.

"I think I will ward your home tonight. Just in case."

As much as she hated magic, Eugenia nodded, grateful for the offer. She had her trusty crossbow, and she would keep it in arm's reach from now on, but a little magic couldn't hurt.