A/N: Season 3... I want to see how the writers are going to reintroduce Ruby to the show, but in the meantime...

Disclaimer: "Once Upon a Time" is property of Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, ABC, etc.

And Straight On 'til Morning

The day was barely half over but Ruby was already exhausted.

Her final night of Wolfstime had been spent running and plodding through the woods. Only when the moon threatened to disappear did she finally stop to rest and sleep carried away her consciousness. She slept long into the morning, shielded from the sun by the shadow of the ridge she was nestled against. The dry leaves pricked Ruby's face. She turned over to lay in them on her back, thinking about what had happened with Lacey.

It all seemed extraordinary and she wondered if she could have done something differently. What would happen when Belle's memories returned? Would anything be different? Maybe Snow was right and she should have used better judgement when she helped Lacey out of the forest… but no. Ruby had helped Lacey because she felt it was the right thing to do, even if she wasn't Belle, and Ruby wasn't going to regret helping someone.

She stretched her limbs, picked herself up, and brushed the leaves and dirt from her person. Judging by the sun's position it was just past midday, and Ruby vaguely considered how cross Granny would be with her for not showing up to work on time. If she was lucky Granny might let it slide since she had seen Lacey unexpectedly show up at the bed and breakfast with Ruby as a wolf in tow. Seeing as how she had pretty much missed her shift, Ruby was in no rush as she walked back to town, but still stumbled over an upturned patch of earth on her way.

That was strange. Had someone recently been digging? Ruby peered closely at the place where she had tripped. It smelled odd… She started to bend down to shift the dirt but was shook when the ground beneath her feet gave a great quake. Ruby steadied herself and looked in the direction of town. What on earth was happening? She abandoned her examination of the dig site and ran into town as quickly as her human legs could take her.

The sight Ruby was met with when she reached town was pandemonium. Townspeople were running for their lives and unwieldy vines were snaking their way through Storybrooke. If Ruby had to take a guess she would say the town was in deep trouble. Sure enough, when she eventually found Snow on the streets attempting to calm everyone and get them to town hall, she learned Storybrooke was on the brink of destruction with the combined efforts of Regina, Hook, Greg, and Tamara.

Now Regina and Emma were on their way to slow down the failsafe while Hook and David were after the magic beans to transport everyone to safety. Ruby immediately took to assisting the congregating of the townspeople, running to and fro, trying to keep everyone she could think of straight in her mental checklist. She was halfway down Main Street when she skidded to a halt.

Belle.

Slowly, Ruby inhaled, recalling liquor and perfume and all the nuanced scents of Lacey she had experienced the day before. She was at the pawn shop, traces of Rumpelstiltskin twisting in the air with Lacey. What did Gold think he was doing, holing himself up in there with Lacey when the town was going to explode, or whatever Regina had set the failsafe to do? Ruby took a steadying breath and stepped forward – but then the vines were receding and with it a new realization.

We're safe.

She spun on her heel and headed for town hall to make sure everyone knew Storybrooke was no longer in danger.

When she burst through the double doors and delivered the news everyone hugged whoever was close to them, and Ruby grinned when she saw the smiles blooming on her friends' faces.

The dwarves wanted to go to Granny's to celebrate and wait for their heroes, but Ruby said she would meet them later and told Granny she would take a shower before helping out at the diner.

So here she was, standing in her room and drying her hair with a towel. Her red hood lay in a crumpled heap on the floor where Ruby had left it when she ran out last night. She picked it up, stared at it, and then tossed it onto her armchair.

It was a bit incredible to think that objects like her enchanted hood had been carried over from home to this world. Then again, it had been with Rumpelstiltskin. Many things were possible where he was involved, and she tried to recall if she had seen anything in his inventory out of the ordinary the few times she had been inside his shop.

Her ears picked up on a peculiar sound outside, like a rumbling in the air. She went to the window and peered out the glass. A shimmering yellow wave of energy was descending over the town and Ruby had no idea if it was a good or bad sign. She got dressed, pulled on her boots and a coat and made a beeline for the diner.

Granny was the only one there, amongst partially drunken mugs and glasses of ale.

"Granny, what's going on? Where is everyone?"

Her grandmother looked at her from behind the counter with a conflicted expression, like she didn't know where to begin. At last she said:

"Belle is back."

- I've been a kept woman, until recently. -

While she had been given clear instructions from Rumpelstiltskin, Belle felt she had been thrown into a situation she was unprepared for. Everything was happening so fast. Her memories were restored; the town was in trouble then not in trouble; Henry was kidnapped; the others left to save him; and she had cast the spell to protect Storybrooke. All Belle wanted to do now was get some peace, but residents kept stopping her group along the way to get the latest status on their safety. Eventually Mother Superior said she would post a notice for a town meeting to explain, and she left the others in front of the diner.

"Are you sure you don't want to join us, Belle?" Archie watched her carefully to gauge her level of grief.

"Yes. I just have a lot to think about right now."

Leroy put on his best sympathetic face. "Well, you know where we'll be if you want to come by later."

Belle nodded; afraid the dam holding back her tears would break if she spoke again. She actually wasn't sure where she would be going. She didn't want to return to the pawn shop and Rumple's home was out of the question – that house full of everything Rumple, reminding her of his mission and how she was alone. The library crossed her mind but that didn't seem right either, not when she was fresh off being Lacey. It was the closest location though, and home to her, so she turned to continue down Main St. – and froze.

It was too soon. She couldn't do this. But…

"Belle…"

The sound of her saying her name and her worried green eyes… it broke her. Tears fell freely and Belle threw herself forward into a warm embrace. "Ruby!"

Whiffs of scotch, perfume, and a bit of magic… but this was Belle. She knew it from her voice, her touch, and the glimmer of blue. Ruby hugged her friend as if to keep Belle with her, never for Belle to forget who she was again.

Belle clung to Ruby tightly, aware she was crying and maybe holding on for too long, but Ruby was a comfort after watching the Jolly Roger sink into the portal to who-knew-where. Her sobs eventually subsided and Belle pulled away, but she held on to Ruby's arms. "Ruby, Henry –"

"I know," Ruby gently interrupted. "Granny told me."

Again Belle nodded, an assuring gesture made more for her than her friend.

"Do you want to come in?" Ruby gestured to the diner and Belle noticed that the others had already left and were inside.

"No." She drew her fingers across her tear-stained face. "I don't think I can be with a crowd right now."

Ruby tilted her head to one side. "What about one friend?"

A place to go, a place to be… it sounded tempting, and Ruby was regarding her in the way she had the day they first met in the diner. Bright eyes, a friendly grin, a sympathetic ear…

The big bad wolf.

I don't care.

Belle mustered a smile and gripped Ruby's hands. "One friend would be nice."

- I'm on my own for now. -

The bed and breakfast was devoid of any guests since Greg and Tamara had packed and left; and Neal was gone too.

In the kitchen Ruby prepared some tea while Belle sat at the table, staring at nothing but thinking about everything.

Ruby joined her, setting down the teapot and a couple of teacups and saucers. She passed a hot cup to Belle and asked, "How are you feeling?"

Honesty came easily to Belle. "Miserable." The pointedness of her answer might have been an influence of Lacey's.

"They'll be back." Ruby had to admit her own apprehension at this turn of events. Not only were more people gone, but this time after going through a portal they were on a rescue mission. Anything could happen to them; but if Snow and Emma had been able to return before then they would again. Hopefully.

Belle was already shaking her head. "Rumple… he said there's a prophecy that Henry will be his undoing. Knowing that, he left to help save him…" her breath quivered, "even though he might die."

The thoughts that came to Ruby then were polarizing. She never liked that Belle was with Rumpelstiltskin. She didn't like him, even before she told Snow about the Dark One in the Enchanted Forest, and even more since she knew what really happened to her red riding hood. Here though was that side of him only Belle knew. Ruby wanted to list off all the things Rumpelstiltskin had done, show Belle he wasn't worth her tears – but Belle was upset because she loved him, and for once he was doing something noble. Ruby wouldn't do that to Belle.

"If there's one thing I respect about Rumpelstiltskin it's that he loves you and would do anything for you – including finding a way back to you. We just have to wait and believe everyone will make it back safely."

Although Belle herself had told Rumpelstiltskin the future wasn't always what it seemed, the little bit of support Ruby was offering her was what helped ease her tension and even her breathing. "Thank you, Ruby."

Ruby placed a comforting hand on Belle's forearm. "You're not alone, Belle."

She was able to properly smile this time, and Belle put her hand over Ruby's. Their position together at the table shifted her thoughts from one matter to another. "I haven't been alone. Have I?"

The coy look Belle was giving her had Ruby taking back her hand and curling it around her tea. "No. You haven't."

Belle unsteadily drew herself together. "About yesterday –"

"It's fine." Ruby distractedly thumbed the handle of her teacup. "I did some things as Ruby before the curse broke so I can understand how you might feel."

Whatever mettle Belle had gathered to start this act of their conversation vaporized like smoke and she stared into her brew. "It's bizarre. Lacey's memories in my head… they're clear but sort of unfamiliar, even though they're supposed to be mine."

"Are you going to be okay?" Depending on how Belle responded Ruby might have suggested she speak with Archie.

Belle bit her bottom lip and the skin of her cheeks turned a shade darker. "Are we okay?"

They weren't going to talk about it, not directly, or at least not now. Maybe they wouldn't have to at all. Had anything really changed? Belle was here. Ruby had her friend back.

"Yeah." Ruby reassuringly smiled for both of them. "We are."

- Things are changing now. -

The town meeting had a raucous start. Everyone had interrogations and was ineffectually trying to get answers from one another. The only ones who knew the whole story were assembled at the front of the hall, having questions being pelted at them.

It had been decided that Belle should be the one to bring everyone up to date, being the only one who had seen Emma and the others off on their journey. Belle understood this, but it didn't make her any less weary about having to repeat the sad tale in front of a room full of agitated citizens.

She stepped up and called for the crowd to settle so she could begin. "As I'm sure all of you are aware, the town was in trouble today – but we're safe now," she announced over an outburst of cries. "A cloaking spell has been cast to protect the town."

At the back of room someone rose from his seat, his deportment both imperial and arresting. "Where are the princess and the shepherd?"

For a moment Belle didn't know who he was referring to, but a quick mental rundown of who was in the rescue party told her he was talking about Snow and David. She knew she would have to tell the town about the missing members of their population, but Spencer bringing the issue to the forefront threw her off. She glanced to where the dwarves, Ruby, Archie, and Mother Superior remained standing off to the side. Ruby was positively glaring at Spencer, with good reason. She took her eyes off him to look at Belle and nodded for her to continue.

"The outsiders Greg and Tamara took Henry through a portal. Emma and her family left to save him. Until they return we should try to keep living as normally as possible."

To anyone else this revelation would be worrying, but Spencer smirked like his dreams had come true. "If they return."

Ruby wasn't having this. She marched forward to face Spencer and retorted, "They will be back, and while they're gone you better not even think about trying anything."

"Or you'll tear me in two?" he scoffed.

"That's enough out of you!" Granny was quickly at Ruby's side. "Everyone knows you killed Billy and framed my granddaughter for it. If this town had a proper jailhouse you'd be locked up instead of walking around like the king you think you are."

"You believe the shepherd makes a better leader?" Spencer sneered. "His whole family left this cursed town to run after some kidnappers who wouldn't have taken the boy if something had been done about them sooner."

"David cares about the town," Belle interjected. "He wasn't willing to leave if Storybrooke was going to be in further danger. They left because we have the barrier."

"And who did this barrier come from?" he maliciously inquired.

Belle pursed her lips. "Rumpelstiltskin." A clamour filled the hall. "He just wanted to protect us!"

"His magic is effective!" added Granny. "It will keep us safe."

The crowd was still uneasy when Mother Superior stepped in to say, "I looked at the spell myself. There aren't any negative side effects."

Archie joined in with, "We've trusted Snow and David's judgement before. Let's trust them again."

"Hear hear!" Leroy bellowed, rallying the other dwarves to cheer their sentiment.

From one of the center rows Sean stood and clapped his hands. Kathryn contributed her own ovation, followed by Jim, and soon most everyone was in the hall was backing the cause. The outpour of praise gave Spencer the opportunity to slip away, but his departure did not go unnoticed by a pair of werewolf eyes.

- Thank you. Not just for this, but… for everything. -

Footfalls on the stairs woke Ruby. At first she thought if might have been Granny, but a waft of the air compelled her to throw off the bedcovers and push her feet into her slippers. She opened her door to the hallway and Ruby's eyes landed on the woman standing at the top of the stairs.

"Belle? What are you doing here so late?"

Her hair was slightly mussed and underneath her coat Ruby could see the hem of Belle's nightgown peeking out.

She wrapped her arms around herself, not from cold. "I couldn't sleep."

There was a subtle rasp to her voice, and although the corridor was dimly lit Ruby could make out the red beneath blue eyes. "Did you want to stay here in your old room?"

Belle's gaze shifted from one side of the hallway to the other. "Um… no…"

This might be a bad idea.

No. There was nothing to think about.

Ruby stepped back and held open the door to her bedroom. "Let's get some sleep."

A/N: This chapter assumes that if Spencer went to jail he got out on bail.