A Red Queen Tale

Fandom Once Upon a Time

Pairing Red Queen (Ruby and Regina

Rating…K-T for now

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't want to profit.

Notes: My first attempt at a Red Queen story. Actually this is part of one. I'm stuck and will welcome any tips on where to go as well as a title.

I don't know how or why but I've become intrigued by the idea of this couple. Ruby and Regina both have this darkness inside and pain that they long to forget and I've always thought that of everyone in Storybrooke, Ruby would be the one to go to Regina's defense considering how the curse actually helped her since she didn't transform and she was able to forget what she'd done while in wolf form.

I will admit both may be OOC but especially Ruby as I really haven't gotten a feel for her yet and truthfully I missed her episode in S1. So please forgive me. This is unbeta'd and all mistakes are mine.

In the nearly thirty years she'd been trapped in Storybrooke, Ruby Lucas couldn't remember seeing anything sadder. Finding her sympathy was turned toward Regina, 'Evil Queen' Mills was even more disturbing.

Regina had entered the diner some twenty minutes earlier, looking more sincerely happy than Ruby could ever remember seeing her, in this life or the other. When she went to take her order, Regina had said she would wait as Henry called and invited her to lunch and was due any minute.

As the minutes passed, Ruby had watched the hopeful expression that had made Regina look so much younger and innocent, fade into the cold indifference that had become her trademark expression, but Ruby now knew that look for what it was. Regina was hurting and pretty badly because her son had obviously played a joke on her. Ruby had seen the cold way Henry had treated Regina over the last year, but she never thought he was capable of cruelty. She'd definitely be speaking to the boy about this.

"Look at her sitting there like she owns the place. Why the hell isn't that bitch in jail or buried in that abandoned mine?" Someone said too loudly to not be deliberate.

Ruby saw Regina stiffen and knew the woman had heard. She briefly considered just how much the Queen had changed, that she had let the comment pass without retaliation and she turned to find out who the unknowingly lucky man was. She wasn't surprised to discover it was the man everyone only knew as Dr. Whale. Nobody knew who he really was but his attack and near assault on Regina after the curse broke told Ruby and pretty much everyone, that this was a man not to be trusted.

"Well she isn't and she isn't bothering anyone. Plus she's working with David to bring Snow and Emma home so you need to back the hell off," Ruby said coldly.

"You don't tell me what to do…dog," Whale snarled.

Despite herself, Ruby couldn't help the wince as his insult hit it's mark. She was about to retaliate when to her amazement Regina stepped up beside Whale.

"That was uncalled for and I'd strongly advise you to take it back," Regina said in the dangerously quiet voice that the people of the Enchanted Forest knew all too well.

"Or what?" Whale snorted. "You don't have your magic. That freak serving the coffee is more of a threat than you are."

Ruby knew it was a few days before the next full moon and she was wearing her cape, but the growl that started low in her throat was an instinctive part of her. She clenched her fist, fully prepared to plant in in the slimy doctor's face when Regina surprised her once again.

"First, while her choice of attire is atrocious and almost demands to be commented on, I won't allow anyone to mock Miss Lucas regarding a condition she has no control over. As a doctor you should know better. Secondly, just how sure are you that I am…defenseless? Regina asked curiously. The smile on her lips had even the nearby Grumpy swallowing in fear.

"I know you don't. I saw your humiliation myself," Whale replied with a confident smirk.

"Yes, well things change dear," she said coolly.

Ruby had no idea what Regina was doing but the sudden gasp coming from Whale and the way he clutched at his throat gave her a good idea. It seemed Regina's magic was back. Instead of recoiling in fear like the other patron's in the diner who still managed to stay to watch the show, Ruby found the display of power strangely fascinating and ridiculously hot. However, she couldn't let the former Mayor kill someone on her behalf.

"Regina," she said softly, hoping to calm the angry woman. "Let him go, it's okay."

Regina blinked as if she'd forgotten where she was and looked at Ruby. "Why? Because he's a good man?" she asked sarcastically.

Ruby smirked. "Hardly. He's a massive douchebag," she answered, grinning at Regina's grimace at the vulgar insult. "However, I don't want you to go to jail, especially for me."

Regina looked back at the now slightly purple man. :"I don't know who you really are, but I will find out," she warned him simply. "Now, apologize to Miss Lucas. NOW!" she shouted when he didn't respond.

"I…sorry," he choked out, nearly falling off the stool when Regina's magical hold on his throat released him.

"If this is your bedside manner, Doctor, I think I'd prefer the backward medicine of the Enchanted Forest."

Whale got to his feet and straightened his tie as if he hadn't just been thoroughly embarrassed. "Enjoy your freedom, Regina. It won't last long. There is still an entire town that wants your head on a pike . Hell even your own kid doesn't want you around and now that the all powerful Savior isn't here to protect you, well….watch your back."

With that, Whale threw a bill on the counter and stormed out of the diner and several patrons staring at the former Mayor as if they'd never seen her before. Then she noticed them looking at her and she realized that her reprieve was over. The people of Storybrooke had just been reminded a monster lived amongst them.

"Thank you," Ruby finally said after the customers turned their attention back to their lunch.

Regina looked at Ruby as if she'd never heard those two words before. "I was simply returning the favor Miss Lucas," she replied awkwardly before dropping money on the counter for the coffee she'd had and leaving the diner without another word.

"Well that was all kinds of weird" Grumpy muttered. "Even for her."

"Yeah," Ruby said distractedly as she began to wipe the already clean counter. Regina Mills just revealed she had magic to nearly thirty of the biggest gossips in town, especially Grumpy, putting her life even further in danger, simply because she'd heard Ruby being insulted. Weird indeed.

Regina entered her half empty office, her mind spinning in five different directions and glad for it. If she was focused on something else she wouldn't be forced to accept that Henry had never had any intention of having lunch with her. Numbly, she continued packing where she had left off, letting her thoughts return to the diner.

She had heard Whale's comments about her and while she had longed to reach out and magically rip the man's heart from his chest, she remembered what she had told Henry, that she wanted to redeem herself and while she had no intention of becoming the dull, holier than thou hypocrite that Snow and the other 'good' citizens of Storybrooke claimed to be, she would do her damndest to refrain herself from needlessly killing someone.

Then the arrogant ass had turned his venom on Ruby and she'd found herself irate on the young woman's behalf. Maybe it was the way she'd defended Regina at the diner. Maybe it was the pain of realizing Henry wasn't coming after all and she was spoiling for a fight or maybe it was because…hell, she didn't know why she did it but hearing him call Ruby a dog and the younger woman's attempt to hide her pain had gotten to her.

Ruby 'Red' Lucas had always been a secret source of fascination for Regina, even back in the other world. As Queen , she had of course heard the rumors of a beautiful young woman that with the full moon turned into a fierce wolf roaming the forest. Curious despite herself, she'd set out in a pathetically simple disguise to investigate this potential threat to her lands. She'd managed to meet the young woman in the village under the pretext of being lost and if anything, the rumors had understated the woman's exotic beauty. Sharp features, a broad smile and piercing dark eyes forced one to notice her and Regina had herself been temporarily mesmerized. She could sense the dangerous lupine nature lurking beneath the surface and it had captivated the Evil Queen far more than it should have and she'd often wondered what it would be like to see the woman transform.

Even now, the easy, confident way the waitress carried herself and the ridiculously skimpy outfits she wore that told the world she couldn't be bothered by what they thought of her was as frustrating as it was intriguing, even though Regina wondered why she would put herself on display for men to ogle. Maybe her confidence wasn't as strong as Regina assumed.

Sighing, Regina cleared her head of the not particularly welcome thoughts about the waitress and began to clear her desk once more, trying to focus her thoughts on how to get Emma and Snow back to Storybrooke and not the many possible reasons Henry had stood her up. It wasn't until she noticed that the keys, particularly the ones that opened her father's tomb at the cemetery, that she realized just how she'd been duped. Henry lied to her simply so he could…oh God, she thought panicked. He was going to see the vault and he was smart enough to figure out just what the it represented. Regina started to run out of the office, but she stopped when she realized it was all too late. She'd obviously lost him, despite his telling her he'd give her a chance. He already believed the worst of her so seeing the rest o f it wouldn't really matter. He would know the wall was, according to his damned book, the place the Evil Queen kept the hearts she'd stolen. It wouldn't matter that Graham's had been the only heart in her collection.

Fighting tears of surrender, Regina picked up her phone to call Charming and listlessly told him what she believed Henry was up to. She told him as it was doubtful Henry would come with her, so he should be the one to fetch his grandson.

After she had his agreement, Regina stiffened her shoulders and did what she did best when the pain became too much to handle. She forced every bit of emotion swirling through her back behind the walls she'd fought so long and so hard to build until she once more felt nothing and she was able to begin carrying her boxes out while ignoring the smirks and whispers of her former staff.

"Thanks Virginia, see you tomorrow." Ruby grinned at the older woman and left the bank. Not for the first time she realized how much better she liked this world than the one they'd all be swept away from. In her mind this modern world with all it's freedoms and luxuries was far better than living in barely inhabitable cottages and where a simple splinter could kill you. Even having her memory stripped from her for nearly thirty years was hardly something to complain about. For twenty eight years, she was able to truly live without fear of turning into a giant beast preying on her friends and neighbors. She was able to live without remember what she'd done to the man she'd loved. And the one person she had to thank for that was the one person in town that everyone else despised.

Just then Ruby spotted the current object of her thoughts walking out of City Hall, carrying a box to her car. She'd forgotten that Regina had been removed from office. Feeling an odd and most likely unwelcome flash of pity for the formidable woman, Ruby decided to risk a verbal beating and offer the older woman some help. It was after three o'clock and the two dinner servers had shown up just as Ruby left to drop off the afternoon deposits. She was almost sure Granny wouldn't mind if she didn't come right back, but to be safe, she pulled out her cell and called the diner.

Granny was surprised that Ruby was going to help Regina, but told her to take her time and as she made her way across the street, Ruby couldn't help but notice how graceful the older woman was, even now when she'd lost her son, her job, and was packing up her car. There was an elegance about Regina Mills that was…well, regal and that, Ruby thought, was pretty damned hot. Not for the first time she let herself appreciate the intensely sensual being who was known as the Evil Queen and as usual, it sent her blood racing just imagining what the uber frigid woman would be like if she let herself go with a lover. Her knees nearly buckled all together when she wondered what it would be like if she were that lover.

"Miss Lucas," the husky voice jolted Ruby out of her less than appropriate musings and she felt her cheeks warm when she saw the perceptive grin on Regina's face.

"Oh uh..hey."

Regina had indeed seen the desire in Ruby's eyes and it had surprised her that such a…free spirited and attractive young woman, and one who should probably despise her like the rest of Storybrooke, would look at her in such a way. Of course Regina was far from naïve and knew that desire had nothing to do with one's true feelings for a person. Not that it mattered to her, she told herself. While sex did provide an occasional outlet to relieve stress, more often than not, it simply wasn't worth the resulting drama. Though, perhaps she and this hot Little Red should have a….Oh hell no. She's too young not to mention Snow White's best friend, Regina chided herself.

"Come to make sure I leave without a fuss?" She asked the part time Deputy, shoving the oh so wrong thoughts to the back of her mind.

Ruby grinned. "No, although I'm sure that would certainly be something worth watching."

"You have no idea," Regina stated cheekily, her gaze captured by the deep crease at the corner of Ruby's lips when she smiled. That really is very alluring, she thought, fighting an unexpected urge to reach out and touch it.

Something flickered in Regina's eyes that suddenly had Ruby feeling nervous and a bit like prey. She realized that she kind of liked that feeling.

"Yeah, well I wanted to see if you were okay," Ruby offered casually. "I know Henry sort of stood you up and…"

Regina stiffened, swallowing her instinctive urge to tell off the other woman for her presumption. Perhaps public humiliation at the hands of her son was her real punishment.

"Yes he did. I'm sure you and your customers thoroughly enjoyed that," she said stiffly.

Ruby sighed. The sharp, disinterested tone was present in Regina's voice as usual, but her eyes hid nothing and the pain and the tears were clearly visible. Had her eyes always been so expressive?

"Nobody knows but me," Ruby answered quietly. "I wouldn't do that to you."

Regina's infamous eyebrow lifted suspiciously. "Why ever not?" she asked, unable to keep the surprise from her voice. The young woman was a famous gossip.

"Because," Ruby prevaricated.

"That's not really an answer. What exactly is it you want from me Miss Lucas?"

Ruby really thought she should be pissed by the accusation but instead she found herself rather sad. That one question pretty much explained why Regina was the way she was.

"Nothing," she replied awkwardly. "Look, do you want some help loading your boxes or not?"

Regina smiled at the young woman's bluntness. "Very well Miss Lucas. If you won't be missed at Granny's than I would appreciate the assistance. I'm sure the staff here are anxious for me to be gone."

"With that sparkling personality of yours, I can't imagine why," Ruby quipped and then laughed at the offended huff that came from the former Mayor as she turned and strode back inside with the brunette trailing behind, making no effort not to notice just how well the snug black slacks clung to Regina's spectacular backside.

"Yum," she muttered in appreciation, watching the purposeful sway of slender hips.

"Pardon me?"

Ruby tripped and her face turned the same shade of red as her special hood, realizing she'd been busted.

"I said,' this is fun'," she answered as casually as possible.

Regina couldn't help the little smile that crossed her face, especially knowing Ruby couldn't see it. She wasn't unfamiliar with men looking at her with lust. In fact she usually did everything she could to generate that reaction which made manipulating them so much easier. Men were such simple creatures who were led only by what lay beneath their trousers. Usually their blatant desire for her made laugh even as she exploited it but the eyes watching her now were different.

Despite the painfully skimpy outfits the girl wore and the less than subtle insults Regina would constantly throw at her, she knew Ruby wasn't promiscuous. In fact she'd never heard of her even dating anyone as long as they've been in Storybrooke. No, Ruby was simply and unashamedly a strong, confident woman who refused to be constrained in any way and Regina couldn't help but be a bit flattered that this young woman would risk the wrath of the Evil Queen by ogling her backside.

"Of course you did dear," she replied with amusement.

Ruby being Ruby simply brushed off her embarrassment and made a face at the Mayor's back as she followed her back into City Hall, secretly smiling at the warm throaty chuckle coming from the perpetually moody woman.

"Well, I guess that's the last of it," Regina said , looking around the black and white office that had been her refuge.

Ruby wasn't fooled by the bland expression on Regina's face or the almost conversational tone of her voice. As before, her eyes were giving her away and Regina was anything but calm. She knew that she should be happy and mocking the former Queen and celebrating her downfall but she couldn't do it. There was something deeply wrong about seeing such a proud and elegant creature brought so low.

"I'm sorry Madame…Your Majes…Ms. Mills," Ruby paused wondering what she should call the other woman now.

Regina's lips lifted in a bitter smile. "You may as well just call me Regina."

Ruby nodded. "I'm sorry Regina."

"There's no need Miss Lucas," Regina said with a sigh. "I suppose it's better than a beheading after all."

Ruby snorted, she couldn't help but admire the woman's strength. No matter what befell her, Regina Mills would face it with her shoulders back and a truckload of sarcasm. "It's Ruby," she replied.

Regina studied the woman who had risked angering the entire town just to help her. At least twice in one day. "Ruby?"

"Yeah. I figure I've been Ruby a lot longer than I was Red. I'm sort of used to it."

Regina nodded. "Ruby fits you," she said quietly, wondering at the slight blush on the woman's face. Then she stiffened. "I'm not going to apologize you know," she added honestly.

Ruby offered a smirk. "I'd be surprised and a bit disappointed if you did."

"I don't understand you," Regina admitted warily. "Why did you defend me today? Why are you helping me now?"

"Oh don't look so suspicious, Your Majesty. You'll get wrinkles," Ruby scolded.

Regina opened her mouth to tell the impudent woman where she could stick her advice but then she saw the playful gleam in her dark eyes and found yet another smile pulling at her lips.

"Very clever. Now the answer the question please?"

Ruby shrugged. "Because…well, let's just say that I don't see the curse the same way that the others do. Plus, I know you're working to bring Emma and Snow back . I figure you're going to need all the friends you can get."

The confused look that fell on Regina's face came close to breaking Ruby's heart. For someone to have reached Regina's age and station in life and be so confused by the concept of needing friends was just remarkably sad.

"That's not much of an answer," Regina finally replied, unsure of how to respond to the strange offer.

"Well what do you know, you're right?" Ruby said cheekily and then with a wave she left the bemused former Evil Queen standing by her car, wondering what the hell just happened.