"What the hell…" Ruby groaned as she slowly opened her eyes.

Her vision was fuzzy. All she could hear were loud beeps coming from her right side. She attempted to sit up but took in a sharp breath from a sudden pain in her rib area. She breathed out slowly and lay back down. The memories from her battle flashed like a movie in her mind. That's when she realized she wasn't in her own bed. She was in the hospital.

Belle entered the room, quietly closing the door. She looked tired, and her eyes were puffy from crying. She hadn't even looked in Ruby's direction yet so she had no idea she was awake. A small smile formed on Ruby's lips at the sight of her fiancé.

"Hey…" she greeted, her voice still weak.

Belle's head snapped in the direction of her voice. "You're awake!" she exclaimed, rushing to her bed side. She grabbed her face and kissed her repeatedly. "You're awake!"

Ruby did her best to keep up with the barrage of kisses. Even though she loved it, she had to admit it hurt a little bit. "Yes … I'm awake … I'm awake ... and ow…" she teased as Belle quickly moved back.

She touched her loves face then her neck. "I'm sorry ... I'm just so…" She started to cry.

Ruby suddenly felt bad. She attempted to sit up, ignoring the pain. "Baby, baby, please don't cry…" She reached out, placing her hands on Belle's face. "I'm okay..."

Belle looked into her hazel eyes. The tears fell slower. "I was so scared." She put her hand over Ruby's. She turned her face to kiss her love's palm. She closed her eyes for a moment, relishing the feeling of the warmth of Ruby's hand against her cheek. She returned her attention to Ruby. "I thought I was going to lose you."

Ruby smiled, moving her hand from Belle's face. She tucked a stray brown hair behind her ear. "You're not going to lose me." She flashed an adorably crooked grin. "You're stuck with me ... forever."

"That's perfectly fine with me," she replied as she kissed her more gently this time.

"Heyyyy ... she's awake!" David announced, entering the room with Emma and Snow behind him.

She and Belle separated, smiling back at their friends. Snow rushed to the bed and threw her arms around Ruby's neck. "I'm so glad you're okay," she said as Ruby hugged her back.

"I'm glad I'm okay too." Ruby joked as the others came over and hugged her as well. She looked at them, raising her fingers. "I have three questions."

David grinned, crossing his arms against his chest. "Go for it."

Ruby glanced at Belle, taking her hand. She raised an eyebrow. "How long was I out?"

"Four very long days," Belle answered, frowning. She could feel herself starting to cry again. "The knife was laced with silver. I – I thought you were going to di – " Her sentence trailed to silence as Ruby gently squeezed her hand reminding her that she was there and she was alive.

Ruby blew out a breath. "Wow…" She gathered her thoughts and asked her next question. "Where's Granny?"

"At the Diner," Snow replied, lightly touching her friends shoulder. "She's been here every night after close."

Ruby swallowed, not sure if she wanted the answer to the next question. She bowed her head for a moment. "And Gaston…?" She looked up just in time to catch everyone exchanging glances. Her brow furrowed. "What?"

Emma looked at David. He nodded. She returned her attention to Ruby and spoke. "He's dead, Ruby..."

Her hazel eyes widened. "Did I...?"

"No, no..." Emma assured her, resting her hand on Ruby's arm. "I did."

Ruby looked confused. "I don't understand…"

Emma sighed. "He raised his knife; he was going to kill you so..." she explained, pausing briefly. "I shot him." She gently squeezed Ruby's arm. "I told you I had your back."

Ruby smiled thankfully at her friend for saving her life.

"I'm guessing the patient is awake from the chattering crowd," Dr. Whale said as he made his way through the group. He smiled down at Ruby. "Welcome back."

"It's good to be back," she replied, turning her attention to her fiancé once again.

Dr. Whale turned to everyone, shooing them from the room. "Alright, out you go. We just have to run some tests. You can all come back later."

Ruby waved to them as they exited the room. Belle remained by her side, holding her hand. She caressed the back of Belle's hand with her thumb, her loving smile never fading.

"I'm afraid that means you too, Belle," he said, motioning for her to stand.

Belle looked at him as if he had two heads. "You can't be serious?"

He nodded. "Afraid so. You can come back around noon."

Belle narrowed her eyes at him in a mock evil glare. "Fine…" She rose from the bed. Ruby watched her every move as she leaned in close. "I'll be back in an hour."

"Famous last words." Ruby chuckled at her own joke.

Belle shot her a look. "Not funny."

Ruby flashed her perfect, wide smile. "I love you."

Belle couldn't help but smile in return. "I love you."

She kissed her love softly before turning and exiting the hospital room.

THE END.