Belle laid on her side staring at Ruby as she slept. She looked so peaceful. Belle rested her hand gently on her face, her thumb tracing the small smile on her lips. Her heart ached. That smile was no longer for her. It was for Lacey. A celebration of the moments they shared while Belle was gone.

Her memory returned after they kissed. She was so happy to be back. Her world made sense again. She was exactly where she wanted to be. Holding the woman she had loved from the first day she met her. She was so excited to tell her she remembered. She was back.

Until Ruby said she loved Lacey…

And her whole world fell apart….

She swallowed back the tears threatening to fall and pulled the sheets from her body. She gathered her clothing from the floor, disgusted at what her alter ego chose as proper attire. As she dressed, she felt the bed shift. A small kiss pressed to her shoulder cause her eyes to close.

"Hey…" Ruby greeted, her voice still laced with sleep. She rested her chin on her shoulder. "I thought we were passed you sneaking out after sex."

Her attempt at humor made Belle cringe. She turned so she was looking directly into Ruby's eyes. "Is that the conversation you're used to having every morning?" she inquired, her tone flat and aggravated.

The confusion hit Ruby instantly as she slowly moved back. She took a deeper look at Belle's eyes and saw the light that she missed so much. Her smile spread quickly. "Belle?" she questioned, happily. She scrambled to the edge to sit up. "How? When?"

"Last night. After you kissed me." Belle stood from the bed and flared down at her. "Disappointed?"

Her confusion spread as she looked up at her. "Wh-what? No! Why would I.." She paused as the memory of what she proclaimed came flooding back. "Oh..." She reached out, taking Belle's wrist in her hand. "Baby, listen..."

Belle wiggled her wrist free and crossed her arms against her chest. "Who do you love, Ruby?"

Ruby ran her hand through her hair. "I-love-I..." She exhaled heavily at her inability to form a coherent sentence.

Belle's eyes narrowed as she fought to hold her tears back. "Well, you know where to find me when you figure it out." She turned, wobbling slightly in the ridiculous heels. She paused momentarily to regain her balance and started to walk toward the door.

Ruby scrambled to get off the bed, grabbing the sheets to cover herself. "Belle, wait, please don't go." she requested, reaching out to grab her arm. Watery, blue eyes turned to look at her and she felt her breath catch. Her heart stopped beating. "I-I missed you." She ran her fingers through Belle's hair. "I love you. I've always loved you."

Belle found herself becoming lost in her touch. She missed this feeling so much. Her eyes started to close, but she shook her head, quickly bringing herself back. She reached up, moving Ruby's hand from her hair. "Are you sure?" she questioned, waiting patiently for her reaction.

Ruby's expression was vacant. She wanted to tell her she was sure. Belle was all she ever wanted. She loved her and she was happy she was back, but part of her wanted Lacey. She started to feel something for her. She started to love her. She still loved her. The sound of Belle sighing brought Ruby out of her daze. She opened her mouth to speak, but was immediately cut off by Belle raising her hand.

"It seems like you have a lot to think about." Belle said, opening the door. "Just know that I missed you and I love you." She leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I just want you to be happy." She frowned as she turned and left the room.

The door closed behind her. Ruby placed her hand on the wood, leaning into it. Her eyes closed as her forehead pressed against the cool door. Before she could do anything to stop herself, she began to cry...

Belle walked around the apartment she shared with Ruby. Her hands brushed over the dresser, stopping to pick up a picture frame. She smiled at the photo of her and Ruby. Her fingers brushing over Ruby's smiling face. She felt her heart clench in her chest. Her stomach knotted. She was so afraid of losing her.

She had some memories of her time as Lacey. She wasn't very proud of what she had become. The nights at the bar flashed through her mind. Flirting with men she had no interest in. The nights she spent with Ruby. Tearing at her skin. Leaving marks she would never scar her with.

She placed the frame back down on the dresser. Her hand covered her stomach. She started to feel sick. She walked over to their bed and sat down. Her memories flashed again. She saw their first date and their second and their third. She saw the changes in Ruby. How she treated Lacey. How she changed Lacey. She tamed her and she fell in love with her. Ruby looked happy and that's all Belle ever wanted her to be. She knew what she had to do.

Ruby knocked lightly on the wall bringing Belle's attention to her. She smiled shyly as she walked further into the room. "Hey.." she greeted, her hands fidgeted nervously together. "Can we talk?"

Belle nodded. She patted the mattress suggesting Ruby join her. Ruby walked slowly toward her and sat down on the bed. She took Belle's hands in her own, holding them tightly on her lap. Her thumb caressed the back on her hand as she stared down at their intertwined fingers.

"Belle.." Ruby began as she raised her eyes to meet Belle's.

Her heart melted at the sight. She missed those eyes. She missed the light and wonder. That was something Lacey didn't have. Her eyes were dark and mischievous. She completely lost her train of thought because of those beautiful eyes staring back at her. Belle's hand slipped away from hers and rested on her cheek.

"I'm going to leave, Ruby." Belle stated as Ruby's brow furrowed confused.

"Leave? Wh-what do you mean?"

Belle swallowed back her tears. She had to remain strong and brave. A decision had to be made. She knew Ruby wouldn't go along with what she was about to say, but her gut was telling her this was what needed to be done. Her teeth grazed her bottom lip before she continued to speak.

"I'm..." She paused, the words catching in her throat. She cleared it allowing the words to flow freely. "I'm going to cross the town line again." She looked into Ruby's eyes and saw the horror register after her statement. "I want you to be happy. Lacey made you happy. I'll bring her back for you."

Ruby's head started to move from side to side. "No...No.. I don't want Lacey back..." she argued, her voice breaking with tears that were preparing to fall. "I want you. I've always wanted you."

"But you told Lacey you loved her."

"I did.. I do..." Ruby closed her eyes and sighed. She tried to compose herself. She wanted to get her thoughts together before speaking. "Don't you understand, Belle? You are Lacey. Lacey was you." She took her hands again, holding them against her heart. "Yes, she was wild and out of control, but there was a part of her that was all you. She was cute, and funny, and she had those moments when I woke up with her and I swore you were back." She inched closer. "Don't you get it? I love you and only you. Every part, every side, every personality." She ignored the tear as it rolled down her cheek. "You are my life. You are my love. No matter who you are. But, the light that is Belle is the one I want every day and every night."

Belle was in awe. She thought she would be doing the right thing, crossing back over the line, bringing Lacey back. She couldn't have been more wrong. Ruby still loved her. Every part of her. She wanted her and only her. That was all Belle wanted. She just wanted her life back and now she was certain she could have it.

There wasn't another word spoken as Belle moved in quickly and pressed her lips to Ruby's. She kissed her slowly, deeply. Her hands cupped her face before moving to her neck and tangling in her dark hair. She smiled when she felt Ruby's hands grip her, pulling her close so she was practically sitting on her lap. Every missed moment passed through that kiss until they finally reluctantly broke for air.

Belle pressed her forehead against Ruby's. Her eyes remained closed. "I love you so much." She stroked the back of her neck. "I would do anything to make you happy."

Ruby touched her face. "You make me happy." She leaned back so she was look at her again. "You're all I need." Her fingers brushed against Belle's cheek. "I love you."

Belle smiled as she kissed her softly once again. She pulled back, pressing her teeth into her bottom lip. "You know, I can still give you a little bit of Lacey.." she teased, grinning wickedly.

Ruby raised an eyebrow and returned her grin. "Oh really?" she questioned as Belle nodded. Her face turned serious for a moment. "Just.. no biting, okay?"

Belle chuckled as she pulled Ruby closer. Her hands tangled in her hair once again. "I'm not making any promises." she whispered, seductively as she pulled Ruby closer and kissed her deeply once again...