Princess in Disguise
Dorothy slipped onto the stool next to Ruby. “So, have you won the newcomer’s heart yet Rubes?”
Ruby shook her head, “Nope. Did give her a job though.”
“You convinced her to become your Deputy?” Dorothy laughed, “Yeah, that was probably harder than getting her into bed. So then…”
“Nope.” Ruby cut Dorothy off.
Dorothy swiveled to face Ruby, “What do you mean nope?”
Ruby stood and finished off her coffee, “I mean that there are other factors in play, so, back off Dor.”
Dorothy studied Ruby for a second, then shrugged, “You’re the Sheriff, Sheriff.”
A scream came from outside and Ruby was off like a shot. She didn’t slow as she tackled Mr. Gold to the ground. She didn’t stay on top of him for long, scrambling to her feet and going to Belle’s side.
“Belle, are you alright?” Belle gave a single nod of her head, but didn’t look alright. Ruby gripped her shoulder radio, “Ruby to Emma. Where the hell are you? I need you in front of Granny’s right—” She trailed off as she heard an echo of her voice, “Ah, there you are. Take Mr. Gold to our cell.”
Gold had gotten his breath back and was rambling about coming all the way from the forest to find the son he lost down a hole. And how only Belle could help him find that son. That they were true love. That she loved him, she would always love him.
Emma ignored it, “C’mon Don Juan. Maybe your son’s at the station.” Gold stared up, silent, at Emma for a moment, then resumed his word soup.
Ruby put a hand on Belle’s shoulder and led her back to the sidewalk. “Are you really okay?”
Belle took a deep breath and nodded, “I am. Go, go— my guess is that you haven’t told Emma where all the paper for the paperwork is yet.” Ruby smiled a little. “I’ll be okay. I have a story time this morning, so, I have to go too.”
Ruby stared at Belle for another long moment, then nodded, “Okay. Call me if you need anything. Anything okay?”
“Of course.” And then she was off, striding towards the library.
“Ruby and Bel—” Dorothy didn’t get to continue as Ruby’s hand covered her mouth.
“Don’t start. Go… hoe your peas or whatever you do out there.” Ruby let go.
Dorothy scrunched her nose. “You start using Rogaine on your hand or something?”
Ruby looked down and jerked a little. For a brief second she could have sworn that the back of her hand was covered in fur. She felt it with her other hand. It felt and looked like skin again. “Funny Dorothy, now some of us have jobs to get to.”
Dorothy rolled her eyes as Ruby jogged across the street.
oOOOOo
Maleficent jogged into the room, followed closely by a redheaded woman. “What’s wrong Zelena?”
Zelena had her hands up in the air and it was Lily who answered, “Mama thinks that ‘something is wrong’.
Zelena lowered her hands, “Actually I said changed. Something has changed. We need to get to the Land without Magic. To Storybrooke Maine.”
The young redhead spoke up, “Where Snow White sent everyone? Where Aunt Regina is? Why now? What are you going to do? What’s changed? Wha—”
Lily whacked the young woman on the back, “You were starting to ramble little sis.”
The woman made a face at Lily, “I am only two years younger than you oh ancient one, and they are all valid questions.”
Zelena inclined her head, “They are valid questions Martha.”
Martha preened, “See poopy head?”
Maleficent had put her hand over her eyes about a minute before, her shoulders shaking with laughter. “Girls. Girls.”
Lily shook her head, “I have a question too. One that isn’t so… Is it even possible to get to Storybrooke?” She paused, “And should we? We have a great life here. Mom is a good Queen, you’re happy I think Mama.” Zelena nodded, “—so why?”
“My sister needs me.”
“So? What has Regina ever done for you? She takes, takes, takes, and never gives back.”
Martha cut in, “Don’t be stupid. They’re sisters. What, you wouldn’t help me if I was in trouble?”
“Of course I would help you Marty, but, we live together, see each other everyday…”
“Oh, so if I get married it’s, so long, farewell?”
Lily snorted a laugh, “Oh yeah. Like you’re ever gonna settle down.”
“At least I’m not.”
Maleficent interrupted again, “Girls. Behave.” Both young women fell silent as Maleficent turned to Zelena, “What’s the plan then?”
“The ship.”
Maleficent winced, “Not the shoes? Do they still work?”
“They worked well enough when I saved you with them. But I don’t want to be stuck in the Land without Magic with only them to get back here.”
Maleficent narrowed her eyes, “Oh, that’s the story we’re going with, you saved me? Not that I pulled those shoes and your pretty self out of the fire quite literally?”
“Mmm… no, I believe I will go with my version, and—”
“Moms.” Lily and Martha spoke in stereo.
Both Maleficent and Zelena looked to the girls. “But, back to the topic. I’m not going.”
“Lily.”
Zelena put a hand on Maleficent’s shoulder, “No, no, it’s okay. Lily can stay here and run the Kingdom.”
“What?” Lily looked alarmed, “No, no, that’s not what I meant.” She looked towards Maleficent, “Tell her Mom, I mean, I’m not even really her daughter, and, and…”
Zelena interrupted Lily, “You are my daughter, even if not by birth, and more importantly, I trust you.” Zelena paused, “Please.”
“You never say please.” Lily stared at Zelena for so long that Zelena was sure that Lily was going to refuse again. Finally Lily let out a long breath, “Fine, fine. Two conditions. One, you make some trans-realm communication doohickey and two, LJ helps me.”
“No.”
“Yes, either you let Lancelot Jr, my fiancee, help me, or I don’t do it. He’s gonna be a Prince soon whether you and his father like it or not.”
It was Maleficent’s turn to comfort, she put an arm around Zelena, “You know he’s not a bad kid Zelena.” Lily glared at Maleficent, “Bad adult.”
Zelena hurfed a couple of times before she finally nodded, “Okay. I can agree to those conditions.”
Martha did a little dance, “I get to go see the twentieth century live and in person and meet Regina, and Ruby, and Henry, and…”
Maleficent shook her head as Martha continued, “I think when we get back we’re going to need to restrict her portal viewing.” She she didn’t get a response from Zelena she turned to face her. “Don’t you want to see Regina my love?”
“Ah, it’s the twenty-first century. And, I do want to see Regina. But, she won’t remember me. She’s different in the cursed world. She’s… she’s a shell of herself.”
Maleficent kissed the side of Zelena’s head, “We’ve all changed in the last twenty eight years. So, we’ll go save her, save the world, and she’ll remember herself.”
Zelena kissed Maleficent, then took a step back. “I need to prepare. This is going to take a lot of energy to break the barrier, ship or no ship.”
oOOOOo
“Oh--” Emma put a hand to her heart. Regina sat at one of the desks in the Sheriff’s station, piles of paper all around her. Emma maneuvered the finally quiet Gold into the cell and locked it.
She twirled the key as she stood in front of the desk Regina was using, “Paperwork?”
Regina shook her head, “There was no filing system to speak of, and I have some time to spare. So I’m remedying the situation. Creating a better filing system.”
“Filing system?”
Regina shook her head, “Not by date, or last name, or-- I don’t know what Ruby was thinking when it came to filing these reports.”
Emma sat on the edge of the desk, “Are you going to upgrade the computers too. Windows 95 is a little… out of date.”
Regina had to crane her head to meet Emma’s gaze, “I was not planning to. Just the paper. What is Windows up to now?”
“Um… 7 I think.” Emma paused, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Emma put a hand on Regina’s arm, “You don’t have to lie to me. You look pale.”
“How do you know I’m lying?”
Emma smirked, “It’s my super power.”
“I--” Regina stopped speaking as Ruby came into the station.
“Ah, good. You have him in the cell. What the hell are you thinking Gold?”
“Wolves shouldn’t swear, wolves shouldn’t swear. Take me to my son, take me to my Belle. Take me to my SON!”
Emma groaned, “He was quiet until you swooped in Rubes.”
Ruby stared at Gold for so long that the man actually fell silent again. “Yeah, well, before he’s just been Storybrooke’s loony toon. Now he’s progressed to assaulting Belle, and no one touches Belle French.”
Gold jumped from the bench and gripped the bars, yanking and yanking. “My Belle, my Belle, my Belle.”
Ruby started to respond, but the phone rang. “Storybrooke Sheriff’s Department.” She fell silent for a minute, then pinched the bridge of her nose. “No, that’s okay Archie. Really. It’s what I’m here for. Stay put just in case he comes home and I’ll put out the call for searchers.”
Ruby hung up the phone with a sigh.
Regina spoke, “Pongo?”
Ruby nodded, “Pongo, yeah, Archie is too lenient with that dog. C’mon Emma, you’re supposed to be the great finder right?”
Emma glanced at Gold, “Ah, of people.”
Ruby waved at her, “Pongo has more smarts than a lot of the citizens of Storybrooke. Regina, would you mind keeping an eye on Gold until I can get Granny or Dorothy to get over here?”
Regina inclined her head, “Of course.” Emma glanced between Ruby, Gold, and Regina. “I’ll bring you something to eat when we’re done.”
“You don’t have to.”
Emma smiled, “Yeah, I know.”
“I like…”
Emma cut Regina off with a wiggle of her eyebrows, “Oh, I think I know what you like.”
Regina blushed and Ruby shook her head. “Get the lead out Deputy, let me show you the most glamorous part of Sheriffing.”
Emma laughed and followed Ruby out the door.
The station descended into silence, the only sound that of papers moving to and fro.”
“I know your story Regina Mills.”
Regina didn’t look up at Gold, “Everyone knows my story Mr. Gold.”
Gold laughed, “If you guess my real name I’ll tell you my real story. Then together we can make this town right again. Me, with my love, and my son. You, in charge.”
Regina sighed, “Take a nap Mr. Gold. You don’t have a son, and Belle is not in love with you.”
“You could have it all. Henry and a true love of your own and…”
Regina stood, whirled, and threw her hand out, “Be silent.”
Gold tried to say something, but all that happened was his mouth moved. No sound came out. His eyes got large. Then he clapped his hands together and gestured that Regina should come closer.
She didn’t. She sat back down and stared at the hand she’d flung out. She also touched her scar. It was burning.
Gold kept trying to get Regina’s attention, but she ignored him. She took a couple of slow deep breaths, then continued rearranging files.
oOOOOo
Zelena shuddered and Maleficent was to her side in a moment, “Are you okay?”
Zelena nodded, “I think my sister just used magic.”
“We can go ourselves, just the three of us. We don’t need the rest of them.”
Zelena shook her head, “No. It won’t be enough.”
Maleficent rested her chin on Zelena’s shoulder, “What aren’t you telling me love?”
Zelena was silent for a moment, “My mother. I think— I think that she has or will feel the change too. She had so many plans for Regina.. And… and never got to set them in motion.” Zelena put a hand to her heart, “But… perhaps you’re right. Speed may be better than numbers this time. Martha…”
Martha appeared to pop out of nowhere. “Yep. We’re going right to Storybrooke.
Maleficent raised an eyebrow, “Eavesdropping is not very lady like.”
“Yep,” Martha shrugged, “Not really gentlemanly either. Sorta not something any person should do. So… am I right? I should go tell someone to change course?”
Maleficent sighed, “Yes please.” She waited until their daughter left before she continued, “It’s okay Zelena. We’ll get there in time. You’ll save your sister again.”
Zelena sighed and closed her eyes, “I hope so. The first time I may have saved her life, but I was too late to save her heart.”
oOOOOo
Zelena watched as Cora pulled the heart from Daniel and crushed it to dust. She had nothing left. Saving Mal and the trip to the Enchanted Forest realm had left her nearly powerless.
She closed her eyes as she listened to Cora go on and on. She might not be able to bring Regina back to Oz, but she had other skills than magic. She could make sure that Regina was safe in this realm. It would just take some planning.
oOOOOo
Zelena was brought out of her reminiscing by the sound of Martha throwing up over the side of the ship. It looked as though the latest anti-nausea spell hadn’t worked for very long after all. Zelena shook her head, “I have never seen someone with such bad seasickness throwing up one minute and smiling the next.”
Maleficent laughed, “I do wonder how she happened from the loins of two curmudgeons like us.”
Zelena pulled her closer, “Would you like me to show you in our cabin?”
Maleficent laughed, then kissed Zelena, “Not tonight love.”
They both looked up as a gagging sound came from right next to them, “If you’re done grossing out your daughter I can tell you that we’ve changed course. Now, do we have a plan?”
“Defeat Cora.”
Martha narrowed her eyes, “Usually plans are more…” She stopped mid sentence and raced over to the side of the ship.
“What on earth does she have left?”
oOOOOo
“She did a header? Seriously?” Emma laughed at something Granny had said, “That’s hilarious.”
Emma looked up as they entered the room. She raised a large bag of food that seemed to have developed a grease stain at the bottom. “I have dinner, and your relief.”
“You found Pongo?”
Emma smirked, “I did. Ruby was stunned. She’s usually the only one who can. C’mon. None of that paper will disappear before tomorrow. Promise.”
Regina looked as though she’d disagree, but instead she nodded and stood. “Thank you Granny.”
Granny gave Regina a pat on the shoulder, “Go, have fun, I’ll deal with the creep.”
Emma put an arm through Regina’s, and Regina looked down. Emma took a step back. “Oh— I’m sorry. I just…”
Regina shook her head and took Emma’s hand in her own, folding her arm over it again, “You simply surprised me. Where will we go?”
“I saw some benches by the harbor.”
Regina nodded, “That is one of my favorite views.”
oOOOOo
Ruby opened the door to the library with a frown. It was way past closing time and Ruby knew that Belle cared too much about the books and stuff. She’d have never left the door open unless she was still inside. “Belle? Belle?”
Ruby was about to leave when she heard movement behind the Circ Desk. She peered around it. Belle sat curled in a ball, her arms around her knees, quiet sobs coming from her.
Ruby didn’t say a word. She slipped in behind Belle and put her arms around her. Belle turned into Ruby’s body and the sobs seemed to increase.
They sat there like that for a few minutes. Slowly Belle’s breathing evened and she looked up at Ruby. “Oh—”
Ruby looked down, “What?” Belle didn’t answer, simply kept looking up at Ruby, “What’s wrong Belle?”
Belle smiled, “You’re amazing Ruby. I don’t think that anyone in town has ever, that I’ve ever said thank you for everything that you do for me. That you do for us.”
“It’s my…”
Belle put two fingers on Ruby’s lips, “No. No. Let’s just sit here okay. I know it won’t stay that way, but right now everything is perfect.”
Ruby frowned, “Are you sure you won’t tell me what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Something finally makes sense. And I’ll explain… later. I promise.” She lay her head back down against Ruby’s chest.