First Meeting

When they could see the faint fire and the black silhouette of Mulan Red slowed down and let Dorothy off. Red stayed a wolf just in case as they walked on. Dorothy was trying to understand her feelings. She was never so captivated by someone before. She figured her life would be that of solitude but Red seemed to give her hope that there good be more.

Mulan looked up and noticed that Red went wolf causing her to go on high alert, “What happened?”

Trying to shake off all the feelings she was feeling she answered, “Zelena, we were almost monkey chow.” When she was next to Mulan she turned to look at the wolf that has been following her. With one fluid movement she threw the cloak over Red. As she watched the wolf change back all she wanted to do was kiss the woman in front of her.

Seeing the strange look on Dorothy’s face Ruby felt a twinge of fear, “Dorothy Are you OK?” There wasn't really an answer to her question as Dorothy still seemed stunned by everything. Kansas started to walk away from the duo. “Dorothy,” Ruby questioned again.

Seemingly to shake it off for a moment Dorothy answered, “Yeah, I’m just...tired. Maybe it was all the poppies. I’m going to get some shut eye. As Dorothy walked away Red lost hope of what she realized she was looking for. Silently she handed the flower over to Mulan as she tried to hide how let down she was feeling.

“That should do it. I’m going to go talk to Dorothy and see what the plan of attack should be.” Mulan stated as she bottled up the concoction. Red nodded taking a seat to stare into the fire. Mulan figured that changing took it out of Red so left her to talk to Dorothy.

Dorothy heard a knock on her door and jumped a little. Toto usually laid with her and comforted her when she was feeling conflicted about something. Not having him is making life very miserable. She slowly made her way to the door to see which of the women were at her door. When she opened it she was relieved that it was Mulan.

“Everything OK?” Dorothy asked as she moved aside to let Mulan in the small home.

“Yes. I just wanted to get a plan of attack so that we don’t have any surprises.” Mulan said as she stepped in and walked to the furthest end of the room.

“What do you think would be best?” Dorothy sat on her bed as Mulan decided to sit on a chair near the small wood stove.

“I think that we should attack at first light. We will have the element of surprise at that time. After we get into the castle we find her and put her to sleep. Once she is asleep we find Toto and go somewhere but here.” Mulan was very direct with her plan. Dorothy could appreciate that.

“Sounds like a good plan. We will leave at first light then. I will take the shoes with us so she can’t find them.”

Mulan quickly stood, “Then that is the plan. Be ready at first light.” Dorothy nodded as she let Mulan out. Mulan turned and handed the vial to Dorothy then left to inform Red.
When the door closed behind Mulan Dorothy felt panicked. She didn't understand what she was feeling but she also knew she didn't want Ruby to be harmed by the witch. She took a deep breath as she thought about her options. She didn't want to lose Toto but she didn't want Ruby to get hurt in the process. In that moment she tore off a piece of cloth from her dress setting it on the side table. If anything went horribly wrong then maybe Ruby could sniff her out like she did Toto.

She gathered her things and quietly moved to leave the cottage. She saw the two friends talking by the fire as she made her way through the moon lit sky. She hoped that Ruby wouldn't be too upset about her leaving but she needed to protect this woman. She needed to protect her Wolfie. Looking back one more time she charged ahead and hoped everything would work out for the best.

Feeling better about the situation Mulan confidently walked to where Ruby was sitting, “I gave the vial of powder to Dorothy. We attack at first light.”

“Good.” Was Red’s short reply.

“Good. That doesn't sound like a very convincing battle cry. Ruby what’s going on?” Ruby was acting weirder than usual and if they were going to be fighting Zelena they needed to be clear headed.

“When we were on our track umm Dorothy asked me what I've been looking for this whole time...And I t,” Taking a deep breath she continued, “I told her I didn't know.” Red explained.

Mulan felt her heart drop a little. She didn't feel like going through all this was worth it if Red didn't even know what it was that she wanted. “Well do you?”

Sighing Red answered, “I think...I think that...Ive been looking for someone like her.” Sighing again Red continued, “I mean...I know we just met, but I have never felt like this about anyone before.”

The warrior chuckled excitedly, “That’ great. So what’s wrong?”

Ruby’s face dropped as she remembered the look on Dorothy’s face, “You saw how she looked at me when I transformed. She could barely bring herself to say anything.”

Mulan didn't think that it was because of what Ruby was that Dorothy was silent, “Maybe she was feeling the exact same thing you were. Maybe she didn't know how to put it into words.” She knew there were people who had a hard time expressing themselves, herself included. Sometimes they just find that words are hard to come by when they are with the one they care about.

Ruby had another thought though, “Maybe she was just freaked out. Maybe it was too much for her.”

Mulan knowing that Ruby could be missing out on something big urged Ruby to see the mistake she herself had made. “Ruby, don’t make the same mistake I did. Don’t wait until it's too late to tell someone how you feel.”

Ruby started to feel a little better talking to someone about this. She knew what she felt. Love was crazy, she knew from watching all the things that Snow and David went through, “You really think I should?”

Mulan nodded her head her with a smile then looked to the cottage. Ruby feeling better about the situation stood and strode quickly to Dorothy’s door. Trying to keep her nerve she opened the door instead of knocking. When she looked around the home it was empty. The only thing near here was a piece of cloth that belonged on Dorothy’s dress. Picking it up she felt her heart break at the thought of losing someone she knew she loved.

Turning and running to Mulan, “She’s gone.”

“What do you mean she’s gone? We weren't supposed to leave until tomorrow.”

“Well she obviously thinks that she doesn't need us. She bailed on us to do it by herself.” Ruby felt tears threatening to spill.

“Don’t jump to conclusions Ruby. We need to find her and make sure she is safe. OZ needs her.” Ruby nodded as she put her nose in the air to sniff out the woman who stole her heart.

Dorothy quietly walked through the castle doing her best not to alert anyone. The castle seemed to scream with each step she took. When she made it the main chamber she ran through looking for Zelena. Toto was sitting in the middle of the room waiting for his master. When Dorothy looked behind the curtain that usually hid Zelena there was nothing there.

Dorothy turned to look at the cage that Toto was in. She wanted to get him out before the wicked witch returned. Turning she realized too late that Zelena was in the room. A flick of her hand and Dorothy was frozen in place. Zelena walked over to the record player grabbing the needle then moving to a vial on her vanity. Dipping the needle into the black liquid she began to laugh as she made her way to Dorothy.

“You think that my minions wouldn't tell me where they found you? Now my dear you will regret ever messing with me.” She used the soaked needle to prick Dorothy’s hand. As the cursed ink went through her system all she could think of was Red being safe.

“Silly girl you think you can surprise me in my own castle again? Now you will live in misery.” She noticed Dorothy’s satchel with a smile on her face. “Oh please tell me you brought them with you.” Picking the bag up Zelena opened it and found her prize. Changing her cloths with a swish of her hand she put the slippers on and made her way back to Storybrooke.