Blood Red (2)

Chapter 15

I must have fallen asleep sometime last night, because I woke up in Killian's arms. Regina was no where to be seen. Killian's lips brushed through my hair. "Let's do something new today...something nether of us has ever done."

"Alright," I answered with a small smile. I was still thinking about the dream I had last night...the dream that was also a memory.

It had happened years ago. Just before Peter...died.

There was a knock on the window, and I smiled wickedly, already knowing who it was. "Who's there?" I asked in a quiet, most feeble sounding voice, trying not to giggle.

"Red," he whispered. I could hear him opening the shutters.

"I'm just a poor old widow," I gently howled, still smirking. "Spare me."

"Let me in or I'll-"

"Yes?"

He paused. "Well I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll blow the-"

I interrupted him again, throwing open the window and laughing. "You'll huff and puff?" I scoffed.

"I couldn't think of nothing," he replied with a shy grin. His brown eyes met mine.

"Oh so you thought that you'd level the house with the power of your breath?" Speaking of breath, I moved so close to him over the window that his breath lightly fanned across my face. Our lips were inches away, his arm was though the window and close to my arm. "Well..."I said, slowly backing away, "a case could be made." As I said it, his mouth jokingly went agape.

"Awe," he chuckled, trying to sound sad.

"Shh," I hissed, checking over my shoulder. "Granny's in the other room. you know she doesn't like me opening the shutters."

"She doesn't like me."

"That's what I meant."

Killian looked over at me. "Ruby?"

I blinked. "Y-yeah?"

"Are you alright?" He questioned, rubbing my back.

I nodded. "But before we go I need to go to the diner to check out something," I lied.

"I'll go with you."

"No!" I yelled quickly, which made him jump. I cleared my throat. "No," I replied, softer. "T-that's alright."

----------------------------------------------

"Red I've been waiting for your return."

I rubbed my temples. "I know, I know." Peter moved closer to me. I allowed myself to sit on one of the boxes lying around. I put my face in my hands.

"Red?" He pulled me towards him. "What's going on?"

"P-Peter. I don't want to lie to you anymore," I breathed, salty drops of water slithering down my placid skin. "I'm...I'm..." My lungs refused me the air I needed. "Engaged." My voice broke.

His face fell. "Engaged? To whom?"

"A pirate," I choked.

"You gave me up for a pirate?"

"I'm sorry." My vision was blurry again.

"Oh well..."

I looked up at him. "Huh?"

"It's fine. It means you moved on. You no longer blame yourself. Perhaps I could meet him."

"I...don't think that's a good idea."

Peter reached out a hand and pulled me up saying, "Why not?"

"He's the protective type. I think it would only cause problems. He would think I'm still in love with you."

"You can't keep me a secret forever," he argued.

"Alright, alright." Taking his hand, I began to drag him. "Don't start asking questioned about everything you see though." There was no reply.

We arrived five minutes later, Killian was reading another magazine. "Ruby what's a yen?" He trailed off, staring at Peter. "Who in the world is this!?" His eyes had a new darkness about them, jealousy, just as I expected.

I sighed. "Killian...this...this is Peter."

"He's scary as hell....wait a minute...the Peter who you a-"

"Yes!" I roared angrily. "It's the same one! I'm still in love with you though...honey." That seemed to calm him down because he just shrugged. "And yen is the Japanese currency...like dollar."

"What's a dollar?" Peter buzzed.

"No questions remember?"

"Oh."

Killian crossed his arms. "It's what people here use to trade for goods such as food, clothing, and magazines." He held up what he was reading.

Peter scratched his head. "I think I understand now."

"Good," I mumbled. Sitting on my bed I pulled out the book Killian made for me.

"You can read Red?"

"Yes."

"Read to me please."