Ruby exhaled loudly as she removed her gloves and dropped them into the bin in front of her. Her back still hurt from all the work and her head ached with the stress of the day.
The number of patients coming into her clinic had increased over the last few weeks. Some had the flu, others had more serious conditions and the other staff members had to rely on her and she had to carry most of the load, as always.
But today wasn't just about the stress or the number of people coming into the clinic.
Today, she had promised herself she would be better and do better.
She had yelled at Gold at the café. She let her emotions take over her.
That feeling haunted her. She didn't like it. She never wanted to yell for any of her daughters.
"Doctor Ruby?" her assistant called her, snapping her back from her thoughts. "You still have two more patients."
"Reschedule them," Ruby replied, picking her coats from the hanger and throwing them over her. "I'm clocking out early today."
The assistant had confusion written on her face. "Are you…. Feeling alright?"
"I'm fine." She gave a small smile to the assistant to reassure her. "Just something more important to do and it can't wait."
She stepped out and drove along the busy streets. A bit slower than usual.
She eyed every store she came by, slowing down to see their displays and then leaving when they didn't offer what she was searching for.
Gold had always wanted a certain music box she had seen in a shop while she came home. Something that had to do with flowers and a different melody.
She finally saw it in a shop, overshadowed by its competitors. She immediately bought it without hesitation.
It was wrapped with care.
"Mama?" Gold called out in surprise as Ruby entered their apartment. "You're home early."
"Surprise," Ruby said, lifting the box she had carefully wrapped. "And this...is for you."
Gold's eyes shone brighter as she carefully opened the small package. "The music box!"
Ruby sat beside her on the couch, pushing the hair behind her daughter's ear.
"I'm sorry, baby. For how I acted the other day. You didn't deserve that."
Gold nodded slowly, winding the box until the box began to play. The music box had done it for Ruby. Gold seemed to have forgotten about their little argument and was now focused on the box in her hand.
Ruby called silver over and made her sit beside her. Hugging both of them tightly.
"I missed you both," Ruby said.
They stayed like that for a while, the relaxing tunes from the music box filling the space silence would have taken.
Just when Ruby thought it had all returned to the way it was.
Her phone in her bag buzzed.
She picked it up, expecting it was a message from the clinic.
But her smile faded the moment she saw an unknown number.
One she would receive when it was an emergency and the patient wouldn't make it to the clinic so she would have to go to their location.
She stepped away from the children and moved into the hallway, as she answered the call.
A voice disturbed by a shaky network sounded from the other end.
"This is an urgent call for Dr. Ruby. You are requested by the council of Vestia…."
She froze.
Vestia.
No. No…No.
"…in response to a critical health emergency affecting our population. Lives are being lost at a fast pace. Your expertise is needed Immediately. Transportation will be arranged for you by sunrise. Please accept our request."
Ruby held the phone tighter.
"How did you get this number?" she asked, her voice coming out cold.
"We have had eyes on you since the outbreak began in our home. The virus is spreading fast, faster than we could handle. You're the only one with the record of treating different conditions and you're the only one this close. Please...we need you."
She didn't respond to them immediately. Her mind had already gone far. Far back.
Back to Vestia. Back to the place that once sent her away.
Back to him.
Han.
"Dr. Ruby…..if you don't come, more will die." The person on the other end spoke as if trying to give her no choice.
Indeed he had.
She's a doctor. She wouldn't let patients die. It was her duty to help the sick. It was an oat she took.
"Alright."
She returned to her daughter's.
"We are going on a business trip." She said to them, her voice low and hesitant.
She never took her kids with her to work. She never had reason to. But she couldn't just leave them here under the watch of someone she didn't trust.
They were coming with her.
The drive to Viesta wasn't long and wasn't forgotten.
She didn't forget anything about this place. She tried to. But she failed many times.
By the time she arrived at the Vestia border checkpoint, the landscape felt foreign and familiar to her.
They had been given a house just at the edge of the pack and far away from the illness spreading…. According to Ruby's request.
Her children settled there while she went towards the Alpha's compound.
An escort guided her past the gates without a word.
Everything felt small and familiar.
The pack house hadn't changed.
And neither had the feeling that came with walking towards a patient.
She was led to their infirmary first, where she was handed the reports.
Too many deaths, little time. She flipped through the pages and looked at the symptoms all the patients had. From the first stage to the last.
It was worse than she thought.
It was a mutation, fast and lethal.
"Dr. Ruby?"
She looked up from the book.
And her breath seized for a moment.
Han stood in the doorway.
He was older and his eyes baggy.
But it was still him.
"Ruby…." He whispered.
Her jaw clenched in anger.
"Where are the rest of the files?," she said calmly.
"Ruby, I…."
"the files?" she cut in.
Han looked hurt but nodded and turned.
"Follow me."