The sun beat down relentlessly. There were white, puffy clouds speckled across the light blue sky. Kat Luna wiped some sweat from her brow, before taking a long sip of her water bottle. She grimaced as she took a sip of the now warm water. She lifted her eyes, and saw across the street that her friend Adam Prichard. "Adam!" Kat waved, dashing across the street to meet her friend.
Adam smiled, running his hand through his dark hair. "Kat, how are you?"
Kat looked to the ground, "I'm good."
Adam's face grew a little more serious, and his tone dropped a few notches. He spoke softly, "And your sister?"
Kat shifted, biting back tears, "Getting better. The doctors say she should be home soon." She tried to smile, but it came off weakly.
Adam pretended not to notice. "Wonderful. I'm glad to hear that."
Kat smiled. Adam was the nicest guy in town. Everyone loved him. She pushed a strand of hair out of her face, wanting to change the subject. "How have you been?"
"Pretty well," Adam replied, "It's been kind of hectic at work though."
"Sorry to hear that."
"Well, I should get going, but tell Quinn I said 'hi' and I'll be around to see her soon."
"Will do. See ya later."
Adam smiled and waved at her as he walked away. Kat sighed while she walked him walk away. She moved her gaze to the ground, feeling herself blush.
"Torturing yourself a bit aren't you, dearie?" A voice behind her said, making her jump.
Kat whirled around, scowling when she saw Mr. Gold grinning back at her devilishly. "What do you want?"
Mr. Gold looked offended, or at least pretended to. "Can't a man say hello to his friend?"
"You stopped being my friend a long time ago." Kat growled angrily.
"Are you referring to our little spat?" Mr. Gold asked innocently.
"It was more than a little 'spat' to me." Kat insisted, gesturing to where Adam had been standing.
"Oh? And why's that?"
Kat narrowed her eyes, "You are disgusting. That man, who just walked away- did you forget who he really was? And besides," Kat exclaimed, "You put my sister in the hospital!"
"Please, that was hardly my fault."
"Oh really? Who created the curse?"
"Ah so you do remember." Gold smirked. "I must admit, I have been suspicious for a while…Your Majesty."
Kat snarled, "I've remembered since the beginning. And I really wish you wouldn't call me that, Rumple."
Mr. Gold's grinned only widened, "Spiteful, aren't we? Just like the old days, isn't it dearie? Oh, and out of curiosity, how did you avoid it?"
"Magic." Kat replied simply.
"And how did you get a hold of magic?" He challenged.
Kat's eyes glittered, "How did you get a hold of yours?"
For once, the smile on Mr. Gold's face evaporated. He said nothing.
Kat went on, anger filling her, "And don't forget what you did to yourself because of the curse."
He looked up, startled, "What?"
Kat smiled, knowing she had intrigued him, "Oh, nothing. I'm afraid I'll have to let you suffer the repercussions you caused for yourself."
"Please, do not torture me," The grin was back, "we all know I make a frightful enemy."
Now it was Kat's turn to smile. "You don't scare me. I've been your enemy for months now." She walked past him, calling over her shoulder, "Have a good day, Mr. Gold."
Quinn Luna had been in the hospital for as long as anyone could remember. Her sister claimed that she had come home to find Quinn unconscious on the floor. The doctor's said it was a coma. But Kat knew better.
Kat sat down, pulled out her laptop and starting working. She kept glancing over at Quinn – no, Gwen – anxiously. She always hoped that her sister would suddenly wake up, and she would remember everything. She would let Kat cry into her, and calm her. But all she did was sleep. Kat looked over her Quinn, feeling tears threaten to fall down her cheeks. She whispered to her sister, "You're so lucky," She whispered, her voice cracking a little, "to sleep through everything. You don't remember the past – don't see the present." She stood and walked over to her sleeping older sister. Kat slowly stroked her sister's hair, "I'm sorry," She said slowly, "I never meant for anything of this to – "
She heard someone come in and she turned to see Regina Mills come in. Regina's eyes met Kat's, and she gave a cool smile, "Miss Luna, how are you?"
Kat crossed her arms and gritted her teeth, "What the hell are you doing here?"
Regina looked taken aback, but Kat could see amusement light in her eyes "I just came to see how your sister's doing."
"Well, she's doing fine, now please leave." Kat replied sharply. Her eyes burned into Regina with total hatred.
"You're always had something against me, Miss Luna and I've never understood what it is." Regina said innocently in her silky voice.
Kat took a few steps forward, until her face was inches from Regina's. She stared into the Evil Queen's black eyes, seeing a glimmer of malice in them. "I know who you are, and what you've done. I know everything." She whispered, her voice edged with anger.
Regina smiled a wicked smile, "What ever do you mean, Miss Luna?"
Kat's lip curled in disgust, "You're sickening. Why don't you just admit it? It's hardly as if I could tell anyone."
"Please, Miss Luna, you're beginning to irritate me. I am the Mayor. Nothing more."
Now it was Kat's turn to smile. "I know what you're hiding."
For one moment Regina's smile faded, "What do you mean?"
"Did you really think no one would find out?" Kat mocked with a little laugh, "You really do underestimate us. You don't seem to understand: you will be stopped. No curse can last forever. Now," Kat scowled, "Get the hell out of my sister's room."
"Of course." Regina said. Kat glared at her until she was gone.
Kat stayed there for a few more hours before heading home. When she got home Kat immediately went up stairs to take a nap without bothering to change.
In Fairytale Time
"Gwen!" Kate called running to find her sister "Gwen!" She ran through the wood, wincing a little as branches scratched her, but she kept running nonetheless through the underbrush until she reached a large field acres wide, a huge stone castle visible in the distance.
"I'm here!" Guinevere yelled back. Kate immediately knew where 'here' was. She ran over to the river and sat down on the bank by her sister. She took a seat by her sister, who was in her drenched underclothing – obviously she had just been swimming. Her red curls were dripping at the ends, and made her look even more beautiful than she already was. Kate often envied her sister's looks.
"Did you enjoy your swim?" Kate asked, tucking a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear.
Guinevere grinned, "Yes. I've been out here for hours, just watching the lake. Finally I just decided to jump into it."
Kate smiled back, "You should have come to get me."
"Oh, just look at it, Kate." Guinevere was staring at the lake now.
Kate looked forward, sighing at the beautiful sight. The water was a clear blue, and it looked glossy, as if it were made of crystal. The water was still. There was a small cliff on the opposite side of the lake, and water ran down the vine-covered cliff, making a miniature waterfall. Kate smiled.
"You seem in good spirits, considering," Guinevere commented, seeing her sister's pleasant state.
"Considering what?" Kate frowned.
Guinevere shifted uncomfortably, "Didn't father tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Kate turned to look at her sister, all thought of the lake lost.
Guinevere sighed, running her hand through her hair, "I'm engaged, Kate."
"WHAT?!" He little sister jumped up, hands on her hips. Guinevere was only a few years older than her – only a young woman. "To who?"
Guinevere returned her gaze away, "King Arthur of Camelot."
Kate's mouth dropped, "You… are to be a Queen? The Queen of Camelot?"
Guinevere nodded, biting her lip. "We are princesses Kate…"
"Yes, but… Camelot!"
Guinevere gave her a weak smile, "I know. It is… exciting." She sighed, turning to her sister, "But Kate, I am frightened."
"Frightened?"
"I haven't any idea how to run a kingdom. I do not know this Arthur Pendragon. What if something happens? What if something goes wrong at my expense?"
"That could not ever happen. You are brilliant, Gwen. You will make a wonderful Queen." Kate assured her sister, still dazed from hearing this news.
Guinevere flushed, "Thank you, Kate."
Later that night Kate slipped out of the Manor. The sky was a deep black, but the moon was full and provided a great deal of light. Little stars twinkled brightly in the sky. Cool night air greeted Kate as she exited the castle, staring out at the open field. She had not been able to sleep, hardly even to think.
She made her way down the field, her mind on the lake, shimmering in the night. As she wondered along, she saw a man sitting by the river. His back was to her, and she cleared her throat so that he turned around, a bit of shock on his face.
"Excuse me," She said as she drew closer. "Are you alright?"
"No," The man replied solemnly.
"Is there something I can do to help?"" Kate asked taking a seat next to the man.
He turned to face her, "No."
Kate jumped a little. The man had grey spotted skin and pointed teeth. It took her a moment to adjust to his appearance before she sighed, "Is 'no' all you say?"
"No."
She sighed irritably, but she put out her hand, "I'm Kate."
The man gaped at her for a moment, but quickly recovered and shook her hand. "Rumpelstiltskin."
"Ah, so that's you?" Kate said, trying to speak as coolly as possible.
Rumpelstiltskin frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Nothing, only that my sister and I have heard stories about you." Kate replied sheepishly.
"What have you heard?"
"Well…" Kate shifted uncomfortably. She knew what people said – Rumpelstiltskin was the Dark One; he was evil.
"It's alright, dearie. I'm used to it."
Kate looked at him sideways, seeing sorrow in his eyes, "Everybody is so deathly afraid of you. They think power is evil. But sometimes I envy you for it."
Rumpelstiltskin. "I lost the most important thing in the world because of it."
"Oh? What was it?"
Rumpelstiltskin did not reply.
"I'm so sorry." Kate glanced at the river. "I should not have asked."
"It was my son…"
"I'm afraid I don't understand."
Rumpelstiltskin looked at her, confusion running through his mind. He felt as though he could trust this girl. As if... "My son, Baelfire, Bae, didn't me to have my powers." Kate listened closely as Rumpelstiltskin finished his story.
"I'm very sorry." Was all Kate could say when he had finished. "If you don't mind me asking, how long ago was this?"
"100 years ago, today."
"Then how are you-"
"The Dark One power's give me immortality."
"It must get lonely." Kate said quietly.
Rumpelstiltskin gave a little laugh, "It is no picnic, but it is a living. I make my way."
"You're lying."
Rumpelstiltskin looked at her, shocked, "What?"
"Something dark is in you… you have endured so much. I can tell. You are unhappy." When he did not reply, Kate gave him a bit of a smile, "But I would like to be your friend."
For the first time since Bae, Rumpelstiltskin actually smiled. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Just for listening."
Kate smiled. "How about I meet you here tomorrow around, twelve o'clock?" She offered.
"Thank you, I would like that very much."
I have this story published on my Deviantart, but I thought I publish it here too. If anyone's interested I have artwork for this story on Deviantart. I'm KatePendragon there too.
I hope you liked it! Please review!
~Kate
