A/N:: So, I know I have no right to start up another story when I have so many I've neglected on this site but the genius that is Robert Carlyle ensnared me in his rendition of Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold in ABC's "Once Upon A Time" and I'm apparently a sucker for accents. Reviews and constructive criticism is always welcome and factor into my decision to continue with a story or not. Thanks! ::
Once Upon A Time
Chapter One
"I'm positive!" Henry insisted, walking down Storybrooke's Main Street. His companion, who accompanied him to his bus stop before heading off to work, grinned at his enthusiasm but shook her head regardless.
"Henry, it's a little farfetched, you have to understand that," she said, looking at him with soft gray eyes. Scratch that, she thought, It's more than just 'a little' farfetched…
The boy, the mayor's son, simply hung his head in resignation. "Look, you'll believe me soon enough, I know it. I'll show you, Bells, you'll see!" he jogged off to his bus, a rather large and familiar book tucked beneath his arm.
Bellamy Grey folded her arms and let out a long sigh. She loved it when the boy came to visit her bookshop and she treasured his company, but even she had to admit that this latest fascination or rather, obsession, was a bit…much. And that was saying something. She was aware that Henry's home life wasn't perhaps what most people thought was provincial, and she fully supported his escapism. But to take it this far… She turned round and headed to her shop with a knit brow and a thumbnail in her mouth. Maybe she shouldn't have given that book to Ms. Margaret, after all.
She unlocked the door to her small store, full of leather bound books and the smell of coffee still lingering in the air from the previous day. With delicacy, she wove her midnight black hair up into a side-ponytail and bustled about the shop to ready everything before flipping over the OPEN sign. It was a matter of seconds before she received an onslaught of customers craving their caffeine fix. She never was as busy as Storybrooke Coffee, but she managed. Hers was a quiet place, where the customers were friends and spent long hours there on weekends or after hours just talking and browsing the books.
"Hi there, Bellamy!" came the humble voice of her first customer, Dr. Hopper.
Bellamy smiled cheerily. "Hey there, Doctor. How's your morning?"
"Pretty good so far. Can't complain. Just my usual, thanks." He answered.
"On it." Bellamy whirled around and continued this nonstop service for the next hour and a half before the lull set in. It wasn't unusual, in fact it was nearly routine.
The little bell above the door to her store chimed as the mayor strut inside with her heels clicking loudly against the mahogany wood floor.
"Bella, my usual." She said, paying the slightest bit of attention to Bellamy and quite a lot of attention to her compact mirror.
"Here you are, Madame Mayor." Bellamy placed the order on the countertop for Regina.
"I trust you saw my son to his bus without any trouble?" she asked, taking the cup and shooting Bellamy a severe glance.
"Yes, ma'am. We had no trouble at all." Bellamy dare not mention Henry's insistence that everyone in Storybrooke was a character in his fairytale book. More for Henry's sake, than hers.
"Good. You know, he's taken a rather shine to you, Ms. Grey." The way Regina said this made it sound more like a threat than an observation. One that Bellamy noted.
"Yes, well, he's a very good boy." Was all she could think to say.
"Indeed." Regina took a sip of her coffee, made a face and rolled her eyes, then promptly left.
Bellamy let out a deep breath of relief. Her heart had just stopped thumping against her chest and she began to relax as the shop door was thrust open yet again, scaring Bellamy out of her wits.
"Yo, Bella!" Ruby, Red, as Bellamy liked to call her, swaggered on in, "I'm in desperate need of caffeine. I feel like hell." She handed Bellamy her own mug.
Once her nerves had calmed, Bellamy turned and grabbed the mug before pouring straight black coffee to the rim. "You look it," she observed, handing Red back her mug.
"Ugh," Ruby sat down at the bar and slouched. "Is it that obvious? Granny will murder me."
"What did you do last night?" Bellamy asked, more out of curiosity than sincere worry for her scantily clad friend.
"Oh, you know, a little of this…a little of that. Nothing too extreme." She winked, taking a swig out of her cup. She cringed. "Come on, Bells, no cream or sugar?"
"With the hangover you most likely have? Fat chance." Bellamy said, folding her arms condescendingly.
"Why do you always give me that disapproving scowl? You know, sometimes I think you do it better than Gran." Ruby muttered.
"Good, at least someone does." Bellamy said beneath her breath as she wiped the counter with a towel.
"You mind if I use your restroom? I need to freshen up before heading to the diner. If Granny sees these bags under my eyes…" Ruby didn't wait for permission and instead rummaged through her bag for her makeup as she walked through the shop to the restroom in the back. Bellamy only rolled her eyes and decided to restock the bookshelves.
The door chimed again.
"Be there in a minute," Bellamy called, shoving a rather large book onto a top shelf.
"Take your time, deary."
Bellamy froze. She recognized that Scottish accent anywhere. In fact, anyone in Storybrooke could. She slowly emerged from behind the bookshelf and came face to face with Mr. Gold, the man who could either make you or break you and perhaps give the mayor a run for her money – literally.
"Oh, hello Mr. Gold." Bellamy wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans, hoping to not show the older man just how much power he had over her (and the rest of the town, though she was certain he already knew and exploited it as best he could).
"Hello, Ms. Grey. A cuppa my regular, if you would." He was poised and refined, with both hands resting over the top of his cane and his long hair curling just over his eye. He looked predatory; dangerous. And he was.
"You got it," she hurried behind the counter and made up his order.
Emerging from the restroom strode a now presentable (ish) Ruby. "You know, Bells, you should come with me next time. You'd have so much fun, I know it," she said, fixing her earrings and not noticing Mr. Gold until she had spoken. She was startled a moment, but soon regained her posture.
Bellamy replied as she worked. "I don't think so."
Now unfazed by Mr. Gold's presence, Ruby turned to Bellamy with a pout. "Oh, you're such a spoilsport! Come on, please?" she whined.
"I don't want to." Bellamy said shortly as she fixed on the top of the cup for Mr. Gold.
"Fine, but you haven't heard the end of this discussion." Ruby winked and took her mug. "Later, Bells!"
Bellamy rolled her eyes and gave Mr. Gold his order. "Bye, Ruby," she said monotonously, even though the spry young brunette was long gone.
"She certainly has a mind, doesn't she?" Mr. Gold commented in a disinterested tone. His gaze was fixated on Bellamy and never once wavered onto Ruby.
"You don't know the half of it," she said without thinking.
Mr. Gold smirked lazily and received his cup from Bellamy. "No, I suppose I wouldn't."
It was then that Bellamy realized how stupid she just sounded. Everyone knew Mr. Gold knew practically everything that happened within Storybrooke, and probably had his hand in it, too.
In an attempt to redirect the attention from her idiotic statement, she said, "Is there anything else I could help you with, Mr. Gold?"
He took a slow, contemplative sip from his cup. Bellamy wasn't too sure if she wanted to know why it took him so long to consider her question.
"No, that's alright, love." He gave her a small nod. "You have a good day."
"You too," she said meekly as he strolled out of her shop and out into downtown Storybrooke.
For the second time that day, Bellamy had to consciously control her breathing and take a moment to calm her nerves. It wasn't bizarre for the two most influential people in Storybrooke to come to her shop every once in a blue moon, but usually she would only see the mayor. Mr. Gold was a secretive man and everybody strived to impress him, either out of fear or respect. Or perhaps a bit of both. Well, everyone except for maybe Ruby. She didn't care what anyone thought about her – even Mr. Gold. But Bellamy had the feeling Mr. Gold didn't think much of Ruby, as through their dialog his eye never wandered over Ruby's obviously sensual body. He glanced at her only when she spoke after coming into the room, but after that he was thoroughly disinterested in her. Bellamy, however, didn't dwell much on this theory and instead busied herself in her store and decided not to think about Mr. Gold.
Three o'clock rolled by and soon Mary Margaret was stepping into Bellamy's bookshop with a sigh. Bellamy smiled up at her.
"Hey! Lemme guess. One Storybrooke Special with a shot of espresso?" Bellamy grinned. Mary Margaret plopped down at the bar with a sullen look. "Oh," Bellamy frowned. "Perhaps two shots, then?"
"Yes, thanks." Mary Margaret gratefully received her coffee. After taking a sip, she looked up at Bellamy curiously. "Hey, did you happen to see Henry today?"
Bellamy poured herself a mug of coffee, as there was no one else in the shop. "Yeah, I walked him to the bus this morning."
"Did you?" Mary Margaret had a brow arched.
"Yeah. Why?" Bellamy asked.
"Well, I'm sure it's nothing."
"What is it?" Bellamy asked, leaning forward over the bar.
Mary Margaret chewed on her lip. "Henry didn't show up at school today."
Bellamy choked on her coffee. "W-What?"
"That's why I thought to ask you, I mean you walk him nearly every day-" Mary Margaret said all at once.
"Did you tell Regina?" Bellamy asked; her eyes wide and worried.
"No, not yet. Do you think we should talk to Graham first?" she asked.
"No, I think we should speak with the mayor." Bellamy suggested, "I mean, maybe he didn't feel good and got off the bus before it stopped at school and went home?"
Mary Margaret considered the idea before nodding. "Okay. Okay, I'll mention to Graham that Henry wasn't at school and then he can go bother the mayor if he wants."
Bellamy shook her head. "You don't want to see her, do you?" It wasn't a question.
"Would you if you were in my shoes?" Mary Margaret asked incredulously.
She had to agree with Mary Margaret there. "No, I guess I wouldn't."
There was a pause between the two. "Hey, can I ask you something?" Mary Margaret spoke up.
"Yeah, of course."
Mary Margaret seemed to struggle with how to ask whatever she wanted to say. "Has Henry been, you know, acting strangely since I gave him the book I bought from you?"
Bellamy scoffed. "If by 'strange' you mean thinking everyone in town is a fairytale character from it, then yes."
"He's told you, too then?" Mary Margaret said anxiously.
"Yeah, it definitely was a strange topic to talk about on an early morning walk to school." Bellamy smirked into her mug.
"Who does he think you are? Has he said?" Mary Margaret pressed.
Bellamy's brow arched and she shook her head. "No. Why, did he say who he thinks you are?"
Mary Margaret giggled a little girlishly and uttered a small, "Yeah. It's stupid."
Bellamy smiled, "Well, who does he think you are?"
Mary Margaret looked from side to side, as if to make sure no one would overhear, and whispered, "Snow White."
Bellamy chuckled. "You would make a good Snow White, I think."
"You think? I didn't think I'd really be the 'princess' type." She laughed.
"You never know." Bellamy shrugged.
"That's true. And who knows, maybe you're a princess too!" Mary Margaret said, laughing.
Bellamy snorted. "Yeah, right. I'm not princess material. I'd rather be one of those mysterious rogue sort of characters. The ones who really trick you, you know? You never know what they're really up to." We didn't notice the door open and the bell ring.
"Oh, those are the best sort, don't you think?" Came that Scottish voice. Both Mary Margaret and Bellamy jumped.
"Oh, Mr. Gold! I didn't see you come in, I'm sorry. What can I get for you?" Bellamy asked, trying her hardest not to acknowledge his eerie grin or her own reddening cheeks. Why did he always have that gleam in his eye, the one that said he knew so much more than they did? Bellamy hated that look.
"Was just in the neighborhood," he said, looking at her wares distractedly. "And I happened by the strangest rumor you might be interested in."
"Rumor, what rumor?" Mary Margaret asked, hoping to God that it didn't have anything to do with Henry's disappearance. Under no circumstances did she want any trouble with Regina.
"Forgive me, Ms. Blanchard, but might I have a moment with Ms. Grey alone?" he asked, as if noticing her presence for the first time.
Mary Margaret shot her a suspicious glance, which Bellamy returned. She nodded. "Sure. Call me later Bells, okay?"
"Yeah." Bellamy's voice was softer than she meant it to be. She sorely wished that Mary Margaret wouldn't leave. But leave she did and once the door was shut, Bellamy suddenly felt very unsafe.
"I never understood that nickname everyone gives you. Bells. Very odd." Mr. Gold said offhandedly. Unsure of how to respond, Bellamy remained silent. Mr. Gold watched her with the precision of a hawk, gauging her response. At her silence, he continued, "But down to business. It's come to my attention, Ms. Grey, that Henry seems to be missing."
Bellamy immediately felt her pulse quicken and felt her thoughts beginning churning in a panicked state. She tried to keep her voice level as she said, "Mary Margaret did mention that he wasn't in class today."
"Indeed. However, it's odd, I'm also under the impression that you walked him to the bus this morning, is that correct?" he asked as he began to absently finger the products for sale at the front counter in a ruse of casualness. Bellamy suddenly felt as if she was put on trial and was being interrogated.
"Yeah - I mean, yes. I figured he might have gone home early," she said.
"Ah, see," he looked up at her from the corner of his eye, "Regina also hasn't seen him all day."
Bellamy's heart sank. "Oh, no." She knew this was bad. She knew how this looked. Regina would instantly blame her and make her life hell seeing as how she was the last one to see Henry before he left for the school he didn't arrive at. Bellamy hid her face in her hands and slouched on the counter. "Regina's going to kill me."
"Oh, no, I think not." Mr. Gold said, approaching her at the bar. "You see, I happen to know where Henry has gone."
"You do?" Bellamy's spirits immediately rose with hope. "Where is he?"
Mr. Gold didn't say anything for a few seconds as he observed the nervous twitch of her index finger against the countertop. His eyes flickered up to her and caught her silvery orbs in his tawny gaze. "He's gone to find his birth mother in Boston."
Bellamy was speechless; struck dumb. Finding her voice, she croaked, "Boston?" Dread immediately filled her. Poor Henry! Out in the big bad city all alone, looking for some woman who abandoned him ten years ago… "What was he thinking?" she fumed, no longer caring if she looked ridiculous in front or Mr. Gold. "Going there all by himself, it could be dangerous! He could be hurt or dying or dead in a ditch somewhere!"
"Bellamy, dear, I think you're overreacting quite a bit." Mr. Gold said with a wry grin.
"He's only ten," she continued, "He should've asked for help. Stupid boy."
"You can still help him, Ms. Grey." Mr. Gold interjected, once again gaining her attention.
"How?" she asked, breathlessly.
"He intends to bring her back here, to Storybrooke. Gauge her personality for me, but more importantly, for Henry. Make sure she's a woman worth trusting. I know you care a great deal for the boy," Mr. Gold said silkily soft.
Bellamy narrowed her eyes at him. "What's in it for you?"
"Oh," he looked away dramatically. "Peace of mind?"
She folded her arms. "I don't believe that. What do you really want?"
"What you believe is none of my concern, Ms. Grey." Mr. Gold's mysterious eyes once again caught hers. "Very well, then. Should you need incentive, I can provide it. You do this for me, and I shall simply owe you a favor. Does that sound like a fair deal to you?" He reached out his hand. Bellamy looked down at it in suspicion and kept her arms firmly folded. "Bear in mind, this is for Henry." Her eyes shot to his and she knew he could plainly see her resolve breaking. After hesitating, she slowly grasped his hand.
"Deal."
A/N:: So, there's Chapter 1 of my "Once Upon A Time" fanfiction woo! I own nothing save for Bellamy Grey. Reviews are welcome and factor in my decision to continue or not. Thanks! ::