Hello All,

"Not Your Usual Lion" is back. I've edited the writing a little (not changing any plot points, aside from making this T. I hope you enjoy the improved writing, and the characters you know and love (Including Marie, an OC.)

I do not own any characters from OUAT, Disney, ABC, etc. I have, however, created a series of my own characters and my own alternate universe take on OUAT (Although, I called Beauty and the Beast before it was on the show, when this Fan Fic was first published over a year ago! Just saying… I'm proud of myself.)

Without further adieu, enjoy!

"You be the prince and I'll be the princess, it's a love story baby just say 'yes.'"

A hand found the cursed alarm as Marie rolled her eyes, letting out an irritated groan. The idea of princes and princesses made her usually bad morning all the more terrible. Who believed in happy endings these days?

She made a pot of coffee in their small kitchen, leaving enough for her father when he woke up. She grabbed an almost stale muffin and scurried out the door. She was soon at the front entrance to the shop; about to unlock it, she heard a slick "tsk tsk" just about a whisper behind her.

Nearly choking on the small mouthful of banana-chocolate chip pastry, she coughed out,

"Hello Mr. Gold."

During her pause the narrow framed man spoke, "Miss Dupont, I would appreciate my employees be on time." His voice was calm, quiet, smooth. He spoke as one who was used to being listened to…and obeyed.

The young woman nodded quickly, causing a bit of her long, wavy brown hair to fall in front of her face. She was about to move it when his hand was already there. The long, thin fingers tucked her locks behind her ear. At the sudden closeness of Mr. Gold, she gulped and her heart rate hastened. She gulped, not quite audibly, staring at him with eyes slightly wide. His hand fell to the cane in front of him, resting both hands on one another. Somehow, it made him look like a frailer man, but Marie knew better; she knew her fear was not only valid but necessary in this town.

"Yes, Mr. Gold. My sincerest apologies…" She hesitated, "I was up late taking care of my father."

A small smile appeared on the man's thin lips as he saw the exhaustion in her eyes and heard the sorrow in her quiet voice. He decided he would make his point all the clearer. Given her particular vulnerability at the moment, he was aware of his power. He indeed held all the cards—four aces at that.

For a moment, Marie thought he was sympathetic, but then that thin smirking mouth opened, "Of course, my dear. I am sure you were up late being an obedient child. Still, per our agreement, I should think you would take this job a bit more seriously."

Mr. Gold slowly moved away from Marie, and she was grateful for the distance. He pushed the door open, he had already unlocked it before her tardy arrival. He stepped inside, using his cane slightly more than necessary. Although Marie was bitter about the situation, she felt sorry for her new "boss," although she decided that the term did not entirely apply to one who was not paying for their worker's services. Mr. Gold continued to refer to her as an "employee," however.

"I take my job very seriously," she said quietly behind him, still thinking about the tight control he had over her life, meanwhile her sick father was in bed at home. Couldn't someone recognize how hard she tried and how tired she was?

"I know, Miss Dupont. That is why I have allowed you to continue to work off your father's debt." He turned to face her, his eyes dark, but the penetrating gaze slightly softer than usual.

"Thank you." Marie muttered feeling irritated. She should not be grateful. The so-called debt had been accrued when her father had offered to fix the damaged clock tower at the town's center and could not stay true to his contract. He foolishly took the money before the job was completed. He had tried everything he knew, but the clock practically refused to work. That was over five years ago. Mr. Gold was a businessman and treated her father's should-be payment as a loan—and loans collect interest.

Marie found the duster in the back corner of the shop and moved around the place to clean the antiques.

Mr. Gold took a seat at one of the nicer, hand-carved wooden desks near the back room. He had an office in the back section of the shop, but hardly ever used it now that Marie worked in his pawnshop. He sat, organizing his bookkeeping in a nice, leather-bound notebook. While Marie was busy, he periodically allowed his eyes to shift up from their work to watch her graceful figure as she cleaned. He was sure to keep his gazes short, for fear she would realize what little power she could have in their relationship. Instead, he glanced quickly, as if to check that she wasn't breaking anything. When she did accidentally hit something, or caused any amount of ruckus, he released a low groan of annoyance to keep her on her toes. If she actually jumped, he considered it a lovely day.

He enjoyed the way she was always nervous when he was around; her glorious combination of fear and unquenchable bitterness made him feel mighty in her presence. It was a power he enjoyed. Truly just one day with her in his shop would have satisfied the debt he held over her father. Of course, that was not the deal they had made, and Mr. Gold was the kind of man who kept his promises.