Rated: M
Genre: Romance/Drama
Summary: Part 7 of Clandestine Trysts. Rumple is now awake from his curse and has a lot to do—convince the Savior to break the curse, bring back magic, end Regina, and most importantly… reunite with his true love and their child.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Once Upon a Time because if I had the power… well, it would mostly focus on Rumbelle anyway. Also, I did borrow some of the dialogue from certain episodes such as "The Price of Gold," "Desperate Souls," "Skin Deep," "What Happened to Frederick," "Dreamy," and "A Land Without Magic." Some I have worded differently but for the most part… those lines belong to the writers of Once Upon a Time, not me. So no ownership I'm claiming here for this entertaining story.
A/N: Here we go! This is the last installment for the Clandestine Trysts series, but I do have a couple of other ideas up my sleeve for this 'verse so it won't be goodbye for long. Thank you again for everyone who has been reading, reviewing, and following these stories! I'm so glad you enjoyed them as I did in writing them! This is definitely the longest one and I am splitting it up so it's not all one huge lump. Also, there will be angst at the start of the story, but it will change later on as the story progresses, but if you need a break from it… check out my fluffy (angst free) story The Swan Princess. It's loosely based on the cartoon and features Spinner!Rum and young Bae. And since this is an AU, I am taking liberties with some of season 1's Storybrooke episodes and jumping around to fit in the timeline of this story.
A/A/N: Thank God with all the snow days I had! If it weren't for them, I never would have finished this sooner. ;)
Chosen Destiny
By: Erik'sTrueAngel
Part 1
As soon as his head was cleared, Rumplestiltskin quietly bid Emma Swann a nice evening and made a hasty (albeit smoothly) escape from the bed and breakfast. He nearly stumbled out, his cane skidding across the gravel, almost losing his balance in an undignified face plant to the ground had he not caught himself in time. Had anyone noticed they would have wondered what had gotten the suave, nonplussed Mr. Gold all worked up.
It was the assault of cursed memories that shook him up and he tried to wait until he was safely home to sort them out, but his newly awakened self could not help himself from absorbing and seeking everything about his beloved Belle, and in turn, he was experiencing a thousand and one emotions. Amazingly, he kept it together despite the urge to scream, cry, and rage all at once.
The trek to the Victorian home felt like days, but Rumple made it in the nick of time. Once the door was sealed, his back slid to the floor. His knee was on fire, crying in agony, but the pain was worth it. It was the least he deserved for what he did to Belle and Lily-Rose.
Even though he knew the memories of Gold and Isabelle together were false, there was a smidgen of truth when it came to him and Belle. Some of the momentous occasions that occurred in Avonlea translated over here as well with a slight variation to the truth; however, the essence of their romance remained the same. Yet, it was the aftermath—the product of their love that ripped him apart.
While he chose to leave his True Love and babe in order to protect them—here, the separation was less noble, a perversion of the truth. And out of all the falsity of his new life it was that painful episode that sent his heart unraveling.
He didn't just simply leave them.
No… he rejected them. Shunned them, cut them off, shut them out.
Hitting his back against the door, he gripped his hair as he rocked back and forth… the onslaught of unforgiving memories mocking him.
He had been cruel to her, to her of all people!
He denied being Lily-Rose's father (not Lilianna, he couldn't think of her like that not even Belle's false name). He abandoned the woman he loved for being pregnant, admonished her and tore her into shreds for something that wasn't her fault. Even Gold strongly suspected that Greg purposely got her so drunk that her inhibitions were lowered so he could take advantage of his wife.
But instead of comforting her, helping her… he left her stone cold with hatred freezing the little warmness and hope in her fiery blue eyes.
He crushed her spirit, broken her will with a few callous and spiteful words—taking their beautiful love and turning it into something ugly, degrading it into nothing more than a mere fuck to scratch the itch. He made her feel used, a whore with his offer of money to pay for her "inconvenience." He told her he never loved her—a sin that even he, Rumplestiltskin, could never utter yet Gold had no problem doing so. He told her that he never cherished any of their time spent together, those precious intimate moments that really meant the world to him, especially when he was the Dark One.
Instead, Gold made sure she suffered in the worst imaginable of ways. He inflicted upon her an agonizing form of torture that could ever be bestowed on a young woman:
He destroyed her.
And the most damning of it all… was that Gold felt justified in his actions. In the mind of his accursed persona, Gold was betrayed and hurt that Isabelle would sleep with her husband. He believed he was the victim in this affair for it had been Isabelle who started this whole thing with her teasing and smiles and for driving his libido wild with intense need and desire. He blamed her for making him fall in love with her, for making him think he had a chance with her when it was just a lie. And that was the bottom line… Gold believed their relationship was a lie and he had been deceived into believing that an old monster like him could have happiness. And despite it all, Gold loved her still. He loved that woman so damn much that he had to hurt her… he had to drive her away and he succeeded.
The idea of making amends was something Gold didn't want, but he was curious to see if it was true that he was the father of Liliana and when he looked into the child's eyes… he knew and turned to the bottle to numb the pain, to convince himself that it wasn't true, and it was a fool's hope to believe any reconciliation could transpire.
Gold was a coward. He rather drink himself to death than fight for what was rightfully his… his family.
Then again, Gold didn't have a missing son either. Regina never knew about Bae and had never invented a falsehood about his boy. But Rumple knew Bae was out there and he was determined to fight for him, to prove to his son that he had changed and he could be a better man.
And Belle…
Well, he was determined to fight for her as well. The same with Lily-Rose. She was his daughter and this was his second chance to do things right with his offspring. He wanted to be a part of her life, to raise her and watch her grow into a beautiful woman. The time of loneliness and darkness was behind him and he was done sacrificing for what was right. It was time he weathered the storm and put his faith in the power of True Love and to make his happy ending a reality.
But before he could enact on that promise there was a curse that needed to be dealt with and he knew the Savior will need help breaking it. He knew little about her and there was research that needed to be done, but he could sense that making her believe will take some time and convincing her will be difficult. It was a challenge like any other he had faced and when there was a will… there was a way.
The next thing on his agenda was the Evil Queen herself. The vile woman really did it this time and he was prepared to show little mercy for what she had done. His first impulse was to stalk over to that overcompensating dick of a house and rip her limb from bloody limb, stuffed that expensive manicured hand down her slimy throat, cut out her tongue, poke out her eyes, and chop off her head and put it on a spike and parade her up and down Main Street as a lesson not to mess with the Dark One or his loved ones.
How dare she! The vapid evil cow! Using his curse to hurt his True Love! Oh… she played her cards well and she cleverly avoided breaking her deal with him. Were it not for the growing anger swelling inside of him, Rumple would have to commend her on a job well done in twisting his words.
She did leave his family alone and she made sure that Belle was financially secured… but she had him do her dirty work and hurt his beloved. Regina didn't have to lift a finger to break them apart and all the while she knew what was going on and never bothered to interfere.
Why should she when Gold made it so easy to fall prey to her orchestrations?
Of course, the irony was not loss to Rumple. He made a living and nursed a reputation for his deals and twisting of words, but at least he never purposely intended to be cruel. He was always straight up honest about his contracts—if only others took the time to read the fine print. It was not his fault if someone was too lazy to get to the deal right away and not read about the consequences.
He prided himself on following his deals to the letter. And if it happened to benefit him in some way, then it was a fortunate side effect.
Yet Regina had to pollute everything with her filthy fingers. Well, if he loses Belle at the end of this, then there was no holding back his wrath on the Queen. Killing her quickly wasn't an option.
Oh no…
He wanted her to suffer like he had and she will die when he tells her to. Of course, what he had in mind would require Dr. Frankenstein bringing her back to life several or hundred dozen times before his thirst for revenge would be quenched.
Who knows? If he's lucky, he will be immortal in this world and he'll keep Regina around just as long to satisfy the beast's pound of flesh for eternity. It will certainly make her an example about double-crossing the Dark One.
But as long as forever can be it still wouldn't be enough time for Rumple to get his point across, to feel vindicated for what she had done to him and Belle. Regina will feel pain and she will pay for those stinging words that left his mouth to the lies she told him while locked up in the mine under Charming and Snow's orders.
Belle never became happy with her husband, and she certainly was not expecting another child. So in this world… Belle was not expecting Greg's child.
It was such a relief and Rumple felt he had a greater chance to win her back now… to convince her that his heart was true to her and only her.
Drying off his tears, Rumple got up from his spot; his leg throbbing in protest. Magic comes with a price and in this case… so does heartache. He would pay for his leg in the morning, but right now, the imp needed to plot his next move.
xxXXxx
It had been two weeks since Rumple's curse ended. Emma was ensconced with her mother, although she was blissfully unaware that it was her. The Savior was proving to be a difficult one to convince the truth about Storybrooke. Not even Henry's gallant attempts seemed to help.
Emma Swann was annoyingly stubborn and he could see the apple hadn't fallen to far from the tree considering how irritating Snow and Charming were in the Enchanted Forest.
Speaking of apples…
It took all his willpower not to clobber Regina over the head with his cane. It wouldn't do him any favors if he was arrested so he had to force his civility with a touch of rudeness. Of course, he even contemplated in telling her his true identity and let her stew with the gripping suspense for when he would strike back. Yet it was the possibility of it blowing up in his face that kept him from doing so. The last thing he wanted was for Belle to reject him if she believed he was the monster that the stories warned about.
So he forced himself to play well, but it didn't stop his imagination from coming up with various ways to murder the Evil Queen. Those imagined musings always put a wide smile on his face.
Of course, right now… it could explain why the residents were scurrying away from him as he strolled down the sidewalks as he envisioned stuffing apple after apple in her large mouth like a pig about to be barbequed on a spit. Rumple let out a muffled chuckle as he pictured Regina tied up like one roasting over a fire, but in this hellish eternity… she would forever turn around and around with the flames scorching her though never catching her on fire. She would be snorting for death after a few rotations.
Completely engrossed with his thoughts, Rumple wasn't paying any attention until he ran into an equally occupied beauty.
"I'm sorry I—" Belle, no Isabelle's, voice trailed off, her austere cerulean eyes darkened as she noticed who it was she ran into. "Mr. Gold," she finished coolly.
It took all his strength to keep himself from falling to his knees, but he couldn't tear his gaze away from her. Even though they had seen each other for the last twenty-eight years, it felt like he hadn't seen her in forever. She was still so beautiful and there was that defiant spark that lingered in her countenance that sent his blood boiling. The air in his lungs tightened and he found it difficult to allow the oxygen to circulate as he continued to stare at her like a man starving in the desert.
His lack of retort and the unusual look on his face had Isabelle frowning. This wasn't like him at all… Normally, he would curse out any poor soul who dared to step in his way, yet the ruthless landlord and businessman was uncharacteristically silent. Something didn't sit right with her and yet… he seemed different somehow. Isabelle couldn't put her finger on what it was exactly, but there was something different about him. And she wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Isa—" he began, stopped, and corrected himself, "Mrs. Hunter. I apologize. I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention."
She blinked, not sure if she heard correctly. A quick peek from the corner of her eye and she saw that a couple of other people stopped and were looking in their direction. Apparently, they seemed to be stunned that Gold wasn't chewing her out so the apology had been real and not in her head.
Feeling suddenly uneasy (and not because he was her ex-lover and father of her child), Isabelle nodded quickly.
"It's all right Mr. Gold," she said. "I need to get going. I have to pick up—"
"Lilianna," he supplied, earning him an arched eyebrow from the brunette.
"Ye-yes," she replied, looking at him warily.
Rumple held his breath, sensing there was something she was going to say, but his beloved pressed her lips together and walked past him without another word or glance. He turned to watch her go, not before fixating a glare in the direction of the curious bystanders that sent them flying, and longed to go with her to see his daughter.
She disappeared inside the florist's shop and Rumple released his breath. He surmised that all in all it hadn't been as bad as he thought it could have been. He took it as a sign that there was a chance he could repair the damage that was wrought by the curse and maybe… just maybe win his family back.
xxXXxx
Their next meeting occurred two days later and it was both a blessing and a curse.
Rumple had locked up his shop for the evening and was walking away when he heard the shattering of glass. Turning around, he watched as Cinderella (Ashley Boyd in this world) entered his shop, and immediately, he knew exactly what she was going after. The smart thing to do would be to call for Sheriff Graham about the burglar, but Rumple was confident he could handle the situation on his own. After all, she was merely a slip of a girl and very pregnant so she didn't really pose a threat in his mind.
Of course, the last thing he expected (and damn this world without magic) was for the pepper spray in his eyes. The stinging sensation lit his eyes on fire as he let out a shout. In a wild frenzy, his fingers dove for his retinas to wipe it off, but instead, he crashed into the wall behind him. The blow hurtled him forward and when he tried to balance himself… he forgot his bad leg couldn't support his weight, which made Rumple fall over and slammed his head into the corner of the counter, knocking him out.
He didn't know how long he had been out, but the next thing Rumple remembered was being awakened by a frantic voice repeating his name as a petite hand shaking his shoulder.
Wincing, Rumple opened his eyes, blinking rapidly to fight off the blurriness of his vision, to see a pair of the most beautiful deep cobalt eyes peering anxiously into his. Her long brown curls tumbled over her shoulder and brushed his cheek as she bent over him to check his head for any other injuries. Her finger lightly grazed the cut above his eyebrow, her face pinched with worry.
She was so close… her lips… a breath away and he closed his eyes as he inhaled her scent deeply. Roses and vanilla filled his nostrils and he couldn't help himself as he whispered longingly, "Belle…"
"Mr. Gold?" Isabelle pulled back, her brow arched questioningly.
And it was the murmuring of his accursed name that doused the moment and reminded him that Belle was not Belle.
Fighting back the wave of dizziness, he lifted himself from the floor, but she was there, her hands gently holding him as he got his bearings. Breathing hard, he pointed to his cane that was abandoned not far from where he fell and asked, "If you wouldn't mind…?"
Biting her lip, Isabelle reached for the cane and handed it to him. Standing up proved to be difficult and Isabelle slid her arm behind him as she helped him to his feet. Rumple lurched forward as his head throbbed in protest, but he kept a firm grip on his cane with his arm still slung over Isabelle's shoulder.
"Come on," she mumbled, guiding him to the backroom and had him sit on the cot. He was grateful for the comfortable seating as another bout of dizziness came over him and he had to squeeze his eyes shut to ride it out.
Within seconds, Isabelle's cool fingers were caressing his temple as a wet cloth tenderly dabbed his brow. This time he forced himself to keep his eyes opened so he wouldn't miss a moment of seeing his beloved tending to him without hatred or anger reflecting back at him. His heart fluttered in his chest at her ministrations, and briefly, there was a glimpse of his Belle as she smiled softly at him. Then, recalling what happened, her smile dropped as grave concern replaced her countenance.
"What happened?" she asked.
"I've been robbed," he told her flatly.
The look of reprove on her face had him flinching. "And you-what? Confronted them? What the Hell were you thinking? You should have called the police!" Her voice went up a couple of octaves that Rumple cringed.
"I didn't know this would happen," he retorted weakly. "I wasn't expecting to be maced by Ashley Boyd of all people."
"Ashley did this?" Isabelle repeated in astonishment. "Sweet and pregnant Ashley?"
"Well, sweet is debatable," he said in a poor attempt at humor, which earned him a glare.
"Why in the world would she rob you?"
He sighed. "Because I have something she wants."
She waited for him to continue but when he didn't, Isabelle fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Well, whatever it was… there must be more to it for her to react like this. It's not like her to attack someone, even if that person happens to be you."
He let out a dry chuckle while his heart clenched at how Belle-like she sounded. Always seeing the good in people regardless of the situation was his beloved all right, and then he realized that she was here, helping him. Still. Considering their situation, he wouldn't be surprised if she decided to walk out once he regained consciousness, but here she remained as she gazed intently at his injury.
"I don't think you will need any stitches, but it will leave a nasty bruise," she informed him, moving the wet cloth away from his brow. As Isabelle began to rise from her spot, he quickly reached out and seized her wrist to prevent her from leaving.
The action startled Isabelle that she dropped the washcloth at her foot. For a second, they locked eyes and the intensity in his warmed her lower belly, her blood stirring with such longing she hadn't felt in a long time. Yet, it was the slight flinch she made the moment his fingers encircled her tiny wrist that caused him to let go as shame flooded his brown eyes. This look of remorse had her breath catching in her throat since she only expected cold and contempt to reflect back at her, however, her former lover appeared to be apologetic that she couldn't help her heart skipping a beat.
"Forgive me," he murmured, his voice a soft caress in the still air. "I didn't—Isabelle… why are you here?"
She froze and at that instant she was asking herself the same question: why was she there? Given their past history, she had no desire to be anywhere near him, yet when she saw him lying on the floor… motionless and quiet… something inside her snapped and she had to go to him. There was no explanation for this sudden need to be at his side just that she had to be. But how could she admit that aloud to him of all people? Especially after he turned his back on her when she needed him the most in her life and with Lilianna… Isabelle closed her eyes at the stab of fresh pain ran through her. She could take the anger and resentment from him, but to deny his flesh and blood? That was a different kind of rejection she couldn't handle and one she could not forget.
When she lifted her lashes, she heard herself responding, "I should go. This was a mistake."
"Is it?" he questioned, staring at her with those unfathomable pools. "Can you really truly say this was a mistake?"
She wanted to curse him. She wanted to walk away from this shop, from him, and not glance back but she felt powerless herself as she kept rooted to her spot. There was something different about him that much she could make out and it was not a figment of her imagination when they accidentally ran into each other. He seemed different then and now as they continued to stare at each other in the backroom of his pawnshop. And something was telling her to wake up… this tiny whisper in the back of her mind, but it didn't make any sense. She was awake but why couldn't she leave?
Then in slow motion, he rose on unsteady legs, those deep, mesmerizing eyes of warm whiskey never once leaving, as he moved closer to her… his lips inches away from her parted ones.
She darted her head to the side, her fists clenching at her side as she trembled in front of him. She could not do this! She can't!
Finding the strength to move, Isabelle did and she refused to look back at him as she hurried away. The voice in her head was screaming in protest but she ignored the drumming and put her focus on her daughter who was waiting for her at Granny's. Yet, her heart was left behind in that backroom where a broken man raised his cane and broke the nearest objects in his reach.
xxXXxx
Rumple could not believe how close and how far away he was from his True Love. He felt the prickling sensation of something in the air and he recognized the sizzling feeling as magic. True Love's kiss was in his grasp and if he had kissed Isabelle that night… he believed Belle would have been returned to him. He knew it in his gut that she was going to be back that his soul had cried in anguish when she walked away. As much as his primal instinct demanded him to grab her and kiss her anyways, he feared that such force would prevent Belle from coming back and he didn't want to lose her for good.
So he let her go.
It didn't change how he felt or how his rage took over and ruled him for the better part of ten minutes until reason prevailed and commanded him to realize that she had come to him on her own and that not all was lost. There was a possible chance that Isabelle still loved Gold, despite the horrendous grievance he committed, and if there was that slight glimmer that her love existed… then he could win her back. Curse or no curse… Rumple could make things right with Isabelle and he was determined more now than ever to prove she was destined to be with him.
Yet, duty was calling and he knew he had to retrieve Ms. Boyd before she gave birth and when he went to Ms. Swann for help… he did it with the full intention that he could extract something from her. She was a resourceful young woman and such talent could prove to be very useful later on and he was dead-set on gaining a favor from her.
To his delight, everything worked out perfectly than he could expect. Even without the gift of foresight, Rumple received a promise of a favor from the Savior and he knew he couldn't be too hasty with such a request. He knew when he collected on it, it would have to be worthy of its weight and implications. Something that Ms. Emma Swann could not back out of no matter what.
With her word secured, Rumple felt the pulling of a satisfied smirk on his lips as he began to walk away. As quickly as it came, the quicker it fell when he caught the sight of chestnut curls streaking ahead of him and a large ape at her heels, the former's mouth flapping with apologies and how was he supposed to know.
He knew those curls and the anxious, panicking accent and something close to dread stopped his heart.
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
And it was his daughter that was in trouble.
He didn't notice the odd look that crossed a certain blonde Savior's face as he hurried over to the frantic mother who was passing her bundled up child to a nurse.
"S-she's running a high fever and she had been sneezing earlier but I didn't—" Isabelle was close to tears as she moved alongside the nurse. "I have never seen her get this sick. Lilianna's a healthy baby and—"
"It's all right Mrs. Hunter," the nurse assured her. "Dr. Geisel will take care of her. He's a natural with children."
It did calm the bereft mother somewhat and she nodded as the nurse instructed another nurse to page the doctor to meet her in room 3A.
"It'll be all right Izzy," her husband said, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder. Immediately, she jerked away from him and turned with a fierce glare on her countenance. Anger and disgust raged in her stormy gaze as she slapped his hand away from her again.
"Don't you dare Greg!" she hissed. "I can't believe you 'did not notice' Lilianna was sick!"
"I'm not a mind reader," he argued. "How was I to know she was coming down with the flu? She was crying, yeah, but she cries a lot. It's a baby thing."
"So you ignored her so you could what- watch your game?" Izzy spat out. "It never occurred to you that perhaps her crying didn't sound normal?"
"Crying is crying Izzy. I can't tell the difference. And, besides, you're as much as to blame too. You heard her sneezing this morning and still you went to the shop. Don't go pinning it all on me."
Isabelle's jaw fell ungracefully as she gave him an incredulous look. "Seriously Greg? I had to open the shop because you decided you didn't want to do it anymore."
"Well, we don't need it. I have tons of money."
"That's quickly running out now and—" her voice trailed off when she noticed Mr. Gold coming up behind her husband. The look of concern that overcame his features was quickly becoming natural in his unusual state of behavior and Isabelle found the sight of her former lover comforting, although she had to ignore the slight quickened pace of her heart.
"What's wrong? I heard the commotion and…" Gold began to ask but Greg Hunter gave his landlord a dirty look.
"It's none of your concern, Gold," Greg grounded out. "This is private."
The rancorous Scotsman curled his upper lip into a sneer. "Well, if what your wife says is true, then I have good reason to make sure my rent is paid on time and in full."
That shut Greg up quick… a little too quickly for Isabelle's taste, but right now she wanted her husband out of her sight and Mr. Gold provided it for her as the younger man made some pitiful excuse and left. With the lumbering oaf gone, Gold's smirk dropped as he gave Isabelle a small grin.
"Hey," he said softly. "Is Lilianna all right?"
"She ran a temperature of 102° and after I came home from the shop… she was wailing like I never heard before and Greg told me she was like that for the last several hours. He kept her in her crib and assumed she was 'tired' so she could nap." She couldn't help the bitter tone in her voice and the roll of her eyes at how ignorant her husband had been. "After checking her temperature, I came here right away. I know I'm probably overreacting. Children get sick, run fevers all the time, but Lilianna has always been healthy. I can't remember the last time she had the common cold."
"She's a strong one like her mother. And with the best care in Storybrooke, Lilianna will bounce back to normal."
It was the words of comfort to soothe the anxious mother, but it was his compliment about her that had Isabelle looking at him strangely. Yet, Gold returned back to his usual self as his fist curled tightly around his cane, his voice deepening into a snarl.
"But he should have done something immediately. What kind of a man neglects a child? Any child for that matter? Especially my—"
Quickly, Isabelle shook her hands to silent his confession from being spoken aloud, her eyes widening in desperation. "Don't," she pleaded to him. "Not now."
"Why not?" he whispered angrily. "I won't let this stand! After ignoring her like this… who knows how many times he has done it before? Or later on when something terrible happens? Is he going to shut her out just to watch a stupid pointless game—"
"You have no right to judge," she shot back. "He may not be the best, but right now he's the only father that she has ever known."
The words were a slap to the face and the message was clear. Greg made a mistake but he wasn't the one to deny her existence. No… the greater sinner was in her presence and as much as Rumple was loathed to admit it… he wasn't exactly father of the year material either. First Bae and now Lilianna. It didn't matter it was the Curse that made it happen, the fact remained that Gold turned down the paternal role and he had no right to make judgment calls on someone else.
Watching his face crumble, Isabelle knew she went too far but what she said was the truth. Greg made mistakes and while she was still peeved about this situation, at least Greg was in her daughter's life. Sure, he wasn't exactly thrilled that Lilianna was a girl at first, but he had been trying and she did catch him giving her a pony ride on his back and Lilianna had been in stitches over how silly Dada was with his neighing. However, her betraying heart wanted someone else in that place and he chose not to be a part of the picture. As much as she tried to cling to that spiteful version of the man she thought she loved… she was finding it difficult to retain.
Softening her tone, she said, "I appreciate your concern. I do. But that's all that can ever be."
"What if it's not what I want anymore?" he murmured, his admission having her eyelids fly open. "Isa—"
Before he could finish saying her name, Gold was interrupted by a "ahem" from an unwanted throat. Breathing harshly through his nose, he couldn't suppress the roll of his eyes as he muttered, "Ms. Swann…"
Sure enough, the Savior was standing behind him, her inquisitive and sharp perceptive hazel eyes flicking back and forth between him and Isabelle. Then settling a cool look on him, the progeny of Snow and Charming asked, "Is he bothering you Miss…?"
"Missus," Izzy corrected, making a point more for the man than the intruder by waggling her ring finger. "And no. Mr. Gold isn't bothering me. If he was, then he'd know." Straightening her back, Isabelle faced Gold. "Thank you again Mr. Gold for the kind sentiment. Like you said, Lilianna should bounce back to normal."
He knew he was being dismissed but Rumple couldn't find it in himself to depart just yet. His daughter was ill and he wanted to make sure she was all right and damn he was going to stay whether Isabelle liked it or not. He flashed a cocky smirk, his gold tooth blaring loudly. "I rather stay to make sure. I am quite fond of her after all."
The color drained from his beloved's face and while he did not take satisfaction in it… Rumple knew Belle would have preferred if he'd stay. She was a strong woman, who didn't need someone to dictate what needs to be done, but she needed support like any other person and since that imbecile of a husband wasn't doing it properly… then Gold will to prove he was a changed man.
"Oh God. Don't tell me you have some twisted claim on this baby too," Emma said, her disgust obviously clear. "Seriously. What is with you and children?"
Grating his teeth, Rumple glared at the insufferable woman. Why couldn't the Savior have some tact or the very least stay out of other people's businesses? Was that too much to ask for? Then again, he had to think about whom her parents were and how those rules didn't apply to them either.
"As a matter of fact—" he began but fearing he might let something slip, Isabelle interjected before he could utter his next words, earning her a scrutinizing look from the blonde woman in the red leather jacket.
"Mr. Gold is a family friend," she lied smoothly.
"A family friend?" Emma repeated with total disbelief.
"Yes," the beauty replied. "It's not well-known, which I know Mr. Gold prefers it this way, but he did a kind service for my father when he was ill. And he did again for my husband and me when he passed away."
"Really?" The look on Emma's face was irritating and getting on his nerves, but he was stunned that Isabelle would speak on his behalf, even if it was a lie. "You did a kind service?"
"I'm not completely heartless," he countered. "But I do have a reputation I like to maintain Ms. Swann if you wouldn't mind."
"Of course," the blonde answered, although the suspicious glint in her eye didn't fade. "Well, if everything is okay—"
"It is," Isabelle replied. "Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you…"
"Emma Swann," the Savior said with a nod of her head. "Likewise." Before walking away, she gave one last parting look to Gold. "I would say the same but it's not."
"Don't forget Ms. Swann. You owe me a favor," he reminded her with a wolfish grin.
"I won't forget. Trust me," she muttered as she took her leave.
Once she was out of sight, Rumple turned to look back at his beloved and his heart almost skipped at the sight glaze over Isabelle's eyes.
Could it be…?
However, it was his release from his Curse that had him hoping the Savior's name might trigger the same reaction in his True Love, but Isabelle Hunter stood in her stead and she still wasn't happy with him.
"Whatever you're going to say next," she warned him. "Don't. I didn't do it for you. I did it for me and Lilianna."
"I wasn't," he assured her, although the pang resonated in him.
"Good." She nodded and crossed her arms. "Look… if you want… I'll keep you updated on Lilianna."
"I would like that very much," he said sincerely, a real smile blossoming across his face.
"Okay." She paused, her lower lip slipping between her teeth. "I'll see you later."
"All right."
The nurse happened to come up to her at that point and told Isabelle she could come back with her to see the doctor. Before Isabelle left, she looked back at Gold. "If you see Greg… could you send him to me?"
That should be me, the scathing thought echoed in his head. I should be there with them… with my family. Yet, Isabelle was giving him a greater kindness in keeping him informed about his daughter's health and he wasn't going to press his luck in asking to see her. Of course, it would look fishy if he was in the room with the young mother and her child. Talk would easily spread and the last thing he wanted was to put Belle in a bad spot.
Clamping down on his tongue lest he should say something he might later regret, he gave her a stiff nod and turned around to walk away… all the while the primal instinct to go back was killing him. Once more he had to walk away from Belle and Lily-Rose and he only prayed that this wouldn't continue for much longer. The sooner the Curse was broken, the sooner everything will be back in place.
He didn't see Greg in the hall or in the lobby as he was heading out the main doors, but he wasn't surprised when he found the ape loitering outside. A wave of disgust rolled over him as he watched the younger man stamp out a cigarette.
"That's a nasty habit to have with a child around," he heard himself saying, his tone coming off as a snarl. Gripping his cane tightly, he kept it in front of himself as he stared coolly at Greg.
The other man was startled but once the surprise wore off… he narrowed his eyes at Gold. "It doesn't concern you Gold. But if you must know… I don't smoke around Lilianna. Izzy would kill me if I did."
Gold had to chuckle at that one. "Aye, a mother will protect her young no matter what. Isabelle is no different."
At the mention of his wife's name, Greg's frown deepened at the familiarity tone the landlord adopted. "Yes, well, Izzy is an incredible woman and I'm lucky to have her."
"Indeed," Gold answered drolly. "Although, I doubt the same might not be said about you."
Greg's fists clenched. "I know I fucked up Gold. I don't need you rubbing it in my face."
"Well, I'm happy to serve as a reminder," the landlord said. "You have responsibilities Mr. Hunter. It would be in your best interests to remember that. In fact, your presence is requested at this moment so I would make damn certain that you stop blaming the one person who you're 'lucky' to have and accept you were the one at fault for your negligence over a petty game. Goodnight."
Before Rumple could make his leave, Greg sidestepped him. "Excuse me, but who are you to make those judgment calls?"
So the moose did have a backbone and the evil imp within him giggled for joy. "I'm calling it as I see it Mr. Hunter. If you don't like the truth… well, I cannot help you with that."
"You're taking an awfully big interest in something that has no concern for you," Greg said. "Why do you care what has happened?"
"I'm a concerned citizen that's all," Gold replied tersely. "And I need to make sure that my interests are all right, considering I still hold the deed to your wife's florist shop. If an illness is going to distract the two of you, then I need to know I will get my money owed."
Something close to a spark flickered in the fool's dull charcoal eyes. "Wait… this is more than just money Gold."
"Of course not—"
"It is," Greg interrupted, taking a step closer and jabbed his finger in Gold's chest. "I can't believe I didn't notice it before, but it makes perfect sense now. You like her."
"I'm sorry Mr. Hunter, but I need you to be a little more specific," the Scotsman responded while a heavy weight dropped in his stomach.
A hint of a smirk came over the young man's lips. "I never thought it was possible, but I guess you are a human after all. Not that I can't blame you, of course. Izzy is gorgeous and she has the ability to melt any icy hearts, but the fact that it's you… well… this changes something."
"What do you mean?" Gold snapped as a chill swept down his spine.
"I get it. You have an image and all, and this 'crush' of yours won't help it. And let's be frank… if Izzy finds out… she'll be flattered but it'll be more embarrassing for her. Just because she smiles and is nice and friendly doesn't mean anything. She's like that for everyone, but between us men… you're not her type. So that scene in the hospital with your 'concern' for my daughter isn't going to endear her to you. You won't ever be her knight in shining armor so you can quit the act to save yourself a Hell of trouble."
He couldn't help himself. But as soon as the moron uttered those words, Rumple began laughing.
Not her type?
Not her type?!
If only the boy knew how much of her type he actually was and how much she had come undone with his hands, his mouth, his body… In the Enchanted Forest, he didn't know how to please her like the sorcerer knew and even in this world… Isabelle sought him out because Greg Hunter failed to do the same. The boy did not possess her heart like Gold did and if he knew the truth… well, Greg wouldn't be preening like a proud peacock.
The words were threatening to bubble out of his mouth, to wipe that smirk off his face for good. Yet a picture of Belle popped in his mind and how disappointed she would be if Rumple took her decision and acted on it before she could. Before the Curse, she had been adamant that if Lily-Rose proved to be the Dark One's child, she would be the one to break the news to her husband.
"No one decides my fate but me," she told him one night they spent in each other's arms. "I allowed my father's insistence to marry Gaston when I knew it was the last thing I wanted. And as much as I wished I had more control over that choice… it brought me to you and I don't regret that. But it has to be me to end my marriage. I have to tell him so he'll know that this is my decision, not yours or anyone else's. This is my life and I get to decide what my happiness will be."
The bittersweet memory had ended with her climbing on top of him, guiding his cock inside her, riding him to frantic completion. Rumplestiltskin vowed he would grant her that wish and he would honor that vow even in this land. The truth of their affair wasn't his to disclose yet and Belle wouldn't forgive him if he did… the same with Isabelle.
He swallowed the rest of his giggles while Greg stood on the sidewalk, his arms folded over, and his countenance not at all amused.
"Glad to think you find this so funny," he scowled. "But the fact remains Mr. Gold… Izzy is mine. You are nothing more than a lonely, perverted old man with nothing better to do than make cow-eyes at my wife."
"I'm failing to see the point in all this," Gold said. "Are you pushing me to terminate the deed?"
"Of course not," Greg insisted. "I want to enlighten you with your unrealistic regards to my wife. However… I know how it would look for your business deals if the rest of Storybrooke knew about your soft spot. You wouldn't be so intimidating anymore."
"I sense there's something you want, dearie," he spat. "Quit dancing around it and get to the point."
Triumph gloated over the younger man's face. "Izzy doesn't know this yet but the rent is going to be short for this month. When the time comes, I'm going to tell her that you are paid in full and you will agree to it if she asks, which I doubt she will. In the meantime, I will need some extra cash to cover our expenses so she won't suspect a thing."
Rumple grinded his teeth, biting down hard as the rest of his body fought the urge to attack the boy. "Blackmail, heh? What makes you think I will agree to this? What makes you think I care what the others in this pathetic town think of me?"
"Perhaps not," Greg admitted. "But there's Izzy and, of course, Lilianna. Could you take away the one thing Izzy has left of her father's? And could you possibly allow them to lose their home? For all that talk about being a man and a father, I don't think you would like to see that happening to them."
"What the Hell have you done?" Gold whispered, his ears in disbelief with what Hunter was saying. Were they really that deep in financial problems? If it were possible, his hatred for Greg nee Gaston had increased a hundredfold. This wasn't supposed to happen. Belle and Lily-Rose were to be secured in this life, Regina had promised him, but it turned out… she found another loophole to toy with his True Love. Sure, they would have enough money to live on, but she never said it would be unlimited or that it can't run out.
"I'm in a rut with bad luck at the moment," Greg confided. "But it won't last forever. So is it a deal Gold?"
As much as he despised the imbecile, Rumple was aware that this was the cursed version of Gaston. Back home, he had been doing a decent job in running and ruling Avonlea and he didn't exceed the use of Belle's dowry. Not that they had too much to worry about since Rumple could turn straw into gold in case the kingdom was in need of extra money. However, the only guilty pleasure the knight had was hunting. And that didn't cost a lot to do. Regina orchestrated this personality and with the frozen twenty-eight years preventing any dire consequences… it was catching up to Greg Hunter and Isabelle would suffer for it.
Yet… the nagging feeling in the back of Rumple's mind was that this was a possible reality that could transpire in the Enchanted Forest. Gaston may have been a modelled King before the Curse, but who's to say that it couldn't change down the road for years to come?
He couldn't stand to see Belle hurt like that. And he knew that losing Game of Thorns would devastate Isabelle. He couldn't let that happen.
With a heavy heart, Gold knew there was only one solution. "Deal," he said, stretching his hand out to shake with Greg's.
Pleased and smug, the younger man accepted the handshake. But Gold wasn't done and neither was the Dark One.
Twisting Greg's hand tightly, Rumple drew him closer so they were eye to eye. "Listen closely Mr. Hunter, I don't care what happens to me or if you decide to release that piss poor blackmail excuse. And you're right… I do care for Isabelle and I'm not ashamed of it. But mark my words… if you do anything that hurts her or Lilianna or if she finds out what kind of a man her husband is… I won't hesitate in reneging our deal and I will ruin you. Is that clear?"
He gave one last twist before releasing the offending limb. He watched with extreme satisfaction as Greg cradled his injured hand against his chest, a twinge of fear flickering in his eyes. "Crystal," Greg said.
"Good." Soft my arse.
Rumple didn't spare him a second glance as he walked away.
Muttering to himself, Greg shook his hand and winced. For an older, scrawny man Gold sure had a strong grip. Flexing out his fingers, Greg went back into the hospital to seek out his wife.
Unbeknownst to both men, another was watching from the distance.
TBC…