The sky opened, the rain fell.
He watched from the window of the shop. Water sheeting down the glass as drops hurled themselves at the pane.
"No sign of stopping soon," he mumbled to himself.
The ringing of his phone shook him from his reverie.
"Gold's Pawn," he said, answering the phone.
"Mr. Gold, this is Sheriff Swan. I've had an accident, and I need your help."
"And I was your first choice of rescuer?"
"No," she barked, " just closest."
He laughed into the phone, " very well, what can I do for you?'
"My car slid off the road and I'm stuck in a ditch. I've called for a tow-truck, but it's going to be at least 2-3 hours. Can you come pick me up?"
"Of course my dear, I'll be there momentarily."
" Thanks Gold, I owe you." she replied and hung up.
"Indeed you do Miss Swan, indeed you do." he said to an empty room.
He hung up the phone and went into the back room to retrieve his keys. After a few moments of searching he found an umbrella and a warm blanket. He carried the items out to his car. Loaded them in the back seat and got into the driver's seat. The car roared to life when he turned the key. Backing out of the covered parking into the rain, he turned on the wipers and listened to the gentle sound of the blades gliding over the windshield. He drove off into the rain in search of her.
He found her sitting in the yellow bug in a ditch as she said about 2 miles down the road. He drove past the yellow car and made a u-turn and pulled up next to its resting spot in the ditch. Water was rising around the tires, not much, but enough that Emma would wet her feet and ankles when she got out. He hit the unlock button for his doors and got out of the drivers seat. He opened the back door and retrieved the umbrella he had placed there. Opening it he held it above his head and limped around the front of the car to the side of the road.
Emma had watched him approach, thankful that he had come so quickly. He truly was the closest. She saw him walking towards her car carrying an umbrella. Emma opened her door and stepped out into the water in the ditch, the cold water immediately penetrating her shoe and sock.
"GAHH!" she screamed.
Mr. Gold was watching from the road, under the umbrella, laughing at her.
" Watch that first step sheriff." He chuckled.
" Thanks Gold." she replied.
Emma made her way to the top of the ditch and Mr. Gold held out the umbrella to her.
"I'm already wet, it's a little late for that." she said.
"Well," he said pulling the umbrella back over himself, " it never hurts to offer. The door is open if you'd like to get in out of the rain, and you'll find a blanket in the backseat if you're cold."
Emma went to open the door but Gold beat her to the handle.
"I guess chivalry isn't dead," she said as she slid into the passenger seat.
"No dear, not dead, just waiting for the right person." and he shut the door.
Emma reached into the back seat and found a soft red blanket, unfolded it and spread it over her legs and pulled it up over her arms. She watched through the windshield as Gold limped around to the driver's door. He opened the door and sat down, closed the umbrella still outside and tossed it into the back seat.
"Well Miss Swan, where can I take you?"
"Back to the station if you don't mind. I can walk from there later if I have to."
" As you wish Miss Swan," Gold said and again made a u turn to head back to town.