This story idea just popped into my head and I had to write it. It will be a multi-chapter fic.

I'm still working on my other story Gold On the Ceiling, so if you are reading that, no worries. I'll still update once a week. I'll also try to update once a week in this story as well.

The full summary is: Mason Gold is a powerful man, conducting illegal business. Belle French is an assistant to Emma Sawn, an Organized Crime Agent in Boston. She unwittingly becomes involved with Gold, after her team decides to infiltrate Gold's crime ring by placing a mole in its midst. Caught up in a cat and mouse chase, Belle has to figure out how to do the right thing: catch the mobster or save the man she loves.

This story is kind of based off the film The Departed, but it is very different. The only thing in common my story has with the film is the idea of a police officer undercover as a mole in a mobster's gang, and one of the mobster's men undercover as a mole playing a police officer. So the whole idea of catching a rat is similar, but I'm not taking any dialogue from the film. Any other similarities are coincidental.

Another note: I am not a detective or police officer. I'm a college student majoring in English with a minor in creative writing, so I apologize for any mistakes or inaccuracies concerning police jargon. I'm trying my best.

I posted this first chapter earlier, and now have gone back and revised this chapter so it makes a little more sense. Thanks so much to CharlotteAshmore for editing this chapter for me.

Hope everyone likes the chapter!

Belle had her head stuck in a book, like usual. She was sitting at her desk in the thirteenth precinct of Organized Crime division. She wasn't studying for anything, far from it. She was reading for pleasure, which she probably shouldn't have been doing, since she was at work. But her craving to read the new release of Jane Eyre had been overpowering. It was one of her favorite novels, and she really wanted to see if the new edition had any side notes, or letters from the editor. She found them very interesting.

Since she was so caught up in her novel, she failed to notice her boss Emma Swan walking past, rolling her eyes. Belle, however, did notice when her coworker, Ruby Lucas, slammed a box of doughnuts in front of her face. Mostly because Ruby waved them directly in between Belle's face and her book.

Belle glanced up to see Ruby smirking. "Finally caught your attention," Ruby teased, sitting back in her chair. Their desks faced each other, making their flow of conversation easy and comfortable.

Belle smiled sheepishly. "Sorry." She held up her book. "I was distracted again."

Ruby nodded, returning her smile. "I can tell. It only took me about twenty minutes of shouting your name, throwing gum wrappers at your head, and starting a fire in the precinct for me to get you to look up from that book." She grabbed the novel from Belle's hands. "And it's not even a smut novel!" Ruby exclaimed.

Belle laughed, blushing. "Well, not all of us are as horny as you are, Ruby."

Ruby mocked gasped. "Ouch, Belle. Your claws are coming out."

Belle smiled, shaking her head. "No, just my intellect," she said, proudly.

Ruby laughed. "That's for sure. You're one of the smartest girls I've ever met."

Belle blushed at the praise. It was true though. Belle graduated high school when she was fifteen, and finished college when she was nineteen. Now she was twenty two, and working her way up at the station. Right now she and Ruby were still fledgling detectives, but Belle was hoping in a few years to be the head of organized crime, stationed in Boston. Emma, her boss, was second in command, holding the rank of Lieutenant detective. They all came together under the tough as nails Captain, Regina Mills. That woman was intimidating, but she got her work done. As a woman, Regina had to be tough, considering the BPD was the third largest law enforcement agency in New England. She had to prove herself.

Ruby flipped through Jane Eyre, chewing on a stick of gum. Red cinnamon, of course. "With all this time spent reading, why didn't you become an English teacher, or author, or something?"

Belle shrugged. "I do love to write, but working as a detective seemed just too much fun." Ruby lifted an inquisitive brow. Belle elaborated. "I love the idea of being a hero, going out and saving the day from criminals. It was too exciting a job to pass up."

Ruby nodded. "I hear you." Ruby started to grin, wickedly. "Catching the bad guys gets you all hot and bothered, doesn't it." She said it like a statement.

"Ruby," Belle sighed, blushing.

Her coworker lifted her hands in surrender. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding." She tossed the book back to Belle. Her partner was careful to catch it, not wanting the novel to get hurt. She scowled at Ruby's lack of concern for a book's well being. "I'm serious though, Belle. When are you going to do something other than go to work and read? When was the last time you've been on a real date?"

Belle hesitated, biting her lip. "Umm, never?" She shrugged her shoulders.

Ruby's mouth dropped open. "Belle!"

"What?" Belle asked, innocently.

Ruby slammed her hands on her desk, shock written all over her face. "You've never been on a real date?" Belle shrugged again, looking sheepish. "You're twenty-two!"

Belle whipped her head around, shushing Ruby. "Keep it down. No one needs to know."

"What, you mean your total lack in normal social conventions?" Ruby said, still looking shocked. "Yeah, no one needs to know that."

Belle sighed, grabbing at her book. She held it in front of her chest, like a shield. "I've been busy with school and then the academy. Since I started working at the precinct, I've had no time to think about men with my schedule," she grumbled.

Ruby snorted. "We have the same schedule. I don't have any problems picking up men."

Belle didn't want to say that Ruby's extracurricular activities were somewhat suspect. Ruby spent a little too much time thinking about men more than work. Belle, not wanting to offend her friend, didn't say that, though. In stead she shrugged and said, "It's not a big deal."

That statement made Ruby look even more shocked. "Not a big deal?" She spluttered. "Belle, you're twenty-two," she repeated.

"You don't have to keep saying that," Belle sighed. "I know I'm twenty-two!"

Ruby settled back in her seat. She had leaned forward at Belle's news. "Fine, you've never been on a date. But at least tell me that you've had...relations...with men before."

Belle looked around the precinct helplessly. No one was going to save her from Ruby Lucas. "Define 'relations.'"

Ruby snorted. "You know, getting laid, one night stands with insanely attractive men that you will never see again and hoping that you didn't catch a sex disease because of it." Belle just looked dubious. Ruby continued. "You know, sex," she emphasized.

Belle bit her lip again. At this rate she would chew right through it. She didn't say anything. The only thing she did was shrug her shoulders helplessly again, and stare at her book. Her trusty good book, the one friend that wouldn't judge her, or drive her insane.

Ruby's eyes widened. "Don't tell me, Belle." She whipped her head around the room, staging a whisper. "You're a virgin?!"

Belle squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment, nodding. She was already flinching from what she knew would come next. Ruby's onslaught of questions.

"How the hell are you still a virgin?" Ruby was still trying to whisper and shout at the same time.

Belle sighed. "It just never happened," she mumbled. "I was so caught up with school and wanting to spend my time reading and studying that I hardly noticed any boys."

Ruby finally acquiesced. "Ok, I'll give you that one." She held up one finger. "But still, Belle, we really need to get you laid."

"Who needs to get laid?" Emma asked, walking up.

Ruby nodded at Belle, whose face was beat red. "She's never had sex."

Emma was taking a sip of her hot chocolate at the moment, then spit it out at Ruby's declaration. Ruby quickly held up a legal pad to block the spray of warm chocolate from staining her clothes. Emma's eyebrows shot to her hairline. "Interesting," she coughed.

Ruby nodded. "I know right! This requires a serious intervention."

Emma smirked, nodding at their empty desks. "Why aren't you two working? I had a case file for you guys to look at. It's sitting right there on your desks." Sure enough, it was. Front and center.

Belle blushed. Ruby fidgeted. "Well," Ruby said, trying to think of something on the spot, "Belle and I got so caught up in our conversation, that we actually forgot about the work that we were supposed to be doing. But you know, Swan, I think Belle being a virgin is enough incentive to be distracted." Belle shot Ruby a glare. Ruby smiled innocently. Emma gave Ruby a pointed look."So, we'll get right on that case file, don't worry."

Emma nodded, not buying any of Ruby's innocence. "That would probably be a good idea." She started to turn away, when she stepped back. "And don't worry about being a virgin, Belle. We are all one at some point." She knocked on Belle's desk, walking away.

Belle knew that Emma was just trying to be nice, but she didn't have to say it so loudly. Ruby snorted, opening the folder. Belle was just wondering when this day of embarrassment would end.

"So, I'm thinking we should set you up a profile on Tinder," Ruby said. Belle and she were walking home from the station. It was still light out enough for them to feel safe. Just because they were detectives in training didn't mean they were not afraid to walk home after dark...because they were.

Belle sighed. "Ruby, drop it. I don't need to meet any guys. I'm perfectly fine as is." Her high heels were clacking on the concrete.

"That's because you've never known the pleasure an experienced man can give you," Ruby replied. She stepped around a wad of gum on the ground. Belle rolled her eyes, as Ruby wagged a finger. "If you did, then you wouldn't be saying that." Ruby paused, tilting her head to the side. "You are into guys, right?"

Belle laughed, exasperated. "Yes, Ruby. I'm into men. Not women."

Ruby nodded. "Ok, just wondering. I didn't want it to be awkward if, this entire time I've been talking about cocks, you're actually into, you know, pussy."

Belle blushed and snorted. "Ruby! Gross."

"No it's not." Ruby shook her head. "It only sounds gross because you've never had it."

Belle just shook her head. "You are so crude sometimes."

Ruby smiled. "But that's what you love about me." She furrowed her brow. "And, how is it, that we've been working together the past year, and I never knew any of this about you?"

"I'm not sure," Belle responded, a slight breeze ruffling her hair. "I guess it's due to the fact that you're not very observant."

Ruby mocked gasped, lightly swatting Belle on the arm. "You can be such a bitch." She was teasing.

Belle laughed. "And you can be too nosy."

"True. I need answers to everything." They reached Belle's apartment. Ruby's was just down the street.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Rubes," Belle said, walking up the steps to her door.

Ruby saluted. "See ya later, bitch." Ruby strolled away. Belle shook her head in exasperated lightness. Ruby was too funny.

Belle made her way to her apartment. It was a decent building. It wasn't run down, but neither was it posh. It was cozy and comfortable. But most of all, it was a safe place.

She made dinner for herself, and afterward looked at the case file Emma assigned them. It was on a man known as Keiran Hook. He apparently worked for some crime lord, the police just didn't know who. There were no pictures of Hook, just a description on the illegal activities he had taken part in. Emma wanted to catch this man, hoping he would lead her to his boss.

Belle put the folder away, knowing she didn't have enough information to do anything tonight. She glanced around her little apartment, feeling, for the first time, somewhat lonely. Maybe she should get a cat. Some company would potentially help get Ruby off her case. After realizing that, Belle nodded.

She would definitely get a cat.

The next morning, Belle stopped off at a quaint little diner called Granny's. They served amazing hot chocolate. She didn't always stop by, but she really was in the mood for a chocolate fix.

After she settled down, with her hot chocolate and another book, this time Pride and Prejudice, she got to reading. The diner was never full, this day being no exception. So most of the people in the diner stood out. But she noticed one person in particular.

The man had been sitting at one of the back corners, when she showed up. He was in a clean, nice suit. He even had a handkerchief in the jacket pocket. Belle admitted to herself that he had nice hair. It was touching his shoulders, brown with a touch of gray at his temples. But what really caught Belle's attention, was the book in his hands.

Whenever she noticed someone else reading, Belle was filled with a burning curiosity to know what book it was. She didn't want to disturb the man by going up and asking what he was reading, so she shifted in her seat to get a better look at the front page. She sighed in frustration. From her angle, she couldn't make anything out.

It was at this time, in which she was shifting around, that the man decided to take his eyes off his book and look at her. Belle immediately stopped moving, having been caught. She looked away quickly, opening her own book. She had no idea if he was still looking at her, but she hoped not. That had been embarrassing.

Belle tried to force her concentration back on her own book, but to no avail. She really wanted to know what the man was reading. She lifted her eyes, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw he was immersed back in his own book. Belle shifted again, and this time she stood a little to get a better look. But she still couldn't see. He had the cover angled downward. Standing up wasn't going to help.

But before she could sit back down, the man caught her gaze again. He frowned, not looking pleased. Belle let out a little squeak, hurriedly sitting back in her seat. Her face was flushed. She sneaked another peek at the man, and saw that he was reading again. He reached up to take a sip from his mug.

Belle was getting anxious. I really just want to know what book he's reading, and then I'll be fine, she told herself. This time, she leaned back in her seat. The two front legs came off the ground. She was squinting, thinking for a moment, that she could make out the words, when, of course, the man looked back up. He definitely did not look pleased.

Belle, in the shock of being caught, again, tipped back father in her chair. The legs wobbled, and the next thing she knew, she was lying on her back. Her chair had slipped out from under her.

"Ooof!" The breath was knocked from her body. If she thought she was embarrassed before, then this new incident was surely humiliating.

She was trying to right herself, and get up, when a hand showed up, right in her face. Belle glanced up to see the man, whose book she had been trying to make out, standing before her. He was holding onto a cane with his right hand, his left hand was outstretched towards her. Belle gulped, and blushed. He looked irritated and amused at the same time.

Belle reached out her hand to take his, and slowly got to her feet. The man pulled his hand away, settling both on the handle of his cane. Belle had no idea what to say.

"Is there a reason," he asked in a Scottish lilt, "that you were trying, not very subtly, to look at me?" He tilted his head, frowning.

Belle gulped again. "Uh, no." She was breathless from her fall. He gave her a pointed look. He seemed very powerful, Belle thought. His stance and presence made him seem like a man not to be toyed with. "I actually wanted to see what book you were reading," she said, sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.

It was clear from his expression of surprise that he was not expecting that answer. "You went to all that trouble, to see what I was reading?" He sounded dubious. It was clear he didn't believe her.

She nodded, trying not to look guilty. It wasn't as if she did anything wrong. The only thing she could be accused of was her lack of subtly, and overeagerness. "I love books." She grabbed her own, holding it up. "I have this urge, that when I see someone else reading, to know what book it is." She was rambling. "I really just wanted to know."

His hard expression softened a little. He started to smirk. He reached back towards his own table, and grabbed his book. He held it up for her to see.

"Crime and Punishment," she read aloud. "You like Russian novels?"

His lips twitched. "Well, it seems that if I'm reading it, I would indeed like Russian novels."

Belle blushed, laughing a little. "Oh, right. That would make sense."

He nodded, steadily looking at her. "It would," he agreed.

She hesitated. "Do you like it?"

He became speculative. "It's a little dry in some parts. But I can appreciate the anguish Raskolnikov goes through after he commits murder."

"You can appreciate it?" Belle was confused.

His smirk grew. "I can understand it," was all he said.

She felt a grin hover over her lips. "You've committed any murders recently?"

He chuckled. "All the time."

She laughed a little. Then realization dawned on her. She held out her hand "I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Belle French."

He shook her hand. "Hello, Miss French."

"Aren't you going to tell me your name?" She tilted her head.

He pulled his hand back. "Maybe some other time."

She furrowed her brow. "Why won't you tell me your name?"

He smirked again. "Why are you so eager for it?"

She flushed. "I'm not. I'm just curious," she said, softly.

He seemed to take pity on her, when he could tell she was being sincere. "I just don't like handing out my name all that often. Names are power."

"You think I'm trying to control you?" Belle couldn't tell if he was teasing her or not. He seemed partly serious and yet, partly mocking.

He refolded his hands on his cane, shifting his feet. "I think you're trying to find out my name, and can't understand why I'm not giving it."

Belle nodded. "That's exactly what I'm thinking."

"Then we are exactly on the same page."

Belle's head was reeling. "...Ok?"

He chuckled again. "Have a good day, Miss French." He picked up his book, pulling on his jacket. "I'm afraid I have to go. Sad, since I was enjoying our conversation immensely."

Belle pursed her lips. "It seemed like you were teasing me the entire time."

He smirked. "Exactly. That's why I enjoyed it." He nodded at her, and left the diner.

Belle was left standing there, clutching at her book. She did not understand that man. He was strange, yet charming. Pretty handsome, she admitted to herself. She rarely gave men the time of day, always having her nose stuck in a book. But one thing was for sure, she could not stop thinking about him.

Belle reached the station an hour later. Even though she couldn't stop thinking about the man she'd just met, that still didn't mean she couldn't finish her chapter. She arrived at the precinct of Organized Crime, rushing over to her desk. Ruby was already there, chewing gum, and filing her nails.

"It's official," Belle said, taking off her jacket and sitting down, "we are the worst assistants anyone could ever have."

Ruby snorted. "Speak for yourself, miss 'constantly distracted by books you don't get your work done.' I'm only working on my nails."

Belle shook her head. "When you should be looking over the file Emma gave us. The one on a man named Keiran Hook."

Ruby grabbed the file. "I can look and work on my nails at the same time," she said, proudly.

"That's exactly what I don't want," Emma grumbled, passing by. "Focus." She directed the statement at both Belle and Ruby, before heading into her office.

Belle was excitedly sharpening her pencil, humming to herself.

Ruby looked up. "That's the most excited I've ever seen someone sharpen a pencil. What's up?"

Belle blushed. "Oh, nothing. Just distracted."

"Yeah," Ruby muttered, dryly. "Read a good book?"

Belle stopped sharpening her pencil. "Of course," she said. "That's not the reason though."

"Well, what is the reason?" Ruby asked, smirking. When Belle didn't respond, Ruby's mouth dropped open. "Holy shit!" She didn't even try to whisper. Regina Mills, the head of the Organized Crime division, was passing by at the moment, going to get a glass of water. She frowned at Ruby's choice of words, but just sighed, and continued walking.

Ruby continued to speak. "You met a guy, didn't you?"

Belle blushed again, wiping pencil shavings off her desk. "I didn't meet a guy. I just spoke with a man today when I went to get hot chocolate."

Ruby became sly. "Yeah, I know how you are with your chocolate fixes. But, seriously, you met someone?"

Belle shrugged. "Like I said, I just spoke with him."

"Why did you speak with him?" Ruby asked. "You never make a conscious effort to speak with guys."

Belle turned sheepish. "Well, I might have wanted to see what book he was reading, and in the process of trying to read the cover, I fell over in my chair."

Ruby just stared at her. "What?"

"I fell over in my chair, trying to read the cover of his book," Belle repeated.

Ruby waved a hand. "Yeah, I heard that. Why?"

"What do you mean, why?"

Ruby popped a bubble with her gum. "Why didn't you just go over and ask him?"

Belle frowned. "I didn't want to disturb him!"

Ruby rolled her eyes. "Yes, and falling over in your chair was a better idea," she said, sarcastically. "For someone so bright, you surly have a lot to learn. Any way, then what happened after?"

"After?" Belle shook her head in confusion.

Ruby sighed. "After you fell out of your chair, then what happened?"

"He came over and helped me up. We got to talking about his book."

Ruby clearly was waiting for more information. When she didn't get any, she waved her hands toward Belle. "So, what book was he reading?"

"Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky."

Ruby looked impressed. "Wow. Russian novel."

Belle smiled. "That's what I said."

Ruby smirked. "Guess he's a keeper, isn't he?"

Belle shook her head. "Oh, Ruby. You are too much."

"Is he hot?" Ruby leaned forward in her seat.

Belle sighed, rolling her eyes. "He's not ugly, if that's what you're wondering." She paused. "He's actually pretty handsome," she said, sheepishly. "He has great hair." She added as an afterthought.

"Oh?" Ruby raised her eyebrows suggestively. "Did he look like he had a big, you know?" She pointed towards her lap.

Belle furrowed her brow, face flushing when she realized what Ruby was suggesting. "Ruby! No, I didn't notice anything. Besides he was wearing a suit. It wasn't as if he was naked."

"I should hope not," Ruby muttered. "It's the middle of the day."

"Can we drop this?" Belle asked, hopelessly.

Ruby sighed. "Fine. But can you tell me his name, at least."

Belle hesitated. "He didn't actually tell me."

"Huh," Ruby said, sitting back. "Well, did you ask for it?"

"Of course I did!" Belle said, exasperated. She paused, asking quietly. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Oh, I don't know," Ruby responded. "You're just completely lacking in any knowledge, men wise."

Belle snorted. "So you mean, I wouldn't know how to ask a man for his name?"

Ruby paused. "Yeah." She nodded.

Belle rolled her eyes. She leaned forward in her own seat, dropping her voice. "But isn't it strange though, that he wouldn't tell me his name?"

Ruby shrugged. "Not really. Some people are just really secretive. Maybe his name is really embarrassing. "

"I guess," Belle responded.

"This is a monumental day, though," Ruby said, spitting out her gum, and popping in another piece. "Belle's first ever crush on a man." She wiped imaginary tears from her eyes. "I'm so proud."

Belle swatted at Ruby's arm. "I didn't say I had a crush."

Ruby eyed Belle. "You can't keep your mind off him. I would say that's a crush."

"I never said I couldn't keep my mind off him. I just said the thought of him was distracting me."

Ruby rolled her eyes. "Ergo... you have a crush on this man."

Belle sighed. "It's not that. There was something so...different about him. Intriguing."

"I still think you have a crush," Ruby staged whispered.

Belle was about to respond when Emma breezed past, telling Belle and Ruby to meet in Regina's office. It was important. Small talk would have to wait. Duty called.

Captain Regina Mills, head of the department of Organized Crime, sighed, placing her hands on the back of her chair. Belle and Ruby entered her office after Emma, carrying notepads. Another detective, David Nolan, was already standing in a corner.

"What's going on?" Emma asked. "Do we have any news on Hook."

"Yes, we do," Regina replied.

Emma's expression became hopeful. "What do we know?"

Regina sat down behind her desk. "We know that a man who works for him, Jefferson Hatter, is holding a meeting at a bar, called The Idiot, downtown tomorrow night. Probably to promote lower status men into the crime ring."

"But it's Hook we want," David said.

"If Jefferson works for Hook," Emma said, hopefully, "then he might be able to lead us to him."

"And if we can find Hook," Regina added, "then we might be able to find who Hook is really working for."

"Why do you think Hook is working for someone?" Belle asked, writing down the discussion for later perusal.

Emma snorted. "There is no way that man is smart enough to be a leader in one of Boston's foremost criminal gangs. Reportedly he is a high school dropout, with little work ethic."

"He's evasive though," Regina muttered. "We haven't been able to identify him. None of our detectives have ever seen him. We're only told what little we can find."

"How did you find this man, Jefferson?" Ruby asked.

David held up a flyer. "Apparently he's a music scout, looking for the next big band. August, another one of our detectives, was at a concert for some local band, and overheard Jefferson speaking to someone about Hook."

"Who was Jefferson speaking with?" Belle asked.

Regina sighed. "We don't know. August wasn't able to hear a name, and the room was too dark to make out the mystery person. But we looked into Jefferson's past a little," Regina said, "and discovered who he really works for. A music scout is just his cover."

"If you don't mind my asking," Belle raised her hand, "but what are we going to do about Hook. I assume one of our detectives are going to the bar where Jefferson is having his meeting?"

Regina smirked. "You assume correct, French." She nodded at David. "We're sending this guy undercover to infiltrate Hook's ring. He'll meet with Jefferson, and report back to us."

"I'll try to get into the ring," David said. "Work my way up until I can find out who Hook is exactly. After that, I'll try to find the real boss."

Belle nodded, writing. "What if something goes wrong?"

Regina smiled. "Everything goes wrong at some point, French. That's why we'll be prepared to send in Swan, incase Nolan fails. One way or another, we will catch these men. They'll be put away and that's that."

"I wish it could be me," Emma muttered. "Instead of this knucklehead." She teased, nodding at David.

"Hey," David said. "Not funny, Swan." But he was clearly smiling, teasing back.

"It will be a lot less conspicuous for a man to invade the gang," Regina said, knowingly. "Being a female will draw more attention, more likelihood of getting caught. But, of course, if Nolan fails, Swan is our best detective. For right now though," she looked right at Emma, "you'll have to take the back seat."

Emma nodded. "I know."

Regina nodded as well. "This mission is only for our ears." She looked pointedly at Ruby. "No one is allowed to discuss this outside my office." She nodded at Belle and Ruby's notepads. "Those are for you to keep inside folders, which will remain here. We don't need Nolan getting caught before he can even begin. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Captain Mills," everyone in the room said in unison.

Regina nodded again. "Then you are all dismissed."

Ruby spoke to Belle as they made their way back to their desks. "This is so exciting!"

Belle shushed her. "Didn't you hear what the Captain just said? Keep it down."

Ruby grinned, sheepishly. "Sorry. But this is exciting."

"Not if something goes wrong," Belle whispered. "Lets just get back to work."

"Or," Ruby said, slyly, "you can continue telling me about your mystery man." She raised her eyebrows suggestively.

Belle sighed. "Another time, Rubes. We have to work."

The black bag was lifted off Mr. Clark's face. The little man squinted, trying to make out where he was. Gold could have easily told him that he was strapped to a chair, in an abandoned warehouse. But it was more satisfying to see the struggling man figure it out for himself.

Mr. Clark finally got a clear view of his surroundings, feeling a trickle of fear on the back of his neck. He gasped when Gold stepped right in front of him. "M-Mr. Gold," he stammered.

Gold smirked, resting his hands on his cane. "Mr. Clark, do you know where you are?" He asked in a deceptively calm tone, his brogue thick.

The little man struggled against his binds. His hands were held taught to the chair by wire, the copper digging painfully into his skin. "A warehouse?" He asked, sneezing.

Gold's lips twitched. "Yes, that's right." He started to walk around the chair. "And do you know why you are here?"

"Uh," Clark jumped when Gold's cane tapped on the ground behind him, "I'm not sure."

Gold sighed. "Wrong answer, Mr. Clark." He nodded at two other men in the room. They stepped up to Clark, grabbing his hands. "You are here, Mr. Clark, because you owe me money."

The man stilled in his struggling. "Oh, that," he said, quietly.

Gold chuckled. It wasn't a nice sound. "Yes, that. You forgot to pay me back when I loaned you money for that pharmacy equipment you were in such dire need for. We made a deal. I loaned you the money, on the condition you would sell the contraband drugs I gave you. Since you failed in the latter, I must demand my money back.

Clark whipped his head around to stare at Gold. "It wasn't in the contact."

Gold walked back to stand in front of Clark. "That's because you didn't read it fully." He snapped his fingers, and another man stepped up to give him a piece of paper. Gold cleared his throat before reading. "'By signing this, I, Mr. Milton Clark, hereby agree to repay any and all monies I borrowed from the lender, Mr. Mason Gold, if I am unable to perform in my duties assigned by him.'" He looked up from the paper. "It clearly states that. You signed it after all." He shoved the paper in Clark's face, pointing. "That is your signature, is it not?" He handed the paper away.

Clark flushed. "I must have missed it. But who's to say that you didn't just add that in after?" he asked, his voice trembling with false bravado.

Gold looked at him speculatively. "You're right," he mused. "I could have." He nodded at the men holding onto Clark's hands. They took both of his index fingers and bent backwards. A sharp snap was heard, as well as Clark's pitiful cries of pain.

"Why would you do that?!" Clark hung his head, holding back tears.

Gold flicked a piece of hair that fell in his eye away. "Because you accused me of forging a perfectly legal and fair document. I don't cheat when making deals," he growled.

"I'm sorry," Clark said, sobbing. "I'll get you the money." He sounded desperate.

Gold tisked. "Now see, I still want the money...and the interest you owe me, but you didn't pay your dues on time. Now you owe late fees, penalties..." His voice tailed away, as a menacing smile graced his thin lips. "I requested the money a week ago. I gave you three months to regain it back." He lifted a hand to his chest. "That was very generous of me. I took pity on you, Mr. Clark."

The little man was still sobbing, looking at his broken fingers. Gold continued to speak. "Clearly I shouldn't have, since you, not only failed in returning the money you owe me, but you also cause undue embarrassment. I don't normally give people so long to return what is rightfully mine, and by not doing so, some of my men think I'm becoming soft."

He bent down in front of Clark, to see the man's face better. It was beet red and puffy from crying. "Do you think I've become soft, Mr. Clark?" Gold asked, quietly.

The little man shook his head furiously. "Not at all, Mr. Gold."

"Then where is my money?" Gold tilted his head to the side.

"I'll get you it," Clark blubbered. "It's only four grand. I can handle that."

Gold threw back his head and laughed mockingly at the cowering man. "Four thousand? Surely you jest, Mr. Clark." He shook his head gravely. "Oh no. Perhaps if you paid the four thousand on time, that would have sufficed." He rubbed his chin, thinking. "But, now I'll take no less than...say...eight?"

"Eight thousand dollars?!" The pharmacist gasped. "That's insane...outrageous!"

Gold shook his head. "Not really. You'll have until Friday night to repay me."

Clark lifted his head. "But that's tomorrow."

"Exactly. And you had three months before that." Gold lifted an eyebrow. "You don't have a problem with that, do you?" He leaned back, folding his hands atop the gilt handle of his cane. "Because if you don't return my money to me by tomorrow night, then..." He trailed off, leaving it to the imagination.

Clark nodded, eagerly. "I promise. I'll get you the money."

Gold nodded once, signaling for Clark to be let go. The two men that broke Clark's fingers, untied his binds. Clark looked helplessly at his hands.

Gold pointed to Clark's fingers. "You might want to get that looked at."

Clark just nodded, while two men escorted him from the warehouse. Before he could leave, Gold's cold heavily accented voice stopped him. "Mr. Clark, just so you understand," he said, pausing for Clark to turn around. Gold smirked, not speaking to let anticipation and fear set in. "Don't think this relieves you of the obligation to remove my merchandise. I still expect you to sell it."

The little man nodded shakily, fear twisting his gut, and followed the two 'henchmen' from the building.

A chuckle was heard behind Gold. He turned to see Killian Jones strolling up.

"Poor bastard," Killian said, shaking his head, smiling. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

Gold chuckled. "Killian," he acknowledged. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to keep you company, old man," Killian grinned.

"Shouldn't you be prepping Jefferson for tomorrow night's meeting?"

Killian waved a hand. "All ready did that. The mad hatter is ready."

"Recruiting new men is not a laughing matter," Gold said, gritting his teeth. "We need men in our midst that we can trust."

Killian nodded. "Jefferson will sort that out. I'm not worried. That man is good at detecting lies."

Gold sighed. "That is true." He pointed at Killian. "But you are not to show yourself at The Idiot tomorrow night. I received intel that the police might be on to you. We don't need them discovering your true identity."

Killian saluted. "The police will only know Kieran Hook. I wont let them onto me."

Gold nodded. "Let it stay that way. I don't need them discovering who you are. Killian Jones is one of their detectives. Kieran Hook isn't. If they find out who you actually are, that could ruin our entire empire."

"We also don't need the police finding out that Mr. Gold, infamous millionaire of Gold Enterprises, who owns half this city, is actually a criminal involved in illegal business," Killian smirked.

Gold smirked as well. "If the police are as smart as they pretend to be, then they would have assumed I'm a part of some illegal activity. They just can't pin anything on me. It will remain that way." He gave Killian a pointed look.

Killian held his arms out wide. "Hey, do you really think I would expose you? You raised me after all. Almost like a son."

Gold sighed. "And that's exactly why I don't trust you. You're too much like me."

Killian laughed. "Old man, you have nothing to worry about. I wouldn't betray you."

"I should hope not," Gold said, quietly. "Now we should leave." He let out an aggrieved sigh. "We can't return to this warehouse."

"I know," Killian sighed. "Can't let the police find out where our illegal happenings go down."

Gold chuckled. "And let us keep it that way."

They left the warehouse through different entrances, Gold sliding into his Cadillac. He started to drive home, feeling smug. He was making millions, ran an entire empire, both legally and illegally, and the police, try as they might, could not pin anything on him.

He brushed off his cufflinks, smirking. This was just another day at the office.

So if any one is confused, Killian Jones is Kieran Hook. Killian and Gold's backstory will be explained through out the story.

Upcoming: David meets Jefferson, Belle definitely has a crush, and Ruby continues to make lewd suggestive comments.