A Tangled Web

Chapter One: Calm Before the Storm

Gold sighed in his sleep, pulling Ruby close against his chest and breathing in the apple scent of her shampoo. He murmured under his breath, and then yawned before snuggling down under the blankets, ready to fall into true and deep sleep.

At that moment, a loud wail came from the crib that was placed against the far wall of the bedroom. Gold went still, hoping against hope that Ruby would hear the crying and take care of it. The next thing he felt was an elbow in his ribs. "Tomas, go see what the matter is."

Gold moaned, and Ruby turned and gave him a smile that made him gulp, and he was no stranger to evil grins. "I have dealt with it for the last two nights, now it's your turn." He opened his mouth to protest that she was the mother, but the glare she gave him sealed his mouth shut. He half expected her to growl at him.

"Very well, love. I'll take care of it." He made a show of slowly climbing out of bed, pretending to favor his leg, and Ruby, instead of being sympathetic towards him, growled in annoyance and hit him with her pillow. "You're a very vicious woman, love."

Ruby muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "Ass," and Gold chuckled before heading over to the crib. Maggie was sound asleep, but Emmalyn was wide awake, bawling. Gold sighed. She was too young to be teething, and Ruby had fed them both only two hours ago. Perhaps she had colic. "What's the matter, little one?"

He blinked in surprise when Emmalyn immediately stopped howling. She was still sniffling, but her hazel eyes were fixed on her daddy. "Well, that was easy enough." He turned and started to head back to bed when she began howling anew. Gold sighed and turned back around, lifting the bawling child out of the crib. Once again, her crying stopped.

Ruby grinned at him. "I think I know what's wrong. She wanted her Daddy."

Gold beamed, holding Emmalyn close and kissing her cheek. "Is that all? Well, I can certainly give her that." He carried her over to the bed and sat next to Ruby, gently rocking Emmalyn in his arms and humming under his breath. His daughter smiled up at him, and he grinned sappily back. "You know, if the Queen saw this, she'd be most shocked."

Ruby laughed in agreement. "She would, but mostly by the fact that you're such a good father. After all, you are the most feared person around."

"And you're a werewolf."

Ruby shuddered. "Don't remind me. I can't believe that part of me wasn't erased by the curse."

Gold sighed. "Ruby, it's who you are. You are Red Riding Hood, and the Big Bad Wolf, just as I am both Rumplestiltskin and the Beast. Now, granted you don't sprout fur and a tail every full moon, but you are a bit more…animalistic during that time. The beast is still in you, just as the imp is still in me. And with the Curse being weakened, it may be only a matter of time before we're able to unleash our True Selves."

"By we, do you mean just us, or everyone?"

Gold grinned at her. "Everyone, of course. I think David is starting to remember, and now that Kathryn's been found alive by my darling wife, I'll be able to wrap up Mary Margaret's trial neatly and effectively. Then Henry can start in on them."

Ruby sighed. "And Emma?"

"I think the good Sheriff's interaction with Jefferson pushed her towards belief even more. After all, the hat must have worked. Jefferson is nowhere to be found."

"Have you ever been to Wonderland?"

Gold shook his head. "Never had the privilege, but I hear it's a wonderfully mad place. I'd fit right in." He looked down at Emmalyn, who was on the verge of falling asleep. "I suppose I can put you back with your sister now?" Emmalyn gurgled at him, and he smiled. "I'll take that as a yes." He carefully slid out of bed and walked over to the crib, gently placing Emmalyn down and covering her with the fleece blanket. Emmalyn yawned, then snuggled next to Maggie and fell into a deep sleep.

Gold sighed in relief and headed back to bed. Ruby had fallen back to sleep, and he pulled the covers over them both before draping his arm over her and finally falling asleep himself.

Deep within his mind, something stirred. Something impish.

'A storm is coming, and soon I'll show my face again. The Imp and his Wolf will awake, and the Final Battle lines will be drawn.'

Gold grinned in his sleep as Rumplestiltskin's mad cackling filled his head.

And in the recesses of Ruby's mind, a wolf howled at the moon and tore out the throats of the Queen's soldiers.