Fanfic of ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME

Storybrooke- part 1

"You do owe him 2 favors now mom."

"Henry-" Emma and Henry could do nothing but watch as Mr. Gold casually strode past everyone in the diner. Unlike all the other men, his eyes were not on Ruby and her scarlet miniskirt- in fact when and if he ever looked at Ruby it was into her eyes, so at first Emma pondered if something other than business transaction had ever gone on between the two, but instead she had noticed they were only glances of confusion like there was something he couldn't answer. Right now anyway he was headed towards them, eyes on Emma.

There was never much in Mr. Gold's demeanor that gave clear view into his motive. Emma's mind raced searching for snappy comebacks that normally got her through such uncomfortable confrontations. But she was all out of smart ass remarks from an encounter with Regina yet again, so feeling unprepared she merely held her breath tight in her lungs.

She could feel Henry squirming further back in the cheap leather booth with each step Mr. Gold took. Even though you could almost never hear him coming, not even the clodding noise of his cane, you were simply overcome with a chilling vibration that climbed up your body and you became aware of everything. Every noise when you saw him.

Emma- despite wearing her cherry red jacket- shuddered with a chill. Her gut lurched a bit as he was now only a foot away. She boldly glanced up at his eyes but they were focused on the floor now. "Henry..." She said again as Mr. Gold turned an immediate left and sat at the next table over.

Henry was tense but kept quiet. Emma knew that if Mr. Gold wasn't in earshot he would be cautioning her about what she should say or at most pleading to leave the restaurant. Her mouth opened again to say Henry's name- for a reason she couldn't remember- as he tugged her arm and ducked under the table. "I know you want me to go. I can see my 'mom' looking for me over at the arcade again anyway." Emma smirked at how Regina fell for that jip yet again."He doesn't want me here right now either, I can tell. Just be careful." Henry wrapped her tight in a hug before dashing off toward a clearly ticked off Madame Mayor.

"Smart boy..." Right on cue. "Quite the young gentleman too I see..." Mr. Gold nodded from the door to the table. Emma hadn't realized that Henry had left $1.50 on the table; enough to pay for his milk.

"Yeah. Don't know where he gets it though." The arcade was right across the street and Emma watched Regina making quite the scene of being a concerned mother, like she knew Emma was watching.

She turned back to Mr. Gold, he was watching too. "Don't be so cross with yourself." He smirked and turned to face her, pushing some hair out of his eyes as he did so. "You're twice the lady that Regina wishes she could be." Emma was genuinely surprised.

She couldn't think for a moment. "Thanks..." He was still standing; quite the gentleman. "Have a seat." He thanked her and sat across from her. Their knees just barely touching.

"I truly can't figure out you've lasted this long without doing...I don't know, something." And by something he meant why hasn't Regina ended up in the ER yet?

"Well Mr. Gold, I wouldn't want to owe you anymore favors." She stated as she slid Henry's change into Ruby's waiting hand.

"Hm. Well, Emma, its just a simple barter system really. One thing for another; it's how economics work isn't it?" This of course was accompanied by one of his trademark smirks. This all seemed odd to Emma, him here and away from the clutter of his shop and without the wall of a counter between them.

"Economics are crap. It's never a fair trade..." Mr. Gold's smirk left with this. "Hey. The other day for the name of those two kid's father, why did you ask for forgiveness? You didn't do anything to hurt me." She wondered what he was thinking as he shifted slightly.

"I want to ask you a favor dear sheriff..." So it was finally time.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later-" The diner doors swung open and in came a rather distraught Mary Margaret.

Mr. Gold tilted his head. "Not for me Emma, for her."