Once Upon A Time: Deal With The Devil, Part One

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

(Part Four of my series. Emma has to deal with Kathryn's disappearance, how Mary-Margret is involved, Regina's demands and the ever present problem of her confusing feelings for Mr. Gold. This connects back to the first three stories, 'Into The Devil's Den', 'Dancing With The Devil' and 'Through The Eyes Of The Devil'.)

Emma sat at the bar at Granny's, waiting for her order. She had stepped out of the sheriff's station to get lunch for Mary-Margret and herself. She still couldn't believe Mary-Margret could have carved out Kathryn's heart and buried it. She just didn't know if her friend had it in her but she arrested her anyway lest she show favoritism towards her.

Her mind jumped to something else just as troubling. She pondered what had happened in the early hours of the morning just mere feet from Mary-Margret's cell. Mr. Gold's kiss was still fresh in her mind, the memory of his scent lingering there as well. She shivered, recalling how the kiss had made a surge of heat shoot through every part of her, shaking the facade she worked so hard to keep intact.

" You okay, girl? " Ruby came to the counter. " You shivered. Are you cold? "

Emma sighed, " No. Just thinking... about something. "

Ruby smirked, " Would that something be that guy you told me about? "

Emma frowned. She had recalled telling Ruby about Mr. Gold but she hadn't used his name. To Ruby, it was just some guy she was having dreams about and losing sleep over. " Yeah. "

Ruby smirked, " So did you try what I told you to do? "

Emma shook her head, " No. But we... "

" You what? " Ruby leaned closer.

" We kissed, " Emma said quietly. " I saw him this morning and he kissed me. "

Ruby's mouth drew into a goofy smile, " And he did it, not the other way around? "

" Yeah, " Emma nodded. Her lips tingled with the memory of the sweet, tender kiss as she talked about it, a mild surge of heat running through her again. " We were talking and I asked him what he wanted from me because he's been doing so much for me. "

" And what did he say? " Ruby asked.

" He said all he wants is to see me smile, " Emma recalled how Mr. Gold looked when he had said the words. He was so genuine and tender as he spoke, she couldn't help but think he was indeed sincere. For almost a moment, she let herself give in and say what she felt. Reason seized her though and she kept her mouth shut.

She also couldn't help but think she had seen a side of him he didn't really show to anyone else. He actually let her see him in pain, even if was for the briefest of moments. She doubted he ever cried in front of anyone before she came along. She didn't want to flatter herself with that assumption but it was the way it seemed to her.

" Awww, " Ruby smirked. " What a sweet thing to say. "

" Order up! " The cook called from the kitchen. " To go. "

" There's your stuff, " Ruby pushed off from the counter and walked over to grab the cartons from the order window shelf. She took them to the register and placed them in a plastic bag. Emma got up and walked over to pay as Ruby rung the check up. She smiled at Emma as she did, " Can I give you a little bit of advice? "

" Sure, " Emma shrugged. She'd listen to her friend but it was really all up to her if she followed her advice or not. She already knew what the check would be so she got out her wallet and took out the exact amount.

" I think you should go for it, " Ruby said. She took Emma's money, " It sounds like the start of something good. "

" But I already told you, " Emma said. " I'm not good at relationships. "

Ruby stepped back and cocked her head to the side, " Are you going to keep saying that? You know, true love only comes around once in a lifetime. What if he's your guy? You can't keep doubting yourself. "

Emma sighed, " I got to go, Ruby. "

" Okay, " Ruby sighed and closed the drawer on the cash register. " But remember what I said the next time you see him. "

" I'll try, " Emma said. She picked up the bag and headed out the door. She got into the police car at the curb, placing the bags down in the floorboards of the passenger side. She started the car and pulled into the street.

She couldn't help but glance at Mr. Gold's shop as she drove past. Her mind kept going back to the kiss. He had just been kissing her on the cheek but this was a bold step for someone who valued discretion. She knew he could read her like a book, making her wonder if her was taking advantage of her infatuation or if his feelings were the same as hers.

A few minutes later, Emma pulled up to the police station and shut the car off. She sighed, the memory of what had happened there just a few hours before still fingering through her mind. ~Go for it, she says, ~ She thought. ~Would she being saying that if she knew it was Mr. Gold? ~

Emma got the food and got out of the car. She walked into the building, quirking her mouth when she found Regina was waiting for her in the reception area. " You're early. I thought we agreed for you to be here at one. "

" I want to get this over with, " Regina squared her shoulders. She eyed the bag, " So you didn't order in? "

" I couldn't, " Emma held up the bag from Granny's. " I called but Ruby said they were short-staffed. Mary-Margret and I have to eat. "

" Who's in there with her then? " Regina asked.

" Marco, " Emma replied.

Regina arched an eyebrow, " So you you had Marco watch a murder suspect? "

" He used to watch the jail all the time for Graham, " Emma shrugged. " I thought you wouldn't mind. "

Regina snorted, " He used to come in to watch Leroy sleep off his drunks. Mary-Margret isn't some lush, Sheriff Swan. "

" It's kind of short staffed around here too, " Emma replied.

" Hasn't Mr. Gold told you yet? " Regina blinked. " I agreed to letting you have a deputy and ONE officer. "

Emma scoffed, " I had the budget for the deputy already. "

" And we all know how that went, " Regina frowned.

" Some people aren't cut out for police work, " Emma said.

" You can say that again, " Regina scoffed.

Emma frowned, " What was that supposed to mean? "

" A waitress? Really? " Regina said. " Why in the world did you pick her? "

" She was here and I needed help, " Emma said.

" You should have asked me first, " Regina said. " I have a couple of people in mind. "

" I'll pick one on my own, " Emma replied. The last thing she wanted was one of Regina's hand-picked snitches.

" You have to let me have some input, " Regina said evenly. " I'm your boss. "

Emma frowned, " And you never let me forget that. "

" Some times I think you need a reminder, " Regina shot back.

" So can I get some help? " Emma arched an eyebrow. She wanted to change the subject back to what they were discussing.

Regina smirked, " You can make a deputy. We'll see about the officer after this case is over. "

" Thank you, " Emma said sharply. A little help was better than no help at all. " Now, can we do what I called you here for? "

" Yes, we can, " Regina said flatly. " I'll go to the interview room and you bring Miss Blanchard to me. "

" Yes, " Emma said and waited for Regina head away. Once she was in the interview room, Emma went to the office. " Okay, Marco. I'm back. "

Marco came over, " Is everything alright? I heard you talking to Regina out there. "

" Yeah, " Emma nodded. She looked over at Mary-Margret. " I got a pastrami and a turkey sandwich. I didn't know what you would want. "

Mary-Margret was sitting on the bunk, looking at the floor. She didn't look at Emma as she said, " I'm not hungry. "

Marco walked over to the cell, " You need to eat, Miss Blanchard. You have to keep your strength up. "

" He's right, " Emma said. " You can dig in once I get finished with the interview. "

" I said I'm not hungry, " Mary-Margret's voice came up a little bit.

Emma sighed, " Fine. I'll just put the one you want in the fridge. "

" I'll take which ever one you don't want, " Mary-Margret muttered. " It doesn't matter to me. "

Emma gave a terse smile, " Okay. Tell you what. I'll take half of each and leave you the other halves. "

" I said it doesn't matter, " Mary-Margret sighed.

Emma frowned and set the bag down on the deputy's desk. She looked at Marco, " Can I ask you something? "

Marco nodded, " Yes . "

Emma tilted her head, " How would you feel about working for the police department on a more permanent basis, Marco? "

" I'm a little too old to be chasing thieves and murderers, Miss Swan, " Marco said.

" Marco! " Mary-Margret gave him a shocked look. " You don't... "

Marco looked at Mary-Margret, " I didn't mean you, Miss Blanchard. I meant that Mr. Durbin fellow. "

" Oh, " Mary-Margret looked slightly relieved.

Marco looked back at Emma, " And besides, I have my woodworking shop. That takes up a lot of my time. "

" Oh yeah, " Emma frowned. " I thought I'd offer since you help here so much. "

" I'm flattered that you offered, " Marco said and went to the coat rack, getting his coat and hat. He gave Emma a little wave and a nod to Mary-Margret, " Have a good day, Miss Swan. Miss Blanchard. "

" Bye, " Mary-Margret said.

" Bye, Marco, " Emma said. She waited for him to leave then got the keys to Mary-Margret's cell. " Come on. Let's take your mug shots. "

" Mug shots? " Mary-Margret looked surprised.

Emma sighed, " Yes. I'm sorry but it has to be done. "

Robin was wandering through the forest, a long bow in his hand. He was dressed in black leather pants, a green shirt and a green cap sat on his head, covering his short black hair. He was just rambling, contemplating his predicament. Just a short while before, he had land, riches and a title.

Now, he had nothing. He had been accused of improprieties he had not done, at least not on purpose. He had been challenged to a shooting contest with some foresters, unaware of the fact he had trespassed on the King's land. When the contest was over, one of the foresters and one of the King's deer were dead.

Robin had no intention of killing either but his hot temper and youthful stubbornness had taken over. When he realized what he had done, he fled into the forest, beating a hasty trail back home and hoping no one would find out what he had done. Those hopes were dashed when a band of men rode up to his door, led by the sheriff of the shire, a man named Rothwell.

He leveled the charges, taking the land and property as punishment for the alleged crimes for Robin had fled once he saw the men approach. Rothwell was a man drunk with power. He wasn't satisfied with the power he had though. He hungered for more, taking it where he could find it.

" Maybe I could... " He said out loud to himself. He had been talking out ideas for he thought he was alone. " No... no. I couldn't do that... "

" Lost, deary? " A man's high-pitched voice startled him. " Or crazy? "

Robin grabbed an arrow from the quiver on his back, his sharp hazel eyes scanning the forest around him. He placed the arrow on the bow and drew it back, " I'm not crazy! I'm just thinking out loud. And I'm not lost either! "

" You've been wandering around in a circle for an hour, " The man called back. " I want to help you. Put that down. "

Robin didn't lower the bow, " I'll put it away when you show yourself. "

" I'll come down when you lower the bow, " The man was starting to sound annoyed. " Or you could just keep walking around in circles. It really doesn't matter to me. It's been quite amusing to watch you talk to yourself. "

Robin sighed, lowering the bow. He hated to admit it but he really had no clue where he was or how to get back out to the road. " Alright. I am lost. "

" See? Doesn't that feel better to admit the truth? " The man climbed down from the tree he had been hiding in. Robin felt stupid because he really wasn't that hidden to begin with. The man approached him and frowned, " What are you? Some kind of brute? "

Robin frowned. He towered over the little man but a good eight inches. He was also built like a brick wall, making the black leather clad hobgoblin almost look like a child. " My parents were big people. "

" I can see that, " The man scoffed. " Care to tell me your tale? "

" If you tell me your name, " Robin said. " I don't deal with strangers. "

The man let out a heavy sigh and rolled his eyes, " As you wish. My name is Rumplestiltskin. "

Robin watched as the man bowed then said, " THE Rumplestiltskin? "

" The one and only, " Rumplestiltskin said. He came back up. He looked the man over again and snapped his fingers. " I know who you are! "

" You do? " Robin blinked.

" Indeed, deary, " Rumplestiltskin said then started pacing back and forth in front of him. He thought for a long moment then giggled, sticking his right index finger in the air. " Your name is... Robin. You are... no, don't tell me. You are royalty... "

" I am nothing now, " Robin cut him off. " My parents are dead and my land was stolen from me. I made a stupid careless mistake... "

" Hmm, " Rumplestiltskin frowned. " They must have died before they taught you manners, " He said sharply, shaking his finger in Robin's face. " Let me finish! "

Robin sighed, " I'm sorry. Forgive me. "

" You are royalty, " Rumplestiltskin continued. " However, you don't have a spine. You couldn't fight the accusations that were leveled against you, your mistake being seen as malice. As a result, you've lost everything. Stop me if I'm wrong. "

" So far you're spot on, " Robin sighed.

Rumplestiltskin frowned, " Why didn't you fight for what was yours? "

" You said it yourself, " Robin said. " I have no spine. I had no idea how to fight it so I let it just happen. It wasn't like anyone would listen to my side of the story anyway. "

" You're a big pussycat, " Rumplestiltskin smirked.

" Perhaps, " Robin sighed.

" Oh but that's good, " Rumplestiltskin said.

" How is that good? " Robin furrowed his brow.

" Because cats have claws, " Rumplestiltskin said then made a clawing motion with his hands and laughed. He stopped laughing and smiled, " And I'm going to help you sharpen them. "

Robin looked skeptical, " I've heard stories about you, Rumplestiltskin. What are you going to require if I have you help me? "

" Let's worry about you getting what's yours back first, " Rumplestiltskin pressed his fingers together. " Then we'll discuss what I want. "

Robin thought about it for a long moment. He couldn't come up with any solutions on his own no matter how hard he thought. He sighed, " I guess I don't have a choice. "

" Everyone has a choice, deary. It's all a matter of making the right one, " Rumplestiltskin said then snapped his fingers. Out of thin air, a contract and a quill appeared. " You didn't make the right one at first but you can make up for it now. "

Robin watched as Rumplestiltskin unfurled the contract and frowned, " There's not enough daylight left for me to read all of that. "

" Just sign at the bottom, " Rumplestiltskin offered him the quill. " It's just an agreement that states I'll help you and you have to pay me what I ask. "

Robin nodded. It didn't sound too far fetched of an agreement so he took the quill and signed. " When do we start? "

" At sunrise, " Rumplestiltskin rolled the contract up and put it in his jacket. " We need to get out of here before the wolves come out to play. "