His shop filled with its trinkets and toys, along with other, unmentionable merchandise stood empty. No one came in to inspect his items, no one even came near the door because every Tuesday at 8am, it was locked and barred from intruders. This was Mr. Gold's time, his and his alone; not even Belle had the right to be here. He sighed at the thought of her, his Belle, his beauty, and his love. Suddenly his sharp ears picked up a sound that he hadn't heard in a long time. It was the sound of a cloak rustling the leaves in the sidewalk. Waving his hand he unlocked the door for his guest who was surprised to find him welcomed in such a manner.
" O.G." Mr. Gold nodded to him, more out of respect than being friendly. He and the Opera Ghost never actually got along, especially after the night Rumpelstiltskin tried to intrude on him. The scar was still there, a remnant of a battle fought between two gods and it was this man who won.
" You know what I came for" His voice was melodious in the enclosed space and beckoned Mr. Gold to obey. Reaching under his workbench he pulled out a golden mesh of cogs and wires. Though he couldn't see the emotion pervading the Ghost, he could sense it. Anger and sadness together, it made a dangerous mixture in such a man. He let a small twitch over his lips and snapping his fingers reassembled the music box. It was a monkey with a pair of cymbals that played in perfect time to the beat of the song. Though he didn't recognize it, Mr. Gold knew someone who could. The Ghost stepped forward, his height and build filling up the dim room, vividly reminding Gold of what a nightmare looks like before it eats you alive.
" I have someone you may want to meet." The Ghost stopped, his eyes narrowing at the line.
" Who?" The Ghost knew the power of his voice, the curse he was born with; but Rumpelstiltskin knew it too.
" Christine." He watched as the Ghost's eyes widened slightly only to narrow into anger like a panther. "She is dead to me. I care no longer for her. You of all people should know that." He growled and deftly snatched the music box from Gold's nimble hands.
" You know she has never forgotten you and you have never forgotten her…"
" I have never forgotten her because if I do, I'll end up in the same trap again. I won't be hurt by Love again, no matter how beautiful it may be." He stated and walking out of Gold's shop, leaving the glass that the door once held on the ground where it fell after he slammed the door behind him. Gold sighed; this was going to be harder than he thought, bringing two broken hearts together to mend again and magicking the glass back into place left to grab his coat.
She sat in her booth with her book and her cup of coffee. She was absorbed and Ruby could smell her drink getting cold.
" Chris, do you want another?" The girl's head shot up and Ruby saw her hand clench slightly. Realizing who it was, she relaxed and nodded. Ruby smiled and flounced off, her red hair bouncing like a crazed rabbit. The door opened quietly and Chris's eyes darted up to see the man she dreaded. Willing herself to vanish, she watched him, her keen eyes taking in certain details that most people wouldn't notice.
" Mr. Gold." They treated him with respect, but she didn't have to, she did, but she knew that she never had to. His eyes searched for her, gazed right over her, waiting. She sighed; he would not leave until she appeared and slammed the book shut, propped her legs, boots and all onto the plush booth seat.
" Well?" His eyes danced with the smile that only she was allowed to be given.
" It's been a long time." He said, no feeling behind the words. " Too true." Chris snapped and her hand instinctively reached for her book. Suddenly the book was gone and his in his hands. Gold sat down on the other side of the table, his fingers like little animals exploring the cover. She leaned forward, yanking the book out of his hands, stuffed it into her trench pocket.
" Well, what do you want?" Her tone was icy, a tone he was used to. " I want you to take a look at something."
" Oh, really. Its bound to be interesting and puzzling if you have brought it to me." Gold smiled, he knew that she loved to have something that ticked and whirred in her hands. " But first," She sat up quickly. " You buy me breakfast. RUBY!" Her bellow brought Ruby running. Mr. Gold wondered how the Ghost fell in love with this woman, but he, the beast did fall for a wannabe heroine. Shrugging as Chris ordered her meal he pulled out the music box. Though the Ghost took it from him, a quick word and it was his again and he wanted it examined by a proper expert.
" Add pancakes and sausage with that. Oh, also grab me a slice of Granny's apple pie while you're at it." Chris leaned back; contented with her order while the flustered Ruby finished taking her order. "I still don't know how you eat this much. Its like you haven't eaten for days."
" I haven't. With the Curse lifted there are people venturing into the woods, ruining my crops and scaring away any game. I had to come into town for supplies." Ruby stared at her, her mouth hanging slightly open at the thought. " Ruby, you look like a codfish. I wouldn't want one with my meal thank you." Chris stated quickly, with a hint of sarcasm to get the point across. Ruby snarled, shutting her mouth to do so and hurried quickly into the kitchen.
" Now show me what you want me to look over." Her yellow eyes glittered with their unnatural light, drawing Mr. Gold into their depths. His hands were moving without him wanting them to; Gold wrenched with all his might and shut his eyes. Chris sighed and sat back.
" I thought we made a deal that you wouldn't do that to me." Gold snapped and set down the music box. " And you made a deal to me…" Her eyes flicked over to an angry Ruby who unceremoniously brought the apple pie. She left without a word to either of them. Chris dug in quickly and quietly made work of the slice.
" I want you take a look at this." Gold wielded the music box with precision and skill, startling Chris. Her eyes widened and for a second and she stopped eating. Her fork clattered to the plate as she grabbed the music box, her hands moving too fast for the normal eye to see.
" Where in the hell did you get this?" She snarled, her growl emitting along with the words. " I've had it." Gold replied, his voice toneless and emotionless, not giving away a thing. Chris's eyes bored into the polished wood face of the monkey taking in every detail. Suddenly she set down and continued eating. " It's a nice music box, but I believe it belongs to someone else." Ruby appeared once more with the armful of plates containing eggs, bacon, pancakes, and other breakfast foods. Chris finished the pie and started gulping down the eggs. " Return it to the man who barged into your shop this morning."
" How do you now of that?" Gold was startled. He thought that no heard what went on. Chris smiled, a horrible sight, her teeth peeking through her full lips. " I heard the door slam." She chuckled and began snapping down the bacon. Soon she was finished, the plates stacked neatly for Ruby, a silent apology for the codfish comment. Chris sat back into the booth, her body relaxed and calm. Gold waited silently; the doorbell tinkled and in walked his grandson Henry.
" Hi, Mr. Gold. Who is this?" Henry always managed to brighten up a dark day.
" Some things are meant to be known, others not. I am one of those things that you don't need to know. " Henry's blue eyes moved up to confront Chris's yellow ones. Chris sat up and adjusting her jacket went to move out of the booth when Henry sat down next to her. " Why haven't I seen you?"
" Because I don't like being seen." Chris stated quietly.
" Why don't you like being seen?"
" Because of what I am."
" What are you?" Henry asked the one question even Gold didn't have enough guts to ask.
" A MONSTER!" Chris's voice erupted, her anger along with it, pushing Henry to the floor. She towered over him, her golden pupils ruthless, ready to kill. Suddenly there was a click, a click that Chris knew all to well.
" Leave him alone." Emma's voice brought Chris back to her senses. She glared at Emma, venom rising in them.
" I was just leaving." She stated and turning walked through the diner wall leaving no mark on its surface.
R&R. I always thought StoryBrooke needed their own Phantom of the Opera, without making Christine look sappy.