Notes: My first piece of fiction for the "Once Upon a Time" universe! I wrote it to try to get rid of my writers block for something else I'm working on =D Not meant to be very in depth at all, just a drabblish-type piece. I also own nothing.
Of course she knew that he would bring it over. He would find a way, somehow, to bring it with him, that precious little piece of china.
She knew how much the girl had meant to him, of course. Never before had she ever heard of him requesting the presence of someone, especially female, in his company. Strange that he should finally take on a live-in maid.
He had spent years gloating over and over that she would never find a way to be more powerful than him, but she finally had her leverage.
It just took that chance meeting with the girl on her way to visit him that finally confirmed it. The girl was so head over heels that she tripped over her words concerning him. All Regina had to do was plan the idea and gleefully watch the results.
She was absolutely delighted with the results. His trembling as she described what had supposedly befallen the girl and the catch in his voice when he asked if Belle needed a home were all that she needed.
She had finally found his weakness.
One more visit after that finally confirmed it. She was there to boast about some accomplishment or another, and had made her way from trophy to trophy in the room while he was at the wheel. She had noticed the Grail was gone, replaced by some small insignificant little thing. So she caressed the hammer, the sorcerer's hat, and finally picked up the teacup.
She was startled to find herself suddenly facing a seething Rumpelstiltskin a hairsbreadth away from being nose to nose with her before she could make some stabbing remark about the cheap decoration. She took a step back, almost dropping the cup.
"Never —"
He stepped towards her and she responded by taking another step back. She thought she had seen every one of his moods, but this one was new, and almost frightening.
"Ever —"
She was backed against the wall now and he stepped forward once again, finally jailing her with his palms pressed against the wall on either side of her.
"Touch my things again."
He didn't break eye contact with her as he reached between them to pluck the cup from her hands.
"Have I made myself clear, Dearie?"
His voice was low and carried a deadly tone with it.
"Crystal." She smirked at him before ducking under his arm and making her way back to the table.
"Perfect. We're done here. I'm not dealing today."
Well, that solved that little problem. He may boast that she'll never be more powerful than him, but power did not necessarily lie in magic.