The thing was Henry's birthday. What to get him? What did you get a boy like that? Emma had never been good at this sort of thing and this was proving more difficult than ever. The shops in Storybrooke were limited and so far, her search had turned up nothing, the only place left was Mr. Gold's pawn brokers. She took a deep breath before pushing the door open; the familiar bell rang as the wood pushed the clanger. Mr Gold looked up and gave her one of those creepy half smiles of his.
"Miss Swan." He said with a nod, "Now what brings you here today dearie?"
"I'm looking for something." She said, taking a quick glance around the cramped shop.
"Oh?"
"It's Hen-"
"Ry's birthday. Of course." he said, finishing the sentence for her, "You're struggling to find him something?"
Instead of saying the first thing that came to her head, which was 'no shit' she said, "I've looked everywhere."
"I'm hurt you thought to try here last." Emma didn't think he looked that hurt. She turned away from the neat man and gazed down into the glass display cases. There were the most random things in it that she'd ever seen. Everything from a china tea set with a chipped mug to a collection of globes. Her eyes passed over an ornate dagger, pretty but not the ideal gift for a ten year old. And then she saw it, behind Mr Gold, hung on the wall, was a beautiful painting. "That look of wonder isn't for me surely?" he said turning around to follow her gaze. "Ah, that."
"It's perfect. How much for it?"
"For that? Oh I think you can have that, seeing how it's going to our delightful boy." Mr. Gold said. Emma's eyes narrowed, he never gave anything away for free and they both knew it. "Let's just say, you'll owe me a favour when I need one."
"I don't know-"
"Where else are you going to find such a perfect gift? It'll not be anything major, just a small favour, and what's a favour amongst friends eh dearie?" he said. Damn if he didn't make a good argument. She knew it wasn't a good idea and that Henry wouldn't approve. She sighed and looked back at the painting showing Snow White and Prince Charming walking hand in hand through a woodland path.
"All right." She said with a nod, "You win."
"Perfect." he said, his voice a purr. He turned and pulled the painting from the wall, "I'll even wrap it for you. His deft hands pulled brown paper around the painting and he tied it off with string. Mr Gold handed her the painting with a smile on his face. "Would you be able to deliver this too?" he asked. "It doesn't count of the favour you owe."
"Of course." She said taking the bright coloured envelope from him, "Thank you." She said. he nodded and she turned to leave the shop, wondering what she'd gotten herself in to.