Here is the next chapter to the story. I hope readers out there are enjoying this so far. I own none of the characters from this show. Please read and review.
…..
Emma slowly opened her eyes questioning what had happened last night. She jerked awake realizing that she was in an unfamiliar room and the last person she spoke to last night while drunk was Gold. The realization that all her clothes were still on made her sigh in relief. "Thank goodness for that."
She had made such a fool of herself at the diner and was more than happy that only Red was witness to her behavior. How she got here needed to be answered but the call of nature needed to be answered first.
She put on her shoes and jacket and went out into the hallway wondering where the bathroom was. Luckily for her it was across the hall from her room.
"Thank goodness."
After the call was answered she looked in the mirror and she did the best she could with her hair and some personal grooming. Before leaving the bathroom she wondered how she was going to face Gold. Emma felt a little humiliated for allowing herself to get drunk like that in front of all people. What was she thinking?
Despite the amount she had she remembered being asked about learning magic and remembering being very drawn to him for some reason. Well she would have to ensure that never happened again.
When she arrived downstairs a delicious aroma surrounded her. Gold was in the kitchen cooking up a batch of what looks like scrambled eggs. It was interesting seeing him doing something so, well, normal.
"Good morning Emma. I trust that you slept well. Please excuse me for not dropping you off at your place but carrying you up a flight of stairs and waking Miss Blanchard would have been rather awkward. Wouldn't you agree?"
Emma blushed at the thought. The questions she would get if Gold brought her home drunk. "Thank you, I agree that the interrogation this morning would have been interesting to say the least." She looked at what he was making. "So let me get this straight. I got drunk, you carried me inside and now you are making me breakfast? I don't understand."
"What's there to understand? I don't' get much opportunity to play host. I brought you here and it is only good manners to give you something to eat. Would you like some coffee?"
The smell of it was mixed in with the other foods he was expertly cooking. She cursed herself at the thought of coffee and knew that he was reminding her of how she ended up eating breakfast in his kitchen. "Coffee. Hmm, sounds good to me as long as the only thing in it is a little cream."
"I take it you won't be ordering any more of Red's special coffee for a while?"
"No, that's not something I plan to have again in the near future. She'll no doubt be adding it to the menu. I just hope she doesn't do me the honor and name it after me."
He handed her the mug of coffee and some cream. Soon after he poured a cup of his own and placed a plate of food in front of her. Emma dug in as he did and savored every bite. She had never eaten scrambled eggs like this before and wondered if he didn't use some magic in making the meal.
As if reading her thoughts, "I assure you that I did everything manually. Magic is precious here and as much as I am honored that you are eating breakfast at my place I would not waste magic on a plate of eggs."
"Where did you learn to cook like this?"
"After living alone for 28 years you learn a few things about cooking."
Emma felt awkward for asking such a personal question. He saw the guilt on her face and did his best to ease the tension. "Well 28 years did wonders for Regina. She had to curse herself and a whole society in order to learn how to boil water let alone cook. So not killing Henry with her cooking means she's learned a few things or two about a skillet."
The kitchen was filled with Emma's laughter. She realized that Regina was an actual queen at one point and the idea of her cooking something as simple as an egg seemed really funny to her.
They made small talk and then finished their plates. "I'll take care of the dishes Emma. I know you have work today."
Emma was pleasantly surprised. Things took such a tense turn last night. It almost didn't seem real. She couldn't understand him. One moment he was this mysterious man who seemed to be able to draw you in with a few words the next he seemed normal, doing mundane things like cooking eggs and pouring coffee.
Gold was aware that his actions unnerved her and getting close to her would take more time. He was a patient man.
Emma looked around and couldn't help but see all the pink in the house.
"The pink was no doubt Regina's idea. I suppose I could change the color now that the curse has been lifted."
She nodded. "I never really liked pink on walls myself." Emma realized she was becoming relaxed with him and straightened up. "I want to thank you for breakfast. Your unknown reputation for playing host will remain untarnished." She got up to go.
Gold stood as well. Emma was so not used to manners from men. He seemed so old worldly and it was sort of charming. "Let me drive you home. It is no bother for me at all."
"That's alright. I need the walk."
"It's about a half hour walk."
She remembered that having been here once before. Thirty minutes was not bad but she was sure that she was already a little late. Irritation grew as it seemed that fate was conspiring against her. "I suppose I could use the ride. I'm already running late."
"I'll be ready in a few minutes." He walked out of the kitchen leaving Emma alone.
She in turn looked around to find the house in a rather confused state. Items were scattered and out of order and the colors didn't seem to blend well. The kitchen though was modern enough and very much like Gold. Everything was hidden.
The island of the kitchen held a chocolate cake under a glass dome. It looked almost identical to the cake at Granny's.
"It's not the same as Granny's recipe. Been trying to get the recipe from her for 28 years. Threats of eviction wouldn't get the recipe. All I can do is buy from her and experiment at home. You can take a piece home if you like."
Emma was taken back once again. She was used to him being the villain and it was upsetting her that she was breaking character. "That's alright."
"Pity, I would have liked to have had another opinion besides myself to see how close I got."
Now she felt rude. He was telling the truth.
"Perhaps I could drop off a piece today at the station."
Emma didn't see anything wrong with that and agreed. Gold smiled and they left the house. He would have preferred that she came over again so he could play host but all good things come in time. Keeping his distance would be what pulls her in.
….
Emma returned home and was in a desperate need of a shower. Mary Margaret was home but rather distracted and thumping papers on the table.
She remembered that it was Saturday and there was no school. Oh, why did she have to get drunk in front of Gold? Of things in her life that was on the 'bad idea' list this was up there.
"Hey Mary Margaret. Sorry I just got in."
"Oh, don't worry." Mary Margaret looked up and sighed. "Well rent is covered this month thank goodness. I am so happy that you are here to help with it. I really wonder why we are still paying rent to him after the curse was broken."
That was a good question. "I guess that things here can't just stop being what they are because of awareness. Plus the fact he still has power as the laws of the state are on his side when it comes to being a landlord."
"Sorry I am all wrapped up in my own grumpiness. You stayed out all night. Good for you. So…who is he?"
Emma was wondering if she should tell the truth or not. Telling her that she got drunk while talking to Gold and woke up in his house where he served her breakfast probably wouldn't be a good idea right now. She hated lying but she really didn't want to worry Mary Margaret.
"I drank a little more than I should have at the diner while talking to Gold." This was going to be painful she knows it will.
Mary Margaret shook her head in disbelief. "You what? Are you alright?"
Emma took of her jacket and placed it over a chair. "Yes, I'm more than fine. We had our typical prickly conversation and he offered to drive me home. Next thing I know I woke up in a strange bedroom, not his, and found that he prepared breakfast for me. I was fully clothed save my shoes and jacket."
"That's all that happened?"
"Yes, he explained that he really didn't want to carry me up the stairs and wake you. I had to agree with that."
The look Mary Margaret gave was a mixture of curiosity and fear. "He has never invited anyone to his place before."
"He mentioned something along those lines. I found out he likes chocolate cake and is trying to imitate Granny's recipe."
"He'll never get it either. I think he threatened eviction once to get it."
"Oh, that one was true. He told me."
The fear came back again. "Alright, now please be careful with him. He is far, far more manipulative than you or anyone has ever given him credit for."
I have no power over you. Emma remembered Gold's words and she had to fight off the warm sensation that filled her chest. She wanted to speak with him again. "I will, now I need to get a shower and get to the station."
….
Regina was told that Emma spent the night at Gold's then was driven home in the morning by one of her informants. The now ex-mayor of Storybrooke grew very curious as to why her nemesis brought home someone; especially the town's new hero. Not in all 28 years did he ever invite anyone into his home. Regina even stayed away. There was a time when she could walk into his home at any point and he would never have kicked her out, no matter how vile she was to him. He must have put something in the curse to ensure that he always has privacy. The last time she visited him she brought some rather tragic news.
Time to give a house call. He would be home in about an hour. That would give her enough time to get comfortable and make herself at home.
Her powers were limited as she had to relearn how to use magic here. Power didn't just come from emotions but will. It was harder to summon magic here but she was slowly learning. Her hand waved over the door knob and the door opened. She couldn't feel any protection spells so entered casually.
A large smile crossed her face when she saw the décor. It was a mass of pink walls with miscellaneous items from his past scattered about on various tables. Nothing was functional save the kitchen that was as modern as her own. She did a good job in ensuring that his home would be an unsettled place for him. An old woman's house is what she gave him.
Just as she finished boiling some water she heard footsteps behind her. "I thought I should be neighborly and make us some tea."
"You are no longer welcome into my home."
"Since when have you banned me?"
"Since you redecorated the place."
Regina poured water into a teapot. "Come now. If Emma gets an invitation surely an old student like me is welcome."
Gold half smiled. "What are you really here for?"
After pouring herself a cup of tea and one for him she sat down by the kitchen island and made herself comfortable. "You don't be able to do it. Emma Swan does not fear you nor does she understand magic. As soon as she sees the manipulation she'll turn on you."
"You seem to be assuming something."
"Emma learning magic from the Dark One? Or are you hoping to find your one true love…again." Regina took a sip of tea to hide her smile at hitting her mark.
Gold couldn't be impassive now. "If I were to train her you would have to worry about two powerful people. We have our own history. Not all of it was that bad. There was a time once you fell under my influence just as everyone else and rather enjoyed it."
"I was a young woman then as you well knew."
He was gaining ground again. "Emma can only fall under my spell if she wants to."
Regina put her cup down on the counter. "While at my house I began to wonder why you made that curse to begin with and why you suggested to me to use it. Then I hear it was your idea to get Emma and that Snow flake in the wardrobe. That is no coincidence Rumple. You wanted the curse broken so that begs me to wonder why you wanted to get to a world with no magic in the first place."
"Quite the story."
"I'll find out why, have fun chasing Emma." Regina walked out of the house making sure that her heels resounded loudly on the hardwood floor.
…