A/N: This installment takes place during 1.3 "Snow Falls"
"It should be right here." James frowns and looks over the titles on the shelf a second time but there is no sign of the richly illustrated "Snow White" book that he had promised to find. He looks sheepishly at Mary-Margaret. "I'm sorry but there must a glitch in the system." James Stuart took great pride in his organization and having a book missing, even an illustrated fairytale, was like having an itch he couldn't scratch.
Mary-Margaret sighs. "It's okay James, really. It was silly anyway. I mean I know the story. Evil Queen, huntsman, dwarfs and all that." The school teacher fidgets with the ring on her finger and bites her lip. "I just thought it might be nice to refresh my memory." She waves her hand and gives a self-conscious laugh.
He looks at her carefully. He has always liked Mary-Margaret, her gentle nature, her dedication to her students, and her taste in literature were all admirable qualities and it helped that he was never too awkward or nervous around her. He welcomes her visits to the library and enjoys their many chats about books and her students. He considers her a friend of sorts and he has noticed how preoccupied she has seemed lately.
"Is there any reason you wanted to read this particular fairy tale?"
"Well, I recently read a version of it that wasn't quite what I remembered."
The light clicks on in his head. "You read Henry's book." The lad lugged the large, leather bound, volume with him everywhere these days and while he had only let James see a few stories that had been enough for the librarian to realize they weren't the traditional fairy tales. She nods and starts fidgeting with her ring again. "Emma convinced me to read it to a coma patient at the hospital last night."
His forehead crinkles. "Why on Earth would Ms. Swan be interested in you reading to a coma patient?"
"Oh it's silly and it doesn't really matter anyway." She gives a nervous laugh. "I just wanted to compare the stories. But if you don't have it that's totally fine."
James can sense there is more behind her words but feels it is none of his business to pry into her affairs. He pushes up his glasses and turns back to the books.
"Well if you don't mind a lack of illustration." His fingers dance over the spines of the books before landing on a think volume and tugging it free. "Snow White is included in this anthology." He waves the book slightly.
She smiles. "That will work just fine. Thank you so much" She reaches for the book and he hands it over. Together they turn and head back to the circulation desk in a comfortable silence. James is trying to work out the connection between a coma patient, the school teacher, and Henry's book as they walk and he is so lost in thought he doesn't notice the man in the tailored suit standing at the desk until Mary-Margaret speaks.
"Mr. Gold."
The man turns and gives her a smile that reminds James of a snake. "Ah. Ms. Blanchard. What an unexpected pleasure." His eyes dart to her book but Mary-Margaret is hugging it to her chest, keeping the cover hidden. James wonders if she had hid the cover on purpose and if she feels the same twisting in her stomach and oily unease in the pawnbrokers presence that he does. He takes a small step forward placing himself between her and Gold's reptilian glance.
"Is there anything you need Mr. Gold?" Since the library and the apartment were owned by the city James didn't have the monthly rent interaction that almost everyone else in town endured. Gold had never set foot inside the library before now and James knew him more by sight and reputation than any first hand knowledge. And what he knew made him wary of the man.
Gold sweeps his gaze up and down the librarian, lingering on his prosthetic hand and his bow tie. James fights not to fidget under his gaze, but his thumb rubs absently at his ring finger all the same. Gold meets his eyes with a smile that is almost a smirk.
"Why yes Mr. Stuart. I was hoping you could help me find a book on sailing. I understand you are quite the enthusiast."
James frowns and glances back at Mary-Margaret. "I think you've been misinformed. I've never been sailing or even on a boat in my life. I get terrible motion sickness."
"Now that is a real tragedy." Gold's eyes are bright and James has the distinct feeling the man is laughing at him. "I have heard that women go crazy for sailors and pirates in particular. Isn't that right Ms. Blanchard?"
"Uh" Mary-Margaret looks as confused as James feels.
"Though I think your proclivities might run more along the lines of a knight in shining armor or a Prince Charming?"
She blushes and this time James knows the man is somehow being cruel. The thought annoys him, almost angers him, which is a strange sensation.
"Mr. Gold if you will just wait until I finish helping Ms. Blanchard. I will be right with you."
Gold raises his hand. "No need. I will come back another time." His eyes sweep around the room before he gives another, small, almost feral smile and turns to leave. His cane thumps loudly as he walks and the door bangs after him.
James lets out a long breath and feels his muscles relax he hadn't realized how tense the pawnbroker made him.
"He makes my skin crawl." Mary-Margaret murmurs and he nods in agreement.
Something about Mr. Gold sets James on edge. He doesn't know why but the man strikes him as dangerous, like a predator waiting to pounce, a crocodile about to snap it's deadly jaws. And James has the distinct impression that he is the prey.