Author's note:

I don't own Once Upon A Time.
Some part of this chapter is from Once Upon A Time S2 x 21.

2

Lacey woke up to an unfamiliar setting. She blinked several times before scanning her surroundings and finding Mr. Gold asleep in an armchair across the room. She sat up and realized she was in the backroom of Mr. Gold's pawnshop.

Lacey frowned. She did not remember coming into the backroom. The last thing she remembered was being in the comfort of Mr. Gold's arms. She must have fallen asleep.

She lifted the blanket and peered down. Her clothes were intact.

Lacey stared at Mr. Gold in confusion. She had come into his shop intoxicated at late night. She had told him she liked him and had thrown herself at him.

What man wouldn't take the opportunity to get his hands in a girl's pants? Mr. Gold hadn't even joined her in the bed. She scowled. Did he not find her attractive?

Lacey knew men all too well, every man who had expressed interest in her hadn't been able to keep their hands off her. Sometimes she found them disgusting. At times, when the loneliness became too much to handle, she would accept their advances, although the loneliness always doubled afterwards.

But with Mr. Gold…she wanted more. There was a pull that Lacey couldn't quite explain.

Lacey couldn't forget that night when Mr. Gold had struck Keith to near death for touching her. She giggled at the memory. Keith had been making out with her—Lacey grimaced—it hadn't been pleasant, but not a big deal. Mr. Gold had reacted as if Keith had been fucking her then and there.

It felt like there was a void in her heart…and Mr. Gold was slowly filling it.

Love was a beautiful thing. Though unreachable, Lacey still silently hoped.

Perhaps with Mr. Gold, she could at least get a taste of it?

Mr. Gold stirred and opened his eyes, and Belle sitting on his sofa bed came into his view. It was almost like all the other times when Belle had spent the night in his shop. He half expected to hear her call him lovingly.

"Rumple."

"Mr. Gold," Lacey greeted, noticing that Mr. Gold was awake.

Mr. Gold stared at Lacey for a split second before he replied with a smile, "Lacey, good morning."

Lacey returned a sly smile. "Did you put me to bed?"

"Well, it seemed you had a drink too many."

Lacey tilted her head. "And you preferred the armchair?"

Mr. Gold's lips curved upwards, amused. "The armchair is comfortable."

Lacey raised an eyebrow and got out of bed. Mr. Gold watched as she sauntered towards him, swaying her hips in the process. She sat on his lap and drawled, "Are you afraid of me, Mr. Gold?"

Mr. Gold huffed a laugh and pulled her closer by the waist, eliciting a giggle from Lacey. "Perhaps you should be afraid of me, dearie," he remarks seriously.

Lacey's breath hitched in her throat at once. Mr. Gold's hand felt like iron on her waist. They were so close…Lacey's lips parted in expectation.

Then Mr. Gold smacked her thigh lightly. "Let's get washed up then we'll get some breakfast."

X X X

It was bad enough that he longed to touch Belle, but couldn't, Mr. Gold thought. It was worse when he was not the only one.

Lacey's fashion tastes were much different from Belle's, which seemed to attract a lot of unwanted attention—unwanted by Mr. Gold.

Lacey did not seem to mind the attention. She found it amusing. That was when she winked playfully at Dr. Whale.

Mr. Gold almost snapped. He wrapped his arm around Lacey's waist and pulled her closer to his side. "Careful, Lacey," he warned dangerously, "we don't want our doctor to end up like, what's his name? The man you went with during our first date."

Startled, Lacey drew in a sharp breath. "I'm sorry."

That wink was a little bad habit of hers that had just slipped out. She had no intention of disrespecting Mr. Gold at all, though she felt like she was going to melt in his possessive grip. When Lacey looked at Dr. Whale again, she broke into a laugh.

Mr. Gold growled. What was she laughing at?

Then he saw it.

Apparently Dr. Whale still hadn't recovered from Lacey's flirtatious gesture. He gaped at Lacey like she were a delicious meal. His eyes ran over the curves of her body, then her nice, long legs. Mr. Gold did not need telepathy to know the dirty thoughts going on in his head.

He felt a murderous rage rising in him.

"Seems like you have captivated another unfortunate soul," Mr. Gold said coldly. He let go of Lacey and strode towards Dr. Whale.

"Uh-oh," Lacey said, suddenly thrilled.

"Dr. Whale, enjoying the view?" Mr. Gold asked, his tone cool.

Dr. Whale snapped out of his daze. "M-Mr. Gold." He gave an awkward laugh. "Good day. I, uh, I'm just on my way to the hospital." He turned to walk around Mr. Gold.

Mr. Gold stretched out his cane, and Dr. Whale tripped and fell on his four. Mr. Gold gave him a swift kick in his gut and he was on his back.

"Not so fast," Mr. Gold said, leaning over Dr. Whale. "Did you just stare at her?"

Lacey stood behind Mr. Gold, watching his menacing stance with elation.

"C-come on, Gold…" Dr. Whale exclaimed, frightened. "I didn't do anything!"

"You stared at her," Mr. Gold spat, "and I know how you think! So kiss. My. Boot." And he brought his foot down towards Dr. Whale's face.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" A man rushed out from the building and pulled Mr. Gold back from Dr. Whale.

Mr. Gold struggled from his grasp. "Stand aside! This doesn't concern you!"

The man yelled at Dr. Whale, "GO!" And Dr. Whale staggered away.

"Let go of me, son!" Mr. Gold yelled, and the man released him.

Son? Lacey cocked her head and studied the man.

The man looked at Mr. Gold with disdain. "I'm surprised you didn't turn him into a snail."

"Huh? A snail?" Lacey laughed, bemused. "What're you…what're you talking about?"

Mr. Gold took a deep breath. "Lacey, why don't you wait in the shop?" He handed her his keys. "I'll be along shortly."

Lacey opened her mouth to protest, but complied at Mr. Gold's serious expression. She took the keys and headed back to the shop.

X X X

When Mr. Gold came back, he was fuming.

"I bought breakfast." He placed the takeout on the table.

Lacey went over and took out the food. She stole a glance at Mr. Gold. "You're angry."

Mr. Gold looked at Lacey. Yes, he was angry. He was angry with Lacey for her sleaziness. He was angry with himself for not being able to protect Belle. He was angry with himself for disappointing Neal again.

He had lapsed back into darkness, he knew. After years of regret, he had let his son down again. He took a deep breath and got his emotions under careful control. "You, are trouble," he merely said.

Lacey protested, "I didn't do anything!"

Mr. Gold scoffed, Lacey had been at fault as much as Dr. Whale had, he'd only chosen to take it all out on Dr. Whale.

He lifted Lacey's chin and looked at her seriously. "Lacey, I will tolerate anything, but unfaithfulness." He grunts inwardly at the frustrating situation. Never had he had to have this talk with Belle, and how long had Lacey been with him?

One day.

"I-I'm not going anywhere," Lacey faltered as Mr. Gold's touch and gaze sent a tingle up her spine.

Mr. Gold ran over Lacey's lower lip with a thumb. "Say that again," he said softly, appeased by her words.

Lacey licked her lips, she wanted Mr. Gold's kiss now. She held her chin up defiantly. "Only if you kiss me."

Mr. Gold blinked. "Wh—?"

Then she pulled him down by the collar and kissed him full on the mouth.

Instinctively Mr. Gold grabbed Lacey's shoulders to push her away. On second thought, he was sure the gesture would push her away for good.

So he moved his hand up to hold her face and returned the kiss.