Disclaimer: Once Upon a Time is not mine to claim. The characters are not mine. ABC owns everything.
A/N: Okay, so this was supposed to have been a one-shot...but more inspiration and ideas have caught up with me.
Instead, this will probably turn into a type of challenge for me-a MM/Gold fic, since there are so few of them on here. Maybe I'll make MM/David endgame, but at this point I'm not sure-I'm simply letting my creativity lead the way.
Thank you to those who reveiwed the first chapter, by the way. Also, Belle will NOT be included. It would kinda make it even more complicated.
Enjoy!
After her heart-wrenching scene with David-the word "tramp" plastered on her car in red paint-Mary Margaret allowed her tired feet to carry her to Granny's Diner.
Pausing at the entrance, Mary Margaret fought an internal battle, debating whether to go in and face the sharks awaiting her. Whether Ruby's irresistable, delicious coffee was worth it.
What if everyone stared at her? What if they shouted crude names at her?
Floating across her mind were Mr. Gold's words: do not opt for the easy path simply because the right path appears discouraging. Right. The right choice.
Mary Margaret wrung her hands together nervously.
If she walked into the diner, it meant she would charge into a humiliating, awkward situation, but she would also be defending her choice of choosing David. If she ran away, she would be a coward and they would be right. I am not a coward, she insisted to herself, dropping her hands.
Squaring her shoulders, Mary Margaret inhaled deeply, threw open the entrance door, and marched into the diner.
There were stares-endless, accusing stares-but no one shouted names at her. At least the public had that much consideration. Menus positioned in front of their faces, people glared at her, turning to their partners to whisper something about her.
Ruby finished handing a customer their order and spun animately in her direction. Mary Margaret noticed Ruby visibly pausing to study her. Would her friend also condemn her?
Red lips forcing a smile, Ruby inclined her red-streaked head. Mary Margaret's fingers gripped the edge of the bar until the knuckles turned bone white.
"Hello...Ruby," Mary Margaret whispered, the steam of her confidence emptying out of her. If Ruby snapped at her with the accusation of "tramp" or "homewrecker", Mary Margaret would crumble to the diner floor, sinking into her misery.
Instead, Ruby rested her elbows on the bar, leaning over and placing a gentle, comforting hand over Mary Margaret's own, just as Mary Margaret had done with Mr. Gold not too long ago.
It was a kind gesture and it puzzled Mary Margaret for she had not expected it today. Now Mary Margaret understood what Mr. Gold had been feeling during their little scene.
"Hey, Mary Margaret," Ruby answered back, deliberately voicing her words as loud as she dared, as if to mock the others with: see? Take my example. "Are you okay?"
Mary Margaret's lip quivered, her lungs grew cold, and her fingers slipped from the edge of the bar. Was she okay? Far from it, actually, but thank you for asking.
Ruby blanched, realizing her mistake. Shaking her head frantically, Ruby's eyes became apologetic.
"Stupid question, I'm sorry," Ruby said, reduced to chewing on the back of a red pen used to scribble orders. People were still watching and Ruby glared at them. "People can be cruel. Listen, just ignore them. It's what I do."
Ruby straightened and grinned widely, hands planted on her hips like Wonder Woman. Mary Margaret gave a weak smile.
"Ruby...you're not a...a homewrecker," Mary Margaret stumbled over the last word, tears glistening in her green eyes. How many of these familiar passersby were thinking that word right now?
Ruby waved it off, scoffing boldly at it as if it were no big deal.
"Please. Mary Margaret, there have been people in this town who have done ten times worse than you," she pointed out with a long crimson fingernail. The bell chimed a silvery note behind them. "Exhibit A," Ruby muttered, eyes growing unfriendly and distant.
Mary Margaret was about to question who Ruby was talking about, but the soft tapping alerted her to the customer's identity. Mr. Gold.
"Ruby, I'd appreciate it if you kept your unfriendly comments to yourself. Unless you would rather enjoy an additional one hundred dollars for rent", the smooth accentuated voice criticized Ruby, making the girl's face pale. Still, she did not apologize.
"What can I get for you?" Ruby's tone was flat and lacking in enthusiasm, but Mr. Gold did not seem to care either way. Tapping the red pen impatiently against the bar, Ruby's eyes narrowed.
"Just a coffee, dearie. Hurry along, now," he advised her with a smirk.
Ruby glared piercingly at him, but did as she was told. Mary Margaret imagined that Ruby would infiltrate the man's coffee one of these days.
"Ms. Blanchard," Mr. Gold greeted her politely, a dip of his head.
Mary Margaret recalled their odd scene on the street and she offered him a kind smile. If this was the only person-besides Henry, Emma, and Ruby-to treat her with some form of decency, then so be it.
"Mr. Gold," she returned warmly. Ruby returned with his coffee and practically shoved it at him.
As the pawnbroker leaned over to accept it, swooping in close to Mary Margaret, his scent wafted around her. Rich, a bit eccentric, earthy-it tickled her nose in a delightful way.
Mr. Gold grinned down at her-he had noticed her moment there.
"And a hot cocoa for Ms. Blanchard. With extra cinnamon, if I'm not mistaken," Mr. Gold ordered for her, tilting his head inquiringly at her. Ruby's eyes swiveled to Mary Margaret.
"Yes, Ruby. That would be nice," Mary Margaret agreed and Ruby rushed off with a bit more bounce in her step this time. Mary Margaret could sense Mr. Gold peering at her and a soft blush rose to her face.
"Still chasing after the right choice, I see," he commented wistfully. Mary Margaret was suddenly aware of how close in proximity they were, their bodies only inches apart.
"How are you so sure I am?" Mary Margaret gave him a sidelong glance, green eyes wide. Mr. Gold calmly sipped his coffee; she knew he was selecting his words carefully.
"Otherwise, you would not be here. You would have run," he mused, motioning with a hand to the diner's entrance door. Mary Margaret nodded thoughtfully-hadn't she considered turning back?
Ruby slid back into view, holding out Mary Margaret's hot cocoa, a generous sprinkling of cinnamon decorating the whipped cream. Ruby shot Mr. Gold a suspicious look before being called over to a table in the corner.
"Would you care to join me, dearie?" Mr. Gold headed for a table near the window and Mary Margaret hesitated only a moment before following.
As she did, she noticed every head whirl in her direction. How must this look to them? Stealing David away one day and sipping drinks with Storybrooke's most feared resident the next?
Settling into the seat across from the pawnbroker, Mary Margaret busied herself with tasting her delicious drink. The cinnamon and chocolate danced on her tongue and it put a genuine smile on her face. Mr. Gold was observing her with amusement.
"Did you...did you want to call in that favor?" Mary Margaret asked tentatively, wondering at the man's request for her presence.
Part of her preferred to prolong the favor as much as possible-Mr. Gold was known for interacting in shady business deals. What would he ask of her?
Mr. Gold raised his cup to his lips, his scrutinizing brown eyes watching her over the rim.
"Decidedly not, Ms. Blanchard. Perhaps I simply enjoy your company," he replied, long fingers drumming against the side of the cup. Mary Margaret could not help feeling like a small mouse, being eyed by a vulture under Mr. Gold's observant eye.
Over his shoulder, Mary Margaret noticed a pair of women whispering and glaring daggers at her. They never even tried to hide it that well. A sting sliced into her chest as Mary Margaret imagined the words passing between them.
"Ignore them, dearie. People will talk, but there is not one person in this diner brave enough to call you out in front of someone like me," Mr. Gold told her and she knew he was right. The people in this diner were much too afraid of Mr. Gold to approach their table, lest he direct his attention on them.
Mary Margaret smiled sheepishly and slunk back in her chair, hands curled around her half-empty cup of cocoa. Then the meaning of his words sunk in deeper.
"You asked me to join you. Is...is your company for my benefit?" Mary Margaret watched him curiously.
Mr. Gold's lips lifted a little higher as he sipped his drink once more, hinting at her answer. Mary Margaret was stunned-confusion poured through her as she struggled to understand his intentions.
Just then, the bell chimed to signal a new customer and in strode the Mayor, of all people. Every stitch in place, every curl of hair soft and flawless, she reeked power and control just like Mr. Gold.
Instead of speaking to Ruby, the Mayor spun on her heel and focused her imposing stare on the two of them, lips shifting into a smirk. Oh, no...please, no, Mary Margaret pleaded the heavens.
"Look what we have here. Fancy finding you two here together. Haven't you done enough damage to your reputation, Ms. Blanchard?"
The Mayor's gaze was piercing as it dropped onto Mary Margaret's shoulders. Mary Margaret stared into her cup like it was the most interesting thing in the world, secretly wanting to be anywhere else.
"Haven't you caused the girl enough trouble, Regina?" Mr. Gold's gaze was locked onto the pristine Mayor. Regina bristled and her lips transformed into a distasteful pout. One of her heeled shoes tapped angrily on the tiled floor.
"Mr. Gold, I'd appreciate it if I could speak to Ms. Blanchard alone," Regina hinted, irritation raditing off her. Mary Margaret felt her lungs crack and squeeze tightly. What did the Mayor want to say to her now? Did she too want to jab at Mary Margaret with a stick?
Mr. Gold remained in his seat, a thin smile resting on his face. Darkness cloaked his eyes and tension sparked between him and the Mayor.
"I'd rather you wait until the two of us are finished...please," the last word was hissed at the Mayor, nearly sounding menacing. Mary Margaret did not know why, but that word caused the Mayor's face to pale, her body stiffening.
Furious, the Mayor leaned down, slapping her palms down on the table and gritting her teeth beneath her twisted lips. The table shook slightly and some of Mary Margaret's cocoa spilled onto the table.
"I'll have you know I am through playing games with you, " the Mayor snapped at Mr. Gold, though his expression stayed calm and unfazed. "I intend to speak to Ms. Blanchard, even if I have to drag her out of this diner. You wouldn't want her to be exposed as a coward, would you?"
Everyone in the diner was watching the show, eyes boggling. No one else may have registered it, but Mary Margaret observed Mr. Gold's smile becoming forced and tense, his brown eyes dangerous and cold.
Pushing against the Mayor's weight, Mr. Gold casually stood up, retrieving his cane. Only inches from the Mayor's face, his thick accent wrapped around her.
"You just remember who is in control here, Madame Mayor. Just remember the consequences should you break the terms of your contract," he warned her softly. For once, Mary Margaret noticed a peculiar emotion in the Mayor's face-fear.
Offering Mary Margaret a last incline of the head, Mr. Gold limped out of the diner, silence licking at his heels.
"Not the best company to keep, Ms. Blanchard," the Mayor coolly advised her, glowering down at her. A sudden burst of confidence shot through her-though where it came from, she hadn't a clue.
"Neither are you," Mary Margaret blurted out, much to the Mayor's disdain. the Mayor's lips grew into a thin, angry line, one fine eyebrow raised in speculation.
Sliding swfitly into Mr. Gold's vacant seat, the Mayor did not hesitate to retort back at Mary Margaret.
"These glares and whispers from your fellow peers? You only have yourself to blame for that. The way I see it, you deserve to be condemned for such a despicable act," the Mayor told her, folding her hands on top of the table.
"I...I just..." Mary Margaret tried to speak, to defend herself somehow, but the words became clogged in her throat. The Mayor held up a hand to stop her.
"Ms. Blanchard, you no longer have the right to speak. It's my turn now and you will listen," the Mayor demanded, sharp voice filling the diner.
Everyone heard everything. Ruby was glaring at the Mayor's head and squeezing the pen so hard, Mary Margaret would not be surprised if it exploded into pieces.
"Today, I have received a number of complaints from many concerned parents, Ms. Blanchard. Seems they don't like the idea of their children being instructed by a...shall we say...tramp," the Mayor spat out viciously. "As a parent myself, I agree. And as mayor of this town, it is my duty to do what is proper for the community."
Mary Margaret knew what was coming next, but still her heart thudded against her chest, shattering. No, anything but this...
Satisfied with Mary Margaret's silence, the Mayor continued. A victorious smirk played on her perfectly poised lips.
"Ms. Blanchard, you're fired from your teaching job," she declared, crushing Mary Margaret's last hope of things getting better. Teaching was her specialty, where she could escape the troubles daunting her elsewhere.
Mary Margaret's hands gripped the cup of cocoa, shaking ferociously. A single tear dripped down her rosy face and mixed with the creamy chocolate drink.
The Mayor rose from her seat and Mary Margaret released a ragged breath, thinking that the worst of the scene was over. However, the Mayor was not quite finished yet.
"As for the rest of you," she addressed the crowd in the diner. "Should anyone even consider helping Ms. Blanchard's...unfortunate...situation, I will see to it that the guilty persons are destroyed far worse than she is," the Mayor announced.
Abruptly, whispers floated around the room and people shook their heads at Mary Margaret. Closing her eyes, Mary Margaret attempted to shut out the horrid atmosphere.
"Enjoy your cocoa, Ms. Blanchard," the Mayor remarked with finality before striding confidently out the door. It was all breaking down inside Mary Margaret-the weight of the guilt devoured her.
Abandoning the cup of cocoa, Mary Margaret dashed out of the diner, laughter following closely behind and the tears clouding her vision until she was drowning in the safety of her bed at home.