Author's note: I apologize for taking longer than expected to update. Between real life things and a lack of inspiration (and my muses arguing about how long we're going to keep the story in the fairytale world), this chapter ended up giving me more trouble than I thought it would. Hopefully updates will be more frequent from now on.

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Chapter Two

Rumpelstiltskin's first order of business was to show Regina to the room she would be occupying.

"It might not be up to your usual standards, but I hope you'll be comfortable," the goblin paused in front of a pair of large double doors.

"Anything is better than the forest floor," she admitted, unable to resist smiling when he waved the doors open via magic, amused that he appeared to be showing off a bit for her.

He offered her his hand and she took it, which allowed him to guide her into the chamber.

It was dark due to the curtains being drawn, but with a snap of Rumpelstiltskin's fingers the entire room was quickly bathed in light.

Regina stifled a gasp upon seeing just how large and lavish her living space was. "Rumpel…I'm not sure what you thought my "standards" were, but this definitely surpasses them," she murmured, stepping further into the room in order to explore it.

The bed was huge: covered in luxurious silk sheets and topped with soft-looking velvet blankets. There was a floor length mirror in one corner, while a wardrobe made of ebony wood took up another. There was an intricately carved table next to her bed, and a small bookshelf containing a variety of texts was at her disposal. Finally, and to her delight: there was an adjoining bathroom that she knew she would be making use of very soon.

The only mar that she noticed was that the surfaces of the furniture appeared to be covered in a thin film of dust. Eyebrow quirking, she ran her hand along the table and couldn't resist making a comment: "Did that maid of yours not work out?"

"She ran off after helping a prisoner escape. I'm not sure what became of her…then again I don't really care," Rumpelstiltskin shrugged and walked over to Regina's side, peering over her shoulder.

He was close enough for her to feel the warmth of his body against hers, and she fought hard to resist leaning back into him as the scent of magic began to overwhelm her. It had been some time since she had been in such proximity to someone who possessed such powerful – and in Rumpelstiltskin's case, natural— mystical energies.

She sucked in a breath when he abruptly reached across her, his arm brushing lightly along hers as he swept his hand over the table and the dust that covered it disappeared in an instant.

"There. I'll make sure the rest is taken care of while you bathe. Is there anything else you require for the time being?"

There was a tiny, decidedly wicked-sounding voice in the back of her mind that replied with: you could always join me.

Somehow she managed to force that thought down and, instead, turned to look at him. "Some clean clothes would be nice for after I'm done. And you mentioned food?"

The goblin chuckled. "I'll get right on that. Everything you require should be in the bath, but if you need something: just picture it clearly in your mind and it shall appear."

Regina smiled softly. "I'd forgotten how convenient an enchanted castle can be."

Rumpelstiltskin just smiled mysteriously. "Whoever said anything about the castle being enchanted?" and then, before she could respond, he disappeared in a plume of purple smoke.

Regina stared at the space her mentor had just occupied and sighed. "I'll never get used to that."

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A pleased sound escaped the fugitive Queen as she sank back into the warm, clear water of the large tub that took up most of the space in the bathroom.

While she rinsed away the dust and grime that had gathered due to living on the run, Regina's thoughts wandered, before settling on the fondest memories of her time spent in Rumpelstiltskin's company.

A lovely smile graced the sorceress's face as she recalled a particularly amusing lesson that had resulted in the goblin explaining why cursed objects were so dangerous after knocking one over and seeing first hand just how much damage could be caused by the smallest of things.

They certainly never looked at jewelry the same way again after that episode, and after lifting the enchantment: Rumpelstiltskin had given her the ring to keep as a memento.

As if on instinct, her fingers closed around the small circle of silver that was dangling on a matching chain around her neck, and her features flushed as she remembered her mentor gently fastening it for her.

It was as if she could still feel the fleeting brush of his elegant fingers against her nape, and she shivered despite the temperature of the water.

Regina tilted her head back until it met the porcelain edge of the tub. "No! I can't afford this right now…I am not falling in love. I'm not!"

The tiny voice in the back of her had that had offered its opinion earlier chortled and responded with: you just keep telling yourself that, dear.

Oddly enough that voice sounded a lot like her friend Malificent's, now that she thought about it.

Regina shook her head to clear it and began to mumble to herself: "Okay, okay…this is nothing you can't handle. You're going to be calm, collected, and professional. You're going to tell him exactly what you came here to tell him and what you came here to tell him has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you'd like nothing better than to rip his clothes off with your teeth!" She paused and sighed heavily before drooping her shoulders. "I'm doomed aren't I?"

'Fraid so darling…you've got it bad.

"Tell me something I don't know!" Regina hissed at the air.

"Who are you talking to?" Rumpelstiltskin's curious face suddenly peered around the door, which caused her to shriek in surprise and rapidly cover herself up by sinking further into the water.

"Why didn't you knock?!"

"I was about to and then I heard you…that mirror spirit isn't here with you, is he?" Abruptly, the goblin's striking features took on an air of suspicion.

At this, Regina stifled a laugh, relieved that his immediate response wasn't to think that she was crazy, but to inspect the mirrors. Her mentor had never fully trusted the genie that inhabited that realm due to the wish that had trapped him there.

"He might have stopped by for a minute. Don't worry Rumpel…he won't bother you."

"That's not what concerns me," Rumpelstiltskin grumbled. "And he should have more respect for your privacy."

"You mean like you do? Mr. Barging-in-without-so-much-as-a-warning-knock?"

The golden-skinned sorcerer appeared to blush slightly. "Sorry about that… I was just coming in to bring these," he then revealed that he was carrying a set of clean clothes. "They're mine, but hopefully they'll fit you."

Her heart somersaulted in her chest. "That's very considerate Rumpel, thank you."

He smiled slightly. "Once I've spun some gold thread I can sew you something more appropriate, but in the meantime at least you'll be covered." He carefully placed the clothes on a chair next to the vanity. "When you're ready, come down to the dining room."

Regina nodded and watched with an almost wistful look as he made his exit.

Once he was gone the voice in her head returned.

Don't you dare deny that you want to take a bite of that incredibly luscious—

Regina didn't allow it to finish by ducking her head under the water.