So this makes the third fic that I'm reviving. Trying to work on kind of a cycle thing so we'll see how it goes. Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 2

Belle walked into Marco's at around 1:20, ten minutes earlier than the agreed upon time. She ordered her coffee and went to find a place to sit. She had seen pictures of Gold with a cane, and she wasn't sure if it was just a silly ornament or not. Belle pulled a file from her messenger bag and started to look it over. Who did these idiots think they were dealing with? She took out her red pen and started marking out words and then entire sections. Ridiculous. She was going to have to call the client as soon as this coffee was done.

Gold walked into the shop about five minutes later. He was hoping to catch this girl off guard and then leave. He looked around Marco's and saw a few young women that could potentially be Carter's Miss Hayes. The blonde sitting by herself watching the door? No. Miss Hayes was a brunette according to his assistant. Well there were a few of those who looked like they were waiting for someone. Then there was one just working away at some sort of file. She reminded him of an old professor he studied under. No mercy when it came to marking up papers.

"Miss Hayes?" the barista called out.

Belle's head jerked up and she collected the file before going up to the counter to get her coffee.

So it was her. Gold cleared his throat. "Bellamy Hayes?"

Belle turned to face Mr. Gold and nodded. "That's me," she said and then grinned. "Oh. Hi," she said, "I'm afraid your pictures don't do you justice. I'm sitting right over there when you're ready." She turned to go sit back down.

Gold raised an eyebrow. What the hell was that supposed to mean? When his turn came up, he waited for the barista to remember his usual order: black Darjeeling tea. Of course it was paper tea bags, but he would take what he could get in this country. That was the one thing about Scotland that he missed. A proper cup of tea. He paid and then limped over to the table. "Bless you for not getting a booth," he said sarcastically.

Belle smiled up at him and reached out her hand for him to shake, but stayed sitting. "Didn't want to make a bad first impression. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Gold. Officially anyway."

He recognized the power play for what it was. Not standing to shake hands in a business deal was a move right out of his own book. Gold had to admit it: he was impressed. He sat down carefully before shaking her hand. "We've met unofficially?" Gold never forgot a face so he wasn't sure if she was trying to garner some sort of favor with him right off the bat.

"I was a clerk for John Richardson about twelve years ago. I think I brought you coffee once."

Gold squinted at her and then his memory provided an image of a bright eyed clerk running from here to there taking notes and rattling off appointments and file numbers. "He called you Gopher," he said.

Belle laughed at that and nodded. "That's me. Good memory." She took one last look at her file before putting it away and sipping her coffee.

"Well it certainly explains why you agreed to the meeting," Gold said. He knew Richardson very well. Before the old man retired, he was the most feared lawyer in Boston with Gold being his heir apparent much to Regina Mills' dismay. Oh well. Luckily for her, Gold preferred working from the shadows. Which was why this charity ball was quickly becoming a pain in his arse.

"Grumpy old men do tend to be fond of me," Belle agreed.

Gold snorted and sipped at his tea once it was brought to him. He tapped his finger on the side of the cup. "Is that how my assistant describes me?"

Belle flashed a predatory grin. "If you want to get back at him, may I suggest whistling show tunes?"

"Ah, so that's his Achilles' heel," Gold hummed. "I had been wondering how to bully him into quitting."

The younger lawyer giggled. "That would definitely do it."

Gold leaned back in his seat a little to study this Bellamy Hayes. Carter didn't say she was so pretty. And he certainly didn't mention her background. Any law clerk who could survive Richardson long enough to receive a nickname had to have a backbone made of pure titanium. The sweet southern charm was an act of sorts. It made sense. She wasn't extremely tall, nor did she have the angular face that Regina did so she couldn't pull off intimidation in traditional ways, but she didn't appear to use her assets to advantage either. Her dress was modest and her shoes were heels, but not overly high. The intelligence in her eyes was unmistakable. Perhaps Carter had good taste in women after all.

"So is it true?" Belle asked.

"That I eat children for dinner and bathe in the blood of my enemies? I'm afraid not. And even if it were, I'd hardly admit it," Gold quipped.

Belle laughed loudly and had to cover her mouth with her hand.

The corner of Gold's mouth quirked up. "You have a morbid sense of humor," he observed.

"Only slightly," Belle said, trying to hold in her giggles still. "I blame all the Noir movies I watch."

"Double Indemnity is your game then?" Gold asked. "Is that why you have no husband?"

Belle's grin turned wicked. "I'm afraid not. And even if it were, I'd hardly admit it."

Gold chuckled. "Well played, Miss Hayes. Very well played." He decided he could tolerate Carter's friend for a few hours. She'd probably make fun of a few of the guests with him. "I suppose we should do this properly. I can pick you up from your home at seven, we can show up, mingle, and then if you wish to stay I shall leave at around ten."

"Will you turn into a pumpkin if you stay longer?"

"More like I'll turn irritating people into toads."

"That sounds like a neat trick. Maybe I should get you to stay longer so I can see it," Belle grinned.

Gold snorted. "Careful, dearie. I'm starting to get the idea that you're enjoying my company."

"Snark battles are always fun for me," Belle admitted. "Honestly I hate these charity ball things too, but I'm making Carter watch musicals with me this weekend to get revenge for setting this up." She paused to sip her coffee and then smirked. "So really either way I win."

"I am to be your escort. I'd hardly call that a win," Gold said.

Belle propped her chin on her hand as her elbow rested on the table. "Says you. I hate dancing."

Gold put his hand on his chest and let his mouth fall open in an offended gesture. "You're using a crippled old man to avoid dancing at a party?"

"You're using an antisocial middle aged woman to keep your boss happy," Belle shot back.

Gold dropped his hand and snorted. "If you're middle aged, then I can spin straw into gold."

"Thirty five."

"That's not middle aged, dearie. Try again."

"Okay fine, but I'm still antisocial," Belle said and finished her coffee. "We can be that couple silently judging everyone who comes in."

"I don't silently judge," Gold said.

They checked their watches at the same time and moved to get up in unison.

Belle giggled. "Already reading each other's minds. This could get interesting," she quipped.

"I might have to keep Carter around after all."

Belle slung her bag over her shoulder. "I highly recommend it seeing as how he's the one you have to get my address from. I'll see you next Friday at seven." She shook Gold's hand one more time and left without a single look back.

Gold watched her go for a few minutes and felt a strange feeling come over him. Was it fondness? His nose wrinkled slightly, and he shook his head to clear it before pulling out his phone and tapping Carter's name. "Carter, inform Ms. Mills that I will be at her blasted event. Yes, your friend is adequate. Make sure she wears something appropriate. I'll not have Mills think I'm reduced to bringing some call girl." He snapped his phone shut and let out a huff. Why was he excited for Wednesday? No matter. It was sure to be a disaster anyway.


A little teaser for next chapter: Chip is a character. ^.^