Best Served Cold

By: RosexKnight

Dove gives Gold his info, and Gold spies on Girl's Night.

Chapter Two

Dove didn't ask questions, which was one of the reasons Gold favored him so. Whenever he needed a task done, he wrote up a contract with a note of instructions and sent the man on his way. Within a week the deed was done and Dove was given whatever reward or payment they agreed upon in the contract. No one questioned why Dove had his own house in the heart of Storybrooke or how he did what he did. Dove got things done, and that was all Gold needed. Especially now, as he sealed the envelope with his wax seal and handed it off to Dove.

He was already well aware of his task. But paper and pen were Gold's weapons, and he wielded them like a sword.

Belle French was a clever girl. He had to go about this very carefully. If he pursued her too soon she might become suspicious and realize the whole reason he's decided to woo her. Because that's what Gold planned to do. He imagined it wouldn't be too hard to make Belle fall in love with him. Disastrous outcomes aside, he supposed his last two attempts at a decent relationship had been easy enough to please. He might not have trusted women anymore, but Belle French at the very least had Milah and Cora beat out in terms of beauty. And she never looked at him with fear like the rest of the town. He supposed that was a plus.

If Milah and Cora had been easy to please then Belle was downright simple. According to the files Dove had produced for Gold a week after the contract was signed, Belle spent most of her time between her father's flower shop, Granny's, and the Storybrooke Library. The girl was rarely seen without a book somewhere on her person, and she apparently had a degree in Library Science and Creative Writing. It was a shame that father of hers kept her shackled to the flower shop, but Gold supposed there was nothing to be done about it. As he read over the file he found Dove had outdone himself. Favorite color, food, flower, movies, books, and even a brief medical history was all there. Gold would have no problem framing himself as the man of Belle's dreams. In all honesty, it seemed rather unfair.

"Rabbit Hole - Friday Night - 6pm - With girls." Was at the end of the folder, written on a sticky note with Dove's calculated hand. Gold say back, pondering the little note. Dove never added his own personal notes to any of his work. Everything was always organized and pristine. Did Dove know what he was up to? Not that it would matter. The man knew better than to talk. Still, he supposed if Dove DID know it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Perhaps The Rabbit Hole would be a good place to observe his little beauty as he calculated his first move a month from now.

He didn't often frequent The Rabbit Hole, but he at least went there often enough that when we walked into the dive bar that Friday night that no one gave him any odd looks. His usual spot at the bar was quickly cleared away and he settled in for the night.

"The usual?" Jefferson, the owner, asked.

"Leave the bottle." Gold confirmed.

Jefferson tilted his head. "Long day?"

Gold frowned. Normally he didn't mind Jefferson's quirks and penchant for small talk. Even enjoyed it sometimes, though he'd never admit to it. Tonight, however, he was on a mission.

As Jefferson poured him a glass of the expensive scotch Gold had him keep specifically for him. A flurry of laughter could be heard from the door. Right on schedule, "the girls" entered with Ruby in the lead. Mary Margaret and Ashley followed with Belle trailing behind them. They gave a wave to Jefferson, none except for Belle paying him any mind as they passed to their booth.

"Ahh the plot thickens." Jefferson hummed. "Spinner of words interested in the library's beauty…"

"Not tonight, Jefferson…" Gold grumbled, a clear warning in his tone. He took a long drink of the cool drink, letting the alcohol burn down his throat. "I'm not in the mood."

"Alright, alright." Jefferson said, holding his hands up in defense. "Call if you need me."

As the night wore on, Gold contemplated his reason for being there. He knew, of course, why he was there. He was there to observe the beauty in her natural habitat as she clumsily threw back a shot with Ruby and nearly choked on the tequila or how she seemed to participate in the conversation as much as she seemed lost in her thoughts. She'd caught him starting twice, and on the third time their gazes met he didn't back down. She quirked an eyebrow at him in askance, but was pulled away by Ruby as the two scurried to the bathrooms.

The bar got more crowded. More noisy, and Gold decided to leave when the bottle was empty. The night had gone without a hitch. Except…

"I'm sorry!" Mary Margaret called as she collided with the back of his stool, causing his glass to topple over, spilling ice and the last of the scotch over the bar.

He felt the cool of the liquid spill over on his pant leg and saw red. It was Belle, however, that he came face-to-face with when he whirled around to rake the school teacher across the coals, stepping in front of her friend like a shield. This time it was Gold quirking a brow at her.

"It was an accident, Gold." Belle finally said. "I bumped into her."

His eyes narrowed at her, a glare that would have anyone else edging away. Belle didn't flinch.

"A little water will wash that right out." She offered, her lips quirking at the sides.

Gold rose from his stool, giving her a frown. "You're on thin ice already, dearie. Don't push it."

Belle nodded, and the two girls inched away, scurrying back to their table. Gold sighed, and Jefferson offered him a towel to dab his pant leg off with.

"As clumsy as she is sexy, that Belle." Came a drunken mumble from the table behind him.

"Still." The next replied. "She can be as clumsy as she wants if it gets her in my bed."

Gold glanced back to the pair, Gaston and Keith he believed. Gaston seemed perfectly fine with nursing his drink and making eyes at any waitress he found. Keith, however, made his target much more obvious as he stared at Belle, giggling with Ruby from across the room. Frowning, something akin to jealousy mixed with rage. Keith's eyebrow quirked, and he realized he and Belle's gazes had met. Belle, however, only shook her head. Gold smirked. He would have been caught staring, but she never rolled her eyes at him. He placed the rag Jefferson had given to him on the bar and made his way to the bathroom. He had to remind himself that Belle was not his yet, and therefore no one knew not to touch her yet. No one stole from Mr. Gold. But still, Bele was a clever girl. Keith never stood a chance in the first place.

Admittedly, it could have been a better night, and as he washed out the alcohol from his pants he decided to go with his instincts and wait a month before making his move. He'd be safely out of her mind by then, and his intentions wouldn't be in question.

"Better?" Jefferson asked as Gold re-appeared from the bathroom, flipping through his billfold for payment that night.

Gold hummed in response, handing Jefferson a few bills to pay and tip. "See you next week, Jeff."

"Ah yes the town meeting ran by the tyrant queen."

Gold chuckled. He didn't like Regina much either, and that was one of his favorite nicknames Jefferson had for the townsfolk. He was the only thing that was bearable about those damn town meetings. With a simple nod to Jefferson, Gold turned to leave. He fought the urge to look back to catch Belle in his eye again, to make his presence known to her one more time. In the end, he climbed the stairs and exited the bar without another glance back.

The wind was carrying the tell-tale signs of winter as it whipped against his coat. Gold limped along, leaning heavily on his cane. He cursed himself for parking so far away, unable to remember the reason why he'd done so. He just wanted to get home and soak in a tub. Plan out his next move that would come in a month, and spend the rest of the night trying to catch some sleep before worrying about inventory for the shop the next day.

"Come sweetling just sneak away with me for an hour."

The voice came from the alleyway just beside The Rabbit Hole, slurring slightly and dragging out syllables for too long. Gold rolled his eyes. It wasn't unknown that things happened in the few dark alleyways that Storybrooke had, but he was in no mood for it.

"Kieth I've already given you my answer."

Belle's voice made Gold stop short, the same feeling he'd had before coiling in his gut. Belle wasn't his yet. She could handle herself.

"Twenty minutes?"

Fuck it.

He knew better than to make his presence known right away. The alley was dark, but a street light gave some illumination. Keith was looking over Belle, who'd been backed against the brick wall. She was keeping an eye on him, but her posture was tight, like a rabbit ready to bolt from a fox. It wasn't until Gold cleared his throat that she relaxed at all.

"Gold." She breathed, her eyes going to him before glancing back to Keith.

"This ain't any of your business, old man." Keith grumbled, turning back to Belle. "Go back to your shop."

Gold paid him no mind, not even looking at him. "Belle, did you come out here because you wanted to be with him?"

Belle gave a short, quick shake of her head, and that was enough for him.

"I believe the lady said no, Mr. Nottingham."

Keith fumed, turning completely to Gold. Belle seized her chance to break away, moving closer to him as well. Keith chuckled.

"You don't scare me."

"I'm not trying to, dearie. But I do believe you owe Miss French an apology."

Keith only grinned. "Jealous, Gold? That she'd sooner fall into my arms than yours?"

Faster than any of them could see, Gold's came flew, coming down hard against Keith's shoulder. The man yelped, stumbling back.

Gold grinned, whole-heartedly satisfied with the pain inflicted on the moron. "I believe I said something about an apology."

"Gold, it's fine." Belle said.

Gold shot her a look that made her flinch. He ignored it. Keith's behavior was unacceptable. Unacceptable behavior had to be taught a lesson. It was always quite simple.

"You bastard!" Keith growled, and Gold held up his cane once more. The larger man stepped back, glancing to Belle. "I'm sorry."

"Good job." Gold said, dropping his cane back to the ground with a sharp thwack. "Don't came near her again."

Nodding, Keith took a step back and then fled back down the alley. A pause stretched out between Belle and Gold as his footsteps disappeared.

"Are you alright, Miss French?" Gold asked, finally turning to her.

Belle was staring at him, as if trying to decipher some sort of riddle. Finally she tilted her head at him.

"I thought I was on thin ice."

Gold lifted a brow at her. "You believe I'd stand by and let the brute molest you because of that?"

Belle frowned. "I suppose not. Though with the stories people tell…"

"This town talks too much." He moved, limping back towards the entrance of the alley. When Belle didn't move, he turned back to her. "Do you need a ride home, Miss French?"

He didn't know why he asked. He never offered rides. The only reason he drove himself was because he liked his car. Very much. But Belle's eyes brightened, so it wouldn't have been the wrong thing to ask.

"No I...girls night isn't over. They're waiting for me. But, thank you Mr. Gold."

"You're welcome. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Gold watched as she stepped out of the alleyway and down the sidewalk, not taking his eyes off her until she disappeared down the steps back into The Rabbit Hole, going so far as to give him a smile when she caught him staring. He returned it with a wave, not grinning until he was in his car.

Perhaps the night hadn't been a total waste after all. Getting her to trust him was half the battle, and he was pretty sure he'd just done so.