Chapter Two
Aurora had to almost run to keep up with Jefferson's quick strides as they strolled across the grounds. They had already poured some of the potion in two of the four corners of Rumple's Castle. "Can we slow down just a bit?" Aurora puffed.
"Slow down?" Jefferson slowed down his pace but kept on walking. "But you said you were cold, so I thought you wanted to hurry up."
"Hurry up? No way. I just need a warmer coat is all." Aurora dug her hands deep into her pockets. "This is the first time I have been allowed out all week since you brought me here."
"Rumple hasn't let you outside the castle yet?" Jefferson skidded to a stop wincing from the movement; he placed his hand on his hurt side as he turned to look at her. "You do need a new coat." He noticed for the first time how thin the winter coat looked and if it wasn't working well on a chilly fall night in early September then it would be completely useless come winter.
"He kept making excuses, the potion being the last one. But I think he thinks I am going to make a run for it." Aurora complained.
"You are not; are you?" Jefferson asked completely serious. "Because I have already had to chase you twice and after hitting that wall I really don't think I am up for a third time." Aurora laughed. "I shouldn't have said anything about being hurt. You are so going to make a run for it now aren't you?" Aurora moved closer to Jefferson and he jumped back from her. "Don't hurt me, just blast the tree here" he pointed behind him "and I will tell Rumple you blasted me into it and when I came too you were gone."
"I am not going to hurt you. " Aurora stated smirking.
"That smirk you are wearing has me thinking otherwise." Jefferson backed up into the tree.
"I could heal it for you." Aurora offered.
"You can use your Magic to heal?" Jefferson questioned her.
"It was one of the first things the Fairies taught me, while I was in hiding." Aurora sadly commented as images of how Flora, fauna, and Merryweather, had died facing Maleficent giving her time to escape.
"Healing magic can be tricky, Are you sure you can do it? I wouldn't want to make it worst."
"I am actually good at it. Had lots of practice mending hurt animals in the woods, since I was 5." She moved aside Jefferson's coat and placed her hand on his vest. "Is it right here that hurts?"
"It's a little lower" Jefferson winced as she touched near the spot he surely thought was bruised.
Aurora moved her hand down a little. "Here?"
"Yes" he whispered.
Aurora closed her eyes and sent out some energy to feel the extent of the injury. Jefferson let out a little gasp as he feel the energy roll across his side and up his rib cage.
"I think your rib is actually cracked." Aurora stated with her eyes still closed, she brought up her left hand to his shoulder and grabbed a hold of his coat as she pushed a little hard with her right hand and let her magic flow into him.
Jefferson was caught off guard and fell back against the tree losing his footing over the roots and he fell to the side taking Aurora with him. She landed on top of him not seeming to realize they had fallen. She was still focusing on sending energy into Jefferson. Jefferson noted how his chest felt warm and it was slightly painful as he felt the bone fixing itself.
Once she finished healing him Aurora opening her eyes and realizing how close she was to him she pulled back into a sitting position straddling him. But she kept her right hand on the spot where she had healed him. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to …" She stuttered. "Earlier.. I didn't mean to break anything."
"Was it really broken?" Jefferson asked propping himself up on his elbows, amazed at much better his chest suddenly felt.
"It was cracked in three tiny places. I am sorry I didn't mean to. It's just with everything that has happened to me, I just don't like to be touched."
"You know this is the third time in about a week that you have knocked me over. I have to say this is by far the most enjoyable." Jefferson looked down at her hand on his chest before looking up at her and flashing a wicked smile.
"I… I am sorry." Aurora flushed red suddenly realizing she was straddling him. She jumped up and rushed off towards the next corner of the grounds.
Jefferson laid there on the ground feeling his side with his hand, it didn't hurt anymore. He sat straight up and turned to see where Aurora was going. "Rory wait." He bounced up and caught up to her in a few quick strides. "You fixed it. Good as new. Doesn't hurt at all. What do I owe you?"
"Owe me?" she asked.
"Yes owe you. You don't do something like that for free." He laughed "You really haven't been around Rumple long enough. He hasn't even taught you to make deals yet."
"You helped me out with the potion earlier so I owed you something."
"No that doesn't count because I only helped because Rum wanted me to, so what is it you want?' He asked stepping in front of her.
"I… Jefferson…." She tried to get past him but he wouldn't let her. "The fairies who helped me escape from Maleficent taught me to help out innocent people."
"Come on now Rory!" Jefferson blocked her way again. "I hardly think the fairies where talking about me when they said innocent people."
"Ok tell me how Belle and you came to be here."
"Deal" Jefferson declared stepping aside and falling into step with Aurora again. "Belle made a deal with Rumple to save her kingdom. She gave up her freedom so Rumple would help Belle's father with a war. Rumple protected his Kingdom in exchange for Belle's servitude."
"She willing agreed to go with the Dark One?" Aurora couldn't believe it, sure Belle seems to find positives about being stuck working for the Dark One, but too willing condemn yourself to being the Dark One's servant girl when she was a Princess, it was just unbelievable.
"Before you become Queen you will have to learn that the fate of your Kingdom and its people is more important than one person." Jefferson explained.
"There had to be another way." Aurora shook her head. "There is always another way."
"True, but if Belle's father was willing to make a deal with Rumplestiltskin, then I am sure he didn't see another way." Jefferson paused. "But then again I am a selfish jerk who knows nothing of putting other people's needs before mine. So I think the deal worked out best for everyone. Belle is doing fine here, her kingdom is safe and I get to eat those delicious cookies she makes. It's all win, win the way I see it. " Jefferson smiled as he handed Aurora the potion bottle.
Aurora took it without saying anything and poured it on the spot Jefferson suggested. "Only one more spot" She commented as she capped the bottle. "You can tell me your story on the walk over."
"Oh I don't think so." Jefferson huffed.
"What you said you owed me." She pointed at him in amazement.
"I said I owed you some-thing. Not some-things! You really need to learn how to make a deal better." Jefferson flashed her another wicked smile and walked ahead of her.
"That's not fair at all" Aurora complained stopping behind him. "You tricked me."
"Tricked you" He turned faking shock at her accusation. "You said Belle and you… the you being me. I only owed you one thing, thus I told you Belle's story. Choose your words wisely Princess or else they can get you trouble. I can see Rumple, Belle, and I have a lot to teach you before you become a Queen." And with that he turned and headed for the last corner of the castle grounds. Aurora stood there in disbelief for a few seconds and putting her head down she charged after him.
