Ten seconds.

(Disclaimed.)

You will get your Mr. Gold oneshot, I promise. He's my favorite character, I want to make sure it's the best it can be.

Sorry, this is really short.

He feels nothing, nothing towards anyone. Even when Regina touches him, it is a dull sensation He simply knows where she is, he feels no warmth aside from that of her skin, and she has cold hands anyway. Nothing physical, nothing emotional. Nothing. He feels no friendship, no lust. Not even joy or sorrow.

Of course, he never tells anyone about this. If he did, everyone would know he was fake. Everyone would know he was a fraud. The friendly smile he put on when he took in Leroy for public intoxication, or let him out him again, telling him to behave better, was fake, and everyone would know it. So, the next time, instead of passively letting himself be taken in, Leroy would spit on his false friendship and punch him.

But, he is starting to feel things now, little stirrings somewhere, from that time he kissed Emma in front of God and everybody. He felt something. When he tracked that wolf, he felt something and when everyone told him to take a rest and settle down, he felt a thrill at ignoring their warnings.

When Henry told him the huntsman's story, he felt something click. He thought to himself, 'Yes, this is right.' It was like finding out that he did not have a heart was the only thing he needed to bring sensation back. He feels understanding for Henry, and even a slight brotherly, possibly paternal fondness.

He still feels nothing towards Regina. Not love, not lust. Not even contempt.

Just, nothing.

Ten seconds.

He feels the burn on the ointment on his face, but he had always felt such things. Now, though, it stirs something, an urge to move away. Then, things come more and more. Desire for Emma, love, regret, a excitement for the possibility of the two of them, together, tomorrow. Henry would like that. Henry would love that. Regina would hate it, of course, but he Graham cannot comprehend hate, just love. Besides, he did not care what she thought.

Ten seconds.

And he feels enough for a lifetime. Emma's arms around him bring him more than Regina's touch ever did, but it is not her touch, it is her very presence. He wants her. More than anything. His feelings are coming back and it is like a hand has reached out and gently gripped his heart, like one would grip a fish to keep it from slipping away. Don't slip away, please, please don't slip away.

Ten seconds.

Don't slip away.

He is afraid for a moment, and suddenly, the phantom hand in his chest seems all to real. Is he confusing desire with cardiac arrest? No. No, that can't be. Was he confusing lightheadedness with enlightenment? Fatigue with confusion? A fever for infatuation? This entire time?

Please, please don't slip away.

Ten seconds.

Then the pain comes. It is like that hand is now crushing the heart he does not have. The pain runs down his arm and though his chest, not hot, not cold, just pain. It is not blinding. He could see, if he kept his eye open, but he does not. He keeps the squeezed shut against the pain. It hurts. So much.

Then, the negative feelings come, and Graham knows he will not see tomorrow. And he is afraid of the future. What will he see on the other side? The answers? Was Henry right? Would he find a way to tell them?

Ten seconds.

"No!"

And then it all turns to dust.

See? Short. Less that 700 words. Makes me cringe! But, bear with me, because I have not really written anything for a while, my computer got sick and it has been in the shop from the start of Christmas break. And I really can't think of what to do with Graham/Emma aside from: COLD INEVITABLE DEATH, and obviously, I've never done that before.

Oh well. If someone wants another Graham story, I'll probably do it. Someday.