Once Upon A Time: Into The Devil's Den, Part Three
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
Emma walked around the living room, pacing to stay awake. Mr. Gold had been sleeping upstairs for a few hours and she was trying to fight going to sleep herself. She had been watching the front from upstairs but had come down once she was sure he was sound asleep. She turned to pace the other direction but stopped in her tracks when she saw Mr. Gold standing on the landing of the stairs.
" Trying to wear a groove into my Persian rug? " He asked wryly. " And Jasmine works so hard to keep it looking brand new. "
" How long have you been standing there? " Emma tried to hide the fact that he had startled her yet again.
" Not long, " He made his way down the rest of the stairs. He was wearing a black silk robe that stopped mid-calf. " I woke up and you weren't upstairs so I wanted to see if anything was going on. "
" I was falling asleep sitting still so I decided to walk around to wake up, " Emma explained.
" Perhaps some coffee will help? I have some if you would like, " Mr. Gold smiled the smile Emma was sure made much weaker women melt. " It's quite good, "
Emma thought it over then sighed, " Okay. I'll have some. "
" That's a good girl, " Mr. Gold walked towards the kitchen. Emma followed him and sat down in one of the high backed leather chairs that surrounded the black marble topped table. He filled the coffee pot from the tap and poured it into the coffee maker.
" You know how to use that thing? " Emma tried to sound like she was joking.
Mr. Gold smirked, " I do. I can do quite a few things for myself. I just have the help for the incidentals I cannot handle because of my business. "
" Oh, " Emma said.
" I'll make more than a cup in case you need it, " Mr. Gold said.
" Sure, thanks, " Emma nodded. As he worked, Emma noticed long horrible looking scars that ran the length of his right leg. She followed them with her eyes as far as she could see until the robe blocked her view. She looked at them a little longer, wondering how he had gotten them.
The scars weren't the only thing that caught her eye though. She noticed how the silk of his robe clung to him, showing he was in rather good shape. ~ He has to be to do business he the way he does, all on his own, ~ The thought crossed her mind as she continued to stare.
Mr. Gold glanced at her after the coffee was ready and Emma looked away. She was pretty sure he had caught her staring though. She pretended to look at the high-end appliances and china filled glass front cabinets. The color scheme pretty much matched the rest of the house as it was black and white marble.
" Sugar and cream my dear? " He asked as he poured her a mug.
" No, thank you, " Emma shook her head.
" As you wish, " Mr. Gold replied the brought the coffee to her.
Emma took a sip, " You were right. It's really good. "
" Only the finest for me, my dear, " Mr. Gold sat down in the chair across from Emma, leaning his cane against the edge of the table.
" I noticed, " Emma replied. It seemed everything Mr. Gold had was expensive and top quality. She assumed he could afford to live in such a way since it was said he owned Storybrooke. She had seen him collecting rent from his tenants on more than one occasion and they were not small sums by any means.
" So has Regina recruited a deputy? " Mr. Gold glanced toward the front of the house.
" She called me and told me she did " Emma nodded as she took another sip of the coffee. " He's been driving by every fifteen minutes since dark. "
Mr. Gold glanced at the clock, " It's almost three now. "
" I know, " Emma sighed for it felt so much later. She took another sip of coffee then sighed, " I hope she recruited another so I can get some sleep. "
" If you'd like I'll sit up for a bit while you rest, " Mr. Gold suggested.
" I couldn't ask you to do that, " Emma put a hand up. " You asked me to protect you. You go back to sleep. Everything will be fine. "
Mr. Gold shook his head, " I can't sleep. I am... nervous I suppose. "
Emma thought it odd that he could be nervous. He always seemed so in control and was always so proper, even when delivering threats. " I didn't think you could get nervous. "
" Seldom but I do, " Mr. Gold shrugged. His expression changed, " Can you tell me what you found so fascinating about me just a few moments ago? "
Emma had been taking a drink when he asked the question but swallowed quickly. She shook her head, " Nothing. "
" You were staring, " Mr. Gold smiled. " You're not the only one who can detect a lie, dear. You want to know something. "
" It's really none of my business, " Emma sighed. " I just noticed something, that's all. "
" So are we to sit here in silence? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow. " Do you hate me so much that you don't even want to talk with me? "
Emma opened her mouth then closed it. 'Hate' was such a strong word and she certainly didn't want to use it to describe her feelings she had for Mr. Gold. In truth, she really hadn't made up her mind about him. She despised the tactics he had used to get her elected to the Sheriff's office but she had agreed to give him tolerance.
" You are curious about something, " Mr. Gold smiled slightly. " I can see it in your face. "
Emma arched an eyebrow, " If you can see it then tell me what I want to know about. "
" You want to know about my leg, " Mr. Gold said. He smirked, "Am I right? "
" How did you know that? " Emma was surprised he had hit the nail on the head. It was so creepy how he could do that.
Mr. Gold gave a little chuckle, " Because I saw you staring at it. "
" Oh, " Emma sat back in her chair a bit. " If you want to tell me then tell me or you could tell me it's none of my business. It's up to you. "
" I'll tell you, " Mr. Gold said. " Many years ago, I was examining a property I had acquired when a rotten place in the wood floor gave way. "
" Oh my God. That sounds awful, " Emma was horrified.
Mr. Gold glanced at his right leg briefly. " This leg went straight through. I struggled for half an hour to free myself because I was alone. "
" Oh my, " Emma couldn't think of any other words. She was studying his face but she could see no sign that he was lying. The look he had as he spoke told her he was telling the truth or at least what he believed to be anyway. ~Henry would probably say it's his fake memories, ~ She told herself. Then she thought, ~ Maybe he doesn't remember as much as Henry's afraid he does. ~
" Then I had to crawl through the house until I reached the front porch. Luckily,someone driving by saw me and took me to the hospital, " Mr. Gold explained.
" I thought you didn't like hospitals, " Emma recalled he had been adamant about not going after he had been shot.
" I don't. That was what spoiled me on them, " Mr. Gold nodded, his expression still solemn. Actually, he looked like it was taking a lot out of him to talk about it. " I was told the wood shard barely missed a major artery. A half an inch more and I would have been killed. "
" I see, " Emma took another drink of coffee as she tried to process his horrific story. She realized something and cocked her head to the side, " I noticed you do everything alone. "
Mr. Gold nodded and sighed, " I have been that way for so long that it is almost second nature to me. " He gave Emma a glance that was laced with sorrow, " You know what that's like, don't you? "
Emma felt a pang of familiarity with the statement though she tried to hide it. Alone was the way she had spent most of her time until coming to Storybrooke, save for time dealing with clients, skips and failed relationships. She wondered if there had ever been a Mrs. Gold but she didn't want to pry any more. She then recalled what he had said about children when he offered her Graham's walkie-talkies.
The way he looked when he spoke of them made her heart ache. He looked so sad, almost like he would start crying. It had taken her by complete surprise to see him show so much emotion. She was confused about how to handle him in such a state so she took the walkie-talkies without argument.
After seeing him like that, she found herself wondering what had happened to his child. That was another thing she couldn't bring herself to ask. That was just too personal, especially if the worst thing she could think of was true. It was obviously something terrible.
" Is there something wrong Miss Swan? You got very quiet all of a sudden, " Mr. Gold sounded concerned. " Did I hit a nerve? "
Emma sighed, " Yeah, I guess so. "
Mr. Gold sighed, " Loneliness can be your closest friend and worst enemy all at the same time. It's quite a riddle all to itself. "
Emma nodded, " Yes. It is. "
Suddenly, the sound of breaking glass cut the conversation short, Emma getting to her feet. " You stay here. I'll go check, " Emma grabbed her gun from her back.
" Alright but I will come out if I think you need help, " Mr. Gold said.
" Thanks but you stay put, " Emma said then headed for the foyer. When she got there, there was no sign of anyone save for the broken glass from the open front door. Emma looked towards the living room, the only other place the intruder could have gotten to in such a short amount of time. She crept towards the living room, taking cover behind a wall and peeking around the corner.
He was a tall thin man with short black hair. He looked a bit rough and was looking at the paintings on the walls, loosely clutching a gun in his right hand. Emma figured he was the renter and he was looking for something to take from Mr. Gold. A floorboard creaked as Emma tried to get closer, causing the intruder to freeze.
" Halt! Police! " Emma shouted. " Put down your weapon! "
The intruder turned, lifting his gun, squeezing off a round. He missed Emma and realized it. He let out a shout and ran for the foyer, Emma giving chase as he passed her. He turned, leveling the gun to take another shot at Emma. Emma was faster though, shooting the gun and knocking it from his hand.
Emma pounced on him before he knew what was going on, knocking him to the floor. She fought with him for quite a few moments, the intruder managing to knock her off and getting to his feet. He stumbled for towards the door and ran out into the street. Emma then heard the sound of screeching tires and a dull thud.
She got to her feet and ran for the door, finding the intruder had been hit by a car but escaped. The driver was standing next to the car. He looked shaken, his eyes wide with shock, " Sheriff... He just came from out of nowhere. I barely was able to stop and I knocked him down. "
" It's okay. It's not your fault, " Emma tried to comfort the man. She glanced around, " Where did he go? "
" He got up and took off that way, " The driver pointed across the street.
Emma frowned when she saw a patch of dense woods...
" He got away? " Regina asked. She had come to the shop to get a progress report after dropping Henry off at the school bus stop. She didn't seem happy. " How did you let that happen? "
" He ran out the front door after a struggle, got knocked down by a car and took off into the woods, " Emma explained. " Where the hell was your deputy? "
" Apparently, seeing his girlfriend for a few minutes was more important than obeying orders, " Regina frowned. " He's been relieved of his duties and I'll be appointing someone else. "
" So what am I supposed to do? " Emma asked.
" You stay with Mr. Gold until Mr. Durbin is caught, " Regina said firmly.
Emma arched an eyebrow, " What is this Harold Durbin's story anyway? Mr. Gold hasn't told me anything about him but, from what he said, you know him. "
" I don't think it's any of your business, Miss Swan. Harold was a good friend of mine and I refuse to tell his business to an outsider, " Regina said through clenched teeth.
" Fine, whatever. I'm just going to assume he's dangerous and I'll do whatever it takes to stop him, " Emma said.
" That sounds like a good plan, " Regina said. " I'll have a new deputy by tonight. You just make sure Mr. Gold is safe. "
" If I didn't know any better, I would say you do care about him, " Emma scoffed.
" I CARE about an unstable man running around MY town with a GUN, " Regina said.
" I care about that too, " Emma shot back.
" Then show me you do! " Regina said sharply then turned around to leave but stopped, looking at Emma, " Oh, one more thing. "
" What's that? " Emma cocked her head to the side.
" Don't let Mr. Gold get into your head, " Regina sounded like she was delivering a warning. " And don't let him get into your heart. Remember, he's a snake and a liar. "
Emma watched as Regina left, pondering what she had said. She heard the rustle of curtains behind her, turning to find Mr. Gold was coming out of the back room. " So, Regina has left? "
" Yeah, " Emma was pretty certain he had been listening the entire time. " I told her what happened last night and she told me I have to stay with you until he gets caught. "
" That was a foregone conclusion, " Mr. Gold said. " After all, he'll just keep showing up until he's locked away. "
" He shouldn't be back too soon, " Emma sighed. " After getting clipped by that car, he's probably pretty sore today. "
" Then you should rest while you can, " Mr. Gold walked away from the display case he was behind. " I have an apartment upstairs if you would like. It's not much but it is comfortable. "
" No. I can't, " Emma replied. " Thank you though. "
" You look so exhausted, my dear, " Mr. Gold took a few more steps towards Emma. He seemed concerned, " When did you sleep last? "
Emma thought about it and frowned, " Night before last. "
" My point, " Mr. Gold said. " Come. You need to rest if you're going to have to sit up with me again tonight. "
Emma acquiesced after thinking for a long moment, " Maybe a few hours won't hurt. "
" This way then, " Mr. Gold started towards the back room. Emma followed him through the curtain to a door she hadn't noticed before. He got a ring of keys out of his pants pocket, finding the one for the door. He unlocked the door and opened it, " Up you go. "
Emma hesitated for a moment then walked up the stairs. Mr. Gold followed her up, staying uncomfortably close. She turned to face him when they got to the top of the stairs. " I think I can find my own way from here, " She said.
" As you wish, " Mr. Gold replied. He smiled, " Sweet dreams. "
" Yeah, thanks, " Emma said. She narrowed her eyes, " And don't go anywhere. "
" I'll stay put, " Mr. gold smiled. " After all, I have to run the shop. "