Chapter 3

Hope ya'll liked Chapter 2. I wanted a little interaction between Belle and someone besides Rumple, which we do not see as much as we should on the show!

It was Friday night in Storybrooke and a large portion of the town were hanging out at Granny's enjoying good food and good friends. Belle and Gold were sharing a table with Ruby and Archie, whom Belle was attempting to matchmake. Gold was savoring a steak while Belle devoured her usual burger and tea; Archie and Ruby had both chosen roast beef sandwiches which Belle thought was an excellent sign for her matchmaking. "What does roast beef have to do with them falling in love?" Gold inquired while the other couple had gone to pick a song from the jukebox. "Nothing!" Belle had laughed, "I meant them ordering the exact same thing! You and I always order chocolate silk pie!" Gold had let her have her fun but secretly thought she was being a little too hopeful.

Regina and Henry were slurping milkshakes a few tables over, and the dwarf boys were laughing rowdily in the back corner. Granny was griping for everyone to keep it down but they mostly ignored her. All in all, things were normal, which was actually pretty unusual for Storybrooke. So calm in fact that everyone was taken off guard completely when the front doors of the diner slammed open in a fury, blowing napkins off tables and causing everyone to jump in their seats.

Belle instinctively grasped her husband's hand and he squeezed it in reassurance as he steeled himself for whatever was about to occur. Ruby had knocked over her soda and poor Archie looked on the verge of panic; they had all been through too much. Young Henry looked alarmed but remarkably calm and Gold felt a surge of pride in his grandson. Regina had risen instantly, her face fierce and protective, and Gold actually thought her truly queenly for the moment. He felt relief that despite their differences, he had an ally against whatever new foe was upon them.

"My sincerest apologies," Rang a deep and mocking voice. "I hope I didn't frighten anyone." You could feel the tension in the room as the man stalked into the diner, cool and arrogant. He was perhaps forty, and sported a long tan coat trimmed with black fur. Long black hair and a pointed beard framed his gaunt face and there was a prominent scar over his left eye.

Regina stepped forward, bold and defensive. "May I HELP you?"

"It appears you must be the person in charge here." He drawled, stepping intimidatingly close to Regina.

Her black eyes met his intense green ones. "I am. I'm the mayor here, and I will ask again: may I help you?" It wasn't a question; it was a command.

"Perhaps." He sneered and surveyed the room with condescension. "I am looking for my nephew. Reddish-blonde hair, brown eyes, sixteen."

Every eye in the diner was on the duo, waiting for the mayor's reaction. "May I ask what you want with him?" Regina inquired. "As mayor it is my job to ensure the safety of all our residents."

The dark stranger laughed haughtily. "Oh, just a little... unfinished business." The words left a chill in their wake and Gold felt himself tensing, preparing for something bad.

"Well," Regina stated smugly, "I don't believe we have seen your nephew in our little town, but you are welcome to inquire further down at the Sheriff's office."

The stranger tossed her an exaggerated smile. "I'm certain that would be MOST helpful. Thank you for your time, Mayor." He gave a dramatic bow and left the diner in a flourish, coat whipping behind him.

You could feel the atmosphere in the diner relax as the doors banged shut. The first to break the silence was Henry. "Mom? Who was that guy?"

"I don't know," answered Regina as she pushed her hair back in frustration.

"I do," piped a voice from the back of the diner. Everyone turned towards the speaker, who rose from his seat to face the crowd. Pushing back the hood of his sweat jacket to reveal a mop of long auburn hair, the teenager announced, "My name's Simon and that man wants to kill me."