Author's note: Thank you to all the readers/reviewers. I do not own OUAT. Someone asked so her birthday I chose is because Disney's B&B came out that day, and yes Mr. Gold does have his memories but he is still unsure if it's really Belle or not we'll have to wait and see after her meeting with Gustan of course...
It had been two weeks since the town hall and Isabel seemed to be adjusting well. She was going to see Dr. Hopper and on regular basis and had started to keep things at the pawn shop spotless. She was setting in nicely back in town and even made a new friend in Mary Margaret.
Isabel sat across the table at from Mary Margaret at the diner before she had to leave for the school. "So, word is you are going on a date with Gus' Stone the P.E. teacher from my school?" Mary asked
"How'd you hear?" Isabel asked thinking word did get around fast in this town.
"I'm going on a date with the illusive Isabel French, I had to ask her ten times, but she finally gave in, they always do, I'm going to show her a night she'll never forget" Mary does her best Gus impression
Isabel and Mary both laughed a bit "well it is true he asked me several times, I finally just couldn't take it anymore. I know we have nothing in common, but you have to admit he is pretty dashing and I want to give him a chance"
Just then David walked in for his 8:45 coffee and Mary watched him with a smile walk to the counter, purchase the drink, and leave with a grin to her.
"I have to go, good luck tonight" Mary said taking her coffee and following David out the door to school.
Isabel arrived to work and tied an apron around her blue dress and she came out the front of the shop and spotted a dozen roses.
"Oh red roses, my favorite" she said spotting the bunch on the counter
"I know" Mr. Gold replied as he watched her go over to smell the roses.
"The matter you had to amend, what was it?" Isabel asked making sure the roses had enough water.
"It was with your father, we had a deal, he defaulted on his loan and I feel I was a bit strict on not giving him an extension. The roses are from him"
Oh, I see, and what did he say?"
"He said he was sorry for putting you in that place and would like to talk when you are ready"
Isabel smelled the beautiful roses "I'll think about it, oh I have to go early tonight, I have a date"
Mr. Gold perked up "a date?"
"Yes"
Isabel spent her time that day dusting along the shelves and humming quite intrigued by the fact that she was actually going on a date. The old clock struck six and her time at the shop was up.
"I know my favor " Mr. Gold said watching her start to head out.
"Hmm?"
"Don't fall in love with him"
"Save your favor, it's just a date" Isabel smiled grabbing her jacket as she walked out the door surprised how jealous Mr. Gold seemed. But once a favor is out in the open the magic of the words cannot be undone….
"Don't you want more than a provincial life here? Like me, I'm not going to be a P.E. coach forever, I'm going to get my movie deal and be a big star" Gus Stone gave a sparkling smile her way
Isabel thought for a moment "Maybe, right now I think I'm happy just being out"
He cut her off again "Oh right you were in that mental institution right, you look to hot to be stuck in a place like that, so anyway there I was 30 seconds left in the game, we were down by 6 and Coach is all like get out there, and so we did a 1 – 3 – 12 split and BREAK we snapped the ball and TOUCHDOWN!"
The waiter came around just in time.
"I'll have the prime rib rare and she'll have a salad" he winked at Isabel "gotta keep your figure"
"Very well" the waiter turned
"Wait, I'll have the beef ragout, thank you" Isabel spoke up, she felt as if her voice had been silent for years and she wouldn't let this jerk order food for her.
Gus was a little stunned at her action but passed it off as some feminist equality movement and continued his story "We scored against the Wolves 52 to 48, Knights win! State championship and we broke the record, best year ever"
Isabel gave him a fake smile trying to seem interested, but she was happy with the food arrived so he would be quiet for a moment.
After dinner the sports car screeched up to the Inn after dinner. Gus did open the car door for her, the one charming thing he did that whole night but when he leaned in for the kiss Isabel moved and he fell into the flower bed "Oooh Gus are you alright?"
"Uh yeah I guess I tripped" he said trying to play off cool.
"Good, night Gus" she said closing the door to the Inn. Gus looked over at a dog in the yard "what are you staring at?" He got up , dusted off, and left unfulfilled
To be continued, I actually have four parts written I just have to edit and will post more tonight readers...
