A/N – Update time. This is a short chapter, however it is important for the plot of the story. I promise that the next chapter will be up shortly, if not straight after this one.

A/N2 – There is brief reference in here to a different television show. I would like to make note that this story is in no way intended to be a cross over, it is merely used to highlight something that is happening in the story.

Disclaimer – I do not own Once Upon A Time or Dexter

7- Robertstilskin

Last night

The night was cold and yet Robert sweated as he tossed and turned in the large four-posted bed. He was having dreams and visions and he is in them, but it was not him it was him.

Robert sat bolt upright in bed, shock waking him from his nightmare. He wiped a hand down his face and tried to slow his breathing. 'It was just a dream... just a dream' he kept turning over and over in his mind.

Rumbelstilskin had been summoning 'things… evil things' from other realms offering them 'the deal of their dreams' in exchange for joining him in the destruction of his enemies here.

The latest one he was trying to convince was Dexter Morgan, a police forensic blood spatter analysis by day and a serial killer by night. However it wasn't going well at all… After all Dexter was more good than bad, he only killed 'bad people', people who wouldn't be caught by the police for one reason or another.

Rumpel suddenly stopped in mid negotiation and turned around, as though he was turning to face Robert, and looked directly at him, tilting his head to the side, and with a mischievous giggle he said 'And you'll be joining us too, won't you… Robert.'

This is what had woken Robert from his sleep. 'It was just a dream... just a dream'. But Robert knew better, Rumpel had been based on his character and unlike the other characters in OUAT Rumpel's persona was created by Robert, not by the writers.

He had given him his imp way, his voice, his laugh, even his walk and mannerisms, he knew that what he had witnessed was real… which meant that Rumpel knew he has just dreamed about him and that he knew what he was up to. Robert wondered if his knowledge extended to knowing he was already in the Enchanted Forest, in Regina's castle. He needed to warn them.

Robert rose from his bed and made his way over to the door. He stopped short of touching the door as he heard someone outside, it was muffled, but it sounded as though someone was chanting. He listened closer, it sounded like Regina. Then it stopped and he heard footsteps move away from the door… What was that about?

Robert reached out to open the door but couldn't touch the door, he felt in front of the door, there was something stopping his hand from getting to it, a force field. What is going on? Robert rushed over to the doors leading out to the balcony, once again he was stopped by an invisible force… another force field. I'm trapped…

Present

Robert had been too afraid to go back to sleep last night; he was scared of what might happen, both in and out of his dreams. He sat staring into the fireplace wondering how long he would be held in this room.

Will I be here forever?

What had happened last night that had made Regina lock me in? Surely she could have just spoken to me.

She acts before she thinks, she always has

'Who's there?' there was no reply, but then there wouldn't be, Robert had tried screaming and shouting, either there wasn't anyone around or no one could hear him through the force field.

Hmmm did I just answer myself?

Regina, thinks you are turning into him

What?... Turning into who?... Wait did I just ask myself a question? Ahhhh, the enclosed space is playing with my head.

Not the space dearie…

Robert felt a strange tingling through his body. Someone was listening to his thoughts and communicating with him through his mind… And it's not just someone is it… It's him.

'Come now dearie, you didn't think I would just leave you here'

Robert's mouth was moving and the words were coming from him, but they weren't his words, it wasn't his voice, it was his characters, it was Rumpel's voice.

'How are you doing this?'

'Really, I expected more from you. I am the dark one Robert, I can do whatever I want. It appears that Regina has been busy gathering her army too. Are you part of the plan Robert, or were you just in the wrong place at the right time?'

'I don't know what you mean.'

'Come now Robert, we are smarter than that. Did she trap you on purpose? Did she know that I had reached you?'

'Where are you?'

'I'm in your mind Robert.'

'So you're not real, this is not real?'

'It is as real as you want it to be'

'What does that mean?'

'You were bored, you wanted someone to talk to, so here I am.'

'Um, ok.'

'So did anyone else come with you Robert, or are you here alone?'

'Umm, come with me?'

'Yes, when Regina came and abducted you from your world, did you come alone or were there others'

Robert closed his eyes, and focused… he didn't want to answer that question, who knows what would happen. 'I… I am not bored anymore, I don't want to talk to you anymore'

'…'

'Hello?'

'…'

Robert ran over to the door and once again tried to pound on the door, only hitting the force field each time… he had to get out of here and speak to everyone… before it was too late…