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It wasn't even three weeks later that Mr. Gold or "Rumpelstiltskin" as he liked to call himself found that he was once again behind bars.
At least this one was sanitary and vermin free, unlike that hole the "Charmings" previously threw him in.
It had been a rough twenty-four hours, starting with Valentine's Day.
The one day of the year he was forced to watch goodie-do gooders celebrate with their true love while he had been foolish enough to let his go years back.
Ultimately resulting in her untimely tragic death at the hands of her own father no doubt.
At least this year he was able to extract some form of revenge by repossessing the man's flower van.
Even if the old fool couldn't remember what he had done in this world yet.
Then of course,
Regina had to stick her long nose in there by influencing Moe French to steal the only thing he had left of his "Belle": her chipped cup.
Thinking back, he supposed he did go a little too far when he eventually caught up with the bumbling thief and started interrogating him at the cabin in the woods.
He lost control completely though once the fool uttered the words: "It wasn't my fault!"
Unintentionally bringing back the thousands of nightmares he'd had over the years of his beloved's demise and he really let him have it with his cane.
Only to be stopped by the blond woman sheriff he'd recently helped elect. (Given the previous sheriff's death, not even a day after he buried that dagger.)
Sheriff Swan was luckily not in the station at the moment.
Her insipid majesty had lured the blond women away under the bribe of spending a half hour with Henry in exchange for a private meeting with him.
It was about time the queen figured out that he was finally awake.
The cheeky thing wanted her suspicions confirmed by dealing with the stolen cup, her price was his real name.
Thankfully she left shortly after that, but not before attempting once last fruitless jab.
So now he was alone with his thoughts and precious item. That is…
until he heard the door to the sheriff station swing open again.
Followed by the sound of squeaky sneakers as they ran down the tile hallway to the office.
Looking up he smiled at the sight that awaited him.
These small guests were a bit more like it. Ever since the savior came to town he constantly found himself surprised and intrigued by the children that had accompanied her.
(Despite their painfully uncanny resemblance to his lost love.)
Ironically their nicknames for another (Rose & Chip) seemed more real than their false given ones.
So much so that sometimes he liked to imagine they were his children with Belle.
And since the twins hardly ever socialized themselves in town. Any chance he saw them and observed their behavior it was a real treat.
From their playful bickering to their ingenious bet making with each other over chores.
An example being at the election,
He had been fortunate enough to be seated behind them listening:
- "See I told you that the dragon lady would stick a monkey wrench in the works" whispered Rose before continuing "Guess who's doing dishes tonight?"
Chip grumbled beside her,
"Don't remind me" before lightening up in his face saying "Hey you still owe me a pile of dirty laundry for "Charming's" false memories being activated."
Mr. Gold then regrettably had to leave early to continue with his plan to get their "mother" elected sheriff.
Now however, he had nothing but time to watch them through the bars of his cell.
"Emma! Emma we're here!" "Where are you?" they called out.
"She's not here," he answered them from his seat on the bedded mattress.
"Where'd she go?" asked Rose, narrowing her soft brown eyes at him trying to detect any lies.
"She went out with Henry, she'll be back soon". The girl nodded while her brother spoke up
"Mr. Gold? Why are you in there?"
The pawnbroker shook his head; he'd been hoping this question wouldn't come up. None the less, he answered truthfully without giving away too much information.
"I was a bad man last night and your mother's punishing me"
The young lad merely shrugged "Oh… okay she won't leave you in there too long"
"Benji! Heidi!"
The kids spun around hearing their names to face their returned mother in all her shining glory with the sheriff's badge hanging off her belt buckle around her waist.
"Come away from him, it's time to start your lesson"
Ever since Mary Margaret informed her of the kids' struggle in school she had chosen to work with them at home or the station for a few hours every day when the sheriff's duties were slow.
Making sure they knew the material of what they were being taught.
Most days that was the easy part,
Benji proved himself to be quite the bookworm when it came to reading and writing.
Heidi on the other hand, loved working with her hands. Anything from finger painting to building a miniature obstacle course that you would send small marbles through. She loved it keep busy.
Mostly Emma would often find the twins collaborating, with Benji reading the instructions to his sister as she worked:
"- Hey I want to help."
(Heidi lightly tosses him the folded up paper) "- Start reading,"
(Benji slightly disgusted) "This is so unfair of you to use my love for the written word against me like this"
The girl looked at her brother with a tiny smirk and remarked "It is the family way,"
Mr. Gold remained silent as he watched the children.
Their interactions with each other reminding him a bit of how he and Belle used to chatter back and forth during their days at the Dark Castle.
Wishing now more than ever that the dream he imagined was real.
Little did he know that the next day "Henry" would uncover a bit of information that would change his life forever…