Author's Note: a touch of smut, a bit of business, and a cliffhanger...please read, review and enjoy!


Belle stared down at her tub, freshly cleaned just days before and now filled with steaming water. She rarely bathed, but when she had a free day she couldn't resist the luxury. It cost her nothing and eased her stress; a long bath was time well spent.

She was too old for bubbles, instead adding a bit of essential oil she'd filched from Jasmine the last time their gaggle of friends had been over to her apartment.

Vanilla musk rose to mingle with the steam in the air, the scent just a touch too strong. She cracked open the window and then let down the blinds. Belle smiled to herself. It wouldn't do to give anyone a free show, she'd made that mistake when she'd first moved in, not realizing how clear the view was from the outside.

Content, Belle shrugged out of her robe and hung it on the back of the door before she eased into the heat. She hissed in pleasure as her skin pebbled from head to toe, and she shifted to recline back against the edge of the tub.

She didn't particularly care for this apartment, really she'd only chosen it because the price had been right. But she did like the tub. It wasn't one of the grand claw-foots lifted from romance novels, but it was larger than anyone would have expected for a flat this size.

Eyes roaming the blank walls surrounding her, Belle tried to relax her overtaxed mind. The past several weeks had completely exhausted her. Between her time at the library along with its extra programs, her volunteer shifts at Game of Thorns and all of the spare work she'd managed to pick up about town, Belle was done.

Money was still tight, but there was no way she could maintain that hectic of a schedule. Belle had to ease up on herself or she would lose her mind. Without an activity to drive her, the woman finally had a day to herself and she was damned if she was going to ruin it by dealing with the outside world.

Hell no.

Her plan was to enjoy her bath until the water cooled, then attend to her skin, eyebrows and toenails, and after that she wanted to lose herself in her Netflix account while snacking through her kitchen.

To call it a lazy day would be to murder it with understatement, but Belle held no shame. She was a housecat at heart; given this opportunity, she wouldn't spend the time any other way.

Belle paused at that, her thoughts immediately turning to Mr. Gold.

She hadn't seen him in weeks, given her packed schedule. All they'd had were hurried greetings on the street when she'd run into him while rushing from one shift to another. The man understood, always wishing her well, and Belle missed him.

She missed him coming into the library, she missed visiting him in his pawn shop. She missed their talks, their banter, the surprising ease she'd found with him as a companion.

It often crossed her mind, the question of what he thought of her. Belle openly admired the man, adored him, truly, but Mr. Gold was always played at being aloof. It was difficult to say with certainty where he stood on anything.

What would he do, if he was here with me, right now?

Belle smiled wickedly to herself, shifting in the tub and closing her eyes. She summoned him in her mind, bringing his image forth. All at once, the man was there. Sitting on the vanity stool beside the bathtub, wearing his black suit paired with the dark red shirt and tie she liked on him best. He was leaning forward, staring at her, his cane nowhere in sight.

Loving this, finally having the time and privacy, the freedom to indulge her darker thoughts, Belle wouldn't let the opportunity slip away.

I'm yours, Mr. Gold...

It was a favorite fantasy of hers, to submit to him. In their brief friendship, Belle had found herself thinking of him in this way several times. He had thundered his way into her thoughts, trampling over the celebrities and invented heroes she used in her fantasies, supplanting every other man and wrapping himself around her mind like a golden snake.

Belle couldn't stop herself, Mr. Gold was unique to every other man she'd met in town. He was always so confident, so clever, so formal. He was a man in a position of power, and handsome in a way she'd never considered before. He indulged and encouraged her curiosity, invited her to explore his treasures, he was her friend...and she couldn't help wondering if they could ever be more.

Sometimes Belle imagined seducing him in the stacks of the library, inviting him to take her on a pile of open books. Other times, she thought of him ravishing her in the back room of the pawn shop, perhaps binding her hands with his own tie or forcing her to bend over the workbench so that he could have her from behind.

But she was in the tub now, and Mr. Gold was sitting just to her left, waiting.

"What would you have me do, Miss French?"

A shiver crawled over her, tightening her skin anew once she summoned his voice. She shifted again, parting her legs and palming her left breast, imagining that he had reached for her in his impatience to satisfy her need.

"Call me Belle. You never call me Belle."

It wasn't her hand there any longer, it was his. He stroked her breast, cupped it, let her fill his palm. The edge of his thumb grazed over her nipple, delighting at the attention.

"Beautiful, Belle."

"Do you really think I'm beautiful?"

"Oh, yes. I adore you, Belle. You're my Cleopatra, remember? How could I resist you?"

"You should act on it, Mr. Gold."

"I will. My precious Belle. You are beautiful, but so lonely."

Belle did this sometimes as well, changing him from a figure of pure sexual fantasy into one of comfort. He was her closest friend and most ardent lover here, a far cry from the remote man she knew in real life.

"I am lonely, but not all the time."

"You wear a brave mask, my dear. Your friends all love you, but they can't understand. It's all right to be angry. I know it hasn't been easy for you."

His fingertip grazed her nipple again, and Belle shivered happily.

"That feels good. And you're right, it hasn't been easy in the past but everything is going so well this year. The library-"

"You mean the library I built for you, my sweet?" Belle reminded herself.

"You didn't build it for me, you did it for some power play against the mayor."

"Ah, Regina. Now there's a real woman."

Belle frowned. She couldn't let her jealousy infect her time here. The water wouldn't stay hot all day.

Mr. Gold returned to her mind, this time in the tub with her, sitting so that her back was resting against his naked chest, one of his hands again on her breast, the other resting below the surface of the water, on her smooth inner thigh.

"Mr. Gold, why can't it be like this in real life?"

"Hmm?" His fingertips had taken to rolling her nipple, his other hand now lightly stroking between her legs.

"You know what I mean." Belle stroked herself further, "What if we said 'to hell with the town' and just did what we wanted? We could meet anywhere, do anything we chose. You pretend you don't care about anything, but I know you like me."

"No. Not like. Liking is for children - I adore you, Belle. My beautiful Belle. Open for me, love." He commanded her, his voice growing deep.

Belle complied, dipping a finger within herself. "It could be like this, Mr. Gold. You're lonely too."

"Not when I'm with you. You're so beautiful, so clever, you're perfect. Let me be good to you, let me take you away from all this."

Mr. Gold's fingers played between her legs, stroking faster and dipping within her body, bringing her closer to the edge.

"Tell me," Belle demanded of him.

Her fantasy was only too eager to comply, listing out her every secreted wish. "We'll go away together, I'll take you back to Scotland with me and then we'll go to Paris and Berlin, to Greece and Spain. I'll give you everything you could want, anything to make you happy. Tell me, what do you want, Belle?"

"You."

Writhing in the water, Belle bit her lip, stifling a moan as the soft climax rolled through her. She panted, opening her eyes. She was alone in the bathroom, the water cooling all around her. She took several deeps breaths, frustrated anew now.

Her pulse settled and her mind dispelled the fantasy of Mr. Gold, her pleasure slave and confidant.

Belle sighed.

It was unfair of her to think of Mr. Gold this way, using him as a fantasy, but since the first night he had crossed her mind, she had been unable to help herself. Besides, her heated imagination was harmless; Mr. Gold might think of her in the same way on occasion, who could say for sure?

Belle stepped out of the tub and drew on her robe, catching her flushed reflection in the mirror.

Lonely girl.

Lonely girl, that's what her mother called her, years ago.

Yes, she was lonely sometimes. It made for a lonely life when she could barely afford to leave her apartment. It had been lonely growing up the way she had, it was lonely rushing from job to job with barely anything to show for it and it was lonely now, to have someone in her life she couldn't be free with in her affection.

Belle only held a trace of resentment against her friends for how easily some things had seemed to come their way. Ruby, who had her pick of any man in the room, and Ariel, whose salon pulled in more money on a busy weekend than Belle could make in a month.

But it wasn't fair to resent anyone for little things like that; Belle had plenty to be thankful for, and despite her difficulties, she was happy with her life. The library was wonderful, a dream come true for her and already it was bringing the town closer together. She was lucky to have the income she did, she had a roof over her head, she had enough to eat, she had wonderful, loyal friends who loved her. Even if her situation with Mr. Gold was not ideal, they had found a way to make it work for them.

What more could she want? What more could she beg the world for?

With that truth in mind, Belle opened the door to let out the rest of the steam and drained the tub. The woman quickly lotioned herself, absently imagining Mr. Gold's hands massaging her skin. She gave herself a pedicure, painting her toenails a soft coral pink. She treated her face and attended to her eyebrows before throwing on a pair of pajamas to start her lazy day.

She'd scrolled through her Netflix account and chosen an old favorite, though a quarter of the way into the film she'd picked up a novel and started to read. The film became pleasant background noise to the events of her book, until the chirping of her cell phone interrupted.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me." Jasmine greeted her.

Belle smiled. "What's going on?"

"Girls night?"

"Tonight?"

"Yes. Come on, I know you're not working tomorrow morning." Jasmine coaxed her.

"You're cutting into my laying around and doing nothing time."

Jasmine laughed at that. "Come on, Belle. It's been forever. Shane and Marcus are coming, they want to dance with you."

"You mean they want to make fun of my dancing."

What Belle had once told Mr. Gold about her dance skills had been true - she had none, and her flailing on the dance floor was legendary in her circle of friends.

"We all want to do that. Come on. Rabbit Hole, 8 o'clock. If you don't show up I'll break in and drag you out of your apartment."

Belle rolled her eyes. "You make a good argument. I'll be ready. I could use some time out."

"Great! I'll let everyone know you're coming."

Belle hung up and replaced her cell on its charger, leaving her book and turning off the movie. Yes, she'd planned on a nothing day, but doing nothing was accomplishing nothing. She shook her head, scrapping any further plans of laying around she'd had for the night.

She could not allow imagining Mr. Gold with her in the bathroom as she fondled herself to be the highlight of her day.

Belle frowned at the thought. Pathetic.

She tore through her closet, suddenly energetic, defiant against her earlier laziness. She needed to get outside of her own head for a time, to be with her friends, to have a few drinks and make a fool of herself on the dance floor.

Choosing an outfit, Belle slipped into the bathroom to do her makeup, looking forward to a night out for the first time in weeks.


"You're in excellent health Mr. Gold."

Gold nodded and moved off the examination table, drawing on his shirt and working up the line of buttons. He smirked at the doctor's words. "Bad news for Storybrooke, I think."

Dr. Carlton, his longtime personal physician, smiled at the joke. "I guess that depends on who you ask. How are things in Storybrooke?"

Gold had been prudent in choosing a doctor well outside his own city. Sunshire was an easy enough drive, and with little else on his day's agenda, he'd chosen to spend the day there. Storybrooke could be smothering in its way, so Sunshire often served as a much-needed change of scenery.

"Things there are as they have always been. For better and for worse." Gold said, then reaching for his suit jacket. "Most days are about the same. It feels stuck in time."

Dr. Carlton considered his patient's words. He had seen Mr. Gold for over fifteen years, and from what he knew of the man's past, he felt concerned enough to ask, "Mr. Gold, have you considered that it may not be the town trapped in time, but you?"

Gold closed his eyes for a moment before turning to face the doctor. "Not this again, please."

"You've rejected the idea of therapy the last few times I've suggested it. But if not a therapist, then how about something therapeutic? Perhaps a new hobby."

Gold shrugged. "I have hobbies."

"The antiquing, isn't that part of your business?"

"Yes, but it's still more like a hobby. It's less stressful than landlording, which has to be good for me."

"Yes. Avoid stress, eat healthy, and get some exercise outside of fighting, please." He gestured to the slight bruising on Gold's knuckles.

"I only fight when I'm attacked first. Sometimes it can't be helped. Better to fight back than just take a beating."

"That sage Scottish wisdom. I bet you throw glasses in bars." The doctor groused.

Gold laughed at that. "Not for a few years, now."

"Your stress levels are lighter than they were last visit." Dr. Carlton remarked as he looked over Mr. Gold's chart. "Has there been any significant change in your life since last year?"

Mr. Gold thought of Belle, immediately sensing the calm that settled over him as he pictured her walking into his shop to see him. Belle was in his life, she was good for him. He just couldn't have her the way he wanted, which might be for the best.

"I've made a friend. She runs our new library."

This caught the doctor's attention. "She?"

"It's not like that." Mr. Gold snapped, with a great deal of regret. "She's just a friend, she pops by the shop a few times a week. I haven't seen her lately though, she works two or three jobs from what I understand."

"Sounds like a hard-working girl."

"She is, she's very determined." He was proud of Belle, in a way. It wasn't everyday he heard of a woman struggle so hard just to make ends meet.

He was curious about her finances, thinking that Belle might be facing down a mountain of student loans or credit card debt. He longed to help her, if she would only explain her situation, but by the same token he dreaded the prospect of Belle coming to him for a favor of money. It would undo everything between them.

"Hmm. Maybe she should come see me."

The doctor's suggestion cut into Gold's thoughts. "Why?"

"Stress treatments if she should need them." Off the other man's scowl, the doctor was quick to reassure him, "Don't worry, Mr. Gold, I'm no poacher."

"I didn't think...never mind that." Gold huffed.

Together, the men left the exam room. Gold provided his insurance information and the doctor went on, "I'm not one to spout romance as being a cure-all, but human relationships, in this case, your friendship, can go a long way in improving one's health."

Mr. Gold shrugged. He knew Belle was good for him, but she was unattainable. She was in his life until she chose to move on from him, which could be any day now for all he knew.

"I suppose I'll keep her around for a little longer, then."

"Until next time, Mr. Gold." Dr. Carlton extended his hand and Mr. Gold shook it before leaving the doctor's office.

It was a bright day, the town keeping true to its name. He slipped on a pair of sunglasses and ambled down the street, feeling content with his health results, the great weather and being away from the unpleasantness of Storybrooke.

Already being late into the summer, Gold was looking forward to fall. He liked to see the leaves change, and the cooler months followed by the biting cold reminded him of home. He hadn't been back to Scotland in years. Perhaps he should schedule a flight back, but he shrugged off the idea as he rounded a corner.

Mr. Gold hadn't come out to Sunshire just for his physical, he also had a bit of business to attend to.

The man walked down a few blocks until he found what he was looking for, a subtle storefront for Howard Jewelers. Gold stepped inside and was immediately greeted by a young blonde woman in a pretty green dress.

"Good afternoon, sir, how can we help you today?"

It was a lovely jewelry store, but Gold wasn't interested in the wares that filled all the cases. He had a trade to make. "I have an appointment with Winston Howard."

The blonde - Casey, her nametag read - nodded. "Oh, yes, Mr. Gold, he told me he was expecting you. Please, right this way." She lead him to the back of the show room, past the counter, to a door.

Casey quickly knocked on the door, calling, "Mr. Howard, I have Mr. Gold here for you."

A moment later the door opened and a man perhaps Gold's age, though he admittedly wore his years much better than Gold did, greeted them both. "Thanks, Casey. Mr. Gold, c'mon in."

He shut the door behind Gold and the men stood in the office, sizing each other up as they had never met before, they had only ever spoke on the phone and so were unsurprised by each other's accents - Gold's Scottish burr and Howard's southern drawl, both far removed from the east coast.

They both wore fine suits, and Howard was itching to ask after Gold's tailor, almost certain that they used the same service. Howard was taller, fuller, more classically handsome, and he found himself intrigued by Gold's unique appearance. Gold was a small man, with a slight frame that was thickening with his middle years, he wore his graying hair long and he walked with a cane. Interesting, that, but Howard wasn't so rude that he'd ask after the injury.

That wouldn't be good business, and he'd already waited years to get his hands on what Gold claimed to possess.

"Gold, have a seat. I'm guessing you're not one for dawdling around and neither am I so let's get to it."

"I would appreciate that."

Mr. Gold moved to sit in the plush leather chair before Howard's desk. The man had a proper office, whereas Gold just had the back work room of the pawn shop where he repaired antiques. No matter. The study in his home was more than enough for his needs.

Howard came around the desk and took a velvet pouch out from the main drawer just as Gold withdrew an antique brooch from his breast pocket. It was a gorgeous piece that he'd polished to perfection, the yellow gold shining in the overhead light, with emeralds, citrine and pearls adding lovely accent to the ivory cameo face piece.

Howard whistled at the sight of it. "Now that is a beauty."

Gold nodded his agreement. "It took me some time to track it down, but here it is."

"And there it is," Howard marveled. "And here you are, Gold. Six of my best."

Howard handed Gold the velvet pouch just as Gold passed him the brooch.

As Howard looked over the brooch with his jeweler's eyepiece, Gold opened the pouch and spread out six flawless amethysts over the surface of the desk. The men were silent as they looked over their respective treasures, two dragons cooing over new jewels.

Several long minutes passed as they brought all their experience to bear and then looked up at each other, satisfied with the trade.

Howard stood and offered his hand to Gold, who was quick to shake. After dealing with his two-faced clients in Storybrooke, it was intensely refreshing to make a civilized deal with another man of business integrity.

"All good, Gold?"

"These will do very well, thank you. And you, the brooch fits your needs?"

Howard took it in his hand and stroked the front face of it with his thumb. He was already in love. "It's perfect, Gold. Pleasure doing business with you."

"And with you, Howard."

The men shook hands again, and Howard walked Gold out to the showroom. Casey was speaking with a pair of customers, but she looked up and smiled at Mr. Howard.

Gold noted the fondness that passed between them.

The parallels between Howard and himself were suddenly a bit too familiar, so Gold quickly gave the man a polite goodbye and went on about his day.


Blinking away that memory, Gold stood near a stall at Storybrooke's annual Fall Festival. It was a carnival weekend where the town square was taken over by craft and food stalls, petting zoos, pony rides, haystack mazes, games, raffles and auctions. The scent of fried foods and cotton candy filled the air, as did the music piped through speakers strung throughout the square.

It was a pleasant marker between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.

Despite his prickly disposition, Gold actually enjoyed these community holidays. The Fall Festival was his second favorite, narrowly beaten by Storybrooke's Spring Fling, which was much the same as the festival, differing only in that there were flower shows that could shame any arboretum of a larger city.

He walked past the game stalls, trying to ignore the pull in his chest at the sight of so many children out enjoying the day. He didn't have time for those memories, he had a private visit with Madame Mayor to arrange.

The thought of Regina brought on that strange emotion reserved solely for her; a mutual fondness and annoyance. He enjoyed toying with the woman, but he already knew that the tables had turned today, and she would be the one toying with him.

Gold knew the woman too well; he knew what she would have him do for her in exchange for what he wanted. He didn't mind since it was a pleasure to him as well, but he would rather-

"Mr. Gold!"

He looked up, brought out of his thoughts by Belle stepping into his line of sight. She was lovely as ever in a knee-length dress of deep violet, the color making her bright eyes absolutely startling.

How could it be that she had grown lovelier in their time apart?

They had not properly spoken to each other in weeks due to her taking on extra work, and Gold surprised himself by allowing a wide smile to cross his face and he reached forward, his hand closing over her forearm in a semblance of an embrace, his thumb stroking the inside of her elbow as she returned the grasp on his arm, her clever fingertips stroking him through the sleeve of his suit jacket.

"Miss French. It's been too long."

They had made an agreement toward discretion, true, but to hell with the town, just greeting each other in the crowd was hardly worth noting. He couldn't help but stare at her, he'd been deprived of her company, his greedy eyes were eating her up and his chest was fluttering again for being close to her.

"I know. Thankfully things have evened out, I'll be back to bothering you soon enough."

"Is that a threat?" He asked.

Belle winked at him. "It's a promise."

Gold felt an annoying heat rise over his throat and prayed she wouldn't see it come over his cheeks. "I'll have your teacup ready for your next visit, my dear." He said warmly.

"And I'll bring you my latest tea blend, it's wild orange blossom, you'll love it." She promised excitedly. Belle could feel her chest tighten with fondness for the man, seeing that he had truly missed her in their time apart. Perhaps her feelings weren't quite so one-sided as she'd thought.

They stood, just looking at each other, until someone passing by nudged Belle's shoulder, breaking the trace they'd held over each other. It was in that moment they both seemed to realize that they were still holding the other's arm, and they immediately dropped the contact, smiling lightly and ignoring their blushes.

"I didn't think I'd see you out here today." Belle said as she fell into step with him, moving through the square.

"You're right, I'm usually not much for mingling, but sometimes I just can't stay away." Gold admitted, inclining his head toward their mayor. Regina was standing several yards to their right, directing a group of performers toward the main staging area before the civil building that fronted the fair.

"The mayor made you come?"

Gold flashed her a sly look. "She likes to think so, but no one makes me do anything."

Belle didn't doubt that for a moment. She was well aware of his defiant personality, just as he knew her to be perhaps too soft-hearted for her own good.

"Would you like a cider?" He asked, gesturing to the food stalls.

The hot apple cider, dusted with cinnamon, was an old favorite brewed by John and Michael Tims. The dim-witted brothers often sold so much of the drink that they would run out and need to make more throughout the fair to keep up with the town's demand.

Belle smiled. "I've already had a few cups, but thank you. I came out today to see the crafts, I was hoping to find something to brighten up my apartment. The stained glass is beautiful but a bit too pricey. I might get a little print for the wall instead."

Glancing past her to the craft stands, Gold raised a brow. He hated that Belle worked so hard and still had to deprive herself. "Which piece did you like? Show me, I'd be happy to-"

"There you are, Gold."

Both Gold and Belle turned to see their mayor approaching, as polished as ever in a sleek charcoal dress topped with a camel peacoat. She stood tall on a pair of killer stiletto heels that Gold himself had gifted to her as congratulations for her winning the popular vote, securing her seat over Storybrooke.

"Madame Mayor." He greeted.

Gold shared a quick knowing look with Belle, and he gave her a nod of dismissal. Belle played her part, flashing him another quick wink and slinking away from him as Regina came close.

Truly, Belle was disappointed to have their reunion cut short, but Mr. Gold would make time for her in private. In his shop, they didn't have to play at being near strangers to each other, and Belle looked forward to that much more than she should.

Regina followed Belle with her eyes, watching as the woman retreated into the crowd. She was quickly joined by two men and a blonde woman, and the small group went off toward the game stalls.

Regina looked back to Gold. "What was the librarian after?"

Gold shrugged. "Who knows? Some nonsense about adding on to the children's section."

Regina raised a brow. "The library has barely been open for six months and she wants additions? No. That can wait until next fiscal year."

Gold nodded his agreement, keeping up the lie. "Nevermind her, let the library burn. You know why I'm here."

"I have that item you wanted." Regina said plainly. She was happy, content with the day so far, and was now eagerly anticipating their evening together.

"Where?"

"You know where." She said, revelling in their banter. "Come to my house. Tonight."

"And what will I have to do for you once I get there?" Gold wasn't sure why he bothered to ask when he already knew the answer. They played this game at least twice a month.

Regina raised a smug brow at him, and Gold groaned. "You're insatiable, Regina. So like your mother."

Her appetite for his skill was flattering, but all the same her price was becoming tiresome. Regina grinned, knowing she'd won. "You know my price, you know what I want."

"All too well." Gold relented with a soft smile that soon matched her own. He could never stay cross with her when it came to this. "So, will you be providing the whipped cream this time or should I?"