Chapter 8: You Fix This!


"What the hell is this," Emma said as she walked into Gold's shop.

Neal stood behind her.

Gold turned to face Emma, "What is what?" he asked.

Emma turned and glanced at Neal and then turned back to Gold.

"I can't get more than a foot away from him and I know you had something to do with it."

Gold couldn't stifle his laugh. "Really dearie and how do you know that?"

"Because next to Regina, you're the only one who can do something like this. And I know she wouldn't bother since she hates Neal more than she hates me."

"Hey," said Neal, "I'm standing right here."

Emma ignored him. "I don't care what you have to do, you fix this!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

Neal took a step forward and as he did so Emma tried to take several steps away from him.

A sliver of silver pulsed and brought Emma back within a foot of Neal.

Emma only sighed and Neal went back to speaking to his father for the first time and asked the question that was on his mind before they got interrupted.

"What do you mean you can't fix this?'

"All spells can be broken," said Emma.

"Of course they can," said Gold, "but I can't break this one, only you can."

Emma bowed her head, "Right the savior thing."

"Oh it's not just that."

Slowly Emma looked up and let him continue.

"I designed this spell so that if it was ever used the only way to break it is by those it affects."

"Why us," asked Emma.

"I think that's pretty obvious." Emma remained silent. "You're the sheriff, Miss Swan as well as the savior and not to mention Henry's mother. You haven't been as effective at those jobs since he got here," Gold said pointing at Neal.

"Don't question me," said Emma. "You meddled."

"I prefer to consider it as helping."

"I don't care what you call it, what do we do?"

Gold pointed at Emma. "You might want to start by loosing that attitude first. The only way you're going to be free of each other is by figuring out whatever problem is still between you. Once you've sorted out your issues then the spell will break."

Neal and Emma looked at each other, neither of them able to say anything.