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Chapter Eight: Desperate Souls

Rumpelstiltskin sat at his spinning wheel, spinning straw,

"Is that all you do" Rosalie sighed, leaning against the doorway to the humble place the spinner called home

"Well, it is my life's work" he chuckled lightly "To what do I owe this visit"

"Well, I was in the neighborhood and…well" she tossed him a small pouch

"Rosalie"

"Rumpelstiltskin"

He reluctantly opened it, finding it to be filled with gold coins

"I can't accept this"

"I don't know why you're telling me, I'm not taking it back" she muttered off handedly

"You can't keep doing this?" he sighed

"Actually, yes yes I can" she pointed out with a proud smirk settling on the table opposite him

"No I mean stealing, one of these days they could catch you and…" he warned subconsciously taking Robin's hand in his own

"What, you'd miss me?" she asked softly

Their eyes locked unable to look away from one another,

" Papa! Papa!" Baelfire cried running into the hut, "They've come for Morraine."

The two followed the frantic young teen, as he lead them out just in time to witness as said Morraine was being dragged forcedly away from her screaming parents dispite their desperate pleas,

"No! No, don't take her!" The mother begged nearly falling over herself in tears, "No! No, you can't take her! She's my baby! Don't take my baby!"

" Nonsense. She's a fine, strong girl" a man Rosalie recognized as Hodor sneered, "She'll make a fine soldier."

" It's a mistake – she's turning fourteen. Only fourteen!" The father begged

" Orders of the Duke!" Hordor decreed, "The Ogre Wars have taken their toll this season. More troops will turn the tide."

" Take her." Hordor bellowed

The other knights grabbed the girl and hoisted her up with Hordor

"They can't possibly be serious, what good could children serve in a war, especially one against Ogres" Rosalie demanded in a low whisper

It was then that the mother brandished a knife, quick as flash she was upon the knight. But, to no avail as she and her husband stopped, as though by some invisible force. The couple began to fall to the ground desperate gasping for air, Rosalie looked around and there in the field behind them was a cloaked figure on a black horse. The sight made her blood run cold especially, when the force upon the couple wouldn't seem to relent,

"YOU'VE MADE YOUR POINT NOW STOP!" She screamed at the figure

"Who are you to…" Hordor began

"I SAID STOP IT"

She held up a her hand it seemed almost in defiance, the force wavered off the poor couple as a flashes of white light seemed to wash over them. Propelling the deadly invisible force, Rosalie stood struggling defiantly both hands up seemingly willing the white light to hold steadily against the opposing force. Her body shook until finally, she was thrown back like a rag doll, collapsing into the dirt

"Rosalie" Bae called out running to her his father hobbling behind him

"You can't do this" Rosalie plead weakly as she supported herself just enough to sit up right "She's just a child"

"The Dark One seems to think I can." Hordor smirked before riding of with his knights and the girl.

"What were you thinking?" Rumpel demanded as he and Baelfire helped her to her feet

"Someone had to do something?" Rosalie retorted, "What if it had been Bae?"

"My birthday's in three days." Bae realized in terror, "They'll come for me in three days!"

"Your papa and I will find a way" Robin assured laying a hand on his shoulder, "Isn't that right Rum"

"Yes" Rumpel confirmed with a weak smile, "We'll… We'll find a way."

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Two weeks, it had been two long miserable weeks, since her beloved son's death. All Katrina could recall of the incident was a blur of the exact moment she realized Cal was dead and when Gold had come to collect her. She wasn't willing to leave him, not even when they came to collect his body and she had to be held back by Gold as he lead her away. True she had stayed calm as long as she could manage for Emma's sake as she broke down in tears of her own, sometime later after the ambulance had arrived however, she cracked. Eventually, Gold had managed to lead her into the car and drive away to the safety of their home to mourn for their adopted son, away from the prying eyes.

Now here she was after nights of tears, struggles to not let any more tears shed only to fail miserably with everything and anything serving as a reminder for her fallen son. She had been in seclusion with Gold and Emma as her only means of interaction, the tears didn't flow so easily now especially with helping her out at the shop to distract her. And to be honest it had been good for the both of them, Gold got things sorted more than he could get to on his and both had each other as comfort . Which turned out to be more of a distraction than Gold had counted on especially when ever Katrina started cleaning the shop getting into her IPod,singing and swaying her hips , not to mention how he was starting to realize just how much he loved this world's ideals of clothing.

"Oh of sweet heavens above " Katrina choked out as she pulled out her ear buds, covering her nose making Gold smirk, "UH I thought I'd never have to smell that again"

"And I thought I'd never see you dance like that again," Gold admitted as he covered a piece of cloth with lanolin, "At least one of us was pleasantly surprised"

" Gold!Kat!" Emma called out, "You in here?"

"Well, it is my shop" Gold deadpanned earning a slap in the back of the head.

"Don't start, I don't need to deal with your attitude and that crap" Katrina scolded, "We're in the back Emma"

"Whoa!" Emma gasped as the smell hit as soon as she'd entered, "What is that?

" Oh, this is lanolin – used for waterproofing" Gold explained

" It smells like livestock" retorted with a grimace

Well, it is the reason why sheep's wool repels water."

"It stinks .Um, if there was a reason you guys called the Sheriff's Department… If you want to talk about that quickly"

"Yes."

"Or outside…" Emma tried in a vain attempt escape the horrid smell

" I just wanted to, uh, express my condolences, really. The Sheriff was a good man. You're still wearing the Deputy's badge." Gold explained, "Well, he's been gone two weeks, now, and I believe that after two weeks of acting as Sheriff, the job becomes yours. You'll have to wear the real badge."

"Yeah, I guess. I'm just not in a hurry" Emma murmered, "So, um, thank you for the kind words."

Emma made an attempt to leave the shop but, Gold stopped her.

" I have his things." He announced

"What?"Emma asked confused as Katrina presented a box on the counter

"The Sheriff , he rented an apartment that I own" Gold explained, "Another reason for my call, really. I wanted to offer you a keepsake."

" I don't need anything." Emma assured softly

"Look, I feel that all of this stuff is headed for the trash bin – you really should take something." Gold pressed holding up Graham's Jacket , "Look – his jacket."

" No."

" Well, look." Katrina tried again with a pair of walkie talkies, "Henry might like these, don't you think? You guys could you use them for operation cobra."

" I don't…" Emma protested

" No, please" Gold begged, " They… They grow up so fast."

" Thanks." She smiled softly as she accepted the walkie talkies

"You enjoy these with your boy. Your time together is precious, you know?" Gold assured Emma before she left, Katrina watching him with warmth and understanding, "That's the thing about children – before you know it, and you lose them."

To which Katrina pressed herself up against him, nuzzling his neck as his arms wrapped around her.

"Kind and generous, are you sure you're feeling well?" Katrina teased, despite the ache in her heart

"You're not the only one who's allowed to play nice" he purred kissing her forehead

"Well, Mr. Nice guy would you like to dance with me"

To which Gold tapped the CD player Katrina had been using for when the shop was closed with his cane,

"Well, look at you oh powerful dark one, Turned Fonzie" she laughed lightly as the song "So She Dances" by Josh Groban filled the room,

To which he gave her blank stare which made her laugh,

"It's a guy from a famous TV show"

A waltz when she walks in the room
She pulls back the hair from her face
She turns to the window to sway in the moonlight
Even her shadow has grace

"I was going to ask you to dance earlier" he confessed as they swayed softly

A waltz for the girl out of reach
she lifts her hands up to the sky

"Oh really"

She moves with the music
The song is her lover
The melody's making her cry

"Yes, but others would've had enjoyed the view as much as myself" he purred as twirled her out and pulled her back in, " Besides you seemed to already take the intuitive"

So she dances
In and out of the crowd like a glance
This romance is
From afar calling me silently

"Now, dancing with you …quite a different matter"

A waltz for the chance I should take
But how will I know where to start?
She's spinning between constellations and dreams
Her rhythm is my beating heart

So she dances
In and out of the crowd like a glance
This romance is
From afar calling me silently

"Do you remember when you and I use to dance in the gypsy camps?" she asked softly resting her head on his shoulder

I can't keep on watching forever
I give up this view just to tell her

"Ah yes" he reminisced his free hand caressing her hip, "Your swaying hips trembling under my hands, alluring voice like an angelic temptress and of course those lovely little outfits of yours"

When I close my eyes I can see
The spotlights are bright on you and me

"Not to mention the fact that" she purred nipping at his ear, "when we would get back to my tent you would ravish me"

We've got the floor
And you're in my arms
How could I ask for more?

"Dearie, dearie" he spoke in mock offence, "How could I ever forget the thought of you mewling beneath me…Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

So she dances
In and out of the crowd like a glance
This romance isFrom afar calling me silently

I can't keep on watching forever
And I'm givin' up this view just to tell her

"You mean ravishing me in the back room" she asked as the song ended, "Which smells like lanolin"

To which he let out a sigh of discontent as he watch his beloved head out the door,

"Where do you think you're going?"

"On break boss" she smiled before jingling his keys before tossing them back to him, "You think you'd learn by now not to keep them in your pockets"

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Emma sat starring at Sheriff's badge on her desk, when Katrina entered the room,

"He was right you know, it's yours now" she offered playfully, "So you can put it on"

"Your right" she sighed as she reached for the badge, "It's just…"

"I know…." Katrina smiled softly, "I also know he'd be proud to have you wear it"

A smile that quickly faded once she took notice of whom was standing in the doorway,

"Oh, I'm sorry" Regina snipped as soon as she saw the badge in Emma's hand, "That's not for you"

"C'mon give her break after all, it's been two weeks" Katrina pressed, never talking her eyes of the mayor hostile blazing in her eyes"The promotion's automatic."

"Unless the Mayor appoints someone else within the time period, which I'm doing today."

"So, who's it going to be?" Emma inquired

"After due reflection" Regina stated firmly, "Sidney Glass"

"You've gotta be kidding me" Katrina snapped, "Sidney who's in charge of the newspaper and how pray tell did you arrive at this conclusion?"

"Well, he's covered the Sheriff's Office for as long as anyone can remember."

"And he'll do whatever you want him to" Emma concluded, "You just cannot stand the fact that things have been getting better around here, can you?"

Regina glared at Emma,

"Better? Are you referring to Graham's death as 'better'?"

"No." Emma admitted flustered

"He was a good man, Miss Swan" Regina continued," He made this town safe, and forgive me for saying it, but you have not earned the right to wear his badge."

"Graham picked her to be deputy." Katrina challenged

"He was wrong." Regina retorted

"No, he knew what he was doing" Katrina snapped fighting the urge to leap at the murderess, "He freed this office from your leash, and you know what, I'm personally dnot going to let you take it back."

"Actually, I just did" Regina smirked turning towards Emma, "Miss Swan, you're fired.'

—–

Mary Margaret came home to find music blaring, Katrina with a half empty bottle of whiskey, watching Emma as she tried to pry open a toaster with a knife.

"Toaster broken?" Mary Margret asked after she turned off the music

"It wasn't when I started with it" Emma admitted as she continued to fiddle with the toaster, "Pretty sure it is now. Just needed to hit something"

"What's going on?"

"Regina fired Emma, so she could put one of her own puppets in as Sheriff" Katrina explained tracing the rim of her glass.

"It's my job." Emma snapped

"What happened?" Mary Margret asked settling down besides Katrina

"I don't know" Emma admitted with a groan, "I just… I know I want it back."

"There must be a reason." She insisted as knock was heard on the door

"Ahhh, help has arrived" Katrina smirked as she made her way to the door.

"Maybe I just want to beat her." Emma finally responded to Mary Margret's question before pausing, "Wait what?"

Katrina opened the door to reveal, Mr. Gold with a large binder under his arm.

"Hello pet" he greeted his wife with a kiss, "Good evening, Miss Swan. Sorry for the intrusion. There's something Katrina and I would like to discuss with you."

"I'll let you guys talk." Mary Margaret informed the group before leaving the room.

"So what is that you two wanted to talk to me about?" Emma asked as Gold made his way inside.

"Katrina told me about what happened, such an injustice." Gold explained

Yeah, well, what's done is done."

"Spoken like a true fighter." Gold deadpanned

"I don't know what chance I have" Emma defended, "She's Mayor and I'm, well, me."

"Miss Swan, three people with a common goal can accomplish many things. Three people with a common enemy can accomplish even more. How would you like a benefactor?"

"A benefactor?" Emma questioned looking to Katrina for help?

To which Gold gestured to the table and the three of them sit down. He puts the binder on the table and opens it.

"You know" Gold began setting the binder down and opening it, "it really is quite shocking how few people study the town charter."

"The town charter?"

"That be right luv" Katrina smiled, "let's just say Regina's not quite as powerful as she seems."

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"You wanted to see me?" Rosalie whispered as she and Rumpelstiltskin converged outside his home in the dead of night

"I have to get him out of here" he confessed, "If we stay they take him from me ….he's all I have"

"You could come live with me then" Rosalie offered hopefully, "They won't find you, I promise"

"Rosalie…The only thing I've ever been good at is spinning" he sighed, "…"

There was a disheartening pause,

"So, this is goodbye then"

"That's the thing I want you to come with us" Rumpel tried in a soft voice, "It's just that Bae and I…."

"Rum" Rosalie struggled, "Just come with me please, you're great at making deals and…"

He silenced her with a kiss,

"I'm sorry" Rumpel stuttered, "I haven't felt this ways since…"

She kissed him back running her fingers though his hair as his arms wound around her waist.

"I'll come with you" she promised causing Rumpel to kiss her again making her giggle

"Go wait outside and I'll get Bae"

—–

Rumpelstiltskin, Rosalie and Baelfire are walking through the woods with their things.

"It feels wrong to run away." Baelfire admitted a sense of uncertainty in his voice.

"Trust me Bae war is no place for children" Rosalie assured , " Especially one like that"

"Alms for the poor?" An old beggar asked, "Alms for the poor?"

"Yes." Both l replied dispense a few coins into the beggar's cup

"Oh! Thank you" The beggar thanked them repeatedly as the trio continued on through the woods..

"Are we sure there's no other way?" Bae asked

"Oh, I can't lose you, Bae." Rumpel confessed with a heartbroken sigh, "You're all I've got left, son. You don't understand what war is like – what they do to you."

"He's right luv" Rosalie encouraged, "There is no sense and certainly no honor fighting against ogres, the only thing those poor children are good for are is slowing them down with their corpses"

'"Quick – hide!" Rumpel urged Bae and Rosalie at the sound of approaching horses, " In the ditch – hide! Go, go! Go!"

"Stop right there!" Hordor demanded before Bae could even move as several knights surround the group, "What are you doing on the King's roads?"

"We have some wool to sell at the fair at Longbourne." Rumpel lied

"I know you, don't I?" Hordor asked not believing a word of Rumpel's story

To which, Hordor got off his horse and walked up to Rumpelstiltskin.

"What was your name? Hm? Spindleshanks? Threadwhistle? Hobblefoot?"

"His name's Rumpelstiltskin." Bae stated proudly

"Hush!" Rosalie warned

"Rumpel- Ah, the man who ran" Hordor mocked, "This must be your whore and your boy? How old is he? What's your name?"

"I'm Baelfire and I'm thirteen." Baelfire snapped, "And she is …my mother"

To which Hordor turned to Rosalie,

"You're married to this coward" Hordor scoffed gesturing to Rumpel

"I am" she stated defiantly earning a look from Rumpel

"When's his birthday, then?

"In two days' time." Baelfire informed

"Hush, boy!" Rumpel warned

"Did you teach him how to run as well, Rumpelstiltskin? Did he tell you?" Hordor ridiculed, "Did he tell you how he ran and the ogres turned the tide of the battle, and all the others were killed, and he returned home to a wife who could not bear the sight of him?"

"Please…"

"You see" Hordor continued despite Rumple's plea, "Most women do not like to be married to cowards."

"Leave us be" Rosalie asked calmly despite her rage towards the man

"I would but, it's treason to avoid service" he smirked, "Take the boy now."

"No, no, no, no!" Rumpel panicked as Rosalie tightened her grip on Bae, "What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Hordor pondered allowed, "You have no money, no influence, no land, no title, and no power. The truth is, all you really have is fealty. Kiss my boot."

"I don't understand…."

"You asked my price. Kiss my boot."

"Surely you can't be serious" Rosalie scoffed at the man

"Not in front of my boy." Rumpel begged

"Kiss my boot!" Hordor demanded

Rosalie watched helplessly as Rumpelstiltskin slowly got on the ground and kissed Hordor's boot. Which caused Hordor, along with the other knights, to laugh and even more so after Hordor kicked Rumpelstiltskin in the stomach causing him to fall to the ground.

"Papa!" Baelfire exclaimed

And as Hordor returns to his horse and left with his men, Rosalie helped Rumpel up so he could lean against her,

"I'm sorry, I'm a coward" Rumpel rasped

To which Rosalie kissed his cheek and lightly nuzzled into his neck,

"You are not coward" she whispered, "For protecting your son"

Suddenly, someone is heard coming towards them causing Rosalie to go for a knife,

"No, no, no! No! It's okay" the beggar from before assured, "Let me help you. Let me help you home"

"Thank you." Rosalie smiled softly

Rosalie slowly put away her sword before the beggar helped her to +get Rumpel off the ground,

"I don't have any money to pay you." Rumpel warned

" I can think of another way" The Beggar assured, "You just leave me whatever you can spare and I'll find a way to be your benefactor, Come."

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Regina, Sidney, and several news reporters had gathered in Regina's office.

"Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own homes. That's why Sidney Glass is my choice for post of Sheriff." Regina announced, "This man has put the needs of Storybrooke above his own for as long as any of us can remember as chief editor of the Storybrooke Daily Mirror. Please welcome your new Sheriff!"

"Hang on a second." Emma called out as Regina went to pin the Sheriff's badge on Sidney,

"Oh, Miss Swan, this is not appropriate." Regina sighed in disgusted as Katrina and Emma approached the group.

"The only thing not appropriate is this ceremony" Katrina corrected, "She does not have the power to appoint him."

"The town charter clearly states the Mayor shall appoint…."

"A candidate" Emma finished, "You could appoint a candidate. It calls for an election."

"The term 'candidate' is applied loosely." Regina tried in a vague attempt to discredit the other woman

"Actually I think you'll find it's not" Katrina stated firmly, "In fact, it requires votes as in, as Miss Swan stated an Election."

"And guess what, Madam Mayor?" Emma stated proudly, "I'm running."

"Fine, so is Sidney"

"I am?" Sidney asked in shock only to receive a look of agitation from Regina, "I am"

"With my full support" Regina added, "I guess we'll learn a little something about the will of the people."

"I guess we will." Emma agreed

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After the group had made it back to Rumpelstiltskin's hut and Baelfire had went to bed, the beggar, Rumpel and Rosalie found themselves sitting around by the fire eating stew.

"Another day gone. There'll be no fleeing, now." Rumpel sighed in defeat with Rosalie close beside him.

"No, you need to find another way" the beggar encouraged, "You need to choose a different path."

"Choose, what choice do I have?"

"Everyone has a choice." The Beggar assured

"I'm the town coward, the only choice I have is which corner to hide in. I'm lame, friendless…" Rumpel explained his head hanging in shame, "The only thing I've got is my family. And they're going to take my son away from me. If they take him away, I would truly, truly become dust."

"Not if you have power."

"You may as well say diamonds."

"Get a hold of yourself! Think" The beggar coaxed, "Why do you think that someone as powerful as the Dark One would work for a useless fool like the Duke of the Frontlands?"

Rosalie tensed at the poor man's words but, remanded silent.

"Tell me." Rumpel begged

"The Duke has the Dark One in thrall. He's enslaved him with the power of a mystical dagger and on the blade is written a name – the true name of the Dark One" the beggar explained further, "If you steal the dagger, then you would control the Dark One yourself. And then no one would be able to take your son away from you."

"To keep a man like the Dark One as a slave?" Rumpel shook his head in disbelief, "No, I… I-I can't. I'd be terrified."

"Then, perhaps, instead of controlling the power, you need to take it."

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Mr. Gold is sitting in his pawn shop staring at the flame from a lighter.

"Hmmmm" Katrina wondered aloud causing Gold to put the flame out, "You know you keep doing that people are going to think you're an arsonist"

"Did everything go well?" he asked as Kat settled herself into his lap

"Yep, in fact I think I saw Regina is on her way over" she smirked,

"You know" he purred, "We could always hide in the back room"

To which the door opened with a jingle of a bell revealing none other than, Regina

"Regina." The two greeted curtly and watched as she flipped the sign on the door to the 'closed' side.

"Shall I move some things?" he offered playfully as Katrina shifted out of his arms, remaining beside him, "Make a bit of space for your rage?"

"You two found that loophole in the town charter." Regina snapped

"Well, actually" Katrina sighed, "He found it, I just thought Emma should know about it"

"And to be honest Legal documents – contracts, if you like" Gold explained with a charming grin, "Always been a fascination of mine."

"Yes, you love to trifle with technicalities." Regina scoffed

"I like small weapons, you see. The needle, the pen, the fine point of a deal." He listed off, "Subtlety – not your style, I know."

"You're a bastard." Regina scoffed, "Are you two really going up against me?"

"Not directly" Katrina quipped, "We are, after all, both invested in the common good. We're just picking different sides."

"Well, I think you picked a really slow horse this time. It's not like you to back a loser."

"She hasn't lost yet."

"She will." Regina smirked

"Never underestimate someone who's acting for their child." Katrina warned,

"He's not her child. Not legally."

Oh, now who's trifling with technicalities?" Gold quipped before Regina stormed off

"Have I ever told you" she purred kneading his shoulders, "I love it when you have the upper hand like that"

"How would you like to make a little wager?" Gold offered with a sly grin

"Oh no no no no" Katrina shook her head, "Beside nothing with you is little"

To which Gold's wicked grin grew ever so slightly,

"You know what I meant" she pouted making him chuckle

"Afraid you might lose, pet?"

"Well, seeing as it's about the election, I mean after all you always get what you want" Katrina was quick to point out, "So, Emma's bound to win"

"Honestly pet, you make me sound like a horrid beast" he mocked offense wrapping his arms around her waist, her arms around his neck.

"Only in bed" she teased with a peck on the nose, "How about we make a deal instead"

"Something about hearing you say that runs chills up my spine" he purred, "As you wish my little song bird"

"How about when Emma wins" she giggled, "You and I …"

"Do a little celebrating" he finished with a rather impish grin

"Speaking of celebrating, the signs already flipped"

"You go lock the doors and I'll clear off the table in the back"

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"What do you need to take?" Baelfire asked as they prepared for Rumpelstiltskin's invasion of the castle.

"That old beggar" Rumpel explained with great excitement, "He told me a fine tale – about the Duke and his magical dagger."

"What does it do?"

"Create nothing but, destruction" Rosalie snapped from behind the pair her gaze falling on Rumpel, "You really are going to go through with this aren't you"

"Rosalie please" Rumpel begged, "If I own that dagger, I control the Dark One. If I kill the Dark One with the dagger, I take his powers."

Robin stood there, a look of horror slowly etching across her face,,

"Imagine me with those powers, I could get to redeem myself. I could turn it towards good. I'll save all the children of the Front lands – not just, Bae."

"I'd love to see that, but if the law says I'm to fight" Bae admitted, "I… I can fight."

"No, no, no! The law doesn't want you to fight, son. The law wants you to die. That's not battle – that's sacrifice, son. You look at that red in the sky." Rumpel told his son with a fiery passion, "That's not the… The fires of the battlefields – that's the blood of our people, son. It's the blood of children. The blood of children like you. I mean, what sane person would want to get involved with that?"

"So, it's true."

"What?"

"It's true" Bae stated softly, "It's true you ran."

"I had no choice, son." Rumpel tried to assure Bae , drawing Rosalie temporarily from her train of thought

"And Mother?" Bae asked again, "Did she leave you like the knight said?"

This time both Rosalie and Rumpel were quick to answer,

"NO"

"No she didn't" Rumple assured as, "She's dead"

"So, what do we need to do? Bae asked trying to change the subject

"The Duke's castle is made of stone, but the floors and the rafters are made of wood."

"Why does that matter?"

"Because wood burns."

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Gold sat contently half naked compared to his companion who adorned nothing but, his suit jacket. The two had stayed like that for nearly an hour after their love making simply enjoying the company of the other not wanting to move. In fact he was pretty sure she'd been fast asleep and had simply hadn't had the heart to wake her, especially after seeing her in his jacket. There was nothing in the world as far he was concerned, as side form his beloved boy that mattered more to him than her. And their new hope of her baring his child only pulled him to her even more, as his hand slipped under the jacket to gently caress her stomach.

"Your hands are cold" Katrina grumbled as she nuzzled into his neck for comfort.

"Well, I suppose I'll just have to warm them" replied innocently before sliding said hand between her thighs

"Rum" she yelp jumping up from the change in temperature in neither regions

"GOLD OPEN UP NOW" an Emma called out startling the two as she banged on the front door.

"What did you do now?" Katrina whined collapsing back against him

"Shhh, if we're quite she'll go away" he coaxed,

"I KNOW YOU SET THE FIRE" Emma barked

"What did you do" Katrina demanded pulling back to look at him

"How could I do anything when I've been here with you" Gold offered without hesitation.

"BE RIGHT THERE EMMA!" Katrina called out as she stood up gather her clothes before turning to a rather flustered Mr. Gold, "You get the door"

"I'm a little under dressed don't you think" he wondered aloud as he buttoned up his shirt and Katrina slipped on her bra and blouse.

"Well, what would you call me?" she huffed as she collected her shorts but, not her underwear

"A lot of things" he responded swiftly after making his way towards the door, "Utter perfection for one"

"Rum…What did you do with my underwear?" Katrina asked fully redressed, despite her missing undergarment.

To which Rum pulled out black lace boy shorts from his pants pockets and waved them at her before stuffing them back in and unlocking the door.

"You set the fire" Emma stated a bit more relaxed this time but, certainly still "

"I've been right here with my lovely wife, Miss Swan"

"Take a whiff." Emma snipped holing up a piece of debris, "It smells like your sheep crap oil, Turns out its flammable."

"Well, that explains the lighter" Katrina mumbled, "Emma, what are you talking about?"

"Your husband here nearly killed me and Regina" Emma explained, "He used that stuff he was using earlier to set a fire at City Hall"

"You know, there's some construction working on at City Hall at the moment" Gold offered, "There's loads of flammable solvents used in construction."

"Why did you do it?" Emma demanded

"I think I know" Katrina grumbled

"'If'…I did it. If I did it" Gold stressed, "that would be because you cannot win without something big. Something like, uh… Oh, I don't know. Being the hero in a fire?"

"How could you even know, I'd be there at the right time?" Emma demanded

"Because Regina is not the only one with eyes on the whole town" Katrina pointed out, "As you may recall about Ruby's comment about how Rupert owns the town, basically the town is controlled by two conniving little children"

"But, you couldn't have known what I would have done" Emma reasoned, " I could've run and left her there."

"You, not a chance" Katrina scoffed, "Now Regina …"

"I can't go along with this."

"You just did" Gold reminded her," This is just the price of election, Miss Swan."

"A price I'm not willing to pay" Emma countered, "Find another sucker."

"Okay, go ahead – expose me." Gold warned and as Emma headed for the door, "But if you do, just think about what you'll be exposing and what you'll be walking away from. Oh, yes. And, um… Who you might be disappointing."

To which Katrina followed Emma without another word

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"Emma, I'm sorry" Katrina apologized for what felt like hundredth time.

"It's not your fault Kat" Emma assured as Mary Margaret arrived and hand her a piece of paper and a bottle of water, "I'm not going to win anyway"

"What are you talking about?" Mary Margaret asked in shear disbelief, "Everyone's talking about what you did in the fire."

"No, Henry's right …..I can't beat Regina at this. Not the way she fights. Watch and see."

"This isn't about Regina, is it" Katrina asked

"It's just…"

"Henry." Mary Margret finished

"I want to show him that good can actually win." Emma tried

"That's why you want to win it for him, but why do you want to win the election for yourself?" Mary Margret pondered aloud

"That is why. I want to show him that a hero can win." Emma finally admitted, "And if I'm not… If I'm not a hero and I'm not the savior, then what part do I have in his life? Okay. There it is."

"There it is." Katrina conluded

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Baelfire and Rosalie sat behind a tree in the forest awaiting Rumpelstiltskin's return from the Duke's castle.

"Papa!" Bael exclaimed hugging his father, "we were so worried for you. Are… Are you burned? The castle…."

"I'm fine, son. I'm fine" he assured, I need you to go home with Rosalie and wait for me there."

"Come with me – please. I have a bad feeling." Bae plead.

"Bae, this is something he has to do on his own." Rosalie assured the young man despite her own fears

To which Bae reluctantly agreed and followed Rosalie until they were out of sight.

"Bae, I want you to go straight home" Rosalie told Bae, "Just like your father told you"

"But, what if …But, you just said…"

"Just please go home, your papa and I will be fine, I promise"

Bae hesitated for a moment before listening to older woman and left for home, While Rosalie snuck back to Rumpelstiltskin.

"You were asking for me?" a voice she recalled as soon as she heard with a chill up her spine to be the dark one.

"Submit, O Dark One! I control you!" Rumpel attempted

"Yes, you do. Wield the power wisely. You can wield at any time now. It's almost dawn" The dark one ushered, ". That means it's your son's birthday. I bet Hordor and his men are already on their way to your house."

"No, they can't take him." Rumpel protested in fear

"You don't control them – you control me, Have you ever wondered – was he really your child at all? Unlike you, he's not a coward and yearns to fight and die in glory."

"NO" Rosalie snapped as she stepped from the bushes

"What do you think you're doing" the dark one snapped

"I won't let you hurt him"

"You know him" rumple questioned

"Of course, I may not be the best of men but, I'm still her father" The dark one chided

"Rosalie, how could you not told me he was your father"

"Rumpel, I wasn't sure at first but, you have to listen to …"Robin begged

"Time is of the essence" the dark one pressed, "So, I ask you – what would you have me do?"

"Die." Rumpelstiltskin growled as he stabbed the dark one with his own dagger

"NO" Rosalie screamed

Rumpelstiltskin stabs the Dark One with the dagger. As they fell to the ground, the Dark One's face morphs between the beggar and his true form

"It's you. You're the beggar. And…. and"

"Looks like you made a deal you didn't understand" Zoso mocked, "I warned you I would get you back for stealing my daughter, boy"

"You were working for him since the day in the tavern" Rumpel shook his head in defeat, "I should have known better my father , Milah , the only one I could trust was Odette and…"

"NO, you don't understand" she begged practically sobbing, "I tried to warn you nothing good comes from his magic but, I couldn't…,"

"You should have listened to her, my life was such a burden" Zoso explained, "You'll see. Magic always comes with a price and now, it's yours to pay."

"Why me? Why me?" Rumpel demanded trembling

" He knows how to recognize a desperate soul" Rosalie rasped struggling to hold in her tears as her father lay dead, "Rumpel what have you done?"

"No! No! Stay! You have to tell me what to do! Tell me what to do!" he begged shaking the dead man

"Rumpel…"

"GET AWAY FROM ME" he barked as his skin began to shift to a dusty gold

To which Rosalie hastily complied running as fast as her legs would take her.

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"Tragedy has brought us here, but we are faced with this decision. And now, we ask only that you listen with an open mind and to please vote your conscience." Archie announced, "So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to the candidates – Sidney Glass and Emma Swan. Glass. Swan. Sounds like something that a decorator would make you buy. Wow, crickets. Okay, uh… Uh, Mr. Glass – you're opening statement."

To which Sidney walked up to the podium.

"I just want to say, that if elected, I want to serve as a reflection of the best qualities of Storybrooke. Honesty, neighborliness, and strength. Thank you." Sidney declared before sitting back down.

To which Gold turned to his companion mocking shock,

"What no snide remark"

"I'm still pissed off at you" Katrina snapped

"And Emma Swan." Archie announced as Emma made her way to the podium.

"I can't watch this" Katrina rasped making before making a b-line towards the hallway,

Once out in the hallway she began to pace,

"HAVE YOU GONE MAD" Leila demanded storming up to her

Katrina paused surely she didn't find out about Gold …..How could she have?

"I know it was a bit extreme ,but I had nothing to do with it" Katrina tried

"Oh really, I find that very hard to believe"

"It's just that, Adrien does have good intentions"

"What does that Swan girl have to do with Adrien?"

Katrina froze,

"wait….what?"

"How on earth could you get involved with someone like her, honestly?"

"Hey Emma's a good person" Katrina rertorted defensively, "And she made a mistake, it was nothing horrible…."

"Your uncle and I love you very much" Leila tried

"Then why didn't you tell me my mother or my grandfather woke from a coma" Katrina demanded

"Who told you that?"

"Does it really matter?"

"She doesn't know who you are"

"Yeah kind of gathered that" Katrina scoffed

"Listen you little brat, your uncle and I took you in after your father died" Leila snapped in a low whisper, " Even after your mother ran out on you two, it would be best for both of you, It was you who didn't want to meet her"

Katrina froze as she felt the air being sucked out of her, like someone had punched her right in the stomach, how could she have been so blind to forget who she had been dealing with?

"How can you be like this?"

"I raised you out of the kindness of my heart raised along with that no good sister of yours"

"Melanie" Katrina stated firmly struggling to remember her sister's name in this world

"What?"

"I said her name is Melanie and you know nothing about her none of you did"

Katrina paused,

"So, no one knows she's my mother"

"There you are pet" Gold greeted Kat with a peck on the cheek before turning towards Leila, "A pleasure seeing you here, Mrs. Kingston"

"Adrien, please" Leila charmed turning from maniacal family tyrant to sweet loveable Aunt Leila, "You're family call me, Leila"

"Well, Leila" Gold smiled as she steered Katrina away from her aunt, "Katrina and I must really be going"

Once they were safely away,

"Well, it seems I'm not the only stirring up trouble lately"

Katrina paled ,

"Something wrong pet?"

"I just realized I was being lectured by my aunt without any knickers on"

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Hordor and the group of knights had surrounded Rumpelstiltskin's hut, having forcibly retrieved Baelfire.

"Everyone's watching from behind their curtains today." Hordor observed that vacant village

"And with good reason" Rosalie growled appearing behind Hordor knife at his throat

"Quite the dedicated mother" Hordor mocked before throwing her off onto ground his sword at her throat and leaving her dazed with a kick of his boot.

One of the guards suddenly fell to the ground, revealing a hooded Rumpelstiltskin behind him with the dark one's dagger locked tightly in his hand.

" Dark One" Hordor announced dropping the sword before kneeling down until he noticed the unfamiliar almost non-human face under the hood as the stranger approached him, "No… Who are you?"

"Have you forgotten me already?" Rumpel mocked, "What was it you used to call me again? Spindleshanks? Hobblefoot."

"Papa?" Baelfire gasped

"Rumpelstiltskin" Hordor snapped

"Wonderful, And now, you shall know me as the new Dark One" Rumpel mocked, "How about a little fealty? Kiss…. my ….boot."

When Hordor bends over, Rumpelstiltskin grabs him, and then stabs him.

"No, Papa!" Baelfire cried as Rumpel stabbed Hordor when he bent over

"Rum? What happened to you?" Rosalie demanded weakly as Rumpel collected Rosalie in his arms after killing the rest of the knights

"You're safe, dearie" he replied swift turning his attention to his mortified son," Do you feel safe, son?"

"No" Bae admitted too stunned to move "I'm frightened."

"I'm not, I protected what belongs to me and I'm not scared of anything" he announced before pulling Rosalie into a passionate kiss.

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Emma entered the Sheriff's office, noticing a jacket hanging on the coat rack

"Adrien thought you might change your mind about the jacket" Katrina offered from the door way making Emma jump.

"You do know I'm armed, right?"

"I just wanted to apologize, I had no idea that he was going to try stage something that could've hurt you" Katrina explained, "It's just that , we had to give you some kind of extraordinary quality, and it wasn't saving old Regina's arse from the fire just wasn't going to do that. Even better actually, standing up to him"

Emma paused with a look of pure disbelief,

"No way" Emma replied finally with deep skepticism, "There's no way he could've planned that."

"Everyone maybe afraid of Regina, but trust me when I say they are much more afraid of him" Katrina assured, "By standing up to him, you won them over. Which I must admitted was full proof"

"He knew, I'd agree."

"Let's just say he really knows how to recognize a desperate soul."

"But, why?"

"Because he's an evil mastermind genius, who wanted connections to the law enforcement"

"Well, do you think he can handle one more"

Katrina paused unsure of how to take Emma's statement,

"Did you just offer me a job?"

"No I was offering it to Gold" Emma laughed

"Well….When do I start?"