Rating: PG
Pairings/Characters: Emma, Mary Margaret, Regina, Mr. Gold
Warnings: None
Spoilers: Anything up to 1X12 is fair game.
Disclaimer: If I owned them Gold and Emma would have been having sex long ago.
A/N: Thank you to those who reviewed Chapter 9. I have this story pretty much plotted out and there should be about 15 more chapters. This chapter discusses events that happened in 1X12. I debated whether or not to include the Rumble/Belle story but I've got a sequel in mind and it will play a part in the plot. For the purposes of this story, however, the events that take place in Storybrooke for episode 1X12 (beating up Mr. French for example) happen a year earlier, before Emma got to town. Hopefully it won't be too confusing :) Enjoy and please review.

Emma sat at the kitchen table, eating her cereal and trying to ignore the covert glances Mary Margaret was giving her over the rim of her coffee cup. After the sixth glance Emma sighed, dropped her spoon in the bowl and gave her friend an expectant look.

"I know you're dying to ask me, so go ahead," she said.

Mary Margaret let out a nervous chuckle. "I don't know what you mean."

Emma raised her eyebrow and smirked. "Mary Margaret you look like you're about to burst with curiosity. Just ask me what you want to know."

Mary Margaret placed her empty cup on the table and leaned in close. "Did you...you know...sleep with him?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"You know I did."

"No I don't!" Mary Margaret exclaimed in alarm.

"I was there until 3:30 in the morning," Emma said with a laugh. "What did you think we were doing all that time?"

"I was trying not to think about what you were doing," Mary Margaret said, her nose wrinkled in disgust.

Emma rolled her eyes in exasperation. "If you were trying not to think about it then why did you ask me if I slept with him?"

"Because I was curious," Mary Margaret answered in a slightly pathetic tone. A blush suddenly crept up her cheeks and she looked down at her empty mug.

"What is it?" Emma asked slowly, noticing the flush on her friend's face.

"Nothing," Mary Margaret said, still avoiding Emma's eyes.

Emma let out a quiet sigh. "Really? Because you're face is turning bright red."

Mary Margaret lifted her head and smiled in embarrassment. "I was just wondering..." she began to say hesitantly.

"Yes," Emma prompted.

"How was it?"

Emma stared at Mary Margaret in shock. "You seriously did not just ask me that!"

"Friends talk about this stuff all the time," Mary Margaret replied defensively.

"You really want details?"

"No," Mary Margaret said quickly. "I just want to know if it was what you expected."

Emma groaned and threw her head back. "Mary Margaret..."

"I just have a hard time picturing Mr. Gold...mating without biting his partner's head off!"

"Well, as you can see my head is still firmly attached," Emma snapped.

Mary Margaret gave her an apologetic smile and reached out for her hand. "I'm sorry Emma. I shouldn't have said that."

Emma let out a short breath and gently squeezed her friend's hand. "It's okay. I know this is going to take some getting used to."

Mary Margaret frowned. "Getting used to? Emma, are you going to see him again?"

"Of course I am," Emma said with a puzzled expression. "Why wouldn't I?"

"The people in this town..."

"I don't care what people are going to think," Emma broke in. "I know the people in town are afraid of him, but I see another side to him others can't."

"Emma, there is a reason people in this town are afraid of him."

"I know he can be intimidating..."

"It's not just that," Mary Margaret interrupted. She took a deep breath and said, "Last year he beat a man with his cane."

"What?" Emma asked in a horrified whisper.

"Mr. French, the florist, owed Mr. Gold some money. When he didn't pay on time Mr. Gold took his delivery van," Mary Margaret said. "Mr. French then stole some items for Mr. Gold's house and before Graham could arrest him Mr. Gold kidnapped him and beat him with his cane."

Emma sat in stunned silence. She knew Gold was capable of many things but she never imagined he could be violent.

"He beat the guy up just because he stole a few things from him," Emma said skeptically.

Mary Margaret shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know the whole story. I'm just telling you what I do know."

Emma pulled her hand away and leaned back in the chair. She crossed her arms over her chest and said, "I appreciate you telling me that but it doesn't change anything."

"Emma..." Mary Margaret started to say in a pleading tone.

"You said you were going to be supportive."

Mary Margaret sighed and let her shoulders sag. "I am. I just want you to be careful. You may be able to see another side to Mr. Gold but don't be blind to what the rest of us see."

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Gold heard the bell on the front door of his shop chime and looked up from behind the counter. Regina walked purposefully towards him, a scowl etched across her face.

"Good Morning Madam Mayor," Gold said in a falsely pleasant tone. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"You know why I'm here," she growled at him. "What game are you playing with Ms. Swan?"

He smirked. "Are you referring to the photos I gave to our Sheriff?"

"You know I am," she hissed through clenched teeth.

"I was simply making her aware of the fact that she was being lied to," he replied, enjoying the flash of anger in her eyes.

She smiled coldly. "You know, you're not the only one who can spy on people. Just this morning I heard that Ms. Swan was over at your house late last night."

"Who told you that? A magic mirror?" he said mischievously.

Her eyes narrowed menacingly. "I wonder if she knows what role you played in Henry's adoption?"

Gold let out a harsh laugh. "You know," he began to say slowly as he walked around the counter, "it's funny that you should mention adoption. I was reading an article about how so many were being called into question." He stopped right in front of her and glared at her dangerously. "It would be a shame if you lost Henry because you forgot to cross a 't' or two."

Regina bristled at his threat. "What do you want Gold?" she spat.

"I want you to let Emma see her son," he replied.

"Henry is my..."

"Yes, yes," he cut in impatiently with wave of his hand."Legally he's your son...for now."

"I will not let allow that woman..."

"Please," he said in a firm tone.

She froze in mid sentence, staring furiously at him as he continued to smirk.

"Fine," she replied heatedly.

"Good." He walked to the front door and opened it. "I believe our business is done."

Regina went to the door and paused in front of him. "Whatever is going on between you and Ms. Swan won't last." She leaned in close and smiled smugly. "People like you don't get happy endings."