A/N Thank you to Number Ten for the review!
Chapter 10
2 Months Later
Christmas Eve had arrived, and Neal knew that now it was time to really start putting his plan into action. Mercy was in love with him now, which was exactly what Neal had needed for his plan, now he had her eating out of the palm of his hand.
Neal Walked to the main foyer of his house, with Mercy at his side, it was time for him to make his annual Christmas Eve speech.
Once all of the servants were gathered around Neal picked up the microphone.
"I would like to thank all of you for everything that you've done this past year," Several of the servants mumbled various "you're welcome's."
Neal continued talking again, "so as a sign of my…" Neal trailed off taking Mercy's hand, "our thanks, we'd like to give you the next two weeks off!"
All the servants began cheering.
"So Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!"
The servants continued cheering for a few minutes. Then they all started going to their rooms to begin packing.
"Let's go." Neal whispered in Mercy's ear, the two of them walked back towards the stairs.
"That was awfully nice of you." Mercy said impressed.
"Well I meant what I said," Neal said turning Mercy to face him, "they do work hard."
"Well waiting on your beck and call must be exhausting." Mercy said jokingly.
Neal laughed leaning down and kissing Mercy's lips, "you're so funny." He said sarcastically before winking.
Mercy laughed, as the two of them made it to the top of the stairs and started walking down the hallway.
"Listen, Mercy, I have some bad news." Neal said.
"What kind of bad news?" Mercy asked concerned.
"I have to go help my parents with some things; I'll be gone for a couple of days."
"Well can't I go with you?" Mercy asked sounding hopeful.
"My parents would never approve that I'm living with a girl that I'm not married to."
The two of them stopped walking outside her bedroom door.
"But it's our first Christmas together." Mercy said sadly.
Neal touched Mercy's face, "I know, but don't forget we just started dating, they'll be plenty of time for more Christmas'."
Mercy forced a smile, "you're right."
Neal leaned his head down and started kissing Mercy.
"So when are you leaving?"
"In an hour or so."
Mercy smiled, "so we've got time for a little… fun?" She asked winking.
Neal growled, "oh without a doubt."
Mercy opened her bedroom door walking inside, as soon as they were in Neal picked her up and carried her over to the bed setting her down, before laying down on top of her, the two of them making out.
Cora was so angry that she felt like she was going to explode; Mart Margaret had not been alone at all in the past three months. If she wasn't with James, she was at the hospital; if she wasn't there she was with David in her apartment. The two of them were still doing research, but luckily they hadn't been able to find any information on their daughter. Cora never imagined how hard it would be to kidnap someone.
"Mom what are you doing?" Regina asked walking into the kitchen, Cora turned around, her eyes drifting down to her daughter's baby bump, she was about six or so months now so it was very noticeable.
"Just making dinner." Cora said stirring the spaghetti that was on the stove.
"Do you want some help?"
Cora forced a smile turning to face Regina, "no, honey, I'm fine."
"OK…" Regina said trailing off.
"What's wrong?" Cora asked.
"I was wondering that since tomorrow's Christmas day…"
"What were you wondering?" Cora asked crossing her arms.
"Could Killian come for dinner tomorrow?" Regina asked talking quickly like she always did when she was nervous. Cora still wasn't a big fan of Killian despite the fact that Regina was carrying his child, and he had been around for all her appointments, and had been trying to find a place for the two, almost three, of them to live.
Cora sighed, "I suppose so."
Regina smiled hugging Cora, "thank you, Mom!"
"You're welcome, hon." Cora said trying to sound happy, but even she didn't think it sounded convincing.
"I have to go tell Killian!" Regina said walking out of the kitchen as fast as she could manage, and since she was six months pregnant she waddled more so then walked.
"God I wish those two would break up…" Cora mumbled to herself turning around she stirred the pasta once again.
Mary Margaret sighed laying on James' chest, she was just going through the motions of pretending to like him now, over the past few months she had fallen out of love with him. James leaned down and kissed her head.
"You alright?" He asked concerned.
Mary Margaret forced a smile looking up at him, "yeah I'm good."
James wrapped his arm around Mary Margaret even tighter. David was lucky, he still loved Ruby there was no pretending that they still liked each other. Mary Margaret on the other hand was starting to fall for David… after all they had spent pretty much every night together for the past three months doing research. Not to mention they had kissed a few times in hopes of getting different visions. Not that that ever happened no matter how many times they kissed they always got the same vague vision. So both David and Mary Margaret knew that they had a child and they were supposedly married, but neither one of them knew how that was possible, especially since trying to find any information out on Cora turned up nothing as well.
James turned Mary Margaret's head kissing her, she reluctantly returned the kiss. She really wasn't sure how much longer she could pretend to love James.
"Are you sure you're OK?" James asked.
Mary Margaret sighed, sitting up she looked at James. He had a look of confusion and worriment on his face, she really didn't want to hurt him, but she also knew she had to do what was best for her.
"I… I don't think I can do this anymore…"
"Do what?" James asked confused.
"This… us… I need a break." Mary Margaret said her eyes filling with tears as James' face went from confusion to understanding, to heartbroken.
"You're breaking up with me." It wasn't a question, he understood.
"I'm sorry," Mary Margaret said, "and I know it's a super clichéd thing to say but…"
"It isn't you it's me?" James asked his eyes filling with tears, "I can't believe you're saying that."
"But it's true."
James sighed standing up and walking to the fridge, and grabbing out a beer. He took a sip and then looked at Mary Margaret with hard eyes, "I think you'd better go."
"James…"
"Go!" James screamed.
Mary Margaret stood up, grabbing her purse, before walking out the door. As soon as she left James threw the beer bottle across the room and fell to his knees crying.
Mary Margaret hurried out of the apartment; she didn't want to bump into David and Ruby coming back from their date. She wasn't even sure what she was going to say to David when he came over later on tonight. She knew that he'd be pissed that she broke his brother's heart. Walking out of the apartment, Mary Margaret was slightly surprised to see that the street was deserted, but it was four thirty pm on Christmas Eve, so it made sense. Walking down the street Mary Margaret put her hands in her pockets as the wind picked up, it was chilly today. As she waked she had the strangest feeling that she was being watched, but when she looked behind her there was no when there. Mary Margaret picked up her pace, and started powerwalking, for some reason she had an uneasy feeling, and it wasn't because she just broke up with James.
After she had walked a bit farther Mary Margaret once again looked behind her, but there was no one there, this time her gut told her to start running.
Gold watched as Mary Margaret walked out James and David's apartment, the street was deserted tonight, and she was finally alone for the first time in months. Walking out from the bush that he had been hiding behind Gold started following Mary Margaret, making sure to stay far enough behind her so that she wouldn't spot him if she turned around. Which to Gold's surprise she did quite often, and judging by the concerned look on her face she had a feeling that she was being followed.
Mary Margaret then abruptly started running. Gold picked up his pace so he wouldn't lose her; however she was wearing heeled boots, so it wasn't difficult to keep up with her. Gold watched as Mary Margaret tripped over something falling to the ground, crying out in pain and holding onto her ankle. Gold figured that she must have twisted it.
"Ouch!" Mary Margaret said tears falling from her eyes.
Gold walked over to Mary Margaret, "are you alright?"
"I twisted my ankle." She admitted.
"Here let me help you." Gold said offering Mary Margaret his hand, she looked at him unsure; Gold had never been the kind of person to help someone else, not unless if he wanted something in return that was.
"Is everything alright?" Gold asked concerned, "Should I call an ambulance?"
"No!" Mary Margaret said, the last thing she wanted to do on Christmas Eve was spend the night in the hospital, even though she'd be all alone at home that was better than being in the hospital. Taking Gold's hand he pulled her up.
"Can you put weight on your ankle?" Gold asked.
Mary Margaret put some weight on her ankle, it hurt, but she'd live, "I think I'm OK, thanks for your help."
Gold smiled, "don't mention it."
Mary Margaret started limping away, Gold looked around making sure that no one was around, once he discovered that the coast was clear he took a needle out of his pocket, and ran over to Mary Margaret, putting his hand over her mouth. Mary Margaret began fighting back, but he stabbed her in the arm with the needle before she had the chance to escape. Mary Margaret passed out, Gold picked her up bridal style and disappeared into an alley, taking his cellphone out.
"Hello?" Cora answered after the second ring.
"It's done."
"I'll be right there."
Gold hung up his phone, and looked at Mary Margaret, she was out cold.
Cora hung up her phone smiling.
"Who was that?" Regina asked.
Cora turned to face Regina a little surprised, she hadn't even heard her walk into the kitchen, "oh… just my receptionist…"
Regina raised an eyebrow, "she's working at almost five on Christmas Eve?"
Cora laughed, "No of course not, what do you think I am the Grinch?"
Regina held her tongue, it was Christmas and she didn't want to fight with her Mother.
"She just went in because she forgot something and she happened to check the messages and apparently I've got a pretty important one from Gold that can't wait."
Regina shuddered, "I can't stand that guy."
"I know, honey," Cora said walking to the front door and putting on her jacket, "but since I'm the mayor I have to be nice to everyone."
"Everyone except Killian…" Regina mumbled under her breath.
"What was that?!" Cora demanded.
"Nothing Mom." Regina said innocently.
Cora smiled, "that's what I thought, I won't be home late." She said before opening up the door and coming face to face with Killian.
"Oh hello." Killian said cordially.
Cora smiled, "hi," she said before she shot Regina the death glare and walking away.
"Do you think your Mother will ever like me?" Killian asked.
Regina smiled taking his hand and pulling him inside, "who cares what she thinks?" Regina said kissing Killian, "I like you."
"Well I love you." Killian said gently pushing Regina against the wall as the two of them started kissing.
Cora hopped in her car, and drove towards David and James' apartment, Gold had told her that when he gave Mary Margaret the drugs that he would take her into an alley. So when she turned down the street, she slowed down looking down each alley. After a few moments she spotted Gold. Stopping her car, Cora pulled it into the alley.
"Good job, Gold." Cora said smiling when she saw Mary Margaret lying unconscious on the ground.
"Where should I put her?" Gold asked.
"In the trunk." Cora said pressing the button to pop her trunk.
Gold picked Mary Margaret up and put her in the trunk, before slamming it shut and hopping into the passenger seat.
"So where are we taking her?" Gold asked.
Cora smiled, "I have a place." She said putting the car in reverse and speeding out of the alley.
Ruby and David were happy to almost be back to his apartment, it was freezing today and the two of them had just gone for a walk by the lake.
"Maybe going for a walk by the lake wasn't such a good idea," Ruby said shivering.
"Don't worry," David said squeezing her hand, "I have a special way to warm you up." He said winking.
Ruby giggled, "Is it hot chocolate? Because I wouldn't say no."
David rolled his eyes, "Apparently I need to work on my sarcasm."
Ruby giggled once again before standing on her tiptoes and kissing David's cheek, "why can't we have sex and hot chocolate?"
David smiled at Ruby, "I like the way you think."
"We probably just shouldn't do both at the same time." Ruby pointed out.
"Yeah spilling hot chocolate all over ourselves probably wouldn't be the best idea." David agreed.
Ruby and David continued walking for a bit in silence, when they passed one of the many alleys' they both heard tires squealing.
"What the hell is that?" Ruby asked looking down the alley just as a car started backing up out of it full speed.
"Ruby look out!" David cried pushing Ruby out of the way before jumping out of the way himself.
The car stopped for second,
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" David screamed, his eyes growing wide with surprise when he saw that it was Cora and Gold.
"Watch where you're going next time." Gold said rudely as Cora stomped on the gas and drove away.
"That woman should not be our mayor." Ruby said.
David stood up, "yeah no kidding," He said walking over to Ruby, offering her his hand, "are you alright?"
Ruby took his hand and David pulled her up, "thanks to you I am."
David smiled leaning down and kissing Ruby.
James let the tears fall freely as he finished his fifth or sixth or maybe seventh beer.
"We're home!" David called walking inside, "James Mary Margaret, if you're naked put your clothes on!"
"Screw off!" James yelled throwing the beer bottle at the wall breaking it.
"James?" David asked hurrying into the kitchen, gasping when he saw James sitting on the floor crying.
"What happened?" Ruby asked looking around at all the broken beer bottles.
"Mary Margaret is a bitch." James said opening up another beer, David took it away from him.
"I think you've had enough."
"Give me my beer back!" James said pushing David.
"Tell us wat happened." David said.
James tried reaching for the beer, but David held it out of reach, "you're a bastard!"
Ruby walked into the kitchen kneeling down in front of James, "talk to us." She encouraged.
"Mary Margaret… broke… up with… me!" James said as he began balling.
Ruby and David looked at each other, Ruby had a look of shock on her face, David's face held anger.
"Can you sit with him?" David asked standing up.
"Where are you going?" Ruby asked.
"To see Mary Margaret."
"David, leave it!" Ruby called after him, but David slammed the door.
"Why did she break up with me?" James asked crying, Ruby sat down beside him putting an arm around him.
"Shh it'll be OK." Ruby said as she started rubbing his back.
Mercy smiled as she laid on Neal's chest, they had had sex plenty of times since the first night, and each time just got better and better.
"I wish you didn't have to leave." Mercy said sadly.
"Don't worry the three days will fly by."
"But I'm going to be all alone."
Neal kissed Mercy's head, "do you honestly think I'd leave you all alone on Christmas?"
"No I guess not," Mercy said feeling guilty.
"Peter will be coming to spend some time with you tomorrow." Neal said.
"Peter?" Mercy asked surprised.
"What's wrong with Peter?"
"Well nothing," Mercy said, "I just wish that I had a girlfriend to invite over."
Neal kissed Mercy's head, "sorry I don't have any friends who are girls, or else I would have invited them over."
"I'll just dress Peter up as a girl." Mercy said laughing.
Neal laughed as well, "If you do that be sure to snap some photos!"
"You got it!"
Neal looked at his watch and sighed, "I have to go."
Mercy moved to allow Neal to get up.
After Neal was ready the two of them walked downstairs, Mercy was taken aback at how quiet the house was without all the servants.
"Now be careful," Neal said worriedly, "I have someone coming over tomorrow to pick up a few things let him in."
"What's he picking up?" Mercy asked.
"Just some things for work," Neal said, "don't worry Chris knows where to find them."
"OK."
Neal hugged Mercy, "I love you."
"I love you too." Mercy said leaning her head up for a kiss, which Neal gladly returned.
"I have to go." Neal said when a horn sounded outside."
"Have fun." Mercy said forcing a smile; she really didn't want him to go.
"You too."
Neal walked out the door, Mercy stood in the doorway watching as his car disappeared from sight. After it was gone, Mercy walked inside locking the front door and trying to decide what to do with herself.
As soon as the house was out of sight Neal took out his cellphone, dialing a number.
"Chris, it's your turn." He said before hanging up the phone. The next phase of his plan was about to start.
Taylor hoped that Mercy would catch onto what Neal's plan before it was too late. Walking to the window in the apartment that he now lived in, since Neal had been a dick and had kicked him out when he was kept trying to convince Mercy how big of a monster Neal was. Right before Taylor had left the house he had written Mercy another note for when she left Neal, it outlined where to find Taylor since he would help her get away from his monster of a brother. He had taken the note from Nicole Sheldon with him, so that Neal wouldn't find it and figure out that she was Krista Belle, he didn't want to put her life in danger again. Taylor would give Mercy that note when she showed up, if she showed up. Taylor pushed that thought out of his mind Mercy was a smart girl, she would figure out Neal's plan before it was too late, she just had to.
End Chapter 10.
I don't own OUAT
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