Chapter 10- A Visit to the Boss
'Jefferson, do you remember me telling you that I was looking for someone?' Belle asked as he read a piece of parchment opposite her.
'The one you wouldn't tell me about up in the crows nest?' he asked stopping to look at her.
'Yes, well I love him Jefferson and I can't help but feel that you have some sort of-' she started but Belle had never thought that she would be saying something like this.
'I'm sorry Leola. I just, I didn't think. I was caught up in the moment and it's because you're so beautiful and…' Jefferson stopped. This wasn't what she wanted to hear. 'I'm sorry it won't happen again.' He said more professionally but the stab of disappointment hit him harder than he expected. 'I need you to watch the ship tomorrow; I have a meeting with my partner.' Jefferson added not looking at her.
'Ahh the mysterious man that I have yet to meet.' Belle giggled glad to be changing the subject.
'And probably never will. He is rather secretive about our relationship so to speak.' He explained. 'I'll be gone for a few hours tops so I'm sure you can keep the crew in order while I'm gone?'
'Why ask me? Wouldn't Salt or Art prefer to have that privilege?' she asked curiously. 'Not that I'm not flattered.' She added.
'Truthfully? I know that as soon as I leave either Salt or Art would end up fighting over the case of rum that has been sitting down there since we got here. I told them that they weren't allowed it as Rum mellows the brain or something like that and they've been waiting for me to leave ever since.' He shrugged.
'I honestly don't think they will listen to me.' She chuckled. 'So don't come back surprised to find them an ugly shade of green over the side of the ship.'
Jefferson had put on his fancier clothes that he kept for these visits including his top hat that was perched perfectly. He had read his summons with a knot in his stomach; he wasn't usually called on in the middle of a mission. There must be something important. He approached the doors and waited for them to swing in which they usually did for him. He waited for several minutes but nothing happened and he wondered if he had walked into a trap. Instead he pushed the towering doors, grunting with the effort and called out.
'Hello? Is my dearest partner in or have I walked into the clutches of a jabberwocky?' He called out with his usual saunter. With no answer he pushed the next set of doors open waiting for something to go wrong. Nothing did. When he stepped into the large windowed room he found his partner sitting quietly as if in a trance at the spinning wheel. Mounds and mounds of stringed gold piled as high as his knees and still the wheel spun. 'Ah they you are Rumple my main man!' he greeted walking along the table that stood took up the centre of the room. He raised an eyebrow at a single dried and drooping rose that was in the middle of the table and carried on anxiously.
'Jefferson.' He said but with no chuckle or laughter that Jefferson found exciting about him. He said it tinged with a tint of sadness.
'You called?' he said with a bow holding his hat in place.
'I didn't realise I did.' He sighed getting up from the wheel and stepping on the gold with a crunch. Jefferson winced and just wanted to gather it all up away from him. He had such little thought of money but that meant good things for Jefferson.
'Really? Well I got your message, must have been delayed but I'm here now.' He continued hoping his cheer would rub off on him.
'Well you can go back I'm not in the mood.' He grunted going to look out of one of the windows.
'Fine if you don't feel like talking then I will, got some news for you.' He said and Rumple didn't even turn back so he carried on. 'Well we got a new recruit, good one, first woman, then we found out we had another so…that was awkward but yeah still. Actually we got two new recruits this orphan girl that has stuck to Leola like glue. Leola is the new recruit, got a brain on her shoulders that one, you'd like her.' Jefferson reeled off. 'Anyway we had a few situations but all sorted now got the ship you asked for and the bow.'
'Good. That's good.' Rumple mused.
'Good? It's more than good!' he sighed and then looked at the gold. 'Are you going to be using that?' he inquired.
'No, take it.' He said and Jefferson did a little jump and clap. He couldn't take it all but he wound it up carefully and put it in his hat, shoved it in his pockets and even wound it up his arms. He avoided the jagged glass mess that showered the floor behind him and the broken cupboard and then looking like a human spring he walked awkwardly toward a pedestal that caught his eye. 'Ooo what's this? I have always admired your collection. Is it some sort of Holy Grail or did an exotic princess get clumsy?' He asked bending to look at the little cup.
'Get away from that!' Rumple shouted springing from his spot at the window toward Jefferson. Jefferson jumped at his outburst making the pedestal rock. The cup wobbled but with a swish of his hand the cup disappeared before it hit the floor and was in his hand in an instant. Rumple sighed with enormous relief. 'I would have had no qualm in shredding you to pieces if you had broken that.'
'What's happened?' Jefferson asked. He knew that something was wrong. Rumplestiltskin might not be your average friend but he knew well enough when something was up. Rumple stared at him as if wondering on whether to tell him or not. Caressing the cup tenderly he walked over to him putting it back on its pride of place.
'Someone who I loved died.' He said with an emotion that Jefferson didn't deem possible for the Dark One of the Enchanted Forest.
'I-I'm sorry.' It was all Jefferson could manage. 'Is there anything I can do for you?' he asked curiously.
'Actually there is.' Rumple said. 'I want you to bring me the man who did it.' Rumple said. He hadn't thought of bringing Belle's father to justice, part of him wanted to try and forget everything but that wasn't possible. But now as he looked at Jefferson he had the opportunity to face the man who had driven that beautiful woman to her death. His Belle.