Chapter Nine

Rumple had been having her use her magic to control the bugs on the table.

"This is too easy for you. I think we need to step up your training."

"I won't control people. I told you what happened when I was five and Maleficent attacked the castle. Never again." Aurora shook her head backing away from the table slightly.

"Some childish nightmare that never really happened doesn't prove you can do the spell." Rumple mocked her

"Childish nightmare?" Aurora hissed raising her voice, "I used my mother's personal guards to keep me safe and I controlled them like puppets long after they were dead." She suddenly stopped realizing Belle and Jefferson could hear everything she was saying because she let her temper get the best of her.

He moved closer leaning in, "Prove it then," he whispered as he pointed across the room. "control Jefferson."

She shook her head refusing "I won't" she whispered.

Rumple edges her on until Belle stood up and started talking to him from across the room changeling him to leave her alone.

"Belle?" Jefferson questioned trying to stop her but she walked over to Rumple and continued to mock him until Rumple figured out Aurora was controlling her.

"You are doing this?" His voice boomed as he turned to Aurora.

Aurora jumped. "I told you I could do it."

"You were talking to us both." He grabbed her hard by the arm, causing Jefferson to jump up out of his seat. "How did you?"

"I told you I could do it easily." She glared her tone matching his anger

"Let her go and never take control of her again. Do you understand?" He gave her arm a hard shake.

"Yes…. Yes, Rumple. I understand." She dropped the spell.

"Rumple?" Belle hissed. "What are you doing?"

He turned to see Belle looking more like herself. "Are you alright?"

"Am I alright? What are you doing with Aurora?"

"Nothing." He dropped her arm.

"I told you I didn't want to do it." Aurora muttered rubbing her arm where he had grabbed her.

"The lesson is over." Rumple stated before disappearing with a loud crack.

"Rumple?" Belle yelled. "Oh, I am going to find him and give him a piece of my mind." She started to go but turned back. "Aurora are you alright?"

Aurora gave a quick nod not trusting her voice.

"I will keep an eye on her Belle." Jefferson started across the room. "Go ahead and find him."

"Oh, I will." She said leaving the tower room.

Aurora suddenly wished she knew how to disappear, or that she could die because she didn't want to talk to Jefferson about what happened, now or ever."

"Aurora?"

"I am not a monster." The words were out of her mouth before she knew it. She felt her cheeks grow redder.

"A monster what?" Jefferson asked moving closer.

"I didn't want to do that. I… He gave me no choice."

"Well, actually he did. He told you to control me."

"You heard him?"

"No, but I know he would have been telling you to use me instead of Belle. Thank you for not controlling me."

"I couldn't pick you, not after what you told me about your fear of Regina taking your heart and…" She looked away unable to finish.

"Aurora." He moved closer. "Look at me."

She shook her head.

"You are nothing like Regina. Rumple pushed you and you pushed back. He is never going to have you do that spell again after what you did. And I bet a part of you knew that. It was a very Queenish move. "

"In what way was it Queenish?"

"It was a powerplay. You knew you had to do the spell even if it was the last thing you wanted to do. And by doing what you did with Belle a part of you knew Rumple would never make you do it again. I do believe this is the first round with the Dark One you won. Keep it up and soon you may be on my level."

She laughed. "Do you think I will be trapped here long enough to be your match?"

"Princess trust me you are already my match in so many ways." He moved a piece of hair out of her face behind her ear and Aurora stopped breathing for a second. He was never this close unless they were dancing.

Jefferson paused a moment trying to remember what he was going to say lost in her eyes a moment before recovering. "You will be eighteen and gone from here before you know it." He let go of her hair and moved back.

"Yes and I never have to use that spell again."

"Well, my friend Victor would say, never say never." He gave a raise of this eyebrows. "But I hope you are right."

Aurora watched as Jefferson's skin started to turn gray and decay. He kept talking as the memory continued to play out. He reached for her and she backed up screaming she fell over trying to get away from him. The room started to change there were now flames raging all around her. The monster that Jefferson had changed into stumbled into the fire.

"NO!" she screamed starting forward but the flames reached out for her. She stopped throwing herself back from them. She tried to use her magic to control it, but nothing happened. She was still as powerless in the dream world as she was in the real world. The flames seemed to grow and encircle her.

Aurora awoke screaming. Sir Percival took her in his arms. "Princess it is alright. You are awake now. Nothing from the dream world can hurt you, now."

Aurora nodded not trusting her voice as she took in her surroundings trying to figure out if she was really awake or if this was still part of the dream curse.

"Your nightmare, Jefferson was in it?"

She gave him a worried look, wondering what all she had said out loud.

"You were calling out to him."

"I don't want to talk about what I saw."

Percival moved away a moment to gather some food up for her.

"How long did I sleep?" Aurora asked reaching out and taking the food.

"About four hours. It will be dark soon." He sat down beside her.

"Where is everyone?"

"They are currently looking through the castle for supplies. We have been taking turns watching you."

"Like I am some child."

"No one thinks you are a child. Phillip told me what happened. Not many have stood up to the Queen of Hearts and lived to tell about it."

Aurora took a deep breath and instead of answering she took a bite of the deer meat.

"We will leave in the morning for the Dark Castle. Hopefully, we will find not only an answer to Queen Snow and Princess Emma's portal problem. But also a way to rid this world of Cora's evil rein."

"So Phillip talked Snow into going."

"No, she talked him into going." Percival handed her some more food.

"Snow agreed to my plan? She must be desperate. She hates me."

"I think she is second guessing her hatred after you helped stop Cora from entering the world they came from."

"But enough talking, more eating. You will need to gain your strength back for the long journey ahead of us."

"I have a feeling am going to need more than just strength for what lays ahead of me."

"Are you sure you do not wish to talk about what you saw in your nightmare?"

"Nightmares are not real; they do not matter."

"The dream curse plays on your fears. You should not think of Jefferson as being dead. You should remember his life. If you can do that the curse can't use him against you any longer."

"It is hard to not think of his death. If he was not dead, I would not be stuck here."

Percival refilled her drink. "You outsmarted Maleficent for almost ten years before Jefferson found you for the Dark One. The only way you are stuck anywhere is if you have given up." He looked over at her. "Have you given up?"

Aurora laughed. "You remind me of him." She looked down at the liquid in the cup. "You are even the same age."

"How do you know that?" Percival asked.

"The other day in the woods. You shared you were two when I was born. Jefferson was two years old than me. If I hadn't have gotten him killed he be 29 soon."

They sat there for a few moments letting her eat.

"What did you like about him best?"

"There are too many reasons to list. His smile. Not the fake one he could put on to charm people, but his real honest smile." Aurora paused smiling at the memory. She laughed. "He always had a nickname for everyone."

"Everyone, even you?"

"Yes, Mine was Rory. Because as you may have noticed I have quite the roar. Rumple's was Rum, Belle, well he didn't have one for her but God he had so many for Victor, Doc, Vic, Doctor F, Franky."

"Franky?"

"Short for his last name, Frankenstein."

"What do you think he would call me?"

"I know exactly what he would say."

"Really?"

Aurora gave a slight bounce "He would say, Sir Percival that is too complicated I am going to call you Percy."

"Percy?" Percival laughed. "That is horrible."

Aurora joined in with his laughter thinking. He is right I can't let the dream curse control my memories. I am stronger than this. If Snow can overcome it, I can too.

Jefferson couldn't believe how his day was going. Running into George and Rumple, breaking into Regina's vault, then fighting with Victor. He paused a moment outside of the flower shop that Belle's father owned thinking. Am I really going to go back to Rumple? He's done nothing but lie to me too. Though it pays to have the Dark One on your side more than a mad scientist.

His thoughts were interrupted by George who had just come out of the flower shop. "Jefferson, I am surprised you are still here Jefferson."

"If you think your little threat scared me."

"I was referring to your hat. Or are the rumors true; Regina used it to send Emma and Snow back home, and the annoying Shepherd has it now?"

Jefferson was confused by his comment, but the fact that George was looking for his hat unnerved him more than knowing James currently had it. He just turned and started down the sidewalk without another word. Rumple. I need to get to Rumple. He rushed down the street and into Gold's Pawn Shop.

"The sign said closed!" Rumple hissed coming out from the back room looking ready to kill whoever was bothering him. For the second time, that day Rumple came to a dead stopped seeing him. "Jefferson."

"The door wasn't locked, I could come back later if you want." He twisted slightly pointing back towards the door.

"No!" Rumple came around the counter moving past him to lock the door before Jefferson got away from him again.

The sound of the lock took Jefferson's breath away as he took a step further into the shop away from him. "You don't need to do that. I… we… won't be long."

"I don't want anyone to interrupt us."

Jefferson took a deep breath and took another nervous step backward, starting to second guess his choice to come here.

"I didn't get a chance to tell you this earlier," Rumple commented as he moved back around the counter giving Jefferson his space. "you grew up nicely."

Jefferson gave a soft laugh. "I was basically grown up when I left your employment."

"Seeing you with your daughter really made me realize you are not a boy anymore. You are a grown up now making decisions for two. I have a feeling that is why you are here?"

"Yes, I do believe there is another deal to be made between us." He pulled all the items he had stolen from Regina's vault out onto the counter.

"Where did these come from?"

"Regina's vault."

Rumple looked up from the items. "Really? I thought you didn't do that anymore."

"Victor was going to try to do it on his own, and I at the time I couldn't let him go alone."

"At the time?"

"Let's just say we may have just had a final falling out."

Rumple raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. He had been hoping if he gained Jefferson back then Victor would follow, but he would worry about that later.

"We did some exploring looking for anything to get us back home, but there really was nothing there. These are the only things I thought you would be semi interested in."

"Yes, you did well. But you always did."

"Yes, about this bit of stealing. There are things I can't do because of Grace, so I am not sure how useful I can actually be to you."

"I don't need you to steal or lie for me. I need you to keep an eye on Belle. Her father already tried to take her memories."

"He did what?"

"He kidnapped my Belle and almost made her cross the town line. You do know what happens if one of us crosses the town line."

"Yes, Victor filled me on that whole nightmare of a mess. And after who I just saw leaving his flower shop we may have more trouble looming."

"Whoever do you speak of?"

"George and he inquire after the where about of my hat."

"Did he now?" Rumple paused a moment seeing the worry on Jefferson's face. "Don't worry Snow's Prince Charming is keeping it safe."

"Oh yes because James having my hat is only slightly better than George or Regina."

"I have to explain the whole Prince James mess to you since you were out of my employment. But first are you back in my employment?"

"As much as I want to protect Belle, I don't know if she will still want to be my friend."

"What are you talking about? You two got along so well."

"That was because for months I was the only other person she had to talk to, and let's face it you are not that great at normal conversation. Talking to you successfully is more of a cultivated skill, then anything else."

Jefferson waited a moment for Rumple to yell at him for his comment but he watched as a small smile played at the corner of his lips. Shit did Rumplestiltskin actually miss me and my comments?

"But here she can talk to anyone she wants." Jefferson shuttered a moment remembering what he did Belle all those years ago. He could still hear her screams as Regina guards carried her away to the tower room.

"I am sure if you can talk to me successfully, you could win Belle over with just a smile."

Jefferson was sure he was wrong, but he asked. "And just be clear I get?"

"Yes, you always did like discussing payment. Protection dearie, like always. I am sure you have a few more enemies in this town besides King George and Regina."

"And Grace?"

"Of course, what kind of beast do you think me to ask such a question? The girl will be protected as much as you if not better."

"Then I agree. Make the new contract so I can sign it."

Rumple moved his hand and a contract appeared. Jefferson could see his name very badly written in his childish seven-year-old handwriting. Well, I was two and fifty-seven years old when he stole me from Neverland from my worthless father, but my writing was still that of a child.

"You never destroyed our contract?"

"No, I didn't"

"Why ever not. I betrayed you with Aurora, got her killed, and I left."

"I was telling the truth that night. I did not wish to lose either of you. But life does not always go according to plan, and if it had you wouldn't have that lovely Angel now would you?"

"Grace is the only thing I have ever done right."

"Yes, I thought for sure you would come back. But I found you with Alice and your little Grace and I knew it was over. But I still couldn't find it in me to destroy our deal. The job has always been here waiting for you finish it."

Jefferson stood there taking it all in. This was as close as Rumple could ever come to both an apology and praise.

"So do you wish to step back into your old role at my side?"

"If anything would happen to me your protection will extend to Grace as long as you are alive, correct?"

"Of course, I wouldn't let harm come to Alice's sweet child. It is the least I could do for her after she took such good care of you, when I could not. So do the right thing and agree to work for me and keep her safe."

Jefferson gave a nervous shake of his head. "Yes, I will be your business partner once more."

"Excellent." Rumple moved his hand and the contract disappeared. "Now there isn't much time before you have to pick up Grace from school, but I have something for you to deliver to Belle."

"Wait you saved her from her father and she still not talking to you?"

"She talking just not living with me at the moment. But with your help, I am sure that will be corrected before too much longer." He waved his hand and a little box appeared. He handed it to him.

"What is this?"

"Leave this for Belle at Granny's on your way to pick up Grace."

"What is it?" Jefferson asked again.

"The key to the library."

"You are giving her the Storybrooke Library."

"Yes, I owe it and it is just sitting there." Rumple had a slightly worried look on his face. "What, don't you think she will like it?"

"No, she is going to love it. I remember how much she loved how you gave her the key to your library at the castle. God, she must have read almost every book before you kicked…" Jefferson paused. "Before she had to leave." He quickly corrected himself.

"Yes, I remember. When you do talk to Belle I would make sure to do it at Granny's and the Dwarfs will have it spread around town in no time. King George will know not to mess with you."

"You knew about his threats."

"I have seen him lurking around town, and now you said he's talking to Belle's father. George is planning something for both you and Snow's Prince Charming. I am not sure what it is but nothing him it will be nothing good."

"You promised James was going to die a horrible death. One he wouldn't see coming."

"Yes about that." Rumple paused a moment.

There was a knocking on the door. "Gold, I need your help!"

"Speak of the devil." Jefferson muttered pocketing the key to the library.

"Head out the back door. I will deal with him and we will discuss things you need to know later." Rumple didn't wait for an answer as he came around the counter to unlock the door.

Jefferson didn't need to be told twice. He was gone before Rumple turned the lock.

"David or should I call you Sheriff now?"

"I am only filling in until we get Emma back. But that is not why I am here."

"Yes please don't waste my time, tell me what is so important you come after hours."

"It's Henry he isn't sleeping well. I think it has something to do with the sleeping curse."

"Yes, I know what he needs."

"Then what do you want."

"I will need a few days to get it ready. I will come see you once I have prepared it."