Pearl of the Isle
Chapter 9
Emma walked quietly along the dark dank streets of the underbelly of the city. Steam from the grates leading down to the sewers pushed at her body sending a wave of heat with it that reminded her of the recently broken heat wave. She sighed as she looked up at the Black Butterfly but choosing not go inside. Not tonight, she thought with a shake of her head. She continued to walk allowing her getaway sticks to carry her where they would.
Somehow she ended up in a place she'd never thought she'd ever go to again. She lifted her hand knocking on the door and waiting. The door pulled open and Ruby stared back at her with an arched brow.
"What are you doing here Emma?" She asked trying to disguise the hurt but still it rang through loud and clear.
"I came to chin maybe try and salvage the friendship we used to have." Emma studied her pretty face. She could still feel the pull of attraction but her heart belonged solely to the beauty she was still planning on leaving here with.
"We weren't friends. We had sex with each other and that was that." Ruby frowned at her looking away.
"I'm sorry Rubes. I didn't mean to hurt you like this." She offered lamely.
"Well you did Em." Pretty slightly watery eyes met hers. The smell of the dank building could've caused the tears but Emma knew better. Ruby was crying because of her which made her feel like a total cad.
"I would've done anything for you. I would've been your moll and been at your beck and call for whatever you needed," The brunette with the red streaked hair continued. "But you chose that little chippy over me."
"She's not a chippy Rubes. She's…"
"What? A vixen determined to ruin my chance of happiness?"
Emma's face softened immediately. "She's not trying to do any of that doll. She didn't even know about you."
"Yeah and you never volunteered the information. You made it perfectly clear to me that I was nothing but a lay for you."
"Rubes," The gumshoe started.
"No Emma you don't get to speak. You always had an attitude but you never treated me like everyone else. Like I was just a pretty eye piece for them to look at; something to play with before they went home to the wife. You treated me like a lady and I cared about you for that. You and Graham always did right by me and Granny. Granny was so happy when you started coming around asking about me did you know that? She said it was about time someone decent showed some interest in me."
Emma parted her lips to speak then closed them looking down at the thin holey carpet that lined the halls. "I really am sorry Rubes. I didn't know you cared about me like that."
"That's because you're blind to everything but those things that you want. And you wanted her from the moment you laid eyes on her so you ignored everything else even common sense. Open your eyes Emma. You may care about her but she's not good for you. She's poison and she'll kill you as surely as if someone put a bullet in your brain pan."
"Everyone's gotta die some time. Better to die for love then other crueler things."
"You don't have to die. You could stay here with me." The pretty waitress reached out her hand but when the blonde gumshoe pulled back from her she paused. "Just say you'll think about it. That's all I'm asking. I think we could be real happy, you and me."
"Any person would be lucky to have you doll but you're just too good for the likes of me."
"That's for me to decide not you."
"Have a good night Ruby."
"Em," Ruby's voice followed her as she tilted her hat to her and began the decent back down the water logged hallway towards the exit to slightly less stale air. "Em, wait. Please." But the rest of her sentence was drowned out by the slamming grates of the door.
"Emerald?" Gold's smary voice spoke as she settled into the booth near him. Regina was nowhere in sight leaving him with only his guards. "What's wrong?" He asked reading her face correctly.
"My squeeze and I had an argument."
"The pretty brunette waitress I've seen hanging around your place." Gold surmised.
Emma nodded in agreement while waving down a waitress and ordering a tall glass of tiger's milk. "She's not happy with some of my decisions."
Gold nodded not saying anything. He could understand a dame not being happy. God knows he'd had enough experience with that to last a lifetime. "Neither was she." He finally offered.
"I'm sorry sir. Bringing up bad memories like this," Emma offered but the gangster's face remained a complete neutral mask.
"She did what she had to do to survive. Best cut off the arm rather than lose your life." He murmured.
Emma nodded watching as the waitress set down the large glass tumbler on the flat shiny table top. The chandeliers twinkled merrily above them not at all reflecting their bleak conversation.
"I'm still sorry sir. I know you miss her dearly."
Gold shrugged, "It gets easier with time passing."
"Do you ever see her? She's still around here isn't she?"
"She went upstate. She's married now, lug named Gaston. He's a decent sort; likes the bangtails a bit but not enough to cause any damage."
Emma nodded, "Well at least she's happy." It was all she could think to offer.
Gold nodded, "Yes there is that."
She took a gulp of her drink setting the glass down. The ice cubes clicked against the glass making a soft bell-like sound.
"Emerald," Gold murmured softly after a time toying with the head of his long black cane.
Green eyes moved to him watching him. "Yes sir?"
"There's been some talk among my men, something about where your loyalties lie." He didn't look up at her. "You aren't planning on grafting me are you?"
"You know I'd never do that." She denied looking back at her glass. "I have no reason to. You're the closest thing I have to a family."
"A family you left behind all those years ago."
"I had no choice sir."
"No I don't suppose you did. You could've come to me then you know. I would've found some way to help you."
"A butcher you mean." Emma sighed. "I don't know why we're even talking about this anymore."
"It's in the past." Gold agreed with that knowing look twinkling in his eyes.
The blonde nodded, "Yes it's all past and there is no going back."
"Indeed not. I'm sorry about your moll I'm sure she'll come around. Perhaps send her flowers?"
"Perhaps, thank you sir for keeping me company while I drink."
"No one should drink alone Emerald not even you."
Emma nodded taking another long swig from the glass. "I'm surprised your business associates aren't here." She murmured casually.
"They were. I sent them away when I saw you walk in. No need for them to hear our private conversation."
The blonde gave him a smile, "Yeah no need to give them more ammo against me."
"Indeed. Finish your drink and get going. Go get some rest. I may have a job for you here in a bit." It was a command as clear as anything he'd ever said to her ever was.
"Yes sir."
"Heard tale you had quite a night out Ems," Graham said softly looking sympathetically over at her as she settled down in her familiar leather desk chair.
She shrugged, "I did what I had to do."
"Heard you went to Ruby's," His voice was careful even as he continued to throw darts at his ever present dart board.
Emma nodded, "Yeah."
"You wanna bump gums?"
The blonde shook her head tilting the cheap leather chair back with a loud creak. She stared up at the water marked ceiling watching the cheap fan blades whirl around and round. She could hear Graham's darts collide with the board but there was nothing left for her to say. She'd done what she could to salvage her relationship with Ruby and Graham. She and Regina were planning on leaving in just a few short days and Emma didn't know what to say to make things better. A knock at their door drew both their eyes. Graham pulled it open blinking when he saw who was on the other side before stepping back to allow them inside.
"Emerald?" Regina's soft voice spoke and Emma smiled rising to her feet.
"What are you doing here sweets?" She asked as she moved towards her.
Regina shrugged with a small smile. She was looking particularly beautiful today in a long off white gown. Her dark hair was slicked down with a large off white flower on one side. She smiled as she moved towards Emma her heels clacking across the uneven floorboards. They embraced briefly sharing a brief kiss before pulling away at Graham's subtle cough. "I'll be downstairs if you two ladies need anything Ems."
"Ems huh? Not Emerald?"
"Emerald was a nickname I've had for a long time. Left it behind when I left that world." Emma explained her arms still loosely wrapped around Regina's small waist.
"Does it bother you that I call you that?" Small well-kept hands came up to rest on her shoulders sliding along the cotton of her dress shirt.
Emma shook her head, "Not at all. Besides what choice did you have to not call me that? Everyone else does and Gold would've figured out we knew each other if you didn't."
"He called you Emma the first night you came back to him." The beauty pointed out sliding her hands down to fiddle with her tie.
"But he hasn't since and no one else calls me by my real name in that world."
Regina nodded releasing the tie and began tracing her fingers over her shoulders in invisible patterns. "Your partner doesn't seem to like me much."
"He doesn't like anyone much doll. It's nothing against you."
"Still I'd like to be on good terms with him. He seems important to you."
"He's my best friend. We've known each other a long time."
The brunette nodded and after a pause spoke, "I thought we'd go down to New Orleans first. I've always wanted to see it."
The blonde smiled, "We can go wherever you like doll. I'm sure Henry would enjoy it."
"Henry? You mean my father?" She blinked big brown eyes at her alight with confusion.
Emma cocked her head as her brow wrinkled, "Henry as in Henry your son. He's the one that asked me to come and find you."
"Emma, I don't know where you've gotten that information from but I don't have a son. I've never had a son."
"What?" The gumshoe felt her blood run cold. They stared at each other in shock before they both spoke at the same time.
"Gold."
Chin: Talk
Bump gums: talking
Grafting: con, pull one over
Author's Notes/Rantings: Bom bom bom! We've finally gotten to the biggest twist in this little story of mine. Have you figured out just who Henry is or where his loyalties lay? I think it was hinted at but if not it's okay. It'll all resolve itself in the next few chapters. We're sorta coming up on the end of this piece. It's been a blast and I loved writing it. I'll be sad to see it end. If you haven't all ready please check out my newest work Eternal Flame...thing needs a better name...anyways I hope you all enjoyed this latest installment and I'll see you next chapter! ~Bella