A/N: Sorry for the long wait! After camp life got hectic last week, but I'm back with a decently long chapter. This is chapter is meant as a bridge between one story arc and the next so there is more character development than anything. But I did have someone unexpected show up in this chapter and I think it's going to set up the next minor arc fairly well. Enjoy!

Some days were so much better than others, the Dark One reflected as he stared out the far window in the Great Hall. The beautiful blue sky and clean mountain air mocked him as the sun spread its light over the valley. For the world to continue moving forward completely unaffected by his heartache or despair, seemed such a foreign idea. But as usual the sky continued to hold its place while his world crumbled around him.

Today was one of those not so good days, the kind of day in which his curse raged, and Rumpelstiltskin could find little motivation to stem it. Six years ago today he'd lost the most important person in his life and he had no one to blame but himself. His recent catastrophe with the siren added yet another layer of sorrow onto the spinner's heart. Turning an already painful day into something far worse.

He'd tried everything from spinning to burying himself into his research on a certain Dark Curse. Yet nothing could occupy his mind for long. Misery wormed its way into his mind and soul and clung to him like a shroud. Rumpelstiltskin had sent Ches out on his own for the day, thinking it would be far safer for the boy to be out of his company. The child had done well against the fairies and the imp couldn't deny the boy the chance to further prove himself.

Some desperate soul or another had called for him earlier and, knowing it to be a foolish young peasant boy searching for riches, the Dark One sent his apprentice along to handle it. He'd provided Ches with a map detailing the whereabouts of a golden goose and told the boy to extract whatever price he deemed fit. With no actual magic involved in this deal it would be good practice for the boy without any real price associated with the deal. Start small the imp thought to himself.

Thinking of the boy currently in his care took Rumpelstiltskin's mind off another boy if only for a moment. His heart continued to yearn for the presence of his own child, but for now Ches brought him some small amount of comfort. Not that you deserve any such comfort Zoso's voice reminded him. But he was also helping Ches, and while the imp might not deserve comfort or happiness in any capacity, Ches deserved so much more. For whatever reason the boy continued to believe that he could find the answers and happiness he sought with Rumpelstiltskin. The imp couldn't deny that having a distraction was quite pleasant as well.

He'd provided Cheshire with a necklace which, when twisted appropriately, would teleport the boy back to the gates of the Dark Castle. The fifteen-year-old had only been gone for a few hours at most yet worry crept into the spinner's chest at the thought of allowing Ches so much freedom. Worry born from years of being the despised village coward told him that someone would surely hurt the boy as a means to hurt him. His curse's ever-present paranoia insisted that the child would use this time to discover a way to control and/or destroy his master. However, knowledge born from being the sole provider for his son told him that the boy needed room to test his strengths and weaknesses. In this world Cheshire was well on his way to becoming a man and that required one to be able to depend on oneself. And Cheshire had certainly proven himself handy and trustworthy here lately.

He could allow Ches to do this without interference. But surely it wouldn't be amiss to at least keep an eye on the boy, Rumpelstiltskin reasoned with himself. Duly persuaded the imp waved a hand so that a crystal ball appeared in his palm. After a moment of focusing his thoughts on Cheshire an image of the boy appeared in the crystal. In this small manner, Rumpelstiltskin might watch over his apprentice from afar.

The young man was an idiot, that much was for certain. It took every ounce of Ches's considerable patience not to simply walk away and leave the woodcutter to his fate. But Rumpelstiltskin had finally allowed him to conduct business on his own and Cheshire refused to muck this up. Regardless of how much he longed to strangle the simpleton in front of him.

The Dark One had given his apprentice a map containing the location of a certain golden goose, which supposedly could be found within the roots of some forgotten tree in some forgotten part of some forgotten forest. Even Ches could tell it was a long shot, but the man in front of him obviously didn't realize the futility of his search. Realizing that the man would give him absolutely anything for the map alone, Ches affected a bored smile as he continued listening to the man's prattling about his poor pitiful life.

"So, do you want the map or not?" Ches finally asked completely unable to disguise his impatience any longer.

"Well it's like I was sayin'" the young man continued in a thick brogue, "me mam's told me not to be off in the woods searchin' anymore. But I'm just desperate at this point. We've got nothing, and taxes are comin' due and we don't have the money to pay them or things to sell or- "

"Let me just cut you off right there," Cheshire interjected an edge creeping into his voice. The man went silent and still, eyes cast down to his stare at his feet as Ches glared at the man. The teenager remained silent for a moment to further intimidate the peasant, imitating that which he'd learned from Silas. Sunlight gleamed from the simpleton's light sandy hair as hung loosely around his gaunt face. The young man was dressed in what might to some be considered clothing but seemed closer to rags in Ches's opinion. Having known his fair share of such attire, the Dark One's apprentice felt the smallest surge of what might be pity towards the man.

More than the almost pity though, Ches felt a confidence like he'd never known before. Next to the woodcutter, the Dark One's apprentice resembled a prince. His high-quality tunic and trousers fashioned him in a dignified light this peasant could never manage. Cheshire could look this man in the eye without even a thought of flinching. Here he was the apprentice of one of the most powerful sorcerers in the Enchanted Forest. That title alone provided him with power and an exceedingly large amount of pride. He was the authority in this situation, no one else. Such thoughts filled him with the sense of heady power he'd felt only a few times before.

After several daunting moments Ches continued, "I have a map. It will lead you to riches more than you know. Are you interested in it?"

"Well… it's, I, I-" the man sputtered.

"Ah ah ah," Ches chided. "It's a simple yes or no question."

"Yes," the woodcutter finally relented.

"Good," Ches purred a large smile creeping across his face.

Cheshire had to admit that the necklace Rumpelstiltskin had enchanted for him was quite an impressive bit of magic. One moment he was standing in a field several kingdoms away, the next he found himself just outside the gates of the Dark Castle.

The teenager smiled to himself as he walked along the garden path to the front door, twirling his new bauble along his finger. The ring he'd taken from the wood cutter was simple and obviously meant as an engagement token for a lovely woman, but for Ches it symbolized all he'd gained in the past three months. He was proud of his accomplishments as the apprentice of the Dark One, proud that he'd left so much of his past behind. At fifteen he was now a budding sorcerer under the tutelage of one of the most powerful magic wielders in the realms.

The young man waltzed through the front doors of the Dark Castle an uncharacteristic confidence apparent in his step. Upon entering the Great Hall though, Ches lost a bit of his bolster. His mentor was sitting at the grand spinning wheel staring intently at its spokes as if they held some answer the imp so desperately sought. Rumpelstiltskin obviously had yet to notice that he was no longer alone.

Ches cleared his throat in an attempt to pull the spinner from his stupor. "Well that was an enlightening experience," the young man observed.

The Dark One startled as he realized that someone else had entered the room. Shaking his head Rumpelstiltskin stood up quickly and walked towards the long table. "How'd it go?" his voice was casual, but Ches detected a good deal of dejection present as well.

"I wouldn't really call him the sharpest knife in the draw if you know what I mean," Cheshire chuckled as he sat in one of the lounge chairs by the fireplace. The teenager hoped that he could pull his mentor out of whatever depressed mood the Dark One currently found himself in.

A wicked grin graced the imp's face, "I had deduced as much. What did you get in exchange for your information?"

"He had some lovely biscuits that I bartered for," Ches said with a slight shrug, "well that and his mother's prized jewelry." The boy held up the ring he'd collected as his latest prize for inspection, catching a smirk on Rumpelstiltskin's face at the quip. The Dark One took the dainty piece with clawed fingers.

"Well done Ches," the older man acknowledged once he'd examined the ring. Ches's chest swelled with pride at the Dark One's praise.

As the imp returned the teen's trophy, Cheshire noticed long gashes that still covered Rumpelstiltskin's hands. The silky sleeves of the man's dress shirt barely covered the marks on his wrist and those most likely still extended up the Dark One's arms. Ches took a deep breath and hesitantly raised his gaze to the imp's face. Similar marks remained on his mentor's face as well. The pixie dust from their encounter with the fairies had certainly left a mark that the Dark One wouldn't soon forget.

"What's the difference between pixie dust and fairy dust?" Ches asked. The words tumbling from his lips before he could stop them.

Perhaps unconsciously Rumpelstiltskin clasped his hands behind his back hiding the marks from view as he leaned back against the table. A long silence passed between the two companions, leaving Ches to wonder if he might have pushed at the wrong topic.

"Pixie dust is similar in nature to fairy dust, but its exceedingly more powerful," the imp finally replied.

"Then it's light magic?" Ches inquired further. Whatever had happened to his teacher at Lake Nostos had been terrifying. The apprentice hoped to learn anything more that he could about the substance so that he might better handle such situations in the future.

"Very light magic. That's why it affected me so potently. The darkness inherent in my curse is its very opposite in nature," Rumpelstiltskin answered.

Cheshire had never heard his master refer to the Dark One as a curse before. For now though, he decided to file that away for later, instead the boy focused on learning more about the magic he'd seen. "How does pixie and fairy dust work anyway? I mean what's the cost for such magic."

"Ah, that's just the question isn't it," the Dark One smiled. "Fairy dust begins as diamonds crushed into a fine powder by the dwarves that mine them. The diamonds they find are crushed by strong axes and enchantments are woven in as they're ground up. The extreme workload inherent in such a process negates the cost for the magic. So, in essence fairies can use fairy dust without any real cost to themselves or those they use it on."

"Then why do fairies have wands at all?"

"Well the dust has limits as to what it can achieve and there is a finite supply each year. The careful distribution of fairy dust is in part a cost of the magic that it brings as well."

"Then what is pixie dust?"

"Pixie dust is a naturally occurring substance found in flowers that grow in the tops of the tallest trees you've ever seen. It's all the way at the top branches. The effort and danger you go through to get to pixie dust deals with a large portion of the cost for such magic. Yet even then, there is usually an added small price to go along with its use. Perhaps a bit of fatigue the next day.'

"If pixie dust is so much more potent, why not gather more of it to use instead of fairy dust?"

"I know of only one realm in which pixie dust grows and it's not one that anyone would readily or willingly go to. The person who lords over that realm is a demon who jealously guards the substance. It would take a serious amount of leverage to gain some from him."

"So then how did those two dolts get ahold of some?"

"That's a good question, now isn't it," another long moment of silence passed between master and apprentice, before Rumpelstiltskin apparently decided he was done with the discussion of pixie dust. "We'll need to focus more on your training with magic. Your actions at Lake Nostos were impressive, but you'll need to better understand how to properly weave spells if you're going to start blasting fairies around.

"Little gnats are a nuisance aren't they," Ches snorted.

His master smirked along with him before taking on a darker look, "They are a nuisance but I'm sorry that you were put in danger by my actions."

"I wasn't in that much danger," Ches replied easily as he fiddled with a loose string on the arm of his chair. "Besides, you were helping me."

The imp nodded stiffly his face unreadable, "Yes well, still. I'd rather you not be present for such unpleasant business in the future."

"Those fairies got what they deserved," the teenager protested adamantly, as he forced himself to once again look up at his master's face. "You did what you had to do, to protect me and the only fairy worth protecting."

Rumpelstiltskin was silent for a long time after that. Contemplating both his apprentice's willingness to defend his teacher and the boy's apparent lack of sympathy to the death of living beings.

Cheshire could tell that his mentor was warring over some idea or another, so he threw caution to the wind and jumped on the topic that he'd been so very curious about. "That siren was also a nasty piece of work."

His master's eyes became distant and his voice heavy as he answered, "that she was."

"The image the siren took, that was your son," Ches didn't bother to phrase it as a question. The old imp stilled as the conversation turned to his son. "Sorry, I, I just-," Ches stammered at Rumpelstiltskin's lack of answer.

"It's… it's okay Ches," the imp replied quietly. "Yes, that was my son. Baelfire."

"What happened to him?" the question tumbled from the boy's lips before he could even think to stop it.

"I became a monster and he left," Rumpelstiltskin replied quietly. His whisper seemed to fill the entire room, a hint of resignation and something deeper settled around the Dark One as his thoughts appeared to take a darker turn. Just about the time that Ches believed his mentor had once again slipped into depression, a thought seemed to strike the imp suddenly and it was the Dark One's turn to ask questions. "Who was the older blonde woman the siren took the form of when it saw you?"

Ches had to take several deep breaths before he could answer. "That was my mum. She was a lovely thing wasn't she," Ches explained as Rumpelstiltskin nodded in agreement. Memories flitted across the boy's mind as he thought back on the mother he hadn't seen in so long. Despite himself the boy admitted, "I miss her terribly."

Slowly Rumpelstiltskin walked over and crouched down in front of his apprentice, "I could help you find her," the Dark One offered.

So many people believed the worst of the man currently stooped in front of him. Yet despite having been terrified of Rumpelstiltskin at various points, Cheshire knew that the imp had a kind heart hidden somewhere deep beneath the monster. And here was proof of that. Ches managed to hold the gaze of his master as he gave him a watery smile, "She died. A long time ago. I was about seven."

Surprisingly it was the Dark One who looked away first, "I'm sorry," the imp murmured. "I know it doesn't help or anything, but I am sorry for all that you've lost."

"So am I," the boy replied, "but I had my dad for a few years. He took care of all of us."

"You have siblings," Rumpelstiltskin queried, noticing his apprentice's use of plurals.

"Aye, four of them if you'd believe it. I'm the youngest of the lot. But Dad always said I was the most trouble," an honest and small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"I thought you said that you didn't have a family?"

"I don't anymore," Ches answered. An old ache began creeping its way into the boy's chest as he explained. "They died as well. Ogre Wars took a toll on our family." The boy paused as Rumpelstiltskin nodded in understanding. "My dad was the only provider for our family, so he was never drafted into the Ogres War. But my oldest brother and sister both died on the battlefield. They were twins and the draft age was 17 when they went to fight. My other brother was drafted at 14, but the war ended before he saw any real action. My youngest sister and I were the only two spared. But I was sent to Silas when I turned 10, right after they lowered the age to 14. That's the last time I saw them before they died."

"I'm sorry kid," for once the silver-tongued imp looked lost for words.

"I guess that's life sometimes. The Ogres War was only partially to blame for tearing apart my family. I took care of the rest." Before Rumpelstiltskin could get more on that particular subject the boy continued, "Don't you have any family other than your son?"

"None that matter," the imp answered carefully getting to his feet and turning his back to the boy.

"No wife?" Cheshire asked desperately trying to turn the conversation away from his family. He didn't know if he was pushing too far, but anything was better than his current situation of drowning in past sorrows.

"She's dead," Rumpelstiltskin answered sharply without turning towards his apprentice.

"Siblings then?"

The imp shook his head. Ches could see the tension building in Rumpelstiltskin's slight frame, but he couldn't stop himself from his questions.

"Mother? Father?"

"I never knew my mother and I wish I never knew my father. Not all families are so close knit Ches. Be thankful for what you had at the time," the imp replied a note of finality present in his tone. "I have work to attend to. You've done well today kid, so have the rest of the day off from studying."

With that the Dark One turned on his heel and left the Great Hall. Cheshire sat alone in the silence turning over all that he'd learned in his head. His master was a complicated man, there was no doubt about that. Rumpelstiltskin spoke so kindly about his son, it was obvious to Ches that he cared deeply for the boy. Yet any other mention of family and his mentor shut down completely. Did he have no one else that he cared about?

Even knowing that his siblings and father had hated him in the end, Cheshire couldn't imagine having no lingering feelings for his family. Thinking so intently about Rumpelstiltskin's problems helped alleviate the numbness that had grown in Ches as they talked about his own family troubles. Maybe I can help hi., the teen thought. He quickly pushed away any notions of making the Dark One part of his family, he'd proven that he wasn't meant for such relationships.But maybe just maybe, he could help Rumpelstiltskin find the only person that the imp still cared about.

Rumpelstiltskin had much to think on after discussion with Cheshire in the Great Hall. There was something about the boy's family that he was refusing to talk about. It was a right little mystery that the spinner was more than eager to uncover. However, the imp had to admit that he'd been just as unsettled discussing his own family with the child. Some memories were best left in the past to rot. He decided against looking into the matter. If Ches wanted to talk about it, he could when he was ready.

The Dark One had been in his tower for hours now, working through a complicated spell that he would eventually be able to apply to this infamous Dark Curse he was searching for. Each element had to be precisely handled and perfectly implemented. Rumpelstiltskin had eventually broken down and sent Ches to town in search of a few supplies he needed to complete the spell. He felt bad doing so after giving the child the day off. But Ches seemed excited at the prospect and this enabled the imp to keep the boy from interrupting his work. Completely focused on his work he didn't notice the figure sitting in his window until it was far too late.

"Hello Laddie," the voice from so many of his nightmares called.

Rumpelstiltskin spun around quickly to face the demon that had once been his father. It was almost as if the teenager had been summoned by the mere thoughts of him from earlier. The imp called upon every ounce of darkness the curse provided to shroud his heart. "What are you doing here," he called in what he hoped was a sneer but came out as more of a whimper.

You're pathetic, his curse so helpfully added.

"Now is that any way to great your papa?" the teen reprimanded as he jumped lightly from his perch.

"I don't believe you've any right left to that title," Rumpelstiltskin snapped, happy to note that his voice was far more level this time. Yet when he attempted to relax his shoulders the action was to no avail, Peter Pan set him on edge like no one else could.

The immortal teenager tutted him sharply, "I thought you'd be so much more understanding these days Rumple. Now that you've abandoned your own son that is."

The Dark One felt all the blood drain from his face at the accusation. Knowing that he'd become his worst fear had haunted him for six years now. Certainly, he was not as bad; he'd always put Bae above himself in matters of comfort and food, he'd never berated Bae in public, and he'd certainly never struck his child. But in the end, was he any better than the man who had abandoned him?

"What. Do. You. Want," Rumpelstiltskin growled, eyes never leaving his father as the man sauntered about the room looking over his son's collection.

"Straight to the point then," Peter laughed. The teenager looked innocent enough, but one glance into his cold eyes could set anyone straight. "I've come to offer you a deal oh mighty Dark One."

"I want no part in a deal with you," the son answered curtly.

Peter Pan flitted about the room letting his son's response hang between them for some time before he finally turned his attention back to the boy. He knew exactly how to get under Rumpelstiltskin's skin and he could certainly use that to his advantage now. The teenager suddenly stepped straight into the Dark One's personal space standing mere centimeters away from his face.

Rumpelstiltskin tried his best, but he couldn't hide a massive flinch as his father got too close. He tried to back away but found his back already against the work table. The spinner took several deep breaths as he gazed purposefully into his father's eyes. Something he wouldn't have attempted years ago; however, being the Dark One had given him no small amount of pride.

"Come on now Laddie. At least hear me out first," the demon crooned. Rumpelstiltskin refused to nod or break eye contact, knowing that his father would say his piece whether he wanted to hear it or not. "Word gets around you know, even finds itself in Neverland. And I hear that you've traded in your son for another young boy," a dangerous and mocking smile played across the teen's face. "And here you call me a demon, Rumple." The quiet laughter that followed the statement sent an all too familiar chill down the Dark One's spine.

"Your news source is apparently faulty. I've no one here but me," the imp hissed.

"So, the name Cheshire means nothing to you then?"

Rumpelstiltskin had to give his father credit, the man didn't have an ounce of back down in him these days. But then he never had been afraid of bullying his child. "Not a thing," he retorted.

"Well if the name does start ringing a bell. You can meet me in the Marchlands. There's a tavern in the duchy of Avonlea. Seedy place for the worthless scum of life, but then I guess you should fit right in," Peter Pan jeered.

"Not interested."

"Not even if I say I might know someone who traffics in hard to find objects. Objects such as, oh I don't know a magic bean."

Rumpelstiltskin felt his stomach drop somewhere around the region of his feet. It wasn't possible. Was it? "You're lying," he growled.

"Now why would I do that," his father protested feigning insult as he turned away from the Dark One. He paced slowly in front of the imp, like a predator sizing up its prey. "The bean is real, but the price is a steep one."

"What's your price?" the younger (older?) man asked despite his reservations.

"Not telling just yet," the devilish child smiled. "Let's just say that Neverland could always use another Lost Boy and leave it there for now."

Peter Pan stepped once more into his son's personal space. He lifted his hand giving Rumpelstiltskin a pat on the side of the face, which caused the terrible Dark One to startle away from him. The imp knocked into the work bench causing all manner of objects to topple over and spill. Rumpelstiltskin focused on the frustration at losing his hard work to cover the shame of retaining certain reactions to his father. The insolent teen merely flashed a devilish smile and walked over to the window.

"Three days Rumple. Be there or you may lose a chance at getting to your precious child."

When he was certain that his father was gone, the spinner allowed his legs to finally buckle and he collapsed to the floor. Leaning back against the leg of the table he pulled his knees up to his chest and curled his arms around them. Shame bubbled within him as a few tears slipped down his cheeks. The imp buried his head and started counting backwards from 100 as he tried to calm himself. A trick he'd taught himself so many years ago.

He could focus on what to do about this predicament later. Could deal with the dilemma of potentially choosing his apprentice over his child and whether he could believe anything his father had said later. For now, he needed to pull himself back from memories that should have been long since buried.

The imp never noticed the eyes that watched him fall apart from the doorway. The eyes that had seen the interaction with this strange teenager and the ears which had heard one very damning conversation. Cheshire backed out of the doorway, quietly making his way down the stairs. He could give his master the supplies later. For the time being, he was terrified of the mysterious light-haired teen and of what Rumpelstiltskin might be willing to do to get back to his son.

A/N: As always, thanks for reading! If you like, disliked, or just have something to say, let me know in the comments. I'm hoping to have the next chapter up by the end of this week or beginning of next. See you guys in the next chapter!