+ + + + + Back at the Fortress

Granny had been wonderful. Belle had been settled into a comfortable room near the kitchen and given proper cook's attire to wear rather than the skimpy whore-garb that Regina had put her into. She quickly found herself following Granny around the kitchen learning different cooking techniques. She was, at best, a modestly trained home-cook but she was well able to recognize that Granny was an artist.

"You were able to put together a meal that Captain Dark actually liked," Belle told her early the first morning. "What did you fix for him?"

"Oh that," replied Granny. "I'd remembered when he was here so long ago that he liked his food really, really, really spicy hot, hotter than what any human could manage. Otherwise he would complain that the food had no taste. I would just grind up the hottest peppers I could find and add to whatever else everyone else is eating. That seems to work for him."

"Ok," Belle considered this. Given his reptilian body and preference for heat, this made some sense. "Well now I have some idea what to fix for him."

"Now," Granny started with her. "You have to teach me how to make klah. There are a handful of people around here who have a taste for it."

Belle laughed and readily agreed.

This was not turning out to be so bad, well, assuming that Gold would return in a timely manner and not leave her to Regina's tender mercies. She did trust the man, didn't she?

There was just enough doubt.

+ + + + + An Appointment

They had an appointment. The man, an older man, perhaps in his early fifties, was accompanied by three very, very attractive women. All three were heavily made-up with dark eye make-up and bright red lipstick. One of the women, a very lovely blonde dressed in a single-piece black leather ensemble with high cuts on the thighs and a deep V-neck, walked in front. She sported strategically placed metal spikes and rings on her outfit. She also wore a leather collar and thigh high boots with spike heels. She carried a variety of weapons, including both guns and knives.

The blonde was followed by a striking brunette, dressed in micro-mini white skirt, with a strapless bra-top. On her feet, she wore only simple thongs, wrapped around her ankles and her middle toes. She carried no weapons, just a small computer pad. She held the man lightly on the arm.

The third female in the group was a tall, elegant brunette, with long dark hair complete with red streaks, dressed in some type of shiny red short-shorts and a corseted top. She walked behind the group, often glancing from side to side. Her shoes had tall heels and were strapped to her ankles and up her legs by red wraps. She also was armed with an assortment of weapons.

All three women wore interesting necklaces.

Only an astute observer might have actually noticed the man, dressed impeccably in a quiet, dark suit, carrying a cane. Attention went to and stayed with the women.

Only the very astute observer might have noticed a second man, dressed entirely in black who held back from the group, watching their backs.

"We have an appointment," the blonde told the Fae guard who was standing in front of the ship. "The emissary of the miners from Dragondwell." The guard was a big man with lotsa muscles standing between the group and the door, not one of the Fae as they were all females. He gaped at the women, not even noticing there was a man in the group.

It took him a moment before he responded to the blonde. "No weapons," the guard said. "I have to search you."

In the back of the group the tall brunette gave a throaty laugh. "That should be interesting." She stepped forward, pulling her gun from her hip holster and a knife from a holder on her thigh. She pulled a second knife from amongst the shoe ties on her lower leg. She sauntered up to the guard. "Now where else do you think I might have a weapon concealed?" The guard was looking her over. It was hard to imagine that there was anyplace anything might be concealed. The brunette's attire was brief and tight.

The guard actually seemed flummoxed. "Well you can go."

The blonde in front cast off several visible weapons and with her costume being equally small and snug, soon found herself passed through.

The shorter brunette carried no weapons, just her small computer pad. "I'm his personal secretary. I don't carry weapons," she explained.

She was also passed.

"Now I have to search the man."

The blonde stepped between the guard and the man. "No one touches Mr. Drakon," she explained. "I can give you his coat and vest and I can search him in front of you, but no one, no one, touches him but one of us."

The guard shook his head. "Everybody going into see the Reul Ghorm has to be searched. It's a rule."

The blonde suddenly leaned forward, giving the guard an eyeful of her generous cleavage. "But sir, think about this. . ." while the blonde talked on, the guard fixated on her fair flesh. While the guard was gaping, the brunette with the red streaks in her hair also leaned forward and, pulling an apparatus out of her necklace, hit him on the side of the neck with a syringe that almost instantly caused the man to sink to his knees.

Emma murmured under her breathe, "Thank you, Jefferson."

Dr. Gold was reluctant to use magic this close to the Reul Ghorm, concerned that she might detect it, so he and the three women had to put some effort into dragging the cumbersome guard away. They secured him and left him. When he came to, he should be able to free himself, or at least begin crying out until someone coming by would find him.

The two women collected their weapons. Then, Emma went back and knocked on the door of the sleek space yacht.

"Nolen wasn't kidding when he talked about this ship. This is quite the little beauty," she observed.

"I suspect it allows the Reul Ghorm the ability to get around her planet quite quickly," observed Gold. "But this ship clearly allows for interstellar travel. I'm impressed too."

The door was opened by a petite pretty Fae. She let them inside, not noting the absence of the guard. The little Fae led them into a conference room. "Can I get you anything? Something to eat or drink?" The Fae was nervous, sounding a little out of breath when she talked. She didn't seem to notice that Emma was armed.

"Tea all around," ordered Dr. Gold.

It was soon brought in. "Oh, I forgot to ask," the little Fae was obviously intimidated by the visitors. "Did you want something with the tea? Lemon, sugar, honey?"

"Honey please, all around," ordered Dr. Gold again.

When the assistant reappeared, she was also carrying some plates and some plain cookies. "I thought you might want a little snack."

"Why thank you, Miss. . .?" Gold inquired.

"Astrid. I'm just Astrid," the Fae seemed very nervous and, as she became more flustered around Gold, she became more clumsy.

"Glad to meet you, my dear." Gold responded, turning on his charm.

"These ladies with you, sir?" Astrid asked, more from her nervousness than any real interests.

"These two," he pointed to Emma and Ruby, "are my bodyguards and this lady," he pointed to Snow, "is my personal secretary. They are invaluable to my job."

As Astrid began to put out tiny little plates and teacups, along with the cookies, Gold asked her in a neutral tone of voice, "Would you happen to be the Astrid that is acquainted with Leroy of the Miners of Dragondwell?"

Astrid dropped one of the plates. Fortunately it landed on the table making only a thud.

"Leroy? You know Leroy?" She managed to look both excited and fearful at the same time.

"We are here as his emissaries, looking for one, Astrid. Would you be she?" Gold asked her.

"Well, it's been a while. But I did know a Leroy of the Miners a long time ago."

"He wanted us to convey his deepest affection, his caring and concern . . . and his love for the Fae Astrid. He wanted to know, if she were willing, if she would come and join him on Dragondwell, to live in an honorable state with him," Gold said in his most persuasive tones.

"You're proposing for him?" Astrid asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Snow spoke up, "Leroy of the Miners knows he is not welcome here and would never be allowed to see you. But he wishes you to know that he thinks of you every day. His life is not complete without you. If you are not willing, he will honor this and you will not hear from him again. But if you want to be with him, then he has sent us to bring you to him."

"Go to him. Leave Faeland?" Now she seemed confused.

"He can't come here," Snow reminded her gently. "If you want to be with him, you must go to him."

"How do I know you come from him?" Astrid asked, not quite believing these visitors.

"Here," Snow handed Astrid her necklace.

Astrid examined it. "This came from him?"

Snow nodded.

"I recognize it!" Astrid exclaimed. "This is his family's emblem! A blue-green dragon with yellow eyes is their guardian dragon."

Gold looked up at this description. He repeated what Astrid had just told him, "A blue-green dragon with yellow eyes. I know her." He seemed impressed. "Pretty powerful old girl. Didn't know Leroy's family had that much prestige."

"He gave this to you to give to me?" Astrid seemed confused and concerned.

"Yes, dear," Snow assured her. "He said you are free to keep it and send us away or give it back and send us away. But he hopes you will accept it and come with us."

"You can get me to him safely? We tried to be together before, but the Reul Ghorm forbade it."

"We can get you to him safely," Gold assured her.

Astrid stood a moment debating with herself. "I can stay here and forever be a maidservant to the Reul Ghorm or I can go and be with the love of my life." She looked at the group, and her face broke into a smile, "I choose love! I will go with you."

"Great," Gold responded, obviously relieved at this turn of events. "Ruby, you and Snow get her back to the transport ship. Send in the Hatter when you go by him. Emma and I will delay the Reul Ghorm. If we aren't back at the ship in thirty minutes, leave without us. We won't be joining you."

Ruby and Snow nodded and escorted the excited Fae out of the space yacht.

Gold and Emma settled in to wait for the Reul Ghorm. Jefferson joined them and sat in the back of the room.

It was a while before they heard someone coming. Someone called out for Astrid. When there was no answer, the door to the conference room opened slowly.

Emma was surprised at the youthful appearance of the Reul Ghorm. Emma knew that the leader of the Fae was old, perhaps as old, perhaps even older than Dr. Gold. But she looked like a woman in her prime, smooth skinned, beautiful. Pale skin, dark hair, dressed in blue.

When she opened the door, she looked around, assessing the situation: three strangers, one obviously armed, and no Astrid. Before she could react further, Emma moved to stand next to her and opened her pendent, the last of the necklaces. A purple smoke rose out of the small vial and the Reul Ghorm sank to her knees and then dropped to the floor.

"She should be out for a couple of hours," said Gold. "Hatter, help me dispose of her. We'll put her with the guard." Then suddenly, he said, "No, wait." He walked towards the crumpled body of the powerful Fae leader.

He bent down and gently caressed her hair. "This creature and I have crossed swords for several centuries. Almost always, she has won."

He had awakened in hell. He remembered only his name but nothing else from his original life, if there had been any life before the torment. He was tortured daily for hours, hot, cold, sharp, blunt, and loud. But they never asked him any questions.

He. . . he felt himself going mad. What had he done, what had he done? It was after one particularly grueling session, when his tormentors had combined loud with cold, that he felt energy rising up within himself and he made everything stop. The noise stopped, the ice went away, the creatures around him stopped moving. The chains anchoring his body to a table broke. He literally rose from the table, floating above it, floating above the creatures who had been tormenting him. He thought he had finally died, that he was transcending his body, finally, finally released from torture.

Then it was like everything exploded. He killed the creatures who had been hurting him. It took him a moment to realize he was actually alive, really alive. He floated back down and got to his feet. He walked out of the hell that had been his home for so long. He pushed away everyone who tried to stop him. He walked out into sunlight and he kept walking.

He don't know what he had looked like before, but he remembered being surprised that his skin was green. He remembering thinking how very cold it now seemed. He kept walking until he found a star ship. He didn't know how, but he knew he would be able to power it. He had an enormous bank of knowledge, so much information that he had no idea of how or when he had learned. He left the planet.

Gold had paused a moment, before continuing, "She is far more ruthless and manipulative that I have ever been. And she has caused much more pain and grief than I ever have." He traced a finger down her face. "I could end it. Just a quick twist, I could break her neck. Take her out of the game. Permanently." He had both of his hands on her head.

"Gold, don't do this," Emma told him. "A knocked out Reul Ghorm is one thing, but a murdered one will pull down this entire quadrant on our asses."

He pulled his hands back. He looked up at Emma and she was startled. His normally soft brown eyes had turned a milky white. "Emma, you don't know what she has done. You don't even know that you have been touched by her, as has Jefferson. She and her people do 'experiments' on people. Terrible, horrible experiments."

Emma was taken aback. "You're right, I don't know about that. But I do know that you can't use her behavior to excuse your own. You need to do the right thing. And killing her in cold blood is not the right thing," Emma responded.

"Now you sound like Belle," Gold told her, his eyes slowly returning to their usual brown. "I think, if you ever found out what she has done to you, you might feel differently." He shrugged. "All right then," he stood and then paused again. "At least, I have got to let her know it was me. That I was here." He looked at Emma. "Let me have your necklace."

Emma pulled the chain supporting the small potion bottle over her head. Gold gently touched it, turning it to gold, the chain and the bottle. He then put it over the Reul Ghorm's head.

He smiled at Emma. "She'll figure it out." He then stood again. "Come on Hatter. Let's put her with the guard." And the two lifted up her body and carried her out of the ship.

Once they had exited, left along on the ship, Emma opened the door the Reul Ghorm had passed through earlier. It went on into the center of the ship, right into the control room.

It was only a matter of moments when Gold joined her in the control room.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Emma asked him, tracing her hands over the control panel.

Gold turned and looked her up and down, taking in her skimpy costume and the generous amount of skin she was showing. "Depends. Are you thinking how it would feel to be on your back and have your ankles resting on my shoulders?"

Emma glared at him, rolling her eyes, "Oh god, no."

"Then perhaps you're thinking we should steal this ship."

Emma nodded, "Yes, the ship, not the ankles." She added, "Perv."

"Prude," he responded absently.

Emma began checking out the controls. "Jackass. I should be able to start this. I spent enough time when I was younger boosting a variety of vehicles." Her eyes lit on something on the control panel. "But sweeeet, in this case, they left the keys in the ignition. Piece of cake."

"Harpy," Gold responded. "So you can get it going and we can get out of here. Let me contact Snow and let them know to go ahead and liftoff. No need for them to wait any longer." He began to work on the communications panel.

"Deviant," Emma said. "Sounds good. Is Jefferson on board?"

"I am," Jefferson had made his way into the control room. Both men stood by while Emma started up the vehicle and began lift off. Gold was successful in contacting the transport ship and had been notified that they were making their way off the planet with the little Fae.

"Oh shit!" they heard Emma say.

"Are you still calling me names or is there a problem?" asked Gold.

"There's a problem and I haven't finished calling you names, lech," Emma responded.

"What's wrong, shrew?"

She pointed to the power grid which showed only a low level of energy. "This is how they keep the ship bound to Faeland. It is supposed to be powered by three Sugar Diamonds. There's only one in the engines right now. It'll get the ship around on the planet, but she'll never make interstellar space without two more Diamonds."

"Is that all?" Gold asked. He turned to Jefferson. "I need two more of the diamonds that you still have."

"Oh come on now, you've already made me hand everything over!" Jefferson threw up his hands and protested.

Gold held out his hand. "This is our lives, Hatter. Hand me over two." He was adamant.

Reluctantly, but seeing no alternative, the Hatter reached deep into one of his inside pockets and withdrew two large raw diamonds.

Gold held one of the diamonds up. "You have a good eye, Jefferson. This one is a beauty." He held it in his hand, closed his fingers over it and concentrated. When he opened his hand, there was now a large, white sparkling crystal. "Here's one," he handed it off to Jefferson. He then subjected the second diamond to the same treatment and handed off the second crystal to the astonished Jefferson.

"If you can manage to put these into the engines, Hatter, we'll be in business."

"You made these with. . . what? Magic?" Jefferson asked, awestruck.

Gold nodded. "Yeah. Alchemy. I was the one who invented the damn things long ago and I have since been trying to do with science what I could do with my mind."

"But you could rule the galaxy with that power."

"That power and several other skills that I have. But it wouldn't have been right. Now go on and let's get this ship powered up before the Fae are able to stop us."

Jefferson nodded and disappeared from the control room.

Emma was looking at Gold. "I really do need to start treating you with more respect," she said.

"Princess, I've been saying that," Gold told her. He looked her over again. "I'm not seeing new bruises. Is the Hatter treating you better?"

"He's not beating me or knocking me around, if that's what you're asking," Emma told him.

"Is he still keeping you in his bed?" Gold questioned her, "Putting your ankles on his shoulders?"

Emma did not respond immediately. In a small voice, focusing her attention on the power grid, he barely heard her answer, "No, we have another arrangement for right now."

"You know, I think, if Belle wasn't in my life or if she were more open-minded, I would likely be pursuing you. I think we would be good together."

Emma felt herself growing warm.

"I know women like you, Emma. You fight a man every step of the way and then, when you've made him push you and push you, you just melt. It's a nice feeling to have a woman like that just dissolve for you. I could make you. . ."he leaned forward and whispered something, causing her to blush and pull away from him.

"You are making me very uncomfortable and Jefferson has got one of the Diamonds into the power grid. Please, stop."

Gold leaned back in the co-pilot's chair. "Very well, dear. Let me know once, what did you call him? Jefferson? when he has gotten the third crystal in. I will need privacy to make a couple of out-calls." He closed his eyes and, if she didn't know the man never slept, she would have thought he had gone to sleep.

It was only a moment. "The third crystal's in."

"Then get us out of here, Lieutenant Commander Swan. Get us out of here." He ordered.

Emma complied.

He had her leave the control room before making his calls. He closed his eyes.

It was time. Again It was time for Rumpelstiltskin.

+ + + + + Reunion

Leroy and Astrid's reunion brought tears to Snow's eyes. They were obviously so much in love. They wanted a formal ceremony immediately, so, as captains, Snow and Nolen shared the honors. They were on their way back to Dragondwell. Gold had left Nolen with precise orders of what gems he wanted from the miners and what they were to do next after picking up his gems. Leroy was most content to agree with everything that Ryu had requested

+ + + + + Under a Spell

"Well, well, well," Belle heard a smug, self-satisfied voice coming up behind her. Belle was helping in the kitchen using one of her new found skills, kneading bread. She knew without turning around that it was Regina, Herself, come to the kitchen.

"I see that Granny put you to hard labor," she said, coming up along side Belle.

"I asked her to help me learn to cook," Belle said cheerily. "Would you like me to make you something special?" she asked guilelessly.

"Not hardly," Regina responded, stepping back. "I just wanted to be sure that Granny was treating you all right," Regina said smoothly. "Captain Dark would not be happy if you were not treated well."

"Granny has been wonderful. How about I make you an apple pie?" persisted Belle.

"I don't think so." Regina walked around the table that Belle was using as her work surface. "You seem rather sure that he'll be coming back."

"Yes, I am," She wasn't. "He's never lied to me yet."

Regina pounced, "Really? He's told you about that deal he had with your father."

Belle was surprised, "What deal?" she found herself asking.

Regina was purring, "You know the story of how he spun straw into gold during his first year at that science school place he went to? That it was to win a bet he had with six upperclassmen?"

"Yes, I have heard the story," Belle said cautiously.

"Did you know that your father was one of The Six?"

Belle's mouth fell open. No, she had not realized this.

Regina could see that she had scored a hit. "Yes, apparently the first of The Six reneged on the bet when the Dark One asked him to pay up. Soon after, your father also refused to pay up. The Dark One was furious. The first of the six died under mysterious circumstances. Of course there was no proof that the Dark One had killed him; it was just an unpleasant, unfortunate coincidence." Regina was smiling, knowing that she had Belle's complete attention. "Your father got nervous, very nervous, and went to the Dark One to try to re-negotiate the deal. The Dark One told him that he wasn't planning on killing him, but that he would take his first born. Your father apparently was frantic and continued to plead with him and, I think rather surprisingly, the Dark One told him he would wait before taking the child, giving your father some time with, well I guess it was you, before the Dark One would collect."

"So this means?" Belle wasn't entirely sure.

"You're under one of his spells, my dear. You're being compelled, probably without even being aware of it. You're being controlled by his magic," Regina hesitated. "You didn't realize that?" she asked innocently. "Oh," she went on. "I've seen him do this before, put some pretty, naïve girl under one his spells. She usually thinks she's fallen in love with him, and thinks she can make him fall in love with her." Regina shook her head. "Sad, so sad."

Regina stood a moment, letting her words sink in. "Aren't you supposed to be kneading the bread or something?" she finally asked.

Belle managed a weak smile. "Yes. Let me get back to work."

Regina was smiling when she walked away.

Under a spell. What did that even mean? Belle had not believed in magic before meeting Gold. She knew it was actually some type of unheard of alien ability to manipulate time and space. She'd seen him unlock their shackles with his mind. She'd seen him heal Emma. She'd seen him explode mirrors. She knew he was capable of moving objects, including himself with his mind alone. Could he cast spells? What would that be like? Was that why when she had told him about her feelings that he had pushed her away, that he knew they weren't real? What if he had real feelings for her and felt badly or embarrassed when she confessed her manufactured ones? But what if Regina was lying about this?

Belle's head was hurting. She made herself finish, focusing on the bread and then went in search of Granny. She had known Gold longer than anyone else and Gold seemed to have trusted her. Maybe she would know the truth.

+ + + + + Tepid Water

Emma, Jefferson and Gold sat in the comfortable control room of the space yacht.

Jefferson had to ask her, "How did you know it would work?"

She shook her head, "You never know if it will work. But given everything I had heard about the Fae, I figured they were a self-important lot, believing after all this time of reigning supreme, that no one would have the audacity for a frontal attack. You get smug, you get slack."

Jefferson was enthralled, "You are amazing. I am continually impressed by you, Emma."

She looked at him, "Yeah," she said, shrugged and got up. "Well, I'm tired of just sitting here. I'm going to do some exploring."

The two men watched her leave. She was still in the slutty costume that Ruby had put her in and it was interesting to watch her walk away.

"It appears that she has put you on a leash," observed Gold.

"We made a bargain. I won't touch her again unless she tells me it's all right to do so," Jefferson told him.

"Interesting. I had a similar bargain with Belle."

"How long did it take?" Jefferson was anxious to hear.

"Belle agreed to touching and kissing within a very short time, maybe a couple of weeks. The bedding part has taken a little longer and we've actually not . . . uh. . . done anything yet."

"Why not?" Jefferson asked, surprised. "You had her in your power at the castle and if she was agreeable, what were you waiting on?"

Gold smiled at the younger wizard. "Because it isn't perfect yet." He stretched out in the chair. "You know if you put a frog into boiling water, they will jump out. But if you put one into tepid water and then very, very slowly turn up the heat it will cook before it ever becomes aware that the heat has been turned up. I'm very, very slowly turning up the heat." He gave Jefferson a side long glance, "Before she's even aware, Belle will be in very hot water and all mine to enjoy."

"I don't know that I will have the opportunity to do that with Emma. We had a. . .bad start."

"I believe that is quite the understatement," Gold told him. "But I think you will have a better chance with her going slowly and letting her decide if, when and where than you would were you to force her again. Right now, I think there is a good chance if you were to cross her, that you would wake up with a knife in your chest."

NEXT: Granny explains it all

Regina and Gold negotiate

Betrayals

A.N. The five methods of torture come from the Angel episode Five by Five.

Sorry if this chapter was too long, but there wasn't another good stopping place.

A special thank you to my reviewers, MyraValhallah, Coil way and claire. And an extra special thank you to Notsureyet18 (who asked about a possible showdown between the Ruel Ghorm and Gold and triggered an entire gush of a storyline including some motivations, yikes!), Jaybird6. (who had to ask how Belle and Regina would get on now that Gold is absent and I had to include this) and to PrincessTiannah (to whom I owe a nod for her Gold's Angels story - which apparently stuck in my subconscious and emerged in a somewhat altered form in this story, but close enough that I felt a need to give credit). txm