Chapter 10.

And just as quickly, he stepped back.

"I shouldn't do this." He said and signed. "I'm sorry." He turned and walked away.

"Oh but we love to do the things we shouldn't…" she whispered as she touched her lips.

Back in the enchanted forest…

Ezaria ran for her life. She raced through the trees and across rivers. She felt her magical energy drain as she reached him. The Dark One stood in a tree watching her flight. He swiftly dropped down to the forest floor and waited for her. She reached the clearing and crashed right into him.

She caught her breath only to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.

He managed to free himself and push her away. Shock was clear on his face. The gold color on his skin started fading as their closeness equalized them and made him more human.

"What are you doing?" he asked, disturbed.

"Equalize it. Take it. Kill me. Do whatever it takes." She cried.

"You want to lose you power?" He was horrified.

She crumbled to the ground and cried. "I don't want this life anymore."

"I can't take your power. Even if I wanted to. If there is no you, then there is no me. Sorry."

"I want a normal life…" she mumbled, reaching insanity.

"Why'd you have to kiss me?" he asked as he wiped his tongue clean with the palm of his hand.

Ezaria remained quiet as she stared off into the distance. Rumpelstiltskin frowned and watched her. He walked closer and bent down next to her. He cupped her face and forced her to look into his eyes.

"You are entirely incapable of doing something selfish. This is a selfish thing." He studied her face. She looked completely out of it. He let go of her face and stroked her hair back. He quickly ripped out a few strands of her hair but she didn't flinch. "Perhaps I can help. Some day. And you'll owe me."

Ezaria closed her eyes. All she was aware of was Rumple touching her face and hair. And then a quick sting and then his fingers left her face and he faded away. Everything faded away.

Back in Storybrooke…

Beatrix stared at her book, not seeing any words. She sipped her coffee and glanced over her book at the Sherriff. He leaned against the counter at Grannie's, chatting to Ruby as he waited for his coffee. He glanced sideways and laid eyes on Beatrix. She blushed and returned to not focusing on her book. She looked up again and jerked back when Mr. Gold stood in her way.

"Morning." He said and sat down in her booth. "Having fun?"

"Working on it." She said as she closed her book.

"A bit of advice?" he asked but then continued without waiting for her reply. "Don't flaunt it."

"Why would I flaunt it?"

"Because you are under no charge to be a good girl anymore. Selfish becomes you, really. But Regina might break the rules too."

She went white as a sheet.

"It's a cute catchphrase." Mr. Gold said with a smile spreading across his face.

Beatrix packed up her things and gulped down her coffee.

"Stay away from me." She threw her bag over her shoulder and stood up. "Please." She added through clenched teeth.

She rushed out and headed towards school. She mumbled angry thoughts to herself and glanced back once to frown at Grannie's. She turned around and walked into Graham, spilling his coffee all over her school uniform. She stood gasping for breath as the heat burned through her shirt.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Graham mumbled as she tried to help.

"I'm okay. It's okay. I just need to go change." She turned again and headed towards her apartment. She ran in and ripped her shirt open. She pulled out a first aid kit and grabbed a dishtowel and started dabbing the coffee up.

A knock on the door made her turn around and she suddenly faced Graham.

"Turn around." She whined before she knew what she was saying. Graham walked into the room and shut the door behind him. He stepped up to her and took the towel out of her hand.

"Let me help you." Graham said and nudged her onto the counter. He slightly opened her shirt and gently cleaned the coffee up. Her skin was red from the burn and he grabbed ice from the fridge. When he tenderly touched the ice to her skin she gasped and grabbed his arm. That's the first moment they looked at each other. She bit her lip and closed her eyes. He snapped out of his thoughts and placed the ice on her skin. She moaned and took a deep breath. By the time the ice had melted, tears were running down her cheeks.

Graham grabbed the first aid kit and delicately rubbed the burn ointment on her skin. As the ointment took effect, she relaxed and started breathing normally again. She opened her eyes and looked at him. She was in a rather delicate situation, and he was being a perfect gentleman.

She slipped off the counter and walked to her room pulling the shirt off. Graham waited in the kitchen as she changed into another uniform. He happened upon a piece of paper that read: Proof of Emancipation. He slipped it back into the pile of papers and looked up just in time to see Beatrix walk into the kitchen.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"This shirt is irritating my skin." She said as she pulled it away from her.

"Perhaps you should go to a doctor."

"It's not that bad. It's just a coffee spill." She grabbed her bag and keys and turned to the door. "I should get to school. Thanks. Again. For your help."

"You're welcome." He said in a sigh and walked out.