Chapter 2

2.3

Warnings: None
Characters: Rumplestiltskin, Ariel

He watched the mermaid as she curled her tail. She rested her chin on her hands and stared at him with her huge eyes, almost as big as his but less animalistic. Her lips curled into a smile. "So it is true?" She piped. "You came to ask the help of a mermaid."

Rumplestiltskin sat hunched at the waterside and chortled, revealing his nicely unkempt teeth in the action. "Well, we made a deal once before and I figured you might want one again."

Ariel's eyes lit up. "You want to give me a second chance?" The imp smirked deviously at her. "If you want to see it that way."

"Well, your spell was faulty." The mermaid yawned, at which the imp frowned deeply.

"There was nothing wrong with our former agreement. I gave you the thing you asked and you promised me your first-born in return. I still hold you to that."

The mermaid rolled her eyes. "Yes, except you forget the fact you /killed/ Ursula and took her place, I got my legs, I met my prince, Regina made me a better offer and we all know what happened next."

The imp snorted. "You had her undo my beautiful spell."

Ariel smiled in turn and waddled around in the water. "Well, yes." She innocently said. "And yet you returned to me." She glanced at him pensively and with clear wonder. The man in front of her shrugged theatrically.

"She took your voice and you and your sisters managed to steal it back. But that still doesn't explain to me why."

Ariel grinned. "Let's say my prince wasn't what I expected him to be."

"All nice and well but that didn't give me the expected baby." The imp barked at her and Ariel let out a bemused laugh. With an irritated sigh Rumplestiltskin threw some of the ground's sand at her and she had to cleanse her face with the water cupped in her hands. She stuck out her tongue. "Yuck."

"I heard your love issue has made you desperate so that's why I'm here." Rumplestiltskin smirked and revealed a silvery compass. "Ne-nya" He giggled before he could speak normally again, "What do you say?"

Ariel cocked her head and squinted her eyes. "What does it do?"

He wiggled his finger at her. "It'll point at the man who will truly love you."

He could see the mermaid gasp, her tail standing erect behind her in excitement as she her hands gripped land. "Rich." She breathlessly said.

"A perfect solution for your indecisiveness in the world of 'love'," it rolled of his tongue sensually but with a hidden tone of resentment, "and relationships." The mermaid smiled up at him. "And this way you could benefit." She deduced. "Because the sooner I get my man the sooner you'll get your baby."

At this Rumplestiltskin could only smile as he turned his head ninety degrees and let out a strangled giggle. The mermaid gasped.

"All right. What's your price?"

The imp clapped his hands. I'm so glad you asked. My price is this," He held out a strand of hair in front of the mermaid and allowed her time to examine it. "It's a girl's." Ariel finally said, testing his patience.

"Of course it's a girl's." The imp said through gritted teeth. "Goldilocks. I need you to find her for me and bring her to me."

The mermaid blinked at him and then frowned. Pensively she placed a finger against the corner of her lips and glanced up at the sky. Her whole posture suggested she didn't like this mission one bit. "Have you any trail to go by?"

The golden creature's face became stern. "Only a letter in which she apologizes for her sudden departure. But it spoke nonsense." It said Belle wasn't dead.

Ariel let herself fall back into the water and swum two circles before she returned to him. "I can find her." She said with a small smile. "We have a deal."

The imp laughed and at cue a contract magically appeared for her to sign. The mermaid did so and with a loud sigh, knowing his deals meant trouble, saw the document poof back to only Rumple-knew-where. She reached out her hand. "Now give it to me."

Rumplestiltskin smiled and handed her the compass. "Have fun bringing me my merchandise." He whispered then turned around and waved his hand. The mermaid let out a groan and opened the compass, watching the arrow with interest. But then her face faltered as it was as she had feared.

"Stupid, stupid girl." She cursed herself, then duck into the waters.