Chapter 11.

Graham opened the door and heard the familiar ring of the bell. He stepped into the Pawnshop and found what was looking for. Mr. Gold stood up from his seat when the door opened. He was not surprised to see the Sherriff walk into his shop.

"What can I help you with, Sherriff?" He asked anyway. "Is Beatrix in trouble?"

"No. I don't know. She got badly burnt by a cup of coffee. You may want to check on her after school. Maybe take her to see a doctor."

"Alright. Thanks?" Mr. Gold was confused.

"Why isn't she living with you, Mr. Gold?" Graham asked suddenly.

"She got emancipated this week. We have the papers to prove it. I'm not abandoning my ward, if that is what you're thinking." He knew that wasn't it.

"She didn't tell me…" he mumbled more to himself.

"Why would she tell you, Sherriff?"

"We talked a little last night. I helped her with her homework. You'd think she'd mention something like this."

"You'd think so, yes."

"Any particular reason why she got emancipated?" Graham was curious and not sure how far he could push for answers.

"No. She can take care of herself. She's older than she seems. In many ways." Mr. Gold stated as he watched Graham's reaction.

"She doesn't hate you, does she?"

"Not that I'm aware of, Sherriff. She only moved out because she could. She's been independent for as long as I'd known her. Did she say something to you?"

"No. I'm just curious as to why someone would move into her own place if things are fine at home."

"Everything is perfect, Sherriff. Beatrix just wants to live alone."

Graham nodded. He greeted Mr. Gold and walked out.

Graham spent the rest of the day doing mundane police work. Nothing ever happened in Storybrooke so he didn't have much to do. He ended up researching the Gold family, mostly interested in Beatrix.

"Teen survives snow storm.

Ezaria Beatrix Gold (16) was found taking shelter in the snow after an avalanche nearly destroyed the town.

Six people were found dead in the snow, and several others injured. But no story reads like the one of fifteen-year-old Ezaria. Days after the Avalanche engulfed the small town, the search team found the teen clutching the life of a six-year-old neighbor. Sarah Zewaki (6) told the nurses at the hospital that Ezaria risked her own life to save the little girl. For days she rationed the snacks they had had with them and refused to eat anything, allowing the six year old a fair chance to survive. Ezaria was severely dehydrated and starving by the time they were located but weakened more by the fact that she was now parentless.

After recovery, Ezaria is to be sent to her only living relative, Mr. Ashley Gold of Storybrooke, Maine. However, not before a ceremony is to be held in honor of her selfless bravery and benevolence."

The article was dated a year ago. Another articled colored the picture of how completely crazy it was during the avalanche and how Ezaria Beatrix had nobly aided where she could, nearly dying in her attempt to save and then protect the little girl. After they were rescued and taken to the hospital, she had refused to take any credit stating that anyone would have done it. She received medals of Honor and naming rights to the new main street once the town is rebuilt.

Ezaria had taken her second name and pretended as if nothing ever happened.

Wait a second. Ashley is Mr. Gold's first name? *Yes.

Graham stared out of his office and then glanced up at the clock. School was about to finish. He packed up his things and headed out.

Beatrix walked out of the school and walked towards her place. Some girls greeted her as if they'd known each other for some time.

She ignored Grannie's as the thought of coffee made her skin tingle and her gut clench and she hurried home. She walked into her living room and ripped off her shirt with a relieved sigh and jumped back against her door when she saw Graham sitting at her kitchen table.

"You scared me." She uttered as she lightly wrapped her shirt around her again. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see if you're alright."

"You broke into my apartment to see if I'm okay? Isn't there some law against that? Shouldn't I call the authorities… Oh, that's you." She joked as she walked around him to the sink.

"Why am I so besotted with you?" he asked suddenly and she whirled around, almost dropping her shirt.

"Besotted? Wait, that's British for infatuated, right?" she half joked.

He stood and closed the gap between them, trapping her to the counter. She took a deep breath and bit her lip.

"Strongly infatuated. Intoxicated; drunk. Obsessed with, passionate about, consumed with desire for, devoted to, doting on, greatly enamored of, very attracted to, very taken with, enchanted by, beguiled by… need I go on?"

He took her chin in his hand and tugged her lip free of her teeth. And with a deep breath he kissed her. He kissed her as if he was drowning and she was air.

With a whimper of pain, she pushed him away.

Her skin was red from the morning's burn. He grabbed some ice and helped relieve the pain. He watched her face as she slowly relaxed.

She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Perhaps we knew each other in a past life." She said softly and moved away.

She returned, wearing her most comfortable shirt and sat across from where he was waiting for her at the kitchen table.

"You look like you belong here." She said.

"I probably don't." he said with a laugh.

"It's okay, Graham." He sucked in air when she said his name as if the sound of it released him.

"It's okay." He whispered.

*In the United Kingdom the name is used for both boys and girls. This is just a random name I picked for possible mocking purposes.