"Who's the new girl?" Killian leered at the attractive young woman who had just left Robert Gold's office tucked inside his extravagant mansion. Gold looked up from the papers that his new assistant had left on his desk and at the man who was the sheriff of Storybrooke, the impertinent and arrogant man who seated himself in a chair across from him with a roguish smile, Killian Jones.
"Her name is Belle French." His tone was full of contempt for the man. "She's my new secretary." His dark eyes leveled a warning at the man. "And you would be wise to stay away from her." Killian's reply was heralded with a sly smirk at his employer.
"Want her all to yourself then eh?" He chuckled and then readjusted his black leather jacket with the gold star on it. "Very well. However it seems a bit of a waste for such a young and energetic girl to be unable to meet her equal in, shall we say, stamina?" With obvious dismissal his eyes traveled over the wrinkled face of the older man, while he clicked his tongue in mock pity.
Gold's eyes blazed with a smoldering fury and his lips thinned until his face looked like the Death's Head skull. "Careful Jones." Growling out the warning to Killian he added. "Accidents have happened before to officers of the law in Storybrooke, and they could again."
Bravely Jones returned the reply with a warning of his own. "Oh, I'm well aware. That's why it pays to take out a little life insurance, don't you think?" He paused and then lowered his voice. "Remember, I know where the bodies are buried."
A cold laugh vibrated out of the most powerful man in town that practically chilled the air in the opulent office. "And you would be wise to remember who put those bodies there in the first place."
They both paused as they dueled with their eyes until after a beat Killian withdrew from the stalemate with a slight nod of obedience. "Touche." Satisfied with his victory, Gold returned his attention to the business papers before him that required his attention. "I'm just worried with how much the woman knows." Killian's words interrupted him and he placed the pen on the desk beside the papers, knowing that the man across from him would not let him work in peace until he had said whatever was in that tiny organ in his head that he called a brain. "I mean about what she knows about your real business, not this other nonsense that you hide behind."
"I can assure you that Miss French knows only what I tell her." He spat. "And what I tell her is my business." With an eyebrow raised in irritation he added to his declaration. "Are we clear sheriff?"
Killian shrugged, seemingly satisfied with his answer. "Crystal." Gold picked up his pen once more.
"Now if that will be all."
Killian made no move to leave. "Not quite, it seems we have a problem." Gold dismissed him with a wave of his hand as he wrote his signature with the other.
"Well, I pay you to deal with problems. So deal with it."
Killian tented his fingers in front of him and inhaled deeply before he answered. "This problem needs to be handled with care." He continued and slowed his cadence to emphasise the importance of his words. "Because this problem is very personal to you." Gold raised his head and gave the sheriff his undivided attention as an invitation for him to continue. "It's your son. Neal has been arrested in New York."
Gold leaned back in his expensive and plush aged leather chair. He rubbed his temple in irritation at his troublesome son. Although he loved his son more than anything in the world, he realized that in hindsight he had done more harm than good by spoiling him during his childhood. He had given his son everything that the boy ever wanted while he was growing up, mostly to assuage his own guilt over the accident that led to his mother's death. While this had succeeded at buying his son's love at the time he had also instilled a sense of entitlement and recklessness in Neal that had cost Gold a great deal in money and favors. If Neal had not been his son he would have solved the problem in his own way and washed his hands of the whole aggravating situation. "Then get him out and back here. I'll deal with him."
"I'm afraid it will not be that easy this time. He's being held by the FBI this time." Gold sighed in frustration, dealing with the police was one thing but the federal government was quite different and extremely expensive.
"Get it done." His voice was firm but he felt anger rise inside as he watched Jones shake his head in the negative in response.
"I'm afraid I can't do that this time. The agent holding him has a grudge against him that won't be satisfied with a simple check." He paused to add drama to his words. "He's being held by Special Agent Emma Swan Nolan."
A soft whistle streamed from the small speaker in the baby monitor that sat on the coffee table near two bottles of wine, one empty and the other slightly less than half full of expensive dark magenta liquid. Tipsy laughter came from the two women responsible for the rapidly disappearing alcohol that evening sitting on the couch with their shoes off and their legs curled beneath them.
For the first time in quite a while Regina Mills was enjoying herself. It was well past midnight and her little prince was sleeping soundly in his nursery upstairs while his mother was thoroughly enjoying conversing and giggling like a little girl with her new friend.
"I am so buzzed." Ruby said right before she took a long sip from her wine glass. "But damn Regina! This wine is good!" They both laughed at the statement that held no particular humor but had suddenly struck them both as hilarious.
"For $200 dollars a bottle it better be good!" Regina said as she refilled Ruby's glass. The diner owner's eyes widened in shock and her jaw dropped comically.
"$200!" She whispered as if it was a secret that someone might overhear. "You're throwing away your money on me, you should be saving this for someone more important!" She meant it as a joke but she saw the sudden change in Regina's demeanor, the mayor's smile began to fade and her eyes sank to the inside of her glass.
"No one else speaks to me or relates to me as if I have feelings, except you." Her voice was low and full of emotion. "So you Miss Lucas are the most important person that I have had the pleasure of entertaining and you are worth every penny." Ruby's breath caught in her throat and her cheeks reddened while a wide smile spread between them.
"My my madam mayor!" Ruby said playfully as she poked Regina's shoulder with her finger. "You are quite the charmer!" She chuckled, and this time it was Regina who turned away, embarrassed as she took a long sip of wine.
"It's not just empty words Ruby." Regina's voice was a whisper and Ruby had to strain to hear it. "You have no idea how lonely I am. When my mother gave me Henry I knew it was just a small part in some grand scheme of hers." Puffy red eyes that overflowed with tears that fell quickly down a magnificent jawline looked up slowly and met Ruby's with so much pain and loneliness that it broke the heart of the owner of Granny's daughter. "But I didn't care Ruby! I didn't care because now I have someone! Someone I can give my love to." Her soft whisper became quieter still. "Someone who will finally love me." Then she crumbled and her body was wracked by violent sobs. Ruby grabbed the wine glass out of the hand of the weeping woman before it fell to the ground and placed her own on the table together side by side. Her arms wrapped the woman up and she pulled her tightly to her chest, rubbing her back with her hands and rocking her gently back and forth.
"It's going to be okay Regina. It's going to be alright." She murmured into the brunette hair resting underneath her chin. It seemed so terribly unfair to Ruby that someone as caring and as compassionate as Regina Mills had suffered and continued to suffer so much pain and anguish in her life. She couldn't imagine the kind of isolation that Regina had lived in for six long years, perhaps even longer, the thought sent chills down her back. "It'll be different now. You have a son in Henry that will grow up to love you so very much!" With her finger she lifted a quivering chin until chocolate brown eyes met hers. "And you have a friend in me." She gave Regina a self deprecating grin. "That is if madam mayor doesn't mind slumming it with the owner of a greasy spoon." Ruby's heart warmed at the wet laugh that fell from Regina's throat.
"I would be honored to call you a friend Miss Lucas." Regina said with genuine affection. Ruby smiled in appreciation of the heartfelt receipt of her friendship. Then the water eyes seemed to cloud over and Ruby suddenly became aware of how close their faces were. Regina's expertly painted crimson lips parted and Ruby began to tally the number of glasses of wine they had consumed in her head. She froze in place as Regina's eyelids lowered slowly and her lips came closer and closer to her own. Ruby's eyes were as big as saucers as Regina gently pressed those same lips onto her own.
Oh my God! What do I do? Her mind screamed as she tried to understand what was happening. She felt Regina's lips open and her tongue slowly lick Ruby's, begging to be allowed inside, but Ruby kept her mouth clamped tight. Slowly she began to gently push Regina back and gave her friend a slightly embarrassed but completely supportive smile. Confusion laced Regina's features at first but then shame filled her and her face showed it clearly as if she was as transparent as glass.
"Ruby." Regina's raspy voice was low. "I apologize for that." She straightened her clothes and her back while wiping the tears from her cheeks with her hands. "That was inappropriate and I did not mean to make you uncomfortable." Her eyes met Ruby's and the mayor looked as if she was made of stone. "If you wish to leave you are free to go." She stood up, silently extending the invitation for Ruby to do the same. Ruby shook her head and grabbed Regina's hand and unceremoniously pulled her back down onto the sofa making the mayor sit with a very undignified plop. Regina's temper began to flare until she heard the loud laughter coming from Ruby and the huge smile on her face.
"Oh my Lord Regina!" Ruby was howling with laughter and trying to speak at the same time, making her voice sound two octaves too high. "You should see your face!" Regina was confused but then she couldn't hold back the giggles that were erupting from inside her as well, prompted by the laughter of the other woman, she held her hands over her mouth as the giggles spilled out. "And you were all like I did not mean to make you uncomfortable." Her voice playfully mocked the mayor's who was now snorting with laughter on the couch beside her. "If you wish to leave you are free to go! Regina! Calm down girl! It was just a drunken kiss!" Ruby playfully shook Regina's shoulders. "If I had a nickel for every drunken kiss I had with another woman in college-" She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I could pay off my college tuition!" Her laughter relaxed Regina and she felt infinitely better. "Regina, I understand okay?" Ruby squeezed Regina's hand between both of hers. "You're lonely and a little drunk. And let's face it girl-" Ruby licked one finger and touched it to her own shoulder while making a hissing sound. "I am hot! So it's not your fault, who wouldn't want to get with this? I'm very flattered Regina because you are really sexy. But this girl right here loves dick! I can't get enough of those hard little peckers!"
Now tears from laughter spilled from Regina's eyes as she laughed harder than she had in recent memory. "I'm still sorry Ruby." She said as she caught her breath. "I guess I am really lonely." She said with a huff, blowing a wayward lock of blackish-brown hair from her face.
Ruby shook her head as she emptied the wine from the bottle between their two glasses before handing Regina her glass back. "No girl! Didn't you hear me? You used to be lonely." She tapped her glass with Regina's. "Now you got Ruby." She ended with a wink and it caused Regina to start giggling again.
Listening to the woman laugh freely was so touching to Ruby that she decided then and there that she would do everything in her power to get Emma and Regina together once and for all.
The antiseptic smell filled her nostrils and made her nose itch, her face scrunched up as she fought a sneeze, not wanting to blow snot all over the police officer who was standing on guard in front of the door that she was both dreading and at the same time exhilarated to open. Emma nodded to the policeman and pushed the handle on the room door. A smirk spread across her face as she happily took in the sight of Neal Gold lying on a hospital bed, one hand handcuffed to the rail of his bed and one leg in a cast. With his eyes closed he looked so weak and helpless. Not so tough are you now huh? I'd like to see you try coming at me again, you fuck! With a low chuckle that held not a drop of humor inside it, she made her way to the bed and kicked it hard, jarring Neal awake.
"Ow fuck!" His eyelids sprang open and he winced in pain, grabbing for the cast.
"Oh Neal!" Her voice was laced with mock sincerity. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?" She sat down hard on the bed by his cast, shaking his broken leg again.
"Damn it! My fucking leg!" He looked at her with watery eyes and a pained expression.
"Wow, I am just so clumsy today." Her eyes drifted away, distracted by the fascinating pattern on the wallpaper wrapping the drab beige room, her voice holding no empathy for Neal's predicament. "Anywhoo, I just dropped by to say hi before they lock you up for nine years." She relished the look of terror that suddenly sprang on his face. "See, they found the heroin in the trunk of your car Neal. Possession with intent to distribute? Class B felony son! Nevermind the warrant on the bond you skipped out on, but cheer up Neal! Imagine all the reading you get to do for the next ten years!" He visibly swallowed and Emma didn't feel at all guilty with how much she was enjoying this. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news like this, I was going to get you flowers-" She shrugged. "Then I realized that I really don't give a shit." Her sneer appeared suddenly and as fast as lightning, setting her icy green eyes ablaze. "I'm just glad the NYPD let me come in and see you alone before they put you in a dark hole for a very long time." She patted his cast and then pretended as though she was leaving, even though she had no intention to do so. She wanted to get the information he was holding about her parents accident. She didn't have to wait long as his hand reached out to her but she deftly pulled back, she was never going to let him touch her ever again.
"Wait! I told you, I know things! Things I can tell you about your parents accident! You have to help me!" He looked absolutely pathetic as he begged her for help. She crossed her arms proudly across her chest and looked down her nose at him with disdain.
"Look who's begging for mercy now!"
"Please Emma! I'm sorry for what I tried to do to you! I was way out of line!"
She scoffed at him derisively. "Oh you're sorry alright! But not about trying to rape me. No you're just a sorry excuse for a human being, you're nothing but a mongrel dog who should be put down." She took a deep breath to calm herself. "But, you're in luck. If you give me some information that turns out to be useful, the FBI may be willing to talk to the district attorney about working out a deal."
Neal frowned. "No. Get me a deal first and then I talk."
"Fuck you." She said with finality and stood. She didn't get more than two steps toward the door before he called out to her.
"Wait!" She smiled, knowing that Neal was too much of a coward to not cave. "Okay, okay. I'll tell you." It pleased her to no end to turn and see all the arrogance and confidence blow out of him as if he was a balloon. He looked so small and feeble just then, with his head hung low in defeat.
"Spill it you pathetic fuck." Emma's voice was cold and her eyes held no pity.
"My father ordered it. He ordered Killian Jones to kill your father, your mother just happened to be in the car too."
Gold tried to kill my parents? And deputy Jones was in on it? Her face masked the turmoil that raged like a tempest inside. She had her suspicions about Gold possibly playing a part in the accident, but she had nothing but a feeling to go on. There was no reason for him to want David dead, at least none that she was aware of. Why?
"Why did Gold try to kill my parents?" Her voice was that of the FBI interrogator, powerful and emotionless, her training was the only crutch she could lean on now as her head swam with questions.
"The sheriff found out what my father's real business is." Her eyebrow raised as she silently prodded him to continue. "Drugs."
For a long time she stood there in silence, watching him as beads of sweat began to form on his wrinkled forehead, hissing sounds of scrubbed air being pushed through hospital vents competing with the slow and steady sound of Emma breathing through her nose and the mirror opposite of Neal's panicked rapid breaths, still as a statute before she finally nodded.
"Do you have any proof of his involvement with the accident? Proof of his drug dealing?"
Neal nodded happily, realizing there was a chance he could weasel out of this and not caring if it hurt his father or not, after all, life was really all about self preservation, and his father could take care of himself. "Tons."