Rumple's Midnight Encounters: For lookingformyunicorn

With the last rays of sunlight Rumplestiltskin, his golden skin glittering only faintly in the light of the setting sun, hurried to collect the herbs he needed and he could only find at night. Amidst the mingled sweets of the evening air there was the heavy scent of the new cut grass, and the aroma of the sprouts of pines, which the sun had just left. The golden man bent forth and plucked some of the green which he then collected in a basket he held under his arm. In this fashion he continued, humming softly, until behind him a sound sizzled and he knew, without looking, that the teleport Rush had given him had started to function.

This meant there would be a new presence, a new guest.

Rumplestiltskin turned his head and looked at her from over his shoulder, a sly smile on his lips. Even in the darkness he could make out the faint traces of a girl. She was returning his smile.

"And how can I help you, dearie?" The man said, lips twitching. He cradled the basket of herbs close to his chest and turned fully towards her, studying her in the dim light of the moon and the stars. A gush of wind passed them and grazed their skin, and Rumplestiltskin realized he felt more alive at night, in the presence of his extraordinary uninvited guests, than he had ever felt before.

The girl hesitated and parted her lips, her smile never wavering.

"Ah, don't tell me." The imp quickly said, stopping her before words could escape her. He wiggled a golden finger in front of her, aware she must see the movement even in the dark. "Aaah," His voice creaked, and almost another giggle had come forth if he hadn't suppressed it in time. Now it was only a choked chuckle. "you came here to help me."

"To help you?" The girl said, sounding somewhat surprised. Her smile remained but it looked more confused now, like her voice and words had indicated.

"Yes, yes, yes, dearie. Work needs to be done here." Rumplestiltskin marched resolutely past her, his arm brushing past hers. "What better time to start then now. Stay here, dearie."

He leaned forth and placed the basket of herbs next to the door.

"You can call me Megan," Megan said, eyeing him suspiciously. She touched her own face, something she usually did when she was nervous. And the presence of this golden man, this imp, was enough to make her very nervous.

"Megan," Rumplestiltskin coed. Her smile had become an awkward smile now.

When Rumplestiltskin didn't continue his speech Megan walked over to him and halted in front of him, standing face to face. "Is this going to be another of your deals?" She asked him, her smile now inquisitive.

Amazing, Rumplestiltskin thought, her smile betrays all her emotions. She doesn't just have one smile but several. He wondered just how many of these smiles she held. If he'd make a deal with her he should ask for any of her smile, to hold them, even for just a day. A smile was powerful, if not only to influence any current mood.

The imp hesitated. "I guess I am famous for that." He finally said with a crooked grin.

"You are," Megan confirmed. "Your deals always end-"

He cut her short, irritated. "things I benefit from. Yes I know." He waved his hands about elegantly. It was as if his sleeves, his ruffles, lived a life of their own by the movements they made as they danced around his arms. He took on a dancing pose.

"That is why I won't ask you for one."

Megan huffed. "You sound as if you've heard this many times before."

"Not many," The golden man said, "But approximately twelve times in the past twelve nights." He showed his teeth at her, his smile gone and his eyes glistening. "So how about you help me move that thing." He pointed at the teleport.

Megan frowned. "What's in it for me?"

The man had to think. She was still smiling. Would that smile truly never fade? "Will you help me yes or no?"

Megan took a step back. This was foul game. He was playing dirty for asking her this way. After all she had a hard time saying no. "Yes," She agreed and came closer again, "I'll help."

As Megan took her stand at one side of the teleport, Rumplestiltskin came to stand at the other side, and together they lifted the machine and started to bring it inside his castle. The teleport wasn't that big, and being the shape of a tube it looked as if both figures were hugging the instrument. Megan's arms circled half way around it, and coincidentally, so did Rumplestiltskin's. This caused for their arms to brush past each other by each step they took and Megan could feel her face flush. The imp's skin was warm, she could feel it each time his hands connected with hers.

"Couldn't you have done this on your own?" Megan finally dared to ask. "After all, you got it outside, right?"

The golden man gave her an impish smile. "Oh yes," he murmured. "But where would have been the fun in that?" His hand brushed past hers again as she let go.

"Next time I would like to make a deal with you." Megan said.

The imp smirked at her. "Wouldn't we all?" His reply held a little air of arrogance.

She blushed and started to dissolve.

Rumplestiltskin clicked his tongue and run a hand through his hair. "Alas, my company is gone."

He swiftly turned on his heels and walked back to the garden to collect the ingredients for his curse.

The basket had fallen over and the herbs had been blown away. Rumplestiltskin knelt down and ran his fingers through the mud. He had to collect the herbs all over again. Tomorrow, he thought.

Tomorrow there would be another night.