+ + + + + A Quiet Evening

The Golds' were having a family meal that evening, including Henry and Ysbael, who was old enough to sit at the table but was not really eating solid food. Emma was sometimes struck at how serious the child often was; she looked people right in the eye and Emma knew already that she had inherited her father's stern stare. However, tonight the stern stare was absent. Henry and Gold were both making her giggle. Right now Ysbael was in the throes of a giggle fit as both her father and brother were making duck sounds at her. Each time they would make a squawking-quacking sound, she would bust out with another round of cackling. Emma thought at how completely Gold's image would be shattered if anyone outside of the family saw him now – making silly sounds at a baby – and enjoying himself.

It was Henry's turn to engage the baby and Gold had pulled back, his eyes flicking over Emma's casual tank top attire. The scoop-neck top showed off her shoulders and arms and dipped low enough that the tops of her breasts with their gentle swelling were visible. Emma caught his eye and glanced down. She sat back up and tried to surreptitiously pull up the top.

He leaned in towards her and spoke in a low tone, "Don't bother with that on my account, dearie. But I have shared with you that I don't like it when other men are able to view my wife's . . . assets."

"I know," she admitted to him. "But I didn't have anything else clean."

"I pay Miss Ashley to do our laundry, but I've found it works best if you actually give the garments to her to wash."

Emma sighed, "Rather than leaving them scattered about. You're a neat-freak, you know that," she said, trying to deflect him.

"You wound me, dear. How shall I handle that scathing assessment of my character?"

Emma knew that she would not win in a battle of words with her husband, and certainly not with her children present. But he seemed in a good mood and after sighing, knowing he was not likely to impact on Emma's slattern ways, he added, "You could buy more clothes."

"Yeah," Emma frowned at him. "I know, the dress thing."

Henry was looking at the two, puzzled. Emma addressed him, "Your father thinks I should buy more dresses because I'm going to be the mayor now." She omitted the part that he wanted her in skirts that he could just lift up to get at her lady parts.

"It's also more appropriate with her position as the wife of the wealthiest man in town," he added. "She should begin dressing the part."

"Mom," Henry responded. "You look extra pretty in dresses. I think you should wear more of them, too."

Emma glared at the two most important men in her life. She imagined them high-fiving each other the first moment they were out of her sight. "Men," she pulled a face at both of them and abruptly Ysbael started giggling again. "You better be on my side, girl," she talked directly to her daughter. "These two men will try to boss us around and we females need to stick together."

The family enjoyed some dessert and a quiet evening. Gold was now teaching Henry chess and the two played each other seriously for nearly an hour. Emma was engaged in another serious discussion about the content of some picture books with Ysbael who seemed intently interested in bunnies, kitties and puppies at the moment. Soon enough, Emma removed herself to bathe and then feed the baby, while Gold supervised Henry in their usual bedtime rituals.

"This was a nice evening," she remarked to Gold who was waiting for her in their bedroom when she came in after laying Ysbael down.

"It was," he agreed. Better than her plain tank tops and dollar store granny panties which she had often worn to bed previously, Emma was now wearing one of the night garments he had bought for her. Whatever her transgressions in daywear were, and she had many, she had been very compliant with his requests for what she wore to bed. This evening she wore a short pink silk chemise with tiny black polka dots and black-lace trimming. It came with matching undies and was one of his favorites. With her honey-blonde hair, the combination made her look sweet and innocent. She was smiling at him when she climbed into bed with him.

"Have I ever told you that I think we need to send Regina a thank you note?" Emma said as she snuggled with him.

"What?" he responded, almost choking.

"Well, I don't think I would have ever willingly gotten into bed with you but for her interference."

"She tricked us both," he noted sourly.

"Yeah, well I've been tricked into your bed a couple of times, and not always by Regina; but mind you, I'm not complaining. And our agreement to pretend we were engaged and then finding out I was pregnant, well honestly that made it feel like I was bound to you and kinda forced into your bed, even though I'll admit, I didn't protest too much on that account either. And then, when I was furious with you for locking me in the basement, but you kept me around by promising me that you would get Henry back, well, I felt like you were paying me off, like you bought me for your bed."

Gold gave her his tightest smile. "I've been told that the only ways I can ever get any woman into my bed it through forcing her, tricking her or buying her. Sounds like I've done all three to you."

"What bitch told you that?" Emma asked. "Well, I'm not being forced, tricked or bought right now. Let me assure you that I enjoy getting in your bed and as tough as it was, I am grateful for everything that led up to this."

"You enjoy it?" This was important for Gold to hear, for Rumple to hear.

"Absolutely, I always have a good time. You're usually gentle and even when you aren't, you are always very. . . thorough. I figure it's been to my benefit that you likely shtupped nearly every attractive and semi-attractive woman in town, mostly prior to my arrival. . . I think. Apparently one or two of them taught you something about pleasing a woman."

Gold smiled at her. "One or two of them, yes. And, tell me again, you're in my bed because you want to be?"

"Of course," she began to plant soft kisses on his jaw line, down his neck and on to his chest.

Gold closed his eyes. This was unexpected news, good news. It meant that one of the last pieces of bitterness spewed at him from the Lilac Fairy had faded. He had indeed tricked Emma, forced her and bought her, but right now, she was in his bed because she wanted to be.

He allowed Emma to show how happy she was to be him, her kisses dropping down his chest and. . . then. . . lower.

He supposed he should be pleased with himself. He had indeed learned from many women, but Emma had learned only from him. He was either an excellent teacher or she was a superb student.

+ + + + + Encounter

It was early the next morning. Emma had fed Ysbael, gotten Henry fed and off to school, finished her own breakfast (another one of the chocolate croissants!) with Gold and had left the house before him walking toward the Sheriff's office. She and David were planning on briefing Leroy regarding his job responsibilities later that morning and Emma was looking forward to watching David handle the situation. As she passed Gold's shop she noticed someone working in the small flower bed in front of the shop. As she got closer, she saw that it was a petite woman dressed in the habit of a nun. As she approached her, the woman did not look up, intent on pulling weeds from around the flowers.

"Hello," she said as she came up from behind.

The woman startled, turning toward Emma and, Emma noted, holding her hand above her face as if to ward off a blow.

"Hi, I was just walking by and wanted to tell you what a fine job you've done with the flower garden."

The woman slowly lowered her hand and gave her a small smile. Emma could see her face. Pale skin, amethyst eyes, beautiful, even features. No question. This was the Lilac Fairy.

"Thank you," her voice was soft and melodious. "I'm glad to be of service."

She didn't say anything else and appeared about to turn her attention back to the garden. Emma blurted out, "Aren't you Sister Lillian?"

The woman pulled back. "Yes," she replied. She seemed apologetic, as if she might have offended Emma.

"I'm Emma Gold, the Sheriff."

The woman seemed to shrink in front of her but managed to respond, in a low whisper, "Nice to meet you, Sheriff Gold."

Emma kept up her biggest smile. What was wrong with this woman? She seemed terrified. Emma had seen this while in foster care. Especially with some of kids coming in new who had been abused by their parents. They automatically covered their heads when their names were called, as if expecting to be hit. They automatically assumed that any comment they would make would be met with derision, at best, or another hit. They automatically assumed that anybody they met was there to hurt them. What the hell had Gold. . .Rumple done to the woman?

"Are you out here every morning?" she tried to find another question that was suitably banal.

"Only on Mondays and Thursdays," Sister Lillian replied. She kept her eyes down and remained kneeling.

Emma squatted down. "Gold has told me how happy he is with the job you've done with the flowers. He's not much with plants." She couldn't help but notice that the woman flinched at Gold's name.

"You are his wife, aren't you?" she asked Emma.

"Yes, dear," Emma tried to sound gentle and non-threatening.

"Has he, has he. . . told you anything about me?"

Did this woman actually remember anything? "I know you have been the one to tend his plants."

"Yes, yes. I'm glad he's happy with the flowers." There was an awkward silence and then Lillian spoke up. "He's not really mentioned the flowers, has he?"

Emma had to smile, "Actually no, but that's a good thing. He tends to go on more about things he doesn't like. So if he's not mentioned something. . . "

Lillian smiled back at her. "then it's good," she finished.

Good grief, Emma thought. This woman was absolutely stunning, even with the austere habit clothing and no makeup. She was incredibly beautiful. Emma could only imagined what she had looked like in Rumple's world.

+ + + + + A Caution

Jefferson and Gingema were moving along the brick road at a fast clip. They had just made it by the town of small houses. Gingema had waved off visiting the little town. The houses, she explained, belonged to the Munchkins, a race of small people loyal to her. If any of those following her were to catch her in their town, the Munchkins would be in danger.

Jefferson dutifully followed her and it was he that first heard the high pitched whirling sound and saw a light coming out of the sky.

"Something's coming," he alerted her.

"It's some one," she corrected him.

"Shall we try to hide?"

She shook her head, "It's too late, she's seen us." She took a deep breath and took a hold of his arm. "It's my sister, Glenda. She's amazingly beautiful. And all my life, people have listened to her, never to me. Jefferson, she will say things to try to convince you that I'm a terrible person, that I am evil. Please, please, don't listen to her," she begged him.

Jefferson listened to the pretty green fae and turned his attention to the ball of light that landed in front of their path. It glowed a glorious pink and a very delicate, young woman materialized from the center of the light. To Jefferson's eyes, the young woman looked plain and uninspiring, merely simply pretty and not enticingly exotic.

"Gingema, darling," she addressed her green sister in a breathy whisper. "Do you think it is wise to pursue this course of action? The wizard will discover what you are up to soon enough and he will kill you."

Jefferson was surprised. Glenda sounded more concerned than accusing.

Gingema responded, "What choice do I have? I can sit back and wait for him to come to us and he will, soon enough. . . or I can go after him. I choose to fight. Not to sit in a castle somewhere and hope that maybe he will go away. He wants our magic, sister. He wants us dead."

"We don't know that," her sister sounded so reasonable. "We've heard nothing from him."

"Why else do you think he's come? Do you think he's here to advise us on dress fashions or take us to a dance? Now you can come with me and help or you can get out of my way," Gingema spoke harshly.

Glenda shook her head. "My sister, I shall not come with you. I shall not get in your way. Be careful, be careful. If we know nothing else, the wizard is very dangerous. He will not be easy to kill." She turned and nodded to Jefferson and was quickly enveloped in a ball of pink light which rose and drifted back the way it had come.

"Can you believe her?" she asked Jefferson. "She made herself sound so kind and reasonable and so concerned. 'Be careful, be careful'," she mocked her sister. "Does she not realize how dangerous this wizard is? If we do nothing he will enslave us or he will kill us. And she leaves me to do all the work. If I succeed, she will still expect to regain her land to rule. If I should fail, she will bow before the wizard and tell him she had nothing to do with me or my plan." Gingema was clearly furious.

While listening to her, Jefferson could hear her anger and frustration with her sister. He could also hear some fear at the daunting task that lay before her.

"My lady, put this behind you. If your sister does not wish to help, so be it." He turned her to face him. "You can only do what is right for you, what you must do."

Gingema glowered at him for a moment and then broke into a smile. When she smiled she reminded him of his cousin, Regina, beautiful, clever, and somewhat devious and untrustworthy. Regina was a remarkable talent. She had inherited many skills from her mother. Regina, who had never thought he was strong, who had never thought he deserved the magical talent he had. For his part, Jefferson had always thought Regina was too close to that devil imp, Rumpelstiltskin. He knew the imp only from reputation, but that was enough. That was enough.

Gingema stood on her tiptoes and placed a kiss gently on his lips. "You do help me. You help me so much. And you're right. I have to do what is right for me. Thank you."

The two walked on, down the yellow brick road.

+ + + + + Re-Connect

Jefferson stopped by the pawn shop to see Gold.

Gold looked up when the tall, young man came in. "You look happy," observed Gold.

"Yes sir, I am. I have spent several evenings in the company of the most delightful, refreshing young woman. I had no idea she was here, that she was no longer a child."

"I didn't think you knew," said Gold.

"I wanted to thank you for. . . re-connecting us. Is there anything I can do, anyway I can thank you?"

Gold shook his head. "I was in a generous mood when you came in and I knew she would be in shortly with her payment. I thought I would try to get you two together. You are, after all, the father of the lovely child who will almost certainly become my daughter-in-law."

"Your meddling hasn't always worked out well for me, Gold. That first time. . . " began Jefferson.

"You got in that situation by yourself, Jefferson. I just happened to be there on personal business and helped you get out of it."

"You were as dangerous then as you have ever been. Personal business, hah."

Gold was smiling at him. "I did get around those days and had my finger in a lot of pies," he admitted.

Jefferson turned to leave, but stopped as he got to the door. "Did you know, did you know then?"

"Know what?" asked Gold

"About Grace?"

Gold smiled at him. "How could I have known? That was long before Emma, before Henry. How powerful do you think I am?"

"I would never underestimate you," Jefferson told him.

"Well," Gold said in an undertone. "that is probably a wise course of action."

+ + + + + New on the Job

"Now Leroy, of course there will be no drinking on the job," David was emphasizing the responsibilities of the new position.

"Well damn, David, I thought you had to stay drunk to do this job," he responded sharply. "I'm joking of course. No drinking, gotcha. Same as working security at the hospital."

David continued. "Now, I will tell you what Sheriff Gold told me when I first came on board. This is your desk. This is your cell phone. This is your desk phone. When either phone rings, you answer it."

Leroy considered. "Hey, I can do that. Anything else?"

"That's pretty much it."

"Well, David, let me tell you. I really appreciate the opportunity to do this job. I won't let you down." Leroy settled in at David's old desk (Emma had vacated her spot so David could work from her old position). Leroy stretched. "Hey, can I bring my cat to work? He's really not much trouble. He just likes to be around people."

+ + + + + Remembering

"Good afternoon, sister. How are things going for you?" It was Feta Celeste, the Blue Fairy. She had come across Sister Giselle reviewing the assignments for flower duty.

"Excellent, Mother Superior. Assignments are going well, flowers are looking beautiful."

Celeste sat down next to her. "You are doing well?"

"Very much so. Thank you." Giselle watched her closely.

"I'm remembering things," shared Celeste.

"Me too," replied Giselle.

The two women sat quietly for a long moment.

Finally Celeste said, "Rumplestiltskin."

Giselle sat a moment, made eye contact and responded, "Mr. Gold."

NEXT Jefferson and Gingema make a new friend (?)

Mary Margaret has to ask Gold for help (which will work out in Gold's favor)

A.N. The Jefferson story should be picking up with the next chapter. He and his new lady friend will have an interesting encounter with someone who may or may not be helpful to them on their quest.