Hands On Me

A/N: First things first, I WROTE A RUMBELLE ONE-SHOT! Yep, I actually attempted to write Belle and I think I did pretty ok. It's just a one-shot called "Good Morning, Mr. Gold" and I would appreciate it if you would go and read it and let me know if it's any good or if I should quit writing Belle while I'm ahead. Thanks. :) And I know, I promised this last week. For that, I am sorry. Life got in the way, but it's here now! The very last chapter will be up tomorrow. I do so hope you guys have enjoyed this. Please read this nice long one and let me know what you think!

Chapter 25

"The evidence is piling up by the hour," a very distressed sounding Emma could be heard down the hall as Natasha approached. She frowned, her arm in Mr. Gold's as they made their way towards the cells.

"Okay, what are you saying?" Mary Margaret's voice could be heard responding, sounding equally distressed.

"I'm saying you should think about hiring a lawyer," Emma said and that was when they made their entrance.

"An excellent idea," Mr. Gold agreed with a slight smirk on his face. The pair turned towards him with surprise on their faces.

"Mr. Gold, what are you doing here?" Emma asked suspiciously.

"Oh, Natasha," Mary Margaret called to her friend at the same time and Natasha let go of Mr. Gold, surging forwards towards the bar. She grabbed her friend's hands through it and frowned sympathetically with her.

"Oh, Mary, are you ok?" Natasha asked, concern evident in her voice.

"I've been arrested; do I sound ok to you?" Mary Margaret nearly snapped and Natasha just squeezed her hand in support, shaking her head sadly.

"It's going to be ok," she promised. "Mr. Gold's going to get you out." That was when Mary Margaret turned her attention to the man.

"What are you doing here?" she repeated Emma's services, confused to his presence.

"Offering my legal services," he said simply. Emma's brow rose in surprise.

"You're a lawyer?" she asked and he smirked.

"Ever wondered why I was so adept at contracts?" he said silkily and Natasha couldn't help but smiling in amusement at his sarcasm.

"He's been following the details of your case, Mary," Natasha informed her friend.

"And I think you'd be well advised to bring me on as your counsel," Mr. Gold offered her then.

"Do I have you to thank for this?" Mary Margaret whispered to Natasha. She smiled and shook her head.

"No," she admitted softly. "He decided this all on my own. I'm only here because he's how I found out…just talk to him, ok?" Mary nodded and then looked up at Mr. Gold.

"And why is that?" she asked Mr. Gold suspiciously, confused as to why he would ever agree to take her case.

Even Natasha had been a tad confused about that one, but once Mr. Gold had explained it it seemed to make sense and she came around to it. She knew her friend and her boyfriend –really, was that the right word?– didn't get along very well, but she also knew her friend could really use all the help she could get. Besides, it made Natasha happened that two of the most important people in her life could have an opportunity to come to some sort of amicable arrangement.

"Enough. Please go," Mary said sternly, breaking through Natasha's thoughts. She raised her brow in surprise, having been so lost in her thoughts that she completely tuned out the conversation that had been happening around her. Mr. Gold noticed and though she couldn't see, he flashed her an amused smile.

"You heard her," Emma said bitterly, but as Mary let out a sigh at her words Natasha realized the words weren't directed at Mr. Gold.

"No, I was talking to you," Mary Margaret confirmed Natasha's assumption. Emma looked at her in surprise and though Natasha heard her begin to splutter, Mary continued to talk over it. Her tone was apologetic. "Oh, Emma, he's right. I need help. And you need to do your job or else I'm screwed. So just please –do your job the best you can, and you'll prove me innocent. Until you do, I need some practical help."

"Trust me," Mr. Gold assured her in that smooth voice of his. "This is in Miss Blanchard's best interests."

"Good luck, Mary Margaret," Emma said soothingly to her friend. "I hope your best interests are what he's looking out for." She turned towards Natasha then. "Come on, Natasha. Why don't we get out of their hair…I have work to do anyways."

"Would you take me to my studio before you go? I left my walking stick there," Natasha asked her newest friend and Emma nodded, hooking arms with the blind girl before they made their way out of the jail.

"Why is he helping her? It's not like she has any money to pay him," Emma approached the topic tentatively as they made their way towards the diner. Natasha shrugged casually, not having expected anything less of everyone else.

"It surprised me a bit too when I asked on the way here," she admitted. "When I asked why he would do it for free, he just said he was invested in her future." Emma frowned thoughtfully at that.

"Rumpelstiltskin! Rumpelstiltskin!" Leah cried as she flung her bedroom doors open. She ran in, hoping that he might be around or hear her call and come. "Please! I need to help you! It's urgent!"

"You need to help me, dearie?" a voice drawled from her bed. She turned her face towards it and frowned, her brow creased with worry. He smirked at her, knowing what was about to come.

"You're in danger," she said hurriedly, almost as if if she didn't tell him now then he wouldn't know. "It's Snow White and Ella…they're…they have a plan to capture you. They're going to use the deal you already have with Ella and a magic quill to bind your powers and trick you! They're building a dungeon that'll hold you and…and…and…"

She felt a hand on her arm, meant to settle her, and so she took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She turned her face up towards Rumpelstiltskin, her expression pleading with him to assure her that he would be just fine and that this was all a terrible ruse. As much as he wanted to do that for her just then, as much as he wanted to take her in his arms and tell her that it was all going to be ok, he knew that he couldn't do that.

"I know," he said simply. Her look of worry was immediately replaced with a look of

"W-what?" she stuttered the words, taking a step back. She didn't know how he could be so calm about this.

"I said I know," he said, rolling his eyes at her absurdity. "I've known for a long time, dove. I planned it. It's supposed to happen this way." Her mouth fell open.

"So you're just…you're giving up?" she asked and she felt her chest tightening. She reached out for him then, and he let her. She pulled herself close, wrapping her arms around his waist, and buried her face in his chest as she tried not to cry. He felt a knot in his chest twist, but he tried not to act on instinct. He kept his arms down by his sides and merely looked down on her, watching as her shoulder shook.

"I'm not giving up," he tried to explain. He let out a sigh and softened his voice, knowing that he was going to have to tell her about this sooner or later. "I'm doing what I have to. There's…going to be a dark curse, Leah. And…we're all going to be in a new world, one where you won't remember me."

"What are you talking about?" Leah asked, turning her face up towards him. He saw the tears in her eyes, watched as she struggled to keep them from spilling over, and in that moment he couldn't help his instinct. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, trying to comfort her the only way he knew how. He gently stroked her hair and leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"You'll see," he said simply and she just frowned, looking down. "But…I'm here for more than just to hear you try to save me, dove." Her brow furrowed.

"What's that?" she asked, still refusing to look at him.

"I'm going to tell you who your parents are," he said. Her brow shot up and she turned her face towards him again.

"But why?" she asked and he smirked slightly at her sudden curiosity. She was letting go of her worry, he knew. This would distract her from all that was going to come –his reason for telling her in the first place.

"You deserve to know," he responded, knowing his lie was only half of one. She tilted her head and smiled softly up at him.

"You'd…do that?" she asked, knowing how much he liked to keep information to himself. It was his way of remaining in control at any given time, she knew.

"For you, anything," he said smoothly, and though he meant it to be a lie he found that it wasn't. Not even a little bit. She smiled wide at him at that, snuggling closer against him once last time before pulling away.

"Alright then," she said and he smirked at her readiness to hear this. She was in for a shock, he knew.

"Your parents…" he began slowly, intentionally dragging this out. She bit her lower lip nervously, waiting patiently for him to tell her. "They're the very king and queen of this castle." Her mouth fell open.

"I wish there was something we could do for Mary, Tasha, I really do," Ruby sighed sadly as she placed the cup of tea down in front of her friend. Natasha nodded in agreement,

"Her arraignment's this morning," Natasha said before taking a sip of tea. "I keep thinking that I should go, but she told me that I shouldn't when I visited her yesterday afternoon. Said something about her not making it…I don't know. She's losing it in there, Ruby. I really hope Emma finds something. And fast."

"We'll go visit her after I get off my shift," Ruby said with a smile. "With any luck, Gold will have her out on bail no problem. Maybe we could bring some ice cream and movies, have a girl's night like we used to." Natasha smiled at the idea.

"I think we could all use that," she admitted and Ruby nodded, heading back towards the counter.

"I have to take the trash out," she said as she gathered it. "But give me a minute and I'll be right back in."

Natasha just nodded, sipping slowly on her tea. Only a couple minutes had passed, but they passed by slowly. She heard the bell over the door signaling the exit of a customer, but she wasn't focused on that at all. Natasha was wrapped up in her thoughts, worrying about her friend and hoping that Mr. Gold was taking care of things properly. And that was when she heard it. It was such a gut wrenching scream that she couldn't help but flinch at the sound. It was faint, but she heard it. And she knew immediately that it was Ruby; that something had gone terribly wrong.

Grabbing her Stick, she climbed out of her booth and quickly made her way towards the door. She exited and ran around towards the back, her stick out in front of her just in case. She followed the voices –Ruby talking frantically and Emma responding, then a guy's voice –August, she thinks his name was. When she finally approached the people, Ruby had reached her. Ruby wasn't saying anything, too afraid to speak. She merely grabbed at her friend and clung to her as she turned to watch Emma. Natasha was confused, unable to see anything, and then she heard Emma's very audible gasp.

"What is it?" Natasha called, worried for her friend. Could Lobo be back for revenge? Was Emma confronting him now? But no, she didn't hear any voices. Only a feminine groan of pain.

"It's Kathryn," Ruby suddenly gasped as she recognized the bedraggled woman on the ground. Natasha's brow shot up.

"Her body?" she asked, feeling slightly queasy. She felt Ruby grasp her arm tighter and felt hair hit her in the face as Ruby shook her head no.

"No, she's alive," Ruby said softly, unbelieving the sight in front of her. Natasha couldn't see anything that was going on, but as the words sunk in all she could feel was sudden relief.

"Oh, this is wonderful!" Natasha whispered to Ruby, but as she really thought about it she knew it wasn't wonderful at all. What would that mean for Kathryn and David? What would that mean for who set Mary Margaret up? What had even happened? This was still just one big mess and though Kathryn wasn't dead, which was good, it still wasn't going to get any easier. Natasha frowned. No, this wasn't wonderful at all.

Leah took a deep breath, standing in front of the large oak doors. She had been in front of this door for nearly twenty minutes, pacing back and forth and trying to figure out whether or not she wanted to do this and what she would even say. Finally believing herself to be ready, she raised her hand and prepared to knock.

"Come in," a voice called from the other side before her fist could even touch the door. Leah's brow rose in surprise. Apparently, her pacing hadn't been as quiet as she thought. All the readiness that she felt suddenly went away, but she knew it was too late now. She was expected.

Hesitantly, Leah pushed open the doors and stepped into the parlor. She hadn't ever been in this room of the castle before. She'd only even been to this part one other time. And that was the first time she got here, when she got lost trying to find the kitchen. Every time she had dealt with the King or Queen, it had been in her part of the castle. Being in this vast open room belonging to the Queen was…strange. She didn't know where anything was and she felt very vulnerable for it.

"Do come over and sit down, child," the queen's voice coaxed from the other side of the room. Giving her a half-smile, Leah followed the sound and reached out, finding the table easily. She didn't sit, though. She was too nervous for that.

"I…you…" Leah trailed off, unsure of what else to say. All the words she had planned out before this suddenly left her and she wasn't sure where to even begin.

"I was wondering when you would come," the queen began for her and Leah's brow rose in surprise once more. Had Rumpelstiltskin told her too? As if reading her mind, the queen smiled and let out a soft laugh. "I figured it out on my own, my child."

"And…and the king. Does he know?" Leah asked, feeling odd that this conversation was happening. They both knew what the other one was referring to, yet neither of them were saying it specifically out loud.

"I suspect that he has known all along," the queen admitted and Leah frowned slightly, noting the distant tone to the queen's voice.

"Did he not tell you his suspicions?" Leah asked softly, unsure of how else to broach the topic. Though she could not see, she could tell that the queen was shaking her head.

"He would never wish to hurt me, to get my hopes up about things I cannot have, or to drag up the past when it is better left where it is," the queen said simply. Leah let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. That made so much sense. Perhaps she should leave the past where it was as well, and yet she found she couldn't. The words were on her tongue and she couldn't help them coming off.

"You…you're my mother," Leah said slowly, putting it out in the open as she sunk down into the chair across from the elderly queen.

"No, my child," the queen said softly and Leah's brow rose once more. She was ready to protest, but the queen seemed to sense this and rested her hand over Leah's in order to keep her quiet. Leah bit her lip and turned her face down towards the hands resting in the middle of the table. The queen smiled at her. "You already have a mother. That will not change. She has raised you and she loves you, no matter where you are from. That is who your mother is." Leah smiled sadly before biting her lip once more.

"I…I am afraid she will never speak to me again," Leah admitted, turning her face back up to face the queen. "After what I did at the wedding…and then what I said to her…I am afraid she no longer looks at me as her daughter."

"Nonsense," the queen chastised, gently swatting at Leah's hand. Leah couldn't help but smile at her. "Your mother loves you very much and she will always love you. She might be tough on you, but I have met her. She is only looking out for your best interest. She will come around; I am sure of it." Leah nodded, knowing the queen was right.

"Thank you," Leah said and the queen just smiled. "For everything."

"I will always be here for you, my child," the queen said softly. "Even though you are not mine; you are of my blood. I have seen you as family since before and I will continue to see you as family. You are always welcome in my court. No matter who or what you may take company with…" Leah's brow shot up again.

"Do you…do you know?" Leah asked, afraid of the answer. The queen just smiled at her, squeezing Leah's hand. Leah couldn't see it, but the queen had this knowing twinkle in her eye and Leah could sense it. The queen just always seemed to know what was going on. It took a weight off of Leah's shoulders that she was still accepted for it.

"I know that you are happy and loved," the queen finally responded. "I also know that I need to go take tea with my husband. He will be expecting me soon."

"Oh, of course," Leah said, standing up. She grinned at the queen, very glad for the acceptance that she was receiving in that moment. The queen was more than just blood –she was family. Even if Leah already had one. "Thank you. For everything."

"Any time," the queen said softly and nodded. Leah bowed low and then carefully left the room, feeling that much better. Perhaps she would tell Rumpelstiltskin of this. He would be pleased, she was sure. With a smile on her face and skip to her step, she retreated to her quarters, ready to paint again for the first time in weeks.

"He has to know something; he has to," Natasha said to herself as she made her way down the familiar path to the pawn shop. Mr. Gold knew everything. He always knew everything that was going on. Perhaps he would know about Mary Margaret being set up; maybe he would have his suspicions. Emma had mentioned Henry's theory of it being Regina, but Natasha didn't think she could believe that. As terrible of a person as Regina could be, Natasha knew she was a public figure and wouldn't do something to ruin her reputation like that. Shaking her head, she pushed open the pawn shop door.

"It's all going to lead to me, isn't it?" Regina's voice was sharp and clear. Natasha paused in the doorway. Mr. Gold and Regina didn't seem to notice her, despite the bell. Had it even sounded? Natasha couldn't remember. She was just hearing this conversation and the words coming out were…confusing. "You bastard! This doesn't make any sense. You and I –we've been in this, together, from the start."

"Oh have we?" Mr. Gold purred. Regina's eyes narrowed.

"You created the curse for me. The curse that brought us here, and built all this," Regina nearly hissed. Mr. Gold just smirked at her.

"Yes, it's about time you said thank you," he said silkily and Natasha heard the huff of frustration from Regina.

"Why did you do it?" she snapped.

"Well, you're a smart woman, Your Majesty," he said simply, glancing behind her and catching sight of Natasha. His smirk only grew. "Figure it out." Regina's brow rose and she turned to see a confused looking Natasha facing them both. She grew angry then and whirled on the younger girl.

"What did you hear?" she hissed and Natasha stumbled over the words, shrinking back against the door as it closed behind her.

"N-not much," she said. "Just…I don't know. I don't even know what you're talking about!" There was a hint of fear in her voice that Mr. Gold could hear quite clear. Regina could be intimidating when she wanted to be.

"You'd do best to pretend you never heard it," Regina warned and that was when Mr. Gold stepped in.

"You'd do best to leave Miss Berry alone," Mr. Gold said, his tone stern and commanding. Regina glanced at him, tossing a glare his way. He glared back equally as icily. "Please." Natasha could hear Regina grind her teeth at his last word.

"Excuse me," Regina bit out and Natasha moved to the side, letting the woman pass. The door slammed shut and Natasha heard the bell. So it had been there…

"What was that about?" Natasha blurted out and Mr. Gold raised a brow at her, coming around the counter to approach her.

"Which part of it did you hear?" he asked, wanting to know what she knew before responding to her question.

"I…I came in with her calling you a bastard. What was she talking about? And why are you guys talking about a curse?" Natasha was extremely confused. Mr. Gold reached her then

"I'm not quite sure what she was on about myself," Mr. Gold lied easily, wrapping his arms around her to try to distract her from the conversation. She wasn't ready to hear it, he knew. He also knew that soon she would know anyways and so it would not matter. She would forgive him for lying. He knew that too.

"Yes you did," Natasha said, instinctively relaxing in his arms. She pressed against him, feeling the warmth in her lower belly as he dipped his head and pressed a kiss to her neck. "You called her something…addressed her like a queen. Mr. Gold, please. What's going on?"

"You'll know soon, dove," he said softly, pressing another kiss to her neck. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it…"

"But–" she protested, but he cut her off with a kiss. Her resolve melted then and she dropped the subject, knowing she could get him to talk later perhaps. She kissed back with everything she had, melting into him and wanting more.

"Come home with me tonight," he asked softly and she just nodded, kissing him again.

"Guess who," he said in a sing-song voice, his hands coming up to cover her face. She laughed at his childish antics and though it was not a game that would normally work with her, she appreciated the fact that he always treated her like a regular person. She turned around in her chair to face him and smiled.

"My Rumpelstiltskin," she said softly and stood up, grasping his hands. He let her, strangely enough.

"Oh, I'm yours now?" he teased and she laughed.

"I do not know," she admitted and he could hear the slight sadness in her voice. He couldn't help but take a step closer to her. She smiled at him for it. "But I am yours." With that, he smiled back. This was going to be hard. He wasn't sure he wanted to tell her, but he knew he owed it to her. She meant something to him, even if she was just supposed to be part of a deal.

"Leah, there is something I must say," he began tentatively. He was usually so sure of himself, so ready to cause pain with his words. Somehow, someway, this was different. She was different. And he couldn't help himself. He wrapped her in his arms, knowing this wasn't going to be easy for her. She frowned at him, knowing this purposeful affectionate behavior was strange for him. She knew then that something must be wrong.

"I have news for you as well," she said, but knew that he wanted to go first. That he had to go first.

"This will be the last time that I see you for a long time," he said. "You will forget me soon and the curse will run its course. Perhaps you will see me, but it will be different. Tonight I…I've come to say goodbye."

"What…what do you mean?" she asked, fear welling up inside of her. She wasn't sure what he was talking about –if he meant the plan he had talked to her about last time, or if he simply did not want to see her anymore. All thoughts she had of telling him of her meeting with the queen, of the acceptance they would receive in this court, flew from her mind. None of that was important now. Rumpelstiltskin smiled sadly at her, guessing some of the thoughts flying through her mind from the emotions that were flashing across her face. He gently cupped her face and brushed his fingertips over her cheek. She instinctively leaned into it. She had always done so since the day she was born.

"Tomorrow night I meet with Ella for she wants to make a deal," Rumpelstiltskin reminded her. He watched the tears well up and she clung to him tightly. He knew what was coming next.

"Please," she begged, grabbing his shirt and pulling him closer. "Please don't do it. Don't go. Don't do this. Please. Pretty please." He winced. He actually winced. There were those words –the two words she would say that would nearly bend him to her will. And this time they were said with such desperation that he almost felt his heart break. Almost. He frowned at her and tilted her face up, kissing her softly. This time, this time he had to go against her wishes. He had no choice. He had to have this curse –to find his son.

"I'm sorry," he whispered against her lips. "I have to go." And then he kissed her harder.

She clung to him, kissing back with everything that she had. She showed him in that kiss the desperation that she was feeling, the love that she had for him, the pain she was feeling from this soon to be separation, and all the feelings she wanted him to know, to share with her. She didn't want to lose him. She really hoped that he was right –that they would see each other again.

"Promise me something," he said, when the kiss was broken for air. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. He didn't want to see her cry. It was too much. He just wished that he didn't care this much, that she was just another plan like she was supposed to be.

"Anything," she swore and he held her tighter still.

"Promise you won't come find me. That when I'm locked up, you won't see me," he said.

"Rumpelstiltskin, I–" she tried to protest, but his arms tightening around her waist cut her off.

"Promise me," he bit out. She nodded weakly, the tears falling then.

"I promise," she whispered, barely audible. And then he kissed her again, this time harder. And all the pain and desperation they were feeling was put into that kiss. He held her tight, holding her body perfectly against his. And they tumbled back into the bed sheets, just like that.

Natasha ran her hands over Mr. Gold's bare chest. She smiled softly as she ran her hands through the short coarse hairs, dragging her fingertips over his belly, across his abdomen, and then back up again. He held her against him, both of them just basking in the afterglow of lovemaking. That's what it was. She smiled at the thought. He loved her, even though he wouldn't say it. She knew this. She could just tell. Snuggling closer, she didn't want this to end.

Unfortunately, the sudden ringing of her cell phone brought it to an end. Worried that one of her friends might be in trouble again, Natasha reluctantly detangled herself from Mr. Gold's arms and rolled over. She leaned over the bed, feeling around for her pants until she found them. She fished out her cell phone and answered it.

"Hello?" she said into it, her voice slightly worried. She heard a response and Mr. Gold watched as her shoulders visibly relaxed. "Oh, hi, Dr. Whale…yes…Of course!...Really?...Oh my goodness…That's great!...When?...Yes…Yes…Of course…I'll be there…Thank you so much….You too, Dr. Whale….Goodbye." She hung up and righted herself, facing Mr. Gold with a large grin on her face.

"What did the good doctor want?" Mr. Gold asked curiously, wrapping an arm around her waist and tugging her to him again. She giggled at his attention and snuggled up once more, turning her face up at him happily.

"There's been a donor," she said triumphantly. Mr. Gold rose a brow at her and his silence told her that he had no idea what he was talking about. She grinned at him, happy to share the good news. "There's been a match for eyes. They have to get here first, but I can go in for surgery the day after tomorrow. I'm going to be able to see again!"

"Oh," he said simply. And too wrapped up in the happy thoughts suddenly going through her head, she completely missed the worried tone to his voice. He frowned slightly, but continued to stroke her hair, nodding his head absently as she began to chatter about the possibilities. Though he didn't want to admit it, he suddenly felt afraid. He frowned. That would do him no good at all.

And that's the end of chapter 25! A lot happened this chapter, I know. Next chapter, there's more! We get to finally see just what Rumpelstiltskin's plans were, as well as why Mr. Gold is oh so afraid of Natasha seeing…oh, and of course the curse is broken! ;) On Friday (tomorrow), I will post the last chapter of "Hands On Me." Thank you all so much for reading it.

Please, don't forget about the art contest! Send in your submissions ASAP so I can have them! :)

And go and review! Tell me what you think! Favorite! Follow! Anything to let me know you love this! Thanks so much! :D