All of this is in Gold's POV. Please give me a few reviews, after yesterday, I could use 'em. Enjoy, please.
-XXX-
By nine, the storm forecasters predicted is upon us. Molly has returned home for the evening, reluctantly. My assurances are useless for both of us, but she has a husband and children waiting on her. I shall be fine alone. She leaves with great hesitation, making me promise to call should anything occur, or if Ophelia returns. The promise is given, though I feel great doubt as to whether I shall need to honor it. Something gives me the feeling that my girl isn't particularly keen on coming home.
Home. I'd done everything in my power to give her comfort. A private room. A library. Home cooked meals, and the run of the kitchen. A lavish batroom. Space, yet a proximity to me to lend toward companionship, should she need it. For a time, after that night, in my shop, I thought perhaps we might be able to reconcil. That maybe we could have a speck of happiness in a world specifically design to go against all formation of joy. She seemed content (though perhaps unaware of it herself), nevertheless, there were moments. If I could have her without a dirty deal, without the blackmail, and the pressure, oh that I would. But I'm not allowed that opportunity, not with the community to frown upon us, so I took what I could. I manipulated, freely, bringing her to my will.
Thick sheets pelt the house and grounds. I am hesitant in picking up the phone, until a crash of lightening brings about a rush of motivation. Ophelia could be out there, in this. I dial the number with quivering fingers.
"Christopher, I need a favour of you…it involves your sister…."
-XXX-
"Okay, I'll be headed north, toward the river. I'd appreciate a group of twelve for that-the river will be tough. I want eight of you toward the west, looking over that bluff. Another eight to the east, and the rest of you stay in town by your phones. Keep your cells and radios on. Does everybody have my number? Okay, good. Remember, your flash lights are going to be very helpful in this search. Keep. Them. On. And stay observant. The smallest thing—a broken branch, some messed up leaves, can give you a trail. So keep your eyes open. For Ophelia's sake."
A large crowd had turned out outside of city hall. Ophelia Espen might be a shy girl, but she is well-loved. Something akin to sorrow rises in my throat. I watch the Sheriff step off of the porch before limping over to meet her. The crowd has mildly dispersed—or, at least, the group around me has quickly moved. I can see fear quivering in their eyes and for once it doesn't give me strength, rather, reminds me of just how far I've fallen from anyone's graces. Especially Ophelia's.
I am angry; she has left, stupidly, as a child runs away from their problems. I am more than angry. I am bubbling with rage, ready to tear this microscopic town apart to find her. My promise isn't being kept. She isn't letting me. And here, I had thought we'd come so far, assumed we were safe. Regina had lost. I had my happy ending.
But, apparently, Ophelia had not.
"Emma," I call. Cursing my cane, my leg, myself, I drag myself forward. "Emma, Ms. Swan."
She finally stops, spinning the heels of her boots to come nose-tip to nose-tip with me. She isn't any happier than I. "I am just a little busy, Gold. What do you want?"
I ignore her tone. Sneering, I say, "I need to speak to you in your office."
She rolls her eyes, but complies. When we enter her small office, I take a seat. This ignore her. I can see that she is itching to leave and begin her search. Anger radiates off of her, but I again ignore this to focus on the matter at hand.
"Ophelia Espen is under my protection. I demand full coverage of the search for her." I settle back and wait for her reaction.
As expected, Emma's jaw sets. "Why? How is she under your protection? Does that just mean she owes you money?"
The thought infuriates me further. "Of course not. It is nothing of that nature. She isn't any sort of dollar sign to me, Ms. Swan." I spit out the words. All traces of a calm demeanor have disappeared. "Disgusting that you would think such a thing of me."
"You made me hunt down a young woman for her baby a few months ago. I honestly don't think anything is beneath that." She points out.
"A different matter entirely." I growl.
Emma puts her hands on her hips. "Alright, then. So why is Ophelia Espen so important? What about her makes her such a priority to you?"
Gritting my teeth, I look to the floor. If she knew, my love would surely be quite discontent with what I am about to do. However, I highly doubt her colourful language and fists could match my level of emotion at the moment. So, without another consideration, I make the decision. May she damn me for it.
"Ms. Espen and I are romantically engaged." I tell Emma blandly. "We've been seeing each since—well, less than a month after you arrived in Storybrook. She moved in with me perhaps two, three month ago. We had a disagreement- - -we quarreled. Then she disappeared. Ran away. I didn't know until this morning. I assumed she went to her brother's house to blow off some steam, settle down. But then she didn't come home this evening."
"And you had Chris call it in."
I straight myself. "She would be so upset, if anyone were to know. I am not a favourite of the community, Ms. Swan. It is easy to conceive how the town—people who have known and loved her her entire life—could turn on her with the knowledge of our relationship. Between our age difference, and my reputation…. For her sake, I demanded that we keep our relations low-key. Surely you can comprehend."
Emma has propped herself against the metal desk, hands in pockets. Her eyes are narrowed, head tilted, but she is listening. I frevently pray her empathetic sensiblities will be appealed to. I desperately need her aid.
"This isn't the first case of a young woman running from you, Mr. Gold." She says finally. "And you've kept vital facts from me before. But I don't really understand what you're asking for. Do you want to join the search?"
Her eyes trail to my leg, the twisted and weak limb hidden by black pinstripes. I feel a flush of embarrassment and shame. If I were a true man, stronger-
The thought is cast aside. It is impossible.
"No," I say coolly. "I merely wish to stay informed. The moment she is found, the very second…I would greatly appreciate a call. Ms. Swan, you cannot know how much this means to me. She is…she is….my Ophelia. I need to know that she is safe. Please."
Crystalline eyes match my gaze. "Mr. Gold, I will put every bit of myself into this search. I will find her, one way or another. But you might have to face the reality that she might be gone. I mean, we couldn't find her car. She could be in Boston by now."
But I know better. She cannot leave… ever.
We are interrupted by a knock at the door. "Sheriff Swan, the teams have been divided."
Chris stands in the doorway, a day's worth of stubble lining his jaw. The boy looks weary, but determined. His other siblings have been dispersed throughout the search teams. Jennifer leans in from behind him, her eyes narrowing upon the sight of me. With a reed of sleek dark hair falling from a high ponytail, cool, dark brown eyes, and a tall bone structure, she is a different creature from her younger sister. I incline my head. Jennifer doesn't respond. But Chris spots me and nods back, then turns to Emma.
"Thank you, Chris. Tell them I'll be a minute yet. The east and west teams can go ahead."
He nods eagerly. "Yes ma'am."
The young sheriff visibly winces at the title. I cannot help but smirk.
With nothing left to say, I stand to leave. Leaning heavily on my cane, I start for the door. The reminder of my limp makes the leg feel heavier. Like lead. Each step is a stuggle. I forget my, sometimes, about my injury. So, I do my best to hurry from the office. But the young sheriff stops me.
"I'm not doing this for you." She tells me fiercely. "I'm doing this for her and no one else. And when we find her—then we'll find out just how this 'relationship' between the two of you works out. She won't be leaving my custody until we are clear on where she stands on this."
I bow my head. This is all I could hope for.
-XXX-
Yep, that's right. Another cliff-hanger.
I'm not going to update until Wed, because I've only gotten to chapter 33 so far, and I want to be at least 5 chapters ahead.
The beginning of this chapter taking place during that mega-storms in 7:15, by the way. Forgot to mention that. Sorry to leave you hanging again, but I've got to catch up!
I've got a show opening in two weeks, so updates might be scattered. Just letting you know. The time I spent writing and not updating now will result in some-what timely-er posts then, so please don't complain too heavily. I've gotten a lot of anon reviews lately asking when updates will be. I'm sorry, but at this rate they're going to come when they come. Being set off schedule by the Super Bowl doesn't help much either, as now I'm behind schedule.
For anon reviewers w/o an account: If you're in the FB group, and leave a posted question for "Dani," I will answer any questions or comments as quickly as possible to spare you a wait.
