A/N: Hey, good readers! I know this chapter has taken a little bit longer for me to write, but…what can I say? It takes place around the 11th ep and that's not…exactly…one of my favorite episodes. Let's hope I dished out a good chapter, though.

Gold was the first thing that Emma saw when she opened her eyes, blinking against the morning sun. Both individuals of that name, actually.

Perching her elbow on the pillow, she gazed down at the spot beside her that was occupied by two bodies instead of one.

It was an incredible sight; Goldilocks hogged half of Gold's pillow, little furry body stretched out as far as the dog could go. Eyes closed, one paw twitched as if Goldilocks was dreaming of running in a field. Occasionally that black nose would scrunch and there'd be a little snort that sounded too much like snoring.

If Emma could preserve that moment, maybe snap a picture to taunt Gold later, she would have. Her hand was actually reaching for her cell phone that had a little camera on the front.

Apparently the dog wasn't photogenic.

Goldilocks' head lifted from the pillow, one ear perked up and listening to something Emma's ears couldn't catch yet. Like a shot, the dog was bounding across the floor, nails clicking on the hardwood floor. Okay. Never mind about that picture, then.

Emma curled her arm under her head and her eyes drifted closed once more. She pressed her face into the pillow, which was still warm from Goldilocks.

"The dog is finally gone," Gold murmured to her without opening his eyes. Emma hadn't even known he was awake. His hand reached out to her under the covers and traced along her spine.

"Mhm," she sleepily mumbled back. Her brain was still thick and dreamy—at this rate, she could easily fall back asleep. Maybe another hour wouldn't be so bad…

A crash came from downstairs—it was the unmistakable sound of shattering glass. Emma jerked to full alertness and even scrambled for the gun she kept close by with her leather jacket. Gold immediately pulled her back onto the bed. His brow furrowed.

"And it broke my good lamp. Just so you know, it's not hunting season yet," he advised her, motioning to the gun that she had been racing for. Emma settled back into bed as she heard the sound of Goldilocks running around downstairs.

"Better to be safe than sorry, right?" Emma buried her face into the pillow, if only to hide the silly pink flush to her face. Gold patted her arm and a low, dry laugh reached her ears. She turned her green eyes up at him and frowned at his amusement.

"Let's hope I don't trip over anything on my way downstairs, then. You'd come after me pointing that gun like a one-woman SWAT team," he quipped.

Gold stretched and groaned as he made to slip out of bed, probably to check on the damage downstairs. He was already grabbing his cane when Emma tugged on his arm.

"I was just getting comfortable again," she protested, snuggling deeper into her pillow to savor the remaining warmth. A cold chill seeped into the spot that Gold had left, but it was wonderfully short-lived as he eased back into bed. The dog is perfectly capable of occupying itself. I just hope Gold wasn't planning on selling that stuff anytime soon.

Emma rolled over and Gold wrapped his arm around her to hold her close. The sun's rays were too bright as they streamed through the window. Minutes passed as she shifted around looking for that one good spot. She clenched her eyes shut, but couldn't fall back asleep. The clock claimed it was only seven.

"I don't want to get up yet," she complained, mostly to herself. All she wanted was a few more blessed minutes of sleep—was that too much to ask?

Rolling over again, she nuzzled into Gold's chest. It was no use—she was awake now. Why is it impossible for me to sleep in in this town?

"Who says we have to?" Emma would have liked nothing more than to lie in bed all day, endure a peaceful day for once in Storybrooke. Much as she hated to admit it, that luxury was impossible. Her stomach growled as if to encourage her further. Alright, alright, I'm awake. Happy?

"My appetite. My job. Regina," she reminded him miserably. Emma was surprised Regina didn't have the station bugged, just so she could secretly watch her 24-7. Gold grumbled beside her.

"Since when do you take orders from Madame Mayor lest it concern your boy?" Emma lifted her chin to meet Gold's brown eyes. Those eyes were always watching her. Gold didn't need to bug the place. He just knew…things. Maybe he's psychic.

"Never," she scoffed. The only time she'd obey Regina was if the woman asked her to take Henry out of her hands. Like that would ever happen. "But if I don't do my job, Regina won't hesitate to hold it against me. What good will that do?"

Gold shrugged carelessly, but he was still pouting about it. His fingers combed through her wavy blonde hair, working out the bed-ridden tangles.

"Take the day off. Tell Regina what she can do with her authority, as you have done so well in the past. Then, it'll be just you, me, and the sheets," he whispered to her. Gold's hand delved beneath the sheet to rub her back. Like everything with him, it was a tempting form of bribery. Got to work, got to work. Regina will chew me out, got to work. Ugh…

God, it was working. Surprisingly, though, Gold paused with a thoughtful look dawning on his face. Great. And he's having an epiphany.

"Well, technically, it'd be you, me, our baby, and the sheets….and possibly Goldilocks. But somehow that just sounds wrong," he corrected, making her smile. "That dog is not just a snuggler, Emma. It's a pillow-hogger. The worst of the worst."

Emma shook her head wistfully and tried to land a playful punch on his chest, but he easily caught her fist. Bringing it to his lips, he lightly kissed her knuckles, smoothing them out.

"Storybrooke does not need you this morning," he insisted, trailing his lips along her arm. Emma pulled her hand away and sat upright in bed.

"Says the guy who set City Hall on fire just to put me in this position," she barked back. "How many women get that from their husbands?" Emma crossed her legs under the sheet and pulled her mess of blonde hair off her neck. Gold merely smirked.

"I admit I'm quite the devoted husband," he boasted.

Emma's mouth dropped open in disbelief. I swear, they could build monuments to Gold's narcissism. And that still wouldn't even be close to his level. Hell, he'd have David build them. But then they'd probably crash.

"Devoted? I call that maniacal."

Emma blew a loose wisp of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. Gold sat up beside her and used the headboard for support. With one of his hands guiding her, she loosened up enough to rest her head on his shoulder.

"You know, you haven't had a chance to give in to my charms since the night you accepted our bundle of joy," he hinted devilishly. Emma gave him a serious look, even though her lips were threatening to lift. It would've happened last night, if it weren't for that meddling dog. Maybe we'll have to resort to college days and hang a tie on the doorknob.

"Gold, it's been a little over a week," she replied. Gold made an obvious 'there-you-go' wave of his hand, as if that proved his point. She wondered how he survived the nights before she'd drunkenly married him.

"Exactly. One week too long."

In a split second, Gold's hand cupped the back of her neck and his lips captured hers, wiping every other priority away. There was another crash downstairs, but they ignored it. Let the dog have its fun while they enjoyed their own. Got to work, got to work…oh, forget it, she thought as she decidedly kissed him back.


Afterwards, the two of them lay entangled together, both breathing heavily. Emma sighed with content. Well, if the neighbors weren't awake yet, they are now.

Gold gently kissed the spot where her heart was beating rapidly in her throat and laid his head down. She wondered what excuse she would give Regina if she ran into her. Oh, sorry, Madame Mayor. I was…busy this morning. Very, very busy.

"How in the world did you get so…good?" Gold chuckled and met her green eyes. A pleased smile crossed his lips—she knew how much he adored compliments. She wasn't sure about hers, but his brown eyes were still clouded with a hint of lust.

"Believe it or not, Emma, I ask my reflection the same question every morning."

Emma's laughter was abrupt and bubbled deep inside her throat. It died off with the trill of her phone. Gold closed his eyes and rested his head in the space between her neck and shoulder. "Ignore it."

Ignoring him, Emma rolled out from under him and grabbed up the phone before it went to voicemail. For all she knew, it could be Henry. Then again, she hadn't had much luck with phone calls since marrying Gold. Their honeymoon was proof of that.

She scanned the ID and relief poured through her. It was technically the Mills' kitchen phone—the one Regina supposedly never used. Maybe my technological impairment is easing up.

"If it's Regina, tell her you're…working," Gold advised with a grin.

"No, it's Henry," she said with more than a little enthusiasm. The kid was growing on her. It bothered her if she went one day without seeing him or hearing his voice now. And Gold knew it. Still, he shrugged and made no move to depart from the sheets.

"Even easier. Tell him we're playing a morning game of Twister. And I won." Emma was already talking to Henry and only caught half of Gold's words.

Gold had the childish urge to pout. She's the only woman in this town who can ignore me at will. Must be those Charming genes again. For our baby's sake, I hope they're not dominant. It'll be the day when one of my offspring ends up like Charming.

A frown crossed Emma's face and deepened as the seconds wore on. She finished talking with Henry after assuring him twelve times that she'd "be right there." Immediately, she jumped up and threw on her clothes from yesterday.

Gold uneasily watched her every hustled move.

"Has Regina thrown him under the stairs again? Hard to believe that woman wins 'Mother of the Year' in this town," he muttered. Emma was halfway through pulling on her shirt when her head popped through the opening in surprise.

"Regina does that?" Gold knew he caught her attention and couldn't help the victorious smile that danced on his lips. If it made her fight harder for Henry, so be it.

"Rumor has it," he humbly replied, wrenching the sheets up in his fist to cover himself. Emma quickly clipped her badge to her jeans and grabbed her phone.

"Regina's tearing down his castle," she told him, not without well-deserved bitterness. She headed for the stairs, but turned around with a cry of frustration. "God, can't that woman do anything besides ruin everything Henry loves?"

Gold would rather not think about Regina and her tendency to suck away happiness like a vampire. His morning would be much better off.

"Of course she can," Gold answered distastefully. "Regina makes one wicked apple pie."


When Emma trudged into the pawnshop the next day, Gold was busy in the front of the store, talking on the phone. It was the first time she'd ever seen it and her eyes boggled for a second. Maybe that's why there aren't any customers. They call instead.

He was lounging in a chair, his back facing her with the phone cradled on his shoulder. As Emma drew closer, she noticed that he was slightly hunched forward and his hands were moving rapidly back and forth. She froze and gaped at him.

"What…what are you doing?" She blurted out before she could help herself.

Heat traveled up her neck and the light hairs there prickled with uneasiness. Shifting in his chair, Gold half-turned toward her and she could see him better. His hands were massaging his leg. Oh. Right.

"Talking on the phone. What did you think I was doing? Entertaining myself?" Gold tilted his head at her curiously while she blushed furiously. That's one way to put it.

"No, I meant…I thought…never mind," she mumbled.

Gold returned to talking with whoever was occupying his attention. She leaned against the closest display case until the raw embarrassment subsided. Bits of his conversation reached her ears.

"And what about the rest of the money?" Garble on the other end; Emma couldn't hear what was being said. Gold made a low, unconvinced mhm, "You do realize the deadline is today? I don't like to be kept waiting on what's owed to me," he warned.

There were a couple more seconds of murmuring before Gold hung up.

"Problems with rent?" Gold swiveled in the chair and stood to his feet. With his bad leg, she didn't know how he could be so…graceful. Must be the morning exercises.

All of a sudden, Gold appeared worn down, his face lined as he sighed tiredly.

"It's certainly not unheard of in this town. I believe I'll actually have to evict someone soon in order to keep them on their toes." He put on a wry smile for her as he picked up a rag and started to clean off the display case.

"Have you ever actually evicted someone?" Emma gave him a doubtful look. Plus, if the kid was right—not that she was admitting it—then these people couldn't leave Storybrooke, anyway. It was a show performed by Gold.

"Believe it or not, no. However, if I give them cause to think I'll readily evict someone, then they'll be afraid. If they're afraid, there's a better chance I'll get my money and those civilized people keep living their lives here. Everyone is more or less…happy," he explained.

All the while, Emma's eyes widened. Does he practice these lines in front of the mirror or does he just make it up as he goes along?

"Gold…I think you outdid yourself on crazy logic that somehow works in your favor," she replied. He paused in cleaning and smiled victoriously.

"What can I say? Sometimes I even surprise myself," he boasted. Emma smirked at him as he folded his hands atop the counter. "What ever shall I do for you, darling?"

Gold leaned forward intently, gently squeezing her arm. Emma shrugged in reply; she didn't know what brought her here. Maybe it was a habit from visiting him so often lately, if only to vent. That and she was getting bored of listening to Sidney test out his "detective skills." Harriet the Spy would have figured it out by now.

"Just thought I'd stop by and see if Ashley was breaking in again. It'd give me something to do," she cast it off. Gold made a dramatic show of checking around his shop, even poking his head behind the curtain. Emma's lips quirked.

"Hmm…no emotional pregnant women here. Ah, except for you, of course," he pointed out, coming around to stand close beside her. His eyes roamed over her belly, where their unborn child was growing. "You're not taking lessons from Miss Boyd, are you?"

"Yeah, Gold. I've decided today's the day I'm going to rob you. I'll tie you up and I'll take the swords, the Mickey phone, the boat…Hell, I'll take the puppets, too. Maybe then you'll stop scaring people off," she sarcastically retorted. Gold's smile intensified and a spark danced in his eyes. It was the look he got when he was really keen on playing along.

"In that case, I'm sure I have some rope in the back. I'll even gift wrap the goods. All except for the boat. I'm afraid you'll have to ride that out, dear."

Emma suddenly pictured herself trying to row down Storybrooke's main street. Oh, hello David—watch out for that tree! Ashley, how's the kid? Oh, Madame Mayor—what do you think of my new Sheriff transportation? I already pulled over Leroy today!

She couldn't help herself; she snorted with laughter. Gold placed an arm around her waist to pull her closer to him.

"It's almost four. Perhaps I could…say…close up early. You and I could grab some dinner. I hear Ruby's practically giving spaghetti away," he hinted as he twirled a piece of her loose hair between his fingers. Emma grimaced and recalled her plan to meet up with Sidney in a little over an hour. Not that Gold needed to know that.

"I can't. I…I told Henry I'd meet him soon. Top secret stuff," she immediately played the kid card. It wasn't a complete lie. Henry had mentioned his missing book, which more or less connected to Operation: Cobra.

"I'm sure Henry enjoys spaghetti," Gold persisted.

Emma squirmed out of his grasp, making him frown. What was she supposed to say now? That the kid was allergic to Granny's spaghetti? Or—

"It must have been a while since I've seen little Henry. I don't remember him sporting a foolish fedora, terrible reporting skills, and an infatuation with his adoptive mother. My, they grow so fast."

Gold stared at her, waiting. Emma bit down on her tongue and swore under her breath as she tasted a little blood. He knew.

"You wanted me to fight against Regina. This is me doing it," she thundered back, confirming his suspicions. Gold's lips thinned anxiously and he took Emma by the arms.

"Yes, but not like this. If you truly want an ally, Emma, it should be me," he told her. His brown eyes burned into hers. She wanted to trust him, but his methods were questionable. She shook her head.

"Yeah, okay," she flatly responded, avoiding his piercing gaze. She could still feel his body stiffen, his hands tightening around her forearms, spawned from pure disbelief. Gold removed his hands and openly scoffed at her.

"Why does that sound like a 'no way in hell'?" Gold's words bit into her skin through clenched teeth. He was displeased and she'd never hear the end of it. Tiredly, she rubbed her aching eyes. She was too tired to deal with this now.

"Maybe because it is. When it comes to reasonable allies, you're not exactly a strong candidate," she snapped back before striding out of the shop. She wondered if he was still watching her retreat. Huh, maybe I am an emotional pregnant woman after all.


Being emotional and pregnant was a dangerous combo.

I've had enough of this. I'm going to expose Regina if it's the last thing I do, Emma mentally seethed as she tore through the woods in pursuit of Regina. Rocks were brutally kicked out of her path and her fingers wrenched the leaves from branches, crumbling them into green snow in her palms.

Sidney huffed behind her, clutching his fedora on his head as he struggled to keep up. The moment he chose to slow and catch his breath, a branch whacked him in the face. Whoops, Emma thought, though she was too bent on her murderous rampage to mean it. Maybe she'd make up for it and buy him…a…cake or something.

Damn it all to hell. Regina had found the bug she'd planted in her office. Emma knew it had been a bad idea, had bitten her nails to the quick thinking about her abrupt shift in morality. Was she so ready to stoop to Regina's level?

No, what made Emma really mad was the fact that Regina had cut her brakes. This woman was clearly psychotic. So, why is it so damn hard to expose her for the ugly dragon she really is?

And now Sidney was wheezing and clambering about turning back? Hell no. Maybe Gold was right. You are a spineless snail, Sidney.

"No way," Emma shot back over her shoulder, punching a crooked branch out of her face. "She tried to have me killed! Hell, my baby could have been killed! No, I'm going to find out what the hell she's doing here."

As she said it, Emma rubbed her belly, but felt no pain. It wasn't that hard of an impact—surely, it would be okay. It still didn't excuse Regina's actions. And if things weren't okay, she'd make sure Regina heard about it. She's going to have to put a rock under her apple tree. And by rock I mean grave because I'll kill her.

"I want to know who she was meeting," Emma muttered, releasing the branch in her grip.

She heard a sharp crack and a yelp of pain. Sidney rubbed his red nose. Okay…guess I'm buying him a cake and throwing him a surprise party to make up for it. I'm pretty sure Archie will decorate.

"She was meeting me," a piercingly familiar Scottish voice interrupted her remorseful party planning. Emma groaned. Somehow, I don't think that's the leprechaun from the Lucky Charms commercial.

Stiffening, she exhaled angrily and revolved to face Gold. Powerful, smug Gold.

"What are you doing out here with her?" A sneer marred her lips. Great, now I'm copying her facial expressions. Next I'll be strutting around in tight little business suits. Gold and I could match.

And then she winced. Even to her ears, she sounded like a jealous housewife. Forget the suits. Might as well put me in an apron and knead dough out of my own tears and frustration. And make my hair curly and red like Lucille Ball.

"Jealous?" Gold's grin widened—he had a knack for reading her mind. Sidney shuffled his feet along some twigs behind her, keeping his eyes averted. It reminded her just how uneasy some people were around her husband.

"Please. If I thought for one minute you were getting it on with Regina—which, by the way, is disturbing—the only person you'd be snuggling with is Goldilocks," Emma argued. Gold sleeping around with Regina—now that was funny. It was a good thing Gold hated Regina almost as much as she did.

Gold took a couple careful steps closer, his cane digging into the soft soil beneath their feet. She noticed the briefcase in hand; no doubt filled with Regina's money. Looks like we'll be dining out this week. Thank you, Regina, for your patronage.

"Luckily, my purpose out here is not so intimate. The only person in Storybrooke I care to…'get it on with'…is you." A delicate wave of his gloved hand, an arched eyebrow, the unspoken message: if you know what I mean.

Sidney coughed, clearing his throat to gain their attention. And he was blushing. Bet you regret tagging along now, don't you? Emma couldn't help the small smile rising.

"Um…I'm, uh…still…here," he choked out in his embarrassment. For the first time that night, Gold's brown eyes swiveled to the reporter, now empty of all potential warmth, instead narrowing distastefully.

"Regrettably," he spat. "I'm sure Emma would love for me to prove my point right here. A clearing in the woods with the stars above. Just the two of us. Are you planning on leaving anytime soon?" Her husband could be so brutally selfish sometimes. Sidney's mouth opened and closed like a fish, gaping.

"Romantic," Emma flatly replied. "Pine needles in places I don't want them, bugs invading my personal bubble, and little woodland creatures watching us. Somehow, I don't think Bambi would enjoy the show." Emma paused to note Gold's amused silence and Sidney's quickening distress. "What…are…you…doing…here?"

"Just a little business transaction," Gold instantly answered, though it meant little to Emma. Would it kill him to be less…vague? Emma spread her arms out, waiting for more.

"Which means...?" Gold didn't offer any details, not that she much expected him to in the long-run. Gold never discussed other business matters with those who weren't directly involved.

"What's in the briefcase?" Sidney gestured to it, no longer a fish out of water. Emma already knew that answer, but apparently Sidney needed his news spelled out. Gold lifted it up for them to see it properly.

"All…no, everything comes with a price. Land is no different," he responded, appearing quite relieved. Emma wondered what he had been about to say before the correction. She glanced down at the ground with new bitterness.

"Regina bought your land?" Then again, Gold owned the entire town, including his own remote cabin in the woods. She doubted he'd miss this little piece of it. Gold shrugged.

"The very ground you're standing on," he confirmed, inching closer to them. Sidney backed up a little and Emma rolled her eyes. Oh, stop being a spineless snail! Has Gold ever really hit anyone with that cane?

"What does she want it for?" At last, a spark of irritation clouded Gold's eyes. He sighed deeply.

"Emma, if this is an interrogation and you're planning to cuff me, I'd say do it and get it over with." Sidney sputtered and nearly tripped over his own feet at the insinuation that slipped from Gold's lips. He coughed and leaned against a tree. "The question is, Emma, why are you standing out here in the middle of the night with Mr. Glass?"

Gold stared at Sidney expectantly, but the reporter's mouth blubbered without sound. Emma pinched the bridge of her nose. Somebody pull his string; he's not talking. "I could get a better answer from a mute mermaid. At least they appreciate the value of charades," Gold scoffed.

"Now who's jealous?" Emma crossed her arms and smirked. Gold barely looked perturbed by the accusation. Actually, he seemed to welcome it, gloating limping imp that he was.

"Oh, Emma. Don't be silly. You can do much better than him. That's why you married me, remember?" He flashed a toothy smile her way and cast Sidney off as if he were just another tree. Sidney's brow furrowed and he charged forward.

"Hey, wait a minute. What is that supposed to mean? I must be better than David Nolan and…and Archie, right?" Even Emma had to gaze at Sidney as if he were mad. Better than David? Maybe. Archie? Don't know what to tell you, Sidney. Everyone likes Archie.

Gold pointed a finger at him. Not a good sign. And here he goes, she mentally sighed.

"Let's examine that claim. I'd say you're one step above David Nolan and he's at the bottom of the Storybrooke food chain. As for Archie, you hardly deserve to be in the same room as his crickets," Gold declared.

Emma's eyebrows rose in surprise. That was the closest Gold had ever come to complimenting someone. Sidney, on the other hand, just got mentally cane-throttled. Usually only Regina and David got that Gold treatment during the week.

"Wow, Gold. When's the first date?" Emma snickered in his expense. Sidney started to chuckle, but turned it into a deep-throated cough as Gold's fingers tightened over his cane. Make that mentally and physically cane-throttled.

"Is it so hard to believe that Archie and I have a mutual form of respect?" Emma and Sidney stared dubiously at him. She'd have to remember to ask Archie about that one. "I'll take that as a yes."

"You don't know what Regina did to me or her son. We can't just sit idly by," Sidney protested, his face growing lined and anxious. Gold's eyes gleamed darkly before they met Emma's. He stared hard at her as if waiting for her to say otherwise, but her mind was already made up.

"Of course you can. Be careful—emotional entanglements can lead us down very dangerous paths."

Gold exchanged one last stony look with her before passing on his way toward the mouth of the woods. Emma stared after him, suddenly wishing her brakes hadn't been cut. She sighed.

"I hate it when he talks like a fortune cookie."


Thank you all for the absolutely marvelous reviews, by the way. They really make my day.

Here's to DaesGatling, russianeyes718ouat7ncis, BlooperLover, RandomWriter101, Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki, Lyn Harkeran, SBM-AnGiE, megumisakura, ParanormalMoonlight, discotimelord, OfTheDark, Twyla Mercedes, iwannabegoldnrumpeled, dreams and fantasies, EnigmaSphinx, Tizmine, Immortalis Charitas, DragonRose4, The-Writer2012, thedoctorsgirl42, and all the Guests that also reviewed.

And this story has surpassed 500 reviews. *dies of happiness* I'm glad so many people are loving this story so much. Thank you all for the continued support!