XXVIII

In the two weeks which had passed since the cave in at the mines, it was no longer unusual to see Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Gold together on the streets of Storybrooke. Nor was it unusual to see people stop and stare, sometimes even gawking openly at the newly reunited couple. Gossip was rampant in the small community. Some said he had locked her away for years because he couldn't live with her constant spending. And being the monster of Storybrooke, many believed it. Others said he'd had her locked up because she'd tried to leave him.

Then there were the rumors she was a gold digger – no pun intended – and had only married him for his money. But a favorite of Belle's was that Moe French had sold her to Gold to pay off his debts. She had laughed, tears streaming down her face and whispered in her husband's ear that the gossips weren't that far off the mark. Gold had responded by kissing her deeply on the sidewalk outside the diner with said gossips openly staring from the windows. He didn't really care what anyone had to say about the relationship he had with his wife and neither did she.

Nicholas Gold still suffered anxiety every time Belle wanted to go shopping with Mary Margaret or have lunch with Ruby or even have a girl's night with the friends she'd made so quickly. Really, what wasn't there to love about his wife? She had made him continue Thursday night poker and junk food at Jefferson's and joined in, growing closer to their faux goddaughter. But it irked the hell out of him when she wouldn't allow Dove to accompany her when she left his sight. She could handle herself, she'd said. You have no magic here, dearie, he'd responded.

He was worried Regina would somehow try to take her anger against him out on Belle. He made sure she knew how to use the smartphone Jefferson had purchased for her, and required her to keep it charged so he could check in on her periodically. She, however, did not think periodically was defined as every twenty minutes.

Which was how they ended up outside Granny's diner in a spectacular argument which had the patrons of said diner pressed against the window taking bets on who would win.

"Are the Golds arguing again? What is it this time?" Mrs. Lucas asked, recognizing the raised voices floating through the door when another customer would enter or leave.

"Yep," Jefferson said, leaning a shoulder against the window, a grin on his face as he watched his friends.

"What do you think they're arguing about?" Mary Margaret asked, her eyes alight with avid interest.

Ruby leaned over Mary Margaret's shoulder to get a better view of the bickering couple. "Something about her phone."

David Nolan entered the diner and joined the group with a confused frown. "Do you think we should call Emma to break that up?"

"Break what up?" Emma asked as she came in through the back door and stared blankly at them.

Jefferson beckoned her over with a wave of his hand, but never took his eyes off the scene. "The Golds are arguing again." Emma joined them and squeezed to the front. "Alright, put your money on the table."

"Papa, shame on you!" Grace scolded her father from the other side of the diner, her nose and Henry's pressed to the glass. "I've got twenty on Aunt Belle."

"Paige, you're too young to gamble," Mrs. Lucas scolded. "I've got twenty on Belle," she said, slapping a twenty-dollar bill on the table next to Jefferson.

"Belle's got a temper, but she's got nothing on Gold," Mary Margaret remarked, adding her twenty to the pot.

Ruby rocked back on her heels and grinned, slowly nodding her head. "I say she pulls his hair again."

Jefferson rolled his eyes. "You're on. But I say she pulls his hair and kisses him in the middle of the sidewalk."

More money joined the growing pile.

Henry shared a grin with Grace and dug in his pockets for his spending money. "I'm in and I say Belle does pull his hair, apologizes and then kisses him."

Emma shot him a look which said what the hell, but didn't stop him from adding his money to the pot. "Henry! What do you know, you're ten? But I'll go in on that one." Jefferson raised his brows at her in surprise. "What? He usually knows what's going on before anyone else in this crazy town. If he was old enough, he'd be working with me down at the station."

David groaned as he watched the scene unfold. "Poor bastard. He's so whipped."

Mary Margaret jabbed him in the ribs with her fingernail, causing him to grunt in pain. "He just really loves her. I think it's sweet."

"I think I'm fixing to lose money to a ten-year-old," David groaned, rubbing his hand over his injury.

*.*.*

Outside the diner …

"Belle, you can't just turn your phone off. What if something happens and you need me? Do you know how long that infernal thing takes to boot up?" he asked, his voice a menacing growl.

"Don't take that tone with me, Ru …"

"Ah, ah, dearie, we're in public," he hissed.

"Fine, Nicholas. But I can't even have a simple bite to eat with my friends without you interrupting."

"I am not going to let Regina get her vicious claws into you again." He was shouting now. "I will not lose you again, Belle. I won't."

Belle winced and stepped closer to him, the anger draining out of her as his fears surfaced. He refused to look down at her, so she reached up to run her nails along the nape of his neck and tug at the ends of his hair. He shivered and wrapped his free arm around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. "I'm sorry, Nicholas. I know how you worry." She kissed the corner of his mouth and felt him relax against her. "I love you, Rumpel," she purred into his ear so only he could hear.

"I love you, too, my Belle," he whispered against her lips as she cupped his face in her hands and pulled his head down, so she could kiss him. He pulled away slightly and raised a brow. "You do realize you must be punished for this little stunt."

Belle smiled coyly up at him and tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. "I look forward to it, but first … let's have ice cream."

"That's not exactly what I had in mind," he said with a smirk.

"Too bad. I want a hot fudge sundae with caramel sauce and you're going to help me eat it."

*.*.*

"Wow, Henry, how'd you know?" Mary Margaret asked as Jefferson began to dole out the winnings.

Emma snorted. "Are you kidding? He knows everything about everybody, Mom," she said dryly, causing Mary Margaret to giggle.

Henry took his big winnings over to the counter and ordered ice cream and a cookie for himself and Grace, and settled onto a stool with a knowing smile.

"What can I get you?" Ruby asked as the Golds settled into their usual booth at the back of the diner on the same side, Gold's arm stretched out across the back and Belle leaning against his side.

"Hot fudge sundae, caramel sauce, no nuts, two cherries," Belle ordered. "And an ice tea for Nicholas."

Emma stopped by their table when Ruby traipsed off to the kitchen with their order. "You two need to cool it with the public arguments," she warned and then ruined the effect with a helpless grin.

Gold's mouth twitched into a rather pleased smirk as he glanced down at Belle who was trying to hide her blush behind her napkin. "We'll take that under advisement, Miss Swan." Emma nodded to them both and went to sit with Mary Margaret and David. Jefferson ushered Paige out, citing her science grade as an excuse to get her home to hit the books. She did with a goodbye hug for her godparents and a groan at her father.

Henry, dejected with the departure of his friend, finished off his ice cream and went to sit with the Golds. Nicholas didn't look at Henry as the boy sat down, too concentrated on Belle who was shoveling a spoonful of the rich sundae into his mouth, a sinful smile perched on her rosebud mouth.

Henry cleared his throat and smiled. "Hi, Mr. Gold. Hi, Belle," he greeted cheerfully, pulling his story book from his backpack and setting it on the table.

Belle wiped the corner of her husband's mouth with a napkin and returned the boy's smile. "Hello, Henry." She leaned over conspiratorially and whispered, "So … how much did you win today?"

Henry had the grace to blush, but his impish smile never faltered. "Over a hundred. Very good haul."

Gold chuckled, a true genuine laugh he reserved for children and his Belle and admonished quietly next to her ear. "You are a bad influence, sweetheart." She grinned and offered him another bite.

Henry opened his book and turned it to the page he was looking for, the picture of a stunning woman in a golden ball gown staring up at him. "I know who you are," he whispered to Belle, keeping his voice low.

Belle read the warning look in Gold's eyes and fidgeted with her napkin before smiling a little too brightly. She was a terrible liar, always avoiding even little white lies in preference of the truth. "Of course, you do, Henry. We've gotten to know one another quite well since you've begun spending time with Paige at our home."

"No. I know who you really are. And I know you remember."

Belle felt Gold stiffen next to her before he leaned forward to study the intelligent gleam in Henry's eyes. "And just what is it she's remembered, my boy?" he asked, his tone flat.

Henry met his level stare, not an ounce of fear showing on his features. "She remembers who she really is," he said seriously and turned the book, so they could see the story of Beauty and the Beast, the girl in the picture looking remarkably like the pawnbroker's wife. Belle shifted uncomfortably under the boy's penetrating gaze. "I just haven't quite figured out who you are, Mr. Gold. Since you're with Belle, I think you're the Beast, but I also think you're a lot more."

"Very astute, my young friend," Gold said cautiously. "But after all, these are just fairy tales."

Henry tilted his head to the side and grinned. "And all stories, even fairy tales, are usually grounded somewhere in fact, aren't they?"

Belle hid her smile behind her napkin and nudged her elbow into Gold's side, raising her brow when he glared at her. Turning back to Henry, he stared the boy down with a gaze which intimidated grown men and sent them fleeing in fear for their lives, but Henry's smile didn't falter. Finally, he sat back with a sigh of exasperation. "The question is … how are you going to get your mother to believe so she can break the curse?"

Henry bounced up and down on the booth, his excitement overflowing, and his smile blinding. "I knew it!" he exclaimed gleefully.

Belle laid a hand on his arm to calm the boy. "Shhh! We do not need anyone to know, Henry. You cannot tell a soul you know about us," she warned.

"I promise. No one believes me anyway." He studied Gold with rapt attention before asking, "So, who are you really?"

Gold glanced hesitantly at his wife who shrugged, clearly stating it was his decision whether or not to tell the boy his real identity. "You do know there will be dire consequences if your mother were to learn who I am, do you not?" Henry nodded his head vigorously, coming to resemble a bobble-head doll. He leaned forward, his nose inches from Henry's and whispered, "Rumpelstiltskin."

Henry's eyes grew as round as saucers, his mouth gaping open in shock. "Wow. You're like in almost every story in this book," he said in awe.

Gold winked at him. "Indeed."

Belle wasn't paying attention to them any longer as she watched Sheriff Graham sit down with Mary Margaret and begin speaking in hushed tones. "Nicholas, does the sheriff look a bit agitated to you? What do you think he's telling Mary Margaret?"

"I couldn't say, love. I don't have heightened senses in this land and can't very well eavesdrop in on them," he grumbled, taking the spoon from her and polishing off the remainder of their ice cream. But he didn't like the way he kept glancing over at Belle. He knew all about how Graham had been Belle's caretaker while she'd been held captive, and it was making him uneasy.

Graham finished his conversation with Mary Margaret and came to the booth, asking if he could join them and then taking the empty seat next to Henry. "I hate to intrude, but, Henry, I need to speak with you."

Gold and Belle shared a look which clearly said Oh, damn. Henry grinned. "Sure, Sheriff," the boy said and sat back to give the clearly nervous man his attention.

Graham glanced surreptitiously at the pawn broker, but plowed ahead just the same. "Henry … am I in your book?"

Henry's eyes widened again. "Why would you think you're in my book, Sheriff?" he asked warily.

"I've been having these flashes," Graham told him hesitantly as Ruby set a glass of iced tea in front of him.

Gold quirked a brow. "What kind of flashes?"

Graham winced, realizing how crazy he was sounding. "Flashes of memory, I guess."

"When did the flashes begin?" Henry asked, beginning to thumb through the pages of his book.

Graham's face took on a flushed appearance. "After I kissed Emma last night."

Henry gasped, his mouth falling open. "You kissed my mom?!" he asked in horror. Belle covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a giggle.

Graham's face flushed a deeper red. Henry clucked his tongue in disgust and asked, "What did you see?"

Graham thought for a moment, trying to recall all of the images which had flooded his mind. "I saw a wolf and Mary Margaret. We were in the woods and I had a knife in my hand."

"Were you about to hurt her?" Henry asked, his eyes narrowing as he thought about the sheriff's statement.

"Yes. How did you know that?"

"Because Mary Margaret is Snow White," the boy said, flipping the pages faster until he came to a page with the picture of a man which looked suspiciously like the sheriff. "Which makes you the Huntsman."

"So, you really think I could be another person?"

Henry sat back and met his dubious gaze. "Makes total sense. You were raised by wolves. That's why you keep seeing one. It's your friend, your guide. It's trying to help you."

"I'm remembering this because I kissed your mother?" he asked skeptically. "How is this possible?"

"Well, you two do have a special connection. She owes you her life."

"Why?"

Henry's look told him he should have figured it out by now. "Snow White's her mother, and you spared her. If you hadn't … my mother wouldn't have been born," he explained.

Graham still looked confused. "What happened after I spared Snow White?"

Henry's face fell. "The queen took your heart. She ripped it out. It's kind of her thing. The compassion you showed towards Snow White made you weak and she ensured you would never be able to feel again."

Belle felt tears well up in her eyes as she listened, and Gold tightened his arm around her shoulders and offered her his handkerchief.

Graham paid them no mind. "Let me see that book," he said, and Henry slid it over to him. He flipped through the pages until he came upon a picture of Regina standing before a stone mausoleum. He tapped the page with a lone finger. "What's that? I saw that, too. The wolf was howling at it."

Henry studied the picture before answering. "That's her vault. That's where she put your heart."

Graham nodded, finally understanding. "The wolf wants me to find it. Thank you, Henry." He was about to leave when Belle laid her hand over his in a sympathetic gesture. He fell back against the booth, images of her flooding his mind. He opened his eyes and stared at her in horror, turning his hand and taking hers in a vise-like grip. "I remember you, too."

Gold's lips pulled back over his teeth in a snarl. "I'll thank you to release my wife, Sheriff," he hissed menacingly.

Graham pulled his hand back quickly, his eyes wide. "Why do I remember you?"

Belle sent a pleading look at her husband, silently asking what she should do. He shook his head imperceptibly, warning her not to say anything. "I don't know, Graham. But I hope you will let us know if you remember something," she said, wishing she could tell him more.

He stood to leave. "I should go. Thanks again, Henry." He turned and left the diner, Emma calling after him before she followed him out the door. They nearly ran into Regina as she entered the diner, her eyes narrowing on the Golds as she saw the company her son was keeping. She didn't hesitate to approach the threesome, her eyes flashing with barely restrained fury.

Gold cursed silently under his breath and swung his gaze to meet the mayor's. "Oh, what fresh hell is this?"

Regina ignored him and turned her wrath on Henry. "What are you doing with them?" she sneered. "You should be at home studying instead of spending time with the town pariah."

Henry smirked and slid out of the booth. "Yes, Mom. I just sat down to say hello to Belle and Mr. Gold after Paige had to leave."

"Yes, well, hurry home and get started on your homework," she commanded. She watched him leave the diner before swinging her irritated snarl back in Gold's direction.

Gold ignored Regina as he urged Belle out of the booth, wanting to be on a level playing field with the queen in case things turned ugly. "Belle love, what are your plans for the remainder of the day?"

"Just a few errands and then I'm going home." She leaned into his kiss, smiling against his lips at the disgust twisting Regina's face. "I'll see you tonight, my love."

Gold watched her retreating figure until she disappeared from sight. Finally, he turned his satisfied smirk on Regina, chuckling softly at her discomfort. "What can I do for you today, Madam Mayor?"

Regina swallowed audibly, wishing she had some antacids on her. "I need to speak with you about some property you own. The town wishes to purchase it for a new playground we'd like to build for the children."

"And this can't wait for the next city council meeting?"

"Actually, I was hoping we could get everything squared away before then, so I could present it for discussion."

Gold raised a sardonic brow. "Ah, but you see, I'm just not … in the mood. Perhaps you can call me next week and see if I'm willing to speak to you then."

Regina ground her teeth together in vexation. Ever since he'd freed his little maid from the hospital, he'd been unwilling to grant her even five minutes of his time. "But —"

Gold rested both hands on the handle of his cane and leaned forward. "Now if you will excuse me, I've got to get back to my shop."

"Gold —"

"Please," he said, his smile widening as he stepped around her. Once again, the thought occurred to him that the request he'd made so long ago was one of the most satisfying deals he'd ever made.

Regina's mouth slammed shut as she listened to the thumping of his cane against the tiled floor, her eyes narrowing and her mind whirling. She was convinced he remembered, but how was she going to get him to admit it?

*.*.*

Gold was late coming home that night. He opened the door and paused, the heavenly smells wafting from the kitchen reminiscent of the Dark Castle, making his stomach growl. Belle smiled warmly as she came down the hall to greet him with a kiss and to help him out of his coat.

"You're late, love. Is everything all right?" she asked, looping her arms about his neck and nuzzling her face against his throat, breathing him in.

"No, my Belle. Everything is not alright," he replied tersely, taking her hand and leading her into the kitchen. "Why don't you sit down," he urged her.

"What happened?"

His gaze slid away from her as they sat down together at the kitchen table. "The huntsman is dead. The coroner said he suffered a massive heart attack."

Belle's hands flew to her mouth to cover her gasp of horror, tears gathering in her eyes and trekking down her face. Her horror immediately morphed into rage. "Regina! She did this, didn't she? Because he was beginning to remember."

"That would be my guess," he said quietly. Another ally who would have stood with them against the queen, now dead, silenced forever. He pulled Belle onto his lap and let her cry out her anguish against his shoulder.

"He took care of me, Rumpel. He was a good man and now he's gone … because of her," she croaked out as her sobs dwindled down into sniffles.

"I know, my Belle," he crooned softly to her as he stroked her back soothingly.

"How much more are we going to have to suffer at her hands?"

Gold pressed a kiss to her crown and simply held onto her, taking comfort in the knowledge Regina would never be able to harm Belle again. "We will get Emma to believe, dearest. And when the curse is broken, we can sit back and watch Regina get everything coming to her."