When the door to his shop slams open- glass rattling in angry protest in its frame- and the brunette storms across the threshold, the old pawnbroker is ready for her. Glancing up from a paper he isn't actually reading, he raises an eyebrow at her in mock curiosity and clears his throat.

My, my, things have clicked much faster than I had thought they would... What a pity, dearie, for you really must be fond of our absent Sheriff.

"Mayor Mills, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"What did you do to her?"

"Why, whatever are you talking about, dearie?"

Dark eyes twinkle as Gold watches the Mayor intently as she glares at him murderously. Refusing to take a step back, even when she rushes forth without warning towards him and presses her face so close to his he can feel her breath on his lips, he simply smiles at her knowingly.

"Emma. What have you done to her?"

"Why the curiosity? I was under the impression that whatever happens to our young Sheriff was none of your concern?... Or so you told me."

"It is my son's birthday, and he was supposed to be spending the day with Miss Swan. I now have a distraught child who believes he has been tossed aside by the woman, yet again, and an integral member of this town's governing force nowhere to be found. So yes, the Sheriff's apparent disappearance is very much something of my concern."

"You let that woman have your son on his birthday?!... Forgive me, Regina, but that certainly doesn't sound like you have no interest in the young lady's life..."

"That is not something for you to judge! It is a situation that pertains to Miss Swan and I alone! Now tell me, or I'll find a way to make you tell me... Where is she?"

"And what makes you think I know anything about this?"

"I don't think you do, Gold. I know you do."

"Curious."

"Tell me!"

Gold cocks his head to one side and regards the brunette with unmasked interest, trying to recall the last time he has seen her quite so irate. Angry, sure, he's seen her angry dozens of times, but this is more than that. Her hands tremble tellingly at her sides, and her dark eyes are a little too wide, a little too nervous. Running his finger thoughtfully over his bottom lip, he smiles at her kindly.

"You really do care for her, don't you..."

The words are less directed towards the Mayor than they are the simple thoughts of the pawnbroker expressed out loud, and Regina growls at him angrily, slamming her palms down with brutal force on the counter that stands thankfully between them.

"Where is she, Gold?!"

"She's safe, if that puts you at ease at all."

"Safe?! Safe where?! What the hell did you do!?"

"Calm yourself. Take some deep breaths, dearie, there really isn't any need for all this fuss..."

"Where. Is. Emma?"

Shrugging, the pawnbroker smirks, his gold tooth flashing hatefully in the dim light that streams hazily through the shop window.

"Oh, it's not going to be that easy, my dear... You see, I wouldn't have taken her if I didn't have any reason to do so."

"What do you mean? What could you possibly want from her!?"

"... An interesting question. Let me ask you the same thing. What do you get from your peculiar little arrangement with the Sheriff?... I certainly wouldn't presume you have much time for what she has to say... But perhaps there are other things young Emma is more skilled at doing with her mouth? Hmm? You know... I may just ask her-"

"-You fucking touch her and I'll-"

"-Oh my! Language, Madame Mayor! You'll what, dearie? You'll what? What do you have to threaten me with if I touch the pretty little Sheriff?"

"I'll..."

Mouth opening and closing but finding no answer, the Mayor hisses venomously and glares down at her hands.

"What do you want?"

"Well, that depends... What are you willing to give me?"

"... Whatever it takes."

"Interesting."

"Well?!"

Bright eyes flicker back up to regard Gold fretfully; squeezing tightly shut when the old man simply throws his head back and laughs.

"Eager aren't we?... Your Majesty."

"You... How..."

"Oh, let's not bother with hows, whys and ifs, dearie, after all, there's a fair maiden up to be won, and I doubt she'd thank you for taking the time to discuss such unimportant little nuisances. I know who you are, and you know who I am... And we both know who the mouthy little Sheriff is, do we not?"

"... Make your point."

"I need your help."

"...Why?"

"I am looking for something. Something which was lost to me long ago. Now, in this world, I have a chance of finding it... But I need you to show me where to look."

"How would I know something like that?!"

"Oh, you wouldn't, dearie... No... But with magic..."

"There is no magic in this world, Gold!"

"No... But there is a way of changing that..."

"... The curse... It can't be broken. It requires the Saviour to do so, you made it that way!... And Emma neither believes in magic... Nor love. It is impossible."

Gold raises an eyebrow at the brunette's words; marvelling at her adamant refusal to accept the power the blonde posesses, much the same as Emma refuses to do so herself. The Mayor's doubt irritates him. He needs her to be desperate to get the younger woman back, and, while she claims to be, he now realizes that her fear has not been peaked to the extent he requires. He had hoped the brunette would have a solution; a way to make the blonde believe. Once Emma believes, she can be sent to collect what is his... And magic can be restored. Power can be restored. He can have his son back.

He knows he can't break the curse himself.

Can't kill the blonde and retrieve what was lost.

Can't risk Regina taking an eye for an eye should he slay the Saviour.

Emma must break the curse.

And if she is to do so alive, she must find it within herself to love.

Really love.

He had thought it would be the boy who would break her eventually, but he doesn't have time to wait around for the Sheriff to battle with her psyche and bully down the barriers she has built around her heart.

He needs her scared.

He needs her to realize she matters to someone.

To accept the very idea of love when it is offered to her.

To do this, he needs Regina to know for certain that she loves the blonde. That it goes deeper than caring. Deeper than lust. He is almost certain that what the brunette feels is love, but 'almost' isn't good enough. He needs her to know for sure.

And doesn't the old saying go: 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'?

Your doubt in the Saviour's ability to comprehend love saddens me, dear, as it appears things are going to take just that little bit longer. Still, better safe than sorry. Better you fret that little bit longer. Worry that little bit harder. Care that little bit deeper.

I assure you, if your feelings are true, everyone wins in the end.

You just can't know that yet.

"Well... If it is impossible... Then I'm afraid I must call an end to this little conversation. It appears you have nothing I want after all."

"What...?"

"I don't believe I could have made myself any more clear, Madame Mayor. Now, if you please, I'd like to return to my work."

"Gold!"

"Leave. Please."

"I will have your hide for this!"

The pawnbroker watches neutrally as the brunette barks menacingly at him, doing little to hide his amusement at the way she leaves his shop in an awkward, almost jerky fashion; her mind screaming that this isn't over, but that long ago deal forcing her to adhere to his request. Shaking his head as the door slams loudly, he sighs as he supposes he's going to have to play this rather sordid game a little while longer after all.

Finishing his tea and gathering his coat, he slips out from behind the counter to go check on the Sheriff.

"Are you awake, dearie, you- What the hell have you done?!"

Dark eyes flash in alarm as the pawnbroker surveys the scene before him, before limping swiftly from the room as fast as his weak leg will allow him.