She and Rumple had a complicated relationship to say the least. Not due to bad blood or to the danger they presented against the other and (surprisingly enough) Artemis was sure that she was the only person in Storybrooke who didn't want his head on a platter, currently.
The complication had started with how they met again.
Killian and Artemis were friends. Much to Peter's disgust, the one handed pirate with a drinking problem had somehow become friends with his Artie.
Disgusting.
Killian on the other hand had quiet enjoyed the girl's presence. Artemis made Neverland…beautiful. Flowers bloomed, the sun was shining, not harsh and cruel, but gently and kind on their skin. When it rained, it made the leaves glow and shine and the sea sparkle.
He knew what it meant, even if the boy didn't. He wouldn't have believed it, if he hadn't experienced it first-hand. At some points; he didn't believe, deciding he had finally lost his mind from the years and years on his ship surrounded by his crew. It was nothing sort of a miracle, nothing short of impossible.
The demon was it love with the thief.
Artemis yawned, pouring herself a large cup of coffee when someone knocked at the door. "Coming!" David called from upstairs. "Don't worry, I got it!" Artemis called back, opening the door.
"Rumple," she said in surprise, scratching her rat's nest of hair, which was for once loose down her back all sticky-uppy and tatty. "What you doing here?" she asked, letting him inside.
Artemis never really bothered with her appearance, and besides it was just Rumple. He was like a grouching cat on a good day. "I need to have a word with the Sheriff." Rumple said, smoothing down his suit. "Just got up?"
Artemis nodded. "Yeah, I've been sleeping more for some reason."
"After effects of the spell." Rumple said easily. "It should wear off soon, but I can give you a draft for it, if you'd like?"
"Really?" Artemis said, taking a sip of her coffee, remembering her manners. "Coffee?" she offered. Rumple smiled slightly. "No, thanks, I ha-"
"Hi…" David said slowly, walking down the steps. "Ah, Sheriff. Could I have a word with you?" Rumple asked, shifting his weight on his cane.
"Uh, acting Sheriff." David said, looking between the two of them. Artemis taking another long sip of her coffee.
"And I'm already late on another busy day, cleaning up the mess you made."
"My apologies. That was a moment of poor judgment on my part. And it's not lost on me that I'm now here to ask for your help." Rumple said. "Well then, it shouldn't be lost on you when I say no." David said, folding his arms.
"David, aren't you meant to be the Sheriff, the do-gooder to listen to anyone's call, especially since it's about…" Artemis paused, leaning to her left slightly, whispering to Gold. "What's it about?"
"Missing person."
"A missing person! That's serious." Artemis said in her normal voice. David rolled his eyes in all ways, than actually rolling them, as Rumple handed him the paper he had been clutching. "She left my home early this morning, her name is Belle."
"Belle's missing?" Artemis said, taking another sip. "Summon the dwarves. Get the guard, someone hail the dragon." she said her eyes gleaming with mischief.
David sighed again, deeply questioning his sister's sanity. "Back in our land, you mentioned you loved someone once. Is-"
"Yes."
"You also said she died."
"I'd thought she had."
"Well, why don't you just use the tracking spell you gave me to find Jefferson?" David said, seeming adamant to find a reason not to help him. It was quite entertaining. To her at least.
"It only works if you have something the person owned. I don't." Rumple replied evenly. He was keeping his temper surprisingly in check. She knew when something happened to Belle, most reason took a train and didn't come back till she got back.
"How can you be sure she's gone missing and not…Run away?" David said after a few seconds.
"I can't. Look, the townsfolk are less than sympathetic to my plight." Rumple started. "But you… You're in the rather unique position to understand exactly what I'm going through."
Artemis downed the last of her coffee, walking to the sink, setting the mug inside it.
Rumple sighed, looking down at the paper. "Will you help me?"
"Yes," Artemis said, turning around, locking eyes with David. "Will you help us, David?"
"Why are you being nice to me?" Artemis said accusingly, glaring at the golden scaly imp pacing up and down in front of her, clutching the blanket tightly around herself. She was soaked, the murky water dripping from her clothes and hair staining the Dark One's usually immaculate carpets. His castle was larger, drafty and was about as comforting as a lake she had almost drowned in. Drowning seemed to be a common occurrence for her.
"Why does one do anything?" he replied, holding out a mug of tea. Artemis glared at him, then the mug, before her shaky hands took it, cupping it in her hands.
The water had done damage to her, but even he could see the redness of her eyes, and the smallest of tear track imprints on her face. Her trembling in her lip, the tense shoulders, the shattered look on her face.
Despite her standoffish attitude, a mere façade that seemed under deep construction she was a good. Strong. Like iron. Even if she was currently rusting a bit. She had power-magic, strong, wild, untemper magic much like her.
He remembered her years ago, small child with her good heart and the harshest (and only) demand of a bunny. He knew he would see her again, but he needed to tread carefully. He was seeing the girl at her lowest, her most susceptible. He needed to tread carefully.
Artemis wasn't a normal girl. A normal human.
"What do you want from me?" Artemis continued, watching him cautiously. The Dark One, turned, snapping his fingers, making the fire roar. Artemis flinched back slightly, but he pretended he didn't see that.
"Want? From you?" The Dark One said, sitting down on a chair next to her, mug in hand. He took a long sip. "Nothing."
"So," Artemis said, watching David question some of the townspeople. Rumple and her, chilling on the opposite street. People really didn't like him. "What the hell did you do to piss her off?"
"Excuse me?" Rumple said, not even looking at her. "You heard me." Artemis said, folding her arms.
"I didn't do anything."
"Lies." Artemis said without missing a beat. "You have to have done something. Because I know, she's angry at you and that's why she's gone. Belle's far too clever to go missing. Like proper missing anyway." Artemis added.
Rumple sighed, scratching his head. "Well-"
"Ah, so there's a well?" Artemis started. "Do you remember turning a butcher into a pig?" David said suddenly, jogging up to them. "Can't say that I do. Why?" Rumple asked in confusion.
"Well, he does." David said, gesturing behind him. "Apparently, it was his father. I'm beginning to understand why nobody wants to help you."
Artemis giggled quietly. "What?" David said sharply. She shrugged. "Nothing, I just…butcher into pig. It's a little funny. You know, coz you know…butcher-pig, usually it's…" she said, pausing when she saw David's face. "Nevermind. Did he see Belle?"
"Afraid not." David said shortly, looking her up and down. "Okay, so what's next?" Rumple asked. "Granny's. We can see who else you terrorized there." David grumbled.
"Gonna be a lotta people." Artemis drawled, sauntering after them.
"Look, uh… Can I ask you a question?" Rumple said, almost nervously. "A-About you and Mary Margaret? H-How…How does that work?"
David paused, staring at him for a few seconds, a small smile pulling at the edges of his face. "Are you asking dating advice?" David asked.
"Oh gross." Artemis said, walking ahead of them, trying to ignore the little gaping hole in her chest that seemed rather determined for her attention.
"Oh, so this is my fault!" Artemis shouted, glaring at her brother. The harsh forest wind whipping at her hair. The spray of the lake and early fog, making it far colder than it needed to be.
The Prince. Her brother. Her real brother, really family. It made her want to puke.
"This is our responsibility, Artemis!" David shouted. "You can't just ignore what's happening, the Queen's a threat to all of us! You can't just turn your back on your people."
"No!" Artemis cried, blonde strands falling out of her plait. The wind was picking up.
"No, no. Not mine! This is not my problem! And they are not my responsibility. "Artemis shouted, her eyes glistening with tears. "I came back to help you! And I lost everything! But they are not my people and even if they were, you can't just put that on me! You can't do that! Because you know what I am sick and flipping tired of people putting their shit on me! Because you know what, IT'S NOT ON ME! " she screamed.
She hadn't expected it.
She didn't even know what she did it.
All she was, she definitely did it.
Artemis decided against going into Granny's, deciding to loiter by the fence, trying to look both cool and badass, but still approachable.
She's lying, she was staring almost obsessively at the pavement. She missed him. Missing Peter. A part of her wanted to almost gag at her weakness of it all. Peter and her hadn't seen in each in a months, year? Well…years…at least 30 something years. It was nothing, but annoying for her to still been feeling that way. Love was…pointless. And useless and she didn't need any of it. And in any case she didn't love him anyway.
She didn't. She didn't. She didn't.
She didn't.
She didn't.
She didn't.
She didn't.
She didn't.
She didn't.
She didn't.
She didn't.
Then why does it still hurt?
Artemis jolted up. Where the hell did that come from?
"Artemis!" David called. Artemis blinked. "Yeah?"
David gestured to Ruby and Gold, who were standing next to him, waiting patiently for her to move. "Let's go." he said inclining his head to their little search and rescue group.
"Yeah. Sorry." Artemis said, shaking her head, walking to them. Ruby leading clutching the hoodie in her hands, sniffing it occasionally every few minutes. After walking a good few blocks, Ruby led them to a small building, with the sign: Thorns and Roses.
"Interesting name." Artemis mused, lightly brushing a few leaves aside. "What's wrong?" David asked.
"I had her, but, uh… I lost her trail. It must be the flowers." Ruby mumbled. "I… I can't track her anymore. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. This is her father's shop." Rumple said darkly. "And you did great." Artemis added, marching into the shop. "Hi!" she said cheerfully.
"You again. Out!" Moe snapped at her, Rumple, David and Ruby walking in. "And you! Out! Out! Both of you! This is a private establishment – you're not welcome."
"Where's Belle?" Rumple snapped. "I won't let anything happen to her, Moe." David said reassuringly. "We're just worried." Ruby added.
"Don't be. She's safe. So you can stop looking." Moe said cryptically.
"If she's with you, I'm doubting that." Artemis said folding her arms, her black leather jacket, definitely adding to an intimidation. Maybe leather was her thing. She needed a thing again. She couldn't just carry a bow around anymore. It wasn't exactly 'alright' around here.
"Look, if I could just have the chance to talk to her." Rumple started. "You will destroy Belle like you destroy everything else. You and your little gremlin. Well, I won't let that happen." Moe growled.
"Gremlin? Who calls anyone a gremlin these days?" Artemis mumbled to herself. "What have you done with her?" Rumple growled.
Moe shook his head. "There's only one way to get her-"
Rumple flew forwards, jabbing him hard in the chest. Once again, Artemis was impressed, in the old days, Rumple would have put his cane though the guys chest. If he had a cane, back then. Thank god, he didn't. "What have you done with her?" he hissed.
"I have to make her forget about you. No matter the cost." Moe said, still holding his head high. "Even if it means she forgets me, too."
"He taking her across the town line." Artemis said, whipping around, pushing open the pull door, with a bang. "Moron. You could get her killed!"
"Where are you sending Belle across? You know we have patrols on the town line to make sure no one crosses accidentally. So, how are you planning to pull it off?" David demanded.
Rumple not wasting time, lunging and Moe, pinning him against the truck with his cane. "Where? Where are you sending them across? Tell me!"
"Stop it!" David yelled, prying Rumple off Moe. "You're going to kill him."
"He's not going to kill him. We wouldn't find Belle in time, if he's dead!" Artemis said, unfolding the town map from her pocket. She got lost often. She usually enjoyed it. It meant s-the map was useful. That was it. It was her way to her new home.
"You've been down in the mines." David said suddenly. "The tunnels – they lead out of town."
"Why the hell would they do that!?"
"I didn't mean too." Artemis mumbled. "I know." The Dark One said, waving his hand over David. "You're powerful, far more than you think."
"I didn't even know I had magic."
"You do." he said. "A very rare kind. Wild magic, the kind you'd get from your time on Neverland." he continued, noticing the girl's stiffen. "Your brother will be alright. The worst is over." he said, stepping back from the sleeping David on the ground.
"You sure?" Artemis said, looking around the forest, trees were floating upside down in the lake. The ground litter with snow, despite the warm weather, the tops of bushes both dying and blossoming.
"Yes." The Dark One said, glancing at her. "I could help you. Teach you. Stop something like this from ever happening again. Magic, particularly wild magic, is highly emotionally based, it's wild and unpredictable just like us. It reflects ourselves.
Artemis bit her lip, looking around, seeming determined not to meet the crocodile's eyes. "Even if I wanted to," she said slowly. "How could I ever trust you, not to use me?"
The Dark One paused. "We make a deal. You make the rules. And if you feel that I have failed your trust, you can leave."
Artemis paused, looking down at her boots. A part of her, told her to tell him to jump in a river and take David home. The other, told her why not? What did she really have to lose, in comparison to what she would gain?
"Okay." Artemis said slowly. "Okay, it seems fair."
The Dark One smiled, his white teeth, looking slightly out of place on his skin. "Excellent! It's been a while, since I've had an apprentice."
"Wow, I'm regretting this already." Artemis said dryly. "Now, now backing out already dearie?"
"Wouldn't dream of it…Rumple." Artemis said, testing the name out on her tongue. Yes, Rumple was perfect. Rumple made a face, but Artemis had already made up her mind. "I'm all in."
"I reaaallly don't like this." Artemis said, trudging along the mine. "You don't like anything." David replied lightly. "I do to!" Artemis whined. "Just not mines."
"Wait! I hear something." Ruby said suddenly. The rest of them falling into silence. "Left! Left here." Ruby said, pushing past leading the way. Moe trudging along silently behind the,. "What happens if one of us crosses by accident?" Artemis asked, half jogging behind Rumple, next to David.
"Don't cross by accident." David said. "You are awful." Artemis said, catching her brother smirk at that.
"No, wait! I'm begging you! Please don't! Don't do this! Please!"
"That's her." Artemis said, Ruby stopping in front of a track. The rumble and clatter of the approaching mine cart starting to echo slightly. "You want it?" she asked, glancing at Rumple. "You need practice."
"Jerk." Artemis said, stepping onto the track, dusting her hands. "Maybe just, like slow it. Still rusty and I don't want to be a brain dead memory loss zombie."
Rumple adjusted his cane, holding out his hand, a thin stream of magic reaching out like a tether. Artemis slowly lifted her hands, gently raising her cart, with Belle in it, floating it down safely.
"What's up, Belledonna?" Artemis said, shooting Belle a grin. The woman let a shaky breath, smiling at her. Snapping her fingers, Artemis turned the shackles to dust.
"That is seriously… Wow." Ruby said impressed. Artemis smiled.
"Belle, are you alright?" Rumple asked, helping her out of the cart. "Yeah. I, uh… I think so." Belle said, taking his hand, standing shakily on the ground.
"You remember who I am?"
"I do, Rumpelstiltskin. I… I remember." Belle said. Rumple hugged her tightly, but her hands didn't move her face set.
'Knew it.'
"Belle, what's wrong?"
"Thank you for what you just did, you too, Artemis," Belle said, taking a breath. "But that doesn't change that you're too cowardly to be honest with me."
"Well, Belle, that's just-" Rumple started.
"I tried to tell them that, Belle. Come with me, darling." Moe said, opening his arms. Ruby and Artemis sharing a look of WTFIWWY (what the #$% is wrong with you, for anyone unclear with her weird thoughts)
"After what you just tried to do to me?" Belle said, seeming to follow the girl's train of though. "You're no better, Father. You don't get to decide what I do or how I feel. I do. If either of you cared about me, you would've listened." Belle said, eying her former boyfriend and her father in disgust.
"I don't want to see either of you again. Ever." she snapped, marching off the way David, Ruby, Rumple, Moe and Artemis had come though.
The five lapsed into silence.
Artemis bit her lip, glancing around the room making a face. "Well, this isn't awkward." said Artemis, awkwardly.
Hiya!
Sorry for the long wait (again) I do have a reason other than writers block for my absence, but I will not problem you all with them, but I will say, thank you! You are incredible, I know GOS get's slow updates, but the fact that you all stick around and stuff is just amazing.
Thank you!
This is just a little filler, but I will try to get more up as quickly as I can.
As always, would love to hear all you're thoughts on this chappy!
Thank you all for reading, reviewing, faving and following!
Don't forget to review, like, fav, follow, PM, ect. :)
Till next time...