"This is wholly unacceptable!" Snapped the woman as Ruby showed up. "I woke this morning to find several gifts for Henry. I can only assume they are meant for his birthday in a week. I disapprove of many of the gifts! My twelve year old son does NOT need a leather jacket, a skateboard, or a gaming system of any kind"
"Whoa, hold up" The wolf said as she held up her hands in surrender. "I ain't the bad guy here. And the magic scent is gone, if they were half as good as you they could cover it up well, and after this many hours. I tried to get here sooner, but David and I were too busy with Albert's murder, not that anyone will ever miss that tyrant" She sighed out.
None of it made Regina feel any better. This was the second time in two months that someone had the balls to infiltrate her home and leave behind gifts. Like some sort of backwards burglar. Even if she approved of the gifts left behind, which she didn't this time around, she was in no way amused by this starting trend. If her home invader kept with his current pattern then they would likely return around Charlie's first birthday. What's more, there were no clues to track down this man.
Even Ruby couldn't track his scent. That was some decent magic skills, or a mighty good potion. Either way, it wasn't going to help her any. The ex Evil Queen had only until June to devise some sort of plan to capture this annoying person, this left her most of February and three more months to find a way to get that damn mysterious 'magical santa' as her son so lovingly dubbed him.
Torture, pure and simple. Torture. That was what it had been like. Just staring down at the woman she loved, whispering truths she dare not speak to herself, or remember speaking when not in the confines of Regina's bedroom. She was far since done speaking, far since done just staring. Emma had been leaning down to kiss the sleeping woman's cheek when the woman had jerked her head, her lips catching her own. The darker-haired woman had moaned at the contact, waking up enough to continue the kiss. Deepening it at any chance Emma gave her.
Not that it had been a bad torture, at least not bad physically. Emma had fallen to her basest of instincts as Regina had awoken fully, growling as she nipped at Emma's lips and pulling her into the bed. How could she have crawled out from under Regina when the woman was grinding her center down onto her hard abs? Lost in the pleasure of it all they had taken everything the other would give, screaming, squirming and aching in anger or pleasure the whole ride through. All too soon Regina had fallen asleep, and the weight of what she'd done, again, hit Emma's shoulders.
Shame. That was all the Savior could feel as she continued to lay with her arm tossed over the brunette's waist. She couldn't believe that she had taken advantage of the woman's anger, and lack of sleep like that. How she had egged her on, while she knew Regina had enjoyed the event physically, she had no doubts that the woman would hate her even more for taking such a precious thing from her again. Knowing that the woman could not remember her, and shouldn't have to live with another reminder of Emma, in her mind, raping her she carefully took her memory away a second time.
Laying there, holding the woman she loved. She cried silently, she hadn't wanted this. Hadn't meant for any of this to happen. Killing men and women, human men and women, was easier than knowing the fact of what she'd done a second time. As ashamed and guilty as she was she couldn't bring herself to detach her own naked form from Regina's until the first rays of morning sneaked through a crack in the heavy curtain. Sighing as she did so.
Dressing quickly and silently Emma couldn't bare to look at Regina, even though her heart told her to. Told her to look, told her to grovel at her knees and beg forgiveness. To keep her promise of being their when Regina awoke. With a wave of her hands she made it appear as if only one slept in the bed, as if nothing had occurred throughout the night. Not being able to leave quite yet Emma took in one last look, committing the image to memory. Regina passed out on her side. Smiling in her sleep, it was beautiful. Then she walked towards the door, as always she disappeared before she could reach it. Going back to the world she had been born in.
Barrier after barrier had been placed around the house, and the grounds themselves. Magical protections galore had littered everywhere. Despite that when she had awoken she had found a bunch of presents outside her bedroom door. She had awoken from the more glorious of sex dreams, she had many in the past, but the one last night was so life-like that Regina had thought it was real for a few moments after her eyes had ruined it. The high from such a good morning was ruined completely, as was the rest of the day.
This horrible, not to mention angry, morning was how she ended up sipping margaritas with Ruby, Snow, and Katherine as David and Frederick took the boys to the park. She would have preferred Snow not be in her presence, but she had least rid herself of David. They were on the back patio, in the shade of the awning. Lounging on padded chairs, drinking and complaining. Which, honestly, wasn't helping as much as the alcohol itself.
"There was enough barriers to keep Gold himself out when he was at his most powerful!" Growled Regina before taking another sip of her giant drink. "There were twenty-seven layers! Do you know how long that took!? It's just unacceptable you don't just come into someone's home and leave a pile of shit" Yeah she was not happy.
Sheriff Ruby was quick to refill the enraged woman's glass with the alcoholic frozen drink that was apple flavored. She herself was actually rather concerned with her friend's intruder problem, but there wasn't much she could do to fix the situation. No matter how she would like to, she couldn't just capture what was simply uncapturable. Suspicions of who it was swam in her head, but she dare not voice them without proof. Though, if it wasn't who she thought it could be, then it was a major problem indeed. Plus, she doubted her own suspicions, as Emma did not have the magic required.
After Charlie's birthday party the next day everyone was considerably calmer than the previous afternoon. Especially Regina. Everyone had decided that the best form of action that they could take was to bite the bullet and go see the elusive creature that they all shared a common hatred for. The sneaky bastard that most realms knew as the dark one, even if he held no real power anymore. So they left Belle with the kids, while Katherine and Frederick went home. Snow, Regina, and David set off to see Rumpelstiltskin and hopefully get some goddamn answers.
Eyebrows raised, the man in question stared at the four hotheaded guests to his little shop. His eyes stayed trained where they stood. Emma had jumped to the rafters above him just as they entered the closed shop. He silently pondered what she would do, whether she would leave, or if she would stay and watch. The smarter move would be for her to stay, so Ruby wouldn't catch a whiff of her magic, as even with her covering abilities the full effect hitting the wolf wouldn't be good for anyone involved.
Lips sealed in a sinister all knowing smile Gold had to keep from laughing as the group all started talking at once. Forcing a hurricane of fragmented sentences to his already sore eardrums. For a few moments he stared forward in silence, allowing them to further aggravate his ears with their verbal assault until he had gathered the vital information to know what they were here about in the first place. Raising his hand into a stop position they finally quieted.
"I assure you I know not of this dangerous intruder who is entering your home without your permission and leaving these gifts of which you speak." He spoke carefully, and slowly. His words made Emma smirk, and Ruby furrowed her brow. It was obvious to everyone, especially the awkwardly crouched Emma still up in the rafters, that he was lying. At least, sort of. Emma was in no way dangerous to them.
"So help me you tell us right this instant! If anyone would know of someone with that sort of magic it would be you, so you open up your damn mouth and I won't suff-" Ruby's head jerked upwards. Her eyes on the rafters, fear in his system Rumple followed her eyes. There was nothing there.
Thankfully Emma had moved out of sight just in time, as dealing with her temper should she be found out was absolutely not on the ex-dark one's to do list. In fact it was quite the opposite, it was on his never in your life should you wish to live list. After several moments Ruby turned her gaze back to Gold, confusion apparent in her dark orbs. She shook it off quickly, trying to remember where had left off before she had that small scuffle, which she had assumed was, most likely, from a rat.
"How is that search for the prodigal offspring going" Was asked with a disinterested tone, and a sadistic smile. It was a good way to distract those before him. "It's been, what, nearing eight months now correct?" Ruby was barely able to grab onto David's shoulders to keep him from going after the man, he looked ready to slice right through his neck.
"Nowhere" was snarled. "As you very well know. We can't find so much as a trace, anywhere. She's completely off the grid as Ruby called it. You know something about MY daughter don't you" His smile only deepened. Snow was no different than ever, still staking claim over anything and everything. "I will cut your balls off where you stand"
Teeth began to show as Rumple continued to smile deeper, wider. A small chuckle was suppressed in the back of his throat. Dark eyes told Snow the truth. That he knew, and he did. Thanks to what Emma had demanded of him, that they had to know that he knew, without him actually telling them. Cunning, careful, that was what he had to be, that and intelligent. Gold knew that one of them would crack, and offer him what he desperately needed to continue their little game.
"How about a deal? Let's make one, right now" She spoke slowly, but it was who had spoken that had surprised Gold. He had certainly not expected the once Evil Queen to be the one to offer. While it was true it was surprising, it most definitely was the best one. For if she fell for his little scheme, then the idiots with her certainly would. His eyes sparkled and he clapped his hands together happily.
"Oh goody" He purred. "Dearie, this will do just perfectly." Three fingers were raised. "Three questions will be asked, and I shall give three answers, but only to the extent allowed by my previous contracts with the elusive Emma Swan. Any question, about anything, may be asked"
Glancing at each other the four people conversed with each other. A deal with this man was rarely good, especially one where he couldn't answer the question fully depending on what it was. That being said, the questions themselves did not have to pertain to anything or anyone. They could ask about anything, there were no rules, no regulations. Complete asking freedom, which left the four with one question: What did Rumpelstiltskin Tiberius Gold want in return? That was a scary thing, Gold could ask for anything.
"Any question, about anything? No barriers?" Regina asked, eying the man. Gold shrugged and nodded. "What would you want in return for these three questions? What's in this for you?" They had thought it not possible, but sure enough he smiled even wider, and Regina tried to stand just a tad taller to try to intimidate the man.
"Ah, yes my compensation" Was said in the creepiest voice imaginable. "From you I wish a week with Henry, I wish to spend actual time with my grandson. Away from a babysitter to watch over the ten minutes a week I am allowed to see him. From David I need his royal sword and shield. From Ruby I need a single lock of her hair. To each that gives me that of which I seek will gain the power to ask me but one question. No more, no less unless freely given"
Growls escaped from two pairs of lips. A ferocious one that, while he dare not show it, had frightened poor Mr. Gold. This of course came from the scarier of the pair in question; Ruby. The growl that emitted from David was. An infant kitten could do better, really it was growl in intent only. Though Ruby's growl made up, and then some, for David's inadequate attempt at intimidation
All four left mere seconds later. Wanting out of his shop as quickly as possible. Beyond that they all had things to prepare, and with that, they knew they would return later. Regina sighed as she climbed into her car. Far from happy with Gold's request, but if Henry wanted to go, she would not stop him. At least not this once. Not when there was something like this at stake, it did aid her to know that of all people Gold would not harm her son. Not much, but at least she knew he'd come out unscathed.
While Ruby did frighten the man a little bit, none of the others really intimidated him in the slightest. Even Ruby didn't quite intimidate him. Put on edge, scare, sure. However, that wouldn't change his plans. His wide grin didn't fade until Emma jumped down. Landing nose to nose with him. Considering she was a few inches taller meant she was bending her knees. Just so she could glare directly into his eyes. The man was certain she was going to yell at him, instead she disappeared into thin air. Crossing over to the other realm like she often did.