Disclaimer: I do not own the Once Upon a Time franchise.
AN: I just want to say a quick thank you for all of the reviews and support for Spin. It's a lot of fun to write and share it with everyone. I hope you all continue to enjoy it.
Chapter Nineteen
Tink stared down into her cup of tea. Bits of the loose-leaf hibiscus tea she'd made for the two of them swirled at the bottom of her cup. She wasn't quite sure what to say to her younger sister at the moment. Belle had this total belief that Robert Gold was a good and changed man. And while Tink hadn't known Robert when he and Killian were trying to kill each other, she noted that there was still some darkness in him. It was a darkness that Tink thought had always been there and would likely always be a part of him. And it scared Tink for her younger, hopeful, and trusting sister. Honestly, it was why Tink had followed them to Storybrooke, Maine of all places. If she'd wanted to get away from their father she could've just moved to another part of Australia. Instead, she came here to be able to keep an eye on Belle.
As they sat awkwardly at the kitchen table, Tink knew Belle was sitting at her kitchen table because of Robert. And if Belle was questioning Gold, it more than likely had to do with his son. Baelfire was trouble and he was likely a bit dangerous. Tink and Graham had discussed him a bit at lunch, trying to brainstorm possible solutions. Tink was concerned about what information Belle was going to pass on.
"So," Belle finally broke the silence, picking at the cookie on the plate in front of her.
Tink smiled, "So." She repeated. Finally, Tink reached out and grabbed her sister's hand, "you always played with your food far too much." She chastised lightly.
Belle smiled and withdrew her hand to wipe off the cookie residue. "True, look, Tink, I know you don't trust Robert." At her older sister's look, Belle continued, "And I think you may be right. Maybe you were always right." She mused. She closed her eyes and leaned back, the tea cup held so loosely in her hand that Tink was afraid she'd tip it over.
Tink took a deep breath, "I'm afraid to ask why you think that." She murmured. It was the first time Tink had ever heard Belle say something negative about Gold. Every time Tink had pointed out that Robert Gold wasn't as good as Belle thought, Belle shut down the conversation and defended Gold to the end.
"I heard Robert and Baelfire talking about Henry. They're going to try to take Henry from Emma." She looked up at the ceiling. "I can't believe I'm betraying my husband like this, but I'm worried for Henry. There's something about Baelfire that I don't trust, I just don't know what it is. And I don't want Henry put in harm's way. I don't know his history with Emma, and I don't know who is in the right or the wrong, but if Emma broke any laws Robert will find out."
Tink leaned back, unsure of what to say to Belle at the moment. She loved her sister so much, but wasn't sure if she could trust her. Tink had had lunch with Graham and knew some of what he'd found on Baelfire Gold and it wasn't good. It was just a matter of getting it to the right person so that he never got any visitation or custody of Henry. If he was determined enough, legally he could get on the birth certificate and be legally considered Henry's father. That thought churned up bile that Tink had to swallow back.
Finally, Tink spoke, "I can tell Graham what you've told me. Actually, I have to tell Graham what you've told me. I can't keep it from my husband, plus Graham's the sheriff. It's my civic duty." She paused, "And as for whatever you may think of Emma, she's an incredible person, Belle. I know you haven't gotten to know her, but she's amazing and a wonderful mother. She's a very dear friend now, so tread carefully." At Belle's look, Tink elaborated, "She's Regina's friend now too."
Belle nodded her understanding, "I knew that when I decided to tell you that you would tell Graham." She admitted, "I almost didn't tell you so Graham wouldn't know. And like I said, I can't comment on who Emma is as a person, but I can't knowingly let a child be put in the crossfire of whatever Robert and Bae may be up to." She flushed in embarrassment at her admission. "I don't suppose you'll be able to tell me what Graham finds."
Tink shrugged, "That would be up to Graham, but probably not." Reaching over, Tink tucked a wayward curl behind Belle's ear, "Thank you for coming to me, Belle. Thank you for telling me. And whatever happens, I have your back. I'll always be on your side, little sister."
"Younger sister." Belle corrected instinctively.
"I love you, Bellie." Tink murmured.
"I love you too, Tinks." Belle replied. "And together we are –"
"Tink-er-Belle!" The two giggled at the fact that their names combined made up the name of the fairytale character from Peter Pan. It was a running joke they'd had since they were very young, one they always held onto. It seemed to keep them united. And it was always fun that their parents hated that fact. It had been unintentional on their part and every time someone brought it up their dad saw red, muttering about idiotic children's stories.
When Belle left the house, Tink looked down at her watch. Graham and David were on duty and they still had another couple of hours of work. Picking up her phone, she left the tea and cookies out and moved to her purse to get her keys to drive down to the station.
When she reached the station, she was surprised to find Killian in as well. "August is with Emma and Henry. I needed to get out of the cottage for a bit." He murmured in response to her questioning look.
"And I think it's good to have all hands-on deck." Regina came out from the restrooms, tucking her shirt into her slacks as she did so, "I was thinking that tomorrow we should have dinner at your place with everyone and put a plan into place to keep Henry safe." She continued, ignoring Tink's presence altogether.
Rolling her eyes, Tink interrupted, "Well, I have an update." At Regina's questioning look, Tink continued, "Belle came by the house for tea. She didn't have any details, but she overheard Neal or Baelfire talking with Gold. Gold is going to get Neal custody of Henry. Belle doesn't know how he's going to do it, but he stated it clearly, so to say we need to have a plan in place is an understatement."
Killian closed his eyes at Tink's words. Gold would always be a problem. One he couldn't seem to escape. Killian stood, "How about we have Granny's tomorrow night so Emma and I don't have to cook?" He suggested. "We do need to plan something out."
"I have an even better suggestion." Tink gave Killian a sympathetic smile, "Let's see if Granny will shut down for us. If the diner's closed then the Gold's can't be served and that way Emma and Henry get out of the house."
Killian gave her a hug before picking up his keys, "That sounds brilliant, love. Let's do it."
Regina shouldered her bag, "I'm meeting Robin and Roland for dinner there. I'll speak to Granny and Ruby." She waved and was gone.
"I believe that was the Queen dismissing us peasants." Killian saluted the room and left as well.
The next evening Granny shut the diner down, turning on the closed sign and closing all of the blinds. Tink had stopped off at the library and checked out a bunch of fairytale books for the kids, who were pouring over them in a corner booth.
The adults were seated around a large table pulled together in the back with Regina's spiked apple cider discussing what little they knew of Gold and Neal's plans.
Emma sat between Killian and August listening to the discussion around her. She hadn't said much of anything because she knew what needed to happen. "I need to see Neal." She finally said. The entire table fell quiet at her words, "I need to deal with this. There's the smallest chance that if I see him I can put a stop to this, and you," she pointed at August, "are not coming with me because I don't want to break up a fight."
After a moment, August glowered at her and relented, "Fine, but you're not going alone."
Killian cleared his throat, "I can go with you, Swan, if you'd like."
Emma smiled softly at him, "I would really appreciate that." She agreed. "Also, I want to go back to business as usual as much as possible. So that means Killian and I go back to work and Henry goes back to school. I want protection at the school 24/7." She decided, "He needs to be in school. If he's not then he'll fall behind and it will only mess with his head."
Graham swirled his drink in the cup, "We could hire Leroy and Scarlett. I hear Scarlett's not working now and Leroy is always wanting extra work."
"Our two trouble makers?" David asked, "You want to hire them?" He gave Graham and incredulous look, "They're literally the only two people we ever arrest in this town!"
Victor nodded, "I agree, look, I think we could all take shifts at the school. On my days off I can camp out outside of Mary Margaret's room." He offered. Ruby's eyes fluttered and pressed a kiss to his cheek at his offer.
Robin rolled his eyes, "I can do the same. I'm certain Little John and Friar Tuck," he referenced the nicknames of his two long-time employees, "could help as well. And unlike Scarlett and Leroy they don't have records."
"And on our days off we can do the same." Killian pointed out.
"Same!" Alexandra's father, Sean, agreed, as did Elena's father, Philip.
"So then for the moment we'll leave the local criminals off the company payroll." David surmised.
Emma sighed, "I'll text Neal then." At August's panicked look she reminded him, "His father already has our numbers. If Neal wants them, they're his."
Killian sighed, "How about we keep the lad out of school one more day?" He suggested as he looked over at the kids. "Maybe they should all take tomorrow off? Then we could meet with Neal and know everyone is safe and sound."
Regina smiled, "I don't have any meetings scheduled, how about I take the day off as well and they can spend it at our house?" She volunteered. "Then they're all in one place and can have fun."
Reaching across the table, Emma laced her hand with Regina's, "Perfect." She agreed.