TemperanceTales: I do not own Once Upon a Time in anyway shape or form and I give full credit to the creators.

Chapter Six: Tea of Gold.

"Miss Blanchard."

Mary Margaret looked up from her work to see a familiar yet unwanted sight. Regina stood there in the door way with a cold expression on her face. Putting the folders in her hands down, Mary Margaret said, "Hello Regina. What is it you need?"

"Was Henry in school today?" Regina said, walking promptly over to her and Mary Margaret said, "Yes, why?"

"I'm making sure my son actually comes to school," Regina said, her eyes glaring, "Since you and Miss Swan don't care about his education, I'm making sure that he's here."

"Excuse me?" Mary Margaret said, taken aback, "I'm sorry that Henry is skipping school, but I can't tell whether he's home sick or skipping."

"Well then I would learn Miss. Blanchard," hissed Regina, "Or you might be out of a job soon."

Mary Margaret stared after Regina as she left the room. Sighing, she looked out the window to see the kids playing outside. She should have known Regina would come after her, especially with Henry running off into the woods the other day. Sighing, she walked out of the class room to join the kids down in the yard. She would have to talk to Emma later about Regina's fit. As much as she didn't like the mayor, she did make a fair point about Henry skipping school. It was something that was going to have to change. Walking outside, she couldn't help but smile at the children's playful laughter. Glancing over the yard, she noticed Henry near one of the trees.

"Why is it you stay over a Paige's so often?" Henry asked, looking up at his friend. Autumn looked down at him mildly, leaning against the tree in the school yard. Shrugging, Autumn said, "She's really the only friend that I can stay with in town."

"Oh," Henry said, "Doesn't your mom get upset when you don't come home?"

"Nope, she doesn't care." Autumn said, simply. Crossing her arms, she said, "So Regina seems really angry lately. I heard she and Emma went at it the other night."

"Yeah," Henry said, almost glumly, "I think I might have gotten her into a lot of trouble."

"Nothing she can really do, it's not Emma's fault you ran off," Autumn said, casually, "What's more important is that Emma is still here. Now all we have to do is to get her to believe."

"How?" Henry said, "I've been trying to get her to believe but she won't take me seriously."

"Like any other person would in this world," Autumn said, walking away from the tree and stretching her arms, "People don't truly believe in magic anymore. But Storybrooke itself is created from magic. Which means there has to be hints of it somewhere, you can't just make it completely disappear. We just have to find what they are."

"Okay," Henry said, "How do we do that?"

"Patience young grasshopper," Autumn said, teasingly, "We have to just take the time to look. While Emma's presence unravels the curse, we spot out the things that help her believe."

"Makes sense," Henry said with a heavy sigh, "But I hate waiting."

"Waiting is key," Autumn warned, "If we rush into it, we could scare her off."

"Henry!"

Autumn and Henry looked towards the voice to see Mary Margaret walking towards them. Autumn stared at the woman rubbing her arms as the cold breeze blew. She backed into the shadows of the tree, her expression going blank. Finally stopping a few steps away, Mary Margaret said, "Who's your friend Henry?"

"Her name is Autumn," Henry said, getting up. Autumn didn't say anything but continued to stare quietly. The young teacher wasn't perturbed by her shyness. Mary Margaret smiled at her warmly and said, "I'm Miss Blanchard, Henry's teacher."

"I see," Autumn said quietly and Mary Margaret asked, "I heard Henry took a little trip to your house the other day."

Henry winced but Autumn said lightly, "He tried to. I bumped into him along the way… I'm sorry if he got you in trouble."

"No, no," Mary Margaret said, "While it would be very unwise for Henry to keep running off, it is nothing you need to be concerned with."

The bell rang and Mary Margaret said, "Now, come on Henry, it's time to head in. Autumn would you like to come along?"

"No thank you," Autumn said promptly, "I have to be going anyway. I'll see you later Henry."

"Oh, okay," Henry said, somewhat surprised. Autumn picked up her bag and hurried away and Henry said, "That's weird, I thought for sure she would come in."

"Well, maybe she's just shy," Mary Margaret said, gently, "Come on, let's head in."

Henry nodded slowly and walked away with his teacher. Elsewhere, Autumn was walking along the streets looking around. Very lost in her thoughts, Autumn didn't notice the man walking behind her right away. It wasn't until she heard his voice that she noticed. She smiled as he said, "Now, that wasn't very nice. Miss Blanchard only wanted to include you."

"I was polite," Autumn said as Mr. Gold came by her side, "I said no thank you."

"Yes, but is it so hard for you to get close to other people?" Mr. Gold asked and Autumn shrugged saying, "I just choose my friends carefully, that's all."

"I see," Mr. Gold said as they walked along slowly. Autumn looked up at him and said, "So what have you been up to while I've been gone?"

"Ah, the usual," Mr. Gold said, "Collecting rent, intimidating idiots who forget that they've made a contract, things of that nature."

"Ahhh the life of a man who owns all of Storybrooke," Autumn said, grinning, "You would think people would learn that any deal with you needs to be fulfilled."

"You would think that," Mr. Gold said as they turned the corner. Autumn finally realized they were on a street of houses that she had never been before. Mr. Gold turned to Autumn and said, "Why don't you come in for some tea? Your young friends won't be out of school for a few hours. "

"Alright," Autumn said, her curiosity rising. She had never been inside his house before. Following him up the pathway, she looked at the rather large house. Her eyes dancing with intrigue, Gold repressed a chuckle as he unlocked his front door. Opening it, he walked in first. Autumn followed him as he walked on further saying, "Shut the door, behind you. I'll get the tea ready."

"Kay," Autumn said, shutting the door behind her. She then leaned against it, staring around. The doors had stained glass in them, casting in multitude of colors onto the sleek wooden floors. All the wood seemed nicely polished; she had to wonder how he kept it all clean. He probably didn't. He probably had hired a maid.

Walking forwards, she saw a doorway into his living room. His furniture wasn't exactly modern but it wasn't something she found extremely old. In fact, she rather liked it (she was never exactly fond of modern things). Touching the sleek wood of the couch, she noticed her had a lot of items in his house. Making her way through the room, she heard Mr. Gold in the kitchen. Autumn finally entered to see him by the stove. Autumn stopped by the door way and said, "I should have guessed your home would have been filled with stuff. You are a pawnbroker after all."

Mr. Gold grinned briefly before turning to her. Gently dropping her bag by the chosen chair, she sat down at the kitchen table as he said, "Anything intrigue you?"

"Your house intrigues me," Autumn said, looking at him directly, "It's almost like an extension of your store."

"Do I really have that much stuff?" Mr. Gold asked, somewhat amused. Sitting down, he watched Autumn grin mischievously and saying, "Yes, yes you do. It's alright, though. I can't say you ever get bored in here."

"I'm rarely here, except for the evenings," Mr. Gold said honestly, "Today is the unusual day that I actually come home."

"I see, so I guess I caught you on a good day," Autumn said, cheerfully and Mr. Gold teased, "I think I'm the one that caught you, but regardless."

"How could you have a need for this much stuff though?" Autumn asked, as the tea pot whistled. Mr. Gold went to get it as Autumn continued, "Like that rocking horse in your living room. Unless you have kids I don't know about, what use could you have for it?"

"It's an antique," Mr. Gold said simply. He filled up the cups and asked, "Milk? Sugar?"

"Just milk," Autumn said, casually, "So… do you have kids that I don't know about?"

Mr. Gold chuckled once again before finished their tea. He picked them up and said as he walked back to the table, "I'll tell you what, I'll make you a deal. I'll answer your questions, but you must tell me something of equal value."

He slid her tea over to her and asked, "Deal?"

"Deal," Autumn said, grinning. Taking her tea, she asked once again, "Do you have kids that I don't know about?"

"I had a son," Mr. Gold admitted, "a long time ago. He was rather free-spirited lad. Always very caring and brave. Now your turn."

"Mom is not my real mother," Autumn said, matter of factly, "She's my foster mom. I've been in the foster system since I was about six."

Autumn sipped her tea asked Mr. Gold nodded. He knew she had been a foster child, but had no idea she had been in it that long. Autumn put down her mug and said, "So what happened to him, your son?"

"He left," Mr. Gold said somewhat evasively, "Left and I never saw him again."

Autumn noticed the small twinge of pain in his eyes. She felt bad. She knew he had a son; but she wanted to see if he remembered or not. Bringing up memories of someone long gone was never fun. Autumn knew she had to level the playing field and said, "I'm sorry… My real father died when I was young. He was the only family I ever had growing up."

"I see," Mr. Gold said, watching her carefully, "Well aren't we a sadly pair?"

Autumn giggled softly and said, "I guess so… Were you always a pawnbroker?"

"As long as I can remember, I have been making deals," Mr. Gold said with his famous grin and Autumn grinned back saying, "Cheater."

"Never, dearie," he said, his grin not faltering, "I believe it's your turn."

Mr. Gold took a sip of his tea as Autumn pondered for a minute. Grinning she said, "I'm someone you never expected meeting but will never wish to get rid of."

"What?" Mr. Gold said incredulously, putting his cup down. Autumn said slyly, "A vague remark for a vague answer."

"Cheeky one, aren't you?" Mr. Gold said staring at her hardly and Autumn asked, "Would you have me any other way?"

"Perhaps a little less mysterious," Mr. Gold teased, allowing his firm stare to disappear. Autumn rolled her eyes, taking no really notice to his constant changes in demeanor. Before sipping her tea, she said, "I'm not mysterious, I answer all your questions."

"You may answer them, but you do it in a way that leaves a person ever more confused or intrigued," Mr. Gold said and Autumn retorted playfully, "Just like you."

"Mmm." Mr. Gold drank his tea before saying, "I beg to differ on you with that."

"Oh?" Autumn said, the sparkle in her eyes amusing him, "How so?"

"I am very straight forward, my dear," Mr. Gold said, "You can't ever give anyone a straight answer about where you house is."

"I told you where it is," Autumn said, making a face. Mr. Gold chuckled and said, "As I said, no one would ever be able to find your house."

There was a loud telephone ring, interrupting their conversation. He sighed and stood up walking into another room she hadn't looked at. Autumn heard him answer it as she finished the rest of her tea. Looking around, she noticed something in the corner of his dining room. Standing up, she walked over to the table where the case laid. Inside was a violin, the sleek wood shining in the lights.

"I'm sorry Autumn," Mr. Gold said, and Autumn jumped a bit. She looked back to see him in the entry way. He smiled and said, "I'm afraid I do have some business to attend to after all."

"Oh," Autumn said walking over and past him to get her bag. Picking it up, he asked, "Do you play?"

"Huh?" Autumn turned to look at him and he said, "The violin. Do you play?"

"Yes," she said slowly, "I did-I mean I do."

He chuckled and said, "Well you'll just have to come over another day and show me, now won't you."

"I guess I will," Autumn said slinging her bag over her shoulder. Following him to the door, he then said, "Besides, now that I've shown you my house, you have to show me yours."

"Oh, I should have known you had ulterior motives," Autumn teased and he touched her nose saying, "Always, my dear. Now off you go, dearie, off you go."

He opened the door and she walked out and hurried down the pathway. She waved back at him before disappeared around the street corner. He chuckled and shut his door locking it. Intriguing as always.

Autumn walked back towards the school, touching the tip of her nose. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, noting that was the first time he had done something like that. Maybe he was loosening up? She could only hope that was the case.

As she continuing walking, Autumn pondered on what to do for the rest of the day. She walked by the school and she noticed Henry and his class outside again. Curious, she crossed the street and watched them from afar. It looked like they were releasing something. Suddenly she saw birds fly out of the cage Miss. Blanchard was holding. Autumn watched them fly away with a small smile. Suddenly, Autumn felt rain drops fall down on her face. She then looked back at the class and noticed the students heading back in. Mary Margaret spotted her and waved her to follow. Autumn paused for a minute before going over with that small smile on her face. Mary Margaret took her hand and the two of them hurried inside away from the now steady rain.

She stood in front of the mirror, examining her appearance. Her skin was white, white like ash. Her grey eyes were anything but pleasant as she vainly looked into the mirror surrounded by crystal. Her clothes consisted of a dress with a tight waist and bell sleeves. Her short hair stopped gracefully at her chin and her lips looked stained with dark poison. Touching the mirror, the mirror rippled like water and showed a land filled with snow and people laughing. But it held no meaning to her as she watched. Her demeanor was of ice, biting at your very soul. Exhaling, the mirror frosted over as she said, "Find me his heart."