That evening Belle entered the dining room to find everyone already gathered around helping themselves to the seafood paella and garlic bread that Ariel had lovingly made. She was surprised to find the house manager and resident doctor sat at one end of the table, Jefferson filled his face with bread while Victor sipped at his beer; Belle couldn't help but smile when she remembered what Gold had said.

"Oh hey Lacey, just in time help yourself." Ariel chorused with an easy smile.

Belle did as big and sat down between Ashley and the vacant head of the table then helped herself to dinner much as the others were. For a moment she wondered if the vacant chair was for Wick or Zelena or whatever her name really was but when the former House Girl appeared and Ariel all but threw a plate at the elder woman Belle decided she'd probably been wrong. Zelena got herself something to eat, sneered at everyone – Belle specifically – then vanished back upstairs without a word. Clearly no one wanted Zelena at The House of Scarlet. In the short time Belle had been there she'd come to learn that Ariel was naturally nice and pleasant to anyone and yet the simple sight of Zelena had made her do a full one-eighty. Belle hadn't gotten any idea what had made Zelena leave – didn't even know if it had been willing or if Gold had fired her – but the auburn-haired beauty had decided she didn't want to know; probably best I leave that subject alone.

Instead of getting lost in her mind she struck up conversation with Ruby, who sat across from her, and stared to eat just like the other girls. She'd not seen all of them in one room since she'd arrived and a wave of happiness washed over her. It was nice to have a home cooked meal again, it sparked memories of her mother's roast dinners and homemade soups. Her Papa had done his best but frankly Moe was a lousy cook without any prospect of improving.

Not long after they'd settled down to eat Cruella and Aurora had gotten into a fight over fur and it's moral implications when Cruella had started bemoaning about needing a new coat. The argument stopped dead when Mister Gold entered the room. As far as Belle could tell he'd not interacted with the girls at all since she'd arrived so his sudden appearance in the dining room came as a surprise.

"Elias!" Everyone except Cruella cheered happily.

Belle raised an eyebrow questioningly. She'd not expected this. Not expected him to show up, not expected him to get such a unanimous response out of her fellow House Girls, not expected any of it. Suddenly who the seat at the head of the table was for became clear. Ashley got up in an instant as he entered the room and pressed a kiss to his cheek while Ruby put her waitress skills to good use and filled a plate for him while he took his seat.

"Thank you, Red." He said quietly before he flashed his honey-eyes up to Ariel. "You have outdone yourself as usual, Ariel."

Suddenly Jefferson's and Victor's presence seemed far more normal, the three men lived in the house as well and couldn't be forced to live in their – much smaller – section of the building permanently. The viewers weren't there to watch Jefferson, Victor and Gold – or Elias as it turned out – though, they were there for the girls. Then it dawned on Belle, she'd been told the cameras helped the viewers to feel as though they were part of the action, the day to day lives, and this regular old dinner was as day to day as one could get. It had already been made clear to her that Victor and Jefferson cared for the girls deeply and, in their own way, treated The House of Scarlet like a family, a porn family, but a family nevertheless. Belle just hadn't expected Mister Gold to do the same.

In hardly thirty second from Gold entering to him sitting down everyone had gone back to their conversations and jokes. In a weird way Belle found herself comforted, it reminded her of Thanksgivng when every strange member of the family came out of the woodwork to celebrate.

"Elias," began Ruby as she reached for her wine glass, "Craig is coming over tomorrow."

"Of course, Dearie, I'll have a car ready for him." He responded absent-mindedly while he helped himself to some garlic bread.

Belle took another bite of her dinner and nearly groaned, it was amazing, she could taste every spice perfectly and the prawns were to die for. Really where has Ariel been all my life? Belle hadn't had a meal that good since her her mother's chicken casserole. Ariel had some real talent.

After a while Belle realized they were all calling him Elias rather than Mister Gold and so leaned over to Ashley who sat beside her.

"He just lets you call him by his first name?"

Frankly until the girls had all cheered it Belle hadn't had the first clue what his given name was, it hadn't even appeared on her contract, just said 'Mister Gold'.

Ashley shrugged. "Yeah. Well, to everyone else it's Gold but he's got a soft spot for us so he's Elias. Ruby tried Elly once but it wasn't didn't go down well." Somehow Belle wasn't surprised in the slightest at that. "He doesn't go for Eli either so just stick to Elias."

With that the blonde returned to eating her dinner. Belle sat a moment to roll the name around in her mind. She liked it she decided, it suited him. Sexy accent: check. Sexy suit collection: check. Sexy eyes: check. Sexy name that rolls of the tongue: check. The blue-eyed angel soon had to chastise herself, Gold was her employer and she shouldn't have thought about him in such ways; inappropriate. Gold might have treated her and the other girls well but at the end of the day she was there to make him money not lust after him like a schoolgirl.

Unbeknownst to the new Australian but she wasn't the only one who needed to chastise themselves, Gold did as well. He'd really hoped she'd be at the opposite end of the table when he'd entered but no, there she was right bloody next to him; why was fate so cruel? She only needs to make the money for her tuition, began his brain logically, to her I'm just an old man who runs a porn site, she probably thinks I'm a freak and that's if she thinks anything of me at all. I mean seriously I'm forty-nine years old and I live with a group of sexy twenty something girls and two gay guys, what else is she supposed to think?

~X~

The hour was late when Zelena joined Cruella in the sauna, they'd practically been best friends once upon a time but that had been more out of necessity than genuine friendship. As a result Zelena knew that Cruella would be on her side when it came to her becoming Wick once more and taking back her rightful place; especially if it meant getting rid of the new whore.

Cruella sat in the corner of The House Of Scarlet's sauna only opening her eyes for a second as Zelena took a seat beside her in the hot room.

"You're always in here, it's practically your office." The ginger remarked.

Cruella didn't seem overly impressed. "I know why you're here and yes I want her gone too."

"Why? She didn't try to replace you."

"No but she's already more popular than you are and if she actually starts bringing guys here for sex then she'll become more popular than me and I won't have that."

"Bitch! I'm better than her." Zelena growled.

Cruella just rolled her eyes, Zelena had always been the jealous type but she was easily led, that was the only reason she let Zelena think they were friends. Time to stick the nail in the coffin.

"She likes Gold too." Zelena's eyes shot open and burned with anger. "What's worse is he wants to fuck her."

"He wouldn't!" She exclaimed which got a self-satisfied smirk from Cruella.

"There's a difference between wanting to and actually doing something, Wick." Cruella flashed her a smug grin. "But he'll only be able to keep his eyes off her for so long and when she eventually gets him to fuck her, well," Cruella shrugged, "he'll be hers and you'll have no hope."

"He should be with me! That bitch, first she tries to replace me and now she's taking Elias."

Zelena slowly got herself more and more worked up until Victoria, or Curella as most knew her, had finally had enough. She just wanted to sit in the sauna in peace for a while before she went upstairs and pleasured herself for the camera but no, Zelena had shown up to fuck everything all over again.

"Wick dear, why don't you go and calm yourself down."

Instantly Zelena's demeanor changed, like someone had flicked a switch for her and Cruella felt herself relax against the sauna wall.

"Yeah, I could do with a hit."

It seemed Zelena 'Wick' Green was far from clean, heroin was still very much part of her diet; not that anyone was all that surprised. Oh it's alright, she'll do something stupid and get rid of herself and Lacey. Bye bye. Cruella grinned as her mind muttered away to her.

~X~

Several weeks passed and Belle became rather comfortable in her new home,even started acting for the cameras. Lacey really was becoming part of her, a costume that fit over her skin and gave her all the bravery in the world. Ruby and Ariel had taken her shopping with a pretty reluctant Tamara only to return with a rather large selection of new clothes: mini skirts, low cut tops, lingerie. Basically anything and everything she could ask for. It was nice to be able to buy things for herself, Gold really did pay her very well.

Her shows had become more and more elaborate and her outfits became more and more erotic, Jefferson was only too happy to let her know how popular she'd become. He'd thrust a tablet in her face one morning before breakfast just to show her the numbers. In a way Belle had found herself rather proud, all her fears were gone and she had truly become Lacey.

One thing she was sure she probably should have felt guilty about was the way she showed off her new outfits to Elias Gold. Yes everyone on the website could see her practically every moment of every day but she didn't wear the outfits for them, she wore them for Elias.

On a Tuesday afternoon when Belle had practically walked into Gold on the landing that overlooked the living room she'd taken pride in the quick up and down he'd given her.. The second they'd come face to face a sense of happiness had washed over her for choosing what Ruby had taken to calling her man killer outfit. Man Killer consisted of the shortest black leather skirt she'd ever come across with a low cut, sleeveless, black and white striped top. To go along with it she wore black fishnet stockings and red heels to match her deep lipstick. Lacey suited her.

Gold had been forced to do a double take when he saw the fishnets but he hid it well, she wouldn't want me looking at her, he told himself.

"I'm sorry, Elias. I didn't see you-" She stopped dead seeing what he held in his hands. "It that a first edition Jane Eyre?"

Gold raised an eyebrow. "You know your literature, Lacey."

"Well, I am studying it." She smiled as she took a step closer, even in such high heels she still wasn't as tall as Gold and he wasn't overly tall to begin with. "It's beautiful."

"That it is. It's in need of repair though. I was actually just about to do that, you're welcome to watch if you'd like."

"Really?" Belle lit up. "That would be fantastic."

Elias Gold didn't know what made him ask but he just loved the idea of spending time with her, Belle was so beautiful and made him want to smile every time he saw her. A feeling that hadn't ever come over him before. None of the other House Girls had ever had such an effect. They'd not been alone in a room since that day he'd called her into his office and Gold found himself saddened at that fact. However, Belle had agreed to join him for a while and he was going to treasure every single second of it.

Belle followed him down the maze of hallways and into the boy's wing, then round a corner and about halfway down the hall was the door to his office but instead of continuing down the hall he just led her through his office and into another room littered with books and knick-knacks of unknown value and origin.

"This is my work room, but the girls just call it the antiques room." He told her quietly as he moved a few things out the way on his desk to place the book down.

Belle's cerulean orbs flashed around, she was in utter paradise. One wall was completely dedicated to books of varying age and Belle felt a smile come to her face. The rest of the room was littered with little small objects all in different stages of repair. In a way the workroom was like his office, it didn't really fit in with the rest of The House.

He pulled out a chair for her to sit beside him like a perfect gentleman and she happily sat to watch as he repaired the book. The soft sent of his aftershave found its way to her nostrils and Belle felt heat pool in her stomach. It was wonderful to watch him work and, after a while, Gold had even started to teach her about the things he was doing. He would be a very good father, Belle had quickly decided.

They stayed together for the rest of the day, Elias teaching her new things and when her mind finally returned Belle found she had shuffled so close that she was nearly sat in his lap. Either Gold was too lost in his work or didn't care but Belle knew which was more likely. Get yourself under control Belle, you work for him, you can't go throwing yourself at him. He doesn't touch the girls Ruby told you that. He doesn't think of you that way! Belle couldn't help but scold herself, she'd never acted like this before and hadn't the first idea why Elias Gold had so much of an effect on her; he'd not made a single attempt to express interest in her. Yet still Belle wanted him. Never in her twenty-one years had Belle felt such attraction to a man, especially one as distinguished and clearly talented as Mister Elias Gold. Yes, Belle had always preferred the older man, much to her father's displeasure and chagrin, but Elias was something else entirely. There was just something about him that called to her, that made her heart flutter … whatever the calling was it was getting out of hand.

Unbeknownst to the young woman Gold was having similar problems and found himself thankful he was sitting down, he'd die of embarrassment if she found out. He knew she didn't need the little outfits that she wore as Lacey, no Belle French was perfectly perfect all on her own. Although, thinking about it, those stockings did something to him that seemed almost magical as if she'd cast a spell on him. The first time he's seen her his breath had hitched and he'd forgotten how to speak, all the girls that lived at The House Of Scarlet were beautiful but only Belle was angelic, she's too good for this place, his mind told him for the millionth time. How he longed to just simply reach out and lay a hand on her thigh, feel the warmth drift from her beddable body and deep into his own to soothe his attention starved form.

What had surprised him however, was that she actually seemed interested in what he was saying, what he was teaching her, it wasn't just a young woman being polite. Belle genuinely wanted to know and that had never happened before. Back when he'd been married, Milah couldn't have cared less about his hobbies, if fact he couldn't remember her ever reading anything except for their divorce papers, to Milah everything about him just seemed dull. The girls found his hobbies boring as well for the most part, all those old little things, why bother when there was a free wi-fi connection? They never berated him for it though like Milah had, God I hate that woman.

Through their time together Elias tried desperately to block Belle out as best he could, didn't want his pant situation getting any worse, but when he did finally look at her again she's moved closer and had a content smile across her dazzling face as well as a fire burning in her eyes, she wanted something but what? For a moment Gold even indulged himself in thinking it was him.

Soon he finished with the book and moved onto an old clock that looked to be from the baroque era, gold with ornate carvings but it was when he opened up the back that Belle's eyes widened, everything was so small and well fitted together; it reminded her of William Paley and the watchmaker analogy from her philosophy class when she'd been young. Belle rose from her seat at his side and went to stand behind her employer then leaned down over his shoulder to get a better look; completely unaware of the way her breasts grazed against his back.

Gold's heart rate climbed to the point he thought he'd suffer a heart attack, her perfume filled his nose and pushed a subtle smile to his sharp features. Such a light scent, apples, so enticing that it was almost as if he could reach out and take a bite. He found himself unconsciously leaning back to increase the pressure between their bodies, to feel her perk nipples through the fabric of his shirt. In a moment of courage he risked a glance up at the angelic goddess and found her cerulean orbs looking down at him.

"You enjoying yourself?" She asked and he pulled forwards almost instantly. Caught!

"I … I'm sorry, I apologise." He tripped and fell over his words like a God damn child caught with its hand in the cookie jar. "That was completely inappropri-"

"I liked it."

What? What the fuck?! He was hearing things, he had to be, she couldn't have just said what he thought she had. I need to stop drinking, or I need medication, she can't of said-

"Elias?"

She seemed hesitant, like she'd over-stepped the line and he hated himself when her eyes were dull.

"You don't mean that, Sweetheart." He told her softly, an air of self-deprecation threaded through his words. She only said it to make me feel less like the sick pervert I am, she was being kind.

"I do mean it." She pushed.

It wasn't until then Belle realized how close she'd brought their faces, she could feel his lightly coffee scented breath caress her chin and neck as she leaned down to lock their eyes together. Shimmering aqua meeting honey brown. Be brave Belle, remember what Mama taught you. Do the brave thing and bravery will follow. With her mothers words echoing around her head Belle leaned down and captured his cupids bow lips. He tasted divine, like that first sip of hot tea on a winters morning and ended on something bitter that she suspected came from the coffee. Only a split second later he had pulled her to straddle his hips and had his hands softly caressing her thighs, those stockingclad thighs. Where this sudden bout of courage had come from neither had any idea.

"You like those don't you." She accused teasingly when they pulled apart for air, her arms slipping around his neck.

"Very much so." He answered truthfully, kissing her pale neck.

Belle grinned as she reached down between them to cup his manhood, pleased when he moaned against her shoulder. In that one moment everything changed, everything darkened, he shoved Belle off of him and stood up; Belle's heart dropped.

"Maybe you should go downstairs or to your room." His accent had grown thick and he refused to look at her. "We shouldn't do this."

"Why?" Belle all but demanded. It startled Gold for a moment, forcing him to look at her.

"Belle," he began with a sigh, "I pay you whenever you have sex with someone, I pay you when you masturbate in font of cameras. I pay you for every sexual act you perform in this house. If I had sex with you I'd just be paying you for that sex too … and you're not a prostitute."

It all made sense to her then, it wasn't that he didn't want her it was that he didn't want her degrading herself any more than she already was. Didn't want her to think she was nothing but a common whore. Much to her own surprise Belle smiled and took a step closer to him. She grabbed him by his jet black tie and started to play with it teasingly. Now that she'd found that courage Belle wouldn't let it go so easily.

"I don't see any cameras in here." She purred. "And I don't want your money." She leaned in to whisper in his ear. "I just want you."

Gold felt a shiver shoot down his spine, this girl, this goddess of a woman, just wanted old, worthless him. Why? Had Zelena or Cruella said that to him he'd have tossed them out his office and slammed the door but he believed Belle.

Before his mind could move to a new topic Belle had slammed her lips to his knocking the air from his lungs. He hardly had a single second to react before her tongue licked along the seam of his lips begging entrance that he eagerly allowed, but only on the condition he could take over and so he quickly dominated the kiss. Gold mapped out her mouth and committed her euphoric taste to memory like it were a prize. Her arms reached up and tangled in his graying hair, her fingernails against his scalp sending a jolt of pleasure through his body and into his cock like a wave of electricity. A moan escaped her lips and she arched herself into his suit clad body cursing the layers between them. Elias' firm hands drifted down to her slender hips to hold her close and provide him the friction he needed as he pressed his erection against her. Another moan. He smiled and broke the kiss to move down and lavish her neck with kisses. Belle loved every single moment of his sharp teeth nipping at her neck, she wanted him to bite down, to mark her but he would never risk that, the others would notice instantly.

There weren't any windows in Gold's work room but still her skin glowed almost indecently; maybe she really was a goddess. The Scotsman's hands drifted to cup her perfectly formed backside and in that moment he knew he had never been as happy as he was right there. In a second of pure need Gold lifted Belle and almost slammed her down on his work table so he could press himself to her. A feat of strength neither had really expected. Belle moaned and gripped at his hair tighter. Warm wetness pooled in her core and Belle grew more impatient, his fingertips electric against her skin and Belle wanted more than just his torment. She reached down to cup him again pleased when this time he thrust into her hand wantonly. He wanted her and Belle was almost begging for of his large hands slipped under her leather skirt and into her purple panties to her core.

"You're so wet." He breathed against her heated skin as he pressed his thumb to her sex which caused her to gasp. "You like that?"

"Yes." She could barely speak and the word came out as a pant.

His fingers moved in circles tormenting the young beauty before him. She was perfect in every way except one, she was still clothed. He reached up, pulled his hands form her core and Belle mourned the loss with a little whimper that brought a devilish smile to Gold's face. His calloused hands slipped up her body to the hem of her striped top and quickly pulled the offending garment from her body, it found itself tossed to the ground as though it had caused offence and Gold marvelled at Belle's firm breasts hidden by her purple bra. They weren't overly large and Belle had always been a little self-conscious about them but Gold looked at her like she was the only surviving work of Rembrandt.

He lowered his head to mouth her through the purple fabric and he felt a wave of animalistic pride was over him when he felt her nipple stand to attention. He didn't notice until she was pushing him away ever so slightly that she had unclasped it, just as with her top the bra was cast away to the floor so Elias could take in the sight of her.

"You're beautiful." He whispered and Belle blushed, no one had ever called her beautiful before, not with such truth in their voice.

His mouth returned to her milk-white breast and a hand reached to cup the other, he'd never seen anything quite so bewitching as Belle's naked form and he hadn't even gotten her skirt off yet. There was a vulnerability and naturalness to Belle that Gold enjoyed but there was also such bravery and strength, an odd combination but she wouldn't have been Belle French without it.

"Please stop teasing me."She almost begged and Gold couldn't say no to her.

He tugged at the short leather skirt and Belle raised her hips to help him take it off then her panties followed in one smooth motion to leave her in nothing but her heels and stockings. She reached for one but halted at his voice.

"Leave … leave those on."

Belle flashed him a smirk and pulled him back to her by his tie, it wasn't fair her being completely naked while he was still fully clothed but she couldn't bring herself to care. Belle needed him and taking his clothes off would waste precious time, besides his suit had a similar affect on her that her stockings did on him. A suit is to a woman what lingerie is to a man. Belle made quick work of opening his belt and pulled his pants and boxers down just enough to free his hardened member, he was larger and thicker than she'd expected, not that she was complaining. She held him firmly in her hand and stroked him.

"Sweetheart, I won't last long if you keep doing that." His voice was breathless.

Belle giggled at that and dragged her thumb over the slit just to make him moan with want and pleasure. She couldn't tease him more than that, she was too wet and far too desperate so she guided him to her entrance and let him fill her to the hilt. Gold nearly came there and then, she was so tight and perfect.

"Move." She half begged and half demanded.

Gold slipped almost all the way out only to slam back in to her wet heat with such force that the table inched across the floor at the thrust, every moment pure heaven. His hands gripped her hips and Belle's snaked around his neck, lips locked. He started slow at first but soon built up into a punishing rhythm of hard and fast that had Belle panting and moaning for release. A thick layer of sweat coated their skin and shimmered in the fake light. Gold could have died a happy man being buried inside that angel with her moaning into his ear.

Knowing he wouldn't last much longer Elias reached down to cup her sex, rubbed little circles in time with his hard thrusts. She was on the edge and he knew it, reviled in it. White erupted behind Belle's eyes when she finally came like a bomb had gone off wiping out everything except her euphoria. Her nails dug deep into his shoulders leaving behind crescent moon shaped bruises, similar to the ones that would mark her hips. When her muscles clenched around him Gold could take it no longer, Gold wasn't some unskilled teenager though, with a deep guttural moan he pulled out of his young beauty and came to; his seed covered the desk and floor. Sated was his desire.

Neither knew the door was open just a crack, just enough for tempestuous and acrimonious blue eyes to see through. Zelena shook with anger, ire bubbled in her blood. Elias should have taken his pleasure from no one but her! She clenched her fists, sharp green pained nails dug violently into her palms where they drew blood. Why can't you see how good I am? Now 'she' is throwing herself at you and you roll over like a horny dog! You're mine! All mine!