A/N: Sorry again for the delay! I will post the rest of this chapter later tonight or tomorrow (hopefully) but I wanted to give you guys an update.

I should probably up this to an M rating for this chapter; if you prefer to skip it just scroll down to the line. Otherwise, Enjoy!

Emma didn't want to open her eyes as her mind returned to consciousness; even if she could move she didn't want to. Gold's arms were locked tight around her with his leg draped possessively over hers, afraid she would leave him. She snuggled back against him with a contended sigh, her fingertips dragging lightly over his arms. She just wanted to bask in the peace of the moment, knowing the coming weeks would be more than difficult. Waking up held in his arms truly felt like she was home, that this is where she belonged.

"Don't even think about moving…" he mumbled, bringing his lips to the bare skin of her shoulder. Emma keened and stretched her neck, allowing him better access. He smiled against her skin, trailing a line of kisses to that spot just below her ear that always makes her knees weak. The night had been perfect and waking up to find her still in his arms was better still.

"I wasn't…" she whispered, unable to suppress her smile as his lips moved over her neck. "What time is it?" Gold forced his eyes open, glancing at the alarm clock behind him. "5:30…"

"Oh, we have to get up soon…" Emma grumbled burying her face into her pillow, wanting nothing more than to remain here. A crooked smile formed on his lips, placing his hand on her thigh trailing it over her hip to her abdomen.

"Or we can just wake up now…" he whispered seductively against her ear. "…we have time." Emma shivered as his hand slipped beneath the fabric of her shirt caressing her abdomen as he pulled her back.

"Time for what…?" she asked breathlessly, now wide awake. Their eyes locked as she rolled onto her back, her fingers fisting in his hair as his lips covered hers. Emma brought her knee up to his waist as he trailed his lips down the column of her neck, between the valley of her breasts to her abdomen.

"…For me to make up for lost time." He whispered. Gold gathered the hem of her shirt in his hands, his eyes requesting her consent without words. Emma smiled, her eyes pleasantly surprised as she watched him. He lowered his head, kissing her stomach just below her belly button, kissing each area of skin he exposed.

"I should've told you I loved you every day; made love to you every day...a fact it took losing you to make me realize…" Emma was speechless as she watched him roll her shirt up her torso, her stomach fluttering as he kissed his way up her abdomen. She'd lost count of the many times she's wanted him to wake her up like this, or the times they started and stopped. Now it seemed like he couldn't get enough of her. Whatever her absence did to him, she was grateful for it.

His eyes fell to the large bruise that still stained her perfect skin, pressing his hand over it to remove it completely. Emma felt the surge of warmth and tingling, squirming at the way it tickled. "That felt so strange…" she said, giggling lightly. He only smiled as he brought her shirt up over her head, tossing it to the floor.

"You're even more beautiful then I remember," he whispered, drinking in the sight of her beneath him. His hands caressed her sides, and then they were on her breasts; caressing, circling, massaging that gorgeous flesh before teasing her hardened nipples with his fingers. Emma grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, pulling it off leaving him in a similar state of undress. He brought his weight down on her, relishing the skin on skin contact between them for the first time in too long.

Gold dipped his head, kissing the top of her chest, brushing her nipples with his lips, kissing his way up the column of her throat. Her fingers were a vice grip on his hair, holding him against her, and then they were at his shoulders, caressing, teasing. He would happily lay here all day and kiss every inch of her, worshipping her the way she deserved. His mouth moved to the nape of her neck knowing how it turns her on; her heavy breathing and breathless moans spurring him on, swallowing the sounds as he covered her mouth in a searing kiss.

Emma returned the kiss with fervor accidentally biting his bottom lip, holding him to her mouth as if her life depended on it. Moments like this were few and far between for them and she relished each touch, savored the feel of every kiss as her body seemed to ignite. His touch was soft, strong, and confident as was his kiss, proving again that he was not the same man she'd left. Gold was always tentative in his kisses and his touch, afraid that he would somehow hurt her or she wouldn't enjoy it. But this was the first time they'd made love since the cabin, and Emma was perfectly content to make it last as long as possible.

Her hand went into his hair and fisted gently, feeling his hardness against her thigh. Emma smiled against his lips as their eyes locked, rolling him onto his back. His eyes closed as she combed her fingers through his hair, enjoying the feeling of her nails grazing over his scalp. He tilted his head back against the pillow with a hoarse groan as she kissed a trail down his neck, sucking and nibbling gently, determined to indulge him.

"Emma…" he growled; his voice deep and gruff as her mouth moved along his shoulders and ears. Nothing turned him on more than she when she took control, despite her inexperience, demanding that he let her love him equally. He always wanted to keep the focus on her, to fulfill her desires first. But with all this attention Gold felt like he was being greedy soaking it all up. His hands slid along her thighs, seeking to pleasure her. Emma giggled and grabbed his hands pinning them loosely above his head.

"This is not about me now, it's your turn." She whispered against his ear, her breath hot on his skin. Gold could only nod in response. She knelt beside him and kissed his neck, licking and leaving a damp trail as she moved down his chest; sucking and teasing his nipples just as he had done to her. He gently grabbed a fistful of her hair, his breathing ragged as her fingers slid into his pants grasping his hardness. Gold moaned and gasped in pleasure, reveling in how good it felt as his hips thrust forwards involuntarily.

Emma was still nervous as she pretended to know what she was doing. Internet research on this topic is sketchy at best, and she depended heavily on his moaning and bodily reactions to discover what he likes best. But that's also the benefit of being inexperienced; there's no one else to compare it to. She relished the idea that now they would be able to explore each other's bodies, taking their time learning how to please each other more.

The first touch was incredible, silken as she gently but firmly stroked him as if she had done this a hundred times and knew exactly how he liked to be touched. It took his breath away that she did this for him, that she seemed to love worshipping his body as much as he did hers. Before he realized it was happening Emma removed his pants, her hand making long firm glorious strokes along his cock. Her mouth inched closer, placing small teasing kisses, on his belly and thighs.

Gold felt his breath leave his body as her tongue trailed his hard length, wet, soft; teasing. Then she swirled her tongue around the head before sliding back down, driving his body into a frenzy. After only a few minutes of this glorious treatment his hips were lifting from the bed to meet her hands and mouth, his breath coming in pants and gasps as she teased his mercilessly. Gold knew he had to stop her here or he wasn't going to be able to last much longer.

"Come here…" He said hoarsely, gripped her arm as he pulled her up. She started to protest, but was silenced by another deep kiss. It took a moment for him to realize through his lust induced state that Emma still had her pants on. He rolled her on to her back as he kissed her, slipping his fingers in the waistband of her pants.

"How did this happen?" he asked with a sheepish grin. Emma held his gaze and smiled brightly, lifting her hips to assist him as he pulled them down her legs.

"I wasn't worried…" Gold tossed her pants to the pile on the floor, covering her nakedness with his own as he settled between her legs. He moved his mouth to her ear, nibbling softly on her ear lobes. With gentle pressure he pulled her hair, pulling her head back to kiss the taught skin under her chin. Sucking lightly he teased the sensitive flesh with his teeth. He gripped her chin and brought his mouth to hers; the hand that had been caressing her abdomen was slowly working its way down.

A new wave of lust shot through him as he slipped his fingers between her legs; the wetness he found proved that she wanted him as desperately as he wanted her. He felt her trembling against him and caught her lips softly, slipping a finger inside. She was still incredibly tight, and his fingers worked to stretch her a little more as she curled into him.

Emma moaned and arched into his touch, her eyes locked intently on his; her fingers gripping the back of his neck. She never knew what to say in moments like this, or if she was meant to remain silent. Words just seemed so pointless when they were already being this intimate. Long minutes passed and Emma lost herself in his kiss, her breasts pressed to his chest as his fingers circled gently inside her, feeling her entire being melt into his touch as the passion between them intensified. Gold laid over her and Emma fell back against the pillow panting for breath, spreading her legs wider as he slowly filled her. Gold struggled to breathe as he buried himself inside her. He rested his head to hers, holding himself still as he met her eyes.

"I love you so much Emma…I love you more than I ever thought possible…" he whispered at last, his hands tangled in long tresses of her hair. He wanted to take his time, to savor this moment as he moved with slow and steady thrusts.

"I love you, too…" she whispered hoarsely, her fingers tangling in his hair. Gold kissed along her jawline, bringing his lips to her neck. The heat pooled in her abdomen and Emma could feel the pressure building. The combined attention of his lips on her neck and his cock inside her made her head spin with heightened pleasure. He seemed to be in no rush, taking his time and doing everything with slow, deliberate movements.

Gold leaned forward and sucked a nipple into his mouth as he made love to her, relishing the feeling of her body against his, of being enveloped inside her. There was something so much sweeter about this experience than their first time. Perhaps it was because they were home or simply that he never believed he'd experience it again, but he would never forget this moment. And he would never take her presence for granted again.

Emma rolled him onto his back, closing her eyes as Gold sank even deeper, feeling his hips beginning to rise and fall in rhythm with her own. A rhythm that quickly increased as the intensity was reaching its peak. She was dizzy as his hands moved over her ribs and to her breasts; circling to begin with and then gentle teases between his fingers.

Gold felt himself dangerously close to the edge and the last thing he wanted was to stop this. All he could think to do was catch Emma up to where he was, slipping his hand between their bodies. Emma looked down at him with a smile as he sent jolts of electric heat throughout her body. She could feel him beginning to jerk inside of her as her own body trembled in anticipation of its own orgasm. Emma tossed her head back moaning with pleasure, as his thumb rubbed her swollen clit in tandem with his thrusts.

Gold thrust harder, his fingertips digging into her hips as she tightened around him. His orgasm hit just as hard, calling out her name as Emma collapsed on top of him. Their bodies heaved, covered with sweat as they wrapped their arms around each other, kissing softly. She climbed off of him, lying along his side as he covered them with the sheet. Emma couldn't have moved if she tried; her limbs feeling listless and disconnected from her body.

"Well, good morning to you too…" Emma said breathlessly in the lingering silence. Gold laughed deeply beside her, running his hand along her arm. "Promise me we will do this more often…"

"It's a guarantee…" he promised, pressing his lips to her temple. Emma nestled closer, forcing herself not to look at the clock; to remain right where she was and indulge in the moment. Everything else melted away, nothing else mattered but being here, held safe in his arms. She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes as her body still trembled.

Gold closed his eyes holding his lips to her temple, his body quivering as his fingertips dragged lightly over the expanse of her back. If there was such a thing as heaven on earth, he was certain he was in it. The idea that he would have to get up soon was offensive, wishing for nothing more to stay here all day, basking in this moment. He rolled onto his side glaring daggers at his alarm clock.

"I'm meeting my father at Granny's at 7:45. I have to get up and take a shower." Emma mumbled sadly against his chest. Gold sighed heavily, his head falling onto the pillow.

"Can't you cancel, or tell him you'll be late? I don't want to let you go yet…" he said, tightening his arms possessively around her. Emma smiled brightly at his words, only too willing to remain here. But as much as she hated to admit it, she had responsibilities.

"No," she lamented with a heavy sigh. Gold nodded, kissing her once more as he released her. Emma sat up, scooting to the edge of the bed.

"Although…" she added, smiling mischievously as she looked over her shoulder. "You could always join me in shower."

His eyes widened and Gold stared after her with his mouth half open as she sashayed from his bed to the bathroom. With a come-and-get-me-grin, Emma closed the door behind her. He had never taken a shower with a woman before and was not about to pass up such an opportunity. Gold hesitated only a moment more before tossing the sheets from his body; the bathroom already full of steam as he opened the door to join her.

James checked his watch again, sipping his coffee at Granny's. It was still only 7:35 and his curiosity plagued him as to what reason Emma had asked him here. Not that he was complaining; any opportunity he had to spend with his daughter would be taken full advantage of. But it had been a long night; Henry's nightmares seemed to only be getting worse. He knew eventually he would have to tell Emma. Belle and Ruby were huddled in a corner nearby, laughing and joking as they refilled sugar jars and poured endless amounts of coffee. James held up his mug and Belle was quick to give him a refill.

"Thank you…" he said softly, offering a weak smile.

"You're welcome. Where's Henry today?" She asked cheerfully. James had honestly never met someone who smiled constantly and always seemed to be in the highest of spirits; especially considering her past.

"Oh, Mary took him to school with her; I'm supposed to be meeting Emma here in a few minutes."

"And it looks like you don't have too long to wait…" Belle whispered, motioning to the window. James looked, watching as Emma and Gold walked arm in arm, smiling and laughing about something as they approached the diner. It was the happiest he had ever seen her, and even Gold looked genuinely happy.

"Does it bother you?" James asked, returning his focus to Belle. "Seeing them together like that?" Belle looked out the window again, watching them as she contemplated the question.

"Um, well, yes and no..." she admitted honestly. "After Regina abducted me and held me in her castle, I always thought that Rumple would find me or save me somehow. And I imagined that when he did, he would whisk me away to his castle and we'd live happily ever after." Belle said wistfully. Her eyes grew darker, filled with sadness at the memory.

"But Regina told him that I was dead, and after thirty years he decided to move on with Emma. When he found me alive here I don't think he knew what to do. And then when the curse broke…I just assumed after all we had suffered through we would be together, and it all would've been worth it. I selfishly hoped that he would leave her to be with me. But he wouldn't, and we talked it out; then Archie helped me see things in a new light and I realized that it was never really meant to be. So, no, it doesn't bother me. I have a life to live…and now the chance to live it." With that she smiled, returning to her duties.

A small smile formed on his lips, ever more intrigued by this woman as the bell rang over the door. They walked into Granny's together, Gold's hand splayed gently across her back. Emma smiled brightly at him as he stood from the stool, holding his arms open for her. Emma stepped from Gold's arm and into her father's embrace. James closed his arms around her, more grateful each time that she didn't push him away.

"Good morning…" she said softly, squeezing him tighter. James offered a slight nod of acknowledgement in Gold's direction, receiving the same as he pulled back from Emma.

"Good morning," James replied with a smile.

"Can I get the usual Ruby?" Emma asked, not sitting down.

"Sure thing, Emma…" came the swift reply.

"Did you eat already?" Emma asked James, realizing too late she never specified that they wouldn't be eating.

"Oh, I did…were we meeting for breakfast?" he asked nervously.

"No, no it's fine; I ate too. I should've been more specific." Emma said as Ruby brought her the usual coffee and muffin. "Thanks Ruby…"

"Hey, I was thinking that this Friday night we could all go for drinks; you, me, Mary, Belle, and maybe Ashley. Wolf's time will have passed by then." Ruby suggested, Belle smiling brightly by her side. Emma stared at Ruby, not exactly sure what she just said.

"Wolf's time…is that like fairy tale speak for PMS?" Emma asked confused. Ruby and Belle laughed and James almost spit out his coffee at her words. They never told her.

"No, I'm um, I'm a wolf." Ruby explained softly; Emma's eyes widened in surprise shifting her body nervously as she cleared her throat. "Doesn't Red-Riding-Hood…kill the wolf?"

"Well, the fairy tales here got a lot of details wrong. It's nothing to worry about." Ruby assured her. On any other day it might seem strange that her friend just told her she was a wolf, but after travelling to another world Emma didn't feel quite so threatened by it.

"Ok. And to answer your question I'd love to."

"Great…I'll talk to everyone and we'll let you know the plan." With that Emma smiled and turned to her father.

"Shall we?"

"Yea absolutely…lead the way…" James said, rising from his seat. As they turned to go they almost collided with an older gentleman dressed impeccably in a black suit, a stern look on his face as he glared indignantly at James. Emma recognized him as the DA who tried to railroad Mary Margaret for Kathryn's murder.

"Well, well, well, what have we here?" the man said with a cruel smile.

"You…what are you doing here?" James asked, stepping protectively in front Emma. He knew King George would stop at nothing to destroy his happiness; his family being the perfect means to that end. Emma rolled her eyes that he thought she needed protection, but she didn't push the issue if only because of the malicious glare in the man's eyes.

"You may have taken care of me in the old world, but in this one…we get another go at each other."

"Whenever you're ready…" James answered calmly, a threatening edge to his voice. Emma looked between both men, nervous that at any moment they'd break into a fist fight.

"So sure of yourself…but I know the truth. You're still just a shepherd pretending to be a prince. You weren't fit to rule the kingdom and you sure as hell aren't fit to run this town. I'm gonna see to it that the people of Storybrooke see who you really are. By the time I'm done with you, you're gonna wish you killed me when you had the chance."

"The people of this town know who I am and they've seen me defeat you before. If you come after me or my family they'll see me defeat you again." James said quietly, showing no fear of the man before him. The king's gaze fell to Emma, eyeing her with disdain.

"You must be his daughter – the Savior. I expect I'll soon be getting an introduction to my great-grandson…" he said matter-of-factly as if Emma would just introduce her son to some madman.

"Over my dead body…" James spat viciously before Emma could utter a word. "You aren't my father, you weren't my brother's father; you have no right to my family after you've tried and failed repeatedly to kill me..."

"That can be always be remedied…" he whispered darkly. At that Emma had had enough, interrupting before James could respond.

"I'm sorry, did you just threaten to kill someone in front of the Sherriff?" Gold was hidden behind James and Emma as he sat at the counter, an amused smiled on his lips at her fearlessness. James and King George both looked to Emma incredulously as she continued, not waiting for a response.

"You people need to remember that you aren't in the Enchanted Forest anymore and anytime you want to ignore the rules of this world, I will happily arrest you for it. Any and all death threats, lynching, or anything else construed as illegal here will be punished accordingly." The king was clearly not affected by her threat as he turned his eyes to James, a cruel smile on his lips.

"Tell me, how did that wife of yours get pregnant? Did she make a deal with that loathsome imp?" James' eyes went wide with confusion mixed with rage, but before he could utter a word, he heard an all too familiar voice behind him.

"I do hope you're not threatening the royal family, your majesty…" Gold said making himself visible. The king's face fell at the unexpected presence of Rumplestiltskin himself. "It was your two deals with the loathsome imp that got Charming into this mess in the first place."

"Your deal the second time around turned out disappointing." The King said defiantly, his fear wearing off.

"No, it turned out perfectly. You needed someone to slay a dragon, which he did. It was you who wanted to keep him as a replacement of the son you lost." The king's face flushed with rage at the mention of his beloved son.

"If Emma ever tells me that you've threatened her, her family, or so much as looked at Henry in a way that displeases her, I will demonstrate just how much power this loathsome imp commands." With a murderous glare toward Gold then to her father, the king turned without a word and walked from the diner. The tension in the room seemed to leave with him as everyone released a collective sigh of relief.

"What was he talking about?" James asked immediately looking to Gold for answers. Gold merely shrugged when Emma interjected.

"I'll explain later…" James looked incredulously to his daughter, wondering how she would know something about this before him.

"We should get going…" Emma said. She hugged Gold tightly as he kissed her temple affectionately, rubbing her back he whispered, "I'll see you tonight, love." Emma blushed as she smiled, squeezing his hand once more, then returning her attention to James.

"Ready?" James nodded silently, following Emma as he watched Gold approach the counter, talking to his former true love.

"So, I'm sorry, what do you know of what King George said?" he asked as they stepped onto the sidewalk.

"Oh, in the Enchanted Forest, Mary told me about how King George had Lancelot bring her to him. Mary said she thought he was just going to kill her to get revenge on you for breaking off the wedding. Instead he cursed her so that she could never have children…"

"Wait, what?" James demanded angrily. Emma was suddenly nervous, for some reason she had assumed Mary had told him this story.

"She told me of what happened to your mother…" Emma continued cautiously, hoping not to rouse his anger further "…and that you were taking her to some magical lake to heal her. But when you got there, there was only one sip left and your mother pretended to drink it and then asked to see you married as her last wish. But she handed the water to Lancelot and he put the water from the lake into a cup of water. And when Mary drank it, it lifted her curse. And the rest is history."

His mind reeled with the revelation of this new information, wondering how or why Snow could keep it a secret. It explained a lot; why the water from the lake didn't save his mother, Snow's initial reaction to when he talked about a baby. How seriously she told that there was something he needed to know; the way she smiled when his mother's pendant started swaying in front of her stomach. James scoffed as he shook his head; his mother only ever wanted to see him happy. He should've known all along that she was prepared to die to see to it that he was.

"Well, that sounds like something she would do." James said with a smile. "You know my mother, your grandmother, was a truly incredible woman. I feared that I would never meet a woman as strong and as kind as she was. I was always talking about true love and she was always trying to marry me off to save our farm." Emma couldn't help but smile, hanging on every word as he spoke.

"After I slayed the dragon I had to say goodbye to keep up appearances. That's when she gave me her ring and told me it belonged on the finger of the woman I loved; that I should never settle for anything less. But when I met Snow I knew, and it was killing me that I was being forced to marry Abigail – or Kathryn. Luckily, she was also in love with another man. So the day before our wedding she helped me escape and I reunited her with her true love and King George has been trying to kill me since." Emma's eyes widened at how nonchalantly he stated that fact.

"I'm sorry, am I boring you with all this?" he asked, noting the curious look on her face.

"No, absolutely not. I only wish I could have met her, she sounds like an extraordinary woman."

"That she was…" James said softly as they continued to walk leisurely down the street in comfortable silence. The more time she spent with him the more time she wanted to spend, listening to stories of family members and how her parents met; the stories you hear told a thousand times and never tire of. It filled that need, that desire to be connected her to a family.

Emma summoned as much courage as she could slipping her arm through his as she hooked their elbows, experimenting what it feels like to trust her father. For a moment, she could see herself as a little girl, holding her Daddy's hand as they walked on a bright summer day. But she wasn't a little girl and they were so close in age people might think they were a couple if they didn't know better. But Emma didn't care as she allowed herself this brief moment.

James looked down at her surprised as she rested her head on his shoulder. He swallowed the tears that were rising to the surface unsure of what to say, or if he should even say anything at all. It was the simplest of gestures and he didn't know what brought it on, but he wasn't about to pull away. His guilt surged to the surface that Emma didn't get a lifetime of this, that she didn't receive the love of her parents until she was twenty-eight years old. They had good reasons, but that did little to ease his conscious.

"So, uh, what did you need me for? Where are we heading?" James asked, his voice trembling as he spoke.

"For now just to the station, I'm expecting my cell phone to be delivered in the next half-hour."

"Oh, good…I can stop having all the station calls forwarded to my cell phone…" he replied teasingly. Emma laughed lightly, lifting her head but not releasing her grip.

"Can I ask you something?" James asked hesitantly.

"Sure…"

"That story about Henry's father…" he paused, hoping it wouldn't ruin this moment. "It's not true, is it?" Emma released a heavy sigh, barely able to meet his eyes.

"No…no it's not." she whispered sadly. "Please don't tell him any differently…he can never know."

"I don't suppose I'm allowed to ask what the real story is…" Emma met his eyes, their arms still linked as they walked. This would have been the perfect opportunity to tell him, but it was just too soon.

"I will say that it's true his father is dead and no, he was not a first or true love; nor a hero…"

"How did he die?" Emma rolled her eyes looking away, and James was quick to apologize. Emma again felt guilty that while the last thing she wanted to do was hurt her parents, it's exactly what she seemed to be doing.

"You know, Gold and I had a long talk last night…a long, long, long talk. About this very thing actually…" Emma began as the station came into view. James looked down, waiting expectantly for her to continue. When she remained silent to sort out her thoughts, James prodded further.

"But…?"

"But this isn't easy." She admitted finally. "I know you want to know my past, what happened…I've just really been afraid if I tell you, it's going to forever damage our chances for a normal relationship. I don't want to cause you guys any more pain…" James nodded, holding her gaze intently. It broke his heart to see his daughter struggle so intensely simply out of the desire to protect them.

"But Gold reminded me last night that you and Mary are the ones best suited to heal those wounds and that I should just tell you and be done with it." James shook his head incredulously, hardly able to believe what he was about to say.

"And for once I agree with him…" James said calmly, a soothing edge to his voice. "Emma…I know I've been a little abrasive towards your relationship…" Emma cocked an eyebrow at the understatement. "Alright, I've been very abrasive and hostile and I'm not apologizing for that."

"Of course you're not…" she said sarcastically. They reached the station and Emma reluctantly let go of his arm to unlock the doors. She held it open for him as she stepped inside.

"Emma…I'm your father. I held you in my arms for five minutes before I had to put you in a box and send you to some unknown world. Snow had literally just given birth when we heard Regina's guards storming through the castle. We thought it was over…well, at least I did. But then Snow said that I had to send you through, that we had to give you your best chance…" James paused to catch his breath, the memory of that night as clear as day.

"And so here we are, twenty-eight years later and I can see now that you're in pain and that you weren't taken care of the way you should have been…and it just kills me. I find out you're dating the most manipulative, conniving creature I've ever encountered. You say he isn't that man anymore, and maybe you're right. But I can't just forget all of the pain and misery he has caused to countless innocent people, some of whom are my friends." He paused for the length of a breath as he met her eyes.

"So, I am sorry for my behavior towards you; if my words or actions…hurt you. I will never stop being protective of you. And while I appreciate you trying to protect our feelings that isn't your job; it was and is our job to protect you and love you. But please, Emma, don't shut us out…"

Emma studied her father for what felt like hours as he emphatically made his case. She had already decided she would tell them; she just didn't know how or when. But in this moment she felt the same way she had when she was in the nursery with Mary. To see her father as he should have been; what she had all along and never had the chance to experience was like another slap to her face.

"I won't." she whispered hoarsely, clearing her throat. "I promise that I will eventually tell you both what happened. Just give me some time, please…that's all I ask."

"But you will tell us?" A small smile curled her lips as she nodded with a barely audible "Yes."

"Well, it's a start." James said, feeling like he had just won a battle. And technically he had, though for the first time it wasn't against an army, it was against his own daughters defenses.

"When I asked you here last night, it was because I wanted to offer you a job as deputy." Emma said, shattering the silence. His eyes widened in surprise, that being the absolute last thing she would say. "It's just that with the curse being broken…you already know who everyone is and I could really use the extra help."

"Yes, of course, I accept…" he agreed enthusiastically.

"I apologize for interrupting…but I have a delivery for Emma Swan." The delivery man said, standing in the doorway of her office. Emma walked to the door and signed for the package, thanking the driver as he left in a hurry. Emma wasted no time in cutting the box open and plugging the phones in to charge.

"So was that all you needed me for?"

"No, I was uh, I was hoping you would take me to Regina's vault."

"So, why are we going to the library?" Belle asked curiously as they walked down the sidewalk.

"We're not going to library dearie, we're going shopping." Gold replied.

"Shopping for what?" she asked suspiciously.

"There's an apartment in the library for the caretaker. We'll need to pick out a few colors and some furniture for you. Have you not seen it?" Belle's face lit up with excitement, her hand gripping his arm tighter.

"No…there's an apartment? Like for me…my own living space?" Gold chuckled at her enthusiasm, seeing right through her painfully obvious act

"Indeed…and don't pretend that you haven't been in there every night since I gave you the keys." He said with a mischievous grin. Belle blushed, smiling impishly at being caught.

"How did you know?"

"Light shines through newspaper, love…" Belle giggled lightly and Gold only smiled brighter. Belle bubbled over with excitement as they reached the hardware store; the first of many stops. It was like unleashing a kid in a candy store as Belle stood in the paint section seeing the limitless possibilities, an endless array of color tiles and cards. Gold knew as her eyes widened, studying every color intently that they were going to be here for quite some time.

"So how are you doing, Belle…" Gold asked, disturbing her inspection of a blue tile. She looked up almost confused as if she didn't understand the question. "…Assimilating to life here?"

"Oh, I'm getting used to it." She said, resuming her inspection. "I still don't like cars and can't handle tight, small spaces. But mostly it's been an incredible experience and being reunited with my father has been a dream come true. Ruby and I have become good friends as well as Mary when I lived with her…" her voice trailed off, and her gaze looked fearfully in his direction.

"Did, um, did Gaston come through? I haven't seen him and my father tells me he never came home after setting out on a quest to rescue me…" Her face was emotionless as she spoke, and Gold couldn't tell if she was happy or angry at that fact. But there was no point in lying.

"Well, um, I didn't kill him, but he didn't come through either." Gold answered cryptically. Belle's crossed her arms over her chest, turning to face him.

"Why not? What did you do?"

"Do you remember the rose I gave you?" he asked, not quite able to meet her eyes as he tried to suppress his smile. It's not like anyone missed him.

"You didn't…" she said incredulous as realization dawned on her.

"I did, dearie…" He looked away, expecting her to yell and storm off. Instead, she returned her attention to the tile as if he hadn't said anything at all.

"So if there was a man I wanted to date, Gaston won't be showing up insisting I am still his fiancé?" Belle asked nonchalantly. That got his attention if only because she wasn't tearing him a new one as he had anticipated. But by the look on her face and the blush of her cheeks, Gold knew there was a very specific reason she asked that question.

"Is there a man you want to date?" he asked, his eyes wide with curious amusement.

"It's possible…" Belle replied hesitantly. Gold closed the distance between them as Belle sought to increase it.

"Who is he?" he prodded in her silence.

"I don't want to say, he hasn't even asked me out yet." She said with a pout, clearly disappointed about that fact.

"Well that's the great thing about this world dearie; a bold woman is appreciated rather than shunned. Ask him yourself."

"But if he's from our world wouldn't he expect to behave the same way?" Gold smiled at her innocence as he shook his head.

"Belle, if he is worthy of you he will love your boldness and spirit as I do. Don't change yourself for anyone, love." A grateful smile formed on her lips. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Belle looked away, seeking a distraction from their current topic.

"So, how many colors should I pick?"

"Um, pick at least four or five and later we'll stop by the library and pick which goes where."

Belle nodded excitedly, resuming the task of picking out paint. Gold was entirely too curious about who this man was, tempted to stake out the library tonight to discover who he was if only to ensure Belle wasn't in danger. He knew everyone in this town and who they were before the curse; Belle was still dealing with all of her own trauma and was vulnerable and at times, naïve. She only ever saw the good in people; a strength and flaw, but it left her open to the manipulations of others.

But he had relinquished his hold, deciding he would be noble and let her figure out her own life. He had the promise of seeing Emma tonight and nothing would deter him from that. His cheeks ached from the smile that refused to leave his lips all morning. In this fleeting moment, everything was perfect; it was at is should be. Gold soaked it in for all it was worth, knowing that it wouldn't last long.

Emma stood at the base of the cement staircase, staring horrified at the wall before her. The echoing sound of countless heartbeats surrounded her, swallowing hard the bile that was rising up her throat. She took a stepped forward, stretching out her hand but not touching anything. Regina killed Graham. Everything he said, everything Henry said about his heart…and she didn't believe them. The tears stung in her eyes at the life that was cut tragically short simply because he broke up with Regina. Worse, she couldn't even arrest her for it.

James leaned against the wall, watching Emma's reaction. It was very similar to his own reaction the first time he saw this place. But there was something in her eyes, something personal and as much as he wanted to ask he remained silent. Today felt like they had made a giant leap in their relationship and all she had done was tell him she wouldn't shut them out. It was so small a thing, and yet it felt like they had scaled the Great Wall of China. She dropped her hand against her leg, stepping hesitantly into the wide open room.

"Tell me again what we're doing here?" James asked, following her inside.

"Closure, I guess. I just needed to see it." Emma replied, barely above a whisper. The room was cold and it was hard to see in such dim light, her skin crawling just being there. She looked around at the strange artifacts, wondering what other evil Regina could create in this place.

"Alright, let's go…" Emma said in a huff, rushing out of there like the devil himself was after her. James followed hot on her heels, pushing the coffin back over the staircase. He rejoined Emma in the warm sunlight, standing beside her.

"You ok?"

"Yea fine…I just needed fresh air." Before James could say anything else, his phone rang.

"Hello…you're kidding. I'll be right there." James hung up, stuffing his phone in his pocket excitedly. "I gotta go, they found fairy dust. Can you get to the station ok?"

"Yea, go on…I'll be fine." Emma said forcing a smile. She watched as her father ran off, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. She took her time getting back to the station soaking in all the events of the day, and it was still only morning. For the first time Emma felt a renewed sense of hope that no matter what happened or what came her way, she wouldn't face it alone. After all the long years of suffering, she was finally on the road to her own happy ending.

I hope you enjoyed it. As always, please review :)