A/N: Happy Memorial Day! To everyone who is currently serving, who is retired, and who has lost someone in the armed forces. Thank you for your service. And, there were a couple requests for the same idea and so this is dedicated for my two ever loyal readers. Hope you like!

Indecent Proposal

Twyla Mercedes and Grace5231973 prompted: Months before Gold's indecent proposal, he cannot fathom why he seems to treat Belle French—owner of The Book Escape—with kindness. He soon discovers the real reason behind his behavior when he ends up defending her. (Rated T)

Mr. T. Gold had a reputation to uphold.

He was a shark in the business world and being a landlord and owning practically half of the town of Storybrooke… he had to be. Being kind and making exceptions was not part of the playing field and he made it very clear from the start that Mr. Gold did not fall for any pretenses. If a client or tenant could not complete his or her side of the bargain or live up to a contract, then they must forfeit as necessary. For many years it was the way Mr. Gold conducted his business transactions and it was the way he was going to remain.

Until he met Belle French.

How a mere slip of a woman was able to get under his skin and worm her way in to make him obliging, he could not figure out. And the worse part of it all was the fact that she had done so unintentionally.

It was a couple of years ago that The Book Escape opened under the ownership of Belle French and her partner Grayson Knight. Storybrooke was missing a bookstore, which is somewhat ironic since the name of the town alluded to a storybook. Regardless, the store—once its doors were opened—did remarkably well.

As it should.

The owners were young and were able to draw in a clientele of all ages. They marketed the store as a chance to escape the humdrum of life, and it succeeded. What had initially irked Gold was on Rent Day, besides his money, Belle French also had a book for him. It had been Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott, which she thought he might enjoy. He refused to accept it, assuming it was some sort of bribe or a distraction that she was under the amount of rent. She wouldn't take "no" for an answer and claimed it was the least she could since he took a risk in allowing the store to be opened.

Begrudgingly, Gold took the book home. The money she had given was the precise amount and it was a childhood favorite of his. He didn't want to tell her that piece of information, but the following Rent Day had him blurting out the intimate detail. He had no idea what possessed him to tell her that, especially when she wouldn't care, yet Ms. French told him she also liked the book too. Then, somehow, they began to talk about the novel and the political and social issues surrounding it.

She was very knowledgeable, and Gold rather enjoyed the discussion feeling quite astonished that thirty minutes flew by. Then she handed him a new book turning it into a monthly ritual. Every Rent Day, Ms. French had a book ready for him (including his money) and they would proceed to debate/talk about the previous month's book. It was something that he found himself looking forward to.

How in the world that happened was something Gold puzzled over relentlessly.

He concluded it was because she must be part witch. Ms. French had a pair of the most bewitching and beguiling eyes—a radiant cerulean color—and a smile that took over her heart-shaped face. Whenever he felt her eyes on him or that smile in his direction, Gold felt like a part of him was drawn into her magical web, and he found it very difficult to resist.

Even when the news in town spread how she and her partner, Mr. Knight, were together officially, Gold could not tear himself away from her or The Book Escape. His fascination and obsession over Ms. French had continued to grow and Gold could not explain why he felt this way, but he knew it would be dangerous for him if he went to the store more than the once a month.

So he decided to go incognito.

The funny part was how no one seemed to know it was him! All it took was changing his voice, his clothes, and a wig and he was no longer the domineering Mr. Gold. Instead he was John Doe, no one of importance, and he could watch Ms. French from afar.

It became a daring venture for him to approach her with a question. He hoped she wouldn't recognize him (the embarrassment of being caught was something he didn't want), but part of him wanted her to. However, Ms. French never seemed to notice this loyal customer was also her landlord. Even the other residents did not notice. Not even Mayor Mills.

And still he could not reason why this strange behavior of his.

True… he was alone and walking past Bae's bedroom only made the feeling more acute; however, Gold had to wonder if he was truly starved for an intellectual conversation and Ms. French was the only person in this godforsaken town to provide. It made sense to him despite it didn't take into account his unhealthy fixation.

Until the day Gold had his epiphany.

It was the anniversary of Bae's death and Gold was already in a grouchy mood… more so than ever. It was the one day of the year he loathed and he wanted nothing more to drown himself in whiskey and scotch. Yet the anniversary fell on Rent Day that year and so he had to fulfill his duties.

As always, Ms. French had the money ready for him along with the next book she thought he would like. That moment he didn't feel like engaging in their usual discourse and had snapped at her.

As soon as it happened, Gold was instantly filled with regret and remorse. It was not Ms. French's fault that his son's death and Rent Day happened to coincide with one another, but the pain was inflicted and he could not take it back. Snatching the envelope of cash, he left the book behind as he scurried out of the store as quickly as he could. He never bothered to look back or apologize and kept going until he rounded up all the rent from his tenants.

The money was safely deposited and Gold headed to The Rabbit Hole for his yearly consumption.

He had not expected to see her there of all places. It was sleazy, tawdry and an all-around eyesore to the decent folks. Even he hated giving this place his patronage, but this was the only bar that sold the cheapest and quick to get pissed alcohol. To find Ms. French there… She did not belong. She should be far away from this rat-hole regardless that her boyfriend was there. Then again, Grayson Knight looked like he fit right at home.

Gold was sitting in the corner, his eyes on the couple at the bar. They seemed happy and listening to her laugh… He closed his eyes to block the joyful sound, but it only seemed to heighten his sense of hearing. Clutching his glass tighter, Gold wanted nothing more for them to be out of the bar. There was no way he could wallow in his anguish without having them as a distraction. Of course, he meant her.

At the time, he had not realized there was another person who had eyes on her.

Eventually, she placed a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder, whispering into his ear. There was some sport's game on, and Mr. Knight, never once breaking his stare on the television simply nodded, as Ms. French slid off the barstool to head to the ladies' room.

Gold almost left the bar. He knew he couldn't get drunk properly, not without Ms. French being a reminder of how rude he had been to her. He was trying to flag his waiter for the bill when he noticed a man go up to the bar—to the drink Ms. French still had sitting on the counter. What had him stay and watch… it was only fate. And it was a good thing too since the boyfriend wasn't paying any attention.

The man soon walked away without anyone being none the wiser (except Gold), and to Gold's surmounting horror, both men watched as Ms. French returned to her seat and drink. It took several minutes but Ms. French started to feel the effects of the spiked beverage. It was minor and by all appearances it looked like she was having a headache. She spoke to the lummox who waved his understanding as she gathered her purse and jacket to leave the bar.

As soon as Ms. French was out the door, the lecherous swine was out on the chase. Gold knew he had to follow. He couldn't let that bastard get away.

Gold found them not far from the bar. Ms. French had turned into an alley, her arms outstretched as she swayed and stumbled, trying to feel her way back home. The wanker was merely watching, waiting to strike, when Gold raised his cane and swiftly cuffed him in the side. It certainly captured the potential rapist's attention but Gold was a lot faster to react. Slamming his cane now against the windpipe of the rake, Gold pinned him against the brick wall.

"Go near her and I will rip your limbs apart," Gold snarled his eyes cold and murderous. "Better yet…" With his good leg, Gold smashed his knee into the man's groin, releasing his cane as the pecker collapsed, gasping for air. "If you ever think about drugging a girl again, then I will do more harm on your person. You can bet I will find you. Now go."

The pervert didn't have to be told twice as he half-crawled, half-ran away from Gold.

A soft moan got his attention as Gold turned to find Ms. French lying on the ground. He went to her as quickly as he could to check on her. She was breathing, her heartrate a little fast, but she was passed out. Unfortunately, he could not lift her, but she needed help.

He had little choice to leave her, yet Gold was confident the man would not come back again to get his victim. So he removed his coat and tossed it over her. Then he went back into the bar and told the closest person to grab Mr. Knight. As much as Gold knew he should have been the one to tell her boyfriend, he was still fuming over how this happened in the first place and he believed he would punch Mr. Knight rather than alert him how Ms. French was in trouble.

Gold kept his distance but he made sure that Mr. Knight did the right thing and took his girlfriend to the hospital. Thankfully, the ox did and Ms. French recovered.

As for Gold's coat… That should have been a clue to Mr. Knight on who was the one to have found her since Gold was the only person in Storybrooke to afford such a garment. Yet nothing was said and Gold found his coat in the alley discarded in a heap. It shouldn't have bothered him, but it did. After all, it was Mr. Knight's fault that the asshole drugged her drink and if it weren't for Gold catching the man in the act… he shuddered to think what might have befallen Ms. French.

Sadly, she had no idea who her savior was that night. And it was difficult for Gold to see her on the following Rent Day and not tell her what he did for her. In addition, he couldn't stomach seeing her with that blasted diamond on her finger.

That's right. She was engaged to that dreadful Mr. Knight.

Gold believed if she had known the truth… she would not be so willing to join that buffoon in holy matrimony. But what place or right did he have to tell her what her fiancé was really? Would she believe him?

Gold knew he was deluding himself in thinking Ms. French would believe him. After all, he was the landlord, not a friend.

But it pained him to see her so happy with that idiot especially as he came to terms that he was in love with her.

Mr. Gold was in love with Belle French.

He could scarcely believe it was possible, and yet, it made all the sense in the world. Gold could no longer deny the truth after witnessing Ms. French's almost violation. His anger and the inevitable violence against that midden arse (Gold did track him down because he didn't think the man would keep to his word) led to the discovery that he had feelings for the young brunette.

Now all he wanted to do was show she was better than that Knight. She deserved someone worthy, someone who was willing to protect her. Grayson Knight did not have any of those traits that would make him honorable. He was a cad, a fake.

Allowing her to marry Grayson would be a mistake.

He had to stop it.

So Mr. Gold did what Mr. Gold does best.

He needed to get her to agree to a deal. But to do so, he had to create the proper incentive that would make it a reality.

And it was fitting too since Gold had an eye on securing another deal with someone else—a businessman who preferred business dealings with a family man.

All he needed to do was lay out his cards on the table and watch as things fell into place.

I am actually planning on wrapping up Seasons of Rumbelle. I will finish the requests previously made as well as some that I was inspired to write, but then it will be the end. Right now… I have 16 prompts done and will probably do a few more to wrap up/finish the prompt verses I started. To give you an idea what I have so far are:

3 more Indecent Proposals

Ravenous

The Best Man

Otherworld

Best Friends

Ghost Whisperer Inspired

Top Gun

Rebecca

2 Dead Again

Fantasy/Role-Play

3 The Lost World