A/N: For this next update, I'm going for a double- Ghost Whisperer and Indecent Proposal. You guys know the drill after reading! Thank you to everyone for reading and sticking with me.

Ghost Whisperer Inspired

Grace5231973 prompted: Ghost!Gold continues his research while he reminisces, and Belle discovers his unfinished business. (Rated T)

Belle was determined to help Mr. Gold whether he wanted it or not. Since her encounter with him she couldn't stop thinking what he was doing in the library of all places. She knew why she would want to spend eternity there, but why did Gold? From her inquiries, Mr. Gold wasn't a bibliophile.

So why the library?

She went to Mrs. Lucas to see if she knew why Gold was lurking about. The librarian told her "Damn if I know. Probably waiting for the rent."

In fact, everyone she spoke to had said the same thing or something close. Mr. Gold was a miser and he had own the town. He was disliked; no, loathed was the appropriate word. If people didn't pay, then they got the boot. Or worse… if you made a deal and then didn't keep your end of the bargain. There was a reason he was called the Dark One.

Surprisingly, Gold's death wasn't a murder. All of Storybrooke had a motive to kill him if they wished. Instead, Gold died of a heart attack.

His cause of death wouldn't lend itself to a mystery or unfinished business. Something else was anchoring him.

But what?

xxXXxx

"Hi Papa! Look what I can do!"

Andy Gold couldn't hold back the laugh as he waved to his son as he rode past him on his bike. Bae put up his hands in the air while he maintained his balance. It was impressive and Gold applauded the accomplishment.

His reward: a huge grin, all teeth.

xxXXxx

Some people might wonder if ghosts can cry. Gold knew the answer to that.

Yes they can.

Thinking of Bae. His precious, sweet boy. It always brought tears.

He rubbed his eyes and went back to his work. This was for Bae. This was for the truth. No matter how painful it would be.

xxXXxx

"Papa! There's an ice cream truck. Can I get one?"

"Sure Bae."

"Thank you Papa! I love you!"

xxXXxx

Last words.

Who would have thought something so simple, something so habitual would be the last thing your loved one would say?

Gold rubbed his eyes on the back of his sleeve. His vision was blurring and he had to get back on track.

For Bae.

He had been scrolling the headlines and articles for months now. He suspected he would continue to do so for many years to come. Already he had them memorized but still he kept on reading. Every time he hoped something new would appear. Every time there wasn't.

Then he thought about that medium.

She wasn't the first nor would she be the last. But there was something different. Sure, like the others, she believed getting him to crossover, to enter the light would give him a happily ever after. He had to scoff at that thought. Him? In front of the pearly gates?

What a crock.

But she wasn't like the others. When he knocked her to the ground she didn't run away. Instead she stood up to him, her eyes glowing with fire. She was going to be a challenge. He knew when she did finally leave that she would return. Call it a hunch but that spark he saw spoke volumes.

Oddly, Gold wanted her to come back.

Maybe she could…

No! This was for him. He didn't need help. No one can help him. This was all he had.

Even if he spent all eternity… it was better than what was waiting for him. Gold wasn't a nice person and he did terrible things but this Hell is what he picked.

xxXXxx

He had been gone too long. Ice cream should have taken Bae a couple minutes.

Gold went outside and saw an empty, vacant street. No ice cream truck. No children.

No Bae.

xxXXxx

No one can understand the terror that can seize a parent's heart when their child is nowhere in sight.

He ran out, screaming his name. Only silence greeted him. It was the worst sound in the world. And it continued as hours blended to days. Then weeks. Then months.

Then years.

The police couldn't find him. Couldn't find any evidence. Bae had vanished into thin air. No one knew what happened. But he wasn't the only child to have disappeared.

There were more.

Boys. All boys.

xxXXxx

Years went by and Gold grew older. Far older than he would like. His temper changed. He wasn't the kindly landlord. He became short and mean and heartless.

He lost his heart when Bae was taken.

No amount of money or PIs he hired could give him the answers he wanted.

The torment of not knowing was utter agony. He only wanted to see his little boy again.

Fourteen.

He would have been fourteen. Or is.

He didn't know.

Then he got the letter.

The goddamn letter.

xxXXxx

He first received a letter the day after Bae was gone.

The sweetest song played and the children came one by one, lining up two by two. Holding hands they sing and dance as the Pied Piper whisked them away to a place of wonderment and fun.

All the parents whose sons were taken received the same note.

And then he got another one eight years later. It was the same sing-songy taunt but new lines were added to add salt to the wound.

Years passed and the games go on. Young forever and ever.

The last line implied something definite. Something no parent wants their child to experience before them.

Gold didn't want to believe it. He couldn't. He had hoped Bae would walk through the door.

He never did.

And he got the same letter every year on the anniversary—that last line always a slap to the face.

Young forever and ever.

xxXXxx

Belle was back in the library. She was in the reference section when she noticed one of the computers was on.

Curious, she went over and saw a newspaper headline dated over twenty years ago.

Pied Piper Kidnaps Local Child; Police Baffled

Further down there was a picture of a boy no older than six with wavy brown hair, a little long past his ears, and the biggest smile. He was adorable and beautiful.

Bailey Gold.

"Oh no…" Belle whispered.

"What the Hell are you doing?!"

I am willing to take on requests for this verse to finish it. Thank you!