Nothing But The Truth.
Authors Note: I would like to thank everyone who had read this story, followed and reviewed! I hope you enjoy the new chapter!
Disclaimer: Still own nothing!
An Uncomfortable Conversation.
Gold finds his drive to the shop short and torturous. A thousand beautiful but also hideous images run through his mind as he thinks about the moments in the past that he and Belle have shared. His face shows an array of emotions as he drives down the familiar streets of Storybrooke. Tears begin to form in his eyes as he realises that even the good memories do little to console the feelings of devastation when his thoughts drift to his future. A future that he knows will be lacking Belle. It appears to him that a lifetime of selfish deeds and murder have lead him to a fate of loss and heartbreak.
Gold is pulled from his thoughts by the stares of Ruby and Archie as he slowly drives past them towards his shop. He grimaces. It becomes all too clear that they are aware of his secret. He knew he should of simply used magic to transport himself to his shop. However he couldn't risk it. Not yet. The knowledge that others have become aware of his secret encourages him to hurry. He cannot leave Belle alone for too long. He is all too aware of the threat that someone could enlighten Belle of the truth before he returns. Someone could tell her the truth before he even gets the chance. He can't let that happen.
Gold speeds into the parking space beside his shop before getting out carefully and limping heavily towards the entrance of the antiques store. After unlocking the door he steps inside. His arrival is announced by the familiar ring of the small bell above the door. Gold quickly glances around the shop. It is exactly how he and Belle had left it just over three weeks ago. He is momentarily puzzled when it dawns on him that Belle has not opened the shop whilst he has been away. His brow furrows slightly and he reminds himself to question her on the matter later.
He stands silently for a moment. It seems so long ago since he was here. He wanders towards the curtain which separates the front of the store from the back. He had lost her. He had lost Belle for the last and final time. He had sent her away to safety and she would finally be able to explore the world. His mood was dark and his heart was aching. Despite knowing that he had done the right thing he had been left alone. He had nothing left. He was suffering and then, by some miracle, an opportunity had presented itself. An opportunity which would allow him to have his power back. He had thought that that would be enough. He would be in control of his life again. However, regaining the dark ones power once more changed nothing. His pain remained. He was still alone and his heart still yearned for Belle. At first he thought he could spin to forget everything that had transpired but even his spinning wheel held memories of Belle. So he simply thought that he would drown his sorrows with an amber liquid from this land. He had poured himself a glass and then had become lost in his sorrow.
That was until the little bell's ring echoed through the empty shop. The sound had barely entered his conscious until he heard her voice. He was convinced it was a dream at first but then before he knew what was happening she was back in his arms. She was kissing him passionately and it felt oh so good to have her back. He was astonished that she had returned to him and that she had chose him. She loved him and he couldn't have been happier but his joy was short lived once he realised that her coming back had complicated things.
Gold shakes his head clear of the memories replaying in his mind and makes his way to the locked cupboard at the back of the shop. He sighs before taking the key out of his waist coat pocket and unlocks the cupboard with ease. Inside the cupboard lays a wooden box with an intricate carved design of swirls and flowers upon it. He lifts the lid to be sure that the kris dagger remains where he had left it. He picks it up and runs his finger lightly across the name etched into the cold black metal. Rumpelstiltskin. He closes his eyes and sighs. She wouldn't stay with him. Belle would be disappointed. When she learned that his soul was plagued with darkness once more. She would leave. That much he was sure of. He places the dagger back in its box and moves to place the box onto the counter behind him. He turns back to the cupboard but stills as he hears the bell on the door ring, announcing the presence of an unwelcome guest.
Gold spins on his heel ready to yell at whomever has just interrupted his solitude. Anger courses through his veins. The individual clearly has a lack of consideration for his privacy. Gold frowns as he turns to face Emma Swan.
"You know, my shop does have a sign for a reason." He snarls hoping that she will retreat as quickly as she has come.
"We need to talk." She states as she walks towards him face etched with determination. He rolls his eyes at her. So much like her parents. His patience wears thin rather quickly. He cannot have disruption right now. He has too much on his mind already without whatever drivel Emma has to bore him with.
"I'm busy." Golds tells her dismissively. His tone is clipped and cold as he hopes to warn her away. Gold quickly glances at the box before him. Suddenly he is weary of Miss Swan and her intentions.
"Thank-you." she says quietly. Golds head flicks back up to look at her. He frowns at her in confusion before realising that she is thanking him for his help in the Underworld. Thanking him for bringing Killian back from the dead. He stares at her for a moment trying to decipher if she may have any alterer motives. The anger that was threatening to bubble to the surface of his skin seems to recede a little. He mind reels with possibilities, he opens his mouth to question her but before he can utter any words she interrupts."What is your price?" Emma questions, her bravery astounds him for a moment. A ghost of a smile presents itself on his lips. Oh she knows him so well. This is the real reason she came here. He watches her for a moment. She is fiddling with her gloves, her nerves obviously getting the better of her. Gold sighs and looks down. His thoughts drift to Belle. He thinks of her and the man she deserves before he answers Emmas burning question.
"No price, Dearie." He mutters under his breath before he glances back up at her. There should be a price. There is always a price and this price should be steeper than any other. After all he did do the impossible. He did help bring Killian back from the dead. However, no matter how tempting it is to strike a deal he knows what Belle would say. He knows what Belle would want him to do. She wants him to be a better man. and perhaps, just Perhaps if he can show her that he can be that man that she deserves. A good man. Then maybe there will be a glimmer of hope. A glimmer of hope for them and for their happiness together.
"There's always a price!" She argues. Surprise and confusion are written across her face as she tilts her head trying to understand.
"Then I guess you've caught me in a generous mood." He pauses, looking down again. His patience is wavering and he wants nothing more than to hurry home to Belle and hold her whilst he can. The presence of Emma only reminds him that his secret is no longer just his. "Now if you don't mind leaving, as I said I'm very busy." Gold points to the door and turns his back to Emma hoping that this gesture will end the conversation between them and she will leave. He thinks he is in luck when he hears shuffling feet but then the shuffling ceases and he grimaces. Gold pinches the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes in exasperation.
"Are you going to tell Belle?" He hears the words fall from her mouth and they seem to echo around him and repeat themselves tortuously. Although not specific Gold knew all too well to what Emma was referring to. The words alone seemed to threaten him, his happiness and his weekend ahead. His eyes spring open in rage and he spins around on his heels. He snarls at her showing his teeth before he raises his hand and points at her distastefully.
"Now I don't think that is any of your business, Miss Swan." He sneers as she continues to stare at him. He can feel the anger coursing through his veins at Emmas interference. It takes all of his will power not to use his magic to hold her in the air by her throat and watch her legs kick as he strangles the life from her. His silent promise to Belle prevents him committing such actions. He has to be good. But Gold is a private man and does not like others knowing his business, never mind trying to offer him advice on matters that he holds so close to his heart. He clenches his fist and glares at her. Darkness threatens to cloud his eyes and fill his soul but he takes a deep breath and attempts to gain control.
"If you don't and she finds out some other way, you'll lose her forever." Emma continues, apparently the anger etched on Golds face is not enough for her to keep her thoughts to herself. Despite Emmas unwelcome observations Gold feels his anger begin to drain from his body leaving a tingle in its wake. He is once more in control of the darkness that threatens to bubble to the surface.
"Is that a threat Miss Swan?" Gold questions as his jaw tightens. The truth in her statement stings and causes his heart to ache. He already knows what is at stake but to hear the words out loud makes the matter real. He closes his eyes refusing to allow Emma to see the pain that recedes there. The pain of losing belle is still too familiar to his heart. He takes a deep breath as he comes to terms with the fact that Emma is speaking nothing but the truth.
"No. Merely an observation Mr Gold." She mutters softly, clearly hoping to reassure him that his secret would not be spilled to Belle by her. There's a slight pause as the tension in the room dissipates. Sadness etches itself upon Golds face as he is lost in his thoughts. He looks up to Emma with his expression full of defeat and pain.
"More than a few people know your secret Gold. It will only take a short time for people to talk." Emma states with sorrow evident in her voice. He is more than aware of what will happen. He does not need her reminding him of not only a painful but also an inevitable future. Gold nods at her and blinks before his expression changes. The man no longer displays his emotions and the mask of a beast has returned to put on a show.
"Thanks for your concern Miss Swan." He hisses slightly as sarcasm drips from voice and a devilish smile creeps onto his features. Emma stares at him, sorrow and pity evident on her face. She knows his behaviour is merely a facade, he can tell. It would seem that he has become easier to read than he would like to think.
"Just think about what I said." Emma mutters before she turns and retreats with a slam of the shop door. Gold lets out a long breath that he hadn't realised he had been holding. Emma was right. Belle would no doubt find out in this small town as soon as she left the house. Hell, even if she never left the house again she would find out. Someone would tell her. Someone like Ruby or Leroy or Archie. They all cared for Belle and had no obligation to keep his secret. They would be eager to ruin him and expose him as a monster. He must tell Belle himself. He had promised himself and silently promised her that he would never lie to her again. No matter what the cost of the truth was. Perhaps if he told her the truth she would forgive him. No. He can't afford to think that. She had forgiven him enough. This was his last chance and he had blown it before it had ever really begun.
Gold thinks to himself and realises that he could never come to terms with losing her. Soon enough she would walk away and this time she would never come back to him. His heart aches and the ache radiates through his body. His shoulders hunch as he strokes the carved box in front of him. The thought of losing belle and her love brings tears to his eyes and a sob to his throat.
Several moments pass by as Gold slowly composes himself. He feels emotionally drained. The fear of losing Belle destroying him slowly, from the inside out. He takes a deep breath and straightens before turning around and returning his attention to the cupboard that had previously housed his kris dagger. He looks within the cupboard and stares at the object sitting there for a while. He contemplates everything that it symbolises and takes a shaky breath before reaching into the cupboard and grasping the cold, white porcelain in his hand. It looks the same way it always has. A simple white cup with painted blue details and of course a small chip. He smiles briefly as he runs his fingers over it. He cherishes the memories of not only Belle but also the two of them together. His smile soon fades as his thoughts turn dark. He places the cup next to the carved box on the counter and raises his hand. He flicks his wrist and the cup and box become engulfed in a purple smoke before disappearing into a place for safe keeping.
Gold locks the cupboard and quickly looks around the shop. Memories flooding through his brain making the ache in his heart more prominent. Belle deserves to know the truth. Belle deserves to be happy. He thinks to himself as he steps outside the shop leaning heavily on his cane. He peers up main street and is left with the distasteful thought that has always plagued his mind. I am undeserving of her. She would never truly be happy with me.