He slammed the door with his cane til the damn thing near broke in half, screaming himself hoarse in the process. A few nurses and orderlies had attempted to stop him, but he was a man possessed, and, beyond the Mayor, was the most powerful man in town.

Thus he was allowed to scream and rage and wail until with a click the door opened, the Mayor stepped out, and caught his cane mid strike.

"Such a temper." She smiled, and let go of the cane. She closed the door behind her quickly, and took Gold by the shoulders, the man still shaking with rage.

Gold grimaced and shook her off. He couldn't- he wouldn't- kill her here.

"If two people have what the other wants, a deal can always be made."

She looked at him. Smiled. Laughed.

"Not this time, I believe. I rather like her where she is."

Gold spun to face her. "You and I both know I'll have her if I want her."

"Will you now?"

Regina turned on her heel, and walked away. With one last look at the door from which he had last seen Belle, Gold followed.

"I will. You know I will."

Regina walked faster. They were nearly to the parking lot, and it was all he could to keep up.

"Please stop."

Regina growled, frozen in her tracks, back to him.

"I would appreciate it if I could leave."

"Not until we make a deal."

Regina turned to him, smiled a dangerous smile. "You're in no place to make demands."

She leaned forward, hands on hips, victory on her face, a soft whisper, "I know you could have her out in a day, bribes, the Sheriff, I'm not a fool. And you can have her. Or at least what's left of her."

He looked at her, comprehending without wishing too.

"Mr. Gold, much can happen before tomorrow. Scourges for one. Flame, another. And thanks to the wonders of this brave new world we find ourselves in, electricity." She pushed forward until she was an inch away from Gold, every inch the Queen she used to be, still was. "The girl is deranged Mr. Gold, and the only magic in this world that can cure her are pills, injections, and about 400 watts. It won't kill her…. Probably."

"What do you want?

"I already have your name. I believe that's enough."

He knew it was impossible, but he could hear her screaming somewhere from the depths of the hospital. He had to do something. A deal could be struck, but my God, this was his last card.

"It's not enough though. I know who Ms. Swan is."

Regina's eyes widened. "I believe we all know who she is, Mr. Gold."

He smiled. "Not like I do. I know everything about the curse. Unless you want all this…"

He gestured with his hands to the hospital; the whole place reeked of piss and panic, "majesty to come undone, and who would want that? …You might want to know who she is. I'll tell you everything. I need her back though. Now."

Regina glared at him. Considered.

"Deal."