The Brave Thing

Now this did happen once upon a time
When things were not so complex.
And how he worshipped the ground she walked on.
When he looked in her eyes, he became obsessed.

It was hard, it was so hard to stay away until he could be certain he wouldn't be seen. But the sheriff was right, Regina wasn't the only one with people on her payroll and though it took a few nights he managed to get into the hospital. The psych ward was behind several locked doors and down stairs that pained his leg fiercely but he didn't feel any of it.

The orderly who was his man held the door open for him and switched off the cameras to the ward, as he'd done for with every area where Mr. Gold may have been seen. From the parking lot now to the psych ward, the cameras were off and then on once Mr. Gold had past.

The hallway was grim and cold, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead like malevolent lightening bugs. Rumplestiltskin walked to the room he knew belonged to Belle and opened the flap, peering in.

The bare room seemed empty at first, blue moonlight pouring down through the windows made shadows where there should be only darkness. But there was movement, hesitant, from the corner below the window and he caught his breath as someone's slender hand slid into the angle of light. With agonizing slowness it was followed by a body in blue scrubs, shapeless around a slender form. Tangled dark hair fell over thin shoulders and one hand pushed it away from a face still lovely to him.

It was Belle, it was really her, his Belle was alive. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his heart. He hadn't truly believed until he saw her. "Are you…Bonnie?" He asked softly. "Do you know me?"

"They call me Bonnie," her voice was low and dull and tired but it was her voice the accent like and yet unlike his own, uniquely hers. "But I don't belong to that name."

"No," He couldn't help but agree. "I'm sorry you're in this place."

"Why?" She stared at him, her head tilting minutely. "Why are you sorry?"

"Because I didn't trust you. And it's my fault that you were hurt." Rumplestiltskin swallowed as much pride as he could in one mouthful and hoped she would trust him more than he trusted her. "I sent you away."

"You did." She said it as if she wasn't sure if it was a question or statement. "But you don't want me here?"

"No, I never wanted you harmed," he shook his head. "I was a fool; still, I'm a fool still. But I never wanted anyone to hurt you, not even me. Even though I said terrible things. Said I didn't want you, didn't love you. I was a fool and I was afraid. And I sent you away and lost you."

"But you didn't put me in here." She seemed to want clarity on that point. "It's always cold here."

"No, a woman, a former ally, told me you were dead, that you'd killed yourself and I didn't realize it was a lie." He decided he'd only tell Belle the truth from now on, even if it meant he looked like an idiot. He'd been enough of a fool, only honesty could help him now.

"The woman who comes and stares at me." She rubbed her hands over her arms as she shivered. "She lied to you?"

"She said you'd been tortured because you'd lived with me. And that you'd killed yourself." He said quietly. "The torture was true. You dead was the lie. I didn't know or I would have come for you no matter where you were."

"That's…" She shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself. "That makes me feel…good. But I dream sometimes and wake up and I'm still here."

"Do you dream of wearing a yellow dress? Or a blue one perhaps," he asked keeping his voice soft, trying to soothe, "And watching an ugly man spin straw into gold? Or cleaning his house and giving him tea in a chipped cup?"

"Tea," She looked at him. "He's not handsome, but his eyes are dark and lovely and…" She shivered again. "I make his floors shine and open his drapes."

"And he catches you when you fall." His voice broke and he took a deep breath. "Because he loved you, loves you…" He looked at her shivering. "If I can…if I can get you out of this place, would you stay with me again? Until you feel better?"

"I think I could still clean a house, I remember that, how to do that." She seemed uncertain.

"You wouldn't have to unless you wanted to." He shook his head. "I only want you to feel better, be somewhere with sunlight and warmth. If you didn't want to stay with me once you were better, I'd find a place for you to stay, somewhere you can be happy."

"I…don't know." She moved a bit closer, her hands still rubbing on her arms. "They say I'm here for life."

"No, never," He knew his voice had grown fierce. "You deserve better than this."

"What's my name?" She asked her voice softer as she came closer to the door. "You know my name don't you?"

"I do," He hadn't felt so powerless since he'd been told she'd been tortured and died. "I'm afraid to tell you, because if you don't know it…if you don't recognize it…"

"You're afraid you're dreaming too." She realized moving in one swift stride to the door and bending to look deeply into his eyes.

"Very much so." He said softly. "But if you put your hands near the slot, I'll try to warm them."

"All right." Her face pulled back slightly but her hands rested on the cold metal of the door and he couldn't help himself. He kissed the soft cold flesh, breathing hotly to warm her skin and kissed her palms and fingers and knuckles. Hot tears slid down his cheeks without him realizing it and hit her skin. She froze and he inhaled sharply.

"I'm sorry, did I frighten you?" He asked carefully looking down at her hands. "Are your fingers warmer?"

"They are yes," She sounded shocked. "You're..."

He looked at her hands and saw the same dampness on her skin that he felt on his cheeks. Using the hand that wasn't holding his cane he wiped his face and took a deep breath. "I am yes," He admitted softly. "I am so grateful that you are alive."

She sounded as if she was taking a few deep breaths of her own. "I'm afraid this is another dream."

"It isn't. And I will come as often as I can until I get you out of here...but, and this is very important." He looked into the slot and pressed a kiss to her palm. "The woman who comes and looks at you. She is Regina, the Mayor here, the Queen there. She cannot know that I've come." Rumplestiltskin hoped she would understand. "I promise I will get you out. But please don't act as if anything has changed. I don't want you in any more danger."

"I'll just keep staring out the window. That's all I ever do," Her voice held a smile. "Please come back when you can."

He kissed her hands again. "As often as I possibly can." He looked over at the orderly and nodded. "I'd better go before someone finds me here. I will get you out of here, I promise."

"I'll be waiting here," She tried to smile at him, backing away so he could see her entire face.

"Good night dear heart." He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly forcing himself to back away from the door and close the slot. Walking away from her was the hardest thing he'd ever done.

Emma looked up as Mr. Gold limped into her office. "Early today." She commented. "Any luck?"

"Early for you, late for me," He took a seat and shook his head. "I haven't slept yet. So I will be spending the day at home."

"I'll log that in." She pulled out the book she used to keep track of him and wrote his intended destination down. "Any other reason for coming here?"

"I'm on the hospital's board of directors along with the Mayor." He offered the seemingly out of the blue comment with a grim smile. "Unfortunately Regina seems to realize I'm not an ally. So I have no chance of passing any measure that would allow me to remove Bonnie from the hospital."

"And what does your lawyer say?" She turned and picked up the coffee pot holding it up in silent invitation.

"No, thank you," The disguised Dark One shook his head. "My lawyer says that without something to get the ball rolling, it'll be difficult to get her out of the hospital legally."

"Doesn't the hospital have yearly audits of the patient files or something? Something that will show they aren't treating her?" Emma poured herself some coffee and turned back to Gold with a frown.

"Only for accounting practices," He sighed in annoyance. "Bonnie's medical records are woefully incomplete."

"I thought all doctor's and nurses had to keep their records for a set amount of time after a patient is treated." Emma mused. "And nurses and doctor's pay dues to associations that set standards for medical practice."

"So we need a random audit that turns up the incomplete records on Bonnie," Gold grinned evilly. "That is something I can work with."

"Well, have your lawyer make some calls." She smiled. "And I'll go talk to someone who used to volunteer at the hospital. We'll see if she knows anything."

"I'll get on my lawyer's back," Mr. Gold rose from his seat and gave her a slight bow. "A pleasure as always Sheriff Swan."

"Good to see you too Mr. Gold." Emma made a note reminding herself to talk to Mary Margaret that night about the hospital.

Three days later Rumplestiltskin succumbed to his need to see Belle again. With the same care he'd used before, he and his paid orderly made their way through the hospital and down to Belle's room.

"Is there any way her door could be unlocked?" He asked the orderly as they descended the stairs.

"We'd have to have a copy of the passkey from either her doctor or the nurse in charge of the ward." The orderly shook his head. "It could be done, but not tonight I'm afraid."

"Start working on that then," Gold ordered, "If I can't get her out legally I'm more than happy to do it illegally." He limped to Belle's door and tapped lightly on it before opening the slot to peer inside.

She moved out of the shadows more quickly this time, though her steps were still hesitant until she was certain it was him. "Is it really you?" Her voice sounded choked. "I thought I was dreaming when I…I woke up and…"

"Shhhh…" He put his free hand on the bottom edge of the slot and held it, palm up and open for her to see. "I promised Bonnie, I never break a promise."

She came closer to the door and her hand grasped his as she bent to look into his eyes. "How long has it been?" She asked softly. "Time seems endless here."

"It's been three days," Gold caressed her skin with his thumb. "It wasn't safe to come any sooner, I'm so sorry."

"It's all right," She drew his hand slightly forward and pressed his palm to her cheek. "The oddest thing happened yesterday?" She frowned as if trying to truly remember when it happened. "After you came last, but not today," She tried to clarify. "A boy, with dark hair, walked past my window and waved hello to me."

"A little boy, with a sweet smile and mischief in his eyes?" Gold smiled slightly. "That's Henry. It's because he saw you that I learned you were alive."

"I don't dare smile or wave back at him," She sounded troubled by her lack of courtesy. "If I do and someone notices…"

"You did right," He reassured her. "Henry would understand."

"Do you still think it's possible that I can leave here?" Dark eyes looked into his with fear and hope and Rumplestiltskin felt his heart break a bit more.

"I will get you out of here, I promise you." He made his voice firm with resolve and it seemed to reassure her.

"I never asked…how do you get in?" He felt more than saw her smile, the curve of her cheek pressing more firmly against his palm with the change in her expression. "There isn't any magic here is there?"

"So far no, there isn't except for Regina's." He replied with a sigh. "I'm a wealthy man, I have a mundane sort of power, and I used it to break into this place. But to get you out…if you are to be safe, I must do it legally."

"And that takes time?" She asked sadly.

"I'm afraid it does." He agreed with a frown.

"Sir, sorry to interrupt, but there's movement upstairs," The orderly called in a hushed voice. "We've got to leave or hide you somehow."

"I'm sorry my dear, dear Belle," Gold stroked her cheek once and withdrew his hand. "I'll come back as soon as I can. I promise."

"Hurry, go and don't get caught." Her voice was worried but threaded with affection still. "I'll dream of you."

"And I of you." He closed the slot and turned to the orderly. The man, usually unruffled, was obviously concerned.

"This way sir," He gestured down the hall. "It's longer and goes through the furnace room and the laundry but whoever is near the stairs won't see you. And there aren't any cameras."

Gold was silent as he limped quickly in the orderly's wake. Finally where they wouldn't be heard he regarded the man thoughtfully. "If there aren't any cameras why haven't we come this way before?"

"Longer trip, more stairs, figured you'd be hurting enough." The man looked around and led them towards a narrow set of steps.

"Commendable." Gold regarded the man speculatively, evaluating and disregarding theories and finally settled on one. "Your sudden regard for my comfort doesn't have anything to do with your daughter's increased expenses does it?"

"If something happens to you, my income is cut in half and then I won't have a chance in hell of paying the bills." The taller man stopped and regarded Gold. "I ain't bucking for a raise, I'm just trying to keep everything on an even keel."

"Well, rest assured that I have no intention of discontinuing your services." Gold mounted the steps behind the man. "And should you make a working copy of the passcard that allows me entrance to Bonnie's quarters, I will include a large bonus with your usual salary. But as use of such cards is recorded, I fear it will be useless without something to negate the recording."

"I'll get to work on that for you Mr. Gold." The orderly flashed him a grin, bright white teeth in a dark face. "Might be someone in the records room could help you out too."

"Ah," The Dark One nodded, a wicked smile gracing his face. "Perhaps you would be so good as to arrange a meeting."

"I'll do that sir," The door opened and they both slipped through, parting for the evening.

"Sheriff Swan, might I have a moment of your time?" Emma looked up from her coffee to see Mr. Gold standing near her table.

"Public servant and all, doubt I could stop you." She sent him a wry look before pushing the chair across from her out with her foot in silent invitation.

"I'm planning on being in the shop for most of the morning." He slid the chair back in, simply leaning on his cane and smiling amiably. "I'm a bit late and so can't join you. But perhaps you could stop by during your rounds? I've a slightly delicate matter I wish to put before you."

"I'll come by before I stop for lunch," Emma tilted her head as if she were wondering what he was up to now. "Is that early enough?"

"At your convenience Sheriff; I appreciate your indulgence." He bowed slightly and limped away.

Mr. Gold's shop was, to him, a warm and interesting place, filled with things people no longer valued but he found to be fascinating. Memories trapped in objects was how he thought of his shop. When the bell rang he looked up to see Emma Swan entering. "Ah, Sheriff, thank you for coming by." He lifted a tray and set it on the counter. "I took the liberty of providing luncheon since you are dipping into your personal time to deal with me."

"Thanks," She took a seat on the stool opposite him and tilted her head. "So why did you want to see me? Something I can do in regards to the hospital?"

"I was thinking of having the records room audited." He set out two place settings and put the small platter of sandwiches in between them. "It might give us some more leverage against Regina."

"It's a good idea," Emma nodded thoughtfully. "Henry went by the other day, Bonnie's still in the same room." She picked up a sandwich and held it, the glimmer of an idea flickering over her face. "It's a public hospital right?"

"It is, paid for by Storybrooke's tax paying citizens." Gold nodded. "What are you thinking?"

"In bigger cities there's always a huge outcry when public hospitals undergo budget cuts and mental patients who aren't a danger to themselves or others get released. They usually end up as homeless people." Emma said slowly. "Violent, dangerous patients aren't released, but the ones that can supposedly care for themselves are discharged." Her blue eyes sharpened on his face. "So how solvent is the hospital?"

"Oh dearie you are a bright one aren't you?" Rumplestiltskin gleamed through the mask of the man. "As hospitals always are, it is not so solvent that a few budget cuts can't be suggested."

"So who okays those cuts and who determines how they're implemented?" Emma wondered. "Working legally to get Bonnie out is fine but they might start treating her and who knows what the drugs would do. That's the last thing we want if she's relatively healthy."

"Well the board determines that cuts are needed, which is actually on the docket to be discussed at the next meeting." Gold grinned wickedly. "The person who decides how they'd be implemented is the director of the hospital. The director will reduce the department budgets accordingly and the departments will tighten their respective belts."

"So how do we go from tightening the belt to having Bonnie released?" Emma took a bite of her sandwich and wracked her brain.

"I can get it done; the director owes me a little favor." Gold told her, "It would simply mean applying a little pressure for a certain action to be taken. Bonnie gets released, he no longer owes me a favor."

"But we don't want her on the street either," Emma shook her head. "And I'm guessing the last thing we want is Regina knowing that you're aware Bonnie is alive."

"True," He scowled, "I can keep the director quiet about it. And I can get Bonnie out. But to openly take her to my house would alert Regina." His frown grew darker. "But I won't allow Bonnie a moment's worry."

"Well in New York the patients are supposed to report to a halfway house, they live there for a set amount of time and try to acclimate, and find jobs so they can support themselves." Emma finished her sandwich and picked up another one absently. "We don't have anything like that in Storybrooke, but as Sheriff I could arrange to pick Bonnie up."

"How to keep her hidden while not keeping her captive?" Gold sighed. "I can impress upon her that Regina is the enemy, that part isn't hard. But hiding her from Regina?"

"We wait until she's healthy enough and secure enough that Regina isn't a threat to her." Emma said after a moment. She took a bite of her sandwich and frowned. "Why would Regina tell you that Bonnie was dead anyway?"

"I was happy with Bonnie," Gold dropped his half eaten sandwich on his plate, suddenly without appetite. "Regina told me she was dead so I wouldn't have a change of heart and try to find Bonnie, try to rekindle what I'd lost." He looked at the sheriff. "Happiness is a threat to Regina unless it's her own, but her own happiness was lost to her when she gave up her heart for revenge."

"You and Henry should talk." Emma told him with a wry smile. "It sounds like you've been reading the same book."

"Ah, Henry's famous lost book." Gold shook his head, "I've kept an eye out for it since he seemed so despondent after it was lost, but there hasn't been a sighting." He smiled a bit wistfully. "Dreams are so important to a child. I hope Henry has the chance to pursue his."

"What was your son's name?" Blue eyes were compassionate as they looked into dark ones and Rumplestiltskin found himself answering truthfully.

"I suppose you'd call him Billy here. But the name we gave him was an old one. Baelfire." His smile grew sad. "A hero's name. I wish I could have seen him become one."

"I'm sorry." She looked across the shop towards the street. "It's hard to lose the people we love. Harder when it's our own fault." She looked at him, her head tilted curiously. "Is that why you wanted Ashley's baby? Another chance?"

"Nothing so altruistic I'm afraid Sheriff." He shook his head.

"Ah, well," She shrugged and hopped down from her stool. "Thanks for the lunch. And you let me know when things are about to start popping. I'll come by and get…our mutual friend."

"Thank you for your time." He watched her go and called her name just before she got to the door. "Have you any thoughts as to how someone could…get past the recording of a maglock passcard?"

She grinned at him. "Well Mr. Gold, the answer is in the question," His expression must have been frustrated because she shook her head and clarified. "Maglocks are electronic. Electricity goes out and the lock doesn't work. Problem is that with the electricity out, people tend to notice."

"Ah," He grinned, a wickedly pleased expression that should have chilled and instead just made her smile wider at him.

"In a purely hypothetical sense," She chuckled as she began to open the door.

"Of course Sheriff, thank you again." Rumplestiltskin would have danced a jig in glee if he'd had his impish form back.

TBC