A/N: Episode 4, Price of Gold. This is a three part oneshot, Emma's thoughts then Ashely's and finishing with the best, Gold's. Hope you enjoy, I know I forgot to mention this, but this is my first fanfic, hope I'm doing a good job.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the epic characters (and David/Charming) in the television series Once Upon a Time, those belong to the creators, writers, and ABC. these characters were brought to life by the amazing actors that play them (and Josh Dallas; just kidding) :)

Emma looked through the glass panel at Ashley, a knot forming in her throat. She couldn't believe how Gold had played her, that the property Ashley had taken was her own child.

Emma thought it was sick, how Gold used the young teenager's desperation against her, using it to his best advantage. What did the man even need a baby for anyway? Emma didn't see Gold as a very fatherly man, but, then again, she hadn't lived here very long.

Lived. The thought still shook her up. After being on her own for so long, it was so foreign to be living with someone, living in a little town where everyone knew everyone and seemed so peaceful.

Maybe this was what Henry needed. Just the thought of the kid's name sent a stab of pain through her heart, tearing it at the seams. She knew that she had to give Henry up, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

The way Ashely looked at little Alexandra, now that was what it was all about. A mother with her child, no one else trying to pry the little babe from her arms.

Emma had gladly given in to Gold's offer, knowing full well the costs that Ashely would have had to deal with. She had been there herself. Even now, Emma could hardly believe that she was here, her kid, her child, only a phone call away, a short walk to see his face everyday.

When she had given him up for adoption, Emma had tried to forget about him, setting her life straight and working on staying afloat. When you give the baby up even before you name it, you tend to not think of it much, stop thinking of it as a person and just as a mistake.

Seeing him now though, knowing who he was, made Emma completely infuriated with herself. She knew that she had to give him up, he wouldn't have lasted a day in her life, but that didn't make it any less painful to see that woman say she was his mother, that he was her son.

Looking down, Emma noticed that while she had been thinking, she had balled her hand into a fist, the nails cutting into her palms. Releasing her grip, Emma put a fake smile on her face, walking into Ashley's room, giving her and Sean congratulations, all the while keeping her walls up even against her own child.

Ashley smiled down at the little rosy cheeked girl in her arms, tears welling in her eyes as the newborn baby cooed at her mother, her fists so tiny and fragile.

She just wanted to lose herself in the little small bundle in her arms, regretting ever thinking of giving her up to that slimy pawnbroker. "I'm so sorry. I will never leave you, Alexandra, I promise," Ashely whispered to the little baby, taking her small fist into her hand, taking comfort at the small warmth the hand gave.

"How is she?" Sean asked hesitantly, coming back into the room with a coffee cup and taking the seat next to the bed, a helpless look on his face. Ashley smiled at him. "She's perfect," she said.

Sean gave a shaky laugh at the remark, taking a sip from his cup. Ashley just smiled at him, noting that she probably looked like a complete idiot, but she didn't care. She had the two most important people in her life right here, and she couldn't be happier.

Ever since Sean's father had forbidden her to see Sean, after he broke up with her and after her stepmother kicked her out because she was pregnant, Ashley had felt so lost. For weeks she tried to stay afloat, to make enough money wherever she could just to have something to eat, the thought of parenthood sending her into constant panic.

But then, her fears were calmed when he came to her, a proposition in tow. He had promised she would have a permanent board, as well as food and money, in exchange for the child. Ashley had jumped at the chance, the fear of the unknown hindering her better judgement.

Then came the time when she was actually going to have the baby, and she panicked. She didn't want to lose her child, didn't want Gold to take it away like it was the month's rent.

It was her baby, and she was going to keep it. She would never stop thanking Emma for what she had done, for helping her keep the baby, to keep Alexandra. And now she wasn't alone in it. She had Sean, and although it would be trying, they could do it together.

Noticing her staring at him, Sean looked at her. "What is it?" he asked, a smile starting to form on his face.

"We're going to be alright," she said, looking down at her daughter again. "Now," she said, a mischievous look on her face. "Do you want to hold your daughter?"

Sean blanched, his eyes darting from Alexandra to Ashely, fear evident in his eyes. "It's okay," she laughed, propping herself closer to his chair.

"Give me your hand." After a moments hesitation, Sean complied, and Ashley helped prop Alexandra's head in his arm, the two holding their daughter together, the world seeming to fade away.

Well, he had done it. Gold was in his shop, poring through some of his collectibles.

He had regretted having to give up the child, the thought of having another chance was almost too good to be true. His chest gave a sharp twist at the thought, his sons face swimming in his vision.

"Bae," he whispered in the quiet of his shop.

Oh, how the prospect of another child had warmed the coldblooded man's heart, but now that dream was gone, and it was time to move on. Gold would prevail, and not too worst for wear.

He now had Emma under his thumb, though she wasn't fully aware of it yet.

Yes, he needed Emma on his side during the oncoming war, the savior would be the perfect ally against Regina. Of course, Regina had no idea what he was doing, thinking that he was still in her good graces, working for the side of evil.

The truth was, he wasn't on any side. In everything that happened in this town, Gold had a part in it, just like all the fairytales that were thought of as pure fiction. No, Gold always had his own agenda, regardless of what everyone thought.

Gold gave a small smile, toying with a little telescope. He had big plans for Emma, and the favor was just the beginning.

A/N: So, okay? Could've been longer, I know, but things need to end and if I continue, I will never finish. Hope you liked, sorry if there are some grammar errors, I wrote this pretty fast and I'm never one for rechecking my work. Hope it was good regardless.