Regina smiled like the Cheshire Cat—a sinister thing, to be sure.

Alan had been working on his car engine outside. With greased hands and sweat dripping down his temples, his appearance may have embarrassed him had he been a more humble man. Instead of blushing, he merely wiped him hands on his jeans, stepped away from the car, and smiled back at the mayor.

"Morning, Alan," She said.

"Morning, Miss Mayor. What brings you here?" His voice was smooth, flirty.

"I drove past yesterday and noticed you working on this old thing," she said. It was a classic car belonging to his wealthy parents.

"Yeah, I'm fixing up the engine. Then it'll be all ready to ride," he said.

"So it's just you then? No one else?"

"No we're… all alone," he said with a wink.

Regina smirked. "You'll be here the same time tomorrow, I trust?"

"Yeah," he said. "I will. If you want to stop by."

"I just might."

…

Days went by slowly and leisurely. Gold often skipped work and opted instead to sit by the fire with Belle cozy in his arms.

It was a difficult task, making her love him but not letting their mouths meet.

That day, for instance, she had rolled her body so that she nearly straddled his lap.

"I can see the reflection of the flames in your eyes," she said. "It's so beautiful."

"You'd probably get a better view if you turned around and looked at the actual fire, Dearie," he said. She laughed, pulling him by his shirt's collar until their noses nearly met.

"You are far hotter," she said.

"And youare the most striking creature I have ever seen," he replied.

She drew closer until, reluctantly, Gold turned his chin.

She was left kissing his jawline. "Why do you always do that?" she said. "Just kiss me, Dammit."

He looked back at her. "Aggressive, are we?"

"You tease," she pouted. "It isn't fiar."

"I'll make you a deal," he said, "I'll kiss you once you guess my name."

"Cheater," she said, muzzling into the crook of his neck.

When he laughed, she could feel his chest rise and lower beneath her. The comfort never failed to amazing her; it was almost as if she'd been wayward and wandering until, finally, he had helped her find herself.

…

Henry knocked once, then twice, on Emma's door. Mary Margret answered. "Oh, Henry. Does your mother know you're here?"

"Yes, actually," he said. "She sent me."

"She sent you?" she asked as he walked in.

` "Yupp. She said she would be out all morning and that Emma could watch me."

"Well, Emma just… just left to the market. I'm sorry wait, your mother sent you?"

"Yes!" said Henry, plopping down onto the couch. "So hard to believe?"

Mary Margret laughed. "Guess not."

"So Emma's out?"

"Yeah, she needed to run some errands—go to the market, gas station, pawnshop."

Suddenly Henry sprang up. "Oh, wonderful! I'll meet her there."

"Where?"

"At the pawn shop."

"Henry you shouldn't—" but he left. The shop was, after all, only down the street and Emma would be there soon, so Mary Margret let him go.

….

Emma walked in, hearing at first only the soft sound of the bell above the door. Then came laughter, male and female. She looked around but quickly figured that the sound was coming from behind locked doors.

"Eh-hem?"

A moment later, Belle emerged from the back room, smiling brightly. "Emma!" she said. "It's been forever."

"Yeah it has," she replied. "Are you, uh, working here too now?"

"Oh no. Gold just lets me hang around to keep each other company," she said.

At the sound of his name, Gold came limping out until her reached the counter. "What brings you here today, Miss Swan?"

Emma proceeded to talk to the old man. (Some controversy involving the legal owner of an abandoned car near the road, with a license plate which read STEALTHY, whatever that meant.) They discussed in their normal matter, although he did seem rather cheerful. When he promised to look into the matter, Emma retreated toward the door.

"Belle, Mary Margret and I are just hanging around since it's our day off, if you want to come by and order some take out," she offered. Was she really that bored that she wanted to hang around Gold all day?

She grinned and turned to Gold. "Get on, then," he said.

Emma held back a surprised little gasp when Belle casually leaned forward and placed a kiss on his hallow cheek. "Bye, babe."

Gold starred down at the counter, avoiding Emma's eyes. "Have fun, Dearie."

Belle grabbed her coat and, just as they turned to leave, Henry appeared at the open doorway. He smirked knowingly and instantly Emma could tell that he had witnessed the small exchange of affection.