A/N – Since there is no curse here, August was not involved in the events of Tallahassee. While I do mention the stolen $20,000, it had nothing to do with Emma, just establishing that he's a liar and a thief.

Also, I fiddled with the ages a bit. Gold is now 45. He had his son when he was 17, meaning that Neal is now 28. Belle (who you won't be seeing for a while, sorry) will be in her 30's like the wonderful actress who plays her. I just didn't want too big an age gap for Rumbelle.

Chapter 3

Their waitress presented them with a selection of fromages and suggested a new bottle of wine, one that would enhance the distinctive flavors of the cheeses. Gold savored the last course slowly, appreciating the uniqueness of each selection.

Neal, on the other hand, grabbed one of each and stuffed them in his mouth all at once.

"This is a lot better than the cheese spray I have at home," he managed to mumble.

"It's hard to believe we're from the same family," Gold replied dryly.

"Speaking of family," said Neal, washing down his mouthful of cheese with the $100 wine, "I got a buddy I'd like to bring in. Nolan may be good at identity theft, but this guy, August, could convince you he's the long lost son you never knew you had! I swear he could beat a lie detector test. He even once managed to con me out of twenty grand! He's that good."

"Can he be trusted?"

"Of course! He's like a brother to me now. Besides…he's six months off a job and I have a feeling he's having trouble filling his days."

"If he's as good a liar as you seem to think he is, bring him in."

~8~8~8~

Neal had always dreamed of going to Hawaii. As a child he had spent most of his time fantasizing about travelling to exotic destinations, staying at only the best resorts and driving the most expensive cars.

He was nothing if not pragmatic though; he carefully hid his funds away for a rainy day instead of wasting them on frivolities. Gold had done everything he could to support them, but as a single parent (and a teenaged one at that!) they had both spent too many nights going to bed hungry.

Neal swore he would never go hungry again.

He walked along the shore, enjoying the hot sand that shifted beneath his bare feet. He looked around carefully, trying to discern a familiar face amongst the hundreds of tourists currently lounging about the beach.

He finally spotted his old friend lying shirtless on a large towel with several empty bottles of Corona scattered around him. Neal gently nudged him with his foot, but the slightly older man did not stir.

August was drunk again.

Smiling mischievously to himself, Neal picked up some sun screen. August should know better than to pass out in public. Trying to stifle his giggles, he headed off to a small café about twenty yards away. He might as well sample some Spam and eggs while he waited for his friend to wake up.

~8~8~8~

Neal returned about an hour later to find August still asleep, snoring peacefully. Licking his snow cone, he casually sat next to his sleeping friend and dumped an ice cold cup of water onto his face.

"What the Hell?" he sputtered, sitting up quickly.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty!" sang Neal.

August scratched at his three day old stubble and glared at his new companion. "Dammit, Cassidy! What's your problem?"

"My problem, friend, is that it's eleven o'clock in the morning and I couldn't wait around all day while you're passed out in the sun." He slapped August on the arm, causing the man to howl in pain. Every inch of skin that had been subjected to the sun's harsh rays was now the color of a ripe tomato.

"Shit!" August winced in pain. "In my defense, the sun wasn't up yet when I decided to take a nap on the beach."

"Come on. Let's get you into some shade."

The two men walked back to Neal's hotel, a short walk away. A group of young, bikini clad women giggled as they walked by and August flashed them his most brilliant smile. The giggles turned into raucous laughter.

"That was weird," mumbled August.

"Hmmm?" Neal pretended to be entirely engrossed in his snow cone. "So has your money run out yet?"

August smiled. "Just about. Life is all about pleasure, my friend. I only work when I have to. The rest of my life is dedicated to indulging my every desire; sun, surf and sex. My Holy Trinity."

They reached the resort's parking lot and passed by a group of gray haired seniors who gaped at them opened mouthed. They pointed their cameras at the duo and began to click furiously. August sent them a dirty look.

"Just ignore them," Neal soothed, trying to hide his grin. "So how's that novel coming?"

"I'm afraid I'm suffering from writer's block."

"Perhaps a change in scenery is what you need to get the juices flowing again."

"Interesting," August murmured. "And where would you suggest?"

Neal handed him an airline ticket. "We're on the five o'clock."

"Are you going to at least give me a hint?"

"We're going someplace…inspiring!"

"Mommy! Mommy! Look! That man has a rocket ship on his chest! Cool!"

A young woman looked up and stifled a shriek. She covered her son's eyes with her hand and glared at August. "You should be ashamed of yourself!"

Neal could no longer hold in his laughter as August stared dumbfounded at the woman. He approached one of the lobby's many mirrored elevators and finally saw Neal's handiwork. His chest and belly were lobster red everywhere but for the faint outline of a long cylindrical object that was clearly not a rocket ship. "Aww! Not cool man!"

"That's for the time you used my identity on a job, you dick! Come on. Let's get you a shirt or they won't let you on the plane."

"This job had better be worth it, Cassidy."

"Demolitions?" asked Neal, popping a delightful Gouda into his mouth.

"Leroy would be my first choice, if he's available," replied Gold, trying some Camembert.

Neal exhaled deeply. "I don't know, Pops. He has an attitude problem."

Gold chuckled. "That's why his brothers gave him the nickname Grumpy. His therapist once told him he needed to channel his anger into something constructive. I doubt explosives is what the man had in mind, but there you go."

"Great. Just what we need. A manic depressive who like to blow shit up."

"As long as he doesn't blow us up in the process. I'll take this one, son. It's been a while since I've been to New Mexico. The dry heat will probably be good for my knee."

~8~8~8~

The Clark house was much smaller than Gold had been anticipating, considering that the remaining seven brothers all called it home. There had originally been eight in the family, but a tragic mining accident a few years back had reduced their number. Now, none were willing to leave the small town, or their fallen brother, behind.

No one but Leroy, that is.

The mines didn't call to him like it did his brothers. Gold knew he was secretly saving his meager funds to buy a boat and sail across the ocean to far off lands. Blowing up the odd safe or underground tunnel for Gold and his associates had definitely increased his little stockpile, but it was never enough. Family always came first in his book, and his savings were constantly being used to make the next mortgage payment or to fix a leaky roof.

"Hello, Tom," he said cordially when the door was opened. "May I have a word with Leroy, please?"

"Of course, Mr. – Mr. – ACHOO!" Gold withdrew his silk handkerchief and offered it to the sneezing man. "Thank you, Mr. Gold. That mining dust plays havoc with my sinuses. Please come in."

The kitchen was completely taken up by the long table. Six men were crowded around it, their evening meal coming to an end. There was an untouched place setting at the head of the table but it was not offered to Gold, nor would he have claimed it. That spot was reserved for the fallen brother.

Tom retrieved a wooden chair from the den and offered him some coffee. Gold gladly accepted it and quietly observed the large family. Leroy scowled at him over his dessert while Walter nodded off over a beer. The oldest brother was shining a light into the eyes of the youngest who, judging by the dazed look on his face, was obviously stoned again. The other two simply smiled politely from the other side of the table.

"Not interested," said Leroy, glaring daggers at his guest.

"You haven't yet heard what I have to say," replied Gold, sipping his coffee patiently.

"I said I ain't interested! Times are tough around here. We're all working double shifts just to make the mortgage. I can't afford to miss work. My brothers need me."

"I understand more than you know, Leroy. I too lost my home, when I was unjustly incarcerated."

"Unjustly my ass! You were guilty as sin!"

"I may have committed the act but I was caught only because I was betrayed. I had to pay the price. I accept that. Now it's time to rebuild. We do this one last job and we're set for life."

Leroy snorted in to his beer. "And in the meantime, while I'm with you, my brothers are out on the street. I'm sorry. I just can't afford to take that chance."

Gold reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "Perhaps a show of good faith is in order." He placed the paper on the center of the table and seven heads (well six, the doped up one had no idea what was going on) leaned over to read it.

"Is this for re—re—Achoo! Real?"

"Consider it an advance for your services, Leroy. As of an hour ago, your mortgage is paid in full. Do I have your attention yet?"

"For that you can have any part of me you want! I'm in!"

A/N – Next Chapter: Ruby and Archie!