Once Upon A Time: The Devil's Next Step, Part Three
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
Emma walked up to the convent, taking a deep breath. August had convinced her to go see Mother Superior for help. He said she needed a back-up plan to develop her powers in case Mr. Gold had less than good intentions for her. He explained that the nun was in fact The Blue Fairy.
She was the one who had turned August into a real boy and trapped Rumplestiltskin. He assured Emma she would be able to help her with anything she needed. Emma relented, agreeing to pay her a visit. She walked up the front steps, surprised when she found Mother Superior waiting just inside the open front door.
" Emma, " She smiled. " Mr. Booth called and said you were going to be here. "
Emma quirked her mouth. She hadn't asked him to do that and it would have been rather awkward if she had decided to back out. She had thought about it but made up her mind to go see her anyway. It was too early to know where things were going to go with Mr. Gold so she really needed some kind of back-up plan.
" He said you could answer some questions for me, " Emma sighed. " After everything that's happened, I have quite a few. "
Mother Superior smiled, " I can try to answer any questions you may have. Come inside. "
Emma watched as Mother Superior stepped aside then walked into the convent. She could sense something in the air as she stood outside but it amplified as she came in. She gasped, a strength of the magic in the air hitting her like a brick to the stomach. She put her hand on the wall closest to her, leaning on it as she tried to catch her breath.
" You can feel it, can't you? " Mother Superior placed her right hand on Emma's left shoulder.
Emma nodded, " Yeah. What is that? "
" Fairy magic, Miss Swan, " Mother Superior said. " You're surrounded by them. "
" Fairies? " Emma furrowed her brow. " You mean the little things with wings that fly around? "
Mother Superior giggled, " No. Not for a long time. When the curse was broken, our magic returned though. "
" I can feel that, " Emma said. " So I guess you have another name besides Mother Superior. "
Mother Superior nodded, " Yes. It's Ruel Ghorm. "
Emma arched an eyebrow, " Ruel what? "
" It means 'Blue Star' in some tongues, " Mother Superior said then smiled. " You can call me The Blue Fairy. Everyone does. "
" Alright, " Emma said. She was still trying to get used to the power that surrounded her. The pressure was oppressive and almost painful. It felt like she was being squeezed in a vice that hadn't quite been tightened all the way.
" Enough of that, " Mother Superior said. " Why have you come? Mr. Booth just told me you needed to ask me about your magic. "
" Yeah, " Emma nodded. She pushed herself off of the wall, the power around her still strong but she was now able to tolerate the pressure of it. " I need to learn how to control it and use it. "
" Then you've come to the right place. May I? " Mother Superior smiled, putting her hands out to Emma.
Emma lifted her hands hesitantly, letting Mother Superior take them in hers. She shut her eyes and Emma did so as well. She could feel the magic begin to center like it had with Mr. Gold but it felt different somehow, like it was pulling away instead of combining. Emma's hands started to feel like they were on fire and she jerked them away, opening her eyes in shock.
She looked at her hands, " What the Hell was that? "
Mother Superior blinked in surprise, " You repelled my magic. "
" Repelled? " Emma was perplexed. " How? Why? "
" It puzzles me too, " Mother Superior looked deeply troubled. " There's something about your magic that I can't put my finger on. "
" So you can't help me? " Emma felt her heart sink a bit. She hoped she could depend someone else besides Mr. Gold. Being around him was torture even though she had convinced herself she needed to be there in case her hunch was true.
Mother Superior frowned, " I'm not sure if I can. "
Emma sighed, " Sorry I wasted your time. "
" Don't give up so easily, Miss Swan. We may be able to get around it but it will take some time to figure out how to do it, " Mother Superior said.
" How much time? " Emma arched an eyebrow.
" I don't know, " Mother Superior replied.
Emma motioned toward the front of the building, trying to keep her voice even as she spoke but it still trembled as she spoke, " Regina is out there somewhere, doing God knows what. There's no telling when she's going to show back up and start causing trouble. I don't think time is a luxury we have right now. "
" Calm down, Miss Swan. We need to remain focused. It will take her a while to regain control of her magic, " Mother Superior said.
" But the story book says she was really powerful, " Emma pointed out. " She'll be able to regain control of her magic long before I can even control mine. "
" You must not think like that, Miss Swan, " Mother Superior started.
" How else am I supposed to think? " Emma cut her off sharply. " We need to be prepared as soon as possible. "
Mother Superior frowned again, " Don't you think I know that? I want to help you as much as I can but I can't as long as your magic pushes mine away. I need to look into it further. "
A thought occurred to Emma and she narrowed her eyes. She looked towards the front of the convent, muttering " I think I know where to find the answer. "
Mother Superior stood speechless as Emma turned and headed towards the front doors. As she passed through them, the pressure she felt began to dissipate and she was able to breathe normally again. She had felt like she was on the verge of choking the entire time she was talking to Mother Superior. It was so strange because she thought fairy magic was supposed to be good magic but the way she felt in the midst of it was anything but good...
Mr. Gold stood at the kitchen sink, looking out into the backyard. Belle had come in for lunch then retreated back to the fish pond with a new book to read. They had talked very little at the table, Mr. Gold sensing something wrong but not getting any answers when he asked Belle what it was. She seemed to not want to talk about anything except finding her father.
He was already tired of the subject, the mention of it bringing dread up in his heart. He knew she would never understand why he had beaten Moe French within an inch of his life and would probably leave him. Any ordinary woman would do so in the same situation. ~Ordinary, ~ The word slipped through his mind, eliciting a bit of a frown.
All Belle ever wanted was for him to be an ordinary man, to shed his powers and be his mortal self once more. She had never been told of what a sad creature he was before he made his fateful stand for his son. He wondered if she would still have him if her were the crippled coward that had been afraid of everything. He fluffed it off as idle musings for the only way for him to lose his powers would involve someone stabbing him through the heart with his dagger.
No, Belle would have to accept him for what he was. He had so much he could offer and so many ways to keep her happy... just not the ways she wanted to be happy. It seemed Emma had been pleased with him just the way he was and he pondered if she would ever ask him to change. Well, she had been up until recently but he hadn't had a chance to coax an explanation out of her.
He had felt her anxiety when they had touched that morning, sensing it and profound sadness which she was desperately trying to hide from him. He knew the cause of it without asking, also knowing she was probably reading all the wrong things into the situation. He then frowned, wondering if he even knew the situation well enough to explain it to anyone at all. He felt a familiar tingle travel through him, pulling him from his thoughts as he sensed someone approaching the house.
He walked away from the sink and headed out of the kitchen, passing through the dining room before reaching the foyer. He reached the door as Emma pulled into the driveway then parked the beetle in the middle of the semi-circle. She got out of the car, her mouth set in a hard frown as approached the front porch. He opened the door as she reached it.
He smiled, " Emma, so nice of you to return. "
" I need to ask you something, " Emma said sharply.
Mr. Gold furrowed his brow at her tone, " Oh? What is it? "
" Did you do something to me? " Emma looked him in the eyes. " And tell me the truth. "
" Surely you haven't forgotten it already, " Mr. Gold gave her a coy grin. On a more serious note, he realized they had never discussed what had happened between them. He couldn't tell her what had left him so emotionally bare and in need of her touch. That conversation would have to wait when he was certain they were alone and could be blunt with one another.
He didn't want Belle to wander in on such a sensitive talk. She had not been happy with what she had seen that morning when he was talking to Emma and showing her what her power felt like. He also recalled how she had heard Emma tell him Regina was in hiding. It was indeed best saved for a later time.
" Stop playing around, " Emma said sharply. " I'm serious. Did you do something to me... OTHER than that. "
" Like what? " Mr. Gold furrowed his brow.
Emma crossed her arms over her chest, " I went to see... someone else to help me with my magic. "
" After you agreed to let me help you? Why would you do that? " Mr. Gold asked, slightly shocked she would do such a thing. He didn't know of too many people that would be able to help her besides himself.
" I wanted to keep my options open, " Emma said. " I haven't had the best record with trusting you completely. "
" Perhaps you should try to some time, " Mr. Gold replied. " You might find it'll be worth it. "
Emma scoffed, " You know I don't like your methods. "
" Yet you still like my results, don't you? " Mr. Gold quirked the corner of his mouth. " You know, there's more than one way to get what you want. "
Emma rolled her eyes, " We aren't getting into that again. "
" Alright. We won't, " Mr. Gold said. " Maybe we can talk about who you went to see for help when I've offered it so readily. "
" It's not important, " Emma began.
" Yes, it is. It makes all the difference in the world, " Mr. Gold cut her off. " Who. Did. You. See? "
Emma stared at him then sighed as she let her arms fall to her sides, " I went to see August. "
" Oh? " Mr. Gold mocked surprise. " How is he doing? I'd imagine he's a little... stiff. "
" That's not funny, " Emma frowned deeply.
Mr. Gold smirked, " Perhaps not but at least he's alive... or some semblance there of. "
" He's alive as far as I'm concerned, " Emma narrowed her eyes. " Wooden or not. "
" Yes, yes. What did you go see him for? He knows nothing of how to control your magic, " Mr. Gold said.
Emma frowned, " No. But he thought he knew someone who could help. "
Mr. Gold frowned and grabbed Emma's right hand, turning it over. He noticed her palm was a reddish color, like it had been held to a flame. He frowned, " You went to go see HER, didn't you? "
" Her who? " Emma blinked like she was trying to feign confusion.
Mr. Gold let her hand down, " You know who I mean. You went to see The Blue Fairy. "
Emma was silent, just staring at him for a long moment as if she were trying to gauge his reaction. He hadn't bothered to hide his annoyance as he mentioned the fairy's name. She sighed, closing her eyes before nodding her head once, " Yes. But she couldn't help me. "
" Of course she couldn't, " Mr. Gold frowned deeply. " Fairy magic doesn't mix well with the magic we have. "
Emma looked puzzled, " But I thought my magic was made from true love. Good magic and fairy magic is good, isn't it? "
" That's debatable, " Mr. Gold still frowned.
" But why doesn't my magic mix with theirs? " Emma still seemed perplexed.
Mr. Gold pointed to himself, " Your magic is something I isolated. It has my fingerprint on it therefore it has a little bit of myself mixed in as well. "
" What? " Emma looked completely lost. " I don't know what... "
" I know you don't. You need to stop fooling around and let me teach you what you need to know, " Mr. Gold cut her off. He then sighed, " I will tell you this now though you aren't going to understand completely. "
" Tell me what? " Emma blinked.
Mr. Gold took her hand again, " You see, when you isolate magic, it takes a tiny piece of you. You leave your mark on everything you touch, no matter what it is. It is what you call Locard's Exchange. "
Emma was silent for a long moment then nodded, " Oh. "
" So, in a way, my mark is on you, " Mr. Gold said then gave Emma a suggestive smirk. He let go of her hand and brushed his fingers across her cheek. He was pleased with the tiny shiver that ran through her at the contact. He moved close enough to inhale her scent, " It was there long before I ever laid you down. "
Emma shut her eyes and leaned into his touch, her lips parting slightly as she sighed. He was powerless to resist how inviting her lips looked at that moment. He knew Belle was in the back yard but he also knew she wouldn't come back inside before dark. They hadn't kissed since she had left him the morning after they had made love and, he had to admit, he missed the feel of her lips on his.
He had missed everything about her, from the way her hair fell in such gentle curls right down to how she smelled. He couldn't help but see her the way she had looked the night she was all his. He sighed inwardly, recalling the softness of her skin and the way she had completely given herself to him. Her lips may have said she didn't trust him completely but her body and actions that night said she really did.
He leaned in, gently taking her lips in his as he relented to the overpowering need to taste her once more. She gasped against his mouth before returning it hesitantly. He sighed inwardly, the kiss not having any affect on his power. They parted, Emma opening her eyes and sighing.
Mr. Gold gave her a little smile, " Are you still mad, my dear? "
Emma quirked her mouth, " I have to think about it some more. "
" Ah. Well then, " Mr. Gold said. He motioned over his shoulder, " Would you like to come to the kitchen and discuss how we should go about harnessing your power? "
" Do you think that's safe? " Emma asked. " I mean... "
" I believe I can control myself, " Mr. Gold tried to assure her. He would have to if they were going to go to the kitchen. Belle could walk inside at any moment and he would have no choice but to exercise restraint. He was also certain Emma wouldn't be too receptive to any more advances.
" Alright, " Emma bit her lip then nodded. She then followed him through the dining room to the kitchen...
" Coffee or tea, my dear? " Mr. Gold asked as Emma sat down at the kitchen table. She barely heard the question for she was still trying to get her nerves together after the kiss he had given her in the foyer. It was gentle and rather chaste but still has sent her senses reeling.
She had tried so hard not to give in when he leaned in and took her lips in his but it was useless. All of her anger and confusion seemed to melt away, burned up by the fire it seemed only he could ignite inside of her. It told her he still felt something for her but she wasn't sure what. After he pulled away, she started feeling confused again but her anger had been quelled, not that she would tell him that for she wanted appear as though she could resist him.
She looked down at the table, taking deep breaths to slow her still pounding heart. She decided she couldn't handle anything stronger than water and asked for it as he prepared the coffee machine. She had tried to keep her voice even but it trembled just a bit as she asked for it. Her lips tingled with want for another kiss but she knew that probably wouldn't happen.
" Water? " Mr. Gold replied, perplexed. " Are you sure? "
" Yes, " Emma nodded. She didn't need any extra stimulation. " I don't want anything that will rev me up right now. "
Mr. Gold sighed then gently said, " I have some lovely herbal tea. It will calm your nerves and help you focus on the things I'm going to tell you. "
Emma looked over at him, not surprised he could sense her agitation even though his back was to her. He seemed to have a knack for picking up on the emotions of others. She had noticed it many times before, mostly to is advantage. She looked back down at the table, " Do you think it will help? "
" I do, " Mr. Gold replied as he got a teacup and saucer from one of the glass front cabinets. " You need to be able to listen. "
" Go ahead, " Emma said. Mr. Gold busied himself once he got his coffee started, taking bottles out of what she had assumed was a spice rack. He carefully measured out herbs into a tea ball, mixing them in an expert fashion. She furrowed her brow, " What are you doing? "
" Making your tea, my dear, " He replied as he finished then closed the tea ball. He got the tea kettle off the stove, taking it to the sink and filling it up. " It's an old recipe and it should help you. "
" I thought you'd just give me something out of a box, " Emma said.
Mr. Gold scoffed, " Things in boxes are ineffective. I prefer fresh or freeze dried herbs for maximum potency. "
" Oh, " Emma nodded once.
" Where did you learn to make it? " Emma asked.
Mr. Gold was silent for a long moment then said, " Back... there. "
" So I guess it IS an old recipe, " Emma didn't need an explanation. She knew he meant the place where everyone in town had come from.
Mr. Gold nodded, " Indeed. I perfected it quite some time ago. When my son... "
Emma didn't like the way his voice trailed off. " Just tell me about this. I promise not to pry. "
Mr. Gold paused then said, " I would brew him some of this to calm him down if he had a nightmare. "
" Oh, " Emma nodded. " I see. It's not going to make me sleepy, is it? "
Mr. Gold shook his head, " Just relax you. It won't make you drowsy. I wouldn't to that to you. You need to be able to drive home when we are done here. "
" Good, " Emma said. She watched as he carried the kettle back to the stove before turning the burner on. She looked down at her hand, the redness had faded a bit but she still had questions. " I thought... "
" What? " Mr. Gold turned to face her.
" I thought fairies were good creatures, " Emma curled her fingers down across her palm, stroking the heel of her hand.
He frowned deeply, looking unhappy she was bringing the subject up again. He looked at the floor then at her again, " Well, for most people. I already told you, their magic doesn't mix well with what I am. My powers come from some place else entirely. "
" But they're always helping people in the stories I've ever read, " Emma pointed out. " Even the ones that aren't in Henry's book. "
Mr. Gold's frown didn't budge, " I see. Well, it seems that many of the facts have been omitted then. Tell me, what did you know about me from those other stories? The ones you read before coming here, not the ones in the book. "
Emma let her hand down as she thought, frowning a bit. " Uh, that you were a gold spinning, baby stealing hobgoblin. "
" Hobgoblin, " Mr. Gold scoffed acidly as the kettle began to whistle. He pulled it off the heat and walked it back over to where Emma's teacup sat. It was a brilliant white with a beautiful red rose painted on it and a gold rim. He poured some water into it then dipped the tea ball in. He glanced at her as he worked, " Do I look like a hobgoblin to you, Emma? "
Emma looked him over, trying not to think of the way he looked in their more intimate moments. She had always thought hobgoblins were little monstrous thing but he didn't look like a monster. She then sighed, " I've never seen one before so I don't know. "
Mr. Gold gave her a sideways glance, " I can assure you, I have and you wouldn't make that mistake if you had. They are rather unpleasant creatures. "
" So how much of that story is really true then? " Emma arched an eyebrow. Talking was helping her calm down some but she was dreading when he came to the table. She knew his nearness would only send her senses reeling again.
Mr. Gold finished making the tea, setting the tea ball in the sink before turning and bringing the cup to Emma. He set it down and sighed, " Most of it has been highly exaggerated. "
The feelings Emma had battled back rose up in her again and she picked up the teacup, her hand trembling just enough to notice on the surface of the liquid. She steadied her hand then took a tentative sip, finding it wasn't too bad though it tasted different than anything she had before. She swallowed then watched as Mr. Gold walked back to the coffee maker and got a mug of coffee. " So what's the truth? Are you going to tell me? "
Mr. Gold sighed as he came back to the table. He sat down across from Emma and looked at her, " I did spin the gold for that poor girl and I did ask for her first-born. "
Emma took another sip of tea. She swallowed it then said, " The story said you were going to eat it. "
Mr. Gold scoffed, " That was not my intention at all. What people seem to forget about the story was the fact the girl was basically forced to marry the greedy king to save her father's life as well as her own. She did not love him and the child, in turn, would not have been loved. You see, I was going to save it from a sad life where it would have been despised. "
" And what were you really going to do with it? " Emma arched an eyebrow.
" There were many people in the realm who desired children but couldn't have have any, " Mr. Gold explained. He smirked, " Look at the lengths Geppetto went to in order to get a son. "
" You have a point, " Emma said. She recalled the story of Pinocchio, a story she now knew was August's.
" I'm glad you see it, " Mr. Gold replied. " There was a need so I was going to fill it. "
Emma scoffed, " So you were going to sell it to someone? "
" Not just anyone, " Mr. Gold put his hand up. " I would have sold it someone who would have loved it. "
" So what happened? How did the deal get broken? " Emma asked then took another sip of tea. She could feel herself beginning to relax a little and less agitated with his presence.
Mr. Gold sighed, " Shortly before the child was to be born, the girl realized her mistake in making such a deal. "
" Like Ashley, " Emma interjected.
Mr. Gold nodded, " In a way, yes. The miller's daughter made up her mind that, even if the child's father never loved it, she always would. "
" I see, " Emma nodded. " So how did she get to keep it? "
Mr. Gold snorted, " Of all the things in that story that aren't true, that part is. I had never mentioned my name to her so I thought she would never guess it. I guess she was more clever than I had assumed. "
Emma glanced down to his right leg, " The story said you put your leg through a floor. Is that part true? "
Mr. Gold's expression became somber, " I have to admit, that tale I told you that night was a lie. I never fell through a floor. Not even in the story you read about me. "
" Then how did you get hurt? " Emma asked quietly. The sadness in his face let her know it was something far more traumatic than a fall.
" It's been hurt twice, " Mr. Gold said quietly. He continued to stare down into his coffee. " The first time was in war. "
Emma gasped, " That's why you know so much about it. "
" Yes, " He nodded once. " My knowledge is first-hand. "
It now made sense. When they had been preparing the shop to trap Clarissa she had suspected his knowledge was much more than from a book. Emma reached for his hand, stopping just shy of touching it because she knew touching him would wreck her in spite of the calming effects of the tea. " How? "
Mr. Gold glanced at her hand, moving his from the side of his coffee mug a tiny bit before gripping it tighter, deciding not to reach for her hand after all it seemed. He sighed heavily, " I was setting up traps behind the enemy lines and an ogre attacked me. I could run like the wind back then and I did. As soon as I reached camp, the other soldiers attacked it. One was a lousy shot and shot an arrow straight through my leg, breaking the bone and tearing muscles. It never healed right but it did heal. "
" And so they sent you home? " Emma pulled her hand back. She could sense he didn't want to be touched as he spoke. The memory seemed to be rather painful for him.
Mr. Gold scoffed, " No. They put me back out there as soon as I could stand. "
" That's terrible, " Emma was shocked. She couldn't imagine such a thing. " How could they do that? "
" It was war, " Mr. Gold replied. " You had to be dead not to fight... and many did fight until they died. "
" What happened then? " Emma asked. She found herself curious to hear the story. It was something not in the book but it didn't surprise her. She decided it was because it had happened long before anyone she knew was ever born.
Mr. Gold sighed, " A few days after I got hurt, word came that I had become a father. I realized I needed to be with my child and wife more than I needed to be on the battlefield and I fled. My company was fine when I left but the word spread that they all had died because of my fleeing. "
" Did they? " Emma asked quietly. The word 'wife' reminded her of the story Regina had told her about his first lover and how she had died. Things were falling into place in her mind, his story becoming just a bit clearer.
Mr. Gold gave her a sideways glance before returning is attention to the coffee that was growing cold between his hands. " No. The man who took my place set a faulty trap. The ogres breached the battle line and slaughtered my whole company. "
" And they blamed you for that? " Emma furrowed her brow.
" They had to put it on someone, so they chose me. Of course, I knew none of this happened until I returned to my village and no one would look me in the eye, " Mr. Gold said then became quiet. He chewed his lip for a long moment as if he were thinking then he sighed, " And... that's how my leg got hurt the first time. "
" And the second? " Emma asked quietly. The tea was helping her focus, his words tugging at her heart. She felt so bad for him and all of things he had been through. She had admired his strength before but now that feeling was increasing by the second.
The back door opened, A startled gasp drawing both Emma's and Mr. Gold's attention to the door. " I didn't know you had a visitor, " Belle stood there, a book clutched to her chest with her right hand as she held the doorknob with her left.
" I thought you knew she was coming back today, " Mr. Gold said to Belle. " I told you at breakfast. "
Belle gave a nervous smile, " It must have slipped my mind. "
" It's okay, " Emma stood up. " I was just about to leave. I have to get home to my family. "
" Family? " Belle looked puzzled. Emma didn't know why the word had perplexed her so. It was almost like she was surprised she had one.
Emma nodded, " My parents and my son. "
" I see, " Belle glanced at Mr. Gold, an indecipherable look coming to her face. " Rumpelstiltskin? "
" Yes, my dear? " Mr. Gold looked at her.
Belle looked at him for a long moment then glanced at Emma, " Never mind. It can wait. "
Emma wasn't quite for sure what was happening in front of her so she deiced it was just best to leave. There was a growing tension in the room as well, something she knew she had probably brought forth just by being there. " I'm going now. Thanks for the tea. "
Mr. Gold stood up, taking up his cane, " Let me walk you to your car. "
" You don't have to, " Emma put a hand up. " I know the way quite well. "
Mr. Gold frowned slightly, " Oh. I see. Well, I guess I will see you again tomorrow? "
" I'll come by, " Emma said. " We still have a lot of things to talk about. "
Mr. Gold nodded, " Indeed we do. Oh, and Emma? "
" Yes? " Emma cocked her head to the side.
" Ask your mother about the wardrobe... She'll know what you're talking about, " Mr. Gold said, giving her a look that said it was important. It was enough to make Emma realize he was trying to tell her something without telling her in front of Belle.
Emma furrowed her brow then nodded, " Right. I'll ask her. "
Mr. Gold watched Belle as she stood in the open back door. She watched the kitchen door long after Emma had passed through it. The expression on her face was a mix of bewilderment, hurt and something he couldn't quite put his finger on. " Is something bothering you my dear? " He knew there was but he wanted to see what she would say.
Belle came inside slowly, shutting the door behind her before walking into the center of the kitchen. She remained silent for another long moment before she glanced at Mr. Gold, bringing her free hand up to cuddle the book in her arms closer. " Who is she, really? "
Mr. Gold furrowed his brow, " I've told you everything you need to know about her. "
Belle frowned and looked him in the eyes, " But you haven't told me what I want to know. You keep fluffing me off like an overly curious child. "
Mr. Gold furrowed his brow, " What are you talking about? I've told you... "
" You've told me nothing, " Belle cut him off. " All you've said is that she's a friend, she's saved your life and has something to do with the curse. "
" And that's the truth, " Mr. Gold replied firmly. He was keeping things from her but only to keep from hurting her. " Please believe me. "
Belle stood there for a long moment before her lower lip trembled as her shoulders sagged, " Alright then. "
Mr. Gold gave her a little smile, " Why don't you come sit with me and we can discuss the book you're reading. "
" Can we discuss her instead? " She asked.
" We've said all there is to say about her, " Mr. Gold said.
Belle looked at the book then sighed, " I think I would like to lay down. I've been outside all day and need some rest. "
" That's fine as well, " Mr. Gold said, disappointed she still didn't want to spend a lot of time with him. She always seemed to find some excuse to get away from him. He had tried to find out why but she wouldn't tell him. He figured she was still trying to come to grips with her new life and being free once more.
He recalled how he had been after escaping his prison and being released from the hospital. He had spent lots of time outside and enjoying all of the trivial things he had missed being locked away in what Regina had hoped would become his tomb. He also spent long hours alone, learning everything he could about the world he found himself in. He had even buried himself in books as she was now doing.
" I'll come down for dinner when I waken up, " Belle said then took a step towards the door.
" Then I shall wait for you, " Mr. Gold replied, stopping her in her tracks. He had to find some way to let her know he really did care for her as much as he ever had. He wanted to tell her everything but something inside of him was holding him back. He felt it was perhaps that he didn't want to overwhelm her with too much information, not this soon anyway.
She gave him a sheepish smile, " Don't wait too late. I wouldn't want you to starve on my account. "
" I would wait all night for you, my dear, " Mr. Gold said and gave her a smile.
She smiled back shyly and walked out of the kitchen. Once she was gone, Mr. gold stared down into his coffee, wondering why he was getting so tongue tied around her. He wanted to tell her so many things but just seemed completely unable to. He knew his silence was breeding a bit of animosity, something he hoped he could banish before things got too out of hand.
" Emma? Is that you? " Mary-Margret called from her bedroom as Emma closed the door to the apartment.
" Yeah, " Emma called back, the smell of dinner cooking wafting up her nose. From the whiff, she could tell they were having some kind of meat and probably potatoes. She looked around, furrowing her brow. " Where are the boys? "
" David and Henry went to Granny's for a Guy's Night. I hope you don't mind, " Mary-Margret walked out of her bedroom. " It was Henry's idea. "
" Oh, " Emma nodded once. The child was eager to bond with his newly found grandparents. He was already friendly with them before the curse was broken but being related added a whole new dimension to their relationship.
" He said we needed time to get to know each other too, " Mary-Margret said quietly. She chuckled nervously, " I mean, we've got twenty-eight years to catch up on, don't we? "
Emma quirked her mouth, " We do. "
The timer on the oven dinged and Mary-Margret looked towards the kitchen, " Oh. The roast is done. "
" You need some help? " Emma motioned towards the kitchen. " I can get the roast out. "
Mary-Margret smiled brightly, " Why yes. That sounds perfect. "
Emma was still feeling relaxed from the tea Mr. Gold had given her. Normally, she was wound tight as a spring and couldn't recall when she had been so unagitated. She walked into the kitchen with Mary-Margret, grabbing some oven mitts, " Where do you want it? "
" Just set it on the stove, " Mary-Margret motioned to it. " The meat has to rest for a little bit and cool off. "
Emma opened the oven and got the roast out, doing as she was told. She slipped off the mitts, laying them on the counter. " What needs to be done now? " Emma looked around.
" Nothing yet, " Mary-Margret said. " Let's go sit on the couch and talk. You've been gone so much the last few days and that last real conversation we had... "
Emma nodded, recalling how Mary-Margret had practically ripped her a new one over running away and trying to take Henry with her. " Yeah. Well, that's over with now. "
" Yeah, I guess so, " Mary-Margret said then left the kitchen first, Emma following her to the couch. They both sat down, Mary-Margret delicately tucking her legs underneath her and spreading her fluttery skirt out so it covered them. They were quiet for a long moment before Mary-Margret said, " So you've been reading Henry's book? "
Emma nodded, " Yes. I read a little about you and David... Charming... "
" It's okay for you to call us whatever you want, Emma. I know it's a bit hard to grasp it all. I'm still trying to do it myself. I've lived in this world for twenty-eight years and just am now realizing how strange it is. Of course, I couldn't remember where we came from so I guess it didn't matter to me then. It was all normal. "
" Normal, " Emma sighed. She was doubting the word even existed. Where she was at in her life at that very moment wasn't even close to it. She stared past Mary-Margret as she recalled just how strange her life seemed to be.
She was sitting on the couch with Snow White, who just happened to be her mother while her father, Prince Charming, had taken her son out for burgers and milkshakes. She had slayed a dragon and was in a complicated relationship with Rumplestiltskin, unsure of where it was all heading. It was a far cry from the life she had been leading in Boston before Henry showed up to bring her to this curious place.
" What are you thinking about, Emma? " Mary-Margret looked concerned.
Emma made a sweeping motion with her hand, " All of this. Everything that's happened. "
" It's quite fascinating, isn't it? " Mary-Margret smiled a bit.
" I think fascinating is an understatement, " Emma chuckled.
Mary-Margret chuckled as well, " Yes. I agree. "
" It's all so... different, " Emma sighed. " I feel kind of lost sometimes. "
" If there're any questions I can answer, feel free to ask them, " Mary-Margret said.
" About anything? " Emma arched.
Mary-Margret sighed, " Yes. "
" I can't think of anything at the moment, " Emma sighed. Actually, she could think of a hundred and one questions but they would take all night to answer.
Mary-Margret cocked her head to the side, " Then I have something I'd like to ask you. "
" What's that? " Emma furrowed her brow.
Mary-Margret took a deep breath, " Where have you going these last couple of days? "
Emma blinked, " Just to go check stuff out. You know, trying to get an idea of what's going on out there. "
" It is a bit odd, " Mary-Margret nodded. " But it still seems peaceful enough. So many people are just carrying on normally. "
" Probably because they don't know what else to do, " Emma said.
Mary-Margret nodded, " Probably. Oh, I don't know if you noticed but Mr. Gold's shop has been closed for the last few days. "
" Oh I noticed, " Emma said.
" I wonder where he ran off to? " Mary-Margret said, a bit of fear creeping into her eyes. " And what he's up to. "
Emma thought, suddenly recalling what Mr. Gold had told her to ask about and recalling she had her own questions as about it as well. " I think I have a question now. "
Mary-Margret looked at her, " Oh? About what? "
She cocked her head to the right side, " What can you tell me about the wardrobe? "
Mary-Margret blinked, plainly taken by surprise by the change of subject, " You want to know about the wardrobe? " She repeated. " Where did you find out about that? "
" The book, " Emma scrambled for an acceptable answer that wouldn't be a lie. The last pages of the book had mentioned it but they were long since burned. " It was in the book. There was picture of David putting me in a wardrobe... to keep me safe? "
Mary-Margret frowned like the memory was making her sad, " Oh yes. "
" I read about it, " Emma said quietly. After she had, one question had bugged her for almost as long as she had been in Storybrooke. " And I started to wonder why you didn't come with me. "
Mary-Margret looked down at the couch, " I wanted to. I really did but there was a small problem. "
" What was that? " Emma arched an eyebrow. She had yearned for an answer for so long and now she could get it because Mary-Margret remembered everything.
" When we were making plans... " Mary-Margret hesitated then started again. " When we were making plans to get you to safety, The Blue Fairy told us the magical tree only had enough magic to protect one person. "
Emma went cold, realizing that was a flat out lie. If it were true, she would have been stuck in The Enchanted forest because August had come through before she did. She began to feel a little sick, wondering why The Blue Fairy had been so untruthful at such a critical time. She startled when Mary-Margret touched her hand.
" Emma? " She furrowed her brow in concern. " Are you alright? You just went pale. "
" I'm fine, " Emma said, getting to her feet. " I just... I just need to go see someone. "
" But Emma, " Mary-Margret said as Emma walked towards the door. " What about dinner? "
Emma opened the front door when she got to it, " I'll be back. Don't start without me. "
" Emma! Come back! " Mary-Margret called as Emma closed the door behind her...