Once Upon A Time: The Devil's Next Step, Part Eight
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
Emma parked the police cruiser in front Marco's wood shop. August had pulled his hoodie back up to cover his face but Emma could sense his apprehension rise more than a bit. She reached for the keys and he grabbed her by the wrist, his grip a little tight. " What are you doing? " Emma tried to shake it off but it wasn't any use.
" Can you just give me a moment to get my head together? " August looked at her. His eyes almost looked pleading.
Emma glared at him, " I can turn the car off while you think. "
" What if I change my mind and decide I can't do it? " August asked.
" You heard The Blue Fairy. He wants to talk to us just as much as we want to talk to him, " Emma reminded him.
August let her wrist go slowly, " I know but that doesn't make me any less frightened to face him like this. "
" August, " Emma shut her eyes. " We've gotten this far so why not finish it? "
August was quiet for long moment then he sighed, " There's something I didn't tell you. "
" And what would that be? " Emma arched an eyebrow, a bit of a sharp edge to her voice. To find out August was keeping something from her wasn't a really big surprise but she did wonder what it was.
August glanced towards the shop then at Emma, " After I drove you out to the woods and you left me, I came back to town. I came back here... to see my father. "
Emma cocked her head to the side. She wasn't in the mood for guessing games or unfinished thoughts, " And? "
" And I helped him fix something. It was something that belonged to us back there, " August motioned over his shoulder. " I recognized it right away but he was clueless to how it worked. I showed him and he told me some things that made me kind of sad. "
" Like what? " Emma glanced at the shop. She sensed movement, her senses proved correct when the garage door opened. It revealed the cluttered wood shop and Marco, not too surprised to see the police car sitting outside. He wore a blue and white checkered shirt, a pair of khakis and what looked like a pair of work shoes.
" I told him that I felt like I hadn't grown up to be the man my father wanted me to be and didn't keep a promise until it was too late, " August explained. It seemed he was so lost in talking to her, he hadn't noticed what was going on at all.
" And he said what to that? " Emma watched as Marco started pacing the front of the garage, rubbing the back of his neck. She could tell he was anxious but he made no motion to come any closer. She was feeling anxious as well but she had been feeling it since they had left the convent.
She had an inexplicable urge to get the task ahead of her finished so she could go out to the summer house. Regardless of how she felt and how scrambled her latest dream had left her, she felt she needed to go by at least once a day to make sure Mr. Gold was safe. The thought of him made a wave of sadness wash over her, her confusion over her feeling making her wish she could just figure it all out somehow. She really needed to talk to him about it but he always seemed so preoccupied with other things and she didn't know how to approach the subject.
" Emma? " August looked concerned. " You hear what I just said? "
" Did you say something? " Emma asked. She hadn't heard a word because he mind had wandered off to Mr. Gold. She was getting the feeling something wasn't right and it had to do with something other than her messed up feelings for him.
August sighed, " I said he said it was important that I realized my mistake and I tried to fix it. He said it would have been enough for him if he had a son. "
Emma quirked her mouth. The words made her think things between them would be resolved much quicker than she had thought. " So what's the big deal? It sounds like he forgave you already. "
" He forgave my situation, " August shook his head. " He was still under the curse when he did it. He didn't know it was me. You can say anything you want to a stranger but when it comes to someone you know... "
" Stop. Just stop, " Emma put her hand up. She wasn't going to let him go off on a tangent in the car. Her goal was in her grasp and she wanted to seize it. " We're here and whatever you need to say needs to be said to him, not me. "
" I don't know if I can, " August held up his hands. " Not like this. "
" You can and you will, " Emma said firmly. His balking and stalling was really getting on her already frayed nerves. She just couldn't shake the ominous feeling that was hanging over her like a black cloud. " I won't get the answers I need if you don't. "
August nodded, " Right. You need answers. It doesn't matter how I feel. I see how it is. "
" It matters, August! " Emma said sharply. " But you can't keep screwing around. Who knows how long the magic will keep you alive this time? "
" I didn't think about that, " August looked like it hadn't occurred to him at all.
" So let's go get what we came here for, " Emma reached for the keys and got them out of the ignition. She then looked at August again. " Didn't The Blue Fairy tell you to be brave, truthful and unselfish? "
August blinked, his mouth dropping open slightly. He closed his eyes, " She did. "
" I don't think chickening out is very brave, " Emma said. " And not telling him the truth is just as good as lying. I won't even get into how selfish... "
" I UNDERSTAND! " August cut her off sharply. He sighed then muttered, " I get it. "
" So man up and let's go talk to your father, " Emma opened her door.
August reached for his door, " I guess I have no other choice. "
They got out, Marco looking over as they did. He stopped pacing when his eyes fell on August, making August stop in his tracks. He stared for a long time before taking a step toward them. He looked confused, " Booth? "
August nodded, " Yeah. It's me. "
" Where have you been? You haven't shown up for work in days, " Marco said.
August scoffed lightly, " I was sick and couldn't call you. Sorry. "
Marco then looked at Emma, " I know why you're here but why did you bring him? "
" Because he's someone you know, " Emma said.
Marco furrowed his brow, " Of course I do. He's my assistant. "
" You know him for another reason than that, " Emma said. She nodded towards him, " Take off your hood and show him who you are. "
" Emma, " August said quietly. " Let me talk to him first. "
" Take it off or I'll take it off myself, " Emma reached for the hood but August took a step back from her. " Now. "
" Stop being so damn pushy, okay? " August glared at Emma from under the hood.
Emma took a step towards him, " Do it or I will. "
August sighed, relenting to her will. He reached up, pulling back the only thing keeping Marco from seeing his face. He gave Emma a sideways glance, " There. Happy? "
" Yes, " Emma nodded.
Marco's eyes went wide and he stared. After a long time, he muttered just one word. " Pinocchio. "
August looked at him and nodded, " Yeah. "
" You... you are wood again, " Marco whispered. " What happened to you, my son? "
August sighed, " I wasn't a good boy. "
" Oh, Pinocchio... " Marco reached for him. " I'm so sorry. "
August hesitated as Marco hugged him before slipping his arms around him. He sniffled, " I'm the one who should be sorry, father. I failed. "
" But how? " Marco looked surprised. He motioned to Emma. " You found the savior and guided her to believe. "
August sighed, " No. I didn't do it. She did it all on her own. "
" So that was the promise you were talking about when you came to me and asked if you could be my assistant? " Marco said, his voice cracking as tears slipped down his cheeks.
August nodded again, " Yeah. "
Marco blinked away his tears, sniffling. He took a deep breath, " Do you not remember what I said to you? "
" I do but I didn't think you would still mean it once you knew who I was, " August's voice trembled, obviously fighting some strong emotions of his own.
The scene before Emma was tugging at her heart but she told herself to remain strong and not let it get to her. She needed answers and she was determined to get them. She cleared her throat, Marco looking at her. He frowned and gave her a remorseful look, " I guess I have some explaining to do. "
Emma nodded, " Yeah. "
Marco let August go, " Then we must go inside. It will take some time to tell you what I need to say and I prefer we sit down for it. "
" Fine, " Emma said. " We can do that. "
Marco sighed, " Come then. "
Emma and August followed as Marco went to the door that led into the house. He gave her a half smirk, " Ladies first. "
Emma nodded then followed Marco inside. He led them to a small tidy kitchen, motioning to the tiny dining table that sat against one wall. August went to it and pulled out one of the chairs, " Sit, Emma. I'll stand. "
Marco looked over from the sink where he was filling a tea kettle " No. I can get you a chair from the living room once I get the water on. "
" No, father. I can go get it, " August said before leaving the room.
Emma glared at his back as he left, wondering just how soon he would be back with the chair or if he was going to linger in the other room for a long time. She was getting exasperated with his behavior and her anxiety only exacerbated her displeasure. She couldn't put a finger on why she was feeling so ill at ease but she knew it had to do with Mr. Gold.
There was an uncomfortable silence that hung in the kitchen like a thick fog, only broken by the sound of Marco walking the tea kettle over to the stove. It clattered a little as he set it down before turning on the burner. Two clicks later, a blue flame jumped to life. Marco sighed and glanced at Emma, " You know, this sounded a lot easier than it is. "
" What did? " Emma arched an eyebrow. She knew what he was talking about but she wanted to hear him say the words. She didn't want him keeping a single detail from her at all.
" Apologizing to you, " Marco replied. " You know, as soon as I remembered everything, I felt so terrible. I went to Archie as soon as the fog lifted and asked him what to do. "
" And what did he have to say about it? " Emma asked.
Marco sighed, " He said I should tell you the truth and hope you had it in your heart to forgive me. "
" Just tell me why and then I'll make up my mind if I do or I don't, " Emma said quietly.
Marco was silent for a long time, just looking at Emma with a sad expression. He took the kettle from the stove when it began to whistle. He carried it over to the counter before he spoke again. " I went to The Blue Fairy as well and she said not to be surprised if you didn't. She scolded me for disobeying her. "
" She had every right to, " Emma tried not to shout but her tone was still sharp. " She told you not to do it. She told you to let my mother come with me. "
Marco stopped what he was doing and looked out the kitchen window, " But you don't understand. I couldn't lose my boy. After everything I had already lost, I finally got the one thing I ever wanted. "
" But I was a baby, " Emma felt a lump begin to form in her throat. She couldn't handle the emotions running through her any more. The things she was feeling about Mr. Gold were bad enough but confronting the man that separated her from her mother was too much. " I needed her, " She said, glad her voice didn't crack like she thought it would.
" I was not thinking clearly, " Marco started.
" Obviously not, " Emma cut him off. She motioned to the living room as she fought the tears that were building in her eyes, " You sent a seven year old to care for a baby. How was that better than having my own mother? "
Marco worked on the tea silently. Emma wondered what he was thinking or if he was thinking at all. She noticed a slight tremble to his shoulders and realized he was crying. He sniffled then sighed, " I don't expect you to understand. "
" But I want to, " Emma felt a tear come down her cheek but she pushed the rest of them back the best she could. At the back of her mind, she wondered what August was doing. Finding a chair in the tiny house couldn't be that hard so she was certain he was stalling some more. " You have no idea the things I had to go through because I had no one. "
" I just might, " Marco replied as he got a handkerchief from his pants pocket and wiped at his eyes. He put the handkerchief back and picked up the tea cups. He brought them to the table, setting one down in front of Emma before sitting down across from her. He motioned to a sugar bowl on the table, " One lump or two? "
" None for me, " Emma waved her hand. She wanted to get back to the subject they were discussing. She stirred her tea to give her hands something to do. " So how do you know? What gives you the right to say you know what I went through? "
Marco got some sugar from the bowl and stirred it into his tea, " Because I grew up without my parents. They were... taken from me. "
" Taken? " Emma arched an eyebrow. " How? "
Marco stopped stirring his tea, looking down at the table before looking Emma in the eyes, " It was Jiminy. His parents were swindlers and they convinced my parents they needed this elf tonic. It was a magic potion and it turned them into puppets. "
Emma blinked, " Wait. Archie did that to you? "
Marco sighed, " It wasn't his fault. He told me the potion was something he had gotten to use on his parents to get free of them but his father switched the bottles. He didn't mean to and he was very regretful. It was The Blue Fairy that turned him into a cricket. "
Emma sat back in the chair, making a mental note to look for the story in the book. She had been so busy looking for anything to help her understand her role as savior she had skipped a lot of them. " To guide you I assume? " Emma asked.
" Yes, " Marco nodded. " He was my closest friend and he still is. That is why I went to him as soon as remembered everything. "
" But didn't you even think about your own situation when you decided it would be better for me not to have a mother? " Emma said.
" But you were a baby, " Marco said. " It would not have been as painful for you because you wouldn't remember what it was like to have one. You don't know how many years I cried myself to sleep at night, wanting to feel her touch again or hear her voice. "
" That doesn't matter, " Emma felt her anger boiling but she tried to control it. " I never got to even know what my mother's touch was like or the sound of her voice. "
" It is worse to know what you have lost than to never know it to begin with, " Marco said quietly.
Emma slammed her fist down on the table, making the teacups jump and a little of her tea splash out onto the tablecloth. " You have no right to say that! All I ever wanted was a family, Marco! You knew what it was like to be loved but I never did! You stole that from me! "
Marco looked down at the table again, " I realize that now and I am sorry... "
" Sorry doesn't help me, Marco! " Emma felt her tears coming back. " Sorry doesn't bring back what I could have had. Do you know how long I've struggled to find someone to love me? Someone to take me the way I am? "
" You have that with Henry! " Marco glared at her. " You have the love of your child. I had that with Pinocchio and I couldn't lose it! You should understand that! "
Emma fought the sobs that were trying to work their way out. She needed to let her anger stay on top to get her point across. " I have that NOW but I didn't have it before! "
" Before shouldn't matter now, " Marco pointed out. " Now should matter. "
Suddenly, Emma felt a sharp nearly paralyzing chill travel down her spine. The anxiety she had been feeling surged within her, her mind jumping to Mr. Gold again. She felt something was horribly wrong and she needed to go to him quickly. She stood up, giving Marco a quick glance, " I got to go. "
" What? " Marco blinked at her abrupt action. " We aren't finished, are we? "
" We can pick this up later, " Emma almost stumbled as she walked to the door. The feeling of impending disaster was making it hard for her to walk but she fought through it. " I really need to leave. "
August came back into the room, a chair in hand and a puzzled look on his face. " What's going on? Where are you going, Emma? "
" Don't worry about it, " Emma waved him off. " I have something I need to go do right now. I'll come get you later. "
" Wait, " August set the chair down as Emma reached the door. He grabbed her by the arm as she opened it.
She turned to him, " Let me go. This is really important. "
" Tell me where are you going, Emma. Why are you leaving like this? " August looked concerned.
Emma pulled back, " I can't explain right now. Later. "
" Are you okay? " August furrowed his brow. " You don't look right. You look scared. "
Emma shook him off, " Just let me go! I have to... "
" Have to what? " August made another grab for her but she dodged him.
" I just have to GO, " Emma said sharply then fled through the door and headed for the cruiser...
Mr. Gold lay on the floor between his chair and the couch. He had attempted to move but the pain in his leg was still overwhelming. He thought if he could lay down, it would help. He had intended to do it on the couch but fell on the way.
He had called for help but Belle hadn't heard him. He cursed the fact the house was completely soundproof, the reason she probably hadn't heard him. He knew she was probably sitting on her bed and completely lost in a book. He also knew that once she was enthralled, she would need to finish the book before she moved again.
He wasn't certain how long he had been laying there but his leg hadn't gotten any better. It still hurt as bad as it had when he had tried to heal it. The fact he was laying on it and his cane weren't helping matters any. He closed his eyes, trying to decide if he could drag himself to the phone to call for help.
He then thought about just who he would call. His options were quite limited, only thinking of two people. He could call Frederick but he was essentially useless in the situation. He would just be able to pick him and out him back in the chair or on the couch.
He cracked his eyes open just slightly when he heard the front door knob rattle before there was a hard, frantic knock. " Gold? " Emma's muffled voice made his heart leap because he had just started to think about calling on her for help. He was surprised she had come. She had been quite upset the night before and he had doubted she would want to see him again so soon.
" Emma! " He called, hoping she would hear him. The front door was quite a bit away but he still felt he needed to make an effort to get her attention. " Come inside quickly! "
There was no reply, making him sure she hadn't heard him. He tried to roll onto his chest, determined to make it to the front door. He hissed, the motion sending a sharp pain through his already throbbing leg as he rolled on his cane. He grit his teeth, forcing himself to roll and quickly became sorry he had.
He lay there, the pain nearly making him black out as fresh cold sweat popped up along his brow. He closed his eyes, willing the darkness away as it threatened to seize him. When it abated, he opened his eyes again and wondered where Emma was. She had only knocked once, panic seizing him as he feared she left.
He suddenly felt very helpless, not knowing when he would be found. If Belle was reading, it could be any number of hours and he wasn't sure he could tolerate that much more pain. He was already fighting back another bout of hot tears and was starting to break out in another cold sweat. His clothes were already soaked from the first couple of rounds he had to deal with.
He lifted his head when he heard footsteps coming from the foyer, looking up to find Emma walking in from the dining room. He realized she had went around the side of the house and came in through the kitchen. He had always kept the back door unlocked but wasn't sure if Emma would remember. She was a very welcome sight in her green sweater, brown leather jacket, slim fitting jeans and knee high brown boots.
She stared at him with wild panicked eyes, " Gold. What happened? " She gasped.
" I fell, " Mr. Gold gasped out. He would explain more once she got him off of the floor. He gave her the best pleading look he could muster through the pain. " Pick me up, please? "
Emma rushed into the den and to his side. She sounded worried as she said, " How should I do it? You look like you're in a lot of pain. "
" I am, my dear, " Mr. Gold hissed. He shut his eyes, " I guess as quickly as possible. "
" Right, " Emma nodded then looked around. She shoved the coffee table that sat in front of the couch away, making more room. She then sighed, " I'm going to have to get you from behind. "
" Just do whatever you need to do, " Mr. Gold said a little sharper than he intended.
Emma stepped over him, planting her feet on either side of him, " Alright. Alright. Tell me if I hurt you more. "
" At this point, it doesn't matter. I want off of the floor, " Mr. Gold said through his clenched jaw. " I've been here for a while. "
Emma leaned down, slipping her arms under his as he pushed himself up. " Oh my God, you're soaking wet. "
" Sweat, " He gasped. " The pain has caused it. "
" Oh, " Emma said. She lifted him, pausing when he cried out. " What's hurting? "
" My leg, " Mr. Gold panted. " Just get me on the couch and I'll explain. "
" Face down? " Emma started lifting him again.
Mr. Gold hissed, " We'll worry about that once I'm there. "
" Fine, " Emma grunted as she got him up enough so he could catch the edge of the couch with his right hand. He used it for leverage and helped her the best he could. She continued to lift him as he turned himself, hissing again as she moved him onto the couch. She finished getting him laid down properly then looked down at him, " So what happened? "
" I tried to heal my leg but it didn't work, " His reply was broken slightly from the gasping and pants.
Emma frowned, looking puzzled. " Why not? "
Mr. Gold sighed, making an attempt to push himself up on the couch a little more but it was futile. Emma caught him under the arms and helped him get where he wanted to be. He hissed again, then sighed, " There's... debris in there. From the prison. "
" They didn't get it out when they operated on your leg? " Emma looked shocked as she gingerly took a seat next to him.
" Doctor Whale said they got what they could out. He also said it wouldn't cause any problems, " Mr. Gold sighed then scrunched his face up as another wave of pain traveled up his leg.
" So why is it doing it now? " Emma asked.
Mr. Gold chuckled roughly, " Because the magic is back and the prison was enchanted to bind my magic. "
" So when you tried to heal your leg... " Emma looked like she was thinking.
Mr. Gold nodded, " It drove them deeper. "
" Oh no. Do you want me to call the ambulance? " Emma's hands trembled as she took her phone out of her jacket pocket. He could see it in her eyes she was frightened and confused.
He reached over and pushed her hand down, causing her to drop the phone. " They can't do anything for me. "
" Maybe emergency surgery, " Emma started.
" No, " He sighed. " No mortal man can fix this. "
Emma frowned, " Then what are we going to do? "
Mr. Gold gave her the best smile he could manage. He liked the way she said 'we'. It made him want to believe she had accepted that she would have to work with him but he knew better. She wasn't really quite there yet.
" I think it's time for your first lesson, " He said.
" What? " Emma blinked. " Right now? "
" We have to start somewhere, " He replied.
Emma stammered, " Uh... I don't know. I can't... and you said... "
" Shh, " He shushed her, gripping her right hand in his left. " Don't say you can't. You don't know what you're capable of yet. "
" But that little bit of your power that's part of me, " Emma began.
He gripped her hand tighter, knowing exactly what she was thinking. " It won't drive it deeper. Your power should draw it out. "
" Because it's good, isn't it? " Emma gripped his hand.
Mr. Gold sighed, " Yes. "
Emma thought for a long time then closed her eyes, " Tell me what I need to do. "
" Hold my hand and look into my eyes, like the other morning, " He said. " I will help you as much as I can. "
Emma nodded, turning her hand so the fingers of his left hand were laced between the fingers of her right. She locked eyes with him then whispered, " Now what? "
" Try to calm down, " Mr. Gold said. He could already feel a flood of emotions from her as he looked into her eyes. She was scared, confused, angry, sad and anxious. " Breathe, Emma. Deep, slow breaths and don't take your eyes from mine as you listen to my voice. "
Emma nodded silently, doing as she was told. It was a challenge because of the emotions she was feeling but she finally began to calm down. He could feel himself getting a deeper hold as her emotions slowly began to fade. " That's a good girl, " He muttered gently.
A wave of pain traveled up his leg but he forced his eyes to stay open as he hissed. He rode it out before continuing to speak. He was keeping his voice low and even to lull her, calm her. " Draw in your power... concentrate and focus it. "
Emma nodded once, doing her best to do what he asked. He could feel it as her breathing became even deeper, her emotions fading completely. He sighed, " Now, put your hand on my right leg. "
" Where? " Emma breathed. There was a little bit of a snap in the air when she was totally focused on him and nothing else. He had tried to accomplish it before but had been interrupted. He silently hoped Belle would not come down until they were finished because Emma was his only hope.
" Anywhere, " Mr. Gold said. " As long as our skin is touching. "
Emma kept her eyes on his, her left hand moving until she reached the hem of his trouser leg. She took a sharp breath as she slipped her hand under the fabric, a crackle of energy arching from her fingers to his skin. Her eyes went wide then she placed her shaking hand on his leg but she kept it pressed close, still taking deep even breaths.
" Your leg, " Emma whispered. " It's so hot. Like... it's burning. "
" It's the shards causing that. It's causing fever throughout my entire body, " Mr. Gold muttered. " Now, keep your eyes on mine. While you do that, I want you to imagine those pieces. They're tiny, like splinters. Have your power find them. "
Emma looked like she was lost in thought, her eyes still on his but moving like she was looking for something. She gasped gently, " I found one. My power... "
" I feel it, " Mr. Gold cut her off. " It's attached itself to it. Now, find another. "
" I'll try, " Emma sounded like she was talking in her sleep but he knew she was wide awake. As she concentrated, he could see into her mind. He couldn't control it as everything that had been bothering her started to play into his mind. He hissed as her power latched onto another shard, still watching the things coming from her.
She gasped when another shard was captured then another. Her power worked it's way up his leg, capturing pieces as he began to feel the emotions she been feeling. The confusion and pain of finding out about Geppetto's betrayal, The Blue Fairy's lie and what she construed as rejection all began running through his mind. He started to understand where he needed to start if they ever got the chance to talk alone.
Emma gasped, her power latching on to the last bit. Her eyes stopped moving, refocusing on his, " Now what? "
" Pull them out, " Mr. Gold whispered.
" But won't that will hurt you, " Emma replied.
" They'll hurt me worse if they stay in. Just do it, " He said firmly. He wasn't going to tell what would happen. If she knew, she would refuse to do it.
Emma frowned then started to move the shards. He tried to choke back the pain but it was useless. He grabbed one of the throw pillows on the couch, jamming the corner of it into his mouth as he began to scream. Hot tears of pain streamed from his eyes as he forced them to stay open.
Although it took less than a minute, it felt like forever as the shards cut through his flesh on their way out. Just when he thought he couldn't take any more, Emma sighed, " They're out. "
He let the pillow go, closing his eyes. His leg felt as bad as it had when he had been shot during the Ogres War, the pain in it making it jerk. He panted, praying for some kind of relief from it. In a white hot instant, everything went black...
Emma heaved a great breath, blinking at the sight before her. She had watched everything like it was a dream but it had really happened. The fact that Mr. Gold was laying in front of her, passed out cold was proof of that. She leaned over him, making sure he was still breathing.
His breath on her face made her sigh with relief but it was soon gone when she realized his pant leg was quickly becoming soaked with blood. She looked around, remembering there was a first aid kit in the downstairs bathroom. She got up, her legs wobbling a bit from what she had just done. Her whole body felt like she had ran a marathon but she wasn't going to let that stop her from helping him in a way she knew how.
She stumbled towards the hallway that led to the bathroom, using the wall to her right for support. When she got there, she flung the door open, making a push for the sink. She got to it, reaching for the basin with her left hand. It slipped and she then noticed it was covered in blood.
She quickly switched to her right, using the bloody hand to rummage in the medicine cabinet. The kit was where she had left it so she grabbed it. She then took the guest towels from the rack, shoving them in the sink and turning on the hot water. She let them get soaked before she took them out and headed back to the den.
Somehow, she made it back to the couch and dropped the wet towels next to Mr. Gold. She took a seat next to his legs before reaching up to turn on the table lamp, angling it to give her more light to see by. She frowned at how bloody his pant leg was, silently hoping that she had done the right thing by following his commands. She opened the first aid kit, taking out a pair of small scissors before using them to cut the cloth away and expose his injuries.
As she cut the fabric away, she found the shards where they had fallen inside the cloth. She collected them, setting them aside before completely taking the pant leg off. It would have to be out of the way for her to help him but she knew he would be displeased. He had been when she had cut away the sleeve of his shirt when he had been shot by Harold Durbin.
She grimaced at the damage as she grabbed one of the towels, wrapping it around his upper leg before wrapping the other around his lower. She gently rubbed, cleaning away the blood that had smeared from being contained and when she cut the fabric away. Once she was satisfied it was clean, she began to get out the things she would need to patch up his leg. She got out a roll of gauze, a small bottle of peroxide and several pads.
She left the towels under his leg as she poured the peroxide in his wounds. She let it bubble for a second before wiping it away. She hissed when her fingertips started to sting, finding they had been sliced open at some point and guessed it was probably when the bits came out.
She cleaned her fingertips then found the antibiotic ointment and put it on the wounds before bandaging each fingertip quickly. She cared more about helping him any way she could so she didn't spend much time on herself. She went back to his wounds, noticing they ran along the lines of his scars. The shards had probably traveled through them to get out, cutting them open on the way.
She felt a bit of sweat form on her brow and she wiped at it with the back of her hand before opening one of the gauze pads. She scooted closer, propping his leg up on her thigh as she began the tedious task of patching him up, figuring out the best way to use her limited resources. Her hands shook slightly as she worked, determined to keep with it until he was bandaged to her satisfaction.
After several long moments, the task was finished. She sighed in relief as she leaned against the back of the couch. She sensed someone else in the room, looking to the stairs to find Belle standing there. She stood stone still, a book clutched so tight to her chest her knuckles were white. Her eyes were wide, her expression plainly conveying her shock.
" Belle, " Emma gasped. " How long have you been there? "
" I... I just came down, " Belle replied. " When did you get here? "
Emma frowned, " I don't know. I didn't look at the time when I came in. Where have you been? "
Belle wrenched one of her hands from around the book and motioned towards her room. " I was up there. I took a nap after breakfast then started reading this book. "
Emma furrowed her brow, " Wait. You were here? "
" The whole time, " Belle took a hesitant step forward, her eyes on Mr. Gold. She couldn't see much from where she was standing and for that, Emma was grateful. " What's wrong with Rumplestiltskin? "
Emma glared at her and she got up, " He fell. "
Belle startled at the look she was getting. She looked totally puzzled, " What are you talking about? "
" You mean you didn't know? " Emma couldn't believe her ears. " He must have made some kind of noise when he fell. "
" I honestly heard nothing. He told me the house is soundproof, " Belle gripped the book again. " If I had known, I would have helped him. "
Emma growled, remembering she had been told that as well. She sighed, " Fine. I guess that's why you didn't hear anything but breakfast was while ago. You didn't leave your room at all? "
Belle lifted the book slightly, " I get a little involved in my books. "
Emma furrowed her brow, recalling her story had said she was huge bookworm. She gave up, not feeling up to pondering it any more. " Okay, okay. I guess you couldn't have heard anything.
Belle motioned to Mr. Gold, " So you showed up here and found him? "
She decided to stick with the bare facts, not wanting to let her know she had sensed he was in trouble. She had acted like a possessed woman as she tried to get him and knew she had left August with question with the way she had fled. " Well, I came in and found him in the floor. I helped him up and took care of him."
" You did? " Belle started to walk around to front of the couch.
Emma took a step forward, " Wait. You don't want to do... "
Belle dropped her book when she saw why Emma tried to stop her. She looked over the bloody towels, cut pants and his bandaged leg before looking at Emma again. " You didn't say he was injured. You said he fell. "
" You didn't give me the chance to tell you. He's okay now, " Emma replied. She watched as Belle covered her face with her hands, her shoulders starting to shake as she sobbed. She went to her, pulling her to her and holding her as she cried. " He'll be fine. Don't be so upset. "
" That's not it, " Belle sobbed. " I let him lay here for God knows how long in pain and did nothing to help him. "
" It's not your fault, " Emma tried to shush her though the words struck her as odd. She had never mentioned Mr. Gold had been in pain. She made a mental note of it and sighed, " You couldn't do anything about it. "
" I should have at least KNOWN, " Belle said sharply. She sniffled then whispered, " He's the man I love... and I let this happen. "
The word sent a sharp shiver through Emma, making her stomach sink. She glanced at Mr. Gold, wondering if he felt the same about her. She sighed, " Come on. Let's go to the kitchen. I need to sit down. "
Belle sniffled and sighed, " Alright. I would like to talk to you some more if you don't mind. "
Emma sighed, " Sure. We can do that. "