5: Greed.

Regina was enjoying lunch at grannys with Henry when she heard the commotion outside. She looked a the windows in time to see a large crowd marching up the middle of the street.

"What is it?" Henry asked.

"Stay here," She said. Vacating her stool she went to the door and stepped outside.

Emma Swan was rushing along with the mob, they were carrying pitchforks, baseball bats and pick axes. A few others carried no weapons but marched along, Emma was trying to stop them individually.

"What's going on?" Regina called.

"Gold, they're going after Gold." Emma managed out.

Regina looked at the angry faces, they were going after Gold. She glanced back in the diner where Henry was laughing at something Ruby said, she could go back inside and finish her lunch. She didn't. She rushed down the steps and out the gate breaking in a run to put herself in front of the mob. She reached the pawn shop just seconds before the mob did and rushed inside.

"Gold, what did you do?"

"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about."

"There is a mob out there, coming here. Why?"

"Well, other than all the obvious deals that went wrong I have no clue."

She gave him an exasperated look, if he knew, he wasn't going to tell her. She heard the crowd grow closer but Gold didn't seem even slightly concerned. Throwing up her hands in annoyance she vanished herself to reappear outside. She appeared in front of the door just as the crowd arrived.

"Stop!" She demanded.

"Get out of the way evil queen this doesn't concern you." Someone yelled.

"Tell me what you're doing here."

"Our business isn't with you sister, it's with Gold." Leroy said.

"Well, you're going to have to go through me to get to him."

"He raised the rent! There's no way we can afford it!" Mother superior called out.

"He started charging the dwarves a mining fee for going under his shop!" Leroy chimed in.

"I can't afford to keep my house!" Someone else yelled.

"Alright, I understand. I'm sure we can work it out." Regina said, silencing the mounting protests.

"I'm sure we can not, they owe me the money and anyone who doesn't pay will be evicted." Gold said from behind her.

"Get back inside, I'll handle this." She said.

"No, you go back inside. I can handle this."

"They're here to kill you!"

"I know that, there's no need to shout."

"Let me handle it," She conjured up a ball of fire.

Some of the people backed away, some did not. She prepared to throw the flame at the first person who approached.

"Regina," Gold warned.

"I can handle this," She said, ignoring him.

The crowd, sensing their debate drew closer. Regina held her ground and Gold took a step closer to her, ready to spring to action if she needed assistance. He didn't have to wait long, someone threw a pitchfork. Emma yelled out and he shoved Regina to the side, wrapping his arms around her tightly the pair vanished in a puff of smoke.

They reappeared in the dark ones living room, he instantly let go of her and she stumbled under the loss of support.

"What the hell was that?" She demanded.

"Me, saving your life."

"That pitchfork was meant for you!"

"Oh no dearie, I assure you it was not."

"Why did you raise the rent? Those people are good renters."

"They're freeloaders," He said.

"The never miss a payment!"

"I'm not sure I like your tone, your majesty." He said the last part with venom.

"Don't call me that."

She turned to walk away from him, disgusted with his tone of voice and lack of gratitude. He reached out grabbing her arm, trying to stop her retreat. She winced and let out a sharp cry the instant his hand gripped her arm. He let go almost instantly, his hand was soaked in blood.

"Regina..."

"It's fine,"She said, before he could finish.

"Let me see," A wave of his hand had her jacket removed, leaving only her button up shirt.

"Stop!"

Another wave had her down to only the lace camisole beneath, she felt naked. Her good arm rose to cover her chest.

"What happened?" He asked, examining the cut.

"Apparently you're not as fast as you used to be, damn pitchfork clipped me."

He scowled at her and she tried to wiggle free, obviously more mad at him than he anticipated. He moved his hand gently over the cut and it sealed. The pain instantly gone.

"Thank you," She said simply.

"You're welcome."

"Why did you raise the rent Gold?"

"I fail to see how that's any of your business."

"Come on, cut the bull shit."

"It occurred to me not long ago that money is the only thing that ever made me happy, money never leaves and if you have enough of it you can always buy whatever you want."

"You're robbing people blind because your wife left you?"

"No, I'm merely making myself a comfortable living."

"You had a comfortable living before, you're doing this out of greed." She said.

He gave her a dismissive wave and turned to walk away, she watched him walk a few feet before she spoke.

"I know all you love is power and money, but you know they're never going to love you back. Someday you're going to be awfully lonely Rumplestiltskin and all the money and power won't change a thing. You thought the worst thing to be was a coward because your wife left you for a pirate, that's on her. Belle left because she knew what you turned into is far worse than being afraid."

He paused with his back to her and she took a deep breath, ready for the tongue lashing she was about to receive, waiting for him to lash out. Instead, he waved one arm and she disappeared in a puff of smoke.

She re-appeared outside Grannys, she steadied herself against the fence as Henry came running out of the diner.

"Mom! What happened?!" Henry asked.

"Nothing," She said as she put an arm around her son and allowed him to help her into the diner.

"Where's your jacket? It's freezing."

"I must have left it at the pawn shop," She lied.

"It's warm inside Granny's," Henry said, opening the door and she forced a smile.

"Great, I hope you saved room for desert."

"Of course I did!"

Two days later Regina was in her office, happy to be mayor again she was sorting through a large file of old papers that needed to be properly cataloged when the door open and Gold walked in. Her jacket was tossed over his arm.

"Gold, what can I do for you?"

"You forgot your jacket, I had it cleaned but I'm afraid the shirt was beyond saving."

"Thank you," She said as he tossed the jacket over the back of a chair.

"I wanted to tell you that I recalled my raise in rent, there's no need for anymore lectures."

"It wasn't a lecture, it was the truth."

"Maybe so, but it occurred to me that I'm not the only one in this town who chose power over people. When the tides turn and the charmings finally have enough of pretending, you'll be an awfully lonely woman, Regina. When that time comes, I won't be alone anymore because you're going to need me."

She opened her mouth to protest but he put up a hand to stop whatever she was about to say.

"Before you lash out, I'll leave peacefully." He said.

She watched him turn and walk out of the office, he closed the door behind him and after he was gone she moved around the desk to retrieve her jacket. It smelled like him when she picked it up and for a second her heart stuttered in her chest. She tossed it back down as if she'd been burnt and looked back at the closed door, he was right of course. If the charmings decided to shut her out she'd fight, and if she decided to fight she'd need an allie, she'd need the dark one.