-In Storybrooke…

"Da, tell me the story about the pretty lady and the best deal ever made", Aylish begged, using every ounce of her five year old cuteness.

"Little love, I've told you that old story a hundred times or more. You could tell it to me, and besides, it's far past your bedtime", her father explained indulgently.

"Pleeeeaaaasssseeee Da" the little red-headed girl pleaded, knowing that her father almost never said no when faced with the possibility of his little girl's unhappiness. While the town looked at him and saw a man to be reckoned with, a terror, this one little child held him in the palm of her tiny hand.

With a sigh and a smile Aylish's father began the story. "Well dearie, once upon a time a scary old magician with green/gray skin happened upon a kingdom being ruled by a king with a very interesting problem. This king had a beautiful wife whom he loved dearly, six loving daughters, riches, and so much more. Unfortunately for this king his wife had born him no sons so there was no heir to inherit the kingdom. Now this might not have been such a problem, except the next in line was a cruel man, a cousin to the king who was just waiting for his chance to rule…"

"Da, what was the magician's name?" "Now dearie, you know that name as well as I do….it was Rumpelstiltskin…now let me finish your story" content with the answer Aylish snuggled deeper into her father's arms.

"Rumpelstiltskin approached the king and explained that he could forge a deal that would ensure the health and safety of the kingdom, and it would only cost the king one small trifle. The king was torn; he wanted a son so badly, but the cost was the sacrifice of one of his daughters. In the end, the king decided the promise of a son was more important than the life of a mere daughter.

At this point in the story the little girl looked up at her father with sad eyes, "Da, do you wish I was a boy? Would you give me up to Rumpelstiltskin?"

"Oh my darling, you are worth more to me than all the gold in a kingdom and all the stars in the sky…I would not trade you for anything in this world or another"

Aylish giggled, clearly this was an expected question and response, "Go on Da, tell the rest"

Very well daughter…Rumpelstiltskin told the king that he must have the choice of the four oldest daughters, that she would go with him and become the caretaker of his home. The king called his daughters to the throne room and presented them to the imp. Each of the girls was a beauty, but one girl drew the imp's attention immediately. She had long auburn hair and lovely green eyes, but it was not her beauty that drew his attention, it was the book beneath her arm, the bruise upon her cheek, and the pleading look in her eyes. "Your majesty…I believe that I will choose your red headed daughter, she has an interesting look about her". "Yes, I agree…I will go with him father" the young girl immediately stated.

"NO" shout was heard from across the room, and a large muscle bound man strode up to the king. "Mara was promised to ME! She belongs to ME!" "Marcel, we have not made the betrothal final…the wedding date has not been set" the king exclaimed. "I have other daughters, and in truth Mara may not have been your best match". In his mind the king was secretly relieved at the imp's choice, although he loved all his daughters, Mara had always been a mystery and a trial. Why just look at that bruise on her face, she had become so clumsy lately.

Rumpelstiltskin noticed that when the man had begun shouting the girl Mara actually moved closer to him and farther from her so-called suitor, "hmmmmm….interesting" he thought to himself. "The deal is struck, it cannot be unmade…come with me now girl, there is no need to pack all that you need will be provided at my home". The imp was quick to notice the relief in the green eyes and the haste in which she joined him, and with only a quick good bye to her family the pair were magically whisked away to his castle.

The father noticed that his baby girl was now sound asleep; the telling of the tale was no match for her long day. As he placed a kiss on her sleeping brow he noticed how like her mother she looked, and a tear slid down his cheek…soon my wee little love…soon we will all be together again.

Elsewhere in Storybrooke the night was not as peaceful for all the residents, in one small apartment a young woman with reddish hair and bright green eyes cowered as a fist flew toward her face. "Mark…please stop…I'm sorry I was late, it won't happen again…I'm sorry" Annie begged as her boyfriend continued to pummel her. "I know it won't…because you won't be going back to that place again, you will stay home and take care of me" as Mark hit her one last time Annie sank into unconsciousness…hearing him leave was the last thing she remembered. When Annie came to she was alone in the apartment, and she know that if she did not leave he would truly kill her next time, and even though he had always told her he would kill her if she left she knew she had to take that chance. Gathering her few belongings, Annie staggered out the door, on her way to the one place she felt safe, the one place everyone else in town feared…Mr. Gold's shop.

Early the next morning Mr. Gold limped up to his pawn-shop, running slightly behind schedule as the morning had been slightly disrupted when Aylish's nanny had arrived late. As he walked closer to the door he realized there was someone curled up on the stair in front of the door. As he came closer the shape moved and his part-time employee Annie looked up at him. The shock on his face was impossible to hide…"My god, what did he do to you?"