*QUICK NOTE: I don't care what the finale did, I'm still going the way I planned, so THIS IS NOW OFFICIALLY AU. The curse-breaking will definitely be different. But no worries, this is STILL GOLDEN SWAN. SAILING ON AND ON.
Chapter 6:
Henry's eyes expanded, "W-what? What do you mean?" His prepubescent voice went even higher in his shock. Emma turned back to the book, looking through it one more time to confirm her theory.
"I-I think I found Belle, or, rather, Beth. She's in one of the cells underneath the hospital. She's Moe French's daughter." She paused, trying to clear her buzzing thoughts. "I, I'm almost positive it's her."
Henry was rising slowly out of his chair, almost unconsciously, "Do you know what this means?"
Emma whipped her head towards him, "What?" the boy's face looked so serious, she felt her heart stop. A large grin split his face, though, and she felt her muscles relax. He looked so excited, the small dimples more noticeable now.
He leaned towards her, "You're one step closer to breaking the curse!" he whispered fiercely. She raised her eyebrows in response, "Really? Just from finding Belle?" 'What makes her so special?' she wondered.
Henry hopped up, "Well, I mean the fact that you've found another character, knowing that they're from the fairytales…that's a huge step, Emma!" He beamed at her, "You're amazing!" He quickly jumped back on the seat, babbling on about Operation: Cobra and the steps they can take now that they're on the right track. Emma kept up with his train of thought, but she kept snagging on what he just said. "You're amazing!" she didn't know why, but a joy filled her at the words, overflowing into a large smile on her face. "You're amazing!"
"Emma, did you hear me?" Emma snapped back to her kid, "Wha-? Sorry, kid, what'd you say?"
"You need to get her out! Before the Evil Queen gets her! If she finds out that you know about Belle then she'll get rid of her for sure!"
Emma tilted her head, "What's so special about her, though?" She watched as Henry's face dropped, "Oh, uh…um. I'm not…sure." He sat there for a moment, trying to recall the importance of this character and Emma just quietly waited, patiently.
He perked up, "Well, she's important to Rumplestiltskin. The Evil Queen told him that it was basically his fault that Belle was dead. So if he were to find out that she's still alive and that the Queen lied, well…he'd be pretty mad," he shrugged sheepishly.
Emma quirked her mouth in acceptance, "I suppose so." She sat in thought for a moment. "But…how am I suppose to 'save' her from Regina? How can I get her out of there?"
Henry shrugged helplessly this time, "I don't know. I'm just a kid." Emma shot him a look and he couldn't hold back a tiny grin. She shook her head in amusement, "No, I suppose you wouldn't…" she let out a sigh. "Maybe…maybe I could get a warrant?" She looked at him for confirmation.
He shrugged again, "Um, I guess? Do you think that would work?"
Emma stood up, straightening her back and setting her shoulders. "It's going to have to."
The first place she went to was Moe French's house. She asked him to sign a form that gives his permission to take his daughter out of the cell, just in case she would need it. Then she went to District Attorney Spencer's office to get a warrant to release Beth French. Turned out she would need Moe's signature to get his daughter out. It was only after she expressly emphasized Mr. French's obvious desire to have his daughter back and hinted on the dirt that could be dug up about this incident, Spencer finally signed the paper as well, mumbling about how it wasn't his problem anyway.
She raced to the hospital after that, intent on getting this over with as quickly possible. She felt as though she were under pressure, that she had to beat something in some sort of race. Who her opponent was, she had no clue, but she knew she had to hurry.
She dashed into the hospital, slamming the paper on the counter and commanding that they open the door. The nurse from last time did so without protest, fear in her eyes. Emma didn't wait to console her, practically running down the stairs now, calling over her shoulder for nurses to follow her, hoping she wasn't too late. She still didn't know what for.
She reached the bottom, but Nurse Mildred was not behind her desk. Emma looked to her left, where the hallway to the cells were and found her leaning on the door jam, looking at something Emma couldn't see. Emma immediately walked that way, her footfalls catching Mildred's attention. When the woman tried to say something or block her, Emma was quick to hold the paper up and walked on by. Mildred didn't say anything after her, and Emma kept walking. She could hear the backup nurses behind her, but still a bit away.
Up ahead she heard the sound of voices, one sticking out above the rest: "Hurry up! This needs to be over with as soon as possible," Regina's bossy tone making Emma cringe from even around the corner. She soon rounded it, coming to the hall that held cell 20. There stood the Mayor and a big burly man with long greasy dark hair.
"Stop!" she called out, causing the two to turn towards her, Regina's eyes widening in fury and surprise.
"Miss Swan -!" Regina started, but Emma was once again quick to hold the paper in her face. "I'm sorry Madame Mayor, but this is now police business, you can't be here. Please leave."
Regina's face began to glow as red as the apples she loved so much. She snatched the paper out of Emma's hand and scanned it. "What is this?"
Emma marched up to the man, noticing that he held the keys to the cell. She held her hand out while she answered, "It's a warrant to release Beth French. I also have her father's express wishes for her to be let out as well," the man gave her the keys after a moment's hesitation and she turned her head to give Regina a look, "if that's enough for you? Why are you here anyway, Regina? I thought you didn't know anything about this?"
Regina's face went even more red, and Emma felt no fear at the rage that bloomed in her eyes. She smirked at the mayor and turned her back on her and lifted the keys. The other nurses had finally caught up when she opened the large door, and she told them to stand by. She looked into the dark cell.
It was hard to see, but in the corner she could barely make out a small figure huddled up. She immediately went to it, "Beth," she called softly.
The figure stirred but didn't wake. She lightly placed her hand on the girl's shoulder, shaking her gently, "Beth," she said again. This time the motions woke her up, and the girl flinched when she came too, not knowing who Emma was. She pulled away quickly, and Emma began to try to console her. "No, no, it's okay." She held her hands up in a calm manner, "It's okay, I mean you no harm. I'm Emma."
A pair of blue eyes stared at her from under a mop of messy brown hair, fear and suspicion and exhaustion lacing her features. Emma smiled softly at her, "I'm going to get you out of here."
Beth didn't move at first, but after a few seconds of contemplation and studying Emma, the girl began to relax. Emma gave her another reassuring smile, "Okay. The nurses are going to take you upstairs now, in the room next to your father- you remember your father, Moe, right?" she double checked, just in case. The girl nodded jerkily, Emma smiled again, "Okay, then. The nurses are just going to look you over, and when they're done, you should hopefully be able to go see him." She paused, making sure she was following along, "Is that okay?"
Beth nodded again, her eyes beginning to glaze over. Emma turned to the door, and waved a few of them in, "Alright then, they're going to take you up now. They won't harm you, just follow their instructions."
Beth went with them willingly, only pausing for a moment before being obedient. The nurses each held an arm and led her out. Emma did a once over of the room, to see if the girl had anything with her. When nothing stuck out, she followed them. Regina was still fuming outside the door, and when Emma caught her eye she held back a smirk at the woman's pissed expression.
It was when the nurses set up a room for Beth and were looking her over that Emma realized what she would have to do now.
She was gonna have to tell Gold.
It was like déjà vu sitting in her car outside his shop. All the nerves came back up in her throat and she worried that she'd throw up. How was she to go about this? Last time she mentioned French's daughter and her potential living status he had kicked her out. It was only after she begged him for an allegiance that it all became water under the bridge.
Not to mention the fact that the last time she was here she had accused him of being a fairytale character.
'Rumplestiltskin' was what she had called him.
What was she thinking saying that to him?
Emma shook her head and got out of the car, slamming the door with more force than necessary. She hurried across the street, clinging to the little amount of courage she had, and finally reached the door.
The little bell greeted her and she knew there was no turning back now. Her eyes caught sight of him nearer to the back, on the left side of the room. Upon her entrance he immediately looked up, and when he saw her he smiled. It unwillingly made her smile too, and she tried to push it down, knowing that what she was about to do would conceal that smile from her for an indefinite amount of time...She sucked in a breath.
"Ah, Miss Swan. Back so soon? I didn't think we'd meet up again this quick." Emma cocked her head, and he was swift to add, "Not that I mind your company of course," his grin widened pleasantly. She shook her head in amusement, and then schooled her features in one of all seriousness. She walked forward, "Gold, I need to tell you something." He sensed her change in mood and accommodated her, setting aside his cloth and folding his hands.
"Oh? What is it, dear? Is something wrong?" He was curious, for sure. He never took his gaze off her and it made it harder for her to spit out the words she knew she needed to say. So instead she looked away from him, turning her eyes to the objects lining the display case.
"No, nothing is wrong, per se…It's just that…"she paused and he nodded his head, "Just what?"
She bit her lip, "Just…" she waved her hand in gesture, "Um, don't freak out, but, uh…Remember Beth?" she blurted out, knowing that his face dropped the second she uttered the name. He clenched a fist on the counter, "Now, Miss Swan I thought I made it clear-!"
Emma interrupted him, "She's alive."
That stopped him. He froze where he was and, when she glanced up, the lost look on his face broke her heart. His head shook minutely, "You…you're lying," his voice was rough and filled with emotion.
She shook her head, "No. I'm not. She's at the hospital, I'll take you to see her if you want."
He stared at her with such wide eyes. She forced herself to keep the connection, letting him know that she was, in fact, not lying. He seemed to make a decision then, his eyes clearing and his head dropping as he began to circle the counter.
When he was within a foot distance from her he looked up and licked his lips, "Okay, Miss Swan," silence, "lead the way."
She watched him for but a few seconds before turning on her heel and walking out of the shop, Mr. Gold in tow.
She ignored the warning signs going off in her head of impending change. She ignored everything but the road ahead of her. Neither spoke the whole way over.
Reiterating what the first AN said - the finale didn't change a thing. I will continue with my plan, and this will forever be a GOLDEN SWAN fanfic. Just because it might seem like Rumpbelle, just go with it. Because yes, it is canon, but judging by everything that seems to be happening, the relationship doesn't seem like it'll hold up. And if this helps: I always like reading fanfics and story plots where jealousy is a key role in development. It can really help feelings and emotions along to their destination D
So don't worry, and be patient. True Love takes more than just a few episodes (chapters) and the beauty of Golden Swan is that its subtle :) Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Next will be Gold and Beth's reunion, and etc. I should have a lot of time to work on it now that my schedule's cleared up, but we'll see how things go. :)