AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Here is the second chapter of "Mr. Gold's agent". It is about the brave tailor who is known in Storybrooke as Asher Thread, helping Mr. Gold uncover the secrets behind Sheriff Graham's death. This story takes place during episode 1x8 - Desperate Souls.
Chapter 2: The secret lies with the heart
The citizens of Storybrooke lived in a haze. Just as Rumpelstiltskin said none of the fairytale characters (excluding the evil queen, and Mr. Gold) had any memory of their past lives or identities. After 28 years however, Emma Swan, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming came to Storybrooke. Ever since she relocated to the unusual New England town, the curse began breaking. Time started to move, John Doe (prince James) awoke from his coma, a sinkhole appeared, and Sheriff Graham remembered that he was the huntsman in the fairytale land.
Present day Storybrooke…..
Asher Thread (Timothy, the brave tailor) was a kind man but had a bad reputation because he was close friends with Mr. Gold who also had a bad rep. He walked into Mr. Gold's pawnshop carrying an envelope. "Gold?," he called. "Back here," came a reply. Asher walked into the back room where Mr. Gold was working with some sheep wool. "What can I do for you Asher?" he asked. "Here's the rent payment for my shop," said Asher slapping the envelope on his crafting table. "What are you working on?" "I'm waterproofing some explosives. Asher, where might Emma be at this moment?" "She is across the street at Granny's," answered Asher. "Make sure that she goes to the mayor's office," said Mr. Gold. "Why?" asked Asher. "It'd be better of you didn't ask questions." Asher agreed to make sure Emma was at the mayor's office that night. He was successful because it just so happened that Regina had the Storybrooke daily mirror publish slander about Emma so she went to the mayor's office to confront her about it.
"But this hurts Henry," said Emma. "He would've found out sooner or later. We all lose our heroes at some point. But you and Sydney will have a chance to discuss all that at the debate," said Regina. "Debate?" asked Emma. "Yes , Ms. Swan there's a debate." Regina walked down the stairs with Emma following behind. She opened the door and fire blasted through and a ladder fell on Regina's legs. "You're going to leave me, aren't you" said Regina to Emma. While she sat there paralyzed Emma ran and grabbed a fire extinguisher and helped the mayor out of the building. Just in time, the firemen arrived and helped put out the fire. Archie, Ruby, Granny, Henry and Mar Margret all came to congradulate Emma for her heroism.
The Next Day
Emma walked into the tailor's shop."Hello Emma," said the tailor. "Hey Asher can you help me," she asked. "Certainly. Good job last night helping the mayor from the fire. I'm sure you will make a great Sheriff." "Well it was the right thing to do but it was very tempting to leave the mayor. I'm so sorry I didn't mean to vent my feelings I was-" said Emma, embarrassed. "It's ok. Regina tends to bring a curse wherever she goes," said Asher. "Tell me about it," agreed Emma. "Now what can I help you with?" he asked. "Oh right, during the fire when I ran to get a fire extinguisher I ripped my favorite jacket. Do you think you could patch it up?" asked Emma. "Of course. I will have it stitched and ready for you before the debate tonight," said Asher, "Oh and there was something I've been meaning to give you. " "What?" Emma asked. Asher pulled out a beautiful white dress-Snow White's wedding gown- and gave it to Emma. "Um thanks," she said, flattered. "It belonged to your mother," he said. "My mother?" Emma asked, very surprised, "How did you end up with it?" "I made it for her. She wore it on her wedding day," replied Asher. "You knew my mother?" asked Emma. "Yes." "What was she like?" "She was the fairest of them all," Asher said. Emma took the dress and thanked asher again and left. As she walked out of his shop, Regina walked in. "Mr. Thread what is Ms. Swan doing with that dress?" "I gave it to her, after all it was her mother's," he answered. Regina's eyes grew wide when she heard this. "Well you have no right to give it to her when it belongs to me," she said. "Does it now? For as long as I can remember that dress has sat in my shop and no one's noticed it. If the dress is yours, why are you just now claiming it?" he challenged. Regina nearly leaned all the way across the counter that she almost knocked over the cash register. She looked dead into Asher Thread with her cold eyes. "Do not test me Mr. Thread. You have no idea what I'm capable of," she threatened. "Oh I really think I do," Asher challenged back. Mr. Gold walked in. "Lots of visitors today," Asher noted. "Yes, well I have a certain deal I need to discuss with you, Mr. Thread," said Mr. Gold. "Not now Gold we're discussing something at the moment," Regina forced. "Really? From what it looks like, you are keeping Mr. Thread from doing his work," Mr. Gold forced back. "Well then you have poor judgment," Regina insulted. "And you have forgotten the phrase 'the customer is always right'. So I suggest you leave him alone, 'Please' ." Regina's eyes grew wider and her face turned pale. She quickly walked out without another word.
"So what's this deal you want to discuss?" asked Asher. "Well do you remember how Sheriff Graham died?" asked Mr. Gold. "Yes, he died due to a cardio arrest," Asher answered. "Says Dr. Whale. Its suspicious that after Graham left Regina, he mysteriously died not even 30 minutes after. It sounds more like-" "Murder," Asher finished for Mr. Gold. "Exactly. We could really expose the mayor if we have evidence to prove a murder," Mr. Gold suggested. "Where would we find proof?" asked Asher. "The debate is tonight. The mayor will be to occupied supporting Mr. Glass at the debate that she won't notice what we're up to," he explained, "We will use tonight's event as a diversion. I will go to help Emma make her next move and the mayor will be there to try and make Sydney win. While its going on you should search the town for anything you can find that could prove a murder." "Well that is a very difficult task but I can try. I know what you want but you have to do something for me," said Asher. "What?" asked Mr. Gold. "Keep Regina off my back." Mr. Gold smiled. "Deal," he said. As he turned to leave, Asher asked, "Where do I start looking?" "Just follow the wolf and I'm sure you will find what you need."
In the evening
Asher looked all over Storybrooke, unsuccessful in his search. Finally he walked out onto the forest road where an old log cabin was. He looked inside but still nothing. When he walked out, standing at the door was Graham's wolf. It motioned Asher to follow him. The wolf led him back through town and into the graveyard. Asher followed it, extremely out of breath. The red eyed wolf trotted up to one particular tombstone and howled at it. Asher looked at it and his face turned solemn. The encryption read: IN LOVING MEMORY, GRAHAM DORNAN, SHERIFF OF STORYBROOKE. The wolf whined as if to express condolences for a man that he once knew in another life. It then proceeded to trot over to Regina's mausoleum. The wolf pawed at the door so Asher kicked it open. They both walked inside and shut the door behind them. THe wolf once again motioned his head. He shook it towards the dusty old coffin and tried to push it with its sides. Asher helped and the coffin slide to the side opening a passage going down underneath the mausoleum. The wolf let out a howl and vanished. Asher walked down to the little chamber and felt chills run down his spine when he saw what the chamber was holding.
Mr. Gold walked out of the auditorium after Emma had just exposed that the fire was an arson. He left so everyone would believe he was guilty but it was exactly what he wanted her to do. He started walking down the street when his phone rang. It was Asher. "Hello?" he answered. "Gold, you have to get here now. I found something big," Asher said over the phone. "Where are you?" Gold asked. "You know where I am."