A/N: All previous warnings apply here. Any questions, comments, suggestions, always welcome.
Ok, Q/A time!
Helikesitheymikey: the original Jenna was the patron to the Charming family and was granted a special spell to be able to stay with the child forever. As for Cinderella/Ashley; for all purposes she is not in this story and would be about five months along. (she's just having a big baby). As for her warrant/forgetting, that all comes up soon enough! I don't think I'll have this go AU. Right now, I'm running on the theory that in current Storybrooke, Regina hasn't yet confirmed that Emma is Snow's daughter. It's been hinted at, but not proven yet. Here, as you mentioned, she probably looks just like her mom, so it'd be hard not to notice.
Twyla Mercedes: While Emma has something of a relationship with Rumple, (as distorted as it may be) she doesn't with Gold. You are correct in thinking that currently, she's just weirded out by him. More on that towards the end!
For the first time in weeks, I am back in Rumpelstilskin's castle. Back in the gold gown, my black hair is still in ringlets. I do not want to be here this time. He is angry with me, although he won't say why. The last few times I was here, he had become suddenly distant from me.
"Out with it!" I demand, trying to get his attention directed away from his spinning. "What have I done wrong! I have solved your stupid riddle, didn't I? Storybrooke is where I'm from! I have family there and soon I can start looking"
"Little Dearie, you have solved maybe a fraction of it. You are missing the bigger connection" his voice comes out in a growl. "You refuse to use any of the lessons I taught you, you're making clumsy mistakes and you deny your own magic. You truly have become dense"
"Oh whatever!" I sneer at him, "You expect to just drop me in a situation and figure it out all on my own"
"You have before. No matter the situation, you have always been resourceful" he remains calms, always so calm, "But now, you're dropping you're guard. You think you're invincible"
"Whatever. I've finally got my own place, a job, and friends" I scoff as I turn my back on him. Head held high, I feel myself swagger a bit. I have found my home and after I complete my little 'favor' in the morning, everything will be set up and I can begin my real search. "If I've become so dense, then stop bringing me here"
I turn around just in time to see him crash into me. I am roughly shoved back into a shelf, and I cry out as my lower back makes contact with the object. One hand pressed tightly to my arm, his body is pressed so close to mine. I am trapped and he is so angry with me that his dark eyes appear to be glowing.
"Now that can be arranged!" he hisses at me, free hand fluttering so close to my face that I flinch. "Oh dear child, do you think I am going to hurt you?"
I feel myself begin to panic. Breath coming out in pants, I try to us my free arm to push him off me. "Let me go! Get off me!"
"You can no longer see what's right in front of you" he is speaking through clenched teeth and it frightens me beyond belief. Crooning into my ear, he continues, "Be careful Emma, evil is all around you"
I hear him giggling as he watched me squirm in his grasp. I am so afraid that he is going to hurt me. Before I know what's going on, he has his face buried in my neck, his hot breaths sending jolts all over my body. Just like that time when he found me half dead in the forest, he begins trailing kisses up and now my neck to my collarbone. Eyes closed, I feel hot tears trickling down my face as I feel my body arch closer to his.
"Stop" I croak, and I feel him pull back.
"Stop?" his face is just inches away from mine, "Are you sure that's what you want, Emma? Last time, you weren't so…desirous to have me stop, were you?"
Eyes never leaving mine, his free hand is now trailing down my body, grabbing at the fabric. Pulling up the dress, my right leg is now exposed to the cool, night air. With his hand, he traces gentle paths down my leg, each time, getting closer and closer to that place right between my legs.
I let out a gasp as his finger begin gently rubbing my sensitive folds. I have never been touched like this, and the sensation is almost shocking. With his fingers, he slow parts my folds and is lightly stroking my clit. Every flick of his fingers pulls tremors from my body. Before I know what I am doing, my hips are bucking into his hand.
"I'll make you a deal" he whispered in my ear, sending more jolts through my body, "Say the word, and I'll stop. Say the word, and I'll keep going. The choice is yours, Emma"
I can't say anything. My breath is coming out in pants and I am moving my hips desperately against his hand. The sensation of him stroking me is becoming unbearable. Keeping my eyes shut, I cling onto his shirt as if it were a life line. Face buried into his chest, I hold onto him as I begin moaning.
"No answer?" he is nuzzling my neck again, "As you wish?"
He moves, and I think he is leaving. "Don't leave me!" my voice is desperate, but I can't help it. Everyone else has left me. He has been the only one who's been a constant in my life.
"Not answering the question yet. How about a taste then?" he says, his tone mocking. He removes his hands from me and the cold air against my body is painful. I open my eyes, and in one swift movement he is on me.
"Oh!" I let out in a gasp as his lips crashes into mine.
Using his tongue, he forces entry into my mouth. His hand is now under my leg, hiking it up around his waist, and his fingers find my sensitive clit again. His touch is much rougher than before. However this time, I feel him sink one long finger inside me. My grip on his arms becomes even tighter. The entrance is almost painful. He moves his hand as if he was withdrawing and I grab onto his lower arm.
"What's your answer, Emma?" his voice comes out in between a whisper and a growl.
I can't breathe, I can't think, let alone speak. I needed more. I wanted him to stop. I hated him! I never wanted him to leave!
"No answer, still" he says against my mouth, "Perhaps another time then"
"Shit!" I cry as I lurch forward in bed. The area between my legs is now pulsing.
Hair drenched in sweat, I lean forward and take heavy breaths as I try to calm myself down. My alarm clock hasn't even gone off yet. I have got to do something about this dreaming thing. Some days I think he's just my subconscious playing tricks on me, and some days I am not so sure anymore. My new cell phone is beeping. Flipping it open, I see I have a text from Graham.
'Not going to be in this morning' the message reads. Frowning, I think back to last night, and figure he still is probably upset. 'After you finish the morning paperwork, you can take the rest of the day off'.
I am slightly disappointed. I had wanted to ask what Mr. Gold had been implying to last night. No big deal. There will always be other times. I think back to those town files and I make a mental note to go over them tonight. I ignore the ache as I begin getting ready. I'm too chicken to go back to sleep. After jumping out of the shower and getting dressed, I hear a knock on my door. I frown. It's not even eight in the morning.
"Ms. Black" I wince as I realize it's the Mayor on my doorstep. I had half-expected it to be Mr. Gold, or even Mary Margaret.
Once again, her black her is perfectly flipped at the ends are her business suit pressed to perfection. False smile plastered on her face, I can't help but smirk in amusement at the large basket of apples in her hand that she's extending towards me. Of all the things, I really was expecting this.
"Yes, ma'am. What can I do for you?" I ask her.
"I just realized that I never stopped by to officially welcome you to Storybrooke" she says, false smile growing even larger as she extends one apple towards me, "I've had an apple tree that I've tended to ever since I was a little girl. it's a hardy tree that can survive up to extreme temperatures. And to this day, I have yet to taste anything sweeter than the fruit it brings. Stay here as long as you like. Maybe, this will be your new permanent home. Enjoy it"
I take both the apple and the basket from her. She's lying about something.
"Ms. Mills, I know you don't like me, and that's fine" I say bluntly, "I am hear to do my job and gain experience. Not pick a fight with you"
"Now whatever gave you that impression" she flinches ever so slightly, but I catch it.
"I know how to read between the lines" I say as I set the basket of apples down on the counter. I turn back to her with a small shrug. "Sorry"
She gives a roll of her eyes before she walks away from me. She has a look as if I'm not even worth her time. The corner of her lip is turned up in a way I don't like. However, I don't pay attention to the ominous woman. I finish on with my morning routine. Half an hour later, my stomach is growling. Looking over at the basket of apples I pick one up. As I head out the door to the Sheriff's department, I take a bite into the apple, thoroughly impressed on how sweet it actually is.
I walk into the hospital and I can't help but wonder what sort of 'valuable merchandise' can be waiting for me here. Once I got to the Sheriff's office, there was a letter stating I was too meet a woman named Leah Barton. From there, there was directions to another address. I roll my eyes as I walk to the guest services counter. Well, he'd said she'd had an accident so I guess in a way…no, no matter which way you looked at it, this was strange.
"Hi" I say brightly as I walk to the counter. There is a woman there, Aubrey. I saw her a few times when I had my shift in the hospital.
"Hi, Jenna, right?" she smiles warmly at me, "What brings you back over here?"
"I have an errand to do for a friend" I don't know why I called Mr. Gold a 'friend'. I guess him being upset with me last night, for whatever reason, bothered me more than I had thought. "I'm looking for a lady named Leah Barton"
Aubrey drops the pen in her hand and shoots a few steps away from me. "Y-yes. S-she-she's in ro-room 214!"
"Whoa!" this was not a reaction I knew what to do with, "Aubrey, what's going on?"
"I swear!" Aubrey's voice was becoming shrill and she was beginning to attract attention as he waved her hand wildly in the direction of what I guessed the room to be, "She's in there! Please! Just go!"
"Excuse me miss, are you alright" an onlooker approached and I quickly turned on my heels and walked off. Not daring to look behind me, I could hear Aubrey's heavy breathing.
'Should've read that damned contract' I thought to myself, heart in my throat as I walked toward room 214.
I pause outside as I knock on the door. I can hear some whispers going on the other side with some faint crying. Testing the door, I see that it is unlocked. I really do not want to go in. I knock again, and the room is suddenly quiet. Obviously, whomever is on the other side of the door doesn't want me inside as well. Mouth suddenly going dry, I have to do this. With shaking palms, I let myself in the room.
"Hello?" I say cautiously. At this point, I am half expecting Rumpelstilskin or even the Joker to jump out at me. I hear a couple of gasps and my eyes dart to the farthest corner of the room.
I am very confused by what I find. There is a young girl, Leah I'm guessing, in a hospital bed, a newborn clutched tightly to her. Standing guard over her is an older woman. Given the similarities in their faces, I take it this is Leah's mother. Leah, brown hair damp against her forehead, clutches the little bundle closer to her. Eyes and lip narrowing, the older woman pulls herself upright and approaches.
"So" the woman says coldly, "We've been expecting you"
"Uh, yeah" I really want to be anywhere but here. The tension is growing so thick you could practically slice it with a knife. "I'm here to pick up some merchandise"
"Merchandise!" the woman practically spits at me, "How dare you! Human beings are not merchandise! Do you understand me?"
"What?" I am beyond confused. I open my mouth to answer the woman, but no sound comes out.
"DON'T TAKE MY BABY!" Leah shrieks from her bed and my world begins spinning.
"We have offered to pay!" Leah's mother slams a closed fist into her high, "It was stupid deal to agree to and we have offered to double the price the break the contract!"
Leah is now shrieking so loudly that she drowns her mother out. Soon, I can't hear either Leah or her mother. Both are furiously screaming but I can no longer hear. A baby? That's what I'm suppose to get. That's his merchandise! Everything is on mute and moving in slow motion. Backing, I trip onto a desk. Ignoring the pain in my leg, I turn around and un from the room. I accidentally knock a nurse over on my way out of the hospital but I can't stop running.
He was waiting for her in his shop. Trademark smirk in place, now would be the day she would defy him and win. She was certainly more than capable. Once this was successfully done, the girl would be ready to move on to her real challenge. It wasn't long before he heard the door to his shop fly open and slam, his bell ringing furiously. Finally, he could see his tool in true action.
"Well if it isn't my lucky day. Jenna, were you able to retrieve my merchandise" he said as he walked out to meet her. Eyes roaming over her disheveled form, he felt his pulse rising in anticipation.
"A baby?" she said incredulously, "That's your merchandise? Why didn't you tell me?"
"On the contrary Jenna, it was laid out clearly in the contract for you. And at the time, it wasn't necessary for you to know"
She approached him. "Yeah, did you think I wasn't going to take the job?"
"I thought it was an appropriate task for you. Young girl, Leah at time was not on speaking terms with her mother. All alone and with no means to care for a baby, I offered her a deal she couldn't refuse. Otherwise, that little baby would have ended up in the system. Seeing as you had a hard time there, I figured you would've understand what a pity that would've been"
"Oh her mother was there alright, so you're lying!" the girl said defiantly, "And from what I hear, they offered to pay you double to break the contract"
"Not what I do" he said softly, "Now, when a contract, or a legal agreement is broken, I am in my full rights to take them to court"
He stopped talking and waited. With her knowledge in the police force, she should be able to figure this out easily. The girl frowned, and he half expected her to turn around and walk away. In a burst of energy, she was suddenly two inches away from him, livid and screaming!
"You fucking monster!" she shrieked, waving her arms wildly. He had to take a step back away from her. "That's sick! A baby! Of all the fucking things! Only monsters rip babies away from mothers!"
"Jenna, you need to regain control of your emotions! You need to think very carefully about this" he warned her. This was not what he had been expecting.
"Fuck you, you sick bastard!" she wailed at him. She was beyond reasoning and was ready to charge him like a mad bull.
"Jenna, I am warning you, if you continue with this tantrum I am going to call security!"
"Fuck security!" she drawled. With that, the girl stormed out.
Livid and breathless, he watched her go. The girl that had solved all those riddles, the girl who had managed to break out of a hospital, erase her record, and fended off rape had been reduced to acting like a…teenager. Regina had stopped by earlier that morning, no doubt coming from the girl's place.
"You know Gold, when I first heard you helped her secure that officer job, I nearly fell out of chair in shock" he remembered her saying haughtily, "It's not like you to back a loser"
"No, it's not" he mumbled to himself out loud.
There was no way this child was going to able to stand up to Regina. Not if she couldn't control her emotions. And if she couldn't control her emotions, then there was no way she was going to be able to do any further damage to the curse. And she had progressed so well, he thought she would've been able to fulfill her destiny now.
"Such a waste of investment" he said, shaking his head. The battle was over and it had barely even begun.
Up next: Jenna finds herself on the wrong end of a contract.
One more thing: I've noticed a lot of people have alerted/favorited this story. If you wouldn't mind, I need a new character, a new bad guy or a character you'd like to see go bad for the next few chapters and I'd love some suggestions. The more ideas I get, the sooner the update. :)