All right guys, that last chapter was pretty much an atrocity. I should and will probably take it down and redo it...but not probably for a while. Soooo I think this chapter will accelerate things a bit... Much Love! -R

Chapter 9: Quirks

The day moved faster than Belle was thinking it was going to and she was grateful. A few customers came in and Lucian and Peter, as they had insisted she call them were actually very enjoyable people. If it wasn't that the task was as daunting and horrid as it was she would have truly enjoyed the day.

The parts that were upsetting more so then the actual task of sorting books were the times when she found herself in extremely close proximity to Mr. Gold. So near him she felt the warm heat of his body, so near that she picked up faint traces of cologne. Good, expensive...wonderfully sexy cologne. Her sense of smell had always been especially strong and a trigger for her. She found herself unconsciously wanting to follow him around the store. Yet, being near him also made strange butterflies leap and dance in her stomach, made her breathing quicken and her heart race like Wild E. Coyote. She found herself blushing when she found his gaze steady on her. She found herself wondering what his kiss would taste like.

She began to think she was as bad as Emma. Belle wasn't 15 though, she was turning 27 come January and she was beginning to wonder if she was ever going to fall for the right man, ever learn to love like an adult and quit this game of believing in true love. She fell too easy, she knew that, she had only fallen a couple of times though – she was careful to guard her heart very carefully. Well, not carefully enough obviously. Mr. Gold was really not a man she should let too close.

"Belle...?" Belle paused hearing her name as she was boxing books in the back corner, she had forgotten about Emma. She still hadn't told her about Mr. Gold and the problems. This wasn't going to be pretty.

Mr. Gold who had been making lists of the volumes and making notes on conditions and his monetary appraisal quirked an eyebrow at her in question.

"My best friends daughter... You probably know her from the store files...she helps me out part time. You might as well come meet her." She stood and waited to see if Mr. Gold would follow her, he did.

"Well hello Miss Emma, how was school today?" she tried to sound as pleasant as possible.

"You stood us up last night, what was up with that?" Emma leaned against the counter her long blond hair in a ponytail, she peered at Belle with question though the black rimmed glasses lessened the power of the penetrating gaze. It, however, did nothing to lessen the accusatory tone.

"I did, and I'm sorry...I just really wasn't feeling well..." Belle hated lying and she really wasn't good at it.

"Mama doesn't think you were sick...she thinks you were too embarrassed to let everyone help you with the store. She says this... I'm assuming you're him?" Emma looked at Mr. Gold standing behind Belle.

"Emma, this is Mr. Gold. Mr. Gold, Emma Nolan," Belle rushed introductions.

"Yep you're him...you're not as intimidating as Ruby and Mama made you sound."

Belle glanced nervously at Mr. Gold not knowing how he was going to take Emma being so bold, she doubted he was used to that. The girl was a well mannered girl, but took too much after the adults that raised her. Bless her heart.

"I am dearie, but I promise, you'll find me intimidating enough over time. You know they say I steal babies and slay unicorns...oh and that I am secretly the Loch Ness Monster in my off time..." Mr. Gold gave a flippant gesture and a smirk.

Emma to Belle's surprise hesitated only a moment before laughing loudly.

"I like you. You're a bad judge of character to be working with that bastard Gaston..."

"Emma Marie Nolan! Watch your language!" Belle scolded horrified.

"Sorry...but he is... I read about you last night Mr. Gold, you're ruthless. I even read about some of your cases when you were practicing law... You're brilliant too. Why would you help someone like Gaston?"

Belle closed her eyes fingers pressing into her forehead, swearing she could feel a headache coming on. What in the world was with everyone Googling every single thing about every single thing! And Emma? What was getting into this girl?

She chanced a glance at Mr. Gold. He had what she was coming to think of as his "trademark" smirk in place, but he gave nothing away.

"You're an inquisitive and forward lass aren't you my dear? To answer your question, I am working with Mr. Gaston because I am a business man, this is what I do. I make things happen for the people that come to me...simple as that. I'm not one to judge, I simply facilitate deals."

Emma folded her arms and looked him overly solemnly.

"No one is truly apathetic or without an agenda. You came here personally, there has a got to be a reason...I'm going to find out. The cases you tried, the big name clients you've taken on, there is a pattern there, I haven't figured it out yet – but I will and I still like you though, you're gritty. I don't trust you...but, you've got style."

"Okay Emma, I think that is enough. Why don't you go get ready for story time, hm?"

Belle finally broke in not being able to listen to more. It wasn't that Emma was wrong, she had figure out that Mr. Gold had some personal reason for being here, but she didn't think tipping her hand this soon was smart. Sometimes she wished Emma would learn a bit prudence, but it was done and so be it.

Emma shrugged and paused as she was about to pass Mr. Gold, "It is nice to meet your Mr. Gold...and I'd like to talk to you about being a lawyer sometime, I want to go to law school," she stuck out her hand.

"I've a feeling you'll make a fine lawyer Miss Nolan, and the pleasure is mine," Mr. Gold shook the girls hand.

"Sorry about that. She gets very feisty sometimes, especially since she's decided being a lawyer is her passion, she wants to argue everything. She still is only 15 though, just yesterday she was all...twitterpated over a boy. Please don't be offended by her exuberance," Belle rushed, she really didn't need tension between them for the next few weeks.

"Not offended in the slightest, I found her, as you say, exuberance refreshing. Young people today don't always have the tenacity to be forthright and outspoken. I thought she stood up to me admirably and well prepared. She also did so with a grace that I found a bit reminiscent of you Ms. French. She would indeed make a fine attorney if she decides to peruse it."

Belle opened her mouth to say something but found she really didn't know what to say. It was possibly one of the most...human things she had heard him say. "We agreed, my name is Belle." Well, she had to say something.

"So it is, so it is..." Mr. Gold almost laughed.

Belle narrowed her eyes, he was suddenly in the strangest of good humors, it didn't fit.

"You know...if the babe had been born, and I'd of been the father she might have been around Emma's age, a couple years older but right about there. I would have been proud if my daughter had stood up for a friend that way."

Belle had to sit and she so sat on the first and nearest thing there, one of the wall ladders and felt like someone had knocked her knees. She was beginning to think she liked the man as a beast better. This was too human. Did he just say Emma reminded him of the child he never had? The poor, dear man. What was she supposed to do? She was falling harder and harder for this beast every time she turned around. His story was tragic and humbling, his loyalty impressive and despite that his job was to devastate her he was an honorable man that did a dirty job nobody wanted and nobody liked. Bless his heart.

"Emma is truly a special young woman. Her mother is a teacher at Storybrooke Elementary and her dad is the veterinarian...though has decided to run for Storybrooke sheriff next term, which is why I think Emma has a new found interest in the law."

Mr. Gold nodded looking thoughtful.

"Well, I'm not sure what else you were hoping to accomplish today since Lucian and Peter have gone with their load and we've nearly boxed up everything we can today... I have to finish story time with Emma and then close up. You're of course welcome to stay but..." she found herself suddenly struggling for words.

"Belle, until this month ends this is still your store. You can ask me not to come in at all, legally you still have the right to bar me from here... I wouldn't recommend it as it would make things terribly messy and I don't think you'd like the outcome, but you don't have to walk on eggshells if you desire me to leave, I might be something of a tyrant but I'm not completely devoid of empathy."

If she wasn't still sitting she'd have to sit again as her knees surely wouldn't hold her upright.

"I'm not going to lie Mr. Gold, you're confusing me a lot right now. One minute you are a tyrant and the next you're being nice. I'm really not sure what to do with all that."

He smiled wryly at her, "That is up to you dearie, but all the same I am going to finish my notes on the last batch of books then go to Granny's for super..." he trailed off and she looked at him expectantly. "If you'd like to join me for dinner," he added. Her heart skipped a beat and it was only as her lungs began to sting from the sudden denial of oxygen that she began to breathe again. Was he asking her out? Well not really asking her out...but he was willing and without reason asking her to keep his company!

"Lucian and Peter will also be there...of course."

This dampened her spirits just a bit but nevertheless she was glad he had asked her.

"I'm not sure, I might have to smooth things out with my friends, but I do truly appreciate the offer. Truly."

His face when to a blank slate and she worried that she had wounded him with her refusal. She'd like nothing more she admitted to herself to spend the evening with him again but she couldn't be naïve, she also could let things stand with her friends. From the way Emma had spoken Mary Margaret had already guessed at her true motives which, strangely made her feel better.

"What about tomorrow, we could have breakfast? Emma opens for me Saturday mornings...I still have to be here since she's only 15 but we could have tea maybe and..." she could have slapped herself if she thought it would make her stop talking. Was she now asking him out now? Heaven help her!

"That would be lovely...Belle."

She felt her heart soar as his devastatingly sexy brogue caressed her name. Was she really doing this? Was she really falling for this man?

All signs pointed to yes.

Mr. Gold didn't hadn't left by the time she was ready to close for the day which made her smile. She found the idea of parting company, even if only for the evening somewhat sad. She truly was starting to appreciate his presence, as strange as that was.

Emma finished putting up the story time items and Mr. Gold in an act of truly gentlemanly behavior was helping her and Emma with their coats when the door chime announced an arrival.

"Ms. French?" a young man stood in the entryway.

Belle who had been watching Emma and Mr. Gold was taken by surprise to see Emma immediately redden.

The young man had dark brown hair and even darker eyes. He was tall, clearing six foot she'd wager, lean but muscled. He wore well cut jeans, and dark grey polo under his heavy jacket. His quirked smile reminded her of something, or maybe someone, but she couldn't put her finger on it presently.

"Good afternoon...we're just closing but what can I help you think?" she smiled, she knew instantly that this had to be Emma's Neal.

"I know and I'm sorry ma'am, I had to help my mom at the stables, I got here soon as I could...you might not remember me but I'm Neal Cassidy...you actually used to baby sit me when I was younger."

Belle was completely impressed with his manners and his shy smile, Emma had chosen well. Speaking of Emma, where was the girl!

"Of course! You've grown so much, I hardly recognize you!" she had always been the emotional kind and reached to hug the young man that practically towered over her, making her feel incredibly short and incredibly old.

"What can we do for you then Mr. Cassidy?" she tried to discreetly search for Emma without tipping off Neal.

She found her cowering behind Mr. Gold on the other side of a bookshelf. She internally sighed. For all of Emma's bravado with Mr. Gold and her big talk when it came down to it the boy she had a crush on Emma was hopelessly 15.

Yet, it strangely wasn't Emma's face that caught her the most by surprise. Mr. Gold was looking quite pale, like he might faint...like perhaps he had just seen a ghost.

"Mr. Gold, are you alright?" she was starting to worry as he didn't even turn to look at her when she spoke.

"Emma, please come help Mr. Cassidy..." Belle gave Emma a strong pointed look when Emma looked ready to bolt.

"Mr. Gold, why don't you come with me..." Belle guided Mr. Gold to the back to the sitting area and prodding him into sitting.

"Are you unwell? Do I need to call Dr. Whale?" she kneeled in front of him.

This seemed to prod him into speaking. "No, no...I am quite...well." His eyes had a far off look to them.

"It's just the boy...the boy reminded me so strongly of someone it caught me quite off guard."

Belle regarded him, he still hadn't met her gaze.

"It was so strange...he really... I don't know what it was. The eyes maybe, or his shoulders. For a second I could have..." his voice wandered off and his gaze shifted down to meet her face.

"Fanciful really, I'm sorry to have worried you my dear," he gave a quirked smile.

Quirked smile...why was that standing out in her mind again... It was almost there, right there on the tip of her mind.

"Who did he remind you of?" she asked still knelt in front of him.

"Oh, no one really, silly actually..." he evaded her.

"You might as well tell me, I won't let up til you do."

He laughed at that, a slow easy sound that lightened the mood.

"I don't believe you would... Well I'm going to blame it on our discussion of Emma, but the young lad reminded me much of myself at that age, though he's decidedly taller. Lucky brute."

Her heart about broke at that. Neal would have been as old as the child his wife had lost, and with all the conversations about it lately it was only natural that it should trigger something. Not knowing what was possessing her she leaned up and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry Mr. Gold."

Unlike the night before he didn't hesitate as he wrapped his arms around her.

At the sound of Emma's footsteps they broke apart. She stood and brushed the last of her tears away hoping her makeup wasn't ruined.

"Belle!" Emma shrieked clapping her hands, obliviously to anything that had been happening between her and Mr. Gold.

"You'll never guess!" Emma almost danced as she grinned.

"Well if I'll never guess you better just tell me, hm?" Belle couldn't help but smile even if she had been crying seconds before. What a seesaw of emotions today!

"Well, Neal came in looking for a book on Morgans, the stables just bought a pair and he hasn't trained them before... Anyway we got to talking about school...and he asked me if I was going to the Harvest Dance...and I said no, no one had asked me yet and he said...Oh Belle do you know what he said?!" Emma's face couldn't have lit up more if it was lit internally by a flame.

"I'm wagering it wasn't his opinion on the weather then?" Belle smirked.

Emma rolled her eyes dramatically, "No! He said that since he hadn't really met a lot of people in Storybrooke that he might go...and maybe I'd like to go too, to introduce him to people!"

Belle bit her lip. "Emma darling, that is really wonderful!" she couldn't help thinking what David might have to say. Emma hadn't shown a great interest in dating but she knew too that Mary Margaret and David told her she couldn't date until she was 16. This could get...interesting to say the least.

"Yes! Oh I hope he really asks me...and I hope daddy lets me go!" Emma sighed a dreamy look over taking her face.

Belle smiled and put an around the younger woman's shoulders. "Well, I'm thinking we...you, Mr. Gold and I should celebrate with a root beer float down at Sara's. Don't you think Mr. Gold?" she had decided that she couldn't send him back to the B&B after the start he just had.

Mr. Gold opened his mouth to reply and she judged by the look that he was going to refuse, she couldn't allow that, "Come Mr. Gold, I think you'll drive us as it is a little bit of a walk and the weather looks nasty."

Mr. Gold seemed to do his best not to look shocked, but failed. Belle was pleased that he no longer appeared willing to argue and followed them as the exited the building.

"Ladies," Mr. Gold led the way to his car after Belle had finished locking up the store.

"Wow, a Jag, awesome car Mr. Gold!" Emma admired circling the black beast.

"It's a rental," he deadpanned opening the door for Belle and Emma in turn.

"So what do you normally drive?" Emma asked once everyone was in the car.

"I have a car service in Boston but I am somewhat partial to my Hillman Imp."

Belle's eyebrows shot up in disbelief.

"What in the world is a Hillman Imp?" Emma was incredulous.

Mr. Gold sniggered, "It is a beastly little midge of a car, I'm partial because it was assembled in Linwood Scotland, my father used to work on the assembly line actually, while attending college in Glasgow."

Belle could hardly picture the elegant, refined, Jaguar driving Mr. Gold in an Imp, but it almost, almost suited his more hidden personality she thought. There was something impish and roguish about him, if you didn't think too hard about it.

"I actually have something of a collection of cars. The pride of which is an Argyll Voiturette, another Scottish manufactured car. My family was very blue collar you see, my grandfather on my mother's side worked at the manufacturing headquarters."

Belle was too shocked really to say anything. The man confusing the hel – heck, out of her. He goes from stoic, silent, professed beast to practically reciting his family history for Emma.

"Wow, that is like so awesome! Isn't that awesome Belle?" Emma was leaning forward so she could look between the seats, taking part in the conversation.

"It is indeed..." Belle murmured.

"I can get my driving permit in the spring. Well, I could technically get it now but my mom doesn't want me learning to drive in the middle of winter. I told my dad I really want a pickup, but I've a feeling he is going to give me mom's old yellow Bug." Emma sighed, "Not that I'm not grateful! I mean a car is a car...and if they do give me the Bug it beats having to save up for a car."

Belle smiled, pleased to hear that. Emma certainly knew the value of hard work and didn't expect to be handed everything, which made her very proud of the girl. Some teenagers Belle found to be entirely demanded and entitled.

"There it is, right there on the left," Belle pointed to the small ice cream shop as they approached.

"Excellent, and I'll have you know Miss Emma my first car was a bicycle, so I would say a Volkswagen Beetle is a step up."

Emma giggled as they excited the car.

Sara's Ice Cream Shop was small and the windows were decorated with bright cheery painting of Hansel & Gretel and the candy land gingerbread house. It looked wonderfully inviting.

"What business is that?" Mr. Gold stopped Belle with a hand on her arm before they entered.

"Hm?" she look at where he was pointing, a small shop three doors down.

"Oh, that. Used to be a pawn shop – antique store place. Closed about three years ago I guess."

"I see," he mused quietly and followed her into the shop.