AN: I know this is already AU...characters going a little bit more OC in this chapter
Chapter 12: Rumplestiltskin
Belle was beginning to believe she was insane. Not just slightly crazy, or a little bit odd...no, she was beginning to believe she was truly insane. She was missing Mr. Gold more than any rational human being should miss a person. Especially a person she didn't know the first name of, well middle name, given name...name that he went by. Still, she figured she was doing better then some, some did more than just 'like' a person and they barely knew their first name let alone their last name.
It was Tuesday, she still hadn't come up with any sort of plan for rescuing her shop, it was much more fun to moon over Mr. Gold. She was beginning to believe that along with being insane she was truly without many options, perhaps it was time to stop fighting.
She sighed long and low as she moved down the shelving ladder, wiping away any traces of dust as she went. Distantly she heard the vibrating of her cell phone, one short alert. It had been a very slow day, the apparent arrival of a text was enough of a curiosity to bring her down from her chore.
Belle dropped her dust rag in the cleaning bucket along with the wood polish, wiped off her hands on her faded apron before picking up her phone.
She nearly dropped it in with the rag and dust bunnies. Her breath caught in her chest and her hands shook just a little bit. She hadn't expected that name in the slightest. She tapped the alert icon and her text messages opened up instantly.
"Love will subsist on wonderfully little hope but not altogether without it." ...this was on my box of tea this morning, do you recognize it? -RG
Belle's heart hammered in her chest and she tried not to laugh out loud, he was texting her! Her! Mr. Gold... And of course she knew it. How could she not? How could he not?
Oh! Her mind was grabbing the hand of her heart and running away with it... Maybe he...maybe he missed her? Maybe he was trying to be clever and reveal something of his feelings? Maybe?
"Wait! What in the world does the R stand for?" she gasped out loud.
She was still staring at the phone screen, "Get a hold of yourself girl! Seriously...it's just a text, he wants to know the author, nothing more, nothing less...just be cool and answer him, don't read anything into," she muttered and turned her phone to activate the touch keyboard.
Sir Walter Scott, it's from Ivanhoe...
She stared at the blinking screen, not sending, what else could she say? She wanted to keep him talking, if he wanted to of course... If he truly just wanted a simple answer he could have Googled it. But he didn't, he texted her...that had to mean something.
Sir Walter Scott, it's from Ivanhoe. It's a great book, have you read it?
No, she backspaced that, that sounded silly. If he had read it why hadn't he recognized it?
Sir Walter Scott, it's from Ivanhoe. One of my favorites. What kind of tea?
Oh that sounded awful...she could spend all day doing this! She finally hit 'send' and grunted. Too much thinking never helped a thing, she should get back to cleaning. She tried to put her phone back under the counter where she usually kept it but just couldn't manage it. What if he texted back?
"You don't want to look to eager you ninny!" she muttered aloud still clutching the phone in her hand.
She dropped it when it vibrated. She looked at it on the wood floor for an extended moment before scooping it up, praying she hadn't damaged it.
There was a text.
It was from him.
I thought I recognized it. It was some kind of green tea. I didn't like it. How are you today my dear? -RG
Belle's smile stretched across her face and she struggled to not do a little dance.
I'm not a big fan of green tea either. I'm well, the shop is very quiet today...How are you?
There was barely a minute between and her phone was lighting up again. She knew it was probably terribly immature to be that giddy over a text, she was again, no better than Emma.
I'm stuck in the most inane meeting, this week has been awful, but I'm the boss so I suppose I'm somewhat required to attend without complaint. What are you doing? -RG
She smiled, picturing him texting her from some big important meeting...he was thinking of her.
I was dusting but it's terribly boring, I would rather be reading the books... What does the R, in RG stand for?
She waited as the message sent and to help her pretend she wasn't going to do anything except wait for his text she slipped the phone into her pocket and fussed with the trinkets and bits on the counter.
Her phone was vibrating before she was even much into her charade.
It's a clue. My middle name...and it's not Ralph so don't guess that. I've got to run, don't work too hard, be good dearie – RG
Belle's heart went wild in her chest and she slammed out a response hitting send
You too...I shall be thinking hard on your name...and you're really sure it's not Rumplestiltskin then? ;-)
Mr. Gold had to fight down the grin as he saw her text come through just before slipping the phone inconspicuously back into the pocket of his suit.
"Mr. Gold...Mr. Gold?"
He looked up to the end of the table where his head of legal was pointing to various numbers on the projection screen.
"Settle the suit, we will spend more money in fighting it then any money they could be asking. Be sure and get all the confidentiality documents signed," Mr. Gold took only a few seconds to get back on track.
The board of directors seated around the table looked at him in shock, "Settle it? Gold, we've never settled a wrongful termination suit...ever. You've always said that the publicity of settling, that taking guilt did nothing but open the firm up to more suits. They should be suing their former employer not us!" Geraldine, a women of diminutive stature, advancing years and haughty attitude was gaping at him.
"I say a great many things Ms. Blythe, and at this moment I'm saying settle," he snapped grabbing his cane from where it rested against the table and rose, "We're done here I trust?"
The board, various department directors and the representatives from legal were silent but stared at him shocked. It wasn't like him to just up and leave in the middle of meeting, he took his business far more serious than that but today he was just done. He didn't want to be there, not even a little bit.
He quickly took himself to the elevator where he punched the button to call it with the end of his cane. He was bored with his job. He couldn't focus, he didn't want to focus on it. He wanted to be in a little Maine town, in a little dusty bookshop sipping real tea and eating biscuits.
He wanted to maybe do a bit of gardening, or take up fishing...or whatever it was people did when they weren't working. He had been working at this job for his entire life, since he was practically a teenager. He was exceedingly good it and it had always been the driving force in his life - his work. He had plenty of money, he had no reason to work, hadn't for quite some years but he hadn't ever really had anything tempting enough to take him away.
Now he did.
Now he had a little shop girl. He wanted her more than he wanted the grand house, the power and the life style and that was surprising him. Shocking the hell out of him really.
He couldn't give up Baelfire, not totally. He still loved his work, it had gone down in his priorities of course, but that didn't mean he didn't want it any of it any more. He wasn't 16 any more, the notion of throwing out everything for a girl just didn't exist for him and he was okay with that.
He thought about his cell phone in his pocket and the little texts that were there. Maybe he was closer to 16 than 51 then he would believe.
The elevator dinged it's arrival and Mr. Gold took it down to the parking garage. He wasn't able to go back to Storybrooke just yet, he hadn't solved his biggest problem yet, but that didn't mean he couldn't get out of the city. He needed to think, and the perfect place to do that was his library at home. He would figure things out, he always did. He was the Crocodile, he was the great and powerful Mr. Gold. He fixed things, he solved problems. That is what he did.
It was growing late in the evening and Mr. Gold sat in his wing backed chair a well worn volume of Scottish Poetry in his hand, it had been his mothers. He liked to read poetry, especially Scottish, to clear his head. The fire roared quietly next to him and his tea, the awful green tea, grew ever colder on the side table.
He flipped to Burns and read quietly, more reciting it from memory as much as actually reading the words. He thought about his little texts between himself and Belle. He had known the quote, of course he had, Ivanhoe was another book he could practically quote from memory, he had just wanted an excuse to talk to her...to have her presence with him. He thought she might like his library, he was rather proud of it. She did so seem to love libraries. Her whole shop felt more like a library than a store as it was. It was no wonder she struggled so much. People wandered in and out, reading in the alcoves then returning back to the shelf most of what they had read...
Library... He paused, there was something, something that was itching in the front of his brain. Library, oh there was something that was forming, something brilliant...
His cellphone vibrated in his pocket distracting him.
Ronald?
He smiled faintly quickly replying back, No, decidedly not, ;-) -RG
He added the winking face as an after thought and hit send rather rapidly.
Almost instantly he received back, Richard?
No, though I can think of a few people that would relish calling me Dick. -RG
Randy? Give me another hint.
Mr. Gold couldn't help grinning, Randy? Randy, Dick...what ever are you doing tonight dearie? -RG
His flirting was obviously rusty, very, very, rusty and he cringed a little as he hit send but send it anyway he did.
Of course your mind went there. Hmph. It's not just the letter R is it?
No, it's not just the letter R. You're avoiding the question, what you are doing this evening? -RG
Wasn't avoiding, I'm watching The Full Monty, drinking Johnnie Walker and talking with you... What are you doing?
Gold grinned picturing it, his sweet Belle...
The Full Monty AND Scotch? On a Tuesday? You're a wild woman aren't you Ms. French? Are you enjoying your movie? -RG
I am, it's one of my top 10, but then what girl doesn't like this movie? Especially that main guy? He's pretty hot... Randal?
No, his name was Gary, are you sure you're watching the Full Monty and not just telling me that? -RG
No weirdo lol, you...is your name Randal?
No, not Randal. What are you wearing ? -RG
Gold paused soon as he sent that, and could have kicked himself, he quickly sent a second text to clarify,
To the dinner party, I want to be sure I'm dressed appropriately. Is it formal? -RG
Several hundred miles away Belle was curled up on her sofa, movie on pause one hand holding a tumbler of scotch and the other her phone. She was grinning as her thumb did a little dance over the keyboard as she tried to think of how to respond.
You've worn a three piece suit every day I've known you...what is formal to you? A tux? MM likes to dress up her parties a bit...but no, not formal really...don't wear your tux...
She hit send then in a brief moment of daring sent a second.
I mean unless you're set on it, tuxes are cool, Bobby
She grinned to herself sipped at her drink and hitting play again.
MM? Mary Margaret I assume... Tuxes are cool, but I'll save that for the second date. Not Robert my dear, but nice try ;-) -RG
Her heart was not going to be able take this much longer, he was absolutely killing her. Date? Second date?
Yeah, Mary Margaret. As to what I'm wearing...It's a surprise. Are you sure it's not Robert? I could see you as a Bobby...and I told you what I'm doing, what are you doing?
It was getting late, she rose from the sofa turning off the TV, she wasn't paying attention anyway, and took her glass to the kitchen area, leaving it on the counter. She should wash it, but she just didn't feel like it now. She had a little bit of buzz, not much, just enough to give her a warm, fuzzy and happy glow.
Or maybe that was the feeling from Gold's texts...she wasn't sure which was the lesser evil to attribute it too. The booze or her immaturity.
Quite sure dearie, I have just left my library. It's getting late, I've an early morning tomorrow...I think I am going to retire with some work papers I've neglected to read. Tomorrow cannot go by fast enough -RG
Belle dropped her robe as she read the text, climbing into bed wearing only her panties and bra, she felt oddly warm.
It is late, I'm just going to bed myself...I'm incredibly jealous the way you just tossed out 'leaving my library' like that lol. I hope you don't stay up too late and that you sleep well...tomorrow can't pass quickly enough for me either. Goodnight Mr. Gold
That night Belle slept with her phone on the pillow opposite her and reading the faintly illuminated screen was how she fell asleep.
I read at some point that the 3rd best thing to do in bed was read...I wish you sweet dreams, and a beautiful morning Ms. French. Sleep well -RG
Belle wasn't sure how to feel when Wednesday did in fact go by quite quickly but without a single text from Mr. Gold. It wasn't that she expected him text, okay maybe she did...just a little bit, but she thought he would have, just to say good morning or something. She tried so desperately hard not to feel disappointed. She kept busy though of course. She dusted, cleaned, continued to sort antiques out for Lucian and Peter and tried to stay positive.
He was probably just really busy. He wanted to get things done quickly so he could hurry back to Storybrooke. Of course that was it...of course.
It was time to close the store for the night, Emma had just put the last box of teapots into the storage room for collecting and Belle was turning off the lights.
"I can hardly wait for tomorrow! Neal said he was looking forward to meeting Mom and Dad, or remeeting them or whatever so I think that is a really good sign! I have been trying to figure out what I'm going to wear to dinner all week! Have you figured out what you're wearing yet Belle?" Emma rambled at a 100 miles per hour and Belle locked up the building.
"I honestly haven't really put a whole lot of thought into it Emma, there has been a lot going on," Belle walked with Emma toward the Nolan house, she would need to cut over to go up to the grocery store but walked with Emma for part of way.
"Mr. Gold is still coming isn't he?" Emma asked hesitantly.
"Yes, I mean he said he was, and I haven't heard otherwise."
Emma nodded, "Good. He likes you, he's good for you."
Belle stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and raised her eyebrows at Emma, "Sweetie, you're 15, you've no idea what is good for me," she laughed and looped her arm with hers.
"I know that you've smiled more, laughed more...that you've been really happy since you've met him and considering what he's been here to do...that's sort of a big thing," Emma stated matter of fact.
Belle found she really couldn't argue with that. The fact was, she was happier knowing Mr. Gold, despite the horrible reason for their meeting.
"Perhaps you're right my dear little Swan, perhaps you're right indeed..." Belle sighed.
They reached the corner where they'd part. Emma to home and Belle to do her shopping.
"Okay, tell your mom I'll be over early to help get set-up, okay? Be good!" They parted with a hug, their family, and Belle did consider the Nolans her family, had always been tactile.
Belle was alone on the street and nearly to the grocery store when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Since she had long given up on hearing from Mr. Gold she didn't feel the frantic need to dig the phone from her pocket, like she had most of the day.
It was of course a text from him.
The best things happened when you weren't expecting them she faintly thought as she grinned widely at the phone.
I trust your day was far superior to mine, mine was tedious and went on and on. However, the bright spot being I got everything I wished to, and needed to, accomplish, done and even ahead of schedule. Was your day indeed good? -RG
She paused in the middle of the sidewalk to text him back.
Hello Raphael, my day, though not by any stretch of the imagination anything more than average, sounds better than yours.
Belle began walking again, a new lightness in her step eyes glued to her screen.
Try again my dear, and you really shouldn't walk and text, you're liable to walk into something, or out in front a car, and that would be very unwelcome. -RG
Belle stopped in her tracks immediately looking up and around.
He was standing leaning against the same black Jaguar he had had previous, phone already stowed in some pocket.
He took her breath away. A bit aloof, entirely in control. There was a cocky little smile curling the edge of his lips as his hands were folded over his cane.
She struggled to keep from running toward him, as it was her quick walk was only a half a pace slower than a sprint.
He was smiling fully at her as she came to an abrupt stop in front of him. She was smiling widely but she didn't quite know what to do. She wanted to hug him, embrace him and a small part of her sang out that she wanted to desperately kiss him.
"You tricked me Rodriguez...that wasn't very nice..." she found herself rather like steel to a magnet, drawn ever closer to him.
"Hm, you're getting closer my dear," Mr. Gold looked down at the woman that was as close to him as she could be without touching him.
"Oh? And we're very," she looked up at him through her lashes, "very," he wasn't an overly tall man but she was barely 5'2" and he tipped his head down to her, "very sure it isn't Rumplestiltskin?"
She bit her lip as he leaned in, lips at her ear, nearly brushing the shell, "Oh, very sure dearie."
Belle's eyes fluttered shut as his warm breath tickled her skin along her ear and neck.
He had offered to buy her coffee at Granny's and she had joyfully accepted. They were seated now in a back booth looking very much cozy.
"You seem to be in an exceptionally good mood Mr. Gold," Belle laughed dipping a french fry into the swirl of ketchup and mustard on her plate.
"It happens I am...a very good mood indeed. Things in Boston went...well they went better than I expected." Mr. Gold also picked up a french, his dashed with a bit of vinegar and a hot pepper sauce.
"Can you share what went so well? Or, just tell me a story, I do so love stories," Belle couldn't stop smiling as they shared coffee and fries like a high school couple.
"Well..."
"You bastard!"
Belle started, dropping the fry she was about eat, letting out a small gasp of shock. Mr. Gold, barely registered a change in breathing, though his eyes dilated slightly with surprise.
"Ruby, what is wrong with you?" Belle exclaimed looked at her friend, bewildered.
"Do you know what this son of..." Ruby caught a mother and her small son staring wide eye at her at the counter, "She-wolf" she flubbed, "did?"
Belle's face fell as she look from Ruby to Mr. Gold, "No, no I don't ...what do you, what did he do?"
Mr. Gold's face tightened, lips becoming a thin line, "Mrs. Hopper..." he started sternly.
"What? You didn't tell her?" Ruby spat.
"Tell me what?" Belle slammed her hands on the table, "Somebody tell me what is going on!"
"Shall I do the honors?" Ruby's hands gestured grandly.
Mr. Gold straightened, "If you feel you must..."
Belle was so confused.
"Your boyfriend here just bought the entire town! The old pawnshop, the apartment buildings...this diner! He's bought the whole damn town! A notice was sent to Granny tonight notifying her that Mr. Dougal R. Gold bought the mortgage on the diner...did some research with Sydney and we found the notices for nearly every building in town," Ruby was foaming at the mouth, her voice was wild and her eyes blazed.
"Mr. Gold...?" Belle turned her gaze from her friend to the man across from her, she was hesitant, unwilling to think anything unkind or nefarious just yet. Her face begged him to explain, proclaimed that she was trusting him with her everything.
"He even bought your shop Belle..."
Belle's gaze darkened.
"I can't deny what Mrs. Hopper says."
Belle's face broke, "I...I don't understand. You bought all these businesses...my shop? You own my shop?"
"Yes."
She bit her lip and looked to Ruby, "I don't understand, I mean...why are you so angry? I mean it's odd, but I'm sure Mr. Gold has a very good reason..."
"Well, he's not telling you that he's raising then rent on the businesses. I don't know how Granny is going to be able to keep up! We are barely keeping our heads above water as it is!"
Belle closed her eyes, hand on her temple, "Mr. Gold...can you please explain all this? Is it true, did you raise the rent? Why? I don't understand... Is your company a part of this?"
"No, it's not! It's just him...well it's shell company, this Dark Castle bit... Sydney has been digging up all kinds of dirt!" Ruby interjected.
Mr. Gold whipped his head to look at Ruby, "Mrs. Hopper I would warn you to hold your tongue on matters of which you know nothing."
"But Mr. Gold! Sydney is an investigative reporter...he must have some reason to believe..." Belle couldn't process everything, they were just eating french fries and almost kissing in the street, now...now...
"Belle...I need you to trust me," Mr. Gold tried to get her to look at him.
"Don't trust him Belle, he's been trying to decieve all of us...he's no good. I told you!"
"Mrs. Hopper, please don't make me ask you again or I shall send for the police, stay out of this!" Mr. Gold lost his temper and he growled fiercely.
This broke through Belle hazy confusion, "Mr. Gold, Ruby!" she cut through the beginnings of a shouting match, "Both of you enough! Ruby you need to let Mr. Gold time to explain...and Mr. Gold, Ruby is my friend and this is her grandmother's business, it's Ruby's business...you have to see why she is concerned! Please lets try and keep our heads!"
Mr. Gold visibly calmed, "I'm asking you to trust me, please...for a while."
Ruby was turning all shades of purple as she struggled to contain her outrage, "How can you ask that?! Gold, you came her to take Belle's shop now you've bought up the town and raising the rent to seemingly run us out? What in the hell are we supposed to think? Sydney thinks you're going to try and turn this into a tourist trap with commercial businesses..."
Mr. Gold refused to look at Ruby, "I can't explain anything, at this time."
Belle looked heart broken at him, "Why?"
"Legal reasons, until all the paperwork is complete and filed I can't comment."
Ruby threw up her hands and Belle worried her lip, "Ruby, can you please give us some privacy."
Ruby glared and did not want to leave, but she left with a huff.
"I'll trust you...I trust you. Please don't let me down Mr. Gold..." she reached out her hand and laid it over his clench tight together in front of him.
Mr. Gold looked down to where her small hand rest over his and sighed.
"Trusting in the Crocodile...some would tell you that that was surely a wager you would lose. My reputation is not completely unfounded you realize?" he pulled his hands back disappearing under the table.
Belle sat back, "I figured. Some people, something things...some hearts are meant for others. Be it for good or bad I believe I know you and I believe in you, Rumplestiltskin."
Mr. Gold couldn't help but smile, "Oh dearie...I really thought you were going to guess it...I have to go, it's getting late and I'm afraid I've business to attend to first thing in the morning, an overseas call...I'd walk you home but I'm going to beg you forgive my lack of manners when I do not as I'm afraid my leg is not cooperating tonight."
He rose from the table, Belle following.
He walked her as far as the sidewalk in front of the diner.
"Am I still invited to dinner tomorrow?" Mr. Gold asked almost shly.
Belle found herself smiling despite herself, "Of course...it's probably going to be extremely awkward since the Hoppers will be there along with the Nolans... Young Neal will love you though...all the heat will be on you not him," she nudged his shoulder with hers.
"Anything to help the poor lad."
Mr. Gold stepped in front of Belle, halting her way, "I've something for you..." he reached into the pocket of suit and extracted a small box shaped object pressing it to her hands, "Good night sweet Belle...until tomorrow."
Before Belle could really register Mr. Gold was kissing her cheek and disappearing into the black of the night.
Belle's eyes searched the darkness for a long moment before turning to the box. She opened it gingerly. Inside the unassuming, unadorned box was a velvet pouch, inside that was an exquisite, fine silver chain, upon which hung a silver charm in the shape of a book. It was a larger charm, about an inch and half tall and an inch wide but extraordinary workman ship. An intricate twined rose and thorny vine was on the front, the back she softly traced with her fingertip,
"You, the rose and I, the thorn – BF from RG"
Belle found a note and pulled it from the bottom of the box
"...What more can they tell you?
I am neither good nor bad but a man,
and they will then associate the danger
of my life, which you know
and which with your passion you shared.
And good, this danger
is danger of love, of complete love
for all life,
for all lives,
and if this love brings us
the death and the prisons,
I am sure that your big eyes,
as when I kiss them,
will then close with pride,
into double pride, love,
with your pride and my pride..."
-Pablo Neruda
She knew the poem and it made her heart catch, but what made her cry, what made her breakdown right there on the sidewalk was the closing script, that beautiful, graceful hand.
Belle, I've no idea why, how or when but you've managed to capture this beast's heart completely. There is so much we need still need to figure out, discuss and learn but I would be remiss if I didn't tell you, didn't confess that I'm infatuated. You sparkle, you light up a room with your passion and grace and I hope I'm not out of line, telling you this, but I think we're both something of old souls and I want to do this right. I want to do this slow and perfect. You deserve perfect but I hope, maybe I can convince you that I might do.
Yours faithfully, D. Roderick Gold
AN:
OKAY! Yeah...so ¾ of this chapter came to me in a brilliant little flash... I fully intended to write the dinner party...really, honest! Clearly I didn't. Clearly I just threw y'all a big ole wrench...yeah, I'm just as surprised as you all probably are. I upped the romance but also the drama...what exactly does Mr. Gold have planned?!
I LOVE you guys so much for reading and reviewing...I realized this week as I was working on my stories...I'm so over my head lol. I mean seriously? If you guys are reading my other OUaT story or my Doctor Who stories...I am working diligently on them and I am still as in love with them (and YOU and YOUR REVIEWS-FOLLOWS-FAVS!) as I was the day I started them...I just took on a lot...not really taking into account a lot of damn annoying real life factors.. I mean come on people, there are stories to write I don't have time for this 'job' 'friend' 'life' crap! I should get points though because I was falling asleep on my keyboard last night and had this seriously awesome (okay maybe not as awesome as I thought then) idea for a story and I totally refrained from writing it (beyond the general outline for a later date) ...and yeah... So I'm not ignoring you on purpose! I promise! I just...yeah...LOTS going on and truly, if it weren't that some of you just seem as dedicated and pumped about this story as I am I probably wouldn't be as adamant about getting it written... So really, THANK YOU for your support... The little email alerts I get telling me I have reviews...yeah they totally make my day.
Okay, enough rambling, I could have written another chapter by now!
Scotch and Johnnie Walker for everyone! ...unless you're underage, we can't be doing that shit here... But help yourself to Robert Carlyle in the Fully Monty ;-)