Snow felt her insides curdle the minute Rumpelstiltskin let her know that he was aware of the affair that she was having with her own husband. She shouldn't feel guilty about what she was doing…but she did feel like she'd done something wrong.

Rumpelstiltskin drove them home. Emma wasn't there yet, she wouldn't hear them yelling at the other.

Snow started in as they got inside, "It's not an affair."

"Kissing him in the middle of the street and sneaking off for your little dates, that's not an affair?"

"He's my husband!"

"Not here. You never married in this world, there's no documentation, therefore there is a good chance that your marriage is NOT legal."

"Well neither is ours! We never willingly made any vows!"

"I never said our marriage had any legal standing either, but you should remember that the man you married is not David Nolan. It may look like him, it may sound like him, you might even see hints of the David that you married, but at the end of the day it isn't him."

Snow thought she might've heard some hurt in his voice, .like he was genuinely upset that she was actually seeing the husband that she loved, "Why should you care what I do?"

"Because I'm trying to keep you alive so your little daughter has a mother to wake up to when she actually starts believing and you're not making this any easier for me to do so when you're sneaking off like some teenager doing something wrong!"

"I have to."

"You have to endanger the lives of yourself and Charming? Because that's what you're doing."

Snow brushed past him, "He's my husband."

"He won't be if you carry on like you're doing!"

Snow slammed the door behind him.

Emma was pulling off her coat in the entrance hall. She stared at Snow with wide eyes, "You okay?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Snow told her gently and moved to the front door, "I'm going for a walk."

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Snow didn't come home for the next two nights, Rumpelstiltskin figured that she probably went to the cabin, went to the inn, or went to see her husband.

He didn't care. He was doing everything he could to keep her safe; it wasn't his fault if she screwed up after he warned her not to. What was he supposed to do? Physically restrain her to keep her from seeing her husband? He most certainly couldn't do that, she was stronger than he was.

And his Mr. Gold memories were exceedingly jealous of David Nolan and the personality was screaming at Rumpelstiltskin to do something about it. It made for very uncomfortable times.

Thank Gods that it was the morning before Valentine's Day and his favorite person to torment had a loan that he needed to pay back. So Rumpelstiltskin called up his bodyguard and told him where to meet.

Moe French was pathetic here. He was stripped of all his power and his rank and now he was nothing more than a simpering old man with a flower shop. Rumpelstiltskin had had a worse fate in mind for the man but Regina had apparently intervened and given him this.

Rumpelstiltskin felt his blood boil when he saw them unloading the flowers.

He murdered Belle. She committed suicide because of him.

But what could he expect? Had he thought something different would happen? Everyone would suspect that he had been with her. Why else should an insane imp take a pretty young woman with the best years of her life up to the castle to be completely alone? Everyone would think he had defiled her. No one would want her. They would acknowledge it wasn't her fault, but they wouldn't touch her because they would be terrified that he'd come back.

But it was still Maurice's fault….sure as he'd pushed her out of the window himself. She might've found someone, she might've been happy but he….what he did…

To his own DAUGHTER.

So, it was very fitting that he found him now, especially when tomorrow was that most loathed day, "Well, this is just perfect. I've been looking for you, Mr. French."

"I'll have your money next week," Moe pleaded.

He stared at him through the sunglasses. (Wonderful invention, he wished someone had made some in the Enchanted forest) "Terms of the loan were fairly specific."

A beat passed.

Rumpelstiltskin turned to his bodyguard, "Take the van."

Maurice paled, "Wait! No! Tomorrow's Valentine's Day! It's the biggest day of….I've got a grand in roses in the back."

Oh, even better.

"Stop!" Maurice screamed when his bodyguard started the van, "You've got to let me sell them."

Rumpelstiltskin made a show of staring at his golden pocket watch, "I'm going to leave you two to continue this conversation.

"Oh this is no way to be business Gold!" Maurice jumped in front of the van to keep them from driving off. Rumpelstiltskin ignored him and continued to walk away, "YOU ARE THE LOWEST! People aren't going to put up with this!"

People had put up with it for 300 years; it was subconsciously ingrained in them by now. They'd do what they always did. Hide behind their closed shutters.

All except for Regina, who was standing there waiting for him when he crossed the street.

Gods, he was most certainly not in the mood to deal with her.

"Mr. Gold," Regina greeted, "That was quite a show back there."

"Well, Mr. French is just having a bad day," he glanced over his shoulder, "Happens to the best of us."

Regina readjusted her position, "I've been meaning to talk to you about something-."

She was catching on that he remembered. Gods knew he certainly dropped enough hints by now.

But to ask him in the middle of the busy street? Did she NOT know how subtlety worked? Or just…common decency?

Did she really think bludgeoning him with her accusations was going to work?

"Yeah, and the moment you have something I want to discuss," he taunted her; "We'll have that little chat."

Regina's eyes darkened, like they always did when she was told 'no', "No, we're going to do this now. It'll only take a moment

"Is there something eating you, dear?" he said, "Something you need to get out in the open? Cause it's going to have to wait."

Regina held her ground, but he could almost see her faltering. If he knew who he was, then surely he would be dangerous to confront like this, what was she thinking?

"Please," he finished. Regina automatically moved aside, courtesy of their deal and he

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Snow slept in the inn for the next two nights, Granny gave her a weird look but said nothing as Snow went upstairs and went to bed.

Like always, she told herself that she was doing nothing wrong. She was HELPING really because if she and David were together then it would majorly weaken the curse and Emma could break it faster.

She smiled a bit at David as they sat at separate tables in the diner. Ruby brought her breakfast and Snow saw David pulled out Anna Karenina; something her Mary Margaret personality and memories had told her was a great read, "Oh, you got the book."

"Yeah," David smiled at her, "Yeah, I just started it. It's great. Can't wait to see how it ends."

Snow tried to search her false memories for what it all went but the Mary Margaret side of her was quiet.

Red went over and refilled the coffee, "Uh, I can push the tables together if you guys-."

Snow felt the blood drain from her face, after the fight she had with Rumpelstiltskin, the prospect of everyone finding out was at the front of her mind, "Oh no, we're not together."

"No, no that's-." David started but didn't finish.

Emma came into the diner, "Hey David."

"Hey," David greeted and visibly looked deflated now that he couldn't whisper secretly to her again.

"Mary Margaret," Emma greeted and sat across from her, "So, how's your day going?"

Snow smiled, "Henry's fine."

Emma blinked, "That's not what I…asked you. You're sure? I mean it's not like I've been able to hear reports since you haven't been home. Dinners are really awkward."

"Really- he's his normal self. Regina can't keep you separated forever. When people are supposed to be together," she gave a longing look to her husband, "They find a way.

"Yeah," Emma muttered and Snow wasn't sure she was oblivious to what was going on, "So, he's his normal self? He's fine? He's happy."

"Yes," Snow said sarcastically and when Emma started to believe it, she dropped the act, "NO! He misses you – a lot. Trust me – I'm with him like six hours a day."

"Six hours?" Ashley interrupted, "You take newborns? Cause I'd love six hours off."

"Ashley" Snow said in surprise as she handed the baby off to Granny and went to sit with them, "I didn't recognize you."

"Baby on the outside?"

"How's it going?" Emma asked.

Ashley sat down with them, "It's uh…it's, uh…I mean, baby's great, but we really haven't had time to do the whole getting married thing. So, that's been rough. And Sean's been working double shifts at the cannery."

Snow fought some irritation. She had her husband and her baby and she got to keep both and she was upset because he was providing a life for them. Yeah, that was horrible, "Well, he has to work."

"On Valentine's Day?" Ashley demanded, "Yeah, he couldn't get out of it."

"I'm sorry," Emma said as Ruby came over, "That sucks."

"It doesn't have to," Ruby told them eagerly, "Come out with me! Let's have a girl's night. Oh, we can all go! Mary Margaret – Emma too. If you leave the badge at home…"

"I'm not really in the party mood," Emma said, "But you guys can all go and have fun."

Snow really wasn't either, but it kept her from going home and spending an evening with Rumpelstiltskin.

The phone vibrated next to Emma. Emma glanced at it.

"What's that?" Snow asked.

"IT's the station, something's up."

"Be careful!" Snow called after her.

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Rumpelstiltskin didn't bother opening his shop today. He'd probably keep it closed tomorrow too.

He hated Valentine's Day. It reminded him of the love he could've had and then lost with Belle. It didn't help that tomorrow on this world's calendar was when she died in their world

He just wanted to go home. He was just so…very tired.

Rumpelstiltskin walked up the steps to the door of the house and found that it was ajar.

He froze. Was Emma the Heathen getting something and she left the door open? No, the car wasn't here and she wouldn't walk all the way to the house in that was the case. He quietly pushed the door open and slipped inside. In the front hallway there was a gun. He pulled it out and crept from room to room.

They were in his house…taking his things. When you stole from the Dark One, you got skinned alive, everyone knew that.

Or they would when Emma found the body.

He heard a creak behind him and raised the gun.

Emma stood behind him, her eyes were wide.

"Sheriff Swan," he said in relief.

"Your neighbor saw your front door open – they called it in."

Rumpelstiltskin looked around; whoever it was, and he knew exactly who it was, they were long gone, "It appears I've been robbed.

Emma smirked, "Funny how that keeps happening to you."

"Yeah well," he lowered the gun and looked at her, "I'm a difficult man to love."

Emma took out her cellphone, "I'll need a list of what was stolen. I think I can figure most of it out but you've been here a lot longer than me."

"There's no need."

"It's my job."

Rumpelstiltskin huffed, "Sheriff Swan, you can go now. I know exactly what was taken and who did it. I've got it from here."

Emma almost looked like she was enjoying this, "No, you don't. This was a robbery – a public menace. And if you don't tell me what you know, I'll have to arrest you for obstruction of justice. I have a feeling you don't want to be behind bars."

He shuddered. He could practically taste and smell the stench of that dark prison that they'd forced him into for weeks, "Indeed not."

Emma waited and Rumpelstiltskin relented, "Alright, his name's Moe French. He sells flowers. He recently defaulted on a loan. A short time ago, we had a little disagreement over collateral."

"Okay," Emma tucked her phone into her pocket, "Okay. I'll go get him – check him out."

Rumpelstiltskin forgot himself for a second. Moe French wouldn't do this by himself; he was too much of a coward and would rather prey on weak family members. Regina had something to do with this; it was the only thing that made sense.

And if she was involved then…that cup…Belle's cup. What if she had it?

"I'm sure you will – assuming," he stopped and laughed and imagined all the horrible things he could do to avenge Belle here and Maurice would never understand why, "I don't find him… Let's just say, bad things tend to happen to bad people.

Emma stopped and glared, "Is that a threat?"

"Observation," he said simply.

Emma didn't exactly look like she believed him. She started to leave the house and Rumpelstiltskin couldn't help but give a final taunt, "Good luck."

Because when he found Moe…there was nothing Emma could do to save him.

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Snow stayed gone again last night, Emma stayed gone as well…or else she got home late. He wasn't sure.

He made an inventory of what was missing. The first place he went to was where he'd stored the cup. He was right, it was gone.

The rest of the day and night he went into a depression. He had to do this right, if he didn't Regina would break the cup or tell Moe to do it if he had it.

And God help them should that happen.

He let Emma have a head start in her investigation. If he didn't then he'd never hear the end of it from either woman in his house.

But his patience won out because Emma woke him up by telephoning and she proudly told him that all his stuff had been found.

Rumpelstiltskin wasted no time getting there. Emma was like a bull in a china shop when it came to delicate things, she might…(Shudder) microwave tea in Belle's cup or throw it away because it was chipped.

Emma didn't say anything to him as he walked in. She just simply led him to a desk that was covered in a sheet and pulled it away.

He scanned the contents under the sheet.

No cup.

Regina had it.

Emma waited for something and when he didn't give it, she rolled her eyes, "You're welcome. You were right – your man Moe ripped you off. It was all still at his place."

Rumpelstiltskin stared at the things and felt a growing anger. Moe killed Belle and came into HIS house and took the one thing that he had left of hers….

"And the man himself?

"Closing in on him"

Rumpelstiltskin sneered, "So, job well 'half-done', then."

Emma looked irritated, "Is that what Mary tells you, too?"

"Excuse me?"

"In less than a day, I got everything back. Is something wrong?"

"you've recovered NOTHING," he snapped and stormed away, "There's something missing."

Emma scoffed as he walked out, "I'll get it when I find him!"

Rumpelstiltskin stopped. No, she wouldn't. He gave her her chance and now it was time for him to do things the proper way, "Not if I find him first."

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Getting out and relaxing was the smartest decision Snow had made since she woke up here.

She didn't have to worry about her safety here, she didn't have to worry about Charming's or Emma's…she just relaxed.

Snow didn't remember the last time she did that.

But the way Ashley was pounding back her drinks made Snow a bit worried. She had a four month old at home, "Pace yourself, Ashley."

"I am! This is the first night out since I've had the baby – I am making up for lost time."

Ruby saw something past them, "Ooh, Ash – check out those guys."

Ashley looked uncomfortable, "Oh, honey, I'm still with Sean."

Ruby gave her an incredulous look, "You're not married, and he's not here."

Ashley frowned, "He's working."

Ruby practically rolled her eyes, "He's always working."

Snow shuddered; Red would never be saying any of these things if she had control.

Ruby picked up her drink, "Have fun moping."

They watched Red walk away, "She's right – he is always working."

"He's just trying to provide a life for you and the baby," Snow offered.

"I thought love would be different," Ashley whispered.

Snow sighed at the girl's melodrama. At least she had her family, and lifted up her glass, "Me, too."

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Rumpelstiltskin had found Moe French hiding in the back office of his store.

The man was a coward, it wasn't hard to get him up in the van, Rumpelstiltskin just had to point the gun at him and he nearly sobbed as Rumpelstiltskin tied him up.

He took Belle.

Rumpelstiltskin made sure to keep the flower truck out of sight right out of town while he went to get supplies. Duct tape and rope, thankfully no one dared have a vile sense of humor about that and Valentine's Day to him.

His very crummy day was made worse when David Nolan walked behind him with two cards in his hand.

His Mr. Gold personality begged him to beat David Nolan senseless right here, but Rumpelstiltskin did not want to have a murder AND an assault pinned on him. His Mr. Gold side was just jealous because of a relationship that would never come to pass, "Two valentines – sounds like a complicated life.

Charming cleared his throat, "Oh, no. I… I just couldn't decide.

Rumpelstiltskin looked at the pathetic pieces of painted board, "These are both for the same woman?"

David Nolan smiled, " Well, they're both so…us."

Rumpelstiltskin lied, " I see. Well, you're fortunate you have someone that loves you."

Even if she wasn't doing a good job of showing it by endangering his life."

"I really am."

Rumpelstiltskin placed the contents on the counter, "Love – it's like a delicate flame. And once it's gone, it's gone forever."

Nolan was quiet, thank gods.

Rumpelstiltskin pretended to be oblivious and gave a wink, "Best of luck to you."

"Thanks," David told him as he passed by.

He was stepping out on his wife to date Rumpelstiltskin's wife (as he believed) and he had the audacity to look him in the eye.

Rumpelstiltskin hated David Nolan.

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He pleaded for his life. Rumpelstiltskin wasn't sure how he had the audacity to do something like that when he rejected his own daughter and killed her but here he was begging for his life like he didn't do anything wrong.

"Let me explain, okay? Let me explain."

Rumpelstiltskin grabbed another chair and planted it in front of Maurice, "Oh. Well, that is fascinating."

He straddled the chair, "Truly fascinating."

The bloodlust, which he thought had long since passed, was pounding through him. Maurice killed Belle; he was going to make him suffer for that.

He pressed his cane against the windpipe, "I'm going to let you breathe in a second, and you're going to say two sentences. The first is going to tell me where it is. The second, is going to tell me who told you to take it. Do you understand the rules? Good. Let's begin."

He pulled the cane away.

"I needed that van!" Maurice pleaded.

Rumpelstiltskin laughed and lifted up his cane, "Now, you see, that is not a good first sentence!"

He slammed the cane against Maurice hard. It wouldn't be anything like they used on Belle. He didn't bring anything with him to scourge Maurice so he would know what it was like….being bean like that and hoping for death.

"Ow! Gold! Listen!"

"Tell me where it is!" he hit him again. He'd been waiting for this for a very long time.

"Ow! Stop!

"Tell me where it is!" he hit him harder.

"Ow! Stop!"

Rumpelstiltskin drew back and waited. He wanted to hear from Maurice's own mouth where that cup was and what Regina planned to do with it.

"It wasn't my fault!

"'My fault'?" Rumpelstiltskin sneered, "What are you talking about, 'my fault'? You shut her out. You had her love, and you shut her out!

He hit him again. He was so enraged that the screams of Maurice only fueled him, and he rained down blows "She's gone. She's gone forever – she's not coming back. And it's your fault! Not mine! You are her father! Yours! It's yours!

He lost count of how many times he hit him…or when it was that several bones in his face and arm became broken. He was too far gone…he lost control. He'd always tried to be on his best behavior when it came to Maurice. He had wanted to destroy him slowly and he made sure the man's kingdom crumbled but now that he had nothing left to take from him but his life…it all came out.

"It's your fault!" he hit him again; "It's your fa-."

A hand closed on his wrist. He turned to look at the interruption. Emma stood there; he had never heard her come in.

She was looking at him like they all did.

Like she was looking at a monster.

"Stop!" she whispered.

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Without her 'husband' by her side, people were more than willing to talk to Snow and for the first time in 28 years, Mary Margaret got a taste of what it was like to be accepted by society.

She and Archie had a good conversation that didn't involve anything about therapy and as the conversation drew to a close, she saw Ashley sitting at a table by herself. She crossed over and sat across form her, "Girls' night's really working out for you."

"I thought it would make me feel better. But the truth is, I need a 'be with my guy night'. But he's never around, and I'm at home with the baby all day. I mean, what's the point of being together if we're not together?"

This world wasn't so easy when you weren't a prince with nothing BUT time.

Snow still thought Ashley was incredibly lucky to have even an absent husband, "I get it. Loving someone you can't be with – it's a terrible, terrible burden."

Ashley gave her a miserable look, "You know, this was a bad idea. I should… I should go home."

"Ashley?"

They both turned, Sean was in the bar with a large bouquet of flowers, "Sean?"

"Hey," he gave Ashley a sweet happy look.

She walked up to him, "I thought that you were working tonight?"

"I am – it's my break. And I… I had to see you. And ask you something."

He took Ashley's hand and knelt down on one knee. Snow felt a small smile creep up to her lips as he presented a ring, Will you marry me?"

A beat passed as Ashley looked stunned, "I only have a twenty minute break, so, um, anytime now."

Ashley gave him a beaming smile, "Yes!"

He stood up and hugged her, "My truck's outside if you want to take a ride before I head back to work. It's not much of a date-"

"It's the best date," she smiled and kissed him

"Then, your carriage a waits," he held out his arm to the door.

Snow watched them leave and felt a small amount of guilt creep in.

Rumpelstiltskin was right. She was being reckless with David's life for her own selfish needs. She was risking too much.

She was ready to go home and make it right with Rumpelstiltskin.

Snow grabbed her jacket and walked outside. Sean and Ashley were getting into the truck down where he'd parked.

"How's girls' night?"

Snow looked over as David approached her, "David? What are you doing here?"

"Well, I knew you'd be here. And I, uh… I wanted to give you your Valentine's Day card."

Snow accepted the card that he held out, "Checking up on me?"

He blushed a little bit and shuffled, "Maybe a little. I didn't want you finding somebody else."

"Like you?" Snow looked down and felt her heart break as she read the name out loud, "Kathryn, I woof you…"

David snatched it from her, "I'm so sorry. I meant… I meant this one."

He gave her another sealed envelope and Snow was once again reminded of her situation. Charming would never do something like that. He would never…he would never betray his wife.

Gods, SHE was supposed to be better than this too! What had they turned to?

Snow put the card in the envelope, "I-I… I always thought that if two people were supposed to be together, they'd find a way. But, David, if this is our way, I think we should find another one."

"Mary Margaret-"

The more he was with her; the more she was reminded that this wasn't him, "I think you should go home to Kathryn."

"I know. You're right, but it doesn't mean I'm going to give up. We'll find that way."

Snow fought tears, "I hope so."

"Happy Valentine's Day," he whispered but they both knew it was ruined.

"Happy Valentine's Day."

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As the rage cooled, Rumpelstiltskin realized the big mistake he'd made.

He'd told Snow constantly not to expose them and what did he do?

Their lives were in constant danger; his and Snow's. He had ruined everything by beating this man near to death.

It was strategically unsound.

Emma walked up, "So, I heard you managed not to break anything he needs. You're lucky, Mr. Gold."

Not by a long shot. Maurice was still alive, wasn't he?

"You got a funny definition of lucky."

Emma took a defensive stance, "You have a funny definition of justice. What did he really do?"

Rumpelstiltskin shrugged, "He stole."

Emma didn't waver, "That reaction was about more than taking a few trinkets. You said something about how he hurt her – what happened to 'her'? Who was that? What did he do? If someone needs help, maybe I can help."

He wouldn't trust the daughter of Snow White or Prince Charming to seek any justice in the way it needed to be sought, "No. I'm sorry, Sheriff. I think you heard that wrong."

Emma lifted an eyebrow, "You really don't want to cooperate?

He wasn't in the mood for her games, "Look, we're done here."

He turned to leave, Emma reached out and grabbed him, "Actually, we're not. You're under arrest.

She slammed the handcuffs on him and Rumpelstiltskin just smirked at her. He'd be out of there in no time, Maurice would be disfigured for life, and he could continue breaking this curse and using Emma. This did not bother him at all."

Because nothing would change.

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Snow was pacing when Emma came into the house. Emma's eyes widened when she saw her, "Hey, you're back."

"I'm back," She looked down at the box in Emma's hands, "What's that?"

"The stuff from the robbery."

Snow felt her blood chill, "What robbery?"

Emma bit the inside of her cheek, "you didn't know?"

"Elias and I haven't been talking for the past couple of days, no. Emma, what robbery?"

Someone had been in the house? Who? Sidney? Regina?

"The florist came in and made off with some of your husband's belongings," Emma shifted uncomfortable, "Um…you should know that something happened tonight. I was trying to get ahold of you but-."

"My phone was off…didn't want interruptions for girls' night," she explained quickly, "Emma, what has he done?"

"He found the guy…beat him bad, he nearly killed him."

Snow drew in a sharp breath and ran her hands through her hair, "Because he robbed us?"

"I'm inclined to think that something else was going on that I don't know about."

"Well I don't- I don't know either," she whispered and sat down.

Never underestimate the Dark One and his temper.

"Is the florist….is he okay?"

"He won't be looking in the mirror anytime soon; he's been beaten pretty badly."

Snow put her hands against her face.

She was off trying to relax…to be inconspicuous and Rumpelstiltskin was off beating someone half to death. He told her to stop seeing her husband to keep him safe and so Regina wouldn't suspect she remembered. Where was he? Beating a man to death. Yeah, Regina would NEVER be able to tell he was displaying his trademark temper.

"Listen," Emma sat next to her, "If I were you…I'd leave him alone tonight. He's seeing red…you can pay his bail in the morning."

And he sat there and told her that she was going to get them all killed and he nearly killed a man.

"No," Snow whispered and stood.

"What?"

"No," Snow shook her head and stormed to her room. It was nights like this that she was reminded that both he and Regina were probably a lot better off in cages, "he can get himself out."

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Emma was just a little too smug about his incarceration, Rumpelstiltskin didn't like it.

Occasionally Emma asked him if he wanted something. A book or a newspaper…some extra water, but there was always a condition attached.

That she get out of her favor.

Suddenly, it wasn't quite so funny when he was on the other side of his games.

"Pastrami – you want half?" Emma said at lunchtime. She had a very smirk on her face, the heathen. You know, I still owe you that favor. Nice, fatty pastrami. Delicious way to clear the books."

He gave her a smirk of his own. She was truly desperate to get out from under his thumb, "Well, I don't need a reminder that you owe me a favor. And when the day comes that I make my request, it'll be for more than half a sandwich."

Emma's smile dropped slightly

Someone came in, he looked up and tensed when he saw it was Regina carting in Henry.

He knew what was going to happen immediately. She was going to use Henry to lure Emma away.

He wasn't worried. He'd been waiting all morning for her to come in.

"Sheriff Swan? I'm letting you have thirty minutes with Henry," she put her hands on his shoulders and gave him a push forward. When that was done, Regina turned and glared at Rumpelstiltskin, "Take him out – buy him ice cream."

Emma crossed her arms, "You want me to leave you alone with a prisoner?"

Regina didn't take her eyes off Rumpelstiltskin "Twenty nine and a half minutes."

Emma looked ready to refuse, but stopped when Henry gave her a sweet smile, "Hi, Emma."

Emma melted and gave a smile of her own, "Hey."

She gave an unsure look at Rumpelstiltskin but he knew that she would be happier with Henry. Besides, he and Regina had had each other in their sights for a while now, now was as good a time as any to confront the other, "Bring me back a cone?"

"Just this once," Emma told them and grabbed her coat. She gave an excited smile to her son, "Come on – let's go."

Regina smirked as soon as they were gone.

"Well, you really wanted that little chat, didn't you?" Rumpelstiltskin mocked.

"Apparently, this is the only way I could do it."

He pointed to the couch, "Please – sit."

Regina straightened as if she was no longer in control and walked over to the couch without expression.

When she was nice and cozy he started in with the first lesson he taught her, "Now, when two people both want something the other has, a deal can always be struck. Do you have what I want?"

Regina looked proud of herself, "Yes."

He stared her down, "So, you did put him up to it, then."

"I merely suggested that strong men take what they need."

"Oh, yeah. And you told him just exactly what to take, didn't you?" he felt last night's fury growing in his chest again.

"We used to know each other so well, Mr. Gold," Regina taunted, "Has it really come down to this?"

"It seems it has, yeah," he pointed to her, "But you know what I want – what is it you want?"

"I want you, to answer one question. And answer it simply," she offered, "What's your name?"

And there it was.

Didn't she know the floodgates that she would open with that question?

He refused to let himself be cornered just yet. She was still in too much control "It's Mr. Gold."

Regina looked disgusted, "Your real name."

He did his best to look confused, "Every moment I've spent on this earth, that's been my name."

"But what about moments," she hesitated, "Spent elsewhere?"

He blinked, "What are you asking me?"

Regina leaned forward, "I think you know. If you want me to return what's yours – tell me your name."

There was no more dancing around it, he had to answer now if he wanted Belle's cup. But he had Regina where he wanted her now. She was practically begging him for that answer that she knew was coming. She was no longer in control.

He let several beats pass, and an arrogant malicious smile crossed his lips, "Rumpelstiltskin."

She paled, she gave no indication but he saw the terror in her eyes as she just realized what she'd done.

He lunged at the bars, "Rumpelstiltskin. Now give me what I want."

Regina tried to regain what control she had had, "Such hostility."

He nodded, "Oh, yeah."

Regina reached into her purse and pulled out the small chipped up, "Over this?"

He felt his heart stop. It was still in one piece but one wrong move and it wouldn't be. He felt himself shaking as he reached through the bars to grab it put she dangled it in front of his face and pulled it away, "Such a sentimental little keepsake."

He grabbed it from her before she could drop it, "Thank you…"

She smirked.

He added in a mocking "Your majesty"

He sat down and held the cup securely. Now that it was all out there what happened? Did they part ways? She most likely didn't have a plan after this, she never did, "So. Now that we're being honest with each other, let's remember how things used to be, shall we? And don't let these bars fool you, dear. I'm the one with the power around here. I'm going to be out of here in no time, and nothing between us will change."

There was fear in her eyes but she wasn't going to let him know that, she gripped the bars and leaned in, "We shall see."

He held her gaze until she released the bars and started to leave.

When she was gone, he looked at the cup. There was no more damage, it was safe.

He clutched it tighter in his hands and wept for Belle.