If one asked around Storybrooke about the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Gold every answer would probably be different. To some, she was a tramp looking for a payout and would eventually leave him. There were even bets on how long it would last. To others she was a victim that agreed to marry the terrifying Mr. Gold on account of some deal that no one knew about.

But whatever gossip went around, no one knew for sure what the relationship was or how it came to be. The Golds had been married for as long as anyone could remember and they always treated each other with affection and a curious detachment.

Whatever went on behind closed doors would always be a mystery. Except to Archie Hopper and since he was more scared of Mr. Gold than Regina then he didn't release any information about Dawn Gold's sessions with him to the Mayor despite the fact that she asked for it on a constant basis.

Anything to get leverage on the only family more powerful in town than she was.

But behind closed doors, the relationship as agreed by both of them was a…sort of contentment. They weren't happy, because that would flatter the relationship and would make it seem as if it were something to strive for. But the truth was; if they hadn't been the type of people that they were, then the relationship would've failed a long time ago.


Dawn Gold ripped off her sunglasses as soon as she came through the door of the house and headed right to the kitchen where her husband was pouring himself a cup, "Don't say anything, just point me where my cup is."

"Where have you been?" he asked and gave her the cup.

Dawn sat down and pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes, "I am far too tired to play twenty questions."

"You look horrible this morning," her husband said and put the coffee in front of her.

She groaned, "I hate Sydney Glass. I hate him."

"You hate everyone," he reminded her.

"I love you."

He smiled, ready for this little game that they played together, "No you don't."

"Oh, that's not fair," Dawn protested, "Just because I married you mostly for your wealth and power and influence in this big fish small pond town, you automatically assume I don't love you. Just like you love me for my youth, social skills, and…optimistic personality.'

"Of course, dearie."

"Of course," she said and took a drink. It wasn't near strong enough but she'd deal with it when she drained this pot.

"We are two horrible people aren't we?"

"Which is why we work together so well."

He bent over and kissed her affectionately on the cheek, "Now you weren't exactly clear when you were muttering curses under your breath last night, why exactly do you hate Sydney Glass? He's such an honorable man."

She opened her eyes, "Because he had me working all night on a piece and every time I presented it, he said it wasn't up to my best work. Which is code for 'Regina wouldn't approve of it yet.'"

"I'm sorry; this is new to you all of a sudden?"

"It was a hatchet job, like Sydney usually bumps off on me, that's not new, but the reason for the job? Because Henry's biological mother drove into the town sign."

He raised his eyebrows, genuinely interesting for the first time that morning "Henry's real mother?"

"I would've loved to see the smirk drop from Regina Mills face when she introduced herself," she took a sip from her coffee, "That would've made a far more interesting front page."

"Is the mother going to stay?"

"Well, she had to stay overnight when she decided to put that irritating sign out of our misery. But other than that I don't know. It's been while since someone new moved in, I don't think that I can remember the last time someone moved up here, do you?"

"No," he leaned back, 'That was easier than I thought it would be."

"What?" Dawn asked in confusion.

"Nothing. You know, if you're that tired you should be asleep. Not consuming caffeine."

"If I go to sleep then Glass and his radar will know that I am and he'll call me up again to make some adjustments.'

"This isn't your first cup of coffee is it?"

"Granny's opens early."

He nodded, as if he expected her answer, "Dawn, go to bed."

"Only if you stay home with me."

"Not today, rent's due. And you know how everyone gets when I don't come around to collect rent on time, they think I'm giving them more time and it takes months to get everyone back on track."

"Look we have more money than what we'll ever need, just take a day off."

"It's the principle of the thing," he pulled on his coat and kissed her cheek, "It's going to be a big day dearie."

"It's sad when 'big day' means rent day."

"As is the life in a little town."

She scoffed as he walked out the door, "Because nothing big ever happens here."