Once Upon A Time: Deal With The Devil, Part Two

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

(Again, thanks to Pamela Anneliese for the info on flower meanings. I dug a little deeper on my own and got an idea for something Emma gets in this chapter.)

Emma looked up when she saw someone come in from the reception area. She furrowed her brow when she saw a blonde average sized man standing there with a huge bouquet of flower in his hand. He wore a white shirt and khaki pants with a green apron. He smiled nervously and waved at her.

She walked out of her office, noticing Mary-Margret had seen the man as well. " Can I help you? " Emma asked.

" I'm looking for Sheriff Swan, " He said. It was then Emma noticed his apron had the logo for one of the local florists on it. She realized he was probably a delivery man.

" That's me, " Emma frowned. " Why? "

" These are for you, " The delivery man held out the flowers. The arrangement included mostly gladiolus, amaryllis, a few sweet peas, some baby's breath and a couple of irises. It was a strikingly beautiful mix and perfectly arranged.

Emma stared at it for a long moment then looked at the delivery man, " From who? "

The delivery man shrugged, " He didn't give his name. He just said he wanted these delivered to you. "

" It's not even the season for most of those, " Mary-Margret said. She blinked when Emma looked at her strangely. " What? "

" How do you know that? " Emma was puzzled.

" There's a landscaping class for the high school aged kids. I've had my kids sit in on a few classes for science, " Mary-Margret explained. " We also teach the kids how to identify poisonous plants in the wild. "

" Oh, " Emma nodded. " That makes sense. "

" Most of those are spring and summer flowers, " Mary-Margret said. She looked at the delivery man, " Am I right? "

" Yes, you are but we have a greenhouse and raise our own special hybrids, " The delivery man said. " You can't find any of these in the wild. "

" So they're expensive? " Emma arched an eyebrow. The conversation had her a bit lost. She had never really cared for flowers, going as far as trashing Mary-Margret's bouquet from Doctor Whale when she thought they were from Graham.

The delivery man blinked then nodded like he was unsure if he was supposed to answer the question. " Uh, yeah. "

" Right, " Emma took the flowers. She would decide what to do with them later. " Thank you. "

The delivery man lingered then smiled sheepishly, " My tip? "

Emma rolled her eyes and set the vase down on the desk next to her. She got her wallet out and gave the man a five-dollar tip. " That's all I have. "

The delivery man nodded, " Thanks. "

Emma watched as the man left then turned to Mary-Margret. She was staring at the flowers, looking almost frightened. " What's wrong? Scared of what I'm going to do to them? " Emma tried to sound teasing.

" No, " Mary-Margret shook her head. She furrowed her brow, " Do you know what those flowers mean? "

Emma quirked her mouth, " Is it bad? "

Mary-Margret shook her head then cocked her head to the side, " Well, I guess it depends on how you feel about the person who sent them. "

" What do they mean? " Emma walked over to the cell. " Do you know? "

Mary-Margret nodded and sighed, " The amaryllis is splendid beauty. The sweet peas mean... "

" Yes? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

" Delicate pleasure, " Mary-Margret almost blushed as she said the words. She collected herself and continued to speak, " The baby's breath means a pure heart and the irises are for faith, wisdom and valor. "

" Oh. The way you looked at them made me think they meant something bad, " Emma started.

" I'm not done, " Mary-Margret said. She took a deep breath, " Gladioli represent infatuation, with a bouquet conveying to a recipient that they pierce the giver's heart with passion. "

Emma went cold, " What? "

" I'm just telling you what I know, " Mary-Margret said. " Check the card. Maybe it says who sent them. "

Emma found the pick with the card and pulled it out. She opened the card, frowning. " It doesn't say who it's from. "

" Does it say anything at all? " Mary-Margret tried to see the card from where she was but couldn't.

Emma walked over and showed it to her, " Two words. Stay strong. "

" I didn't even know you were seeing anyone, " Mary-Margret said as she looked at the card.

" I'm not, " Emma said. She frowned, " Not really. "

Mary-Margret looked frightened, " Please, please tell me they aren't from HIM. "

" Him who? " Emma blinked.

" You know who, " Mary-Margret said like she was scared to even utter the name.

Emma's eyes went wide, " No way. He wouldn't do that. At least, I don't think he would. "

Mary-Margret leaned as close as she could to the bars, " You've been spending a lot of time with him. And don't forget, I saw you two kissing. "

" What? When? " Emma went cold. She could have sworn Mary-Margret was asleep when Mr. Gold came by.

" The day you hit your head, " Mary-Margret reminded her.

Emma was slightly relieved, " I told you before. He kissed me on the cheek. "

" Well, who else have you been with besides Gold? " Mary-Margret asked, whispering his name as she said it.

Emma sighed, " I went for a ride with that Booth guy. But it was just one ride. Nothing that would warrant flowers. At least, I don't think so. "

" Maybe they're from him, " Mary-Margret said. " What did you say his first name was? "

" August, " Emma said. " Why? "

" The gladioli are the birth month flower for... August, " Mary-Margret blinked when she was done speaking. She furrowed her brow, " Do you think it's a clue? I mean, there's more of that than anything else. "

Emma sighed. At first, she thought Mary-Margret was right and Mr. Gold had sent them but that little tidbit of information made her wonder if they both had assumed wrong. She didn't know if Booth had the money for such expensive flowers though. Then again, she didn't know a lot about him to begin with. " I'm so confused, " Emma let out a frustrated sigh.

" I hate to bring this up now but... " Mary-Margret paused. " When are you going to check the apartment to see if it was broken into? "

" As soon as Marco gets here to watch you, " Emma sighed. " I called him a little while ago. "

" I see, " Mary-Margret nodded. She sighed, " I've been over it and over it and over it and I can't figure out how it got there. I swear to you... "

" Just calm down, " Emma shushed her. " I know I'll find an answer when I go check it out. "

Mary-Margret frowned, " I hope so. "

Robin walked into the tavern, looking around. Rumplestiltskin was at his side dressed in a cream colored cloak. He had the hood pulled up to conceal his face, a scarf covering his mouth and nose. He had arranged a meeting with with a man willing to help Robin.

He scanned the room then smirked, " In the back corner. "

Robin looked to where Rumplestiltskin was pointing. A large table ran along the back wall, a solitary blonde man dressed in black sitting at it. He looked up and motioned to Rumplestiltskin when he saw him. " Come, Robin, " He said.

They walked through the room, people looking at Robin then whispering among themselves. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he was certain it wasn't good. As they approached the table, the blonde man looked at them. " You called me? "

Rumplestiltskin nodded, " I did. Are you alone? "

" You told me to come alone so why wouldn't I be? " The man stood up. He was a tall man, over a foot taller than Rumplestiltskin. He put his hand out to Robin, " John Little. "

Robin shook his hand, amazed at his height. This John Little was a good eight inches taller than Robin, " Robin, The Earl of... "

" I know who you are, " John said. " Everyone knows who you are. "

" Oh. I guess so, " Robin said and let his hand go.

" So Rumplestiltskin tells me that you want to get your land and your title back? " John said. He smirked, " And maybe clear your name in the process. "

" I do but I have no idea how, " Robin nodded.

" Sit, please. Both of you, " John said and sat down.

Robin and Rumplestiltskin sat down as well, " Do you know what I can do? " Robin asked.

John smirked, " I do. You see, I have have a band of men... "

" And one lady, " Rumplestiltskin interjected.

" If you could call her that, " John cut his eyes to Rumplestiltskin. He paled when Rumplestiltskin gave him a harsh look. He cleared his throat, " Indeed. As I was saying, I have a band of men and one lady who want to see Rothwell taken down as well. "

" Really? " Robin blinked. " How many? "

" Nine I keep close and more scattered throughout these woods, " John said. " He has stolen from all of us using his power as an excuse and we want to stop him. "

" I bet, " Robin said.

" And Rumplestiltskin here as said he will offer his assistance to us, " John glanced at the imp. " For a price of course. "

Robin furrowed his brow and looked at Rumplestiltskin, " What's that price? "

Rumplestiltskin leaned forward, " The sheriff is in possession of a magical sword. I need it for my collection and to keep it out of the... wrong hands. I will help you all defeat this Rothwell and you will get me the sword. "

Robin nodded, " I see. "

" Of course, it is well-protected, " Rumplestiltskin said. " It won't be easy. "

" But nine men is quite a force to reckon with, " Robin said.

" And one woman, " John threw in. " And the others if I need them. "

Robin furrowed his brow, " What is so special about this woman that you keep mentioning her? "

" You'll find out, " Rumplestiltskin said. From what Robin could see of his face, he knew the little imp was greatly amused by something.

John smiled, " So, are you with us? "

" If you'll help me get back what is mine, " Robin replied.

" We will, " John said.

" Then it's settled, " Rumplestiltskin said. " You should get going. "

John stood up, " Indeed. I can't wait for you to meet my band of merry men. "