Once Upon A Time: Deal With The Devil, Part Four
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
Emma sat at the counter at Granny's, waiting for her order. After investigating the prowler incident there, she had returned to the jail to find Mary-Margret curled up on her bunk. She was sobbing and sniffling so Emma assumed her meeting with David hadn't gone well. She couldn't ask because Mr. Gold didn't want them talking about the case.
She was also still trying to figure out why Regina had a key that opened her apartment and just exactly what the other keys opened. When the door swung open, it had sent a chill down her spine and her stomach to her feet. Henry's theory that Regina was framing Mary-Margret was starting to hold water. The problem was she still didn't have anything concrete, the keys being legally useless since Henry had stolen them.
Ruby came up, looking no worse for wear. Her left wrist was in a black brace but she was still moving along at her usual speed. " Hey girl, " She said in a chipper tone though she looked a bit tired.
" Hey, " Emma said. " How do you feel? "
Ruby rolled her eyes, " I'm a little sore and I got maybe five hours sleep but I'm good. Oh, and Granny won't let me take trash out after nightfall now. "
" That's a good idea, " Emma said. She sighed, " At least you got some sleep. "
" You haven't slept? " Ruby looked concerned.
Emma shook her head, " Not much. Just a few hours before I came over here. Mary-Margret was sleeping so I took the opportunity. "
" Good thing Regina didn't come by, " Ruby snorted. " How long is she going to make you hack it on your own? "
" I can hire a deputy at any time, " Emma said. " I just need to find one. "
" I hope you find one soon, " Ruby said.
" I do too, " Emma sighed. Her cell phone started to vibrate and she pulled it out of her pocket. She furrowed her brow when she saw it was the lab.
" What's wrong? " Ruby asked as Emma opened the text.
Emma hid the phone screen from Ruby, reading the words she hoped she wouldn't have to. The message read, " DNA evidence collected from submitted sample matches DNA of Kathryn Nolan. "
" It's bad, isn't it? " Ruby looked frightened. " Your face just went pale. "
Emma nodded, " I can't say anything else but yes, it's bad. "
" Order up! " The cook called from the kitchen.
Ruby walked over and got the take-out bag and cup of coffee Emma had ordered, coming back to the counter. She handed Emma the bag and the coffee, " Don't worry bout paying. I've got it covered. You go. "
" Thanks, " Emma said and left. She strode to the police car and got in. She started it, pulling onto Main Street, going a little faster than she should have. She needed to get back to the jail and tell Mary-Margret the news... and what she believed.
Her heart beat faster, knowing the only person that could help them both was Mr. Gold...
Robin stumbled into Rumplestiltskin's castle, weak from walking for almost two days. He was filthy, disheveled and looked like he had been rolling around in soot. " Rumplestiltskin! " He called out as he leaned against one of the walls by the door, panting for air.
After a few moments, he called his name again. " Who are you? " A woman's voice startled Robin.
Robin looked around, finding a beautiful young woman was walking down the staircase to the back of the entry hall. She was petite with auburn hair and blue eyes. She wore a blue dress with a white blouse. She held a dusting cloth in one hand and looked like she had been cleaning, her face smudged with a little bit of dirt.
" I need to see Rumplestiltskin, " Robin said as he panted.
" My master is out, " The woman came down the stairs and approached him. " Are you alright? "
" I'm fine, " Robin waved her off.
" Come with me, " She grabbed him by the arm. " You must sit down. Come to the den. "
Robin was too weak to resist... or she was just that strong, letting her drag him through a set of double doors that led into a grand room filled with strange and curious treasures. She used her free hand to pull out the lone chair at the long dining room table and pushed him down in it. She put the dusting cloth down, " Wait here. I will get you some water. "
Robin nodded weakly, " Please. "
The woman skittered off but returned quickly. She held the mug out to Robin and he took it. She kept her hand on the handle though, obviously noticing his shaking hands. " I'll steady it. You drink. "
Robin gulped the whole mug down, panting for air when he was done. The water did him a lot of good, a small amount of his strength coming back. He looked at her, " Thank you... I'm sorry, I didn't get your name. "
" It's Belle, " The woman said. " You're welcome. "
" Where is Rumplestiltskin? " Robin asked.
" I told you. My master is out but he will return soon, " Belle looked at a clock somewhere behind Robin. " Perhaps with in the next two hours. "
" I need to see him now, " Robin begged.
" That's impossible, " Belle said sharply. " You need to wait. I cannot just summon him out of thin air at will. "
Robin shrank back a bit at her sharp tone. She may have been small but she was feisty. " Fine then. Could I please have another glass of water and somewhere to rest until he returns. "
" That I can do, " Belle replied. She left and came back with another mug of water. " I can take you to a room when you feel like you can move. "
Robin drank the water then nodded, " Take me now or I shall never get out of this chair. "
Belle took the mug and set it on the table. She then helped Robin to his feet, " Can you make it upstairs? "
" I suppose I should try, " Robin said. " I'm right in guessing that there's no bedrooms down on this floor. "
" No, but there is one at the top of the stairs, " Belle said. " Right at the top. "
" Then I will go there, " Robin nodded. He tried not to lean on her too heavily as she led him back out to the foyer. They went to the stairs, climbing them slowly until they reached the top. She led him to a door and opened it.
" Here, " She said. " This is it. "
" Thank you, " Robin said, stumbling into the lavishly decorated bedroom and over to the bed. He fell onto it and waved his hand. " Leave me and come for me when your master returns. "
" Yes sir, " Belle said and shut the door.
Robin fell asleep but was awoken some time later when he felt a presence in the room. He opened his eyes to find Rumplestiltskin standing in the doorway. " My... housekeeper told me you were here. "
" Yes, " Robin sat up, every muscle in his body sore and stinging.
" Why? " Rumplestiltskin asked sharply. " Do you have the sword? "
" No, " Robin said.
" Then get out and don't come back until you do, " Rumplestiltskin pointed out the window. He glared at Robin, " The agreement was... "
" I want to change the deal, " Robin cut him off.
" I don't change deals once they are set, dearie, " Rumplestiltskin didn't look happy with being interrupted. " It's not what I do. "
" But Rothwell has burned my home and destroyed my land. He has sold my possessions and my cattle. I have nothing left, " Robin said.
Rumplestiltskin frowned, " So you are giving up? "
Robin shook his head, " No. "
" Then what do you want? " Rumplestiltskin asked.
" I want it all back, " Robin said. " Can you give it all back to me? "
Rumplestiltskin clucked his tongue, " Oh no no, dearie. I cannot restore what another has destroyed. I can, however, give you the money you need to rebuild. Of course, you have to do something for me first. "
" Anything, " Robin said. " I will do whatever you want me to do. "
Rumplestiltskin smiled and laughed, " Excellent. "
" What is it you want me to do? " Robin asked.
" I want the others to bring me the sword but you, " Rumplestiltskin pointed at him. " You I want to do something a little more... dangerous. "
" Dangerous? " Robin went cold.
" Yes, " Rumplestiltskin said. He smiled, " Rothwell has another magical artifact I desire. He just came into possession of it or so I heard. You see, he's like a greedy child and he has to keep getting new toys to stay satisfied. "
" What is this artifact? What am I going to be looking for? " Robin asked.
" A golden arrow, " Rumplestiltskin said. " One of the most powerful in all the land. It always finds it's target. "
Robin blinked, " Easy enough. Does he keep it in the same place as the sword? "
" Yes, dear boy, " Rumplestiltskin nodded his head. " He keeps both with him at all times. You will need to snatch it while he's sleeping, " He made a snatching motion when he said the word 'snatch'.
" But he's insane, " Robin said. " He's cut down his own men for waking him from a sound sleep. "
" Then you will need to be very very quiet, " Rumplestiltskin said, finishing the sentence in a whisper.
Robin thought it over then looked at Rumplestiltskin, " So if I take this golden arrow, you will give me what I need to rebuild? "
" Indeed, " Rumplestiltskin said.
" Then we have a deal, " Robin said though he wasn't sure how he would pull it off.
Rumplestiltskin smirked and produced a new contract along with a quill, " Indeed we do. "
Robin took both, looking for the place to sign. Once he did, he handed the items back to the imp. He was puzzled when he snapped his fingers, producing a key. " What's that for? " Robin pointed to it.
Rumplestiltskin smiled, " Take it. You never know when you'll need a spare key. "
Robin took it warily, unsure of what Rumplestiltskin meant...