Once Upon A Time: Deal With The Devil, Part Five
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
Emma watched as Mr. Gold looked over the lamp with the magnifying glass. They had just agreed to do whatever was necessary to prove Regina had framed Mary-Margret but Emma wasn't done with him. She still had questions she needed him to answer. He looked at her, their eyes locking as he did, " Is there something else you need, Miss Swan? " He asked quietly.
Emma tried to summon up the courage to say the words. She shut her eyes but could still feel his gaze. She sighed, " The flowers. "
" Oh yes, " Mr. Gold said. " Do you like them? "
" So you sent them? " Emma opened her eyes as her heart pounded in her ears. She recalled all of the things Mary-Margret said they meant. Her goosebumps got goosebumps as she thought about it.
" Indeed I did. I thought the combination represented you perfectly " Mr. Gold smiled gently. He arched an eyebrow, " You do know what they mean, correct? "
Flashes of all her dreams assaulted her brain at the question, all of them different but ending the same way. In them, she always seemed so helpless against his seduction. She was unable to resist being overwhelmed, becoming nothing more than a willing plaything for him to do with as he wished. It left her wondering if her resistance would hold out if they ever got into such a situation in the waking world.
" I found out, " Emma replied once she was able to breathe for the thoughts had made it hard to do so. The last couple of dreams had been so real, she could almost feel whispers of his touch on her skin as she had them. She thought it was from lack of sleep... or at least she wanted to believe it was anyway.
Mr. Gold smirked, " Is that so? "
" Yes, " Emma said.
He became smug, like she was bluffing and he knew it. " Then tell me what they mean, won't you? "
Emma blinked, " You know what they mean so why do I have to tell you? "
" Because I want to see if you're correct or assumed the wrong things, " Mr. Gold said.
" I think the message was pretty clear, " Emma started.
" Tell me what message they gave you then, " Mr. Gold cut her off.
Emma growled, " I'm not playing your stupid head games, Gold. "
Mr. Gold looked confused, " Head games? I just want you to answer a question. "
Emma frowned, " A question? "
" Yes, " Mr. Gold nodded. " A simple one at that. What do you believe I was trying to say with the flowers? "
Emma hung her head forward, trying to think of the words she wanted to say and how to keep them from coming out all wrong. She sighed and decided to go with a direct approach, " Those flowers meant passion, pleasure and beauty. I think you were trying to come on to me with them. "
Mr. Gold chuckled, " Ah. "
Emma brought her head up and glared at him, furrowing her brow, " What's so funny? "
" You see, my dear, you have their meanings correct, " Mr. Gold was smiling the smile that made Emma's knees turn to jelly and he probably knew it. " My intended message, on the other hand, was a bit misinterpreted. "
" How? " Emma blinked.
" I picked those because they do indeed mean what you said but I picked them because they represent how I see you, " Mr. Gold explained.
" And how's that? " Emma wasn't sure if she wanted to hear the answer though she had opened the box by asking about the flowers in the first place.
Mr. Gold took a deep breath, " I see you as a splendid beauty, my dear. I find great pleasure spending time with you, more pleasure than I have felt in a long time. You have a pure heart and you are full of wisdom, faith and valor. "
" Faith? " Emma snorted. Her faith in things she couldn't prove or see tended to be minimal at best. She had to have something solid to look at, to see and feel.
" Well, faith in what you have seen, " Mr. Gold cut his eyes towards her like he didn't appreciate being interrupted. " You are also alive with a passion that touches my heart in a way it hasn't been touched in quite some time. "
Emma felt her face grow hot. She felt like his words were going to overcome her, her mind swirling as she thought about them. " Really? " She whispered.
" Yes. Now, there isn't much I have left to say," Mr. Gold went back to examining the lamp. He had shown himself but was retreating again, like he always did.
Emma wasn't going to let it end there. She wasn't going to be afraid of him and the way he got after being so open with her. " I still have plenty to say to you, Gold. "
" Then you should say it, " Mr. Gold didn't look at her. He seemed particularly fascinated with the part of the lamp he was looking at.
Emma pushed off from the desk then paced towards the curtain, turning and coming back. She crossed her arms and quirked her mouth, " What was that all about yesterday morning? "
" Yesterday morning? " He asked, still not looking at her.
" You know what I'm talking about, " Emma said sharply. She wanted to know. " Why did you kiss me? "
Mr. Gold set the magnifying glass down and picked up a cloth from the table. He started to polish the lamp gently and kept his attention on it, " Perhaps I was overcome with emotion for a moment. It doesn't happen to me often but even I have my weak moments. You should know that by now. "
Emma thought it over and realized he was right. He had shared things with her that she was pretty sure he hadn't talked about in a long time with anyone. He had told her of painful things like losing his son and how he got injured or at least how he believed he got injured. She still wasn't brave enough to ask about the really tender subjects Regina had told her about.
" You have a point, " Emma said quietly. She had long ago decided not to ask about his wife or lover. If he wanted to tell her about them, he would do so when he felt like it... if he ever told her at all.
" Is there anything else? " Mr. Gold asked as he continued to clean the lamp.
Emma thought about the strange exchange that she had with Rick the night before. He had acted so drastically different towards her and she had a theory why. " When I got bit, " Emma started.
" How is that wound by the way? " Mr. Gold interjected. " I see you don't have a bandage on it anymore. "
Emma blinked. She didn't know how he could tell, " It's healing. It doesn't hurt anymore. "
" That's good, " Mr. Gold finished with the lamp. He stood up and placed it back on the shelf. He then grabbed his cane and turned to Emma, " What about that night? "
" Do you remember how that paramedic was staring at me? " Emma asked.
Mr. Gold frowned, " I do. It was uncalled for and rude. Very unprofessional. "
" It was, " Emma agreed. " Well, I saw him yesterday and he wouldn't even look at me. Did you have something to do with that? "
" I filed a complaint, " Mr. Gold said.
" You did? " Emma blinked.
" Yes, " Mr. Gold walked around the table to stand next to Emma. " I will not have anyone disrespected in my shop. Most of all, you. "
Emma's heart raced at his proximity, " Oh. "
" You don't know how much restraint it took for me not to do something about it then and there, " Mr. Gold said.
Emma suddenly recalled something he had said at the sheriff's office. " You said your probation was cut short. "
Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " It was and I bet you're wondering why. "
" Why and when, " Emma said.
" I got the call from my probation officer yesterday afternoon, right before I came to see Miss Blanchard. She said that it was going to be cut short because they had more dangerous criminals to worry about, " Mr. Gold said. " I suppose it's lucky for you since you need to stay here and investigate Mrs. Nolan's murder. "
" I guess so, " Emma said. She had also been concerned about how she was going to get him out of town since it seemed no one could leave Storybrooke. His probation officer was in the next town over, the whole thing arranged through phone calls and paperwork between the courthouse and the officer's office.
Emma had spoke to the woman once and had faxed her a report on the Harold Durbin incident as well as the robbery since Mr. Gold was involved in both. Emma made sure they were written so he looked completely innocent and she wouldn't have to answer any questions later. " I know. Getting out of town isn't easy. "
" Not at all, " Mr. Gold smirked. " I know plenty of people who wouldn't be here if they could help it. "
Emma scoffed, " Yeah. So do I. "
" Shouldn't you be getting back to Miss Blanchard? " Mr. Gold asked rather abruptly. " Is anyone watching her? "
" She's alone, " Emma shook her head. " I didn't plan on being gone too long. I need to head back. "
" You should before Regina finds out you left her by herself, " Mr. Gold said.
" And you know she will, " Emma rolled her eyes and turned to leave.
Mr. Gold brought his left hand up and touched Emma's arm gently, stopping her. He smiled at her when she turned back to him, " One moment, my dear. "
Emma's heart fluttered as their eyes locked. She shut her eyes as he leaned in and kissed her. A surge of heat ran through her as his lips touched hers, stunning her for the briefest of moments. She recovered and returned it as he pulled her to him.
She brought her left hand up and placed it on his chest, his heart pounding beneath her palm. Her heart was throbbing so badly, she wondered if he could hear it for it was almost deafening to her. They kissed languidly for a long moment before he pulled away. Emma felt some disappointment as he moved back, a part of her wishing they had kissed longer.
She sighed when he took his hand from her arm, opening her eyes. He had a frighteningly serious look on his face, " I think I'll come with you. Miss Blanchard needs us both. "
Robin returned to camp, finding a great deal of activity as he walked up. From the feel in the air, he knew something was up and it wasn't good. There were many men milling around that Robin did not know. They were talking amongst themselves and the snatches of conversations he heard all sounded like battle plans.
Tuck ran out from the crowd to meet him, " You have returned. Where were you? "
" I had business to attend to, " Robin wasn't about to tell the holy man he had been to see Rumplestiltskin.
" You vanished and we were scared Rothwell or his men had taken you, " Tuck said. He then looked towards camp. " We have a situation. "
" I can see that, " Robin said. " Care to tell me what's going on? "
Tuck looked at Robin, " Rothwell has taken Marion. "
" What? " Robin said. " How? When? "
" While you were away, " Tuck said. " Last night in fact. "
Robin was shocked, " But how did they take her? "
" A trap on the road, " Tuck replied. " You must go to John. He is swearing he will murder Rothwell for this. "
" Take me to him, " Robin said. " I will talk to him. "
Tuck nodded, " Follow me. He's sharpening his arrows as we speak. "
Robin followed Tuck to the cave at the back of the encampment to find John was sitting next to the fire, shirtless and honing his arrow tips to deadly looking points. He stopped when he heard movement behind him, " I said I did not want to be disturbed. "
" But Robin has returned, " Tuck stammered a bit.
John jumped to his feet, swinging around to glare at Robin. " Where have you been? " He nearly shouted.
" I had to go... " Robin looked at Tuck. " I had to go think. After seeing what Rothwell did to my home and my land... "
" Leave us, Tuck! " John looked at the holy man.
Tuck looked between the two men then almost ran out of the cave. Robin was shocked when John lunged at him, still grasping an arrow in his left hand. " John! " Robin shouted as he was pinned against the wall.
" Tell me where you went that was more important than staying here with us? " John held Robin against the wall with his right arm, pressing the arrow to his throat. " You knew his men were lurking around outside of camp! "
" I needed some time to think, " Robin was frightened by the murderous look on John's eyes. He knew he would have to pick his words carefully lest he upset him any more. " Rothwell took away everything I held dear. "
" And now he's taken the ONLY thing I HOLD dear! " John shouted.
Robin blinked, " Are you talking about Marion? "
" Of course you git! " John sneered. " What do you think I mean? "
Robin's heart sank for he had thought Marion was quite beautiful. In fact, they had been getting on quite well together, sharing laughs and late night conversations on guard duty. He had even entertained the idea of courting her properly once Rothwell was defeated. " Marion is your... "
" Marion is my sister, " John cut him off sharply, pressing the arrow into his throat a little harder. " I don't know what you were thinking but she is my little sister. "
Robin felt slightly relieved but was still scared for the arrow tip was biting into his flesh. He tried to give John the most serious look he could muster, " Then we must hurry and save her. "
" That is a foregone conclusion, " John said and let up on the arrow. " He is determined to marry her. "
" She will say 'no', " Robin said. He had already picked up that Marion was a strong willed woman not likely to bend to anyone's wishes than her own.
" She does and she dies, " John said. " She will be severely outnumbered in Rothwell's compound. My sister may be strong but even she can be overwhelmed. We believe that's what happened when she left camp. "
" But why did she leave in the first place? " Robin asked. " We all agreed not to leave alone. "
" And yet you did, " John said ruefully.
" I had my reasons, " Robin said.
John sneered, " Selfish reasons. "
" Why did Marion leave? " Robin wanted to shift the attention back to her.
John backed off, using the arrow like a pointer. He jabbed Robin in the chest with it lightly, " You ARE a dense one, aren't you? "
" What do you mean? " Robin was confused.
John glared at him again, " She left to find you. "
" Really? " Robin couldn't believe his ears.
John nodded, " She thought you were in trouble when you didn't return after the first two nights so she set out last night. She didn't have much further to get to camp when she was taken. "
Robin frowned, " I will do everything I can to help get her back. "
John pushed the arrow against his chest, " You had better... for I will take your life if she loses hers. "
(From this point on, 'Through The Devil's Eyes and 'Deal With The Devil' are becoming one story.)
Mr. Gold waited for Emma to leave, listening as the sound of her little yellow car faded into the distance. He quirked his mouth, reaching for the phone. He picked it up and dialed Regina's number. It rang twice before she answered, " Hello? "
" It's me, " Mr. Gold said. He smiled, " She's gone. "
" Excellent, " Regina sounded more than pleased. " And has Emma gone after her? "
" Indeed she has, " Mr. Gold replied. " After all, it is her job. "
Regina scoffed, " Yes. I suppose you're right. "
" Is there anything else you wish of me tonight my dear? " Mr. Gold knew she shivered from being called 'dear'.
" No. I think all we have left to do now is sit back and watch the show, " Regina purred.
" Yes, " Mr. Gold smirked to himself. ~ What a show it will be... ~
" Goodnight, Mr. Gold, " Regina said and hung up.
Mr. Gold placed the receiver back in the cradle, turning to leave. He glanced towards Emma's office, not seeing the flowers he had sent. He furrowed his brow, pondering what she could have done with them. He made a mental note to ask her when he saw her again.
He recalled how Emma thought they had been a way of coming on to her. He wanted to tell her that if he were going to that, he would have done it to her face. Of course, he didn't blame her for thinking that. He had been subtly flirting with her, just keeping it ambiguous enough to keep her questioning herself.
He frowned, something not feeling right. He got the sense that Emma was in some kind of danger. He recalled the vision he had that showed him that Mary-Margret was going to escape. In it, Emma had gone after her and returned with her but it took the entire night.
He pondered it, wondering how come he hadn't realized it sooner. He left the station, walking towards home. He moved as quickly as his lame leg allowed him to, cursing the injures that had caused it to be in such a condition. As he made his way, he heard a car approach.
The driver honked and he slowed as they pulled alongside of him. He looked to find it was a red car he recognized as Ruby's. He stopped as she did so as well. She rolled down her window, " Uh. Do you need a ride some place? "
" You can take me home, " Mr. Gold said firmly.
" Hop in, " Ruby motioned.
Mr. Gold walked around to the passenger side door, opening it and getting in. " Please drive fast. I'm in a hurry. "
" Right, " Ruby said, pressing the gas down. The engine roared as she tore down the road. She quirked her mouth, " I hope Emma doesn't catch me speeding. "
" Emma is... busy. Don't worry yourself, " Mr. Gold said. " Do you know where my home is? "
" No. You have to tell me, " Ruby said.
Mr. Gold frowned, " It's on Saint George. "
" Saint George? " Ruby blinked. " Is it the big one? "
Mr. Gold nodded, " Yes. The biggest one on the street. "
" I know exactly where I'm going then, " Ruby said.
There was a silence as Ruby drove. Mr. Gold glanced over and saw her left wrist was in a brace. " What happened? "
" What? " Ruby said.
" To your arm, " Mr. Gold motioned to it.
Ruby sighed, " Nothing. Just got the crap scared out of me last night. "
Mr. Gold furrowed his brow, " And how did that happen? "
Ruby frowned, " I was taking out some trash and there was some guy lurking around the dumpster. I startled him and he startled me. He pushed me and I fell. "
" You called Emma, correct? " Mr. Gold asked.
" Of course, " Ruby said. " She couldn't do much because I didn't get a good look at the guy. She took a report and that was the end of it. "
Mr. Gold nodded once then sighed, " I hope you're being more careful then. "
" I'm not allowed to go out back after dark, " Ruby said. " Not until that guy gets caught anyway. "
" That is a very smart move, my dear. It is the safest option, " Mr. Gold replied as they got closer to his home. " You can slow down now. We're almost there. "
Ruby nodded then glanced at him, " The stranger's been by the cafe. "
" He has, has he? " Mr. Gold frowned. " And you didn't tell me sooner? "
" That's why I stopped to pick you up. He came in this evening, " Ruby explained.
" And what did he say? " Mr. Gold was curious.
Ruby sighed, " Not much. We talked about what happened last night and then he started talking about crossing the desert on a camel. He did say something when he left that struck me as odd though. "
" What was it? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.
" He told me to tell Emma to be careful, " Ruby glanced at Mr. Gold. " It was like he knew something but wasn't going to tell me what. "
Mr. Gold frowned, " I see. "
Ruby pulled to a stop in front of Mr. Gold's house, " Here we go. "
" Thank you, my dear, " Mr. Gold nodded.
" For the ride? " Ruby asked.
Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " And the information. "
Ruby smiled slightly, " You're welcome. "
Mr. Gold got out of the car, shutting the door and taking a step back from the curb. He watched as Ruby pulled away then made his way to the house. He walked up the front steps, getting his keys out as he did. His hand shook slightly as he unlocked the door, the feeling of dread beginning to really affect him.
He pushed the door open, going inside and shutting the door behind him. He tossed his keys on the table by the door, moving quickly to the den. He went to the fireplace, grabbing a heavy gold lighter from the mantle. He sat down on the couch and opened the lighter, hoping he could find the source of his discomfort.
He started to breathe deeply, attempting to steady his nerves for he wouldn't be able to do anything until he could concentrate. When he felt he as ready, he flicked the wheel on the lighter until a bright orange flame leapt to life. He stared into to it, a faint vision of Emma speeding down one of the back road appearing in the fire. A chill ran down his spine as she nearly hit a man that was walking, the man jumping out of the way to save himself.
The vision was too faint for him to see the man but he did see Emma stop to help him. As Emma approached him to help, the vision faded and a new one took it's place. Emma was tied up on a couch, a gag in her mouth and it looked like she was sleeping. An obviously dropped teacup was on the floor next to the white couch she was laying on.
He frowned, realizing she had probably been drugged. Again, he saw the man but his back was to him and he couldn't see his face. All he could see was dressed rather elegantly and sharpening a pair of scissors. The room he was in looked elegant as well but still gave him no clues.
Something was keeping him from identifying the man or even much about his house. All he could really tell was Emma had been kidnapped. He went cold. None of what he was seeing had been in the vision he had about Mary-Margret escaping.
It was like something... someone had blocked him from seeing it until it was in the past. The vision was fading fast and was soon gone. He shut the lighter, concerned for Emma and her safety...