Once Upon A Time: Deal With The Devil, Part Six
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
" Quick, " Emma said as she walked in the office. " Get in your cell. Regina will probably be here soon. "
" Right, " Mary-Margret said as she skittered to the cell, shutting the door behind her. Emma came over and locked it. " What should I do? "
Emma grabbed a newspaper off the desk, shoving it between the bars, " Here. Act like you're reading it when she comes in. "
" So you found her, " Mr. Gold's voice startled Emma.
" I did, " Emma turned to him. " How long have you been standing there? "
" I just got here, " Mr. Gold said. " Why didn't you call me to let me know? "
Emma sighed, " We just got back. I haven't had a chance to. "
" The important thing is that you made it back for the arraignment, " Mr. Gold eyed Emma. " I want to have a word with you in your office. "
" Uh sure, " Emma said. She glanced at Mary-Margret. " I'll just be a minute. "
Mary-Margret nodded, " I'll be alright. "
Emma and Mr. Gold went into the office, Mr. Gold shutting the door behind them. She noted he had a bit of concern on his face as he asked, " Do you care to tell me about your night? "
Emma blinked. She didn't want to talk to him about it. The story was so crazy, she was certain he would think her a madwoman if she told it. She was still trying to process it all herself and wasn't for sure if she knew how to explain.
Being kidnapped by a madman wasn't bad enough but whatever Jefferson had drugged her with made her have a weird dream about Mr. Gold. It was like all the others, the memory of it making it hard to face him without recalling it. In it, he had rescued her from Jefferson and taken her to the cabin in the woods. She shivered, recalling what happened then tried to push it out of her mind.
" There was nothing special about it, " Emma shrugged and tried to sound nonchalant.
Mr. Gold gave a doubtful look then asked, " Nothing special? "
Emma motioned to Mary-Margret's cell, " Nope. I just chased her through the woods all night long. "
" All night? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow. " She didn't have THAT much of a head start on you, did she? "
Emma frowned. He knew she was lying and probably had seen her shiver too. She could see it on his face and she wondered why she had even tried to make something up in the first place. She sighed, " Maybe later. We haven't got the time for me to tell you... "
His eyes focused on her throat, " Yes. Perhaps you should. It looks like your night was quite... interesting. "
Emma looked at the clock on the wall, her mind going to Henry. She got a very strong feeling that she needed to see him. She looked at Mr. Gold, " I have to go do something really quick. Could you stay here with Mary-Margret? "
" Gladly, " Mr. Gold said as he opened the door. " Just be back for the arraignment. "
" Oh trust me. I will be, " Emma said then dashed out. She went to the beetle and got in, starting the car and buckling her seat belt at the same time. She glanced up in the rear view mirror, taking a sharp breath as something caught her eye.
Two red hand prints marred her pale white throat. Jefferson had tried to strangle her but she didn't think he had his hands on her long enough to leave any marks. She made a mental note to check herself for more bruises when she had the chance but she needed to get to Henry. She want to let the child know Mary-Margret was back in jail so he wouldn't worry.
He had looked so scared when he found out Mary-Margret's escape wasn't planned and she was certain he had worried about it all night. She put the car into gear and drove to the school, parking along the curb before turning the car off and getting out. She checked her reflection in the window, pulling her hair forward so it obscured her throat. She didn't want to scare Henry any more than he probably was.
She stepped up on the sidewalk, scanning the crowd of children before seeing Henry sitting at a picnic table. She took a deep breath, striding over to where he sat...
Robin and John crept up the path that led to Rothwell's massive estate. They had decided to go alone but there woods were filled with back up. The army numbered one-hundred forty and were given orders to move in at the first sign of trouble. As they neared a set of French doors, John tapped Robin on the shoulder.
Robin looked at him, " What? " He whispered.
" We stay together, " John said.
" Bu what if Rothwell isn't with Marion? " Robin asked. " How do we get... the sword? "
John frowned, " I don't care about that right now. I just want to rescue my sister. "
" But Rumplestiltskin... " Robin started.
" Don't worry about him, " John said. " I have no idea what he's looking for. "
Robin went cold. He knew no one crossed Rumplestiltskin. Tuck had told him stories that made his skin crawl and he wasn't the only one telling the stories either. The word around The Enchanted Forest was that no one broke deals with him for they would suffer terrible consequences.
" But... he'll... " Robin stammered.
" Have you been listening that old drunk Tuck? " John looked slightly amused. " His mind is almost gone because of the drink, my friend. He even claims to see Rumplestiltskin when he's really been at it. "
Robin blinked, unsure what to say. He had never seen Tuck without a flask of wine and he always reeked of the stuff. The fear in his eyes were quite real though when he spoke of the imp. He frowned, " But the stories... "
" Are just that, stories. Now, remember what is at stake here if we fail, " John placed a his hand on the hilt of his dagger. " If we fail, you die. "
Robin swallowed then nodded, " I understand. "
Emma thought she was going to pass out for exhaustion as she drove Mary-Margret and Mr. Gold back to the police station. The arraignment went as well as expected, which wasn't very well at all. Mary-Margret had been ordered to stay in jail without bail until the trial. Emma felt bad for her friend but there wasn't much she could do about it for there was just too much evidence against her.
She felt like she was nodding off, startling when Mr. Gold touched her shoulder. " My dear, please stay awake. "
" I'm doing my best, " Emma sighed.
" You need to get some sleep, " Mr. Gold stroked Emma's shoulder gently.
Emma looked in the rear view mirror, noticing Mary-Margret was giving her a weird look. She knew her friend was going to have questions about the action. Emma shivered again as he brushed her hair aside, his fingertips grazing her cheek. She knew he was looking at the faded marks on her throat, glancing up again to find Mary-Margret was still looking at her.
She couldn't believe Mr. Gold was touching her in such an unconcealed manner in front of Mary-Margret. It was almost like he didn't care if she saw it. Mr. Gold looked at Mary-Margret as well, " You ladies still haven't told me what happened last night. "
Emma looked at Mary-Margret then glanced at Mr. Gold. " Nothing happened. I told you, I chased her all night. "
" Yes, " Mary-Margret said, nodding. Her voice trembled as she continued, " I got really REALLY lost in the woods. She really did have to work hard to find me. "
Mr. Gold quirked his mouth and took his hand off of Emma. He shrugged, " Alright. If you say so. "
Emma knew it wasn't over. He would get her alone and not let her go until she told him the truth. She knew him well enough to know he would. The thought of being alone with him made her heart race a little bit, the last time coming to mind.
Her skin prickled with heat as she recalled the kiss. She had been afraid her feelings were one-sided but the length and tenderness of the kiss at the shop made her think otherwise. The timing was terrible though and she wasn't for sure if she could handle having one more thing on her plate. She had to focus on proving Mary-Margret's innocence but he was making it hard for her to concentrate.
She sighed when they reached the police station, " We're here. "
" I see that, " Mr. Gold said.
Emma glanced at Mary-Margret, " Are you hungry? "
" Tired more than anything, " Mary-Margret replied. " Why? "
Emma quirked her mouth, " I was going to Granny's to grab a bite. "
" Get me a sandwich. It won't matter if it's cold, " Mary-Margret said.
Mr. Gold glanced at Emma, " I'll stay here with her. "
Emma was relieved he had said that. She needed to get away and clear her head for being next to him was making her very disconcerted. She also didn't want to give him a chance to corner her about the night before. " Let's get her inside first. "