Once Upon A Time: Through The Devil's Eyes, Part Three

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

Mr. Gold walked into Granny's, Ruby looking up from the counter as he came in. She blinked, looking confused as he came to the counter. " Did you call in an order? " She asked before her eyes went to the large envelope he held in his left hand.

" No, " He shook his head as he put the envelope down. He opened it and pulled out a paper. He kept the printed side towards him so she couldn't see it.

" What's that? " Ruby looked a little scared. No, she looked a lot scared.

Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " What's with the look, my dear? It's nothing to be afraid of. "

" Oh, " Granny had come in from the back room unnoticed until she spoke. " Is there a problem, Mr. Gold? "

" None at all, " He said. " I have a favor to ask of you both. "

The two women looked at each other then back at Mr. Gold. " What is it? " Granny asked, her voice tainted with fear.

Mr. Gold tried to hide his amusement at their anxiety. He could tell they thought it was going to be something bad. He turned the paper around and put it on the counter. " I want you to have everyone that comes into the cafe sign this. "

" What is it? " Ruby asked as he slid the paper towards her. Granny came closer, looking at it as well. Ruby furrowed her brow, " A petition? "

" For what? " Granny asked as she put on her reading glasses.

Mr. Gold smiled, " To expand the police force to one or two officers and a deputy. "

Ruby and Granny looked at each other again. Ruby sighed, " Emma's been working like a dog lately, Gran. "

" You don't have to tell me that, " Granny looked over the petition closely. She then looked at Mr. Gold, " What's the catch? "

" There's no catch, " Mr. Gold put his hand up. " I am doing this for Emma. "

Ruby blinked, " For Emma? "

" Yes, " Mr. Gold nodded. Her concern for her friend was evident on her face.

Granny took the pen from Ruby's apron and signed on the first line. " I'm all for helping Emma. "

Ruby took the pen and signed her name as well, " Me too. "

Granny frowned, " But not everyone in town comes here. "

" I am delivering petitions to all of my properties in town. This was just my first stop, " Mr. Gold said. " I'm sure everyone else will appreciate more police around. And, frankly, it's the least I can do after everything she's done for me. "

Ruby rolled her eyes, " Yeah. Especially after she caught that little thief that tried to rob you and protected you from that psych case that tried to kill you. "

" Yes, " Mr. Gold gave her a sideways look. He didn't like to be reminded of how Harold Durbin had caught him off his guard. He still wasn't sure how it had happened but he was fairly sure Regina was involved.

Just then, the bell on the door rang. Granny looked over and smiled broadly as Emma walked in. When she got to the counter, Granny said, " Hello Emma. "

" Hi Granny, " Emma said then looked at Mr. Gold, puzzled. " What are you doing here? "

Mr. Gold patted the envelope on the counter, " I picked up the petitions from the printer today. I just dropped the first one off here. "

" So you've opened the gates? " Emma asked.

Mr. Gold smirked, " Yes I have. I thought this would be a good place to start off. "

" Granny and I were the first to sign. " Ruby pointed to their signatures.

Emma looked at them stunned. She blinked and then said, " Thanks you two. "

" You're welcome, " Ruby said.

" Anything for you Emma, " Granny added.

Emma smiled at that. It was a genuine sweet smile that made Mr. Gold smile as well. She looked at him, " I can't wait to see Regina's face when she hears about this. "

" I think I would enjoy seeing that, " He smirked.

Emma quirked her mouth, " I think we both would. "

Mr. Gold smiled at Emma again then gave Ruby a quick glance. He sighed, " As much as I would like to stay, I have other places to go so I must leave. "

Emma frowned a bit, " Oh. Okay. "

Mr. Gold noticed that Emma sounded a bit disappointed. It was almost she wanted to spend a little more time with him. He smiled at her then at Ruby and Granny. " Good day, ladies. "

" Bye, " Emma said.

" Bye, " Granny said.

Ruby hesitated then lifted her hand and gave a little wave, " Uh, bye. "

Mr. Gold went to the door and walked out to the front. He turned left, heading down the alley that ran along the side the cafe. He got to the back door and waited. About five minutes later, the door opened and Ruby came outside.

" It took you long enough, " He said, hoping she noted his disapproval. He had expected her to be waiting for him when he got there.

" Emma wanted to talk, " Ruby started fiddling with her fingers. Mr. Gold could tell she was doing her best not to turn her gaze to the ground. " I couldn't get away until she had her order and left. "

" What did you talk about? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.

" Not much, " Ruby said. " She explained about the petition a little bit and talked about how she hoped it would work because she was tired of being run ragged by Regina. She didn't talk about you though... She... "

" Ruby, " Mr. Gold frowned deeply. She was starting to ramble. " I called you out here for a reason. "

Ruby blinked, " What's that? "

" You neglected to tell me something yesterday, " He said evenly.

" I did? " Ruby tried to look confused. " I was pretty sure I told you everything. "

" Then why didn't you tell me that's he's got a room at Granny's? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow. " And then there's that little thing about him taking her for a drink as well. "

Ruby backed up against the wall at his tone, " It slipped my mind? "

" You're questioning that, my dear. Why didn't you tell me? " Mr. Gold detected the hint of doubt in her voice. " I could tell you were keeping something from me when we spoke yesterday. "

Ruby sighed, " I don't know why I didn't tell you. I guess I... I was scared to. "

" We have a deal, Ruby. I'm quite sure your Granny wonders why I am not pursuing her over that back rent and I'm equally as sure you don't want her to know why. I gave you a chance but now I must go in there and tell her I need that back rent by end of business today, " Mr. Gold tried to sound a menacing as possible.

" You can't, " Ruby nearly cried. " That's too soon. "

" Yes. It is, " Mr. Gold replied, smirking. " I have a feeling she won't be able to get it together that fast. "

" But her health, " Ruby whined. " I don't know if she can handle such a shock. "

" Then you shouldn't have kept that from me, " Mr. Gold said coldly. He turned on his heel and started to walk back towards the front of the cafe. He stopped when Ruby grabbed his left arm. He turned his face to her, " Let go of me. "

" Give me another chance, " Ruby didn't let go as she begged. " I promise not to leave anything out ever again. "

Mr. Gold thought it over. He narrowed his eyes, " Ever? "

" Ever, " Ruby looked solemn as she said the word.

" I hope you know just how lucky you are. I normally don't give second chances, " Mr. Gold sneered at her. The only other person he had ever considered offering a second chance to was long dead and buried.

" I do, " Ruby looked like she was about to cry.

Mr. Gold shook her off and grabbed her right sleeve. " Don't waste this chance then. "

" I won't, " Ruby looked frightened.

He grasped the sleeve a little tighter to stress his point, " You had better not. "

Ruby stumbled a little as he let her go with a bit of a shove. She regained her balance then looked at him, " What do you want me to find out about him? "

" Everything is important when it comes to that stranger, " Mr. Gold said. " I have to know why he's here and what he's up to. "

" What do you want me to do? " Ruby asked.

" Try to get into his room at Granny's while he's not there, " Mr. Gold said. " See what he has there and let me know. "

" Well there's a problem there, " Ruby said. " He does have a room but... "

" But? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.

" He's never in it, " Ruby sighed. " Granny was just telling me today that she thought it was odd he had the room but wasn't sleeping in it. We haven't seen him up there since he checked in. He keeps paying for it but he's just never there. "

" Well then tell me every single time you see him. What he does, who he's with, all of it, " Mr. Gold said firmly. " If you don't, I'll be forced to make Granny pay what she owes me. "

" I'll do it, " Ruby said. " I'll watch out for him. "

" Thank you, " Mr. Gold said.

" Can I go now? " Ruby asked quietly. She motioned over her shoulder, " The lunch rush is going to start soon and Granny's going to be looking for me. "

" You may, " Mr. Gold waved his hand to dismiss her. He watched as she walked back into the cafe before turning to walk back up the alley...

Rumplestiltskin stood in the foyer of the large palace, waiting as a servant fetched the man he was supposed to be meeting. He had received word that this man, a prince named Baldrian, needed his help and could turn to no one else. After several moments, the servant returned with Baldrian. Although the foyer was dark, Rumplestiltskin could see he was a striking tall blonde haired young man with dark blue eyes.

" You've come, " Baldrian said as he came to stand in front of Rumplestiltskin. Though the imp was a good ten inches shorter than he was, he looked upon him with reverence and a touch of fear.

" I heard you were in need of some... assistance, " Rumplestiltskin put his hands together.

" Yes I am but I cannot talk about it here, " Baldrian said then looked around the foyer. " My mother and father might hear. "

" Then where do you wish to go? " Rumplestiltskin asked.

" To the gardens, " Baldrian said. " Deep into the garden. "

Rumplestiltskin nodded, " Lead the way, your highness. "

Baldrian led Rumplestiltskin out through a pair of french doors into a large garden and down a path that seemed to go forever. When they had walked a while, Baldrian suddenly stopped. He looked around, " No one comes here except for the cook and she won't be here this late at night. "

Rumplestiltskin glanced around at where they were at, finding it looked like it was a vegetable garden. He giggled, " We should be safe as long as the corn doesn't have loose lips. "

Baldrian blinked, " Oh yes. Right. "

" Now, " Rumplestiltskin said. " What have you called me here for? "

Baldrian looked towards the castle then started pacing. " It's my parents, " He finally said.

" Do you want me to do something with them? " Rumplestiltskin arched an eyebrow. He didn't like the way Baldrian couldn't just get to the point. After all, his time was valuable regardless of the fact he was immortal.

" No. No, " Baldrian shook his head. " They... they want me to marry a princess. "

" So you want me to find you a princess? " Rumplestiltskin put his left index finger up. He then looked at Baldrian, " Am I right? "

" No, " Baldrian shook his head again.

Rumplestiltskin was starting to lose his patience, " Then tell me what you want. "

" I want the woman I love, " Baldrian said. " Her name is Adelena. "

" Now we're getting somewhere, " Rumplestiltskin said and laughed. " You want me to make this Adelena a princess. "

" I could care less if she were one, " Baldrian said. " I need some way to make my parents think she is one. I love her and I want her only. I could never marry another. "

" Oh deary deary dear, " Rumplestiltskin tapped his his cheek with his index finger as he thought. He snapped his fingers, " I have it. "

" Yes? " Baldrian looked very hopeful.

Rumplestiltskin reached down and grabbed a pea pod off of a plant next to him. He cracked it open and pulled out a firm green pea. He rolled it in his fingers, the pea glowing brightly for a few moments. When the pea stopped glowing, he held it out to Baldrian.

" What will this do? Will she eat it and appear to be a princess to my parents? " Baldrian took it gently.

" No, silly boy. You must bring your ladylove to the castle and have her sleep on no less than twenty mattresses and no less than twenty feather beds, " Rumplestiltskin said.

" What is this nonsense? " Baldrian furrowed his brow.

" Let me finish, " Rumplestiltskin narrowed his eyes. " I want you to place that pea UNDER all of that. She will feel it, therefore proving she is a princess. "

Baldrian smiled slowly, " Princesses have tender skin. Brilliant! "

Rumplestiltskin blew on his fingernails of his left hand then buffed them on his shirt. " I thought so. Now, I have given you something. You must now give me something in return. "

" Anything you want, " Baldrian said quickly. " Land, cattle, riches. Just name it. "

Rumplestiltskin put his finger to his chin as if he were thinking deeply about his price when something caught his eye. Across the garden in what appeared to be a bean patch was a peculiar looking vine that was covered in bean pods.

He knew what they were but pointed over to them, " What are those? " He asked.

Baldrian looked over and furrowed his brow, " I don't know. That plant has been here as long as I have been alive but the cook never uses anything from it. She says the beans are poison. "

~Poison, no, ~ Rumplestiltskin thought to himself. ~Magic, yes. ~

" Why do you ask? " Baldrian turned his attention back to the imp.

" I want beans off of that plant, " Rumplestiltskin smiled. " As my payment. "

" I can cut the vine and you can take the whole lot of them for all I care, " Baldrian drew his sword.

Rumplestiltskin was amused by the young princes' ignorance. No sword made by mortal hands could cut through such a vine. He drew his dagger from his side, " Please, let me. I know what I'm looking for. "

Baldrian put his sword back, " Take as much as you need. As I said, we do not use them. "

" Then we have a deal. Bring your Adelena to the castle and do as I told you, " Rumplestiltskin said. " She will be your wife. "

" I will follow you directions to the letter, " Baldrian clutched the pea to his chest. " Thank you, sir. "

Rumplestiltskin watched as the prince practically ran back to the castle then headed over to the vine, looking for what he needed...