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

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

Mr. Gold sat at his workbench, his gold lighter in his hand. He had been thinking for hours for a way to get Mary-Margret exonerated but nothing was coming to mind. Kathryn's heart being found in her jewelry box was bad, the hunting knife in her apartment worse. The hole became deeper with her disastrous meeting with the DA and inescapable with the disappearance of the last bit of evidence that pointed to Regina.

He had to give Regina some begrudging applause for tying up all the loose ends. She was quite clever but he knew she wasn't clever enough. He was certain there had to be something she overlooked. His mind went to Kathryn's heart, an idea coming to him.

In order for there to be tests to be run on it, it needed to be intact. Regina couldn't have destroyed it without it becoming dust. Dust would have been useless to convince anyone it belong to Kathryn. With the heart intact, there was a slim chance Kathryn could still be alive.

It really wasn't that strange of a theory. After all, Sheriff Graham had survived for years without a heart. Regina obviously still had some powers and it wasn't a stretch to believe she had retained her ability to steal hearts. Mr. Gold then wondered just how many heartless people were wandering around Storybrooke, doing Regina's bidding without question or idea why.

It explained why she had so many spies around town. Of course, he had his fair share of eyes and ears looking out for him as well. However, he had won them over using a less barbaric method. He had charmed them, helping them out of tough situations, the repayment he required was loyalty to him. Ruby was a fine example, telling him everything he needed to know whenever he asked all because he overlooked the overdue rent on Granny's properties.

His mind went back to Kathryn. He figured it would be worth it to see if he could locate her. Even though it seemed the stranger had the ability to block him out, he would still be able to see what happened to Kathryn. He opened the lighter, flicking the flint wheel until a bright orange flame jumped to life.

He stared into it, concentrating on it as an image of Kathryn appeared. He smiled just slightly as he watched the dirty and disheveled woman wandered around in what appeared to be a dark tunnel, shafts of dim light giving her the ability to not quite see. She looked confused and upset but very much alive.

He watched her for a while, realizing she was in the old mine tunnels that ran underneath the town. He knew them quite well but not well enough to pinpoint her exact location. The flame grew weak then died. He shook the lighter, finding it was empty. He set it down, deciding he had seen enough and he could figure out the rest on his own.

He reached for the phone on the table, dialing a number and waiting for an answer. " Yes, boss? " Frederick answered.

" Bring the car. I need to go out to the mines by the river, " He said. " And bring a pickaxe. "

" Right, boss, " Frederick said.

Mr. Gold hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair, smiling to himself. He still had one trick left up his sleeve and it was one sure to bring the house down...

Emma played with her hot cocoa as she sat at the bar, swirling the whipped cream with the tip of her index finger. She had confronted August over his betrayal but he swore he had nothing to do with it. She called him a liar and he denied it. He had used the cliché defense of all liars, telling her that he wasn't one.

She felt so foolish trusting him so readily. She never trusted anyone as quickly as she had trusted him and now she was paying the price. She had even taken his words about Mr. Gold to heart and almost destroyed what they had. She dared not to give it a name yet but she could no longer deny there was something growing between them.

The kisses, the tenderness he showed her and how he treated her like a lady all seemed to point in one direction. He cared for her and it frightened her. In the past, people had only cared for her when they wanted something. Once they had it, they left.

August's words in the car had reminded her of that tragic pattern in her life. It made her wonder if Mr. Gold was being genuine or if he was going to use her like the rest. The fear had brought to the brink of confusion, making her a bit edgy about everything. After taking time to think about it, she realized how irrational she had been and wanted to apologize before her behavior bred contempt.

She was relieved when Mr. Gold forgave her, unsure of what she would have done if he hadn't. He was the next most constant thing in her life since coming to Storybrooke, after Henry and Mary-Margret of course. He seemed to always be there, either physically or on her mind. She knew there would be a big hole in her life if she ever lost him.

The thought of losing his presence in her life made her sad. She could carry on but it would be hard. She tried to imagine life without him but she just couldn't see it. As much as she didn't want to admit it, he had slowly made his way into her heart and become a part of her. She sighed, staring down at her hot cocoa, finding the whipped cream had melted while she had been lost in thought.

" Weren't in the mood for cocoa after all? " Ruby asked from behind Emma, startling her.

" How long have you been standing there? " Emma turned to face her.

" I just walked up, " Ruby blinked. " I didn't mean to scare you. "

Emma shook her head, " It's okay. I was just lost in my own head. "

" Thinking about Mary-Margret? " Ruby asked quietly.

Emma took a deep breath then sighed, " Not really. "

" Then what are you thinking about? " Ruby looked puzzled. " I thought you trying to think of a way to get her off. "

Emma shook her head, " No. I can honestly say I'm out of ideas. Gold... "

" What about him? " Ruby asked.

" He's working on that, " Emma said.

" Oh, " Ruby nodded once. " Maybe he can do something. "

" He said he could, " Emma sighed. " I just hope he can. "

" This one, boss? " Fredrick said as he pulled to a stop in front of one of the lesser known mine entrances. Mr. Gold knew about it though and decided it would be a good place to start. If he were going to dump a body, it was an ideal location.

" Yes, " Mr. Gold nodded. He grabbed the sack that sat next to him on the seat. It contained a few things he would need in order to get to Kathryn and get her out. " Did you bring the pickaxe? "

" It's in the trunk, " Frederick replied. " Isn't it dangerous to dig, boss? "

" We're not digging, " Mr. Gold said then pointed to the boards that covered the entrance to the mine. " We're prying them loose. "

Frederick nodded, " Oh. "

" Come on, " Mr. Gold opened the car door. " Hide the car and come back here. We have much to do before morning. "

" Right boss, " Frederick said as Mr. Gold got out of the car. After he shut the door and took a step back, Frederick drove a short way away. Mr. Gold walked to the mine entrance carefully, watching his step. The last thing he needed was to get hurt before he could carry out his plan.

He got to the entrance, stopping as he heard Frederick approach. He smirked, noticing the boards across the opening looked loose. It was like someone had removed then replaced them. He glanced at Frederick over his shoulder, " Get to work. "

The giant of a man stepped forward as Mr. Gold moved to a safe spot. He watched as Frederick hacked at the boarding, using the pickaxe to rip them away from the wooden frame they were attached to. Within minutes, the access point was clear. Mr. Gold reached into his bag and pulled out a flashlight before going back to where Frederick stood, " Take this. "

" Right, boss, " Frederick took the flashlight when Mr. Gold offered it to him.

Mr. Gold got another flashlight out before handing the bag to Frederick, " Follow me but carefully. "

Frederick nodded, falling in behind Mr. Gold as he walked into the mine. The journey was painstakingly slow, every noise making them stop and take a good look around. The part of the mine they were in was much sturdier than the part that had collapsed but Mr. Gold didn't want to take any chances. After about an hour or so of searching, they could hear the faint sobbing of a woman.

Mr. Gold stopped shut his eyes, trying to pick out the source of the sound from all the echoes. " Boss? " Frederick sounded concerned.

" Hide yourself, " Mr. Gold whispered sharply as he opened his eyes. He pointed at the bag Frederick held. " And prepare the last thing in the bag. We'll only have one chance. "

" Yes boss, " Frederick nodded then hid in the shadows.

Mr. Gold gave him a few moments then called out, " Is anyone there? "

The sobbing stopped and a voice he recognized as Kathryn's came back to him. " I am. Mr. Gold? "

" It is I, " He called back. " Where are you? "

" I... I.. I don't know, " Kathryn called back. She sounded tired and panicked. " I woke up here and I've been lost for so long... I don't even know how long. "

Mr. Gold sighed, " It's alright, my dear. Keep calm and follow the sound of my voice. "

" Okay, " Kathryn said. " Oh God. I know everyone's probably worried about me. "

" There has been quite a fervor over you yes, " Mr. Gold called back. " Everyone has been searching for you. You've worried Emma sick. "

" And David? " Kathryn asked, the sound of her exhaustion wracked voice getting closer.

" Yes. He's been simply frantic, " Mr. Gold said.

Kathryn sighed, " Has he? "

" Yes, " Mr. Gold replied. He could hear her footsteps. " Keep walking, my dear. You're very close now. "

" I see your flashlight, " Kathryn sounded like she was trying not to get excited. A moment later, she appeared from a path to the left. Mr. Gold turned, the flashlight's beam blinding her. She put her hand up, " That's so bright. "

Mr. Gold put the flashlight in his coat pocket but still illuminated the tunnel, " I am so sorry. "

Kathryn dropped her hand, unable to hide how blissful she was at the sight of another human being. She jumped forward as tears of happiness filled her eyes. She grabbed and hugged him tightly. " I knew someone would find me, " She sobbed. " Thank you! "

" There now, " Mr. Gold brought his left arm up and put it around her shoulders. He patted her right shoulder as he watched Frederick move from his hiding place, the syringe of sedative in his hand. He gave Kathryn a quick squeeze as Frederick got right behind her, " Please forgive me. "

" For what? " Kathryn pulled back and gave him a puzzled look.

" For this, " Mr. Gold said as he quickly took the syringe from Frederick and jammed it in Kathryn's shoulder. She screamed then went limp, Frederick catching her as she fell. He pulled the needle out of her arm and flung it away.

Frederick picked her up, " Where do you want her, boss? "

" Let's put her in the back of the car and we will take her to the house, " Mr. Gold said as he brushed her hair out of her face. " We will put her in the guest room. "

" And then what? " Frederick said.

" You'll see, " Mr. Gold smirked.