Once Upon A Time: Through The Devil's Eyes, Part Five
By Rebeccalee Mouri-Hibiki
Mr. Gold was at his workbench, putting gold leaf on the frame on an old painting. Everyone else in town was at the Miner's Day festival but he wasn't interested in going. He had other things to do and he really didn't like the nuns to begin with. He had quite a history with them and it wasn't a good one.
He narrowed his eyes when he heard the bell on the front door tinkle, stopping what he was doing. He knew he had locked it before coming back to the work room. He frowned, knowing only one person who would be so brazen to ignore a locked door. " What do you want, Regina? " He called out.
" Oh and I was hoping to surprise you, " Regina said in a mocking tone as she opened the curtain. She then smirked, " Such bad locks. It's a wonder you haven't been robbed more. "
" I'm changing them in the morning, " Mr. Gold replied.
Regina looked around the work room and sneered, " This place is a mess. "
Mr. Gold returned his attention to the frame. He didn't feel it was that messy. Everything he needed was where he could reach it. " I don't need your housekeeping advice. "
Regina frowned. " And the smell... I'm surprised you can even breathe with all these fumes. I would hate to think what would happen if you played with your lighter back here. "
" I'll crack a window when I'm finished, " Mr. Gold didn't look up. " Tell me why you're here or leave. "
" What are you up to, Rumple? " Regina asked sharply.
" A little work. I didn't think you cared about old frames, " Mr. Gold said as he got another sheet of gold leaf and started to tamp it down along the edge of the frame.
" That's NOT what I'm talking about, " Regina said sharply. " I want to know why there are petitions all over town to get Sheriff Swan a police force. "
" Oh that, " Mr. Gold continued to work. He hoped Regina would get the hint he didn't want to talk to her.
" Yes. THAT, " Regina repeated. She obviously didn't like the dismissive tone he had used when he spoke. " What are you up to? "
Mr. Gold put down the paintbrush he was using and looked at Regina, " I'm doing something for the town as well as her, my dear. With everything that's been going on lately, I thought Sheriff Swan could use some help. "
" Everything going on? " Regina arched an eyebrow. " There's been two incidents. We aren't having a crime wave. "
" A couple more police and a deputy is not too much to ask for, is it? " Mr. Gold asked.
" It's out of the question, " Regina said. " If she were doing her job properly... "
" So you expect her to find Mrs. Nolan AND protect the town all at the same time? " Mr. Gold cur her off. He smirked when she blinked in confusion. " Yes, I heard about her disappearance today while I was out doing a bit of business. "
" Business, " Regina scoffed. " Right. And what kind of 'business' was that? Anything that should worry me? "
Mr. Gold leaned back in his chair. " It was nothing to worry about. Just a routine business transaction. "
" Nothing is ever 'routine' with you, " Regina said lowly. She sneered, " But back to the subject of Miss Swan. Why are you doing this for her? IS there really something going on between the two of you? "
" Would you stop asking me that? If you were sure of it, you wouldn't keep questioning me, " Mr. Gold narrowed his eyes. His expression then became menacing, " Have you been harassing her as well? "
" I have asked her about it, " Regina said. " She's just as adamant as you are that nothing is going on. "
" Then why do you keep pestering us about it? " Mr. Gold asked sharply.
" Because I know you're both lying, " Regina smirked. " I've even given her some tidbits of information that would make any other woman want to get away from you and yet she stays. That tells me something, Rumple. "
" What have you told her about me? " Mr. Gold glared at Regina. Emma had been behaving a little odd, that hadn't gone unnoticed. It was like she knew something but was afraid to ask. Now, he knew why.
Regina was looking quite pleased with herself. She smirked, " Oh, just a few warnings so she doesn't do anything she will regret. "
" What... did... you... tell... her, " Mr. Gold said sharply and slowly. He was starting to think she had let his secret slip. " You didn't tell her THAT... Did you? "
Regina chuckled, " Oh the look on your face is quite priceless right now. However, I didn't tell her that. She doesn't believe in the curse or any of it. Telling her that would only serve to harm me as well. "
" It would, " Mr. Gold said coldly. " But it wouldn't be Emma that would harm you if you let that slip. I would have to wring your neck myself. "
" Such violence! " Regina feigned shock, putting her right hand to her chest. She then glared at Mr. Gold, " You really should watch the threats. All I have to do is tell your probation officer you threatened me and you'll be locked away. "
" You see, that's where you're wrong. The next step in my punishment, IF I slip up, is house arrest. If you attempt to rattle my cage in my own home, I would be well within my rights to defend myself, " Mr. Gold was amused at how fast Regina's expression lost its glee. " And, if I have to kill you to defend myself, so be it. "
" Defending yourself and using deadly force are two different things, " Regina said sharply.
" Well, if you're dead then I can tell Emma anything I want, " Mr. Gold smirked. " I could tell her I killed you in self-defense... even if it isn't. "
Regina frowned, " You can't have any weapons. "
" I don't need any, " Mr. Gold reached for his cane. " I'll use what I have. "
" You wouldn't dare, " Regina hissed.
" You can't say that with absolute certainty, " Mr. Gold gave her a sinister smile he was positive made her blood run cold. He slowly stood up, " Now, tell me what you told Miss Swan. Please. "
Regina narrowed her eyes, knowing full well she couldn't dodge the question any more. She moved back from the worktable a bit, " Very well then. I told her about your rather tragic love life. "
Mr. Gold blinked, " What? "
Regina seemed amused by his reaction for her cold smirk returned. " I told her about how Belle and... what was her name? Your wife? "
" Muriel, " Mr. Gold said quietly. He felt a deep sadness saying her name. He hadn't said it in so long but her memory was still lingering in his mind.
" Oh yes. Muriel, " Regina said mockingly.
" What did you tell her about them? " Mr. Gold wanted to strangle Regina for the way she said Muriel's name. He had loved her dearly and thought he would die from a broken heart after she had taken her life. He picked himself up though for the sake of his son and carried on.
" Oh, don't worry yourself too much. I took a little creative license with their stories but the outcome was all the same. I told her that both of them were dead by their own hands, " Regina said. She sneered, " All to escape your cowardice and cruelty. "
Mr. Gold felt his hands shaking with the rage building up inside of him. He wanted to take her down that instant. All he had to do was take one good whack at Regina with his cane and she would be on the floor. After that, who was to say how far he would go.
" You need to leave, " He said evenly as started to walk around the worktable.
A bit of fear crept into Regina's face as she started to back away, " I believe I have overstayed my welcome. "
" Indeed you have, " Mr. Gold hissed. " Leave. PLEASE. "
Regina turned, taking off through the curtain like the devil himself was on her tail. Mr. Gold followed to make sure she left, getting to the shop in time to see her as she opened the door and darted out. He went to the door and closed it, re-locking it. He made a mental note to change the locks in the morning and turned to go back to the workroom.
He sat back down in the chair, fighting the urge to break something. He couldn't control himself, slamming his fist down on the table and shattering the frame he had been working on. The cans and bottles that were to his left jumped from the force. He slammed his fist down again and something fell on the floor.
He looked down, finding it was the envelope Regina had brought on her last visit. He reached down, picking it up. He had burned all but one of the pictures she had brought to him. He sighed, taking it out of the envelope and looking at it.
He felt a bit of a smile tug at the corner of his mouth as he looked at how Emma had been smiling when they had went to dinner together. As he looked at the picture, a thought occurred to him that caused him to narrow his eyes. " Sidney, " He muttered. He knew Emma was working with the disgraced reporter to supposedly bring Regina down.
He reached over, grabbing up his lighter and flicking the flint wheel. The flame jumped to life and he stared into it, concentrating as hard as he could. The image was weak but it was clear. It showed Regina talking to Sidney, the two of them looking as if they were up to no good.
Sidney was handing her the pictures he had burned. He closed the lighter, seeing everything he needed to know. " Oh Regina, " Mr. Gold set the lighter down. " What are you doing? "
Rumplestiltskin watched from behind the tree as the young man walked down the path, leading a cow on a tether. The path led to the market but the young man wasn't going to make it there. As he passed the tree, Rumplestiltskin jumped out and startled the young man as well as the cow. " Why hello, " He said with a smirk.
The young man looked Rumplestiltskin over with a wary eye. " Uh hello, " He finally said.
" What's your name? " Rumplestiltskin asked.
The young man hesitated then said, " My name is Jack. What's yours? "
" Oh that doesn't matter, " Rumplestiltskin replied. He smiled, " Where are you going on this fine morning, Jack? "
" To the market to sell this cow, " Jack motioned to the animal.
" But she's such a fine animal, " Rumplestiltskin glanced at the cow. He then looked back at Jack, " Why would you sell her? "
" We're poor and we need the money, " Jack replied.
" Oh that is so terrible, deary. Maybe I can help you out a little, " Rumplestiltskin said as he reached into the pouch on his belt. He held out his hand, three beans in his palm.
" How are beans going to help me? " Jack looked skeptical.
" These aren't just any beans, " Rumplestiltskin picked one up between the forefinger and thumb of his left hand. He held it out to Jack, " These beans are magical. Here, take a look. "
" Magical? How? " Jack stared at the bean ad Rumplestiltskin placed it in his hand.
" If you plant it, a vine will grow to the heavens and take you to a land no one has seen, " Rumplestiltskin explained then smirked. He put his hand to the side of his mouth and whispered, " A land filled with riches just there for the taking. "
Jack looked at Rumplestiltskin with wide eyes, " Really? "
Rumplestiltskin nodded and giggled, " Of course! Why would I lie to you? "
Jack looked at the beans again, " All I have to do is plant them? "
" Yes and the vine will spring up overnight, " Rumplestiltskin made a flourish with his hand when he said 'spring'.
Jack chewed his lip for a second before he furrowed his brow, " Is this land dangerous? "
" Pssh, " Rumplestiltskin scoffed. " Not really. "
Jack thought about it for a few more moments then asked, " How much for the beans? "
" You can have all three for the cow, " Rumplestiltskin pointed at the bovine.
Jack thought it over then said, " I don't know. "
" Come on, " Rumplestiltskin urged. " One cow for all the riches you can carry? It will be worth it. "
" All the riches I can carry you say? " Jack arched an eyebrow.
" Yes, " Rumplestiltskin nodded. " And, if you run out, you can just go back up and get more. "
" What if the vine dies? " Jack asked.
Rumplestiltskin rolled his eyes, " Oh so silly. It's a MAGICAL vine. It will never die... unless you cut it down. But why would you want to do that? "
Jack looked at the beans then at the cow. He looked at the beans again and nodded, " Okay. Deal. "
Rumplestiltskin let out a giggle, " You're a very smart man, Jack. "
Jack held the tether out to Rumplestiltskin and put his hand out for the beans, " Here. "
Rumplestiltskin put the beans in his hand and took the tether, " It's been a pleasure doing business with you. "