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

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

Emma drove to the courthouse in the police cruiser. After processing the scene behind Granny's, she got a call from the DA. He had been just as confused as she was and demanded proof that Kathryn was alive. She agreed to bring the picture to him and asked for Mary-Margret's release since there was no case against her.

Spencer said the trial would go on as planned until Emma proved Kathryn was alive. The clock on the dash said they had thirty minutes to get to the courthouse. Though it wasn't really that far, the events of the morning had taken a lot of time. Emma did not want to waste another minute and was hurrying the best she could.

As she drove, she recalled how self-assured Mr. Gold had been that morning. She glanced at him, wondering if he had done something. She couldn't think of anything feasible before remembering how he kept saying he still had some magic left. The word sent a shiver down her spine... Jefferson had used that word quite a bit during her captivity.

At first, she thought Jefferson was crazy and talking nonsense. By the time the sun came up the next morning, she was starting to wonder if there was some substance to his words. She became even more confused when she read Henry's book. She found the story of The Mad Hatter to ring true with everything Jefferson had said.

To say she had started to believe in magic was pushing it but she could see that there was something there. She hadn't had time to dwell on that though. Things had gone from bad to worse with Mary-Margret and she needed to focus her attention on that. Now, sitting in the car with Mr. Gold, her mind returned to it.

" You are thinking quite hard, Miss Swan. Would you like to share? " Mr. Gold asked.

" Not really, " Emma sighed. " I haven't got it all sorted out in my head yet. "

" Perhaps talking about it will make it all fall into place? " Mr. Gold said.

Emma glanced at him, knowing he wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. She sighed, " I'm thinking about this morning and what happened. "

" I see, " Mr. Gold nodded. " It's not every day someone comes back from the dead. "

Emma frowned, " And I was thinking about what you said. "

" About what I said? " Mr. Gold sounded puzzled.

" Yes, " Emma nodded. " You said something about having some magic left. "

Mr. Gold chuckled, " Oh yes. "

" What did you mean by that? " Emma glanced at him again. She knew he remembered that he said it though he tried to act like he didn't.

Mr. Gold took a deep breath and sighed, " It was just a figure of speech my dear. "

" I find it kind of strange that you said that and not even an hour later, Kathryn reappears. Tell me what you did, Gold, " Emma said.

" You think I did it? " Mr. Gold sounded incredulous. " Do you think I waved some kind of magic wand and poof, Kathryn came alive? That's a stretch, especially for you, my dear. "

Emma pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned it off, " Then tell me how this happened. "

Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " I might have an idea but how it REALLY happened is just as much of a mystery to me as it is to you. "

" Then tell me your idea, " Emma said sharply.

" As you wish. You see, " Mr. Gold began. " Not far from the toll bridge lies another entrance to the mines. It's a part that hasn't collapsed yet. Not many people know about it though. "

Emma arched an eyebrow, " Except for you. "

" And a few others... including Regina, " Mr. Gold nodded. " As I said, it isn't that far from the bridge and we all know abandoned mines are excellent for dumping bodies. "

Emma took a sharp breath, " And we didn't check any of the mine shafts when we searched for her. "

" Not a very thorough search, was it? " Mr. Gold sighed.

" I couldn't get a search party together, " Emma said sharply. " David and I could only cover so much ground. "

Mr. Gold sighed, " I know. May I finish? "

" Go ahead, " Emma said.

Mr. Gold cocked his head to the side, " As I was saying, abandoned mines are excellent for dumping bodies. Even more so when the mines are prone to collapse. It's like insurance that no one will go in there. "

" Are we getting to the end of your theory? " Emma said. " The DA is waiting on us. "

" I am almost finished, " Mr. Gold said sharply. He then gave her a dirty look, " You're the one who pulled the car over. I could have told you while you were driving. "

" Just finish! " Emma nearly shouted. She didn't know how much more her mental state could take. Between finding out Sidney was spying on her, Kathryn reappearing and the usual condition she got in when Mr Gold was around, she felt like she had no nerves left at all.

Mr. Gold blinked, " Alright. What I am getting at is maybe Regina dumped Kathryn in the mines thinking she was dead. "

" But that still doesn't explain the heart thing, " Emma said.

Mr. Gold frowned, " We discussed that before. There must have been some mix-up at the lab... or Regina exerted her influence over them once the heart was out of your custody and arranged for false results. "

Emma scoffed, " That sounds a lot more possible than the mix-up idea. "

" I am sure there will be a proper investigation into that when the time comes, " Mr. Gold said. He arched an eyebrow, " Now, can we go collect Miss Blanchard? "

Emma restarted the car, " Yeah. I guess we better. "

They sat in silence as Emma drove the rest of the way to the courthouse but her mind wasn't quiet. Mr. Gold's theory kept playing over and over again in it. Even though it did seem like a huge long shot, it made sense in a strange way. When she was done with getting Mary-Margret, she would have to follow-up on it.

She pulled into the parking lot of the courthouse, parking in the spot reserved for law enforcement. She opened her door but furrowed her brow when Mr. Gold didn't make a motion to open his. " What's wrong? "

Mr. Gold sighed, " I'm going to need some assistance to get out of the car. My leg is rather stiff today. "

Emma had noticed his limp was worse than usual when he came to Granny's. He had also been noticeably leaning on his cane a little heavier than she had ever seen before. " What did you do to it? "

" I've been working on this case rather diligently and as a result, I have been on my feet a little too much. Even I have my limits, " Mr. Gold explained.

Emma quirked her mouth, " Alright. I'll help you out of the car. "

" Thank you so much, " Mr. Gold gave her the smile that made her heart flutter.

Emma got out of the car, walking around to his side of the car. She opened the door, waiting as he lifted his right leg out before turning so he was sideways in the seat. She furrowed her brow as she looked down at him, " You look really tired. "

" I was up all night, trying to find a solution to our problem. I haven't slept since yesterday, " Mr. Gold replied.

" Oh, " Emma said.

Mr. Gold furrowed his brow, " Did I say something wrong? You look rather sad. "

" Nothing, " Emma said. " I just feel bad that I got a nap in last night and you stayed up. "

" Don't let it bother you, my dear. You did everything you could, " Mr. Gold smiled gently at her. " Now, help me up. "

Emma took a deep breath to steel her already wrought nerves. Touching him always sent her mind reeling and she needed to keep it straight for what they needed to do. She leaned down, wrapping her arms around him as he wrapped his around her. " On three, " She tried to keep her voice from trembling.

" On three, " Mr. Gold repeated. He was so close, she could feel his breath on her face and his scent filled her nostrils... neither of which did anything to help her composure. They counted together and she hoisted him to his feet. They stood there, holding each other for a long moment as she waited for him to steady himself.

" Are you okay? " Emma asked. She surprised she could even speak. His scent and the warmth of his body had an even more dizzying effect. She blamed it on her lack of sleep but she knew there was more to it than that.

" I would like a few more moments, " Mr. Gold said as he backed out of her embrace and leaned on the car. He looked at her and gave her a wry smirk, " Looks like you could use some as well. Are you alright? "

" I'm fine, " Emma snapped. " Just tired. "

" Right, " He gave her the 'I know more than you think I do' smile that rattled her more than the one that made her heart race.

" Just tell me when you're ready, " Emma frowned. " We haven't got time for games. "

" Who's playing games? " Mr. Gold tried to look innocent. It always failed with Emma though... she felt it made him look even more guilty.

Emma growled, " Gold... "

Mr. Gold sighed, " I suppose we should go now. "

" Good, " Emma said. She waited as he backed up and shut the car door once he was out of the way. They walked to the curb, Emma stepping up. Mr. Gold went to step up but seemed to be having a bit of difficulty and looked like he would fall. Without thinking, Emma grabbed his left hand to steady him.

He gave her a mischievous smile, " If anyone sees you holding my hand like that, people will begin to talk. "

" Oh, " Emma felt herself blush in embarrassment. " I'm sorry. I didn't think about that. I was just trying to help you. "

Mr. Gold stepped up on the curb, " Don't worry yourself. I appreciate it. I often forget I have to have a little help some times. I just don't see myself as disabled. Do you think of me that way? "

Emma shook her head, " Not really. You seem capable of quite a lot in spite of that bad leg. "

Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " And I am. I can do a lot of... things. "

Emma shivered at the look in his eyes as he said 'things'. It made her imagination run wild, images from tormenting dreams flashing through her mind. " I'm sure you can but we need to get inside. "

" Right, " Mr. Gold nodded. They walked up the path to the courthouse, Mr. Gold darting ahead when they got close to the door. He opened it for Emma, " After you, my dear. "

Emma couldn't fight the smile that tugged at her lips, " Thank you. "

" You're welcome, " Mr. Gold returned the smile.

Emma walked in and waited as he came in behind her. They walked to the courtroom where the trial was supposed to be held. When they walked in, they saw the DA at the prosecution table, looking over his papers. Emma and Mr. Gold approached him, " DA Spencer, " Emma said breathlessly.

Spencer looked up and frowned. " You like to cut it close, don't you? The trial begins in ten minutes. "

" I had a lot to do this morning, " Emma explained. " I had to process the scene where she was found then I had to take witness statements... "

" I understand but none of that matters. All I care about is proof Mrs. Nolan is alive, " Spencer said sharply.

Emma pulled out her cell phone, opening the picture she had taken behind Granny's. She held it out to him, " This is exactly the way I found her this morning. "

Spencer took out a pair of glasses from his suit jacket, putting them on before taking Emma's cell phone. He frowned, " It looks like her but I need more proof than that. Do you have any witnesses? "

" I saw her as well, " Mr. Gold spoke up. " Sheriff Swan called me almost immediately after finding her. "

" Anyone else? " Spencer arched an eyebrow. " For all I know, you may have found someone who looks like Mrs. Nolan and dressed her up in the deceased clothes to buy yourselves time. "

Emma gasped, " I would never do such a thing. "

" I swear to you, " Mr. Gold said. " I know Mrs. Nolan and it was her in the alley behind Granny's. You can call the hospital and ask Doctor Whale. I can bring in Ruby from the diner. She discovered Mrs. Nolan. "

" I even have Ruby's witness statement in the car, " Emma pointed towards the door.

Spencer handed Emma her phone back, " Then I suggest you go get it because this picture is not enough for me. "

Emma took the phone then looked at Mr. Gold, " Wait here. I will be right back. "

" I shall sit if you don't mind, " Mr. Gold said and walked over to the defense table.

" Don't get comfortable, " Emma said and headed out of the court room.

Rumplestiltskin looked up from the spinning wheel when there was a knock at the front door. Belle was busy dusting the things in the great room but she stopped at the sound. She looked at him then asked, " Would you like for me to get that, master? "

" If you could, " Rumplestiltskin waved his hand, opening the doors that led out of the great room. " It is that man, Robin. "

" How do you know? " Belle blinked.

" I know, " Rumplestiltskin scoffed. " I'm expecting him. "

Belle chuckled nervously, " Of course. How silly of me. "

Rumplestiltskin watched as she left the room. She was quite an odd creature indeed. She no longer feared him and had become quite accustomed to her duties. She was a good cook, a good housekeeper and very intelligent.

Staying where she had been would have only suffocated her spirit and intelligence. He could tell no one in her father's house saw her for who she was. She had been brave to go with him, her spirit showing brightly in the darkness of her father's castle. Another thing that shined brightly was her selflessness, offering her life to save the lives of everyone else.

All of these things were not lost on him and he found himself admiring her to a degree. If he were still a normal man, he would have tried to get her attention. Then again, she probably wouldn't have looked twice at the dirty, crippled coward he had once been. She would have pitied him and he wanted no one's pity.

" Master? " Belle's voice brought him out of his thoughts. She motioned to their guest, " Robin of Locksley. "

" Thank you, Belle. You may go dust the upstairs rooms while I speak to him, " Rumplestiltskin nodded.

" Yes, master, " Belle bowed. She left the room, shutting the great room doors.

Robin walked towards Rumplestiltskin, " I have done what you asked. "

" Oh I know, " Rumplestiltskin smirked. " May I have the sword and arrow? "

Robin nodded as he released the sword sheath from his belt. He offered it to the imp. " The arrow... "

" I see it, " Rumplestiltskin pulled it from the outside pocket. He cackled as he looked at it then smirked, " Excellent. "

Robin looked like he was hesitating then said, " My reward? "

Rumplestiltskin turned and walked away. He took the sword to a display rack that another sword rested in. He took that sword out of the rack before placing the new one on it. He smiled, " I think it looks nice there, don't you? "

" It looks fine, " Robin said. " My reward? "

Rumplestiltskin ignored the slightly demanding tone Robin's voice had taken on. He took the arrow, holding it up and inspecting it. After a few long moments he smiled, " Perfectly straight... just as the rumors claimed. "

" Rumplestiltskin, " Robin said sharply.

Rumplestiltskin looked at him, blinking like a child that had been distracted by his new toys. He frowned, " You're still here? "

" Yes, " Robin sounded like he was getting impatient. " We agreed... "

" Oh yes, we did have an agreement, " Rumplestiltskin sighed. He walked over to the spinning wheel and picked up a medium sized burlap sack. " Here. "

Robin came over and took it. He opened it and looked inside. He pulled out a spool of golden thread, weighing it in his hand. " How many are in here? "

" Enough to rebuild your life, " Rumplestiltskin said. " That's what we agreed upon. "

" Indeed it was, " Robin nodded. He put the spool back in the sack. He looked troubled though.

" What is wrong, dearie? Are you not happy? " Rumplestiltskin asked, smiling. He knew Robin wasn't. Rumors had spread after Rothwell's assassination that the crippled beggar had been hired by Robin.

These rumors had made it impossible for Robin to show his face anywhere. His only hope was to stay hidden in the forest for the rest of his life. Robin sighed, " Things didn't go as planned. "

" How do you mean? " Rumplestiltskin acted clueless.

" I am now a fugitive from justice and can no longer have a normal life, " Robin said.

Rumplestiltskin sighed, " It's not my problem. You made your choices and now you must deal with the consequences. You knew what you were doing. "

Robin frowned, " I did. "

Rumplestiltskin snapped his fingers and smirked, " I say you find a way to redeem yourself. "

" But how? " Robin asked.

" Think about it and do what you think is best, " Rumplestiltskin waved his hand. The doors to the great room swung open. " But you're on your own. "

Robin frowned, " Not really. Perhaps I can ask Marion... "

" Yes. She may know what to do, " Rumplestiltskin pointed to the door. " Run along now. "

Robin walked towards the door, stopping and turning. The look on his face let Rumplestiltskin know he had an idea. " Wait. I got it! "

" What is it? " Rumplestiltskin asked.

" When I was amongst the masses at the festival, " Robin said. " I noticed a lot of poor people who needed help while the royals paid them no mind. "

" And? " Rumplestiltskin arched an eyebrow.

" It was maddening, " Robin said. " As I mingled with those people, I wished I could do something for them. "

Rumplestiltskin nodded, " And? "

" I realized there was a serious imbalance of wealth, " Robin said. " Perhaps I can do something to equalize it. "

" Like steal from the rich to give to the poor? " Rumplestiltskin suggested.

Robin nodded, " I think that may be the only way. "

" Then get out there and do it, " Rumplestiltskin said. " Get to equalizing. "

Robin nodded and left...