Once Upon A Time: Through The Devil's Eyes, Part Seven
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
Mr. Gold sat at his workbench, waiting patiently. It had been about seven hours since he had been with Emma at the cafe. If his hunch was correct, he would be getting a visit from Regina at any moment. He glanced at the box Granny had given him that was from Ruby.
He had opened it when he returned to the shop, finding it was the two months back rent Granny owed him. He put it in the books but that still didn't clear her debt to him for Ruby hadn't factored in the interest. Word around town was that Ruby was helping Emma and he decided not to meddle with that. Right now, he had other business to attend to.
He smirked to himself when he heard the front door open, the tiny bell tinkling. " Rumple? " Regina called out as she came in, shutting the door. A light click let him know she had locked the door behind her. " Are you here? "
" The door would have been locked if I weren't, " He called back. He waited as she came through the curtain before pointing a chair he had put across from him. " Sit. Please, " He said sharply, trying to look as displeased with her as possible.
Regina frowned at his expression, quickly going to the chair and sitting down. She took a breath, " I see you were expecting me. "
" Indeed, I was, " Mr. Gold nodded. He picked up the envelope with the remaining pictures and sighed, " It's not like you to be THIS sloppy. "
" Sloppy? " Regina blinked. " What do you mean? "
" By giving me these, you showed your hand. How long have you had Sidney Glass following Emma around, pretending to be her ally? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.
Regina turned a whiter shade of pale, " What makes you think that? "
" These made me think that, " Mr. Gold shook the envelope. He opened the envelope and pulled the pictures out. He glanced at them then smiled coldly at Regina. " I wonder what Emma would think if she saw these. "
" Anyone could have taken those pictures, " Regina narrowed her eyes. " Why do you automatically think it's Sidney? "
" Simple, " Mr. Gold shook his head. " No one in this town is as skilled with a camera as Mr. Glass. You know that and I know that. "
Regina frowned, " Well then. You caught me. What are you going to do? "
" I will tell you once you hand me those new pictures, " Mr. Gold put his left hand out.
Regina frowned deeply as she reached into her coat. She pulled out a new envelope slowly and held it out to him. " Fine. Here. "
Mr. Gold took the envelope and opened it. He smiled at the pictures inside. There were three, all of them of Emma holding him after she had caught him at the cafe. " Lovely. "
" Now what do you want, Rumple? " Regina said sourly.
" I want you to allow Emma to have a deputy and at least one officer, " Mr. Gold said. He snapped his fingers and pointed at her, " And tell Mr. Glass to stop following Emma when she's with me. "
" And if I don't? " Regina arched an eyebrow.
" I will tell Emma that Mr. Glass is still working for you, " Mr. Gold said.
Regina narrowed her eyes and leaned forward, " You wouldn't dare. "
Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " Do you want to try me? "
Regina sat back, " You play dirty. "
" I tried to play nice, " Mr. Gold sighed. He gave Regina a deadly serious look " So, what will it be? "
Regina thought it over then arched an eyebrow, " Can he still follow her as long as she's not with you? "
" Yes, " Mr. Gold nodded. " I just don't want him lurking around when I'm with her. "
Regina smirked, " I wonder why, " Her tone was highly suggestive.
" Not for her but for me, " Mr. Gold said. " I value my privacy. "
Regina smirked like she didn't believe him, " Right. "
" So do we have a deal? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.
Regina sighed, " I guess I don't have much choice. "
" No. You don't, " Mr. Gold said. " You break this deal and I'll tell her what you've been doing. Emma will certainly stop at nothing to break YOU of she finds out. "
" That is probably correct, " Regina sighed. She then glared at Mr. Gold, " So are we done? "
" For now, yes. I think you know the way out, " Mr. Gold smirked.
Regina stood up, " I do. "
Mr. Gold watched her as she left the room, jumping slightly as she slammed the front door when she left. He sighed, picking up the new pictures and looking at them again. He debated silently whether to keep or burn them. He decided to keep them, placing them in the envelope with the other pictures...
Rumplestiltskin stood in the corner of the dark tower. Not far away was a girl with long blonde hair, three times as long as her body. She was dressed in pink and she was crying. He stepped closer, " What's wrong, dearie? Rapunzel is it? "
The girl startled then sat up. She looked confused and scared, " How did you get in here? How did you know my name? "
" I have my ways, " Rumplestiltskin smiled. " Oh, when I heard Gothel bragging she had the prettiest child in all the realms, she wasn't lying. "
" You know my mother? " Rapunzel blinked in surprise. " Do you know if she's coming? "
Rumplestiltskin smirked, " Oh, not for a while yet. She had a little... too much to drink. Were you expecting someone? "
" Not really, " Rapunzel sighed. " It's not like I can get out of here. "
" Tsk, tsk, tsk, " Rumplestiltskin clucked his tongue. " What a shame that a pretty girl like you has to stay locked up here. "
Rapunzel sighed, " I've been trapped her for... for... I don't even know how long. I know I was twelve when my mother put me here. All the days run together after a while though. You understand, don't you? "
Rumplestiltskin nodded, " Indeed I do. "
" I would give anything to get out, " Rapunzel pulled her braid over her shoulder. " I would cut this off and use it as a rope if I had to. "
" Oh no, no, no, " Rumplestiltskin put his hands up. " Don't do that. "
Rapunzel motioned around the room and scoffed, " Like there's anything to cut my hair with in here anyway. "
Rumplestiltskin smirked, " What would you say if I told you that there's a way. "
" A way? " Rapunzel looked at him quizzically. " But how? "
Rumplestiltskin pressed his fingers together, " Your mother has a spell book I desire. "
" I've seen it, " Rapunzel nodded. " She carries it in her cloak. "
Rumplestiltskin smirked, " Excellent. I want you to get it. "
" But how? " Rapunzel asked.
" I'll leave that up to you, " Rumplestiltskin said. " When I get that book then I will will give you a voice as beautiful as you are. "
" What will a beautiful voice get me if I'm trapped here all the time? " Rapunzel frowned. " No one comes through this forest... "
Rumplestiltskin pointed out the window, " Ah, ah. That's where you're wrong, child. There is a wealthy prince who uses this forest as a shortcut between realms. "
" A prince? " Rapunzel arched an eyebrow.
Rumplestiltskin nodded, " Yes. He comes through here quite often. All you have to do is sing and he will hear you. "
" And then what? " Rapunzel asked. " He can't get in here. "
Rumplestiltskin pointed at her, " He'll find a way. "
Rapunzel bit her lip, then sighed, " If you say so. "
" I do, " Rumplestiltskin smirked. " Now, get me that book in three days time and I'll do the rest. "
" Right, " Rapunzel nodded.
Rumplestiltskin went to the window, " Goodbye, dearie. "
" You're going to jump? " Rapunzel gasped.
" Yeah, " Rumplestiltskin said like it was a weird question and did so. He knew Rapunzel was watching him as he floated down to the ground like a feather, turning to give her a wave before disappearing into the woods...