Once Upon A Time: Through The Devil's Eyes, Part Eleven
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
Mr. Gold looked at Regina as she parked the car in the spot next to Emma's yellow beetle. " I don't see the cruiser, " He looked around.
" She's getting lunch for Mary-Margret, " Regina said. " One of my sources called me when she left. "
" Oh? Was it Mr. Glass? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.
" It's none of your business who called me, " Regina said. " Now, do you remember what I told you to do? "
" Yes, yes. You want me to put the key under the pillow once I see Miss Swan take Miss Blanchard to the interview room, " Mr. Gold reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the key to show her he had it. " Then to get out of there before Emma's finished questioning Miss Blanchard. "
" Exactly, " Regina glanced around. " Now, get out of sight before she comes back. "
" I know a perfect hiding place where she'll never see me, " Mr. Gold said as he opened the passenger side door. " I'll be able to see everything and will know the perfect time to get this done. "
" I hope so, " Regina said as she opened her door. They both got out, Regina heading for the police station while Mr. Gold headed to a corner of the building that was close to the front door but hidden by a large tree. A few moments later, he heard the sound of the police cruiser pulling into it's spot. He heard Emma open then close the car door, his heart beating a little faster when she walked past him, completely oblivious to his presence.
He reached into his jacket, getting out a small hand mirror and moving it until he could see in the window. Emma and Regina were talking, the conversation being fairly heated. He smirked to himself, wondering what it would be like if the two women had a physical fight. Emma was quite strong, that he learned when she grabbed him outside the cabin before handcuffing him.
It had surprised him when she did it like it was nothing. She used a firm yet gentle hand when she shoved him in the back of the police car. She used just enough strength to let him know fighting back wouldn't have been a smart idea. He knew Regina would most likely be toast if it came down to a brawl.
He smirked to himself as another thought crossed his mind. If they did become lovers, her strength would make thing very interesting in the bedroom... or where ever else they found themselves. He didn't want to rush things though. He wanted to tease and torment her until she was crazy with want for him.
The way she had been looking at him let him know it was slowly smoldering inside of her. Well, when they were alone anyway. In the presence of others, she still treated him like she didn't care for him, probably to keep other people from assuming things. It amused him how she could be so rigid with him in public yet so almost pliant in private.
He mused about just how pliant she would be when she gave up and gave into her desires. The possibilities were limitless as long as she let him do as he pleased. He would of course let her do as she wished as well. It was only a matter of how long it would take her to trust him completely.
He sensed she still had her reservations about him. It was quite obvious she did but he knew somewhere deep inside she had developed a miniscule amount of faith in him. He just had to do the right thing to release it and cultivate it. He had to be careful though for one false moved would destroy it and of this he was certain.
Emma and Regina finished talking and he watched as Emma went towards the jail while Regina walked to a room with blinds over the windows. He then saw Marco leaving and coming toward the front door. He put the mirror away and ducked around the corner before Marco came out. Once the old man was gone, he went back to where he had been standing.
A few long moments passed when he saw Emma lead Mary-Margret to the room Regina was waiting in. He beat a hasty trail to the back exit and slipped inside quietly. He crept carefully down the hallway, making sure no one else was around before going into the office.
He smirked when he saw the door to Mary-Margret's cell was sightly ajar. He moved to it, slowly opening the heavy iron door. He went to the bed, pulling the key out of his pocket and placing it under the pillow. He was careful not to disturb anything for Emma had sharp eyes and would be able to detect if anything was amiss.
He left the cell, closing the door behind him so it looked exactly the same as when he came in. He then crept back out and left through the back door, moving a little faster when he heard Emma's voice. She sounded like she was mad at Regina but he wasn't going to hang around to find out why. He walked to the sidewalk, deciding he would be better off walking back to the shop for Regina was bound to be angry and he didn't want to deal with that.
He then thought of Emma, wondering how she would react when Mary-Margret made her escape. When he had looked into the future, he knew she would do it but he also knew a few things he decided to keep to himself. He withheld just a few things from Regina in case he could use them to his own benefit.
As he walked, he passed a flower shop. He smiled to himself as an idea crossed his mind. He turned around and walked inside. The bald middle aged man at the counter gave him an absent smile before looking up from what he was doing.
A look of recognition came over his face and he came out from behind the counter. " Oh, Mr. Gold. I thought I paid the rent for this month, " The man looked worried.
" I'm not here to collect rent, Mr. Edmond, " Mr. Gold said. " I need some flowers sent to someone. "
" Anything you want, " Mr. Edmond said.
Mr. Gold thought about it for a long moment, recalling what he knew of the meanings of flowers. He then smiled, " I want your finest gladiolus, amaryllis, a few sweet peas, some baby's breath and a couple of irises. "
Mr. Edmond paled, " Most of those are out of season... "
" You have a greenhouse, don't you? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow. He knew for a fact that he did. He also knew they grew all kinds of out-of-season flowers all year.
" I was going to say we would have to order them from the greenhouse, " Mr. Edmond said. " I can get them out by tomorrow... "
" You will do it today, " Mr. Gold said flatly. " Have someone at the greenhouse make the arrangement. "
" I don't know... " Mr. Edmond started to wring his hands.
" Do it or there will be consequences, " Mr. Gold frowned.
Mr. Edmond skittered back to the counter, grabbing the telephone. He dialed with a trembling index finger, looking at Mr. Gold. " I'll see what I can do. "
" Thank you, " Mr. Gold smirked. He turned his back to Mr. Edmond as he looked towards the street. He smiled to himself as the flustered florist demanded not only the bouquet but for it to be made up of the finest hybrids from the greenhouse.
" Yes, today. Have someone there arrange them and tell them to do a good job too. It's for Mr. Gold, " Mr. Edmond whispered the last part. There was a silence then Mr. Edmond said, " Mr. Gold? "
Mr. Gold turned to look at him, " Yes? "
" What would you like the card to say? " Mr. Edmond asked
Mr. Gold held up his left hand and put down all but two fingers. " Two words. Stay strong. "
" Do you want it to say who it's from? " Mr. Edmond asked.
Mr. Gold shook his head, " No. "
Mr. Edmond nodded then repeated the instructions to the person on the other end of the line. He then furrowed his brow, " And where did you say you wanted them sent? "
" The sheriff's office, " Mr. Gold smiled. " They are for Sheriff Swan. "
Rumplestiltskin sat in the back room of his shop, carefully studying a thick law book and familiarizing himself with the information it contained. Several years had passed and he had settled into Regina's new land quite well. She had even visited him several times, seeming satisfied that he had been affected by the curse like everyone else. He had convinced her with not only words but actions, pretending not to know anything about his life before.
He was surprised to find out she had actually kept a promise, his life in this new place being quite comfortable. His two homes were nice and he had a few of servants that made sure he had every need met. He had a chef that prepared all of his meals, a maid that kept both houses spotless and Frederick, who drove him where ever he needed to go. With all the help, he was left to conduct business and do as he pleased.
One little thing he did enjoy more than all of that was how Regina would do anything if he said 'please'. The first time he said it to her, she gave him a dirty look and made him think he had blown his cover. She had poked around quite a bit after that, making sure he had really forgotten. He had somehow convinced her he didn't remember anything and she had backed off but not before their relationship had become as contentious as before.
By his estimations, a little less than eighteen years had passed since he had found himself in her new land. He had used that time to slowly amass more real estate than he had to begin with, effectively making him the one who owned the town. Regina may have been the mayor, but he had the real power. Everyone in town knew it but Regina fought it as much as she could.
He had familiar shiver run down his spine, frowning as he closed the law book. A moment later, the bell on the front door of the shop tinkled, announcing a visitor. He got to his feet, taking his cane in hand before making his way out to see who was there. He pushed the curtain aside to find Regina looking around at all of the things in the shop and frowning.
" May I help you, Madam Mayor? " Rumplestiltskin asked.
" Do you ever sell anything? " Regina asked. " It seems like nothing has ever left this shop. "
" I keep buying new things to take the place of the things that do leave, " Rumplestiltskin replied. " I have money and people have things to sell me. It's simple economics, my dear. "
Regina shivered slightly at being called 'dear'. " Indeed but I didn't come here to discuss economics, Gold. "
" What did you come to discuss then? " Rumplestiltskin asked.
Regina frowned, " I want a child. "
" And you expect me to help you with that how? " Rumplestiltskin arched an eyebrow. The one way he could think of made his skin crawl. He would have preferred skinning himself with a rusty dagger than to touch her in such a way.
" Find one for me to adopt, " Regina said. She narrowed her eyes, " What did you think I meant? "
" I just wanted to be clear, " Rumplestiltskin put his hand up.
" Right, " Regina scoffed. " Let me make it crystal clear then. I want you to find a child for me to adopt and raise as my own. "
Rumplestiltskin frowned, " Where do you expect me to look for one? "
Regina pointed out a window, " Out there. "
" Inside or outside of Storybrooke? " Rumplestiltskin asked.
" Where ever you can find one, Gold, " Regina replied.
He was perplexed by her words. As far as he knew, no one could leave town and he hadn't tried since he didn't want to make Regina suspicious of him. He knew if he left and was able to go, she would find out he was pretending. He wondered if she was trying to trick him into revealing himself. She had attempted it many times before but failed each time.
" And why do you want a child? " Rumplestiltskin queried.
Regina sighed and looked away, " I'm lonely. I want someone to love and who will love me back. "
" How sweet, " Rumplestiltskin said. " I will need to look beyond town in case I can't find you a child here. May I... please? "
Regina glared at him like she always did when he used the word then sighed, " Go as far as you need to, Gold. Just find me a child. "