Once Upon A Time: Dancing With The Devil, Part Seven

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

Emma walked into Mr. Gold's shop, the tiny bell on the door announcing her arrival. She shut the door behind her, looking around. " Gold? "

A moment later, he came out from the back room. He smiled brightly at her, " Ah, Miss Swan. What brings you by so late? It's starting to get dark outside. "

" I've been busy. I was chasing that lead you gave me and coming up with a plan to catch the thief, " Emma explained.

" So you went to see the gypsies? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.

" I only saw Graciela, " Emma nodded. " She was very helpful. She knew the person I was looking for. "

Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " So you were able to get a name? "

" Yes, " Emma nodded. " Name, description, everything including where to find her during the day. "

" Lovely, " Mr. Gold smiled. " Care to share the name with me? "

Emma thought it over. It was just a first name so she didn't think it would hurt to share. After all, his help was the reason she had gotten it in the first place. She sighed, " Clarissa. "

Mr. Gold's expression grew dark, angry. He frowned deeply, " I see. "

Emma was puzzled by his reaction, " Are you alright? "

Mr. Gold snapped out of it, " Yes. I once had a bad experience with someone who had that name, that's all. "

Emma nodded once, " Right. "

" So what is your plan to catch her? " Mr. Gold walked out from behind the display case and came closer to Emma.

" I heard she has an eye for jewels, " Emma said. Her heart started to beat faster as Mr. Gold leaned on the case Emma was standing in front of. He was close enough, she could smell him and her skin began to tingle.

Mr. Gold looked very interested, " Go on. "

" Well, I think if I laid out a trap for her with a nice piece of jewelry, she won't be able to resist it, " Emma said.

Mr. Gold chuckled and moved slightly closer. He looked into her eyes, " So you want to use something of mine to catch her? Is that what you're saying, my dear? "

" That was the idea, " Emma stammered a bit. His intense gaze and unreadable expression held her stunned, making her unable to back away.

Mr. Gold thought it over for a long moment then sighed, " Can you guarantee it won't be stolen, whatever I decide to give you? "

" I'll set the trap in the police station, " Emma started.

" No, " Mr. Gold stopped her.

" No? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

" If we're using something that belongs to me, I get to have a say in where the trap is set, " Mr. Gold said firmly. " Or no deal. "

Emma sighed. She had been afraid he would have conditions she would need to adhere to if she asked for one of his pieces. " Fine. Where then? "

" Let's set it here. She may be greedy but she may not be stupid. Setting it here would be much better and she'll have fewer ways to escape, " Mr. Gold explained. " As you know, there is only the front door and the window in the apartment. She may be brazen enough to come in through the front or she may think she's crafty by using the window. You can cover one and I'll cover the other. "

Emma furrowed her brow, surprised he had volunteered so readily and came up with a strategy almost as quickly. " Okay. So do you know what you want to use? "

Mr. Gold nodded, " The diamond cut crystal necklace. You know, the 100 carat one I've seen you look at more than once. "

" That's crystal? " Emma didn't know if to be more shocked over the fact the necklace wasn't a diamond or that he had noticed her looking at it.

Mr. Gold smirked, " Do you think I'm a fool, Emma? If I had a diamond that large, I would have it locked away in a safe somewhere, not on display for everyone to see. "

" I guess that does make sense then, " Emma said. She did feel a little foolish for thinking the necklace had been real but it was still breathtaking regardless.

" So do you want to do it here? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow and looked deeper into her eyes.

Emma thought it over, still trying to stay focused though his proximity and the look in his eyes were wreaking havoc with her mind. It did make sense to her. After all, the police station had more exits and the air ducts besides. Emma made the most serious face she could, " You can't hurt anyone. "

Mr. Gold scoffed, " I wouldn't dream of it. I'm on probation, remember? "

" How can I forget? " Emma said, a shiver going down her spine. She recalled Regina's words from earlier in the day and wondered how she could tell him the real reason he had gotten such a light sentence. Mr. French hadn't fared so well and was waiting to be sentenced for his crimes.

" I suppose you would say I was lucky, " Mr. Gold smiled.

Emma hesitated, a thought coming to her mind. " You had no record and you plead not guilty by reason of self-defense. I suppose the judge saw it your way. "

Mr. Gold smirked, " Yes. I suppose that's it. Perhaps with a wee bit of help, eh? "

Emma blinked. She couldn't tell if he was fishing or knew. The way he looked at her was unreadable and it made her discomfited. " What would make you think there was help? "

Mr. Gold chuckled, " I don't know have to tell you how many times. I can read you like a book and you can't lie to me. "

Emma went cold. She wondered if she had any secrets from him at all. The way he behaved sometimes made her think she didn't. " Gold... I only... "

" Don't be ashamed if you helped me in some way, " Mr. Gold cut her off. " Did you? "

Emma bit her lip then sighed, " I talked to him in his chambers during the recess after I testified. "

" Yes, I remember, " Mr. Gold nodded. " What exactly did you say to him? "

Emma took a deep breath, still unsure what he knew or if he knew anything at all. " I told him that you were provoked. It didn't make it right but you were just defending your property. "

" And he said what to that? " Mr. Gold asked.

Emma sighed, " He said you were a victim and it was understandable why you did what you did. He could see the robbery was retaliation on Mr. French's part for taking his van. He also said that Mr. French should have honored your deal and you were only collecting what was yours since he defaulted. "

" Well, THAT is what happened, after all. Are you sure you're telling me everything, my dear? It sounds like you're leaving something out. "

" It's not important, " Emma forced a smile.

" It may be to me, " Mr. Gold replied.

Emma wanted to run away. She was so scared to admit it was because she didn't think he'd survive going to jail. Saying it to him would make him think she cared and she wasn't sure she wanted to admit to it. She looked him in the eyes and said, " I did it to take Regina down a few notches. "

Mr. Gold chuckled, " Yes. I remember her face when she heard the verdict. It was priceless. "

Emma laughed a little though it was a bit strained, " I should have taken a picture. "

There was a short silence before the clock on the wall chimed it was six o'clock. Emma looked out to see the last tinges of sunlight in the sky. " Do you have plans for tonight, my dear? " Mr. Gold asked, bringing Emma's attention back to him.

Emma blinked, " Uh, not really. Why? "

He smiled gently, " I want you join me for dinner tonight. "

" I can't, " Emma started.

" We made a deal, " Mr. Gold cut her off.

Emma frowned, " We never agreed on a day. "

" Exactly, " Mr. Gold smirked. " Now, come along. I'm starving and we have plans to discuss. "

The gypsy girl started to wake up, her eyes opened slowly. She furrowed her brow when she saw the little wicker cage she kept her mouse-friend in was smashed to bits. She bolted up, panicked because she didn't see the mouse anywhere. " Mousy? " She called, rustling her blankets and scanning the room frantically.

She went to jump out of the bed, her feet hitting something soft instead. She looked down to find a naked woman sleeping on the floor. She had mousy brown hair, sharp features and turned up little nose. She let out a surprised squeak as she threw the blanket on the bed over her.

She leaned down and touched her shoulder, " Excuse me, miss? "

The woman stirred, her sharp brown eyes fluttering open. She furrowed her brow as she looked at the girl then took a sharp breath, sitting up. She looked around, " Where am I? "

" My parent's wagon, " The girl explained.

" No, I know where I'm at, " The woman said. " You brought me home. "

" I brought you... home? " The girl blinked.

" Yes, " The woman said. " What's your name? "

The woman blinked then sighed, " It's Clarissa. "

Graciela looked confused, " But where did you come from? "

Clarissa quirked her mouth as she tried to remember. She frowned, " Town. I double-crossed someone I shouldn't have. He knew magic and turned me into a mouse. "

Graciela blinked, " You're... Mousy? "

" No, I'm just small, " Clarissa started then looked at the shelf with the broken wicker cage. She smiled sheepishly, " Oh. I guess you knew me as Mousy. "

Graciela stared at her, " Would you like for me to get you something to wear? "

Clarissa nodded, " Sure. "

Graciela climbed out of the bed, stepping over Clarissa. " Ouch! " Clarissa hissed.

" What happened? " Graciela looked very concerned as she got back on the bed.

" You stepped on something attached to me, " Clarissa said as she threw the blanket off. " Oh Gods... "

" What is it? " Graciela asked, peering over to see.

Clarissa blinked as she lifted what Graciela had stepped on, " I still have a... tail. "

" So where are you keeping the case? " Mr. Gold asked as Emma turned on the lights. After eating dinner at an out-of-the-way place on the waterfront, they headed off to the police station.

" Downstairs in the gun safe, " Emma said. " Did you remember your key? "

Mr. Gold moved his jacket aside, revealing the key fob. " I never go anywhere without my keys. "

Emma nodded, " Good for me then. "

" If you would so kindly lead the way, my dear, " Mr. Gold said.

" The stairs are over here. " Emma walked to a door marked 'basement' and Mr. Gold waited as she opened it. She flicked a light switch, a row of overhead hanging lights coming on. " These stairs are narrow so be careful. "

" Thank you for your concern but I think I can manage them, " Mr. Gold said tightly as they started walking down the steps, him following her.

Emma didn't miss his tone, relieved she hadn't told him the real reason she had persuaded the judge to give him probation. He always got so defensive of his condition when anyone mentioned it. Emma knew he was capable of much more than anyone else gave him credit for. A shiver ran through her, her mind suddenly going to the dreams she had of him and making her wonder if he would be capable of the things she had imagined.

" Are you alright, my dear? " His voice made her skin prickle.

" It's a little damp and chilly down here. Don't you think? " Emma didn't look at him. She had one peaceful night of no dreams but all the old ones were still fresh and kicking around her mind.

" It's not that bad, " Mr. Gold replied.

Emma sighed in relief when they reached the bottom of the stairs. She reached for another light switch, a long shop light bolted to the opposite wall crackling to life and revealing a huge black safe. She walked over to it then turned to Mr. Gold, " Face the stairs. "

" What? " He looked confused.

" I said face the stairs. I don't want to you looking over my shoulder, " Emma said firmly.

" Miss Swan. I can't look over your shoulder from over here " He frowned. " And here I thought you were beginning to trust me. "

Emma frowned, " Turn around. "

Mr. Gold turned around, giving her a dirty look as he did. " Hurry up. I don't like small spaces. "

" I remember, " Emma said as she turned the combination lock. " You were rather pissy until Frederick brought the bail money and I let you out. "

" What have I told you about using words like that, Miss Swan? " Mr. Gold's voice had a slightly teasing edge to it.

Emma stopped turning the lock, her heart beating faster. She remembered the words almost too well. ~ You shouldn't use such language, my dear. You are much too beautiful for such crass words, ~ The words echoed in her head. " I remember, " She breathed.

" Are you almost finished? " He asked.

Emma dialed up the last number and gave the handle a spin. A metallic thud echoed through the basement and she swung the door open. She reached into the bottom of the safe and pulled out the case. " You can turn around now. "

Mr. Gold turned back to face Emma, " This shouldn't take long. "

Emma set the case down on a table, " I hope not. "

Mr. Gold walked over and moved his jacket aside, grabbing the key fob. He smiled at Emma when he saw she was looking, " Now it's your turn to look away. "

Emma rolled her eyes, " Gold. "

" Turn...Around, " He said firmly.

Emma sighed and turned her back to him. She heard the keys jangle then the gentle scraping of one being put into the lock. A stiff click was soon followed by the sound of the case opening.

She glanced over her shoulder as he rustled some papers but couldn't see anything because of the angle he was standing at, probably to thwart wandering eyes. She looked away when he pulled out the necklace and shoved it in his jacket pocket. She heard him pull something else out before he shut and locked the case. " Are you done now? " She asked.

" I believe so, yes. You may put it back, my dear, " Mr. Gold stepped away from the table and picked up the case.

Emma took it from him when he held it out to her, her fingers brushing his as she did. She shivered inwardly at the brief contact then turned to the safe. She placed the case back in the bottom and slammed the door. She gave the handle a spin then looked at Mr. Gold.

" Are you ready? " She asked.

" Yes, " Mr. Gold nodded. " Let's go over the plans once more to make sure we have everything right. "

Emma turned off the light next to the safe then walked to the stairs, " Fine. "

" But not here, " Mr. Gold said.

" Then where? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

" My shop. After all, that is where the trap will be, " Mr. Gold said.

" We can't stay out too late, " Emma said. " I have to meet Henry at Granny's to walk him to the bus at seven-fifteen. "

Mr. Gold got his pocket watch out and checked the time, " It's only eight-thirty. We have plenty of time to discuss things and for you to take me home. "

" Can't you have Frederick come get you? " Emma asked. Things had been relatively mundane for most of the night but she didn't want to push it. The longer she was around him, the harder it became to not think of the prior couple of days and the dreams that had been haunting her sleep.

" It's his night off, " Mr. Gold replied.

Emma sighed, " Right. "