Once Upon A Time: Dancing With The Devil, Part Eight
By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki
" We're here, " Emma sighed as she parked the beetle outside of Mr. Gold's summer house. She frowned when he gave her a disappointed look. " What? "
" I forgot to tell you. I went back to the other house this week. The new security system had been installed and I felt it was safe to return. "
" You could have told me this sooner, " Emma growled. "If I had known that, I wouldn't have drove out here. "
" It didn't come up in conversation, " Mr. Gold smiled. " We were too busy talking about our plan to catch the thief. "
Emma rolled her eyes as she pulled away out of the driveway, " Whatever you say. "
They were silent as Emma drove back towards town proper. Mr. Gold glanced at her, an impish grin on his lips, " I had a good time with you tonight. "
" Thanks, " Emma sighed. She didn't know how she had a good time though. She had tried to talk about the plan but he had subtly flirted with her almost the entire time, making her a complete mess.
" I appreciate you spending time with me, " He reached over and took her right hand in his left.
" We have a deal, " Emma sighed. His touch sent heat shooting through her veins.
" Is that the ONLY reason you came out with me tonight? " He laced his fingers in hers.
" Well, we WERE supposed to talk about the plan to catch the thief, " Emma reminded him.
" I think we've talked about that enough tonight. We need to talk about... us, " Mr. Gold let her hand go and placed his on her knee.
Emma took a sharp breath, " Move your hand. "
" You want me to move it? " Mr. Gold teased. He slid his hand up to her inner thigh. " Is that better? " He grinned wickedly.
Emma gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white as he stroked her through her jeans, his hand getting progressively higher. " Stop, " She whispered.
He leaned into her ear, " Why should I? " He murmured before nipping at her throat with his lips.
" Please? " Emma gasped as he reached the top of her thigh. She was really struggling to keep control of the car.
" That word only works with Regina, " He murmured. He exhaled against her throat, " I can feel your heart. I can almost hear it. "
" Gold, " Emma gasped, her skin tingling from his breath.
" I know you want me. " He let his hand rest just a scant inch from her crotch. " I've seen the way you look at me. You can't hide anything from me, Emma. "
Emma gasped when he ran his hand in between her legs, grazing her crotch. She pulled the car off to the side of the road, shifting it into 'park' . Before she could have a single thought, he moved away from her throat and took her lips in his, tangling his left hand in her hair as his right went to her legs. She was stunned by the action, unable to do anything but let him kiss her.
She let out a hard gasp when he grazed her with his hand again, pressing his tongue into her mouth. She hesitated for a moment before she matched his intensity until they both needed air. She panted, making little noises in her throat as he placed kisses all along her jawline and neck. " Are you still going to say 'no', my dear? " He whispered after kissing a trail to her ear.
" Gold, " Emma gasped when he slid his right hand underneath her sweater, cupping her her left breast and massaging it gently through the fabric. He took her lips in another passion filled kiss, his mouth muffling her moans. She was helpless, enjoying what he was doing to her...
" Emma, " Mary-Margret's voice cut through the veil of slumber.
Emma sat up with a start, gasping for air. She blinked, realizing she had another dream, the most intense yet. It was so consuming, she had been shocked to find herself in her bed... and alone. She looked around the room, " What time is it? "
" Six thirty, " Mary-Margret said. " What time did you get home last night? "
Emma furrowed her brow then sighed, " Ten, maybe eleven I guess. "
" I never heard you come in, " Mary-Margret said.
" I thought you were asleep so I didn't want to bother you, " Emma sighed.
" Oh, " Mary-Margret nodded. " I thought you didn't have anything to do last night. I fixed dinner and everything. "
" You did? " Emma blinked. " I didn't see it. "
" It was in the oven, " Mary-Margret said.
Emma frowned, " I'm sorry. "
" I left a note on the table but I guess you didn't see that either, " Mary-Margret sighed. " What happened last night? "
Emma sighed and got out of bed, pulling the covers back up. " I had a meeting. "
" With who, Emma? " Mary-Margret asked.
Emma walked over to the moving box that contained her clothes. " It was about the robberies. No big deal. "
" So you were with Regina? " Mary-Margret asked.
Emma sighed, " No. I met with her yesterday afternoon. "
" Then who were you with? " Mary-Margret looked puzzled.
Emma looked away, " Gold. "
" Emma! " Mary-Margret said sharply.
" It had to do with the case, I swear, " Emma put her hand up.
" How is he involved? " Mary-Margret asked.
Emma sighed, " We're setting up a trap for the thief at his shop. "
" Was this his idea? " Mary-Margret arched an eyebrow.
Emma frowned, " Not at first. It was mine but I went to him for help. "
" Why? " Mary-Margret's tone was prodding.
Emma grabbed the outfit she wanted, " Because I needed his help. "
" No one needs his help, " Mary-Margret nearly shouted. " You're just asking for trouble if you let him help you. "
Emma frowned, " Look, I need to get ready. I'm meeting Henry at Granny's in a little while. "
" What for? " Mary-Margret asked.
" I promised I'd walk him to the bus stop, " Emma said as she walked to the bathroom and shutting the door before Mary-Margret could say anything else.
Emma sat in a street-facing booth at Granny's, looking out the window for Henry as she tried to wake up. She was still sleepy and exhausted from the dream she had. The timing was awful since she had to go see Mr. Gold once she was finished taking care of her morning business at the police station. ~I hope I can face him without letting on I'm this agitated, ~ She thought.
She had stayed at Mr. Gold's shop until they had almost every last detail planned out to catch the thief. After that, she drove him home. She blamed spending so much time with him on her unrestful night. She glanced at the clock on the wall, finding that Henry still had five minutes to get there.
Her heart jumped when she saw Henry coming up the street a little earlier than expected, getting to her feet and heading to the door, getting to it as he came up the front walkway. She opened it before he had a chance touch the door. He looked puzzled as he stepped inside, " Is something wrong, Emma? "
" No, " Emma shook her head. She sighed, " There's been a change in plans. "
" What kind of change? " Henry furrowed his brow. " You still want me to help, right? "
Emma nodded, " Yeah. That part is still the same. "
" Then what's changed? " Henry asked.
" We're not setting the trap at the police station anymore, " Emma said. " Come on, let's walk and I'll tell you. "
" If it's not going to be at the police station then where will it be? " Henry asked as they walked out of the cafe.
Emma took a deep breath, preparing for Henry's inevitable protests. She looked at him, " Mr. Gold's shop. "
Henry stopped, " What? Why there? "
Emma sighed, " He wouldn't let me use the necklace otherwise. "
" Emma, " Henry whined. " You can't keep messing around with him. How many times do I have to tell you he's bad? "
" But he's helping, " Emma said. " I wouldn't be this close to solving this case without him. "
Henry frowned, " What did you promise him for his help? "
Emma shut her eyes, " That I would spend some time with him. "
" Like what kind of time? " Henry asked. He got very quiet as he asked, " Like how Graham was always spending time with my mom? "
Emma went cold, her dream coming to mind but she fought it back. She had been told Henry didn't know about the relationship. She wanted to believe it when Graham told her but she knew Henry was a lot smarter than that. " What do you mean? "
Henry sighed, " I'm ten, not stupid. I know they were friends. I'd always hear him in the house. When I'd ask mom, she said he was coming by for late dinners. She said he liked her cooking a lot. "
Emma sighed, relieved it didn't seem he knew the full extent of Graham's reasons for visiting. " He asked me to keep him company and talk to him once in a while, Henry. He gets a little lonely sometimes. You should understand that, right? "
Henry frowned, " But you don't even like him... do you? "
Emma frowned. What she had going on with Mr. Gold wasn't easy to explain, let alone in simple terms to a ten-year old. Hell, she couldn't even explain it to herself much less anyone else. She had barely scratched the surface when she had confided in Ruby.
" Emma? " Henry sounded worried. " Please tell me you don't like him. "
Emma sighed, " I tolerate him, kid. You have to admit, he's actually not been that bad lately. "
" Did you forget he set that fire? " Henry asked.
" No but we talked about it and we've decided to keep it in the past, " Emma replied. She recalled how he had became angry with her for mentioning it when he was under police protection.
" Emma, he's going to want something in return for everything he helps you with, " Henry said as they reached the school bus stop. " Everything he does has a price. "
" I know, Henry. I know, " Emma tried not to think about it. " I'll deal with it when the time comes. "
Other children were getting on the bus but Henry hesitated. He looked at the bus then at Emma. " We haven't talked about the plan at all. Will you walk me to school? "
Emma quirked her mouth, " So you're on board after all? "
Henry nodded, " Yeah. I guess so. "
" What changed you mind? " Emma arched an eyebrow. She knew she was going to catch Hell for walking with him. She was pretty sure Regina knew about her driving him home the day before and waiting for the right moment to jump her ass about it.
" Stealing is wrong and I want you to stop that thief, " Henry looked her in the eyes, his voice sounding like it was taking a lot for him to say the words. " Even if Mr. Gold is involved. "
Emma grabbed Henry and gave him a hug, " Thank you. "
Henry returned the hug, " No problem. "
Emma walked into Mr. Gold's shop, the bell tinkling to announce her arrival. She didn't bother to call him, knowing he most certainly was there. She walked to the back, finding him at his work bench. From what she could see, he was drawing something.
" Hello, Miss Swan. Feel free to let yourself in, " He said teasingly.
Emma forced a smirk though she was trying to fight off images from the most recent dream. She was determined not to think about it. " Gladly. "
" I assume you told Henry his part, " He didn't look up.
" Yeah. I did, " Emma walked around to his side. " What are you working on? "
Mr. Gold looked her in the eyes and smirked, " A better mouse trap. "
Emma smirked and scoffed, " Funny. No, seriously. What is it? "
" I'm serious, " Mr. Gold said, returning his attention to the paper. " It's plans for a simple but effective trap. "
" What kind of trap? " Emma asked, trying to look at the plans.
Mr. Gold laid his arms over the paper, " I'll show it to you when I'm ready. Now, stop looking over my shoulder. "
" My aren't we crabby today, " Emma scoffed.
" I don't like to be watched while I work, that's all, " He replied. " Feel free to look around while I work on this. "
" I can look around? " Emma was surprised he said she could. " Really? "
" I have nothing to hide from you, my dear, " Mr. Gold said. " Just don't touch anything. "
Emma started to look at the trinkets in the back room, finding they seemed rather mundane but mysteriously familiar in a way. A puzzling thought occurred to her and she glanced over at Mr. Gold, " How do you know how to build traps? "
" Traps are an important part of war, my dear, " He replied.
Emma arched an eyebrow and looked at him, " War? What do you know about war? "
" Enough, " Mr. Gold looked up, giving her a very dark look. He looked back down at the paper, " I read. "
Emma blinked, the look he had given her chilling her to the bone. She didn't want to say it out loud but the expression told her his knowledge was a little more than from a book. His tone let her know she had hit on a tender subject. " Oh yeah. I forgot. "
" Why don't you go upstairs and familiarize yourself with the layout of the apartment, Miss Swan? " Mr. Gold suggested. " It will give you something productive to do and allow me to finish my plans. "
" Uh, sure. I have to be up there tonight anyway, " Emma walked over to the door. He always seemed to push her away when she broached a touchy subject. He had done the same thing the second night she had to watch him when she put him on the spot for taking care of her.
" I believe that is what we agreed upon, yes. I'll call you down when I'm done, " Mr. Gold said stiffly.
Emma opened the door and walked up the stairs. There really wasn't much to get familiar with in the apartment. There was a twin sized bed on the left side of the room, made up with dark blue satin sheets. It really wasn't that odd to her since it seemed that Mr. Gold liked to surround himself in luxury.
At the head of the bed was a nightstand with a very expensive looking lamp. The shade was stained glass in a pattern that reminded Emma of something out of a fairy tale. She smiled a little, finding Mr. Gold's penchant for choosing such things captivating. She had recalled the summer house seemed more like a fantasy palace than a home.
She walked across the tiny room to the solitary window and looked out. The street that passed under the window led down to the docks to the south and dead ended to the north where the shopping district bordered residential neighborhoods. Main Street was the only cross street but the thief would be able to cut across parking lots if she had to give chase, something Emma could see as problematic.
She glanced towards the door, wondering just exactly where Mr. Gold was planning to set the trap... and what the trap would entail. " Miss Swan? " His voice startled her as he called her from the bottom of the stairs.
" Are you finished? " Emma called back, trying not to sound startled. There were times she was certain he knew whenever anyone thought about him. The idea made her blood run cold, lending more validity to her theory that she held no secrets from him.
" Yes. You may come down now, " He replied. " We need to get some supplies from the fishing and hardware stores. "
" We? " Emma said as she walked down the stairs, finding him waiting for her. " I'm on duty, Gold. I can't run errands with you. "
Mr. Gold smirked as the clock chimed it was noon, " No you're not. You're on lunch. "
Emma growled, " Have I told you how vexing you are lately? "
" Once or twice, " Mr. Gold gave her the impish grin.
" I can't go, " Emma started again.
" If you want this plan to succeed, you'll come with me, " Mr. Gold cut her off. " Besides, I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm up to no good. "
Emma scoffed, " There are people in this town who think you're up to no good just by breathing. "
" Then I need to find them so I can have Frederick have a 'word' with them, " Mr. Gold's tone serious.
" You can't have anyone do anything to anyone, remember? Your probation... " Emma started.
" It was a quip, my dear. I am well aware of the terms of my probation since someone feels it necessary to remind me every five minutes, " His tone was snarky.
" I just don't want you to forget, " Emma said firmly.
" I believe I can recite the terms word for word, my dear. Now, come along. Maybe we can grab some lunch while we're out, " Mr. Gold said. He bowed and motioned towards the curtain, smiling as he said, " After you. "
Just then, the front door bell tinkled to announce a visitor. " Sheriff Swan? " It was Regina and she sounded rather unhappy.
" Damn, " Emma muttered.
" Language, " Mr. Gold scolded her quietly.
Regina pushed the curtain aside, her eyes narrowing at the sight of Emma and Mr. Gold standing together. " Well, I can't say I'm surprised at this. "
Emma rolled her eyes, " What do you want, Regina? "
Regina glared at Mr. Gold. He took a step back, " I'll leave you ladies alone. Miss Swan, I'll be outside. Please don't break anything. "
Regina waited until she heard the front door close then sneered, " Oh? We you two going somewhere? "
Emma rolled her eyes, " He needs help with some errands. "
" You have a town to protect, Miss Swan. Helping the... rabble with errands isn't in your job description, " Regina snarled.
" I'm on lunch, " Emma retorted. " I can do whatever I want. "
" May I remind you that you're the ONLY police officer this town has? " Regina glared at her. " You're never off-duty. "
" Don't I know it? " Emma scoffed. " Why are you here, Regina? I haven't got a lot of time. "
Regina's eyebrow twitched with anger, " I want to know why you've been seen with MY son twice in the last two days when I haven't given you permission to see him. "
" All I did was bring him straight home and walk him to the bus stop, " Emma said. " It's not like I can kidnap him and leave town. "
" Sometimes I wonder if you aren't thinking about it, " Regina sneered.
" I'm not, " Emma shot back. " He wants to see me. If I don't see him, then he'll try to see me on his own. "
" He's been told not to, " Regina said smugly. She smirked like she had an idea, " Is there something else going on, Miss Swan? "
Emma blinked, " What would make you think that? "
" Because you've been rather good at minding my directions about Henry until now, " Regina said.
" So I slipped up, " Emma said. " I had to see him. "
" Why? " Regina asked sharply.
" I missed him and he missed me, " Emma said.
" You're going to stick with that? " Regina arched an eyebrow.
" Why not? " Emma shrugged. " It's the truth. "
Regina squared her shoulders, " Fine then. I guess I should leave you to your 'errands' with Mr. Gold but I expect you to be back in the office at one sharp, working on this robbery case. "
" I will be, " Emma said. " I promise. "