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

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

Emma walked up to the door to the shop, seeing Mr. Gold had turned the 'closed' sign out and all but one light off in the shop. It looked completely empty but she knew better. She had called him to make sure he was there. She got out her cell phone and dialed his number.

She could hear the shop phone ringing and she let it do so four times before hanging up. He had asked her to do it to let him know when she got there. She waited for a few minutes, the sound of his cane reaching her ears. When he opened the door, he looked a little angry.

" What's wrong? " Emma furrowed her brow.

" I was hoping you would get here sooner, " Mr. Gold said as he stepped aside to let her in.

Emma sighed, " Something came up and I had to take care of it. It was really important. "

" So how did you ever get Regina to let you see Henry? " Mr. Gold asked after he shut the door and locked it again.

Emma blinked, " How... "

Mr. Gold looked her in the eyes " How did I know? Well, not much goes on around here that I DON'T know about for one thing. And for another thing, I saw your car at Granny's. "

Emma arched and eyebrow, " I parked in the back. "

" I know you did, " Mr. Gold said. " I saw you when you pulled in. "

Emma's stomach sank and her skin went cold. She was thoroughly creeped out by the way he seemed to know everything. Again, she felt like she didn't hold any secrets from the man in front of her. The way he looked at her made her heart flutter in spite of the tinges of fear she felt.

There was just something about the way he looked when he was angry that was frightening yet exciting all at the same time. She could see shades of the passion he tried to conceal under his calm and collected exterior. She wondered what it would take to unlock it and if there was any turning back once it was unleashed.

She recalled how he had looked when she put the handcuffs on him outside of the cabin, a shiver running through her. His expression was a mixture of disbelief, anger and with a touch of arousal. Her mouth went dry, the dream from the night before slipping into her mind as she recalled everything they had done in it in an instant.

" Is there something wrong, my dear? " Mr. Gold still sounded unhappy.

Emma took a short breath, " No. Nothing. "

He took a step back, " We must get set up. If her pattern holds true, the thief will strike around one. "

" But it's barely ten-thirty, " Emma breathed. Her heart was still in her throat and pounding.

" I know but I must show you how the traps work, " Mr. Gold explained. " On the off chance I'm incapacitated for some reason. "

" Traps? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

" I built two. One for down here and one for upstairs, " Mr. Gold replied. " They're quite different from each other but rather simple. "

" You're not sure where she's going to come in from? " Emma asked.

Mr. Gold nodded, " Yes. Since I don't have any large air ducts, she can't follow her regular pattern. She could be sneaky and come in from upstairs or be brazen and come through the front door. "

" She's never used the front door, " Emma said.

" But she's never used a window before either, " Mr. Gold countered. " You must always be prepared for anything. "

Emma frowned, knowing he was right. " What if she tries to come in through another window though? " Emma motioned to the first floor windows.

" I nailed them shut, " Mr. Gold smirked. " In war, you must always think of every possibility to thwart your enemy. "

The comment made Emma wonder once again why he knew so much about battle tactics but she dared not to ask. He was already slightly upset with her and she didn't want to piss him completely off before they carried out their plan. She had seen him a full-blown rage once and that was more than enough. She hoped to never see him like that again because it had scared her.

" So all these windows... " Emma started.

" And the one in the work room, " Mr. Gold added.

" Are nailed closed? " Emma finished.

Mr. Gold nodded, " Yes. Now, would you like to look at the traps? "

" They aren't lethal, are they? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

Mr. Gold looked insulted at the insinuation, " I rather value my freedom so I made them as humane as possible. No one will get injured... seriously. "

" No one better get injured at all, Gold, " Emma said sharply. " I have to send a report to your probation officer in two weeks. "

" If she doesn't struggle, all should be fine, " Mr. Gold gave her a devilish smirk.

Emma rolled her eyes, " You're hopeless. "

" That's not the first time I've heard that, " Mr. Gold continued to smirk. " Now, I would really like to show you these traps so you can get the thief out when we catch her if you need to do it by yourself. "

" Show them to me then, " Emma said.

Mr. Gold smirked and motioned towards the display case the jewelry belonged in, " The one down here is quite effective. I want you to walk over to the jewelry case like you're going to look in it. As you will see, I put the necklace back in there. "

Emma did as she was directed. Indeed, the necklace was in the case and displayed beautifully, just like it had been before. Emma nodded, " Okay. Over here? "

" Yes but don't... " Mr. Gold said.

" Don't what? " Emma said as her left foot hit the floor in front of the case. The piece of floor fell through, two metal plates popping out from the sides locking shut around her ankle. There was a hole cut in the plates so it trapped her foot six inches lower than the rest of the floor with no way to get it out. " Ow! Damn it, Gold! "

" Is it a bit tight? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow. His nonchalant tone angered Emma even more than the pain in her leg.

" Hell yes, " Emma hissed. " Now open the damn thing! "

" We really must do something about that mouth of yours, " He sounded very disappointed and shook his head. " I hope you don't talk that way around Henry. "

" I'm not here for a lecture! GET ME OUT! " Emma shouted the last part.

" Fine, " Mr. Gold still seemed unconcerned. He reached behind the display case and got a long metal bar with a flattened end. " Hold on to me. "

" What? " Emma asked sharply.

" Hold on me. You might fall when I release the plates, " Mr. Gold gave Emma serious look.

Emma growled, sliding her arm around his shoulders. He pushed the bar between the two panels and started to work them apart. It apparently took some effort to get them to release, Emma feeling his muscles tighten as he worked the plates back. She blinked, surprised at his strength.

She heard the plates click back into place and pulled her foot out of the trap, the trip plate coming back up as she did. " That hurt, " She gave Mr. Gold a dirty look as she let go of him.

" I made it for someone smaller than ourselves so I'm not surprised, " Mr. Gold nodded. " Are you alright, my dear? "

" Oh, NOW you're concerned, " Emma scoffed as she leaned down to look at her boot. She frowned, " It cut my boot. "

" I'll buy you a new pair then, " Mr. Gold replied. " But how is your leg? "

Emma sighed, " I'll probably have a bruise. It stings. "

" I tried to warn you, " Mr. Gold pointed out.

" Well this is dangerous, " Emma pointed at the trap.

" I modified it so it would be mostly harmless, " Mr. Gold quirked his mouth. " If I had used the plans for the original, you wouldn't have a foot right now. "

" Fine, " Emma said. " Where's the one upstairs? "

Mr. Gold went to the curtain that separated the shop from work room, then smiled at Emma as he moved the curtain aside. " After you. "

Emma went through to the door that led upstairs. She waited for Mr. Gold to join her, arching an eyebrow as he opened the door. " Is there anything you'd like to tell me so I don't get caught in your trap you set up here? " She asked.

" The trip for this trap is in the middle of the room, " Mr. Gold told her firmly. " Stay to the left and off the rug. You should be fine. "

" Left, " Emma muttered. The bed was on the left side of the room, the thought of it bringing up a memory of the dream she had the night she had to sleep in the car. She took a sharp breath and Mr. Gold glanced over at her.

" Are you having chills again, my dear? " He sounded concerned.

" I'm fine, " Emma replied though she was quickly becoming far from it. " Show me this trap. "

" Very well, " Mr. Gold said. " Ladies first. "

Emma climbed the stairs, switching on the lights then moving to the left side of the room quickly. After the floor trap, she wasn't about to take any chances. She scanned the floor, only noticing a brick. " So where is it, Gold? And what's the brick for? "

He smiled then leaned down, picking up the brick, " Watch. "

Emma quirked her mouth as Mr. Gold pitched the brick right in the middle of the rug that covered the middle of the room. She jumped and let out a shocked shout when the rug loudly snapped up. After she gathered her wits, she saw the rug was attached to a spring loaded frame. " A better mouse trap, " Emma muttered.

" Precisely, " Mr. Gold smiled and pointed to the springing mechanism. " The trip plate for it is right where I threw the brick. It releases the springs and snap! "

Emma furrowed her brow, " Is that even safe? "

Mr. Gold shrugged, " I guess so. As long as we don't leave her in there. That rug has a tight weave and will probably suffocate her if she's in there for too long. "

Emma shook her head slowly, " You're... "

Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow, " I'm what, my dear? "

Emma gave him a serious look, " Psychotic. "

Mr. Gold chuckled, " Perhaps but you wouldn't have me any other way, would you dear? "

Emma growled, " Just show me how to release this one. "

Mr. Gold walked over, " You grab one side and I'll get the other. We have to pull it back down to the floor. The crossbars have to catch on some hooks inside the trigger. "

" Whatever, " Emma said. " How will I know if they're caught? "

" It will click, " Mr. Gold said as he grabbed one side of the trap. " We have to do it at the same time. "

Emma nodded and got the other side, " Got it. "

They started pulling it down, Emma going faster than he was. " Slow down, " Mr. Gold cautioned her. " It will... "

The side Emma had suddenly snapped back up, almost smacking her in the chin. She threw herself backwards, losing her balance and falling backward onto the bed. She lay there for a moment, trying to catch her breath as the thought of the damage the trap could have done made her blood run cold. Mr. Gold came over, looking concerned, " Are you alright? "

" Yes, " Emma breathed. " That thing is dangerous. "

" It wouldn't be a trap if it were safe, my dear. There was a reason I told you to go slow, " Mr. Gold scolded as he stood over her. " It could have snapped your neck if it hit you. "

" Don't you think I figured that out? " Emma snapped then sat up quickly. Having him standing over her made her very uncomfortable. It made her think all the wrong things and this wasn't the time nor the place to lose her already thready concentration.

Mr. Gold frowned, " Why are you so tense, my dear? "

Emma's heart stopped for brief instant. She had tried to hide her anxiety but realized it was futile. Each passing moment with him let her know she was probably nothing but an open book in his eyes. " What do you want me to say, Gold? "

" Well, I'd prefer the truth or a variation thereof, " He replied, his expression serious.

Emma thought it over. She couldn't tell him the whole truth but he did say he'd settle for something like it. " It's this case. It's been driving me crazy and I haven't slept well since it started. "

Mr. Gold looked skeptical but nodded nonetheless, " With any luck, we'll have it wrapped up tonight and you'll be able to relax. "

Emma scoffed, " Yeah. Until the next crisis only I can solve comes along. "

" You wanted to be the sheriff, my dear, " Mr. Gold reminded her gently.

Emma nodded, " But I didn't know all the crap was going to hit the fan as soon as I put on the badge. "

Mr. Gold cocked his head to the side, " I recalled you had a dream I deciphered for you. "

Emma glanced at him. She remember the dream. She had been in the woods in a white gown, barefoot and searching for a crying man. She had also heard a wolf howling and the woods were on fire, " Yeah. You did. "

Mr. Gold sat down right next to her, laying his cane down against the headboard of the bed. He looked at her, " If I recall it correctly, I said that it meant that you were insecure and your world was constantly changing. Is that correct? "

" So far so good, " Emma nodded. She didn't know why he was asking. He seemed to have mind like a steel trap, never forgetting anything. " Go on. "

" There was fire in the dream, correct? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.

Emma nodded, " You said it meant something about a change that was going to happen. Some kind of rebirth or renewal? "

Mr. Gold frowned, " Yes but I also said that you are going to have to go through some hardships before your transformation takes place. "

" So you think all of this stuff happening is part of that? " Emma asked.

" I can't say for certain. Maybe it is or maybe there's something much more challenging waiting for you, " Mr. Gold said.

Emma knew she had quite a challenge ahead of her, one she still wasn't for sure she could face just yet. " Oh. I see. "

" Perhaps the things happening now are to make you strong enough to face a much bigger and more important task, " Mr. Gold said.

Emma quirked her mouth and looked at the floor. She didn't know how catching the thief and keeping Mr. Gold from getting killed had anything to do with her becoming the savior and defeating Regina. ~If Henry's right and Mr. Gold is really Rumplestiltskin then why did I have to save him? ~ She wondered. ~What if Henry's wrong and Mr. Gold is someone else completely? ~

" Is there something wrong, my dear? " Mr. Gold touched her shoulder.

Emma startled then looked at him, " No. I was just thinking. "

He smiled, " I recalled that I also said it all could mean nothing. Maybe you're so busy because you ARE the only police officer in this town. "

Emma forced a chuckle, " Probably. "

" You should ask Regina to allow you to hire a deputy and a couple of officers, " Mr. Gold's expression became serious. " Particularly after this. I believe if you continue to work alone you may make yourself very ill. "

Emma thought it over and it didn't sound like that unreasonable of a request. She really wasn't for sure how to approach Regina about it though. " I have to figure out how to ask her. "

Mr. Gold smirked, " We'll find a way. "

" We? " Emma arched an eyebrow. " You mean you'll help me do it? "

" I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't plan on helping, " Mr. Gold then gave her a propositioning smile. It was the one he always wore when he was getting ready to deal.

" Nah-ah, " Emma put her hand up. " No way. "

" You don't even know what I about to ask, " Mr. Gold scoffed. " What do you think I am going to say? "

" You're going to want another favor, " Emma shook her index finger in his face. " I know that look on your face all too well. "

Mr. Gold chuckled, " That is a given, my dear. But do you want to guess exactly what I'm going to ask of you? "

Emma dared not to guess. The word 'favor' had become a dirty one after meeting him. Not that it had ever been particularly clean to begin with but that wasn't the point. She sighed, " For the new police officers to turn a blind eye to you and your mischief? "

Mr. Gold looked pensive for a moment, " Well. I didn't think of that. It's a good idea... "

" No, Gold, " Emma said.

" No? You are saying 'no' to me? " Mr. Gold asked. " Oh, Miss Swan. I admire your fortitude and I'd almost let you say 'no' to me... almost. "

" I can't do that, " Emma started.

" I wasn't going to ask that, " Mr. Gold cut her off sharply. " I was going to ask you to take better care of yourself. "

Emma blinked, " What? Why? "

Mr. Gold took a deep breath, " You have a little boy that you mean the world to. You don't know what it does to children to see their parents suffer. My... "

" You had a child, didn't you? " Emma interjected. Regina hadn't mentioned a child but the way Mr. Gold behaved when he spoke of children told Emma enough. He looked so sad at that moment, almost like he was remembering something painful.

Mr. Gold was silently pensive for a several long moments before he sighed, " Yes... I lost him. "

Emma put her left hand on his back, " I'm so sorry. Do you want to talk about it? "

Mr. Gold placed his right hand on Emma's leg. He sighed, " There's not much to talk about. I lost him and that's all you need to know. "

Emma was silent. The word he used had so many connotations, the worst one seeming the most possible. She pulled him closer, leaning her head against his as he rested it on her shoulder. He slid his left arm around her, his hand resting at her waist.

She reached over with her right hand, placing it over his. She stroked the back of his hand, realizing he was crying when a tear hit her hand. Tears came to her eyes at the thought of what it would be like to lose Henry. She couldn't imagine a worse pain than losing him even if she hadn't known him for that long.

" Gold? " Emma whispered after they had been like that for a long time.

" Yes? " He didn't lift his head.

Emma sighed, " I'll take better care of myself, okay? "

Mr. Gold lifted his head, " So we have a deal? " He forced a tiny smile.

Emma reached up and brushed his hair out of his face with her slightly trembling fingers. She gave him a tiny smile, " Yeah. "

He sighed, letting go of Emma. " We still need to get that trap reset. We are expecting a guest after all. "