To Guest: Jesse's story will be revealed in time, and her mother in Wraith and Love 3, where *SPOILER ALERT* she will play a major role *END SPOILER ALERT*
Archery, Relationships, and the Ever-Present Deal
"Bae, is it?" Belle asked nervously when the Merry Men slipped into Jefferson's mansion and made their way past the doorway to the foyer where she waited.
"Yes," Bae replied, taking a step toward her.
"I've been meaning to ask you this for some time, but...could you teach me to shoot?"
"Absolutely. This way, please." Bae turned and walked toward the back door, taking his bow in his hand as he walked. Belle kept pace, and they walked into the backyard, a few Merry Men behind them, most likely out of curiosity. Jesse was among them. "Jesse, may I borrow a knife?" Bae asked. She pulled a knife from one of the hilts on her belt and handed it to him. He lay his bow on the grass and walked over to the tree, where he carved out a makeshift target in the bark. He returned the knife to Jesse, picked up his bow, and began to talk Belle through the process of firing an arrow.
OUAT
Gold brushed past the woman behind the reception desk at Storybrooke General Hospital, straight for an exit, or so it was called, and slipped through the doorway. He moved down the stairwell to another reception desk. "I'm sorry, but I have to-" this woman began.
"Stop me?" Gold finished for her. She froze.
"Please don't be angry with me. I'm trying to earn a living."
"I understand."
"May I help you?"
Gold produced his wallet, thumbed through it, and handed her a bill. "Care not to tell anyone about why I'm here?"
"Absolutely."
"Thank you."
She nodded to him, and Gold walked down the corridor. He kept his gaze on the doors until he reached the one labeled 'S. Glass'. After a quick glance down the hall to ensure that he was alone, he opened the door.
"No, please. I swear I didn't steal the apple pie," Sidney shouted, shooting up from the cot and backing away into the corner.
Wow, he is high, Gold thought. He edged forward and held a hand up. "It's alright," he whispered. "I'm not here to blame you for anything."
Sidney relaxed. "Then...what do you want?" he asked in a much lower voice.
"Information," Gold replied. "In fact," he drawled, stepping forward and studying the ground, only looking up after a moment, "I'm willing to make you a deal." Sidney stepped out of his corner, and the corner of Gold's lip curled up. This could be very profitable indeed. "I'll get you out of this wretched place and keep you away from Regina-"
"What makes you think I want to leave her?"
"She's been using you from day one. It's a miracle you haven't figured that out yet."
He blinked once, and Gold waited patiently. "If you're going to give me my freedom," Sidney began tentatively, "what do you want in return?"
"As I said, information."
"On...on what?"
"Regina. Anything you know, everything you know, or else the deal's off."
"Don't leave me here."
"Keep your voice down. I'll give you your freedom, but you have to be completely open with me. If I find you haven't, I'll send you back, and we both know you don't want that."
Sidney watched Gold warily, something about the pawn broker's smile putting him off, but Gold was offering him freedom, from Regina and the daily overdose of medications offered at the institution. For a brief moment, he smirked, wondering how he wasn't dead yet. Gold's smile warmed slightly, and he relaxed. "To be clear," he began, "you're going to get me out of here if I tell you everything I know about Regina."
"Yes."
"Then you have a deal."
Gold's smile widened. "I guess it does pay to be patient."
OUAT
Belle and the Merry Men filed back into Jefferson's mansion just before the sun set, Bae and Morraine taking up the rear. "That was well done," she said. "I couldn't have taught her better myself."
"Really? Several times I thought I'd have to ask you to help me explain something," he replied.
"She's picking it up well enough."
"Same time tomorrow?" Belle called over her shoulder.
"If you want," Bae replied.
Morraine smiled. "She seems to like you."
"She seems a good and gentle soul, but bound and determined to make a name for herself, but then, who doesn't?"
"Even so, you might get along well."
"We might."
"But?"
Bae sighed. "I'm not sure how I feel about her relationship with my father."
"What do you mean?"
"Something doesn't...feel right."
Morraine stopped and faced Bae. "Are...are you sure?"
"I can't say, but I keep getting this impression that perhaps she feels an...obligation to him? Like I used to."
"You?"
He nodded. "I wanted to change him back some way. I felt almost like I had to, like it was the only way to have a relationship with him. Maybe she feels the same way."
"Bae, things are different now."
"I know."
They hung near the back door as the rest of the group dispersed. "But it still doesn't sit well with you."
"Papa lost my mother, and he lost me, or let me go, however you want to look at it. I'm not sure if I should let him lose anyone else." She gave him a sad smile and pulled him into an embrace.
"It's alright," she whispered. He gave her a gentle squeeze, nodding in agreement.