Note: I apologise for my recent lack of cupcakes; my writing zen has been elsewhere, I'm afraid. I swear I am going to get round to writing everyone's prompts, thank you for sending me them, they are in the pipeline.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this little offering (a mini cupcake, if you will), to soothe the tastebuds for a while.

As always in my AU's, Cara Mallory is the name I give Maleficent, from Carabosse in the Sleeping Beauty ballet. And to reaffirm, all my AU's are set in the UK as it's easier for me to write about my home country.

Summary: Gold gets a surprise whilst working in London one summer's day.

Cherry Cake

Gold didn't like the capital at the best of times, but the capital in mid-summer was even worse, and the capital in mid-summer in the middle of an unanticipated heat-wave was pretty much unbearable. It was not often that he had to come to London for a case, but this was one of those rare occasions. One of his cases had gone to appeal, and as such, he and Philip were ensconced in an increasingly stuffy courtroom in the Royal Courts of Justice, watching the barristers thrash it out between them and trying not to roast alive. Gold had to admit, his new trainee was bearing up remarkably well, all things considered, especially when the first major case he worked on had ended up going cataclysmic through no fault of his own.

The judge adjourned the case for lunch and the occupants of the courtroom began to file out. Philip sank down in his seat with a groan and began to half-heartedly fan himself with his case file. There was a laugh and a rustle of black fabric as Cara twisted in her seat on the bench in front of them. Cara Mallory was Guildhall's 'tame barrister' as she liked to be known. If any of the solicitors' cases ended up in the highest London courts, it was generally Cara whom they called upon to do the honours of representing their clients where they could not. Gold liked Cara, he found her down to earth and thoroughly capable, and she shared his often morbid sense of humour. Sidney had said that she and Regina had studied law together and been good friends and university at one point, although the relationship was now most definitely soured, and neither woman would reveal exactly what went wrong.

"So far, so good?" Cara ventured.

"Apart from the fact I'm melting," Philip groaned. "Let's get out of here and get some fresh air."

"This is London, Philip," Gold pointed out as he shuffled his notes and papers into order. "There hasn't been fresh air here since about 1700."

"You know what I mean." Philip slipped off his jacket and loosened his tie. "Gold, how the hell can you be wearing a three piece suit and double-cuff shirt in this weather?"

"Practice?" Gold ventured. Philip narrowed his eyes and turned to Cara.

"And you," he added, eyeing her horsehair wig and black gown. "Why aren't you doing an impression of a broiled lobster?"

"Ah, you've a lot to learn, young one," Cara said. "I'm naked under this gown."

Philip spluttered. "What?"

"Ask Gold."

"Do you mind, Miss Mallory? I have a fiancée."

"Just teasing," Cara said. "It is just practice, Phil. You get used to it. I have a coolpack in my handbag to stick under my wig in case of emergencies though. What? I've seen high court judges do it! Speaking of the fiancée, though, Gold, this is a new development. Since when have you had a fiancée, and who's the poor woman mad enough to agree to marry you?"

"Her name is Belle. We've been engaged a month."

"Ah, young love." Cara smiled. "I sure she's thinking of you, getting all hot and bothered in here…"

It was Gold's turn to splutter slightly.

"Right," he said gruffly, giving his junior a glare when Philip had the audacity to snigger. "You can snigger, young man, but I've seen the way you look at Miss Stephens. Outside, lunch, 'fresh' air and we'll meet back here at half-twelve to discuss the plan for this afternoon."

Ten minutes later found Gold sitting in a blissfully cold, air-conditioned deli, dreading the moment when he'd have to step outside into the veritable furnace that was Aldwych again. Presently his phone buzzed with the arrival of a message. It was from Jefferson.

How's court?

Soul-destroying, Gold replied.

A few moments later, Jefferson responded.

That good, huh?

It must be at least 35 degrees in that room.

Ah, was Jefferson's reply, closely followed by well, it's your own fault for wearing a full suit in this weather. I came into the office in shorts this morning.

Gold's brow furrowed.

I thought you were on holiday?

I am. Forgot my sunglasses last night.

Gold rolled his eyes, but before he could respond, Jefferson sent him another message: I've got something that will cheer you up for the afternoon session.

Not another one of your 'Snow White, Cinderella and Red Riding Hood walk into a bar' jokes. I've already lost the will to live.

You wound me, Mr Gold! No, I'm bringing Grace to London this afternoon to see The Lion King at the Lyceum. Meet me outside the court at the end of session and I'll bring you a surprise.

Gold raised an eyebrow. He wanted to reply, but it was time to return to the court. He would just have to see what Jefferson brought.

X

Gold stepped out of the court buildings and gave a cursory glance around, finding Jefferson nowhere. Too hot and tired to try searching for the man, he cut his losses and rang him.

"Evening, Gold."

"All right, I'm outside. Where are you?"

"I'm in a restaurant on Northumberland Avenue with Grace."

"So you were lying about bringing me a surprise."

"For an extremely well-paid and intelligent lawyer who did post-grad at Cambridge, you aren't half dense at times. Your surprise is there. Bottom step, wrapped up with a pink bow."

Gold looked down and caught a glimpse of a pale pink bow fluttering in the breeze, a pale pink bow tied into a very familiar mass of chestnut curls.

"Belle?" he called in disbelief.

She turned and waved, beaming up at him beatifically.

"Oh ye of little faith," came Jefferson's voice in his ear. "I sincerely hope your hotel has air-conditioning."

The call cut off and Gold made his way down the steps towards Belle.

"Jefferson gave me a lift," she said by way of greeting, slipping her arms around his middle. "I know you don't like London, so I thought you'd appreciate a friendly face in the big, scary capital."

Gold laughed and kissed her. She tasted of sunshine and cherry lip balm.

"Oh for God's sake, get a room. It's hot enough already without you two ratcheting up the temperature another couple of degrees"

Gold broke away from Belle and saw Cara grinning at them. She turned to Belle.

"He's been roasting alive in that courtroom all afternoon," she whispered conspiratorially. "I'd get him out of all those clothes as soon as possible, if I were you." She wrinkled her nose. "He could probably use a shower as well."

She fixed Gold with a 'butter wouldn't melt' expression and turned on her heel. "See you tomorrow, Gold. Enjoy your evening."

Gold shook his head on despair, but Belle just laughed and captured his lips again.

Hmm. Maybe he could grow to love the capital in a heat wave after all.