At The Station
Yes, Emma had made up her mind. And so when she finally got to the station after getting Gold's meds, and having a dozen nurses tell her people called to ask if she was pregnant. She took the rings out of her pocket and put them on.
The next thing she noticed was a man in the holding cell. "Um, who are you?"
"Um, I'm the guy who, ah, well I kind of was the driver, um, last night." The man said, although as she got a better look at him, she realized he was probably only about sixteen.
"You were the one who hit Gold last night, and almost hit my son." Emma said, keeping her voice even.
"Well, um, I swear I didn't mean to, I was just in such a hurry, I swear it was an accident, I… I." He just kept stammering, looking scared.
"Why don't you tell me why you were in such a hurry?"
"Well, my girlfriend and I were out near gnome pasture."
"Wait, what is gnome pasture?"
"It used to be a big open area, but now it's a very thin part of the forest, right below the old black hotel and easy to drive threw. You can look out and see the town from it, the story is that some kids went and looked at the little rocks and decided to build little rock men, three rocks on top of each other like a snow man, over the years people have put them back up, moved them around, and supposedly during a spring back when Granny was young, some kid said they looked like gnomes in a pasture of spring flowers, and the name stuck."
"So you were up at a make out point." Emma deadpanned.
"And childhoods play area and a summer picnics location. We were up there having a good time, when I realized it was near time to take her home, so I rushed her home, and I was rushing back to my house, and I well, you know."
"You hit my husband, and nearly hit my son, trying to get home from a make out point before curfew." Emma said, letting the anger get into her voice.
"Hay, my dad is a Nazi. He will cut off my head, burn me at the stake, and then skin me alive…"
"And if you're very lucky, I will do it in that order." A man's voice said from behind Emma. When she turned around, she saw a man who looked to be in his 40s with brown hair and eyes and broad shoulders. "I am sorry deputy for this; my son is an idiot some times. Proved by the fact that he stupidly thought he would be punished more for staying out late with a girl then for driving badly, nearly hitting the mayor's son, hitting Mr. Gold, and landing his but in jail. Honestly son, what were you thinking?"
"I wasn't…"
"Well that is obvious. The real question is how much will it cost to get him out of this, and should I just let you rot for a while."
"Well, until Gold or Regina press charges, all I got is reckless driving, so it's a small fine and a slap on the wrist. But if they press charge you could be looking at accidental injury charges which could be anything from five years imprisonment to a fine, and reckless endangerment, two years to a fine. So you are looking at, in total, anything from a couple hundred dollar fine, to seven years in prison."
"Ok." The father did not look happy. "And how much to get him out?"
"No bail set yet, and no word on charges being pressed or not, so until his 24 hours are up, not much can be done."
"Ok, but because he is a minor?"
"He could get off easy, but considering Gold and Regina will be mad…"
"I should call an undertaker."
"Basically." Emma said, feeling sorry for the man, not so much the son.
"Ok, I am begging you to talk to Gold, if he goes easy, that means at least 60% of the fire is put out. I swear I will take care of him, but I'd rather he lose flesh from me, not seven years of his life to the state." He said, pleading as if he was on his knees.
"I will do what I can; maybe I can swing him toward community service, but I can't promise anything."
"Yes, yes I understand. Thank you." He said, and then turning to his son, "And you, you had better get down on your knees and pray until the bleed, because if Gold and Regina go after you, hurt knees will be the least of your worries." And with that he left.
"See what I mean, a total Nazi." The son said, looking away from the bars. And Emma suddenly felt like joining in on trying to get rid of him, but the poor father looked like he could handle his son, and she felt sorry for the man.
But there was still one thing she didn't get. "Hay," She said to get his attention. "if I didn't bring you here last night, who did?"
"Some big bald guy with a scar, took me to the station and threw me in here. Is that even aloud?"
"Yes, he's my new deputy." Emma said smiling, even when she was in bad condition, Gold had helped her, and Dove had just got a job. Well, another one anyway.
Around lunch time at Granny's
"Let me tell you, if you want that much bacon on a burger, then you have to pay extra" Emma heard Granny say to Leroy.
"But it said 'Bacon Burger', come on sister, your not making since."
"It also said you get four pieces, you want 24 pieces, with that much bacon on it, you are ordering bacon with a burger on the side." Granny said, getting out the second most feared weapon in town, her black spatula.
"You know that much bacon might kill you." Ruby said as she came back to get the coffee pot. "All that fat getting into your blood."
"Leroy will be fine." Emma said, gaining the groups attention. "I'm almost certain half the time, that if I went and tested his blood, the lab equipment say it found blood in the alcohol." She then went to sit next to Leroy. "I'll have the usual Granny."
"Sure thing." Granny then turned back to Leroy. "And if you even think about leaving and not paying in full for this meal, I will hunt you down and make you wish Gold found you first for trying to cheat him." And then she walked away and Leroy mumbled something. "And if you don't stop that, I'll institute a swear jar, between you and Ruby I'll make enough to buy a private island in the Bahamas."
After a few minuets of waiting, Granny had Emma's order brought out. "Here you go…" She stopped and stared at Emma's hand. "Emma," She said in a whisper so no one else would hear. "is that the ring Gold gave you?"
Emma looked down at her hand, and cursed, in her head so she didn't and to the jar, at forgetting the rings. "Yes Granny, I've decided I have nothing to lose by doing this."
"Lessen, I know everyone will tell you that Gold is a slimy bustard, and they'd be right, but if you love him, like him, or can a least stand his company, know that I'm hoping you find happiness."
"Thanks Granny." Emma said relived.
"Good, and you tell him that if he hurts you, no force in this world of the next will stop me from castrating him."
"Don't worry I will." And then Ruby came over, and saw the rings, but before she could say anything Granny gave her one of her looks, so Ruby just left. "Give me ten minuets head start, I don't think she can keep it in any longer then that."
"You got it." Granny said as she went back into the kitchen to talk to her granddaughter.
Latter at The Station
"Emma, you will not believe whose house I went to today." Henry yelled as he came running in the door.
"Santa claws'." Emma said, and then Henry stopped. "The Easter Bunny's, Jack the Pumpkin King's."
"No." Henry deadpanned.
"Ok, then I give up, who's house was it?"
"I went in to Michal Myrddin's house." He said, his excitement returning ten fold.
"Who is that?"
"The town Grandfather." Gold said, but Emma still looked confused. "You know how Granny is the town's honorary Grandmother." Emma nodded. "Well Michal, although he is about my age, has a full head of grey hair and a grey beard. So the town considers him the Grandfather of the town."
"Ok, but why is Henry so happy?"
"You know that house that gives away full king sized candy bars on Halloween?" Emma nodded again. "Well Michal is know for giving out full boxes of candy bars, 32 Hershey bars, those bags of 300-600 individual pieces of candy."
"Ok, wow, but why is going into his house so amassing?"
"The children of the town have a myth, that somewhere in the house is a room full of sugary goodness, hundreds of boxes of Hershey bars, millions of M&M, and galaxy of Milky-Ways."
"Oh, and did you find said childhood dream world?" Emma asked Henry.
"No, I looked but didn't find it. But it is probably just a myth." Henry said, sounding sad.
"Oh really." Gold said. "Then I take it you didn't check your backpack." Gold said pointing to the object on the floor.
Henry was confused, he knew he didn't bring his backpack to collect rent with Gold, and it looked fuller then normal. And when he opened it, more Apollo bars then he had ever seen came spilling out. "HOW, WHAT, UUH, um, what" Henry said, trying to get his brain to function.
"It was probably Madison's doing, honestly that girl can sneak past anyone." Gold said smiling.
"Who?" Emma asked, just as surprised by the bags appearance and what was inside.
"Michal's maid/gardener/companion/almost daughter/a giant pain. She probably got your backpack, though I wouldn't ask how, and filled it up from the room's treasure trove." Gold said smiling.
"This, is…" Henry said.
"Yes?" Emma asked.
"I don't think awesome dose it justice." Henry said.
"Probably not." Gold then turned to look at Emma, but the person behind bars caught his eye. "Well well, if it isn't our reckless driver friend. And how are you today?" He said, letting enough venom get in the words to probably kill the boy.
"Gold, could I talk to you?" Emma said, becoming concerned.
"Of course Emma, dose it have something to do with the dead man in the cell?"
"Yes, please go easy on him."
There are not many or anyone actually, who can say they have left Gold speechless in the last, who knows how many years. But even Granny will tell you, that until that moment no one has ever done it twice. But then, Emma wasn't just anyone. "What?" Gold said, his mouth hanging open.
"The boy's father came in this morning, and he was mad. And he all but got down on his knees and begged me to ask you to go easy on his son."
"Emma, that boy nearly hit your son."
"I get that, but the father said that he promises to make him sorry for what he did, he'd just rather his son was punished by him and not by losing seven years of his life. And honestly, not for that son of a…" Emma remembered Henry was there. "You know, but so his father won't have to worry about him."
Gold thought for a moment, he just kept starring at Emma then the boy, back and forth, moving his jaw to the left and right. "You're wearing the rings." He said smiling with a soft voice that made Emma feel like she had given him a truly wonderful gift. Then with a deep breath he said in a loud voice so the boy could hear him easily. "All right dearie. How about a deal?" He said smiling. "You agree to go on a Honeymoon with me, a trip that I have full control of, if I say hope in a car, you hope in a car, if I say we are getting on a plane, you get on a plane, if I say we are walking somewhere, you start walking, no questions asked."
"Deal." Emma said quickly.
"Ahh, but wait, there's more." He said, smiling as he turned to face the cell. "It should be made clear to the father, that if I am not satisfied by the amount of suffering that boy has endured by the time of our return, I reserve the right to make his life a suitable level of living hell. With out your interference."
Emma thought for a moment, it was a good deal that got the boy out of some trouble, and made sure the father had reason to not skimp on the punishment. And honestly, she had very little love for the brat right now. "Sounds good to me."
"Wonderful, then it appears I'm not pressing charges sheriff." Gold said with glee. "Oh and, I will be a little late getting home, I have a dinner engagement with Michal to discuss a few things. But here is some money for Granny's." Gold said handing her a $50 and a key. "Don't wait up, it could take a while. The key will let you into the house." And with that, he took Henry home, smiling at what a good day it was becoming.
Latter at gnome pasture
It was late in the evening when Gold stood on the hilltop over looking the town, he watched as all the lights had slowly come on. "It is surprisingly beautiful isn't it, what such a dark curse controlled by such a black heart can make."
"Yes, very beautiful." Merlin said as he came down the hill. "Of course we should get some of the credit."
"Yes, but let's hope the angry mob lets Regina have it all." Gold said smiling.
"Yes." Merlin said, also with a slight smile. "Now, ready to play?"
"More then you know."
Jefferson was trying to cook his dinner, being all alone in his house did have a few advantages, manly that he could deep fry meat lover Pizza for dinner and Oreos for dissert, and the curse stopped him from gaining weight. If it weren't for the fact that he didn't have Grace with him, life would be better then ever. "Hello Jeff."
When Jefferson whipped around, he saw three things that he was sure were not there before. In his living room were Mr. Gold, Michal, and a four-way chessboard. "Won't you sir down Jeff, and you haven't even offered us a drink yet, how rude." Gold said.
Jefferson decided now might not be the best time for dinner.
"I don't suppose you'd want a scotch?"
"That sounds wonderful." Michal said.
Jefferson went and poured the drinks. "I have a feeling this isn't a social call. But considering how long we've know each other, I hope you will at least let me know if I will need to notify my next of kin."
"We'll, considering Grace has no idea who you are, that might be a little hard." Gold said.
Jefferson's eyes widened, he had long ago figured out the imp had no memories, "How did you…" The sentence remained unfinished as one of the glasses he was holding left his hand and went to Michal's. "What, but, that's not…" And then the fear hit him. "Who are you?"
"Is our land I had a few names, as all of us did, but Merlin is the name I was known best for. And it just so happens that in this world I am well known, though I spent no time here."
"Merlin?!" Jefferson just stood there, not entirely sure whether he needed to call a party planer or a priest. "And to what does the greatest mages of our land want with the Mad Hatter?"
"Your help dearie." Gold said, but while the words came from what looked like the mouth of Mr. Gold, he knew they were spoken by the Dark One.
"Well then," Jefferson said sitting down and giving Gold the other drink. "what do you need me for?"
"Do you see the chess board?" Gold said pointing to the board on the table. It looked like a normal one, other than the fact it was made for four players instead of two, with grey and brown pieces along with the normal black and white. And it looked like it was in the middle of a game between the black and white pieces, while the grey and brown pieces had yet to move. "Regina has made her first move." Gold said moving the Black Queen to take the Black Knight. "She killed Graham. What you and Merlin must do is simple." Gold said picking up the Brown King and the Black Rook. "You must be like a Rook, a piece that waits patiently for the king to be in danger, and then takes his place. Only what Regina thinks is a Rook is really a King, a King who could put her in check mate."
"So you want me to sit around until Regina comes to me for help, and when she dose to stab her in the back?"
"Literally if you like." Gold said with a smile. "We don't know how paranoid Regina will be. We need to keep her focused on the Charmings and myself, while you two are in the back ground."
"And what will we be doing in the background?"
"Jefferson, when is the best time to lay a trap in a person's home?" Michal asked.
"When they're not in it."
"Correct, Gold and Emma will be away on their honeymoon." Michal said, pointing to the Black King and the White Knight. "While they are gone, Regina will take the opportunity to go and get her board set up, hide all her aces, and lay her traps. You and I will be watching." He said as he moved the grey and brown pieces around the board. "I will be in the town, getting a close up look at what she is up to." He then moved some grey pawns in the way of a few black pieces. "While you will be working from afar, getting a bird eye view." He then took some brown Bishops and Knights and put them in positions, ready to attack other black pieces. "So when the final battle begins, she won't know she's lost until all her traps have sprung and caught her in them."
Jefferson sat back for a minute, drinking his scotch and thinking. "While I love the idea of pestering the Queen as much, if not more, then the next guy, I know firsthand how badly that can go. So what do you have that will make it worthwhile?"
"Beside the fact that Merlin and I are much worse enemies then Regina, seven reasons. We could star by remembering that Regina could try and kill you for some reason, and then there is the fact that she could kill Grace, of course she might just end up taking hostages for protection against the mob, and so Grace might die that way. But there are other fates; something could happen to you in the chaos of the curse breaking, or Grace. And last but not least, the only other person you have to turn to for protection is Blue, and I'm willing to bet you'd rip your own heart out and give it to Regina before you ever asked her for help. So my deal is simple, help us, and Merlin will put Grace into your arms before the dust settles from the curse breaking."
If there was one thing Jefferson hated, it was when Rumpelstiltskin was right. "Very well, you've told me what I get out of this, but tell me, why should I trust you."
"We were friends once." Gold said.
"Not good enough to put my or my daughters neck on the line." Jeff retorted.
"We don't need to be friends." Merlin said. "We just need to be allies. Friends are made from sentiment, loyalty based on past actions that may or may not count for anything. Allies don't need that; they just need to have a common goal, or to hate the opponent more then each other. We have both." Merlin said. "We all have our reasons for breaking the curse, and they are ours alone, but the simple fact is, the same thing is standing in our way, Regina and the curse. So that is why you will help us Jefferson, because while the finish line is different for all of us, the first obstacle is the same."
Jefferson thought long and hard, he knew Merlin was right, but. "How do I know that you both have the same strength of commitment, if grace dies, I have no purpose left. How do I know your reasons for the curse breaking are as strong, or you won't align yourself with Regina or Blue, or just not bother to finish said game?"
"Have I ever broken a deal?" Gold said, in a clam voice, but it was a weighted question. And Jefferson thought he would have felt more like saying no if he just held a very big gun up to his head. "Except the deal, and I promise you, we will work, together, to end this curse." He said, pausing slightly in the needed places to make him completely understand that he would keep his word if it was the last thing he ever did. And if it all went wrong, it just might be.
"What about Merlin, how do I know you will keep your word?"
"If Rumple's word is not enough, I have my reasons for wanting the curse broken, and they are mine alone." He said firmly. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a wood disk. It was a simple object, with two hands clasping together in prayer in the front, with a head above the hands in the back, looking down but with its eyes shut and a hand over its mouth. And the same image on the back, but with the hands in the back, and the head in front. "But if you are willing to let me use this on you, I will tell you."
Jefferson recognized the object as soon as he saw it. So without hesitation, he put his hand on the side of the disk with the head in the front. After a few minutes of talking, he took his hands off, and after saying goodbye and finishing their drinks, the two guests left in a puff of smoke. When Jefferson went to get the shot glasses, he found a note under Gold's.
'If you need to contact us, use the chess pieces as a guide. You can't be too carful.
The Black Queen is Regina.
The White King and Queen are David and MM.
The White Bishop is Blue.
I am the Black King.
Emma is the White Knight.
Merlin is the Grey King.
You are the Brown King. But if Regina contacts you for a favor, you are the Black Rook.
If you need to talk, leave a Brown Pawn and either a Grey or Black in front of the library, put yours in the center and the other piece in position like a clock face for the time, then we will meet at gnome pasture. Don't contact us via phone unless an extreme emergency, and only say to Black or Grey, we will meet at the pasture immediately.
I know this goes without saying. But good luck.
-R
Gold knew that the code names were a bit childish, but being around Henry made him realize two things. You can't be too careful with Regina, and it sure was fun. "So what did you say to convince the Hatter to help?"
"I told him the truth, but don't worry, I only told him why I want the curse broken. Your secret I kept." Merlin said.
"And so it begins, and so we will have what we want." Gold said, then he turned and looked at Merlin." Are you ready my old friend?"
Merlin could only laugh at the sentiment, and the question. "That is a stupid question." He then reassuringly put his hand on Gold's shoulder. "I'm ready, we will succeed, or we will die trying." And with that, he left.
"And so it begins."
So, dose anyone want to guess. 1) In case nobody noticed, Merlin has magic. How did he get it? I told you earlier, the question is where you paying attention? 2) What do you think was the object Merlin used did to Jeff? 3) What is his reason for wanting the curse broken, and does he know why Gold wants it broken? 4) How do the rings Gold gave Emma factor in?
To Twyla Mercedes the only person to get the pieces right, or to guess period really. And to the other wonderful reviewers. Anjyu, Guest (all 3 of you), yuiop (have to ask, did you just type the five top letters on the right side of a keyboard to make your name, or was it a coincidence?) and Loki Holmes.