Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT. I so, that scene with Zelena would have been with someone else ;)

A/n: If you want some music to go with your read, this is what I had in mind while writing this:

Dinner: 'Vieni Sul Mar / 'Come to the Sea' (Instrumental) and 'O Sole Mio' / 'It's Now or Never' (Instrumental)

Chapter 4: Excuses, Excuses / That's What He Told Himself

It had been two weeks of playing their little game. After hours and hours spent in that dreadful court room, Gold's eyes widened and a slight smirk played its way onto 'Lacey's' rouge painted lips. Gold sat back in his seat, hand grasping at his cane just as he had when he had noticed miss Isabelle French. "I-I'm.. Sorry Mr. Hood... I don't know what happened..." It was said in almost a whisper, he couldn't even look his customer in the eyes, just staring into oblivion. He felt a hand on his shoulder and finally Adam decided to look up at him. "I can't blame you, even with the best lawyer on my side chances were slim. I'm not displeased. Quite happy. Without you I could still be facing a rather long time in prison. A couple months at most is nothing in comparison... Thank you." The two shook hands before Robin had been placed in cuffs and taken away.

Adam was now walking alongside Isabelle as they exited the courtroom, snaking her arm around his that was holding his suitcase. He barely even noticed her, still absolutely dazed at the out come. But once he noticed the contact he flinched in the slightest. "How did you do it?" His argument had been flawless- at least it seemed so. She chuckled, he didn't realize how silky her voice was until now. "I was once taught that even if you see the smallest loop hole in what your opponent says, use it against them wisely." He let out a huff of air, rolling his eyes. "I must find a potion that wipes away your memories miss French, especially my lessons." He jokingly grumbled out, yet he also sounded quite lighthearted.

After hours of just staring at the wall in his office, he later that evening had found himself sitting at table across from a beautifully dressed Isabelle in a fancy Italian restaurant on 10th avenue called Del Posto. It was not for her- at least that's what he told himself. They were seated on the second floor, near the balcony edge- but still a few tables away. Him making a quip how "She was always quite clumsy," to the waitress that landed him a firm kick to the shin once they had been seated down and her a very tight lipped smile from him as the waitress was still there that waited to fall until she left to get their wine. Belle staring at him for a couple moments.

"I still can't believe you landed reservations here. I've never been able to get in here for the life of me!" If he wasn't going crazy, he could have swore the woman was being sincerely kind to him for change. Maybe he wasn't going to completely hate agreeing to her deal. He grinned. "Well with the proper words, you can get away with a lot." And for some reason he got glared at. "What?" He asked with furrowed brows. "Do not tell me you threatened to sue them." She looked at him as if she were scolding a child. His voice remained at the same volume, but went slightly up in pitch as he attempted to explain himself, "I didn't." He cleared his throat, embarrassed to hear what the hell just came out of him and Belle looking as if she didn't believe him. " I didn't. I just simply talked to the owner; I worked with him a couple years ago. Payed a bit extra, got us a lovely spot here. And kicking me is no way to appreciate the meal, love." Over a few glasses of wine the two had found themselves opening up to each other, and as they did Adam was increasingly starting to notice the things he had been trying to ignore about her.

The way she was leaning in towards him, not just to eat the salad below, but as if she was actually interested in having a conversation with him.

His heart was speeding up.

The way her red lips wrapped around the fork each time she took a bite.

A drop of sweat went down the side of his forehead.

She had stood up after spilling water on her short black dress, when he allowed her to use his napkin he saw just how that dress fit ever so perfectly to her every curve as she moved.

Somebody kill him.

That amazing sparkle her amazing blue eyes held.

Before she was the death of him, please.

He was simply curious about her, not one bit still interested in this lady. That's what he hold himself.

The man was in his own little universe until he felt a hand grasp his forearm, looking up he noticed a wide grin on his date's face (Wait, when did she become his date? Stop it Gold. She hates you and with a burning passion!), her looking up at him under her eyelashes. "Just wait in the papers; 'Lawyer A. Gold finally gets his ass kicked by L. French'." She said playfully as if she quoting something, talking with one of her hands motioning around. He shook his head, giving a 'hmph', "I don't know, I think the press may be more interested in why I have you of all women dining across from me instead; the woman who just 'kicked my ass'." He wiggled his eyebrows, continuing on, "A scandal." He said lowering his voice, letting his Scottish accent slip through more and narrowing his eyes. She only laughed at him a shook her head. After, there was a couple odd moments of silence, and they both decided to be the one to try break it.

"So." They both ended up saying at the same time. The couple smiled at each other, looking like two shy teenagers on their first date. She bit her lip, blushing. "You go first." Adam said.

Suddenly her voice softened. "So…I- I hope mind me asking, but that old case... Have there been any updates on it? Did you ever find him? ...Baelfire?" A sigh came from the man across her, shaking his now lowered head. "Update yes, they're thinking he's gone under another name but we haven't found him yet." He avoided her gaze, feeling the grip on his arm return. "You'll find him." With that the silence returned.

Minutes later, Isabelle looked out of the corner of her eye seeing a wedding party had taken up an area and saw a clear spot being used as a dance floor. She looked back forth between the party and to Adam. Biting her lip, she eventually found the confidence to speak. " So, how would you like to crash a party?"