The following day came and Lacey paced nervously in the living room of Robert's house. They were waiting on Sheriff Emma Swan to arrive.

"Calm down," said Fae. "It's a discussion. Not an interrogation."

"And we won't let them lock you back up. I promise," added Robert firmly.

"I just hope I can convince her," said Lacey.

"You are braver than you know," Robert told her softly.

"Thank you." she said the confident but somewhat soft look on his face bringing her a strange sense of comfort and stability. She sat down on the couch, while Fae perched on the arm, just as the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," said Robert. She nodded as he walked out of the room taking deep breaths as she prepared herself for whatever was to come.

OUAT

Rumplestiltskin answered his door to find Emma Swan waiting for him.

"Hello Sheriff Swan."

"Gold." she said. "You told me you had information about the missing girl and I'm going to breeze over how you somehow have information about a matter the police haven't even released information on yet."

"I've got something a little better." he replied. "Come into the kitchen."

"Said the spider to the fly," muttered Emma and he chuckled.

"The fly in this case is far too useful to be trapped," he replied.

"So what do you know about Lacey French?"

"I know that she was falsely imprisoned in that hellhole they call an asylum. I also know where she is." Emma straightened.

"Where?"

OUAT

Emma had been surprised to get the call from Gold. Although it did make her more suspicious about Regina's adamant pointing of the finger at him. Still if he could provide a lead, she wasn't going to turn it down. She showed up to his house and to her shock he actually knew where she was. Or claimed to.

"Where?" Gold shrugged.

"Here. The individual who freed her chose to drop her off on my doorstep where she asked for help and I provided."

"How altruistic. When did you become Father Christmas?" snarked Emma her eyes narrowing.

"Hardly," he scoffed. "Do you remember our little discussion at the station?" Emma nodded.

"Is Lacey French your mystery woman?" a brief look of pain flashed across Gold's face before being hidden.

"Yes, she is. Whoever freed her knew I would protect her unconditionally."

"Why didn't you call it in do you really think I'd turn her into Regina who by the way guesses you have her?" Gold gave her a thin and humorless smile.

"There are very few people I trust Sheriff and I'm afraid you haven't earned your place amongst them.

"I'm so offended," said Emma dryly.

"Believe me it's not personal," chuckled Gold before his face turned serious once more. "I've been letting her recover somewhat before she felt up to talking to someone. Especially law enforcement. There's also an added...complication."

"Oh?" said Emma suspiciously. So far, her superpower hadn't gone off. Gold was at least mostly leveling with her.

"She seems to have lost her memory of basically everything."

"Amnesia?" said Emma in surprise.

"Yes. Perhaps a result of all the drugs they pumped into her I'm not sure." Emma sighed.

"Great. Well...can I talk with her?"

"Certainly just...and I know this might be difficult for you...be gentle." he told her his tone slightly sarcastic. Emma glared.

"You do know you're an ass right?"

"I've been called worse," was his only reply as they limped towards the living room.

Sitting on the couch was a pretty, petite brunette in a yellow sweater dress looking a little unsure but also determined. Next to her was...

"Fae?"

"Hello Emma," said the music teacher.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well I was and am Lacey's best friend. Gold called me over because he thought it might be a comfort and because I can pretty much confirm anything he tells you about their history."

"I know you don't consider me the most reliable source," said Gold. Emma rolled her eyes before turning to the brunette.

"Hello Lacey I'm Sheriff Swan."

"Pleasure to meet you Sheriff," said Lacey shaking her hand. The woman seemed quiet but not mad.

"You two need to leave otherwise it could be seen as pressuring or tampering," said Emma to Fae and Gold. Fae squeezed Lacey's shoulder before standing up and Emma noticed that though Gold didn't touch her, he shot Lacey a reassuring look that made her visibly relax. Once they'd left the room she turned to Lacey.

"Right, so I've been told you have a severe case of amnesia is that correct?"

"Yes, the only things I know about myself are what I've been able to guess and what others have told me." said Lacey. Emma wondered what it was Gold had been telling Lacey. As if reading her mind the woman said.

"I haven't been out of the asylum long but Mr. Gold has made it clear that not many people think well of him. However, he's shown me nothing but patience and kindness and has in fact generally tried to refrain from giving me information he felt might make me feel as if I would have to...act a certain manner."

Interesting. The girl hadn't denied what Gold was. Simply stated how he'd treated her. Which to be fair matched up with Gold's account of matters.

"I'll take your word for it." said Emma. "Alright how about we go over what happened to you when you were locked up and how you escaped hmmm?" She watched Lacey take a deep breath as if steadying herself.

"Very well, but you'll have to bear with me. A lot of it isn't pleasant to remember."

"Take all the time you need," replied Emma.

OUAT

By the time she'd finished talking with Lacey Emma still didn't know who had drugged the nurse. Although she did figure that whatever he said this entire thing was arranged by Gold. What she did know however, was that Lacey French sure as hell didn't seem to be mad. She'd spoken clearly and for the most part calmly. Occasionally she needed to pause when describing some of the things that had happened at the asylum that SERIOUSLY did not seem legal, but otherwise she was either as sane as Emma or exceptionally good at hiding her insanity.

Emma walked out and found Gold and Fae waiting for her.

"Well, she's as sane as you seem to say. What I'm curious about is how she got locked up in the first place and how you didn't know Gold." She watched Gold and Fae exchange a look before Gold started.

"Lacey started out doing some housekeeping for me to start paying off her father's debts. HOUSEKEEPING is all Miss Swan," he added quite firmly. "With time we came to know each other and found we got along well with common interests. I told you the general details at the precinct, I didn't think I deserved her but she disagreed and we were largely quite happy."

"Unfortunately, the town didn't take to Lacey and Gold being together too well, I was her best friend and she'd never seemed happier so I never saw an issue but others were...rather judgmental. It caused an extreme rift with her father." said Fae.

"Moe French, right?" said Emma.

"The very same," said Gold. "Lacey loved him and always wanted to reconcile but he could not stand to see his daughter with me. He was certain that I coerced and abused her." Emma watched Gold's face twist in anger and distain. "I've done many things Miss Swan but that is one charge I am quite clear on."

"Again, I can second this, Lacey never expressed being afraid of Gold or wanting to leave," said Fae.

"One night Lacey got a call from her father asking her over to reconcile. Lacey was elated and went over and that was when tragedy struck," said Gold.

"A fire started at Moe's house and it got out of control. Moe got out but Lacey didn't. Apparently, she was locked in one of the rooms. Or at least that's how the body was supposedly found. Moe claimed the lock was jammed and that's how she got trapped." said Fae her face disdainful.

"It was always my theory that he'd locked her in there himself to stop her from returning to me. Then when the fire was accidentally set, he ran and saved himself leaving his daughter." said Gold looking angry.

"Oh so that's why you nearly beat the man to death," said Emma. Now it made a hell of a lot more sense even if again it wasn't justified. "But she didn't die the body was a fake."

"Yes, it was apparently burnt beyond recognition but they assumed it was her. Now I suppose we can guess the death was faked to hide the fact that she was carted off to the asylum." snapped Gold.

"Hey, I'm not arguing," said Emma. They were now venturing into speculation territory a bit but it did make sense. "Moe's signature was on the papers regarding Lacey's admittance to the asylum."

"It was probably his last-ditch attempt to separate her from Mr. Gold." said Fae who also looked angry. Emma sighed.

"Well, that's certainly a lot to unpack. I'd say the first thing is to get her cleared as sane. I could have Archie come round to do an analysis. I'll also look into what went on with Moe. In the meantime, I asked and she seems quite happy to stay with you. It's not my first choice but I won't deny she's safe from anyone wanting to grab her. My question is can I trust you?" she gave Gold a hard stare.

"I assure Miss Swan. I have no intention of taking advantage of Lacey's current state. In fact, she and I both agreed there are other priorities to focus on right now." The man seemed genuine enough and she knew she could hardly force Lacey to leave him.

"Good. Then I'll speak with you later." She made her way to the front door Gold following in her wake. As she was about to open the door she turned back.

"Oh, and don't for a second think I can't tell you cooked up this entire escape. I can't prove it. But I know you did it."

"Think whatever you wish Miss Swan. You're a shrewd woman." was the man's only reply a smirk playing on his lips that made her want to smack him. Emma shook her head and departed without another word.

OUAT

"Well, that went better than expected," said Pip as the door closed.

"Yes it did," replied Gold who had indeed been a little shocked at the smoothness of the encounter. Though he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

"So now what?" asked Pip.

"Now I need you to watch over Belle while I go extract certain sureties from Regina."

"Works for me," said Pip as Gold put on his coat and made to leave.

"Thank you. You are as loyal as ever," he said.

"It's called friendship Rum. Get used to it." she replied very softly. He shot her a crooked smile and left.

OUAT

He drove to the mayor's house when he knocked on the door it was Henry who answered.

"Mr. Gold!" he said in surprise then added in a whisper. "Did it work?" Rumple shot the boy a rare smile.

"Yes, it did. Now I need to speak with the mayor, could you go tell her?" a look of elation shot across Henry's face before he ran to get his adoptive mother who appeared at the door soon after.

"What do you want Gold?" He could see a hint of fear in her eye.

"Just to have a private little discussion." he replied pleasantly. "Please." Regina glared but stepped aside and led him to her office.

"I know you sent one of your minions to break into the asylum," she said sharply.

"Oh do you? In that case you should know I'm now well aware of what you did to my wife and that you have no leverage over me. In fact, you've rather angered me. It seems you didn't learn your lesson the first time."

"So you're here to assassinate me?" asked Regina.

"Oh no. Your punishment will come in due time. However, for the moment I do have a few requests." He stepped forward invading her personal space so she was backed against the desk.

"You will not harm Belle or Lacey whichever identity you consider her to be. You will not send other people to do so. You will not try to reimprison her nor will you give her false memories. In fact, you and all your cronies will stay far away from her and from Jefferson, Alice, and Grace. PLEASE."

If ever there was a time to put his pleases into place it was now. Of course, all bets were off once the curse broke but until then he could hold her and he would close any and all loopholes. After all he was the King of Loopholes.

Regina looked murderous and seemed to be trying to fight against the command but at last wilted and with a scowl said.

"Fine your little wench is safe. For now."

"Watch your tongue." Snarled Rumple forcing himself to hold back. This wasn't the old world. Yet. He couldn't punish her without consequence. But her time would come. He turned on heel and as he departed called back.

"Thank you for your cooperation dearie." He passed Henry on the way out and gave him a small nod. He'd instruct Pip to have Grace pass on some information to the boy.

Feeling mostly satisfied Rumplestiltskin made his way back down the walkway and to his care. He needed to get back to his Belle. Even if she didn't remember him.

Author's Note: So Emma is sort of with Gold on this one. I'm looking forward to expanding more on Emma and Gold and Emma and Belle's relationship. If you like the story please let me know what you think in the comments below! It really means a lot to hear from you. Until next time.