Skin Deep

Tomorrow is Valentines day. Emma thought as she woke up that morning. Her parents were bound to be a lovey dovey all day. Emma frowned. But secretly she was delighted that they had found their way to each other. But she wished that their true love was enough to break this curse.

She supposed that she was the one that was woven into the fabric of the curse, but damn it why couldn't this be easier. She stood, stretching and walking toward the window. She watched as Gold… or Rumple Stilskin took repossession of French's Flower van. She frowned "that can't be good right before a big day like Valentine's day" she murmured to herself and she thought maybe she would help the man out.

She yawned and headed toward the loft and listened to make sure David hadn't stayed over last night. He was still married, they were adamant that they would wait until he was completely moved out of Kathryn's house before anything big, but just in case…

No sounds. She headed down the stairs and her Mom and dad were not there. Emma frowned and headed to the bathroom to shower. She'll just have to eat at Granny's today.

Regina watched that vindictive little imp torture Belle's father. She smirked to herself because she knew what he was after, but if he only knew that she had kept his little love muffin far away from where they could find her.

He spotted her right after French's Van was taken, and she watched him hobble up to her. "Mr. Gold," She said in greeting. "Quite a show back there."

He smirked and looked across the street at the distraught man. "Well, Mr. French is just having a bad day. Happens to the best of us."

Regina tossed her hair back, as the crisp February morning breeze had blown some hair into her lashes. "I've been meaning to talk to you about something…"

He shifts his stance. Suddenly a bit more defensive. "Yeah, and the moment you have something I want to discuss, We'll have that little chat." he smiled his Cheshire cat smile, but Regina was not having it.

"No, we're gonna do this now." Regina said, stepping in front of him. Her gaze intensified. "It will only take a moment."

"Is there something eating you, dear?" He asked with a sneer on his lips. "Something you need to get out in the open? 'Cause it's gonna have to wait…Please." Regina looked at him, as if she finally got it. He knows she is the Evil queen, he knows that she has cast a curse on everyone in town but he doesn't' realize that it was his curse, and his doing that they were all here. He doesn't realize that this is why he has all this power.

He walked around her and left her standing there.

Emma entered the diner. There her parents sat at two adjacent tables reading the same book. Ruby offered to put the tables together if they wanted. They both answered that they weren't together at the same time. Emma rolled her eyes. "Jiminy Christmas." She muttered to herself as she walked toward hermother's table, "hey David, Mom…" She said sitting in front of her mother. "Are we stilll pretending he doesn't remember you?"

"Emma…" her mother stated.

Emma waited. "So… she started."

"Henry is fine… He misses you but he's fine."

"He misses me?" Emma said, her heart breaking hoping her son wouldn't think she was abandoning him again.

"Emma he does… she is his mother but she can't keep him away from you forever." Snow said. "Those who are meant to be together will find a way."

"So he's fine, he's his Happy normal self?" Emma sighed not wanting to let the tears fall from her eyes.

"Yes!" Snow said then saw the sadness in her daughter's eyes. "No! He misses you a ton. Trust me, I'm with him like six hours a day?"

"Six's hours?" A voice by the door chimed in. "Do you take Newborns? Cause I'd love 6 hours to myself."

"Ashley!" Emma said looking at the young mother with an infant in a carrier. "I didn't' even recognize you!"

"Baby on the outside," Ashley said bringing a chair an sitting between their table and david's and he could no longer see his date.

"How is it going? Emma asked.

"It's uh… it's uh… it's going great." She said with a heavy sigh. "We haven't had time to do the whole getting married thing, so that's been rough. And sean's been working double shifts at the cannery."

"Well he has to work," Snow said.

"On Valentines day?" Emma asked with a frown.

"Yeah." Ashley said a bit disappointed."he couldn't get out of it.

"I'm sorry, that sucks." Emma stated.

"It doesn't have to…" Ruby said. "Come out with me! We'll make it a girls night. We can all go, Snow, Emma too. If you leave the badge at home."

"I'm not really in a party mood. But you guys can all go and have fun." Emma said, looking at her mother.

Ruby sighs and goes off to serve someone. As Emma's phone buzzes. "What's that?" Her mother asked.

"It's the station." Emma answered distractedly. "Something's up." Then she got up and left. Snow frowned; she didn't want to go out partying with these young girls; she was better suited to baby sitting…or being home alone with David while her daughter figured out how to find a true love to kiss. She sighed as she watched her child run out of the door and conveniently the conversation.

Emma was called into Gold's house. When she arrived, the door was wide open. She stepped inside cautiously brandishing her weapon and walking silently as possible. She heard footsteps by the door, and she turned and hurried toward the foyer and raised her gun. Startled, the old man at the door held his hands up his own weapon in hand. "Dr. Swan"

"Your neighbor saw your door open, they called it in." she said still not comfortable enough to drop her weapon.

"It appears I've been robbed." He said a tiered sigh caught in his throat.

"Funny how that keeps happening to you." Emma answered.

"Well uh…" He said putting his gun away. "I'm a difficult man to love.

Emma began her investigation, and Gold was so uncomfortable with her searching. Finally he said. "Dr. Swan you can go now, I know exactly what's missing and who took it. I've got it from here."

Emma looked up from her phone and turned to face him. "No you don't" she said "this was a robbery… public menace. And if you don't tell me what you know, I will have to arrest you for obstruction of justice." She paused. "I have a feeling you don't want to be behind bars."

"Indeed not… " he stated with a frown "Alright, his name is Moe French, he sells flowers, he recently defaulted on a loan. A short time ago we had a little disagreement over collateral."

Emma nodded. "Okay… I'll go get him and check him out." she turned headed to the door.

"I'm sure you will… Assuming I don't find him…" He bit his tongue literally. He was talking to an officer of the law. The savior and the person he knew was nearly incorruptible. She paused to look at him. Eyes narrowed. He chuckled and shook his head. "Let's just say bad things tend to happen to bad people."

"Is that a threat?" Emma asked, trying to use her super power on him.

"An Observation." he answered. Emma looked away from him skeptically putting on her winter hat and really headed for the door this time. "Good luck!"

Emma walked out of that house disconcerted. Rumplestilskin is Evil. and she was sure she could figure out who Moe French was.

Quick stop to her mother's classroom c confirmed to her that his was one of the minor Dukes of a region. He had a daughter. The story of Beauty abd the beast. Belle's Father. Yeah there was no way she was going to arrest the man who more than likely had justifiable grievances in this life and the next. But she could just get his things back.

She called Mr. Gold to come meet her at the station, after going to see Moe. She confiscated the belongings and brought them to the Station. "You're welcome," she said once the man hobbled into the Jailhouse. She uncovered her desk full of all the things that was taken from his house. "You were right, Your man Moe ripped you off. It was all still at his place."

She sat behind the desk and looked at the man. He was angry behind those eyes. "And the man himself?"

"Closing in on him." she answered shortly.

"SO… Job well half done then." He said.

"In less than a day, I got everything back." Emma replied, "Is something wrong?"

"You've recovered nothing," he said. "There's something missing." then he walked away in a huff.

Emma narrowed her eyes as they followed him out the door. His stupid mystery trinket was not what she was here for. She was wasting her time dealing with this foolishness. But she couldn't let him hurt the guy. "I'll get it when I find it." she snapped at the man.

"Not if I find him first." He growled. This time he didn't keep it quiet. He didn't bite his tongue. Emma knew that she had to work fast to save Moe and get back to what really mattered.

Emma saw the Van headed out of town toward the woods. Emma followed far behind wondering where Gold was taking Moe French's livelihood. It was stopped in front of a cabin about five miles out of town. She stopped her car and walked toward the Parked Van.

She could hear voices as she approached. Mainly Moe Pleading to Gold to listen. Suddenly Gold was screaming at Moe. about how She wasn't coming back, and she was gone forever because Moe had shut her out.

She looked in the Cabins window and saw that Gold was beating the whimpering man with a cane. She put her GUn away ans walked into the cabin as quietly as she could. The man was in a rage and didn't notice the draft that blew his hair forward as he rained blows upon the man.

"It's your fault, It's your fault!"

On a back swing, Emma grabbed Gold's arm. "Stop!"

The ambulance came for Moe, and Emma walked up to Rumplestilskin with a slight frown. "So I heard you managed not to break anything he needs…" She stated stopping in front of him. "You are Lucky, Mr. Gold."

"You got a funny definition of Lucky." He said leaning against the police car behind him.

"You have a funny definition of justice." She said not letting on to him that she knew who he was. "What did he really do?"

"He stole." he said to her as if that were obvious.

She folded her arms across her chest. "That reaction was about more than taking a few trinkets." she said, trying to see if she could get more understanding of the man. "You said something about how he hurt "her" What happened to 'her' Who was that? What did he do? If someone needs help, maybe I can help."

He looked away. "No. I'm sorry, Sheriff, I think you heard that wrong."

Ema quirked her brows. "You really don't want to cooperate--"

"Look, we're done here." He interrupted his face, a mask of indifference. He started to walk away. Emma almost laughed at the gall of this man.

"Actually," She said, pulling him back. "We're not… You're under arrest." She placed the handcuffs on him

Emma decided to stop by the Rabbit hole before heading home to see if her mom was still there. She wasn't. But ruby was there hitting on some man or another. Emma bit her lip. Ruby looked amazing in that red dress.

Emma walked to the bar and bought herself a whiskey sour, and watched The tall brunette score with that guy. "She is rather fetching… isn't she/" A smiley voice said to her other side. And she realized that it was Regina.

"She's a little too much for me," Emma said, taking a sip of her Whiskey. "But I would take her for a ride."

Regina chuckled. "I had my suspicion about you Ms. Swan…"

"Doctor…"

"Sheriff Swan."

"You really are having a hard time calling me doctor." She asked, turning her focus on the mayor.

"Why would I call you that if that isn't the function that you serve in my town?" she snarked.

"Because I earned it." Emma insisted. "Like, if you had to marry a gross old man to become a queen…" She knew she was pushing it but she continued. "And suddenly someone curses you and poof your crown is gone. You earned that stinking crown, you should still be called queen." She shrugged and turned back to the bar to call for another drink. "Or am I wrong."

Regina stared at Emma for a long time. "Touche, Dr. Swan… Touche."

The next afternoon at Lunch, Emma was still staring at Gold in the cells. She smirked. As she bit into her sandwich. "Mmm. Pastrami… you want half?" she chewed a few times and with a still mouthful she continue. "Ooh nou, I still owe that favor. Nice, fatty Pastrami. Delicious way to clear the books."

"Well, I don't need a reminder that you owe me a favor." He stated looking forward and away from the smirking Sheriff.

I'm sure you don't. She thought, taking another bite.

"And when the day comes that I make my request," He continues. "It will be for more than half a sandwich.

A sharp staccato of footsteps approached the office. Emma put down her sandwich, as Henry and Regina entered the room. "Dr. Swan?" She said putting her hands on Henry's shoulders. "I'm letting you have 30 minutes with Henry." she paused and looked at the eager blonde who obviously missed her son. "Take him out. Buy him ice cream."

At first Emma thought that she may have gotten through to her the night before at the rabbit hole. She had called her Dr. Swan after all. But then Regina turned to face Gold. Her eyes narrowed. "You want me to leave you alone with a Prisoner?" she asked unsure if she should look this particular Gift horse in the mouth.

"Twenty nine and a half minutes." She said not taking her eyes off Gold. Emma shifted. That bitch had starved me of my baby. Of course I'm leaving the mayor with the owner of the town.

She looked down at Henry, he smiled. "Hi, Emma." he said and her heart constricted in her chest.

"Hey," she whispered to him with a smile. Then she glanced at Regina, then at Gold .

He shrugged unsure about what the woman wanted but curious. " Bring me back a cone?"

Emma stepped back. The man had to eat something. She reached for her coat. "Just this once." She said and walked out of the station with Henry. "Come on, Let's go."

Regina knew that would get the Blonde away from the imp. But she had been trying to talk to the man to find out what he knows for weeks, and he kept avoiding her. Here he was a captive audience. Now she was going to talk.

"Well…" he said. "You really wanted that little chat didn't you?"

Regina smiled and walked forward. "Apparently, this is the only way I could do it."

"Please, sit." He said pointing at the blue couch next to his cell. NOt that she could resist. Please is simply the only way he could get her to do his bidding anyway. She walked toward the couch and perched on the arm. "Now when two people both want something the other has, A deal can always be struck. Do you have what I want?"

Regina smirked. "Yes."

Gold blanched. "So… you did put him up to it then." He murmured.

Regina shrugged, "I merely suggested that… Strong men take what they need."

Gold sneered. "Oh yea, and you told him just exactly what to take, Didn't you?"

Regina narrowed her eyes. "We used to know each other so well, Mr. Gold. Has it really come down to this?"

He nodded. "It seems it has yeah." A pause. He took in the smug woman before him. "But you know what I want. What is it you want?"

"I want you to answer one question." Regina stated. "And answer simply. What's your name?"

He smiled. She isn't sure if he is awake yet he can use this. But is she going to give me what I want if I don't answer. He thought. "It's Mr. Gold." He answered simply as instructed.

Regina's face intensified. "Your real name."

"Every moment I've spent on this earth, That's been my name."

Ha… I am on to those linguistic tricks. "What about moments spent elsewhere?" She asked again.

He blinked and shook his head. He realized he couldn't lie to her. But he could certainly stall. "What are you asking me?"

"I think you know." She paused. "If you want me to return what's yours, Tell me your name."

Backed into a corner, he chuckled under his breath. "Rumplestiltskin." Regina knew now that he was fully awake. "Now give me what I want."

"Such hostility." She responded, sassy as ever. He was still behind bars.

"Oh yeah." He said with narrowed eyes. Regina scoffed and reached into her purse and pulled out the chipped tea cup.

"Over this?" She asked flippantly. He gasped washing hoping she wasn't as vindictive as he thought her and that she would smash the cup to pieces. Instead she oped to play keep away by waving the cup around just out fo his reach until finally he was able to grasp it. "Such a sentimental little keepsake."

"Thank you," He said looking at her. " Your majesty." and that title after not having heard it for so long, felt right. Rumple gasped as he looked at his beloved teacup. "So… now that we're being honest with each other. Lets remember how things used to be, shall we? And don't let these bars fool you, dear. I'm the one with the power around here. I'm gonna be out of here in no time, and then nothing between us will change."

Regina stood up, Him admitting who he is, Had hopefully liberated her from that Please spell he had her on. "We shall see." she whispered back at him then walked out of the station leaving a fuming Mr. Gold behind.

Regina immediately went to the hospital. Nurse Ratched, with her stern demeanor, let her into the mental ward without question. Regina handed her a long-stemmed red rose, the color rich and velvety.

"Pretty," the nurse said, her stern expression softening just a bit.

"Well… I know how hard you work," Regina replied, her tone almost flirty. She lingered just long enough to ensure her words had the desired effect before moving on. "Has anyone been to see her?"

The nurse shook her head. "No ma'am," she stated. "Not now, not ever."

Regina's lips curled into a smile as she walked down the dark hallway. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the rhythmic click of her heels against the linoleum floor. The mental ward was a desolate place, with only one patient confined within its walls. As she approached the solitary cell, Regina opened the small viewing flap and peered inside.

Huddled in the corner of the bed, Belle looked small and defeated. She was right where Regina wanted her, isolated and forgotten. Mr. Gold believed Belle was dead, which made her the perfect bargaining chip. She was the only person the Dark One had ever truly loved, aside from his lost son. Belle was Regina's ace in the hole, the key to stripping Rumplestiltskin of his power.

"Love is weakness," Regina whispered to herself, reaffirming her mantra. She watched Belle for a moment longer, taking in the sight of her disheveled hair and the vacant look in her eyes. The woman who had once been a beacon of hope and strength was now a shadow of her former self.

Satisfied, Regina stepped away from the door and retraced her steps through the isolating ward. The echo of her footsteps followed her out, a reminder of the control she wielded. As she exited the hospital, she felt a surge of satisfaction. The pieces were in place, and soon, she would make her move against Rumplestiltskin.

But beneath the surface, a flicker of doubt gnawed at her. Despite her belief that love was a weakness, she couldn't entirely shake the feeling that it might also be the one thing that could unravel her carefully laid plans. Regina pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the power she sought to gain.

With Belle as her captive, Regina felt invincible. The Dark One's weakness was now her strength. She walked away from the hospital with renewed determination, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Love might be a weakness, but for Regina, it was also a weapon—a weapon she intended to wield with ruthless precision.