𝑶𝑪𝑬𝑨𝑵 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺 - Rumplestiltskin [1]

THIRTY SIX

36|COMING

"Hello?" Bella called out as she entered the store, looking around for the owner. She quickly became distracted by a rose displayed in a small glass cabinet. Her fingers reached out and stroked the cool glass, a sense of familiarity washing over her and she got lost in the preserved roses beauty.

"Love?" She was quickly broken out of trance by his voice, spinning around in fright with a hand on her heart. A smile made its way to his face when he heard her laugh, warming his heart. "Sorry, dearie. I didn't mean to sneak up on you."

"Oh, no, it's my fault." Bella smiled and wandered closer, kissing his cheek in greeting. "I was just curious how the rose could stay so beautiful for so long."

"Magic." He said jokingly but she swore she could hear a seriousness in his tone. Bella decided to ignore it and follow him behind to drink tea and talk about their days.

She was talking about her shift, particularly a patient called Karen who proved to be very difficult when a familiar blonde burst into the back of the shop.

"Mr. Gold." Emma stated, not noticing Bella sat in the corner drinking tea while Mr. Gold rearrange some of the displays.

"Just taking inventory." He replied, turning around with a golden lamp that looked like it was from a children's movie. "What can I do for you, Ms. Swan? Any developments in the case I should be aware of?"

"Yes. Regina set her up." Bella choked on her tea at the statement, spiting it across the ground.

"I'm fine, continue." She waved the two concerned eyes off, giving an awkward smile before jumping up to clean up her mess.

"And this surprises you?" Mr. Gold asked the Sheriff after checking up on Bella who still seemed shocked. "Show me your evidence and we'll get this over with immediately."

"Yeah, that's the thing, there isn't any." Emma revealed, leaning her hands down on his desk as he sat behind it. Bella watched the pair, feeling like she was not apart of this situation even though she probably knew Mary Margaret best. "Any thing that is court-worthy. But I know it now."

"Look who's suddenly become a woman of faith." He said with a mocking tone, his usual bargaining facade on as he spoke to the blonde woman. She analysed it all, his every move and word. Something about it just seemed different even though she only remembers him as a serious business man, not like a mischievous man her brain tricks her into thinking he is. "Why are you here Ms. Swan? To spin conspiracy theories?"

"I need help."

"From me?" Mr. Gold seemed happy about the notion, a serious yet playful smile on his lips.

"Every time I've gone up against Regina, I've lost." Emma stated firmly, knowing this was he finally hope. "Except from once. When I became Sheriff, when you helped."

"As I recall, you don't exactly approve my methods." He reminded her, eyes glancing to the dark haired beauty making a second cup of tea for them both.

"I approve of your results. And this time I have something more important than a job." She agreed. "I need to save my friend."

"And you're willing to go as far as it takes?" As he asked her his question a cup of tea was silently placed in front of him.

"Farther." A sudden burst of worry rushed over Bella as she knew what he was capable of with the incident involving her father or the baby incident.

"Now we're talking." Mr. Gold grinned in a way that spooked the observant doctor. "Fear not, Ms. Swan, Regina may be powerful. But something tells me you're more powerful than you know."

"Are you joining us?" The question was directed at Bella, her eyes lighting up when she was spoken to.

"Of course." She said as if it was the most obvious answer. "Mary Margaret has been my friend the longest and although I may not be in a position of power, I am not sitting on my ass all day worrying."

"That's my girl." Mr. Gold whispered into her ear, sending a shiver down her spine as her face glowed red. He knew what he had done to her, knowing the affect of his words.

"Can we meet you in the car? We just need to quickly finish our tea. I didn't expect this to happen." Bella asked Emma kindly, earning a nod before the blonde Sheriff walked out the store with the familiar ring of the door bell.

"Aren't you finished, dearie?" His sarcastic question was answered as she forced him to sit in his chair while perching herself on his lap. Her lips attacked his in a passionate frenzy as all the dirty thoughts got stuck in the front of her mind.

"As much as I love your dominance, we have a friend to save." He grabbed her thighs and sat her on his desk, knocking everything off as his lips moved down her neck to the open neckline of her shirt.

"She is in jail, it's not like she is going anywhere." Bella unbuttoned her shirt and let it fall down her arms as his mouth travelled down her upper body, leaving open kisses on the edge of her bra.

"Emma is waiting." He reminded her teasingly, pulling away and finishing the rest of his tea as she sat there shocked. Mr. Gold kissed her forehead and limped back into the main part of the shop, calling back to her as she remained in her incomprehensive state. "Are you coming, dearie?"

"I wish I was." She mumbled before pulling her shirt back on and tucking it back into her skinny jeans.