Falling for The Enemy, d.n[1]

TWELVE

Mr Gold was in the pawnshop staring at a flame as Vanessa looked around the shop.

Vanessa looked over noticing the flame, "You're staring at that flame pretty hard. What is it?" Vanessa asked.

"A remembrance," Mr Gold said.

"A loved one?" he didn't answer, "I'll take that as a yes. I'll leave you to it then," she turned to leave but stopped when she noticed a white dreamcatcher, "Where'd you get that?" Vanessa asked.

Mr Gold looked at her, "That old thing? I've had it for as long as I can remember. It's piqued some interest lately. Would you like me to get it down for you?" Mr Gold asked her.

Vanessa reached out to touch it, but stopped herself, "Uh, no...no that's okay," she looked at him, "Thank you though. Have a good rest of your day, Mr Gold," Vanessa said.

"You as well, dear," Mr Gold said and Vanessa left the pawnshop.

Mr Gold went back to looking at the flame when Regina walked in and put it out.

"Regina," he smiles as Regina flips the open sign to 'closed', "Shall I remove some things? Make a bit of space for your rage?" Mr Gold questioned.

Regina looked at him, "You found a loophole in the town charter," Regina said.

"Legal documents, contracts, if you like. Always been a fascination of mine," Mr Gold said.

"Yes, you love to trifle with technicalities," Regina said.

"I like small weapons, you see. The needle, the pen, the fine point of a deal. Subtlety, not your style, I know," Mr Gold said.

"You're a bastard," Regina said.

Mr Gold chuckled, "I think your grief's getting the better of you, Regina. Shame what happened to Graham," Mr Gold said.

"Don't talk about him. You know nothing," Regina said.

"What is there to know? He died," Mr Gold said.

"Are you really going up against me?" Regina asked.

"Not directly. We are, after all, both invested in the common good. We're just picking different sides," Mr Gold said.

"Well, I think you picked a really slow horse this time. It's not like you to back a loser," Regina said.

"She hasn't lost yet," Mr Gold said.

"She will," Regina said.

"Never underestimate someone who's acting for their child," Mr Gold said.

"He's not her child. Not legally," Regina said.

"Oh, now who's trifling with technicalities?" Regina turned to leave, "It's funny, I saw something in Harper Swan today, something I haven't seen in anyone other than one person, fire. Remind you of someone?" Mr Gold questioned.

Regina looked at him, "What are you getting at?" Regina asked.

"I'm not getting at anything. Just asking a simple question," Regina turned to leave but stopped at the white dreamcatcher, "That dreamcatcher sure is getting a lot of attention lately," she turned to him, "Vanessa and David both stopped to look at it," Mr Gold said.

"They did?" Mr Gold nodded, "I want it," Regina said.

"Why on earth would you want a dreamcatcher?" Mr Gold asked.

"Because I want to buy it. Now, get it down for me so I can pay for it," Regina said.

"As you wish," Mr Gold said and got down the white dreamcatcher for Regina to pay for before leaving the pawnshop with it.