At Last Part 2

Chapter 24 Map To Home

Rumples POV
Following my instincts I managed to find the block of apartments where Neal used to live.
I pressed a random buzzer in hope of getting a reply.
"Mhh..?" A gruff voice answered.
"Delivery for apartment - 12," I stuttered slightly.
"Mhhh...." Then I heard the familiar unlocking of the door.
"Well that was easy," Oliver laughed a little.
As we walked over into the dingy hallway, I looked over to the lift, an out of service sign was tapes to it lopsided.
Great.
Guess we'll take the stairs.
After what seemed like a million steps, we finally reached Bae's apartment.
As we reached the door.
A thought struck me.
I don't have a key.
"Gods sake!" I shouted, banging my hand against the wall.
"Gold?" Oliver stood back.
"Why did I not think of that! Stupid stupid man!!" I banged it again.
"Woah Gold!" Oliver put up his hands.
I looked down to my knuckles to see red forming.
Gods sake Gold, why did you do that.
What would Belle say?
Well I guess I don't know - as I'll probably never see her again!
How am I going to get back to her now? There is no other way!
"Mr Gold? What's wrong?" Oliver asked cautiously.
"We don't have a key..." I grumbled, feeling slightly guilty as it looks as if I've frightened the poor kid.
"Shoulda said," Oliver winked, standing in front of the door.
My head snapped up.
"You mean you can get in?" I said hopefully.
"'Course! You live on the streets, you pick up a few things," He smiled, playfully.
Removing, a paper clip from his coat pocket, he placed it into the key hole.
"I thought that was just something they did in the films, didn't think that actually worked...?" I shook my head in disbelief.
"That's what your supposed to think," he said.
Suddenly the door gave a jolt and my heart started again as it opened.
We both entered the muggy room.
I coughed a little as the air felt stale.
"Let's open a window..." Oliver coughed.
He neared the window and pushed it up, letting a breeze of cold evening air rush in.
"That's a bit better," he said, smiling.
I couldn't believe it.
We're in.
Now we need to find the map.
"Right, let's get started," I said, searching through, the kitchen area.
I rifled through loads of random piles of paper, receipts, flyers, adverts, but no map.
I could hear Oliver behind me, rustling in the draws.
Doesn't look like he's found anything yet...
Come on....
Come on...
Nothing.
I looked all around me, my eyes searching the room.
I can't see anything that resembles anything map like.
"Gold Gold!" I span round to see, Oliver with a map outstretched in his hands.
I raced over.
Could it be?!
"A map showing - 10 best cities to visit in japan..." His voice lowered and slowed through this sentence.
My heart dropped.
"...good try....keep looking.." My voice cracked.
With a sudden loss of hope, I make my way to the bathroom to have a moment to myself.
I sighed and sat myself down on the edge of the grungy bath, my hand scooping through my hair, looking to the floor.
I'm never going to see my beautiful Belle ever again.
Never see her gorgeous smile.
Her beautiful clear blue eyes surrounded by long, thick, dark eyelashes
Those natural soft brown curls that surround her small face.
I can see her now, flinging her head back in laughter, her hair moving, her face completely on show.
I can hear her laugh, gentle and quiet.
My Belle.
But is she still my Belle?
When she realises I can never come back to her, however long it may take her, will she still be my Belle?
I want her to be happy of course, but the thought of her being with another man makes me fill with jealousy. I love her. I love her.
But do I want her to be alone?
Of course not...
Belle deserves the best, and I know I can give her the best.
I know I may have mis-treated her in the past, but that makes me want to give her everything she deserves even more.
I love her.
And I've lost her.
I sighed again, looking up to the ceiling, stopping the tears that were vastly approaching.
The bathroom mirror catches my eye and I look into it.
The face of a tired old man appears.
Surely that's not me...?
How does Belle find this attractive?
I'm old.
Withered.
Like I said, she deserves more...
It took me a second to notice all the things stuck around the mirror.
What looked like postcards, pictures from brochures, a map, - a map!
I jump up and teared it from the mirror.
I could have yelled with joy as I read the front,
"Welcome To Storybrooke Maine!"
"Yes!" I shout, overcome with joy.
I kissed the map and looked inside its covers, delighted to find the directions page.
"I will see you again my Belle..." I whisper.
"Oliver!" I shout with glee, racing out of the bathroom.
"I found it! I've found it!" I wave it in the air.
"At last!! I'm so happy for you Mr Gold!" He came and rubbed my shoulder.
"Right - let's get out of here," I said, eager to go back to the hotel were I could ring Belle.
Shutting the apartment up behind us, silently I say my goodbyes to Neal and then we're out on the streets.
My strides large from joy, we pass the ATM machine.
"It's going to take us at least half day to get home, so I'll get some more money out, make my last night in this rotten place half decent," I smirk my old swagger returned.
There was no que this time so I walked straight up and placed my card in, shoving near enough $2000 in my pockets, Oliver holding Noah, just as mesmerised as the first time.
Shoving the last couple of notes in my pocket I turn and start walking toward the road, bumping into a man.
"My apologies," I said, quickly glancing at him, raising my hand.
Nearing the road we flagged down a taxi and got driven to the hotel.
Oliver kept glancing behind us, at the black car behind.
I slapped him gently on the leg,
"Stop worrying, we've got what we came for, nothing can stop us now!" I said, filled with confidence.
We were at the hotel, up the elevator and in the penthouse in no time.
I was overjoyed, couldn't wait to ring Belle.
I slid my phone out of my pocket, and it started to ring.
I frowned, a little surprised.
But soon perked up as I realised it was Belle.
"- Belle?"
I breathed.
I heard her sigh in relief.
"Rumple!"
Hearing her voice sent a warm feeling through my heart,
"Are you alright, what's happened?" I said worried as she rang first.
"No, no, I'm fine, I just .... I needed to hear your voice,"she sniffed.
I relaxed.
"And I yours..." I said sadly.
I listened to her breathing, as if she were right beside me.
"So, Ruby and I have been searching all day to find something to help you get back over the line," she said, trying to sound happier.
"Really? Have you, have you found anything?" I said, hope surging through me, of course we have the map which can get us there, but not actually in Storybrooke.
"Uh...no...not yet, but, we will!" She said positively.
"Yes of course you will, and we are chasing a lead any-"
I stopped suddenly.
I can hear shouting from the main room.
"Rumple? Are you still there?"
"Hey! Hey!" I heard shouts.
"Mr G- hey - hey!!" I heard banging and Oliver shouting.
"Uh...yes, I have to go Belle," i said hurriedly.
"Rumple what's wrong?" There was concern in her voice.
"Who are you???" Oliver yelled over the banging.
"Nothing, nothing, I'll ring you later, love you darling," and my heart breaking, I put the phone down and raced out of the bathroom.
I ran in to see Oliver being wrestled to the floor by two large men, another rushing around the apartment.
"What do you think you're doing!!" I yelled.
The other man span around - the man I bumped into by the atm!
Oliver was right! Someone was following us!!
He'd seen the money I was taking out of the machine and had followed us here!
"Get off him!" I yelled surging toward the two men and Oliver.
"Eh eh eh!" The other guy blocked my path.
"Get on the ground," he said sternly.
I have to do what he says - he's got a gun.

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Uh oh! Rumple finally has the map - but there's something in his way! You knew that was all too simple!
Please comment what you think of this chapter and the story so far!
Reeeeaaalllyyyy wish I could be in New York right now? Anyone else? Are any of you readers lucky enough to live there or close? Let me know in the comments !!
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If my story is getting boring and really bad - please let me know!!! Thanks for reading - Amy:-)