The Best Tea Cup is Chipped: Book 2

Deceptions

Rumple, Jefferson, and Pip were busy having one of their as young Grace had dubbed them "scheming sessions" this time located at Jefferson's house.

As his girlfriend nobody would question Pip's presence at Jefferson's home and if anyone asked about HIS Mr. Gold was there enquiring about some property.

"So, you plan to suggest to her Evilness a way for Mary Margaret to try and escape?" said Pip as Rumple laid out the next step of his plan.

"Yes, and I have a feeling she'll head this direction. It's out of the way enough from the Sheriff's station."

"And you want me to stop her until the Savior can come and talk her back?" said Jefferson.

"Yes." said Rumple.

"You know while I have Emma here, I could try and convince her things are real. With these dreams the kids mention people are having and people getting happy endings the curse is weakening." said Jefferson hopefully. Rumple and Pip shook their heads.

"She's still to firmly in the reality camp at the moment. It's just going to make you look crazy."

"Crazier," quipped Rumple.

"Fine! Fine! It was just an idea. I'll keep Snow White here. At least the school teacher will be less trouble than the bandit."

"Please don't do it in a way that'll get you arrested," added Pip. Jefferson looked offended.

"I can be subtle. And in any case this one would bail me out in a heartbeat if I was caught." he jerked a thumb at Rumple who rolled his eyes at his friend's blase attitude.

"Do what you will Hatter just be successful." The Hatter leaned back an arm swung around Pip's shoulders.

"Oh that I promise."

OUAT

Well things did play out as Rumple planned Mary Margaret made a run for it and according to the Hatter's report after he'd tricked her into coming inside before locking her in his hat room (sans scissors). He then waited for Emma to come along and talk the other woman back into coming.

Apparently, the Sheriff had decided to overlook the temporary forced imprisonment. Now all that remained was to let Katherine Nolan go.

OUAT

Lacey sat in Granny's waiting for her iced tea when a man she vaguely recognized as being a doctor from the hospital slid into the opposite seat.

"Hello," he said with a smile that was a little too friendly.

"Hello," she replied hoping that tea would come soon.

"I'm Dr. Whale. I was terribly sorry about what happened I assure you I had no idea about what was going on down there. However, I was wonder if I could take you out some time. Maybe for an apology drink?" Lacey wasn't stupid. She knew what apology drink was code for.

"No, sorry I'm not interested. Besides I'm already with someone."

"I'm sure they don't appreciate you the way someone else might..." began Whale but another voice cut him off.

"She said NO. Now back off before someone hops off and tells Gold what an idiot you were," Lacey looked up to see a man with curly brown hair and a short beard. His accent was Irish and he wore a brown leather coat and red tie. Whale skittered off and the man sat down.

"Sorry about that. Don't worry I'm not stupid enough to hit on you. Or interested for that matter, no offense," Lacey noticed his eyes stray to Ruby for a moment. Then he looked back.

"Graham Humbert, former Sheriff. Now deputy."

"Former?" she asked.

"Yeah, after I got a back bone and decided to stop listening to Regina, she fired me. Then Emma hired me back as her deputy." He gave a slight chuckle before his face fell. "I'm just sorry I didn't start standing up to that woman when it counted for you."