Once Upon The Underworld (Once Upon A Time)

Chapter 9: "Do We Have A Deal?"

Emma's POV:

How could Mary Margaret say that? How could anyone think it was better off for Hook to be here with Milah instead of home with me? Well, assuming our home still exists. If he really meant what he said, he wanted this life with his ex and his daughter. I can't really blame him. I mean, if Neal was back, I can't be sure that I wouldn't- wait. Neal. Could Neal be here? If he is, there's a possibility that we could have what Hook and Milah and Izzy have. A family. We could finally find Tallahassee. I knew there was only one person who would know for sure, and would've already tracked Neal down if he was here- his father. I was about to start off to Gold's shop when I heard my dad's voice calling me. I turned around to see him running towards me. "Emma!" he yelled. "Emma! Wait!" I sighed and faced him. "Hey," I mumbled. "Emma, your mother didn't mean to upset you. She just says things before she thinks them through. You know that. And all she wants, all we both want, is to help you. For you to be happy." I half smiled. "Thanks, Dad. And I'm not mad at Mom. I just needed to get away for a second, that's all." "So will you come back with me and tell her that?" David asked. "Actually," I said. "I can't. I think I might have a way to be happy again. I just have to go find it." I ran down the street towards Gold's. "Bye Dad!"

Rumplestiltskin's POV:

A little dash of this. A tidbit of that. It was almost complete, I said to myself, holding a bottle of a sparkly violet substance in front of my face. Everything was going as planned. My thoughts were interrupted by the bell tinkling at the front of the shop. "Wonderful," I muttered. "Visitors." "Gold?" Miss Swan's voice rang out loud and clear. "I know you're in here." Before I could reply, she pushed back the curtains to the back room and stared at me. Her eyebrows knitted together. "What are you doing?" "Is that any of your concern?" I asked, moving my potion bottle to one of the shelves below by countertop. "What is it that you need?" Emma propped her elbow up on the counter. "Gold," she said. "What are you doing?" I threw my hands up in exasperation. "What part of 'not your concern' is unclear?" I demanded. Miss Swan began to pace back and forth. "Right," she sighed. "I forgot about your trust issues." I don't have trust issues. "Anyways, I need your help." She stared at me until our eyes met. I turned my back to her. "Don't you always?" "Someone's in a bad mood," Emma snickered. I walked around the counter. "Miss Swan, I am a very busy man. So please, get on with you request or get out." Emma cut her eyes in my direction and sighed. "I need you to help me find Neal." I recoiled, stepping back away from her, hoping I didn't look as pale as I felt. Clearing my throat, I muttered, "What do you want with my son?" "I just need you to find him!" Emma pleaded. "It's not like you weren't going to." I stalked to the front of the shop, Miss Swan following behind me persistently. "Gold!" she snapped. "Come on." I whirled around. "Miss Swan, like I said, I am very busy. If the time comes where I decide to locate Baelfire, I'll send him your way. But for now-" I pointed to the door. "Go try to coerce you deranged pirate friend." Emma rolled her eyes. "Not gonna happen," she said. "All his priorities now fall on Milah and their kid." My interest peaked at those words. Miss Swan must have noticed. "What?" she asked suspiciously. "The child," I mused. "Izzy." Emma nodded. "Yeah. What do you care? I mean, aside from her being your ex-wife's?" I twirled my cane on its edge. "Let's just say I presume the girl will do more harm than good. I could take care of her for you." Emma looked around as if she wanted to make sure no one could overhear us. "Gold, do you mean kill Izzy?" I smirked. Emma scoffed, but a slight grin made way to her lips. "I see how that could help me? But what's in it for you?" "Well you heard Regina and the others. They bid me not lay a finger on her. However, what if they didn't know?" "I don't know," Emma mumbled. "Well I do. Shall we make a deal?" Miss Swan groaned and rolled her eyes. "What is it, Gold?" "You keep quiet about what happens to Izzy in exchange for me helping you find Baelfire?" I stuck out my hand. "Do we have a deal?"

Emma's POV

I considered his offer for a moment.Giving him free range on Killian's daughter might not really help matters. But finding Neal definitely would. I shook. "Deal."