𝑶𝑪𝑬𝑨𝑵 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺 - Rumplestiltskin [1]

TWENTY FOUR

24|HANGOVERS AND TWENTY DOLLARS

Bella woke up alone with a thumping head and a fuzzy memory. She glanced around the room, squinting as she tried to remember where she was.

"Morning, love." Mr. Gold entered the room, a hot mug of coffee in his hand. He passed her the cup and chuckled when she downed it's contents.

"I don't remember anything." She admitted reluctantly, burying her face in the quilt. "Did I say anything?"

"Surprisingly no." He sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "You didn't even mention babies this time."

"I wasn't on baby shift." Bella laughed, looking up and smiling at him gratefully. "Don't you have work?"

"I'm about to leave, I just wanted to give you your coffee before I left." He placed a small kiss on her forehead and stood up, leaning his weight on his walking stick. "You can either stay here or leave, just remember to lock up."

"Thank you." She beamed, leaning back to get a few more hours sleep. "I'll message you."

Bella fell back asleep when she heard the front door shut and lock, cuddling up to the thick sheets. When she woke up again she had a hankering for more coffee and a decent meal. She threw on some clothes and pulled his jacket over her shoulders before leaving the house, locking it behind her and walking into town to Granny's.

"Bella!" Ruby cheered when she saw the woman. "How are you?"

"Hungover and starving." She answered truthfully, sitting up at the counter. Bella laughed when Ruby instantly placed a cup of coffee in front of her. "You're the best."

"I know."

~•~

Bella sat in the back of the town hall with Mr. Gold, both boredly listening to Regina talk as the council discussed matters.

"Ten bucks something dramatic happens." Bella bet, whispering to the man beside her. "Another ten it's Emma's fault."

"You play an interesting game but we both know you would win." Mr. Gold chuckled darkly, grabbing her hand and holding it on his lap.

"This session of the Storybrooke City Council will come to order." Regina announced, banging the gavel harshly to gain everyone's attention. "We will begin by reading the minutes from our last meeting."

"Excuse me, Madam Mayor." Sidney Glass stood up and interrupted the woman. "I have something I'd like to bring to the Council's attention."

"This is not an open forum, Sidney." She lectured him strictly. "And no one on this Council is interested in hearing the boozy complaints of a disgraced reporter. Now, sit down."

"He's not the only one who has something to say." Emma jumped up as well and stood beside Sidney.

"Miss. Swan, this meeting is to discuss issues facing Storybrooke." Regina informed the blonde woman.

"Like the Mayor stealing thousands of dollars from the city to build herself a second home?" The sheriff argued back earning worried murmurs in the crowd.

"I totally could have just become twenty dollars richer." Bella mumbled to the man beside her, laughing lightly when he rolled his eyes.

"Miss. Swan, you will sit down immediately or so help me." Regina banged the gavel repeatedly, her voice low and filled with anger.

"What? You'll punish me?" Emma asked sarcastically, stepping closer to the Mayor. "You'll bully me like everyone else in this town? No. Not today." She turned to the audience and raised a blueprint. "In my hand I am holding documents proving that this woman, your Mayor, stole funds from the city to bid herself a lavish home in the woods. And this "disgraced reporter", you wanna know why he was really fired? Because he stood up to her. Because he questioned her. We all know what happened to people who question the Mayor. You claim that you act in the best interest of all of us. But that isn't the truth, is it? The truth is, you are a thug that doesn't care about anyone or anything but yourself. That is who you really are, and it's time for the people of Storybrooke to know that."

"Shit just got real." Bella cheered quietly to herself, suddenly becoming interested in a Council meeting.

"You are right, Miss. Swan. I am building a house." Regina revealed with a knowing smirk and stood up to project a blueprint on to the screen behind her. "A playhouse. The accusations are true. I did take city funds. I wanted to build a playground so my son Henry, and all the children of Storybrooke, could have a special place to play. Safely. As for the sketch in you hands, it was inspired by a drawing I found in one of my son's books. So, there you have it, Miss. Swan. You've exposed me for who I really am. I hope you're satisfied."

"I'm coming to these more often!" The excited doctor glanced at Mr. Gold, seeing him avoid Emma's stare. "You okay?"

"Just fine, love." Mr. Gold raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it lovingly. They listened to the rest of the meeting before leaving, her hand still held tightly in his. "Wait here."

"Okay." She watched him limp away to the deflated looking Emma, saying something to gain the blondes attention.

"Come, dear." He walked back over to her, grabbing her hand once again. "Let's find you something to eat."