Once Upon A Time: Through The Devil's Eyes, Part Twelve

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

(I mention 'The Swan' by Camille Saint-Saens, the 13th movement from 'The Carnival Of Animals'. Mr. Gold strikes me as a classical guy and this bit of music fits quite nicely into the story in so many ways. /b44-5M4e9nI )

Mr. Gold arrived back at his shop just a little after one o'clock. He got his keys out when he heard the phone inside ring. He quickly got the door open and went inside, pushing it closed behind him as he headed for the display case the phone sat on. He grabbed it up on the fifth ring, " Hello? "

" Mr. Gold? " It was a woman with a stiff tone.

" This is he, " Mr. Gold replied, leaning against the display case. " Who is this? "

" This is your probation officer, " The woman still sounded very formal. " My name is Angela Marshal. Is everything alright? You sound out of breath. "

" Oh, " Mr. Gold said. " My apologies. I had to move very quickly to get to the phone. I don't do that well you must understand. "

" Yes, " Angela said as she rustled some papers. " Your file says you are disabled. "

" Slightly yes, " Mr. Gold frowned. He hated the way the word sounded. It made him feel like whoever was using it saw him as less of a man. It was as if they were underestimating him... and he hated to be underestimated.

" Are you calling about my appointment? " He tried not to let is scorn for the word taint his voice.

Angela tone cracked, letting some bit of uncertainty creep into her voice. She sighed, " Well, that's why I called yes but... "

" But? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.

" You see, " Angela stammered a bit then sighed again. " You see, this rarely happens so I don't know what words to use. "

" What rarely happens? " Mr. Gold furrowed his brow. Her hesitation was concerning him.

Angela paused then said, " You're probation has been ended because it has been determined you pose no threat to society. Your lack of a criminal record coupled with the reports we have gotten from Sheriff Swan have led us to believe that what happened with Mr. French was an isolated incident that will not happen again. "

" I see, " Mr. Gold said. " And just what did those reports say? "

" Let me see, " Angela said. " Oh, here they are. One said you were attacked but made no act of retaliation but instead asked for police assistance. "

" Indeed I did, " Mr. Gold nodded. " I value my freedom so I asked Sheriff Swan for her assistance. "

" Yes. The report says that, " Angela replied. " And the next one said that, when your shop was burglarized, you stayed out of the way while Sheriff Swan handled it. "

Mr. Gold smiled, " That is correct. "

" So, " Angela continued. " Based on both of these incidents and the way they were resolved, we've decided that this is the best course of action. "

" I see, " Mr. Gold nodded. " Thank you. "

" Please don't make us regret making this decision, " Angela's voice became stern again, as if she regained her confidence. " As I said, something like this rarely happens. You must be a very lucky man. "

Mr. Gold continued to grin a bit, " Yes, perhaps I am. "

" That's all, Mr. Gold. Have a nice day, " Angela said.

" Oh, I believe I just might. Goodbye, Miss Marshal, " Mr. Gold said and hung up the phone. He walked into the back room, his eyes going to an old Victrola. He quirked his mouth as he walked to it, winding it up before setting the needle down on the record that was there.

He leaned on his cane as he listened to the music coming from the old record player. It still sounded better than anything to him. He narrowed his eyes when he felt a familiar and unwelcome presence in the room. " Inviting yourself in again, Regina? "

" So this where you ran off to, " Regina said as she walked into the room from the shop.

" I didn't think it wise to linger around the police station, " Mr. Gold glanced over his shoulder just slightly.

" No. It wouldn't have been, " Regina said.

" Besides, " Mr. Gold refocused his attention to the record player. " I needed to re-open the shop. "

Regina came to his side and listened to the music for a moment then gave a terse smirk. " How appropriate. 'The Swan', am I correct? "

" Yes, you are, " Mr. Gold replied. " An excellent piece. "

Regina gave an evil smirk, " Oh and you would know that, wouldn't you? "

Mr. Gold narrowed his eyes at her, disgusted by her implications. She made their fledgling relationship sound like he was after something other than her assistance. " Why have you come to bother me again? I did what you asked. "

" It was only one step in my plan, " Regina said. She walked over to the Victrola, lifting the needle gently to silence it.

" I wasn't finished listening to that, " Mr. Gold frowned.

" But I want you to listen to me, " Regina turned to face him again. " I need to tell you the next step. "

" And that would that be what? " Mr. Gold arched an eyebrow.

Regina walked over to the work table and sat on the edge. " I want you to offer up your legal services to Miss Blanchard. "

" You mean act as her defense lawyer? " Mr. Gold held back the smirk that was tugging at his lips. He recalled the tidbits he withheld from Regina, one of which was the fact he knew she would make the request she was making now. He feigned confusion, " Why would you want me to do that, Regina? "

" In due time, my dear Rumple. In due time, " Regina said, a wicked grin crossing her lips. Mr. Gold knew the grin all too well, certain Regina had a very diabolical plan in mind. " Go later this afternoon and do it. Call me if she accepts. "

" I will, " Mr. Gold said. " Now, if we're done... "

" We are, " Regina said. " For now, anyway. I can see myself out. "

" Please do, " Mr. Gold said. " I have... work I must attend to. "

Regina smirked coldly, " I bet you do. Good day, Rumple. "

Mr. Gold frowned as Regina left the back room, hating the way she said his name. He waited to hear the door open then close again before going to the Victrola. He wound it up again, placing the needle back on the record before heading to his work bench...

It had always been at the back of Rumplestiltskin's mind, the memory of what he had told Prince Charming and Snow White when they came to him for his help and what he had seen in the future. He had told them their child would save everyone from the dark curse. It would take twenty eight years for it to happen but it would happen. He, however, left out the little detail he was about to carry out.

Of course he knew about it but he didn't want to overwhelm the prince or Snow with too much information. They didn't need to know their grandchild would be the thing that would bring their daughter back to Storybrooke. They had enough to worry about with the curse and getting little Emma to safety. One just didn't lay their cards on the table at the beginning of the game, did they?

He was now sitting in a hospital office in a place called Phoenix. He had knew the city was where Emma had ended up... pregnant and alone. He already knew she was going to put her son up for adoption, something else he had seen in his visions. He knew Regina would come to him... just as he knew the right time to show up to collect the baby that was soon to be in his possession.

There was a knock at the door, a woman Rumplestiltskin knew as a social worker poking her head into the room. " Mr. Gold? "

Rumplestiltskin stood up, " Yes? "

" The baby is getting one last exam and then you can take him, " The social worker said.

" Wonderful, " Rumplestiltskin said. He cocked his head to the side, " May I please go get a cup of coffee? "

" Feel free to do whatever you like. The doctor said it will be awhile. The baby's going to need to be fed after the exam, " The social worker said. " And there's the paperwork you need to take to the prospective mother in... where did you say she was? "

" In Maine, " Rumplestiltskin said. " Storybrooke. "

" Right, " The social worker looked puzzled. " Why so far? "

Rumplestiltskin shrugged, " She told me to go as far as I needed. This is just where I ended up finding what she wanted. "

" She was specific? " The social worker still looked perplexed.

" Fairly, " Rumplestiltskin nodded.

The social worker pushed the door open, " I see. Well, I'll come find you when everything is in order and the baby is ready to leave. "

" Thank you, " Rumplestiltskin smiled and walked out the door. He stopped next to the social worker. " Is there a chance I can see the mother? "

" Not really, " The social worker frowned. " You see, she's in jail. She had the baby there and he was signed over to child services from there. He's been in a foster home for the last three weeks. "

Rumplestiltskin sighed though he knew exactly where Emma was at. " That's a shame. Do you know what for? "

" I can't disclose that information, " The social worker's tone was firm. " Legal issues and the like. "

" I understand, " Rumplestiltskin put his hand up. He smiled, " Just let me know when I can take the child. "

" I will, " The social worker nodded.

To Be Continued in 'Deal With The Devil'