Once Upon A Time: The Devil's Next Step, Part One

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

(ABC owns 'Once'. After Emma begins believing, she finds out it was just one part of breaking the curse. Magic has returned to Storybrooke, making it a much different place than before.)

Emma sat on the couch in the apartment, pondering Henry's storybook. She was searching it for an answer to what had happened but was having no luck finding it. It had been a couple of strange days since the purple cloud had enveloped Storybrooke, once again freezing it in time. The only thing different though was everyone seemed to remember their previous lives, including the long frozen years in Storybrooke.

Well, she assumed everyone. She wasn't about to go out interrogate the whole town to find out if that statement were true or not. She did know that those closest to her recalled their lives in The Enchanted Forest. Mary-Margret and David remembered who they were, making for a reunion Emma had never imagined happening.

She had never thought she would ever meet her parents and now she had. Physically, they weren't much older than her, which felt odd but Emma didn't mind too much. She had her parents back and that was enough.

In fact, they were out, looking at houses so they could move from the tiny apartment. Emma had debated on moving in with them or keeping the apartment as hers. She valued her independence but she also wanted to be close to them to make up for twenty-eight years of not having them. It was quite a complex decision but it could be decided later.

She needed to figure out what was going on with this seemingly new curse. She set the book aside, putting her head in her hands and sighing. She shut her eyes to try and think but was interrupted by a knock at the front door. " Coming! " She called as she got up from the couch.

She went to the door and opened it, finding Frederick standing there. She narrowed her eyes, recalling how betrayed she had felt when Mr. Gold had tricked her into giving him the potion. She suspected he had used it somehow to bring magic back to Storybrooke, a plan he had kept hidden from her when she was frantic to save Henry. Something about that man scrambled her senses and she always made bad decisions whenever he was involved.

Her stomach clenched as the memory of one of those bad decisions. She still felt foolish for getting into bed with him instead of resisting him. She had been tricked into thinking she had feelings for him, either by her own mind or him, she still wasn't for certain. Just thinking about it brought up a confusing mess emotions she had neither the will or the ability to sort out.

She felt anger, sadness and... longing. It was a strange combination that left her bewildered. She was angry for how he had used her to get the egg, putting her life in danger for it. It made her sad because she thought they had come so far but seemed they weren't as far as she thought. The most puzzling emotion was the longing for she didn't know how she could still want him after everything he had done.

" Miss Swan, " Frederick said. His face remained professional as he said, " The boss would like to see you. "

" Well, you can tell him fat chance, Frederick. I'm not in the mood to talk to him, " Emma frowned. She was pretty certain one of two things would happen if she saw Mr. Gold again. She would either want to beat the Hell out of him or he would use his silver tongue to talk her into forgiving him once more.

She pushed away the thought of the last time she forgave him, the musing sending a sharp surge of heat through her. The night in question had found them both hurting and needy. Though he hadn't said why, she had sensed it. After all, it was quite odd to find him at home when there were deals to be made so she knew something was up.

But she couldn't be weak. She had to make an effort to resist and stand up to him. It irked her how he found it amusing but she was determined not to put up with his ways. She again felt like she was dancing, unable to do nothing but let him lead her wherever he pleased.

Frederick's face remained stony as he said, " I see. I was afraid you'd say that. "

Emma furrowed her brow as Frederick moved with a speed she didn't know someone his size could have. Before she knew it, there was a cloth over her mouth and the unmistakeable scent of chloroform. A moment later, everything went black...

When Emma regained feeling, she could tell she was laying down. She lamely moved her hand, finding she was on a very familiar feeling couch. She could smell leather... and fur. She lifted her hand, finding the sable blanket was covering her.

It was the same sable blanket that had been over her when she had fallen asleep during her protection detail. Her anger rose and she forced her eyes open, validating what she had already assumed. She found herself in the den of Mr. Gold's summer house, a fire burning in the fireplace and she could see a chair had been pulled up to the fireside.

As her vision focused, she could see a cane leaning against the arm of the chair. " Gold! " Emma growled the best she could. She was still feeling a little weak from being so unceremoniously knocked out.

" Yes, my dear. I'm here, " He said but didn't show himself. " I'm so sorry about that. "

Emma forced herself up, her head swimming a bit. " Sorry for what, you bastard? Using me to get the potion? "

" No, " Mr. Gold replied. There was a little table to the left of chair Emma hadn't noticed until he reached over and sat down a glass of whiskey. " I needed that. I was rather certain you wouldn't have helped me get it if I had been straightforward about it though. "

Emma frowned, " No. Probably not. Especially if you had told me what you were going to do with it. Why did you bring back magic? "

" Oh? You know about that? " Mr. Gold still didn't bother to stand up as he spoke. Emma was beginning to wonder if he was hiding something from her.

She wouldn't have been surprised if he was. He seemed to love doing it. " I've heard rumors around town. So has Henry. "

" I see, " Mr. Gold replied. " I suppose word would have gotten out sooner or later. "

" What are you playing at, Gold? Why did you do this? " Emma tried to move but the room moved with her. " I started believing. Wasn't that enough? "

Mr. Gold chuckled, " Oh no, my dear. It was merely the first step. "

" Just the first step? " Emma blinked.

" Well, it wouldn't have been much of a final battle if that was ALL you had to do. Don't you agree? " Mr. Gold teased her just slightly. It was faint but Emma did pick up on his tone.

" The final battle, " Emma muttered. " You mean that wasn't what happened with that dragon down in the basement? "

" Oh no, " Mr. Gold replied. " The final battle involves you against Regina. You have to take her down. "

Emma growled, " I could have done that before you brought the magic back. Now, she's got all of her powers. How am I supposed to stand up against that? "

" Ah, ah, ah! " Mr. Gold said sharply. " You don't mess with the wheels of fate. "

" Screw fate, " Emma said. " I haven't got a snowball's chance in Hell now. Not if everything in Henry's book is true. "

" Yes you do! " Mr. Gold replied firmly. " You have magic inside of you but we need to develop it. We need to make you more powerful than Regina. "

" We? " Emma arched an eyebrow. " Who said I wanted to have anything more to do with you? "

" Again, the wheels of fate, " Mr. Gold said. He grabbed his cane from where it was propped up, finally making a move. He rose out of the chair and turned to face Emma. She cursed her heart when it leapt at the sight of him just like it always did.

It paid no regard to the fact she was a form of pissed off that didn't have a name yet. Even though his back was to the fire, she could still make out his face. His dark eyes glinted in the dim light and he had a calm expression. " Have you eaten? " He asked.

Emma furrowed her brow at the sudden change in subject. " How can you think of food right in the middle of this conversation? I still have a million questions for you. "

" Because I'm hungry and we can discuss it while we eat, " Mr. Gold said. He walked over to the couch and put a hand out to Emma. She glared at him and he pulled it back, " You do look so pretty when you're angry, Emma. "

Emma frowned deeply, " Shut up. "

Mr. Gold smirked, " Fine then. You can get up on your own. Dinner is in the kitchen. I'm sure you remember where that is. "

Emma watched as Mr. Gold left the room. She willed herself to get up and managed to do it without falling over. She followed him through the dining room then to the kitchen. He didn't look back at her as he continued to walk to the island in the middle of the kitchen.

" Alston put the plates in the oven to keep them warm, " Mr. Gold said. He then glanced at her, " You can take a seat at the breakfast table and I will bring you yours. "

Emma frowned, remembering what had happened the last time she had sat down with him at the other house. " I think I'll stand while I eat. "

Mr. Gold looked at her, smiling bemusedly, " I have no intentions of that. This meeting is purely business. Any... recreation will have to wait for another time. "

" Business, " Emma scoffed though the word 'recreation' sent an inward shiver through her. " We can talk here. I'm not even sure I'll eat after that stunt you had Frederick pull. I don't know if you put something in it to keep me here. "

" I didn't do that, " Mr. Gold scoffed. " Besides, you can't leave until Frederick takes you home. It's quite a walk back to town. "

" I could arrest the both of you for kidnapping, " Emma tried to sound threatening. He was as vexing as ever.

Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " Oh that's right. You ARE still the sheriff, aren't you? "

" Is this still Storybrooke? " Emma arched an eyebrow. The town didn't look any different but the air seemed strange. She could feel something like static electricity in it and wondered if it was the magic she was feeling.

" Yes, " Mr. Gold nodded. He then a wicked grin graced his lips, " But with a little more. "

" So I'm still the sheriff, " Emma said firmly.

Mr. Gold sighed, " I'm afraid you would have to arrest Frederick only. I just told him to do whatever was necessary to get you here. I never told him to kidnap you and I was not there when he did it. My hands are clean. "

Emma frowned. He did have a point. She narrowed her eyes, " This time. "

Mr. Gold sighed, " However you want to see it. I was here the entire time and had no idea he was going to do that. "

" Just get the food out so we can talk and I can get out of here, " Emma said. She turned her head when some movement just outside the window caught her eye. Out in the yard, she could see someone walking in the growing twilight. The person was just far enough away, she could only make out a blue dress and reddish brown hair.

She caught her breath as she went cold, her mind switching to 'police mode'. She darted for the back door, throwing it open before bolting out into the yard. She sprinted to the figure, shouting " Freeze! "

The figure turned around, revealing it was a beautiful woman with blue eyes. Emma blinked and she blinked in response, her obvious shock showing on her face. " I'm sorry? "

" Who are you? " Emma asked sharply. " What are you doing here? "

The woman blinked again then said, " My name is Belle and I live here. Who are you? "

Emma felt her stomach fall to her feet. She frowned, " You... live... here? "

" Yes, " Belle nodded. She brightened as she looked past Emma, " You can ask him. He will tell you I do. "

Emma turned to find Mr. Gold was approaching as quickly as he could. When he got close enough, Emma called to him. " Mr. Gold? "

" Yes? " He replied once he had reached the women. He looked a little bewildered, something Emma hadn't seen too often. Truth be told, he looked a bit scared.

" Do you know this woman? " Emma motioned to Belle. " She says she lives here. "

" I do, " Belle sounded confused and looked at little panicked. " Who are you? Why are you talking to me this way? "

" I'm the sheriff and I've never seen you before, " Emma said as she looked in her eyes. Belle seemed a little frightened of Emma.

" Maybe because I just came to live here, " Belle took a step away from Emma. She looked like she wanted to run away. She glanced at Mr. Gold then at Emma again.

Emma furrowed her brow, " Just? How long is just? "

" Two days ago, " Belle said quietly. " Is there something wrong with that? "

Emma looked at Mr. Gold. She fought the urge to slap him across the face as she said, " Is that true? "

Mr. Gold took a deep breath and let it out before nodding. " Yes. It's a long story but you will understand once I tell it. "

Emma frowned, " How do I know you aren't going to lie to me again? "

Belle took a step towards Mr. Gold and took his left hand in both of hers before looking at Emma. She still looked scared but put on a brave facade as she said, " I won't let him. "

Emma sighed, " Whatever. Let's get inside before it gets dark. "

Belle looked at Mr. Gold, " Rumplestiltskin? "

Emma blinked again, realizing the woman in front of her must have known Mr. Gold before the curse. She would have no other reason to call him by his real name. She wondered where she figured in to his life though.

" Yes, my dear? " Mr. Gold said quietly. Emma felt a pang in her heart at the way he called her 'dear'. His tender tone spoke volumes. He had only used the tone with her in their intimate moments and it was like a knife to her heart.

" I'm hungry, " Belle said quietly. " May we please go inside and eat? "

" There's food in the oven, " Mr. Gold told her then looked at Emma. " Will you please stay and listen to my tale? I swear you'll understand. "

Emma frowned, fighting the urge to run to the farthest reaches of the yard and cry. She urged herself to give him a chance, albeit a small one and sighed, " Not like I have much choice. I'm not walking all the way back to town. "

" Regina came to me and told me Belle had died, " Mr. Gold sighed as he finished telling Emma the story. He had explained in sufficient detail about Belle but didn't tell everything. She hadn't stopped him at any point so he was certain she was pleased with what he had told. He glanced at her then back at Emma, " As you can see, she is not dead. "

Emma's eyes darted between them, the wheels in her mind obviously turning as she processed the fantastic story she had just heard. She was obviously trying to mask the fact she was upset but wasn't doing a very good job at it. He could see unshed tears just below the surface of her intense gaze.

Finally, she found her voice as she looked at Belle, " What really happened after you ran away? "

" After... After Rumplestiltskin threw me out, I decided to get my mind off it all and see the world before I went home to my family and friends. Well, at least what I could of it, " Belle's voice was quiet and shook a little bit. It seemed to take a bit of effort for her to speak for she seemed intimidated by Emma and her scrutiny, probably sensing her hidden agitation as hostility.

Mr. Gold furrowed his brow, " What? How did you manage that? You had nothing when I made you leave. "

Belle looked at him and gave him the tiniest of smirks, " That's where you are wrong. On my way out of the castle, I grabbed a few spools of thread. They paid my way quite well. "

" Oh. I didn't even realize they were gone, " Mr. Gold frowned. The smirk made Emma frown deeper and he knew it had hurt her a bit.

Belle's smirk became a little more pronounced, " I figured you weren't going to miss them. You had so many. "

" I'm assuming it was golden thread, " Emma said, drawing Belle's attention back to her. Her tone was tight, like she was trying to control a strong emotion. Anger or sadness, he wasn't quite certain.

Belle nodded, giving Mr. Gold an imploring look. He knew she was asking permission to answer Emma's question. He nodded and Belle looked at Emma again. " Yes. He would spin for hours and hours. He had more gold than he could ever spend. "

Emma looked at him, " Why did you do that so much if you didn't need it? "

Mr. Gold sighed, " That's another story for another time, my dear. Perhaps I will tell it to you some day. "

" He said it was to help him forget, " Belle said softly. " However, he never told what he was trying to forget. "

" That is because it is deeply personal, " Mr. Gold said with a gentle firmness. " And I made you leave before I could tell you all of it. "

Emma quirked her mouth, " It has something to do with your son, doesn't it? "

" I said... " Mr. Gold began.

Belle touched his right hand with her left, " Perhaps another time. I would like to continue with my story now. "

" Please do, " Mr. Gold nodded. He frowned slightly as Belle took her hand away from his. Her touch was all too brief.

" How did Regina catch you? " Emma focused on Belle. She looked very curious to hear the rest of her story.

" It was an ambush. I was walking through the woods, minding my own business when her guards seized me. Before I knew it, Regina had me locked away in a dungeon, " Belle said.

Mr. Gold looked at Belle, " And she kept you prisoner after the curse was enacted? "

" Yes, " Belle nodded. " Though I didn't remember anything until we were walking to the well. I had no idea who you were until that moment. "

" Where did Regina have you locked up? " Emma asked. It seemed her line of questioning was keeping her on an even keel. " Does Regina have some secret dungeon somewhere? "

Belle furrowed her brow, " Uh, no. It looked like a hospital. I really didn't have time to take a good look. The man who set me free told me to run and I did. "

Emma frowned, " Wait. Storybrooke hospital? "

" We'd have to assume so, " Mr. Gold interjected. He sensed some degree of doubting tainting Emma's questions. " She did say she didn't take time to look around but she was close enough to walk to my shop. "

" But how did you know how to find Mr. Gold? " Emma asked. She sounded a bit perplexed by that detail.

Belle blinked, " The man who let me go told me to find him and tell him Regina had me locked up. I had no idea what he was talking about but he was adamant I do it. "

" What did this guy look like? Do you remember? " Emma arched an eyebrow.

Belle thought for a long moment then nodded. " It was a man. A male nurse. I had never seen him before. He had these piercing blue eyes, curly dark hair and... and a strange scar around his neck, " Belle motioned to her own neck as she spoke.

Emma blinked, " All the way around? "

" I don't know. We only spoke briefly, " Belle said. " As I already said, he told me to run and I did. "

The sharp breath Emma took and her visible paling didn't go unnoticed by Mr. Gold. The description of Belle's mysterious rescuer seemed to hit a nerve. He looked at her, " Does that mean something to you? "

Emma looked at him then shook her head, " No. "

Mr. Gold quirked his mouth. He saw so much in Emma's reaction but he wouldn't press it. Not in front of Belle anyway. Their eyes locked and she flushed ever so slightly under his gaze, unable to hide the fact he still had an effect on her though she was angry with him.

Belle reached over and took his right hand in her left, " Rumplestiltskin? "

" Yes, Belle? " He turned to her, breaking the eye contact he had made with Emma.

" I'm quite tired, " Belle sighed. " I'm going to my room now. "

Mr. Gold gave her hand a squeeze, " Alright. I still have things I need to discuss with Miss Swan. I'll come check on you when I'm finished. "

Belle gave Emma a guarded glance then rose from her seat. " Goodnight then. "

Emma nodded and stiffly said, " Goodnight. "

Mr. Gold watched as she left the kitchen, watching the door long after she had left. She had been keeping her distance, save for a few touches of her hand. She had been less than happy with him when he said he was bringing the magic back. All she ever wanted was for him to be ordinary but he still had things to do.

Most of her time had been spent wandering the grounds of the summer estate. When she wasn't doing that, she could be found reading a book next to the fish pond. She spent very little time inside and Mr. Gold understood why. After being imprisoned, he had wanted to be able to feel his freedom as well.

Once he was sure she wasn't coming back, he returned his attention to Emma. He arched an eyebrow at the strange look Emma had on her face. " Is something bothering you, my dear? "

" Let me get this straight, " Emma said. " You took her to be your housekeeper in exchange for that region to have protection. "

" Correct and I gave it, " Mr. Gold nodded. It was true. Once he had taken Belle, the Ogres' forces retreated from their borders and peace returned to that part of the realm. " After... "

" After what? " Emma asked after he fell silent.

Mr. Gold looked away from her as he thought. He would have to reveal details about his son if he continued. Emma knew he had lost him but he hadn't told her how. He decided to keep the details light and hoped it wouldn't beget even more questions.

" Gold? " Emma asked sharply.

He took a deep breath, then let it out. " After I ended the Ogre Wars that took my son from me, they were afraid to defy me. "

" The wars that... took your son? " Emma blinked. " He died in war? "

Mr. Gold shook his head, " No. He was taken to fight but I halted the war before any children could be killed. They took them as soon as they turned fourteen in those days. "

Emma blinked, " Then what became of him if he didn't die? "

Mr. Gold frowned. He didn't have the time to explain everything, not when she had the answers she needed. He sighed, " You haven't read Henry's book at all, have you? "

Emma nodded, " I was looking at it when Frederick came to get me. I was trying to find some answers but Henry took out the part about me. We burned it shortly after I came to town. He said it was to protect me from Regina. "

" So have you read any of it at all? " Mr. Gold asked. He wasn't surprised Henry had done such a thing. For a ten-year old boy, he had excellent intuition and it made him wonder what other skills the boy might possess.

" Yes, " Emma said. " A couple of stories he's shown me and to find out about the... "

Mr. Gold didn't miss the look she had on her face as her voice trailed off. She looked scared and her face paled again. " What did you look at the book to find out about, Emma? "

" Nothing, " Emma said almost too quickly. She had never been too successful at hiding things from him. He could always find out, one way or another.

" I won't let you leave until you tell me, " He countered. He was amused by the way her eyes went wide and she frowned deeply. " I can wait all night if I have to. "

" That would be illegal imprisonment tacked on to the kidnapping charge, " Emma started.

" The laws of your world no longer apply to Storybrooke, my dear, " Mr. Gold replied coolly. " Besides, we already decided I couldn't be charged with that. "

Emma sat back, realizing she had again lost the argument. " Oh yeah. "

Mr. Gold quirked his mouth, " So. What were you trying to find out about? "

" I... " Emma said. " I don't want to talk about it. I'm still trying to... make sense of it all. "

Mr. Gold cocked his head to the side, " Does it have to do with that night Mary-Margret escaped from jail? You still haven't told me what happened. Whatever it was, I can tell it affected you deeply. "

Emma looked at the table and bit her lip. She shut her eyes then sighed, " We were kidnapped by a guy that matches the description Belle just gave us of the guy that set her free. "

" Oh? " Mr. Gold leaned forward a bit. He had been unable to see anything that had happened that night except for the man he now realized was Emma's captor. Belle's description had reminded him of the man he was able to see but couldn't be sure it was the same man. " And how did that happen? "

Emma opened her eyes slowly but still didn't look at him, " I went looking for Mary-Margret and I was speeding through the back roads and I scared a man walking on the side of the road. He fell into the ditch and I thought I hit him. I got out to see if he was okay but he was limping. He said he had twisted his ankle. "

" Had he? " Mr. Gold asked. He had seen her stop to help the man in his vision but it had faded before he could really see anything.

" I thought he had. He asked me what I was doing so I told him I was looking for a lost dog, " Emma replied. " I offered him a ride home and he offered to help. "

" How did he offer to help? " Mr. Gold listened intently.

" He said he had a map of the woods, " Emma replied. " He offered me a cup of tea and I took it. "

Mr. Gold frowned. He must have been quite charming for Emma to let her defenses down in such a way. He didn't think she would have ever taken a drink from a stranger otherwise. " And then what happened? "

" We looked at the map and I started feeling funny, " Emma sighed. " He carried me over to a couch and laid me down. It was then I realized he had drugged me. I was still slightly aware when he tied me up. "

Mr. Gold recalled he had seen Emma tied up on a white couch, her story going along with what he had seen in the flames. He hadn't been able to see much more than that and he recalled how concerned he had been for her the entire night. He had wanted to go find her but had no clue where to start looking. " Please continue. "

" I woke up and found he had been watching me. He had this telescope pointed towards the police station, " Emma's tone let him know she was still affected by the ordeal.

" So how did you find Mary-Margret? " He asked.

Emma sighed, " He had caught her as well. I found that out after I had come to and got myself untied. "

" So he captured you both? " Mr. Gold furrowed his brow.

" Yes, " Emma nodded. " He said he was saving her life from the curse. "

" He knew of the curse? " Mr. Gold furrowed his brow. As far as he knew, only Regina, Henry and him knew of it. It seemed someone had escaped his detection and he could only think of one way that was possible.

Emma nodded, " Yes. And he knew I was the Savior. He said I brought magic to town. He said... he said he wanted me to help him make a hat. "

" You were quite scared, weren't you? " Mr. Gold could tell she had been. She looked scared to death as she talked.

" He was completely insane and threatening me with a gun, " Emma nodded. " He was unpredictable. "

" And what did he say the hat would do? " Mr. Gold asked.

Emma frowned, " He said it would take him and his daughter home. "

" Were you able to get it to work? " Mr. Gold leaned forward. He was curious. If Emma's magic had manifested itself at that time then it meant she had almost began to believe.

Emma shook her head, " I don't know. I tried to get away from him and we fought. "

" The marks on your neck the day of the arraignment, " Mr. Gold eyed her throat. He recalled the angry red marks she refused to talk about. " They were from him. "

Emma nodded slowly, " Yeah. We struggled, he tried to choke me and he managed to get the gun from me. "

" How did you get away? " Mr. Gold knew Emma was strong. He knew that from personal experience.

" Mary-Margret whacked him with a croquet mallet and kicked him out a window, " Emma sounded like she was having trouble believing her own words.

" Well, well, " Mr. Gold muttered. Snow White had been quite the grappler during her time on the run from Regina so he wasn't surprised. " Remind me not to piss her off. "

Emma scoffed, " Yeah. She could probably kick your ass. "

" So you say this man vanished? " Mr. Gold returned to the subject at hand. The look on Emma's face made him wonder if she was contemplating getting her mother after him. He then decided she would probably just hurt him herself.

Emma nodded, " It seemed so. I guess not now if he was the one who helped Belle escape. "

" It would stand to reason, " Mr. Gold nodded.

" Now, " Emma said. " What were we going to talk about? "

Mr. Gold sat back, " Oh yes. I brought you here tonight to offer you my help in developing your magic. "

Emma arched an eyebrow, " My magic? "

" Yes, " Mr. Gold nodded. " Can't you feel the electricity in the air? That light crackling feeling that feels like static? "

Emma took a sharp breath then nodded, " Yes. "

" That's the power you must learn to harness. When the curse was broken, it unlocked something that was sleeping inside of you, " Mr. Gold said. " It unlocked the magic I put on the contract. "

" So it's your magic in me? " Emma asked.

" In a way, yes but it is also yours, " Mr. Gold said. " You see, it has to be me to help you because we're connected. We have been since before you were born. "

" And how does Belle figure into all of this? " Emma asked.

" I don't let that trouble you, " Mr. Gold sighed. He wasn't certain how Belle figured in but was determined to find out. " Go home and read the book. I'll answer any questions you may have after that. "

" So I can go? " Emma asked.

Mr. Gold nodded once then stood up, " I'm sure your family is missing you by now. Just give me a moment to call Frederick. "