Seven

Regina drummed her nails against her coffee cup in annoyance. She hated when things didn't go according to plan: her plan. And Rumplestiltskin's little lovestruck bird flying the coop was not part of her plan.

Rose French was supposed to be her leverage if things went south. Now, her human 'insurance policy' was out of her hands and waltzing about in the world. Regina scowled. She'd have to find a new safety cushion to place between herself and that scheming imp, and soon. Perhaps another deal could be struck. The man was easy enough to manipulate if the girl was involved. She just needed the right circumstances to present themselves – or failing that, to manufacture them.

Until then, she had two points of consolation. One was that whatever he might think or feel now that he knew Belle had survived, Rumplestiltskin couldn't break the curse. This was one spell even the Dark One was powerless to undo. The other was that she'd been keeping a close eye on the lame-legged shopkeeper – sometimes her own, sometimes Sydney's – and as far as she could tell, Mr. Gold was steering completely clear of his precious Rose. Regina had a few guesses as to why, but the reason didn't really matter. The point was, he couldn't have his true love anywhere near him. That gave her quite a bit of satisfaction.

Almost as much as watching Snow White squirm.

Seeing Mary Margaret and David floundering on their own, trying to get by without each other, was sweeter than Granny's apple pie a la mode. Kathryn still hadn't been found, and while she was missing, those two didn't dare be seen together. She could have licked their misery up with a spoon.

And here comes the bane of Maleficent's existence, the mayor thought wanly, watching as a stunning blonde girl even taller and slimmer than Ruby waltzed into the diner. Regina could see why her only friend hated the girl. Her narrow face might not have rivaled Snow White's beauty, or even her own, but Aurora was gorgeous nonetheless, especially with her supermodel frame and long golden locks. Hmm. Now that I think about it, it's surprising I haven't seen Maleficent in Storybrooke. Well, she's got to be lurking around here somewhere. Maybe as a bag lady. That idea made her snort to herself with schadenfreude.

The girl who had once been Princess Aurora wasn't alone, however, and the person trailing just behind her instantly caught Regina's eye. Well, well. Here's an interesting development. A wicked smile played at the mayor's perfectly painted lips when Moe French's daughter walked warily past her table. Oh, don't worry, dear. You have nothing to fear from me – at the moment.

*LL*

"Couple of strawberry protein shakes?" Dawn asked Ruby. The sassy waitress shot her a smirk & sashayed off to place the order. "My treat."

"You don't have to do that," Rose demurred, trying not to openly shudder at the presence of the dark-haired woman seated at the table just behind them. The image of that icily beautiful face peering through the hole in the door was one Rose could never forget.

"Nope, I insist. Having someone to talk to in the gym makes it so much more fun!" the blonde grinned. Clearly, Dawn was oblivious to Rose's sudden discomfort. "And I totally mean to keep my promise. I will be on the lookout for a fabulous guy for you."

"That's very kind, but you barely know me," Rose pointed out. "Why would you just assume I deserve a fabulous guy?"

"Because the aunts don't get along with just anybody. They wouldn't let someone shady stay in their house for any price," Dawn informed her. "If they're letting you stay in my old room, they like you, and trust me, that's saying a lot."

Rose smiled awkwardly, wondering just what Mr. Gold had done to convince them she was worth taking in off the street. Had he told them her hard-luck story? Or, like Mr. Gold himself, had she perhaps known them as a child and simply didn't recall? Whatever the case, she was beginning to understand just how carefully her godfather had chosen the roof under which she lived. But if the Withers' reputation was as spotless as it seemed to be, did that mean his reputation was as bad as theirs was good? What could the man she thought of as gentle and kind have done to earn the community's dislike?

Ruby brought out their shakes then. "Bottoms up, ladies."

"Thanks, Ruby." Dawn paid the red-streaked waitress and took a sip. "Wow. When are you gonna show me how you make these?"

"When you put on a uniform and join me in the kitchen," the other girl wisecracked. "'Til then, it's my little secret."

"Tease," Dawn jabbed.

"Takes one to know one," Ruby chuckled. "So, who's the new girl in town?"

"Oh, I'm not new," Rose offered, "I'm just… I don't get out much, you know?" When Ruby cocked a dubious eyebrow, she spoke up, "Sorry. I'm Rose. Rose French."

"Old Moe has a daughter?" Ruby wondered aloud, glancing at Dawn. "I guess we went to school together. Sorry I couldn't remember right off."

"It's okay. I wasn't that popular." Rose shrugged, wishing the cold feeling snaking across her back would stop. Who was that woman, anyway?

"Oh, don't worry. We'll take care of that," Dawn said with a confident tilt of her chin. "Just trust me."

Before she could mull over what exactly the blonde meant by that, the bell on the door rang, indicating another customer. Smiles faded and glances turned edgy as Granny's most recent patron made his way to the counter.

Rose felt him before she even turned around; felt his nearness, warm and tender and sad, at her right. Her breath caught. She didn't know whether or not it was okay to smile at him, or even make eye contact. They hadn't exactly established 'rules' for how keeping their distance was supposed to work. She stayed still, almost frozen, and waited to see what he would do.

*LL*

Mr. Gold had never been the best cook, but that wasn't why he made a trek to Granny's every weekday to pick up lunch and sometimes breakfast. His presence at the diner was a daily reminder that he was still around, and still largely in possession of this quaint little village; a force to be reckoned with, though his hand was less visible than the mayor's. All those uncomfortable faces were a reassuring sight to him – all save one.

Rose. He hadn't expected her to be here. Even worse, the mayor was regrettably present. Regina sat like a vulture, contemplatively flexing her talons as she eyed the only person in this town he gave a damn about. The cruel beauty shot him a smug smile, taunting him. Beneath a deceptively cool demeanor, Mr. Gold seethed.

Fortunately, his daily routine was well established. He didn't have to ask for Ruby to disappear into the back to get his to-go bag. No words had to be exchanged as she rung him up. Just his presence was enough to get the ball rolling. Everyone was happy to hurry him on his way, glad to see the back of him.

Except her. By all that was magical, he could feel Rose's eyes trying not to look at him and failing. He wanted more than anything to return her gaze, to lose himself in those blue eyes and never find his way out again. But with grim determination, he clasped the bag in his hand and steered himself towards the door without so much as a glance in his dearest's direction.

"Mr. Gold," Mayor Mills's voice halted him. "Do you have a minute?"

"Not now," he said crisply, but she was not to be dissuaded.

"I just wanted to know if you recognize that girl over there," Regina mused with false apathy. "The one with Dawn Bryer. She looks… familiar to me, but I can't seem to place her name."

"Your guess is as good as mine," the long-haired man cleverly countered.

The mayor whuffed appraisingly. "Pretty girl, don't you think? Not as pretty as her friend there, but with the right look, I bet she could turn a few heads in this town."

Mr. Gold gave her a sardonic glare. "I don't really notice that sort of thing. Confirmed old bachelor and all that."

"Well, someone will," Regina surmised. "Especially with a friend like Miss Bryer. She draws attention wherever she goes."

"Indeed," he agreed, eyes narrowing. "But as fascinating as the idea of your own little Storybrooke soap opera might be, I'm afraid I have a business to run. Please, excuse me."

He hated using his 'Get Out of The Queen's Presence Free' card too often, but he couldn't stand another moment of her sick gloating over the fact that Rose might fall in love with another man – especially with the girl in question less than ten feet away from him. A sharp ache tinged inside his chest. As quickly as his spindly legs and cane would take him, he rushed back to the safety of his shop.

*LL*

A/N: It has been pointed out that in the previous chapter's footnotes, I had Cinderella's fairy godmother alive when in the show, she was killed. I didn't see the entire Cinderella episode & that's the only part of the series I've missed, so okay, I made an honest mistake. Woops! After some thought, I've chosen to leave it in. The character isn't exactly crucial to the story. Besides, I like the idea of the fairy godmothers palling around. It's cute to me.