A/N - I know there are a lot of fanfics that parody Ocean's Eleven but I have not seen one that's quite like mine. If there is, I apologize. It is unintentional. Also, I am going under the assumption that Neal Cassidy is Baelfire for two reasons: one - it gives me a lot more wiggle room with characters and plot and two - the thought of Gold as Henry's grandfather makes me all warm and fuzzy inside!

I do not own Ocean's Eleven nor Once Upon A Time. This is for my own twisted amusement!

Chapter One

A few rays of sunlight managed to break free and shine down upon the earth, despite the persistent rain clouds that blanketed the sky. Daniel Gold looked up and smiled. It was only a brief flicker of light amidst an ocean of darkness but he had had enough darkness the last two years to last him a lifetime.

Nodding to the guard, Gold limped through the iron gates of Massachusetts's largest medium security penitentiary and took his first breath as a free man.

The air held the distinct flavor of fresh summer rain and freedom.

He walked slowly towards the parking lot, enjoying the sensation of a light drizzle and warm breeze on his face. He could see a lone figure leaning casually against the hood of a late model black Cadillac, munching on an Apollo candy bar. He looked up as Gold approached and tried to stifle a laugh.

"Is something amusing you, dearie?"

The younger man smirked. "I don't think I've ever seen you look so rumpled, that's all. What? You couldn't bribe the guards to iron your suit for you?"

Gold frowned as he straightened his tie. "I'm afraid that this suit is beyond salvation. They had it stuffed inside an old cardboard box with the shoes lying on top of it for two years now. However, I'd take a rumpled suit over your outfit any day." He eyed the worn jeans and heavy metal t-shirt with disgust. "What did you do? Steal someone's laundry off their clothesline?"

"Come on, Papa, I haven't done that since I was a teen." He embraced his father in a warm hug, noting the slightly grayer hair around the older man's temples that wasn't there when he was first incarcerated. "Now I stake out Laundromats and collect clean clothes out of the dryer while the owners step out for a smoke."

"Bae…"

"I'm kidding, Papa! Just looking the part is all. The rest of the world knows me as Neal Cassidy, remember? I've been doing what you said; I got out of the game and turned legit. I have a job and everything."

"You're wearing Walmart jeans yet drive a new Cadillac?" Gold cupped his hand around his beloved son's face and gave him a knowing look. "You're not actually picking me up from prison in a stolen car, are you?"

Neal smiled brightly. "It's your first day back in the real world, Pops. Appearances are everything! You taught me that. Come on. There are brand new Armani suits hanging in the back for both of us, we have a suite booked at the Four Seasons in Boston and reservations for dinner at L'Espalier."

Gold chuckled as he slapped his son on the back. "Out of the game, my ass."

Neal shrugged as he opened the car door for his father. "Everyone needs a hobby."

~8~8~8~

Gold sipped his drink appreciatively, admiring how the full bodied red wine complimented his Angus beef steak and mushroom ragout perfectly. He would have to send his compliments to the sommelier.

Leaning back in the cushioned chair, he admired the unique book-lined walls that reminded him of the once extensive library in his old Victorian house. Now all he had were his memories and the questionably-acquired suit on his back. My, how his life has changed.

His son glanced up from his lamb chops and frowned. "So. Are you going to treat me like a grown up and tell me?"

"Hmmm?" Gold tore his eyes off of a first edition his nimble fingers itched to snatch and wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin. "Tell you what?"

"Come on! You, sitting alone in a jail cell with nothing to do but plot for two whole years, and you have to ask? You have a plan already."

Gold smirked. "Are you joking? I just became a citizen again."

"Who's the mark?"

"I've been deemed rehabilitated."

"Who's the mark?"

The waitress suddenly appeared to clear the table and informed them the soufflés they had pre-ordered would be out momentarily. Gold glanced around at the other patrons and lowered his voice.

"It's tricky; it's never been done before. The take…over one hundred million dollars."

"Papa!" That was not the answer Neal was looking for and he wasn't about to be distracted. "Who is the mark?"

"Tell me, son. When was the last time you were in Storybrooke?"

Neal choked on his coffee and sputtered. "You wanna knock over a casino?"

There was little else in the seaside city that could draw his father's attention and only one person that would draw his ire. "You're not seriously thinking about going up against Regina Mills? Are you crazy? Why do it?"

"Why not do it?"

"Give me a reason. And don't say money."

Gold sighed and ran his hand through his long hair. "Because I walked out of that prison today after losing two years of my life." His Scottish brogue grew thicker with every word. "Her betrayal didn't just cost me my freedom, it cost me everything! I lost my home, possessions I spent a lifetime acquiring, I lost every penny fighting to keep my sentence down. I lost time with the ones I love." He gently laid his worn hand over Neal's and gave it a squeeze. "Because the house always wins. You play long enough, you never change the stakes, the house always takes you. Unless that perfect hand comes along and you bet big, and then you take the house."

Neal placed his other hand on top of his father's and sighed. "You practiced that speech didn't you?"

Gold laughed. "A little bit. Did I rush it?"

"No, it was good. Very powerful."

Their desserts arrived and Gold swirled the delightful mix of dark chocolate and subtle mint around his tongue. The bland prison food he had been forced to choke down for two thousand meals already long forgotten. God, it was good to be free!

"You know, Papa, to pull this off you're going to need a crew as nuts as you." Neal pointed a chocolate covered spoon in his direction. "I'm in. Who else have you got in mind?"