Prologue

"So it is true then? What they say about you. "

"Yes," Rumplestiltskin flourished. "It's all true."

Lacey shook her head in admiration. "You are not who I thought you were. And I'm glad! You really are as dark as people say."

"Darker, dearie," Rumplestiltskin replied after a moment, "much darker." He turned his back to her and swung the cane.

After a few more minutes, the former Sheriff of Nottingham was nearly beaten to a pulp.

Rumplestiltskin straightened and wove his hand over what was left of the man. Then he turned to the girl behind him, brushing back his hair.

Belle's blue eyes were shining from Lacey's, "What did you just do?" Glee was in her voice.

"A spell," he replied, "so that by dawn he will be back to his physical self." He took a step towards her, "After he's suffered all night."

Lacey smirked, "Why do that?"

He shrugged, "The last time the consequences rather…inconvenienced me. This way, I get the same effect without any messy legal complications."

Lacey nodded approving, "Good idea." Her smile broadened, "And he won't dare tell."

"No, he won't," Rumplestiltskin held out his hand.

Her mascara smudged face was still glowing, but she tilted her head looking a little wary. "What?"

"What?" Rumplestiltskin repeated, imitating her tone. He stepped forward and pulled her to him, "The night is young." His arm wrapped around her shoulders and she laughed. He did too as he steered her away from the Rabbit Hole.

"So," Lacey asked as they walked, "where are you taking me?"

"You need to ask?" He looked surprised.

Her smile brightened, "I suppose not." She glanced around, "Don't you want to take the car?"

"Oh, we can walk," he commented as his arm tightened, "Granny's is not far."

Lacey broke step with him, and slipped out of his arm. "Granny's?" Lacey shook her head, "I had something more comfortable in mind." Sultry.

"No, dearie," Rumplestiltskin turned to her, his smile fading to steel, "Granny's. Your dinner is getting cold."

"My dinner, " she tried to laugh, but couldn't quite make it come out.

"Yes, dinner. I believe we have a date to finish," Rumple said easily. "And one thing you no doubt have heard," he pulled her close to him again, looking down at her with an iron smile, "nobody breaks a deal with me."