Chapter Text
While waiting for Emma to show for their morning tea and cocoa late the week after little Alexandria was born, Belle contemplated how things were going toward breaking the curse. There was personal movement on the Uil front, but no sign of a return of Rumpel's memories. The backstory the curse had given Rumpel to explain his coming to Storybrooke was tragic and at the same time prosaic. She was not terribly surprised that in the curse version his son had died. Had the boy just been lost even the somnolent Mr. Gold that existed before Emma's arrival would have made some effort to locate him.
Henry's escapade down the mines raised some interesting questions about what Regina was hiding down there. However, spelunking was more than a bit beyond her skill set and it rather looked like Regina was going to fill them in before she got the chance to try in any event. She had been looking over the town histories. Those mines honeycombed under the entire area. Which had in turn led her to a very interesting tale of a wishing well that could return that which was lost.
That well was almost certainly standing in for Lake Nostos. Which would probably be extremely helpful, if she had any idea how to get the damn thing to work without magic. She really should have squeezed more information about this curse out of Rumpel. As she understood it you needed magic to end the curse, but until the curse ended this world had no magic. No doubt her tricky lover could have figured out an angle to get around the problem, but so far all she was coming up with was a headache.
Leaning back she let her mind wander from the question. Sometimes if you let go of a problem the solution would percolate up through your subconscious.
Interestingly Charming had hung around after Mary Margaret had left for school. He was perusing the Mirror's want ads. Belle nonchalantly headed toward the counter. “Can I get a refill, Mrs. Lucas?”
As Granny got her more tea, Belle glanced over David's shoulder. “I've never found the Mirror's advertising all that interesting. Are you looking for something?”
“A job.” David sighed. “And there doesn't seem to be much available. And what little there is I'm not qualified for.”
Rumpelstiltskin had wanted Prince Charming as an ally in this world. Perhaps she could still deliver him. “I don't know if you'd be interested, but Mr. Gold is in the process of substantially expanded his shop with a on line store. He's probably going to need additional help to get it set up and maintain it.”
“Really?” David looked interested. “I don't remember much about computers I'm afraid.”
“Gold is a newbie as well. If you've done any programing at all you're going to be ahead of him.”
“Couldn't hurt to ask, could it? Thanks.” David stuffed the paper into his pocket went out the door just as Emma was coming in.
“Please tell me you're not falling under David's spell as well.” Emma joined her at the counter.
“The square jawed hero type doesn't do much for me.” Belle suspected she was not telling Emma anything she had not already figured out. “I'm just doing some job placement.”
Gold was very pleased with himself and life in general. The on line store had only gone 'live' two days ago, with just a dozen or so items posted to the site and already he was getting inquires. This was by far the best marketing idea he had discovered. Even without factoring in getting to spend time with Bonnie. To his amazement the young woman genuinely seemed to enjoy his company. The reverse was certainly true.
He chose not to examine too closely just how much he was enjoying Bonnie's company. Or how endearing he found her little eccentricities. Despite having always hated nicknames, he had to endure far too many nasty ones in his childhood, he even found himself delighting in 'Uil' from her lips.
Everything had seemed less grim since Bonnie wandered in looking for that tea cup. Which he still had not located for her.
He was reading up on Google search techniques for images when the shop bell rang.
Looking up he discovered, “Mr. Nolan, isn't it? How can I help you today?'
Nolan glanced around nervously. “I'm sort of hoping I can help you. Or maybe we can help each other? Miss French, the librarian? She said that you were expanding your store and might need someone to work. In the shop?”
“I don't...” The automatic denial of needing assistance halted as his mind caught up to the idea that Bonnie had referred this fellow.
He could certainly afford another employee. Dove had his hands full with the property management, occasional bodyguarding and what Gold mentally categorized as 'evil minion' duties. If Gold had someone to take care of the routine work around the shop, it would leave him more time to devote to the new on line store.
With Bonnie.
“It would be part-time. At least for the immediate future.” He started negotiating.
“That works for me. I've got some evening shifts at the animal shelter, but they haven't got the money for full time and it's only minimum wage.”
“I think we can do better than minimum wage.” A decently paid employee was less likely to rob you blind in Gold's experience. “For now it'd be more dusting than computer work.”
“Just as well.” Nolan grinned self depreciatingly. “They tell me I used to know computers, but that's part of what I don't remember.”
Just as well indeed. If Gold remembered correctly that man had worked for his father-in-law at the Savings and Loan before his accident. His father-in-law's mismanagement of that institution was the reason Gold now owned about half his properties. If Nolan did not remember the bad habits he had learned there, Gold would not have break him of them.
“Right then. Half days Tuesday through Friday, all day Saturday? Two month trial period to see how things work.”
“Uhm, sure.” Nolan looked surprised. “When would you like me to start?”
“Mop's in the cupboard next to the toilet.” Gold gestured toward the back.
For an office worker Nolan proved surprisingly adept with cleaning supplies. The floors were soon cleaner than Gold had ever been able to get them. Nolan was on a ladder working on the front windows when Bonnie came by after work to load some additional code to the website. “Oh, good. You decided to hire David? I thought you two would be a good fit.”
“Meaning he has two good legs and needs money?”
Gold had meant it as quip, but the look of horror on her face told him she had taken it wrong. “Heavens no! I certainly didn't mean to suggest you're in any way incapable...”
“It's all right, my dear.” He interrupted. “I'm a cripple. No need to be mealy mouthed about it. I came to terms with it a lifetime ago.”
“I think the current term is mobility impaired.” Bonnie said primly. “You treat your... disability so very matter-of-factly, but I couldn't help but wonder if you're really as... comfortable about it as you act. I mean there must be some areas where you have to... make compromises.”
“Well I had to give up football, but I've aged past even the senior league at this point, so it's not really an issue.” Gold told her. She could not possibly be fishing to find out if his bad leg affected his ability to have sex could she? He told himself not to let his imagination run away with him. Still it could not hurt to let her know, “It slows me down, but the damage is all below the knee so it doesn't stop me from doing anything important.”
She smiled. “Good. Slow can be good sometimes.”
His mind went to a very inappropriate place. Clearly his throat, he said, “You were going to add some coding today?
“Yes.” Bonnie smiled. “I think I'm starting to get all sorts of things lined up for you.”
The End
(for now?)