Time will stop, and we will be trapped. Some horrible place, where everything we hold dear, everything we love, will be ripped from us while we suffer for all eternity. While the Queen celebrates, victorious as last. No more happy endings...

Mr. Gold awoke that morning with a jolt. It felt like he was dreaming still, like everything acted as a farce. He knew this to be his truth though.

It was like any other day... but not. Something felt off...

He had already showered, shaved, and dressed with the feeling. After he had adorned his usual three piece suit he realized that he was missing a vital piece. The purple/bluish orchid boutonniere that he'd always had a special moment for.

There was no reason as to why he adorned it other than his own - he refused to share. He checked the clock and realized it was a quarter to Eight. He best start on his way. He hadn't bothered with making the bed or picking up after himself as it was usual, his maid would take care of everything that needed cleaning around the house.

The air was normal, an average 65 degrees like every other day. Cloudy skies but he still had an odd gut feeling that picked up every other questionable feeling. Like every day he would meet individuals outside their home, business, etc., to achieve rent for the month. In all reality he walked the path slower than most, with his cane to aid him. Mr. Gold would remember the young girl smiling at him, reminiscing on a family he had once.

Hazel eyes that never stopped peering into his soul. Always searching for information, always looking to help even when she couldn't. He would smile in remembrance for the moment that passed too quickly for twenty-eight years.

"Hello Mr. Gold-" His thoughts were interrupted by her energetic voice. The young woman who had been in the back of his mind since they arrived in this town. She hopped off her bike and began to lock it on the metal railing just outside of the diner. Mr. Gold waited for her before opening the door for the both of them. Ushering her in first.

"Good morning, Ms. Foster," Her dark hair was always tied back in a ponytail when she worked. It helped to keep her hair out of her eyes. "Is that a new headpiece?" The speckles of paint screwed with his memories of the headband.

"Oh no, it's an old piece that I might have gotten paint on, more paint, this morning. Excuse me for a moment." The woman grinned as she moved past him behind the counter to stuff her bag below. She wove to the older woman who rented the place from Gold. After she tied the apron around her waist she grabbed the pot of coffee and went around to a couple patrons pouring more into their mug.

While she took care of the others Mr. Gold sat himself in the corner booth by the window. It was easy to see everyone who entered and left. Finally she came back over to his table and poured his coffee. She had left the creamer and sugar even though he never used it. "Painting a new piece already?"

"Yes!" Her eyes brightened at the compliment, she pushed her head band up a little. "I wasn't sure why I woke up early, but I have been up since three this morning... unfortunately." She was clearly able to hide the sleep she lacked but knew she needed. "I felt like drawing a story and it ended up feeling like Snow White." She sighed and shrugged. "It's still pretty in my opinion but I just don't have enough to do art in the room Granny provided." Mr. Gold had sipped on his coffee while she had ranted for the moment. It didn't bother him, it was rather comforting... "There's this building at the end of the block that I've always looked into, but never could get even if I had the funds."

"You mean the three story brick building?" Mr. Gold questioned. He had seen her eyes for too many years look at the building. The words had slipped from his mouth prior to her response. "I'm sure I could make something happen."

"Oh no, Mr. Gold. You're a busy man. I wouldn't let my daydreams add to it," She brushed off the offer, although deep down she wished she had taken the offer. Although, she did know what happened to those who couldn't pay rent on time to Mr. Gold. She'd seen it happen with Granny once when business was slow and she couldn't make rent. Thankfully Aspen had stepped in and covered the month. It had dented her savings for the corner shop, but it was worth it to take care of the woman who had taken care of her. "Thank you for the offer though," She grabbed one of the many pens from her apron and wrote on the notepad glancing over to him. "The usual I'm guessing?"

"Yes, thank you." Mr. Gold stated and she stepped away to return towards the kitchen giving the ticket for his order.

The bell jingled to alert that someone else had entered the building. Gold recognized the young boy, Henry Mills, accompanied by the older man, his uncle, Mr. Royland Mills. "Morning Ruby. Morning Aspen." The young boy smiled and sat at the counter waiting for his hot chocolate he always got for free. Being the Mayor's son has a couple of perks.

"Good morning Henry~" Both of the young women had sung in unison to the boy.

"Good morning ladies," Royland sat next to the young lad waiting for the menu. After Ruby had dropped it off she leaned on the counter smiling at him. It was easy to be attracted to the man next to the boy. Dark hair shorter on the sides and longer on the top combed back, set with a gel. Brown eyes that seemed to notice more than most, and often held some sort of agenda that no one was able to figure out.

"Good morning, Deputy Mayor Mills," Aspen smiled at him. She thought she was able to see through most people, but something was held back whenever she interacted with the Deputy Mayor. Ruby saw the way the Deputy Mayor was looking at Aspen and had taken the hint to step back. "I have your order and the Mayor's order already in the works. Henry's able to stay here if you need to get going to work. I can walk him to the school real quick."

"That's alright, Henry and I need to have a talk about a couple things anyways..." Henry slumped in the stool, but sat up straight when Granny brought his hot chocolate over, cinnamon on top. "Quick kid, we can't have you be late again for class. My sister would have my hind."

"I'm sure mom would understand."

"Doubtful," Royland sighed and rubbed his temple as he drank the coffee Aspen set in front of him. "Your mother- my sister has been a tyrant for specific things and you not being late to school is one of them." Aspen chuckled as she left the two men to grab the food. Granny side-eyed Aspen as she took the food from the kitchen window.

"Granny?"

"That boy is nothing but trouble Aspen. You should have better taste in men." Granny scolding Aspen was something new. "Boys like him are only after one thing."

Aspen rolled her eyes and scoffed at the older woman's comments, "I'm a big girl Granny, I can take care of myself." She set the food in front of the Mills boys and smiled again. "Here you are, gentleman." After she had cashed them out they both turned and stepped off the stools. Royland turned back towards the counter, setting a hand down on top of Aspen's.

"Thank you Aspen. Any chance you get off at a reasonable time this evening?" The woman giggled in response. It was a sweet thought, but she really didn't want a boyfriend or even date for that matter. She wanted to work and save money to get her own shop and own place.

"I doubt it to be honest." She shrugged. "Granny has me working weird hours, and then I'm home and repeating the same thing the following day."

"Well you have my number, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed you haven't taken my offer for a drink." Royland released her hand and stepped to the door with Henry. Ruby purposely bumped her hip into Aspen's and the two girls giggled for a moment.

"Both of you get back to work." Granny scolded the young woman and rolled her own eyes watching the two of them fawn like two love struck teenagers. The two ladies returned to their duties, cleaning tables and taking care of patrons.

"Ms. Foster," The voice flatly spoke, grabbing the young woman's attention. An empty plate and a half empty second mug rested on the table.

"My apologizes Mr. Gold, I should have been paying attention," Aspen reached for his empty plate but he stopped her as he stepped out of the booth.

"I'm sure you're aware of my reputation in town, but please be aware of that boy's reputation as well-" Mr. Gold began but in a huff the girl cut him off.

"It really isn't anyone's business as to what I do in my off time," She saw the sudden shift in Mr. Gold's demeanor. Not many people spoke to him this way, aggressive, determined. Aspen softened her gaze and tried not to look so angry. "I'm sorry, that was mean. That normally isn't like me..."

"No you are correct, I overstepped when I said that." He stepped out of the booth taking out his wallet to pay for his meal. Aspen shook her head insisting.

"Oh no, this is on me. I shouldn't have snapped and held my tongue." She forced a smile and waited to see what his reaction was. "I insist." She added on as a last point to make her statement stone.

"I see..." Gold grabbed his cane and made his way towards the door. "Thank you for breakfast then, Ms. Foster. Enjoy your day."

"You as well, Mr. Gold." She repeated a phrase Mr. Gold had heard from her almost every day.

It was odd as Gold stepped out onto the pavement, he glanced back to the diner then back to the street. Something was off that was never the reaction that he had when speaking with Ms. Foster. The air seemed more heavy than most mornings. Like something was a buzz. He remembered how most days went when visiting the diner.

It wasn't the same as it used to be...

He would wake up in their hovel with a small fire in the stove, heating their home. It also smelled like something was burning. More than not he would see his daughter staring at the fire and ignoring the breakfast she was burning.

"Avira!" Startled, the young girl grabbed the mit and pulled the pot off the heat and grumbled to herself. "What are you trying to accomplish?"

"I was trying to cook breakfast, I'm just not good at it..." She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest- pouting.

"Well you need only ask and I can ask one of the women in town to teach you." Avira scoffed and attempted to pout more, expressing her displeasure. "Or I can attempt to teach you?"

Avira's hazel eyes looked up to him and a gleeful smile adorned her face. He couldn't say no to her. "Would you Papa?!"

"Hush, you will wake Baelfire. Yes, I will attempt to teach you." He hobbled to her and sat on the chair across from her. "First, we don't have stew for breakfast, eggs and toast are fine." Avira scooted her chair closer to her fathers watching as he grabbed the other pan they had cracked the eggs with ease, letting her do one along the way. "Even if you get a little bit of the shell in there it's alright, just try to scoop it out with the whole shell." She nodded and did as she was told. Watching the eggs cook, Rumplestiltskin grabbed the bread and set it just above the fire on a warped metal rack. "You want the bread to be dark, but not black as it doesn't taste good."

"How does it taste?" The curious girl asked.

"Like soot," A plain answer, but a clear one. The eggs were flipped and the house began to smell good. Avira's stomach growled and she giggled to herself. "How long have you been awake?"

"Umm... just before the sun rose." She nodded to herself, assuring herself of her answer. "I couldn't sleep."

"Bad dreams?" Her father questioned.

"A little but nothing too bad this time," She shrugged and felt her father press his lips to her temple.

"You can always wake me dearie," Her father motioned for her to grab a plate from the cabinet and she did so without question. "My job is to protect you and Bae, even from nightmares."

"I know..." She held the large plate in front of her father as he scraped the eggs onto the plate and grabbed the toast as it looked done as well. Her smile faded as she forced one and set the plate on the table. "I'm going to wake Bae for breakfast."

"Let him know you made it, I'm sure he will be surprised and happy." Rumplestiltskin grinned, it would be their secret that he helped. "Go on... before it gets cold."

She nodded and moved behind the blanket that acted as a wall. There whispers took place, Rumpelstiltskin couldn't make out what she said besides, "Good morning Baelfire, I made breakfast."

It made Mr. Gold's smile broadened at the moment he remembered fondly. It was something he still shared with his daughter, but she wouldn't know. Not unless Emma arrived and who would tell when that was to happen...