A Date with Destiny [Emma x Gold] (AU)

Emma couldn't begin to fathom why she was going out on a perfectly lovely evening with Rumplestiltskin. The man that was slipperier than soap and always had his own personal agenda. Sure, she respected the man, but even she had her limits as to how far she would go to actually trust him. Yet, when the man had come to her purposing a date well she was unable to stop the acceptance from leaving her mouth. So here she was on a Friday night trying to get ready for a date with him. The man that couldn't be any harder to talk to over things. Sighing softly as she looked at herself in the mirror debating why she was even bothering to look the part. She was after all just humouring the man and not out of any real affection. Or at least, that's what she told herself time and time again as the day had drawn closer. Pursing her lips as she studied the red dress she had chosen for the event. The dress she had used thousands of times during her months working as a bounty hunter.

Not the ideal way to earn an income, but it was one of view that didn't require you to have a spotless record. And she definitely didn't have a spotless record as far as she was concerned. Sure, her months in jail had helped change her life around, but she was definitely not clean. At least, here this town didn't seem to need to run criminal background checks for which she was relieved. Trying to decide if she needed anything else for her date or meet up. Whatever one wanted to call it when it revolved around a rather shady sort of character. At least, she figured she'd get a lovely dinner out of it and maybe learn a thing or two about the man behind the mask. After all, it was clearly a mask he held up to keep people at bay. Something she probably was far too familiar with herself given how thick her walls were. No, she would simply share a dinner with the man, chat about a few things and then take her leave. Surely friends or acquaintances did that from time to time right?

Shaking her head she turned to look at the clock realizing that it was getting to be that time. Slowly pulling herself away from the bed of the apartment she had since taken back. Oddly enough she was rather surprised that Gold had offered to help get her old apartment room back. The one before Regina's ridiculous attempts to have her kicked out of Storybrooke. Though why he had of all people still perplexed her in many ways as she put her swan pendant back on. Satisfied, she slipped into some heels and made her way downstairs passing by some people. Trekking towards her car, she got herself in and headed back towards the diner where they agreed to meet. Another moment to commit herself to this evening and she had finally stepped out of the car. Locking it up behind her she turned and headed inside glad she had her jacket with her. Nothing worse than a chilly fall evening, though Emma relished the cold. Something from her childhood she supposed as she made her way inside.

Looking around, she thought that perhaps he had chosen to bail out on this evening. Something she probably would have been happy to do herself but as it stood he was there waiting. Slowly making her way over to his booth at the back, hearing people whisper and talk behind her back. A rather uneasy feeling for her though she chose to ignore it as much as possible. Smiling gently up at the man as she removed her jacket and sat down.

"A little bird told me you had a help in getting me back my room at the inn. Thank you...it beats living in a car some days," she said with a little laugh. Figuring it was as good a place to start a conversation as any.

Emma had to admit that the man cleaned up pretty good as she got herself settled into the booth. Granted, the man almost always looked good and hardly ever wasn't wearing something clean cut. Wait....since when did Emma actively compliment the guy on his looks? She would have to be careful it would seem as she removed the jacket revealing the lovely cut red dress. Ignoring the whispers behind her back that were obviously for her. Of course, there would be people behind her back gossiping about what she was doing dressed like that with him. Still, if he wanted a date then she at least deserved to treat the man with respect. Even if she felt a bit foolish thinking he was playing a joke on her. Something she wouldn't put past the man even if all her thoughts told her the guy never lied. Sure, he twisted the truth around a lot of the time, but he was nothing if not honest. Actually, she didn't think the man could lie or at least not directly.

Looking up at him surprised to find a genuine smile perched on his face. Something she didn't often see coming from him if at all. No, normally he had it pressed up into more of a curl when he was tormenting people or ticking her off. Something she actually enjoyed from time to time as he was a challenging one. Making her take a job for him so that Ella could claim her child back for instance. A notion that still annoyed her to no end but she was glad that the girl was happy. After all, it wasn't like anyone had been there for her when she'd given up Henry. A decision she both regretted and also was glad to have done. Regina had raised him well and she could never fault her for that. Even if it did mean sharing her boy with the woman and said woman continued to try and make her miserable. No, now was not the time to be thinking about that.

She was out on a date and she would take it to heart whether it was real or not. It felt good to be out of the apartment at least as she regarded him kindly. Hearing him say that it was the very least he could do for her. Tilting her head a little in curiosity as he had never shown such fondness for her before. Or at least not in a way that he had done so now for her. Smiling a little more at him thinking that maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Looking up at their waitress as she came over asking if they wanted anything.

"A beer for myself thanks...so how does one become the dark one may I ask?" replied Emma curiously.

Leaning against the table to give him her undivided attention while also scanning the menu. Trying to figure out what if anything she could have to eat herself. Sure, she'd been to granny's a few times but this was different. This wasn't just a chat with Ruby or a rushed moment to spend with Henry. This...this was pleasant actually. A new perspective she supposed for the both of them as she surveyed the list as her beer was set down.

"So what have you been up to? Working at the shop I imagine?" she asked innocently enough. Taking a sip of her beer as she actually found herself settling in. Regardless of the people that clearly had nothing to do but stay to watch her with Mr. Gold. Glad for something to take the edge off of things.

Initially, Emma thought he'd be eager to tell her about life as the dark one himself, and yet...something told her that maybe that wasn't the case. That maybe there was more to the story than she had initially thought. Like the villains in the story she'd read as a child. True the stories she read had nothing on the people in this town, but there were similarities. After all, no villain chose to become one right off the bat. Even Regina was obviously struggling with her past that she tried very hard to push away. Just like Emma herself did at times with her own life living in the foster system. Trying to ignore the memories that haunted her every step and eventually the decisions that made her who she was today. Tucking some hair behind her ear and suddenly feeling very exposed knowing she had some scars of her own. Not only in a figurative way but also quite literally from the very last home she had lived in. The one that made her decide the foster system just wasn't for her.

Looking down at her hand gently feeling that perhaps she shouldn't have brought it up at all. Given the way he had suddenly aged several years looking to her. The man that always had a sarcastic bit of wit to him. Yet, for the first time since coming to this town, he was sad, upset even at such a question. Taking on the look of a man past his prime and seeing the hint of a frown marring his face. A completely different side to the man she normally came into contact with. The one that could almost make her scream at times with his constant need to play with her. Giving her riddles instead of the answers she perhaps had been looking for. Hesitantly reaching for his hand like one might do for a loved one or even a sad child. A faint smile on her lips as she tried to offer him some support. Whatever form that may come in for the man, almost feeling bad for him.

Often she wondered about the two hierarchies of the town she was currently staying in. Knowing it must get pretty lonely at times when you always were angry at the world. Trying to protect yourself in some way shape or form. Hearing him suddenly speak about the fact that it was simply a series of unfortunate events. Making her rethink about how she viewed the two higher-ups as he added that he wouldn't change it for anything. That for all the pain it caused he still enjoyed the life of a dark one.

"Still, it must get lonely at times...I..I know what it's like in a way. I came from a pretty messed up home life myself," she admitted to him carefully.

Still hesitant to admit too much in case he decided to laugh it off as some kind of a joke. Slowly taking her hand back so that she could sip a bit more of her beer. Seeing him order himself a glass of ice tea which oddly surprised her. The things you learned about someone once you actually took the time to know them. Finding that maybe this date wouldn't be as bad as she had initially thought. Turning back to the menu and changing the topic by asking about what he'd been up to. Hearing laughter from his side of the table as she lifted her head. Rolling her eyes in amusement when he mentioned beating people up and blackmailing people.

"Funny I thought that's what everyone does these days. But thank you...glad to know I won't get beat up by a cane anytime soon," she said teasingly as she settled down into her chair.

Ordering herself a lovely steak and potato dinner, the first she'd had in perhaps years. Something she'd always wanted to try, though had never been allowed to. Wasn't one of those things she had on a daily basis. Lucky enough to have any food at all in most cases actually. Enjoying her beer still as she handed the waitress her menu and let Gold do the same. Only to startle seeing someone she hadn't see in years. Stiffening up a little uneasily as she quickly turned her head to avoid raising suspicion. Suddenly very interested in downing as much of her drink as she could.