[Aubree appears later in the episode.]
Third Person POV:
Mr. French was unloading flowers from his delivery van. Mr. Gold and another man were watching him from the sidewalk.
"Well, this is just perfect," Mr. Gold said. "I've been looking for you, Mr. French."
"I'll have your money next week," Mr. French assured.
"The terms of the loan were fairly specific. Take the van."
The man with Mr. Gold got into the drivers seat.
"Wait!" Mr French cried. "No! Tomorrow's Valentine's Day. It's the biggest day of... I've got a grand of roses n the back!" Mr. Gold's lackey started the van. "Stop! You've to to let me sell them."
"I'm going to leave you two to continue this conversation," Mr. Gold decided.
"Oh, this is no way to do business, Gold. You are the lowest! People aren't going to put up with this!" He attempted to block the van, but was unsuccessful and van drove off.
Mr. Gold crossed the street and ran into Regina, who was watching before she said, "Mr. Gold. That was quite a show back there."
"Well, Mr. French is just having a bad day -- happens to the best of us," Mr. Gold replied.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about something."
"Yeah. And the moment you have something I want to discuss, we'll have that little chat."
"No, we're going to do this now. It'll only take a moment."
"Is there something eating you, dear? Something you need to get out in the open? 'Cause it's going to have to wait. Please."
Regina backed down and Mr. Gold walked past her.
Mary Margaret and David were at Granny's Diner, but were sitting at separate tables. David was reading a book while Mary Margaret drank coffee.
"Oh, you got the book," Mary Margaret said.
David nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I just started it. It's great. Can't wait to see how it ends."
Ruby came over to refill Mary Margaret's coffee. "Uh, I can push the tables together if you guys-"
Mary Margaret shook her head. "Oh, no. We're not together."
"No," David said. "No, that's-"
Ruby left and Emma entered, sitting across from Mary Margaret. "Hey, David."
"Hey."
"Mary Margaret. So. How's your day going?"
"Henry and Aubree are fine," Mary Margaret said.
"That's not what I asked you. ...You sure?"
"Really-- they're their normal selves. Regina won't keep you separated forever. When people are supposed to be together, they find a way."
"Yeah. So, they're their normal selves? They're fine? They're happy?"
"Yes. No! They miss you -- a lot. Trust me -- I'm with them, like, six hours a day."
Ashley entered the diner with her baby. She handed her to Granny and joined Mary Margaret and Emma at their table.
"Six hours?" Ashley repeated. "You take newborns? 'Cause I'd love six hours off."
"Ashley!" Mary Margaret exclaimed. "I didn't... I didn't even recognize you."
"Baby on the outside?"
Emma smiled. "How's it going?"
"It's, uh... It's, uh... I mean, baby's great, but we really haven't had time to do the whole getting married thing. So, that's been rough. And Sean's been working double shifts at the cannery."
"Well, he has to work," Mary Margaret reasoned.
Ruby came over to give Ashley her coffee.
Ashley frowned. "On Valentine's Day? Yeah. He couldn't get out of it."
"I'm sorry. That sucks," Emma said.
Ruby shook her head. "It doesn't have to. Come out with me. Let's have a girl's night. We can all go. Mary Margaret -- Emma, too. If you leave the badge at home."
"I'm not really in the party mood, but you guys can all go and have fun." Emma's phone vibrated.
"What's that?" Mary Margaret wondered.
"It's the station -- something's up."
Mr. Gold walked up the walkway to the front door of his house and saw the door ajar. He pushed it open and entered the house. He drew his gun and moved further into the house. The floor creaked behind him. When he turned, he saw Emma with her gun drawn and pointed it at him.
"Sheriff Swan," Mr. Gold greeted.
"Your neighbor saw your front door open -- they called it in," Emma explained.
"It appears I've been robbed."
"Funny how that keeps happening to you."
"Yeah, well, I'm a difficult man to love."
After a moment, Mr. Gold said, "Sheriff Swan, you can go now. I know exactly what was taken and who did it. I've got it from here."
Emma shook her head. "No, you don't. This was a robbery -- a public menace. And if you don't tell me what you know, I'll have to arrest you for obstruction of justice. I have a feeling you don't want to be behind bars."
"Indeed not. All right, his name's Moe French. He sells flowers. He recently defaulted on a loan. A short time ago, we had a little disagreement over collateral."
"Okay. I'll go get him -- check him out."
"I'm sure you will -- assuming I don't find him... Let's just say, bad things tend to happen to bad people."
"Is that a threat?"
"Observation. Good luck."
Emma left Mr. Gold's house.
Later, at the station, she pulled back a sheet, revealing several items on her desk to Mr. Gold.
"You're welcome," Emma said. "You were right -- your man Moe ripped you off. It was all still at his place."
"And the man himself?" Mr. Gold questioned.
"Closing in on him."
"So, job well 'half-done', then."
"In less than a day, I got everything back. Is something wrong?"
"You've recovered nothing. There's something missing." He went to leave.
"I'll get it when I find him."
"Not if I find him first."
At the bar, Mary Margaret, Ruby and Ashley were drinking at a table.
"Pace yourself, Ashley," Mary Margaret warned.
"I am!" Ashley exclaimed. "This is the first night out since I've had the baby -- I am making up for lost time."
"Ooh, Ash-- check out those guys," Ruby said, pointing to a group of guys standing by the bar.
"Oh, honey, I'm still with Sean."
"You're not married, and he's not here."
"He's working."
"He's always working. Have fun moping." She went over to talk to the guys, leaving Ashley and Mary Margaret alone.
"She's right -- he is always working. I thought love would be different."
Mary Margaret nodded. "Me too."
David looked through the display of valentines at Mr. Clark's convenience store. He picked two and headed to the line to pay, where Mr. Gold was waiting.
"Two valentines -- sounds like a complicated life," Mr. Gold commented.
"Oh, no," David replied. "I... I just couldn't decide."
"These are both for the same woman?"
"Well, they're both so... us."
"I see. Well, you're fortunate you have someone that loves you."
"I really am."
Mr. Gold got to the counter and put a roll of duct tape and rope on the counter. "Love -- it's like a delicate flame. And once it's gone, it's gone forever. Best of luck to you."
"Thanks."
David got to the cashier and Mr. Clark sneezed.
"Oh, bless you," David said.
"Ah, thank you," Mr. Clark replied.
Mr. Gold drove the rose van. Mr. French was tied up in the back and gagged with duct tape.
He reached a cabin in the woods and got out and opened the back doors of the van. He drew his gun and pointed it at Mr. French. "Walk."
Mr.Gold led him to the cabin and they went inside before Mr. Gold said, "You see, here's the thing -- I don't normally let people get away."
He pulled the duct tape off Mr. French's mouth and had him sit in a chair.
"Let me explain, okay?" Mr. French begged. "Let me explain.
Mr. Gold grabbed another chair and sat in front of Mr. French. He pushed the end of his cane into Mr. French's neck, cutting off his air. "Oh. Well, that is... fascinating. Truly fascinating. I'm going to let you breathe in a second and you're going to say two sentences. The first, is going to tell me where it is. The second, is going to tell me who told you to take it. Do you understand the rules?" Mr. French nodded. "Good. Let's begin." He pulled the cane back from Mr. French's neck.
"I needed that van!"
"Now, you see, that is not a good first sentence." Mr. Gold hit Mr. French with his cane.
"Ow! Gold! Listen!"
"Tell me where it is!!" He hit Mr. French with his cane again.
"Ow! Stop!"
"Tell me where it is!" He hit Mr. French again.
"Ow! Stop! It wasn't my fault!"
"My fault"? What are you talking about, "my fault"? You shut her out. You had her love, and you shut her out!" He hit Mr. French again.
"Ow!"
"She's gone. She's gone forever -- she's not coming back. And it's your fault! Not mine! You are her father! Yours! It's yours!" He hit Mr. French repeatedly with his cane. "It's your fault! It's your fault!"
As he drew back to strike again, Emma appeared behind him and grabbed his arm as she said, "Stop."
BAR
Mary Margaret returned to the table, where Ashley was sitting alone. "Girls' night's really working out for you."
"I thought it would make me feel better," Ashley began. "But the truth is, I need a 'be with my guy night'. But he's never around, and I'm at home with the baby all day. I mean, what's the point of being together if we're not together?"
"I get it. Loving someone you can't be with -- it's a terrible, terrible burden."
"You know, this was a bad idea. I should... I should go home."
Sean arrived at the bar with a bouquet of flowers. "Ashley?"
She turned. "Sean?"
"Hey."
"I thought that you were working tonight?"
"I am -- it's my break. And I... I had to see you. And ask you something." He gave the flowers to Ashley before kneeling and pulling out a ring. "Will you marry me?" Ashley was silent for a few moments. "I only have a twenty minute break, so, um, anytime now."
"Yes!"
He slipped on the ring. "My truck's outside if you want to take a ride before I head back to work. It's not much of a date-"
"It's the best date."
"Then, your carriage awaits."
The two of them left. Mary Margaret, alone at the table, also went to leave.
Outside, she saw Ashley and Sean getting into Sean's truck.
David appeared and approached her. "How's girls' night?"
"David?" Mary Margaret called. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I knew you'd be here. And I, uh... I wanted to give you your Valentine's Day card." He pulled a card from his jacket pocket and handed it to her.
"Check up on me?"
"Maybe a little. I didn't want you finding somebody else."
"Like you?" She opened the valentine and read it aloud. "Kathryn, I woof you..."
David took the card from her and pulled another from his pocket. "I'm so sorry. I meant... I meant this one."
"I-I always thought, that if two people were supposed to be together, they'd find a way. But, David, if this is our way, I think we should find another one."
"Mary Margaret-"
"I think you should go home to Kathryn."
"I know. You're right, but it doesn't mean I'm going to give up. We'll find that way."
"I hope so."
"Happy Valentine's Day."
"Happy Valentine's Day." She walked away.
Emma and Mr. Gold were standing outside the cabin. Mr. French was on a stretcher and paramedics were loading him into an ambulance.
"So, I heard you managed not to break anything he needs," Emma said. "You're lucky, Mr. Gold."
"You got a funny definition of lucky," Mr. Gold replied.
"You have a funny definition of justice. What did he really do?"
"He stole."
"That reaction was about more than taking a few trinkets. You said something about how he hurt her -- what happened to 'her'? Who was that? What did he do? If someone needs help, maybe I can help."
"No. I'm sorry, Sheriff. I think you heard that wrong."
"You really don't want to cooperate?"
"Look, we're done here."
"Actually, we're not. You're under arrest." Emma pulled out a pair of handcuffs and began cuffing him.
STATION
Mr. Gold was sitting in a cell.
Emma watched him as she at lunch in her office. "Pastrami -- you want half? You know, I still owe you that favor. Nice, fatty pastrami. Delicious way to clear the books."
"Well, I don't need a reminder that you owe me a favor," Mr. Gold said. "And when the day comes that I make my request, it'll be for more than half a sandwich."
Aubree's POV:
Mom gathered Henry and I and took us to the station.
"Sheriff Swan?" Mom called. "I'm letting you have 30 minutes with Henry and Aubree. Take them out -- buy them ice cream."
My eyes widened. "Ice cream?! Yes!"
"You want me to leave you alone with the prisoner?" Emma asked.
"29 and-a-half minutes," Mom told her.
"Hi, Emma," Henry and I greeted.
Emma smiled at us. "Hey."
"Bring me back a cone?" Mr. Gold questioned.
Emma glanced at him. "Just this once. Come on -- let's go."
Emma grabbed her coat and we left.
I got rocky road ice cream, as did Emma, and Henry got chocolate.
Third Person POV:
Regina glanced at Mr. Gold as he said, "Well, you really wanted that little chat, didn't you?"
"Apparently, this is the only way I could do it," Regina replied.
"Please -- sit."
Regina walked towards a couch near the cell and sat on the edge.
Mr. Gold met Regina's eyes. "Now, when two people both want something the other has, a deal can always be struck. Do you have what I want?"
"Yes," Regina replied.
"So, you did put him up to it, then."
"I merely suggested, that strong men take what they need."
"Oh, yeah. And you told him just exactly what to take, didn't you?"
"We used to know each other so well, Mr. Gold. Has it really come down to this?"
"It seems it has, yeah. But you know what I want -- what is it you want?"
"I want you, to answer one question. And answer it simply -- what's your name?"
"It's Mr. Gold."
"Your real name."
"Every moment I've spent on this earth, that's been my name."
"But what about moments spent elsewhere?"
"What are you asking me?"
"I think you know. If you want me to return what's yours -- tell me your name."
"Rumpelstiltskin. Now give me what I want."
"Such hostility."
"Oh, yeah."
Regina pulled the chipped cup from her purse. "Over this? Such a sentimental little keepsake." She dangled it in front of him.
Mr. Gold grabbed it from her. "Thank you... Your Majesty. So. Now hat we're being honest with each other, let's remember how things used to be, shall we? And don't let these bars fool you, dear. I'm the one with the power around here. I'm going to be out of here in no time, and nothing between us will change."
Regina pursed her lips. "We shall see."
She left the station and made her way to the hospital. She walked past Mr. French, who was in a wheelchair, in the hospital waiting room. Regina walked past him towards a door with a keypad. She entered the code and headed down to a psychiatric ward in the basement. She handed the nurse at the desk a rose.
"Pretty," the nurse commented.
Regina smiled. "Well, I know how hard you work. Has anyone been to see her?"
"No, ma'am. Not today, not ever."
Regina walked down a corridor with several doors on each side, where she walked past a patient who was mopping the floor. She came to a door with a sliding hatch to look inside. She opened it, revealing Belle, who was in the padded room.