[LIANA WINTERS]
                                Past

"Do you want to take the wheel on this deal, sweetheart?" Rumple asked out of the blue.

My eyes widened. This was the first time ever that he'd allowed me to take charge. I wanted to jump with glee.
"Wait... really?" Rumple nodded his head. "I would love to! Who are we meeting today?"

"Cinderella," he replied. "I also think that since you are indeed a woman... that it will be easier to persuade her..."

"Fair enough," I said, shrugging. "You want the fairy godmother's wand right?" I asked.

He nodded. "I will come with you to watch over you. If anything goes wrong, you know what to do."

"Okay," I sighed with a smile on my face.

I was so excited. This was the first deal that I'd get to control. I've been studying Rumple for years at how he does his magic, and how he makes his deals, how he installs crippling fear into people, and how he gets what he wants so that he can find his son.

Rumple transported us to where Cinderella lived. I saw the fairy godmother about to perform a magic spell on the maid, but my natural instincts were to kill the fairy. So, I used my ice magic. We were hidden so the maid couldn't see us. I froze the fairy godmother with and as she became still, the maid's jaw dropped. I was careful enough to not freeze the wand too.

After the fairy completely froze, the ice cracked, and she disappeared into invisible dust. The maid gasped. "What?" I then appeared in front of her and picked up the wand. "What did you do?" she asked, eyes wide.

I shrugged. "I did what I had to do to get what I wanted," I smiled. I stood up. "There's no need to be frightened sweetheart."

"No need?" she questioned. "You just killed my fairy godmother! She was trying to help me."

"Was she though?" I questioned. "Do you even know what this is?" I asked, pointing the wand at her.

"Pure magic," Cinderella smiled.

I just shook my head in response. She frowned. "Pure evil. Trust me, I've done you a favor. Just like my lover says, all magic comes with a price. Go on back to your life, and thank lucky stars you still got something to go back to."

"My life is wretched," she said suddenly without remorse.

"Then all you have to do is change it," I said. "It's your life. You should be the one in control. Not someone else. And that is coming from another woman. You can't handle this," I say. I then turned to walk around, hoping that she would follow me.

"Wait, please, wait," she said, following me. I grinned. I was right.
"I can handle it," she said, now standing in front of me. "Please, I would do anything to get out of here, anything."

"Anything?" I repeated, raising my eyebrows.

"Do you know how to use that wand Miss..." started Cinderella, looking down at the wand.

"Winters, the Princess of Narnia. Lover of Rumplestiltskin," I curtsied. "And yes, of course I do."

"Then help me, Miss Winters."

"Well, if I do," I started. "And you can indeed shoulder the consequences like a strong woman can, then you will owe me a favor."

"Name it. What do you want?"
Cinderella asked.

"Something very precious," I said.

"But I have nothing," she replied.

"Oh, you see, but you will. With this wish will come riches more than you know," I continued. I swore I saw her eyes twinkle at the thought of riches.

"I care nothing for riches," she said. That is not what I saw in her eyes. Her eyes told a different story.

"Hmmm. You see, that's what I thought too, for a long time. But once my mother and I became royalty, I no longer denied it."

"Just... I'll give you anything you want, just get me out of here!l

I smiled. "Now we're talking."

"How does it work?"

"I'd say my needs are small. And all you have to do is sign the dotted line, dearest Cinderella,"I said. I magically created the contract in my hands. "So," I paused, biting my chapped lips. "Do we have a deal?"

For a second I was afraid she was going to say no. What would happen if she said no? Would Rumple not let me go on another deal for him? Would I be... put in a jail cell? No... he cares for me too much... he wouldn't let that happen... right? Right?

"Yes," she finally said. I sighed. "Yes, thank you," she said, as I put the contract on my back so she could sign it with the quill.

After she signed it, I took it off my back and looked at it. "Thank you." I then waved the wand and turned Cinderella into a Princess. I gave her a bright blue dress, curled up her hair and put it in a bun. I also gave her a stunning necklace along with a silver tiara along with some glass slippers. She was ecstatic. Cinderella looked down at the shoes. "Glass?"

"It's unique. You don't like it?" I questioned. "Because I think that every story needs a memorable detail. Let's see how they fit, shall we?" She picked up her dress so she could put on the slippers.

"Now, you have a good time, my dear," I said. "But be sure to watch the clock."

Cinderella glowed with happiness. As soon as she left for the ball, Rumple appeared. I looked him in the eyes.
"So, how did I do?"

"You did wonderful, love," he said. My heart fluttered. He then walked closer and wrapped his arms around me, giving me a tight hug. "I am so-so proud of you."

I smiled, resting my chin on his shoulder as we hugged. "Thank you,"  I said.

"Of course." He then moved apart from me. "But I'll be needing that wand now. You had your fun."

I chuckled and then gave it to him. "There, now you have it."

                  
               [SELINA FROST]
                            Present

It was late at night. Robert and I were just cleaning up the store. He turned off the lights and then went to turn the sign so it said closed. "You coming, Sel?" Robert asked, looking at me.

I nodded my head and walked up to him as I put on my black leather jacket. As soon as we walk out, Robert locks the door to the shop. "I'm so glad that you are coming to my house for dinner tonight," I said.

"I am too," he said. "It will be nice to see Bruce again."

"Yeah, he's excited to see you too."
As I walked with Robert, I thought I saw Ashley Boyd, a young pregnant woman who was lurking in the shadows. She was up to something, I just know it.

"Hey Robert," I whispered in his ear. "I think... someone is trying to break into the shop."

He sighed. "Come on, let's go back."

And as we got back to the shop, the window was smashed open. I knew I was right.

Robert unlocked the door, and there was Ashley Boyd behind the counter. She had removed the painting that had the safe behind it. Clever girl. What did she want?

"Ashley?" said Robert. "What are you doing?"

Robert approached her. "Changing my life," she replied.

All of the sudden Ashley took out pepper spray and sprayed Robert, making him yell and stumble to the ground, but he hit the table with gold trinkets first. "Robert!" I yelled, my heart starting to race.

I kneeled down next to him, and noticed that he had passed out cold. He had a huge gash on his forehead. I then checked for a pulse. I sighed in relief. Thank god he was still breathing, I didn't know what I would do if he was gone.

No, don't think like that. I told myself.
I then looked up at the woman who held the pepper spray at me. "Selina," she said. "Give me his keys."

"And why would I do that?"

"Give me his keys." she said, this time more forceful. "If you do not give me his keys, I will not only use this pepper spray on you but I will do much worse to your precious Bruce."

I gulped. I didn't want to imagine Bruce hurt. "Fine.." I said... taking the keys off Robert's belt. I gave them to her.

I continued to stay by Robert's side and watched as Ashley went to open the safe. I didn't get to see what she took, but if it was in the safe, I knew it was valuable to Robert. Ashley then left.
I debated on calling the police, but I doubt that is what Robert would want me to do.

And plus, she's just a scared pregnant woman, in need of something. I don't think she really meant to hurt us... I sighed. I guess that means no police.

I then checked Robert's pulse again to make sure nothing had changed and thankfully, he still had a pulse. There was a make-shift bed in the back of the shop. I didn't want him just laying on the cold hard-wood floor.

So, with all the strength I had, I picked Robert up by lifting him from under his arms.  It was the easiest way to carry him. He weighed a ton, at least for me. I successfully laid him on top of the bed and took a chair so I could sit by him until he woke up.

I then moved a strand of hair that was covering his eyes. For an old guy... he was beautiful. I loved his nose the most, it really shaped his face. God... Selina... why think that? What would Bruce think of you? Robert's probably like twenty years older than you! Maybe even more than that!

I feel like hitting myself out of anger but then I look to the right of me to see a pretty porcelain tea-cup with flowers embroidered on the top. Taking one last glance at Robert, I stand up from my chair and go over to the tea-cup. If I remember correctly, it is the same chipped cup Robert was talking about, the memory that he shared with his partner.

I knew that it was a precious item, especially to Robert, but I wanted to feel it. It looked so pleasing. And as soon as I touched it, something in my eyes changed. I was now somewhere else. I was in a gigantic castle, and this man with green scaly skin sat at the head of the long table. He looked a whole lot like Robert.

I watched as someone who looked exactly like me was wearing a long black ball gown, carrying a tray of tea over to the man. "You will serve me my meals," he said in a high pitched voice. "And you will clean the dark castle."

"I understand," said the girl, placing the tray down on the table. I watched as the girl started to pour the tea.

"You will dust my collection, and launder my clothing."

She nodded her head. "Yes."

"You will fetch me my straw when I am spinning at the wheel," he said.

The girl nodded again.  "Got it."

"Oh," he said, pointing a finger in the air, "And you will skin the children I hunt, for their pelts." I watched as the girl dropped the tea-cup to the ground. I could tell that this girl was dark, and menacing, but I could also tell that she wouldn't let something innocent die, like children.

"That one was a quip," he said. The girl sighed. "Not serious."

The girl sighed again. "Right." The girl then bent down to pick up the cup that was chipped. "Oh, my. I'm so sorry, but it's chipped." She showed him the cup. She was shaking. "But you can hardly see it."

"Well, it's just a cup," he said.

As the girl then placed the cup back on the tray, the man looked at her as if he was in love. I know that look because that's how Bruce looks at me. He looked at her with a bright smile on his face. The look on the man's face made my heart flutter.

And then I was back in reality when I started to hear Robert wake up. "Liana," he said. "No, no, Liana, no!" he yelled.

I placed the cup back and rushed over to him. "Robert, Robert," I said, touching him, making him wake. He looked up at me as he breathed heavily. "It was just a nightmare, just a nightmare. Okay?"

He nodded and then placed his fingers on his gash wound. "What happened?" he asked.

"Ashley..." I started... "She took something from the safe. I don't know what."

He sighed. "You didn't call the police, did you?" I shook my head. "Good. Good girl."

"If we aren't calling the police, what are we gonna do?" I asked.

"Well, first, we are going to Miss Swan. She should be able to help us with her background in finding people," he replied as soon as he tried to stand up.
I sat him back down. He looked at me confused.

"You think we're going to Miss Swan's now?" I laughed. "Hell no. You were just sprayed with pepper spray and you got hurt. I'm going to ask Bruce to come down here and pick us up so that we can drive you home. And it's at all godly hours of the night! Miss Swan is probably asleep," I said.

"I guess you're right," he said. I caught him roll his eyes at me.

"Fuck. Bruce," I said, pulling out my phone to see ten voicemails from Bruce about dinner.

I called him back immediately. It rings for a bit and then he picks up. "Hey, sweetie, I've been worried. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, we got into trouble at the shop."

"What kind of trouble?" he asked.

"Someone broke in, and they pepper sprayed Robert. He fell unconscious for a bit, but he's awake now."

"Oh my god," he said. "Is Robert alright?"

"Yeah, he's fine," I said, glancing at Robert who locked eyes with me. "I was wondering if you could come and pick us up? And then we could bring him home?"

"Yes, yes, of course," said Bruce. "I'll be right there." 

"Okay, see ya."

"See ya." Then I hung up the phone and went into the front of the shop to grab his cane that I forgot earlier.

"You didn't have to stay here, you know," he said.

"No, I wanted to. You mean a lot to me, Robert," I said. "I wanted to make sure you were going to be okay," I said, giving him his cane. He smiled at me.

"Thank you," he said. "You know, you and Bruce are the only two people in this town who give a shit about me." I frowned at him. "It's true."

"Well," I said. "Maybe if you started to be more friendly towards your neighbors, people wouldn't be so afraid of you." I sit back down in the chair and place my hand on his cheek and then I move it up to where his scar was underneath his hair. "We should really get this checked out," I said. "I didn't want to do anything because I wasn't sure how to care for a wound."
That was a lie. I knew how to care for one because of Bruce, he is an ER nurse. But I guess I just felt uncomfortable... I don't know.

"It's alright dearie," he said, taking his hand and gently grabbing a hold of my wrist. "Thank you. You did all you could."

Beep. Beep. It was Bruce.

"Alright, he's here," I said. "Do you think you can walk?"

He nodded.

He tried to stand up but then stopped. "Everything okay?" I asked.

"Just a little dizzy, is all, dearie," he said. I nodded.

"We can wait a little bit. You might have had a concussion," I said.

"No, just too much blood went to my head," he said. "I'll be fine."

He then stood up again just fine. I sighed and he followed me out of the shop to Bruce's car. Bruce got out of the window seat and he gave me a hug. Robert got into the backseat and I got in the passenger seat alongside Bruce. Once he got in the car he then started to drive. 

We finally got to his house which was quite big for one person. Mustn't it get lonely?

"Here we are," said Bruce, parking in the parking lot.

Bruce and I both get out and then so does Robert. I helped Robert walk up the stairs with his cane and Bruce follows them. "Thank you, I think I can take it from here," said Robert.

"No-no, wait, I want Bruce to take a look at your wound. He's a nurse."
Robert sighed. "It's not bleeding, I think it's fine," he said.

"Just please have him look at it?" I asked.

He nodded his head in agreement finally.

Bruce then walked up to him and removed Robert's hair out of his forehead. "Ouch," said Bruce. "Does it hurt at all?" he asked.

"No," he said. "It stung at first, but it's fine now," Robert replied.

"Okay, well I suggest that you put some ice on it just in case for a few minutes."

"Thank you. I appreciate you two. I'm sorry dinner didn't work out. Maybe sometime later this week?" he asked.

"Actually, I've got Friday off, and maybe Friday night I was thinking about going to the Rabbit Hole for a few drinks with Selina. You should come."

"Thanks, but it's not really my scene," he said.

"Well, if you change your mind..." I said. He nodded his head, and then turned around, opened the door to his home and shut it.

"Well, that was interesting," said Bruce, as they made their way to the car.

"Robert seems off... don't you think?"
"Well, Bruce... he was just robbed... so of course he's going to feel off," I said.

"Well, no, it's not that," said Bruce somehow seemed tense.

"Then what is it?" I asked. "What is so different about him?"

"The way he looks at you," he said. "It's almost like he's in love with you. It's that kind of look. I know it," he said.

"Stop it, Bruce! Robert does not have
feelings for me! He is my boss, and I am his apprentice!"

"I don't think so. A man can always notice a competitor," said Bruce.

"Just... be careful around him, from now on, kay?" he asked as we got into the car.

"Bruce... he's been our friend for ages," I said. "I don't know what's gotten into you." I look out the window, not wanting to look at him.

Bruce starts the car. He and I didn't say anything the rest of the ride home. It was peaceful, quiet, just how I liked it.

A/N: So Selina is finally starting to remember who she truly is! Tell me what you thought of the chapter in the comments!