"As much as you want to believe the contrary, I did no such thing," Gold replied. "I've been here the entire time I've been back in this world. Now if you don't mind," he said scathingly, "I have business to attend to. Something of mine was taken and I intend to have it back."

Hook paused for a moment. Sure, Gold lied all the time, but it was a little too still and quiet around the castle for Rachel to be there. She'd been scared enough before that Hook knew she'd be raising a ruckus if she was back in the tower.

"What of yours was taken?" he asked sharply, looking at Gold. "And who was stupid enough to steal from you?"

"I would love to savor the irony of you asking me that question, pirate," Gold said, "but I really don't have the time. Now if you'll excuse me." Rather than going down the stairs, Gold pulled an old trick of his and simply appeared behind Hook, in the open doorway. "I must be going."

"Shut up and think about it for a minute," Hook said undeterred as he turned to look at Gold. "Clearly I don't have Rachel, and you don't either. Plus something, or perhaps someone, of yours was taken. Who do we both know who would do something like that?" Because the thought had occurred to him that it might be Cora, and he wanted to see if Gold would come to the same conclusion.

Gold narrowed his eyes at Hook as he came to that conclusion.

"Indeed," he muttered. Then he turned and went out the door because damned if he was going to let Cora have Tina.

Hook followed him, moving up to walk next to him. Because he wasn't going to let Cora have Rachel, either, and (as much as he hated to admit it) Gold seemed to know where he was going.

"If you must follow me, pirate, tell me something," Gold said after a moment. "Why do you even care?" It seemed like a random question, but Gold had to admit he was curious.

"I don't care about you getting back your little fairy-wench," Hook said, because he did know who Tina was and that she'd been hanging out with Gold (Rachel had told him that much). And he hadn't seen Gold in such a tizzy since Milah, so he connected the dots.

"As for Rachel? It's no concern of yours."

"I'd say it is a concern of mine," Gold said. "As she is still, technically, my possession." He glanced at Hook, very aware at how incredibly close to repeating the past they really were.

"She doesn't think so," Hook said, though he wasn't so satisfied when he realized how close they were. "I'm concerned for her well-being. I offered her a place to stay and my protection, and Cora's mucking that up."

"Curious, why you would do such a thing in the first place," Gold commented. "It's not like a pirate to be so... selfless."

"It does happen, occasionally," Hook commented. "I believe you still remember the last time." He was quiet for a few moments. "Are you going to blame me for her, too?"

"As much as I would love to add yet another black mark to your undoubtedly extensive tally," Gold said, glancing at him, "even I have to admit that this is not directly your fault." But that was as far as he would go. It was still very much Hook's indirect fault. "However, you seem to be implying that there is more between you and Rapunzel than there seems."

Hook snorted. "Nothing more than what I've told you," he said, rolling his eyes. "So eager to believe I'd force her or coerce her, crocodile?"

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time," Gold retorted scathingly. "And considering she was a rather... sheltered girl..."

"I'd be hurt if it was anyone else accusing me," Hook said with a shadow of his normal grin. "Put your little head at ease, I've not touched her."

"But that says naught to your intentions," Gold pointed out. At this point, he was tempted to magic himself as close to Cora's lair as possible and let Hook fend for himself. Then something occurred to him and he paused. "You care for her."

"Whatever gave you that idea?" Hook asked, recovering quickly, although his steps had faltered.

"I see I'm not wrong," Gold observed, smirking. He'd seen the falter.

"Of course you're wrong," Hook said with a scoff. "She's amusing and convenient, nothing more."

That was his story and he was sticking with it.

"Except for the small fact that right now, she is no longer convenient," Gold pointed out smugly. "Considering all of the effort you're expending right now to retrieve her."

"Well I can't let anyone get away with stealing my things, or more people will try it and then I'll spend all my time on revenge." Hook shrugged. "Besides, I could apply the same logic to you."

"Ah, but I haven't said that anything in particular of mine was 'convenient,'" Gold said. He shrugged. "But no matter, I've gotten the information I wanted." He had no idea what he would do with the information, yet, but just knowing that Hook was in love with Rapunzel could prove useful later on.

"No," Hook agreed. "But you're going through the trouble of getting her back regardless, and you call her yours. That means you must care for her in some way."

"I don't believe that is any of your concern," Gold replied. "Since you made it quite clear your only concern is Rapunzel."