Archive of Our Own ^beta

Sam tried to be an honest man once. Tried to become a better man. The years are running after him. And the sheriff is too.

That's what he tells himself, when he later finds himself back into the jaws of crime once more. His once shaky fists straightened up when he held that armored truck driver in his hands. Their quivering body under his balled up fists.

One day, despite what Belle 'n Pearl say, they'll catch up. Whether it's the sheriff in her polished uniform, or the helplessness that comes with age.

Maybe his mind was catching up to him too. He was getting too old for this, he noted as that line of silver grew in his hair. His hands, marred by the scars and injuries of the years shook as he examined the stripe.

He needs something more...stable for this little child that still clung to his legs and called him "Daddy." Belle would agree; they both want what's best for their little baby.

In their own ways.

He could see her restless pacing, late at night when she thinks he's sleep, their little baby attempting to hug the empty space in front of him. She was thinking about something. Scheming, he'd later find out.

He couldn't blame her, a woman so used to moving around, nothing binding her to being tied down to a child so dependant on her. He'd go crazy too.

Pearl tried to help, she really did, but she wasn't built with childcare in mind and her skills as a getaway driver nor a cookie maker didn't help. Sometimes, the cookies soothed Colt for a bit. Other times, it just further aggravated the situation.

He landed a little job at the factory near Starr Park. Manufacturing star-shaped, or as the people at the park called it, starr-shaped items.

Belle expressed her grievances over his job. He didn't particularly like it with all the things he's heard of the park with her namesake, but, money is money, and self righteous won't feed their child. Won't give Pearl the fuel she needs to continue living. Self righteousness doesn't feed anything, but the ego.

So he stayed at the job.

It was understaffed, and days passed by where he was the only one working. His muscles — one of his pride and joys besides his fists — ached and strained as he carried those boxes. Day by day, week by week, month by month.

He would've stayed, despite the fact that it wore him down. Would've kept him, Belle, Pearl & Colt safe, secure. The sheriff, with her upturned nose and rusty shotgun would've found another group to 'protect' the town from.

Had Belle not call him one day after his shift.

He knew something was wrong or at least, amiss. His breaths escaping his mouth faster than a broken dam. Did something happen to her? To Colt? To Pearl? His heart pounded at all the scenarios, all incredibly terrifying.

This was something she never did, not because she didn't care or was bitter, no! Colt was just a very clingy child, his tears falling from that little face of his when he doesn't see his mother for two seconds. Even Pearl, with a whole plate of cookies couldn't soothe the boy.

So it was a surprise when the phone that just sat in the office ringed. In an almost cartoonish fashion, it jumped left to right as it rung, and since once again, he was the only one there, he took it in his shaky hands.

"Hello?" Sam asked, his voice quivering more than he'd like. He never did check the number. Probably should've, lest it be a scam call.

"If you are to get away from work for an hour," It was Belle! Her words were quick, as if she was in a hurry. "we could hit a jackpot."

She was always so straight to the point, preferring to reduce the....A jackpot? Jackpot....that only means one thing.

Belle wants to rob a bank.

Which one? The one nearest to their house was too...

For a few moments, he just stood there, silent as he tried to recollect his thoughts. In the snap of a finger, his so called 'crime-free' lifestyle flew away. So much for trying to be a better man, right?

He could lie, say that Belle's voice was lovely, lulled him in like an obedient dog to its owner and that's why he exited that factory. But he'd be wrong. So wrong. His entire body had shook in anticipation at this.

Perhaps some part of his mind was always like this, waiting for that one call, that one chance to go back to how it was in his younger years. Their younger years.

Then, the vision of his little baby, oh his clingy baby entered his mind. If they're really going to do a heist, what about Colt?

"Clock's-a ticking, Sam." Belle said in that playfully impatient tone at the other end, then added, "If you're worried about Colt, don't. He's with us."

She always reads his mind even when he's miles away. Bringing a five year old to a heist...welllll...there were more, probably ethical choices. Sam can't think of any at this moment though.

They'll have to make due; can't leave him at the house by himself. Would also be unethical. Two wrongs, in this case, he thinks, makes a right.

He found himself at the parking lot near the bank, attempting to find Pearl, Belle and Colt. Belle said they were here, and were just waiting for him. So, where were they?

The building itself was same as any old building around here. Its once white exterior now marred with browns of dirt, and the sign in its old timey look.

His eyes scanned the bustling place for any sight of a constantly steaming robot, or a woman who once had bright red hair with a child.

He continued moving towards the bank, until he spotted them sitting down at a pole that was near the front of the bank.

Colt was the first to see him, his eyes brightening and he ran up to Sam to give him a hug. "Daddy!" Colt cried out in happiness.

He smiled, hugging the boy tighter. Hopefully, he'll have more moments like this. Even when Colt is grown up, he hopes he'll be able to embrace his son. That he'll never learn the truth of what his parents do when they bring him along, at the front of the bank.

They pulled away, and Belle explained the plan, what made it so easy now. A beautifully wicked grin stretched her face as she explained and her golden tooth made a perfect sparkle.

"There was a money delivery today." she said, pointing to the silver truck that parked at near the front, facing the bank. "If we play our cards right. We'll make over twenty five thousand dollars."

Colt looked up at Belle and asked, "Mommy, are we going to be rich?" A twinkle shone in his eyes at the idea.

Belle looked at him, gave a light chuckle, "Yes," and a pat on his head. "but, you 'n Pearl gonna wait here while we get it, okay?"

The little boy nodded frantically, a big grin on his face. His grin was infectious, and Sam could feel himself smiling with him.

Pearl grabbed the boy, and they made their way to the back where their car was located.

Sam turned to a smiling Belle brandishing her gun.

"Like old times, ain't it?" Belle said, throwing her rifle at Sam, who caught it instantly in his hands.

His hands stopped shaking as they filled into the job they've done years ago. He used the butt of the rifle to break the truck's window, small pieces of glass flying upwards. It felt like they were moving in slow motion, the same feeling he had when he did his first heist.

To the end, he'll be doing this. By fate or by a deity? He'll never know.

He won't ever question neither.