Chapter One: The Love of the Outcasts

A/N: This is definitely going to be an alternate universe for OUAT. Personally, I am anti-Rumbelle for my own reasons. So my OC, Jennifer, will be taking the place of Rumple's true love. Don't like it? Go find a different story, or try writing your own. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, plot lines, etc. from OUAT. :]

Jennifer watched from the side lines as her village joined together in the prosperity of hope and happiness, in spite of the Ogre Wars that even now seemed unwinnable, and seemed to grow worse every day. Her family was partaking in the party, and were among the families who brought their own dish or recipe to the potluck. The camp fire was surrounded by lively chatter, few couples dancing along with the music orchestrated by instrumentalists, and young children who laughed together and played games.

Jennifer watched as a young girl and her brother glared daggers at her before they turned their curled lips and crinkled noses to join the party with the bigger kids, while Jennifer remained the usual outcast. She appeared to be eighteen years old, and while she had the glimmering eyes of blue that were coveted by the oceans, the long black locks that would put a raven's beautiful feathers to shame, and the soft tender lips which always held a kiss at the corner, Jennifer was an ugly site to the village. Her eighteen year old complexion was only a facade; at her true age, Jennifer was nearly 40 years old, having been bitten by the creature of the night 22 years ago. The now-adults told their children of her condition and she was regarded as an outcast, a social pariah.

The party itself was several feet from her in the open while she took her own shelter beneath the trees at the edge of the forest. Her eyes swam, but blinked back the tears. How many times had she felt so isolated, so alone. Her family, while accepting of her condition, were only afraid of her. Jennifer would see her parents, who were now in their seventies, cast her an uneasy look before turning to their neighbors, joining in with their celebration, forgetting what a monster their daughter had become, even if it had not been completely her fault.

Jennifer scowled, turning around so she didn't have to listen to the quelling rumors being told about her to the younger generation—she had become the thing that ghost stories were made of; acquiring her exceptional hearing, sight, and sense of smell had only added misery to her unusual plight. Jennifer was the village monster...if only they knew that she would walk for days to seek her pound of flesh just so she wouldn't have to feed off one of her parents' friends –she would leave for days and when she returned, the glares would intensify.

It was hard to have a monster as a daughter, Jennifer sympathized with her parents. But it was harder for her to know that she would never be truly accepted, not by the people who condemned her for the incident that happened five years ago. And while she could have tried to explain that being a vampire did have its perks—speed, agility, strength, and the ability to heal faster than the average human being were all nice perks—it was lost on the souls of the village. They never forgot that night.

She'd lost control, waited too long to feed.

A family friend had come back from the war, his face all cut up, and in the night while everyone had been presumably asleep, Jennifer sought him out, desperate to quiet the hunger inside her vampire belly. She only had a taste before the wife had awakened, chasing her out of the hut with a shovel, then a knife. Jennifer had escaped into the night, and when her parents had gone looking for her, she'd returned, expecting to receive forgiveness and sympathy but neither were given to her.

Instead, all she received were pious stares, and an increasingly large number of suspicious people who were only waiting for her to fuck up again and then...well, Jennifer knew it was only a matter of time before her parents turned on her. Soon, they would no longer be able to tell their friends to stop insulting her, to stop making their daughter feel more of an outcast than she really was. To compromise, Jennifer swore off attending any parties; sometimes, when the men and women became too drunk, they would aim their hatred for the ogres and transfer it to her.

There was no reasoning why they blamed her for the ogre wars for she'd done nothing to antagonize, but Jennifer didn't rule out the booze was a good source for the lack of rationality. To save her parents' the embarrassment and to save her the heart break of being rejected and misjudged, Jennifer remained in the outskirts of the village, watching everything slowly move from her, slowly leave her.

"It must be hard..."

Jennifer gasped softly, startled by the voice, turning around. Seeing Rumplestiltskin shift towards her on his cane, limping towards her from the direction of the party, Jennifer relaxed. She and Rumple were about the same age; he'd grown up with her in the same village.

They were practically friends of the friendless, having socialized here and there, and sometimes, he'd catch her watching him spin at the wheel while she would catch him watching her as he and his son, Baelfire, would take walks through the forest. There would have been a connection a lot earlier, but then Rumplestiltskin had married Milah, and Jennifer, who only wanted his happiness, never interfered.

Jennifer smiled at him weakly, before looking past him to the party where the children were now being told stories by their grandparents. Beside her, Rumplestiltskin watched as well. Jennifer could practically feel his own isolation; it wasn't lost on her why.

She had been surprised when he'd come back from the Ogre Wars, the rumors spreading like a brush fire about how he had injured himself so he wouldn't have to go to the front lines.

The village coward.

"How come you're not out there?" asked Jennifer, indicating the party with her eyes then looking at him. "Your son seems to be having fun; shouldn't you be with him?"

Rumplestiltskin smiled at her, but like her, he seemed to muster little courage to offer false optimism. He grunted slightly as he shifted the weight of his cane and better leg, sitting against a tree opposite of Jennifer, who watched him curiously. He looked up at her, the look on his face expressing sadness.

"He is having fun," Rumplestiltskin stated. "I won't ruin it for him."

"He loves you though," Jennifer offered knowingly. "And I am sure he'd love to have his father partake in this celebration, however depressing the circumstances are."

"I am not there to embarrass him, and I prefer it that way." Rumplestiltskin explained, watching Baelfire happily take a warm biscuit from one of the maidens who was going around with a large tray full of treats, adding to the festivities; Baelfire joined in with the laughter of the other children as they all got up, taking sticks and pretending fight with the make-believe swords.

Rumplestiltskin glanced at her as though to lighten mood, he said, "I saw you here, alone...again...and I thought maybe my company would be more appreciated here."

Jennifer nodded, understanding his point.

"Touching, Rumple." She chuckled.

He smiled when the small grin lit her beautiful features, but then a sad expression appeared on her face.

"But it's the same reason why I am not there. I would embarrass my parents." Jennifer uttered softly, watching her parents also take a warm biscuit, thanking the maiden sincerely before she continued off to offer to someone else.

"They used to not care," Jennifer said, leaning her back against a tree; as though it held no comfort to stand, she slowly sank to the soil, cradling her knees to her. Rumplestiltskin watched her.

Jennifer continued quietly, "Sometimes, I think they wish they never had me. It's better for them to pretend I was never born, that I never existed, than to admit that they have a monster. Who would be proud to say they have a vampire for a daughter."

She seemed to forget that he was there until she looked up. She quickly brushed a tear from her cheek, sniffling a little. Rumplestiltskin watched her for a moment, feeling uneasy as he was unable to offer any sentimental advice; he simply crawled over to her, sitting beside her.

"We've known each other for quite some time, Jennifer," Rumplestiltskin stated.

"Yes, we have," Jennifer agreed. "All our lives."

"So I should be the one to tell you that I know more than anyone that you are not a monster," Rumplestiltskin told her.

"Oh, but I am," Jennifer returned quietly. "You know there is not a single person in this place that would call me a 'friend'? My own parents look at me and I used to see love, affection and now I can't see anything in there anymore. There's nothing...nothing at all. And the children are scared of me—even your son. Everyone runs."

"I haven't," Rumplestiltskin reminded.

Jennifer smiled, saying, "Maybe there's a reason for that?"

Rumplestiltskin glanced at her uneasily, although he didn't seem quite so awkward. He was choosing not to say it aloud, the feelings he had for her, the ones that had been around even while Milah and he had still been together.

As though he remembered something, Rumplestiltskin suddenly reached inside his cloak and Jennifer watched him curiously as he pulled out something from it. It was a small figurine, with the resemblance of a person, made out of straw. There were black feathers attached to the head for black hair, and two light pieces of rock made the eyes. The straw itself was bound tightly so it had a bit of a sparkling sheen as Jennifer turned it in her hand, the moon making it appear a little shinier than the dullness straw normally displayed.

"For you," Rumplestiltskin said.

"Me?" she asked, chuckling as he gave it to her. She gave it a look, saying, "What is it?"

"It's supposed to be a person," Rumplestiltskin said, shrugging.

Jennifer smiled knowingly, saying "Who is it supposed to be?"

"You," Rumplestiltskin returned. "It's how I see you."

"And how do you see me?" Jennifer asked, beaming at him.

Rumplestiltskin looked at her as though he wanted to say something, but he seemed to reconsider and Jennifer, who'd watched him expectantly, smiled a little...a small flicker of hope crossed her features, and the silence returned between them for a few minutes.

Rumplestiltskin said softly, "I know you're feeling isolated, Jennifer, alone and unwanted. But if it makes you feel any better, there's at least one person in this village that won't run from you...or, really, can't." He indicated his lame foot.

Jennifer smiled lightly, looking at him.

"Is that supposed to be a joke?"

Rumplestiltskin chuckled, saying, "Yes. It was."

"That's funny," Jennifer said, laughing a little. "Dark, but funny."

Rumplestiltskin shrugged, saying, "I'm pleased to see that your vampirism hasn't affected your sense of humor."

A moment passed.

There was something in the way he gazed at her, he resembled a little puppy dog, watching her as intently as he did. She'd always considered Rumplestiltskin a friend, although she had thought they would be more by now—but things got in the way, events had happened, and Fate was a bitch. But here they were.

He always seemed to find her when she needed the right person to talk to, and she'd find him when he would feel like the walls were closing in. They always seemed to find each other. Rumplestiltskin was always the one who talked to her when she was at her most vulnerable, the same man who always spoke to her as though she'd never been bitten by a vampire, as though his opinion of her—whether or not she had fangs—had never changed.

They were silent for a moment. The gaze they shared between them seemed to last for hours.

Jennifer whispered, "I think..."

"Yes?" Rumplestiltskin asked, his voice betraying a little hope.

"I think it's time I go home," Jennifer told him.

Rumplestiltskin looked a little crestfallen, but he nodded. Jennifer stood to her feet, and held out a hand. He took it, taking his cane in the other, pulling himself up. He staggered a bit, incidentally nearly pinning her against a tree. They laughed softly when the surprise wore off, and neither seemed to move. Jennifer smiled at him, her eyes lighting up with the moon above. Rumplestiltskin watched her for a moment, waiting to see if she would encourage him.

He held no interest for anyone, nor did he feel like he deserved anyone, but the moments with Jennifer (while only lasting for a few seconds), he always hoped they would last longer.

After Milah had been taken, having left him...Jennifer was the only other person besides Baelfire to whom he could confide, and she'd stood by him, as a friend, of course. They shared a common feeling: Isolation. And after being branded the village coward, it only seemed to bring them closer together, but only as close as his marriage with Milah would allow.

Now at this point, Rumplestiltskin was frozen to the earth, and his frozen state remained even as Jennifer leaned forward. Her lips touched his briefly, but he didn't give any kind of response—a part of him, perplexed, tried to decipher if this was real or not. As he tried prying away a fantasy from reality, Jennifer had mistaken his lack of response for sheer terror; Jennifer apologized quietly, turning to leave but Rumplestiltskin finally found his bearing; he snatched her shoulder, pushing her against the tree. She began to voice her surprise, but was stopped when Rumplestiltskin kissed her. Hesitantly at first, then when Jennifer returned it, he felt what he could have described as 'bravery' stir inside.

Jennifer smirked into the kiss, entangling her hands behind his head, into his hair, lightly tugging. Her heart, while no longer beating, fluttered as winged insects floated around in her stomach. The flutter in her heart was partially because Rumplestiltskin wrapped his arms around her (still bearing his weight on the cane but barely). At first, Rumplestiltskin was captured by the ferocity of the lady's passions; the soft sounds that came from her mouth and vibrated into his.

Rumplestiltskin felt his heart race when Jennifer twisted the position so she had him pinned against the tree, her fingers digging into his shoulders, and Rumplestiltskin became very painfully aware of the excitement happening below.

Time seemed to stand still.

Rumplestiltskin lost his balance though, toppling over onto the ground. He landed on his back, muttering apologies. She knelt down.

"Rumplestiltskin," she said, but he kept apologizing quickly, and she said loudly, "Rumplestiltskin!"

He quickly looked at her.

She lied next to him, turning onto her side so she faced him. Jennifer placed a hand on his cheek, her palm caressing his jaw. Softly, she said, "Stop apologizing. You have nothing for which you should be sorry."

Rumplestiltskin begged to differ, but Jennifer put her hand over his mouth.

"I like you," Jennifer told him. "I have for a while, since we were teenagers."

"You..." Rumplestiltskin began, but he stopped when he processed this, and looked at her incredulously. "You...have?"

"Yes." Jennifer returned.

"Why?" Rumplestiltskin asked, making Jennifer laugh.

"Why not?" asked Jennifer. "You're a man full of love. You love your son—it shows every day. You love your son more than you love yourself." She sat up, handing him his cane. "It's why you left the front line, isn't it?"

"Well, there's more to that story."

"I know the story," Jennifer told him, waving her hand dismissively. She stood to her feet, helping him up. "The story that everyone here has heard. You didn't want to go to war. You only joined to try and prove yourself that you are brave. But there's another part of that story, I know for certain. You didn't want to leave Baelfire fatherless...personally, I think crippling yourself would take an astonishingly amount of courage—that's a lot of pain to go through."

Rumplestiltskin nodded, sighing sadly.

"You may be known as the village coward," Jennifer offered softly. "But you would do anything for your loved ones. And that is courageous."

"But I am the village coward," he emphasized.

Jennifer returned, "You are who you are, Rumplestiltskin. You, changing yourself to please everyone else, won't make you brave—it'll only be a lie."

A beat passed, and Rumplestiltskin continued to gaze at her as though she might fly up a chimney. He walked towards her, stopping in front of her momentarily. He brought a hand to her face, caressing her cheek, then touched her neck lightly where the vampire had left its mark.

"I'm betting this hurt as well?" Rumplestiltskin asked.

"Incredibly," Jennifer answered softly.

"You never explained how it happened."

"The bastard kidnapped me in the middle of the night, sank his teeth into my neck, and left," Jennifer told him flatly. "It hurt like hell, but one of the perks about being the undead is that I have an incredible amount of pain tolerance and self-healing powers. Some people can only stand so much before they beg for death..." Jennifer shrugged, saying softly, "Guess I am luckier than most."

He didn't stop touching her neck, his finger tracing her bite marks where only gray scars remained.

"You're thinking of Milah, aren't you?" asked Jennifer. "Wondering what kind of pain she went through at the docks...?"

"I think about her every day," Rumplestiltskin returned.

Jennifer said lightly, "Do you still have feelings for her?"

"I'm not sure," Rumplestiltskin returned. "She was Bae's mother...our marriage has been...had been..."

Jennifer took his hand that had been touching her neck, and placed it over her heart. Rumplestiltskin watched her curiously.

"My heart—my human heart—may not be alive, Rumplestiltskin. But I can tell you right now that it beats only for you. I know it may be too late, now that I'm a vampire, but had you not been with Milah...had you not chosen her..." She stopped herself from saying anymore, only ending with a quieter tone, "I guess it doesn't matter. Anyway, I'd be a difficult woman to love." She smiled kindly at him.

Rumplestiltskin took her shoulder before she could walk away. She looked at him.

"What?"

"If your parents can longer accept you for what you are now," Rumplestiltskin said quietly, "You must find some place where you are happy, no matter where you are. It's a choice. Home is not a home, until you miss it."

"I've missed talking to you. I wanted to talk to you a lot in the past..."

"Why didn't you?" asked Rumplestiltskin.

"Milah," Jennifer answered gently. "I didn't want to interfere."

Rumplestiltskin looked at her with the same expression of disbelief as he'd done before, but when she didn't say anything more to contradict it, he smiled a little. He seemed more than happy to hear that someone else missed him, and wanted to be with him by choice.

"Milah was a kind woman," Rumplestiltskin said lightly. "She wouldn't have minded if..."

"She wasn't the reason I avoided you, Rumple." Jennifer chuckled, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "You were."

Rumplestiltskin looked confused.

She said softly, "I feel for you, Rumple. A great deal—more than you could possibly comprehend. You talk to me when no one else will—be it they are afraid or disgusted. For doing that alone, I know there has to be some type of bravery inside your heart. But it's not just that. You accept me for what I was, and what I am now. I also think, judging from our frequent social interactions, that you feel a great deal for me too. What's more is that I feel safe around you..." At his look of disbelief, she added, "It takes more than a man wielding a sword to make me feel safe. Most of those blockheads talk and I have to suffer through their mindless conversations. But with you...I stay interested."

Apologetically, she added, "Anyway, Milah had just given you a son. Regardless, I couldn't interfere with true love."

"I'm not so sure that it was," he admitted quietly. "A time or two, she confessed that she wished I had died in the war."

"That's terrible," Jennifer remarked.

Rumplestiltskin nodded, agreeing with her, but for Milah's sake, he didn't insult her existence, or rather, lack-of.

After a silent moment, Rumplestiltskin said, "You actually feel safe when you're around me?"

"Completely," Jennifer returned, chuckling at the disbelief in his tone.

"You are extraordinary," Rumplestiltskin stated, smiling at her.

"If only people were so comfortable around vampires as you are, Rumplestiltskin. It would certainly shorten my hunts by several hours."

Chuckling, Rumplestiltskin said, "Was that a joke?"

Jennifer nodded.

"Funny," Rumplestiltskin pointed out. "Dark...but funny."

They both shared a small laugh, smiling briefly.