Belle was lost in thought as she folded laundry.

She kept thinking back to a few days earlier when she had run into the woman all dressed in black, not knowing she was the Evil Queen. She kept remembering what she had said to her.

True love's kiss will break any curse

When Belle returned to the castle she hadn't even tried to kiss Rumpelstiltskin. If she kissed him it would be because she loved him, not to break a curse.

"Belle."

Belle was startled and knocked over the basket of folded laundry. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," She put the clothes back into the basket.

"It's just clothes Dearie,' Rumpelstiltskin told her.

Belle didn't say anything, nodding her head in agreement.

"I need you to go into town again to fetch me more straw."

"No problem. I'll go right after I refold these clothes."

"The clothes can wait. I'd rather you go now. It will be dark soon."

"Okay. I will be back as soon as I can," Belle said as she rushed out of the room.

Rumpelstiltskin watched as Belle hurried out of the room. He wondered what was wrong with her. Ever since she came back from town a few days ago she seemed a bit off and would barely look him in the eye. He knew that he was an unkind person and that Belle was used to it. Whatever was troubling her was much deeper.

Belle was heading back to Rumpelstiltskin's when she heard a carriage nearby. She looked back and was terrified that it was the same one from a few days ago.

She prayed that the carriage would pass her this time, but her prayers were short lived when it halted right in front of her.

The door swung open and Belle saw the same lady again dressed all in black. She smiled devilishly at Belle. "What a coincidence running into to you twice in one week."

"It must be," Belle said a little scared.

The Evil Queen left her carriage and walked over to Belle. "So is your master/lover enjoying his new look?" She grinned wickedly.

"No, he's still the same."

The Evil Queen's smile was replaced with a look of horror. "You haven't given him true love's kiss."

"No I haven't," Belle tried to walk away but the Evil Queen grabbed her by the arm.

"I gave you a way to put him out of his misery and you didn't use it. Why not?"

"Yes Belle, why haven't you put me out of my misery," said a stern voice.

The two women saw Rumpelstiltskin leaning against the Evil Queen's carriage.

"Rumpelstiltskin what a surprise. I was just getting acquainted with your servant," the Evil Queen said coyly.

Belle was horrified to realized the lady knew that Rumpelstiltskin was her master and had been using her.

Pulling out of the woman's grasp Belle walked over to Rumpelstiltskin. "Please believe me, I…"

"Go back to the castle," he told her harshly.

"But…"

"Do as you're told!" He yelled at her.

Belle was near tears as she rushed off leaving the Evil Queen and Rumpelstiltskin to themselves.

"How dare you," Rumpelstiltskin said to the Evil Queen

"How dare I what?" The evil Queen asked innocently.

"You know very well what you did. You tried to get her to break my curse."

"I was just trying to give you a little push, help you out," The Evil Queen grinned.

"You did no such thing. You don't care about my happiness. You thought you could put thoughts into Belle's head, but you didn't succeed.

With one hand he grabbed the Evil Queen by the neck and with the other in a swift movement blew up her coachmen before they could try to rescue her.

"You already tried to be the fairest in the land and it failed, now you've failed at trying to be the most powerful. You'll never rise above me."

Rumpelstiltskin tightened his grip on her neck. "Try to come between me and my servant again and you will pay. I've heard rumors about a punishment for you, forcing you to dance wearing shoes made of hot coals. Wouldn't you like that Dearie?"

N….N…No," She choked out.

"Then stay the hell out of my life!" with the snap of his fingers he was gone. The Evil Queen fell to the ground gasping for air.

Rumpelstiltskin stormed into his castle. "Belle!" he howled. He didn't hear her coming. He wondered where she was.

In the dungeon Belle was sitting in the corner with her arms wrapped around her legs and her head lying against her knees. How could she have been such a fool for ever talking to that hateful woman? She hoped that Rumpelstiltskin would listen to her and understand she was never going to use true love's kiss on him without his knowledge.

The dungeon door slammed opened. Belle looked up and saw Rumplestiltskin's silhouette in the shadows.

What he said to her put her into utter shock.

"You can't serve me tea from here."