Fall of the Cards

Chapter One: Of Outsiders and Oblivion

Althea had been sleeping, enjoying a rather nice dream involving her, Belle, and Rumple in a hot tub when her cell phone went off in her ear. She cursed modern technology, then flipped the phone open and pressed the 'Talk' button. "Mmmf?"

"Althea?" Rumple sounded as if he were choking back tears. "Althea, Belle...she...she.."

Althea sat up, rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes. "She what, Rumple? What happened?"

Rumplestiltskin struggled to keep his voice from breaking. "She's been shot."

Althea came fully awake, gripping the phone so tight her knuckles paled. "What? When? Where?"

"A few moments ago, by...an old enemy of mine. But that's not the worst part."

"What's worse than being shot?"

Rumple gulped. "She fell over the line."

Althea went numb. Belle, their lovely, wonderful Belle, had lost her memories. "She...she didn't have a Storybrooke identity, did she?"

"No. She..was locked in that asylum. She's got nothing, and I don't know if I'll be able to make her remember."

Althea ran her hand down her face. "Where are you?"

"Storybrooke General."

"I'll be there in five minutes." Before Rumple could protest, she hung up. She dressed quickly, then summoned her staff and teleported to the hospital. She was able to find Belle's room without too much trouble. Rumple was standing a few feet away from the bed, a shawl draped over his shoulders. He gripped his cane tight as he stared down at a very confused and scared Belle. Althea moved to stand beside him. "How bad is it?"

"Belle's lost her memories, Althea. It's pretty damn bad."

Belle's eyes were darting back and forth like a trapped animals. Finally, they came to rest on Althea. "Who are you?"

Althea smiled at her, though her heart was breaking. "My name is Althea."

Belle stared at her. "Oh. Well, who is Belle?"

Rumple gripped his cane. "You are! Belle, please you have to remember, you have to..." Althea placed her hand over his, shaking her head 'No.'

"I'm sure it will come back to you in time, Belle."

Belle turned away. "But I don't remember anything!"

Rumple hissed in a breath. "I should never have let you come with me. I should have crossed the line on my own!"

Althea blinked as his words registered. "Wait...you crossed the Line? How the hell did you keep your memories?!"

He stroked the shawl. "I coated this in a potion. When worn, it helps me keep my memories. It was Bae's," he added at her puzzled look. "It's a talisman, so I'll be able to know Baelfire when I see him."

"Oh. So, who shot her?"

Rumple's face darkened. "Killian Jones, better known as.."

"Captain Hook." Althea interjected. She knew of the pirate through the stories Rumple had told her. Unlike with Belle, he had never hidden his past from her, and she had never asked him to. "What happened to him?"

"A car hit him."

Althea grinned. "So who was leaving town? Wait, I know. Mr. Clark. He's already lost his memories, so it wouldn't matter. Or maybe it was Regina! That would be even better! Or maybe.."

"Althea, he was hit by someone coming into town."

Althea's jaw dropped. "But...people don't come into town."

Rumple chuckled bitterly. "Looks like they do now."