So I needed to write this to help me feel better about Belle's character in the 5x17 sneak peek. I love her, and Rumbelle is my OTP forever, but she's pissing me off. This story popped up because I wanted her to find some logic and reason and to understand what she's refusing to believe. I did make it to where she met her mother in the Underworld, because I'm sure she would listen to Colette better than anyone, but I wasn't sure how to make Colette in the Underworld. I still hate the fact that Neal isn't in the Underworld because he wanted to know that his son was okay, but he had no unfinished business? Well, Henry Sr. wanted to make sure Regina was okay and happy, and yet he's in the Underworld? Where's the logic in that? And personally, I still believe Neal had unfinished business with his father, whether he wants to admit it or not. Perhaps I should write a one-shot about that?

Anyways, as I was writing, I decided to change it to Peter Pan Belle met instead of her mother. We never had a moment between them and I think Peter would understand the logic behind Rumple better than her mother. This is my first time writing Peter Pan, so he might be OOC. I apologize for that, but if you have advice, tips, or hints on how to make him more accurate, please let me know. Enjoy.

Not twenty-four hours passed when Rumple told Belle the news that she was pregnant; and in that time she had made sure baby Hood was safe in her father's arms, helped Robin and Regina get her back from Zelena (despite her protesting not to trust the Wicked Witch), and learned what the heroes had learned in their short time in the Underworld. But when they decided to take a break from their mission and simply relax Belle left the loft. She didn't have anything to offer to the conversations and she wasn't ready to let them know that she was pregnant. Plus, she really needed some time alone to think.

She couldn't bring herself to go back to the library. It didn't look anything like the Storybrooke library back home and she didn't really feel safe there; and Rumple's words would only echo in the once familiar sanctuary. She wasn't ready to go the shop just yet either, knowing that was his sanctuary to hide in, but she also knew it wasn't safe to go wondering in the Underworld alone. Despite having done so already, knowing she wasn't just protecting herself anymore changed that.

Pregnant.

The word repeated itself in her head and she wondered if this shocked reaction was something every new mother went through, or if it was because of the following news she received afterwards. Deep down she knew she shouldn't be too upset at Rumple. He did tell her that it was years before he ever met her when he made the deal, but the fact that he actually agreed to it was what shocked her. There was stories (which she later found out was false) of the Dark One Rumplestiltskin trading for a baby. But trading a baby?

He didn't mean to hurt you. He just wanted to save his son.

She shook her head. She wasn't in the mood to listen to reason. And she hated herself more for that.

She was already upset at herself for once again walking away from him and more upset with what she told him. She knew, she knew deep down, that she was wrong. He finally told her the truth. He finally gave her what she had always been wanting from him. And she walked away just because she didn't like it.

She had been walking aimlessly around town, not paying attention to the lost souls, or where she was going. She didn't even know where she was in town because everything looked beaten up and red. Belle almost tripped when she looked back up at the sky but caught herself in time. The baby she figured was hardly a week old, but it didn't mean she wanted to cause damage to herself.

"You should be careful dear. This isn't a safe place for the living."

Belle spun around. She had heard that voice only a few times in the past, but she knew it well enough.

Peter Pan.

He stood there with his hands in his pockets, dressed in a dashing suit, and a eerily familiar smirk on his face.

"Peter Pan. What are you doing here?"

Belle took a few glances to her side, making out her surroundings in case she had to run.

"I would think you're smart enough to figure that out. I'm sure you heard about what kind of place the Underworld is, or at least read about it in a book."

He sounded too familiar for her comfort at the moment.

"It's a place for souls...with unfinished business."

"Exactly." He took a step forward, making her step back. "I think you know what my business is. My son. And don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you."

Belle looked around. She had somehow found herself close to the docks but now that he was the Dark One again, she figured Rumple would still be able to hear her when she called his name in case his father did decide to hurt her. At least she could still trust Rumple to protect her.

"I just want to talk."

Belle turned her head back to the teenage father. "Why?"

He looked confused, but only for a second. "You're my daughter-in-law. Right? I'm not sure if you and laddie had broken it up yet."

Belle sighed. "No. Not yet."

"I am surprised, but I'm not here to tell you to divorce him or anything."

"Than what do you want?"

Peter didn't smile. In fact, Belle was certain that he actually looked upset, and she didn't think it was because of her.

"To just talk."

Belle found herself in many strange situations today, but walking on the docks in the Underworld with her dead teenage father-in-law took the cake. She wanted to tell herself that she was being too trusting, and she knew it was a flaw, but somehow talking to his father seemed like a better option than talking to Rumple.

"What are you wanting to talk about?"

"The one thing we have in common. Rumple."

"Have you talked to him lately?"

Peter sighed. "Not lately, no. I did see him when he and his friends first arrived, but I've been trying to give him some space since. You?"

"Yes. I met him in the library earlier today. Or yesterday. I'm sure how time moves here."

"The library? Interesting."

"He told him he was working for Hades. He said Hades had some leverage on him."

"Did he?"

Peter stopped walking and looked at her. "Is everything alright?"

Belle didn't look at him, not saying anything. What could she? That her husband traded her child long before she was born to save his son?

She decided to stick with the plain facts.

"I'm pregnant."

Peter smirked, making a sound like he held back a laugh, and smiled at her. "Congratulations."

Belle tried to smile. She wanted to be happier about the news but she saw no reason to. She was for a few precious seconds when Rumple told her, and she wished she never connected the dots to his agreement. She wished he never told her. But she wanted honesty, right?

"You don't seem happy about it."

"Um..."

"Did he mess up again?"

Belle smirked. "Yeah, he did. But, I think I messed up to."

"How so?"

"I wanted honest from him, and I got it. But I didn't like it so I left. I always seem to do that to him. Walk away after he gives me what I want. What's wrong with me?"

She hadn't meant for him to answer but it was strange how easy it was to talk to the boy. Or man? This really was a messed up moment.

"Don't blame yourself lassie. The boy has been through a lot. Granted, most of it because of me. But he's trying."

"What do you mean?"

They continued to walk, trying to enjoy the red sky view.

"I think we both know how far Rumple is willing to go to protect and save the ones he loves. He doesn't stop trying and people seem to forget that. Especially those friends of his."

"I don't really think they're his friends. Even to him." It was the first time she ever admitted it, but talking to Pan was so damn easy.

"They're not. And I know Rumple knows that to, but I don't think he cares."

"He came for Henry though. I think everyone knows that he would never voluntarily come to the Underworld to save a man he's hated for centuries."

"Henry wouldn't be here if his mothers were smart."

It felt odd to agree on anything with Peter Pan, but Belle actually felt safe and calm. Why? She didn't know. But she did know that it was safer with Peter Pan at the moment than alone, and she knew Rumple would want that for her. Besides, he made no move to harm her yet.

"Am I to assume the leverage Hades has on Rumple has to do with the baby?"

Belle almost didn't say anything. It was still hard to accept the fact.

"Yes. Long ago, before I was probably even born, he made a deal. He didn't tell me much about it though, but-"

"It was to save Baelfire."

Belle stopped and looked at him. "You know?"

Peter smirked. "Even after I became Peter Pan, I kept an eye on laddie. I wanted to know what he was doing."

"Does he know that? That you were watching him?"

Belle wondered that if Rumple knew, maybe he could forgive his father a little more.

"No. I never told him. I didn't think he would listen. He hadn't for everything else I told him. I don't blame him for hating me, he has the right. I just wish he would talk to me. I just want him to listen."

Belle watched mindlessly at her feet as they reached the end of the docks. She could understand what the boy meant. There were times she wished her father would just listen to her and hear what she had to say, but perhaps the situations were different. She wasn't sure.

"What do you know of the deal Rumple made? Who did he make it with?"

"It was a healer. Baelfire was perhaps seven when he was bitten by a deadly snake. It was twenty-four hour poison so he would have been dead by morning. The healer refused to give the antidote because Milah and Rumple had nothing to offer him. What you need to understand is that this was after the war and Rumple already injured himself to get back to his son. So he was willing to do whatever it took to save the lad. Anything except murder."

If Rumple was still the Dark One during the story, that last sentence would have made her laugh. As the Dark One Rumple never had issues with harming other people; whether it was turning them into snails and stepping on them, skinning them alive, or killing them. But she knew that Rumple couldn't have been the evil sorcerer everyone knew him to be at this time in the story, so thinking about Rumple killing someone was hard to believe.

"But where does the deal come in?"

"Did he ever tell you about Milah?"

Belle shook her head. "Very little. He did say that she left him and Neal. Or Baelfire."

"She did, but that wasn't the issue. Milah hated Rumple. She hated that he was weak and a coward, despite injuring himself so their child could have a father. Milah always wanted him to be brave and strong. Or at least that's what she would say. Really, she wanted a man that wasn't afraid to take what was his. So she spent their last penny to buy a dagger so Rumple could go to the healer and kill him in his sleep."

Belle felt sick. Was she just like Milah? Forcing Rumple to be someone he wasn't? But she would never ask Rumple to kill someone. Even now, she never believed killing was the option, even with someone like Zelena.

"But he couldn't do it. He tried, so I guess one would give him points for that. The healer woke up and was surprised that Rumple was ready to kill him, but even more surprised that he kept him alive. So the man offered Rumple a deal. The antidote to save Baelfire...for his second born child."

Belle was ready to cry, though she wasn't sure why. There was no need to cry. But the pain of learning it was her child still hurt.

"But why would Rumple agree to something like that? He wasn't just taking away his child. He was also giving away Milah's child."

Peter licked his lips. "Remember Belle, Milah hated Rumple. So I doubt they were in that part of their marriage to even have another kid."

It started to all make sense to her.

"And Rumple didn't think anyone could love a coward."

"He still thinks that though, and I've helped."

Belle noticed how Peter looked down at the water below, crossing his arms on the wooden banister. Perhaps he truly did feel guilty for all the pain he put his son through. Perhaps there was a chance for him to be redeemed and move on? But she knew it wasn't something she could help with, and knew not to trust the boy too much based on one moment of weakness.

"So he never imagined having another child."

"Exactly. And the contract was specific. Milah could always have another one."

"What do you mean?"

"The contract said Rumple's second born. Not Milah's. But I'm sorry it had to be your first."

Belle jerked her head towards him in a comical way. He was sorry?

"But what does this contract have to do with Hades?"

"I'm not really sure. But I would guess that the Lord of the Dead somehow got his hands on it. It would make sense since Rumple killed the healer after he became the Dark One to avoid paying. During their affair, when he still thought Cora loved him, he didn't want to risk the chance of them having a child under that contract. And this is Hades' domain. He can do whatever he wants."

They remained silent for a moment, watching the waters and sky. If they didn't look back, they wouldn't know they were in the Underworld.

"Was I wrong?"

Peter turned to her. "What?"

"Rumple told him that he wasn't giving up the curse this time. He told me that he was accepting who he was and I had to as well if I wanted to be with him. But I can't condone it."

"Condone what exactly? Rumple finally being happy with himself? He likes the magic but not because of what he can do with it, Belle. It keeps him safe."

This brought her attention to full. If she couldn't listen to her own reason, maybe hearing it from someone else would help.

"He's been abused by people wielding magic, even his own, too many times in life. He's been beaten and knocked down, and he doesn't have the strength to get back up."

"Not even for me?"

"Rumple came to Neverland to save Henry, and he was ready to sacrifice himself for that. He didn't leave you behind because he didn't love you. He wanted to keep you safe."

"He always seems to chose magic over anything else though."

Peter laughed. "That pregnancy must already be taking away whatever smarts you have."

There was the Pan she knew.

"Belle, he loves you. That much is true and always will be. Even after you continue to walk away from him."

She looked at him, a question in her eyes. He smirked.

"Not everyone has the privilege of knowing what happens upstairs after you die. But I found a way, and I've been watching him. Even after death."

Belle smiled. She would definitely be telling Rumple that.

"You want laddie to be a hero, but not fully realizing or accepting what he has been through. You need to understand why he is the way he is. He's not doing it all for love of power. It's never been about that."

"He said he craved power, even before becoming the Dark One."

"As I said already, for protection. So he wouldn't be a coward and have people abuse him. And to protect his son. Laddie's a bit of a lost soul, but not like those you find in the river. He's beaten and broken."

A gasp left Belle's lips. Tears were beginning to fall.

"And every time I walked away, I only helped make it worse."

"Don't give yourself too much credit lassie. You have the right to walk away and be upset, even if it's irrational and in anger. I was surprised when you threw him over the town line. That was impressive."

Belle glared at him but he only laughed. Despite this very odd moment, he was still Peter Pan.

"Rumple has a habit of making the wrong choices. But all for the right reason."

"Trying to kill Hook? Why would he do that?"

"He needed the pirate's heart for a spell."

"What spell?"

"You never did ask him, did you?"

She decided she hated her father-in-law. For throwing reason in her face when she just wanted to be angry.

"It was a spell to keep his powers, even when he left town, but mostly because it would help cleave him from the dagger. To free him from that control. He had the right to want that after what Zelena did to him."

"What did she do?" Belle asked in short gasps, fully crying now.

But Peter didn't answer. "I know you want him to be someone better, even for himself, but it seems to me laddie is happy now. He knows who he is and he's accepted that. Magic has become a part of him and he can control that curse better than anyone. I'm sure you heard of Merlin's prophesy?"

Belle thought back to Camelot. Merlin had talked about someone in the future who could possibly take all the Darkness and turn it into light. The sorcerer had thought it was Emma, but that hadn't happened. Perhaps it would be Rumple. Pan was right. Rumple had been the Dark One longer than anyone and could control the Darkness better, and she remembered what the dagger looked like when he pulled it from his jacket. While before it was silver with black lettering, it was inverted now. Perhaps there was a chance. But was she willing to take it? Even to protect their child?

"I'm not the best parent in the realms. We all know that. But I've noticed something about Rumple. I've even seen it in the Charmings he calls friends. And if they share a common trait, perhaps he's not so bad after all?"

"What is it?"

"When it comes to his child, in heat of the moment, he will do whatever it takes to protect them. When you become a parent, the child becomes the most important thing in life."

Belle's hands unconsciously rose to her stomach. The baby was hardly anything at the moment, but she already loved it. And she understood what he meant. She would protect her and Rumple's child no matter what.

"I guess I never learned that lesson." Peter added. "But I think from the look on your face that you believe the same thing. Nothing else matters but protecting the child, right?"

Belle nodded her head, her tears drying up.

"Now from what I know of you, you're going to try and find a way to defeat Hades and break the contract?"

Belle looked up at him. She left out a chuckle. He could already see determination in her eyes and he smiled.

"Right. But you're dealing with a god, Belle. The Lord of the Underworld and the Dead. What exactly is your plan on defeating him if you won't let Rumple be the Dark One? Because faith, trust, and light magic probably isn't going to work that well. You're going to need something powerful. And the power Rumple has right now, the power of all the Dark Ones to ever exist, including Emma Swan's light magic, might do the trick. The question is will you accept Rumple for who he is now? Or will you call off the marriage simply because he's not a hero?"

Belle thought for a moment but knew it would take a little longer to make her final choice. Peter stood there, watching her and sighed.

"Rumple's at the shop right now. Let me take you so you're safe, and you two can talk it out. But if you're going to do more, please don't make a mess."

Belle almost fell over. Had he really just implied that?!

He laughed. They walked back up the docks and to the shop. She looked back to thank her father-in-law, but he was already gone. Belle opened the door to the shop, hearing that familiar bell, and saw Rumple.

"Belle."

She gently shut the door, taking a few steps forward but making her way to him.

"We need to talk."

If I get enough reviews, I might continue to another chapter where Belle and Rumple talk. Please let me know what you think.