Summary: What if Rumple had stepped back into town after crossing in "The Outsider", but Hook still shot Belle so she remembers everything, with another unexpected twist?
Author's Note: I realized that Rumple would not have left town that night after testing the town line with the potion, unless he wanted to walk all the way to New York (which wouldn't have been an option with just the clothes on his back, a hurt leg, and a cane. Also, not sure if Belle knows how to drive back home). He would have had to drive Belle back home and pack, obviously. So why did he not immediately step back into town, preventing Belle from losing her memories when Hook shot her? This is my story on what I would have liked to happen for the aftermath of Belle getting shot but still remembering.
Italic: Thoughts or emphasis
Disclaimer: Everything and everyone belongs to ABC's Once Upon A Time and its creators, Adam and Kris. I owe NOTHING! Otherwise, Belle and Rumple would have been married a long time ago and already have a baby girl on the way. :)
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It was 8:15 at night in Storybrooke and two people were making their way towards the town line in an old Cadillac. Rumple had just figured out that day the potion required for one's memory to remain when they crossed the town line, using Mr. Smee as a test subject. Rumple had no issue using the pirate's right-hand man-or more precisely left-hand man-as a lab rat, which is quite ironic considering he had turned the man into a more literal rat after his little theft stunt earlier that day.
As Rumple and Belle stepped out of the car, they walked towards the red sprayed line with their arms linked and Rumple holding the shawl needed to find his son. After pouring the potion onto the shawl, Belle wrapped it around Rumple's neck and watched as he took a step of faith across the town line. She could see some form of blue light that indicated magic covering Rumple for just a few seconds. A few more seconds of suspense laid between the two before Rumple indicated he remembered. It had worked. The potion had worked and he was on his way to find his son. All that was left was to take Belle back home, pack, give bittersweet goodbyes, and leave town to complete his life-long mission.
"Oh Belle, I so wish you were coming with me." A tint of longing could be heard in his voice.
"As do I, but it doesn't matter."
"Why not?"
"Because, you'll find your son. And when you do, I'll be right here waiting for you."
It was a single sprayed red line that not only showed the town line, but also currently divided Rumple and his True Love. A quick flash thought had popped in his head and he realized he could not risk her crossing, since he had no potion left and no memory recovery spells. You would think a 300 year old sorcerer would have one of those in his extensive knowledge of magic.
So without further hesitation, he crossed back over the town line into Storybrooke to stand next to Belle. He could see the look of hope, pride, longing, and love in her eyes. They both lean forward to share a kiss for this wonderful mo-
BANG!
It came out of nowhere. A shot had been heard and Rumple finds himself cradling Belle has he tries to piece together what had happened in a split second. He didn't understand. One moment he and Belle are sharing a moment and were leaning in to kiss, the next she is lying in his arms, bleeding. Why would she be bleeding?
"I don't think so, Crocodile."
Hook. There he was standing on the outskirts of the forest with a smoking pistol in his still remaining hand and the look of satisfied vengeance plastered on his face. He had just shot Belle.
"Belle?! Belle!"
"Ru-um-ple?" She sounded so weak it broke his heart, if it wasn't broken already.
Rumple could see that she was bleeding extensively on her left shoulder, right above her heart. He gathered magic into his hand, ready to heal Belle of the woun-
BANG!
Rumple found himself blown backwards, his head hitting the asphalt of the road, and a severe pain shooting in his left shoulder.
"Now you'll know how it feels to lose your True Love! You're going to feel everything I felt when you took Milah!" For a brief second, Rumple could see the look of satisfaction on Hook's face as he stepped closer to Belle, aiming, before everything goes black.
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Yes. You read that right. I just shot Belle AND Rumple. Please don't hate me. I realized shortly after starting that I was reaching a bump in the road when I realized that he could easily heal Belle and than attack Hook. With that my story would be over. So I had to do something. I'm sorry. Rumbelle is my OTP but their love is never easy, so this story might not be easy. However, I promise a happy ending (please don't let me forget that. I have been diagnosed as depressed from my therapist and literally, just started tonight taking anti-depressions. So please remind me not to let that get in the way of Rumple and Belle having their happy ending). Hope you stay tuned for the next chapter. I have no school and no job (sadly, but I am working on it) and hope to get the next chapter up shortly. However, I have been known to be lazy and procrastinate, so tons of reviews would be AWESOME to keep me motivated. Thank you for reading! Again, please review!
