"Go."

Turning he stood staring as hard at that crack, in that stone, in that wall, that was opposite of her form, as he could. To think she had the nerve to even look regal sitting on the floor. He had to do this. The words felt like acid as they came out.

"I don't want you any more."

He tried a smirk even if she couldn't see his face. Even if it was a lie to himself. Feeling her movement as much as hearing it he knew she stood, heard her breath accelerate. Oh, If he saw her tears he may be swayed to believe her. To think that someone like her could love him. Want him. No he had to block out the sweet poison, he couldn't be weak. She was out the cell's door, he was nearly free! But then she was turning and shouting at him. Staring down the dark one nearly nose to nose.

"You are freeing yourself. You could have had happiness, if you would just believe that someone would want you!... and you couldn't take the chance..."

His face wanted to crack, show his shock. His heart wanted to break this whole charade and grab that sweet little face and crush his lips to hers. Even his hands were attempting to rebel against him. The fingers twitched, trying to reach for hers, but his will would not allow it. Hoping against hope she didn't notice he concentrated on being as flat, as untouched appearing as he could. When in fact every single cell he was made of was fighting against his damned pride and will to give in to his heart.

"Thats a lie." He had to force it through his teeth, not willing to chance his face betraying him.

"You're a coward Rumplestiltskin. And no matter how thick you make your skin, that doesn't change."

Even she saw him for the coward he was. He had fooled himself that he wasn't that crippled man anymore. Yet here he was, a reflection in her words better then any magic mirror could hope to create. He was still running from anything he could. He had to get her out of here now. Had to hide how much those words from her cut him.

Forcing a look of condescension to his visage he talked down at her. Pressing the buttons he knew so well on her, from their playful sessions of bantering and too and fro. Now he weilded their knowledge like a knife instead of play thing.

"I'm not a coward, dearie. It's quite simple really. My power just means more to me then you."

Cold brutal blasphemy. So false he even smiled a little at it. That would do it. She would be rushing from his sight in mere moments.

Oh how wrong he was.
"No! No it doesn't. You just don't think that I can love you...now you've made your choice. And you're going to regret it, forever. And all you'll have is an empty heart... and a chipped cup." She said it softly, while her eyes sparkled with tears that were weighing down her lashes.

She turned on her heel and walked briskly away. Or would have. Except that when she was twirling away, the hot tears had finally unleashed and one stray droplet spun from her eyes, straight at him. The offending moisture landed on his hand. Who knows if the tear held it's own magic, or if it was it's warmth, or the wet, or any number of things but that small tactile stimulation of his skin finally broke his resolve.

He was moving, fast after her. It didn't take any time at all to catch her, as when she heard him she whirled round to face him down. No matter that just made his move easier. He wrapped an arm around her waist, feeling her rapid breathing expanding her ribs. His free hand grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. Brushing his lips across her knuckles was his only move right now.

She drew her hand from his grip and turned it over, he flinched expecting a smack. However she cupped his face with it instead.

"Do the brave thing and bravery will follow?" she turned her own quote into a question. Blue eyes still loseing diamond tears searched his face for answers.

A weak snicker broke past his lips. "Hardley dearest. I'm still very much a coward. I'm just more afraid of watching you walk away into forever without me than anything else I can imagine."

Bright red lips broke apart into a dazzling smile, causing a moment of shock in him much akin to the day he found her in his arms when she fell from the ladder. Frozen in his gaze at her she nearly closed the entire distance between their lips for another kiss. Oh how he wanted to succumb and let her. But that nagging fear of that bitch the queen wouldn't allow it.

"No!" he shouted it too loudly. He watched her face fall into confused hurt. "No Belle don't frown, pet." He smiled at her gently and reached up slowly to run his thumb over her blood red lips. "I want nothing more than to kiss you...Except for one thing."

"Your power..." voice cracking when she said it, she nearly caused his heart to break.

"No love. Your safety. And I can't guarantee that without my power." She looked confused again. Shaking his wild mess of hair he knew he was going have to tell too much to her. She would surely turn from him after this.

"I... I don't understand, Rumple"
"I know. I have a long story to tell you... Lets go down to a warmer part of the castle." He gestured at the door for her to lead the way out. It was a gentlemanly gesture, the fact slightly appalled him and surprised him in a pleasant way as well.

Granting him another smile, she slipped from his fragile hold moving towards the door. However in a move that took him aback all over again she laced her fingers through his own and pulled him in tow behind her blue skirt.

"would you like some tea while you tell your story?" Glancing over her shoulder she quirked an eyebrow at him.

"You needn't.."

"Hush now. I don't mind caring for you Rumplestiltskin."

Struck dumb again he could only nod and marvel at the smile she blessed him with.

Once they reached the main chamber with the long wooden table her fingers slipped from his grip as she continued to the kitchen. Leaving him alone to stare after her.

Sprawled out in his chair at the table he gazed over steepled fingers at her as she made her way into the room with a tea service. His eyes now reflecting the golds from the fire watched every move as his chipped cup was placed in front of him, the sole surviving piece of their typical set. She didn't mention a thing about the missing matches. Another service set on the tray. White porcilin with lavender stands and lids with gold details. She stood close to him as she worked and when it came time to fill his cup from the pot, and she leaned over, her dark tendrils were so close to his face he could smell lavender dancing through the tresses. It went well with the earl grey's aroma filling the room. With all set up he expected her to walk to a chair at the table. Not to ever do the expected she settled instead on the table with one foot resting on the corner of his seat cushion and the other crossed over it. Ignoring her own cup she leaned over her legs and grasped her hands infront of her knees giving him her rapt attention. Of course, she was so starved for any information she could discover, she couldn't even be bothered to sip her tea.

Nervous himself he leaned forward to scoop sugar into his tea, causing his arm to brush her leg. This was alarming enough sending lightening up his appendage to his addled mind. The other and more intimate situation the motion caused was to bring his face within a breath of her smiling face and dancing eyes. Damned sugar bowl! why did it have to be so far away. Attempting to show no rush he scooped his sugar 1 spoon, 2 spoon, and 3... That was when she chose to lean that small distance and press her lips to his cheek.

Snapping back to his original position, his back ramrod straight, he looked at her watching him with dancing eyes and a mischievous grin worthy of him... Attempting a small grin himself he flourished a hand at her. "No more of that thank you dearie."

Her face fell infinitesimally, but the lights in her eyes dimmed more. Blast this was a mess.

"I prefer you didn't call me that." blue eyes glanced at the floor when she spoke. It wasn't possible she was shy... was it?

"And what shall I call you then?"

Leaning back with her arms behind her on the table she looked around the room. "No matter, just not that." then Direct and bold eye contact as her bravery flares " You call everyone dearie"

Only able to nod at the accusation it was his turn to glance away. "Well it's a simple request to honor."

when finally his eyes endeavored to find hers again they found her smiling at him and again leaning forward waiting for his story.

"Don't smile, love. It isn't a happy story I'm about to tell you." Glancing down at the murky tea as he sipped it.

"Well it's gotten to the point where we are here together, so it can't be but so bad." the sweet voice attempting to lull him.

"You can't possibly be referring to this as a Happily ever after?" He snorted motioning to the two of them and the rest of Dark Castle.

A thoughtful expression spread over her as she glanced up at the golden chandelier. " Funnily enough, I've never been a 'happily ever after girl'."

It was his turn to lift an eyebrow at her. "Do tell."

"My favorite stories are the ones that aren't simple. Where the characters have to work for their happiness, and never stop." another smile.

"You deserve a easy Happily ever after."

Shrugging she kicked her top foot out then back in. "Maybe, but things that are hard fought for are always that much more cherished."

Watching the girl smooth her skirts as she spoke he nearly crushed her to him again.
"Well no matter all that. I promised you a story, and if I know you I won't rest until I make good on it."

Nodding emphatically she rested her face in her palms and waited for her story.