Chapter 1
Belle climbs up the steps to her house, carrying the two grocery bags from her new car, and looks around briefly before flicking her wrist once. She smirks with amusement as the door flies open with ease and allows her to enter. "I'm home!" She calls out, kicking her shoes off by the coat rack and bumping the door closed. It's been two months since the curse broke and Rumplestiltskin's power is still split with Belle. The training was hard, but Belle is proud that she's his best student, and not simply because she's sleeping with him.
"Welcome home, did you find everything?" She hears Rumplestiltskin in the kitchen.
"Of course." She responds, navigating carefully pass all the trinkets throughout the house and towards the kitchen. "I managed to drive to the store and back without hitting anything, or anyone."
"Only took you two months." She hears him.
"Oh shut-Rumple!" She sighs exasperatedly walking into the kitchen and finding him sitting at the table with some trinkets she would probably not want to know the use of. "I've asked you several times not to bring your work home with you."
"You asked me to come home Belle and I'm so close, I couldn't just stop." He protests. Belle sighs deeply and kisses the top of his head, before moving over to the counter to start unpacking. "You're not going to say anything?" He asks carefully.
"I can't." She smiles weakly at him. "I'm happy for you; you'll be reunited with Bae. If you're close to finding a solution to the memory loss curse, I'm not going to stop you." She pulls out a package of ground beef. "However if you're going to work here at the house, please be careful of what you put in your mouth. I know that when you work you don't really pay attention to things like that."
He starts laughing. "Understood."
Belle smiles at him again and continues unpacking the groceries. "So what are you going to do?" She inquires. "About the memory loss I mean."
"I have a theory on how that works and how to avoid it." He notes, biting the end of his pen. "But it would only be something you and I can do."
"Oh?" She questions, turning around. "I'm not giving you your power back and then regaining it again." She states. "I went through hell the first time."
"No, no nothing like that." He assures her emitting a small cloud of magic from his hand and having it surround the glass he was working with. "The dagger." He continues.
The Dark One's dagger is suddenly on the counter next to Belle. "Yeah? What about it?" She asks, picking it up and looking it over. She shudders slightly seeing her name on the back of the weapon.
"I know you've realized this, but our marks-" He lifts up his arm to show her the familiar rose and stem tattoo crawling from his wedding ring hand to his neck. The only thing that proves that the two of them are bounded together by blood. "Act as tracking devices."
"Yeah, trust me, I noticed." Belle laughs, looking at her own mark. "It's odd. I know where you are at all times and, with limitations, everyone else in town as well."
"No one can lie to you about where they are at the very least."
"No they cannot." She cocks her head and flicks the dagger over, causing it to sink into the center of the table, surprising him by missing everything else. "Anyways, what's your idea?"
"You won't like it." He remarks, waving a hand and causing all of his trinkets, besides the dagger, on the table to disappear.
"Do I ever?"
"Very rarely."
"The fact you're stalling makes me nervous." She states, as he stands up and moves over to the counter in order to help her start dinner.
"I'm not stalling." He insists. Belle hands him onions to start cutting and gives him a stern look. He sighs. "Alright, you're still insistent on not going?"
"It's not that I'm being insistent, it's just that we both know that it's for the best." She argues.
"You realize I put a shield over the town?" He points out, handing her the perfectly chopped onions and moving on to the garlic cloves. "Nothing can get in, and leaving has a cost."
"I know that! That's not what I meant." She scowls, filling a pot with water and setting it on the stove to start boiling. "I meant the threat inside the town."
"Regina?" He asks, perplexed and blinks. "You know that you're stronger than she is, even without me here."
"What about the warning Echo gave me, twice?" She points out, throwing another pot on the stove.
He scoffs. "Belle, I will be forever grateful for that…echo, saving your life, but I'm telling you Storybrooke is safe." He insists, pushing over the garlic and turning around to taste the homemade sauce she had just walked away from. "Needs more salt." He notes, offhand.
"Well I think the only reason you want me to come is so that you don't have to face Bae alone." She murmurs, adding the salt as he suggested and tasting it again. Perfect. "However, I'm going to assume that, by your question, that in order for your plan to work, I can't go anyways."
He sighs deeply, crossing his arms and leaning against the counter. "You're right, on both accounts."
She smirks smugly and then turns around to hug him tightly. "Just be brave Rumple." She feels him trembling and she buries her face into his chest. "I'm positive that if you show him you've changed…a bit, he'll soon forgive you."
"A bit?"
She giggles and kisses him softly. "You're still a bit of an ass sometimes."
"That's comforting." He scoffs, but a few minutes later they're both laughing. "I love you." He shakes his head. "You always do know how to uplift a conversation."
"I love you too." She smiles warmly and lets him go. "Now." She looks at him. "What's the plan?"
"The Dark One's power is split between the two of us. It's still extremely powerful, but it's nowhere near its full potential." He begins explaining, helping her put away the last of the groceries. "If I give up my half of the power and give it to you I think my memories will stay with me."
"I'm not going through that hell again Rumple, I think I just told you that." Belle states firmly.
"You won't." He assures her. "You already went through the worst of it back in the hospital when the curse broke." He walks over to the fridge and tosses her a drink. "If anything it'll feel like the sensation you get when your leg or arm falls asleep."
"Is that what it was like for you?" Belle asks, putting the rest of the pasta in the boiling water and letting it cook.
"Yes it was." He replies, opening a can of soda himself and taking a large gulp.
"Damn it, I hate that feeling too." Belle sighs, taking a sip of her own and leaning against the counter. "How long will it last?"
"A few minutes, maybe longer." He answers, leaning next to her. "I'm not entirely sure, I was far too worried about you at the time."
"Yeah, again, sorry about that." She murmurs.
He shrugs. "It really couldn't be helped." She moves even closer to him and places her soda on the counter before wrapping her arms around him. "So." He continues nervously. "Will you do it?"
Belle had nearly forgotten what they had been talking about. "You know I will." She smiles warmly. "But…you're sure about this?"
"Yes." He states firmly, kissing the top of her head. "I want the two of us to test it tomorrow, but I'm positive that it will work. A price simply has to be paid."
"And if you do lose your memories?"
"You'll still be Rosalina to me. You'll still have all of our power, and remember, my last memory as Gold is of the two of us getting married and attempting to leave town."
"Then I suppose I'll just have to try and give your memories a jolt." She grins slyly.
"You're being awfully calm at the thought." He notes.
"I trust that you know what you're doing." She states. "If you say it'll work, then it'll work."
"I think you have far too much trust in me." He jokes.
Belle kisses him again. "You should have a bit more trust in yourself."
"So should you." He retorts. "Are you ready for training after dinner?"
Belle sighs in annoyance. "Must we really do this every night?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow." He states. "For god's knows how long and I just want to make sure that you can manage yourself." He explains, again. "And if you're going to borrow the rest of our power from me, I don't want it to take over. You need to be able to control yourself."
"Rumple, I get it." She smiles warily and plays with a lock of his hair. "I'll be damned if I let a little dark magic take over my life." She kisses him again and moves back over to the stove, stirring the noodles. "We will be able to trade back though right?"
"Don't worry about that." He assures her. "The effect should be immediate. When I come back into town, or rather, cross the town line, my half of the power will be returned to me."
"You're sure."
He cocks his head. "Well, it will when I drink this potion." He holds out his hand and a swirl of purple smoke appears, revealing a small bottle.
"Well good." She states, turning the stove off. "Because I can barely deal with the power I have now, I can hardly imagine having it all."
"Which is why, I've been training you every day."
"Yeah, yeah I know." She laughs, finally mixing all of the ingredients and pouring the sauce over all of it. "Okay." She smiles. "Dinner's ready."
"It's good to know that I don't think that the Dark Magic will take you over, at least not easily." He chuckles and grabs plates from the cabinet.
"Why's that?" Belle asks curiously, moving the pot to another burner and pulling out the bread.
"You're still far too human." He answers simply.
"That's a bad thing?" She asks, giving him a confused glance.
"We're not human." He points out, filling both their plates. "Surely you've realized that we don't need to eat, or sleep? Well-" He notes. "Not as much."
"Of course I've realized that." She laughs. "Our three day weekend at the cabin ten days ago proved that much." She takes her plate from him and playfully shoves a piece of bread in his mouth. "However, I don't want to forget what it's like to eat good food, or to have a great dream and talk with Echo."
"That's exactly why I think you'll be able to contain the full extent of the Dark One's power."
"There's also the fact I'm trying to hide the fact I have magic from the rest of the town." She points out as they sit down at the table.
"Yes, how the hell have you been able to keep that under wraps?" He asks, honestly curious.
"Well Emma and Regina already know that I have magic, and I wouldn't put it past Jefferson for already knowing about it. Keeping it from the others in town isn't really that hard."
He laughs and removes the dagger from the middle of the table and making it disappear back to its place. "No, I suppose it wouldn't be, but are you sure about keeping it a secret Belle?" He wonders.
"It was my idea in the first place." She argues. "Both Regina and Emma both just think that you simply gave a bit of your power to me, but I'm afraid other people might ask questions."
"Which, of course, you hate." He laughs.
"It's my life." She states. "Emma gets that and Regina is afraid of me."
"What do you think will happen when they do find out?" She gives him a look. "Belle, as soon as you gain my half of the power, you won't be able to hide it, not for long at least." He points out, putting a forkful of pasta in his mouth.
"I'm not looking forward to this." She sighs deeply, taking another sip of her drink.
"I'm sorry."
"Rumple, its fine." She takes his hand in hers. "You've been looking for Bae for a long time, it's time for this search to be over." She smirks and lays her head on his shoulder. "Just hurry back to me."
He kisses her. "I will do my best." He answers her.
They continue eating for a few moments, until Belle bites her lip in thought. "We're not really good at this whole marriage thing are we?" She laughs lightly.
"What do you mean?" He asks, concerned.
"The first time we got married, a day later we crashed and I lost my memories for ten years. We just reunited four months ago and you're leaving again." She argues, putting another forkful of food into her mouth. "We've been married for ten years and we've spent barely four months of that actually together."
He blinks in realization. "Gods, we really aren't good at this are we?"
"You know I love you no matter what?" She insists. "Just promise me, that when you come back that you won't leave me for a while."
"I think I can promise you that much." He smirks, kissing the top of her head. "You know I love you too Belle."
"Are you done." Belle asks suddenly, gesturing to his plate.
"Of course, you know I don't eat much."
"Well then at least make it look like you have to eat." She argues, slapping his shoulder.
"I'm not the one trying to hide the fact I have magic, love." He laughs and reaches over as if he was going to start cleaning up.
"Emma and Regina know I have magic, it hardly really matters." She laughs lightly. "Though, I must say, this is a lot more fun." Belle waves her hand once and the kitchen is clean.
"You refuse to let me teach you actual combat magic, but you use it for things like that?" He scoffs.
"You hate cleaning the kitchen as much as I do." She snaps and wanders out into the backyard, leaving the door open behind her.
"Lesson one, teleport me out there to you." He calls out to her, sitting back down again.
"You really want to play this game with me?" She scowls, spinning around, as if dancing and snapping her fingers once. He blinks in surprise as he's suddenly standing outside next to her. She grins and stops spinning. "Try not to treat me as if I was an amateur."
"Seriously?" He looks at her and back to the kitchen. "You learn far too quickly."
She shrugs. "It helps that it's the Dark Ones power."
"It's not just that Belle, it took Regina months to figure out how to even transport herself and you get it less than an hour after you gained the power."
"Transporting people is generally the same thing." Belle points out and wanders out more towards the tree. "You simply have to know the anatomy."
"Is there a book in this town you haven't read?" He asks in exasperation, finally standing up.
"Probably not." Belle laughs lightly and turns around. "Now what?"
"Use the flamethrower again."
"Seriously?" She sighs. "Look, just because you can't-"
"Exactly." Rumple states. "For whatever reason I can't breathe fire out of my mouth, but you can't create a fireball."
As if to prove a point, Belle takes a deep breath and a stream of fire spits out of her mouth. "Satisfied?" She smirks.
"I'm still a bit scared of that." He remarks, walking closer over to her.
"It's been two months Rumple." She argues. "I think I finally have a grip on it."
"Well for my sake, I hope so."
"Funny." She comments.
"Are you ready to start the physical part of the training? Or is there something new that you've learned that you want to show me?"
She shakes her head. "No, nothing new, and why do you always insist on doing a physical part of our training? You know who I trained with, and you know I-"He teleports behind her and Belle turns around quickly and knocks him to the ground. "Always win." She smiles smugly.
"I just have to make sure you're prepared for anything." He states, disappearing again.
"How exactly-" She spins quickly and blocks a punch from him, as he reappears in front of her. "Is this supposed to be training me if all I'm doing is blocking you?"
"Aren't you the one who said you only fight in defense?" He points out, pulling out a sword from nowhere and charging. Belle dodges easily and crouches down, swinging her leg in a sweeping motion. He jumps and turns around mid-air in order to swing the word down towards her.
"Yes, and because of that-" She clamps her hands on the side of the sword, stopping him. "I'm stronger." She pushes him back and manages to roll out of the way, before he tries to strike her again. "So." She inquires, avoiding yet another blow and getting another hit in. "How long are we going to keep this up tonight?"
"Well-" He finally manages to hit her on the ribs slightly. "Seeing as it's my last night here, I was going to suggest going until you feel the need to stop.
She hits him and he swears under his breath. "Really?" Belle asks skeptically, finally managing to unarm him of the sword. "You never let me decide the end of training."
"Call it a special night." He waves his hand in an unconcerned manner.
"Okay then." Belle grins. "Then I wish to end tonight's training with a duel. She grins smugly as the sword disappears completely. "A magic one.
"Seriously." He gives her a weak smile. "You know I always win those."
"I've gotten a lot better." She argues and as if to prove a point she flicks her wrist and what feels like a gust of wind pushes him towards her. Belle kisses him, smiles, and then disappears.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?" He laughs, creating a ball of fire in the palm of his hand.
"Immensely." She reappears beside him and blows a stream of water, evaporating his fireball. "Now Dearie." She teases him. "I know you have more fight in you than that."
"You're right." The Rumplestiltskin in front of her disappears and she's hit in the back with a ball of fire.
Belle turns around quickly, trying to get him back, but he's already gone. "Can't you use anything else?" Belle taunts. "C'mon the Infamous Dark One and the only thing you can seem to do is throw a fireball at me and make copies of yourself?"
"You're pushing it love." Belle hears his voice coming from every angle. "You of all people know what I'm capable of."
Before she knew it Belle couldn't move her body. Expecting this, she grins and waits for him to reveal himself. Doing as expected he reappears in front of her and she uses that second to send an electric current around her body, freeing herself of the spell and rerouting it over to where he was standing. Not to her surprise he manages to contain the current into the palm of his hands and sends it right back towards her. Belle manages to dodge it, but not completely. She's injured, but rather enjoys the look of surprise on his face.
"How in the hell did you-?"
"Oh yeah." Belle grins wickedly. "About the new power thing." She shoots another flamethrower at him. "I lied."
He dodges it again and has to quickly teleport away from the bolt of lightning Belle shoots out. You're somebody I don't want to get on the wrong side of, I'll give you that but-" Belle tries looking around for him, but finds it useless. "I'm still the best." He's suddenly in front of her and snaps his fingers, causing the ground underneath her to shakes and cause her to lose her balance. A second later Rumplestiltskin is standing above her with a fireball in his hand.
Belle throws her hands up in defeat. "I give, I give. The duel is yours."
He dissipates the fireball and she grins wickedly tripping him and causing him to fall on top of her. "You do realize how badly you could've been hurt right there?" He scoffs turning his face towards hers leaving them barely an inch apart.
"As if you could hurt me."
"Don't push it."
Belle laughs warmly and wraps her arms around his neck and brings it down in order to kiss him deeply. "What do you say to having some fun before you leave me for god's knows how long?" She suggests, gazing into his eyes.
"When you kiss and look at me like that I'm powerless to say no." He grins and moves to get up. "But might I suggest we move inside? The last thing I think you want is to be woken up tomorrow morning by the sprinklers going off."
"…Point taken." She nods her head once and allows him to help her up. She takes his hand and the two of them walk back into the house.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Belle asks nervously, as she steps out of the car the next morning. The two of them had come out to the town line and were preparing to test Rumplestiltskin's theory.
"Well, we won't know until we try it." He shrugs and moves over to kiss her, before handing her a bottle.
"What is this?" She asks skeptically, raising an eyebrow at him, as he moves closer over to the line and crouches down as if to examine it. He doesn't answer her, but knowing that he wanted her to drink it, she does. It tastes like fish and she nearly gags. "Gods, that was disgusting Rumple. What the hell was in that?"
"Belle, you are about to gain all my power." He states, turning around to face her. "That was a potion to help calm you down when it does happen."
"You seriously still think I can't handle it?" She scoffs.
"That's not what I said!"
"It may as well have been." She argues, but there's humor in her voice. "You know that if this doesn't work then it's going to be hell to deal with you?" She turns around in order to throw the bottle and snaps her fingers. She watches as the bottle literally disappears.
"I wouldn't worry all too much about that Belle." She hears him. "If anyone knows how to handle Mr. Gold, it's you."
"Handling Gold is a lot different than trying to get you to regain your memories as Rumplestiltskin." She points out and leans against the car staring out to the forest.
"Well if you're that worried about it, I have a potion, well, a start of one, sitting on my desk in my shop." He informs her. "I've left the basics of the instructions. I'm sure if you worked on it you could figure it out."
"What kind of potion is it?"
"It's the start of a memory potion." He answers. "I've been trying to make something that will help someone regain the memories they lost if they cross the town line, but I haven't really made any real progress on it."
"Rumple, you know that I am seriously the worst person to have working on creating a potion. The last time I tried that I-Rumple!?" Belle turns around to see him smirking at her, with the crooked grin she loves, from across the town line. "Rumple, when the hell did you-?"
"The minute you turned your back." He replies.
"So this whole time-?"
"We've been talking, as I've been across the line, yes."
"But I thought you said that the price was-Gah!" Belle falls to the ground, her entire body prickling. A full minute later she's able to stand back up and Rumplestiltskin is crouched in front of her, his eyes full of concern. She laughs weakly. "Wow, you were right, it did feel like my entire body was asleep-oh gods." She clutches her stomach and leans over, coughing up blood. "Seriously?" She scoffs, wiping her mouth. "What is it with me and coughing up blood? This isn't normal, surely?"
"We aren't normal." Rumple points out, helping her up. "Are you alright?"
"Of course I'm all right." She waves off his concern. "That was a hell of a lot easier than the first time I went through that."
"Yes, the first time you died." He remarks.
"You're never going to let me forget about that are you?" She smirks and he simply pulls her in for a hug and kisses the side of her head. She looks at him and his face scrunches up as in confusion. "What?" She asks warily.
"Your eyes." He notes, letting her go and gesturing up to them. "They're yellow, almost catlike." She looks at him in confusion and he sighs deeply. "Though, I guess that's what you get for gaining all my power." He continues. "Don't worry, it actually used to happen to me a lot. Just close your eyes focus a bit of magic on them and they should go back to normal." Belle simply nods and does as he suggests. She opens her eyes again and he nods approvingly. "Very nice."
"Good." She smiles warmly and kisses him. "I wouldn't want to get rid of my blue eyes."
"I wouldn't want you too." He laughs.
"So how long will this last, with you being back across the line I mean?" She asks, her left arm on still shaking and he takes it trying to calm her down and she notices him struggling himself. "Oh right! Sorry." She waves her hand once and he can walk normally.
"Thanks." He murmurs, kissing her once. "Unfortunately for you I have to take that potion, before I can regain my half of the power and you know I won't do that until I get back into town with Bae."
"Damn, alright." She sighs deeply. "I know it can't be helped, with you leaving tonight I mean."
"If you have any questions about the power if something happens, you know you can always ask me." He assures her, as they move over to step back into the car.
"And you're sure you're okay with this?" Belle wonders. "Going out of town without your magic?"
"Belle, I chose power over my son once before." He states, starting the car up and driving down the road. "I'm not going to make that mistake again if this is what I have to do, then this is what I'm going to do."
Belle takes his hand and holds it tightly. "And you're fine with asking Emma to go with you?"
"I don't have much of a choice there." He laughs. "You were pretty insistent."
"You're damn right I was." She argues. "Manhattan is huge Rumple and it's a part of a land we really know nothing about. Emma does." He doesn't say anything, but she knows that he agrees with her. Belle leans back in her seat and rubs her thumb gently over his hand. "Everything will turn out alright Rumple, I believe that."
"I'm glad one of us does." He jokes lightly. Belle lays her head on his shoulder and the two of them drive in silence back into town.
"Gods this is annoying!" Belle growls loudly, as the two of them make their way into Snow White's apartment building, hand in hand.
"What is it this time love?" He asks, not able to keep the grin off his face at her annoyance.
"I can literally feel everyone in town. I know where every single one of the dwarves are, I know where all of the local princesses are, and I can even feel Regina attempting to practice magic in her backyard."
"How's she doing?"
"Not well." She laughs and bites her lip in worry. "I was able to do it back when I only had half of your power too but it was never this…powerful."
"You'll get used to it." He assures her, as they make their way up the stairs.
"I don't want to get used to it!" She claims in annoyance. "Seriously, as soon as you get back you're taking that potion." They finally reach the right floor and she continues. "In fact, I'll be waiting for you from across the line and as soon as you cross, I'll personally hand you the potion and watch you drink it."
"I'm not going to argue with you about it Belle I promise you that." He kisses the top of her head. "But you do realize that I could be gone for months?"
"I'm aware." She sighs deeply and they stop in front of the right door.
"Are they all in there?" He asks. She glares at him and he merely shrugs. "What? You know I can't tell."
Belle sighs, but nods her head. "Yeah they're all in there."
"Right, well." He lets go of her hand. "Get ready for some arguing." He smirks, before knocking on the door."
"I always am." Belle murmurs. A few moments later the door opens and they see Henry staring at them with a smile on his face. Belle leans down and rubs his head. "How's it going Henry?"
"Belle!" Henry exclaims excitedly and nearly knocks her backwards with a hug.
"Gold." Emma walks over, her face full of surprise and turns to Belle. She narrows her eyes once in confusion. "Rosie, what are you two doing here?"
Right. Belle notes. Emma can now tell that Rumple has no magic and that she's carrying it. Emma gives Belle another searching glance, but turns her focus on Rumplestiltskin and crosses her arms.
"I'm here to call in that favor you owe me." Rumple states.
Belle rolls her eyes once, before stretching back up, but still holding Henry's hand. Trust Rumple to start off the conversation like that. Snow and David, he had told the town to start referring to him as David again, wander over from the kitchen and hold Emma's shoulders protectively.
Belle laughs. "Oh come on-" She gestures to the ridiculous looks the Charming's were giving the two of them. "It's not like he's asking her to kill someone."
"Well-" Rumple cocks his head once.
Belle punches him. "Stop it. We're just here to ask-" She looks at Emma. "If Emma will help you leave town in order to find your son."
"Belle!" Rumple snaps.
"Were you just going to keep that little fact a secret?" She scoffs, knowing him he probably was.
"You-you have a son?" Emma gapes at him. The other three look just as surprised. Snow nearly looks at him with pity.
"I do." Rumple sighs deeply. "…It's a long story, but I-" He looks at Belle and takes a deep breath. "I abandoned him a long time ago and have regretted it ever since." Belle is surprised he's actually admitting it and takes his hand in comfort. "That's why I need your help." He continues.
"Do you know where he is?" Emma finally asks.
"He's in an apartment building somewhere in the middle of Manhattan." Belle answers. "That's all we know."
"He's alive!?" David asks in surprise.
"Obviously, or we wouldn't be here asking for help." Belle retorts. Rumple smirks and she continues. "Look, I know that it's hard to believe but-" She holds Rumple's hand tighter, thinking of Pinocchio. "We have our information from a very reliable source that Bae is alive and well."
"What about your memories?" Snow asks. "Surely you know what the curse set on the town line?"
"That's why I'm staying behind." Belle pipes in. "That's the price. As long as I stay in town, he won't lose his memories."
"You can't possibly know that." Henry states worriedly.
"We already know." Rumplestiltskin actually smiles down at him. "We went to the town line this morning. I crossed the line and still have all my memories."
"Wow." Emma raises her eyebrows in surprise. "You two seriously enjoy taking risks don't you?"
"Not on purpose." Belle murmurs.
"Of course, it gives me the chance to go and find my son. I'll do whatever it takes."
"I still don't understand how that works though." David notes in confusion. "You're saying if I cross the town line and leave Snow behind I'll get to keep my memories?"
"No." Emma states, looking between the two of them. "It's not that simple is it?"
"No." Belle smiles weakly. "And I wouldn't recommend anyone else trying to cross the town line."
"Understood."
"…Okay, I'll go with you." Emma states firmly. "If all I have to do is get your ass safely to Manhattan and back- with your son." She adds quickly. "Then that's fine. It's a hell of a lot easier than killing a dragon."
Belle laughs. "This is very true. Though, we still don't know how long this is going take."
"This favor could take months Miss Swan." Rumple warns her.
"When do we leave?" Emma asks, unconcerned.
"We'll meet at the town line around seven." Belle answers.
"Tonight!?"
"Of course." Rumple states.
"Right, fine." Emma shakes her head.
"I'm coming too!" Henry nearly shouts.
"Kid…" Emma trails off unsure of what to say.
"I think it's a good idea." Belle states quickly. "Let Henry breathe in a bit of new air. He's already snuck out of town once to find you, what's to stop him from doing it again?"
"I don't care." Rumple puts in, shrugging his shoulders in an unconcerned manner. "Whether the boy comes or not is up to you, but we will you at seven, Belle?" He turns, as if to leave.
"Yeah coming." She smiles at the Charming's. "See you later." She waves, before leaving with him.
"Rosie!" The two of them are just walking out of the building when they hear Emma's voice behind them.
"I still think it's a good idea for Henry to go with the two of you." Belle argues, as Emma catches up to them.
"Oh, I know that, we've already agreed to let him come." Emma waves a hand once, before pointing between the two of them. "No, I want to know what's going on between the two of you." She states. "Ever since the curse broke two months ago I've felt a ridiculous amount of power emitting from both of you. Now-" She looks at Belle. "I only feel it from you, and the amount kind of makes me nervous."
"Like I said, crossing the town line is a bit more complicated." Belle insist.
"You have more power than Regina!" Emma exclaims.
"She's always had more power than Regina." Rumple actually laughs and shakes his head. "Look, Belle is simply holding my power until we get back."
Emma looks between the two of them again and her face dawns with recognition. "That's the price. That's why you are able to leave town." She looks at Belle's concerned face and laughs. "Don't worry Rosie, I still don't plan on telling anyone that you have powers." She assures her.
"Thanks." Belle smiles at her gratefully and hugs her once. "And thank you for agreeing to go with him."
Emma waves her hands quickly in front of her face. "Don't even worry about it, no one's ever left town. I can see why you'd want someone who has."
"When we get back from this you can consider your debt to me paid."
"I accept the terms." Emma laughs, sticking her hand out in a friendly gesture. Rumplestiltskin simply nods and shakes her hand once. "We'll see you later Miss Swan." He replies and turns away.
"Bye Emma!" Belle waves quickly and follows him. The door closes behind them and Belle sighs deeply. You know, while I trust Emma to stay quiet, I don't like that she knows I have power."
He just stares at her. "It's odd."
"What is?" She asks, tossing him the keys, not remembering when he gave her them in the first place.
"That you would keep something like this a secret."
"I don't want people treating me differently." She states crossing her arms and leaning against the car. "I'm afraid of people thinking that the power of the dark one will consume me and I don't want people looking at me like that. They already think I'm odd."
Rumplestiltskin bites his lip. He wants to say something to comfort her but honestly can't think of anything. Instead he moves over and hugs her tightly, rubbing his hand through her hair.
She finally laughs it off, as he finds she always does, and kisses him softly before she maneuvers out of his grip. "Alright, I'm going to go bother Regina for a bit, I'll see you at home?"
"Yeah, I'll see you later." He smiles at her. She kisses him again, before disappearing.
Belle appears on Regina's desk, just as Regina hangs up her phone and turns around. "Christ!" Regina backs up and holds her chest tightly. "Stop doing that!"
Belle jumps off of her desk. "Why?" She grins, glad her little trick continues to scare the Queen. "I think it's fun."
"What do you want?" Regina scowls, turning around and pouring herself a glass of wine.
Belle actually laughs at the realization that the two of them have done this so often that Regina knows that Belle won't accept anything to drink. Though. She notes. She should be more surprised that they got to the point where Regina actually offer her a drink at all. "I simply came to inform you that Henry will be going out of town for a while with Emma and Rumple." Belle informs her. "I figured, with you being Henry's legal guardian, you should probably know."
"Snow White called me, I already know." Regina sighs, finishing her drink in one swig.
"And you're not going to put up a fight?" Belle asks in surprise, watching Regina pour herself another glass.
"There's not much I can do anymore." She murmurs. "Besides I wouldn't want him to only think of me as the Evil Queen." She finishes her drink.
"He doesn't you know." Belle smiles weakly, blinking and causing the bottle to disappear completely. "He knows you're his mother."
"He practically thinks of you as his mother." Regina accuses her.
Belle realizes Regina is referring to the past few months where she and Henry had been hanging out a lot together. Belle had simply been sick of people treating Henry as a child and took him out, telling him stories, teaching him how to fight, Rumplestiltskin had been against that from the beginning, and even admitted in knowing, somewhat, how to go back to the Enchanted Forest. "I'm a mother to no one anymore Regina." Belle murmurs sadly, clenching her hands tightly.
"Ah yes, the puppet." Regina notes and laughs lightly. "For once something I have nothing to do with." She cocks her head once. "Well, I set the curse, but his undoing was his own fault."
Belle actually laughs at that. As much as she didn't want to admit it, Regina was right. "Regina." Belle sighs again. "When the time comes Henry will show you that he does love you, and letting him run off with his birth mother and Rumple for a few months is a good start."
"Yes is that why you have his power? So that he can run off?
Belle shrugs. "It's the only way for him to keep his memories while across the line. Besides, it wasn't as if he would be able to use his powers outside of town. This makes things a lot easier."
Regina merely cocks her head once and narrows her eyes. "So, he's finally figured out how to leave town. Tell me, why is he so desperate to leave? I mean he's even willing to leave you behind and that was something I thought he would never do."
"It helps that he knows, that if it came right down to it, I could kick your ass in a fight." Belle smiles smugly.
Regina holds her hands up in a defensive manner. "I am well aware of that, you've proven it to me enough times, I'm simply curious."
"He's looking for his son." Belle states, seeing no harm in telling Regina the truth. After all, the whole town would know soon enough. Nothing could have prepared her for the stare Regina was giving her though. It looked as though Regina had swallowed something very cold, or as if she had discovered a dark secret. Which, Belle supposes, it could be, but the staring was making her uncomfortable. "What's with the look Regina?"
"You and him-?"
"No!" Belle waves her hands in front of her face quickly. "No, Baelfire is Rumple's son from his first marriage." She explains hurriedly. "Gods Regina, when would we have even had time?"
"Well, the two of you spent quite a lot of time in his castle back in our land, I don't know, maybe-?" Regina argues, but isn't able to finish her sentence.
"We've never…we've never talked about it." Belle finally admits, not able to look Regina in the face.
"About having a child?" Regina asks in surprise. "The two of you have been married how long now?"
"He's still in despair about Bae!" Belle argues, not quite understand why she's having this conversation with Regina of all people. "I never could bring myself to talk about it with him, but now…it's too late."
Regina stares at her a moment before the realization dawns on her. "You can't have a child."
"Not like this." Belle purses her lips. "Look, it's fine, I knew what I was getting myself into when this all started and I've accepted my fate."
"I'm…sorry." Regina murmurs, actually sounding genuine. "I am." She blinks and sits down in her chair. "I'm sorry."
Belle laughs hotly and shakes her head. "Gods, I came here to warn you to behave yourself while they're out of town, yet here I am talking to you about children." She sighs and flops down in the chair across from Regina. "Look, I had my time with Pinocchio and will do what I can for Bae, I'm fine."
"There will always be that hole in your heart longing for children of your own you know." Regina warns her, making another glass of wine appear in front of her and downing it.
"I know." Belle looks at her and smiles sadly before disappearing.
Belle manages to reappear just above her and Rumple's bed and falls down on it with a faint plop. "Belle, is that you?" She hears Rumplestiltskin in the bathroom.
"Yeah." She calls back, wiping away the faint tears sliding down her face, before jumping off the bed. "Though, I'm not quite sure why I reappeared over our bed."
Rumple walks out of the bathroom holding a small bag, she assumes his bathroom supplies, and looks at her. "Eyes." He gestures.
"Again?" Belle groans, closing them and focusing.
She opens them and he nods approvingly. "I wouldn't worry too much about it Belle. I'm sure you'll be able to get the hang of it." He assures her, placing the bag in his suitcase.
"I hope so." Belle sighs, falling back onto the bed and staring at the ceiling. "The last thing I need are people asking me why I have cat eyes."
"I think they look good."
Belle laughs and sits up. "Of course you do." She watches him walk around the room and bites her lip. "You know that as soon as you cross the town line I won't be able to keep your leg healed?"
"I'm aware of that love." He wanders over and kisses the top of her head. "Don't worry."
"You have your cane then?"
"Yes." He assures her and as if to prove a point he walks back over to his suitcase and opens it back up slightly. Belle can see the gold handle tucked away.
Belle holds her hands up in defense. "I'm just making sure you have everything."
"Yes, and the minute I leave the room you will unpack and repack my bags." He jokes. Belle opens her mouth to argue, but she beats him too it. "You know I'm right." She pouts and sticks her tongue out at him. He laughs. "You're not a child Belle."
"No but I can certainly act like one, and it's far too easy to do so, especially in front of you."
"And why is that?" He asks, taking the bait and crawling into the bed beside her.
"Because you love me, and dearly."
"You enjoy playing that card, don't you?" He growls, positioning himself on top of her, their lips barely an inch apart.
"I can always play that card." She smiles warmly, cupping his cheeks with her hands and using one to trace the outline of his mark. Her heart beats rapidly, as he traces his hand along hers. He stares down at her in awe, almost as if he couldn't believe what was right in front of him. Heat rushes to her face and he sends shivers down her spine, but she doesn't break eye contact with him. The two of them trace their hands along one another's marks, until it ends at their hands and they intertwine their hands together. Neither of them move, both refusing to break this rare moment of intimacy. He finally smiles and kisses her forehead, before rolling off of her and standing up.
Belle's chest heaves rapidly with haggard breath and she manages to sit up. She's surprised, usually something like that ends with the two of them sweaty and exhausted. He still says nothing as she watches him move around the room, collecting small things and tossing them into his bag. Belle bites her lip, feeling as though talking would somehow ruin the moment they had just shared. Still confused she positions herself in a way to jump off the bed gracefully, but had forgotten that Rumple had placed a small box in front of the bed earlier and she ends up tripping and falling into the only thing in the way-
Rumplestiltskin.
Leaving the only option for the two of them landing on the floor. "Seriously?" Belle laughs and sits up quickly, tucking a bit of hair behind her ear. "Sorry Rumple I-?"
His lips are on hers in a flash.
"Gods I love you Belle." He murmurs between breaths and manages to lift her up and drop her back down on the bed.
"I love you too Rumple." She murmurs, as his lips move away from hers and down to her neck. She moves some of her hair away and tilts her head in order to give him better access. "Which is why, I don't understand why you didn't kiss me a moment ago when we were already on the bed."
He stops for a moment and looks at her. "Honestly? I thought you were angry with me about something, you didn't look like you wanted me to try anything."
She gazes at him in confusion. "I'm not mad at you for anything." She assures him, wondering why he would think that. Rumple was very good at reading people, so it's hard to imagine that she had looked at him with anger, unless-oh. Belle smiles weakly realizing that her face had probably betrayed her. Damn it Regina. Belle cups his cheeks and kisses him lightly. "I'm just scared; I want you to come back to me safely." She wraps her arms around his neck and brings him closer to her.
"I promise." He kisses her again and smiles warmly down at her. "I would never want the beautiful face of yours to mourn for someone like me."
"I love you."
In response He kisses her deeply and begins with the buttons on her shirt, kissing the bit of skin he reveals after every unclasped button. He finally get s to the last one and Belle shrugs her shirts off, revealing her black lace bra, which cupped her perfect breasts to the point where the bra should be illegal on anyone other than his wife. "You are so gorgeous." He manages to choke out, gazing down at her.
Belle blushes and loosens his tie. She grins, finally getting it off and wrapping it around him in order to pull him up to her face and kiss him. "Enjoying yourself?" She teases tossing his tie off the bed and beginning to fumble with his belt.
"Very much so love." He captures his lips with hers again and helps her shrug his suit off.
"Why-"She growls, struggling with one of his buttons. "Do you always insist on wearing your suits? I know you have regular clothes in your closet."
"You know, this is the only time I ever hear you complain about me wearing one of my suits." He teases her, as they two of them finally get his shirt off and tosses it in the general direction of where Belle had thrown his tie.
It's the only time I don't like you wearing one." She laughs a breathy, shaky, little sound. "It gets in the way." She whispers. Maintaining their gaze Belle slinks back and pushes herself back towards the headboard.
Rumplestiltskin follows her and traces her body with his fingers. "So beautiful." He murmurs, lowering himself to explore her body with his mouth. Belle gasps as he reaches her breasts arching her back, and shuddering. He continues, kissing and suckling on her nipple through the silky, lace of her bra, as he caresses her other breast with his other hand, kneading it harder, then softer, knowing exactly what makes her tick, as she runs her hands through his hair, and then runs her fingers down his back.
"Wait." Belle gasps, pushing herself off the bed. He freezes, wondering if he had done something wrong, but she simply kisses him again and unclasps her bra and throws it across the room, pulling her panties off too, and leaving herself completely bare in front of him. "Much better." She sighs, stretching out in front of him, and pulling his face down for another kiss.
His hands wander, running over the smooth flesh, as his mouth plunders hers, caressing her bare breasts, feeling her nipples harden to his touch. It was almost too much to bear, feeling his skin against hers, and rubbing up against her. He continues his downward exploration, pausing at the small, soft thatch of hair on her mound. Belle pulls away, gasping, as he tentatively slips a finger between her folds, finding her dripping wet for him. Rumple sucks in a breath, steadying himself as he feels his cock throb harder, knowing that he had done this to her. Emboldened, he kisses her one last time on the lips, before continuing down her neck, and then down her chest, pushing himself down lower on the bed to settle between her legs, as he continues to kiss the plane of stomach, and then, down lower. He looks up again at her, making sure she was alright.
She nods frantically, her chest panting, and eyes dark with lust, as she watches him, finally throwing her head back into the pillows as he places a, light kiss on her inner thigh. "Oh, Gods." She whimpers, grasping the sheets in one hand, and his hair in the other.
He smirks to himself, kissing her again, sucking on the impossibly, soft flesh of her inner thighs, as he rubs her sides, in long, tender strokes, groaning to himself as he smells the sweet, musky smell of her arousal.
Belle's hand clenches in his hair, as he moves his mouth to the center, placing a tentative kiss on the mound above her folds, flicking his tongue out to take a tentative taste. Fuck, he groans, tasting her again; she was luxurious, decadent, and so wet for him.
"Please." Belle pleads desperately under him, her fingers clench the sheets beside him, and he moves lower, finding her little bud of nerves, and flicking it with his tongue. "Oh, Gods." Belle gasps, digging her fingers into his scalp in reflex, her hips bucking towards him.
Rumple repeats the motion, flicking, circling, and licking every bit of her, moving lower at her direction when it became too much, and then returning his attentions back to her clit. He could tell she was close; she was shaking, her hips jerking with every movement of his tongue. Taking the opportunity, he thrust two fingers into her slowly, not wanting to hurt her, groaning himself at the hot, velvety sensation of feeling inside her. Belle cries out immediately at the contact, arching her back high off the bed, and he withdrew, only to plunge them back in again, as he continued to lightly flick her clit with his tongue.
"Rumple!" she cries, grasping for him, as she came, her walls clenching around his fingers in strong waves, as her body shook head to toe, arching against him. No matter how many times they had done this, he still has never seen a more erotic sight, nearly coming himself at the sight of her undoing.
He moves upwards, bracing himself on his elbow; as he lowers down to kiss her, needing to be close to her again. Belle could barely respond, panting in and out of breath, as he continues to kiss her down her throat, sucking on her pulse point, which was beating rapidly. He nips her skin gently, eliciting another cry, and he moves back up, covering her mouth with his.
Belle pulls back, her eyes half-lidded, and smiled, her chest flushed and heaving in pleasure. "You're amazing." She smiles warmly at him through shuddering breaths. Rumple laughs helplessly, gazing down at her in awe. "I want you." She whimpers. "Please."
He gasps as Belle caresses him gently through his silk boxers. His cock twitched at the contact; it was all becoming too much, and he was much too close, so he met her mouth with his own, while trying to still her overeager hands, but with three tugs on the waistband, she had him freed, so he kicked those off as well.
"Please." She whispers again, between kisses. "I want you inside me." Shuddering, he lowered himself between her legs, taking himself in hand, pausing at her entrance. Belle swallows, lying back, and arching towards him. "Please, Rumple." Rumplestiltskin could hold back no more, especially not with her arms beckoning him closer. He guided his head slowly towards her opening, placing just the tip in, his body going rigid at the sensation of her wet, hot folds, and then pushed inwards. He watches her face, their eyes fixed on each other, as he enters her. Belle hitches her hips higher, and pulls him closer with her strong legs.
"Oh, fuck." He cries out, as she pulls him fully inside her, sheathing him completely in her tight walls. He stills, hiding his face against the curve of her neck as he pants, trying to calm himself enough to proceed.
Belle turns her head, pressing a kiss to his temple, as she breathes hard in his ear, running her hands up and down his sides. He withdraws slowly, rocking against her again, causing both of them to gasp at the sensation. Belle's nails rake across his back as he thrust into her again, sending shivers of pain and pleasure through him. Her legs hitched even higher, wrapping around him, allowing him to push even deeper.
"Yes," she sighs, meeting his thrust with her hips, the angle making the breath catch in his throat. "Yes. Gods, you feel so good." She gasps.
Her voice almost did him in right then and there. "Belle," he groans, thrusting harder against her, leaning down to capture her lips in a breathless kiss. "Oh, my beautiful, Belle."
"Rumple." She sighs in return, pulling herself up to kiss him again, her tongue tracing the roof of his mouth, and causing him to moan at the contact.
His long, deep strokes soon quicken, as he felt himself being pulled towards the brink, driving him to thrust harder, bury himself further in her; he couldn't be close enough to her, peppering her throat with wet, needy kisses. He could feel himself coming close, and quickly snakes a hand between their bodies, needing for her to come before him. The contact made her cry out, and arch underneath him, pressing her breasts against his chest. A moment later, Belle's walls clenched around his shaft and she cries out, screaming his name. Rumplestiltskin thrust, harder and harder, clinging to her, until he finally followed Belle over the edge, coming hard, and crying out as the waves of pleasure overtake him. His arms give out and he collapses on top of her, feeling lifeless, as he burrows his head in the nook of her shoulder, panting.
Belle strokes his hair, as he lies there, placing soft kisses across his brow. She can't help but start giggling. He rolls over to lie beside her and gives her a look. "Sorry." She smiles. "It's just, no matter how many times we do that; I'll never be over how good it feels, especially with you." She kisses him again. "I love you."
"I love you too." He grins.
"And that was great, before you leave sex." Belle giggles again, throwing her legs off the bed and finding her bra. "Just promise me again-"She tosses him his boxers. "That you will come home safely."
"I promise, yet again." He laughs. "Besides, I wouldn't want you to be left without me for too long."
She smirks, and tosses him back his shirt. "I'm more concerned about being stuck with your powers for the rest of my life-oh no, wait. I'm immortal aren't I?"
"Being funny now?" He raises an eyebrow at her and watches her toss her shirt back on.
"Oh I don't know." She finds his tie. "I thought I was pretty good at it." Belle turns around and sees Rumple beginning to make another attempt at packing.
"Belle, I-"His stomach growls.
"Oh shoot!" Belle gasps. "I forgot you're human. Why don't I go downstairs and make us something to eat?"
"Belle, you don't have to-"
"Yes I do." She insists, finishing buttoning up her shirt and walking over to the door. "You're hungry, so I'm going to make you something to eat." She opens the door and turns around to smile at him. "Besides, what kind of wife would I be if I let you leave hungry?" She out of the room before he can say anything else.
"I don't care if I sound like a doting wife, please, please call every day." Belle murmurs, taking his hand tightly. The two of them had been leaning against his car for the past twenty minutes, without speaking a word to one another and waiting for the others to show up. There was a lot of things that they needed to say, but couldn't. Belle clenches her free hand tightly. "Please Rumple, I'm scared and if you don't I'll just end up calling you."
He laughs, relieving the tension that had been forming between them. "I know you will Belle, but don't worry." He kisses the top of her head. "I promise, I'll probably end up calling you for various reasons anyways."
"Yes because dealing with Henry and Emma every day is going to be such a challenge for you." She teases.
"It's not that."
"I know." She smiles, kissing his cheek. "I'll always be here to talk if you need me."
"I love you." He drops his head on her shoulders.
Belle hears the sound of a motor in the distance and holds his hand tighter. "I love you too Rumple, good luck." He lifts his head as if to ask a question, but she gestures behind them and he looks and sees headlights on their way towards them.
They kiss softly, just as Emma's bug pulls up besides Rumple's car. How the hell all of them fit in Emma's car Belle had no idea. As the four of them step out of the car Belle notices that Henry is the only one that seems excited about the trip. "Wow, you know, this isn't supposed to be a depressing goodbye." Belle states, trying to change the mood a bit. "You're all coming back." She turns to Rumplestiltskin. "You do realize this?"
"Of course I realize this Belle you know my concern." Rumple scoffs, kissing the top of her head.
"I'll be fine!" Belle argues and looks at Emma, who isn't looking at her. Belle narrows her eyes and realizes quickly the problem between the Charming's. David and Snow didn't want Emma to leave them so quickly after the curse broke, but Emma was still uncomfortable having parents and was torn between wanting to leave and wanting to stay. Belle looks at Rumple again and gives him a pout. "I'm still more worried about you."
"I'll watch him Rosie, don't worry." Emma assures her, opening the back of her car, and looking between the two of them. "So, who's car are we taking?"
"Mine." Rumplestiltskin states. "I have a…friend in Boston, who will take care of my car while we're in New York."
"Of course you do." Emma nearly laughs.
"Oh no." Rumple smirks. "This wasn't my deal." He gestures to Belle who only smiles weakly. "This one was all Belle."
"What!?"
Belle giggles. "It was no big deal." She states and shrugs. "I may or may not have…helped someone out last month with…a private matter."
"Did it involve him?" David gestures to Rumplestiltskin.
"For once, no." Belle laughs. "It was a favor for a friend of Jefferson's. And unlike him-" She gestures to Rumple. "I didn't want anything in return, but he did offer to hold Rumple's car for us while the three of you are in Manhattan."
"Seriously?" Emma shakes her head. "I'm still not used to the fact the two of you are together, don't get me wrong I don't care, but the two of you work together far too well."
"I thought that was a good thing?" Rumple looks at Belle.
"It is, but it's still scary." Emma states, helping Henry get their bags out of the backseat, seriously how the four of them fit in that bug was a mystery to Belle. "But, I've never expected the normal whenever it involves the two of you."
"Right." Rumple shakes his head in annoyance and opens his trunk. "Are you ready to get going?"
Belle smiles weakly. She knew he was torn between wanting to leave and find his son, and not wanting to leave her in town on her own. "I'll be fine." She murmurs, low enough for him to hear her.
"I know."
She kisses his cheek again, and turns back around to see Henry staring at her. Smiling, Belle kneels down and ruffles his hair. "Are you excited to get going Henry?" She asks him.
"I am." He admits. "An adventure with my mom, I can't wait!"
She hugs him tightly. "I love you Henry."
"I love you too Belle." He lets go. "And don't worry my mom and I will keep an eye on him." He gestures to Rumplestiltskin, who was somewhat helping Emma pack the car and talking softly with her, as David and Snow where talking amongst themselves as well.
"I know." She smiles warmly at him. "But remember to have some fun as well. I don't want this whole trip to be about just finding Rumple's son, don't get me wrong I want you to find him but I want you to enjoy yourself."
"I will, promise." He insists hugging her again. "Besides, it's a trip with my mom and the Dark One, it should be a cool adventure."
He lets go of her and the conversation with Regina comes to mind. She feels a pang in her heart, as she watches Henry run over to his mother and help her pack the last of their bags.
"Are you alright" Belle feels a hands snake around her back and turns slightly to see Rumplestiltskin standing beside her.
She smiles. "Of course I'm alright."
"I know when you're lying." He murmurs, kissing her neck. "Your smile doesn't match your eyes."
She blinks. "What does that even mean?"
"Simply that you smile to make it seem as though you're alright, but when I look at your eyes I can tell you're thinking of something else."
"I'm sorry." She hangs her head.
"Don't be, just tell me what's wrong."
She cups his cheek and pulls his face towards hers, kissing him deeply. "When you return."
He gives her an incredulous look and she simply smiles at him again, taking his hand, and dragging him over to the others, who had been, surprisingly, polite and letting the two of them be alone for a moment.
"Are you ready to go?" Rumplestiltskin asks, as the two of them reach his car.
"Ready when you are." Emma states.
"Right." Rumple states turning to Belle again and kissing her again. "I promise to call you when we get to the airport."
"I'll be expecting it." Belle smiles and turns to the others. "Have a safe trip and good luck."
"We will Rosie, don't worry." Emma walks over to her and places a reassuring hand on Belle's shoulder. "I promise we'll find Bae and get back safely."
"I trust you." Belle states, watching wistfully as Rumple gives her a final nod and steps into his car. Belle turns back to Emma and shakes her hand. "Good luck."
"You too." Emma smirks and follows Henry into the car and they drive off, past the line and disappear.
Belle clenches and unclenches her hands in front of her heart and stares at the vehicle until she could no longer see it. "Belle, are you alright?" Snow asks, walking over and placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Huh-? Yeah, of course." Belle shakes her head and smiles at her. "Or at least I will be, are you?"
"We trusted her to come find us the first time, I trust that she'll come back a second time." Snow smiles warmly, and hugs Belle tightly. "They'll be fine."
"I know." Snow let's go of her and Belle gazes at the town line again.
"Do you want a ride back into town, or were you really planning on walking all the way back?" David asks, walking over and placing an arm around Snow, and gazing at her curiously.
Belle bites her lip. Honestly, she had simply planned to teleport back to her house, but she suddenly doesn't feel up to it. "Sure, thank you."
David simply nods and they walk over to Emma's bug and he opens the door for her and Snow, before walking around and getting into the car himself. They begin driving back into town and Belle can't help but stare back towards the town line, until it completely disappears from sight.
And, I'm back with the second installment of Memories! Honestly, I did not expect the first chapter to be this long, but what are you going to do, it wanted to be this long. Oh yeah, this one is going to be a bit more mature in the sense of, well, the sex obviously, but…well I don't want to spoil it all for you. Anyways, this story should be about 10 to 15 chapters long I honestly don't know yet and will let you all know when I have a better…plan, I guess for this. I know how I want it to go, but I don't know how I want to get there, if that makes any sense. That's a lie, sort of, but this one shouldn't take me more than a year like the last one.
Thank you all for reading!