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A/N: This is an AU version of the show starting with season 2 episode 1. I'm sure no one is surprised; this story will focus on Rumbelle. There are certain aspects that exist in the show I'll keep, such as Neal being in New York and him being Henry's father. I'm NOT a fan of the show's precious SwanCaptain, so Hook will be in this story, but he will not be based on the show's pretty boy and there will be no Emma falling for him.
Chapter One: Broken Pieces
The young woman wondered the streets of the town, shades of purple letting her know that dawn was rising, making it easier for her to find 'Mr. Gold's' shop. That's where the man that released her from the asylum had told to go, but she didn't know any Mr. Gold. If he could protect her though, maybe she could trust him. "I hope I'm not making a huge mistake and this Mr. Gold isn't going to hold me captive." This guy had to be better than being under the care of that horrid nurse Ms. Ratchet. Finally she came to a building with a dangling sign that said 'Mr. Gold's Pawn Shop' in gold lettering.
"Thank god," she said, sighing with relief, maybe this Mr. Gold had a place she could rest her feet, sit down.
Inside she found herself in a quaint little antiquities shop with objects from all over the world. It was dark with only a streak of early morning light streaming through the window. Staring straight ahead, an entry way was blocked by a black curtain and beneath it was a sliver of yellow light.
"That must be where Mr. Gold is," she spoke to herself. She approached the room placing her hands on each side of the curtain pushed them aside
"Hello," the woman said.
There was someone there, a man whose back was turned to her. The shades of grey told her he was bit older, and judging by the suit was well off.
"We're closed," was his gruff response that offered and odd sense of familiarity that she couldn't place and the tone had a rather soothing sound to it.
How could it be when the only people she ever interacted with were nurse Ratchet and the wicked woman with a glint in her eyes that terrified her? She couldn't even recall her own name, yet his Scottish accent reminded her of someone she once knew. The man turned preparing to dismiss her again, but his brow creased and he stared transfixed. His staring unnerved her.
~Page Break~
Belle had died, that's what Regina had told Rumple, and so the woman in front had to be a mere ghost. She couldn't be real, he thought; as he came towards her, his whole body trembling as he walked towards her. If he touched her, his hand would go through her and she would fade away just like all the other apparitions he would see. As he slowly reached out he felt the solid form of her arm in his grasp.
"You're real, you're alive," Rumple exclaimed, not sure what else to say as he felt overwhelming happiness and relief.
Belle frowned in bewilderment. "I was told you would protect me."
"Yes, I'll protect you," he said and his eyes glistened. He pulled her into a hug and held Belle tightly to him afraid she would disappear. She frowned in confusion, not sure how she felt about him hugging her like this when she didn't even know him, but the relief in his eyes told her he cared for her. She must have known him.
"There is somewhere I need to go first. Will you come with me?" He asked.
Rumple didn't want her to be left alone, but he didn't want her to think he was ordering her to come with him so he made sure she was aware he was asking and not telling. This was his second chance with Belle and he wasn't going to mess it up.
"Um, alright," she said, afraid to be by herself in unfamiliar place.
"Was going with him a stupid idea? Maybe it was a trick, but what other options do I have? I run, even if he doesn't catch me, I wouldn't know where to go, besides, he seems to know me."
The man was quiet and kept his eyes staring ahead of him, but when he thought she wasn't looking, Belle caught him staring at her. His furrowed brow gave her reason to believe he was trying to understand why she was here or how she was here. She absently fiddled with her locks of hair, wrapping them around her finger trying not to catch herself gazing into those forlorn chestnut brown eyes. If she lingered too long he would see the flush in her cheeks.
"Forgive me, um, Mr. Gold, but I don't understand," she was about to say she didn't know him, but held back.
"I will explain everything soon, but first there's something I have to do," he said as he led her to the edge of the forest.
"I hope that something doesn't involve holding me hostage."
They trekked through the forest, her feet already aching from her journey to find Mr. Gold's shop and she desired to rest, sit on a stump or something to rub her feet. Mr. Gold kept moving and walked as if he had a purpose. She was about to speak his name when a jolt of power surged through, a flood memories filled her mind and heart. All her memories of being in Dark Castle, her hatred, her friendship, love she felt for him filled her heart. Her memories of him 'setting her free', meeting her dwarf friend, her adventure with Mulan, and Regina holding her prisoner and taunting her with the heartbreaking thought that Rumple never truly loved her. The way he looked at her and held her in shop told her otherwise, but what if it was just guilt?
"Wait?" She asked, wanting to sit and find out what was going on.
"Don't worry were almost there," he promised, not looking back as he was too focused. The well wasn't that far away.
"Rumplestiltskin, wait," she said, saying his name for the first time in 28 years.
He paused having not heard his true name in years, especially not from the sweet lips of his Belle. His mouth felt dry and he swallowed the huge lump in his throat. "What would she say? Would she run?" His hands that lay by his side began to shake as he waited for Belle to speak, or run.
Instead of running she came up to and said words he didn't expect her to say after all this time.
"Rumplestiltskin, wait," she said. She approached with a false confidence, afraid he would reject her again, but it was better to know for sure than to always wonder.
"I love you," she confessed for the second time.
~Page Break~
"I love you too," he said feeling undeniable elation as heard her say the words he didn't think she would still feel.
Tears of happiness filled her eyes as he reciprocated the same feelings, but not sure if he could kiss her—if he could he probably wouldn't feel the desire to stop—Rumple held her instead.
Belle wasn't sure herself if she could kiss him and having him hold her was enough her as she just wanted the comfort of his arms around her. They lingered in each other's embrace afraid to let go and fearing they would wake up and the other would just be an apparition. Unfortunately, it was short lived as Rumple let go of her.
He caressed her cheek and gazing into her blue orbs said, "There will be time for that later. There's something I have to take care and I promise we will talk after."
She nodded following him to the well, this time holding his hand as they walked up the hill that the well was on.
"What is this?" she asked, curiously.
"You'll see," was all he said as they approached the well. Rumple removed the vial he had been looking at when she had entered the shop.
Belle bit her lip as she recognized the vial as containing magic. "Would magic get between us or am I just being paranoid? It is part of who he is."
After he poured the liquid into the well, purple smoke came billowing out of it. It climbed over the stone wall that shaped the well, and traveled across the forest grounds into town. With a familiar glint in his eyes, Rumple watched as purple smoke slithered its way through the forest into town.
~Page Break~
Just as they were about to get their happiness Snow and David watched as the smoke came charging at them. To protect his wife, David clung to her, praying that if he held her tight enough that it would be enough to prevent them from getting separated once again.
Both Henry's and Emma's expressions mimicked the other as they watched the smoke.
"What the hell is that?" Emma asked, staring in awe at the sight.
"Something not good," Henry replied
Maurice had finally been released from the hospital and was coming through the automatic doors at the same time as the purple smoke came.
Regina had returned to her home walking numbly to Henry's room where she clung to his pillow tears overflowing. They were happy once and she ignored the signs when she started to lose Henry. Even when he made it clear he could only see the Evil Queen, at least Regina had legal rights to Henry and no one believed Henry's story. Now she knew she had lost Henry forever because everyone knew the truth. A tremor of energy of energy shot through and glanced up outside Henry's window. The shocking sight of the rolling smoke gave her hope and a grin emerged on her lips as she approached the window.
~Page Break~
He finally turned his attention on Belle once the smoke cleared. "Belle, you have to tell me what happened to you?"
She could hear the urgency and fear in his tone making her uncertain about actually telling him, knowing how he would react, but also, him having such a passionate reaction made her feel loved and safe.
"I was taken and held captive," she said, her vehemence frightened her.
"By Regina," he growled, "For 28 years you've been here, alive? I can only imagine what that bitch did to you!" His hands shook as he clenched his fists digging his nails into his flesh as imagined the pain he would inflict on Regina once he confronted her.
Seeing the anger in his eyes filled her with mixed emotions. She didn't want him to kill Regina for her, but at the same time she wanted to make that woman pay for torturing her. As much as a part of her wanted to do it herself, she could not cross the line? Could she ask Rumple to? No.
"Rumple, please, I can't deny I would want to see her punished after the hell she put me through, but it's our turn to be happy. To be together, and it's been 28 years and I don't want to wait anymore to be with you," she pleaded as she held his hands and held his gaze. It was selfish of her to ask him, but after 28 years she didn't care and she just wanted him, though a voice in her head whispered let him kill the bitch!
"Because of her," he cried, "I won't let this stand!"
"But there are other ways to get revenge without going after her. Let the others worry about Regina for now." She hadn't meant to cry, but the tears came and her voice shook as she asked him. "Am I asking too much? Expecting too much from him?"
He sighed, not wanting to make a promise he couldn't keep. "How can you ask me not to go after her, after what she did to you? She needs to answer for her crimes. She did this because her petty desires and not wanting to take blame for her own problems. She needs to learn that. She needs to be held accountable! How can you not want her to be punished? She kept you in imprisoned for twenty-eight years and you're asking me to let this go?!"
I didn't say I didn't want her to be punished and I'm not asking you to let this go," she said hating they were already fighting, "Yes, I want her to be punished, but I'm asking if there is another way. I'm afraid to lose you to the monster within if you try to kill her with or without magic!" She couldn't control the tears or the shudder in her voice as she spoke her deepest fears to him.
Her words were a blow to his heart and softened his desire for revenge. He hated seeing her cry and didn't want her to only see the monster within. Rumple guided her into an embrace, only wanting to hold her and be the one to kiss her tears.
"You won't lose me to the beast within. I'm not going to let the curse consume me again, because my love for you is what keeps me human," he confessed.
Forgetting that he didn't know if the rules were different here, he pressed his lips to Belle's, kissing her with fiery passion that he had wanted to express for a long time.
Belle's toes began to curl and her body felt on sweet fire as he kissed her with such intensity. If they hadn't been in the middle of the forest she might have been tempted to let him take her right then, but she knew she wasn't ready for that. Unlike, the first time she brushed her lips with his, this one held desire and passion that neither could describe.
Rumple had left her breathless as he pulled away. Cupping her cheeks he said, "If you don't want me to hurt her in that way, I won't, but I won't let her get away with it. I'm an attorney in this world, so if the town is willing I can put her on trial."
"That would be fair and just, I think," Belle agreed, pressing herself against his chest enjoying how he caressed her long auburn locks.
They walked out of the woods together, Belle leaning against him, feeling safer than she had in a long time.
"Rumple," she spoke after a moment, "you kissed me?"
"Yes, I did," he said with a twitch of smile of someone who hadn't felt this happy in long time, but feared showing it.
"I thought we couldn't. Before...if we kissed it would take away your magic, do things work differently in this world?" She gazed up at curiously
"From what I gather magic seems to work differently here so a kiss of true love isn't enough…to break a curse, possibly. Not that means true love isn't as powerful, but it might take more than just expressing true love for someone through a kiss." He explained, "This is world where magic doesn't exist and if it's seen then you might be persecuted outside of our town. There are also certain aspects of my curse I don't understand, I admit."
Belle furrowed her brow thoughtfully as she considered his words. "We can kiss, but he is still cursed. Maybe this time I will take a different approach to helping him. I cannot go about things so hastily."
"Rumple why do you want to be cursed? I know it gives you magic and that you need them for something, but at what price? You told me magic always comes with a price and this curse seems to be it, but is worth it?" She asked, but regretted when he pulled away.
"Of course it's worth it dearie," he snapped, "I wouldn't have taken it on if it wasn't." Belle winced recalling to her memory the imp who took her away from her father and threw her in the dungeon.
"I didn't mean to offend you I just don't understand. To me this curse seems more like a punishment than a blessing. If you could tell me why I would know not ask such stupid questions." She didn't mean for it to come out so sarcastic, but it did.
Rumple sighed rubbing his face with the hand that didn't hold his cane. "You're right I shouldn't have snapped. You don't know, but you deserve to know."
~Page Break~
Their first destination was the shop and now that Belle was clear headed she could take the time to observe her surroundings. She recognized the two creepy male and female puppets, but she saw a few others she didn't recognize such as an intricately designed music box and a shiny gold lamp inside a glass cabinet. There was a map in another display case, a dagger that was straight pointed with a black hilt, and a crystal ball. On a top shelf there was a children's red rubber ball that she guessed belonged to the son he had mentioned before, and she silently longed for him to share what happened to his son.
Rumple had returned, having promised to get her different clothes, from the backroom with folded clothes in his hands. Those hands fascinated her as they were smooth and delicate like wizard's hands, but they had they were roughened by years of hard labor. The thought of those hands touching her skin, made Belle shiver with delight.
"Are you cold?" He asked, frowning. He wanted to burn the horrendous hospital garment she had been forced to wear.
"A little," she lied not wanting to admit the inappropriate thoughts that she about him. "I'm sure once I change I'll be fine. Thank you for these." She kissed his cheeks disappearing in the backroom to change.
Standing in the back room, Belle found herself face to face with a full length mirror on display and cringed. "Uh, Rumple, this mirror," she began to ask as she peeked her head through the curtains.
"Only reflects," he answered her question before she could even ask it.
Sighing with relief she studied herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were puffy and she had unwelcome circles under her eyes. The bed they gave her in the hospital wasn't the least bit comfortable and she would often curl up so her feet wouldn't press against the cold, hard railing. On top of that, Belle would wake up screaming or crying only having the comfort of the nurse, who would stab her with a needle, during those times when she woke up screaming. The sheets were thin and the blanket was scratchy so keeping warm wasn't an easy task either.
Belle ran her fingers through her hair to untangle the knots in it and 'brush it' some, not that it really helped, but it was a start. Obviously, having spent 28 years locked up in hospital basement Belle wouldn't expect to look decent, but the thought of Rumple seeing her disheveled made her cringe. She wasn't a vain person, but she still wanted to look beautiful for him or at least not like a dirty rodent.
Turning her attention to the bed, she examined the clothes she had laid it earlier, Belle picked them up and unfolded them. It was a dark brown dress with designs stitched into it with a belt that separated the top of the dress with the skirt. The bottom had thrills on it and covered down to her knees. It was much shorter than what she was used to, but not so short that she would feel exposed. On the back of the dress was a device that you pulled down to open up the dress, in the back, to make it easier to put on. Once she had mastered that task, she smiled triumphantly and twirled as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Scanning the room, Belle searched for a hairbrush, but none was here. Stepping out from behind the curtain she found Rumple writing notes in a black book.
"Rumple, excuse me, do you by chance have a hairbrush her?" she inquired.
He glanced up and smiled. "You look beautiful. Much better that had ugly hospital gown they had you in," he complimented.
Belle's cheeks turned crimson. "Thank you. I like the dress, but I would like to do something about my hair."
"Unfortunately, a brush isn't something I've collected here, but I probably have something in my powder room at home," he said.
"Oh so I can see where you live," she exclaimed, excited to see what his home looked like. "Would it be like the Dark Castle? Would he even want me to live with him again? It wouldn't be proper for me to live with him unless we were married or if papa had made an arrangement. Rumple thought I died and maybe that what's my father thinks."
"Is it far from here?" she asked.
"A little, but we can take my car," he said.
"Car?"
"Um, it's like a carriage without horses," Rumple explained as he lead her outside opening the door so she could go first.
She stared at the horseless machine not sure if she should feel safe or afraid as it was covered with black metal. Rumple opened the door for, but Belle stepped back shaking her head.
"It's alright sweetheart, it's a car and it's a lot safer than carriage. You can lock it so people can't get in," he explained demonstrating.
"It does seem safer than a carriage," she had agree, but approached the machine slowly. He held her hand, helping Belle just like it was a carriage, holding her hand as she stepped inside. The seats had more cushion and were solid black, but unlike The Queen's carriage, she didn't feel a sense of foreboding. Having trouble mastering how to secure the seatbelt, Rumple had to show her how to fit it in the slot. Riding in the car was more relaxing and less bumpy, but maybe that was because the roads were less bumpy and it probably helped Rumple was a good driver.
A few minutes later, Rumple parked the car in front of a salmon colored house and Belle smirked as she recalled how the walls of the Dark Castle had been the same color. He opened the door and offered his hand to help her again. She placed her hand naturally in his warm one gazing admiringly at his salmon colored manor. Walking across the threshold, the house was dark but decorated with warm colors and beautiful antique furniture.
"I love it. It reminds me of you," Belle said smiling warmly.
"That it's old and full of old things?" He muttered leaning on his cane as he stared at the house Regina gave him. It wasn't as big as his castle, none of these places were, but it felt empty and cold, like the Dark Castle after Belle left.
"No, because it's full of mystery and magic. Like a book I always wanted to read and I finally get the chance to uncover its story. Of course, the book has to let me read it." She glanced sideways at him and continued to speak.
"It's so big for one person, though. Then again, you were alone in that huge castle." She frowned at the thought of him being alone in this large house.
"If you want you could live here. It's perfectly acceptable for a man and woman who aren't married yet, to live together, but only if you want to," he added, not sure if she felt comfortable with the idea.
"Actually, I would like that. I wouldn't feel safe living with anyone else, but you," Belle said. "I also don't want to live alone right now."
It was Rumple's turn to blush. "Why don't I show you your room and then I will explain things."
She nodded and followed Rumple upstairs. There were four bedrooms, one being his room, the others being guest rooms. He opened door to one and stepped aside so she could go inside and explore.
There were two windows, on each side. One looking out to the backyard and one was looking out front at the town below. The windows were covered with white satin curtains, there was a wardrobe, a wooden nightstand with a reading lamp, a full length mirror, and in the center of the room was a canopy bed. The sheets were also white, but the blanket on top of was baby blue with gold stitching and matching pillows, and last she noticed the bookshelf.
"There's a library in town where you can get books to fill the shelves with, and it could use someone to run it, in case you were interested," Rumple suggested as he watched Belle stare at the empty bookshelf.
"That would be perfect," she exclaimed, "Who do I speak to about that?"
"You won't have to speak to anyone, the job is yours," Rumple replied.
"But what about my qualifications?" she asked, slightly stunned that it would be that easy. "Even in our world you had to qualify for an apprenticeship."
"Well for the things you don't know I'm sure he's more than willing to teach you," he said, trying to hide the mischievous smile on his lips.
"Do you know him?" she asked.
"I more than know him, I'm him," he finally admitted.
She gaped. "You own the library?!"
"I own the town actually, when Regina cast the curse she made me the landlord of the town," he said, realizing too late how that would sound to Belle.
"I thought you two hated each other?" Belle's brow creased into a bewildered expression, "why would she give you ownership of the whole town?"
"I didn't want to have the life I had before I became the Dark One, so I made sure I was the wealthiest citizen in Storybrooke," he admitted, wanting to be completely honest with her. The only person who he ever tried to be completely honest with was Bae, but now he knew he couldn't lose his Belle again, and that meant being honest as possible with her.
"We should talk," he said, "once you get settled in."
"Alright, it shouldn't take me long since I don't have a lot things," she said and he nodded leaving Belle to enjoy her room.
As soon as he was gone Belle headed for bathroom across the hall and searched for a toothbrush and a brush for her hair, going back downstairs without having cleaned herself up a bit more wasn't an option. Ten minutes later she was ready to go downstairs, so they could talk.
"What is he going to tell me? I shouldn't expect too much from him."
Belle found Rumple in kitchen nursing a cup coffee and lightly blowing on it to keep to it cool so as not to burn his tongue. She watched from the kitchen entrance as he puckered his lips and blew air onto the liquid she licked her lips trying not to let herself be distracted by thinking about him kissing her again like he did earlier.
"I would have thought you would be drinking tea," she commented.
"I decided I needed something stronger for this particular conversation," he admitted sipping the drink. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Yes, please, but make it tea. I tried coffee once, it was too bitter," she said grimacing at the memory.
He chuckled. "Yes, it is a bit bitter at times, but there are certain coffees that have a sweeter flavor. In our old world there weren't many choices to decide from. Either you could get strong coffee or really strong coffee." She remembered how big of a deal it was when her father's kingdom received a delivering of beans to make the coffee and how Maurice became a bit addicted to the stuff as it give him energy to deal with the kingdom's problems.
"Since you need something stronger, should I be worried?" she asked half teasing, half serious.
"It depends on what you think of me after our conversation," he said smiling sardonically. Belle didn't truly see him at his worse, she had only been with him for a year, and she knew only half the things he had done.
He filled up the kettle with water and set the timer on the stove to boil and returned to his mug that sat on the island, while he waited for the water to heat. Belle, not wanting to just stand there waiting pulled up one of the bar stools and sat across from where he was standing. The silence between them was unnerving, but despite both wanting to break it neither spoke, afraid and unsure of what to say.
"Why is this so hard?" he asked himself.
"Maybe I should say something. Maybe he'll talk once we both have our drinks." She said to herself trying to ease her concerns.
A piercing whistle finally broke the silence making Belle jump. "It's the kettle," he assured her, "its letting us know your water is ready."
She got up and offered to help.
"I got it," he assured her and she sat back down. She watched where he retrieved the mug and the red box that contained the tea bags so she would know for future reference.
"Which flavor would you like?" Rumple asked lifting the top for her to see the different choices.
"There are flavors?" She asked studying the box of different flavored tea bags.
She picked out strawberry flavor and put the bag into the mug. Once her tea was ready, placing a napkin in front of her, Rumple gave her the cup of tea. Blowing on it Belle took a sip, though it was still hot she enjoyed the flavor.
"Belle, do you remember when you asked me about my son?" he questioned her.
She nodded. "Yes."
"His name is Baelfire and he's here, in this world. When I became the Dark One he didn't like what I had become, I can't really blame him when I don't like the man I have become either," Rumple admitted, shrugging his shoulders.
He took another sip of his coffee. "He went to search for a way to remove my curse. Speaking to the Blue Fairy, she gave him a bean she claimed would take us to land without magic. She said it was the only way and she apparently is a saint." There was bitterness in his tone as he mentioned the Blue Fairy and the last bit was obviously sarcasm. Belle had never met the women, but her own mother hadn't trusted the fairy either.
"I panicked when the bean created the portal. I had no idea where the portal would take us and if we would be safe. I was a coward and let Baelfire fall through the portal. I've been trying to find him ever since, to tell him how sorry I was, but that damned fairy said the only way to get to him was by creating a curse," he explained, "or more like she let it slip."
"The curse Regina cast was the curse you created to get here to find Baelfire." She stated it rather, than asked, knowing it was true. "Why did you have Regina cast it, why didn't you?" she questioned out of curiosity.
"Because the curse required the thing you love most and I couldn't give that. Bae was the reason I needed the curse, and even if you had been in my life at the time I couldn't do it, no matter what people say about me."
A sympathetic smile touched Belle's lips as this answered what she already believed, that Rumple was a man, who had made difficult choices, because he felt he had no other options. She would be lying to herself if Belle said she wouldn't make the same choices, especially if it involved protecting her own child.
He watched her expression carefully, trying to read it, to see if she judged him like everyone else, but the sympathetic smile caught him off guard.
"I'm glad you told me," Belle said, taking his hand and squeezing it gently, "I understand why you did what you did, the choices you made. I'm sorry about what happened and I would like to help find him. If you would like my help, that is."
Her words warmed his heart. "Belle this is my burden to bear. Are you sure you would want to bear it with me?" He asked stroking her hand within his.
"Rumple, your burdens are now mine and I want to help," she said.
Taking her hand he kissed her knuckles affectionately.
"Do you mind if I ask about his mother?" she asked, "Was she gone by then."
"Yes, she was already," he said, the bitterness again in his tone. Though she wanted to know more, she chose not to broach the subject further. Belle jumped again as their peaceful moment was interrupted by the ringing doorbell. Rumple heaved an irritated sigh at the unwelcome interruption.
"I'll be back," he said and left her to answer the door.
Opening the door he was greeted by two identical, accusatory scowls. "Ah, a family reunion," Rumple said, smirking.
"Regina says you created the curse that brought us here in the first place," Emma said as her eyes narrowed giving Mr. Gold a warning glare. Her father stood protectively behind his daughter, glaring at Rumple like he was her guard.
"Straight to the point I see," he said, "yes, I gave Regina the curse, but she cast it of her own free."
"Still you played a part in this," Emma accused.
Her father interrupted said, "You should be held accountable too or at least help us protect Regina from the town burning her."
"Why should I," he asked angrily, "as I said, before she chose to cast the curse of her own free will. I may have given her the tools, but she chose to let her petty desires for revenge manipulate her. Granted, I can't deny that I found a kindred spirit in Regina when we first met, but the difference is I know that my mistakes are my fault. Regina likes to blame others or doesn't blame the right people."
"So you'll just let them burn her?" David asked.
"No, but I will offer a more 'honorable' alternative to punishing her," Rumple replied.
Emma raised her brow in suspicion. "Like what?"
"I'm a lawyer, and I would like to see her put on trial for her crimes, and not spared this time, because your wife feels bad for the bitch," he said, pointing an accusatory finger at David, whose cheeks turned bright red.
"You let her go? Did she not do something as bad as casting this curse?" Belle appeared in foyer looking David, not understanding why anyone would have a good reason to give Regina a second chance. She obviously, had taken her second chance for granted, and despite always being taught to forgive she was having a hard time forgiving Regina.
"She, um, tried to poison Snow with an apple, and destroyed our kingdoms in the process." David looked like a child who had just realized everything he had been taught to believe was wrong and cost him more than he was willing to admit.
"I mean at the time I thought she deserved to die, but Snow believed she owed Regina a second chance," David said defensively.
"I was always taught that, yes you should offer second chances and forgiveness, but it has to be earned. The person has to admit their wrong doings. If a person continues to do wrong, which from my perspective seems to be what Regina has chosen, then you might have to make the choice that you don't like, but is necessary," Belle argued, finding this David a bit too arrogant for her tastes.
"I don't mean to be rude, but who are you?" Emma asked, before David could speak again.
"Belle," she replied politely and curtsied out of habit, "You've probably never seen me before, because Regina was the one who kept me locked up in the basement of the hospital." She wrapped her arms around Rumple's waist, indicating they were together.
Emma's eyes shifted between the two as she recalled that Valentine's Day last year when he kidnapped Moe French the florist.
"You're her," Emma exclaimed.
Belle looked at Emma quizzically and returned to looking at Rumple's whose eyes held this subtle look of fear in his chestnut brown ones.
"Belle, excuse me asking this, but did you have problems with you and your father like when you last saw him or ever?" Emma asked.
Belle felt the tension in Rumple's arms as he spoke warningly to Emma, "Ms. Swan, I would rather you not interrogate Belle right now. She's had a trying night."
"It's alright, Rumple. My father and I didn't part well. The first time my father was asking Rumple for assistance in defeating the Ogre's and Rumple's price was me. I wasn't going to let my people suffer," she explained, mouthing sorry to Rumple. He answered with a kiss on top of her head, but she could see in his eyes guilt.
"Yet, you still are with him and by your gestures more than just friends," Emma said.
"If you mean we love each other than yes," she replied, sizing Emma up as if she were rival of hers.
"Uh huh, and the second time?"
"The second time, my father disowned me because he believed me to be tainted. He tried to cleanse me, but I escaped. My feelings about my father are conflicting now and since I've answered your questions Ms. Swan and you know what Rumple intends and I think you should leave," Belle said.
"Alright, but Belle if he hurts you please call my daughter. She's the sheriff," David added proudly.
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," Belle said and shut the door.
Belle let go of Rumple, her stance a little less timid and more formal. "Rumple, why did she ask about my relationship with my father?"
"So what Regina said about your father is true?" He asked.
"If you mean, did he try 'cleanse my soul' yes, but first answer my question," she ordered.
"Belle, I had thought you killed yourself after your father tried to cleanse you. I hated the man and wanted to punish him," he admitted clenching his fist, but also pleading with Belle not to be angry with him. "Your father tried to steal from me when I took away his business when he couldn't pay his rent. I beat him out of rage. I wanted to kill him believing what I did. I know you can never forgive me for that and am sure that's enough for you to want to leave," he confessed it feeling a weight lift but there was still more.
She was silent for a time, but finally spoke, "He's alive?"
"Yes, he had to be taken to the hospital," Rumple said.
"I would like to see him," she said.
"I can arrange that. I don't know what your father's living situation is, but I'm assuming you'll want to move in with him if he's out of the hospital," he said his voice shaking slightly as he spoke. He didn't want her to and didn't trust the former Lord, but after hearing what he did to Maurice, he knew Belle would rather live with her father then him.
"No, I refuse to live with my father. I love him, but I can't forgive him how he treated me when I returned. I don't like what you did, but I would rather stay with you or at least have my own home to live," she said. "I still wish to see him though."
~Page Break~
Since they had told Belle and Rumple her father had been released the couple hours ago, they were now pulling up to a small one-story house. It was small cozy looking place with a garden surrounding the side walk.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Rumple asked.
"It's probably best if you don't. He won't hurt me," she assured him.
Belle, inhaling deeply, stepped out of the car, and with careful steps, walked up to the front porch. Just as she was about to knock the door opened.
"Belle, sweetie," Maurice exclaimed pulling his daughter into an embrace. Belle hugged him awkwardly, but she was tense in her actions. "I'm so glad you're alive sweet! I've been searching for you. I feared the Dark One had captured you again." His tears made her sick and cringe and cast her eyes down.
"He didn't capture me, but I am with him," she said. "He also has a name father, its Rumplestiltskin, in case you forgot.
"You're what? You're with him, what do you mean?" He asked blinking rapidly and his eyes shifted out the window to see Mr. Gold standing beside his black Cadillac.
"He's taking care of me and I'm staying with him," she said
"You're living with that monster?! That monster that held you prisoner and almost beat me to death," Maurice cried in angry protest.
"That monster is a man, named Rumplestiltskin, and he loves me," Belle said defensively.
"The Queen had warned me about him. She said he would put a spell on you, enchant you," Maurice muttered. "She told me she would keep you safe, he must have found you."
"He thought I was dead and didn't even know Regina held me prisoner," Belle exclaimed stepping back from her father. "You were the one that had Regina capture?!"
"Sweetie, when you had run away I had to make sure he wouldn't find you," Maurice reasoned, approaching his daughter.
"So you allowed her to hold me prisoner for 28 years, because you were trying to 'protect me'?" She stepped farther away close to the door. "First you disown me and accuse me of being tainted, that Rumple had raped me, because of course why wouldn't he, and then you have the witch hold me captive!"
"I was trying to protect you," he repeated.
"Stay the hell away from me! If that's your way of protecting me than I would rather live with a 'monster' then with you," she said and turned on her healing leaving before her father could stop her. Tears streaked her face as she walked briskly to the car.
"Sweetheart, what happened, did he hurt you?" Rumple asked frowning.
He voice shook as she spoke, "Only emotionally."
Rumple held out his arms and guided her into an embrace and ran his fingers through her auburn curls. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I know how important a relationship between a father and a child is." He kissed the top of her head. "Do you want to go back to the house?"
She nodded. "I want to rest."
~Page Break~
Belle wrapped her arms around her body, shaking violently as she lie there feeling empty and lonely. The sound of clanking outside of her cell got her attention and she sat up. A guard came in followed by Regina, who was wearing a long elegant dark purple gown and a black cloak. There was a gleam in her eyes and she held the most terrifying smile on her lips.
"You look so pretty," Regina sneered, "it seems your sweet Rumple still hasn't come for you, nor has your father. How heartbreaking?"
Belle glared at the queen. "Go to hell!"
She threw her head back and laughed. "What's the matter? Lost all hope, have you?"
Belle said nothing as tears of anger slid down her cheeks. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I doubt either man will come for you. Rumple doesn't love you if he did he would have come by now. You see, he thinks you work for me, so he won't bother to look for you," Regina said.
"He wouldn't believe that," she said.
"Really than why did he kick you out of castle?" she questioned.
"He was angry, but I know he loves me or it wouldn't have worked," Belle replied looking at the Evil Queen with triumphant in her eyes.
"He has to want it to break the curse and he doesn't," she said, "he doesn't want you, he only wants his power. I'm sorry, but I have been business to attend to so I'm leaving you here with Claude."
As Regina walked away she whispered to the guard, "Why don't you have some fun with her, but don't actually go through it. Just give her reason to be afraid." The guard frowned in disappoint that he couldn't really play with her the way he wanted to satisfy his lust.
"Don't worry I will give you someone else for later," Regina promised. She shut the door and locked it.
The guard approached her licking his lips and grinning maliciously. "Hello, little princess, let's have fun shall we?"
Her eyes widened and she began to quiver. "Stay the hell away from!"
The guard came towards Belle, leered over her pressing himself against her, and she could feel his hot breath on her face.
He ran his fingers through her curls and whispered, "You're so pretty. You're such a sweet plump, pure, little creature that I would love to have fun with. No wonder the Dark One took you in."
Her body quaked with fear. "Please stop," she cried in protest.
"Please stop," he mocked. "I should just take you now and mark you as mine! I don't even know why the Dark One hadn't taken you already," he said chuckling.
He slid his hand up Belle's gown and lightly caressed her thigh, and pressed his mouth on Belle's, forcing his tongue down her throat. She struggled in his grasped and tried to throw the guard off…
Belle, still half asleep, screamed and her whole body trembled. Rumple hurried into the room as fast as his weak leg would allow and found her thrashing and crying in her sleep. "Belle, Belle SSShhhh," he said, trying to calm her as he sat down on the bed. "It's okay, I'm here, and no one will hurt." Rumple made his promises as crawled into bed and wrapped his arms around her. She stopped thrashing as she heard Rumple's familiar Scottish brogue and felt his arms embrace her. She opened her eyes still crying and clung to him burying her face in his silk nightshirt.
