Author's Note: I don't own anything.
Summary: Sometimes, happily ever after doesn't exist.
Belle held the chipped cup in her hand admiring the beauty of it taking in the detail and the precision. It was light in Belle's hands, but a dark reminder of what was and what could have been. A few tears streamed down Belle's face as she walked out of Mr. Gold's shop. Along her way out, she switched the open sign to closed.
She had taken the one item that he had cherished most. She thought it would be most appropriate to take. Belle looked back at the shop one last time sadly. All of the memories she had of that place. She sighed as she walked through the town.
Belle could picture it clearly in her mind as if it just happened yesterday. She and Rumplestiltskin were walking to the wishing well for their night time stroll. They were laughing and smiling with each other, you could tell that they had something special.
And then it happened.
Captain Hook appeared and in his hand he held the Dark One's Dagger. Rumplestiltskin reconiged it the moment he say it and his eyes widened in horror as Hook lunged at him. Hook nearly knicked Belle with the dagger. "Quick Belle, run!" yelled Rumplestiltskin.
Belle refused to run away from her true love. She wasn't going anywhere as she dove in front of him to protect him from Hook and the dagger. "One again Love, you are useless," sneered Hook as he shoved Belle out of the way.
Hook and Rumplestiltskin were in a struggle. They were arm and arm tackling each other but it was no use. Hook was younger and stronger and managed to knock him down. Belle couldn't tell what was going on as she ran over to them. Hook got up and turned to Belle. "Enjoy your happily ever after," he smirked. Belle looked down and screamed.
Belle tried to push those images out of her mind, but it proved to be difficult. "Oh Rum," she whispered as she finally came to his grave.
She placed the chipped cup where a wilted rose was sitting. "Just like my love for you," Belle whispered, "It will never fade."
Belle pulled the rose out and placed the chipped cup there instead. She admired it and she lay down on the ground like she did on her bed. She rested her hand on the ground like she did when she was listening to his heart. Belle lay there for the longest time, not moving.
And in the shadows of the forest, lurking in the dark was the spirit of Rumplestiltskin. He was watching over his beloved Belle. How he wished he could speak to her, but in this new world he was in, there were rules.
Belle closed her eyes as the wind blew. It was actually the forces bringing Rumple over to Belle. She could feel his presence. She could feel him wrapping myself around her holding her close. "I love you Rum," cried Belle.
It was killing Rumplestiltskin that he could not say anything to her. Belle spent the whole night out in the cold with her beloved. She brought a blanket and slept on the ground.
The next morning, Emma found Belle and she was unresponsive. Emma turned and saw the chipped cup.