Hello! I actually got the idea for this one when watching this movie called My Fake Fiance. Hope you enjoy!

Belle had a problem.

It was all her fault, really; she had been such a fool.

Engaged.

That's what she had told her cousin, Fiona, after all. It had seemed harmless enough – she wouldn't be teased for being the 'lonely bookworm' anymore, and when she went to her cousin's wedding next weekend, she wouldn't be pressed by her family about why she was still single.

It didn't really bother her that she had never found anyone; true love needed time. But her family's prodding had always gotten under her skin, especially when they pushed her towards that idiot, Gaston.

So when she casually mentioned that she had gotten engaged a few weeks ago, the last thing she had wanted was her Fiona's squeal of happiness and insistence that she simply must bring him to the wedding, because he just had to meet the family, and besides, she needed to see if he was as absolutely gorgeous as she could picture him to be.

And despite Belle's refusal, she kept pushing and pushing and, well, it was going to be her wedding, after all. She couldn't say no, in the end.

When she hung up, she could feel the knots in her stomach twisting and turning. What had she agreed to?

She set the phone down with a sigh and began to mull it over, considering her choices. She would need a fake fiancé. Jefferson would most likely agree if she begged him enough, but he was nowhere to be found recently. And David would have done anything to help anyone, but everyone knew how in love he was with Mary Margaret.

She paused when her thoughts turned to Mr. Gold. Her immediate reaction was of course not. It wasn't his reputation; that had never bothered her. He had always been polite when she would go into his shop every week to look at his old books, and he'd always nodded back, albeit a bit surprised, after she would say hello when they passed each other on the street.

But he was always so withdrawn, and so incredibly intelligent. She could only imagine that smug smirk that would be on his face if she were to tell him what had happened. She couldn't see him agreeing to anything that involved something so stupid, but at the same time…she could. He had always been kind to her, kinder than she had expected.

The more she thought about it, the more that she warmed to the idea. Going to a wedding with him might actually be enjoyable.

She made up her mind to go to his shop the next day.

She made her way to his shop early in the morning, wrapping her coat around her to fight against the cold as she walked down the street. She had wanted to go later, but she had hardly slept. The butterflies in her stomach seemed to be gnawing away at her, eating away any chance she had of worrying about anything else other than what his reaction might be.

She hesitated outside of his door. Do the brave thing and bravery will follow.

She took a deep breath and pushed open the door, hearing the little bell jingle above her as she stepped inside.

Too late to go back now.

"Yes?" He appeared in the doorway, coming out of the back of the shop, and – though she definitely could have imagined it – she thought she saw the shadow of a smile flicker across his face as he saw it was her.

"Hello." She smiled nervously, slightly proud that her voice hadn't shook like she'd thought it would.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, I…I believe you can." She took a step closer. Suddenly her mind was blank; what had she wanted to say? How could she even explain what had happened? "Well, I…" she paused, hesitating. "I'm going to a wedding on Saturday."

"Congratulations."

She heard the slight mockery in his tone but ignored it, continuing. "It's my cousin's, actually, and…well…she believes that I'm engaged."

At this he raised his eyebrow, and she could practically see that she had caught his attention. "Oh?"

She nodded, feeling almost dizzy with nerves, but she knew that was ridiculous. She wasn't seriously asking him to marry her, and she could always find someone else if he disagreed. "I'm not, obviously, but…" She sighed. "I was wondering if you could accompany me."

He stopped, and for the moment, she saw that she had stumped him. For once, he had no quick remark or witty comeback. And judging by the look on his face, he didn't even comprehend what she had asked.

"I need someone to pretend to be my fiancé, just for a night. But if you're busy or something, then I can always ask someone else."

"No!" His reply was quicker than it should have been, and he cleared his throat, composing himself. "No. I…I don't believe I have anything planned for that day."

She nodded. Mixed with her relief was amusement, and she held back a smile.

He noticed, of course, and gave her an annoyed look. "But you should know your family is probably aware of my…reputation."

"Yes, of course they are. And?"

Again, he was rendered momentarily speechless. "And?" He repeated dubiously.

"And it hardly matters. As far as they know, I'm completely in love with you." Again, he looked flustered at the very idea. "And if that were true, then they shouldn't care who you are or what your reputation is."

He just nodded, and for a moment they had nothing to say.

"I'll pick you up at seven, then?" He asked.

"It's a deal."