Stolen Heart

Takes place during In the name of the brother. Belle was shot but she didn't lose her memory. She walks in when Rumple and Cora are sealing their deal with a kiss and it throws their relationship into a tailspin.

Please R&R!

Chapter One

"Belle, you had a close call but thanks to Mr. Gold's quick thinking, there's no reason we have to keep you any longer. Would you like us to call Mr. Gold to come and get you?" Dr. Whale said while signing the papers for her release.

"No. I'd like to leave as soon as possible and surprise him. Thank you for all your help, Dr. Whale." Belle said gathering her clothes and heading to the bathroom to change out of her hospital gown.

It would take Belle just as long to walk to the shop then it would to have Rumple pick her up and drive back. This way she could enjoy the walk and surprise him. He needed some good news after the last 24 hours they've had. After Hook shot her, Rumple managed to keep her from crossing the town line and healed her gun shot. They had wanted to keep her for observation and keep an eye out for any complications, even though she was completely healed. She wanted to make sure Rumple knew she was ok so he could start his journey to find his son as they had planned.

15 minutes later, the shop came into view and Belle quickened her pace. A smile came across her face as she imagined the look on Rumple's face when she waltzed into the shop. She flung open the door to see Rumple standing near the middle of the shop floor with a women dressed in a gown. At first it looked like they were whispering to each other but in that split second she realized they were... kissing.

When he heard the bells chime as the door opened, Rumple jumped back from Cora with a look of shock and terror when he saw that it was Belle that entered the shop. The women turned to look at her. She was older, about Rumple's age but still beautiful. She didn't look shocked at all and it felt to Belle that the women was annoyed that they had been interrupted.

"Belle" Rumple said as he walked slowly towards Belle with one arm out stretched to her. "Please. It's not what you think."

Belle remained in a silent shock as Rumple reached where she was standing.

"Rumple, who is this girl? Tell her to come back later. We're in the middle of sealing a deal" Cora said giving Belle the once over.

"Cora! Get the hell out of here. Our deal is done!" Rumple screamed at Cora.

"Very well. Enjoy your gift." She said as she disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.

Belle moved away from him and started slowly heading for the door. Rumple quickly moved in front of the door to try and prevent her from leaving.

"Let me go, Rumple. I meant it. Just leave me alone." She said going around him and opening the door.

"I love you" Rumple said desperately as she walked out the door.

Belle stopped, turned around to face him and for a few second their eyes met. Then she turned away and walked down the street with no idea where she was going.

David was doing paperwork at the sheriff's office when he looked up and saw Mr. Gold standing in front of his desk.

David was startled and jumped up from his desk, "God, Gold! We really have to get you a bell and whatever you want I don't know the time."

"I don't know what to do" Rumple said looking at the floor.

"What are you taking about?" David said working again on his paperwork only half listening.

"I think I've ruined things with Belle for good this time"

David looked up from his desk now giving his full attention.

"What did you do Gold?" He said acting like a big brother to Belle.

With a sigh Rumple sat down in the chair in front of David's desk, "When Cora first came into town she came to my shop and kissed me. Belle walked in and saw us."

"You kissed Cora?! Are you crazy? Are you trying to ruin the best thing that ever happened to you?" David yelled.

"It didn't mean anything. Now she won't return any of my phone calls and when I go to her apartment she always pretends not to be home. I don't know what to do. She won't talk to me" He said desperately.

"Do you blame her, Gold? If you don't explain yourself, you could lose her forever."

"What should I do?" Gold said thinking he couldn't believe he was asking for David's help once again.

"Keep trying. It's all you can do. She probably just needs time to cool down." He said trying to be as positive as he could about the situation.

"Yeah. That must be all it is." Gold said knowing it wasn't true.

"Hello?" Belle said absentmindedly answering the phone while she was balancing a pile of books in her arms.

"Belle! Please don't hang up. I've been trying to reach you for weeks!" Rumple said desperately.

Belle winced when she realized she had been too overwhelmed to screen the call. Rumple had been calling and stopping by the library non stop since she left him at the shop. She always let the phone go to voicemail or acted like she wasn't home. She was only now beginning to process what had happened in the shop and how she was going to deal with it, but she knew she didn't want to speak to him.

"Rumple, this isn't a really good time... No. Actually the time is fine, I just have no interest in speaking to you." Belle said readjusting the phone balanced on her shoulder.

"Please, give me a chance to explain. Please" Rumple said quickly.

"OK. Explain." Belle said thinking this should be good!

"Not over the phone. Please meet me."

Belle hesitated. She still cared for him. Still loved him. Of all the things he had done and that they had been through, she never thought that he would be unfaithful to her. They had True Love after all, didn't they? She had to know why he would do this.

"Belle?" Rumple whispered quietly hoping she hadn't hung up.

"Yes I'm here. Fine. I'll meet you at Granny's tomorrow at noon."

"Granny's? Shouldn't we meet somewhere more... private?" Rumple stammered.

"No we wouldn't. I would prefer somewhere public." She said sternly.

"Ok. I'll see you there. Thank you, Belle" He said sadly.

Belle hung up the phone without answering and sighed.

Belle couldn't handle sitting in the library watching the clock tick all morning as her anxiety grew stronger, so she decided to head to Granny's about eleven o'clock to gather her thoughts. When she entered she saw that Rumple was already sitting in a booth facing the door. He was looking down at his hands so he did not see her enter. He looked older. Weathered and tired. She felt a wave of pity for him wash over her before suppressing it. She had no reason to feel pity for him. This was all his doing. That was her problem, she always felt bad for people, was always too nice. She slowly came up to the booth and when Rumple caught her moment his head shot up.

"Belle." He said quickly getting to his feet. He reached out to her but she swiftly slid into the other side of the booth avoiding is touch. She glanced at his face and could clearly see the hurt he felt from her avoidance.

"Thank you for meeting me." Rumple said as he sat back down and two ice teas were delivered to their table from Granny.

"Any food for you too?" Granny asked putting her hand on her hips.

Rumple looked at Belle for an answer.

"No thanks. I'm not staying long." she said noticing the deep disappointment that flashed across Rumple's face.

After Granny walked away, the two sat in silence for several moments before Rumple broke the silence.

"Belle, I can't imagine what you must think of me or how you must be feeling. I can't tell you how sorry I am for what you saw. What I did."

"I don't understand. Why would you do this? And with Cora. Isn't she supposed to be your enemy?"

"She showed up very unexpectedly, we made a deal and she kissed me. I was shocked more than anything. Cora and I have a very complicated past."

"So what? Your girlfriend was in the hospital from being shot in the back so you decide to take up with the first ex that comes along?" Belle said her voice rising. She had wanted to meet at Granny's so the situation could be kept under control and she so she would have an easy exit if she wanted to leave quickly.

"Oh god, Belle of course not. It was nothing like that at all. I was upset because of what happened to you and she offered me something to help find Bae."

Belle could no longer hold back the tears that had threatened to fall since she walked in. She was angry that she was letting Rumple see her in this state and hid her face in her hands as she wept. Rumple knew he couldn't comfort her. That that would only make things worse.

"Even after all the things we've been through I never thought I would have to deal with... this"

"My feelings toward you have not changed. If anything that have only grown stronger since we've been apart."

Belle wiped the tears from her eyes and ran her hands through her hair. "So where do we go from here? I can't just go back to the way things were. Not after this... I think it's best if we spend some time apart while I figure things out."

"Please don't do this, Belle, please. It meant nothing. I swear to you." He pleaded reaching across the table to her. Belle slid out of the booth and took a few steps toward the door before she turned back to him.

"I think you need to go and find Bae as planned. I know how important that is to you and I need the time to think."

With that she left Rumple sitting in the booth alone, both iced teas untouched.

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