Approximately two hours after Rumpelstiltskin had left Belle's library, the phone at the front desk rang. "Hello?" The brunette whimpered into the foreign device. Being locked away in the psych ward had left her oblivious to these new gadgets of the world without magic.

"Oh good, you answered," a voice called out from the plastic. The girl screeched and threw the device over the counter, leaving it to hang but the attached cord. "Belle, darling, it's Mr. Gold. Don't be afraid, the phone won't hurt you, dearie." The voice was faint, but the words were recognizable.

She slowly put the thing back up to her ear with hesitance and spoke softly, "Is it really you?"

"Yes, dearie, I just called to see about that hamburger. I was wondering if I could come over and eat with you?"

Reassured, Belle smiled, "Of course, Rumpel."

He arrived a few minutes after, clutching two plastic bags and his cane in one hand and a cup holder with two foam cups in the other. Slowly, he took a seat at one of the empty tables of the library, directly across from Belle. "Hey," he said to her as he cracked the bags open and pulled out two hamburgers. "Ruby said you liked iced tea. I hope that's alright."

Belle gazed down at the wrapped up sandwich in awe as her fingers fumbled to open it. "Thank you. For everything," she whispered to him. Gold simply smiled down upon her in response, watching her every move. In his eyes, she was flawless. Smart, witty, strong, independent, and innocent. He would never leave her alone, not after every time he'd lost her.

The girl raised the burger to eye level, observing it carefully before sinking her teeth into it. Gold couldn't help but giggle slightly as the ketchup coated her lip and her eyes widened with pleasure. "It- It's delicious!"

He shook his head laughing and bit off a piece of his own. "Around here, it's very overlooked."

"Why? It's so good! Even better than the food back home."

They finished up both their meal and conversation relatively quick, but just as Rumpel turned to leave, Belle came to his side. "So, this world, there's no magic, yes?"

Rumpel nodded.

"So you are no longer under the curse?"

He smiled a little. "I suppose not dearie."

"So I can kiss you?" She leaned in closer to him, their faces inches apart.

Just as their lips were about to meet, he whispered, "It's one of the few perks to this land." Then he placed his lips to hers.