Summary: Short one-shot of how Rumple's freak out in "Skin Deep" could have gone and enable Belle to stay with him. Please review!
"Who are you talking to?" Belle questioned as she watched Rumpelstiltskin address his reflection in the tall mirror.
"The Queen!" He exclaimed shrilly, spinning around with a flourishing hand wave to face Belle. "Your friend the Queen!" Belle stared in confusion.
"How did she get to you?"
"The Queen? I don't-" Slowly and more than a little menacingly Rumpelstiltskin began to walk towards her.
"I knew this was a trick. I knew you could never care for me. You're working for her. Or is this all you? Is this you being the hero and killing the beast?" He was quite close now. Standing less than an arm's length away from Belle with an hideous grin spread across his face. Belle began to explain but he refused to let her.
"Shut up!"
"This means it's true love!" Belle cried. "Why won't you believe me?"
Lunging forward Rumpelstiltskin made to catch her by her shoulders but something happened, something he never would have predicted.
There was a loud crack as Belle swung her arm up and struck him across the face. The force of her slap stopped him in his tracks. He stared wide-eyed at her in utter disbelief. No one had ever dared to strike the Dark One, least of all a woman.
Belle remained still, waiting for some horrible retaliation but the only move he made was to raise his hand to his throbbing cheek. She decided she had better advantage of his stunned silence to explain her side now that she had his attention.
"Rumpelstiltskin!" She began firmly. "I don't know what is going on but I am certainly not friends with the Queen. Nor am I planning to slay any beast. And don't you dare, for one second, doubt that I could love you."
Still holding his cheek Rumpelstiltskin let his head drop to his chest so as to avoid Belle's piercing gaze as her words sank in. He wasn't sure what to do now or how he felt about this turn of events. Outrage, hurt, shame; delight was in there too somewhere. A part of him had always known that Belle was strong willed but she had never disobeyed any of him out of respect for their agreement. This was a whole new side of her which he'd not seen before. He kind of liked it.
Belle was surprised but relieved that he Rumpelstiltskin had not made any attempt to interrupt her so she continued. "Now I am going to go make us some tea and then you are going to explain what all this," She made a sweeping gesture with her arms, "is about. Is that understood?"
He nodded looking like a scolded child. Pleased with his compliance Belle turned and headed for the kitchen feeling quite smug. "That'll teach him."
End.