Chapter One: The New Librarian

"Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic."- Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Belle held the small golden key in her left hand, fumbling it's sharp divots between her fingers. The golden ring that held the circular, white, plastic label, rested against her sweaty palm. The label in her hand read library. The print was small, rounded, and had a certain amount of grace to it. Belles pace was fast. She was nervous. Tomorrow was a big day for her and she wanted to be as prepared as she could. Her black 4 inch heels clicked along the tan ceramic floors as she made her way around a corner. Her head was tilted down staring at the key in her hand. Belles heart fluttered as her eyes quickly met the obstacle she was about to collide with. Before she could react, her chest and arms collided against a hard broad chest. Her forehead scarcely brushing against what she could only assume was the obstacles chin? The key to the library fell out of her hands and made its way to the floor, along with a stack of books and papers carried by her cohort. The man she had run into let out a deep grumble of frustration at the mess their collision had created. Belle bent down immediately, picking up the loose pieces of paper that had achieved freedom from their paper clip restraint. At first Belle was confused when the man hadn't bent down to help her; after all, both parties were equally guilty of the accidental outcome. However, she assumed that he seemed to believe the mess was entirely her fault and that he expected to watch her while she cleaned up the mess. Just when Belle was about to apologize for the accident, and then give him a sharp word about not helping her, the man began to speak.

"What are you doing here? School starts tomorrow, dearie." He gnarled with an eerie grin emerging between his thin lips and a crook at the corner of his mouth.

He thought she was a student?

"Oh! No... No I'm not a student!" She expressed with a tone of humour in her voice. Even though it was exactly what she had feared would happen.

Belle heard a crack and a clank as the man bent down, now curious, to help her stack up the books and papers. When Belle noticed the cane in his right hand, she suddenly felt guilty about seeking his help on the floor. Her face began to portray her embarrassment with the reddening in her cheeks. She looked up to gain a glimpse of his features. The mans shoulder length brown hair, with gleaming grey highlights, covered his tan leather skin which was cracked but well cared for. The wrinkles around his eyes and mouth spoke of untold pain and sadness. Belle smiled a little when she picked up the last book and read the title aloud.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray." She smirked and recited from memory, ""Those who are faithful know only the trivial side of love; it is the faithless who know love's tragedies.""

The man was alarmed and albeit a little impressed, not that the small auburn haired girl before him needed to know that. She handed over the last copy of Dorian Gray and he placed it on the pile they had reconstructed together. He shifted so that his left knee was supporting all of his weight and brought his right foot level with the ground once again. His cane was vertical once more and all his weight was placed with both his hands on the handle, struggling to resume his body in the upright position. In this time Belle had already managed to stand from her squatting position, despite her heels betraying her balance and almost giving into gravity once more. Regret streamed through every ounce of his being that he had decided to join her on the floor. He quickly realized that he would be unable to get up without seriously injuring his leg further. The bile rose in his throat at the thought of having to ask her for help; a girl he didn't even know and wasn't entirely sure if she was on school grounds legally.

"Dearie, I could use a little help." He exhaled, the force he was applying to his cane was tiring him quicker then he cared to admit.

"Oh! Of course." And Belle was over at his left shoulder helping him without a second thought. She allowed him to shift some of his weight onto her, as she helped pull him onto his feet without applying more weight to his right leg then was necessary. Now that he was completely upright Belle realized that he was only a few inches taller then her with her heels on. And that his eyes were brown. A rich, dark, empty brown. She smiled and bent over to retrieve his papers and novels from their pile on the floor. There were at least 20 copies Belle figured, and although The Picture of Dorian Gray was not a very thick novel she was astonished by their weight and thought perhaps she should carry them for him. It was almost as if he could read her mind and at that moment he reached his arm out and offered to take half of the stack. He tucked the books between his left side and left arm gesturing for her to follow him. It wasn't like him to usually accept help. But something about her made him feel safe to do so.

"So you know your Oscar Wilde." He said as the clank of his cane echoed through the empty hallways, and Belle had wondered how she managed not to hear it before.

"I like the lenses the novel uses to describe love. You know to me, love is... love is layered. Love is a... a mystery to be uncovered. I can't imagine it being as simple as the typical romance novels portray it." He thought he saw a gleam in those endless blue eyes of hers. She was so youthful. Full of spirit. And perhaps what he would only describe as naive. Why couldn't he stop looking into her eyes? It took him a moment before he remembered that he was an intelligent human being capable of scholarly thought.

"So, would you say that you're one of the faithful or faithless?" He stated remembering the quote she had offered him only moments before.

"Well I'd like to think I'm of the faithful. My life hasn't been eventful enough for me to lose faith in love yet. Love is hope, it fuels our dreams." Belle paused. "And yourself?"

"Ah, well I'm not much of a dreamer. Most would say that I'm a difficult man to love." The crook at the edge of his mouth returned. Belle couldn't decide if that grin was an attempt at a sincere smile or an attempt at intimidating her. Oddly she felt both. "Love. It's like a delicate flame. And once it's gone... it's gone forever." Belle could hear the sadness in his voice, and his lips turned into a narrow frown. The two fell into silence for a moment as Belle followed him to an unknown destination.

"So a...are you planning on reading Wilde with your students?" Belle asked adjusting the stack of books and pile of papers in her hands.

"Yes... Uh." He paused and turned to face her, leaning his cane against his leg and reaching his hand out for her to shake it. "It's Mr. Gold. Head of History, but I also teach English." Belle balanced the books with her left knee and left hand as she reciprocated his shake with her right, even though she already knew who he was. She hadn't recognized him immediately, but she would remember the sound of his voice any where.

"Belle French." She stated with a smile. And he looked at her quizzically waiting for her title. And he began to wonder if she really wasn't allowed to be on the premises.

"And your title?" He asked in a tone that he would never admit was hopeful.

What a pretentious question. Belle thought, until she realized he wanted to know what her position at the schools was.

"Oh right! I'm the new librarian!" Her voice cracked slightly with the embarrassment of having forgotten to introduce herself properly.

"The new librarian?" Gold didn't know that the school hired a new one. Especially one who still looked like a student. With the exception of her sheer white blouse, black pencil skirt, and most importantly her black heels. "I was just on my way to retrieve the key to the library from the office." He gestured to the direction the two had been walking together. That's when it hit her. A look of panic fell over Belles face and Gold had worried that he had unintentionally frightened the young girl, no women, no girl. Defiantly a girl. Usually when Gold frightened someone he knew that he was doing it.

"The library key!" She shouted breathlessly and ran back in the direction they had previously come from. Belle had forgotten to pick up the key after it fell to the floor when she collided with Mr. Gold. Mr. Gold hobbled after her until he found her on the floor once again, the stack of books at her side. Belle dragged her hands along the floor frantically searching for the misplaced key. She was going to lose her dream job before it had even started!

"Looking for something dearie?" Mr. Gold said almost mockingly to the girl on her knees. The bottom of his cane was standing a top the library keys label. Belle let out a hopeful gasp as she crawled towards the key on her hands and knees. When he didn't remove his cane at first she looked up at him from the ground. Innocent. It sent a shiver down his spin. Her innocence was washed away when her brow furrowed.

"Mr. Gold. Would you be so kind as to remove your cane." He lifted his cane slightly and Belle reached for the key quickly, as if she excepted him to slam his cane down at any minute. Belle stood from the ground finding herself all to close to Mr. Gold. But neither flinched at first. Until she backed away to retrieve the stack of books. This time she didn't wait for him. Instead she started on her way to the library walking slightly ahead of him.

Belle struggled with the key in the lock, and the task wasn't any easier with Gold's gaze on the back of her neck. The library's double doors were cream, along with most of the walls in the school. The circulation desk sat to the immediate right of the doors. In front of the desk was a small area of tables and chairs. To the left was a sitting area with couches and coffee tables. Along the back wall was a computer lab with almost 40 desktop computers. The book shelves took up the remainder of the space along the furthest right side of the library. Belle finally got the door open and she placed Mr. Gold's books on the circulation desk. She turned the lights on and then in turn the computer at her desk. Gold had followed her in and placed his set of books beside hers. He picked up his pile of papers and placed them under his arm.

"So what did you need from the library?" She asked, still reeling in the anger he had caused her by denying her the library key. Belle couldn't understand how one minute he had been completely agreeable, and even pleasurable to carry a conversation with. And the next minute he was back to that nasty, manipulative, scornful teacher.

"I need you to put this copy with editorial notes on hold for the students to utilize during the year." Belle grabbed the book and started to add it to her catalogue.

"So what brings you to Storybrooke Secondary School a day before school starts?" Gold asked eying the girl. Those auburn curls looked seemingly familiar. And her accent was unforgettable. So how come he couldn't quite place her?

"I could ask you the same thing?" She said with a sassy raise of her brow. It was almost a dream come true that she could talk back to him like this now. She remembered many a day when she wanted to argue her opinion till she was blue in the face. But he always seemed to have an intellectual quip. She hated to admit it, but he had always been brilliant.

"There isn't much waiting for me at home. I'm a bit of a workaholic. When I'm not working on my book I might as well be here preparing for the mindless youth." He rolled his eyes and flipped his hand in the air.

"You're writing a book! Will you tell me about it?" She asked eagerly.

"No." He snarled immediately. Belle felt sore from his harsh tone. She printed out a barcode and started to apply it to the spine of the novel Mr. Gold had handed to her. Belle gave in to the silence and decided to answer his question. After all, he had obliged hers.

"I'm here a day early because I just wanted to make sure I was prepared for tomorrow. This job means a lot to me. And... I want to be good at it." She said prideful.

"You're a librarian dear, not a rocket scientist."

"Well, excuse me for putting a value on my work. Just because being a librarian isn't an occupation you respect it doesn't make it any less important." Belle had unknowingly stood up from her stool and had her index finger poking into Gold's chest. Gold was flabbergasted. The petite girl and her little finger had stood up to him. And the beauty in it had almost rendered him speechless. So instead he laughed authoritatively.

"Careful dearie. I don't know if you've heard but I bite." He leaned into her finger his eyes glaring at hers. Belle had no idea how to react. He sensed her moment of contemplation and took advantage of her weakness. "Afraid are we?" His teeth snarled like a beast toying with it's prey. Belle didn't let the closeness or sudden heat scorching through her body faze her. And she looked as fierce as ever. Or as fierce as a small brunette in a little black skirt could.

"I'm not one of your students Mr. Gold. You can't scare me with idle threats and a snarl that's one laugh away from a smile." Belle stared at the crook at the corner of his lip, and she thought it quivered at her last sentence. Gold was fascinated by the way she stood up to him. He rather liked it. After eyeing each other, as if they were continuing their argument with their eyes, Belle took the opportunity to back away, grab her newly catalogued book and moved toward the 19th century literature section. Gold took the moment to let out the smallest of smiles. It was an honest smile. And he had no idea why. After carefully sliding the book onto an eye level shelf Belle turned to find that Mr. Gold, resilient as ever, had followed her. She let out a sigh that was mixed with frustration and fright from his unexpected appearance.

"Do you need anything else from the library Mr. Gold?" Her tone was sassy, she was giving him... attitude?

"No." Her tone had quickly whipped away any hint of the smile his face had once adorned, and his tone in turn was rough. He sighed. Remembering his gentlemanly values. "I just wanted to say goodbye Miss French. I best be heading home anyways. And I just wanted to wish you luck... for tomorrow." She smiled, her temper eased again. But he couldn't let her think she had won so easily. "Even if you are just a librarian." He smirked eagerly and turned quickly. Practically running, more like hobbling, to get out of the library and escape the fury he knew was to come.

"Why you! Mr. Gold!" She picked up a book and resisted the urge to throw it at him. Instead she started to chase after him. He picked up his novels from the circulation desk, tucking them under his arm with his papers, and made his way to the double doors. "Just when I thought you were capable of being a decent human being!" Belle had reached her desk and instead started to throw her sticky notes and erasers at him, missing terribly every time. He struggled unable to get the door open, and Belle took the opportunity to pick up her stapler and take careful aim. With the door finally opening he paused to look at her as he stated:

"Good day Miss French!" He said smiling like a fool. With that Belle let out a grunt and threw the stapler right at his head. Mr. Gold ducked narrowly avoiding the stapler, which hit the door and broke as it fell to the ground. With that Mr. Gold went through the door frame allowing the door to close behind him. He headed down the hallway towards his classroom praying slightly that she didn't follow him. Gold knew he would not be able to outrun her again. Fortunately, Belle just stepped out into the hallway yelling after him.

"Careful Mr. Gold! Everyone knows it's best to have the librarian on their side." She thought she heard him chuckle. Belle let out all of the built up air in her lungs with a lengthy sigh. How could one man manage to hit all of the right nerves? And suddenly, Belle was unsure how she was going to survive then next year working with him. Her nerves increased as she returned to the library to work on her preparations. Ignoring the mess her anger had caused she sat down on her stool in front of her computer. And Belle couldn't help but let out a modest smile.