Disclaimer: I don't own them or they would be together long ago.

Rating: PG

Note:AU Rumbelle romance, it is set during the holidays but doesn't really have a holiday theme.

Putting The Pieces Together

By Latte

Ch 1 – What Simon Dove Knew (And A Few Things He Didn't)

Fall in Maine this year was unseasonably warm. The Sunday before Thanksgiving there were sunny skies, temperatures in the 60's and not a breath of wind. A number of people, who lived or worked in downtown Storybrooke, were taking advantage of the weather to decorate their homes and offices for the coming holidays as mandated by City Hall.

Katharine and Fred Knight had a lovely Menorah in their window. Each night of Hanukkah one more candle would be lite. Granny had a holly and evergreen wreath on the door of the café and multicolored tea lights in the windows. Santa and his slay sat in the yard of the Inn. Mr. and Mrs. Sprat had a string of colored wooden dreidels wrapped around their lamppost with a large blue ribbon directly under the small gaslight. There was a manger scene being built in the grassy yard shared by the Protestant and Catholic churches. The two congregations worked together as they often did. Everywhere the town sparkled for the upcoming holidays, everywhere except at Gold's Antique and Pawnshop.

"Careful, not too fussy," Ian Gold ordered from the open doorway of his business, while Simon Dove hung Christmas lights around the store's main window.

"Sir, you only have one string. There isn't much fuss in that." The large man kept working as his employer joined him on the sidewalk.

"I know," Gold's eyes sparkled in delight. "It's just enough to keep Madam Mayor from pestering me about lack of community spirit and nothing more." Two years earlier Ian had revolted and refused to take part in Storybrooke's holiday lighting ceremony. Regina Mills had considered it her duty as head of the town to harass him with calls, texts, and emails everyday from Thanksgiving until New Years. The next year he'd outmaneuvered her by purchasing one string of old-fashioned outdoor lights for his window. Everytime the Mayor saw them her mouth twitch into a hard line of displeasure but there was nothing she could say. Technically, Gold had decorated. Her aggravation warmed the pawnbroker's heart.

"That should do it." Dove plugged the lights into the outdoor socket and double-checked his work.

"Hmmm…" Mr. Gold was still standing beside Simon, but the older man's attention was riveted to the front of the library, across the street and two doors down. Belle French had finished hanging a large wreath on the door and was digging through a substantial storage box that she had dragged out and placed next to a tall ladder laying on its side under the front windows.

The corner of Simon Dove's lips twitched into an almost smile as he watched his boss watch the librarian. Mr. G was sweet on Miss. French and he was almost positive the feelings were mutual.

Dove wasn't sure why he was the only person in town who was aware of the attraction between the beauty and the strict landlord who owned most of Storybooke. When he gave the matter any thought, which wasn't often, he supposed it was because he frequently acted as bodyguard to the older man. Simon was cautious and observant. Over the years he'd honed his skills studying his boss and anyone who came within striking distance of the landlord. Now he could read body language from a block away and could sense a change in mood with a twitch of an eye or the smallest inflection in a person's voice.

The pawnbroker realized he was standing on the sidewalk staring at Belle, as she struggled with a ladder three times her height. He turned slowly as if he were gazing at his surroundings in general and nothing in particular, until he was facing Dove. "Did you get that projected completed?" He asked quietly trying to keep his mind off of Miss French.

"Yes, sir."

"Any problems that need to be addressed today?" Ian's eyes drifted to the right of Simon's shoulders. It took effort to pull back into the conversation and give his employee his full attention. He finally gave up the struggle and moved just far enough up the sidewalk so Dove's massive bulk completely blocked his view of the librarian.

"No, Sir. I've checked the furnaces and fireplaces on all your properties. Leroy has a list of 5 chimneys that need attention. The occupants of those homes have written notices not to build fires until the work is done." Simon didn't understand why people often called Mr. G. The Beast. He was a fair landlord. Repairs were done in a timely fashion. All that was expected in return was rent paid in full and on time.

"Good, good…" Mr. Gold nodded as he tallied how much he was saving on fire insurance against the cost of getting the work completed. He still came out on top, as well as having the peace of mind that none of his tenants would accidentally burn down his property. His train of though was brought to a sudden halt by a loud crash-bang that echoed down Main Street. His head swiveled and his cane thumped on the walkway as he moved quickly to see what had happened.

"Gosh darn!" Belle French cried out in disgust. She had lost hold of the heavy ladder she'd been wrestling in place. It clattered to her feet, missing the young woman by scant inches.

"Dove." Gold nodded at his right-hand man.

"Yes Sir." Dove assured him and headed toward the library with slow but determined steps.

The older man moved into his shop and carefully watched from behind a partially closed blind. He wanted to be sure the librarian accepted the help that was being offered. She could be stubborn at times.

As much as he wanted to be the one out there giving assistance, it was out of the question. Ian had no doubt that he could have handled the heavy ladder. He was much stronger and fit than he appeared. But it would have been a clumsily affair due to his injured ankle. His dignity would have taken a hit. But worse than that would have been the damage to his reputation. He was the meanest man in Storybrooke. Town monsters didn't go around helping pretty young women unless they had ulterior motives and Ian Gold wasn't that kind of monster. It was better for him to wait in the shadows.

Simon was balanced securely on a ladder, hanging strings of lighted icicles from the gutters of the library.

"Be careful. I don't want you to fall." Belle wrung her hands and nibbled on her lower lip. "I really could have done that." She insisted.

The big man carefully climbed down the ladder. On level ground he still towered over the petite woman. "Miss Belle, there is no need to worry about me. You go and take care of that Christmas tree that I noticed Dr. Hopper and Mr. Nolan delivered earlier today. I'll gladly do the outside work."

"But…"

"Now, ma'am, you know that you and ladders are a recipe for disaster." He spoke in the quiet slow manner that was as much a part of him as his strength and complete loyalty to Ian Gold.

"It was only the once." Belle insisted indignantly. Dove raised his right eyebrow, silently challenging her statement.

"All right, you win," she huffed. "But if there is something else you need to do, or anyplace you have to be, if Mr. Gold needs you, let me know. It's my responsibility to have the library decorated in time for the town lighting ceremony Thanksgiving night."

"I've taken care of Mr. G's lights, already." Simon didn't add that helping Belle French was darn near at the top of Gold's list of priorities. It was a matter that the men had never talked about, but both were keenly aware of. "Besides I owe you for all the information you've given me about tending the boss's garden. This is my turn to return the favor. It seems like a good deal to me."

"Assisting with research is part of my job." Belle argued. If she were sure it was Simon's idea to do the work, she could let it go, but if Gold had sent him it was out of the question. "It's not something I make deals about." She pouted. "You're sounding like your boss."

"Possibly," he agreed. "But I can't get the accent quite right."

For one crazy moment Belle tried to imagine Dove standing in front of a mirror attempting to imitate Ian Gold's voice, speech pattern, and expressions. She couldn't get the picture to form. There was only one other possibility, "Did you just tell a joke?" It was a first in the history of Storybrooke.

"No ma'am, just want to thank you for your good-natured help." He didn't know what else to say because it was evident Miss French had put extra effort into gathering the material he had needed, but to speak of it might hurt her. Unlike the few other times she'd helped research something for his boss, her eyes were filled with longing. Every movement of her body had spoken of strong emotion as they discussed the material he needed to know to take over as gardener at the pink house.

Belle stepped back, feeling suddenly exposed. Simon Dove was one of the most observant people in town, only beaten out by his boss and occasionally Mayor Mills. What had the big man seen during those sessions? She felt her cheeks grow pink and she began to ramble. "Well yes, I…well…I put those bushes and bulbs in…it was my first landscaping job…I was young…still working for my father. It was special…because it was my first…" It was also the first time she'd realized she had a crush on Mr. Gold. She shook her head, refusing to go there. As an adult she wished it were as simple as a schoolgirl crush. But the emotions that started that spring had grown into something much more. Belle clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms, realizing she'd stopped speaking in the middle of a thought. Quickly gathering her scattered wits she continued. "Well, I'd hate for…ah anything to happen to them…they are special."

"Yes, ma'am, they are," he acknowledged and gave her a way out of her embarrassment. "It had to be difficult handing the work over to someone after your father died." Despite what the town thought, Simon Dove was a kind man. He'd never seen Miss French stutter and grasp for words. He didn't wish to do so now.

"Not really," She shrugged and admitted part of the truth. "Dad never cared for that part of the business." That had been one of the reason Game of Thorns hadn't shown a profit. Moe French had refused to do much beside sell flowers from the shop and her twin sister, Lacey, had a black thumb. "I worked too hard for my education not to put it to good use." She pointed toward the library. "I'm happy where I am." Belle smiled gently and let her eyes drift across the street to the pawnshop and the man she knew was working in the back office. Ian Gold had betrayed her trust, but that didn't stop her from caring.

Dove didn't miss the sorrowful expression that filled her eyes and turned her mouth into a sad smile as she gazed at Gold's Shop. He'd seen one just like it when Mr. G had joined him on the sidewalk and watched the librarian hang a wreath on her door.

"Now you go inside, Miss." Simon looked at the sky and the dark clouds that were gathering out to sea. "There is a storm coming and it'll likely put an end to our nice weather. It's time for me to get back to work."

"Thank you very much Dove." She patted his arm. "You're a lifesaver. I've been so busy decorating the library for Halloween and then Thanksgiving. There were extra meetings and school functions. I don't know where the time went. The lighting ceremony decorations were left to the very end. There were a night or two I was tempted to hang them in the dark, after the library closed, but…well…as you say, I don't have the best track record with ladders. I put those evenings to safer use and did my baking. When you're done here ring the bell at the side entrance to my apartment. I have a box of your favorites all ready to go."

"The chocolate chip crunchy ones?" he asked in delight. They were Miss French's special recipe. Other women in town had tried to duplicate them, but no one had succeeded. "Thank you, Ma'am." The corners of his lips twitched upward and his eyes sparkled. "Mr. G. has a fondness for them too."

"I know." Belle waved at the tall man who was helping her. She headed inside to finish taking down Thanksgiving decorations and getting the library ready for Christmas.

Dove trudged up the ladder and went back to stringing holiday lights. As he worked he shook his head, wondering why his boss and Miss Belle never did anything about their shared attraction. Both were lonely and both were unattached. It seemed a shame, especially over the holidays.

Simon had tried to plant a small seed when he told her how much his employer liked her cookies and he'd bet Gold has ordered at least one of her pies. Bae and his dad liked sweets, but it was the one area where Mr. G. failed to excel. The man could whip up amazing meals out of almost nothing, but baking always set off the fire alarms.

As he worked he recalled the summer Belle had been employed at the pawnshop. She'd been there about a week when he learned she was far more than just another young woman living in Storybrooke. Dove came in the side door and discovered Miss Belle and his boss sitting on the floor of the shop. There was a short ladder, overturned between them. Both were disheveled and laughing. It was the first time in all the years he'd worked with Mr. G. that he'd ever heard him laugh, a true, happy laugh.

His boss had turned surly at the sight if his right-hand-man, but couldn't suppress the warmth in his deep brown eyes. He pulled himself to his feet carefully positioned his cane in front of him. It was a practiced stance, one he considered his most foreboding. Miss French fought to suppress her giggles in face of his gruff features and posture, but it was a battle she only partly won.

"That will be quite enough of that, young lady." Gold dusted off his still immaculate suit and straightened his tie. "I think from now on Mr. Dove will be in charge of any duties that require climbing."

"Yes, Sir." Miss Belle popped to her feet and reached for the small wooden ladder.

"Ahh, ahh, ahh," Mr. G. shook his finger. "On second thought, I don't want you even touching that thing. Simon, if you please, put in back in the storage closet." He nodded at his employees and strolled casually to the backroom.

Dove was never told what caused his boss and Miss French to end up in a heap on the floor and he'd never asked. If he had to guess, he believed the young lady must have managed to lose her balance and Mr. G. had broken her fall. He was glad neither of them were hurt. That would have taken the joy out of the memory. As it was, he fought to keep from smiling everytime he thought about it.

That was the summer after her graduation from Boston College and before beginning work on her Masters degree. She'd come home and had a falling out with her father. The whole town had heard Mr. French shouting. He'd assumed that since Belle had gotten the notion of an education out of her head, she'd come back and join him in the florist shop fulltime.

Miss Belle had worked hard since she was a teenager. In high school she'd done all of the landscaping for Game of Thorns and still won a full scholarship. During her college years she'd come home every summer to labor in the gardens of Storybrooke to help her father and her twin Lacey stay afloat.

She had earned a grant for her research work that allowed her to go for a post-graduate degree and she was not going to let anything stand in the way.

French had thrown her out yelling and screaming all the way down the street. Belle let the man's nasty words roll off her back like water as she headed for Granny's. Mrs. Lucas had given her a room in exchange for help with the dinner crowd and two days later, the young woman approached Mr. Gold for a job in his shop.

The town exploded in shock. Some said, "The nerve of the girl, leaving her father in a lurch for that nasty landlord, who bled everyone dry. Others said, "Gold must have taken the girl in payment for an overdue loan." Simon listened to every tale that came his way and only shook his head at how foolish people could be.

Lacey, Belle's twin was seen around town wearing a smug grin. The girls met for lunch every Sunday, their relationship as solid as ever. Two very different young women, bound together as only twins can be.

Moe French got drunker than usual and late one night threw a brick through the window of the pawnshop. It earned the florist three days in jail and a visit from Gold. No one ever knew what was said between the two men, but when he was finally released, French crept back to his store and never said another word about his younger daughter.

It had been a good summer. Mr. G seemed lighter, almost happy. Miss French had brought sunshine into the old pawnshop. An odd friendship grew between the young beauty and the town beast and then a week before Belle was scheduled to return to Boston everything fell apart.

Dove was in the shop because it was rent day, so he was one of only three people who saw what happened, but it was something he never understood. Miss Belle arrived in a flurry, not dressed for work. Instead she had on jeans, sneakers, a t-shirt, and soft jacket. Her steps were jerky instead of light and her face was puffy from crying. Both men were caught by surprise when the usually even-tempered woman, slammed her copy of the shop key on the counter almost cracking the glass. Her lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears. It took her a few moments to gain control of her voice, but with her head held high she took a deep breath.

"I can't do this anymore," the words came out raspy and strained.

"Belle?" Ian reached for her but she pulled away.

"No, don't you touch me." She gasped as she turned and fled the shop. Moments later her small blue car whizzed down Main Street and out of Storybrooke. It was the last anyone in town saw of her for three years.

Dove couldn't figure it out. He was sure that Miss Belle's abrupt exit was due to something Mr. G did or something she perceived he'd done, but there'd been nothing. His boss hadn't upset Mr. French, or at least not more than usual. None of the girl's friends had had a problem with the landlord. Quite the contrary, Gold had promised to use his influence to help her twin get a job at the Rabbit Hole. Lacey had made no secret of the fact that she wanted out of the florist business. Belle wasn't happy about her sister's choice, but they were both twenty-two and she had been allowed to make her own decisions about her life, she couldn't deny her sister the same opportunity.

Mr. Gold had taken a bit more convincing. The first time Lacey approached the man, he'd turned her down flat, by the third time, he told her that if by the end of the summer he was convinced she could be a steady reliable worker, he would put in a good word with Robin Locksley the Rabbit Hole's manager. The summer Belle worked in the pawnshop, Lacey gave her all at Game of Thorns. She was never late for work, no task was too dirty or big for her to ignore. She stayed late, made all of the deliveries, and generally ran the florists.

As much as Moe would have liked her to take over the work her sister had been doing, he couldn't. He had to do it himself. His older daughter was blessed with a black thumb. He was grateful the flowers and plants in his shop only wilted and didn't die under her care. When September rolled around Lacey moved on to the Rabbit Hole with his blessings and a sigh of relief that his shop was still standing, while he turned white and tight lipped if Belle's name was mentioned in his presence.

It was three years before Miss Belle came home after earning her Masters in Library Science and Communication. The once vivacious young woman was now serious, neatly turned out, and just as lovely as ever. Where before she was open and carefree, now she was guarded and careful.

A month later Moe French died of a massive coronary. Lacey, who had left town a year earlier, came in for the funeral, but was gone a day later.

The weather was turning. As Dove had predicted, the temperature had dropped. There was a stiff breeze off the ocean. He was glad to put the ladder away in the library basement and head around the building to the private entrance of the apartment above.

"Thank you for all the help." Belle handed him a tin that held cookies and homemade caramels. "It's getting cold. Would you like to come in and have some tea?"

"It is kind of you to offer, but I've…ah…I've got a date tonight. I need to get cleaned up." The big man smiled gently.

"That's wonderful." Belle grinned. She knew that Ruby and Dove had been dancing around one another for the last six months.

He needed information and in that moment he realized he could get an answer to his question and maybe help Mr. G., at the same time. "Miss Belle, you don't think I'm too old for her do you? She's fifteen-years younger than I am."

"That isn't a problem." She gently placed her small hand on his much larger wrist. "Age doesn't make a bit of difference when people care about each other." The words were spoken with passion. Belle wasn't thinking so much of Simon and Ruby as much as she was of Ian and the fact that she was twenty-five and he was almost forty-six.

"You sure about that?" Dove gave her a canny look, as if he could see directly to her heart.

"I'm positive." Belle looked at him with sorrow in her eyes. "It's about feelings and respect." She quickly shifted away from the reason her heart broke everytime she saw Gold. He'd acted like he cared and if the few kisses they'd shared were an indication, it was leading to more, but then he'd had an affair with her sister, at the same time he was romancing her. Even now he looked at her and talked as if he wanted more from her than the casual relationship of neighboring businesspeople. But he was her sister's ex. The reason Lacey had taken off. It was unthinkable.

"It's just that sometimes things appear one way and they are really something quite different." He was worried because her eyes were filling with tears and he didn't have a clue what to do with a crying woman.

"Yes, yes they do, but when you have a source that you know would never lie to you." She placed a hand on her chest, trying to indicate she was the source and pretend they weren't talking about two other people. "That is when you know exactly how things are." In desperation she added, "You're good for Ruby and she's good for you. I have no idea where your…ah…friendship…will lead, but I wish you the best."

"Thank you, Miss." He smiled sadly, sure his point had been missed entirely, but glad that Ruby's best friend approved of him. "Something important like that, well it is always wise to be very sure that no mistakes are made. 'Night, now." He turned before she could ask what he meant. She was a smart woman and he hoped she would figure it out.

TBC