It had been months since Belle had made the deal with The Dark One. She had become accustomed to living there and actually quite enjoyed it. They shared lingering glances ever since he caught her when she fell. And finally, today, Belle was going to tell him how she feels.

"Rumple…" she said

"Yes dearie?" Rumple said

"Um", she said. "What are you doing? Just say it already." Belle thought to herself.

Rumple walks towards Belle and reaches for her hand. "Maybe if I move closer to her she will relax and realize I could never hate her..no matter what she says." Rumple thought.

"Just say it. He loves you too..I'm sure of it. Wait! Why is he moving closer? Is he going to kiss me? Oh God I hope so!" Belle thought while secretly hoping she would impress him despite having never kissed someone before.

Rumple stood there, staring at the beautiful creature in front of him. He didn't move a muscle. He just waited…waited for her to say something, anything. His face was a mere couple inches away from Belle.

Belle couldn't take it anymore. She needed his lips on hers.

"What is she doing? Her face is getting closer…Oh God, she's going to kiss me." he thought.

Belle touched her lips to Rumple's gently and with fear & hesitation. But Rumple would have none of that. He deepened the kiss with heat and passion.

"Oh Belle…" Rumple moaned. "Never stop."

She wasn't planning on stopping. Kissing him was the only thing she ever wanted to do.

"Wait, what is happening? His skin feels different. It feels….normal." Belle thought.

Belle didn't want to stop kissing him but she knew she couldn't stand not knowing what was going on. Belle opened her eyes and gasped.

"Rumple! Your skin is turning tan. Your curse is breaking!" Belle shouted with excitement in her eyes.

"What are you talking about? That is not possible. Only true love's kiss can break my…" Rumple stopped. "Wait, how did you know about my curse?"

"Oh, a woman told me while I was fetching some straw for you in town. She said that you were cursed with these looks and dark powers…but that true love's kiss would save you. This woman knew things Rumple. She knew that I loved you. She could see it. Don't you see..the kiss proves that we were always meant to be." Belle said while she looked at her true love…the love that could save her from a lifetime of loneliness.

"You stupid girl!" Rumple shouted. "Do you really expect me to believe that you didn't conspire against me with this woman? That you didn't do this to get rid of my powers and hurt me!"

"Rumple no…I…I don't know what you are saying. Stop shouting at me..please" Belle said softly while tears started to form in eyes.

"Did this woman happen to be called Regina?" Rumple said, trying to ignore the horrible feeling his gut for making his Belle cry.

"Yes…how did you know? Oh Rumple, please believe me. I love you and I could never…"

"No one could ever love me!" Rumple shouted while shaking Belle.

Belle was frightened and didn't know what to do.

"How could he think I don't love him? After all that has happened…" Belle thought to herself while trying to think of the right words to say. But before she could Rumplestiltskin grabbed her by the wrist and started pulling her towards the dungeon door.

Belle spent the night in the dungeon. She didn't sleep. Belle just stared at the door, hoping Rumple would come back and tell her he believed her after all.

Then came morning and Rumple arrived at the door.

"Go. I don't want you anymore."

"You don't mean that. You're just scared. Scared to let someone in."

"No. I just love my power more than you."

"You're a coward Rumplestiltskin! You will regret this. And all you will be left with is a broken heart and a chipped cup" Belle said as she storms out of the dungeon and out into a world without her true love.

Belle runs as fast as she can. Tears are covering her face and more keep coming.

"How could he reject me like this? I love him more than anything…and I know he loves me too. Why did he do this?" Belle thought as she enters a dark and scary forest.

Belle was too lost in thought to notice where she was until all of the sudden a man appears before her. A strong and terrifying man.

"Gaston?" Belle asked while looking into his menacing eyes. "What are you doing here?"