"Do you have a verdict?"

Everyone was on their feet, the small courtroom packed. Belle French, Storybrooke Metropolis' Assistant District Attorney, had been waiting three days for a jury to come back with a verdict. Her blue eyes watched nervously as the foreman walked over and handed the judge a slip of paper. Unable to keep still, a small hand smoothed back a flyway piece of chestnut hair before smoothing them down her crisp navy pants suit.

Next to her, David Nolan, Storybrooke's District Attorney, grasped her elbow to steady her. His boyishly handsome features were trained straight ahead on the Judge and he exuded a cool, charming kind of confidence.

"In the matter of Mills versus the State, the jury finds the defendant guilty on all counts-"

The court room erupted in noise. Belle and David shared a celebratory hug as the judge banged his gavel loudly in order to regain control.

"-And recommends a sentence of time served and a mandatory ten year probationary period."

"What?!" Ruby's voice rang out from the gallery, echoing Belle's thoughts exactly. Next to her Regina smirked, her dark brown eyes trained on Belle. "

"Congratulations," Regina sauntered over to them, smug as ever. "You must be so happy that justice was served today."

"This isn't over, Regina," David said fiercely, his blue eyes blazing.

"Oh I think it is. If you attempt a rematch you will suffer the same fate of the grandmother and traitor. Do not test me."

Belle was shaking with rage as Regina walked out, Mel Vincent at her side, her head held high.

"Let it go, Belle," David put his hand on her shoulder. "We'll get her, but not today."

Belle strode from the court room, shaking David off her. Nothing was going to make today feel like justice for Granny or Ryan. It was bad enough they couldn't bring Regina to justice for their deaths without exposing Operation Scorpion and all its members, but was now made worse by Regina getting away with the lesser charges they had brought against her.

She stopped in the lobby, watching for a moment as Regina got into a car, leaving Mal standing on the sidewalk. David followed her out to handle the press, allowing her a moment to make a phone call.

"Gold," Rush Gold's voice was sharp as ever on the other end of the line.

"She walked," Belle said without preamble. She could already feel some of the tension leaving her with the sound of her fiancés voice.

Fiancé. She couldn't help but smile a little at the word. They had started off badly, her desperately trying to get a word with him, him lying to her about his identity as The Trickster in an attempt to bring Regina down for keeping his son from him. Now he had Balfour, friends, and her. She liked to think she was a good catch.

"Well that's unfortunate," he said darkly. "What did David say?"

"That we would get her."

There was a pause on his end for a moment. "That we will. Belle, I need to call you back. Duty calls."

Belle sighed. "I understand. I'll just see you at home."

"That you will. I love you, dearest."

"Love you too." She pocketed her phone, glad to see the reporters packing up. Her two favorites, Ruby and Mary Margaret, were both hanging around, waiting for her.

"We'll get her," Ruby said immediately, looking sexier than any television reporter had the right to in a scarlet red suit, her dark brown hair tumbling around her shoulders in casual waves.

"I know," Belle breathed out, feeling more relaxed having spoken with Gold.

"We need to build some kind of underground fortress to keep her in," Mary Margaret joked, sweeping her black bangs out of her eyes. She couldn't have looked more opposite of Ruby if she had tried in a demure white dress and pixie short haircut.

"Gold might have one, we should ask," Ruby joked as they made their way out into the biting cold.

"If he does, I don't know about it." Belle kept her face completely straight.

"Well I would want to know if my fiancé had a kink dungeon buried somewhere under his home. And I would want keys to it." Ruby giggled.

"You know Gold is the type of man who likes to be tied up, Belle have you ever-"

"Oh no!" Belle cut Mary Margaret off. "We are not having this conversation. No. No no no."

Ruby and Mary Margaret kept watching her expectantly, waiting for an answer.

"Belle!" Ruby said sharply with anticipation. "We tell you everything!"

"Share!" Mary Margaret added.

Belle just smiled and shrugged with exaggeration. "He's a man who enjoys a lot of things."

"Knew it!" Ruby laughed, bumping into Belle's shoulder.

Gold was not happy to be interrupted, especially by Regina, who walked into his office unannounced. He got off the phone but not before telling his soon to be wife that he loved her. Regina rolled her eyes but otherwise did not make a sound.

"What brings you by, Regina?" Gold asked with his usual bite.

"I need your help," Regina said, sitting in one of his chairs. Gold leaned forward, keeping his face impassive. "I want to make a deal. Like old times, before you went soft."

"How convincing," He murmured, his eyes trained on her face. "It's easy to see how you continued to win elections."

"Can we skip the usual witty banter and just get on with it?" She snapped. "I am in no mood for your games today."

"I hear you had a close call," he settled back into his chair comfortably, still watching her with an intensity that would make anyone else uncomfortable.

"Hardly. I wasn't spending another minute behind bars and if your pathetic girlfriend and Prince Charming thought otherwise they were highly deluded."

"Fiancée." It was Gold's turn to snap.

"Well remind me to send my congratulations," Regina shot back sarcastically. "Do you want to hear the terms of my deal or not?"

"By all means."

"I want you to call off your band of merry idiots in exchange for the information I am about to give you. My mother has a man who can bring the dead back to life."

"Impossible," Gold scoffed. Regina shook her head, her arrogance replaced by legitimate fear. "I've seen it."

"At what cost?"

"They're like zombies. Horrible, mindless creatures and she's building an army of them. She wants to take over the city." "How does she plan to do that?"

"Killing anyone who gets in her way."

"Why should I believe anything you say?"

"Read my mind. If I'm lying you'll know, but I'm not. She has the bodies of Ginny Lucas and Ryan Hood."

Gold stopped foraging through Regina's mind and immediately thought of Belle. What would she do if she saw Ryan or Granny standing in front of her, seemingly alive? Would she be able to allow either one of them to die a second time? She was still getting over his death now, six months later.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I can't stop her; she's too powerful. Maybe you can."

"I'm not interested in another war," Gold said dismissively.

"Well you have one whether you want it or not. Think I was bad? She will destroy us all and she will do it without a moment's hesitation."

"I can't guarantee you your safety," he warned.

"Just keep them away from me. Mother won't harm me."

Gold watched Regina get up and walk out of his office with mixed feelings. If what she said was true, and he wasn't entirely certain it was, they were about to have a very big problem on their hands. Regina was skilled at half- truths and showing him what she wanted him to see. Cora bringing people back to life for her own purposes certainly was worth investigating but it was not worth granting Regina amnesty.

He knew nothing would convince Operation Scorpion, as they were now known, to spare Regina. What would Belle say if he came to her and asked for Regina's life? He turned away, disgusted with himself for even thinking it. If Belle knew the whole truth, why he actually wanted Regina brought down, how he really knew her, Belle never would have agreed to marry him. He had hoped Emma Swan would have killed Regina. He had never counted on the good of these people and their capacity for compassion and mercy. It was his own short sightedness that allowed Regina to be walking the streets of Storybrooke today, and both he and Regina knew it. Regina had banked on it. He should have bought the jury and locked her away for the rest of her life.

Another mistake.

Still, he had never agreed to her deal, something she had not noticed. He had no intention of intervening if one of his own decided on some vigilante justice. It was tempting to plant the idea in David Nolan's head and let him do the dirty work for Gold.

He sighed. It was nearly time to close up shop and head home but he was leaving now. Suddenly he wanted nothing more than to see Belle's smiling, beautiful face, hear her sweet voice telling him whatever silliness she had gotten into that day. She was untroubled; she was good and just sitting next to her in silence made him feel better. It was the same way he felt about his twelve year old son Balfour. He had somehow managed to have the most amazing family, and he wanted to keep them. His secrets staying secrets were imperative to keeping them. He would set the world on fire before he lost them.

Belle had left Ruby and Mary Margaret outside Ruby's diner and drove to the private school Bae attended to pick him up. This had become their routine in the months since she had agreed to marry Bae's father. Bae and her were close but knew very little about each other. If she was going to be his step mother she wanted to rectify that. Picking him up from school was the solution. The drive home allowed her to hear what he did that day. He would talk about teachers and subjects he liked and disliked, his friends, girls, music, whatever was on his mind at the time. He was so much like his father and yet so unlike him at the same time.

"Hey!" Bae beamed as he climbed into the passenger seat.

"Hey yourself," Belle smiled as she began the drive home. "How was school?"

Bae immediately launched into a blow by blow of his day, sparing her no detail. Belle listened, occasionally asking a question when his silence prompted it. Bae was more than happy to do most of the work in their conversation which was a welcome distraction from her blow in the court room today.

"Belle?" Bae asked suddenly.

"Bae?"

"Can I spend the night at a friend's house tonight?"

She pulled into Gold's massive driveway as she considered his question. Despite their relationship, she had no real authority over him and they both knew it. What she did have was power over his father. Gold never told Belle no, so if Bae was asking her it meant he wanted Belle to ask his father for him.

"I'll ask your Dad," she promised, smiling as he dashed out of the car to begin packing an overnight bag. Belle herself was still smiling when she found Gold standing in the kitchen, brooding over the sink. His suit jacket was tossed casually over a chair and his tie was slightly loosened.

"You're home early," she said, snaking her arms around his middle and resting her head on his back.

"You sounded like you needed me here," he told her softly, turning around so he could pull her into a hug.

"Bae had it covered." She relaxed into his chest, breathing him in.

"I'm sure he did," Gold chuckled, kissing the top of her head.

"Speaking of Bae..."

Gold groaned. "What trouble has the lad gotten into this time?"

"No trouble. He wants to spend the night at a friend's house tonight. He asked me if it was all right..."

"Bernard is gone for the week," Gold told her as he pulled away. Belle frowned. She knew he was gone; she had driven him to the airport herself, "If Bae leaves we'll be home. By ourselves. Alone."

"Gross Dad," Bae rolled his eyes as he walked into the kitchen, dropping a packed duffle bag on the floor.

"Who is this friend?" Gold ignored his sons comment as Belle turned her back to the boys, giggling quietly.

"Nick Zimmer. You met him, remember?"

"That boy who got caught stealing?" Gold asked sternly.

"Daad..." Bae started to protest.

"I don't like you hanging around criminals. You're better than that."

"Everyone makes mistakes," Bae said, setting his jaw in defiance. Belle was watching them square off against each other. "Haven't you made mistakes ever?"

Gold paused, narrowing his eyes at his young son. Belle placed a hand gently on his shoulder and winked at Bae. "You should let him go. The stealing incident was several years ago. Nick seems like a good kid."

Gold closed his eyes for a moment before looking at his son again. "Fine, but I will be driving you. If I get even an inkling you are doing anything...unsavory...I will lock you somewhere that makes Rapunzel's tower seem reasonable. Do you understand me?"

"Yes Dad," Bae said promptly. He picked up his duffle bag and looked at his Dad expectantly.

"Have fun!" Belle said cheerfully, kissing both boys on the cheek before walking out of the room. She could hear them talking with each other as she made her way towards the spiraling stair case that led to the bedroom she shared with Gold. It had been such a long day; she needed the quiet of her bedroom.

Once shut behind the large wooden doors, Belle flopped down face first onto their bed. The day was weighing heavily on her and more than anything she needed a distraction. Her conversation with Ruby and Mary Margaret popped into her mind causing her to roll over onto her back. She had scarves. Maybe tying Gold up and having her way with him was exactly the kind of distraction she needed.

She sprang up to rifle through the closet when her phone buzzed in her back pocket. She casually grabbed it as she pushed through hangers to find the scarves she kept for winter occasions and then stopped dead. The name on her phone screen was impossible.

Ryan was dead.

Emma Swan had had the world's longest day and it wasn't even over. She had run by her shared apartment with Mary Margaret to grab something to eat and switch out the boots she was wearing. The Regina case had mentally exhausted her along with the physically exhausting demands of everyday life as Sheriff. It had caused her to put her would be romance with Jefferson on the back burner and she refused to even contemplate August Wayne Booth's possible attraction to her. She wasn't her friends. Belle, Mary Margaret, and Ruby all seemed so skilled at making a relationship stick but Emma wasn't like that. There was no point in trying, either. All that accomplished was heart break, something she had little interest in.

It was also worth noting that she was still a little burned from Graham's untimely death. She had had feelings for him, even sharing a kiss down at the station before Regina slaughtered him. Regina destroyed everything she touched, Emma thought bitterly as she pulled her boots on.

The whole city could go to hell.

She pulled the door open to go back to work but stopped dead.

"Graham?!"

Graham stood at her door, his fist raised to knock, his eyes confused. "Emma..." His voice was gravelly, his skin sheet white. "Emma...help me."

Belle left the house driving a hundred miles a minute. It never occurred to her to call anyone and tell them where she was going. She needed to see, to know that it was a fluke, someone playing a horrific joke on her.

She had convinced Gold to keep Ryan's apartment for her, even though it was empty. She had stored all his belongings but she hadn't been able to let go. She swore when she got there she would let him sell it. This had gone on long enough.

Belle practically ran up the four flights of stairs to Ryan's old apartment. Her hand shook as she put the key into the lock and walked in.

"Ryan?" She called out hesitantly, looking around.

"Belle?"

Belle spun around so fast her hair hit her in the face. Ryan was standing in the doorway looking confused. Belle didn't care. She launched herself into his arms, hugging tightly.

"I'm so sorry. Ryan, I'm sorry."

Ryan pushed her back with enough force to slam her into a wall across the room. "Don't touch me," he snarled. "I'm a monster."

Belle pushed her hair away from her tear stained face.

"What happened to you?"

Cora had a problem.

Bringing the dead to life had seemed such a good plan in theory. She had trained them for months, preparing them for the moment they would be unleashed on the city, ready to do her bidding. What she hadn't counted on was them retaining their personalities before death. They struggled with their loss of humanity, they mourned for the loss of their loved ones.

They staged a coup.

In retrospect, Cora supposed she should have had a stronger hand with them. Should have instilled a stronger sense of fear. Should not have left Hook in charge of them.

Now several of them were missing. Graham, Ryan, her daughter's old flame Daniel, Granny. All dangerous and looking for help. She knew the inept band of heroes would be tripping all over themselves to offer it. Assuming they weren't killed before they got the chance.

That, Cora decided as she went looking for her missing undead, would be decidedly helpful.

Convincing Ryan to come with her had been difficult and had resulted in several more violent outbursts. Belle had healed anything broken but left the bruises. She didn't want to lose her stamina before she got Ryan to their hideout.

The house was eerily quiet and on their way down Ryan only smashed one vase. Belle considered that progress.

The lair was chaos. Gold was there looking vicious as he stood over a chained up Graham. Emma was huddled in a chair, hugging her knees and sporting an ugly black eye. Ruby was hysterically sobbing while Archie tried to awkwardly comfort her. Jefferson and David were struggling to restrain Granny, who was giving them both a run for their money. Belle paused at the scene, unsure how to react, but Ryan immediately lashed out, slamming his arm against her, causing her to hit the concrete wall behind her and shattering several ribs in the process. She barely had time to time to register the pain when an inhuman roar met her ears and Ryan began clawing at his throat.

"NO!" She screamed frantically, ignoring the pain in her sides and throwing herself at Gold. "LET HIM GO! STOP IT YOU'LL KILL HIM!"

Gold let go of Ryan to stare at Belle. August took advantage and chained Ryan to the wall.

"Belle," Gold's eyes were roaming over her face, black with fury. "He's already dead."

"No he's not and if you hurt him I will never forgive you!" She said desperately.

He took a step back looking as if she had slapped him. Belle focused on her ribs, sinking to the ground and holding her chest tightly. She could feel her bones knitting together, the pain giving her something to focus on. She didn't want to look at Ryan or Gold. Her guilt was starting to gnaw at her.

"What's happening?" Mary Margaret finally demanded once Granny was secured and no longer thrashing. Everyone was staring at Gold, desperate for answers. He shook his head."

"I'm not entirely sure how this is possible," he finally answered.

Belle wiped her eyes on the back of her hand, ignoring the look of heartbreak on Gold's face, and scooted closer to Ryan.

"Who did this to you? What happened to you?"

He lunged at her again and in an instant Gold had her scooped into his arms.

"Are they safe here tonight?" David asked, eyeing the chains.

"If they manage to break through the chains, the fortress is impenetrable," Gold told him as he stroked Belle's hair.

"Let's get out of here. Regroup," David said, helping Emma to her feet. Slowly they all climbed into the elevator and up into the house.

"You are welcome to stay..." Belle said softly as Emma was shaking her head no.

"I need space," Emma said, frantic for the door. Mary Margaret, David, Jefferson, and August all chased her out. Ruby and Archie followed after several apologies, leaving Belle standing alone in Gold's study with Gold himself and several of their previously thought dead comrades chained up in the basement.

"So much for alone tonight, huh?" He tried to joke but there was no real conviction behind it.

"What do we do?" She whispered fearfully.

"Belle..."

"No. Don't say it," she said turning away from him.

"You have to forgive yourself, Belle. It wasn't your fault." He crushed her against his chest.

"I can't."

"Belle-"

"We have to save them. Promise we'll try." She looked up at him, her blue eyes swimming in tears, he couldn't help himself. He pressed his mouth against hers in a searing kiss.

"Promise."