Summary: Mr. Gold is freed like he knew he would be and he as drawn to the hospital, down to the basement where he found her.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the show or the characters.
Rating: K
Pairing: Belle/Rumpelstiltskin
FINDING BELLE:
Gold was released, like he knew he would be. Emma couldn't keep him and she would be hard pressed to find a judge who would sentence him for anything. He was, after all, the great Rumpelstiltskin. No one could contain him. Walking along the street Gold stopped the chipped cup like a weight in his pocket. Something drew him in another direction. His bum leg carried him to the hospital just as Regina was leaving. The Madam Mayor was leaving from a back door. "Well now, this is interesting." He moved around the corner, away from the line of sight from Regina, the former Evil Queen.
Waiting for a few more minutes, until the car was gone, he walked across the street and to the back door. It was wedged open. Quite a surprise and a welcome one at that. He pushed the door open to see the lower ward with a nurse sitting behind a desk; a red rose resting on the desk. Regina's work. Gold hobbled inside, going over to the desk. The woman owed him, much like everyone in town, "Which one?" He asked.
The woman pointed to the room nearest the desk. Gold only sneered at her. If he had his former face then he would have inspired fear in her with only a glance. Reaching up to the window, his hand trembled. Some how he knew what he would find, yet he dreaded it. Taking a calming breath Gold pushed the window aside. It was her. He stumbled back, punched in the gut. Shock, guilt, anger, and pain all washed through him in a single wave. The bitch had lied to him in two lives. Quickly he went back to the small window and gazed upon the face, the woman he loved, but crushed.
In his heart, what was left of it, love for her bloomed anew like the red rose he had once given to her. She was alive and he would see her free. To do that, the curse would be lifted, and for the curse to be lifted Emma Swan would need help. Gold shuddered at the thought of helping Emma for free. People came to him, made deals, and he collected. Could he stand to do something for free? Looking back at Belle, Rumpelstiltskin knew he could. She was left in the dark all alone. Regina would pay for this.
Gold gave Belle a look he knew she would understand; he allowed the love for her to shine through. He wanted to get her out, to take her with him. Only, he couldn't. That would alert Regina. He would have to be crafty and even more devious this time if he was to save Belle. There was no concern the guards would stop him, people feared him. Reaching in, he tried to reach his hand to her. She in turn came to the door and took his hand. Belle, the only name he had for her, didn't speak. She just looked at him with sorrowful eyes; a silent plea to save her. He would and he would embarrass the Queen, the Mayor all at the same time. That would take careful planning.
He turned to leave but her hand tightened on his. Looking back to her, his heart shattered. Tears lingered in her eyes; still no words formed. Resting against the door, "I will get you out of here." He promised, he meant it. Belle was his. He loved her and no one was going to stop that. Once, he had lost her due to his own paranoia and foolishness. Now would be different.
"Don't leave me," She begged a silent plea for his help, for his power.
His powers gone, but the influence remained. First he would have to talk to Ms. Swan. "You will be with me again," He promised. Her hand loosened on his. She seemed appeased with this answer. Gold would move heaven and hell to make it so. Belle was his love. She dared to see a side of him those around him refused to see. He would have that back, would have her. Bringing her hand through the slot he kissed the back of her hand before letting go.
"Rumpelstiltskin," Belle said pulling her hand back in. Her voice was still a whisper. She knew who he was because she remembered everything. Regina, the Evil Queen, wanted it that way. "Hurry."
"I will," One last look and then he had to go. Just one last look. She backed away from the door, back over to the ledge where she sat looking back out the window. There was the urge to kick the door. Instead he closed the slot and walked back to the desk to stare at the nurse, "Not a word I was here." Gold warned and made the threat stick by setting his gun on the table. The nurse backed away nodding.
Once again he passed by her door, reaching out his fingers brushed the cold unyielding metal of the door keeping Belle from him. Her fate was partly his doing, he knew this. This time he would do everything in his power to make it right. Taking his hand from the door he brought his finger up to touch the tips to his lips. The memory came to him, so strong, he almost felt it. Her lips had been so soft, so sweet; he had never forgotten the feel of them. Belle had tasted like the first honeysuckle of spring. Gold would do anything to have that taste, see her smile, and listen to her laugh again.
Out on the street again Gold went back to the Police Station to have a word with Ms. Emma Swan. It would take a lot of convincing, a lot of patience, to get her to believe what he was telling her. He could do it and he would so anything for Belle. She needed him in this world in a way he wasn't there for her in their other life. The Fairy Tale world was their home and if they returned Rumpelstiltskin and Belle would do so together.