Prologue

"Don't you see? That's exactly the reason I have to stay."

Belle smiled angelically into Rumpelstiltskin's bewildered face, her hands on his shoulders as she leaned up and kissed him. There was nothing that he could do except take her by the waist and pull her with him as he sat back on the wheel's stool. Somehow, he set the chipped cup down safely with his other hand as they continued to kiss. He knew it had to stop but it had been so long, and his love too great, that he could not move her away from him. It was several minutes before he finally broke the kisses, and with hands on both sides of her face smoothed back her hair and said gently, "I love you Belle . . . ." She began to reply in kind but he placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. "I do, and I would be with you forever, as you pledged once to me. But think of what I just told you." Pausing he looked her directly in her eyes, "I am a monster, do not doubt me." He touched her cheek, his expression earnest. "I meant what I said when I told you to leave," he said softly.

Belle placed her hand over his, "As did I when I told you I had to stay." She took his hands in both her own. "So let me say again that I love you, and I want to be with you forever."

Rumpelstiltskin sighed almost ruefully, "Very well." His eyes moved to their clasped hands. "I'm not strong enough to offer again, Belle. This is my last warning. Your last chance."

"Good!" she smiled pulling his face up to hers and their lips met again and again as they whispered each other's names and pledged their love over and over.

It was done.

He was a monster.

And she had decided to stay.

Chapter One

Rumpelstiltskin was driving slowly with his left hand while Belle clutched at his right, holding her breath.

It was her first ride in a car and he had to stop often and suddenly to swing around debris. Occasionally Belle's lips tightened at the fear of the obstacles, and perhaps the reminders of his broken promise.

"Almost there, Sweetheart. Storybrooke's a little town. Just a minute or two." She nodded silently, her hand still crushing his.

Finally Belle giggled shakily, "It is rather silly being so frightened."

"Every first time there is a little fear." His mouth clamped shut. Did he say that aloud? Luckily Belle did not catch his unintended double entendre. Of course nothing was going to 'happen' at his home, not with everything he needed to do. Not with his Belle. He let out a slow breath.

After what seemed an age, they arrived at his home. Rumpelstiltskin led her into the house.

Belle looked left and right at the clutter. "Still the collector?"

"Old habits die hard," he replied. She smiled, and stood expectantly as though waiting to see where she needed to go.

He helped her. "Would you like something to eat?"

"No, thank you," Belle answered. "It's been quite the day. All I want is to go to bed."

"Yes," he said gruffly, and led her upstairs to the room he'd always considered hers. When he had arrived after the curse, this room had a full ladies' wardrobe, as though it had been waiting for her. It even had Belle's colors, rose, gold, blue . . . and the clothes while a little . . . short, suited her in a strange way. Her work dress in the Enchanted Forest had also been rather short and girlish despite her age. However, he thought with a little bit of dismay, her clothes did give her the appearance of a woman younger than her thirty years and would not help with inevitable accusations of 'cradle robbing.' Not that it would be an issue in Storybrooke. He planned to be gone with her by the next evening, after finishing up what her unexpected appearance had put on hold.

"You'll find everything you need," he gestured to the wardrobe and drawers. Pointed to the left. "Bath shower, shampoo, nightclothes. Do you need help operating the shower?"

Belle shook her head, blushed a little.

"Just ask if you need," Rumpelstiltskin assured her, "I'll be next door." Belle nodded quickly. He acknowledged her movement, more curt than he intended. He did not trust his voice and went to his own room thinking that his shower would be cold.

Finished ready for bed, he debated whether to go say goodnight, but was spared when he heard her call to him. He was there in seconds, knocking discreetly. "Belle, may I come in?"

"Yes, please." He walked in and did not see her.

Her head popped out of the bathroom door. "In here!" Rumpelstiltskin walked to where she stood in a stunning off-white . . . slip? Nightdress? As she was toweling her hair, he swallowed. She turned to him unfazed. "I was trying to figure this out," she gestured to the hairdryer as he entered. "Funny world," Belle commented. "The nightdress is more modest than the dress I was wearing!" Rumpelstiltskin swallowed again. It did, he supposed, cover more, but it was still different. But then women often did not know the effect something like that could have on a man. The pair had always been more like friends in many ways. So comfortable with each other. And she was more sheltered than her bold demeanor implied. Had she known how a man viewed the nightdress, she would most certainly be wearing a robe.

Willing himself to focus on the task at hand, Rumpelstiltskin sat her down on a rose-cushioned chair. "Allow me," he slowly began moving the brush, then stopped. "There's a bottle of detangler I need." Belle grabbed the bottle and handed it back behind her.

Rumpelstiltskin then sprayed, brushing her hair. Belle sighed, letting her head dip to the side; he gently moved it back upright. It was intimate, bonding. She sighed again and he stopped to lay his hand on her shoulder. A delicate, feminine hand covered his as he leaned down to kiss her hair, breathing in her scent.

Abruptly, he grabbed the hair dryer and turned it on. As he dried Belle's hair, he discreetly checked her back, her arms. There were no signs of scourging. Another lie of Regina's. He counted to ten, as Belle giggled, no doubt at the new sensation of having a hairdryer blow over her. He turned it off.

"Thank you," Belle said as she rose, kissing him and giving him a hug. He put his hands on her shoulders.

"Bed." With a small push Rumpelstiltskin turned her into the sitting area. "Would you like me to light a fire?"

"No, " she smiled. "Maybe tomorrow night. This room is perfect."

"Good!" he kissed her forehead, "Goodnight."

As he began to move away, Belle would not let go of his hand.

"What is it?" he peered at her, concerned.

Belle bit her lower lip. "Could you. . ." She swallowed. "Maybe, stay with me," she said the last part quickly. "Just awhile," she clarified, but still blushed. "We could pull a chair by the bed."

"Whatever you want, Belle," he replied. She smiled nervously and climbed under the ample covers. He took the chair and sat down, taking her hand and smoothing her hair with his other. "Better?"

She nodded, "Just didn't want to be alone," she murmured. "Never thought that I would ever again be sleeping in a bed, with you by my side."

"Me neither." Rumpelstiltskin looked down.

Belle leaned her head back on the pillow, and then turned her head. Her eyes met his. She looked frightened. Blinked, and whispered "I shouldn't be thinking about it."

That ended the last of his self-control. "Oh Belle!" he burst out and the next moment did what he'd been wanting to do for the past hour: climbed into bed and had her in his arms. With a small cry she lifted her head so that he could kiss her, kiss her as he held her close, held her, kissed her, then . . .then, by some miracle they slowed and stopped, she laying her head on his shoulder, his arms around her, as her breathing slowly fell into a soft rhythm.

Rumpelstiltskin could never have imagined as late as this morning that he would be here, finally keeping his darling safe in his home, in his arms.

He wrapped his arms tighter around her.

For the first time since he lost Baelfire, he had what he wanted.