AN: Yup, ok, still in love with these guys. New prompt, new story!

Prompt: You're overdue on this book and I want it so I'm tracking you down. Featuring 'no magic AU'.


Belle French isn't scared of anything. Ok, sure, the spiders that linger in the storeroom of the library have been known to make her scream on more than one occasion. And sure, when there was a rat in her apartment, she had to call her ex-boyfriend, hysterical, to get it out. And yes, she does not like heights, but that's not being scared, that's just having common sense.

But she isn't scared of anything else. Not flying or trying new foods or the ocean or tight spaces. And certainly not people. So when David comes in, looking for a book that has been overdue for two months, Belle loses her temper.

"Belle, Belle, Belle," David's trying to stop her from storming out of the library. "It's not that important!"

"Yes, it is." She says firmly. "It's overdue! I don't know why he even checked it out in the first place. It's a children's book David, full of fairy tales. What does he need it for?"

"I don't know." David's solid form tries to prevent her from leaving. "But maybe, you know, you just buy a new one?"

"I am not." She says stoutly. "It's a perfectly good book. I know where it is. Why don't I just go get it back?"

"Who's going to mind the library?" David points out desperately, as Belle bundles up against the chilly Maine breeze.

"Easy." She flips around a sign that cheerfully declares the library is closed and she'll be back in ten minutes. "There."

"Belle." David finally grabs her shoulders. "Let it go ok? Let Gold go. Let him have the book. I'll just… Buy the book off Amazon or something."

"David." Belle pats his cheek. "Really, it's sweet. But I'm the librarian, and I'm in charge of getting overdue books back. Really, it's my job. So calm down. I'll just pop over to the pawn shop, ask him nicely if he's lost the book, and if he has, I'll ask he buy a new copy. Simple."

"Expect he's a monster." David says, exasperated.

"He is not." Belle rolls her eyes.

"Easy for you to say, your rent isn't controlled by him." He says darkly. "Emma's is. You know how many times he's threatened to kick her out? She's a single mother for christ's sake, he could have some mercy."

"Well, Emma is a grownup." Belle says gently. She knows how close David's wife, Mary Margaret is, to Emma. In fact, she's practically raised Emma, despite there only being a few years between them. But Emma came from a broken home, and Mary Margaret seemed to need someone to mother.

"She's doing her best." David says sharply. "It doesn't help when Gold's terms are so strict."

"Fine." Belle puts her hands up. "I won't bring up the rent then. I'm just going to ask about the book. His shop is across the street! It'd be pointless for me to not at least ask. And if he, I don't know, threatens to eat me and spit out my bones, then tell Mary Margaret she gets my shoe collection. Ruby's feet are too big anyways."

"Belle!" David trails her out of the library and hovers while she locks the doors. "Don't. He's going to, I don't know, magically produce the deed to the library and threaten you out of your job."

"Impossible." Belle finishes locking it up and turns to a worried David. "He signed the property over as a donation before I even got here. See, he does have a heart. Go order me a chicken sandwich, I'll come have something to eat with you afterwards!"

"Belle!" David watches helplessly as she darts across the street and then into the pawn shop. The bell above her head tinkles and she pauses to let her eyes adjust to the dimness of the shop. It's empty, so she cast a look around, seeing if there's anything she can afford.

"Miss French." Gold's voice is soft, but questioning as he emerges from the back room. "What brings you here?"

"You, sir, have an overdue book." She smiles widely at him, striding up to the counter.

"Do I?" His face folds into confusion for the briefest of seconds, then clears instantly. "I'm afraid you must be wrong. I'd do no such thing."

"Yes, you have." Belle smiles, leaning on the counter. He's got on a gray suit today, with accents of deep red. She likes it. "Although you could convince me that there's been fraud, since it doesn't seem to be a book you'd take out willingly."

"Which is it?" His brow furrows.

"A book of fairy tales." Belle grins. "A little outside your normal preferences, no?"

"Ah," He grimaces. "Forgive me."

"Wait." Belle's eyebrows fly up. "Do you have it?"

"Well," He says, a little sheepishly. "I may."

"Mr. Gold!" Belle's jaw drops. "What?"

"Do give me a chance to explain myself, dearie." He says dryly.

"Please." Belle takes off her coat and slings it on the counter.

"I would be delighted to, but it seems I have other matters to attend to." He says ruefully, when a sharp whistling fills the shop. Belle instantly recognizes it as a tea pot boiling.

"Nonsense. I could use a cuppa. It's brisk out. If you'd care for the company." She smiles widely at him and if he's taken aback by her offer, he covers it graciously.

"I only have black, I'm afraid." He warns her.

"No worries." Belle follows him into the back of the shop, looking around with interest. "I'm never going to turn down tea in any form."

He offers her the nicer of the chairs in the room, while he takes the tea off the stove and moves to pour them two cups. Belle looks about, trying to pick which of the treasures she'd pick if she had the chance, before her vision alights on the most curious item in the whole room- a play pen.

"Yes," He catches where she's looking, handing her a cup. "That is where I keep the children I steal."

"Mr. Gold!" She gasps and the cup slips from her hands.

"It was a quip." He states pointedly and her cheeks flame red, so she bends down to snatch up the cup, cradling it close to her, as if to herself protect from him. "I was kidding, dearie."

"Oh." Trying to steady the trembling smile on her face, Belle inspects the cup and the missing piece from it's rim. "I'm so sorry, I must've chipped it!"

"It's just a cup." He gives her a quizzical look.

"But was it old? Vintage? Expensive?" Belle looks down at it with worry. "A priceless artifact?"

"If it was, do you think I would be likely to use it when I had guests?" He remarks, plucking it from her gasp and sliding her his unmarked cup, refilling the chipped one. To her surprise, he keeps it for himself.

"I wasn't under the impression you had many guests." Belle teases, then instantly shuts up, sure she's stepped out of line. To her surprise, he chuckles.

"No, I do not. Which is why I'm sure when I explain the mystery of the crib and book, you'll be all the more bewildered." He tells her.

"Then please do tell." She takes a sip of the strong brew.

"Well, you see, I have an associate." He begins, taking a sip of his own. "His name is Jefferson, and he is the best at what he does."

"Which is?" Belle pushes.

"Acquiring things of value from very hard to reach places." Gold smiles. "He's got connections a normal man could only dream of. So when I want something, I pay him handsomely to go get it. It's a relationship we've had for many years. Except recently… There's been a catch."

"A catch?" Intrigued, Belle leans forward. "What happened? Did he save a child from the black market?"

"Not quite." He chortles. "He was married young, to a rather wonderful woman. She passed away in childbirth. For a long time, Jefferson would leave the baby with a family member he trusted. However, due his need to relocate, he found himself without childcare. I need his services, he needed a babysitter. So I found myself with a rather energetic companion."

"A baby?" Belle looks at him, dumbfounded. "You watched a baby in here?"

"Only when necessary." He takes a sip, grinning a little at the look on her face. "She usually naps for long stretches in the afternoon. I would bring her here, place her in the play pen, and manage my accounts. But no, usually she was with me at my home. It's better baby-proofed."

"I'm sorry," Belle sets her cup down to gape at him. "But you're telling me that you watch a little baby girl in your spare time, and that's why you had my book?"

"Yes." He answers mildly and when she's stunned into silence, he explains a little further. "Her name is Grace, and I assure you, she's one of the very few people in this world who don't think I'm terribly beastly."

"Oh." That brings Belle out of her thoughts. "I don't think you're beastly!"

"No?" He raises an eyebrow. "So you do not hold with what the Nolan's and Miss Swan and the rest of the town says about me?"

"No." Belle says firmly, picking her cup back up. "You've always been civil to me when you've came to get books. You even offered to drive me home in the rain after the mining festival a couple years ago, do you remember?"

"Of course." He hides a smile by getting up and pouring another cup of tea. "You were not dressed for the weather, I was sure you'd catch a cold."

"I was fine." Belle waves a hand. "I always seem to run hot anyways."

"Like a little sun." He mummers and she tilts her head, a little surprised. "But let us focus back on the task at hand, shall we?"

"Oh, of course." Taken aback, Belle falls silent.

"I have an overdue book, and I'm sure a fine. I'll return the book promptly tomorrow morning and pay my fine. Is that acceptable?" He asks and Belle nods.

"Don't worry about the fine, honestly, it's not a big deal."

"No," He says, surprisingly gentle. "No, it would only be right. Perhaps you can use it to enhance the children's section. Grace will soon exhaust all the fairy tales."

"That would be nice." She admits. "Neal, that's the Nolan's son, loves fairy tales. So does Henry."

"Henry, that's Emma Swan's boy." Gold says carefully and Belle nods. "He is a good boy."

"He is." Belle thinks happily of all of Henry's visits to her in the library, eager to find a new adventure. "Lately he's been drifting towards action books."

"Could you tell me the reading preferences of every child in this town, Miss French?" He asks dryly.

"Perhaps." Belle raises an eyebrow. "As I'm sure you could tell me the deepest town gossip."

"Perhaps." He responds to her challenge with a dip of his head. "But I do have to ask you to keep all mentions of Grace to yourself. As you can understand, Jefferson has made more than one unsavory acquaintance during his time. It would not benefit anyone if word got out that his child was being minded by a cripple."

"I think," Belle's gaze falls on his cane, then moves to a high shelf where several antique pistols rest. "That you're quite capable of protecting yourself. But of course, you have my word."

"Thank you." He tilts his head and Belle finishes off her tea. "I will see you tomorrow morning then."

"Sounds good." Belle gets up, extending her hand. "Thank you for the tea, it was wonderful."

"Of course." A little slowly, he shakes her hand. "You'd, of course, be welcome to come back for more."

"I may take you up on that offer." Belle glances around the back room. "There's enough here to keep me occupied for ages."

He bows his head and shows her out. She swings on her coat and scarf, heading towards Granny's with thoughts swirling. Gold, watching a baby. Gold, with a toddler on his knee, reading her stories. Gold, gently placing her sleeping form in a play pen, covering her with a blanket, hushing her when she fusses. Belle would give her apartment to see these scenes.

"Hey, you're alive!" David says cheerfully, when Belle blows into the diner. She makes a face at him, sliding in the booth next to him and beaming at Neal, who's sitting next to his mother.

"Did you get the book back?" Mary Margaret demands, as Ruby brings Belle her customary iced tea.

"Oh, yeah." Belle bluffs. "Yeah, he checked it out as research on a piece in the shop and forgot he had it. Come in tomorrow afternoon, I'll have it all ready for Neal for his bedtime story."

"I still can't believe you just did that." Ruby shakes her head.

"He's a good guy." Belle says defensively, then hastily changes the subject.

The next morning, she checks the depository box. Inside sits the book of fairy tales. Smiling, she flips it open and sees the envelope stuck there. She takes it out, admiring the beautiful sloping handwriting that addresses it to a one 'Belle French'. She unfolds the paper inside, reading the brief note.

'Thank you for the afternoon tea. It was delightful. Please accept my most sincere apologies for keeping this book so long. May it bring the other children of Storybrooke as much joy as it brought Grace. Perhaps in the future I can ask your recommendations for new volumes.

Sincerely,

Mr. Gold'

She smiles and tucks the letter aside, looking at the other item in the envelope- a check, written for double the amount of the fine, and signed by Mr. Gold. She stares at it, agape, then flips it to the back, where a short note has been written.

'Amends for keeping such wondrous tales from the children of Storybrooke.'

"What a man." Belle mutters, tucking both letter and check where they'll be safe.


Gold takes a deep breath, trying to get a grip. He's covered in vomit, Grace is still screaming in his arms, and the macaroni and cheese on the stove is burning. He needs help.

Of course, when Jefferson had waffled at leaving Grace for two weeks to go to Greece, Gold had waved a hand. No problem, he had declared. Grace and I get along well enough. Never mind that the longest he'd ever watched her was four days. And never mind that she'd been a little under the weather when Jefferson had dropped her off. He'd thought he could handle it.

But he's seriously questioning that now. He just needs an extra set of hands, to hold Grace while he cleans himself and the house up. Grace, sick and missing her father, refuses to be more than five inches from him. He needs backup. With a resigned sigh, he picks up the phone.

"Storybrooke library, this is Belle, how can I help you?"

"Belle." An involuntary smile steals across his face. "It's Mr. Gold."

"Hello, how are you?" Belle asks warmly. "I see you're not in your shop again. Did my orange spice tea scare you away?"

"No, quite the opposite." He glances at the cupboard, smiling as he thinks about the afternoon tea he's begun to enjoy sharing with her. "I bought the blend for myself."

"Oh, good." Belle sounds like she's beaming. "Then what is the occasion for this call?"

"Do you remember the delicate topic we first discussed, when I neglected to return a book?" He says carefully.

"Of course." Belle says quickly and Grace chooses that moment to scream at the top of her lungs.

"I could use some help." He says wryly, when Grace finally quiets.

"I'd say." It sounds like Belle is clambering around the library. "Give me ten minutes, I can meet you in your shop."

"Not the shop." He flinches as Grace yanks a lock of his hair. "My home. Neither of us are… Fit to be seen in public."

"Oh." A little taken aback, Belle pauses. "Well, I'll need your address."

He passes it onto her, and she warns him she'll need a moment to make sure the library is in order before she dashes out. He assures her that it's fine, and to not bring any clothes she doesn't mind being ruined. "And Belle?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"Of course!"

Fifteen minutes later, he's left the front door unlocked and has Grace in the tub, himself stripped shirtless. The little girl is more content playing the water and has moved to small, occasional whimpers rather than full out screeching. He smiles as he pours a cup of water over her head and she babbles, splashing.

"Hello?" He hears the door open and Belle's voice floats down the hall.

"In the back." He calls.

"Where?" Belle's voice is closer, and he smiles.

"Follow my voice." He encourages. "It's the back bathroom. Way back, to the left, and… Hello."

"Hi." Belle stands in the doorway, eyes wide. She takes in his naked chest, his hair pulled back into a ragged ponytail at the nap of his neck. Grace quits her splashing, staring at the newcomer, finally silent.

"Hello." He's not self-conscious around Belle, not even with his bare chest and vomit covered hair. "Belle, meet Grace. Grace, meet Belle."

"It's nice to meet you, little one." Belle kneels in front of the tub and looks at her with a smile, extending a hand. Grace eyes her distrustingly.

"Would you mind watching her while I rinse off? I'm afraid that we had a bit of an incident earlier." He says ruefully.

"Sure." Belle smiles up at him and he carefully stands, grabbing his cane. He's no more than limped out of the room when Grace begins shrieking. He pauses, backtracking into the doorway. Once he's in Grace's sightline, she quiets instantly. He steps out of sight and the shrieking returns.

"Grace." He sighs. "Belle is here to watch you, please let her."

"It's fine." Belle waves a hand. "Neal was like this when Mary Margaret went back to teaching. Go, shower. She'll either scream herself hoarse, or she'll forget about it."

"Are you sure?" He hesitates.

"Go." Belle shoos him. "Go, I can handle a screaming baby for ten minutes."

"Alright." He flinches as he steps away and the screeching returns. However, when he gets out, the house is startling quiet. He quickly pulls on slacks and a button down shirt, limping as fast as he can through the house, looking for them.

"Ba, ba, ba." Belle is babbling to Grace, who's sitting in her high chair and regarding Belle with skepticism. She's dressed in warm footie pajamas, her curly blonde hair still damp. The burnt mac and cheese is in the sink, while a pot of soup is boiling. Belle is chomping up vegetables. "Va, va, va. Fa, fa, fa."

"Interesting." He remarks, relaxing and leaning against the counter to rest his knee from it's recent exertions. "What language is that?"

"It's nonsense." Belle doesn't even turn. "Grab carrots?"

"What on earth are you doing in my kitchen?" He questions, opening the fridge and pulling the carrots out.

"Making chicken noodle soup." Belle declares, tossing the celery into the pot. "Because you're going to get sick soon if you don't eat something healthy."

"I was being healthy." He protests, only mildly offended. "I was making us mac and cheese."

"You were burning it." Belle states and Grace looks between the two adults like she's never seen anything like them. "This is better."

"Fine." He throws his hands up. "Take over my domain. How on earth did you get her to hush?"

"I told you, she screamed herself hoarse." Belle says simply, then turns to show him her drenched shirt. "We made amends after this. I established myself as the alpha."

"How?" He snickers.

"I took her out of the bath, and put her pajamas in the dryer. By the time I got her dry, they were nice and warm. It's a trick I pull on Neal all the time." She reveals. "Nothing better than warm pajamas and then some snuggles. We could give her some baby Tylenol before bed, but she's not feverish yet, just fussy."

"Do you have a secret baby?" He asks, surprised at how well she takes care of Grace.

"No." That makes her laugh. "No, but I've been frequently dumped with Neal and Robin. I'm not sure why I'm the de-facto babysitter in this town, but I don't mind." Belle nuzzles her nose with Grace and to his amazement, Grace squeals with pleasure and reaches for Belle.

"She likes you." He raises an eyebrow.

"I like her!" With a big smile, Belle lifts her up out of her chair.

"Up!" Grace cheers and Belle raises her high, making silly faces. Grace giggles, then when Belle lowers her, reaches for Gold.

"Seems she likes you better." Belle smiles and hands her over.

"Yes, well, this is built on a lifetime of trust." Gold takes her and settles her expertly on his hip while Belle finishes adding veggies to her soup. "She's taken to you a lot faster than she ever did to me."

"You seem to be her devoted favorite." Belle grins at him. "So don't get too jealous. Why'd you need some help?"

"She was hysterical." He sits in a chair heavily and Grace rests her head on his chest, though she watches Belle carefully, a fistful of Gold's shirt in her little hand. "Dinner was burning, I was covered in vomit, I needed a moment of peace, and you're the only one who knows about her existence."

"Backup." Belle clarifies, getting a sippy cup for Grace, and two wine glasses for herself and Gold.

"Exactly. I have a good white." He points where the wine is and Belle uncorks it, pouring them both glasses. He smiles at how naturally she moves about the kitchen, getting juice for Grace. "Sometimes you can't do it by yourself."

"Yeah, I know the feeling." Belle gives him a funny look. "Well, I'm glad you called. How long do you have her for?"

"Over a week." He flinches as Grace buries her face in his chest when Belle offers her the cup, grip on him tightening. "I should trim her nails."

"We'll do that when you're not sick, little one." Belle dips to kiss Grace's head when she puts the sippy cup on the table and Gold is suddenly hit with a wave of her. Heat does radiate off her body, along with the smell of old books and something floral. "Why so long?"

"Her father is in Greece. I mistakenly thought this would be a cakewalk, much like all the other times I've minded her. First couple days, wonderful. Now I think she's starting to realize it's taking longer for him to come back, and this afternoon after her nap, she screamed for him till she made herself sick." He rubs her back.

"Ah, do you miss your daddy?" Belle hands Gold his glass of wine. "I know the feeling." Before he can ask, she turns back to the soup.

They eat and that seems to settle Grace. She refuses to leave Gold's lap, but she lets Belle feed her and drinks her juice. Then, apparently quite tuckered out from her day, she begins to snooze on Gold's chest while they retire to the living room.

"I'm afraid I'll be here all night." He jokes and Belle chuckles, setting down her third glass of wine to pick up the remote.

"Then I'll find a good movie for you." She assures him, flipping through the channels. He relaxes back, muscles loose from the wine, Grace a reassuring weight on his chest. Belle settles on some action flick involving super heroes and draws her feet up onto the couch. After some fidgeting, she slowly nudges her toes under his legs. He raises an eyebrow, but his eyes remained fixed on the TV and he doesn't stop rubbing Grace's back. The only change is a small smile at the corners of his mouth. Belle settles in, grinning.

AN: Because we were robbed of mama and papa Gold and I need to remedy that, dammit. Leave reviews! Part 2 will be up in a week!